Monday, November 24, 2014

Books read Nov 24



Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
This Christmas tale is about an angel that is granted the power to come to Earth to do good for the season. Harry Mills. His speaks to Celeste who has set him up with a job
where he teaches others about the story of Scrooge and about his life. The story is also about Addie who has finally come home since the death of her father to help her mother through the holiday season.
Problem is her mother and the next door neighbor are going on a cruise. and at the last minute the neighbor's son Erich who she had a crush on as a teen.
The book also encompasses others in the class and a few of the faculty. Funny at times and meaningful at other times, I found this book to be a good holiday read with a good point of change and to give things a chance.
Hope this holiday you will be granted a miracle of your own as those in the book.
An excerpt from Starry Night by the author is also included at the end.
 I received this book from Library Thing early reviewers in exchange for my honest review.


35 Christmas Dessert Recipes: Quick Recipe Guide to Holiday Pies, Cakes and Candy
This cookbook has no pictures nor nutritional information. Has the basic and some not so basic recipes for pies where you use a store bought crust to cut down on your time in the kitchen.
Holly wreaths would be my choice to make, something not quite so salty or high in fat content.
Apple rings also but using canola or olive oil.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.





Alphabet All-Stars Animal Pack: Volume One
Illustrated very colorful children's book that shows the letters of the alphabet and an animal with the same beginning letter. My favorite was the monkey.
It also tells a bit about the animal.  After the academy there is another book and it's similar but different. Along with a letter from the alphabet there is a question asked and you need to guess what animal goes with it.
The answer is given on the next pages along with a picture.   Another alphabet book follows that one with many of the same animals but depicted differently.
Next book is a guess the animal and alphabet letter game. You are shown a picture of an animal and have to guess the letter.
Other works by the author are highlighted.



 Jake Bakes Cakes: A Silly Rhyming Picture Book for Kids by Gerald Hawksley 
Very colorful illustrated children's book showing what kinds of cakes Jake can bake and who they are for.
Not only is this a silly rhyming book but it also allows you to match up what the person/animal would eat for a cake.
Love penguin one the best.




 Whaley's Big Adventure: Presented by Carole P. Roman
Color sketches of the whales and all the facts are very fun to learn about.
Whaley goes on an adventure into the ocean and he described many other whales he finds along the way and what their characteristics are.
He asks his parents if he can bring them home one day and they agree....



 Tenant and Resource Guide: Michigan State Div of Law
Good book with lots of resource information at the end. Great book for those living in MI that will be renting.
Lots of questions to be asked and to be informed about before you sign the rental lease.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


 COOKIES AND TREATS FOR CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND: DELICIOUS, YEAR-ROUND FAMILY FAVORITES
Like the ideas in this book, everything from untypical treats to the standby's. Great gift solutions also.
Recipes come with a photo picture and detailed instructions, along with nutritional information. Variations at the end of some recipes are also included.
Some of the recipes included alcohol. Like the brunch section also. None of the recipes we can make for ourselves as we can't have sodium and are on very low fat diet.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Another Dawn by Sandra Brown
Book starts out in 1890's and Jake is at Priscillias garden of eden, catching up with her about past events. She runs the saloon and whore house in TX.
Jake Lankstrom, cowboy and likes the outside.
Banner Coleman, Ross and Lydia's daughter who is to be married.
Ross and Lydia from the previous book, ranchers and Jakes mom lives on the ranch.
When Banner doesn't get married he loses his head and has sex with her and next day her father offers him the job of manager of Banner's farm. It's the job of a lifetime-freedom to work the land but he knows he can't stay and work Banner's land when it's her mother he really wants.
Banner can't have the land if he doesn't agree to be the manager...
She wants him as a husband and tries to lure him to her. He's told Ross he will protect her...
There are many instances where they are touching or hugging or kissing and they know they should not...
Hot steamy sex scenes and many other events bring mysteries, medical emergencies during a storm, secrets from the past and gossip to keep this story moving along.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 Ladybug Blue
Colorful illustrated children's book showing the life of a lady bug for a day.
Follows the ladybug through the various color changes til they reach the red we all know.
Yes make your wish on a ladybug.


A Change in Altitude by Cindy Myers
Love this series and glad there is another book to read with the same characters that I am familiar with.
This book starts out with Jonesy's sister and niece coming from VT to his location in Eureka and his girlfriend Maggie Stevens welcoming her.
Maggie is pregnant with Jonesy's child and it will mean changes for them.
Love hearing of the townsfolk and how they help one another out and the mysteries behind all the mines.
So much going on, easy to follow, pregnancy, ghosts, wedding plans, threat of ex husbands, remodeling of a new B&B, past murders, keeps the story going while the town people go on about their business and the gold mine, movie slotted to be filmed around the town.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Children's Book: The Dragon Who Couldn't Breathe Fire (funny bedtime story collection)
Colorful illustrated children's book about a dragon. He is not able to breathe fire like his brothers and he knows it's important.
He tries to figure out how to make the fire and fails. An owl tells him some hints. His mother tells him magic can't happen right away, give it some time.
Other works and bonus gifts are available from the author.



The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Liked reading this book as we have often watched TV series about the escapades of this man and his servant Friday.
So adventurous and fascinates me as to how he can survive and keep protected with no weapons to speak of. Loved the journey this book took me on.
All corners of the world and how they were able to live in the areas by bartering and how they protected themselves with the knowledge they gained from others.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


A Promise Kept by Robin Hatcher
Allison is now divorced and returns home where she's given a house from a relative. She finds the journals and other treasures
and contemplates why God did not save her marriage. Book follows the grandmothers life, Allison's life before and after marriage and divorce and current present life with her daughter, mother and father and her life in Idaho at her grandmother's house.
Love how the community has embraced her into their life. Love treasures she finds in the grandmother's trunks.
Confusing at times to go from different years so far apart and with different people. Different years of relationships with one another are interesting to listen to and how they come together to help one another.
Lots of quotes from the Bible, like the connection between God and those in the stories.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


 104 Funny Thanksgiving Knock Knock Jokes for kids (Funny knock knock jokes) (Series 2 ) (The Joke Book for Kids)
We have a ritual with our grandson when we end our conversations on Skye to do a few knock knock jokes.
Figured these would be great as the holiday is approaching.
Although most are about the food there are many others about the people, places surrounding the holiday.
Fun and easy for a child to read. Great entertainment for the whole family. No color photos.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


A Secret Gift How One Man's Kindness in a Drove of Letters
Love hearing about the years of the depression in the US. This one starts out in 1933 and about Canton, Ohio where an ad in the local newspaper will aid 75 families.
The grandson finds all the letters and his grandfathers bank book and letters from others who wanted to be given a gift-for their families. The letters talk about the hardships and what they want for others in their families to make it a happy Christmas.
Surviving the years and how is fascinating for me.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


101 Quick & Easy Cookie Recipes
Hoping with the upcoming holiday season I will be able to find healthier cookies to make with emphasis on low fat and low sodium.
Handful of pictures and no nutritional information. Like the choices for many types of sugar cookies, soft, chewy and crisp. Many topics of selections
along with a no bake cookie section and Christmas cookies. Chewy granola bars will be one we try along with apple bars.
For the most part any of these will turn out great, although they all use butter or margarine you may be  able to do some substitutions.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.



 Greek Cooking in 3 Steps: Cook Easy And Healthy Greek Food at Home With Mouth Watering Greek Recipes Cookbook
Colorful pictures with nutritional information provided for each of the recipes.
Very high in total fat, so high there is not much I could make with our diet restrictions.  Even the salads with the dressing contain too much fat.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


 Children's Books: THE VERY HELPFUL MONSTERS (Very Funny Bedtime Story/Picture Book for Beginner Readers About Kindness and Facing Fears, ages 2-8)
Colorful illustrated children's book about how a boy wants to be a monster.
Herbie wants to be a monster so bad and figures out he needs to do an internet search on how to be a monster.
He can't find a monster school to go to....no books on Amazon and he didn't know any professionals to ask...
He does meet up with a monster one night and he's given the answers he wants and how he has to change...
After talking to many monsters he finds out what he has to do to get noticed...
Excerpt from How the Cow Jumped Over the Moon is also included at the end.


 lifehacks: 144 More or Less Obvious Things That Will Make Your Life Easier (Improve Your Productivity Personal Life, Health, Fitness and Bank Account)
This book sounded interesting and I found it to be what I thought. Easier ways to enhance your life in many regards.
Not only health and fitness but work and social lifes.  So many of the changes in our life are given in this book. So easy to combine tasks so you have time on your hands.
So much of the information is valuable and always good to refresh your memory by reading about it.  Almost like a check list of things to do.
Buried alive i don't think I'll be needing but good info there.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


 
 What do you see? Our Solar System (A beautifully illustrated children's picture book)
Colorful illustrated children's book that starts out by showing you something in the solar system and gives you clues as to what it is. Next page you are given the answer.
Each page has a picture of a mouse as he is near the object being shown.  Lots of facts are given about the planets and other things in the sky.
Ends with more facts about each of the planets.  Very easy for a child to understand and follow along.

The Affordable Christmas: How to Have a Fabulous Holiday without Breaking the Bank
Story starts out with how the author got into debt one year and it followed them even after the holiday. I've always been one to make things and hope this book would be one of those do it yourself kind of books.
I am always willing to learn how to make decorations in a different way.
Discussions on how the credit card make it possible to always have a nice holiday and pay for it later....
The holiday is so commercialized now we have gotten away from the true meaning of the holiday.
Preparing and planning and other ways to cut back are discussed.  Each chapter ends with a letter from how one person's Christmas holiday and how they coped with a change.
Liked the sections on bargain shopping and the recipes and listings of books for the holiday season.
Lots of gift ideas and traditions that are easy to make/do that won't break your budget. Very extensive index at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end of the book.


Harry Hippo and the Wishing Pool (Beautifully Illustrated Children's Bedtime Story Book)
This illustrated colorful children's book is about Harry. He is a hippo and he thinks his reflection in the water is ugly.
He asks his parents about it....next day other animals come to drink from the water and when he tells them he likes  a particular part of their body, they tell him they hate it.
He wishes he was more beautiful and the toucan is there to make one wish come true....be careful what you wish for....

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