Seagrass PIer

I love Colleen Coble’s books and I couldn’t put Seagrass Pier down. Although this is the third book in the series it could be a stand-alone much like the rest of her series books.

Elin Summerall, a widow, is recovering from a heart transplant when she starts to get vivid details about her donor’s murder. The details come to her in dreams, and it feels to Elin as if she is being murdered herself.  The police are skeptical of the “cell memory” that she is having. But when she it gets out the killer of her donor comes after her.  Agent Marc Everton, an off duty FBI agent and had a one night stand with Elin in a moment of weakness five years earlier. One look at Elin’s daughter and Marc knows that he’s her father.

True to Ms Coble’s writing style this book is filled with twists and turns, lots of action, and some romance to boot. It may be a little farfetched with the whole cell memory concept and the reality of whether or not it’s possible or real but if you can get passed that and take it for what is the book is wonderful.

I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Healing Quilt

 

The Healing Quilt by Wanda E Brunstetter is the 3^rd book in this series. The main characters of the book are newlyweds Emma and Lamar Yoder Miller. They decide to spend the winter in Florida because of Lamar’s arthritis. Emma is a little homesick for Indiana when Lamar suggests she start her quilting classes while they are in Florida. Several people needing guidance are lead to sign up for the class each person bringing their own issues to the class. Emma wonders if she will ever reach these people but she knows God has a plan for them and for her.

Although this book was the third in the series I didn’t feel as though I had missed anything at all. I was able to pick right up with what was going on. I do believe I may try to go back and read the other two as I really enjoyed this one. The characters were well developed and fun to get to know. Sometimes they were annoying others were funny and some were just heartbreaking.

The only thing I could think of that could make this book any better would be if the author would maybe include a quilt pattern in the book to go along with the story. I just think that would be a fun addition but she does include a recipe for molasses cookies.

I enjoyed every minute of this book and if you like a little romance and heartwarming stories you will like this book.

I received this book at no charge from handlebar publishing in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

An August Bride

August Bride by Debra Clopton is much like the rest of the novellas in this series. Kelsey Wilcox, a jilted bride, now living in Corpus Christi has sworn off cowboys. She meets up with her aunts who are known as the “matchmaking posse” on the beach before the reception. All dressed in a sequined dress she ends up trying to save her aunt’s dog in the water and ends up in trouble herself. Brent quickly reacts to save the “mermaid”. Kelsey learns he is a cowboy who runs a ranch and doesn’t want anything to do with him.

I loved the “posse” they were such colorful characters and fun to get to know. The story is a quick read and quite predictable but if you have been enjoying this series the too is one you will want to read. It probably is one of my favorites so far.

I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

Winner announced

Congratulations to Heather you won the BTC Cookbook! Check your email you should have one from bloggingforbooks . Once you give them your address they will send your book to you.  Thank you to all who participated. 

The Little Book of Book Making

I received the Little Book of Book Making. I have to say I was looking forward to this book but I was somewhat disappointed. I thought that it was going to be a book full of great instructions and ideas. I love to scrapbook and thought that I could get ideas for mini albums.

First, the book is about 6x6 it is beautifully illustrated and about 181 pages. The first 3/4’s of the book is very nice pictures and descriptions of various artists’ books. The last ¼  of the book gives instructions on how to make some of the books that are illustrated. The instructions are step by step and have pictures to go along with the steps.

I’m not sure I would pay the $23.00 price for this book. I was disappointed that there weren’t more instructions and ideas. Although the artists’ books are beautiful and I suppose gives the reader a good idea what can be done with the created books I don’t think the price constitutes the instructions for 6 books and a few stitching and paper techniques.

I received this book at no charge from www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.

Woman of Courage

I couldn’t put down Wanda Brunstetter’s book Woman of Courage. I really enjoyed every minute of the story. Set in 1837 Amanda Pearson has been jilted by her fiancé on the day of her wedding. Her father and she decide to embark on a journey across the country to be missionaries to the Nez Perce Indians. Along the way she is faced with many tragedies and trials. Amanda’s courage must prevail. Amanda makes new friends along her journey including Mary who also proves to be very courageous.

I love genealogy and I think that is why I love historical novels set in the 1800s and early 1900s. I often imagine what it must have been like for those early settlers as they crossed over the mountains. How it must have been a treacherous journey. Mrs. Brunstetter brought this journey to life and I could imagine my early ancestors embarking on such trips as some of them were Quakers. I loved the characters in her novel they were so colorful. I found myself riding along through the trails along with the sights and smells. Some parts made me sad others made me laugh. I loved the Christian message and love that was portrayed throughout.

If you love historical novels with a Christian theme you will love this novel. I received this book at no charge from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

A July Bride

 

 

July Bride by Beth Wiseman is a novella that introduces us to Alyssa Pennington who just got left at the altar by Brenden. Alyssa is devastated but she starts dating long time friend Dalton. The question is can Dalton make Alyssa forget Brenden even though Brenden knows he made a terrible mistake and wants to win her back.

I enjoyed reading this novella I think it could have been turned into a full novel with a little work. It seemed there was a lot that could have been done with it and it was a little rushed but it was still fun to read. It is much like the other novellas in this series as it is predictable and cutesy. Also, it is a quick read if you are looking for something light.

If you liked the other books in this series I think you will enjoy this one too. I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting

 

Josie Jeffery’s book “The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting has some really good information on gardening in an organic way. There is info on composting, collecting rain water, sowing seeds, transplanting and thinning just to name a few topics. The main focus is the flip, tab pages that is a Directory of companion plants. You can pick your main crop and then line up plants that will grow well and become natural pest control and natural minerals to help with growth.

I found the book full of a lot of useful information and I think it is a good starting point for growing food organically with no harmful pesticides or fertilizers but I feel like it is lacking in depth of information. There weren’t a lot of crops listed that I would plant but there were some that I would.

I would say this is an easy book to grasp and a good start to gardening organically but I wouldn’t say it is comprehensive. It is beautifully laid out.

I received this book at no charge from www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase this book here

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A Deadly Business

Lis Weihl is one of my favorite authors and with “A Deadly Business” once again she didn’t disappoint. A Deadly Business is the second book in the Mia Quinn Mystery series. Mia is a prosecutor whose husband has recently died. She pairs up with Detective Charlie Carlson to work on a case together when he suggests maybe her husband’s death may have not been an accident.

It would probably be best if you read the first book in the series, A Matter of Trust, before this one but even if you didn’t there is background information included to catch you up to speed. The characters were developed in the first book but Ms. Weihl has introduced new characters in this book. The story is full of twists and turns. The characters seem real and the story line believable. There are a couple of different cases going on at the same time but they are easily followed.

In this book I did feel like the secondary story of the case she was working on kind of got left out a little and maybe wasn’t a real important part of the book. It made good points and showed how we could and probably should look at things differently. I think the secondary story could have made a good storyline on its own if it had been the focus. And I suppose it is how she introduced some new characters.

Over all if you like a good, clean mystery you will like this series. Again I recommend reading A Matter of Trust first but it isn’t completely necessary. I’ve really enjoyed both of these books and am looking forward to more books in this series.

I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

Book Giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of this wonderful cookbook? All you have to do is fill out the information below. It is a very nice hard covered cookbook with many wonderful recipes.

The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20th, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21st, 2014 and will be alerted by email. For a complete listing of the rules, please see below.