Book Review: Search and Destroy (Outbreak Task Force #4)

Title: Search and Destroy (Outbreak Task Force #4)

Author:  Julie Rowe 

Stars: 4

Review:
Outbreak Task Force series has a real feel when it comes to the medical side of the story due to the authors background.  This background bring a romance into something more intense and almost frightening. 
The author takes characters who are black and white about life and creates a world that pushed them into a world of color, mystery, suspense and romance.
The romance is steamy, the story moves quickly, fast pace action and deadly viruses that could be taken from events in the news.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Entangled Publishing Amara for the advance copy of Julie Rowe Search and Destory.

Synopsis:
The hunt for a killer–– an airborne virus spreading from Florida across the States, gaining traction with each passing moment. Although she’ll never forget her one night with sexy bodyguard John Dozer in Afghanistan, his protective nature is one distraction she doesn’t need right now.

Ex-Army Intelligence officer John Dozer will put his life on the line for beautiful, independent Carmen. Every. Time. Even when she pushes him away. And now, with her struggling to contain an outbreak likely triggered by domestic bio-terrorists, maybe even insiders at the CDC, she needs him more than ever. He lost her once. He’ll never let that happen again. 

ebook, 400 pages

Expected publication: August 26th 2019 by Entangled tangled Publishing, LLC (Amara)

About The Author:

West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!” A double Golden Heart finalist 2006, Julie’s writing has appeared in several magazines such as Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest (Canada), and Canadian Living. She currently facilitates communication workshops for her local city college. Julie enjoys hearing from her readers.

Book Review: Risk the Burn (The Smokejumpers #3) by Marnee Blake

Title:  Risk the Burn (The Smokejumpers #3) 

Author: Marnee Blake

Stars: 2 1\2 

Review:
Marnee Blake Risk The Burn is slow story that some would think it was a slow burn but the story is a little to slow that might not keep readers interested in the characters or where the story might go.  The romance and characters work but lack any things that keeps readers wanting to know more.
The action is ok the story works but lacks any thing that sets it apart from other stories in this type of genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Lyrical Liaison for the advance copy of Marnee Blake Risk The Burn

Synopsis:
A parachute jump gone horribly wrong nearly put an end to Hunter Buchanan’s smokejumper career. But with his body on the mend, the rugged firefighter is ready to get back to Oregon’s Redmond Air Center and his training. Except, while he’s conquered his physical injuries, he hasn’t been able to do the same for his panic attacks. Enter Charlotte Jones, aka Charlie, the trainer who tames his tension like nobody’s business. It doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes. Or that she stirs a hunger in him to deal with just about anything in order to be the man she needs . . . 
 
After four years of hiding from a violent man in her past, Charlie is ready to face the world again. She knows this has more than a little to do with the potent mix of strength and vulnerability she’s found in Hunter’s arms. But when a dangerous encounter convinces her the worst isn’t behind her, she’ll have to decide if she’s strong enough to accept Hunter’s help—and his love

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: August 27th 2019 by Lyrical Liaison

About The Author:

Award-winning author and RITA® finalist Marnee Blake used to teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her own children. Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic boys. When she isn't writing, she can be found refereeing disputes between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.

Book Review: The Art of Drawing People: Simple techniques for drawing figures, portraits and poses by Debra Kauffman Yaun

Title:  The Art of Drawing People: Simple techniques for drawing figures, portraits and poses

Author: Debra Kauffman Yaun

Stars: 4

Review:
As someone who lacks the artist ability to draw anything more than a stick figure I couldn't be more excited to try finding a book that will help me learn to draw just a little better.  I have tried drawing super hero but found it didn't give the foundation or the basics I needed to learn the human face.
This is a great step by step with pictures and guidelines that will help the starting artist find their guide, paper, pencils, shading and more.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Walter Foster Publishing for the advance copy of Debra Kauffman Yaum The Art of Drawing people. 

Synopsis:
Learn to draw one of art's most interesting and challenging subjects. Packed with practical advice, helpful tips, and fundamental drawing techniques, The Art of Drawing Peopleexplores how to capture detailed poses and likenesses in graphite pencil. 

With step-by-step instruction from a variety of artists, you’ll find plenty of helpful tips on choosing the right tools and materials, fundamental drawing techniques, developing valueand shading, and setting up an effective composition, as well as important information about the influences of anatomy, bone structure, and musculature. Detailed examples of facial features, hands, and feet will help guide you through the most challenging aspects of drawing people.

Whether drawing from life or from photographs, this comprehensive drawing guide is the perfect first step for beginning artists. Follow along, step by step, as professional artists reveal their drawing secrets. With practice, you’ll soon be able to capture amazing likenesses in your own pencil drawings. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Paperback, 128 pages

Expected publication: September 3rd 2019 by Walter Foster Publishing

About The Author:
 Discovered that she had a knack for drawing people when she was a young girl growing up in Tampa, Florida. After graduating from the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, Debra worked as a fashion illustrator. She has drawn and painted many commissioned portraits, several of which have been of children—her favorite subject to draw. Debra's artwork has been published in several art magazines and books, and she has won numerous awards, including an international prize. She is a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, having served as president of the Atlanta chapter, and she is a juried member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta. She also enjoys teaching classes and workshops in portraits and colored pencil. Debra lives in Buford, Georgia.

Book Review: The Ventriloquists by E.R. Ramzipoor

Title:  The Ventriloquists 

Author: E.R. Ramzipoor

Star: 4 

Review:
A novel, partly based on fact, that takes place in Belgium in 1943 during the Nazi occupation. The story unfolds in a day by day format and relates what the characters are doing and how they interact. It provides a vivid description of what the occupation must have been like for the local citizens. I enjoyed the book but found it had to be read in smaller amounts than I normally read. Sections must be read, digested, and mulled over by the reader to fully understand what is happening.

I received an ARC from Netgalley to be read for my unbiased review. Thank you Frank for your review.

Synopsis:

Brussels, 1943. Twelve-year-old street orphan Helene survives by living as a boy and selling copies of the country’s most popular newspaper, Le Soir, now turned into Nazi propaganda. Helene’s entire world changes when she befriends a rogue journalist, Marc Aubrion, who draws her into a secret network publishing dissident underground newspapers.

Aubrion’s unbridled creativity and linguistic genius attract the attention of August Wolff, a high-ranking Nazi official tasked with swaying public opinion against the Allies. Wolff captures Aubrion and his comrades and gives them an impossible choice: use the newspaper to paint the Allies as monsters, or be killed. Faced with no decision at all, Aubrion has a brilliant idea: they will pretend to do the Nazis’ bidding, but instead they will publish a fake edition of Le Soir that pokes fun at Hitler and Stalin—giving power back to the Belgians by daring to laugh in the face of their oppressors.

The ventriloquists have agreed to die for a joke, and they have only eighteen days to tell it.

Told with dazzling scope, taut prose and devastating emotion, The Ventriloquists illuminates the extraordinary acts of courage by ordinary people forgotten by history—unlikely heroes who went to extreme lengths to orchestrate the most stunning feat of journalism in modern history.

Hardcover, 544 pages

Expected publication: August 27th 2019 by Park Row

About The Author:


E.R. Ramzipoor is a writer based in California. She also works as a content marketer, writing about cybercrime and online fraud. She studied political science at UC Berkeley, where she researched underground literature in resistance movements and discovered the forgotten story of Faux Soir. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney's and The Ventriloquists is her first novel. She lives with her partner and a terrier mix named Lada.

Book Review: Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction by Editors of Quarry Books

Title: Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction 

Author:  Editors of Quarry Books

Stars: 4

Review:
I used to sew as a teen but as time and life got in the way I lost the skills and memory of the lessons I had once learned.  This book is perfect for anyone who needs the basic and a refresher course on how to sew.  It is perfect and easy to understand.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Quarry Books Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction 

Synopsis:
Have you always wanted to try sewing but aren’t sure where to begin? Sewing 101 teaches you everything you need to know for successful machine sewing.

Sewing Basics gives you a firm foundation for learning to sew, offering essential guidance for your sewing machine, fabrics, patterns, and supplies.

The Projects are arranged progressively, from simple garments like T-shirts, skirts, and aprons, to more challenging home décor items such as a blankets, tablecloths, and Roman shades. Each project introduces and explores new sewing skills in depth. Variations will inspire you to create your own designs.
Beginners will also find the accompanying online videos that present the techniques in action an invaluable resource.

Written specifically for beginners, the books in the 101 series are complete illustrated guides to the basics of a craft that present projects supported with full-color, step-by-step instructions and photos to teach essential techniques.

Paperback, 224 pages

Expected publication: September 3rd 2019 by Quarry Books

Book Review: Super Low-Carb Snacks: 100 Delicious Keto and Paleo Treats for Fat Burning and Great Nutrition by Martina Šlajerová

Title: Super Low-Carb Snacks: 100 Delicious Keto and Paleo Treats for Fat Burning and Great Nutrition

Author:  Martina Šlajerová

Stars: 4

Review:
As a mother I am always looking for something health my family will be willing to eat or try. 
The book has a lot of variety when it comes to recipes, great photographic that will appeal to any foodie out there and as well the the author ability to take know food allergies out there and find replacements in the same recipes, is a wonderful surprise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Fair Winds Press for the advance copy of Martina Šlajerová Super Low-Carb Snacks

Synopsis:
Super Low-Carb Snacks gives you 100 nutritious and delicious options for staying in the fat-burning zone—perfect for your keto, Paleo, or low-glycemic diet, or if you simply want snack options free from refined sugar and allergens such as grains, gluten, and dairy. 

Snacks are essential for getting the proper amount of nutrients and keeping us energized during busy days at work, school, and the gym. While most snacks are made of carb-laden, allergy-provoking ingredients, these low-carb snack recipes are filled with healthy, nourishing ingredients that you can feel good about including in your diet. You'll find plenty of superfoods, like coconuts, sweet potatoes, and almonds. Many of the recipes are quick and easy to make, and most take under 15 minutes to prepare!

The sweet and savory low-carb snacks include: Cauliflower Pizza Bites, Zucchini Muffins, Crispy Okra Sticks, Chicken Maple Sausage Meatballs, Cinnamon Donut Holes, Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Fat Bombs, Lemon Cheesecake Fat Bombs, Stilton and Chive Fat Bombs, Key Lime Smoothie, and Creamy Keto Coffee.

With Super Low-Carb Snacks, you'll always be ready with a delicious, wholesome snack to keep you going.

Paperback, 192 pages

Expected publication: August 6th 2019 by Fair Winds Press

About The Author:

Martina Slajerova is a health and food blogger living in the United Kingdom. She holds a degree in economics and worked in auditing, but has always been passionate about nutrition and healthy living. Martina loves food, science, photography, and creating new recipes. She is a firm believer in low-carb living and regular exercise. As a science geek, she bases her views on valid research and has firsthand experience of what it means to be on a low-carb diet. Both are reflected on her blog, in her KetoDiet apps, and in this book. 

The KetoDiet is an ongoing project she started with her partner in 2012 and includes 6 cookbooks, and the KetoDiet apps for the iPad and iPhone. When creating recipes, she doesn’t focus on just the carb content: you won’t find any processed foods, unhealthy vegetable oils, or artificial sweeteners in her recipes. This book and the KetoDiet apps are for people who follow a healthy low-carb lifestyle. Martina’s mission is to help you reach your goals, whether it’s your dream weight or simply eating healthy food.

Book Review: Wanted by the Marshal (American Armor Book 1) by Ryshia Kennie

Title: Wanted by the Marshal (American Armor Book 1) 

Author: Ryshia Kennie

Stars: 3 

Review:
The book starts off with a kidnapping and almost murder.  The story has moments of suspense but it falls on body guard romance type of story that lacks any real chemistry that would make the story even close to believable.  The mistakes made though the witness protection felt forced and lacked really any more direction than a typical harlequin romance story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of  Ryshia Kennie Wanted by the Marshal 

Synopsis:
After escaping a terrifying encounter with a serial killer, RN Kiera Connell lands in the protection of US Marshal Travis Johnson. In order to make sure she stays alive to testify, Travis has to thwart whatever danger comes her way. Normally, for a pro like Travis, that’s not an issue. But focusing on the mission becomes his greatest challenge as Kiera’s exposure threatens to unravel all his best-laid plans.

Kindle Edition, 256 pages

Expected publication: September 1st 2019 by Harlequin Intrigue

About The Author:

I'm the winner of my city's writing award and a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Awards. The stories that won were products of my travels. There’s never a lack of places to set an edge-of-the-seat suspense as prairie winters find me dreaming of warmer places for heart-stopping stories. They are places where deadly villains threaten intrepid heroes and heroines who battle for their right to live or even to love. When I'm not writing I'm reading, golfing, talking about working out, dreaming of another vacation or just hanging out.

Book Review: Tangled Threat by Heather Graham

Title: Tangled Threat

Author: Heather Graham 

Stars: 3 1\2

Review:
The story is web of mystery that keep readers wanting more not just from the 2nd chance romance but why or what is causing people to be killed at the History Tree.  The story was almost perfect until the end which for some readers might not make any since.  The author tries to hard to intertwine characters but the ending is just too far fetch for readers to enjoy the ending. The different characters are will at times confuse readers as to who is who.
The story is decent read for those who love Heather Graham. The beginning started off strong the middle was slowing down and the end didn't make any since just to nicely tied up in a bow.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Intrigue for the advance copy of Heather Graham Tangled Threat.

Synopsis:
A body hanging from the infamous History Tree unraveled their teenage love. Now Maura Antrim is again tangled up with Brock McGovern. Twelve years later, they’re back where that murder occurred—where Brock had been arrested and then released, where Maura had run, too scared to stand by his side. But with two women missing, and Brock now an FBI agent, Maura is determined to help. Together, they’ll have to confront a threat that never died and see if their passion has withstood the test of time. 

ebook, 256 pages

Expected publication: August 20th 2019 by Harlequin Intrigue (first published August 8th 2019)

About The Author:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

Book Review: Shadows at Dawn (Maximum Security #1.5) by Kat Martin

Title: Shadows at Dawn (Maximum Security #1.5)

Author: Kat Martin

Stars: 5

Review:
Kat Martin knows how to create action pack in a short novella.  The story flows well, the romance, action and dialogue moves quickly.  The story is short, sweet and awesome!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the a Copy of Kat Martin Shadows at Dawn

Synopsis:
Private detective Jaxon Ryker swore to himself he would keep his hands off Mindy Stewart. No matter how much Jax might secretly wish otherwise, his colleague at The Max is strictly off-limits. But when Mindy is the victim of an attempted kidnapping, everything changes. With both of them thrust into danger, Jax swears to protect her. As they work together in search of answers, it becomes clear Mindy’s life is on the line, so a trap is set—with Mindy as bait. Jax and Mindy have to put aside their overwhelming attraction, but if they live through this, all bets are off…

ebook, 114 pages

Published August 12th 2019 by HQN Books

About The Author:
Kathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)

Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.

Published since 1988, she singed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.

Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe. 

"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."

"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era." 

Book Review: Redeeming the Badge (Arizona K9 #2) by Dorothy F. Shaw

Title: Redeeming the Badge (Arizona K9 #2) 

Author: Dorothy F. Shaw

Stars: 2

Review:
This book wasn't what I expected and honestly I couldn't get past the while lusting and opps bumped into you again by accident story line.  The romance scenes were repetitive to the point of boring having readers skip pages to find something interesting to read in the book.   To be honestly wasn't easy to find. The story lacks focus, excitement and a desire to read after the first few chapters. 

The romance is just unbelievable and the story lacks anything that will keep readers wanting to come back for more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Lyrical Press for the advance of Dorothy F. Shaw  Redeeming the Badge. 

Synopsis:
In high school, she was the girl most likely to live happily ever after—rich, popular, beautiful…and maybe just a little mean. But Heather Winters’ dreams of marriage and motherhood haven’t worked out as she hoped. Now she’s back in Arizona, trying to reinvent herself. She knows what she doesn’t want: a serious relationship. She doesn’t remember Robert Caldwell from high school, but the good-looking K-9 officer is everything she’s looking for in a short-term fling.

A routine traffic stop brings Rob face to face with the girl who fueled his teenage fantasies—and she’s even more ravishing than ever. The former homecoming queen didn’t know he was alive back then. Now she’s changed—and she’s hurting. Despite how great they are together in bed, Heather isn’t letting him anywhere near her heart. But he’s got a plan—and with a little help from his canine partner, Tricks, he’ll show Heather that together, they have all the happiness they’ll ever need

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: September 24th 2019 by Lyrical Press

About The Author: 

Dorothy F. Shaw stumbled into a career in Corporate America and has spent the last 20 years climbing the corporate ladder. A fan of journaling about her troubles, she started an online blog in 2009, and poured her emotions out for all to see. 

As luck would have it, the first post came out in the form of a poem. A few authors she'd met online encouraged her to write more, and in the span of 2 years she wrote over 150 poems. The poems led to short stories, which blossomed into novels. Evident from the very beginning was her voice as an author that is real and packed with wit and sarcasm. Her stories will always include complex, broken people trying to figure out how to start and keep a relationship as well as lots of hot, steamy sex. As Dorothy sees it, the journey is the best part. 

When she's not writing, she's a mother, and a friend to many. She truly lives and loves in technicolor! 

Book Review: Conquer Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Find Peace from Worry, Panic, Fear, and Phobias by Tabatha Chansard PhD

Title: Conquer Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Find Peace from Worry, Panic, Fear, and Phobias 

Author: Tabatha Chansard PhD

Stars: 4 1\2 

Review:
With a teenager who has anxiety I am always looking for some way to help him find way to deal with the anxiety.
This book and workbook gives a great guide for parents as well as teens to help find away to deal with not only being a teenage but with the anxiety they face in the world today.  This book can help with more than just teenagers but the examples are mainly to focus on teen saturation.
The author area about Phobias are great and helps kids understand the difference between what is normal and what might be more than normal and to talk with parents.  
This workbook is less homework from therapist and more a journal who understands what is happening in a teens head.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Althea Press for the advance copy of Tabatha Chansard Conquer Anxiety. 

Synopsis:

Next gen anxiety-relief strategies for today’s teens

Anxiety is a difficult emotion to manage—especially with all of the stressors that come with the teenage years. From surviving awkward social situations to getting into college, it’s normal for teens to feel anxious. This book arms teens with effective tools to tackle worrying—so that anxiety doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Using the latest strategies from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and mindfulness therapies, teens will learn how to control their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so that they don’t trigger anxiety. With real scenarios they might face at school, home, or with friends, this book is every teenager’s secret weapon to stay cool in stressful and scary moments.

The Conquer Anxiety Workbook for Teens includes:

Anxiety decoded—Understand the root causes of general and social anxiety, along with panic and phobias. Also, learn the Dos and Don’ts of coping.Mind and body exercises—Discover right-now strategies like body scanning and taking charge of your anxious alter-ego to stop anxiety attacks in their tracks.Proven therapies—Use time-tested techniques like CBT and mindfulness practices to manage anxious thoughts and feelings.

You can’t protect teens from feeling anxious—but you can give them the tools to manage thoughts and feelings before they become overwhelming with the Conquer Anxiety Workbook for Teens.

Paperback, 152 pages

Published July 9th 2019 by Althea Press

About The Author:

Dr. Chansard is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for a variety of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Chansard specializes in the treatment of childhood disorders and is passionate about her work with children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Chansard received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the APA-accredited program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Here, she served as Chief Resident and worked with children, adolescents, and adults across a variety of clinical and medical settings. Dr. Chansard subsequently completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Therapy Dallas, further specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Dr. Chansard offers individual therapy and parent consultations utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities. Dr. Chansard seeks to work empathically and collaboratively with patients, their families, and other health care providers to provide comprehensive care to reduce symptoms, increase self-awareness, and promote emotional wellness.

Book Review: Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel by Carla Swafford

Title: Jake: A Southern Crime Family Novel 

Author:  Carla Swafford 

Stars: 3 1\2 

Review:

The story is very much all about romance but less Hatfield and McCoys as they suggest.  The story is fast paced and while it is predictable and when not trying to solve the murders romance and sex takes over the story.

While the cat and mouse romance is interesting and worth needing a cold dip in the pool the story has moments that will have readers scratching there heads wondering why the character are either in the story at all other than to have a body or why they are acting the way they are. 

Readers will be able to see where the series is going and the predictable in the stories and simplistic writing style.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Carla Swafford Jake.

Synopsis:

Forget the Hatfields and McCoys, in a small Southern town, the Whitfields and Tallys are the real family feud. So for some unholy reason, Jake Whitfield’s old man and Angel Tally’s grandfather wrote codicils to their wills the night before they died in a suspicious fire. The codicils require Jake and Angel to marry or lose their inheritances. 

Jake feels like a man with two faces. One he presents to his brothers and the public: the criminal willing to step on anyone for a buck while mercilessly protecting the business. The other: the lonely man wanting a better life for himself and his family and working with an FBI agent to make it happen. 

To Jake, marrying Angel makes sense. With her family’s help, he can fight the new criminal organization that’s moving into his town. Immersed in the criminal world, there is no hope for Angel, but her brother is still young. She will do anything to protect him from that way of life and whoever killed their grandfather, even marry a despised Whitfield. And Angel never forgot about the sexy incident with Jake in high school ten years earlier.And if she has to go along with a Whitfield-Tally marriage, she wants a replay. 

Kindle Edition, 230 pages

Published May 21st 2019

About The Author:

Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. And that’s not all, she’s crazy about hockey, and thankfully, no one has made her turn in her Southern Belle card. Carla is married to her high school sweetheart and lives in Alabama.

Book Review: Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes (Kid Normal #2) by Greg James, Chris Smith

Title: Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes (Kid Normal #2) 

Author: Greg James,  Chris Smith

Star: 5

Review:
With a house full of Fans of Dork diary and Diary of a Wimpy kid we couldn't pass up the chance to find a new series to fall in love with.
This is a another awesome graphic novel series about middle school that kids of all ages can enjoy.  The author bring characters readers will enjoy and find connections with.  Everything from the SuperVillians to the "Normal kid" kids will enjoy the fun, super hero story story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Bloosmbury Children's book for the advance Copy Greg James and Chris Smith book 2  Kid Normal and the Rouge Heroes. 

Synopsis:

Tiny horses from thin air – have been catching bad guys all over the place. But being a hero isn't easy, especially when you can't tell anyone about your epic adventures and your classmates still don't believe you've got what it takes.

And then, far away in a top-secret prison, the world's most feared supervillain breaks his thirty-year silence. His first words? “Bring Kid Normal to me!” This supervillain was responsible for stealing the powers from some of the greatest Heroes Alliance members of all time. Does Murph have what it takes to bring him down?

With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this laugh-out-loud story proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Published March 22nd 2018 by Bloomsbury Children's Books

About The Author:

Greg James is a familiar voice and face on UK radio and TV. He’s the host of UK BBC Radio 1’s award-winning Drivetime show and Official Chart music broadcast. On screen, Greg has hosted a variety of shows, including the recent special BBC Children in Need, and in 2016 he raised over a million dollars for the charity Sport Relief by completing five triathlons in five cities in five days. He has no superpowers. In his spare time he enjoys the idea of having hobbies, but always tends to turn those hobbies into work.

Chris Smith is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster who delivers the news to millions of people every day as the presenter of Newsbeat on the UK’s BBC Radio 1. Chris enjoyed a previous, glittering, literary career as the winner of the H.E. Bates Short Story Competition 1981 (under-ten category). Chris has no superpowers either, although he enjoys pretending his cat Mabel can fly by picking her up and running around. 

Book Review: The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price

Title: The Nanny Rules

Author: Melynda Price 

Stars: 2

Review:
The story is unbelievable predictable to the point it is laughable.
The story is pretty much what the synopsis tell you without a single surprise.  It is boring lacks creativity and where is the author voice or personal touch.  This could have been written by any 100 author out there.  If the author has a voice she isn't using it to create but to just sell a story.  The lack of creativity, typical characters and predictably leaves the reader uninterested.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Entangled: Brazen for the advance copy of  Melynda Price  The Nanny Rules

I am almost embarrassed to admit I read this book.

Synopsis:
Since becoming a single father, I have two things that keep me sane—my daughter Lily and playing football for the NFL. But when my meddling sister hires a nanny without my knowledge, I’m not thrilled to come home and find the woman has taken over my house. Our instant attraction is one more complication I don’t need in my life.

But my daughter loves Amelia, and I will do anything for that tiny munchkin. Even if it means walking around with blue balls most of the time. Why does the nanny have to be so sweet—and drop dead gorgeous? She’s driving me crazy. Never in my life have I wanted a woman more.

I just need to make it through this season. I can do that. Hands free, of course. But then there’s that moment, and I know she’s thinking what I’m thinking and, well, yeah. Screw the rules...

ebook, 200 pages

Expected publication: August 12th 2019 by Entangled: Brazen

About The Author:
Melynda Price is a bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary romance. Her Against the Cage series has finaled in many awards such as the RONE, USA Today BBA, Golden Quill, National Readers’ Choice, and New England Readers’ Choice, and won the 2017 Write Touch award.

What Price enjoys most about writing is the chance to make her readers fall in love, over and over again. She cites the greatest challenge of writing is making the unbelievable believable, while taking her characters to the limit with stories full of passion and unique twists and turns. Salting stories with undertones of history whenever possible, Price adds immeasurable depth to her well-crafted books. She currently lives in Northern Minnesota with her husband and two children where she has plenty of snow-filled days to curl up in front of the fireplace with her Chihuahua and a hot cup of coffee to write.

Book Review: The Genie's Double Trouble (Nocturne Falls Universe) by Wynter Daniels

Title: The Genie's Double Trouble (Nocturne Falls Universe) 

Author: Wynter Daniels

Starts: 4 1\2

Review:
Honestly there isn't much to say the author created a very cute and fun book with characters that are equally has charming.
The story moves well, the characters are entertaining and readers looking for something fun and predictable will enjoy this series. 
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Sugar Skull Books for a copy of Wynter Daniels The Genie's Double Trouble.

Synopsis:
Psychic Mallory Vaughn loves her neat, organized life as a manicurist at Nocturne Falls’ busiest salon. Things are going great until Jordan—her train wreck of a twin—lands on Mallory’s doorstep with a suitcase full of trouble. 

Cyrus Barker is a genie who belongs to a small-town sheriff and the man’s entrepreneur wife. When Jordan wins an unwinnable jackpot from the wife, the couple dispatches Cyrus to get the money and bring Jordan back. He follows her to the strangest town he’s ever seen. To make matters worse, he loses Jordan, but finds her twin, Mallory—and is immediately entranced by her. 

The last thing Mallory wants is to be part of her sister’s chaos, but if she doesn’t divert the sexy genie’s attention, Jordan will stay long enough to unravel Mallory’s entire world. When Jordan disappears, Mallory’s compelled to join forces with the man who’s hunting for her sister in order to save her. As long as she can avoid falling for Cyrus, it’ll all work out. 

But love has other plans… 

Kindle Edition, 132 pages

Published September 26th 2017 by Sugar Skull Books

About The Author:

Wynter Daniels has penned more than two dozen books in various romance genres including paranormal, romantic suspense and contemporary for several publishers including Entangled Publishing and Kristen Painter's Nocturne Falls Universe. In 2019, she is launching a brand new world with author Catherine Kean. Cat's Paw Cove romances will release starting in September, 2019. Wynter lives in sunny Florida with her family and a spoiled cat.

Book Review: Smoking Meat 101: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide by Bill West

Title:  Smoking Meat 101: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide

Author: Bill West

Stars: 5

Review:
Who doesn't want to learn how to smoke meat.  IF you have tried than you know it feels almost impossible to to cook and smoke different types of meat without either drying them out, or under cooking the meat.
Bill West and other pitmaters will give readers a simple and fool proof way to be able to smoke different types of meats.  They gives readers a guy to understanding the different types of wood, meat, heat and rubs needing to be used while learning to smoke meat.
The recipes are amazing and beginning and those like me will feel like pit masters after you have tried out the different recipes.  Remember buying good meat is one of the keys next is the type of wood you are going to use.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Rockridge for the advance copy of Bill West Smoking Meat 101


Synopsis:

Smokin' hot tips for new pitmasters!

The right tools, the best wood, the ideal temperature--there's a lot to know about smoking meat. That's why Smoking Meat 101 offers a crash course that'll have you serving up sumptuous smoked masterpieces in no time.

Wondering what kind of smoker to get? Curious how to best season your meat? Want to know how long to smoke a turkey? Get the answers to all of these questions, plus suggestions for wood selection, pantry stocking, and more. Top things off with 75 simple and delicious recipes, and you've got the ultimate beginner's guide to smoking. Fire it up!

Smoking Meat 101 includes:

• 75+ recipes for smoking meat--Smoked Turkey Legs, Foolproof Baby Back Ribs, Maple-Smoked Wild Alaskan Salmon--get recipes for all your favorite proteins, plus savory sauces and rubs.
• The perfect start--Get smoking today with five "First Smoke" recipes that introduce you to the essential techniques every pitmaster needs to know.
• Troubleshooting tricks--Smoking Meat 101 has your back with tons of solutions to the most common problems and concerns you'll encounter during cookouts.

Make sure your next backyard barbeque is the best you've ever cooked up with Smoking Meat 101.

July 9, 2019  Rockridge Press

About The Author:

Bill West writes about Country music and Barbecue Tricks. His site at http://BarbecueTricks.com and the YouTube channel - are places to get bite sized information about grilling and BBQ. His book BBQ Blueprint was his first addition to the website flow of information. He has since released The Complete Electric Smoker Cookbook, and The Ultimate Wood Pellet Grill Smoker Cookbook.

His free BBQ Sides and Sauces eCookBook is also available at his site: http://bit.ly/freeBBQcookbook

The site was started by Country Radio DJ, Bill West, to help share some useful foodie tips he was collecting hanging around South Carolina's best Pit Masters. West is on air host and Operations Manager of Charleston's leading radio stations and has interviewed some of entertainment's biggest celebrities including Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, Paula Deen, Zac Brown, Ryan Seacrest, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Alton Brown.
The tips and tricks caught on because they simply helped backyarders with grilling and BBQ problems. His online video channel has accumulated over 23,000 subscribers and more than 3 million video views. In 2010, he launched a weekly video podcast called GRATETV along with Pit Master friend, Jack Waiboer, and really started to build a tribe of fans. Says West, "The show is always a beer in length and is all about BBQ, recipes, learning, and having a low and slow good time."

West served as one of the founding board members for the Southern Barbecue Network and is a certified SBN judge.

West lives in Mount Pleasant, SC with his wife MJ, and teenage, guitar slinging son, Jack.