The Sweet Life: Diabetes Without Boundaries! by Sam Talbot

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Rodale
Cookbook
To Purchase

Blurb: Sam Talbot is a professional chef, restaurateur, surfer, painter, philanthropist, and, since the age of 12, type 1 diabetic. Yet he has not let the disease stop him from living a rich life packed with energy, adventure, and achievement—culinary and otherwise. In his first, much-anticipated book, he recounts how diabetes has affected but not compromised his life or career, and he shares his own tips—alongside those from other famous diabetics like Halle Berry, Larry King, and Tommy Lee—on how to handle everything from work and hobbies to relationships and travel with discipline and enthusiasm. To round out this advice, he offers bits of foodie wisdom and 75 innovative recipes for fresh, all-natural dishes anybody, diabetic or not, can prepare and enjoy.

Heartfelt, entertaining, and backed by real-life experience and solid medical expertise, The Sweet Life will give readers hope, inspiration, and the proof they need to realize that life with diabetes isn’t about diabetes: It’s about living.

Review: An inspiring story paired with chic eats to share with the diabetic in your life. While many of these culinary creations sound like fine dining at it's best, be prepared to see ingrediants that you might not be able to find at your local shop all store :)

Not like any other diabetic cook book that I have read, the story was as captivating as the meals. Worth the read and manybe you'll find a treat or two that will tempt you to try :) I found several even though I am not a diabetic....but I have members of my family who are :) Thank you to Rodale and Sam Talbot for bringing this to thoseof us who can learn from books like yours :)

Treasured Amish & Mennonite Recipes by Mennonite Central Committee and Alan Giagnocavo

Story: 10
Presentation: 10
Total: 20
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing
Cookbook
To Purchase

Blurb: Filled with 627 of the best recipes gathered from Amish and Mennonite cooks from across the United States and Canada, Treasured Amish & Mennonite Recipes will have you preparing delicious, down-to-earth dishes your family will request again and again.

In this newly revised edition that includes 50 new recipes, you'll find an endless array of appetizers, soups, salads, main dishes, casseroles, breads, and desserts that are easy to make and require only the simplest and freshest of ingredients.

In fact, everything you need is probably already in the pantry, growing in the backyard, or easily purchased at the local market. One taste and you'll see why these recipes have been bringing families and communities together at the table for generations.

Review: Yes, I am one of those women who actually READ a cookbook :) Strange? Perhaps but let me tell you that I find them very interesting. Not only do I get to discover a ton of yummy sounding foods, but I even get to learn about different combinations and ways of cooking.

I was super excited to get the chance to read and review this one. There is nothing that I love better than going through my grannie's recipie box in search of trasured favorites. This book was filled with down home favorites that I will be tackeling in my own kitchen to serve with love to my family and friends.

debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook

Story: 10
Presentation: 8.5
Total: 18.5
Publisher: Harlequin
Cookbook
To Purchase

Blurb: We call her the "Official Storyteller of Christmas"—but Debbie Macomber is more than that. She's someone who loves the holiday and all its traditions. Now she shares more than one hundred of her favorite recipes to help you enjoy this most joyous of seasons. You'll also find easy-to-follow instructions for crafts, decorations and gift wrapping—everything you need to create a beautiful and festive holiday.

Review: I LOVE Debbie Macomber! Always have :) And this festive collection is just hwat I needed.

Not only are there some realy yummy sounding recipes , nifty craft ideas and home decorations that will bring the holiday season to life in your home, but there are amazing little peeks into her life and why Christmas is such a big part of her life.
I know you are wondering why the presentation score is low and that only comes because the Kindle verson that I have has an issue with some words and formatting. That aside I fell in love with this book and plan on using it for many years to come :)

Thank you Ms Macomber for sharing this with us :)

Save The Date by Jenny B. Jones

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Contermporary Inspirational
To Purchase

Blurb: When funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair Enterprises--the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organizaiton.

Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.

Alex has it all...except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart--and her future--on the line.

Review: An amazing tale that struck all the right chords :) I enjoy a well written inspy and let me tell you that this was one that I enjoyed until the very last word was read.

I am a sucker for marriages of convenience but when the story and characters can take that plot to a whole new level it just makes me thrilled :) Overall this was a fantastic story that you can bet I will be telling friends about and keeping on my shelf to re-read for years to come.

SNAPS Ms Jones on a superb job.

Reluctant Bridesmaid by Wendy Davy

Story: 9
Presentation: 9
Total: 18
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Jordan Harrison no longer trusts relationships, so when her widowed mother is swept away by a handsome, wealthy architect, Jordan fears the hasty engagement will end in disaster. After all, how well can her mother know the guy after only a few months? Intent on saving her mother from certain heartbreak, Jordan races to Breckenridge Manor to delay the wedding, but runs into more than she’s bargained for—a handsome, understanding man intent on helping her heal past wounds and open her mind to new possibilities.

Known as the man with nerves of steel, Tanner Breckenridge lives up to his reputation, but it doesn’t take long for him to discover he has a soft spot for Jordan Harrison, the daughter of his father’s future bride. Loyal to his father, but captivated by Jordan, Tanner puts his heart on the line and risks everything for a chance at love

Review: One of the things that I love about inspy is how it makes me feel when I read it. Not only while but after. The way I can tell a GOOD inspy is by how long and how strong the felings are. This one was a winner for me :)

Rocked my world and left me with a warm fuzzy feeling deep in my chest. A great author that penned a great story. Well done :)

The Fearsome Beastie by Giles Paley-Phillips

Story: 8.5

Presentation: 9
Total: 17.5
Publisher: Maverick Arts
Children's book
To Purchase

Review: Let me start by saying that I love children's books. My kids love for me to read to them and I totally enjoy finding a book that my kids ask me to read again and again. With that said I can now tell you that I found this story very entertaining :) While maybe not what we here in the states would typically think of when we pick up a book for the kiddos, I liked it. The ax wielding Granny that chops up the fearsome beastie and releases all the little kids that he ate gets my vote :)

Even my stoic hubby thought the book was different in a good way. Maybe not something I would read to a 3 year old but my older child really liked it and I dug reading it to him. The imagery was well done and the poetry of the story flowed very well. I was impressed :)

Flirting With the Fireman by Judy Jarvie

Story: 6
Presentation: 8
Total: 12
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweet Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Felicity Truro's diary is filling up with problems. First there's the ugliest bridesmaid's dress in the world, then there's her sick aunt's serious secret. But it's Rod McAllister, the handsome firefighter best man with attitude, who's melting her willpower and frazzling her nerves the most.

Can Flick survive being a bridesmaid for the eleventh time whilst falling for the best man? And how will she cope when Rod needs a stand-in and she's promoted to top of the candidate list?

Review: The blurb really grabbed. I could have done without all the email, IM, voice mails and diary excerpts.

Really the idea for the story and the plot were cute. But for me, it was a bit…daunting. I don’t mind emails and such thrown in on occasion in a story. Hey, it’s the world we live in now, but I just got bogged down with the sheer number in this story. I would have enjoyed it much more without nearly as many.

Don’t get me wrong, the author did a good job with the writing. The way it was presented just wasn’t for me.

Ellie's Song by Ginger Hanson

Story: 6
Presentation: 9
Total: 15
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Sweet Contemporary
To Purchase

Blurb: Take one heroine and hero gripped in relationship limbo. Stir in a possible media scandal. Sprinkle lightly with a three-year-old child. Add one potential mother-in-law, a former boyfriend, a celebrity reporter hot for a story break and a Hollywood starlet. Knead above ingredients. Cover and let rise in a warm place. Bake for 31 chapters. Yield: Ellie’s Song, the story of shy folk artist Ellie Kellson who loves country singer Lane Walker, but abhors the media attention he needs to be a successful singing artist.


Review: I wish I could give this story a higher rating. The plot had great possibilities, but Ms. Hanson just did not keep my attention. The opener is a tear-jerker with unwed mother, Ellie, seeing her baby's father's wedding announcement to another woman. Lane shows up and does not know about his daughter. At this point, I really expected a great story. This story could have been great, it had all the characters, all the relationships, all the necessary elements, but it just didn't do anything for me. The characters and their personalities were pretty well developed, but they just didn't leap off the page and come alive for me. The other man, Joshua, is a nice guy, but I found him to be wimpy. Ellie's mom was caring, but intrusive. Her younger sister is a star-struck teenager, sweet and nice, but just not "alive" for me. I guess that is what I could say about all the characters; they were nice, but just bland like mashed potatoes are nice but baked potatoes are better.

The three year old daughter is cute, but I had problems with her dialogue. I have a three year old granddaughter, and the difference in their vocabulary was striking. The section about the little girl being lost was terrifying for a mother to read. It makes us realize just how fast a little one can get out of sight and be lost.

I enjoyed the descriptions of food and the aromas, especially the cinnamon used in her bread. In fact, cinnamon was mentioned many times. That and the cardamon, hmmmm , were enough to almost make me drool. The references to food like chocolate pie, fried chicken, green beans sautéed with Roma tomatoes made me go to the fridge several times.

It is a good story, but, for me, it could have been great with more work. I would suggest you read it and decide for yourself. This story might really appeal to you. We all know that what one reader likes, another will not care for. Give it a chance, you might really like it.