Customer Comments

A charming opposites-attract tale, "Beneath a Prairie Moon", is a rewarding read for lovers of inspirational historical western romance. In the late 1800's, Spiveyville, Kansas is home to a passel of marriage-ready farmers impatient for the arrival of their mail-order brides. The lone dissenter is Mack Cleveland, who prefers to wait for divine intervention to deliver him the perfect wife. When the train from Massachusetts brings only the owner of the bride business, Mrs. Bingham, and her assistant, Abigail Grant, there's bound to be a lot of disappointed men-folk. Born into privilege, and raised to be accepted in society circles, Abigail lost all when her father's corrupt activities came to light. Forced now to use what she has left, the manners and propriety instilled by her mother, Abigail takes on the task of soothing the rough edges of the Kansas farmers and potential grooms. As Mack is drawn into helping the women and keeping peace in the town, plenty of sparks fly between him and Abigail. The learning process goes both ways, and an awareness and attraction grows between Abigail and Mack. Can faith and hope overcome the obstacles in their way and bring them the love of a lifetime? A recommended read for romance lovers from a talented storyteller. Book Copy Gratis WaterBrook Publishing via Blogging for Books

Books are many things to many people: entertainment and enlightenment, comfort and companionship, suspenseful thrills, romance, and a certain satisfaction of the soul that can't be found anywhere else. Bookshops and libraries, now bobbing like little islands in the ever-encroaching digital seas, offer a personal connection for book lovers--a face-to-face rapport for those drink words and keep reaching for books like candy in a dish. "How to Find Love in a Bookshop", by Veronica Henry, is a charmingly poignant tale of "Nightingale Books", long a treasured haven for its loyal patrons and now threatened by the pressures of property developers after the owner's death. Emilia Nightingale made a promise to her father to keep the bookstore open and keep the "family" of customers well looked-after. Those customers may as well be book characters themselves--each has a unique story to tell, and there are surprises and secrets and unpredictable outcomes all around. Can Emilia find a way to craft a happy ending for them all? Read on, and you will be enchanted by this captivating tale which celebrates the love of books, all things books. Review Copy Gratis Pamela Dorman Books via Blogging for Books

Author Victoria Bylin definitely tugs at the heartstrings with "The Two of Us", an inspirational contemporary romance tale. A gifted storyteller, whose writing just gets better and better with each new book, Ms. Bylin crafts a poignant, and ultimately uplifting, story of new and unexpected romance for a pair of wary souls. Young hearts are also featured along with a longtime love story that epitomizes the promise "for better or worse". Mia Robinson's disappointment over failed relationships has left her gun-shy when it comes to men. After having spent years as a caretaker for her younger sister, Lucy, now eighteen, Mia is making plans to change the focus in her life to giving care on a larger scale with an international aid group. Her plans come to a startled stop when Lucy informs Mia that she and her boyfriend Sam are tying the knot in Vegas. Former police officer Jake Tanner lost his partner, Sam's mother, in a tragic incident from which he has yet to fully recover. He finds some comfort in watching over Sam, and now he must cope with Sam's sudden marriage. His own parents, Frank and Claire, are dealing with the effects of Claire's progressive Alzheimer's Disease. Amidst all the swirling life changes, an awareness and attraction grows between Mia and Jake, and each of them has reason to be very careful where matters of the heart are concerned, but love and faith have a way of steering hearts in the right direction, even if the course is not smooth and steady. "The Two of Us" is a highly recommended read for lovers of inspiring and touching romance. Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books

Noted photographer and blogger Marte Marie Forsberg was born in Norway, but she has found an idyllic way of life in a 200-year-old cottage nestled in the English country woods. With “The Cottage Kitchen: Cozy Cooking in the English Countryside”, the author shares her everyday life and treasured memories through words, photos, and recipes. Along with her beloved dog, Mr. Whiskey, Marte explores the bounty of nature surrounding her home. Her visits to the local village are always a delight—shopping for cheese, wine, produce, and meat inspires her to create wonderfully flavorful dishes. Her Norwegian heritage and European travels also influence her cooking, and she loves to recreate the favorite foods from her childhood. Of course, many cozy pots of tea are prepared and consumed along the way. Recipes include a variety such as: “Norwegian Yellow Pea Soup with Thyme”, “Tomato Tarte Tartin with Burrata”, “Black Pudding with Scallops and Caviar”; “Potato Soup with Smoked Salmon”; “Truffled Vegetable Toad-in-the-Hole”; “Foie Gras and Kidney Bruschetta with Parsley”; “Elderflower Fritters”; “Campian Citrus Marmalade”; “Kale and Almond Soup”; “Warm Salmon, Mint, and Potato Salad”; “Norwegian Pork Belly with Mustard Coleslaw”; “Sour Cream Porridge”; and “Troll Cream”—a favorite of her father--made with sugar, egg whites, and cranberries. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

An appropriately oversized and exuberant coffee-table book, "Food in Vogue" is offered by the Editors of Vogue as part of the magazine's 125th anniversary. One of the most iconic publications of all time, Vogue wears its age well, showing a zest for food and food facts that will have foodies turning the pages with relish. The photos are vivid and have a fun, funky, fabulous vibe all their own--after all, this is food, done by Vogue. The articles are eclectic and fascinating, ranging from how many coffeemakers you have in your home and why you have them, to "Simply Red", an ode to ketchup, and to an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle French butter out of France (confiscated at the Charles de Gaulle airport). The roster of photographers and food writers who have left an indelible essence of talent throughout the years includes: Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, Anton Corbijn, Annie Lebovitz, Jeffrey Steingarten, Tamar Adler, Oliver Strand, and others. "Food in Vogue" is big, bold, never shy, and artfully abstract. It's a celebration of cuisine and culture, presented with inimitable style by the editors of Vogue. Book Copy Gratis Abrams Books

Author Charles Martin’s “Long Way Gone” is an emotional and ultimately uplifting story of redemptive grace and abiding faith. Rich in musical details and the history of gospel music, tent preachers, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and “Grand Ole Opry”—this fascinating tale borrows from the Biblical legend of “The Prodigal Son”. Cooper O’Connor grew up in the loving and larger-than-life presence of his father, a gifted preacher and musician. Blessed with an innate understanding of music, and a talented singer and songwriter on his own, Cooper would eventually leave his home and the life he knew with his father to reach out for the bright lights of stardom. His journey will be nothing like he expected, and treachery and tragedy will separate him from his dreams and those he holds most dear. At times finding himself in the lowest depths of a despairing existence, Cooper must fight for his very life—both his spiritual life and his life on Earth. However, as the author reminds us throughout this story, no one is ever “too far gone”. Forgiveness and healing are always ours for the asking—if only we have the courage of faith to make that leap. “Long Way Home” holds a special resonance for me, and I appreciate the respect that Charles Martin shows this musical genre and its entertainers, especially Elvis. I am a Southerner and a lifelong fan of Elvis and old hymns and gospel music. My mother, one of the greatest Elvis fans ever, was also quite musically talented. She played the piano and organ, and for many years, she was the only music provider for her little home church in the country. Mama “played by ear”, and I often teased her about the extra notes she added, but she just said “that’s the way it should be played”. Thank you, Charles Martin for your care in creating this story. The musical insights at the heart of this story are simply amazing. Book Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books

I am a longtime fan of the Old West. My family watched all the great TV westerns together when I was growing up, and those times are among my most cherished memories. They’re the stuff which helped to shape who I am as a person. My beloved Paw Paw was also a reader of western fiction, and Paw Paw was the male role model for my life—he still is to this day. “With Thunder and Rain”, author Charles Martin brings together all the elements of classic westerns and blends them thrillingly together with the mores and moral conflicts of contemporary society. Tyler Steele, third in the family line to serve in the Texas Rangers, is now retired and raising cattle on his ranch. The pine knot-tough persona which enabled him to survive the unending danger of his profession also cost him his marriage to his troubled wife, Andie. Now struggling on his own to raise his young son, Brodie, Tyler encounters the last thing he needs—and the one thing he can’t resist—a woman and child on the run from an abusive situation. Samantha and her daughter, Hope, are almost at the end of their limits when Tyler bumps his truck into their car, which is stranded in the middle of the highway. From then on, anything is possible, and most likely probable, as lives and hearts will cross lines and face challenges from old enemies and new threats. This story is an action-packed adventure, with knuckle-tight suspense, but it is also blessed with wonderful characterizations, with two remarkable young children to keep grounded the adults in their lives. Relationships are heartfelt and ever-evolving as more and more pieces of the pieces are revealed and connected. What will the final picture be? Who will survive, and how will their futures unfold? A highly-recommended read from talented storyteller Charles Martin. Book Copy Gratis Hachette Book Group

Author Lia Huber takes readers on an exceptional journey through continents, cultures, and cuisines in “Nourished: A Memoir of Food, Faith & Enduring Love (with Recipes). A successful and award-winning entrepreneur, she has also spent the last two decades as a food writer and recipe developer for such well-known publications as Cooking Light, Better Homes & Gardens, Eating Well, and Prevention. “Nourished” is her most personal work to date—an insightful and revealing recollection of the trials and triumphs of her own life as she travels the world and experiences both spiritual growth and professional inspiration and expansion. Each chapter is accompanied by a recipe which reflects the content, and you will find such dishes as: “Garlicky Swiss Chard Tartines”; “Gnocchi with Mushrooms”; “Sautéed Zucchini with Onions and Thyme”; “Crab Ravioli in Saffron Lemon Butter Sauce”; “Scalloped Potatoes”; “Impossible Chocolate Cake”; and “Caramelized Corn”. Food is a universal language—we all have to eat—and the author speaks to us all with natural intuition and shared learnings about nourishment for body, mind, and spirit. Huber is the founder and CEO of NOURISH Evolution (nourishevolution.com), for which she was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and Cook the Seasons (cooktheseasons.com), a subscription-based real food community and online menu planner. Lia has been a consultant on branding, messaging, and marketing for nearly 20 years for such companies as British Airways, Earthbound Farm, Bonterra Organic Vineyards and Spectrum Organic Products. She also coaches individuals and small businesses on creating and launching their own companies with her online program, Building Authentic Brands (buildingauthenticbrands.com). She lived in New York, New Orleans, Paris, Greece, Costa Rica and San Francisco before putting down roots in California's wine country with her family. Book Copy Gratis Convergent Books via Blogging for Books

A world within a world, and a true blend of cultures, cuisines, old favorites, and new beginnings, the Grand Central Market has fed and fascinated the fortunate folks of Los Angeles, California for one hundred years. “The Grand Central Market Cookbook: Cuisine and Culture from Downtown Los Angeles", by Adele Yellin and Kevin West, celebrates a century of serving fabulous food and so much more to longtime residents and to visitors who can’t resist exploring this one-of-a-kind marketplace and food hall. Each of the market’s 38 vendors is featured, and here’s a sampler of the recipes you’ll find: Eggslut’s popular “Slut,” which features coddled eggs with potato puree served in a mason jar; Sticky Rice’s Thai barbecue chicken; Horse Thief BBQ’s Nashville-Style Hot Fried Chicken Sando; Madcapra’s Sumac Beet Soda; and Golden Road’s Crunchy Avocado Tacos. Divided into sections like breakfast, tacos, carbs, happy hour, meat and fish, veg and sweets, the book also offers recipes for a wide variety of foods, including coconut-cream doughnuts, watermelon slushies, savory carnitas, and cold, smoky ramen. The original flavor, color, and spirit have been maintained, and after a refreshing renovation in 2012, the market is now also a haven of inspiration for both professional chefs and home cooks. If you visited the Grand Central Market every day, you still wouldn’t have time to see, hear, touch, and taste everything, but you sure would have fun trying, and this cookbook will provide much enjoyment for cooks and armchair travelers. 100 years looks mighty fine on the Grand Central Market. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

“The Last Move” is a taut and terrific contemporary romantic suspense thriller from a master of the genre—author Mary Burton. FBI profiler Kate Hayden is an expert in forensic linguistics, providing insights into crime solving through the study of words and written communications. Every nuance of each communication is examined with microscopic intensity—even the smallest clue could lead to resolution and capture. When Kate is called back to San Antonio to investigate a killing similar to a case she had previously worked , she must put behind her the nightmare of her own tragic past. Detective Theo Mazur is struck by two things when meeting Kate: her petite size and youthful appearance, and her no-nonsense, focused professionalism—an intriguing combination. Mazur had recently relocated from Chicago in an attempt to stay close to his teen-aged daughter, who lived with his ex-wife. Kate’s analysis of Theo through his bearing and his trim, crisp outward image suggested former military service, and a decade or more of law enforcement experience. As someone who had known his own personal tragedy, Theo recognized the same wariness in Kate. Working together to solve the crime brings on an awareness between them which blooms into something more—but personal wants and needs must take second place to the daunting task which looms before them. When the case hits all to close to home for Theo, it will take all of their resourcefulness and skill, plus a large helping of luck, to prevent more heartache at the hands of a vengeful sociopath. Book Copy Gratis Author

I still have my family's original avocado green Crock-Pot, and it still works just fine. Nothing fancy, but very reliable. A lot of great meals have been prepared in that slow cooker through the years, most notably Sunday Pot Roast with Vegetables. A lesser expensive chuck roast, seasoned well, cooked with potatoes and chunks of carrots, celery, and onions, becomes a superb supper under the quiet cooking care of the Crock-Pot. I have newer slow cookers in various sizes and functionality, but my heart will always belong to the "green machine". However, there's much more to this type of cooking than tenderizing tougher cuts of meat, and the "Fix-It and Forget-It New Cookbook: 250 New Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes!" amps up the slow cooker to the next level. Cookbook author Phyllis Pellman Good is an expert on slow cooker cooking, and she provides invaluable preparation tips along with hundreds of outstanding recipes. The recipes are divided into two categories: "Quick & Easy" and "A Little More Challenging". Some of the helpful hints: 1) slow cookers work best when they are 2/3 full; 2) cut hard veggies like potatoes and carrots into chunks of equal size for more even cooking; raw vegetables are tough--placing them over the bottom and around the sides of the cooker brings them into direct contact with the heat; 3) the fuller and more densely packed the cooker, and the larger the chunks of meat and veggies, the longer the cooking time will be; 4) don't use frozen, uncooked food in the cooker along with fresh or thawed uncooked food--the time to reach a safe cooking temperature is different. Almost every recipe includes a full-color photo of the prepared dish--always a bonus when deciding what to cook. The recipes are fabulous--ranging from main dishes to breads, sweets, and desserts. It's hard to resist dishes like this: "Sunny Chicken"; "Cranberry Pork Roast"; "Stuffed Acorn Squash"; "Seven-Layer Casserole"; "Garden Vegetable Bake"; "Corn and Shrimp Chowder"; "Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole"; "Best-in-the-West Beans"; "Healthy Pumpkin Bread"; "Special Banana Bread"; "Hot Buttered Lemonade"; "Fudgy Chocolate Cake"; "Pumpkin Pecan Pie"; and so much more. Slow-cooker cooking is an easy and convenient way to prepare and serve delicious, home-cooked meals that will allow you to spend more time with your family and allow you to take some time for yourself. Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

“Stock the Crock: 100 Must-Have Slow-Cooker Recipes, 200 Variations for Every Appetite”, by Phyllis Good, is one of the most delicious cookbooks that I have ever had the pleasure to read. Yes, that’s right—I wanted to eat the whole book! The book is filled with 100 amazing recipes—with variations—plus fabulous food photos, helpful hints, and tempting tasty tidbits to tease and tantalize your appetite. Phyllis Good is a New York Times bestselling author who has sold more than 12 million cookbooks—this lady definitely knows her way around a slow cooker! Her food is fantastic, and her innovative techniques shine a modern spotlight on a time-proven cooking method. Her recipes are creative, colorful, and irresistible. Here are some standouts: “Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Red Onions”; “Beef Noodle Soup”; “Creole-Style Red Beans”; “Chicken from Heaven”; “Creamy Chicken, Stuffing, and Green Beans”; “Swedish Meatballs from Grandma Brenneman”; “Shepherd’s Pie”; “Vera’s Famous Beef Roast”; “Holiday Ham with Apricot Glaze”; “Green Beans and Bacon”; “The Whole Deal Baked Beans!”; “Baked Potatoes—White & Sweet”; “Berry Wonderful Fruit Crisp”; “Coconut Rice Pudding”; “Pecan Squares”; “Raspberry Chocolate Cake”; “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Sauce”; and “Homemade Honey Barbeque Sauce”. There is something here for everyone. Phyllis Good is also the author of the hugely popular “Fix It & Forget It” cookbook series. Book Copy Gratis Oxmoor House via Shelf Awareness

A pantry is defined as a “small room off the kitchen, where cooking ingredients, utensils, pots and pans, china & etc. are kept”. I once lived in a house with a pantry, and it had a window looking out over the back yard. It was a pleasant space, one where I not only perused the items available on the shelves, but often took a moment to pause and reflect on events of the day and life in general. I miss that pantry. Alice Waters and her daughter Fanny Singer have combined their considerable talents to produce a charming little kitchen companion: “MY PANTRY: Homemade Ingredients That Make Simple Meals Your Own”. A well-stocked pantry is quite a comfort to home cooks, and Ms. Waters states that “A familiar pantry is like being surrounded by friends who won’t let you down, within instant reach”. Building your own “food fortress” is valuable not only for long-term meal planning--it also allows for flavorful impromptu dishes. The book’s sections include: Spice Mixtures and Condiments; Nuts; Beans and Other Legumes; Savory Preserves; Whole Grains; Preserved Fish and Meat; Cheese; and Sweet Preserves. Some of the recipes included are: Chile-Lime Salt; Chocolate Nut Bark; Lentil Soup; Roasted Tomato Sauce; Zucchini Pickles; Multigrain Porridge; Oat Pancakes; Salted Fish; Beef Broth; Chicken Stock; Farmer’s Cheese; Crème Fraiche; Raspberry Syrup; Candied Citrus Peel; Mary Jo’s Brandied Cherries; and Vanilla Extract. Author and Chef Alice Waters is the owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. She is also the founder of the Edible Schoolyard Project, which integrates gardening, cooking, and sharing school lunch into the core academic curriculum. Fanny Singer, who provides the delightful illustrations for “MY PANTRY”, is an art historian, curator, and illustrator based in London and Cornwall. Book Copy Gratis Pam Krauss Books via Blogging for Books

I am someone who enjoys reading introductions, acknowledgements, reader's pages & etc, but I was somewhat put off by the intro for "Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes" by Peter Meehan. However, the content overcame any confusion created by the introduction. While the book is a somewhat rambling and random collection of recipes and food ideas, it is actually quite varied and informative in its offerings. The format and photography in the book are reminiscent of older cookbooks from the 80's and further back, which is fine by me since I still value and collect those books. Peter Meehan states that "101 is a project where simple and flavorful recipes could be published with the home cook in mind". Many of the Asian dishes that I prefer are fried, but there is a "no frying" rule for these recipes. The "pantry" section is well-stocked and useful. The collection of sides, soups, and main dishes is expansive. Desserts are ultra-simple: either unadorned fresh oranges or "Egg Custard Tarts". "Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes" gives you advice on how to fill your pantry shelves and how to prepare delicious dishes through three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Champion. What tasty fun while you work your way up to the championship top shelf. LUCKY PEACH is a New York Times bestselling quarterly journal of food and writing that has won multiple James Beard Awards. Each issue focuses on a single theme, exploring it through essays, art, photography, and recipes. PETER MEEHAN is the editor and co-founder of Lucky Peach. A former columnist for the New York Times, he is also the coauthor of numerous cookbooks. He resides in Manhattan with his wife and their two daughters. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Author Lisa Harris continues her intriguing inspirational romantic suspense series “The Nikki Boyd Files” with Book 4, “Vanishing Point”. Horrific serial killer, “The Angel Abductor”, had eluded capture for over a decade. When it seems he has returned, Detective Garrett Addison and FBI Agent Jordan Lambert are reunited to bring down this heinous criminal once and for all. This time, the answers they find lead to more questions—could their assumptions about the killer have been wrong all along? Once the killer has been caught, will the truth be revealed about what happened to Investigator Nikki Boyd’s sister, Sarah? Garrett has always loved Jordan—he won’t let her go again. He hopes for future filled with love and happiness—if he can keep them both safe. For even more exciting and inspiring romantic suspense, read the first three books in the series: “VENDETTA”, “MISSING”, AND “PURSUED”. Talented storyteller Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 and 2015 from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than thirty books, including Vendetta, Missing, Pursued, and the Southern Crimes series, Harris and her family have spent fourteen years living as missionaries in southern Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com. Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing

Irene Hannon is a gifted storyteller of inspirational romantic suspense, and she begins her “Code of Honor” series with “Dangerous Illusions”. Trish Bailey has endured a series of tragedies which have left her in a somewhat fragile state. An accident took the life of her husband and her father and left her mother with serious injuries which later took a further toll on her health. Trish has her hands full with her work, caring for her mother, and helping with the charitable foundation set up by her parents. The attractive accountant, Matt Parker, who manages the finances of the foundation, seems to want to be more than just friends with Trish, but she doesn’t share his sentiments. Her mother’s sudden death at home under Trish’s care leaves her shaken, especially when a cloud of doubt settles around the medication Trish dispensed for her mother. When Detective Colin Flynn is called to the scene, he finds it hard to believe that Trish could be responsible for her mother’s death. An immediate connection is felt by both Trish and Colin, but each has serious issues to resolve. As more facts come to light, “dangerous illusions” are bound to be exposed, and that could lead to deadly revelations. Trish and Colin must trust each other, and find a steadfast faith, in order to reach out for a future filled with lasting love and happiness. Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing

Sweet potatoes add much flavor, texture, color, and nutrients to any dish in which they are featured. Dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down, they work wonderfully in recipes sweet or savory like appetizers, main courses, soups, sides, breads, and of course, desserts. “Sweet Potatoes: Roasted, Loaded, Fried, and Made into Pie”, by Mary-Frances Heck enthusiastically opens up a world of sweet potato possibilities with 60 recipes such as: Creamy Cacio e Pepe; Fluffy Biscuits; Hearty Meat-Free Tacos; Orange-Glazed Cake Doughnuts; Ultimate Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls, Trail Mix Cookies; Ice Cream with Browned Meringue; Savory Egg-Topped Galette; Indian Palak Aloo; Chinese Black Date Chicken; and Spanish Huevos Rotos. Sweet Potatoes are plentiful, affordable, and easy to prepare. I have long been a fan of simple baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, and sweet potato fries, but this book from Mary-Frances Heck offers insight into the way sweet potatoes are used in the cuisines from cultures around the world. It’s good fun, and good for you too, to “cook outside your recipe box”—especially with a favorite “superfood” like sweet potatoes. Mary-Frances Heck is a freelance food editor and contributor to Lucky Peach. Her recipes and writing have appeared in numerous cookbooks and magazines including Bon Appetit, Saveur, Cooking Light, Redbook, Rodale's Organic Life, Fitness, Rachael Ray Every Day, SELF, and SHAPE. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

"The Longevity Kitchen: Satisfying, Big-Flavor Recipes Featuring the Top 16 Age-Busting Power Foods" is a treasure trove of healthful advice, nutritional know-how, and flavorful, feel-good food. Written by noted chef and wellness speaker Rebecca Katz with the input of award-winning writer Mat Edelson, the book also features an illuminating foreword by renowned medical doctor, teacher, and best-selling author on holistic health, Andrew Weil. In his commentary, Dr.Weil advises that "medicine was originally rooted in nature", and that his garden and his kitchen are two of his most important and relied-upon healing tools. The 16 "Super Foods" are: Asparagus; Avocado; Basil (and Mint, which is in the same family); Blueberries (and other dark berries); Coffee; Dark Chocolate; Garlic; Green Tea; Kale; Olive Oil; Pomegranates; Sweet Potatoes; Thyme; Walnuts; Wild Salmon; and Yogurt. Chances are that you already eat some of those foods--try incorporating the rest through the more than 100 recipes featured in "The Longevity Kitchen". Food that literally makes you feel good should also taste good--otherwise, you won't eat it. Here are some of the recipes that sound absolutely delicious: "Cozy Roasted Vegetable Soup"; "Chicken Tortilla Soup"; "Sicilian Green Beans"; "Lemon Chive Potatoes"; "Sweet Potato and Zucchini Pancakes"; "Brown Rice Pilaf with Saffron and Ginger"; "Layered Frittata with Leeks, Swiss Chard, and Tomatoes"; "Greek Chicken Salad"; "Thyme Onion Muffins"; "Green Tea Cooler with Ginger, Papaya, and Lime"; "Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Haystacks and Chocolate-Dipped Apricots"; "Coffee-Infused Chocolate Sorbet"; "Insanely Good Chocolate Brownies"; and "Triple-Chocolate Date Torte". The colorful cover recipe is "Carrot Apple Slaw with Cranberries". Many of the ingredients for these recipes will already be in use in your kitchen. The others can be added a few at a time to build your "super-food, super-health" pantry. Try out new cooking techniques and utensils, and have fun learning not only a new way of cooking, but also a new way of life. Optimal health through optimal eating sounds like a masterful menu plan to me! Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

With great enthusiasm, and much love of subject, multi-media star Chrissy Teigen and food writer Adeena Sussman have delivered “Cravings: Recipes for What You Want to Eat” into the hands of the hungry public. For Teigen, it’s all about flavor—full-throttle flavor—salty, peppery, spicy, eat-with-heat flavor. Thai foods from Teigen’s own heritage are interspersed with a variety of dishes, including recipes from her husband, singer John Legend. Keeping Teigen’s super-model figure in super-style means keeping her kitchen wits about her and also keeping her sense of humor. The food is good, definitely not boring—how could it be with Teigen’s personality infused throughout the pages? You know that feeling when you want something to eat, something good, but you just can’t figure out what you really want? You might find exactly the right taste you’re seeking in “Cravings”. Here’s a sampler of recipes: “Spicy Tomato Skillet Eggs with Prosciutto”; “Pot Pie Soup with Crust Crackers”; “Cobb Salad with Honey-Mustard Ranch Dressing”; “Sesame Chicken Noodles”; “Steak Bites with Melty Blue Cheese Butter”; “Shrimp Summer Rolls”; “Buttery Glazed Green Beans”; “Mexican Street Corn”; ‘Zucchini Fries”; “Herby, Lemony, Spicy, Garlicky Roasted Whole Fish”; “John’s Marinated Steaks”; and “Dad’s Fried Fish Sandwich with Coleslaw and Tartar Sauce”. If your cravings tend toward the sweeter side of life—sorry, there’s no dessert section in this book. Teigen loves to cook, but says she can’t bake, and after all, she is a supermodel who “has to make every bite count”. Visit her on the web at “So Delushious”. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

A heartfelt foreword from comedian and TV personality Jeff Foxworthy perfectly matches the down-home tone set by cookbook author Francine Bryson in "Blue Ribbon Baking from a Redneck Kitchen". Foxworthy and Bryson became acquainted when she was a contestant on the "American Baking Competition" hosted by Foxworthy. While Francine didn't win the top prize, she did go on to fulfill her dream of producing her own cookbook. Her many years of baking championships combined with her family's Southern kitchen legacy resulted in "Blue Ribbon Baking from a Redneck Kitchen". Filled with fantastic recipes, funny anecdotes, and poignant memories, this delightful book is delicious from beginning to end. While it may be short on food photos of the finished recipes, that won't stop you from preparing the many irresistible treats and temptations found between the covers. I was impressed with the number and variety of pie crusts included, and the first recipe in the book, "Purdy's Peppermint Pie", is made with a rolled chocolate crust. While pies are her prize-winning specialty, there are also fabulous recipes for cakes, cookies, biscuits, cheesecakes, breads, candy, and much more. Here are some of my favorite featured recipes: "White Chocolate-Banana Cream Pie"; "Winter Fruit Pie"; "Texas-Sized Gingersnaps"; "Eggnog Cookies"; "Granny's Queen Cake"; "Cinnamon-Chocolate Cake"; "Apple-Caramel Cheesecake"; "Blueberry-Lemon Streusel Bars"; "Upside-Down Apple-Pecan Pie"; and "Biscuits Like Nana Made". With expert baking tips scattered throughout the book, along with funny family stories and touching memories, this is one cookbook that you will enjoy reading again and again. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Country cook Francine Bryson may have made her name as a championship baker, but she’s nothing less than a down-home diva when it comes to serving up delicious dishes for every course and occasion. “Country Cooking from a Redneck Kitchen” is loaded with beautiful, uncluttered color photos that suggest a breath of fresh country air carrying the mouthwatering aromas of these awesome recipes. At age sixteen, Francine began her competitive cooking career with “Blue Ribbon Stuffed Pork Loin” (see page 74). Check out this recipe for yourself, and you’ll see why it was a first-place winner. Like many Southern women, Francine comes from a long line of amazing cooks, and she carries on their traditions and blends them with her own innovative ideas. All great Southern cooks know how to “make something from nothing”. Growing your own food, using what’s seasonal and fresh, preserving and “putting up” food, and hunting and fishing are all time-honored ways of sustainable food management. No matter what you’ve got a “hankering for”, Francine has you covered, and you will also enjoy her family memories and food insights. Here’s a sampler of the real good redneck recipes you’ll find inside: “Deviled Ham Dip”; “Watergate Salad”; “Green ‘Mater Chow Chow”; “Hot Fried Chicken”; “Chicken and Dumplings Like Mama Made”; “Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Burgers”; “Pork Chop Casserole”; “Southern Fried Catfish”; “Shrimp and Grits”; “Corn Fritters”; “Beans Cooked with Ham Hocks”; “Green Beans from Nana’s Kitchen”; “Fried Cabbage”; “Brown Sugar Pie”; “Schoolyard Peanut Butter Bars”; “Sweet Potato Spice Cake”; and “Buttermilk Rolls”. Y’all come. Eat until you have to loosen your belts, and sit a spell. Come back real soon. FRANCINE BRYSON is the author of the bestselling Blue Ribbon Baking from a Redneck Kitchen, a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award finalist and Okra Pick. She has won more than 200 local and national baking competitions and was the runner-up and crowd favorite on CBS’s The American Baking Competition. Bryson, a member of the American Pie Council, lives with her husband in Pickens, South Carolina. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

I am a longtime fan of author Christina Dodd, but I am new to her "Virtue Falls" series. After having read Book 4, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream", I plan on returning to this mayhem-filled Washington State community for more mischief and misadventures. I especially want to follow the trials and tribulations of Sheriff Kateri Kwinault and her romantic interest, good-bad guy, Stag Denali. The title character, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream", has multiple names and identities, but all of them are bent on revenge. Having lost her ability to speak due to an accident, Helen Brassard, married to a controlling, manipulative older man, longs for the freedom to live out her dreams of retaliation against those she blames for her misery. After her husband's death, Helen leaves his world behind and resurfaces as Merida Falcon/Merry Byrd. A new life in Virtue Falls reunites her with the man on whom she has sworn vengeance. Further complicating matters, Sheriff Kwinault is a former classmate of Merida's, and the sheriff has her hands full searching for a serial killer who slashes his female victims to death. Filled with quirky, compelling characters, and propelled by a fascinating and fast-moving story line, "The Woman Who Couldn't Scream" speaks loudly to lovers of sharply-written romantic suspense. Book Copy Gratis Author

“Red, White and Built”, an exciting new romantic suspense series from author Carol Ericson, begins with “Locked, Loaded and SEALed”. Navy SEAL sniper Austin Foley is sent back to the US to protect Dr. Hamid Fazal, a former informant in the war on terrorism. However, Austin arrives too late to keep Dr. Fazal from being murdered, and now the doctor’s young assistant, Sophia Grant, seems to be the next target. Sophia is bright, beautiful, and street-smart—her young life as the child of substance abusers led to her growing up years being spent in various foster homes. Austin, the oldest of six children, grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. He’s cowboy-tough, cool, calm, and collected—but his attraction to Sophia is red-hot, and he can’t let his feelings get in the way of keeping her safe and completing his mission. Sophia knows her big, strong, handsome, green-eyed protector can’t stay around forever, but that doesn’t stop her from wishing he could be a permanent part of her life. As the two of them work together to solve the mystery of the doctor’s murder, they realize that it’s not just their lives at stake—it’s their hearts as well. A great beginning to a much-anticipated romantic suspense series from the talented Carol Ericson. Book Copy Gratis Author

I greatly enjoy author Carol Ericson's thrilling romantic suspense reads with their intriguing and imaginative storylines and their captivating characters. "Alpha Bravo Seal" is Book 2 in the "Red, White and Built" series, and it is now one of my favorite books by Carol Ericson. I always become involved in following the action-adventure of the stories, but "Alpha Bravo Seal" has an extra-special love story at its core. Navy SEAL Sniper Slade Gallagher once saved the life of documentary film-maker Nicole Hastings when he freed her from captivity at the hands of extreme terrorists. The two of them didn't actually meet at that time, but now Slade is once again assigned to protect Nicole--this time on her home ground. Not exactly comfortable as a big-city bodyguard, Slade must think on his feet to keep Nicole safe. Smart, capable, and gorgeous, Nicole is more than a match for her handsome hero. The attraction is immediate, but the warm friendship which blooms between them grows into a real affair of the heart, with plenty of heat to keep sparks flying. Their relationship is natural and so well-written, and I couldn't wait to see how they could make the differences in their lives and lifestyles work out for a united, happy future. A great read from a great storyteller. Book Copy Gratis Author

There is something delightfully personal and delicious about receiving a tin of holiday cookies--something that says "these were made just for you". Cookies and Christmas are inseparable--after all, it's a much-loved tradition to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk out on Christmas Eve for that revered world traveler, Santa Claus. With "Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season", author Elisabet Der Nederlanden offers a treat-filled treasury of 50 recipes, plus more ideas for taste-filled ways to celebrate the holiday season. Beginning with her introduction recalling her childhood in Sweden, and through her early training as a baker, as well as present day, the author expresses her love of the holidays and how baking always puts her "in the spirit of the season". This beautifully-realized collection of cookies and creative ideas like gingerbread houses, cookie place cards, and edible ornaments will easily become a favorite addition to your cookbook shelf. Here's a sampler of the irresistible treats you will find: "Red Velvet Crackle Cookies"; "Triple-Chocolate Chunk Cookies"; "Fruitcake Shortbread"; "Dark Chocolate Cookies with Caramel"; "Molasses Spice Cookies"; "Glazed Eggnog Madeleines"; "Swedish Pepparkakor"; "Mexican Wedding Cookies"; "Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Cutouts"; "Candy Cane Cookies"; "Stained-Glass Snowflakes"; "Peppermint Bark"; and "Bourbon and Maple Chocolate Truffles". There's so much more here to enjoy--it's the stuff that holiday dreams are made of--good times shared with family and friends--memories that last a lifetime. While you're at it, making all these good things for others to savor, don't forget to make your own goodie box, filled with your very favorite sweet eats--and hide it, just for you to find when you need a secret reward. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

If you could pick the fruit and food right from the page, you would, and that’s the glory of “Sweeter off the Vine: Fruit Desserts for Every Season” by Yossy Arefi. Written in a relaxed, personable style, this lovely book features homey color photos that showcase fruit-based desserts which make the most of the sweet harvest throughout the year. These amazing recipes are influenced by the author’s childhood in the berry-bountiful Pacific Northwest and her own Iranian heritage. Many years spent as a baker in a New York restaurant have added their own spin to Ms. Arefi’s kitchen creativity. As you follow the change of recipes along with the change of seasons, you will find yourself looking forward to each new day’s worth of delicious delights. Here’s a sampler of the fruitful harvest of dessert dishes: “Fresh Mint Ice Cream with Cacao Nibs”; “The Simplest Strawberry Tart”; “Cherry and Rhubarb Slab Pie”; “Apricot and Berry Galette with Saffron Sugar”; “Blueberry Skillet Cobbler with Whole Wheat Biscuits”; “Black Fruit Tart”; “Plum Pie with Hazelnut Crumb”; “Soft Chocolate and Fig Cake”; “Concord Grape and Plum Butter”; “Persimmon Sorbet with Ginger and Vanilla”; “Campfire Crisp”; “Pear Pie with Crème Fraiche Caramel”; “Butternut Squash Tea Cake”; “Winter Luxury Pumpkin Pie”; and “Cranberry Bread Pudding”. Yossy Arefi is a Brooklyn-based food photographer, cookbook author, amateur gardener and former professional baker. She is the creator of the blog: Apt 2B Baking Co. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

Take a delicious and delightfully diverse culinary tour of the California Coast through the “Malibu Farm Cookbook”. Named after the popular restaurant owned and operated by author Helene Henderson, this cookbook is also a memoir and celebration of the author’s lifestyle and food philosophy. The restaurant, perched on the very end of a pier, came about through a culmination of catering, teaching cooking classes, cooking for the wealthy, blogging, fund-raising, and farming. Ms. Henderson blends her Swedish heritage, her natural instincts for food and cooking, and the unique culture and environment of Malibu into an inviting and enticing feast for foodies. Organic, locally grown and harvested ingredients are part of the “eat the real thing, or don’t eat it at all” motto which pervades the pages of this big, colorful cookbook. The photography, by Martin Lof, is deep-toned and earthy, bringing you closer to the small, unimaginably rich town of Malibu. Here are some of the sumptuous recipes you’ll find: “Frittata with Ricotta and Peas”; “Swedish Mini-Pancakes with Cream and Berries”; “Baby Potatoes + Green Beans”; “Orzo with Peppers, Tomatoes, and Olives”; “Honey Lemon Saffron Chicken”; “Twice-Baked Yogurt Potatoes”; “Grilled Butterfly Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish”; “Parsnip-Potato Latkes”; “Salmon + Grainy Mustard Dressing”; “Grilled Smashed Potatoes + Roasted Garlic and Parmesan; “Salted Caramel Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches”; and “Grilled Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce”. Helene Henderson was born in Sweden; and that is where she learned to cook. She followed her dreams to America, and in 1997, she started Lavender Farms Catering in LA, specializing in organic food. Malibu Farm began in her backyard by teaching cooking and catering farm dinners. Now, she is the chef-owner of Malibu Farm Pier Cafe and Restaurant, which use her own produce and that of other local farmers. She lives there with her husband, screenwriter and director John Stockwell, and their three children. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

“Taste & Technique: Recipes to Elevate Your Home Cooking” is a large, recipe and photo-filled blend of upscale creativity and down-home familiarity. An interesting and informative collection of recipes, cooking information, techniques, equipment and helpful hints from Chef Naomi Pomeroy, this is a both a cookbook and a tutorial. Each recipe has its own little back story, and many of the recipes offer seasonal suggestions. While the food is definitely the product of an accomplished cook’s kitchen, the photography is gloriously unglamorous, making it the perfect showcase for the magnificently messy “Classic French Onion Soup”, the colorfully rustic “Fresh Corn and Summer Vegetable Succotash”, and the vibrant “Orange-Caraway Glazed Carrots”. Other recipes with great appeal include: “Spring Pea Risotto”; “Parmesan Straws”; “Caramelized Delicata Squash”; “Pan-Seared Pork Chops”; “Potato Dumplings”; “Balsamic Braised Short Ribs”; “Apricot-Brown Butter Tart”; “Buckwheat Crepes with Sautéed Apples and Toffee Sauce”; “Malt Ice Cream”; and “White Chocolate Mousse”. The enjoyable introduction from Chef Pomeroy is both personal and factual, and will be appreciated by faithful foodies. Naomi Pomeroy won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Pacific Northwest in 2014, was named a Best New Chef 
in Food & Wine in 2009, and has been featured in Bon Appétit, Elle, and O magazine, along with appearances on Top Chef Masters and Knife Fight. After launching Family Supper, clarklewis, and Gotham Tavern, she opened Beast in 2007 and her bar Expatriate in 2013. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

Step up to the plate, and eat your veggies. The "V" in "Martha Stewart's Vegetables" stands for vibrant, versatile, and veggielicious. We eat with our eyes first, and then with all of our senses, and the beautiful color photo accompanying each recipe will definitely tempt your taste buds. The layout of this book is clean, uncluttered, easy-to-read, and easy-to-follow. The chapters are divided by the type of vegetable, such as Bulbs, Roots, Stalks & Stems, Leaves, and more. "Tubers", featuring potatoes and sweet potatoes, is my favorite--yes, I love my spuds. Each chapter is prefaced with a mini-bio of the vegetable group, and then followed by "The Basics"of varieties, storage, usage, and cooking. "Four-Onion Soup with Ginger" is perfect for those not shy about their fondness for onions. "Herb-and-Scallion Bread Pudding" is a savory side dish for roasted meats. "Moroccan Vegetable Soup" is hearty and surprisingly quick to prepare. "Carrot Fries" are oven-baked and crisply satisfying. "Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna" is simple and combines the best of both worlds. "Roasted Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Apples" is the fantastic flavors of Fall all in one pan. "Sweet Potato Yeasted Rolls" and "Potato Dinner Rolls"--make both, and serve with lots of creamy real butter. "Caldo Verde" is a filling stew of kale, potatoes, and sausage. "Broccoli, Shrimp, and Shiitake Stir-Fry" offers a bountiful bowlful of tastes and textures. The fruits that we call vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, peppers and chiles, and more, are also given a shine by the spotlight. "Skillet Steak Peperonata" is sirloin steak cooked with a skilletful of peppers and onions. "Corn Soup" made with half-and-half and bacon-and savory seasonings-invites you to pick up your spoon and dig in. All together, "Martha Stewart's Vegetables" includes 150 recipes for main dishes and sides. You may not embrace a total vegetarian lifestyle, but incorporating more vegetables into your food intake will be more healthful, and it will expand and enhance your daily menus. MARTHA STEWART is one of America’s leading lifestyle experts, and she is the author of more than 80 books on cooking, entertaining, crafts, homekeeping, gardens, weddings, and decorating. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

How delightful to receive an insider’s look at the most delicious eateries in the fabulous world city of London, England! Author Aleksandra Crapanzano offers this and much, much more in “The London Cookbook: Recipes from the Restaurants, Cafes, and Hole-in-the-Wall Gems of a Modern City”. Dishes such as “Orange, Mint, and Rose Petal Cake” (pg 203), “Fish and Chips” (pg 111), “Filet of Beef Stroganoff” (pg 164), “Eton Mess” (pg 237), “The Avenue” (pg 277), “Alpine Fondue” (pg 97), “Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Savoy Cabbage Soup” (pg 42), “Welsh Rarebit” (pg 22), “Potted Shrimp” (pg 6), “Chicken Scaloppine with Mushrooms and Marsala” (pg 132), and “Chocolate Nemesis” (pg 190), are just a sampling of the wide variety of recipes included in this fascinating food and culture study. More than just a cookbook, this is a travelogue and history lesson which showcases the modern amenities and unequaled legacy of the ultimate cosmopolitan city—London. Beautiful color photos and helpful tips, along with some juicy tidbits, make for a very entertaining and appetizing read. ALEKSANDRA CRAPANZANO is the recipient of the James Beard Foundation M.F.K. Fisher Award for distinguished writing, and her work has appeared in several anthologies including Best Food Writing 2013. She writes the "A Little Something Sweet" dessert column for the Wall Street Journal and frequently writes their lengthy "Mega Meal" page. She has written about food for the New York Times Magazine, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Saveur, and Travel & Leisure. Now in New York, Crapanzano spent much of her childhood living in London, and continues to visit many times a year. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

An amazing, epic time-travel saga, "Outlander" has continued to increase in popularity since its original release in 1991. Diana Gabaldon's mystical historical romance has very long legs, indeed, leaping not only through time, but also through the captivated imaginations of its devoted readers. When Englishwoman Claire Randall, a former Royal Army nurse, walks through a circle of standing stones, she steps out of the Scottish countryside of 1945 and into the rugged Highlands of 18th Century Scotland. Finding herself face-to-face with one of her own husband's notorious ancestors, and then being captured by a Scottish gang, Claire is desperate to escape and return to the stone circle, her only chance of finding her way back home. James Fraser, a compelling young clansmen whose life is saved by Claire's nursing skill, offers her his name and his protection. The hand of Fate will have its way, and a passion for all eternity is born. "Outlander" is an expansive, encompassing tale too large even for one very big book. The original story, and its numerous sequels, have a die-hard, never say "the end" fan base, and "Outlander" will be filmed as a TV series. A worthy investment of your reader's time, the thrilling love story of Claire and her Jamie will keep you turning the pages. Book Copy Gratis Library Thing

Cooking provides sustenance, but it also provides pleasure. Food for family and friends should always be fun—especially for the cook. “One to Five: One Shortcut Recipe Transformed into Five Easy Dishes” by chef Ryan Scott (with a foreword by star chef Rachael Ray) is written with enjoyment and love of subject. With the motto for cooking at home of “prep it, cook it, and sit down to eat it in an hour or less”, the author shows how he does just that with more than 100 quick and tasty recipes that are a blend of scratch-made dishes, precooked ingredients, and ready-made foods. The “Staples: Stocking your Fridge, Freezer, and Pantry” and “Essential Kitchen Tools” sections offer very helpful, detailed information that will be appreciated by both beginners and seasoned cooks. Ryan Scott has an interesting inside note for each recipe, and the love and influence of family and friends is felt throughout the book. The chapters are designated by the main ingredient like Eggs, Biscuit Dough, Ground Beef, and more. Here’s a sampler of the recipes you’ll find: “Ryan’s Deviled Eggs”; “Garlic-Basil Biscuit Bombs”; “Broccoli-Kale Slaw”; “Sweet ‘N’ Hot Pickled Cauliflower”; “Carrot, Cranberry, and Zucchini Muffins”; “Kale Caesar”; “Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Portobello Burgers”; “Lesley’s Biscuit Chicken Turnovers”; “Elvis Pancakes”; “Many Onions Pork Shoulder”; “Mama Pat’s Meat Sauce”; “Rogue Pot Pie”; “Pot Roast Breakfast Hash”; “Green Chile Hushpuppies”; “Danny’s Lemon-Pepper Scampi”; “Brown Rice-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls”; “Cream Cheese Custard French Toast Casserole”; “Mama Pat’s Chocolate Brownie Pie”; and “Kitchen Sink Cookies”. Ryan Scott is a chef, restaurateur, and an Emmy-Award winning food host. He appears regularly on national television, including Today and Rachael Ray, and is the host of The Ryan Scott Show, a weekly radio show. Ryan is chef and owner of Finn Town in San Francisco. One to Five is his first cookbook. Book Copy Gratis Oxmoor House via Shelf Awareness

Deliciously efficient meal planning through smart shopping and cooking ahead is well-represented in “Food52 A New Way to Dinner: A Playbook of Recipes and Strategies for the Week Ahead”. Written by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, the co-founders of the Food52 website, this cookbook offers more than 100 recipes and a basic format of buying and preparing enough food on the weekends to simplify serving meals through the busy week ahead. It’s an organized commitment, and it may change the way you feed your family forever for the better. The recipes revolve around feeding a family of four, and the portions can be scaled up or down. The book is divided by seasons, with each of the authors contributing dishes and helpful insights for the whole year through. The food photos are richly-hued and appealing. Here are some of the dishes that are sure to tempt your taste buds: “Lemony Pasta with Asparagus”; “Tad’s Roasted Potatoes”; “Thai Steak Salad”; “Pickled Onions”; “Blueberry Ice”; “Plum Tart”; “Rosy Chicken”; “Applesauce with Caramel Icing”; “Brown Sugar Poundcake with Crème Fraiche Whipped Cream”; “My Mom’s Grilled Cheese with Bacon”; “Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine”; “Coconut Dream Bars”; “Luciana’s Porchetta”; “Garlicky Greens”; “Red Wine Beef Stew with Parsnips and Carrots”; “Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips”; and “Fish Baked in Foil”. Whether you follow the plan to the letter, or adapt it and make it your own, “A New Way to Dinner’ definitely offers food for thought. Amanda Hesser is the co-founder of Food52 and was previously a writer and editor at the New York Times. She wrote the award-winning books Cooking for Mr. Latte and The Cook and the Gardener. Her last book, a Times bestseller and the winner of a James Beard Award, is The Essential New York Times Cookbook. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and twins.Merrill Stubbs is the co-founder of Food52 and has written for many food and lifestyle publications, including the New York Times. She cut her teeth in the test kitchen at Cook’s Illustrated and behind the counter at Flour Bakery in Boston before she worked with Amanda Hesser on The Essential New York Times Cookbook. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

For me, a cookbook is a hit when it makes me hungry—when it makes me read the recipes and text, view the food photos, and say “I want that right now”. On that basis, “One Pan & Done: Hassle-Free Meals from the Oven to Your Table” is an unqualified success. Written in a warm, personable style by Chef Molly Gilbert, this is a book to go to time and time again for food that is “about comfort, nourishment, family, and community”. Molly had me from “Bacon Biscuit Bread”, and things just got better and better from there. The format of this book is very user-friendly. The size is easy-to-hold, and the layout is clean, uncluttered, and easy-to-read. Since this is a book about one-pan meals, various types of pots and pans are given their due, and the recipes are each marked with a symbol for the pot or pan called for to make the dish. Pantry staples are also covered, with the author explaining why each item is always to be found in her well-stocked kitchen. The recipe sections include: “Breakfast and Brunch”; “Starters, Snacks & Sides’; “Veggie Mains”; “Poultry”; “Fish”; “Meat”; and “Sweets”. Here is a sampler of the recipes which have me ready to “get out in that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans”: “Herby Egg & Blue Cheese Soufflés (made in muffin tins, these can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheated in the microwave—perfect “on-the-go” breakfast bites); “Warm Buttermilk Doughnut Muffins”; “Linguine Primavera”; “Thai Turkey with Carrot Noodles”; “Quick Chicken Pot Pie”; “French Chicken Stew”; “Roasted Shrimp & Chickpea Salad”; “Garlic-Broiled Scallops with Cherry Tomatoes & Pancetta”; “Sweet & Salty Pork Chops with Snow Peas”; “Maple-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Fries”; “Shepherd’s Pot Pie”; “Gramma’s Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting”, and “Chocolate Molten Caramel Mini Cakes”. Hungry yet? Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

“Dinner: Changing the Game”, from Melissa Clark, is a big, colorful cookbook filled with more than 200 recipes, and it takes familiar foods and gives them freshness and added appeal. There is something here for everyone, from vegetarians to omnivores and those who fall somewhere in between. A section on ingredients to keep on hand includes basics and exotics and explains how and why to use them. The chapters are each based on one main ingredient which is featured in a variety of enticing dishes. These are savory, satisfying foods which appease the palate and appeal to all the senses. There are special sections giving an expanded look at Roasted Chicken; How to Cook Eggs; Using Beans—Both Canned and Dried; and How to Cook Grains for Yields of 4. Since the book focuses on the main dish, with a few sides and other additions, there are no desserts. However, you will be more than gratified with such tempting dishes as these: “Salt & Pepper Roasted Chicken”; “Sesame Chicken with Cashews and Dates”; Jalapeño Steak with Honey and Lime”; “Pork Scallopini with Sage, Black Pepper, and Apples’; “Sweet Peppers & Sausages with Ricotta and Fresh Oregano”; “Shrimp Banh Mi”; “Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage, Jalapeño, and Lime Slaw”; “Asparagus Frittata with Ricotta and Chives”; “Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby”; “Penne & Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Pecorino”; “Shrimp Pad Thai with Sugar Snap Peas and Basil”; “Pole Bean Salad with Tomatoes, Almonds, and Pepitas”; “Spicy Thai Fried Rice with Sausage and Greens”; “Quick Southern Ham & Navy Bean Soup with Spicy Cornbread Croutons”; “Rustic Shrimp Bisque with Fennel”; “Summer Vegetable Salad with Tapenade and New Potatoes”; “Cheddar Fondue with Irish Whiskey”; and “Tomato Salad with Herbs, Shallots, and Lime”. The question of “What’s for dinner?” will now be asked and answered with real interest, and the results will please the chef as well as the company. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Compact, easy-to-hold, and user-friendly, “Food52 Mighty Salads” is filled with more than 60 recipes for salads and dressings that transform greens and fixings into delicious dinner salads. Accented with beautiful, deep-toned photographs suitable for its earthy subject, this is a cookbook that answers the question, “What’s for dinner?”, with some very fresh ideas. The types of salads are each featured with their own chapter: Leafy Salads, Less-Leafy Vegetable Salads, Grain & Bean Salads, Pasta & Bread Salads, Fish & Seafood Salads, and Meat Salads. Here’s just a sample of what you’ll “dig up” as you turn the pages: “Featherweight Slaw” with “Creamy Ginger Dressing”; “Antipasto Chopped Salad” with “Artichoke Dill Dressing”; “Spring Vegetable Panzanella” with “Pesto Dressing”; “Lemony Greek Pasta Salad” with “Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette”; “Radicchio & Shrimp Salad” with “Warm Bacon Vinaigrette”; “Spicy Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles” with “Lime-Sriracha Dressing”; and “Thai Pork Salad with Crisped Rice”. Scattered throughout the book are helpful hints and tasty tidbits like these: “Happy, Healthy Herbs”; “How to Save So-So (& Plain Terrible) Dressing”; “Easy Eggs”; and “How to Sprout Your Own Grains, Beans & Seeds (No Sunshine Required)”. There’s something here for everyone, but I did miss a section identifying various lettuces and greens with suggestions on their usages and best add-ins and dressing matches. Book Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging For Books

Lovers of American history, particularly the wild and woolly Frontier Era, will greatly enjoy "Jefferson's America". Author Julie M. Fenster writes with gusto and a real love of subject as she tells a true-life adventure tale that is more enthralling than fiction or film. Thomas Jefferson played a master's game of chess to block Britain, France, and Spain from gaining permanent control of the vast land to the West of the Continental States. His key chess pieces were an eclectic group of explorers whose eccentricities were as notable as were their brave proclivities. Along with Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Jefferson also engaged William Dunbar, George Hunter, Thomas Freeman, Peter Custis, and Zebulon Pike to scout, map, and document the scope and range of the land to the West. The author imbues this factual account with descriptive details which bring to life the personalities and politics of the day, and a section of black and white art and photos gives a glimpse of this portion of the past. Most intriguing is the last photo--a view from Jefferson's home, Monticello, looking toward the West. Book Copy Gratis via Blogging for Books

Learn from the best. “Peppers of the Americas: The Remarkable Capsicums That Forever Changed Flavor” is written by Maricel E. Presilla, a three-time James Beard Award-winning author and chef-restaurateur who is an expert on Latin American cooking. A world-traveler, food historian, and botanical explorer, the author explains the origins of chile peppers and how they migrated the globe to become an essential food in the cuisines of many cultures. This encyclopedic volume is a masterful study of all things peppers, and it is beautifully photographed and illustrated. Ms. Presilla, who grows more than 200 varieties of peppers at her New Jersey home-base, provides tips on pepper growing, handling, drying, smoking, storing, fermenting, and pickling—also on making chile salts, dried powders, and pastes. The recipes are what you would expect from an accomplished chef, and they include such dishes as: “Tropical Shrimp Ceviche with Yuca”; “Pepper Steaks with Pepper Leaf Chimichurri”; “Big Tamale Pie Filled With Chicken in Chile Ancho Adobo”; “Chipotle-Vanilla sauce over Stuffed Piquillo Peppers”; “Red Snapper in a Spicy Creole Sauce”; “Panfried Pork Steaks in Guajillo-Puya Adobo”; “Oaxacan Tomatillo and Dried Chile de Arbol Salsa over marinated, glazed slow-roasted slab bacon in a hot hibiscus and chocolate adobo”; “Guatemalan-Inspired Melon and Pineapple Salad sprinkled with dried chile cobanero and cacao nibs”; and “Spicy Pickled Cucumbers”. Definitely written by a well-versed aficionado, with great love of subject, “Peppers of the America” will add heat, color, flavor and a treasure trove of information about a fiery food that will warm your cooking spirit and have you finding your own new ways to pepper up your culinary repertoire. Book Copy Gratis Lorena Jones Books via Blogging for Books

Valerie Bertinelli has a warm, accessible personal appeal which has only grown with time. She’s been a TV presence in our lives for many years, but somehow, she seems as fresh and sunny as ever. Her successful Food Network show, “Valerie’s Home Cooking”, has now generated a cookbook of the same name. She shares her home in Los Angeles with her husband, Tom, and their pets. Her description of that home goes like this: “The kitchen is light and airy…backyard includes a vegetable garden…herbs…fruit trees…and even a vineyard.” She also finds much inspiration in her family’s cooking legacy, and the more than 100 recipes in the book are collected from family, friends, travels, and Valerie’s own imagination. The beautiful photos throughout the book are bright and earth-toned as befits the California setting. Each recipe includes a commentary from Valerie, and those recipes are user-friendly in both preparation and easily-found ingredients. This is good food to be shared with good people, and, hey—have fun with “Happy Hour”. I smiled a lot while reading this cookbook—there are so many recipes that I want to try: “Egg-in-a-Bagel-Hole”; “Valerie’s Irish Coffee with Lemon Vanilla Whipped Cream”; “Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp with Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce”; “Chicken with Lemon Wine Sauce”; “Aunt Norma’s Sauerkraut & Pork”; “BLT Pasta”; “Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes”; “Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons”; “Broccoli Salad”; “Slow-Cooker Red Beans and Rice”; “S’mores Popcorn”; “Strawberry Love Cake”; “Holiday Applesauce Cake”; and many more wonderful dishes. Book Copy Gratis Oxmoor House via Shelf Awareness

When it comes to preparing food with slow cookers, there are usually two types of cooks: those who regularly make use of this wonderful kitchen helper, and those who dust the cooker off now and then for holidays, pot-luck dinners, and the occasional pot roast. Slow cookers come in a wide range of sizes, functionality, and visual appeal. I still have my original Crock Pot (avocado green), and it still works quite well. I have newer cookers, one small and one large, but the “green machine” is still my favorite. It holds a lot of memories of good food and good family times. “Martha Stewart’s Slow Cooker: 110 recipes for Flavorful, Foolproof Dishes (Including Desserts!), Plus Test-Kitchen Tips and Strategies” shines a new light on this old kitchen favorite, making it a “go to” meal-maker for modern families. More than a year’s research went into developing recipes and cooking techniques which make the most of the slow-cooker’s steady, even heat, minimal pot-watching, and the added benefits of less fat and more moisture in the prepared dish. Try poaching root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets (Root-Vegetable Confit), and serve them over cooked grains, or as a flavorful side dish. Slow cookers are unbeatable at taking tougher, less-expensive cuts of meat like flank steak and turning them fork-tender (Ropa Vieja). Fish fillets will cook to perfection (Indian-Style Fish Curry). For richer flavor and deeper color, brown meats and sauté onions before adding them to the slow cooker (Persian Lamb Stew). It goes without saying that soup is a slow cooker classic, and you can make a spectacular vegetarian version (healthy, hearty Italian Ribollita Soup). For your sweet-tooth try delicious desserts (Cinnamon Buns) which are made even more scrumptious by the moist heat of the slow cooker. This is a delightful cookbook filled with mouth-watering food photos and recipes that will have you rethinking your tried & true menus and meal preparations, and you will appreciate the savings of food costs and time. Book Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

“Bringing Maggie Home” is a powerful and poignant tale of heartbreaking loss and ultimate healing and redemption through love and abiding faith. This is a beautifully-written tale, enriched by author Kim Vogel Sawyer’s exquisite storytelling. Hazel DeFord knows that a moment’s mistake can lead to a lifetime of regret. As a ten-year-old girl in1943, Hazel lost sight of her of three-year-old sister, Maggie, and the toddler vanished. Seven decades later, still eaten up by an unrelenting guilt, Hazel is distanced from her own daughter, Diane, but close to her granddaughter, Meghan, a cold-case investigator. When an accident forces Meghan to take a leave of absence, three generations of DeFord women find themselves in one another’s company, with Meghan the mediator between her mother and grandmother. This is a chance for family secrets and personal issues to be aired and for cobwebs of doubt to be swept away. Will it also lead to a final resolution of the unsolved case of Maggie’s disappearance? “Bringing Maggie Home” is a wonderful and inspiring read for those who enjoy family drama with added elements of mystery. Book Copy Gratis via Blogging for Books

Mimi Thorisson’s cookbooks are a marvelous ménage of memories combined with the current everyday experiences of food, family, and friends. With “French Country Cooking: Meals and Moments from a Village in the Vineyards”, readers are once again treated to the epicurean expertise of Ms. Thorisson accented by the beautiful color photos captured by her husband, Oddur. In this book, the family and their dogs move to the small village of St. Yazans in the Medoc region of France. The historic chateau which becomes their new home bears a rich legacy as a former renowned hotel and restaurant. The locale of the chateau offers a bounty of resplendent resources as friendships are made with “winemakers, hunters, vegetable growers, and local gourmands”. New finds inspire creativity in the kitchen and a growing sense of familial contentment. Reading the book, savoring the recipes and the photos, and dreaming of such a life in the French countryside is glorious feast for lovers of good food and the “good life”. Here are some of the wonderful recipes you will find: “Fig and Pistachio Cake”; “Rhubarb and Raspberry Cordial”; “Pumpkin Quiche with Bacon”; “Cassoulet”; “Black Peppered Filets Mignons with Cognac”; “Roast Chicken with Chestnuts and Cabbage”; “Wine Harvest Pot-Au-Feu”; “Ham and Spring Onion Omelette”; “Wise Guy Chicken”; “Garlic Potato Chips”; “Salted Butter Chocolate Cake”; “Walnut Tart”; and “Orange Blossom Cake”. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

The wonderfully engaging writing of author Ruth Logan Herne continues to be a reader's delight in "Home on the Range", Book 2 in her "Double S Ranch Series". The Stafford men of Gray's Glen, Washington are all at turning point in their lives. Middle brother Nick is the one who stayed home to manage the family ranch and raise his two daughters. Devastated when his wife walks out on him and the girls, Nick does his best to care for the children and run the ranch. His own father, Sam, had not been the best example as a husband and parent--although, lately, he seems to trying to make up for the lost years. Nick girls are the most important people in his life, and he can't ignore signs that his daughters need more than he can give. They need some professional counseling to help them get past being left behind by their mother. Dr. Elsa Andreas is dealing with some serious issues of her own when her sister, the school principal, convinces Elsa that helping Nick and his daughters will also be a great help to herself. As Nick and Elsa work together to help the children, an attraction and awareness grows between the two of them, but trouble comes back to town and may threaten the future happiness for everyone. It will take a great leap of faith to move forward with hope and courage and let go of the hurts of the past, but the rewards will be great for all. Review Copy Gratis Waterbrook Multnomah via Blogging for Books

While reading “VICTUALS: An Appalachian Journey, with Recipes”, I was humming, tapping my feet, grinning, and “itchin’ to get to the kitchen”. Author Ronni Lundy and photographer Johnny Autry have wonderfully captured the essence and timelessness of the Appalachian region of America and the amazing spirit of its people. “VICTUALS” (the term is also plainly called “vittles”) offers an inside look at an area of our country which is frequently stereotyped. Appalachia is a country within a country where you fix up a “mess of kress”, make apple butter outdoors in a big copper kettle over a wood fire, and you cook a pot of beans or a pan of greens with a ham hock or a hunk of fatback or side meat. You make perfectly delicious and golden-crusted cornbread in a well-seasoned and blackened old cast iron skillet, and you wait, impatiently for hand-cranked vanilla ice cream served with fresh peaches or strawberries. This is a journey you don’t want to miss. Along the way, enjoy these scrumptious vittles: “Karl Worley’s Roasted Chicken & Dumplings”; “Mama’s Mashed Potatoes”; “Killed Lettuce”; “Country Ham, Ramps, and Taters”; “Old-Style Vanilla Ice Cream”; “Real Cornbread”; “Buttermilk Brown Sugar Pie”; “Mountain Green Beans & Taters”; “Pork & Kraut in Cider Gravy with Noodles”; “Old-School Tomato Gravy”; and many, many more equally memorable recipes. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Remember how much fun potluck dinners are? Everyone cooks up their favorite recipe, their “specialty”, and then everybody eats too much because they want to try everything on the table. “Modern Potluck: Beautiful Food to Share”, by Kristin Donnelly, offers all the fun of traditional potluck dinners, but there are many new recipes and some updated versions of longtime favorites. The 100 or so recipes cover a wide range of dietary and lifestyle requisites, and there is something here for everyone. Here is a recipe sampler: “Sweet-Spicy-Salty Snack Mix”; “Deviled Eggs for Every Season”; “Apple-Ginger-Bourbon Cocktail”; “Riesling Punch”; “Middle Eastern Seven-Layer Salad”; “Chinese Chicken Salad”; “Cornmeal-Crusted Oven-Fried Chicken”; “Rosemary-Garlic Brined Pork Loin”; “Beef and Root Vegetable Stew”; “Many Bean Salad”; “Cucumber Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing”; “Red Cabbage Slaw with Pickles and Caraway”; “Slow-Cooked Smoky and Savory Greens”; “Caramelized Onion, Gouda, and Pecan Scones”; “Strawberry Jam Cheesecake Bars with Buckwheat-Almond Crust”; “Applesauce Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake”; “Bourbon-Pecan Cake with Chocolate Chunks”; and “Vanilla-Spiced Cranberry Jam”. The gorgeous cover dish is “Spice-Roasted Carrots with Lentils”. Gather friends and family and share the best from your kitchen and let them bring their own best-loved recipes. Try everything on the table and eat too much. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Long-time residents of Rome, Italy, Katie Parla and Kristina Gill are also seasoned wine and food experts and bloggers. Their culinary collaboration, “Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors & Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City” is a wonderfully-told history of the cuisine and culture of a timeless city—a city which holds an endless appeal and fascination to the world at large. The recipes “don’t just vary from region; they also vary from cook to cook”, and, indeed, this is a book of great variety. A foreword from renowned chef, Mario Batali, begins your tasting tour of Rome, and you will enjoy the recipes and rustic, warm-toned photographs tinted by the Roman sun. Along your journey, you will find many delicious dishes such as these: “Tortica Rustica”(Savory Pie)”; “Leonardo Vignoli’s Cacio E Pepe” (Pasta with Cheese & Black Pepper); “Picchiapo” (Simmered Beef with Tomato & Onion—sandwich filling); “Pollo Alla Romana” (Chicken with Tomatoes & Bell Peppers); “Brodo Di Pesce” (Fish Soup); “Pomodori Con Riso” (Baked Tomatoes Stuffed with Rice”; “Insalata Di Finocchio, Radicchis, E Pera” (Fennel, Radicchio, and Pear Salad); “Pizza Romana (Thin Crust Roman-Style Pizza); “Castagnole” (Fried Dough Balls with Sugar); “Sorbetto Di Pesche E Vino (Peach and Wine Sorbet”; “Granita Di Caffe” (Coffee Granita); “Maritozzi Con La Panna” (Sweet Buns with Whipped Cream); and “Brutti Ma Buoni” (Hazelnut Meringues). Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Making the most of what’s in season, locally grown, and supports the farming economy just makes good sense. Sustainable use of food resources when they are used fresh or are preserved by time-tested traditions tweaked by modern methods is a win-win situation for the consumer, the economy, and the environment. With “Home Cooked”, author and food visionary Anya Fernald, along with food writer Jessica Battilana, provides the inspiration to take a second look at how we eat and manage our food. Both the text and the photography are unfussy—warm in content and tone, with the rich, deep colors of sunrise and sunset inviting to turn the pages and try the many delicious dishes. The influences of the author’s time abroad blended with her life in California give her own special spin to the food she produces and the meals she creates. For example:: “Bright & Fresh Tomato Soup”; “Blistered Green Beans”; “Cornmeal Spoonbread”; “Trotter Beans”; “Tallow Fries”; “Asado Potatoes”; “Blood Orange Salad”; “Chicken Braised in Vinegar & Aromatics”; “The Greatest Pork Spareribs”; “Wine-Braised Brisket”; “Roast Beef with Horseradish-Walnut Sauce”; “Honey Nougat”; “Buttermilk Panna Cotta”; “Jam Tartlets”; “Buttermilk Pie”; “Walnut Tart”; and “Savory-Sweet Ricotta Cheesecake”. Many of the recipes are Italian-themed with Italian titles, so looking at the photo and reading the recipe ingredients will make them easier to understand. Review Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

“Back in the Saddle” is the first book in author Ruth Logan Herne’s “Double S Ranch Series”. I so enjoyed this story—the writing is perfectly paced, the story line is involving, and the characters all have great appeal. Colt Stafford left his ranching family home in Gray’s Glen, Washington to make his mark in the financial world of Wall Street. Big city life and big business suited him just fine until it crashed, leaving his future uncertain. With his reputation and his own personal finances in question, he finds himself heading home to touch base with his family and to immerse himself, at least for a while, in the day to day operations of the ranch. He doesn’t expect to be met at the door by a beautiful young woman wielding his father Sam’s own gun. Angelina Morales is the housekeeper and general overseer of the Stafford household. Colt’s brother Nick is the one who stayed behind to help run the ranch, and his other brother, Trey, had left home and started a successful music career. The relationship between father and sons is complicated, as Sam was a difficult and demanding man. Health problems and his own personal losses have given him a new perspective on life, and he wants to make amends with his family and the community. Angelina has her own secrets, but she and Colt have an immediate attraction. Neither of them intended to stay permanently at the Double S, but heartstrings are drawing them closer together. Is love in their future? Review Copy Gratis Blogging for Books

A matrix is defined as "something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form, or develops". Expounding upon this theory, iconic food writer Mark Bittman offers "Kitchen Matrix: More Than 700 Simple Recipes and Techniques to Mix and Match for Endless Possibilities". Adding and subtracting has never been so much fun--and never this delicious. Using simple ingredients, follow the basic principles, create your own "formulas", and then eat the tasty results of your experiments. The chapters include: "Appetizers and Entertaining"; "Soups, Stews, and Sandwiches"; "Vegetables"; "Pasta, Grains, and Beans"; "Fish and Seafood"; "Poultry and Eggs"; "Meat"; "Condiments and Seasonings"; "Fruit"; and "Desserts and Baking". Lots of lovely food photos are featured on almost every page, and the recipes temptingly cover a wide variety of categories. Familiar foods are "kicked up and served up" with small changes that make a big difference. I loved looking through this book and being inspired to step out of my cooking routine and try something new. My favorite sections are: "Vegetable Soup + 12 Ways"; "Potatoes + 12 Ways"; "Brown Rice + 12 Ways"; "Shrimp + 12 Ways"; "Thanksgiving Leftovers + 20 Ways"; "Pears + 10 Ways"; and "Fruit Desserts + 12 Ways". However, there is much more to explore in this cookbook, and both beginners and kitchen pros will enjoy spending time learning the new "kitchen math". MARK BITTMAN is one of the country's best-known and most widely respected food writers. His How to Cook Everything books, with one million copies in print, are a mainstay of the modern kitchen. Bittman writes for the Opinion section of New York Times on food policy and cooking, and is a columnist for the New York Times Magazine. His "The Minimalist" cooking show, based on his popular NYT column, can be seen on the Cooking Channel. His most recent book, VB6, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in its first week on sale. Review Copy Gratis Pam Krauss Books via Blogging for Books

The luscious Plum Tart on the cover of Alana Chernila's "The Homemade Kitchen: Recipes for Cooking with Pleasure" immediately caught my eye--such a beautiful temptation for all the senses. This book is a followup to Ms. Chernila's very well-received "The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making". The author writes as though she was speaking directly with the reader, across the table, sharing her life and outlook on food and other subjects. Exploring options for new food experiences is encouraged, and imperfect experiments are perfectly acceptable. Chapters are organized by the author's own thought processes, such as: "Be a Beginner"; "Use Your Scraps"; "Slow Down"; "Do Your Best and Then Let Go"; and "Organicish. Locenough. Homemade when I Can. Fresh. Good. Mine". Her 6 Top Tips are: "Do Your Best"; "Don't Be Afraid of Food"; "How to Cook With Kids"; "Make It Yourself"; "Know What to Buy"; and "There's More Than One Way to Roast a Chicken". The emphasis is on simple, homemade, minimally-processed foods to please family, friends, and yourself--the cook in progress. If you are as tempted by that Plum Tart as I am, then you will also enjoy delicious dishes like these: "Queen Garlic with Chèvre and Tomatoes"; "Cinnamon Swirl Bread"; "Asparagus Carbonara"; "Rhubarb Snacking Cake"; "Easy Coq au Vin with Buttermilk Spaetzle"; "Panzanella"; "Stuffed Tomatoes"; "Spicy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate"; "Platter Salads"; "Popovers"; "Summer Trifle"; "Sesame Noodles"; "Stuffed Winter Squash"; "Broccoli Raab with Cheddar Polenta"; "Roasted Red Pepper Corn Chowder"; Sesame Noodles"; "Corn and Nectarine Salad"; and "Sausage Bread Pudding". Written and shared with great love of subject, "The Homemade Kitchen" will inspire seasoned chefs, novice cooks, and all of us who love the encompassing philosophy of great food. Alana Chernila writes, cooks, teaches cheese making, preserving, and other workshops, and blogs at EatingFromTheGroundUp.com. She has also written for Martha Stewart Living magazine, Taproot, Food52.com, and many other online and print periodicals. Alana Chernila lives with her husband and daughters in Western Massachusetts. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Celebrated chef, restaurateur, cookbook author Michael Symon always seems to be having such a good time. With the lift of an eyebrow, and a mile-wide smile, he lets you know that he's got something terrific and tasty to share with you--lucky you. "Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for Every Season: 165 Quick Dinners, Sides, Holiday Dishes, and More" is the author's follow up to his bestselling "Michael Symon's 5 in 5". This new book expands on the "5 in 5" premise--5 fresh ingredients + 5 minutes of heat = fabulous food--with recipes organized by season and a fifth chapter for holidays. Symon explains that seasonal cooking is "enjoying food at its freshest, healthiest, and most affordable". He also encourages readers to shop locally, support local growers, and join a CSA--community supported agriculture association. He theorizes that with five fresh ingredients and a well-stocked pantry, it's possible to provide quick, healthy, affordable meals that will help to gather the family back together around the home table. He provides a helpful list of the basics to set up your own well-fortified home pantry. The food is fantastic, the photos are fabulous, and Symon's infectious grin appears here and there throughout the book. Here's a recipe sampler: "Grilled Skirt Steak with Mushroom Gravy"; "Sweet Onion-Smothered Pork Chops"; "Shrimp with Snow Peas, Garlic & Red-Pepper Flakes"; "Spinach Salad with Ham Steak and Fried Egg"; "Sweet Corn Fritters"; "Grilled Chicken Tenders Buffalo Style"; "Pork Schnitzel with Peach Salad"; "Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Red Onion, and Feta"; "Parmesan Zucchini Fries"; "Spaghetti Puttanesca"; "Vegetable Stir Fry"; "Pecan-Crusted Chicken with Fresh Cranberry Sauce"; "Kielbasa with Apples & Onions"; "Thai-Style Shrimp Salad"; "Kale & Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing"; "Salmon with Kale, White Wine & Lemon"; "Glazed Carrots with Pecans & Nutmeg"; "Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon"; and "Mashed Potato Cakes with Parmesan". MICHAEL SYMON is a cohost of ABC’s The Chew and, on Food Network, an Iron Chef on Iron Chef America and a host of All-Star Academy. He is the chef and co-owner of Lola and Lolita in Cleveland, Roast in Detroit, and numerous locations of B Spot Burgers and Bar Symon. He is the author of Michael Symon’s Live to Cook, Michael Symon’s Carnivore, and Michael Symon’s 5 in 5. DOUGLAS TRATTNER is also the co-author of "Michael Symon's Carnivore: 120 Recipes for Meat Lovers" and "Michael Symon's 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners". Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Author Samantha Seneviratne brings a whole world of flavors to your very own kitchen through the pages of "The New Sugar and Spice: A Recipe for Bolder Baking". When you open your spice cabinet, what do you see? Ms. Seneviratne will open your eyes to new ways to use familiar spices, and she will make you want to explore they myriad spices, herbs, and seasonings available in today's market. I save my spice jars, and I often use little bits and dabs of spices to make my own seasoning blends. Samantha Seneviratne’s travel experience and baking expertise blend well to offer a treasure trove of history, cooking culture, and deliciously different dishes that will be a feast for the senses. Each chapter focuses on a particular ingredient: Peppercorn & Chile; Cinnamon; Nutmeg; Clove & Cardamom; Vanilla; Ginger; and Savory Herbs & Spices. My two favorite spices are Nutmeg and Bay Leaves. Nutmeg reminds me of holidays and happy times, and it just adds an extra something special to baked goods and other foods and beverages. Bay Leaves are aromatic and add a pleasing pungency to sauces, soups, and other dishes. With over 80 recipes, lovely food photos, and interesting and informative insights, this book will delight veteran chefs and novice cooks alike. Here's a sampling of the recipes: Summer Berry Focaccia; Chile-Chocolate Truffles; Parsnip Cake with Ginger; Raspberry Shortcakes with Double Ginger Biscuits; Black Pepper, Dark Chocolate and Sour Cherry Bread; Big Chewy Apricot and Ginger Cookies; Orange Clove Pull-Apart Bread; Gingerbread Pancakes; Sri Lankan Love Cake; Swedish-inspired Saffron Currant Braid; Ricotta Cheesecake with Bourbon-Raisin Jam; Crunchy Peanut Pepper Cookies; Cinnamon, Hazelnut and Date Buns; Salted Cashew Caramels; All-Edges Brownie Cookies; Cream Tea Brûlée; Salt and Pepper Carmel Brownies; Maple Sticky Buns; Frozen Eggnog Pops; Concord Grape Streusel Cake; Hazelnut and Oat Cookie Sandwiches; S'more Pie; Cinnamon Toast Bread Pudding; and Profiteroles with Coconut Allspice Ice Cream and Hot Fudge. SAMANTHA SENEVIRATNE is New York-based food writer, recipe developer, and food stylist. She is a graduate of the International Culinary Center and has worked as a food editor in the kitchens of Good Housekeeping, Fine Cooking and Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food. She blogs about dessert at Love, Cake (Lovecommacake.com.) Review Copy Gratis Ten Speed Press via Blogging for Books

An "appetizer" is defined as "a small portion of tasty food to stimulate the appetite". Yes, indeed. An "hors d'oeuvre" is noted as an appetizer served before a meal. Why, thank you--I will accept a nice sampler plate. "Martha Stewart's Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus 30 Cocktails" offers up tasty tidbits and tempting treats accompanied by lovely libations. This is a glorious graze-fest, done in "Martha Style", and it truly is a fabulous feast for foodies. It also introduced me to one of my new favorite food phrases: "substantial small plates". Oh, goodness! While the traditional image for appetizers and hors d'oeuvres is associated with cocktail parties and social gatherings, I will say that the foods and drinks featured in this book are also mighty appealing for times when you want something really good, but you don't want to cook a full meal. I am writing this review in the sultry days of late August here in the South, and a cold plate of assorted goodies with a nice cool drink seems like the perfect after-work supper. Divided into five sections of recipes--Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips--the book also offers rules and tips for party planning and hosting. Organization plus inspiration makes things easier for you and goes a long way to ensure a houseful of happy guests. You can't go wrong serving them delicious delights like these: "Summer Crudites with Green Goddess Dip"; "Cranberry Sparkler"; "Horseradish Deviled Eggs"; "Rosemary Cheese Straws"; "Plum Blossom"; "Mini Cheese Biscuits"; "Salty-Sweet Party Mix"; "Honey-Roasted Salted Figs"; "Gin and Grapefruit Fizzes"; "Turkey and Avocado Sliders"; "Sour Cherry Mojitos"; "Papaya, Mango, and Pineapple with Spiced Salt"; "Seasoned Potato Chips"; "Spiced Nuts"; "Seasoned Popcorn"; "Apple Cider Sangria"; and so much more. Contemporary cuisine has its own casual chic, and eclectic style can be an intriguing ice-breaker. Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

Author Lori Benton's lyrical prose brings to vivid life the conflicts of cultures and the struggle for power that shaped the expansion of the American Frontier. "The Woods Edge", set in the New York Territory of the late 1700's, richly details the consequences of one irrevocable decision made during a father's moment of profound grief. The lasting effects of his actions will ripple through many lives until they become a pounding wave of tormented emotion. Major Reginald Aubrey thinks to spare his wife's health and sanity by switching their own dead newborn son for the living child of a former captive woman who had given birth to twin boys--one Indian and one white. Giving the blonde infant to his wife brings her peace, but this deception will bring tumult to all those involved. As their personal lives unfold, so does the history of America, as the frontier's bloody battles will ultimately merge with the great upheaval of the Revolutionary War. The people of the Oneida Nation faced severe repercussions for allying with the British, and their place in American history is given due attention. Stepping back into history to touch our roots is of immeasurable importance to our present day and our future. Splendid storytellers like Lori Benton who revere history and have a deep, abiding faith are to be treasured. "The Woods Edge" refers to a ceremony in which strangers approaching a community were met at the "town limits" or edge of the woods by a delegation who would approve their entry or send them on their way. This book is the first in "The Pathfinders Series" from wonderful writer Lori Benton. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press via Blogging for Books

A lovely literary journey traveled through waters and words, "The Little Paris Bookshop" is a charming, poignant read from author Nina George. Monsieur Perdu is a bookseller extraordinaire. He doesn't just sell books--he prescribes them--after diagnosing just the cure for what ails the book seeker. His magical, medicinal matchmaking of book and reader is uplifting and life-changing, and the doctor is long overdue for a dose of his own medicine. After twenty years, a chain of events will propel Monsieur Perdu to seek out the woman who broke his own heart. Along the way, he will collect an assortment of comrades, experience new adventures, and finally come to terms with his own very personal issues. Nina George writes with warmth and spins an atmospheric tale that will appeal to romance readers, food lovers, and armchair travelers. Recipes are included, as well as a special selection of emergency remedy reads from Monsieur Perdu's Literary Pharmacy. Review Copy Gratis Crown Publishers via Blogging for Books

The American Frontier of the eighteenth century is a rich source of amazing factual events and fascinating folk history. Author Lori Benton's beautifully descriptive writing and love of subject allow her readers to walk in the footprints of the past. "The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn" is a thrilling and compelling historical romance in which a young woman of privilege leaves behind all she has known in order to escape the cruelty of an obsessive and ambitious stepfather. Tamsen Littlejohn knows that she cannot accept an arraigned marriage when she longs to choose her own path. A heartbreaking tragedy and discovery of secrets about her very identity compel Tamsen to risk all in a daring flight for freedom with a frontiersman she has just met. Jesse Bird is a principled man of faith, and he is captivated by the beautiful Tamsen. Realizing the dire situation Tamsen faces, Jesse agrees to take her to a safe place away from her stepfather. Thus begins an amazing adventure through the rugged North Carolina frontier which will lead Tamsen and Jesse on an odyssey of survival and spiritual growth. Unexpected events along the way will take them to heights and depths that neither of them could have ever imagined. Will the love of a lifetime be their ultimate redemption and reward? Immerse yourself in this richly-told tale, and let author Lori Benton take you on an unforgettable journey of the heart and soul. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press via Blogging For Books

"The Cadence of Grace Series" from author Joanne Bischof is emotionally rich, spiritually rewarding, and exquisitely written. Ms. Bischof is a masterful storyteller, often leading the reader in an unexpected direction. She has the rare ability to convey powerful emotion with a delicate, deft touch. Book three in her series, "My Hope is Found", brings full circle the love story of Lonnie Sawyer and Gideon O'Riley. Life in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early twentieth century was often one of poverty and hardship. Old tradtions held fast as the outside world rolled forward. Lonnie and Gideon were brought together in a forced marriage, one that Gideon desperately wanted to avoid. Nonetheless, he and Lonnie became man and wife, and their journey together began. Leaving behind their home area so that Gideon could find work, they began an arduous trek faced with many obstacles. Finally, they were given shelter and sustenace from a kind older couple, Elsie and Jeb Bennett. Their time with the Bennetts was one of hard work and personal growth, with the Bennetts offering their hearts as well as their home. Gideon and Lonnie fell deeply in love and were blessed with a son, Jacob. Just as their lives seem to be on the right course, word comes that Gideon is still married to his first wife, Cassie, a wife that Lonnie had not known existed. Gideon had been wild and reckless in his youth, but he thought that his brief first marriage had been anulled. Stunned to learn that he is not legally married to Lonnie, they are both devastated when he is ordered by the court to return to Cassie. When Cassie finally agrees to release Gideon and grant him an anullment, he is overjoyed and begins his final journey home. However, as with every step in his life's path, there are side trails, and he must bide his time until the courts will hear his case. Before heading to Lonnie and Jacob, he goes back to work for an old friend in his apple orchard, and when at last he can head to the Bennett's farm, he takes with him young apple trees to begin his own orchard. In Gideon's absence, Lonnie has been befriended by a kind and handsome young minister, Scotsman Toby McKee. Toby loves Lonnie, and she is very fond of him, knowing that he would be a good husband and father. Lonnie accepts Toby's proposal shortly before Gideon arrives at the farm, and Gideon faces another spiritual challenge. He must learn what his newfound faith really means, putting the welfare and needs of those loves before his own, and placing his prayers for the future in the hands of the Lord. After Gideon and Toby have a physical altercation, Jeb declares that they must work together to plant the apple orchard. As the two men labor side-by-side, they get to know one another, and a grudging admiration is formed between them. As Gideon waits for the final court decree that will free him to marry Lonnie, she must decide which man will share her life and raise her son. This a highly recommended series. Read the first two books, "Be Still My Soul", and "Though My Heart is Torn", and then read "My Hope is Found". You will be so richly rewarded as a reader. Review Copy Gratis Multnomah Books

A house made of brick and mortar is not a home unless love lives there. A family may share genetics and blood history, or it could be a collection of misfits brought together through need, companionship, and love. In "The House that Love Built", author Beth Wiseman beautifully illustrates through words how the emotions and ideology of family and friendship eventually blur along the lines, and something wonderful and unique is born. Brooke Holloway has learned to keep moving forward, despite the devastating loss of her true love, her husband Travis. Dealing with his death, raising their two young children, and running her family's hardware business are what drives her days. She doesn't think that there will ever be another love in her life. Owen Saunders is a bitter man whose disastrous marriage and painful divorce have left him mistrustful and isolated from even thinking of another romantic relationship. He buys an old house to renovate in Smithville, TX--not because he really wants to live there--but to spite his ex-wife, Virginia, who has long dreamed of buying such a house. Owen and Brooke meet when he begins his many trips to the hardware store for supplies. She has long been curious about the Old Hadley Mansion, the house that Owen now owns, and she has an itch to see inside the place and find out if rumors of a hidden treasure are really true. Eventually Owen and Brooke form a friendship, and over time their relationship deepens into something more--but will past hurt and loss keep them from reaching for a bright and happy future? The Lord above truly does work in mysterious ways--his master plan has long been in place, and we come into it with his eyes upon us. Beth Wiseman is an author who writes with humor, poignancy, hope, and faith, and in "The House that Love Built", it is hearts and hope that bring together a one-of-a-kind family made with love. Recommended for those who realize that acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are ours to be had when we allow love and abiding faith to light our way. Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Publishers via Booksneeze

I was completely captivated by author Katie Ganshert's debut novel, "Wildflowers from Winter", and I looked forward to reading more works by this talented writer. Now that I have read the sequel, "Wishing on Willows", I am a Katie Ganshert fan for life. The writing is virtually seamless, the story line flows, and the characters are defined with an immediacy of emotion and physicality. The plot revolves around a development company that wishes to build upscale housing in the little town of Peaks, Iowa to provide homes for the employees of a large company which will be locating in the area. The mayor and quite a few other residents of Peaks are all in favor of the changes that will be made to the town, even if it means the closing of some local businesses to make way for the construction. The Willow Tree Cafe and the One Life Ministry are the two holdouts in the way of "progress", and the pressure is on for them to give in to the majority rule. However, there is more than brick and mortar involved in these two establishments--there is also heart and soul, and hopes and dreams. The Willow Tree Cafe is owned and operated by Robin Price, a young widow with a small son. The cafe was the dream of Robin and her late husband, Micah, who died without knowing that Robin was to bear his child. With the help of Micah's brother, Evan, and other family and friends, Robin made her husband's dream come true. Even though her heart was breaking, and pain and heartache were constant companions, she forged ahead, taking comfort in her sweet baby boy, Caleb. When developer Ian McKay offers to buy her cafe, Robin refuses. How could she let go of such a large piece of her heart? Ian is intrigued and attracted by Robin, but he is the son and heir of the development company's owner, and he is feeling the weight of his father's edict to make the construction deal a reality. His own family business is depending on the high-dollar contract, and his mother's cancer has returned, making emotions run even higher. Robin had clung to the memories of her life with Micah, and she is torn between the past she knows and the future of which she is unsure. Would she be untrue to Micah if she dared to love again? As tensions build, and life-changing events occur, will faith be strong enough to guide and comfort Robin and Ian? Is there a way to resolve the situation for the good of all and save the cafe and the ministry--both places of refuge for many community members who seek spiritual healing. In the midst of all the politics and personal problems, have two hearts found an unexpected love? First read "Wildflowers from Winter", and then follow up with "Wishing on Willows". Your emotions will be touched, your faith will be reaffirmed, and your spirit will soar. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

I was born and raised, and still reside, in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. This is a timeless place--as much as things change, they remain the same. The constancy of the mountains is comforting and immovable. Author Joanne Bischof offers a look at life in rural Appalachia in "Be Still My Soul". Lonnie Sawyer and her mother and siblings live under the rule of Lonnie's abusive alcoholic father. Lonnie's refuge is her Aunt Sarah, who offers brief respites from family troubles with readings from the Bible in her home. Lonnie and her mother are both blessed with beautiful singing voices, and at one local musical get-together, her father's pushes her up on stage. When handsome mandolin player Gideon O'Riley walks her home and asks for a kiss, both of their lives are forever changed. At first reluctant, Lonnie agrees to a kiss, but ladies man Gideon wants much more. Ashamed, Lonnie breaks away and runs back to her house before Gideon can have his way. The next day, to her horror, she discovers that her father witnessed the kiss, and he assumes the worst. Lonnie and Gideon are forced by both their fathers into a quick marriage ceremony. Taken away from her family and home, and now married to a resentful man whom she barely knows, Lonnie struggles for emotional survival. Her faith is as indelible as the mountains themselves, but can she endure what awaits? Gideon grew up in a different atmosphere from Lonnie. He was not abused, but he felt trapped by the lifestyle of the generations which had come before him. His music and woodworking skill were his refuge. He was attractive to women, and he went from one to another without a care. Now he was married, and he no longer could drift along through life. Goaded by his friends and emboldened by moonshine liquor, Gideon does have his way with Lonnie, which they both regret. Gideon is not kind to Lonnie, leaving her no choice but to follow him as they walk away from their home area toward a town which may offer work. With no money, and no transportation, they walk and walk, day after day. They find shelter with a kind older couple, Jebediah and Elsie, who have a nice homestead. Having witnessed Gideon's less than kind treatment of Lonnie, Jeb is a stern taskmaster, and Gideon works harder than he ever has in his life. Lonnie discovers that she is expecting a baby, adding to the chains of responsibility which weigh heavily on Gideon. At times, "Be Still My Soul" is tough to read. The poverty, abuse, alcoholism, and lack of education are all part of a continuing cycle. Yet, there is beauty to be found, as faith shines through, and hearts grow together as life goes on. While some never escape from the bleakness of an impoverished existence, others find riches beyond compare in an abiding faith. Gideon and Lonnie endure much, each having to find their own path before they meet as one heart. Highly recommended. Review Copy Gratis Multnomah Books

Laura Frantz is my favorite "artist with words". Her unsurpassed wordsmithery excels in the three levels of her storytelling: the vivid historical detail, the characterizations and the love story, and the true acceptance of deep and abiding faith. "Courting Morrow Little" is set in the raw, wild beauty of 18th century Kentucky, and it does not shy away from depicting the shades of good and evil to be found in all human beings. Morrow Little and her family live in the Kentucky frontier, and her childhood becomes a nightmare when attacking Shawnee kill her mother and sister and steal away her brother. Morrow and her father survive, and her father, who is a man of God, later accepts friendship with a Shawnee Chief and his son. Morrow struggles with her deeply felt fear and grief, and later she is sent to live with an aunt in Philadelphia. Returning home to Kentucky at age eighteen, she finds her father in failing health. The young Shawnee boy who visited her home with his own father is now a man. Red Shirt is now a scout, handsome and compelling, and his intelligence and masculinity are most appealing. When Morrow's father passes away, she must face reality and choose the path of her future. But what about her heart's longing? Can she free herself from the grip of fear and prejudice and go forward toward true happiness? In "Courting Morrow Little", Laura Frantz humanizes history, showing the virtues and failings of all sides of the conflicts between the British, the Settlers, and the Shawnee. History is made by humans, none of whom are perfect, but some of whom are larger than life and ever-fascinating. I believe that the answers to our future are to be found in the questions from our past. This is not just an involving tale of American frontier history, it is also an exquisitely written love story, one that grows deeper and richer as the tale unfolds. Characters and story lines from the author's first book, "The Frontiersman's Daughter" are a welcome touch. Highly recommended.

Talented Texan Jodi Thomas has a unique and addictive storytelling style. She truly has a way of creating memorable characters and involving us in romantic story lines that offer exciting adventure and laugh-out-loud humor. With her 25th historical romance featuring the great state of Texas, "Wild Texas Rose", Jodi Thomas takes her readers to an even higher level of pure reading enjoyment! While this book features all the cherished elements of historical western romance that serious devotees like me expect, those entertaining elements are delivered in an imaginative manner with fascinating twists and unexpected turns. I love stories about cowboys and their sweethearts, men and women of the West who carved out a life for themselves just as America was spreading its own wings from one coast to another. While everyone knows that western heroes are usually stalwart and somewhat silent, here they are imperfect, quirky, and strong on sentiment. The heroines of "Wild Texas Rose" are awesome! These ladies are not just women who stand by their man, they also pick up the reins and take the lead as they see fit. Rose McMurray is a pretty young woman, smart and capable, and just as lovely inside as she is on the outside. Emotionally scarred by a frightening childhood incident, Rose sometimes doubts herself and has a fear of the unfamiliar and shies away from crowds of people. However, when the going gets tough, Rose comes into full bloom, and that's when the going really gets good! No one is more surprised by the hidden depths to lovely Rose than her foster brother and lifelong protector, Texas Ranger Duncan McMurray. Seeing Rose in a new light leads Duncan to wonder if the affection he has always felt for Rose has become something much more--perhaps the love of a lifetime. Can he be the man to lead Rose to the happiness she thinks beyond her reach? Will Rose follow her innermost wish and let her mind see what her heart has known all along? Sometimes what you are looking for has been right within your reach--just out of sight until you fully open your eyes. Rose and Duncan take us along on their exciting romantic journey, touching our hearts and tickling our funny bone as we follow their steps. Joining "The Rose" and "The Ranger" are an unforgettable cast of characters, some of whom find their own love story. A melancholy judge who often speaks to his "dead" brother may be just the man to rescue an heiress in peril. A settled-in storekeeper and a spinster schoolteacher unbutton each other's buttoned-up existence. A scarred giant of a man and a woman who sells her looks see into each other's souls when they look at each other. Some really dastardly villains, a missing fortune, and a poignant, surprising development in the story line that will renew your faith in the human spirit all add to the rewarding experience of "Wild Texas Rose" and the continued delight of the "Whispering Mountain Series". Thank you, Jodi! Review Copy Gratis Berkley Books

With "The Southern Foodie", writer Chris Chamberlain takes us to "100 Places to Eat in the South Before You Die", and then shares "The Recipes That Made Them Famous". Roadies and Foodies, Unite! Rejoice! I am Southern to the bone, half-Virginian and half-Tennessean, and I can tell you, no bones about it, that we eat good here in the South, really good. We are much more than fried food and grits. Those foods are delicious and traditional, but they are just a small portion of the food bounty to be found throughout the American South. "The Southern Foodie" takes you on a thirteen-state taste trek, from VA to FL and all Southern states in-between, and each stop is a treat. The people, the places, and the plated-up dishes are all equally appealing, and true foodies will soon have their car keys in hand as their rumbling tummies drive them from one destination to another. Here's just a sampling of some of the featured recipes: "Sweet Corn Succotash"; "Ramsey's Kentucky Hot Brown"; "Apricot Fried Pies"; "Redeye Shrimp & Grits"; "Bread Pudding with Irish Whiskey Sauce"; "Yellow Crookneck Squash Casserole"; "White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie"; "Hattie's Pecan-Crusted Catfish"; "Southern Fried Chicken BLT"; "Country Smothered Pork Chops"; and "Key Lime Chess Pie". The food culture of the South cannot really be confined to one or two labels. The first settlers from across the sea brought with them a food heritage which, for survival, had to be blended with the food wisdom of the Native Americans. From then on, America has truly been a "melting pot". The South is one big happy convergence of what we grow, what we know, and what is introduced to us from the world around us. You will this to be true in the pages of "The Southern Foodie". Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books via BookSneeze

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors, and I am excited that she has begun a new book series called "Hope Beach". The series is set in the Outer Banks, and the author uses her eye for detail to make the natural beauty of the location as vivid as possible, adding great flavor and texture to the story line. A history lover, restorer, and rescuer of fading architectural gems, Libby Holladay runs her own business, Holladay Renovations. Libby is an archaeological historian who works in historic preservation with her best friend and partner, Nicole Ingram. While on a scouting expedition for a new business project in Hope Beach in the Outer Banks, Nicole discovers that Libby has inherited an old inn, a gift from a father whom Libby though to be long-dead. Nicole also informs Libby that she has a sister and brother from her father's second marriage. Libby plans to join her partner and investigate her unexpected legacy. However, while speaking with Nicole via webcam and making plans to meet, Libby watches in horror as Nicole is drugged and kidnapped. Desperate to find help for her friend, Libby frantically contacts the authorities and heads toward Hope Beach. When she arrives in Hope Beach, Libby meets Coast Guard Chief Alec Bourne, who is part of the team of local authorities searching for Nicole. Alec is also dealing with the sudden responsibility of the care of his nephew, Zach. Alec's older brother, Zach's father, was killed along with his wife in a plane crash, and at first Zach was in the care of his grandparents. When he proved to be more than his grandparents could handle, his uncle Alec became his guardian. As the search for Nicole continues, an attraction grows between Libby and Alec. Libby's newly found brother and sister are not pleased with her inheritance, and other mysteries soon come to light. Throughout the story line are woven the themes of greed, generosity, selfishness, and selflessness. Underlying all of the characters' thoughts and actions is the struggle for personal redemption: live immorally in the moment, or accept true faith and find eternal life. "Tidewater Inn" is a thoughtful, enjoyable romantic suspense read. The second book in the series, "Rosemary Cottage", will once again bring reader to the community of Hope Beach and the shores of the Outer Banks. Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books

"The Circle Eight" historical western romance series continues with Book Two, "Brody" by Emma Lang. Hotter than a habanero, and a thrill-a-minute action adventure to boot, "Brody" is a very intense romance read. We were first introduced to the characters of Brody Armstrong and Olivia Graham in "Matthew", Book One in the series. Brody is a hard-edged, tougher-than-nails Texas Ranger. Olivia met Brody when he began investigating the murders of her parents and the kidnapping of her youngest brother, Benjy. Being the oldest sister in the Graham family, Olivia is very protective and managerial toward her siblings. Naturally strong-willed and keenly intelligent, Olivia is unlike any woman Brody has ever met, and she turns him upside down and inside out. He has a similar effect on her, and the sparks between them are fiery and passionate. When Brody uncovers a clue to Benjy's disappearance, he goes to the Graham ranch to speak with the oldest brother, Matt. Since Matt and the other Graham brothers are away at the time, Olivia demands to be informed of Brody's findings. Determined to follow Brody in his search for Benjy, Olivia persists in pursuing the reluctant ranger until she wears him down and he takes her along in the investigation. These two are more than match for each other, and they bluff, bicker, and bluster their way through one adventure after another in their quest to bring down the evil gang that murdered the Grahams and stole little Benjy. The more they fight and finagle, the more the attraction between them grows, and soon their hearts become involved. Each of them has personal issues which cause them to think they are not worthy of being loved and having a lasting relationship, and neither is sure that they could have a future together. As the investigation intensifies, and Brody and Olivia are pulled deeper and deeper into a world of danger, can love find its way? Can the pervasive and powerful evil which killed families like the Grahams and stole away little children to be sold for hideous purposes finally be stopped? Will the youngest Graham return to the Circle Eight? Author Emma Lang is sure to captivate fans of historical western romance who love "heat with heart"! Review Copy Gratis Kensington Books

One of a Southerner's favorite meals is a slice of juicy, ripe homegrown tomato on a fresh, hot butter biscuit! I could almost taste that biscuit and feel the butter and juice from the tomato on my chin as I read "Farm Fresh Southern Cooking: Straight from the Garden to Your Dinner Table" by Tammy Algood. What a wonderful book! Beautifully produced on thick paper with colorful photos and helpful insights, this book is just the right size to be holdable and readable. As I write this in Spring, our Farmer's Markets here in the States will soon bloom with gorgeous produce and other seasonal offerings. However, at any given time, somewhere in the world, garden goodness is ripe for the picking and fruit orchards offer a bounty of delights. "Farm Fresh Southern Cooking" encourages you to go fresh, go local when possible, and go for the gusto of food prepared and served the way it was meant to be enjoyed! These recipes are literally a "return to the roots" of good food from good earth. I am not a great fan of black-eyed peas, but when I say the photo and recipe for "Pea-Picking Salsa", I wanted to dip a pita chip right into that page! "Roasted Bacon Pecans"--heh-heh--pecan, butter, bacon, sugar, and salt--heh-heh!!! "Garden Vegetable Soup"--no meat at all--just gorgeous veggies and veggie stock, kicked up with added white wine. If I list all the marvelous ingredients in the "Sweet Potato and Shrimp Chowder", you might just start to cry from longing. "Hot Bacon Dressing over Wilted Greens" is an absolute Southern Classic--really! "Twice As Nice Corn Casserole" is so darn good, you must have at least two servings. "Parsnip and Tart Apple Puree"--a most perfect accompaniment to a pork main dish. "Baked Parmesan Catfish" will set your whiskers to twitching with its crusty, salty goodness. "Orchard Fresh Peach Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting"--have mercy! "Sweet Cherry Dessert Sauce" made with cherry brandy or liqueur--can you imagine the sinful goodness of this sauce on rich, dense, homemade vanilla ice cream! "Savory Zucchini Pie"--a crustless "quiche"--quick-mixed all in one bowl. "Summer Fruit Watermelon Smoothies"--fresh watermelon blended with ice, lime juice and raspberry sherbet--even just thinking about it is refreshing! Tammy Algood has written a delightful, delectable book that brings back many good memories to this Southerner's heart! "Farm Fresh Southern Cooking" is a sure pick when you are in the market for cookbook treat! Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books

Author Katie Ganshert's debut work, "Wildflowers from Winter", is beautifully written and perfectly paced. There are no false notes in this involving story which flows like a bubbling stream toward a waiting lake. I loved the characters, and I understood their conflicts and appreciated their struggles to make sense of what was happening around them. Each character in turn had a crisis of faith, and there were no simple answers. Their pain as they suffered their spiritual struggles was poignantly etched. All of us will face unexpected challenges and unwanted losses. There is no way to live a human life and not know these things. Often, bad things that happen to us work in tandem like a line of dominoes--as one moves forward, it sets the others in motion to follow. Bethany Quinn worked hard to leave behind her rural trailer-park young life to become a successful Chicago architect. As a child she had loved spending time with her grandfather at his farm. When Bethany's father died, her mother moved Bethany and her brother away to a quite different life, shadowed by her mother's complex personality and involvement with a local minister. Bethany loathes Pastor Fenton, and her mother's devotion to the man widens the chasm between mother and daughter. Years later, as Bethany seems to have all she has worked to achieve within her grasp, her beloved grandfather becomes ill, and Bethany also learns that the best friend of her youth, Robin, has suffered a tragedy. Bethany goes home, to the little community of Peaks, Iowa. She wants to make sure that her grandfather will be all right, and she tries to think of a way to comfort Robin, whose husband is in a coma after a tragic accident. Immediately upon her arrival at the farm, she has a tense confrontation with Evan Price, who manages the farm for Bethany's Grandpa Dan. Later, Bethany learns that Robin is married to Evan's brother, Micah, who will never recover from his injuries. Micah is considered to be clinically dead, and heart-shattering decisions must be made about the future. Unable to bear the weight of the grief around her, Bethany assures herself that Grandpa Dan is okay, and she quickly returns to Chicago. A phone call from Evan soon shatters her illusions, as her grandfather's death brings her home once again. At the same time she loses Grandpa Dan, her career comes to an end through company downsizing, and her relationship with her ambitious lawyer boyfriend becomes doubtful. To her shock, she inherits her grandfather's farm land, but Evan inherits the farmhouse, equipment, and livestock. The split inheritance forces her to face her attraction to Evan, and she must decide whether to sell the land or stay in Peaks. Her friend Robin is pregnant, widowed, and much in need of Bethany's support. Truly at a crucial turning point in her life, Bethany is pulled from many directions, and the strong spiritual faith shown by Evan and Robin seems outside her ability to accept. As Bethany faces secrets from her past and searches for resolution for her future, her heart begins to heal, and she finds new strength and purpose. What will her future hold? What are the right decisions for everyone? Will Bethany learn to let go and reach out for happiness with Evan and find inner peace? How will Robin overcome her grief and thrive along with the new life she is bringing into the world? Katie Ganshert has written a love story that is about more than romance. It is about learning to love and forgive one's self, and understanding that letting go of sorrow and despair, and accepting faith, can be liberating and reviving. I very much look forward to the upcoming sequel, "Wishing on Willows". Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

"A Texan's Honor", by Shelley Gray, is a superbly written, thrilling historical western romantic suspense work. I was enthralled with the story line from the opening line all the way through the final sentence, which was just two words, but very meaningful words. After losing both her parents, and having to leave all she has ever known in Denver, CO, young Jamilyn Ellis boards a train to begin a new life with two maiden aunts in Kansas City, KS. There is also a possibility of an engagement with her aunts' neighbor, Randall, with whom Jamie has been corresponding. The train journey proves to be both fateful and eventful, as the train is captured by the Walton Gang, one of the most deadly band of outlaws the West had ever known. Jamie ends up the lone woman hostage, and she is in fear not only for her life, but of a fate worse than death at the hands of the vicious gang. One of the gang members stands out from the rest. Will McMillan, tall, cool and quiet-spoken, becomes Jamie's protector. Even though she senses that Will is no less lethal than his cohorts, she also sees that there are hidden depths to the man, and she realizes that he is her only hope of survival. Unknown to Jamie, Will is an undercover US Marshal, secretly working to bring down James Walton and his criminal empire. A Civil War veteran, Will has seen all the ugliness that life can offer, and he is struck by Jamie's innocence and vulnerability. Yet he also sees that beyond her youthful beauty and lack of worldliness, there is a kindred soul, something he never expected. As the situation on the train becomes more intense and hair-trigger nerves are itching for action, Will knows that the only way to save Jamie is to get her off the train. In a daring escape, they jump from the train and begin a perilous trek to safety. Will loses his heart to Jamie almost from the first moment, but he feels that he is unworthy of her, and he decides he must get her to a safe place and walk away. Jamie, who has low self-esteem due to her parents' indifferent attitude, wants to trust Will, and her heart tells her that she wants to be with him. All the while Jamie and Will are making their way to safety, they are being tracked by one of the Walton Gang, Scout Proffitt. Dressed always in black from head to toe, with eyes darker than midnight, Scout Proffitt strikes with the lethal speed of a rattlesnake. He and Will have a mutual respect, almost a friendship, and neither realizes that they are connected by Scout's older brother Clayton Proffitt, who was Will's captain in the war. As many times as Scout has dealt with the Devil, his soul is not completely lost, and he is conflicted by his lifestyle and his mission to kill Will and recapture Jamie. As he continues his hunt, Scout's life takes twists and turns he never saw coming, and his reunion with Will is not what either man expects. When Jamie is finally brought together with her aunts, her life also takes an unexpected turn. Will hearts be united and spirits granted the salvation they seek? Shelly Gray will take hold of you from the first page, and you will not want her to let you go! Westerns and trains are made for each other, and this book is as exciting and involving as any great Western film you ever seen. It's so vividly written that you are right there in the story line as it unfolds! "A Texan's Honor" is the second book in Shelley Gray's "The Heart of a Hero" series. I also highly recommend the first book, "A Texan's Promise", and I fervently hope that there will be more books to come in this wonderful series. Review Copy Gratis Abingdon Press

Rafael De Luca has a secret, one that could cost him the biggest business deal of his life. He survived a plane crash, but lost a very important chunk of his memory. His three business partners, his close friends since college, are providing emotional support and a much-needed smokescreen. His grip on his image as a successful, sophisticated entrepreneur is further threatened with the arrival of a beautiful and obviously pregnant woman who claims to have been involved with Rafael during the weeks of his life that he can't remember. Fiery and lovely Bryony Morgan stirs emotions in Rafael that he never dreamed he could feel, and he is compelled to believe the story she tells. His gut instinct tells him that he is the father of her child, but his rational mind tries to remind him that he never lets his feelings get the best of him. He journeys back to Bryony's home, the very land which he purchased and promised her that he would never develop for commercial purposes. However, the Rafael who emerged from the plane crash did not remember that promise, and the business deal moves forward. Will Rafael regain his lost memory and also keep the woman he loves? How will Bryony continue to care for a man who walked away from her without a warning and seems to be much different from the man she came to know and love? "Enticed By His Forgotten Lover" is the first book in Maya Banks "Pregnancy & Passion" series for the Harlequin "Desire" line.

Author B.J. Daniels spins a contemporary western romantic suspense tale in "Smokin' Six-Shooter". Big city girl Dulcie Hughes never dreamed that she would inherit a Montana ranch property and discover that nothing about her life was true in the way she had always believed. Her "ranch" consists of a dried-up patch of ground and an abandoned old house which was the scene of a gruesome unsolved murder. Tensions in the community are running high as ranch owners are desperate for much-needed rain, and Dulcie's questions set nerves even further on edge. Russell Corbett, one of the local land owners, is intrigued by Dulcie, and she is definitely not immune to his innate courtly cowboy charm. The more Dulcie searches, the more she finds, and soon her safety is as uncertain as her peace of mind. She eventually befriends another newcomer to the area, school teacher Jolene Stevens, who is being given clues to the murder mystery in the form of excerpts from an anonymous short story. Everyone wishes Dulcie would mind her own business, but with her world turned upside down, she has no choice but to try to solve the mystery of why she inherited the long-neglected property. Her growing involvement with Russell is another unexpected complication that leaves Dulcie both happy and hesitant. She doesn't plan to stay in Montana, and she can't imagine Russell enjoying life in the city. As truths are uncovered, will hopeful hearts also be revealed? Will Dulcie's real identity be someone she can live with? "Smokin Six-Shooter" is the fourth book in B.J. Daniels' successful Harlequin Intrigue "Whitehorse Montana, The Corbetts" Series.

"Love in Disguise", by Carol Cox, offers a delightful and entertaining heroine in Ellie Moore. An assistant to a demanding actress, Ellie suddenly finds herself adrift when her employer sets sail for Europe and leaves Ellie behind with only a wardrobe trunk filled with costumes and memories of years gone by. Alone and unemployed in Chicago of the late 1800s, Ellie is facing an uncertain future until she overhears two men talking about hiring a woman for a certain job. She follows the two men, who turn out to be Pinkerton agents, and tries to persuade them she is just the woman they seek. However, they turn her down and send her on her way. Ellie learned a lot during her years behind the scenes at the theater, and she returns in the guise of an older widow lady seeking employment. She makes an impression on the detectives, and they send her on an undercover assignment to Pickford, Arizona, where shipments of silver ore are routinely being waylaid. The desperate owners of the local mines have hired the Pinkerton Agency to investigate and stop the thefts. When the female agent who was supposed to be Ellie's partner suddenly quits to get married, Ellie finds herself playing two roles: matronly widow Lavinia Stewart, and Lavinia's dazzling red-haired niece, Jessie Monroe. Complicating matters is Ellie's attachment to the handsome and courtly mine owner, Steven Pierce, who grows fond of Lavinia and quite attracted to Jessie. Ellie knows that she is neither of those women, and she fears that Steven will reject her when he learns the truth. Ellie gets both of her alter egos into precarious predicaments, some of which are funny and some of which are suspenseful. There is villainy of more than one variety taking place in Pickford, and Ellie's two identities are right in the middle of the action. "Love in Disguise" is a very readable and enjoyable historical romantic suspense story with a lovely romance between two people who are both at a turning point in their lives and their faith. Ellie and Steven bring out the best in each other, and together they might just grab true happiness and hold onto it for a lifetime. Review Copy Gratis Library Thing

"Girls' Guide to Flirting With Danger", by Kimberly Lang, is a smokin' hot reunion romance that also provides food for thought. The author definitely creates the fireworks, and the sparks are hot and heavy. However, this is a "heat with heart" story, and it also takes a look at the public fascination with other people's lives, especially famous people. Megan Lowe has overcome a lot of hurtles in her quest to become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Initially a shy young woman prone to panic attacks, Megan put aside her own dreams and goals so that her husband, Devin Kenney, could pursue his law studies. Like many young couples head-over-heels in love and lust with each other, they lived on little money and a lot of dreams. Devin's ambition was the driving force in their relationship, and Megan loved him enough to let him have his way. However, when he chose a career move and life change for them both without consulting Megan, she finally stood up for herself and walked away from Devin. Years later, after a bitter divorce, Megan has almost reached her goal and is working as an intern marriage counselor in a prominent clinic. Devin has become famous, a celebrity lawyer who makes a fortune from sensational divorce cases. His career managers grab all the headlines and all the money they can get. When word leaks out to the tabloids that the "marriage breaker" was once wed to the "marriage saver", then Devin and Megan become pawns for the paparazzi. As the two of them fight to gain control of their lives, they also fight with each other, and the fire between them ignites into flames of passion. Is it enough to build a future together? Old, unresolved issues come back to life, and once again, Megan walks away from Devin. Will the two of them ever realize what's most important in their lives and learn to truly give and take on an equal basis? The reward could be a love to last a lifetime. "Girls Guide to Flirting With Danger" is part of Harlequin's "The Ex Factor" collection.

Debra Clopton's "Yukon Cowboy" offers a most appealing hero, a strong, rugged man who is also emotionally vulnerable. Nate McMann has chosen a solitary life, and he keeps telling himself that he likes it that way. He has a ranch to run, and he also works as a tour guide for a local agency. However, when his former sweetheart, Bethany Marlow, moves back to their home town of Treasure Creek, Alaska, Nate's heart begins to beat a little faster. Make that a whole lot faster! Ten long years ago, Nate had turned away from Bethany, telling her he didn't love her and putting an end to their relationship. He never told her that he had learned he was unable to father children, and since she had stated her reservations about adoption, Nate felt he could provide for her the family life she wanted. Hurt and disillusioned, Bethany left town and made a new life and career for herself as a successful wedding planner. She returns to Treasure Creek to open a wedding shop, and as soon as she meets Nate again, the sparks and hurts come back to haunt them both. Bethany and Nate used to work together on guided tours, and when their friend who runs the tour agency asks them to help with a particular family tour, they once again face their mutual attraction. One family on the tour has a precocious little boy whom they adopted. Another family is made of two young newlyweds who are very much in love and in lust. Both families have an impact on Nate and Bethany, and they are forced to finally confront the issues between them. Will Nate reveal his hurtful secret to Bethany? Have her feelings changed about adoption and what really makes a family? "Yukon Cowboy" is a touching romance, and this cowboy has a very special appeal of his very own. "Yukon Cowboy" is a part of Harlequin's "Alaskan Bride Rush" series.

I know personally from following author Myrna Mackenzie's blog that she has an inquiring mind and a lively curiosity. She is just as interesting as the characters and story lines that she creates. With "Hired: Cinderella Chef", we are given a heroine who experienced a terrible tragedy and chose to thrive rather than just survive. Darcy Parrish loved working as a law enforcement officer. A life-changing auto accident left her in a wheelchair and forced her to seek out a new career. She lost more than just the use of her legs in the accident. She also lost the baby she was expecting, and was soon abandoned by the baby's father. Starting over in a new and very different life, she became an accomplished chef. Patrick Judson inherited his family's wealth and the care of his three younger sisters when he was just eighteen years old. A caring man who feels the responsibility of his wealth, Patrick is the sponsor for the assisted living facility for people with spinal-cord injuries where Darcy resides. When Darcy is chosen for a temporary position as the chef for Patrick's estate, she is thrilled with the opportunity to really make use of her skills in the kitchen. She never expected the attraction that would grow between her and her kind and handsome employer, nor was she prepared for his determination to have her "meet and mingle" with his guests. Patrick is quite taken with Darcy, and his fascination with her wars with his desire to finally undertake his great world tour. After raising his three sisters and seeing them comfortably "settled", Patrick had planned to spread his wings and travel for an extended period of time. He never dreamed a beguiling blonde with beautiful brown eyes and just the right amount of sass to keep him in line would make him reconsider his long time travel plans. Patrick's sisters are not keen on the blooming romance between him and Darcy, and they try to keep the two apart. The mutual attraction is too strong to deny, and a complicated involvement ensues. Patrick and Darcy both have issues to resolve, and they later part ways in order not to stand in the way of each other's happiness. However, hearts often have ideas of their own, and longing and loneliness will often change the most convinced of minds. Sometimes the heart knows best. "Hired: Cinderella Chef" is a part of Harlequin's "In Her Shoes" series.

Historical Western Romance is my favorite genre, and the American Old West is the perfect setting for stories of faith. Those were exciting, but uncertain, times. The element of lawlessness and those who tried to control it often became quickly involved in abruptly brutal conflicts. Love and life could be found and lost in the space of a heartbeat. Women had to be strong in mind and body, with an even stronger faith. "A Texan's Promise", by Shelley Gray, is a story of loss and redemption, but it is also a wonderfully inspiring love story. Young Vanessa Grant's life is forever changed when she is brutally attacked by her stepfather, Price Venture. Her brother, Miles, who also feared Price, did nothing to stop the attack. Vanessa's mother finally came to her aide, but the damage had already been done. When Vanessa seeks refuge in the stables, she is comforted by the ranch foreman, Clayton Proffitt, the one person who has never let her down. Knowing that Vanessa will not be safe from her stepfather, Clay convinces her to let him take her away from the Circle Z and away from the evil intentions of Price Venture. Vanessa's great faith in Clay, and his deep religious faith, are the guiding forces behind their eventful journey. Clay is ten years older than Vanessa, and he is a war veteran with a great understanding of the good and the bad sides of human nature. He tends her wounds from the attack, nurtures her body and mind, and inspires her spiritual growth. In turn, she offers him her sweet nature, her trust, and the affirmation that there is always beauty to found among the harshest of tribulations. The real beauty is in finding abiding faith and learning to accept true forgiveness and love that is beyond physical life. The balance of their relationship shifts back and forth as they face each new experience. Clay is the strong protector, but at times Vanessa is the one to offer him the care and sustenance he needs. The two of them have always been the best of friends, and as they each grow and evolve during their journey, so does their love grow and evolve. "A Texan's Promise" is a beautifully written tale of inspiring faith and love. Highly recommended for lovers of historical western romance and those who appreciate a love story to treasure. Review Copy Gratis Abingdon Press

"Just Down the Road" is my first visit to Jodi Thomas' charming fictional community of Harmony, TX. Where have I been? I was missing something really good--heartwarming romance with a touch of pathos and mystery-suspense. I have read other works by Jodi Thomas, and she always writes heart with humor, and that is a very good thing! Let me just say this about the character of Tinch Turner--the lonesome cowboy with a loving, true heart--where is my very own Tinch? When Tinch married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Lori Anne, he never dreamed that cancer would claim her at a young age. He acts out his grief by boozing, brawling, and brooding about what he'll never have again. A frequent visitor to the ER for after-fight medical care, Tinch sits up and takes notice when he meets the new ER doctor, Addison Spencer. Something about the pale, uptight, lovely woman makes Tinch want to clean up his act. When he discovers that Addison is his closest neighbor, "just down the road" from his place, things really get interesting. Often prickly, and always intriguing, Addison is far from indifferent to Tinch. She only plans to be in Harmony for a few months, and she left her former home to be free from her father and her almost-fiance. Meeting a gorgeous man unlike anyone she's ever known was definitely not on her agenda. Tinch's life takes another dramatic turn when he is suddenly given the care of his orphaned nephew, whose mother was Lori Anne's sister. Jamie is a dear little boy in need of much TLC. His drug-addicted mother's involvement with drug dealers left her dead and Jamie beaten and bruised. Tinch and Addison both feel the need to care for the child, and Addison begins staying at Tinch's house to help with Jamie. The three of them become close, and each has hopes and dreams of what a future together could mean. When the drug dealers return, searching for a fortune in cash, the very real danger they present may bring those dreams to an end. Will two lost hearts, who didn't even know they were looking for love, come together with one small boy and find real happiness as a family? There are wonderful supporting characters in "Just Down the Road"--old friends from the Harmony community who also seek resolution and a happy ending. Part of the pleasure of this book was getting a feel for the town, its people, and a glimpse of down-home Texas living. Even though I have lived in a very small town for most of my life, I never tire of “small town” romances. Small towns sometimes hold big secrets! People are very interconnected. What happens to one person affects someone else, and the ripple effect is started. However, there is an essential sweetness to small towns. Memories of earlier days, some bittersweet, are held dear. People aren’t just faces, they’re family and friends. There’s always a second chance for first loves in small towns. Review Copy Gratis Berkley Books

"Where Lilacs Still Bloom: A Novel", by Jane Kirkpatrick, is based on the remarkable true life story of Hulda Klager. A German immigrant and a "farm wife" with only an eighth-grade education, Hulda's natural intellect and intuition, along with a burning curiosity, allowed her to develop hundreds of hybrid fruit and flower varieties, especially lilacs. The book is beautifully written--an inspiring and life-affirming tribute to the courage and spirit of the amazing Hulda Klager. The book begins in 1948, with a brief prologue during which the flood waters are rising and threatening to destroy Hulda's work of a lifetime. She is eighty-five years old, and as she looks down on the surging waters from the safety of a bluff, she recalls her life story. What a story it is! As the book unfolds, we share with Hilda her triumphs and sorrows, and her indomitable spirit shines throughout the years. In her own way, she was a pioneer for women's rights, a scientist, an environmentalist, and an example for anyone who won't take no for a final answer. There is a pure, timeless joy in putting a seed into the ground, nurturing its growth, and watching it come into its full glory. Hulda did all that and more, ever adding newer and more sustainable plant varieties that she first cultivated in her agile mind. The real Hulda survived until 1960, when she passed away at the age of 96. I am now in my early fifties, and I cannot imagine living four more decades, much less being vibrant and vital until the very end. Hulda outlived her beloved husband Frank, all of her children, and all of her brothers and sisters. Her gardens were restored after the disastrous flood of 1948, and to this day, they remain open to the public. The "Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens" are a National Historic Site located in Woodland, Washington. The "Hilda Klager Lilac Society" revived her annual “Lilac Days” each spring when the lilacs come into bloom, selling lilac plants to visitors just as when Hulda Klager was there. As generations come and go, Hulda's sweetly scented legacy continues to enrich lives with its beauty. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

Richly written, "Song of My Heart", by Kim Vogel Sawyer, offers a vivid portrait of Kansas in the late 1800s. The author perfectly captures the rough and tumble times of an era in which so much occurred during a relatively short period of time. Changes to technology, transportation, communications, social mores, religion, fashion, science and medicine, literature, art and entertainment. The long-lasting aftereffects of the War Between the States. The glory and grit of the American Old West. A very rich and revolutionary period in history. The two most important things in Sadie Wagner's life are her faith and her family. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, Sadie longs to make the most of her God-given talent by having a successful career as an opera singer. When her stepfather is seriously injured, and unable to work and support Sadie's family, she decides to accept an offer of work away from her home in Indiana. Through her cousin, Sid, she is able to procure work as a mercantile clerk in Goldtree, Kansas. She will also have the opportunity to sing in the local opera house. Sadie never expected that her new boss would be manipulative and unscrupulous, the "opera house" would be more like a bawdy house, and that she would land smack-dab in the middle of a bootlegging operation. Unsure of what to do, she continues to work for Asa Baxter in order to help with her family's finances. The town of Goldtree hires a new sheriff, Thad McKane, to investigate the illegal liquor business. Thad's true desire is to become a minister, and his plan is to earn enough money as sheriff to pay for his ministerial studies. He is immediately captivated by lovely young Sadie, but he is confused and concerned by her performances at the opera house. How can someone as sweet and spiritual as Sadie appears work as a saloon singer, and just how involved is she in the criminal activity? Both Sadie and Thad grow as characters as they grow to love each other. The supporting cast is lively and entertaining, particularly Asa Baxter's twin sisters. I truly savor well-written historical western romance, and I will long hear the words of "Song of My Heart" in my mind. Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Books

If you are a foodie and film fan, then you will think you have died and gone to heaven when you read "The Dead Celebrity Cookbook"! Recipes and reflections are blended together with rollicking, rowdy, revelry, and a smashing time will be had by all! Author Frank DeCaro enlightens and entertains with facts and food finds from legendary stars of stage and screen, and the results are delicious. I love to sit down with a cup of coffee and read a cookbook. Since this book is filled with as many stories as it has recipes, it is one of the most readable and enjoyable cookbooks that I own. The chapters are categorized by the contributor's claim to fame, such as: "Musical Munchies"; "Sitcom Moms Really Cook"; "Dance This Mess Around"; and "A Feast of Funny Fellows". The skill level of the chefs ranges from kitchen-capable to titan of take-out, and the recipes run the realm between truly taste tempting to seriously strange and somewhat scary. Dom Deluise's "Doodlewoppers"--who knew?!? Just kidding--those "Doodlewoppers" sound like darn good cookies!!! "The Dead Celebrity Cookbook" is a decadent delight from cover to cover. The amazing range of recipes is as equally appealing as the royal roster of legendary luminaries from the world of entertainment. A "must have" for the kitchen library of true devotees of the silver screen and the silver palate. Review Copy Gratis HCI Books

Drummond Roak, the title character in author Jodi Thomas' "The Lone Texan", is a man determined to win the heart of the contrary, fiery, and beautiful woman whom he has loved since he was fifteen years old. That woman is Sage McMurray, slightly older than Drum, and newly returned to Texas from a five-year stay in Boston, MA. During that time, Sage fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor. She also married and soon became the widow of her much-older mentor. Accompanying Sage as her nurse and assistant is Bonnie Pierce, a tall, plain spinster. When Drum hears that Sage has returned, he seeks her out, and they have an eventful reunion which is made even more complex when Sage is kidnapped by a villain who is pure evil. Drum comes to her rescue, by being the highest bidder for her at an outlaw's auction, and the sparks between the two really start to fly! "The Lone Texan" has a great hero whom we get to know in-depth by his personal thoughts and his love for his one and only woman, who takes a mighty heap of convincing before her heart is truly won. There is also a very sweet and satisfying story of wall-flower Bonnie coming into full bloom with a rescue romance of her own! The characters of Sage and Drum became known in other entries in Jodi Thomas' "Whispering Mountain" series, and at last they have their own wonderful western romance!

"Down Home Lovin' Mule Blues", by Jacquie Rogers, is guaranteed to take your mind off your troubles and satisfy your craving for contemporary western romance with a seriously funny and sweetly sexy style. Busted-up bronc buster Brody Alexander, a former rodeo star, now works as a rodeo clown while his body tries to heal from its many injuries. When the girl he let get away and can't forget, Rita Markham, returns to their hometown to care for her ailing mother, Brody's life will never be the same. The sparks between the two remain as hot as ever, and so do the issues which pushed them apart. These two foolish hearts are obviously meant for each other, and that's when a matchmaking mule and a merry band of assorted animal cohorts take matters into their own hands--make that paws! Socrates the mastermind mule is determined to make those clueless humans, Brody and Rita, see the light. He manipulates situations and leaves hints and clues all over the place, but the two hapless humans seem bound and determined to lose love the second time around--and people say mules are stubborn! While this story line is written with great wry humor and an above average appreciation for animals and their behavior, there is also a touching and heartfelt love story. Both Brody and Rita have hidden hurts and issues which spur their actions and keep them in a self-protective mode. They both have some growing up to do, and facing their past is the beginning to accepting their future. A fun, furry, fine-spirited romance read that will lighten your heart and put a big, big smile on your face--a smile that will stay there for a long, long time!

"Down Home Lovin' Mule Blues", by Jacquie Rogers, is guaranteed to take your mind off your troubles and satisfy your craving for contemporary western romance with a seriously funny and sweetly sexy style. Busted-up bronc buster Brody Alexander, a former rodeo star, now works as a rodeo clown while his body tries to heal from its many injuries. When the girl he let get away and can't forget, Rita Markham, returns to their hometown to care for her ailing mother, Brody's life will never be the same. The sparks between the two remain as hot as ever, and so do the issues which pushed them apart. These two foolish hearts are obviously meant for each other, and that's when a matchmaking mule and a merry band of assorted animal cohorts take matters into their own hands--make that paws! Socrates the mastermind mule is determined to make those clueless humans, Brody and Rita, see the light. He manipulates situations and leaves hints and clues all over the place, but the two hapless humans seem bound and determined to lose love the second time around--and people say mules are stubborn! While this story line is written with great wry humor and an above average appreciation for animals and their behavior, there is also a touching and heartfelt love story. Both Brody and Rita have hidden hurts and issues which spur their actions and keep them in a self-protective mode. They both have some growing up to do, and facing their past is the beginning to accepting their future. A fun, furry, fine-spirited romance read that will lighten your heart and put a big, big smile on your face--a smile that will stay there for a long, long time!

"Chasing the Sun", by Tracie Petersen, is well-paced historical western romance set in Texas during the middle of the Civil War. Hannah Dandridge, a genteel young lady from Vicksburg, Mississippi, accompanies her widowed father and two younger siblings to a new home on a ranch in Texas. When he must return to Mississippi to bury his mother, Hannah is left to care for her brother Andy and her sister Marty. As her father's absence increases, so do Hannah's concerns for his safety and the welfare of the family and their home. When her father's business partner, Herbert Lockhart, informs her that her father is missing, he tries to persuade Hannah to marry him and move to his home in town. He insists that her father gave his blessing to the union, but Hannah has misgivings, and she feels no attraction to the older, domineering man. Hannah is a strong young woman with a mind of her own, a deep religious faith, and a great love for her family. One day Hannah's young brother Andy brings home two surprise visitors: an injured Comanche youth, and William Barnett, son of the original owners of the ranch property. Hannah treats the Comanche boy and tries to reconcile the knowledge that William has come back from the war not knowing that his ranch was taken over in his absence. Will is the only surviving member of his family, and he has come home from serving in the Union Army after receiving a serious leg wound. The fact that Will and his father and brother, natives of Confederate Texas, served in the Union Army made the Barnett family outcasts in their home area. Will did not want to go to war, but he stayed loyal to his father's wishes. Hannah's older brother was killed in the war fighting for the Confederacy, and her growing attraction to Will leaves her greatly conflicted. Will has never met a woman like the lovely Miss Hannah Dandridge. Strong-willed, caring, and sure in her faith, she makes Will realize how his own faith has lapsed since his experiences in the war. As Will begins to become more involved with the running of the ranch, he grows closer to Hannah and the children. Seeing the influence that Will has in the lives of Hannah and the children, Herbert Lockhart continues to scheme to gain control of Hannah and the ranch. Are greed and suspicion to have their way, or will abiding faith and a deepening love bring together a new family and keep them in their home? "Chasing the Sun" is an exciting, well-written historical romance. The story line flows smoothly, and keeps you involved until the very end. There are many issues explored in the book, and once again the great tragedy of the Civil War and the sadness of the plight of Native Americans is brought to light. Tracie Peterson is an author to treasure, and I look forward to the next two books in the "Land of the Lone Star" series. Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Books

Quinn Rafferty is a man who has seen and done things for love of country and love of money that no human being should imagine, much less actually experience. When his actions cost the life of the woman he loves, he becomes "broken". Quinn's story is the followup to author Shiloh Walker's "Fragile", in which we first met Quinn and his twin brother, Luke. The brothers were separated at birth, with Luke being raised by his father, a good man, and Quinn being raised by their violent, alcoholic, drug-addicted mother. Occasionally, Quinn would have to seek shelter at a local youth center. When his mother dies, his father comes to collect him, and Quinn is surprised to learn of his twin. The father and sons try their best to adjust to being reunited, and eventually Quinn enters the military. One of his missions overseas as an Army Ranger goes awry, and the woman with whom he had become involved is killed. Once his tour of duty ends, Quinn heads back to the States and he finds himself working as a bounty hunter for a private detective agency. He settles into a routine, living in a room he rents from a nice, well-meaning landlady. However, his world is rocked when he catches a glimpse of his new neighbor, a curvy brunette with luscious red lips and secrets to equal her sex appeal. Despite their reluctance to trust another being with their hearts, Quinn and Sara cannot fight their overwhelming attraction to each other. The cruel hand of fate tightens its grip when Sara turns out to be Quinn's newest missing person case, and he is devastated to learn her true identity. Although Sara is on the run from a dangerous enemy, she is a strong, vibrant woman who can stand toe-to-toe with tough-tender Alpha Quinn. When she brings out his seductive side, watch out--smoke alarms on permanent alert! Can these two people who have found each other against all odds find a way to beat the odds and win the love of a lifetime? "Broken" will break your heart and then put the pieces back together again.

In "Fragile", by Shiloh Walker, we meet the Rafferty brothers, Alpha males with issues from unhappy childhood memories and a rough-edged adult life. This is Luke's story, and we also catch glimpses of his twin brother, Quinn. Luke went from being an Army medic to an ER doctor, and dealing with wounded, scarred bodies and souls has long been a part of his everyday life. Tough and capable, but still caring, Luke finds himself attracted to Devon Manning, a social worker who frequently brings abuse victims to the ER where Luke works. Devon is herself a victim of childhood abuse. Her parents died when Devon was young, and she wound up in the care of an aunt whose husband abused Devon. Luke patiently woos Devon, knowing that she is as "fragile" as she is strong. Devon is captivated by Luke, but when her life is threatened, Luke becomes overprotective, and Devon rebels. Pushing Luke away, for his safety and her sanity, seems to be the only way Devon can cope. Will the evil seeking to destroy Devon keep her from finding true happiness with Luke, or will their searing passion and deep need of each other lead to a once in a lifetime love? Abuse creates endless ripples in the pool of life. Its effects are far-reaching and never-ending. "Fragile" is raw and unforgettable.

When I first started reading "A River to Cross", by Yvonne Harris, I was struck by dialogue and terminology which seemed inappropriate for the setting and era of the book, Texas of 1886. However, once the characters really developed and the story line deepened, I was hooked. Lloyd Evans is the owner and operator of the largest newspaper in El Paso, TX. An editor with a bold, investigative style, Lloyd is writing strong expose articles on the local crime element in the area. His reporting leads to his death and to the kidnapping of his sister, Elizabeth Evans. Texas Ranger Captain Jake Nelson, a friend of Lloyd's who was assisting in the investigations, rescues Elizabeth and vows to bring the local crime lords to justice. Elizabeth is the daughter of a US Senator and the still-grieving widow of a US Army Lieutenant, Carl Evans. Beautiful and petite, Elizabeth's exterior belies her inner strength and intelligence. Jake is immediately captivated by Elizabeth, and he soon realizes that he is in over his head. He will also have to overcome the memories Elizabeth has of her lost love. When Jake sets out to woo Elizabeth, and turns on the slow-talking, courtly protector, larger-than-life Texas charm, she is smitten. Their friendship and courtship of each other throughout the action-packed story line is very enjoyable. The romantic suspense aspect of this historical western is terrific! I was very involved with the characters and so looking forward to the resolution of their adventures and to their HEA. Jake and Elizabeth have a wonderful romance with a very unromantic ending. The author did tie up the story line issues, but left out the romance in the final chapter. All in all, because of the characters and the action-adventure suspense of the story, I recommend "A River to Cross" for lovers of western romance. Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Books

There are three inescapable truths about human beings: the way we see ourselves, the way we are perceived by others, and the way we actually exist. A twenty-year class reunion is the perfect venue to display all three views, as the attendees meet, mix, mingle and migrate through survival of the event. In "The Red Book", Deborah Copaken Kogan serves us a slice of Harvard Pie, as the lives of four roommates from the class of '89 are detailed and given a fortyish mid-life checkup as they reunite after two decades. Harvard, venerable institution that it remains, requests its alumni to update their lives on file every five years, and the results are compiled into a red-covered anniversary report which is sent to every graduate. Kogan's story line begins with the Twentieth Anniversary Report for the class of '89, and its final chapter is the report for the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary. In between these reports, the lives of the four roomies, Addison, Clover, Mia, and Jane, and those around them, are sketched out in sharp lines, vivid hues, and subtle shadings. Since this is a Harvard Pie, the slices are served in grand style, but the ingredients for the recipe are basic. All human beings, regardless of social status and financial state, are made of common elements, just varying in levels of intensity. You may see something of yourself in Kogan's characters, or you may see yourself as an outside observer, but the fascination remains the same. Greener grass still needs to be weeded. Not all of the characters are likeable, but they are quite readable, and that makes "The Red Book" a delicious dish indeed. Review Copy Gratis Library Thing

"The Lawman's Vow", by Elizabeth Lane, took me on a grand romantic adventure to the beautifully rugged Northern California Coast of the mid-nineteenth century! Flynn O'Rourke is a tough as nails San Francisco lawman determined to bring his sister's murderer to justice. He thinks the killer is Aaron Cragun, a salvage and scrap dealer with a less than stellar reputation, so he sets sail for Cragun's home on the coast. A violent storm wrecks Flynn's boat, and he awakens with no memory of who he is, or why and how he ended up stranded on the beach. He is rescued by a lovely blonde angel and her precocious little brother. Slyvie Cragun names him "Ishmael", and she and her brother Daniel provide him with care and shelter while he struggles to regain his identity. As Sylvie and Daniel await the return of their father, Ishmael gradually regains his strength and begins to make much-needed repairs to the family home, which is actually built from the hull of shipwreck. Sylvie's father is a man of intelligence and imagination, if not high morals, and he has created an amazing place for his family to live. The salvage he gathers from wrecked ships and other sources is sold to provide the family finances, but Sylvie is unaware of her father's other, less savory predilections for obtaining money. Ishmael is drawn to Sylvie's beauty and caring heart, and she is attracted by his strength and inner gentleness. Bits and pieces of memory return as the days go by, and Ishmael is torn by a desire to stay with Sylvie and Daniel, and the need to leave in search of returning to his real life. He has only a few clues, including the sapphire ring he still wears. Sylvie grows increasingly worried as her father does not return as planned, and threatening intruders add to her alarm. Ishmael cares deeply for Sylvie and Daniel, and he would give his life to protect them from all harm. The love between Sylvie and Ishmael becomes a blazing passion, one that the two of them know could end when his memories finally return, but they are caught up in a lover's spell. "The Lawman's Vow" is exciting, richly-detailed, and very romantic--perfect for lovers of great historical romance! Recommended for dreamers and adventurers who may have wished for a handsome hero to wash ashore in need of the giving and receiving of some passionate TLC!

Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller, and I appreciate her wonderful way with words more and more with each book. "Blue Moon Promise" is the first entry in the "Under Texas Stars" series, and it is a great beginning! Two things really stood out about this lovely historical western romance: the remarkable heroine, and the way that the story line got better and better until I hated to see it end. I could have read more about the characters and the events in their lives. Lucy Marsh provides for her younger brother and sister with great care, often enduring hardship herself so that the children will be fed and sheltered. When their father dies under suspicious circumstances and their stepmother runs off with another man, Lucy is determined to keep her siblings Jed and Eileen safe. An unexpected visit from an old family acquaintance brings a surprising solution to the desperate situation of Lucy and the children. Henry Stanton had been contacted by Lucy's stepmother when her father died, and after sizing up Lucy and her predicament, he offers her marriage by proxy to his son, Nate, and a home at the Stanton ranch. A threat involving a business deal of her father's places the family in peril, and Lucy agrees to the strange marriage arrangement. She and the children leave the city life they have always known and head to the Stanton family ranch to face the promise of an unknown and challenging new world. When Nate meets his new wife and family, he is not just surprised, he is furious with his father! Lucy is small and genteel, and appears far too delicate to survive the rigors of ranch life. Nate has been somewhat of a confirmed bachelor, set in his ways, and used to the rough and tumble life of a working ranch. He never imagined that he would suddenly find himself married to a city woman with a ready-made family. However, Lucy is a woman of great fortitude, and she gradually earns Nate's respect and admiration as she adapts and makes the best of her new life. Young Jed shows an aptitude and eagerness as a beginning ranch hand, and little Eileen effortlessly steal Nate's heart. The four of them settle into Nate's rugged cabin on the family land, and Lucy soon has the place feeling just like home with her good cooking and housekeeping skills. As she and Nate form a tentative friendship, there are those around them with their own agenda, and the lies and secrets of others may keep the couple from ever being truly husband and wife. Lucy and Nate must learn to trust each other as they try to uncover the source of the manipulations and mysteries which threaten their budding happiness. Historical western romance with a suspense element makes for a mighty fine read, and I look forward to the next book in the series: "The Red River Bride". Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

Cheryl St. John is a wonderfully talented author of memorable historical romance reads, and she has created a remarkable love story called "The Wedding Journey". This book is the beginning of the "Irish Brides Series" from Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical brand. I love reading historical romance for many reasons, all of which are to be found in "The Wedding Journey". I have always lived in historical romance. I just “reside” in the modern world. From as far back as I can remember, I was always drawn to times of old, ladies and gentlemen from another era, and clothing and customs from days gone by. My mother and I always lived with her parents, and I grew up with values from an older generation. I was also lucky enough to hear stories passed on from several generations, play dress-up in wonderful clothing from different decades, and be taught manners and behavior from a more courtly society. "The Wedding Journey" is the first story of the three Murphy sisters, Maeve, Nora, and Bridget, who are grieving the loss of their father, and wondering how they will make ends meet. An unexpected windfall comes in the form of an inheritance from a man who once loved their mother. He had purchased a home outside Boston, MA, and left it as a place for their mother to live should she ever come to America. Their mother had died a decade ago, and now without both parents, the sisters decide to leave Ireland and cross the ocean to the land of possibilities. They determine to find temporary employment on the voyage to their new home, and Maeve becomes the assistant to the handsome ship's doctor, Flynn Gallagher, who is a widower. Flynn is as Irish as the Murphys, but he comes from a background of wealth and privilege far removed from the humble origins of the sisters. Nonetheless, he is captivated by the sincerity and innocent charm of the lovely Maeve Murphy. Petite, red-haired, and blessed with a fresh complexion and sparkling blue eyes, Maeve stirs feelings in Flynn's grief-stricken heart. His deep sorrow at the loss of his wife and young son to cholera had left him emotionally scarred and driven him to seek advancements in the prevention and treatment of disease, allowing him little time for personal considerations. His admiration for the genuine warmth and care for others possessed by Maeve and her sisters helps him to begin to communicate more with others and to find enjoyment in the simple everyday pleasures of life. The jumble of passengers on this voyage are headed across the sea for a wide variety of reasons, and many of them will find their lives changed by the crossing. The author has written an amazing and involving story line, with the ship itself being a "world within a world". I was fascinated by the travel necessities of the times, and how people had to adapt for survival on this type of ship voyage. My eyes were also opened to the devastation of the Irish people due to disease and the potato famine. Beginning in 1845 and lasting for six years, the potato famine killed over a million men, women and children in Ireland and caused another million to flee the country. Small wonder that the promise of the land of milk and honey that was America in the mid to late 1800's drew people from far and wide, and that their dreams and emotions were quite intense. "The Wedding Journey" is indeed the journey of a lifetime, where hearts are revealed and hope is reaffirmed. Highly recommended for lovers of great historical romance. Review Copy Gratis Author

"Colorado Fireman" from C.C. Coburn offers another visit with the amazing clan featured in the "The O'Malley Men Series". What you get is even more than what you see with these fabulous folks! The O'Malley men are rowdy and rambunctious, both reticents and romanticists, and they are real, with rough edges just waiting for the right woman to smooth them out. Of course, their imperfections are part of their charm, so their special ladies learn not to smooth too much! In "Colorado Fireman", Adam O'Malley has moved back to his home town of Spruce Lake, CO, and plans to continue his career as a firefighter. Adam left home as soon as he graduated from high school, on the run from a painful personal secret that caused him to distance himself from everyone and everything that he loved. After more than a decade, and much coaxing from his mother, Adam comes home to face his family and friends. Soon after he arrives, his firefighting skills are tested when he must occupants of a burning apartment building. He saves lives, including some children and a dog belonging to the children's neighbor. The mother of the children, Carly Spencer, is young and lovely, and Adam is immediately captivated. His plans to stay detached and uninvolved are changed when his mother invites Carly and her children to stay with the O'Malleys at their ranch. Carly is the widow of a firefighter, with four young children and facing an uncertain future. She is a massage therapist with healing hands and a gentle, intuitive nature. Adam is rude, blunt and gruff, but also shows glimpses of his tender and caring heart. With Carly's warm concern and skilled touch, Adam begins to thaw from the inside out, and he starts to think about having a normal life. He knows he has to conquer the secret he has carried for fifteen years before he can begin his life anew. Carly has had her share of tragedies, and she was not expecting to find love again, especially with someone in the dangerous profession of firefighting. Carly starts to dream of a happy future for herself and the children, unaware that an unknown threat from her past is closing in, waiting for the opportunity to claim Carly once and for all. C.C. Coburn is a highly entertaining and involving storyteller. This book opens with the compelling scene of Adam in the middle of the apartment building fire, and the intensity continues throughout the story line. There is one more book to come in this series--each O'Malley son has had his own book--and it is sure to be a terrific finale! Review Copy Gratis Author

Regina Jennings debut historical romance work, "Sixty Acres and a Bride", is written with great heart, humor, and honesty. I enjoyed this book very, very much. I could feel the author's spirit in her words. She obviously treasured her characters and crafted her story line with care. While the hero, Weston Garner, is a very worthy fellow indeed, it is the heroine, Rosa, who will capture the reader's affections. Rosa is the widow of Weston's cousin, Mack Garner. Rosa's husband and father-in-law were both killed when an earthquake struck the area of the Sierra Madres in Mexico where the family hoped to find a fortune in the silver mines. Rosa and her mother-in-law, Louise return to the family home in Texas, only to find that they are about to lose the ranch due to back taxes. Weston Garner is a widower who carries great guilt over his wife's death, believing that he did not help her when she needed it most. For over five years, he has kept mostly to himself, refusing to believe that he deserves to find happiness. Rosa's unpretentious loveliness, honesty, gentle strength, and courage begin to thaw his frozen hopes. She finds him equally appealing, but her marriage to his cousin was one of hidden unhappiness, and she is afraid to trust her heart. Weston is drawn more and more into helping his extended family, much to the displeasure of those around him with their own hidden agendas. You will come to love Rosa. She is a heroine to appreciate and admire, one of the most refreshing and delightful female characters that I have read about in quite some time. She is so honest and real that her beauty shines from within, making her as lovely on the inside as she is on the outside. Her wise innocence is as much a healing balm for Weston's soul as is her lilting flute music soothing to his spirit. Recommended for romance lovers and readers in need of a lighter heart. Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Publishers

"Sisters of the Quilt--The Complete Trilogy" by Cindy Woodsmall contains the books "When the Heart Cries", "When the Morning Comes", and "When the Soul Mends". Each book details a portion of the life story of Hannah Lapp, a young Amish woman whose life is forever altered by a brutal attack. In "When the Heart Cries", Hannah is only seventeen years old when she faces something no woman should have to face: sexual assault. With her world turned upside down and her faith in question, her pain is compounded by a lack of understanding from her fiance and her own family. Through others, she learns how to deal with such crippling pain and once again finds strength in her faith. In "When the Morning Comes", Hannah must deal with rejection by her family and community. The outside world offers a refuge, and painful truths about her old life become apparent as she starts her life anew. Her struggles to survive in an almost alien world are mirrored in the struggle of her family and friends to deal with the aftermath of her departure. In order to help her sister, Hannah returns to the Old Order Amish community in "When the Soul Mends". When the truth about her former fiance is finally revealed, Hannah must once and for all decide the path her life will take. Can she live with the dictates of the old ways, or will the freedoms she has found outside the Amish community, and the love of a good Englischer man, take her away forever? Each of these books is such a worthy read on its own, but the three stories together in one big volume really draw the reader deeply into the trials and joys of Hannah Lapp's life. A very worthwhile investment of time that will leave you touched and fulfilled as a reader. Highly recommended! Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

Cindy Woodsmall's books are always beautifully characterized, with humanity as much a part of each man and woman as is their spirituality. The emotions and passions so deeply felt in "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" are as exquisite and memorable as the blossoms themselves. Annie Martin's difficult relationship with her mother leads her to live with her beloved grandfather, Daadi Moses, in Apple Ridge, PA. She loves the ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, and her heart is conflicted when she renews a friendship with Aden Zook, who is Old Order Amish. There are deeply drawn lines between the two orders, but the inappropriateness of the friendship cannot stop her growing feelings for Aden. He has grown into a fine young man, talented and artistic, but he is dominated by his wheel-bound twin brother, Roman. Aden has long thought of Annie as more than a friend, and he struggles with his love for her and his loving commitment to his family and his faith. Annie dares to dream of a life with Aden without the boundaries set by the two orders. While the Amish and the Mennonite at times seem to be in close agreement, they both are strict in their beliefs that the two orders should not mix and mingle, especially in the matter of marriage. Annie and Aden are both aware of the dictates of their separate communities. Their feelings run strong, but the consequences of pursuing their relationship could have lasting harmful effects for all. Can a love as pure and sweet as the scent of cherry blossoms create a new life path for faithful hearts to follow? Once again, Cindy Woodsmall will touch your emotions, stir your thoughts, and leave you feeling very blessed to read the words of a very special storyteller. A recommended read. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

When we are growing up, we often don't see the value in the life lessons we are being taught by our parents and grandparents. We may be looking and listening, but still not comprehending. Sometimes, it takes maturity and similar experiences in our later years to really grasp the full meaning of their examples. My favorite Summer memories are of the times I spent with my grandparents working in our garden. My grandfather was a natural "master gardener". He grew the best tomatoes that I have ever tasted! One of a Southerner's favorite meals is a slice of juicy, ripe homegrown tomato on a fresh, hot butter biscuit! I used to love to help my grandfather plant the tomatoes. Dig a little hole, add some water, drop in the little plant, pat the dirt down, add a little water, repeat. On and on we went, row after row, until we were done. It was never work to me, it was just a special time shared with my grandfather. "Harvest to Heat: Cooking with America's Best Chefs, Farmers, and Artisans" is an expansive, enlightening encyclopedia of food producers and sellers, and those who create and serve food which sustains us body and soul. True foodies who love all aspects of food and food preparation will delight in the amazing stories, photos and recipes. Tempt your taste buds with these awesome dishes: "Smoky Pork & Apple Soup with Mustard"; "Halibut Poached in Pepper Butter with Roasted Corn Salad"; "Creme Fraiche Galette with Heirloom Tomatoes"; "Sweet Potatoes with Corn, Swiss Chard, and Caramelized Onions"; and "Honey-Mango Upside-Down Cake". Exquisite. Elemental. Essential. Review Copy Gratis The Taunton Press

What a lovely, lovely book with non-intimidating recipes that make the most of the clever combinations of ingredients. From simple to sensational, each dish is clearly defined in preparation techinques. Additional cooking tips and beautiful color photos are generously offered throughout the book. "Fine Cooking Comfort Food: 200 Delicious Recipes for Soups, Stews, Casseroles & More" is a fantastic offering from "Fine Cooking" magazine. If you are a well-seasoned cook, or a kitchen beginner wanting to expand your culinary repertoire, you will love this book! The soups and stews are sensational: "Root Vegetable & Barley Soup with Bacon"; "Thai Hot & Sour Shrimp Soup"; "Spicy Sausage, Escarole, & White Bean Stew", to name a few. There are three knockout meatloaf versions, including: "Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy". You will also find a tempting array of pasta dishes, sides, and veggies. Then there are the desserts, like "Coffee-Toffee Pecan Pie"--oh, my! If you seek comfort and sustenance from well-flavored foods with moderate ease of preparation, and a range from savory to sweet, then you will be well-comforted indeed! Review Copy Gratis The Taunton Press

When his parents are murdered and his youngest brother is kidnapped, Matthew Graham, the hero of "Matthew" by Emma Lang, becomes responsible for his remaining six brothers and sisters. At the age of twenty five, he is the oldest, and he becomes a "patriarch" and must care for his family and see to the running of their ranch. The Graham siblings fuss and fight like most families do, but they all agree that Matt must apply for the land grant that their father had coveted in order to increase their land holdings and secure their futures. When Matt goes to apply for the grant, he is stunned to learn that the grant is for married couples with children. He has the children, and he makes up a wife named "Hannah", which gives him thirty days to come back with his wife to sign the paperwork. Grieving for his parents, and determined to find out what happened to his baby brother, Matt must now also contemplate becoming a married man. He just has to find a bride named "Hannah"! Fate takes a hand, and in a chance meeting at the local mercantile, Matt meets a woman to whom he feels an immediate spark of attraction. After she leaves the store, he learns that her name is Hannah Foley, and he knows he must follow her and also follow his inner voice. Hannah is equally shaken by her encounter with Matt, and then she is shocked when he immediately shows up at the boarding house she runs with her grandmother. Without wasting words or time, Matt explains his situation to Hannah and proposes marriage. Hannah is tall, curvy, "plain and practical", and she never dreamed that a gorgeous cowboy would ask for her hand in marriage. She agrees to his plan, and they marry and take her grandmother along with them back to the ranch. Hannah's welcome is a mixed bag of reactions, with Matt's oldest sister, Olivia, expressing open hostility. Finding hidden strengths that she never suspected in herself, Hannah determines to fit in with her new family. Her husband is at turns kind and gruff, often leaving her hurt and confused. The passion between them is the one clear thing in their marriage. Matt comes to admire his wife more and more, and he also begins to see her as a lovely woman. He is afraid to give her his heart because he does not want to lose control over his life. The evil that killed his parents and stole his brother returns to threaten the Grahams, and an attack on Hannah frightens Matt into considering how he really feels about his wife. Texas Ranger Brody Armstrong advises Matt that other ranches were violated in the same manner, with more deaths and kidnappings that are under investigation. Matt and Hannah must find a way to protect their family and nurture their young marriage. Both characters have some growing up to do, and some important self-realizations to discover. Emma Lang has written an involving historical western romance featuring men and women who are rough around the edges, as vivid and exciting as the land and the times. This is a love story with heart and grit, and I look forward to the next book in the series, "Brody", which will feature Matt's sister Olivia and Texas Ranger Brody Armstrong. Olivia is a strong-willed character, and Brody is restless and quietly elusive. Their story is bound to be another great "sparks fly" romance from talented storyteller Emma Lang! Review Copy Gratis Kensington Books

My lifelong love of history and romance grew from my roots deep in my home state of Virginia. I truly believe that the answers to our future lie in the questions from our past. It is very important to never forget the sacrifices made by those who have fought to preserve the American way of life. We must also remember that heroes and heroines are real people with imperfections and vulnerabilities. Their gallantry and honor often comes with a high price. The year 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War. Not a cause for celebration, but one for reflection and remembrance. It is hard for many of us to imagine the scope of the Civil War. Americans fighting against each other on our home soil. Friends and family members so divided by the cause of "North versus South" that they battled with one another to the death. To this day, the American Civil War remains the conflict in which the most Americans lost their lives. The death toll? Over 600,000 lives were lost in the War Between the States. Not every state became a blood-soaked battleground. One such state was Idaho, the setting for "Heart of Gold" by Robin Lee Hatcher. This is a favorite setting for the author's historical westerns, and she writes with depth about the territory and its people in this era. When Shannon Adair's father feels the call to take his ministry to the gold mining community of Grand Coeur, Idaho, she accompanies him with great reluctance. Shannon deeply loved her home state of Virginia, and she was loyal to the Confederacy and a caring nurse to many wounded soldiers. Her first impressions of her new home and its residents leave her wondering how she will survive in a new, rough-edged society. Matthew Dubois is a top-notch stagecoach for Wells Fargo. When he learns his widowed sister, Alice, is terminally ill and he will be left to care for her young son, he takes a job at the Wells Fargo office and begins thinking of finding a wife to be a mother to his young nephew. Shannon becomes nurse and friend to Alice, and her long-held, seemingly clear-cut opinions begin to blur around the edges as she comes to care for people and a place she once wanted only to leave as soon as possible. Love will have its way, and an undeniable attraction between Shannon and Matthew takes hold of their hearts. They both must grow as individuals before their love can grow into full bloom, and many obstacles are found along the way on their path to real happiness. "Heart of Gold" is a wonderful historical romance, written by an author with a sure touch when it comes to creating involving characters and compelling story lines. Review Copy Gratis Book Sneeze "Love is the only gold." Alfred Lord Tennyson

"More Than Words Can Say", by Robert Barclay, was a wonderful discovery for me as a reader. This is a perfect book for someone who loves romance, emotionally rich family drama, and has a sentimental attachment to WWII era fiction, which alternates with the modern-day story line of the book. I am also a foodie, and I was thrilled with this aspect of the book, and I love the recipes which are named for famous people of the WWII time setting. I must try "Clark Gable's Grapefruit Cake"--sounds most delicious! I am a long-time romance reader, having consumed an immeasurable number of lovely romantic stories written mostly by female authors. Mr. Barclay has created a bittersweet, sentimental tale with well-written women characters and an involving parallel story line. He moves the story between a summer at the beginning of the Second World War and a summer in the present, and blends romance with an element of mystery. When Chelsea Enright inherits a lakeside cottage from her beloved grandmother, Brooke, she also receives her grandmother's journal and recipe book. Suffering the loss of her grandmother, Chelsea has no idea how much her life will be changed when steps forward to claim her inheritance. Meeting her attractive and empathetic neighbor, Brandon Yale, is an unexpected relationship that offers long-yearned-for fulfillment. The past must be embraced, and what cannot be changed must be accepted. Some long-held secrets and deeply buried truths should remain in silent slumber. Only today and tomorrow can be begun with a new wisdom and appreciation. I very much enjoyed this work by Robert Barclay, and I also have added his first book, "If Wishes Were Horses" to my own wish list. Review Copy Gratis Library Thing

"The Invisible Ones", by Stef Penney, was such a delightful surprise for me as a reader. It doesn't really fit into one particular category, and the book itself is much, much better than the promos that lead to my interest in obtaining a copy. An intriguing and involving "Gypsy Noir" PI tale, "The Invisible Ones" will hold your interest, and then some! Ray Lovell, half Gypsy or "Romany", is an about-to-be-divorced private investigator who has yet to sign the divorce papers. He broods over his ex-wife, sometimes spying on her and following her, and sometimes he drinks too much for his own good. He is not a sleek, sophisticated "super sleuth". Even though he is not always at his best, he is immediately likeable and has a natural charm all his own. He has the tenacity, instincts, and thought processes which make for a great detective. He doesn't give up--no matter how much he is beaten up! Most of his cases involve cheating spouses, something he knows about from his own wife's infidelity. Against his better nature, he accepts a missing person case from a father trying to find his grown daughter. The family is Romany, and that is why they selected Ray to take the case. The deeper he delves into the facts of the case, the more he explores thoughts about his own heritage. He gets to know himself as he comes to know the Gypsies he must investigate. One of the women he meets, LuLu, has a unique style and appeal that has Ray thinking there may be someone else for him other than his former spouse. He becomes friends with LuLu's half-grown nephew, JJ, who recognizes the goodness in Ray even though he is bent on unearthing the family secrets. What Ray discovers is that the term "missing person" has many different nuances, and he remains determined to solve the puzzles which surround the woman he was hired to find. The most startling revelation of all comes when he discovers that people can be invisible even though they are in plain sight. The narration of the story alternates between the viewpoints of Ray and JJ, both of whom are characters who deserve a happy resolution to their trouble-prone story lines. You will stay with them until the end, and even then, you will want to read more about them. Stef Penney is a terrific storyteller, and I very much look forward to reading her first book, "The Tenderness of Wolves". Highly recommended! Review Copy Gratis Library Thing

Jamie Lisa Forbes' exquisitely written debut work, "Unbroken", has a permanent place in my heart. The author's own early years on a Wyoming ranch add an insider's observations which enrich the story line and bring vivid, fully-fleshed life to the characters. Ranchers exist on two levels. One is the regulated life, controlled by government strictures and standards and by the fluctuations of the costs of owning and operating a working ranch. Then there is the blood and bone life, which is unending hard work meshed with human wants and needs and the heavy hand of the forces of nature. Family members are dependent upon each other for all things, and neighbors must negotiate with care issues of land and livestock. Women not only bear children, cook and keep house, but they work side by side with their men. They also endure endless seasons of punishing weather made even more bleak by an isolated existence. When Gwen Swan married her husband Will, she became caregiver to her husband and children, her widowed father-in-law, and the land and livestock which provides their means of living. Outwardly somewhat faded and frazzled, Gwen still retains some of the pride of the glory of her former rodeo queen days. She wants more than the daily drudge of her routine. Meg Braeburn is a capable ranch hand, raising a son on her own while her ex-husband spends his days in prison. When Meg left home to elope with the love of her young life, she left her family behind. Her failed marriage ended her romantic dreams, but she is a good and loving mother to her young son, Jim. She finds work on the ranch next to the one owned by the Swans. Her boss is a drinker and a skinflint, but Meg needs work and a place to live, so she takes on the job of running his cattle. As time goes by, Meg and the Swans become friends and work to help each other as needed. Gwen is grateful for female company, and Meg appreciates the family's interest in her own son. Will's father John is a boisterous man whose bullying tendencies are equaled by a tough tenderness. Will and his brother Nick have always had a competitive relationship, and Nick left the family ranch as young man and branched out on his own. As the years pass, relationships change and hearts seek out comfort where comfort may be found. Lives are forever altered and what was once taken for granted now becomes uncertain. The author's subtle storytelling places us right into the lives of these characters, sharing with them their tragedies and triumphs. In an intimate, involving manner we follow them through with their starts, stops, and restarts, and we want so much for them to find peaceful resolution. "Unbroken" is unforgettable.

I learned long ago that anything associated with "The Taste of Home" magazine would be delightful and delicious. I was given this terrific cookbook by a friend who knows how much I love to cook and read cookbooks. "The Taste of Home Cookbook: Timeless Recipes From Trusted Home Cooks" is a beautifully packaged, wonderfully detailed and rich resource for both kitchen novices and well-seasoned cooks. The first chapter, "Kitchen Basics", is like a cooking class, loaded with information and easy and helpful guidelines to use in your own kitchen. Tools, techniques, terms, tips & tidbits galore! This cookbook is very complete, not only offering scrumptious recipes, but also cooking and serving suggestions for each type of food. The bright and colorful photographs are plentiful and encourage you to try the recipes--they also tempt you to eat the pages right out of the book! This is a big book, but the ring binder format lays flat, and the pages stay open where you leave them. This is a book which you will open again and again, not just to hunt down a recipe, but for the simple enjoyment of discovering all the tasty treasures between the covers. You will never wonder: "What can I fix for dinner?". The answer will be right at your fingertips with this book. In addition to the cookbook itself, there is an amazing CD included: "Celebrations: 473 delicious recipes and dozens of ideas for year-round entertaining." Now, this is the kind of CD that foodies can truly enjoy! Sit back and relax with a cup of good coffee (and a plate of brownies--see "Super Brownies" on page 570 of the book). If you love to cook, or just love to look, the book and the CD will satistfy your culinary cravings.

"The Merchant's Daughter", by Melanie Dickerson, is a very well-written and thoughtful historical romance. However, it is also an inspirational romance, written in such a compelling manner that the reader's own longings for spiritual answers are stirred just as are those of the characters in the story. Set in mid-1300s England, the story line very much makes us aware of the strictures of the feudal and judicial systems of the era. Superstition warred with religious faith, and brave were those who sought out the word of God. Anabel Chapman is a young woman who longs to read the Bible, and to live out her days in a nunnery. She thinks not of marrying, but of living a devout life. Her father was a rich merchant who lost his shipping fortune and then died when a virulent illness affected many in their home village. Anabel's mother and brothers resisted working to pay their debts to the feudal system, and when the new lord comes to claim his lands, they must pay him for their years of sloth. The payment due is for one family member to serve the new lord for three years as a servant. Anabel seizes the opportunity to leave her idle, dependent family and to avoid marrying the loathsome and persistent Bailiff Tom. The new lord, Ranulf Le Wyse, disfigured and maimed by an attacking wolf, is said to be "beastly" in both looks and temper. Rumor-mongers claim he is cursed and that he brings an ill wind with him to the village. Anabel and Ranulf's first meeting is unexpected and unpleasant, but she later comes to see that he has been greatly misjudged. Her gentleness and unaffected beauty warm his cold heart and do much to change his mistrust of women. Anabel is overjoyed when Ranulf asks her to read to him from the Bible each evening. The more she reads, the more she wants to learn of the Lord's teachings and holy word. Despite all that he has suffered in his life, Ranulf has never completely turned away from his faith. Seeing the genuine spiritual yearning in Anabel reaffirms his own love of God. As their friendship and mutual respect begins to grow, so does the jealousy and malicious intent of others out to do them harm. Will their spiritual strengths and genuine love for each other be strong enough to defeat their enemies and lead to a lifetime of happiness? I very much enjoyed "The Merchant's Daughter", and I also look forward to reading "The Healer's Apprentice" from the talented Melanie Dickerson. "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." Psalm 28:7-9

A true cowboy is a man of faith, patriotic, loves "the land", is good to horses and dogs and tolerates cats. He adores his family and friends. He would give his life for his country and his loved ones. Upon first glance, all of these characteristics may not be readily apparent. Sometimes, cowboys hoot and holler. Sometimes, they are quiet and thoughtful. They are always worth a second look. Denise Hunter writes these characters so well, and her depictions of ranch life plant your feet right in the dust of the prairie. In "A Cowboy's Touch", Wade Ryan is a man of few words, but his feelings run deep. Abigail Jones is an investigative reporter whose boss just happens to be her mother. Concerned with Abby's workaholic tendencies and her hypertension, her mother sends her off to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her elderly Aunt Lucy. She is to spend the summer there and observe her aunt to determine is she is still mentally capable and able to live on her own without assisted care. Aunt Lucy has always been eccentric, so what's normal for her is not really "normal". Abby enjoys being reunited with her aunt, but her aunt's home is barely big enough to house the two of them and all of the dolls her aunt makes to sell in her shop. When an opportunity comes up to be the live-in nanny for her aunt's landlord, Abby takes the job. She quickly bonds with the girl in her care, Maddy, and she is soon quite captivated the quiet cowboy charm of Maddy's father, Wade. Abby's investigative instincts tell her that there is much more to Wade than a widower raising his daughter on a working ranch. When she discovers his real identity, breaking the story could be the sensational headline that will save her mother's failing magazine. However, revealing the truth will destroy the safety and security that Wade and Maddy experience living at the ranch. Their location will be exposed and their lives will be disrupted by the media and the world at large. Helping her mother will hurt two people whom Abby has come to love with all her heart--Wade and Maddy. Wade never expected to ever love and trust another woman, but having Abby in his home to care for his daughter made him long for a love to call his own. Abby didn't come to Moose Creek to hunt down Wade and make him a "paparazzi's prize". She just stumbled onto the story by accident--or was it part of a higher plan? Her reputation as the "Truthseeker" is well earned. You can run from the truth, but you can't hide from it forever. Abby's heart knows that someone will be hurt no matter what her decision about Wade's story. If she lets her mother run with the news, then the magazine and the jobs of the employees will be saved. Wade and Maddy's privacy and peace of mind will be destroyed. If she protects the man and child she has come to love, then she will let down her own mother and the people with whom she has worked for years. Hearts in hiding can never be truly happy. When all is revealed, will the healing power of love and the cleansing strength of faith bring together three hearts meant to be a family? "A Cowboy's Touch" is an involving, wonderfully romantic read. I am in love with Denise Hunter's "Big Sky Romance" series. Highly recommended! "Psalm 43:3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!" Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Publishers

Anthologies are best enjoyed when it is quite obvious that the contributing writers had great fun with their characters and story lines. "Be My Texas Valentine" from "The Fabulous Four", Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace, is just such a reader's treat of a book. I loved this book--it has such delicious flavor in the storytelling! Jodi Thomas' "The Valentine's Curse" brings together two loners, a "black widow" and a Yankee Civil War Veteran, both the objects of much misleading rumor mongering. Brody Monroe has never really felt welcome among Texas Southerners, but something made him determined to stay put and try to make a new beginning. Valerie Allen, twice a widow, has a fearsome, cursed, reputation that keeps men at bay. When Brody and Valerie are brought together, he rediscovers kindness and tenderness, and she finds someone who sees who she really is as a woman. Can they break the curse of superstition and speculation and find happiness neither ever expected? In "Cupid's Arrow", from Linda Broday, the course of true love does not run smooth due to the interference of others. Rue Ann Spencer believed her father when he told her that the man she loved, Logan Cutter, took a bribe to walk out of her life. Rue Ann left town, and when she returned several years later, she became engaged to another man. Seeing Logan again brings up heartache and long-cherished dreams. Logan never knew why Rue Ann left him and the town behind, and he has carried the hurt of losing her along with a need to get answers to his questions. When truths are revealed, will these two hearts find forgiveness and a fresh start with each other? Phyliss Miranda's "Loving Miss Laurel" reunites long-separated friends Hunter Campbell and Laurel Dean Womack. Hunter's mother had befriended the shy, teenaged Laurel after the mysterious death of Laurel's parents. Later, Laurel was sent away to school by her uncle who managed her late parents' business affairs. Through the years, Hunter has worked hard to overcome the poverty of his childhood, winning a fortune through his gambling skill. Now the mayor, he has plans to expand the town and bring a railroad into the area. When Laurel returns, Hunter is once again captivated by her loveliness, but the two of them seem to be odds over the town's future. When secrets from the past become a serious threat to Laurel's safety, will Hunter be able to save Laurel and find a way to unite their hearts? "Sweet Talk" from DeWanna Pace features love birds and bird lovers and a mischievous matchmaker whose heart is in the right place. Dr. Noah Powell has worked hard to establish his medical practice, and each time he delivers a baby and sees the happiness of family life, he feels his own loneliness. His little feathered friend, Amigo, brings a measure of comfort. However, when Amigo shows his own signs of a lonely heart, Noah determines to find him a companion. JoEmma Brown has been wheelchair-bound since a bout with scarlet fever left her heart in a weakened state. Her talkative little love bird, Gabby, brings her much joy. The love birds find each other when Gabby flies out the door one day and makes her way into Noah's office through an open window. Will the bird lovers know the true happiness that the love birds have found in their little nest? If determined matchmakers have their way, Noah and JoEmma will be building a love nest of their own! "Be My Texas Valentine" is a perfect Valentine's day confection for romance lovers.

This is the first book that I have read from RaeAnne Thayne's extended book series, "Cold Creek Cowboys", and it won't be the last! Major Brant Western is on a leave of duty from his military tour in Afghanistan. Settling in at his snow-bound family ranch in eastern Idaho, Brant looks forward to peace and privacy, and a chance to heal from the recent battle deaths of several men under his command. His solitude is shattered by the spectacular car-crash arrival of socialite-in-disguise, Mimi Van Hoyt. Seemingly a paparazzi princess who delights in scandalous and newsworthy behavior, Mimi stuns Brant by calling herself "Maura Howard" and acting nothing like a spoiled socialite. Soon Mimi/Maura and her little dog, Simone, have both charmed and disarmed Major Western--and he wouldn't have it any other way! This man and woman both have issues going back to unhappy childhoods, and neither of them is really quite how they first appear to each other. They genuinely like one another, and a mutual attraction begins to build heat. Can they overcome their obvious lifestyle differences, and the secret that Mimi holds so dear, and find the love to last a lifetime? A true "protector" hero, and a very appealing heroine make this a most enjoyable romance read. I so looking forward to meeting the rest of the "Cold Creek Cowboys"!

"When Two Hearts Meet", by Janelle Mowery, is a rousing, action-packed and faith-filled historical western romance! The hero and heroine are a well-matched, strong-willed pair who found love when it was least expected. Nurse Rachel Garrett leaves behind her home in Missouri to flee the unpleasant aftermath of a patient's unavoidable death. She accepts a nursing position with Dr. Barnes in Rockdale, Colorado with the hopes of a new start to a long and fulfilling medical career. What she didn't expect on her first day in town was to drawn into the area of a shootout and to come face to face with the very handsome and stern Deputy Sheriff Luke Mason. Sparks fly from their first meeting, and they have one adventure after another in the little wild west town! Luke is embittered by the murder of his lawman father years before, and he questions the religious faith of others. Despite their many differences, there is a definite attraction, and Rachel finds herself filled with compassion for Luke's hurting heart. When Luke comes to care for Rachel in spite of his own misgivings, he comes roaring to her defense when it becomes obvious that someone means to cause her grievous harm. Once the barriers between them begin to tumble down, Rachel and Luke discover each other's mischievous sense of humor and they have fun with teasing one-up-manship. This was a very interesting story line on numerous levels: the Old West crime-solving techniques, the 1800's medical practices, and the loss and renewal of deep and abiding faith. "When Two Hearts Meet" is the conclusion of Janelle Mowery's "Colorado Series". I look forward to reading the first two books: "When All My Dreams Come True" and "When Love Gets in the Way".

I have just read a wonderful book which brought home to me how precious freedom really is, and how high the cost is of preserving that freedom. "The Soldier's Wife" by Margaret Leroy is a thoughtful, well-told tale based on the true German occupation of the small Channel Island of Guernsey during World War II. After I read the novel, I researched the facts of the occupation, and the real story is just as compelling as the fictional account. Reading them both enhances the collective story content. Vivienne de la Mare is the wife of an English soldier, and she and her two daughters live with her mother-in-law at the family home in Guernsey. Vivienne's husband was absent from her life long before he went off to war. His affair with an actress alienated him from Vivienne's heart. Left to care for her mother-in-law, who is rapidly succumbing to dementia, Vivienne makes life as pleasant as possible for her two young daughters. When the German occupation arrives in an intense and violent manner, many rapid changes occur in the life of the islanders. German soldiers take over the empty house next to Vivienne's, and she becomes involved with one the officers. Theirs is a poignant, passionate, and ultimately improbable affair. During the time of the occupation, Vivienne is faced with many difficult decisions, some of which may have dangerous consequences for those she loves. "The Soldier's Wife" is written in a beautifully descriptive style, and it offers glimpses into both sides of the horror of the Second World War. The shades of survivorship are well represented. My mother and grandparents often talked about food shortages and rationing during the Great Depression and also later during World War II. My grandparents were very resourceful, skilled in gardening and preserving food, and they were practical in making the most of what was available. As a matter of survival, the characters in "The Soldier's Wife" had to learn to do the same thing. Used to the bountiful produce from the land and the sea, and the superior dairy products from the famous Guernsey cows, the islanders suddenly were faced with scrambling to find substitutions for everyday foods. They learned to use vegetables in many different ways including making flour from dried ground beans and coffee from roasted and ground parsnips. I am not sure that I would be that resourceful, but we never know what we are capable of until we are faced with great challenges. One of my favorite scenes in "The Soldier's Wife" involves the rapture of Vivienne's struggling family's enjoyment of an unexpected gift of overripe peaches. The fruit was sweet and succulent, and it seemed like a taste of Heaven. The juice from the peaches ran freely down their chins as they gratefully devoured their fruity treasure.

I was completely captivated by "Smitten"--a charming and involving anthology from four talented authors. I am a great fan of hometown reunion romances, and this book offers four such love stories, written with smooth continuity by each of the contributing authors. I thought that I would have a favorite among the quartet, but the flow of one story into another makes it seem like the tale is being told in one voice. Set in the picturesque and close-knit community of Smitten, Vermont, this story brings together old friends, just friends, and more than friends. When the local lumber mill closes, and economic disaster looms large over the town, four local women spring into action to save their homes and livelihoods. Each of the women convinces a special man in their life to help them convert the rugged town of Smitten into a lover's resort destination. In "Natalie: Birthday Wishes", by Colleen Coble, Natalie Mansfield, is the owner and operator of a little bake shop. She is also "Mom" to the niece abandoned into her care by her own troublesome sister, Lisa. Natalie has long been in love with Carson Smitten, the man whom Lisa named as the father of her baby daughter, Mia. While Carson has always denied ever being involved with Lisa, Natalie is torn between her love for Carson and the love of family she has for Lisa and Mia. In Kristin Billerbeck's "Julia: Small Town, Big Dreams", Julia Bourne returns to her hometown to care for her ailing mother. A New York city aesthetician with an elite society clientele, Julia decides to convince her famous and influential employer to invest in a spa in the newly remade romance retreat of Smitten. Zak Grant, the lifelong best friend of Julia's brother, has a plan of his own for Julia's future, and he just has to figure out a way to make Julia see what he sees. Diann Hunt brings us the opposites attract buddyship between Shelby Evans and Nick Majors in "Shelby: You've Got a Friend". Shelby Evans has a feminine, frilled style with lots of flash. Nick Majors has an "un-style"--sort of a low-key, stubbled lumberjack look. Despite their many differences, this mismatched duo are the best of friends. When Nick's ex-wife dies and he becomes the sole caretaker of his preteen daughter, he needs a woman's guidance. Nick's daughter Willow soon bonds with Shelby, and memories of long-kept secret from Shelby's past haunt her happy time with the young girl. As Nick and Shelby begin to disagree on how to handle Willow, they also become aware that their friendship has become a deep attraction. In "Reese: All Along", from Denise Hunter, Reese Mackenzie enlists the help of her old friend, Griffen Parker, in remodeling the building in which will open a sporting goods store. Years ago, Griffen, always in love with Reese, had left town when she became engaged to Sawyer Smitten. The engagement didn't last and Sawyer pursued a successful career in country music. Sawyer's very public engagement and wedding plans become part of the Smitten community make-over, and he even writes a song to promote the romantic image of the town as a lover's paradise. When Reese finally faces the fact that Sawyer will never be hers, can Griffen make her see that the friend from her past is the key to her future happiness? When you read these four engagingly intertwined tales of romance, you will be "smitten"--just like me! I look forward to the next book from these four lovely and talented ladies, "Secretly Smitten", which will be released in December, 2012. A personal side note from me: I live in a small Virginia mountain community which is economically dominated by a paper mill. If our mill were to close, it would truly devastate the community. I could only hope that there would be enterprising souls with a true love of home and family who would band together to not just survive, but thrive! Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

This fun and involving romantic suspense story from Susan Anderson features a hunky hero with a hook--that's right, one hand and one hook. Sheriff Elvis Donnelly (we need more heroes named Elvis) is six-feet-six of solid muscle with laser-blue eyes and thick, dark hair. He also has a metal hook in place of one hand, and an angry, jagged scar on his handsome face. When a car bomb ended his big city law enforcement career, Elvis returned to his Washington state hometown of Port Flannery and became the local sheriff. Always an outcast, due to his size and his mother's reputation as a prostitute, Elvis' injuries and scars have made him even more of a loner. That all changes when a sassy blonde with a sexy Southern drawl and an irresistible young daughter storm into his life and move into the same boarding house where he lives. Emma Sands and her daughter Gracie left New Orleans in the rearview mirror and came across country to find a safe and secure new life. Elvis' lawman sensibilities are on full alert as he tries to learn more about Emma and her daughter's move so far from their home. His male awareness of the bodacious and beautiful Emma adds fuel to the fire, and he also finds himself twisted around the tiny little finger of the adorable Gracie. The big man falls in a big way, but he is afraid to trust that Emma sees him as a whole, strong man, not just a wounded warrior in need of tender loving care. When it comes to TLC, Elvis gives as good as he gets! Threats from Emma's past and unresolved issues between Elvis and his mother are roadblocks in the way of the true happiness of a man, a woman, and a child who deserve a second chance at a life fulfilled. Great characters make this a very enjoyable read.

"Seducing the Governess" has all the right ingredients for a richly romantic layer cake, but it lacks the extra touch of frosting to hold it all together and make it a true lovers' treat. Margo Maguire offers intriguing characters, a mystery or two, and a definite segue into a sequel. There is a scarred hero, a spirited heroine, and a child in need of loving care. Mercy Franklin, a vicar's daughter, finds herself penniless and without a home after the death of her parents. She accepts a position as governess as Ashby Hall, where nothing is as she expects it to be. Nash Farris, Lord Ashby, inherits his title and properties after the suspicious deaths of this two older brothers. A younger son who planned on a military career, his life is turned upside down with career-ending war wounds and the loss of his brothers. He returns home to a run-down, debt-ridden estate and the responsibility of caring for his orphaned young niece. Sparks immediately fly between Mercy and Nash, and she is unfazed by his scarred visage. Nash finds great enjoyment in bringing out the fire in the plain-dressing and beautiful Mercy, who shows him no mercy when she frequently takes him to task. In order to restore the family estate and fortune and produce a rightful heir, Nash must woo and wed a suitably proper and plush-pursed society miss. However, it is Mercy who captures his interest and imagination and sparks his passion. She is equally smitten with the roguish Nash, and wars with herself and her strict upbringing as she fights an overwhelming attraction to her employer. Revelations about Mercy's true heritage shake her to the core and leave her with many unanswered questions. The more Nash investigates the deaths of both his brothers, the more he doubts those around him. This was a promising story line with interesting lead characters, a definite opposites-attract romance, and more than one element of mystery. Even the richest of layer cakes needs frosting, and a generous touch of chocolate buttercream would have well-served this somewhat lackluster love story. The sequel, "Brazen", features Mercy's twin sister, who has her own romantic adventure to experience and mysteries to solve. I look forward to reading "Brazen" to see if everyone gets their "just desserts"!

I was born and raised in the mountains of VA, where I still reside. I grew up in a western-loving household, and I call myself "a prairie woman at heart". While I love my Southern heritage, there is also a deep and abiding connection with the American Frontier and the American Old West. I feel as though I could set my birth date back 100 years and not lose my stride. Jenna Kernan's "Winter Woman" is an amazing woman, indeed! Cordelia Channing and her husband John set out to become missionaries in the West, but neither was prepared for the reality of frontier life. Cordelia is soon widowed and does something no one else has ever done: she survives the frozen hell of a Rocky Mountain winter on her own. When she is found by a group from the Flathead Indian tribe, they take her to mountain man Thomas Nash for assistance. Nash wants nothing to do with the woman, but he reluctantly agrees to care for her until Autumn, when he is done with his hunting and trapping. He will take her East to "The Rendezvous", where all the trappers meet to sell their wares, and she will have the best chance of finding a way back home. At first, Nash and Delia mix like oil and water, but soon find that they enjoy each other's company. Nash teaches Delia much about the ways of the woods, and she reminds him of things that he thought he had long ago forsaken. After the death of his wife several years before, Nash became a loner, hardening his heart and living the solitary life of a woodsman. Delia captures him with her beauty and spirit and her amazing strength and willingness to learn. There are great differences between them, including Delia's religious faith and Nash's loss of faith. Delia also has "survivor guilt" and feels as though her feelings for Nash are a betrayal of her late husband. They survive much, learning about themselves and each other along the way. Can they overcome their differences and somehow forge a new life that neither of them expected? "Winter Woman" is a true romantic adventure story. At times rough, raw, and unflinchingly real, it is also refreshing and a renewal of why someone like me reads historical romance.

"Mercy Come Morning", by Lisa Tawn Bergren, is a beautifully written story of coming home again, learning to forgive and be forgiven, and letting go in order to move forward. Krista Mueller is called home when her mother, Charlotte, becomes critically ill. Charlotte has suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for many years, and Krista has always ensured that her mother received the best of care. Now, however, her mother is dying, and Krista must face her complicated feelings about her relationship with her mother. For years Charlotte has been cared for at a facility run by Krista's first love, Dane McConnell. Coming home to be with her mother means Krista will also be spending time with Dane, for whom she still has feelings. Dane has always loved Krista, and he has waited for her to one day resolve her personal issues and be ready to return his love. There are many sensitive issues touched upon in this story, and the author presents the highly emotional subject matter with a gentle, sure hand. The reunion romance between Krista and Dane is one that will make you long for a happy ending for the couple. The setting of Taos, New Mexico is presented in such an appealing way that you wish you were right there to see the "blue suede color" in the sunset. The story line of the difficult and complex relationship between Krista and her mother really resonated with me. I saw many aspects of my own mother and myself in Krista and Charlotte. Most of us never achieve total resolution, but we must all learn to be kind to ourselves in order to find some measure of peace of mind. Sometimes letting go is the only way to receive what we really need. Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press

"Nigella Christmas" is such a gorgeous book. It truly is one of those cookbooks that looks good enough to eat! The introduction is interesting, informative, and unexpected--combining ancient holiday customs with modern awareness and sensibility. Being a watcher of TV's "Nigella Feasts", I am familiar with the author's speaking voice and persona. I could distinctly "hear" her speaking the introduction while I read it, and that made the words even more enjoyable. Nigella Lawson's food is sumptuous, even voluptuous, but still "do-able". She never skimps on anything, but nothing is ever elaborate or overly-complex. Simply superb! The very first recipe in the book is a cocktail called "Poinsettia"--pretty, pleasing, and potent. Only three ingredients: Prosecco, Grand Marnier, and cranberry juice. Now, that's the spirit! The appetizers run the gamut from savory to sweet. Another simple recipe with only three ingredients: "Party Parma Ham Bundles"--prosciutto is wrapped around bite-sized morsels of goat's cheese and figs. Imagine that trio of flavors in each nibble! Nigella states that while she "can't fashion wreaths or fold napkins", she does have a knack for making relishes and chutneys. How lovely to make a midnight kitchen raid, snag the last homemade roll with a slice of ham or turkey and top it with a dollop of relish or chutney! The "Three Seasonal Salads" with their unique and colorful uses of ravishing red fruits and vegetables make you want to take your fork to the page. Special mention must be made of the cakes. Definitely cakes to give to "the person who has everything". Give them one of these cakes, and they could ask for nothing more. There are many, many more wonderful recipes including main dishes, sides, sweets, and treats that are too tempting to limit just to the holidays. Throughout all, there is a true sense of the author's own belief that festive indulgence is not a bad thing, but a celebration of being alive and an affirmation of what is important in life. A belief in hearth and home and adhering to ritual and tradition when the world around us is so unsettling and uncertain. As Nigella says: "The Christmas rituals of the home are, even if not based around faith, essentially an act of good faith." A well-said and well-represented sentiment presented in a gorgeous gift of a book. Review Copy Gratis Hyperion Books

"A Texas Christmas" is a holiday delight for lovers of Historical Western Romance. Four of the top writers of the genre, Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace, each contribute a holiday romance centered around the small town of Kasota Springs, TX. When a fierce Winter storm rocks the Texas Panhandle, lives are changed forever and hearts are brought together in unexpected ways. In "One Wish: A Christmas Story", by Jodi Thomas, childhood friends Sam Thompson and Maggie Allison are reunited when Sam saves Maggie's life during an attempted robbery at her general store. In childhood, they were both "misfits", and they formed a strong bond. Separated for years when Maggie was sent away to school, can they now renew their relationship, and find a lifetime love? "Naughty or Nice", by DeWanna Pace, pairs an Eastern society gentleman with a feisty frontier female. When James Elliott III is rescued from certain death in a snowstorm, his rescuer is Anna Ross, who happens to own the local saloon. At first, they seem to have little in common, but each of them has a secret. Neither of them is exactly what they seem, and they soon find themselves very attracted to each other. Can they convince themselves that theirs is more than just an "opposite attraction"? In "The Christmas Bell", by Linda Broday, handsome rancher Sloan Sullivan arrives by horse-drawn sleigh to rescue a train full of stranded passengers. On that train is the beautiful and wealthy Tess Whitgrove, whom Sloan has long admired and considered to be out of his reach. Sloan's pride and Tess's society status has kept him at a distance, but time spent in her company in the close quarters of the snowbound train makes him rethink his opinion of the lovely lady. When they are free at last, will the intense attraction they feel for one another bind their hearts and lives together forever? Phyliss Miranda ties all the story lines together and adds a fun, touching romance with "Away in the Manger". Blacksmith Randall Humphrey keeps to himself as much a possible, has his life in order just the way he likes it, and thinks his content to be on his own. When a beautiful blonde with Texas blue eyes and two adorable children all come into his care, his world is turned upside down. Lovely Sarah Callahan and a precocious set of three-year old twins become Rand's holiday guests when the town of Kasota Springs is whitewashed by a blizzard. Rand is not as permanently grumpy as first thought, and soon Sarah sees beyond his rough exterior to the gentle giant's tender heart. When he goes out of his way to provide a Christmas to remember for her and the children, Sarah knows he has won her heart. Will Rand let go of a past heartache and reach out for the love and happiness he has found with Sarah and the children? The four talented authors who collaborated to bring us this romantic holiday treat also have written numerous other Texas-themed historical romance anthologies. I look forward to reading them all.

Suzanne Beecher. I don't know how she does it all, but she does it so well! Suzanne is one of your best friends that you've never met. She is like a favorite relative who adds color and light and amazing scents and flavors whenever she visits! Her book is as funny, sweet, touching and forthright as her column, "Dear Reader". The recipes are so delicious, they make one feel like Oliver Twist: "Please, Suzanne, could we have some more?" Suzanne is famous for baking and gifting her scrumptious chocolate chip cookies. She is also known for recipes such as "Skunk Beans" and "Whoops! Banana Bread". Her recipes, like her vivid personality, are colorful and interesting, and the stories that accompany the recipes are also a treat. "Company Fare Pork Chops", "Shrimp Salad", "Northern Maine Oatmeal Bread", and "Mrs. Creswick's Frosted Meatloaf" are among my favorites. Suzanne writes with real heart, and I particularly enjoy reading about her relationship with her husband. They have a true partnership. Suzanne Beecher is one-of-a-kind, and so is her fun, fabulous, fascinating book. Review Copy Gratis Simon & Schuster

"Maman's Homesick Pie: A Persian Heart in an American Kitchen", by Donia Bijan, is exquisite. If I could, I would give it a "10 star" review! Both beautiful and heartbreaking, this very personal story is as emotional as it is entertaining. More than a memoir, it is a celebration of food, life, and indomitable human spirit. No one has a perfect family. The more we try to deny that we are like our mother, the more we become our mother. I don't think we really appreciat