Chocolate Days, Popsicle Weeks by Edward Hannibal

According to the date on the front flap I got this book around 3 and a half years ago....not worth the wait.

  Chocolate Days, Popsicle Weeks is what I call a "One-Dayer". I gave it a shot, made it through the 6 or so pages describing-in minute detail-the inner workings of a popsicle factory.... Skipped a chapter to get to the good parts....The man marries, they complain to their landlord about the heat....skip,skip,skip....He lands a job in New York, they go out for an expensive dinner they can't afford....A third in, still no action....And dumped it. I got a 4-Parter Wanda Brunstetter tome coming up next in my pile and don't have the patience this week for a small print, rambling, 1950's New York snore of a novel.
  Bring on the Amish!!

Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson

 I have no idea where I got the copy of this book, all I know is it looks pretty waterlogged and it's been in my pile for several years...my guess is I got it really cheap- or free- at a garage sale. What a value for a great story!

  Lisa Jackson is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery writers, I've read several of her stories now and I've enjoyed them all. In Almost Dead, a woman -Cissy- is dealing with the release of her mother from prison as family members are being murdered around her. Her main concern is to protect her son B.J. "Beej" while trying not to fall back in love with her ex-husband. Spoiler Alert: The latter doesn't last. No surprise, since that's what we expect when a couple bickers in a book.. The ending packs a wollop, the murderer ends up being a woman...who knows Cissy-but Cissy doesn't know her! (You'll see).
  I enjoyed this one. It moved rapidly enough, wasn't too bogged down with romance, and enough twists that were surprising but not confusing.

Extraordinary Ordinary Moments by Jorey Hurley

Here is my latest book review for Blogging For Books:

  Extraordinary Ordinary Moments is a thick book (an inch thick, to be specific) loaded with topics that give you free range to draw your answers. It's a kind of drawer's journal but the pages aren't dated so you can choose a page to draw on-or several-start in the middle of the book if you like.
  The open ended questions are things like A gadget you love, Something you slowed down to do, Something you'll never stop loving, and more.Take a break, pick a page, and start drawing-it's that simple!
  This is a super book for all ages. Very enjoyable and relaxing. Buy this a gift for someone, it's a treasure!

Evergreen by Susan May Warren

   I loved this novelette-even though I read it in steaming hot August, a good Christmas story is a treat yearround! It's the story of a couple of empty-nesters in Minnesota who deal with the unexpected arrival of a troubled nephew.
  It sounds as if there were a few books before this one that I wasn't aware of, but the story is super easy to join in progress. Love the realistic relationships between John and Ingrid and their six successsful children. It's a family I would love to be a member of!
 Christmas or not-pick it up and enjoy! The Christiansen Family Series...I'm going to look forward to more!

Marked in Ink, A Tattoo Coloring Book by Megan Massacre

Here is my latest review for Blogging for Books!

   I was so thrilled to try out another new coloring book, so far, of all the adult coloring books I own-this one is my favorite. I love these designs!! Lots of details to fill in, great designs, dark outlines, and tear out pages so you can display your work!
 Here are some of the ornate designs you will find in this book: A large butterfly, an owl, skulls, flowers, a fanciful fairy, an intricate mandala...the book is filled with patterns you'll love! Don't get spooked about the topic being tattoo, these are great designs whether you're a tattoo lover or not.
  Here's a pic of my work in progress and a pic of the book you'll want to pick up (pssst! It's under 11 dollars on Amazon!!!) :
   

Where Hope Prevails by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

(I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing)

   Where Hope prevails is a quaint charmer set in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Young teacher Elizabeth Thatcher returns to the town where she was teacher the year before to find several changes-some she likes and some...take adjusting to.
 The characters in this book follow their moral compass. My favorite of them all is boardinghouse owner Molly, she's so old-fashioned and sweet. She's the wise old sage Beth turns to when she needs advice.
 Beth struggles with the new male teacher because he believes in a secular classroom and she believes in teaching religion. I don't really understand why she is so against him, he's serious, but she acts like he's poisoning the kids when he just wants to teach them the facts. On the other hand, the book tries to make you see things through Beth's Christian eyes and heart, and why she feels the way she teaches is so important. While I don't always agree, it doesn't effect my overall opinion of the book.
 I consider myself pretty liberal, but I still found the book a pleasant read. I can put aside the politics to enjoy the story for what it is : A young ambitious teacher, a long distance love, a cozy mining town, and a range of delightful characters. A safe read for all ages.

Pop Manga Coloring Book by Camilla d'Errico

My latest Blogging For Books review is the adult coloring book Pop Manga Coloring Book by Camilla d'Errico


No doubt the illustrations in this book are very fanciful and beautifully drawn. A great book for a Manga fan, but just average for the coloring book fan. I couldn't find a whole lot to color on some pages because the drawings are already so beautifully detailed. But, there is still plenty to color on other pages, so get lots of colored pencils in tons of colors for magnificent Manga artwork. Go subtle or fill in lots of detail, have fun!