Wild Montana Skies ~ Review

Wild Montana Skies
Montana Rescue #1
By Susan May Warren

Kacey Fairing is trying to get her life back on track after the helicopter she was flying crashed in Afghanistan. Her time away from the military is suppose to allow her to recover emotionally but returning home to Mercy Falls, Montana, may not be as restful as she was anticipating. With a temporary job, a flash flood, a 13 year old daughter, and her first love converging at this point in time Kacey's life may be about to take another unexpected detour.

Ben King has come home to help his father who was recently injured and is filling in for him at PEAK the local search and rescue operation in Glacier National Park. Ben's life has been one of fame as a country music singer, but his life isn't what the world sees. He's been dealing with a broken heart for years and his career is at a crossroads.

A lie drove them apart but Kacey and Ben are being given a second chance at what could have been. But they will have to peel back the layers that have shaped them since they parted. Can one move beyond the hurts of the past and rediscover the love that meant everything?

There is another story that is running throughout ~ three years ago Ian Shaw's teenage niece disappeared as did her boyfriend. Were they runaways or was there another reason for their disappearance? Ian is an interesting character whom I am interested in seeing in future books, I can't tell if I like him or not.

This is the first book in a new series and instead of Susan's familiar Minnesota the setting is Montana. The new cast of characters introduced have caught my attention and I'm looking forward to getting to know them all better.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell. No expectation of a positive review was expected and all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
The last thing Search and Rescue helicopter pilot Kacey Fairing needs upon returning home to Mercy Falls,Montana, is to run into her mistakes. After a devastating crash during her recent military tour in Afghanistan, she is emotionally broken but ready to start putting her life back together. She just wants to reconnect with her teenage daughter and spend the summer working as the new lead pilot of PEAK Rescue in Glacier National Park.
 
But her mistakes aren't so easily forgotten. Because Ben King is also back in town.
 
Country music star Ben King abandoned his past when he moved to Nashville thirteen years ago to start his career. He hoped to heal his broken heart, caused by losing the woman he loved. But when his father is injured, Ben is called home to help manage PEAK Rescue during his recovery. He doesn't realize his father has ulterior motives until his old flame, Kacey, walks into his house and back into his heart. 
 
Now, with Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben will have to work together to save lives. But when secrets are uncovered and old hurts rise to the surface, will they walk away again? Or can they find a different ending to their country love song?

For This We are Soldiers ~ Review

For This We Are Soldiers
Tales of the Frontier Army
By Carla Kelly

This is a delightful collection of 6 short stories that are set during the years of the Indian Wars (1854-1890). Rather than focusing on the men who served this book looks at the women who gave up the lives they knew for the unknown isolation that awaited them.

The stories include Such Brave Men in which newly wed Emma Sanders learns about Army housing and the joys of being ranked. And her experiences with raking make her a professional by the end of her second day at the fort.

Break a Leg brings together three lonely people when a outbreak of injuries tests the skills of the hospital steward Colm Callahan. He calls on the skills of Audra Washington a former slave who is working as a servant for Captain and Mrs. Chambers. An injured actor gives the two just the right push to end their loneliness and find the family they always desired.

A Season for Heroes Jane Stokes learns the one terrible thing being a woman with the army is the waiting. Her father's company is overdue with no idea where they are. With her mother having a difficult pregnancy Jane learns just how true her mother's words are and what makes a man a hero.

Take a Memo some wandering milk cows leads to a war of memos between the  commanding officer and the post surgeon. And in the process of delivering the memos Corporal Theodore Sheppard has an excuse to converse with Millie Drummond who has captured his attention.

Mary Murphy is a short tale about the trials and sacrifices made by the company laundress.

A Leader of His Troops rounds out the selection as the path to happily ever after is impeded by unpredictable mail service and deserters.  When faced with a choice between love or duty Captain  Shaw has a choice to make that will determine whether he will ever be a leader to his troops.  

Of the six stories my favorite is Break a Leg which is the longest of the six and allowed for the greatest character development. The characters are truly ones one could enjoy getting to know.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher for reviewing purposes with no expectation of a positive review, all opinions are my own.

About the book:

From master storyteller Carla Kelly comes this collection of frontier tales that take you behind typical army lines and into the hearts of ordinary men and women who perform extraordinary acts of bravery. From handsome hospital stewards and dashing soldiers to courageous children and wives who will pull at your heartstrings, there’s something for everyone’s fancy.

About the author:

Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for “Borrowed Light,” “My Loving Vigil Keeping,” and “Softly Falling.”

Italian Street Food ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

About the Book:

Italy’s classic recipes are well known the world over, but few are aware of the dishes that reign on the flourishing Italian street-food scene. Hidden behind the town squares, away from the touristy restaurants, and down back streets are little-known gems offering up some of Italy’s tastiest and best-kept secret dishes that the locals prize.

ITALIAN STREET FOOD is not just another Italian cookbook; it delves into truly authentic Italian fare—the kind of secret recipes that are passed down through generations. Learn how to make authentic polpettine, arancini, stuffed cuttlefish, cannolis, and fritters, and perfect your gelato-making skills with original flavors such as lemon and basil or affogato and aperol. With beautiful stories and stunning photography throughout, ITALIAN STREET FOOD delivers an authentic, lesser known take on a much loved cuisine.

 

Buy the Book:

Rizzoli  ~  Amazon

Author's Bio:

Paola Bacchia is one of Australia’s most popular Italian food bloggers. On her blog, Italy on My Mind, she shares family memories and their connections to food. It won awards for best food blog in 2013 and 2015 from ITALY Magazine. Paola returns to Italy every year to expand her knowledge of Italian food, its traditions, and innovations.

Connect to the author:

Website  ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

 

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​ 5 copies of the book

(open to USA only)

Giveaway ends Oct 29

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tangled Webs ~ Review

Tangled Webs
Men of Valor #3
By Irene Hannon

Finn McGregor just needs some time to regroup as he recovers from the injuries he sustained in the Middle East. As much as he appreciates his brothers he wants some away from their over the shoulder hovering concern and a month in the cabin sound perfect.

There's just one problem with Finn's plan ~ his neighbor Dana Lewis is having recovery issues of her own. And a middle of the night meeting is not how Finn expected to meet a neighbor. But nightmares are soon the least of Finn and Dana's worries when Dana becomes the target of vandals.

But when the vandalism takes a personal turn it becomes apparent to Finn that Dana could be in danger. The question is why. Those who know Dana don't seem to wish her ill, but it's obvious that someone is trying to drive Dana from the home she inherited from her grandfather.

The older McGregor brothers, Mac and Lance, make a couple of appearances but like the previous books in the series one McGregory takes a starring role and this time it is Finn. Finn is a crossroad in his life and has some important decisions make regarding his future. And who knows maybe Finn will find his perfect someone just as his brothers have.

Fans of Irene Hannon's romantic suspense won't be disappointed in her newest book which will bring the Men of Valor series to its conclusion. If you haven't read her books in the past this is a good place to start and you can go back and catch up on Mac and Lance's story later. One can easily follow the story without reading the previous books Buried Secrets and Thin Ice.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectations of a positive review, all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Finn has packed away his combat instincts--

but he may need them again when danger 

begins to stalk his quiet hideaway . . . 

After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six-year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime. A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress. But peace isn't on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own. Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the lakeside cabin she inherited from her grandfather. As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone. And when it becomes apparent Dana's foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action--ready or not.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon draws readers into a web of psychological suspense where danger lurks in dark corners . . . and keeps them captive until the very last page.

Straightened
A Kennedy Stern Novel #4
By Alana Terry

Kennedy Stern is returning to America and her sophomore year of Harvard. She has days to acclimate to the total change in time night-is-day and day-is-night. Ruben won't be returning and Kennedy just isn't sure how she'll get through this year without her best friend and lab partner. The Lindgrens have adopted Woong a young orphan from Korea. And she's about to step into another potentially explosive situation with the Abernathy family - the last she needs after last year's kidnapping.

But this time she quite literally walks in as Senator Abernathy and his teenage son Noah are seeking help from Pastor Carl Lindgren. Noah has been struggling in secret with his feelings, seeking help from those who have left the gay lifestyle behind. But Noah's efforts have had no affect on how he feels. With his long held platform of traditional family values Wayne Abernathy is determined to see his son fix or out of the house.

What should have been a family matter is about to become network fodder when an unexpected act of violence ends a life and suspicion is cast upon a member of the family. With her unusual upbringing in China Kennedy is left with questions as to what and who is right when it comes to the issues that have been raised around her.

If her return to the US is any indication her second year of college may make the first year seem like a breeze (which anyone who has read the preceding books would know it wasn't).

One thing can be said about Alana Terry's Kennedy Stern series, she doesn't shy away from issues that can divide people and tear rifts in families, friendships, communities, and churches. And Straightened is no different.  With characters who fall on all the sides of the issue one is given insight into different points of view.  And as Carl says to Nick, "...this is an issue we'll never agree on. And that's ok. I'm not afraid to hear your views, because I know what I believe." And in today's world this is one topic that will remain a point of contention. And I'm sure there will be points in this book that different readers will take issue with, but (and this is important) the author presents characters who are real and not just a platform for her opinion.

I was provided an uncorrected ARC of this book by the author.  No review was required and all opinions are my own.

About the Book:
A teenage boy begging God to make him straight. An evangelical father refusing to accept his son is gay. A college sophomore who could never predict the dangers about to overtake her and the ones she loves. 

An intense and compassionate novel from beloved indie suspense author, Alana Terry, who has won awards from Women of Faith, The Book Club Network, Readers' Favorite, and many others. 

No matter where you stand, Straightened will challenge you to delve into the controversy with your eyes wide open and extend the grace and empathy too often lacking from all sides of the aisle.

Natural Color ~ Review

Natural Color
By Sasha Duerr

Vibrant plant dye projects 

for your home and wardrobe

Natural Color is a delightful and educational look at the world of natural plant-based dyes. There is a wide range of projects for both your home and your attire. The projects are detailed with the needed ingredients and equipment and step-by-step directions. The accompanying photographs are gorgeous. 

Natural Color addresses the healthy attributes of dyes that are based from natural sources. But the safety concerns are addressed as well as what steps to take both in the making and disposal of the dyes.

The sections discussing fibers, water types and mordants are completely fascinating. I also enjoyed learning about the different dying processes and that some dyes can take up to a year to complete (using persimmons). 

For those looking for an added benefit of creating your own unique look, depending on what plants one uses can, one can have a health boost from this process and not just from absence of harmful chemicals from commercial dyes. 

This book would be a great gift to give to the family making for some fun memories as you work towards various projects.  With the options for changing the colors subtly or drastically you could end up with a rainbow of projects that you love.

I'm looking forward to working with the citrus based dyes along with some of the fragrant herbs. I can just imagine how much fun it will be to explore all the colors that can be created at home. There is a time commitment involved but I believe it will be worth it. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

A beautiful book of seasonal projects for using the 

brilliant spectrum of colors derived from plants to 

naturally dye your clothing and home textiles.

Organized by season, Natural Color is a beautifully photographed guide to the full range of plant dyes available, drawn from commonly found fruits, flowers, trees, and herbs, with accompanying projects. Using sustainable methods and artisanal techniques, designer, artist, and professor Sasha Duerr details achievable ways to apply these limitless color possibilties to your home and wardrobe. Whether you are new to dyeing or more practiced, Duerr's clear and simple ingredients lists, step-by-step instructions, and detailed breakouts on techniques such as shibori, dip-dye, and block printing will ensure beautiful results. With recipes to dye everything from dresses and sweaters to rugs and napkins, Natural Color will inspire fashion enthusiasts, home decorators, textile lovers, and everyone else who wants to bring more color into their life.   

Out of Time series

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the last book

in the series A Time To Rise.