One-Piece Knits by Margaret Hubert

Here is the book summary:

Knit your sweaters in one piece--from the top down, from cuff to cuff, or from back to front--for the whole family, with minimal seaming required!

One-Piece Knits offers charted patterns sized from toddler to adult and in multiple gauges for classic pullovers and cardigans in four styles: top-down (both raglan and yoke), side-over (from one sleeve edge to the other), and back-to-front (from back waist to front waist, then picking up stitches at the shoulders to knit the sleeves).

Additional patterns for each style feature alternate stitches, simple colorwork, and neckline and sleeve variations. A helpful resources section offers guidance on basic techniques.

And now, my review:

I have yet to complete a “people-wearing” size sweater, as I’ve only done doll-size, but the group of knitters that I’m part of makes sweaters and they always speak of “sewing” the pieces together as being not such a pleasant part of the process, to put it nicely.  This book drew me in because it is an all in one knitted pattern book.  I like that this book includes sizing for children, women, and men and it includes different designs for options. 

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Piece-Knits-Essential-Multiple-Sweaters-ebook/dp/B07DLBJP4V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535635623&sr=8-1&keywords=one+piece+knits

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-piece-knits-margaret-hubert/1127458313?ean=9781589239517

Siriously Delicious by Siri Daly

Here is the book summary:

Popular food blogger and TODAY food contributor Siri Daly shares her collection of cooking triumphs and mistakes, and delicious recipes for people who love food.

Like many of us trying to feed our families, Siri Daly is a very busy cook. As a mother of three under the age of 10, TODAY food contributor, and wife of a bicoastal traveling man, Carson Daly ("The Voice" host and TODAY show co-host), Siri often doesn’t know which end is up. Siri is not a serious cook, but she is serious about her food—and what she serves her family, friends and loved ones. Siriously Delicious is organized by how a busy mom gets through her day—breakfast, lunch, happy hour (her favorite!), dinner with sides, and dessert. Siri’s recipes are created with three goals in mind: to create food that is delicious and satisfying for both kids and adults, to prepare dishes packed with traditionally comforting flavors and ingredients (think cheese, avocado, chocolate!), and to make each recipe approachable for even a novice cook—no trips to specialty food stores are required.

Whether you’re looking for easy-to-cook recipes your kids will devour, such as mouth-watering Bacon Pizzadillas, or you’re dying to relax with a Spicy Grapefruit Cocktail when the days feel too long, this cookbook has a recipe for every occasion. Siri also includes extra tips to make your time in the kitchen easier: Siriously Simple offers a hack or time-saving tip, Siriously Sinful details how to make something even more indulgent, Siriously Nutritious explains how to make something healthier, and Siriously Mini advises how to satisfy the kiddos. Filled with Siri’s often hilarious anecdotes, Siriously Delicious will not only feed your family’s bellies but hopefully deliver a belly laugh along the way.

And now, my review:

From the creative way to spell the title to all the wonderfully delicious recipes, this is a kitchen cooking inspiration.  I found it jovial for her to mention and include “not so healthy” recipes along with the nutritious ones.  So there is bound to be something in there for everyone you’re cooking for including your own personal preference.  This is what I, and it sounds like many others, have found.  These recipes are simple, easy to follow, and able to accomplish a great finish.

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Siriously-Delicious-Nutritious-Simple-Recipes-ebook/dp/B079FPTGXM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/siriously-delicious-siri-daly/1126944177?ean=9780848758912#/

Make Your Own Ice Cream by Sarah Tyson Rorer

Here is the book summary:

Updated for modern kitchens, this vintage book of ice cream recipes offers a mouthwatering selection of frozen treats that's sure to include something for everyone. In addition to dozens of different types of ice cream and sherbet, the recipes cover frozen puddings, soufflés, parfaits, and mousses as well as tasty toppings. Numerous dairy-free options include sorbets, Italian ices, and fruit ices. Easy-to-find ingredients range from a variety of fruits and nuts to the traditional flavors of chocolate and vanilla. Brief explanations identify the differences between ices, sorbet, and sherbet and offer general instructions for making frozen desserts. 
Author Sarah Tyson Rorer (1849–1937), founder of the Philadelphia School of Cookery, was a pioneer of domestic science. Educator, author, editor, radio show host, magazine columnist, dietician, and lecturer, her emphasis on healthy eating was instrumental in the creation of the field of hospital dietetics. Her classic recipes, which are ideal for inexperienced dessert-makers, are compatible with modern ice cream machines. 

And now, my review:

Ahhh… perusing through this tasty treat of a book is an inspiration to lead the reader into making their own dessert.  I loved how this author had what I would call basic options and then there were some really creative “out of the box” suggestions to pursue.  I can use this book for my own use, or for a neighborhood porch gathering, or for company that is coming to visit.  I mean, my thoughts are, who doesn’t like ice cream.

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Ice-Cream-ebook/dp/B079VYN8MW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535204014&sr=1-2&keywords=make+your+own+ice+cream

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/make-your-own-ice-cream-sarah-tyson-rorer/1127202064?ean=9780486822174

Crochet Loom Blooms by Haafner Linssen

Here is the book summary:

Discover the blossoming trend of flower looming! It's quick, it's simple, it's fun, and with a bit of crochet you can create a stunning collection of 30 flower motifs. In Crochet Loom Blooms, you'll find everything you need to get you started including:

·        Step-by-step guide to using a flower loom, plus detailed illustrations on crochet stitches that bring your flowers to life.

·        30 unique flower motifs in a variety of shapes and styles--from simple and lacy to dense, multi-layers foliage, Crochet Loom Blooms has it all.

·        5 fabulous projects and valuable tips and tricks from best-selling author Haafner Linssen that will have your home bursting with crochet loom blooms in no time!

A garden of delight, you'll find yourself referencing Crochet Loom Blooms time again whether looking for specific instruction or a dose of inspiration.

And now, my review:

Crocheting and flowers all in one is a great treat!  This book hooked me with interest from the cover and I was super excited to find inside 30 great patterns to create lovely flowers.  It gave me step-by-step instructions and I found them easy to follow and very doable.  I like that I can put a border around them if I want but for me right now I’m making flower embellishments for hats and I can make these and use these without the borders.  I just love it! 

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Loom-Blooms-Fabulous-Projects/dp/163250619X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535201523&sr=8-1&keywords=crochet+loom+blooms

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crochet-loom-blooms-haafner-linssen/1126605208?ean=9781632506191#/

Plant-Powered Beauty by Amy Galper

Here is the book summary:

You know your diet should be rich in plants for optimal health. So shouldn’t the products you apply to your skin, which are absorbed into your body, also be filled with plants? 

If you’ve ever looked at the back of your so-called “natural” facial moisturizer or body cream and seen a list of complicated additives you couldn’t recognize or pronounce, then you know firsthand that mass-produced synthetic beauty products can be something of a mystery. 

With Plant-Powered Beauty: The Essential Guide to Using Natural Ingredients for Health, Wellness, and Personal Skincare (with 50-plus Recipes), harness the power of plant-based energy to maintain your natural beauty and let your skin glow like never before. Natural beauty experts Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault show readers how to deconstruct beauty labels, parse ingredients lists, make informed choices about the products they use—and, most important, better understand how their skin works. 

At the heart of Plant-Powered Beauty, you will find more than 50 easy-to-follow recipes to make your own plant-based skincare and beauty products, such as: 

·       Almond Milk Facial Cleanser

·        Anti-aging Facial Scrub

·        Blemish Gel

·        Choc-o-Mint Lip Balm

·        Coconut Whip Makeup Remover

·        Vitamin-Rich Hair Health Serum

·        Quick and Fresh Cucumber-Thyme Body Scrub

·        Moisturizing Body Oil for Super-Dry Skin

·        Natural Mouthwash

Plant-Powered Beauty unlocks sought-after wisdom for all aspects of plant-based personal skincare and celebrates the shift in beauty trends, bringing us back to natural beauty and reconnecting us with plants and healthy choices.

And now, my review:

What an exciting thing to take time to look into and learn about natural, plant-based ways of making everyday products that I use every day on my body.  This is what drew me into checking out this book and seeing what I could learn and use that was SO much better than all the harmful, chemical ladened products available at my local stores.  This book gives step-by-step instructions on how to make them yourself and it will most likely be less expensive in addition to being something that is a benefit to my body’s health as well.  A bonus to all this is that it’s a great inspiration to gift giving as well.

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Powered-Beauty-Essential-Ingredients-Wellness-ebook/dp/B074P5G266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535043445&sr=8-1&keywords=plant+powered+beauty

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/plant-powered-beauty-amy-galper/1126861875?ean=9781944648855

A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot

Here is the book summary:

Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the town doctor's excessive bleeding treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek's dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life without love or family, a life where dreams rarely come true.

Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He's managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.

With a deft hand, Amanda Cabot teases out the strands of love, deception, and redemption in this charming tale of dreams deferred and hopes becoming reality.

And now, my review:

A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot is the second book in a series.  I have read both books in this series so far and I really enjoy this author.  This book has the thread of forgiveness running through it.  First, there was the need, then there was the choice to forgive, and then there was the fruit of it.  I found there to be some intense moments with a criminal involved.  Whoosh!  Lastly, I loved their journey of having captured hearts with each other.  The cover is amazing and so is the book, check it out!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Borrowed-Dream-Cimarron-Creek-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0741FDW9B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530582719&sr=8-1&keywords=a+borrowed+dream+amanda+cabot

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-borrowed-dream-amanda-cabot/1126332861?ean=9780800727574#/

https://www.christianbook.com/a-borrowed-dream-2/amanda-cabot/9780800727574/pd/727570?event=ESRCG

A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears

Here is the book summary:

In early 1900s Kansas, Mercy McClain, determined to protect Teaville's children from the bullying she experienced as a child, finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the classmate who bothered her more than any other, petitions the board for a teaching position, she's dead set against him getting the job.

Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy's mistrust, but he's returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking to earn forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn't expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the best interests of the children at heart.

Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron put the past behind them in time to face the unexpected threats to everything they're working for?

And now, my review:

A Chance at Forever is book 3 in a series by Melissa Jagears.  This story is of a man named Aaron and a woman named Mercy.  Their story involves restoration for past hurts. It involves orphans and hard topics like the destruction of the red-light district. Can forgiveness be had and past hurts be let go of and forgotten because what is lived in the now is worth it?  This topic was interesting to me and I was drawn into it and I’m glad that I read it.  This is the first book that I’ve read in this series and I felt that it stood alone well.  I really look forward to reading more from her in the future!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Chance-Forever-Teaville-Moral-Society-ebook/dp/B07879ZHHP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530581010&sr=8-1&keywords=a+chance+at+forever

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-chance-at-forever-melissa-jagears/1126332848?ean=9780764217531#/

https://www.christianbook.com/a-chance-at-forever-3/melissa-jagears/9780764217531/pd/217531?event=ESRCG