The Women’s Fibromyalgia Toolkit by Dawn A. Marcus, MD and Atul Deodhar, MD

The Women’s Fibromyalgia Toolkit contains current information including some of the changes in diagnosing fibromyalgia.  There is now a larger umbrella of symptoms to help with the diagnoses. It also includes a diagram with the original diagnosis tender points.  My personal opinion as someone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia is that the tender point chart gives a more accurate picture of the condition. I think the new criterion creates a muddled view of fibromyalgia.

There is a lack of organization in the book, but fortunately there is an index to help find all of the topics covered.  There is a large section with suggested exercises complete with black and white photographs.  Also included is information on nutrition, pain management drugs, symptom tracking charts, pain management through pregnancy, and what to discuss with your physician.

The Women’s Fibromyalgia Toolkit is a good reference for the newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia or for someone who suspects they may be suffering from this syndrome and would like to know more about it. 

The Anxious Gardener's Book of Answers by Teri Dunn Chace

If you are planting your first garden or perhaps have just had your first garden disaster, this is the book to find out where things went wrong.  As much as I would like to stick a few plants in the ground, scatter some seeds, and come back to a bountiful garden, it doesn’t work that way.  There are planting times, weeds, pests, and a variety of problems that can occur. 

The Anxious Gardener’s Book of Answers is written question and answer style with topics covering most of the important aspects of good garden care.  The book covers proper planting times and depths, soil, weed control, fertilizer, pests, different plant types, and much more.

Most topics contain information on what can go wrong, the right way to do it, and if it can be fixed if a mistake is made.  This book is more for beginners because there is just basic information on each subject, but it is certainly enough to get started and a great quick reference guide if you are not sure about something that has gone wrong.

Thank you to Timber Press for providing me with a review copy, accepted only with the understanding that I give my honest opinion of the book.  I receive no compensation for books purchased through any of my links. 

Link to purchase The Anxious Gardener's Book of Answers  

The Desperate Christian by Leigh Crane-Freeman

There is a problem within today's churches that in many cases causes them to go stagnant. Christians can get discouraged, unattached to the church, and desperate. Leigh Crane-Freeman helps the reader get back on the right track. She encourages the reader to focus more on who you are through Christ and less on what you do.

The book is well referenced with end notes at the end of each chapter and loaded with scripture as a guide. It is divided into two parts. In the first, she lets the Christian know that they are not alone in feeling a spiritual void from the church and explains some of the problems in today's church. In the second part there is specific information for the struggling Christian to put them on the path for spiritual growth. She answers questions such as "What does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit?", and "What does God need from me to work through me?" There are eleven questions in all that the author answers using scripture and practical advice.

This would make a nice devotional, Bible study, or could even be used in a church setting because she does encourage anyone that has fallen away from the church to go back.


I received an electronic copy of The Desperate Christian free of charge with the understanding that I would read and give my honest opinion of book.  I receive no compensation for any books purchased through my link.


Link to purchase The Desperate Christian

Shooting Crows at Dawn by David Grace

Jubal Dark has been a tough common-sense sheriff for 20 years and is facing down a re-election that is not going well.  In fact, he full expects to lose. Although Dark has caught his share of criminals, there is a hostile attitude in town concerning three escaped killers and an unsolved murder cold case of a young girl.

The characters are all believable.  Dark is a very likeable character as a widower and father of an adult daughter.  Holly Sharps is a crime scene tech working for Texas Ranger Buck Nevis. Buck allows her to make coffee, file, and pick up his dry cleaning.  Holly offers to help Dark solve his cold case and work for free if he will just give her a chance.

This is a pretty gritty tale and although it had a little more violence than I like, I was impressed with the quality writing and suspenseful plot.  This is a great crime drama!

Link to purchase Shooting Crows at Dawn

I received an electronic version of Shooting Crows at Dawn for review in return for a review giving my honest opinion. I receive no compensation for any books purchased through my links.