The Part-time Vegan by Cherise Grifoni

With an interest in healthy eating, I decided to check out Cherise Grifoni’s new book, The Part-Time Vegan.  The book starts with the “Totally Not Boring Intro” that made me smile.  There is an introduction to vegan ingredients explained, but I wish there had been a little more information and an explanation of what makes each a healthy, tasty ingredient.  Names like TVP, Cacao nibs, and Vegan margarine need a little more of a sell.  There are short text-blocks in some recipes called “The Skinny On” that have information on some of the ingredients.

Some of the recipes that sounded good to me were:  Baked Zucchini Fries, Top of the Morning Cashew Butter Wrap, Gingered and Pralined Sweet Potatoes, and Millet and Butternut Squash Casserole.  For my taste, too many of the recipes rely heavily on the flavor of garlic.

Along with all of the recipes, there is a nice section with 11 dinner plans.  As a downside, there are no photos or nutritional/calorie information.   

The vegan lifestyle is usually all or nothing.  Many of the ingredients are expensive, and it can be complicated. As recommended by the book, I don’t think I am interested looking for Lactylate every time I purchase bread products (makes a vegan dish non-vegan).  I think this is a good starting point for someone who wants to give the vegan lifestyle a try.

Next Move, You’re Dead by Linda L. Barton

Link to purchase Next Move You're Dead (Kindle)
Link to Purchase Next Move You're Dead (Nook)

Homicide Detective John Cooper finds himself in what seems to be a cat and mouse game with a serial killer and his life is spiraling out of control. 

The author, Linda L. Barton does a very good job of bringing to the page the creepiness and violence of the murders without being too graphic.  There are quite a few characters involved in the story and she introduced each thoroughly, explaining how each arrived into the story. 

My main problem with the book is that I didn’t find the main characters of John and his wife Kathy likeable or believable. This is a mystery thriller, but I was able to figure out where the story was heading very quickly. 

My favorite books are about the mature detective that is able to put together the pieces of the puzzle and solve the case.  Although John was touted as one of the best detectives, he did not display any common sense in the book.  Even knowing the entire story and looking back, he was a terrible law enforcement officer. 

Baby wraps by Karla Alexander

Link to purchase Baby Wraps by Karla Alexander

Baby Wraps by Karla Alexander is a perfect book for beginning quilters.  With the exception of a few of the appliqué designs, all of the patterns would be suitable for a new quilter or for a more advanced quilter looking for a cute and easy pattern for children.

There is a Quiltmaking Basics section that covers everything from tools and supplies, strip cutting, and fusible appliqué, to the assembling and finishing with the quilting and binding.  There are also hints on choosing the perfect fabric for each design.

I found two of the eight patterns that I would like to make, Fly Away with dragonflies and Baby’s Patchwork.  Both are easy patterns with appliqué on one and simple patchwork on the other.  Several of the patchwork designs look more complicated, but the design is simply due to block placement. 

While the quilts are simple, some of the appliqué pieces are small and may prove to be a little more difficult.  Learning to quilt is not difficult, and I would recommend this book as a good start in that learning process.

Corona by Paige Owen

Corona by Paige Owen 
Corona by Paige Owen is an ebook available on both BarnesandNoble.com and Smashwords.com free of charge.  I don't usually read much Science fiction, but the time travel topic caught my attention. As soon as I started reading I was  drawn into the story. 


A child finds a strange case on the beach that contains a ship's log.  The strange story of that ship's adventure comes alive with many twists to the story.   There were a couple of confusing parts and an awkward transition in the story, but all in all I enjoyed it very much. 


Corona is written by a new author that I think will do well.  Grab this one while it is still free!

Sew Decorative Quick and Easy Home Accents from SewNews

Martingale Publishing Link to purchase Sew Decorative Quick and Easy Home Accents from SewNews

Express yourself with this book of patterns for quick and easy decorative touches for your home.  For the dining room, there is a pretty, but very simple hand embroidered table runner.  There are several patterns for patchwork placemats, pot holders, and table runners. For the bedroom there are instructions for adding trims to pillowcases and sheets. You can make tab-top curtains with a matching bed skirt.  There is a cute bathroom organizer that hangs with your shower curtain and is made with 2 hand towels.

There are patterns for embellished lampshades and a lounge sack, but then my favorite section comes along:  Pillows - square, round, cubed - pillows of all sorts and styles. 

There are 24 projects in all, and many of them are perfect for beginner crafters.  There are a few for the more advanced, but most of them are simple designs that with the right fabric choices will add a touch of your own style to each room. There are detailed instructions with each pattern and four pages of home sewing and embroidery techniques.  

I received a copy of this book for review, but I always give my honest opinion of the book.

Dolce Handknits by Kim Dolce

Martingale & Company link to purchase Dolce Handknits by Kim Dolce

Dolce Handknits contains 4 seasons of classic and youthful knit designs, with each season  containing 4 designs.  Winter begins the book with heavier weight knits, with yarn from smooth worsted, heavy worsted to super-bulky yarn. The designs are traditional sweater designs, but two have off-shoulder patterns. 

Spring designs use sport weight yarn with one using worsted weight. Designs include two cardigans, one with a ruffled front, a v-neck pullover, and a short-sleeved tee.

Summer calls for fingering weight yarn to worsted yarn and has one raglan style sleeveless top with Icord ties and a short cropped shrug.  Also, a vine stripe cardigan and, my favorite, a  lacy tank.

Fall designs include another favorite, Bloomsbury, a tie-front sweater with ¾ sleeves.  Another cardigan, a pullover and a heavier jacket close out the year of knits.

Basic techniques are included along with helpful information about yarn weights.  There may be one or two designs included in this book that would be appropriate for beginners, but overall I would think an advanced beginner to intermediate knitter would benefit most from Dolce Handknits.  I appreciated the fact that stitch design instructions were included along with charts.   

Dolce Handknits has lovely, elegant garments with something for young ladies and those not so young!

Thank you to Martingale & Company for this review copy.

Easy Appliqué Blocks by Kay Mackenzie

Link to Martingale Publishing to purchase Easy Appliqué Blocks by Kay Mackenzie (also to see a gallery of all of the blocks)

This is the perfect book for a beginner appliqué quilter or someone wanting to learn how to appliqué.  I am so impressed with the author’s variety in her designs and to have all 50 designs included together in the same book.  I already have several ideas that I would like to try.   With just the designs she has included, I could make a bird quilt, an animal quilt, a flower quilt, a kitchen quilt, a “welcome” home style quilt, or a baby or child quilt.  If my own ideas aren’t enough, there is a section at the end with a gallery of ideas.

There are excellent instructions on different techniques of appliqué.  There is a list of needed notions, information on pattern prep and instructions for creating a placement guide. Different methods are covered in both hand and machine appliqué. Kay Mackenzie’s instructions are detailed without being too wordy and contain good diagrams.

As if the 50 designs are not enough, there is also a CD included that includes all of the designs printable in 5 sizes.  Also, there are different print options depending on what method you are using for your appliqué.   I liked the layout of the CD because it had the feel of navigating a website. 

Although I am more of an intermediate-skilled appliqué quilter, I love this easy book.  Embellishments can make even the easiest quilt block look like a masterpiece. 

Rasner's Revenge by Mark Rosendorf

Amazon.com link for Rasner's Revenge  
Rasner's Revenge is the third Rick Rasner book in the series. In Rasner's Revenge we find many of the same main characters, Rick, Clara, Jake, Gen. Straker and more. Author Mark Rosendorf's characters are always unique and his writing is very good. There is a perfect blend of dialog and narration, and the action explodes on every page. I loved the characters and I hated them, but that is what made the story so interesting.

Rasner's Revenge, along with the rest of the Rick Rasner series of books, is not for the squeamish because of the amount of violence, but the violence is an important part of the personality of the characters.

Although this third book in the series can stand alone, I highly recommend reading The Rasner Effect first. You will get a better background of each of the characters, and I confess that the first was my favorite of the three because of one major twist. I thought this third in the series was going to be the last, but there is still a mystery or two that could be revealed in another book. 

A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson

Martingale Publishers link for A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue  (Gallery of all blocks here too!)    

When I first started quilting, I wasn’t really a fan of Sunbonnet Sue. One of the quilt groups online had a block swap and Sue was the block chosen.  It was only then that I fell in love with the simplicity and charm of Sunbonnet Sue.

A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue is a block-of-the-month style pattern book. The book contains twelve individual wall hanging patterns.   All of the instructions for the wall quilts are in the book, but there is also an address online at the Martingale Publisher’s site with full instructions for a seasonal 4-block quilt and for a full 12-block quilt.    

So, what is different about this Sunbonnet Sue book?  Each block has a “The Fabrics Make the Quilt Section.”  The book explains fully how to find the best fabrics for each block design.   It has detailed instructions on everything from preparing for the appliqué all the way through binding the quilts.  Full-sized patterns for each piece are included. There are wonderful little tips scattered throughout the book that show special attention to detail, such as instruction for cutting the pieces with consideration to grain of fabric.

The would be a perfect book for in-person or online quilt groups wanting to do a block-of-the-month.  Also for all skill level quilters, or to make a quilt for a special child.

The Little Box of Baby Quilts by Jenny Wilding Cardon

Martingale & Company. link for The Little Box of Baby Quilts by Jenny Wilding Cardon  

Instead of a hard cover book, this is a wonderful group of baby quilt pattern booklets in a decorative and very sturdy little box that end-closes with a magnet.  I love it!

There are 20 patterns for quilts that are not only appropriate for babies, but also for older children. There is a Checkerboard Game Quilt that is suggested as a gift for an older child expecting a new brother or sister.   There are both pieced and appliquéd quilts patterns, and all appear to be easy to advanced-beginner skill levels.  There is a truck pattern that is completely pieced, an appliquéd piggie pattern, and an easy log cabin. There is a Baby Essentials Pocket Quilt that would be a nice wall quilt that has pockets to hold all those baby items that need to be at reach.

There is a folder for basic quilt instructions that explains the running stitch, satin stitch appliqué stitch and the whipstitch.  It also explains and diagrams thread basting and pin basting.  Also included are hand and machine quilt basics and, of course, binding the quilt. 

I always like something a little different so I really enjoy these patterns in the box.  This is part of a series of “Little Box” titles.  This Martingale Publishing series includes: Crocheted Bags, Crocheted Hats and Scarves, Crocheted Ponchos and Wraps, Knitted Throws, Quilter’s Desserts, Scarves, Scarves II, and Sweaters, and, of course, The Little Box of Baby Quilts.

Two Bits Four Bits by Mark Cotton

Amazon.com link for Two Bits Four Bits by Mark Cotton

The main character is a likeable and interesting former homicide detective not quite sure what he wants for his future.  He returns to his hometown for a reunion and to tie up some family matters.  When the husband of a classmate is murdered, Buddy finds himself in the middle of the investigation. 

I enjoyed the detail of some of the detective work that Mark Cotton provided in this mystery.  Most mysteries overlook those details and just go for action, but I enjoyed getting immersed in the creative work of a detective. 

There are many characters in Two Bits Four Bits that I see in regularly in small town America. I especially enjoyed the addition of the three older guys that met at the local restaurant every morning for coffee and gossip.  

This is a good mystery with several suspects that reaches a satisfying conclusion.   Buddy is a character that you look forward to seeing in a book series and I hope more are in the works.

The Cholesterol Delusion by Ernest N. Curtis, M.D.

Amazon.com link to purchase The Cholesterol Delusion by Ernest N. Curtis, M.D.  

Well, talking about bucking the system!!  Ernest N. Curtis, M.D. comes along and dares to contradict the current thought that cholesterol is going to kill us all.  The Cholesterol Delusion is a very interesting report on one of the top medical drug-types being prescribed today.  The author takes the time to break down the science into language the non-medical public can understand. He also includes a section on how to make sense of a medical journal report, and several journal reports are included in the book.    

Dr. Curtis’ description of what really happens with a blocked artery is far different than those cute little commercials that the drug company runs explaining how all those little particles are choking my heart!   It is shocking to find out how the testing is evaluated when little evidence shows the results the drug companies report.   

I am not quite ready to pitch my statin drugs, but I am ready to do some more research to on the subject.  I confess that upon finishing the book I made myself a breakfast of bacon and eggs!  I would recommend The Cholesterol Delusion to anyone taking any type of maintenance or preventative prescription drugs.  

Damaged by Alex Kava

Amazon.com link to purchase Damaged by Alex Kava 

Damaged started out well with a dramatic description of a Coast Guard rescue helicopter plucking a large cooler out of the waters off Florida.  Unfortunately, that initial excitement quickly dropped to a rather slow pace.  

While I enjoyed the story and it was interesting, there were several storylines going on which never seemed to connect.  The hurricane added interest as did the helicopter rescue scenes.  Connecting two of the other stories seemed to be forced, but I don’t want to add any more because it would be a spoiler.

Maggie O’Dell is a good character, but I just did not get a good idea of her personality or why she behaved as she did.   There was a hint of a love interest for her, but it was really just a hint.  Some of the other characters did not have enough depth to care about them.  The other main female character failed to stand out, and the creepy funeral director was a too much of a stereotype.

Although I did not find this one outstanding, it was interesting enough that I would like to try one of the earlier books in this series.   In the end, not great but not bad either.

365 Knitting Stitches a Year By Martingale & Company

Amazon.com link to purchase 365 Knitting Stitches a Year

This is just the first of several craft books I have received for review.  Keep an eye out for my upcoming reviews for knitting, quilting and craft studio design! My first review is for a perpetual calendar with knitting stitches on every page.

I would never have thought that there would actually be 365 different kinds of knit stitch patterns, but this nice perpetual calendar has not only the stitches, but a nice section with instructions for some of the special stitches. 

I thought I would try to at least make up a sample of a project to see if the instructions are easy to follow. Just picking a page at random, I decided to try April 4 which is the Stockinette Triangles.  This one was an easy one with multiples of 5 stitches and 6 rows and worked up quickly. 

Although the one I tried was an easy one, there are stitch designs for all skill levels.  The possibilities are endless with dozens of cable stitches, twist stitches, laces, and bobbles, woven style, and so much more.

Because this is a perpetual calendar, you can buy it any time of the year and use it year after year.  This stand-up desk calendar has a very sturdy base and heavy duty double spiral binder.

This would make a nice addition to a craft room, office desk or a gift for a knitter.

Thank you to Martingale & Company  for providing me with this review copy.

Unto the Hills, A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

Link to purchase Unto the Hills, A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

Billy Graham is one of the most well known and respected Christian leaders of our time.  Although this book is a reprint of his original Unto the Hills first published more than twenty-five years ago, the stories are timeless, and the writing eloquent. In his preface, he talks about the changes that have taken place in the world, but how our need for the truths of the Bible never changes.

Each devotional meditation page starts with a Bible verse or passage followed by a story which is enlightening, encouraging or challenging. Following each story is a short prayer that helps focus on our relationship with God.

On this day that I write my review, the devotion topic is An Ever-Present Help and the verse is Psalm 46:1. The story deals with a young Irish immigrant, Joseph Scriven who although deep in sorrow wrote the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”.  The entry for tomorrow is a story entitled Is God Your Pilot?  Although these stories are not long, just a few paragraphs and on one page, there is a depth of understanding in the writing that makes them very impressive.  From his 50 years of ministry Billy Graham shares his wisdom concerning our trials in life and points the reader to God, the only source of strength and comfort on which we can rely.  

Although an older book, it reads as very current and reliable.  I am very happy to recommend this for those who are searching for the truth and for those who are Christians, but could use some encouragement for our trials in life. 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending this copy for review.