NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

Title: Conscious Crafts: Quilting - 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart and hands Author: Elli Beaven Introduction section:   I fully agree with Elli Beaven's statement about how quilting is a perfect escape from a busy life including work and family; a chance for some 'me time'. Using words like conscious and mindful in the title of this book, I am hoping many more will discover quilting and take up this amazing hobby. It a fabulous craft combining artistic and mathematical skills.  Tools, equipments and techniques sections:  This section of the book contains lots of useful tips and tricks, all presented in a straight forward and easy to understand way. The projects section:  I like the fact that the projects are starting out as rather quick and easy to then get more complicated and time consuming. A perfect step by step progression from simple coasters via cushions to full sized quilts. Beginners would benefit from doing all the projects in the book, whe...

Title: Sing for me - #2 Balefire series Author: Tam DeRudder Jackson This fantastic rockstar meets girl next door (literally!) romance story is fast paced, believable and engaging. Tam DeRudder Jackson has used the perceived stereotype of rockstars to great effect and created a very worthy second book in the Balefire series.  Ashleigh loves the garden at her rental place and she has negotiated a reduction in her rent in exchange for maintaining it. When she's not gardening she is working as a substitute teacher or writing concert reviews for a local paper. She fast becomes friends with her neighbour Diane who loves having Ashleigh around and they regularly eat together whilst making small talk.  Blu is the lead singer in the famous band Balefire and after a gruelling first leg of their world tour, he returns home to spend some time with his mother before hitting the road again. He's never liked the neighbours so he makes sure his arrival on his Harley Davidson is as noisy as...

Title: Soundproof (#5 in Waterproof: Navy SEALs) Author: Jo Chambliss A beautiful and heartfelt story of one Navy SEAL's quest to find three women despite their original unsuccessful attempt.  Cailyn Ridley works as an oncology nurse and is asked by two of her patients, Roberta and Amy, if she'd like to join them for their final trip around Europe, an end of life bucket list trip of sorts. After confirming she'll still have a job when she returns from her absence of leave, the three women set off on their travels.  They are having a fabulous time until they are suddenly kidnapped on their way home from a Flamenco evening in Spain. Roberta and Amy convinces Cailyn to pretend to be a boy, smears her face in dirt and dress her in male clothes from the rags provided by their captures. The rouse works as Cailyn is set to work as a house servant to the terrorist cell they now belong to.  A group of Navy SEALs are tasked with rescuing five women captured under similar circumstan...

Title: Trophy Wife Author: Evie Baxter  Evie Baxter has done it again, and this is even better than the three previous books she's published in the last few months. The woman is one mean writing machine! A fast-paced story where all is not as it first appears.  Victoria is labelled a gold digger by most, and Ice Queen by others. Bastian is intrigued as he senses that there may be more to Victoria than the perfectly made up face, the expensive designer clothes and the dangerously high heels. This is a beautiful romantic story with a twist, where the Trophy Wife take centre stage rather than her rich husband. It's a story about survival and escape from an abusive relationship, with the support from family and friends, and how trusting other men can be a possibility under the right circumstances.  Good news! For all lovers of Evie Baxter, there are another FOUR books in the works!!! Also, all her books are currently available on Kindle Unlimited - click for link to Evie Baxt...

Title: In for a Penny Author: Caroline Frank Laugh out loud and cringeworthy scenes all beautifully mixed together, makes this a throughly enjoyable story about a group of random young people joining the same grad course in London, United Kingdom. The main character, Penny, is very well developed and so are the other two lead characters, Oliver and Josh. Together the three of them manage to bring out the best in each other, whilst a the same time dealing with schoolwork, complicated emotions, eating disorders and rape,  Happy ending guaranteed. Get your copy now on Amazon - link to book on Amazon #InforaPenny #NetGalley

Title: The Adult Side of Dyslexia Author: Kelli Sandman-Hurley In this book Kelli Sandman-Hurley provides an enormously helpful insight into how adults are remembering their childhood growing up with dyslexia (diagnosed or not), all based on her interviews with dyslexics from all walks of life.  My take-away is that it’s crucial that schools and parents do not hold off screening for dyslexia if the signs are there; once it’s suspected, ensure proper action is taken immediately. Ensure that the child understands that they are not stupid, and make sure that they are provided with the right intervention and accommodations for their particular situation.  “It is not the child that needs to change, it is the intervention” As a society have much to learn and improve on, in how we identify and help dyslexics of all ages. It isn’t acceptable that children and adults do not speak up due to fear of being marginalised (e.g. when applying for school places or job promotions).  Thank ...

Title: Pause  Author: Sara Stamey A thought provoking story with realistic characters bringing hope and inspiration - it’s never too late to live the life you wanted but someone else decided you shouldn’t.   Growing up with a physically abusive dad, Lindsey tried to get her mother to leave him, but she always stayed insisting he was a ‘good provider’. Later on when Lindsey gets married to Nick, she learns that not all abuse is physical and that as much damage, if not more, can be done with words.  Finally divorced, Lindsey is trying to regain her self respect by getting her life back on track again. Step by step we follow her as she discovers friendship and perhaps love again, how she develops as a woman (hot flushes and all!) and how sometimes alone is better than lonely in a relationship. Thank you to NetGalley and Book View Cafe for allowing me to read this eARC. The book will be published  on 2 November 2021. #Pause #Netgalley

Title: Traced (#2 Blood Brothers) Author: Samantha Wilde This is the second book in the Blood Brothers series by Samatha Wilde (Keith). Again Wilde has created a hard-to-put-down romantic thriller with a mafia theme. Expect amazing writing, great pace, lots of suspense and scorching hot chemistry! Tess has always loved her father but when he suddenly disappears asking her to sell six gold bricks, worth four million dollars she realises that she hasn’t really known him, or at least not all parts of his life.  She enlists Dare Holmes, brother of Nash who we met in the first book in the series.  The other two brothers, Dallas and Cole feature as well, protecting the lives of Tess and Dare; and bringing destruction to the Lionsgate Kinship. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC. The book will be published on 15 September 2021. #Traced #NetGalley

Title: The Night of Many Endings Author: Melissa Payne Lovely, and sometimes heartfelt, story about what happens when a surprise snowstorm hits and a small library in Colorado becomes the refuge for five more or less strangers. As the story unfolds we find that Nora, Marlene, Vlado, Lewis and Jasmine have more in common than any of them could imagine. A story full of hope and courage.  Nora is the local librarian and do-gooder trying to help everyone, be it by recommending books or providing food packages or a blanket to those in need. Along the way she’s forgotten to help herself and live her own life.  Marlene is lost since her late-in-life found soulmate passed away, leaving her bitter and suicidal.. Vlado is working as a security guard at the library, but dreaming of pursing his Ph.D. in English.  Lewis is feeling lost and regretful, but hoping to become clean and reconnect with his granddaughter.  Jasmine lives with her grandmother and is trying to be a good rol...