A Mother's Secret

Yet again, I pick a book that is part of a series. Here I thought this was a stand alone book but it's the second book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston. 

I get into these phases of only reading certain books. This happen to be my phase of reading Amish love stories. I think I need a break.

They are all starting to mingle together and sound the same. While each have their own characters, I think it's time I take a break from reading the Amish stories for a little while. 

With that being said, I liked this book. I was so moved by its message. It's a story of love, forgiveness, God's grace, & God's will. We all make mistakes, but people seem to forget that. And they forget that we are in no position to pass judgment on others, regardless of what their mistake has been. Instead of being forgiving and moving on, we dredge it up, over and over. This is the core of Carolyn's story and what she has to deal with every day, and it's the core of A Mother's Secret.

Cuffed, Tied, and Satisfied...

First thing I thought of when I got this book, was "50 Shades all the way..."

This book is very detailed in the life of BDSM. It's a great book for those that are curious about it, especially after hearing about or reading the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy. It will help open your mind to the world of "kinky sex" whether you or your partner enjoys it or is curious about it. It goes through role playing, and different ideas that can be used. Everyone has their own ideas for BDSM, while there are rule involved: the relationship is safe and consensual. The safe words help the dominant and the submissive in knowing where the lines are and where they should not be crossed. Mistress Jaiya is very thorough throughout the book in explaining all the different facets of BDSM. 

The Loving Kitchen

Good, down-home cooking. That's what brings happy memories to my mind. And as this books suggests, most of the recipes remind me of times I've gone by friends houses, visiting my grandmother, or making them at home (I still cannot master making home made bread...maybe someday!)

A lot of the recipes were fairly easy to follow. Just looking at the ingredient lists, most of the stuff you have at home already. The instructions were easy to read too. There were a lot of the recipes I have used, or very similar to, so to me it reminded me of a regular "down-home" cookbook.

One thing that I notice about myself is I love to look at the pictures of the recipe being made. I get an idea of what the final product is supposed to look like. While there were probably plenty pictures for most people, I would have loved to have a picture of every recipe. Maybe that's why I love Pinterest so much. Finding the recipes, seeing what they look like, and then going to the person's blog and reading about the process and seeing the recipe in motion.

Overall, if you are looking for a good home cooking cookbook, you will like this one.

Urban Watercolor

I love art. I love to paint. I am new to watercolor and I was excited to get this book.

Urban Watercolor Sketching is a great instructional for anyone who is just beginning to learn watercolor to the person that is a seasoned artist looking for a new angle on how to approach the medium.

I love the beginning on how watercolor was birthed. I didn't know this and I have a better appreciation for the medium.

The text is visually paired with colorful images. This book is not a how-to paint a picture with instruction. It is a guide on the materials used- from paper to brushes. It is a book that helps you expand on your imagination, changing the perspective of a view, and helping the artist grow. It is a about the art of storytelling through painting.

I putzed around with some of the guides and found it very easy and understood more about watercolors versus watching a video. Which is not like me....I'm a very visual learner, and this book helped me dig into myself and pull out feelings and expressions that I didn't know I had.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review of the product. I did not get paid for my review, but got a free copy of the product. 

Shadow Hand

When I saw this book was available, I knew that I would like it because 1) It has the Irish/Scottish/Celtic history 2) It is a fantastical place 3) The cover looked pretty (hey....sometimes a girl has her priorities)

What I didn't know was the book was the sixth book in the Tales of Goldenstone Wood Series. Knowing that, I still ventured on.

For me, it took a bit for the book to get started. While some people read it from cover to cover in a couple sittings, it took me a little bit to get into it. Also, sometimes life got in the way.

This is a story about blood and love, and the many things that lie in between. By her father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves- handsome and dispossessed Lionheart- but his cousin- the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. As her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory. But Goxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril. A world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway a world invaded by lethal parasite, a world that is hauntingly familiar.

Anne Elisabeth Stengl writes with such imagery that is is hard not to get drawn in to the world of fantasy.

I Quit Sugar

Where do I begin? I happen to love sugar. I sympathize with you, Sarah, I really do. However....can I completely give up sugar all together?

When I first started reading this book, I thought I'd give it a shot. Now, I'm not so convinced that  I could ever do it. I love fruit and I adore honey (both of which have, you guessed it, sugar.) But I dug in and took a deep breath.

I like her honesty in the beginning. She was a sugar addict. I can't say that I am a sugar addict. I don't eat a lot of sweets, but I love fruit (as I said) as a snack. I never really ate a lot of candy, but there are lots of foods that have hidden sugars in them, and if you can make it yourself (almond milk...I love almond milk, and there can be lots of hidden sugars in almond milk from store bought brands. If you make it yourself, so much better. She includes a recipe in the book that seems fairly simple....)

The book starts out with stats about sugar and then goes in to an 8 week "sugar free detox". While there are lots of great tips, I don't think I'd EVER make it past day two without wanting a strawberry. I'm obsessed....I love strawberries. Sorry, Sarah.

Then, there are the 108 recipes. Oh my goodness, I want to try so many of these. I made a few and they are extremely simple. Sarah explains in the beginning of the book that she does not like to waste, likes simplicity, and doesn't consider herself much of a "cook". So the recipes have very few ingredients and are quick and easy. While I do this already, she shows you how the freezer will become your new best friend for stocking up on things. While people may feel it's more time consuming or expensive, in the long run, it's going to save you time and money when you freeze your own stocks and sauces.

I don't think I could quit sugar. While I'm going to incorporate a lot of these recipes in to my cooking and life to have a healthier body, mind, and spirit, I could never ever turn my back on my fruits and honey. But if you have the willpower and stamina, GO FOR IT! I'd love to hear your results. Sarah also has a website: I Quit Sugar that you can check out as a companion with the book.

**NOTE: All my views are mine alone. I am receieved this book from Blogging for Books in return for a fair and honest review of the product shown. I am not getting paid to review this book. **

Capturing Love

Now....some of you might be thinking, "Oh my goodness, what is this she is posting..." because this is not my typical book that I would blog about. HOWEVER, I am SO SO SO grateful for Blogging for Books for their new opportunity for bloggers to branch out and try different genres of books. It makes blogging SO much more fun!

When I first saw this book, I saw it was about photography. Now, I am in so shape or form a professional photographer, but I'm a sucker for a good photograph that captures the essence of a moment. That was what drew me to this book. 

I thought it was going to be about all pretty pictures....that was what I was excited about. But this book was so much more than that. While this book is geared toward the photographer and helping capture the special moment between the same sex couple (this is what they refer to the couple as throughout the book) with amazing images that took my breath away, it is a great in depth "instructional" if you will. There are so many great tips and techniques for any photographer. It's chock full of different ideas. Whether you are shooting gay or straight sessions....anyone can learn from and gain from this book. Focusing on different angles, settings and emotions for the couples is an important part of creating the mood and capturing the couple in any photography session. This gives added advice on "general" portraits.

I also had a new perspective on the same sex marriage. I think they are beautiful and this book captures the moment for each couple beautifully. 

Martie Maguire (formally of the Dixie Chicks) states it wonderfully in her Forward about what this book is really about: "...this book not only offers an amazing collection of images of love between two people, their families, and friends, it also offers a practical and insightful step-by-step instruction for photographers on how to capture these unique wedding moments. It breaks down a million and one reasons why approaching a nontraditional wedding may require a different set of skills and considerations, and in the this book lie many ideas and solutions."

I hope you take the time to look at the amazing pictures and maybe learn something in the process. 

***This review was done solely off my own views of the subject matter. I received this book free from Blogging for Books in return for an honest review of the product. I am not getting paid to review these books.***