jbarrett5 book reviews, etc

The Most Popular President Who Ever Lived by Nancy Omeara
Like many of the concepts in this book because I can see how they would work, and would be worthwhile.
Especially like CJ and The Big B projects. Love analytical data and results. Why not use a database of sorts of where some town solved the rotary problem in their own town. It could help other tows with the same traffic issues they are having.
Very interesting and entraining read, something for everyone in this book.
Wish some of these concepts would come to fruition in our lifetimes.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg
Love this story because it's about a very strong woman who overcome obstacles in her dreams to be successful as an owner of a vineyard.
start s out when Napoleon Bonaparte is in rule in the 1700's and she is being forced to be wed, it will help her father get out of debt. Barre is hopelessly in love with the boy next door, but he's away fighting...
She meets a lot of men but none stand a chance and circumstances change for her...
She is so active at the vineyard and especially the prayer. She asks a lot of questions to understand why barrels are cured for so long, others not so long. and what makes a good wine and how to enhance it over the years from previous years harvest.
Story also focuses on the politics of the ruler and his successor. The enemies come and want to take over their buildings and hope to find riches . A lot of the women working at the vineyard are also widows with children so Barre makes sure to always find work for them. Love how others come to her aid throughout the story. Sad that her mother dies from a dye in the green material. Never heard of such a thing.
So many happy moments, but just as many sad, torturous ones. Love the travel and most learning more about the vineyard and how it's run and how they sell the wine.
Very detailed descriptions of the area and events that take place.
Very well written and enjoy this story a lot. Can't wait to read more from this author.

A Little Highland Magic by Gerri Russell
This story starts out when Pearl and Aria show up in the real world and ask for help.
Like that I can follow along as I've read the other books in the series. Author fills in the missing pieces if you have not read the previous books.
Love that others stand up for them and they find a way to make it possible for Aria to remain in the human world.
She has insights from her fairy life but they aren't as accurate in the human world... Such a great look into the fairy world where they go up against the leader...
Great detailed descriptions, I can see myself with them on the journey.
Never saw the outcome as such, who made it out of fairy world.
Can't wait to read more, they are being written now!
Adult situations.

Potty-Training Day: For Boys by Akilah Trinay, Stephanie Hider
(illustrator)
Colorful children's book about potty training, focusing on boys. Author has a previous book mostly about training girls.
What I like about this book is it is easy to follow along and there are so many tips and advice at the very end. WIsh I had this book about 45 years ago. Lucky I had a spouse who helped with our son.
Colorful pictures and sound advice. Patience is key. Love all the suggestions, give em a try yourself.
Great gift for the parents of the great grandkids.

Move to Millions: The Proven Framework to Become a Million Dollar CEO with Grace & Ease Instead of Hustle & Grind by Darnyelle Jervey Harmon
This book starts with praise and reviews from others.
Story I enjoy because it's not all rules but real life lessons.
The author can recall her early years and how things that happened then tell her what she must do to promote herself and her brand.
What I love right off the bat is when she is with her aunt and they lay out all the ingredients for a cake they are going to cook. I still do this myself, even if it's just a few ingredients. Sound call here!
Each chapter goes from subject to subject and why things are done in certain order and it all makes sense as the author describes. There is a summary of the chapter and also a story from a client who used the particular subject to make her mark.
I have also used the advice during a craft show I was part of at the end of October. Instead of just a plain layette that I had knit, I included the blanket and a baby shower bag along with tissue paper and a card for the newborn. It went over so well, everything was included in this gift the person didn't have to go from store to store to put it all together. I had done it.
So many life lessons throughout this story that I can resonate with in my life over the years.
Beautiful hard lessons to learn the hard way, author makes it sound so easy and simple, it’s a lot of hard work also.
Also understand why author didn't understand about money. My grandson who's a senior has life sciences and is learning about checking account, credit cards, finance charges etc so they can survive the real world.
So much advice and enjoy stories from other clients as it relates to what they learned from the author.
Innovative sound advice throughout the book, with a touch of faith in God and yourself. Love statistical charts that show the results and how you can follow them along so you make the right decisions.
Excellent resource book to keep referencing throughout your years climbing to the top.

The Christmas Cottage by Jane Porter
This book has something for everyone: history, architecture, romance, Christmas, travel, Mysteries and holiday fun for all.
This story starts out with Ella as she lands In England to visit with her sister during the Christmas holidays. Ella is finishing up her PhD soon and wants some quiet time to herself while celebrating with her sisters family.
She is taken aback when she sees Baird is the one picking her up. He was the best man at her sisters wedding in the US and she was his counterpart. Baird is family lawyer mostly dealing with high end divorces. Things happen that you get a vague idea about the past as they spend together we learn more about the circumstances at the wedding. They are both physically drawn to one another, not just physically and know they can never be together.
Love all the ages of the characters and hearing of their problems and how they are resolved. So much to learn from this story:
travel throughout England to various locations, even comes with travel guide information of what to go see, Scottish traditions,
intelligent conversations about writers sch as Jane Austen and philosophers, shopping at the local shops. Love hearing of the history and architecture and past centuries, and festive decorations, even simple walks outside with the dogs are refreshing.
Love family members that take over the kitchen to make their own holiday favorites-this sounds just SO fun. Enjoy learning how to make the Eton Mess dessert dish and playing cards, games, puzzles and the mystery behind Alec's troubles.
Surprise when Ella shows her mad crazy side, wicked so good! Love small things Baird does through others that really put a smile on Ella’s face.
Super love all the support, couldn't even imagine this! Last book gave me the holiday spirit back after decades of not even putting up the tree. enjoying this year, I have the faith again, thanks to this author. A KEEPER for me!
Love finding out what is in store in the next book.
Can be read as a stand alone.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Insta-Knits for Baby by Melissa Leapman
Starts with index where it shows the finished- projects and where you can find the instructions and how to make them.
Love that each section has timed projects included within. Very helpful if you know you only have a certain amount of time to complete a project.
Each project starts with a title, color photo is shown, pattern lists measurements, materials, gauge, notes on special stitches, how to assemble are shown with pictures.
Love the short but the longer patterns as well.
Such cute and colorful projects for babies. Charted patterns are also included.
Love some patterns that could be used in an afghan. Resources are listed as well as abbreviations and glossary of chart symbols, techniques, and basic knit stitches explained with pictures, author resources and so much more.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from Globe Pequot, Stackpole Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#InstaKnitsforBaby #NetGalley.

Cocoa's Christmas Love by Josie Riviera
Cute Christmas read.
Story starts out with Ivy and she and another run the local florist shop in town.
They are struggling as the promotional piece was not very flattering at all. She's a bit concerned especially when hearing another chain floral shop will be coming to town.
Story also follows Blake who is a photographer, mostly environmental items but his grandfather had taken the promotional pictures for the piece in the magazine of Ivy's shop.
He does run into her as she's rescuing a little puppy in a dark alley and he takes a liking to the puppy also. She is so caring and even taking them to the vet.
Love the turmoil and how things have solutions.
Like decorative and very festive settings throughout this book.
Great story.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

To Catch an Elf by Debra Parmley
This story starts out with Marcie and she's a house/dog sitter and loves to travel from location to location. She has no family any longer.
Story also follows Zeke and his girlfriend Brittany. He's gotten Marcie a job to watch Brittany's dog and house while they vacation in Miami.
Once Marcie arrives at the house she has a letter explaining what she must do there, take pictures of the elf doing and watching different things, according to the day it is. Brittany had entered a contest and hopes to win the big payout.
Brittany doesn't work and has everything she ever wanted, money is not a problem.
Things go sideways when Marcie notices the elf has relocated itself from the closet to where the bowls are. It really scares her out of her mind.
She is out walking Ginger the dog and starts to talk to the neighbor who's out with his dog. They like each other and start spending time together. The whole time the elf is up to other antics. Like how it all turns out and who came to the rescue. Not my typical genre but like the descriptive details and preventive measures that are taken to keep you safe.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Untold Story of Carol BIngley by Jane Hartley
This story starts out with Carol and she works at the local Marietta pharmacy. where her spouse Frank is the pharmacist. The story goes back to when Carol was only 16 and in high school, smart, so smart she's graduating and will be attending college. She has her whole life planned out. She starts to date Bill and she is just so in love with him. She's not sure why Beverly is always hanging around him... She is so naive and things take a turn for the worse, for her.
Ss the story goes on we learn about her life at a different college and what she has to endure. She never wants to return home but does as she's not sure what to do any longer. She was trained as an accountant and the local store needs her, yesterday. She decides to take the job and she knows her past is catching up with her, she has to tell others so they can understand.
Love how it ends, she is so brave and caring. Love what the family can do for her and how she treasures that.
Very heartbroken for her past, it could've been so much better. Hope the story will continue on with Easter meal with the whole family.
Love all the details, now things fit into place.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.