HARVEST by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis, Photography by David Fenton, Ten Speed Press, 215 pages

"Harvest is a practical, inspirational, and seasonal guide 

to living with an edible landscape." 

Introduction

Harvest is beautifully photographed by David Fenton with vibrant-colored subjects that jump right from the page. 

Now that I have shared one of favorite parts, let me share other portions of this book.

Stefani and Alethea share several projects for garden plants and garden enthusiasts that may be used in everyday living situations. For lilacs, they suggest a Lilac Flower Cream to use on "your skin or to flavor sweet dishes." Also, there is a recipe for Bachelor's Buttons flower to create a flavored butter to enhance the grilled fish, flank steak, or grilled vegetables.

The Scented Geranium recipe presented is a flavoring to rim a glass of pear brandy which can be utilized for your favorite liqueur.

Other projects include Lemon Bee Balm Tea, Rosewater Facial Toner, a Persimmon Wreath, Turmeric Dye, and Calendula-Infused Essential Oil. 

All recipes in this book are creative, useful, and with easy-to-follow instructions for the person who does not prepare their own concoctions on a regular basis.

I recommend this book to persons who enjoy creating and preparing from their garden plants other than the ordinary floral arrangement. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an unbiased opinion and review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.

GATHER around the AMISH TABLE by Lucy Leid

"Enjoy the stories and the good food. May God bless your fellowship 

around your own table with the ones you love." 

The Editors, Introduction

Gather around the Amish Table is one of the better recipes books I have read in a while. Most recipes have a short 2 to 3 paragraph story from the PlainCommunity "horse-and-buggy people" who contributed their recipes for this compilation.

All recipes are plainly written and have easy-to-follow instructions for all cooks at any culinary level. There are ten sections that include everything from Breakfast to Snacks, Beverages and Extras to Meats and Main Dishes. I will share a few sections with you to show recipes that may spike your interest as did mine.

The Breakfast and the Breads & Spreads sections you will find casseroles, granola, flavored oatmeal, pancakes and waffles, No-Knead Refrigerator Rolls, doughnuts, and drop biscuits.

The Salads & Pickles section have Red Beet and Apple Salad, Ella's Zucchini Relish, Bread and Butter Pickles.

Snacks, Beverages & Extras share Kitchen-Made Apple Butter, Chocolate Syrup, Homemade Tea Concentrate, Four-Hour Root Beer, Homemade Baby Wipes, and Amazing Cleaner.

How do you end an amazing cookbook perfectly?  With a full menu under 'Food to Prepare for a Barn Raising (enough food to feed 180 men).'

There is nothing that is not included in Gather around the Amish Table and with community stories added, it definitely completes this well-rounded recipe book. 

I highly recommend this recipe cookbook if you are seeking made-from-scratch, down-home recipes with flavor, pizazz, and natural ingredients.

I received this book from the Litfuse Group in exchange for an honest opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.

THE WONDER of HIS NAME by Nancy Leigh De Moss , Moody Publishers

How many names do you use for Jesus Christ? Jesus, Son of God, Mighty God, Bread of Life, Savior, Redeemer, and Lamb of God are a few of the names and title that are discussed in the The Wonder of His Name.

Each name is discussed and accompanied by Bible scripture, three quotes from renowned persons past and present with summary discussions lending reasons for using that particular name and or title.

The artwork by Timothy Botts is colorful and pleasing to the eye. I recommend to all believers in Christ to add onto their inspirational bookshelf.

I received this complimentary book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

THE NO-HOMEWORK WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: Group Hug by Christine Tate, 50 pages

Group Hug is first in a series of group Bible study guides for women with an additional four books to be published soon. The study guide contains eight weekly sessions that have the following sections: Ice Breaker; Optional Weekly Personal Challenges; Closing Prayer; Notes and Lesson Discussion Questions.

There is a page in the front of the study guide for group members’ names and telephone numbers in addition to space for those in attendance for each weekly lesson.

Weekly Lessons are compact with sections having a noted time to keep sessions limited to sixty minutes.

The guide is good for individual, group study, and recommended to Church leaders for their respective women’s group classes.

I received this guide from Book Crash Reviewer Program in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED by William Gage

For This Child I Prayed by William Gage is a short story inspired by Hannah, mother of Samuel in the first Book of Samuel, Chapter 1. This story is also inspired by the painting ‘Hannah presenting her Son to the High Priest Eli’ which currently hangs in the Lourve.

Gage brings warmth and heartfelt tenderness to Hannah’s dilemma of being unable to conceive a child for her husband Elkanah. His second wife Peninnah teases and taunts Hannah due to her incapability to have a child.

Hannah learns how to pray and vows to give her child as a sacrifice to the service of the Lord. She is answered but rethinks the vow made to the Lord.

The story is moving and inspired me to re-read the Book of Samuel, Chapter 1 as the verses reminded me having faith will lead you to what the Lord has in store for your life.

I recommend this short story to readers of novellas and persons of faith. I received this complimentary novella from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

FRENCH FRY by Glynis Astie, Tikinou LLC

Pregnant, racing hormones, confined to a bed rest (I can relate) is all done in good humor as Sydney continues her adventure with ‘Prince Charming.”

Even though I have never been married, I have heard horror stories regarding ‘mother-in-laws’. Sydney’s mother-in-law is no different as she embarks on her new life with Louis and handling her first adventure with becoming a mother.

Some women dream of finding their ‘prince charming’ and remain in marital bliss forever, while others do not. After reading Sydney’s journey, you may want to re-visit whether or not you believe in “finding my Prince Charming and living happily ever after.” This third installment in the French Twist series is inspired by Glynnis Astie’s personal life and well written.

I suggest reading the previous novels, French Twist #1 and French Toast #2, to get a full understanding how Sydney started on her fairyland adventure. I recommend to all avid readers of romance novels alike.

I received this complimentary novel from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

TWENTY DINNERS by Ithai Schori and Chris Taylor with Rachel Holtzman, Photographs by Nicole Franzen - Clarkson Potter Publishers

Need a refreshing cook book for all seasons? You have just found it inside the covers of Twenty Dinners. Divided into four seasons Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer with sections on techniques, tools, pantry, handy advice, and shopping for ingredients there are good pointers for purchasing and storing your food such as cheese, meat, fruits, and vegetables. The additional section, The Home Bar, which shares advice on setting up a beverage bar (tools, how-to-stock, mixing). The enticing menus have accompanying beverage suggestions to compliment your dinner.

I would like to share recipes I am interested in preparing in the future:

Shaved Brussel Sprouts

Poached  Pears

Caesar Salad with Egg in a Frame

Marinated Zucchini and Mint Salad

Spiced Red Wine

I recommend this cookbook to all who enjoy preparing scrumptious meals to share with family and friends and all who prepare single serve dinners. I received this book through the Blogging for Books reviewer program in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

BUZZ BOOKS 2015 Spring/Summer, Publishers Lunch/Cader Company, Inc.

Buzz Books, any year, is a catalogue of upcoming novels, the publisher and a short plot description. Usually it is separated into sections such as Fiction, Nonfiction, and Debut Fiction and published twice a year according to seasons: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.

The 2015 Spring/Summer list consists of Part One: Fiction, Part Two: Debut Fiction, and Part Three: Nonfiction. Novels I believe worth reading are as follows:

Part One: Fiction

THE FIFTH GOSPEL by Ian Caldwell, Simon and Schuster

Two Vatican priests’ adventures as they try to fulfill the dying wish of Pope J. Paul II to reunite Catholicism and Orthodoxy

THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU by A.J. Rich

Woman seeks reasoning behind boyfriend’s death and who is murdering his exes.

SEVENEVES by Neal Stephenson, Harper Collins

Futuristic

Part Two: Debut Fiction

KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST by J. Ryan Stradal, Penguin Random

Recipes passed from father to daughter who morphs into a star chef

PART THREE: Non-Fiction

PIECES OF MY MOTHER by Melissa Cistero, Sourcebooks/Landmark

Woman abandoned by mother as a child

I recommend this book to all avid readers who wish to keep in the know on upcoming novel reading material. I received this book from the Net Galley Reviewer Program in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

BREAKING ALL THE RULES by Cat Lavoie, CLP BOOK TOURS

Ethan is a little stiff wanting to elope with Roxy and marry on a beach, just the two of them, because he had the big wedding with his first wife that ended in divorce. 

Roxy has always wanted a church wedding with family and friends in attendance like she dreamed since the time she played with Barbies. 

How will these two lovebirds compromise regarding plans for their nuptials without calling off the wedding?

Recommended to those who love modern romances and dream wedding love stories will be delighted while reading this book on breaking rules.

I received this book through CLP Tours for an unbiased review.

BEDSIDE MANNERS by Phoebe Fox, Henery Press

Brooke, The Breakup Doctor, is back on the scene giving relationship advice to those in need. Brooke’s life seems to be in order and her friend Sacha has calmed down quite a bit.

Jake, Brooke’s dog, seems as though he is one of the main characters in this second installment of the series. I like dogs as much as the next person, but I felt there was excess discussion about him, which caused me to stop reading the novel.

I truly enjoyed Bedside Manners more than this second book of the series. I recommend this book to persons interested in genres related to dating, relationship advice, and love of dogs.

I received this book from the Net Galley Reviewer Program in exchange for an unbiased opinion.