KIT AND ELIZABETH, REALITY CHECK, UNEXPECTED by Karen Tuft

So I've decided that on the authors I've ready multiple books from, I will do them all in one post when possible. This post is all about Karen Tuft. Enjoy!

KIT AND ELIZABETH

This was a good read that felt extremely familiar, although I can't figure out why yet. Some of the scenes were familiar enough that I thought I'd already read the book but didn't remember I had. Turns out I haven't so I'm still trying to figure it out. It was the same with some of the minor characters. I felt like I already knew them. And maybe I do, I'm just not remembering where. However, I had a hard time with Elizabeth at first. It wasn't until I realized that her childhood was extremely traumatic that I began to empathize with her. Kit was fun from the beginning, and in the end it turned out well. It is a clean read that any romantic at heart would love.

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Lady Elizabeth Spaulding's world has fallen apart. Despite living her entire life to please her demanding parents, the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has little to show for it. After Elizabeth's second failed betrothal, her father's debts and appalling acts of retaliation force him to flee the country, consigning Elizabeth and her bitter mother to a life of poverty and exile. But Elizabeth's fortunes change one day when an elderly acquaintance makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, is in need of a lady's companion—and who better than the lovely Lady Elizabeth? Determined to rescue Elizabeth from her dreary life in the country, Lady Walmsley secures the help of Kit, the dashing Earl of Cantwell, in her quest. But the young woman they find is a ghost of the charming girl they once knew. Taken in by Lady Walmsley, and with Kit's enthusiastic encouragement, Elizabeth finds herself pushed further and further from her empty solitude as she discovers the joy of truly living. Now, for the first time in her life, she must decide for herself who she is and if she deserves to be loved.

REALITY CHECK

I really enjoyed this story. It was fun to read a little behind the scenes on some of the bachelor type shows. It was fun to see the development of relationships in an unconventional way. It was fun to see how Lucy and Ethan changed. I loved traveling to the different places with the characters and getting to feel their excitement. I would highly recommend this read to any and everyone.

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After college graduation, Lucy Kendrick heads home with big plans for work, travel, and relishing her freedom—which means no romantic entanglements. But her two best friends have other ideas. Lucy is seriously steamed when she realizes they’ve signed her up to be a contestant on the reality dating show Soulmates, but she decides not to renege and soon finds herself in Los Angeles—a small-town Mormon girl vying for the love of millionaire bachelor Ethan Glass. At first this cute, smart, fun young woman, who would rather pray than party, bewilders Ethan. But his interest and admiration grow with every encounter. However, the conniving associate producer is determined to stir up some made-for-TV drama and takes strides to make this reality television show anything but real. When the show finally airs, Lucy has been recast as someone she unquestionably is not. Lucy is left humiliated in front of the world, and Ethan is left wondering who the Lucy is that he was falling in love with. Will the duplicities that have created this humiliation ever come to light? And will the truth emerge too late for the would-be soulmates?

UNEXPECTED

This book was a cute read, but not my favorite. Maybe it seemed a little to forced? I'm not sure. As this is Karen's first book, I can definitely see the growth in her as an author when reading several back to back. It is a good, clean read that would resinate with many. I would recommend it to anyone. It just wasn't for me.

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Eleven years ago, Ross McConnell was devastated by the betrayal of the woman of his dreams. Time does not heal all wounds, and after more than a decade, Ross is no closer to finding love. When his well-meaning family attempts to play matchmaker, he concedes by creating a list detailing his perfect mate: A member of the Church. Beauty-queen looks. College educated. Never married. Perhaps he’ll give love another try, if such perfection exists . . .

Natalie Forrester is no stranger to heartache. After two failed marriages, the beautiful single mother of three is determined to make it on her own. Without a college degree, she starts at the bottom: working as a housekeeper may not be glamorous, but it’s her first exhilarating step toward independence. And Natalie’s most recent cleaning job is ideal—the guy is always out of town, and the pay will go a long way toward supporting her missionary son. Maybe luck is finally on her side.

And then Ross and Natalie meet . . . and meet again. And following a series of awkward encounters, Ross is shocked by his growing attraction for this woman. Natalie couldn’t be farther from his ideal woman, and she is firm in her determination to keep her heart closed to love. But as their tenuous friendship develops and deepens, will the unlikely pair have the courage to set aside the disappointments of the past to catch hold of a bright new future?

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART by Stephanie Burgis

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART by Stephanie Burgis. I picked this book up thinking it might be a good read for my son's third grade class. Some people believe that if a book has a female protagonist that it's not a book for boys. I strongly disagree. This book would be a great read for boys and girls. It shows the power of loyalty, friendship, and family. It shows that as independent as we feel or want to be, there are those around that will always be there to help with things get overwhelming. This is such a good read to show those life lesson, and it's done with dragons, chocolate, and magic. Who could as for more?

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A chocolate-filled, girl-powered fantasy with a witty heroine who learns what home truly means, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale.

"Will satisfy readers who hunger for feel-good tales that pack a girl-power punch, like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted or the movie Moana." --School Library Journal on The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart

Silke has always been good at spinning the truth and storytelling. So good that, just years after arriving in the kingdom as a penniless orphan, she has found her way to working for the most splendid chocolate makers in the city as a master promoter. Although Silke loves her work at the Chocolate Heart, she's certain it's not going to last, and what Silke wants more than anything is somewhere to call home--somewhere safe. But when your best friend is a dragon-turned-hot-tempered-girl, trouble is always right around the corner. 

Then Silke gets the opportunity she's been waiting for: the Crown Princess personally asks her to spy on the Elfenwald royal family during their first visit to the kingdom. In return, Silke will have the home she's always wanted in the secure palace. But Silke has her own dark, secret reasons for not trusting fairies . . . and her mission isn't as simple as she hoped. Soon, she discovers that her city is in danger--and that maybe it's more her home than she ever realized.

Can Silke find out the truth about the fairies while keeping her own secrets hidden?

A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year

CATASTROPHES & HEROES:TRUE STORIES OF MAN-MADE DISASTERS by Jerry Borrowman

CATASTROPHES & HEROES:TRUE STORIES OF MAN-MADE DISASTERS by Jerry Borrowman. Wow. I have never heard of any of these catastrophes. It was fascinating to read what happened, what went wrong, who actually took responsibility for their actions, and the amazing people who were the heroes in the situations. I can't believe the arrogance of some people and how truly could not see the mistakes they made. Then there are those who felt so responsible, they couldn't live with themselves. In every situation there were those who stepped up and helped though. It is a reminder that in the midst of a crisis, good people come out of the woodworks and take care of what needs to be taken care of, most of the time without regard to their own life. This is an inspiring read that will leave anyone in awe of the accomplishments of different eras as well as amazed at the failures. I highly recommend it.

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A century of the industrial age saw unprecedented leaps in technology and engineering, from the first flight of an airplane to the first flight of humans to the moon. But alongside these awe-inspiring achievements were horrible disasters caused by faulty engineering or careless judgement. Catastrophes and Heroes explores eight such disasters and recognizes the unheralded heroes who stepped up to save others in times of great danger.

Included in this collection are the stories of female phone operators who, despite being in the path of destruction after the Los Angeles St. Francis Dam collapsed in 1928, stayed on the job to warn others to evacuate, Ernest Hemingway, who assisted survivors in his own boat after a hurricane destroyed the Florida East Coast Railway in 1935, and Ernest Betts who, though knowing little first aid, saved thirty people after the streamliner train The City of San Francisco crashed in the Nevada mountains in 1939.

Filled with little-known stories and historical insights, this book explores the rich history of the marvels of engineering and technological advances in the span of a century and reveals how the perils, though disastrous, gave rise to heroism and compassion at a time when machines were supposed to do it all.

RAKES AND ROSES by Josi S Kilpack

RAKES AND ROSES by Josi S Kilpack. It is so fun to have a series with characters that overlap. This next installment of the Mayfield family goes right along with that. Harry is a fantastic character. We don't get to see the rakes of the regency era very often if at all. I enjoyed seeing that side as well as the more prim and proper side in Lady Sabrina. Lord Damion is another wonderful addition to the cast that shows once again, another side of the era. People going around doing good, trying to help those who have basically destroyed their lives. And people wanting and being willing to change. This is truly a story of change, and not just to impress the girl. A change from the inside out. It shows that though it may be difficult, it is worth it. I would highly recommend this story to anyone.

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Harry Stillman cares nothing for his future and spends his time at gaming tables, horse races, and in the company of whatever beautiful woman has caught his eye that week. He has little use for society or his uncle’s approval—until his debts begin exceeding his profits. When Uncle Elliott refuses to pay off the debt, and instead offers him a large, monetary wedding gift if Harry were to marry a woman of his uncle’s approval, Harry is offended, angry, and … scared. His dire straits drives him to seek out the infamous Lord Damion—a moneylender who extolls a heavy price for his assistance.

Lord Damion, however, is not a lord at all, or even a man. When Lady Sabrina’s cheating husband leaves her, then ends up dying in a carriage accident, she creates a plan to ensure her future security through the secret persona of Lord Damion, and she is quickly becoming the richest woman in England.

When Harry presents his case to Lord Damion—hidden behind a partition and communicating through notes, not speech—she finds him ridiculous but somewhat endearing and agrees to consider his situation. However, when she finds Harry unconscious in the gutter later that day, his leg badly broken and his face barely recognizable from the beating that’s left him on the edge of death, she transports him to a house she keeps in Wimbledon.

When Harry wakes, he is surprised to find himself in widow Sabrina’s house. Through the weeks of recovery, Harry is humbled by Sabrina’s selfless care, and reveals details of his character he has not shown to anyone. For her part, Sabrina finds herself more and more drawn to him, impressed by his determination to gain his strength and change his ways. Secretly, Sabrina pays off his debts to preserve him from further harm and tries not to let her heart become entangled. To love a man like this, again, would be her ruin.

Knee-deep in secrets, both Harry and Sabrina must decide what true love means to them, and how to navigate the pitfalls of high English society. In the end, they must both decide which is more important: wealth or true love.

SIX SISTERS' STUFF HEALTHY EATS COOKBOOK

HEALTHY EATS WITH SIX SISTERS' STUFF COOKBOOK. This has become my new go to cookbook. Everything I have made from this book, my kids have liked. That's pretty much a first at my house. I will say that I didn't necessarily have the exact "healthy" ingredients in my house right now (due to the quarintine), but all the food has been really good. The recipes are fairly easy and straighforward for someone who doesn't enjoy cooking very much. I highly recommend this to everyone from the seasoned chef to the person who doesn't like to be in the kitchen.

Here is an article that goes along well with eating healthy, especially during COVID-19. It also talks about how COVID-19 has effected our shopping and pantries. Take a look and let me know what you think. EATING HEALTHY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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When it comes to preparing meals, choosing between healthy and convenient can be a real struggle. Until now.

Popular bloggers and cookbook authors Six Sisters' Stuff have gathered more than 100 of their top most-requested healthy recipes that combine their fast-and-easy cooking style with fresh ingredients for delicious and family-friendly meals. Whether you are serving a full three-course meal, grabbing a quick afternoon snack, or need to take a dish to a potluck, there is a recipe here that will fit your lifestyle and busy schedule as well as satisfy your taste buds.

With each recipe coming in at under 500 calories, this cookbook offers a great place to start for people who are looking to lose weight, who would like to prepare meals using more natural foods, or who are simply working to maintain a more balanced lifestyle.

With Healthy Eats with Six Sisters' Stuff, it's never been easier to provide healthy snacks and meals for on-the-go families.

Sample Recipes:

Breakfast
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
Chocolate-Banana Blender Muffins
Red Potato Turkey Bacon Bake
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Muffins
Breakfast Tostadas
Bagel Thin Egg White Breakfast Sandwiches
Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

Lunch
Flat bread Veggie Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Skinny BBQ Chicken Tostadas
Cajun Chicken Sausage Bake
Make-Ahead Bean and Rice Burritos
Sweet Potato Taco Bowls
Grilled Salmon Salad
Shredded Beef and Sweet Potato Tacos

Main Dish
Grilled Cajun Lime Chicken
Lemon Garlic Salmon
Garlic Steak Kebabs
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry
Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Shrimp Protein Bowl with Mango Salsa
Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Sides
Garlic-Lime Sweet Potato Fries
Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus
Honey-Roasted Carrots
Homemade Naan
Honey Dijon Brussel Sprouts

LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech

LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech. This fun middle grade book is formatted like poems. For me, it takes a couple of pages to get into that kind of format. It was interesting to read a story that way as well. I enjoyed the subject and still learned a lot about the character as well. I would recommend this as a fairly quick read for most middle graders.

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The Newbery Medal-winning author of Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech, brings readers a story with enormous heart.

Love That Dog shows how one boy named Jack finds his voice with the help of a teacher, a pencil, some yellow paper, and of course, a dog. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack's point of view, and with classic poetry included in the back matter, this novel is perfect for kids and teachers, too.

Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments--and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns that he does have something to say.

"I guess it does
look like a poem
when you see it
typed up
like that."

WIZARD FOR HIRE: MAGIC REQUIRED by Obert Skye

WIZARD FOR HIRE: MAGIC REQUIRED by Obert Skye. I have been really excited for this book, and it did not disappoint. Well, there was a part in the middle when I began to doubt and was unsure of my predictions. In fact, it carried through till almost the end of the book. However, the ending was perfect and everything is right in the world, at least Ozzy and Sigi's world. I loved it and can't recommend the series enough. 

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Ozzy and his friend Sigi are in more danger than ever before. After being injected with the mind-controlling serum his parents created, Ozzy is learning to control the minds of people, but he is still being hunted by Ray, the power-mad villain who will stop at nothing to find and possess the formula. And on top of that the wizard Rin is missing, leaving Ozzy to wonder once again if magic really does exist. When it becomes apparent that the minds and free will of all mankind are in danger of being controlled by whoever controls the serum, Ozzy and Sigi join forces with four new friends that claim magic-like abilities. When Rin finally returns, Ozzy will discover once and for all what happened to his parents, what really happens at those popular fantasy conventions, and if magic truly exists.