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.

:) :) :) :) :)

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

:) :) :) :) :)

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.

:) :) :) :

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. 

:) :) :) :) :)

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.

LAKESHIRE PARK by Megan Walker

LAKESHIRE PARK by Megan Walker. I enjoyed this story. It showed a different side of the regency era and how if you didn't have an inheritance or a relative willing to support you, there was not much that could be done. I really felt Amelia's drive to make sure her sister was taken care of. I felt the urgency and frustration when Mr. Wood got in the way. I felt how Amelia could tell she had no choice but to play by his rules in order to take care of her sister. I also felt her heart softening. Once everything is taken, I can imagine how hard it would be to give up the only thing she had left to claim. It was satisfying, if that's a good way to describe it, to what things unfold. It showed a true journey of the heart, including the heartbreak along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone.

:) :) :) :)

Brighton, England 1820

Amelia Moore is worried about her and her sister's future. With their stepfather's looming death, she knows they'll soon be on their own—without an inheritance, home, or penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia is eager to encourage a match between her sister, Clara, and Sir Ronald. At least then, she'll know her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his sister. Starting with a quarrel over a glove, Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry—one that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim—her heart.

DEBT FREE DEGREE by Anthony ONeal

DEBT FREE DEGREE by Anthony ONeal. This is a good read. For me, there was not a lot of new information in it, but I have been through college and followed those steps myself for the most part. The new information I did find was really good. ONeal has a running list of scholarships on his website. I would have loved to have that resource as I prepared for college. For parents who have not been to college or who are unsure how to help their child get through college or really any parent out there should read this book. Student loans are killing students as they graduate, and this is an extremely helpful resource to help students get through college without any debt. And, as ONeal said many times in his book, it's never too late to start. So take a look.

:) :) :) :) :)

Every parent wants the best for their child.

That's why they send them to college But most parents struggle to pay for school and end up turning to student loans. That's why the majority of graduates walk away with $35,000 in student loan debt and no clue what that debt will really cost them.

Student loan debt doesn't open doors for young adults--it closes them. They postpone getting married and starting a family. That debt even takes away their freedom to pursue their dreams. But there is a different way. Going to college without student loans is possible 

In Debt-Free Degree, Anthony ONeal teaches parents how to get their child through school without debt, even if they haven't saved for it. He also shows parents: 

• How to prepare their child for college
• Which classes to take in high school
• How and when to take the ACT and SAT
• The right way to do college visits
• How to choose a major

A college education is supposed to prepare a graduate for their future, not rob them of their paycheck and freedom for decades. Debt-Free Degree shows parents how to pay cash for college and set their child up to succeed for life.

WILLA AND THE WHALE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

WILLA AND THE WHALE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. What a great way to show how different people deal with different emotions. Grief is an interesting animal and sometimes it does takes animals to help people through it. In Willa's case, it was Meg, a blue whale. I loved the relationship that Willa had with Meg. I love how Meg was able to help Willa through her grief and issues everyone seems to have at school. And I love how Meg really steps up and solves a whale sized problem with the help of loved ones around her. I would recommend this book to any and everyone, especially those who could use a different view point in how to deal with and how those around them may be dealing with different emotions.

:) :) :) :)

After losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do.

While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side. Willa feels so lonely that she starts to talk to the whale—and the whale talks back!

The whale, named Meg, quickly becomes a trusted friend and confidante Willa can speak to whenever she's by the ocean.

Meg offers sound advice Willa needs about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her friend Marc is keeping secrets about his family life.

Before the story ends, it will take all of Willa's courage and connections to tackle a problem that's as big as a blue whale!