Book ~ "Always and Forever Love" (2013) Lynn Crandall

From Goodreads ~ The presence of a ghost in her life doesn't alarm Lacy Aegar - in fact it makes her happy. Two and a half years ago when her dead husband, Nicholas, reappeared in her life as a full-bodied spirit, she questioned her sanity. But with Nicholas's explanation that things about life are not as she's always believed, she settled into a pleasant routine of working with her sister at their private investigation business and enjoying home life with her now eight-year-old son - with Nicholas never very far away.

Lacey's complacency and sense of stability is sent topsy-turvy when she runs into Jackson Carter, the son of powerful and influential business tycoon William Carter. Typical of the Carter reputation, Jackson's slick, new private investigating business is siphoning off clients from the Aegar sisters' business, creating financial difficulty. It's a recurring nightmare for Lacey, who has already seen damage done by the Carter family, and when she encounters Jackson, she wants nothing to do with him.

But things are not what they seem when it comes to Jackson Carter, either. Unbeknownst to Lacey and her sister, Jackson is fighting a battle to preserve his business, too, and his integrity. For him, it's a fight for his soul, and he enlists Lacey's help because of her unique investigative skills and open heart. When she uncovers a mole in his business, she also discovers that one of his clients' drug trials has been given the green light to go to the next phase based on falsified data. As they work together to save both their businesses, Jackson and Lacey not only face death, they come to grips with their feelings about love and life. With Nicholas's help, Lacey comes to understand that love is always and forever, but in choosing Jackson, she chooses a full life, a life worth living.

Lacey and her sister, Sterling are private detectives. Jackson Carter has a rival firm which doesn't make Lacy happy.  Plus Jackson's father, William, is a ruthless businessman who will do anything to succeed which makes her like him less.  When no one takes him seriously, Jackson's nephew, Jason, hires Lacey when his dog, Snickers, disappears.

With her keen powers of observation, Lacey finds Snickers, which impresses Jackson ... so much so that he wants to hire her to find out who is sabotaging his business.

Lacey's husband, Nick, was a cop and had died in the line of duty.  For the last couple of years, he has been visiting her ... yes, visiting her.  Believing this is enough, she focuses on her work and her son.  But when she meets Jackson, this all changes and she fights the attraction she has for him knowing that if she makes a life with Jackson, she will lose Nick forever.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was okay.  It's a fast read ... everything happens pretty quickly.  It was an interesting to have the mystery but also have the supernatural aspect.

Book ~ "Sitcom: A History in 24 Episodes from I Love Lucy to Community" (2014) Saul Austerlitz

From Goodreads ~ A carefully curated tour through TV comedy series, this mixtape of fondly remembered shows surveys the genealogy of the form, the larger trends in its history, the best of what the genre has accomplished, and the most standard of its works. From I Love Lucy, The Phil Silvers Show, and M*A*S*H to Taxi, The Larry Sanders Show, and 30 Rock, this guide presents the sitcom as a capsule version of the 20th-century arts - realism giving way to modernism and then to postmodernism, all between the hours of 8 and 10pm on weeknights. Each chapter springs from an individual representative entity, including The Simpsons’ “22 Short Films About Springfield,” The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s “Chuckles Bites the Dust,” Seinfeld’s “The Pitch,” and Freaks and Geeks’ “Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers,” where Martin Starr’s nerdy Bill takes comfort in - what else - the pleasures of laughing at TV.

The author has chosen one episode from the following sitcoms, starting with the 1950s through to today, and focused on what made this particular episode stand out, providing a detailed analysis (there's obviously been a lot of time and research involved).

1. I Love Lucy
2. The Honeymooners
3. The Phil Silvers Show
4. Leave it to Beaver
5. The Dick Van Dyke Show
6. Gilligan's Island
7. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
8. All in the Family
9. M*A*S*H
10. Taxi
11. Cheers
12. The Cosby Show
13. Roseanne
14. The Simpsons
15. Seinfeld
16. The Larry Sanders Show
17. Friends
18. Sex in the City
19. Freaks and Geeks
20. Curb Your Enthusiasm
21. Arrested Development
22. The Office
23. 30 Rock
24. Community

Over the years, I've watched most of these shows so it was interesting to read how they have broken ground for future sitcoms.  Also, the provides info on the shows ... like the two Beckys on Roseanne, the relationship of Diane and Sam on Cheers, racial representation on All in the Family, The Jeffersons and The Cosby Show, etc.

If you're a fan of any or all of these sitcoms, I think you'll enjoy this book.  As a head's up, at times the language is for mature readers.

Book ~ "The Complete A**hole Dad: Random Musings of an Inappropriate Parent" (2014) Dan Indante

From Goodreads ~ Dan Indante is a bitter, vindictive attorney most famous for writing the seminal relationship book The Complete A**hole's Guide To Handling Chicks, quite possibly the most offensive work in the history of American literature. 

Now, still lacking any sense of maturity but beholden to two kids and a wife, 40-plus-year-old, fat, balding, unrepentant Dan pretends to be a model parent during PTA meetings and Little League games while secretly writing hateful screeds (like this book) which rage against the banality of modern parenting. Dan lives and works in Beverly Hills until the creditors from his various real estate projects catch up to him.

Dan is a husband, a dad of two kids and has two Golden Retrievers.  These are his ... er .... um ... words of wisdom from what he has learned about being a dad.

He starts by describing the birth of his kids, the importance of a binkie (aka pacifier), being alone with the baby for the first time, the difference between boys versus girls, getting the kids to sleep in their own beds, etc.  Then he tells us about the activities he's been sucked into by being a dad such as birthday parties, Girl Scout cookies, karate, Chinese language class, circus class, toys, dancing and camp.  Then comes the dilemma of whether to send his kids to private school or public school.  He is very involved in his kids' lives and coaches their baseball, soccer and basketball teams.  There are also sections on travel and pets, finishing with a chapter on life in general (things that would fit in the other chapters).

The writing is very sarcastic and exaggerated ... I found it humorous.  I am child-free and I appreciated the musings.  The language is for a mature reader.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a funny book on parenting and don't get offended easily.

Book ~ "The Smart Girl's Guide to Getting What You Want: How to be Assertive with Wit, Style and Grace" (2014) Mary Hartley

From Goodreads ~ Do you feel like you’re not heard but you don’t want to have to scream?

Personal development coach Mary Hartley explains the secrets of assertiveness – of how to communicate with other people in ways that are confident, effective – but also considerate. Mary reveals the simple steps you can take to help you relate to other people honestly and openly in every area of your life – at work, with your friends and family and in your love life. You will discover that you can be true to yourself and your needs without hurting or diminishing other people.

• What assertiveness is and why it matters
• How to avoid aggression, passivity and manipulation
• Tips for handling tricky situations including put-downs and dealing with bullies
• Mastering assertive body language and communication 

Packed with practical strategies and exercises, this book will show you how to be confident, assured and proactive – with style.

I like reading "girl power" books and enjoyed this one.

For the most part, I don't have a problem being assertive.  But as an educator, I spend a lot of time dealing with people so I like reading books on how to handle different situations. 

According to the author, assertiveness is:

"... a way of behaving and communicating that is based on acceptance of oneself and of other people.  It demonstrates confidence without being overconfident, and self-control without trying to control others.

It shows that you respect yourself and you respect other people as well - in fact, you respect others too much to play games with them or to patronise them by assuming they cannot take dissent or disagreement.

When you behave assertively, you are open and honest without hurting or diminishing others."

The chapters are:

• What is a Smart Girl?:  The author tells us what is a "Smart Girl", why we find it hard to be assertive (we want to be liked, you assume negative consequences, etc.) and why we should be assertive
• The Bulldozer, the Pushover, the Snake - and the Star:  These are different styles of behavior and why people behave this way
• Getting the right mindset:  Letting go of guilt, taking responsibility for yourself, etc.
• Step-by-step guide to assertive communication:  There are six steps starting with identifying what you are feeling
• How to say it - smart body language:  Tone of voice, posture, gestures, etc.
• Saying "no" without losing your friends or your job
• Dealing with criticism
• Tricky situations in your personal and social life:  Answering difficult questions from people you aren't close to (like why aren't you married, when you've lost your job, you've broken up with someone, etc.), dealing with visitors when you don't feel like seeing anyone, saying "no" to a friend, etc.
• Dealing with difficult people:  How to deal with the bulldozer, the pushover and the snake
• Praise and compliments:  How to give and receive compliments

I liked the writing style.  I found it was friendly and conversational.  There were lots of examples and suggested solutions for various situations that you can put to use right away.

Book ~ "The Joy of Pubs: Everything You Wanted to Know About Britain's Favourite Drinking Establishment" (2013) Frank Hopkinson

From Goodreads ~ Following on in the same vain of The Joy of Sheds, The Joy of Pubs is an intoxicating publication detailing everything and anything you want to know about pubs. It celebrates the many facets of the traditional British pub over the years, with chapters on: Pub Characters, Pub Games, Pub Fiddles (how the licensee has shafted his customers over the years), Pub Teams and Pub History from Geoffrey Chaucer to Jeffrey Bernard.

It features the great pubs of literature – Robert Louis Stevenson’s Admiral Benbow, Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn and Charles Dickens’ The Grapes; the great pubs of film – The Crown Inn at Amersham (Four Weddings and a Funeral), the Crown Inn at Wells (Hot Fuzz); the great pubs of TV – apart from the Rover's Return, Queen Vic and Woolpack.

It features tales of barring, of dodgy deals of riotous lock-ins and of strange hauntings. The perfect present for anyone who loves their pub or just the idea that they have a pub.

Gord and I love pubs so I thought this book would be interesting.

The chapters are:

• Introduction
• Pub games - cards, cribbage, darts, billards and quizzes
• Pubs on TV - from shows such as Eastenders, The Brown Cow and Coronation Street
• Pub crimes - including the great train robbery and Jack the Ripper
• Pub names - why pub names have "angel", "black dog", "bull", "swan", etc. in them
• Pub records - highest pub, smallest pub, largest pub, oldest pub (Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem which is not to have existed at least as long as 1189!), the most remote (The Old Forge in Scotland which has no roads to it ... it's either a seven-mile passenger ferry or an 18-mile hike), the most common name ("The Red Lion")
• Pubs in films
• Pubs in literature
• Pub crawls
• Pubs with ghosts
• Pubs in the news
• Pub history

Though about pubs in Britain, I found most of the info interesting.  It made me envious because a lot of the pubs are old ... Toronto's oldest pub (one of my favourite pubs) is the Wheat Sheaf, which started serving drinks in 1849.  There are some old pictures of pubs scattered throughout the book.

This book made me want to book a trip to Britain just to check out the pubs!

Book ~ "The Every-Other-Day Diet: The Diet That Lets You Eat All You Want (Half the Time) and Keep the Weight Off" (2013) Krista Varady and Bill Gottlieb

From Goodread ~ "The Every-Other-Day Diet is the perfect diet for me."

That's the satisfied declaration of a dieter who lost 41 pounds on the Every-Other-Day Diet (and kept it off!). You too can expect dramatic results with this revolutionary approach to weight loss that is incredibly simple, easy, and effective. Created by Dr. Krista Varady, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, the Every-Other-Day Diet will change the way you think of dieting forever. Among its many benefits:

It's science-tested, science-proven. Dr. Varady has conducted many scientific studies on the Every-Other-Day Diet, involving hundreds of people, with consistently positive results published in top medical journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Obesity. Unlike most other diets, the Every-Other-Day Diet is proven to work.

It's remarkably simple-and effective. On Diet Day, you limit calories. On Feast Day, you eat anything you want and as much as you want. You alternate Diet Day and Feast Day. And you lose weight, steadily and reliably.

There's no constant deprivation. The Every-Other-Day Diet doesn't involve day after day of dietary deprivation because you can still indulge every-other day.

It's easy to keep the weight off. With other diets, you lose weight only to regain it, the frustrating fate of most dieters. But The Every-Other-Day Diet includes the Every-Other-Day Success Plan, an approach to weight maintenance proven to work in a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

This book offers all of the research, strategies, tips, and tools you need to believe in the Every-Other-Day Diet and easily implement it in your life. It also includes more than 80 quick and delicious recipes for Diet Day, as well as a list of tasty prepared foods that make meals as easy as 1-2-3.

The Every-Other-Day Diet is perfect for anyone who wants to shed pounds and feel great, without hunger and defeat.

We all know that the way to lose weight is to eat less and more healthily and exercise more.  Yet I'm always interested in reading the different diet books to see what their approach is.

This one is simple ... you eat 500 calories on "Diet Day" of anything you want and then as much as you want of anything you want the next day ("Feast Day") and keep alternating days (hence the name ... "every other day").  You can have booze but keep in mind that on Diet Day, depending on what you drink, you may not have many calories left for food.

In theory, it makes sense to me.  You are eating about 25% of your usual calories on Diet Day.  Say on  Feast Day you eat what you usually eat which equals 100% of your usual calories.  So between the two days you are eating 125% of your calories rather than 200%.  Then you do it again the next two days and so on.  Even if you overate on Feast Day to 125%, you are still only eating 150% of your calories rather than 200% between the two days.

On Diet Day, you can have whatever you want as long as you don't go over your 500 calories.  The author suggests you skip breakfast and have a 400 calorie lunch or supper and a 100 calorie snack (there are lots of recipes and suggestions included in the book).  Drink lots of water and tea/coffee, chew gum and exercise in the morning.



To back up this theory, she includes her scientific data and true stories of people it's worked for.  There is also a maintenance program along with advice on how/when to exercise and keep your motivation going.

I think Diet Days would be tough ... I don't do hunger well.  I've had to fast and it wasn't fun.  But as the author reminds us, basically you are sucking it up for a day and you can have whatever you want the next.  You aren't depriving yourself of anything because you know you can always have it "tomorrow".

What do you think about a diet where you alternate eating 500 calories one day ("Diet Day") and anything you want the next ("Feast Day")?

Book ~ "Confessions of a Hostie: True Stories of an International Flight Attendant" (2013) Danielle Hugh

From Goodreads ~ If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a jet-setting hostie, or international flight attendant, then spending a little time in Danielle's life is a captivating journey. 

You might be surprised and shocked to discover many of the truths behind the lifestyle as well as the incidences and behaviour of passengers at 30,000 feet.  Danielle writes candidly, humorously and from the heart about life, love and her exploits around the world. From the slums of Mumbai to the glitz of New York there are as many highs and lows as take-offs and landings. Prepare for a turbulent ride of emotions and adventure, so place your seat upright, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for take-off. 

Danielle Hugh's passion for flying dazzles in this frank and amusing account of jet-setting around the globe. With almost 20 years in a unique working world, her juicy tales are often as shocking as they are colourful.

I fly a bit and thought this book sounded interesting to give me the behind-the-scenes scoop on what it's like to be a flight attendant.

Is it as glamourous as it seems to be?

Danielle is an international flight attendant (aka "hostie") who gets to travel to places like Singapore, Japan and Hawaii (it doesn't say where she is based out of but it doesn't sound like it's North America).  She knows where all the best shopping is, where the best bars are and where the best restaurants are.  But in addition to ensuring passengers get their meals and drinks, she also had to clean the bathroom when a passenger gets sick, clean up a passenger when they get sick, put up with drunk and demanding passengers, etc.

I liked this book.  The stories were interesting and at times funny.  It was good to get an insight on the relationships that exist between the crew but also their friends and families. I liked the writing style and thought it flowed well.  The editing could have been tighter.

I look forward to reading More Confessions of a Hostie: The Second Sector.

Book ~ "OMG That's Paleo?" (2013) Juli Bauer

From Goodreads ~ OMG That's Paleo? features 30 new recipes never seen before on author Juli Bauer's blog, as well as a selection of her best blog recipes.

Sections include poultry, beef, pork, fish/seafood, slow cooker, sweet and savory breakfasts, baked goods, 5-ingredient meals, side dishes, snacks and desserts; and each recipe features a color photo.

Juli also writes about the paleo diet in general and why it works for her, suggestions for keeping a kitchen well stocked, and recommended resources for further reading. And just like her blog, you can expect plenty of funny stories and awkward moments.

This is the second paleo recipe book I've come across in the last week or so.  Paleo is eating a diet that is similar to that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, eating food that is as close to its nature state as possible.

The author begins by telling us what paleo and why she eats this way.  It is written in a very conversational manner.

There are 100 recipes with great pictures.  I am a fairly fussy eater and the recipes sound and look delicious!  Here's an example for Brazilian Curry Chicken ...

1.5-2 lbs chicken (whatever suits your fancy)
¾ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground ginger
4-6 tablespoons curry powder
2 bell peppers (yellow and red), chopped into 1 cubes
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup chicken broth

1. Grab your slow cooker
2. Add in the coconut milk, tomato paste, garlic, ginger, curry powder, salt and pepper and whisk together.
3. Add in peppers and onions.
4. Next, add in chicken and pour broth over the chicken.
5. Mix all ingredients together to completely cover the chicken in the curry mixture.
6. Cover and cook at low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
7. Then eat it in a cute Tupperware bowl. Or on a plate.  Whatever suits your fancy.

Book ~ "The 163 Best Paleo Slow Cooker Recipes: 100% Gluten-Free" (2013) Judith Finlayson

From Goodreads ~ "Delicious and satisfying Paleo diet friendly slow cooker recipes that everyone can enjoy."

Enjoy old standards and new classics with this very topical collection of slow cooker recipes. They've been refined to meet the needs of people who subscribe to the Paleo or Primal lifestyle. The Paleo diet is currently one of the most popular diets being followed today and has been embraced by nearly 1.5 million people in North America. The recipes don't contain any grains or legumes (therefore making all of them gluten-free), no refined sugars, no refined oils or processed ingredients -- the basic principles of the diet.

Slow cookers are hugely popular because they're so convenient and the results so delicious -- all the recipes in this book pay very close attention to Paleo guidelines while also recognizing that there's a wide variety of reasons that people choose to eat Paleo that go beyond weight loss. So there's room to be flexible depending on your personal requirements and expectations of the diet.

It's all here: from great family food to more sophisticated recipes for entertaining, not to mention luscious desserts:

• Starters and Snacks - Eggplant Caviar, Country Terrine, Swedish Meatballs, Braised Tomato Topping 
• Soups - Shrimp Bisque, Double Tomato Soup with Arugula-Walnut Pesto 
• Poultry - Chicken Provencal, Texas-Style Chicken Stew, Tomato-Braised Turkey Breast 
• Fish and Seafood - Braised Swordfish, Caribbean Pepper Pot, Florida Fish Chowder 
• Beef and Veal - Short Ribs in Rich Mushroom Gravy, Meatball Goulash, Mom's Sunday Pot Roast 
• Pork and Lamb - Ancho-Embraced Pork with Tomatillos, Pork Columbo, Irish Stew 
• Meatless Mains - Louisiana Ratatouille, Cumin Beets, Braised Red Cabbage, Onion-Braised Potatoes with Spinach 
• Desserts - The Ultimate Baked Apples, Peruvian Cream.

Now even people who follow the Paleo lifestyle can enjoy easy delectable meals that reflect an outstanding variety of fresh flavors, cuisines and textures.

I've heard of "Paleo" but I didn't know what it was.  We have a slow cooker that I use fairly often.  And with so many people suffering with gluten issues these days, I thought this would be an interesting cookbook to check out.

It starts out by explaining what Paleo is ... Paleo is a diet that is similar to that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, eating food that is as close to its nature state as possible.  Some key points include:

• increasing your consumption of protein in the form of naturally raised meat and wild fish and seafood
• limiting carbs sources to include fruit and veggies that are low in starch, as well as certain nuts and seeds
• forgetting most of what you have been taught about fat ... as long as it is "natural", fat is fine
• no grains or legumes
• no refined sugars and oils or processed foods

People choose to eat Paleo for a number of reasons including: 

• to lose weight
• to regulate blood sugar levels
• to improve digestive health
• to heal intestinal permeability

The author discusses and justifies foods she has included in the recipes that wouldn't usually be in a Paleo diet like salt, tomatoes, fat, dairy products, etc.  If you are new to slow cooking, you'll find the next chapter helpful because you'll learn the basics of slow cooking.

The recipes are quite detailed with tips, if you can make things ahead, etc.  Here's an example.

For me, the only thing that was missing with the recipes was the nutritional information (calories, amount of protein, etc.).

I'm a fairly fussy eater and was pleasantly surprised that most of the recipes sound really really good and I look forward to trying them.

Here's what we've made from this book:

• Classic Beef Stew
• Down Home Smothered Steak
• Ranch House Chicken Fried Steak

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

Book ~ "125 Best Indoor Grill Recipes" (2004) Ilana Simon

From Goodreads ~ "Enjoy the ease of grilling year round."

Indoor grills are very popular (especially the George Foreman grill). Millions of consumers rely on this kitchen appliance to create low-fat grilled food without the fuss of an outdoor grill or leaving the kitchen.

125 Best Indoor Grill Recipes includes tantalizing recipes that work anytime - from quick weekday suppers to weekend entertaining:

• Blackened Red Fish - the sizzling southern flavor of New Orleans 
• Greek-inspired Beef Souvlaki with Tzaziki Sauce 
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Caesar Burger - Caesar Salad crossed with a hamburger 
• Portobello Mushroom Burger - the ultimate in vegetarian cuisine 
• Three Meat Panini with Provolone - a simple sandwich taken to new heights 
• Shrimp Satay 
• Southern Fried Chicken 
• Honey Dill Salmon with Dijon 
• Fajitas 
• Teriyaki Chicken

More than 2.5 million indoor grills are sold each year. Indoor grill-chefs will love these great recipes and practical indoor grilling tips and techniques.

When I got this book, I didn't realize it was for indoor grills (like the George Forman grill).  I thought it was for recipes you can grill indoors.  But looking at the recipes, I'm sure they could be adapted ... or perhaps I should go buy an indoor grill!  

If you are considering buy an indoor grill, the author discusses the differences between the different types.  And if you have one and are new to indoor grilling, there are some tips.

The chapters are:

• Appetizers
• Salads and side dishes
• Sandwiches
• Burgers
• Main entrees - beef
• Main entrees - chicken and turkey
• Main entrees - fish and seafood
• Main entrees - pork, lamb and veal
• Desserts

The recipes list tips, if you can make things ahead, variations, etc.  Here's an example of a dessert ... sounds yummy!

The only thing that was missing with the recipes for me was the nutritional information (calories, amount of protein, etc.).

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Book ~ "W is for Wasted" (2013) Sue Grafton

From SueGrafton.com ~ "Two dead men changed the course of my life that fall.   One of them I knew and the other I’d never laid eyes on until I saw him in the morgue."

 The first was a local PI of suspect reputation. He’d been gunned down near the beach at Santa Teresa. It looked like a robbery gone bad. The other was on the beach six weeks later. He’d been sleeping rough. Probably homeless. No identification. A slip of paper with Millhone’s name and number was in his pants pocket. The coroner asked her to come to the morgue to see if she could ID him. 

Two seemingly unrelated deaths, one a murder, the other apparently of natural causes.   But as Kinsey digs deeper into the mystery of the John Doe, some very strange linkages begin to emerge.

In this multilayered tale, the surfaces seem clear, but the underpinnings are full of betrayals, misunderstandings, and outright murderous fraud. And Kinsey, through no fault of her own, is thoroughly compromised. 

W is for . . . wanderer . . . worthless . . . wronged . . . W is for wasted.

The body of a homeless man is found on the beach with Kinsey's name and phone number.  When contacted, she has no idea who he, Terrance Dace, an alcoholic and drug addict, is.  You can imagine her surprise when she discovers that Dace is a long lost relative and she is the beneficiary of his estate valued at almost $600,000. This prompts Kinsey, who is a PI, to investigate and she discovers Dace has three adult children and an ex-wife who now want to lay claim to the money, even though they had kicked him out of their lives years ago and turned him away months before when he went to visit them.

A second story involves a shifty PI named Pete Wolinsky who was hired by a husband to tail his wife who he suspects is having an affair.  Pete discovers there is more to this.  Dodging bill collectors, he sees a way to take advantage of what he has learned and goes for it.  All he wants to do is raise some cash so he can take his beloved wife on a fabulous cruise for their 40th anniversary next year.  Unfortunately, Pete is killed, an apparent victim of robbery.

The stories seemingly have nothing to do with each other ... it's not 'til near the end that they come together and we find out how they are connected.

This is the 23rd in the "alphabet series" featuring Kinsey Millhone.  I discovered them in the mid-1990s and have been a fan since and have read them all ... the first one, A is for Alibi, was written in 1982.  They are all set in the 1980s before everyone had a computer, cell phone, etc. When Kinsey is out of town, she has to get a pile of change when she makes long distance calls to her neighbour, Henry.  When she wants to do to research, she has to go to the library.  It's funny to remember the way it was.

The books are substantial (this one is 486 pages) and the plots aren't regurgitated as with another series I read ... I like that Grafton hasn't sold out and is still writing for her readers rather than just for meeting deadlines and making money.  I like the writing style ... it's funny and sarcastic at times.  The language isn't offensive but is for a mature reader.

I enjoyed this book and it kept me interested.  The two stories kept going back and forth and I was wondering how they would be interconnected ... everything comes together in the end.  It was in first person perspective when it was Kinsey's story and third person perspective when it was telling Pete's story.  This book challenges Kinsey's lack of need/want for a family because she comes across relatives she didn't know existed.  It also hows a more softer side of Kinsey because she befriends Dace's homeless friends (despite their rough edges) and Henry's new cat, Ed.

I would recommend this book and am sad that there are only three left before the series is over.

Book ~ "The Author's Guide to Working with Book Bloggers" (2013) Barb Drozdowich

From Goodreads ~ Do you feel out of your comfort zone when dealing with book bloggers? They are the New Gatekeepers to book publishing success – but how can you tap into that source of free promotions by putting your best foot forward? 

The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers combines the advice of 215 blogging professionals collected in a survey covering all aspects of communication between authors and Review Blogs. Whether you are a new author or have many titles under your belt, let us demystify the promotion of your book on a book blog. 

You’ll learn about whom and where book bloggers are, and the following:

• The Query
• The Review
• The Giveaway
• The Author Interview
• The Guest Post
• The Book Blurb Excerpt and Cover Reveals 
• and more!

I love to read!  And I post my book reviews on my blog.

That has led me to participating in virtual blog tours for the last couple years ... I've discovered some great authors through these tours.  So I was curious to read this book to see what's recommended from the author's point of view who wants to work with book bloggers like me.

So who are book bloggers?

The only thing that we all have in common is that we love books; we love books so much that we have created blogs to express our thoughts about the books that we read. Book bloggers also have access to a computer. Other than that, they can be male or female (although in my survey there were many more females than males), they can vary in age, quite computer literate, or just barely holding their own as far as technology is concerned. They may be teenagers, sharing their love of Young Adult (YA) as they conquer their high school classes; they may be a stay-at-home mom spending her free time, sharing her thoughts on her favorite books as an escape from the kids. They may be budding authors using a book blog as a way to experiment with their writing. A book blogger may be a parent/child duo, with the parent encouraging the child to read more. They may be newly retired looking for a mental challenge and a way to share their lifelong love of books.

Book blogging is usually a hobby; it is something that is done in a blogger’s spare time. If book bloggers make money from ads on their blogs, it generally isn’t much—it might keep them in lattes. There are a few exceptions, of course, but book blogging and reviewing books is something that book bloggers do for no pay.

Many book bloggers started blogging to simply share their thoughts with other book lovers. Have a look at this selection of the answers that I received when I asked the question “Why did you start book blogging?”

• “Because I wanted to be able to share great books with other readers.”
• “I started reading book blogs after joining GoodReads. I already had other blogs, and felt like book blogging was something fun I could also do. I have an eclectic taste in books, and I wanted to share that beyond GoodReads.”
• “I am very supportive of many changes taking place in the book industry. I am particularly supportive of ebooks and talented Indie and small press authors and LOVE helping spread the word about their books. I also personally enjoy discovering new to me authors who can help support my book addiction.” 
• “I love to read. This was a way to share what I like and to find new books and authors to read.” 
• “To talk with other book lovers, and to have a creative outlet online.” 
• “I wanted someone to discuss books with and there aren't any book clubs in my area.”
• “To have a place to talk about books, to be a part of a community.”
• “I love reading and none of my friends understand, so I decided to join a community that not only understands, but embraces my nerdiness.”
• “To encourage my students, to share my love of books.”
• “I started my blog as a place to put my writing, but when I discovered book blogs I thought ‘I have to be a part of this.’”
• “As a hobby/just for fun.”
• “Nothing is better than finding “that” book. The one that rings your bell. I like helping people find it!”
• “I wanted an outlet to discuss YA literature—not many people in my real life read the same genre/category as I do or even as voraciously. Online seemed the logical place to go to find other readers like me.”
• “To have a place to put my thoughts about the books I read, to meet other people who love reading as much as I do, and to be able to create something to be proud of.”
• “I read a lot. I started writing reviews because I know authors like them. I started posting them to help other readers find great books.”
• “I wanted to share my opinions on books for others to see. Plus, there aren't many people I know in my school who read the same books I do, so it makes it hard to gush.”
• “To share my love of books with the world.”
• “I wanted a way to keep myself writing at least something down. That way I might not get writer's block as often for my writing projects. It is also a way for me to discus my love for books and find new books that are out there.”
• “Because I wanted to find new readers like me who are big romance fans to discuss books with and share this big passion of mine!”
• “To create a space where my kids and I give our opinions about children's books— we don’t always agree!”

The author is a book blogger at Sugarbeat's Books and wrote this book to help authors with her experience.  She'd posted a survey focused at book bloggers on her blog and advertised it on Facebook and Twitter (alas, I never came across it).  Expecting about 50 responses, she heard from 215 book bloggers.  The details and responses from the survey are posted in the appendix.

I enjoyed this book and agreed with the findings of the author.  Yes, I do feel appreciated when an author drops by to comment on a book I've read and reviewed.

I would recommend this book if you are an author who would like to learn how to promote your book using bloggers.

Book ~ "The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook: Practical Solutions for Managing Migraine and Headache Pain Plus 150 Recipes" (2013) Lawrence Leung, Susan Hannah and Elizabeth Dares-Dobbie

From Goodreads ~ Despite the prevalence of migraine, tension and cluster headaches in the Western world, headaches still challenge the medical community. While there is no one cause or a specific cure, recent evidence-based research has shown that these headaches are associated with high levels of histamines in the body, and these can be managed effectively through diet and nutrition. "The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook" presents this histamine hypothesis as a way for you to understand your headaches and leads you through steps intended to help prevent your headaches, avoid headaches altogether, or rescue you from your headaches when they occur. 

The Migraine Free Program will help you to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms for migraines, cluster, and tension headaches 
• Discover the triggers that cause headaches 
• Understand the medical tests for diagnosing headaches 
• See the various treatments traditionally used by physicians and other healthcare providers, including the use of prescription medications, physiotherapy, and surgery 
• Weigh the benefits and risks of alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, body-mind medicine, and medicinal herbs 
• Understand the role of nutrition and diet in the management of headaches 
• Adopt a healthy meal plan that focuses on enjoying antihistamine headache foods and eliminating foods that increase the risk of headache 
• Select from among 150 recipes as you develop 30-day meal plans. 

The authors bring a unique collection of education, experience, and skills together to guide and support people who suffer from migraine, cluster, and tension headaches.

I've suffered from headaches since I was a kid.  Some people get headaches and they are just a minor annoyance.  For me, it's all or nothing ... I get wicked headaches and unless I do something about it right away when I feel one coming (I've discovered that a generic over-the-counter combo of acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine phosphate gets rid of it), my head feels like it's going to explode and it's hard to function.  So that's why I was interested in reading this book.

It's a great resource for headache and migraine sufferers.  It's made up for four parts:

Part 1:  Understanding Migraine, Cluster and Tension Headaches

• Who gets Migraine, Cluster, and Tension Headaches?
• Possible Causes and Triggers
• How are Migraine, Clubster and Tension Headaches Diagnosed
• Other Associate Conditions

Part 2:  Managing Primary Headaches

• Lifestyle Changes
• The PARR Lifestyle Program
• Medications for Primary Headaches
• Physiotherapy for Primary Headaches
• Surgery for Headaches
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Nutritional and Botanical Supplements
• Dietary Therapy

Part 3:  Low-Histamine Diet Program

• Low-Histamine Diet Principles and Practices
• Low-Histamine Diet Program Cooking Tips
• Low-Histamine Diet Menu Plans

Part 4:   Recipes for Primary Headache Relief

Histamines are simple chemical substances your immune system cells produce when reacting to an antigen, produced in response to foreign invaders like germs and bacteria. They are only produced in localized places and cause inflammation and other reactions. This has some interesting effects. For instance, everyone's had a stuffy nose from time to time. Your nasal congestion is caused by an inflammatory reaction to high blood histamines. Antihistamines, like Benadryl, can deactivate the histamines in your blood.  But histamines do much more than just make you miserable when you have a cold. They also regulate gastric activity and your sleep schedule, and perform numerous functions in your body.

I get headaches when I don't get enough sleep.  But it was interesting to read in detail how food may also trigger them.  In the new year, I'll start tracking my food and see if one or more of the trigger foods bring them on. 

I liked the summary of the food groups in the "Dietary Therapy" section.  At a glance, for example, I read that strawberries, tomatoes and bananas may be trigger foods for me.  In Part 3, there is a detailed listing of foods to avoid, foods to limit, foods to eliminate and foods to enjoy because of the levels of histamine.

Not surprising, anything that is bad for you for many reasons should be avoided or eliminate.  Surprisingly, though, the recipes look good.  Like Lemon-Thyme Roast Chicken, One-Hour Roast Chicken with Sage and Garlic, Honey Lemon Chicken, Oven-Baked Beef Stew, Lemon Yogurt Pops, Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Muffins, etc.  Along with the recipes is a breakdown of the calorie count, protein, carb and fat count.  I'm looking forward to trying some of the recipes!

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

Book ~ "The Hinge: The Importance of Mental Toughness" (2013) Rob Bell

From Goodreads ~ Every door has a hinge, if it doesn't, it's a wall ...

Have you ever noticed how the outcome of a competition depends upon one play or moment? If we look closer, every season and career also possesses these pivotal moments. It only takes one.

The Hinge is the one moment, event, or person that makes all the difference. It connects who we are with who we become. This is the importance of Mental Toughness. Will you be ready?

In this cutting edge book, you’ll learn:

• How a plane crash changed the music landscape forever in America.
• How a blade of grass caused the dominance of Korean golf.
• What Hall of Famers really believe.
• The most important mental skills and how to apply them.
• Why we should listen to our gut.
• To understand that “it only takes one”

According to the author, there are five maxims of the hinge:

1.  It only takes one
2. Things happen for a reason
3. Trust your gut
4. Tragedies are immediate
5. What-if never happened

There are also chapters on confidence, faith, motivation, focus and re-focus along with "rusty hinges".

When I read the description of this book, it sounded interesting ... I like books that make me a better person.  This book was okay, not great ... it didn't excite me.  I liked that there were stories to show the instances of the hinge but they were mostly sports stories which I wasn't really into ... it would have been nice to have a broader range of examples.

If you are a sports fan, you might enjoy this book more than I did.

Book ~ "Take Me Home for Christmas" (2013) Brenda Novak

From Goodreads ~ Christmas is a time for remembering….

Too bad all memories aren't pleasant. Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town's Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned.

But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he'll never come back - until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he's left her to face all the townspeople he cheated….

Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can't bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time.

Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness?

While Sophia and Ted were dating after high school, she was also dating Skip.  She got pregnant and married Skip and went on to have what everyone assumed was a pampered rich life.  Needless to say, Ted was heartbroken and never got over Sophia.

Fastforward to today.  Skip has cheated the townspeople out of most of their savings.  Being a coward, he tries to escape his life and the wrongs he has committed but accidentally dies.  Everyone assumed Sophia was in on the scam and look to her to get their money back ... except she has been left penniless and has to carry the burden that Skip left behind.

She has to support herself and her daughter.  With no other options or family to turn to, she takes the job as Ted's housekeeper.  Though still carrying a grudge, he feels sorry for her because the town has turned against her.  Gradually it comes out that Skip was very abusive to Sophia and she had turned to liquor to get through the day.  She'd recently been through rehab and it's a daily struggle to stay sober ... if she doesn't, her in-laws will use this against her and take her daughter away from her.

This is the fourth book I've read by this author and the third I've read in the Whiskey Creek series ... and I enjoyed it.  I liked the storyline and the writing style.  I thought it was well-paced and kept me interested.  The language and activity at times is for a mature reader.

I liked the characters.  Sophia had made some wrong choices, wasn't well-liked but has paid the price over the years.  She has matured and changed and was caught in a bad abusive situation.  She was happy that Skip died because it gave her her freedom and the ability to be who she really was rather than the image that Skip wanted projected.  Despite the fact that almost everyone in the town hates her, rather than give up, she does what she can to right Skip's wrong and make a life for her and her daughter.  Ted is a rich successful mystery writer who is still bitter that Sophia had broken his heart.  I found this a bit unbelievable considering it had happened more than ten years ago and they were both young ... I felt like smacking him in the head and telling him to move on!  But I liked his transition as he got to know the Sophia of today.  I liked Alexis, Sophia's daughter.  Her whole world has turned upside down ... her father has died, everything has been taken from them because of her father's scam, her friends have turned on her and she's always scared her mother's going to turn to the bottle again.

The story wraps up rather quickly for a neat and tidy happy ending.

Though it's part of a series, it works as a stand alone.  This series is built around a group of friends and acquaintances in Whiskey Creek.  My one complaint about this book (and I felt the same when I read Home to Whiskey Creek) is that I found that sometimes it seemed like the author was making too much of an effort to include the characters and their backgrounds from the other books in the series.  Despite there being a list of characters at the beginning of the book (I read it on my Kobo so it was hard to keep going back and forth), I still found it confusing keeping track since some didn't have big parts (or any part) in this book ... it was like they were mentioned just because they were part of this series, not because they added value to the story.  All I needed to know was that they were all at the coffee shop chatting ... I didn't need to know or be reminded of their details.  Or when they were at the Halloween party and Baxter, who is gay and has a crush on Noah, showed up with someone else ... it had no impact on this story (I thought that was a weird subplot in Home to Whiskey Creek anyway).  Or the big secret that Cheyenne revealed to Eve ... yes, it showed that they are close but I knew that without needing the details of the secret which had nothing to do with Sophia and Ted.

I'd recommend this book and look forward to reading the others in the series.

Book ~ "The Secret Diary of Sarah Chamberlain" (2013) Sarah Norkus

From Goodreads ~ In the year 2008, fifteen year-old Emily Grace (Em) discovers a secret hiding place under a wooden plank in the attic of an old house in Petersburg. It conceals a 150 year-old-diary belonging to Sarah Chamberlain, the previous owner of the house. Carefully turning to the last entry, Em’s interest is piqued by the mention of missing confederate gold and a murder mystery. She slips the diary into the pocket of her capris.

As she reads the diary, Em is touched by Sarah’s deep love for her husband, Robert. Emotionally, Em’s life is spinning out of control and the diary is a welcome distraction. Each day her faith slips further and further away as she blames God for the many trials and tribulations she has had to endure. After rereading the last page and Robert’s senseless murder, she has one more reason to doubt God’s love for his creation.  Em slips the diary back in her pocket planning to return it to the attic before helping her mother clean the old house in Petersburg.

While scrubbing black scuffmarks off the kitchen floor, Em has an emotional meltdown airing her list of grievances, including Robert’s murder, before God. As she shouts that she doesn’t believe he really exists, vertigo suddenly hits with a vengeance and she passes out. Regaining consciousness, Em is dumbfounded; the kitchen has been replaced by a nineteenth century parlor.

It's summertime in 2008 and 15-year-old Em spends her days playing basketball with her friends and helping her mother clean the Chamberlain House, a historic building owned by the Petersburg Benevolent Ladies Society.  One day she is cleaning the attic and discovers the diary of Sarah Chamberlain, which was written from 1860 to 1865.  During this time, the Civil War was going on and Sarah wrote about her life as a newlywed in her diary.  With the war coming to an end, her husband, Robert, is arrested since he was fighting on the side of the south.  His guards, thinking he knows where some hidden gold is, eventually kill him.

Around this time, Em is doubting the existence of God ... she's had (and recovered from) cancer, her dog was hit by a car, her aunt is losing her house and now she reads that Robert had died senselessly.  She passes out while cleaning the house and when she comes to, she is still in the house but it's a few days before Robert is due to be killed.  She has amnesia and is taken care of by Sarah and her household.

Em struggled her way back to consciousness. Moving her cheek on the floor, she puzzled at the sensation. Linoleum was supposed to be smooth and hard, not soft. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked at a table leg about a half an inch from her nose. Wiggling on her belly away from the table leg, Em placed her hands flat and prepared to push herself up. Her eyes widened. Her hands were on either side of a large, red rose embroidered into a rug. She jerked in shock, banging her head on the bottom of a wooden table.

“Ouch,” Em said, rubbing the top of her head.

After scooting backward so she wouldn’t hit her head again, Em sat up and looked around the room. Gone were the sink and the shiny, new chrome faucets. Gone, too, were the refrigerator and stove. In fact, the whole kitchen had disappeared, along with the worn linoleum. “That’s no great loss; in fact, that’s the best part of this crazy dream I’m having,” Em thought.

Em’s brows knitted together. She must be dreaming, although she couldn’t remember ever having the sensation of touch in a dream. Her fingers rubbed across the pile of the rug.

On the ledge over the fireplace, which was no longer bricked in, sat a clock. It ticked rhythmically and showed the time to be ten o’clock. To the right of the fireplace was a beautiful needlepoint chair. Two dark wood chairs faced each other, their cushions upholstered in a floral pattern. One rested to the left of the fireplace, the other was next to the doorway. Each chair had a walnut wooden table next to it, with an oil lamp on each. Against the far wall was a settee, the cushion a slightly worn dusty rose. The walls were painted a moss green. The heavy drapes on the windows next to the fireplace matched the settee. Chills ran down Em’s spine. It all looked so real.

Turning around to look behind her, Em saw the antique writing table that had been sent out to be restored. A small dark wooden chair perched between the drawers. Trembling, Em pushed herself up off the floor on shaky legs. She tentatively touched the smooth surface of the writing table.

“Mom!” Em screamed.

A door slammed and Em heard footsteps.

But instead of her mother, the biggest black man she had ever seen filled the doorway. He wore a stained and faded white shirt and calf-length brown work pants. His feet were bare and covered in dirt. His short cropped hair looked like a gray Brillo pad. He held a long-handled, curved knife. Em took a step backward, lost her balance, and fell, hitting her head on the mantle of the fireplace. Pain exploded in her head. She crumpled to the floor.

I like books about time travel.  This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it.  Though the story and writing style are directed at a YA reader, I didn't find it was too immature for me.  The editing could have been tighter as there were some grammatical errors and typos.

The author handled the time period well ... it was fun to read about Em trying to fit in with the clothes (she arrived in capris and a tank top which in 1865 appeared to be underwear) and manner of speech (in 1865 "cool" and "gross", for example, have different meanings than they do today).

Em and Sarah and their family and friends have faith.  I'm not religious but I didn't find it to be too overwhelming.

I would recommend this book.  It would appeal to lovers of time travel and history.

Book ~ "The Numerology Guidebook: Uncover Your Destiny and the Blueprint of Your Life" (2013) Michelle Buchanan

From Goodreads ~ Numerology is the ancient metaphysical science of numbers where your name and date of birth reveal the blueprint of your life. 

The Numerology Guidebook will uncover your destiny and life purpose, along with your future potential, in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Whether you’re looking to choose your ideal partner or career, a business or baby name, or your wedding day, numerologist Michelle Buchanan will show you how.  Numerology is the ultimate tool for self-love and understanding that will help you improve your relationships with others and yourself. 

If you’re interested in parenting or manifesting “by the numbers” - or you simply need help deciding whether to use your maiden or married name after marriage or divorce - this is the perfect book for you. It will teach you everything you need to know about forecasting major life events, such as when to get married (or end a relationship), have children, change jobs, move, focus on your finances, travel, study, or work on your personal and spiritual development. If you’re searching for a life of happiness and meaning, the ancient science of numbers will assist you on your journey!

I find things like numerology interesting.  I don't believe but I don't disbelieve.  How about you?

This book walks you through the process of figuring out your core numbers.

• Your life path number is the most significant number in your numerology chart ... it is the path you will walk in this life.  You calculate it by reducing down your birthdate. 
• Your destiny number tells you what you're destined to become.  It is calculated from your full original birth certificate name.
• Your soul number reveals what your soul needs in order to feel content.  It is calculated from the vowels in the birth certificate name. 
• Your personality number is how others perceive you.  It is calculated from the consonants in the birth certificate name. 
• Your maturity number reveals your future potential from age 35 to 45 and onwards.  It is calculated by adding the life path number and destiny number together. 
• Your birth day number indicates your natural talents and abilities.  It is the "day" number of your birth date.
• Your current name number are your additional traits, strengths, lessons, experiences and opportunities.  It is calculated using the first and last name you go by today. 
• Your karma lesson numbers indicated inherited weaknesses from previous lives along with the specific areas in need of growth that must be addressed in this life.  The numbers you are missing in a birth certificate name indicate the karma lesson numbers.

Then it details what each number means for each of the core numbers.  From there you can forecast your major life cycles.  There are also tips if you are considering changing your name, choosing a pet's name, choosing a business name, choosing a baby name, wedding days, etc.

If you are interesting in numerology and want to check out what it's all about, you should read this book.

Book ~ "Stop Hoping ... Start Hunting! A Job Seeker's Guide to Finding Their Job" (2013) Jennifer K. Hill

From Goodreads ~ There are many self-help books out there that teach you how to be effective at interviewing and job hunting. This book takes the next step by looking internally as well as externally at what it takes to find your ideal job. 

In turn, it demonstrates how to build that successful career you have always wanted. It is never too late to take an honest look at yourself and your career and realize your full potential.

No, I'm not looking for another job.  I read this book because I was given the opportunity to read and review it ... it sounded interesting and it's good stuff to know.

The chapters include:

1. Should you make a move and/or change jobs
2. Finding the job
3. Innovative ways to get hired
4. The resume
5. The mental side of your search
6. The interview?
7. After the interview

This book is for everyone, whether you are just starting out in the workforce or have been wanting to leave/just left a job after 30 years.  She walks you through the steps it takes to getting your resume together, having an appropriate online presence (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter), applying for a job, how to behave at an interview, etc.  She also talk about having passion ... you aren't passionate about what you are doing, you should find something else.

I liked the writing style.  It's laid out well and there are sample of resume styles, letters, etc.  There are helpful links throughout the book and there is a large list in the back of the book.

I would recommend this book whether are you are looking for a job or not.



Jennifer Hill has spent the past 10 years as a professional recruiter and career coach, where she has been a top performing senior recruiter with a premier corporate and legal recruiting firm in Los Angeles.

What differentiates Jennifer from others in her profession is that she takes the time necessary to understand the needs of the job seekers and hiring managers she works with to ensure a symbiotic match is created. Jennifer has invested thousands of hours preparing job seekers of all levels for challenging interviews with top national law firms and Fortune 500 companies, and has placed thousands of job seekers into their dream positions.

Jennifer educates both her clients and candidates about the benefits of using technology and social media in recruiting and job hunting. She leads Social Media 101 classes to a variety of professionals on how to effectively use blogs and websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for professional purposes.

Book ~ "Happy Hormones, Slim Belly" (2013) Jorge Cruise

From Goodreads ~ Carb Cycle Based on Hormonal Stages 

For women over 40, weight loss can be a nightmare with fluctuating hormones and unbearable cravings. Contrary to the conventional wisdom of slashing calories and spending hours at the gym, breakthrough science has confirmed that cutting sugar for two days, then adding it back for five days, will keep your insulin low, which cuts belly fat, and your serotonin high, which makes you happy. Slim, Happy Belly is the perfect guide to balance your hormones, turn your metabolism to fat-burning mode, and get your mood soaring day after day with the proven Carb Cycling Plan. 

This book will uncover why weight loss for women has been difficult and give you the solution that matches your hormonal stage.

I'm always interested in reading books about getting healthy and losing weight.  This one attracted me because it's directed at women over 40.

The contents include:

• The irony - how to be happy and slim
• The key to a slim belly
• The key to happy hormones
• The solution - your carb cycling plan
• Recipes
• The food lists
• The blissful workout
• FAQs

There are lots of books about weight loss programs out there.  The premise of this one is directed at women because of hormonal changes are we get older.

This one is about carb cycling ... you have two "slim days" and five "happy days".  You spend two days a week strictly limiting "sugar calories" such as carbs and then you cycle back into the right kind of "sugar calories" in the right amounts for the other five days  ... the author explains what a sugar calorie is and provides sample meal plans, recipes and shipping lists.  You will apparently have increased energy, elevated feelings of happiness and rapid weight loss and fat burning.

The guarantee of this program is "lose 7lbs the first week and then 2 lbs weekly".  The author includes lots of scientific data to back up his plan.

There are lots of stories from people who have tried it to inspire you.

Book ~ "The Last Clinic: A Darla Cavannah Mystery" (2013) Gary Gusick

From Goodreads ~ Outside the local women’s health clinic, the Reverend Jimmy Aldridge waving his protest sign is a familiar sight. But that changes early one morning when someone shoots the beloved Reverend Jimmy dead. Sheriff Shelby Mitchell knows the preacher’s murder will shock the good people of Jackson - and the pressure to find the killer is immediate and intense, which is why Shelby calls in detective Darla Cavannah.

When police detective Darla moved from Philadelphia to Jackson with her husband - hometown football hero Hugh “the Glue” Cavannah - she never imagined the culture shock that awaited. Then after Hugh dies in a car crash, Darla enters a self-imposed exile in her Mississippi home, taking a leave of absence from the sheriff’s department. Now she’s called back to duty - or coerced, more like it, with Shelby slathering on his good-ole-boy charm nice and thick, like on a helping of barbecue.

Reluctantly partnered with a mulish Elvis impersonator, Darla keeps a cool head even as the community demands an arrest. The court of public opinion has already convicted the clinic’s doctor, Stephen Nicoletti, but Darla is just as sure he’s not guilty - even as she fights her growing attraction to him. From the genteel suburbs to a raunchy strip club, Darla follows a trail of dirty money and nasty secrets - until the day of judgment comes, and she faces down an ungodly assassin.

Darla is a police detective from Philadelphia who moved to her husband's home town of Jackson, Mississippi.  When her husband, Hugh, is killed in a car accident, she takes some time off working in the sheriff's office to grieve.  She gets called back to work when Reverend Jimmy Aldridge is murdered while he is protesting outside an abortion clinic.  She is teamed with fellow cop, Tommy, who is an annoying Elvis impersonator.

Tommy wants to solve the case quickly so he can get some glory while Darla wants to take her time and check everything out.  What she discovers about the beloved reverend will shock his congregation.

This is the first book by this author and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style and thought it was well-paced.  There are lots of potential suspects.  The language at times is for a mature reader.

I liked the characters.  Darla is grieving the loss of her husband but it pulled into this case by her boss.  I found her likeable and fair.  Her boss, Shelby, was a typical southern guy and I liked him.  Tommy is all about Tommy and is amusing because is that egotistical.  Geeky intern Uther also adds an element of humour.  All the ladies in town love Dr. Nicoletti, including Darla, and she fights her attraction to him because he may be the murderer ... plus she wonders if she is ready to move on after the loss of her husband.

I would recommend this book ... I'm assuming there will be others in this series and I look forward to reading them.