Cheryl's Book Nook

Review by Nancy I learned about Helen Keller in school just like all kids my age. Did I see “The Miracle Worker” you bet I did! I was as awestruck by Anne Sullivan’s teaching methods and Helen’s “AHA” moment as you all were. Did a bit of research on dogs and Helen Keller because we were raising Akitas at the time and she brought the first one to America. What I had no clue about were the restrictions placed on Helen Keller the person. She was never allowed to go anywhere alone (probably a good idea considering….) she couldn’t really have friends outside of her circle which always included Anne and, unfortunately occasionally her mother and she certainly couldn’t go out with a man. I also didn’t know that Anne had married a man who took most of Helen’s money and left Anne for another woman. I was astonished that no one ever mentioned Peter Fagan - Helen’s love and lover. Anne has been stricken with tuberculosis and cannot carry on Helen’s tours which are bringing in less an...

Don McKeever just wants to go fishing. Instead, he has to check in on his employees at C Mart. Today the big corporate boss is paying the store a visit. The last time the boss came, Don got his ass chewed and it was not pretty. As if things could not be bad enough, Don has to put up with incompetent employees and complete with T Mart, another discount store that opened across the street. Sale Day at C Mart is like a bad comedy show and I mean it in a good way. This book will have you wanting to tear your hair out, pop a couple Tylenol and a couple of antacids. Ok, so you may not feel this way but this is how I felt reading this book. I wanted to scream at how dysfunction the characters were but at the same time, they were entertaining and I could not get enough of them. My only favorite character in this book was Billy. He seemed to be the normal one and he was kind hearted. Everyone else, I would avoid if I was shopping at C Mart and leave the store angry as many of the cust...

I have read several nonfiction books recently and they really intrigued me into checking this genre out more. That is why I wanted to check out Midnight in Peking. I thought the unsolved murder of a young Pamela Werner sounded intriguing. I was not the only one as Mr. French was also intrigued by Pamela’s story and felt that he wanted to research her story himself and see if he could once again give Pamela a voice. Pamela was the daughter of E.T.C. Werner, a former British consul at Foochow. Back in 1937, Pamela’s body was found lying on the ground near the Fox Tower outside the Legation Quarter. Pamela was almost unrecognizable due to all the stab wounds. In addition, her abdomen was spilt open with her heart and other organs removed and her clothing ripped to shreds. British Chief Detective Dennis and Chinese Detective Han work to try and solve the murder of Pamela. Unfortunately, Pamela’s body is laid to rest and her case is closed. While, I did find Pamela’s murder interest...

My Review I wanted to read this book because I enjoy a good glass of win every once in a while. Also, I have been fascinated by wine making and wanting to be a wine conissiour and host a wine party. Wow, I got more than I bargained for with this book. I now know more about wine making, grapes, and Jewish lifestyle than I ever thought I would. There is the process of Crushing the grapes, than Separation, Fermentating in eich grapes have sugar in them that makes them have a chemical reaction during this stage that the sugar from the grapes than turn into alcohol and carbon dioxide, Racking, Clarifying and Filtering, Aging and than finally the Bottling of the wine. This is when you finalyl can open the bottle, pour a glass and sit back and relax. Mr. Langer discusses the differences between six main wines...Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. I like the white wines but usually I perfer the red like Merlot, which has more of a full b...

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Review by Nancy Marlo Spencer has gone whole-hog into Retro. Clothes, decorations, TV movies/sit-coms were everywhere but nothing was more Retro than Marlo herself. Spending twelve years wondering “what if” is a total waste of time but that’s where the Laverne & Shirley lover was. She was still in love/like/lust for her high school sweetheart who left her to go to Chef school in Paris. What’s girl to do? When she finds that Josh has come home again nothing will do but she and her best guy-friend Nik go home as well. Her BFF Savannah has opened a hit bakery, Sav’s daughter is twelve and misses her aunt nearly as much as Marlo misses her. The trip north from LA is fun, long and relaxing for Nik. Marlo is on pins and needles the entire way. It’s her last chance and she means to make the best of it. However. Life never plays fair and the things Marlo learns back home stun her completely. She doesn’t know who to trust or where to turn. So many things, so little vacation tim...

A woman has been murdered. Her body has been laid in the form of a pentagram. She is pinned to the ground with a pitchfork in her neck. At first the murder seems to be the work of some sick and twisted person but the deeper Archie gets involved in the case, the more it seems the woman’s death could be the work of evil magic and witches. Deputy Marshall Archie Lean is on the case. He is joined by former Pinkerton agent and Native American, Perceval Grey, and historian, Helen Prescott. While, this book had elements of my genre…mystery, I still had my reservations about it. At first, it seemed like it was going to take a while to develop the story and progress but I was surprised in a good way by how much I did enjoy this book. Yes, it is a slow progression of a story but if you stick with it, than I guarantee that you will like it as much as I did. The last half of the book is where the story really picks up. For me, I picked up instantly on the fact that this book made me t...

Review by Nancy Mike Delaney was a hard, take no prisoners type of guy – until his wife was murdered and their baby died with her. He had been nearly murdered in China while working as a cop; worked before that for a group that didn’t have a name and survived but Maria’s murder? That did him in. He left their house for a monastery high in the California hills, where he meditated, practiced Tai Chi and other arts until time came he had to do something else. Find the murderer of his wife. She had been a journalist with a home office he didn’t intrude on but, after the fire he had sense enough to move what was left of her computer and files somewhere else until the investigation was done. Until the public’s mind was distracted by the next big thing – The Priest. He took lovely young women, made them confess on tape to a myriad of sins and then put the tape in their mouths and killed them. His newest offerings had a cross cut into their backs. All clues and other disappearances...

Review by Nancy To say that Jane Jameson had a hard time adjusting to being a vampire is an understatement. Aunt Jettie haunts her home (used to be hers), her older sister hates her (always has), her best friend forever’s mom will NOT give up on Zeb and Jane marrying (he’s in love with a werewolf) and then there’s Gabriel…hunk, 150 yr-old vampire who turned Jane as she lay dying (and that’s a great tale in itself!). His frenemy Dick – they were childhood friends – puts anyone thief you can name to shame and her co-worker Andrea was a blood-surrogate. The fourth installment of the Half-Moon Hollow folk is just a great as the first three. The “Nice Girls Don’t…” series by Molly Harper is a must-read for anyone who likes humor, vampires with a bit of lust thrown in and a great story line. Jane and Gabriel are engaged to marry and are trying to keep control of their event. In a great idea that might should have been thought out first, Jane has turned a high-school jock she used t...

Review by Nancy Imagine a world where the Internet, banks, cell phones, TVs, etc. are down. Permanently. The world would have gone to the gold standard (you might want to start stocking up on that, by the way). This is the pretty scary part of The Quaker State Affair. Physics is an interesting subject and it takes a bit of brain power to go through some parts of this story but it is well worth it. The premise: a nuclear physicist who retired a few years back is needed to solve an issue – someone has created energy which can be sighted and fired into other countries – like China. The Chinese government is understandably not happy when one of their nuclear plants is blown to bits and naturally blames the US. Problem? We didn’t do it. A too cautious President, an election year issue, and Mac the “mad scientist” all pool their resources to solve this problem – until the President over reaches his powers and involves Mac in a “show and tell” event which puts a bulls...

Lacey Armstrong and her daughter, Ashley are lucky to be alive. They have just survived Hurricane Damien. Now, Lacey and Ashley have to rebuld their lives. This means a brand new start for Lacey. She can finally build the bed and breakfast that she wanted. Clay Walker is trying to make a name for himself and break away from his father's shadow. This is why, when Clay hears that Lacey needs a contractor, he knows he is the right man for the job. This will be his opportunity to show what he can do both in and outside the bedroom. It has been a while since I have read anything by this author. Barefoot in the Sand is a fun, flirty, summer, beach read! It has your usual...hot, sexy male love interest, drama, and a happy ending. No surprises but sometimes not being suprised is a good thing. I know I am not complaining about Clay. He could have appeared in the nude or semi nude state though out this whole book. Some one that did not do it for me was David. I did not really see the ...

Teeny Templeton suspects that her boyfriend, Coop may be hooking up with his ex. A few weeks ago out of the blue a young girl stops by and tells Coop that he is her father. Teeny decides to go on a spy mission. She puts on her black, wet suit. It is the only black outfit that Teeny owns and she does not want to stick out like a sore thumb. Teeny gets more than she bargains for, when she witnesses Coop’s ex being murdered. The murderer knows that Teeny saw him or her. Now it is just a matter of time before Teeny is next. Unless, she can solve the murder. A Teeny Bit of Trouble is the first book I have read by author, Michael Lee West . I understand that it is the second Teeny Templeton book. The first being Gone with a Handsomer Man. Teeny, while she might not be the brightest light in the bunch, she is sweet and one heck of a cook. I love that she always has a recipe for each situation she encounters. For example: Anything-You-Say-Can-Be-Used-Against-You Quiche, You-Have-the-...

It has been a long time since Jas and Nick have seen each other. When a chance meeting at church brings these two reunited, it is love at first sight. Soon Jas and Nick are spending all of their time together. Things are going well until one night, when an argument ends up with someone dead. I thought this book was a good first effort by new author, Judith Blevins. One thing that I was expecting more from this book was the court scene to have more drama and play out longer due to her background having worked in the criminal justice system. This scene felt kind of glossed over and it was like the reader was supposed to assume that they should have some knowledge of her the whole double jeopardy works. Courtesy of Wikipedia Double jeopardy is a procedural defence that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same (or similar) charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction. In common law countries, a defendant may enter a peremptory plea of autrefois acquit or au...

I am not typically a fan of poems but I do appreciate someone who writes poetry. I mean true poetry without having to make sure that every line rhymes. The poems in this book range from the really short to the long like: Self-Assessment In his heart a young fighter expects no defeats, Every ham can play Hamlet, all poets are Keats And all women are Garbo and men Cary Grant, Being each of us all his own best sycophant. The Day the World Ends The day the worlds ends There will be the sound of a long, whining fart And everyone on the street will stop And look at each other as if to say What The hell is that ---Til the sound is cut short by A thunderclap So loud that, Ears ringing, People will stagger about as if drunk, Hands clapped to heads, Eyes slit, mouths O-shaped. And then the vibrating will start—but not last long, Because POOM! An outward blast will splinter the concrete And shoot everyone into the air like champagne co...

Paula Wittmore left Haven Woods when she was a teenager. She did not look back. She has now returned. If it was not for the failing health of her mother, she probably would not set foot in Haven Woods. Paula is bringing her daughter, Rowan with her. The book cover is menacing and draws you in. This is what I noticed first about this book, than I read the summary for this book and I thought it sounded intriguing. Sadly, I was not feeling this book. It did not put a spell over me. I did give this book the good, ole, college try but I only got about a third of the way into this book and than gave up. I did flash forward to the last few chapters of the ending of this book and I have to say that I did not miss much. I was just not feeling the characters and found the story moved to slowly for me. I was expecting the meat for the story regarding the deep, dark, secrets to be revealed right away and this did not happen. I wanted it to be more on the paranormal side. This would be some...

Back of Book In this heartfelt true story, an unexpected encounter leads to an inseparable alliance between two women who come to believe their chance meeting was not happenstance, but destiny. This friendship is sure to last the ages, until a devastating turn of events shatters their dream and alters the course of their lives. Through one another, they grow in ways neither expected nor dreamed. What each believed to be weakness becomes strength. Fear becomes courage. How their relationship deepens as they face the ultimate challenge resonates long after the last page is read. In the end, one simple, yet profound lesson is learned . . . Love best what matters most: Family, Friends, and God's Grace To Carry   Author Marcia explains:   Grace To Carry is the real life story of me and my best friend, Joan, who died of colon cancer. We met by chance . . . she was bigger than life--outgoing, strong, but reluctant to trust. I was timid but trusted all who crossed my path...

Review by Nancy A truly dark tale about a Nordic god named Heimðallr. “Heimðallr, the god who was born of nine mothers (the waves of the sea), is said to have been the father of all the castes of humankind.” (thank you Wiki!!). It wouldn’t hurt to read a bit about him before you start this book. It makes things a little clearer. Birger Wallenberg is taking over the Asgard Park Institute. – an institution for the mentally ill. Originally from Copenhagen; he has been selected from many applicants to head the Research Department. He already has great plans to use his position to prove some of his own theories. One thing they forgot to mention: the retiring Director, Dr. Karl Leamas, lives there. He built it so why not? Why not is an easy answer. The man is everywhere, into everything and possibly (probably) a tad deluded. He keeps speaking of Heimdallr and encourages Birger to open his senses to him. He says Birger is the chosen one to carry on Heimdallr’s work in the world. Meanwhile, ac...

Justice Department Sues; Three Publishers Settle In a clash of concepts about what best serves the reader--the lowest possible prices or a healthy, diverse book industry--the federal government yesterday came down on the side of the book as a commodity. As expected, the Department of Justice officially filed a civil suit in district court in New York against Apple and five of the six major publishers, charging they "conspired to raise retail prices of e-books" by adopting agency pricing for e-books and applying it to all customers. As a result, Attorney General Eric Holder said at a news conference, the Department believed "consumers paid millions of dollars more for some of the most popular titles." While indicating they don't agree with the charges, three of the publishers--Hachette, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster--are settling with the Department and accepting a range of limitations on how they can sell e-books. By contrast, Apple, Macmillan and P...

Book Summary On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her, despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated. Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And n...

Beck is competing in the Rising Star Chef competition. Beck is the newest member to join the East Coast Team There are four teams competing in the competition. One of the other teams involves Beck's estranged wife, Skye. This is the first time that Beck and Skye have been in the same room in a long time. Skye tells Beck that she wants a divorce. Beck is not ready to let Skye go without a fight. Beck makes a challenge with Skye. If Beck's team wins, then he will give Skye, the divorce she wants but not before spending one last night in the bedroom together. If Skye's team wins, then Beck will sign the papers.  Hot Under Pressure is the last book in the Rising Star Chef series. If you have not read the prior two novels, than don't worry as this book can be read as a standalone novel. This book had some cooking in it but I would have liked to see a little more. As the concept for this book was about a cooking...

SYNOPSIS: A sweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated by time, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in the days of Cleopatra--and lost for 2,000 years. Jac L'Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances--and of her mother's suicide--she moved to America. Now, fourteen years later she and her brother have inherited the company along with it's financial problems. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing--leaving a dead body in his wake--Jac is plunged into a world she thought she'd left behind. Back in Paris to investigate her brother's disappearance, Jac becomes haunted by the legend the House of L'Etoile has been espousing since 1799. Is there a scent that can unlock t...

Catherine Winslow is retired. She used to work for a major newspaper as a reporter. Catherine lives on a quiet street on Cloudland. Nothing is supposed to happen there. Well nothing like a dead body of a woman. Catherine recognizes the woman, once she gets a good look at her. Her name is Angela Parker. She is the latest murder victim. Poor Angela, her body was dumped and not found until the snow started thawing. Catherine didn’t plan on getting involved in the murder case but she can’t help it. It is her reporter instincts kicking in. She calls on help from her friend, Anthony, a forensic psychiatrist. I thought that Mr. Olshan did a good job with this book. While, I was expecting more drama in the form of edge of my seat, nail-biting moments, I didn’t get this but I did get more character involvement and development. I agree with another reader that I did find it took a long time for the story to progress and the killer’s identity to be revealed. It seemed like Mr. Olshan really wante...

About the book: • Have flannel pj’s replaced your silky negligees?  • Are you more likely to nod off cuddling the remote—instead of your partner? • Are you too tired for sex? • Is foreplay becoming “boreplay”? Sure, being comfortable in your relationship is great. You can finish each other’s sentences, love your partner’s extra ten pounds, and know just the right buttons to push in bed (or at least think you do). But too much comfort can strip your sex life of its XXX rating and render your love life . . . lifeless. Overflowing with candid advice, tips, techniques, personal revelations, sexercises, and even a ten-step plan guaranteed to rejuvenate your relationship and keep you and your partner coming back for more, THE BIG, FUN, SEXY SEX BOOK proves that knowledge isn’t just power—it’s also pleasure! To check out *ahem* informative excerpt, click here. About the authors: From playing Billie Reed on Days of our Lives to heating u...