Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein

Let me start out by saying I am not a novice knitter nor a super expert knitter.  The patterns are not written with a novice in mind or even someone like myself who has done quit a bit of knitting.  I would say you would need to be an expert knitter to follow a lot of the instructions.  I had to look up several of the abbreviations as I didn't know what they meant. I didn't find the directions to always be clear.  I am also challenged with any knitting project as I am left handed and have to reverse a lot of patterns.

That being said, the book is presented in a very pleasing fashion.  Good color photos.




I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

Let me preface my review with the statement that most of the books I read are suspense books.  That being said I did enjoy the book but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat.  I did enjoy Kate and Colton’s characters.  They were both in limbo and not sure what the next phase of their lives would be.  They had plan A or B in their minds and were trying to decide which one to choose.  Only thing is they didn’t put God into the equation to see what he wanted them to do.  Maybe it was plan C or D.  It opened my eyes to how many times I do the same thing with my life decisions. I would give this book 3 ½ stars because as I stated I’m more of a suspense reader.  I look forward to the other books in the Walker family series.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

At the last minute Maggie Hope is sent to interview champion horse trainer Tru Monahan because the person who was suppose to do it was taken ill.  Maggie never dreamed she would meet let alone talk with Tru.  She is an advice columnist not a reporter so she is really nervous.  But to save her column she does what she is told.  During the interview things get out of hand and she bets Tru that he can’t teach her, the city girl, how to ride a cutting a horse.  Did I mention that Maggie is very klutzy?

Tru is determined to teach Maggie how to ride a horse. He believes Maggie set him up so she could get a good story.  It has happened to him before as he is a Champion horse trainer.  Maggie’s background has taught her not to trust anyone but herself and Tru has had some bad experiences along the way also.  As he is teaching her to ride, the attraction between to two of them grows.  Both of Maggie and Tru have secrets that they think will destroy the relationship if it is told.  Therefore, they have trouble trusting each other.

This is a Christian book but the only mention of God was the occasional reference to attending church.  It was a clean book with no language.  It didn’t seem like Maggie and Tru were relying on God to get them through the tough situations they were facing.  It tackled some tough issues like child abuse, living on the streets, and gambling and their consequences.

I found the story to be a quick easy read.  One I enjoyed.  I am looking forward to the next story in the series.  I would recommend this book to anyone.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.