Book Review "Brides for Brothers" and "The Marriage Risk"

I have surpassed my reading goal for this year!!!!
My goal was to read a book a month and I have read 14 books this year!!!

I am not one for romance books, give me a good horror book or a personal history book, but romance is not my thing.
With that being said, every year at Christmas time I read a sappy Holiday book.
This was not what I was expecting.
See the cute cottage, and the snow and the fact that it takes place in Alaska......it is not a Holiday book!!!
It took place in June for the one story and one of the summer months in the second!
As disappointing as was my pick for my Holiday book, the stories were sweet.

You know what they say "Don't judge a book by its cover" rings true to this book, lol.

I will go over my other goals that I succeded at or failed in tomorrows post.

Hope you all have a very creative day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Eleanor Rigby"

11 books in 11 months...I am so close to completing my goal for reading a book a month!!!!
I was given this book from a friend and it has been in my bookcase for awhile.
I was getting ready for bed and then realized I NEED a book to read for this month!
So I rushed downstairs and grabbed this one.
I didn't have my glasses so rushed upstairs to get them...then without reading the back of the book, sat on the stairs landing and read the first page....
Which then turned into a half hour of reading, lol.

I really enjoyed this book.
It was a quick simple read.
I read it in 2 days.

You will all laugh at me when I tell you I didn't know what the title of this book was.
I wasn't sure which was the title and which was the author.
It wasn't until I was near the end of the book that it came to light which was which.
If you all are fans of the Beatles as my husband is, you would totally know, lol.






















Or you are my friend Debbie, who was over and I gave her the book and she said isn't that from a song, lol.
So it may be only me and my daughter, that didn't know which was which, lol.
I should have known which was the author as I had read another book by Douglas Coupland this year "Girlfriend in a Coma"

Even Sawyer enjoyed this book, teehee.
This is what I have been doing lately.
Looking after this little cutie 💞

I so enjoy being able to spend so much time with him.
But as a mother of 3 daughters, I don't remember needing a nap in the middle of the afternoon....and its Not my age, lol.

I hope you all have a very Creative Day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I am still going strong on my challenge to read a book a month.
I actually completed this book at the end of October.
I really enjoyed this book.
You know when you read a book and you love all of the characters.
I like it better when I don't.....which this book did.
I like when the characters are real and have their flaws...like we all do.

This is the second book I have read this year that has a child that has a special needs.
Both of the books take place in the past (this one over 50 years ago) and show how far we have come in how we see and how we value those with special needs.

I would recommend this book.

Tracy :)

Book Review "Gerald's Game"

Look at me go!!
Not only am I successful in my "one book a month" challenge I have for myself, but this is my second book I have read for the month of September (maybe the reason for lack of posts).

I heard this book was made into a movie.
Funny thing was I had this book on one of my bookshelves and thought I had read it.
Decided to double check, but when I read the jacket cover, realized I had not, lol.

I have to read the book before watching the movie.
I like to have the characters in my head on how I think they look, before seeing them on-screen.
I also enjoy reading the books first, because in the books you get to read what is going on in the character's head.

I really enjoyed this book, but then again, I am a Stephen King fan.
I love the way he gets into his characters heads and describes how they are feeling, the way their mind works and the things they see.
This book is about a husband and wife who go off to their summer home in the off season and things don't go as planned.

In true Stephen King fashion, he writes so well on how  the mind plays tricks on us....or do they?!

I have 3 bookshelves full of books I have read, or want to read.
I also have a note on my phone with book suggestions from friends that I plan on reading.
I write down the title of the book, who the author is and who suggested it.

I would love to hear what you are all reading so I can add it to my never ending reading list :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Rainwater"

I have to say I loved this book.
It was a quick read, and I loved the characters in this book.
The story was so sweet, even though it was a dark hard time.

I think I need to look up some more writings from Sandra Brown...I don't think I have read any of her books before.

I like the friendship between the 2 main characters.

I have to say I am proud that I had completed this book so early in the month and I am 1/3 way through my new book!

What are you reading?
I would love to know :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "The DarkTower Gunslinger"

I have to take a break from sharing my shopping goodies to do a book review.
As it is the last day of the month, I need to share my book choice for the month of August.
I actually finished this book on the 18th of this month, but forgot to share it earlier.

I like to read the book before seeing the movie, since I heard that this book was made into a movie, I just had to give it a read.
I had this book series in my collection (as I love how Stephen King writes and collect his books in hard cover).
But I donated them many years ago as I figured I would never read them as I thought they were Western type of a book.
Which they are, in a sense...but a more futuristic type of book with a dark side to it....true Stephen King style.

Did I like the book...yeah it was an okay read.
But I don't feel the need to keep reading the rest of the series.
So not so much of a hit for me.

I am so far enjoying my read for September :)
What books have you been reading this summer?
I love to hear what is on everyone else's reading list.

I hope you all are having a very Creative Day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Fifty Shades Freed"

I am going strong with my resolution to read a book a month!!!
Even though this is the only resolution that I have actually been keeping up with, lol.

Here is my book for July.
I have to admit this didn't have me turning the pages.
I liked the first book. "Fifty Shades of Grey"...which I don't think I have a review on as I read it years ago.
I didn't care for the second book "Fifty Shades Darker" (except at the very end).
The reason I read this one is because the last few pages of the second book wanted me to know what was going to happen....plus it is a trilogy, so I just had to complete them.

I know there was some controversy on these books, which I didn't think was a big deal.
What got me in this book was that she was always worried about if Christian was upset with her.
Also that they kept referring to how much money he had, or designer names and such...that puts me off of a book.

I think I need a different type of book for August.
I am not into romance at all...maybe look for an apocalyptic type of book?

I have been so busy this summer and especially these last 2 weeks, so I have to appologise for not checking out your blogs and for not sharing much creatively with you all.
But summer is short here in Canada and I want to enjoy every second of it.

I hope you all had a very creative day.
If you know of some good books you would like to share with me, I would love to know what you are reading this summer.

Tracy :)

Book Review "Fifty Shades Darker"

Wow, I'm early with my book for June.
Now that it is cottage season, I seem to read more. For one thing, it is almost a 2 hour drive to our cottage, so I usually read for most of the drive.
So onto the book for this month.

I was running out the door when I realized I didn't have a book to read up at the cottage.
I had read the 1st book to this series, but never read the others, so grabbed it.
I had given this series to my sister, which she gave back to me as she couldn't continue as she thought it was a bit to much for her.
Not sure if it was all the hype I had heard about it, but I thought it was kind of tame, lol.

Here is the read up on the back of the book.
You really must read the first book to understand the second and third one.
Did I like this book?
Yes, it was okay...thought the main character could have been a bit stronger..but I guess that is why the 2 characters personalities worked.
I enjoyed the very last chapter....it really made me want to start on the 3rd book.

Onto My Day:
Today's plan was for my daughter Heather and I to help Ashley with her new flowerbed.
Ashley and Sawyer came by and brought with them some lilacs from Ashley's house.
She knows I love the smell of them and that they put a smile on my face :)
It touched my heart so much.
Its the little things that make me so happy.

Ashley thought we would need a few buckets of soil to fill her flower bed.
I knew we would need a lot more.
We brought 5 large buckets with us and did 3 trips....we need one more trip.

We went to one of our local nurseries and it was so fun to look at all the pretty flowers and decor.
It was so hot in there that I left Heather and Ashley to shop for their flowers while I took Sawyer to the cooler part of the store.
Isn't he so cute in those little shades?!!
They didn't stay on his face long, as he kept taking them off to chew on them, lol.

Ashley had a mishap with their SUV..as the engine had a bit of a fire on her way back home.
Luckily it was all okay and I had Sawyer with me in my jeep.
She called a tow truck and I went back to pick her up and their vehicle is going to get looked at tomorrow.
All in all it was a great day...besides the little engine fire ;)

I hope you all have a very creative day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Haunted"

I have to admit, I am pretty proud of myself for keeping up with my goal of reading a novel a month.
I think this may be the only goal that I have been consistent with.
I may grab a book at the last minute, but I still get it read before month end.
I actually finished this book last night.

My thoughts on this book...
It is a good story, I enjoyed the parts of the ghost making ita appearances and trying to figure out who the ghost was.
What I didn't care for was the romance part of the book.
I am not one to read about romance where the main characters dislike each other, then fall so hard for each other..then question if they are right for each other..blah blah blah, lol.
Give me some a hot and heavy love affair and maybe, lol.
I was also put off by the authors obsession with everyone's height?!?
But honestly, it was a good quick read.

Look at our baby, teehee.
Luna is enjoying herself in Sawyer's playpen.  

I am actually surprised that she didn't jump in there when we first got it.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get to my layouts and maybe make a page or two.
I hope you all have a very creative day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Girlfriend in a Coma"

Keeping up with my goal of reading a book a month...here is the one I read for the month of April.
Yes, I completed it today...nothing like completing a goal at the last minute.
This book was given to me by my friend Tessie.
Now that everyone knows I want to read a book a month, everyone is giving me books...thanks friends :)

Now before I give my review I want to say I am not a writer...I wish I was, I think I could be, but I am not, so my review is only my opinion as a reader.
With that being said here I go.

One of my favourite authors is Stephen King, so when I read this write up comparing the book to his writing, I got a bit excited.
I can see why they thought that...but the person who wrote that, I don't think has ever read a Stephen King book.
This book seemed to be all over the place and there were a few places I thought "what, I think he just contradicted himself in his writing"?!
I did enjoy parts of this book and it was an easy, quick read.
I did like the apocalyptic part of this book!

Onto My Day:
Yesterday Kristy took off for her trip to Italy.
I drove them all to the airport and snapped a quick picture.
Kristy has been texting us and even Face-Timed with me twice :)
Needless to say with the 6 hour time difference I have been bringing my cell phone in my bedroom at night.

My daughter Ashley and this cool little dude came for a visit today :)
I can't get enough of him...but I am sure most of you know that.

I should actually go down in my library of books and pick out one for tomorrow so I can get a jump on it before the end of the May.

I hope you all have a ver Creative Day :)

Tracy :)

Book Review "Thirteen Reasons Why"

Wow, tomorrow is April already!!!
I have been doing pretty good with my goals for this year.
One of them was to read (at least) 12 books a year, which is 1 book a month.
I started this month with a different book, but didn't enjoy the writing style so put it down.
In the past I would have forced myself to finish it, but I have come to the conclusion that I won't be able to read every book out there, so I won't waste my reading time on those books that don't keep my attention.

Now onto the book I chose, Thirteen Reasons Why.
I had read this book in the past, it was recommended to me by my daughter Heather, who by the way, has great taste in books.
Heather had told me that they made a show about this book, so I wanted to refresh myself on it before watching the show.
I enjoy reading a book before the movie or show comes out.

The book is about a girl who commits suicide and explains the events that brought her to this decision on tapes.
These tapes are then passed to the 13 people who have had a part in her life that impacted this decision.
We follow Clay around town as he listens to these tapes.

This book was a quick read...one that is hard to put down.
So hard to put down that Wayne wanted to watch a movie with me.
So I watched a movie as well as read this book.
I even had a notebook with notes on the characters in the book and what their connection to Hannah was.

What I took from this book is what an impact we have on someone.
No matter how good or bad, no matter how long or short we are in their lives, we all have an impact on someone.
It also makes me so sad that this young girl felt this hopeless, to take her life.
Having daughter's, I thought of how I would feel if one of them took their own life. I would be devastated...I kept thinking this while reading it.
I think of all of those that feel there is not another option...there is always another option.

Tracy

Book Review....The Illegal

I completed my second book of the year!!
Another 427 pages read :)
I know that may not sound like a a big accomplishment to a lot of you, and it wouldn't have sounded like a big accomplishment to me years ago either.
I used to be an avid reader...I would stay up all night to finish a book, I would read while walking, or just sitting outside or when we would go for a drive. I used to read many books a month.
But in the last few years, my reading has really slowed down.
So for the last couple of years I have challenged myself to read 12 books a year...one a month.

This particular book was given to me by my friend Debbie as a Christmas gift.
Debbie is always giving me books to read :)
And now that I have mentioned to my friends my goal, they are giving me books left and right...but you won't hear me complaining ;)
This was a pretty good book.
I don't want to say to much as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else who would like to read it.
It is basically about a boy, Keita, who is a runner.
He lived a good life with his family in a nice but poor little town, until the government changed hands and all was not well.
I escaped to Freedom State, which the majority of the people who lived there were not happy with how many illegal immigrants were coming into "their" land.
It is a good book and from what I am reading about what is happening in the US at this time...one to read to give many a different perspective on this issue.
The author is Canadian and actually is from the same province as me.
I was chuckling about the use of Tim Horton's as a coffee shop in the novel as it takes place far from Canada.

Here is the write up from the back of the book.

The photos are pretty dark as I stayed up quite late reading and then took that photos.
Not good lighting at 2:00am

Tracy :)

The Midwife of Venice...A book Review.

Like last year one of my Goals was to read one book a month.
I only read 7...but that may have been 7 more than if I didn't have a goal :)
I am happy to share with you that I have completed my 1st book of the New Year!!!
321 pages to this book.

But to be fair, I started reading this book before Ashley had Sawyer, but because of the content of this novel, I had to put it down.
I was only a few chapters into this book, but I couldn't read any further at that time.
It is about a Jewish midwife from 1575, who attends a noble woman...which at the time was forbidden.
I enjoyed this book and read it all today, so an easy read.
A bit predictable, but still a good read!
The back of the book

I hope you have a creative day

Tracy :)

The Girl on the Train…Book Review

This book was the choice for Augusts Book Club group I follow on Facebook.
I had completed this book on August 5th…but am just getting a review done on it now…always behind, teehee.

This book is about a woman named Rachel who commutes to work daily on the train.
At a certain stop, she can see into a couple's window and into their life, and imagines what their life is like.
She even comes up with names for these two, whom she has never met.
As the story goes on, she finds out that one of them is missing.
She puts herself into the investigation to try and help the police with finding the missing person.
But as the story unfolds, we learn more about Rachel and her life and realize why this is so important for her.

It was a good read.
The characters were not very likeable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book, it kept me on my toes to find out what was going to happen next.
There are so many twists and turns, and goes so much deeper as the story unfolds.
It touches on alcoholism and abuse.

Would I recommend this book..yup.
It is a quick read and one that keeps you coming back for one more chapter ;)

Onto My Day:
Wayne got off of work a bit early and we headed to the cottage.
It was pretty chilly when we got here, so he put on a fire to warm it up.
On the way here, we stopped at Char's Fryer and picked up some french fries.
Now these are the best fries to eat…yummy.

I hope you all had a very creative day :)

Tracy :)

Fly Away…a book review.

I completed this book on Friday.

Did I like it?…it was okay.
I did like the beginning and middle of the story, it was pretty predictable as most of these types of books are, but it was an easy read and a good story.
What I didn't like about it was when the author went back into the mother, Cloud's, life.
I think she was trying to get us to sympathize with the mother about why she was such shitty mother.
It just made me mad and I was actually going to stop reading the book.
But because I was over half way through the book, and kept on.
I didn't sympathize with the mother, I didn't feel sorry for her.
Heartless maybe, but that is how I felt.

Also when one of the characters were recuperating, she had trouble talking and couldn't say more than 2 words….but then all of a sudden she could speak paragraphs….I think the author forgot that this character wasn't talking well in the page before.
It just seemed that the author wanted to just complete the book and tie up the ends.

Would I recommend this book, probably not.
Now to my next book…I have a stack of them to get through in the next few weeks :)

Hope you had a creative day and you were able to prop up your feet and enjoy a good book today :)

Tracy :)

Great Read and Great Walk

It was a wonderful weekend….beautiful weather and time spent with family…..perfection.

I completed this book on the drive home from camp.
This seems to be the only time that I have to read…I am stuck in the truck for almost 2 hours, so why not be productive right :)
This was a great book.
Great characters, great story line and kept me wanted to find out more about the characters and their stories.
I would really recommend this book.

Here is the gang.
My daughter Heather and Kristy. Kristy's boyfriend Blake. My daughter Ashley and her fiancé Tyler.
It looked like it was going to rain, so Ashley and Tyler decided to leave early.
I know Heather wanted to go home and see our cat Luna, (and play her new video game) so she tagged along with them.
Kristy was torn, she wanted to stay, but she also wanted to go. Once I told her that we were staying late, she and Blake decided to go with Ashley as well.

Since the kids (I know they are all adults, but to me they are kids….now I sound old ) had all gone home.
I made a new friend :)
See this guys tail…it is only a nub.
This is what the squirrels do to the chipmunks.
They chase the chipmunks away from the seed we put out for them and also attack them…some of them have nasty wounds from those bullies.

Wayne and I had an afternoon fire, and then it started to pour.
It rained so hard, the rain was bouncing off of the truck roof.
But once it stopped, we relit the fire and waited for it to burn out.

Funny Story:
Wayne wanted to clear some more brush on a trail, and I wanted to go for a walk this morning.
So we both rode in his RZR and he dropped me off at the beginning of the trail.
I walked the whole way and turned around to come back. I met him about half way coming back.
He said that he wasn't going to go the whole way to the end, so he wouldn't be long.
So I told him I would keep walking…and head towards camp, and that he could pick me up on the way back.
When I walk, I kind of get lost in my thoughts…..so it wasn't until I was on the trail headed to the pipeline, that I realized Wayne should have picked me up a half hour ago.
So then I start to worry a bit (especially after yesterday's incident), plus Wayne doesn't like me walking alone in the middle of the bush alone.
I figured it would take me less time to walk back to camp then back towards Wayne.
I get to camp, the kids are asking where their dad is, as we left in the same vehicle.
I get my quad to check out what happened and Kristy is wondering if she needs to come.
As it turned out, I met Wayne on the road…he didn't think I would have walked as far as I did in that amount of time. When he drove to the pipeline trial and didn't pass me (as I was already on the pipeline) he figured I went in the opposite direction…so went looking for me.
Needless to say, I got in my 10,000 steps in that walk alone, teehee.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, and my little story :)

Tracy :)

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Here is the book that I stayed up until 2:00am to finish reading last night ;)
I was gifted this book from Phillane for my birthday…or Christmas, not sure which as she sent both gifts in the same parcel ;)

This book was pretty good :)
It is about the Salem Witch trials. Going from that time to the present as a young woman is researching and on a mission to find Deliverace Dane's Physick Book.
It was an easy read, or my standards of an easy read.
Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the book, I also love the texture of the paper on the cover…yes I am a book lover.
I don't think I would have picked this book out at the book store, but am so glad that Phillane thought I would like it..as she was correct :)

You know you have read a good book when most of the day you are still thinking of the characters and what they are up to ;)

I hope you all had a very Creative Tuesday :)

Tracy :)

Book Review Sarah's Key

I forgot to share this book with you.
I read it on the drive when Wayne and I went to the States last month.
My friend Debbie told me I needed to read it, and leant it to me.
I have to say it was a great book.
Not only was it a fast read, it was heart touching.
It was a bit predictable, but then again it took place in WW2, which most of us know the sad events that took place at that time.
But it also took place in present time as well.
I would highly recommend this book.
I thought I did good, I didn't cry until the end.

Onto My Day:
I had a long Todo list…as I usually have on a Monday.
But honestly, I don't think I did one thing on that list…besides take Kristy to work.
I had a visit with a good friend.
Ended up going shopping with Kristy and Heather.
Chatting for a couple of hours with another friend on the phone.
Made supper
I am not one to do housework after supper…that is my down time with my honey ;)

Heather and Kristy went over to Ashley's house to help her decorate her house tonight.
Isn't her decor so pretty.
I love the mantel (that I made for her, yes, I do have to mention it every time I share it with you), the greenery and the stockings hung from it are so picture perfect :)

Ashley informed me that her decorating isn't compete. She wants to put more filler picks in her tree and more lighting.

I hope you all had a very Creative Day today :)

Tracy :)

A good read.

I don't seem to read all that much during the winter. Most of my reading is done in the summer relaxing at our cottage.

But Heather recommended this book to me, so I decided to read it during the wait at the doctors.

I have watched quite a few of John  Green (and his brother Hank's) YouTube videos. So was surprised that he had written a book.

I have to say it is an excellent read. 

Heart wrenching for a parent at times, but so real. 

Then I find out that it has been made into a movie. 

I told Hearher I'm not sure if I could watch it in a theatre...I know I'd be crying, as I did while reading it. 

I would totally recommend this book. 

Hope you all had a creative Friday :)

Tracy :)