Published: December 17, 2019
Genres: Health and Nutrition

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Description:

Are you craving junk foods? Feeling sluggish and tired all the time? Fueling yourself on caffeine and sugar? Then it's time to incorporate some Energizing Superfood Juices and Smoothies​ into your day. Jump-start your body with superfoods in the form of juices, smoothies, and meals, with vegetables and fruits selected to coincide with fresh, delicious, seasonal produce.

With over 40 unique and delicious combinations of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices, you can make these yummy green juices and smoothies right in your own kitchen, anytime you want. And if you want to keep the green goodness going, there are more than 25 tasty vegetarian meal recipes included. Plus, the convenient, seasonal shopping lists will never have you overbuying produce that can go to waste.

Review:

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

"Did you know that our bodies absorb over 97% of the nutrients contained in raw vegetables and fruits? Compare that to vitamin supplements made in a laboratory, which have an absorption rate of 5 to 25 percent"

WHAT!?!?!?!? No, I did not know this. This fun little fact made me want to dive in and learn so much more. I learned a lot from this book and as a mom of three learning what it means to be healthy, I was very excited. I got a nice little history lesson about how "the hunt" for meat has been the focus of our ancestors instead of the focus on how much not meat they used to eat.... "It was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day". This number is insane and blew my mind. With my nutrition portions, I am eating 4 cups of vegetables and 3 cups of fruit. Far from six pounds. 

After explaining "why to juice" and the equipment I would need to be successful, I then found a lot of delicious recipes... and they weren't all juices/smoothies. Eggs, sandwiches, salads, salsas ect. A great verity to keep my belly satisfied. 

I will definitely be recommending this book to my fitness girls and anyone who would be interested in learning to eat a little healthier. 

The Fairy in the Kettle gets Magical by Pauline Tait

Published: May 7, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

The Fairy in the kettle gets Magical is the third book in this beautifully illustrated picture book series. Aimed at 4 to 8 year olds it continues the adventures of Leona and her friends...

“They could remember the warm amber glow shimmering and sparkling as it danced through the air. Twisting and turning as it went.” When Leona was woken early one morning, she knew something had to be wrong. But as she rushed to meet the elders nothing could prepare her for what she was about to hear. Life in Fairy Glen was about to change...the words fairy dust were echoing in the air! 

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

Great story about teamwork! The illustrations are so cute and colorful. I absolutely love the cover! This would be an amazing book for lots of little children!

To Catch an Elephant by Vanessa Westgate

Published: June 25, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

Laugh out loud - and learn!

“If you want to catch an elephant, first you must find out where elephants live . . .”
So begins this tale of a boy and his quest for a pet elephant.
But maybe catching an elephant isn’t as simple as it sounds . . .

A delightful and compassionate story for elephant lovers ages 4 years and up.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

I'm not sure if its the copy I received or if I'm just not on the same "page" as the author but there seemed to be some errors in the book like the words weren't matching up with the correct illistrations and what does " h t e p s n t o t h e" mean (loc 15 of 39). 

The book does have some potential my 4 year old wouldn't probably be interested but a 2 or 3 yo wold greatly laugh and listen to this fun story. 

As a mother, I wouldn't be buying this book for my children. 

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Publish: January 8, 2019 by St. Martin's Press
Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

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Description:
Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed. 

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave. But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding. As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

Review:

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader's Edition of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

I love the cover. I love both covers that have been chosen for Hendricks and Pekkanen. They are very intriguing and they let you know that these two women are going to be very intermingled with each other and its going to be in a twisted way. Sets you up and gets you excited for a great thriller. 

So the story starts out with Jessica, down on her luck financially. She is a make up artist and while with a client she takes a great leap and steals an opportunity from her -- the survey. This finds her mixed up and doing weird things for Dr. Shields that are a bit questionable and placing her in opportunities in front of her husband. Before Jessica catches on to what is happening and what Dr. Sheilds's objective is.... She has already slept with the Doctor's husband. Oops! 

The build up and suspense was done very well. The ending sucked! I was very disappointed. I was very excited for something dramatic and drastic to happen but there is nothing. I only made it half way through The Wife Between Us so I'm wondering if Hendricks and Pekkanen just can't close and bring about a fantastic story. They did a lot better this round in holding my attention longer. But I did find myself skimming a lot with a "alright already" attitude. 

I don't really understand the title. Hendricks and Pekkanen attempted using it with Jessica "remaining just another anonymous girl". But at no point in the story was anyone anonymous. I think a better title would be fitting. 

The POV jumped back and fourth between Jessica and Dr. Shields. When it's Jessica's POV the book is read normal and in first person. Then you get Dr. Shields perspective its "you do this" and "you do that" describing things about Jessica as she is doing them. Its makes me feel like Dr. Shields is a peeping tom but this really helps build the suspense and make you want to know more. 

Three stars because I felt like most of the story was a success. Unfortunately, they just couldn't bring it home. 

Also, be sure to check out:

The Wife Between Us


When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love. 
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing. 

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.