I Feel So Unnecessary

Paw Print in My Heart: Life Lessons Learned from the Dog of My Life By: Andrew Hessel Genre: Non-fiction 165 pages Publisher: Old Dog Publishing, 2014 * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a tribute to Mac, Andrew's dog who sadly passed away. It chronicles Mac's life and his passing and how he touched those around him. I found it to be a moving tribute not just to Mac but also a tribute to man's best friend. I think it would be a treat to dog people or just to animal lovers in general. So, it's getting... 1/2 teacups Buy the book here: Amazon / B&N Add it on Goodreads Visit Andrew's website Follow him on Facebook Go on and get it! Lisa

The Fire ( Northwest Passage # 4) By: John A. Heldt Genre: Adventure/History/Touch of Romance Publisher: John A. Heldt , 2013 I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. When recent college graduate Kevin Johnson joins his family in Wallace, Idaho to clean out his late grandfather's house he finds more than he bargained for. It leads to a hidden treasure and a diary that takes him on an adventure- way back to 1910 Wallace. And while there he gets more than he bargained for. This is a sequel to The Journey but also includes cameos from Joel and Grace from The Mine and The Show. I liked that element. I found the book to be entertaining and hard to put down. I recommend all The Northwest Passage Novels.     Visit John: Facebook Goodreads Go on! Get 'em today, they're very reasonably priced.  Lisa

Revised Orders By: Irene Helenowski Genre: Sci-fi 264 pages Publisher: Lulu, May 2014 I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. In this the second book after Order of the Dimensions Jane is married to Randy and just finished her doctoral dissertation. Like the first book I found the plot to be intriguing and the characters realistic and interesting. However, I found it hard to distinguish between dimensions and which characters were talking. But other than that I found it an entertaining read.  Book Links: Goodreads   Amazon     Lisa

On Behalf of the Family Detective Dave Mason # 3 By: Mar Preston Genre: Mystery 373 pages Publisher: Pertinacity Press, 2014 I got a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. When Detective Dave Mason is called out to an arson scene that finds the burnt body of a young Turkish girl in  a parking garage. While investigating he finds trouble everywhere he goes- from the victim's family, to the department,  from the city of Santa Monica and even from his girlfriend. Can he bring her killer to justice and keep his love life intact? While I found the book to be a little draggy in places and the dialogue a little stilted at time; Dave was a very interesting protagonist. The mystery also kept me guessing and the subject matter was timely. She took an important issue- the Muslim religion and wove it in the plot without being heavy handed. Here's some book links: Amazon/  Goodreads / Author Website Lisa

Nest By Esther Ehrlich Genre: YA 336 pages Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books September 9, 2014 I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It is 1972 and Naomi "Chirp" Orenstein lives on Cape Cod with her psychiatrist father, her ill mother, and her sister Rachel. When Naomi's mother's illness turns out to be serious she turns to her neighbor Joey. She also finds comfort in watching her much loved birds. Together Chirp and Joey come up with the perfect plan: Escape, Adventure, Discovery. A captivating children's book that is suitable for all ages. It held my attention and the dialogue and characters were believable. I think you, too will sing its' praises. Here's some book links: Goodreads  Amazon Lisa

Of Merlot and Murder A Tangled Vines Mystery By: Joni Folger Genre: Mystery 288 pages Publisher: Midnight Ink- September 8, 2014 I received a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the second Tangled Vines Mystery and it's just as fun as the first one. When Elise and her family decide to help co-sponsor the Lost Pines Food and Wine Festival they didn't know they'd get tangled up in murder again. But when Elise's grandmother ends up at the murder scene of her rival Divia Larson Elise is determined to find the real killer. The book's plot kept me interested, the fledgling romance between Elise and Deputy Jackson Landry has plenty of chemistry, and Elise and her spunky family are fun. I look forward to more books in this series. 1/2 stars Get the book here: Midnight Ink / Amazon / B&N And add it on Goodreads Now shoo! Go on and get it! Lisa

No Saints Around Here: A Caregiver's Days By: Susan Allen Toth 256 pages Genre: Memoir/Essays/Caregiving Publisher: University of Minnesota Press, 2014 In this book Toth writes in short essays that chronicle the last 18 months of her husband James's life- who suffered from  Parkinson's Disease. An honest, poignant, and darkly funny book. Susan Allen Toth's collection of essays about her caregiving days are not just a must read for caregivers; they're a must read for all readers.      Here's some book links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / University of Minnesota Press About the author: Susan Allen Toth  has written for the  New York Times , the  Washington Post ,  Harper's , and  Vogue , among other publications. Her many books include  Blooming ,  Ivy Days ,  My Love Affair with England ,  England As You Like It , and  Leaning into the Wind: A Memoir of Midwest Weather  (Minnesota, 2006). A...