Slow Cooker Potato Soup (With Video)

Slow Cooker Potato Soup (With Video)



 

BOOK REVIEW- On The List (Club Undercover Book 4) by Patricia Rosemoor

Description

No cover charged... no ID required... safety guaranteed...
Agent Renata Fox knew the Feds killed the wrong person they believed to be the cold-blooded Chicago Sniper, but her persistence angers her S.A.F.E. co-workers, who think she’s trying to make them look bad. The real killer is now determined to silence her, and the only man she can turn to is Gabriel Connor. Gabe has his own dark reason for wanting to track down the sniper. He befriends Renata and involves Team Undercover despite her objections. Renata knows she can trust Gabe with her life and heart, but why did this mysterious stranger force her to accept his help?
 AMAZON LINK
 4.5  STARS

I really liked this book.  It had great main characters and a really well written story. Another good one in the series. 
It was a plus that this book could be read as a stand-alone.  It had enough of the background included so that you could understand the people of Team Underground. 

The romance between Gabe and Renata was low key for a while.  Mainly because of trust issues for both of them.  Renata was the one who didn't know who Gabe really was and she was more than suspicious of him and his motives for quite a while.  That got in the way of her attraction to him as you can well imagine.

 The story had plenty of action and kept you guessing on who was behind everything.  The big reveal was super well done and comes to a good conclusion.  More than one secret was revealed as well.
 There is also a quick look into Book #5  "Red Carpet Christmas" .  It's Gideon's story, the main man of Club Undercover. Someone who I've wondered about throughout the series.  A story I would really like to read and the excerpt made me even more interested.
In other reviews on books of this series I mentioned that I felt like the covers needed updating.  But this one I actually thought was pretty good. 

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
 

BOOK REVIEW- Wind River Wrangler (Wind River Series Book 1) by Lindsay McKenna *

 Still waters run deep . . .From the moment Roan Taggart picked up the pretty redhead at the Jackson Hole airport, his training and experience told him she was spooked. She’s left New York City to visit the Wind River Ranch, where Roan is a wrangler, and just as he can pick up a horse’s mood, he can feel the tension coming off her body. And that vulnerability is triggering all his protective instincts. . .

Shiloh Gallagher likes the gray-eyed cowboy’s dry humor—and the Special Forces background that lends him a stoic, powerful presence. But she’s been scarred by trauma and her mother’s murder . . . and knows a strong man can be dangerous. She came to wide-open Wyoming to flee a threat that’s left her unable to write her novels. Now, as she rides horses with Roan and helps him build an isolated cabin, she’s slowly letting down her guard. But danger has followed her west, and they won’t have a future together unless they defeat a killer from her past. . .AMAZON LINK

I had mixed feelings on this book. Although I do have to say that the opening chapter did feel on expressing the terror that Shiloh has been living under. 
The story was detailed and at times it felt a bit over-detailed for me.  A lot of descriptions helped paint the pictures of areas, so the author put the work in.  It just made it slow the story for me.  I'm about the characters and their stories so that's were my interest comes in.  I did like both of the main characters.  Shiloh had quite the varied life experiences and reason for some nightmares too. Roan?  What wasn't there to like about him.  He was there for Shiloh as she tries to get back to who she really is.  He's tough, a skilled warrior but with a gentle, protective heart towards Shiloh.  They also reach a point in the story where they can't and don't keep their "hands" off each other. 
I did like the idea of the author of this book letting us "see" into the world of authors through the eyes of Shiloh. 
There is a good, dramatic and somewhat ironic twist as the story comes to a dangerous conclusion. 
Roan and Shiloh get their H.E.A. as the story wraps up.  While this book was not a favorite it did have some good points.  

 

BOOK REVIEW -DEVOTED (Eternal Brethren Book 5). by Shirleen Davies

Nathan “Tracker” Calderon Kincaid excels as a Navy SEAL. Since joining Eternal Brethren, he’d become a valued member of the undercover motorcycle club made up of active duty military. Quiet and unassuming, he handled each assignment with the precision of an expert, proud of the missions his team completed. His job didn’t keep him awake at night. That honor was reserved for the woman who’d stolen his heart. The woman who’d shoved him from her life after a perceived betrayal.
Juliana Stanifer Quintero’s life has been torn apart twice. Once as a young child when she and her sister were orphaned after a deadly airplane crash. The second as an adult when the man she loved shattered her trust. She hadn’t seen the decorated Navy SEAL who’d shredded her heart since the most painful night of her life. Not until she’d traveled to Liberty Lake to interview for a position at a local clinic.

Nate couldn’t do this again. He’d never refused an order until his commander, Wrath McCord, explained his next assignment. For a second time, he’d been assigned to a task force ordered to bring down the Quintero Cartel. He either accepts the order or kisses his career goodbye—the same choice he’d been given once before. Nate had chosen wrong.

He’ll not make the same mistake a second time.     AMAZON
                                                                                  5 STARS

Devoted is book five in the Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Series by best seller Shirleen Davies. It is a stand-alone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed HEA.

PLEASE NOTE: This series contains strong language common within the military. It is also a steamy romance with open door love scenes.

Mmm, Mmm good!  I hardly know where to start.  It was a story that I was waiting for and it didn't disappoint.  
Nate you have " a lot of 'splaining to do" but there are things that even he didn't know.  Six years of misery for these two just because they were cruelly separated. And the agent that helped screw up their lives is involved in this new op too.   But there is even another twist about that too.  One I didn't see coming. 
If you are looking for a story with a lot of high intensity action, this would be the book for you.  I enjoyed meeting up with the Eternal Brethren Team again.  And the way that Petty Officer Lane was introduced into the team made me smile.  I see some good times ahead story-wise with this new person. 
I mentioned the high octane adventures but I also liked that the people in the story are not written in a shallow way.

Juliana's sister Tory is a part of this story as well. Please tell me that there is a story coming about Tori and Moses .  I can relax I'm pretty sure there will be one and I'll be watching for it. 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”  

BOOK REVIEW- Texas Forever (The Tylers of Texas Book 6) by Janet Dailey *

Description

The one woman he didn’t dare touch …

From the moment Luke Maddox sets eyes on Erin Tyler, he can think of nothing else but laying claim to
Rimrock’s reigning beauty. But Erin is his boss’s daughter, and Luke knows Will Tyler has bigger plans for Erin’s future than a rough and tumble ranch hand with a brutal history and a talent for breaking hearts. Still, that can’t stop Luke from wanting her …

The one man she shouldn’t fall in love with …

As Rimrock Ranch’s heir apparent, Erin Tyler is expected to do the right thing, marry the right man, and take the reins of her family’s legacy when the time comes. Which is why she’s completely shaken by her attraction to her father’s latest hire. There’s something about the rugged, solitary stranger that calls to her soul. Is restless, independent Erin just feeling the familiar pull of her rebellious heart? Or is there something real happening between her and Luke? Something worth risking everything for …
AMAZON LINK
4 STARS


Slow start but with good details.  Details of the land and the families and how they fit. The main characters were good and had an excellent cast of supporting people too. 
After the slow start, the book does start to pick up at about 33% or so on my kindle.  When this story took off it really did. I'm glad that I stuck with it because things really got interesting and with a whole lot of action. Then it begin to really keep me riveted to the story. 
I enjoyed the quiet romance between Erin and Luke.  People and situations kept trying to get in the way.  But after they climb over all of that there is a H.E.A. headed their way.  I know that might have given part of the story away.  But you really don't know how all of that was worked out, now do you? 
I had to shake my head over Erin a time or two.  The things that she is keeping secret so that it doesn't overload her father.  I get it but still it's a dumb move.  Almost guaranteed to come back and bite her in the butt. Of course, her father hasn't exactly been totally upfront with some important things either.  
I do give Erin credit for being knowledgeable when it comes to the ranch and her love for breeding and training her horses. 

There is some irony when it comes to who the "trigger" is in this story.  But there is also a whole lot more danger hanging around this family.   And responsibility after responsibility keeps coming down on Erin's shoulders all at once.   Good thing that she comes from tough stock and was raised to be that way no matter what.  She's going to need every ounce of that.

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
 

BOOK REVIEW- All He'll Ever Need A Little Child Shall Lead Them #1) by Loree Lough *

For Amish widower Phillip Baker, providing for his family in the wake of his wife's death means back-breaking work and renewed dedication to his faith. Still, his strength can’t help him relate to his little son’s struggles. It seems a godsend when new doctor Emily White is able to treat Gabe’s shyness and fear even as she helps heal him. But no matter how strongly Phillip is drawn to the caring Englisher from the city, their differences may be too great to overcome . . .

Reeling from her own tragic loss, Emily keeps loneliness at bay through her clinic work. Somehow, though, Gabe and his gentle, sad-eyed father are making her want to risk opening her heart again. But can she find acceptance in their Plain world—and a way to turn their separate lives into a family forever? . . .  AMAZON  4 STARS


I took a chance on this book.   Why you might ask? Because I could probably count on one hand the books I liked that had a Amish background to it.  I didn't want to be disappointed again.  I think that I can safely say that I wasn't disappointed.
The main characters were really good.  It wasn't hard to like Emily and Phillip.  Both individually and as two people who were interacting together.  The attraction developed very quickly but they were also in some pretty serious situations with his son Gabe too.  Now, Gabe there was another really good main character as well.  He was sweet, smart and also incredibly ill.
  I liked that Emily had a heart as big as all outdoors and continually showed it.  She has a loving family and she is especially close to Pete, Pete is one interesting guy who is fun, charming and skilled at his job.  He is also Emily's best friend.   Emily was so tender and professional with Gabe and she was also being drawn towards Phillip more and more.  She sure wasn't sure how that could ever work out if it ended up going anywhere at all.
Gabe was such a hardworking, honest man with a huge struggle with his faith in God  and the rules that his community were always trying to put on him.   They didn't fit and I have to say that even though they were the New Order of their faith, the Bishop sure tried to force  people into his image and his way of doing things. The thing is that Phillip had some legitimate questions that continually got pushed aside. Even his mother was constantly harping on him to do things HER way. .  He was practically working himself almost to death and he was so unappreciated!  I have to say that I really dislike bullies and that's what the Bishop and Sarah his mother came across as.  She was so negative at first that it made ME want to scream.  But hold on, she does have redeeming qualities, so not all is lost. 
Hannah who is his sister is more in Phillip's corner than I expected.  I guess I figured she would follow the party line really close.  But we get to see there are some things that they agree on and the love for each other shines through. 
There is a totally unexpected twist towards the end that really is a tearjerker. But there is also a good H.E.A. for Emily, Phillip and Gabe. It made for a good ending.  
 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Hold On to Me (Return to Haven Book 3) by Jules Bennett

 

 Description

When three best friends decide to stretch their wings and revamp the local airport in small-town Haven, Georgia, the destination is laughter and love . . .

Jade McKenzie left her high-society family’s expectations behind when she came back to cozy Haven, and she’s never been happier. But what’s supposed to be a quick trip to Nashville for a cousin’s wedding turns into a disaster when one of the airport’s pilots offers to fly her there. One crash landing and a shared room later, and tattooed, bearded Cash Miller is standing in as her gorgeously unsuitable plus-one—and turning her on in ways she can’t deny. But a relationship? A real one? That’s definitely in the no-fly zone. 

Vincent “Cash” Miller doesn’t have much in the world, but he does have pride—and a strict policy not to let anyone trash-talk his friends, not even their mothers. Standing up for sexy, headstrong Jade comes naturally—but so does the bone-deep itch for her he’s always wanted to scratch. Giving in to attraction is one thing, but commitment is another. So why does it feel like together, love might take them to breathtaking heights? AMAZON LINK   4 STARS

What great main characters.  I adored them both!  There were so different from each other but still they also kept finding some things that they were alike or at least similar.    Both of them were also so deep in the Denial Trench that they could barely see other the rim!  You know that Denial Trench about this being just a fling.  
They had some really good support from close friends that they shared.  Of course, they are hiding and lying to those same beloved friends (and some family) so that they can keep things secret.
Another part of the story was the fact that each one of the friends including Jade and Cash were building something great together.  Something that would not only keep Haven, Georgia alive but to cause it to grow and prosper. 
Something that I found interesting but didn't really understand at first was  Jade's asking people close to her "would you rather ___or would you rather___?  She offered up two options with those questions.  It seemed odd to me at first until I realized it was a childhood coping measure.  She called it the "would you rather game."  After seeing her interactions with her domineering mother I could see why she needed it.  
I ended up enjoying this book.  The snarky interactions when Cash was pushing "Red's" buttons were often funny.  Man, she hated being called Red and he knew it but didn't back off about it either.  He wasn't being mean but they really did annoy each other.  They just hadn't realized that there was more to it than that.  
The emotional challenges were easy to understand and I liked the way the story ended.   

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”