Review: 400 Calories or Less with Our Best Bites by Sara Wells, Kate Jones

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the bestselling authors of Our Best Bites and Savoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites comes a unique cookbook for healthy eating. Inspired by the authors' personal weight loss journeys, these healthy recipes, all under 400 calories, provide a wealth of ingredient option substitutions for comfort food main dishes, flavorful side dishes and yummy desserts.

Each recipe includes mouthwatering photography, easy-to-follow instructions for swapping out healthy, low-calorie ingredient substitutions, and complete nutritional information including fat content, carbs and sugar and salt intake. Features vegetarian and gluten-free choices and tips for stocking a healthy pantry from ordinary grocery store options plus advice for making the best choices at the salad bar.

My Review

Healthy eating is always a goal for me, and I appreciated the variety of recipes in this cookbook. I'm in a bit of a cooking rut right now, especially for dinnertime with members of my family going in all directions. We do have a goal to eat at the dinner table together at least a few times a week, and I'm excited to try out the recipes I think my family will enjoy. Sections are divided into categories of Breakfast, Soups, Salads, Snacks, Pasta, Poultry, Beef, Pork, Seafood, Meatless, and Desserts. Several recipes are additionally labeled as Gluten-Free, and each recipe has a sidebar of basic nutrition measurements of Calories, Carbs, Sugars, Fat, Fiber, and Protein. I also liked the add-on options, shopping, prep, and cooking tips, serving suggestions, alternatives, and rollover ingredients identified which varied with each recipe. There are at least three recipes from each section that I will be making for my family or myself, and I know there are more to try if I'm feeling adventurous or creative ;)

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: 101 Super Cute Things to Draw by Lauren Bergstrom

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Learn to draw tons of cute and quirky stuff with the 100+ step-by-step drawing projects in 101 Super Cute Things to Draw.

Specifically geared toward beginning and aspiring artists of all ages, 101 Super Cute Things to Draw features: 

 

More than 100 easy-to-follow drawing projects that help you quickly learn to create super cute illustrations in a super simple way.

Adorable animals, darling little foods, enchanting everyday objects, and nifty natural wonders, all designed for maximum delight.

Basic art instruction, including information about tools and materials, combining colors, and creating patterns that sets you up for success so you can enjoy the creative process of drawing.

101 Super Cute Things to Draw is perfect for beginners, as well as young artists, with its simple illustrations and easy-to-follow drawing steps. For those who want to learn how to draw everything adorable and amusing, this book is for you! 

 

With this book, you’ll learn to draw:

- Everyday objects, including a teapot, balloons, and a terrarium
- Food, including a cinnamon bun, a sushi roll, and strawberries
- Nature, including a mushroom, a tiny forest, and a rainbow and cloud
- Animals, including a red panda, a sloth, and a cow
- Mythical creatures, including a yeti, a dragon, and a jackalope

So grab your pencils, some paper, and a copy of 101 Super Cute Things to Draw to create plenty of giggle-worthy drawings!

Bursting with humor and imagination, books in the 101 Things to Draw series will put a smile on your face with original mash-ups, step-by-step drawing instructions, doodling exercises, and mindfulness activities.

My Review

Drawing is fun, and the step-by-step guided instruction for these simple figures are easy enough for even young children. I plan on using these as directed drawings in the elementary classrooms where I teach. For adults who enjoy whimsy and kawaii cuteness, the wide variety of objects and creatures will inspire creativity. Basic information on color, patterns, materials, and expressions are included in the introduction, but the majority of the book is full of fun things to draw! From ordinary objects around the house, to food, to animals, to imaginary creatures, the artist makes anything "super cute!"

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The World at Night: Spectacular Photographs of the Night Sky by Babak Tafreshi

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

See the full beauty of our night sky revealed as never before in over 200 photographs from around the world in this stunning and giftable title.

Bringing together the images of over 40 photographers across 25 countries, be astounded by the lights of the night sky in some of the darkest places on earth; discover the beauty of galaxies, planets and stars; view great celestial events; and see some of the world’s most important landmarks against the backdrop of an incredible nightscape.

Babak Tafreshi, founder of the international organization The World at Night, has curated the images in this collection – many of them previously unseen – to reveal the true splendour of the sky at night. A specialist guide to night-sky photography will help you capture your own gorgeous images of the heavens.

Commentary on the science, astronomy and photography accompany stunning images organized by theme: 

- Symbols of all nations and religions embraced by one sky of endless beauties
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites at night
- The Universe revealed through constellations, sky motions, atmospheric phenomenon, Aurora and other wonders
- Images highlighting the beauty of dark skies away from light-polluted urban areas
- Celestial events, from great comets to spectacular eclipses
- Astro-tourism destinations, like ancient astronomical monuments and modern observatories

My Review

I've always been fascinated with long exposure night photography, and this book is overflowing with gorgeous images from all over the world. Famous buildings and cityscapes are featured as well as the obscure, and of course landscapes in nature with the sky looming above full of stars, comets, meteors, the moon, and/or planets. It's a book to savor, with brief explanations of the location and identifying astronomical sights. The chapters divide the images into categories, and I added quite a few destinations to my bucket list. The quality of the hardcover book is excellent with a matte cover and pages, embossed title, and would make a wonderful gift.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Kawaii Kitties: Learn How to Draw 75 Cats in All Their Glory by Olive Yong

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Learn to draw all kinds of cute cats doing all sorts of silly things through 75 step-by-step tutorials.

In Kawaii Kitties, popular Instagram artist Bichi Mao (@bichi.mao) perfectly captures cats’ different attitudes, while playing, sleeping, eating, stretching, exploring, being loving, wearing cute costumes, and much more!

Along with the tutorials, Bichi Mao shares:
- An introduction to the kawaii art aesthetic
- Suggestions for drawing tools
- Tips and tricks for drawing and coloring your cats
- A facial expression directory
- Coloring pages swarming with kitties for you to decorate
 

So, get ready to purrfect your drawing skills, as well as be inspired to create your own kitty characters or illustrate the daily activities of your favorite pet.

My Review

I recently became a cat person when we brought two kittens into our home last year. I also love the cuteness of kawaii, so I was excited to check out this book. The author has her own personal style with the roundness and type of face she gives her kitties. Each pose the author demonstrates has its own step-by-step directions and illustrations. It's very effective as a guided drawing that would be achievable by pre-teens on up as they are pretty simple. The ideas are very fun and cute, with the expressions of the cats coming through. I would have liked a greater variety in shapes of cats rather than just poses, especially since my cats are not very fluffy or overly round. I understand that's part of the aesthetic but I don't think my cats would be recognizable in this style.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Creative Journaling by Renee Day

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Spark your creativity and keep yourself organized with the beautiful pages and easy-to-follow instructions of Creative Journaling.

With 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages for dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals to making your own washi tape, tabs, and paper, you’ll soon have the best-looking journals around.

Author Renee Day of the popular Instagram @thediyday takes you on an artistic adventure, guiding you with step-by-step photos and instruction, as you learn how to incorporate amazing DIY ideas into your daily planning! You’ll learn to work with a variety of materials—acrylic paint, brush pens, stencils, stamps, 3D gloss gel, scrap paper, and more—as you personalize your stuff, making things uniquely you.

Going beyond basic tools, this stunning book offers tips, tricks, and creative ways to transform journals and hardcover books into treasured keepsakes, including:
- Ornamental lettering
- Personalized habit trackers
- Colorful calendars
- Decorative headers and cover pages
- Customized productivity and bucket lists
- Inspiring artwork
- Gratitude logs
- Unique planning pages
 

Even if you have a limited amount of time or supplies, you can create eye-catching journal layouts. It’s time to get creative!

My Review

I'm not one for just sitting down and writing in a journal although over the years I've had intentions to start one. The word "creative" in the title caught my eye because I thought maybe that would help inspire me to both create and write. This book is full of ideas, techniques, tips and advice for not only journals, but also weekly planners. I loved the sections on bookbinding and building your own books. The author definitely shows preference for doing all handwriting and pen designs by hand, which is a throwback to old-school scrapbooking. Using that technique for doing your own weekly planner seems pretty tedious, but I would apply her ideas to other types of journals and books. The mixed media art techniques brought another level or creativity that looks fun to experiment with. Overall, the explanations are easy to understand, and there is a wide variety of techniques explained and demonstrated with clear photos.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Emily Norton loves nothing more than losing herself within the pages of a good book. But the solitary pastime is poor preparation for participating in the dreaded London Season. Her trepidation over formally entering Society is all-encompassing, until she stumbles upon an enigmatic gentleman digging up flowers in a hedgerow. Before she can learn his name or the reason for his unusual activity, however, she is whisked into a carriage bound for London.

Henry Buckland has a secret: he cannot discern the difference between certain colors. It’s a particularly difficult disability for the curator of natural history at the British Museum, but no more challenging than his repeated attempts to outmaneuver the machinations of the town’s most notorious matchmaker. At his parents’ dinner party, he receives assistance in outwitting the persistent busy-body from a surprising source: the intriguing young lady he met on the country lane. As Emily and Henry become formally acquainted, they discover a shared love of science and nature that makes them ideally suited. However, Henry is not alone in his admiration for the young woman. As the competition to woo Emily escalates, so, too, do tensions at the museum. When an unexpected danger threatens Henry’s livelihood―and life―it appears he may not have the chance to win Emily’s heart after all.

My Review

This book featured a sweet and gentle romance with unique characters that are well-suited to each other. I enjoyed the early history of color blindness and how Henry didn't let that prevent him from pursuing his career. He and Emily bond over his work with plants and creatures- one local variety of flower in particular. Her understated intelligence and genuine interest in learning about a variety of subjects attract him from the beginning. There isn't conflict in their slowly developing relationship; the drama is brought from outside influences- other suitors, politics at the museum, and a surprisingly dangerous turn of events. A wonderful addition to the Georgian Gentlemen series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Georgian Gentlemen series . . .

Review: Stolen Secrets by Sherri Shackelford

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When a software engineer’s identity is stolen, the security breach leads to a deadly game of cat and mouse in this inspirational romantic suspense novel.

Someone has been impersonating software engineer Lucy Sutton to steal classified technology secrets. Now it’s up to Lucy to figure out who. Though she prays for guidance, the only thing she knows for sure is that anyone could be the enemy.

National Security Agent Jordan Harris is the only person she trusts to help her set a trap. But with an unknown enemy watching Lucy’s every move—and threatening her life—capturing the culprit becomes an even deadlier task than they expected.

My Review

Reading this book felt like watching a TV episode with spies and secret agents. Not quite long enough for a full movie, but resolved in about an hour ;) It's no wonder I liked it since two of my favorite shows are The Mentalist and Burn Notice. The element that made this book different is the theme of faith as Lucy and Jordan work together to solve the mystery. The reason Lucy trusts Jordan is that he was the best friend and coworker of her fiance who was killed in an explosion. Jordan struggles with survivor's guilt, especially when he develops deeper feelings for Lucy. There is romantic tension and plenty of suspense to keep the pace of the book moving forward to the climax and resolution.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.

Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

My Review

Doesn't this book have a lovely cover? I thought the setting sounded dreamy as well. I enjoyed the basics of the story, and the characters were easy to like. I enjoyed the development we see in Michael as he begrudgingly takes on the inconvenient task, yet grows to care for the well-being of the girls at the school. He definitely shifts naturally into the protector-defender role. Brianna feels stuck in her job, and it was frustrating that she never tried to think of a way out. There is a hint of mystery alluded to, especially when we begin to have scenes from the perspective of the villainous headmistress. It's a sweet story but simple, and I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Five Reader Essentials with JustRead Tours

Welcome to the Buzz Blitz celebrating 5 years of buzzing about books with JustRead Publicity Tours!

5 Reader Essentials!

Here are five of my favorite things that make for a great reading experience . . .

 

 

As much as I love owning print books, I've found that I prefer reading on my Kindle Paperwhite. It's so convenient and perfect for reading in the dark. 

 

 

Every reader must have a themed mug for your favorite beverage! I'm into fruity herbal tea right now, sweetened with stevia.

What's your favorite place to read? I adore my hammock! I don't have two trees close together so I have a hammock stand that I can move anywhere in the yard.

I have this graphic on a t-shirt but now I'm thinking I need it on my own personal reading pillow! I love the vintage font and it's made out of flannel which is my favorite soft fabric.

 

 

And our final essential is a delicious snack! Double-dipped chocolate covered peanuts are my indulgence every now and then.

---

About JustRead 

JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC provides readers with a steady stream of promotional and reading selections from Christian, wholesome, and clean reads genres plus exclusive participant giveaway opportunities! By equipping readers with tools and support to create positive, impactful bookish content, JustRead advocates spreading the word (aka buzzing) about books that inspire and are written from a Christian perspective.

Connect with JustRead by following on social media @justreadtours, visiting justreadtours.com, or subscribing to host or blog post email newsletter updates.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card (winner's choice of Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart)!
(5) additional winners will receive one print book from the JustRead stash and a JustRead bookmark!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 8, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 15, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!