Here are the books I read in August that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.



Size Always Matters: Don’t be part of a statistic, start losing weight today
By Sally Cronin
“Size Always Matters” is a book that reveals how and why to lose weight. Ms. Cronin, in her forties, realized she needed to lose 150 pounds to improve her health and live longer. She not only researched a healthy diet and applied it to her daily routine, but also helped others. I’ve constantly battled with the diet yo-yo, losing weight only to gain it back. I would think, I’ll get to it later, but my body is letting me know that now is that later. The book refreshed my knowledge, especially regarding Candida, but it also provided new insights. I love how Ms. Cronin covered the whole person, including our psychological reasons for overeating and our physical ones, too. This book isn’t only for weight loss, but also for overall health. I have used food and my diet to control health issues, and Ms. Cronin expertly explains the fundamentals of proper nutrition and necessary vitamins. Not only is there great information, but a way to find your ideal weight and delicious-sounding recipes. This book inspired me to cut out the food that has crept into my diet that doesn’t belong there and get rid of the extra pounds I’m carrying around. An excellent resource for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. I highly recommend this!
Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right
by Elizabeth Gauffreau
“Simple Pleasures” is a beautiful gathering of 53 haikus and gorgeous photographs accompanying them. It’s incredible how much meaning can be packed into just a few words. I felt like I was walking along with the author and exploring where she lives and travels. Since the poems were all good, it made it hard to pick just these two haikus to share: stream water eddies/swirling whirlpools, sun-warmed rock/our feet touch the bottom and the pond in winter/windswept snow, crystalline sky/fridge air, silence. Ms. Gauffreau offers a nature that I so enjoy exploring. It was a soothing read that will be reread more than once. I can highly recommend this collection!
Bridge to Nowhere: A Rascal Todd Mystery
By Dan Antion
Rascal is a young journalist settling into her new job and boss. A building burns and she tries to prove it was arson. This leads to an eventual murder and a mystery for Rascal to solve and report. I enjoyed her enthusiasm for finding the truth. She is a strong character with an entertaining cat, Bonkers, who is focused on being fed. There are crossover characters from The Dreamer’s Alliance Series, which I also enjoyed reading. This book has a strong and vivid setting for Rascal to navigate, and although it isn’t necessary to have read the past stories to understand this one, I did like knowing the history. An exciting start to what promises to be a fun series!
NOTE: Still on my break, so haven’t been around much. As soon as I get my Christmas collection to the editor mid-month, I’ll be back. Although I will be on a writing break until the end of the year. xo
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn

Three awesome reviews for three fabulous books. Happy September.
Thank you, Darlene. They sure were fabulous books. Happy September!
Thanks Denise.
Thanks Darlene.
Thanks for the temptations. Enjoy every day of your break.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 Catching up on house projects.
Great reviews! I love how you read broadly, Denise. I’ve been reading more poetry lately, and I have read Simple Pleasures … it was a “pleasure” to read.
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 You can’t go wrong with poetry, and Simple Pleasures is just that you are right!
I enjoy reading poetry, Priscilla, and I loved Simple Pleasures.
I enjoy reading poetry, Priscilla and I loved Simple Pleasures.
Thank you, Priscilla! I’m so glad you enjoyed Simple Pleasures.
These are great reviews, Denise! Happy Tuesday! 🍁🍂🧡
Thank you, Kymber 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
Three great reviews, Denise. Both Sally’s and Liz’s are on my TBR list. Have a great week!❤️
Thank you, Joy 🙂 You have some great reading ahead! Xo
Thank you, Joy! I hope you enjoy Simple Pleasures.
Nice variety of books, Denise – congrats to the authors!
Thanks, Teri 🙂 It was a fun mixture.
It’s great to be included in this group, Denise.
Thanks, Teri!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reviews, Denise. I enjoyed Sally’s and Liz’s books, and I’m behind on Dan’s, so thanks for the nudge. Enjoy your break too, and best of luck getting your Christmas collection off to the editor. Hugs.
Thanks for the added boost Diana… lovely to be here with Dan and Liz. ♥
I’m happy to share these wonderful reads, Diana 🙂 enjoying the break and doing some catch-up stuff. Almost there with Christmas collection! Hugs back xo
Thanks, Diana!
All three already waiting on my Kindle. So many books, so little time.
You have some good reading ahead, Pete 🙂 I agree that there is not enough time to read all the waiting books!
When you get to it, Pete, I hope you enjoy it. I know what it’s like to be under a tall TBR pile.
Thanks so much for posting your review here as well Denise and I am in good company… loved meeting rascal and my review for Dan on Saturday… Liz is on the radar with her lovely poetry collection… ♥
I’m glad to spread the word on your great book, Sally. It was fun meeting Rascal, and you have a good read ahead with Liz’s poetry. Xo
Sally and Liz both have great stories, Denise. I owe so many people reviews. I really appreciate this.
Thanks again, Sally. I’m so glad you enjoyed Rascal’s story.
These are super reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Sally, Liz, and Dan.
Thank you, John:)
Thanks very much John… hugsx
Thanks John!
Thanks, John!
Thank you so much, Denise. It’s a pleasure to be featured with Liz and Sally. I finished Liz’s book, and I am reading Sally’s.
Enjoy your break. That seems like a long time, but I hope you love every minute of it.
Happy to share your latest, Dan! Looking forward to more 🙂 You’ve been doing some good reading, like I have! I am enjoying the break, and need every moment of it! Thank you.
You wrote three great reviews for the three books
Thank you, Thomas:) All good ones!
Great reviews, Denise! I bet the authors are thankful. It sure sounds like their writing deserves great reviews.
Thanks, Timothy:) Easy to write the review when they are good reads!
Always grateful for one of Denise’s review Tim.
Yes indeed, to get a good review from someone as talented as Denise is an honor.
Thanks Timothy. You are right, I am thankful!
Fantastic reviews, Denise. I have Sally’s new book AND Dan’s both waiting on me. I thoroughly enjoyed Liz’s haiku collection. Thank you for sharing and congratulations to these authors!
Thanks very much Jan ♥
Thanks Jan. I am happy to be sharing the page with Sally and Liz. Those are both great books.
Thanks, Jan!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful reviews, Denise. Congrats to the authors. I have Sally and Liz’s books on my TBR. 🩷
Happy to share them, Lauren 🙂 You have some good reading ahead xo
Thanks for the support Lauren ♥
Thanks again Lauren.. ♥
Thanks, Lauren!
Hi Denise, thanks for sharing these great reviews. I also enjoyed Simple Pleasures and the other two are on my TBR. I’m well into Sounds in the Silence 💓
Thanks Robbie!
Thank you Robbie. Hope you are enjoying it! xo
Thanks, Robbie!
Great reviews! Congratulations to the three authors. ♥
Thanks very much Olga ♥
Thanks Olga!
Thank you, Olga. Can’t go wrong with any of them.
Thanks, Olga!
Great reviews Denise. I loved Sally’s book and Dan’s and Liz’s are patiently awaiting me. 🙂 xx
Thanks as always Debby for the boost ♥
Hugs Sal xox
Thanks, Debby 🙂 You have some good reading ahead xo
<3
Denise, you are working really hard. Yet you’ve given us a diverse collection of reads here. Congrats to everyone. Love to poetry and advice. And Dan has a great pair in Rascal and Bonkers.
Good luck with all you have going on. Hugs all around.
Thanks, Teagan. I may not get much else done but I don’t stop reading. It was quite a variety this time. I agree Rascal and Bonkers are a great pair and I can’t wait for more stories. Hugs back
I enjoyed reading Sally’s book. Thanks also for the review of ‘Farewell’, which I saw on Goodreads.
Thanks again for the lovely review of Simple Pleasures, Denise!
Size Always Matters is a runaway hit! I haven’t read the other two books, but I’m sure they’re wonderful as well.