You Don't Know Me - book review

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren, a book title but could also be a description of my blog!  I don't open up much on here (except for my last post, see all about my endo appointment).  But the issue in You Don't Know Me - a deep haven novel- is that one of the town residents is not who you think she is.  Unfortunately, she didn't expect this day would be coming yet (if ever) and now she's not sure how to handle the secrets, the lies, or the truth.  The prologue of the book is confusing but eventually it will make sense.

My only warning - Annalise has been married for twenty years and that relationship could be uncomfortable for single women who don't want to read about it (find a different deep haven novel* if you're more comfortable with reading about fresh new relationships developing into love!).

I thought the book was a great read, enough suspense that you wanted to keep reading but not so strong that you felt like you had to stay up all night reading.  A little lighter than Dee Henderson or Lynette Eason.

*I've only read one other Deep Haven novel, Take a Chance on Me.

Endo appointment

Does anyone else get nervous before seeing the doctor?  I try to have questions/concerns ready to go.  I also try to have solution possibilities ready.  "Such as I'm really tired, do you think it could be sleep apnea, allergies, hormones, low iron (anemia), or just my crazy life??  (I know I have sleep apnea but sometimes feel all of the above could be a part of my "fatigue".)  Would you like to test for sleep apnea, how does that go?"

That might be how my conversation with the doctor would go.  I've done some research so I'm not thrown for a loop when the doctor suggests "solutions".  But I'm also not willing to take an extra medication (try whatever PM to help you sleep) if I think further testing might be warranted.  But usually I'm not pushy either and especially with my endocrinologist, I kind of act like I have no problems.  Today I mentioned that again I'm still really tired.  So, I was surprised that with my lab work order (A1C*, etc) he added a thyroid hormone panel (yeah!).  I'm not sure it's the complete whatever everyone suggests doctors run but I hope it is.  I'll find out when the results come in, because I'm really nosy I go down to medical records and get a copy of my results.  It's very handy!!  Last time it took forever for my doctor's office to get my results and I had them very quickly.  :)

My daughter sees her endo tomorrow so we'll see how that visit goes.  She gets her A1C checked right there (and whatever else they run with that tiny draw of blood they take (and urine)).  It feels like a parent grade card and I hate it but I love it at the same time because her doctor is responding to lab work that was just run.

*This is just my definition of A1C (pronounced A -one- C): is the go to test for diabetes on how your blood sugar is being handled.  Though taking your blood sugar gives you a good "snapshot" of that moment.  An A1C is supposed to be an average of 2-3 months of your blood sugar.  Maybe you're doing well throughout the day but overnight your blood sugar is going crazy - high or low.  An A1C can help pinpoint that your blood sugar log is telling most of the story or not.  Most billboards about diabetes (though it's usually about Type 2 diabetes) will suggest diabetics have an A1C of 7.0 or below.  My daughter and I both have Type 1 diabetes, and our doctors still suggest an A1C below 7 but it can be hard for children/young adults to maintain that level.  It's also hard for adults to maintain but some are even lower in the 5s.  Her A1C is usually around 7 or just below and mine was 6.4 the last two times it was tested (weird to be the exact same #).  I don't post our numbers to compare (please don't compare!) but to let anyone reading know an example of what a number would be.  When I was first diagnosed, mine was 7.9 and my daughter's was over 12 when she was diagnosed!

Review of Rules of Murder

Rules of Murder (a Drew Farthering mystery) by Julianna Deering is set in the 1930s in England.  The author attributes many mystery authors of "old" with inspiring and influencing her.  Rules of Murder is a good story that will have you trying to pick up all of the clues and guessing throughout.  There's also a touch of romance that I can see being carried over into a sequel. 

I enjoy mystery books and really liked this one.  There was some religious content so I could see some readers being offended if they hadn't expected it, but it wasn't a big part of the book.  I sometimes wondered if the characters were saying something an "American" way or an "English" way, but I'm not an expert.

Thanks to Bethany House for giving me this book to review.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of Secrets Over Sweet Tea

I laughed and cried reading Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones.  At first, the characters can be difficult to keep track of (see my list below).  I enjoyed the book and loved Scarlett Jo's ability to say and do almost anything and that she cared so much.  Her exercise class comments are hilarious!!  The book should've included some recipes, the desserts sound so good it would be good to bake them while you're reading.

I liked how Grace and Tyler handled each of their situations, turning to God and waiting on Him.  But I'm not sure Grace should have gone as far as she did.  I'm not sure about the "reclaiming" your heart part.  On the surface it makes sense but I could see it being pushed to an unbiblical perspective.  I would need to look into the non-fiction book she's written to fully recommend this concept.

Scarlett Jo - married to Jackson (a pastor) and has 5 boys.
Grace - married to Tyler (a professional hockey player) and has no children though she'd like them.
Miss Daisy - Grace's dog
Rachel - best friend to Grace.
Zach - married to Caroline and has 2 daughters (twins) but is having an affair.
Adele - Caroline's mother.