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Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes offers a closer look at the people who make the cakes and the show. Not only will one find out how Duff was able to start the bakery and turn it into a success, hire such creative people, but also how the television show came about. Each chapter introduces you to charming Charm City Cakes personnel and also the talented people “behind the scenes” producing the show. Throughout the book there are a number of tips and pictures to inspire us all to make a cake as unique as ourselves.

Reviewed by Angela A., Cornelius Branch

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Patrick Swayze seems like a tough guy playing such roles in Red Dawn, Road House, and Dirty Dancing. Yet we also saw his sensitive side in Ghost. Now in his memoir, The Time of My Life, meet the real Patrick Swayze and see just how sensitive and insecure he was growing up and how tough he had to be to fight pancreatic cancer for 21 months. His is a moving story of the two loves in his life -- dancing and his wife, Lisa Niemi, and how he worked to keep them a part of his life, while challenging himself to grow as a person and an artist. Although his time on Earth was short, Patrick Swayze made the most of it and had the time of his life.

Reviewed by Cassandra H., Mint Hill Branch

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A Big Little Life is the heartwarming story of Dean Koontz’s beloved dog Trixie, a remarkably well-behaved dog who brought much love and joy to her family. Koontz and his wife had long talked of getting a dog. After years of urging by a friend at Canine Companions for Independence, they took home Trixie, a golden retriever who was a retired service dog from CCI. Trixie quickly became an important part of the family. Koontz shares memories of both humorous and astonishing moments in Trixie’s life as well as stories demonstrating her uncanny intelligence and sense of humor. This is a wonderful story of an extraordinary dog who was a big source of inspiration to her family.

Reviewed by Erin J., Cornelius Branch,

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Norman Ollestad grew up with his father pushing him into extreme sports from a very young age. He hated getting up early to surf huge waves or having to ski in dangerous conditions to prepare for competitions and races – he just wanted to be a normal kid. But one day these skills would save his life. On the way to a skiing award ceremony with his father and his father’s girlfriend their plane crashed into a mountain. Norman was the only survivor and had to use all of his athleticism and courage to get down the mountain and find help. Alternating between the plane crash and adventures Norman had growing up with his dad, this is an incredible story of courage and a father’s intense love for his son.

Reviewed by Jessica B., Mint Hill Branch

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Gesine (pronounced Geh-see-neh) moved to LA after college to be closer to her sister and start law school. But when her sister, Sandra Bullock, became a famous and sought-after actress Gesine started working for her production company sifting through possible movie scripts. Gesine loved working with her sister, but hated Hollywood. To relax after work she would bake and eventually she decided to leave Hollywood and open her own bakery. Confections of a Closet Master Baker follows Gesine’s journey from Hollywood to rural Vermont. Her story is about following your passion no matter how crazy the journey can be. She also includes mouth-watering recipes at the end of each chapter, so you’ll be inspired to either bake your own treats or head out to the nearest bakery!

Reviewed by Jessica B., Mint Hill Branch

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