Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Review - Canary Girls
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chiaverini
RATING: ★★★★
RELEASE DATE: July 18th, 2023
Summary (from Goodreads): Rosie the Riveter meets A League of Their Own in New York Times bestselling novelist Jennifer Chiaverini’s lively and illuminating novel about the “munitionettes” who built bombs in Britain’s arsenals during World War I, risking their lives for the war effort and discovering camaraderie and courage on the soccer pitch.
Early in the Great War, men left Britain’s factories in droves to enlist. Struggling to keep up production, arsenals hired women to build the weapons the military urgently needed. “Be the Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun,” the recruitment posters beckoned.
Thousands of women—cooks, maids, shopgirls, and housewives—answered their nation’s call. These “munitionettes” worked grueling shifts often seven days a week, handling TNT and other explosives with little protective gear.
Among them is nineteen-year-old former housemaid April Tipton. Impressed by her friend Marjorie’s descriptions of higher wages, plentiful meals, and comfortable lodgings, she takes a job at Thornshire Arsenal near London, filling shells in the Danger Building—difficult, dangerous, and absolutely essential work.
Joining them is Lucy Dempsey, wife of Daniel Dempsey, Olympic gold medalist and star forward of Tottenham Hotspur. With Daniel away serving in the Footballers’ Battalion, Lucy resolves to do her bit to hasten the end of the war. When her coworkers learn she is a footballer’s wife, they invite her to join the arsenal ladies’ football club, the Thornshire Canaries.
The Canaries soon acquire an unexpected fan in the boss’s wife, Helen Purcell, who is deeply troubled by reports that Danger Building workers suffer from serious, unexplained illnesses. One common symptom, the lurid yellow hue of their skin, earns them the nickname “canary girls.” Suspecting a connection between the canary girls’ maladies and the chemicals they handle, Helen joins the arsenal administration as their staunchest, though often unappreciated, advocate.
The football pitch is the one place where class distinctions and fears for their men fall away. As the war grinds on and tragedy takes its toll, the Canary Girls persist despite the dangers, proud to serve, determined to outlive the war and rejoice in victory and peace.
REVIEW: I absolutely love historical novels. It’s one of my favorite genres to read because I always learn something new. I had never heard of the canary girls from World War I before reading this book, and I loved learning about the contributions they made to the war effort and the many sacrifices they endured for their country. I also enjoyed learning about the women football leagues and how they defied the gender bias of that era. This was my first time reading a Jennifer Chiaverini novel, and it reminded me a lot of Kristin Harmel’s work. You can easily tell a ton of research went into writing this story, and I admire that. The only thing I didn’t particularly care for was some of the dialogue, especially from Helen and Arthur. It was very prim and proper and felt out of place. (Words like “shan’t” and “jolly” were used quite often). Perhaps this is just how middle and upper-class British people talk, but either way it was annoying. Overall, though, I would gladly recommend this book to everyone because it has a wonderful plot and is full of interesting historical facts. I look forward to reading more of Jennifer Chiaverini‘s work in the near future.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Sunday, December 18, 2022
GMA December Book Club Pick Now Available
The Good Morning America Book Club December pick, The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, is now available in my Little Free Library. If you decide to borrow this book, please return it to my library after you read it or drop it off at another Little Free Library so other people can enjoy it.
Summary: Florida is slipping away. As devastating weather patterns and rising sea levels gradually wreak havoc on the state’s infrastructure, a powerful hurricane approaches a small town on the southeastern coast. Kirby Lowe, an electrical line worker; his pregnant wife, Frida; and their two sons, Flip and Lucas, prepare for the worst. When the boys go missing just before the hurricane hits, Kirby heads out into the high winds to search for them. Left alone, Frida goes into premature labor and gives birth to an unusual child, Wanda, whom she names after the catastrophic storm that ushers her into a society closer to collapse than ever before.
As Florida continues to unravel, Wanda grows. Moving from childhood to adulthood, adapting not only to the changing landscape, but also to the people who stayed behind in a place abandoned by civilization, Wanda loses family, gains community, and ultimately, seeks adventure, love, and purpose in a place remade by nature.
Told in four parts—power, water, light, and time—The Light Pirate mirrors the rhythms of the elements and the sometimes quick, sometimes slow dissolution of the world as we know it. It is a meditation on the changes we would rather not see, the future we would rather not greet, and a call back to the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness.
(Thank you to Good Morning America and Little Free Library for the free copies).
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Recipe - Healthy Orange Chicken
I love Asian food and Orange Chicken is my favorite. Here's a healthy twist to the original. Enjoy!
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
SAUCE:
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger*** grated
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
DIRECTIONS: Clean and cut chicken into 1 inch cubes.
In a large frying pan, heat sesame oil. Cook the chicken until the edges are brown and slightly crispy (About 12-15 minutes). As the chicken is cooking, stir together the sauce mixture in a separate bowl
Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked remove it from the pan and place it off to the side in a separate bowl.
Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan you cooked the chicken in.
Bring the sauce mixture to a boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring every minute or so until it starts to thicken. (You will know it has thickened when you scrape the pan and it pulls away from the pan) The sauce should be bubbling the entire time.
When the sauce thickens, add the cooked chicken back in + stir to coat the chicken
Serve over steamed broccoli or green beans for a paleo option, or rice/quinoa.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds. *** If substituting ground ginger for fresh ginger, cut the amount to 1/2 teaspoon.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clean Eating Couple)
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Review - Someone Else’s Shoes
AUTHOR: Jojo Moyes
RATING: ★★★★★
RELEASE DATE: February 7th, 2023
Summary (from Goodreads): A story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances, this is the new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You and The Giver of Stars.
Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes?
Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.
That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.
Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.
REVIEW: Such an awesome story! First of all, I love that the main female characters are middle-aged and menopausal. I don’t think I’ve ever related to fictional characters more in my life. LOL. Secondly, this story grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. (I read the whole thing in one day!) You get everything with this book - humor, drama, romance, and even a little mystery and suspense. I believe seasoned readers (i.e. older readers), like myself, will get the most from this story, especially those who have been married a long time and/or who might be feeling that mid-life crisis phase creeping in. (If you know, you know). The only characters I didn’t like were Phil and Ray. (Yes, I know they struggled with depression, but Phil’s zombie-like demeanor and Ray’s neediness really grated on my nerves). I loved every other character, though. Their personalities were so different, but those differences added just the right amount of emotion and depth to the story. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Oh, and it is definitely movie material! I hope I see it on the big screen someday soon.
(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Recipe - Gluten Free Sweet Potato Muffins
- 1 cup cooked sweet potato pureed or mashed
- 2 eggs room temperature
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- ⅓ cup milk regular or dairy free
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups oat flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional, plus more for topping
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, beat together sweet potato, eggs, applesauce, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
In a separate large bowl combine oat flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ginger with a fork or whisk.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
Fill each liner ¾ full of batter. Sprinkle chopped pecans and more chocolate chips over the tops of the muffins. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until muffins are set. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clean Eating Couple)
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Review - Mad Honey
AUTHORS: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
RATING: ★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A soul-stirring novel about what we choose to keep from our past, and what we choose to leave behind.
Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business.
Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start.
And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . .
Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.
Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.
REVIEW: I had such high hopes for Mad Honey, but it was a huge disappointment. (Giving it three stars was pushing it). I’ve always loved and enjoyed the escapism that comes with reading and being able to tune out the world for a little while. Well, that didn’t happen with this book. I could’ve turned on the nightly news and gotten the same results because this story is riddled with political hot topics, such as domestic abuse, abortion, discrimination, gender identity, sexual identity - just to name a few. It started off great, and I was fully invested in the first half of the book. There were a couple of short hot topic passages that made me roll my eyes and groan. Still, I pushed through because I was genuinely intrigued and wanted to find out who Lily’s killer was. But then…THEN…that ridiculous plot twist happened. (I’m not giving away any spoilers, but if you’ve read it then you already know). That was it for me. I was officially DONE. I skimmed the remainder of the book to find out what actually happened to Lily and the final verdict in Asher’s trial, and then I put it down for good. Now, just so you know, it takes A LOT for me to not finish a book. I’m the type of reader who will power through anything for the simple fact that I hate giving up. But this book was just too much - too much information about beekeeping and random facts that read more like filler than actual storyline and entirely too much political correctness. This is the first book I’ve read by Jodi Picoult, and perhaps I should’ve started with a different one because now I’m leery of reading anything else with her name on it. I wish I’d read through the reviews first. Oh well…lesson learned.
Friday, November 25, 2022
Recipe - No Sugar Added Sweet Potato Casserole
- 7 cups cubed peeled sweet potatoes (2 pounds)
- ½ cup reduced-fat milk
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup chopped dried fruit, such as cherries, dates, raisins or currants
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring an inch or two of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Add sweet potatoes, cover and steam until very soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove basket and discard water. Return sweet potatoes to the pot. Add milk, 4 tablespoons butter, salt, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and pepper; mash until desired consistency. Transfer to a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Stir pecans, pepitas, dried fruit and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake casserole until hot and the nuts are lightly toasted, 20 to 30 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO: Serving Size: about 1/2 cup; Per Serving: 217 calories; protein 4g; carbohydrates 20g; dietary fiber 3.6g; sugars 8.6g; fat 14.5g; saturated fat 5.5g; cholesterol 20.3mg; vitamin a iu 13518.2IU; vitamin c 13.9mg; folate 9.5mcg; calcium 59.4mg; iron 1.2mg; magnesium 54.9mg; potassium 455.5mg; sodium 324.4mg; thiamin 0.1mg.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Eating Well)
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Review - Hester
AUTHOR: Laurie Lico Albanese
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Edinburgh for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic––leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible.
When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows––while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which?
In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a "real" American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of "unusual" women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.
A vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials.
REVIEW: Such a great story! First of all, the premise - an “unveiling” of Nathaniel Hawthorne's inspiration for his character Hester in The Scarlet Letter. Pure genius! Secondly, the amount of research the author undertook for this book is just incredible. It’s one thing to really enjoy reading a story, but it reaches another level for me when I learn new things in the process too. With Hester, the author teaches you about the Salem witch trials, the intricate art of embroidery, and a sensory phenomenon called synesthesia. With so many great elements, this book captured me right from the start and didn't let go. I would happily recommend it to everyone.
Monday, November 14, 2022
Recipe - Herb and Apple Stuffing
INGREDIENTS:
- 16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or whole wheat
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups medium-diced yellow onion
- 2 cups medium-diced celery
- 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted, optional
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Put the bread cubes on a 13 by 18 by 1-inch baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 7 minutes.
In a large sauté pan, melt the butter and add the onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, until the mixture is soft.
Combine the bread cubes and cooked vegetables in a large bowl and add the chicken stock, and almonds, if desired.
Place the stuffing into the main cavity of the turkey and into the neck of the bird. I cook a 12-pound turkey for 2 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F in a preheated oven. Make sure the stuffing in the cavity is secured by wrapping the legs tightly with string.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Review - I'm Glad My Mom Died
AUTHOR: Jennette McCurdy
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly , she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
REVIEW: When my two boys were teens, they loved watching iCarly, and I enjoyed watching it with them. Sam Puckett was always our favorite character, and after reading this autobiography, it saddens me to know that Jennette McCurdy was going through her own personal hell during that time. Reading her story was an eye-opening experience. I was shocked. I cringed at her candidness. I wanted to rush through the “heavy” parts. But, most of all, my heart broke from a deep place of knowing and understanding. It was tough to read at times, and there were moments when I had to put it down and walk away for a few minutes. I really admire Jennette’s honesty. I’m sure this couldn’t have been easy to write, but I’m so glad she didn’t hold anything back. If anything, her unreserved and outspoken truths just make me admire her even more.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Recipe - Oven Fries
- 3 large baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- Salt
- Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the potatoes in a single layer. Bake until golden and crisp, about 35 minutes. Remove the fries with a spatula and season with salt.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Review - The Love Hypothesis
AUTHOR: Ali Hazelwood
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.
That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.
Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.
REVIEW: Such a great story! First of all, who doesn’t love a brooding hero? Adam is a tough one to crack, but you can tell there’s something endearing underneath that hardened exterior, and I enjoyed how Olive pulled him out of his shell. They are both scientists, and I will admit I was completely lost when it came to all of the “science-y” talk. (There were several times I had to stop and comb through a dictionary.) But this story has so many great layers. There’s the romance, of course, but there’s also depth to these characters, especially Olive, whose honesty and vulnerability really tugged at the old heartstrings. If you want a story that has it all - funny bits, steamy bits, lovey-dovey bits - then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more of Ali Hazelwood’s work in the near future. Read it! I promise you’ll be glad you did.
Monday, November 7, 2022
Recipe - Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
- 3 whole ancho chiles
- 3 whole pasilla chiles
- 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 2 to 3 chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (untrimmed), cut into chunks
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving
- Assorted taco toppings, for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Put the ancho and pasilla chiles and the garlic in a bowl; add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Microwave on high until soft and pliable, 2 to 3 minutes. Stem and seed the chiles; peel the garlic. Transfer the chiles and garlic to a blender.
Add the chipotles, onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and the oregano to the blender; puree until smooth. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat; add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thick and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Pour in the broth and reduce until slightly thickened.
Season the pork all over with salt and pepper and transfer to a large slow cooker. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick, then pour in the sauce. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours. (Or cook the meat in a large Dutch oven, covered, for 1 hour 45 minutes at 350 degrees; uncover and cook 30 more minutes.)
Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Shred the pork with 2 forks; season with salt and pepper. Serve the shredded pork in the tortillas, along with toppings.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network)
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Review - Every Summer After
AUTHOR: Carley Fortune
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.
Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.
For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.
When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past.
Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever.
Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.
REVIEW: As a reader and also an author, this can sometimes cause a disruption when it comes to reading and reviewing. With this book, I bounced back and forth between so many different emotions from a reader’s perspective but also an author’s point of view. Now…let me explain. As a reader, I was instantly caught up in the dynamic between the main characters, Sam and Percy. It was so endearing to witness how their relationship grew from friendship to first love, and oh the memories it brought back from my younger years. (My first love was also named Sam, so yeah…there’s that too). I loved how these characters were flawed and fought for their relationship. You won’t find a Hallmark channel couple here, and I personally loved that. Give me something REAL any day - real struggles, real imperfections - nothing sappy and unrelatable. Now, as an author, I will admit I stopped many times after reading some of Carley’s lines, just awestruck and thinking to myself, “Damn, I wish I’d come up with that”. Knowing this is her debut novel only adds to my admiration of her work. This book will stay with me a long time, and I recommend it to everyone.
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Recipe - White Chicken Chili
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
- 1 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 8 oz. package light cream cheese
- 2-3 chicken breasts
DIRECTIONS: Place chicken at the bottom of the crock pot, then pour out the whole can of corn, Rotel tomatoes, and black beans on top of the chicken. Top with seasonings and ranch dressing mix. Stir together. Place cream cheese block on top. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. After the cooking time is over, take chicken breasts from crock pot and shred and add back to the chili.
NOTE: I used original Rotel, but you can you use the hot Rotel if you want it spicier.
(Recipe courtesy of Beauty and the Beastons YouTube channel)
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Review - It Starts with Us
AUTHOR: Colleen Hoover
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us.
Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.
But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.
Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts with Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “gripping, pulse-pounding” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of Perfect Neighbors) bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband, it proves that “no one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author).
REVIEW: With It Ends with Us being so near and dear to my heart, I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, and I'm so glad it didn’t disappoint. Atlas Corrigan is one of my favorite male characters of all time, and I really loved getting his point of view. He is still just as swoon-worthy as ever. (*happy sigh*) I also love how Lily’s character has evolved since the birth of her daughter, and I was very happy to see her take a bigger stand against Ryle in order to protect Emerson. As I stated in my review of It Ends with Us, I was in an abusive relationship for several years before I met my husband, so there are parts of both books that pierce my heart because there is such a deep connection and understanding of what Lily has been through. There were many times I had to put this book down, take a few deep breaths, and come back to it when my head was clearer. Don’t get me wrong, though - that’s not a bad thing. It just shows how wonderful Colleen Hoover is at what she does when she is able to immerse you in a story so profoundly that you feel everything her characters are going through. This is just one of the many reasons she’s at the top of my list of must-read authors. The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars is because there was a lot of repetition (or “filler”) from It Ends with Us. But that wouldn’t ever stop me from recommending it. If you enjoy Colleen Hoover, then you’ll fall in love with this book too, so by all means put it at the top of your reading list. You won’t regret it!
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Recipe - Vegetable Beef Soup
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ½ cup onions minced, 1 medium onion
- ½ cup celery minced, 2 celery ribs
- 1 cup carrots cut in small coins
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 14 oz. canned petite diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt (add more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 1 cup frozen green beans thawed
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
DIRECTIONS: Stovetop Instructions: In a soup pot, heat olive oil. Brown ground beef over medium high heat for 10 minutes until no longer pink.
After 10 minutes, add onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Add broth, tomatoes, spices and frozen veggies to the pot.
Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. After the soup has boiled for 5 minutes, add raw pasta. Reduce to a low simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until pasta is cooked.
Once cooked, remove bay leaves and enjoy.
Crockpot Instructions:
In a soup pot, heat olive oil. Brown ground beef over medium high heat for 10 minutes until no longer pink.
After 10 minutes, add onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Add sautéed meat and veggies to the crockpot.
Add broth, tomatoes, spices and frozen veggies to the crock pot base
Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
20 minutes before you’re ready to eat, cook your pasta per the package directions. Drain and add to the pot.
Remove bay leaves and enjoy.
Instant Pot Instructions:
Set your instant pot to sauté for 15 minutes. Add olive oil. Brown ground beef for 10 minutes until no longer pink.
After 10 minutes, add your onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
Add broth, tomatoes, spices and frozen veggies to the instant pot.
Cover and set to sealing, Manual Pressure for 5 minutes. It will take the instant pot about 20 minutes to come to pressure. Once the soup has finished cooking, quick release the pressure.
20 minutes before you’re ready to eat, cook your pasta per the package directions. Drain and add to the pot.
Remove bay leaves and enjoy.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clean Eating Couple)
Friday, October 28, 2022
Review - Nothing to See Here
AUTHOR: Kevin Wilson
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Kevin Wilson’s best book yet—a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with remarkable and disturbing abilities
Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.
Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?
With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.
REVIEW: This was such a strange read…but in a good way. I mean, how often do you come across a plot that involves spontaneous combustible children? Yeah…not often. But the author somehow made these kids and the main character, Lillian, relatable. I was honestly kind of sad when I reached the end of the book because it felt like saying goodbye to a really screwed up family I invested a lot of time worrying about. I wish there had been an epilogue included so we could find out what happened to them. Overall, the story was very well written, and I would gladly recommend it, but I just wish there had been more “closure” in the ending.
Monday, October 24, 2022
Recipe - Easy French Toast
One of my favorite fall breakfast treats is French toast. YUM! I hope you like the recipe! Enjoy!
Macerated Berries:
- 2 cups diced strawberries
- ½ cup frozen raspberries, thawed, with their juices
- Pinches of cane sugar
French Toast:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup almond milk, or any milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- Pinch of sea salt
- 8 1-inch slices ciabatta bread
- Coconut oil, for brushing
- Maple syrup, for serving
DIRECTIONS: Make the macerated berries: In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries, raspberries, and a few pinches of sugar. Set aside for 10 minutes for the berries to soften. Stir before serving.
Make the French toast: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Dip each slice of bread into the mixture and set the soaked bread aside on a large tray or plate.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and brush with coconut oil. Add the bread slices and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to low as needed to cook thoroughly without burning. Serve with maple syrup and the macerated berries.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Love and Lemons)
Monday, October 17, 2022
Review - The Island of Missing Trees
AUTHOR: Elif Shafak
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A rich, magical new book on belonging and identity, love and trauma, nature and renewal, from the Booker shortlisted author of 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World.
Two teenagers, a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, meet at a taverna on the island they both call home. In the taverna, hidden beneath garlands of garlic, chili peppers and creeping honeysuckle, Kostas and Defne grow in their forbidden love for each other. A fig tree stretches through a cavity in the roof, and this tree bears witness to their hushed, happy meetings and eventually, to their silent, surreptitious departures. The tree is there when war breaks out, when the capital is reduced to ashes and rubble, and when the teenagers vanish. Decades later, Kostas returns. He is a botanist looking for native species, but really, he’s searching for lost love.
Years later a Ficus carica grows in the back garden of a house in London where Ada Kazantzakis lives. This tree is her only connection to an island she has never visited - her only connection to her family’s troubled history and her complex identity as she seeks to untangle years of secrets to find her place in the world.
A moving, beautifully written and delicately constructed story of love, division, transcendence, history and eco-consciousness, The Island of Missing Trees is Elif Shafak’s best work yet.
REVIEW: What an interesting read! First and foremost, I must commend the author on the incredible amount of research that obviously went into creating this book. I loved learning about the history, folklore, and intriguing superstitions among the various nationalities represented in the story. Also, having the viewpoint of the fig tree was something new to me. I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did, but it was a welcome change from reading the viewpoints from the hero and heroine only. If you’re looking for something a little different from your normal reading material, then I would recommend this book. I’m glad I took a chance on it.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Recipe - Easy Chicken Enchilada Soup
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- ½ tablespoon garlic, minced (about 4 cloves)
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup jar enchilada sauce - low sodium
- 4 oz. can mild diced green chilis
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups chicken broth - low or no salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed - low or no salt
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
DIRECTIONS: Optional but recommended: In a sauté pan, heat olive oil. Sauté onions and garlic for 4-5 minutes until cooked. Add bell peppers and sauté for an additional 3 minutes.
Add onion/garlic/pepper mixture to the crockpot base with raw chicken breasts, enchilada sauce, green chilis, water, broth, spices, beans and corn.
Stir together. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Remove cooked chicken from the pot. Shred chicken with two forks. Add shredded chicken back to the pot.
Stir to combine & enjoy!
(Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clean Eating Couple)
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Review - Lessons in Chemistry
AUTHOR: Bonnie Garmus
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
REVIEW: I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. The main character, Elizabeth, is basically the female incarnate of Sheldon Cooper (from The Big Bang Theory) because their mannerisms and personality are very similar. I enjoyed learning about Elizabeth’s life, and I liked rooting for her as she overcame hardships and obstacles that would’ve been the undoing for most people. She’s a force to be reckoned with and quite empowering. As a believer, though, the criticism of religion and belief in God that was prevalent throughout the entire book was extremely tiring and left a bad taste in my mouth. If not for that, it would’ve been an excellent story. (On the other hand, it IS about scientists, so I probably should’ve expected as much). There’s also a bunch of different POV’s - including a dog’s - so it could be confusing at times. But if that sort of thing doesn’t bother you, then by all means put this book on your TBR list!
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Recipe - Chocolate Almond Bark
Need a sweet fall treat you can indulge in without the guilt? Here you go! Enjoy!
- 1/2 c. whole almonds
- 2 c. (16 oz.) dark chocolate, chopped or broken into 1” pieces
- Flaky sea salt
DIRECTIONS: Adjust an oven rack to center position and preheat the oven to 300°. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
Line another baking sheet with parchment. Place the chocolate into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate for 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until the chocolate is mostly melted with a few pieces still solid.
Continue stirring the chocolate until the last pieces have melted. (If all the chocolate was melted upon removal from the microwave, add a small piece of chocolate to cool the melted chocolate.)
Add the cooled almonds into the chocolate and stir to coat. Pour the chocolate-almond mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet into an even layer and gently tap the sheet against a counter to smooth the surface. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Place the sheet in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened, 5 to 10 minutes.
Using a knife, break chocolate into shards. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 4 weeks.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Delish)
Monday, October 3, 2022
Review - Remarkably Bright Creatures
AUTHOR: Shelby Van Pelt
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.
After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.
Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
REVIEW: What a sweet story! I was intrigued right from the start about Tova’s friendship with an octopus, and I absolutely fell in love with Marcellus. I worried the author would give him a sad fate, but I was very pleased with how it ended. For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, the characters and writing style reminded me a lot of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (which I also loved). Once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down. Tova and Marcellus’ friendship is so endearing and really tugs on the old heartstrings. I would happily recommend this book to everyone. It’s an incredible debut novel, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Recipe - Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1 c. canned pumpkin
- 1/2 c. honey
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 c. Greek yogurt
- 1 c. toasted and chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp. sugar
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325° and line muffin tin with liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Add pumpkin, honey, eggs, butter, and yogurt, and mix until combined. Fold in 3/4 cup pecans.
Divide batter into muffin liners, then top with remaining pecans and sugar. Bake until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let muffins cool in pan, then serve.
NUTRITION INFO: Per serving: 199 calories, 4 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 11 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 192 mg sodium
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Delish)
Friday, September 30, 2022
Thank you so much for donating!
Got some great book donations in my Little Free Library this week. (Thank you!) If you see something you’d like to read then come on and get it, but PLEASE don’t take more than three books at a time. Leave some for others to enjoy! If you have books to donate, leave them inside the library and send me a message, so I’ll know to look for them.
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Review - The Book of Lost Names
AUTHOR: Kristin Harmel
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.
The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer—but will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war?
As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.
An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil.
REVIEW: One thing that has always impressed me about Kristin Harmel’s books is the extensive amount of research she puts into every story. In the end, I’m always learning something new, and with The Book of Lost Names I learned about the brave people who risked their lives to forge documents during World War II to help save thousands of Jews. How cool is that? I also enjoy Kristin’s books because she includes an element of faith in each story that simply does this old heart good. I loved taking a peek into heroine Eva’s life as a forger, and her courage and determination to help those in need was very endearing. I would happily recommend this story to everyone.
Monday, September 26, 2022
Recipe - Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup
- 1 large yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 6 medium)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- ½ cup raw unsalted cashews
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 pound frozen broccoli florets (or 4 cups small steamed broccoli florets)
- 1 large carrot
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS: Dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized chunks.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the vegetable broth, cashews and potatoes and ½ teaspoon kosher salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer (not a boil), and simmer about 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and falling apart when poked with a fork.
Meanwhile, run the frozen broccoli under hot water to thaw it. Chop it into smaller florets as necessary. All packages are different, so make small bite-sized florets the size you’d like for a soup. You can chop the broccoli stems off and keep them in the soup as well. Place the broccoli in a bowl and mix it with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Peel and grate the carrot into long strips.
When the potatoes are tender, use a ladle to transfer everything to a blender. Add the thyme, dill, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and another ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Hold the top tight and blend everything for a minute or two until fully creamy. Pour the creamy soup back into the pot and add the broccoli and carrot. Simmer about 5 more minutes until the broccoli is cooked through. Taste and add additional salt as necessary.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of A Couple Cooks)
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Review - The Bodyguard
AUTHOR: Katherine Center
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): She's got his back. He's got her heart. They've got a secret. What could possibly go wrong?
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with her bare hands. But the truth is, she's an elite bodyguard and she's just been hired to protect a superstar actor from his stalker.
Jack Stapleton's a Hollywood heartthrob - captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, rising out of the waves in clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity.
When Jack's mom gets sick, he comes home to the family's Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn't want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah - against her will and her better judgment - finds herself pretending to be Jack's girlfriend as a cover.
Protecting Jack should be easy. But protecting her own heart? That's the hardest thing she's ever done.
REVIEW: I was so excited to get my hands on this book because I’m a huge fan of Katherine Center. First off, the plot really intrigued me. I mean, how often do you find a romance story with the heroine working as a bodyguard instead of the hero? I thought that was so awesome, and I immediately fell in love with Hannah and Jack. Their chemistry and back-and-forth banter made me laugh out loud numerous times. The only gripe I have is Hannah not standing up for herself when people verbally criticized her - repeatedly. As a bodyguard, I expected her to knock them flat on their ass, and I wish she would have. Despite that flaw, the story itself is wonderful. If you’re a fan of romantic comedies then you should definitely add this one to your list.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Recipe - Classic Bean Soup
Another great fall soup recipe! Enjoy!
- 1 medium yellow onion, small diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 28-ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 15-ounce cans navy beans, drained (or substitute cannellini beans or pinto beans)
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
DIRECTIONS: Dice the onion, carrots and celery. Mince the garlic.
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes, drained beans, vegetable broth, smoked paprika, cumin, fennel seeds (crushing the fennel seeds with your fingers as you add them), and kosher salt. Simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Serve warm: leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of A Couple Cooks)
Monday, September 19, 2022
Review - The Maid
AUTHOR: Nita Prose
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.
Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life's complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
But Molly's orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what's happening, Molly's unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it's too late?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
REVIEW: Loved this story! I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started this book, but I was delightfully surprised. First of all, the main character, Molly, reminded me SO much of a female version of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. Their mannerisms and personalities are very similar, and you can’t help but root for them in all their quirkiness. There were some parts of the story line that I saw coming from a mile away, but I have to say the ending wasn’t what I expected. Overall, it was well written and held my interest from beginning to end. (I read it in one day!) A wonderful debut novel by Miss Prose. I look forward to reading more of her work in the near future.
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Recipe - Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos
- 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Sriracha
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1 cup chopped red cabbage
- 1/2 cup chopped peppers
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 1 lime
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and top with Sriracha. Bake for 30 minutes (or until they're fully cooked).
While the chicken is baking, heat the tortillas up (optional).
Top each tortilla with chopped red cabbage and chopped peppers.
When the chicken has finished baking, shred it and place in the tortillas.
Top each taco with feta cheese and a drizzle of lime. Enjoy!
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Jar of Lemons)
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