Friday, December 20, 2024
Spreading the Love to Some Little Free Libraries
Played Christmas book fairy today and dropped off some books in a few little free libraries nearby. Also found a gem in one of them I can’t wait to read.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Review - The Lies We Leave Behind
AUTHOR: Noelle Salazar
NARRATORS: Xe Sands and Patrick Zeller
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Somewhere in the Pacific, 1943. Kate Campbell is a nurse who bravely flies back and forth from the front to rescue wounded soldiers, amid long days, harsh conditions and often dangerous weather. Driven by a deep personal need to help in the war effort, she is conflicted when an injury results in her reassignment to the relative comfort of the English countryside.
Love has never been part of her plan, but despite herself, she falls for an officer with three bullet wounds, startling blue eyes and a wicked sense of humor. For the first time, Kate sees a future far from the horrors of war and hate. But before she can pursue it, a secret from her past calls her to duty, and she'll have to travel back into danger one more time to rescue a part of herself she'd left behind. But will she make it back? And will that future still be waiting for her if she does?
REVIEW: As always, Noelle Salazar broke my heart - but in a good way. When my heart aches and/or I cry while listening to or reading a book then you can be rest assured the writing and narrating is amazing. That was the case with The Lies We Leave Behind. Noelle has such a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions are so vivid I can picture everything in my mind as the story unfolds, and I feel as if I’m there witnessing it all. My emotions were all over the place while listening to this book. Historical fiction has always been my favorite genre, especially those that take place during World War II, but it’s taken on a whole new meaning for me since my youngest son recently enlisted in the military. Reading about the horrors of war hits differently when you know your child could be in the midst of it someday. I adored Kate and William’s love story. I’m glad William was able to move on and get married after he thought he’d lost Kate, but it really saddened me that she didn’t find love again, especially after the horrible things she went through. Xe Sands is an incredible narrator, but I have to admit it took me awhile to warm up to Patrick Zeller’s narrating. He has a very deep and rich voice that kind of startled me at first, but by the end of the book I was sobbing over the tremor and emotion that resonated in his voice when he found out the truth. It was very moving. I would highly recommend The Lies We Leave Behind to everyone.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday - Books on My Winter TBR List
Hello, dear readers! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt from Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl is Books on My Winter 2024-2025 To-Be-Read List. I don't have ten at the moment, but here are a few I’ve had on my NetGalley shelf for a few months now that I hope I can get to soon. Unfortunately, life has been really life-ing lately, so I haven’t had much time to read. Fingers crossed that changes in the new year. HAPPY TUESDAY!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Recipe - Snowman Chocolate Bark (Christmas)
INGREDIENTS:
- 9 ounces sugar-free chocolate chips
- 27 mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon white sprinkles
- Pretzel sticks cut into 1/2 inch pieces (for the arms)
- Edible ink markers in orange and black
DIRECTIONS: Line a small 9 x 13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Using the edible markers, make a snowman face on 9 small marshmallows. Plan where you will be placing the snowman so they will be easy to cut equally later.
Have your pretzels cut and ready because once the chocolate hardens they won’t stick.
Pour the chocolate into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring the chocolate every 30 seconds to help avoid seizing.
Once melted and smooth, set aside. When you’re ready, pour chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading with a rubber spatula into a smooth layer almost to the edge.
Quickly add the marshmallows to create your snowmen, then add the pretzel arms and lastly add the sprinkles, for snow.
Allow the bark to set completely in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes. Once hardened, break into 9 pieces about 1 ounce each. Keep bark stored in an airtight container refrigerated or in a in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week.
NUTRITION INFO: 1 ounce piece, Calories: 118 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 1.5 mg, Fiber: 10 g, Sugar: 1 g
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)
Monday, December 9, 2024
Special Additions to the Little Free Library
My sweet friend, Jill Weatherholt, sent me two autographed copies of her new releases from Harlequin Love Inspired for my Little Free Library. Stop by and grab one before they’re gone!
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