February 1, 2018
Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies Book Review
In Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies, can the lessons she learned from her mother about cooking and life help Gina survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure and unexpected danger?
About Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies
Cooking a wonderful meal is an act of love. An act of grace. A gift that affirms and gives life—not only does it nurture those who partake of a meal; it also feeds the soul of the person who creates it. These are lessons Gina learns from her mother.
Gina is a young woman born to poor parents; a nobody (her words) who wants to taste life outside the world she was born into and her passion for cooking is all she has to help her do so. She gets lucky when she’s chosen to cook at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area where she finds a world of a privileged class with money to spare for dinners that cost hundreds of dollars. A world of new friends and new challenges—one that exposes her to fascinating people who’re also gripped by dark motives.
Amidst her culinary adventures, she becomes good friends with pastry chef Marcia, and falls in love, in different ways, with, two very different men: Leon, a rich regular client who has been dating Cristi, her friend from childhood, and Brent, a brooding homicide detective. This other world, it turns out, is also one of unexpected danger that eventually threatens her life.
Can the lessons she learned from her mother about cooking and life help Gina survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure and unexpected danger?
My Thoughts
Romance, lies, jealousy, revenge and amazing cooking – Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies has a little bit of everything!
I think we can all agree that for so many of us cooking is an expression of love – we put our time, effort and creativity into cooking healthy meals that our family will love and devour. Cooking is at the heart of this brilliant, well written story that stars Gina as our main character. Gina grew up poor and this has influenced her in many ways. She wants to see how the other world lives but never gives up or forgets her past. She makes incredible and exotic dishes at a very famous restaurant for the rich (and more than likely famous!).
It is here where she meets an incredibly interesting (and extremely rich) man who is coincidentally on a date with one of her friends from her primary school years. While she feels attraction to this man (and we know he is definitely attracted to her!), she feels an obligation to her friend to not date him. Especially as her friend constantly blames Gina for her boyfriends leaving her.
On the advice of a colleague, she decides to give this man a chance and enters a world of privilege, romance, lies, murder and jealousy. At times, Gina’s own life is put on the line!
This is an excellent book with an amazing plot line. I loved every moment and never saw the ending coming! I loved how strong yet compassionate Gina was. While she was hurting herself (both physically at time and emotionally), she was always there for others even if they did not treat her the best. She denied herself happiness several times throughout the book and you just wanted nothing but for her to find a bit of light and joy.
This is a definite must read novel that you will not be able to put down!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Evy Journey, writer, wannabe artist, and flâneuse (feminine of flâneur), wishes she lives in Paris where people have perfected the art of aimless roaming. Armed with a Ph.D., she used to research and help develop mental health programs.
She’s a writer because beautiful prose seduces her and existential angst continues to plague her despite such preoccupations having gone out of fashion. She takes occasional refuge by invoking the spirit of Jane Austen to spin tales of love, loss, and finding one’s way—stories into which she weaves mystery or intrigue.
The Giveaway
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 1, 2018
Blood Awakening Book Review
In Blood Awakening, worlds collide, marking the beginning of the end to an age-long battle warring between the forces of darkness and light in the universe.
About Blood Awakening
A war has been brewing in the shadows.
Kaelyn Hamblin never felt particularly extraordinary, growing up in a strong Irish household in the heart of Boston for most of her young life. Her humdrum routine remained markedly unchanged for longer than she cared to remember; until that day. The day when a beautiful stranger drifted into her hole-in-the-wall bookshop and changed her life forever.
Tyrian knew from the moment he locked eyes on her that she was the one. His one. The singular being within all of time and space that was made for him and him alone. His world was not one of niceties and pretty things; bringing her into it would be dangerous. But he would protect her. He had to. After all, it was foretold.
Worlds collide, marking the beginning of the end to an age-long battle warring between the forces of darkness and light in the universe. The fate of all rests on the shoulders of a lone druid and her band of human hunters to quell the rising tide of evil threatening to overtake everything and plunge the connected realms into eternal darkness.
My Thoughts
I have always loved stories about vampires and the supernatural, the war in the shadows and the battle between good and evil. Blood Awakening puts a new and exciting twist on the familiar.
In this story, Kaelyn and Tyrian have a very interesting connection. Tyrian is a hunter, one who was chosen to protect humans from the vampires that crossed into our realm to cause havoc. Kaelyn is tied to him not only through their growing intense love and sexual attraction but through a much deeper bond. She is his Medium, woven into his soul for them to protect, love and support each other.
Their bond is woven into an even greater foretelling – the coming of a great evil. It is up to the group of hunters and their leader to fight the darkness that has risen. At the centre of this battle is Tyrian, Kaelyn and the vampire realm.
This was a definitely intense and sexually charged novel (It is geared to the slightly older teen and adult due to the mature content). I loved that the plot was so much different that your typical supernatural novel as it creates excitement and suspense. I loved the balance between the romance, battles and history of the supernatural. It was well written and the author has an excellent way of pulling you into the story. I also loved the cover design – it attracted me instantly to the book and the plot hooked me into reading all night long. I cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Simon and Schuster.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Miranda Nichols enjoys her too short-lived moments in Boston visiting family. That’s why her stories tend to travel there. She’s had years of professional experience perfecting detail-oriented work and it shows in her writing. A current student working towards her MFA, she’s following her lifetime calling. She’s a loyal friend who’s not afraid to tell it like it is. Like the smell of fresh popcorn, her fantasy romances tempt you and keep you coming back for more.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 31, 2018
A Witch’s Path Book One: Witch for Hire Review
In A Witch’s Path Book One Witch for Hire, most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch.
About A Witch’s Path Book One Witch for Hire
Most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch. She’s clanless, looking for a wizard who isn’t offended by her lack of family connections, and in danger of losing her job if she can’t find the escaped trolls before they start eating the local residents.
Trolls, angry police, and misbehaving spells are the least of her problems. Statues attacking homeowners might be problematic for your average witch, but to Michelle it’s another day at the office. Her real concern is the wizard suddenly interested in dating her and an old elf set on pestering her. When her happy family is rocked by a long kept secret her stable life falls apart faster than she can pick up the pieces.
My Thoughts
I fell in love with Witch for Hire, book one in A Witch’s Path – witches, trolls, elves and more, what isn’t there to love?
Michelle is a different kind of witch. She didn’t grow up knowing her clan and or her entire family. She has a lot of strength and powers, which to be honest growing up I always wanted to have the magical powers of a witch so this was kind of awesome listening to. She is also a special kind of witch who works for the police department! This is definitely not your average type of town right?
In this case, escaped trolls are at the heart of her problem and she needs to find them before they start to eat the locals. Who would have known that trolls like to eat humans?! Tied into this is a mysterious elf that has entered her life (who is fascinated by her but she seems to be at times indifferent) and a wizard who is also interested in dating her. On top of this, she finds out some pretty shocking information about her Father’s identity and whereabouts. Exhausting right?
A Witch’s Path Book One is an excellent introduction to Michelle, her life and her work. We get an excellent work up and history of her and what she does plus the plot builds itself up excellently to lead into book two and three. I could not stop listening to this audiobook, I had to know exactly what happened next in not only her personal life but her case, which takes an awful turn in itself. This audiobook was full of action, excitement and more! A definite must listen to.
You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible. Listen to an excerpt here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
N.E. Conneely lives in northern Georgia with her dog and a mountain of books. They sweat through the summer and freeze through the winter, and life as they know it comes to an end when so much as a single snowflake falls out of the sky. For fun, N.E. plays with her dog, reads, knits, crochets, paints, and does tie-dyeing and origami. She makes a great pizza and is currently negotiating with her husband about raising sea monkeys and growing a vegetable garden.
About the Narrator
Jeff Hays has made a name for himself in the audio book world by creating immersive experiences out of his productions. His versatility and authenticity in voicing characters, expressive low-impact narration, and dedication to offering the highest quality audio possible has earned him a loyal following of listeners. Having been fascinated with sound since he can remember, Jeff takes his background of composing and producing music, and his continual consumption of the avalanche of fictional media we all experience in these modern times, and uses it to inform his style of story telling in the audiobook realm.
And now, having produced more than 80 audio books and perfecting his craft, using the namesake of his live streaming narration show, the Soundbooth Theater shingle has been hung. Soundbooth Theater is dedicated to applying Jeff’s production methods to new audio books with other budding narrator talent, and expanding his scope from audio books, to voicing and producing animation.
The Giveaway!
A Witch’s Path Series Giveaway: 3-Month Audible Membership
Disclosure: I received an audiobook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 30, 2018
A New Year, A New Binge: Our Top Historical, Action and Family Lists #StreamTeam
We are already almost a month into the new year, hard to believe right. Where does the time go?
You may have set some new resolutions and some of these you may still be holding strong to but others may have fallen to the waste side. My top two goals (I like the term goal better than resolution personally) for 2018 was to focus a bit more of my time and attention on myself and to set (in stone) bi-weekly family downtime.
So how am I helping myself achieve these two goals for 2018, with Netflix of course!
One of my favourite things to do is to watch historical (romance ones are even better) movies and series. I have found that you can learn so much from a great historical movie or television series and once I start watching I can’t stop! They have this incredible way of sparking your curiosity and imagination. After a good binge, I find myself surfing the internet to learn more about that time period, the event that happened and the people. This is “Mom Time” in our house and while my kids tend to make fun of me for my movie selection, these three to four hours a week really helps me to unwind, refocus and be a better wife and Mother.
Here are my top binge picks for parents who love history and romance:
- Morocco Love in Times of War: A Duchess leads a group of privileged ladies from Spanish society to Melilla during the Rif War to open a hospital and nurse the wounded. This series has subtitles which actually makes the show even better if you can imagine!
- The Crown: A Young Princess Elizabeth marries Prince Philip. As her Father, the King, health continues to worsen, Winston Churchill is elected Prime Minister for a second term. Follow the story of Princess Elizabeth.
- Cable Girls: In 1920s Madrid, four women at the National Telephone Company ring in revolution as they manage romance, friendship and the modern workplace.
- The Bletchley Circle: In 1952, four women who worked at the wartime code-breaking center, Bletchley Park, reunite to track down a serial killer.
- The Red Tent: The story of the twelve tribes of Israel is told through the eyes of Jacob’s only daughter, Dinah.
- Land Girls: Follow the lives, loves, highs and lows of four members of the Women’s Land Army who are working at the Hoxley Estate during WWII.
- Rebellion: Rebellion is a five-part serial drama about the birth of modern Ireland. The story is told from the perspectives of a group of fictional characters who live through the political events of the 1916 Easter Rising.
My husband didn’t want to be outdone and so he has created his own list for those who want some more action and adventure, so here are his top picks for parents:
- Black Lightning: School principal and retired superhero Jefferson Pierce leaps back into action as the legendary Black Lightning after a gang threatens his family.
- Taxi Brooklyn: Unable to drive, headstrong detective Cat Sullivan relies on streetwise, French-born Brooklyn cabbie Leon for transportation and help solving cases.
- The Punisher: A former Marine out to punish the criminals responsible for his family’s murder finds himself ensnared in a military conspiracy.
- Van Helsing: Vanessa Helsing, distant relative of famous vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, is resurrected only to find that vampires have taken over the world.
- The Ranch: Being a pro athlete didn’t pan out for Colt. Now he’s helping his dad and brother keep the ranch afloat, and figuring out how he fits into the family.
Can you see how our nights sometimes turn into fights over what we choose to watch on Netflix? Our tastes are completely opposite! I used to have to watch my shows in the early mornings when everyone is asleep but now I am giving myself the time I need to enjoy and relax at normal hours.
Family move nights in 2017 were planned and executed on the go but I wanted to ensure we were setting time aside for us to sit back on the couch with a pizza, some popcorn and our favourite Netflix shows a couple of times a month (at least!). We decided that twice a month would be our perfect number and Friday’s worked the best for us because we have no soccer and who really wants to cook on a Friday? Not me that is for sure! Our kids were completely on board with this goal and we started it this month and so far, two thumbs up from the whole family. We have watched a really great movie (Camp Cool Kids) and caught up on Fuller House and started some of the original Full House episodes (which hasn’t yet become as much of a hit with the kids as Fuller House is).
Here are our families top picks to binge on for Family Movie Night 2018:
- Fuller House (our family is officially hooked on this show – oh my Atlanta!): The Tanner family’s adventures continue as DJ Tanner-Fuller shares a home with her sister Stephanie and friend Kimmy who help raise her three boys.
- The Adventures of Puss in Boots: The famous cat protects the city of San Lorenzo, a mythical land invisible to the outside world.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events: The extraordinary Baudelaire orphans face trials, tribulations and the evil Count Olaf in their fateful quest to unlock long-held family secrets.
- One Day at a Time: In a re-imagining of the TV classic, a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the “help” of her old-school mom.
- Camp Cool Kids: A young boy attends summer camp, where he overcomes his fears, stands up to bullies and learns important lessons about faith and life.
Hands up if you love to binge on Netflix shows!
Tell me: what are the top shows you have been bingeing on in 2018 so far?
Disclosure: I am a Netflix #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 30, 2018
When the Stars Come Out Book Review
In When the Stars Come Out, can two people open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?
About When the Stars Come Out
Cottonbloom. A beautiful, faraway place where a woman can escape her past―and find reason to stay forever.
Willa Brown never planned to stay in Cottonbloom. She was on the way to somewhere else when she landed there and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. The same holds true for Jackson Abbott himself. With one glance in her direction, he can make Willa’s heart melt. But what begins as an unrequited crush turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined.
Jackson’s most meaningful relationship has always been with his car―and he’s not afraid to admit it. Still, he can’t help but become emotionally entangled with his new star mechanic Willa, who is definitely hiding some dark secrets of her own beneath the hood. Jackson desperately wants Willa to trust him, and to seek protection in his arms. But even as the two slowly surrender to their shared attraction, the danger lurking in Willa’s past remains a stubborn obstacle. Can she open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?
My Thoughts
I fell in love with this beautiful romance between two people who seem like the complete opposite!
Willa is a young woman who has had a troubled past and carries so much blame and pain in her heart. She carries the weight of the actions of others on her shoulders as her own blame and this has affected her life greatly. She has constantly been on the run but had finally settled (somewhat) in Cottonbloom. She has faced poverty, stereotypes and more in her young years and you just want her to have a little bit of happiness, even though she does not feel that she deserves it.
Jackson is that typical workaholic. He loves his family business and his cars. He is not very good at showing emotions or even realizing love when it comes knocking! When he realizes his feelings for Willa, he tries hard to show her but he can be awkward at times in his affection. I felt so bad for him at times!
These are two people who deserve love and happiness but both are so unaccustomed to it that they have a difficult time trusting and accepting this love and affection. They leave you shaking your head at times, laughing at others but at all times hoping for a bright future for them. When the Stars Come Out is a beautiful romance about hope, faith and forgiveness. I loved every moment.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major―Chemical Engineering―and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.
She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. Then He Kissed Me, a Cottonbloom novel, was named as one of Amazon’s best romances of 2016. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she’s shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.