Category: book review

May 30, 2018

Italian Gluten-Free Gastronomy: The Art of Selecting, Preparing and Savoring Gluten Free Meals

Satisfy your cravings for Italian food while remaining gluten free with Italian Gluten-Free Gastronomy brought to you by Clarissa Burt and Rita Romano.

About Italian Gluten-Free Gastronomy: The Art of Selecting, Preparing and Savoring Gluten Free Meals

The newest creative cookbook on the market in 2018 is Italian Gluten Free Gastronomy by supermodel Clarissa Burt and chef Rita Romano. Also sold in an e-book, this cookbook comes as an 8.5 by 10 inch hard cover with an elegant dust jacket. Featuring a collection of 70 recipes (appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, desserts, beverages) with photographs supports those people who love the fine cuisine of Italy and also want to manage their celiac disease.

My Thoughts

I love my Italian food – I grew up on it and to me it is comfort food. I grew up on it and it is healthy, filling and full of variety. That being said, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity it may seem like a daunting task to re-create the meals they grew up on in a way that their bodies can handle. But it can be done!

This cookbook is testimony to that. It contains seventy recipes that have been designed to satisfy your cravings for Italian food BUT also accommodate your health needs to remain gluten free. As you go through the book you will find recipes that you may be familiar with but have been altered to be gluten free.

I loved that the recipes were easy to follow, the ingredients are ones that you will easily find in your pantry whether you are gluten free or not and that all the recipes were easy to make. I find that when I have too much gluten in my diet, my stomach and skin suffers for it. I make a point to watch how much I intake during a week and I am diligent in what I make for both myself and my children (they have never noticed the difference yet!). This was the best part – I made quite a few recipes for my family and they had no idea that they were gluten free. Sometimes people feel like they are missing out being gluten free but no one in my family could tell the difference! They did an amazing job with these recipes and adding in flavours to satisfy those taste buds leaving you craving more.

This easy to follow cookbook with mouth watering recipes and beautifully designed photos and pages will leave you craving for more. It is a treat from start to finish, assisting you in with following your gluten free diet but never letting you feel like you are missing out.

You can purchase a copy of this book on the Italian Gluten Free Gastronomy website and on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Authors

Clarissa Burt is an award-winning actress, international media personality/producer/director, writer, author public speaker and Super Model. With hundreds of television and film credits to her name, This Who’s Who of International and American Women brings over 30 years of entertainment industry experience in both International and American markets.

Clarissa has launched her personal brand on QVC in Europe where she brings her sense of elegance and style to ‘Made in Italy’ products. Starting with a women’s loungewear line, from her very first show, Clarissa boasts sold-out numbers. . You can follow Clarissa on Voice America starting June, 2017. Learn more about her on her website.

Rita Romano was born in Bari, Italy. She is the youngest of twelve children born into a family with a deep appreciation for the culinary arts. She also lived in both Naples and La Spezia (near Genoa), where she developed an appreciation for the abundance of foods found in these diverse regions.

The young food fan came to the United States at the age of eleven, immigrating to Philadelphia with her parents and five of her siblings. After the Romano roots were firmly re-planted in the US, Rita learned about American food starting out in the food department of an airline. Upgrading to a position of supervisor for Alitalia Airlines offered her the opportunity to travel back and forth between the US and Europe. She especially enjoyed the frequent visits home to Italy. Experiencing the culinary diversity of these two worlds further fueled her passion for food.

In 1990, Rita opened three Italian restaurants in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area specializing in pasta. Her restaurants offered 31 delicious sauces for pasta that the enthusiastic Italian chef had developed herself. Encouraged by her customers to share her recipes – Rita began writing cookbooks.

Within two years, Rita had published her first cookbook and started her Italian cooking school. She has been featured in the Arizona Republic, Arizona Woman magazine, the Moon Valley Phoenix Advent, and Camelback Corridor News. Rita’s Cooking Class has been featured on local and network TV stations.

You can find out more about Rita on her website.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 28, 2018

Curse of the Ancients Book Review

In Curse of the Ancients, from his airstrip to Israel, to Turkey and a nightmare-dream of one-of-a-kind ancient artifacts that not only threatened the serene life Craige knew and loved at Moccasin Hollow, it would destroy the world.

About Curse of the Ancients

As Craige Ingram climbed the stairs of the derelict building, that peculiar stench of a dead body hit him. It was the same smell no matter where—SpecOps SEAL encounter gone sour, or in a vacant, roach-infested apartment. Inside, his SEAL buddy-turned head of Buckingham Parish Homicide’s Investigative Support Division, Grayson MacGerald, was huddled with the coroner next to a swollen decaying corpse that was days old and hardly more than oozing dead meat.

The PI inside Craige had a gut feeling that there was more to this than a dead body, and Craige’s Grannie always told him, “Trust your feelin’s.” But that was before Mihály Keaulescu set down two of his Black Falcon choppers on Craige’s Moccasin Hollow private airstrip in an uninvited stopover. It got worse. From his airstrip to Israel, to Turkey and a nightmare-dream of one-of-a-kind ancient artifacts that not only threatened the serene life Craige knew and loved at Moccasin Hollow, it would destroy the world.

My Thoughts

Curse of the Ancients is an exciting, fast paced mystery full of murder, biomedical warfare, lies and a confusing series of events that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

In this book, we are introduced to Craige and his SEAL friends. They are an intense group of individuals who have learned to trust their gut instincts through many dangerous ops and trust in each other solely. What begins as a seemingly normal murder (if murder could even be described as normal) takes a dangerous turn during the autopsy. That is when Craige is brought when they learn a dangerous poison was used to murder the young woman. Soon after, another body appears and a series of events is unleashed including a train derailment, artifact findings that unleashes deadly and terrifying secrets. Throw in terrorists, spies, possible double agents, biomedical warfare and ancient artifact finds and you will not be able to put this novel down!

I loved the way the plot unfolds in this novel, you really never know what to expect next and it keeps you on your toes. I found I had to reread certain parts to ensure I understood the information. The novel takes you almost around the world with the key players and the extent of the crime. There are so many layers of politics, military and secrets and just when you feel like you know what has happened, Hawk throws in a different angle. It is an extremely well written novel that will keep you engaged and entertained throughout the whole story with its unique plot and characters. A definite must read for those who love a good crime solving mystery.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

With postgraduate degrees and faculty positions at several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem. In addition to his work in classrooms and laboratories, he has written numerous professional articles on chordate neuroembryology and authored several novels that reflect his southwest upbringing in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for both the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his protagonist in the Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series. Hidden Vault of Secrets and Westobou Gold, Books 1 and 2 in the series, have received national and international attention. Hawk is also writing a science fiction series, The Cairns of Sainctuarie.

You can connect with him on his website.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 15, 2018

The Dan Diaries Book Review

In The Dan Diaries, Dan Sullivan was the best friend of Olivia Henry when his life was taken in a tragic car accident. Shocked to be on the other side, Dan navigates his way by learning his new role in eternal life.

About The Dan Diaries

Dan Sullivan was the best friend of Olivia Henry when his life was taken in a tragic car accident. Shocked to be on the other side, Dan navigates his way by learning his new role in eternal life. His first assignment is as Olivia’s guardian angel. He has the crucial role of guiding her to her pre-defined destiny. Dan’s death throws Olivia into a tail-spin which causes her to veer way off course. He understands the enormity of the challenge when he hears the mechanism by which he can communicate. He’s only allowed to use signs and symbols to get her attention and cannot interfere with her free-will.

Every time he thinks he’s close, something throws her off track. He’s forced to start over by convincing her to trust in their enduring, unbreakable bond. Olivia can feel Dan’s presence but is still reluctant to believe the messages he’s sending. She is fearful of falling in love again at the risk of losing another soul mate. Can Dan persuade her to trust in his love from afar so she can finally receive the happiness she truly deserves?

My Thoughts

I loved the Beyond Series and this book gives a different angle for readers – Dan’s view instead of Olivia’s journey (although Olivia plays a huge role in this book as well).

The book starts off with Dan’s accident and transition – we feel his pain and confusion but being who he is, his worry is for his family and Olivia. He doesn’t want his death to permanently destroy the people he loves, which sometimes a death can do especially when someone so young is taken, we struggle with the whys and unfinished dreams. He is tasked with a very important mission, to help Olivia learn to believe again but it comes with a set of rules set out by God.

Dan has to come up with ways to reach out to Olivia (Hank) without it being direct. He uses unique ways to reach out to her – their favourite songs, a waiter with the same name and so on. While Olivia may not believe in the beginning she begins to realize that her best friend is still there with her and looking out for her like he did when he was alive.

I really liked this angle of the book having read the other books in this series. It helps fill the gaps of the important relationship the two had and how connected they were. It fills in a lot of information on Dan and his personality. If you loved the other books in this series – this one is a definite must read.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger. Marx is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always had a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 14, 2018

The Deadliest Sport Book Review

Miriam bat Isaac, a budding alchemist in first-century CE Alexandria, welcomes her twin brother Binyamin home to fight his last gladiatorial bout in Alexandria. That is when everything went wrong.

About The Deadliest Sport

Miriam bat Isaac, a budding alchemist in first-century CE Alexandria, welcomes her twin brother Binyamin home to fight his last gladiatorial bout in Alexandria. But when he demands his share of the family money so he can build a school for gladiators in Alexandria, Miriam explains that he forsook his share when he took the gladiatorial oath.

When she refuses to loan him the money for what she feels is a shady and dangerous enterprise, Binyamin becomes furious. Soon after, the will of Amram, Miriam’s elderly charge, turns up missing; Amram becomes seriously ill; and the clerk of the public records house is murdered. Could Binyamin really be behind this monstrous scheme? If not he, who could be responsible? And is Miriam slated to be the next victim?

My Thoughts

In The Deadliest Sport, we are transported back to first century Alexandria. The city is a melting pot of religion, beliefs all under the ruthless Roman rule. We are witness to crime, religious beliefs and the day-to-day life of average citizens. Our main character, is a strong, independent young woman named Miriam. I loved that June included this powerful female lead as so many times, especially during this time period, the focus is on the power of men. Instead we learn more about Miriam and her role in the family business, control over family assets and the protective place she has for her friends.

In this book, Miriam’s brother is freed from the life of a gladiator on his return to Alexandria. Miriam is hesitant to believe he is back to just be part of the family and she is very right to have these doubts! Too soon, she learns that he wants his share of the family assets to build his own gladiator school. Miriam is shocked and horrified, fair enough as the brutality of these games is well-known and documented even now. She has even seen first hand the horrors when she visited her brother and a strong part of her wants nothing to do with the enslavement of people.

Things begin to take a turn for the worse after she denies her brother the money. A part of her wants to believe that he would never harm her or their loved ones but an even stronger part of her remembers the child and the man that he has become. Before she loses everything and her loved ones hurt, Miriam must discover who is behind the stealing and murders that have begun.

This is an excellent novel from start to finish, with great twists and turns. It is rich in history and culture with an amazing female lead – I did not want to put it down! It is a novel unlike any I have ever read before, which I loved. The ending was not what I expected but fits the novel perfectly. It is a definite must read novel for young adults and adults alike looking for a unique read.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

June Trop and her twin sister Gail wrote their first story, “The Steam Shavel [sic],” when they were six years old growing up in rural New Jersey. They sold it to their brother Everett for two cents.

“I don’t remember how I spent my share,” June says. “You could buy a fistful of candy for a penny in those days, but ever since then, I wanted to be a writer.”

As an award-winning middle school science teacher, June used storytelling to capture her students’ imagination and interest in scientific concepts. Years later as a professor of teacher education, she focused her research on the practical knowledge teachers construct and communicate through storytelling. Her first book, From Lesson Plans to Power Struggles (Corwin Press, 2009), is based on the stories new teachers told about their first classroom experiences.

Now associate professor emerita at the State University of New York at New Paltz, she devotes her time to writing The Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series. Her heroine is based on the personage of Maria Hebrea, the legendary founder of Western alchemy, who developed the concepts and apparatus alchemists and chemists would use for 1500 years.

June lives with her husband Paul Zuckerman in New Paltz, where she is breathlessly recording her plucky heroine’s next life-or-death exploit.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 11, 2018

Star Wars The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary

Star Wars: The Last Jedi™: The Visual Dictionary is the definitive guide to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, revealing the characters, creatures, droids, locations, and technology from the film.

About Star Wars The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary

Star Wars: The Last Jedi™: The Visual Dictionary is the definitive guide to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, revealing the characters, creatures, droids, locations, and technology from the new film. Packed with 100+ images and information as penned by Star Wars™ scribe Pablo Hidalgo, it’s a must-have for all fans who want to go beyond the movie experience.

My Thoughts

This gorgeous large hard covered book covers one of the most beloved series of all times, Star Wars and more specifically The Last Jedi.

Star Wars fans waited eagerly (and somewhat impatiently) for this movie to come out so that we could learn more about Rey, Finn, Poe and Kylo. We learned more about these incredible characters and uncovered secrets from the Star Wars past. This book takes us on an adventure (and in my opinion somewhat better than) the movie itself.

The book provides us with great detail about all the characters from the fleet command to the resistance fleet and everything in between. Each page provides an in-depth look at the character and items that are attached to them whether it be ships or devices. The book also gives ‘data files’ which are about a paragraph long and contain key points for the topics discussed on those pages. This insightful look into this movie really helped us understand parts that we may have overlooked or not understood as well as we could have when watching the movie. It is definitely helpful to read this book before and after you watch the movie to pick up on these little facts.

Every page contains illustrations of the characters, ships and devices covered on that page. These illustrations also come with points and facts that help you understand the significance of the illustration and how it all connects. There is a great combination of small, medium and large illustrations throughout the book with a great flow from page to page. I loved the use of dark and light to help highlight the good and bad characters from the movie.

Star Wars The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary will be the perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your home or for an introduction into the Star Wars legacy. Both my kids and I loved every part of the book and with its easy flow, you can mix up the order of the pages you read without feeling like you are missing something.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and DK Canada.

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.