June Already! The Sunday Post! Coming To You From Cicada Central

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Happy June! Yesterday I went to book club at my local bookstore, Love's Sweet Arrow. We discussed the book The Monsters We Defy.  I really enjoyed the book and I will write up a post about it tomorrow to share. 

For my personal writing, I'm finishing the draft of my third book. We have two more days of school, so I will have more time to work on it this week! On the bummer side, I have to have oral surgery on Thursday so that stinks. 

Gardening update, something is feasting on my tender little plants. My brother-in-law recommended neem oil, so I am going to give that a go.  Below is a gardening update picture. 

Have you read any 5-star books lately?  I read an excerpt of T.J. Klune's upcoming book Somewhere Beyond the Sea, and it's amazing. I can't wait to finish it!  I'm currently listening to First Contact on Audible by Kim Harrison and I'm really enjoying it. I also have the new Charlie Donlea book that I need to read ASAP because it's a new release from my library, so no renewals of the loan. 

So many great books out there! 

Have a wonderful week!

Me and Christina Lauren. I didn't realize there was a photo op and so here I am with no makeup and a sweatshirt on! 

Neon Gods and Local Bookstores

 

Have you read this book? It's very spicy! I picked it up at my local bookstore, Love's Sweet Arrow. I'm very lucky not only to have a local bookstore but one that is a romance bookstore! This month one of the bookstore's book clubs is reading this book, and I am excited to go and be part of the discussion when the book club meets later this month! 

Neon Gods has over two hundred thousand reviews on Goodreads! Amazing, clearly this has been a very popular book. If you ask me, part of the reason why this is popular is not because there is a sex dungeon, but because it's a great update to the ancient story of Persephone and Hades. I read a physical copy of the book and it took me about four sittings to read it. I liked the world enough that I was ready to go straight from this book to the next book in the series. I loved that in this story, Hades isn't described as very handsome but not tall or particularly imposing, even though he is Hades. Most importantly for me, in this story, Persephone isn't kidnapped by Hades. I like this version better. 

Have you read this book? What did you think?

I'm Feeling Pretty On Top of Things for Now. Book Club Book is Read- The Second Chance Year

 

I hope you don't mind if I complain for just a moment. I have to wait until January 18th to wear glasses again. Boy, do I miss being able to see up close. You really don't know what you've got til it's gone. I really should just go to the Dollar Store and pick myself up a magnifying glass! If I had one I could use it to see the fine print on food packaging and my phone! 

I adjusted my kindle app to the biggest size it offers and read this book over the weekend: 

This book is categorized as romance on Amazon, but I don't think that is the best category for it. It's more, in my opinion, Sadie's hero's journey with a little romance. The romance is definitely more secondary. So if you'd like a time travel story, a book about getting to make different choices this will be a book you'll likely enjoy. 

I liked it, and I'm glad I read it for a book club next week because I have a few questions and I'd love to hear what other people think.  I read this one, but as long as the narrator is your cup of tea, this would be a perfect book to listen to while you work, go for walks, clean the house, etc.

One big positive in this book is that the cast of characters is very manageable, another reason this would be a great listen. If you are doing any reading challenges and need a romance book, but you don't really like romance that much., this could fit the bill because there is a lot of story outside the romance.

 

4 Stars! 

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Speaking of romance, my book is coming out in less than two weeks EEEK! Here is the link if you'd like to check it out and perhaps even preorder my debut book:

No Gouda Without You

The Cozy Mystery Club March Edition --Tomorrow Night on You Tube!

 

It seems like I was just sharing the link for February's Cozy Mystery Book Club live stream, and here we are already on the cusp of March's live stream. This month's book is Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall. You can watch the live stream and join us for the fun in the comments where we all share what we loved (and what left us lacking) in this month's club selection. Angela enters all comments for a chance to win books so it's a good time to chat with your fellow cozy lovers! 

This book is the first book in the Scottish Shire series. The book is written with lots of Scottish dialect, which can be distracting, I got the vibe that the book was not written by someone who is Scottish. Our Amateur Slueth is Paislee who is a single mom of a 10-year-old who owns a knitting shop. There is a nice amount of knitting talk in the book and it factors into the murder, so that is what you want to see when you read a crafty cozy. 

The book was published in 2020, but the sensibilities of our main character were a real throwback. She often talks about the shame and embarrassment she has from having a kid out of wedlock.  She goes on to say that she has not had sex or dated since her son was born and won't do either of those things until he is finished with school. I don't want to go on about how that rankled me, so I'll leave it there.

There are several subplots going on throughout this book, and much is not resolved at the end of the book,  so if you enjoy Paislee or the town of Nairn,  you can go right on to the next book from this one and hopefully find out more about the Knitting Shop and Grandpa's missing son. 

I found the reveal of the murderer and circumstances in the book to be on the darker and more depressing side.  So keep that in mind if you are looking for a cozy, cozy. 

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

 

This book was our book club pick for a fairytale retelling. It's a stand-alone fantasy book that is much shorter than fantasy books tend to be. T. Kingfisher does an excellent job of writing concisely and giving the reader a rich world to discover. I listened to the audio version of the book and found it to be easy to listen to and follow. 

The story has a satisfying resolution, and also one could see how the story could continue if T.Kingfisher had an interest in writing a second book about these characters. 

 Key elements of this book that I enjoyed:

The main character Marra, as well as potential love interest, Fenris both feel like they are destined to live a life with more suffering than happiness. 

We have a character who is capable of powerfully evil magic, but they choose not to use that evil. 

Some very creepy scenes involve something known as a tooth dancer and a landlady that has a childhood toy. Both characters and the parts they play are so creative and truly the stuff of nightmares. T. Kingfisher builds a fascinating world of a book that is an homage to the story of Little Red Riding Hood. 

4.5 stars 

The Once and Future Witches

 I listened to the audio version of this book and it did take me a little while to get into the book, it has three POV characters so just a little time to get straight which sister was which, but once it got rolling. I loved it. I thought there were so many lines in it at were lyrical or a unique metaphor that I'm planning to buy the book so that I can see the words.

The idea that women are actually witches and that the powers that be want to keep women stripped of the witchcraft so that they were subservient to the male patriarchy, well as the kids say, it just hit different post-Roe than it might have hit before.  The book felt like thinly veiled nonfiction. 

In this book, Alix E.Harrow writes about the generations of women passing down the spells of their ancestors via nursery rhymes. I just thought that was so clever.  

One of the criticisms of this book that I saw was readers felt it was too long.  It is a longer book, but the storytelling really worked for me and I would say don't discount it based on the length.  My favorite chapter of the book was chapter 36. A lovely payoff to a couple of the storylines.  Additionally, this book does a nice job of incorporating real history in the fictional story.  

If you are looking for a witchy book, consider giving this book a try.  This one was a 5 star read for me!  

Paper Girls Volume One - A Book Club Selection

I borrowed this graphic novel from my local library. It is the pick for my book club's February book.  The story takes place in 1988 and revolves around four 12-year-old paper delivery girls. Way back when I did a stint as a paper girl, I think I was a little younger than 12. In case you aren't familiar, back in the day kids would deliver papers and also have to collect the payments due from the subscribers!  

I spent the afternoon paging through and reading Paper Girls and when I was done with the first volume I realized I should have borrowed more than one volume from the library. Now I will have to wait to see what happens next. There are various timelines happening and we don't know yet who to trust who means the girls harm, but the illustrations really capture the 1980s and so does this story. 

Sometimes stories set in the late 1980s are too rose-colored. But I think this one so far is a more honest depiction of the stressors of the 1980s. In the back of the edition, I borrowed--how Nancy Drew- esque!  

And a picture of one of my favorite snacks -devilled eggs! This time I used Vidalia Onion Dressing mixed with the yolks.  

 

Buy Yourself The F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who's Been There

 

This book was my book club's pick for January. The theme was self-improvement.  I listen to the audio version of this book.  This book is part memoir and part life-improvement tips. The book is written by the author who is now in her late 30s about when she was in her mid-to-late 20s. 

I listened to the audio of the book which is read by the author.  Her parents, for lack of a better phrase, really sucked.  Not a physical abuse, but they were not kind to her. This book is mostly about her working through her upbringing. Fortunately for her, she was raised in a home that had more money than many and parents whose professional connections were of benefit to their daughter.

Overall, I would say that the self-help parts of the book could be of benefit and resonate with women in their later twenties who are looking for ways to help get out of their own way. Could be a nice gift for someone graduating high school or college. 

Do you like self-help books?  The author in this book references The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I got that book back in the early 1990s and I enjoyed it -- back then I was in my 20s. Are self-help books best read in your 20s?  What do you think?

The Hallmark Channel Itself Could Not Out Do This Book For Perfect Autumn Romance Ambiance!

 The Ex-Hex By Erin Sterling is like a perfectly made Pumpkin Spice Latte in Book Form.  This book feels like it was blessed by the Good Witch Cassie Nightingale herself.  

I can't imagine anyone who enjoys Autumn or tales of sorcery who would not enjoy this book.  It really puts you in the spirit of the Spooky season.  As I was listening to this book and really enjoying the story unfold, I realized that when it comes to romance, I enjoy the romance more if there is an obstacle that the couple has to unite to overcome. On that front, like most paranormal romances this book delivers.

We may be too old for trick or treating, but we can still treat ourselves to Halloween treats right?  This book is better than any fun-sized Snickers bar by far! 

Four Stars to The Ex Hex! 

I am lucky enough to be in a book club that is going to have Erin Sterling as a guest! I plan to ask if this book is to be a series. I'm hoping maybe it will be! I would like to return to this town!

Speaking of Halloween-- How cute are these two! (I'm pretty sure this picture is from about 2004)

The Subtitle of This Book Could Have Been Men Who Suck and Women Who Deal With Them

The 

Taylor Jenkins Reid has written several other well-known books.  Her work includes Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of  Evelyn Hugo.  Malibu Rising is the first book by Taylor Jenkins Reid that I have read.  When I began reading the book, I had to check to see if the book was based on a true story or if it was fiction. Turns out the book is fiction, it does reference some actual people, but all of the action and pertinent characters are not real people. 

The book is engaging, I kept reading because I wanted to see what becomes of Mick Riva and what causes the fire.  The book starts with the promise of a fire and so I was waiting and waiting to see if it came to be. Much of the book is about women who have selfish men in their lives. There are many POVs and short scenes involving people who aren't a core part of the story. I might have struggled to keep everyone straight if I had listened to it.

I appreciated the depiction of an alcoholic parent in this story; it felt realistic and not over-the-top. This book is a good read, not too long, I don't think any of the four children is written as well as Nina she is the most fleshed-out character in the book, aside from her mother June.  

My star rating is 3.0. 

Nice line in the book. 

 

Cozy Mystery Book Club Meets Tomorrow! Join Us on YouTube!

 Happy Monday, is this work week ending in a three-day weekend for you?  If you ask me everyone should have a three-day weekend every week.  Let's make 4 days works weeks a thing!  I'm kicking off this week with a review of the Cozy Mystery Book Club's book of the month.  This month we chose from a selection of bookish cozies and the winner was Maggie Blackburn's (aka Mollie Cox Bryan) book Little Bookshop of Murder. 

I liked this book more than I thought I would at first blush. I thought that the author does a good job of showing Summer's grieving process.  The murder victim in this book is Summer's mom who we do not get to meet, we only learn of her via other people's memories. The killer in this book is pretty easy to figure out, so if being wholly surprised by who did it is important to you, then you might be disappointed. 

Maggie Blackburn takes a big risk in this book by making the protagonist a scholar who has no use for popular fiction, especially romance and mystery which she thinks is complete dreck.  Readers might be put off by Summer's disdain for the very books they love to read. However,  Summer's life in academia isn't all it is cracked up to be, and the bookstore she inherited isn't the terrible navel-gazing place she made it out to be in her youth. I enjoyed Summer slowly having to eat her words and realize that romance and mystery books are quality reads.

Some readers prefer cozy mysteries that don't have a romance component.  While this book talks about romance novels, there is not a romance plot in this book. If you love a unique cozy companion, this book features a bird named Mr. Darcy!

You can join us for the Book Club Live Stream tomorrow May 25th at 7pm EST! I'll be in the comments sharing my two cents! 

#CozyMysteryBookClub I'm Going To Be On The Live Stream!

 A bit of a bucket list item, though, I'm not keen on the whole bucket list item, so I'm going to say that getting to be a co-host on the Cozy Mystery Book Club live stream tomorrow is the fulfillment of a New Years Resolution/Goal :-) That's much better right?

 

 Join us!  We will be talking about Color Me Murder by Krista Davis.  It is the first novel in the Pen & Ink Mystery series and the added bonus is that if you buy the book you can color the cover.  Our amateur sleuth Florrie Fox draws coloring books, with a concentration on coloring books for adults and she is the manager of the Color Me Read bookstore in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington D.C. 

This area is also where Krista Davis's Diva series takes place and in both series, the descriptions make me want to book an AirBnB and stay in a historical home in Georgetown. For now, I'll live vicariously through these books. I borrowed my book from the local library, so no cover coloring for me. 

The book takes some interesting twists and turns, but my favorite part of the book might just be the three recipes in the back of the book. There is a recipe for Raspberry Quick Bread with Vanilla Glaze that seems pretty simple to make and I am sure delicious to eat.  I just need 2 pints of fresh raspberries!  You can find the recipe in the back of the book if you purchase or borrow it, and it is also available at the great website Mystery Lovers' Kitchen the website is run by a collective of cozy mystery authors who post recipes from their books. A great resource for foodies who love cozies! 

My Introduction to Alexis Hall writer of Boyfriend Material

 This is my first book by writer Alexis Hall. Alexis Hall has written a bunch of books including a paranormal investigator series that I think I will check out sometime later this year.  Boyfriend Material is the first book in a new romance series. This was picked as our book club read for April and I was excited to get to read it. 

Well, as I tend to do for this book club, I didn't 'read' it, I listened to the audio. For this book that was a good choice as the reader, Joe Jameson, has the most delightful accent - I assume it's a London accent.  Is that a thing?  In any case, he really helps make the book that much more enjoyable. 

Luc is so hard on himself and right from the beginning you just want good things for him. Unlike most of the Romance books, I've read lately this one is not told from both Luc and Oliver's point of view.  This one is only from Luc's POV and I did enjoy that change. 

The tagline for this book is: 

Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way

As you know if you read my blog, I love a fake relationship! There is lots of wonderful banter and high-quality cuddling as this fake relationship slowly morphs into so much more. I appreciated Luc's slowly awakening from depression as he spent time with Oliver and Oliver's actions revealing that he wasn't the only person in the relationship with self-esteem issues and doubts.  This book has many laugh-out-loud moments and tons of the sweetest scenes. 

If I had to compare this story, I would say that this romance reminded me of David Rose and Patrick Brewer on Schitt's Creek.  Funny, sweet, and kind.  This romance was described as a cracked door romance, by a reviewer on Goodreads.  To me, someone who usually reads more explicit romance, I thought it was a closed-door romance. All that is to say, if you prefer more scenes with bedroom ( or other rooms LOL) action, you may be left wanting more, but overall I wouldn't let that stop you from giving this a read! 

The March Cozy Mystery Book Club Book! Who's Joining Us For the Live Stream Tomorrow?

 This month the Cozy Mystery Book Club is reading the first book in Alexia Gordon's award-winning Gethsemane Brown Mysteries series!  I have been waiting to read this book with the Club for a while now I am glad that the time finally arrived! Not only did I enjoy the writing, I also enjoyed the distinctive signature look of the covers in this series. 

I greatly enjoyed this cozy and am looking forward to immediately reading the next book in the series, not only because there is a cliffhanger that I need to find out more about but also because it's an engaging story. 

 Alexia Gordon is just brilliant, her descriptions are evocative reminding you that Ireland is an old and mystical place, so much so that it doesn't seem shocking at all when Gethsemane runs into a ghost or when the bodies start to pile up.  The mystery and the language used in Murder in G Major kept me on my toes.  I had to look up definitions for more than a couple of words and phrases in this book and I appreciated the opportunity to learn new vocabulary, as well as the proper pronunciations of Gaelic names.  

Gethsemane Brown makes for a wonderful amateur sleuth.  She starts out reluctant to get involved, she's an outsider and her background as a music scholar provides her with great researching skills and the ability to think outside the box.  Now that I think about it, Dr. Gethsemane Brown shares some traits with Sherlock Holmes; both play the violin, both are blunt in their words, and both are doggedly determined to find out who done it.  

This book has just the right of twist and turns and also a gothic flair.  Who has even heard of a church with a poison garden?  As Gethsemane says, only in Ireland. 

4.0 Stars to Murder in G Major. The only reason it wasn't a 5-stars for me was the motive and I have some qualms with how the killer was depicted not a fan of that particular trope. I don't want to say too much and give anything away.  

I loved Gethsemane and Eamon. Really nice duo! 

Who Has Times for Affairs and Politics? Apparently The Women of the Regency! Me on the Other Hand, I like to Cook!

 

I guess when you have servants and are part of the aristocracy you have the time for love affairs!  See what happens in a world without the internet. LOL.  

I read this book because it was a March Book Club selection. I don't read much non-fiction. I usually get m non-fiction from podcasts. I listened to the audio version of this book and because of that some of the Heroines blurred together because there are many similar names and titles and I don't have a background in any monarchy, let alone Merry Old England.   Listening to the book right after Oprah's interview with Princess Megan and Prince Harry, I will say that this book didn't make me think more kindly about the British Monarchy.  Woo Boy, the monarchy has been bad for women for centuries! 

The more I listened to the stories of these women, the more I thought, my how things haven't changed for women.  More technology, but still so much misogyny. 

 

It was interesting to learn more about the historical  Ton and how the debutant seasons were done and I appreciated knowing it was the women who were the gatekeepers of the balls and events. I think knowing the reality of the Regency Era makes me more inclined to read romance and mystery set in the time period. 

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Not having servants, not only don't I have time for torrid love affairs (LOL)I also spend a good amount of my time cooking.  As I mentioned before, sometimes I will get a couple of Blue Apron meals.  This is the latest meal I made and it was the first time I got a vegetarian meal from BA. The recipe was simple and it is a meal I could definitely make myself cheaply. 

Basically, you need 8 tortillas and you cut them in 1/2. Then you cut up 8oz of mushrooms, 2 Chayote Squash, chopped some cloves of garlic, rinse and drain a can of black beans or other beans of your choice. 

Preheat the over to 425F. 

Next, In a bowl, you mix a can of crushed tomatoes and a chili sauce (hotness to your taste) and set that aside.  

Now to the stove, take a pan put some oil in it, cook the garlic till it starts smelling great, then add the mushrooms and cook for a few min, then add the squash and cook together for a good 5 minutes then add about a tablespoon of chili seasoning or taco seasoning or a pepper blend for flavor and heat if you want it spicy!  Lastly, add the beans plus a little water. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  

Then take a 9x13 baking pan and spread some of the tomato/chili sauce blend on the bottom. Layer 1/2 the tortilla halves. Then layer on 1/2 of the vegetable blend. Oh, I forgot to say at the top, you are going to need a cup of shredded cheese (cheddar/Monterey jack or cotija cheese, etc) put a layer of cheese on top of the vegetable mix. Repeat and then bake it in a 425 oven for around 20 minutes. 

Lastly, as always I have some referral emails for a few Blue Apron meals, if you've not tried Blue Apron and would like to try for free, just let me know your email and I'll send you a link for a free box! 

One Month from Now = Spring! #TheSundayPost

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Upcoming this week on the blog:

I'll be reviewing:

A Totally Awkward Love Story

Archangel's Kiss

and The Sign of Death

I am also listening to 

If I finish this one I'll review it too! 

Quick reminder tomorrow is release day for A Pocket In Time! You can read my review here

Happy Sunday!  One more week left in February and then March will be here, and you know what March means?  Yep, Springtime!!! The time of year for renewing and refreshing.  Speaking refreshing, how do you like my updated blog design?   I love my new header!  Thank you Michelle of Limabean Designs! Michelle does great work and you can click here to visit her website for info on her services! 

What's going on in your neck of the woods this week?  Any fun plans? 

The Midnight Library Book Review and a Chicken Noodle Soup Game Changer! #BookClubBook

 Recently the grocery store had a big sale on Chicken Fryers, and that means one day we had Roasted Chicken, and the next day I made my signature Mama's Soup.  Usually, I use frozen Reames Noodles, but they were $3.99 a bag and that was $1.49 more than I wanted to pay.  

I decided instead to make my own noodles.  I found a recipe that I like at The Spruce Eats and tried it out.  Nestled in this recipe is the best tip for making homemade noodles.  The recipe says you can use a knife to cut the dough into noodles or you can use--a PIZZA CUTTER!  Gamechanger!  Genius!  I'm so glad that someone thought of doing this! A pizza cutter works approximately 40x better for me than using a knife. 

Just a few days left to enter my Giveaway, just click on the MLK Day Giveaway Button on the right side of my blog to read and comment! 

Today's book review is for The Midnight Library this book is the January selection for a book club I belong to where we will be Zooming to discuss what we thought of the book on the last day of January. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, at first, I thought I would hate it. I even put it down for a few hours. Then I picked it back up for two reasons: 1. I'm reading it for a book club and 2. The title promised me a Midnight Library and I wanted to see what that library was all about.

Once I got inside The Midnight Library, I found out there is a Book of Regrets. A Book of Regrets! That was the hook the reached inside and grabbed me. Now I was all in! I needed to know where this was going to end for Nora.

I have a soft spot in my heart for multiverses, libraries, and Henry David Thoreau. I love what if's and the idea that there are different versions of me out there living different lives having taken different paths and having made different choices. The tale of Nora Seed unfolded in expected and unexpected ways, much like any of our lives would under similar circumstances.

I devoured this book over a weekend, stopping at times to share quotes from the book. Now that the story is over, I think I might read it again someday very soon--and for that reason, it's a 5-star book for me.

I'd like to think there really is a Midnight Library for each of us.

View all my reviews

Want to Get Away? Escape This Christmas

 Is it just me or is this month going rather quickly?  We are almost down to single digits on the advent calendar and there are only 16 days left of the year. 

I don't know about you, but I hope next year brings back the ability to safely be around other people. I miss live music, and free library programs, and sitting with friends at a restaurant. 

Thankfully we have our escapes, for me, that is reading and running and to a much lesser extent-- writing.  What I am working on right now is ramping up to the New Year by starting the day with an hour of writing Monday through Friday. I am hoping this low bar of writing will allow me to start the day off on a good foot and make progress in my stories.  This should also help me to blog consistently as well by using morning time to work on blog posts.  

If you are bummed because you won't be traveling this Christmas, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You'll feel like you got to go to a cozy cabin in Park City, UT with a family as entertaining as The Griswolds. 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect holiday romance. This book has the right amount of snow and shenanigans. Chestnuts roasting by the fireplace and tension building under the Christmas tree. I was so happy that for a change the parents of the main characters were not only alive but also in good health. Not only that, but the characters have conversations and explain things.

Also even though the romance takes place over a short period of time, the characters involved have known each other for years so it is not far-fetched.

I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book.

Maelyn finds what she is looking for and it's so much more than a holiday romance.

If you are looking for a Christmas getaway, read this book!! 

View all my reviews

#FraterfestRAT Day One!

 It's here!  A great excuse to immerse myself in spooky season. Today I started listening to Mexican Gothic. Tonight I am going to finish reading One Dark and Stormy Knight  and today I also picked up a book I had a hold on at the library, I'm so glad that I get to read this for the Fraterfest Read a Thon:  Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas  Oh and also I'll be reading the new release - White Trash Warlock

Join me and read some spooky/cozy paranormal/YA paranormal/Halloween themed books! You can even win prizes! Click Here  So if the weather is gloomy, download a book or grab one from your local library and spend some time cozied up in a chair. --And let me know what you are reading!  I love book recommendations! 

I Had No Idea Making Cheesecake Was So Hard!

FOUR STARS

Before reading this book, I thought making cheesecake was a piece of cake. Now I know that's is time and labor-intensive!  You have to cream ingredients by hand, you have to smash cookies to make a crust.  You have to let it cook and rest and cook and rest! So much work involved that I never appreciated. Now that I know what is involved, I'll just stick to baking cookies! 

I read this book for the September edition of the Cozy Mystery Book Club on YouTube. You can check out this great online cozy mystery book club here: https://youtu.be/NZoDjjRymbQ First of all the main characters in this book are - Jacobia /Ellie--- Oh I know a Blues Brothers reference when I hear one! Jake and Elwood! This book was not just a standard cozy mystery, it was a  cozy mystery thriller! The tension was high and the clock was ticking the whole time- how are they going to get all those cheesecakes made? Is the storm going to hit the town or pass it by? I think I might have been more invested in the cheesecake deadline than exactly who the killer was- The characters in the book and the coastal town of Eastport are so enjoyable that I would have read a whole book about the storm and the cheesecakes even if no one was found dead. This book was a nice escape, and if you are looking for a book to read during the 4th of July holiday, add this to your TBR pile and read it for the 4th (l

Link to my review on goodreads