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.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
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.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
#The Sunday Post - Last of Sunday of March is Here- Let's Make it Count!
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Who Has Times for Affairs and Politics? Apparently The Women of the Regency! Me on the Other Hand, I like to Cook!
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!
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
#ASeriesInAMonth Two Novellas and An Update on Future Avocado Toast!
― Alyssa Cole, Can't Escape Love
Sunday, March 21, 2021
#NetGalley Coming soon! #AHexForDanger and Have You Ever Tried To Make DIY Coasters?
A Hex for Danger is the second book in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series by Esme Addison. The first book in the series is A Spell for Trouble. You can definitely read this book and enjoy it without having read the first book--but if you like to read Cozy Mysteries, why not read both, right?
The book takes place in the small Coastal town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. Personally, Coastal Cozy Mysteries are one of my favorite types of mysteries. Something about a beachy small town on the edge of a continent--so cozy! My perception may be colored by the fact that I live in the landlocked Midwest so any coast seems romantic and magical. And this is most certainly a magical series. Alex is a descendent of the Mermaid of Warsaw and is learning the extent of her magical abilities while living with her aunt and cousin.
This book is a thriller of a cozy. The action-adventure is fast-paced and Alex is not afraid to ask too many questions while she is sleuthing. Unlike a traditional cozy, this book has corporate espionage and scheming governments. I enjoyed how Esme Addison has woven science and mythology together in her books and extended the environment of the small-town cozy. Best of all, at one point near the end, I thought the story was wrapped up with a pretty standard cozy murder motivation; but, that was not the end of the story, more twists and turns were ahead!
On the romance end, I don't know if I'm supposed to be rooting for Jack or Dylan to wind up with Alex. This subplot alone is enough to ensure I'm going to preorder book number three! As someone whose favorite genres are cozy mysteries, romance, and contemporary fantasy, I've found the Enchanted Bay Mystery series very fun read!
Saturday, March 20, 2021
#TheSundayPost #ShamrockShuffle Who's Ready for Spring?
Thursday, March 18, 2021
On the Cusp of Springtime, Book 4 of the #PsyChangeling #ReadAlong Mine To Possess!
You know how sometimes you look at a word and you are certain you must be spelling it wrong? That's how I feel about 'possess' for Pete's sake, it has 4 s's! I am sure I have spelled in wrong many times over the years. This is one time that I'm not going to complain about autocorrect. Especially as I write this review.
Mine to Possess is the fourth book in Nalini Singh's PsyChangeling series. You can join our read-along here We aren't just reading the books, we have virtual book discussions and you can enter giveaways as well!
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
This Weeks #SeriesinaMonth Challenge Post! A Duke By Default #romance
The librarian looked up again.
“I need help now. I need to print this article and . . . do you have any books about dukes?”
The librarian’s eyes went wide and she rubbed her hands together with glee. “We have a fantastic romance section,” she said. “Do you need recommendations? How do you like your dukes? Grumpy? Tortured? Alpha, beta, or alpha in the streets, beta in the sheets?”
“Actually, I meant nonfiction,” Portia said glumly.
The librarian sighed. “Aye. Just a warning, love—the non-fic dukes are not nearly as fun.”
I am coming to the conclusion that my first attempt at growing an avocado tree isn't going well. I decided to try another pit and see if that one might grow. I think that it is starting to grow roots, but it's too soon to tell. We should know by next week for sure, fingers crossed!
Sunday, March 14, 2021
So Excited for the Second Book in This Series! Bowling Blunder review today!
Not too long ago I shared a debut Cozy Mystery by Stella Bixby, my review Downward Death is here, a new series with paranormal elements featuring Ellie and her pet pig Penelope. Now I am happy to share that book two in this fun series is out tomorrow March 16th! Here is a link to add Bowling Blunder to your Goodreads shelf.
I was able to read an ARC of the book last week and I'm happy to share my opinions, which as per usual are all mine!
This book is on the shorter side, so it's great for a nice weekend read. There are quite a few female characters so you might want to read this when you have time to focus on it over a day or two instead of reading it in snatches of free time here and there over a long period of time.
One of the reasons I find this series so entertaining is that we the reader are learning about Ellie's magic alongside her and it's so fun to see what happens next! It's a delightful tension in the story. Also, the themes of Ellie's search for belonging and acceptance continue in this book and you just have to root for her to flourish in this small Iowa town. I enjoyed how the town is now turning to her to solve crimes even as she says she doesn't have the right skill set, looks like the town knows her better than she knows herself!
As a runner, I was both amused and horrified by the Trot and Tater race. I could NOT eat a bucket of mashed potatoes at the finish line of a race.
The ending of Bowling Blunder is super sweet and I'm excited to read what happens in book three. I'm definitely hoping for more scenes with Ellie and the mystery motorcycle man!
4.5 stars!
Dinner talk, I had a bag of Vigo rice in the cabinet and I wanted to use it to make a skillet dinner. This is what I came up with:
First I sauteed about 12 oz. of medium deveined, shelled shrimp in a little oil. The shrimp were seasoned with chili lime seasoning I had and once the shrimp were cooked then I took the shrimp out of the iron skillet and then I cooked one chopped poblano pepper, chopped shallot, chopped yellow onion, and chopped celery in a little red pepper oil. After a couple of minutes, I added the bag of Vigo Yellow Rice and two cups of water. Once the water boiled, I turned it down, covered the skillet, and let it simmer until the rice was cooked. Then I turned it off and threw the shrimp into the skillet and gave it a mix and then wah-la dinner was done.
The Hubs said it was very good and spicy. That was my goal! Mission Accomplished!