Downward Death - A New Cozy Mystery and I Try A New Recipe! #COYERCHALLENGE2021

As you can see here I overcooked the crescents by about 2 minutes. 

 Kraft food sends me recipes all the time and many of them involved crescent rolls which I think I could easily eat a whole batch by myself! They are so light and flaky!  Ham and Pineapple Crescent Rolls I followed the directions on this recipe. I will say if I were to make this in the future I would dice the ham and mix all the ingredients into one spread and spread that on the crescent rolls and then roll them up. Overall it was a good way to use up leftover crushed pineapple!

I received an ARC of Downward Death by Stella Bixby, below is my review and as always the opinions are mine!

Ellie Vanderwick is a bit of a loner. She was raised in foster homes and has lived off and on in her converted VW Bus since she was 17.  Her dream is to help people to be pain-free and more flexible through yoga.  This story begins with Ellie being bequeathed a farm in Iowa courtesy of the grandmother she never knew.  So far so good right?  Ellie will be the outsider coming to a new town. We've all read that before right?

But wait! Ellie has a secret, her hair is a mood ring.  Yes, it changes color and texture based on her mood and feelings.  I thought this was a unique and fun way to add a little magic to a fairly standard cozy.  She also has a pet pig as her cozy companion!  

At the beginning of the book, there is some major corn confusion that made me say out loud-- "Is anyone going to tell her?"  I don't know if I got it because I am a Midwesterner or if it's common knowledge.  (you'll have to read to know what I am talking about, I don't want to spoil you).

Within the first three chapters of this book, I was already invested in Ellie V's life. I wanted good things for her and her Penelope, and I was ready to fight a couple people in the town on her behalf and hug others.  Stella Bixby has done a wonderful job in this book of really pulling the reader into the story.  The mysteries of Ellie's hair, who her parents were, and how will Ellie support herself were enough to keep me turning the pages, even before the murder occurred. 

I read the second half of Downward Death in one sitting,  The mystery keeps you guessing and you aren't sure which of these characters is terrible enough to be a killer. As I have said before, I prefer it when a cozy mystery killer is just an awful person motivated by...well I better not say this killer's motivation- that might help you guess who done it! 

When the book ends, some of the mystery of Ellie's background is solved, but much of who she is is left as an overarching mystery for future books.  I really enjoyed this series and can't wait to read the next book. I am hoping that Ellie's mother is alive and well and will show up in a future book!  I also hope Katie & Earl's daughter features in a future story! 

Website for Cheap Audiobooks and A New #2021AudioBookChallenge Book Review!

 If you have an Audible Plus subscription this wonderful novella is included in your membership! Bonus!

I listen to this book to kick off my participation in the #2021AudiobookChallenge I've set a lofty goal for the year!  If you like to listen to books or want to start listening to books join the challenge, you don't need to use Audible. You can borrow audiobooks from your local public library and listen via an app on your phone (called Libby or Overdrive).  There is also a website called Chirp Books where you can buy books at a very reasonable cost.  I have a discount link here you can use to get $5.00 toward Chirp Books. Since they have options for $2.99, $3.99, etc. The $5 goes farther than you would think!

Below is my review, but before I leave you to that, a quick note on Monday 1/18/2021 I'll be participating in the MLK Giveaway Hop.  You can see a button for it on the right-hand side of this page. I am going to be giving away a copy of The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow to one lucky commenter. You'll be able to enter to win books by Black Authors on a bunch of other blogs as well. 

Here is my latest review!

The House on the Water by Margot Hunt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you enjoy Agatha Christie you’ll love this modern tale of a vacation gone wrong. It’s novella-length so you can listen to it over the course of a couple workouts or while cleaning the house. Margot Hunt gives everyone involved plausible motives and in the end, we are left to decide if the killer will get off or not. I think they won’t get away with it. What I loved about this story is that the killer thinks they have avoided becoming a cliche, when in fact by killing the victim, they have become a completely pathetic cliche. It's delightful! A very satisfying listen!



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Farewell Christmas Decorations and A quirky and enjoyable book #NetGalley #ConfessionsofaCuriousBooksellerANovel

 I don't know about you but this month seems to be trucking along.  It's helpful that so far we are enjoying mild winter temperature and even saw the sun a couple times over the last 10 days.  Over the weekend, I finished taking down our Christmas decorations and have transitioned to Winter and Valentine's Day.  We spend most of our time at home, and therefore I like to change our decor with the seasons.  

Here is a picture of my beloved coffee station updated for the remainder of winter.

In the picture frame is a Valentine's Day card the Hubs picked up a the local Dollar Tree.  I cut it up and added a red starburst decoration to a sliver frame I got on clearance at Michael's and Wah-La, festive Valentine's Day decor! 

I'm pleased with how things turned out.  The Hubs also brought home three planters so I can repot some plants from the 3-inch containers they have been stuck in since arriving at our house over the last few months. I hope I don't kill them- on is a mum that I got for my birthday and right now it's lived longer than any mum I've had in my possession! 

Below is my latest book review! 

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I began reading this book, I became hooked because I wanted to know if Fawn would break up with the fellow she was dating. Then I was wondering about the cosplay pen-pal relationship. Then I began to see the heaps and heaps of dishonesty in all of her correspondence. Her dramatic flair was amusing and kept me reading as she became shadier and shadier--and developed quite the habit of emailing while drunk (never a good idea!) I almost wrote her off as a 50-something antihero who was unwilling to change for the better.

A quote from an email from Fawn to her sister at the beginning of the book that I found was funny: "Can you believe it's been three months? Just last week, he took me out to dinner and paid for it himself! If this doesn't smell like commitment, then I don't know what does!"

What kept me going was: 1. I needed to know how the Mark Twain situation panned out and 2. the emails from Jane. I could see a glimmer of a better person lurking under all the dross* that was covering Fawn.

As a reader you really think you know where this is going to go in the beginning, it sounds as if there might be some sort of romance in that "The Shop Around The Corner" style, and it's not--at all--which is great.

If you get annoyed reading about Fawn during the first half of the book, please keep going, or you are going to miss something lovely.

*I chose to use the word dross to describe all the crap Fawn heaps on herself during this book because I'm confident she would enjoy that wording.

I got a copy of this book thru #Netgalley

#ConfessionsofaCuriousBooksellerANovel #NetGalley


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Sunday Already? #TheSundayPost : Week 2 of 2021!

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

I hope you had a nice week!  In running news, I got my Yaktrax so I can run in snow and ice and not fall. This should help ensure that the weather is nice and I won't need the fancy new running accessory!  I also survived my first doctor's appointment of the year. I'll likely write about that another day, the situational anxiety of going to see a Medical Oncologist--good times. 😟

This week I read books like it was my job - links to this weeks posts and reviews are here:

*Monday I took up the#COYER Challenge!

*Tuesday A Cozy Mystery Review

*Wednesday Recipe and Audio Book Review

*Friday #NationalBubbleBathDay and a Mystery/Romance

Coming up this week:

-Book review of Confessions of a Curious Shopkeeper by Elizabeth Green (COYER Seasons Challenge book) 

-AudioBook Review of an Audible Original and a Website for getting audiobook discounts & Winter Decor talk. 

-Book Review of Downward Death- A new cozy mystery with a Yoga theme!  -And a recipe I tried because I had leftover crushed pineapple. 

The time has come to take down our Christmas tree, and with a big hat tip to Leanne W. I took a picture of many of the ornaments from our tree before wrapping them up until late next November. 

A pile of memories! Some going back as far as 50 years!  

In Which I Embrace the Bath Lifestyle and #JaneinStPete #NetGalley- A Mystery/Romance!

Did you know today, January 8th, is #NationalBubbleBathDay?  If not, now you know!  

 

Sometime during November, I decided to take a bath every now and again. Once I had taken a bath or two, I realized  I needed a nice fuzzy robe, a quality bubble bath, a wrap for my hair, and a bath pillow.  Shortly thereafter, I made my Christmas list and asked for everything I needed to embrace the bath lifestyle. 

When Christmas day arrived, my wonderful family gave me a robe, a Bath and Body Works bubble bath, and a wrap for my hair.  I said to the Hubs, "Now I just need a bath pillow."  The Hubs then said, "Oh no, Honey, that won't do, I'm going to make you one right now."  Armed with duct tape and the can-do spirit, he recycled packing materials to make me a bath pillow for home and --in his words--a travel pillow I could take with me on trips.  "What Trips?" I asked and then we dissolved into a fit of laughter. 

Happy #NationalBubbleBathDay!  Knock off work early!  Go lock yourself in the bathroom and escape for a while! Embrace Escapism!

And speaking of traveling without going anywhere, below is my latest book review, a nice escape to St. Petersburg, FL. 

Jane in St. Pete by Cynthia Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Recently, I was able to download a copy of Jane in St. Pete by Cynthia Harrison to read and review. The main character of the book, Jane, is a recently widowed fifty-five-year-old who has left Detriot and moved to a gated condo community in St. Pete, Florida. The book opens with Jane attending a coffee hour at her community center. We get a real sense of Jane right off the bat, based on her internal monologue and we get introduced to people around her via the coffee hour small talk. I thought this was a clever way to start off the book and give us a sense of who's who. Like me, Jane has given up dying her hair, a detail I really liked! Unlike me, she is quickly involved in a murder investigation.

I thought it was very clever of Cynthia Harrison to use Jane's background as an art history teacher as a reason for her to assist in the investigation. In addition to the murder, there may also be mobsters looking for someone in the community! Plus Jane has unresolved issues with the sudden death of her husband, issues with her adult daughter, and then there is the handsome detective. All of these situations are navigated and come to a very satisfying conclusion.

When the book was nearly half over, the narration moves from Jane to another character, I will say that threw me off as I was reading. The second point of view is used off and on for a few chapters and then we finish the book in Jane's head.

This is the sort of book that is a nice beach read, or to have on hand if you are a train commuter for work, or if you like to have a book to read during a lunch break or medical appointment. The book has a fairly small cast of characters to keep track of and most of the action occurs in just a few places, so it is easy to pick back up if you are reading it here and there.

#JaneinStPete #NetGalley

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Thankfully This Recipe Was Easy and The Hubs liked it! Plus a #COYER Challenge and #2021AudioBookChallenge

How's your 2021 going so far? Around here we have had some seasonally appropriate weather that has made it difficult for me to go for a daily run. I don't have a treadmill, I really don't like running inside. Running on a treadmill is a surefire way to watch time slow to a crawl. I'd much rather layer up and run outside.  However, ice and snow equal me falling down and I don't want to find out how well the Prolia shot I had to take works.  Yes Osteopenia as a result of cancer treatment stinks, but I don't see the point in complaining, I'm just glad I don't currently have cancer.   The fix to my running in the snow and ice is to get Yaktrax , it's like putting chains on tires for winter driving. Last winter I feel like four times and almost fell more times than I can count so instead a repeat of last year where I courted breaking a bone. This year I'm going to start right off being smarter about my running. 

How about you?  Are you getting the year off to a smart start?  If you would like a hearty flavorful, cassoulet that is easy to put together, try this one! 

Substitutions that I made were- I used ground turkey instead of ground pork, I used a can of garbanzo beans instead of the second can of Great Northern Beans because I only had one can of Great Northern.

My finished picture doesn't look as pretty as I would have liked, but the meal was delicious. Here is the link to the recipe from Real Simple Magazine- One Pot Sausage, Pork, and Beans Recipe

Sometimes I listen to audiobooks while I am cooking and recently I listen to the audio version of a graphic novel. Yes, I know this sounds like an oxymoron.  I have to say the audiobook had a full cast of actors and they gave it there all so that I could 'see' the book unfolding.  Below is my review-

 

The Pretenders by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I bought the audio version of this graphic novel because it was on sale in an email I received at some point last year. Then I got distracted and didn't listen to it for a good six months. Today, I finally decided to give it a listen. I didn't realize that the audiobook I purchased was a graphic novel until after I finished listening to the story!

The audio of this book has a full cast of actors and the story really comes to life. I also didn't realize I had purchased book 1 of a trilogy, and now that I know it's a trilogy, I'm going to have to get the other two books, which are not on sale- HA! To be fair, this is a nice stand-alone story and you aren't left on the precipice of a cliffhanger.

The book starts off with an MC who wakes up in a cemetery with no memory. All she knows is that the reason she is in the cemetery is someone tried to kill her. What a great story hook! How can you not read this? I imagine it is a great looking graphic novel, the audio does not disappoint!

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First Book Read in 2021! #SconesandScofflaws #NetGalley

 One book down, 99 to go!  Oh, the places I will go in 2021--while being in the comfort of my own home! 

As I mentioned last week, I have activated my NetGalley account, and that allows me to read and review books from various publishers- in all my favorite genres. 

My first pick was a new Cozy Mystery.  This book takes place in Cape May, NJ--which is a real town and is now officially added to TBV (To Be Visited) list! 

This book is available on Kindle and in Paperback from Blue Eagle Press.  If you read it--let me know- tag me in your review or comment below with your feedback! 

Scones and Scofflaws by Jane Gorman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I requested this book from #Netgalley because I like the name. What can I say, I enjoy alliteration!
My impression of this book was that it focuses more on the mystery than on the cozy town itself. We do hear about the beach and meet some townfolk, but we stick with Anna who is focused on finding whodunit and why.

I thought that the method of murder was clever and unique. I appreciated how the clues connected to Anna's life experiences and to her dealings with the town, in other words, scenes were not wasted, everything meant something.

I didn't figure out who the killer was before Anna; but, that person was my #1 suspect so I was glad I was right! I appreciated that Jane Gorman chose to have a villain who was just a terrible person and didn't rely on saying the killer was 'crazy'. Additionally, Ms. Groman doesn't rely on killing additional people to raise the stakes for our sleuth, which makes it a more plausible story overall.

This is a plot-driven book and at times I felt like I would like to get to know Anna better, I hope that in the next book there might be more time to get to know her via maybe some light comedy scenes with her and Sammy or Luke.

Throughout the book, Anna reminds herself that she isn't a damsel in distress which is nice to read. I enjoyed reading about her background in anthropology. I am left wondering about her cousin Eoin (a modern-day Harriet the Spy). I'd like to know more about how Eoin came to be with her for months, I hope we find out more about that in the next book.

Overall this book is a solid mystery that comes together nicely. The title of the book comes into play in the actual story which is a nice bonus!

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Clean Out Your E- Reader #COYER Seasons Challenge 2021

 

Over the past year, I have added many, many free ebooks or ebooks that cost under $5 to my kindle. I don't even actually know how many books I have sitting in my virtual TBR pile.  How fortunate for me and my teetering pile of books that I learned about the COYER Book Community and the challenges. Now I have peers to read with and reading goals. This is my idea of fun! This also means that I will get around to reading some of the lovely books that have been waiting for me for months and months.  

If you would like to join me you can learn more and join here

When you see me use the hashtag #COYER this winter you'll know I'm cleaning out one of the books on my e-reader! 

The first book I am reading for the challenge is Confessions of a Curious Bookseller.  So far I can tell you that the main character is super quirky!  

Hope you are having a great day and are able to take some time to do what you love!

The First Sunday of 2021 is Here!

I am kicking off the new year by participating in The Sunday Post:  

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

To recap, I have a lovely pile of new books to start my new year-

Look at that literary goodness! 

The first book I will be reading is Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing.  It's a Cozy Mystery that takes place at a winery in Colorado.  This book is the January reading selection for The Cozy Mystery Book Club and there will be a live stream discussion of the book on the last Tuesday of January at 7pm EST. 

Because one book club is not enough, I will also be reading The Midnight Library I am trying to decide if I am going to read this or listen to it.  I listened to a sample of the audiobook and the audio didn't grab me, so I'm not sure if I want to use my Audible credit on the book. Decisions, decisions.  

Speaking of Audible, I recently listened to one of the Audible Originals.  It's called After the Fairy Tale and is a great listen for anyone who has watched a season or more of The Bachelor franchise.  This story is a fictional account of what happens after the final rose when the happy couple is separated for several months. If you have a membership this title is free.  This is different than a standard audiobook written by one reader this is a full audio production with sound effects and a full cast of characters.  Think of this as a lifetime movie for your ears.  The story and the acting are very engaging.  If you are looking for a distraction this is it! 

Coming up this week:

A review of Scones & Scofflaws by Jane Gorman 

I'll be sharing a recipe that went over very well at my house from Real Simple Magazine. 

Celebrating National Bubble Bath Day

Welcome New Year! Be Better Than the Last Two PLEASE!

I have decided that approaching the new year with cautious optimism is my only choice. 

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."- Anne Bradstreet from Meditations Divine and Moral.

Looking at the world through my cautiously optimistic lens, I am planning to find the beauty in the cold of winter, keep all my fingers and toes crossed for health for myself and my family, and that maybe just maybe we can manage the pandemic and soon than later live music will return. 

I'll also be hoping that we'll be able to see my parents, that the kids will have those social interactions that make school fun, and that I'll run the Chicago Marathon in October. 

The new year is here, and the days are getting longer!

****

Today's book review: 

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first book in what is--thankfully-- a long series! Nalini Singh creates a world where Archangels are at the top of the pyramid followed by 'regular angels' then vampires, then humans. Humans who want immortality can petition to be 'made' Angels into vampires. It's interesting how Nalina Singh takes angels and makes them into a mafia.

Elena is a vampire hunter, she doesn't kill them Buffy style, she's more like a skip tracer. New Vampires are indentured for a hundred years to their makers and some of them try to run in. Elena is born with hunting skills and she is the best hunter around. Just this plotline and Nalini Singh mix of modern life and myths in the world-building was enough for me to devour this book, but then you add in the archangel Raphael, Elena's past, the Cadre of Ten and now we have the beginning of an epic tale with just the right amount of romance.

If you like reading Ilona Andrews & Patricia Briggs, you'll love this series

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Turns out I've had a NetGalley Account Since 2013!

 NetGalley is a website that gets books into the hands of reviewers who then spread the word on Goodreads, Amazon, and social media.  Apparently way back when in 2013, I set up an account and then never did anything with it.  

All that has changed now! I've got my profile completed, my Goodreads account, and this blog connected to it and I'm reading the first book I requested. I'm planning to see if I can finish the book and get my first review up before the calendar turns to the New Year. We will see.  I'm looking forward to sharing the book with you as so far it's a very solid read. 

The Christmas decorations are still up, and at my coffee station, I have some new, and new to me winter mugs. I asked my family for winter mugs so I could decorate my coffee station for Wintertime. When it comes to gifts, I'm always happy with a secondhand item especially when it comes to books or music. 

As this most unusual year winds down, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing more books, finishing my rough draft of my Cozy Mystery, and trying lots of new recipes. I am hoping for great health for me and mine and to run the Chicago Marathon in October of 2021. I  am dreaming that we will have the pandemic under control and that we will be able to travel and see family. I am optimistic that the kids will attend school in person. 

I'm planning on saying goodbye to 2020 with the Hubs and the Kids and a nice batch of appetizers and maybe even a mocktail! 

When are the 12 days of Christmas? And #Romance #bookreview

 During my Holiday shopping adventures from time to time, I ordered a little something for myself.  I mean, the deals! One of the items I bought was a 12 days of Christmas Godiva Chocolate box.  

The hubs and the kids tried to say I needed to save it (haha) until next Advent.  "Ho, ho, no no family," I said, "The 12 days of Christmas isn't December 1st to December 12th, it's the time between Christmas and Epiphany."

Unsurprisingly, they didn't believe me and so instead of trusting my wisdom, they turned to Google. A-Ha! Vindication!

If you have some downtime from work and you are looking for something to read I have begun reading an author who is new to me. Here is a review of one of their books. 

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Someone on Twitter recommended this author as a writer who writes paranormal romance books that have satisfying conclusions and I'm glad I saw their tweet.

I was able to borrow this book electronically from my library. This book has many of the tropes that I like in paranormal romance- like strong female characters and men who are smart enough to fall for them. I enjoy how the Psy are like the vampires of this world and Nalini Singh's creation of the Psy-Net is fun to read.

There are lots of little details in this book that add to the reading experience like Tammy's kids and the boots, so cute. Even though I had every reason to hope that Sascha would survive and find her HEA, Nalina Singh kept the tension going throughout the book as we worry about Sascha and a potential war between the Changelings and the Psy.

As I read, I wondered which of the side characters might get their own book, this is one of the reasons I enjoy romance series, when you meet side characters and fall in love with them, chances are you'll get to see them star in their own book.

If you like Ilona Andrews, you will enjoy these books!

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The Thing About a Cookie Fail is the Cookies Still Taste Good!

How did my most recent batch of cookies turn out? Not like they were supposed to turn out!  These are my fail cookies. They are supposed to be cinnamon swirl cookies. The problem is I didn't realize the dough needed to be rolled really so when I cut the slices the pinwheels fell apart. Then I tried to squish them into swirls but it didn't work so well. They taste good, so there is that! Next year I will give these another go. 

Are you like me?  On the one hand, it's hard to believe Christmas is here. The month has flown by! On the other hand, it's been a very long year.  Mind you I am not complaining. Any day I am healthy is a good day for me.  

Once again this year we will be celebrating Christmas without a signature cocktail.  It always seems like it would be festive to have one, and Pinterest is filled with pretty looking drinks; but then when you get down to it, all those cocktail recipes require an investment in liquor and mixers that I don't have in the holiday budget and also, the cocktail will only make me sleepy and then I'll take a nap and then I won't be able to fall asleep at night.  I just had a thought, maybe next year, a signature mocktail. That I could maybe do. 

Speaking of next year, I am hoping next year we will be on the other side of the pandemic and able to gather throughout the season with friends and family near and far. If so we are most definitely having a holiday party. 

A Couple of Burritos or is it Cookie Dough?

 Cookie dough for sure! Yes, I am still baking Christmas cookies. The thing is that I bought a cookie making kit and then The hubs bought a whole bunch of cookie making supplies (i.e. semisweet chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, peanut butter chips, coconut, etc.) I am still working my way through everything.  My thought at this point is, to stop baking cookies. By that I mean, I am going to make the dough,  shape it into cookies, and then freeze it to bake next year. This way we can have fresh cookies on-demand as we forge through the rest of winter.

Where did I get such a great idea?  A cozy mystery!  In The Diva Runs Out of Thyme, the main character Sophie keeps frozen chocolate cookie dough on hand so she can throw a sheet of cookies into the oven whenever there is a cookie emergency.  Genius idea. 

Speaking of cozy mysteries, I just finished listening to Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert. You can read my review below 

Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm ready to book a vacation for me and the Hubs to Chapters! If you are a lover of mystery books, you really need to add this to your TBR pile. Charlotte is the new owner of a Bed & Breakfast she has inherited from her aunt. In a break from many murder mysteries, the murder doesn't take place in the first chapter. In this story you the reader get a chance to meet the characters and then someone dies, which allows you the fun of guessing who is going to get the ax and why.

In addition to the murder, there is a subplot about Charlotte's aunt and her potentially shady past that we get to delve into as the past and present connect.
Great news for those of you that don't need or want a romance in your cozy mystery. This book doesn't have a romance subplot. The reveal of the killer and their motivation takes place with all the suspects in a room together which fits very well with a mystery taking place at a book-themed B&B.

I enjoyed the setting, a book-themed B & B in coastal North Carolina, Charlotte is a retired teacher who is able to take all the patience she has developed from those years of teaching and put it to use managing the guests at her B& B and now solving a mystery. I look forward to seeing what other mysteries will take place in this series.

This book would make a really nice gift for anyone who likes to read mysteries. I listened to the audiobook which I borrowed from my local library. The reader for the book is Suzie Althens whose work I enjoy.


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Why Did I Buy Pie Crust? And Why You Should Read Mrs. Claus & The Santaland Slayings!

 Sometime in late October, I thought 2020 would be the year I made a pie from scratch, or rather the year I would buy premade crusts and then make the rest of a pie from scratch. I was thinking of pumpkin or sweet potato or apple.  I never got around to it, in part because I don't even like those pies that much.

Fast forward to now and I have pie crust that is going to expire in January and no desire to make any pie. I asked my Facebook group, Let's talk about food, beverages, books and more and a few members suggested quiche.  I didn't feel like doing a whole quiche so I looked around until I found an easy mini quiche recipe. What is nice about Add a Pinch's recipe is that it included instructions on how to start with a premade crust or you can use her recipe if you want make your own crust.   Here is the recipe

What I did was make 6 mini quiches with 3 eggs, 1/2 a cup of almond milk, and 1/2 a cup of mozzarella cheese for The Hubs who doesn't like much dairy.  Then I made 6 with 3 eggs 1/2 a cup of heavy cream and 3/4 cup of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese.  In the almond milk quiches, I added bacon bits (fake bacon) and all the quiches have diced mushrooms, onion, and celery. 

 Here is one of my mini quiches served with a serving of shaved Brussel sprouts & spinach salad. The salad is tossed with olive oil/freshly squeezed lemon, salt, and pepper.  Using the premade pie crust is a very handy shortcut and if you prefer you can make the quiches crustless.  A nice weekend breakfast or lunch or brunch without spending a ton of time in the kitchen. 

Christmas week is here!  Do yourself a favor and pick up this holiday mystery, I know you will like it--heck judge it by its cover! 

 

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope that Liz Ireland had as much fun writing this cozy mystery as I did reading it. Ms. Ireland takes the stories of Rudolph, Frosty, Santa so many of us grew up with and creates Santaland. April is the fish out of water, having married Santa himself just three months and is not used to the cold, or the expectations of being a Claus. Add to that the bizarre murder of an Elf, and the whisper campaign that Santa is the killer, and we are off on a wild ride.

Sometimes in the first cozy in a series, readers can be overwhelmed by the size of the cast of characters. Liz Ireland avoids that problem here, and I don't know how she manages to do it, but she gives each of the side characters enough time on the page that they are fully fleshed-out characters.

And for foodie fans, there is a wonderful Croquembouche scene. Good stuff!

If you like Christmas movies or Cozy Mysteries, you have to read this book!

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What to do with the ham bone? #leftovers

 I don't like split pea soup. The hubs likes it--a lot. So because I am a nice person, I tried to find a recipe that didn't involve having to soak peas overnight and was also a recipe I would be willing to try.  After some searching, I stumbled across this recipe and decided it was the one! 

Changes that I made: I added two extra cloves of garlic. I added some Mrs. Dash seasoning. I didn't add bay leaf and parsley. I added thyme. I used about 6 cups of water and 2 cups of vegetable broth.  The ham hock was a ham bone from a spiral sliced ham.

The hubs liked it and even I liked it! This is a hearty recipe with good flavor especially lovely to have as a meal on a cold winter afternoon. 

I think what I don't like about split pea soup is if the pea soup is mush.  If you like mush soup, then I would recommend cooking it for about 20 minutes past the recipe time. Turns out The Hubs really likes mush soup. So he is enjoying the leftovers today. Where do you stand on split pea soup? Mush or nah? 

While I was cooking I had This Christmas on in the background (it's streaming free on Hulu).  The movie has an excellent soundtrack which lends itself to being on while cooking or wrapping presents, etc. 

Next blog post I'll be sharing a recipe I found to use pie crust I had in the fridge and my review of the book Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings

Do You Listen To Books? Try the Audiobook Challenge 2021!

 Two weeks until the New Year. Are you planning to set goals? do resolutions? start a new eating plan?  

As a fan of planning in general, even though during the last two years most of my goals and plans have taken GIGANTIC detours, I'm still making plans and setting goals.  What can I say setting goals and making a plan to work on those goals makes me happy. 

If you are like me and you enjoy goals and plans to do things or try new things, you should consider joining me for the Audio Challenge by Caffeinated Reader & That's What I'm Talking About.   It's just for fun, and you might learn some new things or at least will have some adventures between your ears. 

Right now I'm listening to an audiobook I borrowed from my library on the Libby App. Yes that is right you can borrow books and listen to them on your phone. How cool is that? 

Right now I'm halfway through Booked For Death by Victoria Gilbert. 

I don't know how it will go, but my plan is to listen to a book a week. How about you? Do you listen to audiobooks?  If not, give it a try! 

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!! 

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One Year Chemoversary! -Don't Call Me A Warrior

I was busy writing holiday cards and baking holiday cookies and neglected to post on the occasion of passing the one year mark of my last chemo treatment. 

December 5th was the last day I got Taxol.  Since then my body has rebuilt itself and hopefully, no random cancer cells are rummaging around. I still have some occasional numbness in my fingers.  I think I am still working on getting to full strength after all treatments. I know my memory is not as great as it was before chemo, I don't think that ever comes back, but I could be wrong. I hope my heart continues to do well and most of all that cancer doesn't return. 

This week I was able to virtually attend an amazing conference, The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.  There are so many doctors and scientists all over the world working to find new safer treatments for all stages of breast cancer.  The best thing to do however is to avoid getting cancer in the first place, so to that end, I say get genetically tested around age 30.  If you carry a known inherited mutation, then you have time to decide if you want to do any preventative surgery or additional monitoring to avoid having cancer in your 40s, 50s, etc.  Once the cancer cat is out of the bag, then you are always at higher risk of it coming back or a new cancer showing up, and don't forget all impacts of side effects from treatments leading to new and not exciting, medical conditions. 

And so ends my PSA.  Here are some cookies--a feast for your eyes!   Now the warrior thing, personally I, and many other cancer people I talk to, aren't fans of the war/battle framing of disease.  We are all just people trying to live our best lives, if we could get in the ring and actually battle cancer and defeat it we would, but that's not how it works. 

I was thinking about better descriptive words for people who had/have cancer and I've come up with an idea for those of us who are out of treatment and hoping it never comes back.  

            * Call me a NEDder.  That's no evidence of disease. This is where I'd like to be for the next four decades! 

I hope you and yours stay cancer-free for all your days because cancer is extremely inconvenient, annoying, and not fun!  If you or anyone you know is looking for support check out:

A website for those with hereditary cancer risk

            

For Breast Cancer People, Caregivers and those who are worried about Breast Cancer

One on One Support from Imerman Angels

The #BCSM hashtag on Twitter

Happy December! The #12daysofcozies Are Here!

 I spent November with one goal, complete Nanowrimo.  That means writing 50,000 words during the month of November. It stands for National Novel Writing Month.  I've participated in it in the past, but I've never hit the 50,000-word goal. This year I did! Do I have a book ready to share?  No, I sure don't, I still have more to write to get to THE END.  Once I get there I will have to revise, revise, revise until it is something that I would dare to share!  

Now it's time for me to enjoy the holiday season!  Instead of writing as much this month, I'm doing more reading.  It's time for The Cozy Mystery Book Club's #12daysofcozies.  If you go on Twitter or Instagram and follow @cozymysterybookclub you can enter to win books every day through December 12th.  You can also sign up to receive daily emails and when you open your email you get a chance to win. 

And if you are looking for a book to start with I recommend Cheddar Off Dead by Julia Buckley! 
Cheddar Off Dead by Julia Buckley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy Julia Buckley's writing so it is no surprise that I enjoyed this book. It's a great cozy and a perfect December read. This cozy has just the right amount of Christmas holiday in the mix. There is mouth-watering food talk and even a cookie making scene. Good Stuff. The setting of a small town near enough to a big city is a favorite setting of mine. There are quite a few potential killers which I like in a story, and there is a good sense of menace that fuels the amateur sleuth to keep trying to figure out the mystery.

If you like romance, I think you are in for a treat as well.

I always appreciate it when our protagonist doesn't put herself into foolishly dangerous positions. This is the second book in the series, I didn't read book one first, I read this book because I wanted a Christmas read and this book delivered!

****
One thing, which happens in too many mysteries, is that at the end (this isn't a spoiler) the killer is described as being unbalanced. I don't like when the killer in the book is presented as a rational person up to the climax, and then when the killer is revealed they are described as having crazy eyes for example. In mysteries, I prefer that the bad person is not portrayed as potentially mentally ill. I like a solid terrible greedy person who has complete disregard for anyone who gets between them and what they think they deserve.

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Is it too early for Christmas Mode? I say no!

That being said, I have to share some November content.  Here is my coffee station decked out for Turkey Day. The turkey has feathers on it and shows what youngest child was grateful for on a day long ago. - Family, Friends, School, and Home, I think it would be safe to say that she is still grateful for those same things and also Harry Styles, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and her Learner's Permit. 

The Hubs is grateful that Aldi's has these very quirky potato chips that he thinks tastes great. He is planning to go buy more as he finished his bag yesterday.  

And now a book review!  

Merry Scary Victorian Christmas: A Victoria Town Mystery Novella by Mollie Cox Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes, I know it is only the beginning of November, but this year more than ever I'm ready for holiday reading. Bring on the tales of Christmas trees, scenes about making cookies, and a murder or two. This third book in the Victoria Town Mystery series is a nice read to kick off your holiday season.

Viv has more bad luck when it comes to being on the scene when someone meets an untimely demise. Someone is framed for the murder, but Officer Willoughy, clearly isn't falling for the framing. Viv uses her skills as a hacker to narrow down the list of suspects and a new character is introduced who offers a clue for Viv.

I enjoyed the book and getting to know Viv better. If you love a good Christmas mystery, pick this one up!

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When No One is Watching Review and A New Recipe

 

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent thriller! As I read I could not see any way out for Sydney and Theo--I had to keep reading to see where this story was going to go. I appreciated the history lessons interspersed in this fictional version of Brooklyn, I was very glad to see that Alyssa Cole included sources for more information on Weeksville, New Yor because I did not know of Weeksville and now I would like to learn more about its story.

The story was loaded with tension, the two Point-of-view characters were slowly unveiled as their lives were unraveling, and history lessons are shared with the readers who probably didn't learn any of this in school.

I'd love to see HBO make this book a limited series.

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This was my first time cooking Spaghetti Squash in the slow cooker. This recipe was easy to follow. I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. I added fresh basil, a couple extra garlic cloves and a tablespoon of Italian blend seasoning. I also added a pinch of sugar to offset the acidity of the tomatoes and I cooked tomato paste before adding it to the pot.  Here is a link to the recipe from Real Simple magazine: Slow-Cooker Ragu with Spaghetti Squash.

We will definitely have this again because the husband bought three spaghetti squash when they were on sale.  

Remember My Abundance of Apples?

 Here is a recipe I found from the Minimalist Baker blog: Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples  I made some substitutions based on what I had on hand.  I used flour instead of cornstarch, I used 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, I left out the nutmeg (because I had none) I added some lemon zest with the tablespoons of lemon juice. I also used more fresh grated ginger than the recipe stated. I am quite glad I did because I used enuogh that you could taste ginger in each bit, but it wasn't overpowering. The Hubs had purchased Hudsonville Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Ice Cream so that is the ice cream you see with the baked apples. 

I used Gala, Golden Delicious and Honey Crisp Apples.

I'm glad I came across this recipe, it was delicious and smelled divine while it was cooking!

Masquerade Murder: A Victoria Town Mystery Novella by Mollie Cox Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the series. It's a seasonal novella, you can sit down on a cold October night after the kiddos are done ringing your doorbell demanding candy and slip away to Victoria Town.

I like Viv our protagonist, she has a wry sense of humor and it's fun to tag along inside her head. In this installment, I thought that Viv's Aunt Libby was less judgemental than in the first book and more involved in the sleuthing. I liked the build-up to the killer's reveal.



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