Boy Band Fun

How I Met Your Father 

L.B. Gregg

Okay so I admit I have a love of boy bands even now in my mid-30s. So when I read about Justin Hayes, I had a blast. This book is quick and I really wanted more.

                       
This story is the one night stand(airport stand) that ends up being more than that; when Justin learns his hook up, Jack Bassinger, is actually the father of the bride at the holiday wedding he is the best man for. 

There is warmth to this story, with a lovely message of being true to oneself, being honest with family; those of blood and those chosen. The supporting cast has minor story arcs that make this book seem more real, which was wonderful.

I want to know what happens after the book ended.

 
A 4.5 star holiday read that is not all about mistletoe and snow.

Received a copy for an honest and fair review from Riptide Publishing and NetGalley. 

Twist, turns and lovely romance

The Deadly Series Boxed Set (Deadly #1-5)

by Jaycee Clark

I truly enjoyed this series of books. Family, drama, and dark chilling suspense. 

The stories revolve around the Kinncaid Brothers, and the women they love. These books will keep you on your toes. 

Deadly Shadows (Deadly #1)-- Aiden  and Jesslyn story set the stage for the rest of the books. 4 stars

Deadly Ties (Deadly #2) --Dr. Gavin Kinncaid and Taylor's story; this is a wonderfully told story. 5 stars

Deadly Obsession (Deadly #3) --Brayden and Christian's story.  Another wonderfully chilling book. 4 stars

Deadly Games (Deadly #4) -- Ian and Rori's story. This one was great, dark and lovely. You understand the demons that chase the hero and heroine in this book. 5 stars

Deadly Secrets (Deadly #5) -- Quinlan and Ella's story. This is the story of the youngest of the brothers and it was such a sweet and lovely twist and turns. What a perfect was way to end the series

Received copy for honest review from Netgalley.

I.T. Confidential

by C.D. Rahm

Okay I have to admit, I work in IT and so I looked at this book from an insider view. It was way too funny. I realized I am one of the people that Mr Rahm describes in the book, with 26 tabs open on two computers, waiting others to finish reports so I can finish 5 open projects, while reading on a tablet and listening to music on my phone. 

If you want to know what happens in the call centers where you call due to a computer issue read this book, it is way to true. This is a true tongue and cheek view of real cube life. 

#ITConfidential

I received this book for an honest review from NetGalley.

Cooking and Crafting again....

Fix-It and Forget-It 5-Ingredient One-Dish Dinners  

Phyllis Pellman Good

The recipes in this book are fairly straight forward 5 ingredient recipes for the slow cooker. These are not super fancy meals. This are good old fashion get food on the table for a family meal. I liked the book, the recipes I could try. (Stupid tomato allergy...no tomato sauce or ketchup for me).

I also had a bit of trouble adjusting a few of the recipes for my smaller slow-cooker. If you are looking for a nice small cookbook for easy meals that do take 100s of ingredients give this one a try.

Received copy from NetGalley for honest review.

Great Little Gifts to Knit

30 Quick and Colorful Patterns by 

Jean Moss

There is something so wonderful about casting onto a set of needles a gift for friend or loved one; this book reminded me of that. This book has 30 patterns that are a little bit of everything. Different textures and color work. Patterns for home, children, him and her.  There are patterns for all skill sets; I am usually an indeterminate however I am going to try a few of the advanced patterns in this book.. it is always good to push ones crafting ability. 

If you are looking for a few nice patterns to try give this book a chance.

 Received copy from NetGalley for honest review.

Beating the Lunch Box Blues

Fresh Ideas for Lunches on the Go!

J. M. Hirsch

On the dreaded question in my house every morning, what to do for lunch today. I am going to stop at QT on the way to work, or take leftovers from the night before, or am I going to eat the scary prepackage lunch meal that has lived in my desk drawer for at least 3 weeks. 

This book helps combat that question with easy, quick ideas to making lunch into a meal to enjoy not just something to get you through the day. This book had lovely recipes and wonderful pictures to motivate. I loved the idea of going out and getting a lunch box, instead of using the horrid brown bags or worst yet the plastic grocery sack.

I truly enjoyed this cookbook. 

 Received copy from NetGalley for honest review.

Cooking and Crafting

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread
(Biscuits, Bagels, Buns, and More)
Nicole Hunn
I loved this book because my mother in law has Celiac and loves bread. In the fall I want to bake for the family. This book gave me recipes that will allow me to do that in a wonderful way. It was a beautiful book with lovely easy to follow recipes. 
Received copy to review from NetGalley. 

Vintage Beer: Discover Specialty Beers That Improve with Ageby Patrick Dawson

I am going to be perfectly honest, before I read this book I had no idea that beer could be aged. However, after reading this book I am really considering trying this out. 

This was a really interesting book about beer, and I really enjoyed it. If you are a homebrewer check this one out.

Received copy to review from NetGalley.

I Love Pasta: An Italian Love Story in 100 Recipes

by Academia Barilla

This book was food porn in the most lovely of ways. To me there is nothing quite like a good plate/bowl of pasta. The recipes are lovely in that they are both volume and weight measurements. The pictures are just beautiful.  

While there are several recipes I will never be able to cook due to my own food allergy, I cannot wait to work my way through all of the ones I can.  

Received copy to review from NetGalley.

Pick a Holiday to read about

Yes I know I have been slacking a bit, but it has been a busy week. So holiday books they can be good and they can be bad, and there are a few that you can read all year round.

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

This one is a sweet, almost too sweet holiday story. Jacob hates the holidays but thanks to a bit a "Christmas" magic he discovers love. Thanks to an ill sister and two adorable children. 

What can I say I am a sucker for sweet books with cute children in them. If you are looking for feel good warm the soul book, try it out. However, a little warning, this book has a few issues with editing, and some of it is hard to get through. 

Received copy of book from NetGallery for honest review.

 

Halloween: Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre  Paula Guran (Editor)

Time for things to go bump in the night. I love scary stories in the fall. Is there anything better than a that little chill that runs down the spine when it is dark outside. 

This book is a collection of 18 stories all about my favorite Holiday and I loved it. Gather your loved ones around and share a ghost story. 

Received copy of book from NetGallery for honest review.

Secret Santa

by Fern Michaels, Laura Levine , Marie Bostwick, Cindy Myers

The problem with anthologies is that one bad story can ruin the whole thing. I will say I really enjoyed Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine. It was a great story with a lovely bit of mayhem.

 Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels seemed really rushed to me I know they supposed to be short stories but I have read many that are not as rushed as this one seemed.

The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick. This is the one that was the hardest for me and I will be honest I did not finish it. I just did not like it.

Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers, this one was was a warm the heart and soul type of book. 

So if you are willing to read 3/4 of an anthology give this one a try to warm up on a cold Yuletide evening.  

Received copy of book from NetGallery for honest review.

Summer Reads and the joy of the escapism

Shadow Fall (Shadow #2)by Erin Kellison

I love to escape into a good novel, with a great world and I love series; even those that are 20+ books long. I will reread these series in binges sometimes. I will admit that I read this book before I read the first one in the series. That was a bit confusing however; after reading this novel I found a dark and wonderful world of 3 novels to fall into. If you like dark fantasy check this series out. Annabella is beautiful and bit unstable. Custo is strong, noble and sacrificing. 

Reviewed copy to review from NetGallery.

Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Storiesby Rosalind Kerven

Fairy Tales have always been a love of mine. The old stories that have shaped the way we look at the mystical world around us. This book does not fail to deliver.   

This book called to the child in me that looks at a mushroom and sees a fairy door. That knows that elves still hide in the woods and that goblins come out at night. This is a lovely book to share with a child.

Reviewed copy to review from NetGallery.

The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Yearby Linda Raedisch

As humans we have always been a bit afraid of the dark, and what is more dark then Yule. This book is about the old stories and traditions of Yule. This book talks about the early pagan beliefs about the shortest day of the year. 

I really enjoyed this book because it looks at the roots of one of my favorite days in the calendar year. It is there anything better than curling up with a good cup of a hot drink, a good book and a flame to keep watch over for 24 hours.

Reviewed copy to review from NetGallery.