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.

Snarky Brits and Cleaver Canadian Authors

Can't Be Arsed: Half Arsed Shorter Edition: 63 Things Not to Do Before You Die

by Richard Wilson

I love snark. This book is the perfect book if you are looking for an excuse to not make a bucket list. We all have seen them the 100+ things to do before you die books; this is the anti book. The author is very British and does use terms that might take the American reader a bit to understand but it is worth it. 

I received a reviewer copy from NetGalley.

Light

by Nathan Burgoine

Gay Pride in Canada with a super hero that bends light. This book was fun, cute and sweet without being overly sexual as so many M/M book tend to be these days. The main character,Kieran, is so cute, and I truly enjoyed the secondary cast of characters. This book was well written and edited. It kept me completely entertained.

The book even surprised me with the twist at the end. I love that in a book.

Received reviewer copy from NetGalley.

Post Vacation

Okay so I was bad while I was on vacation and did not post here on my blog. :)

I got quite a few books read and completely enjoyed Dragon Con. 

Styxx (Dark-Hunter #23)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

5 of 5 stars

So while I was in Dragon Con, I got the pleasure of meeting Sherrilyn Kenyon and getting a signed copy of this book. I have always loved this series and author; and I have to say I was no disappointed with this book in anyway. I cried and got angry and enjoyed hearing the other side of the story. 

I just want to take Styxx and give him a huge hug and not let go, the poor sweet damaged man.

Empty Net (Assassins #3)

by Toni Aleo

3 of 5 stars

This was a sweet book, those some of the violence was jarring near the end. I really wanted to smack the lead female a few time just because her self-esteem issues, but the young goalie was so sweet it completely made up for it. 

This was a cute little book, great for a vacation read to escape.\

Receive a reviewer copy from NetGalley

Shakespeare vs. Lovecraft: A Horror Comedy Mash-Up featuring Shakespeare's Characters and Lovecraft's Creatures

by D.R. O'Brien

Received as a review copy of NetGalley.

This book amused me so much. Those that know me, know I am a drama geek from way back and LOVE Shakespeare.  This book was so cute in the most awesome of ways. 

If you like mash up books give them one a try.