Friday Fives - Five Books I'm Reading to Distract Me From the Heat

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.   It took awhile for summer to really show up here in Alabama.  We had constant rain through most of May and June and while the humidity was at summer levels the temperature was lagging a bit.  Until the last week or so when it all hit at once!  So, to distract me from the fact it's miserably hot outside I'm picking 5 books to keep me inside and enjoying the air condition.

1.  The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston - I've heard good things about this author and this blurb really caught my eye.  I'm thinking about picking this one up on audio.

2.  An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena - I've read one book by this author and I really enjoyed it.  This looks like a claustrophobic thriller involving a group of people stuck in a resort on a mountain during a storm.  

3.  The Last Lady B by Eloisa James - Kathryn over at Book Date really enjoyed this one and it looks fantastic.  What's more distracting from a hot day than a haunted house in Scotland.

4.  It's Not Here by Mary Kubica - I love a good thriller and I've had good luck with Kubica's books - especially in audio form.  

5.  The Shippers by Katherine Center - We aren't going on a cruise this year which makes me a little sad and this looks like a good way to vicariously travel AND be distracted.

Recipe Thursday - Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

One of my goals for 2026 is to sort through all the recipes I have laying around tucked into folders and notebooks as well as my gigantic Pinterest/food blog collection that hasn't been touched in years.  I've been having quite a good time with it.  I enjoy cooking but it can become a chore pretty easily and this has made it a lot more fun for me as I feel like I'm working on a project.   Around here we've taken to calling it Recipe Thunderdome as all recipes have to be auditioned before earning their place in the final recipe binder. 

*For context I'm a reasonably capable home cook but one who is often trying to multitask and who is pretty much completely self-taught. *

Today I'm Sharing:  Ranch Chicken Enchiladas from Life in the Lofthouse

Changes:  I used fajita seasoning instead of taco seasoning just because I like the flavor a little bit better.

Thoughts on Recipe Difficulty:  This was pretty easy and could be even easier if I prepped the meat ahead of time.

Cook Time: Active cooking maybe 20 minutes or so.  Inactive about 3 1/2 hours or so.

Served With:  Black beans

Results: This was really good!  It comes together pretty quickly and made enough for a good amount of leftovers that reheated very well.  

Verdict: Survived! 

What I'm Reading Right Now - July 8

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Ebook:

The Moonsingers by Robyn J. Pritzker - I've been enjoying cozy fantasy so I've been looking forward to this one but so far it's just okay.

Print Book:

The Book Stops Here by Kate Carlise - This is the 8th book in the Bibliophile Mystery series.  So far I'm liking it and I always enjoy reading about all the gorgeous books Brooklyn works on.

Audio Book:

Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamon Stevenson - I just started this so I don't have an opinion yet but I loved the first book so I'm super excited about this one.

Slow Read: 

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - I've really enjoyed everything else I've read by Thomas and I love her writing style but this is definitely not a win for me.  I will not be sad when this book is over.

I'm not having the best reading time right now, but I have hopes it will get better soon - especially when I finish up a couple of these.  What are you reading right now?

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles That Include the Word Beach

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Book Titles that Include the Word ...  Since I'm just back from the beach and we are well into summer I chose the world beach.  Here are ten books from my TBR with Beach in the title.

1.  Best Beach Ever by Wendy Wax - This series has been on my TBR for ages and I really need to start it this summer.

2.  A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell - A thriller set on a beach sounds like a lot of fun and a good change up.

3.  Beach House Reunion by Mary Alice Monroe - This is an author I've been wanting to read and her books look really great.

4.  Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan - I loved the first book in this trilogy and really need to read more in this world.

5.  The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams - I've been enjoying Williams' books lately and this looks like a good one.

6.  Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author and her books have such a good beachy feel.

7.  Beach Wedding by Michael Ledwidge - I love a good mystery and especially one that takes place on the beach.

8.  Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton - This is a historical fiction that looks really good.

9.  Beach Read by Emily Henry - I've DNF'd one book by this author and absolutely loved two books so I'm excited to give this one a try.

10.  Forever Beach by Shelley Noble - I've had good luck with this author and this one sounds really good.

What word would you have chosen?  Do you have any books with Beach in the title on your TBR?

A Neighbor's Guide to Murder - Mystery Review

Goodreads: A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

Rating: Not For Me (2 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description:  In Columbia Mansions, secrets don’t stay behind closed doors for long…

It's rare for a room to open up in London’s storied Columbia Mansions, and lonely Gwen is thrilled when an unexpected new subletter, Pixie, turns out to be a friendly breath of fresh air to its stuffy halls. Their unlikely cross-generational bond soon becomes the bright spot in Gwen’s quiet life.

But Gwen can’t help noticing cracks beneath Pixie's cheerful surface—especially when it comes to her questionable financial arrangement with her live-in landlord, Alec. As suspicions mount, Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, triggering a dangerous chain of events no one is prepared for.

The last thing Columbia Mansions wants is a scandal on its hands...

Let alone a murder.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I love a good nosy neighbor mystery and I haven't read anything by this author before.

My Impression: I really wanted to love this one.  I love an older main character/amateur sleuth and loved the Only Murders in the Building vibe to the premise.  Unfortunately, in execution it just didn't work for me.  The book is told through Gwen's perspective and as the book went along the less I liked her.  It's not so much that she's a bad person but more that she has absolutely no sense.  She never met a secret she wouldn't tell the absolute wrong person or a wrong place she couldn't show up in.  The rest of the characters weren't much better.

In a thriller I don't mind not liking the characters if the story is fast paced and engaging enough.  Unfortunately, again this was not the case.  Things are slowly revealed past the point where I cared.  The book starts off with a bang but then fizzles out completely.  By the time the murder actually happens I was really struggling to keep reading.  

Despite the fact that I didn't really enjoy the story I was intrigued by the author's writing style.  I enjoyed her ability to create a fleshed out and claustrophobic setting.  I'm curious to see try another book by this author.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would read another book by this author because I did like the writing style. 

Would I Recommend this Book? Probably not.  I didn't really enjoy the story or the characters.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Month In Reading - June 2026

Monthly Reading Total: 18.  After a couple of slow months it was good to get back in a good place with my reading!

Type:

Print - 7

Ebook - 6 

Audio - 5

Genre:

Mystery - 6 

Fiction - 7

Nonfiction - 2

Romance - 3 

Favorite Books of the Month:

Favorite Audio Book - Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan - This was just a delight.  I loved the story and I loved the characters.  I'm very much looking forward to reading more by this author.

Favorite Other Books: The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson - I loved this one and it was exactly the fantasy story to get the month of June started off right.

Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen - This is the first book in the mystery series loosely based on Frances Gessner Lee who created a series of "Nutshells" or miniature crime scenes to be used as an investigative tool.  It takes place in post-World War II Vermont and I enjoyed it so much I immediately picked up the 2nd book.  I'm hoping the series is continuing.  

Rereads:  I am not doing well on my goal to do more rereads this year.  This month my only reread was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Monthly Armchair Travel

Domestic Travel:  I visited Ohio, Vermont (twice), Texas, and Rhode Island for the first time.  I revisited Kentucky, North Carolina (twice), Connecticut, and California.

International Travel:  I visited New Zealand and then visited England twice

Friday Fives - July TBR

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. Since this is the first Friday in July, I'm planning my July TBR.  Here are 5 books I plan on reading in July. 

1.  Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel - I really enjoyed a previous book by this author and am really looking forward to this one.

2.  Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett - This has been on my TBR for ages and summer seems like the perfect time for some 1920s ghost.

3.  Murder in Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams - I like this author but I was a bit surprised by the direction the first book in this series went so I'm curious to see what I think of this one.

4.  Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Steveson - I absolutely loved the first book in this series and this was the one that caught my attention in the first place.  I'm excited to get started on this one.

5.  What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand - I read my first Hilderbrand book last year which was the first in this series and really enjoyed it.  I'm excited to get the continuation of the story.

What are you hoping to read in July?

Recipe Thursday: Penzey's How We Became One's Hoisin Chicken

One of my goals for 2026 is to sort through all the recipes I have laying around tucked into folders and notebooks as well as my gigantic Pinterest/food blog collection that hasn't been touched in years.  I've been having quite a good time with it.  I enjoy cooking but it can become a chore pretty easily and this has made it a lot more fun for me as I feel like I'm working on a project.   Around here we've taken to calling it Recipe Thunderdome as all recipes have to be auditioned before earning their place in the final recipe binder. 

*For context I'm a reasonably capable home cook but one who is often trying to multitask and who is pretty much completely self-taught. *

Cookbooks aren't exempt from the Thunderdome and here's this week's candidate from Penzey's How We Became One

Hoisin Chicken

1 chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 T olive oil
1 c sliced onion
3 T hoisin sauce
4 T rice wine
5 T soy sauce
1 1/2 T sugar
1 T sesame oil
2 TB minced garlic
1/4 lb green beans, trimmed

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and cook until softened.  Remove from skillet and set aside.  Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until lightly browned on all sides.  While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the hoisin sauce, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.  Add to the skillet along with the onions.  Stir well.  Add the green beans.  Cover the skillet and reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook about 10 - 15 minutes or until the green beans are cooked to desired consistency.  Serve over rice or noodles.

Changes:  I probably used more than 1/4lb of green beans but no other changes.

Thoughts on Recipe Difficulty:  I found this pretty simple.  There's some chopping but everything is pretty straightforward and goes together well.

Cook Time: 25 - 30 minutes.  Most of the prep can be done while another part is cooking.

Served With: Rice

Results:  This was really good!  The flavor of the sauce was nice and it made enough for both of us plus some leftover.  

Verdict: Survived!  Though the cookbook itself is on the edge. It's super bulky and there aren't that may recipes that interest me.  I might make it a project to try out the recipes that caught my eye, those that I like go in the binder, and then the cookbook itself is exiled.

The Secret Thread - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Secret Thread by Eve Chase

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description:  At a lavish summer party on an English country estate, tensions between social classes lead to deadly consequences that won’t stay buried in this twisty, engrossing suspense novel by the author of The Midnight Hour.

Even the darkest secrets unravel in time. . . .

2024: Jo O’Mara, a young writer, lands a job working for Mimi Mott, a wealthy style icon and legendary founder of a decorating empire. Newly widowed and in her seventies, Mimi is preparing to auction off her possessions, through them finally telling the story of her early life. Famously private, Mimi has kept her past shrouded in mystery. Jo doesn’t dare reveal how closely it touches her own.

Tasked with collecting the untold tales behind each auction lot, Jo peels back the layers of Mimi’s origin story and discovers it’s far darker than anyone ever suspected.

1969: Mimi and her sister, Pamela, live in a cramped, musty staff cottage on the grounds of Rushwood, an idyllic English country estate owned by the Caswell family, their demanding new employer. Working alongside their gardener parents, the girls have been raised with their hands in the soil and know only a traditional, simple life—but spirited Mimi hungers for more.

When the Caswells’ adult children, Nancy and Lawrence, arrive at Rushwood for the summer, the sisters are drawn into a privileged, intoxicating world, unsettling their own, and passions spark under the blazing sun—until a shattering death at Rushwood’s high-society party tears Mimi and Pamela apart.

Now time is running out. Jo discovers both a missing auction piece and a missing sister and vows to find them no matter how dark the secret they expose—or the cost to herself.

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: I've read another book by this author and really enjoyed it.  The blurb also caught my attention.

My Impression: I read a book by this author several years ago and one of the big things I remember is the eerie atmosphere she infused in every page of that book.  I felt that was a bit lacking in this one.   I knew something bad was going to happen, but it wasn't because I felt like there was something wrong but more because the reader is told pretty regularly that things go bad.  

The structure of the book was interesting with the modern-day timeline centering around the creation of an auction catalog and each item triggering a flashback to Mimi's early life taking place on an estate in the 1960s.  As the story goes on the story gets closer to the catastrophic event that splintered the family.

It took me awhile to get really invested in the story and at no point did I really feel connected with the characters.  I don't mind not liking them but I teetered on the edge of not caring about them.  

What kept this book enjoyable was the author's writing style.  Even when I wasn't particularly engaged in the story it was never difficult to keep reading.  While the book didn't have an unsettling atmosphere the author did make the setting come to life and I could easily visualize each of the auction items as well as Rushwood both past and present.  

Looking at the Goodreads reviews, I appear to be in the minority with not loving it and I do think there was a lot of positives about the book.  It wasn't my favorite by the author, but I am looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would.  I like this author's writing even when I'm not loving the story.  

Would I Recommend this Book? I would with some reservation.  Unless you're a big fan of the author, I might recommend getting it from the library instead of buying unread.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026

 

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026.

1.  The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas (September 29) - I've enjoyed this series from the beginning (though I've missed a couple that I need to catch up on) and this one looks really interesting.

2.  The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (October 20) - This is the third book in the Ruby and Cordelia series and I've loved the previous books.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the series continues to develop.

3.  See You at the Sunset by Susan Lee (August 11) - I don't know much about this author but the blurb really caught my attention, and it looks like a really entertaining read.  

4.   Killing in the Countryside by Maria Malone (August 11) - I absolutely loved the first book in this mix of cozy and police procedural last year and am so excited to read this one.  

5.   Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander (September 22) - This series is on my series list for this year and I'm enjoying reading the early books but I've liked the most recent books even more.

6.  It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (July 2) - I love Lisa Jewell's books and this one looks really good.  I haven't gotten to last year's book yet and I don't want to drag my feet as much with this one!

7.  The Unknown by Riley Sager (August 4) - I have only read one book by this author and I really want to read more.  This one sounds absolutely amazing!

8.  Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas (October 20) - I was so excited when I saw a new book from Lisa Kleypas on the upcoming release list.  Kleypas is one of my absolute favorite authors and has been on a hiatus for several years.  I hope all is well with her and I'm so excited to pick this one up.

9.  Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17) - I love Roberts' trilogies and this sounds like the beginning of a good one!

10. Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley (September 22) - I'm cautiously really excited about this one.  This is a Miss Marple story written by Lucy Foley which makes me a bit nervous as Miss Marple is one of my favorite characters of all time.  However, I read a short story collection of Miss Marple stories written by contemporary authors and Foley's one of my favorites so I have hope. 

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? 

Enter the Nightmare - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads: Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description:   Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.

Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.

When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.

With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.

Genre: Romantic Suspense - Paranormal 

Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed previous books in this series and pretty much everything I've read by this author (and the other names she writes under)

My Impression: This series is such a fever dream of a good time and this book was no exception. I'm not sure I always understand the dynamics of Harmony but I always enjoy my time visiting the world that Castle has created here.  I'm fascinated by the dust bunnies, the Underworld, and all the different talents.  Alice's might be the most unique talent we've come across yet and I loved the addition of her principals that she learned at the school she lived at and eventually taught at.  Owen is also an interesting character.  It takes a bit longer to learn his backstory but he and Alice work well together from the very beginning.

There is a bit of insta-love (or at least soon after meeting love) but the characters are reasonably sensible about it.  They communicate well and try to understand each other.  The addition of dust bunny chaos in the hotel adds for some fun comic relief and I would love the see that final hotel bill.  The cat and mouse game keeps the tension up and the pacing stays strong from beginning to end.  

This was a fun bit of escapism with interesting characters, a bizarre world, and solid pacing.  If you need a fast read to keep you entertained this is a perfect choice.  The backstory of Harmony took me a little getting used to but for each book I read in the series the more I'm getting used to it.  I'm looking forward to the next book and reading the books I've missed in this series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes, absolutely!  I'm looking forward to doing a big binge read of this series (and this author in general) sometime soon.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're in the mood for some distraction and don't mind some urban fantasy/sci fi this is a great choice.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description: The peaceful English village of King’s Abbot is stunned. The widow Ferrars dies from an overdose of Veronal. Not twenty-four hours later, Roger Ackroyd—the man she had planned to marry—is murdered. It is a baffling case involving blackmail and death that taxes Hercule Poirot’s “little grey cells” before he reaches one of the most startling conclusions of his career.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book: This was the June selection for the 2026 Read Christie Challenge under the category of "Best to Read in One Sitting"

My Impression: If you don't know anything about this mystery do your best to keep it that way and read it as soon as possible!  In many ways this is a typical Christie mystery - set in a small village with gossipy neighbors and characters trying to keep up appearances while hiding some significant secrets.  Dr. Sheppard is the narrator and has some very Hastings-like qualities which both amuses and exasperates Poirot.  Sheppard's sister, Caroline, is by far the biggest of the neighborhood gossips which adds quite a bit of information and some humorous moments.

This is the one of the few stories where we actually see Poirot enjoying the retirement he so often dreams about.  He has his out of the way house and spends his days growing vegetable marrows and everything else he's dreamed of - and he's bored silly.   He jumps at the chance to investigate the murder when Roger Ackroyd's niece, Flora, appeals to him.  The mystery is a good one with red herrings and misdirection all spearheaded by Poirot and his little grey cells.  

This is one of Christie's most controversial books and is one that probably brought her the earliest recognition.  I don't want to go into too much detail but it's worth reading to see if you think she cheated or not!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  Next month's book is one published under her Mary Westmacott pseudonym which she used to publish romantic fiction.  I haven't read it so I'm excited about it.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  It's a good mystery as well as an interesting piece of mystery fiction history.

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams - As soon as I finished the first book in the When in Rome Quartet I immediately put the audio of book 2 on hold through Libby.   I really liked Annie in the first book and I really enjoyed getting to know her better in this book.  Will is also a great character and the author does a great job with making them realistically complicated and keeping them likable and relatable.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the relationship unfolded and getting to know all the side characters better as well.  I didn't like this book quite as much as I did the first book but I read that versus listening to this one so I'm wondering if the change in medium impacted my thoughts.  Regardless, this was a fun story about lovely people with enough depth to keep it from being silly.  I'm looking forward to picking up the next two books in the series.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I have been so excited to read this book since it first came out.  And I liked it.  I really enjoyed both Keaton and Becks Saint James' stories.  They're both likable and sympathetic characters.  I loved the side characters - all the ladies of Beaufort and especially Anderson.  I was hooked both because I enjoyed spending time with all the characters and because I wanted to find out just what happened that night long ago.  My main issue with this one is that I felt like I wanted more.  More character development, more heart, more plot development.  As well, there was one issue at the very end that I just had a hard time believing was never noticed.  I can't go into detail as it's a major spoiler but it definitely pulled me out of the story a bit.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  All Shall Be Well by Deborah Crombie - I read this series in the late 90s/early 2000s and really enjoyed it.  I've been wanting to reread it for ages so I was really excited to pick this 2nd book in the series up.   It was okay.  The mystery itself was interesting and the conclusion was pretty shocking but there seemed to be a lot of plot lines and red herrings for a fairly short book.  As well, I wasn't sold on Duncan and Gemma's dynamic.  I don't know if it just feels a bit dated or if I just previously missed that Duncan is pretty oblivious to the people around him.  The mystery is solid and the series just keeps getting better so I'm looking forward to reading the next book.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen - This is my second book by this writer team and another winner.  This was a wild ride of a mystery/thriller.  I wasn't sure if I liked anyone involved, what was happening, and I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending.  I do know was completely hooked from start to finish and could not wait to keep reading when I had to put it down.  The audio was very well done and the pacing on the story as a whole was spot on.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this duo and the authors individually.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin - The premise of this one hadn't really grabbed me but a later book in the series did so I decided to pick this one up.  Despite a slow start, I ended up really enjoying it.  Annie is a good main character and while she has her issues she's intelligent and doesn't land in TSTL territory too often.  I also enjoyed the 1960s timeline.  The solution was a surprise but made sense.  It did take me awhile to feel invested in the story but once I did, I was hooked.  I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Recipe Thursday: Disney's Baked Ravioli

One of my goals for 2026 is to sort through all the recipes I have laying around tucked into folders and notebooks as well as my gigantic Pinterest/food blog collection that hasn't been touched in years.  I've been having quite a good time with it.  I enjoy cooking but it can become a chore pretty easily and this has made it a lot more fun for me as I feel like I'm working on a project.   Around here we've taken to calling it Recipe Thunderdome as all recipes have to be auditioned before earning their place in the final recipe binder. 

*For context I'm a reasonably capable home cook but one who is often trying to multitask and who is pretty much completely self-taught. *

Today I'm Sharing: Disney's Baked Ravioli from Plain Chicken

Changes:  I ended up cooking it about 5 minutes or so less than the called for time as the cheese was heading past golden and in 5 more minutes would have been burnt.  If I make it again, I'll cover it with foil.  Also, I used a full pound of ground beef instead of a beef and sausage mix as I don't love the flavor of sausage in this kind of dish.  I drained the beef before adding the additional sauce ingredients.  

Thoughts of Recipe Difficult: Not particularly difficult but it is time consuming as the sauce has to simmer for an hour and needed frequently stirring.  

Cook Time:  Prep time is maybe 10 minutes to get the sauce ready to simmer and another 5 or 10 to get the ravioli to cook.  After than it bakes for about 20 minutes.

Served With: Green salad and garlic bread

Results:  Pretty good and plenty of leftovers.  I have another baked ravioli that I think I like a little better so I may need to do a head-to-head on these two.

Verdict: Survived!  Pending the results of the head-to-head of course.

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Blurb:  Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home.

So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high-society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and kisses that hit her bloodstream like a ghost pepper, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself—can she really start now?

My Thoughts:  Oh I loved this one.  This was my first book by this author and it was an absolute delight from start to finish.  I loved all the characters and their relationships and how they evolved over time.  Dolly is a fantastic character who isn't perfect though she tries hard to be and I loved her relationship with Stewart, her family, (especially Gus) and her friends (especially Naomi).   I knew there was going to be a conflict as was kind of dreading it because I liked Dolly and Stewart so much but it really enhanced the book and the characters.  The audiobook version is narrated by Julia Whalen who as always does a phenomenal job.  This was a fantastic summer read (or listen) that made me smile and sometimes tear up a bit.  I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.  My Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Summer TBR

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Summer TBR.  I love making seasonal TBRs!  Am I best about sticking to them? Not in the slightest but I like pretending I will.

1.  The Secret Thread by Eve Chase - This looks creepy and eerie and like quite the page turner.  I read another book by this author years ago and really enjoyed it so I'm excited to pick this one up.

2.  Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle - The books in this series are always just a fever dream of a good time and I'm looking forward revisiting the world Castle has created.

3.  The Woman in White by Sarah Pekkanen - I've read several books by this author written with another author and always really enjoyed them so I'm excited to read this one.  Plus, it sounds like an exciting read.

4.  The Moonsingers by Robin J. Pritzker - This is listed as a cozy fairytale which sounds absolutely perfect right now.  

5.  Probably Caws by Donna Andrews - I can't make a TBR list without a cozy on it!  This is one of my favorite chaotic mystery series and I'm looking forward to seeing what craziness Meg gets up to next.

6.  Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen - I love this author and her books make for perfect summer reading so I'm so excited about this newest one!

7.  Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett - This is on my priority list this year and involves ghosts and romantic suspense so it sounds perfect for summer reading!

8.  The Third to Die by Allison Brennan - Allison Brennan is on my Authors to Read list and I'm really looking forward to this mystery.

9.  The Luck Runs Out by Charlotte Macleod - I'm pulling this mystery off my classics list for the summer.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series and Macleod always delivers a solid mystery.

10. Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst - I'm so excited for this one.  I've loved the previous two books in the series and I loved the main character in this one when I met her in book 2.  

What are you planning to read this summer?

When You Loved Me - Fiction Review

Goodreads: When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams

Rating: Really Liked It
Source: Publisher

Description: Local history insists that a legendary pirate buried his treasure somewhere beneath Windward, the decayed Cooper estate on Winthrop Island, but Lucy Cooper never trusted the fable that broke her family apart. When a widowed Lucy returns with her young daughter to grieve her estranged father, she discovers the property’s buried under a mountain of debt, and Ben Ressler has just turned up on her doorstep.

Thirteen summers ago, a teenaged Lucy never meant to fall in love with Ben, a Dartmouth football star vacationing next door at the Peabody estate, and the object of an all-consuming crush by Laura Peabody, Lucy’s best friend. Those two weeks with Ben were the best and worst of Lucy’s life, dooming her friendship with Laura. Now Ben’s returned to live quietly in the Peabodys’ caretaker lodge, after a fatal accident ended his dazzling NFL career. He’s also the last person who saw Lucy’s father alive.

As Lucy reconstructs her father’s troubling final days, she uncovers his research on the frozen winter of 1717, when a desperately wounded pirate sought refuge on Winthrop Island with an enigmatic healer. To Lucy, this history points the way to a different kind of how to forgive yourself for the mistakes of the past and earn a second chance at love. But just as Lucy’s long-buried emotions sear to the surface, a shocking turn of events reveals that someone else on the island will do whatever it takes to claim the fabled plunder.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed other books from this author and loved the last book set in Winthrop Island.

My Impression: I really enjoyed this read.  Winthrop Island has a complex and sometimes dark history and I really enjoyed getting another peek into it.  This time we see events unfold in the early 1700s as a family battles both pirates and a blizzard and tries to survive.  The bulk of the book takes place in modern day as Lucy and her daughter Elise (aka Punkin) returns to Winthrop Island after the disappearance and suspected death of her father.  

There she reunites with Ben, the guy who got away who has had a tough time of it himself.   I was pulled in not only by their story but also what was happening around them.  It took Lucy a bit too long to realize something was not as it should be but she is pretty overwhelmed though I did get frustrated in her handling of a few aspects that seemed far more serious than she treated them.  The reveal was nicely done and a bit of a surprise and I very much enjoyed getting there.

Williams' books are frequently linked together which can make them confusing at times.  I am glad I read the previous book (Under the Stars) but haven't read any of the previous books set on the island and had no trouble keeping up with everything.  I am really looking forward to reading the previous books that took place on Winthrop Island though.

This was a good read with mostly likable characters, a poignant history featuring pirates, and an interesting mystery.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I want to do a bit of a dive into her backlist and read more Winthrop Island books as well as finally finishing the Schuyler sisters books.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy books with multiple timelines and interesting history this is a good choice though I would pick up Under the Stars first.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Colour Scheme - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Colour Scheme by Ngaio Marsh

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description: Often regarded as her most interesting book and set on New Zealand's North Island, Ngaio Marsh herself considered this to be her best-written novel. It was a horrible death -- Maurice Questing was lured into a pool of boiling mud and left there to die. Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, far from home on a wartime quest for German agents, knew that any number of people could have killed the English exiles he'd hated, the New Zealanders he'd despised or the Maoris he'd insulted. Even the spies he'd thwarted -- if he wasn't a spy himself!

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This is the next Marsh book I had on my shelf.  

My Impression: I think this is the first Marsh book I've read that she set in her native New Zealand and I really enjoyed it.  It definitely has a different feel from her traditional English village mysteries but her ability to draw unique and interesting characters is the same.  This book was published in 1943 so I was expecting some datedness regarding different cultures, but I was pleasantly surprised.  There is a clear difference between the British Claire family and their guests and the local Māori community but there is a lot of respect between the two groups as well as appreciation for the Māori culture and traditions.   Though they are a little horrified by Simon Claire's strong New Zealand accent.  Marsh has a very dry and sometimes sly sense of humor, and this is very much on point in this book - especially with Dr. Ackrington and Geoffrey Gaunt.  

It takes quite awhile for the actual murder to happen but there is a growing sense of unease as the story develops.  Something is definitely not right at this out of the way resort and it's more than just the Claire family's casual incompetence.   Marsh can get a little overly indirect with her details which took away some of the impact when the death happens.  As well, I'm not quite sure how I felt about the relationship that develops between two of the characters.  

This is an enjoyable mystery and definitely a bit different from the typical classic mystery.  This isn't my favorite Marsh mystery so far, but I did enjoy it.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm looking forward to reading more of her mysteries.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a mystery fan this is an interesting read and one worth picking up.

Friday Fives - Five Books By Some of My Favorite Authors I Have Yet to Read

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. My focus this year is on my favorites and right now I'm looking at some of my favorite authors and what books by them that I haven't read yet.

1.  Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts - I avoided some of her more fantasy books because that isn't my usual genre but lately I've been enjoying fantasy books more and more so I'm looking forward to picking this trilogy up.  Roberts' books aren't always 5 stars but they're always satisfying.

2.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This book has been on so many of my want to read lists since it came out.  I have really enjoyed everything I've read by this author but somehow this one just never quite gets to the top of the list.  

3.  Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry - I love this author's books and a previous one involving Lewis (Once Upon a Wardrobe) is on my Top Ten Favorite books.  I don't always love historical fiction that focuses on actual people but this author has yet to let me down so I have high hopes.

4.  At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber - I love Heather Webber's books and have a few on her backlist to read.  This may be the one I pick up this summer.

5.  Fool Errant by Patricia Wentworth - I've read most of Wentworth's books and at least met all of her main characters - except for Benbow Smith. I need to hunt down some of her earlier books and this one is top of my list.