This Week in Reading - April 12

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

So when I sat down to put this list together I had been thinking that it had been a really quiet week.  Turns out that was last week.  This week wasn't so quiet though I suppose it could have been worse!

Summer on Lovers' Island by Donna Alward - The House on Blackberry Hill was one of my favorite reads of last year and I was very intrigued by Josh - one of the side characters.  I'm really excited that he has his own book and was incredibly thrilled when I was contacted about reading this one! (Publisher)

Alice's Portrait, Baxter's Draw, and Langston's Daughter by Juliette Harper - I got this series for a blog tour for Alice's Portrait.  It involves sisters, a deceased but tyrannical father, a ranch and lots of secrets.  (Blog Tour)

Killing Weeds by Joyce and Jim Lavene - I've enjoyed their Missing Pieces series and I love gardening so I thought this would be a fun read.  Plus I'm hoping for motivation since it's time to put plants in the ground! (Blog Tour)

Myth and Magic by Mae Claire - This is a second chance romance with a ghost and a lodge.  Ghosts and hotels/bed and breakfasts are my weakness! (NetGalley)

Sea Glass Sunrise by Donna Kauffman - I really enjoyed Kauffman's previous Blueberry Cove books so I'm looking forward to this spin off series.  (NetGalley)

Just One Taste by Kimberly Kincaid - I was beating myself up for missing the previous book in this series so I was excited to see this novella.  It involves a sous chef, a dilapidated lake house, and the best friend's sister trope which I love! (NetGalley)

Razing the Dead by Sheila Connolly - This is the latest in her museum mystery series.  I love this one because it reminds me of my time working at a museum in high school and college and something about Connolly's books just click with me (Paperbackswap)

Bran New Death by Victoria Hamilton - I have a feeling I'm going to be in a baking mood when I finish this cozy! (Paperbackswap)

Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - I had absolutely no intention of getting this but then I picked it up to read the blurb and there's a writer and a mysterious house and hints of gothic and before I knew it the book had pushed my hand away and jumped into my bag.  Really I had nothing to do with it! (Library)

Currently:

Reading:  Still reading Great Expectation by Charles Dickens but mixing in a little Heroes are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips as well as Gummy Bears Should Not Be Organic by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor to lighten the mood.

Listening:  I'm giving David Sedaris a break and have returned to The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.  This is the first Flavia de Luce and I'm curious to see where the story goes.  

Watching: I'm getting my genealogy geek on and really enjoying Who Do You Think You Are on TLC.  There's been some interesting stories this season.  I'm also enjoying CSI: Cyber since they haven't had anymore shows that involve selling babies and am loving NCIS: New Orleans. 

Off the Blog:

The Tornado had a field trip this week to a farm that was lots of fun.  They had 4 baby lambs that were quite possible the cutest thing I've ever seen.  And yes I know baby and lamb is kind of the same thing but I feel like I need to emphasize how cute these things were.  I'm trying to talk J into a couple of lambs and a Great Pyrenees to watch them but he is against the idea.  He's also against chickens.  Apparently since my farm animal experience is basically zero I don't get to make livestock decisions. 

 Emma's birthday went well.  We went to a local Mexican restaurant because she has an obsession with cheese dip and then came home for a chocolate cake and a raspberry sauce.  She got lots of books most of which I'd seen on everyone's blogs.  She got Since You've Been Gone and Roger and Amy's Epic Detour (or something like that) by Morgan Matson as well as Don't Look Back by Jennifer L Armentrout and We Were Liars.  The main reason she got We Were Liars was because I wanted to talk about it with someone!    She got other things too but the books are always the most interesting.

Not much else going on here.  I'm hoping to get my garden cleaned up and ready to get some veggies in this week.  I'm hoping to plant a variety of tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and cucumbers.  I'm going to try summer squash again and am keeping my fingers crossed that I have better luck with it this year than I have the last few years.  I'm looking forward to having a deck full of fresh herbs again as well! 

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday:  A Fright to the Death - Cozy Mystery Blog Tour Review
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters I'd Like to Check In On
Wednesday: French Coast - Fiction Review
Thursday: Still the One - Romance Review
Friday: Friday Linkups Featuring Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins
Saturday: Eating Rome - Cookbook and Travel Book Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday: Slayed On the Slopes - Blog Tour Review + Giveaway

Tuesday:  Top Ten Book Quotes

Wednesday: Review TBD (maybe Eight Cousins)

Thursday: Review TBD (maybe Gummy Bears Should Not Be Organic)

Friday: Friday Linkups featuring current book

Saturday: Cookbook Review

Have a great week and happy reading!

Eating Rome - Review

Eating Rome: Living the Good Life in the Eternal City by Elizabath Minchilli

This book was like a trip to Rome in hardback form.  The photographs are beautiful, the writing is like having a conversation with a good friend and the recipes look delicious and easy to follow.

The chapters cover pretty much every topic relating to food you can think of - shopping, breakfast, coffee, pasta and lots of other things.  They were broken up in a similar way with 2 or 3 pages discussing the finer points of the topic, a few recipes based off the subject, and then followed with a short list of places that correspond with what she is talking about.  There's a list of her favorite open air markets and coffee shops and all kinds of handy resources.

One thing that I really loved that I don't see often in any travel books is that she discussed those unwritten rules.  Things like how to order coffee, eating outside (which is a big don't) and touching produce at markets (also a no).  These are the little things that I always worry about when traveling to unfamiliar places so I really enjoyed that.

With travel type books I frequently find them a little boring unless it's a place I'm actively planning on going but that wasn't the case with this book.  Minchilli manages a good mix of personal stories, humor along with advice and suggestions.  This would be the perfect gift for anyone who is going to Rome, loves Rome, or wants to go to Rome.  As for me, I'll be trying the recipes for Carbonara, Olive Oil Cake, and Cacio e Pepe and pretending the sights of Rome are just outside my window..

I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads

Friday Linkups: Eight Cousins

It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice.

This Week's Question:
Have you ever received a bound galley from a publisher for review?  What did you think about it?  Were you surprised at anything?

My Answer:
I've gotten a few bound galleys and it never gets old!  I love Netgalley and Edelweiss and get excited about all my ebooks but there is something so exciting about a book being mailed straight from the publisher or author to you.

This week's book is Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott.  When I was a kid I never really connected with Little Women.  I didn't like the whole plot issue with Jo, Laurie and Amy and I never truly connected with the characters.  I did really enjoy Jo's Boys but it was Eight Cousins that really grabbed me.  I had gotten a copy of that and a few other Alcotts as a gift and I read Eight Cousins until the binding gave out.  It's been probably close to 25 years since I've read it and I'm really excited to revisit it.  It's my Reading Assignment Challenge book for April.

The Beginning:
"Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her troubles, and a shower was expected."

My thoughts:
She sounds a bit like she's relishing thinking about her troubles!

The 56: 
"I love dearly to go poking about in the warehouses with Uncle Mac; everything is so curious and new to me; and I'm specially interested in China because you've been there."

My thoughts:
Poking about the warehouses sounds like lots of fun!  There's no telling what treasures are there.

Have you read this one?  Would you keep reading?

Still the One - Review

Still the One (An Animal Magnetism Novel) By Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4 Stars
Source:  NetGalley
Description:  Darcy Stone owes her life to Physical Therapist AJ Colten but that doesn't mean she likes it.  Especially after he rejects her when she's at a low point.  AJ Colten has already been heartbroken by someone who thought an accident destroyed and defined them.  He's not about to risk getting involved with Darcy no matter how irresistible he finds her.

Genre: Romance

Why I Picked This Book:  I love the Lucky Harbor books and Shalvis is pretty much an auto-buy for me.

My Impression:  Shalvis excels at flawed but likable characters and Darcy and AJ are no exception.  Darcy reminded me a little bit of Chloe from Head Over Heels but with a lot more attitude.  The really great thing is that Darcy really deserves to have an attitude.  She's been through a lot.  She had a rough childhood and then a fluke accident destroyed the life she had built.  She's got an edge and she's defensive but she's not bitter and she's not angry.  AJ's hesitation also made sense.  He's been down this road before and the results were not good.  He also doesn't quite trust that Darcy's settled and not just looking to run.  The story starts as Darcy and AJ have gotten to know each other for quite awhile and she has already been through therapy.  AJ is also good friends with Darcy's brother Wyatt and sister Zoe so there's a lot of history and a lot of connection already in place.
The side characters are also wonderful.  I love Xander and Ariana and Darcy's siblings.  This town doesn't feel quite as fleshed out as Lucky Harbor felt but it still made for a fun read.  I loved the animal connection and Darcy's passion for therapy dogs.  That especially comes out in the last 1/3 of the book and really made for some touching moments.  This is the 6th book in the series but other than a few mentions of past couples it reads fine as a stand alone.  The only problem is that it did make me want to go hunt up the previous books and my TBR pile is weeping as it is!  Shalvis is quickly becoming my favorite contemporary romance author and this book didn't disappoint.


Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely!  I'm hoping Zoe's story is next and I still have 3 Lucky Harbor books to read.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  If you like contemporary romances don't miss this or Shalvis in general.  Her books never disappoint.

Challenges Met?  Reading Road Trip (Idaho)

French Coast - Review

French Coast: A Novel by Anita Hughes
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Source: Author/Publisher

Description:  Life is perfect for Serena.  She has her dream job, the assignment of a life time interviewing former Vogue editor Yvette Renault in Cannes, and the perfect fiance.  Until everything starts to crumble.  The hotel loses her reservation and then the perfect fiance may not be so perfect - especially when an old buried family scandal comes to light.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: The blurb sounded intriguing and the location sounded so glamorous that this seemed like escapism reading at it's best!

My Impression:
This book is like reading a glossy magazine poolside.  The people are gorgeous, the money is flowing and the clothes are stunning.  Serena's wardrobe is a character unto itself and the names and descriptions made my mouth water.  If I could take one thing from any book right now it would be Serena's wardrobe.  So many designers and just stunning descriptions!
Serena's life starts out as just too perfect.  Everything is going her way and it sounds like it always has.  She's from a wealthy family, she's gorgeous, she's intelligent and have I mentioned her clothing?  Even with the reservation she still lands on her feet as she stays with Zoe who isn't quite who she says she is.  But then things really start to crumble for her and it's interesting watching her struggle to keep going.  I ended up really liking Serena by the end.  She had dealt with a lot and stayed on her feet.
While there is a strong adultery theme in this book it didn't bother me to the level it normally does.  These were more like scandals from the past than the usual affair.  As well this wasn't a romance despite there being some romantic developments in the book.  There was one issue that occurs in the last third of the book that I had some issues with.  It wasn't anything Serena did but how something was handled in the past so it didn't ruin the book for me. Also, I would've liked something unpleasant to happen to Chase.  Maybe a long walk off a short pier or a painful rash or something!  It didn't hurt my enjoyment but it would've been lots of fun to see!
This would be a fantastic beach read - old scandals, new heartbreak, beautiful clothes and a stunning location!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes, I would - especially if the blurb catches my attention as much as this one did.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  If you have any interest in fashion I think you would enjoy this book.

Challenges Met?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters I'd Like to Check In On

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic from The Broke and the Bookish is the Top Ten Characters I'd Like to Check in On.  I'm lucky that most of the series that I'm ready are still ongoing or if they're not I'm so behind I haven't gotten to the end yet!  However, there are a few I'd love to see how they're doing!

1.  Rilla Blythe from L.M. Montgomery's Rilla of Ingleside - We watch Rilla go from spoiled immature girl to a woman who has endured many things and carried on with grace.  I'd love to see how her life turns out.

2.  Grace from Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis - I loved Josh, the doctor with the world on his shoulders, but it was Grace I really connected to.  I'd love to see more of her and learn more about her past.  There were hints of things that I really wanted to be explored more.

3.  Sophie, Josh, Reilly and even Tula from The Unpredictable Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell - I just finished this book a few weeks ago but I miss them!  

4.  June Anderson from Goodnight June by Sarah Jio - After the endings to end all endings in Goodnight June I'd love to see what June does.  How does she go on from there?  

5.  Aidan and Maddie from Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnn Thayne - This was my favorite Christmas book I read in huge stack of Christmas books and it was primarily because of the characters.  Okay, it was primarily because of Aidan but Maddie was good too.  They were just such likable characters I really want to see how they're doing.

6.  Beth and Lincoln from Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - This is one of those books that has aged very well for me.  When I first read it I enjoyed it but wasn't blown away but it's never quite left my memory and I find myself thinking about Beth and Lincoln even though it's been almost a year since I've read the book.

 7.  Evangeline and Gabriel Starke from City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn - This is a book that the feeling of the book really stayed with me.  The characters were so glamorous and the situation was so bad.  I'd love to see them wandering around Paris or London having happier adventures.

8.  Bundle and Bill from The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie - I adore Bundle and Bill.  There personalities work so well together and they just seem to have such fun.  I'd love to see them a little older and see how they're doing.

9.  Shawn and Brenna from Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts - No real reason for wanting to revisit them other than I just loved them.  Both characters, the setting, the friends to more romance - I just really enjoyed this book.  And now I want to reread this book! 

10. Esmee Hamilton by One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle - One Little Sin is one of my favorite historicals even though there is a bit of an ick factor (it does get resolved un-ickaly though).  I loved Esmee.  She was tough and fiercely protective of her little sister.  She'd had a bad time of it but still maintained her sense of humor.  I'd like to see how her life turns out.

A Fright to the Death - Blog Tour Review

A Fright to the Death by Dawn Eastman
Rating: 4 Stars
Source:  Publisher

Description:  When a blizzard ruins their Mexican vacation Clyde and Mac end up snowed into a castle like hotel with most of Clyde's family, Mac's mother, a hotel full of knitters, a ghost, and even a corpse.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: This series just looked really fun.  I love the mix of paranormal, humor and cozy mystery!

My Impression: If I had to use one word to describe this book that word would be fun.  The setting, the characters and the mystery were all very much enjoyable.  It kind of reminded me of a modern day version of Agatha Christie's "Mousetrap" with a snowbound house and a victim who more and more people had a motive to kill.Clyde is a police officer on leave and Mac is an active officer which makes their investigation make sense which always makes me happy.  I loved the characters.  Cyde's family has got plenty of crazy antics without being too ridiculous and what's even better is Clyde herself.  We see her wrestling with what she's going to do both professionally and in her relationship with Mac.  At one point she and Mac actually have a mature discussion about what their plans are and I wanted to reach into the book and hug them both.  They psychic elements are fairly mild and just add a little bit of interest.  Plus, at one point there's a mastiff riding on a snowmobile which is an image I will be forever grateful to have in my head!

While this is the third book in the series this was the first book I read and I had no problem connecting to the characters and understanding what was going on.  If you like cozy mysteries, dogs or knitting this is a must read!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes as well as reading the first 2 in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  I think most mystery readers would enjoy this one - especially those readers who like cozies.

Challenges Met?  Reading Road Trip (Michigan)