Update

Been away for sometime. On  July 6 th , I had a heart attack and died. The steam were able to resuscitate me . I spent nearly a month in hospital. Recovery has not been smooth at all.
I now walk with a walker outside of home . There are many other things I once took for granted but can’t do yet. I say yet because there is still hope that will change.
I am still reading a lot and reviewing and this has kept me going for now. It’s a pleasure to be able to step out of my difficulties and enter other worlds.

Time After Time by Lisa Grunwald

Available June 11 on :Amazon and Barnes and Noble

A rather unusual, paranormal tale. The reader is taken through  a number of years , starting with the 1937 on through the years of WW2 in the setting Grand Central.  
A working class man meets a ephemeral beauty that he falls for , the better part of the story is about their romance.
 The characters face war time and the losses that come with that.
   It’s not your typical romance HEA .

 It is a satisfying read . 

The language is clean and the romance scenes are not graphic.

Thank you to NetGallery, The author and publisher Random House Publishing for the chance to preview this book.

Old Recipes~~Pork Spareribs

Cleaning through some collected things I found a delightful treasure, that I forgot I had.  It was a book of recipes typed up by my grand aunt when she was in school learning to type. Inside the book, there were also many loose pages of handwritten and saved recipes.

She would have been in school in the early part of the 20th century.

Many of the pages are starting to fade and crumble away so I thought I might post them here to save them. 

Perhaps someone will enjoy them.

Pork Spareribs

2 cloves  Garlic

2 oz. Oil 

1 Onion, sliced

1 Green Pepper

3 oz. Tomato Sauce

4 oz. Vinegar

1 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp Tarragon

1 Tblsp Worcestershire Sauce

                                         Lemon juice

Boil together for 15 minutes.

Pour on ribs and bake 350  for about 1-1/2 hours.

Book Review: Attracted to the Earl by Bronwen Evans

Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble 

My review: My review for this title is short and sweet. This was an entertaining, light read. The storyline was fairly typical for the genre, but the characters were likeable and couldn’t help but find myself invested in their story.

Personal Message

  I try to keep my blog to not so personal things, but I have gotten far behind on book reviews as of lately.
  Life has a way of shaking things up a bit.
 A year ago at a regular doctor's visit, it was discovered through blood work that my kidneys were failing. 
 They reached the point where dialysis has become necessary, I have now been on Peritoneal Dialysis for a little over a month and learning to live this new path that fate has sent my way.
 End-stage renal disease is not for the faint of heart. Dialysis is not a picnic. Although well-meaning people seem to think it's a breeze that you just go on dialysis and get a new kidney through transplant just like that. 
  What it really means is every night, being attached to a machine that filters the toxins from the body, the way the kidneys used to do. It means having frequent visits to the lab for blood work and infusions of many things. 
  It's been difficult getting into a new routine with all these changes.
Things are starting to seem a little more routine. Hopefully, I can catch up going forward.

Book Review:The Winemaker's Wife by Kristen Harmel

                                       Publish date : August 13th  and can be purchased on Amazon or Barnes and Noble Books.

 My review:

It took a few days after completing this book to consider reviewing this . It’s not a book that I could say that I loved, but it was interesting, sometimes heartbreaking. I found it difficult liking the characters, they are full of flaws that make them hard to like. 
 I found the switching back and forth between time and characters a bit distracting.
However the story is worth a read.
Thank you To the author , Simon and Schuster and NetGallery for the ARC.

       

Book Review: The Lost Letters Of William Woolf

                         
              Available on Amazon and at Barnes and Nobles . January 4th.

    This book was interesting the description is inviting and the story, once you get into a few chapters, draws you in. I found a love-hate relationship with the couple. I really disliked the character of Clare and her attitude towards William's laid-back way of approaching life in his way. He comes across as solely devoted to her, while she changed and became something he did not recognize or understand. I think I felt the same about them as I would standing on the outside of a couple that I knew personally and couldn't help but take sides as to who was the injured party in the relationship. For that reason, the story had a feeling of being real life to me. It is a rare occasion for me to find a couple in a novel that seems "real life like." In the end, the story is a satisfying read.

Book Review: Miss Bingley Requests by Judy McCrosky

This title will be available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble November 13th, 2018

For a fan of Jane Austen, this is a likeable tale revisiting some of her most famous characters and seeing them from a different point of view. From that view, I enjoyed seeing these characters come to life again in a new story. 
However, I found the story dragged on a bit and the main character really became quite annoyingly obsessive. I was compelled to continue reading until the conclusion and found the ending satisfying 
  The author kept the story true to the time and entertaining throughout most of the storyline. I think that I liked it mostly just to have a little more time with the characters,

Book Review: Past Due For Murder by Victoria Gilbert

⭐⭐⭐⭐

https://www.amazon.com/Past-Due-Murder-Library-Mystery/dp/1683318749

This book will be available February 12, 2019, but you can read the previous books in this series. It is an enjoyable series.

I have to say that the cover of this book is very cute and inviting. It reminded me of the library I visited frequently growing up. That being said, I have read a previous book in this series and I was very glad to receive another. 
I am finding that I am becoming invested in reading more about the wonderful characters that the author had previously introduced and enjoying the new ones that are in this title. I enjoy that there are significant characters of different age groups. The main characters of Amy and Richard and Amy's friends are younger and her Aunt, Mother and Father and some other recurring characters are a little older. It makes for a nice diversity and a different view of events from the different age groups. 
Although there are previous books in this series, this book can be read as a standalone book for there are references in the story to previous adventures which I believe after reading one the reader would wish to read the others.
Of course, there is a murder, a bit of mystery in solving that and some slightly paranormal folklore that keeps the tale entertaining and fast-paced.
The language is clean and people of any age can enjoy this cosy mystery. 

Hurricane Florence and Get Ready to Nano

    September has started out with a blasting by Hurricane Florence, she's done her best to give North Carolina a beating and it will be a lot of recovery time for many in the state. We had a lot of water here but nothing like the folks on the coast. My companion's daughter lives in Wilmington and had to evacuate so it has touched us in that sense.. 
   Though I am not an American football fan in anyway shape or form I think it's really great that the Carolina Panthers are teamed up to help in the recovery efforts with a fundraising tee-shirt. Go get one of these cool shirts and help some folks out in the process.

https://www.panthers.com/news/support-hurricane-recovery-efforts-with-careolinas

  
   As a big-time reader, I also have the dreams of writing. Last year I took some writing courses and dived into Nanowrimo. 
Life got in the way and didn't complete it.
   So now it is September and the planning and preparations are happening for Nanowrimo this year. 
  Characters are telling me their story in my head. I have several notebooks with loads of notes and ideas and something of an outline coming together.

Book Review : In Cold Chocolate by Dorothy St. James

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Chocolate-Southern-Shop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B078M3N9TC

Book releases on September 21, 2018

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book starts out with something sweet (lots of chocolate)  and cute (an adorable dog). From there the author takes you into the lives of some entertaining characters and a light, fast-paced mystery.
The location is described in such a quaint almost lovingly way that it makes you want to visit there. It certainly makes you want to stop by the Chocolate Box for some of the treats that are described as well.
 I really enjoyed reading about the baby turtles. This is a great cozy to sit by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the ride.

Book Review : To Catch A Witch -Heather Blake

https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Witch-Wishcraft-Mystery/dp/1683317084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533561886&sr=8-1&keywords=to+catch+a+witch+heather+blake&dpID=51TosWkCgaL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

This book is being released on Amazon , August 7.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I gave this book a 4 star rating, It's a great light read to take along to the beach or have by the pool.

I have not read any of the other books in this series, and although it is part of a series it can stand alone. The storyline of two sisters who are witches living in Salem is a fun read. Reading through the story I can tell there are background stories to the characters and it has made me want to explore the rest of the series, but it did not take away from the story at all
 Though there are many stories of witches, I found this one a bit different for each witch has their own special type of magic, it's not all just general hocus pocus. 
Many of the characters are enjoyable, some you want to dislike and others have you on the fence of whether you should like them or not. 
The mystery part was interesting and kept me guessing and was well plotted out until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Copy of this book.

Book Review : Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert

https://www.amazon.com/Shelved-Under-Murder-Library-Mystery-ebook/dp/B075QJHPR9

This was the second book in the series. I found this to be a light, fun read. Easily read in a weekend. The characters are interesting and likeable. I enjoyed the age range of the different main characters as they were not all young people silly in love trying to solve a mystery. There were some older characters with colourful, somewhat shady backgrounds that added a bit of intrigue to the mystery. 
The language is clean and the romances, while they are suggestive, are not erotically described.
 It is the kind of book I would feel comfortable giving to a young adult or my grandmother to read. This book is available on Amazon  and Barnes and Noble July 20th.   Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the oppurtunity to read an advanced copy for my review.

Summertime, and what I'm reading

That was one big spider web to open the door to this morning but was so delicate and lacy just had to grab a pic. As the winds blow here in the mountains, that web probably won't last all day.

Now that the summer holiday has passed and guests have gone home I can get back to reading a bit more. 

I just finished a book  for Crooked Lane Books.

This book doesn't release until October 19th, 2018. It will be available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you are a crafter particularly into yarn crafts knitting or crocheting, you will want to add this book to your fall reading list. Perfect to take along to craft fairs.

It's fast paced and has a lot of small-town charm. I will provide more of a review when the release date gets closer.

I am also reading 

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Wave-Meets-Shore-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B01N97Y0BP/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1531259797&sr=8-6&keywords=kathryn+guare&dpID=51LLScxvWuL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

A mid-century Irish story. This has been my book before sleep read for a few nights. It has some history to it as well as a sweet romance. It's a lovely read before falling off to sleep. 

That's all for today been a busy one and time to get some supper going.  Happy Reading!

Book Review: Be Our Ghost by Kate Kinsbury

        This book doesn't release until October 9, 2018. I received a copy from Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for an early review.
       It is the 3rd in the series A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery. I have not read the previous two books, but the story stands up well on it's own and can be read out of sequence, You are aware throughout the story that there have been previous books, but there is enough information that you can follow along with this latest adventure.
  The characters are developed nicely but are evolving and changing, which is something I truly like to see in a series. I like to get to know the characters in a series, but don't want them to be predictable and the author seems to have the characters changing as normal people would in life's circumstances.
  All in all, it is really well done cosy mystery and a great escape read.
  I also appreciate the mature characters and that the main story is not romantic entanglements, although there is some light romance in the story.
The language is clean and the murder is not gruesomely described.
It's a relaxing fun read and would recommend it for an enjoyable escape.
  

Book Review Spook In The Stacks Eva Gates

https://www.amazon.com/Spook-Stacks-Lighthouse-Library-Mystery/dp/1683315804

I am always pleasantly surprised to find a series that I can read without having to read every book in the series, in chronological order. Often a new series takes time to establish the characters and sometimes I just want to jump in start reading without having to do that. I really enjoyed this book that takes place in coastal North Carolina. This is the 4th book in this series. The characters are developed from previous books but you can read this book as a standalone book and still enjoy it. From reading this one in the series, it has made me want to go back and read the previous books.
I appreciate that the language is clean and the murder is not described in grisly detail.
Tere's a little romance, a bit of folklore and an interesting resident cat of the library. 
 Loved the idea of the library in a lighthouse, this would be great reading at the beach or poolside, it's light reading but the mystery is nicely concocted and keeps you entertained throughout.

Book Review : The Cottingley Secret

https://www.amazon.com/Cottingley-Secret-Novel-Hazel-Gaynor/dp/006249984X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528213684&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cottingley+secret

Sometimes you have to take a little time to digest a book before writing a review. You even sometimes have a bit of an afterglow when you read something that is really good. While this was not a book that gave the afterglow, it was a book. that needed some time for thought. It is a book that I found to be emotionally touching.

There is more than one story being told in this novel. It takes us back to World War 1 and the upheaval for so many families as the men went off to fight in the war. It tells the story of two young girls and how they were able to prank the adults of the time. I think calling it a hoax or a prank is a bit harsh in the light of things, it brought hope, and magic to a generation that was sorely in need of it. That story is told, but then there is also the story of the modern day woman and her discovery of her family history. One that she starts piecing together through, the passing of her beloved grandfather and the fading life of her grandmother that is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It's a wonderful read.   

Weather and reading

After days and days of rain. we are finally seeing some sunshine today although it is a little cooler then I would have chosen for early June. It doesn't deter me from porch sitting, after all, isn't that the beauty of moving to the south, Living the "Mayberry" life. I think porch sitting comes with that. 

Viewing the cows over the road, hearing the sound of lawn mowers as neighbours are trying to catch up with the grass that has grown so crazy after all the rain.
 I got plenty of reading done this rainy week. I finished reading two books this weekend. 
 Hazel Gaynor, The Cottingley Secret, this was an excellent read. I will add a review for that soon. There have been a few other books that I have read this week. Thoroughly enjoyed Guests and Guilt by Diana Xarissa. This was the 7th in her Isle of Man Ghostly cosy series, it's such a fun series.
Angela Pepper's Wisteria Wolves which branched off from her Wisteria Witches series. 
 For now, I'll be grabbing my Kindle or a book and sitting on the porch and enjoy the lovely spring weather,

Book Review: Better Off Read

https://www.amazon.com/Better-Off-Read-Bookmobile-Mystery/dp/1683316436/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526498835&sr=8-1&keywords=better+off+read+a+bookmobile+mystery

This was a very fun read. The mystery was excellent and there were many suspects. It kept you guessing to the end, with lots of twists and turns in the plot. I really enjoyed the mature characters in the storyline. The senior librarian and her companions are really quite quirky and entertaining. I really find myself invested in the characters. Some are likeable and others not so much and that makes the cast of characters a bit more realistic to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old fashion mystery, with some great laugh out loud moments.

Book Review : Cake and Punishment

https://www.amazon.com/Cake-Punishment-Southern-Baker-Mystery-ebook/dp/B075QJM2W8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526498110&sr=8-1&keywords=cake+and+punishment

This was a  delicious, light read.It's delicious because so many sweet treats are mentioned throughout the story and there are recipes for many of the treats that you can make and eat along with the characters if you choose. The mystery is well plotted out with no shortage of suspects. The story brings a woman back to her hometown after many years with lots of changes in the small town. There is a lot of southern charm sprinkled into the story.
The characters are charming, the kind of people that you would hope, (or maybe hope not) to find in a small community. 
Anyone that likes a good mystery, with a little romance or loves baking will surely enjoy this read.