Book Review: On What Grounds by: Cleo Coyle

 Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Village Blend coffeehouse... until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years and a little friendly cajolingw from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain was all it took), she's back to the grind, serving coffee, and solving crime-one cup at a time... 

With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are a few things she just can't get out of her mind... Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And... are all detectives this handsome?

Just my tongue & cheek review...

I just could NOT get into this book. It started off VERY slow and with a lot of mindless "Java Talk". I tried to get past all the coffee blather but I had a very hard time getting to the bottom of the cup... so to speak :P The plot and "mystery" itself wasn't all that enticing either, the mystery killer and co-conspirators were very predictable and weak. If your into coffee and don't mind dealing with all the "mocha snobbery" this book has to offer than you might just like it. Personally I wasn't impressed however, since this IS a first in a series... I'm willing to give the next book in this series a shot. Hopefully it will be a bit better, if not I might have to "ground this one out" for good :P

Book Review: The Cakes of Wrath by: Jacklyn Brady

Rita Lucero, owner of New Orleans cake shop Zydeco Cakes, can't seem to stop saying "yes". Even though things at the bakery care busy, Rita finds herself accepting a seat on the local small buisness alliance, a group full of colorful characters like Chopper Shop owner Moose Hazen and his wife, Destiny, whose personal life is messier than a cake someone left out in the rain. 

On the street following a heated alliance meeting, Moose pulls Rita out of the path of a speeding van. Shaken and bruised, Rita notices the next day that her prescribed pain killers are missing. When she discovers Destiny's body in the couple's shop, the stolen pill bottle in her lifeless hand only adds another layer to her mysterious death. But getting the frosty NOPD detective to stop focusing on Rita and look for Destiny's real killer will be anything but a cakewalk... 

I loved it! As usual Jacklyn Brady keeps me guessing until the end of this delightful and surprising mystery! I love the bit of twist that she tied in at the end of the book, it has me wondering how everything will work out... I hope we will find out in her next installment of this fabulous series! This whole series is pretty amazing, I love all the zany characters and all their "Sweet Southern Style" and flare! In "The Cakes of Wrath" we get to read about more of the neighborhood that Zydeco Bakery resides in and a bit more of the staff's personal life. We also get to see a bit more of that sexy-smokin-hot Cajun bartender that frequently gives Rita all those sizzling vibes, while the famous detective Sullivan takes a bit of a back seat in this novel. It's definitely an interesting read and I am excited to discover where this series is headed!

Snow Day!!!

A couple weeks ago it finally snowed a good amount here in Northern Virginia. The kiddo being a first "real time" snow see'er took FULL advantage of it! She also had two days off of school... and let's be honest, we all know the real reason for getting off of school for bad weather is really just to play in it! So that's just what we did! Here's some of the pics: enjoy and hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Ace is not a real big fan of the snow... lol!

It started out slow and then it started to grow...

Instead of singing in the rain, she was dancing in the snow!

First snowball!

Fun Times!

The beginning of a our winter wonderland... from my front door.

We shoveled our first snow, and then came inside and ordered a snow blower online LOL!

On our first day we received 4 inches, and then another 6 inches a day later.

Starting to make our first snowman!

Her first snowman!

Snowball Fight!!!

Daddy got in a good one!!

First snow angel!

His and her shovels! LOL!

Sledding for the first time!

It's beginig to look a lot like Christmas...

I have started decorating around the house (amongst and between everything else that's been going on around here). It's been crazy and I've been behind on getting the decorations done (which I hate) but they are finally up for the most part and done. I've got a few more items to put together and get up but for the most part I think the majority is done! YAY!

I added a few more items this year and while my mom was here she crafted me up my first adventskranz (German for Advent Wreath). It was so nice of her to make it for me and so special that she made it just for me. She is wicked talented at crafting and makings but then again she's always been a genius at stuff like that! It must be where I get it from! LOL!

So here's a few pics I took around the house, hope you enjoy the scenes too :)

My vintage milk can that I swapped out from Fall to Christmas floral decor, also arranged by my amazing momma!

Snow ball fight anyone?

Kirklands Reindeer knock off sign, crafted up by me.

Foyer decor, simple but I love it.

Vintage Lantern with Chrismtas Decor

Our amazing Christmas Tree, love how it turned out this year! I also swapped out the star topper which I've done in the past for a new and more modern look of a Snowman top hat! What do you think?

The living room looking all cozy and warm as the snow falls outside!

And of course my beautiful adventskranz (Advent wreath) made by my mom.

Catch Up! Halloween, Thanksgiving and all that's been going on lately!

 I'm am so sorry I've been absent for a while now. We have been so busy with holidays, events, visits from the parents/grandparents, work and school. So I will try to catch you all up on what's been going on.

We had a great Halloween, the kiddo dressed up as Snow White this year and the hubby and I dressed up as Beetlejuice and Lydia (from the 90's annimated TV show) and we took the munchkin to the mall for Mall-O-Ween trick or treating. It was awesome and the hubby was pretty much his own attraction becuase EVERYone and their mom wanted a picture with Beetlejuice! LOL!

My little Snow White, complete with Poison Apple and all!

Love this pic of her!

Hubby and I as Beetlejuice and Lydia

My hubby... the ghost with the most!

Lydia (90's animated tv series)

Hubby has been busy at work and has also applied to the masters program at George Mason University. I can't believe the man is going for his masters already but it's fabulous! I am so freaking proud of him and can't wait to see what great thing he does next! He is incredibly smart and can pretty much do anything he sets his mind to. The kiddo has been doing great in school as well, and is moving along "swimingly" in her swim class! I also have been taking some time and checking out a computer forensics program with SANS and am actually loving it!

Last month my parents came to visit during the week of Thanksgiving. My dad came up with my mom this time and it was our first time having him here at our new house. It was very nice to have them both here for the holiday. We went to DC and took them around to see some of the famous spots and check out the Christmas lights at the National Zoo, it was pretty and great time!

Thanksgiving 2013!

We went to see Frozen too!

And found DC's version of a "German Holiday Market"

Mom and Dad having a German before dinner at the Doener Bistro!

Zoo Lights at the National Zoo in Washington DC

Snow Tubing for the first time at the National Zoo with her Daddy.

This Friday is the kiddos birthday (on Friday) and the hubby's parents are coming up to celebrate and take her tubing up at one of the Mountains in Pennsylvania, it should be a GREAT time!