Book Review: Death of Mad Hatter By: Jenn McKinlay

Scarlett Parker and her British cousin, Vivian Tremont, are hard at work at Mim's Whims their ladies' hat shop on London's chic Portobello Road to create hats for an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea, a fund-raiser for a local children's hospital. It seems like a wonderfully whimsical way to pass the hat, and Scarlett and Viv are delighted to outfit the Grisby family, the hosts who are hoping to raise enough money to name a new hospital wing after their patriarch. 

Unfortunately, the Grisby heir will not live to see it, he's been poisoned. When traces of the poison are found on the hat Scarlett and Viv made for him, the police become curiouser and curiouser about their involvement. Now the ladies need to don their thinking caps and find the tea party crasher who's mad enough to kill at the drop of a hat...

Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont are back at it again, "Mad" with suspense and excitement in this "hare" raising tale of mystery! Like most of Jenn McKinlays other mystery books, I am quickly falling in love with this series as well. I love all the characters and a certain slow boiling romance between Scarlett and Harrison! I also love being transported to the quaint village of Notting Hill, and I feel right at home at Scarlett and Viv's shop on old Portobello Road. Death of a Mad Hatter is Jenn's second edition in the series and I love it as much as the first! It was very witty, fun and suspenseful. It really had me guessing up until the end, and you'll never guess who's just "mad" enough to commit murder! 

Book Review: Cloche and Dagger by: Jenn McKinlay

Not only is Scarlett Parker's love life in the loo as her British cousin Vivian Tremont would say it's also gone viral with an embarrassing video. So when Viv suggests Scarlett leave Florida to lay low in London, she hops on the next plane across the pond. Viv is the proprietor of Mim's Whims, a ladies' hat shop on Portobello Road bequeathed to both cousins by their beloved grandmother, and she wants Scarlett to finally join her in the millinary buisness. 

But a few surprises await Scarlett in London. First, she is met at the airport not by Viv, but by her handsome business manager, Harrison Wentworth. Second, Viv who has some whims of her own seems to be missing. No one is too concerned about the unpredictable Viv until one of her posh clients is found dead wearing the cloche hat Viv made for her and nothing else. Is Scarlett's cousin in trouble? Or is she in hiding? 

Loved it! Classically witty and brilliantly suspenseful! Jenn McKinlay has out done herself in writing this amazing little British crime cozy! I loved the descriptive writing and it really had me longing for a stroll on Portobello Road and cozing up in a pub in the heart of Notting Hill. I loved the characters very much and am happy to say, it feels like reading about friends rather than characters in a book. Then again Jenn always manages to make her characters feel that way, it's one of the many reason why I enjoy her writing so much. This is a perfect written "first in a series" and if you love Jenn's other books than rest assured you will love Cloche and Dagger just as much!

Book Review: Scandal in Skibbereen by: Shelia Connolly

Bostonian Maura is beginning to feel settled in her new Irish home, just in time for summer tourist season to bring fresh business to her pub. But the first traveler to arrive is thirsty for more than just a pint of Guinness. Althea Melville is hot on the trail of a long-lost Van Dyck painting. 

Maura agrees to help Althea meet with the residents at the local manor house, the most likely location of the missing art. But when the manor's gardener is found murdered, Maura wonders what Althea's real motives are. Now, to solve the secret of the lost portrait and catch a killer, Maura will have to practice her Irish gift of gab and hunt down some local history before someone else is out of the picture... 

It was a nice little follow up to a great new series. It holds all the same Irish charm as the first book and has a great plot with all your favorite characters from the previous book, along with some new ones. The plot thickens when Irish and New York city set off on a wild goose chase in search of a famous painting that has a mystery all of its own.

Home Tour: My Home Library

When we moved into our home (almost) a year ago, I promised myself that I would have a little slice of heaven all of my own... a sanctuary that I could go to to relax and a place that would provoke and inspire me. This place is my library and aside from all the reading I do here... it sometimes becomes my art studio to paint in, have long phone conversations with my mom and best friends from Florida in and a quiet space for the kiddo to relax and hang out to read her books in. It's truly my favorite spot in the house, my favorite space to decorate and no matter who comes to visit, this room draws people in like a magnet! So come tour it with me and tell me what you think!

Come on in! I love these plates! The top one is from my dad, he picked it up while stationed in Greece in the 80's with the Army.

I knew eventually I would find the perfect rugs and table for this room! The rugs are from Marshall's on clearance! They are also made with 100% recycled materials and assembled in India. The table up-cycled from goodwill! 

My "Chalkboard" style maps of all the place we've live in. Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, Mississippi & Virginia. Its actually made with white paint and painted make look like a chalk board without all the mess.

Can you believe that this little vine growing plant and the aloe plant has actually survived a whole year! OMG! Right?!? Scary LOL! I love my conch shell chimes and the painting in the frame they are both from hubby's and I's cruise of the Bahamas in 2012.

The framed painting above the bookshelf I think is pretty much my favorite object in the whole room. It's a special painting my hubby brought back while he was deployed to Peru in 2012. I love it because not only is it beautiful but he brought it back for me... but he saw it, thought of me and knew I would love it!

One of my bookshelves with lots of world travel nick-nacks.

The kiddo's bookshelf & a few places where I keep my photo albums.

My British Phone booth bank that actually holds all of the money I've collected from traveling. The kiddo's Russian dolls she has collected over the years, The awesome Mayan medallion that hubs brought back from Peru, My little Buddha that a friend brought back from the Philippines and my voodoo doll from New Orleans! 

 

My Mexican pitcher, my wooden shoes from Holland, More Russian nesting dolls of the kiddos, A little wooden doll from Korea (from my bro-in-law) a Boomerang from Australia and my ticket from the Vatican Museum.

My view from the couch I often sit and read on.

I made these little heart window decorations out of an old map. I cut out all my favorite places on the map and just glued them on some fishing line to hang up.

 

Even Ace loves my library LOL!

My little wall of paintings has grown since we moved in also!

My hand made painted curtains, made to look like an air mail letter. They look uneven but I promise it's because they just need a bit of ironing but honestly... who irons curtains LOL! 

 

 

 

 

So Thank you for joining me on my home tour of my home library! Hope you liked what you saw!!! I'll try to do more of these as I update the house! And please, as always let me know what you think!

Book Review: The King by J.R. Ward

Long live the King…

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?

Ohhh how I have waited sooo long for this book to come out! I seriously breezed right through it because like all Black Dagger Brotherhood series books, it's so damn good you just can't put it down! I am now sad though because it's over and it was over much too soon! I think I read all 500+ pages in about 3 days. Seriously though, its amazing and I can't stress that enough. J.R. Ward has outdone herself yet again! I also now canno't wait for Lassiters book come out and the Moor brothers iAm and Trez! This book gives a lot of back story about Wrath and it also gives a lot more page time to both Lassiter and the Shaddows. It does sort of leave a bit longing for more and wanting to know how its all going to work out in the end but, it is still very satisfying!

Here's just a few of my favorite quotes... if you don't want to know any details do NOT read any further! But you know you want to... just saying! LOL

“After shoving his former clothes inside, Xcor found himself bowing at the waist. "Your assistance has been much appreciated." Antoine raised his palm like he was getting ready to do a clap on the shoulder again. But once more, he caught himself and smiled instead. "Knock her dead, my man." "Oh, no." Xcor shook his head. "That shan't be necessary. This one I like. ” — J.R. Ward 

 

 “The angel popped his already mile high collar. "She said she wanted the holiest thing in the house to do it." "She got holey, all right," somebody muttered. "Is that Butche's Bible?" V asked. The angel flashed the goods. "Yup, and his BoC, he called it? I also got a sermon I did myself." "Saints preserve us," came from the opposite side of the crowd. "Wait, Wait, Wait." V waved his hand rolled around. "I'm the son of a deity and she picked you? ” — J.R. Ward

 

 “You love it right?" Lassiter asked, holding his Bible high. "I mean, you told me to go on the internet. I did. I even printed out my diploma or whatever the hell it's called." Opening the cover of the King James version, he took out a piece of paper and waved it around. "See? Nice and legal-like" Beth leaned in "Wow". "I know right? Just like Harvard" "Impressive" "I'm totally framing that shit, wha-what. ” — J.R. Ward

DIY Coffee Bar/Station: A Pinterest Inspired Project!

Hi guys! Have you been on Pinterest lately! Wow... apparently I am behind... I blame school getting in the way of all my free time LOL! Recently though I have seen these awesome pins about making a DIY Coffee Bar/Station for your home. I don't particularly drink a lot of coffee, but my husband is a completely different story. I also had this huge empty space in my dining room that really needed a bit of *something* and when I saw a few of these pins, I thought how cool would this be for my space!

A few weeks ago, I went on Craigslist and procured an old TV cabinet for free! YAY! Because we all love free right?!? And at the time I wanted to turn it into an extra book shelf for my library but... turns out it makes a great cabinet for my coffee bar/station instead! Once I gutted out all the shelves, wires, re-do the backing and put the doors back on it was ready to transform into barista heaven!

Between Kirklands and would you believe... Big Lots! I furnished the whole project with all kinds of cute coffee nick-nacks and signage! Our Big Lots and Kirklands both recently had a green sale and all their coffee decor at 70% off, and well lets just say I took full advantage of it LOL!

So... TA-DA! What you do guys think?!?

All Finished and soooo happy with how it turned out!

 

I just LOVE these cute little signs from Big Lots!

The tray, the ceramic coffee container, the coffee bean pillar candle and the coffee sign are all from Big Lots and cost me less than 10 dollars! You just can't beat that for cuteness!

Heartland Home Foods and A Recipe!

What my freezer looks like after it's fully stocked from Heartland Home Foods

Wow! I can't believe it's been February since I've blogged about something! So sorry I've been MIA for a while... Seems about right though. February was when I started going back to school (again) and well, most of my free time is stuck on doing research and writing papers for class. Hard work is paying off though and I am about done with my history class and so far so good... I've scored an "A"! Yeah baby! In the mean time we've been crazy busy as ever...

What my shopping for the week now looks like!

 Recently we started taking our health into great consideration. A few months back we went to a home & garden show here in the DMV and came across a really wonderful company called: Heartland Home Foods. They are a company that has been selling all natural and organic products in our area for over 30 years! All of their meats are 100% natural and organic. Their poultry has no hormones or antibiotics injected in it. Everything is portion controlled and comes vacuum sealed right to your front door! I now can go "shopping" in my basement in my giant freezer anytime I want! Best of all... everything and I mean EVERYTHING tastes amazing! My favorites so far have been the steaks, lemon peppered (per-marinaded) chicken breasts, and the salmon! I also made this amazing recipe of Rootbeer (yes, Rootbeer!) glazed pork chops! My hubby and my kiddo love it so much, they want them done in Rootbeer every time now! LOL!

Beef Tips, Stir Fry Veggies & Rice!

 Not only do they offer the meats but they also have fruits, veggies and just about any kind of grocery item you need. They have already saved me a ton on laundry soap, peanut butter, paper towels, dishwasher soap, pasta, shampoo etc.

Lemon Peppered Chicken & Stir Fry Veggies!

 I can't tell you what a difference using heartland has made all around. Hubs and I both have lost at least 10 pounds so far, and it's all just from portion control, eating healthier foods, and taking walks in the evening after dinner. He has had to put two extra holes in his belt just to keep his pants up lately! It's amazing! Even my kiddo now will eat her plate clean veggies and all! The food just tastes that good!

Sirloin Beef Medallions & Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes! 

 This is not a sponsored or prompted post at all, I just truly love Heartland Home Food and can't stress how eating healthy has changed our lives recently! I feel so much better both physically and mentally for providing my family with better health! If you are in the area though, do check them out they are really amazing and caring company and their food is awesome! If your not and you would still want to check out a company that is similar that might be in your area you can always go to the All Natural Food Council of North America and check out their affiliated members at the top of the page. From there you should be able to find a company in your area that also meets the same requirements as Heartland.

Spicy Baja Citrus Shrimp & Rice!

And of course I have posted my families favorite new recipe down below... Rootbeer Glazed Pork Chops, so simple to make and you will be blown away at the taste!

Rootbeer Glazed Pork Chops & Diced Baby Carrots!

Marinade pork chops for 2 hours in Rootbeer
Pat dry and sprinkle with salt.
Then add to grill or brown in frying pan.
Then in another frying pan, add 1 bottle of Rootbeer, 1 beef stock,
1/2 cup brown sugar, Chipolte seasoning, and Worchester sauce.
Then simmer and reduce by 75% to the consistency of maple syrup, add rosemary
and serve over pork chops.

Everything is Awesome!!!

Good Cop, Tako Man & Batman all had a great time at the movies too!

This weekend hubs and I took the kiddo to go see the Lego Movie... and if you haven't guessed... it was really awesome!!! The company the hubs works for had a few vendors sponsor a private screening for company employees and their families, he signed us up a few weeks ago for freebie tickets and well, this morning we had the whole cinema to ourselves! It was great! They had breakfast for us there, gave us cool Lego swag, and a $20 dollar gift card to the concession stand for free! Have I mentioned how much I LOOOOOVE the company my husband works for! Seriously... it's amazing! So if you get the chance, go see the movie... it will not disappoint! And FYI, Will Arnett as the voice for Batman is seriously the best idea EVER! LOL!

Getting ready to watch their debuts!

Shhhh!!! Tako man your crunching your popcorn too loud!! It's about to start!

Batman just sneaking a sip of some diet coke... LOL!

The kiddo keeping these three in line before the movie starts :)

Book Review: Murder and Marinara by: Rosie Genova

When Victoria takes a break from penning her popular mystery series and moves back to the Jersey Shore, she imagines sun, sand and scents of fresh basil and simmering marinara sauce at the family resturant, the Casa Lido. but her nonna's recipes aren't the only things getting stirred up in this Italian kitchen. 

Their small town is up in arms over plans to film a new reality TV show, and when Victoria serves the show's pushy producer his last meal, the Casa Lido staff finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation. Victoria wants to find the real killer, but there are as many suspects as tomatoes in her nonna's garden. Now she'll have to heat up her sleuthing skills quickly... before someone else gets a plateful of murder. 

"When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie... that's aaaa muuuuurdah!"

Who doesn't love a big, crazy Italian family and all the murder, er... food that comes with it?!? And that's just what you get from Victoria Rienzi and her crazy but fun family. The Rienzi's own the Casa Lido, a classic Ristorante Italiano on the boardwalk of the famous Jersey Shore. Victoria decided to take a break from the big city life in NYC and head back to the shore for the summer to learn more than her fair share of cooking, family business and a bit of crime! Right before the big weekend that has everyone flocking to the Shore's beaches, a famous producer for a reality tv show takes THE big bite right in the family restaurant! It's now up to Victoria to clear her families name in murder before the Casa Lido's has to close it's doors for good.

This great and spicy Italian mystery had my hand in that familiar old Italian hand gesture while reading, and singing along to "Papa Loves Mambo" and some classic Frank while I putz around in the kitchen recreating some "Rienzi Family" classic recipes from none other than the Casa Lido itself. This fabulous mystery does not read like a typical first in a series but more like an old friend from Napoli, with all of Victoria's crazy Italian family and friends along for the ride! I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of Jersey Shore tributes and classic boardwalk'esq style
thrown in to set a wonderful scene and mood, I also enjoyed the subtle tributes to that famous "familia italiano" lingo with flipping through pages reading words like; Cafone!, Bene, Cara, Brava and Puttanna! This book had me racing to the end to figure out who really murdered that big Cafone producer, faster than a angry Italian grandma. I loved this book and I think that this is one saucy little mystery that you will not want to miss out on!

Book Review: Going, Going, Ganache by: Jenn McKinlay

After a cupcake-flinging fiasco at a photo shoot for a local magazine, Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura agree to make amends by hosting a weeklong corperate boot camp at Fairy Tale Cupcakes. The idea is the brainchild of Ian Hannigan, new owner of Southwest Style, a lifestyle magazine that chronicals the lives of Scottsdale's rich and famous. He's assigned his staff to a team-building week of making cupcakes for charity. 

It's clear that the staff would rather be doing just about anything other than frosting baked goods. But when the magazine's features director is found murdered outside the bakery Mel and Angie have a new team building exercise find the killer before their business goes AWOL.

Going, Going, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! Once again I am thrilled by another fabulous addition of the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series! Jenn McKinlay (as always) keeps me guessing, and re-guessing until the end and even then I am blown away by the real killer! Great story, great plot, great twist and of course great group of characters that really seem to come alive in her books!

My one and only small, tiny, itsy-bitsy grievance is really not one that is a fault of the book or author it's just my own bias opinion, that Mel is crazy to be seconding guessing her feelings for a certain distinguished and handsome DA that just so happens to be her best friends brother! She has been in love with Joe DeLaura since she was twelve years old and he loves and adores her with all his heart... although I can see where a new smart, witty and attractive detective can wedge just enough charm in between her and her (what I believe to be) true love.

As always, I am left at the mercy of waiting for the next edition in this series, not only to see what mischief and mayhem Angie and Mel get up to next but, also to see who will REALLY gets to butter-cream Mel's heart over for good.

Book Review: Brownies and Broomsticks by: Bailey Cates

 Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assitant manger of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees. 

While working at the Honeybee Bakery, named after Lucy's cat, Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out, these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells! 

When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of a handsome journalist, a charming firefighter, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy will need to stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer... 

After a bad break up Katie Lightfoot moves to Savannah Georgia to be near her sweet Aunt & Uncle to start a bakery and start a new life, but scones and muffins aren't the only thing Katie is whipping up in her bakery, magic and mystery unfold after a local "wicked witch" is murdered and it's up to Katie to get to the bottom of who killed her...

This is such a cute and charming cozy! I enjoyed this mystery quite a bit, It's the first in the "Magical Bakery Mystery" series. It has a great plot, a great group of characters that come together just "magically"! I also love the bit of romance that is thrown in for good fun, it's always nice to read about a love interest, but this one actually has TWO! There is also a cuter than cute pup that has a character all of his own as well! This was a really fun and easy read and I can't wait to read more when I continue this great series!

Book Review: Do or Diner by: Christine Wenger

When Trixie Matowski agrees to take over her aunt's diner, she pictures lakeside views and delicious comfort food in the small town where she spent summers as a child. but the sweet scene turns sour when someone puts murder on the menu... 

Trixie is in need of a fresh start away from her cheating ex-husband, but she may be biting off more than she can chew when she moves to upstate New York to run her family's famed Silver Bullet Diner. Not only is she caught off guard by the small town's resident heartthrob, Deputy Ty Brisco, but her first health inspection turns into a nightmare... when the inspector keels over into his blue plate special. Someone made a deadly addition to an old family recipe, and Trixie is determined to find out whodunit. But between serving up orders and sniffing out clues, she'd better watch her back-or her next meal might be her last... 


What a cute and quirky "first in a series"! From the first few chapters I could tell I would fall "hooked line and sinker" for this this comfort food mystery that takes place in Sandy Harbor, New York. It reminds me of another of my favorite series (A Fortune Teller Mystery by; Kari Lee Townsend). It has a lot of humor and witty characters which I love in my mysteries. All in all it had a well thought out story with lots of detail, a very good plot, interesting characters, and a whole lot of "who dunnit?". I had my list of suspects but, was pleasantly surprised when I came out "double crossed!" I am truly happy with this little read and am looking forward to April when the author; Christine Wenger comes out with her second addition to this wonderful new series!

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!