Review: Good Together (Carrigans of the Circle C) by C.J. Carmichael

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 3555 KB
• Print Length: 239 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Tule Publishing Group; 1 edition (Feb. 3 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00I8A57CA

Book Description

Mattie’s the eldest of Marietta’s Carrigan girls. She married rodeo cowboy, Wes, right out of high school and raised twin daughters. But now, in her late thirties, Mattie’s wondering who she is: the girls are grown and have flown the nest, and she and Wes feel like strangers. The life she’s known is starting to fall apart.

She can’t even count on her gorgeous neighbour, Nathaniel, any more. Diamond by name, diamond by nature, Nat was always there for her before, to help put things back together on the ranch. But he’s suddenly started avoiding her. Is there something that he needs to tell her?

Read an Excerpt

About the Author


 You can read about C.J. Carmichael here:  http://cjcarmichael.com/bio.php

My Review

 This is the first book written by C. J. Carmichael that I have read and I really enjoyed it. It is a modern, contemporary, realistic romance set in Montana.  I like that the main character Mattie is older and has grown children. I was impressed with C. J. Carmichael's writing style and with the story itself. I don't want to give anything away but Mattie deserves to have a better man than her husband. While I did find that she was a little naive in the beginning, she did quickly figure things out.

I highly recommend Good Together by C. J. Carmichael and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

Free Mystery Sampler

Click on this link:
http://www.amazon.ca/Dark-Side-Collection-Mysteries-Thrillers-ebook/dp/B00IOB2VQS/ref

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 18673 KB
• Print Length: 122 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada (March 4 2014)
• Sold by: Simon & Schuster Canada, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00IOB2VQS

Happy Mardi Gras!

Review: When We Met (Fool's Gold #13) by Susan Mallery

• File Size: 492 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN (April 29, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GPDYJ2Q

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool's Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.


About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women. Publishers Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Susan lives in Seattle with her husband and her tiny but intrepid toy poodle. Visit her at www.SusanMallery.com.  

My Review

I needed a light read this weekend and When We Met, the 13th book in the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery, was just perfect. Susan Mallery definitely has a handle on writing romances. In fact, this is now one of my favorite Fool's Gold stories.

This is the love story of Taryn and Angel. Taryn is a partner in the PR firm that has recently established itself in Fool's Gold. Angel, who is a former military operative and sniper, works for the local body guard company. Angel had lost his wife and son in a devastating car accident and did not think he would ever find love again. But this is Fool's Gold...the land of happy endings (for now)...so we knew he would not be able to resist Taryn's charms for long.

Susan Mallery knows how to hit the readers heart strings every time. When We Met is a wonderful romance and an excellent addition to the Fool's Gold series.

Review: Under Cold Stone: A Constable Molly Smith Mystery by Vicki Delany

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (April 1 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1464202338
• ISBN-13: 978-1464202339

Book Description

 "A weekend getaway to the Rocky Mountains. A Scottish-inspired castle of carved stone, imposing turrets, liveried bellhops, and panoramic views. Perched on the verge of one of the world’s greatest wildernesses.

They’re an unlikely couple: Lucky Smith, passionate environmentalist, old-time hippy; Paul Keller Chief Constable of Trafalgar, British Columbia. This vacation is a chance to explore their fledging late-in-life relationship, to indulge themselves at the famous Banff Springs Hotel.

Trouble interferes when Lucky, strong-willed and sometimes too stubborn for her own good, stands up to two bullies in the local coffee shop. To his horror Paul recognizes one of the young men as his estranged son, Matt.

In the early hours of the following morning, a frantic Matt calls his father for help.  Lucky and Paul arrive to find a body on the apartment floor, but Matt has gone.

Matt Keller is an experienced wilderness adventurer. All signs indicate that he’s escaped into the backcountry. To RCMP Sergeant Eddie Blechta, running is all the proof of guilt he needs.

Paul Keller  can do nothing but watch the investigation from a distance, terrified that Blechta is right.

Lucky’s daughter, Constable Molly Smith of the Trafalgar City Police, abandons her chaotic Thanksgiving kitchen to offer her mom support. She has no intention of meddling in the police investigation, but when Matt’s sad, shy girlfriend, Tracey, asks for her help, Molly Smith finds herself not only interfering but putting herself on the wrong side of Edward Blechta.

And Molly Smith is as good in the wilderness as Matt Keller."


About the Author

 Vicki Delany is one of Canada's most varied and prolific crime writers. Under Cold Stone is the seventh in the popular Constable Molly Smith series, which began with In the Shadow of the Glacier. She also writes standalone novels of gothic suspense including More than Sorrow. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County Ontario, where she rarely wears a watch. Visit her at www.vickidelany.com


My Review

 I have really been enjoying this wonderful mystery series by Vicki Delany. The latest in the series, Under Cold Stone, is an excellent addition. I am enjoying the new location: Banff.  Banff is a gorgeous village located in Banff National Park. The Banff Springs Hotel and its adjoining golf course are located in one of the most beautiful settings in the world as is its neighbour, the Chateau Lake Louise.

I am still trying to decide if Molly quickly set out to Banff to be there for her mother or she just really didn't want to cook the turkey dinner! But yes, Molly raced off to Banff to join her mother and her mother's boyfriend (Molly's boss) in Banff when Chief Paul Keller's son is suspected of murdering one of his friends. While Paul and Molly really have no jurisdictional power in Banff they do what they can to assist the investigation.

There are plenty of surprises in this story to keep the reader intrigued.  I really enjoy the characters that Vicki Delany has created for this series. Trafalgar, B.C. (Nelson) is realistically portrayed as is Banff in this novel. This is a fabulous series. While I think that you should do yourself a favor and read the entire series, Under Cold Stone can also stand alone.

Highly recommend Under Cold Stone which will be released one month today.

Review: Butter Baked Goods: Nostalgic Recipes From a Little Neighborhood Bakery [Kindle Edition] Rosie Daykin

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 30809 KB
• Print Length: 272 pages
• Publisher: Appetite by Random House (Oct. 15 2013)
• Sold by: Random House Canada, Incorp.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00CGI3JDO

Book Description

  Butter Baked Goods is a gorgeously illustrated cookbook, packed full of delicious recipes for irresistible baking that you will want to make, time and time again. These are recipes for the classics, rich in the nostalgic flavors of your childhood: from Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, Cinny Buns and S'mores; to Classic Chocolate Cake, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes and Good Ol' Apple Pie.

     Butter began as a tiny bakery in Vancouver, opened and operated by Rosie Daykin, a passionate home baker since she was six years old. The bakery is a pink- and pistachio-colored slice of heaven; its counters are piled high with glass cases and cake stands, filled with sugary treats. But word soon got out (the baking was too good to keep quiet!) and Butter is now famous across North America for being the home of the very best gourmet marshmallow. Butter's marshmallows are now stocked in over 300 (and counting) stores across Canada and the US. The recipe for Rosie's famous marshmallows is just one, of 101, tucked into the pages of this beautiful book.   

     Every recipe in Butter Baked Goods has simple, step-by-step instructions, and is written in an accessible and easy-to-follow style, so that everyone can create Butter's delectable treats--from grandmothers who have been baking all their lives, to teenagers making their very first cupcakes. Rosie's baking is not about trickery, flamboyance or hard-to-find ingredients, but about great-tasting, homemade treats to celebrate life's milestones: birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, baby showers, bridal showers--or just a gloomy, rainy afternoon when you need a little pick-me-up.


About the Author

 Rosie Daykin, owner of Butter Baked Goods, is a passionate home baker who had dreamed of opening a bakery since she was six years old. After a successful career as an interior designer, she transformed her favorite hobby into a phenomenal success story when she opened Butter Baked Goods in 2007. The bakery now operates in two locations in Vancouver B.C., and Butter’s baked goodies can be found at over 300 retail locations across North America. Rosie lives in Vancouver with her husband, Paul; their daughter, India; two fat cats; and a small dog.

My Review

 This is my favorite bakery in Vancouver. They make the most sublime marshmallows and baked goods. I cannot rave enough about their raspberry and strawberry marshmallows. We make special trips from our home in the suburbs to the west side of Vancouver quite often just to go there.

The true test of the cookbook though would be if I could replicate the taste and texture of the store bought baked goods when making them myself. My favorite cookie is the Big Sugar Cookie at Butter. I am thrilled to say that I have made these from the recipe in the book several times now and they taste exactly like my favorite cookies at Butter.  Next I am going to try the Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie. And when I get really brave I am going to try making the marshmallows. These marshmallows are the marshmallows that they sell at Dean and Deluca in NYC as well as being the marshmallows that kicked off the new marshmallow trend.

The book is gorgeous! It is laid out beautifully and it has many pictures of the steps as well as of the finished products.

I cannot recommend this cookbook highly enough. Now if Maxie B in Greensboro, North Carolina would release a cookbook my sweet tooth fantasies would be complete!

Review: God's Beloved Daughters Daily Discovering the Blessings By Merrilynn Grodecki

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 804 KB
• Print Length: 469 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1449777333
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: WestBowPress (Jan. 3 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00AYAKZTW

Book Description

Both a daily devotional and an in-depth Bible study, God's Beloved Daughters is a tool "to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith" (I Thessalonians 3:2). Throughout her years serving in the ministry of Christian education, and as friend, mother, and mentor, Merrilynn Grodecki has championed her passion for seeing God's daughters step into that grace-enhanced, mountain-moving, peace-filled life that is theirs in Him. Now, after decades of studying God's ways of doing and being right concerning all of life's issues, she has written this devotional to help each beautiful daughter of God walk in the fullness of life in Christ and discover the eternal truth of God's promises. 

 Wife, mother, student, teacher, lawyer, doctor, businesswoman, pastor-despite all of these titles, there is one role that takes priority over all others-daughter! Our heavenly identity not only defines and characterizes every other relationship we take part in, it prioritizes our daily motivation. God's daughters; His ambassadors to the neighborhood, the workplace and the world. Do you see yourself that way? Do you open your door in the morning to step out into the day with that kind of vision? Do your heavenly credentials, your Kingdom citizenship, define for you your determined purpose? 

Each day offers an opportunity to practice our ambassadorship and extend God's love. We awake each morning to love God, to serve Him and continue to be loved and known by Him... Walk out in that carefree graciousness that will compel the world to take a closer look at what makes you different. "I don't know what she's got," they will say, "'but I want it."


My Review

 I love devotionals, I love devotionals specifically written for women and I love books that me study the bible and understand it better.  God's Beloved Daughters is all three of these things. I found the devotions to be both insightful as well as thought provoking. I found them to be inspiring and to encourage me to delve further at times. 

This devotional, God's Beloved Daughters, is an excellent addition to my devotional collection. I enjoyed reading Merrilynn's testimony at the beginning of the book. It was very inspiring. She also provided personal insight into her daily devotions.   I know that I will be using it often for my devotional time.