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Book Review: From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria …

I received a copy of FROM THE KITCHEN OF HALF TRUTH by Maria Goodin in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

If your mother can’t seem to tell the truth…how true is your life?

Meg May doesn’t know what’s true. And she needs to find out.

Imaginative and free-spirited, Meg’s mother created a life out of stories. Outlandish stories, really, the kind you can’t possibly believe—unless your mother won’t tell you anything else about your past. After all, how do you argue with someone who tells you that a spaghetti plant sprouted on your first birthday, that you used to take hot dogs for a walk, or that your father died in a tragic pastry-mixing accident?

But as charming as those stories are, they aren’t enough for Meg anymore. When her mother becomes ill, Meg decides she has to know the truth. As the two spend one last summer together, Meg can’t convince her mother to reveal a thing about who they used to be—or who they are now.
Review:

Oh you guys, you guys – this book is lovely. I was drawn in and held captivated from the very first chapter and I loved pretty much everything about this story. The premise of the book revolves around a mother and daughter relationship and I really, really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters. Often times in life, we take things and people for granted and this book really examines this idea and runs with it. This book makes you think and remember things from your past and although it starts off fairly light, it picks up pace and really digs deep towards the middle and especially toward the end. From The Kitchen of Half Truth will bring you through a full swing of emotions and you will often times find yourself laughing and sometimes crying – but most importantly, your heart will ache with delight while reading. Such a wonderful debut and I can’t wait to see what Maria produces next.
Rating: 4.5 stars

Book Review: Inferno by Kate Austin

InfernoI received a copy of INFERNO by Kate Austin in exchange for an honest review.

This book begins with Dante (our main character) who is living successfully abroad in Europe and then one day, he receives a phone call home from his mother who is calling in backup to save the family restaurant. Dante returns home and gives it a go. He expected the hard work and dedication but he didn’t expect to hit it off so well with Elise, the florist that his dear sweet mom hired to help out as well. Elise struggles with the attraction too. For once she is doing exactly what she wants to do, but then Dante walks in and really shakes things up. The two of them fight hard to resist the attraction but will they succumb to it finally after all? Or will they be able to resist indefinitely?

This book was sweet and saucy all rolled into one. I really enjoyed Kate’s writing and thought that she did an excellent job setting the story up. At first, you think that things are going to be a little slow and predictable, but once Dante meets Elise, you know that you couldn’t be more wrong. I loved the instant attraction between the two and I think that Kate does a fabulous job at creating realistic situations and adding in a little flair and spice to really amp things up. I was rooting for Elise and Dante since they met and secretly hoped that they would figure a way to work things out and yet do what they want to do. And, without any spoilers, I think the author does an amazing job at satisfying the readers as well as keeping true to her story. Overall, this book is a really good read and a lot of fun.

Rating: 4 stars

Blog Tour Sign Up: Royal Secrets by Kathleen Irene Paterka

The Royal Wedding Chapel of Las Vegas…

Immersed in the regal world of weddings and romance, Lily Lavender grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. With her grandfather descended from British nobility, Lily’s position in the dynasty of their family-owned wedding business is as certain as the priceless family heirloom tiara glittering on display. But a life of working weddings for the family firm isn’t as splendid as it sounds. Her mother rules the chapel with a sharp tongue, a firm hand, and a heart forged of steel. When yet another of her mother’s marriages fails, Lily’s romantic dreams of a happy family life fade as fast as aging silk of an antique wedding dress. Disillusioned and discouraged, she turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own.
Years later, Lily—now a single mom and successful business woman—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily heads to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

On Tour: Transplanting Holly Oakwood by Di Jones

Holly will be on tour April 15-May 6 with her novel Transplanting Holly Oakwood Finding her lover in bed with her best friend was the…

Workout Review: Zumba Fitness 2

I’m a big fan of working out, and I prefer to do my workouts in my home instead of going to a gym. I have a pretty large collection of workout DVD’s and plenty of small equipment to help me save money on a gym membership – resistance bands, dumbbells, a kettlebell. A few months back I bought Zumba Fitness 2 for the Wii. I have some friends who took Zumba classes and raved over how fun it was and how they love to dance and move and how it doesn’t even feel like a workout. I also love to dance, so I thought this would be a great fit for me.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out. My first problem was with the belt it came along with. You have to put the belt around your wait then put the Wii controller in the little pouch, and that is what tracks your movement. Well, the belt didn’t even come close to fitting me. I was constantly having to stop and make it tighter or adjust it, so I kept getting behind. After a few tries I thought, why not just hold the controller? Doing it that way didn’t help my score but I wasn’t doing this for a game, I was trying to work out. If I didn’t hold the controller at all the game would pause and freeze, so I had to at least be holding it to keep the music going. The next problem I had is that I don’t think it was advanced enough for me. I never broke a sweat or felt challenged while completing the dances, and most of them I found pretty boring. As I write this review, I have actually already given about the DVD. It was worth a shot, but I think I might be better off buying more advanced DVD’s that don’t require me to hold onto a controller! If you are looking for a fun game to play and not really a good workout this could be possibility, but if you are looking for a decent workout, I wouldn’t go for this one.
2 stars

Book Review: Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown

I received a copy of BLUE-RIBBON JALAPENO SOCIETY JUBILEE by Carolyn Brown in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Miss Clawdy’s Café has won the Jubilee blue ribbon every year since the dawn of time. This year, town matron Violet Prescott is going after that ribbon with an iron-clad determination only thinly disguised by her perfect coiffure and flawless manners, bless her heart.

It’s time for café owners Cathy and Marty and their best friend Trixie to pull out their secret weapon. And this is where a lifetime of friendship, combined with just the right recipe at just the right time, might carry the day—or blow everything to smithereens.

Welcome to Cadillac, Texas, where the jalapeños are hot, the gossip is hotter, and at the end of the day, it’s the priceless friendships that are left standing…

Review:

I was instantly smitten with the title, description and cover for this book and knew I would love it from the get go. Author Carolyn Brown pleases from the get go with trademark southern char, twang and hilarious wit. The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee is a fun southern tale that delivers a very fun and authentic tale that could and would definitely take place in a small southern town. I loved the adventures of the women and I loved all of the gossip that went on. Friendship and family are key themes in this book and you can easily see how important they are to the main characters. I don’t really have any complaints because I enjoyed it so much. Full of sass and southern comfort, this book is a winner.

Rating: 4.5 stars

On Tour: Reckless Abandon by Jenn Flynn-Shon

Jenn will be on tour April 15-29 with her novel Reckless Abandon How far would you go for love? Young Adult fiction Author, Shaw McLeary,…

Foodie Review: Special K Cereal

I’m a big fan of cereal – like, I start my day with a bowl of cereal and typically have another for my before-bedtime snack. Yes, I am 26. Don’t judge. But the cereal I prefer – Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, etc – are all the very sugary types, and I know I’m not helping myself any by eating two bowls a day. So I decided to go out on a limb a few months back and try something… healthy. I grabbed a box of Special K cereal. I have tried (and reviewed) both the cereal bars and the chips from Special K’s line and thought both were great – and better for me. So I decided to try the cereal, to see if I could cut back on the sugary brands I loved so much.
I decided on the fruit and yogurt cereal, and am happy to report that I actually love it. I was a tad intimated at first because I’m not a big fan of oats (that why I prefer frosted flakes!) but with the yogurt clusters and bits of fruit in every bite I didn’t find any issues with taste. Now I always keep a box of this cereal stocked in my cabinet, and I love having a healthier option to turn to!

Future Tour: Eleusis by Genevieve Fairbrother

Genevieve will be on tour June 3-17 with her novel Eleusis Macy needs a break. Her parents are dead and now a moody trespasser has…