Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

She called out again, this time her voice weaker and shakier to her own ears. Her voice echoed in the dark coffin around her.

~page 91 Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

What's your teaser? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in the comment section here. Thanks!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Anyone can play along. Just leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post at Marcia's blog and follow the links to other blogs to see what books are finding their way to mailboxes around the world. WARNING!! Participation in Mailbox Monday can cause your "to be read" list to grow exponentially!!


It was a quiet week this past week, with only 3 books showing up and all from Paperback Swap. However, I found a Goldmine of books on Freecycle....



The Tomato Festival Cookbook : 150 Recipes that Make the Most of Your Crop of Lush, Vine-Ripened, Sun-Warmed, Fat, Juicy, Ready-to-Burst Heirloom Tomatoes
Author: Lawrence Davis-Hollander
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 9781580174985

With 150 tempting recipes for those lush, vine-ripened, sun-warmed, fat, juicy, and ready-to-burst heirloom tomatoes, The Tomato Festival Cookbook is the landmark cookbook for America's favorite garden vegetable. Author Lawrence Davis-Hollander presents an exhaustive collection of everything about the tomato--from tomato lore, gardening how-to, expert advice on seed saving and preservation to selecting the right heirlooms for your gardenand your kitchen. With definitive recipes for such classics as Tomato Basil Quiche and marinara sauce to show-stoppers from chefs Alice Waters, Deborah Madison, Daniel Boulud, Rick Bayless, and Melissa Kelly, to name a few.

Whether you grow your own rainbow selection of heirlooms or are thinking of adding them to your garden, Davis-Hollander has the best advice on heirloom growing. As the founder and director of the Eastern Native Seed Conservancy, an organization dedicated to promoting our knowledge of useful plants, especially heirloom food plants, Davis-Hollanderhas handpicked the recipes and the chefs to contribute to this preeminent tomato bible. Along with an impressive background in botany and farming, Lawrence is committed to food preservation, sustainable farming, and the rebirth of the American Farmer's Market. For the tomato lover who does not have a garden full of plump, red heirlooms, this book offers a guide to the local Farmer's Market with a knowledgeable eye and an appetite for Green Zebras, Cherokee Chocolates, Box Car Willies, Omar's Lebanese, and Earl of Edgecombs. With recipes for everything from salsas, risottos, and Chicken Nicoise to tomato tarts and sorbet, The Tomato Festival Cookbook takes the tomato to new culinary heights. For anyone who loves eating, growing, preserving or just admiring tomatoes, The Tomato Festival Cookbook is as essential to the kitchen as the tomato itself.



Gooseberry Patch Comfort & Joy Cookbook
Publisher: Gooseberry Patch
ISBN: 9781931890434

Cinnamon, pine, cranberry and sage…and plenty of gingerbread! Comfort & Joy is filled with a sampling of cozy recipes that are sure to warm your family this winter. Try savory chicken with mushrooms, 3-cheese potatoes and parmesan herb bread. Top off the meal with rich and creamy snow cocoa and farmhouse cut-out cookies. Tips include decorating touches that evoke memories of home and Gooseberry Patch also included an entire chapter of crafts and comforting holiday memories you’ll enjoy all season long.



Daughters of Lancaster County Trilogy
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
PublisherL Barbour Publishing, Inc.
3 Novels in One: The Storekeeper's Daughter/The Quilter's Daughter/The Bishop's Daughter
ISBN: 9780739476635

The riveting story of a kidnapped Amish child is told through three bestselling novels set in Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Amish country. From the beginning, Naomi Fisher blames herself for the family's tragedy and journeys away from home to find a purpose for living. Abby Miller leaves her successful Ohio quilt shop to help the Fisher family, but how long can she continue to put her dreams on hold? Leona Weaver is dedicated to her family and community, but when she falls in love with an outsider, could this friendship bring the haunting tale of a kidnapped boy full circle?

On Friday, I saw a posting come through my local FreeCycle.com group for some Mary Higgins Clark books. I'm a cozy mystery nut, so I emailed and was fortunate enough to get them. Since the lady offering them was right near where my husband works, he stopped and picked them up. To my great surprise, the box held 31 books!!!!!

Mary Higgins Clark:
1. Where Are the Children
2. A Stranger is Watching
3. The Cradle Will Fall
4. Stillwatch
5. A Cry in the Night
6. Weep No More, My Lady
7. All Around the Town
8. I'll Be Seeing You
9. Remember Me
10. Let Me Call You Sweetheart
11. Silent Night
12. Moonlight Becomes You
13. Before I say Goodbye
14. Deck the Halls
15. Daddy's Little Girl
16. The Second Time Around
17. The Christmas Thief
18. Santa Cruise

Others in the box:

Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
The Crush by Sandra Brown
After the Night by Linda Howard
Hide by Lisa Gardner
The Wrong Side of Dead by Jordan Dane
Cut to the Quick: A Novel by Dianne Emley
Hand of Evil (Ali Reynolds, #3) by J.A. Jance
The Death Dealer by Heather Graham
Ransom by Danielle Steel
Critical by Robin Cook
Don't Cry Now: A Novel by Joy Fielding
Walking After Midnight by Karen Robards
The Slasher: A Novel of Suspense by Michael Collins

It felt like Christmas opening the box and finding so many books and new to me authors!! There were a couple of duplicates that have already found a good home with a fellow cozy mystery lover :) Yes, I had to post, because I know you all understand the excitement that comes with a bunch of great books!!

Review: The Cool Woman

The Cool Woman
Author: John Aubrey Anderson
Publisher: Fidelis Books - B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780805464801
Audience: Older teen through Adult
Rating: 5 out of 5
Release Date: July 1, 2010

Synopsis: (from B&H website)

In 1970, Bill Mann, a pilot who sought to make aerial combat his guiding star, is already lost whether he knows it or not. Although he’s at the top of his Air Force class and marries a beautiful girl, his life is centered on drinking and partying—perhaps a way to escape the haunting memory of having to kill two white men who beat his black mother to death when he was ten years old.

Upon leaving to spend a year in Vietnam flying combat missions aboard his aircraft, The Cool Woman, Bill remains confident and considers himself “the envied of the envied.” But soon enough his wife is leaving him, and a downward spiral of Mann’s heart, soul, and survival odds has begun.

This military thriller will keep you captive and hold you in its grip until the very last page. "The Cool Woman" transports you back to the early '70's Vietnam War, where the main character, Bill Mann, is a Douglas A-1 Skyraider pilot who's main mission is to rescue downed pilots and other military troops that are in trouble. Bill is such a believable and engaging multi-layered character who entrances you with his story and sears himself to your memory long after the story is finished.

John Aubrey Anderson brings his experiences of being a pilot in Southeast Asia to make this an extremely realistic book. I found myself feeling like I was sitting in the cockpit of the plane on the missions, at the base intermingling with the other pilots, and even had times I was hungry for a bologna, cheese and pickle sandwich.

"The Cool Woman" is a fantastic read. It will keep you spell bound, make your heart race, and even make you squirm with anticipation at the suspense. The storyline is well written with an exciting plot. It holds a theme of honesty, integrity, trust and brotherhood that is important when everyone's life is on the line, but also intermingles some humor that is sure to make you smile. Throughout the book runs the question and the importance of God and when all the chips are down, where does one turn. The book holds and excellent message without being overbearing on the subject, and in my opinion, a very realistic view and message.

I really look forward to reading other books by Mr. Anderson. I find his style both enjoyable and easy for both sexes to relate to.

To learn more about the author, you can visit his website at: http://www.johnaubreyanderson.com/

A huge thank you to B&H for providing this book for me to review.

Booking Through Thursday

(BTT is hosted by http://btt2.wordpress.com)

This week's question:

The northern hemisphere, at least, is socked in by winter right now… So, on a cold, wintry day, when you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book on the couch … what kind of reading do you want to do?


When it's stormy out, I like nothing better than to grab a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate and snuggle under a nice warm afghan with a cozy mystery or a good Christian fiction. There's just something about those books that can warm me up inside and make me smile when I'm finished reading them.

The funny thing is, I got hooked on Patricia Wentworth's "Miss Silver Mysteries" after I found a whole stack of them at a yard sale. I bought them along with a beautiful peach colored knitting afghan that has since been my favorite afghan to curl under when I read. (you can see it under my stack of books I received on my Mailbox Monday post)

Review: Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day

Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients
Authors: Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë François
Published by: Thomas Dunne Books
ISBN: 9780312545529
Audience: Everyone
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

From the authors of the groundbreaking Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day comes a new cookbook filled with quick and easy recipes for healthy bread

Their first book was called "stupendous," "genius," and "the holy grail of bread making." Now, in their much-anticipated second book, Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë François have taken their super-fast method and adapted it for the health-conscious baker, focusing on whole grains and other healthier ingredients.

The method is still quick and simple, producing professional-quality results with each warm, fragrant, hearty loaf. In just five minutes a day of active preparation time, you can create delectable, healthy treats such as 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Grain Garlic Knots with Parsley and Olive Oil, Black-and-White Braided Pumpernickel and Rye Loaf, Cherry Black Pepper Focaccia, Pumpkin Pie Brioche, Chocolate Tangerine Bars, and a variety of gluten-free breads. And many of the recipes are 100% whole grain.

Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day will show you that there is time enough for home-baked bread, and that it can be part of a healthy diet. Calling all bread lovers: Whether you are looking for more whole grains, watching your weight, trying to reduce your cholesterol, or just care about what goes into your body, this book is a must-have.

My Comments:

I was very excited to be able to have the chance to review this book. I've heard so much about it, but have been skeptical with the idea of no kneading and no work. I mean, everyone knows bread is a time suck and it requires work - at least good bread does, right? Well, that is until now. This book is everything that one could want. It's fast, easy and just plain fun!

I took my time with getting a review done, as I wanted to test the recipes, as well as read the book. The writing style and explanation of the methods used are well written and easy to understand. The sections on ingredients and equipment are well covered, and the tips and techniques section is a big help. There are so many photos in the master recipe section demonstrating how to mix the dough, shape it, and bake it, as well as other techniques that show you how to make other types of breads, bagels, pitas, etc.

I put the book to the test and started out with the master recipe. I used King Arthur for the whole wheat flour and Hodgson Mill vital wheat gluten. According to the book, the vital wheat gluten would be easy to find at the grocery store or places like Walmart, however, in my area (we are quite remote and rural), I didn't find any, so I ordered it online. I also didn't have a pizza/baking stone, so I used a cookie sheet with good results. I will be investing in the baking stone, though.

The dough mixed easily in my bucket (I used a 5-qt ice cream pail), however, I had to make sure to get the flour to mix in on the bottom. Then the dough sat and rested and boy, did it rise! It came out of the bucket, and I needed to lightly pat it down a little. It did the same in the fridge, but settled and didn't raise any more. After 48 hours, the dough was ready to use. I followed the step-by-step instructions and photos, and ended up with a nice loaf of bread that I was certainly proud of. Yes, this bread looked about like the one on the cover of the book!!

The recipes are easy and delicious, and certainly will make you excited with the results. I did find that I liked more salt in some of the recipes, so I did make a note and added more the next time around. I've made quite a few of the recipes, and haven't been disappointed yet. My family is enjoying the artisan-type bread, and we aren't paying a fortune for it. Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day is a MUST for everyone's kitchen library!!!

Make sure you stop by the authors' website and have a look around. They have a lot of great recipes and ideas that will definitely make you want to get in the kitchen and bake! You can find their website here: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

This book was supplied by Anna from FSB Associates for review. Thank you, Anna, for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing this book!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

"His remorse intensified when he saw her red-rimmed eyes. Callie dropped to her knees and threw her body over the pup with the wagging tail and happy jowls and hugged him close."

~page 115 A Shore Thing: An Otter Bay Novel by Julie Carobini

What's your teaser? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in the comment section here. Thanks!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Anyone can play along. Just leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post at Marcia's blog and follow the links to other blogs to see what books are finding their way to mailboxes around the world. WARNING!! Participation in Mailbox Monday can cause your "to be read" list to grow exponentially!!


I had a great mail week this past week - 6 books in all :)



1. Angel's Den by Jamie Carie - B&H Books
2. Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman - Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze program
3. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - ARC from B&N First Look program
4. Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Carol - ARC from B&H Books
5. The Puzzle Palace by James Bamford - Paperback Swap
6. Scarf Style by Pam Allen - Paperback Swap