Review: The Witch Is Back by Stacy A, Moran

Title: The Witch is Back
Author: Stacy A. Moran
Source: Given for free in exchange for an honest review
Amazon Link: Purchase

Blurb:

Tabitha Ashworth is a lot of things, a daughter, a writer, and a reluctant witch. She was also a runner, not a grab your tennis shoes, let's take on a marathon kind of runner.

No, she has been running from her past and her heritage her entire life. She's avoided her hometown for nearly a decade but after a cryptic call from her mother, she is summoned back home.

From the moment she arrived back in Graveton County she was flooded with her past and realization her running days are over.

Welcome to Graveton County where the haunted town is make believe but the witches are real.

Review:

What a cozy mystery! Def a different take on small town life. This crew of bubbly, delightful and crazy women make you laugh as they take you through their small town’s journey into a murder. The twist and turns of the plot are heightened by the friendly personality that the ‘witches’ play with one another. GiGi’s hit list, Tabby’s quick wit personality, the sherrif’s patience in dealing with these witches as they continue to botch up his investigation.

It makes you smile as you read.

I have read a lot of cozy mysteries and this one is right up there with an easy going, care free, kick back and relax read. I love how all the female character names came from television witches and that adds all the more fun to the mix.

It almost makes you wonder if that is what real life in small town West Virginia is really like ,...

Grab a copy today and see for yourself, you won’t regret it.

Solid 4.5 Stars!
             

Stephen King's Movie Adaptation: IT

Hey there ... Today's review is going to be in the form of an approx 120 second review podcast.

Love to hear your comments on what you thought of the movie too.

Talk soon everyone!

4.5 Stars from me!

 

Review: Inferno by Dan Brown

Title: Inferno

Author: Dan Brown

Source: Amazon

Blurb

#1 WORLDWIDE BESTSELLERHarvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon awakens in an Italian hospital, disoriented and with no recollection of the past thirty-six hours, including the origin of the macabre object hidden in his belongings. With a relentless female assassin trailing them through Florence, he and his resourceful doctor, Sienna Brooks, are forced to flee. Embarking on a harrowing journey, they must unravel a series of codes, which are the work of a brilliant scientist whose obsession with the end of the world is matched only by his passion for one of the most influential masterpieces ever written, Dante Alighieri's The Inferno.  Dan Brown has raised the bar yet again, combining classical Italian art, history, and literature with cutting-edge science in this sumptuously entertaining thriller.

Review

My initial reasoning for reading this book was the fact that I went and saw the movie. I really enjoyed the movie and I had read the other Dan Brown books and thought I should read this one too. At this point before picking up this book Angels and Demons was my favorite. I really really loved it. Do I think this book was as good as that one? It came close. But this book was so much better than the movie.

I really love Tom Hanks in his roles and before I read the book I thought the movie was quite good. But the details that are missed or changed in the movie from the book really take away from Dan Brown's story in my opinion.

The book's detail was fantastic, seriously great. Loved that I could put myself in the shoes of each character and feel their pain and suffering.

In the movie the twist that happened felt sudden and kind of abrupt ... in the book the twist, even though you know it is coming because of the movie it is still overpowering. I told my husband that the twists in the book I didn't see coming at all, but I was wrong! It was total misdirection and the twist I thought was happening wasn't happening at all. What a great book!

I want to give it a 5 star but the reason I am not is because I am comparing it to Angels and Demons. That book blew me away. And while this came pretty darn close ... it will be my second favorite. So this one is ending with a 4.5 Star rating. But it really was great. However in this book, unlike Angels and Demons after the story was over I did not find myself pondering over what happened in the world long after the story was over. Which is another reason why it is a 4.5 star. A non the less fantastic book that I really did love!

Review: Seed of Control by Lawrence Verigin 4.5 Stars

Seed of Control

By Lawrence Verigin

Genre: Thriller

Nick Barnes is back, setting off a chain of events that uncovers a conspiracy beyond moral comprehension against Earth’s entire population; save a chosen few. The scheme has taken generations to develop and it’s on the cusp of being fully implemented.

Agrochemical and pharmaceutical industrialist Dr. Hendrick Schmidt and media baron Davis Lovemark lead the scheme with the unerring belief that they are the stewards of humanity and that they alone have the right to decide the fate of the masses.

Nick’s chase spans continents as he works desperately to foil Schmidt and Lovemark. But he quickly discovers that it might already be too late.

Immerse yourself in the action and intrigue of this high concept thriller that may not be as far from reality as you might think.

About the Author

Lawrence Verigin is the author of the award winning novel DARK SEED and the just released sequel, SEED of CONTROL. He is currently writing the third book in the “SEED” series.

His goal is to entertain readers while delving into socially relevant subjects. Lawrence and his wife, Diana, live in Vancouver, Canada.

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawrence.verigin.7
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawrenceVerigin

Website: http://www.lawrenceverigin.com

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2efsQbQ
On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dvIcL2
On B&N: http://bit.ly/2dWAQQ5

REVIEW

This was a great book, and scary! It really makes you think what's wrong with the food we eat.

I really enjoyed how much this book made you think of real life and that this could actually happen.

You should read then for sure but be ware you may be scared to eat processed food afterwards ....

4.5 Stars, great book!

Sunday Review: Sage Blog Tours Presents: Unholy Bargain by Travis Hallden Holt

Title: Unholy Bargain
Author: Travis Hallden Holt
Source: Received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb:

An assassin is at work—one of the best in the trade. His body turned to dust long ago, but his spirit roams the Earth freely, undetectable to the five senses. He stalks his victims waiting for just the right opportunity. Then, in quick succession, he possesses a human host and strikes down his quarry. For a century and a half he has served this way.

Deputy Sheriff Nate Barrington is riding the crest of a new relationship. Kaitlyn Spencer is beautiful, altruistic, enlightened—everything he's not. She teaches classes in New Age philosophy at her growing school. Nate doesn't share her spirituality, but the physical passion hasn't subsided enough for him to care.

Nate's nirvana quickly unravels when Kaitlyn's life is threatened on two separate occasions. With no apparent motive or any evidence suggesting collusion, the police are stumped. Even more troubling to Nate, Kaitlyn is eventually convinced she is the target of unseen forces.

A hardheaded pragmatist, Nate isn't prone to believe that spirits can possess people. As far as he's concerned, Kaitlyn's claims of perpetrators possessed by a spirit assassin are on par with comic book stories and have nothing to do with reality, and her esoteric, New Age mumbo jumbo begins to drive a wedge into their relationship. And why Kaitlyn? What secret is she hiding?

Even with the sheriff's resources at Nate's disposal, the odds for Kaitlyn's survival are not in her favor. The true enemy is virtually invisible, and Nate's conventional police tactics have no effect on the spirit world. Strikes come from anytime, anywhere, and from random, unwittingly manipulated people. With their relationship buckling under the strain, they must pull together and join an unlikely ally if Kaitlyn is to remain alive.


Review:

Wow ... I gotta say I wasn't sure what to expect but this wasn't it! What a REFRESHING book!!!

I really enjoyed this one.

Okay lets see where to start ...

First I loved that there were multiple story lines all mingled into one. I really enjoyed the equal balance of different characters all while it happened concurrently.

I would have liked to have seen more backstory on each character some because I really enjoyed them all and felt like because it was so shared you missed out on other things regarding their lives.

The writing style was very easy to follow and kept at a steady pace. I didn't really feel like there were any lag times or things that just didn't need to be in the story. Very tight editing.

What I really enjoyed was how different this story was. The whole spiritual possession and all of that, very good!

I am so glad I agreed to review this book because for so long it felt like there had been a slue of disappointing books. And then this came along.

4.5 stars for a great story!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gluten Free Friday Home Made Recipe #15: Ground Beef Kabobs with Veggies

There is Mediterranean restaurant near my father's house that I absolutely love. Cafe Mezza. If you are ever in the Galleria in Houston I suggest you check it out. They have my current new favorite dish, Ground Beef Kabobs. It is seriously amazing and they serve it with this special rice and garlic butter dipping sauce. It is seriously heaven. So this is my attempt at recreating that lovely sensational dish. While it didn't turn out Cafe Mezza quality, it was still pretty darn good.

As always all my ingredients are organic and gluten free.

Enjoy cooking and as always, Happy Eating!

You will need these supplies
4 Kabob Skewers
1 Greased Baking Dish
1 small boiling pot
1 strainer
1 larger boiling pot
1 hand held blender

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground beef (as lean as possible)
Olive Oil - as needed
1 t of Thyme
3 cloves of ground Garlic
1 T of Cinnamon
1/2 large (or 1 small) Chopped Onion
Fresh Crushed Pepper (as needed)
Garlic Powder(as needed)
5 Small Sweet Potatoes, cleaned
1 cup of Green Beans
1 stick of Organic Butter (1/2 cups)
1/2 cup of Organic Sour Cream
1/2 cup of Hemp Milk

Directions

Kabobs (Do this step first)
Spread the beef out on a clean surface and spread Olive Oil along the surface of the beef. Spring equal bits of the Cinnamon, Thyme chopped Onion and Garlic along the surface. Mix it all together with your hands making sure the spices and olive oil make it along all of the beef. Pound it back out flat on the surface and cut into 4 equally sized sections.

Place the cleaned skewer in the middle of each section. With your hands mash the beef along the skewer until it is evenly distributed along all 4 of the kabobs.

Move the kabobs carefully into the baking dish. The beef isn't welded together very well so move quickly and over as small of distance as possible.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Make sure you drain any fat that seeps out before serving. You don't want a soggy meal. :)

Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Begin this step once the beef is in the oven)
Skin and slice the sweet potatoes and place them into the larger boiling pot. Make sure you fill it with enough water to completely cover the sweet potatoes and then a little extra for evaporation.
Let it cook on medium heat, watching to make sure it doesn't spill over, for 20-25 minutes. Once you can easily slice through the sweet potatoes with a knife its done. Drain them and move the sweet potatoes into a mixing bowl. Cut the bar of butter into 1/4's and drop in random places in your mixing bowl. Pour the milk and sour cream into the mix and with a spoon gingerly mix. Then with the hand held blender mix until the contents are fluffy. Be careful as these will splash. I put a paper towel over the bowl to limit the mess. Season with fresh ground pepper to your liking.

Green Beans (Start this right before you begin mashing the potatoes)
In the small boiling pan put enough water in to reach 3/4 of the pot. In a strainer (that fits inside this pot) place the cleaned and halved green beans. Place a lid on top of the strainer and let it steam for approx 10 minutes. Season with cane salt and fresh ground pepper to your liking.

Obviously you can use any vegetables you want but these offer a nice taste with the beef.

I am giving this a solid 4.5 stars!

Sunday Review: The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) By Diana Gabaldon

Title: The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Source: Purchase form Amazon
Purchase Link: Amazon

Blurb

The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser’s wife tells him so. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy—a time-traveler’s certain knowledge. Claire’s unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past; her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead—or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes.

Review

My my this poor family has really the shit end of the deal huh? I don't think Ms. Gabaldon could make it any harder on them - but I know she does since the Hubby has told me as much.

Anywhoo....

The last 3 or 4 chapters in this book were the best in the series thus far. While at this point I DO feel connected to these characters, it wasn't until these chapters that I actually shed tears with them.

I really liked the big surprise at the end, that was probably the most happy moment of the series. The surprise I mean is with the wolf.

I loved how Roger and Jemmy are coming in this story. As father and son. And I am enjoying how Roger and Jamie are coming along together too.

The author really does have amazing character development but jesus does it have to be so blood long!?!?

That's still my biggest issue is that these epic books just are so, epic.

It takes way to many hours to read them to get to the nitty gritty.

Of course I am going to read book 6 because now, I'm over 150 hours into the series it would be crazy to just give it up now ya know?

Overall a 4.5 for this book and a 4 star for the series as a whole.

Sunday Review: Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) By Diana Gabaldon

Title DRUMS OF AUTUMN
Author Diana Gabaldon
Source Purchase from Amazon
Purchase Link AMAZON

Blurb

It began at an ancient Scottish stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past—or the grave. Dr. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once but twice.

Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became a legend—a tale of tragic passion that ended with her return to the present to bear his child. Her second journey, two decades later, brought them together again in the American colonies. But Claire had left someone behind in the twentieth century—their daughter, Brianna....

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the circle of stones and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she is risking her own future to try to change history ... and to save their lives. But as Brianna plunges into an uncharted wilderness, a heartbreaking encounter may strand her forever in the past ... or root her in the place she should be, where her heart and soul belong....


Review

There is a lot I want to say about this series and honestly I can't remember if I reviewed the third book on my blog or not. I know I reviewed the first two. Anyways .... this was a VERY hard series to fall in love with. ( Read the Review Here ) But now, I'm hooked!

This book had the usual up and down of insane and crazy drama that just only happens to Claire and Jamie. I wish the author wasn't so hard on these poor characters!

We are really getting to know Bree and Roger more. LOVE those two! I think they are why I am really hooked on the series now.

Ms. Gabaldon's writing is amazing. It truly is. She has a flow that just, can't be met. I still read her books with the idea in my head of, If I was an editor what would I cut and I always come up short.

I just wish her books weren't so long. Even though every bit of detail is needed, and desired. It's such a catch 22!

I've now decided I am going to keep on reading the series. Like I told my husband ... after 120 hours of reading/listening to the audio books ... you are kinda required to finish!

Overall this is a 4.5.

Sunday Review: Murder in Paradise & Greed in Paradise by Deborah Brown

Title Murder in Paradise
Author: Deborah Brown
Source: Given from the author in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: Amazon

BLURB
Overlooking the waters of Biscayne Bay lies a mansion where all hell has broken loose:

...A shadow passed by the driver's side window, then the sound of breaking glass, small pieces hitting my back and arm. I jerked around, at the same time reaching for the Glock attached to my thigh. The last things I saw were the bursts of electricity flashing before my eyes...

In Deborah Brown's newest novel, Madison Westin must piece together the clues to solve a murder and save her best friend, Fabiana from a lifetime behind bars. Smart, sexy, and thrilling, Murder in Paradise will leave you begging for more.


Review
Oh how Ms Westin loves trouble! So I have seemed to skip a few books in this series. I read the first book back in October. That made me nervous that A-a lot had happened I missed and B-I may not remember a lot of the story.

Well good news, that was not the case at all!

I easily fell back into this story. It was like months hadn't passed since I picked up the first book. I started this book Monday on my way to work listening to it. And as the week went on, listening to it in the car no longer enough for me. So Friday at 10pm, I had 30% left in the book I sat down and finished it in an hour. I flew through these pages.

The 'mystery'  element has gotten better. I remember the first book didn't contain a lot of mystery. This one had me guessing a little bit and I enjoyed that.

Ms. Brown is slowly becoming a favorite author of mine. Thanks for the chance to read your novels!

Title Murder in Paradise
Author: Deborah Brown
Source: Purchase form Amazon
Purchase Link: Amazon

BLURB

Tears will fall, hearts will pound, and bullets will fly in Greed in Paradise...
 
Just when Madison and Fab think it's safe to dip their sexy bodies into the cool tropical waters of paradise, they get the shock of their lives when a friend and business partner turns up dead and they discover they've been written into his will. But nothing is what it seems, as the women find out. There are deadly secrets brewing beneath the surface of Tarpon Cove. Come along on a steamy, thrilling adventure as the two try to find out why their friend suddenly died--seemingly, without cause.

The fifth book in the series finds our sleuths waist deep in sexual tension, flinging barbs, and dodging bullets.

Review

Okay I know this is going to seem crazy but the moment I put down Murder in Paradise I instantly went out and bought Greed in Paradise and began reading it at 11pm. By 2am I had finished it and was cussing  Ms. Brown for only giving me ONE chapter of the next book. I NEED MORE!!!

 This series is playful, exciting and just plain fun. I love the Westin's. And I don't just mean the Mother Daughter and Son. I mean the whole extended family. This is a group of people who love each other unconditionally and it is really great to read that.

I love the first person point of view and the style of writing Deborah has taken with this series.

I really recommend this book to anyone who just simply likes to smile while reading. I wish there was a bit more depth to the mystery elements and a bit more of the sexual tension with Creole and Madison.

Other than that, it's perfect!

MY REVIEW OF CRAZY IN PARADISE 3.5 Stars

INTERVIEW

First and foremost ... How did you come up with Madison's character and is she based off anyone you know?
I met Madison when I first moved to Florida. She ran a small beach motel and used it to rent to every unscrupulous person that walked through the door, this was back before anyone could run a criminal background check. Madison was too nice for her own good and the locals used it against her, but what I really loved about her was that she learned from her mistakes.

 
How did you decide on the story lines for this series? They aren't totally believable that events like this can happen to real life people, yet you play them out in a way that is totally believable to readers.
Every one of my story lines begins with a kernel of truth, then I allow the writing to take me where it will. This way I’m along for the ride and I’m discovering, just as my audience will be as they read or watch something I’ve written. There is something exciting about not knowing where the characters are going or what they’re going to say.

How many books do you see for this series?
When I wrote the first book, Crazy in Paradise, I had no expectation that there would be a follow-up. Now here I am starting Book 7. I think it would be good to end in an even number.
 

What's up with Creole? Who inspired him and how did you come up with all his wonderful personality traits.
Creole started out as this hot-looking nefarious character that rented one of The Cottages and would walk through a scene from time to time and wink at Madison. What better way to give him more of a story line than to make him a cousin. He hates it when Madison forgets to inform people, “but not by blood.” He’s my fantasy man, alpha, smart, funny and easy going.

Zach – what is his deal? He sure felt like he took a sudden 180 turn. Will we be seeing more of him in the rest of the series?
Sssh––don’t tell anyone, but I got bored writing his character. He was too straight-laced for Madison. The deal breaker: he didn’t like Fab.
Zach’s gone––but I am contemplating a spin-off with Slice and the District Attorney with the fabulous shoes.  The beautiful, Italian, model ex-wife? Well, that’s the last you see of her. LOL

Will Fab and Madison be getting into any more near death experiences or will we see a new story line come out? Even though the near death experiences seem to work for this series!
Those two have more lives than a cat! I can’t imagine a book where they’re not in some kind of trouble. It wouldn’t be fun if their plans didn’t go awry.
 

What made you start writing and how many books do you have total?
I’ve always written, but never thought seriously about being an author. After sappy, melodramatic poems to a high school boyfriend (which my best friend thankfully never let me send) and a full-length romance novel that was rejected so many times I retired it under my bed, I spent a summer voraciously reading and decided I wanted to try again. This was five years ago, and still it took me two years to write the first book.
 

What is on the horizon? And what is the next Paradise book?
I’m working on Revenge in Paradise, which is scheduled to be released in the Fall. I’m also scribbling a sexy, romance/mystery novel in my spare time.
 

Who are your favorite authors and books?
I like Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Bond, James Patterson and Carl Hiaasen. I support Indie authors, primarily in the romance genre. I love historical; there’s nothing like a bodice-ripping, arrogant pirate.
 

Do you have any rituals that you do specifically for writing?
If I’m writing, you’ll always find me either on the deck or the couch looking out the sliding doors. I start with a chapter outline of one sentence. I usually run out of ideas about half way through and then start writing the book and see where that takes me.

Gluten Free Friday Homemade Recipe #6 - Banana Blueberry Muffins

Anyone on a diet knows it is hard to come up with new and exciting things for breakfast. So one of my challenges has been coming up with 'bread' products that don't taste horrible or like diet food. So here is my recipe for muffins. I think this would work with anything not just Blue Berries and Bananas. I really want to try some chocolate chips with this.

Let me know what you all think.

As always, everything is Gluten Free and / or Organic!

2    C Gluten Free Flour
2    tsp Baking Powder
1/2  tsp Salt      
1/2  C Softened Butter     
1    C Sugar      
2    large Eggs      
1    tsp Vanilla      
1/2  C Organic Milk   
1/4  tsp nutmeg, grated      
2    C Blueberries      
1    large Banana

Mix all the dry and wet ingredients separately leaving out the fruit. With a blender, add the wet and dry together and then slowly blend in the banana. Once the mixture is consistent  fold in the blue berries.

Evenly place the mixture in 18 muffin tins

Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

This was a really easy recipe to make. The prep time took about 10 minutes, which is how long it takes to preheat the oven. With little effort this was a gem for breakfast material.

The taste was good too. I liked to reheat them in the microwave and place a bit of butter on top of it when I ate them the next day. It was still delish and I know you will like them too! I give this an easy 4.5 stars!

Enjoy and Happy Eating!

Nutrition Facts courtesy of All The Cooks

Sunday Review: Rivers End by Nora Roberts

Title  Rivers End
Author Nora Roberts
Source Purchased from Amazon
Buy Link Amazon B & N

Blurb


Olivia’s parents were among Hollywood’s golden couples…until the night a monster came and took her mother away forever. A monster with the face of her father…

Sheltered from the truth, an older Olivia only dimly recalls her night of terror—but her recurring nightmares make her realize she must piece together the real story. Assisted by Noah Brady, the son of the police detective who found her cowering in her closet so many years before, she may have her chance. Noah wants to reconstruct the night that has become an infamous part of Hollywood history. He also wants to help Olivia and heal the longing in her lonely heart. But once the door to her past is opened, there’s no telling what’s waiting on the other side. For somewhere, not too far away, the monster walks again…

Review

There is a reason that Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors. It is because I can pick up any book she writes and just lose myself on her pages. This book was no exception. It was very easy to fall into the mindset of the main characters and follow them throughout their journey. It was fascinating and captivating.

Around page 6 I made a prediction of who the murderer was. And since there are over 400 pages of the book it took a long time to find out if i was right. There were 15 pages left in the book and I was thinking 'OMG WTF we arent' even at who the actual killer is!!' I was running late for work because physically I could not get out of bed. I HAD to find out if I was right.

And on a side note, I was!

What a great story and I am so glad I was walking around the Half Priced Book Store and saw this sitting on the shelf. I had to buy it and I loved it!

 

Gluten Free Friday Homemade Recipe - #4 Peach Cobbler

Everyone thinks the hard part about the Gluten Free lifestyle is you don't get to have any sweets. Well, that is quite wrong! Not only are Snickers Gluten Free but so are any home made recipes you make with the Gluten Free and Organic products.

I have never attempted Peach Cobbler before but I do love how it tastes at restaurants. So my first batch I was very scared but, I am thankful it turned out quite yummy!

Here we go! (As always, all ingredients are Gluten Free and/or Organic)


1 Cups of Flour

1 Cup of Sugar
1 Cups of Milk
4 - 5 Sliced Peaches
1- Stick of Butter

In the baking pan melt the stick of butter.

In a pan of water boil the peaches until softened then remove and drain.

In a separate bowl combine all of the other ingredients together and then once the butter is melted pour into the baking dish.

Cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.Can serve with gluten free ice cream if desired
 

This was absolutely perfectly delicious. I give this a 4.5 outta 5 star.


Enjoy and Happy Eating!

Gluten Free Friday Homemade Recipe - #3 Chicken Pot Pie

Now I will confess, I have only ate this once or twice in my life but I have always wanted to make it. I don't eat it in restaurants because I never know what is going to be on the inside. So after toying with things I decided why not make it at home, I mean how hard can it be right? haha...very time consuming!

So here is what I did .... (As always, all ingredients are Gluten Free and/or Organic)

Turn the oven to 350 degrees and let it heat up . Put a stick of butter in your pan and put it in the oven during this processing.

Chop up into tiny bits:
1 Stalk of Celery
1 Stick of Carrots
1 Head of Broccoli
1 Stalk of Green Onion

Boil 4 chicken breast in water and once they are fully cooked, chop them up

Remove corn from 1 ear and include in the above mixture. Make sure you mix everything together so it isn't all clumped into 'like' items.

In a separate dish combine:

1 1/3 Cups of Flour
1/3 Cups of Gluten Free Baking Seasoning
1/3 Cup of Sugar
1 1/3 Cups of Milk

Remove the pan and make sure the stick of butter is fully melted.

Pour 1/3 cup of the liquid mixture into the baking dish.

Pour the veggies and chicken into the baking dish evenly.

Pour the remaining liquid mixture on top of the veggies and chicken. Make sure all of it is evenly distributed.

Be careful, the baking dish is hot!

Put into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.

This yields about 6-8 servings.

Overall I rate this a 4.5 Stars out of 5!

Nutrition Facts brought to you by All The Cooks

Gluten Free Friday Homemade Recipe - #2 Corn Bread

If you are like me and you are planning ahead for the holidays and you start to freak out because you realize you now can't make stuffing at Thanksgiving and Christmas have no fear. Ashley's here for you!

I love corn bread, it is so delicious and when I realized I could bake it form home and make it Gluten Free I was like, SCORE! So here is my secret to having an excellent corn bread dinner.

(As Always, everything is Gluten Free and/or Organic)

1 Cup of Corn Bread Mix
1 Cup of Flour
4 Tablespoons of Sugar
4 Teaspoons of Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoons of Salt
1 Cup of Milk
2 Eggs, Beaten
1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil

Mix all of the ingredients into a large bowl and beat until a smooth consistency is reached.

Pour into a pan and bake at 425 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

This yields about 9 servings.

I love this recipe and I hope that you do too.

Let me know if you try it and make sure to show me pics!!

On a scale of 1-5 I rate this a 4.5. Don't forget to add butter and honey to give it that extra kick when you are ready to serve.

Enjoy and Happy Eatings!

Sunday Review: The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag

Title: The 9th Girl
Author: Tami Hoag
Source: Purchased from Amazon
Buy Link: Amazon

Blurb


On a frigid New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis, a young woman is found brutally murdered—the ninth so far this year in a string of grisly slayings. Homicide detectives Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska fear that it’s the work of a serial killer they call Doc Holiday, a transient who has brought his gruesome game to a new and more terrifying level. But as Kovac and Liska uncover the truth, they find that the monsters in the ninth girl’s life may live closer to home. And even as another young woman disappears, they have to ask the question: Which is the greater evil—the devil you know or the devil you don’t?

Review

If anyone of you are a regular follower of mine you will know that Tami Hoag is my favorite author. I love everything she does, even when I read it two, three, four even five times. The way she paints the pictures in my head with her words is excellent.

This book was no different. Zombie Doe - what a great character. Even though this character was dead I really felt like I connected to her. Her friends told her story. The cops uncovered the truth and at the end you could feel the pain. She was the real star of the book even though everyone else was doing the work for her.

I don't know if Ms. Hoag intended to send a political message about acceptance with the novel but that's what I took away from it. Aside from great writing there is simple unconditional acceptance. Something that in society we find so hard to unmask.

This body of work is something everyone should be able to enjoy and identify with because I think at some point or another we all feel loneliness and sadness, which is what Zombie Doe was experiencing when she was killed.

I highly recommend you reading this book if you like a good thriller.

Love Tami Hoag and hope she keeps writing for many years to come!

Sunday Review & Interview: Bride Undone by Kate Deveaux

Title BRIDE UNDONE
Author Kate Deveaux
Source I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Links AMAZON, B & N, KOBO

BLURB

Chloe Dobson is supposed to be getting married in a week, yet she can’t help spying on the weddings of total strangers. Desperate to catch a glimpse of what true love really looks like, she is having serious second thoughts about tying the knot. Until she meets the long-lost father of her intended groom. The hunk from Texas confirms her worst fears. She is marrying the wrong man.

Sexy older man Wes Michaels can’t believe it. Of all the women in the world to fall in love with, it has to be with his long-estranged son’s bride-to-be? Despite an immediate attraction, Wes tries to crush his desire for Chloe. But when she confesses her feelings, he is overcome by his need to have her.
Chloe and Wes don’t want to hurt Conner, Chloe’s fiancé. But wouldn’t a marriage based on a lie be worse than the consequences of their passion?

REVIEW
I have come to really enjoy Kate's writings. There is something about how she lays a story out that makes it very easy to follow and a joy to read. 

Often times in erotica you find that the plot and story itself are lacking. I am really glad that Ms. Deveaux's stories don't fit that bill. You have easy characters to like and feel for. The plot had a few surprises that I didn't see coming, which is always nice when you are reading a book.

Now, there were a bit of unbelievable parts to this story line, but that didn't bother me very much. I read to get away from reality right? So it doesn't all have to be 100% believable for me to enjoy it.

But I did have a 'OMG WTF' moment twice in the book, and honestly, I love when authors make me have those moments. Because it means I am really into the story and bamm something unexpected happened. 

I wasn't a total fan of 'Laura's' in the book. Granted she was just a side character, I wished she would have supported Chloe more than she did, without the need to question each movement Chloe made.

I never was impressed with Conner. So I am glad the 'hunk from Texas' showed up lol.

All in all I give this a 4.5 Stars. It was easy, light and a nice read on a Friday night.

Kate Deveaux is a contemporary erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. A former wedding planner, she has always been “in love” with love! Kate is currently working on several fictional stories – each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets and heroes who make your heart skip a beat. She is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of America (RWA) and their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. 

Kate currently resides with her husband in Arizona.

Connect with the Author:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads

Other books  by Kate Deveaux

  Click Here for Review




Click Here for Review