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Vinegar
Book
This is a wonderful collection of 25 recipes featuring all types of vinegar from balsamic to white...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2298 KP) rated Murder Most Sweet in Books
Sep 11, 2020
Sweet and Light, but Could be Stronger
After surviving breast cancer five years ago, Teddie St. John starting writing culinary cozies, combining her love and baking and mysteries. She’s moderately successful, and looking forward to meeting the highly successful Tavish Bentley when he comes to her small Wisconsin town for a book signing. However, the event ends early when Teddie finds Tavish’s fiancée dead in the ally next to the bookstore. The murder weapon was one of Teddie’s scarfs. Teddie needs to clear her name, but can she do it?
Since I love both culinary and booked themed cozies, I was looking forward to digging into this debut. Unfortunately, I found the mystery to be weak. It started well, but it wasn’t strong enough overall. On the other hand, Teddie does lead a cast of fun characters that I enjoyed meeting. I did find Teddie’s mother a bit much, but hopefully that relationship will grow as the series goes on. The suspects are just as strong and memorable as the main characters. As a man, I was a bit uncomfortable with some of the talk about Teddie’s breast cancer, but I am sure most people who pick up the book will be fine with that. If the book leaves you craving some Wisconsin sweets, you’ll be thrilled to find the six recipes at the back of the book. Hopefully, the mysteries will grow as the series progresses.
Since I love both culinary and booked themed cozies, I was looking forward to digging into this debut. Unfortunately, I found the mystery to be weak. It started well, but it wasn’t strong enough overall. On the other hand, Teddie does lead a cast of fun characters that I enjoyed meeting. I did find Teddie’s mother a bit much, but hopefully that relationship will grow as the series goes on. The suspects are just as strong and memorable as the main characters. As a man, I was a bit uncomfortable with some of the talk about Teddie’s breast cancer, but I am sure most people who pick up the book will be fine with that. If the book leaves you craving some Wisconsin sweets, you’ll be thrilled to find the six recipes at the back of the book. Hopefully, the mysteries will grow as the series progresses.
Lindsay (1735 KP) rated Mommy's Oven in Books
Jan 24, 2021
Do you have a little boy or girl that may become a big brother or sister? But you are not carrying that child but you want to explain how that child will be joining your family. This book called “Mommy's Oven” by Brandi Pearce may be able to explain it in a way.
This book is done uniquely through the little boy's view. But it is also based on a true story. It was done well. I just love the story about the surrogate. It brings up the baking a cake analogy which is an original way to talk about making a baby.
I do just love the pictures. They look really real. The images are so well done that I thought they would be popped out of the book. That is how I recall the pictures looked. The story plot is good. Your child can imagine it as if they are the little boy who is getting a new sibling. I think it is good for both genders.
It explains it in a way a child will understand. Parents can read this to their child or children. It may even become a favorite of your child or children. It shows your child and children that family can be made up of different ways but the family can still grow bigger, just differently. Your children may have questions about it and this one good to have on your bookshelf.
This book is done uniquely through the little boy's view. But it is also based on a true story. It was done well. I just love the story about the surrogate. It brings up the baking a cake analogy which is an original way to talk about making a baby.
I do just love the pictures. They look really real. The images are so well done that I thought they would be popped out of the book. That is how I recall the pictures looked. The story plot is good. Your child can imagine it as if they are the little boy who is getting a new sibling. I think it is good for both genders.
It explains it in a way a child will understand. Parents can read this to their child or children. It may even become a favorite of your child or children. It shows your child and children that family can be made up of different ways but the family can still grow bigger, just differently. Your children may have questions about it and this one good to have on your bookshelf.
Recipes by The Healthy Chef
Food & Drink and Health & Fitness
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***IMPORTANT*** Please contact us with any feedback or issues at hello@thehealthychef.com. We’d...
Trusting Cade (Custos Securities #1)
6.0
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At 38, Zavier “Cade” McCade has it all: a military career he can be proud of, a successful...
M_M Military Contemporary Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2298 KP) rated Irish Soda Bread Murder in Books
Dec 26, 2024 (Updated Dec 26, 2024)
These Loaves of Bread Aren’t Deadly to Your Waistline. They’re Just Deadly
Three cozy mystery authors reunite to again present St. Patrick themed novellas with their characters. Up first, Carlene O’Connor revisits her Home to Ireland characters as Tara gets involved when her aunt’s rival dies from Irish soda bread. Next, Peggy Ehrhart presents a story with her Knits and Nibbles characters when a judge in a contest baking dies after sampling the first loaf of bread. Finally, Liz Ireland takes Mrs. Claus and three of the elves from Santaland to Oregon when April goes to investigate a leak in her inn only to get involved in some shady things going on with her caretaker.
All three stories are entertaining. I read this anthology for the Mrs. Claus story, but I felt right at home with the characters from the first two as well, so if you haven’t met any of them yet, you can easily use this to sample the authors. Given that these are novellas, I felt the authors all did a good job of bringing the characters to life, although I did feel the pacing could have been stronger. Still, I enjoyed all the stories and the twists we did get. I even laughed at that final story multiple times. If you pick up this book now or wait until March to read it, you’ll find yourself enjoying it.
All three stories are entertaining. I read this anthology for the Mrs. Claus story, but I felt right at home with the characters from the first two as well, so if you haven’t met any of them yet, you can easily use this to sample the authors. Given that these are novellas, I felt the authors all did a good job of bringing the characters to life, although I did feel the pacing could have been stronger. Still, I enjoyed all the stories and the twists we did get. I even laughed at that final story multiple times. If you pick up this book now or wait until March to read it, you’ll find yourself enjoying it.
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated My Little Scythe in Tabletop Games
Jun 12, 2019
OMG look at the cute cover! Ok, the title is a little strange to those who are oblivious to its origin, but I knew the game to be a scaled down version of Scythe. This version started as a fan-made revision by a dad and his young daughter to make Scythe more playable for them. It’s basically about curating friendship through apple picking, delivering gems, baking pies, and trying to just be heckin good bois. My Little Scythe. Just don’t play it on My Little Game Table. It’s definitely a table hog, but it’s a glorious table hog.
Accost me later, but I have never played Scythe. I have played lots of area control and pick-up-and-deliver games. I have just now oversimplified an already mechanics-simple game. Without explaining the entire rulebook here, you are these cute little animal “seekers” who are buzzing around the board collecting apples and gems to deliver to the castle, upgrading your movement or “make” abilities, completing quests on the board, improving friendship, baking pies, or even winning pie fights against your opponents! Each of these accomplishments can equal trophies for your team and the first to four trophies triggers the end game.
Ok the good stuff. Everything. I absolutely love this one. The board is BIG, beautiful, colorful, and it makes me happy just looking at it. The theme is so easy to love, and the goals are clear. The game play couldn’t be simpler in what you do on your turn, and the components are absolutely top notch. It certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome on the table, and I want to keep playing it over and over. Those are signs of a GREAT game to me.
So, the bad. Well, I don’t really have anything negative to say about this at all. At least not that is the game’s fault. I have different strategies I still want to try in the game, but that keeps me playing more and that is actually a positive trait. Ok ok fine, I will give it a couple negatives, but they are just MY opinion based on what I enjoy. Can we borrow the idea of the berry component from Everdell to make the apples here cuter and squishy? Can we linen finish the cards? Can we make the Quest tokens bakelite or acrylic or something other than cardboard? Can the trophies be pre-painted minis of trophies? Can the seeker minis be pre-painted? Yeah sure. All that could easily be added to this game. But be prepared for another $50 added to the price (maybe, idk, I’m not a component manufacturer. Jamey, what’s the cost to bling this out?).
I digress, but the game is super solid. If you see it in the wild and you do not yet own it, pick it up. You will certainly thank me later. Let’s just propel this one into my Top 10 Games of All Time. Looks like I am not alone as Purple Phoenix Games gives this lovely adventure a 22 / 24.
https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/my-little-scythe-review/
Accost me later, but I have never played Scythe. I have played lots of area control and pick-up-and-deliver games. I have just now oversimplified an already mechanics-simple game. Without explaining the entire rulebook here, you are these cute little animal “seekers” who are buzzing around the board collecting apples and gems to deliver to the castle, upgrading your movement or “make” abilities, completing quests on the board, improving friendship, baking pies, or even winning pie fights against your opponents! Each of these accomplishments can equal trophies for your team and the first to four trophies triggers the end game.
Ok the good stuff. Everything. I absolutely love this one. The board is BIG, beautiful, colorful, and it makes me happy just looking at it. The theme is so easy to love, and the goals are clear. The game play couldn’t be simpler in what you do on your turn, and the components are absolutely top notch. It certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome on the table, and I want to keep playing it over and over. Those are signs of a GREAT game to me.
So, the bad. Well, I don’t really have anything negative to say about this at all. At least not that is the game’s fault. I have different strategies I still want to try in the game, but that keeps me playing more and that is actually a positive trait. Ok ok fine, I will give it a couple negatives, but they are just MY opinion based on what I enjoy. Can we borrow the idea of the berry component from Everdell to make the apples here cuter and squishy? Can we linen finish the cards? Can we make the Quest tokens bakelite or acrylic or something other than cardboard? Can the trophies be pre-painted minis of trophies? Can the seeker minis be pre-painted? Yeah sure. All that could easily be added to this game. But be prepared for another $50 added to the price (maybe, idk, I’m not a component manufacturer. Jamey, what’s the cost to bling this out?).
I digress, but the game is super solid. If you see it in the wild and you do not yet own it, pick it up. You will certainly thank me later. Let’s just propel this one into my Top 10 Games of All Time. Looks like I am not alone as Purple Phoenix Games gives this lovely adventure a 22 / 24.
https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/my-little-scythe-review/
My Crochet Doll: A Fabulous Crochet Doll Pattern with Over 50 Cute Crochet Doll Clothes and Accessories
Book
Create an adorable doll and her stylish wardrobe. Isabelle Kessedjian's 50 crochet patterns include...
Cake Pops!
Book
This title features 25 bite-sized sweet treats. You can celebrate the irresistible world of cake...