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Auburn (57 KP) rated The Art of French Kissing in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This is one of those perfect love/hate relationships that is believable and fun to read. Carter and Reid are at each other throats from the beginning and the way the relationship works out is swoon worthy. The competition isn't all it seems and the ending is perfect. I could not ask for a better contemporary food loving romance.
The only thing that would make this book better is a recipe guide so I can cook the food because it all sounds fantastic and I am hungry after reading this!
Last thing I want to throw in this; thank you for all of the nerdy references they were perfect and my fangirl heart enjoyed it immensely!
The only thing that would make this book better is a recipe guide so I can cook the food because it all sounds fantastic and I am hungry after reading this!
Last thing I want to throw in this; thank you for all of the nerdy references they were perfect and my fangirl heart enjoyed it immensely!
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion in Books
Feb 11, 2019
There are few pastimes that can compete with my love of books, but baking is one of them. The premise of this cookbook seemed rather unique, as it attempted to combine baking with fashion. There is even a delightful foreword by Isaac Mizrahi to further the theme. The author, Rachel Schifter Thebault, runs her own bakery, Tribeca Treats, out of New York City, and this is her debut cookbook.
The book opens with an explanation of Rachel's philosophy of baking. In the same way that a woman uses a little black dress as the foundation of her wardrobe, using accessories to dress it up or down, so too can a baker take a basic recipe for the base of a dessert and use simple alterations to create a complete "wardrobe" of desserts for any occasion. Chocolate chip cookie dough becomes white chocolate coconut cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, snickerdoodles, or anything else a cook can dream up with a change in mix-ins. I used the oatmeal raisin cookie recipe and substituted in chocolate chips, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and they came out perfect!
The book is divided into three sections: Cookies, Cakes, and Confections. Each chapter in the three sections feature a basic recipe to build on, with names such as "The Crisp Oxford Shirt," "The A-Line Skirt," and "The Leather Jacket." Following the basic recipe of each chapter are several more example recipes of how to alter the base recipe to fit your needs. Vanilla Cake becomes Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes, and Basic Tempered Chocolate becomes Cranberry Almond Bark.
The detail that Rachel goes into is also quite impressive. The beginning of the book teaches the basics of baked goods by reviewing all of the major ingredients used in baking - things like eggs, cocoa powder, and extracts - as well as essential equipment used, like a cake turntable. She then goes into the basic techniques of baking, simplifying them for even the most amateur of novices, and provides a pictorial guide for icing a cake and dipping things in chocolate. Each recipe is provided with very specific details on how to perform each step, as well as ideas at the end on how to dress it up further.
I loved this cookbook, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in baking, from the amateur to the experienced baker.
The book opens with an explanation of Rachel's philosophy of baking. In the same way that a woman uses a little black dress as the foundation of her wardrobe, using accessories to dress it up or down, so too can a baker take a basic recipe for the base of a dessert and use simple alterations to create a complete "wardrobe" of desserts for any occasion. Chocolate chip cookie dough becomes white chocolate coconut cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, snickerdoodles, or anything else a cook can dream up with a change in mix-ins. I used the oatmeal raisin cookie recipe and substituted in chocolate chips, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and they came out perfect!
The book is divided into three sections: Cookies, Cakes, and Confections. Each chapter in the three sections feature a basic recipe to build on, with names such as "The Crisp Oxford Shirt," "The A-Line Skirt," and "The Leather Jacket." Following the basic recipe of each chapter are several more example recipes of how to alter the base recipe to fit your needs. Vanilla Cake becomes Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes, and Basic Tempered Chocolate becomes Cranberry Almond Bark.
The detail that Rachel goes into is also quite impressive. The beginning of the book teaches the basics of baked goods by reviewing all of the major ingredients used in baking - things like eggs, cocoa powder, and extracts - as well as essential equipment used, like a cake turntable. She then goes into the basic techniques of baking, simplifying them for even the most amateur of novices, and provides a pictorial guide for icing a cake and dipping things in chocolate. Each recipe is provided with very specific details on how to perform each step, as well as ideas at the end on how to dress it up further.
I loved this cookbook, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in baking, from the amateur to the experienced baker.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Infinite Desire in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I have a soft spot for bounty hunters and space. Put those two together and you have a recipe for magic. This novel was exactly up my alley and I loved everything about it. After reading Katherine McIntyres Stolen Petals, I was jonesing for another story similar. This was a perfect match. With a fierce female lead and a deliciously devious male lead, the couple burned up the pages. Its not erotic however, having a plot interesting enough to keep my attention when they werent setting the book on fire.
Overall, the novel reads quick, but it is rather enjoyable. If you like strong female bounty hunters and the men who love them, I recommend it.
Overall, the novel reads quick, but it is rather enjoyable. If you like strong female bounty hunters and the men who love them, I recommend it.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Long for Me (Luminous, #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
Classic German Baking by Luisa Weiss is filled with 100 recipes of authentic German baking for breads and sweets! We learn what it means to bake like the Germans do and learn what techniques are different from us in America. With recipes like Apple Strudel to chocolate cakes that are to die for and even some healthy recipes as well. This book is the definition of German Baking that everyone will enjoy reading and making these recipes in their own homes!
This well-organized book is perfect of bakers from novices to pros. It the history of the each recipe before detailing in easy to follow step-by-step instructions how to bake. There's an extensive glossary of ingredients. My one recommendation is to have more pictures for a visual aspect.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This well-organized book is perfect of bakers from novices to pros. It the history of the each recipe before detailing in easy to follow step-by-step instructions how to bake. There's an extensive glossary of ingredients. My one recommendation is to have more pictures for a visual aspect.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2263 KP) rated By Cook or by Crook (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Val Deniston is hoping to turn her gig at the athletic club snack bar into a catering gig, but when she shows up to meet with Nadia, she finds the woman stabbed on her kitchen floor. With the police focusing on Val’s cousin, she needs to sort through the suspects and find out who had the perfect recipe for murder.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Black Arts , Tarts & Gypsy Carts ( Spells & Caramels book 2) in Books
Mar 14, 2022
47 of 230
Kindle
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts ( Spells & Caramels book 2)
By Erin Johnson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A carnival bakery booth. A deadly magic show. Is it the perfect recipe for murder or a clever sleight of hand?
Palace pastry chef Imogen is struggling to control her newfound magic and her potent feelings for the prince. So when the carnival rolls into the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to run the royal bakery booth. But her plan to escape her problems backfires when murder rocks the magician's table, and her dear friend is found holding the bloody saw.
Determined to cook up a way to keep Rhonda out of witch's prison, she sifts through the clues and the long list of suspects. Between devious dark magicians, cagey stage assistants, and a strongman with more to offer than just muscles, everyone at the fairgrounds seems to be hiding secrets - even Rhonda.
With the final night of the carnival approaching, will Imogen's shaky powers be enough to flush out the murderer before her good friend ends up on the chopping block?
This series is so different and quirky. The characters just make you smile. Iggy has to be my favourite I mean a flame with personality and a sense of humour what’s not to love! It’s just such a pleasure to read.
Kindle
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts ( Spells & Caramels book 2)
By Erin Johnson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A carnival bakery booth. A deadly magic show. Is it the perfect recipe for murder or a clever sleight of hand?
Palace pastry chef Imogen is struggling to control her newfound magic and her potent feelings for the prince. So when the carnival rolls into the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to run the royal bakery booth. But her plan to escape her problems backfires when murder rocks the magician's table, and her dear friend is found holding the bloody saw.
Determined to cook up a way to keep Rhonda out of witch's prison, she sifts through the clues and the long list of suspects. Between devious dark magicians, cagey stage assistants, and a strongman with more to offer than just muscles, everyone at the fairgrounds seems to be hiding secrets - even Rhonda.
With the final night of the carnival approaching, will Imogen's shaky powers be enough to flush out the murderer before her good friend ends up on the chopping block?
This series is so different and quirky. The characters just make you smile. Iggy has to be my favourite I mean a flame with personality and a sense of humour what’s not to love! It’s just such a pleasure to read.
Mike Wilder (20 KP) rated Tower Heist (2011) in Movies
May 30, 2018
This seems like the perfect recipe for a film.
Contains spoilers, click to show
This seems like the perfect recipe for a film. Take a few comedy greats, some Academy Award nominated actors and a great director and you have the makings of a classic comedy film. However something went wrong. That's not to say this film isn't good it is, but it isn't close to what it could have been.
The film is about a robbery in a very secure building with the latest security and the best staff that money can buy. The staff have invested their own personal savings and their pension fund with one of the tenants, a financier Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). However he is arrested for fraud and they find out that he has lost all their money.
The cast including Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Téa Leoni, and Juan Carlos Hernández is good. They work well together and they all have great moments. Gabourey Sidibe steals every moment she is on screen and she could have a great future in comedy.
This film should have been great. It was originally going to be in the style of Ocean's 11 but somewhere along the way it changed into this. You have comedy greats Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Ferris Buller. I say Ferris Buller because it feels like Matthew Broderick is playing that character after he has lost everything. The film felt like it should have been full of big comedy moments, but I couldn't find them. There are some very funny scenes but not many. As for the hi-tech building security mentioned a few times in the film, it doesn't materialise, all you are shown are a few cameras that are quickly disabled with a smiley face sticker! I was really looking forward to this, mainly in the hope that Eddie Murphy would give a performance worthy of his comedy legacy. I loved his films from the 80's. His films of the 90's were hit or miss until his performance in Bowfinger, one of his best performances. Apart from his role in the Shrek films there was nothing great about any of his roles since then. So what would he be like in this? Fortunately he is good. Not as great as the Eddie Murphy back in his reckless care free roles, but better than 90% of the last two decades of his films. The reason he is so good in Bowfinger is what makes this role work. It is because he isn't in the lead role. Take the pressure away from having to carry the whole film and he shines.
I was disappointed with the lack of great comedy moments and the lack of risk for the characters, but it is a good film, just don't watch this expecting a comedy classic as you will be disappointed.
The film is about a robbery in a very secure building with the latest security and the best staff that money can buy. The staff have invested their own personal savings and their pension fund with one of the tenants, a financier Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). However he is arrested for fraud and they find out that he has lost all their money.
The cast including Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Téa Leoni, and Juan Carlos Hernández is good. They work well together and they all have great moments. Gabourey Sidibe steals every moment she is on screen and she could have a great future in comedy.
This film should have been great. It was originally going to be in the style of Ocean's 11 but somewhere along the way it changed into this. You have comedy greats Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Ferris Buller. I say Ferris Buller because it feels like Matthew Broderick is playing that character after he has lost everything. The film felt like it should have been full of big comedy moments, but I couldn't find them. There are some very funny scenes but not many. As for the hi-tech building security mentioned a few times in the film, it doesn't materialise, all you are shown are a few cameras that are quickly disabled with a smiley face sticker! I was really looking forward to this, mainly in the hope that Eddie Murphy would give a performance worthy of his comedy legacy. I loved his films from the 80's. His films of the 90's were hit or miss until his performance in Bowfinger, one of his best performances. Apart from his role in the Shrek films there was nothing great about any of his roles since then. So what would he be like in this? Fortunately he is good. Not as great as the Eddie Murphy back in his reckless care free roles, but better than 90% of the last two decades of his films. The reason he is so good in Bowfinger is what makes this role work. It is because he isn't in the lead role. Take the pressure away from having to carry the whole film and he shines.
I was disappointed with the lack of great comedy moments and the lack of risk for the characters, but it is a good film, just don't watch this expecting a comedy classic as you will be disappointed.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Salad in a Jar: 68 Recipes for Salads and Dressings in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Salad in a Jar by Anna Helm Baxter are 68 recipes you can use to get your salad fix in a jar. This book comes with a few dessert ideas. With simple ingredients and having a salad in a easy portable jar, this is the perfect book to get yourself hooked on salads.
The author has put a lot of thought into the ingredients to make attractive salads that are both healthy and filling and you only need to purchase of a few simple items to get you going.
The first step is to make the dressing and there are 11 different dressing recipes provided. These can be stored in the fridge and do not have to be made up fresh every day. Once the dressing is made, there is a recommended order to assembling the ingredients into the jars. Starting with the dressing, items that benefit from marinading are added next. Other ingredients are layered above, according to weight and density, heaviest at the bottom. Dry items on the top can be separated by a circle of parchment if desired.
The photographs are inspiring and once you get the hang of it, this book can easily be used as guide to help you design your own Salads in a Jar in the future. This method makes it so easy to accommodate different tastes, just add or omit certain ingredients.
And for myself, as a vegetarian, it is no problem to simply substitute for the meat/fish.
I received this book Ten Speed Recipe via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The author has put a lot of thought into the ingredients to make attractive salads that are both healthy and filling and you only need to purchase of a few simple items to get you going.
The first step is to make the dressing and there are 11 different dressing recipes provided. These can be stored in the fridge and do not have to be made up fresh every day. Once the dressing is made, there is a recommended order to assembling the ingredients into the jars. Starting with the dressing, items that benefit from marinading are added next. Other ingredients are layered above, according to weight and density, heaviest at the bottom. Dry items on the top can be separated by a circle of parchment if desired.
The photographs are inspiring and once you get the hang of it, this book can easily be used as guide to help you design your own Salads in a Jar in the future. This method makes it so easy to accommodate different tastes, just add or omit certain ingredients.
And for myself, as a vegetarian, it is no problem to simply substitute for the meat/fish.
I received this book Ten Speed Recipe via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2263 KP) rated Logged On in Books
Dec 1, 2022
Does Julia Have a Suspicious Neighbor?
This Christmas, Julia has become obsessed with creating a perfect Yule Log cake to impress her boyfriend's family when they come for Christmas, but her efforts aren't turning out well. She is so desperate that she goes to a neighbor, Mrs. St. Onge, since her cakes were legendary. Mrs. St. Onge is an older lady, but as Julia begins to spend more time with her, Julia begins to wonder about the many people from Mrs. St. Onge’s past and present who seem to disappear from her life around the holidays. Is Julia in any danger herself?
The mystery on this one really drew me in. It is on the shorter size for a novella, but it had me turning pages quickly to find out if my suspicion on what was happening was true or not. As always, the characters are wonderful. We only see quick glimpses of some of the regulars, but they are still charming. And the new characters are great. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for a Yule Log cake at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
The mystery on this one really drew me in. It is on the shorter size for a novella, but it had me turning pages quickly to find out if my suspicion on what was happening was true or not. As always, the characters are wonderful. We only see quick glimpses of some of the regulars, but they are still charming. And the new characters are great. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for a Yule Log cake at the end.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.