Category: This bookish life

Review: Retired Witches series by Joyce and Jim Lavene

I first discovered Joyce and Jim Lavene’s books when I read A Touch of Gold from their Missing Pieces mysteries.  I hadn’t read any of their other series until after their untimely deaths.  When the Save Our Cozies Facebook group posted the idea for an online “book tour” to celebrate their posthumously published upcoming release, Putting on the Witch, I knew I had to be involved.
To prepare for the new book, I had to get my hands on the first two books in the series, Spell Booked and Looking for Mr. Good Witch. So, off to the Kindle store I went to download the books.
 
From the first sentence of Spell Booked, Candle flame burning bright, With your flame on this night, Trap the evil, seal it well, in this stone, make it remain. Never to be free again, I was hooked.
 
Olivia, Molly, and Elise realize that they are aging and their powers are waning. They are working to recruit younger witches to strengthen their coven so they may retire “to Boca”, when Olivia is murdered and their spell book goes missing.  It is up to Molly and Elise to figure out the culprit and get their spell book back. They need more than their waning magic powers to do so.  I really enjoyed this look into the everyday life of “normal” witches.
 
In Looking for Mr. Good Witch, Molly, Elise and Olivia’s ghost are up against a sea witch who is going up and down the coast of the Carolina’s in search of the perfect mate, leaving young male witches who don’t measure up, dead in her wake. With the help of a selkie (a mythical creature that resembles a seal while in the water and a human while on land) and a mermaid that loves crème puffs, they are determined to keep their friend Brian out of the sea witch’s clutches. The more I read this series the more I like the main characters. Molly and Elise are so interesting and the fact that Olivia’s ghost is involved is wonderful.
 
I saved the best for last…
 
Putting on the Witch was released on October 4, 2016.  I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for my honest review.
 
The coven’s spell book is still missing. Molly, Elise, Olivia’s ghost and Dorothy are excited to be invited to the exclusive Witches Ball.  When a member of the Grand Council of Witches is murdered at the ball, the castle is on lock down.  The ladies, and Dorothy’s boyfriend Brian, are determined to figure out who did it, all while trying to hide Oliva’s ghost from the Grand Council of Witches.  Was it Dorothy under her father, Drago’s influence?  Was it Drago? Was it another Council member?
 
I absolutely loved this series and I can’t believe that, along with Joyce and Jim, they are gone.  One can only imagine what other creative characters and worlds they would have come up with together.
 
If you want to learn more about Joyce and Jim Lavene and their writing, please visit their website.

 

For a list of their cozy mysteries, please go to Joyce and Jim Lavene’s Cozy Mysteries.
 
Thanks for reading

This blog post is part of the Putting on the Witch Great Escapes Book Tour.  You can see more about the book tour HERE.  To participate in the rafflecopter giveaway go HERE.

2016 Goodreads Reading Challenge

Each year, I join in on the Goodreads Reading Challenge.  
 
I recently hit my goal of reading 80 books during 2016.  I have read 86 books from 1/1/16 to 10/7/16. And I’m wondering why I’m so tired!!!  I must say that I’ve even impressed myself.  I had actually started out trying to read a book each month by an author I’ve avoided.  I made it through several months before I gave up.  Some of those books are on this list.  Here is the list of the varied and interesting books that I have read, so far, during 2016.
1.           365 Days of Clean Eating Recipes – Emma Katie
2.           A Shadow from Within – C.A. Eroh
3.           A Tine to Live, A Tine – Edith Maxwell
4.           Apocolypsis – Elle Casey
5.           Becoming Human –  Eliza Green
6.           Best Boy – Eli Gottleib
7.           Bitter is the New Black – Jen Lancaster
8.           Britt-Marie Was Here – Frederick Blackman
9.           Brooklyn – Colm Toibin
10.       Buffalo Jump Blues – Keith McCafferty
11.       Butterfly Boy – Mary Hiker
12.       Cappucinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse – Harper Lin
13.       Cavendon Hall – Barbara Taylor Bradford
14.       Cavendon Luck – Barbara Taylor Bradford
15.       Cavendon Women – Barbara Taylor Bradford
16.       Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Gailbraith
17.       Curious Minds – Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton
18.       Dad is Fat – Jim Gaffigan
19.       Don’t You Cry – Mary Kubica
20.       Echo – Pam Munoz Ryan
21.       Eight Hundred Grapes – Laura Dave
22.       EMP – Orion Enzo Gaudio
23.       Farmhouse Rules – Nancy Fuller
24.       Feather Brained – Bob Tarte
25.       Feta Attraction – Suzannah Hardy
26.       Food, Gift, Love – Maggie Battista
27.       Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini – Sue Ann Jaffarian
28.       Going Home – A. American
29.       Granny Dan – Danielle Steele
30.       Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes
31.       Hood – Evan Pickering
32.       Into the Mist – Lee Murray
33.       Kinesiology Taping: Your Guide to the Best Methods and Techniques – Alex Karr
34.       Looking for Mr. Good Witch – Joyce and Jim Lavene
35.       Misty Manor – Linda Rawlins
36.       Murder by the Pint – Belle Knudson
37.       Murder to Go – Chloe Kendrick
38.       Nightfall – Roger Hardin
39.       Ordinary Grace – William Kent Krueger
40.       Oryx and the Crake – Margaret Atwood
41.       Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads
42.       Pinterest for Dummies – Kelby Carr
43.       Private – James Patterson
44.       Putting on the Witch – Joyce and Jim Lavene
45.       Reinventing Mona – Jennifer Coburn
46.       Rhythm & Clues – Sue Ann Jaffarian
47.       Spell Booked – Joyce and Jim Lavene
48.       Superfood Salads – Alissa noel Grey
49.       Thank you for Not Smoking – Christopher Buckley
50.       That Night – Chevy Stevens
51.       The Age of Daredevils – Michael Clarkson
52.       The Age of Reinvention – Karine Tuil
53.       The All Together Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman – Mamen Sanchez
54.       The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein
55.       The Beach House – Mary Alice Monroe
56.       The Bette Davis Club – Jane Lotter
57.       The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper – Phaedra Patrick
58.       The Girl From the Sea – Shalini Boland
59.       The Girl You Lost – Kathryn Croft
60.       The Goldfinch – Donna Tarte
61.       The Guest Room – Chris Bohjalian
62.       The Jane Austin Book Club – Karen Joy Fowler
63.       The Korean Word for Butterfly – James Zerndt
64.       The Last Girl – Joe Hart
65.       The Last Librarian – Brandt Legg
66.       The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
67.       The Passenger – Lisa Lutz
68.       The Plan Cookbook – Lyn-Genet Recitas
69.       The Prince of Tides – Pat Conroy
70.       The Question of the Felonious Friend – E. J. Copperman and Jeff Cohen
71.       The Question of the Missing Head – E. J. Copperman and Jeff Cohen
72.       The Question of the Unfamiliar Husband – E. J. Copperman and Jeff Cohen
73.       The Rejected Writers Book Club – Suzanne Kelman
74.       The Secret History – Donna Tarte
75.       The Sisters of St. Croix – Diney Casteloe
76.       The Water Knife – Paulo Bacigalupi
77.       The Witch of Painted Sorrows – M.J. Rose
78.       The Woman With a Secret – Sophie Hannah
79.       Thirteen Reasons Why – Jay Asher
80.       Truly Madly Guilty – Liane Moriarty
81.       Tucker – Louis L’Amour
82.       Vinegar Girl – Anne Tyler
83.       Watching Edie – Camilla Way
84.       What to Eat – Marion Nestle
85.       Woof – Spencer Quinn
86.       Zoo – James Patterson
 
I think I just might make 100 books for 2016.  Do you have any recommendations?
 
Thanks for reading…

Reeling from a great loss

When this week started, I did not think that our community would soon be reeling from the terrible tragedy that struck a member of the Punta Gorda Library family. Mary Knowlton – wife, mother, teacher, librarian, book lover, volunteer, friend, and mentor – lost her life in a tragic accident.  The circumstances surrounding her death are so bizarre that it is hard to wrap your head around it.  News outlets have been hounding the community with insensitive questions such as, “What do you think about how she died?”, “Where were you when it happened?”, “Do you have any comments about the Police Department?” I know they are all looking for that “sound bite” that will get their story national attention, but these soul sucking vampires have put the sensational ahead of the humanity of the story.  While the reporters wait for more about the circumstances leading up to Mary’s death, they finally started reporting on who Mary was.  I have learned so much about this wonderful woman that I didn’t know about her.

I first met Mary Knowlton when I was transferred from the Port Charlotte Library to the Punta Gorda Library in February 2012.  At the time, she was the President of the Friends of the Punta Gorda Library Board.  She fought passionately for the Punta Gorda Library and the community and even after passing the baton to the current President, Katie Mazzi, remained fully involved in supporting the library, the library staff, and the patrons who use the library.
During a particularly stressful time at the library, Mary took me aside, put her arm around me and offered her support to me.  She told me to reach out if I ever needed something.  Her kindness toward me will never be forgotten.
One of the things I admired most about Mary was how welcoming she was.  I have experienced her greeting homeless patrons at the library in the same manner that she greeted national best-selling authors who visited.  I keep expecting to hear her walk into the library and say, in her sing-song voice “Hi Kathy.  How are you?  What have you been reading lately?”
It is my hope that the world will remember her kindness, passion for education and libraries, and all of the things she did for the community.  My prayers are with her family and friends.
The Friends of the Punta Gorda Library posted a wonderful memorial to Mary on their website.
Thanks for reading.

Cookbooks that I love

How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman was the first cookbook that I received when I got married.  My copy has been through it all.  I even set it down on a burner that was lit and it is now burnt.
 
Another favorite is the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook.  I just picked this one up on clearance at the bookstore. 
 
 
 
Table for Two: A cookbook for couples by Chef Warren Caterson is a terrific cookbook and should be given to every newlywed or child going off to college.  Great practical tips and wonderful recipes.  You can also book Chef Warren for cooking demonstrations or to cook for your dinner party.
 
I hope you get a chance to look at these books.  Check your local library or independent bookstore.

Review: The Girl From the Sea by Shalini Boland

A woman washes up on the beach and is found by a woman walking her dog. She doesn’t know her name or how she got there…

This is how The Girl From the Sea by Shalini Boland begins.  When the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) gets a missing person’s report and, upon further investigation, determine it is a match. The woman is identified as Mia James by her boyfriend, Piers Bevan-Price.  Mia still has no memories but Piers tries to spark her memory when he brings her home by acting like nothing happened.  Mia is just not ready to return to “normal” because she can’t remember what “normal” is.
 
While Mia tries to rediscover her memories, she finds out that she loves rowing, she is extremely rich, and she is estranged from her mother and half sister.  Mia begins having a dream where a menacing woman comes towards her.  With Piers help, she figures out the the dream is set at the rowing club Mia belongs to.  She visits the rowing club to see if it will spark her memory and meets Jack, one of the rowing instructors.  She feels drawn to him as she feels like she and Piers are not meant to be together. As she and Jack get closer, more memories keep coming back until, finally, the truth behind what happened to Mia and the events leading up to this event are revealed.
 

If you like twist endings, you will enjoy this book.

You can order The Girl From the Sea at Amazon or check with your local independent bookstore or library.

Thanks for reading.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

 
 
Thanks for reading.

Loving on my cozy mysteries. Follow me on Twitter for a chance to win.

I’m preparing to do a big “I love cozy mysteries” blog and review.  In celebration of finishing Feta Attraction by Susannah Hardy and making the Greek Lemon and Thyme Chicken (see picture of chicken served in a pita below) recipe from the book, I am giving away two copies of this ebook.

Here is the link to the giveaway:  https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/c639133aabb26dd3

Thanks for reading and GOOD LUCK!

P.S.  I have another giveaway for Hera’s Revenge here:  https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/0bbf92135f0d0c9e

My mind was blown at "Librarianpalooza"

I had a plan.  Really, I did.  When I found out that I was being given the chance to attend the American Library Association annual conference 2016 (#alaac16) in Orlando for one day, I was so excited.  I poured through the programs and speakers that would be there on my day.  I chose three programs I wanted to attend. I went through the exhibitor list and wrote down my top 5 must see booths.  I was PREPARED!!

Upon arrival at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, I was amazed at the size of the place.

This is the South building.  It is the most distinctive building and catches your eye as soon as you see it.

The West Building, where the event was held, is a whopping 1,103,538 square feet! This photo doesn’t give the West building credit.

I wish I had thought to take a photo of the exhibit hall.  When I walked into the exhibit hall, I felt like a country bumpkin seeing the big city for the first time.  Everywhere there was something to look at.

I managed to make it to two of the three programs I had chosen.I really wish I hadn’t missed the Raspberry Pi programming one.  It was my #1 choice but it was not in the main conference area.  I would have had to take a shuttle and would have missed my ride back home.

The Active Shooter program was very good.  It is sad that we have to be prepared for something like this but I feel better knowing that I have some preparation now.

We headed into the Exhibit Hall next. Imagine walking into a room that is FILLED with aisle upon aisle of your favorite thing in the whole world.  This was me.

It took me about an hour to get through the first aisle of booksellers, authors, and publishers.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!!  I started at the last row because I wanted to find the booth where my friend Patty’s book was displayed.  I was so happy when I finally found it!!

After grabbing some lunch and seeing some more exhibits, we headed to our next program, which was about Maker Spaces and other programs in the library.  Ninety minutes later, full of knowledge and ideas, we headed out to see what we would do next.  We decided to head towards the van and head home since two of the three who were traveling together were not feeling well.

My loot haul from the conference:

I would say that my first ALA conference was a great experience.  I am looking forward to putting what I learned into practice.

P.S.  To celebrate my return from the ALA conference, I am giving away one ebook written by one of the authors I met at the conference.  Enter here.

Thanks for reading!