Georgana’s Secret

by Arlem Hawks

Page Count: 320

Proper Romance / Regency

 

 

Synopsis

 

A Regency romance on the high seas.

 

1811, HMS Deborah

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love.”  -Booklist, starred review

 

“Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton’s charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances.”  -Publishers Weekly

 

 

Review

 

This is a sweet romance filled with adventure on the high seas.

Georgana is taken away from an abusive home with her grandmother after her mother passes away. Her father, grief-stricken I’m sure, feels like she would be better off with him on the ship he captains. Of course, women aren’t allowed on the ship, so she is disguised as a cabin boy. This is good and bad because the other cabin boys notice something is amiss and are not above creating awkward situations for “George.” She and her father have to be very careful to not reveal her true identity to the rest of the crew.

Dominic ends up on this ship as the First Lieutenant much to the chagrin of other crew members. He is level headed and notices George receiving abuse from other cabin boys and takes him (her) under his wing. He teaches her to stand up for herself and perhaps regain a little respect from the others.

The day to day adventures of the crew and the ship will delight and also keep you on the edge of your seat during battles and other tense scenes.  The descriptive text will lure you in and you will feel like you are in the middle of the action. I enjoyed watching the love for Georgana and Dominic unfold especially once he realized she wasn’t a boy after all. I was surprised it took him as long as it did to uncover that truth.

This was my first book by this author but won’t be my last. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

ARLEM HAWKS began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in print journalism, and she lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

 

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Synopsis

 

When Harry’s mum and dad tell him that they will be moving to a cabin in the Canadian wilderness, his first thought is about leaving his friends behind. He then finds out that there will be NO INTERNET!!!

Join Harry on the adventure of a lifetime and find out how he adapts when everything he is used to changes overnight…

 

 

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Review

 

This story reminds us that change can be good and unplugging from the internet can be a very good thing.

Harry is told that their family is moving from England to Canada for Dad’s job and that they will be living in the woods with no internet or television, at least initially. I’m sure any child today would shudder at the thought of having to unplug, but this is not a bad thing. While they are adjusting to their new home, they have many adventures and Harry learns to look beyond a screen and what is really out there in nature and enjoying time with his parents.

I found the story interesting and was amazed at the knowledge the father has on how to build a house/cabin. I wouldn’t even know where to start because they were cutting down trees, setting up solar panels, and many other things. This would be a great story to read to your children which is how this author came to write the story. There could be many discussions about what Harry experienced and what it might be like to live “off the grid” and observing nature.

We give this story 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and We’re Moving Where?! is his first book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

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Synopsis

 

While rummaging through the attic, high school senior, Jack Davies, is surprised to find his never-before-seen birth certificate, revealing a startling bit of information that changes his life. The story his mother told about his birth, he discovers, is revealed to be a lie, shattering long-held beliefs and the trust he had for her. Jack becomes obsessed with discovering the truth, leading him down a dangerous path. Faced with unanswered questions and confounding obstacles at every turn, Jack finds himself deeply enmeshed in an intricate world of national security and international intrigue. Relationships are tested as his every move is tracked by a group of mysterious people. Who are they? Whose side are they on? Who can he trust? And, most importantly, who will he ultimately become?

 

 

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Review

 

This debut novel combines a young man coming to grips that he does have a father with a little bit of intrigue and government spies.

Jack stumbles across his birth certificate and realizes his father does have a name. This sets him off on the path to find his father without tipping off his mother since she has told him all his life that she didn’t know his father. He is an enterprising young man and I was amazed at the amount of research that he did and how he was able to find places to go on the internet to find clues about his father. He meets a young woman, Cathy, at the university where his father attended and she becomes an accomplice in his search for his father since she is able to get him some information about his father, but most of it has been wiped out at the university.

This book has multiple storylines and jumps between the past and the present. It added dimension to the story to learn about how Linda and Stewart met and what they both might have gone through during that time and what led Linda to make the decisions she did for her and Jack. There is a fair amount of technical information regarding what Tom (Stewart’s new alias) is doing in Europe in the oil industry and trying to discover new methods to obtain oil from the seas. He runs into an old college friend that assists him in his endeavors in Saudi Arabia but has some own tragedies he deals with in this book. I don’t want to give away too much because one of these events plays a large role in how events unfold.

I have mixed feelings about Jack and his attitude. Part of me believes he is still immature for his age (18-20) but at the same time, he discovers a passion he didn’t know he had until Cathy points it out to him. His discussions/fights with his mother once she confirms she does know his father seem stilted. I can understand his anger at not being told the truth, but at the same time, he isn’t honest with her when he learned the truth that one day in the attic.  Linda did what she thought was right at the time and maybe knowing facts now she might have made other choices, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20. It takes Cathy and Stewart to point out the facts before Jack can see them clearly. He is very absorbed in how he feels without taking others into consideration. This feels pretty normal for a person that age.

The one thing I would have liked to have seen done in the formatting of this book was to put some sort of break when jumping storylines or timelines. I would read along in the chapter and then all of a sudden we were somewhere else or in the past. This was a little disconcerting because I had no warning and had to shift gears in my brain.

Overall this was a good book for a debut novel with multiple layers, varied plot lines, and complex characters. We give it 3 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Barry Eisenberg is the author of Primal Calling, his debut novel. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, among others. An associate professor of health care management in the School for Graduate Studies at the State University of New York Empire State College, he is also a health care management consultant and a former hospital administrator. An avid bicycle rider, Eisenberg lives in New Jersey with his wife, Amy.

 

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Synopsis

 

Essential wine pairings for everything from popcorn to veggie burgers to General Tso’s Chicken, based on the wildly popular Grub Street column

Sancerre and Cheetos go together like milk and cookies. The science behind this unholy alliance is as elemental as acid, fat, salt, and minerals. Wine pro Vanessa Price explains how to create your own pairings while proving you don’t necessarily need fancy foods to unlock the joys of wine. Building upon the outsize success of her weekly column in Grub Street, Price offers delightfully bold wine and food pairings alongside hilarious tales from her own unlikely journey as a Kentucky girl making it in the Big Apple and in the wine business. Using language everyone can understand, she reveals why each dynamic duo is a match made in heaven, serving up memorable takeaways that will help you navigate any wine list or local bottle shop. Charmingly illustrated and bubbling with personality, Big Macs & Burgundy will open your mind to the entirely fun and entirely accessible wine pairings out there waiting to be discovered—and make you do a few spit-takes along the way.

 

 

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Review

 

If you are anything like me, you know you enjoy wine but have no clue what wine should be paired with what dishes. Well worry no more, a book has arrived that answers all of your questions about wine and food pairings.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book when I opened it up. I was not prepared for the wealth of information within the pages that allow a novice like myself to discover what wines really should go with anything from Honey Nut Cheerios to BBQ to Lamb to Halloween candy. There has always been a big conversation in a church group that makes lunches for a shelter, what wine would go best with PB&J. We always thought perhaps a nice Rose or something like that, but I learned that in truth, you should enjoy a nice Lambrusco to go with that sandwich.

This book is such a delight to read and the index allows you to search by the type of wine or your favorite dish. There is even a 2-page Chart-Cuterie that lists various types of cheeses and even suggests the meat or bread and other snacks to serve with it along with the appropriate wine.

This book is sure to delight any foodie or wine lover and makes for interesting reading. Oh and that Halloween candy? There are three pages of wines depending on which is your favorite sweet. I am partial to Reese’s and the proper wine is an Amontillado Sherry.

 

 

Vanessa Price is a columnist for Grub Street and you can read about some of her pairings on their site.  You can also follow her on Instagram.

 

 

Synopsis

 

Chaynie Mayfield is the absolute last person who should be heading up the Morgan’s Grove library Valentine’s event. Ever since her boyfriend dumped her last year—on Valentine’s Day—she’s had a hard time believing in love.

When Greg Peterson, handsome architect and former schoolmate, is commissioned to oversee the library’s renovations, Chaynie’s spirits are instantly lifted. Greg helps her brainstorm, and they create an “Under the Stars” theme that promises to deliver a magical night for the entire town.

The longer Chaynie and Greg work together on the romantic project, the deeper their attraction grows. But when her dream job comes calling, Chaynie must decide whether her future aspirations are worth the price of leaving a town, a family, a library she adores, and a love she’s not sure she can live without.

 

 

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Review

 

If you are looking for a sweet, clean, romance read then you might want to check out this book and this series. This is the second in the series about a small town in Texas called Morgan’s Grove. This is the type of town I would love to live in versus the big city. It has charm, lovable characters, and just enough tension to keep me interested in what could possibly happen next.

This story focuses on Chaynie and Greg. Morgan’s Grove is a small town and they happened to have gone to school together but Chaynie didn’t really remember Greg very well. Perhaps that was good because they were able to get to know one another as they were now without any preconceived notions about each other.  I liked how they were friends first before realizing that perhaps there was something more there than just friendship.

Chaynie’s job in the town library would be a dream job for me as much as I love books. But she is stuck in an assistant librarian role and she wants more and applies for jobs outside of the town to try and make use of her knowledge and experience. After all, the current librarian doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I really enjoyed the Valentine’s Day event she planned for the library. Greg gave her the idea to make it an event for everyone, not just couples. Considering her feelings about the day, this was a brilliant idea.

I thought the relationship between Chaynie and her mother was beautifully portrayed. They are both still mourning her father’s passing which is a strong bond for them. But they both want each other to succeed and be happy in life and they have a few projects they work on together which explores their talents in a few different areas.

The only thing I would have liked to have seen is more of an appearance of some of the characters from the first book, like Jill and Rick. There are mentions of them but no appearance and there are a few times when it would have been expected to see them.

Overall an enjoyable book and I can’t wait to see who is featured in the next book. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.

Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”

 

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Synopsis

 

Hot ex-military, desperate woman, tight conspiracy…wait for the explosion!

Peyton West is desperate. Her brother-in-law is dead, her sister is in a coma and no one seems interested in finding any answers. With every door slammed in her face, she’s referred to Scott “Blaze” Hamilton and the men from super-secret Galaxy. Conducting meetings on a plane and digging into the underbelly of Tampa politics, she sees a ray of hope…and discovers Blaze lives up to his name in more ways than one. She crosses her fingers that the scorching sex will continue to blaze once the killer is found.

 

A new series debuts from Desiree Holt!

 

The men of Galaxy are your last resort

Watch for Galaxy merchandise

The sky is the limit with Galaxy

 

They are four hot, sexy men, (John “Rocket” Hardin, Matt “ Viper” Roman, Scott “Blaze” Miranda, and Vic “ Eagle”  Bodine), former SEALS, and lifelong friends. They served their country well, and winning billions in the Powerball lottery allows them to continue to serve –creating an agency that takes cases others refuse. Their only office is on their plane. Their skills are limitless. Their missions often the blackest of black ops. Their commitment unequaled. When everything else fails, Galaxy can save you. They play as hard as they work, addicted to no-holds-barred sex, and none of them in the market for a relationship. One by one, however, they will fall for women who can give as good as they get. Get ready, because Galaxy is open for business.

 

 

 

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Review

 

This is the first book by this author that I have read and she does not disappoint especially if you like romantic suspense with some heat!

Peyton West ends up in Tampa when her sister and brother-in-law are run down by a rogue motorist. Little did she know what the reason went much deeper than anyone can imagine. While we are presented with some of the facts from the outset, there are twists that no one could expect and it kept the story interesting. Her sister’s doctor recommends her brother’s investigative team. What he fails to mention is that they are all former SEALS and so you know that means they are going stay involved until the case is resolved. Their office is intriguing. They have a jet that they will take up in the air to ensure that no one is listening to the details of what they are working on at the time. The crazy thing is that these friends won a Powerball lottery of over a billion dollars, so they can pretty much afford whatever they want.

The suspense/mystery portion of the book is to determine who killed Dane and injured Brianne in the auto accident. As I mentioned, we are provided some details but as the story unfolds, more truths come to light. I always hear about people that can uncover the truth and that is what the team at Galaxy does in this scenario. These men have skills that we might only dream of having! But that is what needed to bring forth the truth and not allow those involved to get away with murder. Doesn’t matter how powerful you think you are, the truth always wins.

Scott Hamilton aka Blaze is Peyton’s point of contact and Dr. Nolan Hamilton’s brother. There is something about Peyton that appeals to his baser self and the same could be said for Peyton. There is something about Blaze that triggers a desire within her and the sparks between them could set off a forest fire. Their relationship goes against everything Blaze could ever have expected or wanted, but there is something about Peyton that awakens a desire to protect her and her family. There are some intimate scenes between the two that are very steamy and detailed. The upside is that this is more than just a roll in the hay for both of them and they admit to having feelings for one another.

We give this book 4 paws up. It is a great way to heat up a winter night!

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

USA Today best-selling and award-winning author Desiree Holt writes everything from romantic suspense and contemporary on a variety of heat levels up to erotic, a genre in which she is the oldest living author. She has been referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, and is a winner of the EPIC E-Book Award, the Holt Medallion and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice nominee. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times and numerous other national and international publications.

Desiree loves to hear from readers.

 

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Synopsis

 

Five Short Love Stories!

 

The Light at the End of the Tunnel: When Thomas finds out that the proprietor of Hannah’s Hot Chocolate Shop is struggling, he comes up with a brilliant idea. Will she agree to such an unconventional plan?

Leave or Perish: When Jonathan watches Serenity chase off thieves with a sword in her hand, he becomes intrigued with her. How will he win her heart? When his friend comes up with an idea to get her attention, can Jonathan trust him?

A Broom in her Hand: When Laura reports that a thief snuck into her home, William finds out that she chased the intruder off with a broom, but he soon learns the man’s invasion is much bigger than he realizes.

Deception: When Peter accepted the job of writing letters to a young lady on behalf of his employer, he soon realizes he is falling in love with Pauline. If she finds out that his employer didn’t write the letters, what will her reaction be?

A Cry for Help: When Joshua is sent with a message for Mary, the note says that she must go on a dangerous quest and he is determined to accompany her. They must be very careful or they might be caught.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

If you are in the mood for some sweet, clean, historical, romantic short stories then look no further. This book contains five short stories based on actual events by the author’s ancestors.

I enjoyed each story and how the women are not sitting back waiting on a man, but are take-charge women that start their own businesses, aren’t afraid to face ruffians, and encourage women to fight for their rights.

I enjoyed reading the author’s notes after each story to learn more about which ancestor was involved in the various situations and other bits and pieces of history. It is amazing what you can learn when an author does research into events in the past to make sure their works are as authentic as possible.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and have made my home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. I have been happily married for 42 years and am the mother of six daughters and have five wonderful grandchildren.

After my family began to leave the nest, I decided it was time to finish what I had started long ago. I decided to go back to college and get a degree. It had been 30 years since I had been to college and it was one of the most frightening things I had ever done. I had to learn how to study and take tests all over again. On the first day of college, I was a nervous wreck and wondered if I could do this, but with the support of my husband and children, I was able to graduate. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Music at Southern Utah University and received the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award for the College of Performing Arts in 2002. In the meantime, I cut a CD named “Romantic Love Songs of Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert.”

I have enjoyed writing short stories and novels for several years but it took a lot of courage to begin submitting them. After “Melinda and the Wild West” was published, I entered it in the Reader Views Literary Contest and my book was chosen as a Semi-Finalist in the “Reviewers Choice Awards 2007.” It was one of the top ten out of hundreds of other entries.

I have traveled throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history and autobiography. I have traveled to seventeen states and given over 500 workshops. I am the author of six historical sweet romances, four mystery adventure novels, a children’s book, and a new cozy mystery series. All of my books are family friendly.

 

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Synopsis

 

In Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas, New York Times bestselling author Emily March presents a brand new arc set in the Lone Star State that features a family-linked trilogy within the author’s romantic series.

With his smooth talk, rugged good looks, and deep pockets, native Texan Boone McBride appears to be a man who has it all. Few people know about the heartbreak behind his decision to leave home, family, and career for the isolation of a small town in the Colorado Rockies. Luckily, time and life in Eternity Springs has worked its healing magic upon his wounded soul, so when he meets obviously troubled Hannah Dupree, Boone sees a chance to pay his good fortune forward. The last thing he anticipates is tumbling into love.

Tragedy has taken everything Hannah loves, and her will to keep going is failing. So when Boone strides into her life determined to save her, it’s easier to go along with him than to resist. Soon she is drawn into the fabric of life in Eternity Springs, and as her spirit begins to heal, her strength returns, and she’s able to go toe-to-toe with this hardheaded, big-hearted Texan. But just when love blooms and happiness is within their grasp, shadows from the past threaten. Hannah and Boone must stand strong and united in order to defeat old ghosts—if they are to create a brand-new life together.

 

 

This book releases December 29th, 2020

 

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Review

 

This is the third book in the McBrides of Texas series and the eighteenth in the Eternity Springs series. While you don’t have to read these books in order, it really does help since these are stories about one large and extended family, and having some background does help, but is not required. I have read several of the books in this series but have only read the first book in the McBrides series, somehow I missed Tucker’s story (but will remedy that soon since there are hints on what happened to him in this book).

I know the first book is set in Texas around a plot of land that three cousins inherited from a relative. However, this book is set in Colorado in Eternity Springs. That did cause a little confusion for me at first because I did expect the story to happen in this little part of Texas. But not to worry, there are many references and even a journey to the town at the end of the book.

Boone is grieving the loss of his wife and has moved from Fort Worth back to Eternity Springs. Hannah is also mourning the loss of her family from a tragic accident. When her story unfolds it is heartbreaking to read. These two find each other (well Boone finds Hannah at Lover’s Leap) and despite the baggage that weighs them both down, they find comfort with each other. There are several unexpected twists, some humorous situations, and definitely love.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in this series that I have read. This book is no different and is perfect when you want something sweet and light to read. Granted there are some tough scenes about Boone and Hannah’s past, but it defines who they are and how far they have come in their lives. I found myself chuckling in many spots at the various predicaments that Boone finds himself smack dab in the middle, but those situations help round out the book.

Overall we give this 4 paws up and now I have to go back and find Tucker’s story that I missed.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a “master of delightful banter,” and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

 

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Chef Matty Matheson follows up his New York Times bestseller with an even bigger book that is all about quality home cooking.

Matty returns with 135 of his absolute favorite recipes to cook at home for his family and friends, so you can cook them for the people you love. Home Style Cookery is his definitive guide to mastering your kitchen, covering everything from pantry staples (breads, stocks, and pickles) to party favorites (dips, fried foods, and grilled meats), to weeknight go-tos (stews, pastas, salads), and special occasion show-stoppers (roasts, smoked meats, and desserts). It starts with basics like Molasses Bread in an Apple Juice Can, Beef and Bone Marrow Stock, Kitchen Sink Salad, Thanksgiving Stuffing Butternut Squash, and the tallest Seven-Layer Dip you have ever seen. Next it covers comforting recipes like Littleneck Clam Orecchiette, Pho Ga, Sichuan Newfoundland Cod, Double Beef Patty Melt with Gruyere and Molasses Bread, and Matty’s take on the ultimate Submarine sandwich. And it closes with bangers like Fish Sticks with Kewpie Tartar Sauce, Salt Crust Leg of Lamb and Yukon Golds with Creamed Spinach, Texas-Style Prime Rib, T-bone Steak and Fine Herb Chimichurri, and Lobster Thermidor with Bearnaise and Salt and Vinegar Chips. It even has desserts like his wife Trish’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and Creme Caramel.

In Home Style Cookery, Matty shares his bold style of cooking. Along with beautiful photographs of Matty’s dishes and his farm, this book is filled with signature recipes that are equal parts approachable and tasty. Matty’s first book shared his culinary story, Home Style Cookery will help you build yours.

 

 

 

My Thoughts

 

This is my third year with Abrams Book’s Dinner Party group and as always, they seem to have a fantastic lineup of cookbooks to expand your horizons and tastebuds. This is my second cookbook from Matty Matheson, and of the two, this one is definitely my favorite. I have made several dishes already from this cookbook, and many other bloggers have made the Chocolate Zucchini cake and raved about it, so much that I need to make it and see if my husband can guess the secret ingredient!

There are 12 different chapters: Bread; Stocks; Vegetables; Dips, Purees & Spreads; Dumpings and Pasta; Curries, Soups, and a Stew; Sandwiches; Fried Foods and Cast-Iron Cookery; Roasts, Bakes, and a PIe; Smoked; Grilled; and finally Desserts.  There are several recipes that mention Texas so of course, I had to check those out.  I considered trying the Texas-Style Prime Rib recipe, but I do not have a smoker.

The first dish I made was the Broiler Pork Chops. This is practically a full meal unto itself with the tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers. The jalapenos gave it a nice little kick along with the cayenne pepper. This is super easy to make and can easily feed a family.

 

 

 

The next dish I made was actually because one of the other bloggers said it was a nice twist on Chicken Fried Steak. I’m in Texas and many people here are serious about their Chicken Fried Steak so I was curious how this one would compare. It is also the first time I have made CFS, so it was a learning curve for me. What makes this one different is the lemon zest sprinkled onto the CFS before the gravy.  I do love lemon and might have gone a little overboard with the zest, but it was delicious. I do think I needed to tenderize the meat a little bit more, but for my first attempt it worked out well.

 

 

 

There is one dish I want to try that I haven’t made yet, The Infamous Cheesy Citrus Refried Beans. Tex-Mex is something you don’t mess with, but I think an exception could be made for these beans. I might even try to make it with black beans versus pinto beans. I like to live on the edge! This photo is from the book and while you can’t see the cheesy goodness, it is mixed in there.  Plus, you can use these for The Inedible Seven-Layer Dip. Ok, it really is edible but the photo in the cookbook has it in this narrow container that you couldn’t scoop much of it out, or at least not get all seven layers on one chip.

 

 

So if you have some holiday money and are just itching to buy a cookbook, this is one you might want to consider.

 

 

 

 

 

THE THANKFUL UNICORN: DREAM

Author: Hayley Rose

Publisher: Flowered Press

Pages: 132

Children’s and Teens’ Coloring Journal

 

 

Synopsis

 

The Thankful Unicorn is a groundbreaking and uplifting coloring journal designed to build confidence, improve self-esteem, calm anxiety, and inspire creativity!

You and your kids will love this 132 page, glittered, hard-bound book filled with whimsical unicorn scenes, positive actions, and motivational quotes that will be sure to delight even the young at heart, leading to a more confident, kind, and creative human.

A great activity to unwind before bed and awake refreshed with a positive attitude. Perfect for ages 5 to adult.

 

 

Amazon * Author’s Website

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Who doesn’t love a journal, especially when it has unicorns throughout?

This journal is perfect for anyone at nearly any age. This would be a great way to start a child off at a young being thankful for what occurred during the day, sharing their dreams and goals, what they love about themselves, and an affirmation for the day. I think for the younger children (say under 7) this would be good to do once a week with them, and for children 8 and older, they could do this a few times a week or daily. Teens and adults could do this daily or as often as they feel they should express their gratitude.

This is also an excellent way to decompress after a long day. The pages are begging to be colored and given life.

So pick up this journal, some coloring pencils or crayons, and remember what to be thankful for in these crazy times.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Hayley has been entertaining and educating children across the country since 2002.

Her range of educational, interactive concept books has earned over 50 national and international book awards and cover subjects ranging from manners and kindness to math and geography, to music and emotions. School presentations include curriculum for teachers grades K-4th. Over the years Hayley has been invited to speak at book stores including Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Bookmans, and for the last few years, Hayley has been a featured author at the Children’s Learning and Play Festival which garners crowds of 10,000 and up.

Hayley was recently interviewed on the Author Learning Center alongside authors Stan Lee and R.L. Stine, and she had the honor of presenting keynote presentations for the Readers Favorite International Book Awards and the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Conference among others.

Hayley is an active member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, and the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

 

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