In the book Within Arm’s Reach, Gracie and Lila lead the effort to make sugar cookies for Easter lunch. The lunch introduces us to the McLaughlin Clan, a spirited, Irish-American family working through past and present trauma that both draws them together and pulls them apart. Grab your Easter bunny and egg cookie cutters and…
A Method to the Madness
In the book By Any Other Name, Emilia has to suffer through an abusive marriage. She spends much of her time doing whatever she can to provide bread for her family. In one scene of the book, Emilia stands up to her husband, Alphonso, while taking a swig of ale and a bite of bread….
A Filtered View of the Marvel Universe
In the book Breaking the Dark, Jessica spies on Amber’s teenage son, Fox, while he is at a restaurant for his friend’s birthday dinner. She hasn’t eaten a proper meal in days, and the author goes out of her way to describe the warm, flaky bread that was served. We hope to give Jewell’s description…
Amuse Bouche: The Fragile Threads of Power
I’m introducing a new segment in my blog called, “Amuse Bouche.” These books will not have a full review, but rather a tasting of my opinion. There is still a food or drink pairing below, though! Check out the smoky cherry bourbon to go along with this book! Book: The Fragile Threads of Power by…
Corporate Calamity
In the book The Same Bright Stars, Jack struggles with the decision to sell his family restaurant to the corporate juggernaut DelDine. As he wrestles with navigating life after the restaurant, he starts teaching himself how to make pies. One of the first pies he shares with his friends, Andie and Deacon, is a lemon…
Time Away, But Back Again
Obviously, I have spent some time away from this blog. Let me explain why. The day after Christmas, I fell when I was out running. As I slid across the sidewalk, my fingers caught on an upturned portion of the concrete and bent back. Let’s just say that it didn’t feel good. Surprisingly, x-ray and…
Book of the Month Predictions– February 2024
What books will YOU love this month? February 2024 This is the perfect time of the year to curl up under a blanket and have a cozy reading escape. There’s lots to love about the new releases coming out in February….which ones do you think will make it into your favorite blue box? For those of…
Sisters Banding Together
In the book Sisters Under the Rising Sun, Norah and Ena care for a little girl named June whose mother had died when their ship, the Vyner Brooke, wrecked. After being imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp, the women and children suffered through fierce starvation and abuse. A few times in the book, the women find opportunities…
Deserve to Die
In the book No One Can Know, Emma Palmer finds herself pregnant and moving back to her mudered parents’ house with her new husband, Nathan. At the height of her morning sickness, Emma’s sister, Daphne, breaks into the house and leaves her some toast. In light of the story as well as the Christmas holiday, I chose…
Book of the Month Predictions– January 2024
The First Chapter of 2024 is Here. January 2024 I’m back!!! Two years ago, I decided to throw my career in public relations aside and become an elementary/special education teacher. This fall, I completed those requirements and earned my Masters in Teaching. I haven’t been posting lately because I was in my student teaching semester, and I…
Baking Through Book Club 