This year, one of the Challenges I signed up for is Blog All About It, hosted by The Herd Presents. The guideline is basically a blogging prompt challenge. Each month there’s a different prompt that you can interpret as you’d like then create a blog post around it. The 2018 list of prompts can be seen here on my Challenge Page. I will be posting for this Challenge on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Why did I choose this Challenge? Well, if you have followed this blog, you know that I love Challenges, even though I may not complete all the ones I sign up for. I just find it to be fun. Another reason I decided to do this Challenge, is that I realized it has been ages since I have actually blogged, other than posting reviews, interviews, guest posts, giveaways, etc. Over the past few years, being busy organizing VBTs, I have slacked off with one of the main reasons I joined the Book Blogging Community. At the time, I told myself that I would create a blog just as a way to keep track of the books I read with a few notes on the specific titles. I was very lucky that I met Vicki from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who took me under her wing, mentored me and answered all my questions. I went back through my posts to see how it all began in 2009 with my first post, which can be seen here. And 8½ years later, I still thoroughly enjoy being part of this community.

This month’s prompt is: ART

Art is literacy of the heart. – Elliot Eisner

I have to admit, that when I saw this topic when I first signed up, I knew it would be a hard one for me. I am so inept when it comes to drawing painting, etc., however, I always wished I had the talent to draw or being an arts and crafts type person. The best I can do is along these lines:

As far as wall art, I do have eclectic tastes but I would say that I tend to choose scenery since my house decor is colonial.

And of course, tropical scenes because it reminds me of our favorite vacation destination, Aruba, which is where these photos were taken.

And for arts and crafts, I had to share this beautiful gift I received from my son and his girlfriend for my birthday. I was so impressed, and absolutely blown away, that they took the time out of their busy schedules to make this for me. A beautiful shadow box for my office/library. Maybe, just maybe, Paul has some artistic talent. He knew he wanted to get me something to do with books and searched for some ideas, but I’m guessing it was Michelle, who did the finishing touches.

What about you? Do you have artistic talents?

Next month’s topic: Organize

I am taking part in the 2018 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!

The last Saturday of the month, I will be recapping the books I have read for the month, what I thought and the links to my reviews, and what I hope to read the following month.

March Books Read

Click on titles to see my reviews

BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris (click on titles for my reviews)
Comments: Having read her previous books, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE BREAKDOWN, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I was not disappointed.

LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison
Comments: Another psychological thriller that I wanted to read and another psychological thriller that I enjoyed!

THE GOOD WIDOW by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Comments: This book has been hiding in my Kindle for about a year, and having seen a lot of buzz about it and it fulfilled two of my Challenge requirements, I thought it was time to read it. So glad I did!

HIDING by Jenny Morton Potts (Review will be posted on May 1st.)
Comments: This was a “new to me” author. I liked her writing style and it held me captive!

Current Read

KEEP THE MIDNIGHT OUT by Alex Gray
Comments: I am addicted to this series!

Upcoming April TBRs

BURN ONE DOWN by Jeffrey A. Cooper
Comments: This will be the first book that I plan on reading by this author

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn
Comments: I hope that I can get to this book this month

Your Turn

• What did you finish reading this month?
• What book(s) should I add to my TBR list?

This year, one of the Challenges I signed up for is Blog All About It, hosted by The Herd Presents. The guideline is basically a blogging prompt challenge. Each month there’s a different prompt that you can interpret as you’d like then create a blog post around it. The 2018 list of prompts can be seen here on my Challenge Page. I will be posting for this Challenge on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Why did I choose this Challenge? Well, if you have followed this blog, you know that I love Challenges, even though I may not complete all the ones I sign up for. I just find it to be fun. Another reason I decided to do this Challenge, is that I realized it has been ages since I have actually blogged, other than posting reviews, interviews, guest posts, giveaways, etc. Over the past few years, being busy organizing VBTs, I have slacked off with one of the main reasons I joined the Book Blogging Community. At the time, I told myself that I would create a blog just as a way to keep track of the books I read with a few notes on the specific titles. I was very lucky that I met Vicki from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who took me under her wing, mentored me and answered all my questions. I went back through my posts to see how it all began in 2009 with my first post, which can be seen here. And 8½ years later, I still thoroughly enjoy being part of this community.

This month’s prompt is: Favorite Scent

Hmmm…..favorite scent? That’s like choosing a favorite child, isn’t it? And since I have too many favorite scents, I found a way to have them year round. But that is later in the post.

Some of my top scents are the beach, my favorite perfume, Tresor, food cooking on the stove and Star Gazer Lillies.
 

 

 
So how do I enjoy so many scents year round? It’s one of my guilty pleasures, Yankee Candles. I would have candles lit all day, every day but I had to switch to a Scenterpiece System due to the consequences of soot build up. And after repainting the house because of it, I switched to the wax melts. The Scenterpiece System is an electrical warmer that melts the wax cups, no wick to cause any soot.

 
I purchase scents according to the seasons, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
 

It can get a little expensive since I have the warmer on all day and each melt cup lasts approximately 24-27 hours. So I only order when Yankee Candle has specials. But I love it when someone visits and says “your house smells so nice”. For that, it is definitely worth it. But even more important is that I enjoy the way my house smells.

Do you have a favorite scent? Or are you like me and Yankee Candle is your go-to scent?
 

I am taking part in the 2018 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!

The last Saturday of the month, I will be recapping the books I have read for the month, what I thought and the links to my reviews, and what I hope to read the following month.

I was truly hoping to finish more books this month but being a short month, having an uninvited virus visit us and been so busy with the tours at Partners In Crime Tours, I didn’t get a lot of reading done. And speaking of that, we have so many great books that are touring, which you can see HERE. If you see any books that you might be interested in or would like to become a host, you can sign up HERE. Would love to have you on the team!

Now for this month’s reads:

February Books Read

THE SHEPHERD’S CALCULUS by C.S. Farrelly
Comments: This was the first book I read by this author and was very impressed. My review will be posted on March 12th. If you want to check it out, click on the title, for the GR synopsis.

WHITE WITCH by Larry D. Thompson
Comments: Known for his legal thrillers, this book had a bit of a spin, which kept me glued to the pages. My review will be posted on March 16th. But check it out on GR, click the title.

Comments:I was given the honor of reading a pre ARC from an author. I will disclose the title and author at a later date.

CURRENT READ

WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel
Comments: I am a big fan of this author. I was thrilled when she emailed me the other day asking if I would like to recieve and review an e ARC of her newest novel.

UPCOMING MARCH TBRs

BRING ME BACK by B.A. Paris
Comments:I have read this author’s previous books and was excited to receive an ARC. You can see my reviews for BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE BREAKDOWN by clicking on the titles

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn
Comments: So much buzz about this one and hopefully will read it in March

Comments: What did you finish reading in February? What book(s) do you recommend? What book should I add to my TBR list?

This year, one of the Challenges I signed up for is Blog All About It, hosted by The Herd Presents. The guideline is basically a blogging prompt challenge. Each month there’s a different prompt that you can interpret as you’d like then create a blog post around it. The 2018 list of prompts can be seen here on my Challenge Page. I will be posting for this Challenge on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Why did I choose this Challenge? Well, if you have followed this blog, you know that I love Challenges, even though I may not complete all the ones I sign up for. I just find it to be fun. Another reason I decided to do this Challenge, is that I realized it has been ages since I have actually blogged, other than posting reviews, interviews, guest posts, giveaways, etc. Over the past few years, being busy organizing VBTs, I have slacked off with one of the main reasons I joined the Book Blogging Community. At the time, I told myself that I would create a blog just as a way to keep track of the books I read with a few notes on the specific titles. I was very lucky that I met Vicki from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who took me under her wing, mentored me and answered all my questions. I went back through my posts to see how it all began in 2009 with my first post, which can be seen here. And 8½ years later, I still thoroughly enjoy being part of this community.

This month’s prompt is: Red

It’s February so that means Valentine’s Day. Thoughts of red roses or red hearts filled with chocolates.

But I decided to share a family recipe, a red gravy, or as some say sauce. My maternal grandmother Rose was a phenomenal cook and baker. She was born in Caserta, Italy and at the age of 3 months entered the U.S. with her parents. She was a petite spitfire, up at 5 am every day and didn’t stop until she went to bed, cooking, gardening, mowing the grass with a push lawn mower, etc. She used to say that she was going to live to be 100, but if we made her mad, 105. She passed away in 2001, 4 months short of her 105th birthday (She is the one in the middle).

As a child, I used to love helping her when she cooked, especially when she was making homemade pasta. I have, which I treasure, a notebook full of her recipes in her handwriting. However, most of her recipes don’t include the exact measurements for the ingredients. When I would ask how much, it would be a little of this or a handful of that.

One of the recipes that got passed down was what she called a red loose gravy. She would tell me that it was a recipe that came from her paese in Caserta.

I have made this many times over the years. However, when I tell people what is in this red gravy, most people make a face. Until they taste it, then they ask for the recipe. Why it’s called a “loose gravy”, I’m really not sure.

The ingredients and I apologize in advance for not being able to provide measurements.
For a pound of pasta:
*2 cans Kitchen Ready tomatoes
*1 can medium black olives
*1 bag pignoli (pine nuts)
*raisins
*Parsley, basil, garlic powder, black pepper, oil, and sugar.

 

Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Then simmer for approx 3 hours, stirring frequently especially the bottom of the pan as it sometimes tends to burn. If it becomes thick, add some water.

 

 

The finished product!!!

If you have any questions regarding this red loose gravy, don’t hesitate to ask. And if you try it, let me know what you think.

Bon Appetit!!!

I am taking part in the 2018 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight!

The last Saturday of the month, I will be recapping the books I have read for the month, what I thought and the links to my reviews, and what I hope to read the following month.

January Books Read

This month I also signed up for 2 other Challenges. Winter’s Respite and this weekend’s, 24in48. Since the month is not completely over and participating this weekend in the 24in48, so there may be more books read, fingers crossed! You can see my progress for both Challenges HERE

I was truly hoping to finish more books this month but have been so busy with the tours at Partners In Crime Tours. And speaking of that, we have so many great books that are touring, which you can see HERE. If you see any books that you might be interested in or would like to become a host, you can sign up HERE. Would love to have you on the team!

Now for this month’s reads:

THE SILENT GAMES by Alex Gray
Comments: I am so addicted to this series. This book is the 11th book in the DCI Lorimer series. My review will be posted in the near future.

THE FIX by Robert Downs
Comments: This novella was an interesting read. First time reading anything by this author. The review for this book will also be posted in the coming weeks.

BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick (click on the title to see my review)
Comments: I purchased this book in Feb. 2017 and read it this month to fulfill some of my other Challenges. It held my interest but I thought that the personality of the “bad little girl” was a bit unrealistic.

THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Comments: This book was unbelieveable! THis is definitely one of the best books I have EVER read!

February TBRs

There are so many books in my TBR pile, and yet I keep adding to it. I guess that definitely makes me a book collector, or some may say, a hoarder 😉

THE FOURTH GUNMAN by John Lansing (and link to review)
Comments: This is another series I am addicted to and can’t wait to read it.

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn
Comments: Another book with a lot of buzz that I’m looking forward to.

? by ?
Comments: What did you finish reading in January? What book(s) do you recommend? What book should I add to my TBR list?

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