Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Make - Ahead Meals For Busy Moms



Make - Ahead Meals For Busy Moms

Make Ahead meals are not just for Moms who work outside of the home. It's a way of cooking that helps all families, big and small. It all comes down to a little planning. Make a meal or two in advance when you have some extra time. Then you'll be rewarded with quick, delicious home-cooked meals when you really need them!


I love this cook book. Tried out a few recipes and they were great. I let my customers and employees taste some of the food and everyone loved it. Some of my favorites as of right now are the Seafood Quiche, Tiramisu (this is a true Italian recipe) and Teriyaki Chicken. Of course the favorites will probably change when I try more of the recipes in this book.
I also really like the volume and weight conversions toward the end of the book. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to make some quick cook- ahead meals which can be frozen or served the next day.
Make-Ahead-Meals For Busy Moms will be one cookbook that I will be using often.



Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (August 17, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432720864
ISBN-13: 978-1432720865

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Book Giveaway September 22- September 30

Congrats to the winners of this giveaway

Madeleine444
Libneas
Melacan



Book Giveaway September 22- September 30


Spooner by Pete Dexter

Many thanks to Miriam and Hachette Book Group who make it possible for me to give away 3 copies of this book.

Description
Warren Spooner was born after a prolonged delivery in a makeshift delivery room in a doctor's office in Milledgeville, Georgia, on the first Saturday of December, 1956. His father died shortly afterward, long before Spooner had even a memory of his face, and was replaced eventually by a once-brilliant young naval officer, Calmer Ottosson, recently court-martialed out of service. This is the story of the lifelong tie between the two men, poles apart, of Spooner's troubled childhood, troubled adolescence, violent and troubled adulthood and Calmer Ottosson's inexhaustible patience, undertaking a life-long struggle to salvage his step-son, a man he will never understand.

I enjoyed reading this book. This novel is entertaining, moving and funny. The author grabbed me from the first chapter and I was laughing really hard sometimes. Very well written novel, looking forward to read more by this author.

About the Author

Pete Dexter (born 1943) is the author of the National Book Award-winning novel Paris Trout and five other novels: God's Pocket, Deadwood, Brotherly Love, The Paperboy, and Train. He has been a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and the Sacramento Bee, and has contributed to many magazines, including Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy. His screenplays include Rush and Mulholland Falls. Dexter was born in Michigan and raised in Georgia, Illinois, and eastern South Dakota. He lives on an island off the coast of Washington.

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (September 24, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446540722
ISBN-13: 978-0446540728



Rules:
To enter the giveaway you must leave a comment. Please leave your email address otherwise we will not be able to get in touch with the winners.

Winners will be drawn Tuesday September 29th, at Noon Eastern Time and posted September 30th. Winners will be contacted by email and have until Saturday, October 3rd to contact us via email with their mailing addresses. If the winner has not contacted us by the due date, we will randomly choose another winner as this is only fair to the other participants.

Alternate winners will be drawn Sunday at Noon.


Ways to earn extra entries:
+1 for commenting on the giveaway post

+3 for being a follower of my blog
(Please indicate this in your comment)

+2 for comments on my other book reviews
(Please indicate this in your comment)

+2 More Entry: Post this Giveaway on your blog
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This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. No P.O. boxes.
*Feel free to contact me via email at barras31063(at)yahoo(dot)com should you have any questions*

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Way Home by George Pelecanos


Christopher Flynn is trying to get it right. After years of trouble and rebellion that enraged his father and nearly cost him his life, he has a steady job in his father's company, he's seriously dating a woman he respects, and, aside from the distrust that lingers in his father's eyes, his mistakes are firmly in the past.

One day on the job, Chris and his partner come across a temptation almost too big to resist. Chris does the right thing, but old habits and instincts rise to the surface, threatening this new-found stability with sudden treachery and violence. With his father and his most trusted friends, he takes one last chance to blast past the demons trying to pull him back.


This is the first time I read this author and have to say that I had a really hard time putting this book down. This is an amazing novel, a page turner from the first few pages to the last page. Mr. Pelecanos makes you feel like you know the characters, like you are right there beside them.
I am looking forward reading more books by this talented author.



Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Pub. Date: May 2009
ISBN-13: 9780316156493
Sales Rank: 5,004
336pp

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Murder in the Magick Club


“Pure porn!” the critics cry. “Throw it on the fire!” Murder in the Magick Club is an occult-themed murder mystery; perfect for your next banned-book bonfire. Murder in the Magick Club takes place in the exotic, faraway land of Tampa, Florida and offers an insider’s exposé of the “Salem of the South” . . . written straight from the spleen. Murder in the Magick Club is the first in a series wherein the victim needs killin’ and the murderer always gets away with it . . . maybe. All of the characters—moochy customers, cops, self-absorbed and wastrel staff, and the impotent, financially longsuffering owner of the Magick Club—are always ready with an easy bit of slander and perhaps an easy bit of murder. Murder in the Magick Club is a ripping good read to grab on the way to the beach, or to help set just-the-right-tone before the reader jumps off the Skyway Bridge. Perfect to curl up with a steaming hot cup of mugwort tea, a bottle or two of merlot, the beer bong &/or the hashish-stoked hookah.

This is an awesome book if you want to read something a little different. It was a fun book to read which made me laugh out loud at times. The characters are lively, wonderful and unforgettable.

Paperback: 354 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 143920831X
ISBN-13: 978-1439208311

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard


A secret buried for centuries
Thrust onto Egypt's most powerful throne at the age of nine, King Tut's reign was fiercely debated from the outset. Behind the palace's veil of prosperity, bitter rivalries and jealousy flourished among the Boy King's most trusted advisors, and after only nine years, King Tut suddenly perished, his name purged from Egyptian history. To this day, his death remains shrouded in controversy.

The keys to an unsolved mystery
Enchanted by the ruler's tragic story and hoping to unlock the answers to the 3,000 year-old mystery, Howard Carter made it his life's mission to uncover the pharaoh's hidden tomb. He began his search in 1907, but encountered countless setbacks and dead-ends before he finally, uncovered the long-lost crypt.

The clues point to murder
Now, in The Murder of King Tut, James Patterson and Martin Dugard dig through stacks of evidence--X-rays, Carter's files, forensic clues, and stories told through the ages--to arrive at their own account of King Tut's life and death. The result is an exhilarating true crime tale of intrigue, passion, and betrayal that casts fresh light on the oldest mystery of all.


Another great book by bestselling author James Patterson. I truly enjoyed reading this book and could not put it down. This is a great nonfiction Thriller and brings to life the history of Eqypt. I still wonder if the Child King Tut got really killed or if he died of the accident. This will still be out for debate. I would recommend this book to anyone.



Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (September 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316034045
ISBN-13: 978-0316034043

Selfless by David Michael Slater


In 1980 s Pittsburgh, Jonathan Schwartz's carefree life is under assault. His sisters seem intent on doing him irreparable psychological harm. There s Nadia, with her unfathomable Machiavellian schemes, and Olivia, tease and temptress, whose beauty wreaks havoc among his friends. And his Holocaust survivor grandparents? There are no words. When his father, the acclaimed writer, is accused of stealing the books that made him famous, Jon's family implodes once and for all, and he must set off in search of what has been lost. His is a journey that ultimately requires him to find more than answers. It requires him to find himself.


Another first time author for me. Mr. Slater did an excellent job writing this book. I did not want to put down this book because I had to know what happened next. The characters in this novel are something you wont forget to easily. I had to laugh a few times and wondered what would happen next. Definitely a must read.


Paperback: 415 pages
Publisher: Absey & Company; First edition (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1888842563
ISBN-13: 978-1888842562

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Never Pals by Rocky Kuznik


Frenchy Mandril, considered Frank Bingham as his best salesman and top producer. Many times throughout their many years together, Frenchy would still be held spellbound and amazed by Frank's natural ability to close deals when certain customers were just in shopping and not prepared to buy anything. On many occasions he would step out to the curb of his lot and yell across the busy boulevard to his competitors... "I wish I had a hundred and twenty Frankie's working for me! I'd sell out every hour...!"

Frank Bingham being in his early forties, held contrary views and opinions of his boss. This was evidenced by most of their senseless conversations, where his ending thoughts would be something similar in effect to- "Why did his parents choose to drop that perfected moron and afford him breathing space on this planet?"..!"

January Thornton, also single for years and about Frank's age, lived next door. This however did very little to develop any facet of their relationship for more than twelve years. In plain talk, they had nothing in common except a hedge line dividing the properties and the like kind of people they individually worked for or others they held in short term friendships. In addition, there was this wayward thinking on their part that kept both of them mired in their individual and dysfunctional circumstances.

Jan was and has been employed by a national hotel chain for a number of years, at one of it's northern Ohio locations. Here he was it's head chef and restaurant manager. His director was a W.Wenchman, for whom Jan had less then a finger tip of respect. This was brought about by most of their so called business conversations, which were of the off the wall variety and applicable to very little. Whenever W.W. summoned him to his office it always was verbal launch time, directed toward Jan. -After knocking lightly and slowly opening the door, he said. "I'm here boss, is it okay for me to come in?"-"Now what the hell do you think Thornton? Like maybe I should come out there? Another thing! I was getting tired of holding my breath waiting for your appearance!"("Dam! I should have waited another five minutes and then no more Wenchman.") Thought Jan.

Will a two week vacation to Florida bring about change to their stale lifestyles and personal relationships? Some reading of their exploits may find them a bit humorous or even hilarious. But the main characters seem to accept them as a matter of fact occurrences.

This book was enjoyable and fun to read. The pals trip goes from Ohio to Florida and makes an interesting read. I am looking forward to read more by this author.


Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (February 13, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 143270303X

Knockout Entrepreneur


Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman

Readers remember George Foreman as the Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and the spokesman for the popular George Foreman Grill. What they may not know is that he is also a successful entrepreneur whose portfolio today boasts the George Foreman Grill, George Foreman's Knockout Cleaner, a line of clothing with Casual Male, fitness videos, Elgin watches, and many more. In The Knockout Entrepreneur, Foreman shares his success secrets with aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

As a small business owner this this book was an interesting read for me. This book is well written and easy to read. It gives you the basics principles and strategies on how to start and run a business.
At the end of each chapter there are "Knockout Ideas to Stimulate Your Success" which I really enjoyed reading. It makes you think about what you read in the chapter and answer some questions.
This book is a Nelsonfree book and along with the hard copy, you also get an ebook and an audio version.



Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0785222081
ISBN-13: 978-0785222088