Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Up From the Grave / Bound by Flames

I devoured these two novels by Jeaniene Frost, both continuations of two series.  Up From the Grave is the seventh book in the Night Huntress series, featuring Cat and Bones.  Bound by Flames is the third in the Night Prince  series, featuring Vlad and Leila.  These novels did not disappoint, and if you are a fan of the series I recommend them.  They are both action packed, with plenty of gore, revenge, battles and romance. If you are not a fan of the series, but enjoy paranormal romance with grit or vampire lore then I highly recommend this series to you. Observing the growth of these characters throughout the series has been fun. If you visit Jeaniene Frost's website, you can obtain the reading order for these two series and another spin off or two.

Happy Reading!


Monday, April 13, 2015

It Ain't All About the Cookin'

Paula Deen's memoir, It Ain't All About the Cookin', was a fascinating look into the private family and business life of the Southern restaurant and cooking show queen. This book was very personal, from getting her period, having sex, race relations in the South, mistakes she made as a mother...and that's all within the first 20 pages! It was also honest, and a page turner to the end.

Paula leaves nothing out and the reader feels as if she is simply sitting at Paula's kitchen table having a cup of coffee and a chat.  One can hear Paula's Southern twang while reading all about her childhood, growing up during the civil rights movement, her close knit family, her difficult first marriage, the death of her parents and subsequent agoraphobia issues, raising her boys, taking risks to start her first business, all the way through the huge success she has become and finding her true love.  Through it all the importance of family shines through, and her love of Southern food and cooking. Interspersed through the book there are personal recipes that hold a special significance, some of which have never been shared before.

I truly enjoyed reading this memoir, and it made me more interested in the genre. I was a little sad when the book was over, because it meant that personal time with Paula was over. If you have ever enjoyed her cooking shows or smiled when she says "butta" in her Southern drawl, I think you would enjoy this intimate look into her life and what makes Paula Deen the queen of Southern cooking.

Happy Reading, y'all!