Category Archives: In a nutshell

Fix-it and forget-it: Vegetarian Main dishes by Phyllis Pellman Good

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Cover Fix it and forget it Vegetarian main dishes

inanutshell 

I was slightly disappointed with this book. The last vegetarian book in this series had plenty of slow cooker meals, but in this book a lot of the recipes were non-crockpot meals and I am not sure how that ties in with the fix-it and forget-it idea.

Right the first recipe is for mushroom manicotti, and, frankly, I do not see the “forget-it” in a meal that calls for cooked manicotti, preparing the stuffing, stuffing the pasta, bake it and then prepare a tomato sauce on the side to serve it with.

So far to me this series represented easy recipes where I could throw the ingredients into the slow cooker and forget about them until the cooker had worked its magic. This concept seems to have been given up now for the sake of “roasting, stir-frying and steaming – all the methods that so highlight vegetables’ star qualities”. Admittedly those recipes sound mouth watering and lovely: Tasty lentil tacos, Polenta with spicy bean sauce, Quinoa with broccoli and hoisin sauce, but they are not what I came for.

I saved some of the slow cooker recipes and am definitely planning on making them soon. The non-crockpot dishes are definitely worth a go as well, just that are not the fix-it and forget-it kind. If you don’t mind that, go for this book.

Product info and buy link :

Title Fix-it and forget it: Vegetarian main dishes
Author Phyllis Pellman Good
Publisher Open Road Integrated Media
ISBN ASIN B00AYRI3GM
I got this book from the publisher via Netgalley
Buy link Buy Fix-it and forget-it: Vegetarian Main Dishes

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

This post is part of

Weekend cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads. For the other weekend cooking posts please go there.

Fix-it and forget-it vegetarian soups, stews and chilis by Phyllis Pellman Good

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Cover Fix it and forget it Vegetarian Soups, stews and chilis

inanutshell 

Just like the first Fix it and forget it book that I reviewed, this is a no-nonsense book with recipes suitable for a busy life with real life pictures. The recipes are all fairly easy and mostly for the slow cooker. With a few exceptions the instructions are limited to “mix all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook for 7-8 hours on low”. Can it be any easier? If you love beans and lentils especially, this is a book for you.

Out of the fifty recipes so far I have tried the Red Lentil Soup and it was super easy and very delicious. With baguette it is a nice, convenient and filling meal.

Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1,2 l vegetable broth
  • 1 cup dry red lentils
  • 3 carrots sliced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 tbsp rice uncooked
  • 2 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp herbes de Provence
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Mix everything in crockpot

Cook 4-5h on high or 7-8 hours on low.

The Non-Fiction Giveaway Blog Hop

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Product info and buy link :

Title Fix-it-and-forget-it vegetarian soups, stews and chilis
Author Phyllis Pellman Good
Publisher Open Road Media
ISBN ASIN B00AYRI5FQ
I got this book from the publisher via Netgalley
Buy link Buy Fix-it-and-forget-it vegetarian soups, stews and chilis

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

This post is part of

Weekend cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads. For the other weekend cooking posts please go there.

On what grounds by Cleo Coyle

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Cover On what grounds by Cleo Coyle

Very short synopsis:

First mystery at the Village Blend. With the police discarding the case as an accident, Clare sets out to find the killer.

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it: Yes. I have already read a few later books in the series so I knew what to expect. It is a nice start to the series that clears up a few situations that were not explained later on anymore. Cozy atmosphere and likeable main characters. If you don’t mind the usual overload of the “theme” (i.e. “There is a bludgeoned body in the basement? Nothing a gourmet latte couldn’t fix.”), this is a very pleasant mystery.

For people who like: cozy mysteries & coffee.

Product info and buy link :

Title On what grounds
Author Cleo Coyle
Publisher Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN 9780425192139
I got this book from Birgit from The Book Garden
Buy link Buy On what grounds

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Diary of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney

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Cover Diary of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney

Very short synopsis:

Illustrated diary of a middle school kid, describing his life at school and at home.

inanutshell 

I read it in: German (Gregs Tagebuch)

I liked it: Yes

My thoughts:

I can’t praise this book enough. If you have a school child who HATES reading and so far has never picked up a book voluntarily, try this one! We didn’t listen to the advice of the book sellers at our trusted comic shop (this book is not a comic, though) and discarded their suggestion of that very book because we thought it had too many pages, was too intimidating etc. However, a few weeks later our non-reader came along and told us that he wanted exactly this book. With pleasure, son! He read it in five evenings (224 pages), a miracle. He even copied a paragraph out of the book to take it to school and read to his friends, because I didn’t allow him to take the book. Voluntary writing – another first.
We had ordered the sequel at the same time and he started reading right afterwards.

As the book was also on my TBR list I read it after him and totally enjoyed it. There are a few situations where I cried with laughter. Oh, the things Greg and his mate get up to! It’s just too funny!

If you need a good laugh, even as an adult, get this book!

Product info and buy link :
Title Diary of a wimpy kid
Author Jeff Kinney
Publisher Puffin Books
ISBN 9780141324906
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy Diary of a wimpy kid

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith

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Very short synopsis:

The second instalment in the 44 Scotland Street series with news of all the inhabitants.

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it:    Yes, it was a great continuation of the series.

Again we are left behind with a few loose threads that I can#t wait to find out more about. What is going to happen to Bertie? Whose baby is Irene having? Is Janis a gold-digger or not? That one thought of hers in the restaurant indicates as much, but the latest conversation between Matthew and his father says different. Bruce is gone – good riddance! Is Pat’s father buying the flat for her? Is she going to be available for Matthew now because of his financial prospects? “Love over Scotland” is already waiting for me.

Product info and buy link :

Title Espresso Tales
Author Alexander McCall Smith
Publisher Abacus
ISBN 9780349119700
I got this book from I bought it
More info The 44 Scotland Street series
Buy link Buy Espresso Tales

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Is Heathcliff a murderer? by John Sutherland

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inanutshell
Puzzles in 19th-century fiction 

Short synopsis:

John Sutherland analyzes unsolved mysteries and enigmas in classic 19th century fiction.

Language I read the book in: English

Did I like it? Yes

For people who: like to get to the bottom of things, enjoy speculating about what happened that the writers kept quiet about.

This is a delightful read if you have read the books in question and always wondered about certain aspects, like, for example, what the hell was that transcendental experience when Jane and Mr. Rochester communicate via “celestial telegram”? Or, what went really on between Ms. Stoner and Dr. Roylott in “The Speckled Band”? Or whether Alec is a rapist or not?

Out of the 34 books tackled I have read only 13, not an impressive figure, but it is still worth getting this book. Plus, the intriguing chapter titles encourage you to go and read the rest. Who wouldn’t want to know what is behind the question “What kind of murderer is John Barton?”, or what is the story of “Effie Dean’s phantom pregnancy”

Highly recommended!

Related books by John Sutherland:

Can Jane Eyre be happy? *** Who betrays Elizabeth Bennett?

Product info and buy link :

Title Is Heathcliff a murderer?
Author John Sutherland
Publisher Oxford Paperbacks
ISBN 9780192834683
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy Is Heathcliff a murderer? in Awesome Books’ bargain bin

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Death of a charming man by M. C. Beaton

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Very short synopsis:

Beautiful young newcomer to a dreary village charms all the women. Eventually he gets killed which was practically unavoidable. Hamish saw it coming.

Cover Death of a Charming Man by M. C. Beaton

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it:    Yes

For people who like: I don’t know whether M.C. Beaton does not like women very much or whether it is just coincidence that again the women are all daft and gullible. They seem to be all over Scotland, too, as this time we are not in Lochdubh, but in another backwater village called Drim.

Hamish’s and Priscilla’s engagement is a joke! I can’t find fault with Hamish; Priscilla knows he is unambitious, but the second they are engaged she starts to try to “change” him – and when has that ever worked? On top of that she is a cold fish and not responsive at all to his romantic advances. What a couple! Oh, well, the engagement only happened by accident, so to speak, so what can you expect? Not surprised to see them split up at the end of the book.

Product info and buy link :

Title Death of a charming man
Author M. C. Beaton
Publisher Robinson Publishing
ISBN 9781845297336
I got this book from I bough it
Buy link Buy Death of a charming man

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Death of a travelling man by M. C. Beaton

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Very short synopsis:

Hamish takes an immediate dislike to a travelling man and newcomer to Lochdubh. Needless to say the unpleasant bloke gets his head smashed in.

Cover Death of a Travelling Man by M. C. Beaton

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it:    It was ok, but for me one of the weaker books in the series. I never understood the lure of the victim and how he “seduced” the women of the village. So my interest in seeing his murderer brought to justice was was low. I couldn’t have cared less. The women of Lochdubh are painted in a rather unfavorable light. They are all easily seduced (not necessarily sexually, see "Death of a perfect wife”) and rather simple and one-layered.

Hamish’s engagement with Priscilla happens quite unexpected and under unusual circumstances. We will see how long that relationship lasts. My prediction: Not very long.

For people who like: Cozy mysteries, the Highlands.

Product info and buy link :

Title Death of a travelling man
Author M. C. Beaton
Publisher Robinson Publishing
ISBN  
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy Death of a travelling man

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

Death of a glutton by M. C. Beaton

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Very short synopsis:

Disgusting woman is being killed in an eccentric way. Hamish encounters eccentric suspects galore to choose from.

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it:    Yes.
The victim was such an unpleasant creature that you could only root for the murderer. A group of visitors in a hotel are always a great cast for a mystery, and the story set in Tommel Castle adds a little extra flair. However, the way that hotel is being run makes me wonder how they make any money at all. A luxury hotel where people have to replace the light bulbs in the rooms themselves? This is unheard of! Shows that the Halburton-Smythes as owners are just amateurs who have their upper class status going for them.

For people who like: very cozy mysteries, the Scottish Highlands

Product info and buy link :

Title Death of a glutton
Author M. C. Beaton
Publisher Robinson Publishing
ISBN 9781845297350
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy Death of a glutton
More info The Hamish Macbeth series

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

It’s Tyrannosaurus Rex–Smithsonian Prehistoric Pals

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trexVery short synopsis:

Short e-book for the iPhone or iPad about the T-Rex and its living environment.

 

 

 

inanutshell 

I read/listened to it in: English

I liked it:    Yes, but more important, my son liked it even more. This is my first step in the world of iPhone books (I don’t read e-books on the phone) and I was surprised at the convenience and possibilities. The book is short – and just right for the attention span of children. You can either swipe to get to the next page/scene or have it play itself on auto, and you can either read yourself or have the book read to you. A tap on an animal shows or tells the name of it and a tap on a word in the text has the word read to you. It’s a lovely, entertaining e-book for kids and has great illustrations to boot.
There are more books in the series about other dinosaurs as well.

For kids who like: Dinosaurs, especially T-Rex, and want to know more about them.

Product info and buy link :

Title It’s Tyrannosaurus Rex
Publisher Oceanhouse Media
I got this book from Publisher’s Weekly with a coupon code. A review was not required.
Buy link Buy It’s Tyrannosaurus Rex on iTunes

 

What children’s books for iPhone do you know and recommend?

Agatha Raisin and the vicious vet by M. C. Beaton

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vetVery short synopsis:

Vet who hates small pets gets killed in what looks like an accident and Agatha investigates together with her stand-offish neighbour James.

 

 

 

 

 

 

inanutshell 

I read it in: English

I liked it:    Yes, but the constant up and down in the “relationship” of Agatha and James got on my nerves. It’s like a childish “Help, she fancies me!” – “Thank God, she fancies me not!” on his side and a “I must come on stronger” – “I need to back up and play it cool” on hers. Too much, that. They are not sixteen anymore, you know.

For people who like: Cozy mysteries where people get killed in not so cozy ways.

Product info and buy link :

Title Agatha Raisin and the vicious vet
Author M. C. Beaton
Publisher Robinson
ISBN 9781849011358
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy Agatha Raisin and the vicious vet

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

The madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

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Very short synopsis:

Rich supposedly mad lord gets together with rich widow for affair, but a police detective throws a spanner in the works. He wants the madman convicted for murder. 

inanutshell

I read it in: English

I liked it:     No , because the police officer was such a terrible person, obnoxious, pushy and insufferable; he spoilt all the fun for me. The two main characters were ok, but somehow they didn’t hold my attention and I was not really interested in how they were going to get together for good and/or how they got the detective off their backs.

For people who like: historical romance, an unusual hero, a down to earth heroine

Product info and buy link :

Title The madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Author Jennifer Ashley
Publisher Berkley Publishing
ISBN 9780425244463
I got this book from I bought it
Buy link Buy The madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

If you click on the buy link above you will be taken to The Book Depository.co.uk. If you buy the book through this link I will earn a small commission. You can find my general affiliate links to The Book Depository, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? I would love to hear other opinions.

And yet another DNF

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GRC

 

The mysteries of UdolphoLately it seems I pick up quite a lot of books that turn out to be a DNF. I tried so hard to read (and like) “The mysteries of Udolpho” which is a book I have been wanting to read for a long time, actually ever since reading “Northanger Abbey”. The Gothic Reading Challenge was the perfect opportunity to finally tackle it.

According to Goodreads I started reading that book on June 26. You want to know how far I got? To page 48!

I was willing, I compared covers, I told you the book beginning, Udolpho turned up on my monthly reading lists – to no avail.  That book is so long winded, it defies description. Admittedly, at 880 pages I didn’t expect it to go medias in res, but the descriptions of scenery bored the hell out of me, and I didn’t want to read through 200 pages of them before the gothic “horror” would start. If it ever started I don’t know. 

I think it’s time to say good bye to it and just face the fact that the mysteries of Udolpho will remain a mystery to me.

WMSmoker seeks seclusion by PirateGrrl

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Clyde, a chain smoking, snarky, misanthropic secretary falls slowly and against his will in love with Sam who worms his way into Clyde’s life. The story is told completely in first person from Clyde’s POV and in present tense. Clyde doesn’t change that much in the course of the book, he’s still the guy who hates people in general and his colleagues in particular. The only difference now is that he’s in love with Sam. I absolutely loved it. At a word count of almost 83.000 words it is a long read, so make sure you set apart some reading time.

Get or read it for free at Fictionpress

Feathers by Vincent Diamond

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I wasn’t too thrilled with it. I liked Brandon’s character, but Ramon’s shilly-shallying really grated on me. He wanted to, but couldn’t go through, and that went back and forth for ages. I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but I just didn’t connect with the story at all.

When Brandon couldn’t have Ramon, he went and looked for one night stands who resembled Ramon. Can’t say I cared for that much either.

Lily from I love books gave this a very favourable review, though. So check it out yourself!

Available at All Romance e-books (Publisher Lethe Press)

Special delivery by Cassandra Gold

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A really sweet story. The office atmosphere was pretty realistic. All the secretaries being hot for Tim, yeah, those UPS guys have something going for them. Mark was so shy and self-conscious, you just had to love him. Again, as I already said in my review for Fool for love, two guys take it slow and mean it. Nice change! A lovely and quick read.

Available at Freya’s Bower

Seeing love by Sean Michael

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You would think that this story has a lot of potential for conflict. A middle-aged, blind businessman and a young rent-boy hired as a reader. There is an age gap, difference in backgrounds, outside pressure. All those could make both their lives miserable, but there are almost no problems whatsoever. A slight disturbance with the usual evil ex, which is resolved quickly and we go back to the regularly scheduled program. If you like a typical Sean Michael story, get it.

Available at Torquere Books

Promise of the heart by Chrissy Munder

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Second chances is always something I enjoy reading about. I liked the characters and how they interacted. What I could have done without was the love scene right at the beginning. I don’t care very much for scenes like this without context and without knowing the relationship between the characters. In fact I skipped most of it. Other than that I liked it a lot.

Available at Dreamspinner Press

The Squire by Shawn Lane

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A rather short historical. However, I thought the time in between Duncan’s leaving and Sir William finding him was way too rushed. Duncan left furtively and disappeared. The next scene is set a few weeks later and Sir William turns up to look for Duncan at the place Duncan is working at. Even though I’m not into prolonged separation of lovers, this was too short and cut off even for me. The blurb is here slightly exaggerated.

Available at Amber Allure

Chosen by Sean Michael

2 Replies

This is the sequel to Need. There are a few situations where I thought, right, now the conflict is starting to break out but it never did – not really. Bast and Trick are having sex so often, it’s amazing they have time for anything else at all. Bast’s friends got on my nerves towards the end. The story is wrapped up nicely and comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Available at Torquere Books

The Professor’s secret passion by M. L. Rhodes

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I found Aidan’s qualms about starting a relationship with Nate somewhat exaggerated. The situation was totally different from the one that made him keep his distance. But I don’t know enough about life at US universities, so I might be totally wrong about this. Other than that I liked the story a lot. Nate’s declaration of love that came somewhere in the middle of the book is about the sweetest one ever. I absolutely loved that part!

Available at Amber Allure

Testament to Love by Ariel Tachna

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I’m not too fussed on anything religious, so the references to a higher being etc. were not for me. However, who can resist angels and their wings? I liked how Emmanuel forgot his duties and went with the flow. His two angel buddies were equally nice, not on their high horse, but supportive and encouraging.

Available at Dreamspinner Press