Movie Night: The Heat (2013)

by Carol9 Comments
Title: The Heat Director: Paul Feig Writer: Katie Dippold In theaters: June 28, 2013 by 20th Century Fox Genre: Action, Comedy Rating: R Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Purchase: Amazon DVD | Amazon Instant Video Uptight FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn and foul-mouthed Boston cop Shannon Mullins couldn't be more incompatible. But when they join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies. The Heat is a funny, female buddy-cop movie. Ashburn and Mullins are opposites. Ashburn is uptight, uncomfortable with people, all bottled up. Mullins is loud, obnoxious, but gets along with people at least some of the time. The one thing they have in common is that they both want to get the bad guy. At first, it's almost a competition, but eventually, predictably, they find working together as a team brings better results. And it is predictable. The plot is definitely not the reason to see this one - McCarthy and Bullock are. They're funny and fun to watch. The...
Read More

Thursday’s Tale: Touched by Iron

by Carol1 Comment
There are so many fairy tales and folktales out there that sometimes it's hard to pick one to feature every Thursday. Yes, there's always another Grimm, but I like to add variety. Today, I decided on a mermaid tale, and I have a reason. In the book I'm listening to now, Bad Wolf by Nele Neuhaus, one of the victims, a drowned girl whose identity is unknown, keeps being referred to as The Mermaid. "Touched by Iron" is a sad Welsh tale that came up when I was searching for mermaid stories. It was retold by Wirt Sikes in British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy  Mythology, Legends, and Traditions, 1880. You can read it here. A farmer's son was watching the sheep on a foggy day when crossing a marshy meadow he saw a beautiful lady behind Coed farm was one foggy day looking after his  father's sheep, when crossing a marshy meadow he saw a lovely lady. She had yellow hair, blue eyes...
Read More

Review: The Black Song Inside by Carlyle Clark

by Carol2 Comments
Title: The Black Song Inside Author: Carlyle Clark Category: Thriller Published: September 10, 2013 by Thomas & Mercer Rating: 3½ out of 5 Stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon | Audible | Book Depository Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez, newly engaged private investigators, have seen the dark and violent side of life, but nothing has prepared them for an explosive murder investigation that threatens to tear their relationship apart. They struggle to solve a case that as a best result could leave them in prison or dead. Atticus's manipulative ex-girlfriend bursts back into their lives wielding a secret about Rosemary's family. She exploits the fact to force the couple into investigating the execution-style slaying of her lover. The case thrusts Atticus and Rosemary headlong into the world of human trafficking and drug smuggling, while rendering them pawns in Tijuana Cartel captain Armando Villanueva's bloody bid to take over the Cartel. The Black Song Inside is a vivid crime thriller rife with murder and madness, melded with gallows humor and...
Read More

Spotlight: Love, International Style by Caridad Piñeiro, Cathy Perkins, and Nikki Logan

by Carol2 Comments
About Love, International Style boxed 4-in-1 set: These four tales of international love and intrigue will set your heart on fire this Valentine’s Day! Purchase: AllRomance The Prince’s Gamble by Caridad Piñeiro Prince Alexander Ivanov is scrambling to save his reputation and his livelihood. One of the Russian Nights Casino’s hostesses has disappeared, and his business is suddenly under investigation by the FBI for associations with the mob and money laundering. Special Agent Kathleen Martinez has no patience with rich, entitled aristocrats, especially one like Alexander Ivanov whom she believes is involved in the vicious human trafficking ring which she’d tried—and failed—to shut down two years earlier. With a second chance to bring him to justice, she goes undercover in the casino, but instead of facing the villain she expected, she finds herself battling a sizzling attraction to the man.Now, forced to work together to trace the source of the illegal activities, the danger—and the passion between them—grows out of control, and they...
Read More

Weekend Cooking: OMG That’s Paleo by Juli Bauer

by Carol5 Comments
Title: OMG That's Paleo Author: Juli Bauer Published: February 21, 2013 by Scribe Publishing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon OMG That's Paleo features 30 new recipes never seen before on author Juli Bauer's blog, paleomg.com, as well as a selection of her best blog recipes. Sections include poultry, beef, pork, fish/seafood, slow cooker, sweet and savory breakfasts, baked goods, 5-ingredient meals, side dishes, snacks and desserts; and each recipe features a color photo. Juli also writes about the paleo diet in general and why it works for her, suggestions for keeping a kitchen well stocked, and recommended resources for further reading. And just like her blog, you can expect plenty of funny stories and awkward moments. I don't follow a Paleo diet, but I do pick up Paleo cookbooks and recipes fairly often. Given my love of all things pasta and bread, it's good to get some meat and veggie recipes. Paleo in theory closer to what our ancestors eat. Good foods -...
Read More