Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray

Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray is an emotionally believable story that involves love, friendship, death, betrayal, and forgiveness. This love triangle isn’t your typical story, but this isn’t your typical author either. Be prepared for a very memorable story that will keep you engrossed in the story for longer than you expected.

Book Description

“In this emotionally charged and inspiring novel about a love triangle, secrets between best friends threaten to blow up friendships and a marriage and change lives forever.

When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey, dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned.” – Never Say Never

My Thoughts

Never Say Never is a novel that shows the bonds of friendship, family, and shows infidelity in a different light than you’d normally read about it. I don’t like to give spoilers in my reviews, so I won’t do that. I am also not condoning being unfaithful at all, but this novel is artfully crafted by the author to show that it can sometimes be understood, even if it isn’t morally right.

Victoria Christopher Murray does an excellent job in this book with the characters. They are emotionally driven and as a reader, you care about them. The story itself is interesting yet very real. This is something that can (and does) happen in real life. People die, love, cheat, and everything in-between. This isn’t a fantasy world, but one where you can probably relate to at least one of the characters.

If you enjoy good novels that are highly character driven, this is definitely one you’ll want to read.

* Thank you to the publisher of Never Say Never, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sight Reading by Daphne Kalotay

Sight Reading by Daphne Kalotay is draws you into the lives of three characters who are involved in the competitive world of the classical music. Spanning from 1987 to 2007, you’ll follow their lives and ambitions to places from America to Europe.

Book Description

“The critically acclaimed author of Russian Winter turns her "sure and suspenseful artistry" (Boston Globe) to the lives of three colleagues and lovers in the world of classical music.

On a Boston street one warm spring day, Hazel and Remy spot each other for the first time in years. Although their brief meeting may seem insignificant, behind them lie two decades in which their life paths have crisscrossed, diverged, and ultimately interlaced. Remy, a gifted violinist, is married to the composer Nicholas Elko—once the love of Hazel's life.

It has been twenty years since Remy, an ambitious conservatory student; Nicholas, a wunderkind launching an international career; and his wife, the beautiful and fragile Hazel, first came together, tipping their collective world on its axis. As their story unfolds from 1987 to 2007, from Europe to America, from conservatory life to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, each discovers the surprising ways in which the quest to create something real and true—be it a work of art or one's own life—can lead to the most personal of revelations.

Lyrical and evocative, Sight Reading explores the role of art and beauty in everyday life, while unspooling a transporting story of marriage, family, and the secrets we keep, even from ourselves.” – Sight Reading

My Thoughts

Sight Reading spans from 1987 to 2007. It covers the lives of Hazel, Remy, and Nicholas. Striving to be the first chair and as successful as possible, is fun and exciting, but it can’t last forever. This is a story that takes you inside the world of the highly competitive and ambitious Symphony Orchestra, and much, much more.

I really like how you learn all sides to the story with this novel. We are used to reading just one side of a story with most novels, so this is an ambitious change which worked out very well in that respect. However, even with this I don’t feel that the characters were all fully developed to their potential. They are a bit cliché and predictable with their given roles.

* Thank you to the publisher of Sight Reading, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

American Phoenix by Jane Cook

American Phoenix by Jane Cook is a well-researched book about John Quincy Adams and his wife, Louisa. If you are interested in American history, and presidential biographies, this is a book you’ll want to read.

Book Description

“American Phoenix tells the gripping story of John Quincy Adams’s “honorable exile” during the War of 1812 and the harrowing journey of his wife, Louisa, to be reunited with her family.

American diplomat John Quincy Adams and his wife, Louisa, had two things in common with the audacious Napoleon Bonaparte—speaking perfect French and living in exile. American Phoenix reveals the untold true story of Quincy’s unexpected nomination as the top US envoy to Russia in 1809, and Louisa’s agony at being forced to leave their six- and eight-year old boys behind in Boston. Believing that ambition can never repay such sacrifice, she clings to the hope of reuniting with her sons in a year. Pretention, royal dissipation, extreme weather, covert political maneuvers, French interference, private tragedy, and two great wars trap them in St. Petersburg longer than their worst fears. Their personal story is soon swept into the public drama of Napoleon’s war with Russia and America’s war with Great Britain, which ultimately force John Quincy and Louisa to live apart. When Napoleon escapes his exile, his march to reclaim Paris threatens to forever separate John Quincy and Louisa from each other and their children back home.

American Phoenix uncovers the challenges, fears, sorrows, joys, triumphs, and faith that come when life—no matter the era—takes an unexpected journey.” – American Phoenix

My Thoughts

American Phoenix is a really good historical memoir about the President and the first lady in the 1800s. Admittedly, I did not know very much about them until I read this book. This book is focused on their years from 1809 to 1812. It is filled with a sense of historical patriotism and intrigue that history buffs will enjoy.

Although it isn’t fully a memoir, as the author did make up some of the content, I can tell that is was thoroughly researched, and the quality of the writing makes it an easy and educational read. I enjoyed reading it, and would definitely recommend it for all Americans, and of course, people who enjoy reading historical novels and biographies.

* Thank you to the publisher of American Phoenix, Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book for review as part of their “Book Sneeze” program. All opinions expressed are my own.

Gluten Free Baking with Betty Crocker

I am gluten free because I have to be. If I eat something with gluten (even just a few crumbs) I get terribly sick. One of the hardest things about staying gluten free is all of the things that I used to eat (and love) don’t taste like “normal” foods anymore. Gluten free bread, gluten free cakes, and the like usually taste a little dry and “strange.”

It has been a few years since I’ve been fully gluten free now, and I have discovered a few amazing replacements to eat that are gluten free and still taste almost 100% like normal foods that contain gluten. One of them is the Betty Crocker baking mixes. These are a lifesaver, especially during holidays or events because I can make these, bring them to the party (or keep at home) and still feel like I’m able to have a relatively normal birthday, Christmas, or whatever. They are delicious and gluten free, so it is really a win-win for everybody who gets to eat it!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Info

Now, Gluten Free baking gets even easier (and tastier!) with two all-new additions to the delicious line of Betty Crocker Gluten Free baking products – introducing Gluten Free Sugar Cookie mix and All-Purpose Gluten Free Rice Flour Blend. 

Smart moms already trust the great taste of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie, Cookie and Cake mixes that the whole family can enjoy, and now beginner-to-expert bakers can use mixes or create from scratch delicious recipes year-round! 

So why are Gluten Free moms choosing Betty Crocker?

• Taste – Our consumers rave about the great taste of our Gluten Free products. Check out some of the great comments here.
• Shareable – You can make one dessert for the whole family.
• Normalcy – You can feel “normal again” baking for your family just like before you went gluten free.

To find out more about Betty Crocker gluten free mixes, check out their website.

My favorite mixes are the brownie and cookie mixes (made into chocolate chip cookies of course)! Have you tried any of these gluten free mixes? Have any recipes or funny baking stories to share? I’d love to hear all about it!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White is a delicious novel about three characters who moved to New York City for various reasons, only to find themselves again through cooking inspirationally well.

Book Description

“Celebrating the healing power of food and the magic of New York City, A Place at the Table follows the lives of three seekers who come together in the understanding that when you embrace the thing that makes you different, you become whole. A Place at the Table tells the story of three unforgettable characters whose paths converge in a storied Manhattan café: Bobby, a young gay man from Georgia who has been ostracized by his family; Amelia, a wealthy Connecticut woman whose life is upended when a family secret comes to light; and Alice, an African-American chef from North Carolina whose heritage is the basis of a renowned cookbook but whose past is a mystery to those who know her. These characters are exiles—from homeland, from marriage, from family. While they all find companionship and careers through cooking, they hunger for the deeper nourishment of communion. As the narrative sweeps from a freed-slave settlement in 1920s North Carolina to Manhattan during the deadly AIDS epidemic of the 1980s to the well-heeled hamlet of contemporary Old Greenwich, Connecticut, Bobby, Amelia, and Alice are asked to sacrifice everything they ever knew or cared about to find authenticity and fulfillment.” – A Place at the Table

My Thoughts

A Place at the Table is a book that moves through different times, different characters, and different locations. Bobby, Amelia, and Alice are all people who found their true selves only after embracing what made them different. Each were forced to leave their safe surroundings in the South to move to New York City – where they found not only amazing food, but also real opportunities for personal growth.

It is an interesting story that will leave you hungry for more (pun intended). If you like food, novels, character driven stories, and of course, New York City, this is a book you’ll want to read.

* Thank you to the publisher of A Place at the Table, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue is a perfect summer novel for women. It features friendships, loves, losses, secrets and much more. Plus, it takes place during the summer on the New Jersey shore.

Book Description

“In Philadelphia, good girl Kate is dumped by her fiancé the day she learns she is pregnant with his child. In New York City, beautiful stay-at-home mom Vanessa finds herself obsessively searching the Internet for news of an old flame. And in San Francisco, Dani, an aspiring writer who can't seem to put down a book—or a cocktail—long enough to open her laptop, has just been fired . . . again.

In an effort to regroup, Kate, Vanessa, and Dani retreat to the New Jersey beach town where they once spent their summers. Emboldened by the seductive cadences of the shore, the women begin to realize just how much their lives, and friendships, have been shaped by the choices they made one fateful night on the beach eight years earlier—and the secrets that now threaten to surface.” – All the Summer Girls

My Thoughts

All the Summer Girls is a true summer read. Perfect for a beach trip or summer vacation at a resort, or anywhere this summer. If you can’t get to a beachy summer vacation spot, this book will transport you there while you read it. You will get lost in this book for a while though, so if you are outside in the sun while reading it, be sure to apply plenty of lotion with SPF in it (or get in the shade).

The three main women in the story all come back together to this New Jersey shore town where they hold deep secrets that tie them together. You’ll learn more about this through well-crafted flashback scenes in the novel. Although the women weren’t so close in their adult years, they all find themselves back together for the summer. Their lives have changed dramatically since their teenage years and the trauma that has been haunting them ever since.

This novel is an excellent story about friendships, secrets, and lives that can be ruined if deep secrets and traumas aren’t dealt with. This is a beach read that is more than just fun and sexy, it has a true story that will keep you reading longer than you planned for each sitting. I definitely recommend this book for your summer reading list!

* Thank you to the publisher of All the Summer Girls, William Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kicking in the Wall by Barbara Abercrombie

Kicking in the Wall by Barbara Abercrombie is a book for all writers to help kick in that frustrating wall that blocks their writing process. If you are looking for writing prompts and inspirations to write, this is the book to help you get started writing again!

Book Description

“Kicking in the Wall includes quotes from famous writers to accompany the exercises, as well as real-world examples of completed exercises by the author’s students in the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program. Though Abercrombie says readers need only commit to five minutes per exercise, she writes, “I’ve seen novels, memoirs, and many essays get started in those five minutes, and a lot ended up being published.” Her playful method is essential fuel for writers trying to get off the starting block, persevere through challenges, and cross their personal creativity finish lines.” – Kicking in the Wall

My Thoughts

Kicking in the Wall is a fun guide to help you get creative with your writing. The writing prompts in it are only aimed to have you write for five minutes at a time. Of course, you could write for much longer if you are inspired to do so. Even better though, if you can’t get anything going on that prompt, well it was only five minutes wasted, so no big deal.

I also like how the book is setup to first show you the writing prompts and then to see examples of what people wrote on some of the prompts in another section. I suggest writing the prompts first, and then seeing what someone else wrote on it, but you might get inspired by doing it the other way, too. Whichever works for you!

I think that this book is an excellent resource for writers in all stages of their career. No matter what type of writer you are, you have probably gone through some form of writer’s block before. This book can help you so much with it. I highly recommend it for all writers out there.

* Thank you to the publisher of Kicking in the Wall, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro is a wonderful piece of historical fiction that weaves love, loss, sacrifice, desire, and good perfume into a memorable novel that fans of this genre will enjoy for years to come.

Book Description

“An inheritance from a mysterious stranger . . .
An abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank of Paris . . .
And three exquisite perfumes that hold a memory . . . and a secret.

London, 1955: Grace Monroe is a fortunate young woman. Despite her sheltered upbringing in Oxford, her recent marriage has thrust her into the heart of London's most refined and ambitious social circles. However, playing the role of the sophisticated socialite her husband would like her to be doesn't come easily to her—and perhaps never will.

Then one evening a letter arrives from France that will change everything. Grace has received an inheritance. There's only one problem: she has never heard of her benefactor, the mysterious Eva d'Orsey.

So begins a journey that takes Grace to Paris in search of Eva. There, in a long-abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank, she discovers the seductive world of perfumers and their muses, and a surprising, complex love story. Told by invoking the three distinctive perfumes she inspired, Eva d'Orsey's story weaves through the decades, from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London.

But these three perfumes hold secrets. And as Eva's past and Grace's future intersect, Grace realizes she must choose between the life she thinks she should live and the person she is truly meant to be.

Illuminating the lives and challenging times of two fascinating women, The Perfume Collector weaves a haunting, imaginative, and beautifully written tale filled with passion and possibility, heartbreak and hope.” – The Perfume Collector

My Thoughts

The Perfume Collector is a well written book that transports you back in time and thrusts you into the story. Perfumes and scents in general help to remember things, both positive and negative. I love how the author used scents to trigger memories. I don’t think I’ve ever read something where an author has used this method before, and it worked out very well with this novel.

The characters in the book are well developed, especially Eva d’Orsey and Grace Monroe. They are dynamic, and as a reader, you care to read more about their journeys. Although each woman is truly unique, their story weaves together beautifully.

This is a fabulous piece of historical fiction that fans of this genre will definitely enjoy. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Perfume Collector, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Red Wedding on Game of Thrones - Spoilers!

I am finding it really quite funny that so many people are so shocked by the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones on HBO. I read the series that George R.R. Martin wrote that the show is based on (quite closely may I add) and it happened very similarly in there, too.

Yes, Robb Stark dies. Catelyn Stark dies. Everyone pretty much at the wedding dies. Oh, and Arya Stark never makes it to see her family before they died. She ends up becoming a little fireball across the sea though, but that hasn’t happened yet in the show. Robb doesn’t come back from the dead, but guess who will? Catelyn – but if it is anything like the book series of it, she is grotesque and can’t talk very well because her throat was slashed.

People claiming on various social media platforms about how much they hate the show now and are going to boycott it is ridiculous. Honestly, you should have known from the first season that the writer doesn’t care to save his beloved characters – remember Ned Stark?

There is still hope for this season though. There is another wedding in which the groom dies that will be coming up very shortly. His death has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to never have to see him in the series again. I just hope they don’t prolong it to next season.

For more spoilers and to save yourself any upcoming shock and disappointment of your beloved characters, I suggest reading the books or at least checking out the Game of Thrones Wiki. 

Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard Review

Looking for a new gaming keyboard that will give you that extra edge to extend your games to the next level? The Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard may be the perfect fit for your gaming needs, find out if it is for you with this review.

Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard Features

“Adjustable, Color Gamepanel LCD – Extend your cockpit with the G19s GamePanel LCD*. Stay informed with real-time game stats, background system information, VoIP communication data, video playback and image slide shows. Add community-developed applets to work with your GamePanel monitor or create your own.

Custom Color Backlighting – Locate keys in any room with custom backlit keys. Choose 1 out of 16 million colors and assign a unique color to each profile, profile mode, and mode style in the same game. You can tell, without looking down, which mode you’re in to ensure your setup is optimized.

12 Fully Programmable G-Keys – G19s includes 12 programmable G-keys** that simplify complex actions by allowing you to configure up to 36 unique functions across three different modes with three macros per key. With G-keys, instant access to a variety of customizable functions is just a click away. Program G-keys to interact with your mouse to change DPI levels on the fly and instantly switch from lightning-fast speed to pixel-perfect precision. Assign a G-key to open microphone channels and talk to friends through Ventrilo or to record your play on the fly. You can even assign a G-key to send a text broadcast to your team. Harness the power of G-keys to configure single key presses, complex macros or intricate LUA scripts on the fly, and quickly simplify actions to stay immersed in your game and never lose a step.

Advanced Surface Materials – Using infrared technology, we studied the interaction between hand and keyboard, and then added advanced surface materials to strategic zones for improved durability and comfort. A hydrophobic coating helps keep hands from sticking to the palm rest. Double UV coating on the keys provides extra long life durability. In addition, fingerprint-resistant coating on the faceplate helps maintain a fresh look. Details make the difference.

Two Hi-Speed USB Ports – The powered USB ports let you transfer data to and from peripherals, like MP3 players and flash drives, while also charging battery-powered devices.

Six Key Anti-Ghosting – Anti-ghosting means every key you press is registered even when you press more than one key at the same time. G19s not only includes anti-ghosting on common multi-key inputs such as control-alt-delete, it includes it over all 26 keys so you can perform multiple complex actions, such as pressing six keys at once, without interference or ghosting.

Game Mode Switch – You’re about to record a record high number of perfect headshots when an accidental keystroke sends you on an unplanned, unwanted trip to your desktop. Don’t let this kind of mistake ruin your streak or your game—easily disable the Windows key with one button so your game won’t be interrupted. You can thank us later.

Intelligent Cable Management - You can keep mouse, headset and other cords out of the way by routing them through channels on the underside of G19s.

Public Software Development Kit (SDK) – You can upload the latest enhancements developed exclusively for GamePanel by the Logitech open-source community.

Onboard Memory – G19s saves your profiles so you never lose your settings, even when you bring it to other PCs.

Dedicated Media Controls – Convenient one-touch controls give you instant access to volume control and media playback without needing to press a function key.” – Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard

My Thoughts

Before I started using this keyboard, I was using the Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110 and the Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Depending on what I was doing with it, I’d switch back and forth, but for the most part I was using the G110 because I could make the keyboard have a backlight color other than white. I really liked both of these keyboards because they were able to get the job done and easy to setup and use.

I was really excited to try the new Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard because it was like the best of both of the previous versions I was using rolled into one. I never used a keyboard with a LCD screen either, so to be honest, to start with, I was a little confused on what the big fuss about it would be. I mean, would it really make that much of a difference?

The Gamepanel LCD screen on the keyboard is without a doubt the coolest feature on this gaming keyboard. It does indeed help you to instantly see certain aspects to the game you are playing, system information, or any of the other option you choose. It is also very easy to setup and use, so don’t be intimidated with this feature at all.

My next favorite feature on this keyboard is the ability to change the backlight color to any option I wish. I’ve messed around with it just about every day I’ve been using it, and it looks great in all of the hues I’ve tried. My favorite is a light blue, pink, purple, and aqua or teal shade. You can easily change it to match your mood or your room.

The G-Keys are also easy to setup and use for gaming. I don’t use too many, but they are quite helpful for certain things. The advanced surface materials also work quite well to keep the keyboard looking fresh, but don’t forget to also clean it with appropriate antimicrobial wipes for electronics, too.

This is seriously the best keyboard I have ever used for a PC. It is perfect for gamers, but I could see how it could also be a favorite for people who just casually use the PC for other things as well. It is designed with the user in mind, and features intelligent options for people to get the most use out of it. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure: Thank you to Logitech for providing me with the product for review. All opinions, experiences, and thoughts about the product being reviewed are my own.