The Chopped Cookbook

The Chopped Cookbook

Use What You've Got to Cook Something Great

Food Network

The creators of the Food Network show Chopped have come together to make a cookbook that shows you how to use the basic ingredients you might typically find in your kitchen and create a wonderful meal. The main intent for the book is to take the "What's for dinner?" question and turn it into a great meal.

The book begins with with a basic pantry list and gives some tips on how to season different foods. The recipes are divided up into easy to use sections. Each section has tips and ideas on how to get creative with some basics to make a very tasty meal.

Pictures fill almost every page. The tips are helpful and most of the recipes contain ingredients I already have or regularly purchase. The instructions are basic and easy enough to follow. Most of them appear to be quick as well. The book does not contain anything weird and crazy like the show, but it will give you ideas when you are coming up lost for ideas.

I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook in exchange for my honest review.

A Match of Wits

A Match of Wits

Ladies of Distinction #4

Jen Turano

Agatha is a reporter for the New York Tribune. But someone wants her dead so she is currently in Colorado writing stories about the wild west. She stumbles upon an old friend in desperate need of help. At least Agatha thinks he needs help. Zayne is quite sure that he is fine and has no intention of returning to New York. 

This is the first book I've read by this author so that might have affected how I viewed the story. I felt the book was fine as a stand-alone, but since I haven't read the previous three, I can't be sure.

The story was full of wild and crazy stories about the escapades of the main female character, Agatha. Most of them seemed a bit far fetched for the time period, but were still amusing. Agatha was a bit annoying to me, since she seemed to have very little regard for the feelings of others. Both main characters came across as incredibly selfish and self-centered. The main male character seemed a bit weak and almost unmanly to me, but several reviewers mentioned more character development in previous books. It was a interesting and even fun at times book to read, but it didn't entice me to read the previous books in the series.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Death Takes a Ride

Death Takes a Ride

The Cate Kincaid Files Book 3

Lorena McCourtney

Cate has dropped by H&B Vintage Auto Restorations to give someone a ride to church. What she doesn't expect is a murder. Cate is still a waiting on her P.I. license to arrive, so technically she isn't supposed to investigate a murder. But when the business partner asks her to investigate another issue she gets pulled into everything before she realizes what she's into.

I hadn't had the pleasure of reading anything by this author before. I didn't know what I was missing. I could not put this book down. It was funny, entertaining, and well written. The author did a great job of mixing a little bit of romance, lots of mystery and intrigue, and subtle mentions of God.

I haven't read the first two books in the series, but was still able to enjoy this book. I enjoyed the author's sense of humor that she infused into the story. The main female character was quirky and klutzy, but endearing. I can't wait to get the first two books.

I received this book free of charge from Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not

Karen Cogan

 Miranda, a school secretary, finds herself falling in love with a coach at the school. Paul is perfect and their relationship is moving quickly towards marriage. So when several disasters things happen it threatens the love they hold dear. Can they both trust God to handle the hurt and sorrow?

The story is sweet and has some Christian elements. The plot deals with family illness and death and I felt the author handled these subjects well. The romance was clean and a bit puerile. Based on the actions of the couple, I felt the book was more YA than adult. But overall it was a sweet story.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Love Comes Home

Love Comes Home

Rosey Corner Book 3

Ann H. Gabhart

The Merritt sisters are so thankful the war is over and their husbands can come home. Except Tori's husband, who died in a concentration camp. Life resumes when everyone is home. But it isn't the same for any of them. Tori can't seem to let go of her grief. Kate learns being strong can't fix everything. Evie can't be satisfied with what life has handed to her. And Lorena finds out that her memories aren't what she thought they were.

A tiny bit of romance, a whole lot of faith and family, and a little bit of history are all thrown together to make a family saga that is both enjoyable and heartwarming. The story wasn't overly romantic or dramatic. But it was sweet and had great characters. The author did a great job of showing the story. I think this book could work as a stand alone. There isn't any indication on the book that this is the third one in the series, so I was a bit lost at times trying to figure out what the book was talking about. I would definitely recommend reading the first two before this one. But it was a good story and I intend to read more by this author.

I received this book free of charge from Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Appalachian Serenade

Appalachian Serenade

An Appalachian Blessings Novella

Sarah Thomas

Delilah's experience with marriage wasn't great. So when her husband passes away she feels relief. She moves to Wise, West Virginia to stay with her sister and family. But after she overhears a conversation between her sister and brother-in-law she decides to look for a job.

Working at the general store is more fun than she imagined and the owner is wonderful to work for. But Delilah has her heart set on having children before she is too old. Her faith is tested and her ideals are changed more than she imagined.

This novella is just a little taste of the series Appalachian Blessings which comes out this summer. The story was short, but hit all of the major points for me. It has romance, lessons of faith, and family. The characters were fun and well rounded. The romance was sweet without being over the top. This has story has had the desired effect. I will be checking out the first book in the series when it comes out.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

The Husband List

The Husband List

Rx for Love

Cindy Kirk

Mitzi grew up incredibly poor. She's had to fight her way up to become an orthopedic surgeon. So her husband list includes a man with serious ambition who is well on his way to reaching his goals. It certainly doesn't include ex-convict Keenan. She knows he was falsely accused and admires his dedication to his sister. She trusts him as the pilot who takes her to clinic and as a best friend with all of her secrets. But can she trust him with her heart?

The characters were realistic and likable. The book was more about feelings than any real plot, but it was still an enjoyable read. The author has written Christian fiction previously so I was expecting it to be a clean romance. It definitely has some aspects that would NOT be found in any Christian romance. So if you are uncomfortable with that sort of book, then definitely don't get this book. But if you don't mind a few bedroom scenes than this is a good summer read.

I received this book free of charge from Harlequin in exchange for my honest review.