#BookReview ~ Classic Michigan Food and Drinks: The Stories behind the Brands (American Palate) by Jon Milan and Gail Offen #PureMichigan #Michigander #Faygo #Koegels #Jiffy #Kelloggs #Vernors #NonFiction

 

Book Details:

Publisher: ‎ The History Press
Publish Date: November 12, 2024
Paperback: ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1467153052
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1467153058

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About the Book:

Michigan is home to an amazing array of food and drink brands, each with a fascinating story behind it.

Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals like Kellogg’s and Post changed how the world eats, and Gerber first made baby food commercially available. But the Wolverine State is bursting with many other notable edibles, such as Faygo, American Spoon, Jiffy, Sanders and Vernors. Better Made uses Michigan potatoes for its chips. Fudge, pasties and anything made with cherries are also local standards. Others are gone but not forgotten, like Awrey’s and Twin Pines.

Authors Gail Offen and Jon Milan explore the history and stories behind all of these and many, many more.

My Review:

As a Michigander, I love to read about the history of our state. Classic Michigan Food and Drinks is a wonderful book about the famous yummies that were, or still are, made in Michigan. I was born and raised in Michigan, still residing in the center of the Lower Peninsula and there are a few brands that I wasn't familiar with in this book. I love the historical factor and the bridge to the present represented in Classic Michigan Food and Drinks. I'm happy to include the paperback I received as a review copy on my bookshelf.

And have you really lived if you haven't tried a Faygo at least once?!

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#BookReview ~ Hard As It Gets (A Hard Ink Novel, Book 1) by Laura Kaye #RomanticSuspense #MilitaryRomance #Romance @laurakayeauthor

 

Book Details:

Publisher: ‎ Avon 

Publish Date: November 26, 2013

Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062267884

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062267887

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About the Book:

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

My Review:

Hard As It Gets is the first book in the Hard Ink series. The series features 5 former army buddies who left the military under less than favorable circumstances. When the daughter of his former commander pops into Hard Ink unexpectedly, Nick is a brick wall. Hard and unmovable, despite the despair in Becca's eyes at the disappearance of her brother. Unwilling to assist, Becca leaves, heartbroken and unsure where to go next. The police aren't getting involved and she's all alone. Until she's not. 

Nick and Becca make a great team as they spend their days together, trying to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of Charlie. When evidence and events point to one of the largest organized crime ring in the state, Nick knows he needs help. The problem? Will those he calls on be willing to put his radio silence aside to aid him in taking down the crime ring? Well, here's to trying.

I was completely drawn into Hard As It Gets. The story was well-written, the characters delightful, and the setting vivid. Becca and Nick are a perfect pairing. There's a bit of roughness when they first meet, but they continue to be drawn together. Close proximity accounts for some of the attraction, but not all of it as they rush to figure out what happened to Charlie. 

I purchased my review copy at a garage sale.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Cooking Up A Valentine's Proposal by Daisy Flynn #CleanRomance #Romance #HEA

 

Cooking Up A Valentine's Proposal by Daisy Flynn

ASIN: ‎ B0CT78P326
Publication Date: ‎ January 23, 2024
Print Length: ‎ 74 pages

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About the Book:

I just turned forty, my bakery and apartment are in flames, and my best friend is on vacation.

In comes the cavalry.

My best friend’s off-limits brother, Augustine.

A master chef, with his own Gold Star restaurant.

Not only does he give my daughter and I a place to stay,

But he has a dream kitchen I can use until the bakery is remodeled.

And the chance to create his Gold Star restaurant’s private-label signature desserts.

But when I fake a marriage to scare off his gold-digging ex,

Will he see the love behind the lie?

Or will it ruin our chance at love?

I found a true knight in shining armor, and then I lost him.

But I won’t give up.

I’ve got a happily-ever-after recipe to win the challenge, and to heal his broken heart for good.

This is a Clean Romance story with no explicit romance scenes or language, and some references to a belief in God. It’s a stand alone story with its own happily-ever-after ending.

My Review:

Cooking Up A Valentine’s Proposal is a cute romance novella. When Jane’s bakery catches fire, she and her daughter Rita call Jane’s bestie Natalie. Soon-to-be-mom Natalie and her hubby are out of town on a last-chance mini-vacation before their baby arrives. Natalie calls in a favor to her brother, Augustine, who gladly takes in Jane and Rita.

Augustine and Jane aren’t strangers but they don’t really know each other. They are acquaintances through Natalie. He’s used to living alone and she’s used to a small apartment with her daughter. All that changes when Augustine’s house goes from 1 occupant to 3.

There are definitely sparks between Augustine and Jane. Not the explosive, fireworks kind, but a shared interest. They get along well, are able to live in the same space, and both are kind, caring, compassionate people. Their romance just hit the ignite button too quickly.

I try not to judge these types of romance too harshly. When I met my husband, we moved in together after less than two months of knowing each other. I just don’t feel deep emotions bubble up between Augustine and Jane. I wish there was more of a recognizable connection. Nevertheless, Cooking Ua A Valentine’s Proposal is a sweet, clean romance, quick to read, without complicated characters.

I was provided a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Review: