Two Dogs and a Book

Henry Wood Detective Agency by Brian D. Meeks My rating: 4 of 5 stars Henry Wood Detective Agency is the first book in the Henry Wood Detective Series. This book has all the traditional detective components and also has an interesting twist (which I will not mentioned in order not to spoil the story for you). The story was well thought and Brian D. Meeks took us on the roller-coaster of detective work and the dangers of dealing with bad gangsters. I enjoyed this fast read! View all my reviews

One to Hold by Tia Louise My rating: 4 of 5 stars I picked up this book because I felt like to read a love story. This book was sexy and light. It had great drama and intense passion. Not bad at all! View all my reviews

Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong My rating: 5 of 5 stars Another fantastic book by Kelley Armstrong!!! This is the second book of the Age of Legends series. Second books are often not as good as the first ones; Empire of Night did not follow this rule. The adventure continues for Moria and Ashyn and their entourage. New characters are introduced and some old ones shows different sides of themselves. The story has a steady flow of ups and downs; never a boring moment. The underlining love stories are a bit frustrating, but that would not be a good book if it was all easy peasy. Kelley Armstrong keeps you on your toes right to the end and now I can't wait for the next book to be available... oh the wait... I hate waiting... but I will because I need to find out what happens next. View all my reviews

Japanese Cooking Made Simple: A Japanese Cookbook with Authentic Recipes for Ramen, Bento, Sushi & More by Salinas Press My rating: 4 of 5 stars Japanese food is one of my favorites cuisines. I love dining at Japanese restaurant and enjoy the variety of food and flavours they offer. I was hoping that this book would give me the confidence I needed to attempt cooking such lovely food. It did not succeed. Although the recipes seem simple enough, the dish preparation is quite intimidating. The book contains nonetheless wonderful facts and tricks and the recipes all look delicious. I am sure I will eventually find the courage to try preparing one dish and see if this is something I can do or if I should just stick to going to Japanese restaurants to enjoy this wonderful cuisine. View all my reviews

Farmstead Feast: Winter: Delicious, in-season recipes by the author of The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess My rating: 4 of 5 stars I got this book for free at Amazon. I always enjoyed reading cookbooks and learning about new ways to cook a variety of food. Anna Hess' book caught my attention because it sounded very natural and healthy.... and it is! I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but I am planning to do so as soon as the farmer's market re-opens in my town. Cooking with fresh vegetables is perfect to put these recipes to the test. I am looking forward to it! View all my reviews

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant My rating: 5 of 5 stars My friend Lynn suggested this book to me and I am so thankful! This was such an enjoyable read. I love history and I love art. Sarah Dunant has weaved an incredibly rich story around a young woman's life and struggles in Florence in the 15th century. Alessandra's story is artfully interwoven with historical events to create a fascinating retelling of Renaissance Italy. A must read! View all my reviews

The Dirty Parts of the Bible by Sam Torode My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a fun read! The characters were all very interesting and amusing in each their own way. When I started I thought I was going to be put off by the religious flavour, but without it, this story would not stand a chance. View all my reviews

28 Days of Clean Eating: The Healthy Way to Kick Dieting Forever by Sonoma Press My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is filled with great recipes and health recommendations. Although the author offers a full menu for four weeks, I find it difficult to stick to the regiment because of my busy work and family schedule. If I was cooking only for myself; I think I could do it. Nevertheless, this is a complete book for healthy eating and definitely worth reading. View all my reviews

Best Brunches and Breakfasts by Marie L'Esperance My rating: 5 of 5 stars I got this book for free on Amazon. I love brunches and I am always looking for new recipes to put some variety on the menu. This book is awesome! The recipes are easy to follow and are delicious! I recommend it! View all my reviews

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin My rating: 5 of 5 stars A friend had recommended this book and I did not have a chance to read it last year. I put it forward as a suggestion for our book club at work and it was selected. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a gem. Any book lovers will love all the book references in this touching story. I could not put is down. It is beautifully written and the story has all the right elements that can only be put together by great authorship. The book is filled with awesome quotes. Here are some of my favorites: “You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?” “We aren't the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on.” “A place ain’t a place without a bookstore.” and my favorite: “Someday, you may think of