Review: Tyringham Park by Rosemary McLoughlin

Tyringham Park by Rosemary McLaoughlin
480 pages, Paperback Atria Books, February 2014
Source: Publisher, NetGalley in exchange for review
This is the story of the Blackshaw family- wealthy, British landowners in Ireland- and the people that serve them at Tyringham Park. The disappearance/death of the youngest Blackshaw begins this tragic, yet entertaining saga.
I could not put this one down. It starts off right away with the disappearance of 2 year old Victoria Blackshaw. We are quickly introduced to the large cast of characters- absentee father, uninvolved mother,  the older, forgotten daughter and a manipulative and abusive Nanny are just a few. Full of drama, secrets and a bit of suspense, Tyringham Park delivers a great escape from the present into the world of this aristocratic family in the early 20th century. 
Charlotte, the eldest daughter is the real standout. She shows so much potential for surviving her upbringing and making a better life for herself, but falters over and over again, losing her confidence and living in the past. Guilt? Sadness? She can't seem to escape that day when her sister was lost to her forever. 
For more info on the book and author visit her WEBSITE.


Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

New Review books in the house

I read all my books that I had for review 2-3 months in advance of their scheduled posts so it was time to see what books were being offered for review and request a few from NetGalley. Be sure to look for my reviews of these soon.
Tyringham Park by Rosemary McLaoughlin (February 27th)
The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off by Carolyn Brown (April)
Knit Your Own Zoo by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne (March)
and in the mail,
The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating by Carole Radziwill (March)

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Easy Turkey Spaghetti Sauce

I made a spaghetti sauce the other day that turned out pretty good. Thought I would share in case you might like a really easy, tasty sauce. I used lean ground turkey, which makes it somewhat healthier, as well. If you try it, let me know. I would love to hear about any modifications you make, if you liked it or not. I am not a cook, but sometimes I like to try. :)

Spaghetti sauce

½ lg yellow onion diced
1yellow pepper diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
Salt, pepper, italian seasoning
Olive oil

Sauté on high heat.

Add 1lb ground lean turkey

Cook until browned

Add 28oz can of diced tomatoes
2 16oz cans of tomato sauce

Bring to a boil.
Cover and simmer on medium heat

Cook pasta according to package.

Toss with sauce.

Mangia!

______________________________

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Book Blast: The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau

The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau

Paperback Publication Date: February 13, 2014
Orion Publishing
Paperback; 432p
ISBN-13: 978-1409135807
Series: Joanna Stafford, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery

A curse to kill a king, a fight to save a nation. Follow young Joanna Stafford right into the dark heart of King Henry VIII’s court in this stunning Tudor thriller.

About the Book

England, 1538. 

The nation is reeling after the ruthless dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII. Cast out of Dartford Priory, Joanna Stafford – feisty, courageous, but scarred by her recent encounter with rebellion at court – is trying to live a quiet life with her five-year-old charge, Arthur. But family connections draw her dangerously close to a treasonous plot and, repelled by violence and the whispered conspiracies around her, Joanna seeks a life with a man who loves her. But, no matter how hard she tries, she cannot escape the spreading darkness of her destiny. She must make a choice between those she cares for most, and taking her part in a mysterious prophecy foretold by three compelling seers.

Joanna embarks upon a testing journey, and, as she deciphers the meaning at the core of the prophecy, she learns that the fate of a king and the freedom of a nation rest in her hands.

Buy the Book

Amazon UK
Book Depository
Orion Publishing
Waterstones

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently the executive editor of DuJour magazine. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her screenplay “Zenobia” placed with the American Zoetrope competition, and “Loving Marys” reached the finalist stage of Scriptapalooza. A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her first novel, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013.

Some earlier milestones: In 1661, Nancy’s ancestor, Pierre Billiou, emigrated from France to what was then New Amsterdam when he and his family sailed on the St. Jean de Baptiste to escape persecution for their Protestant beliefs. Pierre built the first stone house on Staten Island and is considered the borough’s founder. His little white house is on the national register of historic homes and is still standing to this day.

Nancy lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

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Praise for The Chalice

“Expect treason, treachery, martyrs and more.” — Choice magazine

“A time in which no one at all can be trusted and everyday life is laced with horror. Bilyeau paints this picture very, very well.” — Reviewing the Evidence

“Bilyeau creates the atmosphere of 1530s London superbly.” — Catholic Herald

“Bilyeau continues from her first novel the subtle, complex development of Joanna Stafford’s character and combines that with a fast-paced, unexpected plot to hold the reader’s interest on every page. — Historical Novel Society

“Joanna Stafford is a young novice caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Hilary Mantel and C.J. Sansom, but with elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate Mosse.” — S.J. Parris, author of ‘Heresy,’ ‘Prophecy’ and ‘Sacrilege’

“Second in this compelling and highly readable Tudor thriller series following the 16th century adventures of (now cast out) nun Joanna Stafford. Treason, conspiracies and a dangerous prophecy draw Joanna back from the quiet life she had made for herself after being cast out of Dartford Priory – but she isn’t prepared for the gravity of the situation she finds herself in or the responsibility she now holds. Nancy Bilyeau has followed up her impressive debut with an accomplished historical thriller perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Philippa Gregory and S. J. Parris.” — Lovereading UK

“Sharply observed, cleverly paced and sympathetically written, this book more than fulfils the promise of THE CROWN, itself named as last year’s most impressive debut novel by the CWA Ellis Peters judges. If Joanna Stafford is to return to see out the final years of Henry’s tempestuous reign and the accession of his Catholic daughter Mary, I am sure I will not be alone in waiting eagerly for her.” —crimereview.co.uk

“A stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read." — ALISON WEIR

THE CHALICE offers a fresh, dynamic look into Tudor England’s most powerful, volatile personalities: Henry VIII, the Duke of Norfolk, Stephen Gardiner and Bloody Mary Tudor. Heroine and former nun Joanna Stafford is beautiful, bold and in lethal danger. Bilyeau writes compellingly of people and places that demand your attention and don’t let you go even after the last exciting page” — KAREN HARPER, bestselling author of MISTRESS OF MOURNING

“Rarely have the terrors of Henry VIII’s reformation been so exciting. Court intrigue, bloody executions, and haunting emotional entanglements create a heady brew of mystery and adventure that sweeps us from the devastation of the ransacked cloisters to the dangerous spy centers of London and the Low Countries, as ex-novice Joanna Stafford fights to save her way of life and fulfill an ancient prophecy, before everything she loves is destroyed.” — C.W. GORTNER, author of THE QUEEN’S VOW

“Bilyeau paints a moving portrait of Catholicism during the Reformation and of reclusive, spiritual people adjusting to the world outside the cloister. This intriguing and suspenseful historical novel pairs well with C. J. Sansom’s Dissolution (2003) and has the insightful feminine perspective of Brenda Rickman Vantrease’s The Heretic’s Wife (2010).” — BOOKLIST

“As in The Crown, Bilyeau’s writing style means that the story reads almost flawlessly. The narrative really makes the reader throw themselves into the story, and makes it so the book is really difficult to put down. I was really very impressed with Bilyeau’s writing (As I was in The Crown), and honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough.” — LOYALTY BINDS ME

“THE CHALICE is a compelling and pacey time machine to the 16th Century. And when you’re returned to the present, you’ll have enjoyed an adventure and gained a new perspective on a past you’d wrongly thought to be a done deal.” — Andrew Pyper, author of THE DEMONOLOGIST

“The Chalice is a gripping, tightly-plotted mystery, with a beguiling heroine at its heart, that vividly conjures up the complex dangers of Reformation England. Bilyeau’s deftness of touch and complete control over her complex material make for a truly exciting and compelling read.”— ELIZABETH FREMANTLE author of QUEEN’S GAMBIT

“THE CHALICE is brimming with sinister portents, twisted allegiances, religious superstition and political intrigue. It’s a darkly fascinating Tudor brew that leaves you thirsting for more.” — PATRICIA BRACEWELL, author of SHADOW ON THE CROWN

Happy Valentine's Day

Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell 336 Pages, Hardcover Published February 2013, St. Martin's Griffin Source: purchased I completely fell for the love story of Eleanor and Park. Two kids who both feel unworthy of attention from the opposite sex, find their soul mate sitting next to them on the school bus. They find common ground through their love of music, a good comic book and how different they are from the rest of the student body.  Park is half Korean. Looks more like his mom than his 6ft tall dad. He likes punk music and wearing all black and eyeliner. Eleanor has red curly hair, and dresses in old baggy men's clothes. She is the oldest of five who all share one room in her abusive stepfather's home.  They seem an unlikely pair, but through all their interactions, and eventual conversations, they truly seem to be meant for each other. If not for forever then for at least that moment in time. If it wasn't for Park, who knows what could have become of Eleanor and vice versa.  Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Current Read: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

    "Then he slid the silk and his fingers into her open palm.     And Eleanor disintegrated."

 -pg 71, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I love this! What girl hasn't "disintegrated" the first time the boy held her hand. Rainbow Rowell gets the emotion/feelings of these characters perfectly. I am loving this book and I am only 73 pages in.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Those darn ebook deals

They can be almost as bad as bookstores. Browsing, is never just browsing.

I was innocently looking up info about another book that I already own and found that Divergent was only $4.99! Couldn't pass that up. Could you? 

Have already read and finished this one.  It's kind of fun reading books as soon as I buy them. Haven't done that in so long, let alone finish a book in less than 24 hours. Was sick in bed all day, so had to keep myself entertained with a good book, right?

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Martha Stewart Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

I am not usually a fan of Martha Stewart recipes because they can be a bit long and tedious, but this recipe was great. Quick and easy. Just what I like. And really, how can you go wrong with anything wrapped in bacon? Yum! You can find the recipe here.

The recipe calls for fresh sage leaves, which I did not have, but that was okay. I had two frozen chicken breast marinated with dried herbs and olive oil that had plenty of flavor for this dish. Cut into even strips, I wrapped each with one slice of bacon then pan fried on the stove just as the recipes says. Perfect! The chicken was cooked through nicely the bacon was crispy. The little girl ate the bacon off only one and some of the chicken but not a problem. More for me.

I made my go-to side. Roasted potatoes.  This time I added 1/2 an onion I had in the fridge and the last if our baby carrots. Seasoned it all with salt and pepper, Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning, and a clove of garlic and tossed it in olive oil. At 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes - made for some yummy veggies. 

This was really quite good. I will definitely be making it again. In fact, I think I will go warm up the leftovers for my lunch. Oh, and add a salad for a nicely balanced meal. 

Bon Appétit!

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Pancakes for Dinner

It has been a rough week here with the little girl being so sick, the hubby being out of town and myself fighting off something. The little girl and I have barely left the house and the fridge and pantry  definitely started looking a little bare. 

So Monday night we had ourselves some breakfast for dinner.

Pancakes!

I had flour, a couple eggs and just enough milk to make a small batch for the two of us. The little girl requested Minnie Mouse and I was happy to oblige. She wanted a bow but I just couldn't figure out how to do that. We added berries instead.

Sometimes the simplest meals made from whatever you can scrape together turn out to be the best. We really enjoyed those pancakes. I was really just happy the little girl felt well enough to enjoy some food without hacking and wheezing. It was also fun to watch her make Minnie's face with the raspberries and blueberries. 

No Willpower

I went into a bookstore the other day with the sole purpose of taking the little girl to the bathroom. Well, I guess you know how this ends.  Could you walk into a bookstore and not browse the stacks?   First, the children's area. E loves her books, too. Bet you aren't surprised about that either. We read a few books and picked one to take home. There may have also been a little crying over a green monster puppet that she really wanted to take home. She gave him a hug and waved goodbye as we walked away. So darn cute. I almost took it home with us, but I do have some willpower.
On the way to the checkout there was a nice display of YA books. One book was calling my name. I have been wanting to read it for awhile but have been trying to (unsuccessfully) diminish my TBR pile. Well, this day, I gave in. Both the little girl and I walked out with a book.  Next time we use the bathroom at the Starbucks.
Here is what we got: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell for me,
and a Cat in the Hat book for the little girl.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Toddler Tales: Sick Days, pt. 2

Well, it wasn't the flu. I took her to the doctor today at the after hours clinic since her temperature was getting up to 103.4 and her cough was getting worst. The doctor listened to her chest, heard crackling and diagnosed her. Pneumonia. My poor little girl has pneumonia in her right lung. 
I feel terrible for not taking her in sooner. The nurse said there was a virus going around with those symptoms, though, and no need to come in. Well, I am glad I did today.
She took her first dose of amoxycillin and is now resting. Napping here on the couch next to me. I really hope she can get a good night's sleep tonight. Her cough has been waking her up quite a bit and she has been wetting the bed, which she has not done before.
Hoping she starts feeling better tomorrow as the antibiotics do their job.
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 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.