Happy Fourth of July

Good Reads: The Innocents

The Innocents by Ace Atkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Innocents is the sixth book in the Quinn Colson suspense/southern noire series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel. I don't consider it a stand alone novel and the series should be read in order to fully understand the story.

As usual, the author has written a fast paced plot filled with distinctive characters. Sometimes the secondary characters take over, while the main characters provide the continuity.

I would call The Innocents a book with the themes of misguided trust, betrayal, and denial. It seems to be setting the scenes up for future books.

As for Quinn, he is still occupying the position of anti hero, but I'm sensing a shift in the future. He seems to not have the common sense to figure out that if your entire family and all your friends dislike your girlfriend, you might not be seeing her clearly.

Overall, The Innocents is a satisfying read with a sad, but inevitable ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Warning:  This book contains some violence and there is non graphic sex.

The Frugal Kitchen: Roasted Vegetable Subs

Here is another, so simple it's ridiculous, recipe.  It mainly involves buying vegetables your family enjoys, roasting them and serving on hoagie rolls.  Once again I was a failure at photography, but I did have one photo to use.

Instructions

Clean and peel the vegetables.  Place foil on the bottom of a pan and drizzle oil over the bottom.  Lay out vegetables and drizzle more oil over the top.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for fifteen minutes, turn over, then bake for another fifteen minutes.  The vegetables should be for tender, but not mushy.

Place vegetables in hoagie rolls and sprinkle some balsamic vinegar over the top.

Enjoy!

God bless,
Pam

Good Reads: A Robot in The Garden

A Robot In The Garden by Deborah Install
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Robot In The Garden is a sweet, quirky read. It is a very well written and professionally edited full length novel.

The Hero, a house husband, finds a homemade robot sitting under a tree in his back garden. His rigid wife, who wants a modern kitchen android, tells him to throw the endearing robot into the trash. After she leaves him the H decides to travel the world with the robot to find it's creator.

This is a story about personal growth and kindness. I liked the fact that instead of a sappy happy ending, we receive a thoughtful HFN.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: With a Vengeance

With a Vengeance by Annette Dashofy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a Vengeance is the fourth book in the Zoe Chambers Mysteries series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Someone in the county is staging emergency scenes, luring in first responders, then shooting them. Police, fire and EMS responders seem to be fair game and everyone, including Zoe and Pete, are operating under incredible stress until the killer can be found.

I enjoyed the exciting and fast paced plot, but I felt as though they just sort of bumbled onto capturing the bad guy. I would rather have seen better investigative technique.

Zoe and Pete's romance is moving very slowly. I mean, like a snail's pace. She's rather stay with co-workers families than sleep in Pete's guest bedroom??!!

Overall, this was a good read with a few weaknesses. It ends with a HFN.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

The Frugal Kitchen: Mushroom Burger

This is such an easy recipe that I am almost ashamed to talk about it, but it is something that my vegetarian husband enjoys while my daughter and I eat beef burgers.

Take one large portobello mushroom and coat it with olive oil, then McCormick Montreal Steak seasoning.  Brown both sides in an oven safe fry pan, then place in a 350 Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes.

Place on a bun and add the condiments of your choice.

Enjoy and God bless,
Pam

Good Reads: The Murderer's Daughter

The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Murderer's Daughter is an extremely well written and professionally edited murder mystery/suspense novel.

Grace grew up in the foster system after witnessing the gruesome murder/suicide of her dysfunctional parents. Thanks to a supportive foster couple she ends up with an excellent education and a career as a psychologist treating patients that have experienced or witnessed trauma. Her very controlled life is thrown out of order when a prospective patient is murdered and the murderer is now intent on eliminating her.

This was a fast paced book with interesting, well developed characters. The chapters alternate between Grace's childhood experiences and her current dilemma.

Grace is the type of character that I thoroughly enjoy. She is realistic, strong and determined. While she has some quirks, understandable with her background, they only make her more interesting.

Warning: this book does include sexual content and violence.

I highly recommend The Murderer's Daughter. I'm not sure if it will be part of a series, but it reads as a standalone with a HFN ending.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.