Goodreads: Paw and Order

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paw and Order is the seventh book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. It is extremely well written and professionally edited.

Chet and Bernie leave Louisiana, headed toward Washington DC to reconnect with Bernie's love interest, Suzie, a reporter. Once in Washington they become embroiled in a murder mystery involving local police, federal agents and Russian sleeper agents.

As usual, Chet is a wonderful narrator of his and Bernie's detective work. I love how his dog eye view is described. Bernie is lovable and competent in his slightly bumbling, but endearing way.

The only problem I had with this book is with Suzie and Bernie's romance. Suzie comes off as judgmental and as operating under a double standard.

Paw and Order can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading the whole series to fully enjoy the novels. This series is a joy and I strongly recommend it.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Deadly Assets

Deadly Assets by Wendy Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Deadly Assets is the second book in the Allison Campbell Mystery series. It is a very well written and professionally edited mystery novel with a touch of romance.

Once again Allison Campbell, image consultant, becomes involved in solving a mystery in order to save her assistant from prosecution and her business' reputation. Two of her clients have gone missing at the same time. As she becomes involved in seeking the truth about their disappearances she finds herself involved in murders, family drama and the Russian mafia.

Wendy Tyson's mysteries have a definite Gothic feel about them. These books are not light hearted reading, but tackle some of the darkness that can surround families, business and the justice system. This mystery had me guessing up until the end.

My one complaint is that the romances between the heroine and her ex husband, and the one between her mother in law and her assistant, don't ring true to me. There is a definite coldness in the writing about these relationships.

Deadly Assets can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the series in order to fully understand this book's nuances.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

John C. Campbell Folk School Vacation (JCC)

Anna and I were lucky enough to spend a week at JCC for the Intergenerational Week.  We attended the watercolor painting class and had great instruction with great people.  During the Intergenerational Week teenagers and an adult family member (or guardian) can attend classes at the normally adult only school.

There was no wifi except in the Keith House library, so once a day we stopped by before breakfast to check our mail.  There was no television anywhere, which stressed the kids for a day, but they were kept busy with activities and classes.  I don't think they were missing it at all by the middle of the week.

We were assigned a lovely room on the second floor of the Log House.  You can see how beautiful the area is and our view was great.

Being Floridians we aren't used to walking up and down hills, but we did just fine.  It was a rainy week, but that just kept the heat down.

The JCC served us three delicious home cooked meals a day.  What a treat not to have to cook or clean for a week!  I even got to meet one of my favorite bloggers, Tipper Presley, from A Blind Pig and the Acorn.  She was teaching a country cooking class.

I'll share more with you about our watercolor class and pictures from the final day.

God bless,
Pam

Summer Vacation

If you've wondered where I am; I am at John C Campbell Folk School!  I'll write plenty of posts with photos when I get home.

God Bless,
Pam

The Frugal Kitchen: Crockpot Lemon Chicken

A simple, fast and frugal (low fat too) chicken dish that can be adapted to your family's tastes.

INGREDIENTS

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup chicken stock
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tsp. finely grated ginger root
1 large or 2 small garlic cloves, sliced thinly
1 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. hot sauce
1 lemon, sliced
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 Tbsp. water
Cooked rice


INSTRUCTIONS

Add stock, soy sauce, wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, honey, lemon juice and hot sauce to bottom of crock pot.  Lay chicken thighs on liquid and cook on high for 4 hours.  Turn crock pot to low setting, lay lemon slices over the chicken and cook for 1/2 hour.  Mix starch and water together and mix into liquid in crockpot.  Continue to cook on low for another 1/2 hour.  Shred chicken into bit sized pieces.  Serve over cooked rice.  Garnish with more lemon slices or chopped chives.  This recipe will serve 3-4 people and can be doubled or tripled.  Add more lemon juice or hot sauce according to taste.

Enjoy!

God bless,
Pam