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The Empress Book Review ~ A Madwoman in Mexico
by Laura Martinez-belli 1866, Mexico Book Review 4.5/5 I knew I was going to love this book when it began with a cast of characters à la a Shakespearean play. Enriched with little known history and authentic persons, the dullness of centuries past becomes suffused with color, bright and alive. Somewhat reminiscent of Philippa Gregory’s works, The Empress is full of Mexican culture, international politics, power struggles and aristocratic manipulations. Though centurial affairs can be at times dry, there was never a lack of interesting storylines. Martinez-Belli kept the narrative thriving through her many characters, especially the regal Empress Carlota and her questionable lady, Constanza. I absolutely adore all things…
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The Giver of Stars Travel
Beattyville, KY The mountains of Kentucky are truly beautiful and humbling. Beattyville is truly a remote area of the state. During the 90 minute drive from the airport to Beattyville, we stayed on thin roads, and passed lots of trees; particularly startling ones that are coated in bright white bark. We passed mountains and valleys and hollers- large sheltered valleys, or “hollow” land in between two mountains. For a stunning look into life in the Kentucky Hollows check out this NPR feature of Shelby Lee Adams photography. He explores the people in Hazard, a place we passed on our drive. The Writers Cabin Lago Linda Hideaway https://lagolinda.com This place was so…
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Behind Every Lie
by Christina McDonald narrated by Lisa Flanagan and Fiona Hardinghamset in Seattle, WA and London Book Review 3.5/5 I absolutely adored The Night Olivia Fell and so I had high hopes for McDonald’s latest novel. It was a fast paced, agreeable read. Eva has been struck by lightening. She emerges from a coma only to learn her mother has been killed- and that she is the prime suspect. Her memory is gone and so she starts the search to uncover the truth only to find her entire life has been a lie. Kat’s story parallels Eva’s, each telling their personal tale in expressive detail. For me, Behind Every Lie was…
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Gourmet Mushroom Quesadillas
I added “Gourmet” to the title because these are not your everyday quesadillas. These are “make them when company comes over” mushroom quesadillas. Gruyere cheese and an assortment of in season mushrooms kick this dish up a few notches. Have you tried this recipe?? I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni Want to be alerted when I post new recipes? Subscribe below to be in the know!
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Mexican Gothic Book Review – A Disgusting Delight
This book is creepy, eerie and terrifying- great for the Halloween season. If you want a sneak peak into the novel, check out my Pinterest page for pictures of 1950’s vintage fashion, the setting of El Triunfo and more. Link above. by Silvia Moreno-Garcia narrated by: Frankie Corzo El Triunfo, Mexico, present time, Gothic Horror Book Review Young, beautiful debutante Noemi is a sophisticated 22 year old in 1950’s Mexico City. She does what she wants skimming the edge of society’s expectations. At the bequest of her father, Noemi travels to the countryside in response to a letter from her newlywed cousin, Catalina, begging for help in disordered ramblings. There…
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Healthy Maple Granola Recipe
Go ahead and cross granola off of your grocery list. This healthier version is so easy to make! Maple flavors paired with warm spices create a comforting but healthy granola. I love this as an evening snack with my tea but it’s also great on any of my smoothies. I created this granola out of a list of recommended iron rich foods. Women have a higher iron goal than men: we need 14.8mg a day while men only need 8.7mg. Alisa Vitti recommends eating iron and vitamin B rich foods to support blood loss and energy during the menstrual phase of our cycles which is why I’m grouping this recipe…
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Roasted Salsa
I love this time of year when the last of the tomatoes come off the vine and football games grace the tv. My husband loves to grill on game days and this salsa is a great companion to meats and veggies as well as chips. If you can add fresh oregano as well as fresh cilantro it will heighten the flavors of this salsa to the next level! Nothing beats fresh herbs. Have you tried making this recipe? Are you cycle syncing? I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni Want to be alerted when I post new recipes? Subscribe below to be in…
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
author: Taylor Jenkins Reid narrators: Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles setting: Hollywood, NY 1950s-present Book Rating: 5/5If you could choose between true love or wealth and Hollywood fame…… Hollywood legend tells all. This book has everything: sexy iconic old Hollywood; gimlets and manhattans and cigarettes; mansions and wealth and fame. Think Marilyn Monroe surviving into old age and deciding to spill all of her deepest secrets. There was something raw and real in this book that spoke to me. Evelyn’s strength and vulnerability were palpable at times and there are pure gems of wisdom to stumble over. Multiple times I had to stop reading to reflect. Other times I had to…
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Apple Spice Oatmeal
This is my new favorite fall breakfast! Fresh apples and warm spices make this super comforting and so healthy too. Make plenty for leftovers because they taste even better! Have you tried making this recipe? Are you cycle syncing? I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni Want to be alerted when I post new recipes? Subscribe below to be in the know!
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Squash Burrito Bowl
I love spaghetti squash! It’s such a great healthy base for a variety of cuisines. I went with a Mexican flavor tonight. Have you tried making this recipe? Are you cycle syncing? I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni Want to be alerted when I post new recipes? Subscribe below to be in the know!
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Verity Book Review ~ A Twisted Tale
by Colleen Hoover narrated by Vanessa Johansson & Amy Landon , set in the Vermont countryside, present day Book Rating: 4.5/5CoHo is a mastermind and I’m officially a forever fan. I’ve often wondered about how authors of thrillers/suspense can create such intense stories. This book gives us a twisted glimpse into the mind of such a writer. This book never stalled, never tripped. It was a full speed, twisty ride until the end. I didn’t want to put it down. Verity will take everything you thought was creepy and make it seem like a children’s bedtime story. Enjoyable is not an appropriate word for this book. Disturbingly entertaining seems a more…
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Guest List Red Velvet Cake
When I read the Guest List, I knew almost immediately that I would be baking a wedding cake. Did you know that red velvet gets a natural slight red tint from cocoa powder?? Of course, it’s become standard to add coloring to get the deep velvety red that we know and love. Have you tried this recipe?? I’d love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni Want to be alerted when I post new recipes? Subscribe below to be in the know!
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The Silent Patient Book Review ~ Suspense in the Psych Ward
by Alex Michaelides London, present time, Psychological Thriller Book Review “No crazy parts allowed.” The Silent Patient is visceral. Michaelides is extremely descriptive and yet clean, using no unnecessary fluff words. He took his time rolling the story out but it didn’t feel slow; I was never bored or easily distracted from the book. It just felt as if he purposefully immersed the reader into the minds of Theo and Alysia. At first, I had no interest in Theo’s story. I just wanted more of Alysia. but then I started getting hooked on Theo’s psychotherapeutic interpretations of the other characters. No spoilers but The “Twist” that hyped this book and…
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The Monsters We Make Book Review
by Kali White VanBaale narrated by Mia Barron set in Des Moines, Iowa, 1984 Book Review Des Moines, Iowa, 1984; the center of the Midwest, where “kids were taught God and manners….Bad was other places. Other cities…..” A second paperboy has vanished in the span of two years. Sergeant Goodkind is now in charge of finding 13 year old Christopher Stewart after failing to solve the disappearance of Matthew Kline. Goodkind, struggling to repair his damaged marriage, is again being pulled away from his family and inside the hunt, a constant search for the missing boys. This couldn’t be happening again. Paperboy Sammy Cox and his older sister Crystal, an investigative…
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Coffee Flavored Donuts
Is there anything better together than a cup of coffee and a donut? Maybe having both in one gratifying bite. A subtle flavor of coffee lays in deep undertones for this simple yeast donut.
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You Are Not Alone
by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen narrated by Barrie Kreinik & Dylan Moore set in NYC, present day Book Review “On average, women report having eight close friends. Studies have found that, when under stress, women tend to seek out these female friends.” But what do you do when the people you share your life with are using you for foul purposes? Dark undertones, twisted plots, beautiful and manipulative villains. You Are Not Alone is my first book by Hendricks and Pekkanen but it won’t be my last! This dynamic duo was made to write thrillers together. I absolutely loved this book!! Thrilling from the start, it is packed with Nerdy…
