Wednesday, July 29, 2026

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Another great recipe from Pinterest:
Ingredients
  • 5 tbsp butter, divided
  • 3 large carrots, chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 c. or a 32 oz. box, low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-3/4 inch cubes
  • 1 celery root, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes
  • 2 medium heads broccoli, chopped into florets
  • 1 small head cauliflower, chopped into florets
  • ¼ tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground black pepper
  • pinch paprika and cayenne pepper
  • 6 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 3 c. milk (1%, 2% or whole)
  • ½ c. half & half (non-fat, low-fat or regular)
  • 2 c. shredded medium or sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz block)
Directions
  1. In a large pot over set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter has melted, add the carrots, celery and onion and saute for 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for a minute longer. Stir in the chicken broth, potatoes, celery root, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes (or until the potatoes are almost tender). Stir in the broccoli and cauliflower, cook for 5-7 minutes longer or until veggies are tender.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, whisking constantly for about a minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking vigorously as you add the milk little by little. Whisk until smooth. Constantly whisk as the mixture comes to a gentle boil. When it begins to thicken add the half & half, then remove from heat and pour into the soup (after the veggies are fully cooked). Stir everything together, then turn the heat off. Gradually add the cheddar, stirring until the soup is nice and smooth

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage Book #3) by Elizabeth Goddard

 Book Description:  Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

My Thoughts:  Elizabeth Goddard does it again in Critical Alliance. A cover to cover action story of cybersecurity and crime.
Mackenzie Hanson has a successful career at the University of Michigan in cybersecurity. But just when things seem settled and fine in her life she gets word that her father's tech company is under cyberattack.  So off the goes to Montana.
But as life goes this isn't a simple fix and she needs help.  It just so happens that Diplomatic Security Services agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana after a mission go wrong.
When Mackenzie needs help Alex steps in to help her.  Hence the title, Critical Alliance.
This intriguing story is full of lethal threats and suspicious deaths.  These two things drew me into this story hook, line, and sinker.
I'm always intrigued with cybersecurity.  It amazes me and makes me wish I knew how to do more in the cyber world.  So this story was right up my alley.
I also enjoyed the light romance and learning more about Montana.  
What a great read!

Monday, July 27, 2026

Coming Soon

 



The Walnut Creek Wish (Volume 1) (Creektown Discoveries) by Wanda E. Brustetter

  


 Book Description:
My Thoughts:  A whole new series...Creektown Discoveries.  
I enjoy reading books by Wanda Brunstetter because they represent a different way of life.  Sometimes an amish way of living or a Mennonite way of living or as in this story a way of life where other people are helping those in need.
Who would have thought that an antique store could bring healing to people with life hurts? But that is exactly what the Troyers have at their antique store, the Memory Keepers, a place where hurting people come to shop and end up being helped by kind words and deeds.
At first, I wasn't sure about Jeff and Rhonda.  They both seem a bit egotistical and very much all about themselves.  
Then Jeff and Rhonda (they are married) decide to move to a slower way of life.  Jeff loves to fill their garage up with antiques which leads him to buy an antique sled.
However, his wife sees the antiques as a distraction for her husband.  Rhonda feels inadequate because she can't have a baby.  Is jeff buying antiques to fill the void?
This was a great story!  I loved the interaction and love that the Troyers displayed.
And sometimes and antique sled brings more than anyone ever hoped.


  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164352741X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643527413

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The Chase (US Marshals Book #2) by Lisa Harris

 

Book Description:  US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery in progress that's gone wrong--and things are about to get worse. For these bank robbers, it's never been just about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse. From Seattle to the San Juan Islands, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you on a nonstop chase where feelings are complicated and failure isn't an option. 

My Thoughts:  Oh, my, STARS!  I waited and waited for this book to come out.  And it did not disappoint.

I did read book #1, The Escape and I'd recommend that the reader read book 1 to understand the dynamics.

All the right ingredients, a pinch of romance, a mixture of suspense and a wonderful story that brings the reader to a place of wanting the next chapter.

Lisa Harris is one of my most favorite authors, especially in the suspense arena.

How I loved US Marshal Madison James and, well, there's Jonas Quinn.  All man and ready to help nab the bad guys.

But it's the suspense, the action and good vs. evil that really make the book.

And the setting is the San Juan Islands.  Yeah, so nice and so dangerous.

It's quite an interesting story how a bank robbery goes haywire but it's not about the money.  That's the interesting part...who puts their life on the line to rob a bank but it's not about the money?!?!

What story!  What adventure! What suspense!  It's a wonderful read!


  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0800737318
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0800737313

Monday, July 20, 2026

Off the Chain (Gone to the Dogs, Book 1) by Janice Thompson

 

Book Description:  The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!   Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.   Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to simultaneously solve the crime, rehab the rescued dog, and help more dogs in crisis.


My Thoughts:  I love mysteries and fun!  This story combines both.  And this story is set in the best place, Brenham, Texas.  The home of Blue Bell ice cream.

Off the Chain aptly describes the dogs that Marigold Evan's tries to rescue.  These sweet dogs don't like staying where they're put.  

But one day the Vet Clinic where Marigold works is vandalized.  Not only are there a few suspects but the day goes form bad to worse.  The dogs go off the chain and Marigold tries to rescue them but comes in contact with unsavory conditions and unusual people.

Then her co-worker, Parker, Jensen, comes to her rescue. *Cue the romance*  

It seems that Marigold has her hands full trying to solve the crime, rehab the dog and rescue the other dogs.

So many dogs in crisis.  Is it really worth her effort?

I loved this fun, romantic read!

Just so you know there are more:  More in the Gone to the Dogs Series: Book 1 - Off the Chain by Janice Thompson Book 2 - Dog Days of Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo Book 3 - Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson.