Book Review: The Twinkies Cookbook

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

The Twinkies Cookbook is celebrating 85 years of twinkies! This book contains all sorts of recipes using twinkies – including twinkies + cake, + pie, + fruit, + chocolate, + cream, + meat and + novelty.  The book starts out with a bit of history on the tasty treat – of course talking about how the company went bankrupt in 2012 and many were unsure of the fate of the golden tasty treats! Fortunately in 2013 they were saved and back on the shelves to be enjoyed, hopefully for years to come.

All of the recipes in this book sound (and look) mighty tasty – but I’ll narrow it down to a few favorites that I may have to try making – Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake, Twinkie Toast Pie, Twinkie Orange Bavarian Dream, Twinkie Burritos, Twinkie Bomb, Chicken and Winkies, and French Twinkies.

I’m not sure all the meat recipes are something I would try though. But maybe for those of you who are more adventurous they would be something to try! I figure Chicken and Winkies is a safe enough bet, since I eat chicken & waffles.

I received a free e-copy in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

A comeback cookbook for the perennially popular snack cake, with 50 unique sweet and savory recipes that highlight the whimsical nostalgia of America’s favorite dessert.

For more than 80 years, Twinkies have captivated the cravings of Americans both young and old. The Twinkies Cookbook, Second Edition explores the snack cake’s heritage in the United States while celebrating its popularity in recipes for snacks both sweet and savory. For the first edition, Hostess urged Twinkie-aficionados across the nation to submit their favorite dishes featuring the cream-filled sponge cake. This new edition compiles the best of these colorful concoctions with 25 new recipes and additional photography. From a Twinkie-filled take on chicken and waffles to Twinkie pumpkin pie, these surprising and innovative recipes are a small slice of Americana that will be a hit with Twinkies fans across the country.

Book Review: Dexter Is Dead

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

Dexter is Dead is the last season in the book series that led to the Showtime series – Dexter.  I have watched about half of the episodes of the show and read only 1 other book in the series.  There are definitely some differences from the book to the series.

In this final book, Dexter is facing a murder charge. The funny thing is, while Dexter is a serial killer, this crime he actually did NOT commit. His brother Brian comes to his rescue since his sister Deb has decided she wants nothing to do with him after getting custody of his children. The two are on the run and trying to prove that Dexter is innocent. Of course there is all sorts of stuff going on while they are trying to prove everything – but you’ll have to read the book to find out all the details 🙂

I really enjoy these Dexter books, probably because from watching the show I have an idea of what the characters look like and can picture all the characters without having to make up what they look like with my imagination. I’ll have to go back and read the rest when I find myself with some free time.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

After seven national bestsellers and eight seasons as one of the most successful shows on television, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lindsay bids a thrilling farewell to his uniquely twisted and beloved serial killer, Dexter Morgan. Dexter Is Dead is the definitive conclusion of the character who has become a global icon.

Dexter Morgan has burned the candle at both ends for many years. Blood spatter analyst . . . husband . . . father . . . serial killer. And now, for the first time, his world has truly collapsed. Dexter is arrested on charges of murder. He has lost everything—including his wife, his kids, and the loyalty of his sister. Now completely alone, Dexter faces a murder charge (for a crime . . . ironically . . . he did not actually commit). His only chance for freedom lies with his brother, Brian, who has a dark plan to prove Dexter’s innocence. But the stakes are deadly, and the epic showdown that lies in Dexter’s path may lead, once and for all, to his demise.
Jeff Lindsay’s trademark devilish wit and cutting satire have never been sharper. Dexter Is Dead marks the end of a beloved series, but is also Dexter’s most satisfying and suspenseful outing yet.

Book Review: I’m with Cupid

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

I’m With Cupid is the first in the Switched at First Kiss series.  In this book, Lena and Marcus are at a party and are dared to go into a closet and kiss each other.  They both feel energy from the kiss and think maybe it is because they both secretly like each other.  But then they find out they actually switched powers.  Marcus is a match maker “like cupid without the diaper” and Lena is a soul collector.  Except now someone that Lena was trying to collect the soul of is instead in love with the mailman.  The two need to figure out how to get their powers to switch back and all their attempts at kissing to make things switch back are not working.

Will they eventually get their own powers back or will they be forced to do the opposite jobs forever?

This was a sweet book. It’s YA and based on a couple of 8th graders so it was cute to see Lena’s “things to do before I’m 14” list and what was on it and how much she was able to accomplish through the book.  I also liked reading how Lena and Marcus’ relationship changed throughout the course of the book and how they tried to help each other out.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Marcus is a Cupid. Lena is a Reaper. Opposites attract in the exciting new Switched At First Kiss series by the acclaimed author of The Dirt Diary.

When she’s dared to kiss the adorkable Marcus Torelli at a party, Lena thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to cross First Kiss off her list of “Things to Accomplish Before I Turn Fourteen.”

It’s only when she gets sent on an assignment the next day that she realizes something went horribly wrong. That ZING she felt wasn’t the thrill of her first kiss–she and Marcus have swapped powers! Lena is not your average eighth grader; she’s a soul collector with a serious job to do. And Marcus turns out to be a supernatural matchmaker (like Cupid, but without the diaper).

Now logical Lena finds herself with the love touch, and sweet, sentimental Marcus has death at his fingertips. The truth is that Lena should never have taken that dare…because one little kiss has Lena and Marcus in a whole lotta trouble.

Book Review: Out of Sight

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

This book is about Rob, an American living in New Zealand. He loves music, but can’t sing or play. So he decides that maybe managing a band should be his path with music.  He forms a band with his friends called Out of Sight.  Rob also has a crush on this girl named Sarah who is having some medical treatments that are going to cost a lot money.  But, the prize money at a battle of the bands seems like it would be just enough to help Sarah out.  So he plans everything out and has the band ready to play their 12 minute set.  Except that he didn’t take into account the crowd liking him and clapping along and throwing off the tempo when a song needed to be sped up to be over in time for the 12 minute time limit.  After playing 15 minutes, Out of Sight is disqualified from the competition. There goes the prize money.

But wait – good managers get good gigs for their bands, right? And bands play charity gigs all the time to help raise money.  So could he put together a charity gig to raise the money that Sarah needs for his treatment?

I thought this book was great, obviously I loved the band and the band dynamic being a big part of the book, but it is also a bit of a love story with Rob and Sarah.  Young love and them both being a bit shy in the beginning to tell each other they like each other.  But then they learn to always tell someone that they like them so that they don’t lose them. Definitely a great lesson. One I’m still learning myself, a bit.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Start a band, make lots of money, change the world. That’s the goal.

Rob loves music. The trouble is, music doesn’t love him. People cover their ears when he starts to sing.

But maybe there’s another way Rob can make an impact. He’s got a bunch of friends who are really talented. David can make the guitar do anything he wants. Jimmy is a star on the drums. And David’s little sister Michelle turns out to be an ace on the bass. Together they form Out of Sight.

Now they just need a manager with initiative. Rob sees a vacancy.

Then there’s Sarah. She’s the smart, cool friend everyone needs, and the band’s no. 1 fan. But Sarah needs to raise money for medical treatment overseas. Maybe Out of Sight could stage a charity gig.

Rob sees an opportunity to launch the band and show his friends just how much he cares.