★★★★★ Above: pork tenderloin, grilled raspberry-chipotle (p. 235) There are two things I remember distinctly about those early days in our marriage. One, I really loved the act of putting on an apron...And, two, I had a domed glass cake stand on our counter that I never liked to see empty. Above: green beans amandine… Continue reading Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering – Joanna Gaines
Arabella and the Magic Pencil – Stephanie M. Ward
★★★★ ½ She was the only child of a duke and duchess who doted on their delightful daughter Beloved Arabella is used to having things her way - not in a mean or bratty way - just her way. She's always been the apple of her parents eye and she loves being their only child. Except... Avery… Continue reading Arabella and the Magic Pencil – Stephanie M. Ward
The Darkness: A Bulwark Anthology – Brittney Leigh
After all, every town has its secrets. Sophie, an aspiring high school reporter, has always known her town was a bit odd...but she's never had the proof until now. High school students are missing and yet no one wants to look into where they went. Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands - after all: This… Continue reading The Darkness: A Bulwark Anthology – Brittney Leigh
BIG and Small in the Mirror – Mary Feliciani
★★★★ Brrring! Brrring! Brrring! The recess bell rang as the double doors were swung open… Marco and Carlo – best friends – do everything together. Eating lunch, talking and (above all) playing soccer. They take recess seriously – extremely seriously. There was no time to waste, and the ten fourth grade boys ran with lightening speed, their feet… Continue reading BIG and Small in the Mirror – Mary Feliciani
Breaking Dawn – Stephenie Meyer
★★★★ Oh the memories. The angsty teen memories. They're all flooding back. It should come as no surprise that I have a dark and dangerous past - I was a Twihard. I loved this series with every beat of my teenage heart. I had a poster, I had a vegetarian vampire shirt, I had a themed birthday party, and… Continue reading Breaking Dawn – Stephenie Meyer
The Shamer’s Daughter – Lene Kaaberbøl
★★★ ½ But no. Not me. Not the Shamer's daughter. In Dina's world, there are Shamers. She is one of them, and so is her mother. Just by looking you in the eyes, a Shamer has the power to elicit dark confessions and make you feel crippling guilt. (Though Dina, aged 11, must also use words rather than… Continue reading The Shamer’s Daughter – Lene Kaaberbøl
Seven Questions on a Saturday – John Edward Marszalkowski
When I was writing and publishing my first book, I was trying desperately to not take myself and the book too seriously. John Edward Marszalkowski - photographer, videographer, podcaster, stay-at-home dad and now author - has already published two stunning books and rumor has it, is working on his third. Prior to taking up the… Continue reading Seven Questions on a Saturday – John Edward Marszalkowski
The Dark Lord Clementine – Sarah Jean Horwitz
★★★★★ "Father," Clementine said as she watched him spear a piece of melon on the tip of his pointy wooden finger. "I do believe you have been cursed." Twelve-year-old Clementine comes from a long line of Dark Lords. She's trained since birth to earn her birthright. Her father, Elithor, was strict but fair. He taught her dark… Continue reading The Dark Lord Clementine – Sarah Jean Horwitz
The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology – Brit Lunden
★★★★ Folks didn't like strangers in Bulwark. Bulwark, Georgia has always been...an unusual town to say the least. People had no business traveling in that direction. Strange stories had always come from that end... JB Stratton, born and raised in Bulwark, always expected to live his entire life on his father's peanut farm. But then...something happened. Something that completely… Continue reading The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology – Brit Lunden
Thirteen Reasons Why – James Asher
★ Wow. What a b*tch. But...But...Miranda...how can you not love, cherish and worship a suicide book? Hannah was so brave, she dealt with life the best way she could...Blah, blah, blah. Are you sitting down? Good, cause things are about to get ranty. HUGE MOTHER-EFFING DISCLAIMER: If you absolutely loved this book or if you think… Continue reading Thirteen Reasons Why – James Asher
Miranda Reads 