Monday, May 11, 2015

Music Monday - "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers (2012)

I have an ongoing discussion with my best friend about new music.  I love retro music - especially 1960's to 1970's.  Occasionally I will try to come up with new bands, artists, or songs I really like, just to show that I'm still "with it."  I typically fail at this exercise!   

The Lumineers is one of the newer bands I like.  They are a folk band, their music is straightforward, and I especially like their song "Ho Hey."  Lennon and Maisy Stella did a lovely cover of this song on Nashville too - their Grand Ole Opry performance link here.

Daily Vintage - Baby Animals A-Change-A-Picture Book

Baby Animals is a change a picture book for children from 1979.  It's really cute.  You pull a ribbon on each page, and the picture changes before your eyes.  I included a couple of pictures, below, so you can see the book "in action."  This book is from Birdhouse Books - Baby Animals.


Book Review and Giveaway - Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy Coco

Oh Say Can You Fudge
(A Candy-coated Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Publisher: Kensington (April 28, 2015) Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages ISBN-13: 978-0758287144 E-Book ASIN: B00ONTR4U8 goodreads-badge-add-plus

Synopsis

Allie McMurphy is busy making yummy fudge for the summer holiday–until murder gives her something else to chew on. . .

Red, White, And Boom

It’s not Fourth of July on Mackinac Island without fireworks and fudge. The Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop is supplying the treats–and Allie has hired Rodney Rivers, the biggest name in aerial displays, to create an unforgettable spectacle. Unfortunately, Allie finds him dead, covered with screaming chicken fireworks, just before the entire warehouse of pyrotechnics goes up in smoke. Is it arson or is it murder? Allie and her bichonpoo, Mal, must sift through the suspects until the killer is caught and the island can enjoy a star-spangled celebration. 

My Review 

Any mystery involving picturesque Mackinac Island, homemade fudge, and a cute little dog is sure to be fun ... and Oh Say Can You Fudge exceeded my expectations.

I have not read the other books in this series, but this mystery worked fine as a standalone.  It is a fun read, with a likeable protagonist and a charming setting.  The book is well written, with an interesting plot and surprises and twists in the mystery.   I will add that I loved the details of candy making in the book ... it made me crave fudge!

I love cozy mysteries, and really enjoyed this read.  I would highly recommend Oh Say Can You Fudge to other fans of the cozy genre.  It would be a great summer beach read!



About This Author

Best known for writing plucky heroines Nancy Coco AKA Nancy J. Parra has 15 books published-
Most recently Nancy has three cozy mystery book series going.

Gluten for Punishment and Murder Gone A-Rye are both part of the Gluten Free Baker’s Treat Mystery series. (Berkley Prime Crime)

 All Fudge Up and To Fudge or Not To Fudge are part of the Candy Coated Mystery series (Kensington) -which Nancy writes as Nancy Coco

 Then there is Engaged in Murder- the first in the Perfect Proposal series from Berkley Prime Crime.
All Fudged Up was Nancy’s first National Best seller. 

Author Links:
http://www.nancyjparra.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nancyjparraauthor
@nancyjparra 

Purchase Links Amazon       B&N          Book Depository     Kobo     Google Play

Tour Participants
April 28 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post
April 29 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post
April 30 – Lilac Reviews – Review
May 1 – Babs Book Bistro – Review
May 2 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
May 3 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
May 4 – Back Porchervations – Review
May 5 – Brooke Blogs – Review
May 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Review
May 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
May 7 – fuonlyknew – Review
May 8 – Laura’s Interests – Review
May 9 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review
May 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
May 11 – View from the Birdhouse – Review
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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Mayhem in Margaux by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen

Jean-Pierre ALAUX and Noël BALEN

on Tour May 6-15 with

Mayhem-in-Margaux 

Mayhem in Margaux

(cozy mystery) Release date: May 14, 2015 at Le French Book 
153 pages ISBN: 978-1939474384 
 Website | Goodreads 

SYNOPSIS

It’s summer in Bordeaux. There’s a heat wave, the vineyards are suffering, vintners are on edge, and wine expert Benjamin Cooker’s daughter is visiting. A tragic car accident draws the Winemaker Detective and his assistant Virgile into a case where the stakes are very personal, and they uncover the dirty secrets hiding behind some of Bordeaux’s finest grand cru classé wines from Margaux. [provided by the publisher] 

An episode in a long successful French mysteries series that is a hit television series now in its fourth season and attracting an audience of over 4 million. The series is a huge success in France, Belgium and Switzerland. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Alaux-Balen  
Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen, wine lover and music lover respectively, came up with the idea for the Winemaker Detective series while sharing a meal, with a bottle of Château Gaudou 1996, a red wine from Cahors with smooth tannins and a balanced nose.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

Translator Sally Pane studied French at State University of New York Oswego and the Sorbonne before receiving her Masters Degree in French Literature from the University of Colorado. She has translated several titles in this series.

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GIVEAWAY

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blogs participating in this tour. Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook, they are listed in the entry form below.

Entry-Form

Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! (just follow the directions on the entry-form) Global giveaway open internationally: 2 US residents will win a print copy of this book 3 residents of any country will receive a digital copy

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Friday, May 8, 2015

Daily Vintage - Kissing Children Mechanical Valentine






If you've read this blog for a while, you will know that one of my favorite vintage paper treasures is mechanical Valentines.  These are Valentines (often 1920's - 1940's) that have movable parts.   This vintage Valentine has a little boy and girl framed by a big red heart.  They move closer together.  "Be My Valentine and Seal It With a Kiss." Found at Birdhouse Books:  mechanical kissing children Valentine.