Book Reviews | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

SARABETH’S GOOD MORNING COOKBOOK by Sarabeth Levine

February 24, 2016

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Breakfast, Brunch and Baking

with Genevieve Ko, Photographs by Quentin Bacon

Sarabeth Levine, James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Pastry Chef, sells her jams in more than 1,500 stores worldwide and has three successful restaurants in New York City, and one in Key West, Florida, which, sadly, I have not been to. I’m not sure Genevieve Ko is, or what her contribution is, although I have my suspicions, but it would have been nice to include a line or two about her.

I love cookbooks that are so specific, like this one just for breakfast. When I am looking for inspiration, I know I can pick this up and find something I want to make for brunch.

There is a lot to choose from here, and the recipes are clearly written, with easy to follow directions, although not enough pictures for me. I want to see every dish, and that is lacking here. Let’s face it, it is easier to find inspiration visually than by reading through every recipe. That said, the pictures that are included are stunning – almost too perfect, bordering on intimidating. So maybe the choice to use fewer pictures was wise?

The book opens with a brief introduction, followed by “Sarabeth’s Pantry,” a page including such basics as flour, sugar, butter and vanilla, followed by “Sarabeth’s Go To Tools” with a scale, whisks, and electric appliances featured. The thing is with a cookbook this specific, to me it says this is not for beginners. This is for people who have gone through the Joy of Cooking’s or Good Housekeeping’s breakfasts and want something out of the ordinary. So why I need to be told I should have butter and eggs and a mixer on hand for a breakfast and baking cookbook is a conundrum.

Moving on to the recipes – the table of contents:

Fruity Beginnings

Whole Grains

Pancakes, Flaps, and Blintzes

Waffles and French Toast

Muffins, Scones, and Cakes

Breads and Yeasted Treats

Sauces, Spreads, Preserves, and Pickles

Eggs Every Way

Frittatas and Stratas

Quiches and Savory Pastries

Potatoes, Meat, and Fish

Soups and Salads

So breakfast and brunch are definitely covered. “Fruity Beginnings” include the de rigueur yogurt parfait, a smoothie, and even a Virgin Bloody Mary, but also a wonderful recipe for “Poached ‘Baked’ Apples in Ginger Ale and Maple Syrup.” I haven’t had a baked apple in years and this was truly spectacular, great for brunch and even as a dessert, perhaps with a little ice cream.

I liked the idea of Creamy Polenta with Peaches and Chestnut Honey, and the Hot Cereal Soufflés, but haven’t tried them yet. The Whole Wheat Pancakes were terrific, which may be explained by the fact they are only half whole wheat flour, and half all purpose flour. That ratio works really well for whole wheat pizza dough, too. And when corn is in season again, I am dying to try the Fresh Corn Waffles.

The Whole Grain French Toast with Sautéed Bananas is yummy, but a lot of work – it starts off with Sarabeth’s House Bread, so plan ahead. But it’s worth it if you can save enough bread for the French toast – the recipe makes two delicious loaves, so I suggest hiding one.

The Farmer’s Omelet with Leeks, Speck, and Potato was a hit, I will definitely be making that again. And my family enjoyed the Margherita Frittata with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil, sort of like a pizza but for the gluten free. Sarabeth recommends smoked mozzarella, which I didn’t have on hand but would like to try.

Next up for me are the Earl Grey Scones, I am definitely intrigued and there is even a picture. There is a recipe for Three-Herb Gravlax, a cured salmon, which is also tempting when I can get my hands on some really good wild salmon, probably in the summer.

This is a lovely cookbook, and if you are a breakfast person, or like to entertain at brunch, this is the cookbook for you.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SARABETH’S GOOD MORNING COOKBOOK by Sarabeth Levine. Rizzoli (October 13, 2015). ISBN 978-0847846382. 282p.

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IN WANT OF A WIFE by Jo Goodman

February 23, 2016

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Bitter Springs Series, Book 3

So yet again I have started a series from the middle. But even with the new genre, Western Romance, it doesn’t seem to matter. The series is set in the Old West, this book in 1891, and I’m really not sure how they differ from more traditional westerns. More research ahead.

This has what I imagine to be a typical Western Romance trope, the mail order bride. The bride in question is Jane Middlebourne.

Jane has lost her parents and was reluctantly taken in by some cousins. She is more servant than family member, so when the opportunity arises to escape her situation, she leaps on it.

But when she arrives in Bitter Springs, Wyoming, she find that her husband-to-be was expecting someone else – her cousin, who had somehow swapped out their pictures before mailing the letter for Jane. They decide to wait 24 hours to see if they still want to get married, and they do – but they don’t consummate the marriage for quite a while due to a series of misunderstandings and miscommunication.

Morgan Longstreet is the husband and is a rancher, fairly new to the community. He bought an existing ranch, hired some local ranch hands, but has been plagued by cattle rustlers. Longstreet is very closemouthed – to the town, and to his wife.

Eventually they find a way to communicate, and his past starts catching up with him. A bit of a mystery and some exciting action help propel this story right along. I stayed up late into the night to finish it. Now I’m looking for the first book in the series, Last Renegade.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

IN WANT OF A WIFE by Jo Goodman. Berkley (May 6, 2014). ISBN 978-0425264164. 384p.

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1 Comment | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Historical, Western | Permalink
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TRUE TO THE LAW by Jo Goodman

February 22, 2016

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Bitter Springs Series, Book 2

This was my first foray into the Western Romance subgenre. These are historicals, set in the Old West around 1889, and I’m really not sure how they differ from more traditional westerns. Guess I’ll have to read a few of those to find out.

Cobb Bridger was a detective with the famed Pinkerton private detective agency who has gone out on his own. He is hired by the wealthy Mackey family in Chicago to find a former employee who has stolen something. Mackey won’t say what was stolen, but rather only hires Cobb to find the woman.

He tracks her down to Bitter Springs, Wyoming, a small town that is at the crossroads of the burgeoning train system. Tru Morrow is the new school teacher, recently hired by way of Chicago. Bridger forms a relationship with her, ostensibly to determine if she is the woman he is seeking, but he finds her most attractive and honest, and cannot imagine that she has stolen anything.

The more he gets to know her, and she him, the more their relationship deepens. When the Mackeys arrive in town, Bridger’s protective instincts are out in full force.

There are several interesting characters, all of whom are well developed, and I really enjoyed this story. There is the setting of the Old West, which is interesting for sure, and a mystery as well as the romance. Lots to keep the pages turning.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TRUE TO THE LAW by Jo Goodman. Berkley (May 7, 2013). ISBN 978-0425264164. 384p.

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THE ANTHRAX PROTOCOL by James Thompson

February 21, 2016

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The Black Death occurring in Europe around the years 1346-1356 is undoubtedly the worst pandemic recorded. It is estimated that moving from China through Europe it was the cause of about 75-200 million people being killed before it faded. Theories of what caused it tend towards rats carrying it from ships and to land as well as filthy conditions prevalent in a world without the knowledge of sanitation present today. Due to advances in medicine and preventive methods fears of a plague such as the Black Death have diminished. The conditions causing it have come under control.

The Anthrax Protocol is a very well constructed novel outlining the possibility of a cause not currently investigated that could release another pandemic on mankind. An archaeological dig in Mexico comes upon the discovery of the tomb of Montezuma, ancient emperor of the Aztecs. The tomb has been sealed during the centuries since it became the burial site for Montezuma. Once opened, an ancient strain of Anthrax kills most of the members of the archaeological team before they understand what has happened.

One by one the team suffers from bleeding from the eyes and ears before falling to a painful death. They advise their home office in Austin Texas as well as the CDC in Atlanta of what has happened. A young archaeologist is sent from Austin, meeting with a team from Atlanta, led by Dr. Mason Williams, to close up the tomb and limit the spread of the disease before it becomes widespread.

At the same time, an army officer from Fort Detrick sends a team to secure samples of the anthrax for use as a biological military weapon. The three teams converge, with Williams and the archaeologist attempting to bottle up the plague and the military team ordered to exert every effort to get hold of the Anthrax. With them is a Mayan boy who seemingly is immune to the disease and comes from a village which includes others with demonstrated immunity.

Thompson, in a very ordered manner, quite logically describes how the disease escapes from the site in spite of extreme precautions, moves into Mexico City, than to the U.S. and other cities in the world. The methods utilized in developing a cure and a vaccine to prevent it are described, allowing the reader to follow what, if actually happening, would be a major medical accomplishment.

Thompson’s style is to keep the reader completely involved with the introduction and spread of the disease, showing the possibility of a later day black plague overwhelming mankind. And to set the stage for a possible sequel, there is a love affair developing between Williams and the archaeologist who just happens to be quite attractive. Very well done.

2/16 Paul Lane

THE ANTHRAX PROTOCOL by James Thompson. Pinnacle (February 23, 2016). ISBN 978-0786037308. 4169p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction | Tagged: eco-thriller | Permalink
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SATURN RUN by John Sandford & Ctein

February 13, 2016

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From the publisher:

In 2066, A Caltech intern inadvertently notices an anomaly from a space telescope—something is approaching Saturn, and decelerating. Space objects don’t decelerate. Spaceships do.

A flurry of top-level government meetings produces the inescapable conclusion: whatever built that ship is at least one hundred years ahead in hard and soft technology, and whoever can get their hands on it exclusively and bring it back will have an advantage so large, no other nation can compete. A conclusion the Chinese definitely agree with when they find out.

The race is on, and an remarkable adventure begins—an epic tale of courage, treachery, resourcefulness, secrets, surprises, and astonishing human and technological discovery, as the members of a hastily thrown-together crew find their strength and wits tested against adversaries both of this earth and beyond. What happens is nothing like you expect—and everything you could want from one of the world’s greatest masters of suspense.

Jack says: Not Sandford’s first attempt outside the traditional mystery genre and shows why he is a master story teller. If you enjoyed the Jason Kidd series, you will love this one.

02/16 Jack Quick

SATURN RUN by John Sandford & Ctein. G.P. Putnam’s Sons; First Edition / First Printing edition (October 6, 2015). ISBN: 978-0399176951. 496p.

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A BETTER WORLD by Marcus Sakey

February 11, 2016

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The Brilliance Trilogy #2

From the publisher:

The brilliants changed everything. Since 1980, one percent of the world has been born with gifts we’d only dreamed of. The ability to sense a person’s most intimate secrets, or predict the stock market, or move virtually unseen. For thirty years the world has struggled with a growing divide between the exceptional…and the rest of us.

Now a terrorist network led by brilliants has crippled three cities. Supermarket shelves stand empty. 911 calls go unanswered. Fanatics are burning people alive. Nick Cooper has always fought to make the world better for his children. As both a brilliant and an advisor to the president of the United States, he’s against everything the terrorists represent. But as America slides toward a devastating civil war, Cooper is forced to play a game he dares not lose—because his opponents have their own vision of a better world.

Jack says: Book two of the series was a bit disappointing – too much effort in re-stating the basics of book one for the benefit of those who had not read book one. Moved pretty well after all the re-capping.

Also see Paul Lane’s review.

2/16 Jack Quick

A BETTER WORLD by Marcus Sakey. Thomas & Mercer (June 17, 2014). ISBN 978-1477823941. 390p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Tagged: Thriller | Permalink
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LAST PROPHECY OF ROME by Iain King

February 9, 2016

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Myles Munro Action Thriller Series # 1

This is the second novel featuring Myles Munro, a history professor, first introduced in the book, Secrets of the Last Nazi.

In the opening section, Myles is on vacation in New York with his American journalist girl friend, Helen Bridle, when a delivery truck moving through the financial district of New York blows up. Myles finds a reference sent via the truck’s burning frame that the U.S embassy in Rome will shortly be destroyed – and the person who will make this happen is an African warlord named “Juma.”

Next in the series of events is the capturing of a US senator. Myles is forced to race through Iraq, Turkey and finally to Rome to rescue the senator and save the US from Juma’s plot to destroy it.

The 18th century “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” is researched by Myles and Helen as describing the method of destruction. The thesis of that tome was that Rome was never conquered, but fell due to the corruption within. Analogies are brought comparing Rome’s fall with events in today’s America. Not naming names, King’s descriptions bring to mind today’s US government, the lack of real patriotism on the part of many officials, plus a reference to a bad president.

The fault I find with King’s writing is the haste he uses in going from one crisis to the next and solutions drawn without leading up them logically. The book takes its place with other espionage novels but does not do very much to distinguish itself to them. A fast read but one that does not leave the reader with real interest in getting King’s next book.

2/16 Paul Lane

THE LAST PROPHECY OF ROME by Iain King. Bookouture (January 27, 2016). ISBN 978-1910751756. 438p.

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BRILLIANCE by Marcus Sakey

February 8, 2016

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From the publisher:

In Wyoming, a little girl reads people’s darkest secrets by the way they fold their arms. In New York, a man sensing patterns in the stock market racks up $300 billion. In Chicago, a woman can go invisible by being where no one is looking.

They’re called “brilliants,” and since 1980, one percent of people have been born this way. Nick Cooper is among them; a federal agent, Cooper has gifts rendering him exceptional at hunting terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war. But to catch him, Cooper will have to violate everything he believes in—and betray his own kind.

Jack says: Following in the tone of Hunger Games and Divergent, fast but interesting read. First of a three part series.

2/16 Jack Quick

BRILLIANCE by Marcus Sakey. Thomas & Mercer (July 16, 2013). ISBN 978-1611099690. 439p.

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ANYTHING FOR YOU by Kristan Higgins

February 6, 2016

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The Blue Heron Series

Jess Dunn is a young woman with a past – and everyone in this small town knows all about her alcoholic parents, her mother’s death, her father’s disappearance, her younger brother with fetal alcohol sydrome and her nickname, “Jessica Does.” Jess was the high school slut, but she had good reasons for sleeping around; all the boys she slept with helped protect her brother.

As an adult, she’s managed to turn her life around. She has a good job in marketing at a small, prestigious winery and works a second job as a waitress at the town’s swankiest restaurant. When the restaurant owner wants to send her for a wine class to help her upsell her customers wine, she reluctantly agrees. But when she gets to class, the teacher is none other than Connor O’Rourke.

Jess met Connor as a child, and when her dog attacked and almost killed him, the dog had to be put down. Connor felt terrible, and they basically fell in love with each other at age 12, but never pursued it or even acknowledged it. But the time had come, and after Connor spends the night with her, he accidentally blurts out the dreaded nickname – Jessica Does.

Their relationship is off to a rocky start, and over a ten year period they are on again, off again more times than anyone even knows. But eventually things come to a head and decisions have to be made.

I loved these characters and although their relationship was ridiculously overrun with obstacles, most of their own making, I couldn’t help but root for this couple. I also loved the small town setting, the vineyard beautifully brought to life, and the inside look at a passionate chef’s first restaurant.

This was my first Kristan Higgins book, which I picked up after seeing several stellar reviews, and I have to agree. I loved it. This is the fifth book in the series, so happily, I have some catching up to do.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ANYTHING FOR YOU by Kristan Higgins. HQN Books (December 29, 2015). ISBN 978-0373789085. 416p.

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4 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: chick-lit | Permalink
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THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS by Ausma Zehanat Khan

February 4, 2016

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Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak Novels (Book 2)

This is the follow up to The Unquiet Dead, and features Canada’s Community Policing Section Detectives Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty.

Canada’s federal intelligence agency, INSET (Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams,) wants Khattak to help solve the murder of Mohsin Dar, an undercover agent who had infiltrated a local terrorist cell and was killed in a supposed hunting accident. It turns out the terrorist training ground is deep in the woods frequented by hunters.

INSET knows a major terrorist attack is planned for New Year’s Day, so the timeline is tight. Getty is sent to the small Toronto mosque that is home to the cell, which she easily infiltrates. INSET doesn’t want their involvement known, but the detectives are more intent on finding the murderer than keeping INSET secrets.

As Getty learns more about the terrorists, the motives for murder seem almost boundless. To further complicate the story, Khattak’s sister, Ruksh, has become engaged to the main suspect, one of the radicals.

Khan explores the Muslim faith and culture, making this an excellent study of diversity in these times of uncertainty and attacks.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS by Ausma Zehanat Khan. Minotaur Books (February 2, 2016). ISBN 978-1250055125. 336p.

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