A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

I don't screw up in the kitchen much, so when I do, it's usually in a spectacular fashion. Today was no different, and I think it must be the universe's way of getting back at me for daring to read some total fluffy, smutty trash. But it's set in Italy, I told myself as I … Continue reading A Roman Tale by Carroll Baker

The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra

The Last Supper, that immortal painting by the equally immortal Leonardo da Vinci, always fascinated me, even as a child. Just looking at it takes you into that world, sitting beside Jesus, watching the disciples react to the news he would soon die, and noticing the amazing details of the work itself. Reading The Secret Supper … Continue reading The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra

Sexy Sunday! Exit to Eden by Anne Rampling (Anne Rice)

WARNING: THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS VERY EXPLICIT SEXUAL REFERENCES AND LANGUAGE! LUCKY YOU! So Nicole at The Bookworm Drinketh and I are doin' the sexy again.......no, not like that, you perverts! We're revitalizing our blog collaboration Sexy Sunday, where we read a book notorious for its sex scenes, she blogs it in conjunction with a … Continue reading Sexy Sunday! Exit to Eden by Anne Rampling (Anne Rice)

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

I've felt a bit burnt out with my blog writing lately, though I can't figure out if it's because I've read through most of the books I really wanted to, or just haven't felt the yen to cook. It's a combination of both, but I think the New Year and wintertime is so gray and … Continue reading Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

Reading this book and getting to know the main character of Cesar Castillo in The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love was both a joy and a sadness. This is a man with a great lust for life, dancing and drinking and eating and womanizing.......and with a talent for making decisions based on instinct and … Continue reading The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

One of my Christmas gifts, this book is one of the most compelling that I've read in ages. I'm a terrible literary snob, as I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who follows my blog, and I am very picky about what I read. So when I am compelled by a book, for me I … Continue reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

I was first given the book Winter's Tale by a woman who worked with me in a law firm,  several years ago. She was an odd woman, claiming to be psychic and in touch with - in her own words - "the universal forces." She was a practicing Wiccan, though it turns out she was … Continue reading Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Kate Morton is, for me anyway, hit or miss. I loved The Lake House, and have plans to blog it sometime in the future. I disliked The Forgotten Garden because it was just so implausible. But I really enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter. It is precisely the type of book I love - fictional but set … Continue reading The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

Robert Girardi is one of my favorite "unknown" writers. He wrote Madeleine's Ghost, which I blogged about previously, and Vaporetto 13 is another novel that combines cynicism, hope, the supernatural, and a gorgeous city as the backdrop. In this case, Venice. You can read about what makes Venice so uniquely gorgeous and special by checking … Continue reading Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

I am a diehard Bond Girl. I've seen all the films, read all the books and of course, have my own opinions about who has been the best Bond of all. Having a major crush on Timothy Dalton, I am biased in his favor, but there is also something to be said for the talents … Continue reading Casino Royale by Ian Fleming