Pop Culture Saturday - TASTE WHAT YOU'RE MISSING by Barb Stuckey

Aloha!  I only posted one guest blog last week - Blogging Advice from Hope Clark.   The winner is Barbara E.!   Please contact me at sos.aloha@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

I am a fan of Bravo's TOP CHEF.   Plus I recently discovered the Food Network's DINERS, DRIVE INS, AND DIVES.   But I have no culinary talent.   Enter Barb Stuckey's TASTE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING:

Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, maple-cured bacon sizzling hot from the pan, or a salted caramel coated in dark chocolate, you know when food tastes good to you. But you may not know the amazing story behind why you love some foods and can’t tolerate others. Now, in Taste What You’re Missing, the first book that demystifies the science of taste, you’ll learn how your individual biology, genetics, and brain create a personal experience of everything you taste—and how you can make the most of it.

Oh, I'd make the most of Coco Puffs!

A seasoned food developer to whom food companies turn for help in creating delicious new products, Barb Stuckey reveals that much of what we think we know about how taste works is wrong. And the truth is much more fascinating—for instance, your tongue is not divided into quadrants for sweet, sour, salt, and bitter and only a fraction of what you taste happens in your mouth. As Stuckey explains how our five senses work together to form “flavor perceptions,” she tells intriguing stories about people who have lost the sense of smell or taste and the unexpected ways their experience of food changes as a result. You’ll learn why kids (and some adults) turn up their noses at Brussels sprouts and broccoli, how salt makes grapefruit sweet, and why you drink your coffee black while your spouse loads it with cream and sugar.

Nothing like chocolate over macadamia nuts!

Stuckey also provides eye-opening experiments in which you can discover your unique “taster type” and learn why you react instinctively to certain foods, in particular why your response to bitterness is unique. You’ll find ways to improve your ability to discern flavors, detect ingredients, and devise taste combinations in your own kitchen for delectable results.

Taste What You’re Missing gives curious eaters, Food Network watchers, kitchen tinkerers, and armchair Top Chefs the understanding and language to impress friends and families with insider knowledge about everything edible. What Harold McGee did for the science of cooking Barb Stuckey does for the science of taste in Taste What You’re Missing, a calorie-free way to get more pleasure from every bite.

Fresh pineapple gives pleasure with each bite!

Hmmm, I'm hungry already!   TASTE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING goes beyond the instant gratification of eating - it gives the reader step by step methods to enhance the senses while fueling the body.  In essence, it is the education of the eater to appreciate texture, aroma, and even presentation.   It might just make you a Top  Chef after all ... with accolades from Tom Colicchio to boot!

I am giving away a hardback copy of TASTE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Where does your talent lie in the kitchen - cooking?  baking?  drying dishes?

Mine lies in eating.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Friday, April 6, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Saturday, April 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Feast on malasadas - Hawaii's ono (delicious) pastry!

Mary’s Musings...about CATCH ME A COWBOY by Katie Lane and QUINN by R.C. Ryan

When I started CATCH ME A COWBOY by Katie Lane and QUINN by R.C. Ryan the cowboy theme was very evident.  The thought I had to wipe out in my mind was the concept I had about cowboys.  They ride horses and do take care of the land but they are so much more in terms of what they do to protect the legacy for future generations.

Both Katie Lane and R.C. Ryan have shown is that in order to be prepared for tomorrow you have to handle the issues of today.  The alpha males in these stories are dealing with so much but they also show the sides of them that have both warmth and kindness. 

There are four sets of CATCH ME A COWBOY by Katie Lane and QUINN by R.C. Ryan being given away from Grand Central Forever Publishing.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “what reminds you of a cowboy?” then come back on Sunday – April 1^st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

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REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"

 

QUINN by R.C. Ryan Does every step I take lead me somewhere? Quinn Conway grew up in a rugged part of Montana knowing that nothing came easy or was handed to you.  He had a great family that supports him, even though the mystery surrounding his mother’s disappearance still haunts them all.  Quinn took his childhood passion for wolves and has made it his life’s work gaining a reputation and respect in his chosen field.  While following one of his wolf packs Quinn happens to cross paths with Cheyenne O’Brien, a feisty female who happens to own the ranch next to his and wants him gone, now. Cheyenne has suffered through one loss after another and she suspects that Quinn is someone coming to take something else away.  It turns out after meeting her what Quinn wants is not real estate but room in her heart.  Cheyenne is not sure she can accommodate him but when circumstances force them to share some space she begins to realize there is so much more to this man than she could have ever hoped for.  Quinn is kind, thoughtful, and considerate of her need for space as much as her desire for affection.  What more could a woman want, well Cheynne is going to find out. Quinn and Cheyenne are trying to find a way to stop the problems on her ranch, find out who is creating all these problems, and steal a few minutes alone.  Quinn has a large, boisterous family that is more than willing to embrace Cheyenne.  What needs to happen is for Cheyenne to put her arms out and accept all this love coming her way.  The ability to turn disaster into a winning proposition is not easy but with Quinn by her side Cheyenne by pull it off. R.C. Ryan writes a story that gives every reader a huge dose of great romance.  She fills the pages with passion, mystery, and a touch of suspense to keep you coming back for more.

CATCH ME A COWBOY by Katie Lane How hard is it to dust off the demons from the past anyway?  Shirlene Dalton has known life at the both ends of the food chain and knows the top is much better.  So, why again has she found herself living in the awful mobile home she grew up in - well out of control spending for one.  Shirlene was a grieving widow who was offered help but she couldn't stop to get it she was busy shoe shopping.  Now she has found herself trying to make the ends meet in her broken down home and get along with her neighbor Bubba Wilkes, the biggest redneck in Texas.  She knows the trailer is the worse choice of the two but Bubba is pretty awful, right?  Everyone has a secret but the one Bubba is carrying around with him is a whopper that is intended to bring Bramble, TX to its knees.  Yet, now that Bubba has found himself surrounded by the local culture and especially Shirlene, he is not so sure all his great plans should come to fruition.  Revenge is great until you discover there are actual people involved who you begin to care about and treat you like a neighbor.  Shirlene is the biggest surprise of them all for Bubba and one that he is enjoying the heck out of and has plans of enjoying her with a little less clothing on.  Even though her life has taken a turn for the worst, Shirlene reminds him it is not anyone's responsibility but hers to make life work out as it should.  Shirlene is also stumbling through life with the four homeless kids who had been living in her mobile home; the biggest question of all was "where is their mama?"  Shirlene wanted children but not someone else’s', especially a surly teenaged girl.  But with Shirlene out of her own home she is not about to evict these kids and decides to take on the responsibility of figuring out how to help them find a way to someone's home where they can feel safe,  just like what Shirlene is looking for.  Katie Lane has the perfect combination of life and love in Texas.  The first two books were wonderful stories but Shirlene was the one all readers were rooting to have a HEA and the way down that road was a wild ride all around.  You should read the first two books because they lay out the whole story line but either way buy this book it is great.

Mary’s Musings...about WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY by Katharine Ashe

Katharine Ashe's new book WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY is a wonderful story of figuring out who did what to whom and how.  I love a good mystery, especially when combined with wonderful romance.  There is allot to absorb with this book, as is the case with every first one in the series.  So give yourself time to enjoy this and take a few notes so you do not get confused with the Vale from the Yale.

I have one (1) copy of WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY by Katharine Ashe to be given away, which I received from Avon, an Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “what ?” then come back on Sunday – March 25^th to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your mailing address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

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REVIEW from "The Reading Reviewer"

WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY by Katharine Ashe

A Falcon Club Novel

Will I ever know the real you when you refuse to reveal your secrets? 

Lady Katherine Savege has given up on finding any match, let alone a love match after her heart had been so violently broken.  Her mother has let Kitty do as she pleases and that has always pleased Kitty very much.  Kitty has made more than a few poor decisions and vindication always comes at a high price to everyone but freedom is worth the issues that come with it.

Setting off with her friend Kitty and their entourage the group find themselves snow bound with a wide variety of personalities, one more mysterious than the other.  The only person Kitty finds intriguing though is Leam, the Earl of Blackwood who speaks out of several sides of his very kissable mouth.  Kitty wonders about who Leam is as much as she obsesses about the possibility of kissing him.  Several days pass before she is able to let go of her fears to have Leam show her the pleasure of being in his arms is like yet she feels she can never completely trust him.

Kitty is a tough one though and she survives a number of near misses only to discover that the secrets Liam has been keeping run deeper than she could have ever imagined.  He swears he is not a spy just part of a recently disbanded group of rescuers.  He cannot prove any of this and Kitty is so weary by the doubt.  The trouble is once she took the step to go farther with her feelings turning back is not an option.

Katharine Ashe is the master of setting the storyline in the book you are reading as well as tease you with what is coming next.  The first book in a new series is always the most complicated to lay out but Ms. Ashe knows exactly what to say, never giving away too much but always making sure as a reader you are well informed.

Mary’s Musings...about HIGHLAND LOVER by Amanda Scott

HIGHLAND LOVER by Amanda Scott is a fast moving story of romance and struggles to get through everything to find it.  Now it should not be a walk in the park but sometimes that HEA is so well deserved.

I received a copy of HIGHLAND LOVER by Amanda Scott from Grand Central Forever Publishing to be given away.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “what hurdle have you gone through for love?” then come back on Sunday – April 1^st to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

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REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"

HIGHLAND LOVER by Amanda Scott

Book 3 Scottish Knights Trilogy

Is it possible I can see more than what is in front of me?

Lady Alyson MacGillivray never expected a quiet sea cruise with her husband to go so terribly wrong.  Alyson thought to capture time with the man she knew but never got to know even after they married.  She did not expect him to be part of a plot that involved the kidnapping a future king either, but there it was and now she was drowning, literally.  The very last thing Alyson thought would happen was for the ship to be overtaken by pirates and she being saved by a man she wished was her husband.

Sir Jacob Maxwell was the Captain of the Sea Wolf a ship assigned to stop what had already happened.  The objective for Jake now is to take Alyson and the young man now under her protection to safety and obtain help to take the pirates down and rescue the captured heir to the throne.  Jake wants to believe that Alyson’s husband is not coming back because these thoughts he is having are not proper or something he should allow himself to have.  Alyson is so tempting with her innocent ways and kind nature.  There are so many evils lurking around them that the last thing Jake should want is to steal a kiss from Alyson but that is all he is thinking about.

The more time passes the more it appears her husband was considered collateral damage and perished at sea.  Alyson believes she should be mourning his loss but all she is doing is craving Jake’s touch.   Jake gets his forces in line with taking care of what has created this evil deed and return the rightful heir to his home.  Trying to figure out who may be the traitor amoung them is Jake’s mission but his obsession is Alyson.

Amanda Scott has taken her readers on a wonderful, suspenseful, and romantic ride with this series.  Ms. Scott knows how to build up the story to the point where the reader must know how it ends and won’t stop reading until they do.  The ability to draw a reader in and keep them in the moment is the defining line between good and great, Amanda Scott is amazing.

Mary’s Musings...Contest Winners for WE 03-25-12

Funny thing happened on the way to posting my winners last night - my grandson came over.  After that it was playing with toys, chasing him around the house, reading book, and trying to get him to sleep.  

So here they are - and - there are lots of you due to blog tours.  Please send your address to marygramlich@yahoo.com with the book you won and I will mail it to you.

Post office day for me now is Tuesday so if I get your information by Monday night the book is off in the mail the next day.

Please take a second to get into your Amazon account, locate any of these books, then find the review section, look for my name and go to the bottom of the review where you will have a chance to say this is helpful.  After that click on see all my reviews and do it again as much as your patience allows.

Thanks.

Kerrlyn Sparks: Wanted Undead or Alive - (1) blackroze37; and (2) June M

Mike Draper: Splattered Blood - marjorie/cenyz2

Jami Alden (Run from Fear) and Dee Davis (Deadly Dance) - (1) LSU reader; (2) ianci thaci; (3) Susan T; and (4) kelsmitt

Welcome Guest Blogger William Brown

Amongst My Enemies by William F. Brown is a fast-paced Cold-War thriller

Inside an old German U-Boat rusting on the bottom of the Baltic are millions in gold bars, stolen art and jewels, and a secret that could tear NATO apart.   

 The only one who knows the truth is Mike Randall, a battle-scarred American who survived four months in the frozen Hell of northern Germany at the end of the war. 

 When he does speak up, he puts a target on his own forehead, one which the Russians, the West Germans, the U-boat’s former owners, the Israeli Mossad, and even his own government quickly take aim at. Some want the gold, some want him dead, and some want proof about a high-ranking spy inside NATO itself. 

Randall’s wants are much simpler.  Caught between the Kremlin and a new, deadly, 4th Reich, he wants revenge and to satisfy some old debts with a steel-jacketed bullet.

William F. Brown is the author of six domestic and international suspense novels and four award-winning screenplays.  You can follow his writing on his web site at http://billbrownwritesnovels.wordpress.com

Pop Culture Saturday - Blogging Advice from Hope Clark

I have winners!

- Other holidays on March 17:   Marlene wins a book choice from my convention stash.

- H.P. Mallory's WITCHFUL THINKING:   Karen is the winner.

The RWA Aloha chapter recently published a "blogging" article from C. Hope Clark.  From her bio,

C. Hope Clark is a freelance writing business expert and author of Lowcountry Bribe, the first of the Carolina Slade Mystery Series. Hope lives on the bank of Lake Murray near Chapin, SC, where she not only pens mysteries, but she also manages FundsforWriters.com.

Hope gave me permission to reprint her article - it piqued my interest as a reader, blogger, and writer. 

    

GUEST BLOGS by Hope Clark

This past week I have appeared on several blogs, as a guest who was interviewed and as a guest blogger. After seeing what Amanda Hocking did with blogs, using them to spread the word about her work, I've watched how bloggers use info and each other to educate, entertain, promote and introduce. Some are
intense with information while others dance with personality. Whether quirky or dark, happy or literary, factual or whimsical, blogs can be used for promotional purposes.

What to know about using blogs for promotion:

1. It isn't about you as much as it is about providing information to the readers.

Sean McLachlan's Civil War Horror Blog may not seem like a pertinent site to appear for C. Hope Clark or Lowcountry Bribe, but when you see the subject matter it makes sense. "History is the Foundation for Any Novel" discussed how any novel deserves historical research to make the story more authentic. With a setting in South Carolina, history, both good and bad, is represented in the architecture, stories, families, food, art, even agriculture, and I would have been remiss not to include come of that in a story set in the state (link).

2. Most people will not comment.

Mobile Writers Guild asked me to guest post more about FundsforWriters topics - How to Make a Living as a Writer.  I was a guest, and I provided useful information, but as a one-time presenter, most readers don't feel the need to respond, and as an information blog from an organization, it's not highlighting any one book or author. I visited their world, left my footprint, and gave them take-away value for now or future reference.  Of course I mentioned the new novel (link).

How's this for an A-HA moment?

3. Readers are hunting for a connection, an A-HA moment, or true takeaway value for their personal use.

Pen & Prosper is managed by Jennifer Brown Banks, who has diligently built her writing career over the years, frequented FundsforWriters, and contributed to many of my newsletters with articles. So when she asked me to do an interview, I jumped at the chance to repay her loyalty. In her own right, she's published on many online blogs and periodicals. She gave her readers a connection to me, and with one question, tried to show a side of me nobody knew about (link).

4. Blogs aren't instant gratification - they take time, but quality rises to the top with diligence.

Elizabeth Boyce writes Bluestocking Ball, a blog that is rich, rich, rich in writing, romantic history, and literary flavor. I've read her historical romance manuscripts, and she's destined to publish, and publish well. The blog is not very old, but it's a hidden gem I hope others will follow once mentioned here. Elizabeth asked for a brief interview with me, offering some great questions, digging into the guts of Lowcountry Bribe based on her knowledge AFTER reading the book. This blog is smart, and I stop to take time to read it (link - note the giveaway is now closed).

I love blogs. I've gleaned the best knowledge from bloggers who are generous in sharing their wisdom. And I enjoy sharing mine with them.    

Mahalo, Hope, for sharing with us!  Your generous attitude reminds me of Duke Kahanamoku, the Aloha Ambassador.   What do love and loathe about book blogs?   What can make book blogs more reader friendly?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs will win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Friday, March 30, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Saturday, March 31.   

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

March Madness continues here at SOS Aloha! All commenters in March will be entered into a special drawing for prizes from RT in Chicago. 3 US, 3 Canadian, and 3 international readers will win a package with books and goodies. Comments can be made at:

- SOS Aloha, sosaloha.blogspot.com
- Aloha On My Mind, alohaonmymind.blogspot.com
- My guest posts at the Reading Reviewer (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at marygramlich.blogspot.com

I'll post the winners of March Madness on Monday, April 2. 

Mary’s Musings...about ROMANTIC SUSPENSE BLOG TOUR with Dee Davis & Jami Alden

My reading objective is to mix genres up so I always stay on my game and keep my mind open to everything.  When the Romantic Suspense Blog Tour with Dee Davis – DEADLY DANCE and Jami Alden - RUN FROM FEAR came to me, I decided to read the two books together.

 

I love romantic suspense because you never know what is going to happen (unless you read the last chapter first).  Readers do not want to worry about the dishes or laundry as long as there are pages still to be consumed.  Readers have to figure out who is doing what and why.

These two books will definitely have you keeping the lights on and checking to make sure, the doors are locked.  This is a good thing, right?

I have four copies of Dee Davis – DEADLY DANCE and Jami Alden - RUN FROM FEAR to give away via Grand Central Publishing.  To be eligible to win please leave a comment on  “what scares you?” then come back on Sunday – March 25^th to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you will not know if you won, because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to turn a negative into a celebrated Little Victory, come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Do not forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Your vote matters and I greatly appreciate my followers!

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REVIEW from "The Reading Reviewer"

 

RUN from FEAR by Jami Alden Do the deeply broken parts of us ever heal?  Talia Vega has seen the worst in humanity and lived to bring them to their knees.  She has a history of less than ideal decision making to account for, and does so every day to redeem her sins.  Talia has done her best to shake off the nightmares and take care of her younger sister the best possible way she can. However, when the past shows back up enter Talia’s personal white knight, Jack Brooks to help her out.  Jack and Talia crossed paths before when Talia was running from her demons and all these years Talia thought him long gone from her life.  Talia pretended she never gave Jack a thought when, and it turns out Jack has never left her life.  He just lived in the shadows walking in the background making sure everything was okay and no one was bothering her.  Jack knows how it is to be manipulated and abused and what happened to Talia is not going to be repeated on his watch.  The past always has a way of coming back to haunt you and Talia’s is knocking on the door but Jack is standing there with her holding it back.  The passion between Jack and Talia is as out of control from the moment they are back in the same room driving down all of the carefully constructed walls surrounding Talia’s heart.  Being independent does not mean you have to be alone but Talia is going to take this a day at a time so that when the evil is purged this time it never comes back. Jami Alden has a gift to drive her readers to the brink of obsession with being scared.  You will be happy to leave the lights on to get through because you have to know how this story comes together.

DEADLY DANCE by Dee Davis Can I be as good with you as I have learned to be alone? Harrison Blake is new to elite, super-secret A-Tac group coming over from the FBI with years of experience dealing with the criminal mind.  Unfortunately, for Blake he is very familiar with the cruelty human beings can afflict on one another.  Hannah Marshall is a long time A-Tac member, and she knows you always sleep lightly and fear that which walks alone in the dark. Hannah and Harrison have been working friends and when a serial killer starts hunting in their area, they become close teammates.  While the days are spent chasing down leads and exploring all options the nights are for Harrison and Hannah to figure out if they are friends with benefits or have the benefit of being more than friends.  Both have terrible relationship track records yet they are willing to throw them aside to see if the two of them can figure out is this the “One”. The serial killer seems to be on a personal vendetta toward A-Tac or maybe even someone specifically on the team.  This possibility has the team wondering what would have created such a scenario and how does this maniac stay a step ahead all the way.  The kills are erratic and do not follow the common but horrid frame of mind of former predators which has the team scrambling to find answers.  During the day, Harrison and Hannah are trying to close in on solutions to halt the chance of another victim.  At night, they are exploring new places of passion and pushing the buttons of excitement into pleasure.  Both feel like damaged goods with an inability to give love completely but they are proving to one another that is so not true.  If they can stay alive to fight this to the end, they might just have a chance. Dee Davis writes an exciting book with each addition in this series.  It is hard to see how she can top the last book but consistently Ms. Davis proves that she has the ability to write a story the reader will be scared to put down.