A retiring novelist creates a small cemetery for her unfinished manuscripts on a small parcel of land she inherited from her father. The land is in the Dominican Republic, her hometown and the setting for many of her stories. Alvarez weaves several stories together to write an incredibly beautiful novel about humanity, love, violence, tradition, and home.
The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely, aka May's free Audible Plus rom-com, is steamy, hilarious, and fun! Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan deliver fantastic performances to combine with a great story. Five stars!
Moonshade by S. J. West is the first book in the Vampire Conclave series. This book was published in 2016, but first came to my attention through a promotion on Kindle. I like the world building and rules in this series - as someone who has read MANY paranormal fiction series, sometimes it seems like [...]
The Husbands is a hilarious story about a woman who gets a new husband every time the last one climbs up into the attic. Five stars, must read!
The Princess of Las Vegas follows a Princess Diana impersonator who finds herself in the center of several high profile murders, and her closest family may be the ones setting her up.
My favorite book of 2024 so far - A scifi novel that reads like contemporary fiction. Annie is a lifelike robot with AI that continues to learn how to be more human, and how to please her owner, Doug.
The three books that I rated five stars this month are all so different from each other. A magnificent rom-com, the first book in a paranormal series about immortals, and an American History book about Reconstruction and Jim Crow. This goes to show that reading books out of your "comfort genre" from time to time [...]
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonnie Swann is the first book in what will be the Miss Sharp Investigates series, translated from German to English by Amy Bojang. A murder mystery at a senior citizen home share, it is senior citizen "Clue" where they can't remember where they hid the gun that shot [...]
I recently found a hardcover of Starling House at half priced books, and it was a great Spring break read. It's not sunny or beachy, it's eerie and creepy and maddening. That's more my style. Jump to Book Club Questions - Note: I do not use AI to write book club questions. Gothic Fiction Gothic [...]
Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen, co-author of four of the best thrillers I've ever read, released her first solo thriller in August of 2023. Gone Tonight didn't disappoint. It was unique, twisty, dual-narrated thriller where both narrators are somewhat unreliable and the reader is left in suspense, uncovering clues that lead to an unexpected ending. [...]
These three books rose above the rest in February, making me feel all the things and think about life in a different way.
I recently checked Leave the World Behind out from my local library's e-book app. Marin Ireland is one of my favorite narrators, and the premise sounded interesting enough. The book was available to download, so I jumped right in. It was perfect Friday night entertainment. Jump to Book Club Questions Buy on Amazon ★★★★ A [...]
When I heard that a horror novel was centered around the current beauty influencer culture, I knew I had to read it. This book was written and plotted in such a way that is horror at its greatest. Everyone can identify with Mirabelle, which means any of us could fall into the same trap. Jump [...]
Book 5 in the From Blood and Ash series, A Soul of Ash and Blood, offers little new information - less than a Novella - and it feels like an editor clipped together unused footage from the first novel in the series. I won't spoil the book this early in the post, but my theory [...]
Five books I finished in January of 2024 and rated five stars. Four of the books were published in 2023. Recommendations include similar books so you can decide if these are for you.
What sets Alperton Angels apart is that it is presented completely in the form of research notes and transcripts of text messages and emails. Most of the found footage is correspondence between two true crime "journalists" who hate each other but are forced to work together as they slowly reveal new facts about a strange [...]
Whalefall is like no other book I have ever read. There's a pretty substantial literary history involving humans being swallowed by a whale. This is an effective literary tactic because it reminds us how small we are in the grand scheme of things. I mean, think about it - day after day, we face struggles [...]
Book Review + Free book club questions The Unsettled is an unforgettable novel by Ayana Mathis. The story follows Ava Carson and her son, Toussant, shortly after they are kicked out of their home by her husband, Abemi. Toussant's father, Cass, has been absent from their lives for some time, and Ava is somewhat estranged [...]
If you liked Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, you'll love this 1950s era romance. It's a forbidden romance with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic.
The Star and the Strange Moon is the second book I have read from Constance Sayers and I love her unique style - it is paranormal fantasy mixed with historical fiction. Magical realism is another way to categorize these stories- all involving curses gone wrong. This is Sayer's third book, and all three share one [...]
What happens when Cassie finds out that her boss, Aiden, is one and the same as A, her most dedicated subscriber on OnlyFans?
Community Board by Tara Conklin takes a satirical look at neighborhoods in the digital age. If you are a member of your neighborhood NextDoor or similar app, you know. Suspicious persons, lost pets, creepy creepers, and angry folks turn to NextDoor to ramp up the crazy. It's HOA board meetings on steroids. The main character, [...]
The Fireballer is a novel that examines how the game of baseball would react to a pitcher who threw 10-15 MPH faster than any pitcher had ever been recorded throwing.
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane is an examination of a marriage in crisis and what makes a family. The novel begins with Jess and Malcolm separated, and takes place over a week where there is a blizzard, a financial crisis, and a police investigation of a missing person.
Monica Brashears is an incredible writer and I look forward to watching what will certainly be an acclaimed and accomplished writing career. There are critics and professors out there who can tell you "why" this story writes itself into your bones, I'm not one of them. All I can tell you is that it does.
Looking for a book that's perfect for a road trip? That is entertaining AND appropriate for kids? Like most great children's books and fairy tales, the story begins after some sort of tragedy. In this case, Coyote Sunrise and her dad, Rodeo, have changed their names and converted an old school bus into a house. [...]
Happy Place by Emily Henry is a contemporary romance novel about a couple that has broken their engagement but are forced to pretend to still be together for a friend's wedding.
The God of All Endings by Jacqueline Holland is described on it's amazon page by Library Journal as "Great for fans of Interview With A Vampire and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue." I knew right then that I was going to read this book and I was going to love this book! The God [...]
One Minute Book Rec! Calor by J.J. Fischer is a hidden gem, a Fantasy trilogy for adults. Quick review plus I dug up an alternate book cover at the author's site. You know you want to see it!
Three beautiful, large diamond paintings: Venice, Tulips, and the World - all less than $18 on Amazon. I usually never do product reviews but I highly recommend these kits for anyone looking for unique gifts or a new hobby.
No pop-up or video ads! This Orange and Vanilla Cream Pie takes 10 minutes to prep, and all you have to do is put it in the fridge until it is time to serve. Free printable recipe.
The Demon Queen Trials by C. N. Crawford is a fantasy romance series available on Kindle Unlimited. If you love steamy enemies to lovers, fated mates and demon fighting, this is a must-read series for you.
It Happened One Night was the first film to win Best Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay, and Picture. Watch original trailer, play with vintage Claudette Colbert paper dolls, and read original reviews of the romantic comedy.
Summer is here! This is a list of seven beach reads for summer 2022. Each of these books was released earlier this year, so you are sure to find something new to enjoy while you keep your feet in the pool!
Forget the Alamo tells uncomfortable truths that all Texans should know - but the myth of the Alamo will never fall. This book sets the record straight for those that will listen, and is an excellent book.
This novel is extraordinary. Throughout the two millenia in which this story lives, as all the characters live their lives and face their struggles, somehow the reader becomes enchanted. The survival of the book, of the earth, of the Argos - it becomes imperative. And while all the endings aren't happy, they're easier to take because they were made better by the story that they loved and preserved. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Antonio Diogenes will survive long after they're gone.
The Very Nice Box by Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman review. Free book club questions.A Very Nice Satire & Thriller all in one. Highly Recommend
The Grand Hotel film, 1932: Behind the Scenes pictures, trivia, video from the premier, the 5th Academy Awards & the 1st ever Mickey Mouse cartoon in Technicolor.
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian - Book review with free exclusive book club questions! Historical fiction set in Boston, 1662.
Cimarron was the 4th Best Picture Winner in 1931/32. Based on a popular Edna Ferber novel, the RKO movie was the 1st Western ever to win. With vintage news articles, movie reviews, and never before linked images of the cast visiting the White House, Cimarron and the story it tells is examined through a modern lens.
A MUST READ. 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot meet in the art therapy room of the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Between them, they have 100 years of life. They share each other's memories, and each experience a whole new lifetime before their own runs out.
Christmas Cookie recipes that my family has enjoyed over the last ten years.
It's a rare treat when we find a novel written by an unknown author that is so extraordinary. It feels like discovering a secret. To find one of the best written novels I've ever come across this way was a pleasant surprise. I cannot recommend highly enough.
In Berlin, on the evening of December 5, 1930, at the Mozart Hall, a sold out showing of All Quiet on the Western Front is about to begin. This is the German premiere of the movie that has already won Best Picture in America. "Ten minutes into the performance, a small, dark haired, man arose from his front row balcony seat and stalked up the darkened aisle toward the exit. This man, Joseph Goebbels, was giving a signal to the Nazis that had packed the seats and were patiently awaiting their signal.. They rose and began chanting "Judenfilm, Judenfilm!" They threw stink bombs and released mice into the theater...
Stu Whitney has accomplished what most novelists dream of - a great novel, written and published at the right moment. The Covid Chronicles tackles tough issues that we have all struggled with over the past year. The fear and uncertainty that swept into our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic are illuminated through a father's hopes for his [...]
The Broadway Melody was the 2nd Best Picture winner. Dozens of vintage ads, critiques, video and audio come together to bring the history of America before the Great Depression to life.
Wings was America's first chance to see the world from the air. Combined with Clara Bow's star power, the film won the first Best Picture Oscar. Vintage ads and articles clipped from the Library of Congress give a new look at the legendary film.
The Best Picture History Project started as an inexpensive date night idea. We decided to watch every Academy Award Best Picture winner in order. It quickly turned into an entirely new understanding of America, her history, and her people's priorities and culture shifts throughout the years. I've studied American history my entire life and have [...]
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a Suspense/Mystery novel released in May 2021. Narrated by Rebecca Lowman for audio; and a Reese's Book Club choice - it's worth a read! When it comes to book clubs, Reese is the new Oprah, and she put her stamp on this book. It checks [...]
A visit to PNC Park put a baseball team on display interwoven with my family history and a city's memories.
My husband and I and two of my children drove from Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh PA in three days. In order to visit family in Pittsburgh, PA, we left our home on a Friday afternoon. We left at four o'clock and headed out. We stopped for snacks and fountain sodas and headed out! The first [...]
We spent our 15th Wedding Anniversary in post-COVID Aruba. Here is a day-by-day trip report!
What about the heathens that just keep all of their cards in a giant pile that is not organized by color OR number? These people are savages and shouldn’t be allowed in polite company.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is a story driven novel about a girl who makes a deal for her soul, and when the mysterious figure comes to collect, she refuses to give up. Born in the 1600s in a small village in France, little Adeline LaRue is a dreamer. When she [...]
Project Hail Mary is brilliant, it is funny, it is genius, it is incredible. I give it 25 stars out of 5. The audiobook will win every award this year, as it should. If you ever read another book, read this one.
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson is a Breezy Afternoons Good Read Book List 2021 Recommendation - for good reason! 4/5 Stars - great Suspense/Thriller!
Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale is a summer romance involving two strangers taking a road trip on Route 66. Check out the review at breezyafternoons.com!
This beautiful prayer plant sprouted a beautiful purple flower after a prolific season of growth.
My youngest child recently started watching nail tutorials on YouTube. That’s how she ended up spending her money on this weird fake hand thing. Tip: you can use this hand to pat your husband on the back but he will not find it cute. And don’t even try to use it to get freaky. He [...]
The incredibly vivid colors of the Tradescantia Zebrina make this an popular house plant. Easy to grow and fun, all the care instructions you need are right here.
To keep squirrels from digging up bulbs, I discovered this one easy trick. It worked!
For years, it was an April Fool's tradition to put salt in my dad's sugar shaker. He put several heaping tablespoons in his coffee each morning.
Do you need to get a gift for someone you don't know that well? Here's a list of gift ideas under $50 that will work for almost any recipient.
Use leftover Montreal Smoked Meat to make a delicious take on corned beef and cabbage - a Montreal Smoked Meat and Cabbage Hash.
After eating the legendary Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich in Canada, a quest was born. Finally, we have mastered the infamous sandwich recipe.
Breezy Afternoons is inviting guest bloggers to write about why we absolutely HAVE to visit your hometown.
The 2021 Breezy Afternoons Good Read Book List is here! The must-read new releases in 2021 that I cannot wait to get my hands on.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a thriller where every single character is a bad person. A retelling of Jane Eyre, it's extremely well done and I'd highly recommend that you read it. If you're not familiar with Jane Eyre, don't let that scare you away. This book is extraordinary on its own merit. [...]
The Dish on Hello Fresh from a longtime customer. An honest review including pricing and delivery details.
Could any of us have pictured what Covid-19, one year later, would have done?
The Royal We: by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan. A book review. The book shines a light on what Harry & Megan have gone through, and yet still chose love.
Children's Books for Saint Patrick's Day under $10
Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit is set in the Plymouth colony in the 1620s, from the perspective of two women who reside in the colony.
The Kingsbridge Series is a set of books that transcend genre. It doesn't matter what books you usually read, you'll enjoy these. Pillars of the Earth has been translated into 33 languages, again speaking to the wide appeal of the novels. In his critically acclaimed Kingsbridge Series, Ken Follett transports the reader back in time [...]
Kiss my Cupcake by Helena Hunting is a fun rom-com romance novel. Two business owners go from rivals to romance when they team up to beat the competition.
With most of the southern United States facing the coldest temperatures in a century, many of us are dusting off our bookshelves or our kindles and catching up on our never ending reading lists. Personally, I panicked as I'd just recently finished the two library books I had checked out from the Libby app and [...]
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey is a "forbidden love" romance novel. It is the first of a series of three books. I wish this series could go on forever, because the books are unputdownable. Hometown Hero Returns Travis Ford is a World Series Champion baseball player. He's known in the tabloids as "Two Bats" [...]
Affiliate Marketing is a great way for bloggers or web developers to create a passive income. Learn where to find affiliates and how to replace spammy ads with profits.
I asked my soon to be 14 year old what they wanted for their birthday. The following gifts are apparently what all of the kids at school have these days. Parents, birthday shopping has never been this easy!1) Bandanas - "Because I look really cute in bandanas. My friend lent me one of her bandanas [...]
I made Guy Fieri's Chicken Apple Sausage Frittata recipe and it was amazing. Come take a visit with me to Flavortown!
Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane is a thriller I could not put down.
Are you looking for a guide for how to paint cabinets? You've come to the right place. My husband and I spent six months of trial and error and developed a system that yielded professional results that even contractors have asked us our secret. Read on for details, or you can skip to the infographic [...]
You are not Alone, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: A Book Review You are not Alone is on a bazillion bestseller and best of lists, and I completely see why. I'll write on but what you really need to know is that no matter your preferred genre, you should give this book a read. [...]
Our family took a day trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park in December - a COVID-safe activity Like so many other families, when the world around us began to shut down in March, we were left stunned. Since that time, we've quarantined, worn masks, avoided play dates, parties and public parks. After a year of [...]
A book review of Mexican Gothic, Goodreads Choice Award winner in Horror for 2020.
How to Start Geocaching: Planning After a week of serious eating and resting around the house, I was absolutely thirsting to get outside and move around a little. My new sister-in-law, Nicole, had never been Geocaching, but when I asked her if she would like to learn how to start geocaching, her face lit up [...]
In 2019, I read all of the Anne Rice Vampire Novels for the second time, in order. It was a great experience because I loved reading each and every book. Some of the reading was nostalgic, some of it was revelatory. There were so many fantastic passages I'd completely forgotten in the two decades since [...]
What Netflix has billed as George Clooney's greatest achievement underperforms expectations of those that loved Lily Brooks-Dalton's Good Morning, Midnight. Earlier this month, I reviewed the novel Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I reviewed the novel enthusiastically, as it is an excellent read. The screenplay adapted from the novel was changed enough from the [...]
Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton is a novel that imagines the Earth going dark.
The pain does not have to interfere with raising good humans. I am a chronic pain patient. My pain is manageable, which means: it will never go away or be cured but can be reduced enough to allow me to move and walk up to two miles on a good day, with some modifications and [...]
A list of book ideas for your next read.
A review of The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck, translated from Finnish to English
Diffenbachia (Dumb Cane) The first question I get when I show people my big, beautiful Dumb Cane is always, "Why is it called Dumb Cane?" The reason is that the stem of the plant contains toxins that, when chewed, render the person unable to speak as their tongue and throat swells and becomes numb. The [...]
Libraries are straight magic. They are the most utopian thing America has to offer. In a world where we are all trying so hard to hawk our content and everyone wants to nickel and dime you for everything, the library just sits there - a content superstore where everything is free. Once you take the [...]
Make a mouth-watering healthy salmon dinner and use the leftovers to pack protein into your breakfast. This isn't one of those blogs in which you have to read a thousand ads to get to the recipe. Skip the following paragraph and get right to it! For those of you who like to read about the [...]
Five Star Fiction from the 80s and 90s.
Chronic Pain patients suffer not only from pain, but mistreatment from Doctors who are jaded and cautious during an opioid epidemic.
Anne Rice Vampire Novels presented in order, including the Mayfair Witch cross-over novels
A Covid-themed update to the classic poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Today's spotlight is the Pink Nanouk Tradescantia, once upon a time referred to as "Wandering Jew" - a stunningly beautiful plant with waxy, firm leaves. I treat my pink nanouk like a child. I even bought her a special matching pink ceramic planter and I am notorious for reusing or painting old planters. I hadn't [...]
We updated a large living area by painting the dated 80s paneling. The results are amazing. Goodbye, 1980's oak paneling!
I was sitting on the couch at a large family gathering. The children were sitting on the floor playing with the McDonald's Happy Meal toys my grandmother always collected for them and the adults were watching football. A teaser for the local news came on the television, promising all the details in a domestic violence [...]
Look no further - these are the must reads of the year. Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 2020 will go down as a year as rough as 1929. An economic crash, a pandemic, an erratic, gridlocked government - many of us are looking for healthy ways to de-stress and cope. [...]
I'm so glad you're here! For as long as I've been able to speak, I've always wanted to share the things that I enjoy with the people around me. If I have a great experience at a restaurant, I want all my friends to know so they can go have a good time. That excitement [...]
Better late than never - here are the four books I read in April that I absolutely loved and recommend that you should read! Every one of these books was available for free on the Libby app through my local public library. If you don't have a library card at your local library, GET ONE! [...]
Birthdays make us reflect on our lives. I'm 45 today, and it is my greatest hope that I am not yet at the halfway point of my life. I feel great, my life circumstances are extraordinary right now. The people I love are healthy and happy, for the most part, and I'm in a safe, [...]
