Friday Wish-List

Have you ever been sitting there thinking about that favorite dessert when suddenly you realize you're the world's greatest sleuth?

Yeah, me neither.

Sadie Hoffmiller seems to fall into that category though and I'm dying to read about her adventures.

In this debut volume, cooking aficionado turned amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller tries to solve the murder of her beautiful young neighbor, a single mother who was mysteriously lured from her home while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is the woman's missing two year-old child. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects including her! For an added treat, original mouth-watering recipes for Sadie's Lemon Tart, Homemade Alfredo Sauce, Carrot Cookies, Brownies, and Granny's Gingerbread Bundt Cake are sprinkled throughout the book. - Amazon Product Review for Lemon Tart: A Culinary Mystery

I've been intrigued with this book for quite a while and have watched with more and more interest as Josi Kilpack's 2nd, 3rd and soon 4th book in the series have been published.

Why, oh why, do I do this to myself? It's like looking through the window of a candy shop but not going in. I could click a few buttons and voila! I would be the proud owner of this book. I could even go down to the library, but I don't. I just watch and wait... knowing that someday I will be able to walk into a quiet little book store and snatch it up as if I have been searching for it my entire life.

::clears throat:: Back to the book.

Some of the reviews I read called the main character, Sadie, one of those great neighbors, always there when you need them. Ready with a pie when the house down the way sells. Right, one of those neighbors. The ones that knock on my door when the kids are screaming and want to visit in my chaotic living room.

But I guess if she's willing to uncover any would-be murderers who am I to complain?

Here's the first paragraph of the first chapter of Lemon Tart (from Kilpack's website):

The first police car went by at 9:23 according to the clock on the microwave. Sadie leaned forward but the Black Walnut in Jack and Carri's yard obstructed her view to the west. She scowled at the tree and went back to coring the apples she was making into apple sauce. She waited for the police car to turn around in the cul-de-sac and pass by her window on its way out. That's the only reason police cars ever drove into Peregrine Circle.

Except this time.
The book falls into the unlikely, unusual genre of culinary mystery (I can imagine my husband's comments now) but ever since reading 'Under the Tuscan Sun' by Frances Mayes I'm more open to the idea of cooking and literature mixed together.

Try out Lemon Tart, see what you think and then pop on over here and tell us. You can also check out Josi Kilpack's blog here.


Books: Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack
            Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Blogger Interview: Cannwin

I have to tell you that I've had this idea in my head for awhile but this week seemed like a good time to post it since I'm up to my ears in responsibilities. So I'm going to interview myself!

Has reading a book ever changed your life?

I have had several books that have had an affect on the course of my life, but I can't say that I've ever had one that actually changed my life. Well, I could list a few life changing religious books.

Do you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction? Explain your choice.

I used to be solely devoted to fiction, but in recent years I have come to really discover and love the memoir. Life stories definitely have an emotional tug for me. I am moved by the trials and struggles that actual people have to deal with and I love knowing that despite the odds actual people can overcome anything.

Some of my favorites are A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, West With the Night by Beryl Markham, Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks and Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes.

Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one and why?

Yes... I'm wondering who hasn't. There was this one book called Petersburg by Emily Hanlon. I read it when I was 19 and first out on my own. I was absolutely riveted by the plot line and could barely put the book down. Then one night at work the most unbelievable thing happened in the plot and I threw the book down in shock. It took me a good month or two before I picked it up and finished it.

Another, more recent book is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, the end of that book made me sob.

How many books do you read each year?

Depends on the year. When my husband was in Iraq I read the entire Wheel of Time series in one year, that's 12 books. Plus the Harry Potter series. He actually wrote me a letter that said, "I see we're becoming the major financiers of Waldenbook."

Books kept me sane that year.

Have you ever written (or started to write) a book?

::blush:: Yes. Two. One on my own and the other for NaNoWriMo, they are the first two in a series I intend to finish sometime in my life. The series is called 'The GodWrought.'

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?

The Great and Random Ramblings of Cannwin. Hahaha.

If you could pick a book you’ve read to make into a movie, which one would you choose?

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, but it would have to be on the caliber of Lord of the Rings or I would never go see it.

What was your favorite book as a child and why?

The Case of the Vanishing Boy by Alexander Key. I literally read that book until it fell apart.

Which character in a book best describes who you are?

I like to fancy myself as an Eowyn type.

What’s your favorite kind of music?

I don't think I have a favorite, I listen to whatever catches my fancy.

Who’s your favorite singer or band?

I have always adored Jewel. (Does that date me?)

What’s your favorite album?

The Hope Floats soundtrack. It's the best album EVER.

What’s your favorite song?

If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield.

Do you like to sing karaoke?

Not on my life.

Are you a good dancer?

Probably not, but I'd like to think I am.

Do you like musicals? (movies or theater)

Yes. I adore Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady and...

Has a song ever made you cry?

I can't listen to the We Were Soldiers soundtrack, it makes me physically ill. I love the music, but it has a practical PTSD affect on my system. It dates back to my husband being in Iraq.

Do you have any questions for us, the bloggers?

Books: A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
           West With the Night by Beryl Markham
           Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
           Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
           Petersburg by Emily Hanlon
           City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
           The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
           Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
           Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
           Case of the Vanishing Boy by Alexander Key
           The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

Music: Hope Floats Soundtrack
           If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield
           We Were Soldiers Soundtrack
           Les Miserables Soundtrack
           Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack
           Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack
           My Fair Lady Soundtrack