FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for May 2023

It’s May!  And it’s a new month, which means a free book!  Yay!

Let me know which one you pick.


One of the best benefits of having Amazon Prime is that each month I get a free ebook from the Amazon First Reads lineup.  These books are offered to Prime members exclusively before they are released the next month.  That’s twelve free books a year.

You will find the May pre-release books below.  To choose one of the books for free, just click on the book cover.


Thriller
https://amzn.to/42vhF6z
A Killer’s Game (Daniela Vega Book 1) Kindle Edition by Isabella Maldonado (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical Fiction
The Light on Farallon Island: A Novel Kindle Editionby Jen Wheeler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
The Light on Farallon Island: A Novel Kindle Edition by Jen Wheeler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

True Crime

Don't Say a Thing: A Predator, a Pursuit, and the Women Who Persevered Kindle Edition by Tamara Leitner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Don’t Say a Thing: A Predator, a Pursuit, and the Women Who Persevered Kindle Edition by Tamara Leitner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Short Story

Golden Hills: A Short Story Kindle Editionby Jennifer Weiner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Golden Hills: A Short Story Kindle Edition by Jennifer Weiner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical Fantasy

A Thousand Recipes for Revenge (Chefs of the Five Gods Book 1) Kindle Editionby Beth Cato (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
A Thousand Recipes for Revenge (Chefs of the Five Gods Book 1) Kindle Edition by Beth Cato (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Psychological Thriller
The Silent Bride Kindle Editionby Shalini Boland (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
The Silent Bride Kindle Edition by Shalini Boland (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Women’s Fiction
The Road Towards Home: A Novel Kindle Editionby Corinne Demas (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
The Road Towards Home: A Novel Kindle Edition by Corinne Demas (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Suspense

You Look Beautiful Tonight: A Thriller Kindle Editionby L. R. Jones (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
You Look Beautiful Tonight: A Thriller Kindle Edition by L. R. Jones (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Amazon Original Stories | Good Intentions | Unforgettable stories of motherly love | New short reads, free with Prime.
Amazon Original Stories | Good Intentions | Unforgettable stories of motherly love | New short reads, free with Prime.

Which book are you going to choose this month?  

I always have a tough time choosing; I want all the books as usual.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month | Stories of resilence, opportunity and belonging | Browse now.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month | Stories of resilence, opportunity and belonging | Browse now.

Please note:  Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these Kindle First books

when they are officially released next month.


You can see all of the previous months offerings here.  I hope that you find an interesting book today!

FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for February 2023

It’s February!  And it’s a new month, which means a free book!  Yay!

Let me know which one you pick.


One of the best benefits of having Amazon Prime is that each month I get a free ebook from the Amazon First Reads lineup.  These books are offered to Prime members exclusively before they are released the next month.  That’s twelve free books a year.

You will find the February pre-release books below.  To choose one of the books for free, just click on the book cover.


Psychological Thriller
Mothered by Zoje Stage February 2023
Mothered by Zoje Stage

Women’s Fiction
Good for You: A Novel Kindle Editionby Camille Pagán (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023
Good for You: A Novel Kindle Edition by Camille Pagán (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Psychological Suspense

The Maid's Diary: A Novel Kindle Editionby Loreth Anne White (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023
The Maid’s Diary: A Novel Kindle Edition by Loreth Anne White (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical  Fiction

Wild, Beautiful, and Free: A Novel Kindle Editionby Sophfronia Scott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023
Wild, Beautiful, and Free: A Novel Kindle Edition by Sophfronia Scott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Crime Fiction

The Running Girls Kindle Editionby Matt Brolly (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023
The Running Girls Kindle Edition by Matt Brolly (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Speculative Fiction
Hospital Kindle Editionby Han Song (Author), Michael Berry (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023
Hospital Kindle Edition by Han Song (Author), Michael Berry (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition

Suspense
Lovely Girls: A Thriller Kindle Editionby Margot Hunt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023 4.0 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
Lovely Girls: A Thriller Kindle Edition by Margot Hunt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 4.0 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

New  Adult  Romance

The Karma Map: A Novel Kindle Editionby Nisha Sharma (Author) Format: Kindle Edition February 2023 3.5 out of 5 stars 3 ratings
The Karma Map: A Novel Kindle Edition by Nisha Sharma (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 3.5 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

Amazon Original Stories | Celebrate Black History Month | Browse now. February 2023
Amazon Original Stories | Celebrate Black History Month | Browse now.

Which book are you going to choose this month?  

I always have a tough time choosing; I want all the books as usual.


Please note:  Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these Kindle First books

when they are officially released next month.


You can see all of the previous months offerings here.  I hope that you find an interesting book today!

TV Time! Derry Girls

What We’ve Been Watching: Derry Girls

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/derry_girls/s01

There will as always, NOT be any type of actual spoilers.  Please don’t ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen this show in the comments.  Please and thank you.  Here we go.

Derry Girls is a British teen sitcom created and written by Lisa McGee.  The series was inspired by McGee’s own experiences growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the 1990s, during the final years of the Troubles.  It stars five teenagers living in mid-1990s Derry while attending Our Lady Immaculate College, a fictional girls’ Catholic secondary school based on the real-life Thornhill College, where McGee herself studied.  Derry Girls was filmed in Northern Ireland, with most scenes shot on location in Derry and some in Belfast.  via


Derry Girls

I LOVED this show.  Loved, loved, loved it.  Liv rarely asks us to watch TV with her, and when she does we make the time.

I’m not Catholic, I’m barely Irish according to my Ancestry DNA profile, and I did not attend an all girls high school.  But I cannot express how much I related to the girls in this show.  Example:  I just had a conversation with my brother about John Green.  I love his books, highly – highly recommend, HOWEVER, I just about can’t stand to read them.  He has a way of making you remember being fifteen years old that is very uncomfortable to me.  I do not ever want to be 15 years old again.  This show makes me feel all the feels from my teenage years in the same way.  I see myself in all of the characters and I think that was absolutely the point.

This show is first and foremost a comedy, but it is also honest with the time period so it is heartbreaking at moments too.  Some episodes I need to get to the next one immediately and other ones I have to take a break to go sit quietly and just cry for a while.

Also, if you watch it for no other reason, watch it for the music.  The music clinches it.  Did I mention that I LOVED this show?


This show streams on Netflix.  So, have you watched Derry Girls?  Let me know what you think!

You can find all of the other shows we’ve watched lately, here if you are interested!

Pink Stuff

 Pink Stuff

If you need an easy, delicious dessert, this is it.  This is Denton’s absolute favorite if he wants something sweet and it is extremely fast and easy to put together.

Pink stuff

Pink Stuff

Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (3 ounce) Cherry Jello
  • 1 (24 ounce) Cottage cheese
  • 1 (8 ounce) Whipped topping, (Cool Whip)
  • 1 (15.25 ounce) Fruit Cocktail, drained
  • 1 (16 ounce) Maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half

Instructions
 

  • Put everything in a large bowl and mix well.
  • Chill for at least an hour.

Here’s how I make it:

This recipe was passed down to me from Denton’s Mama.  My version, as per usual, is slightly different.  You can substitute name brand versions of everything if that is how you roll, I just can’t tell the difference in Jello brand jello and the Walmart version. 😉

pink stuff

If I were making this for just myself, I would leave out the fruit cocktail entirely.  I LOVE maraschino cherries and the more the better.  Denton would prefer that I use only 8 ounces of those and more fruit cocktail.  But we all have to compromise sometimes.

However you choose to make it, the base recipe is a delicious end result. Let me know how you like it if you decide to try it! 

You can find my other recipes here.

Panko Garlic Roasted Carrots

  Panko Garlic Roasted Carrots

This is a perfect side dish.  I’m always looking for another one that isn’t potatoes, because you can’t eat potatoes for every meal.  Right?  Who am I kidding, of course you can!  But this is still a great side.

Panko Garlic Roasted Carrots

Course Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs carrots
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Peel and cut up your carrots so that they are approximately the same size.
  • Mix together the carrots, olive oil, garlic, cheese and panko.
  • Pour everything onto your baking sheet.
  • Bake at 400* for 20- 25 minutes until roasted and delicious.
  • Enjoy!

Here’s how I make it:

Gather all of your ingredients, why yes, I do keep my olive oil in my grandmothers vinegar bottle.  Peel your carrots and chop them into sizes approximately the same size.  And then combine everything together and pour onto your baking dish.  Bake for about 25 minutes at 400*.

Enjoy!  They are delicious!

You can find my other recipes here.

Cheesy Beef and Noodle Bake

Cheesy Beef and Noodle Bake

I’ve been going through my 9,873 cookbooks and deciding on what to make as a new to me meal at least once a week.  I cobbled together a few of the casseroles that I found and came up with this recipe.  This was super simple, and delicious.  I can’t wait to make it again.

Here’s how I make it:

Fry your beef with onions until cooked through…..

Meanwhile, boil your noodles….

Drain the beef and onions  – add in your tomatoes and green chilis…..

Pour over the tomato sauce…..

Mix together……

Then add in your cream cheese…..

And your sour cream……

Mix again…..

Add in your drained egg noodles….

Mix…..

Add in some shredded cheese and mix…..

Top with more cheese and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly….

Et voila!

This is SO good.  Denton has already requested that it be doubled next time for many leftovers……

I think I’ll add green or red peppers for the crunch and color next time too.

 

You can find my other recipes here.  Do you need a new baking dish?  Tonight I used my red cast iron dutch oven to make this entire meal – except for the boiling noodles, which if I had thought it through I would have done first and saved myself a pot to wash.

Here’s the handy dandy printable:

Cheesy Beef and Noodle Bake

Cheesy Beef and Noodle Bake

A cheesy casserole with lots of beef, egg noodles, tomatoes and green chilis that is easy, simple and delicious. And also fast!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 dutch oven (or 1 pot to boil your noodles and a baking dish that can go in the oven)

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups egg noodles
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 10 ounce can of tomatoes and green chilis (like rotel)
  • 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 3 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions
 

  • Boil your noodles and set aside.
  • Fry the ground beef and onions until the beef is no longer pink; drain.
  • Put the rest of the ingredients into the pot and stir everything together.
  • Top with more cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes and serve with a salad and garlic bread. Yum!

FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for February 2022

It’s February!  This year is already at a fast gallop; I’m ready for Spring, but time needs to slow down just a little.

This month we get to choose TWO free books.  Woohoo!  Let me know which ones you pick.


One of the best benefits of having Amazon Prime is that each month I get a free ebook from the Amazon First Reads lineup.  These books are offered to Prime members exclusively before they are released the next month.  That’s twelve free books a year.

You will find the December pre-release books below.  To choose one of the books for free, just click on the book cover.


Domestic Thriller
Family Money Kindle Edition by Chad Zunker (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Family Money by Chad Zunker

Historical Fiction
A Train to Moscow: A Novel Kindle Edition by Elena Gorokhova (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 4.5 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
A Train to Moscow by Elena Gorokhova

Fantasy

The Quarter Storm: A Novel (Mambo Reina) Kindle Edition by Veronica G. Henry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Quarter Storm by Veronica G Henry


ThrillerDeath in the Sunshine (The Retired Detectives Club Book 1) Kindle Edition by Steph Broadribb (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb


Memoir
North to Paradise: A Memoir Kindle Edition by Ousman Umar (Author), Kevin Gerry Dunn (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
North to Paradise by Ousman Umar

Romance
The Astronaut and the Star Kindle Edition by Jen Comfort (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Astronaut and the Star by Jen Comfort


Book Club Fiction
Like Me: A Novel Kindle Edition by Hayley Phelan (Author) Format: Kindle EditionLike me by Hayley Phelan

MemoirThe Fallen Stones: Chasing Butterflies, Discovering Mayan Secrets, and Looking for Hope Along the Way Kindle Edition by Diana Marcum (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Fallen Stones by Diana Marcum


Children’s Picture BookThis Is Not Enough (You Are Not Small Book 6) Kindle Edition by Anna Kang (Author), Christopher Weyant (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

This Is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant


Trayvon: Ten Years Later | Amazon Original Stories

Which book are you going to choose this month?  

I always have a tough time choosing; I want all the books as usual.

Kindle books by Black authors


Please note:  Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these Kindle First books

when they are officially released next month.

You can see all of the previous months offerings here.  I hope that you find an interesting book today!

Quote of the Week: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote of the Week: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You become what you think about all day long.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson.


Emerson: Essays and Lectures: Nature: Addresses and Lectures / Essays: First and Second Series / Representative Men / Engl...If you like this quote, you may like these other things about and by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

You can find all of the other quotes I’ve shared here.

Quote of the Week: Debby Boone

Quote of the Week:  Debby Boone

Debby Boone

“Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.” – Debby Boone


If you like this quote, you may like these other things about and by Debby Boone.

If you like this quote, you may like all of the other quotes that I have here.

FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for December 2021

It’s a brand new month.  The last month of 2021.  Can you believe that sentence?  I’ll have a hard time as usual choosing which book I want.  Which one is your favorite?  You have until December 31st to decide!


One of the best benefits of having Amazon Prime is that each month I get a free ebook from the Amazon First Reads lineup.  These books are offered to Prime members exclusively before they are released the next month.  That’s twelve free books a year.

You will find the December pre-release books below.  To choose one of the books for free, just click on the book cover.


True Crime
Murder at Teal's Pond: Hazel Drew and the Mystery That Inspired Twin Peaks Kindle Edition by David Bushman (Author), Mark T. Givens (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Murder at Teal’s Pond by David Bushman and Mark T Givens

Historical Fiction
Half in Shadow: A Novel Kindle Edition by Gemma Liviero (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
Half in Shadow by Gemma Liviero

Family Drama

The Intangible: A Novel Kindle Edition by C. J. Washington (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Intangible by C J Washington


Thriller

No Way Back (A Jack McNeal Thriller Book 1) Kindle Edition by J. B. Turner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

No Way Back by J B Turner


Book Club Fiction
The Taste of Ginger: A Novel Kindle Edition by Mansi Shah (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
The Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah

Romantic Comedy
The Paid Bridesmaid: A Novel Kindle Edition by Sariah Wilson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Paid Bridesmaid by Sariah Wilson


MemoirThrough the Banks of the Red Cedar: My Father and the Team That Changed the Game Kindle Edition

Through the Banks of the Red Cedar My Father and the Team That Changed the Game by Maya Washington


Children’s Picture BookMy Grandma's Photos Kindle Edition by Özge Bahar Sunar (Author), Senta Urgan (Illustrator), Amy Marie Spangler (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition

My Grandma’s Photos by Ozge Bahar Sunar and Senta Urgan


Southern Belle Insults Book 1 | Amazon Original Stories

Which book are you going to choose this month?  

I always have a tough time choosing; I want all the books as usual.

Choose any December First Reads book and get a free credit for a select Kindle book.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi


Please note:  Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these Kindle First books

when they are officially released next month.

You can see all of the previous months offerings here.  I hope that you find an interesting book today!