Resort mixup leads to romance

His Island Bride (The Bride Series)
– Shadonna Richards

Jessica and James had the same idea: Go to Jamaica for a relaxing vacation. They did not plan on going together. Through a mix-up at the resort, they were put in the same room. Since the resort and all other neighboring resort were booked, Jessica and James were left with no choice but to share the room.

Jessica, who at home has been unlucky in lover, is pondering her mother’s suggestion to agree to an arranged marriage. James has been too busy with business to contemplate having a relationship. Since they have been thrown together and there is a strong mutual attraction, they decide to enjoy each other in Jamaica.

This was a sweet novella romance. The love scene was written well and not too graphic. I was happy about the way the story it ended.

This is worth buying if you want a short story. Some might say that you have to suspend belief in reality but I belief have to do that for most romance novels/novellas. Who really reads books like these for their realism? That is not to say that I like a corny, contrive story. I thought this story was original enough not to be mawkishly sentimental.

The Kill is so fast paced

Dec14

The Kill– Jonas Saul

Note: there is a lot of killing (including torture) in this book

In the prologue, Darwin accidentally hit and killed a guy with his car. Unbeknownst to him, the guy he killed was a top Mafia boss’ son from the Fuccini family. Because of that freak accident, there is a contract to kill Darwin. While in Rome on his honeymoon with his wife Rosina, the attacks begin.

Any normal person would be dead. End of story.

On the other hand, Darwin goes into a maniac killing rage when confronted with pointy sharp objects (due to childhood trauma).

Cue the killing.

The Fuccini family is losing their best guys to this unassuming, seemingly ordinary guy. Every attempt on his life has failed and ended badly for the would-be assassin. Darwin realizes that he has to face these people wanting to kill him if he ever wants a chance at a normal life with Rosina. That fact is cemented when Fuccini’s people kidnap Rosina. It is Darwin vs. The Mafia and somehow Darwin has to find a way to do what he can to come out victorious.

There were some torture scenes that got graphic.

The Kill kept me on edge the whole book. Every impossible situation had me holding my breath wondering how Darwin would get out alive. I think it would make an entertaining movie. It is an action packed thriller, not for the faint of heart.

Jack Daniels Distillery

Nov22

Jack Daniels Distillery
Lynchburg, TN

On a recent trip to Nashville, TN, the hubby and I decided to drive a little more than 1 hour over to Lynchburg to take the Jack Daniels Distillery tour. Regular tours are free from 9-4:30. They also have a tasting tour which cost a little extra. There is only a certain number of people that that take that tour and it gets full quickly. We were there at 12 and the 2:30 tasting tour (last for the day) was already full.

Since I am not a whiskey fan anyway, it I did not bother me. We signed up to take the regular tour. It was interesting to see the process of creating Jack Daniels. Starting with a few quality ingredients and a unique process that is more than a century old, a delectable liquor is created that is full of flavor.

While on the tour I could not take pictures inside the facility of the cooking and brewing process. So I suggest the next time you are close to Lynchburg you should stop and take the tour. But beware! If the smell of liquor will make you drunk, be prepared to get tipsy.

Livingston – Franklin NC

Nov22

Livingston Bar & Grill
Franklin, NC

I went with my Nana to Franklin NC to visit a bed and breakfast. After a day of sightseeing, we wanted a nice dinner. Franklin does not have a lot of chain style restaurants, which was fine with me. Livingston Bar & Grill had a lot of delicious looking Caribbean items on the menu, including many vegetarian entrees. Nana and I decided on Conch Fritters with Key lime mustard sauce ($9) and Cuban Style Pork plate – mojo (pronounced mo-ho) marinated pork served over coconut rice, black beans and fried plantain ($18).

The key lime mustard sauce flavors could have been more developed. The mix sounds good on paper, but did not come through when I tasted it. Fortunately for us, the conch fritters were delicious and did not need any dipping sauce. The batter for the fritters was lightly fried with conch chucks throughout. I was pleased since the last time I had fritters this good, I was in the Bahamas. Who knew I would be able to get conch fritters in the mountains of North Carolina?

The Cuban style pork plate was enough for two people (this is why we shared a plate). I ordered this to-go and received heaping portions of rice with pork piled on top. There were several slices of sweet caramelized fried ripe plantain which balanced the salty, vinegary flavor of the pork. The coconut rice has bits of coconut in it, but it was not sweet to me. The black beans probably absorbed any possible sweetness in the rice.

Overall, everything was very tasty. I would eat here again. I like their interpretation of Caribbean flavors and ingredient combinations. If you are in Franklin NC or just passing through, Livingston Bar & Grill is worth a visit.

Old Main Catering

Nov20

Old Main Catering (hereafter referred to as OMC) is the best catering I have tasted in Greenwood SC so far because they offer so many different dishes and their presentation is always perfect.

In the last few months I have been to several events that have been catered by OMC, and I have left wishing I had more. Alas, all I have are pictures and memories.
In the picture clockwise: chicken cordon bleu, roasted potatoes, shortbread with sweet cream blueberries strawberries, sundried tomato dip with veggie spears, chocolate mousse, and key lime cheesecake in a dark chocolate shell

Chicken cordon bleu – the sauce did not need additional salt or pepper, creamy but not too gummy or pasty tasting
Roasted potatoes – seasoned with herbs (don’t know what kind but it was tasty)
Shortbread with sweet cream blueberries strawberries – the shortbread cookie was not too crumbly or dry. The cream was not too sweet. It was not as heavy as a pudding or custard, but not as light as whipped cream. The fresh fruit set off the dessert as the perfect touch. Sigh! I wish I had more now…

Sundried tomato dip with veggie spears – The concept was simple with an elegant presentation.
Chocolate mousse – I liked the presentation of this also. The mousse was creamy and full of chocolate flavor. It was rich but not overwhelming.
Key lime cheesecake in a dark chocolate shell – The key lime cheesecake filling was tart and sweet at the same time. The chocolate shell melted in my mouth. The portion size was just enough to fit into my mouth in one bite.

Any event that has OMC providing the food is going to be AMAZING and the presentation will be picture perfect.