seasonal – Cannonball Read 17

We can still talk about summer books

Summer Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox and Elisa Paganelli

October 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Recently I found an online reader copy of a title called Summer Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox and Elisa Paganelli. They have a prequel or companion Winter Solstice Wish which I remember reading, but was not WOWed by it, but felt that it was enjoyable to read. However, I tried to read Summer, and could not finish it. Perhaps I was in the wrong mood for it. Perhaps I was not the reader for it. Perhaps I was thinking of Halloween and summer was […]

All Style No Substance

Beautiful Platters & Delicious Boards by Cedar Mill Press

March 10, 2022 by CoffeeShopReader 1 Comment

Beautiful Platters & Delicious Boards looks really pretty, as in it has many attractive and colorful picture. I had a good time with my New Year’s experiment with this trend (using a different cookbook), and I was hoping for some more ideas as March is not just birthday month, but also this year, it’s a decade-change. This requires more extensive food-fun. That said, it turns out, this was not the book for that. It’s all a big lie. This book has quite a few recipes […]

Baking through the UK Seasons

A Bake for All Seasons by Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, the 2021 Bakers

December 12, 2021 by CoffeeShopReader 2 Comments

I confess to being a little disappointed in the 2020 Great British Baking Show/Bake Off cookbook; it was pretty and had recipes from the bakers and judges, but very little that wasn’t show stopper-y, as in it would take all day at least and only in large quantity, and not keep well. I am happy to report that the 2021 installment, A Bake for All Seasons looks much more promising. As the title might suggest, this one is organized based on the principle of seasonality […]

Follow a Star to Friendship

The Bear and the Star by Lola M. Schaefer

February 3, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I was thinking this book was a holiday, Christmas story, from the cover. And while it is never mentioned as Christmas, there is an extremely obvious them of the Christ child at the end, going on. Fun illustrations, but the story has some weak moments. Overall, The Bear and the Star is a sweet story. It is about the spiritual of the season and giving to others. Lola M. Schaefer has clear text, even if some places feel a bit rushed or missing pieces. Bethanne […]

If you don’t like the cold snow, try this warm treat

When the Snow Falls by Linda Booth Sweeney

February 22, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I liked the cover art of When the Snow Falls illustrated by Jana Christy. I was hoping the text by Linda Booth Sweeney would be as big of a hit. Unfortunately, it was not. Spoiler: The fact that all the sudden the parents disappear, and the kids are now at Grandma’s house is odd. They went from the country to the city in what seems like a blink. The one scene that looks like travel happens is the grandmother is pushing the children in a […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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