Review: Lets Bake! by Cathryn Dresser

Let's BakeBook: Let's Bake!                      

Author: Cathryn Dresser

Pages: 224

Received for honest review via Orion Children's Books

Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads

Rating: ✪✪✪

*Note: Children's Cook Book*

My review:

Let's Bake! by Cathryn Dresser is a wonderfully laid out baking book for adults to bake alongside children. 

I loved the "tricky bits" tips at the beginning of the book i.e. rubbing butter into flour, separating eggs etc. This is great for kids to show them, all the essential tips they will need for baking. I also loved  Kathryn's "recipe for baking success" it was so cute!

The book is spilt into the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter and gives you yummy recipes to bake each season. There are also some more yummy treats at the back of the book that can be made all year round including Jam and ice cream.  I loved the pastel colours used in the book and the little black and white drawings on some of the pages of ingredients that goes with that recipe, it just adds to the appeal of the book and will be attractive to young kids. 

The recipes are set out with simple instructions and step to step pictures which was great. I decided to try something from the book and it didn't turn out too well for me!

My attempt at easy to make jam & Queen of heart tarts!

I am not a baker, I don't tend to cook much let alone bake but I thought if I was going to review the book I needed to try something from it. I decided on baking some Queen of heart tarts and also to make my own jam. 

The Jam bit was easy enough apart from the fact I couldn't get the blender to work to start of with, then when that was resolved after a call to my mum's partner who is an excellent cook & baker I thought everything was going fine until I burnt the bottom of the saucepan cooking the jam. 

The jam did turn out OK in the end which I was happy about apart from a little bitterness.

I then moved onto the Queen of heart tarts needless to say I again had some problems. Rubbing the butter and flour together was OK as I had the tips on how to do it correctly the issue came when the dough was ready to be rolled and cut. I didn't have the right cutter as the one I had was too small so I decided to use the circumstance of a glass which wasn't a good idea. The dough ended up too thick and not the right size. The recipe said 10-12 mins if I had managed to get the dough right. However mine were in for 30 mins and the dough was still raw and my jam was burnt. 

So in the end my baking experience wasn't too good, however even though the tarts didn't turn out right I had fun doing it and that is the whole point of baking to have fun either on your own or with others and have disasters as in the end you can always try again. 

*Note: My terrible results of baking isn't because of the book it is just the fact I am a terrible baker  :) *


Waiting on Wednesday # 3


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're excitably anticipating.

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy #3) by Deborah Harkness

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy, #3)


The highly anticipated finale to the #1 New York Times best-selling trilogy that began with A Discovery of Witches

After traveling through time in Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s enchant­ing series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home at Sept-Tours, they re­unite with the cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its miss­ing pages takes on even more urgency. In the tril­ogy’s final volume, Harkness deepens her themes of power and passion, family and caring, past deeds and their present consequences. In ancestral homes and university laboratories, using ancient knowl­edge and modern science, from the hills of the Auvergne to the palaces of Venice and beyond, the couple at last learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

With more than one million copies sold in the United States and appearing in thirty-eight foreign editions and translations, A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night have landed on all of the major bestseller lists and garnered rave reviews from countless publications. Eagerly awaited by Harkness’s legion of fans, The Book of Life brings this superbly written series to a deeply satisfying close


Expected publication: July 15th 2014 by Headline

My Thoughts:

I love this series and can't wait for the final book in the trilogy! Hurry up July!


And Then He Kissed Me by Various Authors Review

Book: And then he kissed me 

Author: Various Authors

Pages: 304

Copy borrowed from Library

Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads

Rating: ✪✪✪ .5

(Overall rating was obtained after I gave each short story a rating out of 5)

Blurb:

Ever fallen in love? Ever fallen out of love? Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have…? Nine authors write about first kisses, love, heartbreak and everything in between in this short story anthology.

My Review:

And Then He Kissed me is an anthology on love and heartache from some great voices in YA. Here is my thoughts on each short story:

* Star-crossed by Katie Dale

A great story to start the anthology. I loved it! It was such a beautiful short story of starcrossed lovers. A lesson was learned in this short- Live today as if it is your last, take risks! ✪✪✪✪✪ 

*Supercool by Cathy Kelly

A cute, sweet read. A lesson learned in this short- Stand up for what you believe in, be yourself! ✪✪✪ 

* Extracurriculars by Abby McDonald

I liked this story. I loved Charlie and would love to hear more from him and Vita. If feels like this story could continue. ✪✪✪ .5

*My embarrassing mother by Monica McInerney 

I liked this story. It was slightly more serious than the first three shorts. A lesson learned in this short- The consequences of parents actions on their children! ✪✪ .5

*Lost in Translation by Sinead Moriarty

I liked Lost in Translation. I could kind of see where it was going. Like Extracurriculars it feels like this story could continue. ✪✪✪ 

* The Movie Kiss by Jonna Nadin

I didn't really like this story. I didn't get all the movie references, you would have to be a movie buff to get them. I also didn't like the authors style of writing. ✪ .5

*All of a sudden by Adele Parks

I loved this story, it was a cute read. I couldn't see where Adele Parks was going with the story which was great! ✪✪✪✪✪ 

*Dog Days by Madhvi Ronani

I loved this story and the characters. It was one more of the more serious shorts. ✪✪✪✪✪ 

* Just a friend by Dylan Sheldon

I liked this story. Talk about a cliff hanger! I need to know what happened next. More please! ✪✪✪✪

* My first Kiss by Sarah Webb

I loved this story, it was so sweet. Out of all the authors this is the only authors work I have read.✪✪✪✪✪ 

Overall I really enjoyed this anthology and settled on a 3.5* rating. I can't wait to read more from these authors and to check out more anthologies!


Sunday Post #2

The Sunday Post

The Sunday Post was created by Caffeniated Book Reviewer  this is a post where we recap on the going on's on the blog the week previous and the week coming up as well as the awesome books we have received, bought or been gifted for review!

This week has been another great blogging week. I posted my first review on the blog since I started blogging again and I bought some amazing books I have been wanting for ages! I am still really excited to be back blogging :) *HAPPY DANCE*


On the blog the week of the 19th May 2014:






Note: I would really love people to check out my review of Popular as it is such an inspiring book. Please leave me a comment over on the post on your thoughts on the book and of course enter the giveaway if you live in the UK :)


Coming this week:


27th May- Review of And Then He kissed Me by Various Authors

28th May- Waiting on Wednesday #3

30th May- Review of Lets Bake! by Cathryn Dresser


Current Giveaways:






Books received for review:


The Winners Curse (The Winners Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski 
Releasing July 3rd 2014 (UK)

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)


I love this cover. I have heard some great things about this book.

TY to Bloomsbury UK


Bought:

I went on a bit of a buying spree :) I have wanted these books for a while so took the plunge and bought them.

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1)  by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)


I know loads of people love this book and I have been wanting to read it for a while but just haven't got around to it. It is on my summer TRL!

The Geography of you and me by Jennifer E Smith

The Geography of You and Me


This is on my summer TRL!

Midnight Crossroad (Midnight Crossroad #1) by Charlaine Harris

Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas, #1)


I love the Sookie Stackhouse series it is probably one of my favourite book series' so I am excited to read something else from Ms Harris!

The Enemy (The Enemy #1) by Charlie Higson


The Enemy (The Enemy #1)


I saw someone received the latest book in the series to review a few weeks ago and I loved the sound of it so decided to pick up the first book in the series!

Library:

Philip Pullmans Grimm Tales for young and old


Grimm Tales: For Young and Old


I only know the well know Grimm Tales so I am excited to read some more of the re-adapted stories by Philip Pullman.


Thats me this for this week. What do you think of my haul? Leave the links to your Sunday Posts and I will hop along and check them out!



Discussion: What book series' do you like to re-read?


I love re-reading some of my favourite book series' and each year I tend to re-read a series of books I have loved previously. It has become a habit, a habit I don't want to break!

Each year more and more great YA books are released and of course I'm always excited for new YA books, but I always go back to picking up a series throughout the year that I have adored previously and reading all the books from beginning to end!

Some people may not like re-reading a series of books over again but I love getting the feeling of excitement of plunging back into a world and characters I have previously fell in love with.  



A series that comes to mind is the Twilight series. I know it isn't the greatest piece of literature and Stephanie Myer is know Jane Austen but I love this series and in the last two years have read all the books in the series at the beginning of each year! I never get bored of them and still have the same level of excitement I got when I first read the series. Below is some of the series' of books I would happily read over and over again:


* Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris ( I may read this again some time this year :) 

* The Guardian Legacy Series by Ednah Walters

* Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentout

* Touch of Death series by Kelly Hashway

* Angel Series by L.A. Weatherly

* All souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness




Do you like to re-read some of your favourite series'? Which book series' could you read again and again? Let me know by commenting below, lets start the discussion!

*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images above* 


Waiting on Wednesday ( #2)


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're excitably anticipating.

The Monster Within by Kelly Hashway 

The Monster Within


The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side--a completely unfair shot at life.

But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.

She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.

But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever

Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by Spencer Hill Press

My Thoughts:

I loved Kelly's Touch of Death Series and I'm hoping to love The Monster Within as much! I also love this cover!

Kelly Hashway is currently having a mega giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of The Monster Within. Check it out here!


Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen #Review & #Giveaway

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern GeekBook: Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek 

Author: Maya Van Wagenen

Pages: 272

Received for honest review via Penguin

Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads *

Rating: ✪✪✪ .5

Blurb:

A touchingly honest, candidly hysterical memoir from breakout teen author Maya Van Wagenen 

Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya Van Wagenen decided to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help Maya on her quest to be popular? 

The real-life results are painful, funny, and include a wonderful and unexpected surprise—meeting and befriending Betty Cornell herself. Told with humor and grace, Maya’s journey offers readers of all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence.


My review:

I really liked Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek. Author Maya Van Wagenen took a 1950's guide to being popular and undertook a social experiment to see if the methods then, could make someone popular in today's society. Undertaking this social experiment took bravery and determination to see though. Taking the 1950's guide and following the steps in this day and age was a great concept.

I loved that each month there was a different topic from the guide Maya followed and each month they got riskier and riskier. I loved following Maya's journey of self discovery and "popularity.  Betty's rules to popularity from the 1950's really can be applied to this era and it was crazy to see.

The book was an inspirational, fun read that gives you an insight to what being popular really means. Maya is a wonderful young girl and if everyone of us acted just a little like Maya this world would be a better place!      


Giveaway:      

My review copy of Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen (PAPERBACK)

The paperback has only been read once for my review.

Giveaway is UK ONLY

Giveaway Ends 3rd June 2014

Please read my giveaway policy above before entering!







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post #1

The Sunday Post

The Sunday Post was created by Caffeniated Book Reviewer  this is a post where we recap on the going on's on the blog the week previous and the week coming up as well as the awesome books we have recived, bought or been gifted for review!

My first week back blogging in 9 months was great and I am so happy I started blogging again! 

On the blog the week of 12th May 2014:

Blog Re-Design & Swag Giveaway (INT & UK)

Waiting on Wednesday #1

Mega Monster Within by Kelly Hashway Giveaway (INT)

Coming this week:

20th May: Review & Giveaway (UK) of Popular: Vintage Wisdom For A Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen

21st May: Waiting on Wedensday

24th May: Series Re-Read Discussion

Books recieved for review:

Fool Me Twice (If only....#1) by Mandy Hubbard

Fool Me Twice (If Only . . . #1)

Goodreads

Wish you were Italian (If only... #2) by Kristin Rae

Wish You Were Italian (If Only . . . #2)

Goodreads

Lets Bake! by Cathryn Dresser

Let's Bake

Goodreads

Flashes by Tim O' Rourke (Coming June 5th 2014)

Flashes

Goodreads

The Rain by Virginia Bergin (Coming July 17th 2014) 

The Rain

Goodreads

Thank you to Bloomsbury, Orion Publishing, Chicken House & Macmillian Childrens Books for the review copies!

Library Books:

Asteroid by Malcolm Rose (Shades #3)

Asteroid (Shades, #3)

Goodreads

*I  got this not noticing it was the third book. I am going to order the first two from the libraray*

A Sea Change by Veronica Henry (A quick read)

A Sea Change (Quick Reads 2013)

Goodreads


Books I won:


Apocalypse: An Anthology by Authors and Readers Edited by Cynthia Shepp signed by R.M.Gimore



Apocalypse: An Anthology by Authors and Readers



Thats me this for this week. What do you think of my haul? Leave the links to your Sunday Posts and I will hop along and check them out!








The Monster Within by Kelly Hashway- Mega #Giveaway



Squee! There's one month until the release of The Monster Within! That means it's time to celebrate! And what better way to celebrate than by having a giveaway? But before we get to the giveaway, check out the cover and blurb for The Monster Within.

The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side—a completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.

She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.

But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
ISBN:  978-1-937053-85-7
Release Date: 17/6/2014
Formats: Paper, e-book 


Add it on Goodreads.
Pre-order on B&N or Amazon. 

So, what can you win? 



  • 1 signed copy of The Monster Within
  • The Monster Within bookmarks
  • a mask (winner's choice of purple, green, or gold)
  • a mood ring (winner's choice of small, medium, or large)
  • a triquetra necklace (not shown in picture)
  • a paperback ARC of Cold Calls, a YA thriller by Charles Benoit
  • a hard cover copy of The Magnolia League, a witchy YA by Katie Crouch
  • a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (winner's choice; gift card not shown in picture)
Giveaway is International
Giveaway Ends 17th June 2014

This post & Giveaway is posted for promotion on behalf of author Kelly Hashway. Reading Away The Days has nothing to do with this Giveaway but is happy to promote it!


Sound good? Enter by filling out the rafflecopter below.


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