Baking Basics and Beyond (Book Review and #Giveaway)

I learned the basics of baking from my mom, then continued learning through lots of trial and error.  Baking Basics and Beyond by Pat Sinclair is the next best thing to learning from an experienced baker in your own kitchen. And compared to my trial-and-error approach, it will probably save you from a lot of crumbled cakes, charred cookies, and tough biscuits!

Baking Basics and Beyond is divided into 12 chapters.  Each begins with a few pages on key points, ingredients, equipment, and techniques.  That's followed by about ten recipes--some traditional (blueberry muffins, peanut butter cookies, old-fashioned baking powder biscuits) and some creative (wild mushroom tarts, honey orange scones, gingerbread nectarine cobbler, savory blue cheese cheesecake).

I like this book not only for the recipes (over 100 in all), but for the background information and tips.  I appreciate that the author includes notes about substituting ingredients and baking pans, as well as tips on what to look for and what to avoid.  She also explains why certain steps are done the way they are.  Novice bakers will learn the fundamentals, and experienced bakers are likely to pick up some hints, too.

The recipes themselves are very appealing.  The author advocates the use of real ingredients--real butter, for instance--and I fully agree.  I found many recipes that I am eager to try.  I'm especially looking forward to spring, when I can bake the blueberry tart with vanilla whipped cream!

The first recipe I tried, though, was Grandma's Old-Fashioned Coffee Cake.  I found the instructions well-written, easy to follow, and practical.  (All of the ingredients were staples that I always have on hand, and the author doesn't assume that I want to use every mixing bowl in my kitchen!)  The cake was a hit with my family!  The cake is tender, the crumb topping is delicious, and both are flavored with the warmth of cinnamon.

For more information, visit the publisher's page for Baking Basics and Beyond.

Thanks to the publisher, Surrey Books / Agate Publishing, one lucky reader will win a copy of Baking Basics and Beyond.  Would you like to win?

Here's how to enter:  Just leave a comment.  (Tell me whether you're a novice or experienced baker, what you would like to learn about baking, which of the recipes appeals to you, or just that you want to win.)  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you. Limit 1 entry per person.

More details: Open to residents of USA and Canada, age 18 or older. Giveaway ends 2/8/12 at noon (Eastern time). Winner will be chosen by the random number generator at Random.org and will be notified by email.  Winner must claim prize within 48 hours, or another winner will be chosen.  Prize will be fulfilled by Surrey Books / Agate Publishing. Void where prohibited.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book, at no cost to me, for review purposes.  I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions in this post are my own.  I have received no compensation in any form for hosting this giveaway.

Wayward Son (Book Review)

Buried near Italy's Mount Vesuvius is a remarkable observatory containing artifacts dating to the earliest record of human events. Only one person--the Getty Museum's Amanda James--can unlock the mysterious doors that guard the chamber.

But once inside, Amanda is shocked to discover evidence left behind by a notorious biblical killer--who long ago wandered off the pages of history.  

The first novel of a series, Wayward Son takes the reader on an amazing voyage, where epic adventures in Egypt, Greece, China, and Rome collide with modern-day intrigue and suspense.

Last month I told you about this book, but I hadn't finished reading it.  Now that I have, I can tell you more.

Wayward Son is a story within a story.  In the modern-day opening, we meet Amanda--an independent young woman who has had her share of heartache.  When she agrees to take part in an archeological project in Italy, the door to the second story is opened.  This story centers on Cain (yes, the son of Adam and Eve) and begins just after he has killed Abel.

Through Cain's eyes we live through various historical events.  We see how he learns and changes over time.  Finally, the authors skillfully bring together Cain's and Amanda's storylines.  All the loose ends are tied up, and a tantalizing opening for a sequel is introduced.

At first I was more confused than captivated.  The frequent jumps in time and location were hard for me to follow, and I wasn't entirely comfortable with the fictionalized extension of Cain's story.  As I kept reading, I was increasingly drawn into the story.

I liked the writing style of Wayward Son.  The language was rich and enjoyable to read, and the story was compelling and well-crafted.  I look forward to the next book in the series!

For more information or to read a preview, visit the Wayward Son website.

• 
  Title:  Wayward Son
• Author:  Tom Pollack with Jim Alves and John Loftus
• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Cascada (November 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1450755631
• ISBN-13: 978-1450755634

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for review purposes.  I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.  Thanks for Glass Road Public Relations for the opportunity!

ShopRite Cans for Fans

If you live in the mid-Atlantic area (between Maryland and Connecticut), you almost certainly know about the annual Can Can Sale at ShopRite.  It'll be March before I stop humming the jingle. :)

This year, ShopRite is again combining the Can Can Sale with feeding the hungry, which happens to be a passion of mine.  In 2011, ShopRite donated 40,000 cans of food to local food banks in commemoration of 40 years of Can Can savings. This year they've added a new element with the "Cans for Fans" Facebook program.  It's simple:

During the 2012 Can Can Sale (1/5 - 1/21), ShopRite will donate one can of food (up to 50,000 cans) to local food banks in the communities it serves, on behalf of every new ShopRite Facebook fan.

Easy, right?

Just go to the ShopRite page on Facebook and click 'Like.'

For fun, you can go to the ShopRite "Get Can Canned" website to upload your photo and become a virtual ShopRite Can Can dancer.  Or, if you'd rather get right to the savings, view the circular at the ShopRite website.

See you at the Can Can Sale!  I'll be the one humming. :)

Disclosure:  I received the campaign information from ShopRite through MyBlogSpark.

Wayward Son (Book Review - Preview)

Buried near Italy's Mount Vesuvius is a remarkable observatory containing artifacts dating to the earliest record of human events. Only one person--the Getty Museum's Amanda James--can unlock the mysterious doors that guard the chamber.

But once inside, Amanda is shocked to discover evidence left behind by a notorious biblical killer--who long ago wandered off the pages of history.  

The first novel of a series, Wayward Son takes the reader on an amazing voyage, where epic adventures in Egypt, Greece, China, and Rome collide with modern-day intrigue and suspense. 

Although I have been reading and enjoying Wayward Son, I have not been able to finish the book before the tour date.  This is what I can tell you so far:

Wayward Son is a story within a story.  In the modern-day opening, we meet Amanda--an independent young woman who has had her share of heartache.  When she agrees to take part in an archeological project in Italy, the door to the second story is opened.  This story centers on Cain (yes, the son of Adam and Eve) and begins just after he has killed Abel.

The Cain storyline is very much fleshed out from what is recorded in the Bible.  Consequently, it has to be viewed as highly speculative.  While the story is interesting to read, a few parts of the plot are quite far-fetched.

I'll tell you more after I finish reading the book.

• Title:  Wayward Son
• Author:  Tom Pollack with Jim Alves and John Loftus
• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Cascada (November 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1450755631
• ISBN-13: 978-1450755634

Disclosure:  I received an e-reader copy of this book for review purposes.  I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.  Thanks for Glass Road Public Relations for the opportunity!

Win a Dress from Shabby Apple (Giveaway Closed)

I know it's December and everyone is thinking about Christmas, Hanukkah, the New Year, and--for many of us--cold weather.  Maybe that's why, when I had the opportunity to choose one of the Shabby Apple women's dresses to give away, I was thinking about summer.  With that in mind, I chose Kanani, which is described as "[an] easygoing summer slip on."

Would you like to win this dress?
This giveaway is closed.

Here's how to enter:  'Like' Shabby Apple on Facebook.  Come back here and leave a comment with your Facebook name.   Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you. Limit 1 entry by this method. This must be done in order to qualify for extra entries.


Here's how you can earn additional entries (please leave one comment per entry):

• Tweet this giveaway, including a link to this post.  Comment here with a link to your tweet. (1 entry per tweet, 1 tweet per calendar day)
• Share this giveaway post on Facebook.  Comment here with a link to your post. (1 entry)
• Enter my other current giveaway (see the top right corner of my blog, above Noah's smiling face). (1 entry)
• Comment on a non-giveaway post on my blog, and mention the post in a comment on this post. (1 entry per comment; limit 3 total)

More details: Open to residents of USA, age 18 or older. Giveaway ends 1/3/12 at noon (Eastern time). Winner will be chosen by the random number generator at Random.org and will be notified by email.  Winner must claim prize within 48 hours, or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be allowed to choose any available dress size, and will be required to provide shipping address and phone number.  Prize will be fulfilled by Shabby Apple. Void where prohibited.

Disclosure:  I have received no compensation in any form for hosting this giveaway.