July Books

 I'm Writing You From Tehran: A Granddaughter’s Search for Her Family’s Past and Their Country’s Future- So many things I never knew about Iran. Thought it was good

The Marmalade Diaries: The True Story of an Odd Couple- young man moving in with an older woman (85 y/o widow) just before the pandemic set in London. It was as part of a brilliant scheme to provide older people with support and companionship, and young people with affordable rents. Told as a diary version of events, this is funny and poignant, and very well with reading. Marmalade incorporated  because Winnie ( the 85 y/o) made her own marmalade and every morning Ben and Winnie would have it for breakfast on their toast.

Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes) is the first book in the Southern Cake Baker Mystery series and one not to be missed! Filled with Southern charm and sayings, the characters bring the Kentucky region to life for the reader. The protagonist, Sophia Cummings, is a talented pastry chef taking a short leave from her prestigious position at a Manhattan, New York restaurant after catching her boyfriend in a compromising position with the maître d’. Returning home to Rumford, Kentucky to stay with her folks, Sophia finds herself volunteering to make the wedding cake for one of her old high school friends. I love how the author integrates cake baking and decorating tips into the story and the descriptions of her gorgeous confections are drool-worthy. Bitsy, Sophia’s mother, is as southern as they come and adds appeal to the story. Many of the scenes are centered at the Rumsford Country Club and when the head chef is found murdered right before Sophia shows up to start on the cakes, she gets involved. Some might call her nosy but she pays close attention to details and finds that people like to talk to her. The author provides many suspects to keep the reader guessing while for the most part, the pacing of the story was good. The final reveal felt a bit rushed or maybe I just didn’t want this enticing story to end.****RED VELVET CRUNCHIES RECIPES POSTED SOON ****

What Once Was True- I love books about World War II. It tells the story of two families, Lady Kenefick and her children Samuel and Lillian, and the Murphys, Dermot, Isabella and their three girls, Eve, Aisling, and Kate. The Murphys work for Lady Kenefick in her manor house, Robinwood. The story is told from different points of view and travels from Ireland to war torn England.

The Existential Worries of Mags Munroe--This well written book is a refreshing look at a contemporary woman who lies awake at night worrying about the same things most of us worry about. Mags is proud to be a member of the Garda. As always, this book is full of interesting characters, offers a history lesson about the Travellers, and details normal events as Mags goes about her duties where she encounters a murder-** Note- I love it when I learn something new. I had no idea what a Traveller was.Gypsies and Travellers are two distinct societies. While both are nomadic peoples, the two societies have totally different origins, culture, language, and physical profile. The Gypsies are generally found in Eastern Europe while the Travellers usually walk inside the territories of Ireland, UK, and the Americas.