Mama Bear Reviews

I have reviewed a few cookbooks. I always love to look through the pictures and try new recipes. I received a copy of POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand by Andy Ricker and JJ Goode today. This is a gorgeous hardbound book full of foods that are typically enjoyed while drinking in Thailand. These recipes are more appetizers or snacks than actual meals. What I love about this book is that I feel that you get a real feel for Thailand while reading this cookbook. The photographs are not posed and feel very authentic. I love that you can look at the images and actually image what it would be like to visit Thailand. The recipes are divided into the sections of sections such as snacks, fried foods, salads and stir-fries. Throughout the recipes and images are stories about the food. These are wonderful because you can get a true sense of where this food would be eaten or how it would be prepared. This is a fun cookbook for anyone that has a bit of wanderlust or wants to try out some new c...

Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings is fun new historical fiction novel. This story centers around Louisa Bell who is a dance hall singer. Once Louisa is replaced by a younger singer, she is faced with having to find a new job. She heads to Fort Reno where her brother is stationed to look for employment. Along the way she meets a woman that is set to be the governess for the children of Major Daniel Adams. The only problem is that the governess will not be able to fulfill her duties and sends Louisa along with a crate of books to the fort. There is a misunderstanding that makes Louisa the new governess. This mistake however ends up working out the best for everyone involved. This is the first time that I have read a book set in this time period, 1885, in America. The book is actually set in Kansas and includes quite a bit of history. This history adds to the story rather than detracts. The author created characters that are funny and authentic. This was a very enjoyable story and I l...

Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis is the fourth book in her Heartbreaker Bay series. I think this was my favorite book in the series but I have loved them all so far. Chasing Christmas Eve finally gives Spence a love story! He falls for Colbie who is an author that has escaped her hectic home life for a little last minute vacation. She has been busy doing everything for her family and finds herself needing to get away. She ends up in San Francisco where she has a very funny first encounter with the hero Spence. I loved the growth of Colbie throughout the story as well as that of Spence. These two really seem perfect for each other. I also love that all of the previous characters in this series have a part. This includes Eddie and I loved his connection with Spence. The second book in this series, The Trouble with Mistletoe, was made into a movie. I had reviewed that book previously here . The movie is available only on Passionflix . This is a new subscription service like...

The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad is the true story of Nadia and the capture of her and her family by Islamic terrorists. This story was heartbreaking. There were times when I had to close the book and set it aside for a while but I also felt that the story flowed quickly and was beautifully written. Nadia has faced so much tragedy in her life. Her life was once idyllic in her small village of Kocho. That all changed when her village was taken over and everyone was forced to leave. The story of Nadia's days in the Isis slave trade are very difficult to read. Her story, along with those of her friends and family are very harrowing. Nadia was able to escape and has been able to share her story to try and bring about change. She is such an inspiration. I think everyone should read this book. It is difficult to get through but everyone should know Nadia's story and know about what the people of Iraq are going through. ...