Book Review of 'Julia' by Heather B. Moore

Happy Thursday Bookworms!

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I am a sucker for a good historical fiction novel, particularly when it comes from Heather B. Moore. She has such an amazing talent for bringing real-life people to an even deeper understanding with her stories, and I feel so blessed that I was able to read her latest novel about the incomparable Julia Child. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this amazing historical fiction and let me know in the comments your thoughts on cooking in general. Do you cook, or are you like me and prefer others to cook for you?

About the Book

Title: Julia 

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

Release Date: September 2, 2025 

Genre: Historical Fiction

"This is a lovely historical fiction that draws us into Julia’s world. While everyone knows about her cooking, the details of her life in the OSS, trusted with America’s secrets during WWII, are lesser known and very intriguing. The book is well-researched, but it manages to stay warm and inviting, just as she was. Highly recommended." -Historical Novel Society

Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.

On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.

Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.

In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: She refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.

Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, this is Julia’s extraordinary journey.

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Book Review of 'Nellie' by Amy Walsh

Hello Book Lovers!

Happy Galentines Day to all my book loving gals!  I am super excited to be here with you today!!  I love discovering new-to-me authors and today I am featuring an author I've recently been introduced to.  I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this delicious novel and have a wonderful day!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Nellie by Amy Walsh, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Nellie
Series: Apron Strings #2
Author: Amy Walsh
Publisher: Walsh Mountain Publishing
Release Date: February 15, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance

Finances are tight for the O’Dwyer family who live on a mountain outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1931. Life gets even harder when their beloved Dadaí must cease work as a coal miner to become a patient at the West Mountain Sanitarium. 

Nellie is her preferred name, but family and friends have heard Mam shout “Fenella Aileen O’Dwyer!” all too often with the countless predicaments she got herself into throughout childhood. So, it’s not altogether surprising when Nellie impulsively accepts a job as an assistant cook at the Clarinda House in a case of mistaken identity -- though she’s the last person her family would ask to prepare a meal.

Fortunately, along with determination, a talent for acting, and the gift of blarney, Nellie has Mrs. Campbell’s Cookery Book, a treasure she discovered at a Red Cross drought relief sale. 

As her reluctant admiration for her employer grows, Nellie wishes she could be the sort of truthful woman of faith that Mr. Mason Peale esteems. If she confesses all, will she lose her job along with the friendships she’s formed at Clarinda House?  

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Cookbook Review: The Dirty, Lazy, Keto No Time to Cook Cookbook by Stephanie and William Laska

Series: Dirty, Lazy, Keto

Publisher: Adams Media

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Genre: Cookbooks

The keto diet is faster and more accessible than ever before with these 100 easy, delicious, low-carb meals you can make in 30 minutes or less from USA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Laska.

Want to try the keto diet but don’t have enough time to cook elaborate meals from scratch? No problem! USA TODAY bestselling author and creator of DIRTY, LAZY, KETO offers the perfect solution with these quick and easy recipes that you can make in no time.

After losing 140 pounds following the keto diet, Stephanie understands how hard it can be to find the time to cook, especially while managing a hectic household. At the end of a busy day, she had to get food on the table—fast. She didn’t have a second to waste preparing meals that her family might not like. Instead, Stephanie made her own recipes that she knew her family would love while still keeping them healthy. In DIRTY, LAZY KETO No Time to Cook Cookbook, you’ll find 100 great tasting 10g net carbs or less recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less. With simple, easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll have dinner ready on the table in no time!

This flexible, honest, real-world approach to losing weight while still living a normal life empowers you to keto your own way—in a style and schedule that works for you. This no-judgment cookbook offers you the support you need as you venture on your own unique path to sustainable, healthy weight loss—not perfection.

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Book Review: Let's Fix Lunch! by Kat Nouri

**HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!**

Author: Kat Nouri and Stasher

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Release Date: September 15, 2020

Genre: Culinary Arts

Let's Fix Lunch! makes it easy (and fun!) to prepare meals that are good for you and good for the planet.

This eco-friendly cookbook features delicious, waste-free recipes for sandwiches, salads, soups, snacks, and more.

An inspiring guide for anyone who wants to do their small part to save the earth, Let's Fix Lunch! makes it simple to create a sustainable, waste-free home.

• Easy-to-make recipes for all home cooks
• Includes more than 50 simple tips for reducing food waste and plastic use
• Features a handy guide to buying in bulk, meal prepping, and food storage

This eco-conscious cookbook is written by Kat Nouri, founder of the beloved, environmentally friendly kitchen brand Stasher.

Let's Fix Lunch! is the perfect kitchen companion for eco-conscious parents and office workers.

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The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook

Keto is all the rage right now and being a girl that is overweight herself my doctor has recommended that I go for a lower carb lifestyle and ketogenic diet is perfect!  I have to admit that I am scared to dive right in feet first and thought trying a few new recipes might help me ease my way into a new way of eating.

The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook is the perfect place to start in my opinion.  It gives you a quick synapsis of what the Ketogenic Diet is all about and then delves right into the yummy recipes. 

The few pictures that are included are gorgeous but what really caught my eye was how easy the recipes are!  I hate cooking but so many of these recipes require little to no effort on my part so this gives this cookbook high marks from me!  The ingredients are well known and readily available which is also a plus and a lot of the recipes call for the same ingredients which helps leave little to no waste and gives variety for your meal plan.

However, I do have a few complaints about this cookbook.  My first complaint is that many of the recipes call for more than five ingredients, yet the book in entitled, "The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook".  It feels like false advertising to me but this is a pretty small complaint when compared to all the positives of this book.  I also noted that several of the recipes seem to be higher in carbs than you would expect so you need to be careful and possibly calculate the carbs for yourself before you consume them.

My final issue is with the actual book itself.  I have the paperback version which you would think would make it easy to keep open while you're writing down the ingredients needed, or making the recipes themselves, but it does not.  I was constantly fighting my book to stay open which was frustrating.  I eventually downloaded the Kindle version on my Kindle Unlimited and it was perfect!  There is a spiral-bound option as well if you prefer print which I would highly recommend.

All in all, this is a great Ketogenic Diet cookbook and perfect for those of us who are just starting out on their keto journey.

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The Minimalist Kitchen

In our fast paced world we all want things to be simple.  It seems like we are rushing from one thing to the next and the thought of going home and cooking a healthy, delicious meal has turned into a dream rather than reality.  We live in one of the most well-fed counties and yet the majority of us are malnourished due to poor eating habits.  Simply put, we are killing ourselves, and it's high time that we put a stop to this epidemic, one kitchen at a time.

In The Minimalist Kitchen, Melissa Coleman takes us back to our cooking roots.  She takes cooking to an artistic level while keeping things simple.

The book starts with a note from the author defining what minimalism is and what it means to have a minimalistic kitchen.  Ms. Coleman then tells more about her background and how she herself became a minimalist.  She also includes helpful charts like a seasonal produce guide and metric equivalents, which is great for beginner cooks like myself.

Though the cover is quite simplistic, the inside of the book is chock full of incredibly gorgeous photos, with pictures of the author and her family sprinkled throughout, really giving it a homey feel.  What really charmed me about this book is the little stories that the author has at the beginning of each of her recipes.  It gives the instructions a more personable feel and you can tell that each recipe written was written with great thought and love.

There are a lot of wonderful tips through the book as well as many recipes that I myself have never tried or even heard of before, like the Roasted Chickepea Bánh Mì Salad, but most of the recipes are familiar recipes that all of us have either eaten or made, like Peach Cobbler, but the author puts her own unique spin each and every one, and shows you the minimalistic way to make them.  The recipes are also very easy to follow and the author does give variations to many of her recipes so you can feel comfortable substituting if you wish.

One common thread throughout The Minimalist Kitchen is the author's use of "high-quality mayonnaise."  You will see this ingredient used in a lot of her recipes.  She does mention that this is one of her staples, and does give a good explanation why, I just thought it was worth mentioning.

My only compliant is that I wish the author would've taken more care with people who have nut allergies.  I myself have a almond allergy and there are quite a few dessert recipes that I can't eat and am not sure if I can substitute the almonds for another nut or omit altogether.  This most likely isn't the authors fault and more mine for not being a more seasoned chef and knowing these type of things.

I really enjoyed The Minimalist Kitchen cookbook and can see me putting quite a few of the recipes into my monthly meal rotation.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Time Inc. Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

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Random Review: Paprika Recipe Manager

I know I've mentioned this on my other reviews but it bears repeating: I hate cooking.  Growing up, I never liked helping my mom in the kitchen.  I felt like it was a waste of time.  Why spend time cooking when you can go run and get fast food?

As I mature, my thoughts on cooking are evolving.  Since I am going through the health issues I am going through, (see THIS post for more details) I need more things in my life that I can control.  One of those things is cooking, and giving my family healthier options than what's out there today.  It's time to take control of my families health.

In saying all of that, I am venturing into uncharted territories and trying things I've never tried before.  I've never had a collection of my own recipes.  I've never meal planned.  I am that girl that pins all the amazing recipes on Pinterest and never tries a single one.  There are a gazillion recipes out there, how can you keep track of everything you have tried or want to try?  It's so overwhelming.

It was in my state of confusion and utter defeat that I went on the hunt for an app that could help this poor, confused girl out and I stumbled onto Paprika.

The Paprika Recipe Manager 3 by Hindsight Labs is exactly what I was looking for!

You can store recipes which is so easy to do when you download their 'save recipe' button onto your device.  It keeps the link of where the recipe originated which is very handy, especially for someone who can't even remember what she ate last night.  You have space to put everything you'd want to know about that recipe, including your own notes, and nutritional information which is huge for our household since I have a diabetic son and have to know the carbs of everything my baby eats.  It's also easy to manually add your own recipes which is a blessing.  You can add your own tags and can search by recipe titles, ingredients, directions, sources, and notes so you can find what you're looking for in a flash.

You can create grocery lists right in the app, and if you are using the same ingredient in multiple recipes it combines them on your grocery list!  It also organizes your grocery list by aisle to make your shopping experience easier.  Usually I'm that frustrated shopper that keeps going back and forth all over the store because I forgot to grab something on my list.  Well, not anymore! :)

The Paprika Recipe Manager also includes a place to meal plan and you can create menus for any type of special occasions.  While you're cooking, there is a timer you can use right in the app and you can cross out each ingredient as you use it.  There is even a scale button that you can use to change the serving size without having to figure out the adjusted ingredients measurements.  Amazing!

You can also use this app offline, since all of the data is stored locally, which is perfect for people whose device has to be connected to wifi, and once you're logged in everything is synced wirelessly to all of your devices.

If you have any questions, the Paprika website includes user guides for all devices and has a wonderful support page that can help you answer your questions quickly.

The only downside to Paprika is that you do have to pay for this app.  For iOS, Android, and Kindle the app is $4.99.  The Mac version is $29.99 and Windows is $19.99, but on Windows it will let you download a trial version so you can try before you buy.  In my opinion, it's worth every penny.  I have tried other free recipe apps and websites recently and nothing compares to Paprika.  I purchased the iOS and Mac versions and they work flawlessly!  I am still trying to get the hang of meal planning but I have a feeling I'll be a pro soon.  I highly recommend Paprika!

Now it's time to get cooking! ;)

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Holiday Cookies

I absolutely love the holiday season.  There is an electricity in the air that is almost tangible.  The holiday spirit takes each person to a place they might not normally live in their every day lives.  For me, and many others, it takes me to the kitchen.  Being one that rarely (if ever) bakes during the rest of the year, I excitedly pull out my apron, and get started on traditional treats of the season.  

Usually I bake a pie or make some rice crispy treats but this year I really want to try something completely different and out of my comfort zone.    

Which is why I chose Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden.  Let me start my saying that this book is absolutely stunning!  The photos are gorgeous, yet the treats look like something that could be attained by anyone that attempts them.  The author talks you through everything throughout the entire book which is extremely helpful for one whose knowledge is lacking and she has a very down-to-earth language.  It has a "friend's swapping recipes" feel to me, especially when you read through the Cookie Tips & Tricks at the beginning of the book.

The "Very Merry Classics" chapter is pretty much the cookies that you'll see every holiday season but then there's the "Around the World" chapter which has cookies I've never even heard.  Many of the recipes look and sound delicious and have piqued my curiosity.  I also love the chapter entitled "Cookie Exchange Party" which are cookies that are easily massed produced for any of your holiday gatherings.  The way the entire book is organized makes it easy to find what you're looking for.

While skimming the recipes I did notice a few ingredients that I've never heard of before and I'm not sure how hard they will be to find if I attempt that particular cookie which could prove problematic.  I also have yet to try any of the actual recipes yet so I can't tell you how my results were just yet but I have several bookmarked and hope to bake them in the coming weeks.

I can't tell you if this book is good for the cookie novice but for a cookie newbie it is amazing!  Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ten Speed Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Fearless Food

Anyone who has children understands the daily struggle with food.  We want our kids to be healthy and they want food that tastes good.  The struggle really gets real when one of your children has an allergy to a certain food type.  This brings on a whole other struggle and adds more pressure to your day.

Fearless Food by Katrina Jorgensen is a cookbook that is geared towards children's tastes.  It steers clear of the "Big 8" food allergens and each recipe is supposed to be easy enough that your child could make it with little help from an adult.

I decided since this review is focused on recipes for kids that I would let my 10 and 12 year old boys help me review it.  We all agreed that the overall look of the book was great.  The colors are bright and vibrant and the pictures of each dish are very appetizing.

I wanted each boy to pick out a recipe for us to possibly try and each of them struggled with this task.  When I read through the Table of Contents I found many recipes I would love to try but from a kids point of view they were just not feeling it.  When I asked them what it was about the recipes they didn't like they couldn't really say.  I think it could be that many of the dishes are out of our normal daily eating and that could be what was scarring them off.

As they flipped through the book they would point out a certain recipe that they thought might be interesting but then then would read the ingredients and there would be one item they don't like so they would dismiss it.  Gotta love picky eaters.

What I really liked about Fearless Food was that it had an explanation on what a food allergy is as well as a conversion chart right at the beginning of the book which is very handy.  What I wasn't too happy about was that I thought this book was focused on children as a whole but upon further inspection realize that though the recipes are formatted for children, many of them I would not trust my boys to cook on their own.

All in all, I would say that this is a decent cookbook for what it is.  The layout is clean and easy to read and the recipes are appealing but I wish there would've been more tips for getting your children involved with the cooking process.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

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Harvest

I have always had a desire to garden.  Growing up my grandfather had a beautiful vegetable garden in his backyard that I frequently admired and enjoyed the harvest of.  Over the years, I have attempted to create my own little garden with disastrous results.  After each failed attempt I've wondered if it's me or if it's what I'm trying to grow.  It's this reason that I decided to read Harvest by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis.  Maybe this book could help me realize what has been missing in my gardening endeavors.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the gorgeous photography.  It has a rustic feel to it which is very calm and inviting.  The book is separated into three sections that align with the time of year that you should be planting these certain plants or vegetables.  There is early (late winter to early spring, mid (summer to early fall), and late (late fall to early winter)  For someone who knows nothing about gardening, I found this to be very helpful.

Not only are there vegetables and flowers that are included in this book but other "ingredient alternatives" like Edible Flower Garnishes, Simple Syrup, and even a wreath and garland.  This part had to be my favorite part of the entire book and only wish there were more.  Many of the decorative alternatives most likely will never be used by me but I can see those that do thrive in decorating loving them.  There really is something for everyone in this book.

For those that are knowledgable in gardening, this book could be disappointing but for anyone that is inexperienced like myself I think you will really enjoy it.  Even if you never try anything from the book itself, just flipping through and looking at the beautiful pictures is relaxing in and of itself.  

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

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Good Clean Food

I'm SO excited about the review I am posting today!  Not only because it's my birthday (woot! woot!) but because I have been following Lily Kunin on her blog Clean Food Dirty City for awhile and was SO excited when I heard that she was coming out with a cookbook!! 

Let me start by saying that cooking is not a passion of mine.  I appreciate good food, and the work that goes into it, but I do not like to be the one doing that work.  

Reading Good Clean Food makes me want do that work!  This book is not a certain "diet" but a beautiful cookbook with each recipe highlighting clean eating in its simplicity.  Each recipe will help you make healthier food choices and there are some delicious recipes to help get you started if you are new to clean eating. 

The recipes in Good Clean Food are are not what you will find in a normal plant-based cookbook.  There are unique recipes for things like hair and face masks, and what's even better is they are easy!  

The recipes call for ingredients that are easy to find which is a major plus for me.  I don't know how many times I've been excited about a cookbook only to go from recipe to recipe and have no idea what some of the ingredients even are!  That is usually the first and last time I pick up that book!

I have to say my favorite part of Good Clean Food has to be the pictures.  The pictures are absolutely stunning and so motivating!  I want to make these recipes! 

Needless to say, this is my new go-to cookbook!  Highly recommend!

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The Haven's Kitchen Cooking School

Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows one thing about me: I don't cook.  I remember my mom making me help her in the kitchen when I was growing up and it was pure torture.  As I've grown up, and now have a family of my own, I do try to cook as much as I can stand but it's still a daily struggle.

I'm sure you're asking yourself, "OK, if you hate to cook so much then why are you reviewing a cook book?"  Well, I'm glad you asked!

When it all comes down to it, I truly believe that the reason I "hate" cooking is because I've never been properly trained.  That's where The Haven's Kitchen Cooking School by Alison Cayne comes in.

Each of the nine chapters centers on a key cooking lesson and takes you step by step through a cooking process that leaves you with no questions about that particular lesson.  You learn everything from making one of the most "intimidating egg dishes" the Cheese Souffle to how to make A Bowl of White Rice.  There is even a party about how to read a recipe and how to stay clean and organized while you cook.

For those, like me, who have always been fascinated with chef's and their knife skills The Haven's Kitchen Cooking School shows you the different types of cuts and how to hold and use a chef's knife!  Amazing!!

Some of the lessons in the book are very basic, almost childlike, but I find that refreshing.  I could see me and my ten-year-old diving in together to learn the basics of the culinary arts.  The pictures are eye-catching and the entire book is very well laid out.  I'm sad to say that as I write this review I have yet to try a recipe (though I have already started practicing the knife skills - I just had to!) but it's very high on my to do list.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, including the cooking haters like myself.  For the first time in my life I'm actually excited about cooking!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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