Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.
**Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.
And let’s join Kathryn, our new leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.
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A great week of a little more reading (four books!), less rain, and lots of blog posts. Halfway through the week, I enjoyed my lunch at The Cheesecake Factory...bliss! I had a Hibiscus Martini and a Greek salad.
Now for a look at my week…
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Morning Chaos: An Excerpt from “Interior Designs”
Chasing Away the Blues with “She’s Not There”
Let’s Spark Some Suspense: “Ink and Bone”
TBR Thursday: Deconstructing the TBR Stacks…
Thursday Potpourri: My Netflix Obsession, Etc.
Friday Potpourri: Fairytales, Magic, & Guilty Pleasures
Reaching Out – An Excerpt from “Embrace the Whirlwind”
Review: The Daylight Marriage (e-book), by Heidi Pitlor
Review: The Crossing Places (e-book), by Elly Griffiths
Review: She’s Not There (e-book), by Joy Fielding (NetGalley – 2/23)
Review: Just Say Yes (e-book), by Alyssa Goodnight
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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Nothing in my mailbox….but I received an e-ARC from NetGalley, and downloaded a purchased e-book.
Where I Lost Her (e-book), by T. Greenwood (NetGalley – 2/23)
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The Ex (e-book), by Alafair Burke
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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
From the titles below, I hope to find engaging reads….
After She’s Gone, by Lisa Jackson (Amazon Vine)
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Lucky Us (e-book), by Amy Bloom
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Gray Mountain (e-book), by John Grisham
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That was my week…what did yours look like? Let’s toast another great one…
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SERENDIPITY 
I’ve heard good things about The Ex so I hope you enjoy it. Love the pic of martini and salad 🙂 Have a great week, Laurel.
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Thanks, Mary, I enjoyed the martini and salad, and I’m really looking forward to The Ex. Glad you could stop by.
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I have never been to The Cheesecake Factory but you are making me want to go! I think Where I Lost Her sounds wonderful. I hope you enjoy these!
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Thanks, Carole, I am looking forward to Where I Lost Her….and I always think of The Cheesecake Factory as a place to go for celebrations and fun lunches., Hope you get to try it sometime.
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I wonder if that new Grosham will see him get back to his early form? He went a bit astray I think and the most recent ones were pretty underwhelming
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This will be my first Grisham in a while, but I agree that some of the recent ones weren’t as good as the earlier ones. Hope to enjoy it, and thanks for stopping by, Karen.
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Wow that is quite the week! Good for you. 🙂 I’ve never seen Breaking Bad or House of cards, but I’ve been curious. It’s kinda scary when I scroll through Netflix and realize just how many shows I’ve been watching LOL- no wonder I’ve been reading less. 🙂 It is comforting to binge though, I must say!
I love a Greek salad. Yum. 🙂
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I didn’t mention in this post how I watched Better Call Saul’s entire Season 1 in two nights…I did talk about it on one of my blog posts, though. I can’t wait until they bring out another season. That’s the trouble with the bingeing…we then have to wait for more…lol.
Thanks for stopping by, Greg, and while I read less when I’m on Netflix, I like to think of it as “balance.”
The Greek salad was delicious!
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After She is Gone looks good as does your lunch from the Cheesecake Factory. I hope this week allows you time for 4 books!! Have a wonderful day 🙂
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Thanks, Kimberly, and I am also looking forward to reading more…but also getting out, now that the rain seems to be gone for a bit. Knock wood. I think After She is Gone will be fabulous….enjoy your week!
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Oh Laurel, I really want to read The Ex. I know it’s out here in Australia but not sure any of the publishers I work with have it. (And I have a moratorium on buying books!)
I used to love Joy Fielding so am going to check out your review of She’s Not There.
Deb
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I am trying not to buy as many books, either, but when I can’t get them on Vine or NetGalley, I succumb to the “buy it” button…sigh. I hope you enjoy She’s Not There, Deborah, and have a great week.
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Where I Lost Her and The Ex both look intriguing and I’ve been wanting to read Lisa Jackson. That Greek Salad looks amazing and I’m not sure I’ve ever tried a hibiscus anything but I’m quite sure I want too. Have a fantastic week!
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I usually get the Pomegranate Martini, but The Cheesecake Factory doesn’t make them anymore…or they weren’t that day, lol. When they presented options, I went for it. And loved it! Thanks for stopping by, Katherine, and as delicious as the Greek Salad was…I couldn’t eat it all!
Thanks for stopping by…and I love the look of my new books, too.
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That martini sounds awesome! Enjoy Lucky Us!
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Thanks, Sam, when I first started reading Lucky Us, it didn’t engage me…but now that I’ve picked it up again, I’m doing better with it. Enjoy your week, and a martini, too.
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It sounds like you had a fantastic week, Laurel-Rain! And I really would love to taste your hibiscus martini, I love hibiscus tea, so having that in a drink sounds heavenly 🙂
Your new books look really good, I hope you’ll enjoy them both.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
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Thanks, Lexxie, and I do hope to enjoy the new books…and all the ones on my shelves…LOL.
The Hibiscus Martini was an option they presented, since my usual Pomegranate Martini was not available. And I think I loved it more than the Pomegranate…
Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.
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I went to check the recipe for the Hibiscus martini online, it looks tasty – and that salad ? Yummy ! The ex and After she’s gone look really good, and Amy Bloom has been giving me the eye for some time now… Hope you enjoy and have a great week 🙂 Cheers !
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This book is my first by Amy Bloom, so depending on how it turns out, I will be checking out her others.. Thanks for stopping by, Iza, and I hope to enjoy this week’s books. Have a good one, and I’ll see you around on Goodreads!
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I don’t know these books but I hope you enjoy them! Happy reading 🙂
Sofia @ SofiaLovesReading
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Isn’t it wonderful how we get to “meet” lots of unknown books, and then make them our friends? Thanks for stopping by, Sofia, and have a great week.
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Looks like a great week! I’m looking forward to the movie, Brooklyn.
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I thought I might go to see the movie yesterday, Joy, but I was enjoying some movies I found On Demand, and then I was reading…maybe today? Thanks for stopping by.
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Here’s to another great week!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-tech-of-week-technology-conference-in.html
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Thanks, Deb, and I wish the same for you! How do the weeks fly by so fast?
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A hibiscus martini?? That sounds delicious… I love The Cheesecake Factory! The Ex looks good and I’ve been wanting to give Lucky Us a try for a while, too. Hope it’s another good week for you 🙂
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Thanks, JoAnn, I hope so too….and that hibiscus martini was an option they presented, since they didn’t have my usual (Pomegranate), but I think I loved it more!
Lucky Us didn’t grab me at first, but now I’m starting to sink into the pages…enjoy your week!
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I LOVE Lisa Jackson! She is one of my favorite authors! && I am a fan of the Cheescake Factory as well!
Happy Reading!
My Sunday Post
Punkie @Fluttering Hearts Reviews
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Thanks, Punkie Vee….I thought I had read some other Lisa Jackson books, but after studying the titles, I realized that I haven’t. Looking forward to this one, though. And I, too, love The Cheesecake Factory, although I don’t go often…it’s in another part of the city, requiring freeways, etc. lol.
Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your week.
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You were quite the productive one this week! Look at those posts! You go, girl.
Here is my Sunday Post
Molly @ Molly’s Book Nook
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Thanks, Molly, and I sort of went nuts with the blog posts at the end of the week…lol. Sometimes I get a “bee in my bonnet,” as my grandmother would have said, and I’m writing still another post.
Glad you could visit, and enjoy your week!
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I’m glad you had such a productive week! I have not heard about the books you got, but the Amy Bloom book looks intriguing. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Ardis, and although I didn’t connect with the Bloom book right away, I am now fully engaged. Glad you could stop by!
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Nice lunch! Cheesecake Factory is my favorite chain restaurant. My go to choices are a martini and the ahi tuna salad. Glad you found more reading time this week. I’m waiting for a copy of The Ex from the library.
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My friend and my daughter both love ahi in various forms….thanks for stopping by, Catherine, and enjoy your week….
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The martini looks delightful!! The Ex looks good. Can’t wait to see what you think of Lucky Us. Have a great week!
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I love a good martini…a true guilty pleasure, Grace. I am also looking forward to The Ex…and Lucky Us is growing on me. Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh, I have The Ex sitting here waiting to be read! It sounded great and I have enjoyed her writing before, hope you enjoy it!
Have a wonderful week…
Chick with Books
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I haven’t read any solo books by Alafair Burke, but I have enjoyed some she co-wrote with Mary Higgins Clark. Looking forward to The Ex, Suzanne…thanks for stopping by.
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Lovely looking lunch and great books! I do hope you enjoy The Ex!
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Thanks, Cleo, it was truly a guilty pleasures treat. And so are some of these books. Glad you could stop by.
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Ooo! I love the Cheesecake Factory. Pre-child, my husband and I often ate there. Not very often since though. Sounds like you had a great reading week, Laurel-Rain! The Ex looks like it will be very good. My week was not too unusual. We’ve had such nice weather this weekend. I think it may be time for a walk soon. Have a great week!
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Thanks, Wendy, and I have loved the nicer weather this past week and this weekend. I haven’t gone to The Cheesecake Factory more than a couple of times in the past year, so when I do, it’s a real treat. Enjoy your reading, too.
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I needed that toast for the week because last week just about sucked the life out of me. I hope next week is much better. Thanks for the toast! My Sunday Salon
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Yes, a toast can help turn a bad week good, Anne. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your new week is awesome.
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Great books on your list. I haven’t read John Grisham in years. I love the Cheesecake Factory.
Hope you have a great week!
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Thanks, Yvonne, and let’s all enjoy our new weeks, and find our guilty pleasures whenever we can.
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Your posts always make me look forward to retirement because it seems like you’re doing it so well! But that’s a long way off for me. Enjoy your reading week. 🙂
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Thanks, Laura, and seriously, I started thinking of retirement fairly early in my career, as I knew it was the kind of job that would kick my butt so hard and make me long for it to stop…lol.
Not that it was all bad, but I realized how very hard it was, in terms of stress, when I retired. The absence of the stress made me giddy….
Hopefully you will enjoy retirement when the time comes without having to stress too much beforehand.
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The Ex sounds really good. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great week of reading 🙂
My Stacking the Shelves
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I think so, too, Jen….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week, too.
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Looks like a great week of reading and viewing. All the books are unfamiliar to me so will have to see what you have to say about the new ones!
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Thanks, Kathryn, and I’m definitely eager to read them all. Enjoy your week, too!
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Your good about salads; they look delicious too. Well done with 4 books! Enjoy your week.
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Thanks, Susan, and I love those salads. Enjoy your week, too.
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you’re is more like it
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Of course! lol
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Yummy food and lots of productivity–sounds like a great week. Amy Bloom’s book keep cropping up places. Maybe that’s a sign I should add it to my list. What a great cover on Grisham’s book. Hope you have a great week.
http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2016/02/mailbox-monday-february-8.html
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My favorite kind of week, Cheryl, and this is my first Amy Bloom. It feels like slow going, for some reason, so I’m also reading the Lisa Jackson, which is a page turner. Thanks for stopping by.
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Where I Lost Her looks amazing! Plus, that food looks delicious. I hope you enjoy reading this week.
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
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I agree on both the books and the food, Majanka…thanks for stopping by!
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I haven’t heard of any of these books! I guess I’ll be spending my morning digging around on Goodreads. 🙂
My It’s Monday! Post
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I do love that feature of Goodreads….checking out books I discover. Thanks for stopping by, Ashley, and enjoy your week.
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No cheesecake while you were at The Cheesecake Factory? I had a quiet mailbox too, but, for me right now, that’s a good thing.
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Oh, I was too full, Kathy….can you believe it? I should have gotten some to take home. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Love the sound of Where I Lost Her and I have The Ex from Netgalley too, love Alafair Burke’s writing so hope to get to it soon 🙂
Feeling very hungry now after that gorgeous looking food!
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Thanks, Fi, and I can’t wait to read them. I haven’t read anything Burke has written on her own, but I loved what she co-wrote with Mary Higgins Clark. Enjoy your week….sorry to make you hungry! lol
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Your Cheesecake Factory trip just made me hungry! 🙂 Both of your new reads look great, but “The Ex” really catches my fancy – I look forward to seeing your review. Have a great reading week!
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Thanks, Julie, and I am looking forward to The Ex, too. I get hungry looking at the food, too, lol. Enjoy your week!
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Jealous of your Cheesecake Factory lunch. 🙂 Have The Ex on my TBR list, so look forward to your thoughts on it.
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Oh, yes, the lunch was fabulous…this week, I’ll be trying to get some exercise…lol. Thanks for stopping by, Teresa, and I hope to love The Ex. Enjoy your week!
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Never been to Cheesecake Factory, but now I’m getting the urge 🙂
I commented on your Brooklyn post this week, good choice. I am curious about The Ex. I’ve seen Ms. Burke’s books in the store and hemmed and hawed about whether I would enjoy them.
I’ve read 2 T. Greenwood books and enjoyed them. Read them slow and savored them; there isn’t much action in them– they are more like character studies and so engaging!
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I do love books that are character studies, although they are definitely slower going, aren’t they?
I don’t go to The Cheesecake Factory very often….sugar overload? Thanks for stopping by, and I do hope to read Brooklyn soon…still haven’t seen the movie.
Thanks for stopping by, Rita, and have a great week!
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All your titles look interesting. I have only been to The Cheesecake Factory once while visiting our son and DIL in Phoenix. I hope to finish one of my books this week, but we will see. I have to report for jury duty on Wednesday….that really cuts into the middle of my week! 🙂 I know it is my civic duty!
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Oh, Jury Duty definitely cuts into the week…I haven’t had to actually serve since the 1980s, but have had many “invitations,” the kind where you wait all week, calling, and not knowing if you have to go.
I first visited The Cheesecake Factory in LA with my son and family…we didn’t even have one here at the time, so I was excited when it came to our city.
Enjoy your week, Judy, and thanks for stopping by.
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Cheesecake Factory!!! One of my favorite places, and I haven’t gotten to eat there in ages. My sister in law and I made plans to go later this month. It’s a good hour away, but SO worth the drive!
I’m going to try reading The Ex – I hope it’s good! Enjoy your week!
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Oh, I hope to love The Ex, too, and while I’m not an hour away from The Cheesecake Factory here, it requires freeway driving and parking issues. Thanks for stopping by, Brandie, and enjoy your week.
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Oh Gosh. I used to love eating at the Cheesecake Factory when I lived in PHX. We have one here in Portland but it was way across town, so I don’t get there very often. The food portions are so huge and the food is so delicious and dont’ get me started on the Cheesecake. Enjoy your sun while it lasts.
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Yes, mine is a ways away, too, although it is in the same city. They do have those “appetizer salads” that have better portions…but the cheesecake itself is outrageously huge. LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Heidi, and I’m enjoying the sun…until the rain comes again.
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I love the cover on WHERE I LOST HER.
Lots of nice books in your mailbox.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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I love that cover, too, and can’t wait to start reading it, Elizabeth. Enjoy your week!
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Your salad and drink sounds delicious, have a great reading week.
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Thanks, Mary Ann….You too!
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I love visiting the Cheesecake Factory when we visit family in the states, though I put on 20lbs with every visit! Some great looking books on your list this week. Looking forward to the reviews. Have a good week.
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Thanks, Emma, and yes, I am looking forward to these books…and I can’t go to The Cheesecake Factory very often, either. lol
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I’ve never had a hibiscus martini before. Never knew they could squeeze out hisbiscus syrup. I love Cheesecake Factory. Last August a mum and I met for lunch and had the crab cakes which so crispy the way I like it on the outside and softly flavorful and moist on the inside.
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This was my first hibiscus martini, too; usually I have the Pomegranate. Those crab cakes sound wonderful. I usually have a salad and/or soup. Thanks for stopping by, Stefanie.
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I remember the first time I went to a Cheesecake Factory…oh my word, the portions!! Everything really is bigger in America – we were thrilled to essentially get two meals for the price of one 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Jane, and I’ve learned to order from the appetizer menu…they even have appetizer salads….lol.
When I do get bigger meals, I take half home in a “doggie bag.”
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The cover of Where I Lost You begs you to open the book! The salad looks delicious. The nearest Cheesecake Factory is a 3 hour drive.
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I love that cover, too, Nise…can’t wait to begin reading. The Cheesecake Factory here is only a half hour away, if there is traffic. Via freeway, of course. Enjoy your week!
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First I would love to try one of those Martini’s -glad you enjoyed it. I want to read The Ex and that John Grisham looks great!! I would also read Lisa Jackson. Hope you have a great week and Happy Valentine’s Day!!
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Thanks, Joann…hope you enjoy the upcoming week, and I am also looking forward to The Ex and the Grisham book. What can I say about the martini? It was fabulous…lol
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A hibiscus martini? I’ve never had one but now I want one!
I’ve never read Alafair Burke but I spotted The Ex on audible and was really intrigued. I might get my hands (ears?) on it soon.
Happy reading!
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Yay for the hibiscus martini, which seems to be tempting to everyone. It was delicious…and The Ex looks like a great read (listen), doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Kay, and enjoy your week.
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