Salmon Pesto Cream Tortellini Recipe

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A friend of mine has been making this recipe for quite a few years and I've always LOVED it! I am so glad we decided to make this yesterday for dinner, so I could do a recipe post! Pasta is one of my favorites, and when you add in salmon and pesto, it's a wonderful combo. This recipe is a fast one, so it would be great for a weeknight meal and it's very filling! Hope you like it!

2 servings

What you need:

1- 9 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1/3 c. basil pesto

1/3 c. sour cream

1/3 c. whipping cream

1/8 tsp. lemon zest

1- 7oz pouch boneless, skinless salmon

1 c. grape tomatoes, sliced in half

1 1/2 tbsp. toasted pine nuts

grated parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Directions:

Cook ravioli according to package directions, drain. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, whisk together pesto, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Heat slowly on low, stirring constantly. Add tomatoes and gently flake in salmon. Heat through. Divide tortellini and sauce between 2 plates and top with parmesan!

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 Serve with:

Mini Garlic Monkey Bread

This recipe was shared at:
Seafood Blog Hop at Katherine Martinelli
Mix it up Monday at Flour me with Love
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Midweek Fiesta at Food Corner
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds 

Minnesota Wild Rice Hotdish Recipe

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If you grew up in MN, you've most likely eaten this or something similar at some point. I remember eating this at potlucks or family gatherings alot throughout my childhood. I was super excited I found this recipe online so I could try it again. The smell of it baking in the oven brings back alot of memories! Mushrooms would be a great addition to this recipe as the original suggests. We love how it turned out and served it with some bread! Yum!

What you need:

1 pound ground beef

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1 c. celery, sliced

1 c. carrots, sliced

1 c. wild rice, rinsed well

3 tbsp. soy sauce

2 c. cold water

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground beef and onions. In a greased 9x13 baking dish, combine celery, carrots, and wild rice. Add ground beef and onion mixture next. In a bowl, combine water, soy sauce, pepper and soups. Pour over other ingredients and mix well. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Enjoy!

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Recipe Source:

Cookin Up North (slightly adapted) 

This recipe was shared at:
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain
Recipe Party Time at The Sweet Spot
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Look What I Made at A Thrifty Mom
Makin You Crave Monday at Mrs Happy Homemaker

Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots Recipe

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Carrots are a favorite side dish at our house! Our favorite is Brown Sugar Glazed carrots, but I wanted something a little lighter to go with fish. These Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots turned out AMAZING! They are super flavorful and don't require alot of work to make them! I know these carrots will be back on the menu soon at our house. I am addicted!! Enjoy!!

What you need:

6-7 large carrots, peeled and quartered into thin slices

3 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

2 tsp. honey

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

pepper

olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small sauce pan heat honey and balsamic until thinned. Add parsley and pepper. Mix. Place carrots in a square baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Pour honey balsamic sauce over carrots and toss to coat again. Bake for 25-35 minutes stirring occasionally. Enjoy!!

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Serve with:

Garlic Butter Baked Pollock Fillets

Recipe Source:

Fudge Ripple (slightly adapted)

This recipe was shared at:
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me with Love
Fresh Produce Tuesday at 2 Sisters 2 Cities
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters' Stuff
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Midweek Fiesta at Food Corner
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Recipe Party Time at The Sweet Spot
Look What I Made at A Thrifty Mom
Makin You Crave Monday at Mrs Happy Homemaker
Church Supper at Everyday Mom's Meals

Garlic Butter Baked Pollock Fillets Recipe

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My local grocery store had a great sale on frozen Pollock fillets this week. I've never cooked them before so I thought I'd try them out! This recipe turned out fabulous! The fish was fall apart tender and the garlic gave it great flavor. You can substitute Pollock for any white fish. Tilapia would be fabulous prepared this way as well. This recipe is super fast and easy and would be convenient to cook on a week night when you don't have much time to cook. Enjoy!!

What you need:

1 pound frozen Pollock fillets, defrosted

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. lime juice

salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay Pollock fillets in a glass baking dish in a single layer. Combine the garlic, melted butter, parsley, lime juice, salt and pepper. Pour over Pollock fillets. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. 

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Serve with:
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Garlic Butter Pasta


 
This recipe was shared at:
Seafood Blog Hop at Katherine Martinelli
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Church Supper at Everyday Mom's Meals

Book Review: Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals by Christopher J. Payne

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Quote from Amazon:

"Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals contains sadly beautiful photographs by Christopher Payne and a masterful essay by Oliver Sacks that reminds us that state hospitals were not always places of neglect and abuse but also of true asylum--of refuge from the stresses of life. The book presents us with a world of abandoned buildings, forgotten ashes, and derailed futures. It packs a powerful punch."--Elyn R. Saks, author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness, and Professor, USC Law School

My Thoughts:

I was so excited when I received the email saying this book was on it's way to me via the MN Link Interlibrary Loan System. The timing was perfect. In just over a week, my siblings and I will be touring Fergus Falls State Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN. I will be posting about our tour in a future post!

This book contains images from the Fergus Falls Hospital as well as many others around the United States. I am wowed by the Kirkbride Architecture and the massive size of the buildings and grounds. This book shows some amazing photos that make you wish you were there. I loved the photo of the hanging toothbrushes and the photos of long, abandoned hallways. It's so sad in a way, that these buildings were left so abruptly and rarely touched again.You also wonder paging through this book, what if these walls could talk? What story would they tell?

Christopher Payne did an amazing job with photographing these hospitals. You can view some of these images at his website Chris Payne Photo.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.


 

Cheese Tortellini Marinara Bake Recipe

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This is a great recipe for a week night meal. The prep is minimal and the baking time is quick! You can do so many variations with any ingredients you have on hand. I made this with jarred spaghetti sauce, but alfredo with chicken would be amazing too! I think that's what I'm trying next time! Mushrooms would also be a great addition! It turned out great and I would make this again!!

 What you need:

1- 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini, cooked

1- 24 oz jar Prego sauce

1- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 brats or Italian sausages, cooked (I used leftovers from the night before)

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

black pepper

1 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, divided into 1 cup and 1/2 cup

1/4 c. parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a 9x13 baking dish except 1/2 c. mozzarella and the parmesan. After all the ingredients are combined, top with the remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella and 1/4 c. parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

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Serve with:

Mini Garlic Monkey Bread

Cucumber, Strawberry and Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette 

This recipe was shared at:
Fabulous Friday at My Crowded Kitchen
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook

Book Review: Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

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Description from Goodreads:

James Witherspoon is a bigamist. His daughter, Dana, and her mother both know about James's other daughter, Chaurisse, who lives with his other wife in a nicer neighborhood nearby. But Chaurisse and her mother are blissfully unaware of James's secret family.

When Dana--tired of a life in the shadows--accidentally meets her half-sister, she befriends her. For Dana, it's an irresistible opportunity to secretly see how the other half lives. For Chaurisse, Dana is a glamorous friend--a "silver girl" possessing all the style, popularity, and long pretty hair that Chaurisse thinks would make her happy. But their friendship is destined to explode when secrets are revealed and illusions shattered.

Set in 1980s Atlanta and told in the alternating voices of the two girls, this is a classic story of loyalty and love, class and privilege. Like the early works of Toni Morrison, Jones's story is populated with rich, flawed characters who win and then break your heart. Written with grace and style, Silver Sparrow is the novel that will put Jones on the literary map.

My Thoughts:

I bought this book shortly after it was released, and I wish I would've read it sooner! This story is told by two sisters, except one of them doesn't know she even has a sister. Dana is the "secret" sister. She has lived her life knowing about her Dad's wife and daughter Chaurisse, but they know nothing about her. The first half of the book is told by Dana and the second half told by Chaurisse. 

Their father James, married both women and lives a double life. Dana has seen Chaurisse here and there over the years because they live in the same area and she finally decided to befriend her. Not everything goes exactly as planned, and the ending is not happy as expected. Tayari Jones did a great job writing this book. This is the first book I've read by her, but I am excited to see what else she has to offer. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a great fiction novel. 

I rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Crispy Baked Hash Browns with Parmesan Recipe

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I love side dishes that don't require alot of work because I like focusing more time cooking the main dish. These hash browns have a quick prep and they turned out really tasty! You can serve them with dinner, or at breakfast with some eggs. It works great either way! I sprinkled some green onions and hot sauce on mine and served with some brats and corn.

What you need:

4 c. frozen hash browns, partially thawed

1 small onion, finely diced

3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tbsp. dried parsley

2 tbsp. butter, cut into cubes

salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8x8 glass baking dish. In a bowl combine hash browns, onion, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour into the baking dish. Top evenly with butter cubes. Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

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This recipe was shared at:
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Midweek Fiesta at Food Corner
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain

 

Cucumber, Strawberry and Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

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For my daughter's 5th birthday party, we decided to have an Italian theme for the food. This salad recipe was a great addition to the Chicken Alfredo, Spaghetti and Garlic Monkey Bread! The sweetness of the strawberries added in was amazing! You could also add thinly sliced red onions to change the flavor. I really loved it and the bowl was empty by the end of the party! This recipe does make a large bowl, so you can always cut it in half for a smaller crowd. 

What you need:

3 English Cucumbers, peeled, halved and sliced

1 pound Campari Tomatoes, quartered

1 pound strawberries, sliced

1 c. Balsamic Vinaigrette

Pepper

In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients. Refrigerate for 1 hour prior to serving! Enjoy!!

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This recipe was featured at:
Weekend Potluck at Sunflower Supper Club

This recipe was shared at:
Cucumber Blog Hop at Katherine Martinelli
Recipe of the week at Family Fresh Meals
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Mid Week Fiesta at Food Corner
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe

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In my opinion, the only way to cook a roast is in a slow cooker. This is my first attempt at making pulled pork for sandwiches and I really like how it turned out. The can of Dr Pepper added in makes the flavor of the meat so good, even before adding the sauce mixture. I will definitely use this method for cooking a pork roast again. 

This is also a great recipe to make for a family get together or party. The 2 pound roast made alot of sandwiches so it wouldn't take much more to accommodate a larger group. If you don't want to make the sauce homemade, you can also use you favorite BBQ sauce. Enjoy!!

What you need:

2 pound pork roast

1 large onion, sliced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 can Dr Pepper

salt and pepper

olive oil

Sauce:

1 1/2 c. ketchup

2 tbsp. mustard

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce 

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp garlic powder

pepper

Directions:

Turn on the slow cooker to the high setting. Season roast with salt and pepper. Sear the roast in a olive oil coated frying pan over high heat until all sides are browned. If you aren't familiar with searing, you can find a great how-to guide here at All Recipes.

Place roast in the slow cooker with onions and garlic. Pour the can of Dr Pepper over the top. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or until the meat is tender enough to shred. Drain out the majority of the liquid and shred the pork.

Mix all ingredients for the sauce. Return the pork to the slow cooker and mix in the sauce to combine. Cook on low for another hour or until completely heated through. Serve on your favorite bun or roll! 

 Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Serve with:
Stovetop Velveeta Mac and Cheese

This recipe was shared at:
Recipe Round up at Gooseberry Patch
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Midweek Fiesta at Food Corner

Chicken, Tomato and Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe

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 This is one of those recipes that was created using random, leftover ingredients. They sometimes make the best recipes! I needed something simple to go with Pulled Pork Sandwiches, so a pasta salad seemed like the perfect fit! It's super easy to put together and you can make as much as you need and add any veggies that you like! I have so many great salad recipes that I haven't blogged yet and I can't wait to make some more and share them with you all!! I hope you like this one!

What you need:

 Sauce:

1 c. mayo

juice from 1 lemon

1 1/2 tsp. dill weed

salt and pepper to taste

 1/2 pound small shell pasta, cooked and cooled

1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1 celery stalk, sliced

1/4 c. diced onion

1 c. leftover cooked chicken

Directions:

Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients into the bowl with the sauce and gently toss. Add more mayo as needed depending on how creamy you like it! Enjoy!!

This recipe was shared at:
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Fabulous Friday at My Crowded Kitchen
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain

Book Review: Ghetto Superstar by Nikki Turner

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Description from Goodreads:

Fabiola Mays was born to sing. She has a voice like honey and a body to match, but one heartbreaking setback after another threatens to derail her dreams of a recording deal. To make matters worse, it’s Christmastime, rent is past due, and the cops intend to kick her tight-knit family to the curb–until a small-town gangster comes to the rescue and offers them a place to stay.

Years pass, and Fabiola continues to play gigs and travel around the country hoping for another shot at fame. She’s long forgotten the gangster named Casino who bailed out her family once upon a time. But when Casino is shot, Fabiola feels that she must help the man who helped her family during their lowest point.

As Fabiola climbs the ladder of success, she is pulled between the spotlight and the street, trying to resist industry moguls who find the allure of fresh meat irresistible and the thugs from the shadowy side of the ghetto who threaten to keep her close.

My Thoughts:

Fabiola is such a sweet main character and you find yourself rooting for her on her journey to stardom. I also loved Casino's character. Despite their age difference, they seem like they would be an amazing couple. Fabiola finds herself caught up in many obstacles during her early singing days. Most people would've given up, but she still trudged on with the help of her momager, Viola. 

This is a decent book overall, but coming from Nikki Turner, I expected more. It was slow moving and the book didn't really cover as much of the story as it could've. I hated the ending, it left no explanation and since it's been quite a few years since this book was released so I'm not even sure if there is even a sequel in the works. 

3.5 stars out of 5


 

Orange and Strawberry Sparkling Vodka Cocktail Recipe

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This is such a fun and super tasty drink! I would love to serve it at a summer BBQ. I'm a big fan of mixing chunks of fruit into any drink. There's just something great about nibbling on the fruit in between sips! I love the abundance of citrus available right now too! Any kind or variety of oranges would be great in this drink. Blood oranges are a personal favorite of mine. Enjoy!!

What you need:

1 pound frozen (thawed) or fresh strawberries

2 oranges, sliced

1 c. simple syrup

vodka

ginger ale or sprite

Directions:

In a bowl, combine strawberries, oranges and simple syrup. Refrigerate for a couple hours before using.

Scoop some strawberries, oranges and syrup in the bottom of a glass, Top with ice, vodka and soda. Stir!

 Garnish with an extra orange or fresh strawberry slice!

Short Spaghetti aka Goulash Recipe

This is another favorite meal from when I was a child. We called it "short spaghetti" but many of you may call it a sort of a "goulash". This is a very simple recipe and it's good to make on a weeknight. I usually have most of these ingredients in the pantry so it's a great go-to recipe for us! Hope you enjoy it was much as we do!

What you need:

4 c. elbow macaroni noodles

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. dried basil

2- 15 oz. cans tomato sauce

1- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

salt and pepper

Directions:

Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, brown ground beef, onion, garlic, basil, salt and pepper until ground beef is cooked through. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and simmer sauce until noodles are finished. Combine sauce and noodles. Season with more salt and pepper as needed. Top with parmesan cheese and serve with some buttered bread! 

Recipe Source: Mom :)

Shared at:
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Midweek Fiesta at Food Corner
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Totally Tasty Tuesdays at Mandy's Recipe Box

Blueberry Crumble Recipe

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What do you do when you have 2 containers of blueberries to be used asap?? Search my awesome recipe collection on Pinterest, of course!! This Blueberry Crumble recipe is on point. Everyone enjoyed it and it went quick! YUM! I did add more blueberries than the original recipe called for, and I think it was a perfect amount for this yummy breakfast-y dessert! We will be making this again!

What you need:

2 c. oats

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. butter, melted

3 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. flour

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 c. butter, cut into small pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl combine oats, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/4 c. flour, baking soda and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Pour in melted butter and stir to combine. Press into 9x13 baking dish.

In the same bowl toss blueberries with sugar, 1/4 c. flour and vanilla extract. Spread onto pressed crust.

Wipe out bowl and combine 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the blueberries. 

Bake for 25-35 minutes until set and browned on top. Enjoy!!

Recipe Source: Stolen Moments Cooking (slightly adapted)

This recipe was shared at:
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Totally Tasty Tuesdays at Mandy's Recipe Box
Look What I Made at A Thrifty Mom
Strut your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters' Stuff
Fabulous Friday at My Crowded Kitchen
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook

Buttered Noodles with Peas and Parmesan Recipe

 This variation of buttered noodles is my favorite. It is such a quick and easy side dish and can be paired with so many different main courses or served alone for a quick lunch.

What you need:

elbow macaroni

frozen peas

butter

shredded parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Directions:

Cook noodles according to package directions. A few minutes into cooking the noodles, add the frozen peas. Drain. Combine noodles, peas and butter heating until butter is melted. Remove from heat. Add parmesan, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

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Hamburger Vegetable Soup Recipe

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I love this soup! It's so easy to make and you can basically throw it together using any veggies from your pantry, freezer or fridge. Before you know it, you may be adding more broth because there ended up being so many veggies added in! My Mom started off making this and I always loved it. It's also become one of my daughters favorites. This is exactly how I made it this time around, but you can change the amounts to whatever you have on hand. Enjoy! 

What you need:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 c. frozen peas

1 small head of cabbage, chopped

2 medium red potatoes, diced

2 large carrots, sliced

1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

10 c. beef broth

1- 15.25 oz can corn

1- 15.8 oz can great northern beans, drained and rinsed

1 tsp basil

salt and pepper

1 c. small shell noodles

In a large soup pot, fry ground beef, onions, garlic, salt and pepper until beef is cooked through. Add the rest of the ingredients except the pasta. Cook over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes. Add the shell pasta and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until pasta is cooked through and veggies are tender. 

This recipe was shared at:
The Ultimate Soup Recipe List at Love Bakes Good Cakes
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Look What I Made at A Thrifty Mom
Sunday Night Soup at Easy Natural Food
Weekend Potluck at The Country Cook
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Midweek fiesta at Food Corner

Book Review: Daddy Long Stroke by Cairo

 Description from Goodreads:

Sexy and thuggish, Alexander Maples, aka Daddy Long Stroke, is a womanizer. Arrogant and self-indulged, he is what every woman secretly craves in the bedroom—rough, rugged, and ravenous. And he is always happy to deliver.

Alexander knows no boundaries when it comes to pleasing a woman, leaving no area untouched, not even her heart—or her wallet. But love is the last thing on his mind. Getting paid, and whetting his sexual appetite are the only things that motivate this salacious gigolo. And any woman trying to claim him finds herself on the receiving end of heartache, tears, and drama.

Written in raw, graphic language, Daddy Long Stroke is a cautionary tale of one man’s insatiable thirst for sex and his quest to bed down as many women he possibly can—no matter the costs, and no matter who gets hurt in the process.

My Thoughts:

Cairo is a one of a kind author. His books are raunchy, full of sex and the best yet, funny as hell! These books aren't for everyone as they are explicit, but they tell a great story. This is my 3rd book by Cairo, and I was not disappointed. Alex aka Alley Cat aka Daddy Long Stroke is the main character in this book. He is one of those men that I can't stand, full of arrogance and as selfish as they come. He switches women almost daily, and these desperate females give him money for spending a little time in the sack with him, knowing he's doing the same thing with all these other women. smh. You need to read this and see what happens! The drama and action doesn't quit!

You can read more about Alex and his craziness, in one of Cairo's newer books, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang.

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