Happy Boxing Day

Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers.

Today, Boxing Day is the statutory holiday. It is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth nations.

In Canada, Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the U.S. It is a time where shops have sales, often with dramatic price reductions.  Many retailers open very early and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long lines to form early in the morning, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.

Book ~ "Gooseberry Island" (2015) Steven Manchester

From Goodreads ~ They met at the worst possible moment ... or maybe it was just in time. 

David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. 

But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

David is a soldier and just about to head to Afghanistan for a year when he meets Lindsey.  They spend his last night sitting on a bench talking and getting to know each other.  They become pen pals while he is gone and fall in love, planning for their future together when he returns home.

But David has horrible experiences in Afghanistan and comes back a changed man suffering from  PSTD.  Nothing matters to David anymore as he tries to get on with his life.  Lindsey's father also suffers from PSTD because of his experience in the Gulf War and she doesn't think she can handle having someone else with it in her life.

This is the fifth book I've read by this author.  It is written in third person perspective with a focus on David and Lindsey.  It's dealing with a serious topic that I imagine many who have been in wars have to deal with.  David was lucky he had people in his life who cared about him and never gave up on him.

I found David and Lindsey's interactions a bit over the top ... too sweet and unrealistic.  I can't imagine a man saying the sugary stuff David did.  For example, in the first chapter, David is on a date who tells him he is "worse than a girl" because rather than going dancing, he would rather sit on the beach and spend the night talking about their past, their dreams and their future.  I can't imagine a guy ever saying stuff like that to someone, especially someone he isn't serious about.  With that kind of writing, the book was like a Harlequin Romance ... but then it got serious when David got to Afghanistan, which I found to be a conflict in tones.

FYI, until January 31, 2015, the author and the publisher, The Story Plant, will donate $1 to the Wounded Warrior Project for every copy of Gooseberry Island that is pre-ordered and sold. All you have to do is email them a copy of your receipt and they will make the donation. In addition, they will also donate a copy of the ebook to returning soldiers (one donation for each copy sold).   The book is available for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and IndieBound.

I received a copy of this ebook from the author at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas dinner

Since it's just the two of us, we usually have Cornish hens for a holiday meal. Each person gets their own bird, the presentation is great and it's all white meat. Tonight Gord made one each for each of us with a Grand Marnier honey glaze.

Ingredients

2 Cornish game hens
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
Salt and black pepper
Cooked Rice (I used Converted Rice but a wild rice would work great)

 

First it is best to twist the wing tips backs. Most Cornish hens come this way. Place the hens in their own individual tin trays, which makes for an easy clean-up afterwords, as you just throw the trays away after.

Stuff the cooked rice into the hens. Mix the oil, the salt and black pepper and use this to brush the Cornish hens.

 

Cover and bake the prepared Cornish hens in a 375F oven for 35 minutes.

Happy holidays!

Morgan and Crumpet

The Bristol, Toronto, ON

Gord and I are on vacation 'til January 5.  My vacation started as of 5pm yesterday and Gord's started as of 2pm today.  We went for some Christmas cheer this evening at The Bristol, which is in our 'hood (most restaurants/pubs in our 'hood were closed).

Others had the same idea.

My Christmas cheer ...

Book ~ "Paw and Order" (2014) Diane Kelly

From Goodreads ~ Police officer Megan Luz and her loyal K-9 partner, Brigit, are back on the beat - and under the gun - when the local rodeo show goes to the dogs.

After capturing the notorious Fort Worth "Tunabomber", Megan and Brigit are practically celebrities. Which is why the police chief lassoed them into doing rodeo duty - mostly as a public relations stunt for the department. Megan’s not a fan of calf roping, bull riding or goat milking contests. But when a thief appears to be working the circuit, her trusty K-9 partner starts sniffing for clues

The culprit is "Robin Hood", a young Texas golddigger who steals from the rich to give to the poor - namely, herself. With Brigit hot on the trail, Megan has to juggle her on-again off-again reputation in the FWPD with her on-again off-again relationship with sexy bomb-squader, Seth Rutledge. This time, Megan is determined to rope in her suspect and her man … before chaos and/or her trusted furry partner, is unleashed.

Because they are local celebrities for recently catching a bomber, Police Officer Megan, and her K-9 partner, Brigit, are on rodeo duty ... patrolling the grounds and taking pictures with the patrons as a public relations stunt for the police department.  When thieves start stealing purses from the ladies' washrooms and move on to seducing men at the rodeo to steal their wallets, Megan and Brigit ramp things up to catch them.

Robin Hood is the thief.  Growing up poor in a trailer park but wanting so much more, Robin feels she deserves to take from the rich and keep it herself ... just until she finds someone who will make her a trophy wife.

Sean, who works for the bomb squad, had broken up with Megan a couple months ago and now regrets it and wants her back.  Megan doesn't want her feelings hurt again and wants to take things slow.  Also influencing her decision to take things slow is the spark between her and Clint, a deputy and championship horse rider in the rodeo.

This is the ninth book I've read by this author (and the second in the series ... reading the first one in this series had introduced me to this author) and I liked it.  I liked the writing style ... it was funny and sarcastic at times.  It is written in first person perspective from Megan's point of view and third person perspective from Brigit's point of view (which is funny) and Robin's point of view.  As a head's up, there is some mild adult activity and swearing.

I liked Megan.  It was good to see her more confident than in the first book.  Rather than taking Seth back, she took the time to put her own needs and feelings first to make the right decisions.  Brigit is a hoot and deep down is still a dog who loves food and chewing on Megan's shoes.  As much as Megan tries to outsmart Brigit and keep her locked out of the closet where has her shoes, Brigit shows her determination every time and succeeds in ruining yet another shoe or boot.

Book ~ "Secret Rage" (2012) Brent Pilkey

From Goodreads ~ A predator is stalking the streets of downtown Toronto. Haunted by a tortured past, he preys upon sex workers, leaving carnage in his wake. 

Officer Jack Warren and his partner, Jenny Alton, join with the Major Crime division to hunt down this dangerous madman. But when Jenny is targeted as the next victim, the chase becomes personal for Jack. A violent confrontation reveals horrifying secrets and Jack’s own bloody link to the monster.

Jack is a cop working in 51 Division in Toronto.  It's a rough area to work in because of the drugs and the prostitutes but he loves it.

Someone is brutally beating prostitutes and Jack, Jenny (his partner) and the rest of 51 Division are trying to find out who that is.  Plus to clean up the area and send out a message, Jenny poses as a prostitute so they can arrest the johns.

In the meantime, tension at home is increasing as Karen, Jack's wife, and her parents are pressuring Jack to quit 51 Division and the police force.  The only thing welcoming for Jack at home is his newly adopted dog, Justice.

This is the third book I've read by this author (it's the third in a series) and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style ... it's written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is taking place, not just from Jack's perspective.  As a head's up, there is violence, adult activity and a lot of swearing.

The author is a cop and had spent many years in 51 Division so writes from experience.  Even though the story is fiction, it was interesting to get the insight into the life of a cop, both on the job and at home. 

Jack could take the easy way out and quit his job to make his wife and in-laws happy but he doesn't because he's good at what he does and he wants to make the city a better place.  Karen seems totally unreasonable but I can see it from her perspective.  Yes, Jack was a cop when she married him but she doesn't want to get a call that he's been killed in the line of action.  Too bad she hadn't thought of that before she married him ... or too bad she thought she could change him once they were married.  Jack met Jenny when he transferred to 51 Division last year.  There has always been a spark between them but they've never acted on it because he's married, though unhappily.  It was nice to to know the supporting characters more in this book which made them more human ... like Jack's father-in-law's experience driving through 51 Division so he could see for himself the area that Jack takes care of every day. 

I'd recommend this book and look forward to reading others by this author.  

Levetto, Toronto, ON

Gord and I noticed that Levetto opened recently in our 'hood at Dovercourt/Queen W (this is their fourth location) and we checked it out this evening for supper.

Pizzas come in three sizes ... small, medium and large ...
and you can get them to go

We had some wine ... the glasses were funky!

Book ~ "Savage Rage" (2011) Brent Pilkey

From Goodreads ~ Transferred to 53 Division - known as the “Sleepy Hollow of Toronto” - after the murder of his partner, officer Jack Warren yearns to return to 51 Division, where his former colleagues are busy pursuing a criminal mastermind. 

Randall Kayne has been committing violent, bloody crimes that are hitting close to home in 51 Division, yet he manages to stay just one step ahead of the police. 

Although Jack’s wife wants him to leave the force entirely, an old enemy soon drags him into the Kayne case against his will, forcing a confrontation with Kayne that only one of them can survive. 

Masterfully entering into the hearts and minds of the cops of 51 Division, the second book in this exciting series propels Jack Warren deeper into the dangers of underground Toronto. 

Jack is a young police officer in Toronto.  His wife didn't like him working in 51 Division so she pressured him to transfer to a less dangerous one.  He finds 53 Division extremely boring and jumps at the chance to return to 51 Division.  There's been a change there, though ... there is a new staff sergeant who is a huge pain for everyone.

Kayne is an ex-con who has been brutally beating up drug dealers to build up his reputation ... his signature is carving a "K" in his victims' foreheads.  He is convinced by a weaselly small-time thug that the ultimate would be to do the same to a cop ... and he has his eye on Jack.

Things are still tense at home between Jack and his wife, Karen.  She doesn't want him to be a cop anymore and is plotting with her mom, who is being unusually civil to Jack, to make that happen.

This is the second book I've read by this author (it's the second in a series) and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style ... it's written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is taking place (on Jack or on Jesse and Kayne).  I thought the pace moved along well.  The author is a cop and had spent many years in 51 Division so writes from experience.  Even though the story is fiction, it was interesting to get the insight into the life of a cop, both on the job and at home.  As a head's up, there is violence, adult activity and a lot of swearing.

I liked Jack.  He is driven to make the city a better place, especially if it involves protecting the rights of children and animals.  Some of his colleagues from the first book are back like his good friends, Manny, Paul and Jenny.

I'd recommend this book and look forward to reading others by this author. 

Book ~ "Lethal Rage" (2010) Brent Pilkey

From Goodreads ~ When an organized drug gang starts selling crack dyed black, Division 51 of the Toronto Police gets the brunt of the action and street cop Jack Warren and his partner face the ugly realities of crime in their city.

To gain experience, Jack, a young Toronto police officer, has recently transferred downtown to 51 Division, known for its drugs and prostitution.  A new crack (Black Crack) has been introduced by a drug dealer who is trying to take over the area.  It becomes the mission of the officers of 51 Division to find and stop him.

51 Division is a lot different than what Jack is used to but he's loving it!  His wife, Karen, and her parents, though, aren't.  Karen thinks 51 Division is too dangerous and wants Jack to transfer out of it.  Her parents have never made it a secret that they don't think Jack is good enough for their daughter.  Needless to say, this causes tension at home.

What attracted me to this book is that it's set in Toronto and makes no secret that it is.  As Jack and his fellow officers were racing around the east end of the downtown core, I knew exactly where they were.  Plus I like mysteries.

This is the first book I've read by this author (it's the first in a series) and I enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style ... it's written in third person perspective with the focus on Jack.  I thought the pace moved along well.  The author is a cop and had spent many years in 51 Division so writes from experience.  Even though the story is fiction, it was interesting to get the insight into the life of a cop, both on the job and at home.  As a head's up, there is violence, adult activity and a lot of swearing.

I liked Jack.  Despite what his in-laws may think, he is intelligent and driven.  He enjoys being a cop and making the city a better place.  It was interesting to watch him evolve to become more hardened the longer he was in 51 Division.  There are officers who are supporting characters and despite their different personalities and quirks, most were hardworking and loyal to each other.

I'd recommend this book and look forward to reading others by this author.

The Wheat Sheaf, Toronto, ON

Sister Sarah and I met Gord for supper this evening at The Wheat Sheaf (King Street W/Bathurst), which is one of Toronto's oldest pubs (it opened around 1850).

We started with a couple orders of garlic bread with cheese ... it was delicious!

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Toronto, ON

Sister Sarah and I spent the afternoon at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.

It's right next door to the CN Tower.

It was festively decorated.

There was lots to see as soon as we walked in.

St. Louis Bar and Grill, Toronto, ON (Bremner Blvd)

Sister Sarah and I had lunch today at St. Louis Bar and Grill on Bremner Blvd.  I love love love St. Louis' wings and their dipping sauce.

We got there just about noon.

Sister Sarah and I both ordered wings and fries.  She got hers mild saucy and I got mine medium dry.  They were good!

Book ~ "Duke City Hit" (2014) Max Austin

From Goodreads ~ According to Vic Walters, the secret to happiness is low overhead and few demands. Living rent-free in a modest bachelor pad behind his boss’s house, he has no debts, no entanglements and no expensive relationships. He works just a few days a month but his bank accounts keep growing.

Vic is a high-priced hitman with a legendary record of success. That is, until someone starts eliminating his marks before he can get to them ... until his manager puts him in the middle of a vicious drug-cartel feud ... and until a young man walks into his life with a big .45 and a startling revelation.

For Vic Walters, it’s time to step out of the shadows. Which means it’s killing time in Duke City,

Vic is in his fifties and he used to be a bounty hunter ... until he found he had a talent for being a hitman.  His life is very structured ... he has a rotating set of charcoal grey suits (one to wear, one in the closet and one at the dry cleaners), he eats all of his meals in restaurants because he doesn't like to cook and he has no close friends or relatives.  One day out of the blue Ryan walks into his life wanting Vic to teach him all he knows.  Vic's dilemma is to take him under his wing or get rid of him since Ryan knows so much about his occupation.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it.  I liked the writing style and thought it flowed very well.  The story was interesting and I kept wanting to read more to see what was going to happen.  It's written in third person perspective, with a focus on whoever and whatever was happening at the time.  I liked the interaction between Vic and Ryan.  As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.

I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

Amsterdam BrewHouse, Toronto, ON

This evening I met my friends, Deb and Liz, and family for supper at the Amsterdam BrewHouse.  Deb, Liz and I have been friends for almost 20 years (we used to work together).

Book ~ "Vengeance Road" (2009) Rick Mofina

From Goodreads ~ The murder of a broken-hearted woman and the chilling disappearance of her friend raise questions about their ties to a respected detective and lead to one journalist’s obsession to find the truth! 

The body of Bernice Hogan, a troubled young ex-nursing student with a tragic past, is found in a shallow grave near a forest creek. 

Jolene Peller, a single mom struggling to build a new life with her little boy, vanishes the night she tried to find Bernice. 

Hero cop, Karl Styebeck, is beloved by his community but privately police are uneasy with the answers he gives to protect the life - and the lie - he’s lived. 

The case haunts Jack Gannon, a gritty, blue-collar reporter whose sister ran away from their family years ago. Gannon risks more than his job to pursue the story behind Styebeck's dark secret, his link to the women and the mysterious big rig roaming America's loneliest highways on its descent into eternal darkness.

Jolene is a former hooker who has turned her life around and is moving to Florida to start a new life with her young son.  She tries one last time to convince her friend, Bernice, also a hooker to do the same.  But then Bernice is found dead and Jolene disappears, her bus ticket unused.

Jack Gannon is a reporter who had once had bright future.  He put his dreams on hold when his parents were killed in a car accident.  He missed his opportunity and is still a reporter for a newspaper in Buffalo.  He is investigating the murder of Bernice when he gets inside information that a hero cop named Styebeck is the killer and prints his story.  Refusing to reveal his sources or retract the story, Jack is fired.  Determined to find out what happened, Jack continues to investigate and uncovers some shocking information about Styebeck's past (which is interesting yet sordid).

This is the third book I've read by this author and I liked it.  I liked the writing style ... it was written in third person perspective with the focus bouncing around depending on what was going on.  Plus it goes back in time to give you some background (it's in italics so you know you've stepped into a different time period).  As a head's up, there are some F-bombs.

I liked Jack.  Despite being threatened with the loss of his job, he is honourable and trustworthy and doesn't give up his sources.   Jolene's mom trust hims and looks to him to find the truth when no one else would help her.  He seems to lead a lonely existence, though, because he has no friends, family, romantic interest or pets.

It is the first in the Jack Gannon series and I look forward to reading the others.

Donny & Marie Christmas in Toronto, Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

Sister Sarah and I saw Donny & Marie Christmas in Toronto this evening at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

In the holiday tradition of the “Osmond Family Christmas” television specials, the legendary Donny and Marie invite you and your family to celebrate the spirit of the season in true Osmond fashion. 

With a dash of Christmas spirit and their trademark show-stopping production numbers, Donny & Marie Christmas in Toronto features Christmas songs and cheer plus hits from their illustrious careers all mixed with their irresistible chemistry that made them international stars. 

The posters outside the theatre give you a hint of what you're in for ...

And here we are before the show ...

Sister Sarah

Me

It was an older crowd (Sister Sarah and I were among the youngest) ... the audience was about 70% women and 30% men.  It was a huge love fest for everyone ... the ladies practically drooled and swooned over Donny and the men were appreciative of Marie.  It was like everyone was back in their teens again.  Ha!

We were in row B (so ten rows back).  Both Donny and Marie have great voices and they can still dance.  They still banter at each other jokingly.  I imagine they have done this show and similar shows many many times but they seemed very relaxed and it was like they weren't rehearsed.  They were polished and professional enough to make it seem like it was all spontaneous.  There was a lot of interaction with the audience.  As they sang some songs, there were video montages on the screen behind them.

Sister Sarah loved it and said it was the best concert she'd ever been to.  I enjoyed it and had fun.