Book ~ "1st to Die" (2000) James Patterson

From Goodreads ~ The Women's Murder Club pits four San Francisco women professionals against a serial killer who's stalking and murdering newlyweds. 

Lindsay Boxer is a homicide inspector who's just gotten some very bad news. She deals with it by immersing herself in her newest case and soliciting the personal as well as professional support of her closest friend, who happens to be the city's medical examiner. The two women, along with an ambitious and sympathetic reporter and an assistant DA, form an unlikely alliance, pooling their information and bypassing the chain of command.

Lindsay is a homicide detective who has a lot going on.  There is a serial killer murdering newly married couples.  Because of the high profile of the case, she is assigned a new partner who she begrudgingly has to work with.  On top of all that, she discovers that she has a life threatening disease.

Lindsay thinks it would be a good idea to form an informal group to get difference perspectives to try and solve the murders.  The Women's Murder Club is formed with Lindsay; her good friend, Claire who is a medical examiner; Cindy, a reporter; and Jill, an assistant DA. Just when Lindsay thinks the case has been solved, she comes across new evidence that might prove otherwise.

This is the first in the Women's Murder Club series.  I'd read the 13th one in March and liked it so thought I'd go back and start at the beginning.  Though it is part of a series, it does work as a stand alone, especially since it's the first in the series.

I enjoyed the writing style and it went at a good pace. I liked the short choppy chapters. The point of view shifted ... it was first person perspective when the focus was on Lindsay and third person perspective when the focus was on everyone else ... but it was easy to figure out.  As a head's up, there is swearing, violence and adult activity.

As I was reading it, though, I got the sense that it was written by a woman ... so I don't know if Patterson had a female ghostwriter and took the credit for it or if he did indeed write it himself.

I liked the different twists in the story but thought the last one was kind of silly.  There was the death of one of the characters that I didn't think was necessary.

I liked this one and will continue to get caught up in the series.

Winston's English Pub & Grill, Saskatoon, SK

I was in the mood for a pub so had supper tonight at Winston's.

It's a big place with lots of space.

Red Lobster, Regina, SK

I had lunch today at Red Lobster.  I was driving from Regina to Saskatoon and it was on the way before I left Regina.

Brooke, my server, brought me some yummy warm cheese biscuits to start.

I'm not a fan of seafood and ordered Cajun Chicken Linguini Alfredo.  I had gotten it last month at a Red Lobster in Edmonton and liked it.  I knew it came with parmigiana cheese, which I don't like, so I asked that none be put on it.  After a while, Brooke let me know that the kitchen had screwed up and put the cheese on it ... what did I want to do?  They could make me another one if I wanted.  I asked her to just have them pick off the cheese.  It took a while to come out and was hot so I think they might have made me a new one.  It was good, though a bit salty.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre, Regina, SK

I have a couple seminars to conduct in Regina this morning.  I flew in last evening and spent the night at the DoubleTree, which is in downtown Regina.  I stayed here before and liked it.

Here was the reception area and lobby ...

They give you a warm cookie when you check in ... yum!

Here was my room ...

Victoria's Tavern, Regina, SK

I had supper tonight at Victoria's Tavern.

It was jammed and had a fun vibe!

Book ~ "Fixed in Blood" (2015) T.E. Woods

From Goodreads ~ Seattle Chief of Detectives Mort Grant is still reeling from losing his daughter - again. When Allie first walked back into his life, breaking years of silence, he could hardly believe his luck. And after hearing her story, Mort tried to do everything in his power to keep her safe. The only person he trusted with Allie’s life was The Fixer. But, for the first time, The Fixer let him down. 

Now Mort has been called in on a gruesome murder case: a beautiful young woman found in a ravine, her body riddled with stab wounds. Within twenty-four hours, the police uncover a snuff film depicting her murder, the killer’s face always just out of shot. When a second body and video are discovered, Mort knows this is no ordinary case. 

From a chain of sleazy payday loan shops to the dark underworld of the sex-slave trade, Mort’s chasing a twisted menace to hell and back. But he’s not the only one. Once again, The Fixer is on the hunt - and she’s desperate to make things right.

A young woman is found murdered and Chief of Detectives Mort Grant is on the case.  They then discover a snuff film showing her murder online.  Then it happens to another young woman.  The link between them is they owe money to the same payday loan shop so that's where Mort focuses.

Lydia has a busy caseload and when one of her patients goes missing, she and Mort discover that she too owes money to the same payday loan shop.  Working together, they try to solve the murder of the two women and find Lydia's patient before she becomes the third victim.

In the meantime, Mort is worried about his daughter, Allie, who has disappeared again and is rumoured to be living with a Russian drug lord in London.

This is the fourth book I've read by this author and the fourth in the Mort Grant series (I've read all four) ... I enjoyed it.  Though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone as there is enough information provided. It's written in third person perspective and I liked the writing style. As a head's up, there is swearing, violence and adult activity.

Mort and Lydia are likeable.  Mort insists on running the investigation legally and according to the books whereas Lydia, as "The Fixer, a former assassin, would rather do things her way.

I look forward to reading more in the this series.

Session Toronto Craft Beer Festival 2015, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to the sixth annual Session Toronto Craft Beer Festival this evening (from 5pm to 9pm) ... we've been to all six.  It was held downtown at Yonge Dundas Square.

A regular ticket was $40 (plus tax) which included a glass and five tasting tokens. Tasting tokens were $1 and one token got you a 3 ounce sample.  Like last year, we'd bought Princess Passes ($100 + tax).

* 1 festival glass * Separate entrance to event with NO lineups * Private bathrooms * 30 tasting tokens * Access to Princess area which features catered buffet, unique beer and private music/entertainment

The princess lounge

You couldn't get into the princess lounge
unless you had wrist band

This security guard made sure!

The sampling glass and 30 tokens

Frankie's Bar & Cafe, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had brunch at Frankie's Bar & Cafe (Ossington/Queen W) this morning, which is in our 'hood, before heading to the grocery store.

It was a busy spot!

Book ~ "Miss Montreal" (2013) Howard Shrier

From Goodreads ~ After what happened in Boston, P.I. Jonah Geller can't show his face in the U.S. again. Which is fine with him. He's got a new case in Montreal, one of the world's most colourful and downright scandalous cities. An old friend has been brutally murdered there, and the police investigation is stalled. 

With an election looming and tensions seething, Jonah and former hit man Dante Ryan have to battle religious fanatics, gun runners and a twisted political dynasty to get to the truth.

Jonah Geller is a PI in Toronto.  He is hired by a wealthy old man who is dying to find out who murdered his grandson, Sammy, who was living in Montreal.  Sammy was found viciously beaten to death. Jonah and his friend, Dante Ryan, who is a former hitman, drive to Montreal to find out what happened.

Sammy was well-liked and respected and was a magazine columnist.  He was working on two stories ... one involved an immigrant family from Afghanistan and their new lives in Canada and the other involved a right wing anti-immigrant politician who is running for office.  Did being involved in one of these stories cause Sammy's death or was it a hate crime as it appears to be?

This is the fourth in the Jonah Geller series (and the fourth I've read by this author) and I liked it. I liked the writing style.  It's written in first person perspective from Jonah's point of view.  Because it is his voice, we get to read his thoughts and feelings ... at times Jonah is sarcastic which I appreciated.  As a head's up, there is violence and swearing.

I liked the main characters.  Jonah seems like a nice guy who is loyal to his friends and clients.  I like having Ryan as Jonah's sidekick ... I found him amusing.  He is a tough guy (almost every sentence has the F-word) with his own sense of justice and will do whatever it takes to right what he thinks is a wrong.  And there's no doubting the strong bond between Jonah and his best friend, Jenn.

Having it set in Montreal was fun.  I go to Montreal a couple times a year and I knew where some of the places Jonah went to.  Jonah speaks a bit of French and was forced to do so at times ... I was able to figure out what he was saying most of the time with my high school French.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Trius wine club - June 2015

I picked up our June 2015 Trius wine club box today at the post office ... they tried to deliver it yesterday but we weren't home.

Gord and I have been members of the Trius Wine Club for over ten years.

Every month, 2 bottles of our best wine will be delivered to your door along with Winemaker Craig McDonald’s tasting notes and Chef Frank Dodd’s recipes.

The cost is $46 a month and it's only available in Ontario.

They have a fresh new look!

All the info is now in one fold-out

Here's what we got ...

• Trius Riesling (2013) - $13.95 value - Gord and I love rieslings - the recipe included it's paired with is Salmon Fish Cakes with Lime Dressing and Capers
• Trius Cabernet Franc (2013) - $14.95 - the recipe included it's paired with is Dark Chocolate Fondant (pudding)

Ipsy Glam Bag - June 2015

I received my June Ipsy Glam Bag today ... the theme is Swim into Summer.

• 4 to 5 beauty products in a collectible makeup bag 
• Monthly videos showing you how to get the Look 
• Win free products in contests and giveaways

Subscriptions are $10US a month or $110US for a year.  Shipping is free in the U.S. and $4.95US per month to Canada.  It works out to $212.85CN for the year ($17.74CN a month).

Here's what was in it:

• Make-up bag
• IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil (Universal Taupe) - $24 value
• Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer - 0.25oz - $9 value
• LAVANILA LABORATORIES The Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla - .0.85oz - $2.41 value
• J. Cat Beauty Liptitude Hydrating Lip Stain (Hikilicious) - 0.42oz - $4.99 value
• trèStiQue Mini Shadow Crayon (Kona Coffee) - $10.66 value - I love this!

Total value: $51.06US (excluding the bag)

Looks like fun!

Luxe Box - Summer 2015

I picked up my summer Luxe Box from the post office today ... they had tried to deliver it on Monday but I wasn't home.

Sign up to receive 7 to 8 trial sized beauty and lifestyle discoveries every season.

The cost is about $27 a box.

Here's what is in the box ...

Xtinct

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Toronto, ON

Gord, Trish and I were going to see a movie this evening ... alas, it sold out before we got our tickets.

Beforehand, we met at Chipotle Mexican Grill (Yonge/Dundas) for supper.

Trish and Gord both ordered burrito bowls (a burrito without the wrap).

Trish's was vegan