Review of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - Read & Cook With Joy Newsletter

Here’s what I just finished:

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Lucca Marino, daughter of a dying mother, living in a trailer park, still in high school, learns to steal for a living.  She is good, and when she is approached by an anonymous stranger to get into the game full-time, she doesn’t hesitate.  As she moves from one theft to the next, the stakes rise.  By the end of the novel, she must choose between her new life with her amazing new boyfriend, or continuing the life of danger and excitement.  This is a well-written book that will keep you guessing to the last page.  I loved it, and I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.  This book is newly published (Jan 2024). 

Click here to read the review of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Here's what I’m reading next:

The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell is brand-new fiction (2024).  The book jacket is intriguing.  The story is about women who live on an island in a swamp near Whiteheart, Michigan.  They are herbalists, healers, and women who are stronger than most men.  Rose Thorn is growing up among them, and the mysteries of the swamp are ingrained in her.  The book is hailed as magical, mystical, and lyrical.  It’s a little different from what I often choose, and I can’t wait to dig in!

Here’s what I’m cooking: 

Because First Lie Wins is set in the South, I am cooking Nashville hot chicken.  I first had this at the restaurant chain Burntwood Tavern, in Naples, Florida, and wow, it was so good!  Warning:  it does favor those who like spice, but when making it at home, you can adjust the heat to your liking.  This recipe serves ten, but you can adjust it according to your needs.