Posted in Cover Reveals

A Little Tiny Favor #CoverReveal

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Tiny Little Favor
Peyton Banks
Publication date: April 17th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

From USA Today bestselling author, Peyton Banks, comes a steamy rom com about second chances, accidental families, and the most unexpected proposal of all.

He was supposed to be a one-night stand… Now she’s asking him for baby number two.

Five years ago, Tachina Winston made one impulsive decision—a one-night stand with her former client, Vic Maxwell. The result? The world’s cutest little boy and an unconventional but surprisingly seamless co-parenting setup. No drama, no strings, no regrets.

But Tachina has a tiny little problem…

She wants another baby.

Dating apps? Disasters. Blind dates? Even worse. There’s only one man she trusts enough to do this with again: Vic.

Vic isn’t looking for love after a messy breakup. But when Tachina proposes her plan, he can’t deny it—he’s tempted.

And if he agrees, it will come with one condition: he wants to experience everything he missed before.

Easy, right?

Wrong.

Because soon, things get complicated. They’re having adult spend-the-night dates, sharing kisses that last too long, and stirring up feelings neither of them expected.

Then Vic’s ex returns wanting him back, they are forced to decide: was this just a favor with benefits… or the beginning of something real?

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order


Author Bio:

USA Today best selling author, Peyton Banks, is the alter ego of a city girl who is a romantic at heart. Her mornings consist of coffee and daydreaming up the next steamy romance book ideas. She loves spinning romantic tales of hot alpha males and the women they love. She currently resides with her husband and children in Cleveland, Ohio.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


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Posted in From My Kitchen

Easy Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’ve got a house full of people to feed for brunch, you might not know what to make. Try this idea. Keep this cinnamon roll French toast casserole recipe in your back pocket. Regular homemade cinnamon rolls are always a crowd-pleasing (yet labor-intensive) option. Meanwhile, store-bought cinnamon rolls don’t always feel quite special enough for company. This French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls is just right. It’s made with oh-so-convenient canned cinnamon rolls. They are baked in an eggy cinnamon custard. Then, they are topped with a sweet brown sugar streusel.

This make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe looks just as impressive as it is easy to make. The delectable crumb topping gives it an artisanal bakery appearance that’s absolutely irresistible once it’s dripping in ooey-gooey vanilla icing. No one will ever guess you had help from the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Taste of Home

Posted in #History

Ghosts of the Yadkin Valley (Haunted America)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Ghostly footsteps, mysteriously locked doors, and apparitions from centuries past. The rolling hills and hollers of the Yadkin Valley have been home to many historic events, from Stoneman�s raid to the hanging of Tom Dooley. These events have left their imprint on the county�s architecture and landscape, and some of them have evenleft a ghostly legacy. Ghosts of the Yadkin Valley is a collection of spine-tingling tales, including ghost stories from many of the area�s National Historic Register sites. Join local storyteller R.G. Absher as he relates the history behind the haunts.

Posted in From My Kitchen

Ultimate Ragu Sauce Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This rich, slow-simmered ragu sauce contains hearty meat. It includes tangy tomatoes. Aromatic herbs make it deeply flavorful. This sauce elevates any plate of pasta.

This homemade ragu sauce is rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying. It is the ultimate comfort food for anyone craving a meal that tastes both indulgent and homey. The sauce is slow-simmered and layered with ground beef, pork, and smoky bacon. It is infused with aromatics like garlic and thyme. A splash of cream finishes it for a velvety texture. It clings to pasta in the most irresistible way, making every bite a perfect balance of savory, sweet and umami. Serve it up for a cozy night in. You can also prepare it for a special family meal. This ragu recipe is sure to be the star of the table.

Ragu Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients To Make Ragu Sauce
Sonia Bozzo for Taste of Home
  • Ground beef: The beef adds a rich, meaty flavor to the sauce and provides a hearty texture.
  • Ground pork: This ingredient contributes additional fat and flavor, which helps create a tender and flavorful sauce.
  • Bacon: The bacon adds a smoky, salty depth that enhances the overall savory taste.
  • Onions: Chopped onions release sweetness and add depth as they caramelize during cooking.
  • Celery: This vegetable adds a subtle earthiness and helps balance the richness of the meats.
  • Carrots: Carrots bring natural sweetness to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Garlic: The minced garlic infuses the sauce with bold, aromatic flavors.
  • Dry red wine or beef broth: The liquid deglazes the pan, lifting flavorful bits from the bottom and adding depth to the sauce.
  • Crushed tomatoes: These provide the base of the sauce, offering body and a fresh tomato flavor.
  • Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce smooths the texture and adds a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
  • Tomato paste: The paste intensifies the tomato flavor while helping to thicken the sauce.
  • Bay leaves: These impart a subtle herbal aroma as the sauce simmers.
  • Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce more well-rounded.
  • Salt: Salt brings out the flavors of all the ingredients, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Dried thyme: This herb adds an earthy, slightly minty note to complement the meat.
  • Dried oregano: The oregano provides a classic Italian herb flavor with hints of peppery bitterness.
  • Ground cumin: Cumin brings a warm, earthy undertone to the sauce, providing depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
  • Nutmeg: Nutmeg contributes a subtle sweetness and warmth, enhancing the richness of the meat.
  • Pepper: This spice adds warmth, complexity and a touch of heat to the sauce.
  • Heavy whipping cream: The cream gives the sauce a luxurious, velvety texture with a hint of sweetness.
  • Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and smoothness to create a luscious final texture.
  • Fresh parsley: Parsley brings a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the sauce.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds umami, along with a salty, nutty flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
  • Cooked pasta: The pasta serves as the ideal base, absorbing the rich, flavorful sauce. Use your favorite brand of dried pasta, or make fresh pasta.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Conversations with Rabbi Small

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

As he counsels a woman considering conversion to Judaism, Rabbi Small takes a break from murder mysteries to discuss the mysteries of his religion.
In Conversations with Rabbi Small, the rabbi finds himself taking a well-deserved vacation at a Jewish retreat in the mountains, where he reads, plays cards, and furthers his studies, which have been languishing for too long. When the rabbi’s wife is called back to the city to deal with an illness in the family, the rabbi meets a curious young woman in the midst of a life-changing moment.
 
Joan is a gentile who is about to marry a Jewish man, and she is desperate for answers as she determines whether or not to convert to her betrothed’s religion. In Rabbi Small, she finds an ideal teacher. In a series of impassioned conversations, the rabbi guides her through the ancient mysteries and wonders of Judaism, giving guidance to both her and her husband-to-be. With humor and compassion, the rabbi shares the history, beliefs, and traditions that have linked Jewish people across the world for millennia.