Hollywood memoirs are a dime a dozen, sad to say. I think eventually most actors and actresses either write a book or have a book written about them. To be honest most of them I have no interest in. I’m not a fan of the biography genre unless the person is someone I find really fascinating.
When I was approached to review a memoir by Linda Evans, called Recipes for Life, I was initially not interested. I really didn’t watch Dynasty, however I was a fan of The Big Valley when I was a young girl. Yes, I know. I’m showing my age but in my defense when I watched The Big Valley it was in syndication (re-runs) not when the show actually aired. 🙂
The thing that intrigued me about the book is that it’s part memoir, part cookbook. Throughout the book Linda shares recipes with the readers, from family favorites to recipes from her celebrity friends. I think that unique twist sold me on the book. I was curious to see how you could weave together a recipe book with a memoir.
The book starts off with a rather interesting recipe called Hot Dog Stew. It might sound odd but the recipe does sound really good. It’s a lot like the stew that I make but instead of beef her recipe (or rather her mother’s recipe) uses hot dogs.
There was a lot about Linda Evans I didn’t know. All I really knew about her is that she dated musician Yanni (which she talks about in the book). I didn’t know that she was married to a man name John Derek. After several years of marriage John left Linda for a much younger woman – Bo Derek.
I didn’t realize until reading the book that Linda has A LOT of famous friends. I knew she was friends with Joan Collins and John Forsythe from being on Dynasty with them. I didn’t know that she was friends with people like John Wayne (I was totally into him when I was a kid – we share the same birthday), Rock Hudson and even Aaron Spelling.
From a biography standpoint the book was OK. Iwasn’t blown away by it. Aside from her husband leaving her for Bo Derek there really wasn’t much scandal or drama in the book. It was an easy read. Linda seems to have had a fairly decent life aside from a few bumps in the road.
The recipes in the book grabbed my attention the most. They range from really easy (like the Hot Dog Stew) to recipes that I doubt I would ever attempt to make like Crab and Lobster Cakes with Mustard Beurre Blanc. If the book was filled with fancy recipes like that then I wouldn’t have even bothered to read it. Thankfully she also includes recipes that the average cook, like myself, can do like macaroni and cheese and blueberry muffins. Some of the recipes featured in the book are from her celebrity friends. John Forsythe’s wife’s Sesame Chicken recipe looks really good too.
Overall it was a good book. I would recommend it if you are looking for a simple, easy, non-drama read. If you like to cook and enjoy recipe books then you’ll like this book even more. The recipes all sound delicious.
Linda Evans: Recipes for Life is now available where ever books are sold.
Linda Evan’s has an official website too, www.LindaEvansOfficial.com.
In honor of the book’s release I have a giveaway. THREE people will each win (one) copy of the book, Linda Evans: Recipes for Life.
To enter simply comment on why you would like to win a copy of this book.
For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional.
– Subscribe to She Scribes and/or Connect with Google Friend Connect. Both options are found on the right side bar.
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This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on October 26, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winners will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box). Failure to do so will result in a new winner will be chosen in their place.
Other giveaways can be found on the right side bar under “Win It”.
Kimberly
*I received a free copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
**Photos from the Linda Evans official blog, http://www.LindaEvansOfficial.com/Blog.php
denise smith says
I have been a fan of linda evans since she first starred in the big valley way back in the 70’s, so I would be very excited to win this book.
Shannon says
Looks like a good book.
Simone says
I will read almost anything written by a celebrity.
valerie mabrey says
I use to love her on dynasty and would love to read this.
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debbie says
I think the recipes sound good in it.
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I am a email subscriber.
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debbie jackson says
for the recipes
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Sandy M says
I would like to win because I have been a big fan of hers since her Dallas days.
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Rita M says
Great stories & great food… great combo!
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Beth C says
I’ve always admired her and think she is a beautiful person. I’d love to read the book.
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Linda Kish says
I always like to read cookbooks to find new recipes I might like to make.
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GrandmaAllen says
I would like to win this book just so that I could read it and pass it on to someone else. I love to read
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Patricia E. says
I would give this book to my Mom for a Christmas present since I have been unemployed for six months and I won’t have any Christmas shopping money this year.
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I am already an email and Facebook follower of She Scribes.
sandy w says
i would like to win a copy because i would like to see the pictures. i loved the big valley.
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angie says
sounds like a great read
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Miranda Ward says
This looks like a very well written book!!
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angie says
I love Dynasty. Linda Evans was great on it. Looks like a good read.
Karen says
Was just listening to Linda Evans on a radio station here in NH, She’s a wonderful Lady, never says a bad word about anyone..Loved her in Dynasty and of course Big Vally.She still remains a beautiful woman. I would like to read her book, sounds like a very good read, and recipes which I love to cook..I would love to own the book.
deb c says
I’d like to win because I’m always curious about other people’s lives. I remember Linda Evans in Dynasty and then she just sort of dropped off the face of the earth. The only other time I heard about her was when she dated Yani and I’d like to hear what she’s been doing.
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Anne Loyd says
I would love to win a copy because your review made me curious to learn more about Linda Evans.
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Susan C says
I would like to win this for my mom because she is a big fan of Linda Evans.
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I follow you on GFC as sweetsue.
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Diane F says
I always liked Linda Evans. I would enjoy reading the book and seeing the recipes.
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Daniel M says
love trying out new recipes!
Nancye Davis says
I would like to win this book to learn more about Linda Evans.
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Gianna says
I love to cook and trying new recipes.
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chris says
I’d like to win because I’m a fan
Jason Nickolay says
My mom is a big Linda Evans fan and would love this book. Thanks for the chance
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♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♡♥♬ says
I would like to win because I like the mix of personal stories and recipes – and I enjoyed watching Linda on Dynasty
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
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♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♡♥♬ says
I am an email subscriber
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Mary Ward says
I love celebrity memoirs! I was raised on reading the old Silver Screen magazines with my mom.
Mary Ward says
I follow on GFC. (mamie316)
Erin Cook says
She sounds like an interesting person and I would love to read about her life
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kathy pease says
id love to win because i love trying new dishes for family dinners 🙂
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Becca C. says
I am a huge fan of recipe books, so I would love to have a copy of this.
Vicki D. says
I like the fact that it’s part memoir and part cookbook.
susan smoaks says
i would love to win a copy of this book because it sounds like a perfect gift for my sister!
Kat Emerick says
I have always like Linda Evans and this would be a nice book to sit down and read.
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Cheryl Johnson says
i have enjoyed linda since she started out on the elvis movie. can’t wait to read her book.
Cheryl Johnson says
Sorry, I put the wrong movie, she was in the first movie that kicked off the beach movies, I think it was called beach blanket bingo.
Sand says
I would like to win because I like Linda Evans.
Sand says
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James Coyne says
The recipes in the book sound interesting
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i follow via GFC
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Kristen Hoetzel says
What kind of shit is Cookingwithmickey.info? cookingwithmickey@gmail.com