Book Review: Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Title: Off Season (Dairy Queen, #2)
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Audio)
Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: To Be Continued…Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, Audio Book Challenge 2010, 2nd Chance Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge

Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 288
Published: 2007 Random House


Back Cover: Life is looking up for D. J. Schwenk. She’s made it to eleventh grade, finally. After a rocky summer, she’s reconnecting with her best friend, Amber. She’s got kind of a thing going with Brian Nelson. Plus there’s the fact that she’s playing for the Red Bend High School football team as probably the first girl linebacker in northern Wisconsin.

But then the season, which began so well, starts to go suddenly, horribly wrong. As autumn progresses, D. J. Struggles to understand what’s happening with football, Brian, Amber, and most of all her family. And as her life turns completely upside down, she discovers she’s a lot stronger than she – or anyone – ever thought.

Mine: This is the second in a series and I definitely have to back and read the first part. This is a coming of age story where D.J. becomes the most adult of everyone. Her parents are struggling with finances, her older brother gets injured in a football game and her younger brother (the brains of the family) wins a science contest, but can’t tell anyone about it.

D.J. can’t figure out her relationship with Brian the star quarterback from her schools rival team. Does he like her or not? He takes her on a trip to pick up some truck parts in Minneapolis and they have a great make out session, but when they return to town – he sees her in the local hang out and ignores her and leaves.

Her brother Will suffers a football injury that should bring the family together, but for a time breaks them apart. D.J. becomes an adult in no time and must help her mom – who hurts her back, her brother Will with his injury her younger brother who takes the truck to the science fair and he’s only 13. Everything that can go wrong, does and there is D.J. to pick up the pieces.

Looking forward to the next part of the story.

Mailbox Monday

I just recently sent out several letters to small publishers to see if they might be interested in helping improve my blog with Author Interviews, Guest Blogs or book reviews. The response has been very positive and I have received several books.

I better get reading and now......

The French Blue by Richard Wise
Angels Don't Die by Dallas Relaford
Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement by Cary Friedman
Wisdom from the Batcave by Cory Friedman
IT'S A DISASTER! ...and what are YOU gonna do about it? by Bill Liebsch/Janet Liebsch
Mara's Flowery Arrows by Siam's Unnamed
Havana Harvest by Robert Landori
Living With Evolution or Dying Without It by K.D. Koratsky

What Am I Reading Monday ? #7

Books I completed this week are:
Been a slow week, but reading a lot.




Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Off Season (Dairy Queen, #2) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Audio)
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
Indiana Caper by Dallas Relaford


Reviews posted this week:
Go to post some…..



Author Guest Posts/Interviews this week:
Always looking for some


Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber (Audio)
Hero At Large by Janet Evanovich
Jamboree Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd(Audio)
The Year Mom Won the Pennant by Matt Christopher (my nephew likes me to read his books sometimes and then we discuss)
Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don’t) by Barbara Bottner
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (audio)
Remembering When I was Young by Carole Carson
Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins (Audio)
A Boy, A Dog, A Frog and a Friend by Mercer & Marianna Mayer
One Frog Too Many by Mercer & Marianna Mayer


Giveaways on the blog this week:
A Long Night in the Ago by (6/25/10) - Winner = Throuthehaze

Wild Flame by (7/2/10)

Book Blogger Hop 6/25/20

The Book Blog Hop is back for another week! Hosted by Crazy-For-Books the Hop is a great way to network your own blog and discover awesome, amazing new ones!


Please check out the Hop here

Thanks for stoping by - hope to see you again.

Freebie Friday (ends 7/2/10)

New Love
She had been born and reared a gentle English lass. Yet once seventeen-year old Milly set foot on the vast Australian farm, she had the Outback in her blood. Young and innocent, she dreamed of love's sweet awakening. But she couldn't tame the raw desire that ignited in her heart whe she met dangerously hansome Matthew Aylesbury. He was the one man forbidden to her - and the one man whose demanding carresses and searching kisses she could not resist......

New World
All Matthew's medical training had not prepared him for exotic Australia. A young adventurer, he revelled in the fredom of the uncharted country and refused to be bound by any woman. Then he found Milly whose rare beauty tantalized him even as her golden eyes blazed a challenge. He vowed to have her, but only wen the heat of his passion had melted her pride into willing submission. He'd tease her, taunt her, make hercry out in rapture as searinb as a Wild Flame.




Here is this week's Friday freebie

If you are interested please (this is an US/Canada giveaway this week):

1) become a follower or let me know you already are (1 Entry)
2) post on your blog (send link) (1 entry)
3) follow me on twitter (1 entry)
4) post on twitter (send link) (1 entry)
5) please leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

Follow Me Back Tuesday

How it Works
Follow the 4 Hostesses #'s 1 -4 ( leave us a comment so we can follow u back )
Add your blog to the list ( only have to add once )
Grab our button to add to your blog post
Start to follow as many blogs as you would like ( Leave a comment so they can follow you back )
And when you receive a comment from a new follower return the favor & follow them back


( Check back every Tuesday at 12:00 am est to link up at any of the 4 host blogs )

Book Review: The Essential Cooking Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris

Title: The Essential Cooking Planning Kit
Author: Godfrey Harris
Genre: Reference

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010,


Rating: 3/5
No. of Pages: 60
Published: First Edition: August 2003 (The Americas Group – www.americasgroup.com)


Synopsis: A step-by-step system to help anyone organize and manage a cooking event of any size or complexity – by providing reproducible forms and easy-to-follow instructions on how to account for every activity, visualize every moment, and plan for every detail so that a function occurs on time, without stress, and within budget. This books does not say anything about how to cook or what to cook but how to plan the cooking event

Mine
“A book about culinary planning, such as this, has only one purpose: To help individuals get ready to make and serve one or more of the fascinating recipes produced in these other media”

One of the best things is the forms that are found in the book that can be copied for personal use:
* Culinary Activities – the components of the meal
* Culinary Needs – what needed from the kitchen, store or other places
* Culinary Calendars – either monthly or annual (when to do the shopping, what can be made ahead)
* Culinary Budget – how much is it going to cost
* Menu Items – plan – to cook, fresh, frozen?
* Kitchen Allocations – what’s needs – oven, stove, microwave
* Counter Layout – use the space effiecently
* Table Arrangements – who is sitting where?
* Timing Arrangements – when what is served
* Contingency Considerations – what if it rains and the event is outdoors - better to think of these things early on
* Goal Statement – what is suppose be the purpose of the cooking event?

Not being a cook – I often depend on others to bring things. This is a great way to plan a event (BBQ) and make sure that all the items are there. Whose bringing what for the event.

Mailbox Monday #18

I just recently sent out several letters to small publishers to see if they might be interested in helping improve my blog with Author Interviews, Guest Blogs or book reviews. The response has been very positive and I have received several books.

I better get reading and now......

What Are You Reading Monday? #6

Books I completed this week are:
Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins (Audio)
A Boy, A Dog, A Frog and a Friend by Mercer & Marianna Mayer
One Frog Too Many by Mercer & Marianna Mayer


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Reviews posted this week:
NONE - I’VE GOT TO GETTING WRITING



Author Guest Posts/Interviews this week:
Always looking for some


Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber (Audio)
Hero At Large by Janet Evanovich
Jamboree Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd(Audio)
The Year Mom Won the Pennant by Matt Christopher (my nephew likes me to read his books sometimes and then we discuss)
Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don’t) by Barbara Bottner
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (audio)
Remembering When I was Young by Carole Carson
Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins (Audio)
A Boy, A Dog, A Frog and a Friend by Mercer & Marianna Mayer
One Frog Too Many by Mercer & Marianna Mayer


Giveaways on the blog this week:
A Long Night in the Ago by (6/25/10)

Friday Follows

Freebie Friday (ends 6/25/10)

He Vowed She Would Marry Him...
Years ago, Honoria Pyne was forced to make a devil's bargain with a mysterious rogue. Now one of the ton's greatest heiresses, her world is shattered when the devil comes to claim his prize. Though she longs to scorn James Marbury, her body remembers too well his searing touch, and the seductive whisper of his voice spurs memories of one passion-filled night—when captor became willing captive, and prisoner became glorious accomplice...when he was all she desired.

Once he'd owned Honoria body and soul, but his need for her was so great that he abandoned a lifetime of dreams for the chance to share with her the delights of desire. Now, restored to his rightful place as heir to an English title, James has returned to London to make amends and to marry his untouchable beauty—whether she wants him or not. Only Honoria is no longer his prisoner...and she had sworn to hate him forever.

But some promises are made to be broken.

Author Biography: Susan Sizemore's life and interests include such varied activities as medieval costuming and embroidery, being a chef, and working in the defense industry. She is owned by her spoiled rotten, beloved mutt dog, rather than the other way around, and this is just fine with her. Current hobbies include hiking and studying t'ai chi. She travels whenever she can, loves history, loud music, movies, good coffee, and writes constantly. She hopes readers enjoy her stories as much as she enjoys writing them. She has won the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award and has been nominated for two Romantic Times awards.



Here is this week's Friday freebie

If you are interested please (this is an US/Canada giveaway this week):

1) become a follower or let me know you already are (1 Entry)
2) post on your blog (send link) (1 entry)
3) follow me on twitter (1 entry)
4) post on twitter (send link) (1 entry)
5) please leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

Book Review Wednesday

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday sponsored Cym Lowell

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have written to the below MckLinky (Mcklinky will not be available until 9pm EST).

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog).
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a link back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 25. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller

4. Become a follower of my blog, pretty please.
5. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
6. I will announce the winner Friday. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list (& now check out book covers).

What Are You Reading Monday? #5

Books I completed this week are:
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (audio)
*The Essential Event Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris
*The Haunted Hotel by Ron Roy
*The Invisible Island by Ron Roy
*The Jaguar’s Jewel by Ron Roy
*Jump by Scott M. Fischer


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Reviews posted this week:

The Essential Event Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris


The Haunted Hotel href by Ron Roy


The Invisible Island by Ron Roy


The Jaguar’s Jewel by Ron Roy


Jump ! by Scott M. Fischer




Author Guest Posts/Interviews this week:
Always looking for some


Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber (Audio)
Hero At Large by Janet Evanovich
Jamboree Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd(Audio)
The Year Mom Won the Pennant by Matt Christopher (my nephew likes me to read his books sometimes and then we discuss)
Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don’t) by Barbara Bottner
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (audio)


Giveaways on the blog this week:
The Reasons For Marriage by Stephanie Laurens (6/18/10)

Mailbox Monday

I just recently sent out several letters to small publishers to see if they might be interested in helping improve my blog with Author Interviews, Guest Blogs or book reviews. The response has been very positive and I have received several books.

For Review from The Americas Group




Courting Failure by Godfrey Harris and Kennith Harris
The Essential Event Plannign Kit by Godfrey Harris
100 Years of Nobel Prizes by Baruch A. Shalev
Leonardo da Vinci's Musical Gifts and Jewish Connections by Giovanni Maria Pala with Loredana Mazzarella
The Essential Moving Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris
The Legacy of Leonardo da Vinci by Godfrey Harris
The Essential Cooking Planning Kit by Godfrey Harris

For Baskerville Enterprises



From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction by Carole Carson
Remembering When I Was Young Gift Set by Carole Carson, Peggy Kenfield (Illustrator)


From Aviary Publishers



My Dog Bites the English Teacher: Practical Grammar Made Quick and Easy by Marian Anders

I also got a couple of books from book blog giveaways.....



Don't Call Me Ma'am by Anna Mitchael from Dollycas's Thoughts



Just Let Me Lie Down By Kristin van Ogtrop from Booking with Bingo


May all your mailboxes be full