Day: August 24, 2012

  • The Toadhouse Trilogy Book one by Jess Lourey {Book Review}

    The Toadhouse Trilogy Book one by Jess Lourey {Book Review}


     
    The Toadhouse Trilogy
    Book one
    by Jess Lourey
     
    About the Book:  Aine (pronounced “Aw-nee”) believes herself to be a regular teenager in 1930s
    Alabama, but when a blue-eyed monster named Biblos attacks, she discovers that
    the reclusive woman raising her isn’t really her grandmother and that she’s been
    living inside a book for the past five years. With her blind brother, Spenser,
    she flees the pages of the novel she’s called home, one terrifying step ahead of
    Biblos’ black magic. Her only chance at survival lies in beating him to the
    three objects that he desires more than life.

    As she undertakes her
    strange and dangerous odyssey, Aine must choose between a family she doesn’t
    remember and her growing attraction to a mysterious young man named Gilgamesh.
    Only through treacherous adventures into The Time Machine, Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
    Hyde, A Tale of Two Cities, and the epic Indian saga The Ramayana will she learn
    her true heritage and restore the balance of the worlds… if she can stay
    alive.

     
    About the Author:  Jess Lourey is the author of The Toadhouse Trilogy: Book One, the first in a
    young adult series that celebrates the danger and excitement of reading. She
    also writes the critically-acclaimed Murder-by-Month Mysteries for adults with a
    sense of humor. She’s been teaching writing and sociology at the college level
    since 1998. When not gardening, writing, or hanging out with her wonderful kids
    and dorky dog, Juni, you can find her reading, watching SyFy-channel original
    movies, and dreaming big.
    Read more about Jess on her website jesslourey.com
     
     
     
     
    My Thoughts: Loved loved loved this book! Creating worlds on this level is an extraordinary talent. Everything has to fit together, and Jess has done a fine job of connecting the pieces. It’s rare I read the first book of a series before the rest are out. The reason being for this right here! I don’t want to wait until June of NEXT YEAR for book 2!  It’s just not fair Jess, I’m hanging in suspense! 
    As Aine and her brother travel between books, I often found myself guessing which one they were jumping into next. When any characters name is mentioned I was trying to remember what book they came from. The one thing I learned most from this book, is that I need to read more classics. There was only one character I knew for sure her book, before the author tells you, and that was Aine’s mom.
    The Toadhouse Trilogy is a wonderful work of fiction that brings the world of fiction to life. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to live inside your favorite novel, you must check out The Toadhouse Trilogy today!
    Thanks Jess for the recommended reading at the end of your book. My to-read pile has just grown by 10!
     
    You can buy The Toadhouse Trilogy on Amazon. (Prime members, right now it looks like it’s FREE!)
     
    *I recieved a copy to review. Thoughts are my own.
    
  • Foodie Friday – Rancher Pork Chops

    Foodie Friday – Rancher Pork Chops

     
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    Wow guys, so sorry I missed last weeks linky! It looks like plenty was shared over on Diane’s blog though, and I’m excited to go through those recipes, and try some out. While I was waiting for the internet to be hooked up here, I found myself cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I’ve got a lot of fun recipes to share over the next few weeks, but I’ll start with my favorite so far!
     
    Rancher Pork Chops
     
    Ingredients:
    4 boneless Pork Chops
    Queso Fresco
     
    Directions:
    Place pork in shallow dish and pour Grapeseed Oil over them.  Rub a couple Tbs of the Rancher Steak Rub on both sides of pork. Let marinate for 30 minutes to an hour (the longer it marinates the more flavor you’ll get).
    Heat 2 TBS Grapeseed Oil in a frying pan. Add pork chops and cook until no longer pink. Flip over once to get both sides. After you flip the pork chops, add a slice of queso fresco to each chop. Once the pork is done, serve and enjoy!  We enjoyed mashed potatoes and corn on the side, but a fresh green salad would also go very nicely.
     
     
    Take a look at these inspiring recipes from last week’s linky!
     
    Little Kitchen, Big Bites shared this yummy looking Baked Salmon with Chunky Guacamole and Cilantro Lime Rice
     
    Gluten Free Food made a Snap Pea Soup with Mint and Garam Masala.
    I’ve heard of split pea soup, but never Snap pea soup. This looks like a great twist!
     
    My Carolina Kitchen celebrated her birthday with an Heirloom Tomato Tart, made 2 ways! These look quite delicious!
     
    I’m looking forward to some more tasty treats! So link up and go mix some yummy food up after browsing around everyone’s recipes!
     
    
     

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