Book Review -- Starring Me by Krista McGee

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Starring Me is a fun, refreshing read about a feisty girl who can't wait to be a star, a cute famous boy and the chance of a lifetime. This book is a sequel to Krista McGee's First Date, which is where we are first introduced to Kara McCormick.

Kara McCormick was born to be a star.  We first met Kara (in McGee's First Date book) when she was on the show "The Book of Love," where she met her new best friend Addy. While they are a lot alike, they differ on one thing - Addy's belief in God. Kara thinks her life is just fine without God in it, but even she had to admit the effect God has on Addy. When Kara gets the chance to audition for a new teen sketch comedy show, her dreams have finally come true. However, when the going gets tough, she finally starts to see that God is always there, whether we want Him to be or not. She also learns very important lessons about life and love.

I enjoyed reading about Kara and her personality was awesome. She is so open to hearing about God from Addy and several others. The friendship she develops with Chad is something that is not found in many young adult books these days. Dating - in this book - is addressed seriously through the eyes of a Christian. The dialogue of Addy and Kara discussing relationships is a refreshing change from most books.

I have really enjoyed every Krista McGee books that I had read.  She can share the message from God and not be too pushy.  The characters are down to earth and people that you feel like you can relate to.  I can't wait to see what she writes next!

BOOK REVIEW -- Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

Set in 1895, Eleanor Walker owns the last Chance Ranch in Arizona territory.  She divorced her husband years ago and had no children with him, therefore she needs an heir.  She is a strong believer in women's rights, but also believes women are better off staying unmarried - due to her own horrible marriage.  So, her heir must be a single woman and plan to remain that way and she must really like ranching.

Kate Tenney has come to the Last Chance Ranch as her last resort. She has no other options.  As a Boston "dime" novelist, she has had her latest book banned and her publisher has pretty much disowned her.  Although she knows nothing about ranching, she learns quickly and believes that if she is given a chance, she can be the heir Eleanor is looking for.  Kate has no problems with staying single either because she has a deep distrust of men due to a difficult childhood and abandonment issues.

Enter Luke Adams, the local blacksmith.  Luke is great at his trade, but not so great with words.  Kate reminds Luke of his former flame - bright and articulate.  Luke immediately falls for Kate.

Luke and Kate's romance seems a little forced.  They struggle with communication and their romance is based more on physical compatibility than anything else.  Also, this new romance forces Kate to make a decision - give up the chance at the Ranch with Eleanor to work on this romance and give another woman the chance to become Eleanor's heir.

The Western aspects of the book is really good.  The characters are well described and remind me of everything I love about Western books.  Eleanor is a very strong character -- anything you can do, she can do better.

I loved how Margaret Brownley mixed Scripture into the book as well.  It doesn't seem forced and flows very well.

Although the plot was a little predictable, I really enjoyed reading Dawn Comes Early and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series as well.

***Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die

I have seen this before, but decided to post it today and see just how many I have actually ate.  (Probably none!)  Here goes - the 2012 Edition of 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die:

Abbeville: Homemade “Molly” Fingers at Huggin’ Molly’s, 334-585-7000

Albertville: Grilled chicken pizza at Dell’s Bistro, 256-891-8900
White chicken chili on Tuesdays at Jessie’s Cafe, 256-894-4565

Alexander City: Blackened catfish at Cecil’s Public House, 256-329-0732

Alexandria: “Purple Cow” and “Strawberried Alive” ice cream at Wright Dairy, 256-820-1020

Aliceville: Barbecue brisket at Plantation House, 205-373-8121

Anniston: Barbecue at Goal Post Bar-B-Q, 256-236-9280
“Shrimp & Grits” at Classic on Noble, 256-237-5388
Pecan encrusted grouper at Garferick’s Cafe, 256-831-0044
Chocolate molten cake at the Victoria Restaurant, 256-236-0503

Arab: Chicken salad at Grumpy’s Pizza and Pasta Shoppe, 256-931-2335

Ashland: Melvine’s Chicken Salad at High Points Coffee & Books, 256-354-2481

Athens: Prime rib at Clark’s Restaurant, 256-771-7700
Ritzy Chicken, Wednesdays at LuVici’s, 256-233-5550

Auburn: Crab cake and avocado sandwich at Amsterdam Cafe, 334-826-8181
Fresh lemonade at Toomer’s Drugs (since 1896), 334-887-3488
“Momma’s Love” sandwich at Momma Goldberg’s, 334-821-0185

Bessemer: Barbecue Pork Sandwich at Bob Sykes BBQ (1957), 205-426-1400
Broiled seafood platter at Bright Star (1907), 205-426-1861 (I have eaten at Bright Star, but not this dish.)

Birmingham: Buttermilk fried chicken with lemon beurre blanc sauce at Cafe Dupont, 205-322-1282
Cheese biscuits at Jim ’n Nick’s Bar-B-Q, 205-320-1060 (Just had these last night!)
Chipotle Braised Pork Sandwiches and the Half Baked Cookie at Urban Cookhouse, 205-879-0883
Deserts at Chez Fonfon, 205-939-3221
Fresh Vegetables at The Smokehouse Steak & Seafood (1955), 205-320-1060
Gourmet pizza at Cosmo’s Pizza, 205-930-9971
Half-Moon Cookies and marinated cole slaw at Full Moon Bar-B-Que, 205-324-1007
Hamburger & sweet tea at Milo’s, 205-326-6456 (Don't drink sweet tea, but the hamburgers are yummy!)
Highlands baked grits at Highlands Bar & Grill, 205-939-1400
Lobster Pot Pie at Ocean, 205-933-0999
Neopolitan pizzas at Bettola, 205-731-6499
Onion rings at Lloyd’s (1937), 205-991-5530
Original Steer Butt Steak at Michael’s Restaurant (1953), 205-871-9525
Parmesan souffle at Bottega, 205-939-1000
Richman Poboy at Ranelli’s Deli 205-933-6983
Tomato salad and pickled okra at Hot and Hot Fish Club, 205-933-5474
Vegetable buffet at Niki’s West, 205-252-5751

Blount Springs: Barbecue with tomato sauce at Top Hat, 256-352-9919

Boaz: Chicken salad at Mill Street Deli, 256-593-7677  (Mill Street Deli has many great dishes, but the Chicken Salad is awesome.)

Brundidge: Chicken salad plate with pear salad at Sit N Sip Coffee Shop, 334-344-6101

Camden: Black Bottom pie at Gaines Ridge Dinner Club, 334-682-9707

Cherokee: Barbecue and “Three-n-One” sauce from Bishop’s Barbecue, 800-368-2635

Childersburg: Fudge at DeSoto Caverns, 800-933-2283

Clanton: Peach ice cream at Durbin Farms Market, 877-818-0202  (Every year coming back from the beach!)
Peach pie at Peach Park, 205-755-2065  (Yummy!)
Pecan pie at Heaton Farm, 205-755-8654

Coden: Soft-shell crab poboy at Mary’s Place (1926), 251-873-4360

Cragford: Catfish at Red’s Catfish Cabin, 256-354-7705

Cullman: Hot orange rolls at All Steak (1934), 256-734-4322  (Never eaten these in the restaurant, but had many brought home from my husband and his family.)

Dadeville: Catfish fingers at the Circle A Catfish, 256-825-5677

Daleville: “Castle Club” sandwich at the Castle Cafe, 334-598-9005

Daphne: Shrimp Poboy at Market By The Bay, 251-621-9994
“Jubilee” at The Compleat Angler Seafood Grille & Bar, 251-621-1086
T-Bird sandwich at Rosie’s Grill, 251-626-2440

Decatur: Barbecue chicken with white sauce and pies at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (1925), 256-350-6969  (Been a while since I've had it, but my husband has it often.)
Green beans at Albany Bistro, 256-686-1667
Seafood-filled mushroom caps at Simp McGhee’s, 256-353-6284
Taco salad & broccoli salad at Curry’s on Johnston Street, 256-350-6715
Toffee at Morgan Price Candy, 256-306-0910

Demopolis: “Soul Food” at Kora’s Place, 334-289-4911

Dora: Barbecue with vinegar/tomato sauce at Green Top Cafe, 205-648-9838

Dothan: Camp Stew at Dobbs Famous Bar-B-Que (1910), 334-794-5195
Grouper at the Old Mill Restaurant, 334-794-8530
Homemade soups at Basketcase Cafe, 334-671-1117

Elberta: Cheese from Sweet Home Farm, 251-986-5663

Enterprise: Chili dog at Cutt’s, 334-347-1110
Sauteed grouper at The Rawls, 334-308-9387

Eufaula: Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich at Bread Basket, 334-687-5567

Eutaw: Chef Salad at Mama Leone’s, 205-372-0007
“Pecan Praline French Toast” at Oakmont Bed & Breakfast, 205-372-3436

Fairhope: Big Daddy Burger at Big Daddy’s Grill, 251-990-8555
Muffaletta at Panini Pete’s, 251-929-0122
Pier Grits at the Bay Breeze Guest House Fairhope, 251-928-8976
Triple Chocolate Cake at Sandra’s Place, 251-990-3344
Crawfish pie at Ca-John’s, 334-628-3240

Fayette: Strawberry-almond Belgian waffles at Columbus Street Inn, 205-932-4411

Florence: Bread, herbs and olive oil at Ricatoni’s, 256-718-1002
Crab cakes at 360 Grille at Marriott Hotel & Spa, 256-246-3600
Orange-pineapple ice cream at Trowbridge’s (1918), 256-764-1503
Steak & Dale’s seasoning at Dale’s, 256-766-4961
Sunday brunch at The Sweet Magnolia Cafe, 256-765-2234

Foley: Apple cheese casserole at The Gift Horse, 251-943-3663
Key lime milkshake at the Stacey Old Tyme Soda Fountain, 251-943-7191
Seafood platter and gumbo at Wolf Bay Lodge, 251-987-5129
“Throwed Rolls” at Lambert’s Cafe, 251-943-7655  (Another vacation/beach trip stop.)
Fort Deposit: Pecan Fruit Cake and pralines at Priester’s Pecans, 334-227-4301

Fort Payne: “JoJo” potatoes at the Bar-B-Q Place, 256-845-6155  (Lived in DeKalb County my whole life - until college and marriage - but never eaten at the Bar-B-Q Place.  Don't know where it even is!)

Fyffe: Buffet and barbecue at Barry’s Backyard Barbecue, 256-623-2102 (My neighborhood!  Barry's Backyard Barbecue is great!)

Gadsden: Catfish and greens at Top O’ the River, 256-547-9817  (Don't eat the greens, but their hushpuppies are to die for!)
“Sweet Potato Fluff” at Pruett’s Bar-B-Q, 256-547-4118

Gee’s Bend: Soul food and sandwiches at Keitsha’s Snack Shack, 334-573-2007 or 334-419-3726

Goshen: Rum bread pudding at Old Barn Restaurant, 334-484-3200

Grady: Apple cheese casserole at Red’s Little Schoolhouse, 334-584-7955

Greenville: Hickory-smoked turkey sandwich at Bates House of Turkey, 334-382-6123
Cranberry nut salad with Balsamic dressing at Emily’s Cafe, 334-371-8646

Guin: Barbecue sandwich and banana pudding at Jimbo’s BBQ, 205-468-2272

Gulf Shores: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar of black-eyed peas & Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu’s, 251-967-5858  (Ate the L.A. Caviar, but not the Cheeseburger in Paradise at Lulu's.)
Peanut butter pie at the Original Oyster House, 251-948-2445
Royal Red Shrimp at King Neptune’s, 251-968-5464
The Wipe Out Burger at The Hangout, 251-948-3030
Farmer’s omelet at Tacky Jack’s, 251-948-8881

Guntersville: Crawfish at Crawmamma’s, 256-582-0484  (Never ate the Crawfish, but everything else is awesome!)

Haleyville: Chicken fingers and sauce at Guthrie’s, 205-486-9222

Harpersville: Wine from Morgan Creek Vineyards, 205-672-2053

Hartselle: “Mercedes Special” skillet at Las Vias, 256-751-1402

Helena: Crab cakes at Fox Valley Restaurant, 205-664-8341

Homewood: Baby blue salad at Homewood Gourmet, 205-871-1620
“Camel Rider” sandwich & moussaka at Nabeel’s, 205-879-9292
Lasagna at GianMarco’s, 205-871-9622
Piminto cheese on sun-dried tomato bread at Savage’s (1939), 205-871-4901
Ribs at SAW’s BBQ, 205-879-1937  (Everything at Saw's is delicious!)
Kadoma tuna roll at Jinsei, 205-802-1440

Hoover: Deep-dish stuffed pizza at Tortugas, 205-403-9800  (Haven't had it in a while, but Tortugas pizza is yummy!)

Huntsville: Barbecue-stuffed potato at Little Paul’s BBQ, 256-536-7227
Big Daddy chicken plate at Tenders, 256-721-3395
Chili burger and slaw dog at Big Spring Cafe (1928), 256-539-9994
Deviled eggs at Mullins Drive In (1929), 256-539-2826
“German Brown Farmer’s Bread” at Ol’ Heidelberg, 256-922-0556
Grouper Oscar at Grille 29, 256-489-9470
Hot wings and habanero sauce at Beauregard’s, 256-837-2433
Steak at Pauli’s Bar & Grill, 256-772-2080
Tea and “sugar water” pitcher at Humphrey’s Bar & Grill, 256-704-5555
Tex-Mex cuisine at Rosie’s Cantina, 256-922-1001
Braised Meyer Ranch beef short ribs at Cotton Row Restaurant, 256-382-9500

Irondale: Barbecue and baked beans at Golden Rule Bar-B-Q (1891), 205-956-2678
Fried green tomatoes at the Irondale Cafe (1928), 205-956-5258

Jacksonville: Ribs at Cooter Brown’s, 256-435-1514

Jasper: Catfish Pontchartrain at Black Rock Bistro, 205-387-0282

Josephine: Cheeseburgers and Bushwackers at Pirate’s Cove, 251-987-1224

Lavaca: Catfish & cole slaw at Ezell’s Fish Camp (1937), 205-654-2205

Lincoln: Peanut butter cake on Thursdays at R&B Barbeque, 205-763-2315

Madison: Catfish and hush puppies at Greenbrier, 256-355-6062

Magnolia Springs: Whiskey steak at Jesse’s, 251-965-3827

Marion: Hamburgers at J&R’s, 334-683-4200

Mentone: Whiskey Ribeye Steak at Mentone Springs Hotel, 256-634-4040
Fried green tomatoes with aoli sauce at the Moonlight Bistro, 256-634-4560
“Decadent French Toast” at Mountain Laurel Inn, 256-634-4673

Mobile: Alabama shrimp and grits at The Blind Mule, 251-694-6853
Bacon cheeseburger at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 251-433-9374
John Weichman’s scamp almondine at The Italian Fisherman, 251-478-2881
Candied pecans at Tanner Pecans & Candies, 251-473-4560
Chocolates at Three George’s (1917), 251-433-6725
Diver Scallops with wild mushroom risotto, Sauteed Spinach and white truffle oil at The Battle House Hotel, 251-338-2000
Coconut cream pie at Tiny Diny, 251-473-9453
Eggs Cathedral & Bananas Foster French toast at Spot of Tea, 251-433-9009
Ginger donut at NoJa, 251-433-0377
Hotdogs at Dew Drop Inn (1924) 251-473-7872
Praline Dobash Cake at Pollman’s Bakery (1918), 251-438-1511
Oysters “fried, stewed or nude” at Wintzell’s (1938), 251-432-4605
“Pecan Praline French Toast” at Kate Shepard House Bed & Breakfast, 251-479-7048
Ribs at Saucy Q Bar B Q, 251-433-7427
Smoked barbecue at The Brick Pit, 251-343-0001
Sweetbreads with Braised Seasonal Vegetables at True, 251-344-3334

Monroeville: BLT Supreme at Radley’s Fountain Grill, 251-743-2345
Sunday lunch buffet at Mockingbird Grill, 251-575-2568

Montgomery: 20-oz bone-in Rib-eye at Chophouse Vintage Year, 334-264-8463
Jalapeño truffle chocolate soufflé at Garrett’s, 334-396-9950
Fresca salad with house dressing at Sinclair’s, 334-834-7462
Fried chicken at Martin’s, 334-265-1767
Ahi Tuna Spring Roll with soy lime dipping sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi at La Jolla, 334-356-2600
Hot dog with Chris’ sauce at Chris’ Hotdogs (1917), 334-265-6850
Lemon catfish and Johnnie Mae’s peach cobbler at Isaiah’s, 334-265-9000
Mediterranean pizza at Tomatino’s, 334-264-4241
Tuna Napoleon at City Grill, 334-244-0960
Spring roll with peanut sauce at Lek’s Taste of Thailand, 334-244-8994
Veggies on the hot bar at Derk’s Filet & Vine, 334-262-8463
“Wild Rice Waffles” and “Walk-Thru-Fire Pancakes” at Red Bluff Cottage B&B, 334-264-0056

Mountain Brook: Chocolate lava cake at Daniel George, 205-871-3266
Fresh-squeezed limeade at Gilchrist Drug (1928), 205-871-2181

Muscle Shoals: Gumbo at New Orleans Transfer, 256-386-0656

Northport: Barbecued ribs at Archibald’s, 205-345-6861
“Meat & three” at City Cafe, 205-758-9171  (Ahh ... City Cafe - I miss you so!)

Opelika: Barbecue pork sandwich at Chuck’s, 334-749-4043
Crab & Corn Bisque at Warehouse Bistro, 334-745-6353

Orange Beach: Grouper Ponchatrain at Shipp’s Harbour Grill, 251-981-9891
Pecan snapper at Voyagers, 251-981-9811
Sea bass wrapped in banana leaves at Cosmo’s Restaurant, 251-948-9663
Seafood gumbo at Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, 251-981-6999
Shrimp and grits at Ginny Lane Bar & Grill, 251-224-6500

Perdido: “Rose Cou Rouge” (redneck rose) wine at Perdido Vineyards, 251-937-9463

Phenix City: Pork chop sandwich & mustard sauce at 13th Street Barbecue, 334-291-1833

Point Clear: Signature Lump Crab Scramble at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort (1847), 251-928-9201
Divinity & Pecan Planks at Punta Clara Kitchen, 251-928-8477
Key lime bread pudding at The Wash House, 251-928-4838

Prattville: Home-style cooking at Jim’s Restaurant, 334-365-7231

Rainsville: Catfish and chicken fingers at Katy’s Katfish, 256-638-7200  (Another from my home! Katy's Katfish was and still is an awesome memory!)

Riverside: Shrimp and catfish at The Ark, 205-338-7420

Rogersville: Homemade chicken salad and chocolate gravy biscuits at Cafe Savanna, 256-247-9788

Russellville: Caramel cake at Daily Bread, 256-332-9621

Scottsboro: Beach Bread at Stevearino’s Italian Eatery & Pub, 256-259-5420
Brisket-stuffed potato at 50 Taters, 256-259-3222
Catfish at Mud Creek Fishing Camp, 256-259-2493
Chicken salad at Cups Cafe at Unclaimed Baggage Center, 256-259-1525
Fried Green Tomatoes at McCutchen’s Magnolia Restaurant, 256-259-3077
Hot dog & red slaw at Payne’s (1869), 256-574-2140
Pulled pork at Triple R BBQ, 256-574-1620
Tomato pie at Carlile’s, 256-574-5629
Shrimp & grits at The Docks at Goose Pond Colony, 256-574-3071

Selma: Chicken breast sandwich at the Restaurant on Grumbles Alley, 334-872-2006
New York strip at the Tally-Ho, 334-872-1390
Lemon pie at Downtowner, 334-875-5933

Sheffield: Ribeye at George’s Steak Pit, 256-381-1531

Slocomb: Cornbread and fried green tomatoes at Zack’s, 334-886-9731

Spanish Fort: Crab soup at Felix’s Fish Camp, 251-626-6710
Gumbo and crab claws at Blue Gill Restaurant, 251-625-1998
Seafood at The Original Oyster House, 251-626-2188
“Yo Mama’s Platter” at Ed’s Seafood Shed, 251-625-1947

Stockton: Catfish at Stage Coach Cafe, 251-580-0608

Sylacauga: Spinach mushroom quesadilla at Marble City Grill, 256-245-8108

Talladega: Grilled catfish at Fincher’s, 256-362-2174
Muscadine wine at Bryant Vineyards, 256-268-2638

Theodore: Country cooking at Time to Eat, 251-654-0228

Trinity: White cream corn at Caddo Cafeteria, 256-974-5535

Troy: Banana pudding at Sisters, 334-566-0064
Beans and cornbread at Mossy Grove Schoolhouse, 334-566-4921
Chicken fingers & dipping sauce at Crowe’s, 334-566-6027

Tuscaloosa: Crab cakes at Evangeline’s, 205-752-0830
Fried chicken at Maggie’s Diner, 205-759-9177
Smoked Chicken with white barbecue sauce at Cypress Inn, 205-345-6963  (Only ate here once and can't remember what I ate.)
Ribs and white bread at Dreamland (1958), 205-758-8135  (Dreamland anywhere is yum.)
Stuffed mushrooms at Kozy’s, 205-556-0665
“Hot Bama Brown” at Baumhower’s, 205-556-5658  (Baumhower's is great!)

Tuscumbia: “Harvey” milkshake at The Palace, 256-386-8210
Duke Wrestler Burger with apple wood bacon and fried “snake eyes” (jalapenos) at the Rattlesnake Saloon, 256-370-7218
Pecan chicken salad plate at Claunch Cafe, 256-386-0222

Tuskegee: Yams at Dorothy’s Place at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 334-727-2767

Union Springs: Smoked meat & homemade stew at the Hilltop Grill, 334-738-3000

Valley: Homemade soups at 559 Market Place, 334-756-4959

Vestavia Hills: Black Forest Torte at Klingler’s, 205-823-4560
Sandwiches on wheat roll with barbecue sauce at Mr. P’s Butcher Shop & Deli, 205-823-6136  (Never had their sandwiches, but their butcher shop is great.)

Wetumpka: Crab cakes and dill sauce at Our Place Cafe, 334-567-8778

(Credit given to: Year of Alabama Food website and THIS Story on al.com.)

More Book Reviews ...

I signed up to be a Book Reviewer for NetGalley also.  So, hopefully there will be more books to review in the future.  Be on the lookout!!

Next Review - Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

Well, I finally chose my next book review for Book Sneeze.  It will be Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley.  Here is the description, etc.:

Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest novel for the emptiness of the desert. Answering an ad to be “heiress” to a vast cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory, Kate hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.
But what awaits her is a life harder than the one she just left. There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life. She quickly learns that dawn comes early. But she is tenacious.
Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn’t expect to meet Luke Adams, either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn’t recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.
Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.