What kind of person are you? Do you always like to finish the things you start? Are you perhaps someone who starts a project with the best intentions to finish, but never do? Maybe you could care less if something gets finished?

 

I usually find myself in the first group: I like to finish everything I start. This goes for small things like reading a book or watching a movie (even if it’s super hard to finish because it’s boring or just horrible for one reason or another), and for the bigger things such as finishing each day being able to say I was the best wife/mom/friend/etc. I could be.

 

However, there were a few things in my life that I found myself floating into the second group: wanting to have finished something, but just didn’t. And perhaps the saddest thing was I never gave much thought to it. Day in and day out I would live my life keeping some of those unfinished projects at bay. This year I said enough is enough.

 

As our church’s annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting came around in mid-January, I knew what I would give up. However, I wasn’t sure at first what I would do in my spare time. Then God gave me a revelation: I should finish all those tiny projects I have lying around. Thinking of them all, I decided my goal was to have all of them completed by the end of February.

 

Guess what?!?! I DID IT!

 

Here’s what I accomplished: Continue reading “Finish What You Start”

I think it’s safe to say that 100% of us have made something up at one point in our lives or another. It could have been an “innocent” tiny fib, a downright lie or something in between. Maybe you wanted to have a friend so you made one up. Maybe you didn’t want to cause a fight so you gave a response that was dishonest. Either way, we’ve all done it!

 

Enter in “Her Imaginary Husband” by Lia London. Continue reading “Have You Ever Made Something Up?”

The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines

Read this fun mystery as a stand-alone, or start with book #1
for only .99!
(all of my books are free with Kindle Unlimited!)
What could be better than hiking, swimming, and horseback riding? Having a mystery to solve, of course! 
 

 

When Sam and Ally go off to summer camp together, they discover the secrets of Camp Whispering Pines. Set in the beautiful, rugged mountains of the Pacific Northwest, the clues are slowly revealed and it’s up to the two girls to figure it out. 


 
New friendships are formed, while at the same time enemies lurk nearby. The closer they get to uncovering the truth behind the camp, the further they are pushed into danger and deceit. Can Sam and Alley put all of the pieces together before it’s too late? Follow them on another thrilling tale filled with excitement and adventure, along misty, high mountain trails, and deep ravines, where the answers wait to be found!
This fun middle grade series is being called a modern-day Nancy Drew. It will take you back to your Trixie Beldon days, but are in current social settings with real issues relevant to today’s teens and pre-teens. They’re clean, wholesome stories that you and your kids will devour! 
 
 
 
Check out the whole series
 
 
 
 
Tara Ellis, an Amazon best selling author, lives in a small, rural town in Washington State set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys the quiet lifestyle with her two kids and several dogs. Tara was a firefighter/EMT, and worked in the medical field for many years, before committing herself to writing young adult and middle grade novels full-time. 
 
 
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Before anyone gets any preconceived ideas about the title of this blog, let me throw out these possibilities:

  • It’s not a steamy romance
  • It’s not a horror show

Dark Day Dreams is actually a novel comprised of many short stories by James Hawthorne. What kind of stories? I’m glad you asked! They are some of the most unique, thought-provoking stories out there. Let me tell you more…

 

In Dark Day Dreams, James Hawthorne creates crazy, imaginative worlds where at times you get a bit of sci-fi, and at other times, completely fantasy. You’ll get a glimpse into his speculative views of a future world OR Continue reading “Dark Day Dreams”

A Heart’s Salvation is the debut novel from Dana Christy. What is so unique about it is that it reminded me of “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks (who just so happens to be one of my favorite authors)! In A Heart’s Salvation you have a girl running from her past of abuse and ending up in the arms of the man who will save her. And of course they fall in love.

 

 

Book Blurb

 

After a year free from pain and anguish, Madison is once again jolted back into reality as her past catches up to her. On the run for years, she is forced to return home desperate for help. As despair grips her mind, she encounters a handsome young actor, Jackson Hunter, who is determined to get to know the complicated beauty, Madison Skye. Feeling an immediate connection to her, Jackson refuses to accept her emotional disconnect and offers her a way to escape her past. Although fearful of her attraction to him, Madison accepts his help with intentions on leaving him before her past finds her once more. Unable to fight their growing bond, she is forced to decide between running, or finally allowing herself to feel true love before her past and present collide. Fated to meet, and destined to be together, can their love endure the dark turmoil of Madison’s tortured past?

 

As a word of caution, this is NOT a clean novel. Please use your best discretion as to whether you’d want to read this or not. Without further ado, let’s get down to what I loved, and what I really didn’t like so much…. Continue reading “A Heart’s Salvation”

It may not be around the holidays anymore (unless you consider Valentine’s Day a holiday), but the book I am about to share with you is worth reading any time of year. It’s full of romance, some comedy, reality and even dogs! Before I tell you what it is, read this summary:

 

This novel jumps right in to a dilemma between the two main characters: they just found out they will be working together. To them, this is NOT a good thing. Why? The author explains in the following chapters.

 

In chapter two we are immediately brought back two years to when the main characters met. Haley and Gavin are in college, and the only relationship they have is a competitive one as they are both vying for top of the class. On Christmas break back home, both meet up for the first time outside of class, but not in the best of circumstances: Haley lost control on the ski slopes and the only one there to rescue her is Gavin. Convenient, right?

 

The two characters share clean, witty banter and by day’s end they decide to try dating. We see them fall in love and Gavin about to propose when Haley cuts him off with no explanation. However, the reader comes to find out that it was because Haley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She knew if Gavin found out, he’d put his life on halt for her. Something she couldn’t allow to happen.

 

Back to where the book started, after many misunderstandings and short encounters, we now see the two working together. Gavin can’t stop thinking of her, but is still hurt by Haley shutting him out of her life. Haley still has feelings for Gavin, but the only thing she can think of at the moment is the fact her cancer may be back.

 

Eventually the story must come to an end. All the wrongs have been acknowledged and cleared up. The two love birds decide to try their relationship again.

 

Where do the dogs fit in, you ask? Well, on more than one occasion a dog brings Haley and Gavin together in a very cool way.

 

Sounds like a good book, right? Because I know you’ll say “yes”, here is the info you need to pick it up for yourself!

 

Haley’s Hangdog Holiday (Holiday, Inc. Book 2)
by Tamie Dearen  

(Doesn’t that dog look the cutest?)

 

  • This book is so good that it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars! 34 reviews, too (as of February 1, 2017)!
  • Apparently this is the sequel to Noelle’s Golden Christmas, but you don’t need to read that in order to understand this one. Haley’s Hangdog Holiday is a complete standalone.
  • The novel is 200 pages of pure delight!
  • It currently is #512 in Religious Contemporary Fiction and #535 in Christian Contemporary Fiction (as of February 1, 2017)
  • It’s a completely clean read, excellent for anyone 14 and up
  • Just $3.99!

 

I’ve gotten to “know” Tamie Dearen through Facebook and Twitter over the last year or so. Her writing is truly inspiring so it stands to reason I must say something on at least one of her novels. And if you can’t tell already that I love Haley’s Hangdog Holiday, you’ve got to see the review I made:

 

Tamie Dearen used her amazing writing skills to bring descriptive scenes and well-developed characters to Haley’s Hangdog Holiday. I could visualize myself in this novel, and found myself hooked from page one until the end. The love story was sweet and I loved the many faith lessons thrown in. At the end we’re left hanging about whether or not Haley’s cancer has returned, BUT that isn’t the focus of the story anyway. It ends romantically.

 

In fact, I have to say something about Gavin in regards to his love for Haley. He is so persistent and extremely committed – something more of us should be like. And when he finally realized Haley had cancer and might have it back, it didn’t scare him. True man right there! He wants to be with Haley every moment for who she is today, not worry about  what might happen in her future. So, so sweet, you guys!!!

 

One last thing I want to mention. The faith lessons that were thrown in touched me as I could totally relate to some of the things the characters faced. One of them being anxiety. I thought the picture of keeping our eyes on Jesus in the storm when the waves and wind are all around us was spot on!

 

Enough said. You’ve got to know I gave this 5 stars!!!!!!

 

Now, without further ado, here is the link so you can get your own copy. You won’t regret it!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Haleys-Hangdog-Holiday-Inc-Book-ebook/dp/B01MXPRJFL/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1486059167&sr=8-5&keywords=Tamie+Dearen

 

 

 

 

Do you like cats? If you’re like me, then Yes, Yes, a billion times YES! Those who know me know I grew up with cats and, except the year I lived in an apartment with my then newly wed husband, I have always had at least one cat. So I think it’s safe to say that to read about a cat would be up my alley.

 

Not too long ago I came across a book by Lisa Shea called The Lucky Cat. It’s part of the Salem Massachusetts Mini Mystery series that Lisa has, which if you like the history of that city, these books would be just the thing for you. I didn’t have a lot of time to read so The Lucky Cat was the perfect fix! AND, I do need to share that I kind of know Lisa Shea is a big name so I was excited to pick this one up and see what her writing was like!

 

First, let me give you the rundown on The Lucky Cat:

  • As of January 24, 2017, it has 76 reviews with an average of 4.3 stars!
  • This is book one of thirty-one. You read that right, 31! She wrote one book a day from October 1 to October 31 back in 2014
  • It’s FREE!
  • With just 13 pages, you can read it in 10 minutes
  • It’s #17 in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
  • #19 in 30 minute short reads: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
  • I’d recommend for ages 14 and up (unless you don’t want the younger ones to read about magic, luck, etc.)
  • Completely clean!
  • There’s a tiny cliffhanger, but not important enough to where you have to read the rest. However, I’d recommend reading them all to get the complete story

 

Kathy Taylor, a black female police officer turned private investigator, moved to Salem, Massachusetts; a town surrounded by wiccans, herbalists and the like.

 

Her first client comes in looking for a stolen cat. This black cat had the power to help the client’s daughter get well from cancer. Now the cat is gone and the client’s daughter is getting sick again.

 

Kathy takes on the case and quickly figures out what happened and why. The cat may be closer than you think and may have been taken for a very meaningful purpose.

 

This is the purr-fect (see what I did there?) short read! The mystery aspect was great as the author did a great job putting the pieces together. I think things were described well, and that this magical cat was sweet. I already have one black cat, but this nice mini mystery makes me want to get another! I rated this 5 out of 5 stars!