I had a birthday

And I have pictures to prove it!  My sister got me a Rainbow blast cake and Avengers cupcakes!  I got to spend time with family, which was my favorite part!  On Thursday, I had 2 more interviews, one on Skype and one down by Wichita, so we got to roadtrip again.  We had to skip the big family reunion that we were looking forward to doing!  But, I need to get a job!  The two interviews last week turned me down.  I have another one via Skype tomorrow.  They're all by Wichita.  Salina emailed me, but I haven't heard anything from them.  I know the right job will come up and they'll want me, but it's a tiny bit disheartening in the meantime.  Saturday was my crazy hard working to finish presents for my nieces and nephew that moved to Louisiana, before they left.  I made my niece a blanket, my other niece got a birthday bow that I had made in bulk for my last niece's birthday, and my nephew got a car mat.  I was scrambling to get them done in between feeding my baby boy!  It was sad to see them go, but I know that the move will be good for them, because my brother will be paid so much better!  And he'll be home!  This week we've also been working on the dresses for the girls for my sister's wedding.  Fun times!  We just need to get the zippers in and we're done!  Woohoo!  Then I can finally work on the cloth diapers!  Sewing, sewing, I love sewing.  When I'm not reading and reviewing that is...

 My birthday cake and my ice cream with root beer topping. Yum!

 Ben's masterpiece

 Josh had to sit with me.  He's such a snuggler!

 He's Popeye the Sailor man...

 In his little flip flops for his first trip to the pool

 My niece

 My sister and our niece

 Another niece

 My nephew

 The three of them with their birthday cakes

 My littlest niece dove right in!

And all dressed up for church!  Can you believe he's 2 months old already!

Ring Around the Rosie by Julie Coulter Bellon

Ring Around the Rosie by Julie Coulter Bellon

About the book

As the ex-wife of a law enforcement officer, Sarah Reed has known loneliness and loss.  In order to cope, she makes a life for herself that's full of routine while building a wall of ice around her heart.  Everything about her is as predictable as she can make it until a tiny detour for her ex-husband, Ron, changes her life forever.  Caught in a bomb crisis, Sarah is taken hostage by a man who wants Ron and everyone around him to suffer---and his idea of suffering is more terrible than Sarah had ever dreamed.

Captain Ron Reed has seen the worst of humanity in his job with the Hostage Negotiation Team, but he never expected his past to come back with a vengeance---literally.  Aaron Starks, a criminal explosives expert, has stolen next-gen bomb technology and uses it to force Ron to bargain for the lives of his team and his ex-wife, Sarah, the woman he still loves.  But the situation escalates when Ron discovers that Starks has an even bigger objective in mind---using the bomb to show how vulnerable America and her people truly are.

Ron is willing to risk everything to save his country and those he loves, but when negotiations break down, will his sacrifice be too little too late?


My Review

I love the Hostage Negotiations series!  I was super curious about the Captain!  I honestly didn't like Sarah until she finally toughed up.  I'm not a fan of weak females.  Then she became a fitting teammate!  I loved the suspense and the sweet romance!  It's great to read about a couple getting back together!  Ron is so sweet!  Who knew?  Starks is the ultimate villain!  Yikes!  I would have been scared of him!  There was so much going on that I didn't even try and figure out the clues!  I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!  I loved how much we heard from previous couples!  Claire and Rafe are so sweet!  If there's not another book in the series, I will be very sad!

Buy it!


Disclosure:  I received this book for free for my honest review!  My opinions can't be bought!

Job Interviews!

First thing Monday morning, I got a call for a job interview in Augusta, KS.  I was super excited!  Then, maybe an hour later, I got a call to interview in Wichita!  So, on Thursday, the four oldest kids stayed with their Grammie and the three youngest came with us to Wichita to spend the night and get ready to interview.  Our room had 3 Queen size beds, tv, DVD player, fridge and microwave!  It was only $75!  It was super hard to get the kids to sleep!  So, it was a late night.  :(  Then I had to wake up early to get everyone fed, ready, and on the road.  I didn't get everyone fed fast enough, so I was at least 5 minutes late!  Stink!  I was already nervous and then to add running late.  Terrible!  The interview, I felt, went well.  The kids got to play at the two big parks in Augusta.  The one park was great until a huge group of boys played baseball screaming obscenities at each other.  Oh well!  It's a very cute town with lots of great amenities and it's only 20 minutes from Wichita!  The people were super friendly!  I really liked it there!  After we had lunch, we went to my Wichita interview for a Magnet school.  The Principal was super nice and even bought me a smoothie!  It was a nice relaxing interview.  I was comfortable with her and loved the sound of her school!  I would gladly bring my kids with me to go to school there!  After the interview we headed back to Augusta and drove all around town as the kids napped.  We finally got to see one of the few places to rent.  It was terrible!  The paint was streaky, the floor wasn't properly installed and it was TINY!!!  For $650 a month, not a chance!  The other place we were going to look at rescheduled, so we headed home!  We got back within 3 hours, and that's with stopping to have ice cream at Braum's as I fed Samuel and returning the Redbox movies!  I should know by Tuesday evening if either of them chose me.  I'm keeping my options open though, since I haven't heard anything from them or two other schools I applied to.  I talk to a Teach for America guy on Tuesday too.  It would be a fantastic birthday present to find out I have a job!

Finding Prince Charming and Prince Charming's Search

Today is the actual day that Becoming Prince Charming is released, so I'm reviewing the second and third book in the series.

Finding Prince Charming

Synopsis:

Finding Prince Charming is the first sequel to Charming Academy.  Allegra discovered during her fourth year in school that her prince would not be coming to save her, as was typical in most fairy tale quests.  Rather, she would be rescuing him.  As she struggles to come to terms with this role-reversal, she must finish school, try to figure out where her prince has gone and overcome her greatest fears in order to give this story a "happily ever after" ending.

My Review

This is Allegra and Adrian's fairy tale.  I was excited to read both sides of the tale, to get a feeling for the whole adventure.  That witch was scary!  Especially when she showed up later!  I love Nerissa, but I want to know more (maybe a novella?  Please!)!  Could she be the Little Mermaid?  I was glad to not read what Adrian was eating!  I love a strong female lead, and Allegra is it!  She's strong enough to take on a gang to keep her necklace and know when she needs help, to get away from the witch, and to recover.  I love the family bond and how it helps her accomplish her mission!  She conquers her fear with help, lots of help.  Adrian isn't without hardships either!  It makes me rethink fairy tales!  All in all, a great retelling of the Frog Prince!

Prince Charming's Search

Synopsis:

When Jacobi starts his quest, he knows there will be challenges.  But, her never would have imagined how difficult being Prince Charming would be.  Will Jacobi survive the dangers that await him as he looks for his missing princess?  Upon graduation, Clarissa finds herself transported to a world completely foreign from the life she's always known.  Hardships and trials are faced as she waits for her Prince Charming.  But, will he recognize her when he finds her?  Join Jacobi on his quest in this much anticipated third book in the "Charming Academy" series.

My Review:

This is Jacobi and Clarissa's story.  It's a fantastic retelling of Cinderella, and even includes ghosts and dragons!  I can't imagine going from a princess playing at serving to being one of two servants in a large household.  Angel is quite the helper!  Then the whole ghosts thing happened.  What's the story there?  I still want to know Jezzie's story.  I want to know what happened to her!  Was Gerald under a spell?  I love that Jacobi gets a pet dragon!  It's very interesting that he felt he needed to visit a place that comes into the fourth book.  I like the overlaps!  I can't wait to read Lucian and George's stories!  

Dancing with Black by Laura Gingham

Tour Host: Silverbow Promotions

Publisher: Trifecta Books

Book Synopsis:

Dancing is Cami's escape from her dark home life. It's the only thing that gives her hope - until she meets Adam Black. A talented dancer in his own right, he asks Cami to be his partner, and she gains strength and confidence as he unlocks whole new possibilities for her.

When Cami's abusive mother overdoses and her already-broken family falls to pieces around her, dancing with Adam helps Cami pull through. But he has secrets of his own, and someone wants him found at any price. Cami gets dragged into a web of danger and deceit. Now she must make a choice between familiar darkness and uncertain light.

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnesand Noble

Author Bio:

Nearly a native of Idaho, I was born in Iowa and moved to Idaho at age four. I graduated from Ricks College with an Associates degree and from Boise State University with a Bachelor degree in Biology as well as certification to teach all science subjects in secondary education in the state of Idaho. Alvor is my first novel and was released May, 2009 and more books are on their way.

In my backyard stands a dance studio where I teach youth of all ages the lesser known, but much loved sport of clogging. I live in Boise with my husband and five young children, including my own set of boy/girl twins.
Since the release of Alvor, I have had the privilege of meeting so many great people, young and old alike. They have given me hope of breaking into the world with my book and making a career out of writing. One thing I can promise is that you haven't seen the last of me yet. Alvor is just the beginning of my journey.

Author Links:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Website

Amazon

My Review:

It took awhile to connect with Cami, she seemed to be outside of herself, just making it one day at a time.  It was strange.  Then when I realized she was being abused, it made a lot more sense!  I liked Adam, but did he have to be soooo different?  It just seemed to add an aspect that wasn't needed.  I think there's plenty going on in her life without adding it.  I loved her with Adam and how Adam treated her.  I especially liked her sister and their bond.  I really just felt like Cami's life was very hard, but appreciated the break that being with Adam and dancing gave her.

Content wise: one h-word and several d-words, thanks to the name of a Broadway Musical, no sex, just kissing.

Disclosure:  I was provided this book free of charge in order to express my honest opinion.  I didn't get paid!

Josh turned two!

Josh turned two yesterday, so he had his 2-year-old checkup on Thursday.  He is 37 inches tall and he weighs 36 pounds 10 ounces, so about a pound an inch.  He's in the 96th-98th percentiles, so a very healthy kiddo.  He's all muscle!  He really didn't want to go into that Doctor's office!  The shots are still pretty recent for him.  :(  Then he really didn't want to get up on the table to be checked out, so almost everything the Doctor did was with him sitting on my lap on the floor.  Then he was happy nothing happened while in the office and was ready to leave, but had to have his blood checked.  Lead level tests?  I had to have someone else hold Samuel, so I could sit and hold Josh.  He was not a happy camper.  The nurse in charge of holding his arm still couldn't do it, so he rolled his arm, after the needle was in.  Needless to say, they had to try again.  My poor lil' man!  He ended up with two ouchies and three Spiderman stickers.  That night mom, dad and I went to the temple!  Awesomeness!
Yesterday was Josh's actual birthday!  He slept in and then he opened presents.  He was a pretty happy camper!  Then he got to miss out on some of quiet time!  He went shopping with his Mamaw and got his cupcakes and some trains!  We went to Chuck E Cheese's for his party.  We all met up there and played games!  We had cupcakes and then the kids picked their prizes.  I love that family came!  After my sister got off work, the pinata got broken.  It took a lot of hard work!  He enjoyed mac and cheese for dinner.  Yum!