Books and Music, Music and Books.....

So, I decided who I think should represent Russia for The 2017 Eurovision Contest. Her name is Roza Mazhonts and she is incredible! Check it out for yourself:

She's good, right? I just love her voice.

On another musical front, I got Carrie Underwood's "Church Bells" stuck in my head. A wonderful song that's like a three minute Lifetime movie. It is way too catchy. You'll be humming at the end of this song.

Yup, very catchy. Are you humming right now? Told you.

On the book front, I recently finished Beneath the Skin by Kyla Stone and My Perfect Life in a Cornish Cottage by SJ Crabb.

Beneath the Skin is a rather dark YA novel because it deals with such issues as Abuse: Sexual, Emotional, and Physical, Cutting, Anorexia, Emotional Eating, and Patricide. Despite the dark subject matter, Kyla Stone has managed to create a character with the strength to shine in the midst of the deep dark.

My Perfect Life in a Cornish Cottage is as funny as I thought it would be. I've read a book by SJ Crabb before (The Diary of Madison Brown) and loved it. I was hoping My Perfect Life would be as good as Madison Brown. Ms. Crabb did not disappoint! When Sophie's Jerk of a husband announces one morning that he wants a divorce, Sophie's whole life is sent into a tailspin. Will she ever find true happiness? My Perfect Life in a Cornish Cottage is a hilarious read that I totally recommend.

Stay tuned folks. I hope to write again soon.

Long time, no.....read?

Hey all! Did you think I dropped off the blogospere? Well, I kind of did, but that's besides the point.

Since my last post I've been busy reading. Like READING READING.  I don't know how it happened but I've gotten a bunch of thrillers and mysteries along with my usual rom/com, rom/dram, his/rom, chris/rom mix.

Do you know what thrillers and mysteries do to you? They make you deodorant quit on the job and give you a kick-start in the paranoia department. But I say the adrenaline rush is worth it.

 First up is Book 1 & 2 in the Jennifer Morgan series by Ethan Jones. He knows how to mix romance with a serious dose of thrill.

Second up is Must Love Murder from the Sketchy Matchmaker series by Etta Faire. I loved that this series is also hilarious so it toned the drama down a tinny winny bit.

Third up is Closer to Love by David Balzarini. Don't let the name fool you. There is no romance here. But there is a ton of drama and enough thrill to keep you well into the night.

Fourth up is Asiago and the Accomplice by Judy Volhart. It's book one in her Whine and Cheese series. I like that she succeeded in making a funny mystery that also had my mouth watering and my stomach growl. And did I mention that it comes full of tasty recipes? Nope, I don't think I did.

Fifth up is Betrayal by Eugene Lloyd MacRae as part of his Rory Mack Steele series. This had sweat pouring off me in rivulets. I finished it the night I began it. At least, I think it was the same night. For all I know, it could have been very early the next morning, My bedroom alarm clock conveniently broke.

And last, but most definitely not least is Ghost of a Girl by Theo Gage and Toivi Smith. Honestly, the thriller don't stop til the last page! I tell you no lie. I was sweating and screaming and biting my nails. I got emotionally invested very early on. Strange to admit, I didn't think I would enjoy this novel. But, I was proven wonderfully wrong.

So that is some of what I've been reading lately. In other news, Starting In 2017, I hope to be running a serial story. It's the brain child of my Mother, Brother and I. I hope you all will enjoy it. 

Until next time, Keep Reading.


 

I've been Swagged! #AndreaRing

Do any of you remember my September 5th entry? Well, if you don't, just go read that real quick. Go ahead, I'll wait.

So you read it. Well, the wonderful author of "FIRST STRING", Andrea Ring, sent me a Swag Bomb. It was so full of goodies. Note I said 'was'. I kind of went a little candy crazy before I could take a picture of it with my father's outdated digital camera. That's what happens when you have been on a candy sabbatical. Things get messy. Plus I had to share. Unwillingly, mind you.

Here's a List of what I got:
1. A box of Lemonheads
2. A box of Skittles
3. A box of Mike & Ike Cherry Cola
4. A box of SweetTarts
5. A box of Nerds (that sounds kind of funny to me for some reason)
6. A box of Runts (even funnier)
7. A Ring Pop (Cherry)
8. Pop Rocks (Tropical Punch)
9. A bag of Dum Dums (my mouth said yum yum)
10. Bubblicious (Strawberry, my ultimate Fave)
11. 4 pencils (a writer's best friend)
12. A pack of glow bracelets ( Always wanted them but never got any, so much for hinting)
13. 2 strings of beads ( life is always good if you have beads around your neck)
14. An Emory Board ( my nails said #thankyou)
15. A key ring
16. A Guitar Pick ( I'm currently looking for a guitar so this made me happy)
17. 4 Sweetheart-like erasers (the writer's other bff)
18. 2 Heart-shaped foam balls
19. A beautiful Hankerchief
20. A signed copy of "FIRST STRING" (and this I treasure more than anything)

Now, just so you folks know those boxes of candy weren't checkout lane size. They were "I'm going to the movies" size. I am going to have to start working out soon. But, that's okay. It was worth it. 

Ahhh, Books.................

I love to read. Have I mentioned that before? I'm always on the look out for a new read. My definition of a good book is one where if you lose track of time and space, you forget that you have things to do or places to go. You are sucked in.
I recently shared a book like that with my cousin (who I'm having coffee with later).  Here is the cover of our new favorite series...

Hope Cruz is fresh, funny, and totally (sort-of-kind-of-not-really) like me. We're both eager and excited about book two.

Another lovable book, (as in I didn't go to sleep until the sun came up) was Bayou, My Love.

 This book gave me bags, I tell you, bags!

I also sped through these two treasures:

                

Allie Pleiter is hilarious and easy to relate to in these faith filled books.

And as you may have guessed, I read more than just Christian Fiction.

Summertime, oh sweet Summertime

Summer is here! With it's heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and fireworks, I got to say I'm glad it's here ( though I could've done without the mosquitoes and humidity). I know everybody's excited about the 4th of July parties they'll be having. I just have a few song requests for your party.

The Summer Party song:

And the Remix:

How can you have a party without a little "Fiesta"?

The Summer Hangout with Friends song:

Just chill, and talk. It's summer, you got all the time in the world.

The Summer fall in love song:

Jump into love, It's okay. It's time for a summer romance.

The Summer break-up song:

Just as Summer can't last forever, same with most summer romances. Sorry, You'll get through it.

I might come out with a part two. But for now, Play that Music!

Eurovision, Books, Yarn and Me

  So since I last wrote, I've discovered the Eurovision Song Contest. I love good music and when I find it, I like to share.

  First, let me say Jamala, congrats on winning this year's contest with your beautiful song "1944".

    Secondly, Congrats Dami Im for coming in second with another beautiful song.

  After I checked out this year's participants, I started looking at some of the past acts and found this lovely gem. Her name is Loreen and she was Sweden's gift to us music lovers.

  In other news, I have passed my reading goal of four books this year. I really need to give a shout out to Kimberley Franks. Kimberley, I was an honor to read your delightful novel,"Ruby with the Emerald Eyes". I wish you the best in the years to come.
  I'm currently working on reading another book I hope to review soon. You can find my review(s) at onlinebookclub.org. My name there is Yafa1822.
  After making a nice warm scarf for my brother, I started making a blanket. As in, actually knitting a blanket. 3 years ago, I'd not believe I could do is. Now, here I am, knitting away with my not so little loom. I 'm spending time thinking about yarn and what type I can use to make various things. This is very new to me.
  Other than that, I'm good. Just getting ready to be broiled out side this summer. I have a feeling it's going to be a humdingger of a summer this year. And I'm only talking about the weather here, not politics. And I'm not going to tell any of you how I think the election season is going. That's a mess I want no part of.
 If you liked any of the above videos, please let me know in the message box below. 

The drama builds

I am HOOKED on Russian Drama. Honestly. I don't think I will ever watch American shows again! To give you a taste of what I've gotten myself addicted to, look below:

This is only one of the many (and I mean MANY) shows I've watched so far. Let me know if any of you get hooked!

Normal day

Getting ready to play some music that might just manage to fully wake me up.

Hmm, I think I'm up now. Gotta love Royal Tailor. I might be the slowest person on earth since I, like, just found them yesterday. I know, I know, how could I not have known there was this BEAUTIFUL music in the world? I honestly don't know.

Things be happenin'

Well, First off, I got my first story up on Wattpad! YAY!!!!! I'm so excited. It's called "Letters from Madge" and you can read it by clicking the link below. http://www.wattpad.com/story/59955922-letters-from-madge
 Hopefully I can get it all up there.

In other news, here is what I am listening to as I write. I really do like how The Piano Guys blend Classical and modern pop music.
  Well, that's it for now. Please let me know how you like my story (or my music taste, for that matter).

Yo-yo weather

I don't know whether we're having spring, winter or some strange mix of both. One day I'm sporting a sweater, next day I'm bundled up so much all you can see is my eyes. I wish the weather wasn't so bipolar. It's getting harder and harder to plan my outfits ahead of time. On a different note, I guess I could discuss music as well. If there is a subject you think I should talk about, please leave a comment below.

Well, Hey!

I'm only going to talk books, food, period dramas, and maybe rant a little on life. I'm an aspiring writer who wishes to remain anonymous. I tend to be "gently" blunt (if you know what that means, power to ya, I don't) so just know I say what I feel and it might not be what you like. Hope you enjoy the ride! By the way, I love cheesecake