Happy New Year's!!!

My goodness, another year has passed. Not only that, we have passed a full decade in to the Millennium. How many of you remember the Y2K fears? I do. I remember December 31, 1999 going to downtown Tempe for the Fiesta Bowl Block Party and if I remember correctly, University of Nebraska was playing at the Fiesta Bowl. I also remember it being the first New Year's in which I could legally drink alcohol but my friends weren't quite there yet. We went down to wait for the clock to hit midnight and welcome the insanity that was to happen at that point. Pop! Boom! Fizz... seriously? That's it? Oh well, it's always exciting to wonder about the unknown. I guess that's why I like dystopian, speculative, paranormal, urban fantasies, scifi, fantasy and mysteries sooo much. Ahh, though, to be young and 21 again..

As I am sitting at home, running a fever due to a stomach virus I caught from my daughter, I am looking back over the last decade. CRAZY! I can not believe how much two people have been able to take and survive! Looking back... I see life, death, births, happiness, heartache, disappointments, goals, let downs, child abuse, trials, heart attacks, cancer, job losses, job gains, losses again, finding old friends, making new friends, family, homelessness, recovery, Iraq war, and this list can go on. These things listed have been happening in my personal life (whether to me personally or my family) but some didn't survive (my first two daughters didn't survive long after their births and my mother lost her life to cancer) but the rest of us did. We haven't come out of this first part of 2000s unscathed but I refuse to let the last 10 years dictate the next 10 of my life. I am turning 32 in 10 days and am not getting younger.

I like New Year's Resolutions. They are goals that you write and hope to keep. They are a positive motivator to want to better ourselves.

10 years and how about 10 resolutions???

1. Being more stable with employment, education and health. No gaps.

2. Work on my patience levels.

3. Be a kinder person.

4. Lead a healthier lifestyle- eat healthier, exercise more, phase out caffeine completely, go to my doctor for a healthy lifestyle plan, staying positive being a BETTER FRIEND and being open to have healthier interpersonal relationships. Also, being more accepting of all the things in the past and give it up that I can NOT change what has happened but to continue to better myself for it!

5. Reading more, having a faster turn around for reviews, and keeping up with my blog more. Maybe even start a book club? I love Dog-eared used books (dogearedusedbooks.com), a local independent used book store, and may hook up with them for a club! I want to though, feature them on my blog and take some photos!

6. Volunteer in the community more with Emma and getting her into Girl Scouts. I feel so much of her time outside the home is school and therapies, she needs more, I don't want to see productive because school and therapies are productive, socially productive time. This also includes doing more for Child Abuse prevention right here in my community.

7. Do more activities with my daughter. Library, parks, crafts, etc.

8. Getting Emma potty trained and out of her wheelchair!

9. Fix myself up more. I rarely wear makeup, style my hair or get dressed up. I need to do that more. Just for me.

10. Last but not least.. no more slacking on housework!

Oh wait, one more.

11. Get out more. I spend so much time at home, work and school is starting up later in January, I need more social time. Seriously. Also, included will be getting back home to visit family and friends more. I also add in the Shaken Baby Conference in September as part of my resolution.

Happy New Year's!!!

My goodness, another year has passed. Not only that, we have passed a full decade in to the Millennium. How many of you remember the Y2K fears? I do. I remember December 31, 1999 going to downtown Tempe for the Fiesta Bowl Block Party and if I remember correctly, University of Nebraska was playing at the Fiesta Bowl. I also remember it being the first New Year's in which I could legally drink alcohol but my friends weren't quite there yet. We went down to wait for the clock to hit midnight and welcome the insanity that was to happen at that point. Pop! Boom! Fizz... seriously? That's it? Oh well, it's always exciting to wonder about the unknown. I guess that's why I like dystopian, speculative, paranormal, urban fantasies, scifi, fantasy and mysteries sooo much. Ahh, though, to be young and 21 again..

As I am sitting at home, running a fever due to a stomach virus I caught from my daughter, I am looking back over the last decade. CRAZY! I can not believe how much two people have been able to take and survive!

Looking back... I see life, death, births, happiness, heartache, disappointments, goals, let downs, child abuse, trials, heart attacks, cancer, job losses, job gains, losses again, finding old friends, making new friends, family, homelessness, recovery, Iraq war, and this list can go on. These things listed have been happening in my personal life (whether to me personally or my family) but some didn't survive (my first two daughters didn't survive long after their births and my mother lost her life to cancer) but the rest of us did. We haven't come out of this first part of 2000s unscathed but I refuse to let the last 10 years dictate the next 10 of my life. I am turning 32 in 10 days and am not getting younger.

I like New Year's Resolutions. They are goals that you write and hope to keep. They are a positive motivator to want to better ourselves. 10 years and how about 10 resolutions???

1. Being more stable with employment, education and health. No gaps.

2. Work on my patience levels.

3. Be a kinder person.

4. Lead a healthier lifestyle- eat healthier, exercise more, phase out caffeine completely, go to my doctor for a healthy lifestyle plan, staying positive being a BETTER FRIEND and being open to have healthier interpersonal relationships. Also, being more accepting of all the things in the past and give it up that I can NOT change what has happened but to continue to better myself for it!

5. Reading more, having a faster turn around for reviews, and keeping up with my blog more. Maybe even start a book club? I love Dog-eared used books (dogearedusedbooks.com), a local independent used book store, and may hook up with them for a club! I want to though, feature them on my blog and take some photos!

6. Volunteer in the community more with Emma and getting her into Girl Scouts. I feel so much of her time outside the home is school and therapies, she needs more, I don't want to see productive because school and therapies are productive, socially productive time. This also includes doing more for Child Abuse prevention right here in my community.

7. Do more activities with my daughter. Library, parks, crafts, etc.

8. Getting Emma potty trained and out of her wheelchair!

9. Fix myself up more. I rarely wear makeup, style my hair or get dressed up. I need to do that more. Just for me.

10. Last but not least.. no more slacking on housework!

Oh wait, one more.

11. Get out more. I spend so much time at home, work and school is starting up later in January, I need more social time. Seriously. Also, included will be getting back home to visit family and friends more. I also add in the Shaken Baby Conference in September as part of my resolution.

Happy Holidays!!!

I just wanted to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know 2010 will be just as great, if not better then the last. Here's to wonderful friends, family, bloggers, authors and publishers and many successful ventures to all of us!!!




P.s. I have NOT forgotten about the Heretic's Daughter Giveaway. I will be having winners posted soon and I will most likely, hunt down the winners since I have taken so long to age this done. My video card is having some compatibility issues with Windows 7 so I have to get online through Safe Mode with Browsing.

Let's get Emma cruising on her VERY OWN BIKE!!

This is the widget that will connect over to paypal in which any funds that come in will go DIRECTLY to Freedom Concepts, the manufacturer of the bike. I will not see a penny, it goes right in to Emma's bike account. Once the full amount is raised, then the bike will be built and shipped to Emma. I love the Widget, it shows the progress. You can also remain anonymous. It's GREAT!




Below is the link to the site, just copy and paste to your browser so you can read more! If you want more information on Emma, you can also go to my profile page and see my other blog and it's all about Emma surviving the abuse!
http://freedomconcepts.chipin.com/emma

Thank you! We know times are tough for everybody, even if you can forward to link to your readers, family, friends, and such, that would help so much. I am starting a new job on November 30th, so I won't be able to contribute for a few weeks and then not again until my tax refund has been sent to me. Then whatever is left at that time on the balance towards the bike, my tax refund should cover it! Will make a great Spring time gift for Emma! As I get extra money after her bike is made, I will continue to pay it forward and help another special needs child ride their very own bike!

Get your Swagga On!

Have you heard of swagbucks? If not, you need to! I use Swagbucks as my primary search engine (they combine the best of Google and Ask all in to one search engine) and earn! You won't earn EVERY time you search but you will randomly earn Swagbucks! I also am a fan of their facebook page, follow on Twitter, have their Swidget on the bottom of my blog and downloaded their toolbar, all of those help with getting swagcodes and such! I also HIGHLY recommend getting referrals!

Also from Black Friday to January 1st, Swagbucks is blowing out one giftcard a DAY! Cutting the prices!

Click on the banner to learn more and sign up!

Fantasy & Science Fiction- December Issue Review

So, I am a little late in getting this review written however, it's never too late to share with you this gem. I was given the opportunity to read and review the December issue of "Fantasy & Science Fiction" which is a magazine dedicated to, yep you guessed it, the fantasy and sci fi genre.

I was a little surprised when the issue arrived. It wasn't a high gloss, large magazine but rather a book of sorts. I took a quick fan like flip through the pages and noticed it wasn't inundated with ads for perfumes, sanitizers, or processed foods. YAY! I do love graphic images but although it's missing (except the cover art), that's ok. This brought back so many memories of the magazines I used to get. I remember getting pen pal-zines, cat-zines, fan-zines and such. Filled with reader content and quality. F&SF is a collection of short stories, editorial and book reviews. F&SF is focused on quality over quantity. I had such a great time reading the articles and short stories and finished it in one sitting! I was introduced to authors and even a blog I hadn't heard of.

I would recommend this for somebody who enjoys an old fashioned style magazine and a fan of the science fiction and fantasy genre, like myself. In the age of internet, ebooks and impatience, it's refreshing to read a magazine who still treasures the art of writing.

For more information, visit the website http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/

disclaimer: I was given a copy to review for free. The fact that I was given this magazine does not change my ability to remain unbiased. I am not given any monetary compensation, just the joy of keeping a copy for my library and my pure reading enjoyment.

"A Death in The Stocks" by Georgette Heyer Review

A moonlit night in a sleeping village… An English bobby returning from night patrol finds a corpse in evening dress locked in the stocks on the village green. The body is that of Andrew Vereker. Not a well-loved man, so narrowing down suspects isn’t going to be easy, even for the resourceful Superintendent Hannasyde who finds himself on the trail of a killer so cunning that even his consummate powers of detection are tested to their limits.

I am sitting here scratching my head wondering how in the world I have missed out on such a fantastic author. I had not even HEARD of Georgette Heyer until I started blogging. How is that possible? She has obviously influenced many, many authors and yet, I am so dumbstruck on missing out on such a gem that I have now wishlisted nearly every book she has ever written!

"A Death In The Stocks" in my opinion, is the epitome of a cozy mystery with eccentric, humorous characters, Scotland Yard Superintendent, and the murders of two half brothers and an inheritance being the possible motive. Antonia and Kenneth were so insanely, hysterically eccentric that I caught myself laughing out loud many times. A perfect whodunnit that kept me guessing right up to the last chapter... Who murdered Roger and Arnold Vereker? The answer just may shock you. Curl up on your couch with a cup of tea and this book for a perfect night of reading.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Sourcebooks at no cost to give an HONEST review. Whether I purchase or am provided a book, there is no manipulation of my ability to remain unbiased. I am a reader, a lover of books. I will remain honest and true to my readers and the authors, publishers and marketing reps I review for. Ultimately, this blog is aimed at my audience and my reviews are to offer my insight and thoughts as a HOBBY reviewer.

"The Better Part of Darkness" by Kelly Gay- Review

From Goodreads.com:

Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.

Right off the top, "The Better Part of Darkness" has every single element that I love in a Fantasy. An awesome hero/heroine who is real. Charlie Madigan isn't overly badass but badass enough that she is just rocking awesome. Her partner, Hank Williams (yes, just like the singer) is a SIREN. Yes, the sirens that have the hypnotizing voice and can make you do anything. Anything.

Another element, the awesome off-worlders. Ok, not exactly awesome characters but awesome AS characters. Jinns, Goblins, Sirens, and many others make an appearance.

Another element, Charlie's rocking supporting cast from her ITF partner, to her sister, to her daughter, Aaron, Zara, etc.

Another element, action and suspense. A perfect amount that made me want to keep my eyes glued to the page for more. ASH is a drug causing trouble to the people of Atlanta and Charlie and Hank are trying to get to the bottom of this substance, which they are sure is an off-world product.

Another element, sex. No. Let me rephrase, sexual tension. Kelly Gay, the author, was smart. There are so many fantasy/urban fantasy books on the market. Good and bad. However, too many seem to think that since sex sells, why not tell a story about the protagonist having sex and lots of it to the point that it is distracting. I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, however, I am in it for the plot. Kelly Gay kept all sexual innuendos/acts/etc at a minimum so as not to distract the reader but enough sexual tension to satisfy (pun intended? maybe) the reader.

If I wasn't already a fan of urban fantasy, this book would easily bring me over to the dark side. However, I am already a nut for the genre, so KUDOS Kelly Gay! Overall, this was such a thrilling and exciting book and I seriously can't wait to read the sequel, "The Darkest Edge of Dawn".

Two thumbs up!

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Pocket Books at no cost to give an HONEST review. Whether I purchase or am provided a book, there is no manipulation of my ability to remain unbiased. I am a reader, a lover of books. I will remain honest and true to my readers and the authors, publishers and marketing reps I review for. Ultimately, this blog is aimed at my audience and my reviews are to offer my insight and thoughts as a HOBBY reviewer.

Fundraising site for Emma's bike!

This is the widget that will connect over to paypal in which any funds that come in will go DIRECTLY to Freedom Concepts, the manufacturer of the bike. I will not see a penny, it goes right in to Emma's bike account. Once the full amount is raised, then the bike will be built and shipped to Emma. I love the Widget, it shows the progress. You can also remain anonymous. It's GREAT!




Below is the link to the site, just copy and paste to your browser so you can read more! If you want more information on Emma, you can also go to my profile page and see my other blog and it's all about Emma surviving the abuse!
http://freedomconcepts.chipin.com/emma

Thank you! We know times are tough for everybody, even if you can forward to link to your readers, family, friends, and such, that would help so much. I am starting a new job on Monday, the 30th, so I won't be able to contribute for a few weeks and then not again until my tax refund has been sent to me. Then whatever is left at that time on the balance towards the bike, my tax refund should cover it! Will make a great Spring time gift for Emma!

Search the net and earn bucks to buy giftcards and more!

Have you heard of swagbucks? If not, you need to! I use Swagbucks as my primary search engine (they combine the best of Google and Ask all in to one search engine) and earn! You won't earn EVERY time you search but you will randomly earn Swagbucks! I also am a fan of their facebook page, follow on Twitter, have their Swidget on the bottom of my blog and downloaded their toolbar, all of those help with getting swagcodes and such! I also HIGHLY recommend getting referrals!

Also from Black Friday to January 1st, Swagbucks is blowing out one giftcard a DAY! Cutting the prices!

Click on the banner to learn more and sign up!

Fundraising site for Emma's bike!

This is the widget that will connect over to paypal in which any funds that come in will go DIRECTLY to Freedom Concepts, the manufacturer of the bike. I will not see a penny, it goes right in to Emma's bike account. Once the full amount is raised, then the bike will be built and shipped to Emma. I love the Widget, it shows the progress. You can also remain anonymous. It's GREAT!




Below is the link to the site, just copy and paste to your browser so you can read more! If you want more information on Emma, you can also go to my profile page and see my other blog and it's all about Emma surviving the abuse!
http://freedomconcepts.chipin.com/emma

Thank you! We know times are tough for everybody, even if you can forward to link to your readers, family, friends, and such, that would help so much. I am starting a new job on Monday, the 30th, so I won't be able to contribute for a few weeks and then not again until my tax refund has been sent to me. Then whatever is left at that time on the balance towards the bike, my tax refund should cover it! Will make a great Spring time gift for Emma!

Review: The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox

Synopsis Courtesy of Goodreads.com:

Dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and an evil queen all these and more can be found in The Magic Warble, an enchanting tale of adventure and friendship.

Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals and the evil Queen Sentiz.

In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she's honored as ''the chosen one'', the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz's control. But it s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous ''Magic Warble,'' in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen s ''zelbocks'' before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.

Before I begin my review, first off, I need to make an apology to Victoria Simcox and Dorothy at Pump It Up Book Promotions. I made an error and put this review to be posted on December 5th BUT it should have been the 3rd or 4th. I will not post anything for two days to ensure that this review stays at the top of my blog to be seen and read.

On to my review :)

First off, KUDOS Victoria! One of my favorite kinds of books to read when I was a kid were fantasy adventures. A real fantasy book with a kid (an underdog, to be exact) as the hero/heroine with grand adventures. Well, Kristina is a true underdog and "The Magic Warble" is a truly magical adventure full of fantasy. Kristina is a likable character. You just want her to succeed as the chosen one and overturn the evil queen! Ok, I am adult and I wished I was Kristina going through her adventure!

The entire story flowed smoothly from start to finish. A quick, fun and enjoyable read!

It has truly been a while since I read a book that has made me feel "excitement" and "The Magic Warble" has done it. If you want to feel like a kid again, pick this up!