Timebound and The Line

The first book of the year has been completed! A few days before January 1st, I stumbled upon a new subscription called "Kindle First." If you're a Prime member and subscribe, they send you an email with a choice of four books. Pick one of four, and buy it for free.

The first book I read (last year, hah!) was called Timebound by Rysa Walker. It didn't qualify for my 2014 reading challenge, but I'm compelled to review it any way. Clearly, as the title implies, it's about time travel. More specifically, bouncing in between times, without damaging the timeline. This book asks, "What would happen if someone wanted to shape history?" It's an interesting question, and though the main character is young, the journey was interesting. It really lends credit to the phrase, "Time is relative." I know a few of the reviewers weren't happy with the book, but I soaked up the details. There's a bit of history woven in, (not as seamless and amazing as A Discovery of Witches) and it's interesting enough to keep you flipping pages.

The second book I've read this week, or the first for the year, whichever way you want to look at it, is The Line by J.D. Horn. This is my second pick from the Kindle First subscription. It's about a young woman, Mercy, twin to Maisie, who finds herself powerless in Savannah's most powerful witching family. First, let me say, I was really reticent to read another young adult witch novel. There have been some really great ones, and some really cringe-worthy. This was a really wonderful surprise. Mercy, an almost twenty-one year old, is introduced as a fun-loving girl who gives the Liar's Tour of Savannah. At odds with an old aunt, she's mostly called 'The Disappointment' within the family for not showing any magical ability at all. And she takes it in stride. The journey was full of twists, some expected, some unexpected, but I was really pleased with how the author had Mercy deal with the plot twists. She truly was a young woman to admire. I'm happy that I found this author, and the second book in the series is coming out July 15. (Ironically, the same day as the third book in the "A Discovery of Witches" series.)

Now that I'm two books into the week, I find myself itching for another really good supernatural/fantasy book. Maybe I'll roll the dice and get lucky with an Amazon recommendation. I will say I did buy (paperback) The Diviners by Libba Bray, and I haven't been able to get into it. It's been sitting on my nightstand for two weeks, which isn't a good sign. Sorry to those who like it, but I'm thinking it falls into the 'might be a best seller, but not sellin' me on it' category.

New Year, New You

Well, not really. Same me, new goals. I'm holding myself accountable for this year's book challenge. I'm already focused on health and losing weight, so that's just more of the same. I think this year's resolution is to communicate more. It's easy to let communication slide, so this will be my focus. 2014 was brought in at the house, in front of a fire, with a healthy glass of wine and my husband by my side. Pretty great start! This morning was pancakes and bacon for the boys and later we'll take down the tree. Tomorrow we're supposed to get a decent amount of snow, so maybe a last minute run to the store for milk is in order. I'm looking forward to this year. We're hoping for good health, good luck and fertility. C'mon baby #2, we're ready for more!

Post Christmas Bliss

Christmas 2013 was a great success! Sam made out like a bandit and it was nice to have Christmas morning at our house. B and I made Christmas dinner together; ham, white & sweet potatoes, vegetables, gravy and rolls. The only mishap was slicing my finger on the mandolin. The potatoes were finger-lickin' good. Today, the kiddo and I are just relaxing. Actually, we're watching Bolt. It's one of his favorites. Christmas brought toys, clothes, and a radio (brought by Santa!) It was just a wonderful holiday. Last night, sitting by the fire, I was thinking about how blessed I am. It truly is a wonderful life.

2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

What’s your reading goal for 2014? If it’s to read more books, then this is the reading challenge for you! There have been 500+ readers who have wanted to outdo themselves so far. Are you up for the challenge?


Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 (books read prior to 1/1/2014 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime before 9/30/2014. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2014 than you did in 2013. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
• Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).
• Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, mystery, etc.).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• To join the challenge, grab the 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes, Libib, etc., so as long as you have a dedicated shelf for the 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge and your profile is not private. The The point of linking up is to have a place where people can see what you’re reading.

I have decided to forgo the review link-up for 2014. If you plan to review the books you read for this challenge, link them up in your 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge post.

Levels:      Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I'm going to start out with reading 50 books for the year 2014. I hope to read more than that, but I need a jumping point.



Book List
1. The Line by J.D. Horn (1/2)
2. Prodigy by Marie Lu (1/3)
3. Champion by Marie Lu (1/6)
4. Angelfall by Susan Ee (1/7)
5. Hidden by M. Lathan (1/9)
6. Lost by M. Lathan (1/10)
7. Back on Murder by J. Mark Bertrand (1/10)
8. A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest (1/19)
9. A Shade of Vampire 2: A Shade of Blood by Bella Forrest (1/19)
10. A Shade of Vampire 3: A Castle of Sand by Bella Forrest (1/20)
11. A Shade of Vampire 4: A Shadow of Light by Bella Forrest (1/20)
12. A Shade of Vampire 5: A Blaze of Sun by Bella Forrest (1/21)
13. Blood of the Lamb by Michael Lister (1/23)
14. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (1/24)
15. The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton (1/29)
16. The Mind Thieves by Lori Brighton (1/30)
17. The Mind Games by Lori Brighton (1/30)
18. Dead Center by Danielle Girard (2/1)
19. It Started With a Whisper by A.W. Hartoin (2/8)
20. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (2/9)
21. Frost Bite (VA #2) by Richelle Mead (2/10)
22. Shadow Kiss (VA #3) by Richelle Mead (2/10)
23. Blood Promise (VA #4) by Richelle Mead (2/11)
24. Spirit Bound (VA #5) by Richelle Mead (2/11)
25. Last Sacrifice (VA #6) by Richelle Mead (2/12)
26. Gilded by Christina Farley (2/20)
27. Concealed In Death by JD Robb (3/3)
28. Hidden by Catherine McKenzie (3/19)
29. The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston (3/20)
30. Fixed On You by Laurelin Page (4/8)
31. Found In You by Laurelin Page (4/8)
32. Forever With You by Laurelin Page (4/8)
33. Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts (5/21)
34. From The Moment We Met by Marina Adair (5/27)
35. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (5/28)
36. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (5/31)
37. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (6/7)
38. The Collector by Nora Roberts (6/10)
39. Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (7/10)
40. The Source by J.D. Horn (7/15)
41. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (7/31)
42. Inamorata by Megan Chance (8/9)
43. Festive In Death by J.D. Robb (9/16)
44. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (9/17)
45. The Paper Magician by Charlie Holmberg (12/1)
46. The Glass Magician by Charlie Holmberg (12/3)
47. Girl On a Wire by Gwenda Bond (12/28)

It's Only Been Three Years

Life happens when you're trying to plan, right? In the span of those lost 'internet' years, so many things have happened. In a sort of order, we bought a house, got engaged, planned a wedding, rescued a dog "Riley", and got married in early spring of 2013. Looking back at that birth picture makes me smile. Sammy is such a little man now. He walks and talks and laughs and plays. He jumps and sings and dances and dreams. He is so much more than I ever thought I could make. We are eternally grateful for our little family. So grateful, we want to add another!

Moving cross-country has brought me so much joy. I didn't know how it would work out when I was initially thinking of it, but I'm so glad I took the chance. No marriage/relationship is perfect, but we are happy and that's what counts. I think if I would have stayed in Illinois, my life would never have changed. I'd still be acting out. I am fulfilled in ways I never knew were lacking.

I still miss my family incredibly, but there have been visits back and forth to ease the withdrawals. In fact, I had one brother out in the beginning of November and a second brother here for Thanksgiving. It's been really incredible. We've all thrived so well. I'm incredibly happy with where our family is at this time. (Now, if only we could convince Dad to move to the East Coast too...)

I'm going to try to get back into the swing of blogging. I can't promise, (clearly, since it's been almost three years) but I will try.

Tis the season for cheer, after all.

Babies and Time Management

It is a dance that slowly works itself out.. And I thought I was tired before! Samuel Christian was born on April 15th, at 9:40am and he was perfect...

And now my baby is almost two months old and almost double the weight from birth.. Amazing. He's totally amazing. I seriously sometimes get nothing done during the day because I stare at him so often. He's starting to coo and almost laugh and loves to be cuddled up on my shoulder. And being a mother is the single greatest feeling I have ever felt. It is nothing and everything like I hoped it would be. Love, love, love.

My Sammy... he's my whole world, and I share that happily with B.

Single Digits

Six days. Six whole days until my estimated due date. Time is crawling, on it's hands and knees, slower than molasses, every second feels like 30 extra. This is normal. Or, that's what everyone says. "How are you doing?" ... Really, people do not want the real answer. Because when you start with a giant list of ailments, their faces turn and they're ready to be done with the conversation. So I've started to say, "Hanging in there, just waiting.." because that's mostly what I'm doing.

Everything is ready. The clothes are organized, the house has been cleaned over and over, we have every baby device known to man shoved somewhere or other. Each drawer is labeled by size and type of outfit. I am that stir-crazy. There is literally nothing I can do, other than daily chores to keep myself occupied. For six days. Which might not even be six days - but they won't let me go past 41 weeks, supposedly. I have an appointment on Wednesday morning to check my progress for the first time. Last Tuesday, we had an ultrasound for fetal weight - 6 lbs, 8 oz - and they said I should be able to deliver naturally, since I'm only 5'2. Fantastic. Let's do it. Not right this minute, because I'd like to shave my legs first, but really, let's get the show on the road.

And it's frustrating because the people that are due after me are already having their children. I'm excited for them, I really am, I just.. man, I really want to see my son. And the little bugger seems totally content to stay put for as long as possible, no matter how much I try to coax him out... "Hey, it's Grandma talking to you - Don't you want to meet Grandma?" or "Daddy's tickling your little feet - Don't you want to say hello?" I am clearly not above begging at this point.

I totally thought I was going to go early. The joke is definitely on me.

So, yesterday I went for a haircut, got the eyebrows waxed (which B calls, "fuzzy caterpillars" .. No more) and got to catch up on a bit of reading. It was overall relaxing. Went to dinner with friends of his and their two children, and they seemed really nice. Not sure on how often we'll interact with them, but they were nice as far as first impressions go.

And I also took pictures yesterday to document the 39 week start. Here he is, my stubborn little bundle of joy:

Hopefully I'll be able to see him soon. And get to celebrate everyone else's births excitedly, because mine has finally arrived!