What's Up Wednesday?! In Which I Make A Comeback!

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 

What I'm Reading

I finished up the Shadow and Bone series early this week. It was a good series but the last book, Ruin and Rising, was amazing! I recently started Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and the audio book of Unremembered by Jessica Brody. So far I'm really into both.

What I'm Writing

I finally have WHEN THE WIND BLOWS in the query stage. EEP. So I'm slooowwwwllllyyyy starting to draft FALLING SLOWLY. I have the first chapter written and am feeling out how I want the next few to go. It'll be difficult since it's a back and forth of present and past. I'm toying with past tense which is very new to me so it's proving to be a challenge.

What Works For Me

Writing whenever I have an idea or scene in my head. If it's opening up an email at work or on my phone, grabbing my laptop or iPad or even scribbling it down in a note book.

What Else Is New

So much. Especially since it's been forever since I've posted. I'm hoping to make it a regular thing! It's one of my goals this year but I've been slacking. Time to stop that. 

Two weekends ago kiddo and I went to Pensacon (a small, local comic con type thing). It's only the second year it's been around but has grown so much. We had a blast! Kiddo went as Star-Lord and, after I was told a Captain America shirt wasn't enough, I went as Batman.

This past weekend I got to cross off the first thing on my Twenty-Five under Thirty-Five list (post here). I participated in and FINISHED a Tough Mudder run. If you don't know what that is, it's a 10-12 mile (the one here was 11.7 miles) course full of mud, muck and 20 obstacles. And it was a BLAST! I crawled through mud, slide into a tank of ice water, climbed walls, ran across them sideways, crawled through tunnels, ran through a gas tent and electrical wires. And I can't wait to do it all again! Fingers are crossed that the Tough Mudder comes back to this area next year.

February Reads 2015

I tried book blogging before...it didn't work out. I ramble too much. Then last year I decided to post once a month with a small blurb about each book I read that month. It works better for me. So much so that I'm going to continue this year. You can click on any picture and it'll take you to the Goodreads page.

This month was a little slow, only six books. It's at least a book a week, which isn't bad.

Siege and Storm was every bit as good as Shadow and Bone. I was very excited to get back to the world of the Sun Summoner. Leigh paints such a vivid image of the world surrounding these characters.

I have a soft spot for all things Australian, including authors. And Raw Blue by Kristy Eagar did not disappoint. Carly is one of the most true-to-self main characters I've ever read.She's surly and snappy and kind of a downer, but you can forgive her that. She makes no excuses for her attitude. You either take her or leave her. And her story is amazing. Maybe not one of a kind, but different enough to keep you enthralled.

Wow. Just wow. I am in awe of this book. Written completely in letters, emails, and IMs, it's a story of lost love and new beginnings and so much more. If your a fan of Attachments by Rainbow Rowell and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks then I think you'll really enjoy this book. Rosie is cute and young and completely insane at times. And Alex? Sometimes I can't figure out what he's thinking. But I'm not sure it would work out any other way than how the story goes.

Not sure what to say about this book. It wasn't bad by any means, it just wasn't a "me" book. It was well written and researched and interesting, but it isn't the type of book I normally read.

I enjoyed Dahlia's Behind The Scenes (her first YA book), but I LOVE LOVE LOVED Last Will and Testament (her first NA book). I think this will be one of my favorite books of 2015!! Lizzie is fierce! I would love to have her confidence and I-don't-give-a-shit attitude. I love a MC who can hold her head up no matter what. And Connor, swoon!!! Why are there not more guys out there that are caring and endearing? What happened to chivalry? He's totally my new book boyfriend. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Another awesome book. I'm on a roll with contemporary, they've all been amazing this month! I absolutely adored this book. A tough, sarcastic MC and a tall, dark and handsome LI mixed with baseball? What's not to love? 

Twenty-Five by Thirty-Five

Once again I'm borrowing an idea from Katy Upperman. She did a list of thirty things she wanted to accomplish by thirty-five (see her post here) and I loved the idea. But I'm changing it up a little and doing twenty-five by thirty-five.

I decided to do the list as a way to accept growing older. Though it's inevitable, it's still hard. For a while I just said "I'm twenty-nine and I'm not growing older". Worked for Peter Pan...not so much for me. But now I have something to look forward to. Here's the list below.



1. Compete in a Tough Mudder race
2. Train for a half-marathon
3. Complete a half-marathon
4. Run at least four 5Ks a year
5. Run a color run/vibe
6. Complete two-three novels
7. Get a book agent
8. Get a book published
9. Read the Harry Potter series
10. Watch all the Harry Potter movies
11. Go to Potter World!
12. Go back to school
13.Paddleboard
14.Swim with Dolphins
15.Get two (or more) more tattoos
16.Go to a book event
17. Read at least 50 books a year
18. Complete 1000 piece Lego set
19. Learn to knit
20.Visit New Orleans and get a beignet
21. Complete two DIY projects a year
22.Go to a concert, or two
23.Have purple hair (even if just a streak)
24.Try Roller Derby (or at least get back on my skates)
25.Go on a trip by myself!(meaning...not the boys, just me or me and the girls)

As you can see this is a pretty crazy, insane, jumbled up list. But it's something to strive for and look forward to. And I can't wait to start crossing items off.

January Reads 2015

I tried book blogging before...it didn't work out. I ramble too much. Then last year I decided to post once a month with a small blurb about each book I read that month. It works better for me. So much so that I'm going to continue this year. You can click on any picture and it'll take you to the Goodreads page.

January wasn't a bad month (though I only read half as many books as last January minus one).

 I was very fortunate to receive an eArc of Kalahari by Jessica Khoury. I've read her two others books but this is by far my favorite in the Corpus series.  It was full of action with enough humor to keep the intensity down and real. Jessica did a great job painting a picture of the semi-desert and the animals that reside there.

I FINALLY broke down and read (okay, listened, these were audible audio books) to The Selection Series (The Selection, The Elite, The One) by Kiera Cass. And I am SO glad I did. I'm not one to watch The Bachelor but boy did I love these books. I'm not 100% sure what it is about them but they kept me guessing on the edge of my seat. They also kept me wanting to throw my phone because the characters at times drove me crazy. A good crazy, but crazy nonetheless.

I wanted to love Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid...but I didn't. Everyone else that I know who has read it loves it. I want to be one of those people. Sometimes I wonder if the hype of a book is so big that I don't fully fall into it. Great story overall, just wasn't one I loved.

Another one I wanted to just love was Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas. It was great, don't get me wrong, it just wasn't as good as Dangerous Girls. I think I hyped this one up on my own. But it did what it was supposed to: creep me out, make me wonder what the characters were thinking and then do a 180 when you realize what's going on. She has a way of giving you whiplash in the best way possible.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is as good as everyone says, though I'm glad I wanted to read this one because I'm afraid the hype might have killed it. (what is it with me and hype this month, I swear it affects me)

Bleed Like Me by Christa Desir. My oh my this book will stick you right in the gut. Christa has such a way of bringing these stories to life that all you want to do is hold the characters and tell them it'll be all right, even if it won't be. It's not a happily ever after by any means but it's the type of book that you need out there because life is always a happy ending.

I was in the need of some light reading after my last book so I picked up The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols. It's the perfect winter time read. You can never go wrong with an Jen Echols book.

2015 Reading and Writing and Blogging OH MY

2014 wasn't a bad year but wasn't a great year either. It was just one of those years that was. I completed a lot of goals while starting others. Kiddo finished kindergarten and started first grade while playing t-ball, soccer and basket ball. We went on our first cruise with my husbands family and made it back safely (though sick). But now 2015 is here!

Reading

I wanted to read 60 books and I did. Plus some. I ended the year with 137 books read (not counting the ones that aren't published yet). In 2015 I'm aiming for 80 books and if I reach that early I'll adjust my goal.

Writing

I put my last complete novel (One More Summer) on the shelf after a round of querying. I got a few partial and full requests but nothing came of those. I started and completed my third novel (When The Wind Blows). I'm debating on waiting for more notes or reading it again myself and going from there. I love this book and want to see it succeed but I also don't want to put it out in the world before its ready. My goal for this year is to start and finish my fourth novel (Falling Slowly) and, if I complete it, start another (What If I Was Nothing).

My critique partner, Jessica Leake, and I have made goals for ourselves. I want to complete Falling Slowly by March 20th (before kiddo’s spring break) which means I need to write 780 words a day to finish on time.

Blogging

I really slacked on blogging this year. The most I did was Ready? Set. Write! and my monthly book updates. This year I want to do more weekly blogging by sticking with What's Up Wednesday? as well as keep up my monthly reading wrap-ups.

December Reads 2014

A few years back I tried book blogging. I suck at it because I can’t just review the book. I want to ramble on for pages and pages or can’t find any words at all. Last year I decided to use Katy Upperman’s idea (it’s okay, she doesn’t mind). Each month I do a mini review of the books I read that month. No picking and choosing, every single book. 2014 ended with 12 books bringing my total to 137 for the year. I'd started out with wanting to read 60 books but when I met that before June I upped it. And upped it. And upped it again.

I with a book like The List existed when I was in high school. What these girls went through and learned throughout this book would be great for teen girls today.

I didn't start this series until until a month before the last book but I'm glad I did. Such a fast paced, thrilling book. 

I saw Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist when the movie first came out but didn't realize it was a book. Even through I knew what would happen I enjoyed seeing it from the perspective of each character.

I wasn't a fan of Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List. To me there were too many different Points of View for one book. I wish they had stuck with just Naomi and Ely.

Sinner was exactly what I expected from Maggie. Her characters stayed true from book to book and this was no exception. I love that we even got a glimpse of Grace and Sam.

All I can say about this book was what was Cassidy thinking (even though I love when characters throw us off) and that I needed book three ASAP when I was done.

I adored Dash & LIly's Book of Dares. Both characters were different and wonderful and I enjoyed following them on their crazy journey.

Sweet, cute read though I found it a little predictable. But I liked where it ended.

Such a great series! I couldn't wait for each book to be released. Loved how it all turned out!!

Though I liked some stories more than others it was a great read overall.

THIS BOOK! I have to say one of the best reads of 2014! I borrowed an ARC of the book but ended up buying my own. Can't wait for the second book in March.

I really enjoyed Vitro though I was hoping for a little more romance.

November Reads 2014

A few years back I tried book blogging. I suck at it because I can’t just review the book. I want to ramble on for pages and pages or can’t find any words at all. So earlier this year I decided to use Katy Upperman’s idea (it’s okay, she doesn’t mind). Each month I do a mini review of the books I read that month. No picking and choosing, every single book.

 I have very mixed feelings about Insomnia.

 I really enjoyed Joyride. It had just the right amount of romance while not being too over the top. The pranks were fun, very real to life. And the MC, Carly, was spunky and self reliant. She felt very real, down-to-earth. It's also set in my county so that's all kinds of fun.

Very fun, fast follow up to More than Music.

Confession...I had NO idea this series was more than a trilogy. I was getting annoyed because I wasn't getting any answers. I was just over half-way done when I looked it up and saw there's another book due out next year. But, it was just as good as the other books and I can't wait for the next one.

Rites of Passage holds a special place in my heart. I'm lucky enough to be one of Joy's CPs and got to read the early drafts. It was neat to read the final and see what changed since the first draft. I didn't think she could make the book even better but it was incredible. One of my favorite books this year.

I wasn't sold on All Broke Down right away but after a while the characters grew on me and I couldn't help but fall into the world of Rusk University.

I've been wanting to read Sinner since it came out this summer but I wanted to re-read the series first. I forgot how much I love the world of Mercy Falls. Shiver is by far my favorite of the series and Forever my least favorite. I'm hoping Sinner wraps the series up nicely.

VIP completely drew me in. When I got to the end I wanted it to keep going. So glad to see the next two Acts are out next month.

Loved this series.