30 Days of Readathon - Blue

Tap dancing

Tap dancing is a very new thing in my house. I should say it is a bit of an obsession with my kids. I've been trying to find the movie White Nights for them to see but haven't had any luck as yet. So, this scene here is being posted and marked for my kids to see in the morning.

30 Days of Readathon - Space

My recliner, by the window is one of my favorite Spaces to read. If it's chilly and I can cover up with a cozy crocheted blanket then it's even better as far as I'm concerned! There's a little stool between the chair and the window where I always have something to drink, as well. Right now there's an iced coffee and a water there. 

Wordless Wednesday: Sunset walk

Teaser Tuesday: Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare:

"No teasing. I am here for you."

"If that's not teasing, it's a flat-out lie."

He inched the chair forward, desperate to close the distance between them. He spoke to her quietly, honestly. From the depths of his cold, long suffering heart. "I'm here for you mon ange. Violet, I would cross a world for you." 

Musing Monday: Tessa Dare

 Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

I'm currently reading the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak in August but had never read any of her books. I decided I should and found myself falling for her characters in her Stud Club series. Her books are Historical Romances which I love but hadn't read in a while. Now I'm living my reading life in that era because Tessa Dare writes funny, flawed, lovable, stubborn, human characters I find myself rooting for! If you haven't given her a try but like strong characters then do so. I was pleasantly surprised and think others may be as well. 

30 Days of Readathon - Snacks

I used this as the snack picture for the prompt for #30days of readathon today. However, this was breakfast or as I told my daughter, good sugar and bad. Still, it was delicious and along with my current book - a wonderful start to the day. 

30 Days of Readathon - Red

It was fun looking on my bookshelves to gather books with red spines. The only one in this stack that I haven't read yet is Story Genius by Lisa Cron. I will be reading it soon, though. I listened to a presentation she gave at a writers conference in March and it was amazing and motivational. 

30 Days of Readathon - Short book

This book is the first I ever read by John Steinbeck. Despite the tragedy in the book it remains one of my favorites. It also fits into the 'short book' category for the #30daysofreadathon celebration for Dewey's 24-Hour readathon. What is one of your favorite short books?

30 Days of Readathon - Favorite Books

The next edition of Dewey's 24-Hour readathon is Saturday, October 21, 2017. The readathon will be celebrating ten amazing years that day! How cool is that? My kids and I will be reading for our eighth year. I didn't realize we'd found the readathon so early on. We've had the pleasure of watching it grow over the years and this is something we look forward to twice each year.

In celebration of Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon turning TEN the organizers are hosting 30 Days of Readathon. Borrowed directly from their page - here is how you can participate if you wish:

The October 21 Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon marks TEN YEARS of this fantabulous event! We wanted to start the party a bit early this year, so we’re doing 30 Days of Readathon! Feel free to write topical blog posts, post videos, share Instagram photos, tweet your reminiscences and ideas….however you want to celebrate Readathon!

Hashtag? Why, yes! #30DaysofReadathon OR #readathon if you’d prefer because easy.

So, Favorite Book: Like most book loving readers it is difficult for me to pick one favorite book. So, I will list a favorite book from a few genres. Here we go. 

Romance: Born In Ice by Nora Roberts; Classics: The Pearl by John Steinbeck; Fantasy/MG: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling and Crime Procedural/Mystery: Visions in Death by J.D. Robb

Wordless Wednesday: Crochet Santa applique

Teaser Tuesday: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare:

I'm here to train the local men. And there are men here,somewhere. Fishermen, farmers, tradesmen, servants. If what you say is correct, and they're outnumbered by managing females... Well, then they'll be eager for a chance to flex their muscles."

Musing Monday: Background sounds

 Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This weeks random question: Do you like something playing in the background while reading?

NO! I used to be able to shut out the background noise - television, music, idle chatter - of my surroundings while reading but no more. Now I prefer the quiet when I read. Therefore, I tend to do most of my reading at night once my husband and children have gone to sllep for the night. It's more peaceful to me. I can concentrate on what I'm reading and get immersed in the story. 

Tulips

Some days call for flowers - even if it's only a picture of them. 

Family

My kids and I had the pleasure of spending the day with extended family. We get to do so again next weekend and we are so happy about it! I think family is so important and it's nice to share time together. 

One breath

The Man Who Invented Christmas

I want to see this movie! It looks fantastic! As someone who LOVES A Christmas Carol and has read it many times this movie will (hopefully) be brilliant to me! In fact, my kids want me to read then the book this year so I was already planning to do so. I'm not sure if they'd like this movie, though. So this may need to be viewed on a night out with girlfriends. 

Wordless Wednesday: Be You

Teaser Tuesday: Say Yes to the Marquess b Tessa Dare

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare:

He tried to deny it but he was hungry for connection, a sense of belonging in his life. Family. Acceptance. Home. A reason to come around on Christmas and Easter. 

Musing Monday: New book

 Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Last week the new J.D. Robb book came out. It's called Secrets in Death and I will be reading it later this week. The In Death books are one of my favorite series so I am really looking forward to reading this book. 

Pink and sparkly

My daughter and my cousin are all about things that are pink and sparkly. This sign makes me smile (and made my daughter squeal) because it makes me think of them. Plus, it's pretty and happy. Something that I think we need a lot more of in this world - in whichever way it comes. Pink and sparkly is definitely good, though!

Keep moving forward

Keep moving forward or as Dory says, "Keep on swimming." I submitted a manuscript on Monday night. It has been a crazy week and a bit stressful. However, I decided this afternoon that I would begin revising another manuscript I have in my catalog. I don't want to sit still. I don't want to be idle. I love writing and I want to do it forever. So I will take steps everyday to ensure that I can. 

Be safe

Be safe! Be strong!

There's so much insanity going on in the world right now. I'm trying really hard not to let it get me down but it's sad to see all the destruction - both to humanity and our world - caused by wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes. Here in the United States we're bracing for Irma to make landfall in Florida after it has decimated the Caribbean. Irma is meant to go into Georgia, North and South Carolina and possibly Tennessee, too. Now they're talking about Irma spawning tornadoes in those states, as well. Of course Texas is still recovering from Harvey. It's scary - all of these "natural" disasters. I'm doing my best to stay strong for the sake of my children - and anyone else - and am constantly hoping for the safety of everyone! So everyone, please, let's be safe and be strong together!

Waiting

Waiting is SO HARD! I've decided that while I am waiting to hear news about something that is very important to me I will get to work on something else. That way I am still being productive with my time. I will still be moving forward. 

Wordless Wednesday: Nature

Teaser Tuesday: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare:

"Of course one kiss changes things. If it's done right, a kiss changes everything. A kiss is the first step on a long, winding, quite perilous path of sensuality. This morning, Miss Goodnight, is where you turn back."

Gold light

It was nice enough this evening to get out for a walk! YAY! This is a picture of the sun setting that I tool. I love how the gold light is glowing through the trees!.

Sudden rain storm

It has been SO HOT here this past week. However, yesterday and today we had afternoon rain storms. THey remind me of the monsoon rain I experienced while living in Arizona as a teenager. Today I am super thankful for this rain though because Los Angeles is in the midst of the largest wildfire in its history. I am hopeful that this deluge of rain assists in putting it out. It has also cooled things off here a bit for which I am also thankful.

Creativity as Imporatant as Literacy

The above quote was at the end of an e-mail from my child's teacher. I am amazed that I have never heard this quote or of Ken Robinson! I whole-heartedly agree with his statement! My husband and I have always felt that encouraging the creativity of our children is as important as teaching them to read, write and solve math. There are several books written by Mr. Robinson (some with co-authors) and I will definitely be reading them in the near future. 

Hello September

This is not my picture though I think it is GORGEOUS! I got it from a Google search. As our heatwave continues I am given hope by the turning of the calendar from August to September! It is almost Autumn - my most favorite time of the year! Cooler temperatures are within reach. So are apple cider, a trip to the orchard for apple picking, the pumpkin patch, Halloween, Thanksgiving, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and the cheerful, warm lights of Christmas decorations. In other words, LOTS of family fun! Yes, in my opinion we're on the threshold of the most wonderful time of the year! So, I say thank you and goodbye to August; Hello September!