Happy Birthday to my 8 year old Reader

This little girl will change the world in ways I hope to be able to see.  She reminds me every day why being a mom is so important and to be a stay at home more is the greatest job in the world.  Even when she cries and I have to send her to her dad because I don't understand what I did to upset her.

She will change the world with her smile, being Tigger, and knowing how to be kind to everyone around her.

Book Review Kill Without Shame

Title: Kill Without Shame

Author: Alexandra Ivy

Stars: 3 stars 

Review:
This is the second book I have read by Alexandra Ivy. I gave her a second shot and I am done. Her characters are flat who were looking at a second chance. The book fell on the sword of romantic suspense textbook style.  Lots of different points of viewing that were not always clear who was communicating creating confusion.  This second chance bother me because if she was the one that got away than why did it take someone trying to kill her for him to come back. The wooing just drag along without any thing that made it special or stand out from other authors in the same genre. 
I dislike that these mean of ARES are suppose to be the best and yet they couldn't seem to figure some of the easiest details.  
My observation I find with all R.S is that the woman and man are so hot they could be on the cover of GQ or Comso.  Are their that many beautiful people in the world? I get the HEA couple being that hot for each other but the rest of the world finds them hot too? One of many observation I have found in this textbook style R.S. novels.  
If you enjoyed the first book in this series I am sure you will enjoy this one too.  I didn't enjoy the first one but this second book in the series was better.

  I needed more meat to the story and less I want to get into each other pants.
Advance Copy from Netgalley for my opinions 

Synopsis: 
Lucas St. Clair’s prestigious family had a political future neatly planned out for him—one that didn’t include his high school sweetheart, Mia Ramon. Under their pressure, Lucas gave her up. But since surviving captivity, he’s a changed man—and a crucial member of ARES Security. When he discovers a dead man clutching a picture of Mia that bears a threatening message, his fiercest protective instincts kick in, and he knows he must go to her.
 Mia has never forgiven Lucas for breaking her heart, and she’s convinced her feelings for him are in the past. But it’s soon clear that isn’t true for either of them. Now, determined to solve the crime and keep Mia safe, with his ARES buddies backing him up, Lucas will have to reconstruct the murder victim’s last days—and follow a lethal trail that leads right back to the fate of the woman he still loves…
Years later (no, I'm not admitting how many) I'm still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!
I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.


About The Author: 


I'm not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother's knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library. Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on. 


Author's Website: 
http://www.alexandraivy.com/

Where to buy:
https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Without-Shame-Ares-Security/dp/1420137573/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kill-without-shame-alexandra-ivy/1123624019;jsessionid=55B5B0027388893D391FB0C24375C914.prodny_store01-atgap09?ean=9781420137576

Last Motherhood Monday of 2016 Day after Christmas

There is a song called  "I cried the day I take the Tree down."
I hate to say this but I am one of those people.  I love the lights, the spirit of kindness, the out pouring of service that happens the first half of December.

As New Years comes closer and Christmas ends the spirit goes out the door.  Life's day to day struggles arrive and life is back to the normal.

I don't want that feeling to go away. I want it to stay forever. The question is How?
How can I keep the feeling of love, service and charity in my heart and in my family all year around?

I keep pieces of the Christmas season in my house.  The lights come down, the tree is cut up and sent away and the ornaments are boxed up but I leave the a small manger scene sitting on the bookcase my kids pass everything single day.  They might see it and remember what the meaning of Christmas is about or remember the life of Christ and all the service he did for those around him. No asking for anything in return.  They might not see it at all as it slowly gets covered in dust.



That small item that sits there reminds me of the love I feel in the month of December and what I want to carry with me all year around.

I thought I'd seen all the lights
And sung all the songs
I thought the holiday
Lasted a bit too long
I never shed any tears
When Christmas was through
Until I celebrated one with you

And now
I cry the day
that I take the tree down
I want the season
To last all year round
And I'm surrounded by
these memories
It's almost like you're here
with me

It's strange how things all change
When touched by love
We treasure things
we never thought much of

I cry the day
that I take the tree down
I want the season
To last all year round
And I'm dreaming of
Christmases when
We'll be together again

It's strange how things all change
When touched by love
We treasure things
we never thought much of

I cry the day
that I take the tree down
I want the season
To last all year round
And I'm dreaming of Christmases
When we'll be together
Again

Merry Christmas Father Christmas needs a WEE!

I miss you Mom Wimmer. One day We will see each other again.

I can honestly say I have never experienced great loss until my mother in law passed away from lung cancer several years ago.  

I had lost a grandfather but I didn't know him well.  I lost several close friends but we had grown apart over the years so when I read the news I was sad.  When my mother in law passed away the loss I felt i couldn't put into words.  I felt I needed to be strong for my husband and tucked those feelings deep down but soon I realized it made the loss so much worse.

As time has passed things will happen and I will wish she was there to meet my littlest and enjoy his crazy humor. She loved being a grandmother!  She truly loved being Grandma.

Christmas was her holiday. She decorated with so much love and every ounce of space was covered in something Christmas themed. I am the proud owner of 4 different Nativity. 

My mother in law pulled it out for the first time in 20 years my first Christmas as a daughter in law and I broke the donkey.

Sunday we took the kids to put a Christmas tree at mom's grave. We sang at the top of our lungs Jingle Bells. My heartaches to hear her laugh again, making gingerbread house together as we tried to keep the kids from eating all the candy and the way she would dance with my little ones until they fell sleep listening to Christmas music.

New Years Disneyland holding her snuggle bunnie

We had disagreements, she reminded me how my kids all looked like Wimmers which would drove me crazy. (FYI She is right Roxie looks just like her Not to mention my two boys who are min versions of their dad)

She taught me how to make homemade marshmallows, to laugh when I wanted to cry, and that we will one day see each other again. The greatest gift I have been given is the Plan of Salvation and Gods love for my family. When I look around my house I see small touches of her spirit in my home and around my kids.

When I married my husband I look my mom's advice which was "Love your Mother In Law as if she is your mother." I took that advice to heart and I will pass that wonderful advice my mom gave me to my children.

Miss you Mom Wimmer. Merry Christmas!! Temple Lights here we come!

Mesa LDS Temple Lights

Throwback Thursday Christmas Photos

That's right Throwback Thursday Christmas Photos.

I thought why not show you a few fun photos of my childhood, I and how Christmas has changed for us instead of an old Review.  My computer died and that is where most of my husbands family childhood photos are stored.  I am still in the process of transferring them over to this computer.

ENJOY
Show me your photos Past and Present!

My Family all 9 of us on one couch.

My mother loved matching us for Christmas.

Our First Christmas as Parents

Our First Tree in our First house

My later Christmas present early New Years 

Christmas even wishing the first daughter would arrive

They loved that little Tree

Grandfather

Christmas with our 2nd Daughter in my Arms

Christmas Eve at Grandpa House with my Tiny Army of Humans

Christmas Morning with my little

One of Many beautiful Christmas Trees

Mesa Arizona Temple Lights

First Christmas in our first House

Christmas Morning Adventures

My Childhood home and one of the many snow falls

Music Review Killer Christmas Song I'll Be Home For Christmas and Many More

Every year the killers produce a Christmas song and each year my little family looks forward to hearing it every since Joel  Joel the Lump Of Coal.  Which is played every single week before the littles head off to school.

This years Christmas song is an oldie but the twist I'll Be Home For Christmas but the story he tells before the song starts touches everyone to the core. This song will no longer be just the same old song sung with a different voice. The history of the song, the story that Killers frontman Brandon Flowers tells will reach everyone heart so when the song starts it will bring tears to your eyes as you remember you childhood and those who struggled, fought and loved so that everyone could have a free way to celebrate this Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Happy Holiday/or how every you feel to celebrate this wonderful gift to the world.

If you get the chance please listen to this wonderful song as well as my families favorite Jewel Joel the Lump of Coal.  It might sound like a silly song but it has a message everyone needs to hear and feel.

http://islandrecords.umg-wp3-dev.com/thekillerschristmas/

This one I love Joseph Better You Than Me.  It might sound sacrilegious in title but it again it as a beautiful message.

"Well your eyes just haven't been the same, Joseph
Are you bad at dealing with the fame, Joseph
There's a pale moonshine, above you
Do you see both sides, do they shove you, around

Is the touchstone forcing you to hide, Joseph
Are the rumors eating you alive, Joseph

When the holy night is upon you
Will you do what's right, the position is yours

From the temple walls to the New York night
Our decisions rest on a child
When she took her stand
Did she hold your hand
Will your faith stand still or run away
Run away

When they've driven you so far
That you think you're gonna drop
Do you wish you were back there at the carpenter shop

With the plane and the lathe
The work never drove you mad
You're a maker, a creator
Not just somebody's dad"

As a Parent this time of the year has so many different meanings now.  

Book Spotlight The Christmas List By Douglas Wimmer and L.B. Scott

Title: The Christmas List

Authors: Douglas Wimmer and L.B. Scott


Story
It's Winter, 1957. The snow is piling up, the days are getting shorter, and children all over the world are eagerly anticipating the night when Santa comes to visit. Except for the children at the Happy Heart Orphanage. No, the children there don't expect visits from the Man in Red. The Matrons who run the orphanage make sure each child there knows that they don't deserve such love from Jolly Ol' Saint Nick.

Santa or no, Johnny is determined to make this year's Christmas something special for the rest of the children. While executing his Christmas plan, he is caught by the Matrons and thrown in the scariest part of the house on Christmas Eve. Will Johnny escape? Will the orphans of the Happy Heart Orphanage ever have a true Christmas? 

Find out in this heartwarming short story of friendship and the Holiday spirit by L.B. Scott and Douglas B. Wimmer.

About The Authors:
Douglas Wimmer

I have been writing extensively for only a few years, however my passion for the written word extends far back to my childhood, when I was stopped by a group of teenagers on my way to elementary school.

I was carrying the hardback of the Stephen King novel, IT in the crook of my arm because it was too enormous to put in my backpack with the rest of my things. If you've never read IT, it is a tome of nearly 1,200 pages in hardback form. For my slight frame it was particularly heavy at 4 pounds. 

These teens were probably not a whole lot older than I was, maybe 2 or 3 years at the most, but to my adolescent mind that was enough so that I didn't object much when one of them asked me what I had in my hand. In a twist on the old "who's on first" routine, I answered that the book was "IT".

It was doubtful that he knew of the book, which is why he grabbed it from me to see if I was messing with him. He looked at it, opened the pages, glanced over the chapters, and the author before he looked up from the pages and said, "That's it? Freakin' IT by Stephen freakin' King?" (He pronounced the first name "Steffan")

I said "yep" and waited for him to give it back to me. I don't recall any feelings of fear or being scared of them for whatever reason, but there was some kind of emotional reaction within me since I still remember the incident from nearly thirty years ago.

In any case, he gave me back my comically over-sized book and I went on my way.

I did actually finish that book, and oddly enough it didn't give me nightmares, only more desire for good books that would cause me to feel fear, cause me to laugh, and feel sadness all within the power of their pages. That seed has caused me to delve into writing with that particular goal. To move people (myself included).

Why my parents allowed a 5th grader to read horror novelist Stephen King's opus about a psychopathic clown is a whole different topic.

L.B. Scott
Once upon a time... 

There lived a young girl with a dream of creating books that kids of all ages would love. She grew up in the wine country, which while beautiful, was unavoidably dull. Nothing strange or exciting ever happened to her. There were blocks upon blocks of suburbs surrounding her house.

In order to entertain herself, the young girl would invite friends to play make-believe. With the help of her friends, this girl's imagination would run wild and the they would find themselves in the most dramatic of stories, filled with witches and pirates, mermaids and magic spells. 

When the girl entered school, she was surrounded by those that didn't believe in the arts. She was told that she would never be able to be a writer, because writers never make money. So the girl shifted her focus away from her flights of fancy, and into a more stable direction.

When the girl was old enough, she made her way to the big city. While she did not realize that she was embodying a well-known cliché, she knew in her heart that she needed to be with all of the people. Surrounded by them. She needed to be where people were moving full speed ahead with their lives, not sitting back with a glass of wine in a hammock. She needed speed, efficiency and excitement. She needed bright lights and buildings that reached the sky.

But while she was there, she began to miss her childhood stories. The stories that were never repeated but slowly grew to become epics. She daydreamed of the majestic oak trees and rolling vineyards of her youth, and began to imagine what sort of world could have been hidden in those places, all along.

Thus began her journey of creating and building her first novel. A process that brings her both anger and joy. In order to break up the frustrations of editing a full novel and bring the fun back, she writes short stories of many different genres.

Where to find the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-List-Douglas-B-Wimmer-ebook/dp/B019G6DFVO/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481816686&sr=1-5&keywords=The+Christmas+List

Other Reviews:

Review

The Christmas List is a short story written by Douglas B. Wimmer and L.B. Scott. The Happy Heart Orphanage is not a cheerful place. Run by three tyrannical matrons who revel in the misery of the children in their charge, the orphanage's children are told on arrival that Santa never visits the children there due to the fact that he only visits children who are loved. As none of the children have parents, they are routinely told by the matrons that there is nobody in the world to love them, and therefore Christmas is not celebrated at the Happy Heart Orphanage. Outside in the freezing cold, a young boy, Johnny, trudges through the ice and snow to go to the outhouse, but the door has frozen shut and he has no way of getting it open. Desperate to relieve himself, he goes behind the outhouse and urinates in the snow. A matron witnesses the event and punishes him for such a disgusting act. Each Christmas is the same, with the matrons of the orphanage feasting on roast turkey with all of the trimmings while the orphans survive on bread, porridge, or scraps. When Johnny decides that the children deserve a happy Christmas just as much as the matrons do, he steals their turkey, but is punished in a most horrific way when caught doing so. Freezing and afraid, Johnny makes three wishes on behalf of the orphans who are so neglected ... with surprising and incredible results!

Oh my! As short as this story is, the emotion behind it is so powerful that it is very difficult for me to express. The actions of the matrons were absolutely cruel and shocking on a full time basis, and watching them rejoice in the misery and pain of the orphans was quite sickening, but the one child who seemed to draw the matrons' wrath the most was the one who always had the happiness and well-being of his fellow orphans in the forefront in his heart. Although darkness created the story's framework, love, happiness, and hope for a better tomorrow allowed the light shine into Douglas B. Wimmer and L.B. Scott's tale to such an extent that I found myself breathless and smiling, with tears in my eyes. I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed The Christmas List and I recommend this book to all readers, young or old, showing that tomorrow can bring exciting things, regardless of how bleak today might seem.

- Reviewed By Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite - 5 Stars

5.0 out of 5 starsA Nostalgic Holiday Classic for All.

By JBM on December 21, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

The Christmas List is a story full of heart, empathy, and nostalgia, set in the same time period as the beloved film classic, "A Christmas Story". The 50's setting really drives the narrative at the start of the story. The writing is solid and brings you to a time period much simpler, and accessible for anyone familiar with classic American Christmas stories. Johnny and Lola are kids that, through hardened experience, still want to make merry Christmas for all the children at the orphanage they reside in. The two protagonists embark on a mission to make merry the Christmas of 1957 and thus the story draws you in.

This story is highly recommended for those who understand the true meaning of Christmas. The selflessness, the care, and the thoughtfulness the authors weaved into this story in such a short amount of time speaks to their ability to compose compelling prose.

Give this story a chance and then put into action the message this story imbues

Authors Websites:

http://lbscottauthor.blogspot.com/2016/06/love-triangles-in-ya.html

http://www.douglasbwimmer.com/

Motherhood and Crazy Christmas

Is there something in the air during the Christmas season that makes kids go a little more crazy than normal?
Are the stores pumping something into the air to make kids who "normal" easy going a little more uptight, a little more loud, and needy?

Honestly I love my little ones and I know I write about how crazy they make me feel.  At times I even question why I became a mother. I could have my dream car already between doctors visits and the dentist office. My  dream car either a 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo tan interior or a Mustang Fastback.  Either one would be wonderful but instead I had children.  4 of them to be exact!!  Call me crazy any time because I know I am.
School has sent home notes about entire class of students not listening. Another note sent home telling the parents the kids have been disrespectful. Again is there something in the air?
Even my kiddos have been acting a little more rebellious than normal. What is in the air?


Looking at my calendar in December I have found I am putting sticky notes on it because so many days have not 1 or 2 but maybe up to 6 things happening in one day.  I don't even have teenagers yet and my baby is still 3.  Crazy Christmas hasn't even started yet.

I decided each week we will go or do one big activity so that I don't go crazy running all over the place.  2nd and 3rd of December had the schools winter carnival and the City light parade. No matter how I looked at it I would be the one hauling all the kids until Doug could meet up with us later.  I decided on the Light Parade.  (I needed a date night. Yup I'm selfish like that.)

This week we have Band Concert, Christmas breakfast with our church, pack meeting for clubs and the list goes on.  Again I will have a date night because well I need my Doug time.

I have anxiety in large social setting when its just me against 4 kids.  Every thought you can think runs though my head when I take my kids out alone. Some are normal and some run away like a train and I can't stop those thoughts no matter what I do.

For Example

At the light parade the kids play hide and seek. One child likes to hide a little better than the others and we assume that one is still hiding and doesn't want to come out.  We all start to search and before I realize something bad has happened my daughter or son has disappeared into the crowds. Hundreds of people wondering around. I have to grab the other 3 kids and find a police officer to flag down and get them to help find my missing blonde head blue eyed child. She or He has been kidnapped . Mexico is only 4 hours away. (FYI all my kids have blonde hair light or dark. They get it from my husband. I have dark brown)

My son or daughter disappears forever. The kids aren't handle her loss and blames me than my husband blames me and we get divorce.  I die a old woman still looking for her daughter/son.
That is where my brain goes when I take my kids out to parades all by myself.  All because I look my kids to the light parade alone.
Trust me I have done everything I can to control those run away thoughts but something they come and sometimes I can control them. Either way they are my thoughts.

This year I decided to suck up the fear and go all alone.  The kids did play hide and seek and while they didn't like the idea of having to be close to me. I didn't care I need to be able to see them in the crowd of people.  After a while everyone came back to the blankets and we cuddle looking at the star map on my phone while we waited for Doug (I have give him the wrong directions.) find us.  Than we watched the parade,  Our youngest the 3 year old love every second of the parade. His eye lit up with each person, float and car decorated in endless lights.  All those crazy anxiety filled fears never came true.  We had fun (All expect Doug he has a bad tooth that was causing him problems.)

Yes it is a tumbleweed tree. I love my town!

Watching each of my kids eyes lights up during the parade filled my heart with joy and love.

Heavenly Father , God, Jesus, whatever you call him I call him my Heavenly Father sent me these amazing souls not because they needed me but because I needed them. I needed them to show me that I am capable of pushing though my anxiety filled fears and enjoy the small things in life.

My oldest takes such good care of his siblings that I could have sat with my back to all 4 of them knowing he would keep them safe.  Its a lot of responsibility he holds on his 10 year old shoulders but it was something he was born with. He was born to protect, love and care about those around him.  Whether they are his friends, siblings or strangers he will protect those he sees.  He doesn't use his fist but words.  I am blessed beyond words to have him in myself. (He drives me crazy sometimes.)

While Christmas has its endless amounts of anxiety with my loud kids that seem a little more rebellious than normal. I know without them this time of the year wouldn't mean nearly as much fun, love or excitement.  Seeing my baby's eyes light up and clap though out the parade, watching my oldest practice his same Christmas songs over and over and over and over again until he has it perfect, or my girls WWF wrestling in their bedrooms about something they both want.  Its all crazy but in a way it is the perfect amount of loving crazy I could ask for.

Those with or without kids find what does this season means to you? For me it means love that I want to carry with me all year around.  I will vent, pull my hair out and questions my sanity but I will also enjoy the love.  That I feel every day.

What are you reading this weekend?

My list gets longer and longer what I need to read this weekend but to be honest most are what I want to read so it makes it fun. Now is just finding the time to read...... Motherhood.



Just a few books and one my son is reading and so far said is super good! Thank you J.B. Michaels for the chance to read book two in your Christmas series.

Throwback Thursday Virals - Kathy Reich

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Virals - Kathy Reich

Title: Virals

Author: Kathy Reich

Publisher: November 2nd 2010 by Razorbill (first published September 29th 2010)

ISBN: 1595143424 (ISBN13: 9781595143426)

Copyright: 2010

Pages: 464

Quick Review: 2 stars (out of 5)

Why I Read It: I love this author.

Where I Obtained the Book: At my local library.

Synopsis: Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever. 

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent. 

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They areVirals.

Review: I think maybe she worked too hard on this book. It was long and seemed to go on forever. The story was interesting, but I could take it or leave it. It took a lot for me to pick it up and keep reading. This is for the young adult/teenage audience, but it just goes on and on and on and on. I love her books usually, but this one was way out there. The smart kids vs. the rich kids. Teenagers engaged in illegal activities, sure, but murder and cover-ups for adults from decades ago? The reward wasn't quite up to the task. A secret lab with top of the line security that a bunch of nerdy teenagers was just able to break into without alarming anyone? A virus transfered between human and dog? A change in their DNA? If you need to read fantasy, there are much better ones out there. Maybe the next will be worth reading, but I'm not sure I'll waste my time with it. I was to say the least disappointed.

Her Temperance Brennen books are very good. Some of the near death experiences are a bit over the top, but not as much as this book was. I will stick to her Bones books and skip these in the future. Its too bad really, having a teenage book line about smart kids was a great idea. Too bad it didn't really fly with the first one.

Author Biography: Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.