Motherhood Monday on Tuesday School is almost out!!

Ellie Enjoying the Quite because the Crazy Starts

Today Marks one more day until the kids are home every single day for the next 7 weeks of summer!!
(Yup only 7 weeks I really shouldn't be complaining much)

With the dog a lot of plans will have to change from spending hours at grandpas house to now maybe spending 2 max with swimming, treats and home to be with Ellie until she is comfortable in her crate. (So far she loves it but nap time is usually on the floor where everyone is hanging out.

I am hoping we can still go hiking but so far I have to drag her out of the house.  She is scared of cars, bikes, and anything that makes a lot of noise. Yea my walking companion hasn't happened yet.

Training is going as well as you can expect with a lazy bones 6 month old puppy.  She is really not lazy I just call her that because when I want to play she is sleeping and when she wants to play I am sleeping.  Or dealing with the insane allergies.  Yup I am allergic to mu dog. I don't care I love her!!
 She is mostly active during the morning hours but sleeps off and all all afternoon.
We are trying to train her not to be aggressive which is hard because I love dogs that play bite but not bite bite.  When she play bites we make a slight yelp sound and she stops put her head down or tries to lick our faces.
She brakes but only when other dogs are barking outside which guess what we are surrounded by.  She has spend time outside having to learn she can't bark inside the house. She doesn't bark that much inside but when she does it it loud.
 She loves me but I am hoping to get her to love the kids and see us as her pack instead of just me.

I thought living with 4 kids and running around as mom is exhausting add in a puppy and I am out cold every night at 10pm.

Kindergarten Graduation is Wednesday so I better be excited even though I think it is supper silly.

I hope to keep up on the reviews while crazy is happening all summer long.

Happy Memorial Day lets us never forget why we celebrate this day.

What does it mean say Happy Memorial Day?  It is really a day of remembrance of those who have died while serving our country in the armed forces. It started out as Decoration Day after the Civil War it was established by the Grand Army of the Republic In Illinois as a day to decorated the graves of the Union army.  Apparently the Union and Confederate tradition were on different days and the government decided to make it one day to celebrate all military men and women who died in the wars.

most have decided to mark this day of reverence as the first unofficial day of summer.. This also makes the last days before my little army is home to love and cuddle the newest member of the family Ellie.  ( http://bookhimdanno.blogspot.com/2017/05/motherhood-monday-what-was-i-thinking-i.html )
Lets us never forget those who lived and died for our freedom.

Book Review: A Prosecutor for the Defense (David Brunelle Legal Thriller #4) By David Brunelle

Title: A Prosecutor for the Defense (David Brunelle Legal Thriller #4)

Author: David Brunelle

Stars: 4 1\2 out of 5 

Review:
A well written book which is number 4 in a series. The story will grab your attention and hold it until the epilogue. The court room antics, by both lawyers, are brilliant. My only regret with this book is that I have not read the others in the series. You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of legal thrillers.

I have rated this book 4.5 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.

Synopsis:

Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle has spent his entire career prosecuting criminals. But when his girlfriend, medical examiner Kat Anderson, asks him to go to California to defend her ex-husband on a murder charge, he just can’t say no to her. 
Brunelle has to fight not only his prosecutorial instincts, but also a smooth-talking D.A., an unhelpful detective, and--worst of all--a client who won’t give him a straight answer. As the evidence piles up and the case unfolds, Brunelle waits for the other shoe to drop, but this time the shoe is on the other foot.

Kindle Edition, 232 pages

Published November 14th 2013 by Ring of Fire Publishing (first published November 12th 2013)

About The Author:

Stephen Penner is an author, attorney, and adjunct law professor from Seattle, Washington.

Stephen began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney, appearing in federal, state, and municipal courts throughout the State of Washington. After several years of defense work, Stephen 'switched sides' and became a prosecutor. He has been practicing criminal law for over 20 years, working his way up from misdemeanor offenses, to felonies, and finally to homicides. He has tried nearly 100 cases and now supervises other prosecutors. In addition, he uses his extensive experience to teach trial advocacy to Seattle law students.

As an author, Stephen pens the David Brunelle legal thriller series, featuring Assistant D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. He also writes the Maggie Devereaux paranormal mysteries, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland.

In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. 

Website  http://www.stephenpenner.com

Twitter:  StephenPenner

 

Book Review Beyond Reason By Kat Martin

Title: Beyond Reason

Author: Kat Martin

Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
Beyond reason is a well crafted story that will keep romance readers happy and suspense readers enjoying every last word.
Each characters has a purpose that drives the story forward bringing together or pulling apart the leads in the story. The secondary characters in the story comes to life as well as Kat Martin sends readers into the lives of two completely opposite individuals who were meant to fall in love.
Beyond Reason takes a readers into the lives of Kat Martin world that comes to life with each passing page. 
While there was a lot of sex in the book sometimes the author closed the door and other times she let the readers in the bedroom.
I can't wait to read more by this accomplished writer.
Thank you to Netgalley for this advance Copy and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Synopsis: 
Five weeks ago Carly Drake stood at her grandfather’s grave. Now she’s burying Drake Trucking’s top driver, and the cops have no leads on the hijacking or murder. Faced with bankruptcy, phone threats and the fear of failure, Carly has to team up with the last man she wants to owe—Lincoln Cain.

Cain is magnetic, powerful, controlling—and hiding more than one secret. He promised Carly’s granddad he’d protect her. The old man took a chance on him when he was nothing but a kid with a record, and now he’s the multi-millionaire owner of a rival firm.

But Linc’s money can’t protect Carly from the men who’ll do anything to shut her down, or the secrets behind Drake Trucking. If she won’t sell out, the only way to keep her safe is to keep her close . . . and fight like hell. 

About The Author:

Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.

Published since 1988, she singed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.

Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe. 

"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."

"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era." 

Book Review I am Death by Chris Carter

Title:  I Am Death

Author: Chris Carter

Stars:  3.5 Stars out of 5.

Review:
Why I Read it: Sent to me for Review
Where I Obtained the Book: From the publisher

I am of two minds with this book.  On the one hand it is the exact
type of crime fiction I hate.  The hero is a super genius prodigy who is
smarter than everyone else, but yet supposedly down to earth at the same
time.  The antagonist is of course a serial killer who is the total
sociopath who wants to both kill, and demonstrate he is smarter than the
police by taunting them with letters and various clues.  I much prefer my
crime to be more realistic than this exploitive over the top criminals that
a lot of North American crime fiction tends to favor.  If you keep ramping
up your crimes to higher and higher levels of absurdity what is the end
game?  Ultimately you will have nowhere to go and you are essentially
writing a cartoon.

But here is the thing, after all that this book is extremely well written.
The author can tell a story with great pacing and it just pulls you the
reader right through the pages.  So while it was the exact opposite of what
I like, it was so well done that I had no problem devouring it.  My only
problem with it on this level was the ending, it felt like a modern update
of the butler did it cliché.

This book is very readable, and if you are not bothered by the extreme
killer theme, then this just might be the perfect book.  Even with all my
personal drawbacks, I would have no problem reading this author again.

Also it should be pointed out that this is book 7 in a series and I had no
problem just jumping in with this book.  So you can read this one first and
go through the backlist at your leisure if you want.

Thank you TStevens for the Review

Publisher: Emily Bestler Books
Copyright: 2015
Pages: 342
ISBN: 978-194767-6571-6

Synopsis:
 In Top 10 Sunday Times (UK) bestselling author Chris Carter’s
electrifying follow-up to his “chilling” (Daily Mail) thriller An Evil
Mind, the LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit lead detective, Robert Hunter,
races to stop a serial killer whose past secrets rival those of Hunter’s
himself.

Seven days after being abducted, the body of a twenty-year-old woman is
found on a grassy area by the Los Angeles International Airport. She has
been left with her limbs stretched out and spread apart, placing her in a
five-point human star.

 The autopsy reveals that she has been tortured and murdered in a bizarre
way but the surprises don’t end there. The killer likes to play, and he
left something behind for the cops to find. Detective Robert Hunter is
assigned to the case but almost immediately a second body turns up.
Detective Hunter quickly realizes that he is chasing a monster—a predator
whose past hides a terrible secret, whose desire to hurt people and thirst
for murder can never be quenched—for he is DEATH.

 Fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with suspense, I Am Death is perfect
for fans of Jeffery Deaver, Thomas Harris, and Chelsea Cain.


About The Author:
 I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood
and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA
where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour.
During my University years I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from
flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.

I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los
Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans,
bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well
known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was
fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured
the world several times as a professional musician.

A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.

Book Review Revenge by Steve Ward (Test Pilot's Daughter)

Title: Revenge (Test Pilot's Daughter)

Author: Steve Ward

Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
A fantastic action adventure with an utterly over the top young main character. No obstacle will prevent her from reaching her intended goal. This story provides excitement in the form of premeditated murder, being marooned and finding sunken treasure. But most importantly it leaves it to you the reader to decide if justice has been served.

I have rated this book 5 stars and read it in one setting.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.

Synopsis:

Test Pilot’s Daughter: Revenge is the first title in a series featuring a gutsy female genius who fights injustice in a fast paced thriller. Molesters and pedophiles be warned, don’t mess with Christina Matthews!

Romance, adventure, murder, and revenge, Christina Matthews does it all. An obsessed fly-girl with the Right Stuff and True Grit finds love in the oddest place, the cockpit. A beautiful and brainy college girl born with jet-fuel in her blood is haunted by a gripping family tragedy and the violent murder of her best friend. The only thing she truly fears is sleep. Tortured by nightmares, this test pilot’s daughter has to find a way to save her sanity or die. Mike Clark, call-name Lazer and a real Top Gun, looks to be the best kind of therapy.

With dreams of becoming an Astronaut-Commander, Christina struggles through heart-stopping perils in the cockpit and crash-lands on a deserted island. Without hope for rescue, she concocts an oddball plan to return survivors to civilization.

Risking her future at NASA, Christina delivers on a promise to a dying friend and faces her evil nemesis in the sky. Only by overcoming deep-seated fears can she exorcise her ghosts and pursue a lifelong dream of flying in space.

Will true love conquer Christina's curse, or will she auger in?

Kindle Edition, 264 pages

Published 2010 by Steve Ward

About The Author:

After a career in laser science and spacecraft research, Steve Ward spent the last decade writing, editing and flying. He teaches Creative Writing at Brenau University and edits novels freelance. With one nonfiction book published, Holy Enigma!, Hamilton Books, University Press of America, Inc., he won writing awards from Writer's Digest and NASA Innovations. Amid many articles published in technical journals, both of his fiction books are adventures in aviation. He lives on Lake Lanier at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Gainesville, Georgia, USA.

 

Motherhood Monday What Was I thinking? I am already busy enough

Bring her home from the Shelter

New Friends

What am I doing? What is She?

We have been looking for a dog for over 10 years or as I put it. It was either a dog or a kid. Well the kid and now kids came first.  We have been looking at shelters for just the right dog. However with sick kids I started craving the need to escape to go walking but I can't go alone at night.  With my husband on his feet all day he has no desire to go walking at night.
Fast Forward to Saturday we went to a shelter to an open house and we found a 5 month old Yellow Lab Mix at least that is what they thought.  She fell into my lap and started to cuddle right away.  She didn't bark like the rest of the dogs, didn't even try to playfully bite.  She was calm but hated the leash. I figured it was because of the busy and crazy going on at the store. (more on that later)
My heart broke open and I felt she was perfect for out family since I have once daughter terrified of dogs.  No reason for it just scared.
After we brought her home. Renamed her she kind of just laid around the house. Sunday we scared her as she decided to jump on her new fathers chair and he yelled causing her to pee and hide.  4am it took twenty mins to get her to come out from behind the couch.  Did I forget to mention my daughter was up thrown up all night?  Or that her brother and sister had been throwing up for the last week? NO? Add in an ER visit and I am pretty sure I have lost my ever loving mind?

YES

( Not Ellie formerly known as Rio)

Yesterday I started to wonder if I had made a huge mistake? She is submissive and see me has her alpha right now which is great because I am the one home all day but she doesn't see the kids as part of her pack which worries me. I am scared she will bite the kids and if that happens my first thought is off to the shelter she goes.  Now this is where I feel horrible know the shelters are so full of dogs that want to be loved.

We are taking one day at a time.  Things I thought I would never do with a dog are the things everyone is telling me to do to keep a peace of mind.

She caught on quick to her dog door but sometimes she seems lost with getting her back legs in.  She loves to run around the backyard with her monkey stuff toy.

I have to realize that she isn't just a shelter dog but at some point in the last 5 months she was abusive, table feed and afraid of the broom. She has scars on her side, under her arms and on her legs each one different.  

Thankful for all the request for me to read books on dogs and raising them. Please keep them coming because I might have grown up with dogs but I realize I know NOTHING about them.

Book Review Between The Lies (The Northern Lights Series) by Joy Dekok

Title:  Between The Lies (The Northern Lights Series)

Author:  Joy Dekok

Stars: 4 1\2 out of 5

Review:
A very interesting book that was full of twists and turns. I was engaged from page 1 until the final paragraph. The author has the ability to spin a story that will keep you guessing and turn your dislike for one character (not the main character) into admiration for her grace and diplomacy. The story takes place in the St. Paul Minnesota area which was a plus for me.

I have rated this book 4.5 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.

Synopsis:

Her Cinderella night turned Titanic. 
Everything was going just fine for Olivia Morgan. Until the dead guy in the elevator, her lover's dismissal of her, the loss of her dream job, and an FBI agent who is looking into the past she's worked so hard to hide. What's a woman to do when she's suddenly un-kept, a murder suspect, and has her own personal stalker? Olivia uses her artistic talent to remember and reveal what she knows. Will it save or convict her? 

Kindle Edition, 305 pages

Published April 6th 2014 by Infusion Publishing

About The Author:

Joy started reading when she was four and learned to write soon after. Words on the page fascinated and delighted her. By the time she was five, she was writing stories and dreaming about writing books for other kids.

One day while vacuuming, an idea for a novel came to mind. She resisted diligently, but the characters in Rain Dance wouldn’t leave her alone. Finally, the only way to get past their nagging, she wrote the book.

Then she wrote a devotional titled Under His Wings and three children’s books.

While writing Rain Dance she had another idea for a second novel. At first, she thought it was a stand alone novel, but turns out it’s much more. Between the Lies is book one in The Northern Lights Series. Behind the Lies is in the editing phase and she’s outlining Beyond the Lies.

She’s also working on book one in The Mississippi Queens series – De’ ‘Ja Brewed is almost done and the cover is fantastic!

To learn more about all of Joy’s book check out her Amazon Page.

Joy married the love of her life almost forty years ago. She and Jon love their dog kids, Sophie & Tucker – a brother and sister team who stole their hearts. There’s a story behind their names, but that’s a blog post.

Website: http://www.joydekok.com

Twitter:   JoyEDeKok

Book Review St Grizzle's School for Girls, Ghosts and Runaway Grannies by Karen McCombie

Title: St Grizzle's School for Girls, Ghosts and Runaway Grannies

Author:  Karen McCombie 

Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
I sat down with my daughters age 8 and 6. Now My 8 year old reads at a 6th grade level so she wanted to read this to herself. Instead I made it our nightly reading setting aside Nancy Drew while she was dealing with a murder.

This book had my girls and I laughing so hard at night that we all wanted to finish it the same day. This book is chaotic, fun, so many laughs and my daughter wants to read it again and again.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance Copy. My girls loved it and we plan to read more by this author.


Synopsis:
When local schools are asked to make a film showcasing the surrounding area, Dani and the rest of St Grizzle’s set to work. But Spencer and his mates at the village school are determined to sabotage the work of the smelly Grizzlers.
To Dani’s surprise, help comes in the form of Granny Viv who has secretly taken up residence in the school’s tree house with Downboy the dog. Together they come up with the perfect ghostly video ... but will Granny Viv be able to stay once the competition’s over? 

Paperback, 224 pages

Expected publication: June 2017 by Little Tiger Press

About The Author: 

Karen Grace McCombie is an author of children and young adult novels. Currently, she lives in London with her husband Tom, and their four year old daughter Milly. She is the author of the series Stella etc., Ally's World, and Indie Kidd. She has also written several stand-alone novels. Her newest series, Sadie Rocks, was released in February 2008.

Book Review Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti

Title: Lethal Lies

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Stars: 5 out of 5


Review:
Just like the first in the Blood Brother series this one is just as gritty, dark and takes you on a crazy ride twist and turns. This book picks up where the last one left off on the copper killer and we soon discover why this person is killing red headed women.

Lethal Lies has so much going on if the reader didn't read the first book there is no catching up in this one because it starts off with a bang. Adding more characters than the first book which at times can get a little confusing and as if the author realized that she changed the story mid way though to focus on the two leads in the story and their romance. Leading the Copper Killer running around and their past catching up with the brothers. Which again you are trying to remember all the different characters which if readers are not careful you will get lost.

The book has its sexy times, confession times and two lost souls who need each other.
I can't wait to find out more about Dr. Isobel Madison and what will happen to her in the end. 
Each books add more details into the blood brothers lives along with bring others from her Sin brothers series which I didn't read. 

If you have read the Sin brother series this will add to your love of those books if you haven't just another characters in a long list that show up though out the book.

This is a great series to get lost in for a couple of hours.

Advance Copy from the publisher and Netgalley
I can't wait to read the next in the series 


Synopsis:
Revenge. It's the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can't do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones's job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it's personal. He knew the Copper Killer's latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he's all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath's identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath's every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they'll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

Expected publication: May 16th 2017 by Forever

About The Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.

Author Website: http://rebeccazanetti.com/

Book Review The Watcher by Bella Jewel

Title: The Watcher

Author: Bella Jewel

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:
Bella Jewel’s THE WATCHER is an edge of your seat suspense filled with emotions that will test your ability to read on. Even though I knew who the villain was from the beginning Bella Jewels ability to make the readers questions is that really the person or am I wrong bring in twist that will keep your reading late into the night.
Bella Jewel has the ability to create a dark story that will pull at the readers heart strings as well as the romance between the two man leads. The romance keep the readers finding the light in the darkness.

This is my first book by Bella Jewel and I can't wait to read more.

Advance Copy from Netgally for my honest thoughts

Synopsis:

NOW YOU SEE HER . . .
Seven years ago, Marlie Jacobson was kidnapped by a serial killer—and lived to tell about it. But it was actually her mother who told the story, in a bestselling book that made Marlie famous. Today, she’s known as the girl who slayed a killer. The one who got away. Now, there’s just one thing Marlie wants to get away from: her past. But when her little sister disappears, her worst fears come rushing back—with a vengeance…

NOW SHE’S GONE.
Kenai Michelson is a world-renowned investigator. Dark, brooding, and dangerously good-looking, he’s the kind of man Marlie would normally avoid at all costs. But Kenai is her only hope in finding her missing sister. Together, Kenai and Marlie follow a trail of clues that leads them toward the truth—and into each other’s arms. As her trust in Kenai grows, so does their fierce connection. But will their desire turn deadly as they close in on a ruthless enemy who’s watching their every move?

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: May 30th 2017 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

About The Author:

Bella is a fun loving Australian and a multiple USA Today bestseller. She spends her days in sunny north QLD with her husband and two adorable daughters. She's been writing since she was fifteen, and after her success with her debut novel, Hell's Knights, she has been head down, bum up creating new stories. She is the author of the MC Sinners series, Number Thirteen, Enslaved by the ocean, Where Darkness lies, Life after Taylah, Angel's in Leather, The Jokers' Wrath series and 'Til Death. Her next novel, Step-Lover is due for release in early March 2015. 

Summer is coming. Anyone else not ready?

You would think since summer arrives pretty much the same time every year that at some point I would be ready to have all 3 kids home for 7 week?  NOPE!

Yes I know I shouldn't complain I only have them home for 7 weeks and during those 7 weeks one will be in a STEMS summer school class, another vacationing with Grandpa but still I am in fear of the tiny human invasion that will be happening.

Just like last year and the year before I created the summer schedule which means every hour of the day has something going on from Quite Time (I am so looking forward to that hour), reading, sleepovers, playmates swimming, library, yoga and lots of science experiments since my kids are nuts for science.

You might be wondering why am I in fear of summer if I have it planned out?

MY KIDS DON'T SLEEP IN!
That's right you heard me my kids do not ever sleep in. We consider sleeping in 6:30 in the morning. Otherwise the kids are all up and moving between 5:30 and 6:00 am every single morning including my preteen/25 year old.  Not joke my almost 11 year old thinks like a grown adult most day than other he is totally a 11 year old kid who hates showers and girls are weird. (Thank Heavens For that Saving Grace!)



Summer is scary because it is me against 4 kids who all have thoughts and opinions.  Ages Range from 11 to 4. Which means we have to do things a 4 year old can do and a 11 year will enjoy.  Within a certain budget and that mommy can handle all by her little lonesome not to mention in 110 heat!  AHHH I am already scared enough add in heat and the fat my AC center doesn't work.

(I know I know Breathe, Breathe, Breathe.)
I love late nights and even later morning which I haven't had in 11 years and according to everyone I know will never happen.

I love my kids since of Adventure although most of the time it is my Adventure and they are forced along for the ride.  I am excited to take them hunting for Fossils, Geodes and anything else we can find and not get ticketed for by the Untied States Forest services.
I am excited to heard nothing and go hiking in cooler weather and spending times discovering new places with my army of hungry monsters.  I mean amazing kids.

I am just not that excited to be doing it mostly alone since my husband works Monday -Saturday and Sunday off but we spend 3 hours at church and than he is in meetings most of the day so guess who is incharge  (ME!  Again back to quite time my best friend!)

School stars July 24th and is it sad I am alredy counting down the days? Not to mention that cute potty trained 4 year old who likes to say his "Penis Says it needs"  will be going to preschool 3 hours 3 days a week!

I am so excited for that little guys Grand Adventure into school!

Happy Mothers Day Book How to Raise A Mom

Happy Mothers day to all those amazing Mom and soon to be mom and amazing Aunts who step in as moms when kids refuse to listen mom! Thank you!
Each woman is a mother even if that child isn't biological yours. You give you love, time, compassion, strength, and guidance. To all the Aunts who are not mom in the since things you for your guidance, love, compassion and show grace, strength and guidance to children who refuse to listen to mom's advice.

To this Grandmother who gave birth to my mom.

To the Amazing Mom red shirt in the middle who gave birth to all 7 Crazy Kids.

To this mom who left us way to soon but gave me an amazing Man.

We Miss you Mom 

To my Mom and My Utah Mom who taught me how to sew.

To the man in my life who has always stood by me when I feel like a Crazy Mom

We missing you Mom

To the mom who gave birth to my Sons Best friend!

To the mom who gave birth to my daughter R best friend

Book Review: Hike Smart: Tips and Tactics for Improving Your Treks by Ann Marie Brown

Title: Hike Smart

Author(s) Ann Marie Brown and Terra Breeden

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:
Who doesn't love the great outdoors? I love hiking and exploring whenever I get the chance.  Now that I bring my kids along for hiking I have found some good and bad things hiking.  I was given the chance to review this book and I jumped.
I found this book to have great information for those who are just starting out and those who want to be more adventurous.  it is a great reference guide from foot care and blisters to gear you bring with you.  It gives suggestions that I found great and others I didn't quite like.
Living in Arizona hiking can be deadly during the warmer months this book need to add a little more information about dealing with the type of hiking.
If you are starting out or need a refreshers on hiking dos and don't this book is a wonderful guide.

Thank you this free copy.

Synopsis:
Are you a first-timer about to take your inaugural trek? Are you veteran hiker looking to be even more efficient when enjoying the sport you love? Are you someone in between? Then look no further than expert trekker Ann Brown’s Hike Smart, the definitive guide to efficient and enjoyable hiking for all levels of experience.

Paperback, 256 pages

Published April 18th 2017 by Skyhorse Publishing

About The Author:
https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Marie-Brown/e/B0034O69TA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1494351134&sr=1-1

Book Review Say Your Sorry (Morgan Dane #1) By Melinda Leigh

Title: Say Your Sorry (Morgan Dane #1)

Author: Melinda Leigh

Stars: 5 out of 5

Review:
I pretty much have read everything by Melinda Leigh.  So it won't come as much of a shock that I jumped at the chance to get an advance copy of her lasted series Morgan Dane Say Your Sorry.

Melinda Leigh as the ability to create characters that readers connect with from the leads in the story to a child even a grandfather. Each characters has a purpose and and reason for being in the story.
The story starts off with a murder that will take readers ride of who is the real killer and a romance of two characters so real they feel like friends.
The story moves along to a good pace never slowing down but giving readers time to recover from one chapter to the next.  
Melinda Leigh is an wonderful Mystery Romantic Suspense author with her ability to have readers connect to the characters, the town and the people who surrounded them.  The Lance is able to give readers a male figure who is someone you could meet walking down the street and Morgan is the mom next door who you want to me friends with.  

 I am excited to see where the author has these two headed in the future.

Thank you to the author, publishing company and Netgalley for the advance copy.


Synopsis:
After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.

Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight. 

Expected publication: May 16th 2017 by Montlake Romance


About The Author:

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity while raising her kids. Over the next few years, she learned a few things about writing a book. The process was much more fun than analyzing financial statements, and she decided to turn her hobby into a career. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. She is a RITA® Award Finalist and has earned three Daphne du Maurier Award nominations, two Silver Falchion Awards, and a Golden Leaf.

Melinda holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate. She’s dabbled in Arnis stick fighting, studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and taught women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two kids, a couple of shelter dogs and two rescue cats who clearly run the show. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination. Find out more about Melinda by visiting melindaleigh.com

Author Website:  http://melindaleigh.com