Sunday, December 31, 2017

Joy Inspired Crochet Hat

Joy Inspired Crochet Hat: If you haven’t seen Disney Pixar’s Inside Out, you need to! It’s a movie based around 5 feelings that are in a young girls head: Anger, Sadness, Disgust, Fear… and JOY! Joy is the most important emotion, the main character in the movie and after many requests, I have crocheted a Joy inspired hat! I …

Monday, December 25, 2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- SANDY KISSES BY THE SEA by Traci Hall

Sandy Kisses by the Sea  - A Read by the Sea Second Chance Contemporary Romance Series by [Hall, Traci]



Lucia Constantine does not believe in love, marriage, or happily ever after. She has overcome an abusive childhood and is now a successful tattoo artist with a few latent commitment issues. She is in no way prepared for Ronan O’Neill and his big, loving, happy family. Ronan eases his way into her heart and she trusts him—yes, she is even in love. Why does he have to ruin it with an engagement ring? 
 AMAZON 4 STARS



It was amazing how much was packed into such a short book.  You got to feel the emotions, the sense of the O'Neill family closeness and the challenges that the M.C.'s face. 
Lucia was used to NOT putting down roots, she had traveled a lot for her young years.  It's like she never fully unpacked.  She always had her "go bag" ready when things got too tough or dangerous.  She knew how to run.
Ronan was the complete opposite to her, and her way of living.  He grew up loved, valued and with a large loving family; WITH roots.  You can see where some of those challenges are going to come from now can't you?   Will love be enough? 


On a side note..I liked the cover picture of the book. 



Friday, December 15, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- A COWGIRL'S CHRISTMAS by CJ Carmichael

A Cowgirl's Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C Book 5) by [Carmichael, C. J.]
 This Christmas is she going to lose her ranch?

For years Callan Carrigan has been her father’s right hand man, so when her dad’s will names city slicker Court McAllister the new owner of The Circle C Ranch, Callan feels betrayed on every level.

Then she and her sisters find their mother’s diaries, hidden from them by their father since their mother’s accidental death 18 years ago, and the shocking revelations explain a lot. Reeling, Callan seeks refuge in the local saloon, where it seems no one can reach her, until Court offers her a challenge.

If she agrees to be foreman at the Circle C for one year, he’ll deed the ranch back to her and her sisters. The deal seems too sweet at first—until Callan realizes Court has his eyes on something she protects even more than her family’s land—her heart.  AMAZON  4 STARS

What an emotional story.  Callan and her sisters had one "douche" of a father...sorry that's the way I feel about it.  He did just what was required and not an ounce more.  He wasn't in the story long but the harm he helped cause definitely does. I know he kept his promises but he was cold in his ways too.   He was emotionally abusive and the worst of it fell on Callan, the youngest sister.   Of course their dead mother wasn't exactly a saint either but at least they KNEW she had loved them.  
Court had no idea the mine field he was walking into.  Of course he knew some of the secrets that the sisters didn't but her thought their father was an honorable man in most of his ways.  Antiquated when it came to women but at least he had seen Hawksley as a warm, caring man during the years he had visited.  It was a side that few people had seen of him but he didn't realize that until he spent more time at the Circle C.  
I enjoyed the story but felt some of the many questions when it came to Hawksley were unanswered.  
The "fight" between Callan and Court is a good one and she goes toe to toe with him.  She might be the size of a peanut but Hawksley helped make sure she was tough.  Court tries to help her find the real woman underneath all the shocks and pain.

Not to worry there will be a H.E.A. and there were other family members who helped along the way.  Mainly the sisters and their H.E.A.with good men, that already had been gained.  

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Jenn Johnson, You're Gonna Be ok (Lyric Video)

I Won't Forget (Lyric Video) // After All These Years // Brian and Jenn ...

Radical Permission Episode 10 Part 3a



There are unclaimed upgrades all over our lives. They are the perfect solution for all negativity and we get to collect these upgrades as gifts.
They are especially available when we find ourselves dealing with anxiety, fear, and panic because these reactions don’t belong to our new man in Jesus.

When God looks at us, He doesn’t see what’s wrong because all that died with Jesus on the cross. He sees what’s missing from our experience of Him, and then fully commits to giving us that experience as a gift.

For more on receiving your next upgrade and gift from God, watch the clip above.
PS) You can learn more on claiming the upgrades and gifts available to you in your current situation in Radical Permission 1 on Brilliant TV. It’s a full length series, exploring how we get engage with the upgrades and gifts God has for us. Click here to sign up for a free 7-day trial!

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- ROYAL ARRANGEMENT by Ember Casey/ Renna Peak

Royal Arrangement by [Casey, Ember, Peak, Renna]
Prince William swore he’d never marry a noblewoman. But when he agrees to an arranged marriage to save Montovia, he has no idea what’s in store…

WILLIAM:
As the third son of my family, I never thought I’d have to make a political marriage, especially in this day and age. I enjoy my freedom - but for the sake of my family and my country, I’m willing to do the unthinkable and wed Princess Justine of Rosvalia.

But Justine is nothing like I thought - from her fiery temper to her mysterious past, I find her far more intriguing than I anticipated. The only problem? She hates my guts.

I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, though, and now I have a new goal: to seduce my new wife, by whatever means necessary.  AMAZON 3 STARS


It had an unusual  plot at times even if it was a royal marriage contract.  I liked both of the main characters but after a while I felt like they were just spinning their wheels over several issues.  It became kind of grinding to me, because it just kept going on and on without resolution.  The one thing I did like was the "games''  that William came up with.  Well he had to have some way to get the upper hand, because Justine isn't giving an inch.  
Absolutely hated her family; her mother, father and brother were the worst of the worst and I couldn't believe how they treated William.   Forget about William, they were horrible to Justine first of all and always had been.  
Imagine my surprise as I get towards the end of the book and realize there was no end.  I must have missed the fact that was going to happen.  

Honest retail employee

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- THE SHERIFF'S WOMAN by Jackie Weger

The Sheriff's Woman by [Weger, Jackie]
Life-long bachelor and ex-Marine, Sheriff Garrett Stark knows how to get the job done so it stays done--until he tangles with Rachel Cameron. Then all bets are off.  Rachel knows him. He's the man she despises most in life, but she does not anticipate the raft of dizzying emotions she feels in the face of Garrett Stark's steadfast and resolute desire to make her life better. She wants Garrett to mind his own business. So. He does. His business is Rachel and he's all in.
 AMAZON 4 STARS

A good story.  It also had some really good main characters.  But  wow was Rachel RUDE to Garrett..all the time, for a long time.  It was incredible what he put up with.  And he was a good guy and a lonely one. That emotion came through pretty well.   Even though he had a good family he also wanted his own family too. That line in the book information about him tangling with Rachel?  It was spot on, tangling was exactly the right word.  And she had so much on her plate, it's surprising that she has any energy left to be so hostile.  But she was also running from some painful truths.   Her life was pretty harsh and she was just eking out a living for herself and her children.  Her son Pete tried so hard to be the "man of the house" but he was just a little boy.  It galls Rachel even more that Pete responds so strongly to Garrett kindness to him.  Each one of the children is so different and it was easy to have them draw you into the story more.  Caroline, was one tough cookie; actually quite a bit like her mother.  She was a hoot!  And the youngest Sara, marched to the beat of her own drum.  
I liked the dual P.O.V.'s in the story.  And there was also some other good secondary people in the story also.  
On a side note, it just seems like problem after problem began to stack up on Rachel's shoulders.  Even when people try to help her, she just can't seem to catch a break.  It kept things active and moving; keeping my interest through out.  I was glad when Rachel got over her hate-on with Garrett, because for a while in the beginning it was getting hard to really like her.
The H.E.A. was a welcome end to the story and the beginning of a new family. 

BOOK REVIEW- RUGGED TEXAS COWBOY by Lora Leigh

Rugged Texas Cowboy by [Leigh, Lora]
Two HOT cowboys. Two tough-as-spurs heroines. These two previously published, newly revised and expanded, smoking hot stories by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh will leave readers breathless and begging for more!

COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
Melina is one of two gorgeous twin daughters, the clever and considerate one who always spared her parents the humiliation of what her sister Maria had wrought. But now, Melina is finally ready to stand up for herself and seize control of her life.  Until she is kidnapped by a cowboy, named Jardin, who is dead-set on settling the score with her family. There’s only one catch: In capturing Melina, this tough, rough, hunk of a man has actually found a way to unleash her greatest fantasies, body and soul. . .
COWBOY AND THE THIEF
Beautiful, spirited Angel Manning has always longed to experience the power of her ancestors’ most precious heirloom. Her mother once told her that the legendary Irish torque would lead Angel to the one man worthy of possessing her heart. But when Angel learns that her father, now a widower, has sold the torque to the notorious two-timer Jack Riley, she is furious. Of course she plans to take back what is rightfully hers, by whatever means necessary. But the fate of the ancient Druids works in mysterious ways. . .Could it be that this slick, smooth-talking cowboy was destined to satisfy Angel’s deepest desires all along?  AMAZON 3 STARS

Of both of the stories I liked Cowboy and the Captive better.   Maybe because there was more about depth about the people in the story.  And the danger and emotion was also deeper.  Melina's pain was easy to connect with; she had been so undervalued for most of her life.  Her parents and her sister (her twin) Maria were always eager to throw her under the bus.  All to protect the best loved but evil twin Maria.  It was incredible what she went through.  Her family was so manipulative, all except her brother Joe who feared for her life.  And he had plenty of reason to think that.  
The struggles between Melina and Luc were epic.  But so was his refusal to see who she really was. 
But I grew tired of the constant references to what different sexual parts of her body were doing as she lusted for him.  Some phrases were repeated so often, it made me want to roll my eyes. 
Don't get me wrong, the story itself could have been so much better if some of the erotica had been cut back.  

I did like that the two stories are linked because of the long friendship between the two men.  

In the second book, Jack is stronger and better than he seems. He is more than just the playboy.   Angel finds out that he has a core of steel when pressed.  And boy does Angel push that envelope. The history of the heirloom was interesting and added to the story. But once again more detailed sex even though probably not as much as the first book.  
Still that is something that both books did have in common and had me skimming some of the pages. Quite a few actually.  



I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.  

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Metamorphosis- Radical Change in 2018 Jennifer LeClaire


I heard the Lord say, "A metamorphosis is underway..."

I heard the Lord say, “A metamorphosis is underway. I will bring the change I’ve promised, first little by little and then an outward manifestation of an inner working I have been doing in My people. That metamorphosis will spill out from the spirits of My people into the spheres they influence in the seven mountains.

“Transformed business leaders will see their companies as ministry hubs. Transformed politicians will see their cities as congregations. Transformed cities will see mass salvations. I am calling those who have struggled in past seasons to make one more push because that last push will birth something in you and through you like the world has never seen and like nothing you could even imagine.

“I have allowed you to go through struggles—through suffering—so that I could use you as a compassionate change agent in the earth. You have authority. You have influence. You have power. You have an anointing. I intend to use you to comfort those who face disaster and to strengthen the weak. I intend to use you to lift others up, even those who dragged you down.

“You have been changed and are changing from glory to glory. The glory that rested upon you during the struggle is increasing as you step into the assignment I am giving you to see transformation all around you. You carry the kingdom. Releasing the kingdom into atmospheres around you and watch the darkness flee as the brilliance of My love works through you by faith. Have a confidence that I have called you, I have equipped you and I am sending you—and that I am with you always.”

I see widespread metamorphosis. I see metamorphosis in people, in companies, in churches, and in societies. The metamorphosis is coming out of an intense struggle in the hearts and minds of people. It’s even coming out of church splits and past moral failures in leadership. And it’s coming from a changing of the guard in cities, states and nations. Many will come to realize the reality of Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28 in 2018 and in the years that follow.
You can get your copy of the book on Amazon.com or by visiting my store.  The book is currently #4 on Amazon!

The book unpacks this teaching with prophetic insight, explains the reason for your struggle, and makes predictions about what we'll see in the world in 2018.

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NEW BOOKS AND RESOURCES
The Spiritual Warfare Battle Plan
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Angels on Assignment Again
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Prayers That Activate Angels
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OTHER PROPHETIC & SPIRITUAL WARFARE EVENTS YOU WILL ENJOY
Join us for two nights with Chuck Pierce, Ken Malone and Jennifer LeClaire for this Prophetic Glory Conference.

TO ATTEND IN PERSON IN SOUTH FLORIDA, REGISTER HERE:
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Ignite Prophetic Network
www.ignitenow.org

Jennifer LeClaire's Prophetic Writer's Bootcamp
www.schoolofthespirit.tv

What Do You See? Get Activated in the Seer's Anointing
https://ahop.tv/courses/2017-activating-the-seers-anointing-a-prophetic-impartation/

Act Like Men Conference
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School of Spiritual Warfare
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Ignite Network's Prophetic Vision for 2018
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School of the Prophetic
www.nextlevelprophetic.com

Activating Your Angels on Assignment Group
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Underground Intercessors United
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Prophetic Prayer Broadcasts
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Feeling Oppressed? It May be an Intercessory Prayer Burden - Jennifer LeClaire Ministries

Feeling Oppressed? It May be an Intercessory Prayer Burden - Jennifer LeClaire Ministries

   jasmine

Friday, December 8, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- NO PLACE LIKE YOU by Emma Douglas

No Place Like You: A Cloud Bay Novel by [Douglas, Emma]
Home—in the island village of Cloud Bay—is where the heart is. . .
Leah Santelli always knew that Zach Harper, son of a rock legend and her best friend’s brother, was painfully out of reach. Then, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Leah shocked herself by asking for—and receiving—the gift she wanted: one night of passion with Zach before he left town to pursue his rock star dreams. Now, years later, Zach is back in Cloud Bay to record his first solo album. His return could also be Leah’s big chance to step up her own music career. But getting the producing credit she needs means spending long hours with Zach in the recording studio…and falling back into the habit of longing for him, for better or worse.
Zach used to believe that a man must put his past behind him. But coming back home for Cloud Bay’s famed music festival has allowed him to finally make amends with his family and, much to his surprise, reunite with Leah. He might have left her once but now it seems he can’t stay away. Trouble is, even though the heat between them burns hotter than ever, Leah has old wounds in need of healing before she can give Zach a real chance. Can he find a way to convince her that they can make more than just great music together—and that she’s the one that he wants for all time?   AMAZON 3.5 STARS



I have to say that the story does kind of start off slow.  I know it does take time to develop the characters and set up the story and it does do that.   But for quite a while it seems set at a slower pace.  I guess that is some of the reason for my giving it a lower rating.  It just didn't draw me in as much as I would have liked.
The emotions of the main characters are pretty well felt as the story goes on.  That slower feel to the story does ramp up as the story goes into the last few chapters.  Things start happening and there is a surprise twist at the end.   Another secret from the rock star legend Grey's past that is mentioned in the book.  There was speculation from the three "kids" about what that secret was....and then..bam, there was the answer.  It will have to be continued in another book but it did make for a good ending. 

But I get ahead of myself here.  Zach, Faith and Mina are the rock legends "kids".  And they have stuck together having each others backs for years.  Well, until Zach did a really selfish move and made himself scarce.  Now he's going to have to do some groveling to get that sense of family back.  

Here are some of the parts that I did like.  One of them is the dual P.O.V.'s from the main characters.  And some of the conversations between Zach and Leah were downright funny when they weren't awkward of even painful. It was interesting that you could feel the awkwardness before they even began to say that it was there.  Leah was a meet things head on kind of woman, going after what she wants.  I liked how Zach mentions that he sees her as someone who is laughter, movement, guts and brilliance.  What a great way to put it.  
Leah saw Zach as too talented and too hot for his own good; that he was born to prowl and born to leave.   But that didn't stop the two of them from acting like two magnets continually being drawn together. 



I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- LOVE SO HOT (The Lawson Brothers) by Marquita Valentine

Love So Hot (The Lawson Brothers Book 1) by [Valentine, Marquita]
Bank Teller and all around good girl, Sydney McKnight, is tired of being the girl all the guys want to have as a friend. Who better to help unleash her inner vixen than her best friend and secret crush, Brody Lawson? Only, Sydney has no idea how to ask him, without their friendship going up in flames, until that is, the town of Jessamine's annual Firemen's Auction gives her the perfect excuse to set her plan into motion.

Fire Captain Brody Lawson has been in love with his best friend, Sydney, for years, but he would never risk their friendship by confessing his feelings to her. So, when Sydney beats out the competition to buy his time at the annual Firemen's Auction, Brody can hardly believe his luck until she asks him to teach her how to seduce a fellow fireman.

Now, it’s up to Brody to show Sydney how perfect she already is and convince her that the only man for her is him, because if Sydney is going to seduce any man, it’s going to be him. And once he has her in his bed, he’s not letting her go.  AMAZON 4 STARS

This was a fun story.   With two attractive people who have known each other for so many years.  But they are also afraid to try to take it to the next level.  Oh, I get it but geez, what a blockhead Brody could be.  Of course it helped make the story.  
The McCoy sisters end up becoming close friends to Sydney because they wanted to help true love.  The names of these women though, they are different.  Who names their children, Apple, Lemon, Cherry; altogether in a group?  Still they were really good supporting characters and I do mean characters. 
The sense of family and community was good and strong in the story. And it was surprising when you find out in the end how many people were rooting for Brody and Sydney to get together!  That is not the only surprise that comes out either.

We get a quick peek into the story about Lucas Lawson and that sounds interesting too.  Love is True is the name of that book.
Can I just say..what the heck is going on with Lemon and Tristan?  

They must  have their own story.   I looked and yes they do.  "Love So Tempting".   Looks like things are going to be stirred up even more in  Jessamine, North Carolina than they have been.  


Saturday, December 2, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- OKLAHOMA CHRISTMAS BLUES by Maggie Shayne

Oklahoma Christmas Blues (The McIntyre Men Book 1) by [Shayne, Maggie]
Darryl is on a quest for peace. His chance at fatherhood was taken from him long ago, and an IED in Iraq ensured he’d never get another. In Big Falls, the McIntyre brothers hire him to keep an eye on their beautiful cousin Sophie in case her criminal ex shows up. He doesn’t expect to fall head over heels.

Sophie McIntyre’s life was blown apart by a drug dealing ex who cost her her job and nearly her medical license. She comes to Big Falls because she has nowhere else to go. And the minute she gets there, things start to get better.

Is it because of that letter to Santa her Aunt Vidalia convinced her to write?   
Within days she meets a beautiful man with a deeply wounded soul. And oddly, she finds herself giving him the same advice the town Santa gave to her—try believing again, and if it’s too much to believe, then just try hoping.

Love, magic, and miracles ensue.

Because this is Big Falls, Oklahoma. Miracles are an everyday occurrence around here. Especially at Christmastime.

AMAZON 4 STARS

I enjoyed this fast, quirky, fun story.  It had really good main characters an supporting people as well.  You got the sense of family pretty easily.   The Santa Claus part of the fantasy was fun and there is a surprising twist at the end.
All in all a fun read just in time for Christmas.  


Friday, December 1, 2017

BOOK REVIEW- HOLDING OUT by Lila Rose

Holding Out (Hawks MC: Ballarat Charter Book 1) by [Rose, Lila]
(Updated version with added extra, why not give this quirky biker ebook a try)

Not everything is roses, chocolates and vibrators in Zara's life...until Talon, Hawks MC President, wants to claim her as his.

Zara Edgingway is a twenty-six-year-old secretary. She has a daughter that apparently knows-it-all and a best friend that could possibly have the mouth of Satan, but she's been with her through hell and back. Then there's the hunk'a'licious biker neighbour finally showing interest in her.
If only she isn't about to face her next obstacle in life, the one she ran from six years ago: her ex husband.

Talon Marcus is the president of the Hawks Motorcycle Club. For two years, he's had his eye on the quiet, reclusive, yet sassy, neighbour Zara. Finally, he has the chance to claim her as his woman. Just when her past catches up with her, she'll need, not only his protection, but the help from his biker brothers.
Now, if only she'd stop fighting him along the way. AMAZON 4 STARS

A different kind of biker story but I did enjoy it.  Yes, there is language, and some violence.  Most of that language is coming from Zara's best friend Deanna.   "Hell Mouth" was a nickname that she is given and it is one that she has earned!  But the "f" word does appear in the story and not just from her.  
Most of the "guys" call her hellcat after seeing her interaction with Talon.  He's the only one who he calls Kitty and there is a story behind that.   It was good to see how much Talon cared about Zara and her daughter.  
There were plenty of surprises and twists to the story which I enjoyed. 
Also some of the secondary characters were pretty good too.  

BOOK REVIEW- CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE by Melissa McClone

Christmas at the Castle (Ever After series Book 3) by [McClone, Melissa]
A royal wedding. A meddlesome mother. An unexpected union.

A European getaway during the Christmas holiday is exactly what veterinarian Katrina “Kat” Parsons needs. She can’t wait to be a bridesmaid in her childhood friend’s royal wedding, but she hopes to steer clear of the bride’s arrogant older brother.

Crown Prince Guillaume wants his younger sister’s wedding day to be perfect, but he’s suspicious of Kat. He and his mother on are on high alert, afraid Kat is not just there for the wedding, but also to find a prince of her own.

But when Kat’s kindness and generosity prove them wrong, the prince realizes there’s more to her than he ever imagined. Can he trust his heart or will he lose the one woman he can’t live without?
AMAZON  4 STARS

This book had an unusual, unexpected different beginning to it.  I liked how long Kat had been friends with Sophie.  Princess Sophia that is.  
While some of the story I have seen similar settings in other books.  BUT, there is enough other different parts to keep it interesting.  
It was a quick, fun read with plenty of emotion to go around.  

The Queen while she loved her children was something else when it came to having things done her way.  It was fun to see how everyone underestimated Sophie.  She was sunshine and life but she also had times of getting her own way that the family didn't see coming.  She ends up having a few things planned that will make her wedding even more special!  And this time the family cant blame Kat for her independence.  Her fiancee totally loves and supports her which was good to see.  
Kat was such a good person who willingly took the "blame" for anything that Sophie wanted to do that her family was against.  It worked well for years because of the distance between the two countries but things are about to change.  
The prince, Gill was so duty bound and Queen controlled that it was hard to like him at first.  He was so rigid.  But as he began to relax a bit, he was much easier to see as the man and not just the prince.  It was a interesting twist that he loved everything Christmas so much.  
There were some other interesting characters in the book too that added some fun to the book.  

Of course there will be a H.E.A. but not without at least 2 people trying to get in their way.    That's okay there are others pulling for them too!