Me Before You

This is my first read by Jojo Moyes.

A fellow writer said to read it for a good example of how to write romance. So, I ordered a copy and there it languished on my "to read" shelf for several months until my book club picked it. So, I read it.

If it was an example of how to fall in love very very slowly, then job well done. For a romance with a moral message it is well written and researched.

But I felt at times it was tedious. I could see the conflict regarding the ending far in advance and wanted to get to the resolution already!

The plot pivots on a timely question about life and death, choices, and living with consequences. That part of the story was well done and leaves the reader thinking about her own choices if put in Lou's or Will's shoes.

Patrick drove me up the wall. What was the point of him? I could've done without him entirely.

Plenty of side plots to keep things lively. Multiple character points of view, though most of the story is told from Will's perspective.

At the end I wasn't compelled to seek out the sequel.  There are other romances I enjoy more.

Me Before You

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation and perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

Master of Time Release & Fundraiser

Lisa Rector is so excited to announce the upcoming release of her novel Master of Time (Chronicles of the Half-Emrys #3). 

The BIG NEWS is she is donating all of March's pre-order profits
and the entire month of April’s royalties to Help Jill Overcome SMA! This
includes all her novels on Amazon,
Createspace, and Kindle. Book 3 officially releases on March 31st!

For online shoppers: 
Books one and two are currently available on Amazon. Order during April so the royalties go to the fundraiser. 
Book 3 is available for pre-order. Order now to get yours on March 31st and support Jill!

You might not be sold on paranormal romantic fantasy. But surely a young lady in your life is. This is a new adult paranormal romantic fantasy. New adult means the main characters are ages 18–25. In her case, the immortals in her novels act these ages.

Book 1 is Reader Rated (RR) 14+ for clean
language, mild fantasy violence, on-page tender moments.

Book 2 is RR-15+ for clean language, mild fantasy
violence and torture, off page sexual intimacy, but on-page tender moments.

Book 3 is RR-16+ for mild fantasy swearing, mild
fantasy violence and torture, off page sexual intimacy, but on-page tender
moments.

Enough about Lisa's novels. She is busting at the seams over this opportunity to make a difference in a lovely little girl’s life. 

Let’s meet Jill!

A few years ago, Jillian MacKay was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type III. SMA is a genetic condition that slowly
causes her muscles to fail. Her parents were shocked—at 18 months her only symptom was that she walked around their Victorian farmhouse bowlegged, but the doctors soon found the root cause was SMA. SMA is degenerative, which means that over time Jill will gradually rely on her wheelchair and lose the ability
to walk altogether.

Jill craves independence. She wants to be able to take her wheelchair to her doctors’ appointments, to shop, and to visit with
friends and family. She wants to shower on her own. To do this she needs the right equipment, such as an accessible shower and bathroom, and a van capable of transporting her heavy wheelchair.

Her mom stays home with Jill, takes her to doctors’, physical, and occupational therapy appointments, and also looks after Jill’s little sister. Jill used to love ballet and gymnastics but is having
trouble participating. Luckily she also loves reading, coloring, and painting at home, as well as cheering on her little sister’s accomplishments.

Jill is a brilliant girl. She’s smart and motivated. All she wants are very basic things that we all take for granted—the ability to shower on her own, get around her school, hang out with friends on the playground, and be dropped off and picked up by her mom in the van.

The family needs funds to purchase a gently used
wheelchair-accessible van.

The house also needs updates to accommodate Jill’s wheelchair. The family was able to move into a one level house that is much more wheelchair friendly, but it still needs upgrades to the bathrooms and other places. Please help make this childhood one of fun, friendship, and joy—as childhood should be!

Now to the novels!

Master of Lies

Lost to the lies. Consumed by revenge.

Unaware of her immortal heritage, Ahnalyn learns she’s a child of two worlds—a half-Emrys with the ability to wield the light and the dark power. As Ahnalyn is thrown on a
journey beyond her control, she must sift through the lies to uncover her true
self and true potential, before the darkness consumes her.

Master of Lies is the first book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a
paranormal romantic fantasy.

The Two Masters

Choose the light or choose the darkness,
but you cannot have both.

Einion is fearful of the dark power inside that could lead to his corruption. Rhianu, a ruthless Dark Emrys, stumbles into his life, challenging everything that was once always so black and white. As despairs over Einion’s heart increase his uncertainty, he is thrust on a path where he must face his worst fears to save who he truly loves.
Meanwhile Rhianu is torn between power and love, between the past and the future. Knowing betrayal, she must follow her master’s plan—no matter what her heart tells her.

The Two Masters is the second book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a paranormal romantic fantasy.

Master of Time

Time is only one enemy.

A malicious shadow trails Catrin and Meuric after they find themselves thrown back in time. Only Meuric knows the enormity of this evil that wants to claim Catrin. Meuric’s light could save her, but using it will diminish his dark power, hindering his ability to pass through the ether to their own time. Discovering the way home has just become the least of his problems . . . if there’s a way home at all.

Master of Time is the third book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a paranormal romantic fantasy.

The Two Masters

The Two Masters (Chronicles of the Half-Emrys Book 2) by Lisa Rector

Choose the light or choose the darkness, but you cannot have both. 

As Einion’s coronation approaches, the doubts about his worthiness overshadow him. He is a half-emrys, a child with both light and dark energy inside. In the mortal world, he can wield both powers, but having known only the light’s purity in the immortal realm, a place where the dark energy cannot be harnessed, Einion is fearful of the power that could lead to his corruption. As the despairs over his heart increase his uncertainty, Einion is thrust on a path where he must face his worst fears to save the one he truly loves. 

Rhianu is a ruthless Dark Emrys and ruler of Morvith, a land she has subdued and conquered by the grace of her evil master. When a mission goes horribly awry, Rhianu stumbles into Einion’s life only to be challenged by her versions of good and evil. Her heart is torn between power and love, between the past and the future. Betrayal is something Rhianu is familiar with, and knowing its repercussions, she must follow through with her master’s plan no matter what the consequences or what her heart tells her. 

This novel may be enjoyed without reading Master of Lies (Chronicles of the Half-Emrys #1). 

The Two Masters on AMAZON

MY REVIEW:

Lisa Rector is a master at writing high fantasy. And when I say that I'm coming at it from the perspective of one who enjoys Tolkien, Lewis, and Paolini. Yes, even romance girls can read outside their preferred genre. 

The Two Masters, with its battles, magic lore, and dragons, is really a deep soul searching journey. The characters are forced to examine the light and darkness within. The balance can be swung back and forth with their choices. And there is always a choice. There is adventure, heartbreak, romance, and struggle. I loved everyone of her characters and found them easy to relate to.  

Ms. Rector is truly master of her world. Her world building is incredible. Her ability to convey emotion is done beautifully with apt description. Her pacing impeccable. Her grammar, near flawless. 

If you enjoy high fantasy, you won't be disappointed. 

At the end of her blurb she says it can be read as a stand alone book, and it can. But I would encourage you to read the other books. You wouldn't want to miss such great writing!

No Match for Love Series

Do yourself a favor and buy all of Lindzee Armstrong's books in this series at the same time. I was so happy I could read them all back to back, though each one can be read as a stand alone book.

They were quick, well put together stories, that had me staying up late and wanting more. In fact the rumor is, she's working on Zooey's tale next. Excited!

If you like well developed, thoughtful characters, who need a little kick in the pants to work out their love lives, then you are in the right place.

These are mostly clean reads, so if you like steam, etc. then you are in the wrong place.

Expect solid writing, likable characters, plausible fun plots, slick descriptions and wonderful romance.

I'm sending you to Ms. Armstrong's author page on Amazon to get them all.

http://www.amazon.com/Lindzee-Armstrong/e/B00UJVLI88/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Hello Again

Hello Again is the first book in Heather Tullis's new series which intertwines with another favorite author's series: Indulgence Row by Danyelle Ferguson.

Piper Daniels is a passionate heroine, who cares about her autistic brother and run down community. Her heart is in all the right places, except when it comes to lost love Reece Stone.

Watching them untangle the pain of the past while attempting to unriddle the possibility of a future is the crux of the plot and Ms. Tullis weaves a poignant tale that will have your heart fluttering.

This new series is on par with the other novels she's turned out. Great writing, heart tugging, believable, and likable characters to cheer for. Also, a gorgeous eye catching cover.

Get it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Again-Garden-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00V0PXQG4/ref=la_B00AWVSLFS_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455641862&sr=1-1


 Piper Daniels has one wish—to keep her little brother out of trouble—but her work schedule and a lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood complicate that mission. When she latches onto the idea of starting a community garden, it seems to answer all of her requirements. Until she realizes who owns the property she wants to use. 

Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years earlier, until he left with only a phone call goodbye and no explanation. Now he’s the head of Stone Enterprises, and he’s thrilled at the chance to make amends and spend time with the woman he’s never been able to forget. He knows they can find love again, if he can melt her anger enough to give him a chance. 

Laundry Room Facelift

Actually, it's a makeover. We've never touched the laundry room before. It is the last room on the main floor to be done. Now that it is, the main floor is FINISHED!!!

As per usual I jumped right into the project, forgetting to take BEFORE pictures. So, let me describe. Vanilla walls. The six panels on the doors painted a peach color. Apparently in the late 1990's-early 2000's there was a trend in this area to paint the panels the same color as the walls but leave the main part of the door untouched/white. Weird. As the majority of our house when we bought it was a vanilla color: walls, trim, and doors, when we paint a room we have to paint EVERYTHING! A day of trim and doors and another day of walls. It's a two step process. Isn't everything?

Here are the pics with the trim and doors painted.

Here are the pics with the walls painted a light green/blue. My husband, suffering from a cold, heroed up and did all the cutting in at the top of the ten foot ceilings that I couldn't reach even with a ladder. As I cut in, I worried I was wasting my time painting the walls the same color as the trim because it looked so light wet, even though we looked at the paint chip for months and agreed on the color. Two cans later, this is the result. 

To finish it off, we took down the old shelf, 12 inches deep, and replaced it with a new one 16 inches deep. Then my husband took the old shelf and cut it into two pieces to add two more shelves to the top of the pantry. I have floor to ceiling shelving there now! Love recycling. The final touch: new washer and dryer. I LOVE them! 

So it's not showing well in the pictures, but the walls really are a different color than the trim and doors. 

This completes Phase I of the laundry room. Phase II will include a new utility sink, shelves over the washer/dryer area, and shelves over the utility sink. Not exactly sure when that phase kicks in. I'll keep you posted. 

What home projects will you knock out this winter?

Bathroom Facelift

We've lived in our house about four years now. My original goal was to get it all painted and decorated by the three year mark. A few things derailed that goal, like publishing books, doing theater, and breaking my foot.

Now it's time to get back to putting our stamp on this house and making it our home. Thus begin our winter projects, when we're stuck indoors anyway.

When we moved in, one of the first rooms I painted was the kids bath. It had lavender walls at the time. My husband picked out the Mickey Mouse shower curtain and we designed the bathroom around that. The walls were the same yellow as Mickey's shoes. It was bright and cheery, also slightly glaring.

We decided to redo the room around the same curtain but with a more sophisticated flair.

Here are the before and after pics with commentary.

Okay, so this is after I painted the walls gray. I don't seem to have one when they are yellow. You'll get the idea of the yellow color when you see the curtain. 

This is the curtain. Things we changed: new shower bar. This one is curved for more room in the shower and in a brushed nickel finish. We streamlined all the metals to brushed nickel throughout the bathroom for a more cohesive look. We also added hooks and bought towels from IKEA with hanging tabs on them. The theory is the kids can easily hang them up on the hooks instead of on the too high bar built into the shower. But guess where I find them; the floor of their room, the floor of the bathroom, on the sink. Sigh. Best laid plans...We also substituted their nasty toilet lid for a lovely plastic easy to clean slow close one. No more lid slamming at all hours. Bliss. We also ripped out the 1/4 inch wood round and replaced it with white vinyl (no paint!). After replacing a few tiles, my husband was able to caulk all of it, waterproofing the bathroom from leaks!

We set a budget and determined we could either do new light fixtures or new faucets. We went with faucets. This proved to be really fun when one of the pipes broke inside the wall, and, of course, it was the cold water. Four hours without water and a trip to Home Depot later, my husband was able to repair the damage and finish the job just in time for showers and potty breaks. I spray painted the light fixture to the right finish (cost nothing as we already had the paint from a previous project), and we put in more energy efficient bulbs. Voila. Pretty sinks and lights.  

My husband is the handy one so he gets installation duty like the new toilet paper roller and the knobs on the doors (also free as they are leftover from when we replaced the hardware in the kitchen). I am tasked with the paint jobs, which is fine with me. Paint is easy and cheap. If you look back at the first picture, you'll notice the cupboards are cheap looking builder's grade wood. Yuck. Nothing inspiring there except wanting to buy new cabinets. This time I had to expand my horizons and use a sander. My husband removed the doors and I spent a day sanding, priming, and painting the doors and cabinet. It was cold in the garage in December, but the result was worth it, don't you agree? Now the cabinets look beautiful. Another cost saver: we already had the primer and it's the same paint as our front door - Mouse Ear black. And as it's exterior paint, I don't have to worry about wear, tear, or water damage. We also bought new red hand towels (not shown) as the black ones blended into the doors too well. 

There are only two things left undone in this room. 

One is to order a new piece of art for the wall. 

Two is to hire someone to install a light over the shower. My husband has the skills and all the materials to do it. Unfortunately, he's the wrong size to fit the small space where the roof meets the wall to install it. 

Look for an update when we get that done. 

Stay tuned for another renovation project coming soon. Next up: the laundry room

What are you doing to improve your house? Or what's on your 'Honey Do' list?