Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Renegade Renovation #8 – Kitchen Cabinets?

For those of you who don’t know me, let me clarify. I don’t cook. Well, I try. But I’ll not be getting an honorary diploma from Waffle House, let alone Le Cordon Bleu any time soon. Recipes are things which remain a mystery to me, and trust me, all of us are perfectly happy with this arrangement.

Which brings me to my next issue in this building-wide renovation. What to do with the kitchen. The reality of it is, the kitchen is a place I used to walk through on the way to my office. However, it is also the place where coffee, nectar of the Gods, is brewed and stored, so there is a level of importance here.

But come on, cabinets? I’ve lived in so many rental homes, they all had cabinets. Of some form or another. Now I have to actually decide what kind to have? My whole life it’s been a decision made by someone else. You write the deposit and first months rent check and pronto, you get a complete kitchen.

These days, my life is filled with kitchen designer magazines, and kitchen websites. I haunt the appliance isles at every home improvement store I enter. I’m obsessed, I tell you. Do I build one to impress my friends? That won’t work, they know me. They’ll know right off I can’t work any of those fancy gadgets. Maybe one to impress my family when they come to visit? Nah, same story. I know, I know, *waving hands* I’ll build one for the man in my life to use. Ahhh, deep breath here.

Problem solved.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry, Merry, and Happy, Happy Everyone

Wishing each of you that which brings your heart the most joy, and your soul peace.

I'm very thankful to have wonderful readers like you in my life.

All the best, always.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Waiting For Revenge by Autumn Piper



Blurb

One good heartbreak deserves another.

Mandy plans to leave her husband the minute their month of counseling is over. How can she forgive his outrageous affair? It would almost be funny if the consequences weren't so harsh. They've got kids, and families with strong -- and warped -- opinions on marriage.

Her aunt thinks she should take a page from the black widow spider. Her brother's begging to avenge her broken heart, and their marriage counselor offers to play the willing victim in some payback sex.

While her clueless husband launches a campaign to win her back, Mandy meets Adam, the perfect shoulder to cry on. Will perfect justice prove just how sweet revenge can be when you wait for it?

Content Warning: Real people aren't all good or all bad. Neither are the characters in this story. The shade of right or wrong you see may depend upon whose glasses you are looking through.

My Review

Ms. Piper has written a very unique story which captured me from the first page. I applaud her courage in taking on non-traditional subject matter, and handling it beautifully.

Although the characters deal with issues which are common enough to make them your neighbors, the story reveals an extrodinary depth of spirit and struggle not only women, but men face in relationships.

Mandy will make you laugh and cry as she works her way through an unrelenting set of challenges with love for her children, amazing strength and courage that will have you cheering. While at the same time, Adam will steal your heart with not only his looks, but his patience and perseverance.

If you’re looking for something a little different, I highly recommend this book. It kept me so enthralled; I read it in one sitting!

BUY IT HERE

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Holiday Appetizer

Looking for a great story to read over the holidays? Here's a little taste of one I found to be particularly delightful.



Enjoy!

Tomorrow, the review.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Back In Action

Hey everyone. Here I am, and not completely dead. Only mostly dead tired. This is my busy (okay, busier than usual) season. Since the last blog post here, I’ve spent four days in Florida, four days in Chicago, four days in west Texas, and three days in Indianapolis. And then another week in Florida. The sucky part is none of it is vacation. The great part is that I’m working. But no less exhausted, and grouchy, so you probably don’t want to talk to me anyway.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. One of my major gripes in following a blog is when you check it, and the person has totally stopped posting. Grrr. You have my humble apology for becoming one of the very things that’s on my crappy list. I will do better.

I really want to ramp up this blog, so there are some great things planned for the new year. Author interviews, reviews, give aways and more! More what? Well, you just have to check back in and see.

Here’s wishing you great last minute shopping, with shorter lines, and a clear path to exactly the right gift.