Vlog: Sticker Mission

Are you ready for this?!

This mission is NOT top secret, spread the word like wild FIRE!

Exciting S***! Listen Up People

That's right, I'm excited!

Want to find out why???? Well of course you do!

Watch this.....(and be forewarned, my cat was not invited to the vlog)

6 Months Later....and I'm still a slacker...

Yep, that's right, I'm still alive.

Though my obvious efforts to blog aren't apparent, because well, I haven't been making an effort. It's not like my obsession with books, authors and my fictitious boyfriends has gone away....it's just that life, kids, work, fitness, The Walking Dead, Instagram (yes, I am an Instagram whore) and every other daily task seems to be getting in my way.

 I haven't truly been marking down what I've read, or what I've thought about these books for that matter, but that spark I was missing for a long time finally came back to me! 

Credit for this can be given to a specific series of books;

Vampire Academy

It has to be my inner nerd who feels an instant connection to this partially broken, yet bad-ass heroine who will do nothing but fight until the last breath has left her body for those she loves, and sacrifice everything in the process, that made me DEVOUR this series.....or it could be all the "eye" candy...either way it's a win!

Anyways, I'm not going to go into true reviewer mode, or babble on and on and on, but I will leave this very short post with a very important note........

I

AM

BACK!

Vlog: Current Road Blocks

Late last night (and when I saw late, I'm talking 10:30, lol) I decided to do a vlog about something that has been weighing me down lately.....

 

 

 

Feels Like I'm Dying....

These last few days I've been battling something nasty that's been kicking my body's ASS! So today I went to the doctor and after telling me things look ok, "but let's do a nasal swab to rule out Influenza"......what do ya know?! I have Influenza Type A!

Before you all start panicking and planning your speeches for my funeral, it's just a viral strain of the flu that can't be treated with antibiotic. So the doctor is basically telling me to tough this shit out and become Motts' top buyer.

Now the point to this iPhone fueled rant....this shit sucks! Please just try to deal with my Twitter whining and my attempt to stay in top of shit around here. I will BE BACK!

Martha Freakin' Stewart (Vol 2)

I hope some of you enjoyed yesterdays fudge recipe!

Today is: Rocha Toffee (like Almond Rocha)

 

You'll need:

1 cup - Sugar

1 cup - Butter

3 tablespoons - Water

1 tablespoon - Karo syrup

1 - 5 oz. - Package sliced almonds

2 - 1.5 oz. - Hershey chocolate bars

 

 

Directions:

 

1. Cook sugar, butter, water, syrup in an electric skillet at 350-375 degrees or a medium saucepan to medium-high heat

2. Stir for approximately 10 minutes, until caramel color

3. Add almonds & spread in buttered pan

4. Break hershey bars and scatter on top of warm toffee (I used chocolate chips)

5. Let soften and spread (if needed, pop in oven at 350 degrees for about a minute to soften chocolate)

6. Put pan in freezer for about 2 hours

7. Break apart and eat 

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Boil, boil, boil (you literally stir for 10 minutes)

After almonds are folded in & spread out on cookie sheet

Sprinkled chocolate chips on top instead of chocolate bad pieces

Gooey goodness! 

The stirring part was the only semi-down side, but it tasted YUMMY!

Tomorrow's recipe: Saltine Toffee



Martha Freakin' Stewart (Vol 1)

So as many of you may know I have decided to make a lot of my gifts this year.

Well this weekend I channeled my inner Martha & started gettin' my bake on!

I made a few of these goodies here:

Fudge (multiple yummy kinds)

Saltine Toffee

Rocha Toffee

Rum Balls

Haystacks

Oatmeal Cookies

Funfetti Cookies

Each day I'm going to post a recipe of what I've made with pictures of how the process should go!

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Today's recipe:

Fudge

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup - Cream

1/2 stick - Butter

4 cups - Marshmallows

3 cups - Chocolate Chips

Pinch of salt

In a medium saucepan simmer cream, butter, marshmallows & salt until creamy.

Off heat add in chocolate chips until smooth & evenly mixed. Pour into 9x13 foil lined cake pan. Let stand until firms up (I let mine set up for 12 hours)

First I line my cake pan, it's easy to do that first

Make sure to constantly stir, because the cream & marshmallows will expand quickly

(Almost done)

When chocolate has melted it's time to pour into pan 

Looks YUMMY! 

~~~~~~~~~~

This is when I made it with white chocolate chips 

I smashed mini candy canes w/ my rolling pin to put top  

See, looks AMAZING! (added a few sprinkles for glitz) 

This was SO simple I practically smacked myself for not making it before now!

Tomorrow's recipe will be Rocha Toffee!



Sorry for Slacking

Ok, ok....start the stone throwing now...but don't hit my mouth, I have sarcastic super powers and would be rather useless without them!

As many of you know, and some of you don't, I was screwed last week & laid-off from my job.

Blows, hardcore. 

But have no fear, I have already started a new job. And in doing so, I am currently in that awkward, "your friends with everyone", stage. (we'll see how working with other females plays out....I try not to actually think about it)

So now everyday at work, I have to actually work. Yes, it's as strange as it sounds. 

I ask you all to just ride along with me while I play catch-up & work the kinks of my chaotic life out. 

*You never realize what a creature of habit you are until that habit is broken :(*

Rant & Rave Vlog: Take a Closer Look

SQEEEEE! First ever vlog!

Epic right?!

So disregard that I filmed the entire thing on my works company camera...yes a Sony Cyber-Shot. Not bad huh?

Anyways, this is just something that I had to get off my chest. Was it in NO way meant to hurt feelings, but it's just me being honest. Here you guys go!

(sorry the quality sucks, that I look like death warmed-over, and all the hand motions)

Where are the streamers & party hats?!

 

Take a look around the blog-o-sphere and you'll see nothing but massive giveaways & epic contests when it comes to a blog celebrating it's anniversary, especially it's 1 year.

Well, not me.

(Apparently I was waiting for the surprise party & cake that no one got the memo for, LOL, kidding.)

Don't get me wrong, it's not due to lack of excitement or pride that I have for my blog.

Life, for me, is nothing but chaotic at the moment. With work, kids, my die hard gym life, side jobs, reading, reviewing, events, blog hops, and attempting to maintain a borderline non-hermit social life, a celebration seems like too much for me to pull off right now.

It's almost like I need a support staff of goblins & faeries to pull off half the things that my imagination comes up with!

So, back to the point, I will be celebrating, do not fear!

 No one throws a party like me!

Most likely I'll be combining this with some MASSIVE Holiday Giveaway in December.

Until then, stay tuned for other random doses of awesomeness that tend to pop-up around here!

Jess

Everyone one LOVES a make-over!!

OMG I am speechless!!!!!

(and that RARELY happens)

Isn't it purdy?! Don't you just wanna sit and look at it all-day-long?

Charlie, you're awesome, fantastic and I owe you 50 million gummies for this work!

So take your time...drool...

Take-Over of the leading male

Lately I've been noticing that male leads are working their way into the spotlight.

Yes, of course we are always anxious to see how our heroine describes her leading mans chiseled features, and feather soft hair. Or how good his assest look in those grungy jeans...

Anyways, what I'm talking about is how more & more authors are discovering the benefits of writing a bad ass book from the hero's P.O.V.

They're able to get all the action, fighting and suspense, while giving us romance from a different angle. It's white hot, blood boiling passion, straight from the head of a 6'4" Greek God with muscles until tomorrow.

Here are a few fantastic examples:

Exiled
M.R. Merrick

P.O.V. - Chase

He comes off like an asshole at first, but then grows so much throughout the book it's amazing!

 The Iron Knight

Julie Kagawa

P.O.V. - Ash

A change from the previous Iron Fey books, but you'd be surprised how soft, and dare I say normal, Ash truly is.

Witch Eyes

Scott Tracey

P.O.V. - Braden

Though I have not read this, everyone is gushing! (as I continue to try and pry a copy from the author) Braden seems like a truly great hero, with some wicked powers

So you see what I mean about the take over?

These brilliant authors are starting a revolution, and I for one am behind whomever wants to show me a paranormal world, thru some complete hotties eyes!

Now & Then: My blogging journey so far...

Almost a year ago, I can't believe it, I started blogging. Though when I started it wasn't for the awesome perks, or the attention from others, I did it because I truly have a passion for reading.

When starting out I did it cold turkey. I had one other blogger friend, who was just getting her blog started too, so there was no one else around who I could ask for advice. Quickly I started roaming Facebook looking for other people who shared this burning desire for the paranormal & all things mysterious. Man was I blown away when I found this massive community that was quietly laying beneath the Facebook surface!

Thousands of people who are just like me, you know the ones who fantasies over who would be the perfect Barrons, or who would win in a brawl between the "real" Eric Northman and Alexander?

Slowly I began to "Like" other bloggers, authors, editors, anyone who I thought could better my literary life style. Now in the blink of an eye I am sitting here looking at those genius' that I've surrounded myself with and realize that I've made some pretty great blogger/author friends. Though at times I feel like I am still in my cave a little bit when it comes to talking to the Big Blogger Fish out there, you know like Parajunkee? (Basically the Goddess of the blogging world) But I think that's just me trying not to be like one of those sell-out blogging whores. The ones who aren't sincere and just copy cat what they see around them, because I am NOT like that. Yes, there are times when I see something and think, 'that's a damn good idea', and am slightly jealous that my brain didn't work fast enough to come up with it myself. But ya know, that's the life of a blogger, being creative and turning it into your own. People want to see things on your blog that they don't see everywhere else, and right now I am trying to perfect that.

In the end I wanted to say THANK YOU! To everyone who's reading this, to all of your who follow my tweets, my rants & raves on Facebook, and mostly importantly give me feed back. I truly appreciate you all, whether you're a follower, friend, blogger or author, without you my little dream I had a year ago wouldn't be what it is today.

My week...thus far...

and It has SOOOOO been one of "Weeks"!

You know the ones you hear most of the world complain about?

I've felt like this.....

 

and this...

and this one about sums it up!

Yep, that was TOTALLY my Monday!

Then I woke up yesterday feeling the SAME way saying...

Seriously?! Can't a girl catch a break?

Can't I come into work to find some of this...

Ok, maybe not THAT many!

Maybe more like...

but noooooooooooooooo! I come to work to a whole lot of...

See, my week just hasn't been up to par!

So now I've decided to just become a reading...

but then these will start popping up every where

and maybe some of these, thinking I'm actually trying to eat brains!

(Brains are SO my thing FYI)

Thus leading to....

Yep, hands down...potentially the worst week ever!

Thank god I'm not a zombie and that my Wednesday has been AMAZING so far!

My 5 Rules of Reading

Lately I've noticed that it takes quiet a large amount of skill, and a particular set of rules, to read a book correctly.

Correctly? You might be asking. Well, let me put it this way, to truly be able to understand the characters, their emotions, and all that jazz, takes a considerable amount of concentration.

I've come up with these 5 reading rules to help maximize your reading experience:

#1. Make sure you know what you're reading

I can NOT tell you how many times I've picked up a book thinking it was a different one, then have become extremely disappointed when the hunky shirtless werewolf I was looking forward too turns out to be a pre-pubescent vampire with a high pitched voice. Very annoying...

#2. Do not eat greasy snacks while reading

This results in pages becoming impossible to read due to the large amount of Cheetos residue blocking out sentences...it then leads to you thinking your favorite character is alive and breathing, when tragically they were smothered to death in their sleep >:[

#3. Don't compare your favorite character to your current ones

Though your favorite character would probably kick your current main characters ass, it's not fair that they're just receiving their spotlight and you're already plotting their demise. It's like throwing your new best friend into a crowd of zombies and expecting them to live....shame shame

#4. Don't let your mind wander......squirrel!

I am a prime example of how important this rule is......what to have for lunch today, sushi or burger.....oh, ok back to the rule...It's very important to make sure you aren't allowing that voice in your mind to distract you. Or the vampire assassins you're reading about will go from fighting samurai ninjas to arguing with teenage girls about who's asking them to prom.

#5. Take a breath between books

Some people can jump from book to book without so much as a blink, but the majority of reading addicts out there need at least a 5-10 minute break to take in the amount of awesomeness, or complete disappointment, that just entered their mind. During this brief break I suggest the following for properly clearing your mind:
- At least 50 jumping-jacks
- Shot of vodka with a Red Bull chaser, to restart your mind...if the book was a disappointment I suggest more vodka (for 21 and over only)
- 3 minute doodle session
These simple things will allow the haze to clear and I can almost, probably, guarantee the next book you start will be maybe be great! Right?


Now that you've read all the rules, make sure you let me know if they work for you.
If they don't then I would suggest professional help to get you thru your next novel adventure.

Happy Reading!!

Determined!

Well, the post title says it all.

I need to be more determined!

Determined to do what you might ask? Well a lot of things, but mainly more reviews. I have found myself being pulled towards the bright lights of promo-ho-ness more then the reviews that I need to do.

It's not because I have been lacking in the reading department, because I've been elbow deep in vampires lately, I just haven't been able to get a thought down onto paper after I read the book.

So now that I have my Kindle I am going to start a process of writing down whatever thoughts I have while reading, then jotting down a few lines after each chapter.

Yes, they will be random.

Yes, they won't make sense.

But that's me in a nut shell right?

I'm going to re-vamp my review style and come back with a BANG!

So prepare yourself for a serious dose of awesomeness.....and a possible side of B-A-M!!!!

It has ARRIVED!!

Thank the Book Kindle Gods for their bounty!!

It has arrived!! 2 days before I had mentally prepared myself for at that!

So now as I sit here at my work desk, using the corporate computer to download all my books from e-mail to Kindle, my boss is looking at my like I'm weird because I am BEYOND happy...and that it strange simply because I'm at work AND it's a Monday....but oh well, let's rejoice!

Monday....I hate you

This right here, is EXACTLY what I will be doing during lunch.....

nothing can help me today. I've had my Red Bull....nothing...I even had coffee (yuck!) and nothing!

So apparently the Sandman full on ran my ass over last night, put it in reverse and then did a burn out in my mind, because I am so lethargic that I can't even force myself to do a damn thing at work.

This serious case of zombie-ness is bringing my whole day down, and I feel like I'm just going thru the zombie motions.

Next stop, eating boss' brain and terrorizing the local neighborhood. I'll be back!

It's just one of "THOSE" days....

Yes I'm in a complete and utter funk today!

I don't want to do anything, not even read...I'm trying to figure out what book to read next, yep that's not happening either.

This funk needs to stop, I've got crap to do, books to read, reviews to write...UGH

Oh, ANNNNNNND my throat hurts like I'm getting sick! I see fun times ahead :(

(you know it's really bad when I don't attach any pictures, or have a Monday Morning Man Candy post)

Chaos, Inner Heroines & Man Candy!

This week I feel like a tornado has taken over, and I can feel my inner heroine trying so hard to keep my feet on the ground. With between the dentist, work, and the gym, I feel like my reading life has taken a down turn. Add being computer-less all next week to that and it brightens my situation OH-SO-MUCH.....not!

So I figured what better way to put my mind at ease then some Man Candy. Seriously, who doesn't like a good dose of it every once in a while? It's like giving chocolate to a grown woman, it makes everything better! (and try to tell me that this doesn't make you feel better?)

or THIS

Vulgar? No. Smutty? Hell yes!

As you could probably tell, I have a thing for men with tattoos. I believe that it's my inner heroine calling out for her bad-boy. Oh we all have an inner heroine. Maybe she's the woman we imagine when we're reading a book, perhaps an alter-ego, or the main character of a story you have in your mind. So here's a question to ponder, what's your inner heroine like?

Well I'm off like a prom dress! Have reviews to finish, articles to write, and should probably get some actual work done today. Later Gators!