Rainy Thoughts: First House!

Hello everyone! I'm pleased to announce that my husband and I are officially new homeowners as of Valentine's Day! Not gonna lie, I felt a little nervous about the whole signing my life away, but it was quick, easy and I felt no pressure when looking through our documents.

First Time Homeowner

We haven't actually moved into our home yet. Our lease at our current townhome isn't up until the end of March and we have a few updates that we are doing to get our home ready for us. Makes me a little anxious, but I'm so ready to move in and for our cat to move in. He's going to love it!

Being a homeowner feels freaking fantastic! My husband and I enjoy walking around neighborhoods and one of the things that I always wondered was what house were we going to be in? Would it be slanted? Would it be new or old? Would it be squared and would it have brick? It's crazy to think that part of my life is over, but I'm very happy with our end result.

When You Know, You Know

I knew this was the house by just looking at the pictures. The house popped up on my Zillow one morning as a new home. I looked at it and by picture 2, I could see my whole life in this house. I felt happy and I just knew it was the one! I immediately called my husband at work and then contacted our realtor and we saw the house that evening.

The house wasn't even up a whole day and there were already 2 other people looking at the house. After we looked at the house, we put in an offer that evening and it was accepted by the morning. You can say it was pretty much a fast sale. Our offer was accepted the following day. This was about the middle of January, so closing didn't take long at all.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I'm so excited about our home. It's not new construction but kinda knew that I wasn't going to go with something new. My house has so much character, it's unique, it's wonderful and it's all ours! How was your first home buying experience? Let me know in the comments below!

And as always, if you like to read and you're looking for a new book, check out my self-published book with the button below!

The Inevitable

Book Review: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

Hey everyone, hope you all are doing well! Weather has been crazy here in Texas. It feels like it's getting to be summer here, but it's supposed to go back down to the 30s this weekend. I have been in the process of getting a home that should be closed on by next week. And I get to have my Bell Library! *Eeeep*. If you follow me on Instagram, I will be definitely giving my followers a tour.

Anyways, I read this really intriguing book in January. I became part of an online book club that my sister-in-law invited me too. A little off topic, but I am thinking of making my own book club. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below! Here is my review on The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy. SPOILER ALERT!

A Little Bit of Background

Aimee Molloy is a journalist and co-author of five books. The Perfect Mother is her first novel that recently debuted in 2018. I could not find too much about this author, but hopefully, I can do an interview with her on here soon!

The Perfect Mother is a New York Times Instant Bestseller. The story takes place in modern day New York where you meet a group of mother's called the May Mother's whose babies are all due in May. Hence May Mothers. The group decides to go out for one night and one of the mother's, Winnie, mysteriously isn't seen the night her baby, Midas, is kidnapped from the babysitter. 

What Was Enjoyable

This book will definitely hook you in from the very beginning. The reader becomes entrapped in this

small, Brooklyn, mommy world. From the characters, to the scenes presented, to everything in between, there's just not a boring part of this book.

You will be guessing who took baby Midas and what happened to him the whole time. I guess this kind of goes with my first statement, but this definitely helps you turn the page. Who is kidnapper? Why did they take him? Who took him? These questions are going to overpopulate your head, and some readers enjoy books that make them think and become their own little detective. Guilty!

What Was Least Enjoyable

The only problem I had with this book were the multitude of characters at the beginning. Because there were quite a few faces, it was hard for me to deipher who was who at first. But about the 7th chapter, I go everyone down.

Overall

Overall, this was a pretty good book to start my year off with. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read, because even though it's 336 pages, you'll  be reading through this book ike you're reading a novella. Until next time my lovelies, Happy Reading!

And ass always, if you enjoy reading, check out my book with the button below!

The Inevitable

Rainy Thoughts: Christmas with the In-Laws

Hello everyone! Hope you all are doing well. I'm in the process of so many things, one of the things is getting a house! But I'll talk about that in a different post. Anyways, my topic for today applies to those who just got married and/or those spending Christmas for the first time with your in-laws this year or just any Holiday in general. I also have a tip at the end, so if you just want to scroll down, go ahead!

Scenario 

So let me explain, a bit. My in-laws live 2 hours away in a different city. Currently, my husband and I live in the same city as my family and a few of his family members as well. We've been together for 5 years and this past year is when we decided to start switching holidays since we were getting married and all and we thought it would be nice to spend the Holiday time with each other rather than apart.

My niece and I

Let me tell you, I'm close with my family so the thought of not spending the holidays, especially Christmas, with them was dreadful to me. I mean, if you like your family, chances are, not seeing them on the holidays can be hard for anyone. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little sad  at first that I wasn't going to be with all of my family for the first time this year. Turns out, I wasn't too bummed out like I thought I was going to be.

Empanadas!

Being with my husband's family felt like home. It was warm, there were laughs shared, good food abound and I didn't feel like I was my husband's wife, I felt like part of the family.  I learned how to make very yummy empanadas, went for a nice, family walk along the coastline on Christmas Eve, spent quality time with my niece and won the oreo game at the Christmas party. So my holiday felt a little normalish and I really had a good time being with my in-laws and everyone.

Christmas Eve in Corpus

Do I Have Any Tips On Splitting Holidays?

Well, you just gotta do it. Figure out a plan, aka who gets what holiday one year and then switch it the next year. And whoever gets to spend the holiday with their family, gets to the spend the weekend with the other family. Example, we spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family, so on Black Friday, we left about noon and spent the weekend with my in-laws. 

Marriage and life, in general, is about giving and taking. It can't just be your family all the time, you gotta make an effort to see your significant other's family. Chances are, you're going to have to see them the rest of your life and one day, they may be even watching your kids, so better to make peace and not war.

Yeah, it can be tough for some people, but if you're going into an open arms kind of family, it just makes it that much easier.

My little familia 

Final Thoughts

I had a really great Christmas this year. I'm so glad that I have another family to be with who have their own traditions that one day, way, way, way in the future, my kids will be blessed enough to be a part of. 

So I'll leave this hear and if you have any stories or tips or thoughts about spending the Holidays with your in-laws, please share in the comments below. And I write this at the end of all my post, but if you haven't already, consider checking out my book that's not about in-laws but deals with some pretty interesting topics. You can find it with the button below. Until next time, Happy Reading, Writing or whatever you do for fun!

The Inevitable

Book Review: Visions of Sugar Plums

Hello everyone! So I re-read this book for the Christmas season. This was actually my first Stephanie Plum novel that I ever read. I think I was in the 10th grade when I read this and I have been read Janet Evanovich books ever since. If you are new to my blog, then you may not know that I am a big Janet Evanovich fan. Love, love, LOVE the Stephanie Plum series, it's got to be one of my favorites. I've been slowing down on reading more of the series, so that I can write reviews on other books, but glad I went back to read this Christmas classic. Here is my review. SPOILER ALERT!

A Little Bit of Background

Janet Evanovich is a New York Times Best Selling author for plenty of her works. Her Stephanie Plum series started back in 1994. This book came out in 2002 and follows directly after the 7th book and is the series first holiday special. (Kinda cool how books have their own holiday specials like shows)

As for Stephanie, she is on another roundabout chase to find a toy maker named Sandy Claws. A strange man ends up finding her way into her life, she's dealing with her sister's pregnancy and somewhere in-between, our heroine is attacked by "elves." Typical Stephanie.

What Was Enjoyable

Unlike most Stephanie Plum novels, this one definitely has a change of pace. This book is more straight to point and really focuses more on Stephanie and her family, rather than her romantic dynamic between Morelli and Ranger. It feels a little different while still being a true Stephanie Plum novel.

It's change of pace doesn't take away from how many laughs you will have while reading this book. Like every Stephanie Plum book, it's filled with jokes, blunt humour and crazy grandma's. What could be funnier than those three things?

This book is definitely a different kind of Christmas story and it's definitely one reason that you may find this story enjoyable. 

What Was Least Enjoyable

While I mention on the enjoyable side that the focus was not on Ranger/Morelli, some people might miss that dynamic. 

There also wasn't that much Lola time, which is Stephanie's best friend. Everyone in the Stephanie Plum book series is funny in their own way, but Lola is just that sidekick that you miss.

Overall

Overall, this is a great book to pick-up when you're in the Christmas mood, whether that'd be in December or July. It's as funny as any other Stephanie Plum book and it's a great read for any part of the year. 

As always, please subscribe to read more reviews and rainy thoughts. I will have my next Rainy Thoughts come out next week and that's going to be on spending the holidays with your in-laws! Until then, Happy Reading!

Also, if you would like to check out my own book, you can click the button below!

My Book!

Rainy Books: Einstein's Compass Character Spotlight

EINSTEIN'S COMPASS

A YA TIME TRAVELER ADVENTURE

by

Grace Blair & Laren Bright

Genre: Young Adult / Historical / Fantasy / Science Fiction Certified Lexile Measure: 860L Publisher: Modern Mystic Media Publication Date: January 2, 2019

Number of Pages: 394 pages Coming on Audio, February 2019! SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
 

How did Albert Einstein come up with his wondrous theories of light and time? In Einstein's Compass: A YA Time Traveler Adventure, a young Albert is given a supernatural compass that allows him to travel through time and space and find wisdom in other dimensions, including the lost city of Atlantis. But evil forces seek the power of the compass, including a monstrous, shape-shifting dragon from a different age. Can the compass protect Albert from such villainy?

PURCHASE THE BOOK

┃ Amazon ┃

PRAISE FOR EINSTEIN'S COMPASS:

"This is an amazing story. Everyone should thoroughly enjoy reading it. I was impressed with how the authors managed to incorporate the known information on the lost continent of Atlantis, Light Workers, souls, reincarnation, time travel and the early years of Albert Einstein before he became famous, into a mesmerizing work of fiction readers will have difficulty putting down.  --Doug Simpson, Author of We Lived in Atlantis

"I could not stop reading this book. I read at stop lights and in line at the grocery store. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." --- award winning children's author, Lisa Reinicke This is highly recommended for those who enjoy a saga of good vs. evil that spans tens of thousands of years, for readers who devour novels that blend history and fantasy, and for anyone who is simply looking for a unique story that they will not want to put down. 

-- Author Jacqui Murray, Ask a Tech Teacher blog

The weaving of the story between the religion realm and Albert’s world is a captivating tale that keeps the reader’s attention. The good and evil of the timeless religious realm is like watch a chess match to see who outwits whom … I hope there is a next book somewhere in my future. 

–- Rox Burkey, author of the Enigma Series

THE MYSTICAL TIME TRAVELERS

RAKA, PRIEST SCIENTIST OF ATLANTIS

RAKA, SHAPE-SHIFTING DRAGON

COUNTESS VICTORIA VON BADEN

Grace Blair is an award-winning self-help and motivational author, and podcast host, who has assisted thousands to find their spiritual wisdom to solve everyday challenges. Throughout her adult life, Grace became a serious student of the spiritual. She found that, often, psychological principles and practices were incomplete, but could be filled out by adding the missing spiritual component. Her approach was always to see practical applications for what she uncovered in the mystical. It was through immersing herself in this field of study and experience that she came up with her idea for her book, Einstein’s Compass. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, Dr. John Blair.

║ Website ║ Facebook ║ Twitter ║ Instagram ║ 

 ║ Goodreads ║ Amazon Author Page ║ Bublish ║

Laren Bright is a three-time Emmy nominated award-winning writer who has written nearly 100 children’s animated cartoon scripts. He has spent the majority of his professional life over the last two decades assisting authors to produce topnotch books with titles and other promotional writing indistinguishable from those of mainstream publishers. During that time, in addition to Einstein’s Compass, he also co-authored a young adult fantasy series and several books for young children about positive values. Laren lives in Los Angeles with his wife, computer, and two grand-dogs.

║ IMDB ║ Amazon Author Page ║ Website ║

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: eBook + Einstein’s Compass Cap

SECOND PRIZE: eBook + Einstein socks; THIRD PRIZE: eBook + bookmark

JANUARY 2-11, 2019

(eBooks can be sent internationally, swag USA only)

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VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

1/2/19	Guest Post	All the Ups and Downs
1/2/19	Theme Song	Hall Ways Blog
1/3/19	Review	That's What She's Reading
1/4/19	Book Trailer	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/4/19	Author Spotlight	Chapter Break Book Blog
1/5/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
1/6/19	Review	Forgotten Winds
1/7/19	Excerpt	Max Knight
1/8/19	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
1/8/19	Author Interview	Book Fidelity
1/9/19	Character Spotlight	The Book Review
1/9/19	Character Spotlight	Rainy Days with Amanda
1/10/19	Review	The Clueless Gent
1/11/19	Author Interview	Sybrina's Book Blog
1/11/19	Review	Missus Gonzo

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Rainy Books: Heart of the Oak Guest Post!

HEART OF THE OAK

by

J.L. NOVINSKY

Genre: Children's / Nature / Life Cycle Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing Publication Date: November 15, 2017

Number of Pages: 36 pages SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

Heart of the Oak is a sweet story of the life of an old oak tree.   He’s old and weathered; his skin is rough and knotty.  But he has memories of joy, of love, and of tragedy.  He has endured many years and felt the sorrow of so much loss.  But his greatest joy is just ahead!  

PURCHASE THE BOOK

Amazon ┃ Barnes & Noble ┃ iTunes

Praise for HEART OF THE OAK from Amazon reviewers!

"Such a great book with a heartfelt story!"

"My children and I LOVE this book. We had a wonderful and insightful conversation after we read it."

My Writing Inspirations

Guest Post by J.L. Novinsky

I started college when I was fifty-five years old, and one of my last classes was Creative Writing.  I loved this class!  The professor was energetic, enthusiastic, and absolutely LOVED the written word.  He really inspired me to reach and stretch my writing skills.  One of our assignments was to write a character development story.  

As I left school that day, I was commiserating over who…what… how…?  And as I looked out my window, I saw the long row of oak trees that rimmed the field around the school.  And I thought, that’s my character!  An oak tree!  With no further idea of what I would write, I knew I could build something with the beautiful tree as the center of the story.  

Writing that story was easy.  It just poured from my fingers to the keyboard and all the while, I sobbed!  AndHeart of the Oakcame to life!  

 I spend a lot of time in the garden, so my upcoming release, Horace and Giselle, is about the adventures of two sweet, very different garden creatures and is about the friendship that develops between them.  They have adventures in the garden all summer long, then at last discover that love and friendship is forever.    

J.L. (Joan) Novinsky was born just outside of Chicago, but she got to Texas as fast as she could! Joan started college at age 55, and while taking a Creative Writing class, she wrote her first story, Heart of the Oak. Joan has now written a second children’s book, Horace and Giselle, available for on-line purchase January 2019. She was married to Bob in 1992, had a son, Stephen, in 1998, then in 2001, she and her husband took on the challenge and excitement of adopting a boy from St. Petersburg, Russia. Andrei joined the family in 2002, and the family resides just north of Dallas with their various and numerous pets.

║ Website ║ Facebook ║ Goodreads ║

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

First Prize: Signed Copy + Bookmark + $25 Amazon GC; Second Prize: Signed Copy + Bookmark + $10 Starbucks GC; Third Prize: Signed Copy + Bookmark

JANUARY 3-12, 2019

(USA only)

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VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

1/3/19	Book Trailer	Reading by Moonlight
1/4/19	Review	All the Ups and Downs
1/5/19	Review	Missus Gonzo
1/6/19	Guest Post	Rainy Days with Amanda
1/7/19	Review	That's What She's Reading
1/8/19	Sneak Peek	The Clueless Gent
1/9/19	Character Interview	Forgotten Winds
1/10/19	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
1/11/19	Notable Quotable	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/12/19	Review	The Page Unbound

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