Book Review: The Kind Worth Killing

Some people are the kind worth killing ... that's the conclusion beautiful Lily has come to over the course of her life. Enter the extremely wealthy yet devastated Ted, who is on the same delayed night flight from London to Boston and has just recently discovered his wife is cheating on him. Lily and Ted meet in the airport bar before the flight, continue their conversation on the plane and enter into a dark partnership to kill his wife.

Who meets a random stranger on a plane and trusts them enough to truly consider committing such a  serious crime together? It's an intriguing start, and that's just the beginning of this intricate, psychological thriller, The Kind Worth Killing, by Peter Swanson. It's a story full of unreliable narrators, clever surprises and dark betrayals.

Just when you think you know where the plot is going with this story, it throws some twists and turns and takes you in a new direction. It was one of those books I stayed up reading way past bedtime. I wanted to know who lived and who died ... and who got away with it.

You should read this book if you're plotting to kill someone ... or if you relish reading about sociopaths and coldhearted killers. Would your sense of justice lead you to kill someone who betrayed you?

I bought this book from Amazon for my Kindle. No free books or advanced reader copies for this one. It just looked too good to pass up!

Book Review: Day Shift by Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris, author of the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse series that the HBO True Blood show was based on, is about to publish the second book in a fresh new series.

Day Shift is set in small town Midnight, Texas, the cast in this murder mystery is a fascinating menagerie of unique characters who aren't what they seem. Half the fun of reading this book is trying to figure out who or what these characters are, and why they live in tiny Midnight.

There are three plot lines in this story, and they are all intriguing. Manfred, the legit physic who runs a not-so-authentic psychic hotline, has a wealthy client die in such a manner than he's a suspect. The run-down, abandoned old hotel has suddenly been refurbished, and strange new visitors enter the picture. And, reclusive ole Rev has a surprising young guest who has a compelling effect on all the residents.

My absolutely favorite genre to read is mystery, with fantasy following a close second, so any time these two are combined, I'm willing to dive right in. And this book didn't disappoint. The plot mysteries were solid, the characters more than two-dimensional and we learned more about the curious and secretive beings in Midnight.

Some books in a series are fine as a stand-alone, and this one is not bad on it's own ... but it's definitely a lot less confusing and more exciting if you start with the first book in the series, Midnight Crossroad.

I received an advance copy of this book to read through NetGally, a free site where you can discover, read and review new books before they are published. Day Shift is due out in bookstores on May 5, 2015. 

Painting with a Twist

Last night, I went to Painting with a Twist.

As an apartment complex sponsored event, I didn't have to pay the full price, and it was an opportunity to check out something I'd want to try for a while.

At Painting with a Twist, you can paint with no artistic talent necessary! It's BYOB, so you bring your favorite beverage and snacks ... and it's all about getting creative and having fun. I LOVED it!

The instructor walks you through painting ...
the entire class is painting the same thing ...
although, of course, everyone's turns out different.


You start with a blank canvas. Here's mine:







Then the lady instructed us on how to start working on our background: Paint met canvas.










Ta da! The background is complete.





I know it looks like a 4-yr-old did it. It was still FUN.






And here you have it, the completed product!






(I won't quit my day job any time soon, let me tell you) but I had so much fun!!

 I plan to do it again soon ... and take my boys.
Or my grandmother.

Have you ever done a painting class like this?




 

The Epic Battle of the Orange Sweatshirt

Sunday's Epic Battle with Remy was ...
over a sweatshirt.

Which I insisted he bring to his 1 1/2 hour outdoor batting practice in 40 degree weather.

I rushed home from work to attend his school Open House.
Then we rushed home to change clothes
and leave for his batting practice.

We loaded into the car and took off.
One block later, I realized he was in a t-shirt and shorts.
And it was COLD.
So, I turned around and went back home,
and made him run inside to get a sweatshirt.

He freaked out.
He didn't NEED the sweatshirt.
He didn't want to be late.
He hated me.
I was the worst mom ever. 

He ended up wearing it the entire practice.


Why does he fight me?
When I'm so clearly right?


After the practice, I got him to admit he was wrong.
and that I was right.
that he was GLAD he had his sweatshirt. 

Call me ridiculous, but I savored that moment
That moment of pure motherhood bliss. 



 

Master Social Media Certification Scholarship Contest for U.S. Military Veterans

I'm so excited to be a part of something special for the men and women 

who have given so much for our country.

The company I work for, Splash Media, is giving away social media training 

to active and retired U.S. Military.

We're giving 50 scholarships to military veterans who want a career or training in social media.

 50 Scholarships!!

Our Master Social Media Certification is an 100% online, self-paced program offered through our accredited social media university, Splash Media U. 

Graduates of this program will become experts in content marketing, blog marketing, community building, and search engine optimized social media across the various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Blogging.

So, whether your wanting to learn more about social media marketing ... or wanting to embrace a career in social media, the Master Social Media Certification is the route to take.

 Go to the Splash U Scholarship Contest and check out the details.

You can nominate yourself or someone else 

(but the nominee must be an active or retired military vet or spouse.)

Good luck!

And if you're interested in writing a blog post about this contest, contact me 

and we can work out an extra scholarship 

to give away on your blog too!

 

BlogHer Book Review: Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster

Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster was a wild book.


I didn't like it at first, but I was determined to finish it.
The character was unlikeable.
The tone was irritating.
I didn't think I was going to be able to keep reading ...
and then, after a while,
it grew on me,
as did the character.


The main character, Lissy Ryder, was a mean girl in high school,
popular, bitchy and completely self-centered.

And as she attends her 20th high school reunion,
we see she's still much the same,
but things start changing
and she's sent back in time to redo high school.


I'm intrigued by the thought of re-doing high school.
I enjoyed high school, it wasn't a bad time for me.
But, I definitely have things I wished I done different.

 I was too wrapped up in a guy (who I later married).
I wish I'd spent more time hanging with girlfriends and exploring life.

 But, I'd be terrified to change things
because I wouldn't want to lose the two most important things in my life currently, my boys.

This book was an interesting read,
and it makes you ponder your own high school years, that's for sure.


 Check out our BlogHer book club discussion.

And follow Jen Lancaster on Twitter!



This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

BlogHer Book Review: Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner

 

Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner was an exciting read.

It's a book I would have read,
even if it wasn't sent to me for a book review.

I love mysteries.
Ever since Nancy Drew,
I've been a HUGE fan of reading fiction and looking for clues, trying to solve the mystery.

This story lived up to my expectations.

 In this pyschological thriller, a family is kidnapped for unknown reasons.
No ransom or reason is left for the cops.
The family is held in a remote, bizarre location with brutality and confusing actions.
As the reader, we go back and forth between the family and the cops,
and both perspectives add to the big picture ...
but the mystery isn't clear until the end.

Lisa Gardner is an excellent thriller writer, and this was one of those books that was hard to put down.


This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.
 

Despite my best intentions, I didn't ruin my 16-year-old's birthday

Yesterday, my firstborn turned 16-years-old. (How did that happen?!)

In Texas, this means you can finally apply for a driver's license.

Last summer, he took a driver's education course and a written test to receive his learner's permit. (Did I mention the 4 hours we spent at the DPS trying to get it? The DPS office in our smallish town is packed like that EVERY DAY!!)

Since receiving his learner's permit, he's been driving with me or his dad in the passenger seat ever since. (at first his little brother refused to ride in the car if his older brother was driving) 

It was stressful at first.

There were some near misses. (I stopped counting) 
With time and practice, he got better. 
He's a pretty good driver ... 

And then along comes his birthday, yesterday, when he was scheduled for the big driving test at the Texas DPS.***

***Side note - In North Texas, you have to schedule the driving test more than a month in advance in order to get the date you want. It's CRAZY. We called a month in advance and ended up having to schedule our appointment at a DPS on the other side of Dallas to make it on my son's birthday.  

The weekend before the test, he spent several hours practicing parallel parking in my grandmother's car, because it's smaller than my big ole boat-of-a-car.  (He took the test in her car also)

 The day before his test, I realized we needed a current VOE (Verification of Enrollment) from the high school. The one we had on file was from the summer and not valid anymore. That took some last minute calling and stressing.

And then the night before his test, I realized I didn't have the certificate of completion from his driver's training class.  and the driving school was only open specific hours. So, that induced more stress and calling and emailing and stalking the owner ...

Needless to say, we ended up making more than one trip to the DPS in Garland (almost two hours round trip) and a trip to the driving school as well, where we sat outside for a good thirty minutes in hopes they'd open early ...

(Waiting at the DPS, irritated with me for taking a photo)

You get the idea.

But, somehow, despite my intentions, we made it to the DPS with all our paperwork,
he was able to take the test 
and 
he PASSED!





(outside the DPS with his temporary license)

So, Texas, my firstborn is now on your roads.  

Please, please, please be gentle with him.

Things That Make Me Happy

A beautiful sunrise.
Taking photos of a beautiful sunrise.
Being able to share photos of a beautiful sunrise with family and friends
on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my blog.


A hot cup of tea when I sit down to my computer in the morning.
Cracking the spine on a mystery novel.
The delight on my Labrador's face when I walk in the door.
Curling up with a warm blanket on the couch to watch a movie or take a nap.
Walking through nature with my camera.
Spending time with and talking with my boys.
Laughing with my sisters.
Cooking over the holidays with my family.


What makes you happy?



 

Moments with My Teenager

Let me start by saying, my teenage son,
who's just weeks away from turning 16-years-old,
has been a responsible, trustworthy and pretty laid back teen.
(even when I mess with him)

However, there are occasionally moments.
Moments where he goes spacey ... or gets moody.


In the photo above, he's about to go into his bass lesson,
and he clearly has the moody bit going on.
I don't remember why.
Actually, there didn't need to be a reason.
He just was. Moody.

As for the spacey moments, here's the most recent example:

Monday, he left out chocolate (milk chocolate and caramel kisses. WRAPPED in foil),
which the dog promptly ate while we were gone, foil and all.

The same day, my teenager also almost started a fire in the toaster.

 I'm banning him from food.
All food.


 P.S. the dog is okay, thank god. (Chocolate is toxic to dogs, just in case you didn't know)

P.P.S I just scheduled his driving test at the DPS for his birth day.
(I may need to be medicated for that.)



 

Dogs Disocvered Social Media Before We Did

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to exercise my dog more,  
so, I've been going for walks around our local Town Lake with my sweet Annie.


It's peaceful, beautiful and calming.
There are big trees and lots of geese and ducks.



 

And I've noticed some patterns.
Annie always pees the minute she gets out of the car and hits the grass.
Then within the first 3 minutes, she has a bowel movement.
And then, as we walk a mile, so continues to pee every 5 minutes or so.




 

When she stops to pee the first time, I usually check in to the Foursquare app on my phone
and log in that I'm at the Town Lake Park.

 
And eventually, the correlation hit me.
The dog is peeing all around the park to let other dogs and animals know that she was there.
I'm signing into Foursquare to let my family and friends know I've been there.




 

We're not so different, her and I.
Maybe dogs are more advanced than we thought. 



 

When the Pharmacy Screws Up

Yesterday I picked up my 10-year-old son's medication from our local pharmacy.

He's taken this medicine before, so I was immediately suspicious when I opened the bottle and the medicine inside looked totally different. But, I rationalized that maybe it was just a generic or some other form of the same meds ... until I checked the description on the pill bottle, and it clearly didn't match the pills inside.




See where it says "Round White Tablet" ... and see how the pills are oblong, red and white?!

I took the medication back to the Pharmacy, and they confirmed that yes, they had messed up, and the medicine they gave me was NOT in fact the medication that was supposed to be in the bottle!

Holy Crap.

That's a HUGE mistake.

They apologized, refunded the copay (which was under $3), and gave me a $20 gift card.

And they escaped a potential lawsuit. 

How often does this happen?!

The Obvious Game by Rita Arens

It's so exciting, that Rita Arens, who's blog I follow, and who I follow on Twitter, has published a book! (well, more than one, actually) She wrote Sleep Is For the Weak, which features about 25 mommybloggers.

This new novel is a different labor of love. She wrote, "This novel was so much harder than SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK was, and I thought that was really hard. But the novel was so much more personal and so much a combination of craft that I had to learn on the job and inspiration and revisions and rejection and more revisions and hours ..."

And to celebrate this new book, I get to be a part of the big reveal of the cover for her new young adult novel, THE OBVIOUS GAME, which will be published on February 7, 2013.





And there's a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is open for US, UK and Canada only.

About The Author:

(Rita Arens)

Rita Arens is the author of THE OBVIOUS GAME and the editor of the award-winning parenting anthology SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK. She writes the popular blog Surrender, Dorothy (www.surrenderdorothyblog.com) and lives in Kansas City with her husband and daughter. THE OBVIOUS GAME is her first young adult novel. She is at work on a second.

Rita has been a featured speaker at BlogHer 2012

, BEA Bloggers Conference 2012, BlogHer Writers 2011, BlogHer 2011, Blissdom 2011, Alt Summit 2010,  BlogHer 2010, BlogHer 2008 and BlogHer 2009, the 2008 Kansas City Literary Festival and 2009 Chicks Who Click

and appeared on the Walt Bodine Show in 2008.

She’s been quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek

, The Associated Press, Forbes Woman, the Wall Street Journal, Businessweek and Businessweek Online and featured in Breathe

magazine, Get Your Biz Savvy, The Kansas City Star (archived material available on request), Today Moms (Today Show blog) and Ink KC.

Website/blog: http://www.surrenderdorothyblog.com

or http://www.ritaarens.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritaarens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rita.arens

BlogHer: http://www.blogher.com/member/rita-arens

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=4048495&trk=tab_pro

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/ritajarens/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002KRLEHE

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1371209.Rita_Arens





 

The Art of Shaving

My 15-year-old son is fairly new to the Art of Shaving.
He doesn't shave every day ... more like once a month.
and when he does ... let's just say, it looks like it might have been painful.

Practice makes perfect, right?

I think he needs some of those adorable little shaving brushes and pre-shave oil
and after shave.

Maybe then he'd shave more often.

Well, BlogHer has teamed up with P&G to share some great deals on the Art of Shaving products!
 

Free Ground shipping and $15 off your purchase of any The Art of Shaving Full Size Kit, until 12/30/12 with Promo Code: 15offFSK at checkout



Enjoy 20% off your purchase of The Perfect Shave Solution.  Valid unitl 12/30 No code needed.  Discount automatically applied at checkout when you purchase a full size Pre Shave, a full size Shaving Cream or soap and bowl, Shaving Brush, Razor and After Shave.




 
Free Ground Shipping and 10% off ProGlide Power Save Set, through 12/30/12 Promo code: 10PowerShave



The Art of Shaving has some really cool stuff.
They have also have a page with Tips from Master Barbers.
 Here's an example:

What advice do you give your clients to help them achieve the perfect shave?

1. I recommend shaving during or after the shower. The steam helps prepare the skin for shaving and helps make the beard hair a little easier to cut.
2. Really pay attention to the direction in which the hair grows when applying pre-shave oil. Shave in the direction of hair growth first. If a closer shave is desired, RE-LATHER, then shave lightly against or across the direction of hair growth.
3. Use a properly weighted and balanced razor. This will provide a smoother razor glide and help to minimize razor burn. Be sure to change your blade after 3-5 uses, or when you feel it tugging at your beard as you shave.
4. Rinse with cool water, and then apply our alcohol free after shave balm. This will help close hydrate the skin after your shave.
5. Use the hydrating toner after shaving prior to application of the after-shave balm, or anytime throughout the day! This product will leave your skin feeling fresh and revitalized.


I think I know what my teenager needs for Christmas.
Are there any men in your life who might need it too?


 

The Joys of Parenting: Part 53 (warning, graphic material)

One of the joys of parenting is ...
never knowing when your child is going to end up injured.
 It could happen at any moment.
When you least expect it.


As the mother of two boys,
who in the last year have both had appendixes removed,
one had 2 knee surgeries,
the other a long hospital stay and a gallbladder removed...
 not to mention the myriad of other tumbles, bruises and injuries...
I feel like I've seen it all.


Until yesterday, when my teenager texted me a photo.
Just a photo, no message.
This photo:



 


*cue mom panic attack*

I freaked out.

He had an unfortunate encounter with some Astro Turf.

Sigh.


This parenting gig is rough.

 Any unexpected parenting joys in your house lately?



 

BlogHer Book Club Book Review: My Life Map

 


I recently read My Life Map by Kate Marshall and David Marshall for the BlogHer Book Club.

It was a fill-in-the-blank sort of book that helps you do a little self-examination, reflect on the past, evaluate the present, and dream for the future.

My Life Map isn't just for people who are struggling in life and need help. It can be a great tool for anyone at any stage of life.

I didn't have a life plan detailed out. When I graduated from high school, I planned to go on to college, graduate, get married and have kids.  That was the extent of my plan.

And then life threw me a curve ball. I got very sick my first semester in college and had to medically withdraw to go home and have surgery.  Then, as I was heading back to college AGAIN, I found myself pregnant.  At 19. Talk about a shocker.

Next thing I knew,  I'd made the big decision to keep the baby and get married to my long-time childhood sweetheart.  My life plan changed. 

I planned to be a good wife, a good mother, and go back to school. A few years later, I decided to have another child.  And keep trying to finish my degree, while working part time and being a full time mother.

Then, years later, my marriage fell apart, and we separated. My life plan changed yet again.
So, what I'm saying is, you can make life plans, but you have to adjust your plans when unexpected events change your course. But, at any time in your life, not just during changes, it's helpful to revisit your goals, your plans and make those adjustments.

This book helps you create a visual road map in all the major life areas of your life, such as:

• family
• work
• play
• friends
• education

You'll find warm-up exercises, sample journeys, my life maps, tips and tools for establishing next steps and reflections pages. 

Check it out. You'll surprise yourself. It might be hard, it might be easy, you might be excited by the exercises or you might dread it. It's all progress!

Join our My Life Map discussions over on BlogHer Book Club.
This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Whimsical Weathervanes

Over Thanksgiving, the boys and I, my grandmother, and my sister (who flew in from California)  visited my mom and stepfather in their new home in Leesburg, Virginia.

The day before Thanksgiving, we all went hiking in Red Rock Park.


This awesome park had some pre-Civil War ruins
and tons of trails through the woods leading to a scenic Potomac overlook!


My younger son made his great-grandmother a walking stick,
and my older son helped her up and down steep inclines.




I love seeing my loved ones all together, working as a family should.



After our hike, we ate lunch at Clydes Willow Creek Farm,
in an old barn that was built in 1885.




Once a home for milking cows and horse stalls,
Clydes is now a dining room filled with whimsical weathervanes.

A mermaid weathervane.





and an angel weathervane






We took the tour and saw some crazy bars too,
one with this gigantic golden cricket
(real gold-plated and it's tongue is sticking out! I think there's a story there ...)





and a jockey



and so much more I didn't have time to photograph!


I tried not to think about the creepy figurehead looming over our table as we ate.
She was from a shipwreck off the coast of Nantucket.





Have you ever encountered Whimsical Weathervanes?


If you could have a weathervane on top of your house,
what shape or form would you like it to be?