Sweet Soliloquies

Call me crazy but I joined three more book challenges this week.  I can see how easy it is to become hooked on these things and I’ve barely begun!  I’ve already posted about the R.I.P. IV, or R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IV, challenge and have been discovering so many titles I’d like to read for that but it’s really only feasible... Read→

Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo Publisher: Worldwide Library 245 pages The story: Maggie Thorsen, former PR exec and current partner in Uncommon Grounds, walks into her new coffee shop on opening day only to discover her partner Patricia dead, death by espresso machine. Who could have killed Patricia, and what does this mean for the future of the... Read→

I’ve entered yet another book challenge and it certainly fits for this time of year as the days grow shorter, nights a bit darker and thoughts of Halloween have us searching for that good kind of scare. Carl, a self-described Renaissance Geek, created the first R.I.P. (or Readers Imbibing Peril) Challenge four years ago and describes the type... Read→

I’m a bit under the weather today but managed to put up a post for Poetry Play Thursday at Texty Ladies.  I also finished the last few pages of Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo.  Now, I must write my reviews for both Uncommon Grounds and Vanished by Kat Richardson.  Why do I like the idea of writing a review but when it comes time to write... Read→

Jamie Ridler Studios After reading Wishtress Jamie’s question for today: What do you wish to acknowledge yourself for? I wasn’t sure how to answer. So, I asked my husband, “What do I wish to acknowledge myself for?” He answered me with, “For totally rocking, kicking much ass and being the most awesome woman ever!”... Read→

I just now ordered a copy of The [Essential] Women’s Memoir Writing Workshop DVD from Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett at Women’s Memoirs and can’t wait until it arrives! When my mother passed away in October 2008, just before I was to participate in NaNoWriMo, I found that I could not keep my brain on my planned project and decided... Read→

My husband and I met friends at Sawatdee this weekend for dinner. We’d never dined there before and I’m happy to say it was a positive experience.  The food was excellent.  You’re given a choice of 0 to 5 on the heat scale and with my food allergies and spice sensitivity, I chose “0″ for my tropical fried rice with pineapple... Read→

For my first Sunday Salon, I’d like to welcome fellow Sunday Salon participants to my blog.  This blog is not strictly about books but I definitely have a book obsession so many of my posts will be about them. We had a slight influx of cash this weekend and so purchased a few more books than originally planned, but who’s complaining? ... Read→

Since you’re just dying to know how I’m progressing with my book challenges, here’s the scoop:    RELIQUIAE CHALLENGE: I’m just finishing up Vanished by Kat Richardson and will write a review to post some time next week. Completed:  Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland COZY MYSTERY CHALLENGE: Once I’ve completed... Read→

It’s Wednesday once again which means it is time to make another wish! Our inspiration guru Jamie asks us today: Who is the “you” you wish to be? My Wish I wish to be bigger, bolder, and make waves. I wish to be quiet, listen, and accept. I wish to fine tune my motor and strengthen my muscles. I wish to be comfortable in my own skin. I... Read→

As you can see, I’m playing around with my WP themes again.  There’s no telling what stage you’ll find my blog in if you visit today.  In fact, you could visit six times and find six different themes.  I really liked the last black, white and pink theme but it was a bit dark depending on which computer it was being viewed from,... Read→

Yes, I’ve done it again.  I’ve joined another book challenge.  From the badge above, you can see that this is the Japanese Literature Challenge 3, hosted by Bellezza, which I discovered via JoAnn’s Lakeside Musing blog.  The rules are very simple: This year, all you have to do is read one work of Japanese origin. It can be literature... Read→

My husband, son and I finally attended the Japanese Lantern Lighting Ceremony we’ve been hoping to attend the last few years.  Something always comes up and we end up missing it.  The weather cooperated by giving us beautiful blue skies and temps in the high 70’s.  Perfect. Before the ceremony began, we walked through the grounds and... Read→

Browsing through a cozy bookstore is one of my absolute favorite pastimes.  My husband, son and I spent some time at Half Price Books today and while it might not be cozy, it IS a bookstore and you can never really go wrong there. Today’s selections were: Death on Demand (Death on Demand Mysteries, No. 1) by Carolyn G. Hart.  I made the mistake... Read→

The night is silent and in its silence, dreams are hidden.  ~ K. Gibran When love wants to speak, reason must keep quiet. ~ Anon. Who knew the inside wrapper of a delicious Italian chocolate would hold such a lovely surprise!  Read More →

Humble Gift by marielliot I’ve recently noticed in my blog circles a collective desire to live our dreams and share our gifts but many of us don’t know how to get started. I’d like to direct your attention to today’s article at DailyOm: Living Potential: Sharing Your Gift With Others which addresses this topic and our fear... Read→

Any Given Doomsday (The Phoenix Chronicles, Book 1) Author: Lori Handeland Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered – and Liz is discovered unconscious... Read→

Wishtress Jamie asks today: What door do you wish to open? My son and I are at a turning point in our relationship. Actually, it needs to turn but he is resisting. Maybe I am, too. It’s a scary, but necessary, thing when our kids grow up and move on. It can be even scarier when they don’t. It is time for my son to look more to himself... Read→

My fellow Texty Ladies and I are hosting a new book challenge entitled the Texty Ladies eBook Challenge. Brilliant, eh? Actually, it should be fun and I hope you’ll check it out. Formatting issues have prevented me from putting up today’s article about the changes to the TL blog and the eBook Challenge but hopefully we can get them corrected... Read→

My son has been visiting my sister and her family this past week and is returning home today.  I find it telling that after a week of feeling restless and unable to start or finish a thing, today is the day I’m geared up for organization, writing, and playing with markers.  Those are the exact activities I had planned for this past week but... Read→