Review: Hidden Under Her Heart by Rachelle Ayala

Maryanne Torres is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships.  After a string of losers, she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man.

Lucas Knight, a law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon.  He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport.  Seeking consolation in the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where she is raped.

Maryanne is pregnant from the rape and plans to abort.  But the identity of her rapist is hidden in her baby's DNA.  Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges to support her through the pregnancy.  When Lucas becomes the prime suspect, Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision.

The rapist has other ideas.  In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal offshore abortion.  With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and her baby.  However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart forever.

 A 99,000 word women's fiction, Hidden Under Her Heart deals with the consequences of rape and abortion. 

[Content Advisory: This book has a pro-life slant.  There are a few swear words.  The rape is not shown, but there is one mild sex scene between Maryanne and her boyfriend.]

Whew!  Still with me after all of that?  I sincerely believe that Rachelle Ayala is a fantastic writer with great potential.  I really enjoyed another book written by her.  This book was a little bit of a difficult read.  Maryanne and Lucas were on again and off again way too many times for my liking.  Otherwise, the characters were likable-- both were educated people with dreams and plans not unlike yours truly.  They were both dedicated to their beliefs, except for their beliefs about each other.

The story line was very easy to follow but heartbreaking to read.  I can't imagine going through what Maryanne went through-- she found someone she liked, found another guy she was interested in and ended up getting raped.  And, the rape led to an unwanted pregnancy.  Then, to imagine carrying a baby, feeling it kick and move and grow and know that the father was a rapist and a monster but not know who he is would   be devastating.  I couldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

The pro-life spin on the book is neither overdone nor steeped in religion.  The religious aspect of this book is significantly more toned down than in the other book which is surprising given the topic.  I liked it though.  The story line was good, the author writes very well, but the characters just need to make up their freaking minds already.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau

A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter of the law, lands in trouble when a schoolteacher finds a dead body on the beach.

Officer Donovan Andrews knows how to have a good time--ask any woman in town.  But when it comes to men abusing their wives or children, Donovan takes it upon himself to make them regret it.

Madeline Scott is unlucky in love.  All she wants is a quiet place to heal, away from cheating, womanizing men.  However, her life is far from peaceful once she stumbles across the body and witnesses someone fleeing the scene.

Terror spreads in Pleasant View when the small community hears a killer is on the loose.  All evidence points to Donovan, and he realizes someone is trying to frame him.  When troubling suspicious from past surface, even fellow officers believe he's guilty.  Madeline might be the only person who can clear his name, but first he has to win her trust.  

The body count rises and no one is safe.  The murderer makes it clear Madeline is next.  Soon, Donovan's whole world is focused on protecting her and keeping himself out of prion.  The more time he spends with her, the harder it is to fight his growing attraction.  Since she's been burned by love, convincing Madeline he's interested in something more than hot sex may prove harder than keeping her alive.

This book surprised me.  I honestly assumed that I'd breeze through it and it would be some corny romance. It really wasn't bad.  That being said, it was a quick read-- I received a copy in digital format and Jack and I read it at bed time every night.  Ok, so he drank his bottle and I read after we read his story first.  

The characters were realistic people in a small town.  Madeline was a nice girl who was liked by all who unintentionally got caught up in more than she thought while walking some dogs as a side job.  Donovan is a charismatic man who is well known around town especially to the female population.  As a small town girl, this sort of thing happens in every small town.  

Chantel Rhondeau set up a very good story.  I really didn't guess the twist at the end until I nearly reached it. She set up the story very well and kept me guessing for a very long time.  I did suspect nearly everyone as the town murderer.  Either I'm a very poor guesser or she's a very good writer-- I'll say it's a little of both.

In the end, I enjoyed the book.  I probably won't read it again, but it was an enjoyable read that I found to be more suspenseful than passionate.  Or, perhaps, that's just because I enjoyed the suspense portion more than the passion.  It was better written.  I hope Miss Rhondeau continues with her talent of suspense writing.

Disclaimer:

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

05.29.2013 - Memorial Day Recap

Warning: Having issues resizing in Photobucket tonight and too frustrated to keep fighting with it.  Every time I resize, they revert to the original size. Enjoy the enormous pictures!

We had a beautifully relaxing three-day weekend.  We spent the weekend at my mom's house and got to see all of my nieces and nephews.  The weather could have been more cooperative but it certainly was manageable.

Saturday, a peeking boy who decided to become mobile on Mother's Day could be found going in and out of my parents' house and peeking through the windows.

On Sunday, we had a graduation party to go to for a family friend and Jack wore his first bow tie.  I say first because I guarantee he will wear them again.  Poor child does not have a choice.  It was too perfect.  I had been watching these ties go cheaper and cheaper on clearance at Target and was waiting for them to hit a reasonable price.  Full price = $5.  At 70% off, I paid $1.50.  Jack doesn't ever wear bibs and rips them off-- always has.  Luckily, he wasn't a pukey or slobbery baby so we didn't have to change his clothes constantly because of the lack of a bib.  He rocked his new bow tie.

Sunday also featured a mama/baby nap on Nanni's front porch.  We get our snuggles when we can.

Thank you to all of my family and friends who made our relaxing weekend possible.  Also, a big thank you goes out to all the men and women who selflessly serve in our armed forces.

Review: Broken Build (Silicon Valley Romantic Suspense) by Rachelle Ayala

I decided to try something new and let companies send me books in exchange for my honest reviews.  The first book I received was Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala.

Jen Jones hides a horrible secret behind her new degree, toned body, and exciting job at Silicon Valley’s hottest startup—until a man linked to her past is killed in a hit-and-run.

CEO and founder Dave Jewell is about to land a huge deal. He doesn't need blood on his car, threatening phone calls, and Jen wrapped in broken code and blackmail.

A gang of thugs hunts Jen, and she takes refuge in Dave’s protective arms. Together, they must thwart a killer and rescue an innocent victim from their past. Love blossoms, but a damaging revelation points straight at Jen, threatening to tear them apart forever.

Content advisory: language, sexual situations.

I was a little intimidated to read a Silicon Valley book-- I thought it would be a little too far over my head.  Yes, my customers buy software from me, but I don't know all the in's and out's of software building and design.  I don't necessarily think that's a big deal when reading this book.  Ms. Ayala went out of her way to explain most of the difficult terms and a simple Google search filled in any blanks.  Overall, the story was good, the characters were likable and the book was a nice, quick read.

The story started slow and technical which is to be expected for something based in Silicon Valley.  Immediately I was intimidated.  However, I stuck with it and eventually talk of builds and uploads didn't even phase me-- everything was well explained.  While quite a few of the twists were easily identifiable, I was shocked by the ending and all of the cliff hangers.  I surprised myself in my need to find out who ended up where.  I really don't want to give it away though.

The characters were, overall, likable.  Jen was a nice girl who seemed to have a soft-heart even if she did have a sordid past that was hinted at the entire time.  I really didn't like Dave Jewell but he came with Jen so I really didn't have a choice but to put up with him.  He ran so hot and cold that on one page, I'd be thinking that he wasn't so bad and I'd turn the page only to find that I really didn't like him at all.  He made it difficult for me to like him.  Personally, I think there were enough bad guys in the book that the guy who lost his wife and daughter, and then went on to be a total playboy didn't need to play bad guy.  He could have been a nice guy and never disrupted the story line.  

Overall, this book was a quick read which was nice.  There were a number of religious quotes and references.  They didn't add to the book at all and could have been completely admitted.  I think they were put there to convince me to like Dave Jewell but I didn't like him anyway so it didn't matter.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

04.24.2013

Working out, dieting and losing weight.  Fuck. Heavy topics tonight.  Literally.

Background: I have struggled with my weight from the time I was a child.  Too many carbs and too much amazing home cooking.  My mom is a great cook who made a ton of delicious casseroles.  Little did I know that those yummy jerks would come back to bite me in the ass.  I didn't get to where I am now by hating food, that's for sure.  And, to be honest, I haven't missed many meals.  It shows.  I tried (half-heartedly) to lose weight in middle school and in high school.  It didn't work.  In college, I moved to WI and was living in a hotel for two years.  My kitchen consisted of a George Forman grill, a microwave, a crockpot and an illegal toaster.  My mini fridge couldn't hold too many veggies and keep them consistently fresh and with the minimalist kitchen setup, healthy meals weren't an all the time option.  But, I tried.  I wasn't eating pizza every weekend and binge drinking at parties.  Rather, I was trying to cook healthier option in the crockpot and on the grill.  I tried.  I graduated college, found an apartment, met a boy, lost a pants size (and then some) as I fell in love because of course I couldn't eat in front of him and he could only see me eat salads when I did eat.  Then, I had a baby.  The weight did not melt off as I breastfed and it certainly didn't help that Easter candy went on clearance shortly after little Jack was born.

Where I am now: I am overweight.  It needs to change.  I want to be around to torment and harass my children and grandchildren much the way my mother does for my siblings, my children and my nieces and nephews.  I want to run and play and teach my children to live a healthy lifestyle.  And, damnit, I want to be a vain 25 year old who looks good in her clothes and next fall, I want to be a beautiful bride in a pretty white dress and losing weight will only make that experience more enjoyable.  So, I'm changing how we eat.  Green veggies are served each night with dinner and EVERYONE has to (at a minimum) try them.  I'm getting rid of the junk because if it's not in the house, then we can't eat it.  We're working out-- I spent 45 minutes on the elliptical machine at the fitness center tonight and we went for a family walk on Monday night. Things have to change.  It's for the best for everyone.

No, I'm not going to post pictures at this time.  It's too scary.  I have to show myself I can do this before I shame myself into further progress.  It's a gross sweaty battle but I got myself in to this gross overweight hole and I'll get myself out one pound at a time.

The Eating Habits of My Children

We'll start with Gabby because she's my biggest frustration when it comes to meal time.  She is 7 and she thinks that food comes in three food groups: sweets, mac & cheese and hot dogs.  Um, FALSE!  I have had an uphill battle to get her to try foods and find new things that she likes.  Part of the problem is that she was allowed to eat whatever she wanted before I came in to the picture.  That's not good.  Nana figures that if Gabby eats donuts and cookies, it's better than eating nothing.  Also, FALSE!  So, back to Gabby, she says she's a picky eater and can't eat this and can't eat that.  However, she'll eat hummus (which she calls peanut butter salsa stuff), salami and lasagna.  These are not picky eater foods.  The flavors and spices are entirely too powerful if you ask me.  But, we've been trying.  She has to eat a veggie with dinner and has to eat a fruit with her lunch and/or snack.  I know that's no where near the recommended daily serving of fruits and veggies but I'm trying.  I've gone as far as to hide vegetables (usually pureed) in her food-- ex. zucchini in brownies, cauliflower in mac and cheese.  I'm sneaky and it works.

The real reason I can't stand how Gabby eats?  It's because of how Jack eats.  He's a chowhound and will eat anything and everything (except white potatoes and bananas).  We took him out for his birthday and he ate crab legs for lunch.  He loves all fish: shrimp, crab, salmon, red snapper, cat fish.  He also loves veggies: beets and spinach in his applesauce, green beans, brown beans, black beans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes. And, he likes fruits: apples, pears, mango, pineapple, blueberries.  It's amazing!

I thought for a while that if Gabby saw the praise that Jack was getting for eating so well that she'd want praise too.  I don't think she cares.  Our latest system is that Jack sits next to me at meals and eats off of my plate and Gabby has to have a smaller portion of what we're eating and then after she eats it, she can have PB&J, chicken nuggets, etc.  If anyone has any other suggestions, please send them my way.  Meal time is very frustrating at my house lately.

Pork chops and asparagus taken from his daddy's plate

Accidents Happen

This morning, I dropped off my children just as I do five days each week.  Then, I proceeded on my way to work, just as I do four days each week (I work from home once/week).  Half way to work, I was sitting at a red light, talking to my mom on my cell phone headset when all of a sudden I was jerked forward and heard a loud crash.  That's right ladies and gentlemen!  I was innocently sitting at a light, waiting for my turn to proceed and I had my very first accident.  Of course after I screamed, the phone fell from the passenger seat to the floor and I said (very loudly) "WHAT THE FUCK?!"  Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to pick up the phone, calmly tell my mom that I had to call the police and that I'd call her back.  Apparently, the woman behind me saw that the light was green and assumed that we should all just take off.  Not so.  So, we called the police, moved to the nearest parking lot and the local officer arrived.  Fifteen minutes (and minimal damage later), he sent us on our way each with a copy of the Illinois crash report and her with a ticket.  She was very nice and cooperative (as I would hope for during my very first accident).  I can guarantee that it would have been an uglier situation if either of my children have been in the car.  At 25, I'm too young for my first car accident-- at 1 and 7, they shouldn't even consider being in an accident.

The car looks fine but we'll see what the body shop says.  And, I'm feeling fine-- just shaken.  I took Ibuprofin and used the heating pad first thing this morning just in case.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.