Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Vindicated by Keary Taylor

Last night I finished Vindicated by Keary Taylor. It is the last book of the fall of angels trilogy. There is a short novella about Cole, Afterlife. I will read that in a few days. Right now I have to focus my reading energy on Lover at Last by J.R. Ward!!! WOO HOO! I LOVE THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES! IT IS THE BEST! OK, back to Vindicated. I loved this book. You need to read the series. I love Alex! He is so amazing! The story comes together nicely. I did not skim through any part of the series, not one paragraph! It mad me laugh and it made me cry. Literally cried at work. Such a great story! I know I am not giving this book the review it deserves but I'm worried if I don't do it now I will be wrapped up in Blay and Qhinn and that wouldn't be good. Love this series!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Forsaken by Keary Taylor

I guess I lied guys. I thought I would not be rushing to read book 2 and 3 of this series but I am. I kept thinking about the characters for days after finishing the first book, Branded. OK, so I just finished book 2, which was awesome. I downloaded book 3, Vindicated, and am going to start reading it in just a few minutes.  What is this series about? In short, it is about fallen angels-BUT unlike the other fallen angel books that we have read where it is predictable- this series keeps you interested and there is an interesting perspective on the true nature of angels... Angels always seem like the good guys don't they....hmmmm... maybe they can be evil, more evil than you can think. How can I like both the good and bad guy??? How can they both make the book boyfriend list? Yeah, I know. I normally go for the good guy. Alex and Cole both win me over. AND, Jessica is brooding in this book about Alex not proposing to her...Sound familiar? Makes me realize I must have sounded like a nag all these years he he he. OK, have to get back to reading now.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Crossfit Opens 13.2

It is that time of year where Crossfitter's all over the world are competing for the fittest on Earth title. I joined crossfit last March so I never really took part of the WOD's for the opens. Everything was super scaled at that point for me. Today I did 13.2 which is: 
5 shoulder to overhead 75 lbs (I did 45 lbs)
10 deadlifts
15 box jumps (I used the 12' box)

No, I am not competing in the opens. I am not quite ready for that. Maybe next year. However, it was still pretty cool to be doing the same workout of the day (WOD) as hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. While I can do 75 lbs overhead for a few reps I needed to scale it back. Seeing as this WOD is as many rounds as possible with the 75 lbs I would probably make it through 3 rounds if that. So, how did I do? I made it through 6 and a half rounds, 195 reps. I surprised even myself! :)  Now, if we compare my results to the the fittest woman in the world (2012) Annie Thorisdottir, well, let's say she did a hell of a lot more reps than I did. She got to 361. Showoff! :) OK, back to my regularly scheduled program of reading!

Branded by Keary Taylor

Tonight we have Branded by Keary Taylor. I really did not know what to expect when I started reading this. Really, I downloaded it in April, 2012.  I have hundreds of books waiting to be read.  I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover but I did. This cover is awesome. This story is about Jessica, a 20 year old girl who is afraid to go to sleep.  This is not your typical fallen angel book. Each time Jessica falls asleep she stands the judgement for someone. Damned or Exalted  it is a very painful process. her parents think she is crazy. She runs away from home so they wont lock her up. She meets these 2 incredibly gorgeous men, Alex and Cole. Both are very interested in her-for different reasons. Of course, one is the good guy and one is the bad guy.  This was a well written book. I would recommend this book.  It is the first book of a trilogy. Personally, I am not in a rush to read the next 2. This ending did not leave me in a panic- Thank GOD! However, I think I will save the next 2 books for a time when I don't know what to read. I googled the next two books and read the synopsis of each so at least I have an idea of what is coming. Alex does make the book boyfriend list-I mean he gives Jessica the ultimate sacrifice! Not to mention he is ready to put a ring on it while their relationship still is rated PG-13. :)

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

My Crossfit Story



I really don't like to share this part of myself much. However, since the following posting will be on my Crossfit box's website I'd thought it'd be only fair to post it on my blog. 

“I joined CFR about a year ago when one of my best friends Carmen dragged me to check it out with her. I was pushing 230 lbs and wearing a size 20 in pants. I was very unhappy and disappointed in myself. I wasn't sure if this was the place for me since I wasn't great at any sports and couldn't do a push-up let alone lift heavy weights. Today I have a different story to share. Since joining I have lost 40 lbs, went from a size 20 to a size 14, from a 35 lb dead lift to a 215 1RM, from a 14:50 min mile to 10:23. But the best thing that has happened is the change in my head. It is no longer about being a certain weight or getting to a certain size.  It is about becoming stronger and being proud of myself. The weight loss is an added bonus. Although I am far from where I’d like to be one day I will show those burpees and wall balls who’s the boss. But until then I will enjoy this journey because it is not the destination that matters as much as the path to get there. It is not easy or pain free but it is worth it. I have become a better person all around. Thank you to the coaches who never let you give up and to all of my fellow box members.”

Book Club: Feb 2013: Jas: Hopeless

February was my month to choose a book for the book club. I choose Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. I love everything she has written. Here is my short review from when I originally read this book in December. For food we went to Five Guys. Yes it was delicious! No, it is not good for you at all. Not even the tiny leaf of lettuce you add to make the burger have some "greens" on it. I suppose you could get it bun-less  and without cheese... Nonetheless, it was yummy and everyone liked it!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

My Fav Spices and Color Changing Nail Polish

So lately I have noticed that no matter what I'm cooking I'm adding these 2 ingredients. 1) Bay leaves 2) Basil & Garlic Seasoning.  I have been raving about Basil garlic to anyone who would listen to me for the last two years! (maybe longer...) At one point I kept some in my purse...yes I would shamelessly add this to my breakfast sandwich from Jo Jo's... I no longer keep a bottle on my but do add some to everything... sweet potatoes, eggs, all types of meat, you can even add it to rice. As for the bay leaves my mom has been adding them to baked chicken with onions and I love the flavor. When I tried to make the same dish it didn't come out the same that's when she told me about the bay leaves. Similarly now I add them to everything too! Although I recommend for you to remove them before eating your meal since it is a leaf after all and no one wants to eat a leaf with their meal...unless it's salad.



OK, next item on the agenda is color changing gel nail polish. My friend Veronica told me about this and I was super excited. It is like mood nail polish.  When your fingers are hot the polish is one color, when they are cold it turns another. Pretty impressive. The best thing that since it is gel polish the polish will stay on for at least 2 weeks. The photo on the left is when my fingers are hot, baby blue nail polish. (She did a design on one finger from each hand...) The picture on the right is when my fingers are freezing, gray nail polish. Pretty cool huh! I think I will try another of the color changing polish next time I go back. My mom got her nails polished too but wasn't as adventurous as I was. She just got a french manicure.  :)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Experiment in Terror Series by Karina Halle

I'm in the middle of reading my third book today-yes third book. I just cant get enough of this series. I keep flipping the pages reading eagerly. Sometimes when I'm reading if there is too much description I just skim through some pages to get to the real stuff. I have BARELY done that. Even when I was waiting for Dex's return. UGH! This is the last book that is out...there are a few more coming but I hope this one doesn't end too horribly where I will be mad and waiting for the next book. This reminds me of the X-Files. I loved that show-did Scully and Molder ever get together? I cant remember. I hope Dex and Perry make it. OK, back to reading! <---  That was me yesterday, in a reading frenzy. Actually, the reading frenzy isn't over. I'm like a reading zombie. I was so wrapped up with this series that I could not even take a break to write about it. So I finished the main books, and now I am on to the novellas that are in between the books. I love Dex and Perry! I love the story line. It's totally ghost hunters meets X-Files- but better (yes there is romance). I can't even describe it. I haven't read a great series like this since The Hunger Games. The author recommends reading all the main books first then reading the short stories. I totally agree. It helps get over the Dex crush and the anxiety of waiting for more books to come. Here is the order of the books:

1. Dark house
2. Red Fox
2.5 The Benson Experiment
3. Dead Sky morning
4. Lying Season
5. On Demon Wings
5.5 Old Blood
5.7 The Dex Files
6. Into The Hollow
6.5 And With The Madness Comes Light 
7. Come Alive- June 2013
7.5 Little Fifteen- Summer 2013
8. Ashes to Ashes- Winter 2013
9 Dust to Dust-Spring 2014

P.S. Do me a favor and read these so I can have someone else to talk about my Dex and Perry hang up!
P.P.S. Channing Tatum is mentioned in Lying Season (I think- I did read 3 books in one day...)- think less Magic Mike more 21 Jump Street :)

Monday, March 4, 2013

Dead Sky Morning: Experiment in Terror #3 by Karina Halle

Wow! I'm still not tired of their story! Dead Sky Morning is the 3rd installment of the Experiment in Terror Series by Karina Halle. Dex and Perry have great chemistry. I have so many questions for them:
"Don't you realize you dream about your adventures before they happen?
Don't you realize you love each other?
Don't you think he should believe you by now?"

Ugh, OK. I'm over the 20 questions. It's hard for me to review this book without giving away too much. I'm too worked up about the series not to spill the beans. AND I'm too anxious to start book #4. Dex is definitely on the book boyfriend list now.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Red Fox by Karina Halle

I just finished book 2 in the Experiment in Terror series, Red Fox, by Karina Halle. I really enjoyed this one! Perry and Dex are in for a crazy adventure in New Mexico. This adventure keeps you guessing page by page, you just don't know who to trust, who is the bad guy and who is on their side. They are called to New Mexico by an old friend of Dex's. They are supposed to be investigating a possible poltergeist haunting. If only it were that simple... Just downloaded the next book and will be starting that asap! Love this series! Would write more but cant wait to start reading Dead Sky Morning! Dex is making his way on the book boyfriend list...