Lumps In My Smoothie

 I've been working on adding more protein into my diet. It seems like in order to manage that protein powder must be involved. I don't like whey or soy-based protein powder so I've been using a pea protein powder. It's vegan. Vega Protein and Greens is the kind I get. It's fine. It's even pretty good *IF* I manage to get it completely mixed in the blender. Unfortunately, that's a big if. I need to figure out the right ratio of liquid to powder to frozen fruit. Or I need to get a Vitamix?

The countdown to Spring break is on! We start our Spring Break on 3/20 because that is when Eid happens this year, and it's also the first day of Spring. I hope we get a few above average sunny days during the break. I am going to take a tarot reading class during my time off. That's my big plan for the week. 

Once our break is over, the rest of the school year is a slippery slope to summer. Thank goodness, I love outdoor recess. The difference in the kids after 20-30 minutes outside is huge! huge! Grown-ups need to spend more time outside. Am I talking to you? Yes! 

If it's daylight, stop reading this and go outside! Breath some fresh air, move your body. 

A fun galentine! 

A Very Intriguing YA book!

 This past weekend I met author Angelique Burrell at a book event and I have to share her book with you. If you are like me you enjoy YA from time to time and this seems to blend romance, mystery and a paranormal elements. 

High school senior Mason is tormented by his supernatural ability to visualize the stories behind skid marks in the road. When his long-time crush and neighbor asks him to drive cross-country to help her move, he must confront his greatest fear. Skid marks left near a missing woman’s car might finally give him a reason for his visions, if he can drive 2,000 miles before they disappear. Pick up A Mark in the Road here: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Road-Angelique-Burrell/dp/1957656212

ANGELIQUE BURRELL is a writer and author of A Mark in the Road, which won the 2023 Illinois Author Project “Soon to be Famous” award and is a 2025 Kindle Book Review “Best of Indie” young adult semifinalist. For over 30 years, Angelique taught high school English, including creative writing, in a suburb of Chicago, bringing her love of reading and writing to high school students. Currently, she is a full-time writer and part-time procrastinator. For latest news and events, check out her website: angeliqueburrell.com

 

Excited for the March Cozy Mystery Book Club!

 I've missed a bunch of monthly book clubs, but yesterday I was able to borrow an copy of Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy. I took a peek at the first chapter today. I am *loving* the opening sentence! 

I can't wait to dive it. But first, I am going to finish The Killing Floor by Lee Child. I'm a couple of days away from finishing that book. 

Just a few days left in February. I won't be sad when February is over, since the daily weather is almost always too crummy to get outside and go for a pleasant walk, and I usually end up with a cold. Also, the end of March doesn't just go out like a lamb; it also means Spring Break! A week off school to relax and destress! 

Is anyone familiar with this cozy mystery series? 

The Sunday Post I've Got Tomorrow Off!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I love a three-day weekend. At the end, you are only 4 workdays away from the next weekend. Today, I'm planning to visit blogs, read books, and prep some food for the week. I also need to start writing my next book! I've been spending my time reviewing and refreshing my first three books into one set, AKA an omnibus, so I can put that out at the end of March. I'm two-thirds done with that project.

What are you up to today? 

Next Saturday I'll be doing my first solo signing, which I have mentioned here before. I really hope people come out!  I want to bring a sweet treat. What sweet treat would you bring to a signing if you were me?

A. Mini Cupcakes

B. Cookies

C. Chocolate Candy

D. Donuts

Yesterday I went to a bookstore and bought a copy of The Killing Floor.  As a person of limited book-spending means, I am really sad about the end of mass-market paperbacks. I could have gotten two mass-market paperbacks for the cost of this trade paperback ($18.99 and bigger than the very easy to carry around mass market paperback) Not all innovations are great, IMO. The same goes for AI and digital calendars. 

I hope you have a wonderful week! 

Bowie enjoying Valentine's Day! 

New Bombshell Beauties Release! Pretty Pink is Out!

Maisie Szabo is a contradiction in pink—bold, brash, and hiding a secret soaked in blood. Six months ago, she tracked down the mother who abandoned her… and walked into a nightmare. Now she wears her trauma like armor—pink hair, sarcasm, and a refusal to let anyone too close. Her father wants her to move on. Her conscience won’t let her.

And her only escape is Oliver Mutton—the tattooed coworker who turns her self-control to ash. Their chemistry is wild, addictive, and anything but safe. But Oliver doesn’t want to be her distraction. He wants the truth.

When he demands her heart instead of her body, Maisie must face her darkest fear: that the violence she survived is already inside her.

Pretty Pink is a steamy, gut-wrenching thriller about love, trauma, and the danger of finally being seen.

***What do you think? Sound like something you might like to read?*** Here's the link to pick it up!

More about Heather Curlee Novak:

Heather Curlee Novak, AKA the ‘Lazy Bombshell,’ writes spicy, suspenseful stories packed with humor, unexpected twists, real-life locations and unforgettable characters who feel like lifelong friends. She’s a lover of all things sparkly, cheeky, and mischievous—qualities that shine through in her work.

When she’s not crafting tales of intrigue and laughter, Heather enjoys motivational speaking and draws inspiration from her years in customer service, sales training, and troubleshooting. Her professional experience fuels her ability to weave relatable, dynamic stories that resonate with readers.

Happily married to her real-life Prince Charming, John, Heather cherishes time with their two fascinating daughters, whom they encourage to live boldly and authentically. She lives each day passionately, striving to "live her love out loud" and bring joy, humor, and a touch of spice to everything she does. Ready to follow Heather, here is the link!
 

A Haunted House Story!

Do you read horror? Or do you need to read a scary story for a book challenge?  Check out  Something Truly Dreadful  by Matthew Salinas. Below is a quick blurb. 

Five teenagers go to a local rundown haunted house thinking it'll be a good time. It turns out to be a far worse idea than they could have possibly imagined.

Intrigued? Here is the buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Truly-Dreadful-Matthew-Salinas-ebook/dp/B0DMJDJJ2Y

 

Matthew Salinas is a horror author from Illinois. He writes in almost every subgenre of horror and continues to expand his horizons with each new work. You can follow Matthew here

If you read Matthew's work be sure to give it a review! We need all the reviews we can get! 

The Frustration of Trying to Lose Weight

 

I'm currently reading Ilona Andrews. It's amazing, as is everything they write. I noticed it is written in the first person, and I don't think their other books have been first person. For my work-in-progress that hasn't actually been in progress, I have decided to write in first-person POV. This is a big change for me, and we will see how it goes.

Now I should work on said book, but the other day something happened and it has been taking up way too much of my mental space. My medical insurance offers wellness coaching, so I decided to them up on that opportunity and I had a call with a coach for weight management. Sounds good, right? 

During the call she ran some calculations and told me that if I want to lose weight, I do. That I need to eat 1300 calories a day, 110 grams of protein, and 22 grams of fiber. 

1300 calories a day. And if I eat over 1750 calories a day, I'll continue to gain weight.

1300 calories a day. I was completely deflated; that seems insurmountable. Especially as this factors in my active job, I easily get to 10K steps per day. I don't sit for any extended periods of time at work and I walk to and from work. Still 1300 calories a day. 

I told my husband, based on this, I don't see how I can manage weight loss without a GLP-1. I don't have the mental fortitude to stick to such a restricted diet. My brain doesn't want to let me. I have an appointment with my primary care physician coming up. I've been doing research on GLP-1s (Cleveland Clinic and Reddit for real life experiences) and honestly, I would like to try it--if I can get insurance to pay for it. If not, I'll reevaluate. 

In the meantime, I'm focusing on increasing my protein intake. If you have any suggestions on that, please let me know.

Please feel free to share you thoughts on  1300 calories in the comments.  

Thanks for reading my rant. I hope you have a great day! 

 

The Sunday Post It's Not A Hallmark Holiday

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Valentine's Day is this week. The usual suspects will complain that it is a Hallmark holiday. It's not. It's older than Hallmark, and it's in the general vicinity of Imbolc and St. Brigid's Day. Part of the reason for Valentine's Day is just to give us all a reason to have a little fun in the cold, grey days of winter. 

Treat yourself—even if you have loved ones that will shower you with gifts—2026 is a real heck of a year; we need all the love (and self-love we can find!)

The hubs and I recently had occasion to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of Chicago. Here is the view from our room. I was trying to capture the sunset. We were facing south, so my result wasn't great.

"That First Year" By Margaret Kay

Today's spotlight is a book by Margaret Kay. If you have been looking for books featuring main female characters that have live a life before the book begins, this is a good one to read. 

That First Year, a story of love, loss, family, and resiliency, with hope, tears, and laughter.

Elyse Laramie created a happy, loving home for herself and her three children, who now, as adults, are successful and living independent lives away from home. Her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Tim, had grown into something that neither of them wanted it to be, but it wasn’t something that either of them wanted to end. Elyse had always secretly hoped the future would bring about a change that would rekindle that spark between them and renew what had become a platonic relationship.

Her oldest daughter, Claire, is married with two young children of her own. She is building her career in the same field as her father. Kade, the middle child, is a paramedic, living with his girlfriend of two years. Kelsey, the youngest, is getting ready to graduate from college.

Then…a terrible accident changes everything.

In the aftermath, life goes on and brings new roles, new or renewed romantic relationships, and new challenges to each member of the family.

Grief experts advise someone coping with the recent loss of their loved one to make no major life decisions or changes during That First Year. For the Laramie family, life had other plans. This is each of their stories during That First Year.

Click to read this one now or to add it to your TBR: https://a.co/d/0dHShnri

Margaret Kay is a wife to her best friend of forty years, a mother of two adult children, a grandmother, and a dog-mom who makes her own dog food. She counts herself as fortunate that she has turned her passion of daydreaming about characters and storylines into books that people want to read. Her website is: https://www.sistersromance.com/

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If you read this, I'd love to know what you think!

 

Welcome to February! Come see me February 21!

 How do you feel about February? I hope that this month sickness stops running rampant in our school and my nose stops running. And if i could keep on dreaming I'd love to see some temps above freezing. 

This month I'll be doing two in-person book events! The first one is at the Pink Couch in Wilmette, IL. It's on Saturday, February 21. This will be the first time that I am on my own... (Cue the Patti LaBelle song from the 1980s) at a signing. GULP! 

I really, really, really hope people show up! 

Earlier today, I was thinking about a great idea for a blog post. Unfortunately, I didn't write it down and now I don't remember!

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