Monday, August 20, 2012
Today is the Day....
I could hardly sleep last night. I tossed, turned, and thought about my future as a college freshman.
You see, today is my first day of classes. I have enrolled, bought my books, have a brand new MacBook Pro laptop, and have brand new notebooks begging me to write in them. I am officially, at the age of 33, a full-time college student.
Four courses. 12 semester hours. Surely I am not crazy, right? And surely I can and will succeed. I am doing this for myself and more importantly? My daughters. I want to show them that it never is too late to pursue your dreams. That anything is possible when you ultimately make that decision to succeed.
I am pursuing my degree in elementary education. That is the one job that I have always wanted...for as long as I can remember that is the job that I have wanted.
Wish me luck...I am about to log in to my online courses for my first day. And for the record? I still have butterflies in my tummy just like I did when I went to school so many years earlier....
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Rum Punch Regrets by Anne Kemp
About the Book
In just a few short weeks, thirty something Abby George has endured the death of her mother, was dumped by her fiance, and got laid off from her job. Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Carribean to help with some mysterious personal business. While assisting in the sale and repair of a bed-and-breakfast, Abby discovers a few huge family secrets as she juggles and unexpected roommate, quirky locals, and nasty centipedes. Abby's world is further complicated when two potential suitors enter her life. Can Abby get beyond her own psycho drama long enough to open her heart to someone new? Or will she neurotically make her romantic life worse? Packing nothing but her suitcase and a sense of humor, Abby travels down an unfamiliar road, but it's all she can do to hang on for the ride...Or will she wake up with "Rum Punch Regrets"?
My Thoughts and Rating
This book was everything that I expected it to be--and more. Filled with visions of St. Kitts, beaches, local island bars, it made me feel as if I were there alongside Abby and her adventures. The only thing that I regret about this book is that I didn't read it on the actual beach! The characters were fun, Abby's adventures into self discovery made me cheer her on and will her in the direction that I wanted her to take. I am hoping that there will be a follow up to see what happens with Abby and her love life. Anne Kemp is a colorful author who I see going far with her novels. I am thankful to have discovered her and her spectacular talent!
Rum Punch Regrets definitely scores a 5 out of 5 stars. I may even have to give it an extra star for the delicious recipes (to include Rum Punch) in the back of the book. I think this is a spectacular book to read in the summer while lounging around. Anne Kemp will have you yearning for a beach getaway in no time.
Where to Buy
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Anne Kemp is the author behind the Abby George series, which includes her debut novella, All Fruits Ripe, and her first novel, Rum Punch Regrets (available in print and ebook as seen above). She is also the columnist behind "Anne in Progress", which appears monthly in the Frederick News-Post, a newspaper in the DC-Metro area. As a blogger she was nominated for a 2012 Bloggers Choice Award for Best Humor Blog, and is known for penning "The Ultimate Late Bloomer".
Want to keep up with Anne Kemp? You can find her at any and/or all of the following: Twitter, Facebook, and her website
A portion of her proceeds are donated to Lupus LA.
I received a copy of the book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was given.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel
Where to Buy
Book Excerpt
“Especially since she looked punched out a couple days ago,” she answered calmly.
“And?” he screamed, ready to implode.
“And what?” she said.
“I’ve already called our lawyers. That bitch will not be on the air tonight, or ever.”
Charley had a crazy idea. He’s either going to love it, or fire my ass. “Jonathan, I have a wild idea. Here me out before you scream anything.”
“Don’t play *** games with me right now.”
“I’m not,” she took a deep breath. “What if we do nothing?”
“Nothing!” He screamed into the phone. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Charley took the plunge. “Jonathan, you’re predictable. They expect you to react this way. They hope to get tons of publicity from you throwing a fit. How about we sit it out? Let them play their game.” The silence was deafening. “Are you there? What do you think, Jonathan?”
“I’ll call you back.” And he hung up.
John barged in. “So, what happened?”
“I told him to ignore it,” she said leaning back in her chair. A big smile broke out across her face until she spilled soda on her blouse. “Damn.”
“You did what?” John yelled, passing her a tissue. “You still have that vodka in here?”
“We don’t need it John. I could tell he loves the idea. He’s just trying to figure out the best way to make it his idea.”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely,” she smiled confidently.
“I hope you’re right.” His voice tone was unsure.
“I am,” she said. She pulled the noon rundown. “Noon looks like a good show.”
***
At five o'clock, Nancy Dennison premiered on channel-three news.
Normally, all eyes in the WCAR newsroom were on all six station monitors. Tonight there was special attention focused on channel three. The reporters, who weren’t out doing live shots, pulled up their chairs. Even the editors who never stopped editing found time for a break. When the five o’clock newscast ended, Charley’s phone started buzzing.
“She looked good, Thomas. You better be right.” And he hung up.
We’ll see in the overnight numbers, she reached into her refrigerator for the bottle of vodka.
“Their numbers will reflect a sampling,” John said reading her mind. “Miranda’s strip club stories better kick some ass. Set me up!”
“No problem.” She filled two glasses with Citron.
“Hey Charley,” he said reaching for his drink. “Would you like to go out and get a bite?”
“Like dinner?” she asked, pausing to look at him.
“Yeah,” he said. Charley saw his cheeks starting to turn red. A guy that blushes, she thought. How sweet. “You do eat, don’t you?”
“Uh.” She regained her composure. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
He tossed back his drink and stood up. “I’ll find you after the six, okay? We’ll go to the News Café. Find out what everyone thought about Nancy.”
Her eyes followed John as he walked back to the desk. Maybe he’d like to go to Gotham Steak at the Fontainebleau Friday night?
About the Author
“And?” he screamed, ready to implode.
“And what?” she said.
“I’ve already called our lawyers. That bitch will not be on the air tonight, or ever.”
Charley had a crazy idea. He’s either going to love it, or fire my ass. “Jonathan, I have a wild idea. Here me out before you scream anything.”
“Don’t play *** games with me right now.”
“I’m not,” she took a deep breath. “What if we do nothing?”
“Nothing!” He screamed into the phone. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Charley took the plunge. “Jonathan, you’re predictable. They expect you to react this way. They hope to get tons of publicity from you throwing a fit. How about we sit it out? Let them play their game.” The silence was deafening. “Are you there? What do you think, Jonathan?”
“I’ll call you back.” And he hung up.
John barged in. “So, what happened?”
“I told him to ignore it,” she said leaning back in her chair. A big smile broke out across her face until she spilled soda on her blouse. “Damn.”
“You did what?” John yelled, passing her a tissue. “You still have that vodka in here?”
“We don’t need it John. I could tell he loves the idea. He’s just trying to figure out the best way to make it his idea.”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely,” she smiled confidently.
“I hope you’re right.” His voice tone was unsure.
“I am,” she said. She pulled the noon rundown. “Noon looks like a good show.”
***
At five o'clock, Nancy Dennison premiered on channel-three news.
Normally, all eyes in the WCAR newsroom were on all six station monitors. Tonight there was special attention focused on channel three. The reporters, who weren’t out doing live shots, pulled up their chairs. Even the editors who never stopped editing found time for a break. When the five o’clock newscast ended, Charley’s phone started buzzing.
“She looked good, Thomas. You better be right.” And he hung up.
We’ll see in the overnight numbers, she reached into her refrigerator for the bottle of vodka.
“Their numbers will reflect a sampling,” John said reading her mind. “Miranda’s strip club stories better kick some ass. Set me up!”
“No problem.” She filled two glasses with Citron.
“Hey Charley,” he said reaching for his drink. “Would you like to go out and get a bite?”
“Like dinner?” she asked, pausing to look at him.
“Yeah,” he said. Charley saw his cheeks starting to turn red. A guy that blushes, she thought. How sweet. “You do eat, don’t you?”
“Uh.” She regained her composure. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
He tossed back his drink and stood up. “I’ll find you after the six, okay? We’ll go to the News Café. Find out what everyone thought about Nancy.”
Her eyes followed John as he walked back to the desk. Maybe he’d like to go to Gotham Steak at the Fontainebleau Friday night?
About the Author
Cindy Roesel is an Emmy Award winning television broadcast journalist. After working for twenty years in newsrooms filled with ambitious backbiting adrenalin junkies, she is turning her experiences into novels. Cindy lives in Miami with her shih tzu, Sassy.
Want to learn more about Cindy? You can connect with her at any and/or all of the following:
E-mail
I received a copy of the book to read and write my review. All opinions expressed above are my own and no other compensation was given.
I received a copy of the book to read and write my review. All opinions expressed above are my own and no other compensation was given.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Year to Remember by Shelly Bell
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