★ 30-day Challenge! ★

My friend, Jodie, and I are doing a 30-day challenge starting tomorrow, Monday, January 26th! But...here's the thing: it goes beyond just a physical challenge. Not only are we doing 30-day workout routines and eating healthier meals (no more junk food!), but we're also doing a spiritual challenge, of sorts. You see, we want a life with less stress, anxiety, and negativity (and that includes pointless drama!). We want a happier and a more simple life without so much fuss. We all want to be better people, so why not actually do something about it, right?

Jodie has created a board on Pinterest that includes positive and motivational quotes. Feel free to follow our board here ~ 30 days to a more positive life.

♥ I absolutely LOVE it and some of those quotes are pretty darn awesome! ♥

For the spiritual part of this challenge, we are doing something Jodie heard about on her local radio station. They challenged their listeners to listen to only Christian music for 30 days and see the positive impact it could have on their lives. Personally, I've never really listened to Christian music before, but I will definitely give this a try and see how it goes. I mean, why not, right? What do I have to lose?

Well anyway, as for the physical part, I will be doing a 30-day yoga challenge which you can follow here: Yoga with Adriene: 30-day Yoga Challenge. I also found another month-long challenge on Pinterest which I think is probably easier ➜ check it out here. As for Jodie, she will be doing dailyburn.com which she says is "like Netflix for workouts" LOL!

While working out we will be eating healthier meals. That means, goodbye fast food restaurants, junk food, and candy!! *Sigh* While I know this will not be easy, in the long-run, it will be totally worth it!

I'm beyond glad Jodie and I are doing this challenge together. It's been proven that when you do things, such as working out, with a partner/friend, you are less likely to give up.

Cheers to us, Jodie!! We will kick butt!

HAPPY SUNDAY, everyone!

✰ Book Review ✰ Mending Scars by Brandy L Rivers ✰ #ParanormalRomance ✰

MENDING SCARS

Author: Brandy L. Rivers

Series: Others of Edenton (Dacia and Preston’s story), Book 5 ~ STANDALONE

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Some scars run soul deep. 

Preston finally knows what he wants, but it’s an uphill battle to win her confidence. Dacia has been hurt countless times, including by his own hand. Despite her accusations, he wants what’s best for her. 

Dacia struggles with her inability to trust. Her mother has always been too wrapped up in her own life to pay attention. Her father only comes around when it benefits him. Dacia no longer believes she’ll ever come first. 

Remus is a fugitive on Earth and in Faerie. His ungrateful daughter refuses to help, even when a mage nearly tracks him down. His best hope is pitting Dacia and Preston against each other. 

Ultimately, Dacia must choose. Can Preston help mend her scarred heart? Or will her father’s corrupt plan spoil Dacia’s chance at happiness?

AMAZON | iTunes | B&N | KOBO | Paperback

Ever since the first time I read a book by Brandy L. Rivers, I fell in love with her writing. The stories have always had a smooth flow that’s allowed me to fully connect with the plot line and all the characters. I’ve always been fully intrigued by the developments made throughout her books and honestly, I’ve never felt “let down”. Brandy quickly became one of my favorite authors and it’s safe to say that I will continue to read anything she writes, regardless of the genre – because yes, she not only writes amazing Paranormal Romances, but Contemporary Romances too (so far).

Mending Scars was yet another amazing installment in the Others of Edenton Series. While this was book 5 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I always recommend reading books in order because you will always have a deeper connection to the characters and the storyline, but even if you haven’t read books .5 – 4, you will still be able to thoroughly enjoy this one.  At least, I know I did and I’ve only read book 1: In Too Deep prior to this one. I will be going back and reading them all, though! I just LOVE these characters!

In Mending Scars, we got Dacia and Preston’s story. 

These two characters had a not-so-positive/friendly past. You can immediately tell (even if you haven’t read the prior books) that Preston and Dacia weren’t among the “most liked” characters in the series, especially Dacia. They had both done a few shady things in the past that well, yes, earned them their “I-don’t-like-you” statuses. And this is precisely the reason why I absolutely loved this book’s title: Mending Scars. It played into the storyline in more ways than one, both physically and emotionally.

There was SO much more to Dacia’s character, and Preston’s for that matter. Their back stories were intriguing; I felt for them and understood why they did the things they did. They both had their fair amount of issues that weren’t necessarily their fault – they just didn’t know better. I mean, for starters, Dacia had one hell of an evil father that caused her so much emotional pain that it amazed me how good Dacia actually turned out to be! All she wanted was to be acknowledged, accepted, and loved by her dad, but nope. An evil being such as Remus wasn’t capable of those feelings.

Then on the other hand, we had Preston. He had this huge secret he’d kept all his life, one that could very well change his future, all while trying to bring down the most evil man of all, Remus. As fate would have it, Dacia and Preston ended up ‘bonding’ which of course made things even more interesting. After all, two broken souls completing each other? Heck YEAH.

However, falling for Dacia made Preston’s job a tad more complicated. Not only did he have his hands full with putting Remus away, but he had to do so all while keeping Dacia safe and protecting her not just from any physical harm, but from any and all emotional repercussions as well. I mean, he was trying to capture her DAD, nonetheless.

“You are my heart, Preston.”

“And you’re mine.” 

Overall, this was yet another fantastic book by Ms. Rivers. The paranormal side of it kept me on my toes, fully captivated, while the romantic aspect kept me swooning nonstop (and blushing – talk about hot scenes!). She has truly done it again! Rivers delivered one more must read!! Five stars to Mending Scars!! I absolutely loved Preston and Dacia’s story! 

Meet the author: Brandy L Rivers

I've always loved books, especially about monsters and magic, so I started writing. I'm working on a prequel and the next few books in the Others of Edenton series, and I have a head full of stories to share.

I'm a stay at home mother with a wonderful husband who lets me write and write to my hearts content.

Social media links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

✦✦ Mommy Mondays! ✦✦

It's Mommy Monday! Starting next week, every Monday will be #MommyMondays here at #MBMB! These posts will feature anything and everything mom-related. From random facts to tips to rants...anything! Also, some of those Mondays will feature new mommas in New Mommy Mondays! I'm super excited about this new addition! 

My friend, Jodie Ellis, will be stopping by next week and she'll be kicking off the very first New Mommy Monday! She will be sharing some of her experiences with her baby boy, Macon! Woohoo!! Cannot wait to share her post with you all!

Stay tuned....

Yoga time!

Approximately two years ago, I tried yoga for the very first time. While it was hard at the very beginning, the overall feeling after my body got "used to it" was SO worth it. I felt more energized, relaxed and at peace with myself. I was less stressed, had way less anxiety, I wasn't physically hurting (I suffer from back pains!) and my body was much more flexible.

Unfortunately, life got in my way -- I had to move several times -- and I really did not find the time to keep up. Lame excuse, I know... 

During the past two years, I tried to do yoga a few times, but I never really committed to it. However, this week I made myself a promise to start (from the very beginning, slowly going into it) and actually stick to it. Well, long story short, today I came across this video and gave it a try. 

I absolutely LOVED it.

It's yoga for beginners and while you feel it working, it's really a good introduction. Adriane from Yoga With Adriane slowly introduces you to different poses and takes you step-by-step. If you're just starting out, like me, then I really do recommend you subscribe to her channel and give her videos a try!

Check out her YouTube Channel here.

Check out the video I tried this morning here.

Now, I'm NOT claiming to be an expert or anything remotely close....I've literally just started doing this and figured I'd share with you all. :)

✰ Book Review ✰ Finding Gavin by CA Harms #Romance

FINDING GAVIN

Author: CA HARMS

Series: Southern Boys, Book #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance
~ SYNOPSIS ~

Gavin was a broken hearted cowboy from Savanna… 

The one she fell for even though he tried to warn her away.

Maria’s entire life had been one rejection after another, always going after things that were just out of reach. 

Gavin was no exception. 

She wanted him, so desperately…

But life had a way of making things unattainable, at least for her anyway. 

Just when things began to change, once again the darkness glooms, and Maria finds that her happy ending may once again be…

Unreachable.

I love C.A. Harms and her books amaze me every single time! They just keep getting better and better!! No joke. Finding Gavin was no exception. This was the second book in the Southern Boys series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I recommend you start with book one, Forgiving Reed (Kori and Reed’s story).

“You were only supposed to be a one-time thing. You weren’t supposed to make me feel anything.” Gavin’s forehead rested against mine. “Do you understand why it’s so hard for me to do this again? I can’t fall for you, and you’re making that impossible.”

When I first read Forgiving Reed, I wasn’t Gavin’s #1 fan. I knew there was more to his story, yes, but from what we got, all I really knew was that he was hurting Maria. But of course, leave it to C.A. Harms to make you fall in love with someone you didn’t even like at first!

“You’re so beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful.”

Gavin’s story was heartbreaking. How anyone could put someone through that much agony was beyond me. His ex-wife was a pain – to say the least. The way Gavin treated Maria made sense…and actually made me love him even more. In reality, he had done everything to spare her feelings. While he still hurt her, yes, everything could’ve been much, much worse had he continued to pursue a relationship with her while trying to sort things out.

“I found my future when I least expected it. I want forever with you.”

I loved Maria’s character. She was strong, yet not stubborn, which is a quality I often wish most heroines had. I understood her, felt for her…and OMG. My heart BROKE for her and Gavin. I found myself reading with tears in my eyes. CA evoked such pure and deep emotion from me…. At this point, I needed Gavin and Maria to work everything out. They deserved a happy ending.

“For the first time in so long, I felt whole.”

As CA wrapped everything up, I was truly a happy reader.  The plot and characters developed wonderfully and never once did I lose my emotional connection to the story. This was a solid 5-star book for me and one I HIGHLY recommend everyone reads! Loving Colt is the next book (Maria’s brother) and to say I’m ecstatic about it is putting it mildly! Go one-click The Southern Boys Series, you won’t be sorry!!

FIVE STARS!

AMAZON US

~ SOUTHERN BOYS SERIES ~

FORGIVING REED

Author: CA Harms

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Kori suffered a great loss, one that left her feeling so desolate and alone, that she believed nothing would ever fill the void…

The only thing that kept her going was the one little piece of joy she still had in her life, her baby boy, Rhett. 

She had no choice but to move forward and give her son the best life she could. Which meant moving back home. 

Except there was one problem.

Home was where Reed would be… 

The man who once held her heart, then shattered it into a million pieces. 

Grieving the loss of Rhetts dad, and learning to forgive those who have betrayed her, Kori was battling it all.

But will she ever have the strength to forgive Reed? 

Amazon

Meet the author: CA Harms

C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.

Social media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Top 20 Favorite Romance Books of 2014!

★★ Happy New Year!!★★ 

While it was VERY hard to choose only 20 favorite books of the year, here are my list...
I HIGHLY recommend that you guys buy these!! They are all 5-star reads for me!

My TOP 20 of 2014!

★★★  In NO particular order... ★★★

Shattered by Love by CA Harms ➜ http://amzn.to/1D95z1t
Forgiving Reed by CA Harms ➜ http://amzn.to/1twnHfW
Destroy Me by K D Carrillo ➜ http://amzn.to/13YYnbR
Heart on Fire by Brandy L Rivers ➜ http://amzn.to/1I3epi9
In Too Deep by Brandy L Rivers ➜ http://amzn.to/1HjanDK
Every Soul by L K Collins ➜ http://amzn.to/1BpFXvF
Giving In by MR Joseph ➜ http://amzn.to/176CdpY
Letters to Luca by MR Joseph ➜ http://amzn.to/1K5hqCq
Life's A Capella by Yessi Smith ➜ http://amzn.to/1AkQ2vK
Very Wicked Beginnings by Ilsa Madden-Mills ➜ http://amzn.to/1xbtTz3
Very Wicked Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills ➜ http://amzn.to/1BbcaJ9
Let Love Be by Melissa Collins ➜ http://amzn.to/1ERyawU
Come to Me Softly by AL Jackson ➜ http://amzn.to/1tH7Rov
Priceless by Raine Miller ➜ http://amzn.to/1CX8wVm
Chosen by Fate by Jacelyn Rye ➜ http://amzn.to/13Z0lcd
Let Me Love by Michelle Lynn ➜ http://amzn.to/1yda6kq
Worth the Chance by Vi Keeland ➜ http://amzn.to/1tH7Ukd
Worth Forgiving by Vi Keeland ➜ http://amzn.to/1K5ifuV
The Edge of Darkness by Melissa Andrea ➜ http://amzn.to/1rHx8xz
The Grace in Darkness by Melissa Andrea ➜ http://amzn.to/1xBYNPO

Happy reading! xo

New Years Eve!! Goodbye 2014, HELLO 2015!!!

What a year it's been!!! Oh my goodness!! Life has tested in me in so many ways, but at the same time, it's made me so much stronger. This year started off with me not being incredibly happy. I was content, I guess you could say, but I didn't know what true happiness felt like. Not really, anyway.

This hectic journey I've been on throughout 2014 has lead me to a place I now call home. A lot of ups and downs later, I consider myself to be incredibly BLESSED. My heart could not be more full of love. I have a beautiful family made up of two wonderful boys, a puppy, and a man that spoils me rotten and supports me in every way possible. I also have an amazing job which I look forward to everyday -- my own literary PR company! I mean, how cool is that!?

I'm truly grateful.

I've transitioned from a life of uncertainty and questions to a life full of love and bliss. A life where alongside my loved ones, I work hard every day to accomplish my dreams and goals. A life of moving forward.

This passing year has taught me to know the difference between fake people and real friends. It's shown me that no matter how many times you fall, what counts is how many times you get up, and that regardless of how hard it may seem, the best response you can give negative people is no response at all. After all, you don't have to attend every argument you're invited to. :)

I've always been the type to look at the bright side when facing a challenge. So on New Years Eve 2014, I'm saying THANK YOU to each and every person that has affected my journey -- whether it was in a good or bad way, THANK YOU. I've learned to take the good with the bad and make the best of it. And I have.

I am happy. I am blessed. I am home. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Cheers to new opportunities in 2015!! Let the new journey begin...