Power Play - Alley Ciz

Lucky Alley gets to be my first review. She is absolutely the sweetest person. Catch up with her on her Facebook Author page and her Reader Group. 

Power Play is Alley's first release, but you wouldn't know it.

My review:

Wow. Alley Ciz scores a goal with this debut story. It's been awhile since a book has pulled me in so quickly that I just didn't want to put it down.

Jake and Jordan feel the connection from day one, but Jordan's past with one of her brothers' teammates and the promise she made them keeps her from completely letting go. Jake isn't deterred and is bound to figure out how to make this work. No spoilers, but a lot plays into their relationship. This book has it all. Best friends (both old and new), sports, crazy exes, and bitter puck bunnies. 

I fell in love with this great group of characters from BTU and you will too. I cannot wait for Tap Out, the next book in the series.

If you decide to read this, let me know what you think. And if you really enjoy it, leave a review for Alley on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub.

A Blog Rebrand

I've been thinking of doing a rebrand (of sorts) for the longest time and now seems like just as good of a time as any. It's time to change a few things around to match what is taking up most of my time lately.

There will still be Scrapbooking and Crochet posts. (Can it be "still" if it's been so long since I posted?). The biggest change will be the showcase of books and my love for reading. Over the last couple of years, I've rediscovered my love for reading, but also, through Kindle Unlimited and Facebook Groups, I've found the love of independent authors. These authors have become my favorite because of how they interact with their readers. Reader groups on Facebook allow the greatest interaction (and a great way to make new friends who love what you do).

I have added links on the right side of this page to the Facebook author pages of some of my favorites. The ones with stars (*) are ones that I"m lucky enough to be on their ARC teams. What is an ARC? It's an Advance Reader (or Review) Copy. Basically, an author will give an early copy of their books so they start off release day with reviews. Reviews and sales are key to how well a book performs.

So stay tuned for the first of my reviews within a day or so.

Some of the books that are released that I have on my short-term to read list. These are ones that are already released that I want to read soon.

Tangle - Adriana Locke
Kickin' It - Rachel Van Dyken
The Marriage Effect - Karla Sorensen
Mr. Mistake - Karice Bolton
A Surprising Fact About Love - Karice Bolton
Second Glances series - Nancy Herkness
Southern Player - Jessica Peterson

And these are on my TBR (to be read) list that are releasing soon-ish.

The Wonder of Now - Jamie Beck
Say It Again - Catherine Bybee
Southern Gentleman - Jessica Peterson
Refrain - Anne Mecier
Play Dirty - Cari Quinn/Taryn Elliot
Running After a Heartbreaker - Jami Albright
Love Me Tomorrow - Maria Luis
Tap Out - Alley Ciz

Have a great day!!!

A Little Thought About Music

Wow, it's certainly been awhile since I've updated this. My brain got to working on a thought this morning that I was going to make a Facebook post, but as the post grew longer, I thought maybe a blog post would fit better. Once again, here's hoping I can use this space more often.

I''ve got a shuffle of my Pandora stations playing on my Echo this morning and I realized something. Everyone that knows me pretty much knows I have a eclectic taste in the music I listen to. As I bounce between KISS, the Wicked soundtrack, Jimmy Buffet, Brett Eldridge, One Direction, Bon Jovi, Jake Owen, etc. I thought about how music genres have changed over the decades.

What was considered "pop" music when I was in high school is nothing like what is considered "pop" now. Same goes for the "rock" and "country" genres. In fact the country, rock, and pop I listed to in high school and college, is nothing like what my parents listened to. 

Do you ever wonder what would happen to music if genres never "morphed" to what the younger generation wanted to hear? Would certain genres just die out? We know new genres appear all the time, but the base ones stay....just change sound a bit. It doesn't mean that the music from the 60's, 70's, etc isn't good. It doesn't mean that the music from today is better. It's just different. And different is what makes us all who we are right?

I am blessed to have grown up with a love of music. I was exposed to all sorts of decades and genres of music and I know that is what has shaped my eclectic taste. 

I know I've passed it on to at least one of my children and maybe the other one just a bit.

Would love to hear your thoughts. 

Look for (hopefully) more posts on scrapbooking and sports. That seems to be my life (outside of my family).  I work for an amazing scrapbooking site and some amazing designers. And it is baseball, racing, AND football season. Keeps me busy. Maybe I'll throw in some cruise stuff too. 

Happy Saturday!!

Welcome to March. Meteorological Spring (even if much of the US is still getting snow or still has snow).

An update to my last post - the bathroom is finished (well, we need to add some paint at some time). We're just waiting for the final walk through and sign off.

I've joined another Creative Team and am having a blast. LissyKay Designs does fabulous Digi-scrap templates. Check out her store at Gingerscraps. Here is just a few of the layouts I've done with her templates.

And this one uses a LissyKay template and kit from Pretty in Green.

And now, a few crochet goodies.

Have a great weekend. Will have more crochet and digi-scrap goodness soon.

Randomness - Crochet, Scrapbooking, and Frozen Pipes

Wow...what a crazy and busy start to the new year.

Quick update today at the end of my lunch hour.

Have been working on some fun crochet projects. Getting my list together for all the donations I want to do this year. Need something for Diabetes Scholars Silent Auction, Pig Roast for a Cure 2014, Crop for a Cure for Susan G Komen, and Old Courthouse Theater. Hmm... wonder if I missed any. This isn't including any gifts or just fun ones to do.

Digi-scrapping is keeping me busy, In additions to my Creative Team Duties for Pretty in Green, I have added the GingerScraps Ad Team, and Social Media Specialist for Susan Godfrey Designs. Whew. But I LOVE doing this.

And, last but certainly the one that has gained the most attention in the first two weeks of 2014 - we had severe (well for NC) cold temperatures last week and one of our pipes froze and burst. We were lucky the damage was contained to our shower and closet area. Guess I'll be doing a scrapbook page about that.

Just a little glimpse at one of my projects. These are preemie hats. Our crochet group makes these and donated them to Threads of Love. So very tiny.

Well, work time calls. Have some crochet pictures to post soon and some other little things. Enjoy your day!

GingerScraps and Pretty in Green

So, yeah...it's been awhile. And I've even said for the last two months that I'm going to get back to this. I have so much I can blog about. Crochet, Digital Scrapbooking, GingerScraps, and other assorted randomness.

So today I will highlight my new love for Digital Scrapbooking. A couple of sweet friends turned me onto this and I have to say I am in LOVE with the whole concept. So much easier to use the digital photos and so much money saved since you can reuse elements, design your own, recolor pages, etc. 

There are so many designers out there making marvelous items. And so many offer free items either via their blogs or Facebook pages. Perfect for the newbie starting out. There are also many, many websites and forums that offer places to ask questions, participate in challenges, and upload your layouts.

I have found a home a one site in particular and (of course) I think it's the best out there. GingerScraps is full of wonderful, supportive people always happy to lend a hand. The designers that sell on GS are actively involved in the forum and are always offering help and praise.

I am currently doing some Creative Team work for one of the fabulous Designers on GingerScraps. Check out Pretty in Green on her Facebook page, her blog, and her shop at GingerScraps.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PrettyInGreen.Designs
Blog: http://p-in-g.blogspot.com/
GS Shop: http://store.gingerscraps.net/Pretty-In-Green

Below are a couple of layouts I've done with her fabulous kits.

Made with The Pumpkin Season

Made with Go Team! Cheer!

Hopefully another update soon. Maybe more DigiScrap stuff (DSD is coming) or maybe some crochet.

See ya soon!! 

Rock of Ages

Danielle and I went to see "Rock of Ages" on Friday night. Being a child of 80's music and a fan of Julianne Hough, I had been anticipating it's release for months.


My first suggestion, before you decide to go, is to remember what you are going to see. Rock of Ages is a movie adaptation of a Broadway Musical. Unlike a lot of musicals and movies, the music for this came first and the "plot/storyline" was built around the music. If you think you are going to go see a movie with an outstanding storyline, then save your money and stay home. If you want to go see a movie and tap your feet, sing along, and relive memories, then head to your nearest theater.


Diego Boneta and Julianne Hough did a great job starring opposite each other. Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand were just hilarious. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mary J. Blige were impressive, but for me, Tom Cruise stole the show (so to say). I wasn't expecting much, but I thought he really pulled off the character of Stacee Jaxx. He took voice lessons from Axl Rose's voice teacher and is said to have a 4 octave vocal range (who knew?).


I would (and will) go see it again. And this might be one that is added to my odd collection of DVDs when it comes out. I have already bought a digital copy of the Soundtrack on Amazon and am listening to it as I write this. I will admit to being a lover of cheesy movie musicals and TV shows (I am a self-proclaimed Gleek) so that may have played a bit into my enjoyment of this.


I would love to know what you think of it. Enjoy!!