*Review* Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

Synopsis:

Three knocks can change everything…

"She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead."

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart. 

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

My Review:

5 out of 5 stars

★★★★★

This was my first book by this author and it didn't disappoint. I absolutely loved Ember and Josh's story. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them

Review: Wildest Dream by R.C Boldt

Synopsis:  
Taken from his parents and bounced from one foster home to the next, former Navy SEAL turned math teacher, Callum “Mac” Mackenzie had a rough childhood. The only time he’s let himself get attached to anyone has been with his military “brothers”. He’s convinced he doesn’t know how to love and certainly doesn’t “do” relationships. He’s spent fourteen years in the Navy and now he gets to live out his other dream: teaching.

Her thirtieth birthday fast approaching, science teacher, Raine Thompson feels as if her time to find “the one” is running out. She knows life is short, especially after dealing with breast cancer two years ago, and wants to experience her own happily ever after. But is it in the cards for her?

Finally acting on the simmering attraction they have long ignored, Raine and Mac decide to have a fling and they discover what it’s like to have someone who knows you inside out also be the one who makes your body come alive.

But it was only temporary…





Review: 

5.0 out of 5.0 

Wildest Dream is a wonderful debut book by R.C Boldt.  It is the first book in the Teach Me series, but doesn't end in a cliffhanger.  Raine and Mac have amazing chemistry together and I loved watching their friendship and relationship develop over the course of the book.  They have a group of great, quirky, and funny friends that anyone would be lucky to have.  Everybody needs friends like that in their life.  This story had me laughing numerous times, along with feeling frustrated at Mac and Raine for not admitting their feelings for each other sooner, and brought me to tears with their painful pasts.  The cast of characters in this book are very well developed and you come to feel like you really know them and are a part of their group.  This is a book I couldn't put down once I started reading it and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.  <3  


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My Top 2015 Reads

This was a great year for me as a reader.  I read some amazing books from my favorite authors and I also was introduced to the indie author world and discovered so many new awesome authors. 

Here are my Top 5 favorite books that I read this year.  

Stay by B.A. Wolfe
This is the second book in the Keaton Series.  This book wrapped up Cassie's story beautifully.  I think I can count on one hand the number of times a book has made me ugly cry.  There was a point in this book where I had to set it down and I just sobbed for about 10 minutes.  My husband was starting to get concerned ;)  But really though, this book has all of the feels!  I loved it and B.A. Wolfe has moved onto my list of favorite authors.  

After the Storm by Faith Andrews 
Faith is another new favorite author that I discovered this year.  I loved all of the books in her Dream series, but After the Storm was my favorite.  I loved Willow and Noah's story.  Faith writes such relatable characters, it's easy to get drawn into her books.  

Pretending He's You by Stacey Mosteller 
This is the story of Liv, Tyler, and Emmett.  I'm not usually a fan of love triangles but Stacey did an amazing job on this one.  I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion of their story. 

Slammed by Colleen Hoover 
I checked this book out from the library because I wanted to see if Colleen's books were really as good as everyone said they were.  This book sucked me in from the very beginning and gripped me until the end.  I had to go and read the other two books in the Slammed series.  My expectations were definitely met with this one.  

The Selection by Kiera Cass 
I wasn't sure how well I would like this book since it was considered a young adult/teen book, but several of my friends recommended it so I decided to check it out.  I'm glad I did!  This is another book that sucked me right in and I quickly went and got the rest of the books in the series so I could read them also.  




What were your favorite reads for 2015?

Logan's 8th Birthday

So, today my youngest son turned 8 years old.  That just seems crazy to me.  My boys are growing up on me.  :(   

We had a party for Logan yesterday at the movie theater.  It was our first time having a birthday party there so we weren't really sure what to expect.  It turned out great though and now Logan is requesting that we have his party there every year from now on LOL.  

The employees set up some tables for us in the lobby area where we could set up with cake and presents and everything else.  Once everyone got to the party we had cake and then Logan opened his presents.  While he was opening presents an employee took our drink orders.  Once Logan was finished opening everything, we just hung out in the lobby until it was time for us to go into the theater for the movie.  All of the kids had a great time hanging out with each other.  

Each person at the party got a small drink and a popcorn, so that was pretty cool.  

You know the ads that are usually playing on the screen before a movie starts?  While the ads on the screen were going, Christmas music was playing in the background.  It was "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."   When the kids in our group heard the music playing, they all started singing along to it and then the entire theater joined in with them.  It was really sweet.  <3 <3 <3 

We watched the new Goosebumps movie and it was awesome!  It actually scared me a couple of times haha.  If you haven't seen the movie yet, I won't spoil it for you, but the ending...???!!!   OH MY GOSH!  It made my entire body shiver.  Creeeeeppppyyyyy.  

the cake 

blowing out the candle

cake time! 

waiting for the movie to start 

Here is Logan's 8 year birthday interview:

Grade:  2nd

Best Friend:  Avionna 

What are you afraid of?  the dark 

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A police officer and a teacher 

What makes you happy?   My mommy   (Aww!)  <3 

Favorites: 

Color -  blue

Toy -  dinosaurs

Animal -  monkey

Food -  pizza

Drink -  Lipton Peach Iced Tea 

Snack -  fruit gummies

Dessert-  strawberry pie

Season -  winter

Holiday -  Christmas 

Restaurant -  McDonald's

Game-  Monopoly

Video game -  Skylanders

TV Show -  Goldy and Bear 

Movie -  Frozen

Book -  Skylanders comics 

Thing to do -  play with legos

Thing to do at school -  recess 

Subject in school -  Math 

Hallowed Ground Trailer Reveal

New Military Romance from Rebecca Yarros in Hallowed Ground (Book Four) of the Flight & Glory Series releasing January 25th!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OVPJ0w
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Y05StF
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1NeMPn1
iBooks: http://apple.co/1lywj8A
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QhPU9O

About the Author

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years. They finally can call Colorado home along with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog.

Stalk Rebecca here: 

Website: http://www.rebeccaelizabethyarros.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaElizabethYarros

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/327562767450842/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaYarros

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccayarros/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7539785.Rebecca_Yarros

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Yarros/e/B00HYKBU1W/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1449029619&sr=8-2-ent

Faith's Firsts Box Set!

Faith’s Firsts Box Set is LIVE!
Faith Andrews brings you the first book in each of her series, bundled with love in this special boxed set for only 99 cents or FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.
If you’re new to Faith this is a great way to fall in love with these fan-favorites including:

• Man of My Dreams, Dream Series #1
  
• Keep Me, Grayson Sibling Series #1
  
• First Came You, Fate Series #0.5
  

If you’re already a Faithful Follower there’s something special for you, too! Faith’s Firsts includes two alternative POVs from Declan and Noah in Man of My Dreams and a glimpse into Tommy & Gabby's future after their story ends in First Came You.
You can purchase FAITHS FIRSTS on Amazon for only 99 cents right here: (Link coming soon)

“My heart fluttered and it faltered and I enjoyed every single minute of it.”
~5 stars from Jenny, Totally Booked Book Blog
   
“I fell in love with a man today. Story of my life right?!!! But this time, he had my heart stopping, full on sweating, insane with lust.”
~5 star review from Jen, Schmexy Girl Book Blog



 



“I loved, and I mean loved every single piece of this novella. Faith Andrews is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Not only does her writing allow you to slip right into the magnificent world that she creates in her books, the way she writes and develops her stories and characters allows you the exceptional chance to feel what you’re reading.”
~5 star review from Megan, The Never Ending Book Basket



 


You can purchase Faith's Firsts on Amazon for only 99 cents: http://amzn.to/1YPhmNr 


Other Books by Faith:

• Back to You, Dream Series #1.5
  
• After the Storm, Dream Series #2
  
• Keep Her, Grayson Sibling Series #2
  
• Keep Us (featured in Hot for the Holidays, A Collection of 21 Naughty & Nice Holiday Shorts)
  
• Feel Again, Fate Series #1
  
• Freeing Destiny, Fate Series #2 (Coming 3/14/16)
  

About the Author

Faith Andrews is living out her dream right outside the greatest city in the world, New York City. Happily married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mother of two beautiful and wild daughters, and a furry Yorkie son named Rocco Giovanni. When she's not tapping her toes to a Mumford & Sons tune or busy being a dance mom, her nose is stuck in a book or she's sitting behind the laptop, creating her next swoon worthy book boyfriend. Coffee addict, lover of wine and cheese, and sucker for concerts and Netflix, Faith believes in love at first sight and happily ever after.
Website • Twitter • Facebook

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Here are some things that I have been loving lately:  


*  I'm loving how well Chris is doing in school this year.  It's like he's a completely different child.  He was struggling horribly and after some testing, we found out this summer that he has ADHD.  We started some intervention to help him with that and he is doing so much better this year.  It also helps that he has a wonderful teacher this year.  Chris and Logan's school had Awards Day last week for the first 9 week period and Chris got 3 awards.  He got Terrific Kid, Perfect Attendance, and A/B Honor Roll.  Woohoo!  

*  I'm loving my new job!  In September I started a job in childcare at my church.  I absolutely love getting to take care of all of the babies and toddlers that come in. :)  

*  I'm loving that I've been losing weight.  I've lost 26 pounds since April.  I can already tell a difference in the way I look and the way my clothes fit.  I excited to keep going!  I can do this.  

*  I'm loving all of the great books I've been reading lately.  I've come across a lot of new authors lately on Facebook and I've been reading their books one by one.  It's definitely keeping me busy with something to do.  ;)  

*  I'm loving that Chris and I both have a Kindle Fire now.  I was just using the Kindle app on my phone to read e-books, but 2 months ago I won a Kindle Fire in a contest.  I was so excited.  Then a couple weeks ago at a fall festival at my dad's church, Chris won a Kindle Fire.  I'll never forget the look on his face.  He was so surprised and happy.  <3  Now Logan wants one, haha.  




What are you loving right now?  :)   



-Jackie