Book Review: All Diets Work By Jen Brewer, RD

Today I get the great chance to review a wonderful book by Jen Brewer, called All Diets Work. For me, being in the health field and researching and going off and on a ton of different diets, I was wondering what this book might hold if anything important. I am a certified group exercise instructor and I have helped lots of people lose weight. And let's be honest, I have lost my fair share of weight my self, who hasn't?

But as I read through this book, I found that is was easy to understand, not like some books where the chemical process of how your body works on a macrobiotic level becomes so scientific it is beyond understanding unless you have a degree in Chemistry. There is so much good solid information in All Diets Work that I encourage everyone to be sure they have a copy to use for their families, if not for themselves.

I loved they way it was structured and how Jen takes you by the hand and helps you understand everything and the ease of it all in simple terms. I enjoyed the basics, the reasons your body does what it does, all the common sense and amazing strategies as well as the personal success stories and charts to use on your journey. There are 25 tools she gives you to help you stop dieting and start losing weight for good. She even included recipes to help along the way.

I was amazed at how fast I read this book and found that I loved it. I highly recommend that anyone who is struggling with those last few pounds or a hundred pounds to lose, to pick this book up and utilize it. It will help you to achieve your goals in a way that makes sense and can be fun. I encourage you to also to click here and visit Jen's website where there is more information and tools and recipes to use and you can get your own copy. Or click here and get your copy at amazon.com I promise you it will be one of the best purchases you will ever make, and you won't regret it!

Disclaimer: While I do at times receive copies of the books I review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.

Book Review: The Latter Rain by James M Conis

The Latter Rain by James M Conis is a great book for those who want to gain a better understanding of the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. The full full title, The Latter Rain Using the Book of Isaiah as the Key to Unlock Bible Prophecies That are Relevant Today explores the types and symbols in Isaiah and strives to bring better understanding of what they mean for us in this day and age and how we can apply those teachings into our lives.

The word rain in the title of the book, is used to symbolize God's communication with man. Traveling through the rich rains of the Old and New Testament times when God's prophet's were prevalent on the earth. Then moves to the time of drought when there was no communication through a living prophet,up to today with the Latter rain or communication.

Through out the book, Mr. Conis invites the reader to utilize the tool of prayer as they go through the book to ask about the things taught. This way the reader has their own testimony of what is being said, and doesn't go by Mr. Conis's words alone. This helps the reader to learn to listen to the communications of the spirit and teaches them to recognize what that sounds like to them. And brings to mind one way God interacts with his his children today.

Mr. Conis walks us through many different aspects of The Old Testament beyond just Isaiah as well. Working us through the Old and New Testament teachings and bring it to relevance for us today.

I enjoy reading the scriptures and learning from them, but I will admit that Isaiah has left me stumped a time or two. I really liked the easy way that Mr. Conis presents his points about Isaiah. I felt as if he was in the room with me, kicking back on the couch conversing and explaining his take about the scriptures of Isaiah with me. The points that were made were easy to understand and I could see what he wanted me to learn, and although were a few things that his view differ from mine, I felt that the over all message was clear and would help anyone understand the difficult to understand teachings of ancient prophets. He broke down symbols and types and explained them in a way that any one could understand. And showed why they were important and what it meant for us in today's world.

I really liked that the scriptures being referenced to were included in the book itself. It made it so much easier to know what was being talked about with out having to look it up or pull my scriptures out and search for the references. They were already there, which made the flow of reading and understanding that much better.

I am grateful that Mr. Conis would share his insights and knowledge which makes the sometimes difficult task of understanding ancient scripture that much easier to grasp. If you would like to get your own copy of The Latter Rain click here to visit the website and type in the promo code Tour when you check out and receive 20% off. Pretty sweet deal!

You can also purchase your copy here at Amazon.

Disclaimer: While I do at times receive copies of the books I review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.

Book Review: Double Deceit By Stephanie Humphreys

Today I get to review Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys. It is a LDS suspense novel with plenty of twists and turns that keep you wondering if what you think is going to happen actually will.

Back Blurb:
Someone is watching . . .
As a young widow, all Elaina Bryant wants is a fresh start. Determined to put ten painful years behind her, she returns to her hometown and moves in with her sister, Natalie. Elaina soon accepts a job working at a small bookstore owned by the handsome Ryan Hill and his mother. Despite her reluctance to become romantically involved with anyone, she is drawn to Ryan and finds herself falling in love.

But someone isn’t happy with Elaina’s new life and is watching her every move. Her tormentor seems determined to destroy her sanity and her future, but Elaina can’t convince anyone the threat is real. Natalie is preoccupied with her own blossoming romance, and their friend Peter, a police officer, seems to believe the threat has been manufactured in Elaina’s own mind as a result of her guilt and grief.

Now Elaina’s plans for a new start are crashing down around her. She knows she will have to find the answers before she can overcome the past and enjoy love and happiness again. But how can she protect those she loves when she doesn’t know whom to trust?



My thoughts:
Double Deceit is one of those books that when you pick it up you know that you are going to want to know the end right away. The challenge of course is not to peak to see if all your guesses and deductions are correct. For me I will admit that I succumbed to the temptation. And wanted to see what happened, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I still had to find out how things got to the final conclusions.

Stephanie does a great job of building suspense and leave you guessing, and wondering if what you think is the truth is actually the truth after all. I was surprised along the way to find how certain characters reacted in certain situations. And at times I wanted a different outcome, but still it was fun to see how all the little plot twists and turns culminated in the end.

I like watching Elaina's growth through the story as she found that she could be stronger than she realized and take her life back and control the outcome. I liked that she realized how important it is to rely on others and that she learned how to reach out to others when she needed them. I liked that the other characters in the story had their flaws they had to overcome as well, and weren't just there to support the main character.

I also enjoyed how well Stephanie could make the images jump from the page. I had a clear picture of what was going on in my mind the entire time, from the forests to the city and even the details of the little book store was vivid in my mind.

I felt for Elaina and the difficult experiences she faced to the point that she even began to doubt herself. I wanted to comfort her and tell her she would make it through her trials.

Double Deceit is a book I would have not issues with my children reading. It is appropriate for ages 12 on up. And it is a clean read. There is plenty of mystery and a bit of fun romance along the way. To get your copy of Double Deceit click here.

Stephanie is running a really fun contest on her blog to go along with her book tour. Please click here to see what all the excitement is about and to learn more about Stephanie and her other accomplishments and books.

Disclaimer: While I do at times receive copies of the books I review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.

My 23rd Anniversary and Goal Results

Here is a super quick flash on how I did this month with my goals! It is my Anniversary after all and so I need to be about celebrating it with my honey!! But first a brief check in on how my goal results turned out.

So I got in 3 posts a week for a month, counting this one~ since I started on the 4th of July, I think that's fair. It was fun to post so much!

I got my writing goals accomplished. I even slightly modified I achieved what I set out to do! Yahoo!

And as for adding followers, I got 25 plus new followers this month but fell short of my goal of 100 by 16. But that is ok, I plan to get them soon enough. If any one has any cool ideas on how to do this, please I am all for hearing them.

I ran out of time to work on my blog that way when I spent a week visiting my family. They wanted a lot of my time and were jealous of my computer and on line time either on my blog or on my WIP or on email. OH well!! No biggie.

So I need to devise some new goals for the month of Aug and when I do, I will let you know what they are! If you have any goals that you are looking to achieve, let me hear about them and we can spend the month of Aug working on them together!

Road Trip!!

So I am off, in my huge Van...no not mini van, my 15 passenger with 3 kids, to drive across country for 8 plus hours today. And no it's not as laid back as the car's van. Wish me luck, that there will be no arguing kids, and no crazy drivers ( oh, wait, that's me) and that I make it back in one solid piece with my sanity still intact.

It's a beautiful day, and I'm hoping to not get too tired since I have a tendency to lull to sleep in a car. I have ever since I was little. And with no relief driver, I will have to hop my self up on unearthly amounts of caffeine and sugar to keep awake... but then the screaming kids should help out too, right?

So time for great adventures across the continental divide! Colorado here I come, see ya in a while Utah! But either way I look at it, I still have the mountains!

Come Check out my Friend Tristi's newest book!!!!

I have something very fun to share today! My dear friend and author Tristi Pinkston is excited to announce the release of the third novel in her Secret Sisters Mysteries series.

Titled Hang ‘em High, this novel takes place on a dude ranch in Montana. When Ida Mae’s son invites her to come for a visit, of course she brings Arlette and Tansy along with her. They are expecting to spend the week looking at horses, avoiding the cows, and making amends in Ida Mae’s relationship with her son. What they don’t expect is to be stuck on the ranch in the middle of a blizzard and to be thrust headlong into the middle of a mystery.

***

Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways. First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day! All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.

Second, come to the book launch!

You are invited to an

August Authorama!

Saturday, August 13th

Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

12 – 4 pm

Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,

and Dutch oven cobbler

prepared by world champion cook

Keith Fisher.

Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,

Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen

will all be there to sign books.

This is one book launch event

you will not want to miss!

Fun and Games

Who would of thought that being silly with your kids and acting like one would revive you so much?? The other night when I was sure I would drop dead of exhaustion, and all I wanted to do was go grab a few Zs I was dragged with my oldest daughter to her friends house for a study session at 11 o'late thirty at night, with my two littlest in tow.

I tried to get those Zs like I wanted, and it would only be a 5 min side trip to drop us off, but noo, we all had to go along for the ride.

So while my daughter and her friend studied for their test, my littlest girls did the Wii just dance game and were racking up the points while my other daughter recorded them on her computer's camera.

"Mom has to do this" all four of my daughters and their friend demanded.

"No", I said, "I haven't done this game before and I'm tired."

"You minored in dance in college Mom, you will be fine, and who cares if you are tired?!"

So I dragged my super tired rear out of the seat and set my wii mote and went for it against my littlest daughters. I was gonna show them what I was made of for sure!

It was pretty dang fun!! and I beat both of them, maybe I should of let them win, but umm nope, they insisted I play and my competitive nature sprang to life, and revived me. And they weren't getting off that easy. I had to win

I took them by 1000 plus points and won!! Ya. Then my youngest daughter said to me ever so sweetly, "Mom, you can't play against us anymore cuz you smashed us!" she said with a laugh.

well, she told me didn't she??

I was wide awake after that, but what fun!

I'm thinking we need to go and get our own just dance wii game and have more dance offs and maybe one day, she and her sisters will be good enough to smash me instead!

checking in late late late

A quick little blurb to check in and be accountable to myself. So this week counting this posting, I got in my 3 blogging posts that I was aiming for. But I still have three to do by Tues this coming week. I will do it! Just you wait and see.

As for extra followers I was able to add another, leaving me with 17 left to meet my goal. I hope I make it.

And for writing, with all the traveling and demands from my family and some minor crisis's along the way that rose up, I wasn't able to get my numbers in like I wanted to, but I did write non the less. I wrote about 7 pages. Only half of what I was aiming for, but grateful that I could get them in. At least I was writing and that is all that counts.

Considering that I haven't even had the chance to exercise and I feel like a major slug since I got here early sun morning even though I planned to get to it at least 3 times while I was gone, and have yet to get out beyond basic walking in the grocery store, which isn't walking but really walk pausing; I'm amazed I got more than two words strung together at a time.

This all being said, I do have the remainder of this week and into Tues to get things done. I plan to get at least another 7 pages written, since I will be driving most of Sunday, and meeting the demands of my family on vacation( my hubby is not with me, and neither are my two oldest boys, if that tells you anything) I think that will be a stretch, still, I don't want to end up not writing enough for next week and facing Karaoke.

So three more posts, and 7 more pages and 17 more followers is the goal, I hope i make it!!
well, off now to try and meet them! Cross those fingers for me once again!

Whoever said being on vacation was, well, a vacation?

I'm out of town. I left being an exercise instructor behind, but only after about 6 hours of work looking for a sub. I have my youngest kids with me, and my husband stayed home. I have to make sure I meet all my family's expectations and what they want me to do. I feel like I am working more now, than when I was at home in some ways.

What ever happened to the lazy days doing what ever you wanted? OH ya, I forgot. Just because I'm on vacation, doesn't mean that I get to do what I want unless I leave the kids behind. But then leaving the kids behind means leaving some of the fun behind too. At least I don't have to teach. So that is a huge old plus in my book!

But I am having a good time seeing good friends, and trying to catch up on stuff I have fallen behind on. Like an extra post for the week. So tomorrow I am going to do my accountablity post. I get to take fun pictures of my kids flipping out and have a great time being silly. So even though I know I will be super tired from my vacation later, it will be worth it all in the end.

Things may be planned out, but some times just sitting back, relaxing and chatting without a firm schedule is pretty great too!

Accountability

For me accountability to just myself seems to be a problem. I really need to have others to be accountable to, other wise I find every excuse in the book to not do something and procrastination and I become tighter friends. Sometimes you just need that extra little push, that kick that gets you moving in a forward direction again, even if it is the smallest of steps forward, at least it is progress.

Checking in once a week on my goals has made me more productive in more ways besides the goals I have outlined in my blog. Weird how that happens, but I'm glad it has.

Just so you know, I have made great progress in my outlined goals, in all three of them I have made great strides so far. And it is sort of funny how events that have transpired have gone a long way in helping me to achieve those goals.

So First of all I give huge props for Ali cross at alicross.blogspot.com for her amazing blog fest that I joined in at the last minute. It helped me to accomplish the last of my posting goals for the week making it three in all. Not to mention how it helped make great strides toward my goal of reaching 100 followers by the end of July. I have 18 more to go. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I reach it. Cross your fingers and send up a few prayers for me too. That might just give me a little extra help in meeting that goal.

And last the very real, very worrisome threat of singing Karaoke if I don't meet my writing goal of 15 pages a week has me moving forward with a steady clip for my story. I got in 20 pages even, and surpassed it. I think I was just making sure it was obvious I had reached my quota. And alas, I blogging, texting or face book couldn't be used toward that goal even though I still say it is writing. I tried and it was shot down in a micro second. Oh well! You can't say I didn't try!

So now I am half way there toward my goal. This week and next week to go and I will end the first of Aug, and let you know my total standing. So now I am off to be sure I meet my goals.

Once more they are : 3 postings a week, 15 pages of writing for my story and 100 followers for my blog.

What are you goals that you have set for your self and what are you doing to be sure you are achieving them? Let me know, I'd love to hear them!

It's Independence Day and Something Unexpected Happens...Flash fiction

I'm participating in Ali Cross's Flash Fiction Blog fest. So here goes my 250 word story, let me know what you think!


It was the party of the year. Fireworks burst in an explosion of color across the inky black sky and hung in the air. Alyson’s excitement added to the chorus of oohs and aahs surrounding her.

It was the most magical Fourth of July of her entire life, but she hoped the best part wasn't over yet.

Gabe, the hottest guy in school, with his fathomless dark eyes and matching wavy hair invited her to be his date for the night. She pinched her arm once more to be sure it wasn't all a fabulous dream. She was sure she was in love.

“Are you up for a walk?” Gabe asked.

“Sounds fantastic.” Alyson smiled as Gabe reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. Electricity pulsed through her body on contact.

Did he feel it too?

The flare of emotion flash across his eyes told her he did. His goofy half smile made him even more adorable.

The only thing left to make this the best night of her life would be if Gabe kissed her. She sent up a silent prayer and crossed her fingers that he would.

He drew her into the shadows of a nearby building.

“Come here.” He said in a soft voice. As Gabe pulled her into the warmth of his embrace Alyson’s heart beat faster. His head leaned slowly toward hers.

This was it.

Her eyes closed in anticipation and screamed as his sharp teeth sank deep into her neck.



Well there it is, let me know what you think! Go here to read the other participants entries. A special thanks to Ali Cross for putting togehter this fun blog fest! Thanks Ali!! You Rock!!

Star wishing and Checking in!

I'm wishing on a star, or maybe it's really a nebula or a plant either way, I'm wishing and I hoping my dreams come true as I reach for them, one goal at a time.

So a quick little blurb to be accountable to my writing goals.

So as to writing blogging three times this week! I did it Wha hooo!! Yay for me!

As to adding more followers, I was able to add 2 more. Any one with suggestions on how to be more outgoing in the blogging world would be welcome. But hey, I am working toward my goal still! Just 30 more to go!

And then getting 15 pages of my WIP accomplished was a huge YES!! I got more than 15 even, and tightened up my plot , characters and researched my story lines and learned more about writing too!

It feels so amazing to get to say I did it! I feels wonderful to have a fourth of my goal for the month of July accomplished successfully! I am looking forward to reporting back next week on how I did for this weeks continuing goals... 15 more pages, 2 more blog postings and hopefully adding a few more followers too.

I know I can, I know I can.... to coin a phrase from The Little Engine that Could. Accomplishing those goals sure makes me feel like I can do what ever I set my mind to, it's all about making the decision to do it and then sticking to it with the following through part until it is finished. And sometimes that can be the hardest part of all!

Well off to get some writing done, and maybe surpassing my goals once more!! Keep your fingers crossed for me, since I can't do it myself. Why not you ask?? well, how can I type and let my fingers fly across the keyboard if they are crossed??? I guess I could, but it would take a whole lot longer to do it! So please, will you cross yours for me??? I really appreciate it!

Let it Rain!!

Currently, in the fine state of Colorado, where I live, we have had a few gushing rainstorms, and I have wondered as the rain blew sideways and hit me with the gale force of a monsoon soaking me to the skin in a flash, am I in the right place or did I some how get transported to some tropical island where things like this are the norm? They have truly been a sight to behold, magestic in their power and awesome in thier abiltiy to transform.

But it is Colorado after all, an extention of the desert. Sure there are mountains and we have snow, but lots of rain and flash floods with water pooling in some places five feel high has never happened in the years I've lived here. Not that it doesn't bring its own brand of excitement and entertainment. My kids have soaked their clothes and played in the rain thoroughly exhilarated at the prospect of running through the gutters at the side of the road splashing to their hearts content loving every minute of it!

But I have to admit that seeing the trees blow sideways and and the rain pour off my roof and then later my car as I was driving, I was surprised by the power behind it all.

But the thing is, no matter how hard the rain storm, there is always a rainbow at the end. A beautiful portrayal of color splashed across the sky. Signaling new beginnings and things washed clean and turned new once more. It is a beautiful thing to know that there is renewal in the rain. A chance for a fresh start, or even a hint of some new beginning that lets you grow and brings a resurgence of life. The birds sing sweetly in the air, the sun sends its golden rays down to dispel the darkness and the water brings life both to the world and in as sense to our spirits, refreshing us and reminding us that everything gets a chance to start over again.

I like the idea of fresh starts and new chances. When life weighs you down, it can pick you up when you least expect it and send a resurgence of hope and faith and excitement for what life may hold for you right around the corner. I have decided that sometimes it all really boils down to a decision. A choice to make your life better, to believe it can be. To turn from the old and embrace the new opportunities and creative expressions waiting to be discovered. That sometimes all we need to begin again, is make the decision, to begin again. It's that easy. And as with the rain bring refreshing moisture and cool breezes and even sometimes a raging storm, they all work to bring a cl easing, whether of the earth or the soul, it can be one and the same it relates to the decisions to move forward and embrace the future with all the excitement it can bring.

So I say, let it rain. Open the heavens and let it pour on down, because in the cleansing comes the new beginnings, the fresh starts and then creativity on so many fascinating levels!

Today is a Marvelous Day!!

Why is today so darned marvelous you ask?? Why indeed!!! There is one very important reason, and that is today is the day I get to see my daughter Danielle! Big deal you may think to your self. But it really is a big deal, at least it is to me and her Dad and her brothers and sisters. Today is the day that she comes home from being gone after being practically unreachable for the last seven weeks while she has been on her study abroad program for school.

But with today's modern world and all the technology around us, it would be easy to keep in touch with her even with her being half way around the world right?? But you would be surprised! Even though our cell phones have unlimited texting, they are useless in Europe, so two forms(text and calls) of communication...GONE! Unless I want to pay a million dollars and call long distance the old fashion way.

Ok you say, well, there is always Skype. That is better than texting anyway, because you get to see the person you are talking to and it's like they are right there with you. And yes that is very true, but if your computer is older than dirt, and your laptop doesn't have that capability, then in essence you are screwed! So, another option bites the dust!!

Email, you say!! Use it, that is a great way to keep in touch! And your right, it would be, if she ever answered my emails!! UGH!!

And Snail mail! Not enough! I got one post card the whole time she was gone!

Then there is facebook. Thank Heavens for social media options! It saved my life, and kept me from going crazy! I was able to IM her!! Yahoo!! But wait...there was a huge hitch! That was trying to catch her when she was on, and adjust for the 7 to 8 hour difference. But she did put pictures up, and I got to see her still form having the time of her life. And I could leave her a post to let her know I missed her.

And the thing that kept me sane of all, was her daily assignment to post on her blog! With a required 5 pictures to be posted. I got to read where she went, and see what she did, and her friends she made and keep up on her adventures in England, Ireland, France, Spain and Italy. I got to see the beauty of Europe and know she was having a wonderful time and was very very happy. I am so glad that her professors made this a requirement,and I believe it was more for us, at home, than for those on Study Abroad.

But tonight is best of all! She gets off the plane at 9:30 and I get to hold her and hug her to death. I get to see all the millions of pictures she took and hear about the stories not posted! I am sooo excited I can hardly stand it. I am just so glad that she didn't go to Europe back when all these communication options were just a thing of the imagination, and letters and super expensive phone calls were all that was available. Thank Heaven for all that modern technology brings to us!!

Well, I'm off to do a happy dance and hold my anticipation in check! She comes home today!! It is the most marvelous day of all!!

blogging and writing goal

I must make a confession. One that I think was a long time in coming, and quite frankly one I need to admit to myself. My daughter Danielle has out blogged me! She has laid down the gauntlet and shown me up quite a bit!

Not only is she having the best fun of her life traveling through Europe, but she also started her blog in May and has written in it just about everyday since then all while traveling all over Europe. Sure it is an assignment while she studied abroad this summer,and ya it's required, but really that doesn't matter. She has blogged her heart out! What I have I done while she's been gone? Well, read her blog of course http://aportraitofdanielle.blogspot.com How could I not?? But certainly not blogging myself.

Dani has had some pretty great adventures and have to say she has shown me that I have been making blogging way harder than it needs to be. Maybe it's because so many of my Friends are soo good at it, that I feel like it's tough to keep up at their level, but really now I see it was just an excuse. That if my amazing daughter can show me up in a heartbeat, then maybe I need to get on the ball, and show her that I can keep up. Or at least make an attempt...an honest attempt.

I used to wonder how all my friends managed it, how they were able to blog so much, but now I think I am going to challenge myself to blog like they do! I am going to take the month of July and blog it like I've never blogged before! OK, not everyday, but I will commit to at least three times a week! I will attempt to blog everyday from here out, but since July started um 3 days ago, I sort of missed that particular boat. But blogging I will do from here on out.

I hope to gain a few more followers and I hope to learn something more about myself and what I can accomplish, because I am also going to add a writing goal for my novel here too. I will write at least 15 pages a week. No less and I will come back on Sunday to report my results of blogging and writing.

Hey I have to be accountable to myself somehow, and since I have been a pretty big bump on a log lately, not motivated to do much more than find ways to avoid everything I love to do, I am kicking my own butt. And giving all my friends to kick it along with me!! If you want to add your butt kicking motivation to the comments... please please go for it!! Heaven knows I really Really REALLY need it!

I need to get back to the land of the living instead of wallowing in the land of the forgotten and feeling lost all the time while I wander aimlessly(metaphorically speaking) all over the place getting absolutely nothing accomplished. So here I go, with the first entry! Keep your fingers crossed that I will accomplish what I am setting out to do! I think it will be really cathartic and get me back on track, and moving forward like I need to!!

So here it goes!! Let the fun begin!! The Official Goals for July : 1) blog at least 3 times a week, everyday if possible 2) Increase my followers and maybe break 100 if really lucky! 3) write 15 pages of Into The Crimson Sun every week! 4) Report progress on goals truthfully every Sunday.

Writing is Life

Sometimes when I am frustrated or just need to figure things out, I find it helps to write. Writing anything at all, it doesn't seem to matter what it is as long as it is something. It has a cathartic ability to release stress, help manage anger, hurt or pain. It can even bring about a sense of accomplishment, joy, or a sense of euphoria . . . especially if you get published. Maybe being published isn't necessary to feel that happiness, but it doesn't hurt either. And it fills a deep seated need to create.

I find that when I am working through something important in my life that writing it out helps a lot. And what I am finding now, is that I can get a lot accomplished if I just write. I feel more settled and ready to hit things head on, well maybe not head on, but at least I take a step forward.

I write about my family, my kids and events around me and most of it is in a private journal not meant for other's eyes. I would feel to vulnerable writing my deepest thoughts for all to see, and judge me. I would feel too exposed and raw. Those things I write out long hand in a spiral notebook, that I share with my husband, sometimes my children, and once in a while a few close friends.

I write adventures, and stories and fantasies that bring a happily ever after -- most of the time. Sometimes I write the gruesome and scary, to see what dark road it winds down.

If I don't write, don't get my feelings out some how, I get restless. Sometimes it is hard to identify what is causing it, but when I finally get that pen in my hand, or the computer in my lap to write, I settle down. Then I write and write until the words no longer speak to me, no longer call me to head what they want me to say. Until emptiness is all that remains and I am purged and then I feel so much better. Emotions spent and words played out how they may.

Then there are the times when I write and all my dreams and yearnings pour out on the page. I can be free then, say what I wouldn't in real life. To have courage and conviction. To wish and hope and soar to the skies and back as I make wishes come true with a swish of a fairy wand or a bit of magic. Things that real life doesn't always grant, I can with my pen. It is exciting, fun, and wonderful to escape within the words of my own making.

I am forever grateful to have found my voice, to have freed it. To use it how I will to push me forward in my dreams for the future.

I will write always, for the rest of my life and in that writing I can release who I really am. And at times, I share that part of me no one else knows about when I write with others. When I create I live in freedom. I write life, because to write for me is to live.

So I turn it to you now and wonder, what do you write and why? Have you ever thought about it? Maybe you should and then you can discover what writing really means to you.

Book Review: Depth of Deceit by Betty Briggs

The Depth of Deceit by veteran author Betty Briggs is a dynamic story about Stephanie Saunders, a young attorney assigned to take on the indigent cases that come through courtroom and defend them. Stephanie has worked hard and long to garnish respect, but her beauty queen good looks, makes it hard for people to take her seriously as a legal representative.

She is assigned by the judge to handle the case of Josh Durrant, accused of assault. A man with long blond hair, a thick beard, a barbed wire tattoo across his bicep, and amazing green eyes, who seems to be following her all over town. She isn't sure whether to be annoyed with him or worried.

Not that it matters that much to her when she has Todd Saxton for her boyfriend looking out for her. He is loving , charming, handsome and sweet to her. But when devastating secrets are discovered, Stephanie's whole life tumbles out of control.

The only place she finds true comfort is at the stables with her horses. She finds a kindred soul in the battered and abused mare, Riskie Business whose gentle soul and sweet disposition is a balm to Stephanie's shattered soul.

There are difficult decisions that will affect the rest of Stephanie's life that must be made, and in turn Stephanie must learn how to save not only herself in the final showdown, but one who relies on her the most. There she must learn to trust those who can't be trusted and discover courage and strength she never knew she possessed. And find a way to make the ultimate decisions of what is right and what is not.

I was drawn instantly into the story and couldn't put it down once I got started. There were so many mysteries and questions I wanted to know as layer upon layer was uncovered to reveal the final answers at the end of the book. Depth of Deceit made me laugh out loud, it made me cry big tears, and it made me wonder what would happen next. I kept turning page after page to discover secret after secret. I felt as if I was right beside Stephanie Saunders the entire time. Her anxiety pulsed out of the pages, her love and compassion and even when snarky frustration rose with in her were so real and tangible. I knew how she felt about those she loved and those she was annoyed with. Her suspicious nature about everything that appeared to be truth leapt off the pages. It surprised me how deep those emotions became as they welling up inside of me.

Betty Briggs really knows how to pull the reader into the world of words she creates as it runs like a movie inside the readers head. I was held captive until the very last words and found myself surprised with the unexpected plot twists and turns through out the book.

The way the horses played such an important part in the dynamics of the story made me wish I was at the stabes right along with Stephanie. I loved how Betty wove the legal dynamics of being an up and rising attorney into the plot, and how Stephanie's struggles were so real to life as I wondered who, if anyone was trustworthy.

I completely loved reading Depth of Deceit. I loved the rich characters portrayed, from the rude secretary, to the little old man who lived in the mountains. I felt each character was well developed and helped propel the story along with their insite and lively conversation. I felt a deep connection with many of the characters, and was surprised by the culminating events in the end.

I completely enjoyed my journey into the Depth of Deceit. Get your copy of Depth of Deceit by Betty Briggs, here, you won't be disappointed. Take the time to stop by Betty's web site and learn more about her and her other books go to http://www.bettybriggs.com/ there you will find additional information on horses and other short stories as well.

Disclaimer: While I do at times receive copies of the books I review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.

Always reaching for the next level

Making goals to increase your strength and health is an important part of any exercise plan. It's always helpful to see the progress you have made and then create new levels to aim for. When you shoot for the stars, you will find that you are climbing higher and higher and eventually you will reach them.

I remember when I started exercising in earnest again after taking a long lazy hiatus. It made me cry when I realized how much I actually let myself go. I could hardly keep up in classes, a five pound weight might as well have been 100 and I was winded within the first five minutes of class starting. I struggled to keep up and I was humiliated. I had taught these classes three in a row at times , kicking every one's butt, without a problem, and now this one class showed me very how far I had fallen and kicked my butt to the curb. It was sobering. And I cried huge tears. How could I have let this happen??? Life, of course, and just not finding me important enough to take care of.

That was 2 and half years and 45 pounds ago. I decided then to face reality. I wasn't going to get any healthier doing nothing and pretending this wasn't happening. I faced the hard facts and chose a different way. I was worth it. I deserved to be healthy and strong. I was determined to get back to where I knew I once was . . . strong and conditioned and in shape.

To get there I made goals. Easy ones I could obtain so that I could see success. Yes, I even used a sticker chart with smiley faces . . . why not? It worked for my kids, why wouldn't it work for me too? I gave myself a smiley every day I worked out. It was great incentive to see what I had accomplished, especially when it took more energy than I would like to admit just to get me out the door and not turn around and give up. I would increase what I could do a little at a time until what was astronomically out of reach and harder than Hades to accomplish became a piece of cake, and then I would adjust my goals and increase what I required of myself and continue forward.

In this way, I am stronger than I've been in years. I don't let myself say . . . "I don't think I will work out today." I say instead . . . "We are going out the door and you are doing what needs to be done. Period!" And everyday I am finding I can do more than I imagined.

For instance I never imagined I could run and sustain a ten minute mile. But I can now . . . the weight I literally throw around now (really, I mean throw, if you ever saw me in the gym you'd know what I mean) is now 35 pounds and higher. And I'm not done yet. I plan to keep improving and growing and setting goals I can reach and obtain and be successful.

In the pool I am faster and stronger than ever, and I love how my body pushes itself through the water and how it works to keep in control of the water weights, to where I control them not the other way around, using muscle to keep firmly planted and not let buoyancy take over.

I tell you these things so you can make your own fitness plan and watch as you adjust it from week to week with new goals, how strong you will become. To show you that if I can do it, anyone can do it! I have seen it in a lot of people who take my classes already. They are beating me at my own game and becoming faster than me. It is great to see. Keep working hard at mastering your body and building strength. I believe in you and I know you can do it! Tell me your goals and let me hear your successes. They are inspiring!

Bill Phillips asks "Being healthy is a decision we have to renew each and every day. Today in your thoughts and actions are you choosing health?" He also said, "A person's state of health can often be predicted by which he or she takes two at at time- pills or stairs." Remember nine out of ten of the greatest accomplishments were done on a deadline. What is the deadline for your next great accomplishment?

Book Review : Journey of Honor By Jaclyn M. Hawkes

In Jacyln M Hawkes debut novel Journey of Honor the author takes you on a journey filled with adventure and danger. The story is about Giselle, a young LDS (Latter-day Saint) immigrant and Trace a young doctor, turned teamster leader, who discover they are traveling in the same wagon train west. Leaving from St Joseph Missouri in 1848, they find themselves in a situation which requires a marriage in name only for the sake of protection.

The marriage takes an interesting twist when attraction turns to longing and then to love. These two main characters are thrust into many perilous and at many times, life-threatening situations. The secret that Giselle carries with her, becomes a situation that endangers her life, regardless of the consequences she is determined to pull her weight no matter the cost, especially when she needs to help those that fall ill. Unbeknownst to Trace he leaves her to care for the sick which allows him to put both distance between their growing attraction and frees him to lead the wagon train and check on every one's progress.

This arrangement seems to be working well, until Giselle no longer is able to continue with her ministrations, forcing a change of events that forever alters Trace and Giselle's relationship. While Trace still holds honor to his promise to keep his marriage to Giselle in name only; it becomes more and more difficult as he fights his growing attraction and feelings for her. Especially when he holds her close during the cold winter nights. Just as Giselle also attempts to stop the burgeoning feelings of love that are taking root inside her as she allows Trace to comfort her as she faces the emotions of horrendous events that happened before they met.

These feelings of growing love become more focused for Trace and Giselle with the humorous interaction of an Indian Warrior who finds he wants Giselle for his own, and isn't willing to follow the rules of decorum.

Their journey forces them to analyze certain truths they hold dear about what they intrinsically believe and causes them to make decisions that will effect them forever as they reach The Salt Lake Valley. Trace and Giselle must determine if they will or will not get their marriage annulled as the need for protection nears its end.

There are many sweet side stories that brought tenderness and tears to my heart as I read Journey of Honor. I found myself growing attached the secondary characters as much as the primary ones. I thought Trace's adopted brother Mose was sweet and gentle and kind. He had such goodness in him, I couldn't help but love him. I also found Giselle's grandparents to be supporting and compassionate. I loved how her grandfather supported Giselle in her decisions when her parents would not, and were there to lean on during horrific events. I found the quiet strength of these characters to be a great addition to the story as faith and understanding of gospel truths played an important part in helping the main characters discover what truly was most important.

I felt sensitive issues relating to gospel truths were handled with care and were presented in such a way as to be informative and enlightening, in a story where the characters themselves discover what they mean to them, as they learn from one another and grow.

I really enjoyed reading Journey of Honor and found it to be a quick read. I felt at times that I wanted a bit more, wanted it to last just a bit longer in certain parts of the story. I thought that the love between Trace and Giselle was sweet and filled with just the right amount of longing and tension to keep the reader wondering what would happen next in their relationship. There were a number of funny scenes that had me laughing and tender moments that had me crying.

This is a book that has no swearing and would be considered a clean romance. I would recommend this book for ages 12 and over and if you enjoy a light hearted historical romance with out all the heavy history but filled with unexpected adventurous twists and turns, this is the book for you.

If you would like to get your own copy, click HERE. You can visit Jaclyn at http://www.jaclynmhawkes.com/ I know you will enjoy the story as much as I did.

Disclaimer: Although at times I do receive copies of books to review, my opinions are and will always remain my own.

Book Review: Star Scout Rising First Trail by Gary Darby

In Gary Darby's debut book, Star Scout Rising First Trail the reader is taken on a fast paced, intense journey through intergalactic space. This Sci-Fi mystery is filled with political intrigue and uncertainty as Del Baldura and his team of Junior StarScouts prepare to take their No Notice exam that will determine if the years of intense training allows them entry into the Senior StarScouts, who patrol space for new life and planets waiting to be discovered.

As team leader, Del Baldura is in the midst of an important mission that will help him and his four fellow team members advance to the next phase of their training in a field ops exercise. During the mission, one of their team members is kidnapped and the efforts of the rest of the team to rescue her lead them to unexpected adventures and dangers that kept me on the edge of my seat as I read furiously to find out what happened next. As the twists and turns and surprises kept coming, I found myself pulled deeply into the plot of the story, and felt my stomach churning with anxiety with many of the predicaments the team members and other key characters found themselves facing.

In addition to the excitement happening with Del's team, some with great control and power higher up in the Senior Star Scouts organization go against all they stand for and plot revenge against Del as they discover things about his past. They want to be sure he pays for incidents that occurred that were out of his control when he was younger. Power hungry and crazed with desire for complete and ultimate control , Pellar, a senior officer in the StarScouts with high ranking command has his fist wrapped tightly around the very lucrative Kolomite trade and rules the galaxy under concealment, with his corrupt addicting need to be the only one who commands how and where and what happens with any Kolomite found on any planet. He has infiltrated the StarScouts missions by utilizing their systems and encryption codes to secretively push his own agenda of power, wealth and revenge at the cost of all who might be in his way. His evil designs ooze into the pages of Star Scout Rising First Trail as he manipulates those around him.

Gary Darby has the ability to make worlds come alive and battles spark to life within the pages of Star Scout Rising First Trail. I found myself feeling the acid from the lake eat through the uniform and the under brush of a planets unfamiliar foliage brush against me. The adrenaline pumped through my body as I was chased and hunted down by unknown dangerous creatures. I could feel the peace of space as stars twinkled in the distance and the whine of the engines as space ships struggled to be free of capture. Making the experience of reading Star Scout Rising First Trail one I won't soon forget.

I am excited to know that Star Scout Rising First Trail is the first of a trilogy and look forward to knowing what happens next with key players in the story. There are some intense cliff hangers I want to know the answers to. I was left wanting the story to continue and wanting to be a part of the exciting daring missions and rescues that Del would be caught up in. I anticipate the chance to be drawn into the next books as part of the team while they explore new terrains and discover things that will surely shock and excite them.

Check out Gary's website at http://www.starscoutrising.blogspot.com/ to learn more fascinating things about Gary and his book. It was refreshing to read a book with so much action and excitment that had no swearing and was clean. I would recommend this book for all ages. To get your own copy click here, so you can be a part of the fast paced ride through space with Del and his team and be part of the mystery and intrigue they constantly face.

Disclaimer : While I sometimes receive a copy of the book I am reviewing, it does not in anyway influence my opinions. They are and will remain my own.