Monthly Archives: September 2014

Book Review: Flawless

Flawless (A Hostile Beauty Novel, #1)Flawless by Jan Moran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book! The characters were wonderful and I didn’t want the story to end.

Verena Valent is the head of a skincare company that her grandmother started when she first came to America. With a proposed expansion into Asia and the bad economy Verena finds herself in a bad spot financially and trusts her fiance’ to come through with funding for her. He seems to only be involved with her to take her company away which he finally does in the end.

He was icky and I didn’t like him at all. But Lance, the chef that Velena bumps into one night after a gala she had to speak at. He cooks for her then and he is captivated by her. She has feelings for him which she eventually gives into and by the end of the book they are together.

I loved Verena’s spunk and I loved her friends. I felt the characters were really well written and I hope to read more about them! I highly recommend this book.

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Hug A Vegan Day

This morning I was listening to KRMG when the morning host, Dan Potter, mentioned that it was National Hug A Vegan Day. But then he snarked on, that you should be careful because they’re frail. And they smell funny.

KRMG Tulsa

Say what?

Admittedly, I have only been a vegan since September 1, but in the past 25 days I have seen such amazing changes in my health. And I was already a healthy person! Prior to this month, David and I had been eating a paleo diet since November of 2010. But, for me, it was unsustainable because I have a huge sweet tooth and the cookies eventually called. I also loved beer and gin and felt deprived if I couldn’t have a cocktail. 

In the past 25 days, I have had NO sugar. And guess what? It’s. Been. EASY! I’ve also had no desire to have a cocktail, I sleep better, my joints don’t hurt and I’ve been absolutely flying when I walk in the a.m. I don’t even feel like I’m walking anymore, but gliding. 

13:20 min/miles walking!

13:20 min/miles walking!

More than being just a vegan, I’ve been a high raw vegan and have had cooked food only a handful of times. The raw meals have been awesome and delicious. I’ve lost 24 pounds and I’ve never been hungry because I’m eating close to 3000 calories a day. 

I think people can get a lot out of a vegan lifestyle and I’m not saying it works for everyone but it has for me. 

Oklahoma is the 7th most obese state in the nation. Instead of gross generalizations, I believe Mr. Potter could’ve used his platform to suggest to listeners that after they hug a vegan today, maybe they can ask him about his lifestyle and the health benefits of it.

Oklahoma is the 7th most obese state in the nation

Meanwhile, I’d pit my fitness against just about anyone’s any day of the week. And I’m far from frail. So, please, if you notice me becoming frail or smelling funny, I hope you’ll tell me. In the meantime, bring on the hugs! 🙂 

Book Review: A Different Me

A Different MeA Different Me by Deborah Blumenthal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really great book about a girl who is obsessed with having her nose “done”.

Allie is 15 years old and all of her insecurities revolve around the fact that she has a bump in her nose. She wants desperately to have a nose job but hasn’t told her parents. She joins a plastic surgery forum and meets two girls who feel the same. They become good friends. After the second friend has her surgery, Allie finally talks to her parents who agree that she can also have the surgery.

While all this is going on, Allie is assigned to tutor the most popular, beautiful girl in school. An unlikely friendship is born. After Amber’s mother has some depression issues and Amber is pulled out of school, Allie is given David as a fellow student to mentor. Another unlikely friendship is born.

I love how Allie grew through these two friendships and, after seeing how she looked to other people, was able to see herself more clearly.

I think this is a well written, positive book of growth and highly recommend it! 🙂

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Book Review: Broken Monsters

Broken MonstersBroken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG this was a GREAT book! I couldn’t put it down.

Really well written, creepy, grabby, I loved the stories. The book is told from four different viewpoints. It took me awhile to see how on earth they would ever intersect but they do. Beautifully.

The police discover a dead body but it’s more than just a dead body because it’s have human and half animal. The killer strikes two more times before they finally figure out who the murderer could be.

This is horror, fantasy, good. It reminds me of old Dean R. Koontz. I love the characters as they are developed and was on the edge of my chair at the end of the book when everything starts happening quickly.

Loved it! Highly recommend. I’ve never read the author’s work before but I will be checking it out.

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Book Review: All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes

All's Fair in Love and CupcakesAll’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a cute book that I really enjoyed! I will say there were a couple of times I wanted to kick Kat and Lucas in the butt but overall. loved it.

This is a cute story about a guy named Lucas who secretly loves Kat who is wasting her cupcake baking talents in her aunt’s very old fashioned cupcake bakery. Unbeknownst to her, he enters her into Cupcake Combat, a reality show. He did it to show how much he loved and supported her but belatedly finds out that if she wins, she will be moving to New York for a year to work in a famous bakery.

The story takes them through Cupcake Combat and to each other. I highly recommend this book! 🙂

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