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I'LL WAIT WITH HER!

1/13/2019

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Let's talk about the hidden gem that is Amy Daws. Okay, maybe she's not really a hidden gem and I've just been living under a rock, however I've just discovered her and I can say without a doubt... I AM A FAN! You know how sometimes you see upcoming releases and you throw them in your TBR on GoodReads? Or add them to a Wishlist on Amazon to get to later, when you're broke? Well, that's what happened to me with Wait With Me. I saw it at some point. It looked good. It was added to my TBR and forgotten. How happy I was to find it once again. 

Wait With Me was such a fun read. Kate was a bit of a hot mess and I enjoyed that about her character. All aboard the Hot Mess Express!! Choo Choo!! (I relate to this because this is the zone I live and thrive in) However, as much of a hot mess she is zany, unapologetic for it and I love her.  When she found her mojo at the Tire Depot, nothing kept her from it. No matter how much shit her friends gave her for it. The thing I loved the most about the waiting room of the tire shop is she actually believed she was invisible and no one noticed her. I worked in a garage for ten years. If you're female and in a shop... you will not go unnoticed. End Of. Those idiots notice ALL THE THINGS. They may pretend  they don't, but they do. 

Case in point. Miles. He noticed. How could he not? She's a smoking hot red-head skulking around his shop...eating his cookies and drinking his coffee. Their chemistry was fire. The push and pull of the story was my favorite part. Will they? Wont they? He was the ultimate book boyfriend and everyone knew it. Including him. Miles struggled with what he wanted at times was a little frustrating especially once we got to the good stuff. I wanted him all in. She wanted him all in. The possessive and protective sides of him were super hot and at the same time he had stuff he needed to work out. 

When Kate starts keeping secrets I wasn't even that mad about it. Even though they were technically lies, I still felt the truth in them. Hello! Gray area. I hate lies of omission and here I am trying to help Kate justify them. What is HAPPENING right now? Do you feel the but coming? I do. But I get it in a way. Maybe? (another reason books and real life are different. It's easier to justify things) 

The secondary characters were also great and gave the story so much more to love. It was basically everything you could ever want from a Rom-Com. Five Greasy Stars! It was my gateway drug to Amy's world. I quickly stalked her Insta to find out what else she had up her sleeve and then dove into her backlist for more. 

XX-Vanessa




#AmyDaws
#WaitWithMe
​#RomCom

All

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LETS GIVE IT UP FOR LUNA AND RIP!!

1/11/2019

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Luna The Lie- Mariana Zapata. 

Let's talk about MZ for a minute shall we? I fell ass over tits for this woman and her mad skills because of a bunch of Penny Reid Fans. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a hardcore Reider. Or a Shark for those of you who are in the know. I'd never heard of Mariana Zapata but let me tell you something about this woman if this is your first time coming across her work... She is the QUEEN of the slow burn. I'm talking bow your ass down, like Rhianna is all... TAKE A BOW


She's just that good. Anyway, these incredible women fawned all over MZ and said if you want to read something amazing, read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. I looked it up and that was it. I was hooked. Not only was the heroine named Vanessa, I mean huzzah... It was fate. The characters were fantastic. After that, I devoured everything she had and waited on baited breath until she released something new. So, when I saw someone mention she was releasing Luna and the Lie, I stalked The Zon and her page waiting impatiently for it to come out. It was RIGHT up my alley. As a retired mechanic, a female heroine who is a painter in a shop. Um Hello. Sign me the HELL up! 

Luna and Rip had a the kind of chemistry you can expect from one of Mariana's couples. There was tension and angst, but you always knew there was that undercurrent of more. It wasn't insta-love. There was bickering and snark. A back and forth banter that made me smile when she held her ground or bit her tongue with a fake smile. I felt it from the beginning on Rip's side as well as Luna's. He could be as big and imposing as he wanted to in those tight fit compression shirts and scowling face as he wanted to, but he wasn't hiding shit. 

What I liked about their dynamic and the dynamic in the shop is Luna was a respected member of the team. They utilized her for what her talents were and she wasn't degraded because she was a woman in a man's world. Luna was strong and confident in her talents as a painter and took pride in her work. I loved that about her. The vulnerability she showed and the struggles she faced due to her family life and background were a little heart breaking to say the least. What made her strong and capable in one aspect also made her human and real in another. 

Rip was such a mystery to Luna in a lot of ways. She knew a lot about his mannerisms and moods based off what he wore everyday, to how he took his coffee and how their interactions would be, by being observant over the time they'd worked together. What she didn't know was she wasn't the only one watching. It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for. They're the ones who sneak up on you when you least expect it. While he didn't talk a lot and tended to grunt and snort at her instead, his body language spoke volumes. So did his facial expressions. And when he did speak, it was usually something profound. The question was whether or not Luna was actually listening to what he was saying.

Now, while Rip's secrets may have shocked some, they didn't surprise me in the least. I'd figured them all out long before they'd been revealed and was a little annoyed Luna hadn't figured them out sooner herself. But if you look at it through the lens in which the story is told, she had to grow up fast and without a guide. So I get it. It's the way the story had to unfold. This was another win for me from MZ. I loved Luna and the Lie she told. I loved Rip and the favors he did. The story was great. The shop family was great. Easily a Five Star Read from me. 


Until Next Time!
XX-Vanessa 

Check it out Here. 
​
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They Have Families, They Had Names.

12/1/2016

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I like to have fun on my page most days. Typically I do not get too serious. However, this summer I joined a project very close to my heart because of what is happening to the men and women who are brave enough to protect and serve on our streets every day.
As the wife of a man who wore a badge, I know what it's like to have to kiss him goodbye every evening and pray I heard the rip of his velcro from his kevlar vest every morning. It gave me a sense of relief knowing he was home safe one more day. Yet every night in the back of my mind I was always on edge that I would get a knock on my door or a phone call rocking my world. Two years ago I did get a phone call in the middle of the night that knocked me on my ass. He came home to me but he wasn't the same. Our life was no longer the same. And it will never be what it was before that night.
I don't like to get too personal when it comes to my family but I want to share with you WHY this project means so much to me. In July we were on vacation when the news broke out about the Massacre in Texas. My husband broke down. By then there had already been so much bloodshed. When he said 'They're killing us. We're Expendable.' My heart shattered. There was nothing I could do. Words meant nothing. He was hurting and there was no way to comfort him. His brothers and sisters in blue were dying all around him and he was helpless in the fight. During the month of July alone, nineteen lives were taken. NINETEEN!
So when the opportunity came along for me to join #BleedBlue69 I jumped at the chance. It was the only thing I could do to help. I am a writer. I create fictional worlds that help people escape. When they said 100% of the proceeds from the book will go to the families of fallen officers I smiled for the first time in a long time. It was a way I could help. It was a way I could bring something real to a fictional world where other wives could nod and understand what a day in the life is like. It was a way I could fight for my husband when his hands were tied.
In 2016 there have been 127 Officers who haven't come home to their families and 30 K-9 deaths. Let that sink in for a minute. 127 families forever changed. Children growing up without a parent. Spouses forced to raise their families alone. Parents burying their children before their time. Siblings no longer having each other.
This isn't a political post. (So don't be nasty. Those comments will be blocked and deleted.) This is about people. This is about us stepping up and helping the loved ones of the fallen.
Do you want to help? For only 0.99 you can buy a copy of Bleed Blue 69 and 100% of the proceeds will go to the families of fallen officers. Twenty-five authors have joined forces to bring you their stories—some sweet, some dangerously hot—but all for a great cause.
Pre-order for 99 pennies! 
Amazon: myBook.to/BleedBlue69 
iTunes: http://apple.co/2cHoDMl 
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2cI72Ut
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2cGqCAh
There is a reason we are doing this. These aren't just nameless, faceless people. They were someone. They have families. They had names. Take the time to read them. 
<3 Xo- Vanessa
#BB69 #BooksForACause #99pennies #preorder #charity
Arlington County Police Department, Virginia 
Corporal Harvey Snook, III
Arlington County Police Department, VA
EOW: Thursday, January 14, 2016
Cause of Death: 9/11 related illness
Danville Police Department, Ohio 
Police Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr.
Danville Police Department, OH
EOW: Sunday, January 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, Utah 
Police Officer Douglas Scott Barney, II.
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, UT
EOW: Sunday, January 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Marion County Sheriff's Office, Illinois 
Correctional Officer Adam Conrad
Marion County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Government 
Special Agent Scott McGuire
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Seaside Police Department, Oregon 
Sergeant Jason Goodding
Seaside Police Department, OR
EOW: Friday, February 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Colorado 
Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer
Mesa County Sheriff's Office, CO
EOW: Monday, February 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Tulare County Sheriff's Office, California 
Deputy Sheriff Scott Ballantyne
Tulare County Sheriff's Office, CA
EOW: Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Harford County Sheriff's Office, Maryland 
Senior Deputy Mark F. Logsdon
Harford County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Harford County Sheriff's Office, Maryland 
Senior Deputy Patrick B. Dailey
Harford County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Riverdale Police Department, Georgia 
Major Gregory E. Barney
Riverdale Police Department, GA
EOW: Thursday, February 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Fargo Police Department, North Dakota 
Police Officer Jason Moszer
Fargo Police Department, ND
EOW: Thursday, February 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi 
Special Agent Lee Tartt
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics, MS
EOW: Saturday, February 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Park County Sheriff's Office, Colorado 
Corporal Nate Carrigan
Park County Sheriff's Office, CO
EOW: Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Prince William County Police Department, Virginia 
Officer Ashley Marie Guindon
Prince William County Police Department, VA
EOW: Saturday, February 27, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado 
Deputy Sheriff Travis Russell
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, CO
EOW: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Euless Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer David Stefan Hofer
Euless Police Department, TX
EOW: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
South Jacksonville Police Department, Illinois 
Police Officer Scot Fitzgerald
South Jacksonville Police Department, IL
EOW: Friday, March 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
New Jersey State Police, New Jersey 
Trooper Sean E. Cullen
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Florida 
Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila, Jr.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Saturday, March 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
California Highway Patrol, California 
Officer Nathan Taylor
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: Sunday, March 13, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Prince George's County Police Department, Maryland 
Police Officer I Jacai D. Colson
Prince George's County Police Department, MD
EOW: Sunday, March 13, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
El Paso Police Department, Texas 
Patrolman David Ortiz
El Paso Police Department, TX
EOW: Monday, March 14, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
West Virginia State Police, West Virginia 
First Sergeant Joseph G. Portaro
West Virginia State Police, WV
EOW: Monday, March 14, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts 
Trooper Thomas L. Clardy
Massachusetts State Police, MA
EOW: Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Greenville Police Department, South Carolina 
Police Officer III Allen Lee Jacobs
Greenville Police Department, SC
EOW: Friday, March 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Howard County Sheriff's Office, Indiana 
Deputy Sheriff Carl A. Koontz
Howard County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: Sunday, March 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Des Moines Police Department, Iowa 
Police Officer Susan Louise Farrell
Des Moines Police Department, IA
EOW: Saturday, March 26, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Des Moines Police Department, Iowa 
Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales
Des Moines Police Department, IA
EOW: Saturday, March 26, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas 
Trooper Jeffrey Nichols
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: Saturday, March 26, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Virginia State Police, Virginia 
Trooper Chad Phillip Dermyer
Virginia State Police, VA
EOW: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Columbus Division of Police, Ohio 
Police Officer Steven Michael Smith
Columbus Division of Police, OH
EOW: Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government 
Border Patrol Agent Jose Daniel Barraza
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: Monday, April 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Florida Department of Corrections, Florida 
Sergeant Jorge Ramos
Florida Department of Corrections, FL
EOW: Sunday, May 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Georgia 
Investigator Anthony "TJ" Freeman
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: Thursday, May 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Kansas City Police Department, Kansas 
Detective Brad D. Lancaster
Kansas City Police Department, KS
EOW: Monday, May 9, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Phoenix Police Department, Arizona 
Police Officer David Van Glasser
Phoenix Police Department, AZ
EOW: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Hilliard Division of Police, Ohio 
Police Officer Sean Richard Johnson
Hilliard Division of Police, OH
EOW: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Auburn Police Department, Massachusetts 
Police Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr.
Auburn Police Department, MA
EOW: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Branch County Sheriff's Office, Michigan 
Deputy Sheriff Michael Arthur Winter
Branch County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Animal related
Winnsboro Police Department, Louisiana 
Sergeant Derrick Mingo
Winnsboro Police Department, LA
EOW: Saturday, June 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Memphis Police Department, Tennessee 
Police Officer Verdell Smith, Sr
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: Saturday, June 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana 
Police Officer Natasha Maria Hunter
New Orleans Police Department, LA
EOW: Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Government 
Deportation Officer Brian Beliso
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, US
EOW: Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Pearland Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Endy Nddiobong Ekpanya
Pearland Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, June 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
San Jose Police Department, California 
Police Officer Michael Jason Katherman
San Jose Police Department, CA
EOW: Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Gainesboro Police Department, Tennessee 
Police Officer Zachary Tyler Larnerd
Gainesboro Police Department, TN
EOW: Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Patton Village Police Department, Texas 
Sergeant Stacey Allen Baumgartner
Patton Village Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, June 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana 
Deputy Sheriff David Francis Michel, Jr.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Humphreys County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee 
Deputy Sheriff Martin Tase Sturgill, II
Humphreys County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: Thursday, June 30, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Sterlington Police Department, Louisiana 
Sergeant David Kyle Elahi
Sterlington Police Department, LA
EOW: Sunday, July 3, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
St. Francois County Sheriff's Office, Missouri 
Deputy Sheriff Paul Clark
St. Francois County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: Monday, July 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Southern Methodist University Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Calvin "Mark" McCullers
Southern Methodist University Police Department, TX
EOW: Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Drowned
Dallas Police Department, Texas 
Senior Corporal Lorne Bradley Ahrens
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Dallas Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Michael Leslie Krol
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Dallas Police Department, Texas 
Sergeant Michael Joseph Smith
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Dallas Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Patricio E. Zamarripa
Dallas Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Brent Alan Thompson
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Town of Salem Department of Public Safety, Wisconsin 
Public Safety Officer Michael Joshua Ventura
Town of Salem Department of Public Safety, WI
EOW: Friday, July 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Berrien County Sheriff's Department, Michigan 
Security Supervisor Joseph P. Zangaro
Berrien County Sheriff's Department, MI
EOW: Monday, July 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Berrien County Sheriff's Department, Michigan 
Court Officer Ronald Eugene Kienzle
Berrien County Sheriff's Department, MI
EOW: Monday, July 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Bellaire Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Marco Antonio Zarate
Bellaire Police Department, TX
EOW: Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas 
Corrections Officer Mari Johnson
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, TX
EOW: Saturday, July 16, 2016
Cause of Death: Assault
Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana 
Corporal Montrell Lyle Jackson
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: Sunday, July 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana 
Deputy Sheriff Bradford Allen Garafola
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: Sunday, July 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana 
Police Officer Matthew Lane Gerald
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: Sunday, July 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Pennsylvania 
Correctional Officer Kristopher D. Moules
Luzerne County Correctional Facility, PA
EOW: Monday, July 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Assault
Kansas City Police Department, Kansas 
Captain Robert David Melton
Kansas City Police Department, KS
EOW: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
San Diego Police Department, California 
Police Officer Jonathan M. DeGuzman
San Diego Police Department, CA
EOW: Thursday, July 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
West Des Moines Police Department, Iowa 
Sergeant Shawn Miller
West Des Moines Police Department, IA
EOW: Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Amarillo Police Department, Texas 
Police Officer Justin Scherlen
Amarillo Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, August 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee 
Special Agent De'Greaun Frazier
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, TN
EOW: Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sebastian County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas 
Corporal Bill Cooper
Sebastian County Sheriff's Office, AR
EOW: Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government 
Border Patrol Agent Manuel Alvarez
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: Thursday, August 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Hatch Police Department, New Mexico 
Police Officer Jose Ismael Chavez
Hatch Police Department, NM
EOW: Friday, August 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Eastman Police Department, Georgia 
Police Officer Timothy Kevin Smith
Eastman Police Department, GA
EOW: Saturday, August 13, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Fenton Police Department, Louisiana 
Police Officer Shannon Brown
Fenton Police Department, LA
EOW: Saturday, August 13, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Maryville Police Department, Tennessee 
Police Officer Kenneth Ray Moats
Maryville Police Department, TN
EOW: Thursday, August 25, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Navajo Division of Public Safety, Tribal Police 
Senior Police Officer Leander Frank
Navajo Division of Public Safety, TR
EOW: Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Alamogordo Police Department, New Mexico 
Police Officer Clint Corvinus
Alamogordo Police Department, NM
EOW: Friday, September 2, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Austin Police Department, Texas 
Senior Police Officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq
Austin Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, September 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico 
Lieutenant Waldemar Rivera-Santiago
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: Monday, September 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
Eastland County Sheriff's Office, Texas 
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Hubert Maltby
Eastland County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Kansas 
Master Deputy Sheriff Brandon Collins
Johnson County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: Sunday, September 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Shelby Police Department, North Carolina 
K9 Officer Timothy James Brackeen
Shelby Police Department, NC
EOW: Monday, September 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
McCrory Police Department, Arkansas 
Police Officer Robert Aaron Barker
McCrory Police Department, AR
EOW: Thursday, September 15, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Cook County Sheriff's Police Department, Illinois 
Patrol Officer Jason Gallero
Cook County Sheriff's Police Department, IL
EOW: Thursday, September 15, 2016
Cause of Death: Duty related illness
Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio 
Trooper Kenneth V. Velez
Ohio State Highway Patrol, OH
EOW: Thursday, September 15, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama 
Correctional Officer Kenneth Bettis
Alabama Department of Corrections, AL
EOW: Friday, September 16, 2016
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Detroit Police Department, Michigan 
Sergeant Kenneth Steil
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: Saturday, September 17, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, New York 
Sergeant Kerry Winters
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: Thursday, September 22, 2016
Cause of Death: Drowned
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico 
Agent Edwin Pabón-Robles
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: Friday, September 23, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania 
Corrections Officer David M. Weaver
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, PA
EOW: Monday, September 26, 2016
Cause of Death: Fall
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina 
Deputy Sheriff John Thomas Isenhour
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Gregg County Sheriff's Office, Texas 
Corporal Robert Eugene Ransom
Gregg County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: Friday, September 30, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California 
Sergeant Steve Owen
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
New York State Police, New York 
Investigator Paul R. Stuewer
New York State Police, NY
EOW: Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Cause of Death: 9/11 related illness
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico 
Agent Victor Rosado-Rosa
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
St. Louis County Police Department, Missouri 
Police Officer Blake Curtis Snyder
St. Louis County Police Department, MO
EOW: Thursday, October 6, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Palm Springs Police Department, California 
Police Officer Lesley Zerebny
Palm Springs Police Department, CA
EOW: Saturday, October 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Palm Springs Police Department, California 
Police Officer Jose Gilbert Vega
Palm Springs Police Department, CA
EOW: Saturday, October 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico 
Sergeant Luis A. Meléndez-Maldonado
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Chesapeake Police Department, Ohio 
Police Officer Aaron J. Christian
Chesapeake Police Department, OH
EOW: Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Modoc County Sheriff's Office, California 
Deputy Sheriff Jack Hopkins
Modoc County Sheriff's Office, CA
EOW: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California 
Sergeant Alfonso Lopez
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: Monday, October 24, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
New York State Police, New York 
Trooper Timothy P. Pratt
New York State Police, NY
EOW: Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Fairbanks Police Department, Alaska 
Sergeant Allen Brandt
Fairbanks Police Department, AK
EOW: Friday, October 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Chester Police Department, Illinois 
Police Officer James Brockmeyer
Chester Police Department, IL
EOW: Friday, October 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Detroit Police Department, Michigan 
Police Officer Myron Jarrett
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: Friday, October 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin 
Deputy Sheriff Dan Glaze
Rusk County Sheriff's Office, WI
EOW: Saturday, October 29, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Fresno County Sheriff's Office, California 
Sergeant Rod Lucas
Fresno County Sheriff's Office, CA
EOW: Monday, October 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Florida 
Deputy Sheriff Scott Williams
Taylor County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Monday, October 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Miami Police Department, Florida 
Police Officer Jorge Sanchez
Miami Police Department, FL
EOW: Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Urbandale Police Department, Iowa 
Police Officer Justin Scott Martin
Urbandale Police Department, IA
EOW: Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Des Moines Police Department, Iowa 
Sergeant Anthony David Beminio
Des Moines Police Department, IA
EOW: Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
New York City Police Department, New York 
Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: Friday, November 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Peach County Sheriff's Office, Georgia 
Sergeant Patrick Sondron
Peach County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: Sunday, November 6, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
West Valley City Police Department, Utah 
Police Officer Cody Brotherson
West Valley City Police Department, UT
EOW: Sunday, November 6, 2016
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Show Low Police Department, Arizona 
Police Officer Darrin Reed
Show Low Police Department, AZ
EOW: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Peach County Sheriff's Office, Georgia 
Deputy Sheriff Daryl Smallwood
Peach County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana 
Police Officer Jude Williams Lewis
New Orleans Police Department, LA
EOW: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Canonsburg Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania 
Police Officer Scott Leslie Bashioum
Canonsburg Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: Thursday, November 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, California 
Deputy Sheriff Dennis Wallace
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: Sunday, November 13, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Newton County Sheriff's Office, Georgia 
Deputy Sheriff Justin White
Newton County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government 
Border Patrol Agent David Gomez
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Cause of Death: Heart attack
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government 
Deputy Commander Patrick Carothers
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US
EOW: Friday, November 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
San Antonio Police Department, Texas 
Detective Benjamin Marconi
San Antonio Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, November 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, California 
K9 Jojo
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Cause of Death: Asphyxiation
Canton Police Department, Ohio 
K9 Jethro
Canton Police Department, OH
EOW: Sunday, January 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Norfolk Police Department, Virginia 
K9 Krijger
Norfolk Police Department, VA
EOW: Monday, January 11, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Smith County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, Texas 
K9 Ogar
Smith County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, TX
EOW: Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Twin Rivers Unified School District Police Department, California 
K9 Jag
Twin Rivers Unified School District Police Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Omaha Police Department, Nebraska 
K9 Kobus
Omaha Police Department, NE
EOW: Saturday, January 23, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Rutland County Sheriff's Office, Vermont 
K9 Betcha
Rutland County Sheriff's Office, VT
EOW: Friday, January 29, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania 
K9 Aren
Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department, PA
EOW: Sunday, January 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee 
K9 Vigor
Monroe County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Cause of Death: Drowned
Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Washington 
K9 Reefer
Chelan County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada 
K9 Nicky
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, Utah 
K9 Aldo
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, UT
EOW: Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Anaheim Police Department, California 
K9 Bruno
Anaheim Police Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Westchester County Department of Public Safety, New York 
K9 Suki
Westchester County Department of Public Safety, NY
EOW: Friday, May 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
La Salle County Sheriff's Office, Texas 
K9 Ledger
La Salle County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: Sunday, May 29, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Richland Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana 
K9 Duke
Richland Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
San Juan Police Department, Texas 
K9 Rex
San Juan Police Department, TX
EOW: Thursday, June 2, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Cherokee County School District Police Department, Georgia 
K9 Inca
Cherokee County School District Police Department, GA
EOW: Friday, June 10, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Amarillo Police Department, Texas 
K9 Bruno
Amarillo Police Department, TX
EOW: Sunday, June 12, 2016
Cause of Death: Accidental
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government 
K9 Lazer
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: Monday, June 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Fountain County Sheriff's Office, Indiana 
K9 Tyson
Fountain County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: Monday, June 27, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Long Beach Police Department, California 
K9 Credo
Long Beach Police Department, CA
EOW: Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Emmett Police Department, Idaho 
K9 Roscoe
Emmett Police Department, ID
EOW: Friday, July 1, 2016
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania 
K9 Totti
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, PA
EOW: Thursday, July 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Arlington Police Department, Texas 
K9 Mojo
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Stephens County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma 
K9 Bak
Stephens County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: Thursday, August 4, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Kingman Police Department, Arizona 
K9 Amigo
Kingman Police Department, AZ
EOW: Saturday, August 20, 2016
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
California City Police Department, California 
K9 Ty Vom Friedrichsfelder Eck
California City Police Department, CA
EOW: Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Cause of Death: Assault
Alaska State Troopers, Alaska 
K9 Helo
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: Sunday, September 25, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Boise Police Department, Idaho 
K9 Jardo
Boise Police Department, ID
EOW: Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Cause of Death: Gunfire
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HOW SUBJECTIVE ARE YOU?

8/16/2016

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​So my two best friends, co-bloggers at my daily romance books and fellow authors got together this weekend at a writers retreat. We traveled far and wide to see each other in person because it just doesn't happen often enough. We live in three different states. Florida, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. And even though we talk from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, like all day, every day since the beginning of forever (more like a few years, but get off my back. They're small details when you think of our friendship) there's nothing better than being able to give your BFFs big squishy hugs or force them to smile in public with the ramblings you yell out. Or flash the other one on a balcony and then realize someone else on another balcony saw you. That didn't really happen or anything...) 

Anyway... We talk. About everything but our main focus is everything books, and what we like to read. We gush about new finds and old favorites. I read more than they do, but they're more functional as adults than I am. While they're ruling the world, I'm wearing the same pair of yoga pants for the fourth day with a stack of finished books next to me and I smell like Lionel but you know what? It's all about priorities and maybe one they'll get theirs straight. Pfft.

We don't always like to read the same things. But once in a while we'll gang up on the lone woman out and force them to read something we both loved.  Like we did to Josie with THIS MAN. Jenni and I love us some Jesse Ward. The book is ridiculous when you translate it to real world happenings. I get it. I remember reading it after Jenni told me I needed to and texting her as I read saying shit like, "I would murder him in his sleep if he ever tried that shit with me," and then ten minutes later if be all, "Hell yeah! Throw me against the wall! Woo!" 
It's fiction and I love that is can be off the wall in fiction. I don't think about the logics of all real world things while I'm reading because I know it's a book. My main goal is to be entertained. 

The good thing about the three of us is the debates these books bring. They get heated. We make our cases and stand by our leading men. Or we bash the ones we hate into eternity. Jenni just wants Jesse to carry her like a monkey. I'm cool with that. I want to be manhandled. Josie thinks we're both fucking nuts and slapped a big DNF on that bad boy when she got to a pivotal scene and told us both to fuck off. Honestly. I'm surprised there weren't like 15 memes to follow it up and a bunch of gifs. Our friendship is strong and that's how we are. We tell each other to fuck off with ridiculous memes multiple times a day and move on to the next topic. No one gets butt hurt because their opinion was honest and not the same as our own. I laughed at her reaction. 

I wasn't offended by it because hey it's her take on it. Just more Jesse for Jenni and I to wrestle over. In the end, it all comes down to knowing what you like and respecting that not everyone else will feel the same. XO- Vanessa

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BRANDED LIKE A COW...

8/16/2016

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Everyone has been talking about branding for quite a while and I just nodded and ‘mmhmmed’ without really thinking about it. What I had before was a half ass brand. I wasn’t fully committed to it or what it was all about. I watched other big authors brand themselves, my friends were doing it and then I got off my lazy ass and watched Rachel Hollis’ class about branding. She said something that made all of the gears click together in my brain and start turning like a well-oiled machine.

“The cattle rancher is going to look at the brand on the side of the cow to know who the cow belongs to. That’s branding. When you can look at something and immediately know- That’s my cow.” – Rachel Hollis
I had an author logo and I loved it. While it had elements that I felt helped define me and my amazing designer did exactly what I asked her to… something didn’t sit right. I wanted a sleeved Rosie the riveter and I thought yup, that’s me. I have a huge Rosie tattoo on my inner bicep, I’m heavily tattooed, I was a mechanic for ten years and I love what that icon stands for. But somewhere deep down it didn’t feel quite authentic and maybe because that is only a small part of who I am.

While I watched Rachel’s video the first thing she said was:

Be authentic.

It was as if I was trying too hard to be cool and relevant with the overdone Rosie. Let’s face it, every rockabilly chick out there has a thing for Rosie the Riveter. So how do I stand apart from everyone else? How did this logo and this brand say anything about being a chronic reader who also enjoys writing?

I am part retro-obsessed/part nerd/part tattooed rebel/part snarky and sarcastic nut and part bookworm. How could I throw that all into a giant bowl and make that work for me in all areas? I had no idea. Talk about sounding like the world’s worst tattoo client — strolling in off the street saying I want all these elements in a two-inch space. They’d laugh in your face and throw your ass out the door. None of this even came down to me reaching deep and finding out who I am. Do you want to know the truth? My best friend was playing with something for her own logo and for our blog when she showed me what she’d made to represent me.

I fell in love immediately. Maybe it takes someone who knows you a little better than you know yourself to help you navigate your way back to who you are. The avatar she created for herself is to die for and it encompasses everything she is. Somehow she managed to capture that for me as well. 

Over at My Daily Romance, we’ve been working on ideas for the brand of our blog for a while and Jenni Moen has come up with something fabulous. Jenni and Josie Bordeaux are the visually creative ones while I’m more design impaired. They carry my dead weight when it comes to that stuff. We decided cross promotion between that blog and our individual pages would be a great way to go.

Saturday, I made the leap and now I finally feel like I found something authentic. (It’s all her doing.) I wear glasses most days because I’m too lazy to fool with my contacts and they’re my security blanket. My nose is always stuck in a book, and I don’t smile often. A symbol of a heart encompasses all I’ve been through with my health and I use one every time I sign something. The font looks exactly like my signature. My new logo couldn’t be more perfect.

I belong to a few author groups and in one of them, branding as a topic comes up often. One author posted about not knowing where she fit in or how to market because she wrote in different genres. Another prominent author took a look at her website and replied she had no specific brand.

After thinking about it for a while, I thought Oh shit. I have the same exact issue. I have books in different genres but then I realized they all fit under the umbrella of my brand ‘Sass, snark and a dash of romance’. Each of them has all of those elements.
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So I finally feel like I’m moving forward because I figured out who I am as a blogger (I use that term loosely) and writer… What I want my voice to be and how I’m going to do this writing gig. All of my books are being reformatted and it’s exciting to feel like I’m actually putting “my stamp” on them.
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BOOKWORM PROBLEMS.

8/16/2016

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2016 has started off with a healthy (my daughter says otherwise) obsession with fictional characters. I’ve been on a binge read since the beginning of the year, making my way through popular series who have taken the world by storm. They’ve sucked me in and spit me out at the end, not knowing which way was up.

On more than one occasion I’ve wondered how will I go on? What am I going to do with myself now that it’s over? Some book hangovers are of epic proportions and nothing else on deck appears like it could fill the void. If you’re a fellow bookworm, I don’t have to explain any of this to you. You understand. We’ve all traveled and lived many lives through the power of the written world.

The funny thing is trying to explain this to non-readers. My husband asks me constantly: 

“How do you read so much?”

The answer is simple. I would rather read than do anything else. Maybe there are other hobbies out there, I doubt it, but they will never compare to a good book. The goal I’ve set for this year is to devour ten books a month. Which isn’t really a lot… but that keeps me from being completely consumed by a fictional realm and forgetting things I have to do — like be a wife and mom, write a few books and be an all around functional human. The last bit is questionable at best, but hey I’m not trying to impress anyone.

No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I have at least one book with me. Typically, I don’t leave the house without my kindle and a paperback. The few times I have, I felt naked. If someone else is driving — I’m reading. My family complains I am the worst travel partner ever. If we have to wait anywhere, my nose is stuck in a book. The other night we went to go see Allegiant and I was in the middle of reading Stars Above fromThe Lunar Chronicles. During the previews — I read. I can’t help it. It’s a problem I don’t really see as a problem.

#SorryNotSorry

I finished The Lunar Chronicles last night … all 3,072 pages of it and there is a stack of new loves waiting for me to fall for, but I can’t bring myself to move on yet.
Maybe tomorrow.
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CALLING ON FLAWED AND DAMAGED CHARACTERS.

8/16/2016

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I don’t know about you, but I love nothing more than reading about flawed characters. Through their pain and misfortune, we as readers are able to connect to them on a real level within a fictional realm. No one’s life is perfect and if they say it is, they’re a liar. Our imperfections and perceived flaws make us who we are. There is no difference when it comes to fictional characters, or as far as I’m concerned there shouldn’t be.

When I can connect on a level of brokenness with a literary hero or heroine, it opens the floodgates of emotion, making me step into their world one page at a time. Sure there are so many angst-filled books out there, but some of them lack the depth of reality.

“I read to escape my mundane or chaotic everyday life.”

No shit. So do I. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be on the same level with a character in some way through their pain. I’m sure we’ve all experienced pain in one way, shape, or form. It may not have to be in the same context in order to have sympathy for someone else. I’ve never had cancer nor has anyone in my immediate circle, but when my best friend told us her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I immediately made a care package to send to them both. Was it actually helpful? Who knows. The one thing I do know is it raised their spirits– if only for a moment. I felt a level of sympathy with them that even though I had no experience of that issue, I know what it’s like to be sick and afraid.

Whether a character is ill, a victim of abuse, dealing with loss, tragedy or any other form of grief, it makes them better, full of depth and real. Maybe I’m a little morbid because I want to connect with characters through their pain, but if I can walk in their shoes through their sorrows that only lifts my spirit when they experience joys.
​

Reading is such a subjective thing and they say no two people read the same book. We all have our opinions on what we like to read, when and why. I’m a mood reader. That can take me from something gut wrenching and have me blubbering like an idiot to reading a rom-com, grinning so hard my cheeks ache. I’ve lived a thousand lives and traveled a million miles through the eyes of other characters and their journeys. This is why I read. It’s a part of who I am. What about you?
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FALL IN LOVE WITH A BOOK…FALL IN LOVE WITH THE AUTHOR.

8/16/2016

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The next feature I want to talk about can’t even be summed up into one book. It’s more about the author and the obsession I now have with her. So I may not have reached stalker status quite yet but, give me time. One day, I will force her to be my friend. (If she ever reads this she will probably start filling out the restraining order immediately.)

​This is really another case of me seeing her name thrown around a lot in the indie community, but never really putting on my inspector gadget hat to do any further investigation.

How stupid was I? But then I saw the cover of the first book I want to talk about and everything about it made me gigglesnort, elated and just down right giddy. The cover alone told me everything I needed to know to capture my interest and sent me scrambling to Amazon. I one-clicked before I ever read the blurb.


Go ahead. Take a gander.
I’ll wait.
Oh, and make sure you look closely…  At everything.
Okay, seriously? Wipe the drool off your mouth. Be a lady! We can openly gawk, but you don’t have to be disgusting about it. 
You just went and one-clicked didn’t you?
Yes, yes you did ya’ liar!

Here’s why I don’t blame you, nothing about this book disappointed me. Not only was it a sports story which I’m finding I enjoy more and more with every read, but I found it refreshing. It was snarky and funny and the shy girl got to make fun of the hot guy.


How awesome is that? Total freaking roll reversal from every 80’s to late 90’s movie out there.
This wasn’t Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles. (I’m not hating on Molly Ringwald. She’s my girl and no there’s no restraining order there either, or is there?) Here, the nerdy girl doesn’t get the guy because he just never noticed her before. Oh, no no. In this story, our heroine owns the hero from the second she lays her eyes on him, he just doesn’t know it yet… Dun, dun, dun!!!!  


Okay, it’s obviously more subtle than that… but you get my drift.
While I read this story, I laughed my ass off and I also fell in love with Penny Reid. She and LH Cosway together are pure magic. Sure, I’ve read plenty of books that have made me smirk or smile, however, nothing has ever made me laugh out loud the way this did. When you have a sweet character with a foul mouth like Annie, nothing makes me happier.

The Hooker and The Hermit had everything I needed. Equal parts hilarious and angst. As far as I’m concerned, the balance was utter perfection.

So if you haven’t read this gem yet… Get off your butt and do it. I promise you won’t regret it.
Check it out here 
I’m sure you’re wondering why I consider myself a stalker after reading one book right? Well, as soon as I finished reading The Hooker and The Hermit, I ran my happy, large, cookie eating ass right back to Amazon and one clicked the first book of Penny’s Knitting in the City Series, Neanderthal Seeks Human. It’s free. I had nothing to lose. There was no risk. I already adored a title she co-penned, surely this one would be just as awesome, if not more so. Once again I found myself clapping like a seal who’d just found the very last fish in the sea.

My husband told me he was left to fend for himself over the next week as I devoured every available book Penny had in her series. That was a total of 1,913 pages in a matter of eight days. For me, that’s a damn accomplishment and I deserve a medal. Thank you. Thank you very much.

When an author can create a group of friends so tight knit (Tehehe, see what I did there Shark fans?) and make each character so three-dimensional you wish you could jump right into the story and be a part of this crazy group of friends, that’s something special. These may just be fictional characters to some but, to Penny fans, they’re real. 

I now care deeply about Quinn, my favorite quirky lovable Janie, hard as nails Elizabeth, No-nonsense Sandra, Sweet and loveable Ashley, Smart and fiesty Kat, and I’ll kick your ass mama-bear, Fiona. They all come with hunky men we come to love in the forms of Nico, Alex, Drew, Dan the security man and Greg. If you could ever belong to a group of people, these are the people you would want in your corner. End of! 

Each book follows a different girl from their merry group of awesome on her quest for love and self-discovery. Penny is my drug of choice when it comes to Rom-Com. She was my first introduction into the genre and I have to say no others have been able to top her genius. A lot of the time when you read a book with big words or trivia in it, it makes you feel stupid, but after every book I read of hers I come to realize two things.
  1. Penny Reid must have a Mensa level IQ. If she hasn’t taken the test I call shenanigans and say it’s because she doesn’t want to make anyone feel bad about themselves. If there was an island where she was the leader, I would gladly be a minion. How about you?
  2. I learn something. Janine, for example, from Neanderthal Seeks Human, rambles useless trivia when she gets anxious or nervous and can’t handle normal social interactions. Every time she does this, I not only love her more and want to be her, but I walked away a little taller because not only did I enjoy a fiction story, I learned something too.
This is where your journey to your own obsession with all things Penny will begin. You can thank me later. Seriously.
You’ll wish you were Janie and Quinn was your leading man.

You’ll never get enough of these two. 

The push and pull between Elizabeth and Nico will have you pulling and pushing at the pages to find out what happens next.
Sandra and Alex made me believe in the unbelievable.
Ashley and Drew pulled on my heartstring until they broke and the Winston brothers strung everything back together again. (My new neighbors are named Drew and Ashley. This is a sign Penny and I should be BFF’s!)
I can’t wait for this freaking book!!!! Fiona, I can’t wait to know ALL your secrets!!!
And finally we have the one thing Penny fans couldn’t get enough of. A series of short stories with all of our favorite couples. Huzzah! Plus it gave us what we’ve all wanted. Fiona and Greg.
Now that we’re all caught up on our knitting let’s just move over to another fast favorite of mine.
I was getting ready to jump on a flight to Las Vegas and I wanted to load my kindle with plenty to read. Flying is not my favorite thing in the world, and I never dig having my personal space cramped by strangers. The illusion of seclusion with my noise canceling headphones and my kindle are a sign that say, “Piss off.”
My charger was packed, I had two paperbacks in my purse as a backup, the problem was I just didn’t know what I wanted to download. And then I saw Penny was releasing a serial called the ELEMENTS OF CHEMISTRY. Instantly I downloaded the first book, ATTRACTION which was available and pre-ordered HEAT. They both arrived on my kindle the day we left town.
Immediately I was sucked in by Kaitlyn and Martin and this aggravated my husband, who loves to talk on planes. Sorry, babe but a girl has to get her read on! While he made excited, mindless chit-chat about my hometown with the woman on the other side of me, I ignored them both and devoured the first book. Playing tourist isn’t high on my priority list when we visit Vegas, but the hubbz still gets caught up in all the hub-ub the city has to offer. Other than seeing my sister, all I could think about was what happened next with my new favorite duo.
I finished HEAT and was dying from the epic cliffhanger Penny left us with. CAPTURE wasn’t going to be released for another couple of weeks and I thought I was going to die. (She warned of the cliffy, I knew what I was getting into but I’m a complainer anyway.) Now, let’s be real here. Penny did us a huge solid by releasing a few weeks apart and not making us wait months for the next part, but I’m more impatient than my two-year-old and I want it now! 
A few weeks later the last book popped up on my kindle and I squealed in delight like a pig whose family decided they no longer liked bacon. (Chumps. Bacon is next to Godliness. I’m kidding. Not really? You don’t mess with a lady’s bacon.) Kaitlyn and Martin had all the feels and just as much laughter as you’re used to with any Penny book. So, if you’re slacking and haven’t picked these gems up yet, do it to it. And the best part is you don’t have to wait, they’re all available for mass consumption!
And finally let me tell you about an amazing set of brothers you were first introduced to in the Knitting in the City Series.
The Winston Brothers.
The first book in the series TRUTH OR BEARD follows Jessica James and the beautiful, ginger bearded, twin Winston brothers, Beau, and Duane. Mistaken Identities, infatuation, first love, over-protective families, and a biker gang?
Um Hello? Is your clicky finger primed and ready?
You won’t be sorry.
Your status as a bonafide Penny freak will be complete for the time being.
And you will thank me for yelling about so much awesome in one place!
Get your laugh on.  Xo- Vanessa.

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THAT NEW AUTHOR YOU FALL FOR…

8/16/2016

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I blog, but I’m no blogger. I couldn’t even begin to hold any of their jockstraps. Granted, do they even make lady jockstraps? Is this a thing? This post is already going sideways, see how easily I get distracted? Ooh, shiny syndrome. I have it. Squirrel! Anyway, If you are a blogger, thank you for all that you do.
Back to the point of this whole she-bang. Have you ever read that one book that just stays with you long after you’ve finished? Well, while I was playing around with my very neglected website I remembered my ‘Indie Love’ section and how unloved it’s been. Bad, bad Nessie. The entire idea behind this section was to scream about all the things I love because Lord knows I have a big mouth. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Last year I saw was scrolling in one of my author groups when I came across a post about a taboo book with a priest.

I was all over that like a fly on shit! So, immediately I stalked the author and forced her to be my friend. You think I’m kidding, but really, that’s how it went down. (And yes she’s still my friend and we stalk each other equally now, so there) She sent me an ARC and I was rocking in a corner sobbing after the first chapter.

This chick didn’t know me from Adam yet, but she wanted me to tell her what I really thought. Hah. Big mistake to tell me that. My mama raised me to be opinionated. Whether or not this is a good thing? I think it depends on who you ask. haha. The jury may still be out. Anywho, I think I messaged her while I read the entire thing. She got a kick out of every one of my reactions. You ever get that wide range of emotions while you’re reading and you’re not sure whether you’re coming or going?

Five minutes later I was like Holy Shit Batman what just happened?

And then for a little while everything is good and happy again.

And then you get your teeth kicked in. All of the air in your lungs is purged from your body and your jaw is scraping the floor like a caveman dragging his club.

So after the most epic plot twist in the history of plot twists, ever (no spoilers here and yes I’m being cryptic for a reason) I sat back for a while (It took me a week to wrap my head around this book) and started thinking about what it took to weave this story together the way she did.

My conclusion? She's a damn genius. 

​I don’t want to go into details about characters or what the story is about because I think it would give too much away. I wanted to share more of my reading experience with you. This story was such an emotional rollercoaster I ran to Amazon and bought everything else she had because I couldn’t get enough of her writing. I love when an author can do that. Evoke raw emotion in me and two years later I can sit here and remember what it was like to read that book for the first time.
So, if you love books that take you on a journey you never saw coming. Something that will be completely different than what you think it will be going into it and is 100% thought provoking… You need to meet Jenni Moen and read With The Father.

I hope you smile, gasp, cry your eyes and bask in the brilliance of this book. Then we can we can discuss all the finer details once you’re in the know!
Xo- Vanessa
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HOT MALE AUTHORS…IN BOOKS?

8/16/2016

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Do you ever see that book cover blasted all over Facebook, everyone is raving about how amazing the book is, but for some really dumb-ass reason you’re just not ready to jump on the bandwagon yet?

I find myself doing this all the time. It’s not like I’m hesitant to eat the cookie, we all know how I feel about cookies. And yes, my analogy is about food people. Get your damn minds out of the gutter. (Ironic isn’t it? Since that’s where my mind typically lives.)

Anyway, back to our topic… I know the book will be good, all of these people wouldn’t be raving like loons about it if it wasn’t, right? So, the only logical conclusion I can come up with is the fact I choose what I read based off my moods.

My kindle still has things I one-clicked a year ago that I just don’t feel like reading yet, so I’m not going to. Ugly cry type-stuff. Nope, I’m just not ready. You know you do the same thing. Don’t act like you don’t do it too.

By now I’m sure you’re tired of my babble and you want to know what book I skipped over for far too long. I’ll give you a hint. It had a super hot guy on the cover, scrabble tiles and you practiced saying the author’s name aloud like thirty times trying to figure out how to pronounce it…
That’s right it’s Word Play by Amalie Silver.

No? Was that just me?


​You’re a damn, liar. You know damn well you practiced saying her name too. For the record, I found out it’s pronounced like Emily but with an Ah at the beginning. (Ah-mi-ly.) You. Are. Welcome!
Now on to the book. Huzzah! I remember I started this book at like ten in the evening after I’d put my kids in bed. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m a cover to cover kind of girl when I’m interested in something. And that’s exactly what happened.
This story was beyond refreshing. A hot male author writing romance under a pen name that no one knew was actually him. Let’s face it a lot of authors have pen names for various reasons, but this gave us an inside look into what happens behind the scenes in the author world. Or that’s what it felt like anyway.
At the time, I was still a newbie (I still am, don’t burst my bubble) and I found myself wondering Ermergerd, is this what really happens? Is that what it’s like at a convention? To meet with an agent?This book is so freaking cool! I want to be this author when I grow up! 
Alter egos, mistaken identities, hot bathroom sex, and a plethora of snarky banter?
Um, who the hell wouldn’t want to read all of that?
Secrets. Secrets could destroy everything. Will they?
I guess you’ll have to one-click this bad boy to find out won’t you?
There were parts I sat on my bed yelling at my kindle, hoping to God my baby wouldn’t wake up in her crib. (which was next to my bed at the time.)
I know all of this sounds so vague and I’m not giving a ton away, but hey, I don’t want to give you a summary of the entire book. What fun would that be? I want to tell you I loved it and I think you will too.
Now go buy the damn thing so we can gab about it! Xo- Vanessa

                                                                     

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    VANESSA IS A HEAVILY TATTOOED, SARCASTIC MOTHER OF THREE WHO CREATE SHENANIGANS AND THRIVES ON CHAOS.

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May your coffee be warm and your sass be strong. Read on! 


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