Sleepless in Manhattan and giveaway!!

Can I just say how great I'm doing on my June reading list? I don't want to jinx myself but I'm doing super well. Just saying. 

Sleepless in Manhattan - Sarah Morgan

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces a sizzling new trilogy about three best friends embracing life—and love—in Manhattan 

Cool, calm and competent, events planner Paige Walker loves a challenge. After a childhood spent in and out of hospitals, she's now determined to prove herself—and where better to take the world by storm than in the exhilarating bustle of Manhattan? But when Paige is let go from the job she loves, she must face her biggest challenge of all—going it alone. 

Except launching her own events company is nothing compared to hiding her outrageous crush on Jake Romano—her brother's best friend, New York's most in-demand date, and the only man to break her heart. When Jake offers Paige's fledgling company a big chance, their still-sizzling chemistry starts giving her sleepless nights. But can she convince the man who trusts no one to take a chance on forever?

Yet another fun read from Harlequin books. This is my public plea that I want to work at Harlequin just so I can have all of these amazing books. If you ever open a northern Wisconsin office, I am your girl. I will clean toilets if I have to, that's how serious I am. 

Anyways. 

In this book we have Paige, who is so excited for this promotion she has busted her butt to earn. She's worked tirelessly bringing on new clients and has done more to grow the bottom line than anyone else. She's ready, she's planned everything around this amazing promotion. So naturally, when it doesn't happen, it sets her into a tail spin. Worse, she finds herself actually unemployed, which is a complete slap in the face. She doesn't want to rely on her family, who already baby her as it is, and she's determined to prove her worth and make it in Manhattan because going home isn't an option. 

Enter Jake. Jake is really the only guy Paige has really loved and he made it clear he didn't feel the same way. She's taken her humiliation from that and essentially written off men, and Jake won't settle down because he trusts nobody. He's highly successful, can be ruthless, but under it all, he really did love Paige but for a whole slew of stupid reasons, he never acted on it. Sure that it's in her best interest for him to not go there, he does everything he can to make her think he's not interested. 

So while Paige decides to take a chance and start her own event planning company (her ultimate goal down the road anyways), Jake gives her the opportunity of a life time which could make or break her success and her company. It becomes clear once they start working together that the spark is still there and she's struggling to not fall for him again, fearing she'll make a fool out of herself for a second time but also jeopardize her career. 

I have to give this book 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed it, I flew through it in two evenings, and I really liked Paige. She is so likable and you feel terrible for her but dammit if she doesn't get back up no matter what comes her way. Jake is so infuriating because anytime a guy thinks he knows best it irritates me. But yet I found myself rooting for him and Paige because dammit, it's meant to be. We all see that and he's just scared and yeah. It's a good read. It's a really quick read though it's just under 400 pages, and I really enjoyed it. We've got humor, we've got romance, we've got a great story of what it's like to be a struggling 20something in a big city and navigating life and romance at the same time. I so enjoyed this book and I would definitely read more by this author anytime! 

You can purchase your own copy of Sleepless in Manhattan on Amazon right now! In the meantime, I invite you to follow Sarah Morgan on Twitter, Facebook, and her website as well. If you're feeling lucky, enter to win your own copy of Sleepless in Manhattan (US/Canada only) below. Good luck, lambs! 

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Wild Within Spotlight

About the Book:

Title: WILD WITHIN
Author: Christine Hartmann
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Pages: 274
Genre: Romantic Suspense

A year after a family tragedy, Grace Mori embarks on the journey of a lifetime…

Two thousand, six hundred miles of blistering heat, wilderness, and soul searching—that’s what Grace signed up for when she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s not a voyage for beginners, but with no husband and her family still recovering from her bother’s death, Grace is more alone than ever. 

This trail meant something to her brother, and she’ll hike it in his memory, but she can’t do it alone. So with her brother’s gear and a small group, Grace takes the most important first steps of her life.

Grace finds something more than peace and magic on the trail…

When her first day of hiking ends in heat stroke, Grace is rescued by a handsome, red-haired hiker who calls himself Lone Star. Grace has an immediate connection with him, and their brief encounter leaves her fearing her soul mate has slipped through her fingers. Although he vows to keep in touch, Grace doubts she’ll ever see him again.

When fears become reality, the only people Grace can rely on may be killers...

Grace is surprised to find notes left at supply posts along the trail. Lone Star’s eloquent letters keep Grace going, clinging to the hope she’ll find him—and happiness—at the end of her journey. But as the trail becomes more perilous, menace grows within the group. And when Lone Star’s letters mysteriously stop coming, Grace fears the worst. 

As tensions flare and a killer emerges, Grace must battle to survive…and reunite with the man she’s sure is her future.

For More Information

• Wild Within is available at Amazon.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

Later, after sharing a hearty dinner with the RV couple, Lone Star and Grace pitched their tents in adjacent campsites. For Grace, tent poles went into wrong grommets, stakes came loose, and clips misaligned. Lone Star set his up in a flash and sat in the entrance, watching her struggle.

“I wouldn’t mind a little help here, if you’ve got the time.”

“I’ve got the time. But you have to learn this for yourself, darlin’. Soon it’ll be as easy as pie. But not if I do it for you. Besides, I enjoy watching you. You clean up real nice.”

“Thanks.” Grace curtsied. Her foot caught in a tent line and she fell. Lone Star chuckled so long he had to hold his sides.

“From where I’m sitting, Lone Star, you’re not living up to Southern gentleman standards.” She brushed herself off. “What’s the Texas expression for go jump in a lake?”

“What I think you’re trying to say is that you think I’m about as fine as cream gravy.”

Grace used a rock to pound in her final tent stake and attached its guy-line. “Yes, that’s what I meant.” She tossed a pine cone at his head. “You’re as fine as clean gravy. So is my tent. Not bad for a first try.”

“Not clean gravy. Cream gravy. And it’s a fine tent indeed.”

Once inside her shelter, Grace was too tired to crawl into her sleeping bag. She pulled it over her like a blanket, thought for a second of Lone Star’s blue eyes, and fell asleep before the cover reached her chin.

Cheerful whistling roused her when dawn was still a light orange glow on the horizon. She pushed the tent flap aside and made out Lone Star breaking camp.

“Didn’t mean to wake you, darlin’.”

“You’re leaving? Already?” Sudden anxiety prickled in her.

“Sure am. Today’s supposed to be cooler, they say. Still, it’s good to start early in the desert, no matter what the prediction.”

“Wait.” Grace scrambled out. “I can pack up and go with you. Quick as a caterpillar in heat. Or whatever you’d say.” She wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm in the crisp morning air.

Lone Star’s face shone with affection. “Just Grace, your coming with me is a sweet thought.” He took gentle hold of her shoulders and turned her around. “But you crawl right back in your bag. You’re staying put today.”

Her attention focused on his hands as he gently pushed her toward her tent. Warm, firm, comforting hands. A sudden longing enveloped her. She struggled out of his grip. “I don’t need any more rest. I’m fine.”

“You don’t know how tired you are.”

“I’m okay. Really.” She jumped up and down. “See?”

“No arguing.” He again ushered her to the tent and waited until she was tightly wrapped and zippered inside. His thighs appeared at the entrance as he folded his long body until his head was level with his knees.

“I loved hiking with you yesterday, Just Grace. My heart is saying stay here with you. But I’ve got 2,600 miles to hike before snow lands in Canada. And my law practice isn’t going to be there forever if I don’t get back to it as soon as I can. I’ve just got to skedaddle.”

He cares more about his work than he does about me.

She fought back tears and willed her voice not to crack. “Okay. I understand. You’ve got your…priorities.”

Lone Star reached for her chin but she jerked it away.

He let his hand drop. “Don’t be that way, Just Grace. You’ve got to have a little faith.”

“Faith in what?”

“Faith in us.” He rubbed his hand against her cheek. This time she leaned into it.

“There’s an us?” 

About the Author

Christine Hartmann grew up in Ohio and Delaware and loves traveling to exotic, romantic settings. After a college semester in Kathmandu, her first three “real” jobs were all in northern Japan, where she lived for almost 10 years. She currently splits her career between her daytime occupation (improving the quality of veterans’ nursing home care) and her nights/weekend avocation (writing both fiction and non-fiction books). Her husband Ron Strickland is a well-known long-distance hiker and trail guide writer and the founder of the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Christine loves reading, pilates, bicycling, and snorkeling, and health foods that taste like they’re bad for you. You will often find her at a keyboard, a German shepherd at her side, and Ron whispering sweet edits over her shoulder.

Her latest book is book one of the Wild at Heart series, Wild Within.

For More Information

• Visit Christine Hartmann’s website.
• Connect with Christine on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Christine at Goodreads.

Giveaway!

Christine is giving away 2 $25 Amazon

Gift Cards & 20 Wild Within Coffee Mugs!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

• Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift

Card & twenty winners will be chosen to receive one Wild Within Coffee Mug

• This giveaway starts April 4 and ends June 30

• Winner will be contacted via email on July 1.

• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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Lone Start Nights (and giveaway!)

I am on such a roll with books as of late and I am LOVING all of the Harlequin books I've gotten to review. I'm so excited. If they want to just mail me everything they have I would die a happy girl. Sigh.

Lone Star Nights (McCord Brothers #2) - Delores Fossen

No strings attached is pretty much Lucky McCord's calling card in Spring Hill, Texas, but when family is on the line, this cowboy's honor and heart are about to get lassoed, tied and branded

Every family needs its black sheep, and Austin "Lucky" McCord is happy to oblige. The bad-boy bull rider lives fast and loose, until his business partner leaves him an unexpected bequest. Suddenly Lucky is sharing custody of two children with Cassie Weatherall, one of the few homegrown women he hasn't bedded. And not from lack of trying…

Cassie fled her messy past to become a celebrity therapist in LA. So why does it feel so right to come back and share parenting duties—and chrome-melting kisses—with a man she's striven to avoid? Loving Lucky always seemed like a sure bet for heartache. But for this perfectly imperfect family, Cassie might just gamble with everything she's got. 

Yes, it's the second book in a series but it is 100% a stand alone, so don't let that turn you off from this. I haven't read the first one, let alone anything by Delores Fossen, but I absolutely loved this one. I actually read it during my daughter's dance class this week and thoroughly enjoyed it!

It's the story of Lucky McCord, who co-runs a rodeo business with Dixie Mae Weatherall. He's not so much a bad boy but rather a boy who doesn't keep it in his pants, harbors guilt over his parents' death years ago and is at a bit of a crossroads in life. Once Dixie Mae passes away he's in for a ridiculous surprise, as is Dixie Mae's granddaughter, Cassie, when they find out that they are now the custodial guardians of two children Dixie Mae was temporarily caring for. A surprise to both of them, mostly because neither are in a point in their life making them capable (or willing) to take on children, let alone do it together. We get lots of surprises along the way complete with six cats, a moody teenager, dildo delivery, strip clubs, not to mention Lucky and Cassie trying to heal from past mistakes in their own lives and maybe come together for their future, and do what's best for the girl's.

I didn't want to love Cassie but yet I did. She's got her own issues as a therapist no less, including panic attacks brought on by guilt over the handling of a previous client, a meddling ex-boyfriend, paparazzi, and a highly dysfunctional family. Lucky is lovable because he is so that guy you know you want to fix because he's kind of broken but a diamond in the rough. And the girls... oh lord. The younger one, Mia, is cute as a damn button and the teenager, Kenzie, is kind of the angry hot mess that you know is really gentle and in need of guidance and love. Such a great combination of characters for this story. Not to mention Dixie Mae's surprises from beyond the grave are kind of great as well.

I loved this book and all of the secondary characters, some of who will be future books (I'm sure) and some who were in book one (I'm sure) are in here and they are given enough teaser that makes you want to go back and read the first book but also stay tuned for the rest of them. Delores's writing is really superb and she's a great romance novelist that gives you everything you want in a fun book: humor, sexy times, good story line, and that little extra that leaves you wanting more.

You can purchase your own copy of Lone Star Nights on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, of course. You can also visit Delores' website HERE!  In the meantime, you can enter for your own copy (US/Canada only)!

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Crafty Saturday: Yet another One Sheet Wonder for your lazy entertainment.

I'm kind of stuck on these, lambs. I feel like I could whip these out all week if I had to. I keep thinking maybe I'll do some sets and put them in my Etsy shop, but we'll see. Maybe, maybe not.

Unfortunately, I can't find the template I had used for these cards, but again, I'm in need of thank you cards knowing I'm having a baby in a few months and I really won't have time to whip them up as needed once I'm super sleep deprived and wrangling four kids pretty much solo.

But I wanted to try out my new Watermelon stamp pad, and I found a paper that had that in it but also a dark purple, so I grabbed these inks. I also grabbed the So Many Scallops stamp set, which is easily my most used stamp set. I have the matching scallop punch and the next size up scallop punch, and I use them all a LOT. And again, my favorite card sentiment set with a cool little font.

So these are my finished cards. I had just ordered some washi tape from Stampin' Up and I wanted to use it on this project. I also found a little box of gemstones in a basket I had forgotten about, so I used a bunch of those up. This collection only took me 20 minutes to make and look, I have eight thank you cards ready to go should I need them.

If you missed my first post on the greatness that is a One Sheet Wonder, click HERE and catch up but also find a link to some super easy templates you can do at home in less than a half hour!

Owlcrate: May Steampunk

It's another month and another book box subscription review!

Full disclosure, I am not a fan of steampunk books and stuff in general and the only reason I didn't skip this month was because one of the teasers said if I liked The Infernal Devices (which I did) then I would really be super excited for this box. Sadly, that didn't actually ring true because this box was pretty much a dud for me.

Everything I got in the box. I'll give them points for having everything kind of match/coordinate together really well, so there's that.

It's a little hard to tell but this was a metal ring made by Elope. They sent out five different pieces, my sister in law said she got a pin but it's incredibly huge and really, nothing that you'd actually wear. This ring is ridiculously huge so I gave this to her.

The one piece I did really love was the skeleton key pendant necklace by Crystal Compass Designs. I have another piece of jewelry from them and I adore it, so this one will get a lot of use.

Inside our box was also steampunk themed nail wraps by Espionage Cosmetics. Honestly? I've used these nail wraps before and they are not even close to quality as Jamberry Nails, plus this design isn't anything I'd wear ever, so these got tossed.  We also got some gold temporary tattoos which ugh... we're god damn adults, folks. Adults. I'm not rubbing a fake tattoo on me like I'm 16 and trying to be cool. Into the trash they went.

Oh yes, the one piece that was supposed to be inspired by The Infernal Devices. Now, Sparks Emporium has GORGEOUS jewelry. The teaser photo was one of their rings that looked like gemstones/crushed up gemstones and was stunning. Honestly? I was hoping for one of those but we got this one, that has a butterfly like angel in it. I don't know. It's not something I would buy if I saw it anywhere and I was pretty disappointed in it, especially because I know what stunning work Sparks Emporium offers in their shop online.

We also got an art print from Creative Daffodil Studios and I'm going to say it- I'm over art prints. The first couple were fun and unique and now I'm like, what the hell am I going to do with all of these?? I don't live in a dorm room so it's not like I'm going to tape them to my wall like a teenager. I think I threw it out, actually.

The book we got was Everland by Wendy Spinale. It's supposed to be a re-telling of Peter Pan of sorts (hence the Peter Pan themed art print) and it's not one I would normally purchase because I read Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen which is and forever will be my absolute FAVORITE re-telling of Peter Pan and I don't care what anyone says, Peter Pan is a nut job and I can't stand him. Cannot, folks. I will say we also got a letter from the author talking about the book and I will say, that's one of my favorite things about Owlcrate, the personal note with (most, not all) of the books. I usually keep them in the front cover of the book just for fun.

Sigh.

The theme for the June Owlcrate box is...

The teasers have said that if you liked The Red Queen then you will likely love this box. I haven't gotten to that book yet so I don't know. This could go south real quick or it could be absolutely amazing. If it doesn't have shiny things in it, I will consider it a total failure because the first thing you think of when you think royalty is fancy balls, jewelry, and crowns. Don't let me down, Owlcrate.

31 weeks, still unnamed, and I kick up the crazy a notch.

Well being 31 weeks pregnant the fourth time around is... exhausting. This is the first pregnancy where the level of exhaustion is just unbelievable. I don't know if it's because I'm older, because it's my fourth pregnancy, or the fact that I'm busy in general chasing a toddler around but by noon I feel shot for the day. It's not practical for me to be taking a nap, mostly because then I don't sleep well at night, but man.

A nap would be SO nice.

Nesting is in full swing and I forgot to take a picture of the newly painted dresser but rest assured it's painted and in the room Fetus Four will be sharing with Penelope. It turned out so well. And yes, Fetus Four is still unnamed. We've got it down to Lucy Louise James or Eloise Barbara James (or maybe Eloise James Kay) but honestly, nothing jumps out at me. I hate leaving things to last minute but it seems to be the trend with this pregnancy so... yeah.

Another thing that's been bothering me? This constantly feeling that it's not really a girl. The ultrasound technician was only "pretty sure" it was a girl at 20 weeks, and that is just not good enough for me. I'm a planner through and through and I need to know, am I dealing with a penis or not? It's been SO hard to get a follow up ultrasound and at this point I'd rather not pay the added expense so I opted for the next best thing.

Yes, I made a special trip to a pharmacy 20 minutes from my house to buy a $40 gender prediction kit which has mixed reviews. Sometimes you just have to go with the crazy because it's easier for us all.

It said I had to use the first morning urine, but I decided my second morning urine would be just fine because I'm 31 weeks along and surely whatever turns this test either way would be able to be picked up in whatever pee I use. Basically, you pee in a cup and use the syringe to suck it up and squirt it into the bigger container, which looked like it had weird crystals in it. You swirl for a few seconds and wait five minutes. And whatever color your pee turned would determine the sex. Orange was girl, green was boy.

Clearly, mine came out orange. So if I end up with a little boy I will have a panic attack like no other folks. LIKE NO OTHER.

Other than that, week 31 is... week 31 I guess. I can't sleep. I feel like a beached whale. I feel MUCH larger this time around than any other, and the Braxten Hicks contractions are no joke. None. I got them with every pregnancy but it was just a "hey- my stomach is rock hard, that's cool" type thing and very random and I basically stopped noticing it at all. This time around I have thought perhaps I was in actual labor but then no, I fell asleep and all was well. So that freaks me out- am I going to go way early?? I'm not ready. I'm not ready at all.

I need to get ready.

Just in case.

What's on the menu? Plus Raspberry Coffee Cake recipe!

I have seriously slacked off on my menu planning, coupon clipping, and it's really taken a toll on our monthly budget. Part of it is because it's really tough for me to find time to go grocery shopping alone, I really hate dragging three kids with me. But the other part is that being 31 weeks pregnant, I'm just too tired to cook by the time Matt comes home so it's like- yeah, go get a pizza.

Also? We're going through a lot of cereal. The kids have asked that we not have cereal this WHOLE week and I don't think they understand that this means I have to rally and cook something every day.

EVERY DAY.

Feels kind of unreasonable yet here we are.

This week though, I'm going to try to limp through what we have for groceries because I don't want to go shopping considering next week we'll be gone for two days and coming home the third kind of late so that day will for sure be cereal.

Take THAT, children.

So here's what I came up with for this week:

Monday: Crockpot chicken tacos
Tuesday: Pork chops, mixed vegetables, potato side dish
Wednesday: Crockpot cheesy chicken and rice
Thursday: Sloppy joes, pasta salad
Friday: Crockpot beef stew with rice
Saturday: Spaghetti
Sunday: Eat Out

I know, I kind of cheated for Sunday but truly, I'll be packing that night with the kids and we are going to be busy with some yard work so I know full well I won't be in the mood to cook. And that's OK.

Each week my goal is to try making a new baked good because as it turns out, I prefer baking and cooking in the summer versus the winter (it makes no sense, I get it) so I'm back on that. A few weeks ago I mentioned I was going to make some Raspberry Bars on Facebook and several friends mentioned they wanted the recipe. When I dug it out, I realized I call them Raspberry Bars, but it's really a Raspberry Coffee Cake.

Whoops. So here it is:

Filling:
2 cups raspberries
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch

Cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
4 tablespoons of butter cut up
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons of butter (it's a lot, but I like butter)

So first thing is first, I use frozen raspberries. We're fortunate enough to get a ton of blueberries and raspberries from Matt's parents each summer so I've made this with both of those, or strawberries, basically whatever I have that needs to be used up. I had one last package of raspberries I froze last summer so I figured I'd use them up in preparation for more to come soon.

Preheat your oven to 350. I use an 8x8 dish because I like a thick cake, but if you have a 9x9 that works, too. But spray the hell out of your pan.

In a medium saucepan, put your fruit in, water, sugar and corn starch. Stir it up, cook on medium heat until it basically becomes a sauce, stirring periodically. I usually get this started and then work on the cake to save time.

While your fruit is simmering, get yourself a bowl and whisk your flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda together. You'll put the butter in, but cut it in so it gets kind of crumbly.

In a measuring cup, whisk your egg, buttermilk and vanilla together- pour it into the dry ingredients.

Mix it all together- it'll be pretty sticky.  You are going to use HALF of this to line the bottom of your baking pan.

Meanwhile, make sure your fruit sauce looks amazing. This clearly does.

So we lined our pan with HALF of the batter. Be patient, it's a super sticky batter so it can get frustrating.

Pour your fruit sauce all over it.

Now take the other half of your cake batter and dollop it all over. It will mostly bake over and you won't see so much fruit, so don't freak out if you feel like you don't have enough covering the fruit.

Now you have to make your crumble that goes on top. Mix your flour and sugar together, cut in the butter. I use at least 6 tablespoons of butter but if you want less or more, go for it. Once you get it fairly crumbly, cover the top of your fruit and batter. I also sprinkle cinnamon sugar across the top for an added sweetness, but it's optional.

Bake it for about 45 minutes or until your sauce appears bubbly and the top is golden brown.

Isn't she pretty?

She knows it, too.

Let it cool for a bit and then cut up into squares. This is PERFECT for summer breakfast, potlucks, whatever you need to bring a dish to. It's nice and soft, it's the perfect balance of fruit and cake and it's super easy. That and your house will smell amazing. I've been making this since Matt and I had our first home, so 11 years now, and it's still a favorite.