by Nikki Amare | Apr 11, 2018 | Musings, What I'm Reading
I’ve read two books lately that I loved. While they are completely different genres and at first glance appear to have nothing in common, I realized that they actually do have quite a few similarities.
They are both stories with females who are smart, who are fiercely protective of those they consider family, and who refuse to stay in the little boxes that society has tried to put them in. I love strong female characters who stand tall and show that being different isn’t just okay but that it’s a good thing. After all, if we were all the same how boring would that be?
The first book is a steampunk mystery by Shelley Adina. It is the first book in a new series, but is set in the same world as her Magnificent Devices series. (If you haven’t ready Magnificent Devices then I highly recommend it. It starts with the book Lady of Devices)
The title is: The Bride Wore Constant White and it is Book one of the Mysterious Devices series.
This book is listed as a clockwork cozy mystery. It takes place in the United States, but not as we know them. While there are some familiar characters from the Magnificent Devices Series, if you haven’t read that series you don’t have to worry about being lost.
This book is full of unforgettable characters and smart women who are brave enough to stand up and be noticed in a world—an era—where they are expected to sit down and be invisible until told to do otherwise.
Shelly Adina has created a world that is unique and yet easy to imagine. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
The second book is a paranormal romance by Shelly Laurenston. It takes place in the same world as her other shifter books. If you’ve read any of her other shifter book then you’re likely to recognize a few familiar characters. If you haven’t read her other books, then I highly recommend them. You can start with the Magnus Pack or the Pride Stories. Both Series take place in the same world. You can find a complete list of her books by series HERE.
The title is: Hot and Badgered
I hate when Shelly Laurenston has a new release because I’m going to be sleep deprived from staying up all night reading and hubby is going to look at me like I’ve lost my mind when I just bust out laughing at random times. I do not recommend reading this (or any of her books) in public unless you don’t mind the looks. And whatever you do, DON’T drink any liquids while reading. Snorting tea through your nose is not a pleasant experience. I can personally attest to this.
But she is definitely an auto-buy for me and I can’t wait for her next book. She has a sense of humor that I identify with. Her characters are flawed (sometimes DEEPLY) but they are all lovable in their own way. She has her own unique take on shifters that sets her apart from all of those other shifter books out there.
If you haven’t read her other books, don’t worry about not being able to follow along. Most of her books can be read as standalones but you get more out of them when you have the knowledge of the other characters in this world. This book is a great introduction to her world and I have a feeling that once you read it you will want to go back and read the others.
You can find the full list of her books on her website.
So, that’s what I’ve been reading lately. What books have you read recently that you’ve loved? Feel free to share them in the comments.
by Nikki Amare | Apr 4, 2018 | Musings
Self-Care.
That’s a term I’ve seen a lot lately. It’s also something that I’m really not good at, but that I’m trying to be better about. After a health scare earlier this year I promised myself that I’m going to practice better self-care. Yet it’s not something that comes easy to me. I’m prone to take care of everyone else and ignore myself until I can’t.
With all of the articles I’ve been seeing about self-care, I have a feeling that a lot of you are the same way. Why is it so hard to take time for yourself? To spend money on yourself? To pamper yourself on occasion? Those are all things I struggle with.
In January I decided that I was going to start getting the occasional massage since I believe it will help with the constant headaches, as well as the neck, back, and shoulder pain that I suffer with because of all the time I spend sitting at a computer. Here it is April and I still haven’t actually made an appointment to get a massage.
Why?
I don’t know. Every time I tell myself I’m going to call in the morning, I always have something else that I need to do first or that money would be better used for something else. Something like food or bills or even a dinner out with hubby (not that we go out to eat very often). But at least those things wouldn’t benefit just me.
The other day, in one of the FB groups for authors that I follow, a fellow writer posted about how she was thinking about getting a monthly massage and I was one of the people who commented and told her she should do it. Yet, I have a hard time taking my own advice.
By writing this post, I guess it’s my way of holding myself accountable. I might be a few months later than I had planned, but starting in April I’m going to get the occasional massage. I don’t know that I’ll do it on a regular basis, but every so often, when I feel like I need it, I’ll get one. And I’ll trying really hard not to feel guilty about it.
One thing I have been doing is taking a day off every few weeks and doing nothing but curling up on the couch and reading all day. I love to read, but work and life had gotten in the way the last few years. So that was one of the things I decided to change this year. It was one of the easier changes to make, although I admit I felt kind of guilty the first few times. But that’s no longer the case.
Reading is something I enjoy, but more importantly it is something that helps me unplug and unwind. It allows me to escape from the stress of real life and it inspires me in my own writing. Reading makes me happy. And good mental health is just as important as good physical health.
So I read and I plan to get massages. What kind of things do you do for yourself? What suggestions do you have for self-care?
by Nikki Amare | Mar 28, 2018 | Musings
For the last few years, I’ve worked pretty much nonstop to build a business, one that can be done from anywhere. We are in the prime of our lives and would like to be able to travel more—to pick up and go when the mood strikes without having to worry about things like jobs.
Last week, hubby and I decided to take a couple days and go camping. It’s something we hadn’t done in the entire time we’ve been married, but that we’d both done as kids. The weather was perfect and the park where we went was beautiful. Another bonus was that they didn’t have wifi, so while I could work from there by using hubby’s phone as a hotspot, I didn’t spend a lot of time online. I worked for four hours in the afternoon when it was the hottest and the rest of the time we just enjoyed the little things.
We talked to each other more in those two days than we normally do in a week. We went on walks around the park and took pictures. We sat in front of the campfire at night. Hubby attempted to make popcorn over said campfire. He ended up burning the majority of it, which was okay since I like burned popcorn, so that meant more for me. We had a few missteps, forgot a few things that we needed (cooking utensils anyone), and we found out that we are both older and more out of shape than we realized. Something else we plan to change this year.
But we had a good time and both of us are looking forward to doing it again soon.
Those few days away from the everyday hustle and bustle was nice and really made us realize how much stuff we have that we really don’t need. At home we watch television waaaay too much. Before we left I’d downloaded some movies to my laptop and before bed we’d watch one. When I wasn’t working, I didn’t spent a lot of time online and I accomplished a lot more in those four hours than I normally do at home because I wasn’t having to stop every twenty minutes to respond to emails. And I wasn’t distracted by social media, which we all know can be a real time-suck. Instead, I checked my email in the evenings and responded to any that required my immediate attention and ignored the rest until I got home.
We didn’t have all of the fancy kitchen gadgets and yet we were still able to make everything we needed to. I mean, we managed to cook for two days straight without a single cooking utensil. LOL. Although, next time I’ll be sure to pack those. I’m making a checklist for future camping trips, hopefully we’ll be less likely to forget the important things.
There are a few things we’d like to get, like better folding chairs. The ones we have sit lower to the ground than we realized, making it hard to get out of them. Especially when I had the dog on my lap. Let’s just say I’m in no danger of being called graceful anytime soon and leave it at that. We’d also like to get one of those camp stoves with the wind break panels. But neither of those things are something we need right away. For now, we’ll make due with what we already have.
Other than sore legs from all the walking we did we managed to survive without any injuries. Which was good because the first aid kit I’d put together was sitting on the kitchen table at home. We didn’t spend a lot of money for this trip, but I enjoyed it more than our last vacation.(Which was longer ago than I want to admit.) Instead of being tired when we got home,—like I usually am after a vacation—we both felt rejuvenated. Like those few days recharged some of our batteries. At least enough to last us for a few months. It also made us realize how much we wished our everyday lives rejuvenated and recharged us that way.
It also made me realize that I want more time to enjoy the little things in life. The things that build memories and connections. Instead of working all the time to buy more things we don’t need and to pay for the things we already have.
This is going to be a year of change for me… for us.
So, here’s to the little things in life.
by Nikki Amare | Mar 21, 2018 | Musings
If you’ve read my bio then you know I’m a tea drinker. For the longest time, I only drank Stash brand chai or double chai. Then last year sometime a friend gave me some tea and that started me on a journey of exploration.
I went from having one flavor of tea to having a couple dozen at the moment. I have certain teas that I think of as my everyday type of teas. Then I have my occasionally, teas. And I have my morning teas and my evening teas. My husband is a coffee drinker so he just shakes his head at my obsession. Although, he does have one or two that he likes.
I know that green tea is good for you and all of that, but I’ve never been a big green tea drinker, instead I’m partial to black tea and herbals.
I’m also a cinnamon addict. Anything that tastes or smells like cinnamon and I’m all for it. So imagine my delight when I found a tea that tastes like Red Hots in a cup! What is this wonderful tea you ask?
I am in LOVE with this tea. I’ve tried it with and without milk and while both ways are good I prefer it with a little bit of milk. At the moment, this is my favorite tea. And I think I’m safe in saying it’s going to take something pretty special to take its place. Honestly, I’m not sure it’s even possible. That’s how good this tea is. If you don’t believe me, then give it a try yourself.
In the mornings, I will either have a cup of the Harney and Sons, Hot Cinnamon Spice tea, a cup of Irish Breakfast tea (I’m not picky on brand for this one), or Twinnings Prince of Wales.
In the evenings, I often like to have a cup of tea to relax. Nothing with caffeine, which means that all of the above are out since they all have caffeine in them. Instead, I usually turn to chamomile or another herbal. A favorite of mine is Twinnings Winter Spice. It tastes like apple pie. The only downside is that it’s a holiday tea, so it’s harder for me to find than the rest of them.
Another one of my go-to teas is Stash, Lemon and Ginger. I often add honey to this one. It’s a great tea for a sore throat, or an upset stomach, or just for drinking because it tastes good. Since I have trouble with motion sickness, I usually take a couple of tea bags with me, just in case I need them. I also make sure to drink a cup before I leave.
The other day, I was searching online for new teas to try, and I came across this brand: Basilur. When I saw those tins, I had to order one. I got mine the other day, and while I love the tin, the tea wasn’t my favorite. I might give one of the other flavors a shot, but mostly so I can get another one of the tins because who doesn’t love a tea tin that looks like a book!
Are you a tea drinker? If so, what’s your favorite tea?
by Nikki Amare | Mar 14, 2018 | Musings, What I'm Reading
Like most writers I know, I’m a reader first. I don’t have nearly as much time to read as I used, which means I’m more critical of what I do read. I want a book that’s well written with great characters that pull me in. I recently found a paranormal romance author who did just that.
The author in question is Heather Long. She appears to write in several different genres and I plan to give each and every one of them a try. However, the series I just finished reading was The Wolves of Willow Bend Series.
This series is one that has great characters you can’t help but fall in love with, some kickass females,—which I love. No damsels in distress here—and great storylines. It’s set in the United States and while the Willow Bend Pack is prominent throughout the books, you are introduced to other packs as well. There is a strong theme of family, and what that means in the books. I can’t wait to see where she takes the series. This one will definitely be an auto buy for me from now on. I’m looking forward to the next book.
If you like shifter romance, then you should definitely give The Wolves of Willow Bend Series, by Heather Long a read and be sure to check out the rest of her books as well.
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