Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 4: Lover Revealed By: J.R. Ward

In the shadow of the nigh in Cadwell, New York, there's a war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. But now an ally of the Brotherhood is about to encounter his own dark desires...

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers...

Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him...

Wooooah! Lets just say I didn't see that ending coming! What a great book! I've always thought Butch might be "special" and so much more than just a "pet". I love him an Marissa together, and glad to see Marissa grow out of the shy, fragile, little princep she was raised to be, I don't think I've ever been more proud of a character in a book as when she stood up to the council and took on the leahdyre. And let just say that Havers is no longer someone I respect. All in all J.R. keeps me amazed in this series, with each book I read I am completely mesmerized by the world of the black dagger brotherhood! Cant wait to read Vishous's story next!

My favorite quote in this book...(there were so many, it was hard to choose)

"Besides, you don't look a thing like him. I mean... hello? You're this
beefy Irish white boy. He's like... bus exhaust or some shit."

The Baby Game Plan

Hubby and I went to my new fertility doctor appointment in Mobile, AL today and we were COMPLETELY satisfied!!! YAY!!!Granted this was our first meeting but so far so good! I am impressed and after an hour an 20 minute consultation I left feeling hopeful, joyful and more positive than I have felt in months! Why? Because we now have a game plan! No seriously... my "operation baby" to-do list, seriously looks like a Mike Tomlin's playbook for when Pittsburgh is in the playoffs! Buttttt.... to break it down.

I will be taking my first round of Provera (that little pill that makes sure that mother nature will come pound on your front door and give you your monthly "gift") then I call the doc and get the approval to start my first cycle of 50mg of clomid... now I know what your thinking... the big "T" word... but, that only happens to 10% of all women on clomid... so lets just stay positive here people LOL! Regardless I will be happy to be pregnant with something... unless its an alien... LOL!After I finish the round of clomid I will have LOTS of blood tests to make sure that little magic pill is doing its job and stimulating my ovaries. Then on cycle days 7-11 I will be having my HSG done to make sure my parts are all functioning fine. After that it OPKT (Ovulation Predictor Kit Time)!!! If thats all good then you can guess what will be coming next... a brief blogging hiatus due to other stimulating activities LOL! Then around mid cycle I will be going back to Dr. Geinus for a mid cycle ultrasound and hoping to find some potential follicles!

Phew! Sounds like a lot right?! But, like I said... I really LOVE this guy! I am greatful that he has given me hope! And I cant wait to get the plan in motion!

Flea Market Find!

This weekend we took a little adventure to Mobile Alabama. We wanted to check out "The largest flea market on the Gulf Coast"... it was pretty big, not huge, but still took up a good 2 hours of our day. Annnnnnnd the best part?! ... and Katie your gonna LOVE this (I thought of you while I browsed through these...) I found a kinda rare, antique Castleton tea cup & saucer set circa 1942 for $3.00. I did some research later and found out that its actually worth around $80.00... kinda makes me wish I had the whole set! I seriously am in LOOOOOOVE with my little dainty addition! Wanna see her?



Such a beauty isn't she? I looove the cream color with the dove colored rose, and the amazing splash of baby blue with the gold edges! I have named her "Claire"... yes, that's right I'm naming my cup! Did you know the act of tea drinking is 5,000 years old! Yup, it dates all the way back to Emperor Shen Nong of China! Europeans didn't catch on till much later in the 1600's and even then the practice of putting handles on tea cups wasn't founded until the 1700's by a British porcelain maker that worked for the British Royals... I guess they were growing tired of burning their little royal fingers on the cups lol! Do any of you have any antique or vintage tea cups?

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

1. Have you and your spouse agreed to live in separate locations (a geographical bachelor tour) knowing that the short-term inconvenience would have long-term benefits for your family? How did it work for you? submitted by When Good People Get Together

Noooooooot yet... and I hope it never comes to that... I would miss him waaaaaay to much!

2. What is your favorite thing about being a MilSpouse? submitted by Sarah Ruth Today

Ummmmm... that's a good question... I would have to say... It's all the unique and special places and friends I get to see and make, along the way of his career. Its been fun and very interesting so far lol!

3. If you could still have your spouse/significant other and your family, but take the military life out of it…would you? submitted by Trust. Love. Believe. Bake.

Yes, of course... Military Life is not everything to us. I know for a fact my hubby is not a "Lifer" the military has been very good to us, but there are other adventures awaiting us some day. My husband and our family ALWAYS come first no matter what the situation.
4. What have your homecoming experiences been like after a year long tour of separation? submitted by Army Soldier, Army Wife

We have not done a year long tour as of yet. I know its be awesome after he returns from be a way for a while or while deployed so I can imagine being gone a year would have to be an amazing reunion! 5. If you have a child(ren) why you chose their name(s)? If not, why you would name your child something? submitted by Tiara’s & ACU’s

I did not choose my daughter's name... she was named by my husband and "she who must not be named" ;) Regardless I love her name espeically her middle name which is Harley Quinn as in Harley Quinn from the DC comics and Joker's love intrest. I even have a tattoo of Harley Quinn sitting on baby blocks on my leg with the munchkins initials inside the box. We have decided our next child name already (yes, we are fully prepared) and if its a girl her name will be Stella Journey McC and if its a boy its gonna be Charles Tobias McC ;) and were naming them that because we like the names :)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!!

I hope you all have had a fun filled day full of egg hunting and finding Easter surprises. I know we sure have! The Easter bunny had in fact came to our house this morning... he even left his tracks out side our door... The munchkin REALLY enjoyed that part! I cracked up when she saw them and said "Jinkies" yeah, that's right ... like Velma from Scooby Doo, all that was missing was the magnifying glass! Here's some pics I took earlier of her going on her egg hunt.

Bunny Tracks!

Look mom! I found the golden egg!


If your wondering why the Easter Bunny hasn't shown up at your door its cause I shot him for bringing her squinkies! LOL!

Now were off to the beach to enjoy the rest of this perfect day!

Milspouse Friday-Fill In

1. How many pets do you have? And what type? submitted by Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl

At the moment we have 0... yep...zero...zilch...nix...none... and it makes me sad :( I have always had a pet at sometime in my life... I used to have 2 kitties before the hubby and I got together but I had to find an adoptive family for them seeing how he is allergic to cats. Hubby had a hedgehog in high school but he has passed on and now we are left with just the muchkin as our pet LOL!... KIDDING! I seriously would love to have a small/medium dog or a kitty again but with the two of us working all the time now its just not fair to the animal. I'm still trying to talk hubby into getting another hedgee sometime soon :)

2. What are your favorite projects to do while hubby is away? submitted by my-inspired-nest
Craft! If that isn't obvious lol! Now a days I am stuck working and I don't get any projects done... I come home from work and am exhausted... and the my weekends are mostly spent cleaning or as a family time. Yes, these days the only "projects" I get done are reading books... that's about all the spare time I have... time for. lol!

3. What are the must-haves in your deployment care packages? submitted by Christine’s Little Blog

He loves his trail mix's and his gun magazines... it also just depends on what season it is or if its around a holiday I'll send him stuff accordingly.

4. If you could star in any TV show, which would it be? submitted by Just a Girl

Oh I'd LOOOOOOOVE to be on TRUE BLOOD! Which BTW... is starting up again in June! :D I'll be taking the part as Eric Northman's love slave LMAO!

Orrrrrr....

Big Bang Theory! I swear they have got to have sooooo much fun on that show! Even if I was just playing the part of "Amy's Long Lost Cousin"!

5. What was the biggest hurdle that you faced during your/your significant other’s first deployment? submitted by The Pavlik Perspective
Oh it was hard... We had just moved to Georgia... we were living off post at a horribly ghetto'ish area... oh believe me... I had a guy with an ankle bracelet living next door... I was in a new city, a new place that I had to get a security alarm (first time I had to install one of those in an apartment) I had a 13 month old baby to take care of by myself, no family or friends within at least 1,000 miles... I thought I was going to lose my mind! It was hard at first but it taught me good lessons and how to stay strong when I'm on my own. It was lonely and that was the hardest part... how the minutes dripped by... it sure taught me how to stay busy...but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world... and for the record, I did fine and I did make friends... eventually LOL!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 3: Lover Awakened By: J.R. Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, a deadly turf war rages between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from the past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion and terror his only passion-until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society. Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for each other begins to overtake them, Zsadist's thirst for vengeance against Bella's tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past and find a future with her...

So far this is my favorite book out of the series. I love everything about it... who knew Zsadist could be so sweet?! I love how a bit more drama unfolds towards the end, with Tohr leaving over what happened to Wellsie, which completely broke my heart. Then we find out who Bella's brother really is... and it keeps you wondering why V did what he did to Butch... All I know is that this is an amazing series that keeps getting better with ever book! J.R. You are a genius! :D

My favorite line from the book... "I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came... and I was awakened."

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Book 2: Lover Eternal by: J.R. Ward

In the shadows of the night in Cadwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war raging between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beast, Rhage is the most dangerous of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He's the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover-for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Owned by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage's protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own. Mary is not looking for love. She lost her faith in miracles years ago. But when Rhage's intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves...

This is the second book I've read by J.R. Ward and I am totally impressed! This is turning out to be an amazing series for me! I am completely in love with this book, the selfless sacrifice that both Rhage and Mary give and show each other in this book is beyond amazing! Their love and admiration for each other is what every woman hopes for in a relationship. I love the courage and fearlessness in Mary throughout this book, I love the fact that she is the only one who can tame the beast in Rhage, she is truly a warrior of her own accord! This book also has me reeling for what is going to happen next with Zadist and Bella! What a cliff hanger! All in all this book is amazingly great and I was so glad to have read it.

Milspouse Friday Fill-In

Ok, I know... I'm a day late and buck short... but work this week has sent me over the edge... yeah, its really been cramping my life lately. Oh how I love making the money I just don't exactly love having a job. I seriously wish I could be self employed... and make my own hours instead of what I have now. So anyway, please forgive my lack of posts and my Fill-In lateness. Hope you all are having an awesome weekend! It's beautiful here with a high of 76 and we will be going to hang out on the beach in a bit :)

1. With PCS moves happening every few years, do you take the time to paint and decorate your home? submitted by Life as Mrs. JPT

I'd love to, but no I don't. Its just too hard to go through all the effort of painting and getting it to feel like "home" when your not really "home" for long. So I don't really bother. I do hang stuff up like our movie posters (yeah did I mention we collect movie memorabilia?) and our personal stuff but other than that not much goes on the walls.

2. If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? submitted by Standing By Him
Hmmmm... I dunno why but I really like the apartment that Sheldon and Leonard live in on Big Bang Theory! I sooooooo love that show! And I don't care what anyone says Leonard is HOT! LOL!

3. What inspired you to start your blog? submitted by Pink Combat Boots
In the beginning I did it for me, it was just a way I could express myself and keep record of what was going on in my life... and now I really kinda do it for you guys! I love that I have made "friends" in the bloggy world espeically my fellow milspouses and wish we lived closer... I really do appreciate each and every one of you that reads my blog :)

4. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen on base? submitted byAdventures in Life

The wild life at Fort Gordon, when we lived there was rather interesting... its the only place I've ever lived where I almost hit a deer, a turkey, and a squirrel all in the same day... luck for all 3 they lived... Oh and I did see a guy in UNIFORM riding a unicycle to work... no joke LMAO!

5. Which historical figure (politician, writer, artist, scientist, actor, etc…) would you like to have dinner with? submitted by Army of Two

As big a nerd as a I am... it would be Mr. Nikola Tesla (hubby and I have also contemplated naming a daughter... if we ever have one... either Tesla which we could call her Tes for short or Data, as in DAY-TAH not DAD-TAH. ) What do you think? ;)

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Book 1: Dark Lover by: J.R. Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet non of them relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate-Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead...

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerous sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both...

WOOOAH! AMAZING! Hands down this is my new favorite vampire series! Let's just say... this isn't like your little sister's twilight series of books! J.R. Ward is an amazing writer and I am completely hooked just by reading her first book. Yes, really its THAT good! I love the characters, the plot, and everything in between, besides...who can resist amazingly, sexy (described) vampires?!? I just cant wait to start her next book in the series, Lover Eternal!
Consider yourself warned: You WILL drop everything your doing, you WILL forget your housework, You WILL spend hours in your bedroom reading these books straight through until your finished! Why?! Because Sexy, Steamy, Edgy and above all... AHHHMAZING!

Happy Monday and the Weekend ReCap

Happy Monday! I can't believe I just said that... because no one loathes Monday's more than me...LOL! Just thought I'd take a few minutes before I have to go to work and say hello to you all. Sorry that I've haven't had much to say lately... its just life has been kinda slow lately... work is work and even though I work part time I still work Monday through Friday and I NEVER have time for crafts anymore... and my weekends usually consist of catching up on cleaning house or going out and getting the weekend shopping done.

We did have a date night though on Saturday night! Woohoo! Thank god for the CDC & the FRC! I seriously wouldn't know what Id do without them! Hubby and I went to the shooting range per our usual and it was pretty awesome, my marksmanship is getting ALOT better with more practice. We also went to the movies and saw "Your Highness" it reminded me of Bill and Ted on Craaaaaack! LOL It was funny but it was a "could have waited for the dvd to come out" kinda movie. I also started a new series in books J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood and I'm LOOOOOOOVEING it! I will have a full report probably tonight or tomorrow some time because I'm almost done will all 399 pages... I read it mostly non stop this weekend, yeah its THAT good! Well times up and I'm off to work... hopefully it flys bye hope you all have a great day too! :)

Book Review: A Brisket, A Casket by: Delia Rosen

Gwen(nee Katz) Silver heard the brisket at her uncle's Jewish deli, Murray the Pastrami Swami-the only one of its kind in Nashville, Tennessee-was "to die for" But she didn't realize that meant literally... When Gwen learns she's inherited Murray's the native New Yorker leaves her chaotic career and messy divorce behind to start over in Nashville. But the venture seems doomed from the start. Murray's taken his recipes and secret list of food suppliers to the grave with him, and ruthless real estate developer Royce Sinclair will stop at nothing to try and sandwich Murray's into his already overstuffed portfolio. Then, on Kosher Karaoke Night, longtime customer Buster Sergeant bites into his brisket... and bites the dust. The coroner says food poisoning, but Gwen's not convinced. Now, with the help of hunky police detective Beau McClintock, "Nashville Katz"- as Gwen is quickly nicknamed-will find herself adding "private investigator" to her resume- and a new love to her life.

I had really high hopes for this book. Reading the cover on the back is what made me wanna buy this book, it seemed smart, witty and interesting. However after reading the first few chapters, I found it a bit boring. It also seemed to me to be a bit jumbled up, the victim dies so early in the beginning of the book there's alot of downtime in the middle and then what you would think would build up to a great ending but in the end I still felt a bit let down. I was also a little annoyed by having to google just about every Jewish word I came across, it would have been a bit better if the author would have added a few explanations about some of the Jewish foods and phrases for the non-Jewish readers.

Tron

The Grid. A digital frontier. I tried to picture clusters of information as they moved through the computer. What did they look like? Ships, motorcycles? Were the circuits like freeways? I kept dreaming of a world I thought I'd never see. And then, one day... I got in!

Is it just me or does anyone else LOVE Tron too?! In case you all didn't know both the old 80's version and the new Tron Legacy just came out on DVD yesterday. Pick it up! You'll love it! We do!
Hubby and I both went and saw it in the movie theater last year around Christmas time and the second it was over I remember saying... I cant wait for this to come out on DVD! We bought the 3D/Blu Ray/DVD/Digital copy one. Anyone else notice how all the new dvd's are coming out with a crap ton of different discs? Not that I'm complaining... Its more like a reminder of how old I am! Woah! Beta Maxxxxx and Laser Disc's that were the size of records! LMAO!

Oh annnnnnd because my hubby rocks, he also bought me a glow in the dark "Flynn's Arcade" shirt! Woop! Woop! I love it and soooo want to craft up a tron suit ASAP! Hmmmm maybe for Halloween this year ;)

Oh... and here's a pic of me sporting my goods LOL! Happy Wednesday everyone! :D

I know... I look a bit pissy but its because its hard to hold the phone and take a pic in the mirror lol!

Milspouse Friday Fill-In

1. What romance movie scene reminds you of your s/o or spouse and the LOVE you share? submitted by Simply Sunshine and Daisy’s

This is such a good question... but I totally can think of an answer... I'll have to think about it today and then I'll get back to you. :)

2. If you were allowed to deploy with your husband to a war zone would you and why? submitted by I & J
This is a hard question to answer... because my heart says one thing but my head is telling me something else. My heart says I need to be with him, where ever and when ever but my head tells me there is no way I should go even IF given the opportunity. I don't ever want to be a distraction to the mission, and besides who would take care of the munchkin while we were both gone? Or god forbid something happen to both of us...

3. Have you ever done anything (intentionally, or unintentionally) to embarrass your spouse/significant other in front of his military cohorts? submitted by Marrying the Navy
Not me... at least I don't think so... but our kiddo... you can bet LOL!

4. What is your most irrational fear? submitted by Eights on the Move
Ohhh I HAAAAAAAATE having my feet touched... when I was a kid I stepped on a toothpick that went straight through the bottom of my foot and up through the top... I think it traumatized me and now I cant stand having my feet touched.

5. If you could only live in one kind of climate for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? submitted by Many Waters
That's kinda hard to answer too... I don't think I've live that many places yet to decide on one particular place. I am partial to Florida but that's because that's where I grew up and it will always feel like home to me.