Archive for January 2015

Foolproof

Friday, January 30, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Foolproof

Author: Jennifer Blackwood

Published date: January 26th 2015 

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis:
Jules Carmichael needs to get her life together. Pronto. School's been hell, there was that tiny stint in rehab, and worst of all, she's lost her cushy summer job. The only available work is at Office Jax, home of horrid 90s music and the biggest jerk on this side of the galaxy...
Recovering from a brutal break-up and taking a hiatus from college, Ryan DeShane has just discovered the “6 Ultimate Steps to the Perfect Summer Fling.” It's a brilliant distraction, and Jules is a tantalizing target. But the “steps” work a little too well, because he and Jules are definitely, uh, flinging. And it's only a matter of time before Ryan's foolproof plan starts to seriously unravel...
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Review: To be quite honest, I was not expecting to have this much fun while reading this book. Ryan and Jules were so fun, enjoyable, and deeply rooted characters to read.

Their banter. Lordy, their banter. Who knew that 90's music titles could be used for something other than being a name of a song. A+ for creativity Jennifer Blackwood *claps*. Here I was expecting something cheesy and adorable, and it was and more. Something amazingly cheesy much like the most wonderful thing in the world: pizza.

DID ANYONE NOTICE THE 10 Things I Hate About You reference?!?! Because if you did I love you. That was probably my favorite scene in the entire book just because I love 10 Things with a fiery passion. But other than that scene, the way that Ryan and Jules were compatible towards each other was happy-day inducing. What I love about their relationship was that many times Ryan would say that Jules was his match. They would make each other better instead of beat themselves up because they think they don't deserve the other. They were the perfect match for each other.

Now let's talk about Jules. She had gone through some tough obstacles. Key word: HAD. She's done with her past, but the only problem she has is that other people aren't done. They want to say "hey look at what youve done, there's no way you can get past that" and degrade her, they don't want to support her. And yet her she is for the most part perfectly fine. She's a freaking strong and determined woman who has taken a few hard turns but knows she'll get out of it. If that's not inspiring then I don't know what is.

Guys, Foolproof will keep a smile on your face from the first chapter to the last. LOL moments to giddiness to goofy grins are ensured. So grab this beauty and have a blast.

With more books to be read
-Vangie
Luke 1:45

Knowing the Score

Thursday, January 15, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

I meet Lia Riley in person this past year at RWA in San Antonio. Being the awesome person/author that she is, she introduced me to so many authors, Kat Latham being one of them.
At RWA, I meet all these authors I wouldn't have otherwise meet and heard about their books. GUYS.... All the books I heard about I pretty much bought because I knew I would love them, for example Knowing the Score.

Day 33

Friday, January 09, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.
Question to Ponder: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?"

MAKE IT LAST

Friday, January 09, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Make It Last

 Author: Megan Erickson

 Published Date: January 6, 2014

 My Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

 Synopsis: After graduating from Bowler University, the last place Cam Ruiz ever expected to find himself is his hometown. A bad job as a bouncer and worry over his mom’s health make living in Paradise anything but. There’s only one thing that can make his return any harder—running into the only girl he’s ever loved. 

Tate Ellison made a mistake when she was eighteen, one that cost her the best thing she’s ever had. She’s always hoped the regret of losing Cam would fade over time. Too bad it’s only grown. She took comfort in the fact she’d never have to face him again, so his presence in Paradise throws her for a loop. 

The pull between them is instant and when the truth of what happened years ago tumbles out, they share a mind-blowing kiss...which leads to more. But the past has a way of repeating itself. When all the cards are on the table, Cam and Tate must decide what they are willing to do to make it last.
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Day 32

Thursday, January 08, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: God deserves my best.
Question to Consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me?"

Day 31

Wednesday, January 07, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me.
Question to Consider: What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?"

I can tolerate kids. Which is one of the reasons why I've been part of the Early Childhood ministries for so long. But you won't believe what I just found out.
About a block away from our church there is a knitting/crocheting kind of place. I haven't gone in there, but I think you can turn in some of your creations and they'll give them to someone in the city that needs them. I don't really know the specifics, but once I do I'm pretty sure I'll be interested into joining into this group. So there's my opening to crochet some more for people in my city. 

With NINE more days until I find my purpose
-Vangie
1 Peter 4:10

Day 30

Tuesday, January 06, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: I was shaped for serving God.
Question to Consider: In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?"

Day 29

Monday, January 05, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: Service is not optional.
Question to Consider: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him?"

Day 28

Sunday, January 04, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: There are no shortcuts to maturity.
Question to Consider: In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?"

Day 27

Saturday, January 03, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

"Point to Ponder: There is always a way out.
Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?"

 I have a really great church crew leader who I've already told many things about myself. She's the one that comes to mind. However, I can ask some of the women in the women's group for prayers as well.
With 13 more days until I find my purpose
-Vangie
1 Corinthians 10:13

Day IDK but I need to catch up

Friday, January 02, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

So I have missed about a week of journaling. And to day is the day to catch up before my woman's group has a meeting! So sorry for bombarding you with my journal entries, but really you don't have to read it. And it's probably going to be nothing but gibberish anyways. But here ya go!

Day 20
"Point to Ponder: Relationships are always worth restoring.
Question to Consider: Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?"
I don't think I have a broken relationship with anyone. If anything, I would fix my relationship with one of my good friends. We were on the verge of being best friends (if being on the verge is a thing) when she kind of stopped talking to me for odd reasons. I just let her be and for the most part left her alone. I don't think that's a broken relationship but I think it's one that could be made stronger.

 Day 21
"Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of the church.
Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?"
I listen. I'm a very quiet person, but I do take everything that's being said in. And I'll always be there to listen to any conflict. 


Day 22
"Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.
Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?"
In my actions and speech. I tend to go off what I want to do and say rather than what is actually best for me to do or say.

 Day 23
"Point to Ponder: It's never too late to start growing.
Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God's way?" 
I need to start thinking God's way when it comes to approaching people. I don't know how to handle people in awkward situations. And when I mean awkward situations I mean situations where I have to talk. Like I said before I can listen but I can't give very sound advice. That's probably because I I think how I would approach the matter instead of how it should be approached.

 Day 24
"Point to Ponder: The truth transforms me.
Question to Consider: What has God already told me in His Word that I haven't started doing yet?"
To be quite honest, I don't read the bible that much. Probably twice a month I'll feel like reading it but I don't take anything to heart. I honestly just read it like a novel and nothing else. I want to start reading it everyday, I have that yearning to do so, but I know that I'll end up falling through the cracks sooner or later. And I don't want that to happen. It'll end up being like this journaling. I was doing well then slacked off, that tends to happen a lot. But I don't know what would hold me accountable to reading and reflecting on God's word.
 Day 25
"Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.
Question to Consider: What problem in my life has cause the greatest growth in me?"
Choosing schools for college. Though I don't think it's a problem, per se, it has had an affect on me. I don't know if where I want to go is where God wants me to go, but from what I just read, God is going to get me through the bad. If my choice was wrong well that's what free will is for, but ultimately God is going to be by my side no matter what. Knowing that whatever the outcome of my life may be God is there.

 Day 26
"Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.
Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?"
Purity. I don't cuss a lot but I do cuss. There's always that thrill when I say them but afterwards I regret it. I do it for the thrill, simply because I don't say them that often, but eventually the guilt outweighs the thrill.
14 more days until I find my purpose
-Vangie
James 1:12

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thursday, January 01, 2015 0 Comments A + a -

GUYS IT'S 2015.
This is is the year of many things...

 I graduate.
I go to college.
& It will be a year of Painful Reads.
I'm glad that y'all have been with me this past year and I hope y'all stay with me for this year because it's going to be a great one.

To truly say goodbye to 2014, I'm going to do a Top 10 series/books of last year. (I know, I know, it's 2015, but I've been lazy and decided to not be lazy today and do it). They are in no particular ranking order other than the fact that they order from not so recently read to recently read.


10. Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover

Colleen's books are amazing and her characters are freaking loveable. But I would have to say that Daniel is my favorite character of all of hers.
There's no link to a review because this was before Painful Reads. 
9. The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer
*SCARLET*
THIS SERIES IS AMAZEBALLS. SERIUOSLY. I mean FAIRYTALES turned to awesome shucks stories that are just amazing. Guys this series has the best fantasy novels ever.
Again there's no link to a review because this was before Painful Reads. 

 8. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
This book was one of my first reviews and my second Jenny B. Jones novel. Holy heck, her books are so well written that I can't help but fall in love with them. It also helped that this book was following the "fake-relationship" trope. Gah I love those kinds of tropes.

 7. Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher
If you haven't read a Tarryn Fisher book and haven't been mindeffed yet then you need to get on this bandwagon. Her characters are twisted, gritty, and totally human. Everything she writes is gold.
6. Finding Dandelion by Lex Martin
One word: Soccer.


 5. Between Breaths series by Christina Lee
*BEFORE YOU BREAK*
MY SECOND FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR: QUINN. Lord BASEBALL and deep emotional feelings. Holy lord how can you not feel for him??? I will rave about Quinn until my dying breath

 4. Bowler University series by Megan Erickson
*MAKE IT RIGHT*
MY FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR: MAX Super Fudging PAYTON.
And pair him up with a kickass heroine and some amazing things are bound to happen... like delicious cookies.

 3. Off the Map series by Lia Riley
*UPSIDE DOWN*
If you're into study aboard adventures, here's the book for you. You will want to cuddle with Talia and Bran so hard. AND THE BICEP. 

2. The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris
FAKE RELATIONSHIPS GALORE... Even though they come with an avalanche of frustrations these tropes are my favorite. And the TFAoP is a perfect example.

 1. Alex by Sawyer Bennett
Holy Damn. Consider me now a hockey fan and an Alex fan. The character development was astonishing as well as the story.

 TWO BONUSES because I can't follow my own rules.
Rites of Passage by  Joy N. Hensley

 Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
With more books to read and about 5 days to journal
-Vangie
Isaiah 43:19
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