Category: V’s Musings

V’s current state of reflection.

Homeschooling Three Kids After 40: WTF Was I Thinking? Send Help. And Coffee.

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Progress, not perfection… yet.

There are certain decisions you make in life that sound absolutely brilliant when you’re sitting down, well-rested, hydrated, caffeinated, and clearly suffering from temporary delusions of grandeur.

Starting a homeschool journey with three of my four children was apparently one of those decisions.

Because, baby…

HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT FOR THE WEAK.

And homeschooling three completely different children? With three different personalities? Three different learning styles?

And because I apparently enjoy making life extra spicy, THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS designed to better address each child’s individual needs?

Chile.

SEND. HELP.

Preferably someone with teaching credentials, a bottle of wine, an industrial-sized coffee maker, and the ability to explain why somebody suddenly cannot remember something we literally discussed eleven minutes ago.

Welcome to My Homeschool Era

When I decided to homeschool three of my children, I had good reasons.

Every child learns differently. Every child has different strengths, challenges, interests, and needs. I wanted each of mine to have an educational experience that actually worked for them, rather than forcing all three into the same little academic box and hoping everybody survived.

Beautiful, right?

Inspirational even. Look at me being intentional. Look at me individualizing education. Look at me creating three separate educational plans.

Now look at me at 10:37 a.m. trying to remember which child is supposed to be logged into which program while somebody needs help with an assignment, somebody else suddenly needs a snack despite having just eaten, and another child is looking at me like I personally invented fractions.

Oh, and did I mention that while all of this is happening, I ALSO WORK A FULL-TIME PUBLIC SERVICE POSITION FROM HOME?!

Yes. A real job. With actual responsibilities. Deadlines. Meetings. Emails. Phone calls. People who reasonably expect me to be productive during the workday.

Because somewhere along the way, people started believing that “working from home” means “available for everybody else’s random needs from 8 to 5.”

No, ma’am.

I am at work. My commute may be approximately twelve steps, but I AM STILL AT WORK.

So now I’m simultaneously trying to be a productive public service professional while overseeing three children’s education.

Basically, I’m sitting in a meeting looking professional from the shoulders up while silently communicating across the room:

WHY ARE YOU NOT LOGGED INTO MATH?!

This is a skill that absolutely belongs on my résumé.

WTF WAS I THINKING?!

Nobody tells you that homeschooling multiple children basically turns you into a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, IT department, cafeteria worker, attendance clerk, curriculum coordinator, transportation department, school nurse, and disgruntled employee.

Except…

YOU ARE ALSO MANAGEMENT.

And in my case, management has another full-time job. So who exactly am I supposed to complain to?

HR?

I AM HR.

This is some bullsh*t.

And Then Mama Got SICK

As if my new position as Superintendent of Lee Academy, full-time public servant, cheer coach, and general household crisis manager wasn’t enough, my body apparently decided it wanted attention too.

And when I say I got sick, I don’t mean the cute kind of sick where you sniffle dramatically, drink some tea, wrap yourself in a blanket, and binge-watch television.

No.

Those who know me know there are a couple of pretty reliable ways to determine whether I’m actually sick.

Can Valencia get out of bed?

And perhaps more importantly:

Can Valencia leave the house to get coffee?

If the answer to both questions is NO, somebody might want to check my pulse. Because coffee? Coffee and I have a relationship. Coffee has been there for me. Coffee understands me. Coffee doesn’t ask why the assignment isn’t submitted yet. So when I couldn’t even drag myself out of the house for coffee?

Houston, we had a problem.

I was so sick that I had to cancel a Laveen Divine Cheer practice during the month of a performance.

If you know Coach V, you know how much it takes for that to happen.

But THEN…

I couldn’t even READ.

Excuse me?! Now we’ve crossed a line.

YOU TOOK MY BOOKS TOO?!

Being sick is already disrespectful. But being so sick that an avid reader and book blogger doesn’t even feel like reading? That feels personal. I have books to read! ARCs are sitting there looking at me like:

“So…you just not gonna open me?”

Authors are somewhere wondering whether I’ve fallen off the face of the earth. My blog is probably collecting digital dust. My Goodreads goals are somewhere tapping their little imaginary watches. And I’m lying in bed thinking:

I KNOW. DAMMIT. I’M TRYING.

So to my authors, readers, fellow bloggers, and everybody waiting on reviews and new posts:

Please bear with me while I get my bearings back.

I am officially behind on my ARC reads and blog posts. Not because I abandoned my beloved books, but because apparently my immune system scheduled an unauthorized vacation. Management was not consulted.

Apparently Life Over 40 Has Jokes

Can we discuss this whole life-over-40 situation for a minute? Because who approved this?

I remember a time when I could stay up all night, get three hours of sleep, drink something caffeinated, and carry on with my day like a responsible member of society.

Now?

I sleep wrong and wake up with an injury. I cough too hard and suddenly I’m evaluating my entire healthcare plan. And when I get sick? My body apparently sends out an automatic email:

OFFICE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Life over 40 ain’t for the weak.

But hey…

Who’s counting the f’s I have left to give?

Certainly not me. We’re operating on a limited supply around here, and I’m pretty sure homeschooling is using most of them.

Meanwhile, I Live in HOTZONA

For those who haven’t been following along, this Chicago girl now lives in Arizona.

Or as I lovingly refer to it:

HOTZONA.

And believe it or not, I actually love Arizona. The sunshine? Beautiful. The winters? Absolutely disrespectful to everybody back home shoveling snow, and I love that for us. The scenery? Gorgeous. But then Arizona says:

“You seem a little too comfortable. Would you like some dirt in your lungs?”

Enter dust storm and monsoon season.

Because nothing says desert living quite like watching a giant wall of dust roll through town like the apocalypse has an appointment at 6:30. All that settled dust, pollen, dirt, allergens, and whatever else has been minding its business on the ground suddenly gets launched into the atmosphere.

And my body is like:

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Arizona: Here’s some beautiful rain.

Also Arizona: And here’s everything that has been sitting on the ground since March. BREATHE DEEPLY.

Ma’am.

But I Made It to the AZ Black Rodeo!

Now somehow, through sickness, homeschooling chaos, full-time work, cheer responsibilities, unread books, and my rapidly disappearing personal time, I did manage to make it out for AZ Black Rodeo weekend.

AND I HAD A BLAST.

Sometimes you need that reminder that life isn’t just deadlines, assignments, work meetings, practices, schedules, and responsibilities.

Sometimes you need to put on your boots, get outside, enjoy the culture, laugh, have fun, and temporarily pretend there aren’t three homeschool programs waiting for you when you get home.

Was I going back to educational chaos afterward?

Absolutely.

But for those few hours?

YEEHAW, BABY.

Mama was OUTSIDE.

Anyway…Back to These Children

Because apparently they still require an education.

Rude.

The biggest adjustment with homeschooling hasn’t necessarily been the academics. It’s realizing just how much of your day becomes centered around everyone else’s needs. I thought I was busy before. That’s adorable. Because now there is ALWAYS something.

Assignments.

Questions.

Schedules.

Progress checks.

Passwords.

Projects.

Lunch.

A full-time public service job.

Meetings.

Emails.

Deadlines.

Cheer.

Appointments.

Household responsibilities.

More questions. And why does everybody need to speak to me at the exact same time?! Meanwhile, I’m trying to maintain my own identity somewhere in there.

Reader.

Writer.

Blogger.

Coach.

Founder.

Public service professional.

Mom.

Woman.

Human being who would occasionally like to sit alone and stare at a wall without someone asking me where something is.

I HAVE NO PERSONAL TIME.

None.

Zero.

Personal time has left the building. Personal time changed its number. Personal time blocked me.

At this point, if I go to the bathroom alone, I’m considering it a wellness retreat.

But Here’s the Part I’m Learning

Underneath all my complaining, colorful vocabulary, caffeine dependency, and occasional desire to hide in my car…

I still believe this can be worth it. I’m learning my children differently. I’m seeing where they thrive. I’m discovering where they struggle.

I’m learning when to push, when to adjust, and when everybody needs to close the laptops before somebody ends up on the evening news.

And they’re learning something about me too.

Mostly that Mama doesn’t know everything. But Mama will Google it. We’re figuring it out. Some days are productive and beautiful. Some days I feel like Superwoman. Other days, the biggest educational accomplishment is that everybody remained alive, fed, and nobody threw a Laptop.

Progress, not perfection… yet.

And maybe that’s what this season of life is really about. Not having everything perfectly organized. Not pretending homeschooling is magical every day. Not pretending motherhood after 40 is effortless.

And definitely not pretending I can work a full-time public service position from home and actually remain productive, run a cheer organization, homeschool three kids through three different programs, maintain a blog, read ARCs, write books, manage a household, have some resemblance of a personal life, and remain completely sane every second of the day.

Because apparently I looked at 24 hours in a day and said:

“Yeah…I can fit some more shit in there.”

Ma’am.

No, you cannot.

Sometimes I’m killing it. Sometimes I’m surviving it. Sometimes I’m answering work emails while checking an assignment, mentally planning cheer practice, staring at an unread ARC, reheating the same cup of coffee for the third time, and wondering:

I graduated already. Why the hell am I doing school again?!

😂

Now I Need to Hear From My People

Homeschool parents, COME TO THE FRONT OF THE CONGREGATION.

Especially my fellow work-from-home homeschool parents because I KNOW somebody out there understands this madness.

I need answers.

How are y’all doing this?!

How do you homeschool multiple children, work a full-time job, remain productive, and not completely lose yourself in the process?

Do you actually have personal time, or is that just homeschool propaganda?

How do you balance individual learning needs when every child is using a different program?

How do you handle work meetings when somebody suddenly forgets every rule they’ve ever been taught the second your camera turns on?

And most importantly:

HOW DO YOU KEEP EVERYBODY BUSY LONG ENOUGH TO DRINK AN ENTIRE CUP OF COFFEE WHILE IT’S STILL HOT?

Because that’s the level of educational research I’m interested in right now.

And to my fellow 40+ parents:

Please tell me I’m not alone. When did staying home alone with a book and nobody calling your name become the equivalent of an all-inclusive vacation?

So yes, I’m behind on my reading. I’m behind on blogging. I’ve been sick. I’m juggling three homeschool programs. I’m working full-time. I’m trying to actually be productive at said full-time job. Cheer season is cheer-seasoning. Arizona is throwing dirt into the atmosphere. And my personal time is currently listed as a missing person.

But I’m getting my bearings back.

The books aren’t going anywhere. The blog isn’t going anywhere. And neither am I.

Although…

if anybody knows a homeschool teacher who accepts payment in coffee, sarcasm, and eternal gratitude, SEND THEM MY WAY.

Until next time,

Mz. Trulee V

Mother. Public Servant. Coach. Author. Blogger. Homeschool Administrator Apparently.

Progress, not perfection… yet.

Dear Future Bestselling Author: The Odds Are Terrible (But Don’t Panic)

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The self-publishing revolution is one of the greatest plot twists in publishing history.

Twenty years ago, telling someone you were self-publishing was often met with the literary equivalent of, “Oh… that’s nice, dear.” Today? Self-published authors are landing movie deals, topping bestseller lists, earning seven figures, and building empires from their living rooms while wearing pajama pants and arguing with Amazon ads at 2 a.m.

But here’s the million-dollar question: What are the actual odds of becoming a bestselling self-published author?

Spoiler alert: They’re simultaneously terrible and better than they’ve ever been.

From Rejection Letters to Royalty Checks: The Rise of the Self-Published Bestseller

Every year, millions of books are published worldwide. In 2025 alone, more than 4.2 million books were published in the United States, and approximately 3.5 million of those were self-published titles. Self-publishing isn’t the underdog anymore. It’s the publishing industry.

That sounds exciting until you realize you’re competing against approximately:

  • 3.5 million self-published books
  • Thousands of new releases every single day
  • Readers with unlimited access to books for less than the price of their morning latte

Welcome to The Hunger Games: Indie Author Edition.

What Are Your Chances of Becoming a Bestseller?

Let’s talk numbers.

Most self-published books do not become bestsellers. In fact:

  • Approximately 90% sell fewer than 100 copies over their lifetime.
  • The average self-published book sells around 250 copies.
  • The average self-published author earns roughly $1,000 annually from book sales.
  • About one-third of self-published authors earn less than $500 annually from their books.

Before you ugly cry into your manuscript, remember something important.

The average includes people who:

  • Published one book and disappeared.
  • Never marketed their books.
  • Uploaded a PDF and hoped readers would magically find it.
  • Told absolutely no one they wrote a book.

Publishing a book is like opening a bakery in the middle of Manhattan and refusing to put a sign outside. Readers are not literary bloodhounds. They cannot smell your manuscript from three zip codes away.

The authors who succeed in self-publishing generally treat it like a business.

What Genres Perform Best in Self-Publishing?

The data consistently points to a few genres dominating self-publishing sales:

  1. Romance
  2. Fantasy and Romantasy
  3. Mystery and Thriller
  4. Science Fiction
  5. Young Adult Fiction
  6. Paranormal Romance
  7. Cozy Mysteries
  8. Self-Help and Business Books
  9. Children’s Books
  10. Contemporary Fiction

Romance remains the undisputed queen of self-publishing. Readers consume romance at astonishing rates, and series perform exceptionally well in the indie market. Approximately 75% of self-published book sales come from books that are part of a series.

The rise of BookTok has also transformed fantasy and romantasy into publishing powerhouses, producing viral sensations and multi-million-dollar publishing deals seemingly overnight.

In other words:

Dragons sell.

Billionaires sell.

Enemies-to-lovers sells.

Dragons who are secretly billionaire enemies-to-lovers?

Congratulations. You’ve basically purchased beachfront property on BookTok.

How Many Books Should Self-Published Authors Write?

This answer tends to disappoint first-time authors.

One book is rarely enough.

Successful indie authors typically publish multiple books annually. Many six and seven-figure indie authors release:

  • Two to four novels per year
  • Several novellas or bonus content releases
  • Entire series within a relatively short period

The industry’s highest earners often have extensive backlists ranging from 10 to 50+ titles.

The truth is simple:

Readers don’t just fall in love with books. They fall in love with authors.

Give them one amazing book, and they’ll ask for another.

Give them twelve amazing books, and they’ll start arguing on social media over which fictional man deserves their affection.

That’s when you’ve officially made it.

Do Self-Published Bestsellers Stay Independent?

The answer is: sometimes.

Some authors never leave self-publishing because they enjoy:

  • Higher royalty percentages
  • Creative control
  • Ownership of intellectual property
  • Faster publishing schedules
  • Greater flexibility with marketing

Others eventually sign lucrative traditional publishing deals.

Many bestselling authors have become “hybrid authors,” enjoying the best of both worlds.

Examples include authors who:

  • Self-publish some series
  • Traditionally publish others
  • Sell foreign rights
  • Negotiate film and television options
  • Retain digital rights when possible

The publishing world has become significantly less “either-or” and much more “why not both?”

Top Bestselling Self-Published Authors

These authors have proven that independent publishing can compete at the highest levels:

  1. Colleen Hoover
  2. Hugh Howey
  3. Amanda Hocking
  4. E. L. James
  5. Andy Weir
  6. Bella Andre
  7. Mark Dawson
  8. Michael J. Sullivan
  9. Joanna Penn
  10. Rachel Abbott

Many of these authors have gone on to secure traditional publishing contracts while retaining portions of their publishing businesses. Others have remained fiercely independent because, quite frankly, their businesses were already outperforming what many traditional contracts could offer.

Self-Published Authors I’d Love to Interview

If someone could kindly make this happen, I promise to bring snacks and intelligent questions.

  1. Hugh Howey
  2. Bella Andre
  3. Mark Dawson
  4. Joanna Penn
  5. Michael J. Sullivan
  6. Amanda Hocking
  7. Rachel Abbott
  8. E. L. James
  9. Andy Weir
  10. Colleen Hoover

My first question to every single one of them would be:

At what point did you realize you weren’t simply writing books anymore, but building an author business?

Followed immediately by:

Did you ever ugly cry over a one-star review?

Because we’re all friends here.

Things Nobody Tells New Self-Published Authors

You are not competing against other authors.

You’re competing against:

  • Netflix
  • TikTok
  • Sleep
  • Social media
  • Reader budgets
  • Video games
  • The twenty-seven unread books already sitting on someone’s Kindle

Readers don’t owe us their time.

We earn it one page at a time.

Success in self-publishing isn’t just about writing the next bestseller. It’s about consistency, professionalism, branding, networking, marketing, and having the audacity to continue writing when your first release only sells twelve copies.

Every bestselling author was once an unknown author refreshing their sales dashboard every four minutes.

(If you’re currently doing that, please drink some water and go write Chapter Two.)

The Question Every Author Should Ask

Instead of asking:

How do I become a bestselling author?

Perhaps we should ask:

How do I become an author readers trust enough to buy my next ten books?

The bestseller lists are wonderful.

Building a loyal readership that follows you for decades? That’s literary magic.

Readers & Writers: I Want Your Thoughts!

I’d love to hear from both readers and authors in the comments.

  • Would you rather read a traditionally published book or a self-published book if the quality is the same?
  • What makes you take a chance on an indie author?
  • If you’re a self-published author, how many books have you written before finding your readership?
  • Which self-published author do you think deserves far more recognition?
  • Do you believe becoming a bestseller is luck, strategy, talent, or some combination of all three?
  • If you could ask one bestselling self-published author a single question, what would it be?

Finally, here’s my favorite publishing statistic of all:

The overwhelming majority of authors who quit will never become bestsellers.

The overwhelming majority of authors who eventually succeed are the ones who kept writing long after everyone else stopped.

Turns out, perseverance may be the most underrated genre of all.

Sources

  • Publishers Weekly, 2025 U.S. Book Output Statistics.
  • BestWriting.com Self-Publishing Statistics (2026).
  • Mary Adkins, Publishing Industry Data Analysis (2024).
  • Newprint Book Sales Statistics (2025).
  • Industry sales statistics aggregated by writing and publishing analysts.
  • Reporting on the rise of Romantasy and BookTok-driven publishing trends.

T.V.S. 500 Facebook Like Giveaway!!

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Only 24 Hours left….

to enter the Giveaway for an ebook copy of

Love, Chocolate and Beer by Violet Duke.

MilestoneGiveaway

As promised…….here is the link to enter the Giveaway. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach this milestone!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDk5YTQ3NjRjM2RhNjc3ODQ3YmJkYzNhMDE4ZDA3OjE=/

Random thought……..

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I was sitting here and contemplating a few things, but more than anything I was remembering my grandmother. Today she would have been 83 years young, and although I miss her endlessly, I thank her for all of her support.

My granny was my biggest advocate and support. Even at a very young age, she saw that when other kids wanted to play, I was content with a book. I can remember her always saying that if enough people read books then the world might not be so ignorant. Not really knowing what that meant at that age, she was always there to fuel my reading fire. Her gifts to me were subscriptions to reading clubs like the Baby sitters club and yes Harlequin Romance novels. The fights between her and my mother were endless as they would argue over why my grandmother would let me read romance novels at the age of 9. Young age, yes I agree but I’m glad she did.

It was interesting reading romance novels and not having the slightest clue what some of the graphic details were but then it got me researching and asking questions. For those who knew my granny, she did not beat around the bush. Ask her a question and you will get a very real answer. And one that might leave you with you jaw on the floor from shock. Nonetheless everyone loved her for it. Granny was a big advocate of “give her the facts now so that she can make better decisions as she gets older”. Sex education came at a very young age with her, and there definitely wasn’t a stork involved nor birds and bees. lol

If I were an addict, books were my addiction and granny was my supplier. Feeding my habit every chance she got, from gifts for every occasion, to buying them at the book fair at school, to picking up books from the goodwill. Yes, I was addicted to them from the very beginning and the more I read the more my vocabulary increased (because I was looking words p in the dictionary that I didn’t know), which in turn improved my spelling. My elementary school couldn’t believe my state reading test scores were that of a college level student. I became familiar with To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies and authors such as Daniel Steele, Sandra Brown, Alice Walker, and so many others. Reading lead to poetry and poetry to writing. I broadened my mind by entering young author competitions in elementary school and winning, to writing essays that won contest in high school, to even writing my first young adult novel then (which is all handwritten in notebooks and unedited and unpublished).

I look back on these memories and all I can do is smile. Granny encouraged me to do that which I loved and have loved for as long as I can remember. I thank her for encouraging me and feeding my habit. Today I still read like 90 going north, and even review books and have a book blog (I never saw that coming). I’ve even started on a new novel. Reading is my solace, my comfort, and yes I get bitchy when interrupted from a good book. Reading is my escape from reality and always has been. There is nothing like black ink on white paper bounded together with a journey yet to be revealed (now this includes my Kindle). Later on Granny revealed to me that she used to do the same thing in which I found comfort in; devour a good book in a matter of hours only to start again with a new one. I miss her dearly, but I know that each time I start a new book, it’s like she’s there with me and I take comfort in that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!!!

 

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It’s a Birthday Giveaway!!!!!

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It’s my birthday so I want to do a giveaway!

To thank everyone for liking us we are offering up an Amazon eBook of Driven and Fueled by K. Bromberg. (two of my favorite books)

How to Win:

1. Enter the rafflecopter giveaway (Link below in comments)

2. Tag some friends and spread the love!

3. Share if you want to help but it’s not necessary to win!

 

**US ONLY

** We are 100% responsible for this giveaway. It is in no way affiliated with Facebook.

-Valencia

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 

6 Ways to Have Radically Intimate Sex. ~ Zoë Kors | elephant journal

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So I read this and it sort of reminded me of a D/s relationship to a degree. Then again perhaps some of the books I’ve read have actually touched on a lot of these techniques…….interesting. What are your thoughts?

6 Ways to Have Radically Intimate Sex. ~ Zoë Kors | elephant journal

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I’ve been in a creative mood lately and look what I decided to create….I like it. *all smiles*
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Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

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top10.4

Top Ten Tuesday is, as always, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

My TBR list is never ending, especially since I’m a #1clickaholic #bookworm. However, these are a few of my must reads this winter. I wanted to put each trilogy together to make them one number….lol, but I separated them. Please believe that I could have easily added more to this list, but only ten were required.

1. crashed

2. thefieryheart

3.

thisman

 

4.

beneaththisman

5.

thismanconfessed

 

6.

consequences

7.

truth

 

8.

convicted

9.

theshining

10.

drsleep

 

Down but not out…..

Been sick the last few days, feeling somewhat better today. Guess I’ll take today and start to post some of my reviews that I haven’t posted yet. Huge thanks to the #VPPitCrew and K. Bromberg for keeping Colton on my mind, computer, phone and kindle while I’ve been sick. :-) And to all my fellow bloggers for feeding my #1clickaddiction which has added to my never-ending TBR list.

I’ve been enjoying the blog tours and cover reveals I’ve been participating in lately, and looking forward to more. I’ve got some awesome ideas for next year that I can’t wait to roll out as I reach those milestones on Facebook……author take overs, giveaways, and who knows what else.

Ok, now I need a huge cup of coffee that I haven’t had in what feels like months, but only like three days. lol

Stay Tuned!!!!

Top Ten Books I’d Recommend To my older Sister

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Top Ten Tuesday is, as always, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

So my sister is a reader just as I am, perhaps not as much as me, but she does enjoy a good book. So here is my list to her as to what she should read next as I know we like the same type of books. Here is my list.

Cassandra Clare My sister saw the City of Bones movie and was excited to read the books, and who has read every book in the series thus far? She was a little upset that we didn’t read it together.

The Mortal Instruments Series

1. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

3. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

4. City of fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

5. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

driven.k.bromberg fueled.k.bromberg

The Driven Trilogy

6. Driven by K. Bromberg

  7. Fueled by K. Bromberg

crossfireseries

The Crossfire Series

8. Bared to You By Sylvia Day

9. Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

10. Entwined with you by Sylvia Day

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

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This Monday I’m in the middle of so many awesome books and many more on my TBR list! Here’s what’s occupying my currently reading shelf this week:

Reading Update:

Today is November 18, 2013.

I have read 51 books toward my goal of 60 for 2013. I’m behind but 1-Click is going to get me in trouble. I also can’t seem to stop re-reading The Driven Trilogy by K. Bromberg. Anyway, I’m almost there!!!!! Looking forward to increasing my reading goal to 100 books next year.

Currently Reading:

I’m still reading like crazy, partially because I’ve got a lot of upcoming blog tours, and book review request pending. However,  here’s what’s in my currently reading stack this week:

aversionAversion (Book One of The Mentalist Series) by Kenechi Udogu— For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete.

I’m finishing this up, and it’s a really good read.

 

 

feaststrayloveFeast, Stray, Love – #1 by Kevin Anthony – Damien Cooper’s mind is a bit fucked up. Yes, that’s his actual diagnosis. His disability has him hearing things he’s not supposed to hear and his other senses are also taken to new heights. Damien’s boyfriend adopts a cannibalistic feasting habit after beginning employment at a mysterious factory site and Damien’s mother strays away from reality after she becomes obsessed with a self-help book. Damien struggles to embrace his flaws while uncovering an explosive new trait. This is only 23 pages.

 

 

theanchorthatstoppedThe Anchor That Stopped The World by Agostino Scafidi – Follow the journey of one Martin Rizzo as he wakes up in strange surroundings and must piece together a bloody puzzle. A fiction touching upon the Mystery and Crime genres. This author’s first novel.

 

 

thegirlfriendThe Girlfriend by Abigail Barnette – Unemployed, blacklisted, and pregnant, Sophie Scaife’s life is totally upside down. Her relationship with publishing magnate Neil Elwood is on the rocks. Her best friend’s career is igniting. And Sophie is afraid she’ll make one of the toughest decisions of her life alone…

This is the sequel to The Boss  by Abigail Barnette, I couldn’t pass up reading the next book.

What are you reading today?

Saturday Sidetrack

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the bossAlright, I’ll admit it……I got sidetracked but in a good way. I downloaded it to my kindle to read later and 44% later I can’t put it down. What can I say!!!?? This book has caught my attention and has some surprising things happening that I just didn’t expect, but in a literary good way. So place this on your TBR list but one-click it now……it’s currently only $.99.

The Boss (The Boss #1) by Abigail Barnette

BLURB:

Sophie Scaife almost ran away once, trading her ticket to college for a ticket to Tokyo. But a delayed flight and a hot one-night stand with a stranger changed her mind, putting her firmly on track to a coveted position at a New York fashion magazine.

When the irresistible stranger from that one incredible night turns out to be her new boss – billionaire and publishing magnate Neil Elwood – Sophie can’t resist the chance to rekindle the spark between them… and the opportunity to explore her submissive side with the most Dominant man she’s ever known.

Neil is the only man who has ever understood Sophie’s need to submit in the bedroom, and the only man who has ever satisfied those desires. When their scorching, no-strings-attached sexual relationship becomes something more, Sophie must choose between her career and heart… or risk losing them both.

Purchase Link:  The Boss

  • Publication Date: August 19, 2013
  • File Size: 595 KB
  • Print Length: 353 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1493625489

V’s Spotlight: A Day on the Runway presented by KaronCouture

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It’s best when you see the fruits of your labor and you begin to live your dream. I’m so proud of my cousin for never giving up on what her true passion is. It warms my heart every time I see her reach new levels in her business and I love how she always wants to give back.

If any of you are in the Houston area, please support her project and spread the word.

Head-to-Toe styling for the everyday girl or woman, business professional, magazine, runway and all. Your beauty & style transformation starts here! Are YOU ready to be TRANSFORMED?

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http://www.karoncouture.com

Meet Karon L. Washington { KC Founder}

Many times in life, one comes across individuals who are gifted with talents that touch the world. But it is rare that they come across individuals who have a natural “knack” for a particular craft. This rings true for Karon Washington. With a beautiful family and two successful businesses, Karon holds fast to her mantra of style and excellence. Karon Couture and Like My Style, Inc. (LMS) are the businesses that keep her making hearts happy, keep her clients looking their best, and causing esteem to be raised to a healthy level. This is Karon’s mission because of her own humble beginnings:

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Raised on the South Side of inner city Chicago……continue reading her full story

Problem Solving…..

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Ugh!!!!! I’m stuck in a rough place. My head is a morass of ideas, yet I can’t seem to focus one to completely develop this novel I’m working on. I’ve written perhaps a total of three chapters and deleted them again because I’m stuck on where to go next. yeah I know writers block, it stinks. Even with all the novels I’ve been reading, nothing has helped me to focus on how I want this one to develop. I keep telling myself to keep writing and it will come to me, however that light bulb moment hasn’t come yet. So I’m asking the audience, what do you do when you’re stuck in this situation?

Unexpected response…..

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Wow!!!!!! What can I say…… A huge thank you to all that have contacted me regarding book reviews. My inbox looks challenging now……lol. I had no idea there were so many individuals who were looking for reviewers and I just took a small step and associated myself with a few different sites and what an overwhelming response I have been given. At this point I need a reviewing list, so please have patience with me as I go through my emails to respond to each inquiry.

I think each of you are pushing me to exceed my 2013 reading challenge, which I’m thankful for. Please continue to follow my blog for updated reviews, book releases and lots of other interesting stuff.