Links to Love

Hello lovelies!

I hope you all had a great week! I didn't get much done this week, my internet is still acting up, and it's driving me insane!

I have a few things planned for next week, I just hope my internet will let me online long enough to finish those projects!

Here's this week's links to love!

12 Things You Need to Stop Paying for Now

You're More Capable Than You Think

The Best Ways to Brighten Your Winter

7 Ways to Stay Strong When Everything Goes Wrong

Seersucker Sass: Wednesday Wisdom | Lessons Learned from a Cancer Diagnosis

That's it for this week, I hope you have a great weekend!

XoXo,

Lori

Book Review: Janice Kay Johnson - One Frosty Night

Today I will be reviewing 'One Frosty Night' by One Frosty Night, copy received from Netgalley via Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

'One Frosty Night' is a contemporary romance novel, it is 384 pages long and it took me about four hours to read. It is available at Amazon (Kindle) for $3.49, and at Barnes & Noble for $3.99.

Book Stats

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 384 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: November 4, 2014








Book Synopsis
Olivia Bowen would rather avoid this holiday season. Even her satisfaction at improving the family business doesn't make up for the loss of her beloved father and the sudden tension with her mother. Olivia questions how much longer she can live in her hometown. And her decision is further complicated by Ben Hovik.

Should she keep her distance--he broke her heart years ago. Yet his compassion and their still-sizzling attraction are seductive.Could she be falling for him again? When she spends Christmas with Ben and his teenage son, she wonders if this might be the first of many more...

What did I think? 4 Stars

Like: The ending.
Dislike: Nothing.

Would I recommend it?
Yes I would definitely recommend this book. I wish I could give it 5 stars but I can't, there's something missing, I just can't figure it out.

I'm pretty sure this is the first and only book I've read by Janice Kay Johnson, I really like that she was able to pull me in and I didn't know what would happen next. Most romantic suspense books I read give away the ending, but this one didn't and I love that! I definitely want to read more books by Janice Kay Johnson in the future.

Overall the book was very interesting, it kept my attention and didn't bore me. If you have a few hours to spare I would definitely recommend you pick this one up!

Thank you Harlequin via Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review!

Will you be buying this book? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

February Goals Update

Hello lovelies!

Sorry I haven't been posting recently, last week's snow and ice messed with our internet dish and so we haven't had any internet for a week!

I've missed blogging so much, it's been driving me crazy not being able to write! I'm hoping that this weekend I can get some blog posts scheduled for next week and get back on track soon! Senior year is really kicking my butt!

Anyway here's this months goals update!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

11 out of 14 accomplished!

Lose Weight.

Yes I did lose weight this month. I really need to make a full post about this, but for now I'll just give you a few details. So when I saw the doctor earlier this month I hadn't weighed myself in about two months and so when  I saw the doctor I found out that I had apparently gained back the 13 pounds I lost last year, plus and extra four pounds.
I was NOT happy when I saw that number on the scale, that is the highest I've ever weighed and I don't like it, so I've been making changes this month and so far I've lost two pounds. I don't plan on doing a weight loss update this month, but I will next month.

Buy a new stationary bike.

Sadly I didn't get a new bike this month, I had other things I needed more and so the bike took a back burner.

Finish Chemistry Part 1.

I've finished this class and now I'm just waiting to get my final grade back.

Finish English 2 Part 2.

For this class I have four assignments that I'm waiting to hear back on and then I will be done with the course.

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.

I've started the course but haven't finished because I'm still waiting to get grades back on assignments.

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.

Nope didn't happen!

Read two books.

This month I read Colton Holiday Lockdown and One Frosty Night. I've also been reading Ethan Frome and I hope to finish it by the weekend!

Move and get settled into new house.

I think I have two boxes left to unpack and then I'll have everything together in my bedroom, bathroom, and office.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

I'm really happy with my new background, but I still need to design a new header. I did add a new header, I just don't like it, so I need to work on it. I also need to work on some of my widgets and re-code a few of them.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

I went into Victoria's Secret last Saturday while I was in Evansville and I got measured. However, I'm still not going to be able to order online because I had to buy two different sizes. With one of the bras I bought, I was able to get the same cup size I've been buying for years, and for the other I had to go down one size, so really it's just going to depend on the type of bra I buy.

Try to downsize my book collection.

I finished this the first week of the month! In total I got rid of 24 books and I'm hoping to get rid of a few more soon!

Go through and clean out my closet.

I've cleaned my closet out a little. I got rid of a lot of stuff I haven't worn in years. I've also done a lot of shopping this month, buying things I need, and a few things I've been wanting!

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Last weekend was awesome! I had so much fun, I still haven't decided if UE is where I'm going to attend, but I can definitely say that I can see myself being happy there if I choose to attend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

My college apps are completely done, now all I have to do is sit and wait!

So that's it for today, I have a book scheduled for tomorrow, so you have that to look forward to!
Did you accomplish your February Goals?

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

"Never forget your manners. If you look and act like you are making an effort, it will be appreciated." - Matt Bomer

XoXo,
Lori

Links to Love

Hello lovelies!

I hope you've had a great week! I'm leaving this afternoon to go to Indiana for my weekend on campus, I'm really excited and I can't wait to get there! I've been thinking and I think when I get home I might write a blog post about my trip!

Anyway, here's this weeks links to love...

Organize Me: The Start of Spring Semester

An Answer to Advertisers

College: 5 Tips for Saving Money This Semester

Becoming A Morning Person

A Guide to Healthy Skin, Hair & Nails

Do you have any plans for this weekend? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Book Review: C.J. Miller - Colton Holiday Lockdown

Hello lovelies!

Today I will be reviewing 'Colton Holiday Lockdown' by C.J. Miller. I bought this book at Walmart for $4.12.

'Colton Holiday Lockdown' is a romance novel, it is 281 pages long and it took me about four hours to read. It is available at Amazon for $3.49 (Kindle), and at Barnes & Noble for $3.99 (NOOKBook).

Book Stats

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 281 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: December 1, 2014





Book Synopsis
There is no way to escape Dead River and a killer is waiting!

A contagious virus has rocked the small, snow-covered town of Dead River, Wyoming. And time for a cure is running out. But sick patients and a community quarantine is just the beginning of nurse Gemma Colton's trouble.

The arrival of Dr. Rafe Granger triggers memories from her past: a high school crush...unfulfilled desires. Even Rafe's outward persona--cool, unaffected--is a thin veil for his yearning. They must suppress temptation to focus on finding a cure. But someone else is watching them. Someone else has other plans for the town.

What did I think? 5 Stars

Like: Everything!!!
Dislike: NOTHING!

Would I recommend it?
YES, YES, YES, YES!!!

This book was so much better than I thought it would be, I thought that this was going to be one of the those series that is amazing and leads up to an incredible ending only to lost it's momentum in the last book, but boy was I wrong. So wrong!

I can honestly say that this book is probably the best end of a series book I've ever read, I stayed up till 3:30 in the morning just to finish it, and I have no regrets at all!

The final book in The Coltons: Return to Wyoming miniseries was the best book I've read in months, it was the perfect way to end the series, and I think it was the best one in the entire series! Since all the books in this series were written by different authors, this is the first time I've read any of C.J. Miller's books, but I can definitely say I'll be checking out some of her other books!

Will you be buying this book? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

February Playlist

Hello lovelies!
Today I have for you my February Playlist! This month I've been listening to mostly country music, but there's a few others I've been loving, so I hope you enjoy it!

Sadly at the moment I'm having issues with my computer so I can't make a picture for my playlist like I usually do. But that's okay, we don't need a picture.

SO here's this month's playlist!

Carrie Underwood - Little Toy Guns

Brantley Gilbert - One Hell Of An Amen

Jake Owen - What We Ain't Got

Tim McGraw - Shotgun Rider
Big & Rich - Look At Me
Demi Lovato - Give Me Love (Cover)
The Fray - How To Save A Life

Kelly Clarkson - Heartbeat Song
All Good Things - Fight
Ingrid Michaelson - Home

So, that's what I've been loving this month, what have you been loving? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

"When we feel stuck, it's often because we're living by somebody else's rules."-Jillian Michaels

In life we get comfortable living by other people's rules, but sometimes to break out of a funk you just gotta make up your own rules and live your life on your own terms.

Goal: Stop living by everyone else's rule! Make your own.

XoXo,

Lori

Links to Love

Hello lovelies!

I'm so happy it's Friday! I'm so excited cause this time next week I'll be heading to Indiana for my weekend at UE's campus! Honestly I think that's the only thing that's gotten me through this week.

I'm sick again, I currently have a sinus infection and it's killing my head! I went to the doctor Wednesday and she gave me an antibiotic, so I'm feeling better, If I could get rid of this headache I wouldn't complain.

Overall, this week was full of ups and downs, mostly downs, but there were a dew positive moments and I'm just ready to start a new week!

Anyway here's this week's links...

5 Tips for Keeping Fit- From Your Desk!

Carrie Underwood - Little Toy Guns Music Video

Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Unsubscribers and Unfollowers

Tiny Hamster's Tiny Date

When Life Won'r Slow Down

SO that's it for this week, I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know below if you have any blog post ideas or things you want to see me post about, I would love to hear from you!

XoXo,

Lori

Book Review: Jennifer Morey - The Marine's Temptation

Today I will be reviewing 'The Marine's Temptation' by Jennifer Morey, copy received from Netgalley via Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

'The Marine's Temptation' is a Romantic Suspense novel and it is the second book in the Adair Affairs series. It is 288 pages long and it took me about four hours to read. It is available at Amazon for $3.49 (Kindle), and Barnes & Noble for $3.49 (NOOKBook) .

Book Stats

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 288 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: March 1, 2015





Book Synopsis
Shocking discoveries rock the Adairs and a determined librarian can't help falling for one of this dynasty's rugged heroes!

It's true that money can't buy happiness. Librarian Georgia Mason has seen one wealthy Adair ruin her stepmother's life and swears she won't get involved with his son Carson. So what if he's a hot former special ops soldier who showers her with extravagant gifts? But he is  the sexiest man she's ever met and it's hard to hate him for searching for his long-lost stepbrother, or tracking down the traitor behind his botched mission. And when Georgia faces life-threatening danger, Carson protects her, igniting their scorching passion. Maybe love of money isn't the root of all evil. Maybe there's more to Carson to trust, respect and love.

What did I think? 4 Stars

Like: The ending.
Dislike: Nothing.

Would I recommend it?

I didn't love the first book in this series, and honestly this one didn't make me like the series anymore, but I guess if you wanted a quick, easy read, then yes I would recommend it.

Honestly, I'm not crazy about this series, but I'll probably end up reading the rest of it because I want to know the truth about the missing baby.

Thank you Harlequin via Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review!

Will you be buying this book? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

Top Ten Tuesdays: Things I Like/Dislike When It Comes To Romances In Books

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's theme: Top 10 Things I Like/Dislike When It Comes To Romance In Books.

I just realized that this is the first Top Ten Tuesday I've participated in, in 2015! I can't believe it's been so long! I decided to start back with the Top 10 Tuesday this week because everyone knows romance is my favorite genre, so this is the perfect topic for me!

So, let's get started!

Likes

1. Romantic Suspense

Recently I've been loving romantic suspense novels, it's pretty much all I've been reading for the past four months!

2. When there is no HEA (Happily Ever After).

I actually like books that don;t have a HEA ending, I think it's really brave when authors do that because it's not normal, and most people reading romance books want a HEA, so not giving it to them is a risk.

3. Characters who help each other become better versions of themselves.

I prefer stories where two characters come together and they make each other better, they don't try to change each other, but they make each other want to be a better person.

4. Book covers that aren't cheesy.

This one really isn't that important, even if I don't like a book cover, I'll still read it. But I really do like when a book cover compliments the book, and doesn't make me want to gag or cringe every time I see it.

5. When a series gets better with every book.

This doesn't just apply to romance books, I think readers of every genre like it when a new book makes a series better and drives them crazy wanting the next book in the series.

Dislikes

1. When it's all about sex.

I don't like when a romance book focuses only on sex, I want to see more than that.

2. When a book only has weak women.

I don't like how some romance books only have weak women who are in need of saving.

3. The "this man is so perfect even his flaws are perfect" character.

This one is so annoying, I don't even feel like explaining it!

4. The rapist.

The one that I REALLY hate is when an author has the female character very clearly saying "no", and then later tries to pass it off as them being in love. It is not love, it is rape!

5. The Ice Woman.

I really hate when an author makes a female character out to be cold, independent, and tough, and then as soon as a man comes along she melts and be comes a puddle at his feet, willing to do anything he wants.

That's it for today, I'm so happy to be back blogging, and back to doing Top Ten Tuesdays!

What do you like/dislike about romance in books?

XoXo,

Lori 

Pinterest Finds

Hello lovelies! 

So I am officially back!!! We finally have internet and I'm super excited that I can finally get back to my normal schedule! Honestly I thought it would take longer to get out internet hooked back up since we had to find a new provider, but thankfully it didn't. I'm not too crazy about our new internet provider (Dish) because they didn't explain to us how it worked till after the two year contract was signed. Sadly I'm not going to be able to use Netflix as much as I'm used to, but I'll be okay, I need to focus on finishing senior year anyway, it's not going to kill me! 

I spent the weekend writing blog posts and so no need to worry I have written enough blog posts to get me back onto my normal schedule this week. This week you'll be getting my first Top Ten Tuesday of the year and a new book review on Wednesday!

Since I just got internet back I haven't been pinning that much, but I do have a few pins to share with you, so here we go!

1. 5 Decluttering Tips for Blogger.
I feel like all bloggers need to read this because we all have so many different things we need to keep organized and sometimes things just get messy. Really messy! So, if you're a blogger, you might wanna take a peek at this and see if it helps!

2. You deserve to heal.
I found this one and sadly it didn't have a source so I had to track down the exact link it's from, thankfully Google Image made that a little easier. I started looking at the website Simple Reminders and I really like it, it's now in my bookmarks for rough days!

3. How to Insert Social Media Icons into Your Email Signature
I'm so happy I found this, it is so much easier to do it this way than having to insert your links into every email you send! Definitely a must read for every blogger!

Like I said I haven't been on Pinterest that much this month, so that's it for today!
Have you found anything interesting on Pinterest lately? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

"You are what you do, not what you say you'll do." - Trish Blackwell

XoXo,

Lori

Links to Love

Hello Lovelies!

Thankfully I was able to schedule this post before moving, so at least I'm getting to post again this week! I love you all and I really hope I can get back to blogging next week!

Here's this week's Links to Love...

19 Ridiculously Useful Tips Every Blogger Should Know

The Divorce Surge Is Over, but the Myth Lives On

Crazy Plastic Ball Prank

34 Way to Bust a Bad Mood in 10 Minutes or Less

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think

That's it for today, I hope you're all having a great week!

XoXo,

Lori

My Instagram

Hello lovelies,
First I want to apologize for not being able to post recently, life has been busy and not having internet really sucks!

I've been an awful blogger recently, and I haven't been setting aside much time to blog or even read some of my favorite blogs.

I'm hoping I can get things back on track soon, but till then I thought I would share my Instagram with you, I don't always update it everyday, but hopefully it will tide you over till I can get back to blogging!

@loriboyd15

Anyway, I would love for you to follow me, I always try to follow back!

XoXo,

Lori

February Goals

Hello lovelies,
Today I'm just going to dive right on in because I don't have much time left before I lose access to the internet.

Okay, so I want to let you know that I  probably won't be posting this week. As I mentioned in Friday's post I moved over the weekend, because of this move I'm not going to have access to the internet for about a week or two. I'm going to try to find a way to get on, but for the meantime I will probably only be posting once a week.

Normally I would plan for this, but this move was unexpected and we didn't realize that AT&T doesn't offer internet where we're moving, so we have to find someone else to do our internet through! It really sucks, but there's nothing we can do about it, I just really hope we can get an internet connection back soon!

Here's my goals for February!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

14 Goals!

Lose Weight.
I didn't lose any weight last month, so this month I really want to focus on exercising and getting fit.

Buy a new stationary bike.
In order to accomplish goal #1 I'm going to need some new equipment, I've decided it's time to buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1
This was a goal I set for last month and it didn't happen, but it will this month!

Finish English 2 Part 2.
This is another goals I set last month and didn't finish, but I will get it done!

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.
I really hope I can finish this class this month, I'm ready to get it done and over with!

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.
This is a new class that I just got opened, so I'm excited and I hope I can get it finished this month!

Read two books.
I only read one book last month, so I really want to get back on track with that this month.

Move and get settled into new house.
I love out new house, we're moving from a two bedroom apartment into a four bedroom  house, I'm so happy we'll finally have room to breathe!

Work on blog design (Header & Background).
This month I want to work on my blog design. Winter is almost over, so the background isn't going to work for much longer, and overall I'm ready for a change.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.
This is something I've been wanting to do for a few years and I just haven't done it. This month I'll be going up to Evansville, Indiana, and they have a Victoria's Secret in the mall there, and I'm planning on going in there to get sized/fitted for the first time in my life.

Try to downsize my book collection.
With the move I realized I really need to downsize my book collection, it's time.

Go through and clean out my closet.
Again, this is something I really need to do, I have so many clothes I never wear and I just really want to get rid of them.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.
I'll be spending a weekend in Evansville at the University of Evansville and I really want to make the most of it!

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

I think all I have left is sending in my transcripts, but I want to check in with all the admissions counselors and make sure they have everything they need.

Sadly, that's it for today, I'll try to post again soon, but I don't know when that will be.
What are your goals for February? Let me know below and I'll respond as soon as I can!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

"Great things never came from comfort zones."

This month I want to get out of my comfort zone, I'm always playing it safe, so this month I'm gonna step it up and try new things!

Goal: Try new things!

XoXo,

Lori