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