A Whole New Start

What has been happening since I last blogged? I lost my job, got my motorcycle license and dated a couple of different men, none very seriously. It’s been 3 weeks since I was laid off and I’m definitely going stir-crazy! I’m actually waiting to hear if I got a job I really want that I interviewed for twice last week, the pay is good, the work environment is great, the only downsides are that it is further away and will be 8-5, so no more working from home.

*****

Today’s Plans

Practice on Susan’s Motorcycle, around her neighborhood – Done
Add red streaks to my hair – Done
Clean! – not done, went to the movies and dessert with Lu, instead
Get at least a minimal workout in – Done

*****

Skin & Makeup

Morning Cleansing:
Rinse face with warm water
Kinerasse Intense Eye Cream
Earth Science Moisturizer with SPF 15

Makeup:
Bare Minerals Eye Shadow in Cultured Pearl
Lancome Definicils Mascara
Concealer
Chanel Tinted Moisturizer

Evening Cleansing:
Earth Science A-D-E Creamy Cleanser
Earth Science Azulene Eye Treatment
Earth Science Fragrance-Fee Moisturizer

*****

Health, Fitness & Diet

Notes

Today’s Diet

• Breakfast
  • Old-Fashioned Oats
  • Flax Seed
  • Cranberries
  • Slivered Almonds
  • Chopped Walnuts
  • Honey
  • Lucerne Light Yogurt

• Lunch
  • 2/3 of a Combination Vietnamese Sandwich from Lee’s Sandwiches
  • 1/2 of a strawberry lemonade

• Dinner
  • Personal size pepperoni pizza at the movie theater
  • Slice of vanilla bean cheesecake from TGI Friday’s

Reflections on today’s meal:
Breakfast was good, but the rest of the day not that great. I really need to try and look for better options when I’m out and about.

*****

The book scene

Current Read: Nothing today, no time.

Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Zen and the Art of Vampires

Read: 12/14
Purchased: Borders Books, Las Vegas, NV
Reason: Needed a couple of books for the flight home and Katie MacAlister is one of my favorite authors, I usually pick up any book by her.

Pia Thomason doesn’t have a typical life, but she wants one: the husband, the kids, the house in the suburbs. With her fortieth birthday look, she decides to do something drastic, and takes off on a singles’ tour through romantic Europe.

But the few guys on the trip leave much to be desired – unlike the two men Pia sees in a small Icelandic town. They’re handsome, mysterious, and very dangerous… Just the sight of them puts her in a dither. When their paths cross again, Pia knows one thing for certain: Where vampires are concerned, love isn’t the only thing at steak.

This is another book in Katie MacAlister’s Dark One series. I don’t know about this one, Alec is almost too perfect and Kristoff isn’t really lovable. And yes, she’s involved with both of these vampires in this book. Also, similar to the Aisling Grey books, this is only part of the story, and to be continued in the next book. This book brings a cult called the Brotherhood of the Light, ghosts and vampires into play. While not my favorite Katie MacAlister book, I look forward to the continuation of this story in the next book “Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang” which comes out in May 2009.

Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires and Dianna Love

Dead After Dark

Read: 12/14
Purchased: Borders Books, Las Vegas, NV
Reason: Needed a couple of books for the flight home and this had two of my favorite authors in it.

SHERRILYN KENYON
“Shadow of the Moon”

Angelia has fought her entire life to make herself strong. Now, with her patria under fire, she has to protect her people from Fury and his werewolf clan. Vowing to bring him to justice, Angelia sets out alone…until the hunter becomes the hunted, and the only way for her to survive is to trust the very wolf she’s sworn to kill.

This is another story from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter/Dream-Hunter world. It’s very short and brings back a lot of characters that we’ve already met. I never could quite like Angelia because of her past action, but you wind up rooting for Fury from the beginning. Not my favorite book in the series, but definitely won’t be my last one. But, this book will be very confusing if you haven’t read any of the other stories.

J.R. WARD
“The Story of Son”

Claire Stroughton is a beautiful lawyer who would rather spend the night with a legal brief than the man of her dreams. Then a routine client meeting turns dangerous—and deeply sensual—when she is held captive by a gorgeous man with an unworldly hunger…

This story seems to be a spin-off of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which I love. The story is so sad at times and makes you want everything to turn out better for “Son” and Claire. I just wish she’d actually connected this story with the Brothers in her other series, I kept waiting, but it never happened.

SUSAN SQUIRES
“Seize the Night”

When Drew Carlowe returns home to win back a lost love, he is quick to dismiss rumors that his estate is haunted by a stunning young ghost…until one passionate encounter leaves him mystified—and aching for more.

I keep meaning to read more Susan Squires, but never seem to get around to it, except in anthologies like this. I can’t decide if I like the story or not, although it could definitely use some fleshing out. Freya is an interesting character and I wound up feeling more sorry for her than actually liking her. And Drew, while a bit sympathetic is out for revenge, no matter what. I think I need to read more of Squires’ books to really get this one, but eve so, I think it should have been a book on it’s own and not in an anthology.

DIANNA LOVE
“Midnight Kiss Goodbye”

Trey McCree possesses an insatiable desire for Sasha Armand—and supernatural powers that could endanger her life as a human. But when they team up to stop an evil warlord, Trey discovers that Sasha can do way more than drive men wild…

Not much to say about this book other than I’m looking forward to reading more in the series. The story is confusing because so many new terms are thrown at you, all at once. I’m hoping future stories will flesh out these characters a bit more, but this series seems to be taking us into an interesting world.”

Awaken Me Darkly by Gena Showalter

Mia Snow is part of an elite task force within the New Chicago PD, and every night she stalks and kills otherworldly predators. Alien advocates often ask her if she, a hunter, a legalized killer, lives with guilt. Her answer: Hell no. She’s seen the carnage aliens leave in their wake. Years ago, they killed her older brother and she has hated them ever since. They deserve the sting of her pyre-gun, and if necessary, she will fight to her death to see them eliminated. She is an Alien Huntress.

Now, there is an alien serial killer preying upon humans. Mia must use her psychic abilities and deadly fighting skills to find him. Funny thing, though. Her prime suspect, an alien, is also the only man she’s ever loved.

ANOTHER Gena Showalter book I love. I actually know this has more books after it and I can’t wait to read them. Mia is so tough, but not tough enough to beat what her heart really wants. And, you’ll get a surprise twist, which is always fun

Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter

Along come mad scientists, secret sub-government agencies and…control over the four elements? In a non-stop thrill of a laughter-inducing ride, one simple gal just trying to make a buck finds out there’s more to life than coffee and the next lame job. Only problem is, will her new talents consume her, or will she master the potentially volatile forces?

Belle Jamison needs a new job to support not only her needs, but those of her elderly father too. She’s trying extra hard not to screw up the job she has currently as well as the interview she’s got later the same day. Only problem is she’s a bit of a smart alec and she’s hanging by a thread because of it. When a man bursts into the coffee shop where she works, begging for help, it’s Belle who catches his eye. Hours later, after being detained by some pretty convincing agents, Belle’s not feeling so hot. All she had was a mocha latte, so why the sudden flu-like symptoms? In a haze, she stumbles through her interview and barely makes it home where she collapses. The next morning doesn’t bring any relief and to make matters worse, there’s a hot man at her side–only his hotness is not the issue–his wanting to kill her is. With new powers come all new problems and Belle has to find a way to get back to simple `ole her. Only, she might be starting to like the new her…

Belle’s story is in first person, so anyone not fond of those need be aware of this.

OK, another Gena Showalter book I’ve fallen in love with. Both characters are wonderful, but Belle is so fun!! I really hope this becomes a series.

The Nymph King by Gena Showalter

Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian’s touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure…until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom.

The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she’s inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior’s arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire…

Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there’s one thing Shaye doesn’t know.…

That when a nymph discovers his true mate, she’s his for life.

I loved this book. Valerian is a total brat, but still lovable. Shaye is cynical, but so worth loving. I just can’t wait to read more of this series. Actually, I’m discovering that I absolutely love this author, I will definitely be picking up more of her books in the future.

The Wild Wulfs of London by Ronda Thompson

Three books from the same series today. There are 5 books in the Wild Wulfs of London series, these are books 2, 3 and 5, the other two are in different anthologies.

The Dark One
In shadow he walks–shunned by proper London society– resigned to the dark, until he meets a woman who tempts him into the light. The Ton believes the curse that haunts the Wulf family is one of insanity…but it is something much darker. For a Wulf to give his heart, he must sacrifice his humanity. Armond has vowed to guard both his heart and his family secrets until the day he dies. But the rescue of one woman from an abusive situation forces him to risk all. The promises he made to himself and to his brothers pale beside the depth of his feelings for Rosalind Rutherford. Rosalind, as well, is thrown into a vortex of warring emotions. After being rescued from the evil clutches of her stepbrother, whom she suspects is a murderer; she becomes the wife of a sensuous stranger. But is Armond Wulf sensuous or sinister? Lover or liar? Man or Monster?

The Untamed One

Running from angry villagers and the man who ravaged her, the witch Lucinda flees into the forest to have her child. But Lord Jackson Wulf hunts her down, believing her death will break the family curse that threatens his brothers’ futures—a curse that has already transformed Jackson into a monster…

Instead of killing the witch, Jackson is moved by both her beauty and her desperate plight. Lucinda seizes the chance to find safety for herself and her babe when a bargain is struck between this outcast woman and this doomed man—and sealed by their marriage in name only.

In return for his protection, Lucinda has promised that her magic can free Jackson from his torment. But the pretty witch soon finds herself in danger of being seduced by Jackson’s charms, and pursued by the man who would see both her and her child dead. Can she trust a Wulf with her safety and the safety of her child? Can she trust her heart to Jackson? To surrender to a Wulf is a terrible risk, for love will either unleash the beast within the man…or finally set him free.

The Cursed One

Wed and widowed in one day, stunning socialite Amelia Sinclair’s honeymoon is anything but typical. Then again, neither is Amelia–rebellious and impulsive, marrying Robert Collingsworth was the one sensible thing she ever did. Now he’s dead and she must escape the vicious creatures stalking her–even if it means relying on a stranger. Well, maybe not a complete stranger. Amelia first glimpsed Gabriel Wulf years ago on the busy streets of London; since then he has haunted her dreams. But in the flesh, Gabriel is much more tantalizing than she ever dreamt, and much more complicated…

Gabriel Wulf, the strong one, the sensible one–the family and the curse that plagued them were his only priorities; there was little time for women and none for love. Now, he must protect an enticing beauty–and not just from the dangers that prowl the woods around them. Gabriel has secrets, dark ones he’s sure Amelia must never know and could never understand. But she has already awakened his heart…and the beast within. Will Amelia be the key to his salvation, or the architect of her own demise?

I really enjoyed these books, and luckily, you don’t necessarily have to read all five books in order, although it’s nice to do. I have to admit, sometimes the male characters got on my nerves, they are so stubborn, but it is necessary for the progression of the books. I highly recommend this series.

Night Lost by Lynn Viehl

Gabriel Seran has been a prisoner of the Brethren for so long that all he hopes for is his death. The only light in his painful existence is that of his dreams. In his dreams, he sees a woman who he believes is an angel. When Gabriel is imprisoned and abandoned in an old church, he is shocked to hear the woman in his dreams walking in the church above his prison. Determined to draw her to him, he uses what meager power he has left to do so.

Nicole “Nick” Jefferson has one goal in life. To find the Golden Madonna that was stolen from her family home the night her parents were brutally murdered. As one of the most accomplished thieves in the world, Nick cares nothing for the money the artifacts can bring. All she wants to do is find the Madonna, freeing the imprisoned vampires she finds along the way. When her search brings her to Gabriel, Nick is surprised to find herself looking into the face of the man that has been haunting her dreams.

This is the fourth installment of the Darkyn series. We revist Michael Cyrien, who is determined to find and bring home Alexandra after she is kidnapped by the High King and Lord of the Darkyn. The book goes back and forth between Alexandra/Michael/Richard and Gabriel and Nick.

I enjoyed this books, but it would have been better if I’d read all four books at the same time, since I got lost at first because I couldn’t remember all of the details of the first three. But, overall, I would definitely recommend this book as well as it’s predecessors, but they should all be read in order.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Skin & Makeup

The worst of the redness is gone, thank god, but there is still enough ugly discoloration under my eyes that it’s embarrassing to go anywhere. The skin around my eyes is very itchy today, but I’m hoping it healing itching, instead of irritated itching. Hopefully, by tomorrow it will be even better; otherwise I have to fill that prescription for topical steroids, which I’m very wary about putting near my eyes.

Skincare, Toiletries and Makeup Used

• Previous night
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15
  • Frederic Fekkai Glossing Shampoo
  • Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner
  • LUSH Flying Fox Body Wash (Honey, jasmine and ylang ylang a.k.a. sex in a bottle)
  • Shea Butter (to moisturize my eyelids)
  • Eucerin Calming Crème (on my legs)
• Morning
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15
  • Neosporin LT Lip Treatment
  • Aquaphor Healing Ointment (around my eyes to moisturize)
  • Cortisone cream (for the insane itching)

*****

Health, Fitness & Diet

Yesterday’s weigh-in at the Dr’s office and posting my reflections yesterday inspired to keep a more balanced day. I think I did well, overall. Now, to get some exercise added in.

Today’s Diet

• Breakfast
  • 3oz Stonyfield Farm All Natural Fat Free Yogurt Black Cherry – 1pt
  • 3/4 cup Silk Vanilla Soymilk Plus Fiber – 1 pt
  • 1/2 cup blueberries – 0.5 pt
  • 1 cup pineapple -1 pt
  • 1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One – 0 pt
• Lunch
  • Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli – 7 pt
• Snack
  • 1 serving Fiber One Chewy Bar – Chocolate & Oat – 2 pt
  • 1/2 cup cauliflower – 0 pt
  • 1/2 cup celery – 0 pt
  • 1/2 cup broccoli – 0 pt
• Dinner
  • Taco Bueno Crispy Chicken Taco – 3 pt
  • Taco Bueno Chicken Crunchy Burrito without queso – 6 pt
  • 1 container Dole Peaches & crème parfait – 2 pt

Reflections on today’s meal: I think I balanced my meals very well today, I ate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even with eating out at Taco Bueno, I was able to stay on-plan, actually coming in 0.5pts under my daily target, by checking out the website and calculating what the points would be before ordering.

Food Finds:

· Silk Vanilla Soymilk plus Fiber is the first soymilk is the first soymilk I’ve ever liked, and the addition of fiber brings the point total down.

· General Mills Fiber One actually tastes pretty good and is filling, the ½ cup serving is 0 POINTS!

· Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli is one of my newest favorites when it comes to frozen dinners, the ravioli is amazingly good and it has 2 servings of vegetables per entrée

· Fiber One Chocolate & Oat Chewy Bar is very good, but I still prefer the peanut butter version

Notes for tomorrow’s meals: I need to take in the peaches I have here at home, but will still need to pick up some more fresh fruit soon, and some raw almonds.

*****

The book scene

www.PaperbackSwap.com Books Sent or Received Today:

• Received: Italian Chic, the Italian Approach to Affordable Elegance by Susan Summers
  • What can I say, I love to read about the fashion of different cultures
• Sent: Hot Pink by Susan Johnson
  • This came off of my bookshelf, without being read

Hello world!

What can I say? I actually like the automated title from WordPress, so I think I’ll keep it.Well, since it is the beginning of my blog, we will start with the beginning… Of today, that is.

*****

Skin & Makeup

Well, as I mentioned in my “About” section, I have recently been diagnosed with eczema, well I’ve started getting my first “flare up” on my face in the last two weeks and today I woke up with my eyes half swollen shut from the flare up getting so much worse in the last day and a half, so I went to the doctor’s office and she decided to give me a steroid shot, in an effort to get this to heal more quickly, so hopefully the worst of this will be gone in the next two days. One thing I’ve read about is keeping track of what I’m eating and what products I use on my skin and anywhere near my face, so I will be using this blog to log all of that, both as a record of that, but also to show what kinds of makeup the makeup junkie in me is using day in and day out.

Today is easy, since I wasn’t able to use much of anything

• Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15
• Neosporin LT Lip Treatment

*****

Health, Fitness & Diet

Since I went to the Dr, I had to get on the scale (don’t you hate that) and the result… 187lbs. Luckily, I learned last time I was there that the Dr’s scale is a few pounds more than the scale at Weight Watchers, so I haven’t regained too much, hopefully.

Today’s Diet

• Breakfast
  • Stonyfield Farm Lowfat Yogurt Blueberry, 6 oz -0 points
  • Regular Coffee, 1 cup (8 fl oz) – 0 points
  • Tea, brewed, 8 fl oz – 0 points
  • Sucralose (like Splenda), 1 tsp – 0 points
  • Silk Vanilla Soymilk Plus Fiber, 0.25 cup – 0.5 Points
  • Nature Made Multi For Her with Calcium & Iron, 1 serving – vitamin
• Lunch
  • Lean Cuisine Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza, 1 serving – 7 points
  • Weight Watchers Sweet and Salty 2 Point Bar, 1 serving – 2 points
• Dinner
  • Grilled Chicken Capri, 1 serving – 11 points
  • Vitalicious VitaBrownie, 1 serving – 1 point

Reflections on today’s meal: Breakfast could have used some fruit added to it, or added as a morning snack, preferably with some healthy fats, such as almonds. Lunch could have definitely used some fruits and/or vegetables. Dinner, while delicious, again could have used some fruits and/or vegetables and the VitaBrownie, while ok, was not the best brownie I’ve ever had, but did satisfy my sweets craving for only 1 point. Overall, while an ok day, only going 0.5 points over my daily target, was seriously lacking in fruits and vegetables. Notes for tomorrow’s meals: Take in mixed fruits and veggies, pick up some almonds for when I need some fats and proteins to add to a snack.

*****

The book scene

• Current Read: Radical Cure by Olivia Gates from the Silhouette Bombshell series
• Synopsis: Working in war zones while treating the sick and wounded, Dr. Calista St. James is used to being under siege. But now, her team has been deliberately infected with a seemingly incurable and mysterious agent that simulates both chemcial and biological afflictions — and all signs point to it being an inside job.
  Before Calista can expose the traitor, or the truth, she has to travel worlds away with her former mentor, maybe lover and definitely uncertain quantity black-ops agent Damian De Luna — a man she loves, trusts with her life but doesn’t trust to ever tell her the truth — to find the cure.
  Radical steps are needed to stop this deadly outbreak, but can Calista stop the breakdown of everything she’s dedicated her life to building and fighting for?
• Review: This is a medical suspense novel, second in a series. While the base storyline is interesting, the author doesn’t segue well between scenes, which can be very jarring and tends to ruin the overall read.

www.PaperbackSwap.com Books Sent or Received Today:

• Received: The Dark One by Ronda Thompson, Book 2 in the Wild Wulfs of London series