Welcome back to me!

It's been a long road. Every step has been worth the pain. I'm nearing the goal of returning to work on the blog. I know I was pushing to have posts back to a regular schedule this month. Mother Nature and my body informed me that they weren't going by my schedule. I do have a few posts that are nearly finished. I am looking forward to putting those on the blog within the next month.

Thank you to everyone who's stuck in there with me. I don't like pushing things back and back, but I don't have the ability to complete tasks on a constant basis right now.

Hang in there. We'll be back in fighting form soon!

Until next time,
Kay B

Great New. Good News. Not So Good News.

Hello, everyone!!

Great news
The surgery went very well. I've been home over a month. The recovery is going nicely, but I do have some small issues left to resolve with the incision before I can begin doing any type of rehabilitation to improve breathing and other things. Let me say, the whole journey over the past six months has been a whirlwind that I don't wish to do again. Therefore, the rest of this year and the future will have me focusing on getting healthy and doing whatever I need to achieve my health goals.

Good news 
Because everything from the surgery is going so well, I've been debating whether or not to begin this blog once again. I felt horrible leaving many of my obligations unmet when I was told to prepare for the surgery. I know that I can't go back and do the things I promised. However, I can begin again. So, I'm going to take it a bit slow.

Not So Good News
While I am restarting the blog, the first book review will be published in July. I want to give myself ample time to read the books, do the proper review and make the post up to my usual high standard. I can tell which of my reviews were written poorly due to the illnesses and which ones I had the strength to do a proper review. So, I'm going to give it my all, but it's going to be a little while before the posting resume a regular schedule. I may also do only one review a week until I get back in the groove, so to speak. That I haven't quite decided yet.

Either way, I'm super grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes that have been sent my way. I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I fell like I'm up for the challenge.

Until next time,
Kay B

Health Update

It is official.

I will be having open-heart surgery to correct the breathing problem at the end of the month.  Two weeks from now, I will be in ICU recovering from a 6-10 hour surgery before enduring another week and a half of rehab before I can come home. I am optimistic that this surgery will help me to breathe easier and allow me to get moving to fix some other health issues.

All this means that I will continue my blogging hiatus until I'm able to write coherently after the surgery. I have a whole list of books to read and review which grows even today. So look out when I rev this engine back up!!

Hope you all have a safe, wonderful St. Patty's Day.

Until next time,
Kay B

Update :)

Hello again!

It's been a little while. I'm still hanging in there, wading my way through the muck of being sicker than I realized. We've found out that I have a disease which is creating multiple blood clots. These lovely clots clogged my pulmonary arteries and therefore, I'm not getting the air that I need to have a good quality of life. As of this moment, my family and I are preparing for a procedure which is essentially open heart surgery.

The doctors will go in and clean out all of the gunk in the arteries so that I can breathe better. I will be in the hospital about 2-3 weeks. The total recovery time will be about 3 months with rehab to follow. I am trying to read as much as possible in between now and then so I can work on reviews while I'm out of work, so to speak. I am hopeful that I will be able to get this blog back running by the fall months.

I will definitely update when I know more. Let's just say that I'm scared, but without this surgery, I might not be around for long.

Love and blessings to each and every one of you!
Until next time,
Kay B

Sad News

My heart's heavy as I write this post. Most of you know that the last part of 2015 was difficult for a number of reasons. Between my husband's health and my own, we were in and out of doctor's offices nearly every week. While we have a grip on what is going on with him, my own health isn't so easy to fix.

During a routine follow-up visit with my lung doctor, it was discovered that a portion of my lungs aren't working as they should. I'm not getting the oxygen I need, and this is causing a major strain on my heart. As of this moment, I have a number of procedures to go through, limiting my time, energy and resources. Until I'm able to pick up the blog once again, I'm afraid that this is it.

For all the authors and readers who've stuck by me throughout these years, I'm so very grateful and thankful for having the opportunity to read your wonderful works and share my thoughts with you all. I remain hopeful that I can come back to this place one day and pick up where I left off. Until that time I pray that your words ever be plentiful and the joy of reading never fade from your lives. 

Until next time,
Kay B

Happy Holidays!

Yes, I was gone a very long time. My personal life decided to take a turn for the worse, both in health and financial aspects. I was unable to spend as much time with my lovely books as I wanted. While everything that took my attention hasn't been completely resolved, I am finding more and more time to sneak in a page or two. That's gave me hope when I needed it most.

While I won't have a top 10 list for the books read in 2015, I am going to begin posting reviews once again after the first of the year. I've missed the authors, the books and connecting to others so much! Here's to holding onto hope and stuffing those words in my brain!

So with that being said, please have a safe and happy holiday season. Lots of love, laughter and smiles to each and every single one of you. Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year!

Until next time,
KayB

Personal Update

I can't remember anyone making me a promise that life was easy. Instead the past year has been full of twists and turns that the best mystery novel couldn't have predicted for me. Due to the seriousness of the situations in my personal life, I made the most difficult decision to date. I have to put this blog on hold until the beginning of the new year.

Definitely not something I wanted or anticipated, but necessity trumped whatever reason I offered. Between traveling miles to doctor appointments or spending  hours deciphering and filling out paperwork, I've had little to no time to spend with my beloved words. I'm so far behind in my reviews that I'll have a good head start on the year. There still a ton of books on my Kindle to read, so I'm not giving up completely.

Thank you for your patience and the continued support. To know that someone's out there, checking on me from time to time, means a great deal. I wish I could say that it will be a simple over and done with type of deal, but it's not. Life isn't meant to be that way.

May you have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Until next time,
Kay B

October's Hopes and Dreams

I know. It's been extremely quiet around these parts. Real life crept into my reading worlds and took over for more than I anticipated. My family and I have been fighting against red tape, anxiety and illnesses. The result was (and to a point, still is) more exhaustion than I can remember experiencing. My only saving grace during this rough time was the few hours that I was able to read a few pages here and there.

All the books I've lined up are still awaiting my attention. It's been slow going, but I've managed to knock a few off of the TBR list. My confession is that for the few books I've read, I've added two more in its place on the list. I can't stop myself sometimes. There are so many books out there, waiting to be devoured. More and more are released every day. Though I know that it's impractical and probably impossible for me to read every book in circulation, I want to get as many read as I can before my time is done. I am hoping that this period of tribulation will be finished soon and a time of rest begins before the next one.

I'm in the process of writing up my posts for the books I've finished. I hope to have a stockpile to release on schedule during NaNoWriMo next month. I fully intend on giving NaNoWriMo my full attention during those 30 days of November. I do have a story/novel idea, made some notes about the scene that appeared in my head, and did a little bit of research. While some get a start on their novels or rework their previous works during NaNo, I use it to get a large portion of my novels written. Reworking can come later. Are any of you planning to do NaNoWriMo this year?

Okay, catch-up time over. Back to reading and getting reviews ready for your enjoyment. Hope you all have a great October and a safe, fun Halloween!

Until next time,
Kay B

#NeverForget

Today is the anniversary of a very dark day in our nation's history. With that in mind, I will not be posting a review. I'm going to be spending time with those I love and cherish today.

Reviews will resume on Monday.


Please never forget those who've been lost.

Until next time,
Kay B

August's Hopes and Dreams

The only hope and dream I have for this month is for peace. This entire year has been an exercise in patience and holding onto faith as one situation after another took me away from all the things I love best. Right now my family and I are in a holding pattern as we wait for the decisions of others before we can move forward on our current path or looking for another path to walk. It's not been easy for me to ease my grip on everything because I have serious anxiety when I can't control my world. I know I can't control everything, but I like to have a plan of action for the present. When everything's up in the air, it's harder to plan for surprises or all the what-if's that creep up in those early morning hours when I can't sleep.

To deal with everything that was dumped on my plate, I had to set aside everything I loved. The ever-growing TBR pile, my writing, my community projects and even the items I want to make for myself had to be put on the back burner. I tried to keep on track with my reading, but the words would blur together each time I opened the book. I'd read the same paragraph over a dozen times. My brain would not understand what I was reading. There was no way I could write a fair and honest review of the books. All of this wasn't fair to the authors who poured themselves into their work.

For the rest of this month, I intend to go through each of this books and get them filed under the "Read" column. If I can work the other things into the mix, then I will. However, books are going to take priority. The authors deserve that much at the very least. There are a number of books on my list that I'm still excited to read. Huge thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me and sending me encouragement to keep going.

Until next time,
Kay B

Personal Update

I know. It's been a very long time since I've posted anything. Sometimes life throws major curve balls in our direction. For me this is one of those times. I must apologize to the authors waiting for their reviews and you, my readers, for this absence.

Over the last year, there have been a number of  health issues going on with both myself and family. When my issues settled down enough for me to get back in the groove, a major medical issue came up for someone very close to me. Between many doctors' appointments, failed medications, and few answers, my household has suffered a drastic change, putting more stress upon my shoulders than I honestly know how to deal with effectively. As of this moment, I still don't have all the answers. I'm also unsure of how we move forward, but all I can do is take it one day at a time.

Because I was thrown out of my routine by this, I temporarily lost my reading mojo. I have been trying to pick up the books and trudge forward. However, I think pushing through isn't fair to the authors and their works. I took a little time to try and get my head clear enough to really read the books and do what I do. I hope you all can accept my apology for the long pause. Believe me, I'm sincerely grateful for everyone hanging in here with me.

I am doing my best to restart the posts next Monday (8/10) and resuming my regular schedule. While I hope to keep this up for the rest of the year, I don't know what's going to happen with the other appointments. Please continue to grant me your patience and understanding.

Until next time,
Kay B

June's Hopes and Dreams

Welcome to June, everyone!

Here, the days grow warmer as the days last longer before handing over control to the night. If I'm to be honest, I'm not looking forward to the really hot days that will appear later in the month. I will have to find a way to adapt to them once again so that I can enjoy a bit of sunshine in the mornings.

The good thing about the summer is that I usually get a lot of reading done. I am positive the trend will continue as I've been able to conquer nearly half of the books I've been behind in reading. It makes me feel bad when I see them sitting quietly in their corner, covers pleading to be opened and the words waiting to be devoured. The anxiety an author feels while waiting for reviews - I've been on both sides of the coin. So, I try my best to finish them as soon as I can.

Setting aside my community projects for the month, I'm devoting more time to my writing. I've been having a lot of ideas and partial beginnings float around in this brain of mine. It's my goal to get them on paper and see where they take me at the very least. If I'm able to have a great month, I am going to do that and finishing editing a few pieces. A few contests have caught my attention. I might give them a chance. Never know unless I try, right?

What's your summer reading list looking like this year?  Romance? Action?  Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time,
Kay B

Small break in the routine.

Due to other obligations and health issues, the regular posting schedule will resume next week on 5/27/15. Thank you all for understanding.

Until next time,
Kay B

May's Hopes and Dreams

Now, May comes walking into the world. Flowers of many colors, birds singing their songs of joy and mating and green grass are everywhere I look. From my screened porch I can watch the world and all it as everything and everyone go about their daily business. Sometimes these serene scenes prompt me to pick up my pen and dash down a few lines or an idea that needs more expansion later. This is the time of year when my writing takes a positive path whereas the darker side of myself and humanity comes out during the winter.

Last month I attended a local writer's conference where I learned a lot of valuable information. Initially, I was excited for only two of the speakers because they were set to speak about subjects I'd wondered about. After sitting through all of their presentations, I came home with several pages filled with notes that I put to immediate use. There are many avenues opening up for those who dream of being author, but you still have to do the work. No matter if you're wanting to publish yourself or go through the traditional route with publishers, there's still plenty of blood, sweat and tears to put into it.

As for me, the month of May will be one for catching up with my reading schedule and pushing myself to finish rewriting NaNo2012. Not sure if I will send it off to others as of yet, but I will have it completed and read by Beta readers. My crochet and community projects are making progress. Though it's only an hour or two a day, I'm getting caught up all the way around. I'm hoping to spend more time with my writing. We'll just have to wait and see what real life has in store during the month.

Hope your month of May is filled with beauty, spring and so much color!

Until next time,
Kay B

April's Hopes and Dreams

Ah, return to normalcy. Well, at least my screwed-up version of normal at any rate.

That's what I thought was going to happen when I started to get better from all the usual breathing troubles. Then I get sidelined by emergency surgery. Oh yeah! I've spent three and a half days in the hospital and am so grateful to be home. Truly I am thankful for modern medicine. Spending weeks in the hospital was not what I was thinking of when I envisioned myself to getting back on my feet. Yet, here we are and I'm so ready to get back into the groove.

With as many pauses as I've had to take over the past six months, I've felt so bad for not living up to the promises I made for this blog. I promise that I'm working my way back to that level. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Lots of wonderful books coming up on the TBR list and I am making a point to make headway on the printed books lingering at the top of that list. To be honest, it was easier to read the Kindle than hold a book many days. That was then. Today is much brighter and I'm eager to get back at it.

Still working on the writing. Community projects are still on the agenda. My main focus has shifted back to the reading and reviewing for a while. Hope this month brings much progress for your projects as well. Warmer temperatures, more sunshine and green everywhere makes a huge difference!

Until next time,
Kay B

Blog Post - Update

The last couple of weeks have been particularly trying here in my neighborhood. The weather's been a roller coaster of highs and lows that keep the weatherman guessing. Not only has the weather increased the amount of cabin fever we've felt, but now it seems as though sore throats and coughing are the norm as well.

Along with all the possible sickness to fight, last week brought a broken furnace. We attempted to get a replacement before the end of the weekend, but no one had the one we needed in stock. The company ordered the necessary parts, put them on expedited or rush shipping, and delivery time was still Monday. Subzero temperatures nearly froze us Friday and Saturday. I was thankful to wake up Sunday morning and see possible 50F temps for Monday or Tuesday.

This mini-vacation from my books and the blog has left me restless and out of place. Now I'm back in my favorite reading spot. My Kindle is fired up and ready to give me a dose of another world. Maybe it's some place warm with wonderful ocean breezes to lull me to sleep later tonight. Or a grand adventure to keep me from thinking about that white stuff on the ground now.

Many thanks to all those who have continued to stop by the blog as well as those who checked on me the past couple of weeks. It means a lot to me that you all care! Now, I hope this means we can get back to the schedule this week. I better get reading!

Until next time,
Kay B

February's Hopes and Dreams

Ah, February. Cold, but mild. Month starting with predictions made by a groundhog.

Here in this neck of the woods, we've had a very mild winter to-date as far as snowfall is concerned. It's been more rain than snow, something odd because it's almost expected to see white stuff on the ground for a large part of the winter season here. The temperatures have been cold - almost bone-chilling cold. We finally got a decent round of the white stuff over the last few days. Unfortunately, it's also meant the next round of sicky germs have stuck around to get me down again.

I've used the opportunity to make headway on NaNo2012 once again. I am grateful that I finished the rough draft, but disappointed that I haven't been able to make it presentable yet. Because it  it wasn't making much sense at the time, I put the manuscript in a drawer and let it rest. Then a few weeks ago, my muse decided to Gibbs smack me with the right beginning to the story. It's taken off in nearly the same direction as the rough draft but seems tighter, more well-rounded. A few wonderfully honest readers have given me some good feedback with some things to work on, so I'm working my way through those bit by bit.

The only other big projects on my plate are finishing up some hooded scarves for the local nursing home residents for this year and some large scale gifts that I haven't been able to finish. I'm still not very well versed in the skill of time management. I tend to get lost within whatever it is that I'm doing. That sends me into overtime which puts me behind with everything else. The weather and pain levels determine which of the projects get priority. Ah, the life of the chronically ill. Blech!

On a positive note, I've got some wonderful books lined up for this year. Both Kindle and in print versions are going to be explored. I've got to achieve my original goal of reading through my bookshelves so that I can weed out the one-night stand books from the long-term lover books. A grueling process to be sure, but I'm up for the challenge.

Hope this month is one of accomplishment for you all, no matter what you're working on. Be safe in all you do.

Until next time,
Kay B

Best of 2014

Best 2014

I didn't read near as many of the books that I wanted to read over the last year. My TBR (to-be-read) list grew by leaps and bounds. A lot of the books were in the thriller genre, but I found a few surprises along the way in others when I made myself step out of my comfort zone. The following list are the books that I enjoyed the most and reviewed in 2014 (in no particular order).

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock

In 2011, Marie Claire magazine published a profile of Janet Mock in which she stepped forward for the first time as a trans woman. Those twenty-three hundred words were life-altering for the People.com editor, turning her into an influential and outspoken public figure and a desperately needed voice for an often voiceless community. In these pages, she offers a bold and inspiring perspective on being young, multicultural, economically challenged, and transgender in America.

Welcomed into the world as her parents’ firstborn son, Mock decided early on that she would be her own person—no matter what. She struggled as the smart, determined child in a deeply loving yet ill-equipped family that lacked the money, education, and resources necessary to help her thrive. Mock navigated her way through her teen years without parental guidance, but luckily, with the support of a few close friends and mentors, she emerged much stronger, ready to take on—and maybe even change—the world.

Why I liked it:
This memoir hit all the switches for me - truth, honesty, and above all, empathy for herself and others in the same position. The author did not sugarcoat the dark periods of time in the early part of her life, but she didn't make them seem worse than the way she experienced them either. It was her journey of acceptance and self-discovery that kept me turning the pages. The amount of courage to admit that she didn't fit into a box society created for her was beyond measure. I know that there are many other people who share a similar, yet different journey. I was happy to see the spotlight not on the fact that the author is different, but that she is the same as anyone else. She has dreams, experiences success and failures, and yearns to live, love and be happy.

The Sundering Series - The Companions by R.A. Salvatore, The Godborn by Paul S. Kemp, The Adversary by Erin M. Evans, The Reaver by Richard Lee Byers, The Sentinel by Troy Denning, and The Herald by Ed Greenwood

Comprised of six novels by six different authors, The Sundering series told the tales of people who were chosen by several Gods within the two worlds which were joined together. As the two worlds separated from one another, their separate existences depended upon the success or failure of the particular Chosen in each book. If any of the missions failed, the entire existence of both worlds could  have been wiped out completely.

Several of the actions in one book directly affect the lives of those in the books coming after. From sword-wielding mercenaries to stealthy assassins to magic users drawing their energies from the very shadows around them, these books cover so many battles, trials and tribulations that it is hard to list them all at once. Read as a whole series or each on their own, the books do not fail to hit the right marks in this adventure series. 

Why I liked it:
I played NeverWinter Nights alongside others when it was first released, but had no idea that there were a number of books written within the realms of the game. When I saw that the series was going to be offered over the year, I jumped at the chance to begin reading them. I found plenty of entertainment for nearly everyone in each of the six novels. Sword fights, magic flying around, cities that also flew with shadowy agents filling them, and so much more await the reader in these books. I loved how not every main character in this series was a definite good man/woman. Layers of conflict within the pages kept me entertained until the next book in the series was available. Though this particular story arc is complete, I'm certain we will see quite a few of the characters again in the future. 

 Fire-Heart (Tales of Alterra, The World That Is #2) by C.S. Marks

Following the battle at the end of the first book in the series, Gaelen and her companions find their mission has taken a turn that they least expected. She puts her vow to end the Elfhunter's life on hold to help Rogond fulfill his life quest to find the answers of his family's history. Clues and whispered rumors led them to a desert filled with new adventures, people and unexpected dangers.

In the midst of this new territory, the elves are a wonder rarely seen and draw unwanted attention to themselves by upstaging more than one tribe in the desert towns. Fighting their way toward their destination meant dealing with the problems of the land, its people and the lingering threat of the Elfhunter following them. What began as a way to fulfill her promise to Rogond had become much more of an adventure than any of them could have anticipated.

Why I liked it:
Honestly, I read both Elfhunter (Book 1) and Fire-Heart (Book 2) this year. I enjoyed both of them very much, but I really liked the second book more. In the world of Alterra, legends came to life as the long-forgotten races of elves, dwarves, men and more fill the various parts of the land. While the first book in the series laid the groundwork for the world, this book truly explored regions that even the elves had not dared to adventure. But promises and vows mean more than whatever the unknown dangers might have done to them. That's one of the many things I liked about the book. There's a sense of companionship and deeply connected bonds throughout the entire book. It provided an exciting backdrop against the battles and search for one's family history.

 Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen

North America was devastated by the effects of Desolation - the name given to the whatever caused people to die off across the land by the survivors. Along the way, John Osborne found his life changed by much more than losing loved ones. Now being more than human drove him to ride into danger in the search for answers.

His destination very well may be a trap, but John had no choice but to seek answers where he was directed. While he searched for the answers to help him survive another day, another month or even another week, others wanted the answers for their own personal gain as well as his destruction. Could he find what he needs before time runs out? Will the rest of the world pay for his failure?

Why I liked it:
This book was my first introduction to the world in the Northland Chronicles, but it won't be my last. I became invested in John's quest early in the book because the character interested me with his decisions and the way he interacted with others around him. At first he appeared to be stand-offish. Then he showed signs of compassion and empathy that belied the wall he built to surround himself. Also the novel presented a scenario for the destruction of our society that might come to pass should certain events happen or decisions made. It was simply a very interesting look at what might be in our future - and not the distant future either.



I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1) by Barry Lyga 

Jasper Dent looks like your garden variety teenager living in small town America. He goes to high school, has a girlfriend, and takes care of his grandmother. The only thing that sets him apart from everyone in his town is the fact that his father was the worst serial killer in the country's history. Not only that, but Jasper was groomed to be his successor.

When it becomes clear that another killer is on the loose, Jasper is the only one who is convinced there's trouble. He tries his best to convince the Sheriff, but soon realizes that he's the only one who sees the pattern. His unique insight could prevent more people dying. Can it keep him and those he loves alive in the process? 

Why I liked it:
Hands down an unique way to present a serial killer book, I really enjoyed looking through Jasper's eyes during this novel. I read a lot of murder mystery, true crime and horror books. In each one they present the killer (or killers) and then go into exploration of the killer. The people who make up the killer's family are rarely given a thought. To see the impact of living with a serial killer was intriguing. Add to that a dash of teenage angst, a heaping cup of murder and a whole lot of conflict and you've got a good recipe for an interesting, entertaining novel. As this was the first in the Jasper Dent series by Barry Lyga, I am looking forward to the others as they venture into the literary world.

Essence of Betrayal by Damien L. Malcolm

A young girl went missing in a close-knit Australian town and private investigator, Jack Mullens, found himself pulled into the investigation when his case took an unexpected turn. After years doing manual labor, Jack focused on helping those around him with simple matters such as finding a cheating spouse or discovering the secrets of a friend or loved one. When a friend feared her husband had a hand in the girl's disappearance, Jack must do his best to keep an unbiased mind while gathering all the clues he can.

It soon became clear that there was much more going on in their town than he anticipated. More people were involved with the disappearance and some of the names shocked Jack to his core. As he delved deeper into the mystery to help save the girl from certain death, he became a target for those who didn't want their secrets uncovered.

Why I liked it:
This book was definitely set in Australia as the slang, descriptions and interactions between people emphasized throughout the chapters. Yet as much as the book had an Outback flavor, it didn't take much away from the story or the characters. I enjoyed the many layers of mystery that the author had Jack uncovering. Some of the twists I didn't see coming at all, a welcomed surprise for me after reading a number of different murder mysteries. Jack's flaws and quirks made his conversations enjoyable and gave the book many of its comedic moments. With all this and much more, it was an excellent way to debut a series.

Maxine Wore Black by Nora Olsen

Jayla dreamed of being in relationship with the perfect, but never seemed to find someone who wanted to deal with her awkwardness, her quirks, or the secrets she hid from nearly everyone. That was until Maxine walked into the room. Cultured, confident, and everything Jayla wasn't, Maxine was the girl Jayla wanted, but there was one big problem. Maxine was already in a relationship with Becky.

All the complications, worries and confusions went out the door the moment that Becky went missing. With Maxine free, Jayla could have the relationship of her dreams and reveled in the excitement of newly-found love. The moment Becky's body was found changed Jayla's world completely, taking away the blinders that love placed on her eyes. Could she figure her life out before it was too late?

Why I liked it:
At first I wasn't sure that I was going to like this book once I began reading it because I was afraid that some of the actions taken by a certain character were going to be ignored or glossed over. Thankfully, the author didn't ignore them and sought to rectify the situations. I liked the fact that the author did a lot of research into the LGBTQ community and the struggles that people endure because of our society. It was a really well-written look at a young person's life as she tried to navigate a world that doesn't separate identity from sexuality. She cast a light upon their struggles as well as the domestic violence that can go unchecked throughout the community at times. Throw in the insecurities of a young adult, tribulations of love and the suspicion of murder and you've got an exciting mix that kept the pages turning until the very end.

A White Wind Blew: A Novel of Waverly Hills by James Markert

Dr. Wolfgang Pike spent his days caring for tuberculosis patients at Kentucky's premier facility, Waverly Hills sanatorium. At night he toyed with finishing the requiem that he began shortly after his wife's untimely death. Whenever his medical knowledge failed to ease the hurt and pain of his patients, Dr. Pike turned to his harmonica or violin to soothe their aches and pains. In 1920s Louisville, there wasn't much more he could offer many of the men, women and children who suffered.

When a new patient with a penchant for the piano arrived at Waverly Hills, Dr. Pike attempted to use the power of music to heal on a larger scale. To do so would cross racial lines and put him at odds with the superintendent of the hospital, but Dr. Pike's belief in the healing power of music drove him forward. The decision changed everyone's life - not always for the better.

Why I liked it:
Historical fiction is quickly becoming one of my new favorite genres to read. This book combined my natural curiosity about Waverly Hills and the power of positivity to override the ills of society. A number of heavy themes were explored in the book. Racial segregation, the Klan, unwillingness to change, loss and the early medical practices all combined to create a world where the reader can easily join. The descriptions of the city, the buildings and the characters are richly written and filled with details that bring the book to life in one's imagination. I really thought I could see the book as a movie in my mind as I read at times.



There you have it. My top picks for the year of 2014 reviewed books is complete. I'm excited for all the wonderful books that 2015 has to offer. Have you read any of the above-mentioned books? What did you think of them?

Until next time,
Kay B

January's Hopes and Dreams

Happy 2015, everyone!

Starting this year off with a cold wasn't how I pictured my new year, but reality often differs greatly from our hopes. Though it wasn't what I expected, it has allowed me a small bit of downtime to really pack in some reading. I have been able to knock a few books off my TBR pile (which were subsequently replaced by gifts from others). So, it's not too bad.

This year looks so promising in a lot of areas. Plenty of exciting books are on the market or about to be put on the market. My poor Kindle is going to stage an intervention at any time if I keep piling the books on there. I truly can't help myself sometimes. Reading is one of those times. Writing used to be among that list, over much of the last year, it wasn't. I'm hoping to rectify that in this year.

The hard work of establishing a schedule began before 2014 ended. Each day I attempted an hour of writing, wading through cough drop wrappers and tissues at several points. Some of it was badly written but I've left it until the story is finished. Then I plan to add an hour of editing. Bit by bit I will conquer this particular demon of mine.

Not very many community projects are going to be on my plate this year. I am determined to fulfill the promise of making items for our local nursing home residents by the middle of the year. There are a great deal other promises I want to keep and crafts to make to fulfill them. One by one, they will be made. I have to learn to put my foot down and keep myself on schedule. You'll keep me accountable, right?

Here's to a wonderful 2015! May it be filled with wonderful things, learning experiences and brilliantly loving moments for you all.

Until next time,
Kay B

December's Hopes and Dreams

I've said it time and time again. This year has gone by way too fast for my taste. Usually I have enough time to stop and savor the year. So many projects, books to be read and words to be written piled up that I never saw the pages turn on my calender. Sneaky pages, they shouldn't have been flipping by themselves!

With all the items that I had to set on the back burner recently, I was glad to find that I still had a passion for writing. No matter how silly the first draft sounds, I only have to sit down and get the words out. Then I can go back over it to polish it up before letting someone read through it. For a small part of the year, I let negativity get to me. It shut down my desire and belief that writing is what my heart wants me to do. I gave in to the dark thoughts that made me feel less than worthy of putting my thoughts on paper. Now that I have that fire once again, I'm looking forward to continuing my writing journey.

In the meantime my TBR pile grew by leaps and bounds. So many good books out there that I couldn't stop myself from collecting them in print and Kindle editions. My poor Kindle is screaming at me to get busy and read. So even though I took a break around this time last year due to the holidays, I think I need to spend some time alone with a great book or two. I am sure with the hustle and bustle of the family gatherings that I'll need a respite sooner rather than later.

I have set a goal to finish editing NaNo2012 and begin working on its sequel. I really feel that I've got a few good ideas that I hope pan out. That is, if my muse wants to help me. She is a fickle visitor at best. I'll have to make the most of her visits. I have been trying to sit in front of the computer for at least an hour a day, typing whatever comes to mind for the story I'm working on at the moment. No worry over whether it's good or bad, just get the words down. I know I mentioned that earlier. I continue to remind myself each day.

May the holiday season bring you peace, love and great memories. No matter what holiday you celebrate during the month of December, be sure to spend it with the ones you love to create memories to sustain through the rougher, darker moments.

Until next time,
Kay B