Do you find that you’re always racing to get things done? Whether you commute to work, chauffeur the kids, have work deadlines or errands to run, the clock is your task master. You may be known to say things like, “If only there were more than twenty-four hours in a day,” “I have to put out the biggest fire first,” “You want to do WHAT when?” and your all-time favorite (with only a hint of sarcasm, of course), “Sure I can get that done in my FREE time.”
If this sounds like your life, then this Magarita Moment is for you. C’mon, kick back and relax. All those chores will still be waiting four-and-a-half minutes from now, right?
If you didn’t have to run off just yet, please share your ideas for saving time or using it effectively. That would be really helpful, you know, because I just spent an entire weekend playing with Windows Movie Maker and I have a lot of work to catch up on now. 🙂
An avid reader doesn’t need an excuse to enjoy a good book, yet there’s something especially appealing about skipping errands in favor of curling up on your favorite piece of furniture and losing yourself in a story. I think this is doubly true during winter, sitting quietly a welcome change after all the excitement of December. Are you in the mood to revisit a beloved novel, read your favorite author’s newest release, make a dent in your to-be-read pile, or discover a new author?
As a novice owner of a Kindle Fire, I chose to read CROSS MY HEART, a book by Abigail Strom that ranks as the number one contemporary romance on Kindle. Its ranking may have had something to do with the book’s price, a mere ninety-nine cents. But that alone didn’t convince me to give her novel a try. It was Abigail Strom’s website bio, book blurbs, reader reviews, and excerpts that did.
CROSS MY HEART is Abigail’s third book, and the second in the Landry trilogy. The heroine, Jenna, is a singer/guitarist from a recently defunct rock band. She is back home in rural Iowa for the summer, housesitting for relatives. Michael Stone is a divorced, part-time father and workaholic cardiac surgeon who lives next door. They are attracted to each other, but don’t actually have a conversation until his teenage daughter arrives for her two-week visit. The daughter begs Michael to help her meet Jenna, one of her favorite singers. In the end, Jenna teaches Michael about music and having faith in himself as a dad, and he teaches her that love is worth compromise.
Abigail wrote the daughter, Claire with such a realistic teenage personality. The family and other interpersonal dynamics pull at the heartstrings, too, with believable, compelling conflicts. I was rooting for these characters, and I felt that the three of them would make a terrific family unit. I had to keep reading to see how they worked it all out. I wasn’t disappointed.
I finished Jenna Landry’s story only to dive into another Strom book. In WAITING FOR YOU, Jake Landry has returned from Afghanistan after four tours of military duty. He’s a strong man, trying to move forward in his life, but he suffers from PTSD. This prevents him from reconnecting with his family. He rejects his feelings toward Erin, the girl-next-door he’d left behind, determined not to ruin her innocence with his jaded perspective and numb heart. He leaves town after one incredible night with Erin, only to return six months later to learn the encounter had lasting consequences. I cried twice while reading this book; that’s how invested I became in Jake and Erin’s story.
The last of Abigail Strom’s books I’ve read is THE MILLIONAIRE’S WISH. This happens to be the first in the Landry trilogy and was published as a Silhouette Special Edition. I was quickly drawn into Allison and Rick’s lives. Allison is the oldest Landry sibling, and completely turned off to men after a violent ending to her first relationship back in high school. Her youngest sister died of cancer, and Allison has dedicated her adult life to her non-profit foundation helping families affected by the disease. She needs Rick’s money to help keep her dreams alive. He agrees, but on one condition. That condition forces the two to face their personal issues. Eventually, they realize they are crazy in love with each other and are ready to move forward as a couple. This story was satifying overall and answered all my story questions (with inclusion of an epilogue), yet the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the other two.
Abigail’s no-nonsense prose allows the reader to focus on the characters and their journey to their happily-ever-after. Her voice makes for a quick, seamless read. I would love for her to weave in a few more setting details in future novels, especially if she writes another trilogy. Stories where the community essentially becomes another character and part of the plot, as in Jodi Thomas’ HARMONY series, may add even more depth to an already well-crafted book. Then again, that’s just my opinion.
In Strom’s Landry trilogy, the emotional and sexual tension is her forte. CROSS MY HEART has the steamiest and greatest number of detailed, yet tasteful romantic scenes, and WAITING FOR YOU has sex scenes that are not only hot, but incredibly emotional.
In a nutshell, Abigail Strom writes a sweet, sexy, and satisfying read.
My Reading Spot
Why not sink into your favorite chair and get lost in a story? What will you be reading?
During daylight hours, Key West is all about sun and sea. You can soak in some rays at one its beaches, and rent a kayak or jet ski if you have the energy. For a bit more monetary and vacation hour investment, you can hire a charter boat to go backcountry or offshore fishing. If you want an even closer look at the vast array of ocean life, this tropical island offers snorkling and scuba diving opportunities–from novice outings steps away from the beach to challenging shipwreck dives. When you’ve done all that, but still want the ambiance of marina life, my suggestion would be to walk or bike ride to Key West’s Historic Seaport.
To reach this renovated section of Old Town, trek to Lower Duval, turn right on Front Street and travel east until you hit Margaret Street. Here’s a little history, according to Florida State Tourism Board, if you’re interested:
Formerly known as Key West Bight, this once seedy piece of prime waterfront real estate was where shrimpers, spongers, and turtle traders came to unload their daily catch, tell tall tales of the sea, quaff a few brews, and just generally hang out. With the relocation of the shrimp boats to Stock Island and the demise of sponging and turtle hunting, this area has undergone a complete metamorphosis. In January 1999 it was officially opened as the Key West Historic Seaport and HarborWalk. Tall ships still tie up here, but so do million-dollar yachts.
Key West Marina
In addition to being home of the city marina, with charter boats, ferries, and other assorted watercraft, Historic Seaport has hundreds of shops and a number of Old Town’s famous restaurants. If you bike here, be sure to lock up your Conch Cruiser at one of the Lands End racks before taking a stroll. The half-mile Harbor Walk that stretches between Grinnell and Greene is for pedestrians only. That’s fine though, because you’ll enjoy stopping often to see the sights–including hungry fish who will readily eat your restaurant leftovers.
Speaking of restaurants, you may want to eat at the famous A&B Lobster House, the Half Shell Clam Bar, Bo’s Fish Wagon or Turtle Kraals while you’re in the vicinity. My husband and I took our fresh catch to Turtle Kraals and were thrilled with the results. We returned later that week for happy hour and took advantage of their Tower Bar, where we were served appetizers and cocktails while enjoying the magnificent view. We watched tourists returning with their catch, locals cleaning their boats, and glassbottom boats unloading their passengers. One of our favorite activities that evening was participating in the turtle races.
Getting Ready for the Race
If you arrive at Turtle Kraals on a turtle race evening, ask for a slip from one of the servers. On the slip will be a number 1-4. At 6 PM, take your drink outside and root on your turtle. Hopefully you’ll be one of the people with the slip number matching the winning turtle. (If not, it’s still a lot of fun to watch.) Winners select a key with a number. The jackpot was up to $400 the night we were there, but it may be lower or higher depending on how long it’s been since someone has won the night you participate. Each person then has the option to try opening the treasure chest with the key. Sometimes the emcee also gives another option, such as trading the key for a mystery gift or a known prize. The night we were there, the prizes included restaurant gift certificates and merchandise from its store.
To work off your meal, you may want to browse through a few of the many boutiques and street vendors located in Historic Seaport. My sweet husband once bought me the beautiful silver bracelet below. (Click on the photo for more information, if you’re interested.) This past getaway, we bought a dolphin bracelet to thank our 20-year-old for helping out with her little brother back at home. I’d highly recommend this store for its quality and unique offerings.
So, if you ever get a chance to travel to the southernmost point of the continental U.S., consider trekking off Duval Street for breathtaking views, great food, free fun, and maybe even a bauble or two. I hope you’ve enjoyed this Margarita Moment. May your week be full of warmth and sunshine–in your memories if not your locale.
Another view of Key West Marina
I’d love to hear from you:
What memories warm your heart on cold, winter days?
Winter has arrived, a perfect opportunity for indoor escapes. One of my favorite ways to relax and recharge is to cuddle up on the couch in my cozy pj’s, a hot beverage in one hand and the TV remote in the other.
My old stand-bys include HGTV’s House Hunters International, Food Network shows, and NCIS. A new series, however, debuted on ABC in October which piqued my interest. It promised a new spin on the classic fairy tales. I had every intention of watching it, but then life got a little hectic and I had to hold off on this guilty pleasure.
Until now. With the holidays behind us, it’s “me time.” Husband has his football; I have ONCE UPON A TIME. If you haven’t heard of it, here’s an excerpt of ABC Studio’s synopsis for the series:
From the inventive minds of Lost executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis comes a bold new imagining…Emma Swan knows how to take care of herself. She’s a 28-year-old bail bonds collector who’s been on her own ever since she was abandoned as a baby. But when the son she gave up years ago finds her, everything starts to change. Henry is now 10 years old and in desperate need of Emma’s help. He believes that Emma actually comes from an alternate world and is Snow White and Prince Charming’s missing daughter. According to his book of fairytales, they sent her away to protect her from the Evil Queen’s curse…Of course Emma doesn’t believe a word, but she soon suspects that Storybrooke is more than it seems. The epic battle for the future of all worlds is beginning, but for good to win, Emma will have to accept her destiny and fight like hell.
Or, if you’d prefer, here’s the trailer:
Josh DallasA Fresh Take on a Classic
As my husband watched the Giants-Cowboys game, I watched the pilot and two subsequent episodes yesterday, and I’m unashamed to say I’m now hooked. It’s gritty at times, but not gory. For some, the show may bring to mind fractured fairy tales such as The True Story of The Three Little Pigs.
A majority of the show’s cast and setting is beautiful, just as in a classic fairy tale, and is interspersed with evil deeds and evil doers. There are trolls, leprechauns, the Three Fates, wolves, and unicorns. Overall, the scenes are quick-paced, and seamlessly weave present-day Storybrooke, Maine, with the fairy tale realm. Sometimes there’s a little too-much plot information in the dialogue, but is forgivable. If you like the Harry Potter series, with its magical creatures, good vs. evil, and fantasy merging with reality, you may very well like ONCE UPON A TIME for your own mini-escape in 2012. Like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, this series reveals more sinister forces as it progresses. I haven’t seen the seventh episode yet, but apparently a major character will be killed off.
This modern fable has aired seven shows to date. Internet is wonderful, because you no longer have to wait for re-runs to see missed episodes and you can watch them back-to-back. Click here to get started, if you’re interested. Don’t forget to return here to give me your take on it, good or bad. All comments are welcome.
As people have different tastes, I’m interested in hearing about yours. Please share. What are your favorite tv shows? What is it about them that keeps you coming back for more?
