My Child Got Left Behind

My heart plummeted as I yelled out the door "where is Kostas?!" over and over again.

Not a good feeling watching one of your children get off the bus and not seeing the other one. My heart sank. I got scared yet tried not to panic. Not so easy but before the panic starts to set in, I tried to think logically and not think of one of the worst imaginable things: my child being kidnapped. In this day in age, anything is possible.

Let me go back a bit so you can understand what happened. Oh and this all happened in a whirlwind, like everything happened at the same time. As I normally do, every afternoon I wait for my boys to get off the school bus at our front door since the bus stops 3 houses up the street.

This past week, their bus has been later than usual so when 4 pm rolled around, I didn't worry too much. Then 4:15 came and no bus. I called the school but as I'm calling the bus is pulling up so I hang up. I see my oldest get off and start running up the sidewalk with a happy smile on his face cause, after all, it is Friday. Now, it's normal that one of my boys gets off the bus first and the other one gets off the bus last.

In that same moment I see the school is still on the phone. I'm not sure if I hung up or the school called. I say to the receptionist "I was just calling to find out if the buses were delayed because it wasn't here yet but it is now here." That's when I realize the bus starts driving off and my second son is not on the sidewalk. I start yelling "where's Kostas, where's Kostas". The receptionist hears my yelling and asks me my boys' names. When I tell her, she says Kostas is here at the school. I quickly spew out, "I'm coming to get him" and hang up the phone. It seemed rude to do this but in my state of not seeing my child, my brain was not on manners at the moment. My priority was my kid.

So, while Kostas was safe and sound at school, that split second of not seeing him get off the school bus and me not knowing where he was, was enough to cause alarm within my heart and for the worst of things to scroll through my mind.

We did talk to both the boys about doing a checks and balance with each other. If one is not on the bus, the other needs to stand up and say something. This is the first time this happened, so it's a lesson to be learned.

**Day 5 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

Good Marriage Advice for Couples to Consider

While I was browsing through my newsfeed on Facebook yesterday, I came across a video that a friend of mine shared. The video was that of Pope Francis on his advice on marriage. It's good advice regardless of your religious affiliations.

When my husband and I got married, nearly 12 years ago, I don't remember receiving any advice from anyone in regards to marriage. My husband and I knew we were meant to be and decided to get married on a whim. So far, that whim has worked in our favor. I do, however, remember reading and hearing in movies (I know, right) about one thing that every married couple should do. Without putting much thought into it, my husband and I do (not always but we strive to) what Pope Francis has suggested, and what I've read and heard in movies, every night.

In his weekly address, Pope Francis advises couple never to go to bed angry with each other. Always say good night to each other.

I like the message Pope Francis has to give. It's something that we should all strive to do. However, being humans and letting our emotions take over, it is not always so simple. I know. Even though my husband and I rarely argue (and that's mainly because I don't like confrontations) there has been once or twice where things did get really heated between us. Times where we did go to bed with unresolved emotions. However in the end, love transcended any negatives in our marriage. I know this is not the case with every marriage. I will not be so naive to think that love can fix anything because when we have been hurt so deeply and our hearts toyed with, love won't fix it.

But I digress. If you can and are willing to put aside ego and issues, say goodnight before to bed. Let each other know that "even though I'm mad at you and don't like you very much right now, I still love you".

Disclaimer: As the saying goes "No one knows what's in the pot but the one who stirs it." so I will not pretend to be an expert on marriage. I'm just sharing something that has worked for me and my husband. An advice that I think others can benefit from.

This post is part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

That Early Morning Hug

For today's Ultimate Blog Challenge post, I'm keeping it short and sweet, like my youngest son.

A few months ago I wrote about actions speaking louder than words in reference to my youngest son.

This morning, I go to wake him up so that he can have breakfast and get ready for school. He's in pre-kindergarten. He's four years old and what a fun age for him (and me!).  He is the last of the brood and knows it. He plays his role well. But I digress...

As I'm waking him up, I'm kneeling next to his bed and telling him it's time to get up. He rolls over, stretches, in that sweet way which melts your heart and only children know how to do, and once he realizes it's me, he wraps his arms around my neck and doesn't let go.

He hangs on for a few seconds. I cherish those magical seconds because they are fleeting. We all know how quickly we forget things that happens in seconds. We all easily forget things that happen every day in our busy lives. Including those kisses, those hugs, those sounds of joy and laughter.

While my youngest has yet to say those three words, (I know he has them cause he's said them before but he's just playing games with me) I know for a fact that my kid loves me. I might quite possibly be his favorite person in the whole world. I'll work tirelessly to continue being the person he looks up to. He shows me so all the time. This morning was a perfect example.

That sweet, gentle hug that spoke so many words was enough to let me know that he loves me and I love him back.

The point is, if you were looking for one, cherish all those moments for tomorrow is not promised (as cliche as that sounds). Live in the moment and love mightily.

My little boy. He woke up one morning dressed like this. 

How Frozen Got Me

I remember when Frozen came out in the theatres. I remember reading posts from friends on Facebook praising the movie and how fantastic it was. I even remember reading a headline, I forget which article and where, that stated how Disney's Frozen is a game changer for Disney Princess's movies. I was curious but not curious enough to go out and see at the theatres.

Fast forward a few months to the release of Frozen on DVD/BluRay. My husband come home one day with the movie in hand. I was pleasantly surprised that he got it since my boys hadn't expressed any interest in seeing it. We normally buy movies that they want. After watching the movie, I was extremely 'elated or gassy' to quote Anna from Frozen that my husband bought the movie.

Like I said before I wanted to see why Frozen was a game changer for Disney Princess's movies. I got my answer after watching it, or at least what I got out of it and what my boys got out of it, even if the original headline meant something different. Yes, there are loads of other lessons to be learned from Frozen which have been blogged about extensively so I won't touch on those. I'll only touch on what was important to me.

I was happy to see that Disney chose to represent an act of true love through the love of a sibling and not through true love's kiss. I love the idea that we can all love one another and commit an act of true love for someone other than your chosen partner in life. I try to teach my boys all the time that they have to love each other, no matter what. I teach them to be respectful to one another and to always be there for each other to lean on. I teach them that while they are times that they will be angry at each other, the love that they have for each other must remain true and at the forefront of their thoughts. Frozen cemented that idea which I teach my boys.

Frozen immediately made my list of favorite Disney movies knocking Beauty and the Beast down a notch. Along with Meet the Robinsons, the lesson it teaches is one that will stay with me forever.

I know that there are things I'm going to get wrong in raising my boys but as long as I continue to love them and show them love, in the end I will get it right. Or semi right. Hey, if they don't end up in therapy as adults, I know I've done a banging job.

Of course, I can't end this post without making a mention of one of my favorite characters in Frozen, Olaf. I absolutely loved him. I loved his innocent spirit full of wisdom. I loved his carefree attitude and outlook on life. He was so determined to see Summer that it didn't matter if he would melt though he didn't know it. I loved him so much that I decided to crochet me an Olaf. He is a work in progress and I will share about him in a later blog post.

This post was written as part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge that I decided to join.

Ultimate Blog Challenge

Book Review: Liv's Existence

First of a two part series. 

Olivia 

Ten years. 

Countless miles. 

I thought I had run far enough away that he’d never find me. The man who destroyed my sense of safety and introduced me to the evils of the world came back looking for forgiveness. How can I forgive him when I haven’t forgiven myself? I look at his fiancée and wonder how she could love a man so cruel. However, the closer I look at her, the more I realize that maybe she doesn’t love him after all. What has he done to her? I have to find out. 

Abigail 

Many tears. 

Countless men. 

I thought I’d found the one man who wouldn't break my heart. Two weeks before our wedding day, he came clean with his dirty past and shattered our future. He’s asking me to still love him, but how can I love a man so cruel? I look at the woman he destroyed, and I feel compelled to do everything I can to help her. I know what it’s like to be broken by this man. Can I help her to live life again instead of just existing? I have to find out. 

Ages 18+ due to adult situations and violence. Some situations may be difficult for some readers.

***I received a copy of the book in exchange for a review.***

When I first started reading Liv's Existence I didn't know what to think or the direction the book was going. As I continued reading and getting to know the central characters, Liv and Abigail, I couldn't help but invest myself in their stories. 

B.L. Mooney gave these characters life, substance and a reason to have their story heard. At first, I wanted to reject the idea that I could somehow relate to these incredible women, especially Liv. I didn't feel worthy to hear Liv's story and empathize with her. However, as I read Liv's story, I began to understand the pain, suffering and struggles that she's had to endure.  While in Liv's existence we only read of Liv's story, we still get a glimpse into what Abigail's life has been like.  Each of their story were different yet bound forever by one human being. 

These women were forever linked and through that bond they were able to help each other survive and overcome unimaginable acts committed against them.

Towards the end, I couldn't tear myself away from the story. I needed to know that everything was going to be okay. My heart ached for Liv and I so desperately wanted to see her become the strong woman she could be. I cried like I would if a friend of mines endured what Liv has endured. I cried for Liv and for her will to live. 

I will say that Liv's Existence is not for the faint of heart. It deals with real, everyday topics that some women struggle with and are sometimes afraid to speak out against.

Do I recommend this book? Oh, I do. I really do. My only suggestion is to make sure there is a box of tissues available near you. 

Book Review: Small Town Trouble and Giveaway

Meet Kim Claypoole, restaurateur, reluctant heroine and amateur sleuth with moxie galore. "I'd had a feeling all along that this wasn't going to be my day. But I hadn't been prepared for things to go this badly..."

In Small Town Trouble, the first in a series from mystery writer Jean Erhardt, we get acquainted with Kim Claypoole's irreverent and witty ways of dealing with the peculiar characters and events that she finds in her life.

Claypoole's adventure begins as she leaves her home in the Smoky Mountains to help save her kooky mother Evelyn from financial disaster. Setting off to assist Evelyn (i.e., "the other Scarlett O'Hara") with her newest personal crisis, Claypoole leaves in her wake her Gatlinburg doublewide, her restaurant, The Little Pigeon and her restaurant partner and sometimes best friend Mad Ted Weber as well as a budding secret love affair that's hotter than an Eskimo in July.

Claypoole's savior complex leads to more trouble when she bumps into an old flame in her hometown who asks for her help clearing her hapless brother of murder charges. In true Claypoole fashion, she gets more than she bargained for when she gets dragged into a complicated quest to find the true killer complete with topless tavern dancers, small town cops, a stream of backwater characters-even a meeting with the Grim Reaper. Can Claypoole muddle her way through the murky depths of this bizarre murder mystery before it's too late?

With biting humor and wit, Small Town Trouble will leave you guessing what's around the next corner in the quirky life of Kim Claypoole. 

Buy Links: Amazon; Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAY LINK AT THE BOTTOM

***I received a copy in exchange for a review as part of Dark Scream Book Tours.***

Small Town Trouble is a quirky and humorous novel about a murder mystery in a small town

It's a great story to read while vacationing on the beach or just lounging for the afternoon. While it is a murder mystery, it's a great story to read to just relax your mind. There's not much thought that needs to be put into the story while reading. It's witty and funny enough to keep you interested.

We get to see the interesting life that the heroine, Kim Claypoole, leads and the antics she gets into with her long time friend. Although, it wasn't a romance story, I found myself rooting for Kim to find love somewhere, with someone. She's a likable enough character that you want to see her win the end.

Do I recommend Small Town Trouble? I do... It's a great book to entertain your mind and give you some chuckle out loud moments.

~~~

To learn more about the author, Jean Erhardt, visit her website or FB page. 

www.jeanerhardt.com
https://www.facebook.com/JeanErhardtAuthor https://www.facebook.com/KimClaypooleFanClub
Joyce Thompson https://www.facebook.com/joycethompsonwriter 

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Giveaway, Guest Post, and Book Review of See How She Falls

I'm so excited to be a part of the a blog tour for the Chronicles of Izzy. This series is by far one of my favorite paranormal series in the indie world. I love Izzy and who she represents, who she is and what she is willing to do for humanity.








Thank you for stopping my today and be sure to follow along the blog tour to learn more about See How She Falls. OH, and the best part, there's a giveaway!!! The rafflecopter link will be at the end of the post. 

Let's continue with the blog tour!

So, today I have Ian with me to answer some questions about Kennan and Izzy, who also happen to be here.  Although, I really want to find out just what Ian thinks about everything, so all of the questions will be posed to him.

MG:  Thanks for being here today Ian!

Ian:  Anytime I can talk about these two, I am there!  Bring on the questions!

MG:  Alright, was your first impression of Izzy?

Ian:  I thought she was short, and feisty.  I wasn't exactly sure how someone that small was going to take on the Corporation.

Izzy:  "I am not that short!"

MG:  No interrupting, Izzy!  Did she remind you of her mom at all, Ian?

Ian:  At first.  The more I got to know her, the more she reminded me of her dad.  She is caring like her mom, but she has her dad's strength.  She is one tough little cookie.

MG:  What about Kennan?  How long have you known each other?

Ian:  Kennan, how long has it been?

Kennan:  Too long!

Ian:  It has been a while.  Hundreds of years maybe?  I lose track of time.

MG:  Well, what did you think of him when you first met?

Ian:  Now that, I remember!  I thought he was a stuffy pain in the buttocks.  He was so serious.  All "this is serious business, stop making fun."

Kennan:  Have you met yourself?  You could benefit from a bit more seriousness. 

MG:  Ehem, no interrupting or I am going to kick you and Izzy out!

Kennan & Izzy:  Fine.  *grumbles*

MG:  As you got to know him, did you feel any differently?

Ian:  I did.  Kennan became like a brother to me.  He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.  Though we may be vastly different, we are still the same at the core.  We both want to protect the people we love, we both want to stand up and fulfill our callings, ultimately we have the same values.

MG:  What about the two of them together?  Did that shock you?

Ian:  It makes a strange sort of sense.  The two of them.  I mean, do you see them together?  It is kind of sickening!    They are all smoochy-smoochy.  Barf!

Kennan:  You're just jealous.

Izzy:  Truth, if it were Molly here you would be singing a different tune!

MG:  That is a good point.  What is going on with you and Molly?

Ian:  I thought this interview was about those two. 

Izzy:  Stop avoiding the question.  Inquiring minds want to know. 

Ian:  It is no one's business.

Kennan:  Is she still giving you the brush off man?  It's tough to be tough, I tell you.

Ian:  Alright, that's it.  Interview over.  I'm out of here.  *Gets up and leaves in a huff*

MG:  Well, I guess that concludes this interview then.  Unless the two of you have anything to add.

Izzy:  I want to go on record saying that I place my money on Molly and Ian getting together before the end of the year!  Mark my words, it is gonna happen.  I am a Seer after all!

Well, Thanks for stopping by to spend some time with us today.  If you want to find out more about the inner workings of Ian, Kennan, Izzy, and Molly be sure to check out The Chronicles of Izzy!

xoxo,

Michelle Graves

Okay, now those Guardians and Seer are a riot! I love Ian and his "not so serious" personality. And what can I say about Kennan *swoon*. Of course, Izzy, is on a pedestal to me. She is one kick ass, beautiful, intelligent and cool woman.

Now on to my review of See How She Falls.

***DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

See How She Falls is the story of Izzy making one of the toughest decisions she's had to since learning she was a Seer.  In See How She Falls, we see Izzy step up to her duties that were bestowed upon her from her last adventure in See How She Fights. So, it picks up right were the last book left off.

I could gush over how fan-freaking-tastic this book is. But I can't do so without giving away spoilers. However, I will try because this book needs to be read. This is certainly one review that I will NOT be giving spoilers away because yo
u need to read it and enjoy the awesome goodness it is.

Ms. Graves writes a captivating story in See How She Falls. We continue to see and follow Izzy in her quest to save the world from evil and utter destruction. However, it is at the cost of grand and selfless act on Izzy's part.

We are also introduced to new characters who are so vital to the story and aren't there to just fill in any gaps. I love it when new characters have a purpose to the story rather than just some other character for the sake of having new characters. We get to learn more about Izzy's past in this story, which answers some questions about her (whether or not we had them).

The world of Seers and Guardians is a complex one and Ms. Graves does a fantastic job at giving us some background information on them.

The way how Ms. Graves goes back and forth between the past, present and future is flawless. There was not one moment were I felt confused about what I was reading. She weaves in all these tales together and ties them together in manner that makes you want to continue reading. I, literally, could not put down this book. I spent the entire day reading it because I wanted, no NEEDED, to know what was going to happen to Izzy and her friends.

My one and only warning is: You Must Have a Box of Tissues!!!!

Do I recommend See How She Falls: Oh, heck yea I do!!! You must read the other two books first to know what is happening but YES! YES! YES! I do recommend this book.

See How She Runs
One delivery changed her whole life. 

Izzy was a normal girl living in Chicago as a bike messenger before that fateful day. She delivered one package and set into action a chain of events she never could have expected.

Now she is running for her life from the Corporation, her best friend is not at all who he seemed, and to top it all off she keeps having visions.

Will she survive to navigate the waters as a Seer? Will her feelings for Kennan be her very downfall? Find out in See How She Runs. 

Available on Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00DWJ6BBS

Coming Mid-March to all other retailers!

See How She Fights

She thought it was over. 

She thought her life was finally her own.
She was wrong.

Izzy is thrust back into the world of Seers and Guardians. With a summons from the Council she can't ignore, Izzy heads back into the fray. Now, it is up to her to figure out why Seers are being sacrificed, carved up, and left for ruin. If she doesn't find the person orchestrating the deaths, she may well be next.

If that wasn't enough, her powers have started to expand exponentially. Kennan is keeping secrets. Moreover, a strangely familiar Symbol-smith starts wreaking havoc on her precariously balanced world.

Will Izzy survive this latest crisis? Will she stop fighting destiny and accept her fate? Find out in See How She Fights. 

Available on Amazon: 

http://amzn.com/B00H8XG7YA

Coming Mid-March to all other ebook stores.

About Michelle Graves: 

Michelle Graves is a self-proclaimed nomad, moving every two to three years with her husband the Army man, her beautiful daughter, and a fat tailless cat named Torri. When she is not writing away trying to purge her mind of yapping characters she can be found entertaining her daughter, attempting to craft (whilst trying not to injure herself with the glue gun), baking yummy treats, or reading. She admits to having a restless spirit and forces her family to go out on adventures whenever possible. They lovingly play along.

Giveaway Time!!!

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