It's A Rundown Life: Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Image of :: I'm not sure how many more years this old barn has left in it but I drive past it almost daily and loved the rundown look of it. So, when I finally found a day where the sun was hitting it just right I needed to take a photo of it.

Date Taken :: February 15th 2012




Location :: Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- about where the map shows --

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Check out more from my It's A Rundown Life Series

Books & Animals Just Don't Mix...

Okay, since my husband and I are moving in about 2-3 months so I'm trying to get through my TBR pile that I've had for a while. Therefore, I decided to start reading Jacquelyn Frank's "SEDUCE ME IN DREAMS" last night and this is what I found ....

Post by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews.

Now I will admit that I knew that it was bitten before I picked it up, since it was at my local library's seasonal book sale, but I just didn't realize how bad it was until yesterday. Thankfully, the previous owner was nice enough to hang onto the 6 torn up corners that I found stuck in the middle of the novel but I needed to tape up/reenforce a little over 25 other pages too. *shakes head*

I guess the pet found "SEDUCE ME IN DREAMS" mighty tasty! *hehee* Now that it's all put together I hope I'll like it just as much! =0)

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Forbidden | Drink of Me

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Forever | The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2012 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Feasted On: Hunger Awakened by Dee Carney

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 464 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: March 4, 2013 | Publisher: Carina Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Hunger Awakened" [Vampire Hunger Series, Book 2] by Dee Carney (aka Morgan Sierra)

My Book Summary : Sebastian (Bast) knows he is a half-vampire, has dealt with the prejudices of it and has had to prove himself to the vampire community because of it for over 400 years; the problem is he doesn't know what his other half is. So, over the year he's done his best to just forget about it....

....that is until his other half finally decides to make itself known in a BIG way. Suddenly one night while he is at a club, to hook up and get fed, pain and fever crashes over him out of nowhere leaving him in the back alleyway throwing up and almost unconscious. Alice, a homeless woman who has an illness of her own, finds Bast in the alley and unwillingly tries to help him. However, once she starts helping she has a hard time walking away. One thing leads into another bringing her into a world she never realizes existed.

Together they find and feel that they'll be able to defeat whatever is happening to Bast and accept what he truly is. Yet when her own illness gets worse, will they find a way to stay together for good or will others and Alice's body keep them apart for good...

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! This is a compelling novel about two "people," who come from tough pasts, finding each other and help each other deal with the cards life handed them. You can't help but fall into this novel and start rooting for Alice & Bast immediately; they are just that sweet of couple! Plus, I love reading about the genealogy research/knowledge in the book because I'm a genealogy buff myself.

Then as a cherry on top, for those who have read "Hunger Aroused" (since I didn't), it gives you an update on what Jasmine & Corin are doing while not having a confusing plot line enough so it can be considered as a standalone novel! Nevertheless, the epilogue leaves you with plenty of things to get you excited for the next novel while hoping Alice, Bast, Jasmine, & Corin will be in it too!

I recommend this novel/series to anyone who likes paranormal romances!

Author's Novel Extras : Hunger Awakened Excerpt | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Wednesday’s Words: Feeling Accomplished | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | Two New Covers

Author's Series Extras : Hunger Aroused Excerpt & Romance Trading Card | Hunger Revealed - FREE READ | Discoveries | Six Sentence Sunday | Six Sentence Sunday | What I’m doing | I’m going to audio, baby! | Trick or Treat? | Six Sentence Sunday | Hunger Aroused FTW | A saying for every occasion | Tooting my own horn | Six Sentence Sunday | More about | Six Sentence Sunday | Winter Reviews | A Hero’s Hop

Book Teaser(s) :

She leaned in closer to the screen, tracing a finger along one of the lines. “You made a mistake here. This person’s on two different branches, unless...” Alice started muttering to herself. “No, not the same person. A mistake. I think if you...yeah. She needs to be on this line, not that one.”
He’d worked with painstaking precision on the chart. “Show me.”
“Here.” She made a face. “And here.”
“Son of a bitch,” he said with a low growl. “I don’t know which one is correct. Fuck. I’ll have to—”
“You could hire me to do it.”
“What?”
Her words picked up speed, her enthusiasm growing. “Let me do this for you. Like a personal assistant or something. My mother worked on these in her spare time, and I know how to do the research. Let me—”
“No.”
“But Bast, it’s a win-win. For room and board. You’ve got this huge house—”
“No, I’m sorry. I won’t let you work on this.”
“But why not?”
He shook his head again, regret washing over him that he couldn’t share even this tiny snippet of his life with someone. Especially not a human. “Not this.” ~ within Chapter 5

He focused. Nodded in response to her original question. “At the end, just as I was finishing, I felt something.” He tried to bring back the sensation. The rush. “Power.”
A pause. “Yeah, it’s called coming.”
Bast snorted out a laugh. “As I was coming, smart ass.” He let the mirth settle before continuing. ~ within Chapter 16

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Dee, then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: Drink of Me by Jacquelyn Frank

Format: Paperback | Pages: 371 | Release Date: October 2010 | Publisher: Zebra Books | Obtained: Friends of the Pasquotank-Camden Library - Fall Book Sale

"Drink of Me" by Jacquelyn Frank

Author's Book Description : In a world where emotion can be a deadly weapon, one slight, battered runaway holds the key to a dark and twisted enigma...

Drink of me, she whispers, her silver eyes trusting, pleading. What female dares speak such words to one of the Sánge? His people are scorned by every race for their fierce sensuality, their fearful rituals. And as Prime, Reule is the most telepathically gifted of them all.

But nothing has prepared him for the intensity of emotion radiating from the outlander rescued by his Pack. Terrified, tormented, but beautiful beyond measure, Mystique shatters his legendary control. As she reaches for him in the steamy heat of the healing baths, he knows this blind need can have but one end...

In blood, in knowledge, in ecstasy.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars...

Okay. This is exactly what happened while I read this novel...

I was reeled into the beginning of this novel with its intriguing and mysterious buildup over Reule's people (the Sánge who are known as a savage group because they need to have blood while having sex and because of their fangs) and over Mystique (a woman who has run from her past while suffering from physical/emotional trauma and amnesia). Then the pretense of the novel hooked me when it came to the budding romance between Mystique and Reule, as well as the new developments that Mystique learned about herself. By then I was at page 178 (48% of the way in) reading while rocking my daughter to sleep where she ended up accidentally knocking the book out of my hands. When I got back to the novel, I didn't end up where I left off, not on purpose at first, a couple pages after where I ended just caught my eye and that is where I started again. To say it went downhill from there, me actually liking the novel, would be an understatement. I didn't like the way the plot was going.

Yet I wanted to give this novel the benefit of the doubt so I skimmed the rest of it so I could find out what happened to and between Reule, Mystique, her past, their future, and the funny secondary characters. What I found wasn't that I didn't enjoy what happened to the characters (well most of it), the reason for my rating was mostly because I didn't like what happened between Rye and Mystique at all (couldn't even find some goodness with the way that secondary plot wrapped up). In addition, I didn’t like the very end of this novel. Yes at the end it wraps up everything, but not quite the way I was hoping for. In addition, dealing with Mystique's insecurity about herself and her worth was annoying at times too. =0/

I don't recommend it; but if you do read it (since I found many positive reviews for this novel), I wish you luck and hope you like sci-fi-ish paranormal romances!

- On a side note -
So, basically what I'm saying (since this isn't my typical way to review a novel) is that the circumstances of how I read this novel could be why I rated it the way I did or if nothing unusual happened I might have felt the same way, I'm not really sure. =0/

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Forbidden

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Forever | The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2012 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Author's Novel Extras : Mother's Day for Demons... | NOCTURNAL!! | DRINK OF ME

Book Teaser(s) :

"You're telling me you aren't at all worried that our Prime is forming an attachment to an outlander woman whom we know nothing about?"
"We know more than you think," Darcio hinted cryptically, "and no, I'm not worried. Reule isn't the sort to lose his head or his heart easily. And even if he did, Rye, I'm not entirely certain it would be any of our business."
"Everything is Pack business," Rye contradicted.
"Oh? Does that mean I can demand details about that pretty Janna you've been sniffing after all month?" Rye flushed a deep red at the mention of his rather serious flirtation with a young lady of the court. "After all, you are heir. If you're seeking to attach yourself to a woman who might one day be our Prima, perhaps we ought to be more involved in this."
"All right! Do you have to be such a cocky shit all the time?" Rye demanded. "You're right, as usual, and Delano, Saber, and I are assholes. Satisfied?"
"Immensely." Darcio chuckled. ~ within Chapter 5

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jacquelyn, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Legacy Series, Book 5

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 428 KB | Release Date: May 2012 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Finding Chrissten" [Legacy Series, Book 5] by N. J. Walters

My Book Summary : Ever since Hank met Quinn (Chrissten's twin brother), he has been obsessed with her and with rescuing her from whoever kidnapped her over a year ago. With the help of an unusual vampire and Hank's pack, they finally track down Chrissten and break her out of captivity. However, will she ever be able to live among their "normal" society again? Hank will do everything in his power to keep her safe even from himself if necessary...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! What would you do if you found that your "true mate" was forced to mate with another? How far would you go to protect her? Would she ever be willing to open her heart to you have everything she's suffered? These questions plague the whole novel, while Hank and Chrissten try to understand the connection between them and deal with the men who abused her.

Maybe it was because I had such high hopes for this novel, but even though I liked the plot and the main characters (Hank & Chrissten), I felt this novel was dragged out way too much. It made it so that even though I liked how everything was going so well for Chrissten and Hank at times I would just start thinking, "Why is there so much left to the novel?" Basically, I felt that there were some scenes that just really didn't need to be included.

Overall, though, I did like how Chrissten & Hank's love story came together, especially the main fight scene where Hank went all Rambo-style! =0)

I recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of the Legacy Series or of Ms. Walters.

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1

Author's Novel Extras : New Cover! | FINDING CHRISSTEN Available Today! | 4 Stars for Finding Chrissten | Finding Chrissten on Amazon Best Seller List! | Fresh Friday Reads: Shifters, Witches, Elves, and a Sexy Historical | 5 Blue Ribbons for Finding Chrissten | 4 1/2 Stars for Finding Chrissten | 5 Hearts for Finding Chrissten

Author's Series Extras : Legacy Overview | New Contract...New Series! | Another New Cover! | Recommended Read for Alexandra's Legacy! | Two New Contracts! | New Cover!!!!! | Isaiah's Haven Available Today and Guest Blogging | 5 Book Review for Isaiah's Haven! | Two New Contracts! | A New Year Dawns... | Website Updates! | Week in Review | 5 Blue Ribbons for Legacy Found | Week in Review | 5 Blue Ribbons for Quinn's Quest | All 5 Legacy books on Samhain Paranormal Best Sellers List | The Voices in My Head...Part 2 | It's all about perspective | 2012--Year in Review | I'm Doing...Stuff

Book Teaser(s) :

A mated wolf usually couldn’t stand the scent or touch of another. That made the attraction between him and Chrissten even more unusual. Hank knew in his soul he was her true mate and she was his. Maybe it was because they were both half-breeds that they were able to get past the restrictions that ruled mated pairs. Maybe it was because they were true mates that Brian’s mating didn’t seem to affect either of them in quite the same way it would a pure werewolf mated pair.
He didn’t know and didn’t care. He could smell Brian’s scent on her skin. It permeated her flesh, a never-ending reminder that she belonged to another. It marked her as surely as a brand and would only disappear with Brian’s death.
Most males wouldn’t be able to stand the stench of another male on their female. Werewolves were nothing if not possessive.
But Hank wasn’t most men and Chrissten belonged to him. ~ within Chapter 9

Patience. He needed to woo her with patience. Even if it killed him. ~ within Chapter 10

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by N. J., then please check out her website.

Great Observations from a "Real Food" Evangelist

While at work today my co-worker was watching a YouTube Video (see below) of Robyn O'Brien who shares her personal story and how it inspired her current path as a "Real Food" evangelist. The video is one that my co-worker plans on sharing at our Science Café next month (click here for more info) and it was so well thought out that I felt I should share it with all of you. So, please watch it, especially if you have or know someone who has food allergies! Thanks.

---

About the Speaker :

A former financial and food industry analyst, who had the opportunity to meet Goldman Sachs' Henry Paulson, Ebay's Meg Whitman and Martha Stewart while working on the desk, Robyn O'Brien is an author, public speaker, strategist and mother of four. She brings insight and detailed analysis to her research on the health of the American food system as documented in her first book, The Unhealthy Truth, and has been called "food's Erin Brockovich" by the New York Times.

Her work has appeared on CNN, the Today Show, Good Morning America, FOX News, in the Washington Post and countless media outlets, and she currently writes for Prevention. Robyn has been named by SHAPE Magazine as one of 2009’s “Women To Shape the World”, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, by Forbes Woman as one of “20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter,” and by The Discovery Channel as one of its 15 Top Visionaries. Her TEDx talks have been widely received.

Recruited by institutions like Enron and the oil and gas industry, Robyn is the founder of www.allergykids.com. The mission of AllergyKids is to restore the health of American families by addressing the needs of the 1 in 3 American children that now has allergies, autism, ADHD and asthma and the role that additives in our food supply are having on our health. The Foundation also works closely with those fighting cancer, particularly those with specific dietary needs.

On Mother’s Day 2009, Random House published her acclaimed book, "The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It" and today, Robyn is regarded as a food and health expert and sought after speaker who lectures and writes extensively, addressing the economic burden that disease is placing on our families, our companies and our country.

Robyn earned an MBA on a full scholarship, graduating as the top woman in her class. And today, her work is recognized and supported by renowned individuals such as Dr. Oz, Robert Kennedy Jr., Ted Turner, Bonnie Raitt and Prince Charles.

She serves on the Board of Directors of Healthy Child Healthy World and is on the advisory board of the Just Label It Campaign.

Since giving her first TEDx talk in which she discusses research she conducted six years ago, the World Health Organization now reports that the U.S. ranks 7th out of almost 200 countries worldwide in cancer rates due to the remarkable efforts to reduce tobacco use in our country.

And she firmly believe that while we can't change the beginning of our stories, we can change the end. And hope is the knowledge that change is possible, even when it seems hard to imagine.

---

Find Robyn O'Brien :

• Robyn O'Brien - Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Goodreads

Disappointmentville: Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 181; Kindle Edition - File Size: 350 KB | Expected Release Date: January 22, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin KISS | Obtained: NetGalley

"Waking Up Married" by Mira Lyn Kelly (aka Moira McTark)

Author's Book Description : Her first thought: "Who are you?"
It's the morning after her cousin's bachelorette party in Vegas and Megan Scott wakes up with the mother of all hangovers. Even worse, she's in a stranger's penthouse having woken up with something else as well—a funny, arrogant, sexy...husband!
Up until now, finding even a boyfriend had seemed impossible—been there, got the broken heart, sworn off men for good. Then a few martinis with Carter...no, Connor Reed and she's gone from first meet to marriage in one night!
Megan wants a lawyer. But Connor's shocking bombshell?
"I don't want a divorce."

My Book Review : 2 out of 5 stars. Two pragmatic people have a little fun spending time together and fall into a situation that they both believe will be beneficial to them, only to wake up the next morning with one not remembering a thing that she agreed too...

I soo wanted to enjoy this novel, especially since the plot seems so light and fun, but I just couldn't get into it at all. The characters, while funny and intensely sweet at times, were hard to like (mostly Megan) because of how they seemed to talk around each other while not really moving along. Therefore, I could only read up to 34% of this novel before I stopped reading it all together.

I don't recommend this novel. However, if you do decide on reading it, I hope you'll get into it better then I did, then you should know it’s for people who enjoy contemporary romances.

- On a side note -
It has a cute cover! =0/ Plus, Megan & Connor's playful banter when they first meet was fun to read.

Author's Novel Extras : Read an excerpt | Almost here... | FREEBIE ANYONE??

Book Teaser(s) :

She'd had sex. With a stranger. Someone she maintained only the foggiest recollection of meeting. And then...she'd gone and married him.
Or maybe they'd waited...gone the more traditional route and saving themselves for after the wedding. So it would be special.
Ugh! ~ within Chapter 1

Pouring another coffee for himself and a glass of juice for Megan, he listened with half an ear as she checked in with Gail. She'd barely gotten past hello before a suspicious silence, followed by some stuttering and then more silence, confirmed what he'd known from the start. Jodie and Tina had been running at the mouth, probably since Megan and he took off the night before.
"I did stay with him... Of course I'm fine, but that's not---Gail, you're getting married today--- Yes, he is very handsome..."
This is the difference between men and women. When Connor texted Jeff to let him know something had come up and he'd get in touch next week, the guy had texted back a single word. Later. End of discussion. Granted, it might have gone longer if he'd mentioned the something in question was an exchange of vows, followed by a case of acute amnesia...but whatever. ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Mira Lyn, then please check out her website.