Give Me My Outer Darkness Donuts Now!

Any family member who reads this headline is probably going to roll their eyes, smile a bit, and tell me to get over it. Honestly, they’re probably right. I should get over it, but before I do, I’m going to tell you how I know that there are no donuts in Outer Darkness. The Story…… Continue reading Give Me My Outer Darkness Donuts Now!

Wishing for the Girl…: Hurt by Toxic Relationships (4.5 Stars)

Wishing for the Girl Next Door is the third book in the Piney Brooks Wishes series by Tia Marlee. I read the previous two books, Sweet Summertime Wishes and Love on the Brain, earlier this year. In this book, our two main characters, Evan and Karlee, are recovering from past toxic relationships. Karlee’s ended when…… Continue reading Wishing for the Girl…: Hurt by Toxic Relationships (4.5 Stars)

Can I Be Proud of Something Without Being Prideful?

I could be 100% wrong in this thought, but I feel like there is a huge difference between feeling proud of someone or something and being prideful about something. To me, the core of this difference lies in whether it’s about gratitude or if it’s about the desire to be better than others. What is…… Continue reading Can I Be Proud of Something Without Being Prideful?

I Hate Sarah Smith: Not a Writing Contest Winner

Recently, I entered a flash fiction writing contest. It needed to be 200 words or less and include a twist. Mine was cutting it close at 193 words. When I entered my story, “I Hate Sarah Smith,” the contest through Fusilli Writing was free. It was the last free contest for the company, and they…… Continue reading I Hate Sarah Smith: Not a Writing Contest Winner

They Must Be Rich: Seeing the Dandelions for the Flowers

Earlier this year, I was walking in our neighborhood with my niece. who is 5 years old. We walked by several houses, some of which had beautiful flowers in flower beds. Others had dandelions and morning glory growing in their lawns. My niece admired the lawns. Her Flower Attitude Before long, my niece said, “Can…… Continue reading They Must Be Rich: Seeing the Dandelions for the Flowers

I Must Be Perfect Now… Or Not

In life, we often feel like we have to present ourselves as perfect. Social media often adds to this desire to appear as though we do everything perfectly and have the perfect life. Unfortunately, as we do this, we present an inaccurate representation of ourselves, and in turn, we may make others feel like they’ll…… Continue reading I Must Be Perfect Now… Or Not

Tell Me Another Lie: A Stalker, Flowers, and Messages (4 Stars)

Tell Me Another Lie by K. T. Raine, came out recently. In this book, Belle is a massage therapist who has recently moved back to the small town of Huckleberry Ridge, Idaho. Early on in the book, she starts getting flowers and messages from a secret admirer. The messages and presents soon take on a…… Continue reading Tell Me Another Lie: A Stalker, Flowers, and Messages (4 Stars)

SA Ward: Still Feeling Like the Odd One Out

About a month ago, my younger sister and I encountered the bishop just as we were heading out to take the dogs for a walk. He asked us if we knew about a meeting the next day, Sunday, for Single Adults 31-45. We hadn’t heard about the meeting, but right away I was pretty sure…… Continue reading SA Ward: Still Feeling Like the Odd One Out

It Was An LDS Best Seller on Amazon

This morning, I was obsessively looking at the statistics on my book, Feeling Like the Outcast. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I do this pretty regularly, hoping for good news. Well, this morning, I scrolled down, and I saw unexpected numbers in the Best Seller Rank section. My book was #81 in the Church…… Continue reading It Was An LDS Best Seller on Amazon

The Last Caretaker: With Unexpected Job Tasks (5 Stars)

I recently finished reading my November First Reads book, The Last Caretaker by Jessica Strawser. After her recent divorce, Katie needs a new start. When her best friend, Bess, suggests a position as a caretaker of a nature reserve, Katie jumps at the chance, even though she’s not really a nature person. Katie soon discovers…… Continue reading The Last Caretaker: With Unexpected Job Tasks (5 Stars)