Friday, October 31, 2014

Freebie Friday & Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you're having a safe and spoooky holiday!


Today's Friday Freebies are two short and sweet clean romances (just over a hundred pages each.)  I haven't read them yet, but I downloaded them and put them in my TBR pile.


Here's the a small back description of the first one And Something Blue:

Bridal consultant Laurie Fletcher spends her days helping others prepare for the most special day of their lives. Will true love ever come her way, or is she doomed to watch others get their happily ever after?

If this one looks interesting to you, click hereto download your free Kindle copy.




Here's the small back description of the second one, Hearts in Harmony:

Elahna Nezario gave up her musical dreams to help run the Queen of Hearts, her mother’s chocolate shop, after her sister’s sudden death. After an unfortunate run-in with Elahna’s childhood crush, owner of the Dolce Theater, not only do her dreams surge back to life, but so does her heart.

If this one looks interesting to you, click hereto download your free Kindle copy.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Writer's Retreat Report

I was so nervous and excited for my first writer's retreat.  We got into beautiful Bear Lake right around dinner time and went to a Chilean restaurant (I got a sweet pork dish that was really good!) Then we headed over to the condo where we would be staying.

We chatted for a bit, then did some work. I was surprised at how well I was doing in concentrating. I let myself cruise Facebook for every chapter I finished writing.  That was good for me and kept me going.  We finished up with writing around midnight, chatted a bit more, then went to bed.

The first night I froze my hiney off because I couldn't figure out how to turn the heat up.  I huddled in my bed, thinking about putting on every piece of clothing I'd brought in my suitcase. I felt like I was camping in a drafty tent or something!

Needless to say, I was tired the next morning.  After a good breakfast, some more laughing and chatting with the crew, I got down to work.  Finished my novella and started a new book.  It was an amazing feeling.  I don't think I've ever really finished any piece so quickly and felt so happy with it. I wanted to celebrate and was so glad I was with ladies who understood that need. I broke out the chocolate and some caramel apple dip and just reveled in the feeling of finishing.

The heat was turned up that next night and I slept like a baby.  This was also the day that I wrote four new chapters to my new book.  I am SO EXCITED about this new book and the strong beginning it's got.  I showed it to the ladies up there and they were laughing in all the right places.  The characters are so awesome and coming together so nicely.  I was even COMEDIC which rarely happens.  A very productive day.  We did come up for air, though, and go to the shore of the lake and look around. It is gorgeous there!

Here are some pics I took:




I can't even describe how much fun I had there.  The only strange thing was how quiet it was. I'm not used to that at my house!  It was so quiet, I felt self-conscious chewing.  Yeah. I'm weird.  There was tons of keyboard tapping, though, and so many words were written. Wonderful, beautiful words that were meant to be shared. And will be!

So, my first writer's retreat was a success and I am sold on them now.  Especially if I can go with those same three women writers again. They are hilarious! And they liked me.  :)

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to go, to my family who stepped up to make it possible and took care of everything at home, and to my fans, who give me a reason to keep writing. Love you all.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Word Count Wednesday & A Winner!

With the writer's retreat last weekend (which I can't wait to tell you all about tomorrow!) I failed to post the winner of Saints and Soldiers: The Void DVD.  So, I'm going to remedy that today . . .



*drum roll*



And the winner is, Jeni Pugh Roberts! I will be emailing you shortly.  Thank you to everyone who entered.

Don't forget the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop ends this Friday.  You can click on the link in the sidebar to enter.

With the retreat, I actually got nearly 11,000 words written this week.  Isn't it great? I'm so proud of myself and what I got done.  It feels wonderful.

How did you do this week?  Have you ever been on a retreat or had a weekend where you got a ton of writing done? It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Castle Review: The Netslayer

This Castle episode was more gruesome to me than normal. We usually watch this show with our older children, and have been including our twelve year old.  Last night, I was wishing we hadn't let him watch it without us previewing it.

We start off with a young woman getting ready to go out to a club and talking on the phone.  Then, as she's taking a selfie, she gets a picture texted to her from another angle---inside her house.  Then we see the back of someone as she's attacked.

Cut to Castle filming a web commercial and messing up, but still looking good.  Martha was there "helping" him and I have to say I love the scenes with those two together. They just have such a great vibe together and this one made me laugh.  But Castle has been assured that he and this web commercial will be going viral and letting social media make him sales.  Which coincides with the case because the murder victim was a queen of social media.  She posts pictures and "reviews" on a site called Snapomatic. Which the killer also uses to post pictures of the victim before she was found. Ew.  Caskett heads over to the company, but they have privacy policies in place so there's not really a way to track down where the killer is posting pictures from.

The team does manage to get a tag off one of the photos the "Netslayer" posted, though, and it leads them to a furniture store.  A retired cop owns it, and he used to work in cyber crime so he fits the profile.  He has awls which would match the murder weapon, a threatening note to the victim had wood varnish on it.  This guy looks good for it.  They bring him in, but his alibi checks out so back to the drawing board.

The killer sends the NYPD a pictogram of three pictures of body parts, sausages, and a date.  Castle figures it out that the killer is after a social media "spoiled brat" and the team goes to put the woman in protective custody. She won't go, but as she opens the car door, she finds her boyfriend's body. Gruesome. Murdered.

But the killer isn't done. He posts pictures of Castle and Beckett tapping coffee cups and makes them look bad in the public eye.  The head honchos over at 1PP aren't happy, but Gates keeps Beckett on the case.  Caskett goes home to clear their heads and Castle starts thinking out loud that most bullies start out as victims.  That gives them some new ideas, and they go back to the former cop who was framed.  He remembers a kid and a case of cyber-bullying where he couldn't help the kid get justice against his bullies. The kid's life was ruined over the incident.  The team manages to get some footage of the guy getting the murder victim's house key, they have a face of the killer to finally go off of.  They go to arrest him, and he's there in a dark little basement, but unfortunately, as they take him into custody, they get pictures of the owners of Snapomatic, abducted and taped to chairs and electrodes, with a countdown clock.  Whomever has the least "likes" will die.  Netslayer strikes again while in custody, which he is proud of.

Ryan and Espo are sent over to Snapomatic's offices to try and figure out the men's location through the streaming pictures, but all the staff is able to do is crash the system.  It's all up to Beckett now. She questions the killer who taunts her until she talks about how his kidnap victims were probably laughing at him and he's a joke. He snaps and gives them clues as to where the men are being held. The old locker room where the murderer's bullying took place. (I totally called that up front).

Ryan and Espo rush over there and save the men just as the clock gets down to one second. And those men looked extremely relieved.

The episode ends with the debut of Castle's web commercial and it's not what Castle is expecting.  It's more of a bumbling music video of all his mistakes while making the video, like mispronouncing his name Hi, I'm Critchard Rassle.  And him knocking over a display of his books. It's sort of a catchy tune and it made me laugh. (Every writer's nightmare, though, probably! haha)  I was glad the episode ended on a lighter note.

But the best part of all, was the previews of Caskett's WEDDING and HONEYMOON.  Woohoo! I can't wait for those episodes in November.

Did you watch last night? What did you think?

Monday, October 27, 2014

Freebie Friday on Monday! (Because I Was Gone)

So, as you all know, I was at a writing retreat this past weekend. I'm excited to tell you all about it on Thursday.  But I missed Freebie Friday and couldn't access my blog, so my beautiful daughter posted for me.  (Apparently, my favorite child.  Definitely one of my most amazing and talented children, that's for sure.)

But I missed posting Freebie Friday, so I thought I'd do it today.  Your freebies today are The Love List Collection, (it was recommended to me for anyone who loves sweet romance) and Witch Rising, a novelette from Amber Argyle.

First, The Love List Collection



 Here's the back copy:

Four sweet, short stories about small town romance... and wine!

The Love List Series

Love on the Airwaves - Jennifer Conner

After being on a big-city network news station, the last thing Tessa Sheldon wants to do is return to the small town of Mercy Ridge to work at the local radio station. But, she doesn’t have many choices.

Police Officer, Dolan Nash, wants to feel something other than the pain and death that’s surrounded him the past few years. If he keeps his head down and focuses on the peaceful quiet of the small town, the memories will stay quiet as well.

Sometimes we keep secrets inside. It’s easier than bringing out the darkness of our pasts. Will Mercy Ridge be the place where Dolan and Tessa find peace… and possibly love?

Love Found Me - Sharon Kleve

When it’s Chloe Miles turn to pick a name out of The Love List she didn’t expect to find true love. She just wanted to go on a date with a nice, available guy. Not one who drank too much, or was unemployed and wanted to stay that way. Or especially one who didn’t know what monogamy means.

Mitch Brodin didn’t know his heart was in the hands of The Love List. His Fate was set the moment he set foot into Roy’s Pet Rescues looking for advice on how to care for new born kittens.

Chloe is vivacious, unpredictable, and tons of fun, while he is methodical, predictable, and well… cynical. He surely hadn’t planned on falling in love. But that’s what you get when you’re not looking for love.


Blind Tasting - Angela Ford

Dr. Rebecca Miller is devastated over her fiancĂ©’s affair...with her best friend. Country charm is the best medicine. Along with a good friend and a bottle of wine.
In the heart of wine country, four friends spice up their book club and create The Love List. Love is the last thing on Becca’s mind until she’s matched with Chase Tanner.

Chase discovers the love list and believes to be fooled. Can Becca convince him she really does love him?

Building up to Love - Joanne Jaytanie

A small town can be a friendly place to call home and an impossible place to find a date. A shop owner starts a singles-mingle but only has three attendees—not a single man in sight. The women continue to meet, and change their name to The Love List. Each write names of single men and drop them into a basket. The Love List seems a success as each of the women finds their true love, except Laura. She is certain the basket is cursed.

Travis Jerome is new to town. He jumps at the chance to work on Laura’s B&B remodel, to once again have the feel of a hammer in his hand. For something to last a lifetime it must start with a strong foundation and build up from there.

If this collection looks like something you're interested in, you can download your free Kindle copy here


The second freebie is Witch Rising.



Here's the back copy:

*A novelette*

A ship burns, sinking into the dark sea. There is only one survivor—a child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries her power deep, convinced it caused the deaths of those she loves.

But she can’t run from who she is. And when her secret is revealed, the only thing that can save her is her song. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be: the most powerful witch ever born.

If this looks like something you're interested in, you can download your free Kindle copy here

Friday, October 24, 2014

Talk To You Later

This weekend I am on a writing retreat, but the blog will be back upon my return! Happy Friday. Here is a picture of my favorite child. :)

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Zucchini Bread Recipe

With a chill in the air, it feels like time to make some zucchini bread (your house will smell amazing) and settle in with a good book.

Here's my favorite Zucchini Bread recipe:

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 c. zucchini, grated
3 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 c. milk

Combine eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini.  Mix.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.  Makes two bread loaves.

What's your favorite snack to make while you curl up with a good book?

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Word Count Wednesday

I did SO AWESOME this week if I do say so myself.  I got in over 4000 words and got an outline done of my new novel! Yay!

I'm going on my writing retreat this weekend, though, and I'm a tad nervous. What if I can't write all day? What if I sit and look at a blank screen all weekend?  Or what if I go through my writing snacks on the first day and we're in the middle of nowhere with no way to get any more?  So many what ifs.

Have you been to a writing retreat? Any advice?  How did you do this week?

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Castle Goes Kindergarten Cop

I loved this week's Castle.  What could be cuter than Castle and little kids?

We start off the show with an ice cream truck weaving in an abandoned warehouse type area and they show the driver, dead, and someone runs out the back.  Seriously, who would kill an ice cream truck driver?

Cut to a dinner scene with the Castle family.  Alexis is hovering over Castle, her and Martha got his favorite ice cream even, potato chip fudge. Ew. He does give a bite to a doubtful Beckett, who actually likes it. It sounds gross to me, though. Alexis and Martha are heading over to do dishes and Beckett is trying to get Castle to see that the hovering isn't healthy.  But the phone rings.

They head down to the murder scene and there aren't a lot of clues to go on, but they do have the murder victim's name---Anton. They question his parents and the mom noticed her son came home from his night class acting upset, so our team goes to question his graphic design teacher. She remembers Anton getting on his computer and getting really upset before he up and left. She saw him later in the parking lot with a guy in a bright green car.  She managed a partial license plate and the boys track it down, but not before the teacher tells them that Anton deleted his entire portfolio.

Ryan also has some evidence that someone was hiding inside the ice cream truck and may be a potential witness.  Since there was a permission slip from Mrs. Ruiz's second grade class the team heads to the school.

Even after questioning, none of the kids will confess to being there, so Castle volunteers to gain their trust and help in the classroom.  Since he's 90 percent kid and all.  He heads down to the classroom, but Mrs. Ruiz isn't having any of his shenanigans.  And when he tries to call her Leslie, she shuts him right down.  It's Mrs. Ruiz.  I really liked her.  She's protective of her kids and doesn't want someone messing with them, no matter who they are.

Castle can respect that.  He says he has a plan and starts by asking the kids if they know any writers.  One kid pipes up that Castle is a writer and another kid says, "My dad says your books suck." Haha. You'd be surprised how many times authors get that. And what should the author say to that? Oh, sorry. It's always so awkward when that happens. Poor Castle.

He does get the kids to write a story and starts looking for clues.  He finds a lead with Jack who wrote about an evil giant threatening to hurt people. Castle heads outside to play soldiers with Jack in the grass.  With some questioning finesse, Castle manages to get it out of Jack that he was watching the scary giant on TV.  And when Castle sits up, his pants are wet and the kids all start pointing that he wet his pants and laugh. It was funny, I have to admit.

Beckett and the boys are running down some traffic cam footage of the green car which belongs to a retired cop named Joffe.  He has a spotless record and they can't figure out what he was doing with Anton. They track the pair to a dead drop post office box and the manager there remembers Anton freaking out when he was told that someone was calling and asking about his post office box. The team finds out that the bodega next door let Anton use the phone and that he called a mob enforcer named Dmitri. The plot thickens.  Of course it thickens further when they go to Dmitri's house and find an overpowering stench because Dmitri's been dead for a few days. Ick.  They find evidence that Dmitri was torturing someone who probably got loose and killed Dmitri.  He had the same two taps to the chest as the other victims.

In another twist, Anton's parents call to tell them that their house was tossed while they were out.  His dad brings in an envelope full of blank passports.  Well, I think we know what Anton was into now, don't we? *shakes head*

Meanwhile, back at school, the kids play keep away with Castle's wallet, and one kid throws marbles all over the floor and Castle falls flat on his back.  All I could think was, he's going to be sore tomorrow.  A little girl gives his wallet back and says bad things happen sometimes, but before she can elaborate, her mom calls her.  Beckett checks her out and finds that her brother was supposed to be watching her, so she could be the witness.

That leads us to the cutest scene ever.  Castle having a princess tea party with Emily.  They're waving wands and creating ice castles and talking about how princesses help each other. It was SO. ADORABLE.  I could totally imagine him as a dad to a little Alexis.  Emily finally does open up to Castle about how Jason bullies her and he says sometimes people are mean because it makes them feel strong.  He advises her to use her inner strength to let it go.  She happily skips outside for the rest of recess and Mrs. Ruiz compliments him on gaining the children's trust---until they hear a child screaming outside.  Jason has a bloody nose and Emily used to "strength" like Castle told her to. Oops.

The principal isn't too happy and Castle has to go.  He's packing up his stuff and saying goodbye to the kids when he sees a picture of an ice cream truck stuffed in his jacket pocket.  He shows it to Beckett and they search the children's desks.  Jason is the culprit.  Of course, he's the one who said his dad thinks Castle's books suck and has been making faces.  Beckett questions him, saying Castle the jerkface thinks Jason's too scared to tell what happened.  Brilliant.  Jason finally says he knows who was in the truck---his sister.

His sister is the graphic design teacher and she's scared.  She admits to being there when Anton was murdered.  They were forging passports to help immigrants get back home after they get here and their papers are confiscated so they can be forced into pretty much slave labor.  (The cop worked Brighton Beach and knew how awful it was for these people so he offered to help.)  Then Anton recognized one of the clients as a guy who is wanted for war crimes and decimated Anton's village in Russia. His name is Polkovnik, but no one has a picture of him and that's when the team realizes that's what the killer is after.  Polkovnik doesn't want anyone to have his picture. Natalie tells them where she hid the picture in her house, but it isn't there.  And Castle realizes it's at the school.  Then we cut to the creepiest scene EVER---Polkovnik is UNDER THE BED listening to them talk about the picture being at the elementary school.  *shiver*

Beckett and Castle find the picture on Jason's desk, but Polkovnik is right behind them and attacks Kate. Castle jumps in to help, but is thrown down and kicked for his trouble.  Castle manages to throw the marbles down, and Polkovnik does just what Castle did and falls to the floor. Kate cuffs him.  Whew.  A little too neatly tied up, but whatever, it was an awesome scene.

Castle brings cupcakes for the kids the next day and Kate gives Mrs. Ruiz a medal of service for putting up with Castle for a couple of days. It was a really cute scene when Mrs. Ruiz tells Kate that sometimes the most difficult kids are the most rewarding.  *sniff*  Jason puts a paper that says Jerkface on Castle's back, but Castle put a paper on Jason's as well that says frog breath. LOL Castle gets a text from Alexis telling him to come straight home. She's even put a tracker app on his phone. He knows it's time to talk to her.

They have a heart to heart about how he felt when she came home from Paris and he didn't want to let her out of his sight.  She understands that she has to let him live his life and not hover, but "being an adult sucks."  Well, at least she seems back to her old self after the debacle with her boyfriend last year.  Yay!

So, all in all, it was an awesome episode for me.  Did you watch? What did you think?

Monday, October 20, 2014

Saint and Soldiers: The Void Giveaway!




Saints and Soldiers: The Void is the third installment in the Saints and Soldiers franchise and was released on DVD October 14th. Have you seen this movie? Or any of the Saints and Soldiers movies? They are heart-wrenching and riveting, but this one is particularly outstanding. If you're not familiar with this movie, you can click here to go to their website for more info and to see the theatrical trailer.

Here's is the plot summary: Germany, May 1945, the twilight of WWII. On a final mission deep in the Harz mountains a U.S. tank crew discovers a platoon of Germans, including three infamous Panzer tanks, preparing to ambush allied supply trucks.

Before the war, Sergeant Jesse Owens, was a product of segregation and racial discrimination. Forced by law to ride in the back of the bus and disenfranchised from the political process. As the Germans bear down on the Americans, Owens fights the Axis powers for a freedom he and his fellow African American soldiers have never felt.

With a deadly game of cat and mouse quickly unfolding, Owens and his predominantly white tank crew find themselves out-gunned and out-manned by the German Panzer tanks. Several in Owens’ crew are reluctant to put their faith in a black tank driver despite their dire circumstances. With tension and fear beginning to manifest Owens knows they must put aside their differences to stop the enemy from their deadly plan. Knowing that a victory over the Nazis means a victory for racial justice, Owens and his men find a way to work together to save hundreds of lives in a desperate battle against the greatest odds they have ever faced.




To celebrate the release I'm going to give away a DVD of Saints and Soldiers: The Void.  All you have to do is tell me in the comments OR on my Facebook fanpage (click here to go to the fan page) what was the last movie you saw that you loved.  The winner will be chosen on Oct. 24.  (Open to residents of the continental U.S. only)

If you can't wait that long, you can buy the DVD here

You can like the Saints and Soldiers' Facebook page here

Follow them on Twitter: @saintsandsoldiersmovies

Or Follow on Instagram: @Saintsandsoldiersmovies

Don't miss this one!



Saturday, October 18, 2014

Hawaii Five-O Review: Change of Heart

We start out the episode with Steve going over to Danny's house to find him sitting around looking at the thirteen million dollars he's got spread all over the floor.  Apparently, he's five and a half million dollars short in order to save his brother and doesn't know what to do.  (Here's what I would have suggested, why not do some detective work? Follow the money? Five and a half million dollars is a clue.  Look at banks, deposits, I don't know, try to figure out if Reyes even has Matt!  But, you know, whatever.)  The next day they show Danny going to a loan shark for the five and a half million he needs, but the loan shark turns him down. Chin meets Danny in the parking lot and says he might be able to help.  Poor Chin and his never-ending illegal money stories.  At least he looked good on his motorcycle. He always has that for a fall-back.

Cut to a guy being pulled aside at an airport by some TSA guys.  They take him to a little room and show him that they found the hidden compartment in his luggage that has a gun and a sound silencer.  Which is against the law to have. The guy goes for innocence, "I've never seen that before in my life," but when they tell him they'll detain him, he pulls a Jason Bourne and takes out all five guys. (Although Matt Damon is a lot cuter than this guy, but I digress. Also, those TSA guys had no clue how to use their weapons and were kind of wimpy.  All five of them!)

But our team is on it and quickly figure out that this Jason Bourne wannabe works for one of the original crime families, the Begosa syndicate, and he is a hitman, although his official job is listed as a construction worker. He hasn't been convicted of anything substantial.  Kono tracks him to a mall, where McGrover go to head him off.  Steve wants to go for his gun as soon as they spot him, but Grover reminds him there's a lot of potential collateral damage if they do that, so they watch him.  I really love the dynamic of McGrover. They watch the hitman until he sees a police car pull up, which makes him look around and he easily spots Steve with his earpiece in.  Then he runs.  And this leads to one of the best moves I've seen on Hawaii Five-O yet.  They corner the hitman on the street, but before they can cuff him, he's shot in the chest by another gunman. Steve opens fire and clips the shooter on a parking structure, but the guy gets away in his car.  Super SEAL Steve chases him on foot, and has to HOP UP ON THE HOOD OF A MOVING POLICE CAR to avoid being hit. It. Was. Awesome. Anyway, the shooter gets away. 

Back at HQ they figure out that the shooter also works for the Begosa crime family and the agent they have on the table phone says he is a well-known hitman with over a hundred kills that no one can pin on him. He doesn't take trophies, there's no ego at all, he just kills.  Now everyone is scratching their heads as to why one Begosa hitman would kill another one.  Steve and Grover are discussing it, with Grover throwing out ideas. Grover kind of took over Kono's usual duties this week, and though I was happy that Kono wasn't attached to the table, we barely saw her. Cast balance is something I wish this show did better.  (And did I forget to mention that Jerry was on several times doing surveillance on the bookstore and "helping?" Yeah, I meant to do that.)

Anyway, the shooter's name is Nick Mercer and he kidnaps two EMTs to treat his bullet wound. They sneakily call 911 while they're treating him, but he realizes it and knocks them out.  Stealing the ambulance, he takes off with McGrover in hot pursuit.  The McGrover convo in the car was funny, with Steve not wanting to be criticized for his driving and Grover denying that he was doing any criticizing. It doesn't end up being much of a pursuit, though, because the guy nearly bleeds out at the wheel.  They take him into custody and call for another ambulance. Ironic, as Grover says. Ha!  

During questioning at the hospital, Nick tells the team about how he got a heart transplant two years ago, and his donor heart was from this awesome do-gooder, who taught in a difficult school, volunteered at the soup kitchen, and built houses for homeless people. It changed Nick so that he couldn't pull the trigger on his contracts anymore.  Instead of killing them, he's made his own witness protection program to save them.  Begosa found out and sent a hitman, so that's why Nick took the Jason Bourne wannabe out---so he could keep his people safe.  He won't tell Five-O where the hidden people are.  (And I really thought this guy playing Nick had an expressive face. He did really well telling his story.)  And it was funny when the team is deciding whether to believe this guy and Grover was all, that's a nice campfire story. All we're missing is the marshmallows. Ha!

Kono lets them know that Begosa's plane has taken off and is headed their way.  It's off radar so, you know, that's probably not good for Nick and his hidden people.  (That sounds like the title of a children's story or something. Nick and His Hidden People. Ha!) They go back and tell Nick he has to let them know where the hidden people are, and in order to show that Nick can trust them to keep the people safe, Steve takes his handcuffs off.  Then Nick can go help bring them in!  Who doesn't want a reformed hit man on their team, right?  All I can say is, this guy is a quick healer, since he's recovered enough from massive blood loss and a shoulder wound to go in the field with Five-O.  Not to mention he's a heart transplant survivor.

Begosa's men get off the plane with Begosa, and they are loaded for bear to go to kill Nick's people, but Five-O have set traps and take them all out. Nick gets his confrontation with Begosa, but doesn't kill him and they are both taken away.  The team gets a nice shot of all the people Nick has saved waving to them as they go by in a convoy of trucks. The look on Nick's face was so awesome. Like he'd really come to see them as people and he'd done right by protecting them.  I, however, kept thinking, dang, that's a lot of people living in isolation on an island.

Meanwhile, Chin has gone to Halawa prison to talk to Gabriel and ask him for the five and a half million that Danny needs. Gabriel originally turns him down, but then changes his mind after he gets beaten for being related to Five-O.  Chin gives Danny the money and Danny says a heartfelt thank you before him and Steve head off to Colombia. 

Steve and Danny are carrying some heavy duty duffel bags into this teeny basement with only one light shining down on Reyes. It's creepy and if he's such a rich guy living off drug money, why doesn't he have a better place? Was the eighteen and a half million Matt stole his only income? Has he been searching for it all this time and now he's reduced to living in a shack? Anyway, Reyes' goons check the bags, then Danny demands to see Matt. The goons go back in the darkness to "retrieve" him and Danny is calling out to Mattie until they roll out a steel drum.  Reyes asks if they want him to ship the barrel somewhere and Danny tries to attack him.  Both him and Steve are held by the goons and Danny says to kill him because if he doesn't, Danny will put Reyes in the ground.  Reyes says go back to Hawaii or else he'll go after Grace.  The goons take Danny and Steve upstairs where we hear a struggle and gunfire.  Reyes calls out for his men and one of them rolls down the stairs, dead or at least bloody and unconscious.  Then Danny comes down saying What did I tell you?  He has Reyes backed over the table, a gun to his head, and keeps repeating look at me.  Reyes looks at him and then Danny shoots him in the head.  

Honestly, this disturbs me on so many levels.  First of all, Danny had no proof that his brother was in the steel drum.  He did NO DETECTIVE WORK AT ALL on this case.  Who knows if Reyes even ever had Matt!  Who knows if Matt isn't somewhere in the world right now, thinking of turning himself in. It's just poor writing to have a detective who doesn't even try to verify the facts of any case, brother or not, and it makes Danny look gullible.  It should be second nature, especially to Danny who has been a detective for a long time and has been on an elite task force for four years!

Second of all, I thought it was interesting that the show had a reformed hitman who had caused so much death and destruction having a change of heart and trying to make up for his deeds and juxtaposed this with Danny who has been good and helpful and honorable for the most part, change in the blink of an eye to a murderer.  He shot an unarmed man and made Steve an accomplice to the murder.  Is Danny becoming what he's been fighting against?  I guess we'll see, but this episode's ending was dark and not something I've come to expect from the show. I hate to see Danny brought to this and hopefully the writers can help us see why they are taking this direction for our heroes. 

Did you watch? What did you think?  


Friday, October 17, 2014

Friday Freebie & a $250 Giveaway!



Today's Friday Freebie is The Man From Shenandoah Book One of the Owen Family Saga by Marsha Ward.  She is an award-winning western author and I'm excited to read this one.  Here's the back copy:

Young cavalryman Carl Owen returns from the Civil War to find the family farm destroyed, his favorite brother dead, food scarce, and his father determined to leave the Shenandoah Valley to build a cattle empire in Colorado Territory. Crossing the continent, Carl falls in love with his brother's fiancĂ©e while set to wed another girl, but he might lose everything if the murderous thug Berto Acosta has his way. Carl battles a band of outlaws, a prairie fire, blizzards, a trackless waterless desert, and his own brother—all for the hand of feisty Ellen Bates.

"I finished The Man from Shenandoah at half-past midnight because I couldn’t put it down." - Utah Reader

"This is a book to prize, and not only for its gritty realism, exciting action, and compelling characters. The story further engages us by examining the ties that hold family and community together. Not many Westerns do that. Heartily recommended!" - Western Writer's Newsletter

If this one looks interesting to you, you can click here to download your free copy!



And once you are done with that, scroll down for a chance to win $250 Paypal cash!  With Christmas just around the corner, that would be a nice nest egg for your gift-giving budget.






25 fabulous bloggers, authors and publishers have joined to offer you one fabulous prize.

One lucky winner will win $250 in Paypal cash!


Sponsor List

I Am A Reader
Author A.B. Whelan
Auggie Talk
Barefoot by the Sea
Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
MoreThanaReview
Simple Wyrdings
YA Author Fabio Bueno
Hearts On Sleeves Book Blog
Hope To Read
Jennifer Faye, Romance Author
Julie Coulter Bellon
Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers
Khamneithang
Owl Always Be Reading
SFK Books
Pauline Creeden, Author
Sarah Ballance
BookBunnyPR
Aubrey Wynne: Romance Through The Ages
Award-winning Author Kim Cresswell
Krysten Lindsay Hager, Author
Rockin' Book Reviews
Taking Time for Mommy - Books and Movies
Rae Lori


This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader.


Giveaway Details 

$250 Paypal Cash

Ends 11/15/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

A Giveaway for a $300 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash!

I don't usually do so many giveaways, but I just couldn't help but pass these ones along to all of you! Next week we will be back to our regular blog schedule, but in the meantime, what are you waiting for? Go enter!




28 authors have come together to give you a
 reading list of FUN FALL FAVORITES!

PLUS a $300 GIVEAWAY

Click on the image to read a summary of each book :)














~ ENTER TO WIN ~

$300 Amazon Gift Card 
OR PayPal Cash

GIVEAWAY ends 11/17/14

No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older and legally able to receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. This giveaway is not associated with Rafflecopter, Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway was organized by I Love to Read and Review Books :)
and is sponsored by the following authors ~

(While we can no longer ask you to "LIKE" Facebook pages as an entry~ Facebook links are below ~ as "LIKES" would be very much appreciated :)