tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post1494705806238856886..comments2024-03-27T12:22:20.528-05:00Comments on Lag Liv: This Post Brought to You by Two Sick Kids (with a Lot of Interruptions)LLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-26600580409160337742017-01-04T08:43:20.637-06:002017-01-04T08:43:20.637-06:00Evie picked HIM!?!?!? WTH!?!? And now he's DEA...Evie picked HIM!?!?!? WTH!?!? And now he's DEAD?!? Curse you, this series and my job that prevents me from starting the next book immediately! Heatherhttp://wickedlycrazyawesomelife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-23059840931816608692016-12-21T10:51:23.511-06:002016-12-21T10:51:23.511-06:00Oh good- I'm so glad to hear that!!
I just re...Oh good- I'm so glad to hear that!! <br />I just realized we have not talked about Kelley Armstrong! I CANNOT believe I forgot her. I'm not the biggest fan of the Otherworld series- but her Cainsville series is so damn good as is her (non-fantasy) City of the Lost series.<br />If you're looking for lighter fare (which is all my brain can handle during the holiday season), I've enjoyed the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones and The Other's Series by Anne Bishop. Happy reading! Heatherhttp://wickedlycrazyawesomelife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-167750276643817052016-12-21T09:16:42.956-06:002016-12-21T09:16:42.956-06:00YES. It definitely does. I've re-read the seri...YES. It definitely does. I've re-read the series several times, but only the first book once and even then it remained by far my least favorite. It's always a little angsty, but the novelty of the premise and world-building and the introduction of lots of new cards and characters keeps it in my top tier of fave paranormal series. (There are still some legitimate critiques, but for some reason, they don't bother me when I'm reading it- I just want more Tarot and more characters! But the love triangles get better for sure.)LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-26764521934619751682016-12-21T09:08:27.669-06:002016-12-21T09:08:27.669-06:00Alright, I just finished Poison Princess via audio...Alright, I just finished Poison Princess via audio book. I really enjoyed it- but I could do with about 50% less Jackson / Evie angst. The "should I trust him with my secrets" drama seems to be on it's way to be resolved, but does Jackson get over his chip on his shoulder? Do they have honest conversations? Can this horrible Selena/Evie/Jackson triangle go away? I've already gotten the second book in the series and I'm hoping it keeps getting better! Heatherhttp://wickedlycrazyawesomelife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-2846634091171996292016-12-14T15:32:17.144-06:002016-12-14T15:32:17.144-06:00Fortunately, I was the last to get strep and my ki...Fortunately, I was the last to get strep and my kids were mostly on the mend. Oddly enough, strep kept going through my house the beginning half of the year. One kid had it 5 times in 5 months, which promptly got him referred to an ENT. Adenoids and tonsils came out in July and no strep since then. I think he was my carrier monkey.<br /><br />Please note that the Cormoran Strike novels, while very entertaining, are dark mysteries with no fantasy bent to them at all. I enjoyed the two I've read immensely, but am taking a break before the third because I want something lighter and fluffier.<br />Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959049909584770601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-55217738328026476272016-12-13T15:30:39.326-06:002016-12-13T15:30:39.326-06:00Oy that sounds terrible. The kids have never had s...Oy that sounds terrible. The kids have never had strep, but I used to get it ALL the time in Austin, back when I was at the firm and "sick leave" wasn't really a thing. It was so terrible. I can't imagine dealing with it while having to take care of anyone else. <br /><br />I haven't read the Cormoran Strike novels! I didn't even know they were JK Rowling! I'll definitely have to check them out.<br /><br />And funny enough, I googled the exact same thing this weekend. This blog has become a repository of all my recipes and it's easier to google them than go through my archives or recipe book :).LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-55489385679783600682016-12-13T15:26:39.334-06:002016-12-13T15:26:39.334-06:00So sorry the kids are sick. It's bad when it&...So sorry the kids are sick. It's bad when it's one kid, but when you have more than one sick at once is torture. In January, there was a single week where all three of my kids and I all had positive strep tests. Easy answer as to why I'm out of leave at the end of the year.<br /><br />You may have already read as I'm very late to the party, but have you read the Cormoran Strike novels by Robert Galbraith (well, J.K. Rowling). I just finished the second one yesterday and wonder why it took me so long to pick these up. <br /><br />I made your cookies last year and bought everything to make them again this week - dough probably tonight, bake tomorrow night, decorate some Thursday for teacher gifts on Friday (last day of school) and finish decorating Friday afternoon since it's a half day. If you track what searches bring people to your site, I was looking for Lag Liv cookie over the weekend.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959049909584770601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-92009392106383500632016-12-13T09:12:39.387-06:002016-12-13T09:12:39.387-06:00Thanks, I will! And I'm excited to hear the Ar...Thanks, I will! And I'm excited to hear the Archangels series branches out to focus more on the other characters. I like Ehlena and Raphael, but my favorite series are the ones that continue branching out to new characters (except JR Ward who has taken that WAY too far and now there's too many characters and subplots to allow you to care about any of them).<br /><br />Totally agree on the Fever series. I was trying to explain it to a friend who hadn't read them the other day how I could be both completely obsessed (I'll download and read the book the night it comes out) and yet have SO MANY critiques and irritations with the way she writes and the seemingly pointless subplots she throws out and then doesn't follow through on. And yet, I will get no sleep on that Tuesday it comes out. <br /><br />I'm so excited you haven't read Larissa Ione!! They're super dark, but they are SO good. She has the Daemonica series (basically a demon runs an Underworld Hospital to treat other injured demons/paranormal creatures), which I enjoyed greatly, but then she followed it with a spinoff Lords of Deliverance series (about the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse) which I LOVE. I actually think it's the better series, but it still continues plots and characters from Daemonica so I still recommend starting there. She also has several novellas to finish out the stories of characters that recur in both. You're in for such a treat :).LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-77091833189212797392016-12-13T08:59:05.312-06:002016-12-13T08:59:05.312-06:00(ack- computer ate my reply, so I'm reposting....(ack- computer ate my reply, so I'm reposting. Apologies if this shows up twice).<br /><br />First, start with Sarah Maas' Throne of Glass series. The first book does have a little angst- but each book gets so much better than the one before it. The world building, the character development- really, they are worth investing the time in. Her Court series is also fantastic, but Throne of Glass just builds and builds that it's a blast to read. I have not read anything by Kresley Cole, but I will now!<br /><br />- As for Tobey- it isn't my favorite series, but I do enjoy them! If they don't grab you- well, life is too short to read books you don't love!<br />- Agree with you completely about the Archangel series. It does get better- esp when she takes a break in the series to write about characters other than Elena and Raphael. Still, they are super fun diversions! <br />- Same with Patricia Briggs. Mercy is my favorite, but the Alpha and Omega series tide me over in the mean time!<br /><br />I have read everything by Ilona Andrews and love her series! I also love the Fever series, although I do admit to skimming over some of the subplots b/c sometimes her books are a bit bloated. I haven't read anything by Larissa Ione, but I will soon! Sherrilyn Kenyon isn't my favorite either, but again- they pass the time without taxing my brain. ;) I also read the first book in The Other's series by Anne Bishop recently and liked that one too.<br /><br />You can see everything I've read here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7323517-heather?shelf=read It's a weird mix!Heatherhttp://wickedlycrazyawesomelife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-27917564931527388212016-12-13T08:49:20.948-06:002016-12-13T08:49:20.948-06:00Great! The icing is tricky- I just mix it and play...Great! The icing is tricky- I just mix it and play with it (more sugar, little more milk, more sugar, dash of vanilla) until it seems thick but still runny. And it's pretty wet when you drizzle and spread it on. Despite Cora's judgment there's no way to avoid lots of runoff which is why we decorate on wax paper. Then it will harden as it cools to make this marvelous coating that makes the cookies even softer and more delicious.<br /><br />And thanks! They both popped fevers again last night, dashing my hopes of a return to school today, but there's always tomorrow!LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-78381200169292382832016-12-13T08:47:45.799-06:002016-12-13T08:47:45.799-06:00Thanks! I haven't tried any of those!Thanks! I haven't tried any of those!LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-56409396002709093342016-12-13T08:44:06.459-06:002016-12-13T08:44:06.459-06:00Your cookies are just amazing. Kate and I made our...Your cookies are just amazing. Kate and I made our first frosted, rolled/cookie cutter cookies this year (only about a dozen), and they were good but our frosting was a little too thin. Guess we'll just have to try again, darnit!! :) Hope everyone's feeling better soon! xxLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17335404463349950566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-1437968480799687112016-12-13T02:26:28.889-06:002016-12-13T02:26:28.889-06:00For books - have you tried Laura Florand's cho...For books - have you tried Laura Florand's chocolate series? I swear, I want to move to Paris and just eat chocolate every time I reread. <br /><br />Sarah Morgan also - for a couple of nice comfortable contemporaries. <br /><br />Christina Lauren's Beautiful series. Annehttp://norwegianne.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-69835387096717323312016-12-12T21:42:26.998-06:002016-12-12T21:42:26.998-06:00Yay! I'll have to look at joinhoney -- have yo...Yay! I'll have to look at joinhoney -- have you downloaded the ebates plugin? You download it and through computer magic, you get a little popup in the top right corner of any internet page that has an ebate rebate offer. It's so great! I never forget to activate my link now. And, if you google something to purchase, the ebates offer shows up in the search results. <br /><br />And yes, make the cookies! They're so good- so soft and flavorful, especially for sugar cookies (which I love, but can be a little bland).LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-55822221906892159682016-12-12T21:39:03.768-06:002016-12-12T21:39:03.768-06:00YES! Okay I haven't read any of the YA books y...YES! Okay I haven't read any of the YA books you recommended. I don't read as much in that genre and I'm not sure why - yes sometimes it's too angsty, but some of my favorite series are YA (Hunger Games, Kresley Cole's Arcana Chronicles, which if you haven't read you should do so IMMEDIATELY), but I will get those downloaded asap.<br /><br />On the adult books:<br />- I did try the October Daye but after slogging through book 1, I found book 2 to be just as impossible to get into. Tobey has yet to come across as a competent or believable detective and I just don't care about a single character. Usually I'm sucked into a book immediately, even bad ones, so I can't figure out what's going on with me there, but book 2 remains the ONLY book in my whole life that I have purchased, started, and not finished. Do I just need to keep pushing?<br />- I have read all the Patricia Briggs. I have enjoyed Mercy Thompson quite a bit, particularly now that she's finally decided every wolf character doesn't have to hate Mercy all the time. I didn't find the Alpha Omega series quite as engrossing, I think because Adam is just such an aloof character, but I still enjoy them. <br />- I started the Archangels series in Mexico! I read the first three books and enjoyed them immensely. Singh sometimes repeats herself, like word-for-word within the books, which I find odd, but I like all the characters and her world-building so far. I'll definitely check out her other series you recommended. <br /><br />For pure Urban Fantasty, I'm obsessed with Ilona Andrews' books- have you read them? And Kresley Cole and Larissa Ione will always be #1 authors for me- I am constantly torn b/w wanting them to write faster and being worried they're writing too fast. Thanks so much for the recs- let me know if you think of more!LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431706155081017734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-31544079198392186682016-12-12T21:30:28.096-06:002016-12-12T21:30:28.096-06:00Long time reader here. Thank you for introducing m...Long time reader here. Thank you for introducing me to ebates! I gushed about it to my friends who were already in the know, and they introduced me to www.joinhoney.com, which takes it all a step further by automatically finding and applying coupon and promotion codes! I'm planning to also try out the cookie recipe you so highly recommend this weekend! Thanks for all the great tips!!ixphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881363213650678313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552008288188142238.post-62225128994446130382016-12-12T20:58:18.172-06:002016-12-12T20:58:18.172-06:00Hope the kiddos feel better soon- so glad you got ...Hope the kiddos feel better soon- so glad you got in a good weekend before the illnesses hit!<br /><br />Here are some killer series that I've been loving lately. Most are fantasy or urban fantasy- some with more lovin' than others!<br />YA books that are perfect for adults:<br />- The Throne of Glass series by Sarah Maas is outstanding. Each book gets better than the one before- 5 books total.<br />- Sarah Maas's Court of Thorns and Roses was also really engaging.<br />- Six of Crows series by Leigh Bardugo was also fantastic!<br /><br />Adult books:<br />- October Daye series by Seanan McGuire was great! First book took a little to get into, but once I got sucked in I was all in.<br />- Have you read anything by Patrica Briggs? Both her Alpha and Omega and Mercy Thompson series are really good!<br />- Nalini Singh's Archangel series made for the perfect mindless books- they were more explicit than anything I've listed so far.<br />- If you want straight up fun/too-good-to-be-true, try Nalini Singh's Rock Hard series if pure fluff about rock stars and the women who they love. <br /><br />Happy reading! Heatherhttp://wickedlycrazyawesomelife.comnoreply@blogger.com