Tag: Makenna

The Weekly Recap (123)

Posted March 4, 2019 by Rowena in Features | 8 Comments

I skipped last week’s recap post because I spent the day that I normally work on my blog post, throwing my guts up. My body rejected the new prescription that my doctor put me on and it laid me out flat. I could feel the tension in my body when I tried going to bed on Sunday night but I didn’t realize what it was until about 4:00 AM. So I didn’t sleep a wink that night, threw up everything that I ate and waited until the doctor’s office opened so that I could immediately call my doctor and fill him in on what was happening. I’m really grateful to him too because when I called, he was with patients but he didn’t leave me waiting very long. He called me as soon as he could and we talked at length about what was happening, what I was feeling and then he came up with a new plan of attack. He thought that we probably started the new medication too aggressively and lowered my dosage to let my body get used to it and it’s been a week since then and the medicine is working as it’s supposed to and I’m not sick anymore so yay!

Basketball is wrapping up right now and with the end of the season near, we’re finding out which girls have made the Conference First and Second All Star Teams and I’m proud of my girls Brenna and Kenna for making both teams. Brenna had the highest 3pt shooting percentage in our conference and Makenna lead the conference in assists and assists from turnovers in transition. All great things!

Meghan missed most of her season due to injuries so we haven’t heard if she made any teams from her conference though both her and Makenna got official invitations to play on the American Samoan National Team for the South Pacific Games. So they’ll be traveling from island to island playing basketball for Samoa. Our family is extremely proud of them both on that, especially my Dad.

And last but not least, Brenna’s birthday was yesterday and for her 20th birthday, her Uncle Pete and Aunty Tiff got her a freaking car. We were all surprised and Brenna ugly cried. It was awesome.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading
The Weekly Recap (123)Team Player
by Julianna Keyes
Published by Self-Published, Julianna Keyes on March 28, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 250
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges:2019 GoodReads Challenge

Don’t hate the player…

BOTTOM NINE

Gwen Scott wants to love her job with the Charleston Thrashers, the MLB team she’s worshiped since she was a kid, but she can’t. Hateful colleagues and mind-numbing work make her days unbearable—until her head for baseball gets her exclusive access to the Thrashers’ clubhouse and she comes face-to-face with Tyler Ashe, the team’s sexy shortstop and baseball’s most ineligible bachelor.

BASES LOADED

Ty has sworn off relationships in order to focus on his all-star career, but with his best friend gone, his team struggling, and the press blaming him for every loss, the most recognizable man in the majors is in a slump. Until he starts spending his time off the field with a stern blonde who recites baseball stats for kicks and sees through his arrogant façade.

TWO OUT

As the Thrashers’ season gets into full swing and Gwen adjusts to her new job, their fun banter and friendly teasing turns into stolen kisses and countless steamy nights. The team’s strict policy against player-staff relationships throws a curve ball into the mix, but they can’t hide from their feelings any more than the most famous man in baseball can hide from the spotlight…

I made some progress on my review pile for this month and that makes me happy. I started this book this morning and I’m looking forward to diving into it more on my lunch hour because, baseball and romance? Yes, please!

What I Read

Bad Bachelor (Bad Bachelors #1) by Stefanie London (eBook) | 4 out of 5
Bad Reputation (Bad Bachelors #2) by Stefanie London (eBook)
The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1) by Helen Hoang (Audiobook) | 5 out of 5
Bad Influence (Bad Bachelors #3) by Stefanie London (eARC) | DNF
The Dating Game by Kiley Roache (eARC) | 3.25 out of 5
Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris (eARC) | 4 out of 5

What I Reviewed

Devil’s Daughter (The Ravenels #5) by Lisa Kleypas | 4.75 out of 5
Huge Deal (21 Wall Street #3) by Lauren Layne | 5 out of 5
River Marked (Mercy Thompson #6) by Patricia Briggs | 4.25 out of 5
The Scoundrel in Her Bed (Sins of All Seasons #3) by Lorraine Heath | 4.75 out of 5
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (The Mackenzies & McBrides #1) by Jennifer Ashley | 4 out of 5
Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry | 4.25 out of 5

What I Posted

The Weekly Recap (122)
The Wednesday Post (8)

What I Got

Finding Alexei by Kendall Ryan
Tomboy (The Hartigans #3) by Avery Flynn

What I Got for Review

Team Player by Juliana Keyes
The Perfect Date by Evelyn Lozada
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
Bridal Boot Camp (Little Bridge Island #0.5) by Meg Cabot

What Made Me Laugh

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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Week in Review (78)

Posted February 12, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

This week was for, you guessed it, basketball. Bren and Ken played on Wednesday and Friday and Meghan played on Thursday and Saturday, and I went to all of their games. Bren and Ken won both of their games this week but Meghan’s team is struggling so they went 1-1 this week.

This week, I also babysat for my brother and his wife who went to Vegas for the weekend to celebrate my sister in law’s birthday. I was babysitting this little guy here. We spent the day on Saturday in Costa Mesa for Meghan’s basketball game. He’s a giant ball of energy and he’s so smart and so funny.

Caleb: Aunty! Did you know that April Ham Lincoln’s birthday is coming up and we don’t have school?
Me: Who?
Caleb: You know April Ham? He’s on the dollar bill.

Bwahahahaha, he now says Abraham correctly but I had a good laugh at that one. On our way to breakfast yesterday, we had this conversation. To premise the conversation, Friday night, me and the kids fell asleep in the living room, on the couches. Saturday night, I didn’t sleep there because my back was hurting.

Caleb: Aunty, so I was thinking. Do you know why your back hurts when you sleep on the couch and mine doesn’t?
Me: No, why?
Caleb: Because, my back is smaller, I’m young and I’m strong. You’re old and you’re weak.
Me: Hahahahaha.
Caleb: I’m serious.

Bwahahahaha. This kid, man.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Week in Review (78)Runaway Groom
by Lauren Layne
Series: I Do I Don't #2
Also in this series: Runaway Groom
Published by Random House, Loveswept on January 30th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Point of View:Alternating First Person
Pages: 240
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads

For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!

Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .

Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.

Ames and I missed reading our January book for our buddy review so we’re doubling up this month and the first book we’re reading is Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne and so far, I’m enjoying it a lot more than I enjoyed Ready to Run so I’m hopeful that this will continue to be awesome.

What I Read

So Over You (Chicago Rebels #2) by Kate Meader | 4.25 out of 5
Undone by You (Chicago Rebels #3) by Kate Meader | 4 out of 5
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory | 4 out of 5

What I Reviewed

Breaking the Ice (Juniper Falls #2) by Julie Cross

What I Posted

Week in Review (77)
Top Ten Tuesday: Books Still on My TBR Pile
Movies I Want to See: February 2018
Throwback Thursday (29)
Book Boyfriend of the Week: Rex Galbraith

What I Got for Review

Hot Response (Boston Fire #5) by Shannon Stacey
Rumor Has It (Real Love #4) by Jessica Lemmon

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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Week in Review (77)

Posted January 29, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

This week was pretty relaxing but instead of reading a lot of books, I watched a lot of shows. I also drove out to Santa Barbara with my sisters to watch my niece and her team take on a good friend of ours from our club basketball days and her team.

Meghan’s team got smashed and Lauren had a great game. Poor Vanguard. Poor Meghan. At least, she got a home cooked meal delivered to her dorm room the next day. Better luck next time, Meg!

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Week in Review (77)Shot on Gold
by Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #14
Published by Penguin, Berkley on February 13th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

In the new Play-by-Play novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Score, opposites attract when a figure skater and hockey player lace up their skates--and go for the gold...

Will "Mad Dog" Madigan is making his second trip to the Winter Games, and he couldn't be happier. Hockey is his life and playing for the U.S. team is a privilege. Then he meets U.S. figure skater Amber Sloane. She's beautiful, ambitious and driven--everything Will desires in a woman. He would love to show Amber how hot life off the ice can be.

Amber has skated her entire life, sacrificing everything in the hopes of one day winning gold. Now she's competing for the third and final time. She intends to win, and nothing's going to get in her way--until she meets Will. He's an irresistible charmer, and before long Amber is wondering if this sexy hockey player is the perfect guy to show her some moves outside the rink.

But after all the medals have been awarded, Will and Amber will have to decide if what they have together is just a fling or a real shot at true love.

I’m looking forward to digging into this book and continuing this series. I hope it’s as good as the last couple of books that I enjoyed from this series. Fingers crossed.

What I Read

Man Hands (Man Hands #1) by Sarina Bowen & Tanya Tby | DNF
Brooklynaire (Brooklyn Bruisers #4) by Sarina Bowen | 4.75 out of 5

My favorite read of the week goes to Brooklynaire because that was a damn good romance. It was everything that I hoped it would be and Nate was the hero that I wanted him to be just as Becca was as great as I expected. I love the hell out of this series and this book held up that love. I hope that there will be more books for this series. I never want it to end.

On the other hand, I tried to get into Man Hands without much success. I couldn’t get into it so after about a third of the book in, I called it quits. I wasn’t a fan of…anything really. The heroine cried too much, the other characters were just meh and I wasn’t all that interested in continuing so I quit. Can’t win them all, I guess.

What I Reviewed

About that Kiss by Jill Shalvis | 4 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (76)
Throwback Thursday (27)
Book Boyfriend of the week: Mick Trewlove

What I Got

Nothing new this week. Need to focus on my review pile for the next little while.

What I Got for Review

Brooklynaire (Brooklyn Bruisers #4) by Sarina Bowen
The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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Monthly Recap: October & November 2017

Posted December 1, 2017 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

This month’s recap will be for the last two months since I disappeared and this blog was left abandoned. I’ve been busy but I’ve also been lazy. Story of my life.

What I Did

Emme’s baptism: One of best friends from when I was a kid has a kid that just got baptized and Bren, Ken and I were on hand to help Hanah (my friend) make sure that everything was perfect for little Emme. It was good to see everyone come out to support little Emme and we had fun, so all in all, it was a great day.

Meghan met Kobe Bryant: So last month, Meghan met our family’s favorite NBA player of all time…Kobe Bryant. You should have seen us when she texted us her picture with him (the one above) and told us all about how he came to her practice to spit some basketball knowledge and help them with the offense that they’re running since it’s the same one he ran with the Lakers. We were so excited and stoked for ourselves like we met him and not Meghan. What a trip that Meghan chooses to go to a small school and she met Kobe Bryant, her all time favorite player. Never thought that would happen and even though it didn’t happen to me…it kind of did because I’m really close with Meghan..right? LOL.

Those are the highlights of the last couple of months and I’m leaving that Kobe Bryant picture right there, big as hell, because…it’s KOBE!!

Now, on to the books…

What I Read


On a Tuesday (One Week #1) by Whitney G. | 3.75 out of 5
Played (Gridiron #4) by Jen Frederick | 4.25 out of 5
Lady Sophia’s Lover (Bow Street Runners #2) by Lisa Kleypas | 4 out of 5
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas (Re-Read) | 4 out of 5
Sustained (Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase (Re-Read) | 5 out of 5
An Ex for Christmas (Love Unexpectedly #5) by Lauren Layne | 4 out of 5
Holiday Wishes (Heartbreaker Bay #4.5) by Jill Shalvis | 4 out of 5
A Duke in Shining Armor (Disgraceful Dukes #1) by Loretta Chase | 4.25 out of 5
Changing the Game (Play by Play #2) by Jaci Burton | 4 out of 5
Hate to Want You (Forbidden Hearts #1) by Alisha Rai | 4 out of 5
Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2) by Alisha Rai | 4 out of 5
Hard Cherish (Hard Play #1) by Nalini Singh | 4 out of 5
Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen | 4.75 out of 5
Hooking Up (Shacking Up #2) by Helena Hunting | 4.25 out of 5
The Ones that Got Away (The Ones that Got Away #1) by Roni Loren | 4 out of 5
Roomies by Christina Lauren | 3.75 out of 5

What I Reviewed

A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase
Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai
Changing the Game by Jaci Burton
Table Manners by Mia King
Head Coach by Lia Riley
Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne
Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis
Ready for Wild by Liora Blake
Made for You by Lauren Layne
Hollywood Dirt (Movie)
Only with You by Lauren Layne
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

What I Bought

What I Got for Review


What I Listened To

I’m still listening to a lot of country music. Mostly, I’m listening to these two country cuties. Brett Young and Walker Hayes.

That’s all that I’ve got for this post so how was your October and November? Read or see anything good?

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Monthly Recap: June & July 2017

Posted August 23, 2017 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

I have been sorely lacking in getting any posts written for this blog. I’ve been busy, lazy, not in the mood…you name it, I was it. I’m slowly starting to get back in the thick of things so wish me luck. I missed my June monthly recap so I’ll just add the jist of things here. It’s not like I have much to report, book wise for June anyway.

What I Did

 Bren, Ken, & Cher graduated from High School and Makaela was promoted from middle school to High School. Bren and Ken will be attending our local junior college while Cher leaves for Utah this coming Friday to start her freshman year of college at BYU, Provo. Makaela has joined the North High Volleyball team and I’m sure she’s going to do great things.

We met Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma in Las Vegas. In July, we traveled to Las Vegas for the girls last Club tournament with the Mustangs. It was hot as hell and the girls played game after game after game and on our first night of games, we had dinner at Raising Caines and one of the newest Lakers ate right next to us so of course we welcomed him to Los Angeles and got a picture with him. Fun times!

What I Read

1. The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young | 4 out of 5
2. The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean | 5 out of 5
3. Wired by Julie Garwood | 3.5 out of 5
4. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon (re-read) | 4 out of 5
6. I Knew You Were Trouble by Lauren Layne | 4 out of 5
7. Dating You, Hating You by Christine Lauren | 4 out of 5
8. Eye Candy by Jessica Lemmon | 4 out of 5
9. Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy | 4.25 out of 5
10. Some Kind of Hero by Sherrilyn Kenyon | 3.5 out of 5
11. Lucky in Love by Kasie West | 3.25 out of 5
12. How to Change a Life by Stacey Ballis | 3 out of 5
13. Ready to Run by Lauren Layne | 3.5 out of 5
14. When It’s Real by Erin Watt | 4.25 out of 5
15. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare | 4.5 out of 5
16. The Perfectly Imperfect Match by Kendra C. Highley | 3.25 out of 5

What I Reviewed

Lucky in Love by Kasie West
True Love and Other Disasters (Chinooks Hockey Team #4) by Rachel Gibson
Wired (Buchanan-Renard #13) by Julie Garwood
Eye Candy by Jessica Lemmon
Fair Play by Deirdre Martin
Coming Up for Air (Hundred Oaks #8) by Miranda Kenneally
I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford #4) by Lauren Layne
Some Kind of Hero (Troubleshooters #17) by Suzanne Brockmann
The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young
Second Chance Season (Grand Valley #2) by Liora Blake
Stay (WAGS #2) by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
The Day of the Duchess (Scandal & Scoundrel #3) by Sarah MacLean
Black Tie Optional (Wild Weddings #1) by Ann Marie Walker
The Girl with the Make Believe Husband (Rokesbys #2) by Julia Quinn
Shadow Readper (Shadows #2) by Christine Feehan
Revenge (Lawless #3) by Lexi Blake
Silver Silence (Psy/Changelings Trinity #1) by Nalini Singh
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #4) by Lorraine Heath

What I Bought Or was Gifted

I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford #4) by Lauren Layne
Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren
Once and For All by Sarah Dessen
My Roommates Girl by Julianna Keyes
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Shacking Up by Helena Hunting
When It’s Real by Erin Watt

What I Got for Review

The Final Score (Play by Play #13) by Jaci Burton
The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare
A Duke in Shining Armor (Difficult Dukes #1) by Loretta Chase
If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Ready to Run (I Do, I Don’t #1) by Lauren Layne
Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay #4) by Jill Shalvis
Arm Candy (Real Love #2) by Jessica Lemmon

What I Listened To


Perfect by Ed Sheeran

This has gotten some major play on my Apple Music. I still love the hell out of this song…in August.

What I Watched on TV

Loving all of these shows, except Suits. I love the show but this season is pretty boring.

What Movies I Watched

John Wick (2014) (re-watch) | 4 out of 5
The Art of Us (2017) | DNF
Wonder Woman (2017) | 4.25 out of 5
Life As We Know It (2010) | 4.5 out of 5
Something Borrowed (2011) | 4 out of 5
Bad Date Chronicles (2017) | 3 out of 5
Bound & Babysitting (2015) | 4.25 out of 5
My Favorite Wedding (2017) | 3.5 out of 5
The Russell Girl (2008) | 4.5 out of 5
Loving Leah (2009) | 4 out of 5
Portrait of Love (2015) | 3 out of 5
A Wish for Christmas (2015) | 3.5 out of 5
Chance at Romance (2013) | 3 out of 5
Sand Castle (2017) | 4 out of 5

There you have it…all of the things that I did in June and July. Did you do any fun things?Read any good books? Watch any fab movies?

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