NaNoWriMo 2014!

It's that time of year again. It's time to forget your hobbies, your family, your pets, and to wish you could forget your job. It's time to write over 1000 words a day and still feel like inadequate. It's time to become so engrossed in your writing, that all other goals get set aside. It is time for National Novel Writing Month.

This year I really want to win. While I've participated three years in the past and accomplished a lot of worthwhile writing, I've never technically "won" by achieving the 50K words that is the goal. This year, I want that to change. So I've plotted and thought and planned and done just about everything short of starting my project.

What is my project? If all goes as planned, I will be working on a sequel to Beyond the Reach of Judgement. Of course, anyone who has done NaNoWriMo in the past knows that things don't always go as planned. Sometimes things take on a life of their own in November, but as of this moment my current project looks something like this: (SPOILER ALERT for those who haven't read Beyond the Reach of Judgement)



"...the story of Ruth 25 years after the loss of Julien, as she comes to grips with her new life and new role in the world and of Agent Wolf as she nears retirement from the Department of Homeland Security's paranormal unit. Wolf is assigned to one final mission and discovers a strange sense of déjà vu after she finds herself again in Kansas City, MO dealing with dead prostitutes and chasing vampires, and Ruth seeks answers to her draw back to the city where she and Julien first met."


Thoughts?

SALE!

My Favorites: Amazon Prime

Hello Again. Today's post is all about my love for my Amazon Prime Membership. So, if you already have Amazon Prime, you can stop reading because you already know how awesome the 2 Day Free Shipping, instant view TV and movies, instant listen music catalog, and free Kindle downloads are. If you don't have Amazon Prime, however, (are there still some of you out there?), let me continue to tell you why you should consider it.

My husband and I have moved three times in the last six years. As those of you whom have moved recently know, with each move comes different wants and "needs" for the new home and often as limited budget in which to obtain those needs, especially early on. Sometimes these are minor things like picture frames and wall hangings, and sometimes these are larger, more prominent things like shelving, end tables, etc. What is great about my Prime Membership is that it doesn't matter it I am ordering dust cloths or a vacuum cleaner, it ships for free in two days (sometimes even less). Because of this, I often find myself price comparing and reading reviews of products I find locally, on Amazon before I commit to a purchase. If I find the deal better locally, and the reviews don't hate it, I feel good with my purchase. If not, since I prefer to shop/spend locally when possible, I mention the Amazon price to the local retailer. Some retailers will attempt to price match or at least come closer to the Amazon price. I've got some incredible deals this way and gotten to keep my money local which I love.

Sometimes, despite trying my best to find what I want locally, it just isn't possible. These are the times when I especially love my Prime Membership. So many times, after hours of hunting in stores, I log on the Amazon and find exactly what I am seeking at a great price AND it will ship to me for free. I have purchases so many things this way - specialty shampoos, skin care and makeup products, artwork, poster frames, end tables, bar stools, bedding, bed frame, cat toys/supplies, green cleaning supplies, shelving, closet storage/organizers, a grill, an electric lawnmower, hard to find BluRays, and music.

Personally, I don't use the instant video often, but I have used it for things like work-out videos and those times when I just "have-to" see a certain movie that I don't own. I love that I can watch on my big screen TV, computer, tablet, and phone. I've also started to enjoy the Music benefit. My work-out music library is growing steadily thanks to Amazon Prime Music. Now, if only my gym membership had a Prime discount...

Finally, as an Indie Author, I find the benefit of the Kindle Lending Library to be amazing. I can support other Indie Authors, and find great reads on my Kindle for Free!


Shop Amazon - Give the Gift of Amazon Prime

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies & TV Shows Anytime; Get 2 Day Free Shipping on products you Love; and so much more - Start Free Trial Now

My Favorites: My Mattress

My Favorites: Saatva Luxury Firm Mattress


Several months ago, my husband and I decided to upgrade to a king size mattress to complete our master suite retreat. Our previous mattress was a Keetsa Pillow Plus with which we were happy, and at the time we purchased it, it was the perfect choice based on price, ease of shipping and set up. We chose it also because compared to most mattresses, they more eco-friendly and compared to most organic mattresses, they were much more affordable. We bought the Pillow Plus.

This year, when we decided it was time to upgrade, we stumbled upon the Saatva company while research made in USA, eco-friendly mattresses. We've had this mattress for five months now and are extremely happy. The Luxury firm is the best of all worlds. A soft topper with a firm support beneath. Great for back sleeping, side sleeping, and stomach sleeping (from personal experience with all of the above) If you do the research, you will find this mattress is the best reviewed on Google, and has rave reviews on many mattress related blogs, websites, and consumer sites. And they deliver it not just to your door, but to you bedroom!

From their website:

"The standard comfort level used in the finest hotels in the world, where their goal is to ensure every guest gets a great night sleep. "Luxury Firm" offers the perfect balance of "cushion firm and contouring support". This assures proper spinal alignment with our premium foam cushion layers for the ultimate and most comfortable sleep experience. Whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach, you will be very happy with this comfort level. It is a true medium firm. It's not too hard or too soft. The "Luxury Firm", is rated the "#1 comfort choice" in the ultra premium mattress classification.

Choose Luxury Firm:

• If you prefer to sleep on your side, back or stomach.
• It’s the perfect mattress for couples with different sleep needs.
• If you are looking for the Goldilocks bed. Not too firm. Not too soft.
• If you switch sleeping positions often in the night.
• If you are looking for the luxury hotel experience at home."