I couldn’t resist this title. 🙂 Today, in a special addition just for your reading pleasure, I’m reviewing Karen Witemeyer’s latest release, In Honor’s Defense. I’m also going to be “reviewing” what’s been going on in my life for the last little bit.

He’s Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life–for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he’s left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she’d have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke’s attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris’s brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

Review: Karen Witemeyer is one of the best at pulling the heart strings and hitting you with a comic relief. I loved this story. Luke, Damaris, and Nate are all lovable characters with mighty strength and a fair amount of realness that makes them believable. What can be better than a Horseman with an HEA?

*I received this book free for the purpose of review. The above is my honest opinion.

Rating: 5 roses out of 5

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And now on to what’s been going on with me. 🙂

With my “new” content schedule, there isn’t a space for me to keep you updated on my life, so this special edition is how I’m going to do it.

I can happily say I am feeling confident in my writing again. God did a thing with me at Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. More than one actually. I went with the singular goal of sitting down with a few experienced writers to get their advice on overcoming my AGES-LONG writer’s block. I talked to three or four different ladies, and they gave me GREAT advice; I just wish I could have recorded it to remember it now. 😀

At one table, after I’d asked the question of my target (LOL), a gentle lady whose name I didn’t catch or can’t remember asked me a question. “What are you afraid of?”

I gave a pat answer. The same one I’d given everyone else. “Either it’s a fear of failure, or a fear of success, or maybe a combination of the two, which is more likely.”

I left the table and headed back to my room to grab my stuff for the next session. And God hit me with the answer to her question. I knew it was Him because I had NEVER even thought it was a fear. I’d thought about it, but not as a fear. If that makes sense.

I am afraid that I’m not making a difference with my writing.

Even now tears come to my eyes as I consider it.

And the answer to my writer’s block, and my fear, came to me some time later that evening when Steve Laube spoke. Here’s the quote that hit me, “The world will be different tomorrow because of the words you write today.”

BAM!

I can’t make a difference if I’m not writing. My fear is self-fulfilling. Not writing means I can’t make a difference.

Now I have to get back in the habit.

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On to what else is going on in my life.

Let’s see … last month I retired from homeschooling. Did I tell you that already? I might have. 🙂 I was so excited to be done. I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. I think it will in August when I see all the back-to-school pics on FB.

I wanted a pendant light in my office, but I didn’t want to pay big bucks for a simple light. I kept my eyes out for some inexpensive decoration that I thought would fit my eclectic decor. I found it at Olde Time Pottery. I then ordered a pendant light kit. It was tricky; I’ll be honest. I had to find a hole that was just the right size since this was NOT designed to be a light fixture. But I managed it.

I’m happy with the results. I want another one. 🙂

I’ve also been working on one of my favorite pastimes–puzzles. I just finished this one. It was a challenge with all of the similar colors. I’m almost done with the next one, which is half the size, but you’ll have to wait for that picture. 😉

As my bullet journal shows, I love creating Zen tangles, but sadly, I’m kind of Zen tangled out at the moment. I tried my hand at creating a mandala design. I went onto Pinterest and found a tutorial.

Although there are a few areas that are not symmetrical, I think I did pretty good. Feel free to print it to color. I’m in the process of coloring it now. I plan to do more, so I MAY create a separate page for all of my art related things. 🙂

This post is getting long, but I want to update you on one more thing that I’ve posted about on my FB page.

Y’all know how long I’ve struggled with tiredness and constant headaches in the summer. Well, I took step one in finding a permanent answer last week. I went to see a sleep specialist. Thursday night, I spent the night away from home, doing a sleep study. I received the results Friday via a call from the nurse.

I have moderate sleep apnea. The doctor has prescribed an APAP (Automatic Positive Air Pressure) machine. This is similar to the common CPAP, but auto regulates the flow of air versus having a Continuous flow. It will sense how much air pressure I need to keep me breathing properly. I seriously looked like some alien science experiment Thursday night (picture NOT available). There had to be 25-30 cords running from various parts of my body, but mostly my head, to a tiny control panel not much bigger than my phone.

Anyway, pray with me that this will eliminate or at least lessen my fatigue and headaches.

Okay, I’m done now. What’s happening at your house? How is God manifesting in your life? Share your blessings with me. I love celebrating with you. 😉

And if you have a prayer request, I’m happy to pray for you too.

Many blessings on you and yours.

Love y’all,