Hey! I Know a Real Author!

A couple of years ago, during the Great Pumpkin Swap that Kristin and I host, I was paired with two people because we had uneven numbers.

One of the people that I was fortunate to be partnered with is a published author!  About a year ago, I was given the privilege of reading and reviewing her book Riffs of Regret, and today, I am thrilled to introduce you to her AND to help her to launch the cover of her new book Dropped Third Strike!  (Which I also can't wait to read, by the way!)

So without further adieu, meet Micah Chaplin!

Micah K. Chaplin is an Iowa girl with a passion for writing, live music and Texas Rangers baseball. Sometimes the three loves combine.

Micah earned a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication from Buena Vista University in 2002. She published her first novel in 2003.

Her new book Dropped Third Strike is scheduled to release on June 6th!

Summary:

Kate Marks is hitting it out of the park as general manager of the Portland Pioneers. Her childhood friend Reid Benjamin is struggling to hit anything at all and, as a result, has suddenly found himself out of a job. When Kate hires him as hitting coach for the Pioneers, she's determined to keep everything strictly professional, but she has underestimated Reid's charm. His proximity has forced her to face a past she would rather forget. Reid wants another chance, but Kate isn't convinced he's changed his game.

Information about the Book

Title: Dropped Third Strike (A Portland Pioneers Novel #1)

Author: Micah Chaplin

Release Date: June 6th

Genre: Adult Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Format: Ebook

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30240528-dropped-third-strike

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dropped-Third-Strike-Portland-Pioneers-ebook/dp/B01FX1H8FU

For more about Micah, visit her blog, or find her on Goodreads or other social media!

Website: http://unabashedly--me.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBestMicah

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicahKChaplin

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1148999.Micah_K_Chaplin

StitchFix Fix- Second Edition

Ah, StitchFix.  Sometimes, they get it right and sometimes they don't.

I scheduled a fix in April because it's spring.  Summer is around the corner, and the weather will be getting warmer (eventually...I hope).  I have a good problem in that most of my shorts are too big.  Last year, they were big, but I just dealt with it.  This year, they're MUCH too big, and it's just not a good look.

I scheduled my fix and added a note for my stylist that I wanted the focus of my fix to be on shorts.  I wanted some shorts that I could dress up or down, and maybe, maybe a top or two to go with them.

What did I get?

ONE.  PAIR.  OF.  SHORTS.

ONE!!

I was furious.  The tops that were sent with the shorts were awful, and I thought that the price of the shorts was outrageous.  I refused to buy anything from that fix because I just couldn't justify buying one overpriced pair of decent shorts when I needed wanted more.

Needless to say, I sent it all back and requested an additional fix at no charge.  I refuse to be charged $20 for nothing.

I was given a new stylist, and she nailed it the second time around.  (Ignore the quality of these photos.  They were taken in not the best light with my iPhone in a mirror that needs to be dusted.  AND I'm writing this post at work where I can't access PicMonkey to edit them.)

I really love these Bermuda length shorts.  They fit nicely and are very comfortable.  I actually already wore them to work with strappy wedge sandals, a tank, and long cardigan.

Here's a better shot of the top that also came with my fix.  It's actually super flattering, and I love the subtle polka-dot print.

These shorts almost seem like a skirt.  You can't really tell, but they actually have a scalloped bottom.  They are super comfortable, and while I don't normally gravitate toward floral prints, I really think this pattern is pretty!

I really love these pink shorts.  I enjoy the longer length because, let's face it, I'm not getting any younger.  I think they are flattering and comfortable.  This twist shoulder top also came with the fix.  I didn't love it, but I liked it enough that it was worth getting the whole fix for the discount!

So now I have a decent number of shorts that will fit me this season!  I am pleased that I can dress all of these shorts up or down depending on the top and/or shoes I choose to wear with them.  (I will also add that I wasn't totally thrilled with the price of these shorts either.  BUT since I loved all three pairs, thought they looked good, and they were really comfortable, I went ahead and splurged.)

Have you tried StitchFix?  What have been your successes?  Failures?

If you haven't tried StitchFix, click here!  I will get a credit when you schedule and receive your first fix!  :)

April Books

I seriously can't believe that April is over already.  It really flew by so quickly.  Does anyone feel the same way?

At least I managed to get a book finished this month, but I really need to step up my game because now, rather than being ahead of schedule in the Goodreads challenge, I am "on track."  I'm an overachiever.  I prefer to be ahead of the game.  ;o)

This month, I read the next installment in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It took me forever to get through this book, but this was in large part due to lack of time. I went back and forth between giving this 3 or 4 stars, but I settled on 4 after reading the final chapters.

There were parts of this book that dragged on, and parts that I felt were unnecessary or boring. One particular example is the small sections that were excerpts from Governor Tyron's journal. While his actions in this books were of importance, I don't care about him as a character. I want to read about Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger!

I did find it a little strange that this book has other excerpts like that: Brianna's dream journal, Claire reading information in Dr. Rawlings' medical journal. It sometimes seemed to interrupt the story with a different style.

Overall, I went with 4 stars because some of those seemingly unnecessary parts resolved themselves or carried the story further. And the book ended by leaving me ready to move on to the next installment!



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