Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged is the fifth book of the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey, and the first book that I've read in the series. This is the story of Kirra and Reef. Kiera's cousin has been kidnapped during the running of the Iditarod, and Kirra and Reef are trying to locate her. 

The action and adventure starts from page one, literally, and hardly lets up throughout the entire novel.  I stayed fully absorbed with the characters and was excited to see what was next.  There was enough background information given on the characters in this book that I think does fine as a stand alone book. I'm sure I may have understood more if I had read the first books in series, but this book was a good book to acquaint myself with the author. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy suspense and intrigue with a romantic twist. I look forward to reading what Mrs. Pettrey writes in the future, and will probably go back to read the first book on this series. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

The Boy Who Burst My Bubble

My foray into the world of relationships all began with a younger man.  He was 5.  I was 5 1/2.  Yes, I know.  There's a word for that.  Don't judge me.  This all happened in the spring of 1983, if I calculated correctly.  I don't remember his name, but I guess that's not important now.  I'll call him Bob the Bubble Buster (Bob for short). 

Bob and I were in the same kindergarten class.  He came up to me one day and said, "You're my girlfriend."  That's it.  Point-blank.  No discussion or options on my part.  He gave me absolutely no choice in the matter.  I don't remember well, but I think he liked to share his gum with me.  ABC (already been chewed) gum.  I don't know if you've ever had it.  I don't care for it now.  I prefer NBC gum.  One day, after my "boyfriend" had not been kind enough to share with me, I had to find my own piece.  Luckily, someone happened to have a piece of NBC gum that they let me have.  I popped the gum in my mouth, and chewed and chewed and chewed and chewed.  

Then, one of the most magical moments in my short life occurred.  I opened my mouth, and out came a gum bubble.  I was amazed.  What had seemed impossible before had finally occurred.  I had finally joined the ranks of all the amazing gum bubble blowers that had come before, and would certainly come after, me.  After lunch, as I was reveling in my new found talent and enjoying the sight of that magical pink bubble coming out of my mouth, Bob came up to me and did the unthinkable.  He stuck his nasty finger in my pretty pink magical bubble and made it burst. 

The devastation.  The loss.  The magical moment was over, as if it had been masticated in the mouth of a heartless monster.  If Bob could be so unfeeling towards bubble gum, how would he treat our future children (as plastic as they were - from the play area in our classroom)?  I could see no way for our relationship to continue.  Bob's failure to recognize the sanctity of a bubble left me no choice.  I could no longer be his imaginary girlfriend.  I hope that Bob realized the error of his ways as he got older, or found a girl who did not care if he burst her bubbles.  Either way, I have moved on.

A talk with friends

I was visiting with a couple of good friends a few weeks ago and our discussion turned to the topic of story writing.  I told them that I would love to right an anti-romance (the girl doesn't get the guy) type story.  I get SSSOOOO tired of all the lovey-dovey/look-what-my-bf-bought-me stuff around Valentine's day.  This does not include all the happily-ever-after stories.  Happily-never-after would be a more fitting description for most people's stories, I believe.  My good friends encouraged me, telling me that I should write this book.  Well, I do not believe that I am committed enough to write a book, but I think I can write several blog posts along this line.  The first one will follow.  Many will be real life stories, but some will be made up.  I'll leave it up to you to figure out which is which.  Happy reading!  And if you have found your happily, I pray that it will be forever instead of never.