My Chaotic Ramblings

Monday, May 27, 2019

Turning Point.. Blog Update

Melissa S.
4:39 PM
update
No comments

I've been a bit MIA for the last couple of months. Everything that has posted since March has pretty much been pre-scheduled. It seemed that book blogging was no longer fun. I read 10 books in Jan and 13 in Feb, but didn't review a single one on here.

If you've followed this blog for awhile, you know that we started off with product reviews back in 2008, and when we moved to WordPress we lost most of those reviews. So I had to start all over again, we stayed at WordPress for about three years, then moved back to blogger due to our hosting company going out of business. And again we lost a few of the reviews.

But we have always rallied and came back stronger. We have bounced around the review circle, with product reviews, book reviews, movie reviews and even some music reviews; but never really settled on one thing. We've dabbled in just content posts, done strictly giveaways, but over the years nothing has ever felt exactly right.

I've been treating this blog as a second job, and while I love it and all of you. I think I need to focus on what I want and move away from the book reviews and book related posts for a while. I'll still be posting book stuff every now and then, but I'm going to focus more on lifestyle posts and things that I am interested in now. There will still be giveaways of course, and more product reviews; but I just need to step back and make this fun for me again.

Our memes will be changing, along with a bunch of other little things around here. So be on the look out for those changes and know that we are working on things on our end!

Watching TV outside is fun! @BestBuy @SunBriteTV #ad

Melissa S.
10:28 AM
ad, best buy, outdoor tv, sponsored, tv, Veranda Series Outdoor 4K UHD TVs with HDR
No comments

This post may contain affiliate links: If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products/services that I approve of. Purchasing through my links allows me to continue to provide unique content and pursue my business dreams. Thank you for supporting me.

We have been doing some major remodeling around the house this year, and when we decided to build a deck onto the back of the house, I knew we would need a TV for all the games and movie nights the kids had planned for this summer. We haven't finished the deck yet, I can't decide how big I really want it!! But we have been searching for TV options, we plan to put a partial roof on the deck closest to the house so that way any TV or screen is shaded during the daylight, but I wanted something that we wouldn't have to take down if it rained or snowed.

I of course went straight to the Best Buy website, I always buy my electronics from there, so that one was a given with me. I just typed in Outdoor TV in the search bar and started reading reviews. I have fallen in love with the SunBrite Veranda Series Outdoor 4K UHD TVs with HDR. We spend so much time outside during the summer, hence the new deck, I knew we would need an actual television and not a projector and screen like the hubby wanted.

Here are the product specs for all those interested:

Weatherproof TV built for full-shade outdoor living areas
Powder-coated rust-proof aluminum exterior protects internal components from rain, snow, dust, insects, humidity, and salt air.
Up to 50% brighter than indoor TVs for improved viewing in brighter outdoor environments.
4K UHD with HDR
Large weatherproof media bay makes cable connections easy. It has plenty of storage room for many popular media players, and thick gaskets seal out moisture and the elements
Available in 43”, 55”, 65” and 75” sizes

Whether you want to host a fun family movie night outside, or have an outdoor party featuring the big game, the Veranda Series of SunBriteTVs is ready to make your favorite outdoor space a real destination. Watching TV outside is fun!

The Veranda Series of SunBriteTVs are designed specifically for outdoor use. They are engineered to survive just about any climate in North America, resisting the harsh effects of rain, snow, dust, insects, and extreme temperatures.

The SunBriteTV Veranda is a family of weatherproof televisions designed for full-shade outdoor spaces, like covered patios and screened-in porches.

Veranda comes standard with a direct-lit 4K UHD screen with HDR, which is up to 50% brighter than indoor TVs for improved viewing in brighter outdoor environments. It’s more durable, safer, and a better experience that using an indoor TV outdoors.

Now, the best seat in the house is outside. We can't wait to order ours once the deck is finished and spend some quality family time outside.

Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."
FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.

My Chaotic Ramblings and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. The giveaways on this site are in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site.

Moments We Forget Book Blitz

This is my stop during the bookstagram blitz for Moments We Forget by Beth K. Vogt. This bookstagram blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. This bookstagram blitz runs from 7 till 13 May. See the tour schedule here.

Moments We Forget (The Thatcher Sisters #2)
By Beth K. Vogt
Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Christian Fiction
Age category: Adult
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: May7, 2019

Blurb: Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine.

Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again.

Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

You can find Moments We Forget on Goodreads

You can buy Moments We Forget here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Books-A-Million
- IndieBound
- Get It Local Now
- Christian Book Distributors
- Walmart

Excerpt:
I had half an hour, no more than that, to get my life in order so my sisters would never suspect how unprepared I was for this morning.
I kicked the back door shut, dumping the plastic grocery bags onto the kitchen counter, easing the ache in my arms. If Johanna were hosting this morning, she’d have something homemade baking in her oven, the appealing aroma filling her immaculate kitchen.
Well, one thing was for certain—I was not Johanna.
Winston’s frantic barks sounded from upstairs. Seconds later, he was scampering around my feet, his sudden appearance meaning I’d forgotten to lock him in his kennel. Again.
“Bad dog.” A halfhearted reprimand. “You’re not supposed to be down here.”
I pulled items from the plastic bags. Please don’t let me have forgotten anything during my mad dash through the grocery store.
Cream for Johanna’s and my coffee—although she was going to have to make do with my Keurig coffeemaker, not French press.
A small box of sugar so Payton could enjoy her coffee with the preferred three heaping spoonfuls per cup.
A premade fruit salad.
Blueberry muffins.
Keurig pods.
Nothing fancy. But at least I wouldn’t look like a complete failure.
I suppose to a casual observer, Johanna, Payton, and I—the three remaining Thatcher sisters—appeared successful. And yet, while we might claim certain professional and romantic achievements, we still struggled to find our way as sisters.
At times Pepper’s words—the ones Payton had shared with Johanna and me several months ago—seemed more of a taunt than an encouragement.
“Sometimes you just have to forget all the other stuff and remember we’re sisters.”
Shouldn’t a role you acquired at birth be simple? Something you learned to do, along with walking and talking and navigating adolescence?
But then Pepper’s death at sixteen splintered our already-precarious bonds.
I selected three mugs from a kitchen cupboard. This was no time to try to unravel the complicated dynamics between me, Johanna, and Payton—not when they’d be here any minute. And not with so much riding on this morning.
It’s funny how much hope people put into a cup of coffee.
Social media—Facebook and Instagram and Twitter and Pinterest and even millions of people’s text messages around the world—overflow daily with memes and GIFs lauding the miracle qualities of coffee.
Coffee is the gasoline of life.
All I need is coffee and mascara.
Behind every successful person is a substantial amount of coffee.
I drink coffee for your protection.
Drink coffee and do good.
And now . . . now coffee would be the glue that bonded the three of us together.

Check out the first book in this series!
Things I Never Told You (The Thatcher Sisters #1)

As old wounds reopen and possible tragedy awaits, the Thatcher sisters must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

Links for Things I Never Told You:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Books-A-Million
- IndieBound
- Get It Local Now
- Christian Book Distributors
- Walmart

About the Author:
Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she'd never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four who said she'd never have kids. Now Beth believes God's best often waits behind doors marked Never. Beth's first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released in May 2018. Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, releases May 2019. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

You can find and contact Beth K. Vogt here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Bookbub
- Instagram

Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own." Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.

My Chaotic Ramblings and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. The giveaways on this site are in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site.

Heart Strings by Emily Hussey Cover Reveal

Title: Heart Strings

Series: Red Centre Series

Author: Emily Hussey

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 30, 2019

Tragic events in her formative years colour Melissa’s perceptions of her place in the world. Trust and commitment are not concepts she embraces. Known in Alice Springs for her aloof behaviour, Melissa is okay with that. She prefers to view life through the lens of her camera.

Chris Harris is sociable and charismatic, with a wide circle of friends. He’s worked as a chopper pilot in the region for several years, and enjoys the work, but it’s time for a change. Even so, nobody would have predicted what would happen when he and Melissa had a dramatic confrontation on her father’s remote property.

It’s a case of yin and yang attract, luring them both out of their comfort zone. Does that mean Chris will tolerate irrational behaviour? Some people know when to cut their losses.

In a journey that takes Melissa from a remote Australian station, to the high fashion world of Sydney and beyond, she comes to realise there are choices to make in who she lets into her life, and who she loves.

The ground, strewn with boulders embedded in the hard clay, did not provide a cushioned fall. Stunned, Melissa lay where she had landed, doing a survey of limbs and body. Her camera was still clutched to her chest. The lens was new and had cost a small fortune. If that was damaged, she would be royally pissed.

She could move her arms and legs. There was a stone pressing into her back, making it imperative she change position and do something about getting herself up. A shaft of pain hit as she straightened her legs.

“Bastard.” The word was hissed through barely controlled pain. Slowly, she rolled onto her side and pushed herself into a sitting position. A tentative exploration revealed she was just winded. She could still move her leg, so it wasn’t broken. Bruised perhaps. She rolled onto her knees and grunted softly as small stones embedded themselves into her flesh, then raised herself into a wobbly standing position. The sound of the chopper diminished and then ceased. She retrieved her broad-brimmed hat and jammed it back on her head.

Grit studded the palm of her hands and she wiped them on the side of her jeans to dislodge it. She took a tentative step and gasped. She bit her lip before looking around to see if the horse had stopped. It was nowhere to be seen. Rather, her father’s horse was nowhere to be seen. She had saddled up his stallion when she left the homestead. Hopefully Caesar had headed for home and hadn’t come to any harm. There would be hell to pay if he had.

The loose surface broadcast the tread of approaching footsteps She refused to look around. She knew who it would be.

“Are you okay?”

“As if you care. Piss off.” She started walking in the direction of the homestead, trying not to limp. It was going to be a long walk.

“Melissa, stop. I didn’t mean to frighten you, okay? I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here.”

She kept walking.

“Melissa, for chrissake—it’s too far to walk. Hop in and I’ll drop you back at the homestead.”

She swung around. The glare would have killed at twenty paces. He was fortunate they were at a distance of about twenty-one.

“Chris Harris, if you think I’m going anywhere near that aerial jellybean you’ve another think coming. I’ve seen enough of your flying for one day. I’m safer on the ground. Piss off.” She resumed walking, resolutely walking.

“Look, I’ve said I’m sorry. I won’t—”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?”

“Didn’t say you were sorry.”

“Alright, I’m sorry.” He yelled at her back, following several paces behind her. “Look, if you want to dehydrate out here and let the dingos eat you and the crows pick at what’s left, that’s fine by me but your dad will probably have my guts for garters. Get in and I’ll fly you home.”

Emily Hussey splits her time between work in Melbourne CBD and her home in Adelaide, South Australia. She has lived in several Australian cities, and spent a few years living in Alice Springs, the setting for the Red Centre series.

While there, she also obtained her private pilot’s licence, providing the technical background for the aviation scenes in the Red Centre Series.

Emily enjoys the short story format, and has been published in local anthologies. The genres range from crime to romance, with some contemporary fiction for good measure.

She was a marriage celebrant for 24 years, and has married couples in many different locations, ranging from private gardens, to beaches to caves or rural locations. Many of her clients remain friends to this day.

The bottom drawer is always full of outlines for future projects. So many ideas, so little time. Plans revolve around making writing her 9-5 job, and gaining inspiration from travels both in Australia and overseas.

HOSTED BY:

The Chase by Jax Hart Cover Reveal

Title: The Chase

Series: Dom Diaries Anthology

Author: Jax Hart

Genre: Contemporary/New Adult/Dark Romance

Release Date: May 27, 2019

I was born this way.

Arrogant.

Dominant.

Unbending.

Even men cower in my presence; sensing the danger in me.

So why does this slip of a girl invade my thoughts?

Somehow she got past my defenses... and the only way to regain control is to make her bend.

But when things don't bend--they break.

She wouldn't bend.

I refuse to break.

From AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JAX HART comes a tale of cat and mouse. A story of a dangerous man and the lengths he goes to find the one woman who is an enigma to him.

PART of the DOM DIARIES ANTHOLOGY by the League of Extraordinary authors! THIS IS A STANDALONE STORY!

He towered above me in another flawless suit, looking expensive and totally fuckable. “Are you stalking me? That’s it, right? You are some rich, perverted stalker, who gets his rocks off by torturing women like me?” He patted the dogs on the head, grabbed their collars and unclipped their leashes so I could untangle myself. As I stood, he leaned down and brushed his lips against my ear. “You have no idea, princess… just how I thought about torturing you.” Goosebumps broke out despite the ninety-plus degree day. A tingle ran up and down my spine and settled low in my belly where it spread like wildfire. I was so fucked and he hadn’t even touched me yet.

Jax Hart: Singer, a songwriter, living creatively through art. Dirty Romance author from the great state of Washington. Duke is his first full-length novel. He generally hates most people, plays the bass guitar, and enjoys camping trips with his son.

Connect with him online.