This was a prompt from the writers workshop a few weeks ago and I wanted to write about it because I always complain about living in Utah but there are some great things about living here as well. I am going to list a few of the reasons that I love living in here and why.
I love that we have all four seasons. I know I always complain about how hot summers are and how cold it is in the winter but it is so nice to have all 4 seasons and not just one or 2 of them.
It is super pretty here almost all year around because of the changing seasons.
I love the mountains and I can’t imagine living in the midwest where it is basically flat.
I love all the different things you can see and do in Utah.
For the most part I love the majority of the people who live here. There are some people who I can’t stand but for the most part people aren’t to bad here.
I love that I am not looked at funny when people find out I chose not to drink alcohol. I did drink at one time but now I really don’t see the point in it.
I love going to Temple Square at Christmas time and looking at all the lights they put up.
The last thing reason I love living here is I am comfortable being here since I was born & raised here. I know that is a silly reason but for me that is a huge thing because I hate change.
Those are 8 reasons I love living in Utah. Why do you love the state you live in?
Vegas to Varanasi – Cover Reveal By Shelly Hickman
Romantic Comedy
Date Published – 12/1/2013
Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard. Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her. In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”
Excerpt
As I take a sip from my glass, the most stunning couple sits down at our table. I can’t decide who is more attractive. The woman reminds me of a movie star from old Hollywood, with wavy auburn hair that cascades down her shoulders and milky white skin I’m sure has never seen a pimple in its life.
The man? My God, he takes my breath away! I have to avert my eyes because when I look at him, I just want to grin like an idiot, he’s so beautiful.
I once had this same reaction when I was in college and had to take a summer geology class for a random science credit. I was not looking forward to the class because the study of dirt and groundwater doesn’t exactly excite me. However, when the instructor, a grad student, walked in, I got a big, stupid grin on my face because he was so cute.
That guy in no way compared to the specimen sitting across from me now. He looks Indian. Dark skin, luscious black hair with just a touch of grey, and the most amazing, sea green eyes. They might be the same color as mine, actually, but with my coloring, they’re nothing special. On him . . . holy hell!
I must be forgetting to avert my eyes because Luke’s voice jars me. “Anna!” he whispers. “You do realize that you’re psychotically staring at that guy, don’t you? Because I’m pretty sure he notices.”
The heat rises to my face, and I raise my glass to polish off my champagne. The man smiles politely at my show of bad manners.
No one else is seated at the table with us, so Luke offers introductions. “Hello, I’m Luke and this is Anna.”
“I’m Kiran, and this is Miranda,” the man replies. Miranda offers a curt nod, but is clearly bored with us already.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Luke says. “So how do you know the newlyweds?”
The waiter returns to fill their glasses. “I’m not a fan of champagne,” Miranda says as she pulls a compact out of her Coach wristlet. “Could I have an amaretto sour?”
“Certainly.”
“Thank you,” Kiran says to the server, before he addresses Luke’s question. “I’m friends with the family of the groom, for about fifteen years now.”
He must have grown up in the States, because I detect no accent when he speaks. “So you’ve known Jacob since he was a boy then. I hope you can vouch for his character,” I tease. “Luke and I have known the bride’s mother, Julia, since high school.”
“Her daughter made a good choice,” he confirms solemnly, as if I were being serious.
The waiter returns with Miranda’s drink and she takes a sip. “I don’t know what this is, but it’s not a vodka sour.” She sets the glass down in a huff.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I thought you said amaretto sour.” The waiter glances at each of us nervously.
“Well, clearly you thought wrong. Would you please get it right next time?” She then wrinkles her nose at me and smiles.
A roaring fills my ears, and I squeeze Luke’s knee to keep from saying something. He puts his hand over mine and pats it.
Kiran leans over and whispers something in Miranda’s ear, and her smug expression turns to indignation. She says nothing in response, but shifts in her seat to create some distance between them.
“I’m very sorry, ma’am,” the waiter says as he collects her glass. “I’ll get that vodka sour.”
As he passes me I touch his arm to stop him. I put my hand against my mouth like I’m trying to be discreet, but make sure my voice is loud enough for her to hear. “She did ask for an amaretto sour.”
I think Kiran stifles a chuckle.
“Whatever,” Miranda says.
Did she just say whatever?
Luke mutters under his breath, “Could she be any more horrible?”
“I don’t think so,” I answer at normal volume, looking straight at her with my fake smile. Then I make a show of taking the lip balm out of my Kohl’s Nine and Co. clutch, simply because I have the burning desire to repulse her with my mediocrity.
We continue to make idle chat, and the minute it comes up that Luke and I are not an item, Miranda makes it her mission for the evening to sink her claws into him, making me wonder about her relationship with Kiran. It isn’t long before the rest of the guests assigned to our table show, making it more difficult for Miranda to flirt. However, it doesn’t deter her from speaking over the couple between her and Luke.
Luke plays along, and I know exactly what he’s doing. He’s leading her to believe there will be some sort of fruit for her efforts, and even asks her to dance. He’s good. Very good.
Kiran’s posture is relaxed and he doesn’t seem the least bit perturbed by Miranda’s behavior. In fact, he seems amused. We exchange polite smiles, and he points to Luke’s empty seat, asking if it’s okay to sit there. I nod in agreement.
“Before I forget,” I say as he takes the seat beside me, “Would it be really out of line for me to ask what you said to Miranda after the amaretto sour incident?” Oh, wow. I realize I’m on my fourth glass of champagne, giving me the gumption to ask questions that are none of my damn business.
“No, it would not be out of line at all.” Geezus. Those eyes. “All I said was there was no reason to be unkind.”
“Thank you!” I hold up my knuckles for a fist bump. “You, sir, rock!”
He seems a little uncertain of what I’m doing at first, then smiles and returns a fist. Sheesh. Even his teeth are perfect.
“Well, as long as I’m being, let’s face it, really, really nosy, why don’t you seem to be upset that she’s all over my ex-husband?” Yeah, I’m definitely feeling the champagne.
“Ah.” He looks back in her direction; she is now inappropriately close to Luke on the dance floor. “This is a blind date. A friend of my mother has been bugging her about setting me up with her daughter. I’ve never even met her before tonight, but it didn’t take long to discover we weren’t going to hit it off.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t remember me, do you?”
That was a quick change of subject and my faculties are a bit dulled. I pinch my eyebrows together. “I’m sorry?”
“From high school. You don’t remember me.”
I’m pretty sure I have a look of panic on my face because apparently all night I’ve been speaking to someone I knew in high school, and I don’t even have the decency to remember him.
“I’m sorry,” I say for the umpteenth time, “but Kiran isn’t exactly a common name. I think I would remember . . . Wait. Now that I think about it, there was a Kiran in my English Lit class junior year, but he was this quiet, kind of pudgy . . . .”
Kiran smiles and raises his eyebrows before nodding ever so slightly.
Inadvertently, I gasp and put my hand over my mouth. “No way!”
“You remember. You do remember me!” The pleasure in his voice surprises me.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to call you pudgy!” I. Am. Mortified.
“It’s okay, Anna. Actually, I was fat.” He takes another sip of champagne.
I can’t help but giggle at his directness. “No, no you weren’t. I admit I don’t remember a whole lot about you. You were soooo quiet! We did speak a few times though, didn’t we?”
“A few times. But do you know what I remember about you?” Briefly, he taps the top of my hand with his finger.
“Oh, God no.” I suck in some air between my teeth and scrunch up my face, praying it won’t be something embarrassing. “What do you remember?”
“There was this guy in our class, Mark. Big, muscle-bound jock.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, and my pet name for him was asshole.” Kiran laughs and rubs his chin. I look over his shoulder to see Luke and Miranda slow dancing, and she’s girlishly fiddling with his tie. Boy, is she in for a surprise. I return my gaze to Kiran. “Sorry. Continue.”
“Mark was always making mean comments to me about my glasses, my weight.” I do sort of remember that. He sat behind Kiran, and I sat next to Mark. “Well, one day he was at it again, and you told him to give it a rest. And he said, ‘What about it? He’s a whale!’ Then you said, ‘And you’re a dick.’”
I nearly spit out my drink. I have no recollection of this incident. “I said that?”
“Yes. Yes, you did. And I had a huge crush on you from that day forward.”
Oh, no he did-unt! This Adonis had a crush on me? Inconceivable! Yes, I know. He wasn’t an Adonis back then, but still . . . .
About the Author
Shelly Hickman
Living in Las Vegas since she was two, Shelly Hickman has witnessed many changes in the city over the years. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Art in 1990, and in her early twenties worked as an illustrator for a contractor for the Nevada Test Site. In the mid-90s, she returned to school to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches computer applications and multimedia at a middle school in Las Vegas. She loves to write about people, examining their flaws, their humor, spirituality, and personal growth. Shelly lives with her husband, two children, and their dog, Frankie.
Dear Mr Knightley by Katherine Reay was such a fun book to read. This book so unique on the way it is written and set up. I loved that it was all letters basically written to one person and a couple of times there was a letter written back to her. I loved everything about this book and was sad when it ended because I loved the characters and everything about it. I do have to say that for me at least I kind of predicted the ending of the book but that could be because I have read so many books that it is hard for me to be surprised by the ending but I have to say that I loved this book and I can’t wait until she releases more books!
About Dear Mr Knightley
Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself “Mr. Knightley”) offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.As Sam’s program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it’s pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is — once again — made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.
About Katherine Reay
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in “Focus on the Family” and the “Upper Room.” Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. “Dear Mr. Knightley” is her first novel.
I am taking the week off of work so I am not going to be blogging as well. I am taking a much needed break. I still have 2 posts that will go up because I was able to schedule them to post but other than that I am gone but I will be back on the 2nd of December so I will see you all then!
I liked this book but I figured out how it was going to end about halfway through and it was kind of predictable most of the time. Even though I figured out what was going to happen I still really enjoyed the author’s writing and the characters in this book. I hated Sam’s dad who passed away within the first couple of chapters. I really liked Charlotte and I am glad in the end everything would out good for her. Like I said I figured out how it was going to end but I still read it until the last page because I loved everything about the story and authors writing. I can’t wait to check out other books by her.
About A Marriage in Middlebury
One decision changed both their lives . . . but will love win in the end? Charlotte Rose Hill enjoys a comfortable life serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky, devoted customers. The only thing lacking is someone to share it with. At eighteen she denied Sam Wilder’s marriage proposal after his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. They both moved on . . . or so she thought. When Sam walks back into her life more than a decade later, Charlotte is surprised that her heart still quickens. But is it because of his presence? Or because of the presence of Sam’s new fiancée? A second chance at love doesn’t happen often, but their past may keep them apart. Is it too late for Sam and Charlotte?
About Anita Higman
Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.
When I saw this was one of the prompts for the writers workshop I knew I had to write about it. The prompt I chose this time is 5.) List 8 books you’ve read that you think everyone should read in their lifetime. I have read tons of books in my lifetime and I am going to list 8 of the ones that I have read so far that I think everyone needs to read. I chose all these books for different reasons and I will write that next to the title & author of the books.
1984 by George Orwell– I read this book when I was in high school and I find it crazy how some of the things that happened in this book are happening in our country now. I think that everyone needs to read this book because it is an amazing book and it is an eye opener.
Fearless by Eric Blehm-This is about one of the Navy Seals from Seal Team 6 that went in and killed Osama Bin Laden. He was shot during the firefight and this is a story written about his life. I cried through parts of this book because he had an amazing story and I feel so bad for his wife and children who lost him way too soon.
The Milestone Tapes by Ashley Mackler-Paternostro– I am not sure if I can even tell you how much I loved this book. I cried through a lot of this book and I still loved it. It is an amazing story and something I think I would do if I had young children and knew I was going to pass away from cancer before they children had grown to be an adult. She basically makes tapes for her daughter for all the big things she knows her daughter will go through as she is growing up without her.
Stress Test by Richard L. Mabry– I put this one on here because I love a good medical thriller and this one delivered on that. If you lost suspense/thrillers than I know you will love this one. (If you click on the title you will be directed to my review on this book)
Anomaly by Krista McGee– I think everyone should read this one because it is about a dystopian society but it brings God into the story and I loved that about this book. The next book in the series comes out in January and I can’t wait to read it.
The Beloved Daughter by Alana Terry-I just read this book recently and I have to say that I loved everything about it. I loved learning about what was going on during this book and I also had to wonder how many people really lived this story. It take place in North Korea and it broke my heart to read and I was also sad because you don’t know what really happens at the end.
The Girl In The Box by Sheila Dalton– I read this book a few years ago and I really enjoyed it because like the book The Beloved Daughter I have to wonder how many people really live like this and how many times things like this happen to people.
Defending Jacob by William Landay– I loved this one because you get to see how some people think and you also get to see what some people will do for their children. I don’t know if my child did something like his does I am not sure how I would handle it and what I would do.
Do you have any suggestions for books that I should read?
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