EmpowerMoms

All Summer Long: A San Francisco Romance (Follow Your Heart) by Melody Carlson

I felt like this story was too slow pace and didn’t keep my interest. I liked the beginning part of the book when Tia decides to move to San Francisco to help her aunt turn a yacht into an upscale restaurant though. The story line had potential and the cover of the book looked good, but I felt like it was too juvenile for my taste.

I couldn’t relate and grew annoyed at Tia’s character. I felt like she was too emotional and controlling when working with others-not really a team player. I also felt like it was totally unrealistic the way she obsessed and went on and on about running into Leo again-a guy she kissed when she was 16.

I read another book by this author (Once Upon a Summertime) and I enjoyed that one better.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books, a division of of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book
Tia D’Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What’s not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions–the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco–especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.

When the self same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht’s captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the bay at sunset.

About the Author
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than 6.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and the contemporary romance Once Upon a Summertime. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Sea Rose Lane: A Hope Harbor Novel is #2 in a 3 book series by Irene Hannon. Although it says book 2, it can be read as a stand alone book.

I really enjoyed this story! I enjoyed getting to know the main characters BJ and Eric. I loved how passionate BJ was about helping others both in her job and non profit organization called “Helping Hands”. I liked reading about Eric’s struggle with his plans and what direction to take for his life future. All their struggles and questions anyone could relate to.

I also liked the other characters mentioned alot in this book- Eleanor, Luis and Charley. All three had major parts to this story and interactions with BJ and Eric.

I especially liked Eleanor who was an elderly, Christian lady. I could feel her loneliness jump thru the pages of the book which made me teary. Thats the sign of a good book-when you can feel the characters emotions like you were right there with them!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books, a division of of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Book Description:
After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up–only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos–and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who’s invaded the house with her motley crew.

As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

About the author:
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America’s elite Hall of Fame.

Monday July 25th starts week 3 of the 6 week Jessica Smith Summer of Strength challenge.

You can join in at any time! Here’s week 1 schedule and specifics about the challenge:
http://empowermoms.net/2016/07/week-1-alternate-workouts-for-jessica-smith-phase-3-walk-strong-2-0-calendar-summerofstrength.html

Week 2:
http://empowermoms.net/2016/07/week-2-alternate-workouts-for-jessica-smith-phase-3-walk-strong-2-0-calendar-summerofstrength.html

These are WEEK 3 suggestions for an alternate Walking Strong 2.0/Phase 3 calendar if you don’t have the DVDs listed on the calendar. I made up these suggestions entirely on my own and I hope you will find them useful! If you do, please recommend my blog and these posts to others so they can join the fitness challenge.

You can do these suggested workouts along with the 2.0 calendar to get a 60 minute workout; or you can do these workouts in place of whatever dvds you don’t own right now.

I went thru the Walk Strong 2.0 calendar week by week to then find alternate free Jessica Smith TV YouTube workouts that were similar in style and time length. Each alternate workout suggestion is either cardio or strength exactly like the calendar suggests, and is within 5 minutes more or less of the suggested time.

WEEK 3

MONDAY: (need hand weights and mat)
Circuit #3 “Total Body Focus” STRENGTH workout from the Boost Metabolism & Muscle DVD (35 mins)
OR
Total Body Toned (26 mins)

TUESDAY: (need step)
“Stride and Step” CARDIO workout from Burn Fat and Have Fun DVD (30 mins)
OR
Indoor walking workout with a step (36 mins)

WEDNESDAY: (need hand weights)
“Total Body Training” STRENGTH workout from Walk Strong DVD Set (30 mins)
OR
Total Body Fat Burning-Chisel & Burn (30 mins)

OR
Single Sided Strength Total Body (23 mins)

THURSDAY: (need chair)
“Interval Mix” CARDIO workout from Walk Strong DVD Set (30 mins)
OR
High Intensity Interval Training Workout – HIIT It (31 mins)

FRIDAY: (need hand weights)
Barefoot Fusion Sculpt STRENGTH workout from Walk Strong DVD set (30 mins)
OR
20-Minute Barefoot Fusion Sculpt (26 mins)

SATURDAY: (barefoot cardio)
“Core Control” CARDIO workout from Build Balance and Inner Strength DVD (30 mins)
OPTIONAL: Hips and Knees #3 workout from the Gentle Yoga DVD (20 mins)
OR
Cardio Core Flow (25 mins)

OR
Cardio Mat Fusion (34 mins)

SUNDAY:
Active Rest Day

ADDITIONAL WORKOUT SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVE REST OR STRETCHING:

Active cardio flow/Yoga workout (not slow stretching pace) 20 mins:

8 Minute Total Body Stretch with hand towel after a workout (not cold muscles):

30-Minute Stretching, Flexibility Routine: Stretch, Rest and Relax:

10 Minute Flexibility Training Workout:

>>>Be on the look out for Week 4 to be posted here on my blog soon! I will be posting my daily workout pictures and progress on my Instagram page, so make sure you follow me there. I’d love to hear how you are doing with the challenge as well.

Booty Loops- Exercise and Workout Resistance Bands for any Workout- Set of 3 Bands

This is my set of 3 resistance loop bands-light, medium and heavy-that came from Amazon. I ordered them on July 5th but didn’t receive them until July 11th even though I have 2 day prime shipping. Not sure why it took that long, so that was disappointing.

I really like that this band set came with a little colored instructional brochure. I hate getting new fitness equipment pieces with no instructions or ideas on how to use it.

My friend and I played around with the bands doing different strength training and Pilates style movements. I love using the bands for workouts because they are EASY to use and so easy to carry around to use anywhere!

Even the kids had fun using the bands!!

I’m very pleased with this set of 3 bands! I liked the packaging (they were in individual plastic sleeves to keep them separated). I’m also glad that the bands didn’t smell and I could use them right away.

I do have 2 suggestions for the company though. First, shipping needs to be faster. Second, it would be helpful to include a small bag to carry the 3 bands in so they don’t get lost or dirty.

I received this product complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

Description:
Set of three 12′ long resistance bands in varying color coded degrees of difficulty from light, medium and heavy for all skill levels from beginner to advanced.

Add another level to your current workout or exercise routine- open ended allowing greater versatility, easy stretching, toning, and strengthening of harder to reach ligaments, tendons and muscle groups.

Set includes varying degrees of difficulty from light to medium to heavy that can be used individually or grouped together to grow with you as your conditioning increases, giving a rigorous workout regardless of your skill level.

The generous length gives countless possibilities for adding resistance to your workout program including; Yoga, Pilates, Crossfit, physical therapy and any other exercise or workout program. The sky truly is the limit.

Professional grade durable natural latex ensures these bands will hold up no matter how intense your workout is for years and years. They are ready to take what your exercise routine has to dish out.

I am so excited to be partnering with the ROC race this year in DC! I also have a promo code to offer my readers at the end of my post. I am exactly 30 days out and getting really excited about this event!

Have you ever done an obstacle challenge like this before? Any tips for me?

They have a couple of the obstacles listed on their website like: wrecking balls, jump balls, the drop, badger wall, foam of fury etc. I know I’m definitely getting wet at this event! 😉
https://rocrace.com/obstacles

WHAT IS ROC RACE?
With over 400,000 certified ROC Stars and in its 6th year, ROC Race is the original game show-inspired obstacle run featuring larger-than-life obstacles including (but certainly not limited to!) the infamous Wrecking Balls, the menacing Sweeper, the newly re-imagined Jump Balls, and an epic finish line slide down The Hippo – a towering 4 story tall waterslide!

Get ready for the craziest 5K of your life!

ROC Race is an untimed event open to everyone, from couch potatoes to track stars, ages 13 and up. Get your teams and costumes ready, and prepare for an experience you will never forget!

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Your ROC Race registration includes the newly released 2016 Finisher’s Medal along with the brand new 2016 ROC Race Tour Shirt (with the option to upgrade to the high performance technical shirt), free bag drop, entry to the course & access to the all the post-race fun (with beer garden)!!

Make sure to bring cash with you as parking, concessions, and additional merchandise are not included

The current DC price is $68.00 and will be going up to $77 on August 11th. Event is on Saturday August 20th!

Make sure to use my $5 off discount code for the ROC Race in DC: EMPOWER