EmpowerMoms

Deadlock (FBI: Houston #3)by DiAnn Mills

I can’t remember if I’ve read other books in the FBI:Houston series, but it must not matter because I had no problem following this story line and characters. The story line is fast paced, dramatic, and intriguing.

Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who was transferred from civil rights division to violent crimes, is thrown into a serial killer case on her first day on the job with her new partner Special Agent Thatcher Graves. Things start to heat up as more dead bodies appear and Bethany continues to get more and more threatening texts. Thatcher and Bethany have a hard time at first working along side each other but eventually figure out how to work peacefully together. They both try to work thru family and work problems as their faith and patience are greatly tested.

I really enjoyed this book! It had alot of mystery and intrigue. It is a clean, religious, fiction book; but it has adult content due to the nature of the crimes.

I received a copy of this book complimentary from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

Book Description:
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

You can purchase it here:

Biography
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

DiAnn shares about her new novel Deadlock, in this extended interview

What inspired DiAnn Mills to write her new novel, Deadlock

GIVEAWAY! Ends 11/02/2015
Enter here:
https://crazy4fiction.leadpages.co/diann-mills-deadlock-final/

This is Leslie Sansone’s *newest* Fitness Walking DVD!

I posted my review, pictures, personal calorie burn, and the time segments earlier on my blog here:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/leslie-sansone-burn-to-the-beat-full-review-and-pictures.html

I have done this dvd several times since I got it last month. I like the last mile-the super beat-the best!

Did you know there are so many health benefits to fitness walking?

The thing that I love about Leslie Sansone dvds, is that if I want a less impact workout I can just walk her dvds. But if I want a larger calorie burn and faster pace workout; I can do the same DVD but I jog instead of walk and sometimes even use 2 pound hand weights. You can put whatever effort you want into her dvds to make it work for you and your fitness level!

>>WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS DVD?<< Keep reading and enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below!

DVD DESCRIPTION:
Kick start your fitness goal by BURNING TO THE BEAT!

This walk workout gives you the speed you need to get started on your goal of getting fit and boosting your calorie burn! You’ll learn the easy way to increase your speed and intensity simply by increasing the BEAT of the music. These walks are all designed around the beat of customized fitness music for a workout that can take you from a starter speed all the way to a SUPER WALKER speed.

Start with the EASY BEAT MILE. This 20-minute, 3 mph walk is the perfect pace to get you started on your fitness journey.

Then move to the BRISK BEAT MILE. This 15-minute, 4 mph walk is a pace that is brisk enough to give you a big burn!

And finally, try the SUPER BEAT MILE. This 12-minute, 5 mph walk will have you walking— and burning—more like a runner! We are talking BURN… Calorie Burn… and this workout allows you to choose the right pace for you right now—whether that’s an easy burn, a brisk burn, a super burn or all three in a row!

You can order it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

USA mailing addresses only.
Winner has 3 days to respond to winning email before a new winner name is drawn.
Please allow up to 4 weeks for dvd delivery.

***COMING NOVEMBER 2015***
A new book by author Julie Coulter Bellon!

Doesn’t that book cover look amazing?? I can’t wait to read it and will post my review here once I get a copy of this book!

About the Book:
Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications–something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?

Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father’s enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she’ll do anything to bring her home–including walking into the enemy’s lair. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he’s the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?

About the Author:

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of eleven romantic suspense novels. Her book All Fall Down won the RONE award for Best Suspense and Pocket Full of Posies won a RONE Honorable Mention for Best Suspense.

Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she’s visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She loves to read, write, teach, watch Castle, Hawaii Five-O, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.

Julie offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her blog ldswritermom.blogspot.com You can also find out about all her upcoming projects at her website juliebellon.com

This past Sunday I did my virtual 5k “Move More Fitness” Rockstar run. I don’t typically do races on Sunday, but it was raining most of Friday and Saturday. 🙁

Here’s some info about it online:
http://www.movemorefitness.com/rockstar-run.html

I packed up my boys, water bottle, Garmin running watch, and mp3 player and hit the track! My 5 year old ran a little bit with me, but then went off to play on the playground and kick the soccer ball around with his brother.

Later when I was finishing up, my mom and doggie stopped by so I did my cool down walking and stretches with them. I love when my family members join me!

Although it’s very disappointing that after all these years, my run pace hasn’t progressed; I am grateful that my stamina HAS increased! I didn’t have to wear shin splint compression socks AND I didn’t have to use my inhaler!! WIN WIN for me! I don’t particularly enjoy running, but I like fitness walking and I like doing family walks and 5ks. ASICS cross trainers and running shoes are all I wear now and I love them! I love how they fit me and I love the bright colors!

Do you like participating in virtual races?

“The Argument-Free Marriage: 28 Days to Creating the Marriage You’ve Always Wanted with the Spouse You Already Have” by Fawn Weaver

It is suggested that this book be read during a 28 day period so the chapters are written in days and weeks formatting. Each “chapter” is for a specific day and week. I have read thru this book but have not completed the 28 day challenge yet. I will be starting it as a daily challenge this coming week. I really like that at the end of each day, there are journaling/challenge questions to help the reader reflect on the chapter and what they can do differently or what they are currently doing. After reading this book, I KNOW this book can help me be a better spouse and person.

Gary Chapman writes the forward of this book so just reading his testimonial gave me affirmation that this book was worth reading.

For the past 11 years, the author Fawn Weaver has been speaking to others about her thoughts on a happy marriage.

I love that on day 1 she asks the question, “WHY did you choose your spouse”? “WHAT made you choose your spouse? Out of the seven billion people in the word, what was so special about him or her that caused you to forsake all others?” She goes on to say that if the reader keeps this question in mind, they will have a more fulfilling journey during the 28 day challenge.

The author states at the very beginning of this book, that this book and challenge ARE NOT intended for people who are in an abuse relationship. Just keep that in mind when sharing this book with others.

She says, “The plan for an argument-free marriage is simple: stop the arguments; and then restore, revive, and re-energize the intimacy in your relationship.”

I like that she addresses the definition and gives examples of an argument versus a discussion in day 2 reading. I feel like that is very important to read and distinguish the differences between those 2 words and actions.

In day 3 she talks about PLAN B, which I’m sorry to say that because I was previously divorced at a very young age (age 20!) I have a tendency to want to protect myself from getting hurt again that I feel myself thinking about Plan B sometimes. WHICH IS WRONG! and I plan to change that! I agree that if you have a plan B, or “just in case” thoughts, you are not fully ready for this challenge or book. “We live in a society of plan Bs”.

I like that the author shares personal experiences-good and bad-as examples on how to achieve an argument free marriage.

I found this book very inspiring and I’m hoping that if I stay consistent with this 28 day challenge along with prayer, that I can become a more Godly woman and wife.

I received this book complimentary from booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

YOU CAN JOIN THE FREE HAPPY WIVES CLUB and newsletter here:
http://www.happywivesclub.com/join-happy-wives-club/

https://www.facebook.com/happywivesclub

About the book:
Is an argument-free marriage possible? Fawn Weaver’s answer is yes, absolutely, even when one or both partners are strong willed, independent, and opinionated. (She admits to being all three.) In this groundbreaking book, the best-selling author and award-winning marriage blogger asks readers to invest twenty-eight days in learning how to live together without bickering, blame, angry outbursts, or silent treatments.

Fawn begins with the startling premise that, contrary to popular opinion, conflict in marriage is not necessary or inevitable. Then she leads readers on a day-by-day journey toward a more peaceful and supportive relationship. Chapter by brief chapter, she offers fresh perspectives and practical strategies for communicating effectively, building understanding, and defusing anger while at the same time nurturing honesty, vulnerability, and mutual support.

You can purchase a copy of the book here:

Biography
Fawn Weaver, a USA Today and New York Times and bestselling author, is an investor, marriage advocate, TEDx alum and the founder of the Happy Wives Club, a community of nearly 1,000,000 women in more than 110 countries.

The Club’s website, HappyWivesClub.com, is an upbeat blog dedicated to positively changing the tone about marriage. Twice named the Best Marriage Site on the web by About.com, HappyWivesClub.com is the go-to place for women wanting to read about the “sunny side” of marriage and get tips on taking a marriage from good to great and from great to extraordinary.

Happy Wives Club, Weaver’s debut book is a journey to 12 countries and 6 continents in search of the universal secret to a happy marriage. Weaver’s next book the Argument-Free Marriage, takes couples through a 28-day day challenge to creating the marriage of their dreams with the spouse they already have.