Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday - Week 51: Anything Goes!

Good morning everyone! Welcome to Choosday. We've got a new Digi Choosday challenge, and a new DISCOUNT CODE for the Polkadoodles shop! Head over to the blog to grab it before your shopping spree!

Today's challenge is, as always, Anything Goes!

I LOVE a slimline card! Add in some interaction and it's a WINNER for sure! What's not to love with this ice skating action? Bella Bear is gliding over to see her friend Agnes Elephant on the ice. 

The entire scene is hand-colored using Copic markers. Fluffy clouds courtesy of the cloud landscape stencil and Distress Oxide inks. A lovely pine from the Layering Trees die finishes off the scene!  but popped it up on foam tape for some dimension.

Don't forget to head over to the blog to grab today's discount code! Then shop your heart out. Choosday is the best day!

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

Catch the Bug Clean & Simple (2/3)
Crafter's Castle #32 AG (2/3)

Art Impressions Quick & Simple (2/3)
Creative Fingers - #191: AG (2/3)
QKR Stampede - #402: AG (2/3)
Pattie's Creations #173 AG (2/3)

Be sure to join in to our Anything Goes challenge via the link up at the Digi Choosday blog for your chance to win! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

The Ace and the Assistant - Review

 

⭐️The Ace and The Assistant IS LIVE!!⭐️

 

He’s the recently divorced veteran player and she’s the teammate’s “little sister” who comes to his rescue.

 

⭐Download The Ace and The Assistant Now:

Amazon (all): https://geni.us/TheAceandTheAssistant

 

*Free in Kindle Unlimited*

GOODREADS:

BOOK LINK: https://bit.ly/2K0oRF8

 

BOOKBUB:

Link: https://bit.ly/3oSHs4D

My review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow!! You guys...

I love Ross and Casey. The Ace and the Assistant was SUCH a great read! The story is just classic Jiffy Kate – fun & sweet, sassy & smart, swoony & heartfelt...there are not enough adjectives to describe my adoration. This dynamic writing duo has rocketed onto my one-click/must read list

One thing I really love about the writing – it’s all about the couple. The use of secondary characters to support them and help tell the story is right where it should be, and there is so much truth in their hopes & fears that you’re just completely enmeshed in their lives, invested in their HEA. You know the HEA is coming – of course it’s coming. You’d be pretty wrecked if it didn’t, don’t lie. But as with most things in life, it’s the journey that gets ya. The friendship between Casey & Ross, the support they showed for one another as they both navigated their situation and their futures – that’s what makes it. I was pleased that there wasn’t any kind of “quick rush to the altar” for either character due to the pregnancy surprise. The realism and relatability; flaws and evolution of the couple are what make you root for them.

I’m out of words, because there's no way to do it justice except to say: Go. Read. Swoon. Cry. Laugh. Love.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. But, I would have bought it – without question.

My general rating rationale:

3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.

4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.

5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it.

Polkadoodles' Gems - Week 26: Anything Goes!

Good morning everyone. It's Saturday - time for a new Gem of a Challenge from Polkadoodles! You can find our challenge blog here: A Gem of a Challenge. 

Are you ready for this week's TOO CUTENESS? I'm just LOVE-loving the Christmas Fishes digi set - cute, punny and perfect for all your Christmas card needs!

I've used elements from the Christmas Fishes Big Kahuna bundle for my project - can't go wrong with a good pun! I built this underwater scene with this fun background plate die and different colors of blue cardstock. Nuvo drops complete the scene with their bubbly fun!

Our Gem of a Challenge challenges run for 2 weeks, so you've got lots of time to link up, and they are ALWAYS Anything Goes! Visit the challenge blog HERE. 

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

Crafty Catz #530: AG (1/3)
Colour Crazy #48 AG (1/3)

Creative Fingers #198: AG (1/3)
Cut It Up #191: AG (1/3)
QKR Stampede - #402: AG (1/3)
Pattie's Creations #177: AG (1/3)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Review: Floored by Karla Sorensen

Title: Floored

Author: Karla Sorensen

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: December 9, 2020

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

If you've ever had a steamy one-night stand with a British football player and then find yourself pregnant with his baby, you know how Lia Ward feels.

To be fair, Lia didn't know who Jude McAllister was when they met.

Studying abroad for her master's program, all she knows is that she's a little lonely and he's very charming, even as they have an epically sexy argument about which type of football is superior.

In Jude's mind, shagging the feisty American girl is exactly what he needs. He’s been fighting the clock of his long-standing football career and the younger players primed to take his position. Proving that he can feel like his old self again—something he's been trying to do with everyone in his life—should be easier after blowing off steam with Lia.

But oh baby, when a plus sign pops up on Lia's pregnancy test, that 'one night' becomes a whole lot more.

Now Lia and Jude have to navigate their impossible-to-ignore chemistry, and prepare for the parenting game, something neither of them know how to play.

"All the English countryside stars for this awesomeness. It’s getting one of my rare 6 stars... I’ve read over 400 books this year and have only given 8 x 6 stars so that tells you just how much I loved this book!!" - Claypot Reads

"Karla Sorensen nailed the angsty and steamy feels once again in Floored. This unique sports romance was full of intense emotions and all consuming romance goodness. She never fails to bring out the best and the worst in me with her brilliant writing." (PP’s Bookshelf)

“Karla Sorensen delivers on all the things I love the best: the chemistry, the banter, the sweet steady burn that holds my heart in thrall and keeps my greedy little reader heart hungry for more. Floored delivered on all those things and more!” (Jennifer, Goodreads Review)

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job. I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever.

HOSTED BY:

MY REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You. Guys. I’m so in love with the Wards - and ALL their circle. I can’t even pick a favorite. Tied for first!

Sorensen has done such an incredible job creating this series. The depth of character; angsty, feisty, steamy, snarky, heartfelt, swoony, unconditionally loyal perfection of their family dynamic...there are not enough adjectives to describe my adoration. I feel like Wayne or Garth in the midst of a “we’re not worthy” declaration.

Lia Ward is the serious sister. Big dreams, big goals, and a big opportunity await her during her semester abroad studying at Oxford. Sprinkle in homesickness, add a dash of seize the moment, cue the “chance encounter with a handsome stranger”, top it with accidental pregnancy, and you’ve got a winning recipe in Sorensen’s gifted hands. I’ve been looking forward to Lia’s book because of her sassy smart personality. This book is absolutely a stand-alone, but I think you’ll get maximum enjoyment if you get to know the rest of the Washington Wolves family in advance.

A few things I love about Sorensen’s writing – she’s all about the couple. She uses the secondary characters to support them and help tell the story, but there is so much truth in their hopes & fears that you’re just completely enmeshed in their lives, invested in their HEA. You know the HEA is coming – of course it’s coming. You’d be pretty wrecked if it didn’t, don’t lie. But as with most things in life, it’s the journey that gets ya. I cried...a bunch of times. The relationship between Lia and Jude may have started out as superficial in those early moments, but it quickly became anything but. The friendship they developed, support they showed for one another as they grew – that’s what makes it. I was pleased that it wasn’t a rush to the altar due to the pregnancy. The realism and relatability; flaws and evolution of the couple make you root for their HEA.

I’m out of words, because there's no way to do it justice except to say: Go. Read. Swoon. Cry. Laugh. Love.

My general rating rationale:

3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.

4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.

5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it.

Polkadoodles' Digi Choosday - Week #49: Anything Goes!

Good morning everyone! Welcome to Choosday. We've got a new Digi Choosday challenge, and a new DISCOUNT CODE for the Polkadoodles shop! Head over to the blog to grab it before your shopping spree!

Today's challenge is, as always, Anything Goes!

I LOVE a slimline card! Today I've built a frosty underwater scene using lots of images and elements from the Too Cute Christmas Fishes Big Kahuna bundle. I've got lots of mixed and matched cuties here, along with that "punny" Santa Claws sentiment. I created the scene digitally by merging the different images.

The entire scene is hand-colored using Copic markers. I've added some Nuvo drops on the fish and as bubbles in the water. The sun rays were hand drawn using a stencil guide (Scene It), and then colored with markers. I added some extra bubbles using FSJ white pigment ink and my Making Waves stencil. Slimline dies from Gina Marie Designs (Plain and Scalloped). The sentiment flag die is from this Mini Frame set, and I colored it the same sandy tones, but popped it up on foam tape for some dimension.

Don't forget to head over to the blog to grab today's discount code! Then shop your heart out. Choosday is the best day!

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

Catch the Bug Clean & Simple (2/3)
Crafter's Castle #32 AG (2/3)

Art Impressions Quick & Simple (2/3)
Creative Fingers - #191: AG (2/3)
QKR Stampede - #402: AG (2/3)
Pattie's Creations #173 AG (2/3)

Be sure to join in to our Anything Goes challenge via the link up at the Digi Choosday blog for your chance to win! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Polkadoodles' Gems Challenge - Week #25: Anything Goes!

Good morning everyone. It's Saturday - time for a new Gem of a Challenge from Polkadoodles! You can find our challenge blog here: A Gem of a Challenge. 

Are you ready for this week's TOO CUTENESS? I'm just LOVE-loving the Christmas Fishes digi set - cute, punny and perfect for all your Christmas card needs!

I've used multiple elements from the Christmas Fishes Big Kahuna bundle for my project - they are part of the BRAND NEW Too Cute release and I LOVE them!! Right now you can get a deal on the new Too Cuteness using code KCSAVE40, so shop now!

I've used papers from Little Dudes and Winnie Sunshine Delights to create the background layers for these sweet fish. Super Sprig and Fancy Snowflake cutting dies complete the scene.

Our Gem of a Challenge challenges run for 2 weeks, so you've got lots of time to link up, and they are ALWAYS Anything Goes! Visit the challenge blog HERE. 

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

Crafty Catz #530: AG (1/3)
Colour Crazy #48 AG (1/3)

Creative Fingers #198: AG (1/3)
Cut It Up #191: AG (1/3)
QKR Stampede - #402: AG (1/3)
Pattie's Creations #177: AG (1/3)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!