Showing posts with label #adventure. Show all posts

Why We're Ditching The Conventional Lifestyle And Daring To Live


As you guys know, we’ve been renovating our RV. We’d be totally done by now if the weather wasn’t so miserably hot and humid last summer.

Those of you who have been following me know that Kevin and I were going to start a YouTube Channel to document our journey.

. . . Well, Kevin started it, posted up some content, and today we filmed an About Us episode. We’re totally newbies, but hey, every pro was once a newbie.

Growth begins and magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone.



Natural Therapy That Works


There are points in our lives where we need time to decompress, relax, and allow our soul to catch up with our body and clear our mind from the stress and bullshit life tends to throw at us.

What does one do to recharge her or himself and live a positive and healthy life?

. . . Well, it depends on the person, but there’s a beautiful, nonjudgmental therapist waiting for all of us. She doesn’t care what color we are, if we’re straight, gay, bi, trans, etc.

She’s glorious and sometimes menopausal.

She’s nature

What’s sad is a lot of people overlook nature’s beauty and what we can learn from it. Instead, they’re too busy paying attention to their cell phones, unaware of what’s around them.

Does anyone ever look up at the sky and make shapes out of clouds anymore?

We do, and I wonder if anyone else does.

We go outside and explore as much as we can and will eventually be living off-grid. 

Our way of life and the life we're creating for ourselves doesn't make us better or lesser than anybody else. 

We all have our own paths to follow (no pun intended).

-But, I have to tell ya, being out in nature is good for the soul.

Seriously.

It's therapy.

Try it.

You’d be amazed at how much better you’d feel after wandering around outside like you used to do when you were a kid.

If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.

Here are some recent pictures of our adventures in the woods.

We decided to try out our big ass backpacks on this trip to see how well we'd do.

Kevin did excellent. 

He was in his element. 

In fact, he was walking too fast for my short legs to keep pace with him, and he ended up way ahead of me. I had to call out to him to slow down. He apologized and said it was his Army training that kicked in, and he didn't realize it until I said something. LOL




. . . And then there was me with my big ass backpack. This was the first time I’d ever worn it while hiking. It was comfortable, however, I couldn’t explore like I wanted to, so I decided next time I’d try my smaller pack instead.
-So, on the next trip we wore our smaller packs.


Kevin prefers his bigger one, but I prefer this one instead.




We had a great time.




It started to rain when we were a mile and a half away from our destination.

Good thing we have kickass rain gear.



We had so much fun! 

Adventures are good for the mind, body, and soul.

Mother nature is the best therapist ever. 

 . . . And it’s free!



What Is My Crazy Future Plan?

So how do you like my new revamp blog?

I’m digging it and will probably play around with it later.

Why would I change my blog?

I’m moving into a totally different direction in my life that’ll eventually have to do with writing, travel, and adventure.

Eventually.

This is a year or so plan in the making.

What’s the plan?

The hubster and I bought this RV A.K.A. Aesop, last September.





Once the weather warms up, we’re going to renovate it and make it our own.

Here’s what it looks like inside right now.











It’s the total Vegas look.

Gag.

We’re going to rip up that nasty carpet, put down like a barn wood flooring, get rid of the blue velvet and brass and paint the cabinets among other things.

We’re going to document the whole renovation, so I’ll share it with you.

What’s the plan?

The hubster and I are going to travel the U.S. in our RV and be digital nomads. We’ll be creating a documentary about our adventures/travel, and I’ll continue to write as well as put other social media content out.

I just opened an Etsy store called: DARETOLIVESHOP. It’s another way to hopefully bring in some extra cash to help fund our documentary. Right now, there are cool inspirational t-shirts to buy. I’m still working on putting other products in my shop, and I’m having fun doing it. Here’s the link if you want to check it outà https://www.etsy.com/shop/DARETOLIVESHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect

It’s also on one of the tabs above.


Anyway, that’s my crazy plan—travel the US as a digital nomad in my RV and living off grid—and I'm so happy and excited about it. 


I’ll be doing an update on my current writing in progress soon.

Cheers!


Surprising and Exciting Turn Of Events

Hi Everyone.

2018 is a year of change for me.

Big change.

But believe it or not, there will be even bigger changes for me in the future.

Life-changing.

#futureplansinthemaking



I’m going to keep this post short, so if you want to know more along the way, keep checking back.

One of the changes is going to be this blog. I love Blogger and I love the way my site looks. It’s so cute.

Love it!

However, the life-changing events in my life demands for me to revamp this blog, therefore, in the near future it’ll be under construction. Once it’s done, I think we’ll all love it . . . or must of us. We can’t please everyone, right? I can see in my head how I want it. Now it’s a matter of putting that same picture into the web designer’s head. But it’s going to be a mixture of my books/writing/travel/adventure/inspiration

So that’s one change out of many in my life that will occur this year, and I thought I’d tell you that one straight up since you visit my blog and you’re awesome. J

I don’t know if you've noticed but my rebekkahford.com link I had redirected to here. So now this blog has two links.

Why did I get rid of my Wordpress landing page for my books and had the URL redirected to Wandering Thoughts of a Writer?

Honestly, Wordpress is a pain in my ass. I’ve had it for a few years and from the start, I’ve had nothing but technical problems, and I’m not techy. I wish I had the techy brain for it, but I don’t. So I kicked Wordpress to the curb.

Anyway, once the new and improved blog is live, I’ll share with you the decision the hubster and I made that’s going to change our lives and leave some people scratching their heads.






New Release! Rosinanti by #Author Kevin J. Kessler



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Rosinanti (The Rosinanti Series Book 1)



By Kevin J. Kessler


Genre: Fantasy Action Adventure


238 pages


BLURB:


The Rosinanti Dragons are no more. Since their extinction nearly one thousand years ago these primal powerhouses have fallen into the obscurity of history’s forgotten lore. In that time, humans have come to dominate the world of Terra, peacefully ignorant to one horrifying truth: ancient evil stirs around them, waiting to reclaim its lost world. For Valentean Burai, animus warrior of the kingdom of Kackritta, the details surrounding humanity’s victory over the Rosinanti are more than just a history lesson. The long-buried mysteries of this archaic conflict may hold the answers that he has so desperately sought regarding his own past. As the awful truth of the Rosinanti’s supposed demise comes to light, Valentean must stand together with Seraphina, a magically gifted princess, to embark upon a mission to maintain order and light throughout Terra. Only together can these two lifelong friends face down the resurgence of the Rosinanti legacy, and combat the greatest threat their world has ever known.





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Also Available in Kindle Unlimited and Paperback



5 OUT OF 5 STARS!!!


“Brilliant” ~ Tim Hamlin


“MUST READ FANTASY” ~ Peace & Patriots


“What a way to make a debut!!!!!!!” ~ Allie


“An amazing page turner by Kevin Kessler” ~ Amazon Customer







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ALSO AVAILABLE


Rosinanti: The Decimation of Casid (A Rosinanti Novella, Volume 1.5)
By Kevin J. Kessler


Genre: Fantasy Action Adventure

58 pages


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While an entire world away, men turn into dragons and ancient magic ignites the air, Casid lived on in peaceful ignorance. This tiny village and its people existed outside of the conflict which threatened to swallow Terra, until the day chaos itself landed upon its shores.


Now, one lone warrior seeks to protect his family, his friends, and the woman he loves as demons rise from the flames to burn everything he has ever loved to ash. This man is no god, no fundamental force of nature. He is simply a man, alone against the fury of chaos.


Casid will be decimated, consumed by the same blaze which threatens to overtake all of Terra. But what will rise from the ashes of this once perfect haven, forged in the fires of tragedy and loss, might become the most fearsome opponent the darkness has ever known.





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Also Available in Kindle Unlimited and Paperback






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AUTHOR BIO


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Kevin J. Kessler lives in Orlando Florida, where he owns the White Dragon Podcast Network, which puts out weekly podcasts on a variety of topics from Walt Disney World, to movies, television, comic books, video games and more.


A lifelong geek, Kessler can often be found at the many theme parks and local attractions in Orlando.


He developed the story for Rosinanti as a sophomore in high school, sixteen years before the book’s release.


Since an early age, Kessler has been an avid reader, often found lost within the magical worlds found within the pages of fantasy novels.


"It was always my dream to create such a world of my very own," he said. "Even as a kid when my friends would want to play Power Rangers or X-Men, I would always create a new Ranger or Mutant rather than portray an established character. There is power in creativity! Creativity breeds creation!"


CONNECT ONLINE!


OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.authorkevinjkessler.com



TWITTER: @KevinJKessler


INSTAGRAM: @WhiteDragonPN


OFFICIAL ROSINANTI FAN GROUP: www.facebook.com/groups/rosinanti





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Cover Reveal! Cogling by #Author Jordan Elizabeth & #Giveaway!

COGLING

A Steampunk Fairy Tale for Young Adults
who love a little Romance in their Adventures


When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother's neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags' swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

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COGLING has already gained advanced praise from NY Times Bestselling author Maria V. Snyder!
“This is a fun YA Steampunk novel. It's very different than many other Steampunk stories I've read. Basic plot is Edna's brother is kidnapped by hags and replaced with a "cogling" and she's on a mission to find and rescue her brother. The world is a Victorian-era with a strict class system for the humans and for those with magic. The woman with magic are called hags and the men with magic are orges and they're not nice and are planning to change the system. I really enjoyed learning about the world and the characters are well drawn and engaging.”

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Check out COGLING on GoodReads and Curiosity Quills.



Meet the author – Jordan Elizabeth Mierek lives in a dream world. Sometimes she comes out to do her day job, but most of the time she is writing about her favorite people – her characters! COGLING is her fourth book. Her previous steampunk series, the Treasure Chronicles, include TREASURE DARKLY and BORN OF TREASURE. Her debut novel, ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, is a young adult fantasy-horror. You can find her short stories in numerous anthologies. Check out her website, JordanElizabethMierek.com, for contests and bonus stories!


Win a steampunk necklace!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour! Blood In The Water Warp Weavers by #Author Tash Mcadam








Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MtINrb
Purchase on B&N: http://bit.ly/1ExFSr7
Purchase on iBooks: http://apple.co/1E0aW80


There have always been warps—tears between realities—and they’ve always been a threat to humanity. Most people are blind to them. But Hallie’s eyes are opening. Now that she’s going to school at the Protectorate, she’s learning there’s more to life than fun and games.

The truth is, she’s just become part of Earth’s only shield against the monsters of the warps. Before, she didn’t think she was anything special. Now, yanked from her relatively normal life, she realizes that she doesn’t have a choice.

When the emergency alarm sounds, calling everyone in the school to arms, even the young and inexperienced are needed. As one of the warp weavers—capable of closing the warps and stopping the monsters—Hallie must now work to save lives. And she must do it in the most complicated situation she’s ever experienced. Because there are sea serpents in the Thames, and Hallie has to close the doors that are letting them in.

The problem is, they’re underwater, and they’re hungry.

Now everyone is relying on her, and Hallie must find a way to do her job—with a brand new partner—before it’s too late. Because if she fails she’ll die, along with everyone who’s depending on her.

Excerpt:


The team next to us glides to the edge of the wharf and drops into the water, the weight of the girls plunging the whole apparatus under.
I flinch in shock, and Ruble pats my hand. The gleaming container pops to the surface as I watch, just metres from our feet, and slides off over the water, leaning forward. Like a Segway—a floating, water-riding Segway made of magic. In it, Louise is wielding the fierce-looking gun she’d been assembling in the van, while her partner crouches in front of her, one hand pressed against the inside of the bubble. A viciously serrated tail punctures the water surface next to them, but they’re already spinning out of the way, as if they’d seen it coming. Louise fires, the sound muffled by distance, and gleaming purple blood flowers on the chalky tail, which splashes back into the water, raising a huge wave that almost capsizes the team.
I realize I’m pressed extremely tightly against Ruble’s back, and that he’s been talking for the past few minutes, and groan under my breath. Can’t you listen to one thing, Hallie, ever?
“Are you ready?” His voice is thrumming with excitement. No, no, I didn’t hear a word you just said, and I have no idea what you need from me or what I’m doing. 



Release Day Blitz! The Amber Voyeur by #Author Ravyn Rayne

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Title: The Amber Voyeur

Series: Gem Apocalypse Book Two

Author: Ravyn Rayne

Publisher: Blushing Books

Genre: Dystopian Erotica

Expected Release: July 20th, 2015

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No longer safe in Brayleigh, Aria and James travel by ship to find refuge and discover what’s left of the world.

Dangerous seas and pirates lurking are only the start of their troubles. Forced off the boat with nothing but the clothes on their back, the crew and passengers make it to a nearby island, only to be abducted by the Knight Tribe, a clan of romantic warriors with a voyeuristic culture and a taste for nightly entertainment.

Get swept away in this dystopian erotic adventure, brimming with romance, spankings, and betrayal.





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Excerpt


The hum of the engine died, and Aria heard the scream of unfamiliar words in a language she didn't recognize. Shots were fired in every direction forcing her to duck, throwing herself onto the floor of the ship.

James lay right beside her, covering Aria with his body, shielding her from danger. She didn't have the courage to ask what happened.

The warmth and security Aria felt from James vanished. A man covered in tattoos, his arms a canvas of ink, grabbed James by the arm and dragged him across the room. The second man accompanying him lifted Aria from the floor and escorted her up the stairwell. James walked just a few feet in front. The man dropped his hold on her as the passageway narrowed. A gun pressed into her back, a constant reminder of danger. Aria couldn't fight without risking her life. She hoped these men would steal what goods they came for and then leave.

Forced outside, the lifeboats were just a few feet away.

The sun began to set, and the sky twinkled like a sapphire without a cloud in the heavens.

Even at dusk, beads of sweat trickled against Aria's forehead. Her black shirt stuck to her back, the cargo pants she wore were too hot for this climate. She didn't dare ask where they were; she didn't believe anyone would answer.

They were forced against the wall. Would the lifeboats even float anymore? The old luxury cruise liner's paint faded from years of sun exposure. What would it have been like fifty years ago, before the devastation and destruction that their parents created, taking a luxury cruise? She would never know. The Gem Apocalypse had resulted in a war with only survivors, no heroes.

"Move!" the man behind Aria said. His gun dug further into her back, and she pushed forward on James's heels. "Down!"

They got down onto the ground with the other crew and passengers. Six men towered over them with guns. Aria was unfamiliar with the weapons, as they were larger than the ones the guards carried at the palace.

"We'll be okay," James said as he sat beside Aria, reaching for her hand.

Aria wanted to ask him how he could know that without a doubt. Hope shrank like a beacon of light fading in the distance. These men were thieves. She could smell the treachery and greed from where she sat. How did they end up here?







Amber Voyeur





Grab the First Book in the Series






TheEmeraldVirgin Gem Apocalypse by Ravyn Rayne

The Emerald Virgin

Gem Apocalypse Book One

Author: Ravyn Rayne

Publisher: Blushing Books

Published: June 19, 2015


Emerald – a girl with green eyes and a rarity after the horrific genocide that slaughtered millions.

After the war, King Gideon rose in power. A lust-filled and greedy king that believed in the power of slavery.

At eighteen, women were required to come before King Gideon and his four sons, to offer themselves as a courtesan. The princes took only those they found most attractive and alluring. The rest were returned to their homes with a brand on their wrist proving they had been through the process and rejected. Ignoring the ritual was punishable by death.

Aria Stone had been kept hidden from the princes and the ceremony, because she was an Emerald. At twenty-three, the royal guards storm her home, murder her mother, and drag her to court. She must face the four princes.

A dystopian erotic adventure.






About the Author


Ravyn RayneRavyn is a sassy, fun-loving, and adventure-seeking young woman. She loves to travel and can’t wait for her next vacation, wherever it might be.


Ravyn writes romantic erotica. She began writing romance novels in college, spending her down time either reading a book or writing fiction. Please don’t make her choose between the two, she loves them equally.


Although BURNING DESIRE is her debut romantic erotica novel, it is not her first published book. She has been published professionally since 2013. You can find her other books here.




Release Day Blitz! The Emerald Virgin by #Author Ravyn Rayne

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Title: The Emerald Virgin



Series: Gem Apocalypse Book OneTheEmeraldVirgin_500x755 (2)



Author: Ravyn Rayne



Publisher: Blushing Books



Published: June 19th, 2015



Genre: Dystopian Erotica


Blurb:

Emerald – a girl with green eyes and a rarity after the horrific genocide that slaughtered millions.

After the war, King Gideon rose in power. A lust-filled and greedy king that believed in the power of slavery.

At eighteen, women were required to come before King Gideon and his four sons, to offer themselves as a courtesan. The princes took only those they found most attractive and alluring. The rest were returned to their homes with a brand on their wrist proving they had been through the process and rejected. Ignoring the ritual was punishable by death.

Aria Stone had been kept hidden from the princes and the ceremony, because she was an Emerald. At twenty-three, the royal guards storm her home, murder her mother, and drag her to court. She must face the four princes.

A dystopian erotic adventure.








Available for a limited time price of $2.99 on AMAZON


Coming to Barnes & Noble and Blushing Books on June 23rd





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Excerpt






"You are a handful. I should have known that's why Henry walked right on by without so much as a second glance. For a brother that likes gems, he must have known the trouble one would cause."

Aria sneered at James. "Tell me you don't believe it." Emeralds, people with green eyes, are known to be power and money hungry. Does James think that about her? It's not true. No part of the belief system created to destroy the world in genocide was true. How could James think of her like that? She may not be easy or pleasant at times, but she wasn't what the enemy said.

James shifted in his seat. "Of course not, but you are trouble. I can see it in you, the rebellious streak. My father will beat it out of you."

"So what? I'm supposed to pretend it doesn't bother me that he ordered the execution of my mother and dragged me from my home, drugged me, stripped me naked, and stole my freedom? No part of what you and your father are doing is okay."

James grimaced. "I am sorry about your mother. I can't change our world, but I can protect you here."












Four Questions with the Author






The Gem Apocalypse series has quite a bit to do with eye color, what color eyes do you have?


Mine are green. I guess you could say authors always find ways to pull elements of themselves or real life into their stories.


Speaking of real life elements, do you use any true stories in your fiction?

Fiction is that for a reason. My life wouldn't make a great book (at least not a romance novel). With that being said, Dating Wars (Federal Agent Chronicles Book 2) does delve a little into some real dating horror stories that I've experienced. A few are true, some are fictitious. I'll let you be the judge.


First dystopian novel you read and fell in love with?

In college I read The Handmaid's Tale for a Sociology class. I loved the novel and quite honestly it was probably the first book I ever read for school that I went back to read other works by that author. At the time I read it, I thought it more science fiction (and it is). I had no idea there was a category called Dystopian fiction.


Will we get to see more of the other brothers, especially those that have a little less book time?

I would love to do that! The plan is to do a spin-off series featuring Aaron and maybe some time with Henry too, along with more of the courtesans.







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Ravyn RayneAbout the Author



Ravyn is a sassy, fun-loving, and adventure-seeking young woman. She loves to travel and can’t wait for her next vacation, wherever it might be.


Ravyn writes romantic erotica. She began writing romance novels in college, spending her down time either reading a book or writing fiction. Please don’t make her choose between the two, she loves them equally.


Although BURNING DESIRE is her debut romantic erotica novel, it is not her first published book. She has been published professionally since 2013. You can find her other books here.