What am I Gifted at?? 9/18/2015

Gifted by definition: is having exceptional talent or natural ability. Up to now I really never put much effort in thinking about something I am exceptional at.  After careful consideration I have decided on a couple things that do come extremely natural to me.

I Olivia W. Trujillo am gifted at creativity, I am drawn like a moth to a flame at anything crafty. When I see some art or necklace or crafty idea my first reaction is "Oh I can do that".  I love making and tinkering and pouring creativity to a task, it gives me great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

So as I think about being good at something I am also gifted with honesty, or being truthful. I find most people really don't want your "real opinion" they just want to you tell them what they are trying to hear. Since starting my yatra with yoga training I have been thinking what is truth? I mean somethings do depend on perception. But as for myself I feel good about not Lying to others or myself. So maybe that is my honesty. I try to lead my life in a fashion to be open to others thoughts and taste them for myself, I actually love talking to people that have extremely different views than myself (to a degree) just to push past my own thoughts and ideas and to try on others views.  In the gift of honesty I do also try to own my own shit: meaning when I am wrong I admit it, to myself and others.

Following through is another attribute I think could be a gift. When I start something I have a  need to see it to the end. This also rings true when I give another my word. If say I am going to do something it will get done. While I type this I am starting to see why Catherine gave this assignment to us. These gifts I have been given have had no light shed on them until now. I spend way too much time pouring energy into the wrong things like doubt & fear.

I could also say that another gift would be the ability to preserver. Reminiscing of last year when I had an ectopic pregnancy the feeling of brokenness and the scar that throbbed as a reminder seemed to always be present. Today talking about it still brings me to tears. But, and there is a but I feel that the scar has been a reminder of : (love this quote and I believe it to be true for me at least)

“My scars tell a story. They are a reminder of times when life tried to break me, but failed. They are markings of where the structure of my character was welded.” Steve Maraboli~

Crazy as I keep delving in to the ideas of "gifts" each one I throw down on the page brings me to the idea that I am more than I ever considered. That as I take the time to reflect on "ME" I have so much inside.

I am also a lover, a lover of all things people, animals, quotes, books and too many other things to write. Loving comes easy the giving of myself warms and helps to weld my cracks together. And Lord do I feel like I have some deep grooves in my being that need it. I think I have enough cracks left for the light to enter. (wink)

"The wound is where the light enters" Rumi ~

With is quote maybe I need less welding...lol and more love and light to shine into those dark places in my mind and heart.  I find that being vulnerable has awakened a different version of me. One that has to reflect on what is really going on inside. Funny when I have been most open with another my direct reaction afterward was "oh shit" is there a retract button. What if they see me the real me and I am lacking.  But if I am being honest, being vulnerable and sharing is just connecting with another person and myself.

Namaste~

Most recently I had this crazy thought about love.

I currently am about to start my training to be a Yoga Instructor, and on the way to the studio I wanted reassurance from my man that I could do this. That I was good enough. When I was about to leave I stalled just waiting there, holding out for him to say "you're going to be great". That didn't happen. But he did kiss me and tell me he loved me. My thought was in the I love you I was given is it the same as you're going to be great. Does "I Love You" cover it all? This brought me way back to a conversation I had with a dear friend. She was upset due to her boyfriend never complimented her. I told her if he never says " you're beautiful" does it make it any less so. This brings me to the idea that I was wanting reassurance for a choice I know was right for me but having another agree would what? Make it better? Give ME more confidence? So in the spirit of self acceptance I reassured myself, with you know you're good enough. You have the passion and the drive not to mention the timing is so spot on. Go for it! You can do it! Not to mention I do believe that the "I love you said it all". It told me that he sees me accepts me and my choices. Now I need to stop depending on others thoughts and go with my gut! Namaste~

Keir (Redemption #1)

Keir by Pippa Jay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In the quest for the next Sci-Fi book I stumbled across Keir. I received this ARC for an Honest review~

Quinn has been traveling through time and space on a quest to find Rulk. The one being that essentially took everything from her without a second glance. Upon her journey she crossed paths with Keir. Keir, segrogated and banished from all around him do to his Blue skin coloring he was deemed a demon. Their story is one of emotional growth and love.

I actually found this book hard to focus on. When the plot thickened and a secondary story was churning in the background I was confused. I went back and read..lol I also found the names to be hard to pronounce. This may seem odd for some but I do enjoy understanding a character by being able to pronounce their name. Quinn was really hard to empathize with she was kinda flighty and all over the place. I understood what she went through and what made her tick but I didn't connect with her on the page. What also was a downer for me was the way the writing switched to depict who was talking. Quinn's speech was written like a normal person would talk, whereas Keir when voicing his mind on the page was portrayed as one who spoke like he just learned each word, very proper for someone who grew up hiding from society. The book was slow and I really didn't feel like the pace picked up even during the action. I can only imagine the story line will grow with the next book.


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Dark Redemption (Dark Paradise #3)

Dark Redemption by Angie Sandro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read the two prior books before Dark Redemption and my one true regret is I waited so long to read this last book!! This series is gritty and raw it is packed full of emotion and some crazy life or death situations. Think Paranormal murder mystery in the Bayou.

Dark Redemption is just that a dark journey Mala and Landry go through for redemption. Their Journey is not just dark but the trials they face test the very essence of their souls. Deep Right?! Angie Sandro pours life into her characters you feel like you know them and their family. The Louisiana country living is well depicted and easy to visualize. By the books end I felt as if I watched an amazing movie..lol
Mala and Landry are trying to pick up the shattered remnants of their lives. Dee is in a coma. The Acker boys have no family besides Mala, Landry and his dad are helping where they can. In most cases family issues are the main thing to worry about not so much here you have a killer taking young teens and mutilating them not to mention Magnolia, Mala's Voodoo Queen aunt has her own agenda.

The last couple chapters were a game changer. I was totally blindsided by the nefarious change in events. Kids being brutally murdered, demon/ non-demon like possession for several people and flesh eating butterflies (loved that part). I found the writing magical A.S. can describe things in such a way that you feel like you totally see where her mind is at and what she is giving you. All this without pages of overly written descriptive unnecessary words. Her words are carefully constructed and welded in such a fashion that you can't help but enjoy.
Each character really brings something to the table, they are all well developed and when you assemble them as she does you can't help but applaud. Mala really grew in this series you watch her gain confidence and mature it was beautiful I loved her in these books. When the book ends so does the series you get complete closure at least for Mala and Landry~

I would recommend reading them all in order. You'll see after you pick up the first one Dark Paradise this isn't a chore your doing yourself a favor.
I received this for an honest review.


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Ride Steady (Chaos, #3)

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kristen Ashley books and dark chocolate are much in the same they make you salivate when indulging, dark sinfully sweet and slightly bitter. KA Mystery Man series is what initially got me hooked to her writing the men are dangerous in every way in and out of the sheets and the women are revered and loyal. I love that!! You don't get catty drama you get wild life scenarios and ride or die personas that get through them.

The Chaos novels had to be one of the very first Motorcycle club series I have read. They set a high standard for what to expect. The men have vast depth like the oceans and even though they portray confidence you can see by reading that they are vulnerable as well. I find that to be a big plus for me. That the men have things to work out as well, from heart brokenness or residual effects from abuse and not feeling that they deserve a happy ever after.

Carson Steel social outcast, brooding defender of the weak and all time mystery panty dropper in High School. With the idea that he is nothing and is good for less than that since it has been beaten into him day in a day out it is a wonder he made it to adulthood. Once he got old enough he pushed back and left town. I would say he came back a "self made man" but the Chaos motorcycle club is a brotherhood, even with Carson's success he doesn't forget those who stood by him. His name is all the buzz in custom cars and motorcycles.

Carissa has lost so much in life yet she still works at being the best mother she can and has no shame in doing whatever it takes to accomplish that! Sure her high school sweetheart cheated on her and divorced her left her with damn near nothing. This will not stop her from getting what she wants.

A second kismet encounter between Carissa and Carson sets them both on a rocky yet amazing path one built on trust, love and hope. Carson saw Carissa as the perfect girl in High School, she was equally beautiful inside and out. Carissa also had a crush on Carson and tried to lure him into spending time with her in his last night in town. Never know what a difference that would have made for the both of them. So present date Carissa had no idea it was Carson Steel her dream man in high school that helped her out when nobody would. This one act of kindness snowballed into the whole club helping her in many ways. Things get crazy and exciting once the cat is out of the bag. One thing is for certain these two are so right for each other that once they just let the cards fall where they may they'll still be embraced in each other's arms. Through the trials and tests of love they come out swinging it's the real deal all the way!

This book had so many cameo visits from characters in many other KA books I loved it. Please note that this in NO WAY means you have to read them all or in order to know what is going on. They all stand alone yet blend here and there.

This book had so many supporting characters especially for Carson I was so moved by the love he was shown and the people he had as a surrogate family since his was less than the norm. I feel that KA shows the struggles and hardships that people face without shame and persecution. It is so humbling, I loved that Carissa had no qualms about working wherever as long as she could afford to be with her son. That was what mattered more. The book was fast paced and the sex could steam up a bathroom smoldering hot. You should know it was vivid and thoughtful. But if you do not like all the naughty bits I say skim forward, the book was a great read either way~


I was lucky enough to receive this ARC for an Honest review.
Thank you!!

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Tempted By Fire

Tempted By Fire by Erin Kellison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I initially picked up this book because I really enjoy Erin Kellson's writing. It being a ARC is a total perk! I started with her Shadow series then moved on to her Reveler series now she has moved on to Dragon shifters hallelujah! Apparently she has no lack of creativity~

Tempted by Fire was no hardship to read, with this new world created by EK you get different kinds of shifters several vampire cameos and a look into the hardship life of Dragon kin.

6 centuries can feel like an eternity to finally have a resolution to the murder of your wife and child! That is exactly where Thane Ealdian stands with the remains of his family finally surfaced his hope is to ferret out who the killer was a dish out his vengeance. There are only a couple obstacles: Another Bloodkin family has laid claim to the leftover fragments of what he held dear, the other is the mediator Emerson Clark who happens to be a fiery dragon female. Emerson's job is to work as the go between with both families to negotiate where the remains truly belong.

With evidence incriminating Heolstor family, Thane's only thought is of blood! Killing, revenge, then maybe his trip to Havyn to give the dragon with in his final flight. Yet the Night Song that stirred his dragon was beginning to dim as a new distraction seem far more entertaining, Emerson.

Emerson Clark, cannot wait for this last assignment to come to an end. She is over the glitz and glam of the Bloodkin's wealth. Sounds crazy right!? See the problem is the luxurious living comes with them controlling you too. She can't even have dinner without someone watching her checking in on her and the fact she has no life outside of work. She craves a life of her own.

Just as other books written by EK the characters are always well define, thought out and head strong. You always get a crystal clear picture of who you are reading about. Emerson was delightful, she herself doubted being part dragon and you get these tiny breadcrumbs throughout the pages that shed light on her more Bloodkin tendencies. I felt the beginning kinda slow but then it picks up and moves at a much steadier pace. The sex was not over the top for those who like the innuendo but not the blow by blow descriptive, yet you still have the passion and fire. Thane was total alpha and who doesn't like that in a shifter romance?? I felt the supporting characters had importance as well and I look forward to see who gets a book of their own. All in all once I stopped trying to pronounce the family names and focused on the actual storyline I couldn't put it down. I will say after The Reveler series this book was good, but God The Reveler series is phenomenal. So high hopes for where it all leads~

I will most definitely read all that this series has in the future. It was really good and it can only get better with this author!

I received this for an honest review.


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The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels #1)

The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kerrigan Byrne has to be one of my all time top favorite authors. She has a knack for blending the fiercest alpha males with their equally feminine counterpart. I have read almost everyone of her books and swooned accordingly.

Dougan and Farah's story will sweep you up like a tornado. It gives and gives and gives all these complex situations and furiously I read on. I have a large portion of this book highlighted due to the carefully constructed passages that were breathtakingly poetic and moving!

Their bond started while both were young and in an orphanage. Young love is the purest kind. To have that love and acceptance was something foreign to Dougan. One taste of love and Dougan was hooked. The orphanage was where they came together and it was also what forced them apart.

Fates cold caress never left Dougan he was imprisoned at a very young age and suffered what no human should. Every kind of abuse imaginable was forced upon him and Dougan perished while in prison. Through the darkness the Blackheart of Ben More emerged (Dorian) demolishing Dougan's enemies in his wake. While incarcerated a gang of boys formed an alliance and together nothing could stop them. They remembered all the memories Dougan shared of his Fairy and those cherished moments helped them all face the shadows.

Farah leads a bluestocking life as a clerk in a police department. The startling and curious response she had when encountering the Blackheart alarmed her to no end. This chance occurrence lead her truly down a rabbit hole, for everything she knew was about to be turned upside down.

This book was one of the best historical romance I have ever read, it's like all Kerrigan's books lead to this new series. OMG I cannot wait for the next installment. It grips you much like the Maiden Lane series be Elizabeth Hoyt. If you enjoyed her writing you will without a doubt ADORE this book!! The writing is smooth and fluent. Some parts were so poetic that I had to reread them over and over. The love , strength and endurance her characters go through is astonishing. They preserver but sometimes when you have been drowned and submerged in the darkest moments of your life you are forever tainted and even though you made it through part of you can be lost. Good thing I believe in Fairy's.

I was overwhelmed with emotion and hope while reading this. Holding my breath with every encounter Farah had with Dorian Blackwell. The intensity at which he needed to possesses her body and soul makes you yearn for that kind of adoration. The moments when he did take her were exquisite delicious. When they were intimately engrossed with each other these moments they are small works of art the heat and passion is molten. Carefully written and constructed vividly descriptive and leaves you quivering.

I received this for an Honest review. I honestly think you should read this book and ALL the other books this women writes!!


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