October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Leif Erikson Day

Author Brian Brady #BookTober

Greed

About The Book:

A group of thieves working out of New York, Amsterdam, and Paris set in motion a complex art forgery and theft project. Initially, they are highly successful, that is, until one member is overcome by greed and the promise of a quick buck, not necessarily shared with his partners. This greedy departure from a proven method of operation suddenly goes oh, so wrong. People die, partnerships are threatened, and the entire mess lands in the collective laps of the San Francisco Police Department's Homicide Bureau. Inspectors O'Neill, Donnelly, Gibson, and Sullivan are now responsible for solving a homicide that will lead them far outside their normal comfort zone. International crime, art forgery, and murder, a lethal combination that will test the investigative skills of the Inspectors.

Hiding In Plain Sight

About The Book:

Lucia is a good girl; she’s an eighth grader at the local parish school who gets great grades, helps her parents around the house, and loves her siblings. As she waits after school, a stranger - hands laden -  asks for help getting into his van. Before she knows it, Lucia’s shoved into the van, knocked unconscious, and she’s never going home again. After her mother reports her missing, Lucia’s firefighter father, as well as other community members, manage to elevate her missing person’s report all the way to the Homicide Bureau. So begins a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat narrative of a community connected through more than just the streets they live on to catch a killer and bring a grieving family peace. Two homicide teams, made up of Inspectors O’Neill and Donnelly and Inspectors Gibson and Sullivan, work against the clock and side-by-side with other agencies to bring the criminal down. Chock-full of twists, turns, romance, murder, and community, hiding in plain sight is a can’t-miss mystery read for crime novel enthusiasts, San Francisco natives, and readers who love a good thriller. Readers will feel immersed in the investigation as they struggle to solve the web of covered tracks alongside investigators. Feel the heart-pounding race against the clock as the sands drain from the hourglass and the suspect gets farther away. Written to entertain and engage adult crime novel readers, Hiding in plain sight combines the action, adventure, and thrill of books from authors like Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Sheldon Siegel with the author’s passion for San Francisco and its stories.

Oh, What A Tangled Web

About The Book:

A young woman participates in a staged photo shoot in the basement of a rustic cabin deep in the Sonoma County mountains. She’s a long way from San Francisco, but this isn’t her first venture into the world of Photoshopped S&M pictures. Her boss, Ivan, reassures her; after all, the money is good. So, she goes along with it. As the evening progresses, the mystery man begins to stretch beyond the world of make-believe, inflicting real pain. She tells him to stop. Then she begs. She looks to Ivan for help. Nothing works. Finally, her anguished screams are confined only to that basement, so far from any help. This sets the premise for Oh, What a Tangled Web. It involves the San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide and Forensics Bureaus. The main characters, a group of inspectors in the SFPD, share similar backgrounds, having grown up in the City with roots in police service. The narrative presents the City’s unique neighborhoods and scenes through their eyes, experiences, and feelings, guided by the author, a native San Franciscan and former police officer.

About The Author:

As a native San Franciscan, Brian Brady enjoys writing about his favorite city. The city is rich in architecture, sports, tradition, and characters. Brian had the opportunity for a career in both law enforcement and corporate security. He has worked for four police departments then three private sector entities. His career has been varied, and has provided him the opportunity to meet very interesting people, and to collect a significant number of entertaining stories. Brian's writing reflects his time with these people and their stories. He believes these stories are complex enough to hold the reader’s attention while providing a pleasurable read. The characters are based on real people with a bit of literary license.

Get your copies of these books online at Golden Gate Tales.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Exit Wilderness #BookTober

Exit Wilderness: A Roadmap Out Of Depression And Hopelessness

About The Book:

Exit Wilderness sheds light on the challenges of depression and offers readers a roadmap through their own wilderness. If you have ever battled depression or feelings of hopelessness, this book will encourage you through your own journey into a life of freedom. These pages are filled with intimate details of how God rescued one of His beloved daughters from the pit of destruction and the decision to take her own life. This is a story of redemption, victory, and ultimate freedom that can be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each chapter is full of stories that will bring both laughter and tears and provide profound inspirational truths and insights into the power of God's word and ultimately our identity in Christ. The reader will be provoked with questions and gently led through the prayers and affirmations at the end of each chapter so they can begin to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and claim their victory and personal freedom that is rightfully theirs.

About The Author:

Michelle Thielen began studying and practicing yoga in the late 80's while professionally dancing in Portland, Oregon where she was born and raised. The love of yoga and it's numerous benefits led her into speaking engagements, instructing and sharing the wonderful gift of yoga with others on a global level. Michelle founded the international, accredited, non-profit, Christian school YogaFaith in 2013 and the Christian Yoga Association in 2018, a Christian yoga alliance representing faith-based practitioners and educators. YogaFaith is the only Christian yoga school accredited with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Since 2012 Michelle has developed and authored over 30 teacher training courses, including Trauma Sensitive, Sozo and Somatics, Dance and Embodiment, Children's and prison ministries, Meditation and Nidra, Yin, and so much more. Michelle is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), author, keynote speaker, and an ordained minister.

Get your copy of Exit Wilderness on Amazon today.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Relic Modern #BookTober

When it comes to my books, I love to store them as well as display them to create a space I find beautiful. This can include a bookshelf, a side table, or a simple little knick-knack to add to the books. Justin Hossle is the owner, designer, and craftsman of Relic Modern, a mid-century modern furniture and decor company. He is a self-taught craftsman and designer, and all of his pieces are created using a combination of trial-and-error and instinct. The signature look of his pieces incorporates a beautiful high-end Baltic birch layered material with rich brown walnut faces. The material and the finishes are natural, responsibly sourced, and sustainable. Additionally, he cultivates sustainability by planting trees for all the products he sells.

We received the most gorgeous pair of bookends! Solid and sleek handmade bookends created using layered natural Baltic birch. Approximately 75 individual layers of Baltic birch are contained within each of these bookends, making them a functional piece of art. Sold as a pair, either with an “edge grain” face or a walnut veneered face, they have cork padding on the bottom to hold them in place. These bookends will look great on your bookshelf, no matter your design aesthetic!

Check out Justin's amazing work at Relic Modern on Facebook, as well as Relic Modern on Instagram.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

#Fall2025 Food Finds

Fall is the opening of the season of food! And we love to try new things, or new to us things! We def love food and drink in this house! Here are some awesome Fall finds that are new to us!

The global demand for gluten-free, clean-label, and plant-based foods continues to accelerate, and Amasar is pioneering breadfruit as the next gluten-free superstar. Sustainably harvested in Puerto Rico, Amasar’s award-winning, non-GMO breadfruit-based flours and mixes deliver protein, amino acids, potassium, and gut health benefits - positioning breadfruit as a category-defining superfood that satisfies both consumer cravings and investor appetite for scalable innovation. Amasar’s portfolio includes an all-purpose breadfruit flour, a protein-packed waffle mix, and a nutrient-rich pancake mix. Breadfruit’s natural versatility makes it a standout for bakery, snack, and foodservice innovation, offering a clean-label base with superior nutritional value compared to refined flours.

A hydrated kid is a smart kid: water helps kids with concentration and focus. That’s why the company started Wave Kids: the healthy, natural, fun-to-drink canned water brand that speaks to children in a way they understand. No sugar, no dyes, no caffeine – just pure, hydrating water in a fun can. Perfect for the lunch box or on the go! And we are always on the go, it seems! I love the packaging, it makes it fun for everyone! P.S. - not bad for adults either! 

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

World Teacher Day