Since I am a PNR addict, I couldn’t live without the insight of Stephanie & Athenna of Paranormal Haven! Not only do they school me on my favorite genre, they also help me get to know other bloggers with their fun feature, Beyond the Blog. Oh, and I can’t thank them enough for their Pictures of the Week feature either! So yeah, I thought it was beyond time to learn about them a little better.
First, we want to give a big THANK YOU to Missie for inviting us to participate in her feature. So happy to be here 
What do I do when I’m not reading? Well, nothing all that exciting. I couldn’t even come up with a made up story that would make me sound more interesting.
I work full time at a hotel as a front desk agent. This can actually be pretty cool at times because I get the chance to meet people from all over the world and since my hotel is a smaller one, I’m able to talk to them about where they’re from. In addition to working, I go to school part time. I’m working towards getting my AA in Business Administration. When I do get some free time, I’m usually doing things for my grandma. I love spending time with her. She’s not the bake you cookies and knit you a sweater type. Oh no, she’s the ‘I’ll flip you off if you try to take my damn picture’ and the ‘hey, did I tell you why I can’t drink tequila anymore?’ kind of granny and I’m very thankful for that.
When I’m not at work/school/or on some adventure with the old woman (she knows I call her that), I’m with a friend taking in the latest movie or out eating. I also like to spend time with Athenna’s kids. I love them like they’re my own and refuse to except that my babies, her twins, are in first grade and that her youngest is about to start kindergarten. That just doesn’t make any sense to me!!
Let me livin’ this post up a bit by telling you about what I’ll be doing when I’m not reading in May. I’ll be in New York City! I’m beyond excited for this trip. I’ll be spending 5 days in The Big Apple and I’m looking forward to all the wonderful food I’ve heard so much about. Pizza, sandwiches, pretzels, hot dogs, cheese cake, Italian food…..my pants are getting tighter just thinking about it. I’ve been told there’s a statue I should see and some park I need to go to but those will have to wait till after I’ve visited all the restaurants on my list. ~Stephanie
Well lets see, what do I do when i am not reading? I think the better question is, how do I find time to read?
I’m a mother of 5. I have a 14 year old, a 12 year old, twin 6 year olds and a 4 year old. They pretty much run things. Other than that, my life is pretty normal and boring. I wish I could say that I do something cool like I moonlight as a undercover stripper in a cool werewolf bar that’s owned by a sexy vampire but sadly, that’s just not the case. It’s the normal life for us.
If I’m not at work full time (yes, I still work with all these kids) I’m taking the two girls to dance. They dance for a competitive hip hop dance team. The two youngest boys are starting t-ball in March and will be having games twice a week. The older boy is the easiest. He doesn’t do much but at 14, you are running them back and forth to their friends and if they are like my boy, to Game Workshop in the mall to pay War Hammer. Whatever that is.
If and when I can get away from the madness of my kids, I also enjoy going to the movies with friends. Of course, I always make time for watching Supernatural with Steph each week. Maybe one day when I finally get some free time, I will start the book I’ve been playing writing. ~Athenna
Stephanie, your old woman sounds like a riot! I think I’d enjoy spending time with her too, I just have to make sure to share my tequila, which is a real hardship for me, letmetellya! And the only reason why I want to visit New York is for the Food, so I’m so jealous of you right now. I hope you get as stuffed as you can. Besides, you can always walk off the extra pounds by visiting those famous landmarks.
Athenna, I bow down to you woman! 5 kids! WowOhWow! Well, they are adorable, and I bet it’s super fun to try to keep up with them. And yes, I’d wish I could say I moonlight as a fangbanger, but sadly no. If only Real Life could suck in a good way, right? :[
Thank you ladies for taking the time to stop by today!
When I’m Not Reading is a feature used to spotlight book bloggers I follow. Missed a featured book blogger? No worries, check out past guest posts here: Featured on When I’m Not Reading.
“Oh no, she's the 'I'll flip you off if you try to take my damn picture' and the 'hey, did I tell you why I can't drink tequila anymore?' kind of granny…” < -- BEST. GRANDMA. EVER! x) And oh my gosh, Stephanie, I hope that you have fun in New York -- the first thing I'd be thinking about would be the food too LOL! If it's anything like the movies, it'll be great! ;)
Wowie zowie, Athenna, that inverse question is SO SPOT ON! With 5 kids, you must be crazy-busy and I'm in awe of how you manage to find time to read and blog in between all of that! Hopefully you can find time to write soon too — I think it's one of the best blogger dream jobs (besides moonlighting as a undercover stripper in a cool werewolf bar that's owned by a sexy vampire, of course)!
It's really nice to meet you both!
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Let's talk that picture of the week for this week—holy hot man on a motorcycle! Seriously I swooned!
Ok, I love both of the gals and they know it. I love chatting with them and exchanging ideas on books. We read so many of the same things that they often find things I missed!
These are FANTASTIC ladies—seriously go check them out NOW! NOW! NOW! Did I mention hot hunk on a motorcycle (did I leave out the hardly, if any, clothes on??)
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Cool grandma! And what an adorable little boy. Both of these gals sound like a hoot! I'll be visiting…
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I hope you have a fabulous time in NYC, Stephanie! I spent a weekend there with my sisters and their friends. It was a terrific, spontaneous trip that I won't forget. I had a blast and there was just not enough time to do everything I wanted. Be sure to check out The Strand Bookstore. I could spend weeks there alone!
Athenna, I know 5 kids are a handful as that's how many kids are in my family. LOL! My hats off to you to keeping everything straight, staying sane, and doing things you enjoy.
So nice meeting you both!
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Awwww those kiddos are adorable!
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Stephanie, are you going to stay in NYC for BEA or will you be gone by then? It's the first week of June… Last year's BEA was my first trip to NYC and it was amazing. That city is beyond overwhelming, but in a really good way. Can't wait to hear all about your trip!
And Athenna, I have no idea how you find time to read with 5 kids. I can barely find time and I only have 2 dogs. Fail. So nice reading more about you ladies!
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Ooops, looks like I'm late to the post!
Again, thank you so much Missy for featuring us today and I promise I'll have an extra slice of pizza and dessert for you when I go to NYC
Stephanie G
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Mimi – My granny is pretty amazing. Hardly ever a dull moment with her.
Felicia – You're too sweet! Glad you like our Picture of the Week. I think we started the feature less for our blog and more because it gave us a reason to be looking at half naked men on the internet
Mary – Yea they're pretty adorable. Well, when they want to be.
StephanieG
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Rummanah – *pulls out NYC notepad* The Strand Bookstore…got it! Thankfully my grandma is also a reader so I know she'll love the idea of going there. Thanks for the tip.
Juju – Thanks! I know they're not mine but I've been with them since the day they were born so I accept the compliments like they're mine
Jenny – Oh man, I didn't even think of planning my trip around BEA! I'll be there the first week of May. Probably best anyways. I think my grandma and my uncles would have killed me if I tried to drag them to that. Not that I wouldn't have tried anyways.
Stephanie G
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Mini,, yeah its a lot with 5 kids but u know what I just took what was given to me and ran with it so I don't know any different.. lol
And yes hopefully ill get off my but and write one day soon….
Awwwe thanks felicia we love u too….
Thanks every one we think the kids r pretty cute too…. Uhhh when they r sleeping.. lol
Thanks for all the nice words,
Athenna
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Oh, wow! Five kids AND a full-time job! That's crazy awesome. I aspire to be as hard-working as you one day, Athenna!
Stephanie, your life sounds like so much fun. The old woman sounds like a riot!
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That was hysterical and those kids are adorable!
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Another entertaining interview Missie! I want to meet Stephanie's Grandma. Any old lady who waves the bird finger and tells me about tequila is fascinating. Stephanie you ought to write a book about her. Treasure every minute, I miss my Grandparents so much!
Athenna, Wow! All the kids and a job and you still find time time to blog. You are a super star. I struggle with my 1&3 year old! You must have some super powers.
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Lauren – Yea, she is pretty funny. Definitely keeps things interesting.
Melissa – Thank you. We always think we're funny but not everyone gets our humor.
Heidi – Fascinating is one way to describe her. A tiny bit crazy is another
Stephanie G
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Stephanie, I've never gone to NYC but when I do, I'll probably be getting stuffed too, especially on cheese cake
Athenna, I have no idea how you manage to find the time to read! Lol, your twins look like they're a handful.
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Stephanie, when we went to New York we went on a food tour and it was the coolest thing ever! I loved eating my way through New York and hope to do it again soon.
My grandma is like that too. I don't think I've ever seen her without a glass of wine in her hand.
Athenna, Five kids, holy cow that's amazing. I can't see how you have time for reading, but at that point I guess it's almost a mini vacation for you.
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Wosh, that's a big family! But it still sounds cozy! Though I get your question about finding the time to read, lol. Sometimes I think my bf bugging me is keeping me from my reading enough, haha. Great to get to know you some more!
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Great to learn more about you ladies, I love visiting your blog. Athenna, 5 kids, I bow to you, how do you manage them all and a full time job is beyond me. Steph, I wish you lots of fun in New York, and hope you write a blogpost about it
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Enjoy New York
I am so jealous, I would love to visit 
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First lucky you Stephanie, enjoy NY and try not to get into too much trouble!
Athenna my SIL had 8, her first three only a few years apart and then her last 5 as a “2nd” family ending with twin girls who are almost 15 now and has had a full time job all her life so having seen how exhausting her life is have no idea how you have the energy to read anything even though you have 3 less children.
Ladies we have been bouncing books off our blogs for about the same amount of time, thanks for all the good recommendations and finding the exquisite photos we all enjoy on your weekly feature. It's a “hard” job but somebody has to do it! LOL
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it's really impressive, so many things to do! I don't know how both of you have time to read after that lol. Thank you for this great post, it was really interesting to learn more about you too! I hope one day I could go to New York too.
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LOL at your Grandma. I was fortunate enough to have each type of Grandma, which made life interesting and well rounded. Have fun and be safe on your NY trip.
Wooo and five kids! They must really keep life interesting. That is so cool and I've always dreamed of having twins. I love that they are into so many different things. Just remember to keep eeking out some time for yourself though.
Fabulous feature and always Missie!
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Stephanie – I adore your grandmother. Sounds like she’s straight out of a book!
Athenna – I am in awe that you have time to read and blog and anything else beyond raising your kids. My goodness you must have energy enough for three people!
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Well first… I'm still waiting for my motorcycle and man frosting…
I love the sound of your grans, Steph! I wanna be like that! Oh and can I go to NY with you? I'll buy you a slice!
Athenna… congraties on all your cuties! You rock girlie!
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Stephanie's grandma sounds like a hoot:) Have fun in NYC! And I'm in awe of anyone who finds time to run a blog while having children. I don't have any and I barely find time to shower every day lol. Great guest post, girls!
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FIVE kids???? Oh dear. I feel like I'm an insane person with only 2!!!!!
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5 kids and you work?! I'm w/ Ashley, I feel insane with only 2!
My dream (one of many) is to visit NY so I totally envy you Steph!
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Thank you all so much for commenting! I'm looking forward to NYC and sharing all the pics I'll be taking. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend
Stephanie G
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I stalk Paranormal Haven like it's my job! They were actually one of the first book blogs I ever read…wayyy back when I was just a commenter and not a blogger as well! They've gotten me to read a ton of books I would never have tried without them!
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Hah hah, I love Stephanie's grandma already! Have a great time in NY, it's a fun city to be in, with a lot of fun things to eat.
And aww, Athena's boys are so cute. I love this feature, Missie, it's so great to learn more about all the awesome book bloggers out there.
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What a great post! I learned so much about these bloggers. I found their answers witty and interesting. I can't believe Athenna finds time to read with so many kids. I hope Stephanie has a fabulous time in the Big Apple in May. I live in CT- and love to visit the city.
~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
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