~Revenge Honeymoon - Brand New Romantic Comedy coming out October 30, 20...

The Genesis Machine - now live in Kindle Vella!

Good morning everyone! 

If you are looking for a new story to read this summer, my latest bit of fiction, The Genesis Machine, is now live on the Kindle Vella store. 

  What is Kindle Vella? 

Kindle Vella is a new 'store' on the Kindle app (and on the main Amazon website) where you can read serialized fiction by the 'episode.' Every week, I will be uploading 2 new episodes of my story...right now there are 24 episodes available to read! 

What does it cost me as a reader? 

The first 3 episodes of my story are free. And right now Amazon is giving away 200 free tokens to readers to spend on episodes they want to read after that. 200 free tokens should get you pretty far into the story without costing you a thing. Then, after that you can buy tokens, if you wish, to continue reading. The tokens are pretty inexpensive, as I recall. 

What sort of story is The Genesis Machine?

 I call it a near future technothriller....this is a sci fi story with romance elements, action and some aliens. Here's the blurb for you:

Charlie Cutter is a military cryptologist who is recruited to NCIS-A, a secret division of the Navy that investigates alien activity on earth. Her first assignment: studying a strange pod that landed during a storm in North Dakota. As the newest team member, she learns on the fly as she races to figure out where the pod came from and why it landed on earth. The mystery deepens when it's revealed this isn't the first pod to arrive, and someone at NCIS-A may know more than anyone realized. 

 

How do I read it?

Amazon is rolling out the Kindle Vella store through the iOS Kindle app and direct on their website for anyone who is not an Apple product user. They will be bringing it to Android soon.

Amazon link here

If you want to read it on your iOS Kindle app, search for my name "K. J. Gillenwater" or "The Genesis Machine" and start reading!

What else do I need to do?

Please like each episode that you read...and, at the end of each week you read episodes, you are allowed to give a 'crown' to your favorite story. So please consider 'crowning' my story so that it gains more visibility and traction in the store. Thank you!  

I hope you love this new story as much as I do!

 

 

Illegal

by K.J. Gillenwater

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Alone, desperate, and beautiful. When bullets fly, she must rely on a handsome stranger or face death. Together, they will risk it all for love.

Her whole life was a lie…

After discovering she was brought to the United States illegally as a young child, Selena Hernandez decides to do the responsible thing and return to Mexico, her country of origin. Selena vows to become a legal immigrant.

When she asks for help with a visa at the US Embassy, she meets attractive Wyatt Demko, a helpful embassy employee. But they are surprised to discover shocking details about her past and connections to a notorious drug cartel.

Wyatt escaped a painful upbringing in a Wisconsin trailer park for a stable career with the State Department. A chance meeting with Selena reveals an instinctual desire to help. But falling for a beautiful girl with dangerous enemies on her trail complicates his meticulous plans.

Wyatt knows he can't afford to trust Selena. Still, he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and win her heart before time runs out.

But Wyatt and Selena only have a few days to accomplish the impossible: hide from the brutal drug cartels and corrupt law enforcement to make a daring getaway that will take them from the streets of Mexico City to the sandy beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Goodreads * Books2Read

K. J. Gillenwater has a B.A. in English and Spanish from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. She worked as a Russian linguist in the U.S. Navy, spending time at the National Security Agency doing secret things. After six years of service, she ended up as a technical writer in the software industry.

She has lived all over the U.S. and currently resides in Wyoming with her family where she runs her own business writing government proposals and squeezes in fiction writing when she can.

In the winter she likes to ski and snowshoe; in the summer she likes to garden with her husband, take walks with her dogs, and take trips into the Big Horn Mountains nearby. She has written multiple books, including several short story collections.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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The Genesis Machine - Coming to Kindle Vella!

 Hello readers!

I wanted to announce my newest story, which will be exclusive to Kindle Vella in the coming months. Kindle Vella is a brand new offering from Amazon for readers who like serialized fiction. Each story will be split into short 'episodes' of which the first three are free to the reader. The following episodes will be purchased by the reader using 'tokens.'

This allows readers to only invest their $$ as much as they are interested in a story...so if you read a few episodes beyond the freebies and lose interest, you can stop there. If you are enjoying the story, you can purchase more tokens and buy each new episode.

Each episode will be released over time...on a schedule chosen by the author.

My story is called The Genesis Machine and is a science fiction Technothriller. 

I am still working on my blurb, but here is what I have right now:

Charlie Cutter is a military cryptologist who is recruited to NCIS-A, a secret division of the Navy that investigates alien activity on earth. Her first assignment: studying a strange pod that landed during a storm in North Dakota. As the newest team member, she learns on the fly as she races to figure out where the pod came from and why it landed on earth. The mystery deepens when it's revealed this isn't the first pod to arrive, and someone at NCIS-A may know more than anyone realized.

It has action, romance, suspense and some good twists and turns. So keep an eye out for when Vella is live and you can check out my latest work!

My Newest Romantic Suspense, ILLEGAL, Available for Pre-Order

My next book, ILLEGAL, will be releasing on November 30, 2020, and I can hardly wait to share it with my readers. 

Her whole life was a lie…

After discovering she was brought to the United States illegally as a young child, Selena Hernandez must return to Mexico, a country she doesn’t know. She’s a woman lost with no hope and nowhere to turn.

When she asks for help with an immigration visa at the US Embassy, she meets Wyatt Demko, a knowledgeable Embassy employee who wants to help a beautiful girl in distress. But they uncover shocking details about her past and connections to a notorious drug cartel.

As Selena fights to return home, she discovers hard truths and shocking revelations that soon come to light and turn her already complicated situation into a full-blown international affair.

Now stuck in a strange land that provides cover for brutal cartels, is rife with corrupt law enforcement officials, and with no easy way out, Selena must attempt the impossible.

With Wyatt in tow, the pair make a daring escape that will take them from the streets of Mexico City to the sandy beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula…if they survive.

The book is available now as a pre-order from the Amazon Kindle store:

I want to pre-order ILLEGAL

If you like to read hard copies, the paperback will be available in November from your favorite retailer (and you will even be able to order it direct from your local bookstore)...but you can always add the Kindle version to your 'Wish List' and then order in print later. 😁

 

The Reviews Are In!

Hi, readers! Just wanted to update you on my newest novel, Aurora's Gold. I've gotten some amazing reviews since it came out last November, and just a couple of weeks ago it was trending in Canada and Australia. Guess gold mining and women's adventure are popular topics there.

"Full of intrigue, danger, gold and secrets."  - Christine W, 4 stars on Amazon

 

"Moderately suspenseful, and slightly steamy, but it's Rory's inner journey that takes center stage in this in this complex tale of finding 'true North'." - Melanie S., 4 stars on Amazon

 

"The plot was good and the adventure from point A to B was great." - Jessica M., 5 stars on GoodReads.

 

"I loved the chemistry between the characters." - Jeanne R., 5 stars on GoodReads

 

"Definitely put this on your TBR list!" - hmg_vermont, 5 stars on Amazon 

 

Makes me happy to see readers love my book as I much as I do!

Aurora's Gold is available at a variety of retailers in print and eBook.

Click here to find your retailer!

https://www.amazon.com/Auroras-Gold-K-J-Gillenwater-ebook/dp/B07YL6X9RG

Hello, readers!

I wanted to let you all know that my next book, Aurora's Gold, will be released on November 12, 2019!

Aurora’s Gold is set in the high stakes world of underwater dredge mining in small town Nome, Alaska with a female protagonist.

Aurora “Rory” Darling is the only female dredge owner in town. She’s got money problems, a disgruntled former employee, a complicated family, and an ex who won’t let go. After her father has a horrible accident, Rory must find a way to save the family dredging operation from financial disaster. 

Enter Ben Abel, a former Navy diver with a mysterious past. He may be just the ticket to pull her butt out of the fire. She finds herself falling for him, but then discovers the truth: he’s on the run from the law. With time running out to get the gold, however, she has no choice but to work with him. 

As competition intensifies and the danger ratchets up, Rory realizes it’s hard to trust anyone in a town full of liars and vengeful cheats who will do anything to make their fortune. And those she trusts the most might just be the ones she should watch out for.

The Kindle version is available for pre-order here: PRE-ORDER

The print version will be available on November 12th. If you love Alaska reality shows, gold mining shows, treasure hunting, adventure, action, suspense and a little romance, you will love this book!

On The Hunt With Aurora's Gold

I recently completed a new book...a romantic suspense titled Aurora's Gold.

My Pitch: A female underwater dredge miner in Nome, Alaska must hire a possible murderer to save her family business. Think: family secrets, a fabled mother lode, race against time, hot but dangerous hero.

Blurb: Aurora’s Gold is set in the high stakes world of underwater dredge mining in Nome, Alaska. Aurora “Rory” Darling is the only female dredge owner in town. She’s got money problems, a disgruntled former employee, and an ex who won’t let go. After her father has a horrible accident, Rory must find a way to save the family dredging operation from financial disaster. Enter Ben Abel, a former Navy diver with a mysterious past. He may be just the ticket to pull her butt out of the fire. She finds herself falling for him, but then discovers the truth: he’s on the run from the law. With time running out to get the gold, however, she has no choice but to work with him. As competition for the gold intensifies and the danger ratchets up, Rory realizes it’s hard to trust anyone in a town full of liars and cheats who will do anything to make their fortune. And those she trusts the most might just be the ones she should watch out for.

I have been looking for an agent or publisher for this book, so wish me luck. I am giving it six months...which started in mid-February. So I will keep trying until August and then will reassess.  

But while you're waiting, if you like romance, check out my book, Acapulco Nights.

 

Stitch Fix - Update!

Hello, all! I know some of my regular visitors to my blog really enjoyed my Stitch Fix reviews. I have PLENTY of them, if you wish to read some...going all the way back to May 2014 (just look in the sidebar for links). I wrote regular reviews until last summer...and then, well, I guess I lost interest or got busy or something.

I really don't know! LOL.

I wanted to update you all about where I am with Stitch Fix and what's been going on with my latest fixes.

1) Yes, I still am receiving Stitch Fix boxes. I had, at one time, been receiving monthly boxes. Then, I reduced it down to once a quarter once I felt my wardrobe had gotten pretty full. Currently, I am receiving a box every other month.

2) Stitch Fix gave you the option of choosing from a $20 styling fee for each fix or a $49/year option. Since I get six fixes per year, the switch to the one-time $49 fee for a year of fixes was a no brainer.

3) This summer I signed up for my very first cruise. There is a dress-up night that requires a nice cocktail-style outfit. So, I decided to up my dress budget to $150 to $200 and asked for a fancy dress. The first attempt was in August...and wasn't very good. I think they didn't see the changed budget or pay much attention to my request. But I gave them another shot (always give Stitch Fix another try, if you think they didn't do a good job of styling you...) and asked that my October box contain a fancy dress for a special event and again pointed out my increased budget. My October fix was GREAT. The stylist sent me three fantastic dresses to choose from - all designer labels ranging in price from $88 to $239. I ended up picking the least expensive dress but it also led me to point number 4:

4) After the really quality pieces they sent me for my special event, I realized that I was at the point in my wardrobe where I didn't need foundational pieces any more. I'd accumulated enough pants, tops, casual dresses, etc. The designer dresses I'd received were really great quality pieces. I wanted more of that in my regular fixes. So, I increased the budgets for every single category...by one step up...and told Stitch Fix I'd like some designer brands in my future fixes. I am going for high quality over quantity. Because I seem to be only purchasing 1 or 2 items per box most often. So why not buy more expensive, better tailored pieces?

5) I decided to try the Stitch Fix 'exchange' option they added in the last year or so. In my October fix I received a pair of pants that had potential, but were too small. Instead of just a return, I thought I'd see if I could get the next size up. It's been a few days since they received my items back...and I haven't heard about the exchange item yet. Hoping I see an email with a tracking number soon. So that will be something new for me.

Sorry if I am not taking photos and putting together a whole post on my individual fixes. I might do it again. Thanks for stopping by. And if you have any questions for me about Stitch Fix, please leave a comment!

Trying Something New With Amazon Ads

I'm Going on a Cruise...

Last month I was lamenting to my husband that we always get depressed in the winter. I live in Idaho, so winters seem to last forever. You just get tired of the cold and snow. So, I suggested that we should try to take a trip in January or February every year to somewhere warm to beat the winter blues.

I remembered there was a writers' conference I'd considered attending in Las Vegas, but couldn't remember the dates. After some research, I, instead, stumbled across a website that tracked all different writers' conference by month. I scrolled to January and February of 2019 and found my event!

The Seymour Agency Writers' Winter Escape Cruise 2019!

Why did this catch my eye?

1) The timeframe - mid-February

2) The location - the caribbean

3) The event - this conference is specifically geared toward romance authors

And then the cost was just unbeatable. I somehow happened to find this cruise ONE day before the early booking rate was going to end. I got a steal for a 4-night, 5-day cruise. Plus, this would be a business trip, so it would be something out of my business account, rather than my personal account. NICE!

Also, the list of attendees is impressive:

Stacey Donovan with Hallmark Publishing and Movies as the Keynote Speaker! 

Deb Werksman, Editorial Director for Sourcebooks

Liz Pelletier, Publisher with Entangled Publishing. 

Rick Bleiweiss, Head of Business Development with Blackstone Publishing

Stacy Boyd, Harlequin

I've never been to any writers' conference before, but had considered going for years. I'm so glad that I took a risk and signed up. There's still space if you're interested, so click on the link to find out more.

My goal is to finish my Alaska romance that I started last summer and have that as my 'pitch' item. I've never done an in-person book pitch before, so that will be new as well. But what the heck!? I am not really believing I will get any deal out of this conference at all. I really just wanted to be with my own 'people' (as we writers are weirdoes) and learn some more about how to improve my writing and make a big sale someday.

Six months to go before the big event. My book should be done in October with plenty of time for editing and perfecting before I pitch.

The Little Black Box - Pre-order Now

Hello, everyone!

It's been quite some time since I posted anything. I had a love affair with my blog and then it disappeared. So I will try to post more often. Today's post is about my upcoming release for my latest paranormal suspense, The Little Black Box:

When thoughts can kill.

After the suspicious suicides of several student test subjects, Paula Crenshaw, research assistant in Paranormal Sciences at Blackridge University and budding telekinetic, suspects they may be connected to a little black box designed to read auras. Professor Jonas Pritchard, the head of the department and renowned paranormal expert, doesn't believe his precious experiment could be causing students to drop like flies.

Haunted by memories of a childhood accident, which she believes she caused with her untamed psychic abilities, Paula finds herself lured to the black box and its mysteries. But when her best friend, Lark, comes close to death after her encounter with the black box, Paula realizes her investigation might endanger the people she loves most. As the suicides stack up, she convinces her fellow researcher, Will Littlejohn, to help her solve the conspiracy. The closer they get to the truth behind who might be financially backing the project and why, the more dangerous—and deadly—it becomes.

The release date is August 14, 2018. You can pre-order the Kindle version now. There will also be a paperback version available around the same time (I never know with CreateSpace when it will show up).

This is a fun, fast-paced thriller perfect for that last summer read before September.

Fix #23 - June 21, 2017

Oh, Glorious Day of Stitch Fix!

Praise the morn when colorful and fashionable vestments arrive at my domicile as if from Heaven itself.

Yes, Stitch Fix review fans, it's time for another! For the last 2 years, I think, I have reduced my Stitch Fix deliveries to once a quarter. Then, I had a disaster box last year around this time and was so bummed out, I immediately signed up for a July delivery (which went much better, thank you).

This kind of messed up the seasonal delivery I was going for. I liked getting a box at the beginning of every season: June, September, December and March. So, instead I am on an 'every other month' delivery for now.

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014 (more than 3 years!?):

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016
Fix #17 - June 2016
Fix #18 - July 2016 
Fix #19 - August 2016
Fix #20 - October 2016
Fix #21 - January 2017
Fix #22 - April 2017

For this fix I had asked my stylist for shorts or a shorts jumper that would be suited for a woman in her 40s. I needed shorts that weren't too short and that fit a 'healthy' thigh. Nothing sadder than trying on a cute pair of shorts that fit around my thighs like a sausage casing. I also requested a light cardigan and no sleeveless items - I don't have the best arms and like a bit of sleeve. I always ask for fun patterns and colors, as I have an unhealthy obsession with buying black clothing or one-color items.

My box was incredibly slim. But it's summer, so I wasn't that worried about it.

When I opened it up, look what goodness awaited me. Colors and patterns galore!

The note that came with my fix explained that my usual stylist was on vacation, so I got a replacement stylist and that she hoped she'd picked some good things for me. Now, I adore my stylist, so I was a little wary of what may be in the box. However, I did my usual: hung everything up and got ready to TRY IT ALL ON.

I have repeated this in all of my Stitch Fix reviews. You must try on the items. Do not make judgment based on looks alone. Seriously. Sometimes I will eye a dress or blouse and think, "Hm, not so sure about this one." Then I am pleasantly surprised by the fit and/or look of these garments and they end up as 'keepers.'

So, don't be a clothing judger. Trust your stylist. Sure, she might fail once in awhile, but if you don't try it on you won't be able to give a full detailing of WHAT went wrong when you check out. Your stylist will learn over time that this brand of pants doesn't fit well or this top was too tight across the chest, etc. Information is like gold to Stitch Fix for making your fixes even better, so help them out!

1) The first item I hung up were the Lela Released Hem Skinny Pant from Kut From the Kloth for $78.00.

I loved the color of these pants. I got a GREAT olive-colored vest from Stitch Fix this past winter that is FAB and goes with so many things. It's a fantastic neutral shade. I believe I asked for some olive pants at one point...either for this fix or another. Can't remember. So I was pleased to see them. They also were clearly a longer capri style, so they could be worn on the cooler summer days in Idaho.

Although the word 'skinny' worried me, and they looked a bit narrow, I have had great luck with Kut From the Kloth pants. So I tried them on.

Okay, so these fit very very well at the waist. But the 'skinny' part of the pants did me no favors. I have incredibly 'athletic calves' as they call them nowadays. My husband can tell you I'm a very hard fit for ski boots because of that. These pants, well, let's just say I had to yank them on to even get them up all the way. There was a generous amount of stretch to the fabric, but this kind of 'skinny' was WAY too skinny for my not-so-skinny legs.  Uncomfortably tight. The worst part was, I liked them. I liked the color, the style, etc. And, even though you can now do exchanges for clothes you like, I knew if I exchanged this for the next larger size, the waist would be too big. BUMMER. 

These pants were a NO.

2) Although the first item I tried was a 'no' item, I was stalwart. I did not let disappointment cave in on me. No, not I! I put the next item up on the hanger: The Sachs Tape Yarn Striped Pullover by Mystree for $54.00.

I love me a good cardigan. Even in June. Why? Because where I live, summer comes late and is short. So having a light, cute cardi like this one lets me wear my summer stuff with a bit a warmth. I loved the colors...a pretty shell pink and off white. I could imagine how this would spruce up some things in my wardrobe and how it could go with some dresses I had, etc. So I tried it on with high hopes.

At this point, I'd removed the offending pants and put on some jeans and a gray t-shirt (Stitch Fix from 2 years ago) to see how it would look. It was cute! And had very long sleeves for my very long arms. A big plus. The weave was light, so I knew it would be a perfect cardigan for the warmer months. This went in the YES pile.

3) I was having a pretty decent box so far - one hit, one miss. Not bad. I hoped for the best when I hung up the next item: Genna Split Neck Top by Fun2Fun for $44.00.

I liked the print very much. It was fun and sassy for summer. I also appreciated that the stylist had stuck to my 'no sleeveless please' request. I had good feelings about this blouse. It was made of a lighter material, breezy. Just what I'd need for the hotter days coming up. So I tried it on:

This pic is not the best - a little blurry - sorry about that. And it is a bit hard to see why this didn't end up working for me. The split neckline was a bit high up so that the bust line ended up looking really unflattering. The neck needed to be a little lower to make a more attractive appearance overall. Or maybe the gathering needed to come down further. Not sure. It just didn't look good. And, in this pic, you can see something odd going on with my chest. That's all I will say there.

I also had trouble with the shoulder area.

 The seam for the shoulder was too narrow for me. I needed another inch or so to get the sleeve to fall properly. Instead, the sleeve appears to be tight, when it really wasn't. Just too far up my shoulder to sit correctly. Bugger.

Another NO, and I was very very hopeful about this one!

4) My next item was a pair of very cute shorts in a gorgeous turquoise blue - Cindie Linen Short by Level 99 for $78.00.

I'd asked for some shorts that a 40-something could wear. I didn't want anything too short or too tight. I wanted comfortable and flattering. I LOVE linen, but was worried it may not work well due to an absence of stretch power.

My worries were unfounded, however, when I tried them on:

 Eek! My bare legs. They don't look too terrible, I think. But let's focus on the shorts, why don't we? The glorious shorts! The color! The fit! The length! Divine in all ways. The waist fit perfectly. The linen material made them hang in a very flattering way. Holy moley, I loved these shorts! And the construction of these shorts was fantastic. Very solid closures on the waist, the stitching and pockets were fab. I have never spent this much on a pair of shorts before, but maybe I will from now on. I mean, check it out!

Really cute. Once again, ignore leg and notice shorts! I love these so very very very much. I wore them the other day and just adored them all day long.

KEEP, 100 times, KEEP!

5) The last item in my box was this lovely dress - Augustina Knit Maxi Dress by Skies Are Blue for $68.00.

I love me a good maxi dress. I have a couple from Stitch Fix, and I was ready to add another if it worked out. The top of it looked cute, but I'd have to wear with my strapless bra, so that was a bit of a bummer to me. However, I tried it on.

Not bad overall. I didn't necessarily love the gathered waist. A bit bulky, and I need all the help I can get minimizing the lower half. The fabric was a bit heavier, so the bulk was unavoidable really. The keyhole neckline was super cute. But then I did a bra check (as we girls always do when we are trying something on like this)...

Ooh, not good. This is the only strapless bra I have. Not inclined to buy another just for one dress. And, too bad, because the side angle is pretty good with this one. But, not interested in worrying about shopping for a bra for a single dress in my wardrobe. So this was a NO.

Overall, a 2-out-of-5 box made me very happy. I added a couple of things to my summer wardrobe that were very wanted...the shorts especially! LOVE THEM.  I have decided to go back to an every-other-month fix for now, so my reviews should come more often.

Hope you all enjoy them. Would love to hear your feedback about what I kept and what I sent back. I think my fill-in stylist did an excellent job. After 3+ years of using their service, I still adore Stitch Fix!

And if you like my reviews, I bet you'll like my novels. Here's one that you might enjoy, a romance called ACAPULCO NIGHTS!

Click here to check it out.

Fix #22 - April 26, 2017

My spring time fix arrived today! The day after I got back from vacay. It was a nice thing to have it waiting for me after I just spent a ton shopping on my trip. LOL. However, I only get a box every quarter, so I was ready to shop more, if necessary, to get me some cute Stitch Fix items.

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014:

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016
Fix #17 - June 2016
Fix #18 - July 2016 
Fix #19 - August 2016
Fix #20 - October 2016
Fix #21 - January 2017

For my spring fix I asked for some less form-fitting styles. I do like to emphasize my waist, but not so much that every bulge can be seen and examined by passersby on the street. A little more flowy and less tight would be welcome. I also asked for bright colors and patterns, maybe a cardigan/jacket and whatever else she might like to send me. I think I was pretty open to whatever hit my stylist's fancy.

I had also recently updated my Stitch Fix Pinterest board with some Stitch Fix spring items, so I let my stylist know it had been updated in the last few weeks.

I got my box this morning. It was much, much thinner than I'm used to getting:

Not sure if that was due to the stuff inside (light, thin springtime goodness) or a change on Stitch Fix's part to save on shipping...some of my boxes have had a lot of extra space in them. But I didn't mind when I took out the stack of pretty clothes!!!!!!!

Ooooooooooh! Love it all!!!!! Had a good feeling about this box. I hung up each item as I always do and got ready to (repeat after me) TRY EVERYTHING ON!

This is the rule of Stitch Fix. No matter how much you dislike something on the hanger in style, cut or color, you MUST try it on to judge adequately if the item is not for you. Many, many times I have been pleasantly surprised by clothing items I never would've picked to try on if I judged by hanger appearance.

Trust me. The Stitch Fix Rule works. Do it!

1) I first tried on the Kate Boyfriend Jean by Kut From The Kloth for $88. 

They were a rolled-style jean that looked like they hit at my lower calf. The holy grail I'd been seeking for 2 years: CAPRI LENGTH PANTS! Would they work? This brand has worked miracles for me in the past. I have 3 or 4 other pairs of pants purchased through Stitch Fix from this same designer.

They fit GREAT! They were a lower-waisted jean, but fit me very well everywhere - including the hard-to-fit parts. They were flattering, stylish and, best of all, perfect for the long, slow, cool springs we have in my neck of the woods. Although I would not call them 'capri' they were several inches above my ankle and really fit with the new styles I've seen out and about...updated ye olde wardrobe! A mom-jeans lady I will not be!

A big old KEEP for these babies!

2) The next item was the Paybian Contrast V-Neck Knit Tee by Leo & Nicole for $44.

It looked cool and casual. Free flowing, but not billowy. V-necks are good for me. I hoped it would flatter the figure rather than make me look like a balloon. I could envision pairing this with a navy cardigan I have, as well as a pair of white shorts in the summer. Time for the try-on moment! Would it work???

(FYI: You can see in the background my suitcase from my trip!)

This top turned about to be really really cute once I got it on. I'd liked it on the hanger, but liked it even better once I put it on. Really flattering. Really comfortable - a softer cotton stretch blend. Could think of many ways to wear this. Most definitely a KEEP!

So far, so good. Wasn't so sure about the next one, though...

3) The next item was the Salden Lattice Detail Blouse by Daniel Rainn for $64.

It looked a little sad there on the hanger. It also was made with a lighter, breezier fabric than the previous top. I was concerned about looking wide and shapeless based on my figure type. But the print was really interesting, as well as the lace detail. I liked the slash neckline (I think that is what you call it), plus the interesting back (you can see the cut in the pic above). I knew my rule was 'try everything on' even if I looked like a pregnant woman...so I swallowed my fears and put it on.

 (Say hi to my dog, Charlie, who showed up for a candid shot!)

It turned out to be super duper adorable! Looser and lighter than the other top, but the cut and the details really gave it a flattering look. I also discovered it looked great with several cardigans I had in my closet to include a red one, a mustard one, and the aforementioned navy one. I seriously could not believe it looked this good. I thought it was going to be a blob blouse. But I should've trusted my stylist! She knows all!!!!!!!!

KEEP!

4) We were now approaching box happiness. Whenever I get to 3 out of 5 keeps in a box, I start to dream big. How many more items would I like? I hung up the Nickie Marled Cardigan by 41Hawthorn for $48.

Of course I'm always a bit sad when I receive something gray or black. Not sure why. Maybe because I have always had way too much gray and black in my wardrobe. However, this was an interesting print and a nice thin weave for spring. With some of my more colorful spring/summer tops, this would be a handy thing to have.

Time for a try-on!

I grabbed a gray tank top I had and put on the cardigan. Three-quarter length sleeves, light, cute and flattering. So comfy, so cute, so 'neutral' that I had to have it. KEEP!

Ok, ladies and gentlemen (although it's likely mostly ladies), we are now on the verge of a 5 out of 5 Keeper Box. A rarity. I think I have only had 1 or maybe 2 in all 21 of my previous fixes. I tentatively reached for the next item...

5) The Colbie Knit Dress by Gilli for $68 was the next to try on.

This felt like a polyester fabric to me, so the 'knit' description was a little bit deceiving. I wouldn't have described it that way. But what do I know about design and fabrics? Not much! Slick, smooth and cool. Probably medium-weight. The shape of this dress worried me. It looked like it would fit better on a straighter figure. A close-up of the pattern is below:

It's prettier close up, yes?

I tried it on. I was hoping it would fit okay for this would be my 5 out of 5 moment. Something to remember!

Okay, this picture makes it look alright. I can see the potential. However, if you look more closely near the top of the bustline, you will see a problem...a severe wrinkle, a gathering of fabric that pulls across the chest. Look closely also at my bent elbow. See anything strange?

Arm strangle! We have arm strangle. Blood to my upper arm is being cut off by too-tight fabric. Alert, people, alert! Immediate removal of dress is required for correct blood flow!!!!

What a horrible shame. Even looking at the arm strangulation picture, the rest of the dress is really quite flattering. My upper body (chest and 40-plus-year-old arms) could not take it! Perhaps on a younger figure, this would work. Not so much for mine.

This would be a RETURN.

However, we all know the trick with Stitch Fix. If you keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount. Hm.

I picked up my receipt to calculate the numbers. With the 25% discount, I would save $78. The dress was $68. I actually saved money keeping the dress. So, I have decided to keep the whole box, perhaps find a buyer for the dress or a friend I can give it to. Or, if you are around 5'9" or 5'10" and in the 'large' dress size range, leave a comment, and I'll get in touch with you. Willing to sell for half the cost, plus shipping! ;-)

FYI, If you are a reader, my book THE NINTH CURSE is available through Friday (April 28, 2017) as a free download for Kindle. Get yourself a copy now!!!!! Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can read it on your phone, on your laptop, or on your tablet!

Download a copy of THE NINTH CURSE now!

Thanks for stopping by!