WMSBW Official Promo Video (PLUS a SNEAK PEAK of what's to come...)

Happy Sunday! What's new with y'all? 

As for me, I'm excited to share with you guys the OFFICIAL PROMO video for When My Soul Bleeds Words! 

If you haven't checked out the book yet, it's available on Amazon and my website. 

IN OTHER NEWS...

Have you read my historical fiction novel, The Rebels of Florida? (if not, here's the Amazon link)

So, if you have read it, you know that the ending is basically a cliff-hanger of sorts. Which means, there are more books coming in the TROF series! I'm currently 12k words into the second book, which is entitled Frayed Horizons. (or simply, TROF #2.) 

And today, I'm sharing a little snippet with you people! 

Behold. The beginning of chapter one, from Frayed Horizons. 

///

His eyes stung with a wetness that wasn’t theirs. They felt as if they’d been spliced with blades, like grapes on a cutting board. Snow was a harsh phenomenon, especially on an inexperienced southern man’s body.

Ezra had never seen snow before until he’d been sent to Rock Island.

Blinding light reflected off the dirty snowdrifts, even though the sky was a shrouded grey. Pain seared Ezra’s insides like a dozen carving knives.

Biting cold shook the frame of the lanky man. Its haggard fingers sunk into his flesh, numbing his bones and draining the color from his skin. The frigid chill in the air was murderous. Heat had killed many a soul, but no swelter could take lives this quickly.

The cold was so much crueler.

Ezra Darson stared at the barren, unmerciful walls that kept him in this desolate place. The sun was still young in the sky, muted by the grayness surrounding it. Ezra could barely make out its glow through the crack in this eastern wall.

He’d been deprived of everything, even the privilege of watching a sunrise.

In all his thirty years of living, nothing had ever come close to this. The reality of what had happened last year haunted him like a surreal dream. It didn’t seem to be reality at all. He still had trouble accepting it.

He was a prisoner of war. Along with thousands of other Confederate souls. They’d been sent here to Rock Island, Illinois almost six months ago; after a humiliating defeat on Lookout Mountain way back down in Tennessee.

It was no less bloody here than on that cursed battlefield.  Rock Island was nothing more than an icy grave, a wasteland of white and grey.

Hell was a place all to its own and a vile realm unlike no other, but Rock Island wasn’t far behind.

                                                                  ///

Stay tuned for more this year on Frayed Horizons!   And in the meantime, make sure you read TROF #1 so you are ready for the intensity to come. *wink* 

              

When My Soul Bleeds Words

hey lovelies!

 In case you didn't know or haven't heard, I have a whole new collection of poetry out in print!

WHEN MY SOUL BLEEDS WORDS is an illustrated poetry book that deals with my experiences relating to mental illness and just all the different facets of life. The ups and downs, the in-betweens. The recovery process of dealing with mental illness. The good and bad. 

Some stuff is dark, some of it is stuff you wouldn't want to read aloud. 

It's all told in a Christian perspective, though, so don't get too scared. 

If you're interested in purchasing your own signed copy, head over to my official website www.leahoxendine.com. 

ALSO you can get a copy on AMAZON! Click here! 

THANK YOU for supporting indie authors like me! <3 

//i had a bad dream last night {poetry}

i had a bad dream last night 

(a poem)

//

God, I had a bad dream last night. 

My mind wasn't mine and of truth I lost sight.

Worse still, all that was wrong became right. 

Into depravity I was thrown.

Hijacked by the worst evil ever known. 

Humanity had a price tag, like an item to be owned.

The blood of innocent children on my hands;

Human sacrifices to appease the devil's demands.

My silence is what ushered in those evil plans. 

People praised the murderers, the insane. 

I put a gun to my head to blow out my brain. 

They wanted me to die, so I didn't complain. 

Life was a curse instead of a prize.

To follow Christ was certainly to be despised. 

In despair, I tried to awake, but I couldn't open my eyes.

And yet...

 It was not a dream. 

I had never been asleep at all. 

//

copyright 2019, Leah K. Oxendine. 

For more poetry, please check out my illustrated poetry collection on mental illness and recovery, "When My Soul Bleeds Words" now available on Amazon HERE.

Raven Moon Emporium Organic TEA! {review}

Hey y’all! Today I have a nice little surprise for you guys… a review featuring delicious organic tea blends from Raven Moon Emporium!

If you love tea as much as I do, you’re going to love what Raven Moon Emporium has to offer.

I had the privilege of reviewing multiple different teas which they sent me to test. So let’s get down to business! 

Cold and Flu Brew

An invigorating blend (also caffeine free!) to help you battle cold and flu symptoms and fight off the bug like a pro! With ingredients like peppermint and elder flower, you know it’s going to be powerful!

Firefly Chai

A warm, comforting, caffeine-free chai blend perfect for autumn! I can’t help but think of bonfires and soft sweaters with this yummy blend.  Definitely a winner for this upcoming fall and winter!

Earl Grey

I have always been a sucker for earl grey! I think it all began when I was around 12-13 and my mom let me try her tea for the first time. Besides green tea, (which I have appropriately named my e-mail address and other profile names after) my favorite tea is definitely earl grey. This particular one is perfect and lives up to all the expectations I typically hold for a good cup of this kind.

Crimson Berry

Mmm, this one is decadent! A rich rooibos blend mixed with berries like currant fruit, elderberries and cranberries, plus hibiscus and rosehips…all-together, this is deliciously memorable! It’s one of those teas that you just want to sip on and savor until it’s all gone!

Wiccan Woman’s Brew

While I do not endorse Wicca or the Wiccan belief, this is definitely a great tea for boosting your overall health. One of the main things I love is that it is great for boosting iron. After going through the loss of my first child Hope, I had lost a good bit of blood and iron was probably low, so I drunk this tea blend to encourage those numbers to come back up to normal. Whether you’re male or female, you could definitely benefit from this tea – and I’ll mention, it’s not on the packaging, but I think this is a good cold-combating tea, too. It has red raspberry leaf in it which is awesome for helping the immune system and hormones stay balanced.

Pomegranate Green Tea

Oh my goodness. This. Stuff. Is. The. Bomb.  Whoever originally decided to mix pomegranate with green tea was a genius! Y’all know I’m always a green tea fanatic, but it only gets better when mixed with delicious fruit like pomegranate.  Definitely one of my favorites in this collection! A must-have!

Evening Repose

If you appreciate aesthetics as well as health value, you will quickly fall in love with this beautiful blend. When I say it’s beautiful, I truly mean it. Not only is this tea sweet, summery and refreshing, but it actually LOOKS gorgeous. The little blue coneflowers, the chamomile petals, the invigorating aroma of spearmint – it pairs together like a midsummer night’s dream.  Part of me wants to just have a mason jar of this tea blend sitting out to look at, it’s that pretty! And of course, as I mentioned, it tastes just as good. I actually took a few tablespoons of it and made iced tea with a little honey mixed in. It was perfect and hubby liked it as well!

Overall, this shop has a lot to offer, and these are only a FEW of the many tea blends they curate and sell! Visit them today and see what tea strikes your fancy!

Silba Body and Skincare - New Skincare Products! {review}

Happy October! Even though I have been caught up in a whirlwind of unexpected life changes, I have still been receiving a few things to review for you guys on this blog.

Remember Silba Body and Skincare? Earlier this year, I wrote a review on their amazing facial care line of products. Earlier this summer, they released a newly updated line of body care products, too! And guess what, yes! That’s what I’ll be talking about today!

I was sent a Sri Lankan Lemongrass Body oil, a Neroli Blossom body oil, a Bulgarian Lavender Aloe Spray, and a Sri Lankan Aloe Spray, as well as three body butter soufflés – a Bulgarian Lavender, Sri Lankan lemongrass, and a Rosemary & Sage.

All of these products are top notch when it comes to quality. They feature natural ingredients that are safe for many different skin types. And everything is made in Palm Springs, California.

Starting with the body oils: my favorite is definitely the Neroli Blossom scent. It is lightly sweet and floral, and not overpowering in any way. Perfect if you tend to enjoy floral based scents or milder scents.

The sri lankan lemongrass body oil is a little stronger in scent, and accurately captures the summer-reminiscent aroma of lemongrass.

Both body oils are wonderful for gently hydrating the skin and replenishing skin cells with nourishment and love. They don’t feel greasy at all, and a little bit goes a long way. So buy yourself a bottle and get ready to be pampered for a while!

The aloe sprays are awesome if you need a little spritz of moisture on a hot day without feeling overwhelmed with a bunch of heavy lotions. My favorite is the Bulgarian lavender. It is a true lavender scent and smells like the actual essential oil, not just the cheap imitations in products at the typical grocery store. Once again, for these sprays, a little goes a long way!  I even used them after going to the beach and getting a little sunburned. With the healing power of aloe, it was helpful for soothing my rather toasted skin.

Finally, on to the body butter soufflés. First of all, doesn’t that wording sound scrumptious? As soon as I saw these products go on the website I knew I had to try them at some point!

Of the three scents/editions, my favorite is yet again the Bulgarian lavender. Just like with the aloe spray, the scent of lavender is captured accurately and delectably. The sri lankan lemongrass is also fresh and true to scent, just as with its matching aloe spray. The rosemary  & sage is a little different to me than any other lotion or body butter I’ve sampled. Perhaps it is because I’m used to cooking with both herbs instead of using them on my body…? It’s definitely a unique combination.  It smells great, don’t get me wrong! And if you like the somewhat earthy, rustic scents of rosemary and sage, you will love this one for sure.

As to consistency and product quality, the body butter soufflés are basically like a high quality body lotion. You don’t need very much at one time, as it is fairly concentrated. Once again, more bang for your buck, right? These body butters feel soft and luxurious against your skin and will leave you feeling moisturized for hours.

It’s always a pleasure doing reviews for Silba Body and Skincare. Please check out their amazing website today and let me know what your favorite product is from their selection! 

Sonoma Farm {review}

Happy Thursday! If you love gourmet foods, you're gonna love today's review! I'm excited to introduce to you Sonoma Farm  which offers high quality olive oils, vinegar and much more! 

 I got to try the Sonoma Farms Garlic infused Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Mild Muffuletta, Carolina Reaper Salsa, Tuscan Vodka spaghetti sauce, and the Hot Giardiniera. 

Let's start out with the mild muffuletta! This stuff is so yummy. It is a savory combo of black olives and green olives that are cut by hand along with the celery, cauliflower and carrot, seasoned with oregano and garlic, covered in olive oil. The muffuletta is made in small batches. It can be used in multiple different ways but I enjoyed eating it just by itself! 

In contrast to the mild muffuletta, the hot giardiniera is a little spicier. It is basically the same type of condiment as the muffuletta - olives, cauliflower, carrot, etc, but with a little kick. Very good! If you want a little more spice in your olive salad this is it! 

Speaking of hot! If you want HOT, HOT, HOT, then the Carolina Reaper salsa is right up your alley. This is made from the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper. Don't be too scared to try it, though. While it's definitely very spicy, it won't kill you! *wink* In fact, my husband put it on his enchiladas and enjoyed it. The most amusing thing is that we were scared to try it for a while, and then finally convinced ourselves to give it a go. It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be.

Out of everything in this collection, the Tuscan vodka spaghetti sauce is definitely my favorite. It's absolutely decadent and makes ordinary dishes like spaghetti feel first-class! I'll be sad when I use up what's left in the jar! The combination of vodka, cream and spices makes this sauce rave-worthy. 

On to the last two: the garlic infused extra virgin olive oil and the balsamic vinegar.

Y'all know I'm a sucker for both quality olive oils and vinegar! I really, really like the garlic infused olive oil from Sonoma. It's got a delicious, smooth flavor and the garlic makes it even better. I love cooking with it and it's also great on salads as a dressing paired with the balsamic vinegar! The vinegar is barrel-aged and also excellent quality.  

Overall, you will not be disappointed with Sonoma Farm's products. Everything is made in small-batches and fresh from local farms. Most everything is GMO-free and all-natural. What's more, their flavor combinations are nearly endless!

You should definitely check them out today and tell them I sent you!

..

Village Batch Organic Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Olives {review}

Happy Thursday, my friends! 

It's time to take a little trip to Greece today - and you won't even have to leave your own kitchen! That's right...Village Batch offers quality organic olive oil, vinegar and olives direct from family farms in Greece! 

All of their products are free of additives, pesticides, preservatives and fillers! 

Knowing this, I was especially excited to get to try some of their delicious goods. 

I was sent a raw extra virgin organic olive oil, a balsamic vinegar with wildflower honey, and a jar of Greek marinated plum olives.  YUM! 

Let's start out with the marinated, handpicked plum olives!

They are delicious! The flavor is distinct and memorable and the seasoning is just right. I always enjoy trying new varieties of olives because they are one of my favorites when it comes to little details in Greek meals or American meals alike. .

These are the kind of olives I would be proud to present on a little fancy dish for company or esteemed visitors, you know?  If you want a charismatic, flavorful olive, this is it. 

On to the balsamic vinegar with organic wildflower honey!

Do you like to make your own homemade salad dressing, or use oil and vinegar for a dressing? 

I do!

 But in order to pull it off in a delicious fashion, you gotta have quality vinegar as well as quality oil. 

I love that this balsamic vinegar is flavored with organic honey. It's not overpowering and you can still enjoy it with multiple other flavors, no matter what kind of salad you create. It blends perfectly with the organic extra virgin olive oil that was also sent! 

And a little goes a long way, so you can buy a bottle and it will last you for a while! You can also use this balsamic vinegar to cook/season with or marinate meats, etc!

And on to my favorite of these three - the organic extra virgin olive oil! This stuff is the bomb! I'm a sucker for quality, organic olive oil and refuse to settle for anything less! With all the canola oil/vegetable oil junk for sale I believe it's imperative to get an olive oil that you know is non-gmo, organic and safe for your health. 

This olive oil can be paired with virtually anything imaginable, whether it's for making a salad dressing as mentioned above, cooking with, or seasoning other yummy dishes. Definitely a must in your kitchen if you like to cook healthy meals! This olive oil features Koroneiki and Manaki olives sourced from small-scale farms in Arcadia, Greece. 

Overall, I love the experience I got to have with Village Batch! I enjoyed testing all the products they sent me and hope to feature them again in the future. 

In the meantime, please be sure to check them out at their website HERE and comment what looks the most delicious to you! 

//

p.s. I was sent these items in exchange for my honest review.