December Wrap Up

December
•Total Read: 6
•Audios: 2
•New to me authors: 0
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 4
•Women Authors: 6
•Men Authors: 0


•YTD - 132

TITLES READ:

Do It Afraid by Joyce Meyer (NF)

Duke Most Wicked by Lenora Bell

Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery

Once A Solider by Mary Jo Putney (audio)

Sunburst by Susan May Warren

The Best Is Yet To Come by Debbie Macomber

The Duke Not Taken by Julia London

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery

Enjoyable Christmas themed story that takes place in a small town where I'd like to live. 

Do It Afraid by Joyce Meyer (NF) audio

A wonderful tool with sound teaching and practical advice. Joyce narrates like you are sitting across from her having a cup of coffee.

The Best Is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber

A quick, easy read about starting over and finding purpose/love through difficult circumstances.

I met my reading goal for the year by 2 books!  December was the slowest with only 6 read for the month.  May you be blessed in 2023! Happy New Year.

FIRST BOOK of 2023  the 10th anniversary is being hosted by Shelia at Book Journey.  I have chosen my first read of 2023.

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

November Wrap Up

 

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November
•Total Read: 10
•Audios: 3
•New to me authors: 3
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 5
•Women Authors: 10
•Men Authors: 0

•YTD - 126

TITLES READ:

A Hard Day For A Hangover by Darynda Jones

Darius by J.R. Ward (audio)

Four Weeks A Scandal by Megan Frampton

Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean (audio)

Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins

Remember Love by Mary Balogh

The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan

The Road to Christmas by Shelia Roberts

The Summer Bride by Annie Grace (audio)

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

Darius by J.R. Ward (audio) #0.5

What a great prequel to the Black Dagger Brotherhood narrated by Jim Frangione. The story of how it all began as well as the story of Beth's parents Darius and Ann. Knowing how the story would end was still hard and emotional. 

*Thanks to Simon and Schuster Audio for this review copy*

A Hard Day For A Hangover by Darynda Jones.

Yesterday was a rough one for Sheriff Sunshine Vicram, but the day gets off with a bang despite her hangover. A young girl is found on the side of the road, another girl is missing, a prisoner that Sun had transferred has escaped and her daughter Auri is testing her patience. What else could go wrong? Oh yeah, she has a secret that could get her and her daughter killed. Fast paced, funny with quirky characters made this such a delightful installment in this series.

The Sunshine Girls by Molly Fader

Sisters Abbie and Clara are saying goodbye to their mother BettyKay when a celebrity walks in and places pink buttons in their mother's coffin.  Kitty Deveraux has been a star since the late 60's.  When the girls get over their shock they approach her to ask what she's doing.  Kitty and BettyKay's story takes them back to their early days meeting at nursing school through to the present and the girls learn they knew nothing about their mother and are at a loss. Will this draw them farther apart or forge a new future? The past and present meld together to tell the story of friendship, family and forgiveness.

*Thanks to HTP/Graydon House/NetGalley for this review copy*

Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean (audio) #2

Adelaide has found a life with the Hells Bells, a group of women who right wrongs of powerful men mostly in secret. She is a master of the sleight of hand and is masquerades as The Match Breaker.  The girls mission is to save a young woman from her father who has taken matters into her own hands by eloping. Henry, the Duke of Clayborn, is the brother of the young man and is just as determined to find them when he and Adelaide cross paths.  They are known to each other and reluctantly team up with differing agendas.  Plenty of action and banter that takes these characters on a fast paced journey to a destination neither expected.  Brilliantly narrated by Mary Jane Wells.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

Four Weeks of Scandal by Megan Frampton (audio)

Did Octavia's gambler father lose her inheritance (childhood home) to the father of Gabriel, who now claims it as his? They have four weeks to find out as they search the home for the proof each of them needs. Octavia to save her business and Gabriel to finally have something of his own. As they search against each other, they work together to fix up the house and find themselves drawn to each other. Will their goals get in between what is happening or will they make a different bargain. This funny, heartwarming story is narrated by the talented Justine Eyre.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

October Wrap Up

 

October
•Total Read: 12
•Audios: 3
•New to me authors: 4
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 8
•Women Authors: 11
•Men Authors: 1

•YTD - 116

TITLES READ:

A Rip Through Time by Kelly Armstrong

Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb

Leif by Celeste Barclay (audio)

My Dearest Duke by Kristin Vayden

Nightwork by Nora Roberts

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

The Book Haters  Book Club by Gretchen Anthony

The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer

The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle

The Spring Bride by Annie Grace (audio)

Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas (audio)

You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Ann Long

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

The Book Hater's Book Club by Gretchen Anthony (audio)

Bree is devastated that her mother Irma is selling Over the Rainbow bookstore with no explanation to her, her sister Laney or Thom (co-owner Eliot's partner). Thom is angry because he feels he may be cheated out of Eliot's share. Laney doesn't really care as she left town years ago and is using the situation as a means to escape.  The story gets off to a slow start waiting for the reason Irma is selling, but the backstory is engaging and interesting.  Interspersed between the story is an interlude from deceased Eliot that at times was distracting.  But overall a delightful story narrated well by Tanya Eby

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

My Dearest Duke by Kristen Vayden

A clean romance featuring two characters with secrets that hold them back from pursuing their attraction.  Rowles has to give up his beloved professorship to become the Duke after the death of his brother.  Joan's secrets can ruin her chance of a good match. Joan is Morgan's sister, Rowles best friend.  They enjoy debating with each other and as attraction grows they have to deal with what is holding them back.  A quick, enjoyable read.

*Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this review copy*

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong #1

I really enjoyed this first book in a new series featuring Canadian Detective Mallory.  She is visiting her dying grandmother in Edinburgh. One evening she is taking a run and hears what sounds like a women in distress in an alley.  Yep, she checks it out and is soon under attack herself.  She wakes up 150 years in the past in the body of a housemaid who also has been attacked.  She uses the attack to fake memory loss to figure out what has happened.  Her employer is an undertaker interested in forensic science and is surprised by Mallory's interest and knowledge. A great beginning with interesting secondary characters.  Look forward to what happens next.

The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle

Alex is an influencer, Unapologetically Alex, has become so popular she has had to hire an assistant.  AC is the perfect assistant  or is she?  When a post appears that bashes another influencer Alex's world begins to fall apart and her personal assistant disappears.  The posts and recordings continue involving her husband and twin daughters Alex can't figure out why her assistant would do this to her.  When the threats become more than verbal and a body shows up in her carriage house it is time to give up on worrying about her million followers, getting her life back and protecting the one she has.  This book will make you wonder if having an online presence is a good idea.  

*Thanks to HQ/Park Row Books/NetGalley for this review copy*

Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas (audio)

Zachary is a former fighter who has built an empire of wealth, not born into it.  He is now looking for a wife.  After a chance meeting one evening he just may have found her.  Holly is coming out of mourning that has been a place of comfort.  She agrees to an evening out and a chance encounter has her questioning her readiness.  Zac asks her to help his family learn the ways of the ton, and entices her with a sum that will set her and her daughter up for a longtime, but may damager her reputation.  Will she be able to get over the perception that her dead husband was perfect and open herself up to love?  This does get a bit annoying in the story, but Zachary's pursuit makes it bearable.  Narrated by one of the best Roslyn Landor

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

September Wrap Up

 

MONTH
•Total Read: 7
•Audios: 2
•New to me authors: 1
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 4
•Women Authors: 6
•Men Authors: 2


•YTD - 104

TITLES READ:

After Dark With The Duke by Julie Ann Long

All the Dirty Secrets by Aggie Blum Thompson

Blame It One The Earl by Jane Ashford

Shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers

The Second Husband by Kate White (audio)

The Winter Bride by Anne Gracie (audio)

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

Blame It On The Earl by Jane Ashton

Forced to marry after being stuck in a cave overnight Sarah and Kenver are determined to make it work.  Kenver's parents treat Sarah terribly, and try to do everything to keep them apart so they can get the marriage annulled. Kenver is an idiot by not realizing how awful his parents are and by not standing up to them (this trope went on far too long). Sarah's powerful friends don't make an impression on them either.  It isn't until she does something that is compassionate and kind that Kenver's father begins to see her differently. Sarah is a great character and made the book worth reading, Kenver does redeem himself a bit in the end.

*Thanks to Sourcebooks/NetGalley for this review copy*

Shattered by James Patterson & James O Borne #14

A good installment in the Michael Bennet series.  Michael and Mary are on their honeymoon when he receives a call that he later realizes he should have taken.  When they return Michael is quickly drawn into a murder case of a good friend. 

The Winter Bride by Anne Gracie (audio) #2

Damaris agrees to help Freddy with the schemes by many to get him married.  He is helping out a friend when he asks for Damaris' help in pretending to be engaged.  He promises her a cottage all her own when their scheme works.  As they visit his parents this is anything but easy as they both figured. As they navigate this ruse each of them share their deepest hurts and realize that they are more alike than either of them thought and it just may lead to their HEA. Read by Alison Larkin.

Leif by Celeste Barclay (audio) #1

Book one in the Viking Glory series gets off to an action packed start.  Leif and Sigrid are the focus of this book. After watching and enjoying two Norse/Saxon series this audio was picked up to continue in that world. Narrated very well by Paul Woodson.  

*Thanks to Tantor Audio for this review copy*

Reading was a little slower this month.  At the beginning we had a great 80th celebration of my mom's birthday and an extended family reunion!  I did meet my Goodreads goal for the year this month!

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

August Wrap Up

 

MONTH
•Total Read: 13
•Audios:  5
•New to me authors: 4
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 8
•Women Authors: 12
•Men Authors:  1


•YTD - 97

August:

A Duke For Diana by Sabrina Jeffries

City on Fire by Don Winslow

Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs

Dukes Prefer Blonds by Lorretta Chase (audio)

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren (audio)

Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs

The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie (audio)

The Cage by Bonnie Kistler (audio)

The Inheritance by Rochelle Alers

The Lost and Found Girl by Maisy Yates

The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich

The Sorority Murder by Allison Brennan

Wonderful by Jill Barnett (audio) DNF

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

The Lost and Found Girl by Maisy Yates

Ruby has come home to her small town to take a new job.  She also hopes to help her sister, Lydia a recent widow.  Marianne and Dahlia also have life issues and as these four sisters reunite there are two twenty year old mysteries that play a big part in their stories.  As they move toward the secrets being revealed the stories of their lives unfold that brings healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.  An emotional, fast moving story. 

*Thanks to HQN Books/Netgalley for this review copy*

Wonderful by Jill Barnett (audio)

After watching a few middle ages series and enjoying them I thought this would be a fun book to listen to since it takes place during that time period.  However, I could not continue as the narrator made listening way too difficult.  Gave up after the third chapter.

*Thanks to Tantor Audio for this review copy*

The Cage by Bonnie Kistler (audio)

Shay enters the elevator after a long day along with Lucy.  When the power goes out and they are stuck something happens and one of them is dead when help arrives.  Shay, a corporate lawyer is more than cooperative with the police until she is accused.  So begins the cat and mouse game of what really happened in the elevator.  Piper Goodeve and Chris Andrew Ciulla did a great job with the character and the rising tension.

*Thanks to Harper Audio for this review copy*

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren (audio)

Lily  and her friend are guides to those looking for an adventure that includes a treasure hunt.  Lily's goal is to earn enough money to buy back her family ranch.  She uses her father's treasure hunting obsession as a means to get to her goal.  Leo and his friends show up for the adventure as their annual friend trip. Lily is surprised when Leo show up with his group, as they were an item over 10 years ago before he disappeared without a word. Determined to go through with the weekend Lily puts on her professional persona.  When the trip goes all kind of wrong they have to work together to survive and maybe they will have a second chance at love. Patti Murin and Jon Root did a great job narrating the voices of Lily and Leo.

*Thanks to Simon and Schuster Audio for this review copy*

The Second Husband by Kate White (audio)

Emma's life has taken a turn for the better after the murder of her husband Derrick.  She is married to a wonderful widower and settling into her new life, even with Tom's step-daughter visiting, things are okay.  She is blindsided when a Detective shows up to inform her that she is looking into the cold case and is led to believe new evidence has surfaced.  Things take a dark twist when she discovers that her husband Tom has not been honest about their meeting.  Plenty of twists and revelations keep you guessing.  Leslie Howard does a good job narrating, but at times Emma comes across as a bit whiney.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

August was great for audios!  A long road trip helped contribute to the extended hours of listening.  It is back to the regular routine of life after a wonderful summer break. 

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

July Wrap-Up

July
•Total Read: 10
•Audios: 2
•New to me authors: 1
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 6
•Women Authors: 9
•Men Authors: 1

•YTD - 84

TITLES READ:

Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas (audio)

Flight by Laura Griffin

Lover Arisen by JR Ward

Movieland by Lee Goldberg

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Chase by Candace Fox

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase (audio)

Watching Over You by Lori Foster

Thoughts on a few of the books I read last month:

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman

Sutton has struggled with the shutdown, getting laid off and then the sickness of her mom.  When her mom dies Sutton is devastated and finds a clue to her past that her mom has kept secret.  She rents a small cottage on Lake Michigan in the small town of Douglas.  There she discovers more than she ever thought even though she was warned that maybe she didn't want to know the whole truth.  Great setting and wonderful characters make this a great read.

*Thanks to HTP/Graydon House/NetGalley for this review copy*

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Hannah's life at the moment is rough and she just wants to escape into work.  Her mother recently died and her boyfriend broke up with her.  She works for an elite security company and reluctantly takes a job of providing security for Jack, at the moment the hottest thing in Hollywood.  What a fun, laugh out loud read despite it's predictability.  A perfect summer, vacay or anytime read.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press/NetGalley for this review copy*

Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas #2 (audio)

Logan was an intriguing character in the first book Somewhere I'll Find You, this is his story.  He is happy running and building his theater into one of the finest in London.  Madeline is less than thrilled with her parent's choice for a husband and decides to take control of her life.  She runs away, hides by working in the theater.  She has a plan to make sure she will be disqualified as a wife.  Logan is less than thrilled that she is there figuring she will just be in the way, but she proves herself valuable.  Their relationship develops quickly when sickness runs through the theater and Maddy is left to nurse Logan while he is sick. Rosalyn Landor does a good job with the narration.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

Movieland by Lee Goldberg #4

This series featuring young Detective Eve Ronin and her partner, almost retired Detective Duncan Pavone has quickly become a favorite.  They are called to a state park on reports of a shooting.  When they arrive they discover a woman who has been shot, and find that her partner has been killed. As they investigate Duncan tells Eve he believes this could be a serial shooter, as he has knowledge of other such shootings in this area.  The higher ups want a quick resolution to the crime and deny it could be a serial shooter. Eve is not about to back down and with the help of Duncan they begin to figure out what really has happened now and then.

The Chase by Candice Fox

More than 600 inmates from a correction facility, including everyone on death row, are released after a hostage situation. Death Row Supervisor Celine is determined to bring them in especially John Kradle. This author has quickly landed on my favorite, automatic pick-up list. Fast-paced with plenty of edge of seat moments.  Hopefully this character Celine will return.

July has been a good reading month.  We enjoyed our family birthday and anniversary celebrations.  A few more weeks before it is back to the regular fall schedule! 

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.