The Sunday Post #06

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 

showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is

coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the rules here:

Sunday Post Meme

*NEWS*

The biggest event this past week was Thanksgiving. It's usually a low-key day spent with family and this year was no exception. Gathering at my parent's house, spending time with them and my sisters (plus my niece, nephews and brothers-in-law) is always special. My older sister brought a dice game called Left Center Right and we had a blast playing that in the afternoon. We played with quarters instead of the chips it came with and it was a riot to watch everyone get excited when they won and would rake in their $4 or so in winnings. :) It was day of good food and good people and I was feeling very thankful for those who were around me. And very thankful for those who are serving overseas and were far from home this holiday. 

I try my best to stay at home on Black Friday. There is *nothing* I want badly enough to deal with the crowds and the traffic and the people willing to come to blows over a half-priced toy or marked down TV. It's crazy, isn't it? Or is it just me? Tell me in the comments if you're a Black Friday shopper - I'd love to hear your take on it! :)

Having a few days off work has been fabulous! Four days in a row kind of feels like a mini vacation. Loving it!

*LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG*

Last week I heard about the #HolidayCramathon theday after it started and made a spur of the moment decision to join in. It runs through December 13 and I've chosen to concentrate on books that I have been truly excited to read but have been putting off. (I love to prolong the anticipation but after a while it gets kind of ridiculous.) I finished my first book of the Cramathon yesterday and started a new one today. I love that I'm "allowing myself" to finally pick up the books I've been so excited for!

On Tuesday I shared a review of Welcome to Foreverby Annie Rains (4/5 stars). I really enjoyed the story of elementary school principal Kat and Marine Micah. What's funny is that the book doesn't release until Tuesday (December 1) and I'm already excited for the next book in the companion series. :)

I always enjoy What Are You Reading Wednesday (#WAYRW) and this past week I shared a snippet from All Played Out by Cora Carmack. I just love her Rusk University series!

*NEW ADDITIONS*

Amazon delivered a box of happiness to my door this week. Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino (which I am crazy excited about!), Until the End by Abbi Glines (I'll be marathoning the Sea Breeze series after the first of the year), and a paperback copy of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer to replace my hardcover version (so much easier to read the paperback). 

I also received Attachments by Rainbow Rowell from Book Depository. I won a giveaway at The Regal Critiques and that was my pick. It's one of my favorites by Rowell and I'm so happy to own a physical copy of it. And I'm in love with the cover of this UK version! Big thanks to +Ruzaika Rifaideen and +Veronika Éles for the giveaway!

I managed to rein in my one-clicking last week and there were only a few additions to the Kindle:

  

    

Amazon had the complete With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby available in two bundles. I've seen so many great reviews of the series and have wanted to start it for a while so it seemed like the perfect time to nab the whole series. And Sweet Addiction by J. Daniels was FREE which was too good to pass up. :)

*CURRENTLY READING* 

I just started I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios and, not to have unreasonable expectations or anything, but I'm kind of expecting greatness. I bought this almost as soon as it was released way back in February and have been wallowing in the anticipation ever since. Now I'm (finally!) diving in and I'm so optimistic and hopeful that this one will be as special as I think it will be.

*TOTALLY RANDOM*

So how was your week? Did you have a good Thanksgiving (for my American friends)? Are you a Black Friday shopper? Taking part in the #HolidayCramathon? Buy any new books? Fill me in on what your week was like!

What Are You Reading Wednesday #08

What Are You Reading Wednesdays is a weekly feature 

hosted by Andie at It’s A Reading Thing. 

How to participate:

Grab the book you are currently reading and answer three questions:

1. What’s the name of your current read?

2. Go to page 34 in your book (or 34% in your eBook) and share a couple of sentences.

3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?

1.  All Played Out (Rusk University #3) by Cora Carmack

2.  "I told you to stay away from me."

He hums and frowns and says, "No. No, I distinctly recall you saying you were supposed to stay away from me."

"Same thing."

"Oh, gorgeous. If what you're supposed to do and what you actually do are always the same thing, I think I need to stage an intervention."

3.  Would I want to live in this world? Yes! I love all the characters from the Rusk University world and would love to hang out with these people. Drew and Dallas, Silas and Dylan, Stella, Ryan, Torres and Brookes... this is a great group of people and it's great to get to know them all as the series progresses.

What are you reading today? Want to share a snippet from page 34 (or 34%)? 

I love comments so tell me below. :)

Review: Welcome To Forever by Annie Rains

Title: Welcome To Forever by Annie Rains

Series: Hero's Welcome #1

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 1, 2015

Format: e-book

Source: NetGalley

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

If you love Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, or Jill Shalvis, you won’t want to miss the Hero’s Welcome military romance series. Welcome to Forever introduces a small coastal town where America’s best and brightest risk everything for love.

In Seaside, North Carolina, there are two kinds of people: Marines, and kids of Marines. Then there’s Kat Chandler. Recently hired as the principal of Seaside Elementary, Kat makes it her mission to turn the school into a place of peace and calm. That’s not going to be easy with hard-liner parents like Micah Peterson storming in, telling her how to do her job—and then kissing her with those gorgeous lips of his and turning her brain into mush.

As a Marine Sergeant and a single dad, Micah Peterson has just two priorities: doing his job better than anyone else, and getting the absolute best for his son, Ben. But when he meets Ben’s beautiful new principal, a different yearning shifts into focus. He wants her, sure, but he’s also moved by the connection Kat forges with her students. So after learning that she refuses to date Marines, Micah sets two more objectives: convincing Kat to give him a chance . . . and then holding on to her forever.

My Thoughts

In the coastal town of Seaside, North Caroline, Kat and Micah have experienced loss in different ways and both are reluctant to risk their hearts again.

Elementary school principal Kat has vowed not to get involved with another Marine and instead focuses all her attention on her job – one made all the more demanding because of those who feel she is too young and too inexperienced. Her best friend encourages her to put the past behind her and meet someone new, but Kat insists she’s not interested. But after meeting the father of one her students… maybe she’s interested after all.

Marine Sergeant Micah Peterson is a single dad whose top priority is his 8 year old son Ben. With an ex-wife who is more devoted to the Marines than her own son, and an ex-girlfriend who refused to accept Ben, Micah is determined to set aside romantic involvements and instead focus entirely on Ben and give him the stability he needs. Then he meets Kat, the principal at Ben’s new school, and he wonders if maybe there is room in his life for someone else.

Welcome to Forever was an unexpected surprise - emotional, heartwarming and completely engaging. I was pulled into Kat and Micah's story right away. Based on their personal histories, their mutual hesitancy to get involved was completely understandable and believable. They were both treading softly into the possibility of a new relationship and I loved that they acted like adults (and not like hormonal teenagers). I admit that I am not usually a fan of stories that feature a child so prominently, but I totally fell for Ben. This 8 year old charmer was sweet and funny and his devotion to his father and desire to have someone want and love them both just melted my heart. One of my favorite aspects of the story was Micah’s belief in Kat and his willingness to back her up and be there for her. Kat was able to fight her own battles - even though Micah was ready to jump in and go to battle for her.

My only quibble were some inconsistencies in the Marine/military aspects of the story. For a book with a strong military theme, taking place in a military town, these anomalies stood out to me. They will likely go unnoticed by many, but with a husband who is a 20-year veteran, they caught my attention and temporarily took me out of the narrative.

I was completely invested in Kat and Micha’s story and, as they faced conflict and unexpected circumstances, I found myself getting emotional even shed a few tears. I highly recommend this one to those looking for a contemporary romance that was realistic instead of angst-filled, with characters who are likable and so deserving of a happy ending.

4/5 Stars

Note: This title was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

You can pre-order your copy of Welcome to Forever by Annie Rains by using the Amazon link above!

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Have you ever read a romance with a military theme? Do you have a favorite?

#HolidayCramathon is Here!

I'm excited to be taking part in the Holiday Cram-a-thon read-a-thon! This is hosted by Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) and is a super low-key read-a-thon that focuses on having fun and spending as much time as possible reading. If you want to join in you can link up at Jessica's #HolidayCramathon post.

This is a perfect opportunity to read all those books you've been meaning to get to this year... but it just hasn't happened yet. Plus, get caught up with your GoodReads challenge (in case you're like me and are a little behind). There are no real rules for this one: read what you want, when you want. And if you want, you can update your progress on social media using the hashtag #holidaycramathon so we can see how everyone is doing and cheer on their progress.

I don't have a set number of books I want to read in the next 3 weeks, but these are a few that I'm wanting to read before the end of the year. So now is a great time to pick them up and dive on in. 

  

  

All Played Out (Rusk University #3) - Cora Carmack

Addicted After All (Addicted #3) - Krista and Becca Ritchie

Sweet (Contours of the Heart #3) - Tammara Webber

I'll Meet You There - Heather Demetrios

Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1) - Abbi Glines

Oblivion (Lux #1.5) - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Are you taking part in the Cramathon? How many books are you hoping to read? And if you're not participating, are there certain books you really want to read before the end of the year? 

Review: Something in the Air by Marie Landry

Title: Something in the Air by Marie Landry

Series: No

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 10, 2015

Format: e-book

Source: Provided by Author

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Her life hasn't gone as planned, but she's about to realize that sometimes the best things happen when you stop expecting life to be a certain way...

When Rose Morgan put off her college plans to help her mother through a difficult time, she thought it would just be a bump in the road of her journey. She got a job to help pay the bills and started picking up the slack at home. But three years later, her bumpy ride hasn’t smoothed out yet, and Rose feels stuck. She’s working at a job she hates and living with a manipulative mother. She’s tired of feeling like her life has stalled, tired of the resentment and anger building inside her with each passing day.

Then Declan Connelly appears in her life, and even though the hot Irishman is seriously tempting, Rose is determined not to let him in. She’s afraid to suck anyone into her bizarre life, especially someone who seems too charming for his own good. She soon learns there’s more to Declan than his sexy accent and charismatic personality, though. He’s a good man, and he wants Rose in his life, baggage and all. He’s got his own, and he isn’t scared away like she originally feared he would be.

Everything in Rose’s life is changing quickly. It’s finally her time--time to figure out what she wants and what her future holds. Time to get swept off her feet and not fight it. But when her plans might take her away from all the amazing new things in her life, including Declan, Rose has to make a choice. Is she willing to chase her dreams, even if it means letting go of love?

My Thoughts

Rose is a young woman who has put her life on hold. After her parents divorce when she was in high school her mother fell apart. Instead of college, Rose felt obligated to stay at home, get a job, and be there for her mother. Two years later, at age 20, Rose is still in the same place, living the same life. Her mother is emotionally dependent and manipulative, making Rose feel guilty for wanting more. 

While enjoying a rare night out with best friend Dante, Rose meets Irish charmer Declan Connelly. Rose is smitten but reluctant to bring anyone into her insular life. A chance meeting a few days later brings them together again and so begins their relationship.

Something in the Air is a perfectly pleasant contemporary romance with a focus on living life on your own terms and following your heart. Rose was a self-sacrificing young woman who continued to put her perceived responsibility to her mother over her own wants and needs and fell victim to her mother's manipulations time and time again. I enjoyed seeing Rose begin to assert herself and start to push for a life separate from her mother. Of special note was her reconnection with her father (and his new wife). He provided a much needed perspective and was a positive influence in her life.

It was impossible not to fall for Declan. The guy had it all: Irish accent (yes, I absolutely heard his Irish brogue in my head as I read), handsome, thoughtful, compassionate, affectionate, generous. As much as I enjoyed him, I couldn't help but feel that he fell into the to-good-to-be-true category. The guy simply did not have a single fault. Similarly, Rose and Declan's relationship progressed at lightning speed and never had a single a hiccup. Finally, Rose's fight for independence came all too easily and with seemingly little effort. Solutions to problems like where to live, finding a new job, and an opportunity to travel were all dropped in her lap. Rose's growth didn't feel particularly hard won because of this.

Overall, Something in the Air was sweet and entertaining and there was plenty to enjoy - true friendship in the form of Dante, a loving father and step-mother, the swoony Declan, and the strong family ties between Declan, his aunt and cousin. Readers looking for something on the lighter side of contemporary romance will likely enjoy this one.

3.5/5 Stars

Note: This title was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

That's What *HE* Said Thursday #17

That's What He Said Thursday is a weekly meme created 

and hosted by Chapter Break. It's a fun way to share a quote 

from a favorite book boyfriend (aka male protagonist) to his girl.

For more info, visit Chapter Break here.

I came across Best Kind of Broken by chance on NetGalley over a year ago and it was one of those little gems that I would have otherwise missed. I loved this story of Pixie and Levi - former friends who find their way back to one another after a tragedy. Levi was an absolute sweetheart and had so many great quotes.

Do you participate in That's What He Said Thursday? 

Or just have a favorite quote you want to share? 

Leave a comment and tell me about it!

Top Ten Tuesday: So Quotable

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is all about the quotes. Quotes from books that we've read in the last year. That means there were plenty to choose from, but these were the stand-outs:

What's your favorite book quote?
Have you read any of these books?

Let's talk book quotes!