The Sunday Post #328 | March 12, 2023

 

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 share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

It was a short week at the office as I was off on Thursday and Friday. The network issues from the previous week were finally resolved so even though it was a three-day work week, I got a lot done.

On Thursday The Husband and I headed down to Tampa. Upon arrival we discovered our hotel was in a horrible area - something you can't always tell when booking online. I in no way felt safe there. We managed to cancel the reservation without penalty (which took a while but worked out) and booked another hotel about a mile from the arena (at double the rate - ack!). The Lightning game (Tampa's NHL team) was a super exciting one. It was a physical game and midway through the third period a major fight broke out. The refs handed out 21 penalties among 10 players. I wonder if that was a record? LOL The game went into overtime and unfortunately the Golden Knights scored first, so the Lightning lost 3-4. Womp womp. Still a great time, though, and I'm so glad we were able to go.

  


We got back home on Friday and all was well but by Saturday The Husband was not feeling well. He seemed to go downhill all day so we went to urgent care around 9 PM. They did Covid and flu tests and... he is positive for Covid. He's pretty miserable and I feel terrible for him. Since I have obviously been exposed, I also have to quarantine for 5 days so I'll be working from home most of the upcoming week. So far I am testing negative and hopefully it will stay that way... but I suppose that isn't very likely. 😣 We've been super careful and hyper-conscious for three years now - we still limit contact with people, we still wear masks - and after all this time, it still happened. Ugh.

Since I could use a little musical pick-me-up, I'm sharing a favorite even though I've used it before (possibly more than once). Here's Don't Leave Me This Way (1986) by the Communards. Enjoy!



ON THE BLOG

Wednesday, March 8

WHAT I READ

    

Kindle: Cannon (Pittsburg Titans #6) by Sawyer Bennett - 4★

Audio: The New Guy by Sarina Bowen - 4.25★


CURRENTLY READING

   
    

Kindle: Lessons in Corruption by Giana Darling

Audio: Right Man, Right Time by Meghan Quinn


NEW ADDITIONS


Nothing this week.

TOTALLY RANDOM



HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Posted by at 18 comments
Labels:

WWW Wednesday #123 | March 8, 2023

 

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
Just share your answers to three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you'll read next?


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

     

Audio: The New Guy - Sarina Bowen
Kindle: Lessons in Corruption - Giana Darling

Currently listening: Every new Sarina Bowen release is cause for celebration and I'm
loving this one. Gavin and Hudson are so great and I'm hooked as they navigate their
way to a lasting relationship.
Current progress: 80%

Currently reading: Lessons in Corruption has been on my TBR for years and I finally
decided to make it happen. I'm not totally sold on the writing style but I am enjoying
the story so I'll see how it goes.
Current progress: 20%

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?


Kindle: Cannon (Pittsburgh Titans #6) by Sawyer Bennett - ★★★★

Recently read: Still loving this series and Cannon's entry was a solid one. I loved the ease
of Cannon and Ava's relationship, and Ava's personal journey was one I cheered on.


WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?

     

Not totally sure what I'll pick up next, but Heart Recaptured and Bonds of Justice are 
strong contenders.


WHAT ARE YOU READING TODAY?

Posted by at 18 comments
Labels: ,

The Sunday Post #327 | March 5, 2023

 

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 share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

This was the week of major network issues at office. All. Week. Long. The problems seem to be centered on MS OneDrive and our IT department is working crazy hours trying to resolve the issue. It made for some frustrating and unproductive days. My fingers are crossed that it's fixed by the time I head back to the office Monday morning.

Despite all the work headaches, Tuesday was a bright spot because I received some fun book mail! I was lucky enough to win Lindsey's (Lindsey Reads) blogoversary giveaway and the book I chose arrived. Catherine Cowles has become a real favorite over the last year and I am so happy so have a physical copy of Tattered Stars for my shelf. Thank you again, Lindsey! :)

For some feel-good content this week I'm sharing this IG post. I was struck by this otherwise stoic man cuddling the rescued cat. There's no telling what horrors he has seen as a rescue worker, so to see him care for the cat and smile... it warmed my heart. ♥


This week's throwback song is Praying for Time (1990) by George Michael. Enjoy!



ON THE BLOG

Tuesday, February 21

Friday, February 24


WHAT I READ

     

Audio: Indefinite (Salvation #6) by Corinne Michaels - 4★

Audio: Infinite (Salvation #7) by Corinne Michaels - 3.5★


CURRENTLY READING

     

Kindle: Cannon (Pittsburg Titans #6) by Sawyer Bennett

Audio: The New Guy by Sarina Bowen


NEW ADDITIONS


Tattered Stars - Catherine Cowles

Thank you, Lindsey! 

TOTALLY RANDOM

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Posted by at 53 comments
Labels:

Short Take Reviews: Tru Blue | The Sinner | Dark Room Etiquette

 


Tru Blue
by Melissa Foster
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Author

Truman (Tru) has been released from prison (for a crime he didn’t commit) and is working to craft a new life for himself. When he responds to his brother’s frantic call that their mother has overdosed, he arrives on the scene to find two children (a half-brother and half-sister) that he never even knew existed. Tru was determined to ensure their lives would be better – they would know safety, stability, and love, unlike his own childhood with a drug-addicted mother. Enter Gemma, who he meets the same night as he rescues the children, while trying to buy necessities for their care. Gemma is sweet and selfness and quickly steps in to help Tru. While I had whiplash at how lightning fast their relationship progressed – in the span of a week (or less) they were in a serious relationship – I couldn’t help but be taken in by the love Tru had for his siblings. His devotion, his protectiveness, and his care went straight to my heart. Beyond the insta-love and some occasional cheesy dialogue, I enjoyed this short and sweet story. 4 stars

by Emma Scott
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Unlimited

If you’re looking for a love story that showcases an all-consuming, soul-deep, everlasting love, look no further. Shy, introverted Lucy lives a solitary life and is still grieving the loss of her beloved father. When she finds a battered man (with black feathered wings) in the alley outside her apartment, her life takes a dramatic turn. Casziel is a demon (actually a demon prince) and tells Lucy he is seeking redemption and enlists her help. As Caz’s background and true motivation are revealed, the tortured (anti)hero showed a selflessness that was breathtaking in its purity. With mutual pining, redemption, and three epic epilogues, Emma Scott delivered a tale of a love so true that it could transcend time. 4 stars


by Robin Roe
Format: Kindle
Source: Overdrive/Libby

Dark Room Etiquette left me seriously conflicted. My feelings about Sayer and his story did a gradual but dramatic shift over the course of the book. Sayer and his friends showed a shocking lack of empathy and I was appalled at their casual cruelty. I found them all loathsome. Then Sayer was kidnapped. What happened after that was a slow and disturbing descent into Sayer’s trauma and the psychological toll it exacted. By the time Sayer was questioning his own memories, his own identity (and even his sanity), I had moved from loathing him, to being horrified for him, to wanting to take his hand and lead him to safety. His struggle in the aftermath to reclaim a life he no longer recognized, and simply learn to be an individual again, was heartbreaking but hopeful. Robin Roe crafted a story that went much darker than I expected, and I found myself thinking about Sayer long after I turned the last page. 4 stars


Have you read any of these books?

Posted by at 4 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Historical Fiction

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:
Favorite Historical Fiction
 
Most of the time (like, 95% of the time) I am a contemporary romance reader. But once in a while I shake things up and toss a different genre in the mix. A little paranormal, a little urban fantasy, and sometimes a little historical fiction. WW II-era historical fiction seems to be my era of choice, but there are other time periods represented here, too. So let's throw it back to the old days...



Favorite Historical Fiction


Where the Lost Wander - Amy Harmon
Mrs. Everything - Jennifer Weiner
The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
Sarah's Key- Tatiana de Rosnay
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
From Sand and Ash - Amy Harmon
The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes
The Things We Leave Unfinished - Rebecca Yarros
Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah

Have you read any of these books?

Posted by at 23 comments
Labels: ,

The Sunday Post #326 | February 26, 2023

 

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 share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

While the rest of the country seems to be experiencing crazy winter storms, my area is setting record highs for February. It was well over 80° almost every day this week. Ugh! What happened to my winter? What happened to sweater weather and warm drinks on cold days? I was robbed, I tell you, robbed. *feels only mildly guilty for complaining about 87° weather while others are getting snow*

I received an email this week that my air fryer has been recalled. I completed the recall registration yesterday so hopefully I'll receive the replacement before too long. I had to provide photos showing that I had cut the power cord so it's not like I could (or would) use it in the interim.

We have tickets to a Tampa Lightning (hockey) game week after next, so I spent way too much time on the Fanatics site last night deciding on what Lightning merch to buy. One t-shirt and one long sleeve shirt for me and a polo shirt for The Husband later... and we're ready to cheer on the Lightning. :)

This week's 80's music fix is Orinoco Flow (1988) by Enya. Enjoy!


ON THE BLOG

Tuesday, February 21

Friday, February 24

WHAT I READ


Audio: Whispers of You (Lost & Found #1) by Catherine Cowles - 4.25★

Audio: Evermore (Salvation #5.5) by Corinne Michaels - 3.5★

Kindle: The Sinner (Angels & Demons #1) by Emma Scott - 4★


CURRENTLY READING


Audio: Indefinite (Salvation #6) by Corinne Michaels


NEW ADDITIONS


Not a thing.

TOTALLY RANDOM



HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Posted by at 24 comments
Labels:

Short Take Reviews: Consolation and Conviction by Corinne Michaels

 

About a year ago I decided to do a deep dive into Corinne Michaels' backlist. I love her books so why not go back to the beginning, right? So I read her first two published novels, Beloved and Beholden from her Salvation series, and well... let's say that I wasn't blown away. (You can read my thoughts here.) And I decided I would stick with her newer releases.

Fast forward one year and I've done a total 180. I've been on a major Corinne binge lately and that made me want to go back to the beginning... again. So I went back to the Salvation series. And I am hooked! I'm now six books into the series and I don't want it to end. I can't explain it. The characters that drove me crazy in those first two books, I now adore. *shrugs* Here are my short and sweet thoughts on the Consolation Duet, books three and four in the overall series. 

Consolation
by Corinne Michaels
Series: Consolation Duet #1/Salvation series #3
Format: Audio 
Source: Audible Plus

At 27, Natalie was married to her high school sweetheart and expecting their first child. Receiving the news that Aaron, a former Navy Seal, was killed while on a security mission overseas, left her devastated and grief-stricken. When Aaron’s best friend Liam showed up after the birth of her daughter, offering his help and support, she quickly came to lean on him. His friendship and support helped her come back from a dark place and feel like herself again. They’d been friends for years through Aaron, but now a bond was forming separate from him. They were both grieving the loss of Aaron while struggling with feelings that went beyond the bounds of friendship. Corinne Michaels has a knack for writing sympathetic characters and that meant I felt Natalie’s heartbreak and pain, as well as Liam’s conflict as he dealt with the loss of his best friend and his own feelings for his friend’s widow. This one ended on a major cliffhanger which had me starting the next book immediately. 4.25 stars

by Corinne Michaels
Series: Consolation Duet #2/Salvation series #4
Format: Audio
Source: Audible Plus

There’s little I can say about the plot of Conviction without major spoilers, so this review will be intentionally vague. Natalie had been dealt some major, life-changing blows in Consolation. Unfortunately, her life continued to take some unexpected turns and she was forced to adjust yet again. I loved Natalie’s strength and resilience and was desperate to see her get her happy ending. She showed such grace under pressure and concern for the feelings of others – until she reached her limit and put herself and her own needs first. Natalie changed and grew as a character, and it was so satisfying to watch her journey. Beyond Natalie, Corinne Michaels created a hero unlike any other and he will, without a doubt, go down as one of my favorite fictional heroes. His situation was just as heart wrenching as Natalie’s and seeing his steadfastness and his vulnerability was touching. There was romance and laughter and tears, and an ending that could not have been more perfect. 4.25 stars


Have you read either of these books?

Posted by at 12 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Heroines

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:
Favorite Heroines
 
This week's topic is favorite heroines which, for me, was an easy topic. I've read so many books with heroines that, for one reason or another, made an impact on me. When choosing my picks, a common theme I noticed is that so many of these characters had something to overcome. Their circumstances were vastly different, but most were overcoming something: loss, career setbacks, mental health challenges, and more. That sense of overcoming despite the odds made these characters some of my favorite fictional heroines. 


Yasmen | Before I Let Go - Despite devastating loss, Yasmen fought her way back from depression and grief.

Constance | The Things We Leave Unfinished - Brave and self-sacrificing, Constance stepped in and did what needed to be done.

Julia Wychwood | The Belle of Belgrave Square - In a time where a young woman had no real agency, Julia showed true grit and created an opportunity to change her life.

Annika Rose | The Girl He Used to Know - I felt immense empathy for Annika as she tried to navigate a world she didn't understand, that also didn't understand her.

Meg Corbyn | The Others series - I loved Meg's childlike quality - her sweetness and kindness - while also being incredibly determined to claim her life as her own.

Bristol | The Grip trilogy - From lousy parents, to a bad relationship, to the right relationship, from prejudice and loss, Bristol worked through it all and fought for her happy ending.

Jenna Holland | Gage - Physical scarring left Jenna struggling with self-image and self-confidence. I loved seeing her make strides to come out of her shell and live life to fullest with confidence.

Naomi May | Where the Lost Wander - Naomi's spirit saw her through incredible hardship and her perseverance had me cheering her on.

Sal Casillas | Kulti - My favorite of Zapata's heroines, Sal was driven and ambitious and no stranger to hard work. I loved how fiercely she loved her family and her loyalty to those closest to her.

Carrie Soto | Carrie Soto is Back - I didn't always like Carrie, but I respected her. Her choices weren't always popular, and often came with great personal cost, but I admired her work ethic, her focus, and her dedication. The changes in her over the span of the novel were sometimes subtle, but meaningful.


Have you read any of these books?

Posted by at 29 comments
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)