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?

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Heroines 

Friday, February 24

Short Take Reviews: Consolation and Conviction

by Corinne Michaels

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?

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

Conviction

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?

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?

The Sunday Post #325 | February 19, 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

I'm back after skipping a Sunday Post last week. The previous week was busy and exhausting and I just didn't have it in me to generate a post. This past week was slightly less busy, plus really productive - enough so that I decided to take Friday off and extend the already long weekend. I puttered around the house, ran a few errands, and mostly just enjoyed not being at the office on a workday. 😊 

I got an email from Netgalley a few days ago so I decided to browse the current offerings, something I haven't done in months. I didn't request anything but I did come across a title and cover that stopped me in my tracks: Dino Stud. Yep, you read that right. lol And the tagline: He tamed the thunder lizards... but could any woman tame his outlaw heart? But the final straw that almost had me rolling on the floor was seeing it described as "dinosaur erotica". Bahaha! I can safely say, there truly is something out there for everyone. 😂

BookBub recently shared a post with books readers read in one sitting. Which made me think, I don't think I have ever read a book in one sitting. I mean, maybe a very short novella. But an actual full-length novel? Never. I just don't read that fast. Have you ever read a book in one sitting?

This week's 80's music fix is Something About You (1985) by Level 42. Enjoy!

ON THE BLOG

Tuesday, February 14

Top Ten Tuesday: In the Pink | Valentine Edition

Friday, February 17

Short Take Reviews: Give Me Love and Keep This Promise 

by Corinne Michaels

WHAT I READ

 

Audio: Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan - 4★

Kindle: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster - 3.5★

CURRENTLY READING

 

Audio: Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles

Kindle: The Sinner by Emma Scott

NEW ADDITIONS

Not a thing.

TOTALLY RANDOM

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Short Take Reviews: Give Me Love and Keep This Promise by Corinne Michaels

 

I recently binged the last two books in the Rose Canyon series, having read the first book, Help Me Remember, last September. This series delivered some of my favorite characters and stories from Corinne Michael - emotional, suspenseful, and swoony. Even better? All three books are available in Kindle Unlimited!

Give Me Love

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Rose Canyon #2

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Blakely and Emmett served together in the Army and agreed to a marriage of convenience in order to stay together and increase their military benefits. Things got messy when feelings became involved and their relationship became a complicated mess. When Blakely showed up unexpectedly in Emmett’s hometown after years of them not speaking, the sparks were still there, but so were the hurt feelings and mistrust. Blakely was there to follow a lead on a missing teenage girl and needed Emmett’s help. As they delved into the case, their snarky banter led to truths being shared and hearts laid bare.

Corinne Michaels’ Rose Canyon series has a different feel than her more recent releases because while each book does focus on a different couple, there is an overarching plotline that continues to evolve with each book. I loved the balance between Emmett and Blakely’s relationship and the suspense aspect. I was sometimes frustrated with Blakely for running hot and cold. She’d insist to Emmett they needed to talk about the past, but then be vague and combative instead of giving him the truth. Even so, Emmett understood her fears and had the patience to help her work through them. Corinne included a plot twist that was so shocking I was speechless (and tempted to throw my book out the nearest window). But I know that Michaels always breaks hearts before she heals them and it made the outcome that much more satisfying. I loved the way this one wrapped up and the dangling plot threads have me anxious to read the third and final book. 4.25 stars

Keep This Promise

by Corinne Michaels
Series: Rose Canyon #3
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased

I can safely say that when it comes to the Rose Canyon series, Corinne Michaels saved the best for last. Keep This Promise delivered in such a big way and I flew through 300+ pages quickly, desperate to solve the mystery that has spanned the three books. Sophie arrived in Rose Canyon exhausted, confused and afraid. Sent there by the man who had been her best friend, she knew little more than she and her three-year old daughter, Eden, were in danger. Sophie was shocked to come face to face with Holden, the man she met in Las Vegas several years ago and never expected to see again – the man who is Eden’s father. As Sophie tried to get her bearings and understand why her life was in jeopardy, Holden was there to take her and Eden under his wing. As Holden and Sophie grew closer, so did the danger that threatened them all.

Corinne Michaels has a way of making me care deeply about her characters and Keep This Promise was no exception. I liked Sophie from the very start and found myself empathizing with her at every turn. Eden was so precious and really blossomed as the story progressed. And Holden – well, Holden stole my heart. He was instantly there for Sophie and Eden, willing to help and support, and protect. As his feelings for Sophie deepened, and his bond with Eden strengthened, I was practically a puddle of goo at every interaction. Corrine has written some memorable heroes and Holden is right there at the top. Beyond all the swoony feels, I was captivated as the story unfolded and the suspense amped up. My heart was in my throat through the most harrowing scenes. There were several surprises along the way, and I was more than satisfied with the ending. While I would hesitate to say the Rose Canyon books could be read as standalones, I highly recommend the series! 4.5 stars

Have you read either of these books?

Top Ten Tuesday: In the Pink! | Valentine Edition

 

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

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:

Favorite Pink and Red Book Covers

 

This week's topic is a love/Valentine's freebie and I'm keeping it simple by sharing some timely pink and red book covers. I chose only from books that I've read, so they're at least books I know and have enjoyed (not just random book covers). 

The Mean Girls may have worn pink on Wednesdays, but this week it's all about pink on Tuesday. 😊 And just because I got carried away, there are twelve instead of ten. 

A Court of Wings and Ruin | It Ends With Us | Red, White & Royal Blue | Hidden Waters

Regretting You | One Last Stop | A Court of Thorns and Roses | Forever, Interrupted

The Charm Offensive | Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda | The Roommate | Mrs. Everything

Have you read any of these books?

Top Ten Tuesday: The Books *Still* on My TBR (that I really want to read)

 

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

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:

The Books *Still* on My TBR...

that I still really want to read

 

This week's topic is actually about books by debut authors but that wasn't going to work for me. I probably don't have a single debut on my TBR. But what I do have on my TBR are books that have been languishing there for far too long... despite the fact that I really do want to read them! 

My criteria was any book that has been on my TBR for at least one year (and that I was still genuinely excited to read). That still left me with plenty to chose from - and some of these have been hanging around for a whole lot longer than a year. *hangs head in shame*

 

Letters to Molly - Devney Perry

A Court of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas

Full Measures - Rebecca Yarros

I Found You - Lisa Jewell

Lessons in Corruption - Giana Darling

The Story of Us - Tara Sivec

No Tomorrow - Carian Cole

The Songbook of Benny Lament - Amy Harmon

Someday, Someday - Emma Scott

The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah

Have you read any of these books?

The Sunday Post #324 | February 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

What a week! In case my total lack of posts didn't give it away, I was swamped all week and anything blog-related was swiftly pushed to the side. It wasn't a bad week, but things at the office were stressful and hectic and led to working late a few nights. I was running on fumes by Friday. 

The Husband and I had a little downtime on Saturday and took a leisurely drive to St. Augustine. We had lunch at a little BBQ place and the weather was nice enough (mid-60's) to sit outside and dine al fresco. Stopped at Trader Joe's on the way home and picked up some heat-and-eat entrées for the coming week, just in case it's another busy one.

I loved this story of a flight attendant who took the time to sit with an anxious passenger. He held her hand and explained every bump and noise. One person seeing someone in need and taking time to care for them... we need more of this.

This week's 80's music fix is Promises Promises (1983) by Naked Eyes. Enjoy!

ON THE BLOG

Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Nothing. Not a single post. 🤷

WHAT I READ

Yes, I'm on a Corinne Michaels kick. 😏

Audio: Consolation (Consolation #1/Salvation #3) by Corrine Michaels - 4.25★

Audio: Conviction (Consolation #2/Salvation #4) by Corinne Michaels - 4.25★

Kindle: Give Me Love (Rose Canyon #2) by Corinne Michaels - 4.25★

CURRENTLY READING

Audio: Defenseless (Salvation #5) - Corinne Michaels

Audio: False Start (Kingsmen Football Stars #0.5) - Piper Rayne

Kindle: Seducing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #9) - Kennedy Fox

NEW ADDITIONS

Physical copy: Whispers of You - Catherine Cowles

TOTALLY RANDOM

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?