tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80511749494833440572024-03-19T00:30:30.633-04:00Girl Plus BooksWherein a wannabe princess indulges in her bookishness. Much book-talk ensues.Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.comBlogger1428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-13262426013457190442024-03-19T00:30:00.054-04:002024-03-19T00:30:00.135-04:00Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR | 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Spring TBR</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Any time a TTT prompt includes a TBR I giggle my way through compiling the list. I know even as I type the list that it's not likely to happen. I cannot plan what I'm going to read. Kudos to those who make weekly or monthly TBR's and know exactly what they're going </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;">to be reading at any given time. But that's not me. I'm 100% a mood reader and I love the </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;">feeling of possibility after I finish a book and know that I can choose anything at all to read next... it all depends on what I'm feeling in the moment.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that being said, take this list with a grain of salt. lol Sure I want to read every book I've</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">included, but are they actually going to read this spring? No idea! š</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVBVirOvgKNDULRmTGEt9BGfho9zGq08i08hnQit4ssY7a2DehbQdjQ5ZD4TxhjUnmQ0YcCs-5MEhWRRtX43qcEvRx_NVMZZ9y5Q-jdx5vIhiK4qIPH67CbSccyk3PZKbYBwmrXfEmnlU3Xaq8QVANTzVFrae4XXTWkOC-QBgZQ682Tn-jt1V_xIsGS8/s2304/TTT%203-19-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVBVirOvgKNDULRmTGEt9BGfho9zGq08i08hnQit4ssY7a2DehbQdjQ5ZD4TxhjUnmQ0YcCs-5MEhWRRtX43qcEvRx_NVMZZ9y5Q-jdx5vIhiK4qIPH67CbSccyk3PZKbYBwmrXfEmnlU3Xaq8QVANTzVFrae4XXTWkOC-QBgZQ682Tn-jt1V_xIsGS8/w480-h640/TTT%203-19-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197448245-the-five-year-lie" target="_blank">The Five Year Lie</a> - Sarina Bowen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/194020633-the-one-i-left-behind" target="_blank">The One I Left Behind</a> - Piper Rayne</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207620783-blitz" target="_blank">Blitz</a> - Devney Perry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198112188-mind-games" target="_blank">Mind Games</a> - Nora Roberts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195513228-the-outlaw-noble-salt" target="_blank">The Outlaw Noble Salt</a> - Amy Harmon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205840315-hills-of-shivers-and-shadows" target="_blank">Hills of Shivers and Shadows</a> - Pam Godwin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62363339-whiskey-sin" target="_blank">Whiskey & Sin</a> - Emily Rath</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174373801-mona-of-the-manor" target="_blank">Mona of the Manor</a> - Armistead Maupin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178597569-boone" target="_blank">Boone</a> - Sawyer Bennett </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182761439-this-could-be-us" target="_blank">This Could Be Us</a> - Kennedy Ryan</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Are any of these books on your TBR? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-80516407765072817892024-03-15T00:30:00.005-04:002024-03-15T00:30:00.153-04:00Short Take Reviews: Pittsburgh Titans series | Hendrix, Bain, Van2<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=s2240" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=w640-h360" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: visible; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/short-take-reviews-green-family-series.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=w640-h360&description=Short%20Take%20Reviews:%20The%20Green%20Family%20Series%20by%20Piper%20Rayne%20|%20Books%20#4%20-%20#7" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682732681i/61990749.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682732681i/61990749.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61990749-hendrix" target="_blank">Hendrix</a></b></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Sawyer Bennett</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: Pittsburg Titans #7</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 6/6/2023</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>4 stars</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Hendrix Bateman was considered one of The Lucky Three,
among the trio of players that were not with the team when the plane crashed.
Hendrix was possibly the most well-adjusted of the three and was grateful for
his good fortune and second chance. After ending a bad relationship that had
run its course, an encounter with a feisty bartender had Hendrix ready to take
a chance again.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Bar-owner Stevie was tough as nails and could handle her
own with her sometimes raucous clientele, but being abandoned by her mother as
a child had left its mark. Desperate for a connection with her mother, Stevie
allowed herself to be manipulated by her time and time again.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Hendrix was an absolute sweetheart and so supportive of
Stevie. Unfortunately, Stevieās continued need to forge a relationship with her
mother created a lot of drama and came close to ruining her relationship with
Hendrix. As usual with this series, the camaraderie among the teammates is
always a highlight for me, and it was great to see Stevie pulled into the fold
of the Titans family.</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676209764i/111513770.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676209764i/111513770.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111513770-bain" target="_blank">Bain</a></span></b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Sawyer Bennett</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: </span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pittsburg Titans #8</span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 11/3/2023</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>4.25 stars</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Bain was recently traded to the Titans and was excited to
be a part of the team that had overcome such adversity. Meeting the goalieās
sister at a team event set off instant sparks and, since neither was interested
in a relationship, they embarked on a no-strings-attached fling. Naturally,
both refused to admit they were catching real feelings so when faced with a
serious situation they pulled apart instead of pulling together.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>This entry in the series packed an emotional punch and it
was hard to see both characters suffer. Despite all their protests it was
obvious that they had something real and their mutual denial that it was
anything other than physical was pretty funny. I especially appreciated the way
Bainās teammates rallied around him when he was struggling. </span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701398769i/203018523.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701398769i/203018523.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203018523-van2" target="_blank">Van2</a></span></b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Sawyer Bennett</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: </span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pittsburg Titans #10</span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 11/30/2023</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>3.5 stars</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Retired from his hockey career, Van had settled in
Vermont for a quiet life with his wife Simone, hoping to start a family. When a
book was published based on the diaries of his serial-killer father, filled
with salacious lies meant to hurt Van, he reacted by pushing Simone away.
Convinced that the stigma would damage not only Simone but their future
children, Van quickly signed a new contract with the Titans and left Simone.
Unwilling to let Vanās emotional reaction to the book derail their future,
Simone followed Van to Pittsburgh, determined to save their marriage.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>As much as I love this series, Iām sad to say that I
struggled with this one. I understood Van's fears and his (misguided) reasoning,
but the way he was intentionally cruel to Simone was hard to get past. I
admired Simoneās tenacity and her desire to make Van see reason, but his
cutting remarks, meant to hurt her and drive her away were hard to take. There
is no good reason to inflict such pain on someone you love. My disappointment in Vanās actions meant
this was a low point in the series for me. </span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you read hockey/sports romance?</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-55705543788023893952024-03-12T00:30:00.002-04:002024-03-12T00:30:00.148-04:00Top Ten Tuesdays: Books I Want to Re-Read<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Books I Want to Re-Read</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">There are some books that I would love to experience again. Maybe because I want to </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">revisit the characters, maybe the story was particularly impactful, or maybe it evoked a </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">particular feeling that I would love to recapture. I don't often make time for re-reading, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">but if/when I do, these are some of the books I would love to pick up and enjoy all over again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IQaDvbmVvYlIV7CiDFvPMJCtxd2gHO-YiNOavxg5ew-aapYZVoI5zBfdWpvGtbMgKiqr3pmv7HpaZK8LCY6qvY-wyA1bd59XYPJ0frJYrF_nfHIkOStiX690QNaD5t0E4-SeirqjEQQ0QgLYAnHiWRlUxCy9QTehmyUQqswHG5gIse465WN0onXCZ4/s2304/TTT%203-12-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IQaDvbmVvYlIV7CiDFvPMJCtxd2gHO-YiNOavxg5ew-aapYZVoI5zBfdWpvGtbMgKiqr3pmv7HpaZK8LCY6qvY-wyA1bd59XYPJ0frJYrF_nfHIkOStiX690QNaD5t0E4-SeirqjEQQ0QgLYAnHiWRlUxCy9QTehmyUQqswHG5gIse465WN0onXCZ4/w480-h640/TTT%203-12-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68268893-keep-this-promise" target="_blank">Keep This Promise</a> - Corinne Michaels</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42832364-tied" target="_blank">Tied</a> - Carian Cole </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29427515-kulti" target="_blank">Kulti</a> - Mariana Zapata</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33301616-cake" target="_blank">Cake</a> - J. Bengtsson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61291743-we-own-tonight" target="_blank">We Own Tonight</a> - Corinne Michaels</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57330685-tattered-stars" target="_blank">Tattered Stars</a> - Catherine Cowles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36058607-everything-under-the-sun" target="_blank">Everything Under the Sun</a> - Jessica Redmerski</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29480865-all-the-ugly-and-wonderful-things" target="_blank">All the Ugly and Wonderful Things</a> - Bryn Greenwood</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57687450-once-we-were-starlight" target="_blank">Once We Were Starlight</a> - Mia Sheridan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123194693-pucking-around" target="_blank">Pucking Around</a> - Emily Rath</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you re-read favorite books?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-53803399042670594612024-03-08T00:30:00.026-05:002024-03-08T00:30:00.159-05:00Review: Iron Flame | Rebecca Yarros<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687962246i/150260809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687962246i/150260809.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>IRON FLAME</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Rebecca Yarros</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>The Empyrean #2</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 11/7/2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Entangled: Red Tower Books</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">884 pg. </span><span style="color: #666666;">(Kindle version)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War CollegeāViolet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Now the real training begins, and Violetās already wondering how sheāll get through. Itās not just that itās grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that itās designed to stretch the ridersā capacity for pain beyond endurance. Itās the new vice commandant, whoās made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she isāunless she betrays the man she loves.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Although Violetās body might be weaker and frailer than everyone elseās, she still has her witsāand a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">But a determination to survive wonāt be enough this year.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War Collegeāand nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.</span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4JMJBNX?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150260809-iron-flame" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>REVIEW:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I imagine the question on every readerās mind when they
pick up Iron Flame is: can it possibly live up to Fourth Wing? For me the
answer is a resounding <i>yes</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After the jaw dropping ending of Fourth Wing (hello
cliffhanger), I was excited to find that Iron Flame wasted no time in throwing
me right back into the action. The plot of Iron Flame expanded far beyond the
walls of Basgiath, and Violetās previous goal of simply surviving her first
year at the war college paled in comparison to the even higher stakes she now
faced. Violet was attempting to come to terms with her new reality and itās
fair to say that her confidence was shaken. Now plagued by nightmares, and
still reeling from a heartbreaking loss, she felt unable to lean on her friends
for support, and instead kept them at armās length to protect them. The lack of
support and the fragile state of her relationship with Xaden made for a very
angsty Violet.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Friendships that were formed in Fourth Wing only
strengthened in Iron Flame and I loved seeing those secondary characters play important
roles in the expanding plot, utilizing their own unique gifts in times of need.
But, as in Fourth Wing, Tairn and Andarna were the shining stars and the
highlight of every scene they were in. Someone please explain how this (almost)
strictly contemporary reader became so emotionally attached to two dragons, because
that is my new reality.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As much as I loved the journey, there were some bumps along the way. Violet and Xadenās relationship (a
highlight for me in Fourth Wing) floundered here and trust issues were the
common theme. Violetās insistence on āfull disclosureā from Xaden smacked of
hypocrisy and their push and pull throughout the book started to feel a bit
repetitive. However, Violetās push for answers <i>ha</i>s led to more
background on Xaden.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Yarros delivered another thrilling, action-packed ride and there were scenes where it felt like I was hanging on for dear life. As the tension amped up to off-the-charts levels, I alternated between my heart stopping and feeling like it was about to beat right out of my chest. Yet again, another ending that had me gasping with shock and desperately wishing I knew when to expect the next installment. While I wait, you can find me online soaking up fan art and theories galore. </span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>4.75 ā </b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read Iron Flame?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SELAxbUXlWRQROJ0q94bq2mMCQga5xoTEjABWRZ5ppKb9EhKj60ddi-b4zUNGsSN1yIGIH8xQZzKpko9pMjMLhyphenhyphenTdmKjO3MbA6Xzd8OD2J_QJ9FPPJ70H6O8QfrXgbzO2CxAWm1OKESPytDN8eD2kHZcWBzWFQ4Kij03ziVIbjNg36Vov7JYWi1q_VY/s1080/Iron%20Flame%20-%20Rebecca%20Yarros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SELAxbUXlWRQROJ0q94bq2mMCQga5xoTEjABWRZ5ppKb9EhKj60ddi-b4zUNGsSN1yIGIH8xQZzKpko9pMjMLhyphenhyphenTdmKjO3MbA6Xzd8OD2J_QJ9FPPJ70H6O8QfrXgbzO2CxAWm1OKESPytDN8eD2kHZcWBzWFQ4Kij03ziVIbjNg36Vov7JYWi1q_VY/w400-h400/Iron%20Flame%20-%20Rebecca%20Yarros.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-60704141896887426532024-03-03T06:06:00.001-05:002024-03-03T06:06:50.963-05:00The Sunday Post #359 | March 3, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Happy Sunday, friends! How was your week? I was busy at the office all week and got a lot accomplished. So it was tiring, but productive. I ended up working from home on Friday so that helped ease the way into the weekend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Question: Does your reading experience vary depending on the type of book you read? </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I don't consider myself a fast reader (or a slow reader), just middle of the road. On average I read about two books a week - one ebook and one audiobook - and I typically read 8-10 books a month. But that really changes when I venture outside of the contemporary romance genre. For example, I started Iron Flame ten days ago... and I'm right around the 70% mark. Now, that's slow even for me. But I've found that when I read any type of fantasy my reading speed slows significantly. Fantasy is so outside my comfort zone and I read slowly to truly understand the world-building and take it all in. So even though I'm loving it, Iron Flame has been a slooow read for me. So out of curiosity, when you read different genres or even different formats (ebook, physical book, audiobook), does it impact <i>how </i>you read?</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;">This week's throwback song is Dreaming (1979) by Blondie. I remember buying Blondie's greatest hits around 1981 or so - on cassette tape, of course LOL - and listening to it over and over. Dreaming was one of my favorites. Enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TU3-lS_Gryk?si=QA59yTOACgXCTWgO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday, February 27</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/top-ten-tuesday-outdoors-edition.html" target="_blank">Top Ten Tuesday: The Outdoors Edition</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday, February 28</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/reviews-like-wind-j-bengtsson.html" target="_blank">Reviews: Like the Wind (J. Bengtsson) and Expiration Dates (Rebecca Serle)</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I didn't finish anything this week... all my reading time has been devoted to Iron Flame.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687962246i/150260809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687962246i/150260809.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Kindle/Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150260809-iron-flame" target="_blank">Iron Flame</a> (Empyrean #2) - Rebecca Yarros</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704561393i/198529067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="431" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704561393i/198529067.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">From William Morrow / NetGalley:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198529067-slow-dance" target="_blank">Slow Dance</a> - Rainbow Rowell</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBQf2w3dV-KKhUuf5LZ-2QxeEkjj4c2kYFHss2n9N-CkquuvbAuakB203bz4Rx7hfMggSV4bsxymXiivifjz5jrdqOhU68cVDCiSUvmzHskclvGVFxlxzzOXtkPOGxYW5eNWFYvPv4MBxwdkRoDa815h5Kl1PD2u8XEdCKtE2FLCqx3P3WHsHWkGIRy4/s236/shampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="236" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBQf2w3dV-KKhUuf5LZ-2QxeEkjj4c2kYFHss2n9N-CkquuvbAuakB203bz4Rx7hfMggSV4bsxymXiivifjz5jrdqOhU68cVDCiSUvmzHskclvGVFxlxzzOXtkPOGxYW5eNWFYvPv4MBxwdkRoDa815h5Kl1PD2u8XEdCKtE2FLCqx3P3WHsHWkGIRy4/w320-h285/shampoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-59154657596807988732024-02-28T00:30:00.003-05:002024-02-28T08:55:39.249-05:00Reviews: Like the Wind (J. Bengtsson) | Expiration Dates (Rebecca Serle)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi466XqG7mtAxwahS5wtmd7vSf3oS-CYlBcznLJhZa8lXxf8laavYHw5uiaiBoSpyNggrfctuVe6YdcDxN38C72e2kWK6VkM4o3WCrbGYBmIiI-zPs-4k_gxG5UQ9M_bVC-Edy5JglLcmWOJfqQ389v3CK-6NZDTruI2d7y9bmafSykDk7Aihf3426lQGo/s1500/91i+XQn15yL._SL1500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="938" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi466XqG7mtAxwahS5wtmd7vSf3oS-CYlBcznLJhZa8lXxf8laavYHw5uiaiBoSpyNggrfctuVe6YdcDxN38C72e2kWK6VkM4o3WCrbGYBmIiI-zPs-4k_gxG5UQ9M_bVC-Edy5JglLcmWOJfqQ389v3CK-6NZDTruI2d7y9bmafSykDk7Aihf3426lQGo/w200-h320/91i+XQn15yL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Like the Wind</b></span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by J. Bengtsson</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 4/16/2019</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Source: Purchased</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>4.25 stars</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43316955-like-the-wind" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>When a letter from his supposedly deceased mother
finds its way into his hands, life changes in an instant for international pop
star Bodhi Beckett.<br />
<br />
Reeling from the deception of those closest to him, Bodhi spirals out of
control and is sent to a secluded mansion in the coastal mountains of Southern
California for some rest and relaxation. But the retreat proves to be anything
but relaxing when a raging wildfire sets the landscape around him ablaze.<br />
<br />
While escaping the flames, Bodhi rescues Breeze, a quirky, pet-loving woman,
and together the two fight their way to safety. In the aftermath of the fire,
Bodhi and Breeze hit the road to uncover the truth about his family. What
neither of them expected is to forge a powerful connection that will change
their lives forever...but can it survive the real world, or will it disappear like
the wind?</i></span></span><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">________________________________________________________________</span></p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br />Most of Bodhiās life has been spent in the spotlight ā first as a child TV star and then as part of a hugely successful boy band. His complicated relationship with his manager-father is further fractured when Bodhi receives a letter from his mother, a woman heās long believed to be dead. Retreating to a rented home to regroup turns into a nightmare when a raging wildfire sends Bodhi fleeing for his life. Itās there he meets Breeze, who is trying desperately to escape the fire with a menagerie of pets in tow. With a connection forged in fire, the two embark on a journey to uncover Bodhiās past. When the real world descends on them, theyāre forced to decide if their fledgling relationship can survive with all the world watching.<br /><br />One of my favorite aspects of Bengtssonās books is that her characters are so imminently likable. That held true for both Bodhi and Breeze and I loved following their journey ā from harrowing first encounter to taking steps toward a future together. Breeze was a bit quirky and had her own past to put to rest, but it was Bodhi that captured my heart. Feeling like a bystander in his own life, the fire had him reevaluating and making changes to build the life he wanted. Bengtsson knows how to tell a story, one that always has me fully invested and living every moment right alongside the characters. This was the last of Bengtssonās backlist titles Iād yet to read and Iāll be not-so-patiently waiting for whatever she writes next.</span><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>Expiration Dates</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Rebecca Serle</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: March 19, 2024</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Source: Atria/NetGalley</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>2 stars</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177124765-expiration-dates" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></b></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for
her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name
and a number on itāthe exact amount of time they will be together. The papers
told her sheād spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in
San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend.
Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always
wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of
a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, thereās only a Jake.<br />
<br />
But as Jake and Daphneās story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the
paperās prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and
truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesnāt, information thatāif he
found outāwould break his heart.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">___________________________________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">For more than twenty years Daphne has randomly received pieces of paper with the name of the next man in her life and the amount of time they will spend together ā be it one night or three months. Receiving a paper with only a name (Jake) and no date sends Daphne into a tailspin. What does it mean? Is Jake āthe oneā? What transpires next is not a romance, and not a love story, but Daphneās examination of her past, and her journey toward a future of her own making.<br /><br /> With the intriguing premise, I had high hopes for Expiration Dates. Unfortunately, this one did not work for me at all. The frequent name-dropping of Hollywood locales and the recitation of what everyone was wearing grew tiresome quickly. Instead of giving a nod to setting and characters, it lent a feeling of superficiality to both. The flashbacks of Daphneās prior relationships never seemed to give me any further insight into Daphne. There is a twist that comes more than halfway through the story and felt so completely out of left field. It shifted the focus with a jolt and had me wishing for a smoother transition. Lastly, there was a significant character that acted so atrociously and delivered a betrayal that was, for me, unforgivable. The blurb calls this āthe romance that will define a generation.ā I beg to differ.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Have you read these books?</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-83459746371847665312024-02-27T05:15:00.003-05:002024-02-27T05:15:41.791-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: The Outdoors Edition<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Outdoors Edition</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Today's topic is all about the outdoors - cover and/or titles with things found in nature. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I am the least outdoorsy person <i>ever</i>. Maybe it comes from living in Florida, where it's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">blazing hot most of the year, or maybe it's just my nature (pun intended), but you won't</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">find me hanging around outside. I avoid the sun like the plague, I can't remember the last</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">time I was in my back yard (the only action it sees it when the yard guy comes once a </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">week to mow it), and going on a hike sounds like a punishment. So basically, the closest </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I get to nature is through these book covers. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsxeQCpSc4zs0YexZoav3gnI5FlpNJF0lTTjPJdTUDLV5IlAGPH5XW5sD_TRuxu_WdKMOb49lVAeyP15jD-WKfna1esOlGYFLj0-5C_lWCfssK-THHdS5nBd86WN_IDi4mHpwtHMFXyXx7dRZdITGej83CKAAydPi18kmspcIHiLoScmr6UPeKahg1w4/s2304/TTT%202-27-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsxeQCpSc4zs0YexZoav3gnI5FlpNJF0lTTjPJdTUDLV5IlAGPH5XW5sD_TRuxu_WdKMOb49lVAeyP15jD-WKfna1esOlGYFLj0-5C_lWCfssK-THHdS5nBd86WN_IDi4mHpwtHMFXyXx7dRZdITGej83CKAAydPi18kmspcIHiLoScmr6UPeKahg1w4/w480-h640/TTT%202-27-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51815479-where-the-lost-wander" target="_blank">Where the Lost Wander</a> - Amy Harmon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51521246-wild-at-heart" target="_blank">Wild at Heart</a> - K.A. Tucker</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62606116-the-sweetheart-list" target="_blank">The Sweetheart List</a> - Jill Shalvis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59713459-beautifully-broken-redemption" target="_blank">Beautifully Broken Redemption</a> - Catherine Cowles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50483562-credence" target="_blank">Credence</a> - Penelope Douglas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55404546-malibu-rising" target="_blank">Malibu Rising</a> - Taylor Jenkins Reid</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61046561-a-greene-family-vacation" target="_blank">A Greene Family Vacation</a> - Piper Rayne</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60471532-fractured-sky" target="_blank">Fractured Sky</a> - Catherine Cowles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61198732-coming-home" target="_blank">Coming Home</a> - Shelley Shepard Gray</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59926501-the-choice" target="_blank">The Choice</a> - Nora Roberts </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Are you outdoorsy?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Or does being in nature make you </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>want to run back inside? š</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-51205237997351370662024-02-23T00:30:00.001-05:002024-02-23T00:30:00.151-05:00Short Take Reviews: Lost & Found series (Catherine Cowles) | Glimmers of You | Shadows of You | Ashes of You<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=s2240" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=w640-h360" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: visible; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/short-take-reviews-green-family-series.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh9GmkR43jmnVwJFG0N0bOXGznR4r1kQmtCxwC4Rc_B_0Y0MIB2i7O_jDR0FDAIlRMGqWf9l9HISS2pT2_oMX91f40-bU5VR7l84Xe88JTWu86U7Ys8FIDiq1j1AcgbnniyEbU15KYtwlWX2-KAZWjYspWauhrfiPuAlEdj8BHqi5YOS0c3yJH2cMe=w640-h360&description=Short%20Take%20Reviews:%20The%20Green%20Family%20Series%20by%20Piper%20Rayne%20|%20Books%20#4%20-%20#7" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">With the recent release of Ashes of You, Catherine Cowles has wrapped up another fantastic small-town romantic suspense series. I previously reviewed <a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2023/04/short-take-reviews-blaze-of-memory.html" target="_blank">Whispers of You</a> and <a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2023/05/short-take-reviews-sweetheart-list-and.html" target="_blank">Echoes of You</a>, the first two books in the Lost & Found series, and my thoughts on the remaining three books are below. Have you read the Lost & Found series? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689164858i/184843207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689164858i/184843207.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/184843207-glimmers-of-you" target="_blank">Glimmers of You</a></b></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: Lost & Found #3</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 8/1/2023</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Format: Kindle</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>4.25 stars</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Caden and Grae were the best of friends ā until they
werenāt. When Caden pulled away, and then moved away, Grae was hurt but refused
to let it show. Their once close friendship turned into barbed teasing and
snarky comments. Caden returned to Cedar Ridge just as Grae was dealing with a
clingy ex. When he stepped in and posed as her new boyfriend to save her from
the pushy ex, he realized they could help each other out. Her ex would move on
and leave her alone, and Cadenās father would get off his back about settling
down with someone suitable. When it became apparent that someone was gunning
for Grae, Caden was determined to stick close and keep her safe. As the
situation became ever more dangerous, their feelings for one another grew just
as intense.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Itās no surprise that even the prologue of this one had
me feeling all the feels. Cowles is Queen of the Emotional Prologues. Iām a
sucker for a couple that has a past, and getting to watch as Caden and Grae
rekindled their friendship and allowed more to develop was so satisfying. Their
history lent an ease to their relationship that I loved. As always, Cowles
delivered a solid suspense plot with escalating tension, red herrings, and a villain
in their midst. The Lost & Found series continues to be a hit for me.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Tropes: brother's best friend, fake dating, forced proximity, hate to love, small town, romantic suspense</span></p><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695838520i/199196666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695838520i/199196666.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199196666-shadows-of-you" target="_blank">Shadows of You</a></span></b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: Lost & Found #4</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 10/19/2023</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Format: Kindle</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>4.5 stars</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Forced to flee with her young daughter, Aspen had made a
home for them in the small town of Cedar Ridge. She tried to put down roots but
was also ever vigilant and didnāt allow others to get too close. That changed
when she had a run-in with Roan, the grumpy, taciturn Hartley brother who had
long distanced himself from townspeople and family alike, living an almost
solitary life. Aspenās precocious daughter Cady immediately befriended Roan and
a tentative friendship formed between Roan and Aspen as well. Roan sensed a
kindred spirit in Aspen, someone who had also been hurt in the past, and he was
determined to protect she and Cady at all costs. That determination was put to
the test when Aspenās past caught up with her and threatened her life in Cedar
Ridge, and everything she held dear.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This was the book in the Lost & Found series that Iād
been waiting for. Roan had been an enigma from the beginning and his story did
not disappoint. Aspenās easy acceptance of Roan went a long way in allowing him
to lower some of his walls and start to open himself up again, both to Aspen
and Cady, and his large, loving family. Speaking of Cady, the chatty six year
old stole every scene she was in. From calling Roan āMr. Grizzā (because he was
like a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation) and declaring that they would be
ābestest friendsā, to her epic friendship with Charlie (Roanās nephew), she was
an adorable dynamo. The romance between Aspen and Roan was <i>everything</i>
and Cowles, as always, provided the perfect balance between romance and
suspense. Shadows of You is my absolute favorite in the Lost & Found
series.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, single mom, forced proximity, broken hero, heroine in hiding, suspense</span></p><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704257084i/204696344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="543" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704257084i/204696344.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204696344-ashes-of-you" target="_blank">Ashes of You</a></span></b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Series: Lost & Found #5</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 2/8/2024</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Format: Kindle/Audio</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>4.25 stars</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Five years ago, Hallie escaped from a sadistic serial
killer. She never knew the name of the man who found her, half frozen in the
snowy woods, but she never forgot his blue eyes. They gave her hope. Years
later, trying to make a fresh start, Hallie arrives in Cedar Ridge and applies
for a job as a nanny. When she arrives for the interview all she sees isā¦ blue.
The eyes of the man she has never forgotten. Lawson is just as shaken to see
Hallie standing before him, she and her ordeal having haunted him the last five
years. Hallie is instantly a ray of sunshine in the Hartley home, providing a
warm, comforting environment and a stable presence for Lawsonās three boys:
sweet six year old Charlie, thirteen year old charmer Drew, and surly sixteen
year old Luke. Hallie revels in being part of the rambunctious family, even as
the undeniable attraction between she and Lawson grows. But the monster from
Hallieās past is closer that she could ever imagine.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It's been a long wait for Lawsonās story and it
definitely delivered. We finally got Lawsonās backstory, the reason for his
crippling guilt, and his desire to do right by his kids. Hallie was such a
sympathetic character and I admired her strength. Still suffering from PTSD and
panic attacks from her previous trauma, she worked hard to forge a meaningful
life for herself and reclaim what a madman had tried to take away. It was
heartwarming to see her be welcomed by the entire Hartley clan and she basked
in the love and acceptance of her found family. While Lawsonās determination to
keep his distance from Hallie seemed to flip in the blink of an eye (I
practically got whiplash from how quickly he switched from āthis canāt happen
to āIām all inā), I loved how attuned he was to Hallie, always observant and
recognizing her triggers and emotional needs. I was surprised at the identity
of the killer since I had discounted him earlier, and while the climactic scene
at the end was over in the blink of an eye, it didnāt spoil my enjoyment.
Cowles delivered a solid end to the series with an epilogue that guaranteed the
Hartley family will stay with me for a long time to come.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Tropes: single dad x nanny, age gap, serial killer, touch her and die, forced proximity, found family</span></p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">Do you enjoy romantic suspense?</span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-77653973644486940912024-02-21T10:51:00.002-05:002024-02-21T10:51:34.133-05:00WWW Wednesday #132 | February 21, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/s560/WWW%20Wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/w640-h360/WWW%20Wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">WWW Wednesdays is hosted by <a href="https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/">Sam @ Taking on a World of Words</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Just share your answers to three questions:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What are you currently reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">How is it the four day work weeks always seem so long?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I'm having a hard time believing it's only Wednesday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Shouldn't it be Friday by now?? š£</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4309512457899385005" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5276434233463049340" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-940208296829399029" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5635573781711230556" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you currently reading?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707387743i/207904925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707387743i/207904925.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695913246i/53344030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="520" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695913246i/53344030.jpg" width="208" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207904925-something-like-love" target="_blank">Something Like Love</a> by Piper Rayne</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kindle: Heartstopper: Volume 5 by Alice Oseman</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Currently listening</u><b>: </b>I almost finished Something Like Love this morning (and was </span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">tempted to stay in the car and listen to the last of the audiobook) but I needed to get</span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">into the office. This is the last in the Chicago Grizzlies series and it's been fun. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>Current progress: 94%</b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Currently reading</u>:</b> I'm not one who gravitates to graphic novels, but I do love</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Heartstopper. Oseman has created something special in characters Nick and Charlie </span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>(and </span>their entire friend group).</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current progress: 5%</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" width="210" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" width="209" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kindle/Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204799706-ashes-of-you" target="_blank">Ashes of You</a> by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177124765-expiration-dates" target="_blank">Expiration Dates</a> by Rebecca Serle</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Recently read</u><b>: Ashes of You - </b>Wonderful end to the series Much love for the Hartley family</span></span><span style="color: #707070; font-size: large;">. </span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>4.25</b></span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> stars</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Recently read</u>:</b> <b>Expiration Dates</b> - Did not work for me on multiple levels. So many issues</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-size: medium;">with this one.</span><span style="color: #707070; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>2</b></span><b style="color: #707070; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> stars</span></b></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71qGoutoB0L._SY466_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="302" height="320" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71qGoutoB0L._SY466_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I <i>never</i> know what I'm going to read next but </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195725346-stay-with-me" target="_blank">Stay With Me</a>, the</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> second book in </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the Sugarland Creek series, is a strong possibility.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you reading today?</span></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-26205683627114508782024-02-18T00:30:00.004-05:002024-02-18T00:30:00.132-05:00The Sunday Post #358 | February 18, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Happy Sunday, friends! How was your week? I took off Friday so I could enjoy a four-day weekend (tomorrow being President's Day). It's amazing what an extra day or two of downtime can do for you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">On Tuesday I attended another event with author Emily Rath. It was a program at one of the local libraries and there was an interview, a Q&A session, and then a signing. Such a fun night!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpQGf4XuESz5RrmikAH62iEmWfsOInXVVgcGl5dyvu2OjMcQPoSpNbfMAoSwflMFceoFAnkfDgcs76jDTK-QwnnG2-QIZN1pCCW_-exkWyaY5zXQ_2NHPKWbZT441X0Ihl1L0OKNd8FyiXN86p8n8my_rQHT6T6DxWEFHnI45gvxHj_GPT-GnECDU9H4/s598/emily%20rath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="598" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpQGf4XuESz5RrmikAH62iEmWfsOInXVVgcGl5dyvu2OjMcQPoSpNbfMAoSwflMFceoFAnkfDgcs76jDTK-QwnnG2-QIZN1pCCW_-exkWyaY5zXQ_2NHPKWbZT441X0Ihl1L0OKNd8FyiXN86p8n8my_rQHT6T6DxWEFHnI45gvxHj_GPT-GnECDU9H4/s320/emily%20rath.png" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOYVtt0HSDo0MDf_L-sOwFpIe362SqQKOvLZljjeA6AaIH6yjFTcE8ASDcgIA84SU2JV5hzqJ85U3BXKUWL7ZyFUwOv_9VBKVobNpMv1fAA7UPq33Utg-Q9qEgnAvxFyDB_XXsrpQRb4c1m73BITcCkzHazC5qbtti6LXccvby9_X379JKMghLCCbO8c/s640/IMG_2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOYVtt0HSDo0MDf_L-sOwFpIe362SqQKOvLZljjeA6AaIH6yjFTcE8ASDcgIA84SU2JV5hzqJ85U3BXKUWL7ZyFUwOv_9VBKVobNpMv1fAA7UPq33Utg-Q9qEgnAvxFyDB_XXsrpQRb4c1m73BITcCkzHazC5qbtti6LXccvby9_X379JKMghLCCbO8c/w240-h320/IMG_2600.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;">BookBub shared some good stuff on their blog this week: a list of <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/paranormal-romance-books-winter-2024?universal=true" target="_blank">new paranormal romances</a>, their favorite <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/thrillers-that-are-totally-bonkers?universal=true" target="_blank">twisty thrillers</a>, and the biggest <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/the-biggest-book-adaptations-2024?source=link_blog_share" target="_blank">book-to-movie adaptations</a> coming this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;">Instead of a throwback song this week, I'm going to share this 80's movies compilation that I came across. I recognized all the scenes/movies except one. (And I have no idea why Saturday Night Fever was included since it's from the 70's.) Anyway, do you recognize all these scenes/movies? š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oBtC_CGd13U?si=rkYXskIzQAH_Kpws" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Not a thing this week.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" width="210" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700764994i/202594184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700764994i/202594184.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Audio/Kindle: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204799706-ashes-of-you" target="_blank">Ashes of You</a> by Catherine Cowles - 4.25ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Kindle: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202594184-pucking-ever-after" target="_blank">Pucking Ever After: Volume II</a> by Emily Rath - 4.5ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688602191i/177124765.jpg" width="209" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707387743i/207904925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707387743i/207904925.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177124765-expiration-dates" target="_blank">Expiration Dates</a> by Rebecca Serle</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207904925-something-like-love" target="_blank">Something Like Love</a> by Piper Rayne</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Nothing this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfnjSMM-Wh77pShiT2a0340eQzboteDEA74-H6wABD6cAqnTY8Y7rAhGYwyPUC79vmv0agJoKAp5U4AOakOZa9kF5PmoPSQ5EMAJ2ilfnRXWuG3jp28_2r_mkf1xyjYY8b_NgDFqPHVeWjftOOgkbXy8OwvpoXb4n7IGgaZ0ogkIahiJMXQ-jMyneqaY/s564/childhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="564" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfnjSMM-Wh77pShiT2a0340eQzboteDEA74-H6wABD6cAqnTY8Y7rAhGYwyPUC79vmv0agJoKAp5U4AOakOZa9kF5PmoPSQ5EMAJ2ilfnRXWuG3jp28_2r_mkf1xyjYY8b_NgDFqPHVeWjftOOgkbXy8OwvpoXb4n7IGgaZ0ogkIahiJMXQ-jMyneqaY/w400-h261/childhood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-61305518472001751382024-02-11T00:30:00.127-05:002024-02-11T00:30:00.131-05:00The Sunday Post #357 | February 11, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Happy Sunday, friends! How was your week? It was a busy week at the office and I was so worn out and dragging by Friday. I was like, bring on the weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I was watching the Tampa Bay Lightning game Wednesday night when one of my favorite players had a bad fall after taking a hit from one of the opposing team's players. It was immediately obvious it was bad and he was taken off the ice on a stretcher. Turns out both bones in his lower leg fractured. I was heartsick watching it and I feel terrible for the poor guy. He's surely done for the season so I guess we'll see how the team adjusts without him. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mikhail Sergachev receives an ovation from MSG crowd as heās wheeled off ice sitting on a stretcher, his face in a towel. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gobolts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gobolts</a> <a href="https://t.co/94AKP2aKn3">pic.twitter.com/94AKP2aKn3</a></p>ā Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieInTheYard/status/1755399613186523194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I am loving this Taylor Swift-inspired Super Bowl commercial. And the fact that it's a real-life dad and daughter... I'm done. Just go ahead and hand me a Kleenex. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3IZxaTtX7D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3IZxaTtX7D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3IZxaTtX7D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Cetaphil US (@cetaphilus)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">For those of you in the U.S., do you plan on watching the Super Bowl tonight? Who are you pulling for you? Or are you more like, "oh, is there a game today?" š My team didn't even make the play-off's so I have no stake in the outcome, but I would like to see the Chiefs win. I like Patrick Mahomes. And, while I wouldn't consider myself a Taylor Swift fan (I do like her music), I think she and Travis Kelce are adorable together. So there's that. lol</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;">Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, this week's song seems kind of obvious. The only question is: which team will be singing it? š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/04854XqcfCY?si=dbMpG9eUPY48jxPJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday, February 6</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-novellas.html" target="_blank">Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Novellas</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday, February 8</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/reviews-ready-or-not-cara-bastone.html" target="_blank">Reviews: Ready or Not (Cara Bastone) and The Memory of Us (Dani Atkins)</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T3/images/I/51XDlvSRheL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="279" height="320" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T3/images/I/51XDlvSRheL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" width="201" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1702360161i/203665939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1702360161i/203665939.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43604066-like-the-wind" target="_blank">Like the Wind</a> by J. Bengtsson - 4.25ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Kindle: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203665939-something-like-lust" target="_blank">Something Like Lust</a> (Chicago Grizzlies #2) by Piper Rayne - 4.25ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561568400l/51020881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561568400l/51020881.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51020881-letters-to-molly" target="_blank">Letters to Molly</a> (Maysen Jar #2) by Devney Perry</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704888845i/204799706.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Trade Paperback: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204799706-ashes-of-you" target="_blank">Ashes of You</a> (Lost & Found #5) by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishB6guX0MTiAD4yG5HK7lVhrrq6D_haeV8TgZwA2XxGrUigfZy5_gPd9cMcngaNySh_gUY4EutEg-vtCaiYtHkfJArXoHbz5wfk94Gcni6166ZSKghuDpdypBjyUHkONWNXr-tUn9oq7s-rKeqHyb5PXU6dxvGiOhjJ3g5xHqfrHcXye5AjrCXtxbDaA/s647/super%20bowl%20bingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishB6guX0MTiAD4yG5HK7lVhrrq6D_haeV8TgZwA2XxGrUigfZy5_gPd9cMcngaNySh_gUY4EutEg-vtCaiYtHkfJArXoHbz5wfk94Gcni6166ZSKghuDpdypBjyUHkONWNXr-tUn9oq7s-rKeqHyb5PXU6dxvGiOhjJ3g5xHqfrHcXye5AjrCXtxbDaA/w309-h400/super%20bowl%20bingo.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-52202002666842958842024-02-08T00:30:00.006-05:002024-02-08T08:58:53.665-05:00Reviews: Ready or Not (Cara Bastone) | The Memory of Us (Dani Atkins)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>Ready or Not</b></span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Cara Bastone</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: February 13, 2024</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Source: Random House/NetGalley</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>4 stars</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154548937" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn thatās close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, itās comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.<br /><br />The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eveās loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, right when she needs her the most. And itās actually Willaās steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now heās checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is . . . suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, thereās the babyās father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.<br /><br />Up until this point, Eveās been content to coast through life. Now, thoughāmaybe itās the hormones, maybe itās the way Shepās shoulders look in a T-shirtāEve starts to wonder if she has been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.<br /><br /></i></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>Over the course of nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">________________________________________________________________</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">When a one night stand leads to an unplanned pregnancy, Eve is thrown for a loop. With two failed relationships behind her and stagnating in an unfulfilling job, parenthood wasn't exactly part of plan. Add to the mix Eve's best friend (Willa), who was dealing with fertility issues, and her decidedly lukewarm response to the news, plus the revelation that the baby's father (Ethan) had a serious girlfriend... and Eve was left feeling even more conflicted. Enter Shep, Willa's brother and Eve's lifelong friend. As Shep became her main source of emotional support, Eve navigated pregnancy, new career options, and an evolving relationship Ethan.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">This was my first from Bastone and there was a lot to enjoy. Eve's conflicting feelings about impending motherhood felt realistic and made her all the more relatable. Ethan's struggle to accept his new reality while placating a jealous girlfriend and Willa's inability to fully support her friend due to her private challenges add layers that complicated matters, but never felt like unnecessary drama. But the shining star was Shep: the too-precious-for-this-world man who stocked Eve's refrigerator, gave foot rubs, bought a bicycle with a baby carrier, and provided unwavering support. While the middle of the story seemed to lag a bit and make the book feel overly long, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the true-to-life characters created by Bastone. This is one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.</span></p><div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698501539i/200896741.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="219" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698501539i/200896741.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>The Memory of Us</span></b></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Dani Atkins</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: February 15, 2024</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Source: Aria/NetGalley</span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>4.5 stars</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200896741-the-memory-of-us" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></b></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><br />If you can't trust your head, can you trust your heart?<br /><br />If she had been found moments later, Amelia's heart would have stopped and never recovered. Instead she was taken from the desolate beach to the nearest hospital just in time to save her life. When her sister Lexi arrives from New York, Amelia's heart is beating, but the accident has implanted a series of false memories. These memories revolve around a man named Sam, and a perfect love story that never existed.<br /><br />Determined to help her sister, Lexi enlists the help of Nick, a local vet who bears a striking resemblance to Sam. Together, Lexi and Nick recreate and photograph Amelia's dream dates in the hopes of triggering her true memories.<br /><br />But as love starts to stir between Lexi and Nick, they must navigate a complex web of emotions. How can Lexi fall for Amelia's dream man without hurting her sister?</i></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">___________________________________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Sisters Lexi and Amelia had always shared a special bond. When Lexi received the devastating call that Amelia was found unresponsive and is now hospitalized, she immediately left her life in New York City and returned home to Somerset. Reuniting with Amelia was bittersweet because as relieved as she was to see her sister, Amelia's repeated questions about her husband Sam's whereabouts were troubling to say the least. Because Amelia was not married and Sam did not exist. Intent on helping Amelia by any means possible, Lexi meets Nick, a man who looks exactly like Amelia's drawings of Sam. Lexi embarked on a journey to recreate Amelia's "memories" with Sam by staging photographs with Nick, hopeful that they would somehow jolt Amelia from her confabulation.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I was immediately intrigued by the premise of the story but it was the execution that brought the characters to left and dealt an emotional punch. The bond between the two sisters was something magical (in more ways than one), and the relationship that formed between Lexi and Nick was heartwarming and gave meant-to-be vibes. I sat back in wonder as the story unfolded. Like a movie, I watched each scene play out and I was completely invested. Atkins delivered a few twists that I did not see coming and by the end I was shedding tears and smiling, despite my battered heart. This is not my first from Atkins (I enjoyed the equally moving The Story of Us) and it will certainly not be the last.</span></p><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-align: left;">violence/death (mostly off page), physical abuse (off page)</span></div></span></b></span></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-17530216156887403492024-02-06T00:30:00.002-05:002024-02-06T00:30:00.187-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Novellas<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Novellas</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Today's topic is actually quick reads, or books to read when you're short on time. I'm going to simplify that title and just call it what it is: my favorite novellas. I know some people don't care for novellas and avoid them, even when they're part of a series. Not me. I love a good novella, <i>especially</i> when it's tied to a favorite series. Here are some of my favorites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsL6EbYfB_7g40aUOEKj94LOQ41XZw3YEdMxY5A1Nmoka-mtaCiJusicx9A9n2lsoL412bXABQodoD0WhjAezhqQboJMMELXO774-dNwAUQ47bllJdeTuarLwRYbqsr7U1A4acGo26Q6_Hi_Ox7VD0ZLsn4jDRBzzl8qWmV1EBoIfYsjdKMD4mxQ7rjs/s2304/TTT%202-6-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsL6EbYfB_7g40aUOEKj94LOQ41XZw3YEdMxY5A1Nmoka-mtaCiJusicx9A9n2lsoL412bXABQodoD0WhjAezhqQboJMMELXO774-dNwAUQ47bllJdeTuarLwRYbqsr7U1A4acGo26Q6_Hi_Ox7VD0ZLsn4jDRBzzl8qWmV1EBoIfYsjdKMD4mxQ7rjs/w480-h640/TTT%202-6-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53911731-forever-wild" target="_blank">Forever Wild</a> by K. A. Tucker (Wild #2.5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I loved this visit with Calla and Jonah.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148029747-that-one-night" target="_blank">That One Night</a> by Emily Rath (Jacksonville Rays #0.5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The prequel novella that started my </span>obsession<span style="font-family: inherit;"> with the series.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62802895-timeless" target="_blank">Timeless</a> by Devney Perry (Lark Cove #5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">A perfect end to the series.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41715227-evidence-of-the-affair" target="_blank">Evidence of the Affair</a> by Taylor Jenkins Reid</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">TJR packed a punch in just 88 pages.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43793516-point-of-origin" target="_blank">Point of Origin</a> by Rebecca Yarros (Legacy #0.5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Loved this prequel novella - so emotional.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139440777-pucking-ever-after" target="_blank">Pucking Ever After: Volume 1</a> by Emily Rath (Jacksonville Rays #1.5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Six chapters spanning four years - this novella delivered everything I wanted.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60409714-epic" target="_blank">Epic</a> by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy (Him #2.5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I will forever and always read anything about Wesmie. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">ā„</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/163265154-come-with-me" target="_blank">Come With Me</a> by Brooke Montgomery (Sugarland Creek #0)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The prequel novella was a perfect introduction to the series. Loved it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62585656-ignite" target="_blank">Ignite</a> by Rebecca Yarros (Legacy #0.75)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While not as emotional as Point of Origin, I still loved being in the Legacy world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75664521-coming-home" target="_blank">Coming Home</a> by Kennedy Ryan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This audio-only novella was quintessential Kennedy Ryan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have a favorite novella?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-68250222604109752622024-01-30T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-30T00:30:00.135-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2023</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I actually read about 15 (or so) new-to-me authors in 2023 so I had several to choose from. Some were good, some didn't work for me, and a couple became new favorites. Here's mix of all of the above. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G0PtleRRbugngQ-QhZ27lBzcsmY3ZB-q7eMFpftmHR-0LHLvpkN9Tulfc4wR4XibGuWvmzpemFWkuhFFip-O1P0N9-vrXfDt-srzDofBgxNvCP9tUwEf2vTFy8wXyxBAkc_HtVf9fZiBfmR7Pc2MSrSvnT4h8ewuch1fD4Jp_U3YmZi-R2yhtBNZezk/s2304/TTT%201-30-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G0PtleRRbugngQ-QhZ27lBzcsmY3ZB-q7eMFpftmHR-0LHLvpkN9Tulfc4wR4XibGuWvmzpemFWkuhFFip-O1P0N9-vrXfDt-srzDofBgxNvCP9tUwEf2vTFy8wXyxBAkc_HtVf9fZiBfmR7Pc2MSrSvnT4h8ewuch1fD4Jp_U3YmZi-R2yhtBNZezk/w480-h640/TTT%201-30-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Jennifer Hartmann | Giana Darling | Emily Rath | Abby Jimenez</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Brighton Walsh | Sharon Sala | Ali Hazelwood</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Q.B. Tyler | J.T. Geissinger | TJ Klune</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>What author did you discover in 2023?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-25495302419199582932024-01-28T00:30:00.026-05:002024-01-28T00:30:00.133-05:00The Sunday Post #356 | January 28, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">How is it the last week of January already? That is boggling my mind. š²</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">On Tuesday I attended a book signing with Emily Rath (of Pucking Around/Jacksonville Rays fame). She's a local author and had collaborated with a local indie bookstore for the re-release of Pucking Around. (It was self-published last year but has now been re-released by Kensington.) The store (Femme Fire Books) is one I'd not been to before and it was adorable. And the people who showed up were so kind and so friendly. One young woman had made friendship bracelets that had character names or meaningful words/phrases from the book and was sharing them with everyone in line. Readers really are the best people. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQakI9qt7KhGuycD0WIxbY0hwf8KFBrR2eWlXThLF6jJM-FLpohtLcSboBWErN7C72utTqs05Ax2Rpg0w853mEEwlsMcPccnv0tMCUgjdbl2hgXQwWrMVavqrdib63iTXssincG-PnLCrewhAbDNBpMLvllAFffHnWC3OI2M4kywb2DXhbERsrUqto9lU/s545/IMG_2549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQakI9qt7KhGuycD0WIxbY0hwf8KFBrR2eWlXThLF6jJM-FLpohtLcSboBWErN7C72utTqs05Ax2Rpg0w853mEEwlsMcPccnv0tMCUgjdbl2hgXQwWrMVavqrdib63iTXssincG-PnLCrewhAbDNBpMLvllAFffHnWC3OI2M4kywb2DXhbERsrUqto9lU/w176-h200/IMG_2549.jpg" width="176" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrZjhH2FW-3oByfJ-UhQ1_SiOOKqjRlSJoD2Bir9xnvVIJ9R8xFA0RglOFGpUpthZLnarELxPcOfD_xZRlBNX8SXYq12_NUxrECrncw5nBminPcO4Wx215a_u5YoUuLrmYkSMIC4YbSJjJ8Q3RFMm5KcDaPP8FEOgh9VlRC_0g3QsplEax9MtEQqEmRY/s510/IMG_9322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="416" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrZjhH2FW-3oByfJ-UhQ1_SiOOKqjRlSJoD2Bir9xnvVIJ9R8xFA0RglOFGpUpthZLnarELxPcOfD_xZRlBNX8SXYq12_NUxrECrncw5nBminPcO4Wx215a_u5YoUuLrmYkSMIC4YbSJjJ8Q3RFMm5KcDaPP8FEOgh9VlRC_0g3QsplEax9MtEQqEmRY/w163-h200/IMG_9322.jpg" width="163" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDfnLJKwW4JqVda3LwRs6adIEEQ5cOwFHKt7YBUqchXKNKdxj64kvybHsetBnJIB6f52rMzxD-0NdKZ7018APzhfirtJvjm7TdnQBWDEAjsltWT2UPYGGQpNfr73HxdHJFMHzRWrZD8vUmigALFFGPZ-ZIX03QGAX-bY8UbHwgPt9kQd3dnWUZ8awmcA/s640/IMG_2566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDfnLJKwW4JqVda3LwRs6adIEEQ5cOwFHKt7YBUqchXKNKdxj64kvybHsetBnJIB6f52rMzxD-0NdKZ7018APzhfirtJvjm7TdnQBWDEAjsltWT2UPYGGQpNfr73HxdHJFMHzRWrZD8vUmigALFFGPZ-ZIX03QGAX-bY8UbHwgPt9kQd3dnWUZ8awmcA/w200-h150/IMG_2566.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">My 78-year-old mother has Covid... again. It seems much milder this time around, like a bad head cold, and she's already feeling much better. I wish she were more cautious, but after almost 4 years of advice and reminders, I've given up. She's going to do what she wants to do. *eyeroll*</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">File this under "I can't make this up": Hidden Valley Ranch and Burt's Bees have collaborated to produce Ranch lip balm. Has anyone else seen this? My only question is <i>WHY</i>? I mean, I like ranch dressing as much as the next person, but do I want to taste it in my lip balm? š So the question is: would you use ranch (or carrot or celery or buffalo sauce) lip balm?? </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWLoGNxxdnJpFwtd295BDU9w03FrLBPxwwIaYSCSj4TDpsiZ0338IRhLFlfOaPCt7wwx-TwHfoFIeic5uF6Ddzr3uPjJ3NEqqWYLklg9-_bILEs8onHpZdfhQoCs013YTcluRBxdUNIoNbKojj7ScWT-6Dy1jDn-49uMOZViWux9_TNcDfRv_eutRg1w/s646/lip%20balm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="646" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWLoGNxxdnJpFwtd295BDU9w03FrLBPxwwIaYSCSj4TDpsiZ0338IRhLFlfOaPCt7wwx-TwHfoFIeic5uF6Ddzr3uPjJ3NEqqWYLklg9-_bILEs8onHpZdfhQoCs013YTcluRBxdUNIoNbKojj7ScWT-6Dy1jDn-49uMOZViWux9_TNcDfRv_eutRg1w/s320/lip%20balm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">This week's throwback song is Birdhouse in Your Soul (1990) by They Might Be Giants. Enjoy! (Love the song but the video is truly bad. lol)</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vn_or9gEB6g?si=MP3Cu-Tas7sWMoQg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday, January 23</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-meant-to-read.html" target="_blank">Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2023</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Thursday, January 25</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-women-by-kristin-hannah.html" target="_blank">Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154548937-ready-or-not" target="_blank">Ready or Not</a> by Cara Bastone - 4.25ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679494444i/123414003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679494444i/123414003.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179954866-pucking-wild" target="_blank">Pucking Wild</a> by Emily Rath</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGkjZksJk66hNv_ByLzd4V13yXaiKXuFg_NKxpyScW9OzbQhpxe-aS0HhY29Jod4B3vreFtIqCmHKVMO74jn3bPAcvbZeF-j2Cu0jGh5W8as-TMaYFQF7G7ylZ_x1U5cv5Jc6ArC8wU0lOmnqjy6h_ysq0JxJOx8KFXB7yus-BRx8z6ThtDq_LP2DzHs/s640/IMG_2577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGkjZksJk66hNv_ByLzd4V13yXaiKXuFg_NKxpyScW9OzbQhpxe-aS0HhY29Jod4B3vreFtIqCmHKVMO74jn3bPAcvbZeF-j2Cu0jGh5W8as-TMaYFQF7G7ylZ_x1U5cv5Jc6ArC8wU0lOmnqjy6h_ysq0JxJOx8KFXB7yus-BRx8z6ThtDq_LP2DzHs/w240-h320/IMG_2577.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">The special edition of Pucking Around is so pretty. You can't tell from the photo, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">but the title is sparkly. š And the art print and sticker (not pictured) are cute. I also</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">nabbed a physical copy of the prequel novella, That One Night, while at the signing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET-XY_Mpy88jZPd1NRIiIE9p8BXlpnBIinTqP8TwNOnK-cejkZrtDkKYhvWA_IanvU2S13ySvFhy5Kg2DN7lh3r84V0iioW_HeaYcLIqc3SheDmQAohAfnDWKNlYUm5CFr2VvB_GK3X59L7HUkhMKbBw9u_h5tMLSzsxEsca8JeDJs2McHwgjyUqvSrE/s580/chapstick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET-XY_Mpy88jZPd1NRIiIE9p8BXlpnBIinTqP8TwNOnK-cejkZrtDkKYhvWA_IanvU2S13ySvFhy5Kg2DN7lh3r84V0iioW_HeaYcLIqc3SheDmQAohAfnDWKNlYUm5CFr2VvB_GK3X59L7HUkhMKbBw9u_h5tMLSzsxEsca8JeDJs2McHwgjyUqvSrE/w319-h320/chapstick.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-56009317209687350302024-01-25T00:30:00.015-05:002024-01-25T00:30:00.246-05:00Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" width="421" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>THE WOMEN</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">by Kristin Hannah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Pub: 2/6/2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">St. Martin's Press</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">480 pg.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;">From the celebrated author of <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Nightingale</i> and <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Four Winds</i> comes Kristin Hannah's <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Women</i>āat once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances āFrankieā McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over- whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meetsāand becomes one ofāthe lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Women</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harmās way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Women</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.</span></span></p><h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: sofia-pro; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 0.67em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">COMING FEBRUARY 6, 2024</span></h1><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1250178630/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: #fdfffa; border: 0px; color: #8c672a; font-family: adelle-sans, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-women-kristin-hannah/1143461662?ean=9781250178633" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: #fdfffa; border: 0px; color: #8c672a; font-family: adelle-sans, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-women/id6448934772" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: #fdfffa; border: 0px; color: #8c672a; font-family: adelle-sans, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Apple Books</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristin_Hannah_The_Women?id=0Ua4EAAAQBAJ" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: #fdfffa; border: 0px; color: #8c672a; font-family: adelle-sans, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Google Play</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Women-Audiobook/B0C4Q8SZRW" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: #fdfffa; border: 0px; color: #8c672a; font-family: adelle-sans, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Audible</a> </span></span></h3><div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126918788-the-women" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-women-by-kristin-hannah" target="_blank">BookBub</a></span></h3></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>REVIEW:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Frankie McGrath lived a privileged life on the golden
shores of Californiaās Coronado Island. The Vietnam War felt as if it was a
world away. When that sheltered life was shaken to its core and she enlisted in
the Army Nurse Corps, her life would be forever altered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Thrust into the harsh reality of a combat nurse in
Vietnam, Frankie struggled to adapt to all that entailed. Wholly unprepared,
she was unmoored and grasping for stability and normalcy where there was none
to be had. The extreme situation meant bonds were forged quickly and she developed
strong friendships with her fellow nurses, allowing them to lean on one another
and hold each other up. There were other relationships formed as well, a
flirtatious but ultimately platonic romance with a surgeon, and a passionate
affair with a pilot. Both left lasting scars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After her tour of duty, and her return to California, Frankieās
homecoming was decidedly underwhelming. Her parents were dismissive of her
service, her attempts at seeking help were met with the same response ā ā<i>there
were no women in Vietnam</i>ā ā and the country as a whole was divided and
divisive. Frankieās life spiraled as she tried to adapt to life after Vietnam. The
latter portion of the book, as Frankie struggled to make peace with her experiences,
provided an unflinching look at the issues faced by so many veterans upon their
return from Vietnam. Brave, resilient, and courageous ā and yet their
sacrifices were not recognized and applauded, but instead swept under the rug,
or even mocked and held in contempt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While I was born during the Vietnam War era, I was still a
child when the conflict ended, so for me it has always felt like history. Not
something I had a personal connection to. Kristin Hannah changed that with The
Women. This story is vividly detailed (gut wrenchingly so), with characters
that virtually leapt off the page and took on a life of their own. I felt their
optimism, their fear, their cynicism, and disillusionment. Hannahās focus on
the nurses in Vietnam ā young women who exemplified patriotism and selfless heroism
ā provided another example of how womenās contributions in history are so often
overlooked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Women was the first book I read in 2024 and itās not
hyperbole to say that I have no doubt it will be my top read of the year. It
was powerful, impactful, heartbreaking and ā ultimately ā uplifting. And it was
delivered in a way Iāve come to expect from Kristin Hannah ā with realism,
nuance, and heart. Utterly unforgettable.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">5 STARS</span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Note: I was provided an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review.</i></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8c2b56a1-7fff-bfa2-a4a3-67a236d7b3ea"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-53472869946367232722024-01-23T00:30:00.005-05:002024-01-23T00:30:00.246-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2023<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Books I Meant to Read in 2023</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">It's the age old problem: too many books and too little time. Despite the fact that there</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">are only two adults in my home (no kids to be a total time suck), and that I rarely ever </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">watch TV, there's still never enough time to read all the books I want to read. I mean, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif;">there's that pesky job, and y'know... life. So here are just a few (well, ten) of the </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;">books </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I meant to read in 2023. I'm hoping to get to all of these sooner rather than later.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUhUzeLJzCIFerpGD_TgKAy_jVEdnSy7Jle2h6CYZoB3Dzkc2ZLm4rylJY4930L0rrV47ja3eoW89xoSLudtd1edFJJBRN7nGhAU-947zb6y0fzsuXB3d0iKuZX3LyOL3N0muBu-bZoy2B3UdHU0h9x3jFCNSVIdwghRiMJDTeeFepvHAL8fTfkdcUY/s2304/TTT%201-23-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUhUzeLJzCIFerpGD_TgKAy_jVEdnSy7Jle2h6CYZoB3Dzkc2ZLm4rylJY4930L0rrV47ja3eoW89xoSLudtd1edFJJBRN7nGhAU-947zb6y0fzsuXB3d0iKuZX3LyOL3N0muBu-bZoy2B3UdHU0h9x3jFCNSVIdwghRiMJDTeeFepvHAL8fTfkdcUY/w480-h640/TTT%201-23-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150260809-iron-flame" target="_blank">Iron Flame</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72016723-mile-high" target="_blank">Mile High</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/137641878-june-first" target="_blank">June First</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62213803-a-girl-called-samson" target="_blank">A Girl Called Samson</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61037249-bad-mother" target="_blank">Bad Mother</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68004511-in-the-likely-event" target="_blank">In the Likely Event</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41583469-beauty-found" target="_blank">Beauty Found</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44652761-letters-to-molly" target="_blank">Letters to Molly</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200714353-the-worst-kept-secret" target="_blank">The Worst Kept Secret</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62039416-ravensong" target="_blank">Ravensong</a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>What book did you not get to in 2023?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-84432484736176129672024-01-21T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-21T00:30:00.138-05:00The Sunday Post #355 | January 21, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Since this is my first Sunday Post of the year, I guess I should say Happy New Year! It's still January... saying Happy New Year is still acceptable, right? š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I've been keeping busy between work-life and home-life. Last week we took a quick trip up to North Carolina. The Husband's eldest daughter was having a milestone birthday so we decided to surprise her. It was a quick-ish visit, but good to see everyone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">On Monday I <i>finally</i> got my car back. *tosses confetti and does happy dance* It was at the collision center just shy of seven weeks (five of those weeks was just waiting for parts) so I was actually without it twice as long as I actually drove it (I'd had the car for 28 days when I was rear-ended). So excited to have my car back... and it still has that new car smell. Haha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">We had a blast of winter weather this week and I've been loving it. It's been a chilly weekend - yesterday's high was only 45F (7-8C) - but the coming week will be back into the 70's (22C). That's Florida for you. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">This week's throwback song is I'm Your Man (1985) by George Michael/Wham. Enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6W0d9xMhZbo?si=7qhmNYCFicxGK1Lf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nothing this week</span></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700807644i/202612508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700807644i/202612508.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: pt serif, serif;"><b>DNF</b> - I gave up on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202612508-karma" target="_blank">Karma</a>. As much as I enjoyed Boy George's anecdotes, and </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: pt serif, serif;">his narration, the stream-of-consciousness narrative wasn't working for me. It felt</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: pt serif, serif;">like it was all over the place and I found myself listening less and less.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: pt serif, serif;">Unfortunate, because I find him to be deliciously bitchy and entertaining. š</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></div></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691178608i/154548937.jpg" width="215" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679494444i/123414003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679494444i/123414003.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154548937-ready-or-not" target="_blank">Ready or Not</a> by Cara Bastone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179954866-pucking-wild" target="_blank">Pucking Wild</a> by Emily Rath</span></div><div style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nothing this week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlenfs6Hiz_RE_sQwjONXSnEeJwSPPDu0xIMY_WaFTNGKOz87xEz2-uDPdrA_RZ96xYvnG-txQNRFvAUg4UwvXPRdZqrQ8xDnHv3binXIT97DEt7uIFqr96qH4UffJh44ckOv_t8R-PRqnyENAtZEKcZEoMPUdvM6X9ohMJ3qPOVo8tl2Vkg-cydnUB9Q/s564/pick%20your%20battles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="564" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlenfs6Hiz_RE_sQwjONXSnEeJwSPPDu0xIMY_WaFTNGKOz87xEz2-uDPdrA_RZ96xYvnG-txQNRFvAUg4UwvXPRdZqrQ8xDnHv3binXIT97DEt7uIFqr96qH4UffJh44ckOv_t8R-PRqnyENAtZEKcZEoMPUdvM6X9ohMJ3qPOVo8tl2Vkg-cydnUB9Q/w400-h389/pick%20your%20battles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-64565412940571683822024-01-10T09:49:00.000-05:002024-01-10T09:49:08.224-05:00WWW Wednesday #131 | January 10, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/s560/WWW%20Wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/w640-h360/WWW%20Wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">WWW Wednesdays is hosted by <a href="https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/">Sam @ Taking on a World of Words</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Just share your answers to three questions:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What are you currently reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">It's a chilly day here - in the 50's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Hey, don't laugh... 50's is cold for Florida! š</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">What's it like where you are?</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4309512457899385005" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5276434233463049340" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-940208296829399029" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5635573781711230556" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you currently reading?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691108629i/154462768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691108629i/154462768.jpg" width="215" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696879556i/199333593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="520" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696879556i/199333593.jpg" width="208" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154548937-ready-or-not" target="_blank">Ready or Not</a> by Cara Bastone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202612508-karma" target="_blank">Karma </a>by Boy George</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Currently reading</u><b>: </b>I am in desperate need of something on the lighter side and I'm</span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">hopeful that <b>Ready or Not</b> will fill that need. This will be my first by Bastone.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>Current progress: 4%</b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Currently listening</u>:</b> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I only started <b>Karma</b> this morning but I'm already a little unsure about</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">it. I enjoy Boy George's narration (the way he laughs and chuckles at certain parts is a </span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">delight), but it also feels very stream of consciousness with little structure. I'm sticking</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">with it for now and will see how it goes.</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current progress: 4%</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" width="210" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517548585i/38326753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517548585i/38326753.jpg" width="199" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126918788-the-women" target="_blank">The Women</a> by Kristin Hannah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38326753-from-lukov-with-love" target="_blank">From Lukov with Love</a> by Mariana Zapata</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Recently read</u>: </b>Powerful. Emotional. Gut-wrenching. I'm calling it now: <b>The Women</b> will</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #707070;">likely be my favorite of 2024. </span><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">5 stars</span></b></span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Recently listened to</u>:</b> Mariana Zapata delivered another delicious, slow-burn romance, </span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>filled </span>with <span style="color: #707070;">the best snarky banter. And Ivan Lukov... </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">ā„</span></span><span style="color: #707070; font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;">4.5 stars</span></b></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698501539i/200896741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="219" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698501539i/200896741.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I <i>never</i> know what I'm going to read next, but </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200896741-the-memory-of-us" target="_blank">The Memory of Us</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">is a likely candidate.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you reading today? </span></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-15008317291845049402024-01-09T10:55:00.000-05:002024-01-09T10:55:13.800-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Book Releases | First Half of 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Most Anticipated Releases in the</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>First Half of the Year</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I read way more indie authors than traditionally published authors, so publication dates</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">aren't set months and months (or even a year) in advance, like with the big publishing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif;">houses. Often there is little notice when </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif;">an indie author </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;">drops a new release. So I'm</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"> surprised I actually managed to come up </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;">with ten choices for this week's topic!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfg8xSHNFFE78p8rHcRCcrZxILEKMdvK23JQk8X0pIu-9ybq8Pel_lQub-_aaPbPOKdgQzN0e4tyJAgHl8I9AVNHoHlqlBh1WSU4RUUxvYvZLTV3PnicsJybOFBdrhiD7MVttMEPvvflujy6grf1PqFbL0tXFe-NabE5DsduIGBAT41-nxrRlrssQE3k/s2304/TTT%201-9-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfg8xSHNFFE78p8rHcRCcrZxILEKMdvK23JQk8X0pIu-9ybq8Pel_lQub-_aaPbPOKdgQzN0e4tyJAgHl8I9AVNHoHlqlBh1WSU4RUUxvYvZLTV3PnicsJybOFBdrhiD7MVttMEPvvflujy6grf1PqFbL0tXFe-NabE5DsduIGBAT41-nxrRlrssQE3k/w480-h640/TTT%201-9-2024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204696344-ashes-of-you" target="_blank">Ashes of You</a> - Catherine Cowles (Feb 6)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195725346-stay-with-me" target="_blank">Stay With Me</a> - Brooke Montgomery (Feb 7)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197448245-the-five-year-lie" target="_blank">The Five Year Lie</a> - Sarina Bowen (May 14)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305794-the-trail-of-lost-hearts" target="_blank">The Trail of Lost Hearts</a> - Tracey Garvis Graves (Mar 26)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62217092-mona-of-the-manor" target="_blank">Mona of the Manor</a> - Armistead Maupin (Mar 7)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200896741-the-memory-of-us" target="_blank">The Memory of Us</a> - Dani Atkins (Feb 15)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178597569-boone" target="_blank">Boone</a> - Sawyer Bennett (Jan 16)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124941187-blitz" target="_blank">Blitz</a> - Devney Perry (Mar 7)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203420369-crossroads" target="_blank">Crossroads</a> - Devney Perry (Jun 4)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182761439-this-could-be-us" target="_blank">This Could Be Us</a> - Kennedy Ryan (Mar 5)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>What upcoming release are you most excited for? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-43639840844755281492024-01-05T00:30:00.001-05:002024-01-05T00:30:00.136-05:00Review: The Lily of Ludgate Hill | Mimi Matthews<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701450310i/174255240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="521" height="800" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701450310i/174255240.jpg" width="521" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">Fortune favors the boldābut is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams?</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Lady Anne Deveril doesnāt spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, sheās the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her motherās devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, sheās tempted to runā¦right into his arms.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruseāon the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfatherās country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passionsāand a tender heart.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">A scorching kiss over fabric samples makes me question all my choices. But is it too late to change my entire life to get more of them?</span></p><h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: sofia-pro; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 0.67em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: uppercase; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 16, 2024</span></h1><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2P68LJS" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593337182" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Paperback</a> | <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill/id6447816114" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Apple Books</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill-mimi-matthews/1143364131?ean=9780593337196" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">B&N Nook</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7tO5EAAAQBAJ" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Google Play</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61236154-the-lily-of-ludgate-hill" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill-by-mimi-matthews" target="_blank">BookBub</a></span></h3><div><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NJzogEwE0mw8fVekcI7-eoYQl3pf3pSZoUyIL8V4PgZwOJkF969FzECf6-N9N5ZRC_4o45D01JF1dtROOuseFSYXQV3qy-a4aDk6ocb_Z7bbdIFk4zVISDoUhsGcxOwiHkDlkMvjHyZjdGbL5gHtJIRjjLfnVi20Y_mogKW7n8c5RVeSGhDNy_TSSUY/s780/post_divider.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="780" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NJzogEwE0mw8fVekcI7-eoYQl3pf3pSZoUyIL8V4PgZwOJkF969FzECf6-N9N5ZRC_4o45D01JF1dtROOuseFSYXQV3qy-a4aDk6ocb_Z7bbdIFk4zVISDoUhsGcxOwiHkDlkMvjHyZjdGbL5gHtJIRjjLfnVi20Y_mogKW7n8c5RVeSGhDNy_TSSUY/w400-h66/post_divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Anne had been her motherās loyal companion and dutiful
daughter since the death of her father six years ago. It was a role she did not
begrudge but at the same time many aspects of her life had stagnated over the
years. When she feared for her friendās safety and was determined to journey to
her and rescue her if needed, she approached Felix Hartford for help. Six years
ago, Felix broke her young heart and despite her lingering feelings for him,
her disappointment in him stoked the fire of their now antagonistic
relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Felix, the second son of an earl, was viewed as something
of a bon vivant, always up for a good time or a wager on a curricle race.
Privately, Felix was shouldering heavy responsibilities that he took pains to
keep secret. Continually viewed as frivolous by both his family and the genteel
society, Felix was actually noble, loyal and kind. His pursuit of Anne was
positively swoon-worthy and I adored both his witty flirting and his grand
gestures as he courted the only woman heād ever loved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Female friendship continues to be a theme in this series,
and I enjoyed seeing the connection between the women (the Four Horsewomen)
evolve. Grief and family loyalty are also explored, and both added such
humanity to the main characters and made their actions all the more believable.
Anneās devotion to her mother was admirable, even while her motherās grief had
become toxic and manifested in the tight control she maintained over Anne. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I loved the character growth in both Anne and Felix and watching
as they made peace with their past. Their interactions were filled with snarky
banter, with Anneās intelligence and sharp wit always evident. As their
relationship began to evolve and their exchanges grew more serious, I melted
each time they laid down a part of their past and laid bare their true
feelings. Felix was more free with both his words and his actions and the way
he showed his care for Anne, in small ways and large, was the epitome of romance.
Iām a sucker for pining and yearning and there were epic levels of both here.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">There is much to love in this second chance romance: a mother with a familiar spirit named Dmitri, snappy banter, a temperamental kitten, a hero with an entrepreneurial spirit, a bombastic nephew, shared secrets, toe-curling kisses and swoony embraces, friends to frenemies to lovers, and a climactic scene at a holiday house party that was written to perfection.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;">Whether youāve already enjoyed the prior books in the
Belles of London series or not, The Lily of Ludgate Hill can easily be read on
its own and is one I highly recommend. </span><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">4.5 STARS</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Note: I was provided an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review.</i></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8c2b56a1-7fff-bfa2-a4a3-67a236d7b3ea"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-3237431914977262872024-01-03T12:30:00.001-05:002024-01-03T12:30:54.347-05:00WWW Wednesday #130 | January 3, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/s560/WWW%20Wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldzq3-TKSUCMnGNbHD5QwQMLgRfDXn4ZuVTbzpgfgeAW2LqgMZTM1OEedAx2fSAZSJ1Od73fmj7S4a8V_m9QaOfv9VQNoaJKLFJY2hYEMB3s3ntSxIBjhUvdV9WNjG2b_nF8lj7rOB9rwufK3zuTT1I8CK-LWNlFJv3UG8D5sM5hFTscS6_qBNjs/w640-h360/WWW%20Wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">WWW Wednesdays is hosted by <a href="https://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com/">Sam @ Taking on a World of Words</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Just share your answers to three questions:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What are you currently reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Is everyone else still writing 2023 or is it just me? š </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">There's no telling how many times I've had to correct that this week.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4309512457899385005" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5276434233463049340" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-940208296829399029" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5635573781711230556" itemprop="description articleBody" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 708px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you currently reading?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" width="210" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517548585i/38326753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517548585i/38326753.jpg" width="199" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126918788-the-women" target="_blank">The Women</a> by Kristin Hannah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38326753-from-lukov-with-love" target="_blank">From Lukov with Love</a> by Mariana Zapata</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Currently reading</u><b>: </b>The Women has already broken my heart once... when I was</span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">just 25% in. I'm sure there's more to come. This Viet Nam-era novel is gritty and doesn't </span></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">shy away from the horrors of that war.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><b>Current progress: 33%</b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Currently listening</u>:</b> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I've barely started From</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> Lukov with Love but I'm already enjoying </span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the set-up that's going on. I'm curious to learn more about Jasmine's past (especially what </span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">she's not telling Lukov and his coach).</span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Current progress: 11%</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What did you recently finish reading?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696548165i/195137436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696548165i/195137436.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Kindle: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195137436-broken-dreams" target="_blank">Broken Dreams</a> by Corinne Michaels - 4</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What do you think you'll read next?</span></b></div><div style="color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691108629i/154462768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691108629i/154462768.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have a feeling I'm very much going to need something on the lighter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">side after I finish The Women. Hopefully <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154548937-ready-or-not" target="_blank">Ready or Not </a>will fill that need.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="color: #707070; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">What are you reading today?</span></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-57212637505324667612024-01-02T08:51:00.000-05:002024-01-02T08:51:18.627-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books of 2023<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/s768/TTT-new6-768x308.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="768" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubepiCmiGTYreGQ6nzDYk3sxTnMl3b7o13jRGZmgRpgkjMb6BZeEPfaCqkdXQb4D-uNBgW-LMec_gW__3cHxa1Xfv3iehzqvTmtpjoAnSXaNW0n2txSuSFWfz24LwVc1jcLiQMqXZFLrT6OTQByCCms7iBz47gSgpb9OXWfQ_KA9xauB1wm4xH7xn/w640-h256/TTT-new6-768x308.png" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 105px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-feel-good-reads.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Favorite%20Feel-Good%20Reads" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="color: #707070; cursor: pointer; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; left: 23.6562px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 143px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/10/top-ten-tuesday-my-favorite-books-of.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20My%20Favorite%20Books%20of%20Summer%202022" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div><p style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="pinit-wrapper" style="cursor: pointer; left: 39px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 177px; visibility: hidden; z-index: 9999;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/07/top-ten-tuesday-book-covers-with-summer.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIKt3wUI-1HJUzsksRC02lYGtW6TsoAJWYusfmcw2sEx7olomEQGZ3OguWH82bZsrDrmDWAw86VIjS0bfpveTHjmA6MFWXsGAYfF85Ms1msz4_TlX0mljtmLuHDachmFeu4IwESUkiubiMN-2hq5M5t9j1UKjWLX6pb7-RxVBa7jCzp4EIsnsFPXu/w640-h260/TTT-Big2.png&description=Top%20Ten%20Tuesday:%20Book%20Covers%20With%20a%20Summer%20Vibe" style="color: #fa928e; display: block; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank"><img class="pinimg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsbN4V9KavqC6gd3bMAINfV1qlNhmK4sLCfQPo7tOQPjoHA522_zpozmGox2lhA_gfX4zKduKHT9W3Jk-Hi8Joi3WBzW1j7fQVtJDLXnPFnNvTOMSlNTRNWrUCy1uEpDNxCBYJuHqM7Q/s1600/pin_it.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative;" title="Pin on Pinterest" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="color: #fa928e; max-width: calc(768px); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Books of 2023</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Since I just posted my <a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2023/12/2023-end-of-year-survey.html" target="_blank">yearly wrap-up</a> on Saturday, it was easy to pull this list together</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">today. :) While my reading in November and December took a hit (I read much less at </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;">the end of the year), overall it was a great year of reading with some real stand-outs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUft6Ij8bCZnxzY4Hup2FQoL5ZcV_vEURO8NJOS38NHerziB6jeE-He3SqLjbkaW2A3SPr_W5UlFFNjdHUI8Sfm-uJyai9p2rs9qKa4i_H3vi3C94ZxH0P1LQ5tNPeM19N32aT2-_CN-mHclHMY3IJTNiz20qqkbT49HxSCTWDTY3bhLmgaUoqoivdyzc/s2304/TTT%201-2-2024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUft6Ij8bCZnxzY4Hup2FQoL5ZcV_vEURO8NJOS38NHerziB6jeE-He3SqLjbkaW2A3SPr_W5UlFFNjdHUI8Sfm-uJyai9p2rs9qKa4i_H3vi3C94ZxH0P1LQ5tNPeM19N32aT2-_CN-mHclHMY3IJTNiz20qqkbT49HxSCTWDTY3bhLmgaUoqoivdyzc/w480-h640/TTT%201-2-2024.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427937-wolfsong" target="_blank">Wolfsong</a> - TJ Klune</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63219094-fourth-wing" target="_blank">Fourth Wing</a> - Rebecca Yarros</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86113733-lotus" target="_blank">Lotus</a> - Jennifer Hartmann</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123194693-pucking-around" target="_blank">Pucking Around</a> - Emily Rath</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76839114-all-the-little-raindrops" target="_blank">All the Little Raindrops</a> - Mia Sheridan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141274878-the-stars-are-on-our-side" target="_blank">The Stars Are on Our Side</a> - Jennifer Hartmann</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58083376-grace-note" target="_blank">Grace Note</a> - J. Bengtsson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202953253-the-lovely-return" target="_blank">The Lovely Return</a> - Carian Cole</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62334527-none-of-this-is-true" target="_blank">None of This is True</a> - Lisa Jewell</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: PT Serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198717645-still-beating" target="_blank">Still Beating</a> - Jennifer Hartmann</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>What was your favorite book of the year?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-63501488983586375392023-12-31T00:30:00.001-05:002023-12-31T00:30:00.145-05:00The Sunday Post #354 | December 31, 2023<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/s560/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wk1cVPQf3275zCxm9WnZVKRHG2jW3AGsknslvrHDZo5QCi8d2Aw9u5W3HuumzGf9nkFfAJBCVVAPRxN2upEDupEWcVi-0T5V_xjMJRARHj8JhyKafxbUJtLQy_8cn49kL4V7hNXFp8c-B_9J9g3A7HvLVQQypyDj4hI8MUwdLCHSn-NggaLcnFri/w640-h360/The%20Sunday%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">The</span> <span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #fa928e; font-family: "pt serif", serif; max-width: calc(768px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Book Reviewer</a><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;">and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE WEEK IN REVIEW</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Hi friends. For those that celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. The week between Christmas and New Year's is always weird, isn't it? Schedules are off, routines are shot... I only worked two days this past week and that just further threw me off. It will actually be nice to get back into the regular routine come Tuesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">Christmas here was a good one. I hosted the whole family on Christmas Eve and we all had a great time. Good food, some games, gift exchange, and lots of laughs. Christmas Day was a lot more low-key which was good because I was exhausted by that point. The Husband and I decided not to exchange gifts this year. Instead of <i>buying</i> things, we plan to <i>do</i> things. Basically, have experiences, not more stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing what that means for us in 2024. š</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I still don't have my car back (sobs quietly) but we did receive a call Thursday saying that all the parts are finally in. Well, all but one. There is a national backorder on one small part but they can work around it. So hopefully I'll have my car back in the next 1-2 weeks. Fingers are crossed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">My boss (one of the three) has retired and his last day was Thursday. Boy, that was tough. We've worked together for more than a decade and he will be missed. We both broke down Thursday and cried as we said our goodbyes. š¢</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: pt serif, serif; font-size: medium;">I went with the obvious for this week's song. An old classic with a new twist. Enjoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kG_vvg_nRiI?si=wSM9NEu-WLhXGsZU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ON THE BLOG</span></b></p><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday, December 30</b></span></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://girlplusbooks.blogspot.com/2023/12/2023-end-of-year-survey.html" target="_blank">2023 End of Year Survey</a></span></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><div></div></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><div style="color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I READ</span></b></p><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696548165i/195137436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696548165i/195137436.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Kindle/Audio: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195137436-broken-dreams" target="_blank">Broken Dreams</a> by Corinne Michaels - 4ā </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><br /></div></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CURRENTLY READING</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788623i/126918788.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">eARC: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126918788-the-women" target="_blank">The Women</a> by Kristin Hannah</span></div><div style="clear: both; color: #707070; font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">NEW ADDITIONS</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694931739i/137641878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="521" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694931739i/137641878.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Physical copy: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/137641878-june-first" target="_blank">June First</a> by Jennifer Hartmann</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "pt serif", serif;"><p><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">TOTALLY RANDOM</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g7SadgZaCN1m12y9ydm60mKdCY2dyotliVHlp8UmTEpvVs6UogtxHOHcSrvU53xG0aY7TouA3MutlXXac5tW7zmUmpxM8s_gu-Q98dUq2MC7TrSOqj7upDkCfIW8fG5M6I5nOQvPokPUR84Ph43Bx-U_EmIL3EzfEnvyVq783-ArlGtiNgLG8ziXvgE/s1002/new%20years.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g7SadgZaCN1m12y9ydm60mKdCY2dyotliVHlp8UmTEpvVs6UogtxHOHcSrvU53xG0aY7TouA3MutlXXac5tW7zmUmpxM8s_gu-Q98dUq2MC7TrSOqj7upDkCfIW8fG5M6I5nOQvPokPUR84Ph43Bx-U_EmIL3EzfEnvyVq783-ArlGtiNgLG8ziXvgE/w225-h400/new%20years.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div></div></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051174949483344057.post-1134724434853560022023-12-30T00:30:00.001-05:002023-12-30T00:30:00.131-05:002023 End of Year Survey<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d8h8rH4YLB-aj9d5VwN6ofcBiChLXe-3LNVslmdy7Jv0X1n0sAUNatW7zO5IjPQOh_klZPZngPadWGPNCtbW5HkAp6HJgT6FPUtvuUMJJcfQmQahmTGKxIRMZeg3HRHM3h3IY1h-CHGd_UuKObeRJ7lKE81xm9qOKXUICfsPv79NAjbzmGYIe1G9L7E/s668/2023EndofYearBookSurvey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="668" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d8h8rH4YLB-aj9d5VwN6ofcBiChLXe-3LNVslmdy7Jv0X1n0sAUNatW7zO5IjPQOh_klZPZngPadWGPNCtbW5HkAp6HJgT6FPUtvuUMJJcfQmQahmTGKxIRMZeg3HRHM3h3IY1h-CHGd_UuKObeRJ7lKE81xm9qOKXUICfsPv79NAjbzmGYIe1G9L7E/w640-h178/2023EndofYearBookSurvey.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I look forward to the end of year survey every year - both posting my own and reading everyone else's. The survey was created by Jamie at <a href="https://www.perpetualpageturner.com/" target="_blank">The Perpetual Page-Turner</a> and while I'm not sure she still hosts/posts the survey, I'm still linking back to her site.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large;"><b>2023 READING STATS</b></span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">(I'm keeping the stats short and sweet because I find them incredibly boring - even my own lol)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Number of books you read: 127</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Number of re-reads: 4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Number of books you DNF'd: 2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Most-read genre: contemporary romance </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b>FIRSTS AND LASTS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">First book you read: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63833685-visions-of-you" target="_blank">Visions of You</a> by Catherine Cowles</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Last book you read: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195137436-broken-dreams" target="_blank">Broken Dreams</a> by Corinne Michaels</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">First 2023 release you read: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75570048-drake" target="_blank">Drake</a> by Sawyer Bennett</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b>BEST IN BOOKS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best book you read in 2023?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I spent way too much time trying to choose between these two, but I can't.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Both <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427937-wolfsong" target="_blank">Wolfsong</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198717645-still-beating" target="_blank">Still Beating</a> were outstanding in their own way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657585549i/61427937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="520" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657585549i/61427937.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694125181i/198717645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694125181i/198717645.jpg" width="130" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn't?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111172379-right-man-right-time" target="_blank">Right Man, Right Time</a> by Meghan Quinn. <i>Oof</i>, this one was painful. Granted, I'm not</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">a rom-com kind of girl, but I enjoyed the first book in this series so much. Unfortunately, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">this one was a big miss for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677087948i/111172379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="223" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677087948i/111172379.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I figured <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123194693-pucking-around" target="_blank">Pucking Around</a> would be fun, light-hearted and overall just a good</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">steamy read. It was sooo much more (witty, clever, emotional, thought-provoking) and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">surprisingly became one of my top favorites of the year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book you "pushed" the most people to read (and they did)? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">There wasn't one book I pushed, but I recommended author <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18087133.Catherine_Cowles" target="_blank">Catherine Cowles</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">a <i>lot</i>, and was happy to see that a few blogger friends read her and loved her, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best series you started in 2023? Best sequel? Best series ender? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Best series I started was <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81377297-whispers-of-you" target="_blank">Whispers of You</a> (first in the Lost & Found series), best sequel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">was <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26072113-souls-unfractured" target="_blank">Souls Unfractured</a> (#3 in the Hades Hangmen series), and best series ender was</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179852390-grace-note" target="_blank">Grace Note</a> (the final book in Bengtsson's Cake series).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1674240214i/81377297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1674240214i/81377297.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439264789i/26072113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439264789i/26072113.jpg" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687326787i/179852390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="292" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687326787i/179852390.jpg" width="130" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Favorite new-to-you author you discovered in 2023?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Without a doubt, that was <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20208474.Jennifer_Hartmann" target="_blank">Jennifer Hartmann</a>. I read three of her books</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">this year (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55882116-still-beating" target="_blank">Still Beating</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57359837-lotus" target="_blank">Lotus</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136276895-the-stars-are-on-our-side" target="_blank">The Stars Are on Our Side</a>) and each was </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">amazing. She's definitely a new favorite.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best book from a genre you don't typically read/was outside your comfort zone?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76839114-all-the-little-raindrops" target="_blank">All the Little Raindrops</a> by Mia Sheridan. Sheridan went dark with this</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">thriller (a genre I very rarely read). I adore her contemporary romances so</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I trusted her to deliver a great story here... and she did, in a big way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681845436i/76839114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681845436i/76839114.jpg" width="129" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">When it comes to unputdownable, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62334530-none-of-this-is-true" target="_blank">None of This is True</a> tops the list.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I had to know how the story was going to unfold and was listening/reading</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">every available minute.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686092508i/62334530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686092508i/62334530.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book you read in 2023 that you are most likely to re-read next year? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I very rarely re-read, but I can imagine reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427937-wolfsong" target="_blank">Wolfsong</a> again. I'd love to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">experience that story all over again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657585549i/61427937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="520" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657585549i/61427937.jpg" width="130" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Favorite cover of a book you read in 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Plenty to choose from but <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86113733-lotus" target="_blank">Lotus</a> was a particular favorite. I also really liked the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">cover for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123194693-pucking-around" target="_blank">Pucking Around</a> since it features part of the skyline of my city. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681112951i/86113733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681112951i/86113733.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" width="125" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Most memorable character of 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Ox from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427937-wolfsong" target="_blank">Wolfsong</a>. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">ā¤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Most beautifully written book read in 2023?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202953253-the-lovely-return" target="_blank">The Lovely Return</a>... achingly beautiful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701322272i/202953253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="343" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701322272i/202953253.jpg" width="137" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book you can't believe you waited until 2023 to finally read?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427937-wolfsong" target="_blank">Wolfsong</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Had I known how much I would love it, I would have read it years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>The only home I've ever known is in your arms</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>With the echoes of your heartbeats whispering my name</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>You are my favorite book, your frayed pages filled with </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>moments I want to read a thousand times</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>And I wish, and I hope, and I wonder... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><i>if you feel the same</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202953253-the-lovely-return" target="_blank">The Lovely Return</a>, Carian Cole</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Shortest and longest books you read in 2023?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Shortest: 53 pages - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198665494-on-the-defense" target="_blank">On the Defense </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Longest: 756 pg - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123194693-pucking-around" target="_blank">Pucking Around</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694160648i/198665494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694160648i/198665494.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678142180i/123194693.jpg" width="125" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book that shocked you the most: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141274878-the-stars-are-on-our-side" target="_blank">The Stars Are on Our Side</a> had a twist I did <i>not </i>see coming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>OTP of the year (you will go down with this ship!): </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I'll go with Noah and Fisher from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181507668-here-with-me" target="_blank">Here With Me</a>. Loved them together. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">ā¤</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687889414i/181507668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687889414i/181507668.jpg" width="133" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">The brotherhood among the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/128581-hades-hangmen" target="_blank">Hades Hangmen</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Favorite book you read in 2023 by an author you've read previously: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I can't believe it's taken this long for Fourth Wing to make an appearance in this survey! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">But it definitely fits for this question. Yarros is a longtime favorite and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63219094-fourth-wing" target="_blank">Fourth Wing</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">was a big hit for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667572773i/63219094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667572773i/63219094.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best book in 2023 that you read solely on a recommendation (friend/blogger/Bookstagram/etc):</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I'm a <i>super picky</i> reader so I don't often read based on recommendations </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">or hype. But I guess I picked up <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58706519-part-of-your-world" target="_blank">Part of Your World</a> after seeing some</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">trusted blogger friends review it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634649372i/58706519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634649372i/58706519.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Hm, I don't know that I get fictional crushes, but Fisher (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122495702-here-with-me" target="_blank">Here With Me</a>) and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Alex (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202953253-the-lovely-return" target="_blank">The Lovely Return</a>) were pretty swoony.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best 2023 debut you read? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I don't actually pay any attention to this, but I don't think I read</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">any debut authors this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Best world-building/most vivid setting you read this year? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Easy one! <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63219094-fourth-wing" target="_blank">Fourth Wing</a> is the clear winner. From Basgiath War College</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">to the dragons, I was completely transported.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667572773i/63219094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667572773i/63219094.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Sarina Bowen has a great way with banter and that made </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63355404-the-new-guy" target="_blank">The New Guy</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122753552-i-m-your-guy" target="_blank">I'm Your Guy</a> fun to read.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670507859i/63355404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="515" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670507859i/63355404.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689174463i/122753552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689174463i/122753552.jpg" width="125" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book that made you cry (or nearly cry) in 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">How much time do you have? I read lots of angsty, emotional, drama-filled books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">If a book <i>doesn't</i> make me cry, something has gone terribly wrong. lol Here are </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">a few that definitely triggered the tears: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68268893-keep-this-promise" target="_blank">Keep This Promise</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61255448-say-you-want-me" target="_blank">Say You Want Me</a>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199196666-shadows-of-you" target="_blank">Shadows of You</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141274878-the-stars-are-on-our-side" target="_blank">The Stars Are on Our Side</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1671219661i/68268893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1671219661i/68268893.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654777946i/61255448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654777946i/61255448.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695838520i/199196666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695838520i/199196666.jpg" width="136" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" width="133" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Hidden gem of the year?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">While it didn't seem to make much of a splash, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76839114-all-the-little-raindrops" target="_blank">All the Little Raindrops</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">was excellent. I kept thinking about it long after I finished it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681845436i/76839114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681845436i/76839114.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book that crushed your soul?</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141274878-the-stars-are-on-our-side" target="_blank">The Stars Are on Our Side</a> was definitely a soul-crusher. And included </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">a character death I will never recover from.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693949773i/141274878.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Most unique book you read in 2023? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">I don't know if it's unique, or just extremely well-produced, but the audio version</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62334527-none-of-this-is-true" target="_blank">None of This Is True</a> was so entertaining and memorable. The full-cast </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">narration, the inclusion of interviews, pod casts, and more made for a pretty unique</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">listening experience. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688067993i/62334527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688067993i/62334527.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book that made you the maddest (doesn't necessarily mean you didn't like it)?</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">It wasn't so much that the book made me mad, but more that I was mad at myself</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">for continuing to read it. lol The female main character was too stupid to live </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">and I wanted to beat my head against a wall for all 258 pages.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681304979i/128282344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="501" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681304979i/128282344.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>*Note: I'm skipping the entire section of Blogging questions.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Either the questions don't apply to me or I have no interesting answers. :)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOOKING AHEAD</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>One book you didn't get to in 2023 but will be a priority in 2024? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Two words: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150260809-iron-flame" target="_blank">Iron. Flame.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687463048i/90202302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="536" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687463048i/90202302.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Book you are most anticipating in 2024 (non-debut)?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202927511-this-could-be-us" target="_blank">This Could Be Us</a> by Kennedy Ryan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699034863i/182762109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699034863i/182762109.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>2024 debut you are most anticipating? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">No idea. I really don't keep up with debut authors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>Sequel or series-ender you are most anticipating in 2024?</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676953524i/122781028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676953524i/122781028.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>One thing you hope to accomplish/do in your reading/blogging life in 2024? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">Continue to blog as I am able - never forcing it or making it feel like a chore, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">always reading what I want/when I want - keeping it fun and entertaining.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>A 2024 release you've already read and would recommend? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174255240-the-lily-of-ludgate-hill" target="_blank">The Lily of Ludgate Hill</a> (releasing on January 16, 2024) was an utter delight.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701450310i/174255240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="521" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701450310i/174255240.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>That's it for me. My 2023 year of reading is in the books (I know, I know...). </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><b>What topped your list this year? What 2024 release has you most excited?</b></span></div><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tanya @ Girl Plus Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18357204133826428572noreply@blogger.com13