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Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent Additions

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic:

Most Recent Additions to My Book Shelves

My book buying has lessened considerably over the last year or two as I've concentrated more and more on reading from my own shelves. I have so many books that I am genuinely excited to read, ones that I am certain I will love, and yet they were pushed aside time and time again in favor of new releases and ARC's. A year or two ago I decided enough was enough. I was tired of ignoring my own books. And it has seriously made my book-loving little heart happy.

But that also means I buy less books these days. Many of my new additions are freebies from author newsletters. (Can we take a moment to celebrate the joy that is free books?) There are exceptions, of course: a pre-order from a favorite author, an audiobook, or the ~~occasional~~ rare ARC. So here are the most recent additions to my shelves/Kindle/etc.

Wrecked Palace by Catherine Cowles - I've been meaning to try something by Cowles for ages, especially since her books give me a Devney Perry kind of vibe. Cowles offered this one for free.

Traded by Tess Thompson - This was offered in a recent author newsletter, either Tess's or someone else, I can't recall. The synopsis grabbed me so I nabbed this freebie.

The Summer Proposal by Vi Keelend - I pre-ordered the audio version of this one and it was just released yesterday. Can't wait to start it.

Like the Wind by J. Bengtsson - Like the Wind is the only Bengtsson book I have left to read *sob*. I bought the audio version because hers are always so well done.

Super Hot Wingman by Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakely - I listened to this one on Sarina's YouTube channel but also downloaded the Kindle version.

Tied by Carian Cole - I listened to Tied last year on audio as a library loan and loved it. One of my favorites of the year. I bought my own copy from Audible because I know I'm going to listen to this one again.

I Really Needed This Today by Hoda Kotb - I received a hardcover copy of this one as a Christmas gift from my sister.

Make Me Stay by Kennedy Fox - Kennedy Fox has become a real favorite over the last year. They offered Make Me Stay for free in a recent newsletter.

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Kait Nolan - This newsletter freebie from Kait Nolan sounds like the perfect wintery read.

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner - The sole ARC on the list. The publisher sent me a widget since I've reviewed Weiner's last three or four releases. Very excited for this one!

DO YOU OWN ANY OF THESE?

WHAT'S THE MOST RECENT BOOK YOU PURCHASED?

The Sunday Post #275 | January 9, 2022

Sunday, January 9, 2022

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

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

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

T H E W E E K I N R E V I E W

On Monday my boss, the CEO, announced that we were shifting back to working from home. Effective immediately. So as of Tuesday, I've been trying to (re)adjust to working at home full-time again. I'm not mad about it, but there are definitely pros and cons. I guess the downer part is that it feels like a giant step backward. Not only are things not improving, but they are decidedly worse. Here in Florida, the average number of Covid cases is higher now than it has been since the pandemic began. And even so, the battle over masks and vaccines continues. Oh, the absurdity.

All of you who said you would send your winter weather my way... it must have got lost. Because it's still unseasonably warm. In fact, it's supposed to be almost 80 today. I know, I know, I can hear you all now... go whine about my sunny, warm weather somewhere else, right? 😄

I made something new for dinner this week that was quite a hit: Chicken and Dumplings Casserole. It's from my favorite food blogger, Emily Bites. She creates lighter versions of recipes that are typically high in fat and calories. So many of her recipes have become mainstays in my house. The chicken and dumplings casserole took a bit of prep work so it's probably better suited to the weekend (for me, anyway) but it was a hit for us.

Photo credit: EmilyBites

For those of you who use Blogger, here's a question: Do you know how to alter which photo Blogger assigns as the thumbnail for a post? Usually it seems to pull the correct photo (like the book cover) but sometimes it uses the most random option (like the Pinterest PinIt icon - what?). I fought with it for far too long on Thursday trying to correct the issue before I gave up. Any insight?

This week's 80's music fix is Shake the Disease (1985) by Depeche Mode. DM is one of those bands where I love almost all their music but I've always had a soft spot for the lyrics to Shake the Disease.

O N T H E B L O G

Tuesday, January 4

Top Ten Tuesday:

Most Anticipated Releases | First Half of 2022

Friday, January 7

Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

W H A T I R E A D

Kindle: Eleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

Audio: Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne - ⭐⭐⭐.5

Audio: Super Hot Wingman by Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakely - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Both audiobooks this week were prequel novellas that have me excited to move on to the first books in these series.

C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G

eARC: One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

Audio: Beloved by Corinne Michaels

N E W A D D I T I O N S

eBooks

Wrecked Palace by Catherine Cowles

Super Hot Wingman by Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakely

For Review

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

(pub date: May 10, 2022)

T O T A L L Y R A N D O M

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

Friday, January 7, 2022

THE FAMILY YOU MAKETHE FAMILY YOU MAKEby Jill Shalvis

THE FAMILY YOU MAKE

Jill Shalvis

Series: Sunrise Cove #1

Publication date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Source: William Morrow & Netgalley

4 stars

During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst…but can’t bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he’s happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend—right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi’s family is desperate to meet “The One.” Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she’s nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn’t sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She’s terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can’t live without the man she’s fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AMAZON UK | BOOK DEPOSITORY

APPLE BOOKS | BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLE PLAY

*****

When in a life-threatening situation with a stranger, Levi Cutler makes what he assumes is a final call to his mother. Instead of saying his goodbyes, he tells her what she most wants to hear: that he has a woman in his life and is happy and settled. When the worst doesn’t happen, naturally his family is desperate to meet the woman who has captured Levi’s heart.

Jane is hesitant to pose as Levi’s girlfriend, but when he returns the locket that she’d thought was lost to her forever, a precious reminder of her beloved grandmother, she feels led to help. When one “pretend” date - just to get to know one another, of course – leads to another, Jane finds herself feeling more and more drawn to Levi. But Jane doesn’t do relationships, she doesn’t get close, and she doesn’t put down roots. After a childhood of being shuffled from one relative to another, feeling unwanted and unloved, Jane keeps everyone at arm’s length. Her ever-present fear of rejection equates to a solitary life and a strong determination to keep it that way.

It was easy to be quickly drawn into The Family You Make. From the first scene where Levi and Jane are thrown together in a terrifying situation, to getting to know the likable cast of characters, I fell right into the lives of Levi and Jane and pulled for them to overcome their obstacles. Jane’s reticence was understandable and Shalvis did a wonderful job in revealing the small cracks in Jane’s resolve as she began to open herself up to Levi and those around her. I loved seeing Jane take those small steps in forming lasting connections. I was surprised at the emotional depth Shalvis created and found myself teary-eyed several times, especially scenes between Jane and her estranged grandfather.

The Family You Make was a heartwarming story of family, both biological and chosen. I’m already looking forward to another visit to Sunrise Cove and the characters I came to care so much about. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases | First Half of 2022

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic:

Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2022

I feel like a least a couple of these were included in my Winter TBR post a few weeks back, but I'm still going with it. 😊

JANUARY

11th - Baden by Sawyer Bennett

18th - Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

25th - Running Wild by K.A. Tucker

FEBRUARY

15th - One Night on the Island by Josie Silver

22nd - The Reunion by Meghan Quinn

MARCH

8th - Crowbones by Anne Bishop

15th - Shenanigans by Sarina Bowen

APRIL

5th - Sister Stardust by Jane Green

19th - The Unknown Beloved by Amy Harmon

MAY

10th - The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO ANY

OF THESE RELEASES?

The Sunday Post #274 | January 2, 2022

Sunday, January 2, 2022

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

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

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

T H E W E E K I N R E V I E W

Happy New Year! And so begins the seemingly impossible task of trying to remember to type 2022. Every year it's a struggle. :)

However you rang in the new year, I hope you stayed safe and healthy. This year, more than ever, we stayed home. This Omicron variant is no joke. While it seems to be less severe, and less likely to requite hospitalization, it's so very contagious. Even though I've not gotten lax with safety measures, I'm even more aware of masking and distancing lately.

My New Year's Eve was filled with takeout pizza, Parcheesi, and the Tampa Lightning hockey game. A pretty perfect evening for me. :)

I'm not one to make resolutions but I do need to get back on track with eating healthier. I've gotten so lax over the last couple months and I can feel the difference. Time to recommit to better eating and getting some activity in. Do you make resolutions? Set yearly goals or intentions?

I watched the Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts Reunion last night and it was oddly emotional. I enjoyed the books and the movies but that's the extent of it. HP was not part of my childhood (I think I was 30 when the first book released) so it holds none of the nostalgia factor for me that it does for many others. I have no emotional tie to the franchise and simply view them as entertaining books/movies. But it was still a bit moving to see the actors reunite and hear them express what the experience meant to them. Seeing their bonds and their tears got to me.

This week's 80's music fix is New Year's Day (1983) by U2. A little on the nose but I couldn't help myself.