The Sunday Post #322 | January 22, 2023

 

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

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

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

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Another four-day work week. I could get used to this. :) I was talking to a co-worker this week and it was funny how many similarities we discovered. We share the same name, just different spellings (I'm Tanya, she's Tonya), we both have a sister named Terri, and on it went. Our paths rarely cross (she's upstairs in Accounting and I'm in the executive suite) but it was fun to chat, and learn we shared so much in common.

I tried a new soup recipe this week and it was delicious. Sausage & Tortellini Soup. It was

perfect for one of our cooler evenings. The recipe gives directions to make it in a slow cooker but I didn't have time for that and just made it on the stovetop. The Husband and I both enjoyed it and it will be a keeper.

For those that use Feedly, do you happen to know what the little green icons after the blog post title mean? They show on some blogs in my feed but not on others. The first icon looks like a pair of feet; the other is IoC (or loC?). I've browsed Feedly for some kind of key to explain the icons but haven't found anything. Any insight?

After the Jaguars amazing win last week (they came back from 27-0 to win the game!), the whole city has been fired up for the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs. All kinds of sponsored events like a send-off party for the team, watch parties all over the place... everyone has Jaguar fever. :) As I write this, the game has not yet happened (it will be on Saturday night), so I'm still hoping they'll pull off another playoff win. 

Update: It was a hard-fought game, but in the end the Jaguars lost to the Chiefs, 27-20. Hard to be too upset, though, because it was an amazing season. The Jags won the AFC South Championship and made it to the Division playoffs. Not bad for a team that was last in the league a year ago! 

This week's 80's music fix is Tainted Love/Where Did I love Go (1981) by Soft Cell. Enjoy!

ON THE BLOG

Tuesday, January 17

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Single Parent Romances

Thursday, January 19

Review: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

WHAT I READ

Audio: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez - 4★

Kindle: Tempting the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox - 4★

Audio: Drake by Sawyer Bennett - 4★

CURRENTLY READING

Kindle: The Choice by Nora Roberts

NEW ADDITIONS

Kindle: Wake My Heart by Lydia Michaels

Between the synopsis and Jen's review, I was sold on this one. 

TOTALLY RANDOM

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Review: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

PART OF YOUR WORLD

by Abby Jimenez

Publication date: 7/5/2022

Format: Audiobook

Source: Overdrive

4 Stars

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUDIBLE

WHAT I ENJOYED
 
The dialogue/banter: I’m a sucker for good dialogue. For clever, witty banter. And it has to feel realistic – not stilted, not silly, not unrealistic. I loved the dialogue and banter here. Whether it was snappy and clever, or heartfelt and emotional, Jimenez had me eating it up.
 
Daniel: This guy… this guy! Oh my goodness, what a sweetheart. We’re talking Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. Sweet, thoughtful, responsible, loyal, romantic – generous with his time and with his heart. Daniel took care of those around him – as the mayor of the small town of Wakan, as a friend, as an innkeeper. And he had a baby goat in pajamas. What more could you want?
 
Alexis: She was intelligent, successful, and – even though she was still dealing with the effects of verbal and mental abuse from more than one person in her life – she was self-aware enough to recognize what it was and seek help. It was easy to cheer her on through every step she took to put an end to those patterns and relationships, and reclaim her life on her own terms.
 
Wakan: This little blink-and-you-miss-it-village truly understood the meaning of community. They looked out for one another, they took care of one another, they pitched in when needed. I loved the residents of Wakan and their sense of family.
 
The perfect mix: Jimenez managed to blend romance and humor and more serious themes (verbal and emotional abuse of the main character, physical abuse of a side character) in such a way that none felt overpowered by the other. The humor and the heavier moments were balanced perfectly and had me completely invested.
 
BUT NOT SO MUCH
 
Alexis: Yes, Alexis is appearing on both lists. Because while I cheered for her at times, I was also disappointed by her at others. Even though Daniel welcomed Alexis into his life with open arms, Alexis kept her life completely separate from her time with Daniel. She did not offer him the same openness and transparency that he gave so willingly. Time and time again she had opportunities to include him or just acknowledge him, but consistently chose to deny him and his importance in her life. The hurt she inflicted in the name of keeping the status quo and placating those around her really tainted how I felt about her. She ultimately redeemed herself, but it was a long time coming.
 
The magical elements: I didn’t vibe with the few instances of fabulism and thought the story would have been just as good/effective without them. I am not a fan of fabulism/magical realism in general, so this is totally a “me thing.”
 
OVERALL

Part of Your World was my first by Abby Jimenez and delivered more than I expected. Sweet and steamy, funny and emotional, lovable characters and an engaging story – it all combined for a wonderful experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more from Jimenez. 4 stars

Have you read this book?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Single Parent Romance

 

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

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:

Favorite Single Part Romance

 

This week's topic is actually Bookish Goals, but I don't make bookish goals.

I just read. :) So instead I'm going to share some of my favorite single parent

romances. For someone who doesn't have kids, never wanted kids... I somehow

have a soft spot for single parent romances. I wouldn't necessarily call it a favorite 

trope, but when done well, I really enjoy it. Here are some of my favorites: 

Until It Fades | Getting Played | Down Too Deep | Getting Real | Hook Shot

Stay For Me | Ignite | Return To Us | Faking It With #41 | Wait For It

Have you read any of these books?

The Sunday Post #321 | January 15, 2023

 

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

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

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

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

It was my first full week at the office in a while but it's being capped off by a three-day weekend. Nice!

My niece turned 15 this week (how is that even possible?!) and we had a little get together at my house Friday evening. We bought her all new bedding for the bed her parents got her. She has a thing for satin sheets which makes me laugh. If I had asked for satin sheets as a kid my mother would have told me to be happy I had sheets (and if I didn't like what I had I could do without). But I love spoiling her in little ways. She is such a sweet girl.

The Husband and I volunteered with Wreaths Across America Saturday morning to pick up wreaths from the local National Cemetery. They lay out wreaths on each marker in December and while they get plenty of volunteers to put them out, there aren't nearly so many when it's time to pick them up. Even though it ended up being the coldest day we've had in quite a while, we all bundled up and got the job done. There was a small group from my company there and the pic below shows the CEO (my boss) on the left, I'm in the pink hat, and The Husband is just behind me. It was bitterly cold but a rewarding and humbling experience.

My home team, the Jaguars, won the AFC South championship last week (go Jags!) and are now in the playoffs. The game starts in about an hour (it's Saturday evening as I write this) and I'm excited to cheer them on. From the warmth of my own home, that is. Those attending the game downtown are going to freeze! Hopefully we will beat the Chargers tonight!

Update: The Jaguars overcome a 27 point deficit and pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history! Final score: Chargers: 30 - Jagaurs:31. Go Jags!! 

The death of Lisa Marie Presley this week really struck a nerve. I always found her to be so interesting - and down to earth, despite her famous father.  We were also the same age, born just months apart. Instead of the usual 80's tune, I'm sharing one of Lisa Marie's songs, Lights Out.

ON THE BLOG

Tuesday, January 10

Top Ten Tuesday:

Most Anticipated Books | January - June

Wednesday, January 11

WWW Wednesday #122

WHAT I READ

Kindle: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh - 4.25★

CURRENTLY READING

   

Kindle: Tempting the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox

Audio: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

NEW ADDITIONS

Trade paperback: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster

A couple weeks ago I left a comment on a blogger friend's review of a book by Melissa Foster. I mentioned that I'd yet to read anything by Foster because I found her backlist and all the various series a bit daunting. Last week I received an email from Melissa Foster's publicist. She said that Melissa saw my comment and wanted to send me a copy of Tru Blue (a book that's been on my radar for ages). She went on to give me a breakdown of all Melissa's series and their themes and tropes to help guide me. Color me impressed! The book arrived this week and I'm so excited to read it.

TOTALLY RANDOM

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

WWW Wednesday #122 | January 11, 2023

 

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

Just share your answers to three questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

    

Kindle: Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changeling #7) - Nalini Singh

Audio: Part of Your World - Abby Jimenez

Currently reading: I was wary of this one after skimming a few Goodreads reviews 

and seeing that several reviewers didn't care for this entry in the series. Or rather, they 

didn't care for the male lead. I had no need to worry because I am thoroughly enjoying 

Dev and Katya's story. I do miss the DarkRiver pack, though, as they've appeared only 

briefly in this one.

Current progress: 70%

Currently listening: This is one that I had no intention of reading until one particular 

review swayed me. I am enjoying it (Daniel is the sweetest guy ever) but I feel like 

Alexis is going to end up hurting Daniel before it's over and I'll have a hard time forgiving

that. Fingers crossed that I'm wrong.

Current progress: 55%

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

    

Kindle: Visions of You (Lost & Found #0.5) by Catherine Cowles - ★★★★

Audio: Wait For It by Mariana Zapata - ★★★★.25

Recently read: This prequel novella has me more than ready for the release of the first 

book at the end of the month.

Recently listened to: Wait For It felt different than others I have read by Zapata 

since there was a lack of any real conflict. As always, the slower pace allowed me 

to feel like I knew these characters inside and out and I loved their journey.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?

    

Not totally sure what I'll pick up next, but Give Me Love and Drake are 

strong contenders.

WHAT ARE YOU READING TODAY?