Dnfs of 2019

Jen asked about my dnf posts and it did get me thinking. So here are the few things I wrote on GR. Some I had written nothing about, some very just so meh that yeah, meh.

Our library was closed for almost 3 months so I borrowed a bunch of books and yes like 90% did not work out.

I also tried going through my freebies in a hunt for short books ;)

Mageborn (Age of Dread Trilogy, #1) by Aryan, Stephen 
Second time around, and yeah, just nope

Ruined by a Rake (All's Fair in Love, #1) by Knightley, Erin 
Meh, going through my freebies

A Soul For Trouble (Soulbearer, #1) by McHugh, Crista 
Meh, like seriously this one

Rise of the Dragons (Kings and Sorcerers, #1) by Rice, Morgan 
Very meh, eyerolling

The Woolgrower’s Companion by Rhoades, Joy 
I was bored

Slow Ride (Road to Love, #2) by Foster, Lori 
I have listened to 26%! and I have no idea what is going on. I can not keep my attention on this book

Cowboy Trouble by Kennedy, Joanne 
Right now all the men (and why are there so many men) are all rapey and touchy. I am all wtf have you never seen a woman? This town is creepy

I have liked her books before, but it seems this was actually her first

The Perfect Assassin (Chronicles of Ghadid, #1) by Doore, K. A. 
Not a good sign when I do not like the narrator from the first word. It sounds like he is murdering an Irish accent). I can't hardly hear what he is saying. Weird lisp too

A Year of Marvellous Ways by Winman, Sarah
Boooring

Flirting With Danger (Samantha Jellicoe, #1) by Enoch, Suzanne
So bad I forgot to write a dnf report

In the Vanishers’ Palace by Bodard, Aliette de 
Ok, so maybe this author is not for me. Again, bored by the story, confused by the world. THis should have been a novel instead

On a Red Station, Drifting by Bodard, Aliette de 
I have liked the narrator before, so maybe it is the story, it was just so sleep inducing

The Gutter Prayer (The Black Iron Legacy, #1) by Ryder-Hanrahan, Gareth 
Maybe I have been reading too much fantasy lately, this is like my 3rd dnf. But I will save it for a later date and try again. Until then! Cos I hate giving up on fantasy

The Archived (The Archived, #1) by Schwab, Victoria 
Another one that might work better in print. I am feeling so confused

Middlegame by McGuire, Seanan 
I just can not. I am confused. I feel like audio is not the best format for this

How We Disappeared by Lee, Jing-Jing 
I just can not! It is so dull. It should not have started with the old woman
And now it is about some modern kid?!
Ugh, no

1356 (The Grail Quest, #4) by Cornwell, Bernard 
Duller than dull

A boy made of blocks by  Keith Stuart
I know it's hard, but no wonder your wife threw you out

Naondel (Krönikor från röda klostret, #2) by Turtschaninoff, Maria
Dunno why this is YA when the people get older, it is really rapey, and ugh some of the people. DNF

I still think Arra one of the best book I have read and that one should get translated!

Big Little Lies by Moriarty, Liane 
Too bored to continue, I think I'd rather watch the show

The Summer Country by Willig, Lauren 
It's not that it is bad, I just do not really care. Last night I fell asleep (again), and I am sure I missed 30 min and I was all, I do not care, so, yeah time to dnf

Breven från Maresi (Röda klostret, #3) by Turtschaninoff, Maria
Written in letter format can work, but not here, I got annoyed by her use of nickname for the person she wrote to. And also I never got into the story this way

So she is gonna start a school, only girls, ok good, but this freaking place has no schools at all. And she wonders why her brother got upset

No

Blood of an Exile (Dragons of Terra, #1) by Naslund, Brian 
It lost me from the start

Dark mafia prince by Annika Martin
Sometimes dark is just too dark. She is a great writer, and I am sure if I could get over some things I would like it but.... Sexual violence is not romance for me.

He says he will cut off her finger, then she says if she gives him oral if he wont do that. Well FU.

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl's Guide To Magic, #1) by Harper, Helen 
Another meh, at least I am burning through my freebies

The Right Swipe (Modern Love, #1) by Rai, Alisha 
I kind of just gave up and forgot

Holy Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #3) by Lawrence, Mark 
The dual time line does not work for me.
I am just gonna give up. I read the end, eh, I wanted more

3:AM Kisses (3:AM Kisses, #1) by Moore, Addison 
She dropped her top and I was out. Stupid

Wrapped Up in You (Heartbreaker Bay, #8) by Shalvis, Jill 
Nope, I just can not. I am not feeling the narrator.

Cold Welcome (Vatta's Peace, #1) by Moon, Elizabeth
Meh, will not push it

Gingerbread by Oyeyemi, Helen 
Meh, bored, giving up, did not connect

His for Christmas by Warren, Skye 
She is 18, she gets out of jail. SHe has 20 dollars. So she takes a bus to New York where she gets a place to stay, and I guess new clothes too, since she gets a job as the secretary for one of the richest guys in the country? Really? I know she lies on her form, but srsly, with this guy people would do some research.

Also, rapey. WTF. Just no

No thanks.

It also seems that they fall in love a few secs later.

No thanks

Get a life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
SO close, sooo close. But I am throwing in the towel. I have no idea how many times I have fallen asleep. And the thing is that I never care, instead I have just gone on. So I have prob missed half of it.

I get that she is sick, but I can't like someone who acts like that.

No chemistry.

Meh, why did I not give up sooner

Audiobook Challenge 2019 Final result

I finished 115 audiobooks this year :D

Levels:

Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30-50
Marathoner (Look Ma no hands) 50+

The Clergyman's wife by Molly Greeley

Dangerous Alliances by Jennieke Cohen

Risk It All by Ruggle, Katie *

Restless Rancher (Wild Rose Ranch, #2) by Ryan, Jennifer *

Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend (Mystic Bayou, #3) by Harper, Molly *

Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by Lane, Soraya M. *

London's Late Night Scandal (Midnight Secrets, #3) by Bryant, Anabelle *

My Favorite Things Lib/E: A Christmas Collection by Sands, Lynsay *

Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words by Sivec, Tara * (recommended. LOL)

The Good Luck Girls (The Good Luck Girls, #1) by Davis, Charlotte Nicole

Etched in Bone (The Others, #5) by Bishop, Anne (recommended, this goes for the entire series)

The Unkindest Tide (October Daye, #13) by McGuire, Seanan * (Toby in audio is a yes!)

Warrior of the Altaii by Jordan, Robert

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All by Ruby, Laura

Angel in a Devil's Arms: The Palace of Rogues by Long, Julie Anne *

How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse (The Thorne Chronicles, #1) by Eason, K. *

Aurora Blazing (Consortium Rebellion, #2) by Mihalik, Jessie * (Great series)

When the Marquess Was Mine by Linden, Caroline *

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Kelly, Erin Entrada *

A Golden Grave (Rose Gallagher, #2) by Lindsey, Erin *

Fallen (Deep Ops, #2) by Zanetti, Rebecca *

The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away by Howell, Hannah *

The Downstairs Girl by Lee, Stacey *

Vision in Silver (The Others #3) by Bishop, Anne

The Wallflower Wager (Girl Meets Duke, #3) by Dare, Tessa * (Funny)

The Duchess in His Bed by Heath, Lorraine

The Arrival of Someday by Malone, Jen *

Turning Darkness Into Light by Brennan, Marie *

Brazen and the Beast (The Bareknuckle Bastards, #2) by MacLean, Sarah *
´
The Rogue to Ruin by Lorret, Vivienne *

Murder of Crows (The Others, #2) by Bishop, Anne

Marry in Secret by Gracie, Anne 

The Trouble with Cowboy Weddings by Helm, Nicole *

Say No to the Duke (Wildes of Lindow Castle, #4) by James, Eloisa *

Thornbound by Burgis, Stephanie *

Cowboy Summer by Kennedy, Joanne *

The Vampire Knitting Club (Vampire Knitting Club #1) by Warren, Nancy *

The Rest of the Story by Dessen, Sarah *
´
Written in Red (The Others, #1) by Bishop, Anne

Ordinary Girls by Thornburgh, Blair *

Like a Love Story by Nazemian, Abdi * (YA of the year)

The Queen's Gambit (Rogue Queen, #1) by Mihalik, Jessie *

Wicked Highland Ways by Wine, Mary

Part-Time Gods (DFZ #2) by Aaron, Rachel * (better than book 1, yay)

Wolf Rain (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #3; Psy-Changeling, #18) by Singh, Nalini * (The feels)

Anything But a Duke (The Duke's Den, #2) by Carlyle, Christy *

A Closed and Common Orbit by Chambers, Becky

The Woman in the White Kimono by Johns, Ana *
´
The Song of the Jade Lily by Manning, Kirsty *

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Dev, Sonali *

Highland Crown (Royal Highlander, #1) by McGoldrick, May *

The Secret of a Heart Note by Lee, Stacey *

The Flatshare by O'Leary, Beth

Cowboy Stole My Heart (River Ranch, #1) by Lane, Soraya M. *

Unmask Me If You Can (The Survivors, #4) by Galen, Shana *

The Cowboy and His Baby by Clare, Jessica *

A Night Divided by Nielsen, Jennifer A. *

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Jaswal, Balli Kaur *

The Summer Cottage by Shipman, Viola *

The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities, #4) by Parker, Lucy *

A Prince on Paper: Reluctant Royals by Cole, Alyssa *

The Tiger at Midnight by Teerdhala, Swati *

Cake Pop Crush (Wish, #1) by Nelson, Suzanne *

Hidden (Deep Ops, #1) by Zanetti, Rebecca *

Grave Destiny (Alex Craft, #6) by Price, Kalayna * (UF on audio is a yes!)

To Wed an Heiress: An All for Love Novel by Ranney, Karen *

London's Best Kept Secret (Midnight Secrets, #2) by Bryant, Anabelle *

Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson, #11) by Briggs, Patricia (Seems Mercy audio is good too!)

The Night Visitors by Goodman, Carol *

The Infamous Duchess (Diamonds in the Rough, #4) by Barnes, Sophie *

In Her Sights (Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters, #1) by Ruggle, Katie *

Come from Away by Graham, Genevieve *

Tides of Honour by Graham, Genevieve *

The Beast Player by Uehashi, Nahoko

A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan, #1) by Martine, Arkady *

The Ruin of Kings (The Godslayer Cycle, #1) by Lyons, Jenn * (this one did NOT work)

In a Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles, #2) by Laurenston, Shelly

The Deepest Blue by Durst, Sarah Beth *

Can't Escape Love: A Reluctant Royals Novella by Cole, Alyssa *

This Scot of Mine: The Rogue Files by Jordan, Sophie *

The Lieutenant's Nurse by Ackerman, Sara *

In Another Time by Cantor, Jillian *

If You're Out There by Loutzenhiser, Katy *

Band Sinister by Charles, K.J. *

Cursed (Kingdoms of Earth & Air #2) by Arthur, Keri * (dang, I need more)

California Girls by Mallery, Susan *

Devil's Daughter (The Ravenels #5) by Kleypas, Lisa *

We Set the Dark on Fire (We Set the Dark on Fire, #1) by Mejia, Tehlor Kay *

Wild Country (The World of the Others, #2; The Others, #7) by Bishop, Anne (You all know Bishop rule)

Bad Influence (Bad Bachelors, #3) by London, Stefanie *

Lady Derring Takes a Lover (The Palace of Rogues #1) by Long, Julie Anne *

The Familiars by Halls, Stacey

When You Read This by Adkins, Mary *

Backlash by Littman, Sarah Darer *

The Curiosities by Gloss, Susan *

Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion, #1) by Mihalik, Jessie *

Birthday Suit by Blakely, Lauren *

Storm Glass (Harbinger, #1) by Wheeler, Jeff *

Rogues Rush In by Dare, Tessa *

Governess Gone Rogue byGuhrke, Laura Lee *

The Lost Girls of Paris by Jenoff, Pam *

Circle of Shadows (Circle of Shadows, #1) by Skye, Evelyn *

The Trouble with True Love (Dear Lady Truelove, #2) by Guhrke, Laura Lee *

A Brother's Price by Spencer, Wen * (this one showed the absurdity of being a woman, by mixing things around. Great!)

Flare Up (Boston Fire, #6) by Stacey, Shannon *

Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, #7)´ by Shalvis, Jill *

The Unteachables by Korman, Gordon

The Only Woman in the Room by Benedict, Marie *

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals, #2.5) by Cole, Alyssa *

99 Percent Mine by Thorne, Sally *

All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy by Clare, Jessica *

Minimum Wage Magic (DFZ #1) by Aaron, Rachel *

When We Meet Again by Harmel, Kristin *

Out of Time by McCarty, Monica *

Ten Kisses to Scandal by Lorret, Vivienne *

The Christmas Chronicles

The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.

Director: Clay Kaytis

Writers: Matt Lieberman (screenplay by), David Guggenheim (story by) |

Stars: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis 

1h 44min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

This was a lot better than I had expected. It was funny, exciting and Santa did rock.

Recommend or not

Yes, watch it for Christmas

2020 Audiobook Challenge

I will be going for marathoner again, it will be harder since this year I am working. Last year I only worked from Aug. Also no nap walks, eeek. But I shall conquer this!

Also whaat! There is a 100 now! *sobs* Nope, not this year

Challenge Details

• Runs January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. You can join at anytime.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2020 than you did in 2019.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
• If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.
• Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. First update in June 30, 2020 and last update in December 15, 2020.

Levels

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+
• The 100 Club (Audiobook Elite) 100+

Resources

Audible.com
Audible Escape — different from a standard Audible membership.
Audiobooks.com
Chirp — Some pretty good deals here
Downpour.com
Playster
Apple iTunes
Tantor.com — Great sales, so sign up for their newsletter
Ambling Books
Scribd
Libro.fm — Support local bookstores

Free Resources

Overdrive — through your local library
Audiobook Jukebox — audios for review
Hoopla — through your local library
Librivox — public domain works

Movie: Christmas Inheritance

To be the CEO, an heiress is challenged by her dad to deliver a Christmas letter in person to his ex-partner in their hometown - traveling by bus, incognito and with only $100. Will she learn something from the people there?

Director: Ernie Barbarash

Writer: Dinah Eng

Stars: Eliza Taylor, Jake Lacy, Andie MacDowell

1h 44min | Comedy Romance

Thoughts:

Oh these movies, I mean it is colder than ever, and do they wear gloves, or hats, no. You people do not know what cold is!

But it was fun, cute and watchable.

Recommend or not?

Yes, give it a xmas go.

Short Movie Review: The princess switch

A Chicago baker (V.Hudgens) is competing in a Christmas baking competition in Belgravia. There she bumps into the prince's fiancee. They look alike and switch for 2 days. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Director: Mike Rohl

Writers: Robin Bernheim (as Robin Bernheim Burger), Megan Metzger

Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar

1h 41min | Romance 

What is summer without an xmas movie! And this was much better than certain hallmark ones, sure it was cheesy, but there it drips and drips.

The evil woman character was so evil, who is even that bitchy?

But this was a fun one, and hey even SO laughed at a time, even if it was I who was watching ;)

Recommend or not?

Yes, romance and fake snow! Give it a go

God JUL and Merry Bookmas

From my new books, to your new books, Merry BOOKMAS!

Joint Xmas Discussion: Once Upon a Duke

Hello all! Carole and I will be discussing "Once Upon a Duke" by Erica Ridley. I am in orange and Carole in green.

Author: Erica Ridley

Title: Once Upon a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Published:  October 9th 2018 

Pages: ebook

Due to the terms of an estranged relative's will, the Duke of Silkridge must revisit the cold, unforgiving mountains where he lost everything he once loved. As soon as he rights his family legacy, he'll return to London where he belongs. He definitely won't rekindle the forbidden spark crackling between him and the irresistible spitfire he'd left behind...

Noelle Pratchett is immune to charming rakehells like the arrogant duke. He stole her heart, stole her first kiss, and then stole away one night never to return. Now he's back—and so are all the old feelings. Noelle knows he won't stay. But how can she maintain her icy shields when every heated glance melts her to her core?

Our Christmas story :)

Yess. We needed to read something Christmas-y for the holiday season. 

Buuuuuut, omg it was very dull, and SO FREAKING over the top.

Ugh yess, I have to agree. I think it would’ve worked better as a short story. This just dragged on and on. Easy solution and they are being dumb and stubborn. :/

Perfect as a short story. A long, nope just nope. I hated all the townsfolk at the end. What was wrong with that village. I understood why he wanted to be far far away. His grandad was a dick. And all the side characters thrown in on like every page. We get it, they are getting their own books. But I do not want t mee them all now

I honestly don’t get WHY the grandad was such a dick to him. The reasoning didn’t really warrant him to be like that. I mean...I guess people get bitter over stupid stuff all the time, but this seemed really unrealistic. And yesss I wanted to shake that Virgina lady. Her philosophical quotes annoyed me. I would be like Benjamin and not want to live in that town. 

I hated that everyone loved his stupid grand father, all while the same person was a total dick to his ONLY grand son. Yes, it made no sense. And then to come there and have everyone throw it in your face what a wonderful wonderful sweet lovely magical person his granddad is. Uh, thanks, but he is a total dick to me.

Yea - I wouldn’t want to go there. And all the dang hoops that man made Benjamin do to get his locket? Wth? Not cool. And all those townsfolk were all “eh - oh well he must’ve had his reasons.” WHAT?! Drove me up the wall. 

Poor Benjamin, I felt so sorry for him, to be in that hellish town. I guess we were meant to love it and the people, but just no. Benjamin was not the scrooge of this story. This was clearly hell.

I did kinda like that aspect… I was ready for him to just hate Christmas because he is a scrooge, but he was actually in the right and had good reasons to hate the holiday and the town. 

A Scrooge that is right then :) I agree

Noelle’s freakout near the end made me roll my eyes. She didn’t even wait two minutes. She just ran off. Like girl. Maybe he was going to the bathroom???? Calm down lady!

Lol. Yes we clearly picked the wrong holiday read. This was a mess

Ugh I know. But it was a freebie...sooooooooooooo we had a 50/50 chance to have a winner or a meh. 

And it turned into a meh. I would not recommend it, and I would not read more. I do not need 11 more Dukes.

Nooo I don’t think I would either. It should’ve been a short story and less side character trying to take over the spotlight. Maybe I’d like something else by the author. Her writing wasn’t bad, but I had issues with the story itself. 

I have read her before and liked the books, but here, one hellish town, and too many annoying people showing up.

Yeaaaaa...not a good formula for this. Not the Christmas book I was hoping it would be. 

Better luck next time :/

New year coming up! I think we had a pretty good year with our discussions. Some super meh, some really good. Curious to see what we do for Jan!

We did great this Fall, thanks Bishop! I hope we have some winners next year too :)

Thanks Bishop! And thanks B for making me try the series ;) It was well worth it!!

YES :D

:D The end to the last discussion of 2019?

Until next year

Movie: A Christmas Prince Royal Wedding and Baby

A year after helping Richard get to the throne, Amber is about to become his wife. But is she really made to be queen?

Director: John Schultz

Writers: Nate Atkins (as Nathan Atkins), Karen Schaler (based on characters created by)

Stars: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige 

1h 32min | Drama, Romance 

Thoughts:

Oh I saw that another one is coming too! Xmas baby! LOL

Pure cheesy fun. Some drama. A prince not paying attention, and one bad wedding dress.

Fun times!

Cheeeeeese

Recommend or not.

Lol, watch it.

It's Christmastime in Aldovia, and a royal baby is on the way. Amber and Richard host royals from a distant kingdom to renew a sacred truce, but when the treaty vanishes, peace is jeopardized and an ancient curse threatens their family.

Aww good times! Lol, omg the map, the map! That was  a BIG part of Europe. I guess there was no WW1 or 2 cos damn Aldovia and Belgravia took a big part.

I HAD to watch. HAD to.

Recommend or not
Haha, yes. Prepare for the cheeese

Movie: The knight before Christmas

A medieval English knight is magically transported to the present day where he falls for a high school science teacher who is disillusioned by love.

Director: Monika Mitchell

Writer: Cara J. Russell

Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse, Emmanuelle Chriqui

1h 32min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama 

It was amusing to watch, but oh my, it was definitely low budget. The 14th century extras looked like Renaissance faire players (which they probably were).

He knew how to drive a car at once.

He never questioned anything, just rolled with everything. As if.

She took him in, a stranger! He could have been a serial killer! And let him stay for days. 

You know they wouldn't even have understood each other.

It was watchable

Recommend or not.

For the lols and romance.

Audio: Restless Rancher by Jennifer Ryan

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Series: Wild Rose Ranch, Book 2

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 11-12-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Contemporary romance

In exchange for an honest review

I met Austin in book 1 and it was not a pretty sight. That poor guy was messed up! His dad had thrown him out, cut of his funds and turned the town on him. Why? Well he was upset cos Austin had inherited a rundown farm with a house from an ep from Hoarders. That was it! Something else had to be behind it and it takes a while but the truth comes out.

We have Austin, a drunk who lives on his porch. His ex left him when he would not give in to his father. But then he met Roxy who said she would help ut. Fix his Hoarder's Hell and get the ranch going.

Sonia, a forensic accountant and listmaker, comes to help. She has baggage too, her mother works at a brothel, and she grew up there. Before that life was hell.

They fall in love fast, they remark on how fast it is, but sometimes you just want to believe and I do believe. I believe they truly fell in love fast, that they felt this was the one. True love and all that jazz.

There is of course drama. Her past haunts at times. His asshat of a father, his ex. His asshat of a father, oh did I say that already? Well his asshat of a father!

I enjoyed it and I especially liked another happy ending that also showed up at the end.

Narration

This is my second time listening to this narrator. I did not really like her Ex voice, but then it did fit in a way, so I guess it was the ex I did not like. His dad sounded like a total asshat. She did good with different characters and the feel of the book.

One minute down-on-his-luck rancher Austin Hubbard slept soundly, the next, a sassy spitfire dumped a pitcher of water on his head and woke him up—in more ways than one. Hired to help him rebuild his ranch, Sonya Turner ends up helping him put the tattered pieces of his life back together. The capable, all-business accountant is on a mission to get the ranch up and running, but can he convince the temptingly beautiful woman to take a chance on him?

Sonya was dismayed that Austin had lost it all: money, family, respectability. Things she—who’d been raised by her mother at Nevada’s notorious brothel Wild Rose Ranch—only dreamed about. But working with the long, lean cowboy shows her that Austin is honorable to his core. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.

But then Austin’s powder keg of a family feud explodes, exposing long-buried secrets, and threatening their new-found love…

Xmas Movie Marathon: Klaus

More movies will follow in the days to come ;)

A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.

Director: Sergio Pablos

Writers: Zach Lewis, Jim Mahoney | 

Stars: Joan Cusack, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons 

 1h 36min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy 

Omg, this movie was great! I know most that I review are meh, but this one is worth watching. It was funny, lovely and I liked the animation too. 

S, who watched it with me liked it too, though she did ask for Santa constantly, so he was her fav ;)

Recommend or not?

Yes! Perfect Xmas movie

Audio: Selkies are a girl's best friend by Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi, Jonathan Davis

Series: Mystic Bayou, Book 3

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Original Recording Audiobook

Release date: 08-27-19

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Original

Paranormal romance

In exchange for a honest review

Have I read the previous 2? Nope

Where there a backstory that I missed? Yes

Did I feel left out? Nope!

It is not that hard to figure things out and just go with it.

Sonja works in a weird ass place. She gets a new coworker, a hot one. Sparks fly, after a while.

Her boss and best friend seems fun, I'd like to see how she met her dragon.

But yes the book is not that long so the drama is at a minimum, which I like. They fall in love and there is some danger that I really can't say anything about. Oh and some drama regarding his other form.

I enjoyed it and it did want me want to read more from this series.

Narration

Ronconi is great, I so want to listen to more things by her. She has this great soothing voice.

Davis did Will's parts and I have not listened to him before, but he did a good job narrating too.

Sonja Fong isn’t afraid of a little chaos. As director of the League’s research center in Mystic Bayou, a tiny town in Louisiana that’s home to supernatural creatures and humans alike, she’s responsible for making sure things run smoothly. It’s not an easy task when her daily memos include lines like “new equipment is needed because the old equipment was destroyed by a temper tantrum involving dragonfire.”

Her job puts her in the path of Dr. Will Carmody, a mysterious shifter who’s returned to Mystic Bayou after a long absence only to find that he’s now considered an outsider. To make matters worse, the rift - a tear in the fabric of the universe that is leaking supernatural energy into the bayou - is unraveling at an alarming rate. Now Sonja and Will must team up to fix the rift and save Mystic Bayou from certain disaster, all while their own romance is heating up. Can they have a future together while the whole world is falling apart?

Amatka by Karin Tidbeck

Paperback, 216 pages
Published June 27th 2017 by Vintage (first published January 1st 2012)
Sci.fi
Library

This is one of those can not be explained books. I have read reviews calling it dystopia, but, no, not really. It is a world shaped by things they can not control, it controls them.

I assume people went through a portal, or took a ship to another planet. A planet that is alive somehow. But nothing lives there. The first people established 5 cities and tried to survive. This has turned into a strange "communist" state because that is the only way to survive.

Everything has its name written on it. Because if you loose the name then the chair, house, whatever disappears. It is a world that can not hold on to its things. And because of that the communes rule and dictate what people should do. And everyone have housemates so that no one disappears. Children grow up in "orphanages" so that they can learn the way. 

It is really life and death made into a surreal fallen communist looking world. It is grey, all grey, no color at all.

And it is strangely good, because it is so effed up. I could not put it down.

Vanja, a government worker, leaves her home city of Essre for the austere, wintry colony of Amatka on a research assignment. It takes some adjusting: people act differently in Amatka, and citizens are monitored for signs of subversion.

Intending to stay just a short while, Vanja finds herself falling in love with her housemate, Nina, and decides to stick around. But when she stumbles on evidence of a growing threat to the colony and a cover-up by its administration, she begins an investigation that puts her at tremendous risk.

Carole's Monday: Beyond the Moon by Catherine Taylor

Author:   Catherine Taylor 
Title: Beyond the Moon
Genre: Scifi, Romance, Historical
Pages: ebook
Published:  June 25th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (By the author for my honest and unbiased opinion)



In 1916 1st Lieutenant Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in Sussex, England. A gifted artist, he’s been wounded fighting in the Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he can no longer see his own face, let alone paint, and life seems increasingly hopeless.

A century later in 2017, medical student Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother – her only family. Heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South Downs cliffs – only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors fear she may have attempted suicide, and Louisa finds herself involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall – now a psychiatric hospital, an unfriendly and chaotic place.

Then one day, while secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital’s ruined, abandoned wing, Louisa hears a voice calling for help, and stumbles across a dark, old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, lying on the floor, is a mysterious, sightless young man, who tells her he was hurt at the Battle of the Somme, a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name is Lieutenant Robert Lovett…

Two people, two battles: one against the invading Germans on the battlefields of 1916 France, the other against a substandard, uncaring mental health facility in modern-day England. Two journeys begun a century apart, but somehow destined to coincide - and become one desperate struggle to be together.

I was drawn in by the cover and the story. Plus I love some time travel romances. So why not?

The story follows Louisa Casson and Lieutenant Robert. Louisa is a medical student in 2017 who has just lost her grandma and is heartbroken. She drowns her sorrows in alcohol and accidentally falls off the South Downs cliffs. The doctors fear she tried killing herself so they admit her to the psychiatric hospital. Robert is a soldier during WWI who is an amazing artist. He finds himself in the hospital due to some serious injuries. The two find each other and fall for each other and are destined to be together but it will not be easy.

Can't resist a good romance especially time travel ones. 

I liked Louisa and Robert. I felt bad for both of them. Robert has seen some terrible things and Louisa is locked up against her will and she didn't even try to kill herself. That psych place is terrible! How can it still exist? I mean...there are probably some terrible ones still around, but it seemed really horrible. 

From the beginning I was hooked. There were some huge lulls in the middle that had me wanting to skim, but I held firm because I had to know how everything was going to happen. I just wanted them to be happy and away from the war and that terrible psych place. They deserved love. 

At first, I was a little iffy about the insta-love. But it did seem to work for them. They are both damaged people and usually damaged people are drawn to each other. So it did make sense, but I was worried at first. 

I liked the ending. It was fitting. 

Overall, this was pretty good. Some ups and downs, but I was hooked and had to finish it. I just wanted the two to have the happiness they needed and deserved! I am intrigued to see what the author has next for us. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Audio: Once upon a cowboy Christmas by Soraya M Lane

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Series: River Ranch Series, Book 3

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-21-19

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

For review

Cody comes back for Christmas and see the woman he left 15 years ago. And does not recognize her, ok so that I could not believe. They had been a couple and he does not recognize her.

Back to the story. She is his dad's nurse. She needs this job. He is in love with his job, and he obviously never processed the death of his mum.

They meet again, they fall in lust. Then there is some drama that I can not mention, but let's just say he sees dollar signs and not humans. I did want to kick him there. What an asshat.

But they will work it out and live happily ever after

It was a good story. And what they had to overcome was themselves

Narration

I like the narration. She did well with different voices and, and emotions. But then I have listened to her before and always liked her

He left town and never looked back. Cody Ford is a Wall Street honcho with humble Texas roots. This holiday season, he'd be content to just stay in New York and not face his family-and dodge their questions about when and with whom he plans to settle down . . . and if he will do so back at home. But his father isn't getting any younger, and Cody doesn't want to miss any last chances to see him and the rest of the folks back on the ranch. The last person Cody was expecting to see? His one-time girlfriend, Lexi Murphy, who's been working as his dad's new live-in nurse. She never forgot him. Can she ever forgive him? Lexi still holds a grudge against Cody. Back then, the college-bound heartthrob believed he was too good for a small-town girl like Lexi. But now Cody can't help but see her in a whole new light. Could it be that this beautiful single mother with an unbeatable can-do spirit is the one he's been waiting for all along? That depends on whether Cody can prove to Lexi that, this time, he means business-and if a sudden snowstorm can lend just the right amount of Christmas magic to help move things along