TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

1/27/2026 What's your favorite decade and why? (You do not need to have lived through it!)

This is another hard one, the further back I go the more nope I get. My family was starving just 100 years ago so maybe not. Oh and war and shit. Then you go back more, even more starvation and hiding from Russians in caves. Damn, it does suck. And I really must go and check for those caves this spring. I am so curious. Anyway...

Let´s just do the 90s! The hair and clothes were a tad bit better. Cool new shows and movies emerged. The music changed. The rise of boy bands. It is very sentimental.

2/3/2026 If you could invent a holiday, what would you celebrate?

2/10/2026 Share some Romance Book recommendations

2/17/2026 Are there any books you've read that changed your perspective on a subject?

2/24/2026 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May)

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday: Three Dark Crowns

Author: Kendare Blake

Narrator: Amy Landon
Title: Three Dark Crowns

Series: Three Dark Crowns #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: September 20, 2016
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

When kingdom come, there will be one.

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

Review:

First book club book of 2026! Weeeeeee!

Here we follow three sisters. All three are queens and equal heirs to the crown, and all are magical. However, there can only be one queen to rule them all. Mirabella is an elemental. Katharine is a poisoner who can ingest poisons. Arsinoe is a naturalist. This will be a fight to the death on the night of the sisters' 16th birthday. 

How cool is this concept? Def royals meets fantasy meets Hunger Games. Loved the idea and the concept. I wouldn't want to live here, but the powers would be lovely. I guess I would just want to be a civilian. I wouldn't make a good queen. 

The execution of the story was...okay. It was so slow and so dry in the beginning. Yes, we are learning about the sisters and the world and the rules, etc. However, it took forever for anything to really happen. Plus, we had a lot of POVs going on. Not just the queens, but a lot of their friends, etc. Sure, I didn't mind getting a glimpse of the world, but I think I would've liked this more if it were just the queens' POVs. 

Also, I did the audio of this. I wonder if I would've appreciated the multiple POVs if I did the ebook/physical book of it. It would've been easier to follow along. There were a couple of times I was confused about who was saying what. I had to rewind a couple of times. Don't get me wrong, the narrator is good! I have listened to her before, but so many POVs and soooo many characters, it is hard to have a different voice for each person. 

OMG, the end. I need to read book 2. Dayum. 

Oh! There was another scene a few pages back that had me audibly gasp! Holy cannoli batman!

Overall, I did enjoy myself while listening to this. I think I would've liked it more if I did a different format and/or if we have less POVs. I do want to read book 2 because things have HEATED up. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #2

- Library Love #3

Audio: Still mad about you by Liz Maverick

Release date: 08-28-25

Narrators: Luci Christian Bell, Andrew Eiden, Helen Laser

Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance

I like these short audible novellas. But the whole sound effect things throws me at times. I was out skiing and then suddenly there was this sound and I freaked out something was behind me, lol. But yes when you are inside it works well.

Dani and Asher became enemies in High School and now they have to plan a scavenger hunt. But this is a novella they actually talk and reach some common ground. Sometimes High School drama is not the entire world.

They have fun hanging out together and sparks fly. It was cute and short.

Good narration. I am sure I recognize the guy from other audible ones and the woman too. They work well together. And yes cool effects too that bring it to life

Years after being locked in a fierce high school rivalry, Danielle Green and Asher Williams are forced to team up again. The plan their high school reunion in New York. As they set up a citywide treasure hunt for their former classmates, old tensions reignite…along with unexpected sparks.

Dani never forgave Ash for stealing the class presidency more than a decade ago, but she’s determined to keep her cool while stuck together with him during the hot Manhattan summer. Trouble is, Dani isn’t prepared for Ash’s easy charm and thoughtful gestures, and Ash isn’t ready for his secret teenage crush on Dani to return with a vengeance.

As the ice between them melts and grudges fade into the past, Dani and Ash just might discover that the real treasure at the end of the chase was there all along.

Audio. Suddenly Mrs Darcy

By: Jenetta James

Narrated by: Lillian Rachel

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Release date: 06-15-20

Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing

Audible/historical romance PP variation

I love pride and prejudice variations. One would think I would get tired of them, but I do not. There is always something new.

In this one Mrs Bennet finds them together and there is a hasty marriage. Lizzy is unsure about her new position and life. Some look down at her. She has not really made her peace with Darcy either and that is what this is about. It is sort of sad too in the beginning, they are complete strangers and they live together, but they never really get to know each other.

And some Lydia drama thrown in too. Ugh Wickham. One angry aunt. And some secrets.

Fun times, I am clearly addicted to these.

Good narration

Elizabeth Bennet never imagined her own parents would force her to marry a virtual stranger.

But when Mrs. Bennet accuses Fitzwilliam Darcy of compromising her daughter, that is exactly the outcome. Trapped in a seemingly loveless marriage and far from home, she grows suspicious of her new husband’s heart and further, suspects he is hiding a great secret. Is there even a chance at love given the happenstance of their hasty marriage?