Friday 31 January 2020

Audio: How the Marquess was won by Julie Anne Long

Narrated by: Justine Eyre
Series: Pennyroyal Green Series, Book 6
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-21-20
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Historical romance
In exchange for an honest review

I should have written this two day ago!

Dryden is planning to marrying Lisbet, since she has land he wants. And she would be thrilled since he is a marquess.

But then he meets Phoebe, a school teacher with no connections, and she is just fascinating. Yes, duh, man, it's because you want a real connection and not some silly chit who can smile and say thank you.

But he needs to restore his family's honor, and Phoebe knows this.

But they so belong together! Idiots.

And then Phoebe takes the ton by storm. Which is strange. Cos she is  nobody and suddenly everyone is fascinated by her, hmmm, straaange.

Yes there are some evil idiots working in the background. I just want to slap them all.

My thoughts are so jumpy when I did not write this at once, if you noticed ;)

And then they lived happily ever after!

I enjoyed it

Narration
Justine Eyre is always good!
She is worth it every time!

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest-- in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he's found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family's shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She's about to play with fire...

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth's paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone. This quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy facade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous, for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted

Thursday 30 January 2020

Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis

ebook, 71 pages
Expected publication: February 3rd 2020 by Five Fathoms Press
Series: The Harwood Spellbook #2.5
Fantasy
For review

This was a short one. A brief interlude back into the world.

It takes place during one night. Juliana is studying to become a magician. In a world where only men become magicians. She was secretly engaged to Caroline, who wants to become a politician. And a politician can only marry a magician. So if they want to be together, this is the path they must take.

But because of events in book 2 Caroline path to stardom looks grim, and she does not want to take Juliana down with her. Omg people, you are so stupid. If you love each other, then be together! Careers be damned. Just love each other and be happy.

I really like the Fae, I want more about them, they are wicked evil.

I can't say a lot other than they will find their way out of darkness. A nice little story. 

For just one moonlit, memorable night, Thornfell College of Magic has flung open its doors, inviting guests from around the nation to an outdoor ball intended to introduce the first-ever class of women magicians to society...but one magician and one invited guest have far more pressing goals of their own for the night.

Quietly brilliant Juliana Banks is determined to win back the affections of her secret fiancée, rising politician Caroline Fennell, who has become inexplicably distant. If Juliana needs to use magic to get her stubborn fiancée to pay her attention...well, then, as the top student in her class, she is more than ready to take on that challenge!

Unbeknownst to Juliana, though, Caroline plans to nobly sacrifice their betrothal for Juliana's own sake - and no one has ever accused iron-willed Caroline Fennell of being easy to deter from any goal.

Their path to mutual happiness may seem tangled beyond repair...but when they enter the fey-ruled woods that border Thornfell College, these two determined women will find all of their plans upended in a night of unexpected and magical possibilities.

Wednesday 29 January 2020

Audio: Just Breathe by Cammie McGovern

Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly, Josh Hurley
Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-07-20
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
YA fiction
In exchange for an honest review

Like I said, I like YA fic in audio that tugs on the heartstrings. Though I did wish this could have tugged a bit more.

David has cystic fibrosis and is at the hospital. I never really got to know him, sure he is sick, sure he wont live long, but still...

Jamie struggles with depression. Her father killed himself. She was homeschooled and she loves art. Her I do know. I felt so sorry for her.

They meet as she works as a volunteer. They get to know each other, and she takes risk, omg no, do not take risks Jamie!

It gets really hard. I felt for her, and I can't say more because spoilers.

It also got weird as, well, spoilers!

I liked it, I will tell you, no tears. No sadness.

Narrators. I do not think I have listened to either narrator before, but they did well. I enjoyed listening to them.



David Scheinman is the popular president of his senior class, battling cystic fibrosis.

Jamie Turner is a quiet sophomore, struggling with depression.

The pair soon realizes that they're able to be more themselves with each other than they can be with anyone else, and their unlikely friendship starts to turn into something so much more.

But neither Jamie nor David can bring themselves to reveal the secrets that weigh most heavily on their hearts--and their time for honesty may be running out.

Tuesday 28 January 2020

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 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.

January 28th: What type of books do you like to cuddle up with in Winter?

It is winter from October to April so I can't really say I read any differently. I read all boooks and genres all the time.

Edit. I forgot to write more *headdesk*
But then I did not have more t say

Monday 27 January 2020

Joint Discussion: Lake Silence by Anne Bishop



Hello all! Carole and I will be discussing "Lake Silence" by Anne Bishop.I am in red and Carole in blue

Lake Silence (The World of the Others, #1; The Others, #6)




Author: Anne Bishop

Title: Lake Silence
(The World of the Others #1) (The Others #6)
Genre: Urban Fiction, Paranormal, Fantasy
Published:  March 6th 2018 
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 402 


Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . .



After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns like Vicki’s have no distance from the Others, the dominant predators that rule most of the land and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what’s out there watching you.



Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger, Aggie Crowe–one of the shapeshifting Others–discovers a dead body, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the man’s death on her, despite the evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, things get dangerous–and it’ll take everything they have to stay alive



And so we continue, this time without Meg and the gang.

I was sad to see them go….but I am also excited to see more of the world and some other folks. 

When I first read it I was all whaaat?! But now of course I knew that this would be another place, another gang. And I liked it. It was home, and yet it was not.

It was different and I liked it. I thought the cast members were fun. I liked Victoria a lot. She was a lot like Meg in some aspects, but human and abused in a different way. Poor thing. 

Really? I did not feel she was like Meg at all, except for well being prey ;) But Meg at least fought back, while Victoria retreated into herself. I really felt for Victoria. Her husband sure did a number on her.

I think Meg was stronger and was able to fight back near the end. I’m sure if we got more time with good ol’ Vickie she would toughen up. She has a lot of issues to get through. I want her to have a HEA with Julien! I loved them! They were perfect. 

True. I do think she would have toughened up! And yes I hope she gets a happy ending. She deserves it, it will take some time, but they will get there. I know they will.

Yess. I think they will. They both have loads of demons to weed through. But I think they will get together someday. Maybe we’ll see it in a future book. ;)

Nah, I doubt she will come back to them :/

Maybe through passing? Like someone comes to town for whatever reason (like stay at the resort) and we get a glimpse of them and babies? ONE CAN HOPE!

From what I know, she doesn’t even plan on returning to this universe.

Super lame. I like this universe. There is SO much she can do with it! So much story and so many characters. I get wanting to take a break and explore her other ideas/etc, but I think she needs to occasionally give us something here. Even a short story. There are still so many stories and world-building. 

She did return to another world she had not written in ages (I need to try and read that one again, I dnfed it, cos it was effed up.) So I do hope that she will return once again. I LOVE this world. LOVE.
Mmmm I have heard that before (maybe it was you lolll). I am curious though. But yes, I want more from this world. I love it. Honestly….I think the world needs another purge of bad humans. Gather them up because from this it looks like some bad ones got away. SMH. Dumb, dumb humans. Esp that ex of Vickie’s!!! Why would you cause so many issues after what JUST happened to all those towns!?

Gawd! I know. PURGE THE HUMANS. They do not deserve to live. They are so So effing stupid. UGH! They never learn. They always think they can trick the others. But at least there are always good ones too that try to live with The Others, because they know that is the only way to survive.

They are fools. The Elders are always watching. There is something always there. Like those cute little creatures that like carrots (blanking on what they are called)! So freakin’ cute. 

Blanking too. Freaky little buggers. Loved them!
I also, as always, loved the vampires! I guess it was nice not to have wolves around, even though I missed them

Yess loved the vamps!! We got to see such an array of characters and beings. It was such a treat!

I guess I just love the voice Alexandra gives the vamps :D She was amazing, as always.

The narrator is amazing as per normal. She really brings them to life! I honestly can’t imagine these stories without her. She just embodies everyone and everything! So good!

It would not be The Others without Harris! This was actually the first that I listened too and has not read. It was the one that made me want to re-read them by listening

Really? Not surprised to be honest. After reading book 1 I think I would’ve abandoned these. Not because the writing is bad or anything. But just listening to it with her just amplifies the story! 

I liked them, I really liked book 5. But listening made me love them. And that is all cos of Harris! I am glad I listened to book 6 and did not read it. It gave me a whole other experience.

I’m glad you made me listen to them after my reading book 1 ;) I am excited for the next one. 

Told you from the start ;D But I am glad you listened to book 2 and saw how wonderful the world is. I guess on to book 7 then, and I promise you, it will make me MAD. Arfghggg effing humans!

EEEEKKKKK I am nervous. LOL I feel like I’m going to be mad too! D: Dang those humans! Idiots the lot of them. 

Yay, re-listen! It has only been a year or something, lol

Hahaha. I mean - we could do a romance for Valentine’s month. ;) And save that for March! 

Whaat! But you are right, it would be more fitting with a romance. Sobs.

Also, if you have not started this series, then READ IT. LISTEN TO IT. DEVOUR IT!

Hahahaha we can debate and see how we feel ;) I am torn. I wanna get started on the next one...buuut. Sighs. :/
AND YES LISTEN TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The end?


The end! :D 





About the Authors
Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. The last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.



Friday 24 January 2020

Audio: Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-07-20
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
YA fiction romance
In exchange for an honest review

I liked this one, sure I had a few issues, but they are stupid teens, so I will forgive it. And talk about it in a spoiler field.

Ever has done what her parents have told her her whole life, and now they have sent her to learn Mandarin in Taipei over the summer. And all she wanted was to dance. Ever is the nice girl, whose parents wants too much of her, and who keeps her in a leash. She is gonna break some rules this summer!

Because the Mandarin summer school is well known as a party and love school. Everyone hooks up.

There she meets Rick, every Asian-American mum's idea of the perfect hubbie to be.

Sophie, who just wants to meet a rich guy and hook him.

Xavier, the rich guy, with hidden depths.

Sophie is not a nice friend. Rick is a good friend. Xavier is the guy she should be with. I really liked Xavier. She does not treat him well.

I really can't say a lot cos I want to head into spoiler territory! But yes lots of partying, drama and hurt feelings. What else can you imagine from 500 teenagers stuck in a place where they study like 4 hours a day and the rest of the time is free to explore.

When they compare it to Crazy rich Asians, then yes it does read a bit like it! The book that is, not the movie.

Narrator
I like Emily! She is always good. Her voices had me at once and they all have distinct ones. She really gets the feel of the place

Spoiler
There are glamour shots. She goes with Sophie and takes naked ones. Like omg, I know you want to rebel but srsly! You do not even speak the language, and then of course Sophie spreads those pics around *headdesk*

Rick has this needy girlfriend, and Ever falls for him, and it seems he falls for her too. I did not like that. That is just cheating And then they break up and he and ever gets together at once.

Xavier has a hidden depth and he is in love with Ever, she uses him and then hides from him. Wtf Ever, that is cruel! I hope Xavier gets a good girl

When Xavier and Ever have this chance to get together, Sophie rushes in and sure it is good cos Ever is drunk. But it is an excuse so Sophie can move in. And she and Xavier become a thing cos his sef esteem is so low that he needs someone around to buy things for.

Why is she still friends with this bitch at the end?!

I did not like her and Rick, they were better friends.

Thursday 23 January 2020

Audio: Three things I know are true by Betty Culley

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris
Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-07-20
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
YA fiction
In exchange for an honest review

Yes, I do admit I like YA sadlit/sicklit. It always feel so real and tragic.

Liv's brother shot himself by mistake, her mother is suing the family. And Liv is doing her best to stay afloat.

The mother seemed to have given up on her son at times, she was so focused on revenge, that she forgot about her son. But at the same time I get it, she was angry, and tired.

Liv helped take care of her brother (helped his nurses that is). And poor Jonah, what kind of life is that? The only thing he could do was open his eyes. He would never get better and every day was a struggle to keep him alive.

I liked Liv, she was wonderful, she put him before herself (not the best way, but still).

This review is turning out like the book itself. The book has short chapters that worked really well.

Heartbreaking, great and just a wonderful book.

Narrator
I really liked her voice, it was perfect for an almost 16 year old.
She also did well with the other characters, and brought real emotion into the story. I have never listened to her before, but I would listen again.

Life changes forever for Liv when her older brother, Jonah, accidentally shoots himself with his best friend Clay's father's gun. Now Jonah needs round-the-clock care just to stay alive, and Liv feels like she's the only person who can see that her brother is still there inside his broken body.

With Liv's mom suing Clay's family, there are divisions in the community that Liv knows she's not supposed to cross. But Clay is her friend, too, and she refuses to turn away from him--just like she refuses to give up on Jonah.

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Audio: All the Ways we Said Goodbye

By: Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
Narrated by: Helen Sadler, Nicola Barber, Saskia Maarleveld
Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-14-20
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Historical fiction
In exchange for an honest review

This is a 3 part story, and I did feel that it either could have been longer or sorry one person should have been left out. I wanted more!

In 1914 there is noblewoman Aurelie, from an illustrious line, that keeps a locket with Jean of Arc's blood as a talisman. I did want more of her story. The German's take over her castle, she falls in love with one as she knew him before the war. Though she is just as much playing him for information. It was just over so fast!

I am not sure who narrated her parts, but I liked it.

In 1942 there is Daisy, who clearly married the wrong man. I wanted more of her rise to a resistance fighter. She was so cowed, and then she was a spy.
There is also a German officer around that was also around in 1914...

Again, I do not know who narrated her either, but whoever it was did a good job with this too,.

And then in the 60s Barb goes to find out what her husband did in France during the war. Her part was fine as brief, cos looking for the past is never as interesting as being in the past. She was a good interlude. But oh Barb, I had a hard time with her. Her husband, on to be, got a letter while recuperating and she never showed it to him! So not cool. But then he could just have gone back too...

Again, whoever narrated did well.

I did like the story as a whole, they are all connected, and it is obvious how. Not one aha moment, but maybe it was meant to be like that.

And yes the earlier stories could have been longer and more fleshed out, but the thing is if they had been then the book would have been too heavy.

I did like that there were 3 distinct narrators too so that every woman got to shine in her own light.

France, 1914. As war breaks out, Aurelie becomes trapped on the wrong side of the front with her father, Comte Sigismund de Courcelles. When the Germans move into their family’s ancestral estate, using it as their headquarters, Aurelie discovers she knows the German Major’s aide de camp, Maximilian Von Sternburg. She and the dashing young officer first met during Aurelie’s debutante days in Paris. Despite their conflicting loyalties, Aurelie and Max’s friendship soon deepens into love, but betrayal will shatter them both, driving Aurelie back to Paris and the Ritz— the home of her estranged American heiress mother, with unexpected consequences.

France, 1942. Raised by her indomitable, free-spirited American grandmother in the glamorous Hotel Ritz, Marguerite “Daisy” Villon remains in Paris with her daughter and husband, a Nazi collaborator, after France falls to Hitler. At first reluctant to put herself and her family at risk to assist her grandmother’s Resistance efforts, Daisy agrees to act as a courier for a skilled English forger known only as Legrand, who creates identity papers for Resistance members and Jewish refugees. But as Daisy is drawn ever deeper into Legrand’s underground network, committing increasingly audacious acts of resistance for the sake of the country—and the man—she holds dear, she uncovers a devastating secret…one that will force her to commit the ultimate betrayal, and to confront at last the shocking circumstances of her own family history..

France, 1964. For Barbara “Babs” Langford, her husband, Kit, was the love of her life. Yet their marriage was haunted by a mysterious woman known only as La Fleur. On Kit’s death, American lawyer Andrew “Drew” Bowdoin appears at her door. Hired to find a Resistance fighter turned traitor known as “La Fleur,” the investigation has led to Kit Langford. Curious to know more about the enigmatic La Fleur, Babs joins Drew in his search, a journey of discovery that that takes them to Paris and the Ritz—and to unexpected places of the heart. . . 

Tuesday 21 January 2020

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 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.

January 21st: Do you read/listen to more than one book at a time, or do you give every book your undivided attention? (Courtesy of Roberta@ Offbeat YA)

Many at once.

I do not always have the chance to listen, but maybe I have the chance to read so then I might read an e-book.

And at home I do want some reading time done and take out a print book.

Which means I usually read 3 at once ;) There is always a print on my bedside table, there is always one waiting to be listened at in my phone, and usually there is an ebook there too in case of emergency.

I love books too much not to spread my love around

Monday 20 January 2020

Carole's Monday: Prophecy of Darkness


Prophecy of Darkness (Legends of the Tri-Gard #1)
Author: Michelle Bryan & M. Lynn

Title: Prophecy of Darkness
(Legends of the Tri-Gard #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Format: ebook
Pages: 252 
Published: October 20th 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)




The kingdom of Dreach-Sciene is dying.


Twenty years have passed since Dreach-Sciene was stripped of its power and left to wither. Erratic weather has decimated the crops, leaving the people starving and desperate. The kingdom's enemies circle around them, threatening a war that will destroy the country completely.



Their only hope is a return to magic. But twenty-year-old Prince Trystan dismisses the ancient stories as pointless fairy tales. Willing to sacrifice everything to save his people, he reluctantly begins a journey to harness the ancient power. With the help of his sister and his best friend, he must begin by reuniting the Tri-Gard: the legendary keepers of magic.



The problem? The Tri-Gard has been in hiding since the day he was born.



Dive into a fantasy where quests are not undertaken lightly, princes take themselves too seriously, and the only thing that can break a princess is falling in love.






I honestly can't remember how/why I got this from Amazon. Was it a freebie? Can't remember, but it has been collecting virtual dust on my shelf. Time to dust it off and read it!



The story takes place in Dreach-Sciene where the magic has been gone for 20 years. The land is withering away. A war is threatening to break out. The only hope to return the magic to the land is through Prince Trystan. With the help of his friend and his sister, they take off to save the land. First, they must reunite the Tri-Gard who are the keepers of magic. 



This was pretty fun. The world is interesting and I feel bad that all the magic is gone and everything is slowly withering away. 



The beginning took foreverrrrrrrrrrrr, but it was setting up our characters and world. I just wanted more action and adventure. I'm sure book 2 will have more of that now that everything is established and in motion. 



I liked the sister and Davi. Trystan...meh so far. I'm sure he'll get better as we go along. *fingers crossed*



That poor king! D: Can't say why, but poor guy.



Not really sure how I feel about the romance aspect. It didn't take over the plot, thank goodness, but I feel like it was forced and cliche. Maybe I'll feel different later. 



OoooOOOoo that cliff hanger ending. Not cool. But it makes me curious to check out book 2. 



Overall, I liked this more than I thought I would. However, it did take me a while to warm up to the story and get hooked. I am curious about book 2. Someday maybe. I'll give this 3 stars. 












Friday 17 January 2020

Audio. What I did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long

Narrated by: Justine Eyre
Series: Pennyroyal Green Series, Book 5
Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-31-19
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Historical romance
In exchange for an honest review

I have read books where people are engaged, and then they meet the one. But here, well Genevieve thinks she is in love with perfect normal Harry, and she thinks it until the end, like really, almost the end of the book. Which was rather disturbing when I should rally for her romance with Alexander.

Alexander is a Duke (yay a Duke), he finds his fiancee in bed with another man, and plans a revenge. Ok his revenge is such an asshat thing to do! Seduce and leave the sister of the man who wronged him. Hey, that is so not cool! But then again, we all know he is gonna fall madly in love with her, and he does. He does loose sight of his revenge fairly quickly.

They meet, they banter, he tries to coach a smile out of her (as she is heartbroken since Harry does not want her). But yes even when she starts something with the Duke, she is still madly for Harry.

I did enjoy the book, but girl, you need to drop that Harry dude and take a Duke.

The narration was perfect. I always like Justine Eyre, you can not go wrong with a book narrated by her!

For years, he's been an object of fear, fascination...and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that shadow the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he'll seduce Ian's innocent sister, Genevieve—the only Eversea as yet untouched by scandal. First he'll capture her heart...and then he'll break it.

But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by gentleness...And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke's dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice...is there anything she won't do for a duke?

Thursday 16 January 2020

Audio: Claiming of the Shrew by Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston
Series: Survivors (Shana Galen), Book 5
Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-17-19
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Historical romance
In exchange for an honest review

I have read the other Survivors books, and this time it is about their Colonel, he was the one sending them to their death, while he had to stay behind.

But this is the book about how he met his wife. She needed a husband and picked him. Later she says that she waited for him to come back, though why? This was for show only, and their marriage was not even valid in Britain.

So Catarina comes back and wants an annulment. Trouble is on her heels as she now is a famous lacemaker and someone wants those skills.

Benedict is calm and omg woman trust him! He obviously wants the best for you! Sure, those things he said right there might not have been right, but omg woman someone is after you! He wants to keep you safe. Benedict, you are a hero, Catarina, you need to listen to him and trust him!

Yes there is these two falling slowly in love, and that trouble that she brings.

We also see two side characters that are in the coming books. And some old favorites too.

I enjoyed it 

Narration
I like Victoria Aston's narration, she fits historical romance very well. Some are sure a good fit for a genre. She does male and female voices well and accents

Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Draven has retired from the army and spends most of his days either consulting for the Foreign Office or whiling away the hours at his club with his former comrades-in-arms. He rarely thinks about the fiery Portuguese woman he saved from an abusive marriage by wedding her himself. It was supposed to be a marriage in name only, but even five years later and a world away, he can't seem to forget her.

Catarina Neves never forgot what it felt like to be scared, desperate, and subject to the whims of her cruel father. Thanks to a marriage of convenience and her incredible skill as a lacemaker, she's become an independent and wealthy woman. But when she's once again thrust into a dangerous situation, she finds herself in London and knocking on the door of the husband she hasn't seen since those war-torn years in Portugal. Catarina tells Benedict she wants an annulment, but when he argues against it, can she trust him enough to ask for what she really needs? 

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Audio: The Clergyman's wife by Molly Greeley

A Pride & Prejudice Novel
By: Molly Greeley
Narrated by: Susie Riddell
Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-03-19
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Historical fiction
In exchange for an honest review

Oh you all know I love PP variations! So I went for this one at once. This is not a romance. I do confess at times I wanted more for Charlotte, oh how I wished.

Charlotte made a choice. Probably remain a spinster and lie under her father's and then brother's roof and be a burden, or marry a man with a good standing and prospects. Even if he is not handsome, but neither is she. Even if her best friend wonders if she lost her mind, because he can sure be tiresome.

But she married, she moved away, she found she could do it.

There is their first time, and it really describes their lives. A bit sad, but normal life you know. A sensible life. A bit boring.

And then Lady Catherine orders a farmer to plant roses for them and, no, there is great love story. There is yearning and looks, and words. And I hoped, but how could one hope. It was not a sensible choice, and it was not possible either.

I liked this book. Charlotte sacrificed so she could have other things. A home of her own, children, a good life.

Narration by Susie Riddell
The narrator was good and she nailed Lady Catherine, oh how tiresome that woman is! This was easy listening too and when it ended I wanted more.

It might have been the first time listening to her, and I would listen to her again.

Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, is the respectable wife of Hunsford’s vicar and sees to her duties by rote: keeping house, caring for their adorable daughter, visiting parishioners, and patiently tolerating the lectures of her awkward husband and his condescending patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Intelligent, pragmatic, and anxious to escape the shame of spinsterhood, Charlotte chose this life, an inevitable one so socially acceptable that its quietness threatens to overwhelm her. Then she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Travis, a local farmer and tenant of Lady Catherine.

In Mr. Travis’ company, Charlotte feels appreciated, heard, and seen. For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart - and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.

Tuesday 14 January 2020

TMST


Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 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.

Tell me about the city/ town you live in.

I live in a village, there is nothing in this village anymore, except for suburbia spreading out from the two towns nearby.  It is close to "town", the center of the municipality I live in. But it is also close to a actual town (that is famous for being an energy innovative town).


Here you can can see our row house


photos by Forth Photography

It is close  to big far stretching forests, but I doubt most get it since people do go all wow over seeing a Moose, and no we did not tell them about the time we found wolf prints in the woods. BF said someone had seen bear prints too.

I loved taking walks here! We always found new pathways, find some were clearly only used by deer, but it was fun!

But by this summer we will have moved. Cos sometimes a woman needs to be able to walk naked through her house without fearing a neighbor will spot her. So we bought a lot of land, and sadly we can see a house from our living room, and one behind ur garage, but building the road longer was so expensive so I can live with that ;)

I could not find an aerial map so here is what our new village looked like in the 12th century ;)

It is the green land in the left corner. All water then, wait I think where we live now is on that map to, on the bottom in the middle, in the sea.


And about our new village. Well nothing special about that place either. Woods, the sea close. All good :)

Monday 13 January 2020

Carole's Monday: Perfect Fit by Sophia Sinclair


Perfect Fit: Small Town Secrets: Book 4 (Small-Town Secrets)
Author: Sophia Sinclair 
Title: Perfect Fit (Small-Town Secrets #4)
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit
Pages: ebook
Published: November 4th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)




Julie Simmons is exhausted. Between studying to become a certified midwife and attending births, she's constantly on the go. Add to that, she's helping her jilted sister care for four children.


Nick Hoffman is the brother of one of Julie's clients. She writes him off as a jerk after he questions her professionalism during his sister's delivery. But a few days later, he calls her in a panic. His sister has been rushed back to the hospital, and he's left caring for her newborn and toddler, when he doesn't have a clue how to do so. Julie comes to help and they bond over a night of caring for two sleepless little ones.



Nick loves kids and can’t wait to settle down and have some of his own. Julie has decided she’d rather stick to helping other women have babies than have any of her own. What happens when you want each other, but you don’t want the same future?




Book 4! Read book 1 and then this. It worked well as a standalone. 



The story follows Julie Simmons who is simply just tired. She is studying to becomes a certified midwife, attending births, and helping her sister out with the kids while the hubbie is gone. Nick Hoffman is the brother of one of Julie's clients. He is a total jerk at first during his sister's delivery. However, days after the safe delivery, Nick calls her to apologize and in a panic. His sister has been rushed to the hospital and he is left caring for the newborn and the toddler. He is lost and has little experience with babies. Julie comes and helps and she is shocked at how much of a good guy he really is. 



This was very, very sweet. I liked Julie and Nick (of course after we realize he was just a worried brother and not a jerk...just acted jerky). Bless Julie's heart for going to help him. She has a heart of gold that one! Nick does too. They deserve each other. 



It was nice seeing this naturally happen. They quickly get over their beef. Go on dates and get to know each other. I love simple romances. Sure there is some drama especially with Julie brother-in-law. But the drama was pretty low. It worked well. They both have a lot on their plates and didn't need crazy, insane drama. But there are some things to go over, but you know they will figure it out. They are the perfect fit. HA there is the title. 



OOOOOO that neighbor lady. I wanted to smack her. SO RUDE!!!! Eat a cookie once in a while!



I'm also really glad this did well as a standalone. There are brief mentions of past characters like from the first book. She is tied through all of them since she acted a doula to them. Which is very sweet. I should go back to read the other 2. 



In the end, this was a very sweet read and I highly recommend it. I liked Nick and I liked Julie. I think this is my favorite of the two I have read. I'll give this 5 stars. 







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