Carole's monday: Tomboy

 

Author: Avery Flynn
Narrator: Savannah Peachwood , Brian Pallino

Title: Tomboy

(The Hartigans #3)

Genre: Contemporary romance, Sports romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:   January 28th 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

How exactly has one good deed landed me in the penalty box?

Ice Knights defenseman Zach Blackburn has come down with the flu, and my BFF—his PR manager—begs me to put my nursing degree to use and get him back to health. Of course she would call in a favor for the most hated man in Harbor City.

But when he’s finally on the mend and I’m sneaking out of his place, everything goes sideways. Paparazzi spot me and pictures, plus accusations that I slept with him, fly faster than a hockey puck.

At first, all of Harbor City wants my blood—or to give me a girlie-girl makeover. But then…the team finally wins a game. And now this fickle town wants me with the big jerk twenty-four seven.

Argh. I never slept with him the first time! But no one will listen. Then the grumpy bastard goes and promises to break his no-fan-appearances rule to help raise money for a free health clinic—but only if I’m rink-side at every game. That’s not a deal I can turn down.

But when the team keeps winning, and I realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation, suddenly remembering to keep my real hands off my fake date gets harder and harder to do.

Review:

The final book of the Hartigan series. Boo. There are more characters I want to see find looooooove. Maybe someday. 

We have Fallon and Zach. Fallon Hartigan is a nurse and a tomboy who doesn't have the time or desire to be girlie. Zach is the bad boy of the local hockey team. He has a bad attitude and has been bad on the ice lately. He is he most hated person in town. Fallon is called in to take care of Zach who is sicker than a dog by her best friend - his PR agent - but she will soon regret when someone from the press gets a pic of her and blasts it everywhere. Now everyone thinks they are lovers and she is his lady luck because all of a sudden he is playing good again...

Oh Fallon. You are certainly a good person. I would've told my friend that I am not helping that asshat. Fallon already has a lot on her plate. She is a nurse full time and part time volunteers at the free clinic. Poor thing really is tired. She needs a vacation. But she is a better person than I am and did help the asshat Zach. 

Okay...I do not hate Zach at all. Even in the last one they really hinted that that there is something up with him. He is hiding something. We get to find out why he is so bitter and angry ALL the time. Gah. I feel bad for him for sure. Screw those people (I will not spoil this). But they were terrible and now I can see why he has a nasty chip on his shoulder. Good thing he has Fallon in his court. She is a good egg. She is overly opinionated and doesn't have a filter at all. 

A part of me enjoyed this more than the last one. Can't really pinpoint why. Maybe it was this dynamic? Not sure. Maybe I am biased because I love Hockey players ;) 

Should I even mention the narrators? They are awesome....duh. LOL. They are perfect and they do such a good job. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was great. I am so sad that the series is done. Maybe the author will return one day. Sighs. I'll give this 5 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #57 for Audiobook Challenge

- #10 on THE BAD BOYS OF ROMANCE challenge

Saturday Movie: The Princess Switch

Been a long time since we sat down and reviewed a movie together. This month Carole and I are reviewing, The Princess Switch: Switched Again. 

I am  in red and Carole in green.

Title:  The Princess Switch: Switched Again

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family 

Running Time: 1h 36min

Rating: G

Released: Nov 2020

When Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with Kevin, it's up to her double Stacy to save the day before a new lookalike, party girl Fiona foils their plans.

TRAILER: 

DISCUSSION: 

‘tis the season

To watch Cheesey movies

Fun times! I am glad we did it, but omg these movies do not sense make.

LOLL oh yes. They do not. Like….how did that “baddie” group think they would at ALL succeed? And what are the dang chances? Too many switches going around in this one lol. 

First of all, what are you doing here bitch? Boom! Problem solved. Maybe they would actually trust the person who knows her OWN name *eyeroll*

RIGHT? And how did the BF not realize something was off? They JUST saw each other like 10 mins previously and she changed her mind THAT drastically? Okay. They were all dumb. I still enjoyed the silly dramas and cheesiness, but I rolled my eyes a lot. 

Like no one stopped that coronation when she did not know her name and acted weird. Oh lol. But I liked the cheese of it all, good times! And I saw the couple from Christmas prince and was all awwwww

Really? I never seen that one. Were they at the real coronation? 

Yes, they were at the real one. There are  movies. Xmas Prince, Xmas Wedding and Xmas baby. I am SO sad there was not a 4th this year, like Xmas Baby 2

That is fun that it is the same world in a sense. Now I’ll have to watch those too ;) I am so bad at movies lately, but thanks to this one it resparked my love and want. I watched PP with the hot Darcy and Kiera Knightly right after and then the Bundy movie with Efron. I went on a movie binge all thanks to you and this movie! :D

 

That’s awesome! One thing though, it is so funny how these small royal countries have tiny capitals, big airports, a castle in the middle of nowhere (and in the Prince one they actually showed that country on a map and it was HUGE.) But yes it does not have to make sense.

Nope they never do. For such a small capital and so forth...how do these people live so richly? These are small countries...I can’t imagine many tourists go there. LOL. 

It did bug me that they kept calling her Lady X, I mean she is the almost queen. But I brushed it off as Americans know nothing ;)

OMG I know. I kept trying to not let it bug me or explain it away. Maybe their titles are all weird or something?????? IDK, but I wanted to scream. Dang script writers. 

The weird things that bug us ;) We know too much

Yess. We know  too much. We should write our own movie script and send it to them. OHHH another thing that I noticed...and it bugged me (BF even notated it as he walked in and watched 10 mins of the hectic switching parts) WHERE are the bodyguards? She is going to be Queen in a few days….shouldn’t there be protection of SOME sort? 

Obvi not needed, she had like a secretary and I guess that was it. Oh and those two guards at the front of the house that we saw once. It should be staff everywhere.

Yesss. I get her not having any in the first movie. She was JUST a duchess...but she is about to take lead of the country. Obv there could be assassins or KIDNAPPING. *cough* Sighs. No wonder why her cousin abdicated and said no thank you when the old King died. Hahaha

No protection needed. No trouble here. Lol, everyone is happy in that country! But yes, so many cheesy silly things that does not make sense. And that is why we would not think too hard. Oh and you must watch XMas prince. All on netflix

Nope you can’t take these films too seriously. They are fun and cute. Makes one feel like a hawt prince can take you away and you would live a fab life with no bills or issues. Just the occasional “fight” with the prince on how loves each other more hehe. Yes, I need to watch those too now especially since they take place in the same happy-go-lucky world! 

I did not know it before this one, but I guess Europe is filled with Kingdoms

LOL I wish. We need more hawt princess (and princesses for those that want that). 

I am sure there are more :D

Yess! We need more!! 

So you are saying we should do a xmas movie in Dec too...ok deal!

I won’t fight ya ;) Movies, like this one, are awesome feel-good movies for the holiday season. 

We will find a good one! The end?

The end. :) 

Audio: Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 3.5

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Release date: 11-10-20

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical romance 

To review

Awww this was fun and cute! Also romance in novella form, in audio format is just right! It really worked.

High low romances are usually something you see when a Duke meets a shopgirl. But here there is a beauty whose mother wants her to marry well, but she only sees the local blacksmith. And sure I wondered how it would turn out cos they were so sensible. Like she knows nothing how to care for a little home, and he can not enter society with her.

I liked Diana, she felt like she was suffocating and I liked how she wanted to live. I liked Aaron, he was just so nice.

It worked as a novella because they had been eyeing each other for a while and now things happened. It was sweet, fun and that ending was great.

Great narration too, her female voice are cute and her male voices works so well. I really feel it

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.

But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.

Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire? 

Audio: The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins

Release date: 11-10-20

Publisher: HarperAudio

    

Historical romance

To review

This story takes place during a few years. Which is great since it is a novella, and then the lovestory works well.

Eliza wants to be out, but her 3 sisters needs to marry before her. So she waits, and waits. She meets a man, a no good scoundrel, a rake, someone who always shows up when she least wants it.

They circle around each other for years. Her sisters marry, she is getting closer. And she was fun, and it was amusing to read about. And yes I did not like Harry at first, because he was such a rake! But as the years go by, maybe he is not really such a rake. Maybe he is a sweetie.

I liked it. Aww novellas in audio are fun!

A great narrator with distinct fun voices. She made these fun

Miss Eliza Cade is a lady in waiting. And waiting.

Because of a foolish mistake in her youth, she's not allowed "out" in Society until her three older sisters are wed. But while she's trying to be good, she keeps bumping elbows—and, more distressingly, lips—with notorious rake Harry Wright. Every moment she spends with him, she risks complete ruin.

The sensual passions he stirs in her are so wrong . . . but Eliza just can't resist Mr. Wright.

Under a winter sky Anthology

Kindle Edition, 335

Published November 19th 2020 by Brightlynx Publishing

Series: Thorne Manor #1.5 (Ballgowns & Butterflies), Heirs of Magic #.5 (Long Night Crystalline Moon), Earthsinger Chronicles #3.5 (Echoes of Ash & Tears) 

Fantasy, UF, PNR

To review

Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong

I always enjoy a time travel story. And even though this one takes place after what I assume is book one it works, they are together and happy now. I guess book 1 was about them finding love, but it does not matter. I'd still read book 1 and see the read these. Now instead we have a novella about a couple who lives in different times and they travel back and forth. She is worried about the timeline, but hey lady you are preggers, you already changed it.

Just a sweet novella at xmas time

The Long Night of the Crystalline Moon, a prequel novella to Heirs of Magic, by Jeffe Kennedy

Not sure about what I assume is everyone kids hooking up with each other. Find some new blood guys! Lol.

Set 2 decades after the events in her previous series. The kids are grown up, and two are circling each other. Will they find they way back. Oh they totally will, but then it ends with a maybe cliffie. Something is brewing and that will be the new series. And see now all I wonder what is brewing? And I do not think book one will be about Rhy and Lena. Sadness

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

I am intrigued by this series. A woman who can see ghosts, and is part ghost? Well something, and witch. And is engaged to a faery prince, but wants and does not want it. Oh and people are trying to get to her.

I am intrigued by book 1 and what must have happened there. This was a really good novella teaser that made me want more.

Echoes of Ash & Tears, an Earthsinger Chronicles Novella, by L. Penelope

Alas, with this one I felt lost. I did not understand the world, the people or the magic. Here I really felt that one should have read the previous books.'

Some woman treated as crap in caves, has bad magic, her dad left her there. Meets a guy. I just felt lost. So meh

Final thoughts

Like with all anthologies, there was the one I did not take too. But novellas mid series can be tricky. And that last one felt like I had missed out. But the rest worked really well as jumping in points in different series, as I only have read the Kennedy one. Good insights into worlds.

Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong

The North Yorkshire moors are always a magical place, but they’re particularly enchanting at the holidays…especially if one gets to travel back in time to a Victorian Christmas. For Bronwyn Dale, it is the stuff of dreams. Fancy-dress balls, quirky small-town traditions, even that classic one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingle bells. There’s just the tiny problem of the Butterfly Effect. How does a time-traveler make a difference without disrupting the future forever?

The Long Night of the Crystalline Moon, a prequel novella to Heirs of Magic, by Jeffe Kennedy

Shapeshifter Prince Rhyian doesn’t especially want to spend the Feast of Moranu at Castle Ordnung. First of all, it’s literally freezing there, an uncomfortable change from the tropical paradise of his home. Secondly, it’s a mossback castle which means thick walls and too many rules. Thirdly, his childhood playmate and current nemesis, Lena, will be there. Not exactly a cause for celebration.

Princess Salena Nakoa KauPo nearly wriggled out of traveling to Ordnung with her parents, but her mother put her foot down declaring that, since everyone who ever mattered to her was going to be there to celebrate the 25th year of High Queen Ursula’s reign, Lena can suffer through a feast and a ball for one night. Of course, “everyone” includes the sons and daughters of her parents’ friends, and it also means that Rhyian, insufferable Prince of the Tala, will attend.

But on this special anniversary year, Moranu’s sacred feast falls on the long night of the crystalline moon—and Rhy and Lena discover there’s more than a bit of magic in the air.

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

Half-dead witch Geneviève Crowe makes her living beheading the dead--and spends her free time trying not to get too attached to her business partner, Eli Stonecroft, a faery in self-imposed exile in New Orleans. With a killer at her throat and a blood martini in her hand, Gen accepts what seems like a straight-forward faery bargain, but soon realizes that if she can't figure out a way out of this faery bargain, she'll be planning a wedding after the holidays.

Echoes of Ash & Tears, an Earthsinger Chronicles Novella, by L. Penelope

Brought to live among the Cavefolk as an infant, Mooriah has long sought to secure her place in the clan and lose her outsider status. She’s a powerful blood mage, and when the chieftain’s son asks for help securing the safety of the clan, she agrees. But though she’s long been drawn to the warrior, any relationship between the two is forbidden. The arrival of a mysterious stranger with a tempting offer tests her loyalties, and when betrayal looms, will Mooriah’s secrets and hidden power put the future she’s dreamed of—and her adopted home—in jeopardy.

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.

What books/authors/narrators/bloggers are you most thankful for this year?

To all my wonderful blogging buddies:

I can't pick one blogger (though obvi special thank you to Carole for helping out every week!) But I honestly want to thank everyone that stops by, I would not be blogging without you. I am not really interested in writing for no one. I mean how boring wouldn't that be? To write, and then no one reads it. I want to talk about books with other people :D I want to visit blogs and get recommendations and more.

Thank you ALL for making this blogging world wonderful :D

Narrators rock!

Well I did re-listen to Heartstrikers so thank you for Vikas Adam, and omg yes fine you all, I have like a narrator crush on the guy lol.

Also thank you narrators for all the work you put in, I love audiobooks!

Books I have loved:

I have to be thankful for the Ruth Galloway series, because if someone has missed it, I have been a TAD bit obsessed this Fall. Just a tad bit ;) I loved them, and they made me want to read more mystery, but so far I have found nothing, I want something similar and it is hard.

Special shout out for Heartstrikers by Rachel Aaron, proving that a re-listen is an awesome thing to do

Carole's Monday: Hello, World

Author: L.M. Barrett

Title: Hello, World

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Format: ebook

Published:  October 25th 2020 

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

When trekking in the Amazon rainforest, most normal people must overcome their fears of the unknown such as dangerous animals and not returning home in one piece. For city girl Grace Brooks, she must overcome her fears of no makeup and going to the loo. And can she survive two weeks without her hairdryer?

When Grace is offered the chance of a lifetime, to test out brand new camping equipment in the rainforest - she finds it easy to turn down. After all, who in their right mind would want to trek around the muddy rainforest for two weeks in a tent? But when the offer becomes too good to be true and even her friends and family doubt her ability she finds herself determined to prove them wrong.

And who knows - there’s always the chance of love when it’s just her and a hunky Brazilian guide. Except, he’s not quite what she expects and when she becomes hopelessly lost, life becomes a little hairy.

When Patrick Kirk’s holiday is interrupted to complete the most absurd mission of his life - to rescue some bimbo lost in the rainforest, he’s less than impressed and determined to despise the silly woman for ruining his holiday. But as he closes in on her and thanks to his new tech, he catches transmissions of her daily ramblings. Ramblings she has no idea are being aired. As she talks about life, death, feelings and lack of sex, he finds himself drawn to the woman - especially when she announces she’s going to sleep with the first man she sees.

When he finally catches up with her, Grace is less than impressed with her neanderthal rescuer. Patrick too, is less than impressed with the high-maintenance whiner. Stuck together for at least a week, can they learn to get on or are they destined to kill each other?

Review:

I couldn't resist this when I read the summary! I want this to be a movie!

The story follows Grace Brooks who is offered a deal of a lifetime that could change her financial situation for life. All she has to do is spend 2 weeks in the Amazon with guide to test out new camping equipment. How could one say no? However, things go wrong and now she is lost, her guide gone, and she has no idea how to survive. Here enters in Patrick Kirk. He was on holiday but he is dragged in to save Grace.

Oh Grace. I don't blame you for doing this journey...especially because you thought you would be nice and safe with your guide. But I would have to turn it down. I love camping...but for like a couple of days. No thank you. I guess you can call me a shallow modern woman. 

It took a minute for me to like Patrick but after a certain scene I loved him! He was an asshat at first, but can you blame him? I would be mad too if I had to go save some dumb girl. 

This was funny but I was worried for our girl. The wilderness can be scary! But yes - this was funny and I just wanted Patrick and Grace to fall in love. There was lust and the love took a while. Which worked for them. They are complete opposites!

The ending had me on edge. I had no idea how everything was going to work out! Eeeee. I would be so tempted to sue that dang computer. Grr.

My only issue with our story is that it was too short. I wanted more time with Grace and Patrick. I felt like we didn't get to see them together as much.

Overall, I really liked this book. I do wish that it was longer so we could have more time with Grace and Patrick, BUT I enjoyed the entire story overall. They were fun together! I could totally see this being a movie. I would watch that! I'll give this 4 stars. 

Crownbreaker by Sebastien de Castell

Paperback, 528 pages

Published October 15th 2019 by Hot Key Books

Series: Spellslinger #6

Fantasy YA

Own

I have to start with the end of the series, I did feel the end was so bittersweet. It kind of made me sad, I guess I wanted more something I can't say cos spoilers. But then when I write and think about it, the end was fitting. The way of the Argosi.

Kellen is in the middle of things. He serves his queen, but a neighboring kingdom are shouting their God is here and they are unifying. Which will mean war for the entire world. Oh and there is still the business with his family, the shadowblack and all things that can go wrong.

Kellen is good, and lucky. He has the best sidekick ever in Reichis, aww, just give the little fellow some eyeballs to snack on.

But I did feel the series could have ended some books ago. It was running on fumes. I still enjoyed it and wanted to read more, but after book 4 it was not the same

Kellen and Reichis are settling into their new lives as protectors of the young queen and dealing with the constantly shifting threats to her reign and to her life. For the first time in his life, Kellen feels as if he's becoming the kind of man that his mentor Ferius had wanted him to be. Even Reichis has come to appreciate having a noble purpose - so long as no one minds him committing the occasional act of theft from the royal treasury.

But what seems to be a simple card game between Kellen and an old man is soon revealed to be a deadly game of wits in which a powerful mage has trapped the queen's spellslinger in order to kill him.

A dragon of a different color by Rachel Aaron

By: Rachel Aaron

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Series: Heartstrikers, Book 4

Length: 21 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 09-12-17

Publisher: Audible Studios on Brilliance studios

Re-listening, all the feels!

The Chinese dragons are coming and finally the truth about what happened in China is out. I know I knew from before, but omg.

And as I am very Julius centered I waited for this moments, even though Marcie had her own adventure.

I love this series, and I love Vikas Adams narration! A really truly awesome series that you have to listen to.

A last mention, the joy of re-listening is real, and awesome in times of this.

To save his family from his tyrannical mother, Julius had to step on a lot of tails. That doesn't win a nice dragon many friends, but just when he thinks he's starting to make progress, a new threat arrives. Turns out, things can get worse. Heartstriker hasn't begun to pay for its secrets, and the dragons of China are here to collect. When the Golden Emperor demands his surrender, Julius will have to choose between loyalty to the sister who's always watched over him and preserving the clan he gave everything to protect.

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published February 6th 2020 by Quercus

Series: Ruth Galloway #12

Mystery

Library

This is the last one! Well right now ;) Another book is coming next year, but now I am all caught up. I can't believe I that I read my first one in Aug. I have sped through them

Ruth has given up and gotten a new job, a new town, and she and Frank is living together. You go Ruth! Of course, even though she likes him, yeah, Ruth is a loner, she is happiest with her daughter and cats. Poor Frank, I doubt this will end well.

This one actually felt like it was more about the murder. Women who have gone missing, creepy tales of Lantern Men who lure them in and kill them. Ruth in the middle of it digging up bones, and Nelson trying to find out if a serial killer did it or not.

I liked it, I always do. I can never put them down

She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police's resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Ivor March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried - but only if Ruth will do the digging.

Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.

Is March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?

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.

What books are you looking forward to reading in Winter 2020/21 (December - February)?

Oh, I am bad with these, like none? Like a million? I never know when books are out. Sometimes I totally miss books I want because I just do not know when they are out. Luckily there is goodreads! But I mean I only check those before xmas or my bday, or when I feel like now I deserve a book ;) And if I forget to put a book on goodreads...well then it is gone and I hope I see someone review it cos else I forget.

But ok, ehhh *scratches head* Oh I think that book I liked last year has a follow up in Jan or something.

Carole's Monday: Flirtation and Folly

Author: Elizabeth Rasche

Title: Flirtation & Folly

(A Season in London #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Published:  November 9th 2020 

Pages: 326 

Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: MARIANNE MOWBREY is a responsible country rector’s daughter who longs for the novelty and excitement she reads about in novels. When her crusty Aunt Harriet agrees to give her a Season in London, Marianne vows to dazzle the world, win a husband, and never go home again. But the Londoners who determine social success are inclined to pass over plain Marianne in favor of her beautiful, reckless younger sister.

In a world of ambition, fashion, flattery, and deceit, how can Marianne stay true to her real self—when she is not even sure what that real self is?

Review:

Couldn't resist picking this one up. The cover and the summary. Totally up my alley 

The story follows Marianne who is a country rector's daughter. She longs for a life of excitement like the heroines in the novels she reads. Her Aunt Harriet agrees to give her a Season in London and help her maybe find a husband. Marianne vows to dazzle the world, find love, and never go back to her boring home. However, the Londoners seem to pass over her in favor of her younger and more beautiful sister. Will Marianne find everything she wants, but stay true to her real self. 

Bless Marianne's heart. She just wants to be loved and have a life of her own. Can you blame her? Her parents are not cruel, but they demand so much of her and expect her to help since she is the eldest and they have no faith she'll find a husband. They let Belinda do whatever and she is obviously the favorite. Such a pity and you can't help but root for Marianne to get everything she wants and deserves. 

Oooo the ton. They never disappoint. They are so fake and rude and I do not think I would do well. I guess I would just end up as a spinster in the country. Fine by me if I can avoid people like Emily and even Belinda. Ugh. Maybe I could be like Aunt Harriet ;)

Sure there is a romance element to this, but it was mainly focused on Marianne and her journey to finding herself and maybe finding love along the way. I loved this and it was refreshing. It was very Austen-like so I really appreciated this story and the characters. 

The ending made me grin ear-to-ear. Loved it!!

I really enjoyed the story overall. The author really did a wonderful job bringing this large cast of characters to life and this world. We get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly of this society and these characters. Sometimes someone or something is not as it seems. 

Overall, this was a really good book. I adored it. I liked Marianne and it was fun watching her grow into herself and try and make her way through Society. The ending was good and I loved it. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

No good dragon goes unpunished by Rachel Aaron

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Series: Heartstrikers, Book 3

Length: 18 hrs and 51 mins

Release date: 09-13-16

Publisher: Audible Studios

Urban Fantasy

Own

Sheesh, that was a LOT of omgs in my previous review

I can not remember why I decied to re-listen, but I am enjoying it. They are just so good!

This one was about politics, and yes most of my old omgs are of course about things that happen, now I know they happen, but before, dang, this happen! Especially the Chelsea and F bits has me wanting, well those things to happen.

Vikas Adam is a narrator God. 

If you have not started this series than damn it, what are you waiting for?!

When Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan, he thought he was doing right by everyone. But sharing power isn't part of any proper dragon's vocabulary, and with one seat still open on the new ruling council, all of Heartstriker is ready to do whatever it takes to get their claws on it, including killing the Nice Dragon who got them into this mess in the first place.

To keep his clan together and his skin intact, Julius is going to have to find a way to make his bloodthirsty siblings play fair. But there's more going on in Heartstriker Mountain than politics. Every family has its secrets, but the skeletons in Bethesda's closet are dragon sized, and with Algonquin's war looming over them all, breaking his clan wide open might just be the only hope Julius has of saving it.

The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths

Paperback, 384 pages

Published May 12th 2020 by Mariner Books (first published February 7th 2019

Series: Ruth Galloway #11

Mystery

Library

I do know why I like these. They are not detective novels. It is about Ruth, her family and friends, and that is what I like. The characters drive me to wanting more, and if there is some drama and murder on the side then all the better.

In this one things from the past comes back to haunt them. Another missing girl, and more digging into lost things.

As for Ruth well the drama there is that Nelson is waiting for his son to be born, and who knows maybe it is not his son after all. I might be cruel, but I doubt I have been the only one wishing it would not be and that they could be together. Instead I got angry at Nelson, you can not have your cake and eat it! Ruth deserves better, instead she has ha 10 years of longing.

And as always a great book an I have already started the next one, but then, omg, I am all caught up. The next one will be out first next year.

DCI Nelson has been receiving threatening letters. They are anonymous, yet reminiscent of ones he has received in the past, from the person who drew him into a case that’s haunted him for years. At the same time, Ruth receives a letter purporting to be from that very same person—her former mentor, and the reason she first started working with Nelson. But the author of those letters is dead. Or is he?

The past is reaching out for Ruth and Nelson, and its grip is deadly

Audio: Looking for a cowboy by Donna Grant

Narrated by: Rebecca Estrella

Series: Heart of Texas Series, Book 5

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Release date: 10-27-20

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

To review

Omg, that is really the way to start this. This was dark, ok so the book is not dark, but the thing it touches upon. Damn!

Someone is murdering pregnant women, and cutting out their babies and selling them. I mean damn!

Marle's sister was a victim 10 years ago and Marlee became a PI and is not trying to solve her sister's case, and more. Which brings her to a little town to see if a newly adopted baby is one that had been cut out a week earlier. Again, dang!

Cooper is this super sweet, like awww Cooper, all the hugs!

They meet, she is investigating his friends, I thought there would be more drama around that but omg they talked!! The real drama is trying to take down the evil preggo killing baby snatcher ring. And that drama was plenty and chilling.

I did believe that these two could fall fast for each other, she does have a way of making you believe. Good romance, good drama and suspense.

I have listened to the narrator before and I do like her cowboy books, she does them so well. Great distinct voices and you just fall into the flow of things.

A beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody's business. Cooper Owens also wasn't born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own. Much as he knows he should head in the other direction, he can't make himself turn away....

PI Marlee Frampton always wanted to lead a nice quiet life, working as a cop in her local police department. But that dream came to an end when her sister was murdered - and her baby kidnapped. Now Marlee's come to Texas to investigate the Harpers, who may be linked to shady adoption agencies. Cooper can't believe that his friends could be involved in anything so sinister...and soon he makes it his mission to help Marlee discover the truth - and keep her safe in his arms.