Audiobook Challenge Final Check in

Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5

Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10

Stenographer (can listen while multitasking) 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+

Over-Achiever (Power Listener) 75+

The 100 Club (Audiobook Elite) 100+

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! I did NOT realise how close I was to 100 *sobs*

I will probaby never make it again

At least I made my goal of 75 *cries*

97. Season of the wolf by Maria Vale

96. Sweet rogue of mine by Shana Galen

95. The dance tree by Karen Milwood Hargrave

94. A fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

93. Three cowboys and a baby by Kate Pierce

92.The desert kings spy by Eve Langlais

91. The halforcs maiden bride by Ruby Dixon

90. Dead things by Stephen Blackmore

89. The seamstress of Sardinia by Bianca Pitzorno

88. Whiteout anthology

87. Children of ragnarök by Chinda Williams Chima

86. How to excavate a heart by  Jake Arlow

85. Nice dragons finish last by Rachel Aaron

84. The next best day by Sharon Sala

83. Mr hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau

82. Alaska for Christmas by Jennifer Snow

81. Partners in crime by Alisha Rai

80. The American Adventuress by CW Gortner

79. The Duke not taken by Julia London

78. Love out loud by Marissa Clark

77. Forever wolf by Maria Vale

76. Earths daughter by Eve Langlais

75. Duke most wicked by Lenora Bell

74. Children of the catastrophe by Sarah Shoemaker

73. Christmas in blue dog valley by Annie England

72. The Duke is back by Valerie Bowman

71. The mistress of longbourn by Jann Rowland

70. Marple. Twelve new mysteries

69. Rivers of shadows by Karina Halle

68. One sexy mistake  by Sarah Ballance

67. Small town big magic by Hazel Beck

66. My imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand

65. Thank you for listening by Julia Wheelan

64. Mad about you by Mhairi Mcfarlane

63. Surrendering to Hunt by Jennifer Ryan

62. Deadly Abyss by Eve Langlais

61. For Butter or worse by Erin de la Rosa

60. The return of the Duke by Lorraine Heath

59. Meet me in the middle by Alex Light

58. Storm echo by Nalini Singh

57. Eclipse the moon by Jessie Mihalik

 56. Paradise by Censabella, Laura Maria

55. In Plain Sight: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jacobson, Don *

54. You Were Made to Be Mine (The Palace of Rogues, #5) by Long, Julie Anne *

53. A Year to the Day by Benway, Robin *

52. Juniper & Thorn: A Novel by Reid, Ava *

51. How to Steal a Scoundrel's Heart (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels, #4) by Lorret, Vivienne

50. A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Caña, Natalie *

49. The Exile: The Countess Visits Longbourn: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (The Bennet Wardrobe Book 5) by Jacobson, Don

48. The Longbourn Quarantine by Jacobson, Don *

47. How We Ricochet by Gardner, Faith 

46. The Messy Lives of Book People by Patrick, Phaedra *

45. Threads of Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Mr. Darcy's Magic Book 2) by Fairview, Monica *

44. That Cowboy of Mine by Grant, Donna *

43. Not Just Any Earl (Games Earls Play, #1) by Bradley, Anna *

42. The Dachshund Wears Prada by London, Stefanie *

41. Lizzy Bennet Meets the Countess (Bennet Wardrobe Book 4) by Jacobson, Don *

40. All the Duke I Need (Desperately Seeking Duke, #3) by Caroline Linden *

39. The Exile: Kitty Bennet and the Belle Epoque (The Bennet Wardrobe #3) by Jacobson, Don *

38. Fool Me Once by Winstead, Ashley *

37. Where Dreams Begin: A Novel - Kleypas, Lisa *

36. Bloomsbury Girls - Jenner, Natalie *

35. The Wedding Crasher - Sosa, Mia *

34. Birds of California - Cotugno, Katie *

33. The Barbarian King's Assassin - Langlais, Eve *

32. The Keeper: Mary Bennet's Extraordinary Journey (The Bennet Wardrobe Book 1) - Jacobson, Don 

31. Henry Fitzwilliam's War (Bennet Wardrobe Book 2) - Jacobson, Don *

30. Being Mary Bennet - Peterson, J.C. *

29. Urban Witch - Langlais, Eve *

28. Faults of Understanding: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Altman, Jennifer *

27. A Duke Worth Falling For - MacLean, Sarah *

26. How to Be a Wallflower (Would-Be Wallflowers, #1) - James, Eloisa *

25. Chase Wilde Comes Home (Wyoming Wilde, #1) - Ryan, Jennifer *

24. Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie, #1) - Sharma, Nisha *

23. Gallant - Schwab, V.E.

22. The Hook Up (First Impressions, #3) - Fenske, Tawna *

21. A River Enchanted (Elements of Cadence, #1) - Ross, Rebecca *

20. This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, #1)  Mafi, Tahereh

19. Crowbones (The World of the Others, #3; The Others, #8) - Bishop, Anne

18. The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes (Last Chance Scoundrels, #1)  Leigh, Eva *

17. Last Duke Standing (A Royal Match, #1) - London, Julia *

16. A Thousand Steps Into Night - Chee, Traci

15. Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters, #2) - Bailey, Tessa

14. Hunt the Stars (Starlight's Shadow, #1)  Mihalik, Jessie *

13. Let It Be Me (The Blue Raven, #5) - Noble, Kate

12. Crescendo: The Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town - Cheney, Allen 

11. Poemsia - Leav, Lang

10. Bruised - Boteju, Tanya *

9. Loveboat Reunion - Wen, Abigail Hing *

8. Daughter of the Moon Goddess  - Tan, Sue Lynn *

7. One True Loves (Happily Ever Afters, #2) - Bryant, Elise *

6. His Lessons on Love (A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women, #3) - Maxwell, Cathy *

5. The Kindred - Dow, Alechia *

4. The Henna Wars - Adiba Jaigirdar *

3. The Highlander's Captive - Wine, Mary

2. Last Dragon Standing (Heartstrikers, #5) - Aaron, Rachel *

1. Five Daughters Out at Once: A Pride & Prejudice Variation - Bamber, Jayne 

Audio: Three cowboys and a baby

By: Kate Pearce

Narrated by: Caroline Price

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Release date: 12-27-22

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance /to review

Wow, the ex in this one. That man should loose all parental rights! He shows up at a house, and just leaves his kid there! Luckily they know what to do while trying to figure things out.

And the poor mother! As a reader we do not know what to think first either, but I know she can´t be the lost cause that the ex made her out to be. I mean poor woman! She comes back from working at sea and can´t find her child.

Noah is horrible to her when they meet. I mean I get it, they were told things, but hello, like ask her first! She went to hell and back to find her child.

Jen blames herself. Don´t! What was she supposed to do? And then she gets stuck at the ranch. Most be some kind of snowstorm.

Obi she and Noah will fall in love. They butt heads and then respect will build. Stuck together for weeks when roads are dangerous .

I liked it, and I wonder about the other books. The two other friends seems interesting, and with their own issues to handle.

Good narration. Not the biggest cast of characters , but the distinction between them all worked so well

When an old military buddy turns up at the ranch he shares with two friends, Noah Harding never imagines the friend will skip out overnight and leave his baby boy behind. Noah will have some choice parenting advice to offer when the baby’s mother turns up, but until then, he’ll do his best to take care of the little one. Yet when a relieved Jen finally tracks down her son, Noah realizes the story is more complicated than he thought. And soon, so are his feelings for Jen . . .

Jen Rossi doesn’t expect much from her unreliable ex, but she’s shocked to return from an extended mission and discover he’s abandoned their son with three men she doesn’t know. Not that Noah isn’t doing a good job as fill-in daddy. In fact, there seems to be very little the straight-talking cowboy can’t do. And with a winter storm settling in, and close quarters making it impossible to deny their chemistry, this temporary solution might just become the key to forever 

Audio. Sweet rogue of mine

The Survivors, Book 9

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors , Book 9

Length: 9 hrs

Release date: 12-20-22

Historical romance / to review

This was grumpy meets sunshine. Pru was fun and Nash was filled with despair. Ok that sounds sad, but he came back from the war having lost his sight. He was a sharp shooter, and now he just feels lost and useless. He drinks too much and has turned his back on everyone. Pru has been left with the village priest since her parents are missionaries.

They meet in an amusing way. She can't stop thinking about him. People warn him, but she does not listen.

He can´t stop thinking either, but he knows his ptsd might him do things so he wants nothing to do with her.

There is the danger of what his family wants to do with him. All while they fall in love.

They truly belonged together. But they have some drama to get over first.

Great narration. I have listened to a lot of these now. It is a fun series

When a stray pistol ball from the battlefield took Nash’s sight, it also took his entire identity. He’s retreated to his father’s county home to lick his wounds, but his drinking and isolation have only made things worse. When Nash’s father, a powerful earl, threatens to send Nash to an asylum, his former brothers-in-arms call in one of their own to set Nash back on the right course. Nash fears he’s fallen too far and perhaps ending it all is the best solution. Until he encounters a woman in the garden signing a bawdy tune at the top of her lungs.

Prudence Howard has traveled the world with her missionary parents. But after the scandal she caused in Cairo, they’ve foisted her on a vicar in the small town of Milcroft and sailed to the Far East to evangelize without her. Pru doesn’t mean to cause trouble; it’s just that being good is so very hard. When she meets Nash Pope, she’s instantly intrigued. He might be hot-tempered, but he’s handsome and unusual and arouses her interest and passion like no one she’s ever met. He might not know he needs or even wants her help, but Pru has a plan to save him.

'

Nash is bewildered by the unconventional woman who keeps turning up on his doorstep. She tries to teach him night writing, claims a feral peacock is a momentous sign, and makes his toes curl when she kisses him. She refuses to give up on him. But though Nash finds it easy to believe in Pru, can he ever trust himself again? 

TMST: best books of 2022

 

 

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.

12/27/2022 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2022? 

- Fav audiobooks:

Ok, I am not going to show a picture, but I finished Heartstrikers 5 and 1. Obvi the best

I loved Storm Echo by Nalini Singh. All the feels

Anne Bishop always  writes amazing books, and Alexandra Harris is the best narrator

This one gave so much more than I thought it would

The random book that was just so well written

And now to print books:

Effed up and disturbing, and so it stays with you

Amazingly written

Great re-read

Fantasy at its best

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.

Challenges next year

 Of course I am doing out Bingo challenge. It is fun. I like to try to get every square, but since no pressure I do not hunt them down

Hosted by: Blodeuedd @ Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

           Jen @ That's What I'm Talking About

                                                                             Carole @ Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

We are hosting another Romance challenge! Going back to the Bingo Sheet-ish style!

 

Rules:

• It has to be a romance novel (it can be multiple genres, but romance has to be a main focus).
• One box per book (if you have a book that meets multiple boxes, you have to pick one).
• No changing the box. Once you assign a book to a box...no switching it. 
• Books can be used in other challenges (ex: Goodreads, Library Love, TBR, Audiobooks, etc).
• Try to get at least ONE bingo (see Bingo Levels).
• The bingo can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. 
• No free space.
• Starts 1/1/2023 and ends 12/31/2023.
• Join whenever.

Bingo Levels:

1-2 Bingo - Beginner

3 - You're getting the hang of this!

4 - Expert Level

Entire Sheet - Supreme Ruler of Bingo

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I am doing this again! Going for 75+ if I can make it again.

Runs January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. You can join at any time.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2023 than you did in 2022.

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, etc. I recommend creating a shelf on Goodreads titled 2023 Audiobook Challenge. You can keep track and link the shelf.

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, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or Tweet about the challenge.

Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. The first update will be July 2, 2023, and the last update will take place on December 30, 2023. You’ll have one week to link up and share your progress

achievement 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 multitasking) 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+

Over-Achiever (Power Listener) 75+

The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+

Carole's review. Half notes

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Author: B.V. Glants

Title: Half Notes From Berlin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 256

Published: October 4, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Berlin, 1933. Hans believes he and his family are safe from persecution.

Then, he discovers his family's dirty secret: his maternal grandparents were Jews who converted to Christianity.

Driven by the desire to understand who he is and whether his mother's blood really is tainted, Hans befriends Rebecca, the only Jewish girl he knows. Perhaps if Jewish blood isn't evil, his mother will be ok.

To be a Jew in Hitler's Germany is dangerous. But to fall in love with one is unthinkable.

Desperate to keep both his family's true heritage and his love for Rebecca a secret, Hans attempts to navigate this terrifying new world. He's disconsolate when his Jewish mother is kicked out from the Berlin Conservatory. He's disgusted by his Aryan father's aims to acquire Jewish business on the cheap.

Worst, he must watch helplessly as his classmates target Rebecca with increasing violence and malice.

But when his school announces it will expel Jewish students, Hans is determined to fight for Rebecca — and for the lives and souls of his family.

Review:

Couldn't resist checking this one out when I read the summary. 

Here we follow Hans. He lives in Berlin with his parents and it is 1933. Things have changed. Germany now belongs to Hitler. Society is changing and to be a Jew is not safe. Hans thinks he is safe...until he overhears his parents and learns that his maternal grandparents were Jews who converted to Christianity years ago. Driven to understand more about his Jewish blood, he befriends Rebecca the only Jewish girl in his school. He soon realizes that he may have feelings for her but he must watch helplessly as his classmates target Rebecca with increasing violence and malice. 

I found this perspective very interesting and refreshing. Things are just beginning to get really bad. You could see some people wanted to be blind to it...some people saw the writing on the wall and left. It was sort of eerie seeing the poison of hate take over even the youths. It's tragic and scary how quickly it spread.

Honestly, I couldn't put this down!! I finished it in a day. Hans and his story had me drawn in right from this first page. 

One can't help but hope, but Hitler's Germany lives little room for hope and you know things will not go well for people who are Jewish or who sympathize with Jews.

The ending made me want more. There is a sense there might be a sequel. One can hope!!! I think we need one for sure because there felt like there were more stories to tell. I want to see more of Hans.

In the end, I really enjoyed this but it did make me sad...as it should. You can't help but want the best for Hans and Rebecca, but you know that bad things are heading their way. I would love to read a sequel. There seems like there are way more stories and adventures for Hans. I recommend this. 5 stars from me. 

 

Movie time: Who Killed Santa

 

This month we decided to review 'Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery'.

Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in green.

Title: Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery

Length:  52 mins

Released: 2022

Genre:  Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Rating: TV-MA
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

Our Detective is back with a critical case. Along with two celebrity guests, he's on a mission to solve who killed Santa? But the catch: Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph aren't given the script. They have no clue what's about to happen.

DISCUSSION:

Xmas movie time!

Yayy!! 

A different xmas movie this time. A murder mystery and not a straight face in the room. Hilarious

I loved shaking it up! A murder and humor and Holiday Spirit. 

Hehe, I liked how especially Santa had a hard time playing dead. It must have been so fun filming that movie

I’ve seen a couple episodes of the show so I was excited to watch the movie. They always have so much fun. I loved Santa esp when they tried to do CPR on him. I would’ve died laughing. 

It was crazy. But so fun! And throw in some Die hard and what not and perfect. Very funny

Yesss that reference was perfect! Had me laughing so hard! And that final guest? Didn’t see that coming. So great! Poor guest. Hahaha

I did not see that final guest coming either, but poor guest. That was evil lol. But well done

Indeed! It was perfect! I loved all their guesses on who they thought the murderer was. Which did you guess right? 

I never get it right! Damn it. You really have to pay attention

I was partially right but that was a surprise curveball! And yesss it is the little details. The show is like that too. 

I try to pay attention, but then I end up laughing and nope

Yesss it is hard not to be distracted by the comedy! I would love to be a guest on the show or next movie. Sadly I’m not a celebrity. I think it would be fun to have an average Joe and a celebrity on the next movie. LOL 

Sadly a normal person would not be as fun, but I would love to take part too!

I just want an episode or something where they have you and me be guest stars. Hahahaha. I don’t think I could keep a straight face but I would love every minute. 

I mean who could keep a straight face! I would just laugh myself silly

I would need a break! But yesssss so funny and such a good mystery!

I do not really have a lot more to say. Watch the tv series, watch the movie. It is funny!

You can def watch the movie without the show BUUUUT watch the show too. It’s all great. Funny and murder-y. 

I guess a short one this time 🙂

Ones we really like always tend to be short! Plus I do not want to give away any spoilers for this one ;) 

Audio: A fire endless

By: Rebecca Ross

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Series: Elements of Cadence, Book 2

Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins

Release date: 12-06-22 by Harper Audio

Fantasy/to review

You really should always read books in order, and definetely this one. A lot happened in book 1, and now sadness rules the island.

An Island split in two by warring clans. Magic in abundance in places, while in other places it kills you. Spirits ruled by a dark one.

Adaira learned she is actually from the other clan in book 1. And now she is there , but it is a dark place. Jack is left in the East because he needs to calm the spirits with his song.

The west was a scary place, I would not want to live there. But as it is now the whole island is falling to pieces and people are dying. And Jack and Adair can¨t even be together! Heartbreak. But hope is coming, though it also had me scared because things are going badly.

I liked the story. It is quite special, like it took place on some mythical Scottish island, and the whole world is almost this forgotten island

Ruth U is one of my favorite narrators, mostly cos of the accent she does. It is just so cool and I am always swept away

East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane's harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits--a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack's gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

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 are your favorite holiday-centric movies? Do you rewatch them every December?

I do not have any. But thanks to netflix I do watch a lot of really crappy holiday movies. And once in a while there is a gem, though nothing I want to watch again.

In the olden days tv showed LOTR every year, and yeah, that is xmas to me now. If it is on I would def watch

12/27/2022 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2022? 

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: The Christmas Pawdcast

 

Author: Emily March

Narrator: Andi Arndt & Jason Clarke

Title: The Christmas Pawdcast

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  December 2, 2021

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Mary Landry and her pregnant rescue dog are on their way home for Christmas when the unthinkable happens: her car breaks down along a deserted stretch of mountain highway in the middle of a blizzard. Facing dire conditions, Mary seeks shelter from a lone cabin in the distance whose warm light beckons her like a Christmas star.

Nick Carstairs has one wish this season—to ride out his least favorite time of the year in peace while working on the latest episode of his hit True Crime podcast. The sexy-voiced podcaster didn’t plan to host a stranger and her pregnant dog, but he’s happy to help a traveler in need…it’s an extra perk that she’s gorgeous. Now if she would just stop trying to change his mind about Christmas.

As they spend time warming up by the fire—and an unexpected attraction roars to life—will Mary help Nick discover the wonder of the season after all?

Review:

Such a cute one for the holidays!

Here we follow Mary and Nick. Mary is fostering a pregnant dog and no one can babysit and all the boarding places are booked, so Mary is forced to go on a road trip with a very pregnant dog. Of course, her car breaks down along a deserted stretch of mountain highway in the middle of a blizzard. Facing dire conditions, Mary and the dog seek shelter in a lone cabin. That cabin belongs to none other than Nick who is a Grinch this year. He is alone this year and he wants it to stay that way. This will allow him to work on the latest episode of his popular True Crime podcast. When Mary and a dog come pounding on his door...he can't turn them away.

This was adorable. Mary has a heart of gold! That dog was cute...and Nick is a hunk. They snowed in together and she will try to make his Grinch heart grow. 

We learn why he is mad at Christmas this year. I would probably be in the same boat. I would want to take the year off too.

Very cute and full of Xmas joy. Some laughs. Some tears. Some puppy love. That ending will melt your heart. 

The narrators killed it for sure! They were perfect. I have heard the woman voice before. She was good in the past so I shouldn't be surprised. The guy voice was new to my ears, but he did great too. 

In the end, this is perfect for the holidays and for dog lovers. It for sure promotes adopting even ugly dogs. We all deserve a home and love. 5 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):
- #60 for Audiobook challenge

Soul taken by Patricia Briggs

Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 23rd 2022 by Orbit

Series: Mercy Thompson #13, Mercy Thompson World #19

Urban fantasy/own

So many books. I do love Mercy, but there always come that time when I feel that I could leave this world now and be happy for them where they are. Other stories could be told.

In this one someone goes around with a scythe killing people. Mercy and the gang is on the case.

Stuff happens.

I wonder about that ending, who is Wulfe really?

But srsly, not a lot to say. Book 13. Things went down

The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.

But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?

The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.

When sorrows come by Seanan McGuire

Paperback, 384 pages

Published: August 2nd 2022 by DAW

Series: October Daye #15

Urban fantasy/own

Omg finally. The way to the altar was a long and rocky road. Finally wedding time! But this will get bloody too.

Book 15. I honestly do not have a lot to say. I do love Toby, but I also wish the books would end because this woman needs to be happy and safe for some time. So wrap things up and end it.

It's hard to be a hero. There's always something needing October "Toby" Daye's attention, and her own desires tend to fall by the wayside in favor of solving the Kingdom's problems. That includes the desire to marry her long-time suitor and current fiancé, Tybalt, San Francisco's King of Cats. She doesn't mean to keep delaying the wedding, it just sort of...happens. And that's why her closest friends have taken the choice out of her hands, ambushing her with a court wedding at the High Court in Toronto. Once the High King gets involved, there's not much even Toby can do to delay things...

...except for getting involved in stopping a plot to overthrow the High Throne itself, destabilizing the Westlands entirely, and keeping her from getting married through nothing more than the sheer volume of chaos it would cause. Can Toby save the Westlands and make it to her own wedding on time? Or is she going to have to choose one over the other?

Audio: The desert king´s spy

By: Eve Langlais

Narrated by: Kasha Kensington

Series: Magic and Kings, Book 2

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Release date: 11-22-22

Fantasy romance /to review

Asharee was interesting. She lived in a dangerous world where monster could show up and eat you. And that is how she ended up in a pleasure house, but, one where she ruled herself and put up rules. She is also an amazing spy.

But yes this world is falling apart. How to save it?

She is sent to spy on the king. Bad bad idea. She might be good with potions and making men think one thing, while she is getting info from them. but they are not the king.

Obvisouly they will fall in love. Hunt down some monsters, and live happily ever after.

I enjoyed the book. Danger, some romance they had to work for, and an interesting world.

Good narration that pulled me in. All that danger and tension was handled so well. A book that works really well in audio 

Asharee lost her family in a monster attack and learned to survive on the streets. It's a hard life, so when she's offered a chance to escape, she decides to look past the reputation of the person offering. Best decision ever. While a house of pleasure might seem like a bad place for a young woman, the truth is Asharee's never been safer. The gradeenas protect their tizanas. And so she learns how to entice, to dance, to seduce with her eyes and a shake of her hips. But what happens later in the privacy of her room . . .

It's only an illusion because Asharee's mentor taught her alchemy. With her potions, she can make her clients believe the fantasy she weaves with words—and get them to spill their secrets. When an old friend asks her to spy on the king, she must resort to a disguise to get close enough. Only he's not as expected. For one, Daksh sees right through her deception. And still wants her.

Together, they will travel to a place long forgotten to try and save a kingdom. They will face a peril unlike any. Be tested to their limits.

And if they prevail, they will have to figure out if there's a future for a spy and her king.

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.

12/13/2022 Do you have a favorite quote/s from a book? 

I do have favorite quotes, but remembering them...ehhhhh. I do have 3 that are always at the back of my head.

“That you have lived as you have lived for centuries is no license for this cruelty. All here are now judged, and all are found wanting.”

- Magician by Raymond E.Feist

"We rode on the winds of the rising storm, We ran to the sounds of the thunder. We danced among the lightning bolts, and tore the world asunder”

WOT by Robert Jordan

Farther west than west, beyond the land

my people are dancing on the other wind.

- The Other wind  by Ursula Le Guin

12/20/2022 What are your favorite holiday-centric movies? Do you rewatch them every December?

12/27/2022 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2022? 

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: Christmas in the kitchen

Author: Nalini Singh

Narrator: Angela Dawe

Title: Christmas in the Kitchen

Series: Psy-Changeling #7.1

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Short story

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 21, 2012

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

A short story about life in the DarkRiver pack.

Review:

Wanted to read this but I had to do book 7 first! But yes, I found this randomly on Audible and how perfect for Xmas!!

This is a short and fun story about the holidays in DarkRiver. 

It was so nice seeing these folks have some downtime and enjoy their partners, family, and friends. They have had a lot of danger lately! 

The narrator did the last book. The same mini issue...some of the guy voices seemed very similar, but I enjoyed her voice overall.

Overall, fun, cute, and whimsical! Def worth the listen. It is super short, but fun for the holidays. 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #58 for Audiobook challenge

Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber

Hardback, 272 pages

Published: October 19th 2021 by Little Brown Co

Romantic fiction

Library

 This one was short, but that fit me well. It was an easy and fast read, and perfect for the season.

Lindy got dumped by her BF and her BFF. Her job is demanding, but she comes home for the holidays. She wants something real, and her mother gives her her old santa letters. How strange that all those wishes came true. Maybe they can do so again?

Her old home town is suddenly very inviting. Old friends, new friends and a sweet man that might just be the thing.

There is a tiny bit of drama since she does live elsewhere and her big break is coming up. But it all wraps together in a nice bow.

Lindy Carmichael isn't feeling particularly joyful when she returns home to Wenatchee, Washington, for Christmas. The man she thought was "the one" has cheated on her with her best friend, and she feels completely devoid of creativity in her graphic-design job. Not even carolers or Christmas cookies can cheer her up--but Lindy's mother, Ellen, remembers an old tradition that might lift her daughter's spirits.

Reading through a box of childhood letters to Santa and reminiscing about what she'd wished for as a young girl may be just the inspiration Lindy needs. With Ellen's encouragement, she decides to write a new letter to Santa, one that will encourage her to have faith and believe just as she'd done all those years ago. Little does Lindy know that this exercise in gratitude will cause her wishes to unfold before her in miraculous ways. And, thanks to some fateful twists of Christmas magic--especially an unexpected connection with a handsome former classmate--Lindy ultimately realizes that there is truly no place like home for the holidays.