Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

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.

2/28/2023 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May)

Ack, this one, as always.....no freaking idea. Maybe a new Briggs is coming out? They are usually out in the spring

3/7/2023 Travel: are you getting out? Where have you been?

3/14/2023 How do you measure blogging success? Followers, page views, interactions, etc.

3/21/2023 Tell us about some famous author from your city/state/country

3/28/2023 What is your ideal book/audiobook length?

4/4/2023 What are some of your favourite indie/small pub authors/books?

4/11/2023 How long do you stick with a series you loved, if you start not enjoying the books?

4/18/2023 What were your expectations when you started blogging?

4/25/2023 If you could go back and change one thing about your life, what would it be?

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.

Monday, 27 February 2023

Carole´s Monday: Persuasion

Title:
Persuasion

Length: 1h 33m

Released: 2007

Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: Not rated (maybe a PG?)
Where I Got It: My shelf (DVD)

SUMMARY:

Anne was in love with Frederick, who was rejected by her snobby parents 8 years ago. They've now hit hard times and rent out their mansion to his brother-in-law. He returns a Royal Navy captain. Will he remember Anne?

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

I haven't watched this in quite some time and it felt perfect to end the month of love with!

Anne was in love with Frederick years ago, but she was convinced to leave him since he was a nobody and had no money. Years later, her family has hit hard times and has to rent out their home. The new tenants are related to Frederick. He returns but now as a Royal Navy captain. She still loves him, but would he even remember her after all this time?

Love, love, love this movie. The best rendition of the book yet! The cast is perfect and the writing is lovely. It really does follow the book pretty well. Like always they make artistic changes, but they did a great job honoring the book and the characters.

This Wentworth is swoon-worthy. Love him.

But yes, watch this version if you can. I can watch this a million times and never tire of it.

5 stars of course.

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Audio: I want you do want me by Shana Galen

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors Book 12

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Release date: 02-28-23

Historical romance /to review

Book 12 in the Survivors series and now all survivors are counted for, and have found love. It makes me wonder how many Galen books I have read. Quite a few

Nicholas came home after his horse crushed his leg. He become sort of a recluse and now his mother wants him to marry. He would rather be out in the stable lamenting his loss.

Amelia has spent her whole life caring for other people, and sure maybe she took a bit of a walk on the wild site the last year, but who could blame her.

Things happen, and that leads to them marrying in haste. She fancies him, he pulls away. Why would she ever care for someone like him.

Old friends, and them finally getting their feelings straight.

Sweet, hopeful, and fun to meet all those that have come before. Oh and I hope that his sister gets a book

Good narration. I am quite used to this narrator by now and it works well

Nicholas St. Clare, youngest son of the Marquess of Averstow, was an avid horseman until his legs were crushed on the battlefield. Ashamed of his injury, he's become a virtual recluse on his country estate until his mother, the dowager marchioness, insists he marry. He hates his weakness and doesn't believe anyone can see past it.

Amelia Blackstock has always followed her family motto: A Blackstock doesn't run from trouble. It runs from us. Unfortunately, trouble caught up with her, and when the world finds out, she'll be ruined. When Lord Nicholas stumbles upon her sobbing, he tries to comfort her. His kindness backfires when they are discovered alone together, and Amelia faces even more scandal. Nicholas offers to marry her, but only if she'll agree to a separate bed chambers.

Amelia concedes to a platonic marriage, but as her feelings for Lord Nicholas grow, she wants more. Nicholas is drawn to Amelia as well, but he fears risking it all by revealing the ugly truth of his injury. Nicholas is the last of the Survivors. Will he be the only one without a happily ever after?

Thursday, 23 February 2023

Second bride down - Ginny Bird

By: Ginny Baird

Narrated by: Rachel Leblang

Series: Majestic Maine, Book 2

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Release date: 02-28-23

Contemporary romance / to review

This family has issues. The dad was screwed by a business partner. When the partner died the moms got together and made a plan for their kids to marry. No one asked the kids. The daughters made a bet to marry so they did not have to marry that guy. In the first book one sister married (it feels like a very US thing to marry fast).

In this one Misty decides that she should take the bullet. Marry a guy for 5 years and save her family´s coffee place (maybe that place should just go under). But then she decides to be in a pretend relationship instead and we all know how those turn out. The guy, Luke has liked her for years. They pretend to go on dates and do all sorts of things.

And fall madly in love and live happily ever after. They had known each other for years, so taking that leap was plausible.

Cute romance with all happiness.

I liked the narrator, but one of the sister´s voice sounded so complaining. Not someone I would like to be friends with. I would rather have had them all sounds like then

Aspiring artist Misty Delaney is not about to let her parents' beloved cafe go under. Not when she can just merge the company by entering a quick marriage of convenience with the rich son of their family's rival. But her sisters aren't having it. To make sure Misty gives finding love a chance, they post a "Marry me: Misty!" billboard outside town.

Watching Misty field marriage proposals from strangers, that she clearly doesn't want, is a big cup of nope for cafe manager Lucas Reyes. He and Misty have been friends for years, but it's time he step up and make his romantic feelings for her known. And what better way to start than by sending her unwanted suitors packing with an announcement that she's already in a relationship. With him.

Lucas's little stunt buys an extremely grateful Misty one week to come up with a solution that saves the cafe and keeps her sisters happy. A week during which she and Lucas need to act like they're in love. Except, between late-night stargazing, crashed mopeds, and dancing in the rain, their pretend romance feels almost . . . perfect. But it's one thing to start falling. It's another entirely to turn one week into forever . . .

Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Audio: Accidentally famous

Narrated by: Summer Morton

Series: Hideaway Harbor, Book 2

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Release date: 02-23-23

Contemporary romance /to review

A cute story that would make a cute movie too. I am thinking netflix.

Cassidy is a normal woman working hard and loving her job. Then something happens and suddenly she has paparazzi hounding her. What happened?!

Jack Winston´s assistant happened. One wrong tag and suddenly everyone things Cassidy is dating Jack.

Drama ensues, and Jack comes up with a plan of fake dating. He needs some PR, and maybe it could work for them both. And obvi they are perfect for each other and fall in love

It was a sweet story, them falling in love, some drama of how can they be? They are from different worlds.

Good narration that made it work well. She made it flow well and had good voices for all. It was pleasant listening too

Jack Winston may be Hollywood’s biggest action hero, but he’s seriously burned out. He can’t even save himself from his PR team’s latest scheme: dating a starlet. But when his assistant accidentally tags Cassidy James from Blink, Maine (wherever that is) on social media, the paparazzi decide that she’s Jack’s latest fling. Now Jack needs to do some serious damage control…starting with the adorable home reno pro in paint-splattered overalls.

Cassidy is not prepared when the Jack Winston shows up in her quiet little town—and whew, he is that gorgeous in person. Before she can pick her jaw up off the floor, his PR team is bombarding them with a whole new plan involving “fake girlfriend,” “optics,” and “sign this NDA” (whatever that is). But no one warned her that Mr. A-List Action Star is hot, funny as all get out, and loves old houses as much as she does.

Now they have two weeks to convince everyone they’re in a fake relationship—two weeks that will drive Cassidy’s reno business through the roof and help Jack reclaim his “spark.” The plan is going fine, dare she say, perfectly...until she discovers something that will change everything.

Tuesday, 21 February 2023

TMST

2/21/2023 Time for a pet update! Tell us about yours.

This is Lucifer, my international friends knows him as Luci, my rl friends and family knows him as Lusse. He will turn 10 in May.

He likes to climb trees

He likes to take walks in the woods with me (good for pooping and sniffing around)

He is both angel and demon

He loves cuddles and spending time together

2/28/2023 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May)

Monday, 20 February 2023

Carole´s Monday: That night in Vegas

Author: Juliet Jake

Title: That Night in Vegas

Series: What Stays in Vegas #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short stories

Format: ebook

Pages: 92

Published: February 2, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary:

I was a jilted bride.

Left at the altar at an Elvis Wedding Chapel in Vegas.

He was tall, dark and smoking hot.

He gave me a sizzling wedding night to remember.

But after sneaking out the next morning, I realized why he seemed so familiar.

He’s a freakin' rock star.

Review:

That cover is so freakin' cute! Plus a jilted bride and a hawt rock star? Count me in!

Here we follow Ray and Tyler. Ray is jilted by a terrible man so she is finally free. Tyler is a rock star but he misses being a normal guy. They meet and have a night they'll never forget. After Ray sneaks out the next morning she realizes who he was and the world thinks they are married....

This was a lot of fun. I loved them both. I am so glad Ray was jilted. Her ex was a scumbag!!!! Toxic jerk.

Tyler just wants to be a normal guy again. He loves music, but being a rock star is rough so it was refreshing to not be recognized by Ray.

Lots and lots of talking and hanging out. Having fun! And then some smexy times. It was insta-lust and insta-love, but they are smart about it. They know they have some personal and life issues before they can find their HEA.

Very cute and short and sweet.

I hope to get book 2 soon! There is still some stuff they will need to work out.

4 stars from me.

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Series: The Others (Bishop), Book 5

Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins

Release date: 03-07-17

Urban fantasy/own

Re-listen

This one is so frustrating. Not so much about Meg.

A bad human is let into the courtyard, the Elders will decide the fate of humankind. But omg just eat that mofo. EAT HIM!!!!!!

Bad things happen. EAT THEM ALL

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Flamebringer

Series: Heartstone (#3)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published; November 12, 2019 by Harper Voyager

Fantasy/own

I liked book 1, but with this one. I felt sort of confused at times, and I felt myself not caring. It sort of dragged and then it all finished really fast.

I do not even want to talk a lot. It was boring. Glad it ended... on a sour note but still, the end.

It starts with the inconceivable: Wydrick, sworn enemy of the Daireds, is back from the dead, possessed by a ghast that grants him immortality and inhuman strength. From the isolated northern mountains, Aliza, Alastair, and Akarra chase him into the dangerous Old Wilds, realizing too late that he's led them into a blizzard. Before he vanishes, Wydrick utters a warning: A terrible, ancient evil has awoken, hungry for blood, and is headed their way.

The danger is closer than they know. The Tekari--sworn enemies of humans--are openly roaming the kingdom and are headed towards the capital, Edonarle. Then unexpected news arrives: riding like a dark dragon on the winds from the south, an ambassador from the Silent King of Els, has left the shores of the distant desert kingdom for the first time in centuries.

Unknown enemy? Or unexpected ally? Plunged into a dangerous world of royal intrigue and ancient grudges, Aliza and Alastair soon realize it will take more than steel and dragonfire to save their kingdom. For the silence of Els hides a secret that could shake House Daired to its foundations, and the time has come to settle accounts.

Silence, it seems, is about to be broken.

Tuesday, 14 February 2023

TMST

2/14/2023 Share some books covers you love!

I like cool fantasy covers!

Urban fantasy were Always winners

And beautiful historical fiction ones

2/21/2023 Time for a pet update! Tell us about yours.

2/28/2023 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May)

Monday, 13 February 2023

Carole´s Monday: Better than a box of chocolate

Author: Emily March

Narrator: Andi Arndt & Jason Clarke

Title: Better than a Box of Chocolates

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story, Novella, Chick Lit

Format: Audiobook

Published: February 3, 2022

Where I got It: Audible

Summary:

Valentine’s Day has always meant trouble for wedding photographer Ali Lovejoy. All her worst romantic disasters have happened on V-Day, so she’s made a habit of hiding out at home in her pj’s until it’s over. But when her best friend begs her do an engagement photoshoot on the dreaded holiday, Ali reluctantly agrees and travels to the quaint Colorado mountain town of Eternity Springs to help her bestie.

While scouting romantic locations for the shoot, Ali is stunned to encounter a naked man skinny dipping in the hot springs. After the most awkward meeting of her life, she eventually agrees to a Valentine’s date with the sinfully delicious stranger. Is she destined for a fresh new disaster - or will she finally find real love?

Review:

Randomly saw this in Audible and had to check it out esp since it is the season of luuuurrrve.

Ali Lovejoy hates Valentine's Day because it always meant trouble for her. She has made a habit of hiding out at home in her pjs until it is over. When her BFF begs her to do an engagement photoshoot on the big V Day...she has to say yes. While scouting romantic locations in the quaint Colorado town, she stumbles upon a naked man skinny dipping in the hot springs. After the most awkward meeting of her life, she eventually agrees to Valentine's date with the stranger.

This was an adorable novella! Two folks who hate V Day come together and have an ironic date on the big day....and of course they fall in love. Very cute. Not a crazy amount of drama and angst which was nice. They talk a lot and they don't jump each other's bones within a page or two. Very sweet and there was some comedy too.

I did find it a little ridiculous how okay Ali was after being told by his grandma that they were soulmates and would marry by next V Day. I feel that should have freaked her out more. She was a tiny bit but not enough to be realistic. She hadn't even had a date with him yet!!

Honestly, I think it would have been even better as a full-length novel. I would've loved to spend more time with them. And honestly...learn more about the town. It is small and he has a big family. His grandma can tell the future....how fun is that??? I would've liked to see the rest of his cousins/sibs fall in love too. What a missed opportunity! This could've been a fun family series.

For the narration, we had two different ones. One for Ali's and one for Max. They worked nicely together. I've heard both before so it was a nice surprise to hear them again.

In the end, this was very sweet, funny, short, and slightly unrealistic This is the perfect V Day read to listen to while you eat some chocolate. The characters and town deserve a series and longer novels. Maybe someday? I'll give this 3 stars.

Challenge(s):

- #10 for Audiobook challenge

Friday, 10 February 2023

Audio: Marked in flesh

A Novel of the Others, Book 4

By: Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins

Release date: 03-08-16

Urban fantasy /own

Relisten for the win. Fantastic narration

I knew it was coming, I tried to brace myself, but I cried so much!!!!!! This one always breaks my heart

I could not put it down. It is just so amazing. If you have not started it yet then you really should

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

Thursday, 9 February 2023

Audio: Vision in silver

By: Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Series: The Others (Bishop), Book 3

Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins

Release date: 03-03-15

Urban fantasy/own

This is the year of re-listening to Anne Bishop.

Omg this one is SO amazing!!!

Gods, the stupid monkeys never learn!!!!!

Wipe them out, wipe them out!

Narration: Alexandra Harris is the best!

The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before—both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep…

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Audio: From rags to kisses

The Survivors Series, Book 11

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors, Book 11

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Release date: 02-07-23

Historical romance /to review

Jenny was a street urchin who meets a boy and decides to help him. She and Aidan becomes best friends and steals, and survives together.

But then thing changed, his family reached out and he left her there. I get why she was mad, but I also do not get it. Because he wanted to see that she was safe, but she decided no, so can´t really blame him then!

Fast forward many many years. Aidan was sent to war, he came home and got rich. And Jenny found a viscount and got engaged. I did wonder about that, a lot! Like how does a poor nobody get a viscount!? But you have to read and find out.

Of course Aidan and Jenny are meant to be. They meet again. They resist the urge to fall madly in love again. But true love always win.

And do not worry about the Viscount. No funny business going on.

I have read 11 of these now! Almost out of survivors now.

Good narration.. She is always a joy listening to

When young Jenny Tate stumbles over the beaten body of a boy in the streets of the London slums, her only intention is to rifle through his pockets. But the bruised lad charms her into helping him, and the next thing she knows, Aidan Sterling and she are fast friends, navigating life on the streets. Jenny has learned never to trust or love anyone, but they learn to rely on other. And then Aidan betrays her in the worst way possible.

Aidan Sterling is one of the richest men in England. He has everything he wants and no one to share it with. After risking his life in the army, he returned to England and made a fortune. Now he keeps his loneliness at bay by focusing on what he's good at-making money. And then Jenny Tate steps unexpectedly back into his life. He's never forgotten her and never stopped loving her. Jenny hasn't forgotten him either, and she hasn't forgiven him. She's betrothed to a viscount and has a new life and wants nothing to do with Aidan. But the discovery of an ancient trunk, a hunt for a street urchin, and the interference of homing pigeons might just be enough to bring these two back together.

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

TMST

2/7/2023 Would you read a book by your favourite author if it isn't in a genre you normally enjoy?

If I love that author then sure! Though to be honest I really haven¨t cos no one has taken the plunge. But if Ilona Andrews decided to write a medical thriller, then sure I will give it a go

Also hell no. Carole asked me this when I said that my latest book confuses me, but with the speed I read print these days it would take me 2 months to re read the two before and well f that.

2/14/2023 Share some books covers you love!

2/21/2023 Time for a pet update! Tell us about yours.

2/28/2023 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Spring? (March-May)

Monday, 6 February 2023

Carole´s Monday: Daughters of Rome

Author: Kate Quinn

Title: Daughters of Rome

Series: The Empress of Rome #1

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 385

Published: April 1, 2011

Where I Got It: My shelf (Won in a giveaway)

Summary:

A.D. 69. Nero is dead.

The Roman Empire is up for the taking. With bloodshed spilling out of the palace and into the streets of Rome, chaos has become the status quo. The Year of Four Emperors will change everything—especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome….

Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister, Marcella, is more withdrawn, content to witness history rather than make it. Even so, Marcella has her share of distinguished suitors, from a cutthroat contender for the throne to a politician’s son who swears that someday he will be Emperor.

But when a bloody coup turns their world upside down, Cornelia and Marcella—along with their cousins, one a collector of husbands and lovers, the other a horse-mad beauty with no interest in romance—must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor … and one Empress.

Review:

First, read this in 2014. Different sources say this is book 1 but some others say it is book 2. I guess it depends on how you look at it. It technically takes place before book 2. However, the book was published second. I picked this for my re-read in Book Club (every three months we all pick a re-read to make the others read - keeps it fresh). I decided on this one first instead of 'Mistress of Rome' because there are some spoilers about people's fate in book 2. I want to pick 'Mistress of Rome' when it is re-read time again (if they all liked it - the jury is still out since we don't meet for a while).

So....Rome is falling apart from the inside out. We follow Marcella, Cornelia, and two of their cousins as they navigate this fragile world. Emperors are falling by the wayside. Even in peace...things are rocky and anyone can betray anyone. It is a cutthroat time.

So much chaos!!!! I forgot how crazy things get throughout this year! I can't imagine being in their shoes. Even the peaceful times are so tension-y.

Back when I first read this I liked Cornelia and Marcella more by the end (even though Marcella made some bad decisions but damn was she dynamic and so complex!!)...this time? I think I liked Lollia more! She was much more complex and layered than I gave her credit for like everyone else. Sure she is air-headed and whatnot but I truly appreciated her more.

This was good. Very good! I want to read book 2 again asap.

In the end, this was such a good book. Loved it then. Love it now. Chaotic and has a cast of interesting characters. It is a story you can't put down! 5 stars.

Friday, 3 February 2023

Best of January

New year! New trophy design! Hopefully, you all like it.

Here are our bests of January.

Best Movie of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Strange World (2022)

"Movies are meh these days, but I watched Strange world in one of our many must stay home with sick kid days."

Carole - Amber - The Girl Behind the Alert (2023)

"This is a documentary everyone should watch."

Best Book of the Month:

Carole - The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion

"This was intriguing, makes you feel, thriller-ish, mysterious....and just a good story."

Blodeuedd - Written in Red by Anne Bishop

"January has been a terrible reading month. I am already behind on my GR challenge! But best book would be Written in red by Anne Bishop. I am re-listening and I love all equally."