Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

 

Format: 384 pages, Hardcover

Published: March 2, 2023 by Sandycove

Crime Fiction/library

I think I need to read more fiction/crime. I have been really impressed with my latest reads.

This one, well I had no idea what awaited me. It was rather disturbing and life dealt her a shitty hand. Sally has issues, so when her dad dies and he said put him out with the rubbish. She does that, and she does not exactly get why people are freaked out and the police show up.

But omg so much more, I thought ok so that is the way it will go, nope, there is more. So much more. Lots of trigger warning.

It is well written and a page turner. I had to know what was going on. And poor Sally does end up trying to hard to fit in.

More than one crime has been made as the twisty story unravels. Such a good book.

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died.

Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.

But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally's life will be thrown into chaos once again . . .

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.

7/23/2024 Book Cons: Are you attending? Would you like to attend? Which ones?

There are book cons? Where? Sadly not here, or anything worth mentioning. Like small lit fairs with local authors that I have not read nor will ever read.

There was this big fantasy con in the capital years ago, but I could not go. I am still sad about that, but I just had a baby so.  And it will never be here again so alas, no cons for me

7/30/2024 Where is your favorite place to read?

8/6/2024 What is your favorite summer treat?

8/13/2024 Do you have a musical talent? What is it? 

8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)

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: Heartstopper

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 2
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

Review: 

Awwww! I have to read more of these. The story and the art is so adorable!

We continue were we left off in V1. I guess a spoiler...but Nick and Charlie are best friends. We left off when they kissed and Nick took off. Charlie has been openly gay for a long time and Nick thought he knew himself...but after meeting Charlie...is there more to himself? 

BE WARNED! Some spoilers are ahead!!

I simply adore Charlie. He is so sweet and kind and really helped Nick. He didn't hold it against Nick for needing sometime to figure out himself. No pressure to make Nick come out. I really loved this. 

We get to see Nick try to figure out himself and his mates. He has some not nice friends (dang popular boys) to deal with. And telling his mom? He is scared. I loved how the scene with his mom was dealt with. It broke a tear to my eye. So sweet. I love his mom! I loved that WHOLE scene. 

The ending was simply adorable! I can't wait to read V3!!!

The art is adorable and fits the vibes very well. 

I'm loving this series so much. The characters are very sweet. We have a couple meanie weanies that Nick used to be slight friends with. Hopefully they can grow up. 

Giving this a 5 because I can and I will. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #16

Murder at Haven´s rock by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Haven's Rock (#1)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: December 5, 2023 by Minotaur Books

Crime/Library

I am always saying I will try one of her crime novels and I finally found one. Though to be honest I could have sworn I have seen her other series at the library and now nothing!

Anyway, dang, why did I not start this earlier? Now I need that previous series too because this was my sort of crime.

Wilderness, a mystery, people missing, bodies found. Strange people in the woods. A town being built as a refuge. Two detectives on the case.

I binged it, I binged it. Do I need to say more? Nope, binged! Case closed

Haven’s Rock, Yukon. Population: 0

Deep in the Yukon wilderness, a town is being built. A place for people to disappear, a fresh start from a life on the run. Haven’s Rock isn’t the first town of this kind, something detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, know first hand. They met in the original town of Rockton. But greed and deception led the couple to financing a new refuge for those in need. This time around, they get to decide which applicants are approved for residency.

There’s only one rule in Haven’s Rock: stay out of the forest. When two of the town's construction crew members break it and go missing, Casey and Eric are called in ahead of schedule to track them down. When a body is discovered, well hidden with evidence of foul play, Casey and Eric must find out what happened to the dead woman, and locate the still missing man. The woman stumbled upon something she wasn’t supposed to see, and the longer Casey and Eric don’t know what happened, the more danger everyone is in.

Audio: Dead country by Max Gladstone

The Craft Wars Series, Book 1

By: Max Gladstone

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Series: Craft Wars Series, Book 1

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Release date: 06-25-24 by Tantor Audio

Fantasy/to review

Ok so I have not read the previous series and I took a gamble going in. So sure, even if things got somewhat explained maybe I did not have the full scope of The craft, the good wars and such. But it was not needed as this starts in the Dead lands. We only have Tara going on, raiders coming, her saving someone and then taking her to a town filled with angry townspeople.

Then we spend time in that town and she meets people from the past. And things are going south. The whole book leads up to something that will have a big impact in the second book. I had to read the premise, I was curious.

I like the mix of tech, magic and a world that I do not know how to explain. Interesting, even if a bit slow at times. Lots of talking and thinking before the end comes along.

Good narration. I liked her different voices and it was easy following along to.

Since her village chased her out with pitchforks, Tara Abernathy has resurrected gods, pulled down monsters, averted wars, and saved a city, twice. She thought she'd left her dusty little hometown forever. But that was before her father died.

As she makes her way home to bury him, she finds a girl, as powerful and vulnerable and lost as she once was. Saving her from the raiders that haunt the area, twisted by a remnant of the God Wars, Tara changes the course of the world.

Max Gladstone's world of the Craft is a fantasy setting like no other. When Craftspeople rose up to kill the gods, they built corporate Concerns from their corpses and ushered in a world of rapacious capital. Those who work the Craft wield laws like knives and weave chains from starlight and soulstuff. Dead Country is the first book in the Craft Wars Trilogy, a tight sequence of novels that will bring the sprawling saga of the Craft to its end, and the perfect entry point for this incomparable world.

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.

7/16/2024 Stars, Letter Grades, Nothing...how do you rate books?

I choose not to rate on my blog, because we all see grades or numbers differently. Like I give a 3 and people say how sorry they are that I did not like the book. No, no it did not mean that, it meant it was a good book, not great mind you, certainly not amazing (almost nothing is amazing). I will def read the author again and maybe more in that series. Or like when this author attacked me cos I had DARED to give her book a 3. Well F U, I will certainly NOT read your books again and I gave it a 1 instead.

So yup no grades. On Amazon for example a 4 equals a 3 on GR and well the system sucks. Booo numbers, just read the review instead

7/23/2024 Book Cons: Are you attending? Would you like to attend? Which ones?

7/30/2024 Where is your favorite place to read?

8/6/2024 What is your favorite summer treat?

8/13/2024 Do you have a musical talent? What is it? 

8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)

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: Anxious people

 

Author: Fredrik Backman

Narrator: Marin Ireland

Title: Anxious People

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: April 25, 2019

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Looking at real estate isn't usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can't fix up their own marriage. There's a wealthy banker who has been too busy making money to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can't seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment's only bathroom, and you've got the worst group of hostages in the world.

Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in a motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Humorous, compassionate, and wise, Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope—the things that save us, even in the most anxious of times.

Review:

This was selected for book club and it was new to me. Sounds like something I would be entertained by so I was extra excited. 

Here we find ourselves with a huge cast of characters. These people are being held hostage by a bank robber is not at all good at being a bank robber. The captives include a recently retired couple who are avoiding their issues, a wealthy banker who is having regrets, a young couple about to become parents, an 87 year-old lonely lady, a nervous real estate agent, and a mystery man who locked himself in the bathroom. They all have a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, anxiety, and wanting to be rescued from their lives. As the authorities and media surround the premises these allies will set in a motion a chain of events that can change all of their lives. 

This, just like it's characters, was everywhere. We get to learn about all of these characters and their ties. Even two of the main cops on the scene who are father and son.

There is sadness and humor here. Sometimes the humor was sprinkled on a BIT too much for the situation at hand, but it was nice having the humor because life is like that. There is humor even amongst the sadness. However.....there were times I felt awkward because it was a bit too much. 

Everyone here is an idiot, lovable, but an idiot. It was a bit much at times and YES I get why. 

I really, really enjoyed it even with the idiots and the over-sprinkled humor parts. So many amazing life lessons here. This is a people story overall and I really did enjoy it. I'm curious about the TV show. I'm sure I'll watch it now that enjoyed the book. 

Now, I did end up doing the audiobook. Originally I was going to read the ebook, but something made me click audio instead. The narrator was fantastic. Her array of voices was nice and it felt like the majority of everyone had their own voice. A couple sounded similar, but overall, wonderful performance. 

This is for sure a must-read if you like a good people story with a cast of characters. There is a lot of lessons and some humor mixed in. 

I'll stamp this with 4 stars. As I mentioned....sometimes the humor was a touch heavy in parts. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Witty

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #29

Love on the brain by Ali Hazelwood

Format: 354 pages, Paperback

Published: August 23, 2022 by Berkley Books

Contemporary romance/own

I am conflicted. It was good and all that. But it never managed to surprise me. It was the same story that I had already read in her other book. I saw the baddie coming a mile away. Like hello!

It was light and she hated with a passion and thought he did the same. I so did not get the whole, oh nope he did not. It would have kind of been better if he did.

See, I am only complaining. It´s just that people really like her books, and I really want to say it is amazing too, and not just good. Oh and to those people that says it is steamy, omg, LOL, it is not.

Pick the Love hypothesis instead, it has the same story, just better. I do not think I will read another stem romance since the concept seems to be the same in all of them

Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project--a literal dream come true after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia--Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school--archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it's her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas...devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

Audio: Earl Crazy by Anna Bradley

Games Earls Play, Book 4

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Release date: 06-25-24

Historical romance /to review

I seem to have missed two books in the middle. And no it does not matter since this is historical romance. But it seems Mathilda´s sisters fell for two earls before this one. England must be all out of earls soon.

Mathilda is having a London season with her good friend. But there is this annoying earl next door that keeps getting in her way.

Three of her sisters matched with Earls, but Mathilda is not after a husband. Of course the Earl of Prestwick is really intriguing, and he feels the same.

This one was actually rather short, and it worked really well. They met, they annoyed each other, there was some drama, they realised they needed each other and lived happily ever after. What more to ask for.

Good narration. Well spoken different voices and a good pace to things.

Christopher Egan, heir to the notorious Prestwick Earldom, is one of London’s most scandalous rakes. He’s never credited the gossips’ claim that fate cast an ancient curse on every successive Earl of Prestwick as punishment for their wickedness, but once he inherits the earldom after his infamous uncle’s untimely demise, it looks as if he may be the next to lose his head. Determined to cheat the curse and avoid his ancestors’ grisly fate, Kit abandons his life of merry debauchery and embarks on a London season to wed the lady he’s long been promised to.

Mathilda Templeton has a knack for causing scandal. Wherever she goes, it follows on her heels. London is the last place such a provocative lady should dare set foot, but when her shy friend Harriett is sent to London for a season, Tilly is determined to protect Harriett from all the scoundrels salivating over her impressive dowry. All she has to do is find her friend a proper match without falling prey to another scandal.

When the scandalous Earl of Prestwick makes a play for Harriett’s hand, Tilly vows to do whatever she must to stop him. But when the battle of wills between them leads to a stolen kiss, Tilly fears she may have fallen in love with London’s most charming scoundrel.

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.

7/9/2024 Have you kept any hobbies that you started during the pandemic?

Honestly, sure I noticed there was a pandemic, but nothing changed for me. I still went to work, SO still went to work, kid still went to daycare. It did change for lots of people, but not enough for me to take up a hobby. I mean I mostly stay at home anyway, or go outside where there are not that many people .

7/16/2024 Stars, Letter Grades, Nothing...how do you rate books?

7/23/2024 Book Cons: Are you attending? Would you like to attend? Which ones?

7/30/2024 Where is your favorite place to read?

8/6/2024 What is your favorite summer treat?

8/13/2024 Do you have a musical talent? What is it? 

8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)

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: Play of passion

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Play of Passion

Series: Psy-Changeling #9

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, UF, SciFi

Format: ebook

Pages: 321

Published: November 2, 2010

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite . . . and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn't easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash . . . but she hasn't counted on Drew's will.

Now, two of SnowDancer's most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home.

Review:

I was going to take a break from the series but then I realized this was going to be a changeling/changeling romance. We've had a lot of Psy woman being the stars so this was a nice switch-up. However, do not skip to this...you need to read the other books to fully grasp these characters and world situations. 

Here we follow Drew and Indigo. Drew is the tracker for the SnowDancer pack. It's up to Drew to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves. Indigo is a lieutenant of the pack. She doesn't easily allow people to get close to her and skin privileges? That is rare thing. They both want each other but they are the most stubborn wolves in the pack. At the same time they are playing games with each other, there is a lethal danger around the corner. 

This was a nice change-up (as I mentioned) with two changelings. I adored Drew and Indigo. So full of lust and love for each other, but so dang stubborn!!! It takes a lot for them to fully admit they love each other. It was worth it for sure. HOWEVER, Indigo did get a hair too "I'm a tough woman! You are dumb male! Grrrr." Chill lady. Drew is a dang sweetie!!!!

Outside of the romance, the Psy world is really crumbling and the tension is building and building. I was hoping to see more conflicts happen here...the build-up is crazy.....but it took forever for any sort of shoe to fall. Hopefully the next book something BIG happens. It's coming and I'm over here anxious. Don't get me wrong, some things happened at the end....but we are waiting for more. 

All-in-all, I really did enjoy this. It was a nice fresh breathe of air. It took a while for things to happen in the romance part and the story part, but I enjoyed the build-up. I'm super curious to see what is going to happen next. I may have to move that book up on my TR list. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Tension-filled 

2024 Audiobook challenge mid-year check-in

 

My goal this year is 50 since my reading has declined and that means 21 more to go :)

1. Earl Crazy by Anna Bradley

2. Storming the castle by Eloisa James

3. A lady´s guide to scandal by Sophie Irwin

4. Even better than the real thing by Melanie Summers

5. Mr Darcy´s matchmaker by Summer Hanford

6.There is something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

7. A lady´s guide to fortune hunting by Sophie Irwin

8. Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

9. Only and forever by Chloe Liese

10. SOmeone you can build a nest in by John Wishwell

11. Sing a song of sixpence by Agatha Christie

12.The backup bride proposal by Jaci Burton

13. Triangle at Rhodes by Agatha Christie

14.Only this beautiful moment by Abdi Nazemian

15. Christmas and other horrors by Ellen Datlow

16.damned if I Duke by Anna Bradley

17. Happier than we deserve by Melissa Halcomb

18. Tastes like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

19. The heart principle by Helen Hoang

20.Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani

21.Murder in the mews by Agatha Christie

22. Dating the Duke by Anna Hart

23. Reaping demons by Eve Langlais

24. System Collapse by Martha Wells

25. Fugitive telemetry by Martha Wells

26. The ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

27. Wicked and the wallflower by Sarah Mclean

28. Four day fling by Emma Hart

29. The silence between us by Alison gervais

A house with good bones by T.Kingfisher

Format; 320 pages, Paperback

Published: April 1, 2023 by Titan Books

Fiction Horror /library

This was a well written story, and it is hard to write about it without spoiling the whole thing.

Sam goes to visit her mother. A weird house. Vultures watching it. Beautiful roses. Strange things happening.

Something is going on. Is her mother losing her mind? Is something wrong with the garden?

Dang, honestly I just do not have the words to write a review today. The atmosphere in the book was amazing. When I got into it I did not want to put it down.

I had no idea what to expect and I liked what I got.

"Mom seems off."

Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

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.

7/2/2024 Who’s your favorite celebrity (alive and/or dead)?

That would be no one. I honestly can not say any celebrity that is a fav. And if you do have one then there is some shit that comes out and you are all disappointed.

As for dead ones, yeah no. Maybe like when I was young I had favs, but that was probably cos they were hot.

7/9/2024 Have you kept any hobbies that you started during the pandemic?

7/16/2024 Stars, Letter Grades, Nothing...how do you rate books?

7/23/2024 Book Cons: Are you attending? Would you like to attend? Which ones?

7/30/2024 Where is your favorite place to read?

8/6/2024 What is your favorite summer treat?

8/13/2024 Do you have a musical talent? What is it? 

8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)

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.

Best of June

 

Happy July! Here are our bests from June. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd -  A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

"Something different. Great feel to it."

Carole - Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs     

"Def the best book of June. So good!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Victoria & Abdul (2017)

"Such a good movie. All the feels. "

Blodeuedd - An American in Austen (2024)

"I finally managed to watch a movie. Funny."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - That 90's Show (s2)

"Watched this over the weekend."

Carole - Band of Brothers

"Showed up on Netflix and it's been years since I've watched it so why not! So freakin' good!"

Best Cover of the Month:

Blodeuedd's Fave

Carole's Fave

Audio: Storming the castle

By: Eloisa James

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Series: Fairy Tales, Book 3.1

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins

Release date: 12-21-10

Historical romance /bookbeat.fi

I needed something short, because I once again tried our audiobook service, and what to do when you have 5 hours left? Must be short.

It starts rather weird after Philippa has done it with her fiancé and decides he is icky and runs away. She finds work at a castle as a nursemaid. And falls in love with the butler...who is the bastard sibling of a prince. Yeah I have no idea what happened in book 1. I guess a prince fell in love and now they had a baby. And this short story is about his brother.

And then they lived happily ever after. Short and nice

Good narration.

Featuring the handsome and mysterious Wick from A Kiss At Midnight. What Miss Phillipa Damson needs is a good, old fashioned knight in shining armor. What she has is a fiancé she never wanted and a compelling urge to run away. But if she manages to escape, will she find her happily ever after?

Audio: A lady´s guide to scandal by Sophie Irwin

By: Sophie Irwin

Narrated by: Imogen Church

Series: A Lady's Guide, Book 2

Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins

Release date: 07-11-23 by Penguin Audio

Historical romance/ From Bookbeat.fi

I did not write this review at once and now when I have thought about it...well it was just ok. I had too many issues.

Eliza is finally free from her marriage and she gets a sweet allowance and decides to live her life for once. Her old fling shows up, the guy she wanted to marry but her parents pushed her to marry his uncle. Ugh, tragic and it truly shows what a pushover she was.

I was all rooting for their romance as it blossomed again.

But it was rather dull at times, and I drifted.

Then there is this famous author that shows up. A true rake. And then things got weird. When did she fall for him? It felt like at the end the book suddenly decided to f it and just changed lanes.

Confusing shift. I really liked book 1, but this one not as much.

Nothing wrong with the narration though

When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season--no matter that he was not the husband Eliza would have chosen.

But ten years later, Eliza is widowed. And at eight and twenty years, she is suddenly left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future. Instead of living out her mourning quietly, Eliza heads to Bath with her cousin Margaret. After years of living according to everyone else’s rules, Eliza has resolved, at last, to do as she wants.

But when the ripples of the dowager Lady Somerset’s behavior reach the new Lord Somerset—whom Eliza knew, once, as a younger woman—Eliza is forced to confront the fact that freedom does not come without consequences, though it also brings unexpected opportunities . . .

TMST

 

 

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6/25/2024 Mid-Year Check-In: What books have you loved so far in 2024?

I have read fewer books than usual, but I still have come across some real gems!

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.

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Carole´s Monday: Winter Lost

 

Author: Patricia Briggs

Narrator: Lorelei King

Title: Winter Lost

Series: Mercy Thompson #14

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: June 18, 2024

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

In the supernatural realms, there are creatures who belong to winter. I am not one of them. But like the coyote I can become at will, I am adaptable.

My name is Mercy Thompson Hauptman, and my mate, Adam, is the werewolf who leads the Columbia Basin Pack, the pack charged with keeping the people who live and work in the Tri-Cities of Washington State safe. It’s a hard job, and it doesn’t leave much room for side quests. Which is why when I needed to travel to Montana to help my brother, I intended to go by myself.

But I’m not alone anymore.

Together, Adam and I find ourselves trapped with strangers in a lodge in the heart of the wilderness, in the teeth of a storm of legendary power, only to discover my brother’s issues are a tiny part of a problem much bigger than we could have imagined. Arcane and ancient magics are at work that could, unless we are very careful, bring about the end of the world. . . .

Review:

Literally pre-ordered this bad boy because after the last book I HAD to read the next one!!! Plus...that cover? Def a contender for Cover of the Year. 

So we continue with Mercy's story. Her and her mate, Adam, are called to head to a lodge in the wilderness to figure out what is wrong with Mercy's brother. They soon discover that his issue is just a tiny part of the problem. Arcane and ancient magics are at work and if things are not solved....it could bring about the end of the world. 

Can I just say.....I LOVED this story. Honestly....it might've ended up in my top 3 of the series. It was so good and I didn't want to stop listening. Yes, yes, I did the narrator because I literally couldn't resist. The narrator really makes the story even better. 

Poor Mercy is dealing with the endings of the last book and Adam feels helpless. Ugh, I just feel so bad for Mercy. She needs to talk to a therapist. The poor girl has been through so much in the last few books. She def has some stuff to work through. 

I loved all the interludes. They were fun and added a little something extra-extra to the story. We got to see POVs we never see. Loved it!

The ending was good but you just know there is a storm heading for them all. AKA Bonarata is looming over all. Honestly? I can't wait for them to be rid of that a-hole. He's a problem. 

I don't want to giveaway any spoilers, but I truly enjoyed this. So much freakin' fun. 

5 stars from me

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Chilling

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #27