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.

5/13/2025 Share some book covers you love from the past year.

You know what, I checked my books from 2025, and this one is the only one I truly adore :)

5/20/2025 Do you have a fitness routine or exercise you enjoy?

5/27/2025 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

6/3/2025 Paper, electronic, audio... How do you read? Has it changed in recent years?

6/10/2025 New to me authors: who have you discovered in the past 12 months?

6/17/2025 How do you choose what to read next?

6/24/2025 Do you have any travel or staycation plans for the summer?

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. Love, rebooted

Author: Kathy Summers

Narrator: Emily Atack & Stuart Martin

Title: Love, Rebooted

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 20, 2025

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

FRIENDS. RIVALS. LOVERS. Liv’s happy with life in her thirties. She has two cats, one BFF, and no boyfriend, which is just how she likes it. Plus, she loves working at a not-for-profit software company where she can be her authentically autistic self. This is her happy ever after.

But when her beloved firm merges with a repulsive rival, Liv finds herself competing with her sort-of-ex for the top job. Sure, Finn had been Liv’s best friend at university, with his nerdy good looks and their shared love of Tolkien, but there was that one night, their song, and … well, she doesn’t like to talk about it. In fact, she hasn’t thought about him since.

Unlike Finn who is delighted to have Liv back in his life. Could this finally be his chance to rescue their friendship after all these years? But he knows it’s only a matter of time until he wins the job and Liv gets laid off. He hates everything about it, but he’s a single dad with a daughter to support, so losing isn’t an option – not even to his soulmate.

But in the close proximity of a cut-throat corporate world, Finn finds himself falling first and soon his priority becomes breaking down Liv’s barriers. As the pair struggle to keep their professional and personal lives separate, Liv starts to think maybe Finn’s suggestion of a friendship reboot isn’t such a bad idea after all… And as for that funny feeling inside… no, that’s nothing. Nothing at all…

Review:

This sounded like a cute second chance story. Plus that cover is adorable!

Here we follow Liv and Finn. The two were university besties, but after an awkward evening....they stop talking. Years later Liv believes her life is perfect but that comes crashing down when her job merges with another company. She finds herself competing with her sort-of-ex and best friend for the same job. Finn, on the other hand, is delighted to have Liv back in his life so that he can finally save their friendship and maybe have more if she's willing. They are forced to work together through this merger and maybe find something more than just being close proximity co-workers. 

This was so refreshing!! Interesting characters and an interesting situation. They were friends but acted like BF/GF in school. After an awkward kiss and misunderstanding in a message...they fell apart. It was cute seeing their remeet-cute moment. Finn is determined to at least be friends again. Sure he wants more, but he'll take what he can. They are two peas in a pod and his life hasn't been the same without her. She wants more too, but she likes her life the way it is....plus she doesn't like messy and complicated relationships.

The two of them were so charming and entertaining. I loved watching them muddle their way through getting over the past, working through work stuff, working for something more. All the while being nerdy and geeky. The shared love of LOTR was adorable. 

There were SO many layers to this romance that I was worried it would be too much, but it all felt....natural and real. Life is muddy and complex. 

The narrators were so charming and I loved their voices. 

All-in-all, I highly enjoyed this one. I loved how muddy and complex everything was. It took forever for them to find their HEA, but it was well deserved. 

5 stars from me. 

- Favorite Character(s): Finn and Liv

- Least Favorite Character(s): Finn's boss

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #20

Audio: Still hung up on you

Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Luci Christian Bell

Release date: 09-14-23

Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance

I am trying audible and this was my first pick. Totally random and chosen cos it was short. Also!! If anyone know any good audible only ones then do tell me :D

Ethan and Hannah broke up 15 years ago. Suddenly she calls him up because she is looking for a sweater she lost 15 years ago...and so it continues, almost everything done via phone calls. It worked really well actually. They fall for each other again and they do not even know what the other one looks like now.

But yes that is it, she needs that sweater. They call each other all the time and then they live happily ever after.

Fun and short

Two narrators and it works so well as it goes back and forth.

Hannah Gold never thought she’d speak to Ethan Reisner ever again. Getting dumped in high school will do that to you. But when she needs to find a beloved sweater in time for her parents’ 50th anniversary, she begins her search where she last saw it: Ethan’s childhood home.

She thought calling Ethan out of the blue would be the hardest part, but breaking fifteen years of silence was just the beginning. Why is Ethan being so friendly? And helpful? And funny? And is it possible for someone to be handsome over the phone?

As her feelings take her to unexpected places and her parents’ anniversary looms closer, Hannah will have to dig deep, find out what’s real, and decide exactly what she wants.

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.

5/6/2025 What is your least favorite thing about spring?

Least favorite thing? Oh there is no least favorite thing. Maybe cos it is so short? We can have snow still in April, which means over 6 months of winter if it is bad, and then maybe one month of spring before summer.  After that long you long for spring even if winter is lovely. So yeah nothing bad.

5/13/2025 Share some book covers you love from the past year.

5/20/2025 Do you have a fitness routine or exercise you enjoy?

5/27/2025 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

6/3/2025 Paper, electronic, audio... How do you read? Has it changed in recent years?

6/10/2025 New to me authors: who have you discovered in the past 12 months?

6/17/2025 How do you choose what to read next?

6/24/2025 Do you have any travel or staycation plans for the summer?

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 Charm School

 

Author: Susan Wiggs

Title: The Charm School

Series: The Calhoun Chronicles #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 384

Published: April 1, 1999

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

As the ballrooms of 1800s America glitter, romance is afoot...

Boston and Rio de Janeiro, 1851

An awkward misfit in an accomplished family, Isadora Peabody yearns to escape her life as a wallflower in Boston society. Fate intervenes when she learns that a ship bound for Rio de Janeiro is in need of an interpreter—a pursuit she very much enjoys. The only problem? The surly and handsome captain is adamantly opposed to a woman taking the role.

Sea captain Ryan Calhoun used to have a good family name. But he’d purposely walked away from everything it afforded him, driven by his quest to right an old wrong. When he finds himself falling for the meek young woman who comes aboard his ship, he’s determined to stay away from her—if only to keep her out of his secretive, dangerous plans.

As the tides of attraction flow between them, Ryan and Isadora must risk it all for love. For a true lady must learn to speak her mind, and Isadora is ready to put her newfound charms to the test.

Review:

This was voted for our DNF 2nd Chance challenge. I try to do this challenge twice a year, because sometimes a book (like some people) deserves a second chance. 

Isadora is awkward and a misfit in an accomplished family. She is nothing but a wallflower in the society of Boston. Fate has a funny way of intervening, and she finds herself on a ship bound to Rio de Janeiro as an interpreter. Everything seems golden.....except for the surly and handsome captain. Ryan used to have a good family name, but he walked away to right an old wrong. Isadora is something he wants to avoid so he can keep his secretive and dangerous plan...well...a secret. Attraction and lust have other plans for them though. 

I still don't get what the title means. There is no school. Ryan doesn't do much to teach her. Is it the boat? Is it the sea? Is Isadora self-teaching? Beh. 

Ryan is meh. 

Isadora is meh. 

Their chemistry seems forced and I just can't buy it even at the end. I did enjoy some of their quips though. I actually chuckled a bit.

The locations are the best part of the story! So refreshing, but sadly I still didn't warm up to these two as a couple. 

I managed to get to the end just so I could see the hows and whys. Morbid curiosity I guess.

All-in-all, I DID finish this so I can safely say it is a slight win for the DNF 2nd Chance challenge. However, my opinion barely changed. I'll give it a bonus star for the locations and the quips. 2 stars from me.  

Favorite Character(s): the boat

Least Favorite Character(s): Isadora's family.

 Challenge(s):

- Library love #10

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Series: The Housemaid (#1)

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: August 23, 2022 by Grand Central Publishing

Thriller/own

I really do not want to say too much about this one. You have to experience it for yourself.

Millie needs a job, but as an ex convict that is hard. She gets a job as a housemaid. The wife is a total B*tch, the kid is a brat, and the husband rather handsome now isn´t he.

She sleeps in the attic in a strange room that locks from the outside. Jane Eyre vibes here

I would have quit that horrid place. She got so much shit, and she is just trying her best because she needs money.

But...yes twists, a punch in the gut, and I just did not see things coming. Recommended.

Will I read more? Honestly, I am not that interested. The only bad thing about the book is that it gave us an insight into what happens next and they kind of lost me there. So like round 2? Not that interested in that.

But yes read this one!!! And if someone has read book 2...is it just the same formula again? I have read one and I am happy. I like when I do not see things coming

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

Audio: Master of Mayhem by Mary Wine

Series: Book 2, The Enchanted Well

Release date: 04-29-25

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Narrated by: Antony Ferguson

Historical romance/to Review from Tantor Audio

In book Sabine´s sister was taken by Scots, and now Sabine venture out to dance on May Day. And what enfolds is that she too is taken away by a Scot.

Ruben Lindsey is enthralled by the English Woman he meets and after some trouble he can only see to her safety by taken her to Scotland. And yes as always, the Scots are not happy because she is English after all. 

Sabine is falling for Ruben, but they can not marry! I thought the villain would be this cranky Cook we meet, but there is another villain emerging. In these days only men knitted in guilds to sell things. And oh no Sabine can knit! I even had to go google it and yes there used to be knitting guilds with men only.

There is some arguing as they butt heads, some danger as some do not want her there and me wondering if there ever can be a happy ending.

I have listened to a lot of books by Ferguson, all Wine books, and I always enjoy his narration. I am very used to it and it would not be a Wine, or Scottish book without it.

Legend has it that looking into the enchanted Midnight Well on a full moon will reveal your true love’s face and bind your fates together... forever.

Ruben Lindsey, heir to the Lindsey lands, was only tasked with delivering a letter but when he happens upon the mythical midnight well and sees the face of a beautiful woman in its waters – the same face of the woman he must deliver the letter to – he simply can't ignore the pull he feels to her.

Sabine “Modesty” Hawlyn feels confined by her rigid Puritan life enforced by her extremely religious father who has arranged for her to marry a man she does not want. She yearns for freedom and when a handsome stranger brings news from her eldest sister Prudence who was whisked away across the border to Scotland, she can’t help but hope for something more – especially now that she has also seen the Scotsman’s face in the waters of the well.

During May Day celebrations, a last piece of joy and freedom for Modesty, she is unexpectedly attacked by the Queen’s men. To her relief the handsome Scot comes to her rescue, but when her savior becomes her captor, she begins to question what fate has in store for her.

Best of April

Weeeee. Here are the best of the bests for May. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

"And Housemaid gets best book because it threw a punch!"

Carole - Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

"Such a refreshing YA read. So good."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Nadda this month. Didn't watch any movies. Only shows. 

Blodeuedd - Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

"I watched The book club 2. No idea if I watched the first one but I enjoyed this one, and it was funny too."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - High Potential (s1), Will Trent (s3)

"I really enjoyed High Potential. A good mix of fun and crime. And Will Trent s3 was good!"

Carole - Dead Boy Detectives (s1), Ghost UK (s5)

"Rewatching Dead Boy Detectives. So stinkin' good. And the last season of Ghost UK broke me. Also so stinkin' good."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick: Dragons!!!

B's pick: Simple, but good.

Honorable Mention:

Carole's pick - Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

"I would give this book of the month, but it wouldn't be fair. It's one of my fave books ever."

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.

4/29/2025 What is your favorite thing about spring?

Flowers, blooming, sitting outside reading, it getting warmer. The warm thing is my favorite ;) After a LONG winter, some sun is always nice.

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: Fourth Wing

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Title: Fourth Wing

Series: The Empyrean #1

Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

Format: paperback

Pages: 544

Published: May 2, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (local book store)

Summary: 

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away… because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

Review:

Everyone has been ranting and raving about this and I will admit I've been curious. Especially for the dragons. I got this beaut of a version on sale at my local book store (#supportsmallbusiness) so why not!?

Here we follow Violet who wants a quiet life among the books and tomes as a Scribe. However, her mother won't allow that. She has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you are smaller and have medical issues, death is a little closer than it is for everyone else. Especially when it comes time to try and bond with a dragon. Dragons are not known for liking "weak" and "fragile" humans. They want the best of the best. At the same time, Xaden and so many others want her blood in revenge. She may not be the strongest, but she will be the smartest and live as long as she can. 

I will admit I was nervous because the last book I bought just for the cover and people saying it was amazing turned out to be a DNF. Eee. But I was pleasantly shocked that I grew to really adore this story. 

Love dragons here. They are your typical self-absorbed and grumpy dragon and I love that. However, when they find a special human they do get attached. There was a scene (won't spoil anything) where you could see that dragon's heart shatter as their human died. I literally had tears. 

This book is brutal. It's a tough world and a tough thing to become a rider. Not everyone makes it. It felt very Sparta-like. Only the tough survive and this school/boot camp only want the tough to survive. Even if you bond with a dragon, it doesn't guarantee you'll survive boot camp/school. You have to be on your guard and be careful who you befriend. I def don't want to be in this world. If I was...I would be a Scribe. Leave me be with the books. 

There is some romance here but it isn't the main story. There is something the higher ups are hiding. It's easy to guess if you pay attention to the small clues.

Like I said....this world is rough and I cried a couple of times. I wouldn't survive because I grow attached to people. So many people died!!!!!!!!! OMG the ending! Of COURSE someone I loved doesn't make it. *cries* So have your guard up and love no one! *cries more*

I had one issue with the book (minus people I like being killed off). I hated how modern the dialogue was at points. It didn't feel fantasy-like sometimes. It's easy to look past and didn't ruin the story for me, but I guess I'm biased because I'm so use to the dialogue being a certain way in fantasies. Could just be a me thing. But yes....it didn't ruin it overall for me but it did bug me a bit. 

All-in-all, I grew to really adore this. I have to read book 2. 

4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Liam, Violet, Rhi, Mira, and all the dragons

Least Favorite Character(s): Dain, Jack, and Violet's mother

Nettle and Bone by T.Kingfisher

325 pages, Paperback

 

Published: February 28, 2023 by Titan Books

Fantasy/own

So this was my third Kingfisher book. What to read next?

It reads beautifully as a fairytale. Princess Marra´s older sister marries, and dies. Then her other sister marries the same man and something is just wrong. Marra is sent to a convent, handy to have a spare sister.

And years goes by. Then Marra has had enough and sets out on a journey to save her sister and kill a prince. With her on her quest she has a disgraced knight, a witch, a fairy godmother, a demon chicken and a dog made of bones.

This is a fairytale and it does end well. I can at least give you that. But there are hurdles to cross. A good book with some twists and turns.

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

Audio: The Never list by Jade Presley

Release date: 08-04-25

Length: 15 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Narrated by: Michelle Price, Jake Bordeaux

Romantasy/from Tantor for a review

So this fantasy world turned out to be very spicy. The heroine gets her own reverse harem thing going on.

Rylee belongs to the lowest of the lowest in this world. Ashlanders, and many of them have forbidden powers too that can get them killed. She is looking for her sister and that will take her to the Choosing.

See this place also has 4 kings with 4 sons whose mothers are goddesses.  And they are looking for that One special mate that can help them with their powers. But every new chosen fails. Then Rylee gets chosen even though she was not there for that....oh and she did obvi not tell anyone she is an Ashlander, or has powers that would get her killed.

So what to do then spend a month with each man in their city, and it will get hot and heavy. And she will feel connected to them all. But the clock is ticking as she has secrets.

Romance, spice, danger and secrets

Great narration. With a male and female narrator. I felt very connected to them all, and the male narrator had more povs but did a good job with The legends of Chaos.

Threatened by invaders, the kingdom of Lumathyst is on the verge of chaos, and no one can stop it. Unless the four immortal god-princes find their fated mate—and safeguard the throne—Lumathyst will fall.

Five women have tried. Five have failed. And tonight in the royal city, the princes need to find their Chosen and hope she can survive the transformation that will make her immortal.

Only Rylee Gray wasn't supposed to be here. She snuck in for her own dark reasons—and now they claim they've found their perfect match. Her. Of course, they have no idea she's concealing a secret big enough to damn them all.

The four princes have no choice. They'll use every delectably wicked skill they have to make Rylee fall for all of them . . . or watch their kingdom collapse.

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.

4/22/2025 What types of music do you enjoy?

Often I just listen to the radio and whatever popsong is on. So all those popular ones ;) But in my heart I am a New metal fan.

And honestly I can not keep up with music these days or whatever genre everything is.

But good stuff is Linkin Park - The Chester era. I do like Imagine Dragons. Ed Sheeran is always good. Billy Talent, The Killers. On my playlist now is mostly radio music Like Alex Warren, Benson Boone and such.

4/29/2025 What is your favorite thing about spring?

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: Case of the One-eyed Tiger

 

Author: JM Poole

Title: Case of the One-Eyed Tiger

Series: Corgi Case Files #1

Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller

Format: ebook

Pages: 293

Published: November 18, 2020

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

When a shocking murder shatters the tranquility of a sleepy Oregon town, and a priceless sculpture turns up missing, all fingers soon start pointing at new resident Zack Anderson. Armed with a determination to clear his name, Zack sets out to solve the case with the help of his feisty canine companion, a corgi named Sherlock who has an uncanny ability to sniff out clues. With evidence mounting against him, can Zack and Sherlock identify the killer and locate the missing sculpture before he ends up in the doghouse?

Review:

This was a freebie a while back and I grabbed it up. One....love a good mystery. Two....PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we follow Zack Anderson who is new to the sleepy town in Oregon. Fingers start pointing to the newest resident when a murder happens and then the theft of a priceless sculpture. Zack needs to clear his name and fast with the help of his feisty canine companion, Sherlock. 

The mystery was mysterious, Sherlock was a gem, and the townies are interesting folk. This was enjoyable....except for Zack. Unlikeable, immature, and flat out annoying. I would point a finger at him too. I wish I liked him and I certainly tried, but he just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Honestly, I think Zack is one of those characters you love or hate. Some find him charming...some, like me, find him grating and annoying. 

Some of the solves and finds were a bit too easy and the cops in this town really stink. They need to be re-educated on basic investigation tasks. They literally just wanted to throw the book at Zack and call it good. 

Minus my feelings for Zack and the idiot cops, I did enjoy myself overall. I was so curious to see the whodunit and why. The villain was certainly a baddie and will serve a LOT of time behind bars. Dang. 

All-in-all, I might read book 2 someday...we'll see. Maybe Zack will worm his way into my heart in the future. LOL Who knows. 

3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Sherlock

Least Favorite Character(s): Zack

Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #9

Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

352 pages, Paperback

Series: The Redwinter Chronicles (#1)

Published: September 12, 2023 by Tor Books

Fantasy/own

My bookclub theme was Finish that book. So this poor book was it. I started it last summer and never got far.

So what was the problem? I think it was Raine, the main character. I did not like her. If she had died at the end I would have been all meh, shit happens.

The world was interesting, but yeah Raine was pretty meh. Everyone around her is killed, she is pretty meh about it. She rides out with the people who was there doing that. She makes some friends, bad things happen.

I just never warmed up and it sort of ruined things for me :/

Those who see the dead soon join them.

Raine can see―and speak―to the dead, a gift that comes with a death sentence. All her life she has hidden, lied, and run to save her skin, and she’s made some spectacularly bad choices along the way.

But it is a rare act of kindness―rescuing an injured woman in the snow―that becomes the most dangerous decision Raine has ever made.

Because the woman is fleeing from Redwinter, the fortress-monastery of the Draoihn, warrior magicians who answer to no king, and who will stop at nothing to reclaim what she’s stolen. A battle, a betrayal, and a horrific revelation force Raine to enter the citadel and live among the Draoihn. She soon finds that her secret ability could be the key to saving an entire nation.

Though she might have to die to make it happen . . .

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.

4/15/2025 It's been a while... tell us more about you!

I do not have a lot to say. Life goes on. I am trying to get some reading time in. 

I made a Booksta account, then realised that life is too short to go in 150% so I chilled and I am doing it for fun now.

Spring seems to be here, but the roads were hell last Friday. Luckily I had my winter tires on. But winter always comes back in April so nothing strange there. It comes and then it goes away.

4/22/2025 What types of music do you enjoy?

4/29/2025 What is your favorite thing about spring?

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Carole´s Monday. A rogue´s rules for Seduction

 

Author: Eva Leigh

Title: A Rogue's Rules for Seduction

Series: Last Chance Scoundrels #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 355

Published: April 25, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

After Dominic Kilburn left Lady Willa Ransom at the altar, she vowed never to reveal how badly she was hurt. Following a year abroad, Willa wants to move on with her life, so she accepts an invitation to a house party. She's determined to leave her humiliation behind, as well as the scorching attraction she still feels for the man who jilted her.

When dark secrets from his past surfaced right before his wedding, Dom knew he didn't deserve Willa. So, he bolted. But he still burns for the only woman who ever claimed his heart. To escape the memories of all he lost, Dom heads to a friend's estate on an isolated Scottish isle. Yet one of the other guests is the very woman who haunts his every thought and makes him wish for the impossible.

Thrown together by well-meaning family and friends, Willa and Dom try to resist the fiery pull between them. Soon the line between love and loathing begins to blur, and their attraction explodes. But Dom's past lurks on the edge of their rekindled passion and Willa fears she'll be devastated all over again. Can these star-crossed lovers find their happily ever after, or will everything detonate a second time?

Review:

This is the final book of the series! WAH! It's been a long build and a long time coming. We seen the unraveling of their relationship in like the first chapter of the series. Been excited to see them rekindle their love. 

Dom left Willa at the altar and she didn't know why. She escaped for a year abroad to nurse her bruised heart until the rumors have settled down. On the other side, Dom still loves Willa but the secrets of his past resurfaced right before the wedding so he felt he had no choice but to bolt. They are thrown together by well-meaning family and friends on an isolated estate on the Scottish isle. Can they talk it out and maybe have a second chance at love?

Communication people. I think all of this could've been avoided BUT they were SO immature back then so I'm glad it happened. They needed time to grow up before finding one another again. However, I would be pissed off if I was them being chucked together again. Her brothers drive me insane man. Love them from the past, but I don't think they take a moment to think stuff out. 

We do find out WHY Dom left Willa at the alter and I guess I get it but....again....communication man. I won't spoil anything, but yeah. TBH Willa should've made him beg a bit more. She deserved more and better from everyone. That poor sweet bean. 

Oh. My biggest issue was the repeative scenes and conversations. IF HE CALLS HER A LIONNESS ONE MORE TIME I WILL SCREAM!!!! *eye twitch* And we GET IT. He's a big boy. Muscles galore. Okie. 

Overall, I did enjoy this one. I enjoyed watching the couple talk and rekindle their love. It was a nice second chance even though I feel like Willa needed to make him beg for a scene or two more ;) 3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Willa

Least Favorite Character(s): n/a

Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #13 (Forced Proximity trope)

  

A stranger in town by Kelley Armstrong

356 pages, Hardcover

Series: Rockton/Casey Duncan (#6)

Published: February 9, 2021 by Minotaur Books

Thriller /own

This hellish town filled with hellish, and some very nice people, is coming to an end. In this one Casey finds a wounded hiker and takes her back to town. And things gets bad.

And we finally learn what the hostiles are about. There have been clues and more through out the series. Crazy hippies going around killing people. But now I know. And it was crazy.

Hunt for, well everything as things are getting intense. And this town, well, the whole idea behind it is so good. But when money talks and they are getting serial killers with women fleeing abusive exes. Well then the whole idea behind the town has gone down the drain.

One more! Eeek, but hey I have already spoiled it for me since I first read the series after this one.

Detective Casey Duncan has noticed fewer and fewer residents coming in to the hidden town of Rockton, and no extensions being granted. Her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, presumes it’s the natural flux of things, but Casey’s not so sure. Something bigger is happening in the small town they call home.

When an injured hiker stumbles from the woods, the sole survivor of a hostile attack, it’s all hands on deck. Even a member of the elusive Rockton council comes in to help. This council member also comes bearing news: Rockton is being shut down due to the hostile situation.

Casey and Eric must now race to save the town that has allowed residents to have a fresh start, away from the mistakes of their past, while also getting to the bottom of this latest attack.