Carole's Monday: Embrace the lace

Author: Shannon Macleod

Title: Embrace the Lace

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 321

Published: March 21, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Summary: 

Widowed Andrew MacIver has problems and responsibilities aplenty. At twenty and five, he is already chieftain of his large clan. His castle is in a state of disrepair, his cook is clueless and to make matters worse, his uncle appears dead set on taking his job. He doesn’t have time to admit he is lonely, but he does need to remarry – and quickly, for the clan expects their laird to have a wife and heirs. He needs the perfect noble lady, decorous, competent, and obedient. The upcoming clan gathering seems the perfect opportunity to renew allegiances, find a suitable bride and get married, in that order. Well…that was the plan, anyway. But then the fae got involved.

Loveable geek Paisley Evangeline Darling – Van to her friends – wants one last adventure before going off to complete her master’s degree in mechanical engineering like her hero Tony Stark. On the very first night at the SCA renaissance festival, she is snatched kicking and screaming back to 17th century Scotland, nearly drowning in the process. Andrew, her handsome rescuer, is stressed out and intent on helping her find her way home, but she is having way too much fun to leave. Who better than a smart, free spirited and independent 21st century lass to bring a little love and laughter back into the exasperated laird’s dull life? After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Caution: Contains meddlesome faeries, questionable inventions, culinary miracles, one ferocious dragon, a heroine with zero regard for convention, and a reluctant hero with his hands full.

Review:

I saw this and knew I had to check it out. Who doesn't love a good time-traveling romance set in Scotland?????

Andrew has a lot on his plate and doesn't have time for anything. He needs a new wife to help him create an heir for his clan. With the upcoming clan gathering...this will be the perfect opportunity to renew allegiances and find a suitable bride. However, he needs a break. When he takes his horse out for a ride, he will soon discover his world is about to change forever thanks to a nosy Fae. Van wants an adventure before going off to complete her master's degree in mechanical engineering so she decides to go to the SCA Renaissance Festival which is a complete and totally immersive experience. Little does she know...she is about to have an adventure into the real deal. 

I feel terrible for admitting this....but I was so annoyed with Van at the beginning that I wanted to scream. She was unrelenting and never stopped talking. She was very sweet and smart and cute and etc...but shut up Van. She did calm down a litttttttle bit later on, but she was a lot to handle. I loved she loved the nerdy stuff and was a whiz with the engineering and building....but sweet lord did I want to shake her. 

Andrew was sweet and grumpy. Just how I like 'em ;) 

This does have some humor and honestly...you can't take this story too seriously. It was a lot of fun. Van is very sweet in her own way (even though she never, ever stops talking) and brightens up the castle. She brought joy back and had people laughing again. The catapult scene made me warm up to her a bit. 

Some plot devices were very, very flimsy and too convenient...like the ending with Van's parents. Mmmm. Take it with a grain of salt. This was very light. I found that this was the Hallmark of Time Travel romances. Nothing too serious and everything was easily solved.

However, I did have fun with this. It was sweet and quick and had humor. The love was there and it was sweet. Van needed to calm down, but she was an interesting character and maybe it was just a me thing. If you are looking for something light...check this out. I'll give it 3 stars. 

Audio: Some kind of happiness by Claire Legrand

By: Claire Legrand

Narrated by: Tina Wolstencroft

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Release date: 10-31-23

Publisher: Tantor Audio

YA/Mg/fiction/to review

When it comes to YA/Mg books I like some that are about tougher subjects and I really liked how this one was made.

Finley is sent to her grandparents house for the summer because her parents are having problems. But, she has never met her grandparents, aunts or cousins. And she has no idea why her father cut of his ties to them.

She is also suffering from depression, but she calls it blue days and she does not know what is wrong with her. Nor has she ever spoken about it.

Her only retreat from all of this is the stories she writes about the Everwood. And she finds her own real Everwood behind her grandparents house. Together with her cousins they have an adventure.

There were so many important things, and it was so well written. I also liked the bits about the Everwood as she is telling a story through out it all. About a magically enchanted forest and the people and creatures there within.

A good narration. There are many different characters and voices and she does a great job with them all. There is the magical part of the story, and the real sad part of the story and they mix well with each other.

Things Finley Hart doesn't want to talk about:

- Her parents, who are having problems. (But they pretend like they're not.)

- Being sent to her grandparents' house for the summer.

- Never having met said grandparents.

- Her blue days—when life feels overwhelming, and it's hard to keep her head up. (This happens a lot.)

Finley's only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her grandparents' house and realizes the Everwood is real—and holds more mysteries than she'd ever imagined, including a family of pirates that she isn't allowed to talk to, trees covered in ash, and a strange old wizard living in a house made of bones. With the help of her cousins, Finley sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood and uncover its secrets. But as the mysteries pile up and the frightening sadness inside her grows, Finley realizes that if she wants to save the Everwood, she'll first have to save herself.

Audio: Undone by you by Kate Meader

By: Kate Meader

Narrated by: Pippa Jayne

Series: Chicago Rebels, Book 3

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Release date: 10-24-23

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance /to review

This one was rather short, but hey I am not complaining. What does make it longer is that it was a bonus novella at the end. What happens after the HEA, well I can tell you. More HEA

I have read the previous two, and it was some time ago so I could not remember a lot, except that book 1 was amazing. But you can just jump in, listen to some romance, and not a lot of hockey.

Dante is the GM for a icehockey team. He is also gay and open about it.The rebels needs to do well this season or the team will be sold.

Cade is a player, and he has a secret. He also really fancies Dante, and is about to do something about it.

Player and GM is not the best combo. Not to mention Cade has not told anyone about his secret yet.  And for future happiness, he can be traded, Dante cant always find a job everywhere. Not that much drama but some.

Good narration. It kept me entertained. 

Dante Moretti has just landed his dream job: GM of the Chicago Rebels. And screw the haters who think there should be an asterisk next to his name because he’s the first out managing executive in pro hockey. He’s earned the right to be here and nothing will topple him off that perch—especially not an incredibly inconvenient attraction to his star defenseman, Cade “Alamo” Burnett.

Cade has always been careful to keep his own desires on the down low, but his hot Italian boss proves to be a temptation he can’t resist. Sure, they both have so much to lose, but no one will ever know...

As Dante and Cade’s taboo affair heats up off the ice and their relationship gets more and more intense, they’ll have to decide: is love worth risking their careers? Or is this romance destined to be forever benched?

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.

Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy... do you read them? What do you prefer?

Well yes, all of them!!!! I do love UF, but I have not really found any good new ones in ages. They do not write them as epic as they used to to.

Scifi is fun, but it can be hard to find good ones. I can do romance (but no blue aliens), I am not a tech fan, I want stmh....

Fantasy has my heart. Now and forever. I will always adore it.

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12/12/2023 What were your favourite games/toys when you were a kid?

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12/26/2023 What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2023? 

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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