Sunday Post #95

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

Normal work week here. Still hot with temps in the high 80s low 90s and supposed to be the same next week. I'll be up in Northern California again after a half day at work on Thursday. I hope to get some hiking in and the weather is cooler up there.  

I had to have dental surgery on Friday. A re-do of a root canal I had done when I was ten years old.  I chipped the tooth back then to the nerve.  It was over a crown so they had to go above the tooth, though my gums. Not fun or cheap. My face looked like a case of plastic surgery gone wrong with the swelling, but today it's a little better. I'm glad it's over with. 

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

The Silent Wife was soooo good! I couldn't stop listening! I just love Will and Sara together! My husband and I listened to the rest of Age of Deception last weekend while driving back and forth from here to Lake Tahoe. Really enjoying the series and the next book should be out soon. We did a re-read *listen* on our way home from Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Finished it after we got home. 

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

I'm so thrilled I got approved  for A Stranger in Town, because I love the Rockton series! Lisa Gardner is an auto-read for me and this is her first standalone mystery in twenty years. New characters are I'm excited to dig in. I've heard a lot of good things about The Thursday Murder Club and so I was happy to get an audio copy from the library.

Watched:

One of the all-time best ghost/mystery/thrillers for me. I love this movie and it scares me every time! The acting and the setting and scenery are top notch. Love the beautiful house in the Fall Vermont setting, too! 

This was a fun thriller, even with several TSTL moments. Not on the same level as What Lies Beneath, though.

How was your week?

Blog Tour Review: Blacklisted by Jay Crownover

 

Blacklisted (Loveless, Texas #3) by Jay Crownover

Publication Date: October 27th 2020 by Forever

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Links: Universal | Amazon | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Blacklisted is the classic opposites attract kind of romance. Shot is the President of the local Motorcycle Club/Gang and Presley is a doctor for the State’s Medical Examiner’s office, assigned to investigate deaths, suspicious and otherwise. So, while Shot is on the murkier side of the law, Presley is sworn to uphold it, but the heart wants what the heart wants…

These two are thrown together when Presley is called out by her half sister to tend to Shot after a life threatening injury and neither can stop thinking about the other after the incident.  Presley has her own problems; a psycho trying to take Presley’s life apart because of a jealous obsession, and anyone close to Presley usually suffers blowback. The start of this played out in the last book, which is why I think it’s better to read the series in order. I guess in a pinch this would work as a standalone, too, but you’d miss the backstory of the Lawton’s, Presley’s newly discovered family, and the previous stories are really good!

I’ve been loving this series from the beginning, but I was super excited to get to Presley and Shot’s romance because I love the opposites attract troupe! Blacklisted did not disappoint. Presley and Shot had oodles of chemistry, and I was hooked into their little back and forth dance, mostly with Shot chasing and Presley trying to resist. So much fun! However, Presley’s psycho stalker, the things she pulls and then the question of when she would strike next kept me glued to the pages as well. I read the story in a 24-hour period, because I couldn’t put it down!  

4.5 Suns

About the book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a doctor who plays by the rules and the outlaw who breaks them in order to protect her.

Dr. Presley Baskin has always lived a quiet, calm life. Unfortunately, nothing about her life in Loveless, Texas -- especially not the wild, rowdy, and impossibly close-knit Lawton family who've claimed her -- is quiet or calm. Which is how loner Presley finds herself roped into patching up local bad boy Shot Caldwell against her better judgment. Presley wants nothing to do with the dangerous, brooding leader of the local outlaw motorcycle club. But when someone starts stalking her, Shot is the only person she trusts to help. Plus he owes her one . . .

Palmer 'Shot' Caldwell has always known his life isn't made for relationships. At least until shy, secretive, Presley reluctantly pulled a bullet out of him. He's oddly protective of the pretty doctor, so when she comes to him for help, hard-hearted Shot suddenly realizes there's nothing he wouldn't do to keep her safe.

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group

Read-Along Re-Read Review: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patricia Briggs

Publication Date: May 7th 2019 by Ace

Pages: 384

Narrator: Lorelei King

Audiobook Length: 10hrs 15min

Source: Publisher and purchased audio copy

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible

I originally posted this on the blog last year, but as part of my read along with Anne at Books of My Heart I'm re-posting my original review with some thoughts upon re-read. Anne has a grand prize giveaway featured with the read along so hop on over and check it out!

Mercy Thompson continues to be one of my two favorite Urban Fantasy series'! The audios are perfection!

My Thoughts:
Re-read by audio October 25th 2020
Love this series a little more with every re-read! As usual I glean more details that I somehow missed the first time around. Listened to the entire book in one day. Long road trip and then couldn't stop listening when we got home!
 
Original review posted on the blog May 16, 2019:
It seems witches are the issue in Storm Cursed, the newest Mercy Thompson installment. Same with the latest Alpha & Omega (a companion series), Burn Bright. And I think they’re going to be important in the books to come. While it’s not necessary to read Burn Bright before Storm Cursed there are a few connecting dots between the two books. I don’t want to detail the plot because I think it’s best going in not knowing much, but as soon as I started reading I didn’t want to stop! I will say Sherwood Post, Wulfe, Zee, Tad, Elizaveta were big players in this installment, and there are some intriguing surprises.

Mercy Thompson is a series that is consistently amazing and keeps me wishing for more even when the series is at eleven books! That’s not even counting the companion series, Alpha & Omega. I just recently did a re-read of both series, one right after the other, that’s how good it is! Patricia Briggs’ writing is smart, and her stories are well-plotted. I feel like she examines the motivations of each of her characters before setting them on a path of action. Even the fight scenes are well-choreographed and exciting. The relationship between Adam and Mercy is strong, they both lean on each other for support without question, and there’s always an undercurrent of passionate simmering under the surface!

Mercy Thompson is one of my all-time favorite urban fantasy series, and if you haven’t picked it up you are missing out! Best to start at the beginning and read the books in order. I have an e-ARC, but I also bought an audio copy and that’s how I ended up “reading”. Lorelei King’s narration is perfection! Her performance of both her male and female voices are amazing, and her comedic timing when there’s humor is spot on! 

4.5 Suns

Sunday Post #94

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

I'm up at Lake Tahoe so I haven't got much reading done. The Fall colors are so pretty out here and I did a few walk/hikes with my granddaughter while my husband, daughter, and son-in-law went on bike rides. 

My husband and I are driving home tomorrow morning (Sunday) and will finish listening to Age of Deception by T.A. White. If you're a fan of the Consortium Rebellion series by Jessie Mihalik you should check out T.A. White's series. It's really good!

 Read:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

I downloaded the audio from my library after seeing Lark's review, and I really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading the next books in the series! 

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Click on cover for Goodreads link

Continuing the Peter Ash series after reading The Drifter, and I can never resist a sexy cowboy. Both library lends.

Watched:

My granddaughter likes this movie so it was on a few times. Finally took note and watched it too. Pretty darn funny! Liked it better than the first one.

How was your week?

Review: A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber

 

A Pretty Deceit (Verity Kent #4) by Anna Lee Huber

Publication Date: September 29th 2020 by Kensington

Pages: 304

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audio copy

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
The Verity Kent series continues to be a hit for me! Set in England, Post WWI, it’s a fascinating time where the country is trying to recover from the devastations Great War inflicted.   It’s best to read the series in order to appreciate the relationships, connections, and the continuing story arc of Lord Ardmore and his conspiracy during the war.
 
Verity and Sidney were married right before the war, and it took a toll on their marriage, and even though they are deeply, and passionately in love there’s still lingering hurts over what happened. I love them together and appreciate the realistic way the author is presenting their relationship.
 
There’s a double mystery here that somehow comes together in the end.  Verity and Sidney continue to pursue evidence against Lord Ardmore for crimes he’s committed during the war, but he seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. Still, they are getting closer to the truth which puts them as well as Max, and Xavier in danger. There were a couple of close calls for Verity here!  Verity and Sidney are also dragged into her aunt’s troubles: thefts of artwork and other valuable as well as damage to her aunt’s home when the Air Force took over the estate as a base for their flyboys during the war.  
 
I alternately listened to the audio version and read an e-copy. Heather Wilds performance is wonderful! Her English accent is perfect for Verity and her male voices are really good, too. Looking forward to the next installment!

4 Suns

Goodreads Description:

In the aftermath of the Great War, the line between friend and foe may be hard to discern, even for indomitable former Secret Service agent Verity Kent, in award-winning author Anna Lee Huber’s thrilling mystery series.
 
Peacetime has brought little respite for Verity Kent. Intrigue still abounds, even within her own family. As a favor to her father, Verity agrees to visit his sister in Wiltshire. Her once prosperous aunt has fallen on difficult times and is considering selling their estate. But there are strange goings-on at the manor, including missing servants, possible heirloom forgeries, and suspicious rumors—all leading to the discovery of a dead body on the grounds.
 
While Verity and her husband, Sidney, investigate this new mystery, they are also on the trail of an old adversary—the shadowy and lethal Lord Ardmore. At every turn, the suspected traitor seems to be one step ahead of them. And even when their dear friend Max, the Earl of Ryde, stumbles upon a code hidden among his late father’s effects that may reveal the truth about Ardmore, Verity wonders if they are really the hunters—or the hunted . . .

Sunday Post #93

 The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

I'm posting this late because I got caught up in a book last night and didn't want to stop to work this up, lol! Then I went on an early morning run to beat the heat, yes, it's still hot out here.  Supposed to be 94 degrees today. It was nice and clear and the trees are just starting to change:

I got my flu shot on Tuesday and was a bit achy that night and Wednesday, but it's better than getting the flu. I've been getting the vaccination annually for several years now because I work at a hospital, but this year my husband also got the flu shot, first time for him.  Not sure I'll get the Covid vaccine right away once it's released.  I need to do some more research on it since it seems to be getting rushed through the usual process.  We'll see.

Read:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

Blacklisted was the reason I postponed my Sunday Post write up.  Loved it! A Pretty Deceit was is the newest Verity Kent installment and I really enjoyed the story. Wildflower Road was my first read by Janine Rosche. I liked but didn't love the story.

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

Sally Hepworth and Suzanne Enoch are new-to-me authors. Both books sounded good so I thought I'd give them a try. Anyone out there read them before?

Watched:

Went on a Forensic Files watching spree over the last week. I've always loved the show, but I hope I get to newer episodes soon. The season I'm on is pretty dated.

How was your week?

Review: Her Christmas Cowboy by Jessica Clare

 

Her Christmas Cowboy (The Wyoming Cowboy #5) by Jessica Clare

Publication Date: October 13th 2020 by Berkley Books

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
Caleb Watson is the younger brother of Hank, from the previous romance, and we’re treated to his and Amy’s romance here in Her Christmas Cowboy. I loved every minute!

 The minute Caleb laid eyes on Amy, Painted Barrel’s kindergarten teacher, Caleb knew she was the woman for him. Now if Caleb could ever get a sentence out that made sense, his dreams of being with Amy might come true. It seems every time he opens his mouth everything gets twisted up and he makes a fool of himself. However, Amy is pretty patient, and she seems to get that Caleb, like his brother Hank, has some issues interacting with people.

I’m loving Jessica Clare’s Wyoming Cowboy series, and the last couple of books with these shy cowboys from Alaska have melted my heart! I will say to have a little patience with Caleb and Amy’s romance because it does take some time before Caleb makes any headway. An assumption about some of Amy’s secret-admirer-gifts leads to a bit of confusion that pauses their progress, but I just adored these two together even when they got their signals crossed. Caleb is such a sweetheart, and Amy was a girl in need of a good man as the last one gave out Sleeping with the Enemy vibes! Yikes!

Now I’m dying to start the next Wyoming Cowboys story which centers on Jack Watson, the more outgoing, sort of ladies’ man of the brothers!

 4.5 Stars

About the book:

From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Clare comes a Christmas Western filled with holiday cheer.

Caleb Watson has been crushing on elementary school teacher Amy Mckinney ever since he saw her. She's oblivious to his feelings--probably because he's never said a word to her. But when he learns Amy's going to be Mrs. Claus in the local Christmas celebration, he volunteers to be Santa so he'll finally have the chance to introduce himself. Even more than that, he'll use this opportunity to shower her with presents.

Amy's been receiving all kinds of Secret Santa gifts at work -- and she has no idea who her secret admirer is. She wishes he'd make himself known so they can go on a date, though, because being a newcomer in close-knit Painted Barrel, Wyoming, is pretty lonely. When her flaky landlord claims he's the gift giver...it's not quite the bachelor Amy had in mind. However, she's doubly shocked when gruff newcomer Caleb Watson crashes her date and insists he's really the one leaving her presents.

Amy's not sure what to think. Caleb's never indicated that he likes her, much less wants to date. Can he prove to Amy he's not just the perfect Santa to her Mrs. Claus, but the man of her dreams?

Sunday Post #92

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

It's been crazy busy at work and I'm exhausted! I barely got any time just to eat my lunch. So glad for the weekend! We left for Northern California on Thursday after work, met my daughter, her husband and the kids for dinner. I was glad to get away!

I did my six mile hike up here in Northern California (picture below) on Friday and the weather was beautiful, temps in the 70s and smoke free! I basked in the loveliness! 

Read

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

Loved Her Christmas Cowboy and Rules of Redemption. The Business of Blood was good too, but I wish there was more romance. There's another one coming so I hope the something hinted at comes to be. 

Received/Library Lend/Purchased

I absolutely love this series so I'm happy I got a copy of The Bachelor Cowboy! 

Watched:

A whole lot of nothing! I've just been too busy and it's a wonder I've got any reading done.

How was your week? 

Review: Well Played by Jen Deluca

Well Played (Well Met #2) by Jen DeLuca

Publication Date: September 22nd 2020 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

In Well Played we’re brought back into the Renaissance Faire life and this time Stacey, Emily’s friend, takes center stage.   She helped Emily navigate all things Ren Faire as a longtime Faire participant, both as an actor in the events and helper behind the scenes.

Stacey finds out her best friend, Emily, is getting married, and that combined with the Faire ending and the regulars packing it up and moving on stirs up a bit of melancholy. Stacey needs a change. In a drunken moment she messages her Faire hookup, hottie, and star of the Dueling Kilts, Dex, and to her surprise, he messages back. She didn’t remember Dex being so insightful and easy to talk to, but soon they’re emailing and texting back and forth, getting to know each other, and Stacey finds herself falling for Dex’s mind, not just his looks. Unfortunately, it’s not Dex emailing and texting.

Falling in love through emails and texts was fun, even though Stacey didn’t realize who she was talking to for some time. I’m happy it didn’t take long for the truth to come out and that there wasn’t much drama when it did.

Really enjoyed Stacey and our hero’s story! He was such a sweetheart, and a hottie in his own right! Confession: Highlight for spoiler: I’ve always had a thing for redheads! End of spoiler.

 4 Suns

Goodreads Description:

Another laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring kilted musicians, Renaissance Faire tavern wenches, and an unlikely love story.

Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it's been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she'll even find The One.

When Stacey imagined "The One," it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she's not sure what to make of it.

Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey's shock, it isn't Dex—she's been falling in love with a man she barely knows.

Sunday Post #91

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

I'm up in Mendocino for a long weekend and it's one of my favorite places on Earth!  So happy to be out of the smoke and triple digit heat (yes, Southern California is that hot again!).  I took the picture below in the late afternoon yesterday so you can't make out the ocean in the distance that well because the mist started rolling in, but I was in heaven reading with my glass of wine!

Read:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and Kulti will always be my favorite Mariana Zapata books but The Best Thing was classic Zapata and I enjoyed it. Someone to Romance was another win, and I just loved All Scot and Bothered! Well Played was sweet and I liked it even more than the first book! I'm excited for April and Mitch's story next!

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Click on cover for Goodreads link:

Wildflower Road, Wrong Alibi, and The Drifter are all from new-to-me authors. I'm looking forward to reading them! I really enjoyed The Guest List by Lucy Foley's so I'm looking forward to The Hunting Party. Her writing reminds me a little of Agatha Christie's stories and I like it! 

Watched:

Not much except parts of the disaster aka: The Presidential Debate. OMG What a train-wreck! Truly painful to watch. I've switched off on my vacation up here in the Pacific Northwest. Lovely! 

How was your week?