Saturday, March 9, 2019

Sunday Post #21


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 in Cambria, California right now, right by the Pacific Ocean and it's raining as I write this post. The weather has actually been beautiful, sunny with gorgeous clouds floating on the horizon., (see first picture). I got my run in this morning then went wine tasting.  Well, those clouds came in for a visit and now we're getting rain. Doesn't matter because I'm currently enjoying a fire and a glass of wine, (see second picture) :). 

Moonstone Beach, Cambria, California

Kindle, wine & fire = perfection!


Read:
(Click on title for Goodreads link)


You all know I'm a fan of a sexy cowboy romance, and Maisey Yates is my go-to author for a sexy, emotionally satisfying read.  I've been waiting for Dane and Beatrix's story for a while and so I picked it up early. It was sweet and pretty low on drama. I've been seeing the Murder Bot Diaries around and so I scooped up the Audible Daily Deal for All Systems Red. Or maybe it was just a sale? Anyhow, I got it on sale and listened last week. Narration was solid, and the story was entertaining. Didn't knock my socks off, though, and I'll be reading library lends to continue the series as the books, which are novella length are kind of pricey.  Lucky Suit was an Audible Original complimentary member pick for last month (?) .  At any rate, I really enjoyed it! It was short, just over 2 hours, but sweet and cute.  Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber narrated, both amazing performers! A Holiday by Gaslight was a library request after reading Sophia Rose's review, and loved it!  This is why I love visiting other blogs, because you find out about the wonderful, maybe lesser known reads that are oh-so-lovely!

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:
(Click on title for Goodreads link:)


I bought all three of these books, the first two I was thinking of listening to on our trip out here to the coast. I have to pick things my husband might like, too, and Polaris Rising sounded like our kind of  read, and we both loved The Collapsing Empire so I bought the second book The Consuming Fire.  We ended up starting Storm Front by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marsters (aka Spike from Buffy!) as my library lend came through and it just struck us. It's really good! We're loving it and should be done by the time we get home tomorrow night. I bought The Martrimonial Advertisement after reading and loving A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews last week.  I can't wait to dive in! 

Watched:

Nothing! I've been too busy working, running, and reading. I'd like to watch Triple Frontier with Ben Affleck and Charlie Hunnam when it comes out next week on Netflix. 

40 comments:

  1. Yeah that second picture looks pretty good. :) A nice way to spend an evening. And actually the first pic of the beach looks great too. It rained here as well, but it was freezing rain. :(

    Thanks for reminding me I need to get The consuming Fire yet! It's been out for months now- yikes!

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  2. Wine, kindle and fire! What a deadly trio ;) Happy reading with the new books!

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  3. It sounds like paradise! Enjoy your time with the beach, a fire, wine, and, of course, reading.

    I've created a linky on my blog for the Sunday Salon and I've kept the Facebook group. I hope you will join in and spread the word.

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  4. Well maybe it is bad that you got rain while visiting California but I know they've been waiting for rain what with the dry theyr suffer from years now! And cheers! ;-)

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    1. I'm very happy for the rain, gives me an excuse (like I need one, lol) to sit inside and read by the fire. We've needed the rain so long to take us out of our perpetual drought status. I live in Southern California, was just on a weekend getaway by the beautiful Pacific Ocean! Thanks, Sophie! :)

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  5. Fire + Kindle does sound lovely. It's warmed up here, but has been raining buckets. The dampness makes it feel colder than it is. I recently read my first legit cowboy book, and it was a Maisey Yates book, the first of her Gold Valley books. It was good. I am definitely interesting in meeting more of the Gold Valley denizens.

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    1. The rain does make it feel colder IMO. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series! I love her writing.

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  6. I love the Central Coast of California, Cambria, Cayucos, Pismo...even San Luis Obispo, which isn't technically on the beach.

    I'm jealous! LOL.

    I'm only two hours away from there, so why don't I go more? You've inspired me.

    Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. It's nice getting away, and in California we're lucky to have so many beautiful places to visit! Hope you get out to the coast soon, Laurel. :)

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  7. The fire and wine looks so inviting. This is not a rainy season for us now, but I hope you are safe. Have a great week ahead.

    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

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  8. I do hope that you enjoy Polaris! It was a fun one

    Flowers! Awww

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    1. I can't wait to pick it up.

      Aren't they pretty?! So many were blooming all over the hillsides! :)

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  9. Nice list of reads. And California sounds lovely. I've been squeezing in some episodes of Gilmore Girls between books.

    My Sunday Post

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  10. Yay! Glad you are having a fun time in California!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays

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  11. Well I've read and enjoyed all the read books except the Maisey Yates one. I loved Polaris Rising. I got all the Jim Butcher ones on audio from the library and then bought them all - they are a serious favorite! Enjoy all those great books! Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. We just finished Storm Front and really enjoyed it. I've already requested the second one. I'm looking forward to Polaris Rising. Soon! :)

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  12. Wow Rachel you're so good fitting in your runs, I can't remember the last time I took time out to do so, relaxing by the fireplace with wine is more my sort of thing though! It's been forever that I read a Lauren Blakely book and Webber is definitely one of my favourite narrators. I hope you have a relaxing upcoming week. :)

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  13. Ooh that fire looks lovely. I really want to read the Murder Bot Diaries!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  14. Love the coastal getaway weekend. Sounds productive for your running plan, too.
    I loved the Collapsing Empire and forgot to check for the sequel. I'm on that now. :) I like the Murderbot Diaries and I have one left of the currently released books, but my library doesn't have them and I refuse to pay ten bucks for a novella. Maybe someday. :)
    Oh, and thanks for the review shoutout. I totally love blog reviews for the same reason.
    Have a good week, Rachel!

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    1. Same here! $10 for a novella, especially when the first one didn't knock my socks off, is a no-go for me. Unfortunately, my library doesn't carry the audios, just the e-books.

      My pleasure! Thanks for putting such a lovely story on my radar. You too, Sophia Rose! :)

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  15. The second picture is definitely perfection!!

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  16. Congrats on all the books and I hope you are having a fabulous time!

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  17. I want to go on vacation with you, Rachel!! Looks like a perfect getaway!
    I've never read any sexy cowboy books...going to have to check out Maisy Yates.

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    1. I was sorry to leave yesterday! *sobs* Hope you like Maisey Yates if you give her a try.

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  18. That photo of your Kindle and the fireplace looks like something out of a magazine. Or a very good dream. :) Has me wishing for a cold and rainy day so I could sit by a fire and read. *sigh* Sadly that won't be happening today since it's 84 and the a/c is running. LOL

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    1. Ack! Hard to get cozy with that weather! I'm soaking it up since we'll probably shift into summer temps sooner than I'd like.

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  19. Happy reading ... and vacationing! I just checked Polaris Rising out of the library myself. :)

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  20. I am not a wine drinker but give me a chair by the fire with my kindle and I am set. I liked the Murderbot series but I did grab them from the library for the same reasons you mentioned. They are so short and pricey and my library had them ready to go. I definitely want to read Polaris Rising. Have a great week and enjoy your new books!

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    1. I love reading by the fire! Yeah, I think Murderbot is best done by library lend. You too and thanks! :)

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  21. Gorgeous weather! We've had storms! ☹️

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  23. I love the Murder Bot Diaries and Polaris Rising was epic. Have fun with both!

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  24. So beautiful! That must have been a fun time in California. I especially like the fire. Perfect for relaxing and reading! I initially heard great things about All Systems Red but I've been hearing more and more lately that it's just an okay read which sucks to hear. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series more. It's fantastic that you were able to enjoy A Holiday by Gaslight since you read it based on a blogger's review. I feel like I don't read books enough based on other blogger's but I do add a bunch to my tbr! I've got to start noting why I decided to read a book.

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