That's What HE Said Thursday - November 26, 2015

 

That's What He Said Thursday is a meme hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break.  Come join us every Thursday by posting a favorite line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind these are direct quotes from dialogue in a book. It is NOT a physical description of a male protag or a paragraph of dialogue. It is a line spoken by our favorite heroes to their lucky ladies (whom we so wish we were!!!!!!) sigh…

 My quote this week is from an ARC I just finished. It's become one of my favorites! I fell in love with Hector.

"You, in a way, made being turned down fun. I could never guess what you would say the next time. You know how sometimes you'll see someone and you watch them interact with someone else for a moment? You kind of wonder what they're like all the time and what else they do and just more bout their life? That's how it was with you. Every time I saw you, I wanted to know more."

25 Bookish Facts About Me

I found this book tag at Paper Fury and had been thinking about doing something similar. So I thought I'd see if I could come up with a list of 25 facts. So here goes.

1. The first book I can remember reading is 13 Is Too Young To Die by Isaacsen-Bright. I'm not really sure when I read it, but it was before I was 13 - 30+ years ago. I don't really know why it has stuck with me all these years, but it has.

 

2. I remember going to the library a lot when I was younger, but I don't remember what I read. This was when we lived in Illinois and I was able to ride my bike to the little local library. I can still picture the library in my head. It had a second floor that was like a balcony that overlooked the first floor. I think they may have even had the ladders you could use to get to the top shelves. I could be imagining that though.

3. When I was in high school, I read a lot of the Sweet Valley High series. Did anyone else read this series? I'm sure I read other things, but I don't remember what.

 

 4. In college I got hooked on the Harlequin romances and even had a monthly subscription to them. Every month I would receive four new books in the mail. It seems like I'd always get some cheesy gifts with them like cheap jewelry or wine glasses.

5. Then I got into romantic suspense like Nora Roberts. A couple of my favorites were Angels Fall and the Irish Born Trilogy. Then I discovered that several of her books had been turned into Lifetime Movies and devoured as many of them as I could. I also read several Danielle Steele books. 

6. I hadn't heard of Harry Potter until the first movie was about to release. Then I devoured the books. My kids and I like to do movie marathons.

7. I'm also a big fan of Twilight and The Hunger Games series. (I'm Team Edward and my daughter is Team Jacob.)

8. I've never been able to make it through Moby Dick even though I had to read it for college. I've tried two or three time and just never make it very far.

9. I loved the Anne of Green Gables mini-series tv shows they would put on PBS, but I've never read the books.

10. I like to read erotica and BDSM books from time to time. I've read all three of the Shades of Grey books. I have yet to watch the movie.

11.  I prefer to read e-books. I just find them more convenient. I can start a book on my Kindle and then pick up where I left off on my laptop or computer at work.

12. I've never listened to an audiobook. I'm just not sure I could keep my attention on the book enough to know what was happening. I just feel like I have to visually see the words.

13. I used to be one of those people that would mark their place by turning the corner of the page down. Since I've started collecting signed bookmarks, I now use them when I read a physical book.

14. One of my favorite series is the Bones series by Kathy Reichs. I started watching the TV show and found out it was based on her books. So I sought them out and have read everyone. I need more. Temperance is like a good friend that I need to reconnect with. I miss her!
15. I tried reading Kathy Reichs' venture into YA (Virals) and didn't care for them. They were good, just not something that I desired to keep reading. Although I did read at least 2 books in the series.

16. I'm a series junkie and am forever behind on my series books. 
17. I just discovered the Stephanie Plum mystery series by Janet Evanovich a few years ago. I think it was the year the movie One for the Money with Katherine Heigle released. I'm on book 9. She's on book 22 now.  <----- See told you I was behind on my series books. On a side note, I found several books in this series at the library book sale I went to this weekend and gobbled them up.
18. I love dystopia books. I think The Hunger Games was the first dystopian book I read and I loved it. I need more. Please leave your recommendations in the comments :)
19. I graduated college with a BA in English Education.  I'm an accounting manager now. :~ Not that I didn't enjoy the English part of the degree. I just didn't like the teaching part.
20.I either add a book to my wish list at Amazon or to my TBR list at Goodreads, but rarely both.
21. I have over 500 books on my wish list at Amazon.

22. I have over 1,000 books on my Goodreads to read list. Although, I've recently discovered that I have books on my to read list that I could have sworn I marked as read. I know I read them. I'm wondering if there aren't multiple versions of the book listed and I someone have both versions selected.

23. It drives me crazy when I see the same couple on (and in the same pose) on multiple book covers. I mean I realize there are only so many beautiful people that are willing to pose for covers. But I don't want to see who I envision as Maggie and Caleb on another book's cover. That's not who they are! I also think this makes it less likely that I will read the second book I find with the same couple.
24. I wish I could make a living reading all day.
25. The book pictured below is probably my most prized book possession. Growing up my family had a tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas before opening presents. As the kids of the family learned to read, one of us would read this book to the whole family. I was the oldest grandchild and was the first one to read the story. My younger cousins took over for me as they learned to read. Unfortunately, I could never get my kids to agree to reading the story. A few years ago my mom found the book I used and gave it to me. It's a little beat up, but I love it!

 

I tag anyone who would like to share 25 bookish facts about themselves. Or if you'd like you can just share a few in the comments.

Stacking the Shelves #3

 

Welcome to my post for this week’s Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. This is where I can post about the books and book swag I received this week. I will be posting my list on Sundays and will include anything I received Sunday through Saturday. 

So I didn't do a Stacking the Shelves post last week for two reasons. 1. I was out of town. 2. I only downloaded two books last week. So this week I'm combining everything.

FREEBIES 

*Please check prices before one-clicking*

 

The titles below link to the Goodreads page.

With Visions of Red by Trisha Wolfe

 Tag by Shari J. Ryan

Chasing Forever Down by Nikki Godwin 

Sins of the Fallen by Karina Espinosa

ARCs Received

 

Hector by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith - this book releases November 25 and I will be posting a review around then.

BOUGHT

 

My daughter came home from college Friday. Saturday morning we got up and went to the book sale at a local library. I came home with this stack of books. She probably has a stack just as big. All of our books cost $8.50.

What did you bring home this week?

Weekly Recap: November 21

So I've seen some posts around that I wanted to give a try and have decided to combine them in a post I'll call Weekly Recap.

Life

So last weekend my family (hubby, son & myself) took a whirlwind trip to visit my daughter at college. It was a great weekend and I didn't even cry when we left Sunday afternoon. That's a major accomplishment for me. We checked out a museum, shopped and ate a lot of good food. After we left, my daughter even sent me a text thanking me for taking her shopping and buying her food all weekend. Here's a picture of the campus.

I took Friday and Monday off of work. I was piled up high when I returned, but I enjoyed the time away. Monday I found a cooking show on the cooking channel called Extra Virgin that inspired me to go grocery shopping. So I spent a good hour an a half picking out groceries on my day off. I normally hate shopping. This show really makes me want to go to New York for all the food. I've only watched 1 1/2 shows. But those 1 1/2 shows have shown me a few great local mom & pop type specialty food stores and really made me hungry. Have any of you ever watched this show?

Reading

So I had hoped to accomplish a lot of reading while on our trip. It didn't happen. I ended up driving several hours on the way up. I read quite a bit on the way home, but should have been sleeping because I was needed to drive the last few hours. But I found it difficult to sleep while it was still light out.

I did manage to make some good progress on two books that I've listed below. The titles are links to the Goodreads page.

Collide by Shelly Crane - This was one of the books I picked in my Tackling the TBR Pile post. I'm liking this book, but can tell it's her first book. It's a little slow going for me right now. I actually like Merrick better than I do Sherry, but most of the book is told from Sherry's POV. I actually thought it would be more action packed than it is so far. As of the time that I'm writing this post (Friday night), I'm 58% finished with the book.

With Visions of Red by Trisha Wolfe - This book isn't for everyone. I know not everyone likes to read erotica, but I do from time to time. I read a review last week sometime by Bookworm Brandee of a later book in the series and decided to check the series out. I found the first book was free and decided to give it a shot. I like that this book combines crime solving with the erotica. So it seems to have some substance to it. At the time I'm writing this post (Friday night), I'm 65% finished with this book.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - I'm still working on this book; although I haven't picked it up in probably two weeks.

Adding to my TBR Pile

I have added a few books to my TBR pile. It looks like I've added 10-12 books to my TBR list in the last week. Here are some highlights with links to where I found them if possible.

True Love by Melissa Pearl - I originally found this author through a contest. Then I became part of her Fan Club on Facebook and took part in the new release party for True Love Wednesday. I've not read any of her books yet, but this book really sounds good to me.

The Lies We Lie by Emersyn Vallis - I found this one while catching up on my blog emails I get. The description leaves you wondering just what this books is about that I feel I have to read it. The only problem is that it doesn't release until February 2016.

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith - Another email I cleared out and found a book to fawn over. I just hope it has the ending I'd want. I like my Happily Ever Afters. :)

Blog Post Love.

 

Parajunkee is having a giveaway for signed copies of The Casquette Girls and Run/Fight - Both books take place in New Orleans and I LOVE New Orleans.
Rachel at Confessions of a Book Geek and Alicia at A Kernel of Nonsense talk about their Transatlantic Book Project. It sounds like a really neat project. I can't wait to hear more about it.
Rachel also talked about her Bookish Gift Guide with exclusive discounts in preparation for Christmas.
Cait told us 25 bookish facts about her. I love her writing style and I was actually thinking of doing a post like this while on the way to see my daughter. But I've yet to take it from my brain. Turns out this is actually a bookish tag and open to anyone that would like to make a post of 25 facts. I'll give it a try in the next few days.

How was your weeks? Feel free to leave a link to a post telling me about your week.

The Friday 56 Week #2

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice. 

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.
*It's that simple.

My post this week is from With Visions of Red (Broken Bonds Book #1) by Trisha Wolfe. 





Even so, Colton’s touch thoroughly shattered me— I can’t deny that. I can still feel his rough palms on my skin… his soft lips tenderly caressing, tasting… his taut muscles, hard and flexed, pressed against my thighs.

Review: Blake by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith

Blake (The Ninth Inning #2) by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith

Release Date: October 25, 2015

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Pages:212

Source: E-Book, ARC

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:

The Ninth Inning series presents Memphis Angels’ catcher, Blake Foster.

Blake Foster has a love/hate relationship with the game he plays for a living. On good days, he smiles and enjoys baseball. During the rest of the time, he’s battling his demons and looking out for his mother. He has a hard time keeping ahold of the good things in life no matter how badly he wants them.

Sofia Gardner might come from a rich family, but she has worked for the opportunity for a position on the staff for the Memphis Angels. However, when she meets Blake, she realizes there’s more to him than his constant grumpy expressions. She feels he needs a friend and in her good-natured way, she reaches out to him, only to find the demons he’s battling are much worse than she thought.

When the bases are loaded and it all comes down to the catch at home plate, can they get their out or lose it all when it matters most?

Notes about the book:

This is the second book in a two-part series. The series is split into seasons. I would say that the books could be read as stand-alones. Although, reading them all helps you to get all the background information.

This books is not meant for anyone under 18 as it does contain mild sex scenes and violence.

Note: I was provided with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Quote:

“Even Snow White had a Grumpy in her life. I figure if it’s good enough for Snow White, it’s good enough for me.”

My Review

Strong Couple. Great HEA!

I enjoyed this couple. There was a heavy issue fighting against their success as a couple. However, they managed to work through it and succeed.

Sofia and Blake are both trying to escape their father’s legacy. Sofia has a little easier time making it on her own. She’s drawn in by Blake’s hazel eyes and quickly finds it difficult to get him off her mind. She senses his need for a friend, someone who will listen as he talks.

Unfortunately Blake will go through both emotional and physical pain before Sofia is able to bring him around to trusting her. Their love for each other helps find a happily ever after solution for all involved.

The story was slow to grab me and pull me into it. However, by the halfway point I was loving Blake and Sofia. I think I like them better than I liked Felix and Abby from the first book in The Ninth Inning series. Their story seemed to have more substance to it and therefore grabbed me more. Like Felix and Abby, Blake and Sofia have a playful nature to their conversations with each other complete with some sarcasm and sexual innuendo. 

By the end I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. You could tell that Blake and Sofia were good in their relationship. However there was still another 5-10% of the book left to read. I love a story where the woman is in danger and the man comes to her rescue!

Check out Lindsay's website at http://authorlindsaypaige.blogspot.com/ and you can connect with Mary at http://www.authormarysmith.blogspot.com/.

Goodreads/Amazon/B&N

Review: A Perfect Mess by Zoe Dawson

 

A Perfect Mess (A Perfect Secret #1) by Zoe Dawson

Release Date: August 5, 2013

Genres: New Adult, Romantic-Suspense

Pages: 367

Source: E-Book

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:

I know what you did last summer.

Aubree Walker, the perfect girl most likely to succeed, is sure there’s only one person who knows what she did.

Booker Outlaw, one of the three Outlaw brothers—all identical, all gorgeous, all from the wrong side of the tracks, and all pure bad boys. He was always the unpredictable one, the one who would be brash enough to make it big self-publishing horror novels on the internet. He promised never to tell, but everyone knows you can never trust an Outlaw.

Then a year later, in the middle of the night, she receives a phone call at Tulane. Her aunt, who took her in after her mother’s death, is in a coma under suspicious circumstances. Now she has to face that one person who knows all about what she did that summer—sexy Booker.

Returning to Hope Parish to be with her aunt, stirs up all those ugly memories. When Aubree starts getting threats, she can’t help but wonder if what she did last summer was tied to her aunt’s “accident.” Afraid, she turns to the only person who knows the truth and Booker doesn’t hesitate to offer his broad shoulder for her to lean on. But Booker has a secret of his own that could crush their fledgling relationship.

As the hot, sultry summer days move on, she finds that even a perfectly smart girl can lose her heart to a perfectly bad boy. What is she going to do when someone starts asking questions Aubree doesn’t want to answer? She’s knee deep into a terribly dangerous, wholly life changing, who-can-she-really-depend-on perfect mess.

Notes about the book:

I read and reviewed this book in January 2015.

This book is not meant for anyone under 18 as it does contain mild sex scenes.

At the time of posting this review, this book was free for Kindle and Nook.

Book Quote:

“Are you okay, Aubree?” 
I nodded. “But I went all girl on you. I’m sorry… how are you doing?” 
He gave me that teasing grin. “I think with some rest, medication, and counseling, I’ll be okay.” 
I laughed, my eyes blurring again. “Are you ever serious?” 
“If you hadn’t blubbered all over me and interrupted that liplock in the kitchen, you would have seen how very serious I can get."

My Review

The book started a little slowly, but I was quickly hooked. I was nearing the end and thought I’ll just read a little bit more and go to bed. I was up till 1am finishing the book. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite combinations.

This book is not for those readers who do not like to read vulgar language or sex scenes. I loved Aubree & Booker’s romance. It didn’t hurt that there were two more hot guys waiting on the sidelines! I will continue the series to see what happens to Booker’s brothers and Aubree’s girlfriends. At one time I thought the author was going to hook Boone up with Aubree’s college roommate. But it doesn’t look like that will happen.

I’m glad that Aubree decided to push through her fears and follow her dreams.

You can connect with the author at http://zoedawson.com/.or at her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zoe-Dawson/437311359676596.

Goodreads/Amazon/B&N

The Friday 56 Week #1

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice. 

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.
*It's that simple.

My post this week is from page 228 (which is at 56%) of The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I didn't see any good quotes on page 56 (that's so early for this book). So I'm improvising.

Okay. I'm ready -- Gansey's voice caught, just a little. Blue, kiss me.

Shaken, Blue opened her eyes for real, and now she saw the darkness of the cavity around her and smelled the dark, rotten scent of the tree again. Her guts were twisted with the ghostly grief and desire she'd felt in the vision. She was sick and embarrassed, and when she stepped out of the tree, she couldn't look at Gansey.

"Well?" Gansey asked.

She said, "It's . . . something."

I will have a review eventually. I'm liking this book, but am just having difficulty sticking with it. I think it may have to do with the fact it's an actual physical book. I think if it were on my Kindle I may have already finished it. Not sure.

That's What HE Said Thursday - November 12, 2015

 

That's What He Said Thursday is a meme hosted by Julie and Lynn at Chapter Break.  Come join us every Thursday by posting a favorite line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind these are direct quotes from dialogue in a book. It is NOT a physical description of a male protag or a paragraph of dialogue. It is a line spoken by our favorite heroes to their lucky ladies (whom we so wish we were!!!!!!) sigh…

 

“You going to play me, Booker?” 

“You’d make a beautiful song.” Booker Outlaw to Aubree Walker.

Dawson, Zoe (2014-05-16). A Perfect Mess (Hope Parish Novels Book 1) (p. 245). Blue Moon Creative LLC. Kindle Edition.  

Booker is one of the hot and sexy Outlaw triplets whose reputation matches their last name. However, once you get to know them, you discover they are compassionate and loyal southern boys. Booker actually has a hidden intellectual side. I loved the Outlaw triplets!

Review: Give Me Love by Kate McCarthy

Give Me Love (Give Me #1) by Kate McCarthy

Release Date: March 15, 2013

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Pages:328

Source: E-Book

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:

Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves relocating her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time.

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie's best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his. They strike up a long distance friendship which suits Evie because she's determined to avoid the distraction of love, not only because it doesn't fit in with her plan but because twice in the past it has left her for dead. Moving to Sydney however, has put her directly in Jared's path and he has decided it's the perfect opportunity to make his play.

Unfortunately Jared, co-owner in a business that 'consults' in dangerous hostage and kidnapping situations, makes an enemy who's determined to enact revenge. When this enemy puts Evie in his sights, Jared not only has a fight on his hands to make her his own, but also to keep her alive.

Is accepting the love he's so desperate to give worth the risk to both her heart...and her life?

Notes about the book:

I read this book in July 2014 and wrote the following review for Goodreads. 

 

Since then, two more books have been released in this series. I've yet to read either.

This books is not meant for anyone under 18 as it does contain mild sex scenes.

As of the posting of this review, this book was free for Kindle and Nook. Check out the links below.

Book Quote:

“I see you two together. I see you look at him and him look at you, and it's like...that's how it's supposed to be. You both share a joy of simply being in the same room as the other. Two people who can be loved just for being who they are is a special thing, honey, and I see that potential in the two of you.”

My Review

This was the first book by Kate McCarthy that I’d read. I LOVED this book. It is now one of my favorites. I love when a book includes danger and romance.

The main characters, Jared and Evie, were each strong people and people that I could connect with. At first I wished the story would speed up and get around to their relationship. Instead we were treated to a slow build of their relationship via many text messages. Looking back at it, I really do like this approach. It was like we were actually there with them. I also liked that they were able to show their anger and that they walked away angry at times. It made it seem more real.

The supporting characters were lovable as well. I’m glad to see that they are getting their spotlight in future books in this series. I only hope there are more books to spotlight the other characters – Mac, Henry, Jake to mention a few. I loved the close relationship between Evie and Henry and Mac. The other three members of the band also had Evie’s back.

 I can’t wait to read the other books in the series!

You can connect with the author at http://katemccarthy.net/ or at her Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/KateMcCarthyAuthor.

Goodreads/Amazon/B&N