Yule Holiday Reading List 2020

Yule Reading Challenge

November 1, 2020 - January 6, 2021

Welcome back to another year of the Yule Reading Challenge, here I attempt to read all the Yule/ Christmas books listed on my shelves and any ARCs I might have.  Last year I did this list and really enjoyed reading some of the books I owned.  This lead to me falling in love with a few new authors and adding them on to the TBR Pile but also made me aware of the awesome stories already sitting on the pile from those authors as well.

With another season on us I wanted to give myself plenty of time to really fall in love with these books, since I don't celebrate Thanksgiving I'm going to be going right from Halloween reads right into the Yule season.  If you would like to join in just share in the comments down below and we can work on motivating each other to clean up the TBR Pile just a little bit more.  To make this more fun, this year we are going to be doing some giveaways as well. More to be announced so be on the lookout!!

Now onto the books to be read:

Books From the Stockpile

• Naughty or Nice by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Friends
• A SEAL Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear
• A Bride For Christmas by Heather Graham and Friends
• This Christmas by Jane Green and Friends
• Under The Mistletoe by Stephanie Bond
• The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus by Carly Alexander
• Christmas on Mimosa Lane by Anna DeStefano
• Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
• Three Days on Mimosa Lane Anna DeStefano
• @Home For The Holidays by Meredith Efken
• Jingle Bells Rock Anthology Lori Foster, Janelle Denison & More
• Mistletoe Games Jaci Burton
• Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley (re-Read)
• Christmas Star by Roz Denny Fox
• Yule Be Mine by Lori Foster
• I'm Your Santa Anthology Lori Foster & Friends
• Holiday Temptation Donna Hill, Farrah Rochon & K.M. Jackson

• The Holiday Inn (Anthology)
• Mistletoe & Molly by Janet Dailey
• Santa in Montana
• Searching For Santa
• The Gift by Nora Roberts
• First Impressions by Nora Roberts
• Winter Nights (Anthology)
• Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by Soraya Lane
• Secret Prince's Christmas Seduction by Carol Marinelli
• 
  

ARCs That I Need To Read:

• The Keepers Christmas In Salem Heather Graham 
• A Last Chance Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson
• A Christmas To Remember by Jill Shalvis and Friends
• Christmas With The Seal by Tawny Weber 
• Christmas With The Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter

Books I'm Adding on This Year ():

• Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by Soraya Lane
• Secret Prince's Christmas Seduction by Carol Marinelli
• It Must Be Christmas by Jennifer Crusie, Donna Alward & Mandy Baxter

Let me know if you have read any of these and should I move them to the top.  I'm sure I will find more in my kindle, but for now, these are the ones I would like to work on.  The goal isn't to add any more books to this list but to clean up the books that have been waiting all year for me to read them.

Any comments or questions please feel free to leave them down below, and I will see you tomorrow my loves.

2020 Spooky TBR

Hi my loves since it's October, I thought I would challenge myself to read from the paranormal bookshelf that I have been severely neglecting so far this year.  With so many choices I decided I didn't want to tie myself down to specific books because as we know the second I do that, I rebel and don't follow through so instead I have a few prompts that will aide me in picking a few good reads this month. 

There is also a Samhain WitchAthon taking place from October 24th to the 31st. Here are the prompts:

•  Samhain is a time for honoring your ancestors... so once again, pick a book that features your heritage.
•  This Sabbat is a time when the veil is thinnest, pick a book that features communing with the dead... (ghosts or mediumship or necromancy)
• We are heading into the darkest part of the year... Pick a book that promises to be dark & twisted.
• Witches often make offerings to spirit guides or gods... Pick a book that involves a pantheon of deities!
• Dancing round the bonfire is a Samhain tradition... pick a book that has fire on the cover.
• Many celebrate the Sabbat as Halloween and dress up, post a picture of your costume and tag the readathon!
• Read Group book Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir ( I won't be doing this as I'm reading only books I own) 

You can follow along on twitter with the hashtag #WitchAThon and the live show after the readathon is on November 1st at 6pm CST

Spooky Reads for the Season:

Authors:

• L.A. Banks 
• Heather Graham & the Krewe of Hunters series
• Gena Showalter
• Nalini Singh
• Maggie Shayne ( non ebooks only) 
• Shiloh Walker
• Katie MacAlister
• Jennifer L Armentrout
• Holly Black
• Lilith Saintcrow
• Natasha Preston
• Christine Feehan
• Alice Hoffman
• The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
• The Witches by Roal Dahl 
• Fifth Grave by Darynda Jones
• A Little Night Magic
• Thornjack (re-read) by Katherine Harbour
• Briar Queen by Katherine Harbour
• Nettle King by Katherine Harbour
• Julie Kagawa
• Rin Chupeco

These are just a few of the books and authors I want to check in on. Let me know what spooky books are on your list this month. If you would like to buddy read let me know. 

May your reading be hauntingly awesome this month my loves

2020 Jennifer In July Challenge

Hi my loves

This is going to be my second year of doing this spin on the Jennifer in July reading challenge I give myself every year. Instead of reading just Jennifer L Armentrout I will be reading all the Jennifers/ Jens/ Jenna/ or variety of that name on my shelves. It's pretty extensive as well I can't wait to dive in. I have a varied list of books from several sub-genres of Romance and I'm so excited.

Last Year's Stats
Physical TBR: 31 

Ebook TBR: 7

Total To Read: 38

Completed in 2019: 8

Completed in 2020:
Physical TBR: 24
Ebook TBR: 5
To Be Read: 29

Jennifer L Armentrout ( All the Series Starters)

• Midnight and Sins 
• The Darkest Star
• The Return
• White Hot Kiss
• Stone Cold Touch
• LUX

Jennifer  Lynn Barnes:

• Raised by Wolves
• Trial By Fire (A Raised by Wolves Novel)

Jennifer Bernard

• The Fireman Who Love Me (Book 1)
• Hot For Fireman (Book 2)

Jenna Black

• Glimmerglass

Jennifer Brown

• Torn Away (ARC)
• Thousand Words

Jennifer Cruise:

• Agnes and the Hitman
• Faking It

Jennifer Donnelly

• Deep Blue
• Rogue Wave
• These Shallow Graves (Physical ARC)

Jennifer Greene

• Where Is He Now??
• Blame It on Paris

Jennifer  Haymore

• The Rogue's Proposal (ARC)

Jennifer Holm

• The Fourteenth Goldfish (ARC)

Jennifer Mathieu

• The Truth About Alice (ARC)

Mary Jennifer Payne

• Since You've Been Gone (ARC)

Jennifer Probst:

• Searching for Always
• Searching for Disaster

Jennifer E Smith

• The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight
• The Geography of Me & You (ARC)
• Hello Goodbye and Everything in Between (Physical ARC)

Motivation: Every 5 books from the physical stack that I read I earn 1 (one) new book from my wishlist of books I have.  Goal 7 new books. 

2019 Books Read:  8          Books Earned from Wishlist: 1
2020 Books Read:      Books Earned From Wishlist:

Would you like to participate with me?? Share what your list looks like and we can motivate each other on twitter, facebook or instagram.

Happy Reading my loves,

July 2020 To Be Read Pile

My goal this year is 225  books, if I break that down it comes out to 18 books per month, with 3 to 4  books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites:

To be real the last few weeks have been very trying and I haven't really gotten anything read. I start a whole bunch of stuff and DNF for now because I just don't feel the reading bug. Or the blogging bug or anything really, I'm just working on getting up and going to work on time. I do believe though if you fail to plan that you plan to fail so here is my obviously ambitious plan for the month, well see at the end where we are.

Key:
Blue means the book added during the month. 
Red= DNF (Did Not Finish) 
Black= Original Titles at the beginning of the month.

Read So Far This Year: 

63

TBR Pile 

225

TBR Balance:
162

Lemonade Syllabus:

1. .
2. .

Perpetual Author Challenge:

• Spencer's Forbidden Seduction Brenda Jackson 
• Beverly Jenkins
• Coel's Red Hot Pursuit by Brenda Jackson
• Bane by Brenda Jackson
• One Night with the Wealthy Rancher by Brenda Jackson
• 
  

Black Out Challenge:

• 
  
• .
• .
• .
• .

Erotica books:

• .
• .
• .

Non Fiction Books:

1. Religious Book
2. Religious Book
3. 
   

How is this quarantine affecting your reading my loves?? What are you going to be reading my loves?? Share in the comments down below if you have read any of these and as always

Happy Reading

May 2020 TBR

My goal this year is 225  books, if I break that down it comes out to 18 books per month, with 3 to 4  books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites:

TO be real the last few weeks have been very trying and I haven't really gotten anything read. is tart a whole bunch of stuff and DNF for now because I just don't feel the reading bug. Or the blogging bug or anything really, I'm just working on getting up and going to work on time. I do believe though if you fail to plan that you plan to fail so here is my obviously ambitious plan for the month, well see at the end where we are.

Key:
Blue means the book added during the month. 
Red= DNF (Did Not Finish) 
Black= Original Titles at the beginning of the month.

Read So Far This Year: 

47

TBR Pile 

225

TBR Balance:
178

Lemonade Syllabus:

1. .
2. .

Perpetual Author Challenge:

• Brenda Jackson 
• Beverly Jenkins
• Brenda Jackson

Finish Series Challenge:

• Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn ✓
• Yasmine Galenorn ✓
• Sylvia Day Georgian series
• Christine Feehan Shadow Riders: Published 2020
• Christine Feehan Water Bound (Book 1)
• Air Bound by Christine Feehan
• Earth Bound by Christine Feehan  

ARC

• Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai ✓
• .
• .
• .
• .

Black Out Challenge:

• The Right Swipe Alisha Rai ✓
• .
• .
• .
• .

Erotica books:

• .
• .
• .

Non Fiction Books:

1. Religious Book
2. Religious Book
3. Finance Book
4. Social issues Book
5. Personal Interest Book

How is this quarantine affecting your reading my loves?? What are you going to be reading my loves?? Share in the comments down below if you have read any of these and as always

Happy Reading

Quarter 1 Wrap Up: Jan 1 to March 31, 2020

Hi my loves

It's the end of March and end of the first quarter of the year. Here we are looking back at January 1st  to March 31st and our accomplishments from our goals and objectives of this year.  The first part of the year was a bit of a wash, I didn't have the reading bug and nothing seemed to make it appear so I stopped pushing and did other things. February though?? I really made up for it with March really helping me to move the needle forward and I'm so glad. I wanted to share how I've been doing:

Year Goal:225

Current: 39

 Balance: 186

Series Completed: (Number of Books Read)

• Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts (2) 
• In The Garden Series by Nora Roberts (2)
• In Death Series by J.D. Robb (Current) 
• All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (2)
• Forbidden Hearts Trilogy by Alisha Rai (3)

Series Started & Caught Up On:

• Blessing Series by Beverly Jenkins (Book 9)
• Brooklyn Brujas by Zoraida Cordova (Book 1) 
• MacKade Brothers by Nora Roberts (Book 1) 
• Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon by Yasmine Galenorn (Books 5-13)
• Westmoreland Legacies by Brenda Jackson (Book 3) 
• Heirs of Hansol by Jayci Lee (Book 1) 
• Bliss Colorado by Lexi Blake ( Book 1) 

Blackout Challenge Books:

• Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
• American Street by Ibi Zoboi
• Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

Statistics Time:

Total Read: 39

Physically Owned: 29

2020 Purchased/ Hauled: 2

Owned (From my Shelves inc ebooks owned): 32

Unowned/ Borrowed From Library/ Subscription service) : 3

ARCS: 4

Reading Format 

Ebook: 8

Audiobook: 31

Physical : 0

Haul (From Jan to March)

Originally I was aiming for only 20 books for the year. Then this wildness kicked off and I needed something to get my mind off of the world imploding and me not being able to do anything about it so I dealt with my anxiety by shopping. I can always shop for books, there is always room for books so here we are:

ARCS: 11

• American Sweethearts (Dreamers # 4) by Adriana Herrera
• A Cowboy to Remember  (Cowboys of California # 1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon
•  Four Days of You & Me by Miranda Kenneally
•  Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love # 2) by Alisha Rai
•  How to Love Your Elf (Embraced/ Embraced by Magic #1) by Kerrelyn Sparks
•  My One True Cowboy (River Ranch # 4) by Soraya Lane
•  Dr. Wangari Maarthai Plants a Forest by Rebel Girls
•  Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
• Seduced by a Steele (Forged by a Steele)  by Brenda Jackson
• The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty 2) by Sabrina Jeffries
• Temporary Wife Temptation ( The Heirs of Hansol # 1) by Jayci Lee

Pre-Orders: 4

• Temporary Wife Temptation ( The Heirs of Hansol # 1) by Jayci Lee
• Blame It On The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaire # 3) by Naima Simone
• The Arrangement by Sylvia Day
• On the Corner of Hope & Main (Blessings # 10)  by Beverly Jenkins

Dollar Tree & Paperbackswap: 

• A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
• Manners & Mutiny ( Finishing School # 4)  by Gail Carriger
• Odd One Out by Nic Stone
• Bounce XO ( Boomerang # 3) by Noelle August 
• Inked (Anthology) Yasmine Galenorn
• Never After (Anthology) by Yasmine Galenorn
• Contact Yoga (Tabletop Book) 

Unhaul:

While I have been bringing in a few titles I have also gotten rid of a few. through my paperbackswap listing. (Check me out if you want to trade books as well) 

1. Tangled Threat by Heather Graham. I had two copies and since this wasn't a book I saw myself re-reading I traded them both. 
2. Jesus Through Pagan Eyes.by Rev Mark Townsend I owned several copies of this book. I decided I didn't need three copies on my shelves so I traded one so far. 
3. Awakened by P.C Cast. I've had this random book on my shelves and before I moved I pulled a few I knew I wasn't ever going to actually get to and this was one of them.  

And that's where we are so far.  I'm loving my progress so far this year, it's going great. I've read quite a few books from all the different shelves in my library and I'm excited to see where we end up next quarter.

How are you doing on your challenge this year so far?? Read anything interesting this quarter?? What are your goals for next quarter??

April 2020 TBR

My goal this year is 225  books, if I break that down it comes out to 19 books per month, with 4 to 5  books a week. Totally doable in my books. This month's theme is also going to pivot off my perfect reading TBR along with YA and NA being the major focus of the month.  I have so many of these books on my shelf that I want to get read so I'm jumping in. As the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites:

Key:
Blue means the book added during the month. Red= DNF (Did Not Finish) Black= Original Titles at the beginning of the month.

Read So Far This Year: 

39

TBR Pile
225

TBR Balance:
186

Brenda Jackson Challenge:

• Westmoreland Book
• Steele Book
• Bennett Book

YA/ New Adult Challenge:

1. The Fight by L Divine
2. Jacqueline Woodson
3. Nic Stone
4. Walter Dean Mosley
5. Brave by Tammara Webber ( my final unread book by her) 
6. Losing It by Cora Cormack
7. Slammed Colleen Hoover
8. The Edge of Never by J.R Redmerski

Perpetual Author Challenge:

• Christine Feehan
• Sylvia Day
• A. R Torre'
• .
• 
  

Finish Series Challenge: ( YA/ NA Books) 

• Forged by Fire by Sharon M Draper
• Darkness Before Dawn by Sharon M Draper
• Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
• Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
• Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally
• Holly Black Title 
• Holly Black Title

ARC

• Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
• How To Love Your Elef by Kerrelyn Sparks
• Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
• 
  
• .

Black Out Challenge:

• Panic by Sharon M Draper
• .
• .
• .
• .

Erotica Books:

• .
• .
• .

Non Fiction Books:

1. Religious Book

What are you going to be reading my loves?? Share in the comments down below if you have read any of these and as always

Happy Reading

Audiobook #Review: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies Book 3) by Brenda Jackson

Book Title: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies # 3)
Author:  Brenda Jackson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance, Military Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Audiobook, Mass Market Paperback
Narrator: Brian Hutchison 

Audio Service: Scribd
Hours in Book: 4 hours 50 mins

Cost: $20.00

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: May 08, 2018
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

This Navy SEAL is on a top-secret mission of seduction ...David Holloway is used to hard assignments. Now he faces his most difficult yet: cozying up to the soft curves of Swan Jamison. He wants to know the island beauty ... in every way. But romancing Swan as part of his SEAL team's mission tests his honor, even as his feelings become increasingly real. Soon he must make a choice: duty ... or desire? (

Overall:
A military romance with mystery, intrigue, international espionage and sexy times. Where do I sign up?? Plus it's linked to the Westmoreland family sagas?? Yes, please.

Narrator:
Brian Hutchison. This is the first time I've listened to anything read by him and I enjoyed his narration. The story flowed and he was able to make each character unique enough for a distinction between them and I was hooked because of how he read the story as well. Well done!!

Story:
I grabbed this recently after being at home due to recovering after emergency surgery.  I didn't feel the urge to read but wanted something to keep me occupied while I was stuck in the bed. I decided I didn't want anything with crazy plot lines I wanted some good loving and great family dynamics and I was so glad I snagged this one.

Told using dual perspectives, we have the story of Swan & David. David known as Flipper to his friends is a Navy SEAL who is due for a vacation and is instead given the option for a top-secret mission., this mission is being asked of him by the top brass who he really respects and he decides to take the mission.  Swan owns a boutique in her mother's hometown, where she not only sells unique designs she makes herself but also rents out part of her shop to a successful tattoo parlor. Unbeknownst to Swan, she's being investigated for her part in the selling of US intelligence secrets to the Chinese.

David gets to the island to investigate and is surprised that when he meets Swan in the flesh he's beyond attracted to her. He has to keep this professional not just because her Uncles are his Superior officers, but because he can't afford to be distracted on the mission.

As with all Brenda's books, the chemistry was off the charts and the couple were hilarious together. Both were being cautious, Swan because she had learned the harsh lessons of the past from her parents' marriage and how they were treated by their families. While her parents had a happy marriage after what happens to them Swan has made the choice to never date military and to be extremely cautious about interracial dating.  David is trying to stay focused, finish the mission prove that Swan is innocent and get out of this mission without compromising his honor.

I really loved the story and it kept me intrigued, because not only did we have the mystery of who was selling the secrets if it wasn't Swan. I loved how they talked about what dating would look like and how they went slowly because David recognized that Swan needed the time and space to re-evaluate what was once on her never list. They are so many characters who could have been the ones responsible and some I didn't expect. Once we began to unravel the mystery and more information began to come out I was deeply hooked.

I enjoyed the mystery the romance and the final chapters. I loved how Swan reacted because honestly #Same, and I loved how Flipper got around her fears.

I skipped reading in order like I have been for the rest of the Westmoreland series, so I could read this. I didn't know all the characters David was connected to so I missed that "ahh" aspect when you read a series to the current books. However I still enjoyed the book, it wasn't necessary to know all the background of the characters as there was a brief description when needed. I loved this one especially because Flipper has such good friends. Now I'm going backward to go read those books.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Westmoreland series by Brenda Jackson
• The Protector Series by Brenda Jackson

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Blame It on The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3) by Naima Simone .@Naima_Simone #blackoutbillionaires

Book Title: Blame It On The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3)
Author:  Naima Simone |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

A dramatic chemistry-filled contemporary romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone.

She fell into his arms... now she’s falling for his trap.
Will a blackout change everything for these unlikely lovers?

It was a night filled with secrets, lies…and soul-stealing passion. And now the blackout that turned lowly executive assistant Nadia Jordan and start-up billionaire Grayson Chandler into insatiable lovers leads to a proposal Nadia can’t refuse. As she steps into Grayson’s privileged Chicago world, will his matchmaking mother and vengeful ex destroy her dreams? Or will her fake fiancé make those dreams a reality?

What happens in the dark never stays in the dark... Don’t miss the family drama, secrets and passion in the Blackout Billionaires series:
The Billionaire’s Bargain
Black Tie Billionaire
Blame It on the Billionaire

I was super excited to get this one. It's the final installment in the series and I wanted to know how Grayson's story would shake out.  I was so hooked to this story that I was almost late to an appointment and when I left the appointment I sat in the parking lot and read until I finished the book.  I was just so invested it was awesome.

We meet Grayson Chandler, the second son of the great Chandler family in Chicago, who with his best friend Gideon created a company that is making strides in the Tech world is at the same ball with Gideon and is currently trying to outrun his mother's matchmaking and his ex's machinations when he runs into Nadia Jordan, small-town transplant who happens to work for his company; she's at the ball on her day off because her boss an executive in Grayson's company needed a shirt to replace the one he spilled on. While trying to run the errand she runs in the CEO of the company and just when she didn't things could go more awry the lights go down and they are stuck together.  When the lights are out it gives them a chance to drop their masks and not hide. They share details they wouldn't share with others and spend a night of passion they normally wouldn't indulge in.

The characters are well done and even the side characters are as well. I loved that even though the story really focuses on the growing relationship between Nadia and Grayson that their friends and family are seen a bit. I loved the sibling relationships that were shared and that they were loving and even when strained still filled with love.   Both Grayson and Nadia where characters you could root for because they felt so real. When they faced issues they dealt with them realistically, even when it would hurt. I loved that. I loved the chemistry between them, and how even in the moments of passion neither took the other's consent for granted, but in fact enthusiastically sought and given.  Even though both of them bore the scars of betrayal they still without really meaning to seek it in the other, even after they warned each other that this wasn't real. Ugh, that is my jam!! I loved the way the POV went back and forth between them allowing us to see the motivations that they each had and of course progressed the story as some scenes only included one of the characters.

I absolutely love how Naima writes her stories, her characters are well thought out, charismatic and they just flow so well. The chemistry, the realness of the conversations they should be having?!!! Just *chefs kiss* beautiful. I love how strong and yet vulnerable they both are. When Grayson finds himself in a tough spot he backs them into a bit of a corner and even though Nadia knows she's not from the same social stratosphere as the people in her new social circle she refuses to be cowed by it. She doesn't need to be rescued, she's got her own escape plan, but a partner in crime would be nice.

This is a modern romance, with a strong but vulnerable alpha who knows his privilege and power and doesn't abuse it. He, in fact, makes sure those within his employ never take advantage they shouldn't. A strong, vulnerable woman who knows her worth and isn't willing to settle for anything less than what she fully deserves. I loved how the story circled back to sacrifice and how no matter the social status some families require it. And what should sacrifice and happiness look like?? I cracked up because when I was reading I kept saying the "effing patriarchy" because the solution was RIGHT THERE and then, of course, our good guy figured it out!!

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• The Billionaire's Bargain
• Blacktie Billionaire
• Blame It On The Billionaire

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Tempted by the Temporary Wife by Jayci Lee

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Temporary Wife Temptation (Heirs of Hansol Book 1) by Jayci Lee #TemporaryWifeTemptation #NetGalley

Book Title: Temporary Wife Temptation (Heirs of Hansol 1)
Author: Jayci Lee |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $5.25

Pages: 224

How I got it: ARC via NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Harlequin Desire: Be transported to the worlds of oil barons, family dynasties, moguls and celebrities. Get ready for juicy plot twists, delicious sensuality and intriguing scandal.

Much more than he bargained for…

“You want me to find you a wife?”

“No. I want you to be my wife.”

Garrett Song is this close to taking the reins of his family’s LA fashion empire…until the Song matriarch insists he marry her handpicked bride first. To block her matchmaking, he recruits Natalie Sobol to pose as his wife. She needs a fake spouse as badly as he does. But when passion burns down their chaste agreement, the flames could destroy them all…

This is one of my favorite tropes " the fake fiance/spouse" trope and Jayci executed this one well. For a debut author, the chemistry and the push/pull of the relationship is extremely well done.  The chemistry between Natalie and Garrett was off the charts.   Natalie is in a power struggle with an older couple to adopt her niece but being a single woman is working against her. Garrett's Grandmother won't turn over the reins of the family business until he marries the woman she's picked out for him. Garrett doesn't believe in marriage and happily ever after, so he makes a bid to outmatch his Grandmother by saying he already has a fiance.  Natalie works as the HR rep for the LA office of the business Garrett's family runs and when she messes up the chance to have a promotion that would have increased her earning potential as well as allowing her to give the courts a better chance for her to adopt her niece she is willing to take Garrett's proposal. Except she has a crush on him and he finds her irresistible. They make a bargain to keep this platonic except they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

There are so many good moments within the story, from the moment when Garrett tries to rescue Natalie from his Grandmother and instead interrupts teatime?? I was cracking up. I loved that the fact that they were Korean played a big part in their romance and how their relationship along with the fake relationship was being shaped and shared. I loved that Natalie had a friend that had her back and was willing to teach her what she didn't know as well as help her out when she was feeling overwhelmed.  I enjoyed the way the two interacted and how they worked their way from being wary platonic compatriots to lovers to are we or are we not in a relationship??

After getting married to help accomplish their goals Garrett distances himself and Natalie works on getting her niece since that was her reason for being in this relationship. While they fake it for the cameras and family, the chemistry builds for them and they eventually work to a personal relationship. I really enjoyed Garrett's family as well, his sister seems like an interesting woman and I  can't wait for the developing stories in the series. Garrett has *as all the reluctant protags in these romances do* a few moments where he does the stupidest thing ever that risks the relationship and family. Natalie doesn't make it easy for him and I loved the grand gesture.

This is one of the first times I can personally remember reading a romance featuring two Korean characters and I loved it. I will definitely be adding Jayci into the rotation of must follow authors.

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• Temporary Wife Temptation (Heir of Hansol 1) 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Audiobook #Review: Tangled Threat by Heather Graham #TangledThreat #NetGalley

Book Title: Tangled Threat
Author:  Heather Graham |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Audiobook/ Mass Market
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky 

Audio Service: Hoopla (Library App)
Hours in Book: 5 Hours

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 256

How I got it: ARC From NetGalley & Pre-order from Amazon 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Some things you can’t forget.

A body hanging from the infamous History Tree unraveled their teenage love. Now Maura Antrim is again tangled up with Brock McGovern. Twelve years later, they’re back where that murder occurred—where Brock had been arrested and then released, where Maura had run, too scared to stand by his side. But with two women missing, and Brock now an FBI agent, Maura is determined to help. Together, they’ll have to confront a threat that never died and see if their passion has withstood the test of time.

Overall:
As much as I love Heather, this was a very "meh" story. It just wasn't for me. I tried reading it as an ARC and wasn't hooked, then snagged a copy of the audio to listen to. While it flowed well, the story had too much history and not enough time spent on creating the tension in plot. There were supposed to be on the hunt for missing women and yet despite saying they were worried almost everyone seemed to just be blase' about it. Even a woman who would fit the description was a total idiot when being told to be careful.  The characters were supposed to be hot and heavy teens with their who lives figured out and when they deal with a tragedy it changes them and yet when they meet up again there is this absolutely no tension about how things were left, no resentment, no anger about how they were treated no hurt, just a easy acceptance without there being any tension one would expect, it just falls in so easy ( like way too easy).

Narrator: Eva Kaminsky

This is my first time with this narrator and she certainly tried to make the story flow well. Her inflections and narration helped to make the story much more interesting. When I expected something explosive it was truly based on the way she was reading the material, but when scenes fell flat it was because of the material.

Story:

For the first time in a long time with a Heather Graham book I was looking forward to the end and not because I wanted to get to the whole story, nope I just wanted it to end.  This is a second chance romance and I didn't feel like the characters were interesting, and with all the potential the story was boring.  There wasn't much chemistry, they barely talked and I don't know there wasn't any real tension about what her mother had done or how things were handled.  The build up of the locations and the way the history was being talked about I expected way more than we got.

I learned more about Florida's history and frankly very little of what we learned aided in the story. It wasn't until the last ten pages that the tension of the book even manifested. The villains and their motivation were very weak and I honestly just didn't care at the end. Someone can only be so dumb before you want them to be one of the people who goes missing.   The red herring we were giving would have been a better solution than the answer we were given.

When i started following along in the physical book and realized we were over half way through without the two star crossed lovers even really getting anytime alone I knew I was done.  Everyone was acting like him spending one night in jail was supposed to derail his life ( considering he never even saw the judge and no charges were pressed against him, and his family money and influence made sure he never faced any consequences, not sure how that was supposed to happen).  The idea that you loved someone so much that one night makes you turn away from them and neither of you show up to demand answers?? You followed your parents directive and made no attempt to reach out to the other person and then wondered why they didn't follow up???

For a couple that was supposed to be getting back together from a 12 year separation I didn't feel the heat of their relationship. they didn't really have any depth of feeling and While it only took 3 hours to listen to the story I wasn't hooked. When it ended I was like wait what that's it?? Where is the rest?? It felt unfinished.

 ★★★☆☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Heather Graham Krewe of Hunters series
• Sizzle Julie Garwood

Happy Reading my loves, 

Audiobook #Review: The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy Book 3) by Deborah Harkness

Book Title: The Book Of Life ( All Souls Trilogy #3)
Author: Deborah Harkness |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Viking Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3

Format: Audiobook, Hardcover
Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda

Audio Service: Penguin Audio via RTB App
Hours in Book: 25

Cost: $38.95

Pages: 561

How I got it: BEA 2014/ Audio via RTB App

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: July 15th, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

The #1 New York Times bestselling series finale and sequel to A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night

Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency.

Overall:
A fantastic end to the series and I can't wait to see how they adapt this one as well. This eas so explosive and good. I did have a few moments closer to the end where I was annoyed that we essentially got closed door on what I thought would have been major blow out scenes and yet sometimes way too many pages on the mundane.  The pacing was faster this time around and while we had moments of levity, there were a whole lot more unmasking moments within the book. So many things get revealed and I love the way in which Deborah takes the team on their search for the origin of the species. It's going to be hella interesting what they do with the results.  I had originally skipped the novella Time's Convert but apparently, I shouldn't have and after this, I'm going to remedy that, because apparently a good amount of things happened, not enough that you can't follow along but enough you know that things happened off scene and you are missing a few minor pieces.

Narrator:
Jennifer Ikeda.

This is my second story with Jennifer as a narrator and she is phenomenal. She manages to make the whole cast of characters unique and carry the story along without losing any of the different threads.  I loved how I could tell who the different characters were, including when she would switch languages and sing. Just amazing, she really brought the story alive.  Her voice was pleasing and her inflections really made the story fly by. I read at 1.5x speed and this helped to make the storytime go by faster. Even sped up Jenn's voice really hooked you. I didn't want to stop listening at all.

Story:

The time has come for Matthew and Diana to return home and bring with them the knowledge of the Book of Life and once again attempt to beat out the others making a play for the book.  There were so many good moments of reunions that Diana and Matthew both needed that brought them healing while giving them the necessary footing to be able to go into battle far more prepared than they were before.

Diana now knows the source of her magic and can control better than before, but she's come back with a few more gifts as well and now the clock is ticking on when and how she will be face the full wrath of the governing body of the species. She's sworn to get revenge for the battles that were waged when she wasn't there and she's coming for the witches who betrayed her and her mother. Before she can make good on that promise though she needs the pieces of the Book Of Life and she and Matthew need to decipher it before their enemies.

From the time they return to the end of the book Diana and her team were running against a clock. Beat their enemies to deciphering the unknown language of the book, get revenge for her mother an all the other witches; find out why the species is dying out, and prevent Matthew's older brother from fling Diana out of the clan. It's a whirlwind of unraveling secrets, learning new secrets and discovering something that will eventually turn their entire world upside down.  There are new mates and partnerships that have formed while Matthew and Diana were away and now that they have returned they have to find their place within the new family dynamics.

I love that we learn what happened to some of the people Diana left behind; people we counted on before come through and some betray us.  Relationships are fractured and the truth comes out in a big way.  I loved the weaving of politics and the mythology of the Knights Templar into the story. The history and as new puzzle pieces were laid I was so excited to see how it changed the landscape they were navigating.  I found myself angry at some characters, in love with others, laughing with Diana and weary with Matthew. The fledging sense of hope, the fear Diana felt as she made it past the loss and her fear about what the future meant for their people. Fighting the ingrained prejudice that many took as a precaution against being seen by humans, it's funny how even within the magical community it comes down to genetics.

I really want to go into more detail but this being the final book I won't spoil it for you. If you want to fangirl on twitter/ Instagram in the DMs then holler at me.

I'm hoping we're going to get more from the world because there are so many we need to learn about. When those final battle scenes were happening?? When they hunted for Matthew and the full-blown truth came out?? This is what happens when a person doesn't truly have faith but uses it to practice punishment. So many times others have pointed out that Matthew's piousness would come back to haunt him and it finally does. I was so hooked those final chapters and I was totally satisfied with the ending. I highly recommend it my loves.

 ★★★★1/2☆

Series In Order

1. A Discovery Of Witches ( All Souls Trilogy 1)
2. Shadow Of Night (All Souls Trilogy 2) 
3. The Book Of Life ( All Souls Trilogy 3) 

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
• The Portal Series by Maggie Shayne

Happy Reading my loves,