Sunday, March 19, 2023

Weekend Wrap-up: March 19th

 

 

 It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

This weekend was physically busy.  Completed my first half marathon race in 4 years and took the boys out on their bikes and to the beach. Still enjoying the nice weather before winter strikes.


Finished







(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading






Next up:


Changed it up this week:





What are you reading this week?


Here is my past week's Blog Posts.




Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

I purchased two this week, one needed before I can read a review book and the other one to finish a series:








Saturday, March 18, 2023

Giveaway notice! The Vanishing at Castle Moreau


Have you preordered Jaime Jo Wright's upcoming release "The Vanishing at Castle Moreau"? It is a beautiful and haunting story, with some elements of creepy, some romance, and a message you will not want to miss!

Do you remember being a little kid dreaming of castles and knights and heroes who slayed dragons? What happens when you grow up and the castles become places of haunting and the knights become monsters? Is there a refuge? Or is there only a nightmare?
PREORDER YOUR COPY NOW FROM ANY BOOK LOCATION AND BE ENTERED TO WIN!
Preorder here: https://a.co/d/aeDNe4G
(while you're at it, snag the preorder for "The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater" coming this fall and receive an extra entry into the giveaway!)

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau




Thursday, March 16, 2023

Book Spotlight Fridays! Jonas and A Novel proposal


Book Beginnings and Friday56


Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

This week I am spotlighting two books: a romantic suspense releasing April 4th and a fun contemporary releasing March 21st. 


Jonas






About the book:


Jonas Marshall is done storm-chasing, plagued with the memory of a terrible accident that paralyzed a fellow chaser, so the last thing he’s going to do is run into more danger. Now, he’s just a simple weatherman deploying dirigibles in an experiment to track weather patterns in Slovenia.

As far from danger as he can get.

But danger comes knocking in the form of hiker in need of rescue, and he can’t deny that her companion—beautiful Sibba Kovac—is a great distraction from the guilt that haunts him…until she paraglides right out of his life.

Probably for the best.

But danger still won’t leave him alone when a storm knocks his dirigibles out of the sky, and he happens upon one that looks tampered with…

It is. And worse, it’s carrying what could be radioactive waste. At least according to EOD expert Sibba…who finds herself face-to-face with the rescuer she can’t forget. But she’s not looking for him—her grandfather is missing, and she’ll stop at nothing to find him.

When her missing grandfather leads to the threat of a dirty bomb, she’s the only one who can stop it. And Jonas is the only man brave enough to run into danger with her. But she doesn’t have room in her heart to love him—not when she lives with death in her periphery. Can the right man, at the right time help her see beyond her fears to a future?

And if they have a chance to save the world, can Jonas let go of the woman he loves?

The thrilling second book in the epic romantic suspense of the Minnesota Marshalls!

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

He had to get off this mountain.

Friday 56

She wasn't running. Not really.

My thoughts so far

Loved this one. Full of action and adventure. 


                                    ************************************************************* 

A Novel Proposal






About the book:


From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a sweet and sizzling story of a romance writer surprised by her own happily ever after.

When novelist Sadie Goodwin is forced to stop writing westerns and charged with penning a contemporary romance novel to rescue her lackluster sales, there’s only one tiny problem: She’s never been in love.

Desperate to salvage her career, Sadie begins devouring romance novels. Knowing she must devote herself to this confounding genre, she accepts an invitation to hole up at her friend’s beach duplex for the summer. Where better to witness love in bloom than on the beautiful North Carolina shore?

However, once ensconced in the charming ocean-front home with her sweet maltipoo Rio, she finds many ways to procrastinate. First there’s the beach, right outside her backdoor, with all its interesting visitors (research). Then there’s the free library she decides to build and set up by the back deck (She has to do something with all those romance novels). To say nothing of Sam Ford, the grumpy neighbor on the other side of the duplex . . . who she can’t seem to stop annoying.

A social butterfly by nature, Sadie soon gets to know all the beach regulars—sunbathers, walkers, and surfers alike. The free books draw a crowd right up to the house for nice little book chats, which further irritates her reclusive neighbor, to break up her “writing.” But things take an unexpected turn when Sadie opens a recently-placed novel to find a secret compartment—and tucked inside is a beautiful engagement ring. To whom does the ring belong? Sadie is convinced she needs to find the owner and save the man’s proposal from certain doom.

She draws a reluctant Sam into the project, and slowly their connection begins to develop. Are these weird fluttery feelings the first stirrings of love? Has Sadie managed to stumble upon the very subject about which she must write—and wouldn’t Sam make the perfect alpha hero?

Will Sadie find the ring’s rightful owner? And will she manage to pen a career-saving romance novel by summer’s end?

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

Sadie Goodwin's literacy dreams came to a shuddering halt in the middle of her favorite SoHo coffee shop.

Friday 56

All that for nothing.

My thoughts so far

Really enjoying this one - the writing flows easy and Sadie is a very lovable character.  


                                    ************************************************************* 

Review: Fraser

Fraser Fraser by Susan May Warren
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

What I like more than strong navy seal heroes, is strong navy seal heroes who is vulnerable and not perfect, but still driven to protect those they care for. Fraser is just that!

I enjoyed this action packed, adventurous journey with Fraser and Pippa. Both Fraser and Pippa dealt with insecurities which was emphasized in this story.

As always, the author delivered action, adventure and suspense, but also brings back the physical challenges to the emotional and spiritual challenges of the characters as well, and delivers strong Godly wisdom based on scripture, which not only empowers her characters, but also her readers.

“The truth I know is that God isn’t a fairy tale. And that He doesn’t make mistakes. And that my feelings, or fears, don’t change the fact of His love for me.”

And if you are someone who enjoys more the romance side of romantic suspense, there is a lot of kisses in this story.

If you are new to this author, the character and plot line does continue from prior series, however, I do not think you will be lost. But there is a great backlist of books to read

View all my reviews

About the book:


Fraser Marshall is pretty sure his career as a Spec Ops fighter is over. Yes, he’s gone into private security, working for Jones, Inc, but his last gig ended with him wounded and taken captive. And those wounds just won’t heal. The last thing he wants to do is stick around his family’s winery pressing grapes. But what choices does he have?

The answer comes via a panicked phone call from his kid brother, Creed.

Help, Fraser. I’m in over my head…

Yeah he is, because he’s run away with a princess, with her bodyguard hot on the trail. And said bodyguard, Pippa Butler is going to hunt them down, no matter the cost.

Even if she has to join forces with a bossy, arrogant former American SEAL. But Pippa has her own set of lethal skills, and if Fraser gets in the way, she’ll leave him on the side of the road. Still, maybe he’s not a terrible side-kick. He is handsome, and he makes her laugh…

No, no, bad Pippa! She has no room for a man—an American—in her life. And Fraser hasn’t ever considered slowing down. Even if Pippa has him wondering if there is a different future ahead.

But there’s more to the story than a Romeo-and-Juliet runaway romance. Princess Imani has seen a murder, and the perpetrator isn’t going to let her get away. Will Fraser and Pippa find the couple first?

And if they do, can they work together to keep them safe?

It’ll be tough if their hearts get in the way…

Dive into book one of the epic, romantic, globe-trotting suspense of the Minnesota Marshalls!

The Minnesota Marshalls
Book 1: Fraser
Book 2: Jonas (coming soon)
Book 3: Ned (coming soon)
Book 4: Iris (coming soon)
Book 5: Creed (coming soon)

About the author:

Susan May Warren Short Bio

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Can't Wait Wednesday! Blind Trust

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The final book in Natalie Walters' amazing Snap Agency series releases April 11th.  There is currently a per-order special and if you are one of the first 50 to pre-order and submit proof, you can get some book goodies.  And a Goodreads giveaway - click here.

About the book: Blind Trust





Lyla Fox knows she has a reputation at the SNAP Agency for impulsivity, but when she receives a threatening letter from a man she helped put in prison, she can't stop herself from going all in to find out why he's coming after her. Unfortunately, she's going to need the help of the one person who questions her reckless choices more than anyone else.

Explosives and weapons specialist Nicol�s Garcia agrees to help Lyla in order to keep her safe, but her recklessness continues to be a major concern, especially when her investigation into a conspiracy puts a target on her back. Dealing with bombs is dangerous. Working with Lyla is proving to be just as treacherous--to both the mission and his heart.

Natalie Walters closes out her SNAP Agency series with a bang with this nail-biting story of a deadly government conspiracy, an unlikely couple, and an ending that will leave you breathless.

What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, March 13, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Spring 2023 To-Read List

 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This round on my Spring, or here in the Southern Hemisphere, Autumn TBR list is a combination of new releases, books I have owned for a while and some audiobooks I am looking forward to listening to:

March:

1. Under Fire



2. Anchor in the Storm



3. Heads in the Clouds


April:

4. Blind Trust



5. Windswept Way



6. When We Were Young


May:

7. Counter Attack



8. The Secret to Happiness



9. The Crushing Depths



10. Generous Lies



Sunday, March 12, 2023

Weekend Wrap-up: March 12th

 

 

 It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

Work is getting crazy, so I still have some reading time, but not so much for writing reviews.  I have tried to catch up over the weekend and apart from two which I need to post to the blog, I'm caught up.


Finished





(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading







Next up:


Same list again this week - was quite a while since my reading mood differs from my reading:




What are you reading this week?


Here is my past week's Blog Posts.




Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

Oops. I downloaded more ARCs - I applied for books I usually never get and suddenly got approved for all I requested:





Review: Don't Cross the Blue Line

Don't Cross the Blue Line by Susan May Warren My rating: 💛💛💛💛 Rating 4.25 I loved how the authors wrote...