19 questions.

2 Comments on 19 questions.

 

Processed with VSCO with c3 preset

 

How many books are too many in a series?

Depends on how much I’m loving the series. I am new to the world of series reading and the most I’ve had to read was 7ish books, but could’ve definitely read more.

 How do you feel about cliff-hangers? 

I understand their purpose..they definitely put me on the edge of my seat and have me super anxious to find out what’s coming next but if being honest, I’d rather a book wrap all it’s loose ends with one book.

Hardback or paperback?

Paperbacks but the struggle to wait for their release is too real sometimes.

Favorite book?

There’s no way I can narrow it down to one..Winter Sea by Susann Kearsley, Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne Du Maurier, Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins..Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Just to name a few.

Least favorite book?

Girl, Wash Your Face was absolute trash.

Love Triangle… Yes or No?

This is one plot device I don’t mind at all.

The most recent book you couldn’t finish?

I downloaded a Mariah Stewart romance and knew instantly I wasn’t in the mood for it. Maybe another time.

A book you’re currently reading?

I just started The Affiliate by K.A. Linde thanks to the Audible Romance package.

The last book you recommended to someone? 

I recommended Next Year in Havana to someone wanting to read When We Left Cuba who hadn’t read the first book yet.

Oldest book you’ve read (based on publication date)? 

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Newest book you’ve read (based on publication date)? 

California Girls by Susan Mallery

Favorite author?

Susanna Kearsley

Buying books or borrowing them?

Both. Although my hauling has slowed down a bit, I love the excitement of ordering a book and getting home from work to open the package. I love perusing the bookshelves at my local used book store or B&N but I am a huge library user. I always have an audiobook downloaded through Overdrive!

A book you dislike that everyone else loves? 

Girl, Wash Your Face. 

Bookmarks or dog-ears? 

Both.

A book you can reread over and over?

Lullabies by Lang Leav

Can you read while listening to music? 

I’ve tried it once. It was instrumentals, Chillhop on Youtube and it wasn’t as difficult to concentrate as I expected, but I’d prefer silence.

Multiple POVs or one POV? 

Both are fine as long as the story is easy to follow.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days on average? 

I hardly ever read a book in one sitting unless it’s a poetry collection or a short audiobook. 

 

Those are my answers, please feel free to chat with me about any you’re the same on or different. I’d love to know.. and if you’re up for it, do the tag and let me know! Until next time, take care of yourselves. xo.

B5EF10B8C3AF2A7E7A5CADAA74704D8C

The Breakfast Club Book Tag

2 Comments on The Breakfast Club Book Tag

Hello friends! It is tag time. Sara @ The Bibliophagist is who I saw do this one in particular, and being a total Breakfast Club Stan, I had to do it.

breakfastclub

Princess

A book that is very popular and pretty on the outside, but you thought was uninteresting on the inside

99PercentMine

 

Sorry, not sorry. 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t feeling Darcey whatsoever. My fingers were crossed that good ol’ Tom would redeem the story for me, and was greatly disappointed..and her brother?! *insert eye roll emoji..please* Darcy’s brother was so immature. Before you ask..No, I haven’t read The Hating Game. One day, I do plan to give it a try but with how disappointing this one was, I’m in no particular rush.

molly

 

Criminal

A book that looks/sounds rough and bad, but ended up completely stealing your heart

PRIEST

One word honey, PRIEST.  It’s so damn wrong but is so damn perfect all the while. Sierra Simone crafted this very atmospheric, totally forbidden, so sexy, romance. I was hooked from beginning to end.

criminal

 

Brain

A book that made you think

Processed with VSCO with au5 preset

 

When We Left Cuba really made me think.  My mind was all over the place while reading this book, thinking of Beatriz, and her role as a woman during the time period the book is set. It was one of those reading experiences that really had me questioning “what would I do?” I liked how Chanel Cleeton bought to light that not all women just sat by as things were happening. So many actually took action and did their part.

brain

 

Basket Case

A book that people would call you crazy for reading

Processed with VSCO with c3 preset

 

The reason I chose Midnight at the Wandering Vineyard for this one is because, readers I’m close to are big on, “Don’t read it, if you’re not feeling it.” I completely roll with this, if I’m hating the book. I didn’t hate this book, but it sure as heck lost my interest to the point, for a while I was reading yet had absolutely no idea what was going on.

basket

 

Athlete

A book that made you struggle/work to finish

womenofthedunes

I had to go with Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine for this one. Was it entirely the books fault..? Not necessarily, however it did play some part in it. Once upon a time, about 3 years ago, historical fiction was my jam! Honestly, it feels like I woke up one day and no longer had any interest in reading it. So, I was a little nervous in picking this book up and once I began reading it, it wasn’t doing it’s best to rekindle my historical fiction flame. I do however think if you are a historical fiction fan, and are especially fond of Scottish history, you’ll love this.

athlete

 

Feel free to answer these questions if you’re up for it. I’d love to see your responses. If you decide to do it, let me know so I can see your answers. xo.

MollyRingwald

Sunday Coffee

Leave a Comment on Sunday Coffee

We made it to another Sunday friends! We didn’t chat last week, but it’s all good. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate in #RomBkLove which is going on during the entire month of May. I’m back though for a catch up so grab your morning drink of choice and let’s catch up.

Coffee 12 May

Song lyrics currently stuck in my head because I’ve been jamming out to my 90s playlist a bit more than usual lately:

“You see it all around you. Good loving gone bad. And usually it’s too late when you Realize what you had. And my mind goes back to a girl I left some years ago (Who Told Me) Just hold on Loosely But don’t let go. If you cling too tightly You’re gonna lose control. Your baby needs someone to believe in And a whole Lot of space to breathe in.”

Thank you to 38 Special for this magic that has me driving back and forth up the highway singing at the top of my lungs, remembering summers of taping songs from the radio, softball games and long days at the pool.

The past two weeks haven’t been too bad. My co-workers, in an attempt to “help me,” cut down on my soda consumption have started this two week “water only challenge,” where the only liquid we consume is water from 7:30-4:30. It’s a total bore and most days it’s around lunch time that I want to whisk away to the nearest soda machine and buy a coke but surprisingly..I’ve been doing a good job. I made it all this week even with the pressure my boss put on me by buying a coke and sitting it on my desk..and OPENING IT. I felt myself beginning to sweat nervously as I heard the air from the bottle breaking free as he twisted the cap. It was torture, but I held out. 

This past week has been overwhelmingly full of tough decisions. I have two troops who were at the end of their enlistments and fighting to stay in. For one of them there is really no hope..the decision has been made based off of the mistakes he has made in the past. He’s done. It’s sad. His wife already had 4 kids when they married and is now pregnant with their baby together. I’m learning how difficult it can be to keep things business and not allow the personal to override the decision that needs to be made based off facts.

I recently finished reading A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole. I won’t share too much here because I do have a ‘review’ coming for it, but I really really really liked it and understand why it’s so hyped.

Processed with VSCO with l1 preset

♥

I am currently making my way through The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. I haven’t hit 100 pages yet but I have mixed feelings. My fingers are crossed that things pick up a bit. I remember having so much fun reading The Kiss Quotient..this book feels super heavy right now which is fine, but that’s not what I was expecting.

I also got approved, *surprisingly* for a few books on Netgalley. I have a love/hate relationship with Netgalley. I have phases where I want nothing to do with them because of the pressure I feel when I login, but then wanting to be a good blogger and actually review some books before they come out kicks in and before I know it, I’m back in the game.

I definitely didn’t expect to get approved for The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai which releases early July. I got approved for Waiting For Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey which I’ve been hearing mixed things about but still want to give a try. A September release I’m shocked I was approved for is Well Met by Jen DeLuca..which I don’t know much about but have been seeing all over Instagram. Think I’m going to go into this one *hopefully* knowing the least amount of information as possible.

I hope in this past week was good for you and that you found some time to put yourself first. I have totally been getting sucked into Netflix, obsessed with Our Planet..another one of those Planet Earth type shows. It’s so good and so easy to get lost into. I am obsessed with the way certain shots are done and the colors. I love it. I hope you find something for you that will carry you away while you’re lounging on your couch or wherever you chill. Until next time, take care of yourself. xo.

B5EF10B8C3AF2A7E7A5CADAA74704D8C

thank U Next: 3 Books I Didn’t Like

4 Comments on thank U Next: 3 Books I Didn’t Like

Let’s get this out of the way: Very rarely do I read a book I don’t like. I usually find something in a read that I enjoy, but not liking does occasionally happen. I was sitting here thinking of fairly recent ones that I wasn’t a big fan of and came up with three.

First that came to mind was Dark Witch by Nora Roberts. What saddens me about my experience reading Dark Witch is that it was my first Nora Roberts romance ever!

IMG_5525

The cover to Dark Witch is absolutely gorgeous and the synopsis on the back has some buzzwords that immediately wanting to read it! old legends. blood and magic. falling head over heels. Despite the fact that the summary of the book totally grabbed my attention, I just could not get into the actual story. I think a big part of my distaste for the book was that I listened to the audiobook and this was the first audiobook experience where I couldn’t vibe with the narrator. Oh well, my fingers are crossed that hopefully I enjoy the next book in the trilogy.

Next is one I read for the Barnes and Noble Book Club. Keeping up with their book club picks gives me a chance to sit in real life and chat books with other readers which I enjoy but I haven’t read one pick yet that blew me away..

IMG_5524

The Only Woman In the Room by Marie Benedict has this stunning cover and tells the real life story of classic Hollywood Starlets, Hedy Lamar. The book starts off strong in my opinion. It was written in a way that as the reader I felt trapped in this life that had become Hedy’s everyday experience. However, although I think the book starts off really strong, I also felt that too much of the book focused on Hedy’s life before she became the Hedy she is known for..which was fine, but then the ending felt so abrupt. I was left yearning for so much more. Guess I went into this one with expectations that were a tad too high.

My last one hurt a little bit. I just knew I was going to love this book..

IMG_5523

Sorry, not sorry to all the Sally Thorne fans out there. I haven’t read The Hating Game yet and actually listened to an interview she did on a Podcast recently and enjoyed what she had to say so much that I am willing to read whatever else she puts out..but 99 Percent Mine was dreadful. I didn’t like Darcy at all! She just felt so fake to me. I was over the whole “I’ve always been sick so I live on the edge,” vibes she was constantly trying to give off. Her brother was so unbelievably immature, I couldn’t stand it..I thought Tom would redeem the story for me, but that didn’t happen. I will eventually get around to reading The Hating Game though, (fingers crossed that’s a better experience!) but after my experience with this one, sadly I’m in no rush.

Have there been any reads recently that you didn’t enjoy that you care to share? Let me know. Until next time, take care of yourselves. xo

ThankUNext

 

The Book Addiction Book Tag

Leave a Comment on The Book Addiction Book Tag

I’m not sure who created this tag, but I love the questions. Let’s do this.

TheBookAddiction

 

What is the longest amount of time you can comfortably go without picking up a book?

Not very long. I think my mind has gotten used to reading something. If I am at work, I have headphones stashed that I can pull out and listen to one of my current audiobooks. I have a Kindle and the Kindle app on my phone for when I wake up in the middle of the night. I don’t make it very long and there’s always a book nearby!

How many books do you carry on your person (or kindle) at any one time?

I have the Kindle App on my iPhone, so however many books I have on Kindle, are always with me. This also goes for whatever audiobooks I have checked out through the library, downloaded on Scribd or on Audible.

Do you keep every book you buy/receive or are you happy to pass them on to make space for more?

I have no issues with cutting ties with a book. I don’t unhaul frequently, but usually in the summer I’ll purge those I don’t want anymore.

How long would you spend in a bookshop on a standard visit?

If it is a solo trip and I’m just browsing..I can spend an hour or two. I spend some time browsing the romances first, followed by the cozy mysteries..then poetry and before I leave, I check for any new memoirs. If I go in already knowing what I want, and know the bookstore has it, then I am in and out.

How much time per day do you actually spend reading?

Honestly, throughout the week it feels like I hardly get any reading done unless I am able to listen a bit while working. My day starts so early and when I get home from work my husband is at school so it’s just my kiddos and I. I usually am laying down around 8 and will attempt to read something, but I also want to watch a little television. The weekends are really when I get to play catch up.

Where does the task ‘picking up a book’ appear on your daily to-do list?

Obviously life stuff are my priorities but for my mental health I make sure I make time for reading. Reading is one of the handful of things that bring me back down, back to reality, out of dark spaces..so I make sure that I make time. It may be 3 minutes, it may be one page..but I make sure I read when I feel the urge or when I just need to take my mind elsewhere.

How many books do you reckon you own in total (including e-books)?

If I had to estimate, I’d say if not 500, then close to it. Last time I counted (well, my husband counted) I had almost 400 books. This actually took place prior to me unhauling 3 boxes of books. It felt great!  Since then though, I fell more and more in love with romance, discovered a used book store I love and began receiving books periodically from publishers..

Approximately how often do you bring up books in conversation?

Really not often at all. I am a Military Police Officer..not saying that no one around me reads, but I don’t think on a daily I’m surrounded by avid readers. My reading life feels strangely like a secret I’m keeping from people which isn’t the case in actuality, but it’s just nothing something I speak about, because there isn’t anyone to converse with about it.

What is the biggest book (page count) you have finished reading?

Going on a whim here and assuming the biggest book I’ve read is Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. That book was huge. I read it with friends though so it looked more like a chunker than what it felt.

Is there a book you had to get your hands on against all odds i.e searching bookshops, online digging etc?

I come across old gothic romances on Pinterest quite often. Not with much intention of reading them, but I’m obsessed with the covers. I have seen some that I still can’t track down but for the most part, if I have seen one I want, I have been able to track it down on eBay.

A book you struggled to finish but refused to DNF?

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.

I struggled with finishing this book because I couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t freaking stand it.

What are 3 of your main book goals for 2019?

  • Read 75 books
  • Read more romances by women of color
  • Make time for memoirs and poetry

Have you ever had the privilege of converting someone into a reader (maybe via inspiration or incessant nagging)?

Yes. Two of my younger brothers who weren’t too fond of reading as kids, are now huge readers. I love it. Both of them have confessed that seeing me read so much played a huge part in them becoming readers. I love them and am so proud.

Describe what books mean to you in five words.

My favorite escape from everything.

 

B5EF10B8C3AF2A7E7A5CADAA74704D8C

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

1 Comment on A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

Let’s chat Debbie Macomber for a bit. This woman is a superstar in the world of romance. Her debut novel was in the 1980s, so there are a lot of titles under her belt. When I made the leap and decided to give reading romance a try, I started with Debbie Macomber’s holiday romances. I was hooked! It’s going on 2 years now since I began my romance reading journey and obviously my tastes have grown and broadened. There is something cozy about returning to the world of Macomber, but with my experience of reading A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, I’ve been questioning if my tastes just aren’t feeling sweeter romances? Are they just not feeling her anymore? Or, was it just this romance in particular?

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On By Debbie Macomber

Published February 23, 2016 by Ballantine Books

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.5 Stars

My Rating: 3 Stars

 

Processed with VSCO with c3 preset

Synopsis:

In this powerful and uplifting novel from #1 New York Timesbestselling author Debbie Macomber, a mother and her daughter-in-law bravely leave their troubled marriages and face the challenge of starting over. Leaning on each other, Nichole and Leanne discover that their inner strength and capacity for love are greater than they ever imagined.
 
When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back—including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
 
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures—until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

 

My Thoughts:

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On has all the makings of a film Hallmark needs to adapt if they haven’t already. It was a very easy story to quickly get entangled in. Not only was this a moving on story, but it follows both a woman and her soon to be ex mother in law. I thought Nichole and Leanne’s relationship put a different spin on the dynamic you may typically see in a story like this.

Leanne was put in a pretty tough spot due to her closeness with Nichole. Both men in these women’s lives didn’t make moving on easy for them, and this was even more complicated for Leanne. There were instances where she found herself in the middle of things with Nichole and her son Jake, whom Nichole was divorcing. I saw how Macomber wanted to add a bit more complication with this spin on things.

The two women make a list of ways to help themselves move on which helped in leading them to their new romances. I think in a story like this where you are following two characters and rooting for both, sometimes one character’s situations completely overshadow the others, but in this story I never felt that way. I think that can be attributed to the fact that even though each woman’s situations were separate, they still felt very related because of the circumstances.

This book did have some sad moments toward the end that really made me reflect on being careful how you treat people because you never know who you’ll need in your corner. It was nice to see certain characters come to their senses about things. It also shined the light on how when you’re young, you view your parents and this is where you learn and base right and wrong..and how this plays into decisions you make as an adult.

Debbie Macomber did a lot in this story. It was well written and honestly what I expected of her. I gave it three out of five stars though because I started reading it and made it a few chapters in, but honestly spent about two weeks before picking it up again. I don’t know if I have out grown the cozier Side of romances..if Debbie Macomber doesn’t have the affect on me that she has before or if it’s just this book. I’m hoping it’s just this book though.

B5EF10B8C3AF2A7E7A5CADAA74704D8C

Romance for Beginners

Leave a Comment on Romance for Beginners

I am so excited about today’s post. I love sharing reading recommendations, however when it comes to romance recommendations I can be a bit hesitant. I still have that new girl feeling at times..I haven’t been reading romance as long as a lot of romance readers. I literally started a few days shy of turning 30.. So this post is for any other reader out there who wants to take that first step into this huge, amazing genre that means so much to so many people. And to make it happen I hit up some of my favorite gal pals who I consider OGs of romance reading and I’m so excited to share their recommendations with you!

With romance being such a huge genre, I truly feel there is something out there for everyone, you just have to find what works for you. By hitting up my girl gang I knew I’d get a little bit of everything to share:

BookLove

Amanda aka The Naughty Librarian on Youtube recommended Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet for fans of science fiction.

It’s got all the fun Star Wars like tropes we all love. There’s a female renegade on the run from the evil emperor who just also happens to be her dad! Along the way she met a charming space rogue with secrets of his own. Sparks definitely fly! (P.S. There is some explicit content in here but only 2 scenes in a 403 page book so it’s great if you don’t want something with tons of smut.)

Nightchaser

Amanda’s next recommendation is Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

It’s a action packed urban fantasy where a kick ass P.I. named Nevada Baylor solves crimes involving elemental magic. There are magical family dynasty’s also competing for power and a mysterious telekinetic named “Mad” Rogan who’s as sexy as he is dangerous.

burn for me

Ash from AshHeartBooks recommended a few different choices she thinks would make good places to start for new romance readers:

Her first recommendation is The Duke and I by Julia Quinn.

This is book one in the Bridgerton series and you just can’t go wrong! It’s hilarious, has the best family dynamics and of course has all of the fun of a historical setting. I recently converted one of my best friends to a historical romance fan with this book, so it has a high success rate!

bridgertons

Next is Radiance by Grace Draven, and after the first Grace Draven I read and Loved, even I have to admit, I NEED to read this one!

This is a fantastic fantasy with all of the wonderful elements that come with it but also a beautiful love story. I love that this book is really a slow burn and the two characters form a friendship and trust long before any romance evolves.

Radiane

Ash’s last pick is The Wish Collector by Mia Sheridan

This is a beautiful story that takes place in New Orleans. I love the history and legends told and how that plays into the story. This is a romance that has two people learning to heal and move to a better and brighter future and is really about their relationship as people alongside the beautiful love story.

wish collector

My next round of recommendations come from Stephanie from Steph’s Romance Book Talk 

Steph’s first recommendation is Sweet Cheeks by K. Bromberg

It is a fun, sexy read that gives the best part of sexual tension, comedy between past lovers, and just the perfect amount of heart that allows you to love the characters.

sweet cheeks

Steph’s next pick is My One and Only by Kristin Higgins

About a divorced couple that is forced back into each other’s orbit because of family. The sexy times are light, funny banter and antics are higher, and it has a more mainstream contemporary romance feel.

my one and only

And her last pick is Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase

A story about a princess that strives to be perfect; however, when things happen during a bachelorette party she finds herself at the beginning of a love story that is super sweet and enduring. This is the tamest book out of the three when dealing with sexy times.

Recklessly Royal

My next set of recs come from the lovely Nicole from Who Picked This Book

Nicole’s first recommendation gets a HUGE co-sign from me, and that is Indigo by (the Queen) Beverly Jenkins

Sweet and poignant romance but very rich in historical details that would satisfy history buffs

Indigo

Her next recommendation is Chill Factor by Sandra Brown

If the reader typically reads suspenseful, murder mysteries, this one has it in spades. Keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat while giving you a compelling romance as well.

Chill Factor

Nicole’s third recommendation is Slave to Sensation by Nailin Singh

This has a really well built sci-fi world mixed with paranormal shifters. Add in some kick ass female leads and this series is very well rounded. The romance is just the tip of the iceberg

slave to sensation

 

These last 4 recommendations are mine, so here goes:

My first recommendation is The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Kearsley writes beautiful, atmospheric stories and The Winter Sea transported me to the Scottish Coast. I absolutely fell in love with my jump back and forth between time, and it was this book that made me realize how much I yearn for a Happily ever After. This book is a little thicker and is for sure a commitment but I was obsessed with every page.

The Winter Sea

My next pick is one I’m positive I’ll always find a way or reason to recommend, and that is Grip by Kennedy Ryan

A push and pull. I want you, but I’m trying to fight it..romance with so much going on. Interracial love story. Stereotypes. What it’s like to be black in America. What it’s like to be a Police officer in today’s America..so many emotions and feels all wrapped up with a happily ever after in the end. Loved it so much.

Grp

 

My next pick is Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

My first Penelope Douglas romance and one of my favorite Forbidden romances. I don’t see how anyone whose read this book can recommend forbidden romances and this one Not be on there. It is sexy but nothing close to physical happens until over halfway through this boo. Slow burning. Had me so antsy. I adored it.

birthday girl

My last pick is for those history lovers who need an historical setting in their stories, and it is An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole.

Free woman of color goes back into slavery, undercover as a spy. Finds herself being pursued by and falling for another spy who is Undercover as a Confederate Soldier. Yes..interracial romance during the Civil War. enough said.

Elle

 

Yay for romance recommendations, especially recs from friends. I hope you found something within our list that sounds of interest to you. Trust, all of these are titles I have jotted down to get to if I haven’t yet. All of these ladies have Youtube channels you can tune into to get more recommendations, reviews, hauls and wrap ups from so do yourself a solid and check them out.

B5EF10B8C3AF2A7E7A5CADAA74704D8C