HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!! Time for a new week, and a new early bird release list. 😉 25 new books on today’s list and I’ll add more if we find ’em. 😀
P.S. May’s “Amazon First Reads” are up!! <— I totally forgot about these (thank you for the reminder Tasha!!), so maybe you did too? I chose a different from my usual… “Like Wind Against Rock” 😀 What did you choose?
Tasha J: I ended up going with The Darkest Flower, but I really wanted The Checklist too. My problem is actually reading them. My backlist is getting sooo long. I used to be pretty strict with reading books before buying more. That feels like the good ole days now. 😂
THREE THINGS:!
1.) I’ve officially reached Season 3 of Game of Thrones (not started yet – I only watch it on weekends).
2.) I love Egg Foo Young. I love ALL Chinese food, but Egg Foo Young is “fairly” Keto positive, so I LOVE it.
3.) I took a quick outside tour of MacDill Air Force Base this weekend. SO COOL
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE !!!
➔➔➔ TWO MONTHS FREE KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— For new members only. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance. WE ARE LOVING IT!
- The Watcher Girl: A Thriller by Minka Kent <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! SHE ONCE BROKE HIS HEART BUT NOW THINGS ARE WEIRD!! “…According to his social media accounts, he placed roots in her hometown, married a look-alike, and even named his daughter Grace. He clearly hasn’t moved on. In fact, it’s creepy. So Grace does what any concerned ex-girlfriend would do: she moves home…and watches him. But when Grace crosses paths with Sutton’s wife, Campbell, an unexpected friendship develops. Campbell has no idea whom she’s inviting into her life. As the women grow closer, it becomes clear to Grace that Sutton is not the sentimental man she once knew. He seems controlling, unstable, and threatening…”
- Claiming Her Forever: A Small Town Alpha Mountain Man Romance (Men of Rocky Mountain) by Alexis Winter
- Mason: A Ride Series Crossover by Megan O’Brien
- Fearless by Abby Brooks <— DON’T DATE YOUR SEXY NEIGHBOR!! “...I don’t have the energy for complications. I need time to heal. To rebuild. Alexander Prescott stumbles into my life and doesn’t care about any of that. He offers me a dream job without so much as asking for my resume…which I take without thinking. (Hey, a girl’s gotta eat.) Besides, saying yes to new experiences is the kind of thing you do when you’re rising from the ashes and redefining yourself as fearless. And Alexander Prescott is the walking definition of new experience...”
- Good on Paper: An Enemies-To-Lovers Workplace Romance (Love in Apartment #3B) by Everly Ashton
- Mr. Fake Fiancé: A Second Chance Romance (Love, Accidentally) by Annabelle Love
- Silent Knight: A Fog City Novel by Layla Reyne <— M/M ROMANCE!!!
- Spring Fling (Dating Season Book 1) by Laurelin Paige <— TIME FOR THE DATING APPS! “…I’m on the wrong side of my quarter-life crisis. Dead-end job, lease ending, and single af. It’s made all the harder by knowing exactly who the perfect man for me is: my super hot, incredibly kind, and extremely taken friend Austin. What’s a girl to do but drown her troubles in pinot and let her bestie open her an account on a dating app?”
- Poker Face: A Small Town Romance (The Beaufort Poker Club Book 1) by Maggie Gates
- Sworn Promises by Jill Monroe
- Edge Of Fear (Arrow’s Edge MC Book 4) by Freya Barker <— OPPOSITES!! “…My name is Sophia. I’m capable enough to plan ahead, yet too powerless to avoid getting blindsided. We’re complete opposites—one who plays it safe, the other a thrill-seeker—but when old sins resurface bringing violence to the present, our path forward becomes clear...”
- Can’t Hurry Love by Nadine Millard
- Desert Alpha: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by Bethany Lopez
- In Plain Sight: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by S.A. Clayton
- A Night With A SEAL: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by Lexi Noir
- Wild Hearts: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by Cala Riley
- Loving Leila: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by Dorothy Ewels
- A SEAL’s Honor: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella (Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Collection) by Jen Talty
- Undeniably, Yours (Equality Book 1) by Aliyah Burke <— MARITAL SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE!! “…Sean Patrick O’Malley is visiting his younger brother in the town of Equality, below the majestic shroud of the Grand Tetons, when he bumps into—literally—his ex-wife. Seeing her once more reminds him she is the only one for him and wants her back...”
- Crumbled Bliss (The Blissful Bites Series Book 1) by Mara A. Miller
- Work with Me: An Enemies-to-Lovers Office Romance (Synergy Book 1) by Michelle McCraw
- Just Pretend : A Single Dad Fake Engagement Romance (Fake and Forbidden) by Sofia T Summers
- Surviving (Surviving Series 1) by Michelle Leigh
- Sexy Sinner: A Hero Club Novel by Eva Charles
- Playboy Pitcher: A Hero Club Novel by Cora Kenborn <— HE’S HER EX & NOW ARRANGED MARRIAGE ALERT!! “…Apparently, the Miami Storm’s star pitcher isn’t too thrilled his new boss is the woman who turned him down. That makes two of us. I never asked to inherit my father’s baseball team. It’s the one thing I despised more than him. I’m just here to sell, sign on the dotted line, and get out. Until I’m hit with Dad’s final parting gift—a buyer’s clause. Enter Satan—otherwise known as my ex...”
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
- That Summer: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner – May 4th 2021
- The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave – May 4th 2021
- Rattlesnake Road (A Small Town Mystery Romance) by Amanda McKinney – May 4th 2021
- Find You First: A Novel by Linwood Barclay – May 4th 2021
- Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir – May 4th 2021
- Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong – May 4th 2021
- Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard – May 4th 2021
- The Newcomer: A Novel by Mary Kay Andrew – May 4th 2021
- The Insiders by Tijan – May 4th 2021
- Shadowed Steel (An Heirs of Chicagoland Novel Book 3) by Chloe Neil – May 4th 2021
- The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang – May 4th 2021
- The Princess Purge: A young adult dystopian romance by Cordelia K Castel – May 6th 2021
- The Mixtape by Brittainy Cherry – May 11th 2021
- The Final Twist (A Colter Shaw Novel) by Jeffery Deaver – May 11th 2021
- Off the Record: A With Me In Seattle Mafia Novel by Kristen Proby – May 11th 2021
- Tempting Fate (A Goode Girls Romance Book 4) by Kerrigan Byrne – May 11th 2021
- People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry – May 11th 2021
- The Gravedigger’s Son: A Charley Davidson Novella by Darynda Jones – May 11th 2021
- Here With Me by Samantha Young – May 11th 2021
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Did you choose a prime first read, Maryse? I ended up going with The Darkest Flower, but I really wanted The Checklist too. My problem is actually reading them. My backlist is getting sooo long. I used to be pretty strict with reading books before buying more. That feels like the good ole days now. 😂
1. Feeling a little more caught up and my axis righted beginning this week. Cleaned the house a little and decluttered over the weekend.
2. On a mission to purchase some birthday gifts for J man this week, so they’re here in time. Not really sure where to start. Feeling the need for less toys!
3. Rainy day here, must accomplish some big reading. 🤞
Ohhhhh I forgot ALL about First Reads!! Off I go to choose. 😀 Thank you for reminding me!!
I ended up with Like Wind Against Rock. 🙂
Good choice! That one was not on my radar. Sounds good, but doesn’t fit my mood currently.
I was tempted by that one too, Maryse. But I went with These Tangled Vines….fingers crossed.
I got that one too! BR?
Of course I’ll BR!!!!
1. I’m making the last of my Butcher Box bavette steak tonight with butternut squash arugula salad with goat cheese and pine nuts (it’s crave-able!)
2. I’ve come to the sad decision to cancel Butcher Box. I will greatly miss their chicken breasts and ground beef, but I can get free range and/or organic at my local store and I just don’t typically eat the other meats they surprise me with (the brisket experiment was a disaster!)
3. I can’t remember if I mentioned, but I also cancelled Home Chef in lieu of eMeals and so far so good! It’s $5 per month (you buy your own food), and you pick your meals and auto-add them to your local shopping cart. It’s got a few kinks that need to be worked out, but as a whole, I love it. I’ve found a few really stellar recipes on there too.
Is the butternut squash arugula salad on emeals??
No, that one came on the side of a container of butternut squash spirals years ago. You’d like it!
1 10.7 oz container fresh butternut squash spirals
2 oz crumbled goat cheese
2+ cups arugula
1/4 c toasted pine nuts
1-2 diced roma tomatoes
good quality olive oil to dress if desired (the recipe suggested a vinaigrette if desired, but I can’t imagine adding anything to this. I’m not sure it even needs the olive oil)
Roast pine nuts (if necessary) and set aside. Sauté butternut squash spirals 3-4 minutes until al dente. Salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, toss with arugula, pine nuts, and tomato. If using, drizzle with olive oil and toss. Top with goat cheese.
This sounds amazing!! I think I’m going to the store after work for these ingredients!! Thanks for sharing!
It’s very decadent!
Sounds delicious. Love the word bavette. We used it when we had kids in high chairs. “bib” 🙂
I’d never heard of it until Butcher Box! Now I’ve learned some new French!
I’m so hungry right now… I wish I was eating at your place. 😉
1. My closet & drawers have been “summerized”. Denim shorts easily found.
2. Tough day yesterday. We’re having multiple never-ending lockdowns & bans meeting friends outside, seeing non-vaccinated essential workers highly affected with covid variants (e.g. Amazon workers), our ICUs at the brim. At 5 pm, my husband set up Adirondack chairs & cushions on our deck, made some G&Ts…& there was a lovely orange sunset. Deep breaths…bit better.
3. Take-out last night…chicken shawarma, salad, tabouleh, home made hummus. So good & healthy.
That’s awful Mony. I’m glad you got a little downtime.
I LOVE your meal yesterday, Mony. One of my absolute favorites!!!!!
My favorite is shish tawook and the tabouleh from “Amir” (a famous Lebanese chain “fast food” restaurant that rocks my world in Montreal.
Such a difficult time!! Hugs to you! Glad you could get a little time with your hubs to unwind…
thanks for listening guys…
Sorry you had such a tough day. Hope today is a little better. These times are hard.
thanks Jan
1. Maryse – I adored GOT!!! Keep going! I finished Shadow & Bone (via Netflix) yesterday. Only 8 episodes…it went way too fast. I’ve not read the book series and I’m not sure if I want to now…I’ve read a bunch of mixed reviews. Six of Crows (which is in the same “world”) seems to have better reviews….thoughts anyone?
2. I was a slug yesterday and did no meal planning or prep for this week. Thus, I have zero clue about what’s for dinner…..I do know I’m getting ingredients for Robin’s recipe 🙂
3. Our pup, Hadley thinks all plants, leaves, flowers, grass, dirt, acorns, pollen tags, sticks, etc. are on her “menu” – – it’s driving me nuts pulling stuff out of her mouth. I think I may have sadly resigned myself to the possibility that I can’t plant flowers around my pool this year. If I do, I’ll constantly be policing it…
Have you talked to Dr. Lynette about that because I’m sure there’s spray! She recommended some sour apple stuff to me to get Alice to quit licking and I remember seeing some when I was reading that you could use on plants.
I had to give up with Alice eating acorns, sticks, and grass. There’s no stopping that. Luckily she doesn’t do it too often. And the grass only when she has a tummy ache.
I had a dog that would dig EVERYTHING up… just so he could lay in it.
AND YAY on GOT!! I’m having fun with it, and finally starting to keep up with all the characters and families. Ooooooof!
I’ve not watched S&B past episode 1 unfortunately. I’ve been too tired at night. And I’ve only completed the 1st book in each series. But, I loved them both. I think it’s purely personal choice. I’m glad I read Shadow & Bone 1st because it gave me insight into the world building (and there is a lot) and it really just follows the mc which I think was a little easier on me. I flew through it really quickly and would’ve jumped right into book two, but so many books so little time! Six or Crows I also heard more buzz about and so jumped into that next bc I couldn’t resist. Totally different feel. While S&B was kind of this girl coming into her unknown power and a little romance, SoC was really like Ocean’s 11. Lots of back and forth between lots of characters, their pasts and the big heist. Sure, there’s some chemistry in them as well, but there’s just a lot going on. Took me longer to get through for sure. And there’s a lot of mentions about the second army and Ravka and Fjerda. Which I got a little more bc of reading the other book. Still pushing through Crooked Kingdom, but it requires more focus than I can give right now and I feel like I have a lot to go. They don’t run together in the books, the 2 series, from what I’ve read, like they do in the show.
I couldn’t get into Shadow and Bone but loved Six of Crows. I need to so a re read at some point and then finally read the sequel. Just started the TV show, but not sure how well my interest will hold since I don’t think the Ctows have that big of a part through the whole thing.
can you change my name to eyes
Done. 🙂
i have followed your blog for a long time and look forward to your post weekly.. thank you for all that you do.. last night i dreamt that i went to your house for a book club meet up.. needless to say i woke with a smile… 🙂
Oh what a fun dream!! And thank you so much for you sweet comment!!!
One day I’d love to have a book club meet up. I guess back in the day when I did Book Bash 2013 & 2014 that was essentially a HUUUUUGE book club meet up. LOL!!