Happy Friday everyone!! I hope we’re all going to indulge in a fabulous weekend of rest, relaxation, happy stuff… annnnnnd reading!!! π I know I am.
I’m celebrating my birthday weekend (yes, okay it was yesterday) but middle of the week birthdays are hard to get together, so this weekend it is!Β That’s okay… my earlybird birthday present (an actual bird!!)Β kept me company and sang me birthday songs all week, so I’m content. π
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKENDΒ Β !!
- Crossed LinesΒ by Lana Sky <— LIVE!!!Β FORBIDDEN LOVE/AGE GAP ALERT!! Laura found us this one!
Laura:Β I think you missed a newly released book by Lana Sky called Crossed Lines.Β Forbidden love/slow burn/ hate to love / age gap romance.Β Itβs the first book Iβve read from the author and I finished it in one sitting. Β Youβve helped me so much with your blog, I really hope you like it.
- Pushed Away: A Bully Romance: (Ridgeside High Book 2)Β by K.J. Thomas <— LIVE!!!
- Tangled Up In You (Rogue Series Book 1)Β by Lara Ward Cosio <— ROCK STAR ALERT!!! HE FEELS LIKE SOMETHING’S MISSING UNTIL SHE CALLS INTO THE RADIO STATION…Β It’s ON SALE & THE ENTIRE SERIES IS ON KU!!! “...when Sophie, the girl who left him heartbroken back in school, calls into the radio station he’s on, all that changes. Their public reunion makes them an instant paparazzi favorite. But beneath their seemingly perfect surface lies a complicated, tangled past.…” P.S.Β The author is this week’s newsletter sponsor and βTangled Up In Youβ is on sale so sheβs sent over a β5 Fun Factsβ & giving away a $25 gift card!Β <— Comment on the blog post to enter!
- Author Isabel Jordan <— Jennifer recommends these series by this author!!
Jennifer:Β Hi! I’m a huge fan of your site! I love your recommendations. I have an author that I think you’d enjoy: Isabel Jordan. She writes one of my all-time favorite light PNR series (Harper Hall Investigations Box Set (Books 1-5) , but she also wrote a sweet, hilarious rom com/contemporary romance titled You Complicate Me that I think you’d adore. I’d love to know what you think of this author’s work!
- False Memory (False #1)Β by Meli Raine <— LIVE!! SHE FAKES HER AMNESIA… “...I know a killer when I see one, too. And one is standing in my hospital room right now, straight behind the man who saved my life.Β I canβt tell anyone the truth, because thatβs the fastest way to really die. So I do the next best thing. I βloseβ my memory. I fake my amnesia.Β Pretending not to remember a brutal attempted murder has its perks. The killer is backing down, spending less time around me, loosening the noose...”
- Kissing My Best Friend: A Friends to Lovers Romance by Piper Sullivan <—LIVE!!!
- Kissing Tolstoy (Dear Professor Book 1)Β by Penny Reid <—Β PENNY REID SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!! Caroline found us this deal!!
Caroline:Β Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid is on sale… Love her books!
- Things You Save in a Fire: A NovelΒ by Katherine Center <—Β RECENT RELEASE & SO MANY are loving this one!!
Michele G: Things You Save in a Fire is one of my faves this year! I highly recommend!!
- Say You Still Love Me: A NovelΒ by K.A. Tucker <— OMG I LOVE K.A. TUCKER &Β Nay was 5-STAR ALL OVER THIS ONE!! YAY!!!! π !!!
Nay: I just finished Say You Still Love Me. OMG!!! I loved it. A couple of things tripped me up toward the end (just personal feelings about certain things), but itβs still a huge 5 stars for me!
Iβve seen mixed reviews, and from what I can tell, being able to personally connect with this story is a huge plus. Of course, you donβt have to have gone to summer camp to love it, but I happen to be one of the ones who did, and it brought back some great memories!
- Reining Her InΒ by Katie Ashley <— KATIE ASHLEY’S LATEST IS LIVE!! SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE? HE JILTED HER AT THE ALTAR… “…he jilted me at the altar. To avoid the swarm of whispers and finger pointing every time I dared to show my face in public, I fled two hours south to Atlanta and never looked back. Over the last decade, Iβd planned hundreds of scenarios about how our next meeting would go down…”
- Cruel Prince: A High School Bully RomanceΒ by Ashley Jade
- Survivor Series by Emilia Finn <— HERO COPS & survivors… Kelly is LOVING this series!
Kelly:Β Iβve found so many amazing books from your blog. Your blog has given me so many amazing authors β Kristen Ashley, Sarina Bowen and Devney Perry. I have another favorite series that I think you have to read. I cannot get enough of these books. Itβs The Survivor Series by Emilia Finn. This is her second series and Iβm telling you she just keeps getting better and better. I needed to share so you can help others find these amazing books.Β Thanks!
- BurnoutΒ by CoraLee June <— LIVE!! HE’S HER TEACHER (and her brother’s best friend)… “…Having my dirty little secret living down the hall had me obsessing over alternate endings and happily ever afters. Iβd never wanted someone so badly, but his hot and cold behavior was giving me emotional whiplash. In the classroom, he practically ignored me. But here? In my brotherβs loft? It felt like we were a thick rubber band, pulled so tight weβd snap…”
- It Started With a KissΒ by Jennie Snow <— LIVE!!!
- Gunner: Satan’s Fury MC- Memphis (Satan’s Fury- Memphis Book 5)Β by L. Wilder <— LIVE!!!
- DeviantΒ by Jordan Silver <— LIVE!!!
- The Engagement GiftΒ by Lauren Blakely <—Β Lauren Blakely‘s latest is LIVE!!Β AND IT SOUNDS FORBIDDENY-STEEEEEEEAMY. OH YES… *wink* π “Some fantasies are better left unsaid. Besides, I donβt need to act on my dirty dreams, not when my fiancΓ© and I have the kind of after dark adventures others dream of β wild, daring and oh so frequent. I canβt risk losing him by voicing my deepest, dirtiest desire. But the hotter our role playing gets, the closer I come to telling him what I want most β him and his best friend at the same time. Until the night I do...”
- Kostya (Her Russian Protector Book 7)Β by Roxie Rivera <— LIVE!! ROXIE RIVERA’S LATEST!! HE’S AN INFAMOUS MOB CLEANER… “...After a nightmare blind date, hair stylist Holly Phillips swears off men. The only problem with that plan? Her mysterious and sinfully sexy neighbor Kostya who appeared from the shadows and saved her on that cold, scary night...”
Kathy P: Roxie Rivera has finally released a new book Kostya in The Russian Protectors Series. I LOVED this Russian mob series so I was a little disappointed when the next book in the series that was promised wasnβt released until yesterday. 4 years waiting but here now!
- The Best ThingΒ by Mariana Zapata <—Β SLOW BURN ALERT!! Recent release and we have feedback! A bit slower at first, but then made Cheryl laugh & cry!!
Cheryl: Just finished The Best Thing. Definitely a slow burn and somewhat of a repetitious and redundant start. I felt like the h kept repeating what she was complaining about and feeling. It does have characters from Luna and the Lie but I donβt think you have to read it first. I think the story/writing improved as it went along. There were even moments I laughed out loud. I also dare you to read the epilogue and not cry. Now to decide what to read nextβ¦
- DARE: A Rock Star HeroΒ by S.L. Scott <— S.L. SCOTT’S LATEST IS LIVE!!! ONE NIGHT STAND WITH A ROCK STAR ALERT!! “…A night with him and no strings attached is just what I need. But he makes it impossible to not want more when he runs his hand through his dark, wild hair and smiles. One he only shares with me…“
- The Scotch Series Boxset: Contemporary Dark RomanceΒ by Penelope Sky <— FREE TRILOGY BUNDLE ALERT!!! For a limited time only — Get all 3 books in The Scotch Series in one boxset “…Joseph Ingram made the mistake of stealing from meβfour million dollars. He took my intelligence without paying for it. And thought he could get away with it.Β Think again.Β Now Iβll take something from himβsomething irreplaceable.Β His sister.Β Collateral.Β But even when Joseph doubles the amount of money he owes me, I donβt give her up.Β Nope. I have an image to maintain.Β So I keep her.Β And Iβm not giving her up…”
- Stillhouse Lake Series by Rachel Caine <— PSYCH-THRILLER/EVIL EX-HUSBAND IS A SERIAL KILLER ALERT!! P.S. All the books (and audiobooks) are available on KU!!!
Caroline: Her exhusband is a convicted serial killer. This has the feel of the tv show The Followingβ¦each book had me chewing my nails. All books and audiobooks available in kindle unlimited.
Kathy P: I read the first two books and would definitely recommend them.
Donna: Fantastic series!!!
Maryse: I’m so excited I have a new series to devour!!!
Gina: Loving this series.
Jennifer: Ahhh this looks right up my alley !!!!
- 44 Chapters About 4 MenΒ by B.B. Easton <—Β BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!! THIS SERIES IS ABOUT TO BE ON NETFLIX!!!Β π¬πΒ SQUEEEEE!!!!! “BB Eastonβs bestselling 44 Chapters About 4 Men Series has been adapted into a new 8 episode TV series, SexLife, and is coming soon to Netflix!“
Nay: I HIGHLY recommend the 44 Chapters series by B.B. Easton if youβre looking for a coming of age series thatβs full of non-stop excitement (sex, drugs, romance, fast cars, rock βn roll). The books are based on B.B. Eastonβs life from 15 on (althoughΒ sheβs 15, these are NOT YA), and each book features the story of her life during the time sheβs dating a different boyfriend.
They are well written and edited and are full of non-stop wild tales of a young girl whoβs learning EVERYTHING about life and love (I donβt see how she made it through her junior and senior years of high school!) I LOVED book #1, Skin, and Iβm almost finished with book #2, Speed, and Iβm loving it just as much. Star is next and I donβt think I can stop!
R.C.: Β I read these books in January, and they are at the top of my faves of 2019 list and my faves of EVER list!!Β β€οΈΒ BB Easton is a phenomenal author! I can’t wait to see this!
Annette: How? How? How did I miss these? Running off to Amazon now!
- Saved KissesΒ by Ella Good <— LIVE!! BETRAYED BY HER MOM & HER FIANCE!!! Part of a series but each book seems to focus on different couples. “…Amethyst suffered two killing blows to her heart when she discovered that her fiancΓ© was sleeping with her mother. She takes a new job, far away from her family, to patch up her hurts and move on. What she doesn’t expect, nor particularly want, is a hot security expert determined to break down every wall she’s erected…”
- Shadowspell Academy SeriesΒ by K.F. Breene and Shannon Meyer <— YA PARANORMAL!! Caroline is ALSO LOVING this series!
Caroline:Β K.F. Breene and Shannon Meyer teamed up together for a YA series- itβs been a fun reading series. Available in kindle unlimited three books so far in series. Another recommendation if youβre in the mood for this genre.
- Hush, HushΒ by Lucia Franco <— LIVE!!!Β OH MY THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE ULTIMATE ANGSTY FORBIDDENNY GUILTY PLEASURE!! “I knew the rules. Never reveal my true identity. Play the game, give the illusion. Donβt get close to the clients. The dark and glamorous lifestyle of the rich and shameless open my eyes to a lavish world of sin and wealth, and a man I canβt have. A man I desperately wantβJames Riviera. We’re treading a fine line as we live the ultimate double life until we make a startling discovery that tests both our loyalties.
- Brides on the Run Series by Jami Albright <— COMEDY ROMANCE ALERT!! Caroline is loving this one, too!
Caroline:Β Another fun series with a new to me author. Three books in series available in kindle unlimited. Brides on the run series by author Jami Albright. Fun, fun reads!
- Overnight WifeΒ by Penny Wylder <— LIVE!!! SHE DRUNKENLY MARRIED HER NEW BOSS!! “…I accidentally married my new boss. “…It’s only one night in Vegas. What’s the worst that could happen?Β Here’s a hint:Β Too many vodka tonics.Β Grinding against a stranger’s hot, muscled body.Β A whispered demand to join him in his hotel room.Β Multiple you-know-whats.Β One major hangover…Β And a ring on my finger the next morning that I don’t remember saying yes to.Β Marrying someone I just met is a huge mistake. But you know what’s worse?Β Flipping him off as I threaten a restraining order…Β Then discovering he’s my new boss...” <— HAHA!!!
- All Your Perfects: A NovelΒ by Colleen Hoover <—Β COLLEEN HOOVER ALERT!! I LOVED IT & Angela just discovered it, and loved it too!!
Angela:Β Hey Maryse, I finished reading all your perfects last night and I LOVED it! I had to hype myself up to even start reading it because I knew it was going to hit close to home for me and boy did it ever. I have never cried so much reading a book. I needed to take a time out during it cause I couldn’t see the pages. Lol. It was emotional right from the start. I loved it and hated it at the same time. It is definitely a must read!Β Another amazing book from Colleen Hoover. She is one of my favourite authors. I highly recommend this book to everyone out there. U won’t regret reading it. 5 βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ.
AUDIOBOOK LVERS!
For those going on a road trip soon, or maybe youβve got some projects that require both hands this weekend but still allows you to βlistenββ¦ check out theΒ free audible trial + 2 freeΒ audiobooks deal
- AND! Hereβs the fun-tool again! β>Β Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE!Β <βΒ This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it βMatchmakerβ)! Itβs an Amazon feature, that scans all of your Kindle books and will list all of the ones you have that are also available as an audiobook at a discounted price (not normal audiobook prices). This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL!
- ββ Audible now has anΒ βEscapeβ package membership (30 day free trial)
- Stillhouse LakeΒ by Rachel Caine <—Β PSYCH-THRILLER (SHE FOUND OUT HER HUSBAND IS A SERIAL KILLER!!) and it has been recommended few times this week and Mari agrees & LOVED the audiobooks!
Mari: I loved that series. For the most part I listened to the audios. There were a few times the story was so suspenseful I couldnβt take it and I had to switch to the book to read. Reading is faster than listening! The narration was excellent. Particularly books 2 and 3 where the multiple narrators bring the characters to life. Iβve borrowed (and listened) to the series twice. I liked it more the second time when I knew what was coming and could just enjoy.
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! π )
- Crew Princess (Crew Series Book 2)Β by Tijan β August 19th 2019
- The Day He Came BackΒ by Penelope Ward β August 19th 2019
- The Last Post: A NovelΒ by Renee Carlino β August 20th 2019
- The First Girl ChildΒ by Amy HarmonΒ β August 20th 2019
- The Candle Palace (Jamison Valley Book 6)Β by Devney Perry β August 20th 2019
- The Lone WolfΒ by Penelope Sky β August 20th 2019
- Into the Hourglass (The Evermore Chronicles Book 2)Β by Emily R. KingΒ β August 20th 2019
- Tides of Time (The Legacy Book 1)Β by Luna Joya β August 20th 2019
- Misrule (A Death Dwellers MC Novel)Β by Kathryn C. Kelly β August 21st 2019
- Counting His Sins (My Wicked Prayers Book 2)Β by Zurie Brunelle β August 26th 2019
βββΒ Β Get Maryseβs Book Blog updates delivered by emailΒ (youβll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
Happy Friday! π
Maryse, I hope you have a great weekend celebrating. π
I’m ready to start new book….no clue what to read. I have two different yearly challenges that I want to finish up by end of September…which probably won’t happen. One is a TBR challenge where I have 7 more “oldies” and the other is the levels challenge from our GR group. I need: Coming of age book, book w/red cover, book with Z in title, animal on cover, book over 500 pages, a trilogy, book pubbed by Penguin Random House, book w/politician, scifi/fantasy….my head is spinning!!
Oh, a hunt! How fun! Ok, The Priory of an Orange Tree has a dragon. The Butterfly Garden, maybe it counts? The Female of the Species! Animals on the cover, SO good!
The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre for red cover or I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Penny Reidβs Elements if Chemistry series for trilogy? OMG you could do Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta! For red on the cover. Or, Bev is there a politician somewhere in there, maybe?
I cant remember if it has a politician. Maryse you still need to read this book.
Oops, I read this as Nay. Iβve had a very long week. Sorry!! I was looking on GR to see if sheβd read them or not. π¬ You totally could too, Leslie, but I never can remember what you dislike in books.
Tasha, with 3 kids and babysitting others, I’m surprised you remember your own name! π Thanks for the suggestions.
I’m pretty much a picky-pants when it comes to books and basically want CR but even that is boring me lately. π
I donβt remember anything. Just this week alone, my gah! You canβt see any white on my calendar. Weβve had soccer practice, open house, Doctor appt., eye doctor appt., hair cut, shopping for birthday presents, wrapping paper, grocery trip (theyβre redoing the store too- imagine), getting a hold of people for birthday stuff, driving out of my way twice for a new bike for my daughter for an early bday present bc she rides to school and everywhere daily and sheβs way outgrown the old, soccer pictures, paying for school fees, uploading lunch cards, Jβs blood work needed taken for iron check and all that, heβs run high fever 3 days now, Iβve had another his age half this week with a cold, a 6 month old and a 3 year old. Also, itβs additional fall/winter sport sign up time so Iβve been trying to get things in order for that. And thereβs a birthday party yet tonight, among getting the house presentable for my party this weekend, a soccer game. Oh, and I decided to re-pot every one of my plants. Cuz one of my cacti rotted and my birds nest fern doesnβt want to live. Iβm trying to talk it off the ledge. And cooking, I hate it. Nobodyβs got time for that. π A guy told me to tell my husband something, 2 minutes later heβs joking that I hesitated to long filling out a form, and I said itβs not that, Iβve forgotten, my brain cannot fit anymore. Lol!!!
*hugs Tasha* You are crazy busy! Hope you get some relaxing time to yourself sometimes.
Honestly everywhere I go, it seems thatβs all people talk about anymore. How much is packed into their day/week, what their chaotic schedules are like. Itβs not just me, but I swear our life was not like this growing up and Iβm not that old! The guy at the bike shop told me they also had open house (on a Sunday!) and his family had wanted to join a family reunion. Itβs sad how fast paced the world is today. How we just cannot seem to slow down and enjoy.
Red cover – The Guy on the Right by Kate Stewart (it’s mostly red)
Animal on cover – The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren has a toucan…I would think that qualifies and it was one of their better books lately (in my opinion). I also loved The Art of Racing in the Rain but I don’t know that you’d speak to me after it…although I think it’s worth the tears for the journey it takes you on.
Michele, so funny….I would consider seeing the movie The Art of Racing in the Rain ’cause I β€ Milo Ventimiglia sooooooooooooooo much!!! *swoon* But I’m def petrified of how tear jerky it might be.
I’d be willing to try your other recs if I can get them from library. Thanks!!
The movie was wonderful! I think I already raved on here about how well they did with it! It’s not exactly like the book but pretty darn close! Loved it….I love Milo too!!!
More sad or less sad than the book??
What’s funny is I could never read Me Before You but I watched movie and it wasn’t that sad for me. Maybe ’cause I knew the ending? Idk…I would also never read Fault in our Stars but that movie made me sob. Don’t think I can brave A Star is Born. Just the music makes me weepy.
A Star is Born wasnβt bad for me. I thought it was just ok and I didnβt cry. That 1 song was great and packed with goodness, but for me it may have been the best part of the movie.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a great coming of age with a great narrator if you’d rather listen to it. I bought it on Audible which I dont use anymore, but maybe still allowed to share it?
Simon has a red cover.
Moon Called for fantasy and it has fake wolves on the cover.
Bev!!!!! Yesssssss!!!! I can def try Aristotle & Dante. It’s on Hoopla and I know I will love the narration!!!!! I totally forgot about that one.
Have you read the sequel to Dumplin’? I could even do that as “coming of age” OR “red cover” and it’s also on Hoopla.
I read both Quiet Man and The Best Thing over the last few days ( I gave up precious sleep because these authors are my go to without thinking twice sorta authors!) and Iβm a little disappointed! Iβm not sure why. Quiet man didnβt have as much βoompfβ as I was expecting but it was enjoyable. The Best Thing…..not what I expected at all. I expected a slow burn, but I found it repetitive in quite a few places. *sighs* Has anyone else read either and had the same feeling? I feel really disappointed that I just didnβt click with either like I usually would, like I could take them or leave them and probably wonβt go back for a re-read like usual. (Iβve read Kulti at least 5 times and lost count of how often Iβve re-read KAs books)
Maybe Iβm in a bit of a funk π€·ββοΈ
I’ve just started Quiet Man. Seems fine so far, but I hope there is some oomph to come! Will see how I go. I loved Kulti too, but haven’t enjoyed Ms Zapata’s more recent books as much. I want to try The Best Thing, though.
Oh let me know whatβs you think when youβve finished! Maybe itβs the fact that itβs a novella that threw me π€·ββοΈ
I think Zapatas books started to be just enjoyable rather than *holy crap wow* when she released Dear Aaron.
I don’t mind that it’s a novella. I liked Wait For It, but I couldn’t even finish Dear Aaron π I haven’t read Luna and the Lie yet. It’s on my tbr.
Bev, did you ever get to see Yesterday?? We saw it when it first came out (loved it) and seeing it again tonight at this cute theater that serves food (and wine/beer).
No I didnt. I haven’t been to the movies in ages. Though I definitely want to watch Downton when it comes out and the new Little Women looks good too.
So, it was that good?
Of course the music is great and you can tell just from trailer that the actors voice is also great. Me, hubs and son all loved it!!
Those plants I posted yesterday I donβt believe release until September. I tried to look on the website and they say coming soon. But there are big ones too!! And theyβre fake, so I canβt kill them. Iβm trying really hard with what Iβve got live, but I tell ya. Some would rather die. π Ugh, how will I choose? My house is gonna look so cool this year. My ideas are flowing. https://www.target.com/p/ghoulish-garden-artifical-halloween-plant-hyde-38-eek-boutique-hyde-and-eek-boutique-8482/-/A-54378300
WOW!! TY Some great ones here…
Happy Friday! Bet you can’t guess what I’ve been doing today? Porch cleaning! I was finally able to get shoes on over my hurt toes (it still hurt like a mother, but they got numb after a while and didn’t bother me as much). Today’s usually date day for hubs and me, but he borrowed a huge trailer for taking things to the dump, so I’m not sure if we’ll be going. Bummer.
Hope your birthday weekend is fun, Maryse!
Crossed lines ! I need a book two !! i was hooked.
Happy Belated Birthday Maryse!! I’m a Leo too…mine was last weekend! I hope you have a fabulous weekend and do all the things that give you joy!!
*sending lots of birthday hugs and sprinkling birthday glitter because Grey is MIA….*
Happy late birthday to you too, Michele. *throws glitter*
Happy, Happy Birthday Maryse!! Party for as long as you want to.
Happy birthday weekend Maryse!! I love and trust you with my reading So I went out and bought Lavazza coffee on your recommendation and love it!! Looked at my husband the other evening and asked him if he would get me a canary or two and he looked at me like I was an alien!! Lol.
LOL LINDA!!!!
Never did i think I would have a bird, but he sure brings joy and light to this house with his singing and flitting around. And I’m thrilled you love the Lavazza!!!! I love how finely ground it is. So rich!!!
Happy Saturday!
I just saw on FB that The Body Painter by Pepper Winters is live early! Argh! I have too much to read!! π
Grandma bought my middle a leopard gecko today. Eeeek!* I hope I can keep it alive, it never escapes, and no bugs get out at me. I think heβll see it tomorrow at the party.
Better than a snake or spider but still…ick!!
I donβt want to touch it yet, lol. My husband will though, and hubs. And I guess my daughter held her too at the store. It has big, sweet eyes and itβs kind of cute. π
They look like they’re always smiling!!! I adore them. Beautiful colors, great gentle temperaments… they have personalities!! Great reptile pet and fairly easy to care for, if you follow through with their basic needs, you’ll have it for years!!!
Pretty decent gecko-care website from what I can tell with a quick perusal… I like it!
https://blog.onlinegeckos.com/leopard-gecko-heating-temperature-requirement-under-tank-heating-pad-belly-heat-how-to-install-uth-thermostat/
https://blog.onlinegeckos.com/leopard-gecko-care-sheet-husbandry-guide/
We have 2 of them–Fireball and Mr. Dude. Have had the for at least 10 years, and they’re so cute! We’ve never had an escape problem.
Omg, yes! I can ask you all my questions. π I didnβt talk to the pet store myself and my Mom canβt answer some that I have so Iβve been all over the internet and Iβm annoyed. I like to know everything before I get something and itβs Sunday so anything extra she didnβt get, Iβve had to order and it wonβt be here for a few days so Iβm stressed it wonβt be ok. Like, she got one of those under the tank heaters and never said if it needs to be on all the time or not. Iβve read it does, is this correct? I donβt have a thermometer yet to regulate it and just plugged it in. I hope itβs ok since itβs gone overnight till noon without it. And I put tiles on top because I donβt have reptile carpet yet and it says not to just use paper towels over the top. And Iβm worried itβll get too hot without the thermometer, which wonβt be here till Wednesday. Itβs a 10 gallon for now and that heat bad is supposed to be the right size, but takes up half the tank (not 1/3) and Iβm wondering if thereβll be enough gradient to the cool side. Also, she said to feed it like 2 crickets coated in powder a day. What time should I do this? And how do u catch a cricket without others escaping? We have a uvb light for the top too- we turn that off at night, right? How long approximately does it take that heater underneath to warm up?
Tasha… what brand is your undertank heater? Thermostats are best, for safety features so they don’t overheat, but the smaller ones are generally lower wattages so should not be an issue.
There are “duster cups” available on the market, where you scoop up a few crickets or whatever bugs you are feeding (super worms or mealworms) and you put a bit of calcium w/ D3 and vitamins – my favorite was RepCal Calcium and also Herptivite), just a pinch of each… shake your bugs with it in the cup, and slide them out into your cage.
UVB light, all day 8 hour cycle. And in essence, if you’re uncomfortable with the under tank heater, you can use a secondary heat bulb. Any lightbulb 40 watts and over will emit heat, generally for a 10 gallon, I would use a 60 watt bulb. Keep a thermometer in there so you can monitor the temps. If it’s too cool for your species, they may not eat (heat aids in digestion since they are cold blooded).
One more thing:
I’m not sure how many crickets you have at a time, but keep them fed and watered with veggies. Throw in a few slices of potatoes, carrots, leafy greens. That will feed your bugs and keep them alive and healthy themselves.
Thanks for all this info, Maryse. I actually had briefly looked at the site you posted as well. Thatβs how I came to order that thermostat. I hate having to wait so long waiting to make sure the heat stays safe for him though. It wonβt be here until Wednesday. Hubs just said he had one of those temp. guns, so that helps some. The uvb light we have doesnβt emit heat so i wonder if I should get a heat bulb. We bout a night light (red) 70 watt. It just says light though, not heat. And they say like 6β distance. So, the distance from the bottom of the tank up is more than that. Does that count and we sit it on top or do we hang it 6 in above? Weβve been hanging, but I dk that itβs getting very warm. I didnβt know Iβd need 2 powders, I have the calcium one. The crickets died after we put the powder on them. π He hasnβt eaten yet. The under tank heater is same brand as the one in the article.
P.S. Since they are most active at night, feed him his freshly coated bugs before you all go to bed…
And yes… no UVB light needed at night. Follow our normal “sun/moon” cycle, and your gecko will respond accordingly. As for the heat, yes, you can leave the heat mat on all the time (just keep an eye on your temps so it’s not too hot for your size of cage). Or day heat bulbs, and night heat bulbs (colors will indicate which is for when).
Sorry, Tasha–I just now saw this. My son wants to work with reptiles and exotic animals eventually, so he’s the guru in our house.
We only use a bulb (a 45-60w for a 20 gallon tank) and he has it placed directly on the top of the wire cage-like top of the tank. It’s on for 8-10 hours and off for the rest. He had a heat pad a long time ago, but then it went out and he started using the bulb, and that’s what they’re used to now. He said that the two crickets with the powder is fine, but the main thing to remember is that whatever you feed them needs to be alive–they won’t eat it if it’s not. We used to feed ours crickets and mealworms, but we got superworms for our bearded dragons, so now our geckos eat those too. They’re nutritious, but they can make them fat. If ours start gaining too much weight, we’ll go back to crickets. He just feeds them whenever he feels like it. He doesn’t have any set schedule that I know of, but a good time might be either when you turn the heat/light on or off.
Ooh, also–do you have something for it to crawl inside, like a fake rock that’s shaped like a cave? He said to put one of those on the heated side. Ours spend all of their time in their caves. They only come out when we fill up their water bowls or put food in front of the opening. As soon as they hear the water or see the critters moving, they come right out. And speaking of water, ours use little water bowls that are kind of shaped like a tiny miniature dog bowl, but whatever small bowl you have is fine. Like a little pyrex one or whatever. They’ll get their necks over the side to get water if they need it.
Sorry, but I don’t know about how long it takes the heat pad to head up. And unless it’s a juvenile, I don’t think variations in temp (within reason) will be a huge problem. If my son oversleeps, the light stays off longer, and we’ve never had an issue. It’s probably whatever they’re used to at first, but they can adapt to slight variations as they get acclimated to their new home.
You catch a cricket without the others escaping by getting a cricket cage. I’ve only had one or two get out in 15 years. They can’t escape.
https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-50297-Round-Cricket-6-Inch/dp/B00689SV8U/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cricket+keeper+for+fishing&qid=1566338416&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-5-catcorr
If I missed any specific questions, will you ask on the Tuesday thread so that I don’t miss it? I’ll be happy to ask Ethan whatever you need to know.
ETA: I just read what Maryse said, and it reminded me that we used to have a heat rock, but it started getting hot spots, so that’s when Ethan changed to the UVB light. And we’re a little more lax about the temp thing because after all these years, that’s what ours are used to–do what makes you comfortable about watching the temps.
Oh I just realized it’s a leopard gecko (YAY!!!! I LOVE THEM!!). They are nocturnal which means they are most active at night, so they don’t need much UVB (since in real life, they don’t get much real sun), but definitely the calcium w/ D3 supplement along with the vitamins. So day & night ambient heat is important.
If you’re using a night heat bulb, the dark blue/black (night bulbs) or a red bulb for the ambient heat. No heat rocks. Ambient heat (air temperature heat) is best.
Happy Birthday, Robin (R. Renee)!!! ππβ€οΈοΈπ°π»πΈπΉπ·
Thank you! I didn’t have notifications on and kept thinking dang those girls have been quiet this weekend! π
Happy Birthday Robin!!!!! π