Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – June 8th 2018

*glitter cannons* 9 more hours til my weekend! Ooh and 1st!

*frolics in the Friday glitter*

Good morning! Happy Friday!
I want ‘Wanting Mr. Kane’–might as well keep my forbiddeny younger hero/heroine thing going!

And I guess I’m going to HAVE to read If You Say So. When other people hate books because of the ending, I usually love them extra!

I’m late to the reading bandwagon (as usual) – I plan on reading Transcend at the beach today!

I feel bad now.
Maryse needs some horror loving friends.
Nay, do you like younger guy/older woman? If so I have a drama for you, lol. Not my favorite trope but this was good.

Haven’t been able to read much but I’m really into The Kiss Quotient.
Also, I think Secretary Kim is going to be a must watch for me so double Yay.
I hope everyone has a good day today.
I think I need a large coffee and more Amy and more Jean.
Maryse corral those two. Let’s have an epic kick off summer buddy read.
C’mon. I’ll even read about a tortured broken (Jean), but still a famous athlete (Cheryl) hero who has an 18 yr old girlfriend (Nay) but loses everyone in the end (Amy) because it turns out he is unseelie (Tessa & MichelleS) and so slaughters and eats her (Maryse).

I’m still reading A Girl & Her Ren. It’s a long book, and I’m savoring it, because it’s only a duet & I don’t want it to end.
Ha! Unseelie, Bev… you know me so well.

I LOVE horror! My dad took my sister and me to all the horror flicks when we were waaaay too young to go, and I’ve never lost my love for them. I simply don’t watch movies nearly as much as I used to.
bev, I prefer younger heroine, I think because when I was younger, I was always attracted to older men. While everyone else was loving Tom Cruise, I was crushing on Sean Connery. However, I’ve read a couple of younger hero ones lately that I’ve loved (the hero MUST be mature for his age, though, or I won’t enjoy it).
Maryse–I haven’t ever gotten started on the book I had planned to start yesterday, so when I finish with my editing, I think I’m going to give it a try. I went ahead and bought it this morning and I’m dying to find out what the deal is with the ending!!

I hate horror. I get nightmares and my brain takes it far further into scary than it originally was. Heck, I had one last night after finishing Red Fox by Karine Halle. *shudders* Not the main horror part, but I took the small scary parts of it and then took it to the nth degree. Worse is instead of forgetting them, I usually remember everything in them. 🙁
From the other post, Maryse, your accent doesn’t sound southern to me, just “American-Canadian”. My dad was raised in Arkansas, and my elder siblings on his side, except two, were all born there. THAT’S an accent. Not Clinton accent, but full old southern AK accent. lol I still say y’all even though I’ve never lived anywhere but CA because it was ingrained growing up. My two eldest siblings on his side still talk with that accent, but more Clinton-ish than full southern.

Transplant clinic called and my biopsy came back at R0 which is the best score I can have. No rejection at all! Yippee!! I owe hubs $100, and I’m thrilled to pay up!

Nay, that is awesome news! Congrats. I am so relieved for you.

Congratulations Nay! That is wonderful news!

YEAH!!!! Congratulations Nay! Best news of the day. 🙂

Nay that is wonderful news!!! Now you can relax and have a great weekend!!
Bev, thank you for the KU list on the other post. I have read some, but will check out the rest.
—> “famous athlete” yep y,ou know me well Bev. 😉
Growing up, I used to watch Creature Feature ( horror movies) by myself late at night. LOVED it!!

Loved the podcast Maryse!
This Friday has been a major pain over here. 🙁 Nothing big on the agenda, but I’ve been at war w/the toddler since 4am. August can’t come soon enough.

That’s wonderful news Nay!!!
I’m still reading A Girl and her Ren.
I also watched The Kissing Booth on Netflix. Did anyone else watch? Highly recommend! I’m kinda lusting after the hot young Noah Flynn.
***wink, wink***

I watched it too Robyn, loved it! I wish there were more light movies like that, they’re so few between these days. And Noah Flynn!! <3
Yes, Maryse, I know some of it is the baby. More so in the first 2 weeks, it was madness. But, he’s also always been my problem child. This week has been particularly challenging Bc I’ve co slept w/ him since he was about 8months (my bad, yes), but I did w/my daughter for 3yrs too (not by choice, she was a difficult baby) and she turned out ok. And the transition for her wasn’t traumatic. We’ve been working on it since the start of my 3rd trimester and it just wasn’t working so I had to cold turkey him this week and it’s been hello. Major hello. Like 1 night went well and then he adds in more ways of acting out and no amount of love/rewards/punishment will do the trick. And it’s not subtle acting out w/that boy. He’ll chuck whatever is in his vicinity when he’s mad. Violently. Scream ear piercing wails. Spit. Hits his sister and occasionally his Dad (he’s not the disciplinarian), punches the dog for no reason other than to aggravate. And he gets mad over the most ridiculous things. Interrupting him when he’s talking, if you don’t hear him right sometimes and he’s in a mood, things not done his way. I could go on for ages. He just knows how to push every button and he’s stubborn as all get out and wild and *sigh*. It’s always a battle w/him. Can’t take him anywhere without a fit type thing. And I’m very strict, but like I said, nothing ever really works for long periods. And today and last night was just SO trying! Every so often I’ve just reached limits beyond bounds and I blow. Today is that day.

How old is he Tasha?

He’ll be 4 in August. He’s been a turd since he could crawl. It was cute then.

Oh, Tasha. I’m so sorry that I had to giggle at ‘turd’. I hope things get better soon! You have enough on your plate!
Thanks again, everyone. I love you all dearly!!! That’s enough of *my* drama for a while. Let’s get back to reading!!!
bev–what’s the book with the younger heroine you mentioned??

HQ prize is $400,000 tonight if anyone wants to play–it starts at 9:00pm EST! I made it to question 8 a couple of nights ago.

Get ready, Maryse! The questions are hard. Usually, the first 3 are pretty obvious, but after that, I usually have to guess for the most part. But I love playing because I love trivia.

Did you say Hercules? That’s the one I missed too! I can’t believe they had a book question and then a Canada question!

There aren’t usually this many winners. I think they made the questions easier so that the wealth could be shared.

If the Cavs lose tonight, Monday night is $500,000!.

Nay, I’m so happy for you.
It was a drama with younger man/older woman not a book.
I’m sure I have a ton of book recs for older man/younger woman but my brain is done for the day.
Very long week, though nothing like yours.

Everything is cute when your a baby.
Fuzzy hair?
Cute.
Fat rolls?
Cute.
Shirts too tight over belly?
Cute.
Only 3 teeth?
Cute.

LOL, bev! That’s hilarious and SO true!
It’s addictive, Maryse! It’s like you HAVE to win. I AM GOING TO WIN HQ eventually. I got through question 11 that one time, and since then, I’ve only made it to #8 one time and #6 a handful of times. Every other time, I’m out on #3 or #4. I haven’t been playing as much lately, though.

Oh, and I thought the exact same thing you did about Hercules.

Maryse–I checked the twitter feed before I started freaking out about the answer to that question. Someone tweeted this:
For everyone tonight, Achilles was the right answer. They asked for a person who was from an immortal MOTHER and MORTAL father.
I guess I was too hyped up to hear the question right.

HQ sports is on now! It’s just for $5,000.

So far he’s sleeping. I ignored his pushing and this time it worked. I think. Also, just fished watching Game Night. Really good movie!

My son said Game Night was awesome.

Yeah, sorta. LOL
Aaargh! I made it to question 7 (big surprise) on HQ sports! Oh well, it was only for $1,000 instead of $5,000.

Tasha, it’s the age. All of mine at 31/2 years were the absolutely worse. Not 2 years , but 3 years. If he is that unreasonable maybe a sleep is needed. My youngest daughter had a sleep until 5 years.
The baby makes things worse. With my eldest daughter I used to play junior monopoly with her in the evening, if she was good during the day. And the one on one worked fantastic. He was the baby and now he’s not, Now he’s in the middle. The most difficult. I know they say not to smack your children but that’s what I did. If they spit I gave them chilli sauce on their tongue. Same for swearing. Sometimes a chart with stars help when they get 5 stars a lollie, or game.
Actually I used to do magic fairy spells when they went to bed if they were good the next day the fairy would bring a lollie and leave beside the bed. If they weren’t, then nothing. Especially if they keep getting out of bed I would use the spell if they stayed in bed the whole night and went straight to sleep. I used to have a wand and say “hocus pocus bibbily bogus this is a special spell for Stephanie if you are a good girl and go straight to sleep and are real good for your mum then the fairy will bring you”,then I would say “will we ask for a lollie”and she would say “yessssss” a lollie. But I would add if you don’t do these things she will bring you nothing. Worked an absolute treat.
Well, it’s so busy at my house, a 21 st birthday, a formal, and university exams. And I went to bed at 3.30am after driving one around for the formal after party then worked that day. I’m in a Reading in a slump can’t find anything I can really enjoy. Any suggestions?

OMG I think I just wrote an essay. Sorry guys.

Melinda, love your “creative parenting” stories!
Almost every book I went to rec to you, you already read. What about The Vixen and the Vet? Great swoony, broken hero story. From your TBR I saw Until it Fades which was swoony and slow burn-ish but not boring. Or if you want a little suspense, how about Sugar Daddy? This series was a fast read and helped me with slump.

I love your essay Melinda! Lol. And your fairy story is awesome! I’m guessing a sleep means a nap. If so, I know he still needs them, but if he gets one, usually he can’t go to sleep until much later than normal. It’s also a major pain getting him to sleep in the first place. My kids don’t like to sleep. And no matter how late they go down, they’re up bright and early. I did give him a nap yesterday and I thought it’d be a fresh start when he got up. 10 minutes later he punched the dog in the face. I may have lost my mind at that point. I also have done Star rewards. And I spank. I’ve done time outs and I’ve done candy sprinkles if he’s good and stays in bed this week. I’ve resorted to taking away tv, iPad, outside time for all the crap yesterday, and I’ve bagged up toys.

Bev, if I were a baby I’d be the cutest thing ever!!! *giggles*

Thankyou Leslie, I will have a look.
Tasha, the good news is this doesn’t last forever. But it sounds like he’s trying to get attention. Try my fairy spell. I’ve told heaps of people about it and it really works. Sometimes I find you have to promote good behaviour. I remember nearly tearing my hair out with my eldest. He just need some one on one time. That’s what I would try. Try calling him your good boy and really praise him when he does something good. They all really want to be good. Tell me how it works? Make a wand with him and explain how it’s going to work.

Tasha, my son was a giant turd for many years…so I get it. You have to find the one effective form of discipline that works for your kid. Its hard! My son hated to get sent to bed early. So every time he acted up, bedtime got earlier. But since going to bed is part of the issue, I am at a loss. Good luck! I would have thrown myself off bridge if I had new baby while dealing with my son’s toddler years.

OMG, Melinda, you are SO right! Hubs and I used to say, ‘What are they talking about the terrible twos? It’s the terrible THREES!
My 3 boys all started having a problem with fibbing to me when they were about 4, 6 and 8. It was like they fed off of each other. So since I knew their ‘tells’ and could always tell when they were lying, I made up a story about the ‘mom dot’.
I told them that any time they lied to me, I could see a red dot on their forehead, called the ‘mom dot’. Since it was actually easy for me to tell when they were lying, they were mesmerized when I caught them in a lie, and the fibbing stopped.
Of course, I worked the lesson in there of why it’s wrong to lie, but you know how kids will turn you off after just a few words, so first I had to nip it in the bud, ironically with my own ‘white lie’. lol

Does he go to preschool ?
All I want to do today is finish my book. I love this feeling. I missed this feeling.

Boys are hard. Middle boys especially. And middle 3-4 year old boys to some exponential power. We coined them the terrible twos, terrifying threes, feisty fours… For me… now that I’m on the other side… I can breathe a little easier, but it is hard work. Toddlers/preschoolers are super hard. I read a book… I know, crazy right? It is called something like Parenting the Strong-willed child. Because my kid 2, is *the* strongest willed child on the planet, I’m quite certain. He is 2 years and 9 months younger than his older sister…and wicked smart. I’m talking… super smart. So we all know, along with that intelligence comes the propensity to want things their way all the time. Well, when he was 20 months old, he decided he wanted to be potty trained. Just like that and he was. Because big sister used the potty… why couldn’t he? Dude, you’re so little… like truly, my mom had to sew his little boxer briefs because he *had* to wear underwear like his dad… and we couldn’t find any to fit him, so my mom had to take in underwear. And then the looks from people started… like why is this crazy lady making her baby use the bathroom, he’s too young. And all I could do was swallow my tongue and try not to scream that *HE* was the tyrant demanding to use the bathroom. What a problem to have right?
Anyway, I know exactly what you mean… when kid #3 came along… we had a little bit of a bumpy transition, it wasn’t too bad, my oldest was a few days shy of 7 and kid 2 had just turned 4 a couple months before. We gave him a couple gifts from the baby. And made sure to include him in jobs that were strictly his. He was in charge of being my special helper. And definitely did the one on one time alone with him. Whether it was a game… or a walk to the park. A reward chart is a good idea too. I can sympathize, Tasha… I remember those days, but I’m here now, I made it out! You will too! Have faith, you were chosen to be their mama. You’ve got this! There is no one on this Earth that will love them and care for them better than you; and soon, you too, will be on the other side of this age gap and be like Melinda and driving her kids all over for their big events… or be like me and running yourself ragged to little league games and dance recitals. *hugs*

Tasha, Grey, Melinda and Nay – can I just say that I am so glad I only have 1 kid! 😉
I swear anyone who had one like mine first would only have one! Very effective birth control.

Thank you guys for all your stories! Sometimes it’s just knowing you’re not alone.
I’m gonna try the wand. He has a huge imagination, I bet he’ll love it. I may have to call it something cooler than fairies though. He’s obsessed with all things beastly. He’s not all bad though. It’s just most of what I complain about. Lol

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) is on sale for 2.99 today. I’ve heard great things about this series and I have the paperback, I just haven’t gotten to it yet.

Finished my book. I liked it. I only read bits throughout the week and will miss dropping into that world.
Now onto Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi, unless I squirrel.

Tasha I really enjoy that series.

I have seen pictures and lists of tbr s recently by month or by summer. They look so pretty, especially if a stack of actual books. Makes me want to make one though I know I’m not sticking to tbrs right now. Not even challenges.
Oh, temptation.

Hi ladies! Loved all your stories above and bev, you crack me up as usual! I know I’ve been MIA lately…. just had the busiest two weeks!!
I’m reading The Pebble Jar and have the night to myself so hoping to fly through it. The writing is AMAZING….. it sucked me in from the first line!
Congrats Nay! That is awesome news!
Maryse, I loved being able to hear your voice… you are the cutest! Thanks for all you do and bringing this amazing group of people together!

Nay, I forgot to say, I’m so happy that your results have been so good. You are sooo strong and if anyone can do it. It’s you. Love your lie detector story.
Grey, you are so right. Middle children are definitely the most challenging.
Although I didn’t really have any trouble when I had my third. My eldest was the most difficult. Strong minded, just thinking about it now, she gave me grief. Dressed herself at 18 months. And I wasn’t allowed to touch one piece of clothing. But it has its positives. She doesn’t follow anyone. Probably why she just finishing Nuclear Medicine. But boy was she hard.
So Tasha your not alone.
Jean, so happy you are enjoying ” The pebble Pebble Jar” . Someone great must have recommended it. Hahaha

Tasha, you could intergrate ” Harry Potter ” as a wizard spell. Just thought of that.

Maryse… loveeee your podcast! You’re the best, thank you for everything you do. And props to Willow Aster for having you as her first blogger podcast, clearly she values you as much as we do!

Hey we watched “The Kissing booth” last night on Netflix and loved it.
Does anyone else have a great recommendation of another movie.

I have a “do not watch” movie rec.
Hubs wanted to see Deadpool so we watched it and it was terrible. I love Marvel movies and this was bad. Even hubs disliked. 🙁

I havent been watching movies lately. Dramas, yes. Lol.
Going to start The Woman in Cabin 10 today.

Too quiet.
1. What are you reading right Now?
2. What is your current must watch?
3. Last song you hit repeat on?
Bonus: Should I buy red vines or gummy worms?

1. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.
2. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? and School 2017
3. Uptown Funk. *shrug*
I’m leaning towards red vines.
Dinner I think is going to be a sandwich. Maybe a really simple one. Bread, butter, cheese , and salami.

1. What are you reading right Now? Green Tea and Black Death by Amy Sumita
2. What is your current must watch? I watched the latest Loud House. Does that count? I’m really not a big TV fan and The Challenge is the Celebrity one which kinda sucks, though after watching CT just be a huge stepstool, I’m rooting for him.
3. Last song you hit repeat on? White Flag by Bishop Briggs. Seriously, that’s her name! I would’ve been curious with just her name alone being the two fantasy March releases alone, let alone with actually loving the song.
Bonus: Should I buy red vines or gummy worms? Red Vines. They are yummier.

1 – I am reading Worth the Risk by K. Bromberg
2 – I am obsessed with This is Us. I love the romances but also the sib dynamic and of course all the flashbacks.
3 – Pushin’ Forward Back by Temple of the Dog https://youtu.be/6DCmznTKXJg
Def Red Vines – yum!

1. American King and I’m terrified of how badly it will gut me.
2. Don’t watch TV til football season.
3. Lifehouse Falling In

Nay, so happy to hear about your results!! *slides a $100 bill to Nay* I’m so thrilled about them, I’LL cover your bet! 😀
So, what has…
*record scratching sound*
Wait…wait a minute…If You Say So has an ending some people hated? Oh HECK yeah!! I’m clicking that baby!

Maryse, I listened to the podcast and it was SO FUN! Nothing cringey about it, just you and your usual adorable self. 😉 But you want to know something funny? I listened to it in my car and had the volume up pretty high, so it was coming quite loudly out of the speakers. I was going on base and the guy was checking my ID, and when you said “the cop series” it TOTALLY sounded like “the cock series” and the poor guy did a double take at me and turned bright red. Yep, I snorted. LOL!!

It’s her southern accent. Lol!

LOL!! It IS her accent…her Canadian-Floridian accent. Cop ends up sounding like cock. 😛
Okay, so…
Sharon F is making me lime-green jealous ‘cause she is reading Transcend for the first time!
Tasha is making me want to send “calm child vibes” to her house. 😕
bev warmed my heart ‘cause she misses me…and I’m so happy you’ve got some book-love feels back!
Jean gave me the reminder I needed to move Pebble Jar up on my TBR list for a 2017-click read (because apparently I clicked it almost a year ago).
Melinda had me giddy asking for movie recs…then I realized my recs wouldn’t be welcome because I’m not a chick-flick chick. *snort*
Nay and Maryse have me wanting to try this HQ game but dang if I can remember how to get to it. Link? App name? Help a girl out here…

Before I head off to reading in bed…
1. Over Us, Over You by Whitney G.
2. Westworld (even if I do feel I have incorrectly assumed I’m a relatively smart person by the end of the each episode :roll:)
3. Dripping in Finesse because it takes me back to early ‘90s music. But I replayed THIS one over and over on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=goWa6EzkCh4
By the way, R…your song reminds me of Significance by Shelly Crane every time I hear it because I heard it so often while I was reading the series. *sigh* Such a sweet, swoony PNR read.
Tessa…Red Vines. Always.

I love that song. It’s kind of the theme song for my second book and it’s on the playlist. I listen too it all the time!
And OMG guys I just finished American King and I feel like I had a tear duct enima.