BLURB JOLTS!! Tinsel (by Devney Perry!! She’s raised rich, nobody takes her seriously, so she’s starts over gain in Montana, and HE’S not impressed with her), Talen (Shay Savages’s latest & it’s post apocalyptic. What. A. Cover!!), Jagged Ink (marital strife alert!! She feels like she doesn’t know him anymore), Boyfriend for Hire (Kendall Ryan’s latest!! He’s an escort that her friends hired for her, but she doesn’t realize it… oh oh!!), Blood Echo (*rubs hands together with glee* She was raised by serial killers…), Devil’s Daughter (The latest by Lisa Kleypas and Jan is excited for it!! She thinks he was her husband’s bully…), The (Half) Truth (working with her ex and his new girlfriend… so she makes up a fake boyfriend..)
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out these:
- ➔➔ Monday Earlybird Book Releases
- ➔➔ Look what we found to read for the weekend!
- ➔➔ Our Favorite “Brother’s Best Friend” Romance Books
LET’S READ!!!! !!!!
P.P.S. Let me know if I’m missing any or if you loved any (from this list or elsewhere).
For those going on a road trip soon, or maybe you’ve got some projects that require both hands this weekend but still allows you to “listen”… check out the free audible trial + 2 free audiobooks deal —>
- AND! Here’s the fun-tool again! —> Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! <— This thing is so cool (Amazon calls it “Matchmaker“)! It’s 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!
- Devil’s Daughter: The Ravenels Meet the Wallflowers by Lisa Kleypas
- Neutral: Curse of the Gods, Book 5 by Jaymin Eve
- Dear George, Dear Mary: A Novel of George Washington’s First Love by Mary Calvi
- The Banker by Penelope Sky
- Love Me Whole by Nicky James
- Harley Merlin 3: Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals by Bella Forrest
- I Bet You by Ilsa Madden Mills
- Staged: Exodus End World Tour Series, Book 3 by Olivia Cunning
- Delta Force Heroes, Box Set One by Susan Stoker
- When August Ends by Penelope Ward <— PREORDER February 25th 2019!!!
- What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon <— PREORDER March 1st 2019!!!
- Wild Country: The World of the Others, Book 2 by Anne Bishop <— PREORDER March 5th 2019
- After: The After Series, Book 1 by Anna Todd <— PREORDER March 12th 2019
- Heart of the Devil: The Forge Trilogy, Book 3 by Meghan March <— PREORDER March 12th 2019
- The Mister by E.L. James <— PREORDER April 16th 2019!!
PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN NEW RELEASES
- Talen by Shay Savage <— SHAY SAVAGE ALERT!! POST APOCALYPTIC… “...I spend my nights plundering supplies in the walled city of Hilltop, and I trade them to the valley people below. I’m not a thief. I prefer to be known as the head of Lost and Found. When I discover a beautiful but dangerous competitor in my territory, I also learn she knows more about me than she should…”
- Sci-Regency 4— Diplomatic Relations (The Sci-Regency Series) by J.L. Langley
- Scorched: Siren Prophecy 2 (Shifter Academy) by Tricia Barr
- The Cyborg Next Door: In the Stars by Bianca D’Arc
- Of Mice and Murder (Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries Book 2) by Steffanie Holmes
- Awakening (The Return of the Elves Book 6) by Bethany Adams
- Escape from Ixilta (Alien Outlaws Book 1) by Kate Rudolph
- Heart of Stone (Khargals of Duras) by Regine Abel
- Bewitched Dragon Mates: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Capricorn (How to Tame Your Dragon Mate) by Melissa Thomas
CONTEMPORARY NEW RELEASES
- Tinsel (Lark Cove Book 4) by Devney Perry <— SHE’S GROWN UP PRIVILEGED & HE DOESN’T WANT HER HELP… “…Desperate for escape and starving for peace, Sofia heads to Montana for a holiday weekend with her brother. But she doesn’t get the relaxing vacation she planned. Instead, she’s put to work in a bar alongside Dakota Magee—a man who does not want her help…“
- Never Tell: A Novel (A D.D. Warren and Flora Dane Novel Book 10) by Lisa Gardner <— LISA GARDNER ALERT!! HE’S DEAD & SHE RECOGNIZES WHO HE IS ON TV… “…Flora Dane sees the murder of Conrad Carter on the TV news and immediately knows his face. She remembers a night when she was still a victim–a hostage–and her captor knew this man. Overcome with guilt that she never tracked him down, Flora is now determined to learn the truth of Conrad’s murder. But D.D. and Flora are about to discover that in this case the truth is a devilishly elusive thing…”
- Heavy Equipment by Skye Warren
- Anguished (Crimson Elite Book 2) by T.L Smith
- Jagged Ink (Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Book 3) by Carrie Ann Ryan <— MARITAL STRIFE ALERT!! “…Roxie Montgomery met her soul mate when she least expected it. When he asked her to marry him, she thought her happily ever after was only just beginning. Then, she found that walking into the sunset was much harder than her favorite books made it out to be. After a crushing loss, she feels as though she doesn’t know her husband anymore, or rather…she doesn’t know herself…”
- Deadly Rescue, SCVC Taskforce Series, Book 10 (SCVC Taskforce Romantic Suspense Series) by Misty Evans and Amy Manemann
- Songs For Cricket by Terri E. Laine <— FOOTBALL PLAYER/BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ALERT!! “…The gorgeous football player with the magnificent voice would one day be a star on or off the field. But he’ll never see her as more than his best friend’s sister. Now her eye is on the end zone. Making the team could turn out to be the easy part. Practicing with Shepard every day while ignoring her feelings? The real challenge…”
- In To Her by J.A. Huss <— J.A. HUSS ALERT!! “...When AJ and Logan walked into Yvette Nightingale’s bar they didn’t expect to be there long. They certainly didn’t expect to be dancing with her, or having sex with her, or spending the night with her. Because they were sent there to kill her. Not fall for her…”
- Misadventures of a Curvy Girl (Misadventures Book 18) by Sierra Simone
- Broken Hill Halo: The Broken Hill High Series (Book 2) by Sheridan Anne
- The Dictator (Banker Book 2) by Penelope Sky <— DARK READ MUST BE READ IN ORDER!!!
- Boyfriend for Hire by Kendall Ryan <— KENDALL RYAN ALERT!! HE’S HER HIRED ESCORT & SHE DOESN’T REALIZE IT… “…I’m the guy who’ll make you feel beautiful, desired, and worshipped . . . all for a steep price. I’m hired to make you shine, and I always deliver. I’ll be whatever you want me to be for one night—except my true self. This is just a job, a role I play to earn a paycheck. But I’m not the guy who falls for a client. Not once in six years. And then I meet Elle. Her friend has hired me to escort her to a wedding, but Elle doesn’t know we’re just pretending…”
- Her Honorable Hero (Black Dawn Book 7) by Caitlyn O’Leary
- Love by the Letters: A Regency Novella Trio
- Lord Vile (Beastly Lords Book 3) by Sydney Jane Baily
- Forever Notorious: Forever Bluegrass #11 by Kathleen Brooks <— KATHLEEN BROOKS ALERT!! “…Everyone knows she works security in Washington D.C., but that wasn’t exactly the truth. There are many layers of deception in Abby’s life from her job to the man she’s with—a man she doesn’t have time to fall in love with when her life and so much more was on the line...”
- Dead Little Darlings (The Keepers Book 4) by Rita Herron <— VIGILANTE ALERT!!
- Living with Her Fake Fiancé (The Loft Book 3) by Noelle Adams
- SEALs of Honor: Jackson by Dale Mayer
- When Love Leads To Scandal (The Townsbridges Book 1) by Sophie Barnes
- Twisted by Natasha Knight <— THE ISLAND MADE HIM INTO A MONSTER… “…This was always going to happen. I was always going to take Amelia Willow. History and destiny sealed her fate. Sealed both of ours...”
- Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules by Annika Martin
- Family Dinners with the Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Cove) by Amberlee Day
- Highlander Smitten: A Scottish Time Travel Romance (Highlander In Time Book 4) by Rebecca Preston
- Delta Force: Cannon (Wayward Souls Book 1) by Kris Norris
- Blood Echo (The Burning Girl Book 2) by Christopher Rice <— CHRISTOPHER RICE VIGILANTE/SERIAL KILLERS ALERT!! *rubs hands together with glee* “…Kidnapped and raised by serial killers, Charlotte Rowe suffered an ordeal that made her infamous. Everyone in the world knew who she was. But no one in the world has any idea what she’s become… Charlotte is an experiment. And a weapon. Enabled by a superpower drug, she’s partnered with a shadowy pharmaceutical company to hunt down and eliminate society’s most depraved human predators…”
- Fierce-Ella (The Fierce Five Series Book 5) by Natalie Ann
- Stroke of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels
- Devil’s Daughter: The Ravenels meet The Wallflowers by Lisa Kleypas <— LISA KLEYPAS HISTORICAL ROMANCE ALERT!! HE’S A BULLY… “…Although beautiful young widow Phoebe, Lady Clare, has never met West Ravenel, she knows one thing for certain: he’s a mean, rotten bully. Back in boarding school, he made her late husband’s life a misery, and she’ll never forgive him for it. But when Phoebe attends a family wedding, she encounters a dashing and impossibly charming stranger who sends a fire-and-ice jolt of attraction through her. And then he introduces himself…as none other than West Ravenel…”
- Her Master’s Reckoning by Lily White <— LILY WHITE ALERT!!!! MASTER’S COURTESAN SERIES!! “…I was a Courtesan. It was in an art gallery where I first met the man who would steal me away. Ours was not a healthy relationship. People would claim to be a Courtesan makes me weak. I would tell them that to be Aiden’s Courtesan, you must be strong…”
- Penance: A Small Town Romantic Suspense Novel (Vigilante Justice Book 5) by Kristin Harte
- Love’s Lost Embrace (Cupid’s Aim Series Book 4) by ChaShiree M.
- Of Love and Deception (Tainted Love Saga Book 1) by Kayla Lowe
- The One Saving Grace: From the author of the bestselling ‘A Village Affair’ by Julie Houston
- Let’s Talk About Sext by Evie Claire
- Stay all Night (Sugarcreek Love Book 1) by D.B. James & S.L. Peters <— HE LEAVES WHEN SHE ASKS HIM TO STAY ALL NIGHT… “…When one stormy night we’re left stranded in my old cabin in the woods, we give in to a night of passion. Only to repeat ourselves the next night…at her house. When she whispers her plea, I escape from her bed as fast as I possibly can. How can I, the town screw-up, deem myself worthy of the town’s one-time homecoming queen?”
- All’s Fair in Love and Mastery (Masters Unleashed Book 5) by Sparrow Beckett
- Virgin Bid (The Virgins Book 5) by Monica Rush
- Crashing into Her: Love on Cue by Mia Sosa
- She Found Him by B. Cranford <— SHE WACKED HIM ON THE HEAD!! “…One thing Rose Riley is proud of: standing up for what she believes in while living her best life kindly. One thing she’s not so proud of: whacking a man on the head with her handmade sign at an animal rights march. Especially when she takes the whimpering puppy dumped on her front porch to the nearest vet and he turns out to be the man she struck . . . Awkward…”
- Breaking The Sinner (The Breaking Series Book 4) by Ember Leigh
- Capture Me by Sherry Kyle
- One Thing I Know: A Novel by Kara Isaac
- The (Half) Truth by Leddy Harper <— FAKE BOYFRIEND ALERT!!! “…Tatum Alexander is so close to realizing her dream of becoming a sous chef she can taste it, but working at her ex-fiancé’s restaurant with his new girlfriend was never in her career plan. To save face and prove she’s moved on, Tatum cooks up a lie that she’s in a relationship with her best friend’s superhot cousin. There’s just one problem: Jason only recently moved to town, and he has no idea they’re already “dating.”
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! )
- What He Never Knew (What He Doesn’t Know Series Book 3) by Kandi Steiner – February 21st 2019
- When August Ends by Penelope Ward – February 25th 2019
- Circle of the Moon (A Soulwood Novel) by Faith Hunter – February 26th 2019
- Evermore: A Salvation Series Novella by Corinne Michaels – February 26th 2019
- The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – February 26th 2019
- Backlash by Lisa Jackson – February 26th 2019
- The Promise (A Neighbor from Hell Book 10) by R.L. Mathewson – February 26th 2019
- Sweet Liar (Dirty Sweet Book 1) by Lauren Paige – February 26th 2019
- The Something about Her (The Opposites Attract Series Book 4) by Rachel Higginson – February 26th 2019
- Angel’s Halo: Forever Angels (Angel’s Halo MC Book 8) by Terri Anne Browning – February 28th 2019
➔➔➔ Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
*glitter bomb* happy Tuesday!
*twirls in the glitter* 😀
Wowza! So many yummy looking books on the list today!!!
Really? I’m fourth? At this hour? Where is everyone?
So I guess I had an actual cold instead of allergies. It is gone within three days and I was super tired the whole time. *shrugs* Physically the only new symptom outside of allergies was the tiredness. However, SO HAPPY it’s gone already! YAY!
There’s so much yellow pollen here right now (Pine trees are blooming? LOL!!) that I am having allergies now… *sigh*
I’m super sanitizing the house. And reading, I’m really wanting to bury myself in my book and not come out. I love when everything is clean, but the process and the challenge to accomplish with 2 clingy, whiney boys is extremely difficult.
*twirls in Grey’s glitter*
I ripped through Devil’s Daughter in one day!!! LOL. I loved it. A beautiful romantic read. Best read so far for 2019. i highly recommend if you like HRs.
Maryse, another much anticipated upcoming HR release is Lady Derring Takes A Lover by Julie Ann Long. It’s out on 26 Feb. First in a new series called The Palace of Rogues. Julie Anne Long is the author of the much-loved Pennyroyal Green HR series, as well as some lovely CRs. Hoping this new one will be a goody too.
Has anyone seen the breaking news about “author” Cristiane Serruya who has been caught out plagiarising lots of well-known authors? Apparently she has been using ghostwriters. Eek. It all sounds pretty dodgy. Here is the article by one author, but it’s now coming out that many other authors have been affected too. So sad. https://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2019/02/18/cristiane-serruya-is-a-copyright-infringer-a-plagiarist-and-an-idiot/?fbclid=IwAR0CrsI2Hiua6oBGe16ZGv41D6r_LUissNw_onMcwgJmLRpoeaCmoSyAo1E
I’m reading about it now Jan! Crazy! I don’t know what to think. She seems pretty upfront on Twitter about taking care of it. I know a lot of big books were written by ghostwriters but it’s uncommon in our genre (that I know of). Is that something that has to be disclosed? I have no idea how that works.
I definitely have a cold. Ugh!
At least I’m already on mostly recliner rest, but it makes the cold that much more noticeable when you can’t get around and be active.
I posted this last night, so in case it was missed, Release by Lucia Franco has a release date–5/2/19!! Can’t wait for more Kova!
Nay is the preorder up? I’ll add it. :D!!!
It’s so weird. Like no I’m not a plagiarist cause I’m not even an author.
The number’s over 20 authors affected now. What a mess.
Eek! Over 20 authors plagiarised by one writer??? That’s insane.
bev, I know you’re not on the list. *laughs* You crack me up sometimes.
Finished The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson! I’ve had it for a year, I think. I’m determined to start reading some of these books I’ve been hanging on to for too long now. So, I went in blind, completely forgetting what it was about and surprise! It’s an apocolyptic read! I needed something different so this was perfect for me. Also, something about the Yukon, (snow, snow, snow) and reverting back to pioneers basically really enraptures me. Bonus, there’s a hint of romance. 🙂 I loved it, it wasn’t too long, had just enough of everything to keep me invested, and was well executed. Now, what else is a hidden gem on my tbr. Probably lots, but what am I in the mood for??
Tasha I totally love those storylines too… learning to “survive” and live again. YAY ME!! Another Tasha rec right up my alley! 😀
What is wrong with people?? First trying to copyright a word and now plagiarizing multiple authors!?! Ugh! I had one of her books (a freebie from 2014) and I promptly deleted it.
I wish I could find a hidden gem in my TBR. I have hit a book slump. 🙁
Book slump or reading slump?
Book slump I always think read something completely different or re read favorites. Or even just catch up on a favorite show and usually the good story will make that reading urge kick in.
Reading slump. Just put the book down. If it feels like homework dont force it, it makes it 10× worse.
If book slump…..try Eyes of Silver Eyes of Gold or Beautiful Bad Man.
I know.
But hear me out.
Your not reading anyway.
If you hate them well not your genre anyway.
KU so no loss.
It’s not keeping you away from another read…..your in a slump.
Oh…..read them but listen to
Aristotle and Dante.
Hear me out.
Beautiful writing.
Lin Manuel Miranda doing the narration.
He will ruin other narrators for you.
What’s to lose? Your in a slump.
Lol. I promise I know the difference between your and you’re.
I just don’t edit and basically write like I’m talking, lol.
Maryse, I hope you enjoy if you do read it. You always make me nervous when you read what I love. It adds so much pressure, lol!! Leslie, I hate slumps. Also, you are the hardest person for me to recommend a book to. I have no idea which way you will go with any given book. Haha! I’m going to try What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon. If that doesn’t strike my fancy, (yet) I’m thinking We Never Asked for Wings or The Bear and the Nightingale. Or maybe something lighter? Do I have any of those? I don’t think so. Lol
Actually, Leslie, maybe 99 Percent Mine. I know you said The Hating Game wasn’t your fancy, but this is seriously completely different. Still has Sally’s style, but the characters are SO different. Or…How to Walk Away? Did you read that one yet? LOVE that one!
Oh! Movie…I’m nearly finished with Instant Family. I bought on Prime, I think it’s early on there cause you can’t rent, but this movie is GOLD!
Bev, it started as a book slump. I was dnf-ing and reading books that were not tickling my fancy. Now I am frustrated, crabby and depressed and feel like its turned into reading slump where I don’t feel like picking up a book. Even the thought of re-reading Twilight doesn’t excite me. *gasp*
I hate those slumps Leslie M… books are my escape and my entertainment so when you’re in one it sucks so bad.
Bev & Tasha, thanks for the recs. I will check them out. My KU subscription expired but Aristotle & Dante is on Hoopla. I know it is hard to rec books for me. Both of you read so many diff genres and I am really picky.
Tasha, How to Walk Away sounds good. I put myself on waiting list for it at library. Hoopla has The Lost Husband by that author. She could be my “Katherine” author for the levels challenge.
I want to read a CR with adults past college. I dont want dark, suspense, mystery, death or depressing but not a light, fluffy romcom either. I want 1st person POV and angst & emotion (but not OTT). I want to feel the MCs falling in love and watch them work for their HEA. I want something like Ghosted. (Unfortunately J.M. Darhower’s other books are not my thing)
Sent you a message on GR! 🙂
Tasha, I’ve looked at The Wolves of Winter and wondered…so good to know you liked it. I think I may have to check it out…
Leslie, I loved How to Walk Away…but I’m always nervous making recs to you…I do think you’ll like this one though. I think I’m going to listen to The Lost Husband at some point soon too because I did like her style and I am going to use that one for my Katherine on the Levels challenge 🙂
Maryse, I just finished More Than Words by Jill Santopolo. She wrote The Light We Lost, which was one I really loved. I can’t say I loved this one to quite that extent but it was still a beautifully written story with a message you can walk away feeling good about. I gave it 4 stars. (I would probably 5 star the cover! I think her covers are so pretty and to me this one was exquisite!)
Just so you guys are aware- the romance in The Wolves of Winter is really just a hint. It’s not the main focus what so ever. I know that bugs some people, so warning ahead don’t expect that. Mostly, it’s about Lynn and her journey. Her survival in a new world. Goes between past and present, to give a little background. And that’s not always clearly defined. It’s not perfect, but for someone who knows nothing about hunting, trapping, the Yukon, wilderness, I thought it was really great writing. Knowledgeable. And it’s a male author, his 1st novel (I was surprised) and he’s writing from a female character’s POV!
Leslie, *hugs* oh girl, I feel your pain. I had a wicked slump last year. It blows. What finally got me over it was rereading to be honest. I went through and read a few old faves…and then really paid attention to recs from people who know me and what I like. But don’t be afraid to take a break. Watch TV for a while. And lots of *hugs* to you, friend…
So, update after my Dr’s appt yesterday. All is well…drum roll please… I’m officially off my BP meds. BOTH of them. My BP was actually low again yesterday, not crazy low like the episode I had 3 weeks ago, but definitely on the low end of normal, so no more medication, at least for that. My thyroid has swung from me being majorly hypothyroid to being slightly hyperthyroid…which is caused from having too much Synthroid on board (d/t weight loss and the increased dose from the end of December) so now I have to decrease my dose again. My triglycerides are MUCH lower…but my overall cholesterol was a bit higher, my doc said it could possibly be d/t the fact that the lipid profile was an add-on test, and the tube had sat for a day, but she wasn’t concerned about it. She said she was proud of me for the weight loss and I almost cried right there in the Dr’s office. My doc is a friend…she and I have been through a lot together, we worked together for many years and she delivered all my babies…she’s saved my life more than once (literally) and I’ve saved the life of many of her patients (also literally)….so we’ve got a great relationship. She’s okay with me staying on the keto diet for a little while longer. She asked what my personal goal was. I told her I wanted to lose about 5 more pounds according to her scale (which is about 2 more pounds than my scale at home) and she said that is a great goal for me, personally. She doesn’t want me to stay on it long term though… she didn’t really say why and I didn’t ask, but I get the impression just d/t kidney issues, because a couple of my kidney function numbers were off a bit…*shrug* I think I’m going to go it for at least another month, but probably until my next appointment in April. See what my labs look like then. That’s the keto chronicles for now. I’m sure this is way more info than you all wanted…but hey, there ya go. LOL!
YAYYYYY GREEEYYYYYYY!!!! I love these updates. I love knowing that you are feeling and getting healthier, and I love the detailed test info that your dr gives you in comparison to your past results. It’s fascinating.
And I love that she’s your close friend. 😀
Maryse–No, Release isn’t up for pre-order yet. I’ll let you know if/when she puts it up.
I’ve been doing audiobooks the past couple of weeks. Just finished Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, and I loved it! Not as much as Gone Girl–that’s one of my all-time fave audiobooks, but Dark Places is one of those that I didn’t want to turn off when I had other things to do. I actually listened to it about 4 years ago, but I’d forgotten the key points, so I sped it up and listened to it again.
Michele–I’m going to check out your library and audio shelves on GR in a minute. I’m in line to get The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah audiobook from the library any day now, so I need to find another to fill the time in between.
Does anyone else here have an audiobook shelf on GR that I can possibly peruse?? After listening to probably hundreds of them, I’ve figured out that I can listen to about anything except romance–unless it’s duet narration, and even then, if the acting is bad, I still can’t do it.
I got my ItalyYUM box! Now, I can taste different treats and read my Italy recommendation!! I wanna taste all the snacks at once. *rubs hands together*
Tasha I wanna see a pic of the yummy box!!! I love subscription boxes.
Grey, so happy to hear about your good health report! 🙂
Grey, you are tempting me to go on it as well. My issues are borderline diabetes and bp, so… yeah. I probably should just due to diabetes alone, but it’s not easy with little dude being as picky as he is. lol Though, he ate meatballs the other day! Actual beef meatballs! *dances* So he likes chicken (grilled or nugget type form) and meatballs in small amounts. 😀 YAY!
Grey, sounds like you are on the up. Great!
Leslie I hate book slumps. I feel for you. I can’t remember whether you ever read HR, but if you do, Devil’s Daughter is a lovely read. Otherwise, I dunno. Have you tried Julie Ann Long’s CRs? Dirty Dancing at Devil’s Leap is a really good read. Second chance romance. (It’s better than you would think from the title LOL).
We tried 2 snacks tonight- Orange- Carrot Buondolce (Italian carrot cake with orange cream) that was very good. Kind of like a little debbie, but orange. And Effervescenti Fizzy Candies. I wish we had those here. I had the lemon and it’s like sucking on a piece of lemon candy and then in the middle is a liquid lemony fizz surprise. And it wasn’t a yucky fake lemony flavor.
Yum to the Italian snacks!
Jan, I want to like HR but have not been able to get into it. 🙁 I remember that Dirty Dancing book when you have mentioned it before. Horrible cover, but sounds good. My library has it, so I may check it out.
Tessa, I won’t lie…it is super overwhelming at first…and I did get a touch of the keto flu, not horrible like some people, but I can understand why some give up…it takes a lot of determination, but I am really in it to better my health overall, not just to lose weight. I was so damn frustrated with my blood pressure and my thyroid and my triglycerides…and I’m not even 40, you know? That was my thing…I was really upset when I’d gone to the Dr at the end of December and my numbers were so high, I knew I had to make a commitment and stick to it…my kids need me to be here and healthy, ya know? Anywho…that’s my story, let me know if I can help or cheerlead!❤️
Thank you, Grey! That’s my big goal, healthy. And I know I’ve been not really paying attention to my food for my health. And I need to.
So, finally read The Wicked King by Holly Black and HOLY CRAP! I didn’t want to stop reading it. I finished it last night and I just have been in a cloud, and wanting to go back to the world again. Seriously, it’s so good, words don’t describe. That’s one of the best second books I’ve ever read. 🙂
Tessa, I’ve been waiting for your comments on The Wicked King!! Wasn’t it the best?! I totally agree with your statement about it being one of the best second books you’ve read! It was sooo good! That’s one I bounced back and forth between the book and the audio. Let me tell you all that the audio was awesome! I got both through the library but I think I’m really going to have to own this one!
Grey – yay to you for taking control of your health now! I know what a battle that is – especially when you are in the throes of hauling kids everywhere as a working parent! Kudos to you!! *Tossing some congratulatory glitter your way….*
Kudos to any of you guys who are able to do any restrictive diet! I seriously applaud you all. The second you tell me I can’t have something, I want to binge it. I can cut down on sugar, chocolate, bread, pasta, etc. But to not be able to eat it all??? No can do.
Yes, kudos to you all, and that’s great about your health report, Grey! I can’t do Keto, but I admire those of you who have and can also stick with it!
FLT:
Late one evening toward the end of March, a teenager picked up a double-barreled shotgun, walked into the forest, put the gun to someone else’s forehead, and pulled the trigger.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Eeeep!! You’re reading Beartown! I LOVE that book so hard. 😀
Tasha–I’m listening to it. It’s my pick-for-me book this month that Leslie picked.❤️
I’m only on just starting chapter 5, so things are still kind of being set up, but i’m enjoying it!
Michele, OMG, YES! I loved how the politics played too. I mean it was a lot of politics, considering what the story is about, but it was done so well and kept me on my toes.
Grey, I know the big thing is when I start any type of diet, I have to go cold turkey. Especially sugar! I’m a binge or fast type. lol So currently there is tons of sugar around me, and other than when we had a cake for a birthday, I’ve been good. But that cake… sooooo not good. Oops? However, before the holidays I wasn’t being good, and that borderline was tipping as a result. *sighs* So no sugar allowed at all for me. The pasta and breads, especially that bagel at breakfast? That’ll hurt.
FLT:
THE BIGGEST IRONY about that night is that I was always scared to fly.
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Even though I typically don’t like these kinds of books (it’s more fiction-y than romance-y), I am enjoying it so far. Fingers crossed it stays good.
Nay, the reason I picked that book is I remembered Tasha gushing over it so figured you’d like it too.
FLT
The sudden blare of the fire alarm startled Aggie enough to drop her favorite coffee mug with the words I owe. I owe. Off to work I go.
Not His Dragon by Annie Nicholas
I love the kitchen set ups in the Great British Baking Show. The color of the cabinets, the colors of the accessories, the 50s fridges mixed with very modern ovens.
I just cant decide if I like the blue or green better.
EEP Nay! That FLT is a cracker!
My FLT: Phoebe had never met West Ravenel, but she knew one thing: he was mean, rotten bully.
From Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas. I have actually finished it LOL, (and it was fab) but I’m in a mini book slump now and fiddle-faddling around trying to settle on something else to read. So that one can be my FLT 🙂
FLT:
“Men collected my things from the house and brought them to the three-story mansion in Tuscany.” The Dictator (Banker Book 2).
So I just finished How to Walk Away. I really liked first half of book but 2nd half was just ok. I wasn’t bored, just not thrilled. I need more feels and romance.
Leslie–so it’s just one big triangle because I put that book on my PFM list because I remembered Tasha gushing over it! lol
I’m on the list for How to Walk Away at the library and it’s my challenge book for an author named Catherine/Katherine. I’m looking forward to reading it, and I only have to wait 6 months! 😀
Tasha–I want to see it too! I also love stuff like that, and I REALLY love fizzy candies, especially if they’re sour. I was looking at a site the other night that had frozen French macarons (actually made IN France and shipped here frozen) and other delicacies. My son’s GF and I were talking about ordering a decadent dessert collection for about $100 and splitting it!
bev–me too! I love everything about that show! Are you watching the ones with Noel and Sandy as hosts yet? Or are Mel and Sue there? I loved Mel and Sue, but Noel and Sandy make me laugh out loud like crazy!
MichelleS–I know you gave the first book, The Banker, 5 stars, but do you have any insight on why you loved it? I had never heard of those until you mentioned them, and I want to read them, but they’re just a little pricey. I love the simplistic covers.
Jan–I have a feeling it’s going to be a cracker! I’m still getting a lot of setting up. Not in a bad way, though. I’m really enjoying it.
Mel and Sue. Just season 2. It was sad and funny when Sue realized she’d learned on Howard’s muffins, lol. Just finishing the pie ep. One of the bakers wouldn’t even try his own pie because he hates them so much. I gasped. I was just thinking how I forget how much I like a good fruit pie.
Then they made custard tarts. A British show I love one of the characters loves his custard tarts. I’ve always wanted to try one.
Email sent, Maryse!
Oh, I can’t wait to see what you think of Beartown!
Mmmm, that sounds delicious Nay! I love French macarons. I have 2 I’m saving in my fridge for when I can’t resist any longer. They’re so yummy, but expensive and you want to eat 10, but can only have 1. Or 2. Or 4, but just that 1 time! 😉 My Mom ordered me a box for my birthday last year and it was my favorite gift ever. This is the gal that makes them around here https://shop.michellesmacarons.com/pages/gallery. She’s a true artist, I tell you!
I’m sorry How to Walk Away didn’t wow you Leslie. 🙁 It’s tough with the big romance feels for me, there’s usually angst, or suspense or something.
Also, if you don’t love Beartown, I will be crushed.
Ooh those macarons are soooo pretty, Tasha.
bev, we have custard tarts here and they’re yummy. They are a common bakery shop item in Australia. You can also get Chinese custard tarts too in some shops, and they’re yum as well. I have to admit, I’ve never made them myself, though. I’m not very patient wth either pastry or custard LOL. But why make them when I can just buy yummy ones at the bakery? Ha ha ha.
Tasha, I don’t think I will ever read Beartown as it def sounds way too fiction-y for me. 🙁 But I understand. It makes me sad when you guys dont love my faves. I am sure Nay will love it. She’s not a picky-pants like me. 😉
I suppose I do read quite a bit more fiction nowadays. For me though, a little love is just enough. A love interest makes a story, but when it smothers me…. I do like strong connections, angst and all that, but I’m really picky anymore with my romance reads. So many things annoy me quickly.
But, you are a true puzzle to me Leslie! Some books I think are a shoe in, and you 2 star or some “meh” to me, you love. If we all loved the same everything, it’d be boring. I’m happy you gave it a try, even though it wasn’t your norm. Looking at your want to tread list, I had big love for Vain by Fisher Amelie. I loved Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken. Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey, Nocte by Courtney Cole, Pieces of Lies by Angela Richardson, A Beautiful Lie by T.E. Sivec, and probably more but my eyes are getting tired. Lol
I love custard so SO much! And those tarts look like our (egg) custard pies like my granny used to make.
Leslie–I think Beartown has a little too much story set-up for you. But I’ll be able to tell for sure once I get farther into it.
And those macarons are beautiful! I had my first ones last week and they were so yummy! My son’s GF (the one I’m going to split the decadent baked good order with) bought me a small box of them at a bakery at the mall and I ate all of them within an hour! And one of them was yummy Nutella! She knew I’d love that one because my dad bought me 2 26oz containers of Nutella after my last leg surgery. 😉
Ooh! I also loved A Beautiful Lie! And Present Perfect!
Nay – I really loved The Banker, probably because I was in a “mood”. The follow up was not nearly as good. It was mostly setting up the third book. Not much happened. It was a good “alpha jerk” kind of book. I was too generous with the 5 stars, I think. I liked the setting in Italy, and her job as an art curator. It had the crime lord thing, so maybe I was in that mood??? Worth a shot for you, but nowhere near my favorites or anything. That was so convoluted!!! Sorry.
French Macarons are the “it” thing here in North Dallas area. Shops popping up everywhere. My son’s GF loves them. I like them, too… but that custard sounds way more yummy to me! If I’m going to a French pastry shop, I’m eating a chocolate croissant… not a damn macaroon. Ha!
Thanks, Michelle–I may just have to wait for the price to go down to read those. They’re too expensive to not be awesome.