Happy Monday!!! I can’t believe July is almost over. This summer is just flying by, but I’m having very good reading luck these days, and tomorrow’s big release day is going to be awesome (Kristen Ashley!!!). 
<— P.S. I just one-clicked this one!!! 
I’m going to start it tonight. I’m so in the mood for it.
Wanna do “Three Things”? Okay I’ll start!
1.) My mom and sister just arrived yesterday and they are spending 3 weeks with me!!! They’ll even be here on my birthday. YAY ME!
2.) I’m reading “The Perfect Mother” and I’m only a quarter into it but I’m still not sure what I think of it yet… It’s too early to tell, and the frequent POV switch through multiple characters can get confusing. I think Tasha loved it though, and she’s my other book-twin (especially for psych-thrillers), so I’m sticking with it.
3.) My mom hates vegetables, and always thought she hated “Zoodles” (zucchini that has been spiraled to look like long strands of spaghetti – so we can get our “pasta fix”), but I made her the ultimate bowl last night. Zoodles, covered in homemade meat-spaghetti sauce (very hearty), and melted cheese and parmesan all over it. SHE. LOVED. IT. 
*beams*
4.) Okay I’m cheating here but!!! Kate Stewart’s latest book is LIVE and here’s my Book Review of Someone Else’s Ocean by Kate Stewart!!
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE !!!
Dr. Strange Beard (Winston Brothers Book 5) by Penny Reid <— PENNY REID ALERT!! HE GHOSTED HER… “…Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists. But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .”- Commitment: A Second Chance Romance (Redemption Book 1) by T.K. Leigh <— HIS SISTER’S BEST FRIEND… “…When the man she’s been dating proposes, she thinks it’s exactly what she needs to finally close this chapter of her life. After all, over sixteen years have passed since she gave Andrew Brinks her heart, only for him to destroy it. Why should that matter now? But it matters to Drew. When he learns of her engagement, he realizes he has a decision to make...”
- Indeed by Amabel Daniels
Tainted Heartbreak (Tainted Knights Book 3) by Terri Anne Browning <— TERRI ANNE BROWNING ROCK STAR ALERT!! “...Cash Graves. I knew the name, even if it was a newer one to the rock world. He’s the bassist for Tainted Knights, the band who was making huge splashes in the music world. Their newest hit was all over the radio and currently on repeat on my playlist … and I just spit my margarita all over him. With a wink and a smile, he should have gotten on stage and let me go on with my life, if a little star struck over the delicious rocker…“
Playboy by Katy Evans <— THE LATEST BY KATY EVANS IS LIVE!!! And it CAN be read as a standalone! “…I discovered who he was: Gambler. Famous playboy. Silver-eyed player who never plays to lose. …And my best friend’s soon-to-be brother in law, Cullen Carmichael. He needed a good luck charm, I needed a distraction. So we made a gamble and set off for Vegas—but pretty soon—I was in too deep…”
Erica: Oh my goodness! Reviews are saying Remi has been “dethroned” and losing his spot in reader hearts over Cullen. I have to see if this is true!
Lisa M: Playboy!!!! Perfect for a Sunday afternoon read!!! Can’t wait to get started!!! Love Katy Evans books!!
- Piper: A Last Score Spin Off by K.L. Shandwick
Filthy Lies (Blackstone Dynasty Book 2) by Raine Miller <— RAINE MILLER ALERT!! HE’S HIDING SOMETHING FROM HER… “...I knew I loved him. What I never expected from him was a proposal of marriage nearly eight years later. I know it’s not supposed to be a real marriage, but James is certainly making it feel that way. He’s also hiding something from me…”- Protecting Love: Saints Protection & Investigations by Maryann Jordan
- Infernal Desires (Queen of the Damned Book 3) by Kel Carpenter
- Tie the Knot in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 7) by Cindy Kirk
- Black List: Black Star Security by Cynthia Rayne
- Butterface (A Hot Romantic Comedy) (The Hartigans) by Avery Flynn <— SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHY HE’S PRETENDING THAT THEY’RE DATING… “…It’s true. I’m not what most people would call “pretty” and, well, high school was rough. Fast forward ten years and life is good… Until a bunch of jerks think it’s hilarious to put the “butterface” (AKA me) on a wedding Kiss Cam with the hottest guy ever—and that old humiliation hits hard. I recognize him immediately. The sexiest cop in Waterbury and totally out of my league…”
- Rev My Engine: She Drives Me To Love (She Drives Me to Love Series) by Kristin Kent
- Cocky (Spartan Riders Book 5) by J.C. Valentine
- Beloved in Blue: Sweet Contemporary Beach Romance (Hawthorne Harbor Romance Book 2) by Elana Johnson
- Handle with Care (Saddler Cove) by Nina Croft
AUDIOBOOK L
VERS
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!
PREORDERS (look what’s going live at MIDNIGHT!! )
Wild Like the Wind (Chaos Book 6) by Kristen Ashley – July 31st 2018- Protected: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella by Lexi Blake – July 31st 2018
- Shadow’s Bane (Dorina Basarab) by Karen Chance - July 31st 2018
- At Midnight: Billionaires in Disguise: Flicka (Runaway Princess Book 4) by Blair Babylon - July 31st 2018
- Roughing the Kicker (Saints and Sinners Book 1) by Eden Butler – July 31st 2018
- Beyond the Bases by Kaylee Ryan – July 31st 2018
- Cathian (The Vorge Crew Book 1) by Laurann Dohner – July 31st 2018
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I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Good morning! Happy Monday!
Three things:
1) Yesterday, we bought and hauled 1 ton of wood flooring to finally do my entire house. I canNOT wait to get rid of this nasty carpet.
2) I’m so excited for KA tomorrow–hopefully tonight!
3) I’ve never had zoodles, but I want some right now.
1. My annual writer’s retreat has evolved into the ‘Mermaid Retreat’ and it starts Wednesday! I have 9 Mermaids and a husband coming here from 4 different states!
2. I’m up early going over Nay’s edits so I can post chapter two of Riders on the Storm in my group tomorrow.
3. I can’t do the zucchini noodles, but I’m obsessed with baked spaghetti squash topped with meat sauce! Have you tried that Maryse? The trick is to get a little caramelization on the surface layer. Cut in half (I do it sideways, but it doesn’t matter). Scoop out the seeds. Brush with olive oil and bake face down on 400 for 45-50 minutes. Turn over and broil to caramelize. Yumm!!
Don’t forget to sign up for the challenges!
1) Football season starts today in my house… Oy.
2) Philly cheese steak in the instapot was a success.
3) I didn’t get to read at all this weekend… Grrr.
Morning! *sets coffee down to grab the pastries*
Three things:
1. I did not win the Lotto therefore I can not buy a beach house and read the summer away.
2. We officially have one week of summer left before school starts back!
3. I am obsessed with antique / thrift stores at the moment.
Yup, DG. I have one week left for my remaining son, who’s a senior this year. Seems like they start earlier every year.
Ugh I’m SO with you on carpet, Nay. I have cream colored carpets (they look good but so difficult!!) and as soon as I can, I’m doing all wood floors.
R YES!! I love spaghetti squash too… I just find it longer to prepare.
And you would TOTALLY eat my zoodles. I’m really good at it.
My mom HATED zoodles before and even she said, the way I prepared it was just like eating a big bowl of spaghetti.
I always feel so boring when I can’t think of 3 things lol.
Three things:
1. I, too, replaced all carpet with hardwood. Love love love it.
2. I, too, have one week left of summer vacay before school starts up. Boo.
3. I just got back from a quick weekend get-a-way & I’m pooped. No good reads during that time. Bummer.
Oh, and I’ve been watching Shark Week, this is how bored I am. I now know way too much about Hammerheads & Bull Sharks.
Our carpet is so bad that the glue under it has turned to powder. I pulled it up around the edges and stuck the vacuum hose attachment thingy under it as far as possible to vacuum what I could up. It’s also stained to heck from 10 years of 3 boys and 4 dogs. I’m SO excited!! The boys are almost grown and we only have one dog–our little Jack Russell–now, but we still bought commercial grade.
bev… you are the started of 3 things! You can sit back and giggle with us if you can’t think of anything. It actually happens to me a lot.
1. It’s on our to-do list to convert carpet to hardwood in our house too! Might be little while though…
2. I officially have 3 kids in college (well youngest one is doing community college for first year … so that saves us a little…).
3. I LOVED the book My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan!! It’s on sale right now …one of my faves this year!
Good morning!
Three things:
1. I love our hardwood floors!
2. Shark Week is over and I’m sad. *gives stink-eye to MichelleS* Shark Week is COOL!
3. I’m obsessed with watching Black Mirror and Sharp Objects in the evening. GREAT shows but in different ways.
Okay, WHY would a woman donate blood if she can’t get stuck without crying? Why?? If you cry, I’m pulling the damn needle and the donation is over. Period. Don’t tell me you always cry and you’ll be fine…NO. You cry, it’s over. There’s no crying in blood donation.
I am terrified (phobic-terrified) of IVs and blood tests. I want to pass out and vomit just thinking of someone sticking my veins… I can’t.
Needles (like vaccines, tetanus shot, numbing needles, stitches, piercings… I’m fine with that). JUST DON’T TOUCH MY VEINS!!!
P.S. I can’t even SEE it happen on TV (hospital shows, or EMT stuff). I freak and hide and get all woozy. I’m so weird.
P.P.S. And don’t get me started on the plethora of IV photos that appear on my Facebook feed every time someone ends up in the hospital.
I scroll past SO freaking fast and blur my eyes so I can’t see the details… or else I may just faint, right there. At my computer.
I love how much you all make me laugh.
Look at Amy all boss. Gah, I wish I could be like that.
Ok. Thought of them.
1. I’m seriously thinking of a new wardrobe going into fall. I hate shopping so much. And my day does consist of needing casual clothes (Yay!). Now still going to be jeans and shirts but just more assortment, lol.
2. I love the way the multiple rings look. But think my fingers are just too chubby.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1264/7617/products/anatomyofrings_e85acc86-3ca3-47a8-b984-f4d554025273_2000x.JPG?v=1499989603
3. For some reason this ep has been on my mind this morning. Remember it being a really good one…honest, funny, sad and raw. Though I am not into her music. The host is so good and LOVE her accent.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047w8tm
I just one-clicked it, Michele G!!! YAY!!!
Maryse – I hope you like it as much as I did!!
I’m laughing at Amy’s blood donation comment — totally agree!! Makes you really wonder what people are thinking sometimes!!!
Mary’s, you forgot 2 books that just came out.
Idle book 4 of the Deadly Sins by Amelie Fisher. ( finally! I have been waiting forever for this author to write another book in this series)
Tiebreaker by P. Dangelico. I just read this book and it was really good! It had the “feels”. Plus it was funny.
3 things:
1- I really want all wood floors too. My downstairs is wood, but my upstairs isn’t. I’m afraid to see what that will cost. I’m kicking myself for not doing it when we bought the house. Grrrr
2- I love zoodles but I think I need to make them thicker. Marsye what kind of spirilizer do you use? How do you cook your zoodles? I need a tutorial!
3-I’m reading the last book of the Tainted Accords by Kelly St. Clare and I don’t want them to end. These books are that good!
Maryse that’s supposed to be your name up there….darn autocorrect
3 things:
1. I’ve been more than average obsessed with guild wars this week. There is a summer event.
2. School starts in two weeks here.
3. Little dude is bored and doesn’t want to do anything. *sighs* It’s NOT fun.
1. Have to comment on the hardwood, we have hardwood throughout our house. No carpeting at all. It’s great. My old dog likes to pee on the floor. So easy to clean!!
2. I finished Playboy by Katy Evans yesterday. Could not put it down. I freaking love her writing style. Hooks me every book!!
3. Am I the only one that after they finish a book I have to immediately start another one!!!
I seriously HAVE to be that way sometimes. I don’t want to clean up someone’s pee or puke when they have a reaction because we continued with the donation. No ma’am. Screw that.
And Maryse…believe it or not, I used to be terrified of needles. Just the sight of one or the sight of the tubes or even the smell of rubbing alcohol would make me lightheaded. Getting a simple blood test would make me pass out. But now? No problem. Although I still have to look away when the needle is going in MY arm.
No, Lisa M. I think we can ALL relate to the need to immediately start a new book as soon as we turn the last page on our current read.
I HATE needles. I don’t get lightheaded or anything, but the sight of mettle entering skin slowly is just eew. Also, ouch. lol Though, I still don’t mind donating. I just refuse to look.
Oh, I’m re-reading After the Lights. I loved it but didn’t own it (yay library!) so I bought it to reread and own.
I’ve had to learn to ‘embrace’ needles, but I can’t look. Even though the sight of blood or being stuck doesn’t gross me out, if I look, my head starts swimming and I pass out.
When I got my LVAD, they were trying to run an arterial line in my right arm and stuck me at least 50 times but could never hit the artery (they didn’t want to use my left arm because it already had 2 IVs in it). They finally relented and used my left arm–hit it on the first try. My right arm swelled and turned solid purple from fingertips to elbow. Scared the CRAP out of me.
Tessa–are you talking about the Abbi Glines series? If so, would you classify it as YA or NA?
Maryse I so totally want to visit and try your zoodles and spaghetti sauce. And I could say hi to your mom and sister too!
3 things
1. I’ve done some wardrobe shopping and finally gotten myself into the new slimmer line pants. Now I don’t have to keep feeling like I’m five years out of fashion LOL.
2. Have been doing lots more work than usual over the last few months. (I do casual/relief work and short-term contracts). But today is a day off! Yay me! I might just sit and read Binding 13 this afternoon
3. Maybe I’ll do some baking today too. (It’s winter here). Blueberry muffins, maybe?? Or peanut butter cookies? Decisions.
Jan I WOULD LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I say Blueberry muffins, absolutely.
I finally decide I will let my hair grow for a few more months.
Then promptly start looking at all the summer hair cuts, lol.
Nay, it’s classified as a YA. Honest truth, I don’t think the steam is high, but I could be wrong. I am just at the beginning-ish and don’t really notice that unless it’s extremely steamy to me.
Loved PLAYBOY!!!
Culling was much dreamier than Callan. Of course the best in the series is Saint. No one can touch him. Learned a lot about gambling in Vegas also. Kinda interesting. Now onto that new KA biker book. Can’t wait.
Should be Cullin