Good morning and another Happy Early Bird Monday to us!! π I feel relaxed after an amazing weekend and I got stuff done! In fact, let me tell you about them:
Three things:
1.) MY CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP!!! :D!! Oh and it is magnificent! All gold and shimmering like crazy. I got the tree last year at J.C. Penney on super-sale, and it’s pre-lit (I can choose between white light or colors, or both – I leave it on white), and I can’t stop staring at it. I’ll post a photo soon. π
2.) I re-worked my two wreaths that I bought last year that were cute but needed more oomph. My trusty glue gun, some sparkly gold snowflakes, and big glittery gold bows finished the look just right! Now I need to put them up.
3.) When, once upon a time you weren’t a fan of dark chocolate, but then when you turned Keto and dark chocolate was the only version of chocolate you could treat yourself too, suddenly, dark chocolate is the bomb!! π I’m a BIG fan. I choose the Ghirardelli 72% dark (I should choose a higher percentage for Keto but I can only go so far…. too bitter for me). π Actually Lily’s Dark Chocolate is supposedly the Keto approved version, and I just found them on Amazon (at a much better price then I can get them at my Publix). I may give these a go. Supposedly they are DELICIOUS.
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVEΒ Β !!!
- UnzippedΒ by Lauren Blakely <— LAUREN BLAKELY’S LATEST!! He wants to win his ex back and is planning a grand gesture! “...if you’re going to grand gesture the ever-loving hell out of a second chance, you need to pull out all the stops. Thereβs only one little problem. My college girlfriend isn’t the one who shows up when I play my “I’ll do anything to win you back” tune. The woman who flings open the second-floor window tells me my ex doesnβt live here anymore. But she’ll help me win her back…”
A Me and You ThingΒ by Taylor Dean <— Oooooh BLURB JOLT! I’m intrigued!! They are the perfect happy family… “…When Quinn has the opportunity to help others on a two-week volunteer trip, she reluctantly leaves her family, knowing a short break from the demands of motherhood will be good for her. She doesn’t expect the trip to change her life forever. But it does. It changes everything…“
- The Blood That Drives Us (Devils Dust Legacy Book 1)Β by M.N. Forgy
- Veil of Lies (Law of the Lycans Book 9)Β byΒ Nicky Charles
- The Christmas Secret: A Second Chance Billionaire RomanceΒ by Kristen Kelly
Troublemaker (Rascals Book 5)Β by Katie McCoy <— HER BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND… “…I know heβs trouble, but I canβt stay away. The chemistry between us is burning out of control, but Danteβs hiding something behind that bad boy smile, and his secrets could destroy us both…“
- Hell of A Lady (Devilish Debutantes Book 4)Β by Annabelle Anders
- Prez: Company of Sinners MC #3Β by Lisa J. Hobman
- The Laramie Briscoe 2018 CompanionΒ by Laramie BriscoeΒ <— “This companion features never before released material from your favorite Laramie characters.”
- Missing Pieces: A White Creek Novel (The White Creek Series Book 1)Β by Tori Fox <— HE’S FIXING HER CAR…Β “…Divorced at 26 and driving to Florida to move back in with my parents. Until my car breaks down in Smalltown USA. Not the place meant for a city girl. Until I meet theΒ cocky a$$holeΒ that is fixing my car...”
Memories of Us: A Second Chance, Amnesia Romance NovelΒ by Kennedy L. Mitchell <— HE HAS AMNESIA… “...For thirteen years, Iβve resented Brenton Graves for deserting me.Β Iβve tried to move on, refusing to think about what might have been.Β Now heβs back in town, seeking redemption and looking as sexy as ever.Β When he asks for my help, I know better than to accept. But I will. Because no matter how much I want to hate Brenton, I donβt. Β Five days to help him remember and for me to finally get closure…”
- Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & PreyΒ byΒ Kate Stewart <— KATE STEWART SERIES BUNDLE JUST WENT LIVE!! And it’s super-bargain priced!! “…for the first time in my life, I hoped Iβd be enough for a woman. Caring for a woman was easy for me. I had always cared for different women for different reasons. Loving a woman had always been quite a bit harder. Doms donβt have to say I love you.”
ReWined: Volume 2 (Party Ever After)Β by Kim Carr <— KIM KARR’S LATEST!! ARRANGED MARRIAGE ALERT!! “...With both of our failing wineries merging and a contract that states only one family business can survive, we’re spending a lot of time negotiating.Β And not the kind I prefer.Β The truth is it’s just a matter of who will come out on top, her or me?Β I wish I meant that literally.Β In the meantime, she demands separate bedrooms. I insist we break in our new bed. She says she hates me. I think it’s love. She believes our marriage won’t last. I know it will…”
- Thaddeus (Heartbreakers & Troublemakers Book 2)Β by Hope Hitchens
- Jaguar (Uncanny Valley Book 3)Β by C.A. Gray
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 dealΒ β>
- AND! Hereβs the fun-tool again! β>Β Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE!Β <β
Β 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!
PREORDERS (going live at midnight!!! Β Β )
- PandemicΒ by Robin Cook β December 11th 2018
- Tall, Dark and Tempting (Tall, Dark and Sexy Series Book 3)Β by Erika Wilde β December 11th 2018
- Permission (The Perversion Trilogy Book 3)Β by T.M. Frazier β December 11th 2018
- Tangled Like Us (Like Us Series: Billionaires & Bodyguards Book 4)Β by Krista & Becca RitchieΒ – December 18th 2018
- Peyton & NoahΒ by Heidi McLaughlin β December 18th 2018
- Safe and Sound (Sisterhood)Β by Fern MichaelsΒ – December 18th 2018
- Midnight BiteΒ by Cynthia Eden β December 18th 2018
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).
A Me and You Thing sounds so good!
1. I made 2 meals yesterday so I wouldnβt have to cook today. Egg casserole, and Iβm gonna try it in a moment, and pineapple chicken loaded with veggies (snap peas, zucchini, carrots, red peppers, & water chestnuts) served over rice. YUM
3. I was going to email my list this weekend, but realize I wanted to finish a book quick 1st, in case I wanna add it, so I canβt yet. π
2. Apparently I canβt count. I thought I did 3. Lol….well I made this comment on the other post, but Iβll say it here too. I watched Wonder last night and was blown away. Such a perfect, heartwarming movie. I cried, a lot.
YAY!!! Then I will watch Wonder too!! π
Good Morning my lovelies π
I can’t wait to see pic of your tree Maryse-were you and your Mom able to do them together? I hope so!
1-OMG guys I started Verity Friday night and woke up Saturday morning and could not stop reading it till I finished. HOW IS THAT BOOK A COHO BOOK, I can’t even tell ya I literally still have no words and still can not pick up another book and because of this I went on a baking spree this weekend…….my husband thought I lost my mind and I guess I sort of did in that book!
2-My new furniture I bought on black Friday is FINALLY in and being delivered tomorrow-I can’t wait because that means I get to take the day off tomorrow from work-YAY ME
3-And finally made appointment to get my hair done this week-I have not had it cut/colored at all since March *gasp*
Jennifer I did!!! But in my clumsiness on my ladder, I broke a glass lamp.
*sigh*
Gotta get a replacement.
Oh, thatβs the best feeling, Jenn! When you go so long without it and then get it all done, so refreshing. I also have been holding off since April. I almost gave in a couple months ago, but resisted cuz itβs cold out now and the added length keeps me a tad warmer. Iβm hoping to hold off till next year, but Iβm weak. Weβll see.
Let me know what you think, Maryse! I figured I was one of the last to watch it since itβs been out for a while.
Yes Tasha it definitely is….One of my favorite things is getting my hair washed by someone else. I don’t know why but I get lost in it. love it! I just want to get all these lighter highlights out of it; my hair naturally gets lighter on its own; I don’t actually ever pay to get highlights….in the summer I don’t mind them but with it being winter I just want my dark brown hair π
Oh and I forgot to mention I watched “dumplin” on Netflix. (I have not read the book so I can’t compare the two) I did enjoy it though!
I have not watched Wonder yet either Tasha….not sure how I missed that one-that is the one with Julia Roberts and Own Wilson right?
Yes thatβs the one, Jenn. And itβs free on amazon prime too.
thank you Tasha; maybe after the delivery guys leave tomorrow I will have time to fit it in before hubby gets home as that is definitely not a movie he will watch.
Wonder was SUCH a good movie. I saw it in the theater with a friend, and yep…I cried. Holy moly, I wasnβt expecting to actually cry. When Julia Roberts watches him walk into school, and she says something along the lines of βplease let them be nice to himβ…OMG! *sob* But it is touching and moving and SO worth the watch.
Three things:
1. Iβm making Korean BBQ meatballs and garlic lemon zoodles tonight. YUM!
2. Verity is screwing with my head. Iβm with Jenn…how is this a CH book? She must have been spending time with Tarryn Fisher lately. *snicker*
3. We went to the ball this weekend. *sigh* Weβre never too old to get all dressed up and go to a ball. π
AMY. OMG that sounds delicious!!!!!!
I’m intrigued (and titillated) about all of your comments on Verity. I have to start that now!!!
1. I am on a mission to make my reading goal on GR! I tried reading shorter books and novellas, but they were taking just as long as full length because I wasn’t as hooked. Now I’m listening to The Hating Game on audio and can’t seem to stop!
2. I watched an Alessandra Torre webinar the other night and something in it resonated with me. I’ve been a writing fool lately. The words are coming and I’m past all the humps (knock on wood). Hoping to announce a release date soon!
3. The new LP album came out Friday and I’m (as expected) obsessed! I can’t wait to see her (again) next month!
Oh no Maryse but better the lamp than you; lamp can be replaced YOU can’t!
Amy did you actually read her dedication in the beginning of the book, it was to Tarryn Fisher. I loved it! And I felt the same way as it messed with me the same way TF books mess with me.
R; so glad your over the hump *crosses fingers* it continues for you. π I know what you mean about the GR reading goal. Because I didn’t actually start reading again this year till July I put mine at 30 but than when I made it to 30 I increased it to 50 and now I am one book away from that. I have so many I want to read before end of this year…and yours is one of them. π
Oh my gosh, yes. That was the 1st time I cried, Amy. Haha
Thank you Jenn! My FB group laughs at my dedication to my GR goal, but I failed every other goal I set this year and by god I’m not missing this one if I have to read more Cocktails stories! π
Good Morning!
1) Pain has finally stepped down half a notch–yay!
2) It’s a beautiful day and I’m happy to be alive!
3) Please be thinking about hubs today. He has an interview at 1:00pm (and then another tomorrow at 8am). Of course, financially, it’s important for him to find another job asap, but I have to say that I’m not sorry he wasn’t working this past week when I needed him most. My boys are the best!
Going to try to read some Verity today.
Good Monday morning everyone!!
1. I started Verity Friday morning and finished it on Saturday…it was a crazy good trip!! I stand by my statement that I think Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher are playing a prank on us…I keep waiting for her to say…JK it was really Tarryn who wrote the book…but seriously, it shows her wide range….it was twisty good!!
2. My daughter – 22, my oldest kiddo and my bestest friend (seriously I LOVE spending time with her) is home from college. She’ll be working a lot but over the weekend we were able to watch Dumplin’ on Netflix. She hadn’t read the book (I did…and loved it). It was cute…they did a nice job…it was of course different from the book. So for those of you who haven’t read the book yet and have watched the movie…read the book. It’s still better! There’s just something about being in the character’s mind…especially with this book.
3. I have wrapped everything I’ve bought so far and put it under the tree. That’s a first for me…I’m usually so far behind on wrapping. I’m trying to stay ahead of it this year.
**So, I know I used my 3…but I also have to say A You and Me Thing is yelling my name…another heartbreaker …because apparently that’s my addiction lately. Oh, and I’m back to reading An Exaltation of Larks ….it’s such a wonderfully special book. For those of you who haven’t read it yet…do so. I simply love her writing talent…Suanne Laqueur is just so very talented. This book is kind of epic to me…so I’m savoring it…which I don’t do often.
Oh…and I’m finally on the last chapter of The Passage (audiobook)…I really have enjoyed it too. There are two more which I’ll listen to at some point…but I need a little break for right now.
OMG–I’m SO off on my GR goal. I knew I was being way overconfident, but I was hoping that no slumps would settle in. I had much too many this year, and I’ve decided to give up.
Good luck, Robin!
I’m also so far behind on my GR goal. I just decided to be okay with not making it, and be more realistic next year. I had quite a few slumps myself. I read Verity over the weekend too and thought it was phenomenal. It’s been a while since reading a story left me feeling that anxious and unsettled. I didn’t see that end coming at all. I never even suspected something like that. It’s so hard to find something else to read when you’ve been wowed by a book, but I think it’ll have to be something with kittens and rainbows and unicorns farting glitter!!!
Yep Maryse, youβre going to want to read Verity. Itβs a quick and easy read, and itβs SO different from her other books. At least the ones I have read.
And I am OBSSESSED with meatballs right now. Turkey meatballs, ground beef meatballs, ground chicken meatballs, Swedish, Korean BBQ, Italian, even flavored with Lipton onion soup mix *drool*! They freeze well so I can make a bunch in advance and then just thaw them out. But tonight, itβs a fresh batch, and I canβt wait!
So, I finished Verity and…damn. *shakes head* That was crazy. If youβre a CH fan, give it a shot. Just donβt expect it to be one of her romances! π
Jenn…I didnβt see the dedication, because when I open books on my Kindle app it goes straight to the prologue or first chapter. I actually DID, however, see her mention TF in the acknowledgements after I commented here earlier, and I thought it was pretty funny. Yep, Verity definitely had traces of TF vibes in it.
I rarely read acknowledgements, but I love reading CHβs. I first read Slammed right after it released (Iβm pretty sure it was only a few days old) when it was her only book, and it had the cover with the stage curtains and stool. As she released more books I was so happy for her success, but as I found out what a generous, beautiful soul she has and as she was open about the financial struggles her family had before she found success, my heart SWELLED for her. That is why I love reading her acknowledgements, to see the connections she has made with other authors (which makes me smile) as well as her wittiness as she thanks everyone (which makes me giggle).
1. Got my Christmas decorations up. Well, everything but decorating the tree. The kid and his cousin usually do it, but her mom was gone for the week. So he’ll do it solo! π
2. I used to have the most annoying socks in the world. Well, annoying to everyone but me. I ADORED them, but nope. I think my niece through them out. *grrr* They were red with white tripping at the top with bells hanging from them. Why were they annoying? The bells actually rang. I had no idea! I couldn’t hear them. So… to this day, I’m looking for some just as cute, but don’t make noise. lol
3. I made hot chocolate with peppermint flavor. I finally found the sugar free peppermint mocha creamer! woot! So, I used a light hot chocolate packet (2 grams of sugar), hot water (no sugar), and the creamer (no sugar), for an excessively low sugar hot chocolate! YAY! π
Tessa…these are adorable:
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/mix-no.-6-holiday-jingle-womens-knee-socks/338369?activeColor=600
OMG so are these!
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/mix-no.-6-elf-jingle-bell-womens-knee-socks/405253?activeColor=300
Iβm totally ordering some holiday socks to go with my Christmas jammies for our movie date on the 21st!
Oh, those are cute, but I can’t do full-length socks like that. My calves are very muscular so they rarely fit. π Gah, that first one is adorable!
1) I haven’t wrapped a thing. (Eeep!)
2) I totally got nabbed by that book blurb A Me and You Thing. As soon as I finish the book I’m reading, I’m in for it.
3) I want a peppermint mocha hot cocoa now…*side-eyes Tessa*
Grey…I just started it. And check out throw quote at the very beginning:
βOne day while standing at my side on battlefield life, my hero looked at me with love in his eyes and said . . . Iβll just leave you here. βRMNβ π―
Are we in trouble? I think weβre in trouble. The best kind of trouble. *giggle*
Okay Tessa, Iβm on a mission to find those socks for you.
Today is just the sh!ttiest of sh!tty days. People are a$$holes. Theyβre horrible. You donβt f&ck with someoneβs heart and emotions. You just donβt.
So I need something good and uplifting to happen today. And if that good and uplifting thing is finding your socks, then dammit thatβs what is going to happen.
Sorry, ladies. I didnβt mean to get so emotional. Itβs been building up all day and is finally coming out.
Back to our regularly scheduled gabbing now. π
I’m thinking of adopting a dog for Christmas. That’s uplifting. There is one at the shelter I keep looking at. I just need to make a date to meet her.
bev DO ITTTTT!!!! OMG my heart is already so happy for both of you. <3 Hobbit is adopted from a rescue and she's the best thing that happened to me. Along with my sweet Pimmie (but I got her as a puppy).
**HUGS** Amy! Sorry about your crappy day! And I totally agree with you about people! I hope things get better quickly!
That sounds wonderful, bev!
Speaking of Christmas gifts–I haven’t even bought the first thing. And when I do, I’m going to try to wrap, but I’ll probably be gift bagging everything this year. I hate that! Maybe my boys will do the wrapping if I can’t.
Do it, bev. Give a doggie a home for Christmas. π
1.) I haven’t wrapped a thing either. I got my tree up! And no Christmas Cards this year – first time in in 30 years!
2.) Slammed was my first CoHo too! With the original cover. Loved it.
3.) I adopted a third dog, so happy for you Bev! Something to hug! Ha!
Thanks, Nay. *hugs*
Aaaaaand I think you have a VERY valid reason for not having bought any presents yet. *gives Nay a stern eye*
I’m STILL reading Kingdom of Ash. It’s sooooo long, but soooo good, I’m savoring every line. May do a reread of whole series!
Big hugs to Amy… who is messing with our sassy girl? Boo on them. They’re getting coal. ONWARD!!!
Hope your day gets better, Amy! bev, I think you should go and meet the doggie and see whether you click. Giving a dog a home is a lovely thing to do at Christmas (or any time!).
1. My tree is up and lookin’ good. It’s got those fibre optic changing light fronds mixed in with the normal pretend green leaves, and when it’s turned on they change colour. So cool. And all the pressies wrapped underneath π
2. I’m practicing with a local community choir to sing at Carols by Candlelight in our town on 23rd Dec. It’s always a lovely night. Summertime here, so we have a long, mild evening twilight, then people start to turn on their pretend candles. Looks so beautiful. Santa calls in to say hello to the kids. And all those lovely carols. It’s the most wonderful time of the year……. and I don’t know how to make music notes symbols on here LOL.
3. I’ve got 10 books to go on my 2018 GoodReads challenge of 200 books. Can I do it?????? I’m giving it a red-hot go! I’ve got a few books I’ve partly read but haven’t finished. Maybe I need to clean those up, and that might get me over the line.
Alright. Nothing sounds good! UGH. I know it’s me. I am trying to read stuff I know I’ll love and can’t get into them. π
Amy, I think I got those socks some *coughs* years ago. Heck, I think my dad was still alive when I got them. π It’s been a while.
Tessa!!!
https://www.francescas.com/product/jingle-bell-elf-crew-socks.do
Thanks ladies. Everything will be okay and could have been much worse, but Iβm still pretty devastated right now.
Aw man, bevβs book funk jumped from her to Tessa! Itβs like a freaking demon or something. π
Ooh like that old Denzel Washington movie. And that Stone’s dong would play when it happened.
Tessa should appreciate my restraint and not tell her what I think she should do if not reading, lol.
I’m actually reading 2 good books, but going to watch ep 4 tonight instead. Apparently really good.
Lol…song. The song would play.
Yeah, I was wondering about that when I first read it. All I saw was βdongβ and βplayβ and my mind went to all kinds of places. *snicker*
I just finished Verity. It was such a departure for Colleen and for me. It took me longer to read it because I couldnβt read it before bed with its creepy vibe lol!
Agreed, JR. That ending was just…disturbing. In a really good way. π
Ha ha ha Amy, my mind went there too. What is our dear bev doing playing with Stone’s dong???????? (Yeah, she tried to blame autocorrect……)