tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60959866579299806062024-03-13T03:41:21.294-04:00Eastern Sunset ReadsAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.comBlogger3591125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-75138689386216902642022-12-23T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-23T18:00:00.217-05:00Advent Reads Day 23: The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527972678i/37539037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527972678i/37539037.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Synopsis:</span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke…</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?"</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I have been eyeing this book for a while and finally got a chance to pick it up this year. It was a slower and longer read than I usually pick for the holiday season but I really wanted a lot more family driven stories as opposed to the light fluffy romances I usually reach for. This one fit that bill and was completely worth the time to read. Each of the characters was so unique and had a clear voice in the story. It was quite an emotional journey as they came together and discovered things about themselves, each other and their own history and family. While many of the topics are a bit heavy, there is still plenty of light moments and even laugh out loud moments to keep it from getting too dark. The ending was so great as we got to watch the sisters come together and support each other in new ways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was definitely a longer, slower read but it was very addicting and had me reaching for it again and again to find out what happens next. I give this one a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-53630293536506600792022-12-22T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-22T18:00:00.222-05:00Advent Reads Day 22: The White Christmas Inn by Colleen Wright<p style="text-align: center;"> <em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534659969i/38532193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534659969i/38532193.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">A New England inn seems like the picture-perfect place to spend the holidays. But when a snowstorm shuts the roads and keeps them all inside, the guests find themselves worrying that this Christmas may not be exactly what they dreamed of.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Molly just needs to keep her head down and finish her latest book, but her writer’s block is crippling. The arrival of Marcus, a handsome widower with two young girls, is exactly the distraction she doesn't need.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Hannah was hoping for a picturesque winter wedding, but her plans come crashing down when her fiancé calls everything off. She reconnects with her childhood friend, Luke, when he comes to check on his grandmother before the storm.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Jeanne and Tim don't know how they're going to keep the inn open another year—or how to bridge the distance between them in their marriage. With a flurry of unexpected guests, they'll have to work together to fix all the problems that crop up. But will it be enough to rekindle their relationship?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">As the characters’ stories intertwine, they start to find hope where they thought it had been lost. With faith, and a little bit of Christmas magic, the inn—and its inhabitants—might just make it through the holidays after all."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>This is definitely that warm, cozy, feel good book that I was looking for this season. I loved the setting of a small inn filled with people avoiding a storm. We had characters from all walks of life and stages of life. Romance is a big feature in this story but I love how it featured relationships in so many stages; fresh and relatively new, a broken relationship, a tested more established relationship, relationships after a loss and budding new relationships. We also get some great family relationships and elements. It was just an all around sweet, making things work when times are tough and the holidays are upon us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>I really enjoyed this one, it was relatively short and a lot of familiar elements but it was done in a way that felt like a new take on things. I got all the warm cozies I wanted with it. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-31449300101364825292022-12-21T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-21T18:00:00.227-05:00Advent Reads Day 21: The BIG Christmas Bake by Fiona Barker & Illustrated by Pippa Curnick<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754698i/60382781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754698i/60382781.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>Read for: Requested Review/Netgalley</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: left;">The Big Christmas Bake</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: left;"> is a funny, lively romp through the twelve days of Christmas, taking the elements of the popular carol, and weaving them cleverly into the ingredients for a Twelfth Night Cake.</span></span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Starting with the partridge and its gift of dried fruit, this rhyming story</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;"> includes all of the familiar characters</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"> from the song as they all contribute to the baking of the magnificent Twelfth Night cake.</span></span></i></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A trio of french hens bring baking powder</span></i></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Six geese bring eggs, and lots of feathers too</span></i></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ten lords help carry the cake into the oven ready to bake</span></i></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of the story, there is a <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">recipe included</span> to bake your own cake at home, giving this book the potential to be <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">a favorite Christmas story </span>as well as a resource to be used every year in <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">introducing a twelfth-night cake tradition to a family</span>.</span></i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit;">Characterfully illustrated by Pippa Curnick <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Big Christmas Bake </span>is a beautiful, lyrical, and gently humourous Christmas story for the whole family to enjoy.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "</span></i></div></span></i><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>This was such a fun book, and would be a blast to read with some littles. I had no idea about the Twelfth Night Cake tradition so it was also fun to learn a little about it. It is told with some great rhymes and a bit of a play on the Twelve Days of Christmas song, it will have those young and old giggling. With the added illustrations, you will find this might become a favorite holiday season re-read. Keep the fun going after Christmas with a 12 days celebration with a recipe to make your own Twelfth Night Cake and start a new tradition.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This is definitely a fun book to keep the holiday going and introduce some new (or old) traditions. The illustrations and the rhyme will have the littles wanting more. I give this one a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i>The BIG Christmas Bake is out now so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-big-christmas-bake-fiona-barker/1140982078?ean=9780711268142" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/BIG-Christmas-Bake-Fiona-Barker-ebook/dp/B0BF1BQB36/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or your local bookstore or library in time to start your own 12 Days celebration!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-71263617966228483112022-12-20T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-20T18:00:00.215-05:00Advent Reads Day 20: Oh. What. Fun by Chandler Baker<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633398397i/59218776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633398397i/59218776.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Everyone is home for the holidays, clamoring for all the Christmas cheer only their mother can whip up. They can already smell the chestnuts roasting—or is that Mom’s hair on fire? From a New York Times bestselling author comes a laugh-out-loud short story for any mom who’d rather wreck the halls.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Tyler, Channing, and Sammy Clauster have descended on their childhood home, with significant others and four-year-old twins in tow, for another good old-fashioned Christmas. Overwhelming holiday magic, as always, comes courtesy of their mom, Claire. They know she’s thrilled to cook, wrap gifts, decorate, accommodate, play games, overprepare every Christmas Eve Eve Eve tradition, and still let Dad be known as the Fun One. It’s her thing, right? Maybe the family should have paid closer attention. Because this year, something is a little off-key—and it’s not just the carols."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I was looking for a short, non-romance holiday book and stumbled on this one. It was definitely a bit quirky and no romance was involved. It was funny but in an almost 'I get it' sort of way. The way us moms work so hard to make holidays just right, with lots of traditions and keeping everyone happy, working ourselves to the bone, but for what? For no one to recognize all the effort?! Sometimes you just have to loose it bit for everyone to open their eyes and this book captures that in a comical way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was short, fun and completely different from other holiday books, and it hit just right when in the midst of planning and prepping to host the family for Christmas. I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-59493214571212803652022-12-19T18:00:00.002-05:002022-12-19T18:00:00.226-05:00Advent Reads Day 19: The Girl with the Pirate Smile by Joseph Truitt<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599685398i/55285085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599685398i/55285085.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis:</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Break into an old cookie factory with a mysterious new friend? Rob the townspeople to supply the cookie ingredients? Will the law catch up with Emma and Penelope before they get the cookies baked for Christmas?</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Rediscover your inner child in this magical Christmas mystery as you follow the lonely Emma Harper through the enchanting town of Pottsville during the height of Christmas merriment. When Emma’s mysterious new friend, Penelope, convinces her to break into the old cookie factory, her life is instantly filled with adventure and purpose. Emma soon becomes captive to Penelope’s spunky personality, but when strange, enchanting things happen around Penelope, Emma suddenly begins to question the reality of her new friend.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Fall in love with Emma and Penelope in this heartwarming Christmas tale of friendship, adventure, and love for Christmas cookies."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I was looking for a good Christmas book for Munchkin and stumbled across this series so decided to give it a try first. This was quite the adventure story. It is a bit of a chosen one trope but you can't help but route for Emma and she struggles with bullies, school, family financial difficulties and more. As an adult reading it, I definitely saw a couple of the twists ahead of time but there are still a lot of surprises throughout the story. Definitely a fun one for any kid to read and see the underdog kid saving the day. I will definitely be continuing with this series.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was a fun Middle Grade book to read during the holiday season. Even though the main character is a girl, it is such an adventure I think it is just as suited to young boy readers as well. I give this one a rating of <b>Four Paws</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-86756886006602199962022-12-18T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-18T18:00:00.228-05:00Advent Reads Day 18: The Season of Us by Holly Chamberlin<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468800425i/28814998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468800425i/28814998.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></i></b><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Against the irresistible backdrop of Christmas in New England, bestselling author Holly Chamberlin creates a heartfelt and memorable novel—a story of reunited family, new beginnings, and unconditional love—the best gift of all.</span></i></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">To outsiders, Appleville, New Hampshire, is a storybook small town complete with a little white church and a gazebo on the village green. To Gincy Gannon Luongo, it was a place to escape from, as quickly and as permanently as she could. Since she moved away twenty years ago, Appleville has been her hometown in name only. But at her brother Tommy’s urging, Gincy is coming back to visit their recently widowed mother in the weeks leading up to Christmas—and she’s bringing her teenage daughter, Tamsin, with her.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Ellen Gannon, once feisty and strong-willed, is mired in depression six months after losing her husband. Tommy isn’t doing much better. Gincy starts restoring order to the household in her usual practical way, but the real issues run much deeper than an empty fridge or an unpaid bill. Imagined slights and lingering resentments have created chasms between them all.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">With each passing day, Gincy realizes she has seriously undervalued her mother and underestimated her brother. Only now, with the support of her husband, daughter, and best friends, is she starting to see how much she may have missed. For beyond the surface of every family and every picturesque town is something more complicated but infinitely more rewarding—a tapestry of those small acts of acceptance, love, and loyalty that could transform this Christmas into the best Gincy’s ever known."</span></i></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I have had this book on my Christmas TBR for a few years and finally got around to picking it up this year, and it was a perfect time to read it. I really appreciated the fact that this book is not a romance, instead it focuses on the relationships within a family. I loved the eye-opening look at how we see relationships between siblings or parents as a kid and then again as adults. This was definitely a journey as Gincy gets to know who her mom and brother really are and who they have become over the years. It was a great book to read during the holiday season and it definitely got me thinking more about how my view of family may not be entirely accurate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was an emotional book with lots of sentimental moments, sad moments, frustrating moments, and moments a love. It will also make you take a look at those relationships in your own life and maybe reaching out. I give this on a rating of <b>Three Paws and a Stump Wag.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-65074921888691965692022-12-17T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-17T18:00:00.226-05:00Advent Reads Day 17: You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky<p style="text-align: center;"> <em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639675197i/56892889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639675197i/56892889.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis:</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Bring a little joy to the world?</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Not today, Santa.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Matthew Prince is young, rich, and thoroughly spoiled. So what if his parents barely remember he exists and the press is totally obsessed with him? He’s on top of the world. But one major PR misstep later, and Matthew is cut off and shipped away to spend the holidays in his grandparents’ charming small town hellscape. Population: who cares?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">It’s bad enough he’s stuck in some festive winter wonderland—it’s even worse that he has to share space with Hector Martinez, an obnoxiously attractive local who’s unimpressed with anything and everything Matthew does.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Just when it looks like the holiday season is bringing nothing but heated squabbles, the charity gala loses its coordinator and Matthew steps in as a saintly act to get home early on good behavior…with Hector as his maddening plus-one. But even a Grinch can’t resist the unexpected joy of found family, and in the end, the forced proximity and infectious holiday cheer might be enough to make a lonely Prince’s heart grow three sizes this year."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review:</b> I saw the title and cover of this book and knew I had to read it for Advent Reads this year. While it looks and sounds like it is inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I didn't get much of that vibe from it, I definitely got more of A Christmas Carol Scrooge vibe. I did listen to the audiobook version and I did really enjoy the narration of this book. It did read a bit young for what I was expecting, it is categorized as a New Adult romance but the main character acted much younger and the writing fit more YA style. Janovsky definitely did a great job of making Matthew Prince into an unlikable character with a redemption arc. I adored Hector and found him to be a perfect character for a holiday romance story. It definitely is a nice M/M Hallmark style romance story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was an enjoyable story once you get past the younger style of writing and immature character. I liked the character growth and the setting of the story. I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook via Netgalley, the above is my honest opinion and review.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is out now and available in print or digital format from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Mean-One-Matthew-Prince-ebook/dp/B09NQS4HZV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HATIFYCDF84R&keywords=you%27re+a+mean+one+matthew+prince&qid=1671143913&sprefix=You%27re+a+mea%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/youre-a-mean-one-matthew-prince-timothy-janovsky/1140788885?ean=9781728250618" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, or request it at your local library or bookstore.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-49783985043031604202022-12-16T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-16T18:00:00.228-05:00Advent Reads Day 16: When Christmas Comes by Andrew Klavan<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618855545i/57008404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="290" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618855545i/57008404.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Colorful Christmas lights dapple the family homes in the idyllic lakeside town of Sweet Haven when Jennifer Dean, a young librarian at the local elementary school, is brutally murdered. There are witnesses and her boyfriend Travis Blake confesses to the crime… but something doesn’t quite add up. Blake is a third generation Army Ranger, awarded the Silver Star for his heroism in Afghanistan—how could a beloved son of this tight-knit burgh commit such a grisly deed?</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">As a community of military families a few miles down the road from an Army base, no one in Sweet Haven wants to investigate a war hero like Blake, not even the top brass at the police department. In steps Cameron Winter, a rugged and lonesome English professor haunted by the ghosts of his own Christmas past, whose former lover asks him to prove Blake innocent. The Sweet Haven murder reverberates in his mind, echoing a horrific yuletide memory from his youth, and Winter knows there are darker powers at play here than a simple domestic dispute. If he can solve this small-town mystery, just maybe he can find peace from his inner demons as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">The thirty-sixth novel by two-time Edgar Award winner Andrew Klavan, </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">When Christmas Comes</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> is a seasonal tale of tradition, family, and murder; its chilling twists are best experienced curled up beside a burning Yule log."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I have been seeing this book everywhere lately, so I decided to give the audio book a shot. I have been reading more mysteries this year, but let me clarify that with staying I have been enjoying Cozy Mysteries, which are much different from this book as I discovered. This was more of a mental thriller/mystery than I was used to. It did have a bit of sentimentality around Christmas and holiday memories, but it takes a backseat roll in the story. If you are more into this style of book, I would recommend reading a print version as opposed to the audiobook as there are a lot of jumps in timeline and settings that aren't defined well while listening. I also found the main character a bit icky in the way he constantly pictures himself in romantic situations with nearly every female he interacts with, it got a bit uncomfortable for me.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>All in all, this was not a good fit for me, in genre, characterizations or format but those who are looking for something not so cozy for the holiday season it might be a good fit. For me personally I give it a rating of <b>Two Paws.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-60017375385346529082022-12-15T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-15T18:00:00.233-05:00Advent Reads Day 15: Little Bird Finds Christmas by Marianne Richmond & Illustrated by Janet Samuel<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647267003i/60425556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647267003i/60425556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis:</b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"> "</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">A delightful holiday book from beloved author Marianne Richmond,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">Little Bird Finds Christmas</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">reminds us all of what's really important during the holidays.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Back in their warm and cozy nest, Mama and Little Bird cuddled against the December chill.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"Want to know my favorite place to find Christmas?" said Mama.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"I do," said Little Bird.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">"With you," Mama said.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">An adorably sweet new Christmas story from a bestselling author whose books have become family classics, LITTLE BIRD FINDS CHRISTMAS is a delightful journey of finding Christmas wherever you are-in your heart."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>This was such a cute little board book. Little bird hunts throughout a small town and forest looking for Christmas, because it is coming. Little Bird sees a lot of the familiar sights we associate with the holiday season, lights and decorations, gifts, carols, and more but just can't find Christmas. When Mama reveals that Christmas is a holiday and the spirit of the holiday and that it lives in you, it will spark some great conversations with littles about the true spirit of Christmas and how it isn't all about the gifts under the tree. It is a nice way to steer the talk away from all the commercialism of the holiday and bring it back to home and family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was such a great book for the littles in your life. The bright colors and illustrations will keep their attention and the content of the story will spark some great questions and conversations with them as well. I give this one a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>Little Bird Finds Christmas is available now in print and digital formats and you can pick it up from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Finds-Christmas-Marianne-Richmond/dp/1728254450/ref=sr_1_1?crid=C05HG1QEQW5I&keywords=little+bird+finds+christmas&qid=1671141957&sprefix=little+bird+fin%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-bird-finds-christmas-marianne-richmond/1142810988?ean=9781728254456" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local library and bookstore.</i></b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>**I apologize for the break in the Advent Reads event, the flu hit me really hard last week, now I am playing catch up.**</em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-67871244247629520392022-12-08T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-08T18:00:00.217-05:00Advent Reads Day 8: Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522566231i/37638186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="244" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522566231i/37638186.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">A heartwarming Christmas story about family, friendship and finding love in unexpected places.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Joy Holbrook might be all work and no play, but that changes when her Aunt Ruby takes a fall that lands her in a rehabilitation center before the holidays. Joy takes a leave of absence from her job as a market researcher to run the family farm, even though the timing may hinder her chance at garnering the promotion of her dreams.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Ben Andrews isn’t your average accountant. He also happens to be the handiest man in Crystal Falls. He’s helped his elderly neighbor, Ruby Johnson, decorate for the annual Christmas Home Tour—and win—the last several years. He’s not about to let some drop-in niece break their winning streak.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Ruby seems overly concerned about Joy being able to handle Molly. Under the impression she’s referring Molly the bunny that is one of the menagerie of animals, Joy’s not worried at all until the next morning when a little girl named Molly shows up. For the sake of her aunt, Joy is forced to partner with Ben while Ruby is on the mend to help with preparation for the Christmas tour and, in the process finds her career-focused heart dreaming of a family.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Will the magic of Christmas help her to open her heart and find her everlasting joy?"</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>Like Debbie Macomber, Nancy Naigle has come to mean Christmas and this one definitely captures all the things you get from a Hallmark Movie, small town setting, interesting cast of characters, loads of emotions, some healing of hearts and a good dose of romance. This one was a bit heavy handed, almost a bit too much feel good spirit going around, so if Hallmark isn't your thing at Christmas, maybe pick a different book, but if you want all those feelings and over the top Christmas spirit oozing with romance this is the book for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>I don't usually say this but it might have been a bit much for me, but that could just be my mood this year. I more than likely would have gushed over this one last year. As of right now I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws</b> but might try again when things are looking a bit more chipper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-52200899437925492382022-12-07T17:51:00.006-05:002022-12-07T17:51:00.237-05:00Advent Reads Day 7: The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653944341i/60279827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="273" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653944341i/60279827.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">Read for: Requested Review/Netgalley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn't be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other's work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light--and each discovers a new love to cherish--their lives are forever changed.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">In </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">The Christmas Spirit</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>If you have been around here for previous Advent Reads events you know this, but if you are new here it isn't Christmas for me until I have read the newest Debbie Macomber Christmas story. There have been some really great ones and ones that were so so, but this might be one of the best ones yet! I loved the concept of the story and she really ran with it. While we may have heard similar stories in the past but none quite like this one. I enjoyed both the friendships and the community elements in this book. Debbie usually has a strong romance element in her books and while it is there, it kind of takes a backseat. I loved the setting, the characters and the story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>I have loved a lot of Debbie's Christmas stories but this is really up there with my favorites. I really recommend this one for a real feel good story for the holiday season, full of traditions new and old and people coming together. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest opinion and review.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><i>The Christmas Spirit is out now and you can find it in digital and print format at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Spirit-A-Novel/dp/B09SK4MMZ2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LUK0WE0KQRFD&keywords=the+christmas+spirit+debbie+macomber&qid=1669764569&sprefix=the+christmas+s%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-christmas-spirit-debbie-macomber/1140902051?ean=9780593500101" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or check with your local bookstore or library and they will be happy to help you.</i></b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-60839479157905512672022-12-06T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-06T18:00:00.223-05:00Advent Reads Day 6: Cat Family Christmas by Lucy Brownridge & Eunyoung Seo<p style="text-align: center;"> <em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754218i/60382794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="290" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754218i/60382794.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;">Read for: Requested Read/Netgalley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">Count down to Christmas with the Cat Family in this lift-the-flap advent book with more than 140 doors to open, as you help them decorate, bake, and prepare the house for the holiday season.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Count down the twelve days til Christmas in this delightful advent book. With a</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;"> nod to nostalgic Victorian advent calendars</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">, open up tiny but </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">sturdy flap ‘doors’ on each one of the 24 pages to reveal little details and surprises</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">Peer inside the cupboard doors</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> and different-sized tins in the busy Cat Family kitchen to find the missing ingredients for the cake. </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">Open all the front doors on the street</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> when the Cat Family go carol singing.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">This is a </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">whimsical Christmas book</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> that gives the Victorian advent calendar tradition a contemporary twist for advent calendar door–hungry hands. Every page is </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">rich with Liberty print–style patterns</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> and William Morris–inspired friezes.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">The Cat Family is </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;">full of character and personality</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">, and the picture painted of the holiday season in this charming picture book will</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start;"> fill you and your family with Christmas cheer!"</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>As we already discussed this season, I love books with cats, especially when you add in Christmas. This was a really cute book that takes us through the Cat Family holiday preparations and classic traditions. There are TONs of open the flaps for lots of fun for those littles. The illustrations and the events throughout the book definitely capture that Victorian era feel for a heirloom feeling book but with the bonus of being able to be handled by everyone, not carefully like books from the actual Victorian era.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was a really different and unique book that I enjoyed. There is so much going on in those detailed illustrations and the lift the flaps, there will be hours spent just enjoying them all and finding little secrets throughout. I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws and a Stump Wag.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>I received a complimentary copy of Cat Family Christmas via Netgalley. The above is my honest opinion and review.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><i><b>Cat Family Christmas is out now and you can find your own copy to enjoy on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Family-Christmas-Lift-Flap/dp/0711274924/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z2ZRTEAD94M0&keywords=cat+family+christmas+book&qid=1669677623&sprefix=Cat+Family+Chr%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cat-family-christmas-lucy-brownridge/1142312391?ean=9780711274921" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local library or bookstore.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-51720085364989630672022-12-05T18:04:00.001-05:002022-12-05T18:04:00.219-05:00Advent Reads Day 5: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig & Illustrated by Chris Mould<p style="text-align: center;"> <em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441267564i/25882558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441267564i/25882558.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Because this book is FULL of impossible things.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Are you still reading?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Good.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Then let us begin . . .</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic."</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>I know, can you believe that I hadn't read this book until this year?! I don't know why I kept putting this one off, but it was definitely perfect timing to read with Munchkin this year. Even though he is no longer a believer, this was still a magical book to read together. Nikolas has quite an adventure in this book and it creates quite the backstory to the Santa we all know. With so many quirky characters, plenty of action and lots of magical happenings, it just keeps the pages flowing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>We really enjoyed this book and I am so glad that I waited to experience it the first time with my son. This is definitely a fun book to read as a family of both believers and nonbelievers. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws and a Stump Wag!</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-71365414417007372072022-12-04T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-04T18:00:00.207-05:00Advent Reads Day 4: The Christmas Pawdcast by Emily March<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638681050i/59756093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638681050i/59756093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis:</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Mary Landry and her pregnant rescue dog are on their way home for Christmas when the unthinkable happens: Her car breaks down along a deserted stretch of mountain highway in the middle of a blizzard. Facing dire conditions, Mary seeks shelter from a lone cabin in the distance whose warm light beckons her like a Christmas star.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Nick Carstairs has one wish this season - to ride out his least favorite time of the year in peace while working on the latest episode of his hit True Crime podcast. The sexy-voiced podcaster didn’t plan to host a stranger and her pregnant dog, but he’s happy to help a traveler in need…it’s an extra perk that she’s gorgeous. Now if she would just stop trying to change his mind about Christmas.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">As they spend time warming up by the fire - and an unexpected attraction roars to life - will Mary help Nick discover the wonder of the season after all?"</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>This was a super short audio book from Audible that was just right for a quick read with Christmas magic, romance and furry friends. I really enjoyed Mary and Nick's story, even though it is a quick read I still felt like we really got to know each of them and their backstories. The description of Angel (aka Frank) was so great and I am dying to see a picture of this dog! She definitely makes the story with her large but sweet presence or is it presents?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b> A just right quick read full of the warm fuzzies for the holiday season. It is especially perfect for those with a love for the difficult furry rescues. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-74128623318611520292022-12-03T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-03T18:00:00.210-05:00Advent Reads Day 3: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614813370i/54238730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="500" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614813370i/54238730.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Synopsis: </b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas--perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">In a Holidaze</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> and Josie Silver's </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">One Day in December</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">.</span></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">All they want for Christmas is a different life.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician's assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?"</span></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b>This is a book that came out last year but I couldn't quite get to it in time for the Advent Reads event. So I wanted to make sure I got to it this year and I am glad it was one of my first of the year. This has the classic Hallmark Movie feel with the added twist of twin sisters. You know exactly what is going to happen but it is quite the ride getting there, plenty of bumbles and drama along the way to keep you reading all the way to the end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>If you have the time to pick this one up this holiday season, definitely go for it if you love that formula of leaving regular life and ending up some where completely different that the usual setting and finding the spirit of the season and a lot of romance. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws.</b></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-70627232654283440732022-12-02T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-02T18:00:00.268-05:00Advent Reads Day 2: Cats Don't Like Christmas by Andy Wortlock & Illustrated by Nahum Ziersch<p style="text-align: center;"> <em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1662432219i/62313765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1662432219i/62313765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Synopsis: </b><i>"I</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>t’s Christmas time! It’s here again!</i></span></div><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">But first I need to say…</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">I think you’re making too much fuss</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">about this holiday!</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Our adorable little cat is back this Christmas and he thinks there might be a little too much fuss this holiday season. Cats aren't great with change and there's plenty this time of year, in such a short period of time! For little and big readers, this is the funny, festive, companion to the award winning, Cats Don’t Like That! by Andy Wortlock and Nahum Ziersch"</span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Review: I was lucky enough to have been allowed to read this one through Netgalley, thank you to the Author and Publisher for the opportunity. </b>I have had cats all my life and will always jump at a chance to read a book about cats, this one combines that with the holiday season as well, what could go wrong?! This was such a silly and fun book to read. I loved the way the illustrations really brought the most out of the story. Yes, cats don't like change, they don't like having to dodge all the extra feet in the house but there is always something about the season to enjoy. What did the cat find to enjoy? Guess you will have to pick this one up to find out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Rating: </b>This is a great one for young and old cat lovers, it captures those furry friend's grumpy moods, feisty moods, and happy moods. It will have any cat owner say 'yup that is just like my cat'! I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Cats Don't Like Christmas is out now and you can obtain your own copy from your local bookstore, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cats-dont-like-christmas-andy-wortlock/1142076271?ean=9780992426620" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cats-Dont-Like-Christmas-Hilarious/dp/0992426626/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18Q5J56MF32FQ&keywords=cats+don%27t+like+christmas&qid=1669675080&sprefix=cats+don%27t+like+%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. Or check with your local library.</i></b></div><br /><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-51988020019679735702022-12-01T18:00:00.001-05:002022-12-01T18:00:00.218-05:00Advent Reads Day 1: The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Welcome to Advent Reads!</em></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em>This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now. Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!</em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff0ee; clear: both; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429402088i/417177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="475" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429402088i/417177.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><b>Synopsis:</b></i> <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Theodora is the matriarch of a family that, in her opinion, has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. They've all come together to South Carolina to celebrate Christmas. But this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey Christmases Theodora grew up with. What happened to the days when the holiday spirit meant tables groaning with home cooked goodies, over–the–top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother's housekeeper/manager/caterer/psychiatrist/best friend? Luckily someone hears Theodora's plea for help and Merle (possibly Pearl?) arrives, pockets filled with Gullah magic and common sense to straighten everyone out."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><b>My Review: </b>I thought I would kick off this year's advent reads with a short but heartwarming book. This book certainly fits the bill. It is so relatable with the togetherness and warmth of the season being lost, along with traditions, to the hustle of daily lives and the polarizing views pulling people apart. I loved the concept of someone from the past coming in to bring back the traditions of old and to bring the family together. It was also interesting the way the family then had to settle old arguments and differences to be at peace and enjoy the season. I loved the way the generations are brought together in this one.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><b>My Rating: </b>I really enjoyed this one and recommend the audio book version if you enjoy them. It is a pretty short read and can be enjoyed in a day or two. I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws and a Stump Wag.</b></span></span></div><br /><em style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></em></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-47683786770619930282022-11-28T18:03:00.003-05:002022-11-28T18:03:33.886-05:00Advent Reads Announcement<p style="text-align: center;"> Hi there everyone! Long time no chat. I apologize for my very long absence from the book blog scene. I am not quite ready to come back on here full time and I will be assessing that come the new year. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But . . . </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I couldn't go through the year without the annual Advent Reads event on here!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So I will be back throughout the month of December with all sorts of Christmas stories for you. I am shooting for every day of the month and will do my absolute best to keep up but I can't make any promises on that. As of right now I have over 15 books complete and have started getting the reviews done and posts scheduled. I have some great Children's books, Early Chapter Books, Fiction, Romance and a Cozy Mystery or two to share with you. So I hope you will stop by each evening starting on December 1st around 6:00pm Eastern Time to find a book to warm you this holiday season!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you and see you soon!</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-49008707426631986522022-01-06T09:00:00.001-05:002022-01-06T09:00:00.236-05:002021 Reading Resolution Review & 2022 Reading Resolutions<p style="text-align: center;">Each year I really like to take my time looking back at the previous years goals and challenges before deciding what I am going plan for the year. I have done this for several years in a row now (you can find last years <a href="https://easternsunset-reads.blogspot.com/2021/01/2020-resolution-review-2021-resolutions.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). I have come to prefer setting a bit of looser goals and resolutions over the hard fast number driven challenges I set for myself in years past. But before we get into things too far, why don't we take a look back at how last years resolutions worked out for me in another chaotic year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b>1. Read that TBR:</b> I have been using this as a resolution for the past few years because as we all know in the book world, all the pretty covers draw us in and we collect books faster than we can read them. I have been very guilty of this and at one point had nearly 400 books on my TBR. Last year I had set a goal of reading 70 books off my TBR, I ended up focusing mostly on my physical TBR because I no longer had access to reading ebooks at work. While only ended up reading 50 books off my TBR this year, I did also in my end of year/new year shelf freshen end up unhauling many more (I haven't counted yet but it was definitely more than 20). So I did in a way meet my goal, by yet again not quite how I planned on it, by reading all the books.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Re-Read More:</b> This was probably the best goal/resolution I ever set for myself. I had originally set a goal of re-reading 15 books with a stretch goal of 25. Well I met that stretch goal and absolutely loved every moment of it. I have absolutely loved re-visiting some of my favorite series, it has been so comforting and also kept me reading in times when I might have fallen into a slump.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Purchase Less Books & Read More of Them:</b> I have been using this as a resolution every year with different parameters every time in hopes of cutting back on my insane book buying habit. This year I tried to limit myself to only 4 pre-orders a month and limited myself to only one shelf available to fill with new purchases to encourage reading them as they came in. While I wasn't great about the 4 pre-orders a month, I did manage to become a bit more conscientious about my book buying. There were a lot less bulk orders, less picking up random books just to fill the cart. And while I didn't read all the books as they came in, I think I still ended up with only about 30 new books that I hadn't read yet. I also managed to keep my purchases under 100 books this year. This was a huge win for me!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Explore New Genres More: </b>This was quite an adventure for me, while I didn't set any clear guidelines other than exploring new genres I am so glad I had this as a constant reminder to step out of those comfort zones. It has been so fun trying books that I wouldn't normally pick up. While I got pretty lucky most of the time, I did run into a few misses, but with the confidence I built up over previous years of resolutions, I was able to just DNF and set something down that I wasn't enjoying. I have to say that if it hadn't been for this goal, I might not have had some of my most surprising best books of the year this year (more on this to come later).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Well that was rather surprising, while I may not have met all my goals and resolutions exactly as I had planned, I did in the end accomplish all I set out to do this year! I am so happy with how I have grown as a reader, not only this year but over the past several years. Taking a step back and getting back to looking at reading as a pleasurable hobby as opposed to the challenge to tackle each year has been amazing. It is a journey I am still working on but I am so happy with the progress I have made!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So now that I have looked back at the past year and all I have accomplished, I feel so much more confident in setting my goals and resolutions for this year. So how about we get into it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Find a Reading Balance: </b>In years past I have been setting goals to read particular books, read the books I own, read the books I buy, read the books at the library, read the review books, etc. etc. But once things kind of got turned upside down last year when I quit my job and started something totally new, I wasn't able to track it quite as carefully as I used to. You know what I found? I ended up naturally finding a bit of a balance in my reading, I started reaching for roughly the same number of new and old books, review books and re-read books. It really allowed me to enjoy all the aspects of reading and I want to keep that feeling going. So I just want to find a balance that keeps me happy and satisfied, and you know what, it might change month to month and that is going to be okay too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Purchase Less Books:</b> Yes we are still stuck on this goal, and it will probably always be a bit of a challenge for me. But I am hoping that the past few years of learning will really pay off this year. Not to get into things too deep but we are looking at a tough year financially and I don't want the lack of book funds to feel like a failure but to look at it as an accomplishment. That I can be much more selective in the books I want to purchase, that I can wait for one to go on sale to pick it up, that I have books at home to read and I don't need that cover buy right now. I already have 30 books on my anticipated releases for this year, so I am going to have to be extremely picky with the ones I decide to purchase as I am hoping to keep purchases down to just 75 books total, that still averages about 6-7 books a month, more than I should need and I hope I can cut back even more. The one thing that really helped me was having a dedicated shelf to new purchases, it really made me think about what books I want to see there and what books I will want to read sooner rather than later. So I will still be keeping that one shelf rule as well. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Less Pressure and More Pleasure: </b>I have pushed myself hard in the last 11 years of blogging to really put out consistent content for my followers. With the change in jobs it really became a challenge, I have only been able to blog late at night, when I would rather be reading. I have struggled a lot lately as to whether to keep blogging, and I will be doing that, but it is going to be on different terms. I am not always going to post a review for every single book I read anymore, I am not going to be keeping a strict posting schedule, I am not going to be keeping constant features on my blog. What I am going to do is share what in the book world is making me happy at the time. If it is a particular book, I will post a review, if it is a beautiful cover, I will feature it, if it is a fun meme, I will participated. I want to share my love of books with you, not because books are what this blog is about but because that is what I enjoy. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So that is it, my reading resolutions and goals for this year. I am hoping to continue my journey back to finding the real love reading and books has brought me and I think these are great goals to keep me on that path. I hope that you will continue to join me, even though things may not be as consistent around here as it used to be but I hope it will be a lot more enjoyable for all of us!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-90333703178807040492022-01-04T21:27:00.007-05:002022-01-05T20:22:36.869-05:00Bout of Books 33<div align="center">
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Yes! It is time to kick off the year the right way! I love starting the new year with a fresh TBR and Bout of Books readathon to help me dive into all the great books! <br />
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Here is the information you need in case you want to sign up too!</div>
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<br /><span style="background-color: #fae8b2; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 3th and runs through Sunday, January 9th in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are reading sprints, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. </span><b style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">For all Bout of Books 33 information and updates, be sure to visit the <a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #00a9ac; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Bout of Books</a> blog.</b><span style="background-color: #fae8b2; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> - From the Bout of Books team</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So this post is going to be my base for the week, I will continue to come back and update it each day with my progress. I will also be updating on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/easternsunset9/">@EasternSunset9</a></span></span></div>
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<u style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Time Devoted to Reading</span></b></u><br />
I am hoping to start the year off right with a lot of reading this week. I hope to spend 2-3 hours per day reading, some at work, some on the go and some at home.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>My Goals</b></u></span></span><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Read at least 2 hours each day</div>
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Read/Finish 4 Books<br /><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Books to Read</b></u></span></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34328664-a-conspiracy-of-truths" target="_blank">A Conspiracy of Truths</a> - DNF 35%<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23617709-the-rogue-not-taken" target="_blank"><strike>The Rogue Not Taken</strike></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27067875-a-scot-in-the-dark" target="_blank"><strike>A Scot in the Dark</strike></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1966969.Fire_Study" target="_blank">Fire Study</a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56951609-doggone-deadly?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ZQUEMiMz9u&rank=1" target="_blank">Doggone Deadly</a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25515823-dandelion-vol-1" target="_blank">DandeLion</a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">
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<b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Other Possible Books</span></u></b><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42969257-introverted-mom" target="_blank">Introverted Mom</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31307650-the-day-of-the-duchess" target="_blank">The Day of the Duchess</a><br /></div>
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<u>Monday</u><br />
<b>Number of Pages I've Read Today: </b>419 pages<br />
<b>Total Number of Pages: </b>419 pages<br />
<b>Time Spent Reading Today: </b>9.5 hours<br />
<b>Total Number of Books I've Read: </b>1<br />
<b>Books Completed: </b>1 (The Rogue Not Taken)<br />
<b>Thoughts: </b>It has been ages since I last picked up a historical romance but I Sarah MacLean is a local author that I have been meaning to pick up for quite some time. Boy was I surprised when the book had me completely engrossed all day at work and up all night to finish it! <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span></span></span><u>Tuesday</u><br />
<b>Number of Pages I've Read Today: </b>193 pages<br />
<b>Total Number of Pages: </b>612 pages<br />
<b>Time Spent Reading Today: </b>3.75 hours<br />
<b>Total Number of Books I've Read: </b>3 (The Rogue Not Taken, Fire Study, A Scot in the Dark)<br />
<b>Books Completed: </b>1 (The Rogue Not Taken<br />
<b>Thoughts: </b><span style="text-align: left;">Instead of picking up the other books I had planned to switch to between the romance but I couldn't wait to dive right into the next book in the series. I did take a little break from the audio books and read some of Fire Study. </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span></span></span><u>Wednesday</u><br /><b>Number of Pages I've Read Today: </b>178 pages<br /><b>Total Number of Pages:</b> 790 pages<br /><b>Time Spent Reading Today: </b>3.5 hours<br /><b>Total Number of Books I've Read: </b>4 (Today: A Scot in the Dark, A Conspiracy of Truths & Fire Study)<br /><b>Books Completed: </b>2 (The Rogue Not Taken & A Scot in the Dark)<br /><b>Thoughts: </b>So I have definitely been really enjoying the romance books and flew through the first two books. With that said I have tried to pick up A Conspiracy of Truths and I am really struggling, it is a very slow paced, character driven story where not much happens and there are no chapter breaks. I think I am unfortunately going to have to DNF it even though I love the cover and thought I would really enjoy it. I am also feeling a bit run down today, I think the past month of stress and chaos have finally caught up to me. So I am going to stick with my tried and true Study Series for now and maybe try the Doggone Deadly audio book tomorrow.<br />
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<u>Thursday</u><br />
<b>Number of Pages I've Read Today: </b><br />
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<b><br /></b><u>Friday</u><br />
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<b><br /></b><b><br /></b><u>Saturday & Sunday</u><br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-87361510064237582382022-01-01T09:00:00.002-05:002022-01-01T09:00:00.226-05:00December 2021 Wrap Up<p style="text-align: center;">I didn't think I would make it to here many times throughout this month! I have been at home with a quarantined kid since December 8th working from home, then he tested positive and got pretty sick for a few days there. The debate about hosting Christmas or not, ending up hosting, trying to keep it as low key and stress free as possible but demanding family not allowing for it. All that and I still managed to work every day and post my advent reads posts every day! That was exhausting and miserable and something I don't care to repeat, though I did love sharing all the fun holiday books I came across this last year.</p>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We will start with my main challenge this year . . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><u>TBR Books Read:</u></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I definitely did not do a great job on this challenge this month focusing more on new books than these older TBR books. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476987222l/29502536._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476987222l/29502536._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494861478l/34886295._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494861478l/34886295._SY475_.jpg" width="125" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551185822l/36492488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551185822l/36492488.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am going to spend today sorting through my shelves and taking a really hard look at the books on my TBR list and which ones aren't as appealing to me anymore. Lets see if I can get that TBR just a bit more before setting my reading goals for 2022.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><u>2021 Books added to TBR & Read:</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">Again, I didn't get quite as many new books read as I wanted to but looking back at the month, I feel like I did a good job of still getting 4 of them read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634748378l/56898255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634748378l/56898255.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629657154l/58830350._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629657154l/58830350._SY475_.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615401008l/43908064._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615401008l/43908064._SX318_.jpg" width="137" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508901130l/36472456._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="289" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508901130l/36472456._SY475_.jpg" width="122" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><u>Other Recent Additions:</u></b></div></div>
<div style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">I definitely added far more books this month than I intended but when you add together the annual local author event, Christmas gifts/gift cards and the Barnes & Noble 50% off sale, I don't think I did too bad. Looking back, I am pretty sure I kept under the number of books that I wanted to add this year and I managed to keep all the unread ones on one shelf, meeting all my goals!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394971101l/18129852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394971101l/18129852.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615237381l/56951609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="248" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615237381l/56951609.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511910443l/36681047._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511910443l/36681047._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1640353749l/59922497._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1640353749l/59922497._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614813370l/54238730._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614813370l/54238730._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593013000l/53288434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593013000l/53288434.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562496032l/51081100._SX318_SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562496032l/51081100._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543993838l/43131610._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543993838l/43131610._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507165579l/25515823._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507165579l/25515823._SX318_.jpg" width="138" /></a> <a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605520789l/54599075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605520789l/54599075.jpg" width="133" /></a> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<span style="font-size: 15.4px;">In other reading I am tracking this year, I read . . .</span></div>
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<b><u>Re-Reads: - COMPETE-</u></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>Goal: Re-read 15 books</i></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">I have continued really enjoying re-reading old favorites and diving back into worlds I loved years ago. I will definitely be continuing to re-read more often!</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">None this month</div>
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<b><u>Borrowed Books: - COMPLETE-</u></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>Goal: Borrow 30 books</i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">35. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43223543-christmas-days" target="_blank">Christmas Days</a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">36. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56733502-twenty-big-trucks-in-the-middle-of-christmas" target="_blank">Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas</a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">37. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34507286-twelve-slays-of-christmas" target="_blank">Twelve Slays of Christmas</a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">38. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57730258-the-christmas-pig" target="_blank">Christmas Pig</a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div>
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<b><u>Books Over 500 Pages: - COMPLETE-</u></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><i>Goal: 10 books</i></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">None this month but sitting at 15 total for the year so I am really happy but hoping to squeeze in one or two more before the end of the year.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
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<b><u>Requested Reviews: </u></b></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"><div><div>42. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56645928-duke-actually" target="_blank">Duke, Actually</a></div></div><div>43. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58113781-what-the-cat-dragged-in" target="_blank">What the Cat Dragged In</a></div><div>44. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55528749-even-and-odd" target="_blank">Even and Odd</a></div><div>45. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43908064-the-excalibur-curse" target="_blank">The Excalibur Curse</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
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I read a total of 12books this last month satisfying all things considered.</div>
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<b><u>Resolutions Check in:</u></b></div>
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<i>1. Read that TBR:</i> I didn't managed to read the amount of books that I hoped for this month but by the end of today I will have removed enough from my TBR so I am calling it a win. - CHECK</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>2. Re-Read More: </i>I didn't manage to re-read any books this month despite my best plans but I am definitely thrilled with how this year has gone and I can't wait to add more re-reading in the next year. - :/</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i style="font-size: 15.4px;">3. Purchase Less & Read More: </i><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Not quite reaching my goals for this one but I guess it will have to do for now, and as expected for the crazy December month. - CHECK</span></div>
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<i>4. Keep Trying New Genres/Authors: </i>I definitely tried a lot more unique books this month, different genres than usual. - CHECK</div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-75293237958950533032021-12-31T09:00:00.001-05:002021-12-31T09:00:00.220-05:00Review of Monkey Mystery by Brenda Scott Royce & Illustrated by Joseph Wilkins<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639207022l/59799280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639207022l/59799280.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Synopsis: </b><i>"This weekend at Mountain Bluff Zoo, Katy and Micah are Junior Researchers. The friends are watching the capuchin monkey group. The keeper is worried about one of the monkeys, a male named Milo who has been steadily gaining weight. Perhaps the kids can figure it out by closely observing his behavior. At first, Katy and Micah are stumped. But as they spend more time with the monkeys, will they solve the mystery? And, can they come up with some creative ideas to help Milo?"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Review: </b> I am all about the animals and often so are young readers, so this seemed like a really fun book to try out (and it is the first in a zoo series). This reads like a beginning reader book almost but the story itself needs a bit more of a young middle grade audience to grasp. It would be a nice bridge book to chapter books but for those looking for an easier story to read but a bit of a higher thought level. I love the way that the kids had to figure out the mystery but just observing the monkeys, it took time and patience to figure out the problem and come up with a solution. It also included some nice trial and error as well to show not every answer is an easy one. It was fun and thought invoking. This is a series that young animal enthusiasts will really be wanting to pick up and read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This is definitely a book I would have wanted to read as a kid, the mystery, the animals, the success of solving the problem, all things a young reader will enjoy. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You can find out more about Brenda Scott Royce's book on their <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175894.Brenda_Scott_Royce" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a> or <a href="https://www.brendascottroyce.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Monkey Mystery is scheduled for release tomorrow but you can pre-order your copy now from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Mystery-Brenda-Scott-Royce/dp/1631636197/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=9781631636202&linkCode=qs&qid=1640824930&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/monkey-mystery-brenda-scott/1140229621?ean=9781631636202" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local library or bookstore.</b></div><p></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-12759827804834303172021-12-30T09:00:00.001-05:002021-12-30T09:00:00.223-05:00Review of Frankie and Amelia by Cammie McGovern<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615501529l/56816876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615501529l/56816876.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review/Audio Book/ CATS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Synopsis: </b><i>"A heartfelt companion novel to the critically acclaimed Chester and Gus about inclusivity, autism, friendship, and family, perfect for fans of Sara Pennypacker and Kate DiCamillo.</i></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>After being separated from his family, Franklin becomes an independent cat, until he meets a goofy dog named Chester. Chester is a service dog to his person, a boy named Gus, and Chester knows just the girl to be Franklin’s person—Gus’s classmate Amelia.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Amelia loves cats, but has a harder time with people. Franklin understands her, though, and sees how much they have in common. When Amelia gets into some trouble at school, Franklin wants to help the girl who’s done so much to help him. He’s not sure how, yet, but he’s determined to try.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This sweet and moving novel demonstrates how powerful the bond between pets and people can be, while thoughtfully depicting a neurodivergent tween’s experience."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><b>My Review:</b> I was instantly drawn to the cover of this book with the big Maine Coon on the cover, and once I read the synopsis I was really intrigued. This book definitely did not disappoint! I loved the tone of the book, sweet, a bit emotional and difficult at times but also triumphant. I think it handled the subject of the way autism spectrum presents differently in different people pretty well, though I am no where near someone to really recommend it, I felt like it opened my eyes a bit more. My favorite part is that we get to read from the perspective of the cat, Frankie. He may not know or understand everything that happens with the humans around him but he does know what he can do and gives with his whole heart. It was an interesting way of approaching a difficult subject and I think it is one that will have young readers turning the pages when they may have put the book down when it got a bit heavy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>This was really a great book, it was short for me but full of heart and I think there are many young readers that may identify with Amelia and Gus. I give it a rating of <b>Four Paws.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You can find out more about Cammie McGovern on her <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36320.Cammie_McGovern" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a> or <a href="http://www.cammiemcgovern.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Frankie and Amelia was released earlier this year so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062463322/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062463322&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frankie-and-amelia-cammie-mcgovern/1138684193?ean=9780062463326" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local library or bookstore.</b></div><br /><p></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-51315318862690381682021-12-29T09:00:00.001-05:002021-12-29T09:00:00.216-05:00Review of What the Cat Dragged In by Kate McMurray<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636711540l/58113781._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636711540l/58113781._SY475_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Audio book/ Title & Cover/ CATS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Synopsis: </b><i>"Set in Brooklyn (with a small-town feel in the big city), this cat café romantic comedy has tropes readers will adore:</i></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>• Best friend’s brother romance</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>• Forbidden romance (can’t let his sister/my best friend find out!)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>• Millennial angst (my love life is a hot mess)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>• Adorable rescue cats in a cozy Brooklyn café</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When Paige Danvers isn’t managing events for the Whitman Street Cat Café, she is busy navigating dating disasters as a single woman in Brooklyn. Urged by her boss and best friend Lauren to find a distraction from ineffectual dating apps, Paige volunteers with a cat rescue organization, where she actually meets a guy with some real relationship potential.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Recent law school grad Josh Harlow is putting in long hours at a Manhattan law firm as he gets over a messy breakup. When his boss requires him to do some volunteer work, Josh’s sister sets him up to help capture feral cats. Partnered with Paige, Josh is insistently drawn to the dynamic event planner and sparks between them fly.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One problem: after a steamy night together, Paige discovers Josh is Lauren’s brother and dating him would be a spectacularly awful idea. Particularly considering Paige’s track record. They’re both in too deep to walk away—but if they let the cat out of the bag, it’s going to wreak havoc with friends, family, and jobs alike."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Review:</b> First off, how has no one been bringing this book up to me? It has cats and romance! Secondly, it is the second book in the series! How have none of you told me about a romance series set in a cat cafe? I am so disappointed in all my book friends right now! Anyway, on with the review, besides the adorable cover and title, the story inside was just as adorable. I really enjoyed the characters and how even though they are in two totally different industries of work, they both struggle to find a work/life balance, something many people can relate to in their own lives. The attraction and steam in this one is nearly instant, but the romance and relationship itself simmers nicely, building off conversations, rescue cats and city adventures. You don't need to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one but the relationships introduced in the first book are continued in this one so it would be nice to be familiar with all of them. I, for one, will be going back and picking up the first book and will be following this series avidly as it continues!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>I really enjoyed this one, I like the neighborhood like setting, the close knit friend and family dynamics and, of course, the cats! I give this one a rating of <b>Four Paws!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You can find out more about Kate McMurray and her books on her <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3378512.Kate_McMurray" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a> or <a href="http://www.katemcmurray.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>What the Cat Dragged In was just released on December 7th so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital formats from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WZ6ND4J/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08WZ6ND4J&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-the-cat-dragged-in-kate-mcmurray/1139417538?ean=9781728214573" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local library or bookstore.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p><br /></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095986657929980606.post-83320099742754326612021-12-28T09:00:00.001-05:002021-12-28T09:00:00.235-05:00Review of Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620202511l/55528749._SX318_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1620202511l/55528749._SX318_.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Favorite Authors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Synopsis:<i> </i></b><i>"A half-magic girl learns about heroism and taking action when she and her sister confront a wizard who endangers others for her own gain. </i></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Even and Odd are sisters who share magic. Lately, though, it seems like that’s the only thing they have in common. Odd doesn’t like magic, and Even practices it every chance she gets, dreaming of the day she’ll be ready to be a hero.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When the hidden border between the mundane world the sisters live in and the magical land they were born in shuts abruptly, the girls are trapped, unable to return home. With the help of a unicorn named Jeremy, they discover a wizard is diverting magic from the border to bolster her own power. Families are cut off from each other on both sides of the border, and an ecological disaster is brewing. But the wizard cares nothing for the calamitous effects her appropriation of magic is having. Someone has to do something to stop her, and Even realizes she can no longer wait until she’s ready: she needs to be a hero now."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Review:</b> I was immediately drawn to this book, not only was it written by one of my favorite fantasy authors but it has a unicorn on the cover. To be honest, I did struggle quite a bit to get into this book, and it was on me, I think Middle Grade Fantasy just isn't for me at this point in my reading life. It was a unique set up with a magical world side by side with the read world and sisters who have to share their magic. It was rather silly with a lot of funny quirks that will have young readers laughing. Durst definitely hit her target audience for this one just right with a lot of characters starting to come into their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses; and learning to work with what they have and maybe not envying other for what they have. I like the way the characters had to work together to problem solve. This was quite the adventure and I do hope there might be more books after this one as I can see it being a world that would be fun for young readers to explore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My Rating: </b>I really floundered with getting into this one, it took several attempts to get beyond the first couple of chapters (sadly, this has become a struggle with me and middle grade fantasy, time to admit defeat and take a break) but it was more me than the book. I think the target audience will really love the adventures of Even and Odd. I give it a rating of <b>Three Paws.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You can find out more about Sarah Beth Durst and her books on her <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/99117.Sarah_Beth_Durst" target="_blank">Goodreads Page</a> or <a href="http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Even and Odd was released earlier this year so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0358350387/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0358350387&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/even-and-odd-sarah-beth-durst/1137169262?ean=9780358350385" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> or request it at your local bookstore or library.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11236569596711092011noreply@blogger.com2