Saturday, November 25, 2017

After Dark Date Night: Series Review of The Captive Prince Series by C.S. Pacat

I have been trying to figure out a way to share all these books I read with you but still include other non-review posts on the blog.  One method I have come up with was to share the reviews for an entire series (or pair) of books in one post.  I will do my absolute best to keep spoilers out of these posts in case you plan to read the books, but there is a slight chance that even the synopsis of a book can give away the result of the previous book. So if you don't want to know anything at all about the later books in a series that might giveaway something in the first book STOP READING NOW!


I have heard a lot about this series, some really love it and some really hate it. I was able to find it on Overdrive to read for free from my library so I thought I would give it a shot.  I just want to note that this is definitely not a series for those who wish to avoid explicit sexual scenes and brutality, this series is not for you! So here is my review of the series including the 3 novellas . . .




 Synopsis: "Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos. But when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative, and deadly, his new master, Prince Laurent, epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else…"


My Review: This series came highly recommended by fantasy book lovers I trust. I am a little unsure about it. While there are some very violent and graphic scenes, that isn't the reason I am not sure if I like the series yet. I am not really a fan of the writing, it seems almost to be an outline in paragraph form with some extra detail in sections the author had inspiration. The book doesn't flow well, it is really jerky to read with a lot of starts and stops in the plot lines. I also feel like I might already know where the story is going and the reason for some of the events in this first book. I did however really enjoy the character development of both Damen and Laurent. I will be continuing this series because I can get it through Overdrive and not spend the money on it until I am sure whether I will like the books.

My Rating: I almost felt like this book starts off really looking for the shock factor, and I was almost ready to write it off, especially when the writing didn't really hold up either but some how I really ended up becoming highly attached to the characters.   I give it a rating of Two Paws.

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Synopsis: "The second novel in the critically acclaimed trilogy from global phenomenon C. S. Pacat—with an all-new chapter exclusive to the print edition.

With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master, Prince Laurent, must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot.

Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself increasingly drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow…"


My Review: After my mixed feelings about the first book in this series, I wasn't too confident going into this one, but I already had it on hold at the library so figured I might as well read it. I was very pleasantly surprised, it was almost as if this second book had a different editor or author, or maybe that this was the story that was actually meant to be told and not the first book. The characters become much more developed in this book and I loved watching them grow and new aspects of them emerge as the story continued. The best part was the constant scheming and plotting, Laurent is so devious in ways you never expect. I was really happy with where this book took us and the way the story developed. It was definitely worth pushing through the first book to get to this part of this story.

My Rating: I can't believe the drastic improvement on the first book with the writing and editing, it was like night and day.  If I thought I was attached to the characters in the first book, it was an understatement now.  I give this one a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

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Synopsis: "Green but for a Season is the first of a series of four Captive Prince short stories. It follows the relationship between Jord and Aimeric and is set during the events of Prince’s Gambit."

My Review: We are right back to where we were with the first book in this series. This short story isn't written in a real coherent manner, it jumps around on the timeline and it really needs to be read twice to make any sense of it. I did really like Jord and would have liked to read things from his perspective but it doesn't really give enough to make it really feel like it is written from Jord's view. It all fell really flat even though the story behind Jord and Aimeric is one that while short could rival that of Laurent and Damen. If you are enjoying the series, don't take time away to read this, it may ruin your enjoyment of the rest of the series.
 

My Rating: This was a pretty quick novella featuring some side characters and honestly a bit of a disappointment. I think you could completely skip it and be just fine. I give it a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag.


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Synopsis: Damianos of Akielos has returned.

His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill.

On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of both their countries hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilising for war. Damen’s only hope of reclaiming his throne is to fight together with Laurent against their usurpers.

Forced into an uneasy alliance the two princes journey deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. But even if the fragile trust they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity—can it stand against the Regents final, deadly play for the throne?"

My Review: At the end of the previous book things took a rather dramatic turn and I was excited to read this book. Laurent and Damen both have a lot to overcome both personally and with re-establishing their rule. Both of them have developed so much and I loved watching that continue throughout this book. I did find it a little over-reaching the way the had to enter the capital and defeat both Kastor and the Regent (who may be the ultimate bad-guy). If you focus on purely the romance though, it may be one of the most beautiful and slow burn relationships ever. I loved the way they had to overcome the many obstacles that were between them. In the end I do really enjoy the conclusion but it certainly felt like there was more of the story to be told.

My Rating: After all the build up of this whole season, I felt a little cheated with this conclusion. The action was rather abrupt and a lot of the development happened off page. Such a shame after a huge break in book 2 but it was still worth the read.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.

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Synopsis: ""When all this is over, we could take horses and stay a week in the palace..."

Set after the events of the Captive Prince trilogy, The Summer Palace is a story about Damen and Laurent. It's an epilogue of sorts to the Captive Prince series."


My Review: At first I didn't realize there were some novellas for this series but I am so glad I found them. This was a great way to finish up the series really, you got to see what happens after all the struggle and battles and hatred. It is still a work in progress but it was so nice to see Laurent and Damen continue their relationship and get that bit of peace and joy to find their way to each other.

My Rating: Now this novella was totally worth picking up, it gives us a bit of closure after the third book.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.




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Synopsis: "The Adventures of Charls follows the dealings of a humble cloth merchant in the days before the royal Ascension.

Set after the events of Kings Rising and The Summer Palace."


My Review: You can definitely see from the beginning of this series to this final novella who Pacat's writing and editing have improved. This was a fun and quirky story to finish out the series. I loved the way Charls plays along without question and it is great to see Laurent and Damen working together to right one of the many wrongs. I gives you the impression of a hard road but a bright future and leaves you feeling satisfied with the series.

My Rating: This is a fun novella to read if you find yourself missing Laurent and his antics. A great way to revisit characters after the story and find out how they are doing.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.




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Full Series Rating: This series was really an odd one to read, you can see how the author really developed their writing and story development throughout the story.  Luckily there were some really great characters with a lot of depth to fall back on and keep  readers interested.  I can definitely see how it isn't everyone's cup of tea, it is a very explicit and brutal world that will make many reader cringe away. It is also a M/M romance that may not be comfortable for all readers.  With that said, the characters are fantastic and you can't help but root for them. I would have liked to see more of the story development on paper but some of it was great to see how carefully plotted some of the events were.  As a whole I give this series a rating of Three Paws.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Bedtime Story: Twas the Day After Thanksgiving by Mavis Smith

Read for: Children's Book Challenge & all the leftovers

Synopsis: "In this paperback storybook, the day after Thanksgiving presents all sorts of problems, including lots and lots of leftover turkey. Multiple flaps open to reveal all that bird. Everyone is just about turkeyed out, except for a thankful mouse and his family who understand the true meaning of the holiday. Full color."

My Review: I found this book randomly and thought it would be a fun follow up to the holiday, little did I know how entertaining it would be. It is a simple story with fun flaps to keep young children engaged, and the story is a funny one that everyone can relate to but it does still manage to keep a great message about being thankful and with family. We really enjoyed this one and will probably pull it out each year until Munchkin outgrows it.

My Rating: This was such a fun book to read after the holiday, it was funny but also with a great message. Definitely a fun one to read as you relax the day after Thanksgiving. We give it a rating of Four Paws!


Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Blog Tour: Review of The Speaker by Traci Chee



So as I am sure you are aware, this was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and I finally got my hands on a copy.  Not only did I pre-order and get a few awesome goodies too but I was lucky enough to have been contacted by Penguin to participate in the tour!  I have for you today a review of the book and a picture or two as well.




My Review of The Reader


Synopsis: "Having barely escaped the clutches of the Guard, Sefia and Archer are back on the run, slipping into the safety of the forest to tend to their wounds and plan their next move. Haunted by painful memories, Archer struggles to overcome the trauma of his past with the impressors, whose cruelty plagues him whenever he closes his eyes. But when Sefia and Archer happen upon a crew of impressors in the wilderness, Archer finally finds a way to combat his nightmares: by hunting impressors and freeing the boys they hold captive.

With Sefia’s help, Archer travels across the kingdom of Deliene rescuing boys while she continues to investigate the mysterious Book and secrets it contains. But the more battles they fight, the more fights Archer craves, until his thirst for violence threatens to transform him from the gentle boy Sefia knows to a grim warrior with a cruel destiny. As Sefia begins to unravel the threads that connect Archer’s fate to her parents’ betrayal of the Guard so long ago, she and Archer must figure out a way to subvert the Guard’s plans before they are ensnared in a war that will pit kingdom against kingdom, leaving their future and the safety of the entire world hanging in the balance."


My Review: I loved the first book in this series, The Reader, and was so excited to read this book, but once I had it in my hands it took me a while to pick it up. I think I was nervous because I had such high expectations for this one, luckily Traci Chee delivered yet again with this book. I really enjoyed how this book really developed the various story lines that were introduced in the first book, it also helped to define the lines between those plots. The characters also developed a lot more in this story and I have grown to love them each all the more. What I think I loved most about this book is how Chee really plays with the theme of doing bad things to do good, there is always something happening that seems wrong or evil at the time but may actually be for the good as a whole, the character are always walking that line of right and wrong, often jumping back and forth over it as decisions are made and they develop. Now I just have to anxiously await the next and I believe final book expected sometime next year!

My Rating: This was really a fantastic book, the world and plot and characters have so much depth that you can't help but be completely immersed in the world.  I will say that it is a rather complex series that may not appeal to all readers, it is a slower moving story with a lot of moving parts, but if you take the time you will really be rewarded! I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!!





 Traci Chee is the New York Times bestselling author of The Reader. An All-around word geek, she loves book arts and art books, poetry and paper crafts. She studied literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and earned a master of arts degree from San Francisco State University. Traci grew up in a small town with more cows than people, and now feels most at home in the mountains, scaling switchbacks and happening upon hidden highland lakes. She lives in California with her fast-fast dog.

You can find out more about Traci Chee on her Goodreads Page or Website.


The Speaker was just released on November 7th and you can now obtain your own copy in print, digital or audio book (though I highly urge you to get the print copy for all the hidden easter eggs throughout). You can get a copy at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or your favorite local bookstore (if they don't have it on the shelves just ask and they will probably be happy to order it for you).


While this is the last stop on the Tour, you can still go back and check out the other posts . . 
October 30 – Ex Libris – Review
October 31 – [betteha.com]Bette’s Pages – Review with photos
November 1 – Never2Many2Read – Review
November 2 – ButtermyBooks – Review
November 3 – YA Wednesdays – Favorite Quotes
November 6 – [flyleafchroniclesblog.com]FlyLeaf Chronicles – Review
November 7 – The Fox’s Hideaway – Review
November 8 – In Wonderland – Review
November 9 – Book Reviews Express – Review
November 10 – [Helloobsessedbilbiphile.blogspot.com]Brianna Book Binding – Review
November 13 – Readers Live A Thousand Lives – Excerpt and Review
November 14 – Good Choice Reading – Review with Photo
November 14 – Love Is Not a Triangle – Review
November 15 – Dazzled by Books – Review with bookish Candle
November 16 – A Belle’s Tale – review and Spotlight
November 17 – MelihYoutuber – Review
November 20 – The Blonde Bookworm – Review
November 21 – Seeing Double in Neverland – Review
November 22 – [bookshelvesandpaperbacks.com]Bookshelves and Paperbacks – Author Interview
November 23 – [Acrossthewords.com]Across the Words – Review
November 24 – Eastern Sunset Reads – Review



Here are the goodies for pre-ordering The Speaker

How could you not want these two books on your shelves?! 



Thursday, November 23, 2017

Early Reader Review of I Spy Thanksgiving by Jean Marzollo

Read for: Early Reader Challenge & Thanksgiving

Synopsis: "A Thanksgiving search-and-find I Spy reader!

All new, easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with Walter Wick's fun photographs culled from previously published I Spy books to create this I Spy easy reader that's perfect for Thanksgiving!"


My Review: I picked this one up to hopefully keep Munchkin busy during dinner prep. While it is a great Level 1 Reader and I Spy book, there really isn't much to make it Thanksgiving oriented. I was expecting more things like pilgrim hats, ears of corn, etc. while there were a few things it just didn't seem very Thanksgiving like to me. The one thing I really liked about this one is it not only had search and find pictures but also words, match the words, words that start with the same letter, and more that were a great challenge for a young reader.

My Rating: While it wasn't quite as holiday themed as I would have like or I expected but it is still a fun book to keep young readers busy. Easy to read and interactive too.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.




Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who are celebrating!

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Top 5 Wednesday: Nostalgic Book Boyfriends

Top 5 Wednesday is a group on Goodreads hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tome on Youtube.


So I am cheating a little bit with this topic, it was actually last weeks topic and I really struggled with coming up with a list originally so didn't post last week.  When I originally saw the prompt I was thinking we were supposed to pick book boyfriends from our earlier reading years (like Middle school and High School), I really couldn't pick any since by that point I was reading a lot of medical mysteries and thrillers and horrors (not much boyfriend material there).  But after seeing a few other posts I realized I didn't really have to go that far back, some readers were picking characters from even the past 5 years, many from books they read in their mid 20s, boy did that open up a whole lot more books since in my early 20s is when I branched out into some more romantic books than in previous years!


So anyway enough yammering on and on, how about we talk about these handsome literary hunks.




So I am starting with my earliest book crush and moving on towards the most recent ones.  The earliest crush I remember having on a book character was Red from the Saddle Club Series.  I honestly think it was mostly because he got to hang out in a barn all day long but eh what do you expect from a 9-12 year old girl!


In between I had a few other crushes, Alanna from the Song of the Lioness was probably my first bookish girl crush, and I was half in love with most of the characters in that series, of course Jonathan was one of them but I was totally on team George!



But the next one who really stands out is Geraint from the Paths to Camelot series, particularly For Camelot's Honor.  This really made me become obsessed with Arthurian Legends, not because of Arthur or Gwen but because of Geraint.


Immediately following that was Kerrec from the White Magic Series and again it is a man with horses, I am beginning to wonder if I am more in love with the horses or the men, I think a re-read may be in order to verify LOL!
  


Next we have one from a much more Adult series, I was and quite possibly still have a thing for Doyle from the Merry Gentry Series.  Be forewarned that this series is not for the faint of heart and is very, very adult due to explicit scenes with some very handsome men, but Doyle with is quite protector spirit has my heart!
 


Okay and now we move to my all time book boyfriend, he has been mine since I first read the book in 2009 and he is still mine! Yes he is mine and you can't have him LOL! That man is Brigan from Fire by Kristin Cashore. He is dark and brooding, yet honest and willing to see the otherside, he is protective and takes control of situations and is always there to lean back on. 





So there you have some of the book boyfriends I have acquired over the years and a few still remain in my heart! How about you?


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Review of The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

Read for: Recent Purchase and New Favorite Author

Synopsis: "The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Beartown delivers an insightful and poignant holiday novella about a man who sacrificed his family in the single-minded pursuit of success and the courageous little girl fighting for her life who crosses his path.

It all begins with a father telling a story to his son on Christmas Eve. But this isn’t your typical Christmas story. The father admits to his son that he’s taken a life but he won’t say whose—not yet.

One week earlier, in a hospital late at night, the man met a five-year-old girl with cancer. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.

As the man tells his son about this plucky little girl, he slowly reveals more about himself: while he may be a successful businessman, idolized by the media and his peers, he knows he failed as a parent. Overwhelmed by the responsibility of fatherhood, he took the easy way out and left his wife and little boy twenty years ago to pursue professional success. Now he is left wondering if it’s too late to forge a relationship with his son, who seems to be his opposite in every way—prizing happiness over money, surrounded by loving friends in a cozy town where he feels right at home.

Face to face with the idea that something is missing, the man is given the unexpected chance to do something selfless that could change the destiny of the little girl in the hospital bed. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he needs to find out what his own life has actually been worth in the eyes of his son. And so, he seeks him out and tells him this story…"



My Review: After reading A Man Called Ove earlier this year (and it is one of my favorites of the year) I am all for reading anything by Fredrik Backman, so when I saw this at the store I snatched it up. It is a short little story and has some sweet illustrations throughout the book. It is said to be a Christmas story but you really don't get too much of a Christmas feeling. The little girl is a great character, sweet, intelligent and practical. The man is not a likable character, but he isn't meant to be, I don't come across characters like this often. You know, now that I think of it I don't think any of the characters throughout this story have a name, it makes it unique and also can apply to anyone, but it also gave me a sense of disconnect, I didn't get really emotionally attached to the characters or the story. I did find that the time line jumped around a lot and that got a bit confusing, one minute you are current and the next you are listening to the past be told and you can't always tell which is which. With that said it is a great story with a great little message in it. It is a short read so if you have a few minutes, don't hesitate to pick it up.


My Rating: I have really enjoyed reading Backman's books, this one didn't have quite the same level of polish or emotional connection to the characters as A Man Called Ove but it was still a great read.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Monday Reading List



Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!




Reviews Posted Last Week:
Links will take you to my review

Luin the Sapphire by Rich Feitelberg
AT-AT Attack by Calliope Glass (Early Reader)
Dinotrux: Dare to Repair by Emily Sollinger (Bedtime Story)
She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai (Graphic Novel)


 Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

To Know Her is to Love Her
Deal of a Lifetime
Angels at the Table
Go, Go, Trucks
I Spy Thanksgiving
Twas the Day After Thanksgiving
Puppy Dog Pals Adventures in Puppy Sitting



Currently Reading:

Scythe by Neal Shusterman - Print - on page 265 of 435
The Speaker by Traci Chee - Print - on Page 368 of 512
The Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick - Print - on page 25 of  473




 Books to be Read Soon:



Pages Read/ Time Listened
277:17 Hours (about 10+ Days) Listened (6:59 listened this week)
47,285 Pages Read (208 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently TBR
Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
Samurai Rising by Pamela Turner
Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton
How to Tame a Willful Wife by Christy English
New World: Rising by Jennifer Wilson
The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson
And I Darken by Kiersten White
World Mythology in Bite Sized Chunks by Mark Daniels
Eliza and Her Monster by Francesca Zappia
Windwitch by Susan Dennard
Frogkisser by Garth Nix
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
The Beast's Garden by Kate Forsyth
Addie on the Inside by James Howe
Also Known as Elvis by James Howe
Viking Warrior Rebel by Asa Maria Bradley
New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns
Puss Without Boots by Shari L. Tapscott
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Saints Blood by Sebastien de Castell
P.O. Box Love by Paola Calvetti
Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Nomansland by Lesley Hauge
The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd
The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by various authors
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley
The Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence
The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor
Luin the Sapphire by Rich Feitelberg
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
Wolf Speaker by Tamora Pierce
Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce
Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce
The Winter King by CL Wilson
The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones
She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai
Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
Shadowcaster by Cinda Williams Chima
Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
Timekeeper by Tara Sim
Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
As You Wish  by Chelsea Sedoti
Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi
Naondel by Maria Turtschaninoff
The Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock
Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
Every Little Thing by Marie Force
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Klaus by Grant Morrison
Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Lost Pony of Riverdale by Amanda Wills
Poppy's Diary by Amanda Wills
Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Piper by Jay Asher & Jessica Freeburg
Phantom Traces by Claire Gem
Dear Margaret by Pamela Ackerson
The Staying Kind by Cerian Hebert
Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle
Hearts Unloched by Claire Gem
A Family for the Rugged Rancher by Donna Alward
Passion's Palette by Peggy Jaeger
His Christmas Sweetheart by Cathy McDavid
Never Dare a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase
Vampire King of New York by Susan Hanniford Crowley
Crewel Work by Natalie Alder
Trouble Looming by Natalie Alder
A Shot at Love by Peggy Jaeger
Moment of Fate by Karen Stivali
The Promise by Jennifer Owen Davies
The Landscaper Series by Robin Stone
Recipes from Raine's Roast by LG O'Connor
Caught up in Raine by LG O'Connor
Kilty Pleasures by Nancy Fraser
Redeeming the Billionaire by Christina Tetreault
The Billionaire's Best Friend by Christina Tetreault
A Billionaire Playboy by Christina Tetreault
The House of Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Warriors by Various Authors
Books of the South by Glen Cook
Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook
If You Find this Letter by Hannah Brencher
Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milan
Dinosaur Knights by Victor Milan
Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan
In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan
The Speaker by Traci Chee
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony Trollope
The Nutcracker
Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
A Merry Christmas and Other Stories by Louisa May Alcott
The Night Before Christmas
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu
The Traitor's Blade by Sebastian De Castell
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
All You Need is Love by Marie Force
To Know Her is to Love Her by Marie Force
Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
From a Certain Point of View
The Dinosaur Princess by Victor Milan
Above the Timberline by Gregory Manchess




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Boy did Thanksgiving sneak up on me out of no where! Any one else feel that way? I didn't get a lot of reading done last week, still dragging butt and now ended up with a nasty head cold.  So I didn't get as much reading done as I had hoped, especially since Tome Topple has already started!  Hopefully this coming long weekend I will be able to really buckle down and read a bunch while starting the Christmas decorating.

 I can't believe I will be starting the Advent Reads event already next month. This will be my 5th year hosting the event! Crazy, I know.  In the past in addition to sharing holiday themed books in a variety of genres, I have also shared other fun things like favorite music, ornaments, holiday activities each day and my candle count down.  My question for you is would you rather I have a bookish gift countdown to Christmas or would you rather have tips on a less stressful holiday?

Hope you all have a great week and those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a happy day surrounded by your loved ones.