Date Night with a Book: The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay

Read for: TBR Books & Kitten on the cover!!

Synopsis: "Ryder Copeland is an accomplished architect and one heck of a father...not to mention tall and sexy. He's everything a hero should be, and Lord knows, Maisy Kelly has read enough of her great-aunt Eloise's romance novels to recognize one when she sees one. But like all fairy tales, Maisy can't help but wonder if this Prince Charming is too good to be true...

Ryder is drawn to the shy, curly haired professor who hires him to convert the Victorian house she's inherited from her aunt into a romance bookstore. Attracted to a woman for the first time since his divorce, Ryder finds himself wishing for a future with Maisy that he knows is impossible. Ryder has never wavered from his plan to leave the small town of Fairdale, North Carolina, so he can give his daughter the life she deserves. But suddenly he's not so sure. And the closer he gets to Maisy, the harder it's going to be to walk away.."

My Review: Do you know how long I have searched for a romance novel with a hunky man and an adorable kitten on the cover?! I finally found it and I was a bit nervous that it would live up to my hopes, but luckily The Good Ones definitely met my expectations and more! Let me start off by saying Maisy is living every book lover's dream by inheriting a house full of books, but then she really wins the lottery when the amazing Ryder shows up to build it into a bookstore for her! I absolutely adored this book, it had a fun cast of characters (including the spunky side character friends) and a kitten! The banter between Maisy and Ryder is entertaining and then the tension starts building until it is off the charts. Perry was a great addition to the story, she brings the romance back down to earth with the teenage drama and the parenting struggles of trying to give your child the absolute best but them having different ideas. I have to say, this book had a nice balance between romance, life drama, quirky characters, bittersweet and heart warming emotions. I can't wait to continue the series.

My Rating: I am so glad this book held up to my hopes, this was everything I ever could have wanted from it (other than it looks like a cowboy romance but is clearly not).  I loved all the characters, even the side characters, and the fact that the romance wasn't all this book had to give.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Bedtime Story: If . . . by Sarah Perry

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "Take a fantastical journey where anything can happen: leaves turn into fish, cats fly with wings, humans have tails, and dreams become visible

First published in 1995, Sarah Perry’s delightful picture book of “surreal possibilities” was the Getty’s first children’s title and has remained a beloved backlist classic over the course of two decades. Perry’s magical watercolors conjure up a world of limitless possibilities. Children of all ages will enjoy this romp through an inspiring, imaginative world. Reissued to celebrate a remarkable book’s 25th anniversary, this enhanced, expanded, and enlivened edition will appeal to a brand-new generation of readers."

My Review:  I vaguely remember seeing some of these illustrations as a kid but not this book, but I love when older and backlist books get a new breath of life. This is definitely a book of whimsy, you don't really get a story only ideas and beautiful artwork to spark the imagination. I think my favorites are "If Cats Could Fly" and "If Clouds were Spirits". In addition to these wonderful little imagination starters, the images also have little hidden secrets, which are revealed at the end to send you back into the book. It is really a lovely book, that will be great for all ages but really great to help spark young creative minds.

My Rating: This is definitely a book that stands the test of time, it is so creative and unique and will spark those quality it the readers as well.  You can't help but send your imagination flying while paging though this one.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.

The new 25th Anniversary reprint of If . . . will be released on Tuesday, March 3rd, so make sure to pre-order or pick up your own copy next week in print from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or request it at your local library.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Middle Grade March Sign Up & TBR

I am so excited to see one of my favorite reading challenges from last year back again, Middle Great March Readathon/Challenge.  I came across this challenge on one of my favorite Youtube channels, Life Between Words.  You can check out this year's Readathon announcement in her video HERE or her co-host's, Krista at BooksandJams, video HERE for all the exact details but here are the basics:

The Readathon runs from March 1st - 31st

The goal is to read as many middle grade books throughout the month of March as you can or like. 

There are a few live videos throughout the month on Instagram that you can find details for in their videos.

You can also use the hashtag #MiddleGradeMarch on Twitter and Instagram throughout the month

And of course there are some challenges:

1. A book with illustrations 2. A book about books or stories 3. A mystery 4. A book set in another country 5. A book to screen adaptation

There is also a Group Read book:

So how about my TBR for the month:

For the challenges I will be using:

1. A book with illustrations - Real Friends 2. A book about books or stories - The Bookwanderers or The Library of Ever 3. A mystery - The Rain Dragon Rescue 4. A book set in another country - The Firefly Letters 5. A book to screen adaptation - The Black Cauldron

I adore Middle Grade books and find them to be some of the most influential and satisfying reads and this year Munchkin will be able to read some of these with me as well!

 I hope even if you aren't a big middle grade fan, that you will try at least one this month!   

I will post updates throughout the month here and more than likely on Instagram (@EasternSunset9) as well.

What is your favorite Middle Grade book?

Blog Tour: Review of Tucker by Emily March an Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas Book

Read for: Requested Review/ Tour

Previous Books in Series:

Jackson

Synopsis: "Meet Gillian Thacker. Her business: Bliss Bridal Salon. Her passion: Weddings. Her own wedding: It’s complicated. Life isn’t turning out like she’d planned. The last thing she wants is for a real-life hero to ride to her rescue but when an unexpected event puts her entire future in Redemption, Texas, at risk. So what’s a broken-hearted bridal expert to do? Maybe a new set of survival skills is exactly what she needs…

Tucker McBride has been proud to call himself a U.S. Army Ranger. But now that his days of service are over, he’s decided to put his expertise to use by founding a wilderness skills training school. He sets up shop in Redemption, next to Bliss Bridal, and so begins life: Part Two. Marriage has been pretty low on his agenda, but as soon as he meets Gillian, Tucker can’t help but contemplate the ultimate challenge: Convincing the reluctant bride to take his hand and leap into the adventure of a lifetime. . .until death do they part."

My Review:  When I originally read the first book in this series, Jackson, my favorite of the cousins was Tucker, so I was glad I didn't have to wait long for his book! Clearly Tucker had a history and a story to tell, but we don't dive much into his backstory, we get more of his outlook for the future. This view from him helped to keep the book pretty upbeat without the darkness that can follow retired military characters. I really liked his sense of humor and his tenacity, he was great blend of fun and serious. From the brief look we got in the previous book, I expected something a little different from Gillian. Granted we kick off the book with her not in a great place and it takes her a while to get things back on track. She may not be my favorite heroine in a book, but I did really love the journey she was on and the development of her character throughout the book. This was a very engrossing book, I read it in 2 days and picked it up every chance I could get, I couldn't wait to see each new twist in their relationship.

My Rating: I was really looking forward to Tucker's story, and this did not disappoint. I really enjoy the variety of characters in this book, from the main characters to the side characters, they each have such unique personalities.  I really couldn't put this book down and give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The above is my honest review and opinion.

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

Website - Macmillan Author Page - Goodreads Page

Twitter: @emilymarchbooks Facebook: @emilymarchbooks Instagram: @emilymarchbooks

Tucker was just released on Tuesday, February 25th and you can purchase both it and Jackson, the previous book in print or digital format from these sites (or requested it at your local library or independent bookstore):

Macmillan ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ Indie Bound ~ Powell’s

Can't Wait for . . . Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hoste at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

Okay, so this cover was just revealed within the past couple of weeks, but how did I not even know this was a thing?! After the Princess and the Fangirl I didn't know there were going to be more books in this series! Now that I know it is coming out soon, I need it NOW!!

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

Release Date: June 16, 2020

Synopsis: "In the third book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con series, Beauty and the Beast is retold in the beloved Starfield universe.

Rosie Thorne is feeling stuck—on her college application essays, in her small town, and on that mysterious General Sond cosplayer she met at ExcelsiCon. Most of all, she’s stuck in her grief over her mother’s death. Her only solace was her late mother’s library of rare Starfield novels, but even that disappeared when they sold it to pay off hospital bills.

On the other hand, Vance Reigns has been Hollywood royalty for as long as he can remember—with all the privilege and scrutiny that entails. When a tabloid scandal catches up to him, he's forced to hide out somewhere the paparazzi would never expect to find him: Small Town USA. At least there’s a library in the house. Too bad he doesn’t read.

When Rosie and Vance’s paths collide and a rare book is accidentally destroyed, Rosie finds herself working to repay the debt. And while most Starfield superfans would jump at the chance to work in close proximity to the Vance Reigns, Rosie has discovered something about Vance: he’s a jerk, and she can’t stand him. The feeling is mutual.

But as Vance and Rosie begrudgingly get to know each other, their careful masks come off—and they may just find that there’s more risk in shutting each other out than in opening their hearts."

What book has recently caught you off guard, that you didn't realize was being released soon or that there even was another book in the series?

Review of The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters

Read for: Recently Added to Shelves

Synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”"

My Review: To be entirely honest, I was drawn into this book by the beautiful cover, but it is definitely so much more than that. I was drawn into the world of Edgar Poe and his dark, gothic muse Lenore. I used to be obsessed with Poe's poems in middle school and high school, and this book definitely rekindled that love. Cat Winter's did a beautiful job with this book, weaving fact with fiction and weaving the mundane life with beautiful poetry. While this book may not be for everyone, because it is a bit of a slow moving, character driven, as opposed to plot driven but the time spent letting the muse do her work is totally worth it.

My Rating: I was actually pleasantly surprised with this book, it is beautiful inside and out, but I hadn't heard a lot of great things, many of my fellow readers were not a fan of it but I ended up really enjoying it. I am also really happy it has rekindled my love for Poe's writing and I find myself eager to pick up more poetry this year.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Monday Reading List

It is Monday again, and time to update with what I read last week, what I am currently reading and what to look forward to next week.

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

The Language of Fire by Stephanie Hemphill
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Illustrated by Wendy Xu (Graphic Novel)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

The Good Ones
Ruin
If . . .
Not the Girl You Marry

Currently Reading:

Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow - Audio - 67%
Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus - Print - on page 48 of 113

Pages Read/ Time Listened
129:34 Hours Listened (8:28 listened this week)
5,787 Pages Read (1,148 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
The Drum that Beats Within Us - READ
A Heart so Fierce and Broken - READ
Nameless Queen - READ
The Raven's Tale (gift) - READ
Steel Crow Saga - READ
The Language of Fire - READ
A Blight of Blackwings - READ
White Rose
Stealing Thunder (gift)
The Eyes of Tamburah (gift)
Talk to the Paw
The Wolf in the Whale

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Thanks to a lot of the time in the car last week and a half day at the DMV, I had a fantastic reading week! I can't believe I was able to finish a nearly 800 page book in under 5 days! With that said, I can't believe we are already in the last week of Feburary! Where does the time go? I have so many more books I wanted to read this month! I was hoping to squeeze in a few more winter books but it is already feeling like spring here (hitting 60 degrees today).  So I am going to fit in as much reading time as I can this week and be ready to kick off a fun month of reading next month, Middle Grade March is coming!!