12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 7}

 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: seven swans a swimming.

Who needs seven swans when all it takes is ONE good animal sidekick to make a hero rock!

Who is your favorite animal sidekick?

I don't recall a lot of animals in the books I read. But I will say the horse (scene) in Vegas Aces: The Tight End was quite memorable.

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 6}

 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: six geese a laying.

Creation is a beautiful thing.

What is your favorite world/world-building?

Oh my word! There are two that stand out.

First is Ravenscroft University. It is a world that Meg Anne and Kim Loraine have created. It is where paranormals live, and I am just fascinated. I was introduced to this world in The Mate Games, and I am hooked.

The other world that I can fascinated by is Sterling Falls. This small corrupt town has different sides fighting for control, and there is everything that is happening between Kora, Jace, Apollo, and Wolfe. I absolutely loved this story that Sara Massery created, and I cannot wait to return for another story.

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 5}

 

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: five golden rings.

One ring to rule them all!

Who is your favorite villain/antagonist?

Oh this is an easy one!

Have you met Savannah from the Vegas Aces: The Wide Receiver series?

She also caused trouble in the season one of the Vegas Aces, but not nearly as much as the other antagonist. (iykyk)

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 4}

 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: four calling birds.

Since series typically consist of 4 or more books,

What is your favorite series?

I'm struggling with this one. There were multiple series that I was obsessed with, so how do I narrow it down? Sigh.

I'm choosing two.

The Mate Games

by K. Loraine & Meg Anne

From Book 1:

I rejected my fated mate and didn’t regret it for a second. Until now.

Shipped off to Ravenscroft University, a graduate school for the supernatural elite, I have a lot to live up to. As the heir to America’s most powerful pack, my life up to now has been spent in a gilded cage. But not for the reason you might think.

I was locked away, not to be protected, but because I was born broken. A disappointment to them all. A wolf who couldn’t shift.

This is supposed to be my fresh start, but my past won’t leave me alone. Not when he’s here. The arrogant wolf shifter who ruined my life after I turned him down seven years ago. Now, I’m a pariah, followed by the rumors my rejected mate has spread, hated by my classmates, isolated again.

From everyone but them.

A vampire prince.

A forbidden priest.

A powerful demigod.

A bully wolf.

I’m playing a dangerous game, and the rules say I can’t be with them. Then again, rules are made to be broken.

And when every moment spent with them brings me closer to finding my wolf, how can I stay away?

Warning: This book is not for the faint of heart. It contains an obsessive stalker, a foul-mouthed, inked and pierced werewolf, a naughty professor with a fondness for watching, a god of mischief, and plenty of heat. If you don’t like your books spicy, your men broody, built, and more bad than good, this is not the series for you. But if you do...read on, and welcome to The Mate Games.

Sterling Falls

by S Massery
(also, I am obsessed with these alternate covers that S Massery has released! I WANT THEM!)

Photo via the author's Facebook page

From Book 1:

How many bad choices can a girl make? Because they keep stacking up…

New to Sterling Falls, I witness the three owners of a lavish, masquerade fight club kill someone–and then they catch me.

When I refuse to leave town as they demand, I find myself on the receiving end of their ruthlessness. I have no choice but to turn to a greater evil for a loan just to survive.

Except I keep catching the attention of the club owners. And with their attention comes unwanted feelings: Attraction. Desire. Loathing.

Jace is cold and cruel, and he makes me fall at his feet when I’m at my lowest. But he intrigues me as much as he terrifies me.

Wolfe sees through my mask. Son of a biker gang leader, and a monster in his own right, I can’t help but feel oddly protected when I’m around him.

Sweet and charming Apollo… behind closed doors, he’s wicked. Addictive.

But the secrets surrounding them are dangerous. When I accidentally unravel them, it puts all of us in jeopardy.

Sterling Falls is a full-length, mature college/new adult romance with dark themes. This is a reverse harem, #whychoose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. These books must be read in order.

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 3}

 

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: three french hens.

In the spirit of threes:

What is the best trilogy you read?

Rush Hockey
by Elise Faber

The first three books in this series focus on the relationship between Axel and Bailey. There is going to be another book under this series umbrella, but it is about separate characters.

Blurb:

I played hard and lived even harder.

At least until the mayor of River’s Bend got it in her head that the hockey players carousing through her small town in Nowhere, California were unwelcome.

I couldn’t care less.

My priorities were pucks, puck bunnies, and pucking my way to the top.

Only…I underestimated the mayor and her intentions to clean up the town, the Rush, and end my streak through the town’s female population.

I underestimated that her matchmaking abilities might be on point.

I underestimated that her niece might be…

The woman who would lay claim to my heart.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 2}

 

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: two turtle doves

Love is in the air!

Who is your one true pairing?

Ben and Kaylee from Vegas Aces: The Tight End

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12 Days of Christmas Book Tag {day 1}

 

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: a partridge in a pear tree.

The partridge stood alone in the pear tree.

What was your favorite stand alone?

This is so difficult as I don't read a lot of stand alone books. I mean I guess the majority of the series I read could be considered stand alone books as the story doesn't carry over. Yet at the same time I consider it a series, and the books are just interconnected.

BUT...I flipped through my 2022 list of books read, and found a couple. Yes, I'm choosing them both. They are very different as one is contemporary fiction, and the other is a comic that covers the artist's real life experiences.

So my favorite stand alone books of 2022 are:

If This Gets Out
by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich

Everything is Ok
by Debbie Tung

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Hey all,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I had to take an unexpected break. I had a health issue that I had to take care of (still in progress), but will be back shortly. 

So my Bookmas posts have been put on hold, and my reviews are over on Goodreads.

I am hoping to resume posting next week. If not, it will be the following.

Thanks,
Laura

Hockey Romances I Read {Bookmas}

Hockey Romances are what helped me find my way back to reading. I'm convinced of it. You see there was a span of 5 years, maybe 7, where I just didn't read much. Then in 2019 something changed.  In the summer I began picking up a book here and there, then in October I found hockey romances, and suddenly I was binging books like a wild woman. I could not get enough. Flash forward to 2022, and it's no different.

In 2022 I read 39 hockey romance novels. 

Did I plan on reading that many? Nope. It just sort of happened. Now many of these books are part of a series, so knowing my love of series, this also isn't a surprise. But it's what helped drive that number.

Curious what hockey romances I read? Well, here's the list! 

1. Sincerely, The Puck Bunny by Maren Moore [review]
2. Caught by Elise Faber [review]
3. The Scorekeeper by Gina Azzi [review]
4. Only One Love by Natasha Madison [review]
5. Sneaking Around with #34 by Piper Rayne [review]
6. Big Deck Energy by Kim Loraine [review]
7. Like I Never Said by CW Farnsworth [review]
8. Deking the Beauty by Crystal Perkins [review]
9. Tutoring the Player by Rebecca Jenshak [review]
10. Second Shot with #76 by Piper Rayne [review]
11. Only One Forever by Natasha Madison [review]
12. The Scorecard by Maren Moore [review]
13. Maxim by Samantha Whiskey [review]
14. Hot Shot's Mistake by Gina Azzi [review]
15. Wild About You by Rebecca Jenshak [review]
16. Ryker by Samantha Lind [review]
17. Offside with #55 by Piper Rayne [review]
18. Jock Wanted by Kate Meader [review]
19. The Final Score by Maren Moore [review]
20. Cap by Elise Faber [review]
21. Brawler's Weakness by Gina Azzi [review]
22. Big Puck Energy by Elise Faber [review]
23. Cross Checked Hearts by Cali Melle [review]
24. Asher by Samantha Whiskey [review]
25. Deflected Hearts by Cali Melle [review]
26. The Penalty Shot by Maren Moore [review]
27. Rookie's Regret by Gina Azzi [review]
28. Filthy Puckboy by Elise Faber [review]
29. Bitter Sweet Heart by H. Hunting [review]
30. One Last Shot by Julia Connors [review]
31. Playing Offsides by Cali Melle [review]
32. Playboy's Reward by Gina Azzi [review]
33. Covered by Elise Faber [review]
34. So Pucking Over It by Elise Faber [review]
35. The Marriage Arrangement by Kim Loraine [review]
36. The Faceoff by Cali Melle [review]
37. Brutal Obsession by S Massery [review]
38. The Goalie Who Stole Christmas by Cali Melle [review]
39. Down in Flames by Kate Meader [review]

That is quite the list! By the end of the year that number will actually change to 40, as Natasha Madison has a new book releasing on December 27. You know I'll be reading it before the end of the year. It's going to happen.

Are you a hockey romance lover like I am? Did you read any of these titles? Have any recommendations for me?

Happy Reading,
Laura

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Series I Finished {Bookmas}

The other day I shared the series I started in 2022. Today I am sharing the series that I finished in 2022. Series have been my weakness since my days of reading The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins (high/college). I just love to immerse myself into the worlds these authors create, even more so when I fall hard for the characters.

What were the series that I finished in 2022? Keep reading to find out.

Series I Started {Bookmas}

If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE reading series. I gravitate toward them. A lot of them are interconnected series, so each book focuses on different characters. Then there are those few that are a SERIES. Those cliffhangers get me every time, and I frequently find myself wanting to throw my kindle.  I never do, but it's just that moment of "DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?" followed by looking up when the next installment is being released. 

I would say that 9 times out of 10 once I start a series, I will see it through until the end. There are those rare occasions where I don't, but again that is few and far between.

What series did I START in 2022? Oh I have quite the list! I'll be sure to mention if they are interconnected or one solid story. 

Let's jump into the list....

Sneaking Around with the Player by Rebecca Jenshak {a review}

If it's the right person, you shouldn't want to choke them for their annoying, quirky habits, right?

Sneaking Around with the Player is the all new holiday romance from Rebecca Jenshak! This college romance features the following tropes: forbidden, mistaken identity, close proximity, and it's also a sports romance (football & diving).

We first meet Stella and Beau when they run into each other at the airport. Both are heading back to their respective schools, and Stella is trying to avoid her ex. So what does she do? Strike up a conversation with the cute guy sitting near her. It helps that he's watching a video she's familiar with, so they instantly have something to talk about. The attraction is instant, they share numbers, and then Stella's off. It isn't until a while later that it's discovered that Stella is crushing on her brother's frival.

My rating for Sneaking Around with the Player:

I adored this book. When it ended, I found myself wanting more! It felt too short and I'm not ready to be done with this couple.

A few random thoughts:

• Absolutely loved the meet cute.
• Loved that their relationship began through text.
• The fact that Beau is Felix's rival on the football field had me loving that part of the story.
• Also that grand gesture? YES!
• Stella wasn't willing to let that stop her though. Her feelings were solid, and she knew that Beau was who she wanted. Stella was going to battle to make it happen.

Rebecca Jenshak continues to pull me in with her stories, and I keep falling for her characters. She is quickly becoming an auto-buy (and auto-read) author for me. I cannot wait for her next release (which I know is from the Wildcat hockey series), and I am eagerly anticipating Felix's story. Do I know when Felix's story is coming out? No. Do I know the title? Also no. Am I still excited? YEP.

Have you read any of Rebecca Jenshak's books? She's written many, and I feel like there is something for everyone. Her Campus Nights series was one that I really enjoyed, plus it spawned the Wildcat Hockey series, so there's that.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on this book. I do hope you'll check it out.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

It was supposed to be a quick conversation with a cute boy at the airport while I dodged my ex and his new girlfriend.

We weren’t supposed to trade numbers.

He wasn’t supposed to be a football player.

And I definitely wasn’t supposed to fall for him since he’s attending a college a thousand miles away.

I saw past his jersey. And he saw past my last name.

Now it’s semester break, and by some Christmas miracle, he’s going to be close. So close.

I want to meet him again, but there’s just one problem.

My older brother can’t, under any circumstances, find out I’m dating his rival.

Thank you Rebecca Jenshak, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Sneaking Around with the Player.

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I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

The 5 Duets I Read in 2022 {Bookmas}

Hello Bookmas Day 4! Today I am sharing the 5 duets that I read in 2022. 

All five shared two things: 1) I could not put them down, and 2) I whined when the cliffhanger happened. The cliffhangers in these books were torturous, but I survived. Obviously. 

There was one duet where I had to wait about 5 months for the second book, but the wait was 100% worth it. The author gave me everything I could have wanted in that second half of the story.

What were the 5 duets? Thank you for asking, I'd love to tell you. 

The Mysterious Mr Marcellus by Tomi Tabb {a review}

"This was to be my last chance at making a match. I was foolish to hope that I might finally come away from London a married woman."

Tomi Tabb just released her FIRST Regency Romance novella! When Tomi emailed me, to see if I'd be interested in reviewing The Mysterious Mr Marcellus, I told her that I'd never read a regency romance before. Yet I didn't let that stop me. After all you never truly know what you like and dislike until you've read a lot of different genres, tropes, etc. Since I'm familiar with Tomi's writing, her character development, and all of that, I figured I'd give it a try. It's a novella, so why not? Well let me tell you, I was intrigued.

My rating for The Mysterious Mr Marcellus:

After reading The Mysterious Mr. Marcellus, I now think I need to check out other Regency romances. Or at least others similar to what Tomi has written.

As this was my first (maybe 2nd as I seem to recall a paranormal type regency) Regency, I went into it with an open mind. Like I said above, I know Tomi's writing, so I just trusted that. Honestly I loved this novella. I was immediately curious about Helen, and wanted to know more about her. Then when Mr Marcellus was introduced, my curiosity piqued even more. I truly loved their meet-cute, and the gossip that happened after.

I loved the balls, and all that glitz and glamour. I was fascinated by the visits that took place, and how there was certain protocol and time limitations. All of that was just so interesting.

Now I was confused as to what a "Season" was. I'd never heard that term before, so I had to go to good ole Google. Here's what I found from one website:

The Season refers to the annual period when it was customary for the country’s elite families to unite for balls, dinner parties et al decked in their finest attire.

That makes total sense, and I now understand. I cannot imagine the cost that went into these elaborate events, and what the cost of a full Season truly entailed. Could you imagine that happening today? That would easily be $100k and up. Or at least that's what I'm picturing.

Tomi, you need to write another! Full length or novella, I'll read it!

Now I need Regency recommendations. Novellas are preferred, or anything that you'd recommend to a beginner. Steam level doesn't matter.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

After four unsuccessful Seasons in London, Helen Davenport is aware that she is out of time. Her father cannot afford another Season. With a meager dowry and few connections, what gentlemen would have her? At the age of three and twenty, she might as well consider herself a spinster.

Yet, Helen’s father, Mr. Davenport refuses to give in so easily. After finding a way to raise the funds, Helen soon finds herself in London for one final Season.

When an accident during a morning walk through Hyde Park literally throws her into the path of a gentleman named Mr. Marcellus, Helen learns that there are some circumstances that lie beyond her control. Namely, the vile gossip of the Ton.

With her reputation called into question, Mr. Marcellus promises Helen he will do his duty as a gentleman and marry her. Except there is one problem…no one in town has ever heard of her rescuer. Just who is the mysterious Mr. Marcellus?

Thank you Tomi for providing me with an advanced copy of The Mysterious Mr Marcellus.

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Monthly Wrap Up {November}

Fear not November's challenge bold—

We've books and friends,

And hearths that never can grow cold:

These make amends!

~Alexander L. Fraser (1870–1954), "November," c.1918

Did anyone see where November went? Were we not just voting in the midterm elections? I mean I know I had a child home sick for a week, but somehow an entire month went by.

November was a pretty quiet month in our house. My oldest daughter turned 10, and celebrated with a group of friends. That same day, my youngest came down with some sort of bug. That kept her home for 5 days. I also made sure to go and vote on election day. (That was when my youngest was sick, so I masked up, and kept my distance from the other voters! Plus I waited for my husband to get home so I wasn't taking her with.) Toward the end of the month a cold took down my middles (10 & 8). Plus my 8 year old showed me that his skin does not tolerate scented laundry detergent. So I had to rewash all of his clothing and bedding. The only other thing that happened this month was my Mom and stepdad returning from Florida! It was so nice to see them, and spend time with them as they had been gone for 6 weeks.

Aside from all of that, and reading, I also have been listening to Faith in the Future by Louis Tomlinson on repeat. Constantly. It's pretty much the only thing I listen to. I am obsessed with this album. (Okay fine I'm alternating occasionally with Midnights and Harry's House.)