Weekly Wrap Up

 

Before looking at Goodreads, I was prepared to tell you that my reading didn't go as planned last week. I'll just blame those thoughts on being sick for the last handful of days. 🤣 Apparently my brain has turned to mush, and I've forgotten how to count. In reality my reading was quite plentiful.

During the week of December 27 through January 2, I read 5 books. I KNOW! Considering the fact that I haven't touched a book since late on December 30th, this week was unbelievable! (I really want to call it 6 books, as it looks like I left one off my previous update. I'll give that one a mention anyway.)

So what did I read? Obviously the answer is romance books!

First up is my forgotten book from last week. That is Dirty Talk by Lauren Landish. Now I know what you're probably thinking, and your jaw may have hit the ground when reading the book title. It's not really about that though. I mean, yes there is a bit of "dirty talk", but really it's more about the emerging relationship between a radio personality (think of his show as similar to Love Line) and an app programmer. 

Now is this a book for every romance reader? Um, no. If you're more a "behind closed door" or "fade to black" romance reader, then you'll want to bypass this one.  If you're a fan of a steamier romance, then give this one a try. Oh and if you are an Amazon Prime member, Dirty Talk is currently available on Prime Reading! Now should I read the next 3 books in the series? That is the question that I'm still trying to decide the answer to. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Next up was Sleigh Bride by Xavier Neal. This little book is part of a series called Mistletoe Montana that was created by a variety of authors. Now I went into this book knowing nothing except Xavier Neal wrote it, and that was good enough for me. Or at least at the time it was good enough for me. Now looking back, I wish I had more insight.

This book reads a little bit like a Hallmark movie. Granted it's a bit steamy for Hallmark, but still. You can already picture the fake romance between friends in a cutesy little town, can't you? It's easy to do, especially if you're picturing the Hallmark Christmas movies. 🙂 I'm kind of wishing I had read the first 11 books in the series (this is book 12) to really get to know the town, but I wasn't willing to spend the $17 (plus tax) on the entirety when I only know one of the authors. So there's that. Do I recommend the book? Not really. Something was missing for me with this book. Sorry. 

After flying through Sleigh Bride, it was time to revisit the writings of Lauren Landish. This time I was reading The Dare. It's an office slash forbidden romance, and it was good. I can't lie. I enjoyed it. I'm hoping for a followup novel that focuses on Tiffany. The Dare is about the relationship that forms between Colton Wolfe and Elle Stryker, and all the dares they put each other up to along the way.

Elle and Colton work at the same company, but are at opposite ends of the hierarchy. Colton is in the running to lead the second headquarters for Fox Industries, and Elle works as an assistant/admin. Colton essentially ignores Elle until Tiffany dares Elle to do something. That dare kicks things into action. It also causes some friction between Elle and her dad, Daniel Stryker. Daniel is the other candidate to lead the second headquarters. Is Colton just using Elle to get under Daniel's skin, or is there something more to this relationship? I want to say more, but spoilers! Like the other Lauren Landish book I read, The Dare is on the steamier side. So know that going in if you choose to read it. It's also available through Prime Reading if you do want to check it out. 

It's time to move onto hockey, so let's go!

First of all, Samantha Whiskey snuck one by me! Somehow I missed Sterling being released on December 25th! Believe me, I was shocked. I love her sports romance books, and typically read them the day they are released. This time though I was late to the game, but only by a few days so that's okay. 

Sterling is the sixth book in the Carolina Reapers hockey series. In this book Jansen Sterling has just been traded back to the Reapers, and he is beyond happy to be back with his team! That stint up in Maine with the expansion team was not what he wanted, but he survived. There are two things Sterling wasn't expecting upon his return. The first is to meet a beautiful woman while stuck in an elevator, and the other was to see his half brother, Maxim, in the hallway. The half brother he hates, and wants absolutely nothing to do with.  

Can Jansen Sterling get over his issues with his half brother, Maxim? Can they work together on the ice so that the team can all work together, and play their best? Or will the drama between brothers cause an issue? Then there is London! She desperately wants to work with the Reapers, and she wants to stand out with the company on her own, and not for the fact that her brother, Caspian, is one of the players. Add in the fact that she really wants to date Jansen? Well that's just getting a bit messy. I absolutely loved the book, obviously, and cannot wait to see who the next book will be about. My gut says it will be about Maxim or Caspian. Although I did see a few other names mentioned as well. So time will tell. (and now I'm signed up to receive a text when new books are coming out. Another one will not slip by me unnoticed!)

Last week I won an ARC of Only One Night by Natasha Madison! I literally squee'd when I noticed the tag notification on Facebook. I don't know if you fully understand how excited I was. I have been WAITING for Manning's story since he was first introduced to us back in Only One Kiss. That was in September. When I saw that Manning was book THREE? Oh I wasn't happy. (Miller's story still made me swoon, but I wanted Manning!) But that's in the past, because now I have read this man's story, and all the love. It was everything I wanted it to be, and then some.

Now if you've read the previous two books in the series, you already know that Manning's marriage has been over for years. The only reason he's still married is Murielle won't give him a divorce. Last time he asked, Murielle ran away with Jaxon (their child). Manning has all but given up, and believes he will be stuck in loveless marriage for quite a while. One night he's at a business meeting, and he runs into Evelyn. Manning cannot take his eyes off of her. There is just something about Evelyn that speaks to him. Yes, she's beautiful, but it's more than that. Plus Manning likes the fact that Evelyn doesn't care that he's the Captain for the Dallas Oilers. One thing leads to another, and a one night stand happens. 

Side note: I do not condone affairs, I only see people hurting people. So this is the part of the book that I didn't care for, even though it leads to what it does. 

Now that being said, friends, there is DRAMA about to happen between all parties, but honestly it's mainly Murielle's doing. Get your popcorn ready, because you're about to see a show!

  And you already know we are getting our HEA! It's Natasha, it's what she does. 😍

My last read, before succumbing to the exhaustion and body aches for four days, was Charging by Elise Faber. Charging was another new release that I was anticipating as I have been loving the San Francisco Gold hockey team! It just feels like one big family, and I am here for it. It's also the 10th book in the series. So clearly if I'm this far into a series, I'm sticking with it to the end!

At the beginning of Charging we learn that Char and Logan have a history. So right off the bat we know that this is a second chance romance. Love it. One of my favorite tropes. While this is a second chance romance, it's also a workplace romance. It could also be considered a bit of a forbidden romance in a way since Char is the GM for the Gold, and Logan is a hockey player. But as we know by having read other books in the series, the Gold doesn't exactly care about relationships within the company. So maybe it isn't really a forbidden in the true sense of the trope.

What I enjoyed about Charging was learning about their past, and what drove them apart. The reuniting was sweet, but it also was a bit of a miss with me. The story just didn't flow quite right for me. There wasn't the usual "drama" moment that I've come to expect with the Gold series. Or at least it wasn't between Logan and Char. Overall it was a decent story, but definitely not my favorite. There also seemed to be a disconnect with the other seasoned characters. So to add in these two newbies, it just wasn't the best it could have been. Cannot wait to see what book 11, Caged, will bring. Too bad I have to wait until April to find out. 

So that was my week in reading. Most of the books made me smile and swoon, while a couple were just okay. Not complete misses, but just so-so. What did you read last week? Any standouts? 

Have a wonderful week, and happy reading!

What Laura's Reading participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program.
Purchases made via links above may lead to a small commission earned.

Amazon First Reads {January}

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you may or may not know of this little perk associated with your account. Each month, the First Reads program allows you to download an upcoming new release. Yes, these are selected titles, but still it's a "free" book and you may just end up enjoying it. 

I remember one of my very first selections from July 2019. That month we were allowed to pick two books as well, and to be honest I still haven't read my second selection. I do vividly remember A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean! It is predominantly a historical fiction set during World War II, but it also brings you back to current times as well. We bounce back and forth like that because we are learning about Vivian Hughes, and her life living in Britain during that time. Oh my word, so good.  In August 2019 I had selected a psychological thriller called Here to Stay by Mark Edwards, and it was FABULOUS. The ending completely tripped me up, and I was not expecting it at all. Definitely a must read. And if you know me, you know that this isn't a usual genre read for me, but I don't regret my choice one bit. 

For the month of January, Amazon First Reads is letting us pick TWO books to download. Heck ya!

So what are the options? Well, honestly there are nine fabulous picks, so remember you get to pick two. 

If you like suspense, go with The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice. 

If you like contemporary, then Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn would be a great option.

Are you a fan of thrillers? Look at Not One Of Us by Debbie Herbert.

Oh you want historical fiction? Then you're looking for West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. 

Want another thriller option, but with some espionage mixed in? Definitely check out Water Memory by Daniel Pyne. 

For literary fiction, First Reads is offering up Gerta by Katerina Tuckova. 

Looking for Nonfiction, yep got you covered with a memoir! Widowish by Melissa Gould sounds like it will be a good, yet emotional read. 

There's a global fiction option as well in The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai. 

Last, but certainly not least, there is a picture book option! Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by Sue Fliess sounds like a cute story, so join Sadie and head off to Mars!

Think you know which two I selected? Tell me below! Maybe I'll surprise you with my selections. But maybe, just maybe, you'll have guessed it easily.

I'll tell you this, I am wishing I had chosen a different book for one of my choices. Having reread the descriptions, yeah, I know which one I'll be paying money for!

Which books are you going to choose? Tell me! 

Happy Reading,

What, did you think I'd leave you hanging? I could never do that. 🙂 My choices for January were Widowish, and Hadley & Grace. Did you guess correctly? If I could re-select though, I'd keep Hadley & Grace, but swap in Water Memory. Seriously, go read the description for Water Memory and tell me it doesn't sound fabulous!

What Laura's Reading participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.

So any purchases made via links in the post, may result in a small commission for me.

Goodreads: Year in Books

 

It's that time of year my friends. 

It is time to look at the stats Goodreads has put together utilizing the information I've provided them. 

We are talking books read, pages read, average rating, shortest book, longest book, and average book length. Of course Goodreads also shows you the cover for each book you read. They also refresh your memory of the first review you wrote for the year, as well as the last review of the year. Now I don't tend to write my reviews on Goodreads, so I ignore that part. Goodreads doesn't tell you your most read genre, but I decided to add that in. (we all know what mine is anyway)

Are you ready to see my reading stats for 2020? I know I am!

Books read:

310

Pages read:

79,477

First Book of 2020:

Green Tea Latte to Go by Aven Ellis

Last Book of 2020:

Only One Night by Natasha Madison

Shortest Book: 72 Pages

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

Longest Book: 556 Pages

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Average Book Length:

256

Average Rating: ⭐️

3.8

Most Read Genre:

Romance

I absolutely love how I started the year with one favorite author, and ended the year with another. That just might be the perfect way to do it. After all I know I'll start with a happily ever after, and I'll end with one too. 

Now I feel like I should preface my year in books by saying this isn't typical for anyone, especially me. Reading the amount of books I did was pretty much my escape from the pandemic. Some turned towards bingeing tv shows, others toward trying new recipes, others toward fitness. I turned to books. 

What did your stats look like for 2020? What was your original goal? Most read genre? If you met your goal, that's awesome. If you didn't meet your goal, that's okay too! 

Happy 2021! May this year be filled with books that bring you happiness.

*What Laura's Reading participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made via the links in this post may earn me a small commission.

2021 Reading Challenges

 

In 2020 I tried my hand at the PopSugar Reading Challenge. I can't lie, it was difficult for me. I did alright having completed 30 of the 50 prompts, but I obviously did not finish. Still, I consider the 30 prompts completed as a decent attempt. I will say that after looking at the prompts for 2021, I decided to skip it as it was too out there for me. The PopSugar 2021 challenge would have me stepping far outside my norm, and from experience I know that leads to a reading slump.

So what challenges am I participating in for 2021? 

First up is the Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge hosted by DollyCas. 

Simply put, you are reading the alphabet. Just start with the first main word of the title. You can stick to your preferred genre, your preferred format, and call it good. So I'm in. I will be tracking my books via this link, or up in the header.

Next is the A to Z Challenge hosted by Bookstacks and Golden Moms. 

Similar to the Alphabet Soup challenge by DollyCas, but this time we are adding in some monthly mini challenges. I'm all about that, and if I can do the mini challenge I will. Consider joining me! You can find my tracker via this link, or up in the header. 

Since those two are very similar, I am going to add to the difficulty a bit by not doubling up on my titles. I know. I know. But I feel that it is necessary. Let's see how I do!

My third, and final (as of now), challenge is the Creating and Co Reading Challenge. 

Paige has put together 24 prompts to get you through the year. One of the more difficult prompts, for me, will be the re-read. I rarely re-read, so we'll have to see on that. I should add that Paige often adds mini seasonal challenges as well, and I am going to do my best on those as well. My main focus will be the original 24. My tracker can be accessed up in the header, or through this link.

What reading challenges are you participating in for 2021?

Happy Reading,

Weekly Wrap Up

 

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season! I cannot believe that Christmas is over, and that we are about to start a new year. I'm ready though. So ready. Yes, 2020 had it's not so good moments, but I sincerely hope that there was some good for you as well. 

Last week I read some decent books. I discovered a new to me author in Katie Graykowski, and have now devoured her Lone Stars series. Yes it is romance, and yes it is sports romance. More specifically football romance. 

First up I read Perfect Summer, which is obviously the first book in the series. Now these are standalone books, so you don't have to read them in order, but I personally think it's best to do so. After all it gives you a back story on other characters, and you may be seeing those characters in future books. Also, I think Perfect Summer could qualify as enemies to lovers. So if that's your trope, this book might be for you!

Perfect Summer introduces us to Summer Ames. She is a high school teacher who just won Teacher of the Year! How awesome is that! Oh except the prize that's given every year isn't the prize that Summer will be receiving. Instead she gets professional football player Clint Grayson as a mentor for her classroom. Say what? Oh and Clint is there to help his image. There was a news story about him that was 100% false, but of course that retraction never came. So there's that.

In Perfect Summer we also get to know Summer's mother, Lillian. They do not have the best relationship and that's putting it lightly. Lillian has a secret or two that she's keeping, and well Summer (and us) find out what they are! So be prepared as the storyline goes back and forth between telling the two stories. 

Next up was Saving Grace. I consider this to be a workplace romance. So if that's your thing, then happy reading!

Grace Kelley is well known for a wardrobe malfunction on a popular TV show. She may have singing talent, but that wardrobe malfunction took away her chance for a broader success. So here she is singing on a street corner trying to earn money to pay for the assisted living place her Uncle is currently at. Then fate steps in. A young girl is in a not so good situation, Grace helps out, and drives her home. That little encounter leads to a nanny job for Grace. This job is a blessing, as she will definitely be able to afford her Uncle's living arrangement now! What Grace wasn't expecting though was to fall for Chord Robbins. Chord is the coach for the Austin Lone Stars, and it is his 3 kids that she is nannying. 

Can Chord work through his issues to trust Grace? Will Grace ever learn to ask for help? Or better yet, accept it? Also, what is the story with Clementine (the dog)? I can't imagine what that poor pup has been through in his life.

Changing Lanes was my third book for the week, and it is a second chance romance. 

Imagine meeting your soul mate as a teenager, only to then lose touch with them for 14 years. You wonder if you'll ever run into them again. After all it happened at summer camp, and you only knew each others initials (DJ & EJ), so how could you keep in touch? Well in Changing Lanes will will see how Devon and Laney end up meeting once again. We also see if they can get to know each other again, and maybe just maybe fall in love. 

Oh and there's a good chance you'll fall in love with the Lone Stars, as well as Sweet Louise. They are just amazing people, and I know I'd love to have them in my corner. (also, if you're an emotional person like I am, consider having tissues on hand for when it comes to the parts about Lara.)

The Debra Dilemma is another second chance romance. If you've read the any of the first three books, you may recognize Debra. You may also think you know the kind of woman that Debra is. And if you read Changing Lanes, you know that there is history between Debra and Warren. In the Debra Dilemma we find out what happened, and see if they can make their way back to each other. 

Side note: If you are a person who has gone through child loss, I want to put a trigger warning on this book for you.

Many years ago Debra and Warren had been a romance that wasn't suppose to be. Debra's family was quite wealthy, and well Warren was the pool boy! Gasp! Something happened though, and Warren accepted a substantial amount of money from Debra's father. Accepting that money meant he had to walk away from Debra.

Flash forward many years, and Debra is a frequent sight on the arms of many Lone Star players. She is trying to become this woman that she isn't, and it's only hurting herself. Meanwhile, Warren owns the team and so he has to see his ex (aka the woman he loved) date his players. It's killing him each and every time. 

Can Debra get over the hurt from the past? Can she forgive Warren? Will Warren find out the secret that Debra has been keeping all these years? Also, what is Debra's dad hiding in that safe in his office? 

The fifth book in the Lone Stars series is Charming Coco! When I saw that Coco had her own story, I was so excited! I had high expectations as Coco Robbins seems like an awesome young lady. (We first met Coco in Saving Grace. Coco is the daughter of Chord Robbins, and is ultimately the reason why Chord and Grace met.) After finishing The Debra Dilemma, I had a feeling who the love interest would be for Coco, and I was correct. 

In Charming Coco, we've flashed forward quite a few years, and Coco is an orthopedic surgeon who has just returned from working with Doctors without Borders. She's nervous about returning home though as she can't get a certain NFL quarterback off her mind. After all, he's why she felt the need to leave for college, and eventually go overseas. How do you face the person that you kissed, said you loved, and had them shut you down? 

Seth Charming is keeping a secret or two of his own. He's known where Coco has been this entire time, and he would do (and has been) anything he could to keep her safe. What Seth wasn't ready for was competition for Coco's heart. Turns out Coco met someone while overseas, and that man could be her perfect match. How can Seth compete with a Royal? Can Coco and Seth reconnect to get their HEA? Or is Coco meant to be with the Prince?

I was so excited for Coco's love story, but ultimately something was missing. Honestly the story felt "off" from the moment Coco arrived to her parents house. I stuck with it, and while I'm happy with the ending, this book was just missing the mark. 

It's time for, what I presume is, the final book in the Lone Stars series. Sage Advice introduces us to Chloe Caldwell. She is a child psychologist, relationship advice blogger/podcaster, and a soon to be published author! Except no one knows she is behind the Sage Advice blog and podcast. Chloe has chosen to keep that private. However with her upcoming book release, that little tidbit will be made known. Oh and there's one slight issue regarding her book release. Chloe told her publicist that she has a fiancee. So naturally he needs to be at her book release! Now the hunt is on for someone to become her fake fiancee.

Chloe makes the call to Sweet Louise, and asks Sweet Louise to set her up on a blind date. Sweet Louise chooses Pierce Rogan. He is the tight end for the Austin Lone Stars, and Sweet Louise thinks he'll be perfect for Chloe. Now Pierce is a bit of a player, and often "dates" women who look like models. When he picks up Chloe for their date, he isn't interested at all. But something happens on their date, and the world now believes that Chloe is his sister.  After all, there is no way he could have been on a date with her!  How will Pierce react when he learns that Chloe is the person behind Sage Advice? He has disliked the romance blogger/podcaster since his ex-fiancee had sent her a message for advice. That advice was the reason he was single! 

So those are the books that I read this week. Yes, I devoured an entire book series. It was worth it. Part of me wants to ask Katie Graykowski if Noah and Lucy are going to get their story! I really feel that they had a connection, but maybe I was just reading into it and prepping myself for another story. Also, what ever happened with Lily and Davis from Perfect Summer? I need an update on them! One more thing, where does one find a mentor like Sweet Louise? 

What did you read this week? Anything you'd recommend? 

Happy Reading my fellow book lovers,

*What Laura's Reading is part of the Amazon Affiliates program. I may earn a small commission from purchases made through the links provided in this post.