tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89404689931116425142024-03-13T13:01:03.440-07:00Glimpses Of My BooksBook Reviews to help you on your next reading adventure! ON HIATUSglimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.comBlogger499125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-89183106630004231842023-07-11T13:50:00.006-07:002023-08-22T21:15:38.219-07:00The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (on hiatus after this one for a while)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNyG-HXHUoQyd4TyW1EZU0Lp8BJR7YmceGnbzSq6u2J7IZlwAmERkBtsZ_xNYEFfe0dJTiclxxN9y9UUEoNOTe_lnvEvndYImNvfcOlcb3aosFmlHA2SsNq2IcAOlS9aZ00r0FM3qEhlKh78omb_xM3tMl1LBTi9JZ6DBYKMWuwEJaYjmh44fVGgbLeY/s500/seven%20year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNyG-HXHUoQyd4TyW1EZU0Lp8BJR7YmceGnbzSq6u2J7IZlwAmERkBtsZ_xNYEFfe0dJTiclxxN9y9UUEoNOTe_lnvEvndYImNvfcOlcb3aosFmlHA2SsNq2IcAOlS9aZ00r0FM3qEhlKh78omb_xM3tMl1LBTi9JZ6DBYKMWuwEJaYjmh44fVGgbLeY/s320/seven%20year.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />I just finished listening to <i><a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780593336502" target="_blank">The Seven Year Slip</a></i> and I absolutely loved this book. It is no surprise really, I have been a huge fan of Ashley Poston since her Young Adult days. I reviewed <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2017/12/geekerella-by-ashley-poston-4755-stars.html" target="_blank">Geekerella</a> all the way back in 2017. Time flies sunnies. In some ways it feels like yesterday, but it has been 6 years already!<p></p><p>A friend of mine from work reviewed this one and I asked her to be a guest reviewer. Since I decided to read this book because of her, I thought that was the best way to get you to also give Ashley Poston a try.</p><p>Review by the lovely Lex Webber:</p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="il">With</span> the middle <span class="il">of</span> July comes longer days, fuller lakes and more time for lounging. For many people, it’s the best time <span class="il">of</span> <span class="il">year</span> as it is also one <span class="il">of</span> the most nostalgic. Remembering good memories from the past while creating more is the perfect representation <span class="il">of</span> summer. Personally, when I’m <span class="il">in</span> the mood for a good book during the hot summer days, I’m always looking for one that embodies that energy. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="m_-5641077857086425001gmail-docs-internal-guid-86c42529-7fff-6937-43bc-b4b7d9a03d25"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">The quintessential beach read is one that touches on many <span class="il">of</span> those summer themes we hold dearly to our hearts and most importantly doesn’t let us down too hard. A good beach read doesn’t make you want to go back inside the house to cry, but it can pull at your heartstrings every now and then.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is exactly what Ashley Poston does <span class="il">with</span> her second adult novel, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The <span class="il">Seven</span> <span class="il">Year</span> Slip. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The story revolves around Clementine, who works <span class="il">in</span> the publishing industry, and has goals <span class="il">of</span> working her way further up the ladder. After the loss <span class="il">of</span> her world exploring aunt, she has thrown herself into work, ignoring the fact that she might not even want the goals she’s working hard toward. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Clementine’s world gets thrown for a loop when she walks into the apartment <span class="il">in</span> New York City that her aunt left her, only to find a Chef from the Carolinas who is leasing the apartment for the summer. The stranger insists on calling her Lemon, feeding her dinner and charming her <span class="il">with</span> his southern graces. The catch is that his summer is <span class="il">seven</span> <span class="il">years</span> ago and hers is <span class="il">in</span> the present time. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">The story that unravels is one <span class="il">of</span> romance, dreams, good food and difficult timing. It’s a classic early life crisis romantic comedy <span class="il">with</span> a sprinkling <span class="il">of</span> magical realism. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For anyone who remembers Poston’s debut adult novel,<a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780593336489" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780593336489" target="_blank">The Dead Romantics</a>, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this novel is <span class="il">in</span> the same vein <span class="il">with</span> its story about love <span class="il">in</span> highly unlikely places. Which, also, is just as fantastic <span class="il">of</span> a beach read as a story between a ghostwriter and her editor who is quite literally a ghost. Both stories hold at their core romance, the search for who we are, who we’re becoming and the bittersweet journey <span class="il">of</span> grief. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Reading about Lemon and Iwan’s journey told through the meals they shared and art she created for him was beautiful. Even <span class="il">in</span> the times throughout the story where it hurt to keep reading, the writing never lost the kernel <span class="il">of</span> warmth that I found between the pages. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Even if this book is not the one for you this summer, I’ll leave you <span class="il">with</span> sage advice from Clementine’s Aunt Analea: “If you don’t fit <span class="il">in</span>, fool everyone until you do! Keep your passport renewed and always, always chase the moon!” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">-----------</p><div><br /></div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-8028209264718686082023-07-11T13:39:00.002-07:002023-07-11T13:51:02.047-07:00Vandalar Concubines 1 to 4 by V. K. Ludwig<p>I don't read monster romance, I have tried a few and found it is not for me. All the tentacles and slime</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YHKHdXir46C63RXCd3UG_d46Et7U4twiK_GL_QLKWlKwn_PyNLeBqrU5lbZnUFPl_KP_yDFJpdAH807zcVDDHx-d3slilyQXicdkRNDZ3bOCtsYIrnMHQxkuWQs_aXNb4to1kvX586_DnswRMjuYP_SQro__N6ycD4B3s5uuYyel8PvcKi4UAgSfBEU/s500/sign%20here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YHKHdXir46C63RXCd3UG_d46Et7U4twiK_GL_QLKWlKwn_PyNLeBqrU5lbZnUFPl_KP_yDFJpdAH807zcVDDHx-d3slilyQXicdkRNDZ3bOCtsYIrnMHQxkuWQs_aXNb4to1kvX586_DnswRMjuYP_SQro__N6ycD4B3s5uuYyel8PvcKi4UAgSfBEU/s320/sign%20here.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /> and whatnot are not for me at all. But I find that I enjoy alien romance a lot. Especially when the anatomy is not too different.<p></p><p>This series was great. The exact amount of cheesiness and humor I wanted this past week. It reminds me very much of my favorite romance subgenre of all time - paranormal romance with shapeshifters, wolves and bears to be exact. </p><p>The first book in the series is <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HMBPVWH?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Sign Here for Horns.</a></i></p><p>Our heroine purchases herself an alien worker to help around the farm just to find out that he is a saikh. A saikh is a male concubine and trained to pleasure females in all ways possible. Their relationship is both funny and sweet. All he wants to do is pleasure her and all she wants (at least to start) is getting her farm working. Their different views on what and how to pleasure surely made for many funny scenes. Although slavery very obviously exists in this series, she purchased him after all, I wouldn't say this book is has what some have been calling 'slavery trop'. She frees him! That is definitely a trope on the next book...</p><p>The second book is<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HM5M5RC?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank"> <i>Never Cuff an Alien</i>. </a>The main premise in this one is that said Alien cannot escape. He has tried many times and Steph, Lilly's best friend (heroine in the first book) and his owner, either shocks him unconscious or gets her robot employee to get him. So this is definitely not going to be for everyone. It is not dark at all, it has a heavy dose of humor, and we slowly find out that Varok doesn't really want to leave. He likes Steph's bossiness, he is very much into rough play. But it comes across differently to start, so beware of that. If you can get passes the beginning of this book you will find that Steph and Varok are very well matched and perfect for each other.</p><p>The third book is <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L276F3Y?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_2&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Turn Left for Stars</a></i>. Steph starts an agency for saikhs to find humans and vice-versa and her friend Izzy is sent to Vandalar (the alien's planet) to start a branch of the agency there. The agreement is that she will take 3 saikhs for herself. She starts to go to the saikhs classes, thinking she will choose the most promising students when they graduate but things of course, don't go as planned. one student, realising he will fail, asks Izzy to train on her. Now, saikhs trained how to pleasure....... you can guess the rest!</p><p>Book 4 is the brother of our hero on book 3 - <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swipe-Right-Husband-Vandalar-Concubines-ebook/dp/B08NK8N88X" target="_blank">Swipe Right for a Husband</a></i>. Odrin goes to earth on a work visa and with the hopes of finding his mate there. He does find her, then bites her... a Vandalar bite is a marriage contract. So our heroine wakes up married to someone she met pretty much the day before, without her knowledge or consent. Odrin does everything in his power to earn her trust, love, and convince her not to divorce him. Although their relationship starts in dubious ways, just like the previous books, they eventually find their way to each other.</p><p>These books are funny, cheesy, and sexy. They start a little off, but it all ends well! </p><p>Go Read</p><p><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-30687535856418831862023-06-16T10:33:00.005-07:002023-06-16T10:34:45.817-07:00Well Played, Well Matched, and Well Travelled by Jen DeLuca (Well Met Series)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBwUCQqI042nPnX5w29ZHl1EE01vRrNliSN19yOlv3LIQfRT6dkItkRuO_4aRMkxRThOgMvUTjmo35RTkcOiLdD9cfHusW7qKGvTScF8h5Ht82_nQ76WLtZwWhZNeTEuBIka1n7Q8cAP9OqKasCYlwF20uFxAVUw8Rx2YcD1bhuPhrQAUNL8WoAF2/s1000/71uEZTCfwBL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBwUCQqI042nPnX5w29ZHl1EE01vRrNliSN19yOlv3LIQfRT6dkItkRuO_4aRMkxRThOgMvUTjmo35RTkcOiLdD9cfHusW7qKGvTScF8h5Ht82_nQ76WLtZwWhZNeTEuBIka1n7Q8cAP9OqKasCYlwF20uFxAVUw8Rx2YcD1bhuPhrQAUNL8WoAF2/s320/71uEZTCfwBL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div>I absolutely love this series by Jen DeLuca but you know... one needs more hours in a day, so it took me a while to finally catch up and finish reading it.<p></p><p>My favorite would still be <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2019/11/well-met-well-met-1-by-jen-deluca-arc.html" target="_blank">Well Met</a>, now followed by <i>Well Matched</i>.</p><p><i>Well Played</i> is the last one I read. I know... it is horrid I read it out of order, but here we are. Needless to say, I already knew by this point who Dex was, who he was going to end up with, and a little bit about the confusion/lies in this book.</p><p>It was a very well written story, as are all of Jen Deluca's books. But it was also the least exciting of all 4 books. And not because I already knew what was going to happen but because I didn't personally relate to the characters. They were all wonderful, they just weren't for me. The main relationship is basically catshifing at its best and she forgives him a little too fast. I don't know... good book, still gave a solid 3 1/2 stars, but in comparison with the other 3 books in the series it is lacking a little.</p><p></p><i>Well Matched</i> is my second favorite in the series for sure. Mitch, the sexy god in quilt, was a fun character and April has gone through a lot and it is nice to see her getting out of her shell. Mitch and April make a perfect pairing. Their romance moved at a very good pace and their moments together were all a joy. I love that Jen DeLuca always shows that everyone has many sides and aspects to their personalities. Mitch is the sex god in quilt, but he is also an amazing gym teacher, and a great friend. <p></p><p>And then we have <i>Well Travelled</i>, which I read second! Loved loved this one as well. <br /></p><p>Dex the playboy that is not really a playboy. I honestly think it was good I read this one before reading <i>Well Played.</i> Dex is not portrait nicely at all in that book. Reading it like this I knew he was a player but not why people disliked him so much. And now that I've read the other book I kind of still don't understand why people saw him the way they did. Dex messed up. He just kept to his bachelor ways of no strings attached. Until our heroine here ofcourse! And let me tell you, I adored her! I do have to say though this one is on the verge of being women's fic and not romance. It focus a lot on the growth of both characters and perhaps not enough on the romance. That is the only reason I would put <i>Well Played</i> before this one, because I actually like Dex better than Mitch just a little bit...</p><p><b><i><u>Well Played Blurb:</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z3B1C-Lup2w6ScsrBVG3gkO9Px4yPXy8kAN3ufNpZMK-dhIG896Rj_UPLjb7b0nBj7ezyqIh7W1Ci4TLVh8gIsmqrwuBQ_t7lwGfOeY2sQQK-C3Qv_m6ekVXdAFF04rnDUHPYHxTpxxChFXj2sGV7-QKLKNmF_0rpP0pryqvRlgWUmVVq3Ye8Jey/s1200/well-met-series-1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1200" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z3B1C-Lup2w6ScsrBVG3gkO9Px4yPXy8kAN3ufNpZMK-dhIG896Rj_UPLjb7b0nBj7ezyqIh7W1Ci4TLVh8gIsmqrwuBQ_t7lwGfOeY2sQQK-C3Qv_m6ekVXdAFF04rnDUHPYHxTpxxChFXj2sGV7-QKLKNmF_0rpP0pryqvRlgWUmVVq3Ye8Jey/w200-h67/well-met-series-1.webp" width="200" /></a></u></i></b></div><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><p></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it's been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she'll even find The One.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">When Stacey imagined "The One," it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she's not sure what to make of it.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey's shock, it isn't Dex—she's been falling in love with a man she barely knows.</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;" /><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Well Matched Blurb:</u></i></b></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Single mother April Parker has lived in Willow Creek for twelve years with a wall around her heart. On the verge of being an empty nester, she's decided to move on from her quaint little town, and asks her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvement projects to get her house ready to sell.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Mitch Malone is known for being the life of every party, but mostly for the attire he wears to the local Renaissance Faire -- a kilt (and not much else) that shows off his muscled form to perfection. While he agrees to help April, he needs a favor too: she'll pretend to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family dinner, so that he can avoid the lectures about settling down and having a more "serious" career than high school coach and gym teacher. April reluctantly agrees, but when dinner turns into a weekend trip, it becomes hard to tell what's real and what's been just for show. But when the weekend ends, so must their fake relationship.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">As summer begins, Faire returns to Willow Creek, and April volunteers for the first time. When Mitch's family shows up unexpectedly, April pretends to be Mitch's girlfriend again... something that doesn't feel so fake anymore. Despite their obvious connection, April insists they've just been putting on an act. But when there's the chance for something real, she has to decide whether to change her plans -- and open her heart -- for the kilt-wearing hunk who might just be the love of her life.</span></p><p><b><i><u>Well Travelled Blurb:</u></i></b></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">A high-powered attorney from a success-oriented family, Louisa "Lulu" Malone lives to work, and everything seems to be going right, until the day she realizes it’s all wrong. Lulu’s cousin Mitch introduced her to the world of Renaissance Faires, and when she spies one at a time just when she needs an escape, she leaps into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers. The only drawback? Dex MacLean: a guitarist with a killer smile, the Casanova of the Faire… and her traveling companion for the summer.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Dex has never had to work for much in his life, and why should he? Touring with his brothers as The Dueling Kilts is going great, and he always finds a woman at every Faire. But when Lulu proves indifferent to his many plaid charms and a shake-up threatens the fate of the band, Dex must confront something he never has before: his future.</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;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu’s interest in the kilted bad boy grows as he shows her a side of himself no one else has seen. The stresses of her old lifestyle fade away as she learns to trust her intuition and follow her heart instead of her head. But when her time on the road is over, will Lulu go with her gut, or are she and Dex destined for separate paths?</span></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-81819330532532357652023-03-30T19:44:00.000-07:002023-03-30T19:44:30.340-07:00Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxdBRU4tXbMMiI-qdZTkhHYDh8SHacVxl1-8MWykf6tNdgKUnzM6GvWbytwwl3vg1s5rkduHUm3kYMGs-pjQtyWho4AXETE5234VGLOyZZErkM5R4J6ZSweDYWm68dEVq0m9-wgKefAq-JWb6sl6_cURKVQz23mbG6y7KSCQd0PeK1K5ZAspZeNsR/s388/forget%20me%20not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxdBRU4tXbMMiI-qdZTkhHYDh8SHacVxl1-8MWykf6tNdgKUnzM6GvWbytwwl3vg1s5rkduHUm3kYMGs-pjQtyWho4AXETE5234VGLOyZZErkM5R4J6ZSweDYWm68dEVq0m9-wgKefAq-JWb6sl6_cURKVQz23mbG6y7KSCQd0PeK1K5ZAspZeNsR/s320/forget%20me%20not.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>My first thought upon finishing this book was that it would make a fantastic movie!<br /><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">The book tells the story of Linda, a gentle soul living in Seattle, alone and lonely. She spends most of her time locked up in her apartment with very little contact with the outside world. As the story progresses you find out why. Linda is a replacement child. Her mother found a way to 'make' her in order to replace her previous daughter that died. But Linda was not her, and could never replace her. So one day her mother just leaves. Linda was left to raise herself at their walled-off property somewhere in rural Washington. Until one day, something makes her run, jump off the wall, and find a world that she didn't know existed and was definitely not ready for. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Years later in Seattle, when a new neighbor moves in, Anvi, Linda tries and hopes that she can maybe make a friend. That she can maybe be normal. Anvi introduces Linda to virtual reality and a whole different way to see things. But when your memories from your past are as muddy as Linda's are, the virtual world is both a blessing and a curse. Linda is not a good narrator of her own life, she at times can't tell what memories are hers and what memories are made-up. There are reasons for that, and we, the reader, figure them out slowly as the story is told. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Things start to look promising for Linda, but then another disaster strikes. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><i>Forget Me Not</i> is a mixture of mystery, suspense, the upside and the downside of social media, the consequences of trauma, and the beauty of new friendships. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Linda's life story and the way her brain works and processes both past and present is fascinating. It demonstrates how things we see as simple and mundane can be so complicated and hard to understand if you grow up alone, with no one to point you to the right direction and teach you the basics. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">The book makes you think and keeps you wondering and guessing 'what happened' all the way. It is a fantastic psychological mystery by a great Pacific Northwest Author.</div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-18916613831540108462023-03-02T19:49:00.002-08:002023-03-02T19:49:19.070-08:00The Book Hater's Book Club by Gretchen Anthony<p><i style="background-color: white;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezgtW4GbFtmuAUeWkByMmMhBrKZx1WnNsVY2dRXYe7ILq90w9M-7UB_Dc__W2qQeYkNqkac_mshtUeN-gdPBErH9XmdMmqmGr-26iYrFtlHHlvNfXmQwwrjVDCy0pL430ET2N0hjkNU5I8inF4NZdNqp0JUB5-f1QV2e-NFIwh8KWM0O-vTRYhf-/s1000/hatersb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjezgtW4GbFtmuAUeWkByMmMhBrKZx1WnNsVY2dRXYe7ILq90w9M-7UB_Dc__W2qQeYkNqkac_mshtUeN-gdPBErH9XmdMmqmGr-26iYrFtlHHlvNfXmQwwrjVDCy0pL430ET2N0hjkNU5I8inF4NZdNqp0JUB5-f1QV2e-NFIwh8KWM0O-vTRYhf-/s320/hatersb.jpg" width="211" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Book Hater's Book Club</i> at first appears to be about a struggling bookstore and its imminent sale. Elliot, the co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, started <i>The Book Hater's Book Club</i>, a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed non-readers of the world, because he believed there was a book out there for everyone. Something I wholeheartedly agree with! For years he and Irma have kept the store going and always had a recommendation in hand. When you finish this book, you will have yet another list of books to read. </div></span></i><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">However, this book is about more than just books and a struggling bookstore. It is also about grief, the price of secrets, and a little more grief. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">You see, Elliot is gone, and his grief-ridden business partner has agreed to sell the store to developers. Problem is, she didn't tell that to anyone until the deal was almost done. Which is making her daughters ask questions. Why is she selling? Is it grief alone? Is there something else they don't know?</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">They are not about to give up on the store without a fight. Together Irma's daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliot's life partner Thom, conspire to figure out just exactly what is happening to Irma and how they can save the store. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">In between all the drama unfolding we are treated to letters from beyond the grave. Little snippets told from Elliot's perspective about the characters and a few of his famous <i>The Book Hater's Book Club</i> newsletters.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">For the first half of the book there will be times when you will wonder where on earth is the author going with this story. But once all the secrets start to unfold things become clear and the more you read the more you will love all the characters. They are quirky, have messy but very real lives and all the problems that come with it. Bree has spent her whole life in the store and knows nothing else; Laney moved away years ago and is struggling in her marriage; Thom is old and alone and has too much grief and anger to deal with; and Irma has too many secrets and lacks some fundamental communications skills. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">You will feel for the characters, maybe sympathize with some as well, and in the end you will be rooting for this little bookstore and sisters Laney and Bree! </span></div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-76072769126219710732023-01-01T17:30:00.005-08:002023-03-02T19:56:04.257-08:00Radiant Sin (Dark olympus) by Katee Robert [arc review]<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHPZxaZIKv-LuAllL3EPkivyjH_ugPNOYQf1saRmRqt7t9KPlYpSVbQPQpjsAgGvslgs9U3oyYY1HLhtTp0c1_bV3uCPG-qVyyJGlv5I9hjvvnEpIUm9qMZpg4g4-DQkpAMvxbgLH2zjkHJgZOUOa-rGhVV4wyIchjZ88ffZG3UxdwnbU26hAHuix/s400/radiant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHPZxaZIKv-LuAllL3EPkivyjH_ugPNOYQf1saRmRqt7t9KPlYpSVbQPQpjsAgGvslgs9U3oyYY1HLhtTp0c1_bV3uCPG-qVyyJGlv5I9hjvvnEpIUm9qMZpg4g4-DQkpAMvxbgLH2zjkHJgZOUOa-rGhVV4wyIchjZ88ffZG3UxdwnbU26hAHuix/s320/radiant.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>This is sadly, not going to be a very popular review.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I adore Katee Robert. But this one just wasn't for me. It wasn't a terrible book or anything like that, it just left me wanting more and very puzzled.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Every one of the books in this series follows a certain trope and/or subplot genre. <i>Neon Gods </i>is very much a Greek Mythology retelling; <i>Electric Idol</i> has the plus size influencer and the sweet bad boy, it is a very modern contemporary romance; <i>Wicked Beauty</i>, and my favorite so far has that hunger games/dystopian vibe. <i>Radiant Sin</i> is a murder mystery. The 'one house'/'one train' style that has always been so popular. Here lies problem number one for me, because I don't like murder mysteries at all. Even on my teen years when I read a lot of mystery it was never those.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Problem two- there were way too many characters in that house, and they all got their time on the page making it one very confusing mess. It was very hard to follow at times. I think this might be because the next book has 4 main characters, so they appeared a lot and there were a lot of hints to their complicated relationship, but there lies problem number three. Who is this book about? Is it a prequel to the four upcoming characters or is it a book about Cassandra and Apollo? That wasn't always clear. And all that leads to problem number 4, there was so much else going on that the things that should matter for Cassandra and Apollo's story was not completely clear. Like the story behind Cassandra's parents. I think I know what happened to them, but often there were hints that they were not killed. So, were they? were they not? I needed more of that, I needed more of her sister, I needed more of Apollo's side of things and his family and less, much less, of all the many other characters. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I said in the beginning, not a terrible book. Fans of murder mysteries and used to a vast number of characters will have an easier time following and like it way more than I did. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781728257006" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-80948056098961720122023-01-01T17:12:00.002-08:002023-01-01T17:12:10.024-08:00Resting Witch Face Stay a Spell #5 by Juliette Cross<div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Open Sans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Blurb:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvdBzkBpkDxAsp_DAtN8B-GBc9EjnzP7BtpWWGdlmWUQSmrhV69t8qhfnGvWGBgHPxexaznpLRKvBEs2LzBL4hrEEqpc5sGTy5yI_DYP2fg3Ex_Uor1kywVsPcf8aEiRALXAlgVsBGRAoAL8mVN6wcZtanf9edemCFZR9u6G4Cmyyx7DkYmRMMuzu/s400/resting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvdBzkBpkDxAsp_DAtN8B-GBc9EjnzP7BtpWWGdlmWUQSmrhV69t8qhfnGvWGBgHPxexaznpLRKvBEs2LzBL4hrEEqpc5sGTy5yI_DYP2fg3Ex_Uor1kywVsPcf8aEiRALXAlgVsBGRAoAL8mVN6wcZtanf9edemCFZR9u6G4Cmyyx7DkYmRMMuzu/s320/resting.jpg" width="207" /></a></div></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Open Sans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><ul style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1rem;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Second chance romance</span></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vampire masquerade ball</span></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Only one bed</span></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mutual pining</span></li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Forced Proximity</span></li></ul><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Twelve years ago, <strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jules Savoie </em></strong>ended her relationship with the vampire overlord of New Orleans, <strong style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ruben Dubois</em></strong>. For good reasons. A woman in power must often make sacrifices to protect others. She knows the truth of it down to her aching heart.<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When Ruben watches his best friend Devraj get married, a stinging realization hits him hard…<em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">he’s done waiting</em>. They say time heals all wounds. In this case, it merely sharpened the pain and made one fact crystal clear. Jules Savoie is his soulmate, and nothing would keep her from him. Not anymore.<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Forced to work side by side to fight for the werewolf cause, they campaign together at covens from New Orleans to London. The reignited spark burns hotter than ever before. But when a power-hungry vampire sets his predatory sights on Jules, will their love be strong enough against black magic? <em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Or will he lose her again? And this time, maybe…for good. </em></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">What is not to love about this series?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is such a lighthearted wonderful paranormal romance series. The perfect introduction to the genre and the perfect change of pace to those that read the heavier ones.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I would not recommend reading this one without having read the previous books in this series, you will miss some important bits, starting with the main reason Jules and Ruben are travelling together. Much of this book focuses on that parallel story, so it won't read as fluidly without it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That thought aside, this is another fantastic book by the lovely Juliette Cross. For <u>very</u> personal reasons book 4 wasn't for me, so I was ecstatic and super happy when by page 20 I already knew I was going to love this one.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ruben was a delight. I loved his passion, his determination, his possessiveness, and most of all his devotion and loyalty. There are devoted alpha males in a lot of romance books, but one as loyal as Ruben? Nope. Not often at all. I won't spoil by saying what exactly makes me say that, but it took me by surprise. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jules is Jules? LOL I don't know what to say really, I always liked her, but she was never a favorite. Which is funny because I know she (and Ruben) are the favorite to many of Juliette's readers, if is not most. Jules is a very strong character, sure of herself, and deserving of her title. Which brings us to the plot as a whole...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another reviewer described it "Witches against bigotry" and I thought that was an absolutely delightful and 100% accurate way to describe it. Werewolves deserve a seat at the table! And since they are my favorite paranormal creature, I don't care if this is fiction or not, GO WEREWOLVES LOL</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book here: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/resting-witch-face-juliette-cross/18973300?ean=9781088054390" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-9526032242640778562022-12-14T20:13:00.001-08:002022-12-14T20:15:53.617-08:00The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore [arc review]<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1AUaGbt9eTOkAWI7S0u0h0WJ97-pJMyJ53CXz26gXApizyK8uVBW8KepL316qy8z8AaaMc3jqgjwNmC47wuza3Bjt0zMhS8l7GwXB3ywd0wuphLlQca1mCtj4GAx92XVzsD2eBBhxjvCvkOxn7AHwhGZC7RY2j-piFRT_hLRgLgJtjbXTAm5rsov/s3024/20221211_091230.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1AUaGbt9eTOkAWI7S0u0h0WJ97-pJMyJ53CXz26gXApizyK8uVBW8KepL316qy8z8AaaMc3jqgjwNmC47wuza3Bjt0zMhS8l7GwXB3ywd0wuphLlQca1mCtj4GAx92XVzsD2eBBhxjvCvkOxn7AHwhGZC7RY2j-piFRT_hLRgLgJtjbXTAm5rsov/s320/20221211_091230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This book was an utter delight from beginning to end. Easily my favorite read this year!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Lonely Hearts Book Club</i> can only be described as a love letter to book lovers. To the readers that feel they are alone until one day they stumble upon a book that takes them to another world or a fellow reader who understands the magic of reading!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And it is a love letter to anyone that has ever felt true loneliness and how one book, one chapter, or even one sentence, can make you feel less alone. How one act of kindness seemingly unrelated, can change everything. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the story of a lonely librarian that does not realize how truly lonely she is until the cranky old man she verbally spars with over books daily stops coming to the library.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is the story of a grandson who made promises he is not sure he can keep. Who found in a group of strange people with little in common with each other a place where he can be himself, and less alone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is the story of a lonely mother who finds solace on books and cooking and slowly but surely cannot see her life without this group that has gathered around the crankiest man she knows.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is about a nurse/librarian/singer/writer afraid to pick a path.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And it is about a cranky old man who has nothing but books to make him company until the day a lonely librarian comes to check on him and starts a book club as an excuse to stay around. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The book is told in sections, each from the perspective of one of the characters mentioned above. The transition from one to the other is done smoothly and adds to the story. Each character has his own story to tell, and that story adds to the whole. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are also very well researched and selected book references and quotes throughout, enchanting the book lover and adding charm to the story. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lucy Gilmore has the amazing ability of bringing the emotions off the page. I don't often tear up while reading, but it can be said I almost always tear up while reading a Lucy Gilmore title. That be romance or else, this author has an uncanny ability to make you feel alive and strongly connected to the characters on the page. I cannot recommend this beauty enough!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Go Read! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This book releases April 2023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Order here: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781728256214" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lonely-hearts-book-club-lucy-gilmore/18567103?ean=9781728256214" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-9786607854025304032022-11-26T11:45:00.003-08:002022-11-26T11:45:13.292-08:00Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution <p style="text-align: justify;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIW5nrsnf7VGpUx4aG33VoWtp7x5qiCjvruaVEF6JmtPU-1JVklN3Z1nZa1i_JWkqxy4XwtpOfEaEwpQyyfh6WB5lmy_qQNSYbcQahahu-IHjfGsL5w4A9H6SoWcty6rp6QdNcohVweagBlYudG1jy1m5tyWykqZaJUEeWMlBPFvSivdcEmjbJX0G/s455/babel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIW5nrsnf7VGpUx4aG33VoWtp7x5qiCjvruaVEF6JmtPU-1JVklN3Z1nZa1i_JWkqxy4XwtpOfEaEwpQyyfh6WB5lmy_qQNSYbcQahahu-IHjfGsL5w4A9H6SoWcty6rp6QdNcohVweagBlYudG1jy1m5tyWykqZaJUEeWMlBPFvSivdcEmjbJX0G/s320/babel.jpg" width="211" /></a></i></div><i><br />Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translator' Revolution</i>, or as we will call it for the remainder of this review. just <i>Babel</i>, was nothing short of extraordinary.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am not the biggest fan of any book that deals a lot with political and social issues, or that is too long, or, when the books are meant to be a fantasy book it has minimal to no fantasy elements until close to the end. And yet, once I started reading this one it was impossible to stop.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Are you a lover of languages? There is no doubt in my mind that the author spent hours, days, months, if not years researching the many intricacies of languages and translation. I love the study of languages. I am fluent in two, understand somewhat two others, and have studied a dead language (ancient Greek) at university. So needless to say, I was geeking out with the author throughout the whole book. I honestly do not believe this book will suit everyone, if you are not a lover of languages you might find this book very slow and very hard to get into. I just thought it was fascinating.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">About halfway through, the story picks us and a little more action starts to take place. A sequence of events you do not see coming starts to unfold and it never stops surprising you, breaking your heart, and exciting you. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Babel</i> is told almost exclusive from the perspective of its main character, Robin Swift, a Chinese Immigrant in England in the 1800s. The Empire depends on the translations of immigrants, done on silver, to stay rich and keep on working smoothly. Immigrant kids are brought by English sponsors to study at <i>Babel</i> in Oxford and eventually become the translators needed around the country and the globe to keep England rich and prospering. Throughout the entire book Robin must come to terms with the inequality and unfairness of this. He was taken to Babel without a choice, his mother died and his sponsor (who also happens to be his father but never acts as such) brings him to England, gives him all the commodities he never asked for but has grown to enjoy and appreciate. As he gets older, he has to decide if his love for studying languages and the comfortable life he has gotten use to is enough. If he can truly ignore all the suffering and pain caused to others and to his motherland for the riches of the English. His close friends, also brought to the country at a young age, must decide the same.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Babel</i> is passionate, heart breaking, and fascinating. But it is not a fantasy of dragons and slayers, assassins and magicians... it is a slow-paced magnificent work on languages, on the magic of translation, and as the title suggests, on the apparent necessity of Violence. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book here: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780063021426" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780063021457" target="_blank">Libro FM</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/babel-or-the-necessity-of-violence-an-arcane-history-of-the-oxford-translators-revolution-r-f-kuang/18269577?ean=9780063021426" target="_blank">Bookshop.Org</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-45058734438287125572022-08-21T21:47:00.004-07:002022-08-21T21:54:38.322-07:00A Romance Catch Up!<p> It has been a crazy month and I fell behind badly on my reviews! But here are some highlights for you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDlSQXM-39FQl2yctmX-uqGkU9U9O4IZeCymY_A96NLtLNWL7rwKsN3yrpuPXDO42DPF4S7MIAdt9i6pNVeWiO0DCbADu9djrJ3fXMouZqp6evO8zTRUyrEDI56607CR6PyC8FLgjNuMPMAjlIlVSvHJaNKv3fYt7TiwsWiZS1VxkL9md_VRtPTTt/s3464/Picsart_22-08-21_21-21-43-813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDlSQXM-39FQl2yctmX-uqGkU9U9O4IZeCymY_A96NLtLNWL7rwKsN3yrpuPXDO42DPF4S7MIAdt9i6pNVeWiO0DCbADu9djrJ3fXMouZqp6evO8zTRUyrEDI56607CR6PyC8FLgjNuMPMAjlIlVSvHJaNKv3fYt7TiwsWiZS1VxkL9md_VRtPTTt/s320/Picsart_22-08-21_21-21-43-813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ecba74f5-bb31-486f-bf59-e3bffbc48d71" target="_blank">Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians #3)</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ecba74f5-bb31-486f-bf59-e3bffbc48d71" target="_blank">Ruby Dixon</a> 2.75/5</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;">Although I liked this one it is my least favorite in the series so far. The book was going well until a little over the halfway point when it just doesn't read right. She accepts leaving someone behind too easily and although up to this point the book does a good job at dealing with infertility it all of sudden throws it all out of the window. So good, I will carry on with the series, but not great.</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><br /></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f80dce5b-0048-46c7-b65d-bdb4c4b10356" target="_blank">A Precious Jewel (Stapleton-Downes #2)</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f80dce5b-0048-46c7-b65d-bdb4c4b10356" target="_blank">Mary Balogh</a> 3/5</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">This was different, unique. And I like that about it. I have not read any other book quite like it. She is a </span><span style="color: #333333;">prostitute;</span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> he starts of as just any other client. The story was sweet and </span>interesting<span style="font-family: inherit;">. The MC comes </span>across<span style="font-family: inherit;"> rather clueless at </span>times,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> but it is somewhat endearing. The romance is </span>believable<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and they make a very charming couple!</span></span></span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><br /></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8e45f650-4089-4ffa-81f3-926766a563d2" target="_blank">The Gunslinger's Guide to Avoiding Matrimony (Gunslinger #2) </a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">4.75/5</span></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;">Michelle McLean</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;">I loved this book. It was full of charm and laughter, much like the first book in the series. The characters had chemistry from the start and the banter between them was utter perfection. I need more gunslingers in my life and so do you!</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5b3c048-548b-48fa-b15a-3e7b8535208d" target="_blank">Even If It Hurts</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5b3c048-548b-48fa-b15a-3e7b8535208d" target="_blank">Sam Mariano</a> 3.5/5</p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">I have complicated feelings towards this one. I loved it. But I also didn't. It's a 5 star. But it's also a 2 or a 3...</span><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">I read dark romance a lot and there is usually some redeeming quality or at least a reason behind the MC's madness. There is nothing like that here. Dare is a LITERAL psychopath. </span><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">And the heroine doesn't grasp the intensity of it until </span><span style="color: #333333;">it's</span><span style="color: #333333;"> too late. </span><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">So.... they are together at the end. And happy?! But it's not your traditional happy ending. </span><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">I loved it. </span><br style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">And I didn't. </span></span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Blurbs Below:</span></u></b></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ecba74f5-bb31-486f-bf59-e3bffbc48d71" target="_blank">Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians #3)</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ecba74f5-bb31-486f-bf59-e3bffbc48d71" target="_blank">Ruby Dixon</a></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><br /></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Kira plans on remaining single on this alien planet—she doesn’t want a mate anyway. At least, that’s what she tells herself. But when Aehako comes along, everything changes. . ..</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">As one of the humans stranded on the ice planet, I should be happy that I have a new home. Human women are treasured here, and one alien in particular has made it clear that he’s interested in me. It’s hard to push away the sexy, flirtatious Aehako when I long to grab him by his horns and insist he take me to his furs.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">But I’ve got a terrible secret—a few of them, actually. I’m convinced that Aehako can never love me if he knows the full truth. More worryingly, the aliens who abducted me are back, and thanks to the translator in my ear, they can find me. My presence here endangers everyone . . . but can I give up my new life and the man I desire more than anything? And will he even want me if he knows my secrets?</span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><br /></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f80dce5b-0048-46c7-b65d-bdb4c4b10356" target="_blank">A Precious Jewel (Stapleton-Downes #2)</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/f80dce5b-0048-46c7-b65d-bdb4c4b10356" target="_blank">Mary Balogh</a></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">New York Times </i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">bestselling author Mary Balogh weaves a sensuous spell of romance that brings together the unlikeliest pair of lovers in the unlikeliest place of all– an infamous London house of pleasure.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><b style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">She was unlike any woman he’d ever met in the ton or the demimonde. But Sir Gerald Stapleton frequented Mrs. Blyth’s euphemistically dubbed “finishing school” for pure, uncomplicated pleasure–and nothing else. So why was this confirmed bachelor so thoroughly captivated by one woman in particular? Why did he find himself wondering how such a rare jewel of grace, beauty, and refinement as Priss had ended up a courtesan? And when she needed protection, why did Gerald, who’d sworn he’d never get entangled in affairs of the heart, hasten to set her up as his own pampered mistress to ensure her safety–and have her all to himself?</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">For Priscilla Wentworth, the path leading to Sir Gerald’s bed had been as filled with misfortune as it suddenly seemed charmed. But Priss couldn’t allow herself to believe she’d ever be more to a man like Sir Gerald than a well-cared-for object of pleasure. Now, despite Gerald’s deep distrust of marriage, neither scandal nor society’s censure can keep them apart–only the fear of trusting their hearts.</span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8e45f650-4089-4ffa-81f3-926766a563d2" target="_blank">The Gunslinger's Guide to Avoiding Matrimony</a></h3><p class="font-semibold hover:text-cyan-700 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8e45f650-4089-4ffa-81f3-926766a563d2" target="_blank">Gunslinger #2</a> </p><p class="font-semibold hover:text-cyan-700 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, desperate-to-retire gunslinger Adam Brady has exactly two rules. And one of them is never, ever get married. So he’ll be danged when his dreams of permanently avoiding the bounty hunter on his tail in Desolation, the only town where notorious men like him can find respite, comes with one helluva string attached. The town has a new rule: gunslingers welcome—if they get a job…or marry.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Without realizing it, Adam stumbles into a big town wedding and accidentally marries Nora Schumacher, a sassy-mouthed mountain of a woman with legs as long as his wanted poster. So what’s a gunslinger to do but get himself </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">unhitched</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> and find a job. Any job. Except Adam keeps getting fired, one odd circumstance after another. And he’s running out of options.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Desolation was supposed to be his safe haven. Except, he’s not only running from his past but from the irresistible woman he married. And worse, he’s finding that he rather likes the enticing, if damnably independent, wife of his. But some men just aren’t the marrying kind. Only, if he leaves, his own life won’t be worth living. If he stays, he puts the lives of his newfound family and the woman he loves on the line. So much for Desolation being the answer to all his problems.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Each book in the Gunslinger series is STANDALONE:</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">* Hitched To The Gunslinger</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">* The Gunslinger’s Guide to Avoiding Matrimony</span></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><h3 class="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg font-bold md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75rem; margin: 0px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5b3c048-548b-48fa-b15a-3e7b8535208d" target="_blank">Even If It Hurts</a></h3><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e5b3c048-548b-48fa-b15a-3e7b8535208d" target="_blank">Sam Mariano</a></p><p class="mb-1 mt-1 md:mt-0 text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base md:w-11/12" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; background-color: white; border: 0px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 4px; width: 509.663px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">He could have been my hero.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">He saved my life that night, a beautiful dark angel slicing through my fear and the water, dragging me from its deadly clutches.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">He </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">should</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> have been my hero.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I thought maybe he was.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Villains aren’t supposed to win, and good should always conquer evil, but in the elite coastal town I live in, the only purpose a label has is letting you know what something—</span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">or someone</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">—costs. Good, bad; it’s all relative, and it hardly matters. Baymont, California is a land of beautiful villains and happy-ever-afters that are just out of reach.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Especially for me.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Until Dare moves the world beneath my feet, and even though I’m afraid to trust it—to trust </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">him</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">—boy, am I tempted.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In more ways than one.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Being with Dare is scary, but being without him is impossible.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">He </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">makes</i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> it impossible.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Dare’s no hero, that much is clear, but maybe…</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Maybe he’s mine.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><b style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>This story contains triggers and is intended only for a mature, adult audience. See the opening author's note for more explicit triggers, but know this is a very dangerous relationship with a very dark hero.</i></b></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-6953670300756360542022-07-17T20:47:00.000-07:002022-07-17T20:47:03.480-07:00Allison's Adventures in Underland by C.M. Stunich<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21mfqFmrapRWyAD7DJyRvlkNcgqt--OwKK_2C5TT19-wrjlHho2ejCLjWFIlKIGR_vAFLTTfXboOuzLnRl53PmSnHGZ4IikO-ZmgQbFfmDsLgohKr747aNXTweQoYGeZ8F4K3SDP19ax1FbRd-ORbAUQh9Y8X1TEndDH73Z51DoFxxUZ1Zp44V2E3/s445/allisons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21mfqFmrapRWyAD7DJyRvlkNcgqt--OwKK_2C5TT19-wrjlHho2ejCLjWFIlKIGR_vAFLTTfXboOuzLnRl53PmSnHGZ4IikO-ZmgQbFfmDsLgohKr747aNXTweQoYGeZ8F4K3SDP19ax1FbRd-ORbAUQh9Y8X1TEndDH73Z51DoFxxUZ1Zp44V2E3/s320/allisons.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />As much as I really enjoyed this book, I have to be honest and say that unless you, like me, are a big fun of the classic, you might not love it. It relies heavily on your knowledge of the classic. Although everything is well explained you will be missing something without it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm also not sure calling this one a romance is correct. Even a dark reverse harem as it is advertised... but that I think will most definitely become the case in the second book. We are just not there yet and when I went into this one, I didn't know it was series with cliffhangers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Allison's Adventures in Underland</i> is a fantastic adaptation of the classic. It is Dark, it is sexy, it has charm. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Allison watches a man with bunny ears murder her crash and runs after him. She falls down the rabbit hole in the process coming face to face with the twins. Expect in this version the twins are two very sexy man with signs hanging around their necks that say, "eat me", "drink me". I am sure you understand the message. She didn't at first, but I won't tell you more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although this little description makes it sound like the book has a lot of sexy time, it really doesn't. She does not take the twins up on those signs and there is no romance for a good 60% of the book. And that is why I say you must enjoy the classic. I loved all the references to the original and the dark mysterious retelling CM Stunich created. I thought it was really well done, very creative, and I am looking forward to reading the next one! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Find the book: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/fca3d712-1796-4f6b-86bf-3aff79c34e9f" target="_blank">Storygraph</a> </div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-55806829624511434942022-07-12T21:18:00.002-07:002022-07-12T21:18:43.134-07:00Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy #1) by Ashley Jade<p style="text-align: justify;">Continuing with my newest obsession, bully romance, we now have Jace. Insufferable, hateful, vengeful Jace.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQTNwTfluOfr9Z9kWe6mHTD45v4WqLT7jX9RNUWMSU3UytvA_Ir6KksVOWPTljKbmV9lR5pUQeruJgXyQBYnUdTDZS8cGiRIYvbIPdKT-v356p9kAwU_pLVXsmWUbQZuf0BvktzK2eFnQRmyIOFqSSSNG4LSeP6W0A30jE-DQ7XeTdBncxzQxfDFN/s450/cruel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQTNwTfluOfr9Z9kWe6mHTD45v4WqLT7jX9RNUWMSU3UytvA_Ir6KksVOWPTljKbmV9lR5pUQeruJgXyQBYnUdTDZS8cGiRIYvbIPdKT-v356p9kAwU_pLVXsmWUbQZuf0BvktzK2eFnQRmyIOFqSSSNG4LSeP6W0A30jE-DQ7XeTdBncxzQxfDFN/w133-h200/cruel.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Blurb:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I never thought I'd step foot in Royal Manor again.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">But four years later, here I am... back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">And forced to face Jace Covington.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">My first friend. First crush. First kiss.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">The one I left behind.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Only—he isn't the same boy I gave my heart to.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">And he's determined to make my life a living hell.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">They expect me to worship the ground they walk on like everyone else, but I'd rather eat dirt.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">If Jace Covington wants me gone...he'll have to try harder.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Because I've never been the kind of girl to play by the rules.</span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jace is cruel. Not as cruel as some of the other bully romances I've been reading lately, but he is definitely not a nice guy. Burnt by his past, still hurting from everything that happened and all the things Dylan did before she up and left, he is an absolute assh***.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Except, the more you read, the more you love him and his brothers. The more you understand, and the more you wish him well. I am not gonna lie, I was in tears towards the end. This book is an emotional rollocoaster. I didn't think it would be possible for it to have a happy ending. <span> When his brother and his best friend were convincing him to go after Dylan in the end, they were convincing me too. Because I was with him, I wasn't sure that could work out.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Dylan was a spitfire. Full of emotion and bravery. She stood up to him, his bully of a girlfriend, and everyone in the way. If she had not been written as strong as she was, I am not sure this would have worked out. He needed someone that strongminded to put up with his shit.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781686874369" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ce3caa39-eca7-49d3-885f-5ffcdf0c6a63" target="_blank">Storygraph</a> </p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-26287791836175216962022-07-04T11:35:00.002-07:002022-08-21T21:50:15.804-07:00Bully Romance - Untouchable by Sam Mariano and Hate Me by Ahsley Jade<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q6r5mZdAVIMgA6XQEpmgNDfIUiuzeCZEeigI_VbRutG3W3HFhN_E9swa4GpdkWVmrqTj5LeNfuoCkyS8BNkJ8gGmSVyW2rrEFBaPtMZ6gCzcMramf2-8Te_edRwF1s6XyCIlATI4Yy2IHl4-tbYZoENhxaj8jfwDaPppOqWVlUUKwO4UTG83S8lw/s3024/20220702_211133.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q6r5mZdAVIMgA6XQEpmgNDfIUiuzeCZEeigI_VbRutG3W3HFhN_E9swa4GpdkWVmrqTj5LeNfuoCkyS8BNkJ8gGmSVyW2rrEFBaPtMZ6gCzcMramf2-8Te_edRwF1s6XyCIlATI4Yy2IHl4-tbYZoENhxaj8jfwDaPppOqWVlUUKwO4UTG83S8lw/s320/20220702_211133.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/glimpses_of_my_books/" target="_blank">@glimpses_of_my_books</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am not one to shy away from dark romances. I like them. I like finding out the reasons for the wrongs done, trying to understand people's motivations, I like the redemption in the end (though you don't always get it), I of course like the spice, and I do like that sickening feeling in your stomach when you read certain scenes. Proof I am still a normal human being I suppose LOL<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have read some bully romance in the past, but nothing as dark as <i>Untouchable</i>. <i>Untouchable</i> is NOT for the faint hearted; the opening scene is very unpleasant to read. I confess I was certain I was not going to be able to finish the book and I was not going to like it. <u>In the end, it was damn near perfect</u>. There is an argument to be made that it romanticizes sexual abuse, <b>but it IS FICTION</b>. It's not real life. Which brings the question, in my mind at least, why are some dark romance readers ok with murder but not this? If you are going to have a problem with this you absolutely, 100%, should not be reading mafia romance, many MC romances, and most, if not all dark romance. So those murderous main male characters are works of fiction and this isn't? Pick a side and stick to it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ok, rant over. I just got annoyed with some of the reviews this book got from apparent Dark Romance readers. <b><u>Know your limits!</u></b> My limit is underage abuse by adults. And even that I can tolerate reading if the adult is the bad guy and not the love interest.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KGDlWrN-HPJ35NykdlAeSRl3ri3JnBAC9Scoxyz-Y8Wkd789_H10D-P4UbLPVDYCCnEsjd4cIrqyQsPnFlLjjO0qEMkJfcVPpVAFkQf2JfvbmOmZWvgcdDAY_esDUXRjqEZz3E6Utk2hjN15F8u3foEHK7LAgP4tMmjzSwzpYCu9hCnUOrwebgSd/s3024/20220704_095155.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KGDlWrN-HPJ35NykdlAeSRl3ri3JnBAC9Scoxyz-Y8Wkd789_H10D-P4UbLPVDYCCnEsjd4cIrqyQsPnFlLjjO0qEMkJfcVPpVAFkQf2JfvbmOmZWvgcdDAY_esDUXRjqEZz3E6Utk2hjN15F8u3foEHK7LAgP4tMmjzSwzpYCu9hCnUOrwebgSd/s320/20220704_095155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/glimpses_of_my_books/" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">@glimpses_of_my_books</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So, if you can get past those first scenes (and they are BAD!), then you, like me, might just end up loving this book. When the book started, I was certain there was nothing that guy could do to redeem himself. And you know what? he didn't. But in the end, I understood him. Even felt bad for him... <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Zoey was a fabulous character. But man I was screaming at her while reading it. That women has a back bone the size of a mountain and is absolutely nuts. Because you have to the nuts to put up with Carter's sh**. The guy is messed up emotionally, morally, mentally... and she is a power house of a women to not just deal with it but challenge it, accept it, and make it better. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The other bully romance book I read this past week was <i>Hate Me.</i> This one is not as hard to read as <i>Untouchable</i>. Knox is an ass but you figure out why and you figure out he is not really the bad guy at the very begging. There are some dark scenes in this one too, but because you know why he is the way he is early on it makes it all a lot easier to carry on. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The rumor going around school is that Knox killed his mother. Considering his dad had him institutionalized soon after his mother was killed that is a good assumption. And the guy does nothing to change people's minds about it either. He is horrid, a bully. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Aspen is sweet and pretty much Daddy's little girl until her father dies. Her mother remarries and to none other than Knox's father. Making them stepsiblings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The romance between the two builds with time. I enjoyed seeing them grow and change and challenge each other. The ending was also really well written, one doesn't walk away from things like that easily and how she dealt with Knox's character at end was superb. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">All in all, if you are ok feeling a little uncomfortable, those books are epic reads and I highly recommend. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the books: <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40660802-untouchable" target="_blank">Untouchable</a> - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55628131-hate-me?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=17r0fLojZH&rank=2" target="_blank">Hate Me</a></i></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-86582526215802918122022-06-14T22:06:00.002-07:002023-03-02T19:56:32.612-08:00A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña [ALC]<p><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnwprcIwDAWEkpLOuxAw7dtZxpc1lghLxrKfyR4zqq0BnEJdljDJIbFZDExgDzNgfJHcBrZqWNxm1R6GZK_UW6WSlhUHZUzuTXvWpcBURHMLt20h9OaTUx0ztr9P2H4PlKVXsHxBnhL25kdtsOdqj9wOFkjDqfsu_d-1USldz_3YvGpdsZWwaBSIF/s3024/20220601_194753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnwprcIwDAWEkpLOuxAw7dtZxpc1lghLxrKfyR4zqq0BnEJdljDJIbFZDExgDzNgfJHcBrZqWNxm1R6GZK_UW6WSlhUHZUzuTXvWpcBURHMLt20h9OaTUx0ztr9P2H4PlKVXsHxBnhL25kdtsOdqj9wOFkjDqfsu_d-1USldz_3YvGpdsZWwaBSIF/s320/20220601_194753.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />A Proposal They Can't Refuse</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> has a wonderful selection of themes I adore in a book: food, family, culture (in this case hispanic), and two main characters impossible not to love. Oh, and some Irish Whiskey!</span><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Kamilah Vega is a fiery Puerto Rican chef determined to make her family's restaurant, <span style="color: black;">El Coquí, </span>succeed. She is hopeful that entering the Fall Foodie Tour will help put the restaurant on the map for good. Convincing her family however is a struggle, they are not too keen on the changes that would be necessary for a win. And even worse, they don't trust her to succeed. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The restaurant shares a building with a Distillery. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Liam Kane and his grandfather have turned their family Irish Distillery into a successful business and are hoping to win a national competition with their secret and new whisky blend. But just as they are about to get things going, his grandfather hits him with some horrible news: he has cancer, is not looking for treatment, and has his heart set on marrying Liam before his time is up.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">He also just so happens to be best friends with Kamilah's grandfather and when these two meddling grandfathers get together there is always some disaster ahead. I am sure you can guess what these two get up to... Kamilha's grandfather promises to help her with the Fall Foodie Tour, and Liam's grandfather promises to look into treatment IF the two give a relationship between them a go. If they refuse, their grandfathers will sell the building that houses both their business. With their future on the line the two agree. Or at least they pretend to agree. Surely faking a relationship for a while is not that hard... </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Kamilah's passionate attitude and Liam's great mind for business turns out to be the perfect pairing. But these childhood friends have a lot of baggage and getting through that while pretending not to actually have feelings for each other is difficult.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite characters were no doubt the mischievous and meddling grandparents. It all seems a bit odd at first, but when you find out about Liams's and Kamilah's past it slowly starts to make sense. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">All in all a very good book.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780778386094">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/ad4f2400-d0a6-4ac2-9952-0090c3311172" target="_blank">Storygraph</a> </span></div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-6203766123946950692022-05-15T13:25:00.002-07:002022-05-15T13:25:13.741-07:00Always Practice Safe Hex (Stay a Spell #4) by Juliette Cross<p style="text-align: justify;">Hello Hello friends! Who is ready for another <i>Stay a Spell</i> book?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>Here is the blurb:</u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvna2N4nbEfpNXzG2mkVUXsWTxW_5I4CBXHKYjvCpJLlN62IKG_w3eoDQC0XcDi4uvDJqNhvO-N9q9KRPCY9x_AKUDs3yZKYvaKXs5bsKYkxRYfdfGS4P1VI3U0j_yoXoWOudgwCKNyNEBuf7DbVfnDfufklvaAY3qlHdReLiCaBEdHaKKgfba2AZ/s374/always%20practice%20safe%20hex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvna2N4nbEfpNXzG2mkVUXsWTxW_5I4CBXHKYjvCpJLlN62IKG_w3eoDQC0XcDi4uvDJqNhvO-N9q9KRPCY9x_AKUDs3yZKYvaKXs5bsKYkxRYfdfGS4P1VI3U0j_yoXoWOudgwCKNyNEBuf7DbVfnDfufklvaAY3qlHdReLiCaBEdHaKKgfba2AZ/s320/always%20practice%20safe%20hex.jpg" width="207" /></a></u></div><u><br /></u><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span id="freeText14185537676845102192" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Livvy Savoie is a people person. Not only does she have the magical gift of persuasion, but her natural charisma charms everyone she meets. She hasn’t met a person she didn’t like. Until her annoyingly brilliant competitor walks through the door. No matter how hard she denies it, loathing isn’t the only emotion she feels for him.<br /><br />Grim reaper Gareth Blackwater is rarely, if ever, moved beyond his broody, stoic state. But the witch he’s partnered with in the public relations contest is destroying his peace of mind. He’s convinced that the flesh-melting attraction he feels for her is merely her witchy magic at work.<br /><br />But forced proximity proves there is more than magic sparking between them. Livvy learns this enigmatic grim’s abilities are beyond any supernatural she has ever known. And when Livvy becomes the obsessive target of a dangerous warlock, Gareth proves just how powerful he truly is. Because no one is going to hurt his Lavinia.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Livvy was absolutely adorable. She has plenty of charisma and charm and you can help but want someone like that as a friend. I love her 'get it done' attitude and the way her brain works.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The chemistry between the main characters was obvious from the very first chapter. They were perfect for each other. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I do have to say this was my least favorite of the four books. Some of it is because the book is a little slower and the main subplot doesn't really have a supporting background until the end... but mostly, it isn't my favorite for personal reasons. The saying "opposites attract' exists for a reason. We aren't usually attracted to people that remind us of ourselves. So me being straight, if the main heroine reminded me of me that wouldn't be a problem, but when it is the guy... Sadly Gareth fell flat for me. His background, which runs throughout the book just left me rolling my eyes. Not because its bad or badly written but because (once you remove the supernatural elements) I have heard a million times before in real life (being a foster mom) and have experience myself as a child. It is just meh...You will probably like it because it makes you relate and feel for him. To me it was a gigantic turn off.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, should you read it? absolutely! She is an amazing writer and IT IS a good book. It just wasn't for me. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/31bd7c6b-d215-493e-96cd-e8e48e61e0be" target="_blank">StoryGraph</a></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-53401764231946635752022-05-06T10:41:00.000-07:002022-05-06T10:41:44.732-07:00Never a Duke Grace Burrowes (Rogues to Riches #7) [arc review]<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ37l-JnnhbaMGOP501yj29MmCYJk37iIg2IENxmbuif7zXKuutwcq_BDKZ_JD1NDsb8yNBTtMM1KrJmVcxruQC02kzPL5NYHXgIzM8OD0yjIPl6rAev7zm60x_ljmCOyt8f9Pg6bBHqOUECUj2WI7ayFPdArCFyiOM88gfzWeQTB2bQ-1Fz4GY72/s475/never%20a%20duke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ37l-JnnhbaMGOP501yj29MmCYJk37iIg2IENxmbuif7zXKuutwcq_BDKZ_JD1NDsb8yNBTtMM1KrJmVcxruQC02kzPL5NYHXgIzM8OD0yjIPl6rAev7zm60x_ljmCOyt8f9Pg6bBHqOUECUj2WI7ayFPdArCFyiOM88gfzWeQTB2bQ-1Fz4GY72/s320/never%20a%20duke.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br />I absolutely adore this series, I will never be able to forget Quinn and Jane from the first book, <i><a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2018/12/my-one-and-only-duke-rogues-to-riches-1.html" target="_blank">My Only and Only Duke</a>,</i> and even less my favorite to date, Lord Stephen, from book 6, <i><a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/03/how-to-catch-duke-rogues-to-riches-6-by.html" target="_blank">How to Catch a Duke</a>. </i>All the books in this series are very well written and have charming and lovable characters.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is often the case that one can pick up any book in a series like this and read that without having read the others. My one and only issue with <i>Never a Duke</i> is that you really can't do that. There is an immense amount of focus on characters from previous books and it sadly distracts the reader from Ned and Lady Rosalind's love story. I love when previous characters make an appearance, but this was a just a tad too much. I was getting confused because liking it or not it is hard to keep 6 other couples straight in your head, especially when you read so many other books in between. It was just all a little too much.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But, don't let that deter you from reading this beauty. As always, Grace Burrowes created characters you can't help but relate and love. Ned comes from humble origins and doesn't always feel worthy of the position and things he has. He sets himself apart from the family that adopted him and loved him through the years and it takes some time to show him and the Wentworth's' that Ned is not that kid from the very first book in the series anymore. Rosalind may not come from humbles beginnings and still reside with her family but she also feels like she doesn't belong and eventually we figure out why. They were perfect for each other in every way. More of just them getting to know each other was needed, but that doesn't mean they weren't amazing characters. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Go Read! </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Blurb:</span></i></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span id="freeText6439888385352570506" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Despite having humble origins and a criminal past, <b>Ned Wentworth</b> has learned to dress, waltz, and express himself as elegantly as any lordling. When <b>Lady Rosalind Kinwood</b>’s maid goes missing, her ladyship turns to Ned, precisely because he still has friends in low places and skills no titled dandy would ever acquire, much less admit he possesses.</span></i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><span id="freeText6439888385352570506" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="freeText6439888385352570506">Rosalind is too opinionated and too intelligent, and has frequently suffered judgment at polite society’s hands. In the quietly observant Ned Wentworth, she finds a man who actually listens to her and who respects her for her outspokenness. As the search for the missing maids grow more perilous, Rosalind and Ned will have to risk everything—including their hearts—if they are to share the happily ever after that Mayfair’s matchmakers have begrudged them both.</span> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781538706985" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/never-a-duke-9781668609675/9781538706985" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a> </span></div></span><p></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-83802491899737815482022-04-16T10:38:00.000-07:002022-04-16T10:38:02.185-07:00Parks and Provocation (Green Valley Heroes #2) by Juliette Cross <p style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R3EaRjZyiwXLkJGf7Vv5zw-rN2ULNZ-uXdsL13nJ30Rz3ZKlX2-91PYy1624Y4STVrtDAoDciIsDC_40OmukbMKg5TvEREHH1ghjpZGAqmSbwLf7hE_ljlLu886cx1jfg2KrYrmdL-RZB0qhJ63P0U4OWGLNATGXb0KzZqXINGfjkRBEzIgbLs9Z/s2700/parks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R3EaRjZyiwXLkJGf7Vv5zw-rN2ULNZ-uXdsL13nJ30Rz3ZKlX2-91PYy1624Y4STVrtDAoDciIsDC_40OmukbMKg5TvEREHH1ghjpZGAqmSbwLf7hE_ljlLu886cx1jfg2KrYrmdL-RZB0qhJ63P0U4OWGLNATGXb0KzZqXINGfjkRBEzIgbLs9Z/s320/parks.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Parks and Provocation</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Another Juliete Cross win! Can this author write a bad book? I think not. From where I stand SmartyPants Romance is lucky to have Juliette in their team!<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span id="freeText6452280431718276803" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Blurb:</span></i></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Lola Landry stares through the window of her locked car with the keys in the ignition and the radio blaring Beck’s “Loser.” While standing there and sweltering in the soupy Tennessee humidity, she wonders how her orderly life had crashed and burned so badly. Then her high school nemesis saunters up in all of his tall, strapping, fireman-to-the-rescue glory, slapping her with the humiliating proof that it can always get worse.</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">When the uber-confident Jedediah Lawson requests a date in return for popping her lock, a lightbulb goes off. Revenge is sweet. He would make the perfect victim—guest, that is—for her next podcast episode on Kiss and Tell. What shocks her is the casual way he not only agrees to the post-date interview on air, but ends up hijacking her audience and wooing them with his swoony, southern charm. Not even a low score on the date-o-meter can dissuade the man or keep her fans from demanding more of the charismatic Jed.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">What’s worse, she secretly wants a second date with this man who is so different from his teenage self. His unwavering patience and dimpled smile erodes her will, until she breaks the Kiss and Tell rules by agreeing to a second…and a third date. It’s a disaster. Not the date. They’re wonderful. The disaster is that she is falling for a man she once dubbed Jockstrap Jed.</i></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">'Parks and Provocation' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a stand-alone. Book#2 in the Green Valley Heroes Series. </i></div></span></span></i><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The Review: 4 Glorious Stars</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Needless to say this was another great book by Juliette Cross. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jed was a sweetheart through and through. Juliette always writes great sweet and kind male characters. They are not my preference, I married a sweet man and one needs diversity in life 😂😂, but I can appreciate one when it is done well. And Jed was fabulous. He was also hotter than the fires he was supposed to put out. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lola was very focused on her career. On being the best and making it big somewhere, preferably not in her home town. Although I understand that desire she annoyed me a little. But her inner dialogue and desire to move wasn't so frequent as to take anything away from the story.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jed and Lola together were a chemistry reaction ready to combust! They were absolutely perfect for each other. It was adorable reading how they misunderstood each other as teens, and it might even bring you back some funny memories of the silly things you did to boys/girls or had boys/girls do to you at that age.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As for it being 4 stars and not 5, that is a matter of preference. Nothing to do with the writing or story. Contemporaries just aren't my thing, and second chance, which this sort of is, even less. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The only negative is book availability. Smartypants Romance although available to indie bookstores, it is available at a higher rate. My guess is they heavily rely on amazon, and since I despise supporting amazon unless I must, that was annoying*. Bookshop.org luckily has a good price for it though, here is the link: <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/parks-and-provocation/9781949202854" target="_blank">BUY IT HERE</a> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">GO READ</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*fully understand there is no great alternative for eBooks yet. My opinion I solely based on print books, which are my reading preference. </span></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-46991699118205143352022-03-18T22:05:00.003-07:002022-03-18T22:11:37.319-07:00The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords #1) by Gena Showalter <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W6jPMdzueSiEui_gZ-CH6Nrddy7t_MN_-trR5gCnpqBvLHiwzOTH04eA12ZSHjIfefzfWhRO0mmepU0-64e93aXiSsaumk1OBBcctR5DpdGTWkXyiF3SlYdhS3YJwdDdln3cPE8Z3fxVur1Pav0w9ZVBrV-ZT_ahl69zRZbvZjxlXKQBZQG2I3gk/s2560/warlord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W6jPMdzueSiEui_gZ-CH6Nrddy7t_MN_-trR5gCnpqBvLHiwzOTH04eA12ZSHjIfefzfWhRO0mmepU0-64e93aXiSsaumk1OBBcctR5DpdGTWkXyiF3SlYdhS3YJwdDdln3cPE8Z3fxVur1Pav0w9ZVBrV-ZT_ahl69zRZbvZjxlXKQBZQG2I3gk/s320/warlord.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">I discovered Gena Showalter long after her </span><i style="text-align: left;">Lords of the Underworld</i><span style="text-align: left;"> series had started. I have those<br /> books, but I haven't read them all. I have however read many of her other smaller series. My favorite still the one that introduced me to her books in 2018, </span><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2018/10/shadow-and-ice-gods-of-war-1-by-gena.html" target="_blank">Shadow and Ice</a> (Gods of War). </i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Warlord</i> is the start of a new series, but if you have read <i>Lords of the Underworld</i> some bits will connect. It is not necessary you read them though, gods know I have not. They sit on my middle shelf and I stare at them daily, does that count? hehe</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Here is the blurb:</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games... The problem is, only one spouse can survive.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Love is a battlefield in Showalter's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">The Warlord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>This book had a lot of humor. The two main characters are the best warriors in their own worlds and neither is about to admit defeat. The harpies are a bunch of bad ass ladies with a lot of attitude. Taliyah didn't back down to anything and anyone, ever. Roc, the leader of the Astra warriors was magnificent. He is moody, broody, and grumpy. As opposed to Taliyah who is full of sass, attitude for days, and bossy as hell. They made one formidable couple. The hate to love and the undeniable lust/passion between them set fire to the pages. </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>She needs to kill him to survive. He needs to kill her to avoid a curse on him and his men. Falling in love was not part of the plan. But then, most good things aren't! Roc and Taliyah were evenly matched and will take you on a ride for the ages! If you are a paranormal fan, this is a must!</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781335639813" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/the-warlord-9781335639813/9781335639813" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-9818047893074339232022-03-07T19:10:00.001-08:002022-03-07T19:10:52.344-08:00Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus #3) by Katee Robert [arc review]<p style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb0D7ySlWoEBmDeQ3jwSsdDvYe4ArDsd4fqn_b4JTzrw9DMkjbapIqZb9JyXh8D9iS19QhiqcQQzjtP_T_9E4FYpbWa1t-pW81bjgZlWS2qXLTzZkqdUqNKKdXUmw-DxKOvgmZko6WQR9DUqHn2KJ6jrTf4L-ADxY4lnzU1phy54EPRS3LQMFMtduw=s2852" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="2575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb0D7ySlWoEBmDeQ3jwSsdDvYe4ArDsd4fqn_b4JTzrw9DMkjbapIqZb9JyXh8D9iS19QhiqcQQzjtP_T_9E4FYpbWa1t-pW81bjgZlWS2qXLTzZkqdUqNKKdXUmw-DxKOvgmZko6WQR9DUqHn2KJ6jrTf4L-ADxY4lnzU1phy54EPRS3LQMFMtduw=s320" width="289" /></a></b></div><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that's as sinful as it is sweet.*</b> <p></p><p>And that right there is 100% accurate! </p><p><i>Wicked Beauty</i> is the third book in the series:</p><p><i>- <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/03/neon-gods-dark-olympus-1-by-katee.html" target="_blank">Neon Gods</a> (Dark Olympus #1)</i></p><p><i>-<a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/09/electric-idol-dark-olympus-2-by-katee.html" target="_blank">Electric Idol</a> (Dark Olympus #2)</i></p><p><i>-Wicked Beauty (dark Olympus #3)</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've been a big fan of Katee Robert for a few years now, but I have to be honest and say that nothing has come even close to the O'Malley's for me. Not until now that is :) I wish I could direct you to reviews on that amazing series, but I didn't start posting romance reviews until 2017 and my first Katee review went live in 2018. You will just have to trust me on this, it is an amazing series and if you are looking for something to read while waiting for the next release in the <i>Dark Olympus </i>series, that is a great choice.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now back to <i>Wicked Beauty!</i> The 'Hunger Games' vibe was strong. And I'm not one little bit upset about it. I love a spicy romance and a good erotica, but I love even more when the book has all that and a very engaging plot. <i>Wicked Beauty</i> most certainly has it all. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The competition to be the next Ares is open. I didn't read the blurb, so I didn't know going in a lot of things, and I am glad I didn't. When the prize for the winner was announced (besides being the next Ares) I was floored, and I loved what happened after. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Helen, Achilles, and Patroclus are all fighting for the title. Achilles wasn't born rich, he has climbed the ladder on his own merit and this is the last step. Patroclus has been Achilles best friend and partner for years, he will do anything to help Achilles win. Helen has been a pawn to her father and now her brother Zeus her whole life, she wants more. The title of Ares will give her that.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The friendship and relationship that begins between them is not easy and has its obstacles. I wanted to grab Patroclus and just hold him. His insecurities felt so real. I hated Achilles at first, specially what he did in anger with Helen. Part of me wanted Patroclus to freeze him out for all eternity... But as always, Katee did a great job of making it all work in the end.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The trials were a very interesting addition to the story and written really well. This book had a little more action and a little less gossip and drama, I probably liked it more than the first two books for that. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">My one and only warning is the same as to the other books in this series. Don't go into it expecting Katee to remain true to the Greek Mythology. <i>Dark Olympus</i> is inspired by it, not based on it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">100% my favorite so far :) Go Read!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Get the Pre-Order and art Special at <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781728231792" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-64864862897408993382022-02-26T19:51:00.000-08:002022-02-26T19:51:43.317-08:00Meet Me in the Margins Melissa Ferguson with Talon David (Narrator)<p style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKZj-pu8SIZznDNHzZiwKGtcQ9mq1eDy8OpB7Ru69TB8K_P1dP1H24RP8WtFi9FLN-NyD8FYu5VWJfRB2WgJ1ZNP9lh3kIsgkXHKr3koSIW_HF_RHhwu4VxG89sBa-7vdJXp7Zw3V--lbAHf57h5I4Y8i-zwFUg4nbgH4N2Mxr8bW4p10FqkuHINrS=s3739" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="3739" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKZj-pu8SIZznDNHzZiwKGtcQ9mq1eDy8OpB7Ru69TB8K_P1dP1H24RP8WtFi9FLN-NyD8FYu5VWJfRB2WgJ1ZNP9lh3kIsgkXHKr3koSIW_HF_RHhwu4VxG89sBa-7vdJXp7Zw3V--lbAHf57h5I4Y8i-zwFUg4nbgH4N2Mxr8bW4p10FqkuHINrS=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Meet me in the Margins by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Glimpses_Of_My_Books/" target="_blank">@glimpses_of_my_books</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Meet me in the Margins</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> is a book lover's dream! A whimsical and delightful tale of how hard and how wonderful it is to work in the world of books. This book has passionate book editors, a heavenly ARC room (advanced reader's copy), book events, a hidden nook... I was sold from the start.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Savanah works at a non-fiction publishing company that pretty much looks down at all fiction books, but specially anything as 'silly' as romance. She is great at her job, but she has a little secret: she wants to write fiction. Her first manuscript is ready to go. After having to leave her manuscript behind at work one day she finds out she is not the only one that uses the little hidden nook she found in the building. Someone else must know about it too. Someone that thought it was ok and acceptable to edit her manuscript. She finds comments and observations all over the first few pages of her manuscript. She ignores it and submits it anyway, just to hear back from the other publishing company with comments similar to those the mystery editor added to it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She leaves the book in her hidden nook again with the hopes this mystery editor will continue to work on her book with her. It is not the ideal, if anyone were to find out at work that wouldn't go down well. But it works out. He edits, she works on the edits, and in between all that they share little bits about themselves in the margins. The question eventually becomes who is this mystery editor she meets in the margins and will their friendship -or more- go beyond the page? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As correctly put at the end of the book's blurb: "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; text-align: left;">Melissa Ferguson’s latest—<i>is </i>a love letter to books, readers, and romance—<i>that </i>will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; text-align: left;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9780785231073" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/cd2b1dcd-cd58-4b27-94c5-8fa179d8263d" target="_blank">Storygraph</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-44531680026357427912022-02-19T11:53:00.000-08:002022-02-19T11:53:48.096-08:00Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC-sxdggazGrwMrdnh3Ds96aU6MtCAdQfgJGJfcwYGymwwM3aPJ6U10GQmQhYfGyWtqcJ9zSfl1fXbQO8Hae0o_YMukB1_XSgWEn1aMcHJSHe-uKpq8qDjl4yxWbEVgbJe3iwUVmSzWhYXI-wxK_EFkdlLWH3j5P8CPTxuXKtklMDFVrU_aOeGMcLI=s2475" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC-sxdggazGrwMrdnh3Ds96aU6MtCAdQfgJGJfcwYGymwwM3aPJ6U10GQmQhYfGyWtqcJ9zSfl1fXbQO8Hae0o_YMukB1_XSgWEn1aMcHJSHe-uKpq8qDjl4yxWbEVgbJe3iwUVmSzWhYXI-wxK_EFkdlLWH3j5P8CPTxuXKtklMDFVrU_aOeGMcLI=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br />Did you know that in Ireland, every four years, when February 29th comes around ladies can propose to their lovers and the gentlemen must say yes? I had no idea Americans didn't know that until recently. Well, it is an old Irish tradition that makes for some fun stories to tell and in this case, a very well written romantic comedy. <p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>Lucky Leap Day</i> is the story of Cara, who after one too many whiskeys on Leap Day, proposes to her taxi driver - who also happens to be a musician in the Irish bar she ended up at during her last night in Ireland. She wakes up the morning after with a tin foil ring on her finger, a bad hangover, and a new husband. Because well, it was Leap Day, Finn could not reject such a proposal! </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Cara has a flight in just a few hours that she cannot miss. The most important meeting of her career is waiting for her. So they do the most logical thing: Cara, Finn, and his dog, pack their bags and fly to the US. After all, it is much easier to annul a marriage if both parties are in the same country. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Once in the US Finn does the one thing Cara was not expecting, although he does not fight her looking for a way to get the annulment done, he also does not fight their attraction. Much the contrary, he spends his days going to auditions and his evenings charming his new wife. Are his feelings true or did Finn agree so fast to come to the US for Cara's connections?</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The book is sweet and humorous. Cara and Finn are a delight to read, but so are all the secondary characters. Cara's landlady is a wonderful older lady and her friendship with Cara adds a much needed extra depth to the story. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As for my favorite part? The epilogue!!! Ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Well, wonder no more... Finn's dog is about to tell you exactly what he thinks about all that has come to pass!</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/product/lucky-leap-day-signed" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop - Signed Copies </a></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Also by Anne Marie Walker (and my favorite to date): <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/01/happy-singles-day-by-ann-marie-walker.html" target="_blank">Happy Singles day</a></div>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-59016210401509985412022-01-29T11:10:00.003-08:002022-01-29T11:10:37.087-08:00Escaping His Grace (Gentlemen of Temptation #2) by Kristin Vayden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfG4AQyaCCswbN3Z80KC2THcaw5oT5v-5DnWcIzf163cw0RpQjDCxqZgX4lKDV2zm41kGaV_ASh3kmGPZgFSy0-TjIDWxzI-FBuysAXDP0K57taSGDyJoauAJna7pugMHA5-1tObzgqTMv2JOiLJx_GjXZE96eJmwg6S1SbSidIQ3m8WjmlVVlO9zC=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfG4AQyaCCswbN3Z80KC2THcaw5oT5v-5DnWcIzf163cw0RpQjDCxqZgX4lKDV2zm41kGaV_ASh3kmGPZgFSy0-TjIDWxzI-FBuysAXDP0K57taSGDyJoauAJna7pugMHA5-1tObzgqTMv2JOiLJx_GjXZE96eJmwg6S1SbSidIQ3m8WjmlVVlO9zC=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>An Oldie but Goodie :)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Well, it is not that old, but if you are the kind of reader that is always on top of the new releases than perhaps it is a little.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This 2019 title by <a href="http://www.authorkristinvayden.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Vayden</a> was an outstanding historical romance! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The first book I read by this author was perfect for the store. We have a few historical romance lovers and a few of the older ladies don't love the more 'saucy' titles. So, although I liked the book, it lacked a little passion for me. That is not the case with this series at all! I am very lucky to have met this awesome human being and that she told me as much... I would have missed out in an amazing series and a fabulous Scottish man otherwise. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't ever tell you how to read your books, but just this once... AUDIOBOOK it! It is that verb? no? Oh well, I am making it one for the sake of this argument :) AUDIOBOOK it!!! The narrator for this series does a great job both with the voice and the accent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I will not tell you about the story, I suck at doing that without giving the plot away, so the blurb is below. But I will tell you this: Miss Miranda is a delight! someone everyone would want as a friend. And Viscount Kilpatrick had a charming and engaging personality. The banter and flirtatious relationship between the two was both sweet and passionate. What else could a historical romance lover want?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Perfection! An easy 5 out of 5 stars! </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u>Blurb:</u></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><i>From an elite London gentleman's club to a genteel Scottish estate, scandal becomes a family affair in this dazzling tale of deception and unexpected love...</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Miss Miranda is not really a Miss, exactly. Nor is her name Miranda, exactly. But to escape her tyrannical duke of a father, changes were required. Now in the Scottish countryside, employed by her new brother-in-law's unsuspecting friend, Heathcliff Marston, Viscount Kilpatrick, Miranda feels safe—except for the danger of falling in love. And the Viscount's broad shoulders and seductive brogue are no help at all. Certainly, a peer of the realm would never entertain a dalliance with the help... And definitely not kiss the help... Except this Viscount isn't a typical peer of the realm...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Between managing </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Temptations </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">and his newly acquired ward, the last thing Heathcliff needs is investigators inexplicably hounding him about the whereabouts of some duke's runaway daughter. At least he's secured a governess—no doubt a sour woman. Or so he expects, until he meets intriguing Miranda. Now Heathcliff is the one faced with temptation. But there's more to lovely Miranda than meets the eye—a truth that could change the course of all their futures...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-15239862833886531032022-01-06T20:44:00.003-08:002022-01-06T20:44:49.577-08:00The Cursed King (Inferno Rising #4) by Abigail Owen<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf61MuCx76eQ1ehuLEp5RtTvbF6WHRob-jfsBmIqNwPfSPyCknYU9jqtGy_BlYfJXW8WGcjtbrO41UR5iG44pX-rV6_otJubTsbR11-JQlCYPokTm7mZoMExoyzVvuWdS1twp1dMMBp7TsKNc8Oq8dpZYj4iJNSeqSEINrKupVMudFONzDZHOyFlXC=s475" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf61MuCx76eQ1ehuLEp5RtTvbF6WHRob-jfsBmIqNwPfSPyCknYU9jqtGy_BlYfJXW8WGcjtbrO41UR5iG44pX-rV6_otJubTsbR11-JQlCYPokTm7mZoMExoyzVvuWdS1twp1dMMBp7TsKNc8Oq8dpZYj4iJNSeqSEINrKupVMudFONzDZHOyFlXC=s320" width="214" /></a></div><br />This series has been an absolutely delight and I am so glad I've read it. <i><a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2019/08/the-rogue-king-inferno-rising-1-by.html" target="_blank">The Rogue King</a></i>, the first book in the series is still very much my favorite. I discovered Abigail Owen through that book and have read a few of her other books since, this series -obviously-, and others. I highly recommend you all give this wonderful author a try.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Blurb:</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">He will burn. She will rise.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Airk Azdajah, the rightful King of the White Clan, spent half a millennium being tortured by the false High King Pytheios. The only reason he’s alive is a curse— the man to kill Airk will be consumed in his own fire. Which is why Pytheios kept Airk alive, barely, unable to shift in his prison cage, driving the creature half of him into madness. Airk escaped, but he’ll never be truly free. What good is a king who can never let his feral dragon loose, never fly, and never lead his people? He’s better off dead.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Angelika Amon is the last unmated phoenix. The problem? She has no powers. Zip. Zilch. Angelika hates being dormant, especially now that her three sisters are blissfully mated to powerful dragon shifter kings and are very much part of the fight to take down the rotting king Pytheios, their parents’ killer. What good is a useless runt of a phoenix in a battle to save the dragon kingdom?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Desperate to find some way to help, she offers herself to Airk as a mate — just for political leverage. But a dormant phoenix is no damn use to him just like a dragon who can’t shift is no use to her. Until Pytheios sets his sights on Angelika for himself…</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Airk was a great character. After hundreds of years being kept captive anyone else would have broken, he did not. His dragon however has gone feral and cannot be trusted not to be violent. Angelica is the sweetest and kindest of the sisters. It is literally impossible not to love her. But she is a phoenix with no powers. They are perfect for each other and complement each other well. Him without his dragon, her without the powers of the phoenix...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The issue I had with this book is that it focused way too much on secondary characters. As important as her sisters and their mates are for the storyline, they already had their books and could have taken a little more of a side role. And if that wasn't enough there were the wolves, the berserker, other new dragons...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Great main couple, great writing, good story, but just too much in one book. It is a 3 out of 5 from me. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9798496776004" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58935205-the-cursed-king" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-83894351652128166992022-01-02T15:18:00.001-08:002022-01-02T15:18:09.226-08:00Hunter's Hope (Vampire Motorcycle Club #2) by Alyssa Day <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinT1XCFe9yGZcIY1Nwkudg5xjuihnhkYOTl6ZEI9TMNIgMt6zVMrStObbTEoO2Vd_T1WWmaA8rda9G3B9iEBh3KhnWfuZDkcYqkKkhV_2aZd_FC6jIr9DX8GH3mcPrc2E24DzQ_sntaoc-LXJagGMYzTl0wC7W9TtxE1YYph-2pe7g7KSFbzfXZLFU=s400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinT1XCFe9yGZcIY1Nwkudg5xjuihnhkYOTl6ZEI9TMNIgMt6zVMrStObbTEoO2Vd_T1WWmaA8rda9G3B9iEBh3KhnWfuZDkcYqkKkhV_2aZd_FC6jIr9DX8GH3mcPrc2E24DzQ_sntaoc-LXJagGMYzTl0wC7W9TtxE1YYph-2pe7g7KSFbzfXZLFU=s320" width="214" /></a></div><br />I had been waiting for this one since January. <i><a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/01/banes-choice-vampire-motorcycle-club-1.html" target="_blank">Bane's Choice</a>,</i> the first book in the series, was my first read of the year. I didn't plan for this series to be my first and last reads of 2021 but it is kind of cool that it worked out that way. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here is the Blurb for <i>Hunter's Hope</i>:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Hunter Evans risked his life again and again as a firefighter until the night he died saving a child...only to be reborn as a vampire. Now the man who lived his life as the quintessential “nice guy” must find a way to conquer the deadly urges that threaten to turn him feral. When his own actions put a beautiful woman in danger, he vows to protect her…even from himself.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Alice Darlington has a secret of her own: she sees ghosts. She thought she’d done a good job of keeping it under wraps—until now. A terrible threat from her past is hunting her down in order to use her power for dark purposes. Now she’s on the run and doesn't know who to trust or where to go.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">When Hunter and Alice team up to battle the dangers coming at them from all sides, they’re forced to rely on each other. But Hunter doesn’t know how long he can keep the beast inside him away from the woman it craves…</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I LOVED the first book in the series, and I really really wanted to love this one. I liked it, but I didn't love it. The book relied way too heavily on comedy, which to many is not going to be a bad thing at all. But if you have been reading my reviews for a while you know romantic comedy is not my favorite romance subgenre. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was nice that the second book was on Hunter, and we were not left wondering for too long what happened after his change. So although this can be easily read as a standalone, I think you will miss one very important part if you don't read the first book. And the first book was amazing, so you really should start there!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Hunter is an adorable and very sweet character. He used to be a firefighter and save lives for a living. He is struggling with the whole "being a vampire" thing. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Alice is artsy, brave, and has a sad past. The two of them make a sweet couple and you can't help but love them. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The book was funny and very entertaining. But as I said, I feel like it relied a little too much on that. Alice has a sad background and the "bad guys" obsession with her would have made a lot more sense if there was less comedy and a little more of that heavy past. For example, she sees ghosts- Why? What does she do to them? How is that power of hers useful to the warlocks? ...</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hunter's Hope</i> is a fun read, but it is for the lover of romantic comedy and not me- a lover of heavy (or cheesy) paranormal. In other words, great book for the right audience, I am not that audience. It is a 3 out of 5 from me! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Find the book at: <a href="https://www.inklingsbookshop.com/book/9781649370914" target="_blank">Inklings Bookshop</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/hunter-s-hope-9781713506072/9781649370914" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a> - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56268939-hunter-s-hope" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940468993111642514.post-87095355922400233782021-12-24T15:00:00.002-08:002021-12-24T15:00:43.935-08:00Top 10 of 2021!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgccNXTP_7Xi2o4wRcCMDdZrR_Y8qE53vaxeolDxggp2jF27Ut5tkN33Ev2KU_hw6GlGqVSLg2xLvbMN6zqvYvZj1RYg2YCqoRqwUJPfBBtkMZoVuY1UMjBMsN5ksGMfmsyk6qxuoYL2-S5mAOurvpA_msuiOrcfkGIqvHn9k3cZgxEtpWDZLYB7tpM=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgccNXTP_7Xi2o4wRcCMDdZrR_Y8qE53vaxeolDxggp2jF27Ut5tkN33Ev2KU_hw6GlGqVSLg2xLvbMN6zqvYvZj1RYg2YCqoRqwUJPfBBtkMZoVuY1UMjBMsN5ksGMfmsyk6qxuoYL2-S5mAOurvpA_msuiOrcfkGIqvHn9k3cZgxEtpWDZLYB7tpM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />It is hard to believe we are saying goodbye to 2021 already. Insane!<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My Top 10 list for this past year consists of 7 romances (unsurprisingly since that is what I read most), 2 young adults, and 1 fiction (historical fiction to be exact).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You will find my Top 10 below, but I would also love to see yours. Send me a message on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Glimpses_Of_My_Books" target="_blank">Instagram</a> with the link to your list so I can have a look (and I will happily share on my Instagram stories too)! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">They are in no particular order and the ones with title only are clickable, that will send you to the review. Have fun and happy reading! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I hope you find something to love in this list and that you end up loving it as much as I did. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">1 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/06/raphael-and-jegudiel-by-tillie-cole.html" target="_blank">Raphael by Tillie Cole</a> (Dark Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">2 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/08/priest-and-sinner-by-sierra-simone.html" target="_blank">Priest by Sierra Simone</a> (Taboo Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">3 - <u>The Vixen and the Vet by Kat Regnery</u> (Modern Fairytale Retelling Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Great modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Savanah was a struggling journalist and Asher a wounded veteran living in hiding because of his injuries. Savanah makes him face the world and his own fears, and Asher makes Savanah see the world in a different light. Perfect chemistry, very well written, emotional, perfection!!!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">4 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/09/hitched-to-gunslinger-by-michelle.html" target="_blank">Hitched by the Gunslinger by Michelle McLean</a> (Western Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">5 - <u>Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath</u> (Western Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I discovered Western Romances this past year and fell in love. Cowboy romance doesn't always work me, but this Western Romance subgenre is killing it. Texas Destiny was my first in September and I've read 4 since :) </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/11/raze-scarred-souls-1-by-tillie-cole.html" target="_blank">Raze by Tillie Cole</a> (Dark Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">7 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/02/the-prince-of-broadway-uptown-girls-2.html" target="_blank">The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe</a> (Historical Romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">8 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/10/vespertine-vespertine-1-by-margaret.html" target="_blank">Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson</a> (Young Adult Fantasy)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">9 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/04/the-last-tiara-by-mj-rose.html" target="_blank">The Last Tiara by MJ Rose</a> (Historical Fiction)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">10 - <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/03/namesake-fable-2-by-adrienne-young.html" target="_blank">Namesake by Adrienne Young</a> (Young Adult Fantasy)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">There are a few worthy mentions from this past year as well, all with reviews:</span></u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">- <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/12/i-hate-you-more-by-lucy-gilmore.html" target="_blank">I Hate you More by Lucy Gilmore </a>(for the pup lover and the laughs)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">- <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/11/miss-elizas-english-kitchen-novel-of.html" target="_blank">Miss Eliza's English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs</a> (historical fiction)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">-<a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/07/witches-get-stitches-stay-spell-3-by.html" target="_blank"> Witches Get Stitches by Juliette Cross</a> (paranormal romance)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">- <a href="http://www.glimpsesofmybooks.com/2021/03/neon-gods-dark-olympus-1-by-katee.html" target="_blank">Neon Gods by Katee Robert</a> (Modern day Greek Mythology inspired)</p>glimpsesofmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025287596975424695noreply@blogger.com0