Casee: After the stellar month that August was for me, I’m disappointed that September has not started off the way I had hoped. I just haven’t had the time nor inclination to read. I wouldn’t call it a slump. I actually don’t know what I would call it. I’m reading Lethal Nights by Lora Leigh. I think I was reading that last Friday. I put it down, then picked it up, etc. Now I’m actually really reading it. I’m not far enough in to decide if I like it yet.
A.L. Jackson is my new audiobook glom. I really, really like her. It doesn’t hurt that almost all of her books are narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber. I heart those two. Right now I’m listening to Lead Me Home by A.L. Jackson. Again, I’m too early in to decide if I like it or not.
Holly: I finished reading Death Knell by Hailey Edwards and decided to take a break from the series. Book 5 hasn’t been announced yet, and I want to wait until closer to its release before I continue on. It’s a great series, but the reveal of the MCs past is moving pretty slow and I want to know I can get resolution before I go on. I finished Selkies Are a Girl’s Best Friend by Molly Harper. It was a cute, light read. I’m excited for the next book (assuming there are more).
I’m currently listening to Ain’t He Precious by Juliette Poe (aka Sawyer Bennet). I’m not loving the narrators, but the story is cute so far so I’m going to continue on. I’m reading Well Met by Jen Deluca. I’m only a few pages in so I can’t say how it is yet, but I’ve heard good things.
Rowena: I’m finally reading again, guys! This is what I looked like last night when I finally finished a book:
I finished Don’t You Forget about Me by Mhairi McFarlane and man did I enjoy it. I cried a lot while reading the book and when it was all said and done, I sighed a giant sigh of relief that everything worked out for good ol’ George. She was a fantastic character and I connected with her so much. Now, I’m reading Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne and I’m enjoying it just as much as I enjoyed the first book in this series. Lauren Layne really writes my kind of romances. After this, I will be diving into No Judgments by Meg Cabot.
Giveaway Alert
We are very fortunate here at Book Binge. We have loads and loads of books to read and we want to share the wealth so each week, we’ll be tacking on a Freebie Friday giveaway to our What Are You Reading posts. This week, we’re giving away…
Cowboy Stole My Heart by Soraya M. Lane Series: River Ranch #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Format: Print
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 296
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
It takes true grit to build a billion-dollar dynasty like the Ford family ranch. But when it comes to finding love, all it takes is one handsome cowboy to steal a woman’s heart…
SHE’S RIDING SOLO
As one of the heirs to the River Ranch fortune, Mia Ford is practically Texas royalty. But that doesn’t mean she’s some pampered princess. She can saddle up and ride a horse as well as any man, even a hard-working cowboy like Sam Mendes. For years, she’s harbored a crush on the strong, silent horseman. But how can she make a move when she’s his boss?
HE’S TAKING THE REINS
Sam Mendes is through with love—or so he thought. Still recovering from a breakup, he’s doing everything in his power to resist Mia Ford. It’s bad enough she’s the kind of beauty who drives men wild with desire. It’s even worse she’s got him so worked up, aching to kiss her lips, when he’s supposed to be working her ranch. Is this lovestruck cowboy willing to risk losing his job—and breaking his heart—to win the girl of his dreams?
What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!
not yet
I am excited–September thru December is my favorite time of the year for Awesome Autumn, Happy Holidays, and awesome reads!!! Three terrific titles from wonderful writers: “Falling for the Secret Princess” by Kandy Shepherd; “A Secret, A Safari, A Second Chance” by Liz Fielding; and “After the Rodeo” (Heroes of Shelter Creek) by Claire McEwen!!!
I’m reading two very dark “revenge romances”: RICOCHET by Keri Lake and THE BRATVA’S CAPTIVE by Jane Henry. In both books, men who have experienced devastating loss kidnap a close female relative of the man responsible for the loss. The books are well-written, but extremely dark—and, it goes without saying, very problematic consent issues.
I’m participating in a reading challenge on a different site, which is why I’m more verbose than usual.
For a New-to-Me Author —
Last year I won a giveaway by author Sam Burns; the prize was to have a character be given my name. Yesterday Wolf Lost was released; I read it in one day.
The book begins in Colorado with Sawyer, an Omega wolf, on the run from his California pack. The new alpha murdered Sawyer’s father, the previous alpha, and wants Sawyer as his mate. Dez is our other hero; he’s a new wolf and a recently discharged green beret with injuries. He and two comrades, all alpha wolves, are a pack of three. These three men are NOT choosing a career involving violence, instead they have decided to open a coffee shop though none of them know how to use an espresso machine or bake. The three men stand with Sawyer when he runs onto their property and take him into their home. My namesake character runs the bookshop next to their coffee shop, and plays a nice role in the story. This is a low angst story with touches of humor; I enjoyed it.
I chose to read Midlife Crisis by Rob Rosen. The book was told in the first person and written with a definite sense of humor. The main character went back to his childhood home and attempted to find his first love. Along the way he encounters and is helped by a man who had bullied him in high school. It’s a rather over the top story which needed a better editor. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant read.
I also read Concurrence by Marc Rokoff which I thought was a romance but wasn’t. I chose the book because the description indicated a time travel element which sounded appealing. I found the first paragraph off-putting, and the story as a whole proved disappointing.
For a Diverse Book -–
I read Failure to Communicate by Kaia Sønderby whose main character is Xandri Corelel. Xandri was born into a world that has been practicing gene modification for centuries; however, her parents followed a short lived fad of natural birth. Consequently, she may be the only person in the world who is autistic. The reader sees how she meets the stresses of everyday life on board her ship and on other worlds.
We meet her four years after she has joined the crew of the Carpathia where she is now the head of Xeno-Liaisons. Throughout her difficult childhood, she became an expert at reading body language; that knowledge has enabled her to become a skilled liaison with the inhabitants of other worlds. The book deals primarily with one mission.
I’d describe this book as PG-13; there is violence, language, and mention of past abuse. Xandri appears to be attracted to both men and women. I found this a pleasant and easy read and would happily read the next book in the series. There is also a prequel which covers Xandri’s life prior to joining the Carpathia. The author describes herself as a “Queer autistic writer of everything speculative.”
I also read Still Waters by Alex Gabriel, a short paranormal romance that features a merman (…or does it?). This story is set in what seems to be our world, but a rift has permitted the passage of several beings from elsewhere. This is a slightly dark fantasy with a dead body or two, attacks, and more. I enjoyed it, and it’s currently free for Kindle readers.
For Older or Younger Hero book —
I read Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke which has two heroes that are over forty. One, a sort of living ghost who retrieves stolen objects, is significantly older than forty. The other hero is the police officer with whom the first had a five year relationship some thirty years earlier. As you might imagine this is a paranormal romance that turned out to be full of surprises. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequel.
For Judge a Book By Its Cover ~
The cover of Painting with Fire by Lissa Kasey shows the face of a young man with two different colored eyes who is not quite meeting the eyes of the viewer; I find it memorable.
That young man is Bastian Hart, a talented artist, who is a highly successful doll painter; he is the survivor of childhood abuse and is fairly reclusive. Our other hero is Charlie Fox, a wildfire fighter, and best friend of Bastian’s aunt. The two men meet when Charlie accompanies his friend home for a funeral. I enjoyed this book and learned a few things about the art of doll painting.
I also reread Linesman by SK Dunstall.
I am reading Lewy, Mom & Me.