Casee: It seems like I’ve been reading a lot over the last week. I started and finished the two books in the new Hush Note series. It was my first book by Devney Perry (who wrote the second book, Rifts & Refrains) in the series. I loved it! It was better than Sarina Bowen’s book (Lies & Lullabies) which quite frankly surprised me. Right now I’m going back and forth between Muses & Melodies and Man Hands.
I’m listening to a few books. Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews and Catch Me When I Fall by A.L. Jackson.
Holly: I haven’t had a lot of reading time the past two weeks. I finished Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath. I really liked it. I think it’s my favorite of the series. I started The Irresistible Miss Peppiwell by Stacy Reid and once again tried to finish Coming Home by KB Alan, but DNF’d them both around the halfway mark. Neither was holding my attention. I also started How the Scoundrel Seduces by Sabrina Jeffries and The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath on audio, but they didn’t hold my attention, either. I re-read Fairytale Come Alive by Kristen Ashley and Repeat by Kylie Scott.
I’m currently listening to and reading The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas. I’m really enjoying it. I’m almost finished and I play to start book two, The Perilous Sea, next.
What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!
I’m reading The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Very well written book about a very sad time in history.
I read Molly O’Keefe’s CHRISTMAS AT THE RIVERVIEW INN, which is about two young people, separated for seven years by a “big misunderstanding.” It was fine, but I do think you need to read the earlier Riverview Inn books first.
I’m reading Trancehacked by Sonya Clark. In a future earth, people with magic are rounded up and put on reservations. All children are tested for magic at birth. A new co, Nathan is transferred to the “normal” city near the magic zone. He is quickly embroiled in a murder/ cover-up. It seems like Calla, a magic born jewelry make and electric? Energy? Computer code? Mage is going to have to help him.
That sounds interesting. You’ll have to let me know how it turns out.
I’m reading Naughty Brits.
I read that this week too! I really enjoyed all the stories except the last one… It just wasn’t for me. I did appreciate how they are all somewhat tied together.
Two weeks of reading:
The month-long challenge I was participating in on a different site ended with reading a book that you’d had for more than a year. I read several.
–The first four Claiming series books that feature Liam and Ondry are amongst my favorites, so I was interested in reading more by author Lyn Gala. I began Tap-Dancing the Minefields (on TBR since 2019) soon after getting it but did not read on; I’m glad to have completed it but have mixed feelings. I was thinking ‘just one more chapter’ until well after midnight, so the story grabbed me; on the other hand, some aspects seemed foolish and characters magically knew information without having been informed. One surprise was that the alien ship in this story bears marked similarities to the ship in the author’s fifth Claimings book. I don’t know if there is supposed to be a connection or whether the author simply reused some fine world building.
–I’d enjoyed several of the Christmas Angel series so decided to read Shrewd Angel by Anyta Sunday (on TBR since 2019). It’s a modern day retelling of the Taming of the Shrew thus the clever title. Sadly, I gave up after reading more than a quarter of the book as it was too silly for my current mood.
–I enjoyed the story Haunted by Irene Preston and Liz Rancourt (on TBR since 2018) which featured a detective turned insurance investigator plus a historian starring in a show about hoaxes. It’s FREE for Kindle readers. I would happily read more by these authors; this story is a standalone in the Hours of the Night series.
–False Engagement (Marrying Men Book 1) by Hollis Shiloh (on TBR since 2018) was a short work in an alternate regency setting where marriages between men and with multiple spouses was the norm. It featured two men who had been childhood friends then lovers and who had parted after a fight. It was an okay read. Currently FREE for Kindle readers.
–I quite liked N.R. Walker’s Imago (on TBR since 2017) which was set in Tasmania and featured a bowtie wearing nerdy butterfly specialist on the hunt for a new specimen and a park ranger.
–Soothsayer by Cari Z. (on TBR since 2017) was my favorite of this week’s books. The main characters were Cillian, for whom the book is named, Sören, and an Icelandic land spirit who is possessing Sören’s body. It’s a complicated story but an interesting one. It makes me want to reread J. Fally’s Bonerider which has some similarities.
–I also enjoyed Blue Notes by Shira Anthony (on my TBR since 2014!) which featured a lot of music and good food. Jason, NYC lawyer, flies to Paris when he discovers his fiancee has been unfaithful. He soon encounters Jules, a talented and struggling violinist, and feelings develop.
— also read a new book which I won in a Goodreads giveaway, Once Dishonored: An Empowering & Thrilling Historical Regency Romance Book (Rogues Redeemed 5) by Mary Jo Putney. I enjoyed the book, but I will say that it strained credulity a time or two.
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— At the Slightest Sound: a military paranormal romance (Shadowforce: Psi Book 1) by M. L. Buchman. It was a pleasant read but not my favorite from the author. I would, however, read on in the series.
— The Orphans of Raspay: A Penric and Desdemona novella in the World of the Five Gods (Penric & Desdemona Book 7) by Lois McMaster Bujold. This is a series that is best read in order.
— the contemporary romance Spoiler Alert: A Novel by Olivia Dade which I very much enjoyed, even when it made me cry.
— The Book of Two Ways: A Novel by Jodi Picoult. I’ve read quite a few books by this author, and she almost always manages to surprise me in some way. This book was no exception. It was incredibly well researched; I learned about Egyptian death practices and hieroglyphics, quantum physics, and death doulas. I enjoyed it, but I could imagine some might dislike the end.
I read Naughty Brits and for the most part enjoyed it. I also finally finished the last couple book in the Seduction in the City world that is a spin off of the Knitting in the CIty series. (I know I’m weird with my reading an entire series with books by so many authors.. what can I say, I enjoy them.)