2021 Reading Goal Update

 Happy end of 2021! Welcome, 2022!

What a year this has been! I cannot believe it is already over. Time flies I guess. So...let us see how I managed with my goals in 2021!

Life Goals - I wanted to stay healthy and maybe lose some weight. I was 50-50. I did good, but I had my bad moments. I did try on my dress recently and it is still really big so yayy there. I'm going in later this month for my first fitting. Eeeek!

My 2nd life goal was to write and/or paint more. Eeeeek. I didn't do as much as I wanted to do. Gah. Wedding planning has taken a lot of my free time. 

My 3rd and final goal were to try and post at least 4 times a week. I feel I did well on this score! A couple of weeks I was lax, but overall. I'm proud of myself. 

Audiobook Challenge - I decided to do level Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands), so 50+ audios. 

Oooo I blasted past this. I was able to listen to 87!!!! WHOOOO HOOO!

Romance Bingo - My goal was to get all the boxes/bingos. 

Beat another goal! Yayy!! I got every box checked! Last-minute...that is for sure, but I did it!

 

Goodreads Reading Challenge - My goal was to read 145 books. 

Again, I beat it, but literally finished the final one with a day to spare. Eeeek. Cut it close!

How did you all fair with your reading/life goals? 

Book Review: The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Author: Grace Burrowes

Title: The Heir

(Windham #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: paperback

Pages: 471 

Published:  January 1st 2010

Where I Got It: My shelf (Walmart)

Summary: AN EARL WHO CAN'T BE BRIBED

Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...

A LADY WHO CAN'T BE PROTECTED...

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down - and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout...

Review:

I adore this author and I have never had an issue with her books so I've been itching to start this series. I think I may have read one later on in the series....who can remember!

Here we follow Gayle Windham who is the first legitimate son and heir of the Duke of Moreland. His father is pressuring him to marry and make an heir. To escape him, Windham decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London. There is finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his housekeeper. Anna is a mystery indeed. She is not only beautiful, but she is talented, smart, and seems to be hiding something. As the summer goes on the two become closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other. However, Anna's secret threatens to bring chaos to both of their heads. 

I was hooked from page one. I really had some doubts about this couple and I was curious how they were going to make it work. Normally men of his station don't look twice at the help. If they do... it's normally a tumble in the sheets and that is it. I had my doubts. BUT the author stripped away those doubts. 

Yessss there is insta-lust. But he seems genuinely intrigued by her and wants to get to know her. That melted my heart. He was so very kind to her. Loved that. 

I liked Anna and her secret was not THAT bad. Sure, yes, bad, but it had multiple ways to solve. I wish she had come to him sooner. 

Speaking of that...my one and only issue was how long it took things. This seemed to ramble on and on. And Anna was SO stubborn and refused to marry him even though it was clear how much they loved each other. I wanted to smack her!!!!!! Idiot girl. The guy loves you and you love him. It would solve pretty much all the issues 100000%. SIGHS. 

Overall, I did enjoy this quite a bit. I liked our characters...even the side characters were fun! My only issue was how long this was. It seemed to drag on and the secret reveal was annoying. But yes, this was a nice read! I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- 'One Word Title ("The" is allowed) - FINISHED!

Audiobook Review: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Author:  Sarah MacLean

Narrator: Carolyn Morris

Title: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

(Love By Numbers #1)

Genre: Historical Romance   

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 30th 2010

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

Review:

Okay...so I only picked this up because it was free at the library and it has the word RAKE in it which helps with my reading challenge. BUT I do like this author, so super plus!

We follow Lady Calpurnia who has always followed the rules. Where did those rules lead her? Left her unmarried and pretty much on the shelf at 28. And worse....unsatisfied with her life. After overhearing a conversation between her sister and her fiance, she realizes that she needs to find her own happiness. She has vowed to break the rules and creates a list of things she has always wanted to do. First item...get a kiss from Gabriel St. John the Marquess of Ralston who is a notorious and wicked rogue. However, if they are not careful they both may lose their hearts. 

I enjoyed this!! I really did. I loved watching Callie grow into a woman and break all these society rules. I especially loved her dressing as a man and fencing and gambling. YOU GO GIRL! It was awesome to see her flourish. 

Now Gabriel....I liked him a lot. I LOVE his brother though. *swoons* He is the hawt twin in my opinion. Plus in some ways I feel like he and Callie would've fit better, BUT I am biased...I know. Don't get me wrong...I liked good ol' Gabe, but he was very closed off in the heart department which I get, but poor Callie had to literally pry his heart open and even when that happened it took a certain scene for the dumb-dumb to be all "OH RIGHT...I love her. Okay." Idiot. 

This was fun and I am glad I found it. I do want to check out book 2. Maybe...*researches* Okay - yes - I for sure want to check that one out. It is about Nicholas. Yayy!

The narrator was perfect. Loved her voices. Even the men voices were spot on. Her girl trying to be a boy (when Callie dressed up as a dude) had me LAUGHING. Fantastic. 

In the end, I enjoyed this a lot. Loved our characters and I loved watching them fall in love and Callie finding herself. It was a goodie for sure. 5 stars from me even with Gabriel being a dunderhead. 

Challenge(s):
- #80 for Audiobook challenge

- #24 for Romance Bingo - "RAKE" in title. (one more leffftttt)

Book Review: Cowboy Rebel by Carolyn Brown

Author: Carolyn Brown

Title: Cowboy Rebel

(Longhorn Canyon #4)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western

Format: ebook

Published: May 28th 2019

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

Ever since losing his best friend in a motorcycle accident, Taggart Baker wants to make every moment count. No dare is too dangerous, no adventure too crazy for this cowboy. But after one bad brush with the law, he realizes it's time to ditch his hooligan friends and grow up. Now he's running his own ranch next to the Longhorn Canyon spread in Texas. Still, no one would ever call him tame.

Nikki Grady has worked too hard for her RN license just to throw it away for some reckless cowboy who shows up in her emergency room after a barroom brawl. But she can't help being drawn to Tag's sense of humor and those crystal blue eyes. The more time they spend together, the more she sees his good heart. But just as Tag seems ready to settle down for good, his troubled past comes calling-and this time he won't be able to walk away so easily.

Review:

Forgot about this series until I stumbled upon this while scrolling my library's ebook section. 

We follow Taggart, Tag, and Nikki. Tag was once a rebel but after one bad brush with the law, he finally realized it's time to grow up and ditch his hooligan friends. He also wants to live life to the fullest after his best friend died in a motorcycle accident. Nikki has worked so hard to become an RN and make herself a nice life. She refuses to throw it away for this reckless cowboy. However, she feels drawn to Tag because of his humor and his blue eyes. The more time they spend together, the more she can see his good heart. Things seem to be going good until demons from his old life come calling and puts Nikki in trouble. 

This would be okay as a standalone I think, but I would recommend at a minimum reading the book before this one.

I struggled at the beginning. I liked Nikki and I loved Tag, but it took me a while to really feel the chemistry between them. They are opposites for sure, but it didn't seem legit or feel real at first. However, things changed when he got her a goldfish....and then I was hooked to them and I could see and feel the love!!! Don't ask me why that scene made everything click for me. It's such a little thing, but how freakin' sweet of him! They needed each other!!

Gah! Poor Nikki. She really deserved love! I am so happy a certain twist happened. It melted my lil heart and made me so happy. I won't say WHAT, but I was so happy. Her mother is a piece of work for sure. Yes, yes, the mom had major issues, but she should've gone to a therapist or something. Poor Nikki. And that poor brother of hers who passed. All so sad. 

They both had issues and lots of bad things tossed at them, but I loved them fighting through it together. They were so supportive of each other. It was nice to see them be friends and lovers. What a healthy couple they were! Loved it!

I can't wait to see Hud find love now (Tag's twin) esp after his accident.

Love this series and these cowboys!

In the end, I did struggle at the beginning, but once I was hooked I could not stop reading. I always forget how much I like this author and her work. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- #23 for Romance Bingo - "Cowboy" in title. 

Audiobook Review: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator:  Greta Scacchi 

Title: Persuasion

Genre: Classic, Historical Romance, Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  January 12th 2009 by BBC Audiobooks LTD (first published December 1817)

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Review:

Decided to do the audio of this! I kinda wanna go through all the Austen's and do audio versions for funsies!

We follow Anne Elliot who is 27 now. 8 years prior she was engaged to Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement after being persuaded by her friend that the match is not a good idea. For 8 years Anne has deep regret and wishes she could fix this. Later Wentworth returns to her life as a rich and successful captain. 

This has always been my favorite Austen novel. I love Anne. I love Frederick. I love that they get a second chance. And that letter he writes???!!!! *swoons* 

The side cast is always fun. I hate Anne's family. They are SO selfish and rude ALL the time. Anne really deserves love and to get away from that dang family. Screw them. 

After listening to this I want to watch the movie and find some variations. I do not recall the last time I even read one? Mmmmm. 

But yes - I want to find some variations. I want Anne's widow friend to find love and happiness. Poor girl. I always feel so bad for her. I really hope Anne moved her in. 

The narrator was good. I liked her. I wish she shook up the voices a little bit more. I had to really pay attention when there was dialogue. 

In the end, I enjoyed this audio. The narrator was good and I simply LOVVVVVEEEEEE this novel by Austen. Of course 5 stars

Challenge(s):
- #45 for Audiobook challenge

- #22 for Romance Bingo - second chances

Audiobook Review: Alien Knight Blind Date Disaster by Becca Brayden

Author: Becca Brayden

Narrator:  Teddy Hamilton

Title: Alien Knight Blind Date Disaster

(Lumerian Knights #3)

Genre: SciFi, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 22nd 2020

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Honorable Lumerian Knight Falden Corshivad has sacrificed everything for his people. Legend even among his own kind, he has vowed to protect and preserve all that is left of their ancient heritage. Keep their existence hidden from the enemies that destroyed his planet. Enemies that continue to hunt for survivors.

Falden knows the recent attack on Earth was meant to flush the Lumerian Knights out of hiding. So, when Isabella Serrano, a nosy investigative reporter, starts digging a little too deeply into the recent events, he knows that for the safety of everyone, he must do whatever it takes to find out what she knows. Stop her from revealing the Knights at any cost. Even seduce her.

Unfortunately, Falden has spent the past two thousand years out of the dating scene. And worse, he has no understanding of human courting rituals. Luckily, his most trusted Knights have found the perfect guide in a popular men’s blog; “The Nice Guy’s Guide to the Hook-Up.” Results guaranteed! He will follow the instructions to the letter, even if every single one of the items on the list goes against his honor and belief as a Knight. He will win this woman over and seduce her into revealing her secrets.

With help from “The Nice Guy’s Guide to the Hook-Up", what could possibly go wrong?

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this freebie in Audible. I needed a pure Sci-Fi romance for my reading challenge so I gave it a go. 

We follow Falden who is an honorable Lumerian Knight. He has sacrificed everything for his people. He has vowed to protect what is left of their ancient heritage and keep their existence hidden from the enemies that destroyed his home planet. He knows the recent attack on Earth was meant to flush him and his soldiers out, so when the investigator, Isabella, starts poking around and looking too deeply into the recent events, he knows that he must stop her. Even if that means seducing her. Isabella is set to meet a contact of hers on a fake blind date, so Falden brushes up his dating skills to try and win her over and reveal what she knows. 

Whoooops. Stumbled into book 3. Psssh. I am so bad. I swore I checked...oh well, it did fine as a standalone. You can tell there are other characters and couples that we missed out on, but this did fine.

It took me a minute to really get into this. I struggled at the beginning. Yes, I know Falden is acting like a jerk because of that damn dating book and Isabella is suffering through the terrible date because she thinks he is her contact for info...but it drove me insane. She wanted to smack him and I wanted to smack him....GAH. BUT she  was lusting over him even when he was acting like a D word. WHY????? Just because he has a hot body and a hot face....why? He was nothing but mean!!!!! Sure, as the reader we know better, but she should've threw her drink in his face and storm off. 

Even when they realized who was who and that it was fake and all the drama started, they didn't trust each other but they were quick to jump into bed and etc the moment they could. Okayyyyyyyy I guess....but the man was injured from saving her. I don't care how legendary you are or how old...you are hurt. No one bangs when they are bleeding out to the point that they pass out from the blood loss. SIGHS. 

Things DID get better after the first few. They actually for real talked and actually liked each other. I could finally get behind them as a couple. Thank goodness. 

The narrator was great. Loved his voices. Esp for some of the bad aliens. Creepy! Loved it! They worked perfect. 

In the end, I struggled with the beginning and them as a couple. Things got way better so I am glad I didn't give up. This ended up really fun and I am curious about the beginning novels and anything after this. So maybe I shall check them out one day ;) I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #41 for Audiobook challenge

- #20 for Romance Bingo - Sci-Fi

Audiobook Review: Once a Spy by Mary Jo Putney

Author: Mary Jo Putney

Narrator: Beverley A. Crick

Title: Once a Spy

(Rogues Redeemed #4)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: September 24th 2019

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Love and survival in the shadow of Waterloo...

Wearied by his years as a British intelligence officer, Simon Duval resigns his commission after Napoleon’s abdication. Hoping to find new meaning in his life, he returns to England, where he discovers his cousin’s widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron. Working as a seamstress, living in reduced circumstances, Suzanne has had a life as complicated as Simon’s. While both believe they are beyond love, their sympathetic bond leads him to propose a marriage of companionship, and Suzanne accepts.

She didn't want or expect a true marriage, but as Suzanne joins Simon in a search for his long-missing foster brother, warmth and caring begin to heal both their scars—and a powerful passion sparks between them. Then news from France threatens to disrupt their happiness. Napoleon has escaped from Elba and Wellington personally asks Simon to help prevent another devastating war. Only this time, Simon does not go into danger alone. He and Suzanne will face deadly peril together and pray that love will carry them through...

Review:

 Accidently read the book after that which was okay. It was nice to backtrack to see Suzanne and Simon fall in love. 

The story follows Suzanne and Simon. Tired by all his years in the British army as a spy, Simon resigns his commission after Napoleon abdicates. Hoping to find new meaning in his life, he returns to England where he discovers his cousin's widow. Suzanne Duval was the Comtesse de Chambron. Now she is working as a seamstress in England. The two decide to marry because they both believe they are beyond love and lust. A nice friendship and a marriage of convenience will work. They didn't expect or want a true marriage, but as Suzanne joins Simon in searching for his long-lost friend and foster brother, they realize that love and passion are possible. However, Napoleon's escape from Elba will bring peril to Europe and this couple. 

A little bit of the mystery was ruined since I did read book 5 before this one. I for sure say read this one before, but this does stand well as a standalone from the rest of the series.

I liked this couple. One of my favorite couples in the series 100%. They went through some terrible things. He was a spy during a bloody war. She was in France during the Reign of Terror. Lost her hubbie, title, lands, and freedom. On the way to escaping her boat was taken over and she was taken to be a whore in a harem. They are both really damaged. I loved watching them rekindle their friendship, get married, fall in love, and then lust. It was sweet. I loved how much they talked to each other and trusted each other. 

I adored the side characters as well. They were very well-rounded and I wanted them to be safe and happy too. 

However, I struggled a little bit because the pacing was all over the place. Things would drag to the point of me wanting to fall asleep and then jump to heart-racing fast where I couldn't listen fast enough and then it would drop to slow and tedious.

Also, I felt the treatment and recovery that Suzanne went through after her terrible experiences....seemed wrong. It felt like all she needed was a good man. True, Simon is awesome and patient and kind...but I feel like she needed a therapist or something. Love can't always fix deep-rooted issues and traumatic experiences.

The narrator was fantastic as per normal. I could sing her praises. 

In the end, I liked many parts of this, but there were some things I struggled with for sure. The series was fun and I enjoyed it overall. But for this, I will give it 3 stars.   

Challenge(s):
- #34 for Audiobook challenge

- #19 for Romance Bingo - Horse on the cover

Audiobook Review: Shifters in the Night by Molly Harper

Author: Molly Harper

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi & Jonathan Davis

Title: Shifters in the Night

(Mystic Bayou #5)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: May 18th 2021

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

A chance meeting leads to a wild ride in this irresistible audio-first romance by Audie Award-nominated author Molly Harper!

Lia Doe came to Mystic Bayou for one simple reason: to get her job done. Namely, to build a housing complex for all the new residents flocking to town since word of its supernatural population got out. But from the moment Lia arrives, it’s clear that nothing about the job is going to be simple.

First, there’s the mysterious guy she meets in the middle of the night while they’re both cavorting in their alternate forms. Spending time with shape-shifters is nothing new to Lia, but there’s something special about Jon Carmody…and the magical pull she feels whenever he’s near. There’s also a sense of homecoming and belonging in Mystic Bayou that makes her want to stick around - despite the dangers brewing from mysterious forces.

Will Lia complete her project with her heart unscathed, or will her life shift forever?

Review:

I can't get enough of this series!!!! Makes me jump for joy whenever a new one comes out. 

We follow Lia Doe and Jon Carmody. Lia is new to Mystic Bayou. She came for one reason and one reason only and that is to do her job. She is building new housing complex for all the new residents flocking to town. After meeting a mysterious guy, she realizes she wants to spend more time with him and maybe...stay in town. Jon has been a hermit for a long time after his accident, but Lia makes him want to join the world again. 

This was fun! I adored Lia and Jon. They were unlikely lovers, but they matched perfectly. Such a sweet romance. There was a little bit of drama but it was worked out pretty quickly especially when they actually communicated. Loved it. I do wish we got to see her parents meet him. I feel like they still have issues they will need to resolve. They are polar opposites and her mom is a snob (I think her dad will be polite and nice) and will be rude. I do want a short story or something seeing them find a nice balance in life.  

The mystery was fun. A touch easy to guess, but I enjoyed it. People are insane!! I honestly believe this is not over. That baddie will be back.  

The narrators are great. They really enhance the story and the characters. I hope they continue narrating future stories. 

Overall, I'm still enjoying the series. Her writing is so fun and I adore this town! Curious to see what is going to happen next. I'll give this 4 stars

Challenge(s):
- #29 for Audiobook challenge

- #18 for Romance Bingo - 2 narrators

Audiobook Review: Butterfly Bayou by Lexi Blake

Author:  Lexi Blake

Narrator:  Jessica Almasy

Title: Butterfly Bayou

(Butterfly Bayou #1)

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 320

Published: May 5, 2020

Where I got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

Life in Dallas took a tragic turn for nurse practitioner Lila Daley. In need of a fresh start, she retreats to Papillon, Louisiana, a tiny town on the bayou. Sure she's greeted by a gator, finds herself in the middle of golf cart wars, and unwittingly adopts a scruffy dog, but Lila remains undaunted. She's focused on running the town's medical clinic, but fitting into the quirky community is harder than she imagined.

As a single dad, Sheriff Armie LaVigne embraces routine. But there is nothing routine about the town's newest resident. Lila is a gorgeous fish out of water and he’s ready to catch her. In fact, in no time at all, Armie knows Lila is the woman for him and he plans to win her heart. But when the past threatens their happiness, Armie will have to decide if he has the courage to trust Lila enough to find a true happily ever after.

Review:

Beautiful cover. Beautiful butterflies. A cute-ass puppy. AND two broken characters? Small town? Yes please. 

We follow Lila and Armie. Lila is a nurse practitioner whose life was flipped upside down after things took a tragic turn. She decides to move Papillon, Louisiana to be near her sister. On the other side of the small town is single dad, Sheriff Armie, who wants a routine and no changes but change is heading his way when he meets Lila. 

OooooOOOooOOOooOO holy symbolism! Papillon...butterflies....two characters who need a change in their life....a town scared of changes......I write an entire essay on this alone. Love it!

Lila was a hard cookie. She has lived her life with a rough and prickly exterior. But she needed it to survive her childhood and her line of work as a nurse in the ER. I liked her a lot. 

Armie is adorable even though he made me SOOOOOOO mad near the end. OOOO boy did he need a kick in the butt. Good on you Lila not caving. Change is hard and having a stubborn kid is hard. Honestly... I felt this was a left-field reaction for him. 

This was a little darker in some parts than I thought. It was light and fluffy in some parts and not in others. I liked it. It felt right. 

The townsfolk were fun BUT they sucked and were sooo mean to Lila at first. Yes, yes they do not like change and having their Doc retire and this "stranger" comes in and takes his place. But 1) she is not a complete stranger....her sis and BIL live in town and are BELOVED. 2)the Sheriff trusts her....and 3) It is 2000s. GET over it. 

The narrator was good. I liked her voices. She had a huge variety for the women, but the men's voices she had only a small pocket. This works in the end, but you have to focus when there are multiple men in the convo.

All-in-all, I really liked this book. The characters. The town. The story. It was good. I highly recommend it. I'll give this 4 stars.  

Challenge(s):
- #25 for Audiobook challenge

- #17 for Romance Bingo - Doctor/Nurse

Audiobook Review: What Happens at Christmas by Evonne Wareham

Author:  Evonne Wareham

Narrator:  David Thorpe

Title: What Happens at Christmas

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Holiday

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 255

Published: December 5th 2017

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius knows that any publicity is good publicity. His agent tells him that often, so it must be true. In the run-up to Christmas, she excels herself - talking him into the craziest scheme yet: getting himself kidnapped, live on TV.

But when the plan goes ahead and Drew is unceremoniously thrown in the back of a van before being dragged to a hut in middle of the Brecon Beacons, it all starts to feel a little bit too real.

Meanwhile, not far away, Lori France and her four-year-old niece Misty are settling in to spend the holidays away after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Little do they know they’re about to make a shocking discovery and experience a Christmas they’re not likely to forget …

Review:

Been eyeballing this for a while and wanted to save it for Xmas time buuuuuuut I wanted to listen to it now ;)

The story follows best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius and wannabe author Lori France. Andrew has always been told any publicity is good publicity so he decides to join her crazy scheme of him being kidnapped on live TV. But things go off-script when he is for real kidnapped and wakes up in a hut chained to a wall. Meanwhile, not too far away, Lori and her four-year-old niece are settling in to spend the holidays after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Thank goodness for friends. Little do they know they will uncover a chained-up celebrity and have a Christmas no one will ever forget. 

This was for sure a different take on a romance, a xmas book, and a mystery. I couldn't resist this one!

I'll admit...I struggled to get into this at first. It took me a minute to really give a hoot about Andrew. I only care about Lori and Misty. I only started caring about Andrew when he was chained up. He had some really good character development then and then I cared about him and was interested in his POV. 

This was so unrealistic to the point it was believable. Idiot for agreeing to do the kidnapping, to begin with. SMH. But he trusted his agent's opinion. 

Now...I will say I do not buy that they fell in love so quickly. They were together for what....maybe like 5 days....a solid week? Sure I get the lust and the caring about each other....but I didn't buy that they would be angsty for each other when he had to leave. Maybe looking fondly back on the time they spent and wishing they had more time...sure....but angsty longing? Mmm....they had two kisses. I just didn't buy it for them. 

I am glad that the author made them deal with their life issues and personal issues first before they could have their HEA finally. Especially for Andrew. He had a lot of things to deal with before hunting down Lori and starting a relationship. Between his traumatic past and his traumatic experience and finding the kidnapper....boy is busy. 

The narrator did well. I swear I have heard his voice before...but I went through his list of works on Audible and I didn't recognize anything. Maybe he just sounds like someone? Who knows. Butt yes - he did well. His little girl voice made me cringe, but all the other voices were good and luckily Misty isn't around for long. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. It took me a minute to really get into the story, but I enjoyed the ride. Sure...it was unrealistic in a lot of ways, but it was fun and a different take on a HR xmas tale. I'm glad I didn't wait to listen to it. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #23 for Audiobook challenge

- #16 for Romance Bingo - Xmas setting

Book Review: Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

Author: Grace Draven

Title: Phoenix Unbound

(Fallen Empire #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 400 

Published: September 25th 2018

Where I Got It: Amazon

Summary: 

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital - her fate: to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion, and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire and burn once more.

Review:

This author really has the most beautiful covers! And her stories are always so fresh and fun. 

This one we follow Gilene and Azarion. Every year villages are required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital to be sacrificed for their Gods and for the entertainment of the masses. Gilene has been sacrificed every year for the last five years because she is a fire witch and will survive the flames. However, this year is different because Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her magic and is now set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape this life of slavery and to reclaim his birthright of his clan. To protect her family and village, she will go along with him and maybe they can end the Empire.

I will admit I struggled big time at the beginning. I just....just didn't care about Gilene or Azarion. Not sure why. I honestly wanted to quit and DNF this. But I have a personal rule to get to page 100 before officially tossing in the towel. 

And...here we are. I finished this bad boy. Not sure what happened...suddenly I could not put this down. I had to finish it. I can't pinpoint what changed. Randomly I liked our hero and heroine. I liked Azarion's clan. Not sure when or how or why, but I became invested and I had to finish this. I stayed up WAY too late reading this just to be done because it got really good, really fast. 

The Empire needs to burn. They are monsters. 

Gilene's village needs to burn too. Screw them. 

I loved Azarion's family and clan (grrr not that cousin though). I would want to be there. I loved how they worship the fire witches and that fire goddess. 

I want more in this world for sure. Book 2 has been sitting on my shelf for a while but I wanted to wait until I got to book 1. So glad this worked out in the end.

Honestly, I want more world-building and I would love to see more of Gilene's powers. 

Overall, something did not click for me in the beginning, but around page 90ish I was hooked. I had to read it as quickly as possible. The world is so interesting. I love our characters. This was everything you would want in a fantasy story. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #15 for Romance Bingo - Witch/Wizard

Audiobook Review: The Lady Who Loved Him by Christi Caldwell

Author:  Christi Caldwell

Narrator:  Tim Campbell

Title: The Lady Who Loved Him (The Brethren #2)

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 377

Published:  January 31st 2018

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

In this passionate, emotional Regency romance by Christi Caldwell, society's most wicked rake meets his match in the clever Lady Chloe Edgerton! And nothing will ever be the same!

She doesn’t believe in marriage….

The cruelty of men is something Lady Chloe Edgerton understands. Even in her quest to better her life and forget the past, men always seem determined to control her. Overhearing the latest plan to wed her to a proper gentleman, Chloe finally has enough...but one misstep lands her in the arms of the most notorious rake in London.

The Marquess of Tennyson doesn’t believe in love….

Leopold Dunlop is a ruthless, coldhearted rake... a reputation he has cultivated. As a member of The Brethren, a secret spy network, he’s committed his life to serving the Crown, but his rakish reputation threatens to overshadow that service. When he’s caught in a compromising position with Chloe, it could be the last nail in the coffin of his career unless he’s willing to enter into a marriage of convenience.

A necessary arrangement...

A loveless match from the start, it soon becomes something more. As Chloe and Leo endeavor to continue with the plans for their lives prior to their marriage, Leo finds himself not so immune to his wife – or to the prospect of losing her.

Review:

Awwww I love me some spies. And I liked book 1 so why not?

The story follows Chloe and Leo. Both had a rough childhood and both want nothing to do with marriage or love. Chloe wants to control her destiny and life. Leo wants to be left alone to womanize and continue being a spy and maybe run the network someday. However, they are caught in a compromising position and if they don't marry all their plans are ruined. What starts off as a loveless match becomes something more. 

Loved both Chloe and Leo! They needed each other and they never even knew it. They both had shitty childhoods full of abuse and fear. Sighs. Made my little heart bleed for them. I did want to shake Leo sometimes, but he is a stubborn rake. 

Gah I wanted to shake Chloe's brother too! Yes, yes, you want to protect your sister and etc, but calm down. 

The mystery was good. I had my guesses and I was right even though it wasn't a serious guess and I had no idea why the person who do that. So good! I was all "WHAAA?" when the truth was revealed. Dang.

Now - I guess this series is a spin-off of another series? This and the first book I felt are fine without reading it. I do want to backtrack because you do get glimpses of Leo and he was a bad bad dude. Rake of the century! I am curious about the others. 

The narrator was really good. I enjoyed his voices even is girl ones worked well. 

In the end, I enjoyed this. Book 1 was good...this was even better I felt. I am curious about book 3 and the original series! I'll stamp this with 5. 

Challenge(s):
- #18 for Audiobook challenge

- #14 for Romance Bingo - "Lady" in title