Squares Called:
01/09 - Classic Horror (not on card)
03/09 - Cryptozoologist
05/09 - Cozy Mystery (not on card)
07/09 - New Release
09/09 - Southern Gothic
Books Read & Called:
04/09 - Cryptozoologist - Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews (392 p.)
Books Read & Not Called:
06/09 - Darkest London - A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (400 p.)
07/09 - Country House Mystery - Decanting a Murder by Nadine Nettmann (251 p.)
Currently reading:
New Release - The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (368 p.)
Southern Gothic - Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon (337 p.)
Shifters - The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (336 p.)
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“If someone asks you how you are, you are meant to say FINE. You are not meant to say that you cried yourself to sleep last night because you hadn't spoken to another person for two consecutive days. FINE is what you say.”
*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Genre: Contemporary
"She realized how little she wanted a quiet life of pastel colors and quadrilles and tepid lemonade. She wanted more."
*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels #1)
Author: Sarah MacLean
Genre: Historical Romance
*** BOOK BLURB ***
A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.
A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.
Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them... even her heart.
*** REVIEW ***
If I had to sum up this book I would describe it as enjoyable but forgettable romance. There was nothing special about it, but I like books like this as palate cleansers.
I loved inclusion of the letters that main characters exchanged for years during their childhood. These snippets provided a great opportunity to glance into their past.
Aside from Penelope and Michael, there is an entertaining cast of secondary characters who will get their own books in this series.
Writing at some parts is a bit over the top, but overall it was fun little romance.
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*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: Pretty Little Killers (The Keepers #1)
Author: Rita Herron
Genre: Romantic Suspense | Mystery
*** BOOK BLURB ***
Still haunted by his wife’s murder—and stained by the blood of avenging it—FBI special agent Hatcher McGee can’t believe he’s being teamed up with rookie agent Korine Davenport. She is his most guilty secret—the one-night stand who almost cost him everything.
Korine has her own demons. As a child, she witnessed her father’s murder, and she’s spent her life waiting for the killer’s return. She and Hatcher are both looking for closure, but the disturbing case that draws them together could be their last.
When the mutilated body of a corrupt Savannah judge surfaces, Hatcher and Korine find themselves on the trail of a vigilante who is showing no mercy. Not for the predators who’ve gone free. And not for anyone who gets in the way.
As the body count rises, and as Hatcher’s and Korine’s own pasts unfold, they must risk their lives tracking a killer they’ve come to understand all too well. After all, the ends justify the means.
*** REVIEW ***
Pretty Little Killers is in a most part a police procedural novel just with a bit of steamy romance. It's full of unexpected twists and turns that make it hard to figure out who is the real killer.
For a Romantic Suspense genre, it lacked the actual "romance". Characters seemed more suffering from lust and wanting to hop into bed than developing some real feelings.
Both main characters have an interesting and complex backstories that meshed with the overall story. The setting goes hand in hand with the plot and is the superb backdrop to a thrilling crime novel.
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Challenge: Introduce Yourself #insixwords
Passionate risk taker following her dreams.
Progress:
Book of a day: A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
Pages read today: 386
Total of pages read: 386
So today I started and finished A Rogue by Any Other Name. I enjoyed it. Author did a great job of bringing up Penelope and Michael's past while being in the present. Book like these are my vice. They are pretty forgettable, but enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
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DAY 2
Challenge: Book Plot Emoji
Pretty Little Killers by Rita Herron
Book of a day: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Pages read today: 327
Total of pages read: 713
Oh my... This is the kind of book that makes my heart soar. Quirky characters with soul. Definitely will be one of my favorite books read this year.
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DAY 3
Challenge: Literary Villain
Favorite villain in books that was first though in my mind have to be Voldemort from Harry Potter. While he wants to make the world of magic available only for those of the purest blood, what really reals him up is his hatred for Harry Potter.
Book of a day: 1984 by George Orwell
Pages read today: 328
Total of pages read: 1041
1984 was sitting on my book shelf for years and I never got around to reading it. But I really glad I finally did it! Classics isn't genre I like much, but many times reading this book I couldn't believe it really was written in 1949. This book still seems so relevant in nowadays.
It reminded me in many aspects a tv series The Man in the High Castle.
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DAY 4
Challenge: Book Trip
Paris is Always a Good Idea. We all are fascinated with The City of Light like no other, and it definitely is on many peoples bucket list. Here some books I would recommend to read if Paris fuels your imagination.
Historical Fiction - Paris by Edward Rutherfurd
Historical Nonfiction - The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough
Historical Romance - The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans
Contemporary Romance - Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Paranormal Romance - Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum
Unfortunately today I won't have as much free time to read as I had few previous days, so will split the book between today and tomorrow.
Book of a day: The Controversial Princess by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Pages read today: 254
Total of pages read: 1295
*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: Going Dark (The Lost Platoon #1)
Author: Monica McCarty
Genre: Romantic Suspense
*** BOOK BLURB ***
Like Rome's Lost Legion, a SEAL platoon goes on a mission and vanishes without a trace.
After walking into a trap on a covert op in Russia, the men from top secret SEAL Team Nine are presumed dead. Not knowing whom they can trust, and with war hanging in the balance, the survivors must go dark and scatter around the globe.
Marine ecologist Annie Henderson joins her new boyfriend on a trip to the Western Isles of Scotland to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. When she realizes that she may be swept up in something far more dangerous than she'd intended, there is only one man she can turn to...
She and the mysterious but sexy dive boat captain haven't exactly gotten off to the best start, but something about his quiet confidence makes her think that he's the kind of man she can depend on. Because he's gruff and guarded, she can tell Dan Warren has secrets. But she could never imagine how high the stakes are for him to keep his cover, even as he risks everything to protect her...
*** REVIEW ***
Going Dark was a high stakes non-stop action story that had some good military and romance elements.
I had several issues with this book. First off, it starts off with the botched mission. While it provided background on what happened, it was focused primarily on team member Brian Mruphy, who wasn’t the character the book was about. So I’m not sure why the book started off focused on him instead of the team member the book was actually about. Also a little too much filler for me in some chapters.
The relationship between the hero and heroine is best described as how opposites attract. Annie and Dean couldn't be more different, from their ideologies to their lives. But their attraction and relationship building was believable and a bit steamy.
While I’m curious about what really went wrong on the Russian op, I’m not sure if it’s enough to get me to read the next book in the series.
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“Do not pollute my perfectly acceptable figurative speech with irrelevant facts!”
*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: The Duchess War (Brothers Sinister #1)
Author: Courtney Milan
Genre: Historical Romance
*** BOOK BLURB ***
Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don't get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.
But that is precisely what she gets.
Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he’s up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he’s determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match...
*** REVIEW ***
It was definitely unique historical romances. Author clever uses time period to provide background for the characters and give them a purpose. Some of the issues brought up: radical politics, organized labor, Darwinism and more. Which reminded me on of my favorite period tv series - North & South.
And characters themselves weren't usual too. At first glance they don't have anything in common and relationship between them shouldn't work. But it some way they compliment each other and their slow-burning romance convinced me in their love story.
I loved dialogues between Robert and Millie, their were intellectual and and at the same time with a dose of the humor.
Why I gave only 5 stars? For me the plot twist with the false accusations of sedition was a little too hastily wrapped up. I wanted it explained a bit more and maybe get a glance of how they thought to change the things in a future.
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*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides #1)
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Genre: Historical Romance
*** BOOK BLURB ***
The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family—rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn't be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them—of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.
The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He's also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.
Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama—an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.
And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.
*** REVIEW ***
I really thought I would like this book more than I did. It got 3 stars only because plot was different from usual historical romance - murder mystery and main hero with Aspergers.
The main off putting thing for me was jumping between narrators in the middle of the paragraphs. Also if book has a main character with a mental disorder, you would think it would be explored much deeper. His mental disability and ability to be in a relationships was really downplayed.
Don't think I will be reading further books in the series.
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Title: Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1)
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Dystopia
*** BOOK BLURB ***
While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters.
Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last—and best—hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much larger and more terrifying than anything she could imagine.
Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel to the rez to unravel clues from ancient legends, trade favors with tricksters, and battle dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology.
As Maggie discovers the truth behind the disappearances, she will have to confront her past—if she wants to survive.
*** REVIEW ***
This is a enjoyable and fast paced book. But because I have no knowledge about Navajo mythology and terminology, all the terms thrown at me where very distracting and confusing. Most of them wasn't explained in any way and left me frustrated.
Character, plot and world-building are all well-thought out and brought vibrantly to life. Maggie Hoskie is a real kick ass but flawed heroine and reminded me a lot of Kate Daniels (from Ilona Andrews books).
Overall I really liked it, especially because it was something different from all other Urban Fantasy books I read before. But before picking up second part I will have to do extensive research about Navajo.
Perfect timing! Just as I was looking for some low key read-a-thon this month to read a The Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White this even showed up :) So I definitely signing up. Anyone else planning to participate?
The official blurb:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 20th and runs through Sunday, August 26th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 23 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
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I'm so excited about this! Never participated in book bingo before, but this seems like really fun way to finally get to some forgotten books on my TBR :)
Big thank you to Moonlight Madness for the card and all the work put into organizing this bingo.
Here are my book choices:
Terrifying women: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware is highly acclaimed psychological crime thriller author, but for some reason I never read any of her books. Will see, maybe she will become my go-to author after this :)
Southern Gothic: Fantasy Lover (Hunter Legends Series #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sherrilyn Kenyon books never disappoints me before, hopefully this paranormal romance set in New Orleans won't be an exception.
Spellbound: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
It's sitting on my TBR shelf already about 5 years, finally will have a chance to push myself to read it.
Deadlands: My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie #1) by Diana Rowland
Heard a lot of mixed reviews about this book. Just because of great cover I have to read it and hope for the best.
Country house mystery: Decanting a Murder (A Sommelier Mystery #1) by Nadine Nettmann
Know nothing about this book, but somehow a year ago it ended up on my TBR.
Darkest London: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Another book sitting on my TBR shelf for far too long. Read so many good things about it, but some newer shinier books were always distracting me from picking it up.
Creepy Carnivals: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Oh my, another old-timer on my TBR. I really need to get my act together and start tackling those books.
Modern Noir: Coffin Road by Peter May
I'm not much of a Noir genre reader. Was hard to choose something not knowing any of the authors. But after some search on Goodreads ended up with this one.
Relics and Curiosities: Blood Symbols by Izak Botha
Few days ago I won it in a giveaway, so this bingo will be perfect opportunity to read it. Blurb sounds like something out of the Dan Brown repertoire.
Terror in a small town: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Had nothing on my TBR to fit this category, so going with Moonlight Madness suggestion.
Murder Most Foul: The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Some lighter mystery to balance it out.
New release: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Really excited about this one, just bought a book few weeks ago, so perfect timing for bingo!
Cryptozoologist: Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews
Well about damn time, a book I can get behind. Kate Daniels are one of my favorite kick ass heroines in Urban Fantasy. Hugh was a bad guy in Kate Daniels series, so see him becoming main character in this new spin series was kinda of surprise. Can't wait to see how this bad boy transformation will work out!
Modern Masters of Horror: The Outsider (Finders Keepers #4) by Stephen King
Shame to admit, but I never read any of Stephen King's books. This will be big push out of my comfort zone, hopefully I will manage to finish it.
Amateur sleuth: Front Page Fatality (A Nichelle Clarke Crime Thriller #1) by LynDee Walker
Wanted some light fluffy read to not make my first bingo experience too tough, so choose this one :)
Genre: Suspense: The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent
Another resent purchase. Seems I unintentionally was preparing for Halloween bingo not even knowing about it!
Shifters: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #2) by Molly Harper
I liked first book in the series with it's humorous approach to paranormal romance. Hopefully this one won't disappoint me either.
Romantic suspense: Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
The book topic - mass shooting - is very relevant to nowadays. Can't wait to see how romance part will be entwined into the story.
A Grimm Tale: The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy #1) by Katherine Arden
Fairy Tale set in Russian wilderness? Truly something new for me.
Fear the Drowning Deep: To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Dark retelling of Little Mermaid with spins that pull from other folklore. Mmmm, sounds intriguing.
Doomsday: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Another long timer on my TBR.
Baker Street Irregulars: Truly Devious (Truly Devious #1) by Maureen Johnson
I'm not much into YA mysteries so will rely on Moonlight Madness recommendation.
Gothic: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
A Gothic retelling of Jane Eyre, one of my all time favorite books.
13: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
"Series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before." Sounds promising :)
Wild Cards: Anthony Horowitz - The Word Is Murder (Hawthorne #1) and Magpie Murders
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Title: A Murder in Time (Kendra Donovan #1)
Author: Julie McElwain
Genre: Historical | Time Travel | Mystery
*** BOOK BLURB ***
Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates.
While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldrich Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact.
Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman.
*** REVIEW ***
I started reading this book just for entertainment rather than a literary challenge, but I was still disappointed. Firstly, I was annoyed at how long it took for Kendra to actually time travel. Maybe it would have worked out for me if the events and bad guys she was chasing in nowadays would have related to the story in the past, but it had no connection whatsoever.
*** ABOUT THE BOOK ***
Title: Born to Be Wilde (The Wildes of Lindow Castle #3)
Author: Eloisa James
Genre: Historical Romance
*** BOOK BLURB ***
For beautiful, witty Lavinia Gray, there's only one thing worse than having to ask the appalling Parth Sterling to marry her: being turned down by him.
Now the richest bachelor in England, Parth is not about to marry a woman as reckless and fashion-obsessed as Lavinia; he's chosen a far more suitable bride.
But when he learns of Lavinia's desperate circumstances, he offers to find her a husband. Even better, he'll find her a prince.
As usual, there's no problem Parth can't fix. But the more time he spends with the beguiling Lavinia, the more he finds himself wondering…
Why does the woman who's completely wrong feel so right in his arms?
*** REVIEW ***
This book can be read as standalone, but to better understand the secondary characters I would recommend first read previous two books in the series.
Born to Be Wilde is kinda "enemies to lovers" type of romance. Story spins around two main characters - Parth and Lavinia - who claim not to care for each other while the opposite is blatantly obvious.
I liked how through the book Lavinia's self-esteem is growing and she learning new things about herself. And her ingenious way of solving money problems by starting to work was not commonly found in regency romance either.
"Starting this evening, she would be herself around him: not flirtatious, not foolish, not insulting. Herself. No more and no less than her true self. A bonnet lover—an unabashed, unrepentant bonnet lover."
The book has subplots related to addiction and fashion, which for me were more interesting than the main plot. Maybe because it's not often you would find these topics in historical romance.
Overall I liked the book, but it didn't blow my mind. It was just fun and light story.
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