Zoey Gunner pushes herself to go to a Sip n' Stitch to meet new people... only thing is that she showed up at the wrong bar. Which is how she meet theZoey Gunner pushes herself to go to a Sip n' Stitch to meet new people... only thing is that she showed up at the wrong bar. Which is how she meet the werewolf biker Warner Jameson. One sniff, and he knows that he needs to get to know her better.
Why I started this book: Summer Reading means fun and flirty romance novels.
Why I finished it: Started it for the fun new werewolf romance. Stayed for the great characters, descriptions of mental health and family relationships. This was my first Connolly book, but it won't be my last....more
Tongue in check little book to remind you that there is an example in your own home for resisting fascism.
Why I started this book: Sample showed the cTongue in check little book to remind you that there is an example in your own home for resisting fascism.
Why I started this book: Sample showed the cat comics at the start of each chapter.
Why I finished it: Short, hopeful and funny. You can resist by knocking things over, going where you want and by taking naps. Keep you claws sharp and your enemies confounded....more
Kathy Valence has failed at everything in her life except her job. She is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. But on a routine piKathy Valence has failed at everything in her life except her job. She is forty-two, mid-divorce, and pregnant with her ex's baby. But on a routine pick up of a soul, she's a modern-day grim reaper employed by S.C.Y.T.H.E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), is a miss when soul is not there. She's got 45 days to find the soul before seventeen-year-old Conner Ortiz becomes a ghost, forced to wander the earth forever. When she finds him, he tells her that he's been murdered by someone wearing a S.C.Y.T.H.E. badge. To solve his murder, she's going to need all the help she can find. Including her retired friend and her ex.
Why I started this book: Requested and ARC for A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death and realized that it was book 2, so I checked out book 1 from my library.
Why I finished it: Slow, rough start. Both Kathy and Conner are very rough around the edges and it took time for me to grow to like them. But by mid-book I was cheering for them, hoping that they could survive finding Conner's killer. This was advertised as a mystery but it feels more like a bumbling buddy comedy. And I'm interested in book 2 which is aparrently completely new characters....more
Nora is an administrative clerk for S.C.Y.T.H.E which means that she see her twin's name on the collection files, hours before he's fated to die. She Nora is an administrative clerk for S.C.Y.T.H.E which means that she see her twin's name on the collection files, hours before he's fated to die. She ditches work, and rushes over to save him. Charlie is up for an adventure, he grabs his gift parrot and they race off to avoid death and all of Nora's co-workers.
Why I started this book: Requested the ARC because of the title alone.
Why I finished it: Book two is a standalone novel set in the same world as the first book. There are no overlaps in characters, so a new reader could pick start with this book. Nora is a walking ball of fears, that she manages by minimizing any and all risks. But she abandons all that to rescue her one surviving family member... her twin brother she hasn't talked to in months. The rescue evolves from a road trip into a quest, as they seek a way to evade fate. Dara is great at character growth, connections and story but once again, the cussing means that I will have to be careful about who I had this wonderful story too....more
Personal essays about Jones' life and why she lives in a small town and not the big city.
Why I started this book: I love books about books and I'm craPersonal essays about Jones' life and why she lives in a small town and not the big city.
Why I started this book: I love books about books and I'm craving the simple life in my current season of crazy.
Why I finished it: This to me, felt more like a book about expectations and the stories we tell ourselves than the story of staying put. Which also makes me feel like I'm arguing about sematics vs. substance. But it felt more like Jones was struggling to adjust to a life that didn't match Hollywood's promise rather than celebrating the choices of staying put. And I get that the line between, having to stay here and choosing to stay here is blurry... but happiness comes from pulling that into focus. Acknowledging that based on the resources you have, the circumstances and opportunities, staying put is the best decision (one that you can revisit) for you and your family....more
Susan and Cynthia have spent hours and years, talking on mike about the challenges of being a modern Mormon woman. They have discussed the good, bad aSusan and Cynthia have spent hours and years, talking on mike about the challenges of being a modern Mormon woman. They have discussed the good, bad and itchy parts of our doctrine and practice. They are staying but can understand why women are leaving. Their openness allows others to join the conversation.
Why I started this book: I've been listening to their podcast for several years and eager to see what they would write.
Why I finished it: Turns out this is more, best of the podcast vs. something new. Which is good introduction to anyone who hasn't listened to the podcast for years. In fact, this is a way to jump into the conversations that they've been having....more
Caroline Wilton knows that if she leaves the island for more than 24 hours she will die. All her family members have. Which is why she sent her high sCaroline Wilton knows that if she leaves the island for more than 24 hours she will die. All her family members have. Which is why she sent her high school sweetheart away to college without her and why it was so painful when he moved back after his divorce.
Why I started this book: The Libby due date was fast approaching and I didn't want to put myself back on the holds list.
Why I finished it: This is more light paranormal/urban fantasy than romance but it was fun to see the town and the Hoult teens were great!...more
Wharton professor Zeke Hernandez uses nearly 20 years of research and his personal story to answer and discuss the big questions about immigration. HeWharton professor Zeke Hernandez uses nearly 20 years of research and his personal story to answer and discuss the big questions about immigration. He traces the economic addition of immigrants and the costs to local communities, short term and long term.
Why I started this book: My aunt recommended this book to my Mom, and I was so interested that I put it on hold on Libby. It arrived way sooner than I expected.
Why I finished it: Fascinating data, and perspective. I appreciated the long term effects of immigration and the anecdotes about internal migration vs. national immigration. And it was great to learn that Pollo Compero is in the US....more
Claire Collins agrees to spend 30 days as sexual prey to earn $30,000 and pay off her college loans. A partner at her ex-husband's firm wants to hunt Claire Collins agrees to spend 30 days as sexual prey to earn $30,000 and pay off her college loans. A partner at her ex-husband's firm wants to hunt her through his woodlands. It's better than waiting tables but as the game begins she must balance between her desire to be caught and keeping the game interesting so she can earn the full amount.
Why I started this book: Stuck on an airplane, I wanted something that could hold my attention.
Why I finished it: This romance book is written backwards, and it was fascinating how the author started with the smut and then worked towards the love. It's a titillating read, that like the hero is light on the aftercare until the very end when he learns what is needed and expected....more
Jones focuses on three men Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov; the deceased Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani; and vice chairman of China’s Jones focuses on three men Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov; the deceased Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani; and vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia to highlight the irregular warfare being waged by Russia, Iran and China.
Why I started this book: It never fails, all my holds arrive at once, I feel compelled to finish them as fast as possible to shorten the line for the next person.
Why I finished it: Fascinating with critics for both American political parties. And the biggest critic for the military members who are preparing for the war that they want to fight, not the war that is being waged....more
Wyatt wants to be a dad and is going forward with his dreams. The surrogacy agency doesn't have a match for him, so his niece decides to find him the Wyatt wants to be a dad and is going forward with his dreams. The surrogacy agency doesn't have a match for him, so his niece decides to find him the perfect woman. Wyatt lives on a mountain above a small town and has spare apartment for his surrogate if needed.
Trista needs the apartment; she's being kicked out of her apartment because the landlord found out about her pig. She's becoming a surrogate for the money, to help get her personal goals in order to start an animal rescue center.
Why I finished it: This was a big swing for romance and I'm reading more Daws books because of this one. Things that worked - 1. crazy family, 2. cute animals, 3. cabin-life dreams. 4. Laugh out loud lines. Things that didn't work for me - 1. lewd and crude right from the first sentence. 2. Lots of graphic sex scenes that I just skimmed over because of #1. 3. Fast and loose with surrogacy issues 4. small town at the bottom of the mountain is the right size to have some really random things and too small for others. 5. Trista's past was a lot. Too much. 6. Who rescues chickens?!?...more
Jessamine Bricker created a business to celebrate love and epic stories. She uses her skills at contingency planning to assemble romantic marriage proJessamine Bricker created a business to celebrate love and epic stories. She uses her skills at contingency planning to assemble romantic marriage proposals for her clients. When a snobby high school classmate, Diana, reconnects just as her landlords retire and need to sell their property, the opportunity for a quick payout are enough to override her normal judgement.
Jess has one week to plan a memorable and photographic brilliant proposal, while accompanying the bride to a "pre-bridal" retreat at the exclusive Golden Ash resort. So exclusive that there isn't cell phone reception and Jess is working a little closer with resort staff in their business office to keep her business going. Additionally, the other guests are behaving badly and the only bright spot is the surly chef. But then Jess finds a body, and this quick payout looks harder than ever.
Why I started this book: Requested it from Netgalley because of the set up, and started it immediately because of the deadline.
Why I finished it: Fun story that drew me in quickly and kept me engaged. Great characters and dialog, and I am eager to read some of Harper's romances....more
Witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Festival Finding Ceremony at the age of 18, and learned that her high school sweetheart was fatedWitch Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Festival Finding Ceremony at the age of 18, and learned that her high school sweetheart was fated mates with her best friend. She moved out of their small town, weaving a spell so that no one could find her, and restarted her dreams in the big city. Thirteen years later, she's returning with a teenager in tow. Her goddaughter is half-shifter and needs serious help.
Why I started this book: Asher is really great at premises. Her stories have a great hook.
Why I finished it: This is my second Asher novel and I have found that her build up is better than the follow through but your mileage may vary. It's a decent story, with fun supporting characters....more