Books We've Read - Mistletoe in Paradise

I read this book as a light little diversion to keep my reading going.  I love Jill Shalvis, and this was a perfect book for a Saturday.  It opens with 2 brothers - James and Jason - and a childhood friend, Hannah.  Their families always spend Christmas together on a yacht sailing around the Carribean.  This year, Hannah, James, and Hannah's step-father are on the yacht for a most awkward trip.  

There is some reunited love, some father/daughter moments, warm temperatures when it is definitely cold where I am, some sexy times.  It's perfectly adorable - light in parts, funny in parts, and really touching and moving in parts.  This is loosely part of the Wildstone series, but you definitely do not need to read any of the series for this one.  It's very stand alone.

Book Opinion - The Summer Deal

I'm back reading! It's been helpful making myself read the book club books for work, and I switched it up with some summer romances. The Summer Deal, I guess, is technically Women's Fiction which is basically romance for people who don't want to read romance. They have the summary covers and some complicated FEELS in them. (OK, Women's Fiction is where the focus is on the women and less about the relationship and LOVE, but in some cases, there is still some romance and sexy times.) 

I really like Jill Shalvis with like literally one exception. I've met her a handful of times, and she always pretends to remember me. I have my doubts, but it's nice. I wasn't as excited to read this one as others mostly because of my mood, but I'm so glad I did. It is mainly about two women who were sworn enemies as children. From each perspective, you really felt something for both women. It doesn't hurt that both have a love interest who is perfect for them. The men may be too perfect actually, only making small misguided actions. 

I love a book that can make you like a character that is initially unlikable. Neither woman did anything that, to me, was unforgivable, but everyone knows what it's like to have a childhood bully and how that weight sometimes follows them through adulthood. Books are interesting because these characters went through such difficult times and worked very hard for their happy ending. I wanted to stay with them longer now that they're all happy and adjusted. I guess that's a good complaint to have.

Book Opinion - Almost Just Friends

This week, I read Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis. I stayed up late to finish this one last night (this morning?)  I really liked it because I love Jill Shalvis's characters and style.  I love that both main characters were flawed but really saw each other and that didn't change.  The romance was in figuring out how to believe in the happy ending - and logistics which are figured out easily in romance novels.  The secondary characters are also complex and fun and add to the story, are part of the story.  You have to suspend a bit of disbelief (or a lot), but I'm willing to do so if I leave a book with happy feelings.  More people should read romance for the happy.  Also, I like this series because you don't have to read the books that come beforehand, but of course, I do because I'm a stickler for book order.  That said, I have a horrible memory so I couldn't tell you anything about the previous books at all.  

Movies & Books in January 2017

I've been lazy at keeping up with the blog.

Movies Watched in January 2017

• Finding Dory 
• Nancy Drew 
• The Spiderwick Chronicles 
• Just Add Magic
• Hidden Figures

Books Read in January 2017

• Who Do You Love by Christie Ridgway (This is part of the Rock Royalty series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Rules of Contact by Jaci Burton (This is part of the Play by Play series. The order of which can be found here
• Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis (This is part of the Heartbreaker Bay series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

I decided to start listing our Sunday Family Movies.  Every Sunday, we make pancakes and watch a movie as a family.  Most of the time, Little Miss chooses, but we sometimes take turns.  I saw Hidden Figures in the theater with Mom and Sister which was fun.  

The books were all pretty solid, fast reads.  Three romance and one memoir - all enjoyable.

Books Read in April 2016

• Yes, Please by Willow Summers (NOTE: This is part of a series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Now, Please by Willow Summers (NOTE: This is part of a series. The order of which can be found here.)
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrLean
• Because of Miss Bridgertona by Julia Quinn  (NOTE:  This is part of the Rokesby series, but this is the first book and there is no news or information on the website yet.)
• Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Cedar Ridge series, the order of which can be found here.)
• More, Please by Willow Summers (NOTE: This is part of a series. The order of which can be found here.)
• Make Me Stay by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series, the order of which can be found here.)
• All Wound Up by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Play by Play series, the order of which can be found here.)

I really enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See.  I got to hear the author speak last month, and that was highly enjoyable.  He's such a good speaker, one of the few authors who was just so vibrant yet spent very little time talking about himself or his book(s).  He was generous with Q&A and so very smart and intelligent without making you feel stupid because you weren't as smart as he was.

I enjoyed the always-enjoyable Jill Shalvis and Julia Quinn.  Plus, I found a whole cache of Jaci Burton books.  I read these two plus a third in May and still have a novella before I'm all caught up.  I'm reading the novella out of order, but I do love making progress on books hanging out in my e-reader.  Decent month even if I had more I wanted to get to.

Books Read in December 2015

1. A Lucky Life Interrupted by Tom Brokaw
2. My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of Cedar Ridge series. You can find more information here.)

I didn't read a lot in December, but I loved both books. That should count for something.

Books Read in October 2015

1. Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. All I Want by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Animal Magnetism series. You can find more information here.)
3. Crash Into You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
4. Still Into You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
5. Melt Into You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
6. Fall Into You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
7. Not Until You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
8. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
9. Caught Up In You by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
10. Need You Tonight by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)
11. Forever Starts Tonight by Roni Loren (NOTE: This is part of Loving on the Edge series. You can find more information here.)

Just some quick reads. Most are romance and have very adult content so word to the wise. The Girl on the Train is for bookclub. It was a big debut author and a bestseller, but I wasn't totally on board with the premise. I did like that it was a fast read.

Books Read in July 2015

1. Complications by Atul Gawande
2. Insider by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is the first book of the Exodus End. The band featured has made a cameo in her previous series - book list is here.)
3. Opening Up by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is the first book in her Ink and Chrome series. You can find more information here.)
4. Unraveled by Lorelei James (NOTE: This is the third book in the Mastered series. The order of which can be found here.)
5. Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is the first book in the Cedar Ridge series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Kiss Me by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Holding Holly and Chasing Jillian by Julie Brannagh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Master of Freedom by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Mountain Masters and Dark Haven series. The order of which can be found here.)

I did a lot of reading. After a spell of heavier books, I jumped back into romance. I'll admit there was a mix of down and dirty and sweet so be wary if you use this for recommendations. Complications was my rare non-fiction book. I liked it. The author made things easy to follow. It gave great insight in a clear, concise way. I'd recommend it and I'd even go so far as to say I'd read his latest book.

Books Read in April 2015

1. Still the One by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Animal Magnetism series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Love After All by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Hard Knocks by Lori Foster (NOTE: This is part of the Ultimate series. The order of which can be found here.)

In preparation to the sequel of To Kill a Mockingbird, I did a reread. I really enjoyed it this time around. I'm curious to see what the sequel will hold this summer. The others were romances to help come down from The Nightingale and balanced out To Kill a Mockingbird.

Books Read in Fall 2014

November

1. Blood Magick by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of The Cousins O'Dwyer series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman (NOTE: The other related book/sequel is Where She Went.)
3. Show Me, Baby by Cherise Sinclair (NOTE: This is part of the Masters of the Shadowland series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Unbridled by Beth Williamson
5. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
6. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
7. Take Me to Paradise by Olivia Cunning (NOTE: This is part of the Sinners on Tour series. The order of which can be found here, but it has not been updated to include the latest novella.)
8. Holiday on Ice by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Play by Play series. The order of which can be found here.)

December

1. Yours for Christmas by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Lucky Harbor series - the last one! The order of which can be found here.)
3. Covering Kendall by Julie Brannaugh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

It looks more impressive than the list should be.  Many were novellas, just quick little fun romance short stories.  I did have some quality books in there - both romance and mainstream fiction.  It was a good run, and I have no complaints.

Books Read in October 2014

1. He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of Lucky Harbor series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. The Best Kind of Trouble by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is part of the Hurley Boys series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. Hope Burns by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Looking for Trouble by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is part of the Jackson Girls' Night Out. The order of which can be found here.)
5. One in a Million by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of Lucky Harbor series. The order of which can be found here.)

It looks more impressive than the list should be.  Many were novellas, just quick little fun romance short stories.  I did have some quality books in there - both romance and mainstream fiction.  It was a good run, and I have no complaints.

Books Read in September 2014

1. It’s In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of Lucky Harbor series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. One Night Rodeo by Lorelai James (NOTE: This is part of the Blacktop Cowboys series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. Festive in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This is part of the In Death series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Heroes are my Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
5. Paper Towns by John Green

Less books than August, but I did ok. They were all good books, too. I don’t think Paper Towns was my favorite of John Green’s books so far, and I’m curious how it will do as a movie, but I liked it. This current month is pretty sad in terms of reading, but I have time. Sometimes, I read the most in the second half of the month. We’ll see. I’ve jumped full into romance novels lately so that speeds things up.

Books Read in July 2014

1. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell 
2. Cowboy Take Me Away by Lorelai James  (NOTE: This is part of her Rough Rider series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. Then Came You by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Animal Magnetism series. The related books can be found here.)
4. Straddling the Line by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Play by Play series. The order in which to read the books can be found here.)

Decent month full of quick reads.  I'm enjoying my romance run.  All of the books were solid with great stories and characters.

Books Read in March 2014

1. Once in a Lifetime by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of her Lucky Harbor series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This is part of her In Death series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. Rushing Amy by Julie Brannaugh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order of which can be found at Julie's website. This is the second book.)

I read a few non-romance books last month so I was ready to delve back into the genre. I picked some good ones. I was impressed and swept up in all three. I also started Nora Roberts's latest at the end of the month (but it won't show up until next month's list), and I'm really enjoying it.

Books Read in December 2013

1. We Are Water by Wally Lamb
2. Holiday Games by Jaci Burton  (NOTE:  This is part of the Play By Play series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth  (NOTE:  This is part of the Divergent series.  The order of which can be found here.)
4. A Christmas to Remember by a handful of authors - Jill Shalvis (a short story part of the Lucky Harbor series), Kristen Ashley (a short story part of the Chaos series), Hope Ramsey (a short story part of the Last Chance series), Molly Cannon (a short story part of the Everson Texas series and Marilyn Pappano (a short story part of the Tallgrass series.
5. Holiday Kisses by a handful of authors - Jaci Burton (a short story part of the Kent Brothers series), Shannon Stacey, Helen Kay Dimon (a short story part of the Holloway series and Alison Kent
6. Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fools Gold series. The order to read the books can be found here.)

This month looks grander than it was.  The first book was for book club and took me the majority of the month (and some of November) to read.  The others were almost all Christmas novellas plus Divergent which continues my Young Adult trend.  I can't help it.  There is a lot of good, quality Young Adult novels out there.  For once, I read all of my Christmas books during the holiday season.  I rarely do that, but I had more than usual this year so figured it would help me end up in the Christmas frame of mind.  Plus, all the happy was a nice follow-up to the book club book which was a little heavy to say the least.

Books Read in November 2013

1. If Only by Cherise Sinclair  (NOTE:  This is part of the Masters of the Shadowlands series.  The order of which can be found here.)
2. Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis  (NOTE:  This is part of the Animal Magnetism series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick  (NOTE:  This is part of the Mother-Daughter Book Club series.  The order of which can be found here.)
4. Dark Witch by Nora Roberts  (NOTE:  This is part of the Cousin O’Dwyer trilogy.  This is the first book in the trilogy. You can find the release order for the rest of the trilogy (and the rest of Nora Roberts’s book for the year) here.)

The month wasn’t bad. I read all of these in the beginning of the month before starting the book club book which took me about a month to finish. You’ll see that one in December. No big standouts, but I enjoyed each of them. The books in the series were compelling enough that I’m frustrated by the long wait for the next book though The Mother-Daughter Book Club series is complete so I do have the second book ready to go. I usually take a break because the series is for much (much) younger readers so I can only handle so much at once of 6th grade angst.

Books Read in September 2013

1. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (NOTE:  This is part of The Passage trilogy.)
2. Sometimes a Rogue by Mary Jo Putney  (NOTE:  This is part of The Lost Lords series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Thankless in Death by Cherise SinclairJ.D. Robb (NOTE:  This is part of the In Death series - the order of which can be found here)
4. Always on My Mind by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl. (NOTE: This book is part of the Jackson series. The order of which can be found here.)

The Twelve is a monster of a book. I didn't think I'd get much more in, but I switched to romance and cranked out a few more. I needed something light to balance out The Twelve and Thankless In Death. Both were pretty bleak. Still, all the books were pretty solid.

Books Read in July 2013

1. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor Series. You can find the order in which to read it here.)
2. Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards  (NOTE:  This is part of the Recipe for Love series. The order of which can be found here.
3. Doms of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
4. Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night by Cherise Sinclair, Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride. (NOTE:  This is part of the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series - the order of which can be found here, the Hawkeye series - the order of which can be found here, and the Truckee Wolves series - the order of which can be found here.)
5. Hawkeye One: Danger Zone by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Hawkeye Two: Bend Me Over by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
7. Book Three: Make Me by Sierra Cartwright. (NOTE: This book is part of the Hawkeye series. The order of which can be found here.)
8. Hot Summer Nights by Jaci Burton, Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy, and Jessica Clare. (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series - the order of which can be found here and the Serendipity series - the order of which can be found here.
9. Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
10. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)
11. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson  (NOTE:  This is part of the Enchanted, Inc. series. The order of which can be found here.)

The Jill Shalvis one was a forgotten novella.  I caught up on that while waiting for her next release.  The rest were mostly quick erotica reads before a friend recommended the Enchanted, Inc. series which I've completely flew through.  I'm currently reading the fourth book and don't know what I'll do when I catch up!

Weekend Update - Week of Friends

While Little Miss was in Florida, I was very busy!  On Monday, I had a friend in from out of town and met her for dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill.  It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious (seriously, chocolate chip bread pudding - must have it!).  On Tuesday, another friend was in town, and I met her at Chef Geoff's downtown.  We just did burgers and dessert.  I mean, who can turn down doughnuts on the dessert menu?  

Then, on Wednesday, I met a bunch of girlfriends in Atlanta.  We had such a great time.  On Wednesday, we went to the RWA literacy signing.  I met Jill Shalvis, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Julie James - along with Mary Jo Putney, Susan Mallery and Farrah Rochon - and saw hundreds of others.

Thursday, we hiked up Stone Mountain, had lunch and then had cocktails in the Botanical Gardens.  On Friday, some of us went to the aquarium and some toured CNN.  Then, we went to Buckhead to have a really amazing dinner before we all said goodbye to head home throughout the day on Saturday.

My flight was delayed hours coming home on Saturday, but Husband was there to pick me up when I did finally land.  We scooped up Little Miss from my parents and then went to a friends' house.  Husband's friend and his wife and son were in town.  At the end, we were all exhausted.  We had to make a quick stop at the store on the way home because Little Miss was hungry at almost midnight.  I went to bed as soon as we got home while Little Miss ate and Husband took a shower.  Little Miss fell asleep at the kitchen table.  We all slept half the day away the next day.

When we got our act together the next day, we caught the end of the British Open and Little Miss wanted to play golf so we took her to the driving range.  Her clubs are still a little bit, and we were all still a little sleepy, but it was a successful trip.

With a little discipline and confidence, Little Miss will improve.  She still enjoys it at least. 

Books Read in June 2013

1. Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery  (NOTE:  This is part of the Fool's Gold Series. You can find the order in which to read it here.)
2. Lush by Lauren Dane  (NOTE:  This is part of the Delicious series.  The order of which can be found here. However, this series is very close to the Brown series and many characters appear. You can find the order to that series here.)
3. It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis (NOTE:  This is part of the Lucky Harbor series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. One Ssweet Ride by Jaci Burton. (NOTE: This book is part of the Play by Play series. The order in which to read can be found here.)
5. The Perfect Gift by Jennifer Ashley  (NOTE:  This is part of the Mackenzie Family series.  The order of which can be found here.)
6. Two of a Kind by Susan Mallery  (NOTE:  This is part of the Fool's Gold series.  The order of which can be found here.)
7. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin  (NOTE:  This is part of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.  The order of which can be found here.)

Big month and all spread out. Lots of fun little romances. Then, I finally finished A Game of Thrones. I've read the book on and off for years. Literally years. I finally finished it. I did buy the second book, and hopefully, it won't take me years to read that one.