tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58582446225155150312024-03-13T15:55:20.097-04:00Simply Angela Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.comBlogger1158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-78389883236491203112024-01-03T00:00:00.001-05:002024-01-03T00:00:00.131-05:00Housebroke by Jaci Burton<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0WhieomSpzoX-kM63CV_ln47f3Iqjm6od1GRp2DHi3-JAAJmNfiiyOvxOvg7Re2yW7xKPOKWdT7lcOF7jHaFQDmSKfnvskZNc4uKQaGfbldgGHSEVr0kkSyZh4RwzUmYcUEUQ0gBHcAKZtC3uCdn1Kcpo1kD782bEcUO4PjPYRBn_Y5lHsMydH-6T524/s2475/129253413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0WhieomSpzoX-kM63CV_ln47f3Iqjm6od1GRp2DHi3-JAAJmNfiiyOvxOvg7Re2yW7xKPOKWdT7lcOF7jHaFQDmSKfnvskZNc4uKQaGfbldgGHSEVr0kkSyZh4RwzUmYcUEUQ0gBHcAKZtC3uCdn1Kcpo1kD782bEcUO4PjPYRBn_Y5lHsMydH-6T524/s320/129253413.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow
is left broke and homeless. A friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and
her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It's the perfect setup, until her
friend forgets to tell Hazel she's sold the house!</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel squatting in the house
he just bought, but after some negotiating, he agrees she can stay while he's
renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he's an investor who renovates homes for
fun-but having been burned in the past by women who have only wanted his money,
he leaves out that he's also extremely wealthy...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Hazel's intrigued by sweet, funny Linc. But her track record
with men isn't great, and trust doesn't come easy. Linc's never met anyone like
the quirky beauty who puts everyone's needs before her own. But can he figure
out how to tell Hazel the truth without losing her?<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Berkley |Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5</span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow
is left broke and homeless. A friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and
her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It's the perfect setup, until her
friend forgets to tell Hazel she's sold the house!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel squatting in the house
he just bought, but after some negotiating, he agrees she can stay while he's
renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he's an investor who renovates homes for
fun-but having been burned in the past by women who have only wanted his money,
he leaves out that he's also extremely wealthy...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Hazel's intrigued by sweet, funny Linc. But her track record
with men isn't great, and trust doesn't come easy. Linc's never met anyone like
the quirky beauty who puts everyone's needs before her own. But can he figure
out how to tell Hazel the truth without losing her?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It’s been a minute since I read a Jaci Burton romance and I
completely forgot how much fun I have with them. This one was cute, fast, and
filled with the most adorable little rescue dogs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Here’s a quick recap: Hazel’s a bit down on her luck and
staying at a friend’s house while it’s on the market although unbeknownst to
her, the house sold and she accosted the new owner, Linc, with a cast iron
skillet. While Linc doesn’t want a houseguest, or her pups, staying with him in
the house he’s fixing up he finds himself asking her to stay. While there’s an
attraction, there’s also hesitation as they’ve been hurt before. Now they have
to decide if it’s worth the risk. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Let me just tell you, the cute rescue dogs will steal your
heart. Linc and Hazel do a pretty good job at that as well. I liked both Hazel
and Linc. They’ve both been hurt, they have some issues they need to work
through, and they need to learn to let people in instead of keeping them at arm’s
length. While I liked both, they both had their trying moments. Hazel was rude
at times, lashing out at Linc for no real reason. Linc held on to something
that he should have shared early in their messing about. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m a little on the fence about what to rate this. I’ve been
bouncing between a 3.5 and 4 since I read finished the book and, I think I’m
settling on a 3.5. There were a few issues. The fact that the blowup could have
been avoided if they just sat down and had a conversation. I’m not a fan of
that type of catalyst for the conflict. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending. I
would have liked to have had more of Linc and Hazel’s relationship on the page.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, I did enjoy this one. Linc and Hazel made a fun
pair, there was healing both personal and familial, and it was just a fun time.
I highly recommend this one. <o:p></o:p></p>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-34319536485241136722024-01-02T16:22:00.003-05:002024-03-11T17:02:04.596-04:002024 Reading Challenges <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hjzCBGLeRZcDUyfE3vycJRBLUZBLQiDDVvgjRJY5iygyQ2v9gAKEmSewXG3Ly6Nv-rEFovvZXZ54XCsVql9LCUNugCGp5RTosXr6tFemtWguCSBcMi32pt2m2xjq5vA8Ah8ksNFXBlIKiwGHYixGYId0uZcsiHHt1tNGtQdzjJSvfYbD3tLKWR-ZdCfW/s1053/Untitled%20copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="1053" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hjzCBGLeRZcDUyfE3vycJRBLUZBLQiDDVvgjRJY5iygyQ2v9gAKEmSewXG3Ly6Nv-rEFovvZXZ54XCsVql9LCUNugCGp5RTosXr6tFemtWguCSBcMi32pt2m2xjq5vA8Ah8ksNFXBlIKiwGHYixGYId0uZcsiHHt1tNGtQdzjJSvfYbD3tLKWR-ZdCfW/s320/Untitled%20copy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I wasn’t sure what reading challenges I wanted to do for
2024 but I decided I wanted to keep it simple this year with my public
challenges. I decided to do the Agatha Christie Decades Challenge and the
StoryGraph Onboarding Reading Challenge. There’s probably a few mini challenges
I’ll join through the year but these are the only yearlong challenges I’ll be
joining. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I tried, and failed, with the 23 books in 2023 challenge
that I set for myself. I did pick up a few books from the ones I selected but I
ended up DNFing the majority of those. While the challenge did help me clear my
shelf, reading-wise it was a bit of a bust. My goal is still to clear off my
TBR pile; I just need a more relaxed way to do it as I’m more of a mood reader.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>2024 Agatha Christie
The Decades Challenge<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Host: </b>Agatha
Christie Estate <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goal:</b> To read 12
Agatha Christie books from the themed decades. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Books Read<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>1920s <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>1930s<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>1940s-1950s<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>1950s-1960s<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">4<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>StoryGraph’s 2024
Onboarding Reading Challenge<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-align: left;">Host</b><span style="text-align: left;">: StoryGraph</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Goal</b>: Complete
the 6 reading prompts before the end of 2024<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>1.Prompt</b>: Read a
book from the five-star section of one of your similar users. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b>:
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>2.Prompt</b>: Read a
StoryGraph recommendation from “Out of your comfort zone…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b><i>: Orkney</i> by Amy Sackville<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>3.Prompt:</b> Reading
Challenge random number game. (pick a number from 1-12, go to reading
challenges, open the category that corresponds to the number, select the
challenge that catches your eye, read a book that would fit the prompt)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Random Generated
Number</b>: 2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Category:</b> Tackle Your TBR<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Challenge:</b> Bibliophile’s
Speakeasy hosted by karlsmariels<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Challenge Prompt:</b>
Wine (a classic novel that you have been wanting to read for a while)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b>: <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i> by Oscar
Wilde<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>4. Prompt:</b> Read a
book from your To-Read Pile starting with the first letter of your name. (If
you don’t have a book on your TBR beginning with the first letter of your name,
go through the letters of your name until you find one. ‘A’ and ‘The’ don’t
can’t.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Name:</b> Angela <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Letter Used</b>: E
(apparently, I don’t have books added to StoryGraph that start with ‘A’, ‘N’,
or ‘G’. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b>: <i>Every Vow You Break</i> by Peter Swanson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>5.Prompt</b>: Read a
book discovered via Buddy Reads or Readalongs page.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b>: <i>The Last Heir to Blackwood Library</i> by
Hester Fox<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>6.Prompt</b>: Read a
book from your Up-Next Suggestions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Selected</b>: <i>Spells for Forgetting</i> by Adrienne Young<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p>Personal Reading Challenges</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Finish The Series Personal Challenge—I’m in the middle of
more than few that I need to finish. I also a few that I want to start. Here’s
the list I want to tackle this year.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In Progress</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b>The Krewe of Hunters</b>
by Heather Graham—I made a decent dent in this series last year but I still
have a chunk of the series left to read. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b>Shadow Hollow</b> by
Juneau Black—I have three books left to finish. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b>Outlander</b> by
Diana Gabaldon—I have more than a few books to read in this series.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b>The Oxford Tearoom
Mysteries </b>by HY Hanna—I have three left to read in this series, maybe four
because I’m not sure if I remember what happened in <i>The</i> <i>Dough Must Go On</i>
(book 9).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b>Half Moon Hollow</b>
by Molly Harper—somewhere along the line I missed reading <i>A Witch’s Handbook to Kissing and Curses</i>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Want To Start<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b><i>All Souls</i></b> by
Deborah Harkness—I have the three books and the prequel (I also have the
companion book but I’m not sure I’m going to get it) which I want to finish before
the next book, The Black Bird Oracle, is out in July. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Discovery of Witches </span>READ</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">All Souls</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The Book of Life</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b><i>Dangerous Damsels</i></b>
by India Holton<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<b><i>Belladonna</i></b> Series by Adalyn Grace</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Belladonna </span>READ</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Foxglove </span>READ </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Wisteria (not released yet)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i><b>The Beautiful</b></i> by Renée Ahdieh </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p>The Beautiful</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p>The Damned</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p>The Righteous </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p>The Ruined</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I have a few challenges left in The Ultimate Reading
Challenge book—I received this a few years ago, started it in 2024, and it’s still
not finished. I’ve set a rule for myself that the books I read for this has to
be solely for this challenge. While I could have combined them with other
challenges I completed, I’ve held firm to my rule, which is why the challenge
is still in progress. Here’s the five remaining prompts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Read a book that features an indigenous person<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Read a book about a person with a disability <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Re-read a classic you hated in high school<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Write a letter to someone that’s influenced your reading
life<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Write a quote from a beloved book and display it in your
house<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-36509496294202411882024-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:002024-01-01T00:00:00.141-05:002024 Goals<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtSgci6cbAfxBr33vX2JnpU5wtzX5TNJ3G3dwgIt0ounZI5yrDwqbES_j7jEZ0yOhuynJxS5VbnuxRvW2X5epTHIJA58aJ2ALkJ1A4QkMCUQ4ZXMNIDgL8C0ovA0eU5jDQfEIv6X7zSDCPVRL4hgGRF8YOsPqb5KtiUGOPACV9B7cKnyr5XjyKfNkCHSc/s1053/Untitled%20(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="1053" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtSgci6cbAfxBr33vX2JnpU5wtzX5TNJ3G3dwgIt0ounZI5yrDwqbES_j7jEZ0yOhuynJxS5VbnuxRvW2X5epTHIJA58aJ2ALkJ1A4QkMCUQ4ZXMNIDgL8C0ovA0eU5jDQfEIv6X7zSDCPVRL4hgGRF8YOsPqb5KtiUGOPACV9B7cKnyr5XjyKfNkCHSc/s320/Untitled%20(4).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Another year, another set of goals. While my goals are not
that much different from the previous year, they’re a little more focused,
which goes along with my main goal for this year, which is to get organized. <o:p></o:p><p></p></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Blog Goals</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I want to focus more
on the blog this year. I want to be consistent in posts, consistent with
replying to comments, stay on top of reviews, post more creative content, and
update graphics. I also want to discover more blogs and be consistent with blog
visits.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Two things I need to
work on this year:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Updating GoodReads</b>—why is it so hard for me to remember to update GoodReads? This year I’m
going to try to use the app to update in real time when I start and finish a
book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Social Media Update—I’m
horrible at updating my own social media. I need to be more consistent with
bookish posts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Reading/Bookish Goals</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Tackle My TBR Pile</b>—this is an ongoing operation. I’m
still in the process of decluttering and organizing my books. I’m also being a
bit more selective in the physical books I’m bringing in for review.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Limit Book Purchases</b>—while I’m not giving up book
buying, I am being more selective about the books I’m adding to my collection. I
plan to use KU, Audible, and Libby then decide if I want to buy the book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Read more non-fiction</b>—last year I read a bit more
non-fiction and I’d like to continue reading more as I’ve been missing non-fiction.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Return To The Classics</b>—it’s been a minute since I’ve
picked up classics and I’m eager to return.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><u>House</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Declutter</b>—I’m still in the process of decluttering
but this is the year to get it done. I will never be a minimalist but I do want
to get a bit more organized and, let’s be honest, no one needs an entire kitchen
drawer of random utensils they’ll never use. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Landscape The Front Yard</b>—there’s a lot to do in the
front yard come Spring. The yard is going to have to be dug up (it’s full of
cement thanks to the contractors dumping all the extra in the yard), filled in,
and new flowers planted. I’d like to add a decorative fence but I’m not sure I
want to go through all the drama of filling for a permit again. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Replace Bookshelves</b>—this has been a goal of mine for
the last few years but it was a little hard to bring bookshelves into the house
with the front porch under construction. Now that the porch is finished, I plan
on finally getting my bookshelves. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Personal</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Create a Work/Life Balance</b>—this is my number one goal
this year. Because I work from, it’s so easy for me to get caught up and work
until the wee hours of the morning. For my physical and mental health, I must
keep to a set schedule.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Unplug more</b>—this is something I need to do for at
least 30 minutes a day. My ultimate goal is to have a device free day once a
week.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Get Out More</b>—I need to get outside more and take more
walks (weather permitting).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Remember to take my vitamins</b>—I’ve been using the
habit tracker in my Happy Planner for the last few years and it’s been working
to remind me to take my vitamins.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Learn something new</b>—I’d like to learn/do/make something new at least once a week.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Drink more water</b>—I’ve been doing a decent job with this but I this year I aim to do
better. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Be More Creative</b>—my goal this year is to draw or paint daily. I’ve also picked up a few
daily writing prompts and I plan to complete a prompt each day.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Feel free to share your goals</p><p class="MsoNormal"> so we can root each other on! </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-46305064076362484182023-12-31T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-31T00:00:00.153-05:00The Sunday Post January 30, 2023<p style="text-align: left;">Hello, Lovelies, and happy New Year’s Eve I hope you are all
doing fantastic!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that
today is that last day of 2023. Where did the year go? I feel like I blinked
and it was over. And, let me tell you, those end of the year “to-dos” really
sneak up on you, especially when you run a small business. I’ve spent most of
this week tackling all the things, and I do mean ALL THE THINGS, that I need to
check off my list before 2024. I’m writing this a little after 4 pm on the 30<sup>th</sup>
and I still have a few things I need to finish.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2023 was an odd year. I feel like most of the year I spent
dealing with the front porch construction. Thankfully, the porch is finished;
sadly, some of it became a DIY job. Unfortunately, the contractors caused some
damaged (broken sidewalks, massive cement-filled holes in the yard) that has to
be fixed come Spring. There’s also a lot of landscaping to be done out front.
I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with that company anymore and I have an
actual porch.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’ve also had an odd year health-wise. During the Summer I
contracted a mosquito-related illness (Skeeter Syndrome, I know, it’s an odd
name) and it has really messed with my immune system so basically if someone sneezes
two blocks over, I end up getting sick. December’s just been one long blur of
the ick (stomach virus, flu, strep throat, flu again, and horrible sinus
infection) and fatigue. I’m currently in the middle of trying to find a vitamin
regiment that my body will tolerate.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Reading-wise, this was a pretty good year. I’m currently at
73 books read this year but I’ll end the year with 75. I have a few chapters of
<i>Faking Christmas</i> by Kerry Winfrey and
a little over 4 hours of <i>The Writing
Retreat</i> by Julia Bartz that I plan to finish tonight (the 30<sup>th</sup>).
I’m going to be honest, I’m not having the best time with <i>The Writing Retreat</i>, I’m finding it a little boring so I’ll
probably increase the speed to get through the book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Blog-wise, I didn’t blog, or visit blogs, as much this year
as I would have liked. There was just so much going on and, honestly, I didn’t
really have the energy to focus on blogging. I have a ton of reviews to catch
up on, which I plan to do the first few weeks of January.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">One of my family’s Christmas traditions is Jolabokaflod. If
you don’t know, Jolabokaflod means Christmas book flood and it’s an Icelandic
tradition that started during WWII. Paper wasn’t rationed which made books
widely available in a time when so many things were rationed. On Christmas Eve
Icelanders would gift books and a small treat, often chocolate or hot cocoa
then spend the evening reading and enjoying their treats</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">On Christmas Eve, we trade books and small bookish/cozy
items. Here’s what I received for Jolabokaflod.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHxDapH_-a9XJdUlcNcXwViWzSOhQAUwbE0Mrk3aYe4ftOFDCwGWAZjqoal9pdXyGLkDpgq1HPGjr4lw8uqeb-CPlx4xozgBDViXiIhNo0R2VjCPNUqfPLhTGh4SRvKMfZ0bH60WDzUBYoNwkgU6zdUaeegQNTX2DuqBwhHrN7Oy3a-7hqXMuK7iOAIay/s3264/20231230_171047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHxDapH_-a9XJdUlcNcXwViWzSOhQAUwbE0Mrk3aYe4ftOFDCwGWAZjqoal9pdXyGLkDpgq1HPGjr4lw8uqeb-CPlx4xozgBDViXiIhNo0R2VjCPNUqfPLhTGh4SRvKMfZ0bH60WDzUBYoNwkgU6zdUaeegQNTX2DuqBwhHrN7Oy3a-7hqXMuK7iOAIay/s320/20231230_171047.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Twilight Falls</i> by
Juneau Black</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Secret Service of
Tea and Treason</i> by India Holton<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-2 sets of under eye masks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-2 pairs of cozy socks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-a set of hair clips <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLvdBH2igyToNPxw3N4QHDntPcgfWYuvCvbYe6QLOVIQb8HEFGDwaQtIJgmXFlLihuY3zQhR3X2eoTTj6GOliUAjn5obt8u6HQh4_4fb8COLbPIs6LctE9K8aujF_bPxp4Vdal3SoEq_9NBZyJ5N4G9rC8xZgXpLdPjVE5BqlSF81K5OL1uiKd9SUT-e/s3264/20231230_171415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLvdBH2igyToNPxw3N4QHDntPcgfWYuvCvbYe6QLOVIQb8HEFGDwaQtIJgmXFlLihuY3zQhR3X2eoTTj6GOliUAjn5obt8u6HQh4_4fb8COLbPIs6LctE9K8aujF_bPxp4Vdal3SoEq_9NBZyJ5N4G9rC8xZgXpLdPjVE5BqlSF81K5OL1uiKd9SUT-e/s320/20231230_171415.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Ruby Spenser’s Whisky
Year</i> by Rochelle Bilow<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Lies We Sing To the
Sea </i>by Sarah Underwood<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-pair of cozy socks <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-bookmark that says, ‘A Well Read Woman Is A Dangerous
Creature’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtPaBEdPvCPTKe5xVOUnPXtOLvvigx-2k6GzwkhhtXoL-MbHlivUT3enPQ-UHfD8XPL4Nq0CR3pNaBU1tWjIeiBgmlWz6aipyVuX5b0VEXNKHHiego89UvdUsCGzOwnEY0CqkseRaG1GRCQ4C_4SXkuNOnYtS4zc-Z4UiQHYSJG209_GPPFiQVKgeLLMe/s3264/20231230_171425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtPaBEdPvCPTKe5xVOUnPXtOLvvigx-2k6GzwkhhtXoL-MbHlivUT3enPQ-UHfD8XPL4Nq0CR3pNaBU1tWjIeiBgmlWz6aipyVuX5b0VEXNKHHiego89UvdUsCGzOwnEY0CqkseRaG1GRCQ4C_4SXkuNOnYtS4zc-Z4UiQHYSJG209_GPPFiQVKgeLLMe/s320/20231230_171425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVnuN2Xj7IZI3DP2pOBMQT6aU1gD0RAWrj-UhWrFWYaZHsrlThrGspU9DdA3Ds2fs551ALS8SOO7imCxkN6FvRL-SZ6YsyHdOPUktjn4ncDAakArQszDHyvfHk509jNIPKr-bY78-6NYNOPvyiv1xWIp7HNfyW-KstcRLwDRJIayQXxOIUqB3SXCIzhMX/s3264/20231230_171704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVnuN2Xj7IZI3DP2pOBMQT6aU1gD0RAWrj-UhWrFWYaZHsrlThrGspU9DdA3Ds2fs551ALS8SOO7imCxkN6FvRL-SZ6YsyHdOPUktjn4ncDAakArQszDHyvfHk509jNIPKr-bY78-6NYNOPvyiv1xWIp7HNfyW-KstcRLwDRJIayQXxOIUqB3SXCIzhMX/s320/20231230_171704.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Shakespeare in Autumn</i>
with the laser cut cover<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Outlander Planner<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-pair of cozy socks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-cat eyemask <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8RpP4w4LB5_3HPWyUNmmaGYUwGhQEjBPG8lVnz9INRKMAKq0op8kyFSxmWIMujwsxumTwYl4mUHHIN1V3sYTvvWVaTd4Okl_8LZLPTGYVBx9QwSR_s5EV0oAaRectODXkpeL1Nw18SOcIMcE1AdBVEDftz289NzhZQWYMCFkRDt5tP1Qw1i71nNGdJ8y/s3264/20231230_172215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8RpP4w4LB5_3HPWyUNmmaGYUwGhQEjBPG8lVnz9INRKMAKq0op8kyFSxmWIMujwsxumTwYl4mUHHIN1V3sYTvvWVaTd4Okl_8LZLPTGYVBx9QwSR_s5EV0oAaRectODXkpeL1Nw18SOcIMcE1AdBVEDftz289NzhZQWYMCFkRDt5tP1Qw1i71nNGdJ8y/s320/20231230_172215.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A dear friend of mine and her daughter gifted me this lovely
mug, adorable <i>Hocus Pocus</i> ornament,
and <i>The Official Hocus Pocus Cookbook</i>,
which I cannot wait to use! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I hope that you had a lovely holiday and here’s to a brilliant 2024</span></div></span>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-465507012067045522023-11-15T23:45:00.002-05:002023-11-15T23:45:30.396-05:00Ho Ho Ho Readathon Master Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaPocOEuHhjM3f6VxsQGrvHyVWExRv3MRrFPZMv9NmEllqGtmR4cBl9TvWAPMT4nzTScinqax9KJ3lQDg4VvCghFsLUXvDUuRTQlE6ozKKVJke8oyGJcvyFs9galufVcGvl7PwpbqzIHoODF6-3Ht6yHJ4LXNflrrupfJ4hdUPSaDB-AS1jaCzd3r-ddb/s800/2023HOHOHORATBannerX-800x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaPocOEuHhjM3f6VxsQGrvHyVWExRv3MRrFPZMv9NmEllqGtmR4cBl9TvWAPMT4nzTScinqax9KJ3lQDg4VvCghFsLUXvDUuRTQlE6ozKKVJke8oyGJcvyFs9galufVcGvl7PwpbqzIHoODF6-3Ht6yHJ4LXNflrrupfJ4hdUPSaDB-AS1jaCzd3r-ddb/s320/2023HOHOHORATBannerX-800x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hey, Lovelies, I hope you’re
all doing fantastic! I decided, last minute, to join the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon
hosted by Kimberly @ <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/2023-ho-ho-ho-readathon-sign-up.html">Caffeinated
Reviewer</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What is the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon?</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> It’s a readathon where you read all the winter and
holiday reads. This year it lasts from November 16<sup>th</sup> to November 27<sup>th</sup>,
so there’s 12 days to participate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What am I going to read? </span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I have no idea. I do have the new Tessa Bailey, <i>Wreck the Halls</i>, that I’m excited for. With
holiday reads, I’m very much a mood reader and I have so many from the last few
years that I need to read. I do have a few wintery/holiday mysteries I want to
read because I’m still clingy onto the last few weeks of spooky season. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m not sure when I’ll post
blog updates, I’ll have it sorted by this weekend and post Saturday. I will be
posting on Instagram @simplyangelarenee<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<br />Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-41903759911995163672023-11-06T01:00:00.001-05:002023-11-06T01:00:00.139-05:00Battle of the Books 1: Watching You by Lisa Jewell and Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda<p style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="text-align: justify;">Battle of the Books is a new series on Simply Angela where I read two books that feature similar plot devices and see which one I think is the stronger book. I’m hoping that this will be a fun way to tackle my TBR </span><s style="text-align: justify;">pile</s><span style="text-align: justify;"> mountain, which is getting out of control. This will be a new monthly feature.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xGzm72u7dQ9RDWDanrvQD7K3KMHRQTZ-lBvn8jxty1oNdsO0L59KVBLEtXhRaPCiGJvtIJs4giFeG_Vkj84ZsosHsMxYFwfN8eYEhfsyMj7ezc_M8pcuvmV_EkkpnRFA64BVSVIZ0Dz9oy58ZJ9C8NU3uZ-elz9inxcYlH50HicnIqpOu4yOFmRB_QYX/s1200/Battle%20of%20the%20books%20banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xGzm72u7dQ9RDWDanrvQD7K3KMHRQTZ-lBvn8jxty1oNdsO0L59KVBLEtXhRaPCiGJvtIJs4giFeG_Vkj84ZsosHsMxYFwfN8eYEhfsyMj7ezc_M8pcuvmV_EkkpnRFA64BVSVIZ0Dz9oy58ZJ9C8NU3uZ-elz9inxcYlH50HicnIqpOu4yOFmRB_QYX/w640-h334/Battle%20of%20the%20books%20banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the first Battle
of the Books, the featured books are <i>Watching
You</i> by Lisa Jewell and <i>Such a Quiet
Place</i> by Megan Miranda. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Themes featured in both books<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Murder<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Idyllic neighborhoods<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->People watching/being watched<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Multiple points of view</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbENdkj47o7Y2DNM57CaK0SyDaGhMsoIcafq5m7SM0DT9y7kpER5VJlndHmm6yFieHOvOgO3Yk8e2rP6VRe1YYv2OVs1o-NoKOHC6vPbrLt5NJYpszGMgftvhU5gyYIuaYnzAW2NrroJcEt_7d4lyFGBQnW95Udsy-ZF8R6oWPvAFB4RJBIpxTQzw4UDz/s2113/38355282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2113" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbENdkj47o7Y2DNM57CaK0SyDaGhMsoIcafq5m7SM0DT9y7kpER5VJlndHmm6yFieHOvOgO3Yk8e2rP6VRe1YYv2OVs1o-NoKOHC6vPbrLt5NJYpszGMgftvhU5gyYIuaYnzAW2NrroJcEt_7d4lyFGBQnW95Udsy-ZF8R6oWPvAFB4RJBIpxTQzw4UDz/s320/38355282.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Melville Heights is one of the nicest neighbourhoods in
Bristol, England; home to doctors and lawyers and old-money academics. It’s not
the sort of place where people are brutally murdered in their own kitchens. But
it is the sort of place where everyone has a secret. And everyone is watching
you.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As the headmaster credited with turning around the local
school, Tom Fitzwilliam is beloved by one and all—including Joey Mullen, his
new neighbor, who quickly develops an intense infatuation with this thoroughly
charming yet unavailable man. Joey thinks her crush is a secret, but Tom’s
teenaged son Freddie—a prodigy with aspirations of becoming a spy for
MI5—excels in observing people and has witnessed Joey behaving strangely around
his father.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">One of Tom’s students, Jenna Tripp, also lives on the same
street, and she’s not convinced her teacher is as squeaky clean as he seems.
For one thing, he has taken a particular liking to her best friend and fellow
classmate, and Jenna’s mother—whose mental health has admittedly been
deteriorating in recent years—is convinced that Mr. Fitzwilliam is stalking
her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, twenty years earlier, a schoolgirl writes in her
diary, charting her doomed obsession with a handsome young English teacher
named Mr. Fitzwilliam…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Atria | Genre: Suspense | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 </span></div></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">How can you get away with murder when the entire neighborhood
is watching? <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align: left;">When someone is murdered in their kitchen, the neighborhood
of Melville Heights is in shock that something this heinous could happen in the
idyllic community but it soon becomes known that everyone there is hiding
something and someone has been watching.
As the lead up to the murder is looked back on, it soon becomes apparent
everyone has something to hide and everyone is a suspect.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m normally not a fan of Lisa Jewell’s writing but I found
myself fully immersed in this book. Was it the best? No. Was I shocked when the
murderer and the motive was revealed? Not really. Yet I did enjoy this one.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There a lot of characters in this one and they all revolved
around the new headmaster, Tom Fitzwilliam. There’s rumors swirling about the
reason he left his last position and one of his new neighbors seems to recall
Tom from her past and, while her recollections are written off as her mental
illness, she’s certain there’s something shady going on and she’s doing her
best to keep her daughter, Jenna, away. There’s also Joey, his next door
neighbor, and there’s no denying she’s more than attracted to the new
headmaster. She’s just returned home from working abroad and she’s not exactly
happy with her new marriage. As people come and go, Freddie, Tom’s son, sees
and records it all.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I found the majority of the characters to be likable but I
questioned their actions. They all had their own issues and most of them were
self-destructive. There’s a lot of false leads in this one, a lot of wrong
impressions. I had to dig around to find the truth buried underneath each story
as each perspective offered something new.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While the murder occurs at the start of the book, the
victim’s identity isn’t revealed until much later, so not only was I trying to
piece together events I was also trying to figure out the victim’s identity. I
did have an idea of what was going on from early on in the book and had a
feeling how this would end, which ended up being right.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There is a bit of repetition in this one as the characters
are recounting events that happened before the murder but I didn’t mind it in
this one as each account offers something new. It also has a slight mixed media
feel as there were snippets of police interviews throughout the book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this was an interesting book told through multiple
points of view. I do recommend this if you’re a fan of suspenseful mysteries
that had a slight police procedural feel. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_Rz6wrHQqr7WF0cYwTrqBBQaYTd5Krd4NKTPdotvbfysSNlZsQJPByFVEdhCaMGA0whluiwrxhwCUSCgT-Do7KMPatwDQOoshmOfKzp3zTSqSSxjoAHEu2uGapMKkfInmIcuU71fTDRfSiTWS7iRugQ1KB1lBMsR1C6LpnWigyWyb8p79m-moztF7RCt/s2125/55711642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2125" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_Rz6wrHQqr7WF0cYwTrqBBQaYTd5Krd4NKTPdotvbfysSNlZsQJPByFVEdhCaMGA0whluiwrxhwCUSCgT-Do7KMPatwDQOoshmOfKzp3zTSqSSxjoAHEu2uGapMKkfInmIcuU71fTDRfSiTWS7iRugQ1KB1lBMsR1C6LpnWigyWyb8p79m-moztF7RCt/s320/55711642.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to Hollow’s Edge, where you can find secrets,
scandal, and a suspected killer—all on one street.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Hollow’s Edge use to be a quiet place. A private and idyllic
neighborhood where neighbors dropped in on neighbors, celebrated graduation and
holiday parties together, and looked out for one another. But then came the murder
of Brandon and Fiona Truett. A year and a half later, Hollow’s Edge is
simmering. The residents are trapped, unable to sell their homes, confronted
daily by the empty Truett house, and suffocated by their trial testimonies that
implicated one of their own. Ruby Fletcher. And now, Ruby’s back.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With her conviction overturned, Ruby waltzes right back to
Hollow’s Edge, and into the home she shared with Harper Nash. Harper, five
years older, has always treated Ruby like a wayward younger sister. But now she’s
terrified. What possible good could come of Ruby returning to the scene of the
crime? And how can she possibly turn her away, when she knows Ruby has nowhere
to go?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Within days, suspicion spreads like a virus across Hollow’s
Edge. It’s increasingly clear that not everyone told the truth about the night
of the Truetts’ murders. And when Harper begins receiving threatening notes,
she realizes she has to uncover the truth before someone else becomes the
killer’s next victim.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Publisher: Simon and Schuster | </span><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;"> Genre: Suspense | Source: Publisher | Rating: 2.5 </span></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">What happens when the neighborhood watch has it wrong?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When a family is murdered in this idyllic neighborhood, the
residents are quick to post security camera footage on their community message
board convicting one of their own. Although when Ruby is released after just 14
months instead of 20 years due to the conviction being overturned and shows
back up in Hollow’s Edge, the close group of friends starts to realize one of
them is lying.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was way too long and repetitive, especially when it was
filled with unlikable characters. It could have easily been turned into a
novella without losing any of the important content, which would have been more
enjoyable.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While this one was easy to read, it was very slow to start
and didn’t really pick up until the last bit of the book. I have a feeling if I
would have put this one down, I wouldn’t have picked it back up because it’s
not the most memorable of books. I can’t even remember any of the characters
other than Ruby and Harper.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">What I do remember is the questionable actions of the
characters. Harper was constantly hiding evidence. Why was a cop allowed to
question Ruby when he lived in the neighborhood and had a relationship with
Ruby? Why/how was Ruby even charged for this crime when there wasn’t even circumstantial
evidence. I had a lot of questions that wasn’t answered.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The only bit of action in this book was the bit towards the
end and the reveal, which ended up being a massive letdown. I’m not a fan of
major reveals being something that could have been resolved with a simple
question and, sadly, that’s what this ended up being.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this one missed the mark for me. It was the first
Megan Miranda book that I’ve manage to finish but I just don’t think she’s an
author for me. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n4zHSrgh__nQOu0Vz0zSQVhLcix5aWto_yIpVMR1L_2Lv1aQF7ofBr791KxE0jEE94jKfSEC3u0KKrOU5K9kZ0y920ZsYz_r_ebpdatU0olqx_cxYDWnsv-U3DIkSyZ0YKN8ZYGzawUC1KLmislMtwZ73iWy4ylzEfGXNoLXKY90D2i30SE9wSzc421X/s1200/bob%20Winner%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n4zHSrgh__nQOu0Vz0zSQVhLcix5aWto_yIpVMR1L_2Lv1aQF7ofBr791KxE0jEE94jKfSEC3u0KKrOU5K9kZ0y920ZsYz_r_ebpdatU0olqx_cxYDWnsv-U3DIkSyZ0YKN8ZYGzawUC1KLmislMtwZ73iWy4ylzEfGXNoLXKY90D2i30SE9wSzc421X/w400-h209/bob%20Winner%20.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />When I picked these books for the first Battle of the Books,
I knew from their descriptions that they were going to be similar. I didn’t
realize just how similar. Plot-wise they’re the same: a murder in a picturesque
community, close-knit neighbors, large cast of characters, and people
watching/being watched. There’s also a
lot of repetitiveness. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The difference comes down to the likability of the
characters and the delivery. The repetitiveness in <i>Such a Quiet</i> <i>Place</i> felt
more like filler whereas the repetitiveness in <i>Watching You</i> added information and filled in the blanks. The motive
in <i>Such a Quiet Place</i> was lacking
where the motive in <i>Watching You</i> was
believable. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I’m normally not a fan of either author, I’ve dnf’d
the majority of the books I’ve started by both authors, I think that Lisa
Jewell delivered a more believable, readable, and enjoyable novel. <o:p></o:p></p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-51545840972177416182023-11-03T01:00:00.001-04:002023-11-03T01:00:00.130-04:00Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXsLHDRu6z6z2tVRZyrg8f5fFN5Ghlj2bna_fqq9i9hZA5zeWILRXNH4SkB3t4pFJz68KBf4vp7f_Ve3vfb4rxGPcZyEepv-o-9SXuIxpNSMx3WQe4geRgYg0Ytj4j5wkcth4HeVF3a21hK39KVvIM3Tt5Kn7N0ndfofNHvZuM_FyOVuprnXD3xBf9o3Z/s500/62924831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXsLHDRu6z6z2tVRZyrg8f5fFN5Ghlj2bna_fqq9i9hZA5zeWILRXNH4SkB3t4pFJz68KBf4vp7f_Ve3vfb4rxGPcZyEepv-o-9SXuIxpNSMx3WQe4geRgYg0Ytj4j5wkcth4HeVF3a21hK39KVvIM3Tt5Kn7N0ndfofNHvZuM_FyOVuprnXD3xBf9o3Z/s320/62924831.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When darkness falls, there’s nowhere to hide.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Four bodies have been discovered along Europe’s riverbanks,
placed with care—and completely drained of blood. Pinpricks on their throats
indicate a slender murder weapon, but DNA found in the wounds suggests
something far more sinister. Tasked with investigating, the FBI recruits Agents
Della Hamilton and Mason Carter to Blackbird, an international offshoot of the
Krewe of Hunters. If you want to catch a vampire killer, you need agents who
can speak with the dead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The pair travel to Norway, where the shadowy forests of
Lillehammer reveal a gruesome scene. The killer is thirsty for more victims,
and the bloodless trail soon leads Della and Mason to a group that believes
drinking blood is the key to immortality. To catch the culprit of such an
intimate crime, the agents will have to get close. Mason’s already lost one
partner; he’s not ready to risk Della as bait. But sometimes justice requires a
sacrifice…<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Series: Blackbird Trilogy #1 | Publisher:Mira | Genre: Paranormal Mystery Romance | Source: Publisher| Rating: 4.5</span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The <i>Krewe of Hunters</i>
series is one of my favorites so I was thrilled when I heard about the spinoff <i>Blackbird Trilogy </i>that features an
international branch of the Krewe. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When Della Hamilton swaps herself for the hostage the
Midnight Slasher is holding, FBI Agent, Mason Carter is impressed with her courage
and the fact that she too can see ghost. While they might have stopped the
latest killer, their job doesn’t stop there. They’ve caught the eye of the
founder of the Krewe of Hunters, who’s forming an international team to take
down a ‘vampire’ draining victims of their blood and placing them in serene
poses. As the new team travels Europe and the UK, Mason and Della can’t deny
the attraction between them. With the killer being one-step ahead of the team,
they must work hard to discover his identity and his location before he claims
another victim.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was a fantastic way to kick off a new unit of the Krewe
and a new trilogy. It’s a little different than the <i>Krewe of Hunters</i> series, not in a bad way, but the foundation is
the same.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There’s a lot going on in this one. There are new characters
to introduce, new locations, and a lot of traveling. A lot of the plot felt
like groundwork, which I didn’t mind. From the start, this was all go, very
case/investigation driven.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Mason and Della were great together and I feel as though I
got a good sense of them individually. Relationship-wise, a little more
development on the page would have been nice. Again, this book was heavy on the
investigation side of things, which I didn’t mind as I like to see that side of
things.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The case was interesting as was the locations that they trekked
to, each providing a bit of local vampire lore. I did have a feeling how things
would go but it didn’t draw me out of the book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">One thing that I found odd, not a book thing but a me thing,
was that this book relied heavily on lore from <i>Dracula </i>by Bram Stoker but failed to mention Slains Castle in
Scotland, which was the inspiration for Castle Dracula.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this trilogy is off to good start and I’m eager to
see how they go about catching the new version of Jack, the Ripper in book two.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Blackbird Trilogy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1-Whispers at Dusk<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2-Secrets in the Dark<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3-Cursed at Dawn</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-6077508434620471352023-11-02T01:00:00.001-04:002023-11-02T01:00:00.138-04:00You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4rm4NFGPyGz22_avaVCKHqnEAnQJutVdymi1Sir09IU32kEqG9TwAgbIHafteTjLHMXpMitrfkTHvcnYurx0T2Qa46Dy3TbwlxUFu1pcIba7vdagyBHLO919uOUrAgBT0WH8qL6sOElLORx__4tYtBiav3FXG18PBB8Uj2Pk2nc7ka8CD-HVFpA1Zv-x/s500/515E+Kut8sL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4rm4NFGPyGz22_avaVCKHqnEAnQJutVdymi1Sir09IU32kEqG9TwAgbIHafteTjLHMXpMitrfkTHvcnYurx0T2Qa46Dy3TbwlxUFu1pcIba7vdagyBHLO919uOUrAgBT0WH8qL6sOElLORx__4tYtBiav3FXG18PBB8Uj2Pk2nc7ka8CD-HVFpA1Zv-x/s320/515E+Kut8sL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You’ve opened up your house and your heart to a total
stranger … What could possibly go wrong?</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker looking for a total
escape from her busy life, books an Airbnb on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming.
When she arrives at the idyllic getaway, she’s pleased to find that the owner
is a handsome man by the name of Calvin Wells—and he’s eager to introduce her
to his easygoing way of life. But there are things Grace discovers that she’s
not too pleased about: A lack of cell phone service. A missing woman. And a
feeling that something isn’t right with the ranch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Despite her uneasiness, the two bond and start to fall for
one another. However, as her departure date nears, things change for the worse.
What began as a playful romance soon turns into a complicated web of lies.
Grace grows wary of Calvin as his infatuation for her seems to have morphed to
obsession. Calvin fears that Grace is hiding something from him—including her
reason for staying at his ranch to begin with. Vacation flings typically end in
heartbreak, but for Grace and Calvin, it’ll be far more destructive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Blackstone Audio | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Andrew Eiden, Andi
Arndt | </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Length: 8 h 1 m | </span><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Thriller | Source: Libby | Rating: 1.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Needing to escape New York for a bit, Grace throws a dart at
the map and finds herself in an Airbnb in Wyoming. While Calvin, the owner, is
attractive, she has a feeling that something isn’t right but that doesn’t stop
her from falling for Calvin. As her departure date draws closer, Calvin starts
becoming obsessive and the locals are telling her to flee. Grace’s suspicion of
Calvin is growing by the minute but Calvin feels that Grace is hiding
something. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m not sure what I just read. Was this a romance? Was this
a thriller? Was it a story of obsession? Whatever it was, I’m not sure the
mashup worked. This one had the potential to be a great thriller—a woman
stranded at a ranch more-or-less cut off from the outside world with an
obsessive/possessive host and a slew of questionable locals—but this one was a
bit of a train wreck.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Calvin was creepy from the start and you can tell he was
obsessed with Grace. Grace seemed eager to go along with Calvin’s
insta-obsession regardless of the fact that everyone was telling her something
was wrong with Calvin. Then there was this love triangle between Calvin, his
(maybe) ex, and Grace, not really sure why it was thrown in other than to make
this book even odder. Oh, and I can’t
forget the group of locals that gave off a <i>Deliverance-</i>vibe.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Had the plot stuck to the synopsis, even with their little
romance, this could have been a fantastic thriller. I don’t feel as though this
book had a direction. It almost felt like the author was working on two books,
a romance and thriller, then decided to combine them without making the pieces
fit. There were so many thriller clichés and just odd phrases it made the book
a little cringe-worthy.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Then there was the ending. It felt as though the author was
attempting to do something clever that ultimately fell flat. If you want an
ending that your reader doesn’t see coming then don’t have your character read
a book synopsis that says, ‘the best thriller of the year with an ending you’ll
never see coming’.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The narrators, Andrew Eiden, Andi Arndt, were great but I
did end up listening to this at 2.0 x the speed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this one just wasn’t my favorite and I’m not really
sure there’s anything to recommend. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-67581565192141376402023-11-01T01:00:00.001-04:002023-11-01T01:00:00.137-04:00In Bloom by Paul Trembley, Best of Luck by Jason Mott, Big Wolf by Chandler Baker (Creature Feature Collection, Part)<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99usSfrOsF_C6tkkhpGB19u57HoqzGrutTYQhxTLhi1dVC2b_vAS0mZXXSuZ9XsMdGQaYiwcvZcNVddYYEB4J7aBByb-etDJOcvT7nQ33gXxnOwlCYbq55Piz-4Ia2NKprgadTSXGF306ar-sdDYDhXZIXD6oreaEjlXnOvKDYBK0EVO253o6uDXuVrKU/s500/51a1-mfiNbL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99usSfrOsF_C6tkkhpGB19u57HoqzGrutTYQhxTLhi1dVC2b_vAS0mZXXSuZ9XsMdGQaYiwcvZcNVddYYEB4J7aBByb-etDJOcvT7nQ33gXxnOwlCYbq55Piz-4Ia2NKprgadTSXGF306ar-sdDYDhXZIXD6oreaEjlXnOvKDYBK0EVO253o6uDXuVrKU/s320/51a1-mfiNbL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There’s something in the water in this hallucinatory short
story by Paul Tremblay, bestselling author of <i>The Cabin at the End of the World</i> and <i>The Beast You Are</i>.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Journalist Heidi Cohen is in Cape Cod investigating the
sources of recurring toxic algae blooms along the coast. A local named Jimmy
has his own theory for her. Every year the fetid growth gets worse—but it’s
been going on longer than anyone knows. Decades ago, something happened to
Jimmy that he’s never forgotten. Is Heidi ready for the real story?<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: A.T. Chandler, Dara Roseburg | Length: 1 hour and 2 minutes | </span> Genre: Science Fiction/ Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 2.5 </span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"> When a lead directs journalist Heidi Cohen to a Cape Cod
local, Jimmy, he has a story to tell her about the toxic algae that blooms
along the coast. While the story is true—events that happened to Jimmy decades
ago—he’s not sure Heidi will want to know how his story ends.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This was not one of my favorites in the collection. It felt
like science fiction attempting to be horror. <i>Think of a very boring sci-fi version of The Creature from the Black Lagoon</i>
and that pretty much sums this one up.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">While there was an interesting bit, the part of the story
pertaining to what happened to Jimmy’s father, there was too much backstory
from both Heidi and Jimmy that wasn’t relevant. Then the book was suddenly over.
I’m really not sure what direction this story was going and I’m not sure the
story knew, either.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Dara Roseburg did a great job with the narration although
A.T. Chandler came off as more of a reader.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZPwwKxwUfnrQS8NdEXoTDsLRQ-IvKndx4EJJ6jR9OUlWbwRgo_sMWiBd5VmHKnLAOszDRumFpD2TDRdWN0Ms9S4eRIQnA34oXxNVQR1esL8b4Z273Jwh7rcNAWJ8eZOgWrdxoGwxwOql41D1avlfXIAj3N_Ow-NGCZlxJL0S_0qCKPkz45CK5-vutq5m/s500/51tyAFE35iL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZPwwKxwUfnrQS8NdEXoTDsLRQ-IvKndx4EJJ6jR9OUlWbwRgo_sMWiBd5VmHKnLAOszDRumFpD2TDRdWN0Ms9S4eRIQnA34oXxNVQR1esL8b4Z273Jwh7rcNAWJ8eZOgWrdxoGwxwOql41D1avlfXIAj3N_Ow-NGCZlxJL0S_0qCKPkz45CK5-vutq5m/s320/51tyAFE35iL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did you ever hear the one about the man with a string of bad
luck? The worst is still to come in a chilling short story of an insatiable
friendship by the New York Times bestselling author of <i>Hell of a Book</i>.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For best friends with vastly different fortunes, what’s left
to hash out other than a forced confession at gunpoint? All that the destitute,
sickly, and grieving Will demands is that monstrously successful Barry admit to
draining all the luck right out of him. Like blood. As the standoff escalates,
the truth is not the only thing ready to come out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Narrator: Cary Hite | Length: 54 minutes | </span> Genre: Science Fiction/ Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 1.5 </span></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"> I’m probably going to be the odd one out with this one as I’ve
had several friends tell me this was their favorite in the collection but I did
not care for <i>Best of Luck</i>. Honestly,
this was my least favorite of the series and I feel that I’m being generous
with rating it a 1.5.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Will’s been through the ringer—his life is one tragedy after
the next—and he knows who to blame. His best friend, Barry, seems to have
soaked up all of Will’s luck. Determined
to Barry to confess, Will holds him at gunpoint but is Will ready for the
truth?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When did sci-fi take over the horror genre? I feel that
authors are starting to blur the genres and I’m not a fan when the sci-fi takes
over because I’m here for the horror. While this one does have you feeling
sorry for the situation Will is in, I couldn’t get invested in this one and had
to force myself to finish the audio, which I ended up speeding up. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHN5MWKK-jou_MADjDzRJAoPsLf5iUkuEWYIUb9cdl0DBltnS4u6wvzN0ljdKMvj1SC7FYukoIxtAcEuxNayruU-2qoHq_Bd2hluLqntPvIMCmvieIUONDvm9P9NZXI0ZhxlfPASLt6vZsK-EWTFwdAufMRHewtdoU_vAjeJjNOnJGtjc9-9SS6sSrBSv/s500/41toYglVriL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHN5MWKK-jou_MADjDzRJAoPsLf5iUkuEWYIUb9cdl0DBltnS4u6wvzN0ljdKMvj1SC7FYukoIxtAcEuxNayruU-2qoHq_Bd2hluLqntPvIMCmvieIUONDvm9P9NZXI0ZhxlfPASLt6vZsK-EWTFwdAufMRHewtdoU_vAjeJjNOnJGtjc9-9SS6sSrBSv/s320/41toYglVriL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For a family trying to make an isolated farmhouse into a
home, fear and rage are getting harder to control in a primal short story by
the New York Times bestselling author of <i>Whisper
Network</i> and <i>Cutting Teeth</i>.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Strauss family is on knife’s edge. Sam is a resentful
stay-at-home dad. Rachel feels the restlessness in her blood returning. Their
children are getting out of hand. And a recent mudslide has forced the wolves
out of the woods to look for food. As dusk falls and tensions rise, the family
must come together to survive the night—from the threats outside and those
within.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Narrator: Christina Traister | Length: 1 hour and 55 minutes | </span> Genre: Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 </span></div></div></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Big Bad</i> is the
last story in the collection and it’s finally back to classic horror. While I
did have a few minor problems with this one, I still found it enjoyable and a great
way to end the <i>Creature Feature</i> collection.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There’s something strange in the Strauss household. The
children believe that their mom is ill and their father is a bad man. When
their mother leaves for a work conference and stranger shows up claiming he
rented their guest cottage, things start occurring that has the young girls
wondering just who the ‘bad person’ is in the family and Sam (their father)
questioning his past choices.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was extremely slow at the start but it did pick up the
pace and maintained it through the entirety of the book. I’m not going to say
that this is the best horror novella that I’ve read. It was dull in spots and
the cover, unfortunately, was a bit spoilery. The dialogue was also clunky in
spots because it takes place between two young girls.Yet I found this to be one
of the best in the collection and I do feel that it was fleshed out.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">If you’re like me and you like those old classic horror
tropes featured in the old black and white classic horror films, I think you’ll
enjoy this one. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHAt6PjY5XrGr5wCwtekptLIDEX4diShpOlMz9jJOqJamgex2Fu2gsjQ9sJNRGfR5Fg2v_tm5BhGlzuuUCbJmNeJ4mH5KqmwqxTORq2SZ8aTX1AULUVhtNs_X784J4xwoiOO9ZqdJjCLHq4V3vu5hYunyST_4q29DpIhsu4_hfPvD0ThuO-17OkCERKt_/s500/51GYEHzym-L._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHAt6PjY5XrGr5wCwtekptLIDEX4diShpOlMz9jJOqJamgex2Fu2gsjQ9sJNRGfR5Fg2v_tm5BhGlzuuUCbJmNeJ4mH5KqmwqxTORq2SZ8aTX1AULUVhtNs_X784J4xwoiOO9ZqdJjCLHq4V3vu5hYunyST_4q29DpIhsu4_hfPvD0ThuO-17OkCERKt_/s320/51GYEHzym-L._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Creature Feature Collection</span></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Gather round as today’s most diabolically clever authors
twist simple moments into otherworldly horrors. An empty baby stroller. A
scratching underneath the bed. A farmhouse in the moonlight. With an unnerving
sense of the macabre, these stories transform our greatest fears into
bone-chilling realities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Available in e-book and audio, the Creature Feature Collection
is a set of 6 books that can be purchased individually or as a collection. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Books in the collection
include<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1-The Pram by Joe Hill<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2-Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3-It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">4-In Bloom by Paul Tremblay<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">5-Best of Luck by Jason Mott<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">6-Big Bad by Chandler Baker <o:p></o:p></p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can read my
review of the first </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> books in the collection <a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-pram-by-joe-hill-ankle-snatcher-by.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-39355762157111828572023-10-31T01:00:00.001-04:002023-10-31T01:00:00.141-04:00The Pram by Joe Hill, Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix, It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman (Creature Feature Collection, Part 1) <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sUbRpGi3V10so36My0k2dfGJmG3RfbONVtL-gfw279TuuBnG_nYSouMNa_UYpmf2i_yv_ttyNFsTwECXGWnv3CAOgp4HoaXXcbM3_TkVfEap7w0nZ6OroZ0b8lOZF1g7f8LcItTYRq4UrdocF2CibVn7icnyVJCax-ytgTO47SzilfeDDuPl4cweSPxJ/s500/41B1MeM3abL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sUbRpGi3V10so36My0k2dfGJmG3RfbONVtL-gfw279TuuBnG_nYSouMNa_UYpmf2i_yv_ttyNFsTwECXGWnv3CAOgp4HoaXXcbM3_TkVfEap7w0nZ6OroZ0b8lOZF1g7f8LcItTYRq4UrdocF2CibVn7icnyVJCax-ytgTO47SzilfeDDuPl4cweSPxJ/s320/41B1MeM3abL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A husband’s obsessive desire for a child leads to an
unexpected manifestation of his yearning in a nightmarish short story about
fatherhood dreams by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Willy and Marianne’s farmhouse in Maine has acres of meadow
and fresh air, and a lonesome bridle path in the forest along which Willy
daydreams and ambles. When he’s loaned a decrepit old baby stroller to cart his
groceries home, the rickety squeak of the wheels comforts him. So do the sweet
coos of a baby Willy knows can’t be real. Can it? In this twisted thicket,
wishes come true—with a price.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: Robert Petkoff | Length: 1 hour 31 minutes | </span>Genre: Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4</span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">The cover was just calling out to me with it creepiness and
it didn’t disappoint.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Willy and Marianne have moved from Brooklyn to Maine in
hopes of escaping the pain and heartbreak of their most recent miscarriage.
When the owner of the grocery store offers Willy an old ratty pram to tote his
groceries home, Willy allows the pram to soothe him as he thinks of the child
he lost. Now Willy’s hearing the sounds of a baby. Has his wish to be a father
come true or is something more sinister at play?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was such a good horror story. It had all of the
elements that I want in horror: creepiness, folksiness, a bit or gore, and
troubled main characters. While I would have liked to have learned more about
the Sin-Planters, this was a short story and only allowed for so much but I
didn’t feel as though anything was missing.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was my first time reading Joe Hill and you can tell
that he inherited his father’s (Stephen King) gift of storytelling. I look
forward to reading more from Joe Hill. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqpoQrVHqJ5tQu4KYAIt0NvDJ-FY9yfOeO1Ddw43OKSpPQyD2nq-HSTC3DAwAw9sk4ywBAUMqNDOIuk_OT64sUhUBifhV92M_cW-Jofxm_Ri95xTeDeQHtp1P1RMBthVrgWuvSyvuwWl0yT35ugOLZ-4M5WgfqeNdV3wfFNQjh9lAxKySu3V_7XUzYNOr/s500/51BWY64kOIL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqpoQrVHqJ5tQu4KYAIt0NvDJ-FY9yfOeO1Ddw43OKSpPQyD2nq-HSTC3DAwAw9sk4ywBAUMqNDOIuk_OT64sUhUBifhV92M_cW-Jofxm_Ri95xTeDeQHtp1P1RMBthVrgWuvSyvuwWl0yT35ugOLZ-4M5WgfqeNdV3wfFNQjh9lAxKySu3V_7XUzYNOr/s320/51BWY64kOIL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Obey the rules. It’s the only way to survive the night in a
short story about what hides in the dark by the New York Times bestselling
author of <i>The Southern Book Club’s Guide
to Slaying Vampires.</i></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Marcus grew up believing his father killed his mother—then
blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. Always leave the lights on, his
father warned, or the boogeyman will get you. Marcus still heeds the
superstition, especially when he invites his new girlfriend over. Is Marcus
haunted by a creature or has he just inherited his father’s murderous
delusions? The night will tell.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Publisher: Audible | </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Narrator: Michael Crouch | Length: 45 minutes | </span><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Genre: Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 5 </span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"> A boogeyman under the bed? Yes, please!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Marcus was six when his father was accused of killing his
mother even though his father always blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. While
Marcus believed his father was guilty, he always slept with the lights on until
one night he turns the lights off then his new girlfriend disappears under the
bed. Now Marcus is questioning if he killed his girlfriend or if the boogeyman
truly exists.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this as I’ve been
struggling with Grady Hendrix’s writing but I loved this one!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This is the perfect spooky season short story. It has all
the classic elements of a great horror story. There’s a boogeyman under the bed,
what more can you ask for? While this one is short, I found the pacing and the
plot to be perfect and even. Nothing felt rushed or left out. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWhBoiYYyiup-GM3KkZHmwXwOMet2Xu7okAlsPOKQZqib6eAZ0_DKn0Zg5zSKPAgvrhxvd9Hl-rsAKg9s1Ox5yVYQqXEQRbgcr0beB4lVNEeHpuTFej1rn7t9oiKLiOhmJmhW-ekOpxAw2fc2WHlqWz84mM9dYsbWBWa7JQpXDauvRreXK5hr-MMxjNQe/s500/51G0a0InGXL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWhBoiYYyiup-GM3KkZHmwXwOMet2Xu7okAlsPOKQZqib6eAZ0_DKn0Zg5zSKPAgvrhxvd9Hl-rsAKg9s1Ox5yVYQqXEQRbgcr0beB4lVNEeHpuTFej1rn7t9oiKLiOhmJmhW-ekOpxAw2fc2WHlqWz84mM9dYsbWBWa7JQpXDauvRreXK5hr-MMxjNQe/s320/51G0a0InGXL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some chilling campfire tales ring too true to ignore. For
one young woman, an urban legend calls her into the woods in a spine-tingling
short story by the bestselling author of Bird Box.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The dense Michigan forest. Haunting wails. The clip-clop of
demon hooves on a bridge to nowhere. It’s more than a tall tale to Brenda
Jennings, whose sister disappeared in those woods one fateful night. Three
years later, on a solo stakeout in the dark, Brenda goes in after her. She’s
desperate for answers, and terrified to find what lies waiting on the other
side of that bridge.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Publisher: Audible | </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Narrator: Lauren Ezzo | Length: 1 hour 38 minutes | </span><span style="font-family: andalus, "serif"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Genre: Horror | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Deep in the Ucatanani National Forest lies an urban legend…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When Brenda’s sister, Amanda, disappears in the woods one
night and never returns, Brenda can’t help but to wonder if there’s truth
behind the legend of Opso, the creature that lives in the woods. Armed with her
recording equipment, Brenda takes to the woods seeking answers about what
happened that night. But is she ready for the what she’ll uncover?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This one has the makings of a classic horror story.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-urban legend <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-boogeyman in the woods<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-missing teenager<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-teenager on her own in creepy forest<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-a mysterious bridge</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sadly, this one didn’t live up to it’s potential. While I
liked the majority of the story and would consider it a worthy listen, the
ending wasn’t as strong as it could have been and it felt a little rushed. I
did enjoy the frantic suspense and Lauren Ezzo did a fantastic job with the
narration and give this book a creepy vibe. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK7-S3-ufGikU1z5gN0d7EJSSNDERfjE1TM7YcNPjbQNCX9HJNuvGV6gJ3q4FwEF-9cBARrKex_-gw3gGZ6rZcmDm-dAUMsjbb5yNfvZ4L10kT2f-j8uzcq1pTc4Ni9gRfhJbDOJ26GL6Y-DKDHghHujiCEHppaQouw5P79Ou807y8tWWWmHY573SwGcX/s500/51GYEHzym-L._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK7-S3-ufGikU1z5gN0d7EJSSNDERfjE1TM7YcNPjbQNCX9HJNuvGV6gJ3q4FwEF-9cBARrKex_-gw3gGZ6rZcmDm-dAUMsjbb5yNfvZ4L10kT2f-j8uzcq1pTc4Ni9gRfhJbDOJ26GL6Y-DKDHghHujiCEHppaQouw5P79Ou807y8tWWWmHY573SwGcX/s320/51GYEHzym-L._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Creature Feature Collection<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Gather round as today’s most diabolically clever authors
twist simple moments into otherworldly horrors. An empty baby stroller. A
scratching underneath the bed. A farmhouse in the moonlight. With an unnerving
sense of the macabre, these stories transform our greatest fears into
bone-chilling realities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Available in e-book and audio, the Creature Feature Collection
is a set of 6 books that can be purchased individually or as a collection.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Books in the collection
include</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">1-The Pram by Joe Hill<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">2-Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">3-It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">4-In Bloom by Paul Tremblay<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">5-Best of Luck by Jason Mott<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">6-Big Bad by Chandler Baker <o:p></o:p></p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Stop by tomorrow for my</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b> review of the second set of stories. </b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch;">
</div>
<br />
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-59207711169900101592023-10-17T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-17T00:00:00.133-04:002023 FraterFest Wrap Up <p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZTlQkOrUNbCrLSYdOqRlEwsmdJ01oxNKHWCquv-56qU19iFk1k12hQiFnfEbtfNchIg_q_5vDHMv8833qfg8nvMM_JBwOhbPrweBdpJnFr57BFbb9vSh5l1_k0_aqe-kgVSmME6QTed0UPHwEBAl4VxjWuQwiMeEuQXnzxsPHQvC_rvIzwWhrZtcp1SO/s800/Fraterfest-2023-800x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZTlQkOrUNbCrLSYdOqRlEwsmdJ01oxNKHWCquv-56qU19iFk1k12hQiFnfEbtfNchIg_q_5vDHMv8833qfg8nvMM_JBwOhbPrweBdpJnFr57BFbb9vSh5l1_k0_aqe-kgVSmME6QTed0UPHwEBAl4VxjWuQwiMeEuQXnzxsPHQvC_rvIzwWhrZtcp1SO/s320/Fraterfest-2023-800x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />First, I want to thank Kimberly @ <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Reviewer</a> for
hosting this spook-tacular read-a-thon. I also want to thank Taylor Fenner <a href="https://taylorfennersbookishworld.wordpress.com/">@ Taylor Fenner’s
Bookish World</a> for hosting the Spooky October Book Cover Challenge.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I had so much fun delving into the spooky reads and I’m so
sad FraterFest is over. So, I didn’t get to post my update or my Sunday Post,
sadly, because my internet modem went out. I went to get a replacement over the
weekend and they ended up giving me a wonky modem so I had to wait until today
(Monday) to pick up another one then they still had some issues getting the new
one connected. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I ended up starting 10 books. I finished 8 and have 2 still
in progress. I finished 2 full-length novels and 6 short stories/novellas. 2
were audiobooks and the rest were print. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Here’s how the
read-a-thon went</b>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I didn’t have a set TBR but I had a few books I wanted to
read and, happy to report, I managed to get through the set that I picked. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgj7GzqfUwtf1kwA26WEltn_p165MrUiqdUSWBAdaPaYP81obkd-BYgos4xa78zNtnEmDptWAk0Zte8_uSXUrIU_-fB3xTkvDdfgcmDGK8Od11Lyp2qlaHLOjc4zVLQ-4pplaKwBYH2ivrFwelDJCFqXwBuluPFdbtV8Jp16KrIDxwgi_Oe71Ixz1PoHV/s3264/20231012_173604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgj7GzqfUwtf1kwA26WEltn_p165MrUiqdUSWBAdaPaYP81obkd-BYgos4xa78zNtnEmDptWAk0Zte8_uSXUrIU_-fB3xTkvDdfgcmDGK8Od11Lyp2qlaHLOjc4zVLQ-4pplaKwBYH2ivrFwelDJCFqXwBuluPFdbtV8Jp16KrIDxwgi_Oe71Ixz1PoHV/s320/20231012_173604.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Intended TBR<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Lake Gun</i> by
James Fenimore Copper (Colonial Horrors)—READ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Canterville Ghost</i>
by Oscar Wild—READ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Cry of the Banshee</i>
by Heather Graham —READ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I had such a good time reading those. I still can’t believe
that I hadn’t read <i>The Canterville Ghost</i>
until now but I loved it and recommend it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa_LkVC2zMbgym3NDG4JiM2_cng7XUU0nf4uHbMDQ4EL0mMYd2ZE0QOrbsTqe0pKEzv3kCXBbnpF77SIJJ2JT5nAGVaRFnNqZrhbfaPo8bZv-EXd5TAXOETYiUwSPZ0_0289XC7uUGEERHNVTUxWz3o6-Fh3QCiLhSYk04MtYzS5p0UffCogVRmstbvCM/s1640/Facebook%20Page%20Cover%20(4)%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="1640" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa_LkVC2zMbgym3NDG4JiM2_cng7XUU0nf4uHbMDQ4EL0mMYd2ZE0QOrbsTqe0pKEzv3kCXBbnpF77SIJJ2JT5nAGVaRFnNqZrhbfaPo8bZv-EXd5TAXOETYiUwSPZ0_0289XC7uUGEERHNVTUxWz3o6-Fh3QCiLhSYk04MtYzS5p0UffCogVRmstbvCM/w640-h184/Facebook%20Page%20Cover%20(4)%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>I also read…<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Whispers at Dusk</i>
by Heather Graham<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Horseman </i>by
Christine Henry <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Pram</i> by Joe
Hill (audio)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>Ankle Snatcher</i> by
Grady Hendrix (audio)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Romance of
Certain Old Clothes</i> by Henry James (<i>Colonial
Horrors</i>) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBTBd7j2hOfRWDt93cNTjDrBx4JD-Wb-yosRpCfbea3DlFKvX_K4HI9Nk3IAWek5mLVvNgkLoqFap0QRj-4cltst-QHvSMil_LJZ8SfAmIqs67Zpa2v0d_wvp9wht1z2oRXkCNq4WwpIEY6g7gmvBopJB-1ZoCMo7iYIf5UsMPaPh5jp8h_pvkTAVPtte/s666/Facebook%20Page%20Cover%20(5)%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="666" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBTBd7j2hOfRWDt93cNTjDrBx4JD-Wb-yosRpCfbea3DlFKvX_K4HI9Nk3IAWek5mLVvNgkLoqFap0QRj-4cltst-QHvSMil_LJZ8SfAmIqs67Zpa2v0d_wvp9wht1z2oRXkCNq4WwpIEY6g7gmvBopJB-1ZoCMo7iYIf5UsMPaPh5jp8h_pvkTAVPtte/s320/Facebook%20Page%20Cover%20(5)%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>In progress…<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>The Southern Book
Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires</i> by Grady Hendrix—I started this one a few
years back and couldn’t get into it so I sat it down and forgot about it. Since
I liked Ankle Snatcher, I decided to give this another go and it seems to be
going better. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<i>No Child of Mine by
Nichelle Giraldes</i>—I picked this one up over the weekend due to its spooky
cover. I’m hoping to finish this one tonight but, in all honesty, I probably
won’t finish it until Tuesday night because it’s been a long day and I’m
exhausted. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOcP-YjRdwskjvWKODneyydc6dHyuyk2BpLnGMaZP3AtgCewOXdk1wSYh-eERPW_atzigHd4SxQ4C31GMcH6p3cLffXgC3LcTJ9nlFzqFK9tkwJ_hAnbVAQWU6X5OhX7iNOaKUGpJ3rx4JmaPGpFRNhUaUuvavbC5T6GXlX-15DD_oGg7Bq0BLn3e06PI/s3264/20231004_174631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOcP-YjRdwskjvWKODneyydc6dHyuyk2BpLnGMaZP3AtgCewOXdk1wSYh-eERPW_atzigHd4SxQ4C31GMcH6p3cLffXgC3LcTJ9nlFzqFK9tkwJ_hAnbVAQWU6X5OhX7iNOaKUGpJ3rx4JmaPGpFRNhUaUuvavbC5T6GXlX-15DD_oGg7Bq0BLn3e06PI/s320/20231004_174631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I just want to take a minute to give a ‘buyer/reader beware’
warning for <i>Colonial Horrors</i>. I was
expecting a full anthology; unfortunately, this book contains mostly excerpts
rather than full stories, which was rather disappointing. Take for example <i>Rachel Dyer</i> by John Neal, they only included chapter 4. <i>Wieland</i> by Charles Brockden Brown only
included chapters one and two. I would have rather they focused more on the
short stories rather than providing excerpts of larger novels. <o:p></o:p><p></p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Did you join Fraterfest? <br />
If so, what did you read? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If not, have you read anything spooky lately? <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-15981891553236838042023-10-13T10:30:00.000-04:002023-10-13T10:36:50.267-04:00Better Hate than Never by Chloe Liese<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjyga45LN6Rewv20vBYeuFrKLMky2JuGmIogIayjKaefxTq7o5AtzEU_Q8LW5f2xWcKV-BG8v97T-PEKIKQ1v5PPloz1btNP2ezkxpmd0Q03CJbmQHlERWOH-ojosvXCJwzAGqmH3HhW6XLc_0O8QDY6Cirdno-9Odt2L6t2ozfMGfldGAy_PvgroDKWj/s2475/64821637.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjyga45LN6Rewv20vBYeuFrKLMky2JuGmIogIayjKaefxTq7o5AtzEU_Q8LW5f2xWcKV-BG8v97T-PEKIKQ1v5PPloz1btNP2ezkxpmd0Q03CJbmQHlERWOH-ojosvXCJwzAGqmH3HhW6XLc_0O8QDY6Cirdno-9Odt2L6t2ozfMGfldGAy_PvgroDKWj/s320/64821637.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards
as kids, but as adults they won't even share the same hemisphere. That is,
until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a
raging inferno.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Despite their friends' and families' pleas for peace,
Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their
enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she's only been hostile because she
thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all.
Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn't
sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When Christopher's persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to
an impassioned kiss, they realize "peace" is the last thing that will
ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and
Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their
hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Series: Wilmot Sisters #2 | Publisher: Berkley | </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: andalus, serif;">Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 5 Cups </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">First, this cover is giving me all the autumn vibes. Second,
a <i>Taming of the Shrew</i>-inspired
romance? Yes, please! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Before I get into my review, I just want to say thank you to
Chloe Liese for painting an accurate description of a chronic migraine
sufferer. I truly feel represented in this book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Now to my review…I loved this book. I’m always a little leery
when it comes classic retellings, especially when it’s Shakespeare but, I have
to say, this checked all the boxes. While it’s a thoroughly modern take, the essence
of the characters are there and I loved that.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Christopher and Kate have spent most of their lives as
enemies, which is making things difficult with their friends/family (all they
want is peace between the two of them for the holidays). When a drunken Kate
kisses Christopher, suddenly they start to wonder if there could be a bit more
than hate between them, if they’re willing to risk it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There’s so much going on with Kate and Christopher. Kate’s
returned home for the first time in years. She’s dealing with being the younger,
forgotten wild child of the family. She’s also dealing with the fact she has
ADHD and her mind never stops spinning. Christopher’s
dealing with the loss of his parents at young age. And while Kate’s family
practically adopted him and showered him with love, he’s still searching for
love. He’s also dealing with chronic migraines, which interrupts his life.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m always up for an enemies-to-lovers romance and this one
did not disappoint. I loved watching their relationship develop and the way
they ended up falling for each other. They had a lot to work through, both
personally and jointly, and I’m glad that it wasn’t rushed. And their chemistry
was off the charts. This is an age gap romance and while I didn’t mind, there
were a few things referenced in the past that I found a bit odd but didn’t take
my enjoyment away from the book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There were a lot of layers to the characters and the plot, which
I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the character growth and the maturity of the
characters.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this adorable romance pulled on my heartstrings and
I truly related to both characters, which is rare for me. I highly recommend
this book. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-4212895440264371582023-10-12T20:39:00.002-04:002023-10-12T20:39:08.179-04:00Fraterfest Readathon 2023Update Post<p style="text-align: left;"> Hello, My Fellow Spooky Season Lovers, I hope you’re all
doing fang-tastic!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgEKcNxilMIjwiYa_YfOn042CR-hp57AMLc6D7enTlkQaxUFDPOdsvY3hn6PwUW18Bd7CRHcKk-FVcIUY1wePh55H8XTisDhsiPJlu_UdxaVqKTnUbkEzHmnEcOkrTkWKKLEfABi0x7HH_raFqnykMQ-8UcAjchnR430cYsk0QiBK5_Wil0OhXh3butTf/s800/Fraterfest-2023-800x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgEKcNxilMIjwiYa_YfOn042CR-hp57AMLc6D7enTlkQaxUFDPOdsvY3hn6PwUW18Bd7CRHcKk-FVcIUY1wePh55H8XTisDhsiPJlu_UdxaVqKTnUbkEzHmnEcOkrTkWKKLEfABi0x7HH_raFqnykMQ-8UcAjchnR430cYsk0QiBK5_Wil0OhXh3butTf/s320/Fraterfest-2023-800x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I want to know, have you joined Fraterfest Readathon 2023?
If not, fly on over to Kimberly’s @ <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/2023-fraterfest-readathon-sign-up.html">The
Caffeinated Reviewer</a> and sign up because it starts today and you don’t want
to miss out on the fun and thrills! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">So, what am I reading? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfhXkQr5vAtjNtSwfZz3Vohc0HsMGtxwuiWFkRBM54lQ1ToKCW_tClw8eRkHfticyWCKIN0tcdgoYnk-K1BClIeNaheZNJD7xdvIpvJqwpE8luCHc6Cu_OpavGVb7ssY2BweJYPVRdLYDXkJnuy7KySH7mCPoMXwaBL7apspMIW5wAfOM10IY2WDBYD2n/s3264/20231012_173604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfhXkQr5vAtjNtSwfZz3Vohc0HsMGtxwuiWFkRBM54lQ1ToKCW_tClw8eRkHfticyWCKIN0tcdgoYnk-K1BClIeNaheZNJD7xdvIpvJqwpE8luCHc6Cu_OpavGVb7ssY2BweJYPVRdLYDXkJnuy7KySH7mCPoMXwaBL7apspMIW5wAfOM10IY2WDBYD2n/s320/20231012_173604.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I like starting read-a-thons with short stories and
novellas, so this morning, I picked up <i>Colonial
Horrors</i> edited by Graeme Davis and read <i>The
Lake Gun</i> by James Fenimore Cooper.
I’ll probably read a few more short stories from this collection before
the end of the day. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Canterville Ghost</i>
by Oscar Wilde is another short story I want to check off my reading list
before the days over. While I’ve watched
several versions of this, this will be my first time reading the book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I decided to be a good ghoul and save <i>The Cry of the Banshee</i> by Heather Graham to read today. This one
was hard to keep back as I wanted to sink my teeth into the day it arrived. One
of my goals this year was to catchup on the <i>1001
Dark Nights/ Krewe of Hunters</i> novellas and this is the latest release and
the last one I have to read. This one should be a fun read seeing as were back
with Jackson Crow and Angela Hawkins Crow and it’s set in Ireland. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Have you read <i>The
Krewe of Hunters</i> by Heather Graham? If so, do you have a favorite book,
couple, or setting? I tend to go for the ones set in Salem or New England. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5m6VFex7OlEE6qPrqnXewt1vs0W58IGH_0ScaGQeT_6buyKNVXZkcW9oQuqoRDxKkXkbLpetnozRNWohnqlv9Ph1g1l7KK2BDFTKEQ0sAxll9t8I2_VO98ihA-D0BOPtazEPsHBdz-e3SlXP4F6FMw320ZBA1h6MRz8b2XslUkRqLD2Sn0J7x1zwKTM6/s3264/20231012_164531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5m6VFex7OlEE6qPrqnXewt1vs0W58IGH_0ScaGQeT_6buyKNVXZkcW9oQuqoRDxKkXkbLpetnozRNWohnqlv9Ph1g1l7KK2BDFTKEQ0sAxll9t8I2_VO98ihA-D0BOPtazEPsHBdz-e3SlXP4F6FMw320ZBA1h6MRz8b2XslUkRqLD2Sn0J7x1zwKTM6/s320/20231012_164531.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I had one audiobook in progress, <i>The Betrayed</i> by Heather Graham, and I finished that this afternoon
while whipping up a batch of pumpkin spice Chex mix (recipe will be posted
soon) so I’m trying to decide which print book or audiobook I want to pick up
next. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Just a quick update note…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’ll be posting two blog updates. One on the 14<sup>th</sup>
then my wrap up post on the 17<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I will also be posting daily Instagram updates
@simplyangelarenee so drop by to see what I’m up to. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch;">
</div>
<br />
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-1580034802538258392023-10-05T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-05T00:00:00.139-04:00The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpMbBY1uYZleSIn4Q3lfRPVxwZyQSBZn2bxZymtJTbfpnxo5k6v0W42UPn5pefuzWtiSVljp2ECt5hoI188ykK13_9Idby3O9v2el2YlX9WthkcOu-_kBmAP3AHmO7Yn1XMfivBQY0ReTsnhB3riHyoJFtxsRbEQaqImaYlsRKwiycV6iO_V_bxvXd2Qv/s500/518kBtOCfmL._SL500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpMbBY1uYZleSIn4Q3lfRPVxwZyQSBZn2bxZymtJTbfpnxo5k6v0W42UPn5pefuzWtiSVljp2ECt5hoI188ykK13_9Idby3O9v2el2YlX9WthkcOu-_kBmAP3AHmO7Yn1XMfivBQY0ReTsnhB3riHyoJFtxsRbEQaqImaYlsRKwiycV6iO_V_bxvXd2Qv/s320/518kBtOCfmL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Nobody ever goes to Hartwood Hall. Folks say it’s cursed…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It’s 1852 and Margaret Lennox, a young widow, attempts to
escape the shadows of her past by taking a position as governess to an only
child, Louis, at an isolated country house in the west of England.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But Margaret soon starts to feel that something isn’t quite
right. There are strange figures in the dark, tensions between servants, and an
abandoned east wing. Even stranger is the local gossip surrounding Mrs.
Eversham, Louis’s widowed mother, who is deeply distrusted in the village.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>Lonely and unsure whom to trust, Margaret finds distraction
in a forbidden relationship with the gardener, Paul. But as Margaret’s history
threatens to catch up with her, it isn’t long before she learns the truth
behind the secrets of Hartwood Hall.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Penguin Audio | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: Olivia Vinall | Length: 9 hours, 35 minutes | </span>Genre: Historical Suspense/Fiction | Source: Purchased | Rating: 1.5 </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">An isolated country estate, cursed family, governess with a
secret, things that go bump in the night? Yes, please! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Margaret is a young widow with a bit of mystery surrounding
the death of her husband. Wanting to escape, she takes the position as a
governess at Hartwood Hall. While she enjoys spending time with her young
charge, Louis, and developing a relationship with Paul, the gardener, there’s
something strange about Hartwood Hall and Mrs. Eversham’s concealing something.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I picked this one up because of my love for <i>Jane Eyre</i> and atmospheric gothic novels. I have to say, I did get that spooky, gothic
atmospheric vibe that I love and the vibe of the book was very similar to <i>Jane Eyre</i>. There was a bit of mystery,
some possible hauntings, an illicit affair, and so many things going bump in
the night. This was what I wanted in a gothic, historical suspense novel. The
first 70% of this novel was brilliant.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The last 30% of the book had me wondering if this was even the
same book. I really liked Margaret at the start and enjoyed watching her almost
forbidden relationship develop with Paul but she ended up treating him like
something she’d toss in the bin and I didn’t care for the character change. She
became cruel and hateful and suddenly took on this, ‘I don’t need a man’ attitude
when in the first 70% of the book she’s mooning over how much she loved and
needed him.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Then there was the reveal behind the spookiness of the house
and the secret Mrs. Eversham was keeping. I’m not going to go into too much
detail as I don’t want to ruin the book for potential readers. I don’t know why
the author spent so much time creating a spooky gothic atmosphere if this was
the big reveal she was planning. It just felt like such a letdown and had me
questioning why an outsider (Margaret) was allowed in the house if Mrs.
Eversham was trying to conceal this particular secret.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The first 70% of the book was slow and focused on building up
the gothic atmosphere. The last 30% was rushed and didn’t match the pace or
tone. In one way, I feel like the author felt the word count creeping up and
decided that she needed to come up with an ending so she threw something out
there and hoped it would work to explain things. Had there been something offered
up in the first 70% regarding the truth of Mrs. Eversham’s secret, I might have
enjoyed it but this one just came out of left field.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m a bit on the fence about rating this one. The first 70%
would be a 4.5 for me but the last 30% ruined the book, especially since the
author went to so much trouble to set a specific tone early on.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Olivia Vinall’s narration was brilliant.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, the audiobook is nearly 10 hours, that’s a lot of
time spent building up something and failing to deliver. It’s really disappointing
because this was one of my most anticipated books of 2023.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-53082168968651931532023-10-03T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-03T00:00:00.137-04:00The Hunting Party <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1veFbkzvqonDxQVO05RuFF-jTL0G8Wye18jvnsgVjBK4J02PAA6oUZdAfafgvauJwZdnZiiuEY9L5S2RaxuYd7jSs3OQOhDD0czHD6Utzih2j7wx3Xc1PFL_Qg-tgAtnJpHgKptVk3GiAt_gQsYMzSaIC8CiiWnCvTzwTM6xv5dUtKO3kbv7JjKPrqRP/s2775/40535684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1veFbkzvqonDxQVO05RuFF-jTL0G8Wye18jvnsgVjBK4J02PAA6oUZdAfafgvauJwZdnZiiuEY9L5S2RaxuYd7jSs3OQOhDD0czHD6Utzih2j7wx3Xc1PFL_Qg-tgAtnJpHgKptVk3GiAt_gQsYMzSaIC8CiiWnCvTzwTM6xv5dUtKO3kbv7JjKPrqRP/s320/40535684.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">All of them are friends. One of them is a killer.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">During the languid days of the Christmas break, a group of
thirtysomething friends from Oxford meet to welcome in the New Year together, a
tradition they began as students ten years ago. For this vacation, they’ve
chosen an idyllic and isolated estate in the Scottish Highlands—the perfect
place to get away and unwind by themselves.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">They arrive on December 30th, just before a historic
blizzard seals the lodge off from the outside world.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Two days later, on New Year’s Day, one of them is dead.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The trip began innocently enough: admiring the stunning if
foreboding scenery, champagne in front of a crackling fire, and reminiscences
about the past. But after a decade, the weight of secret resentments has grown
too heavy for the group’s tenuous nostalgia to bear. Amid the boisterous
revelry of New Year’s Eve, the cord holding them together snaps.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> N</o:p>ow one of them is dead . . . and another of them did it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p>Keep your friends close, the old adage goes. But just how
close is too close?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: William Marrow | Genre: Thriller/Suspense | Source: Purchased| Rating: 3.5</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">An isolated setting? Check! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A blizzard? Check! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A murder on the loose? Check! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Ringing in the New Year at a remote hunting lodge in the
Scottish Highlands sounds the idyllic spot for an annual reunion although they
weren’t prepared for a blizzard to trap them there. With secrets and old
resentments bubbling up, what’s supposed to be a week of catching up with old
friends soon turns into tension and anger. When a member of the group ends up
dead, everyone becomes a suspect and no one is safe. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m a bit on the fence about this one. I liked it. It had
all the markers for a great thriller/suspense. I didn’t love it though. I made
the mistake of reading <i>The Guest List </i>first
and I loved it but had I read this one first, I think I would have enjoyed it
better. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There are a lot people popping up in this book. While we do
get multiple POVs, I don’t feel as though we got to know who the characters
truly were. Everyone had a convoluted agenda. Everyone was concealing something,
which turned everyone into unreliable narrators. All of the characters, except
for Doug, the groundskeeper, and Heather, the manager of the lodge, were
horrible people. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This is very much a classic whodunit with a slight twist.
While we know one of the seven friends was murdered, it’s not revealed who was
murdered for some time and it wasn’t easy to pinpoint because none of the
characters are likable. Each of them has their own secrets and secret
resentments. It also made sussing out the murderer a little more difficult. I
did have a feeling about certain things going on, which turned out to be
correct, but I don’t feel as though it pulled me out of the mystery. There were
a few red herrings thrown in, possibly one too many, but it didn’t bog down the
flow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">What really drew me into this one was the descriptive
setting. The Scottish Highlands in the middle of a crippling snowstorm became
its own character. I loved how the author drew me into to this rugged
landscape. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">If you’ve read <i>The
Guest List</i>, this has the same formula: a group of friends are trapped in
some foreign location, one of them dies and one is the murderer. With the <i>Guest List,</i> I feel as though I knew the
characters better. They were more fleshed out and I understood their motives. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, if you’re looking for an atmospheric thriller that
will pull you into the cold, wintery, snowed in, isolated setting this is the
book for you. Lucy Foley is brilliant at making the reader feel as though they’re
right in the book experiencing the elements along with the characters. <o:p></o:p></p></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-40790856733621668962023-10-02T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-02T00:00:00.143-04:00The Resting Place by Camilla Sten<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqanYTGDiDLkd-foxU0r7Q0PQu82iWuBSKuLG9Bwz5W8IXZC2SpykfnWNxCHsEadLFxYBZZMO63tcoKXgSLGOv_MUhAaZOQD57oN6WzJDPKtr4TGs0BlDGgmy8nz_WP8uj4TwsuPXeWBLZFZ0csz1px0cgnHdDzmgZhTxWvkYKGBoVVaC5sfS8PPldcl_D/s500/412yPtcjcwL._SL500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqanYTGDiDLkd-foxU0r7Q0PQu82iWuBSKuLG9Bwz5W8IXZC2SpykfnWNxCHsEadLFxYBZZMO63tcoKXgSLGOv_MUhAaZOQD57oN6WzJDPKtr4TGs0BlDGgmy8nz_WP8uj4TwsuPXeWBLZFZ0csz1px0cgnHdDzmgZhTxWvkYKGBoVVaC5sfS8PPldcl_D/s320/412yPtcjcwL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Deep rooted secrets.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A twisted family history.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And a house that will never let go.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Eleanor lives with prosopagnosia, the inability to recognize
a familiar person's face. It causes stress. Acute anxiety.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It can make you question what you think you know.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When Eleanor walked in on the scene of her capriciously
cruel grandmother, Vivianne’s, murder, she came face to face with the killer—a
maddening expression that means nothing to someone like her. With each passing
day, the horror of having come so close to a murderer—and not knowing if they’d
be back—overtakes both her dreams and her waking moments, thwarting her
perception of reality.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Then a lawyer calls. Vivianne has left her a house—a looming
estate tucked away in the Swedish woods. The place her grandfather died,
suddenly. A place that has housed a chilling past for over fifty years.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Eleanor. Her steadfast boyfriend, Sebastian. Her reckless
aunt, Veronika. The lawyer. All will go to this house of secrets, looking for
answers. But as they get closer to uncovering the truth, they’ll wish they had
never come to disturb what rests there.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Macmillian Audio | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: Angela Dawes | Length: 10 hrs 30 min | </span>Genre: Mystery. Thriller, Suspense | Source: Libby App | Rating: 2.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Camilla Sten is an author that I’ve wanted to read for a
while. I’ve had <i>The Lost Village</i> on
my TBR for eons— it’s even one of my 23-in-23 books—but I’ve been a little
apprehensive, so when <i>The Resting Place</i>
was selected as a local book shops book club pick, I decided to give the author
a go. Sadly, I found the book to be a little meh but still an okay read. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Here’s a quick recap. When Eleanor witnesses her
grandmother’s murder, unfortunately, due to her face blindness, she’s unable to
identify her grandmother’s killer. When a lawyer calls, five months later,
informing Eleanor that she’s inherited Solhöga an isolated country estate, and
needs to complete an inventory, she’s a bit apprehensive but also curious as to
why her grandmother never mentioned the estate. When Eleanor, Sebastian (her
boyfriend), and her estranged aunt Veronika arrive, strange things start
happening and a hidden journal is found. When someone dies and others are
injured, they know they need to leave but find themselves stranded as a
murderer is on the loose.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In this one, we have dual timelines. Eleanor is the present
narrator. Eleanor has some issues, not only does she have face blindness, she
witnessed her grandmother’s murder, and she’s suffering from anxiety all while
dealing with issues from her past and reconnecting with an estranged aunt at a location
foreign to her. Anushka is the past narrator. She’s a maid from Poland that’s
related to Eleanor’s grandmother. She’s trying to settle into her new life, in
a new country, while being treated rather poorly.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I had a hard time finding Eleanor likable. I felt that she
was overly paranoid but her actions didn’t match up to the way she was acting.
She kept secrets that would have cleared things up and made questionable
decisions. Anushka was a bit more interesting, to a point, but, again, her
actions and choices were questionable and I didn’t feel like we got her entire
story.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While the premise was interesting, this one fell a bit flat
with the delivery. So much page time was given to Eleanor discovering this
diary and trying to decipher it but, unfortunately, she keeps the discovery to
herself and then seems to lose interest when the answer she’s seeking is
contained within. I also wanted an explanation as to why one of the characters
made such a drastic personality change. Unfortunately, this book ended with
several plot holes. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I also had an issue with the pacing. The book opens straight
into a flurry of activity, which should have set the pacing for the entire book
but, sadly, the pacing slowed as the plot progressed. While there was a lot
going on, it was one of those cases where nothing really happened for chunks of
time.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The mystery in this one fell a bit flat for me and I ended
up figuring most of it out before the middle of the book. I was expecting
Eleanor’s face blindness to come into play a bit more rather than it just being
something randomly mentioned. While it was said that she recognized people by
their markers, she was quick to identify people, especially when she was so
paranoid.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I think I went into this book expecting a bit more seeing as
this is being labeled, “<i>Crimson Peak</i>
meets <i>The Sanatorium</i>”. While I’ve not
read <i>The Sanatorium</i> (it’s on my TBR
list), I loved the mix of gothic, horror, and romance in <i>Crimson Peak</i>, so I was expecting to see that in <i>The Resting Place</i> and none of that was
delivered. Honestly, I’m not even sure why it’s being compared to <i>Crimson Peak</i>. I wouldn’t classify this
as horror and I would only say that it’s a light thriller or thriller adjacent.
This one mostly felt like a family drama with a bit of suspense. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I enjoyed Angela Dawe’s narration. At times she was a little
overly frantic but still enjoyable. I did end up adjusting this to 2x speed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Overall</b>, this was
just a bit meh for me. I don’t think it delivered the story that it promised. I
was expecting the house to come into play a bit more or a paranormal element,
which wasn’t the case. I ended up borrowing the audiobook from Libby and I was
happy with that choice because I don’t think this would be a book I’d want to
own.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Prosopagnosia (face blindness), an isolated winter setting,
and someone terrorizing the characters are very reminiscent of <i>Rock, Paper, Scissors</i> by Alice Feeney. Out
of the two, I’d have to recommend <i>Rock,
Paper, Scissors </i>by Alice Feeney.</p>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-33338853124314304252023-10-01T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-01T00:00:00.160-04:00The Sunday Post: 🍁Hello October and Welcome Spooky Season 🦇<p style="text-align: left;">Hello, My Fellow Spooky Season Lovers, I hope you’re all
doing fang-tastic! What have you all been up to? I’ve been away for far too
long and I need to know all the things!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>There’s been some things going on.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5viPKcA6ab9V0yD_dttHIBv7kdFCB4gf_FFmKgHpt5f0C4b-S-DLGd0NG7R7tsz0w7LCqXoYIzsDwnRyu5zAC-MBJnPcxUr1Tc_9Ts5DZI8EhJUSmDM-MfPaCXKfHeUQ2aMBvtOmeC0BwYCy9hxlm2fEk-bG1KLQAqE4s2wd1kYN70vfLwqQU8ebCK8u9/s3264/20230911_192854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5viPKcA6ab9V0yD_dttHIBv7kdFCB4gf_FFmKgHpt5f0C4b-S-DLGd0NG7R7tsz0w7LCqXoYIzsDwnRyu5zAC-MBJnPcxUr1Tc_9Ts5DZI8EhJUSmDM-MfPaCXKfHeUQ2aMBvtOmeC0BwYCy9hxlm2fEk-bG1KLQAqE4s2wd1kYN70vfLwqQU8ebCK8u9/s320/20230911_192854.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div><b>The porch saga
continues</b>…The front porch redo has been a drama of its own. What they
poured last year didn’t set up right, they had to come back and jackhammer it
up, pour new concrete, and set the posts and rails. Well, they’ve done
everything but set the posts and rails. It’s the easiest part of the entire job
but they’ve failed to showed for 2 ½ weeks. So, it’s been a fight with the
construction company and the city since they had to grant an extension on the
bond on the grounds that they were actively working. I’m really not sure why
they won’t show up because it would only take them about an hour to completely
finish the job.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC2CRYt2rHCO-ZXAy1vZCB32T2LOcIb_aS3mnw1lgVE3JqP6IhwMmtwGaVQKcMsQWXmpBrCs3CzVHqRt0g_RX630jdj2tAXbYOud4lpmmLwX0sknCpjRwplNzQb6SWmqgYYemlPPoyjZarjpVeGEG0PjUnPtYN0HWyIIJ9z0ULjAQ-eNub4dV-ZjMUC3p/s3264/20230929_155744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC2CRYt2rHCO-ZXAy1vZCB32T2LOcIb_aS3mnw1lgVE3JqP6IhwMmtwGaVQKcMsQWXmpBrCs3CzVHqRt0g_RX630jdj2tAXbYOud4lpmmLwX0sknCpjRwplNzQb6SWmqgYYemlPPoyjZarjpVeGEG0PjUnPtYN0HWyIIJ9z0ULjAQ-eNub4dV-ZjMUC3p/s320/20230929_155744.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Mosquito bites are no
joke…</b>Most of the summer I was feeling a bit off, I attributed it to the
smoke from the wildfires triggering more migraines than my normal (I have
chronic migraines) and stirring up my allergies. I ended up calling the
telenurse and based on my symptoms she thought I had West Nile Virus and
suggested I go to Urgent Care. Thankfully, I didn’t have West Nile but
something called Skeeter Syndrome. Apparently, there’s two types, one is where
you’re allergic to the venom injected from a mosquito bite and you have a
localized reaction, which I am allergic to mosquito bites (mine usually swell
up to the size of a softball). The second form of the syndrome is where you
have so much mosquito venom in your body that your immune system views it as a
toxin. They said the symptoms and the way your body</div><div style="text-align: left;">reacts is similar to having
a bad case of mono, which I’ve never had but feel sorry for anyone who has. The
only treatment for this type of Skeeter Syndrome is oral steroids, which I
cannot take so I was prescribed high dose Vistaril and lots of rest. I’m on the
mend but I still have days where I’m exhausted. I did find that spraying Cutter
Skinsations (directly on my clothing and shoes) and rubbing the STEM onto my
exposed skin (not my face) has been keeping them away.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>In other news…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPiw4AH6z0xKggqkvIafKd0nSK6JjmjEidBvbuRIwFyHWkurLvLCAxt0sL5oTELRXfhoZ0R-71EGGKj-uw7eNR5bUe-Omn3et8r6tcm0tohQCLxTnX7_zkaGJeowh6AicpUTXlE9pQOr-SIGFkabHo-Uqe-046n0jw1ZT8Qsw6xesWm4Npc1-nm5G1QuC/s3264/20230916_152907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPiw4AH6z0xKggqkvIafKd0nSK6JjmjEidBvbuRIwFyHWkurLvLCAxt0sL5oTELRXfhoZ0R-71EGGKj-uw7eNR5bUe-Omn3et8r6tcm0tohQCLxTnX7_zkaGJeowh6AicpUTXlE9pQOr-SIGFkabHo-Uqe-046n0jw1ZT8Qsw6xesWm4Npc1-nm5G1QuC/s320/20230916_152907.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I went exploring recently and stumbled across this place
called The Black Barn in Lebanon, Ohio. It’s a lovely sunflower field and
produce market. The produce market is housed in a rustic barn that’s decorated
with antique farming equipment. They had so many tasty looking treats—and I
really wanted to take their fresh pressed apple cider home—but I had a long
trip home and wouldn’t be able to keep them cold. I did pick up a ½ peck of
honeycrisp apples. Freshly picked honeycrip apples are the best and these are
delicious.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The sunflower field was massive. It was so relaxing to
stroll through and hear the bees buzzing by and watching the crows pick at the
seeds. I was surprised to see a fully-grown Jamestown weed (a.k.a jimsonweed, Datura,
thorn apple, devils trumpet) that already seeded hidden amongst the sunflowers.
I always think it’s fun to spot historic plants, especially ones with
fascinating histories.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rs1SlrplwsygQpfjf2jE0n9cK87VfijHWLVudcy2ooIDNYNCG27Oh9Dh3QuP0P2oqsk6rvHOn1XeWnyJ1xyIUeMP6ENKC4Wetlld5w0FF-SlszDgNCxVHZJe3QkjcUc3gfkPh_6kO7au0wn-AOCmblHExIb08PQaeyp0NoEZeS9aKQYtEdjD97lmzR_8/s3264/20230916_153000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rs1SlrplwsygQpfjf2jE0n9cK87VfijHWLVudcy2ooIDNYNCG27Oh9Dh3QuP0P2oqsk6rvHOn1XeWnyJ1xyIUeMP6ENKC4Wetlld5w0FF-SlszDgNCxVHZJe3QkjcUc3gfkPh_6kO7au0wn-AOCmblHExIb08PQaeyp0NoEZeS9aKQYtEdjD97lmzR_8/s320/20230916_153000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you don’t know, Jamestown weed (modernly known as
jimsonweed) was originally brought to Jamestown by the first English colonists
to grow and make into</div><div style="text-align: left;">a healing salve to treat burns, it didn’t really go as
planned as all parts of the plant are poisonous. The Celtic tribes would soak
their arrowheads in what they called Datura (Jamestown weed) to ensure their
enemies would die in battle. While you do need to absorb a certain amount to be
fatal, the smallest trace can cause delirium. In fact, there’s a recorded
history about a group of British soldiers that consumed parts of the plant
during Bacon’s Rebellion and spent 11 days in various states of delirium.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I have a few things I want to check out in the next few
weeks so I think I’m going to become an autumn exploration girly. I just need
to remember to bring my camera this time! There’s also a few local events I
want to check out as well!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUZP15z2_CbWpK7JpFsIC5nBzE78_l1qSuGqm_XDQ4PF1LUNqVxFQaZne07VrPwlQw44O8z9-B5oKYGGkXMst3DcihWVzoUzbJQ2cFouuX-6cDB9WEKPydUa4ZiSRDanDOwNAvMlcGMmufrBe-FovjfaalxdOHfLYjFXiLAcTzLCDOl52ZAP1OLs011fx/s2000/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUZP15z2_CbWpK7JpFsIC5nBzE78_l1qSuGqm_XDQ4PF1LUNqVxFQaZne07VrPwlQw44O8z9-B5oKYGGkXMst3DcihWVzoUzbJQ2cFouuX-6cDB9WEKPydUa4ZiSRDanDOwNAvMlcGMmufrBe-FovjfaalxdOHfLYjFXiLAcTzLCDOl52ZAP1OLs011fx/w400-h400/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Here’s what been
going on blog/reading-wise…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Last week on the blog…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Last Word </i>by
Taylor Adams—audiobook review</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Chasing Dreams</i> by
Carolyn Brown—audiobook review<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Witch of Wild Things</i>
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland—arc review This is an autumn must read!!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Books that’s arrived…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>From
authors/publishers</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Death and the Sisters:
A Mary Shelley Mystery</i> by Heather Redmond (finished review copy)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Cry of the Banshee</i>
by Heather Graham (finished review copy)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Better Hate than Never</i>
by Chloe Liese (e-arc)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Never Blow a Kiss</i>
by Lindsay Lovise (e-arc)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Lady Charlotte Always
Gets Her Man</i> by Violent Marsh (e-arc)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>From the library</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Accidentally Amy</i>
by Lynn Painter (audio from Libby)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Pumpkins in Paradise</i>
by Kathi Daley (audio from Libby)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Purchased</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I won an Amazon gift card and picked these up. I’m still
wanting on theme to arrive. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Belladonna </i>and<i> Foxglove</i> by Adalyn Grace<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Invisible Hour</i> by
Alice Hoffman <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>On my ‘To Buy’ list</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Gallop Toward the Sun</i>
by Peter Stark—this is about the fight between Tecumseh and Harrison during the
War of 1812. I’m definitely buying this one, I want to check out to see if I
can pick one up at one of the Hopewell or heritage sites. If not, I’ll see if Wheatberry
Books, in the neighboring town, has a copy to buy. I want to try locally before
I head to Amazon.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Here’s what I read
last week…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow</i> by Washington Irving (audiobook, reread)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Killers of a Certain
Age</i> by Deanna Raybourn (audiobook)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>You Shouldn’t Have
Come Here</i> by Jeneva Rose (audiobook)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Currently
Reading/Listening to…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Witches At the End
of the World</i> by Chelsea Iversen (e-arc)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>The Betrayed </i>(<i>Krewe of Hunters </i>#14) by Heather Graham
(audiobook)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">*I still need to pick up a print book for this week so I’ll
draw something out of the 23 books in 2023 jar.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Bookish things I need
to do…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>Update my reading journal</u>—I’ve been actively updating
as I read but I have some extras I need to fill out as the journal is nearly
filled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>Pull books for Fraterfest Readathon</u>—I’m really
tempted to start <i>The Cry of the Banshee</i>
but I’m going to be good and keep it to start off the readathon with. Starting
with a novella always make me motivated. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>Update GoodReads</u>—I’ve been using my private
StoryGraph account to keep track but I really need to update GoodReads before I
forget. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>I need to do an un-haul of 10-20 books</u>—One of my
2023 goals is to un-haul books that I didn’t like, won’t read, won’t read
again, or have duplicate copies. I’m a bit behind on that so I’ll either tackle
my old romance books (I know I have several duplicates here) that I have
stashed away or go through some of my old TBR totes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Bloggish/Bookish
happenings</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer is hosting her annual <u>Fraterfest
Readathon</u> October 12<sup>th</sup>—16<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>Blogtober</u>—I will be participating all month long
over on Instagram, so stop @simplyangelarenee and check out what I’ll be
posting. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">-<u>Banned Books Week</u> is October 1<sup>st</sup>—7<sup>th</sup>—there’s
a few online and in-person events that I’m hoping to check out. I’m also going
to be picking up a few banned books this week.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW0q41H-2IHdsYkM1oK7EuEOCIxbL6TtoqnaPD8wJjKi67yqcGGA8_3RdziMy413wJkeZhMTYy-8-RxljCF0l28_2YMNHT_hTKF2FmaYSf3w_4DJr0bMm2fwnffOjtJyQGtGju9YdyH4u8dxtKdnLH_WLFgAX4i3Cp9VkSEzIT3omaMTCK2w_1bUEEfIT/s2000/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(46).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW0q41H-2IHdsYkM1oK7EuEOCIxbL6TtoqnaPD8wJjKi67yqcGGA8_3RdziMy413wJkeZhMTYy-8-RxljCF0l28_2YMNHT_hTKF2FmaYSf3w_4DJr0bMm2fwnffOjtJyQGtGju9YdyH4u8dxtKdnLH_WLFgAX4i3Cp9VkSEzIT3omaMTCK2w_1bUEEfIT/w400-h400/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(46).png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">I managed to snap a few pictures of the harvest moon. <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSKmN3nPv-luN8JL4vJaLUsbCvh3a3_B2fXpriXUy8Cfby7FOvd4U7eLcauf8G3dxQ8A1v0i1R4d63TQhGmU0HyhTj2tPvvybkF8TU4pLGkqVH8HJRMqvt5V4qbU0NhR94XPMtnWjhJTA_GjVz_GcYavCX5bjc-d1XL-gCLlI2GWAERdTXkLln_KCy97/s860/pexels-photo-948888.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="860" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSKmN3nPv-luN8JL4vJaLUsbCvh3a3_B2fXpriXUy8Cfby7FOvd4U7eLcauf8G3dxQ8A1v0i1R4d63TQhGmU0HyhTj2tPvvybkF8TU4pLGkqVH8HJRMqvt5V4qbU0NhR94XPMtnWjhJTA_GjVz_GcYavCX5bjc-d1XL-gCLlI2GWAERdTXkLln_KCy97/s320/pexels-photo-948888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Kimberly @ </span><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/" style="color: #1c2e5b; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 20px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Caffeinated Reviewe</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 20px;">r. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-75430751637515824292023-09-30T02:00:00.001-04:002023-09-30T02:00:00.141-04:00FraterFest 2023 Tracker Post <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/2023-fraterfest-readathon-sign-up.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmsy75M-JFNBSKwmhgh1v_ft6MAwc8BNgUN3qnxGQP-NMkRvg98mK3LYxtpFTgN8ukQgR29AVuroFy46vlzrp58K8xO6taekEMfBlPVC1XRb7X4brHTe-p8lyWZzsbe4PfpcezQRZ6ZOsruAdYvWRUY87EF69KqL3oLui4-vgkgPqxT8tTzrfNg_oHU7r/w400-h200/Fraterfest-2023-800x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It’s that time of year again...Kimberly over at <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/2023-fraterfest-readathon-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Caffeinated Reviewer </a>is hosting Fraterfest 2023! Cue the spooky music! <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">If you don’t know, Fraterfest Readathon is a fun spooky
season readathon that runs from October 12<sup>th</sup>—16<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>What can you read?</b>
Per Kimberly’s rules: Approved Reads/listens: Thrillers, Urban, Paranormal,
Cozy, Suspense, Mystery, Historical, Zombies, Horror, Dystopian, Ghosts, Serial
Killers, Fantasy, Urban, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic and Supernatural. I
don’t care if there is romance. <b>You pick your fear level.</b> Sparkle,
bloody… all approved. Novellas and graphic novels count too!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">To find out more about this spook-tacular time, check out
the sign-up post <a href="https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/2023-fraterfest-readathon-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><o:p></o:p></p></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m so excited to be joining again this year. It’s one of my
favorite readathons. I feel like I’m always in my spooky reads era but now I
have an excuse to read more!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">So, I’m not sure what I’m going to be reading or how many
books I’ll read. I do have a few Heather Graham books I’m wanting to get
through as well as a few from my TBR pile. I’m very much a mood reader, so a
set TBR doesn’t always go with my reading flow. I’m just going to play it by
ear and see how it goes. <o:p></o:p></p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-47158708318249903982023-09-29T11:00:00.001-04:002023-09-29T11:23:18.907-04:00Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNelvAXRuNCoPgY6ZNxxXPH-6X6iA1w_AL5n5Snn2507RY9p-a7NwqFf6tncSw1E9ZoIdendeHxj6g_c7aqTWj8OutGI1VdE4J9rTFx4DtXLB7xTWKu2lHrJIrKGLxBom9W030RpnwJXhqrHHcvMsLu0-dcda6spS32jPUqC8m5145eHmuL23jKOEyAAZ/s400/71872920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNelvAXRuNCoPgY6ZNxxXPH-6X6iA1w_AL5n5Snn2507RY9p-a7NwqFf6tncSw1E9ZoIdendeHxj6g_c7aqTWj8OutGI1VdE4J9rTFx4DtXLB7xTWKu2lHrJIrKGLxBom9W030RpnwJXhqrHHcvMsLu0-dcda6spS32jPUqC8m5145eHmuL23jKOEyAAZ/s320/71872920.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old
gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the
family has a touch of magic.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their
“gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage
reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting
sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability
to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the
surrounding lands.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner
in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and
she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past
tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting
to take root in her heart.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing
her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage
doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the
middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and
inevitable.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Berkley | Genre: Romance/Magical Realism | Source: Publisher | Rating: 5 Cups</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Magic, second chances, healing, and family drama interweave
in this magical tale that needs to be on your TBR pile this autumn. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After a situation at her former job, Sage is returning home,
which isn’t going to be easy considering she ran from her family after the
death of her sister eight years before. While things are tricky with her aunt
and sister, and the ghost of her other sister is haunting her, Sage has found
it easy to return to her former job at Cranberry Rose Company and it allows her
to use gifts of communicating with plants. There’s only one tricky situation to
navigate, working with Tennessee Reyes, the boy that broke her in high school. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Witch of Wild Things</i>
was magical, sweet, funny, heartbreaking, healing, cozy and comforting. One of
my favorite reads of 2023. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sage has been through a lot. Her mother left when she was
young and their aunt took in her and her sisters but Sage ended up being the
caretaker. After the death of her youngest sister, Sky, it seemed easier to
blame Sage than face the situation so there’s a lot of tension and unresolved
feelings when she returned home. I loved how Sage eventually found her voice
and was able to confront things. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The romance in this one was a bit second chance-ish. Sage
and Tennessee communicated via AOL when they were in high school and while Sage
knew his identity, hers was a mystery to him. The situation ended with Sage
getting emotionally hurt, so when they’re back in each other’s lives, Sage kind
of views him as her enemy. There’s a lot of healing that needs to take place
and Tennessee has some issues of his own that he needs to face. What I’ve loved
about this book was the fact it was a bit of a slow burn romance, which is what
they needed. I did have an issue with the secret Sage was keeping but I could
see the twisted logic she had about not wanting to get hurt. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While this is a romance, it’s more of a family drama, which
I enjoyed. There’s a lot of healing the Flores women need that originated from
their own issues and hurts but they’ve transferred those hurts onto Sage after
the death of Sky. It was nice to see each of them facing things they’ve buried for
so long. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I loved the magical aspect of this book and how it was woven
into the characters realistically. Each of the Flores women has a magical gift
passed down from the old gods. Sage can communicate with plants, Teal can
affect the weather, and Sky could communicate with animals. Each of their aunts
has gifts as well, which are revealed throughout the book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There’s a lot going on in this one but I felt that the
pacing was even and the romance and the family aspect of the book both received
equal amounts of attention. I would have liked a bit more about the old gods
that gave the family their powers but that’s just a me thing of wanting to know
more and not something that would have added to the story. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this was a fantastic read and I want to know more
about the Flores women. If you’re looking for a cozy book for the autumn then I
highly recommend this book. <o:p></o:p></p></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-11903929042791933122023-09-28T00:00:00.001-04:002023-09-28T00:00:00.142-04:00Chasing Dreams by Carolyn Brown<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIZCCyitm17M_rOFIBJlXcI4Xss1tv1soBxYv4OgMOBeTKkKVKRJV2ZxLIHML1FfFkskkbLzZ026zRtQONpCCFb7PXiY7coOAA8IgRxDP29qVtPHYK_sZh6_9jkRwvj7ySDxFUOEnhFemBOB0aVq5f1Q6vRBRZgC5mqhZhkDHLA71RWeKlhv9dAHFRiUL/s500/51VBx813TIL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIZCCyitm17M_rOFIBJlXcI4Xss1tv1soBxYv4OgMOBeTKkKVKRJV2ZxLIHML1FfFkskkbLzZ026zRtQONpCCFb7PXiY7coOAA8IgRxDP29qVtPHYK_sZh6_9jkRwvj7ySDxFUOEnhFemBOB0aVq5f1Q6vRBRZgC5mqhZhkDHLA71RWeKlhv9dAHFRiUL/s320/51VBx813TIL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nita, Sharlene, and Billy Joe, all about to turn 80, are
tired of waiting their turn for a funeral dinner. They each have a bucket list
and are determined to tick off at least a few of the items before they go. So
what’s left but to hit the road? They enlist two drivers—Billy Joe’s
great-grandson, Ford, who has just gotten out of the Air Force, and Sharlene’s
great niece, Joelle, a schoolteacher who has the summer free.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Spending the summer with three bickering old people in a
tricked-out VW bus isn’t what Joelle or Ford had planned, but they aren’t about
to let the trio go that far without help. Both at a crossroads in their lives,
neither expect to discover an attraction simmering between them. But somewhere
between horseback riding at a dude ranch and slow dancing at the Grand Ole
Opry, they discover that their elderly companions aren’t the only ones who need
to take some risks in life...and in love.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: Bailey Carr | Length: 1 hour 58 minutes | </span>Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 3.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When Nita, Sharlene, and Billy Joe decide they want to go on
a road trip to tick items off their bucket list, they know that Ford and Joelle
must be their designated drivers. And while they do want to see and do the
things on their list, they want Ford and Joelle to use this time to consider
taking over their ranches and possibly play a bit of matchmaking. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Carolyn Brown is one of my go to feel good authors and I
love her novellas. They’re like little rays of sunshine and the perfect listen
after reading so many thrillers.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Ford and Joelle are adorable together. They both have some
things going on. Ford is dealing with PTSD from the war and Joelle’s trying to
figure out if she wants to uproot her life to take over her aunt’s ranch.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Joelle had a crush on Ford when she was younger but the
timing wasn’t right. Now that they’re spending so much time together, they’re
developing this closeness and they have this undeniable chemistry but they need
to sort out if ranching is in their futures.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While I did have fun with this one, the majority of it takes
place in the confines of a van with 3 elderly chaperons so it would have been
nice to see more of Ford and Joelle alone together. It also would have been
nice to see them explore more of their relationship but since the audio was a
little under 2 hours, we didn’t get to see a lot of development.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, I had fun with this one. If you’re looking for a
quick, fun little road trip romance then I highly recommend this book. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-27971618507961801902023-09-27T00:00:00.001-04:002023-09-27T00:00:00.143-04:00The Last Word by Taylor Adams<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiDAYBWIxocb9WMuUIBUe33qAFv3bsd8_wT1s3-4oUdmJHhxXzbzTVOACjfCsvwFd_ma_sjJB1LkXAx_ws_vthDwwrz7_6v9U-MvkEoTRlr_ZI_3-6iPEkdhHpBIdHMe7GWtrjiiwE_MCOoby6T-Zcqjqn_VC5klVNY4cDxVEOngoUVCipRKCnnAOQoUA/s500/51sTngltVTL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiDAYBWIxocb9WMuUIBUe33qAFv3bsd8_wT1s3-4oUdmJHhxXzbzTVOACjfCsvwFd_ma_sjJB1LkXAx_ws_vthDwwrz7_6v9U-MvkEoTRlr_ZI_3-6iPEkdhHpBIdHMe7GWtrjiiwE_MCOoby6T-Zcqjqn_VC5klVNY4cDxVEOngoUVCipRKCnnAOQoUA/s320/51sTngltVTL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever
Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her
only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the
house’s owner, Jules.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror
novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into
an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after,
disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can’t just be a
coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online
about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As Emma digs into Kane’s life and work, she learns he has
published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and
murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Harper Audio | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrators: Carlotta Brentan, Jim Meskimen | Length: 9 hours 57 minutes | </span>Genre: Thriller/Suspense | Source: Audible | Rating: 3 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Wanting to escape from a personal tragedy, Emma is house
sitting at a remote beach house. Spending her free time reading e-books and
communicating with her nearest neighbor via a whiteboard and telescope seemed
an easy way to spend a week, but when she reads a poorly written horror novel
by H.G. Kane, she feels obligated to leave a review stating just how bad the
book was, and she doesn’t hold back her feelings. She doesn’t think anything of
it until the author reaches out and demands that she remove the review then
strange things start happening leaving Emma to wonder if the author is stalking
her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As a reviewer, and a lover of thrillers, this one intrigued
me and it was one of my most anticipated released on 2023. Sadly, it didn’t wow
me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While I did like it—or rather liked the concept of this one—I
felt that this one rambled a lot and I do mean a lot. The events take place in
one night and, my goodness, it must have been one long night as I started
wondering if the book was ever going to end. There were so many twists and
turns and red herrings that it started to get annoying because it was obvious
from the start how everything was going to play out.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The book is told through two different perspectives. We get
Emma’s point of view about what’s currently happening then we get snippets from
the new book HG Kane’s currently writing. It would have been nice if we would
have received more from HG Kane. And for some random reason, we also get
snippets of Laika’s thoughts, just because, you know, dog’s thoughts are needed
in a thriller/mystery.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I think that my problem with this book was the length.
Things that should have been mentioned in passing, such as going to look for a
bottle of peroxide, were written about in length. The ‘fight’ scene went on for
hours. I found myself looking at the time remaining thinking it was near the end
and discovering I still had hours left in the book. At times, I felt the author
was trying to aggravate the reader.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While I liked the narrators, Carlotta Brentan’s accent
slipped out several times and pulled me from the book, which I was already struggling
to stay in the world the author created.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, I feel like giving this a 3 is being generous. I
think it had potential to be great had it been condensed. I do think it would
have made a better movie than book. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-8145372359289752942023-06-27T00:30:00.001-04:002023-06-27T00:30:00.140-04:00Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melody Edwards <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY0iwIgtzWkye0TxJ0r0lo1TFcephBU-xJCfKx4vXxsEbFsuiAjB8xXK-5ATLpG1N77mEfat-83ac6OUIx2tnMuxm0o5MZJRIu7k1v_0lTgIB2EdQWaQuAnnMb3voqchKvVAb-Z0rzoxRlT3gkDnMlIKKo609BIzz6yT6hbELd6AVu45Zz0skn53H-QYh/s2800/61358660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="1816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY0iwIgtzWkye0TxJ0r0lo1TFcephBU-xJCfKx4vXxsEbFsuiAjB8xXK-5ATLpG1N77mEfat-83ac6OUIx2tnMuxm0o5MZJRIu7k1v_0lTgIB2EdQWaQuAnnMb3voqchKvVAb-Z0rzoxRlT3gkDnMlIKKo609BIzz6yT6hbELd6AVu45Zz0skn53H-QYh/s320/61358660.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A former foster kid, Jane has led a solitary life as a
waitress in the suburbs, working hard to get by. Tired of years of barely
scraping together a living, Jane takes classes to become a legal assistant and
shortly after graduating accepts a job offer at a distinguished law firm in
downtown Toronto. Everyone at the firm thinks she is destined for failure
because her boss is the notoriously difficult Edward Rosen, the majority
stakeholder of Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. But Jane has known far worse
trials and refuses to back down when economic freedom is so close at hand.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Edward has never been able to keep an assistant--he's too
loud, too messy, too ill-tempered. There's something about the quietly
competent, delightfully sharp-witted Jane that intrigues him though. As their
orbits overlap, their feelings begin to develop--first comes fondness and then
something more. But when Edward's secrets put Jane's independence in jeopardy,
she must face long-ignored ghosts from her past and decide if opening her heart
is a risk worth taking.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Berkley | Genre: Contemporary Romance/Classic Retelling | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5</span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Normally I’m not a fan of lawyer/law office romances but the
<i>Jane Eyre</i> aspect sold me and I was
pleased I gave this one a go as it is one of my favorites so far this year and
one of my favorite modern <i>Jane Eyre</i> retellings.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Jane and Edward were great together. They had amazing
chemistry and great banter. Jane’s been through a lot and she’s willing to
fight for what she wants. Edward’s a bit gruff and growly but he has a soft
side he’s willing to show Jane.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I was a bit worried about the law firm setting as I’m not a
massive fan of that particular setting in romance books but I found that it
worked in this one without becoming overbearing or overshadowing the
characters. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What didn’t work for me was the character of Daniel (the St.
John character) and the way Jane just went along with what he was dishing out,
it felt out of place given how strong of a character she was at that start of
the book. Another thing that was a little off and had me rating it a 4.5
instead of a 5 was the way the Bertha aspect was handled. I’m not going to go
into details because I don’t want to spoil anything but I would have preferred a
little more from that character as I felt it was a bit of a letdown.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Overall, this was one was a great modern retelling of <i>Jane Eyre</i> and one of my favorites. I
also enjoyed the academic aspect this one had. I highly recommend you give this
one a chance.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">How does <i>Jane & Edward</i> compare to <i>Jane Eyre</i>? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jane and Edward were very modern characters, they had modern
problems and a modern way of thinking but they still held the core traits of
the characters that Charlotte Bronte created and I appreciate Melody Edwards
keeping those core traits. I do think that Edward was slightly softer in this
version, while he has some of the Byronic hero traits, he doesn’t tick all the
boxes like the original version of Edward. Jane was more outgoing and outspoken
than the original.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">One of my favorite things about </span><i style="font-size: 14pt;">Jane Eyre</i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> was the spirited back and forth between Jane and Edward
and I’m happy to see that banter was present. Given that this was a modern
novel, I feel like the romance aspect was explored a bit more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the original, we get to know quite a bit about Jane’s
early life where in this one we skip right to adult Jane. I wasn’t sure how the
inheritance aspect was going to be handled in this one but I do think the
author found an interesting way of bringing it into the plot.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While I feel like the modern retelling retained the bones of
the original (some of the dialogue is very similar in places if not the same) I
feel like there were some core aspects of the original that I love that were
missing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">-The almost forced proximity of the original is missing <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">-The gothic atmosphere, sadly, is missing<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">-Adele isn’t a ward of Rochester but rather someone working
in the office (the majority of the characters have been reworked to suit the law
office setting)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">-The major change for me was the way the character of Bertha
was handled. The character was changed to fit the setting and, I feel, that it
removed too much and changed the tone of the book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch;">
</div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-33677446129841938282023-05-12T00:00:00.001-04:002023-05-12T00:00:00.133-04:00The Boleyns of Hever Castle by Owen Emmerson, Claire Ridgway <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxkgZ5TqEHJFVfg5f-uLsv2lWfXsumeBtad9teSNqPKF7rWJ-HvrQPBrKuJNsq2KyvJcaknhjvN1vnKqnczHUQfqWOsitW53yQxaC0JkWaPdWY93s9Tq2vKysXDjUrrPYOOfVKryH_fSlVQF8-4wPaArcMeba54-yMp1Wy2eSM4yEj7QyLLUYxZTWCg/s1360/58876677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxkgZ5TqEHJFVfg5f-uLsv2lWfXsumeBtad9teSNqPKF7rWJ-HvrQPBrKuJNsq2KyvJcaknhjvN1vnKqnczHUQfqWOsitW53yQxaC0JkWaPdWY93s9Tq2vKysXDjUrrPYOOfVKryH_fSlVQF8-4wPaArcMeba54-yMp1Wy2eSM4yEj7QyLLUYxZTWCg/s320/58876677.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Hever Castle is a picture-postcard fortified manor house
nestled in the Kent countryside. It is famous for its links with the Boleyns,
an East Anglian gentry family who rose and fell dramatically at the court of
King Henry VIII.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In The Boleyns of Hever Castle , historians Owen Emmerson
and Claire Ridgway invite you into the home of this notorious family. Travel
back in time to those 77 years of Boleyn ownership. Tour each room just as it
was when Anne Boleyn retreated from court to escape the advances of Henry VIII
or when she fought off the dreaded 'sweat'. See the 16th century Hever Castle
come to life with room reconstructions and read the story of the Boleyns, who,
in just five generations, rose from petty crime to a castle, from Hever to the
throne of England.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Owen Emmerson and Claire Ridgway have combined their
considerable knowledge of the Boleyn family and Hever Castle to create this
luxurious book. Packed with history and full-colour images, The Boleyns of
Hever Castle will educate and enlighten you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: MadeGlobal Publishing | Genre: Nonfiction | Source: Purchased | Rating: 4.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As someone with a keen interest in the Tudors and that era,
I was intrigued when I heard about this book. Then I bought it, stuck it on my
Tudor bookshelf, and immediately forgot about it because it slid down the back
of the shelf (hangs head in shame). I rediscovered this book whilst redoing my
shelf and knew I had to give it a read. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Given the title, I knew this was going to be mainly about
the Boleyn family but, given the synopsis, I was expecting a little more about
Hever Castle during the Boleyn era. Out of 152 pages, only 26 are dedicated
specifically to the house, which was a little disappointing, but it did offer a
nice, if short, biography on Hever. While it didn’t go into the intricacies of
the architecture, which I wasn’t expecting it to, it still offered a look at
the original details of the castle. There’s also a short look at Hever after
the Boleyns and Hever in pop culture as <i>Anne
of a Thousand Days</i> was filmed there.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The biographies offered an interesting glimpse into the
Boleyn family. It chronicles their origins, their rise to power, the rise of
Anne Boleyn, as well as their downfall, and a brief bit about Elizabeth. What I
found rather interesting was the origins of the Boleyn family. While I have read
snippets about their start, it’s not something that I normally read, or find,
in most Anne Boleyn biographies. Of course, the majority of the book does focus
on Anne.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While I wasn’t surprised at the amount of information about
Anne Boleyn, I was a little surprised at some of the content, such as including
Karen Lindsey’s belief that Anne was a victim of sexual harassment based on
Wyatt’s poem <i>Whoso List To Hunt</i>. I
found that inclusion to be a little odd and out of place. I was also disappointed
that very little was included about Mary as it would have been nice to have
more about her time at Hever. There was a bit more about George but nothing
that went too deep.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I did appreciate the amount of images included. There’s
sketches, paintings, photographs, floor plans, and copies of letters but I
think there could have been a few more photographs of Hever included. I would
have also appreciated more of the discussions, such as the photograph of King Henry
VIII’s personal lock. While the image description states it was ‘in Hever’s
great hall’, they do not discuss why or when the lock was installed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I want to take a minute to talk about the format of the
book. This is an 8.5 by 8.5 inch paperback. While the book isn’t thick (under
an inch in thickness), it’s floppy and the cover feels slightly thinner than a
standard paperback. While I do like the size of the book as it allows for
larger images, it’s not the sturdiest. I’m not hard on my book but, sadly, this
is already showing signs of wear on the front cover (it did arrive slightly
dinged up). For the price, just under $30 on Amazon, and the aesthetic, this
should have been a hardback. It would have made for a lovely coffee table book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this is a nice, if short, glimpse of Hever Castle
and the Boleyn family from their origins to their downfall. It was lacking a
few images as well as descriptions (and I’m not a fan of the format) but this
is well worth the read. </p>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-37830302252277975332023-05-02T00:00:00.001-04:002023-05-02T00:00:00.137-04:00 Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen by Sarah Jane Downing<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5tAdb1sFfEp7Ti6IdTu_sbl1qcYZzzPwn4gFffvmg6oKUuzRlmmveWnfPTSFLeT7ln4ll7n2oruiM0dqEDsJFcCeKLq1kPH-k-64LedoEyyToszCnozdOvvr5o0K5IK1BiEw7b-IX1PwY-Qujob8K-YzONzbi9psFi1jCouz4Bcs_-hdp_w9Z6W4ZQ/s450/6769186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5tAdb1sFfEp7Ti6IdTu_sbl1qcYZzzPwn4gFffvmg6oKUuzRlmmveWnfPTSFLeT7ln4ll7n2oruiM0dqEDsJFcCeKLq1kPH-k-64LedoEyyToszCnozdOvvr5o0K5IK1BiEw7b-IX1PwY-Qujob8K-YzONzbi9psFi1jCouz4Bcs_-hdp_w9Z6W4ZQ/s320/6769186.jpg" width="226" /></a></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The broader Regency period 1795-1820 stands alone as an
incredible moment in fashion history unlike anything that went before or after.
It was the most naked period since Ancient Greece and before the 1960s, and for
the first time England became a fashion influence, especially for menswear, and
became the toast of Paris. With the ancient regime deposed, court dress became
secondary and the season by season flux of fashion as we know it came into
being, aided and abetted by the proliferation of new ladies' magazines.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Such an age of revolution and innovation inspired a flood of
fashions taking influence from everything including the newly discovered
treasures of the ancient world, to radical new ideas like democracy. It was an
era of contradiction immortalized by Jane Austen, who adeptly used the newfound
diversity of fashion to enliven her characters, Wickham's military splendor,
Mr. Darcy's understated elegance, and Miss Tilney's romantic fixation with
white muslin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Publisher: Shire Books | Genre: Nonfiction/Fashion | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 </span></div>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I found this to be an interesting, if short, history of
fashion during the Regency era. It explained the influence that both the French
and American revolutions had on fashion and the way the women’s clothing
returned to a more classical and freer style rather than the more confining
style of previous years. It also touched upon how war heroes brought their own
flair to both men and women’s fashion such as Nelson with the Nelson cap. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This book is tiny, just 63 pages, but filled with a mixture
of paintings, cartoons, and fashion plates from the era as well as photographs
of items belonging to Jane Austen and the Austen family. It was nice to be able
to look at the clothing and accessories discussed. Also included are Jane Austen’s thoughts on
fashion. While there’s little mentioned
in her novels, her letters contained quite a bit on the subject and I enjoyed
the snippets shared in this book.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While I knew most of the information included, a few things
surprised me. I was surprised to learn that Jane Austen and her family
embroidered and stitched together their own shoes (slippers) as I always
assumed that they came from the shoemaker. I was also surprised just how
transparent the muslin gowns were. I knew they were described as diaphanous and
I had seen them in museums (with undergarments) but the photos included have
the gowns placed on a black background, which allowed their full transparency
to show through.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, this was a nice glimpse into the fashion of the
Regency era. The writing has a nice flow and doesn’t drone on like a lecture,
which I think most people will appreciate. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I think this book will appeal to fans of fashion, Jane
Austen, and/or the Regency era. </p>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858244622515515031.post-87315104706201488752023-05-01T00:00:00.001-04:002023-05-01T00:00:00.133-04:00Solace House by Joy Ellis <blockquote style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: double rgb(28, 46, 92); padding: 8px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91nLyAeC5hUF6gjFaTeWxxnyH-nrDXHJacQjeeGLZTG5kXeGlkTKIEzeGHDEzCUW0lTgdEGVEmy7GAgxdAMjCj3fXecIjxP-buV2_Do4GH1qMKgK_qmaEmedy-czi9DI6hBHihrF4N1b34C6x5YQ0XgXqLeiSdfmngcEMwMENMAeBHDFcvIkAiZ0vgw/s500/51V9eDgLElL._SL500_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91nLyAeC5hUF6gjFaTeWxxnyH-nrDXHJacQjeeGLZTG5kXeGlkTKIEzeGHDEzCUW0lTgdEGVEmy7GAgxdAMjCj3fXecIjxP-buV2_Do4GH1qMKgK_qmaEmedy-czi9DI6hBHihrF4N1b34C6x5YQ0XgXqLeiSdfmngcEMwMENMAeBHDFcvIkAiZ0vgw/s320/51V9eDgLElL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Holly Stewart moved into Solace House thinking it would be a
fresh start for her and her family. She knew a tragic murder had taken place
there, but she didn’t know the full ghastly history of the house.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Now, her husband has lost his job, the children are bullied
at school, and someone is prowling around the garden at night. Someone who
wants them gone.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Detective Jackman wants to help. Instead he’s been pulled
into a 20-year-old cold case. The gruesome murder of a young woman whose head
was never found. A new witness comes forward. He claims to have crucial
evidence on what really happened that night.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Days later, a group of litter-pickers uncover black sacks containing
dismembered human limbs. Attending the scene, DS Marie Evans is shocked to see
a strange symbol carved into the victim’s flesh: the same symbol found on the
headless girl all those years ago.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The murders must be connected. But why has the killer struck
again — after 20years?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As the threats to the Stewart family escalate, Jackman must
choose between helping people in the present and solving the crimes of the
past.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "andalus" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Series: Jackman and Evans #9 | Publisher: Audible | <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: Richard Armitage | Length: 11 hrs 56 min |</span> Genre: Thriller/Mystery | Source: Publisher | <b>Rating: 5 </b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Spooky houses, ritualistic cults, and random body parts
popping up make for a thrilling time as Detectives Jackman and Evans race to crack
the case in the latest installment of Jackman & Evans. Keep reading to see
why this is my favorite book from the series. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m not going to lie, I’ve had my ups and downs with the
series. Something happened in the middle of this series and the writing seemed
to go downhill for a minute, but it’s been building back up and I’m happy to
say that this one was a 5-Cup book for me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Here’s what’s going on: When the constabulary has a lull in cases,
they decide to look into the dark history of Solace House to figure out who
could be behind a string of events terrorizing the young family that recently
bought the place. Although things aren’t quiet for long. When body parts are
discovered and a member of a cult decides it’s time to break his silence,
things start swiftly moving although the team’s not sure if all is what it
appears. As the investigation heats up, a death of one of their own rocks the
constabulary leaving a key member sidelined. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Oh my goodness, this was the best book in the series,
honestly, the best book I’ve read so far this year. Not only are there shady things
going on at Solace House, there’s a creepy cult that’s into ritualistic murders
with a member ready to talk, and there’s also an unexpected death. There was so
much happening in this book but every single detail was in place and was woven
seamlessly together without overcrowding the others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The investigations in this one were in depth and full of
twists and turns. There were a few avenues that turned up interesting clues and
brought previous characters back into play. The Solace House aspect was interesting
as it was the scene of a previous investigation that took place off the pages
at the start of the series, while it was referenced to in different books it
never really went into too much detail so it’s shown here in full view. Things
do get a little creepy with the cult but it’s not overly graphic or gory. There’s
also the start of a new plot arc that formed in this book and I’m curious to
see where it goes and how it develops because it has a very sinister feel.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While the investigations are a prime aspect of the book,
there’s always a bit of personal history mixed in so that we get to know the
characters, especially Ruth Evans and Rowan Jackman but this one provided even
more insight into the characters and I enjoyed that. We also get to see softer
side of Jackman and Evans.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Very rarely am I shocked with plot twists, especially when
it comes to this series, but when the unexpected death occurred, I had to stop
the audiobook and sit for a moment because I did not see it coming. I remember
saying, “What just happened?” and trying to sort it out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was a long audiobook, just a little under 12 hours but
it was so fast-paced that it felt as though it flew by yet nothing was missing
from the story and it wasn’t rushed. Of course, as always, Richard Armitage
does such a brilliant job narrating this one; he truly brings the characters to
life and I’m excited to see how it goes when he plays Jackman in the television
series. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While this book could be read as a standalone, I highly
recommend reading this series in order to get the feel for the characters and
the situations they find themselves in. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better installment. The
book knocked me for a loop and I’m excited to see where the lovely and talented
Joy Ellis takes the series next. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1298" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMV4o_FTfWYsnpOxHw0FpA_JqIhDi85_Q9YKN9ceMasqzX07EvToTSE7I1yjHTXtDrYWnhhK-eYQSLfSb3n4INUpEU4seP6giGVrxaJOFiHOWlqpp9d4UWoHSaZYRqB1b96ad67R4ymjXufQ8XBx5u56dXPnMohe9M80pRngy8cUA7vTE-3nw1ciK-g/s320/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(38).png" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jackman and Evans Series </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2018/12/their-lost-daughters-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">Their Lost Daughters</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-murders-son-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Murderer's Son</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-fouth-friend-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Fourth Friend</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-guilty-ones-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Guilty Ones</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-stolen-boys-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Stolen Boys</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-patient-man-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Patient Man</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2022/05/they-disappeared-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">They Disappeared</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-night-thief-by-joy-ellis.html" target="_blank">The Night Thief</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Solace House <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="1298" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa9zM9ESTcSym5jcbv7eDcou2V2egxf6-K6b-FXhBASzJM-KOJ90gmhscNSyRWcCZAgoE-jzKW2xvKFQZ45RkPoOAJLb0Cugq2ZFC2t1t0EgcVw3frgOESJonLebVbRfpuL1MRglrFvXJ0Ce6BZKULfycW_jEIa6ddb42EMda9LsbiEqnY7Qowxx3UA/w320-h20/Blank%202000%20x%202000%20(40).png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Angela @ Simply Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10534056791032842034noreply@blogger.com0