Mid-Year(ish) Reading Check-In

 

I am super late in sharing my mid-year reading challenge check-in *awkward laugh*. Meant to type something up end of June/early July. It is now August. Yikessss. 

- Goodreads challenge: read 79 out of 142. Per math - I am about 5 books behind

- Romance Reading Challenge: 21 out of 25. Rocking this one! Only four more books!

- Audiobook Challenge: 32 out of 75+. Oof not doing so hot. 

- TBR Pile Challenge: 5 out of 12. Not too bad but not amazing.

- May/June Library Love Audiobook Challenge: 4 out of 4. Completed! That was a fun mini challenge I joined in. Click here to check out the books I listened to for this. 

Audiobook Review: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs
Narrator: Lorelei King
Title: Storm Cursed

Series: Mercy Thompson #11
Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Published: May 7, 2019
Pages: Library

Summary: 

My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter.

And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn’t stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word.

We will die to keep it

Review: 

Back at it again with my girl Mercy and her pack. 

Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter and is the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack. No one is safe as the human politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae. There is a storm brewing and her name is Death. It will be up to Mercy and her pack to put an end to the dark and save those they promised to protect. 

This one made me sad. It is raining Zombies here....zombie humans, zombie humans, and heck even a zombie dragon. So much death here. This one did deliver an emotional punch. I was worried about all of our beloved characters. The baddies are dark and evil and will do whatever it takes for power. Scary indeed because they have no heart and they will not stop. *shudders*

After the events of this one, I am curious to see what the human politicians will do now. I'm itching for the next book!

The narration was fantastic as per normal. This narrator IS Mercy. The voices are always on point and perfect. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this. 

This was good. Can't wait to start the next...I am FINALLY catching up. 

5 stars.

Challenge(s):

- #27 for Audiobook challenge

- #4 Library Love Audiobook Challenge

Audiobook Review: Forever and a Duke by Grace Burrowes

Author: Grace Burrowes
Narrator: James Langton
Title: Forever and a Duke
Series: Rogues to Riches #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: November 26, 2019
Pages: Audiobook

Summary: 

Wrexham, Duke of Elsmore, is overrun by family obligations. With three sisters to escort about Town, a legion of cousins to look after, and aunties who insist he dance with every eligible young woman, he barely has time to manage his dukedom. When he finally carves out a moment to evaluate his family's finances, he learns that he―and his sisters―are on the verge of social catastrophe.

Eleanora Hatfield has an uncanny knack for numbers, but she knows from experience that dealing with the peerage can only lead to problems. Though she wants nothing to do with any titled gentleman, she reluctantly agrees to help when Rex seeks aid from her employer. What starts out as an unwanted assignment soon leads to forbidden kisses and impossible longings. But with scandal haunting Ellie's past and looming in Rex's future, how can true love lead to anything but heartbreak?

Review: 

Finally decided to continue on reading this branch of the series. Too many book, so little time in life!

This follows our Duke Wrexham and Eleanora who is an auditor at a bank. Rex is overrun by family obligations....3 sisters, a legion of cousins, and his own dukedom. Some things have fallen to the wayside. When he finally carves out some time to evaluate his family's finances, he learns that his dukedom is on the verge of a social catastrophe. Enters Eleanora. She has an uncanny knack for numbers. When Rex comes knocking on the door of her employer, she decides that she can help...reluctantly at first. What starts out as an unwanted assignment soon leads to forbidden kisses and impossible longings. However, Eleanora has a past and family that makes it impossible for her to love the duke and be his duchess. 

I like Rex and I like Eleanora. They are both very sweet, kind, and smart. They both deserve all the happiness in the world. However, I didn't buy their love at first. It took a long time to see them as compatible. Sure lust can work for anyone, but the love? That took a while for them and for me honestly. 

I did enjoy them becoming friends and seeing him be fascinated by Ellie and her smart brain. She is whip smart. Both from just being good at numbers and from experience. She isn't a great beauty and I'm happy for it. She is average and nerdy and I loved it. It gets so exhausting seeing the gorgeous star always bag the duke. It's nice seeing someone like me get the man. 

But yes, there are some baddies afoot. And the reveal at the end will make you mad. That person deserves more than what they got. 

The ending needed more. I would've liked to see them on their wedding day maybe or something. Maybe we'll see them in the next. I want to see Ellie outsmart the stupid ones in the ton. 

The narrator is always fantastic. Literally a king of this genre. 

What more to say? This was very sweet. Lots of talking, some math, and a friendship and lust that turns to love. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #3 Library Love Audiobook Challenge

- #25 for Audiobook challenge

Re-listen: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Title: Marked in Flesh
(The Others #4)
Genre: Paranormal, UF, Fantasy, & romance
Published: March 8th 2016
Pages: Audiobook

Summary: 

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

Review: 

Slightly behind in re-reading this series. Got sidetracked with some other stuff. 

There is a radical human group that is seeking to take more and more and more land. They also want to get rid of the Others. What they don't realize there are much older and more dangerous forces out there. Simon, Meg, and their friends will be the only things that will save themselves and the humans that they love. 

Humans........sighs.......why are they so dumb? I'm sure if this world was our world there would be lunatic humans like this that do these dumb things. You can't help but cheer for the Others to eat and kill the bad humans. 

Love Meg and Simon and all their friends. There is a scene that will make you sob like a baby. You see it coming since it was seen (plus I already knew it was happening since it was a re-read) but holy tears. SOBS!!!!!

This was for sure intense and you can feel the build-up from page one. You can feel that something is happening and nothing no one can do to stop it. 

Awww that ending is beautiful. 

The narrator is fantastic and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing this book series. Perfection.

5 stars for sureeee. 

Challenge(s):
- #2 Library Love Audiobook Challenge

- #24 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: Wild Cowboy Ways by Carolyn Brown

Author: Carolyn Brown

Narrator: Chelsea Hatfield

Title: Wild Cowboy Ways

Series: Lucky Penny Ranch #1

Genre: Western, Contemporary Romance

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 356 

Published:  December 22, 2015

Where I got It: Borrowed library

Summary: 

Allie Logan has her hands full with a bad breakup, a struggling renovation business, a sister who won’t stop flaunting her engagement ring, and a grandmother who keeps wandering off at the most inopportune times. In fact, Granny Irene’s latest habit is sneaking out to the ranch next door, where’s she’s convinced a lost love awaits. But when Allie goes to collect her, she finds instead a new neighbor—six‑foot‑plus of tall, dark, and charming.

Blake Dawson is one more thing Allie can’t deal with right now. But since he’s hired her to help repair his rundown ranch, they’re suddenly spending an awful lot of time together. And as family secrets—past and present—start to come to light, Allie finds that opening her heart might just be the fresh start her life needs.

Review:

Picked this up in my Libby app for my library. Been itching to reach a Carolyn Brown western. It's been a hot min. 

Here we follow Allie and Blake. Allie has her hands full with life after a bad marriage, a struggling renovation business, a sister who is engaged to someone who won't make her happy, and a grandma who keeps wandering off. Blake has moved in next door to try and repair a rundown old ranch and give it new life. When an old lady confuses him with an old love, he will meet Allie and who just might steal his wild, Cowboy's heart.

This was a nice one. I liked Allie and Blake. She is a tough cookie and likes working with her hands. She has her own business and can renovate pretty much anything. Blake is a hard worker too and has big dreams. They are the perfect pair. 

Gah, screw her ex. He was a sexist and needed to be kicked. 

Honestly...I wouldn't want to live in this small town as it stands. Lots of sexists (men and women) running around. Lots of bad men. Lots of bored housewives. Things seem to be getting better with women deciding to do what makes them happy...like one lady is finally going to open a Cafe! So maybe with book 2 I'll actually like this small town and the people. We'll see. But yes, I felt like this had 1800s morals that are tossed in a modern world. Mmm some parts did seem a hair over the top. 

There wasn't a crazy amount of drama. Mainly Allie battling her own demons from her ex and her bitchy sis and mom being all "HE IS A WOMANIZER AND THAT RANCH HE BOUGHT IS CURSED!". And he is/was a womanizer, but you can see him changing his ways. I'm glad the drama was pretty light. 

WHICH screw that sister of Allie's as well esp near the end when she unloaded on Allie and said some TERRIBLE and MEAN things in the name of "helping" Allie. I just wanted to kick that sister too. Let her be miserable with that preacher. Allie is a sweetie and didn't deserve that! I felt like Allie forgave her too quickly and it was uncalled for. 

The narrator was pretty good. She did well. All the men's voices sounded alike though so I had to really pay attention. 

Now, I will put a Trigger Warning for this book. It does deal with Alzheimer's/Dementia. Some scenes made me cry a bit thinking about my grandpa. 

In the end, this was a nice romance. Some drama, but you can tell it was instant-love before they even knew it. Yes, they spotted the lust but you can just tell they are perfect for each other. Some intense conservative values and some sexist folks. Things ease up, but yeah...and I am not a fan of Allie's sister who is getting a book. Mmm. I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #21 for Audiobook challenge

- #15 for Romance Reading Challenge - Blue pants on cover

- #1 Library Love Audiobook Challenge

2023 LIBRARY LOVE AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE & #GIVEAWAY

Decided to join this reading challenge! It is only a couple of months long and since I adore Libby which is connected to my library (I use it all the time).....so why not join in and try to win?

The first-ever Library Love Audiobook Challenge is hosted by Angel’s Guilty Pleasures and Books of My Heart.

Details:

• Audiobooks Must Be Listened To During: May 1st, 2023 – June 30th, 2023.
• Audiobooks must be from the library.
• We have a GIVEAWAY for you plus the MAIN Giveaway
• Cross-Posting with other challenges is allowed.
• Any genre.
• The goal is to have fun and use your library's audio. 

Extra Fun Entry:

• Share a picture of the audiobook(s) you are listening to on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
• Tag one or both of the hosts:
• Instagram: @angelsgp17
• Twitter: @BooksofMyHeart or @angels_gp
• Facebook: Angel’s Guilty Pleasures or Books of My Heart
• Make sure to use the hashtags #librarylovechallenge #audiobooklove when sharing.
  

Click HERE to sign up!