2019 Challenge Wrap-Up

And here we are again....the end of the year. 2019 is turning to 2020 in just a little while. Woah. Let us take a look at how I did in my 2019 challenges!

Challenge 1:
Read 30 - 40 Audiobooks

This year I ended up at....................60!!!! 

Blew past that goal. Woot!

Challenge 2: 
Goodreads reading challenge to read overall 140 books

This year I ended up at...................

Challenge 3:

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge to read 16-25 books

This year I read..........21!!

Challenge 4: 

Historical Romance Reading Challenge. Try to get a bingo. 

Got 1 bingo. Close to a couple of them though. :) 

Challenge 5: 

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge. Try to get at least one bingo. 

Waahhh Didn't get a bingo for this one. I slightly let this one go whoops. D: 

Blog Goal:

Had a couple of challenges I did for blog posts. One was Blog All About It. Had to post the prompt each month. 

Jan- First

Feb- Pink

Mar- Luck

April- Sweet

May- Bloom

June- Risk

July- Heat

Aug- Sky

Sept- Crunch

Oct- Shiver

Nov- Thankful

Dec- Twinkle

If you wanna check them out, here is the link!

Did a Get Your Shit Together challenge in October. I got a lot done. Not everything off the list, but a lot.  Here is the link to check them out!

Personal Life Goals:

I wanted to stay active this year. I've done pretty okay. The last two months I've been bad, but I feel decent. I even started a Jillian Michaels work out DVD. :) 

I also wanted to paint more. I've done some painting. More so at the beginning of the year, but pretty constant. I've even done some crafting! 

I will be announcing my favorites of 2019 Jan 1st :) Keep an eye on that! Also, I'll be announcing my challenges soon too (still deciding what to join this upcoming year). 

Thanks, everyone for the love and support in 2019! See you in 2020! 

Audiobook Review - An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles

Author: K.J. Charles
Narrator:  Matthew Lloyd Davies

Title: An Unseen Attraction
(Sins of the Cities #1)

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, LGBT
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  February 21st 2017 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Lodging-house keeper Clem Talleyfer prefers a quiet life. He’s happy with his hobbies, his work—and especially with his lodger Rowley Green, who becomes a friend over their long fireside evenings together. If only neat, precise, irresistible Mr. Green were interested in more than friendship...

Rowley just wants to be left alone—at least until he meets Clem, with his odd, charming ways and his glorious eyes. Two quiet men, lodging in the same house, coming to an understanding... it could be perfect. Then the brutally murdered corpse of another lodger is dumped on their doorstep and their peaceful life is shattered.

Now Clem and Rowley find themselves caught up in a mystery, threatened on all sides by violent men, with a deadly London fog closing in on them. If they’re to see their way through, the pair must learn to share their secrets—and their hearts.

I was drawn in by the cover and the summary. Plus it fits in two of my challenges. 

The story follows Clem and Rowley. Clem is a lodging-house keeper and Rowley is lodging at Clem's place. The two quiet men slowly become friends and then more. Everything seems to be perfect until a murdered corpse of another lodger is dumped on the doorstep and now they are caught up in a mystery. Will their new love be able to survive?

I was hooked from the beginning. I liked Clem and I liked Rowley. I just want them to be happy and in love. ALL THE FEELS. Buuuuut....things got a little dicey for me as the story went along. 

There is a mystery/murder mystery element mixed in which I knew in advance and I usually eat that up! However....it seemed to not fit in with the story. It took away from Clem and Rowley. Maybe it was because I didn't give a lick about the person murdered? He was terrible. Ugh. And Clem's brother was terrible as well. 

I did have to set this to the side for a hot minute before finishing up the story. I even did skim a bit there near the end. I just didn't care about the mystery aspect which is odd for me. I normally adore the mix, but for some reason, it did not really work for me. Maybe if the mystery was more cozy of a mystery? I am not sure. But I felt it took away from us seeing Clem and Rowley find the love they deserve. 

The narrator did okay. He fit well. 

Overall, I am a little bummed by this. It started soooooo strong but got a little dicey at the end there. The mystery element didn't seem to fit for me. I'll give this 2 stars. 

21 out of 16/25

LGBT :) 

Audiobook Review: The New Year's Bride by Kit Morgan

Author: Kit Morgan
Narrator:  Michael Rahhal

Title: The New Year's Bride
(Holiday Mail Order Brides #2)

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  December 1st 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Sheriff Spencer Riley and his mother recently ordered his big brother Clayton a mail order bride for Christmas! Too bad neither one of them bothered to tell Clayton, so imagine his surprise, and Spencer thought it to be one of the funniest things ever...until it happened to him! "After all," his mother told him. "If Clayton can have a mail order bride for Christmas, why can't you have one for New Year's?" So much for the annual scarf and mitten set she usually got for him this time of year! Just what sort of mail order bride was HE going to get?

Elle Barstow spent most of her life at Winslow's Orphanage but now it was time to leave and either find a job (of which there were none) become a mail order bride, or take to the streets of New Orleans and hope for the best. Becoming a mail order bride looked like the safest option, but Elle soon learned things don't always go the way we think they will. Unwittingly involved in a horrendous encounter before she leaves New Orleans, Elle can't possibly marry her future husband when she doesn't know if she's considered guilty of murder! She figures her only chance is to avoid the law, not to mention her future husband, until she finds out what really happened. Easier said than done. Her future husband IS the law!

Book 2! I couldn't stop myself from starting right away. I wanted that brother of Clayton's to get his just dessert!

The story follows the new sheriff, Spencer, and his bride-to-be Elle. After helping Mama Riley get a mail order bride for his brother, Clayton, it is now his turn to be married off. Elle grew up an orphan at the same orphanage as Summer from the previous book. However, on her way to Nowhere, something terrible happens and she has to defend herself. She is haunted by the fact that she may have murdered someone. Sure, it was self-defense, but what if this comes back to bite her in the romp?

This was WAY better than book 1. 100% better. Sure, book 1 is important to the story...I guess...but I enjoyed this so much more. I was hooked from page 1. Yes, this is cheesy in some spots, but I wasn't annoyed at all. 

I liked Elle and I liked Spencer. OMG people just talk to each other!!! Elle tell him what happened! Gah!

Again, this was technically"Christian", but I am glad the author keeps it to a minimum. God is mentioned naturally and realistically. It was very sweet overall.

I am so glad Charlotte and her terrible mother got a hair better in this. Sure, they are still terrible sometimes, but Charlotte gets a slice of humble pie a few times and it woke her up a bit. Yayy! I now want Charlotte to have a HEA. She needs a tough man who won't take her or her mother's scheming ways. But yes - she deserves love now. 

OooooOOOooo that ending had me nervous. I figured it out, but I was still nervous on how everything was going to be fixed. Poor Elle. I would've been scared out of my mind!

The narrator did well. Again, the voices for the girls made me chuckle, but I felt they were better-ish. Or maybe I just got used to them? 

Overall, I liked this WAYYY more than the last one. I liked Elle and Spencer more and the story wasn't AS cheesy as the last one. For sure worth it even if you skip the last one ;) I'll give this 4 stars. Quick, sweet, and funny. 

Technically this takes place xmas and then new years at the end, but I'll count it as a non-xmas ;)

Audiobook Review: The Christmas Mail Order Bride by Kit Morgan

Author: Kit Morgan
Narrator:  Michael Rahhal

Title: The Christmas Mail Order Bride
(Holiday Mail Order Brides #1)

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: October 13th 2013 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Sheriff Clayton Riley asked for a pair of boots for Christmas, not a mail order bride! Unfortunately for Clayton, his brother and mother figured a bride would look better on him than a new pair of boots! After all, he'd been sulking around long enough after the death of his wife, and his family decided it was time to take matters into their own hands and see to it Clayton had a very merry Christmas!
Summer James was young, she was beautiful and, an impoverished orphan. Who would want such a woman? Obviously no one. For here she was, eighteen and now of age to set out on her own. But New Orleans was full of men with evil intent for one such as herself, and she saw no other choice but to take the only offer for survival she could find and become a mail order bride. What she didn't count on was becoming Sheriff Clayton Riley's Christmas present!

Mainly picked this up because it helps with my reading challenge. That is why I grabbed book 2 as well. But this did intrigue my interest. 

The story follows Sheriff Clayton and Summer. Clayton is given a mail order bride by his mother and his brother. He never wanted to remarry, but he was so lonely since his wife died a while back so his family took matters into their own hands. Summer grew up as an orphan and now she is looking for her own family and to escape from New Orleans. So why not try the Mail Order Bride program? What did she have to lose?

At first I was annoyed with this especially because he accidentally shot her foot. WHAT? I get accidents and all, but if I was Summer I would've left town the moment I could walk again. I know, I know it wasn't his fault and it was an accident and bad timing...but c'mon man...I would have a hard time wanting to laugh about it later. 

Once I got over that annoyance, I was hooked and I wanted I had a hard time stopping. 

This technically is "Christian Romance" but I think God was mentioned a couple of times? It didn't bug me at all. Super clean romance and it fit. 

Loved Clayton and Summer. Summer was a cry baby, but I get it. She had a rough childhood. 

Clayton's mom was adorable. Wish she could order me for one of her sons. hahaha. 

I had another annoyance with the lame Charlotte and her mom. They were entertaining but they annoyed the hell out of me. BUT at the same time I was highly entertained. Such conflicting emotions. They were horrible, horrible people. Curious to see what bitch-y plans they have for the next book. hahahaha. 

The narrator sounded familiar...can't put my finger on it and I took a quick look at past books of his, but couldn't find something I listened too. But he was good. His female voice made me chuckle at first, but I did get used to it. 

Overall, this was entertaining and cheesy and cute. It was short so you are able to get through it quick. A couple of annoyances, but worth it. I'll give this 3 stars. Onto book 2. 

Xmas season - could've done NON xmas too since it does start off in Thanksgiving ;) But xmas season it is

Audiobook Review: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Author: Carrie Turansky 
Narrator: Velda Dehmlow

Title: The Governess of Highland Hall
(Edwardian Brides #1)

Genre: Historical Romance, Christian Fiction
Pages: Audiobook
Published: January 1st 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction coming of a kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families--common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?


Needed a book about a governess and this was the first thing that popped up that caught my fancy. Didn't realize it was a Christian Fiction at first...but then I was in too deep and I had to find out what happened next. 

The story follows Julia and William. Julia and her parents just came back to England from many years over in India as missionaries/doctors because of her father's failing health. To help her family financially she decides to get a job at Highland Hall to be the governess of William's two kids and his two young cousins. William is widowed and his cousin died leaving Highland Hill to him. The two have secrets and have past wounds that hinder them to trust others. 

This was super Christian-y, but not the worst I have read. It didn't overshadow the story or our characters, so it was easy to glance over for the most part. There were some parts that I had to skim through because it dragged on and on and on about God. I get it. I do, move forward pleasssssssse. 

I did enjoy watching Julia and William get to become friends and then they started falling for each other. It was slow, but it made sense. Different social classes, different personalities, and they are employer-employee. It worked well for a slow burn. 

The side stories were fun, but I did get annoyed with Mrs Emmett and the other idiot. Grrr! The motivations they had made barely a lick of sense to me. Horrible, horrible. I was also mad they really didn't get the karma they needed. (Spoiler but not spoiler). Not cool. I hate lose ends. 

Sara's little romance was cute. I was cheering for her the whole time! I wanted more of her story!

Now...the ending annoyed me. It was too perfect. Perfect solutions to real-life problems. What are the chances??????? Not likely and it all seemed too suspect to me. Meh. 

The narrator was good. I liked her. I would listen to more by her. She did well with different accents and made everyone sound different. 

Overall, this was not bad. The Christian aspect didn't hinder the story or characters, but there were some bits that made me skip forward because I was bored and annoyed. The side characters were fun except for the two. Ugh they deserve some sort of punishment! The ending left me rolling my eyes. Too convenient if you ask me. I'll give this a......mmmm....2.  

About a Governess. BINGOOOOO! lol

Audiobook Review: Lord of Vengeance by Lara Adrian (Tina St. John)

Author: Lara Adrian 
Narrator: Antony Ferguson

Title: Lord of Vengeance

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: 1995
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Taken captive by Gunnar Rutledge, a dark knight sworn to destroy her father, Raina d’Bussy must teach forgiveness to a man who knows no mercy and lives only to exact revenge on his enemy. But time in Gunnar’s keep stirs an unwanted passion in Raina, and something far more perilous, when she finds herself falling in love with the one man she should never desire.

For Gunnar, vengeance is all that matters. He seeks the ultimate price from his enemy’s beautiful young daughter, claiming Raina as his hostage. But the proud beauty defies him at every turn, tempting him like no other. Setting out to break Raina’s glorious spirit, Gunnar instead finds himself bewitched by her goodness, her strength. Can he seize the justice he is due without losing Raina forever?

A random find on Audible and I picked mainly because it fits of the reading challenges I am doing. 

The story follows Gunnar and Raina. Gunnar's family was murdered by D'Bussy and he has dedicated his life to getting revenge. Years have passed and the time is now. He takes D'Bussy's daughter, Raina, as his hostage. Gunnar finds himself bewitched and the two fall for each other. 

First, was Gunnar even a name used in England during the 12th century? *does research* I guess it was a Viking name? So maybe? And what about Raina? *does more research* Not really finding anything. Looks like it was used in India? I'm no expert but the name seemed out of place. 

The story itself wasn't bad. But it all seemed unlikely. I'm glad it wasn't insta-love. There was some lust of course, but the love took until pretty much near the end. Which is fitting. I mean...he kidnapped you to kill your father! 

Raina was super naive and I wanted to shake her. 

Gunnar was the real victim in all of this and I say he deserved blood! BLOOD!

The baddie was gross especially when the secret came out. UGH no! You are a monster!

The father was a monster and I was rooting for Gunnar even when the father told the entire truth to Raina. Nope. No excuses sir. 

I really had no idea how this was all going to end up okay for everyone especially with the baddie getting in the way. All super unrealistic.

The narrator was amazing as usual. I really like him! He does such a good job even with the girl voices.

Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was, but it was in some patches to get through. The narrator really made it doable for me. I was rooting for Gunnar to get his revenge. Raina just needed a good shake. She is naive and blind to the truth. This was just an unrealistic romance for sure.  I'll give this 2 stars. 

LORD in the title

Blog All About It: it's CRUNCH time

This month's prompt is:  Crunch

This is going to be a stretch on the prompt for sure, but I think it fits.So please follow me through this. This is going to be a check-in on my book goals since we only have a few weeks left of the year. We are officially in crunch time mode!

It is September (what???? WHENN????) and the end of the year is creeping on us. SHOULD I START CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN???? I AM TURNING A YEAR OLDER! BF AND I ARE CELEBRATING ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY! IT IS NEARLY 2020!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Okay...momentary freak out is over.....soooo it is CRUNCH time to get these challenges done. Only so many months left. So many days left....so many hours left. *hyperventilating with a smile on my face and a thumbs up* 

Here is where I am for the year with my challenges and goals:

Books overall: I am 3 books ahead at this current rate. So doing good, doing good. 

Audiobook Challenge: Goal is to listen to 30 this year 41!!!! Hot dang! Completed THAT challenge.

I had picked the Detective level for this which is 16/25 books. I am at 18. I hit the minimum of the goal! Now I'm gonna try and hit the 25!

Contemporary Romance Challenge: 13 left. No BINGOs so I need to get on this and get at least one Bingo. 

Historical Romance Challenge: 12 boxes left. I have one BINGO. WOOT. Hopefully I can get one or two more BINGOs.




 

Crunch time initiated! I think I am going to try and really focus on my BINGOs. I have some lined up that should fit the categories. I did get off base for a while with these. Can't help myself when there is a book that calls my name ;)

Good luck everyone in the last few weeks of 2019! IT IS CRUNCH TIME!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!

Audiobook Review: Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney

Author: Mary Jo Putney
Narrator: Beverley A. Crick

Title: Once a Soldier
(Rogues Redeemed #1)

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: June 28th 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel's enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine...

Forgot how much I like this author. I need to read more! But yes, this was a random find on Audible and I'm glad I picked it up. 

The story follows Athena and Will. Will is an heir to a title and a great wealth, but due to a tragedy, he decided to run off and join the war effort. After years of war, he has one last mission before he can go home to redeem himself and pick up his responsibilities. Athena is too tall and the daughter of a fallen woman so she is living her best life as an independent woman and advisor/protector of a princess. 

It is always a touch risky having a made-up country interacting with real-world things like the Napoleonic War, but it worked her. I want to learn more about this country. I wish it was real! Yummm wine. 

But I liked Will and Athena right away. They were perfect for each other. I felt SO bad for both of them. They went through some big trauma in their pasts. I am so happy Will is a good man even though he is an heir to a title and can easily look past Athena's parentage. They did a lot of talking and getting to know each other. This really fit for them and I wasn't bored for a moment. Sometimes too much talking is boring, but it wasn't for this one. We learned a lot about our characters. 

I also adored our side characters! Murphy and Justin! I am so happy they get to have love too. I liked the princess too. She was adorable.

There was a lot of unbelievable things that did happen. Not 100% historically accurate with how people talk, but it didn't bug me too much. It wasn't annoying or too obvious. Like the princess letting a wine merchant call her by her first name. Or the princess, Athena, Will, and Jusin go alone to have a picnic. Really? Not a single guard? Okay...

The narrator was really good! I hope she reads book 2. 

Overall, this was a fun story. We get to really understand our characters. I loved our characters and I was happy our side characters got to have a HEA too. Some inaccuracies and unbelievable parts, but it didn't completely hinder me enjoying the story. I want to read the next book. I'll give this 3 stars.  

Set during Wartime