It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

I was a bit slower with reading this week, mainly because I got a bit obsessed with quilting. It is also addictive and so relaxing to do. The weather is warming up and its time to get out in the garden too – which I do reluctantly, but quite enjoy a little time out there when I go.

What I read last week:

I really liked this one and am happy that I own it and it can go on my shelf with hopefully a reread some time in the future.

What I am reading now:

I am about 75% through this one. It has slightly more wacky older characters than she usually has, but it is still holding me. It’s a review book but I’ll want to buy it I think as well.

I am listening to The Giver of Stars and really happy that I chose to take this way of reading it.

Up next:

I just picked this up from the library and it better go next. I had to take back without reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek without reading it because others had reserved it in the meantime. So I bought the Kindle copy, but don’t want to mix it up by reading it at the same time while listening to The Giver of Stars.

 

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Life On Loan  Ashley Farley

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Life on Loan. Ashley Farley

Published: Lake Union
Date:October 8th 2019
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

I’ve never read a book by Ashley Farley, but the cover and the book blurb made me suspect this kind of story would be for me. And I must say I was right.

It’s about two women who meet many years after the years in college as friends. It is now the mid years for them when many reassess their priorities and life and often make changes. After all, we have one life and its important to be happy and have that deep down gut feel what we do and who we are is just right.

Lena has had it with her husband and daughter, she has let them walk all over her, suddenly she has had enough and leaves, deciding to take a month to be by herself and sort herself out.

Olivia’s marriage ended a few years back, after a revelation from her husband. She has been running a successful blog, but she is tired of the unnecessary drama of certain aspects of it, and besides she wants to write and test her talents, could she write a novel?

Meeting at an airport they make the decision to exchange places for a month and see where life leads. Olivia finds herself in a lovely cottage by the river right next door to Alastair, a life long friend of Lena’s. He has been through the trauma of loosing his wife and is in a bit of a black hole.  Lena on the other hand finds herself in Charleston and soon awakens in her the delight she has for photography. However this also leads her down some unexpected paths.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their explorations and taking a second look at their lives. They will find new focus,  a little romance, family bonding and deepening friendships.

I will certainly look out in the future for more books from Ashley Farley.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading October?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

Well another pretty normal week. Last weekend we moved to daylight saving so that meant an hour earlier for us to rise and shine! Four of my sisters went off for a week on the Gold Coast of Australia on Friday so they are coping with a three hour time difference. Guess who is going for early morning walks on the beach!

What I read last week:

Keep Her Safe was all I had hoped for from this author, fast paced, a mystery to solve, and characters I loved. I am now a total K. A. Tucker addict reader.  I got this from the library but her new books go to auto-buy.

I finally finished listening to The House of Tradd St. Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Just One Wish is a review book that will have a review on its way.

What I am reading now:

For listening I chose The Giver of Stars. Evidently there is some bit of controversy over this book and its similarity to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. So I’ll read that soon and then make my own mind up.

I am about to begin reading this one of my TBR shelf

Up next:

A review book

 

Last Week’s Posts

Looking back at September Reading

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Looking Back at September Reading

Total books read this month: 13

Authors come from:

USA.  8
England 3
Canada 1
New Zealand 1

New to me authors:

Hazel Prior
Deanna Raybourn
Ashley Farley

Top Book for September

I had some great reads this month, I think about 3 or 4 merited 5 stars from me. However the one I am going to choose is one that I read because I read a review  and decided I’d pick it up. It was just had a delightful point of difference and so I am naming it my book of September.

The Recipe Box was an outstanding read.

Archangel’s War had a lot of war! but I still loved it.

A Curious Beginning I read because it was the September  book for the Modern Mrs Darcy book club. I can see why the series has its happy reading fans.

 

Looking forward to reading in October

A few of the ones in the plan to read and that I look forward to. Of course there will be others, but that will be what appeals as the month goes by, but very happy to be reading these three. They are all three authors who I can rely on for a book I’ll enjoy.

Incoming Books for September

Purchased

Library Books

I am improving at getting books from the library rather than buying them. Although out of these I wouldn’t mind my own copy of Ellie and the Harp Maker and The Recipe Box.

From NetGalley

Audio Books Purchased

I am still listening to this one, but I can tell I will want to read/listen to the whole series.

Linking up with Nicole at Feed Your Fiction Addiction.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

I had a good week of walking and reading. On Saturday we celebrated my sister’s 60th birthday at a café, my little great nephew decided I was an easy touch and by much throwing himself my way and then indicating the park managed to have me do his will!

I also went to see Downton Abbey this week, enjoyed it, I love the big castle and grounds. It was fun seeing all the characters up there on the big screen.

What I read last week:

I read A Curious Beginning for the Modern Mrs Darcy book club. It was a fun read, I had seen many bloggers sharing this series and while its not my usual genre I was happy to pick it up and read. It was good, but I am not sure I will continue with the series but you never know. Life on Loan is a book up for review – women’s fiction, more my fare and I liked it.

What I am reading now:

From a favourite paranormal series. I should have it finished by the close of September!

 

Up next:

 

Last Week’s Posts

Coming Home for Christmas. RayAnne Thayne

Christmas from the Heart.  Sheila Roberts

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Christmas from the Heart. Sheila Roberts

Published: Harlequin Mira
Date: 24th September 2019
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Christmas from the Heart is the name of this novel but also the name of the organisation that Livi runs as a non profit to bring joy and love to families at Christmas. The only trouble is… this year it has been very difficult raising the money to make this possible. To cap it all, the Hightower corporation have refused to give any donation, and they have been the main contributors since her grandmother’s time.

Livi herself lives on a shoe string, she lives at home with her Dad and scrimps by with very little. Guy on the other hand – the CFO of Hightower has his own swanky apartment and lives rather well. He is rather cautious though of women who have their eye on the money and that leaves him a little cynical. And that includes Livi the do gooder. To be fair he is hardworking and the Hightower business is struggling despite all the long hours he works. If only his brothers could contribute their share of the work.

Can a scrooge business man’s heart take on the spirit of Christmas? Can a woman bent on spreading the Christmas spirit have her heart persuaded to take a second look at the man she has come to despise. Will a deception be forgiven?

Christmas From the Heart is very much in the Christmas feel good, spread good spirit genre. Those who like such movies should enjoy this story.

Coming Home For Christmas. RaeAnne Thayne

Published: Harlequin
Date: 24th September 2019
Source: Little Bird Publicity via NetGalley

One dark night Luke’s wife Elizabeth stumbled out of her house lost in the fog of a deep dark depression.  The night was cold and snowy, and she wasn’t heard of again. What happened to her? Did she die? Has she chosen another life and family? Luke has always wondered as he has spent the seven intervening years being a wonderful Dad to his daughter Cassie and son Bridger.

When by some miracle she is found and returns to their lives it is with very mixed and varied feelings on all their parts. What has happened to Elizabeth in the meantime? Can they all find their way back to each other or is the divorce Luke plans the most effective way to deal.

Needless to say this story grabbed me and I read it every chance I had. It’s sad and yet so very heart warming as well. Luke is a fantastic Dad and he has done such a great job of raising his two children. Elizabeth has been through a lot, yet is such a compassionate, loving person.

Add in the background of Christmas, snow and goodwill and Coming Home for Christmas brings a whole new meaning to those words. A perfect Christmas read.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

I had a quiet week this week, mostly routine and I enjoyed most of my reading. I didn’t advance my audio much though so this week I must pick it up again.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

Up next:

Possibly Archangel’s War if it arrives in time (published this week)  and then I will read a review book Life on Loan.

 

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Christmas in Winter Valley.   Jodi Thomas

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Christmas in Winter Valley Jodi Thomas

Published: Harlequin
Date: 24th September 2019
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Christmas in Winter Valley is a great example of why I love Jodi Thomas’ books. I have never been to Texas and most likely never will, but I do journey there through her writing. The scenery and sense of country permeates the story. To me it feels like real life ranching and cowboys.

I loved all the characters, the two Holloway brothers at home while brother Griffin is away. Elliott the one that manages the books side of the ranch and Cooper who likes to roam the country on a horse. Then there is Tatum, no more about him, only to say I adored him, but you got to have the surprise of meeting him. Tye Franklin is an older man who rides into the ranch looking for a job and he too is a delight.

There is plenty going on with them all, a number of women running about the place, some like chickens without heads, but they add to the fun. The plot goes along at a wonderful pace and there is always something happening. As well, there are lots of laugh out loud moments, I love the sense of humor is this book.

It goes through December, leading up to Christmas, so its perfect to read before Christmas. You’ll either read it really fast because it almost reads itself, or you might be like me, reading it slowly in small pieces because you want to prolong your time with the Holloways. Five star read.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

Welcome in all. I had a good week, except for Friday when I inadvertently put a machine sewing needle right through my finger. Clunk. Panic for a moment, but I jumped in the car and off I went. So a visit to the medical centre to get it out. Left index finger and as I am a touch typist at the moment I am doing lots of mistakes in the letters. However will take bandage off tomorrow. I couldn’t believe that they gave me a tetanus shot, a week of antibiotics and sent me for an X-ray. In our country we have Accident Compensation Insurance that I guess we pay for in taxes so that paid most of the costs! But I thought it was overkill. Just take it out!

I went to a family party for my brother in laws big 0 birthday Saturday night, and that was really enjoyable. It’s good to catch up when family come from all around the country.

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

 

Listening to…

Up next:

 

Last Week’s Posts

Met Her Match. Jude Devereux

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