The Other Miss Bridgerton. Julia Quinn

Published: Avon
Date:  November 20th 2018
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Romance
Source:  Publicist via Edelweiss

 

Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship.

Miss Poppy Bridgerton is not a docile young woman, she has already had two seasons where she has not met a suitable partner for life. She is not prepared to lower her expectations and just settle for anyone.

Being adventurous, while visiting a friend she finds her way into a cave, where unexpectedly she stumbles into a privateer’s hidden treasure. She is captured and taken aboard where she has an adventure that turns her life upside down. She is treated well and held  in the Captain’s cabin, while he makes his run to Portugal. There is soon witty dialogue, testing of each other, teasing and development of a liking and attraction for each other. What is not revealed to Poppy is the exact identity of the Captain – we the reader know, but she doesn’t – Ouch!

All goes well until Portugal when there is a disruption of the plans and everything falls apart. It actually went up a notch in terms of interest during this stage of the story – Poppy certainly has a big adventure!

I think fans of the Bridgerton series will happily read and enjoy this prequel to the series and will enjoy meeting again some of the Bridgerton clan. I enjoyed it, although I have to admit I got a little distracted trying to work out the logistics of it in terms of a lady being held in a ship’s cabin without any amenities that I could note, except for a chamber pot! And a captain who knocked and entered immediately!

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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.

Hope you all had a good week, so much has gone on in a week worldwide it is amazing. What caught my eye was the terrible fires in California, the celebration of 100 years since Armistice Day and of course the USA elections.

What I read last week:

I finished my reread of The Girl in Times Square. I was amazed at how much I had forgotten and I did enjoy it all over again.  A Family Recipe – a library book was very enjoyable and the Jill Mansell audio was very engaging and had me chuckling away. Julia Quinn’s book is a review book.

What I am reading now:

Sometimes I just feel like an urban fantasy from a favourite author!

Listening to…

This is for an online book club, so far I am glad I went the audio path as its working out well this way.

Up next:

I think I’ll do a reread, not quite sure what. During November I am wanting to fit in a couple of rereads. Possibly this one – set in England, steeped in the Church of England and with quite a bit of psychology and theology. However I have read the whole series and was fascinated by the characters so I would like to reread the whole series again at some point.  No I don’t belong to the C of E, but the character development in these books is what I remember.

 

Last Week’s Posts

The Man She Married   Cathy Lamb

The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb

I love a Cathy Lamb book, and this latest one, is no exception. Occasionally  a reader might be turned off by the sometimes deliciously irreverent tone, but that’s just part of her unique writing voice. I do believe I could be read a page of her writing and name it as a Cathy Lamb book. Now you can’t recognise a writer’s voice with many books, but hers – unique.

Sometimes there is always a little touch of the tall story, I could see that with the story her Grandma Dixie tells of shooting a man, such fun.

Natalie is married to Zack, and they sure do love each other, but… Zack seems to be hiding something and when Natalie meets with an accident and has a bad brain injury slowly all is revealed. (It takes the whole book!) Natalie makes a slow recovery, there is no magic wand that cures her within a chapter. And will Zack and Natalie last with all that has been hidden?

I loved all the characters who filled this story, Natalie has such great friends in Justine and Chick – together since kindergarten they are the Moonshine and Milky Way Maverick girls – which sums up perfectly there fun loving, risk taking, sweet, compassionate selves.  Then there are many of the local people, plus the three in rehab who were wonderful too.

Lastly I could not leave without looking at Natalie’s mother, she sure is something else!  She deserted her child and husband when Natalie was seven and now she is on husband number five. I’m telling you, however she does have a surprise up her sleeve and neither Natalie or I saw it coming.

There is so much I could say, I laughed out loud, I shed tears, I delighted in the antics and hyperbole, and as the friendship, love and compassion shone through I just knew I am so grateful that Cathy Lamb is a writer.

Published by  Kensington. 30th October 2018. An e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.  But… I did buy a paperback copy as well! If you haven’t read her, what are you waiting for!

 

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 apart from an earthquake that shook me up one afternoon. I hate them! We hadn’t had one for awhile so a reminder! The epicentre was quite away away, but they didn’t feel it there. Instead it travelled down the fault lines and gave us a nasty jolt.  Did I say I hate them.

I went into Wellington city yesterday and had lunch with a friend while sitting beside the harbour. While very windy it was still pleasant and I enjoyed it.  Little things bring joy.

What I read last week:

I finished listening to this book #3 in her Mure Scotland series – just released. I loved it.

I also loved this latest Jodi Thomas book, it was really three stories in one book, but I really liked them all and they interrelated a little. Another of those books I was so reluctant to leave. Just a very satisfying sweet read that was just delightful.

And this one which was a little stretch for me – being a thriller but not too bad and I liked it as well.

What I am reading now:

I am currently reading ….  a reread. It must be at the very least ten to twelve years since I read this and only remembered it was a 5 star read. So almost like totally reading a new book. It seems up to par with that last read! And at 600 pages just as well!

I am listening to…

 

Up next:

This book from the library – they are coming in thick and fast!

 

Last Week’s Posts

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane   JoAnn Ross

October Reading Month in Review

 

Reading Month in Review for October

Welcome in, do join me by sharing your link to your look back at this month. I’m looking forward to visiting and seeing what everyone has been up to.  The link will be open for you to share your post whenever you post over the next few days.  Do visit each others’ posts.

Total books read this month:  17

And all worth reading!

New to me authors:

Emily Madden
Veronica Henry
Louise Miller
Karen Schaler
Fleur Beale
Joanna Nell

Reading Challenge Update:

No challenges completed this month, although have furthered along my audio book challenge, but to complete would need to listen to 5 more. Maybe, maybe not.

To complete other challenges will need to read:

• a book into a movie
• non fiction hobby book (underway)
• book to improve life      (underway)
• a reread
• a book with more than 500 pages
• a banned book
• a travelogue

Reading Club Update:

I read The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden for the Rachael Johns’ online book club, and… missed the live Facebook discussion but saw part of it later and some of the discussion. Mixed my days up, but… I  not that worried. November’s book is to be Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. I don’t have a copy and looks like the library one might be a long way away!

I enjoyed The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Village by Joanna Nell and the guided discussion and comments into it from Joanna Nell added to it. The Books With Heart online book club run by Hachette Australia has not announced the November book which to my mind is too slow!

Outside Reading Highlights

I always love our October book fair run by the local Lions’ clubs, an excellent way to give and buy books! I must do a post soon on the books I bought.

I got my vegie garden up and running, potatoes and pumpkins are up and so are the beans and just beginning to beat the snails. I have my tomatoes in two pots under shelter still.

In the last days of October I worked some more on my bookshelf quilt and have to decided to “thread paint” (free motion quilt) on the names of authors I love. So that when I look at it, it makes me remember authors who have given me many happy reading hours. I will have some childhood ones, some I’ve loved for a long time, and some I have “found” in the last ten years.

I have put two of those on from the last ten years as a trial and found I liked it, it will take quite awhile to get them all on but while I do it I remember the many happy hours of reading these authors gave me.

Top Books for October

Main Reading Goals for November

This month I want to fit in some rereads. Books I know I love and have forgotten. My aim is about 3 – 4. Incoming library books might interfere with that!

Incoming Books during October

Purchased

Library Books

From NetGalley or Edelweiss

Audio Books Purchased with Credits.

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane by JoAnn Ross

Published: HQN Books
Date: November 1st 2018
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity via NetGalley

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jolene Harper is forever indebted to the mother who encouraged her to fly—all the way to sunny LA and a world away from Honeymoon Harbor. Although Jolene vowed never to look back, returning home isn’t even a question when her mom faces a cancer scare. Which means running into Aiden Mannion all over town, the first boy she ever loved—and lost—and whom she can barely look in the eye. Aiden’s black-sheep reputation may have diminished when he joined the marines, but everything he’s endured since has left him haunted. Back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal, he’s talked into the interim role of police chief, and the irony isn’t lost on the locals, least of all Aiden. But seeing Jolene after all these years is the unexpected breath of fresh air he’s been missing. He’s never forgotten her through all his tours, but he’s not sure anymore that he’s the man she deserves.

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane is #2 in JoAnn Ross’ Honeymoon Harbor series. This time its another delectable Mannion brother and the woman he’s loved since forever, but somehow they never quite worked it all out when they were young.

Now they are older and wiser and for varying reasons find themselves back in Honeymoon Harbor.  Aidan with a bit of arm twisting from his father takes on the role of police chief to fill in a gap. And he has to be the ideal man for the job for any small town. He has lots of experience, is totally a good cop who isn’t going to take any nonsense when its needed and has a really soft heart when it comes to those in distress.

Jolene is a talented young woman but she has had her share of trauma but is now back in town to support her mother. She provides the feel good mother/daughter relationship in the story, and while she doesn’t want to make any commitment that will tie her down, it has to be said she hasn’t lost her feelings for Aidan.

A small town, feel good story with just enough tension applied along the way to boost interest for the reader. And yes there is a little bit of Christmas happening in the final chapter. And as well an ephemeral  character Bodhi, mate and working partner of Aidan who provide some extra interest to the story.

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 hope you all had a good week.  I finished a couple of books and then finally decided what I was going to read next. It took me a whole 24 hours! Usually I just move into the next one, but not this time.

I’ve been quilting – moved my bookshelf quilt along further and decided I am going to experiment with quilting on all the names of long time favourite authors. That feels so right to me, but… the execution of the wish might be not so good!

On the garden front something (maybe snails and slugs) has been eating the leaves of my beans, even now not sure if I am winning the battle.

What I read last week:

I’ll have a review up soon for the Cathy Lamb book. For The Lost Pearl it is a dual time line book set in Hawaii during Pearl Harbour and also Australia. I liked it but found it a little long.

What I am reading now:

I am not much of a thriller read as you know, but occasionally I just need to clear my reading palate and this one does that. Totally new book from the library.

And I am listening to…

I found out this was published by accident and as I love this series set on the island of Mure in Scotland I pounced on it soon as I realised it was available.  It’s also called Christmas on the Island  which could be the USA title. Not sure.

Up next:

Not sure just yet!

 

Last Week’s Posts

When We Found Home   Susan Mallery

The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Retirement Village  Joanna Nell

When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

Published: HQN
Date: July 2018
Format: Hardback
Pages: 424
Genre:  Mainstream Fiction
Source: Own book

Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Still, Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister–Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Callie doesn’t love being alone, but at least it’s safe. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.

I finished When We Found Home, I’d tried to make it stretch out, but well… I just loved reading it, and of course when I do that the pages tend to turn until there are no more!

We are introduced to a family new in the making and of a little odd make up. There is Malcolm – he’s been with his grandfather for a long time and now runs the family business. However he does still remember his early days when as a young boy he was brought in under the family umbrella. It takes many years later for the grandfather to discover that there are two more girls, fathered by his wayward son. Now he has them all under the same roof and he is happy.

So many favourite characters! Although we don’t get Keira’s point of view we certainly get to know her from the other characters, especially her sister and brother. She is whisked into an alien environment and its not until Callie turns up that she receives any understanding. Malcolm is good but he’s a guy who just has no idea! We also get to know Callie through Delaney – barista and with a main character viewpoint of her own. I loved and felt for Keira through their eyes.

Each character has their own wounds and growing challenges, for themselves and in relation to each other. There is some romance of course, however we are also exploring family, life choices, facing up to a one time mistake and moving on, being orphaned and turfed into the foster system. As well as that there is envy and jealousy, distrust and other nasties.

I loved this book and the best part is when I have forgotten it in a few years I can happily read it all over again! Oh how happy it is to have favourite authors who deliver the best so consistently.

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell.

Why?  I picked this up because it is a book for the Books With Heart online book club. It has as its main focus a 79 1/2  year old woman, and that also covers a challenge to read a book with a  main character over 60.

Plot  Peggy lives in a single bedroom apartment with her old dog Basil. Life is rather blah until a long time friend arrives to jazz her up. And there are a couple of surprising revelations there! Peggy also has her eye on a neighbour – Brian, whom she rather fancies. So we follow the health struggles, the life challenges, the family ups and downs, until we arrive at the other side and Peggy is almost a new woman.

What Appeals to me? This story gives us a look in on the wonderful people who are often invisible to the eye. Is being elderly a time to sit and be boring? Or is it a time when life can be lived to the full – and why not? Peggy is very real and her desire for love and friendship is a basic need. With a little confidence she is going to bring out the Smart in her. This book gives insight from the older person’s point of view. Joanna Nell is a doctor, so she brings to the story wisdom and understanding.

And so… I think this is a book that would count as exploring diversity – of age! Well done Joanna Nell. It was the Books with Heart book for November and I enjoyed reading and contributing to the discussions about it during the week.

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 really slow week reading. I loved When We Found Home and so I slow read and enjoyed it. I also caught up on a few TV shows and quilted and gardened. Nothing to complain about!

This weekend we have a long weekend as its our Labour Day on Monday. The sun is shining and a perfect day to sit in the sun and read!

What I read last week:

What I am reading now:

 

Plus still listening to How to Find Love in a Bookshop.  

Up next:

This is by an Australian author, I haven’t read her before.

 

Last Week’s Posts

Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler