With Shanah being super busy and taking a well deserved blog break, there is no Top 5 Tuesday for July so I thought I’d have a go at doing my own (not all the time, I struggled to come up with this!!!)

Anyway, you know those book pretties that you love way too much because they essentially are your babies and they have a strict no touching rule? Well these are mine!

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

(Fairyloot exclusive and one of my fave reads from last year so no fingers allowed to touch!)

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

(Just Amazon bought but was such a brilliant read that no sticky fingers can go near it as I plan to reread, a lot!!)

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

(Fairyloot exclusive again – a fab read and the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen….so only look, no touch for anyone else!)

Only Work, No Play by Cora Reilly

(My fave by this author and its signed and personalised to me so I treasure it!)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

(Embarrassing story, I (wrongly) thought I had a first edition because of the 10 series of numbers and after doing the happy dance, I actually did the right research….and found out it wasn’t but no one can still touch it! 🤣)

Title: The Beginning of Everything

Series: The Rising #1

Author: Kristen Ashley

Once upon a time, in a parallel universe, there existed the continent of Triton. The land was filled with beauty, but it was also splintered by war. Out of the chaos grew a conspiracy to reawaken the Beast, a fearsome creature who wrought only tragedy and devastation. The only way to stop him was to fulfill an ancient prophecy: Triton’s four strongest warriors must wed its four most powerful witches, binding all nations together and finally bringing peace to the land.

This is the story of their unions: the quiet maiden Silence and the savage king Mars. The cold warrior Cassius and the fiery witch Elena. The steadfast soldier True and the banished beauty Farah. And the pirate king Aramus and the mysterious queen Ha-Lah. Their unions will not be easy, but each couple must succeed, for the fate of their world is at stake….

Omg I was so excited to dive in! More Fantasyland from the Queen KA!

This first book seemed to be setting the scene. The characters (there were a lot!), the history, the prophecy, the lands and the drama!

So here we have simultaneous love stories, well not love yet….but couples together with a purpose.

I must admit that Elena was my utter fave. A witch, totally talented, a warrior but totally femine and compassionate. Her mentors taught her well and this really resonated with me: ‘And she’d taught me much, including the fact that we had two eyes, two ears and only one mouth for a reason. Watch. Listen. And then make your decisions or carry forth your acts.’

And that ending. And a bargain that I don’t have to wait long until the next book….the Beast is almost here……

Title: A Favor for a Favor

Series: All In #2

Author: Helena Hunting

When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?

Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.

So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

Can I let you into a little secret? I loved this book! Loved! Everything!

I love Stevie. More than life. I mean who could not love someone who thinks like this ‘Not in a terrifying “Do you shoot porn?” kind of way but more of a “That would be a welcome stretch.’ You can make your own mind up of what its about!

Oh the anticipation of Stevie getting her hands allll over Bishop had me on the edge of my seat!

Bishop was moody, growly, superb and he totally had my fave, Violets number ‘I’ve been warned about Waters’s wife. We all have. By Waters.’ Hahaha aha!

This was hate to intrigue to attraction to love. Fan.flamin.tastic.

As I said earlier, I loved this book, even better than book 1 so now I can’t wait for book 3!

Title: A Lie for a Lie

Series: All In #1

Author: Helena Hunting

Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.

Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.

A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.

Firstly I cannot tell you how happy it made me in the first few paragraphs when I saw my fave characters name, Randy Balls!

But no more thinking back on the past….now for a future crush!

A funny, drama filled kids birthday party brings Rook face to face with his summer crush, Alaska girl aka Lainey

‘I should tell him my own truth. But for now we’re tied: a lie for a lie.’

Loved this one, a heartfelt, humorous, happy ever after read.

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin was a book I completely and utterly devoured and loved so when I saw this was coming I knew I needed to get it!

I must admit the ordering process is frustrating. It took me over an hour to actually order it due to all the website errors I was getting…..but I got there after AN HOUR!!!

WHAT IS IN THE BOX?

The box features an EXCLUSIVE EDITION of Blood & Honey with 5 items.

The edition of Blood & Honey will have

• SHIMMERY SPRAYED EDGES,
• SIGNED ENDPAPERS,
• ARTWORK ON THE REVERSE OF THE DUST JACKET

We know that there will be a blanket and a tarot deck of the 22 major arcana featuring artwork by @oblivionsdream.

You could’ve also ordered a copy of Serpent and Dove to match but I already have it (my bank account thanks me!)

Did you get any Blood and Honey book boxes?

With Shanah being super busy and taking a well deserved blog break, there is no Top 5 Tuesday for July so I thought I’d have a go at doing my own (not all the time, I struggled to come up with this!!!)

I saw this prompt on another post (sorry I forgot to note down who!) and decided it was a great subject! These are the future releases that I would literally kill for!

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

 

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer

 

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by Victoria Schwab

 

Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley

 

What books would you give your right arm for?!

I am one of those people that reads all genres.

Sometimes I need YA fantasy, sometimes middle grade and sometimes romance, sometimes dark romance, whatever takes my fancy, I will read.

I’m on a few review teams for romance authors and LJ Shen is one of them. She is a lovely, kind hearted person and I find her books to be superb. I am honoured to be part of her team. I won a giveaway and received this…..I squealed and wanted to show it off!

You can find all about Leigh and her books here.

I’m English and we don’t have Independence Day here (although we might after Brexit!) but wanted to wish all my American friends a happy day.

I hear you celebrate with fireworks, food, and family and I can’t think of anything better but are you having to have different plans this year due to COVID?

Whatever you are doing, have a great day.

I made some 2020 goals at the end of 2019 so thought I would check back in to see how I am doing and where I need to improve. You can see my original post here.

To be honest I was a bit scared to do this as I know I haven’t stuck to them but the good news is that I have 6 months to improve!

A) No arcs (only review teams I am on)

June 2020: Failed. I cant talk about it without welling up! ❌

B) No Netgalley requests

June 2020: Failed! But I didn’t request many so maybe a half fail! ❌

C) No reading lists

June 2020: Passed! *does happy dance* ✔

D) No challenges

June 2020: Well……I signed up for the Audiobook Challenge but I don’t count that as an actual challenge as I listen to audiobooks at work so would do it anyway! ✔

E) Try and read 1 book a week.

June 2020: I’ve read 54 books so far so passed! ✔

F) Get the joy of reading back!

June 2020: Yes and no! I’ve loved the books I’ve read but because I’ve totally failed at A and B its meant ive felt pressured again. When will I ever learn? ❌✔

So to sum up I need to lay off arcs and netgalley and keep on keeping on!!!

Did you make any goals?

How are you doing?