Review And Spotlight On Bold Fortune!

Bold Fortune (The Fortunes of Lost Lake #1) by M. M. Crane

Opposites burn hot enough to melt the snow and ice of an Alaskan winter in this all-new series from USA Today bestselling author Megan Crane.

Quinn Fortune is the official protector of all the unspoiled beauty in Lost Lake, Alaska, as the head of the community trust. A rugged frontiersman through and through, he doesn't do soft. But he can't help his fascination with the pink-clad professor who shows up in Lost Lake seeking his approval for her cheerful outsider's proposal about land that isn't hers. Still, he agrees to consider it--if she can handle a month of good old-fashioned Alaska living. He's betting she'll head back to the safety of the Lower 48 within the week.

Violet Parrish is a thinker, not a doer, but desperate times call for extraordinary measures--like taking on the Alaskan wilderness. In January. Off the grid. With a mountain man hot enough to melt a glacier. The frozen Alaskan tundra should be no match for Violet's determination, but the sheer immensity of the Last Frontier takes her by surprise--as does her attraction to gruff, impossibly handsome Quinn, and the unexpected heat that burns between them during the freezing Alaska nights...

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a great Contemporary Romance! Violet and Quinn's romance was fun! And I loved how quirky Violet was (the description of her pink outfit in the beginning when she first went to Alaska made me laugh, and it is also something I would totally wear!). Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: The Rebel and the Rake!

Review: The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan

He holds her fate in his hands—she holds his heart in hers.

Rafe Davies might seem like just another charismatic rake, but in reality, he is one of the crown’s most valuable agents. As relentless as he is reckless, Rafe has never come upon a mission he couldn’t complete. But when he encounters the intriguing-yet-prickly lady’s companion Miss Sylvia Sparrow while on assignment at a Scottish house party, he finds himself thoroughly distracted by the secretive beauty.

Though most women would be thrilled to catch the eye of a tall, dark, and dangerously handsome man, Sylvia is through with that sort of adventure. She trusted the wrong man once and paid for it dearly. The fiery bluestocking is resolved to avoid Rafe, until a chance encounter between them reveals the normally irreverent man’s unexpected depths—and an attraction that’s impossible to ignore. But when Sylvia begins to suspect she isn’t the only one harboring a few secrets, she realizes that Rafe may pose a risk to far more than her heart . . .

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: I loved reading about Sylvia and Rafe's romance! There was a bit of a mystery element to this one, as well, which I quite enjoyed.

Characters: Sylvia was a great MC, and I really liked Rafe as the love interest! I also loved her friendship with Georgiana, and I really look forward to her getting her own book!

The Cover: I like it!

Overall: This was a fantastic Historical Romance, that I really loved, and I can't wait to read the next book! Overall, I definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mini Review: Fortune Favors the Duke (The Cambridge Brothers #1)!

Review: Fortune Favors the Duke (The Cambridge Brothers #1) by Kristin Vayden

The new Duke has a proper scandal brewing.

Quinton Errington is perfectly happy teaching at Cambridge, with his elder brother carrying the duties of being the Duke of Wesley. But when a trip to celebrate Wesley's last week of bachelorhood ends in tragedy, Quinton, who becomes the Duke of Wesley, would give anything to have his brother back.

Now, under the most heartbreaking circumstances, Wesley's would-be bride, Catherine Greatheart, is left wanting. Her only protection left, her grandmother, has fallen ill, and Catherine has nowhere left to turn but to the family she was so close to being part of. The new Duke is kind, and she could use a friend who understands what she's going through.

Between learning how to be the head of his family's estate, mourning his brother, and trying not to fall in love with his late-brother's fiancée, Quinton will need some help—and it's a good thing he's not alone.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: This was a great Historical Romance, with a really good ending! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: Girls Before Earls (Rogues to Lovers #1)!

Review: Girls Before Earls (Rogues to Lovers #1) by Anna Bennett

WHAT A GIRL WANTS

To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office.

WHAT AN EARL NEEDS

Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece.

LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL

When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: It was so good! I thought the idea of Hazel being headmistress of an academy for girls and falling in love with an earl was a unique premise for a historical romance. Reading about Hazel and Blade falling in love was delightful!

Characters: I loved all the characters in the book! Hazel was a fantastic main character, and Blade was a great love interest (even if he was a little oblivious). And the family Hazel and the girls created was so sweet.

The Cover: I like it!

Overall: This was one of my most anticipated romances, and I was so thrilled when I got an e-ARC from the publisher! I'm happy to write that this book lived up to my high expectations! I loved it! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series, and I have ideas for who the characters will be, I'm wondering if I'm right? Overall, I would highly recommend this historical romance novel!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

My Favorite Books of 2021!

Hi, everyone! It's that time of year, the time where I (and basically everyone else in the blogging world) post my favorite books of the year! Now, not every book I liked will be on this post, because I really wanted to just highlight my absolute favorites here. I easily could have made each category full of even more books, but I wanted to try and keep each category shorter, so I kept going back and culling books from each one until I couldn't (seriously, I agonized over each choice, and it hurt to erase some, but I didn't want to list 20 books per category) get rid of any more. I also listed only one book per author. And overall, I'm really happy with my picks! Each category I kept to just five books (except one), and when I look at these books, I feel so much love for them.

Here we go!

Number of Books Read: 273

This was the year I finally gave myself permission to skim read books that while perfectly fine, just weren't working for me in the moment (the books were fine! It was most likely me!), which is the reason the number is so high. I can't tell you how much of a relief this was for me, to be able to let myself admit a book wasn't working for me, and allow myself to skim read it and still count it read. I used to just quit reading it, and never count it read, which while also fine, always made me feel a little... I don't even know how to explain it, but it was frustrating, especially if I had already invested a lot of time in the book before I decided to DNF. I'm also a big believer that just because a book didn't work for me, doesn't mean you won't like it, and same in reverse!

Listed in no particular order.

Picture Books:

Chez Bob by Bob Shea

12 Days of Princess by Holly P. Rice, illustrated by John John Bajet

The Bruce Swap by Ryan T. Higgins

Set Your Alarm, Sloth! by Jess Keating, illustrated by Pete Oswald

It's Not Little Red Riding Hood by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

Middle Grade:

A Case of Grave Danger by Sophie Cleverly

The Collectors by Lorien Lawrence

Cold-Blooded Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter

YA:

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olson

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

Sunkissed by Kasie West

The Jasmine Project by Meredith Ireland

Adult:

(This was the one category I just couldn't narrow down to five, no matter how hard I tried. I could not post this without including all eight of these books!)

Lease On Love by Falon Ballard

The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay

So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond

The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

What books were your favorite of the year? :)

Mini Review: An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire!

Review: An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire (A Lady's Guide #2) by Manda Collins

Former lovers become reluctant allies in this delightfully witty historical rom-com from the bestselling author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem—for fans of Evie Dunmore, Enola Holmes, and Netflix's Bridgerton!

England, 1867 : As half of the writing duo behind England's most infamous crime column, Miss Caroline Hardcastle has quite the scandalous reputation. It may have cost her a fiancé, but she would much rather bring attention to crimes against those ignored by society than worry about what the ton thinks of her.

After Caro's dear friend is kidnapped, however, she has no choice but to work with Lord Valentine Thorn, the same man who broke her heart. Worse, when her actions put her father's business at risk, a marriage of convenience may be her only solution . . . but can she trust Val to stand by her? Or will their past repeat itself?

Val--the new Viscount Wrackham--is in an untenable position: His father is demanding he find a respectable bride to secure the succession. Yet the only woman he's ever loved, Miss Caroline Hardcastle, is notorious for behaving improperly. And she's never forgiven him for his youthful transgressions, missteps made in the name of familial duty, but ones he still regrets to this day.

As they grow closer to unmasking the culprit, Val sees an opportunity to show Caro he's a changed man. But can he convince her to give their love a second chance--before death does them part?

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: This was another excellent book by Manda Collins! The mystery was good, and I liked the romance a lot! And I loved seeing the glimpses of the main characters from the first book. Overall, I would definitely recommend this series, and I look forward to the next book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: A Plus One for Murder (Friend for Hire Mystery #1)!

Review: A Plus One for Murder (Friend for Hire Mystery #1) by Laura Bradford

Entrepreneur Emma Westlake is reinventing herself as a hired friend when murder gets in the way in this exciting new mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Laura Bradford.

Emma Westlake has always wanted to be in business for herself. As a kid, she had her own successful lemonade stand and dog-walking business. And when she entered adulthood, Emma sunk all her cash into her dream job of travel planning. But as her customers became more and more internet savvy, the need for her services declined. At a loss for what to do next, she turns to an elderly friend who suggests she try to get paid for doing something she's really good at--being a paid companion. Emma thinks it's a crazy idea until requests start pouring in. Big Max from down the block wants her to act as his wingman at the local senior center's upcoming dance, nurse practitioner Stephanie needs a workout partner, and writer Brian Hill asks Emma to be his cheering section at an open mic night.

Brian will be reading from his latest work and wants to know someone will clap for him when he's done. When Emma balks at the notion that people wouldn't, he tells her the room will be filled with people he's invited--most of whom will likely want him dead by the time he's done reading. Assuming he's joking, she laughs. But when Brian steps up to the mic and clears his throat to speak, he promptly drops dead. Emma is one of the last people to see him alive, and so she becomes an immediate suspect. Now she'll have to cozy up to a killer to save her skin and her new business.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: This cozy series debut had a good set up with lots of potential for future stories! I liked the twists and turns the mystery took. I also liked the references to other cozy books!

Characters: I liked Emma as the MC! The supporting characters were all good, with Dottie being my favorite!

The Cover: It's good! I like the little details that reference things from the book.

Overall: This was a great beginning to a new cozy mystery series, and I look forward to reading the next book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mini Review: Pride, Prejudice, and Peril (A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #1)!

Review: Pride, Prejudice, and Peril (A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #1) by Katie Oliver 

Like a modern-day Agatha Christie bestowed with a hefty dollop of Jane Austen.--Laura Childs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Jane Austen meets reality TV and murder in this quirky cozy mystery--the first in a new series!

Phaedra Brighton is perfectly content with her life of lecturing college students, gossiping with her best friends, and dreaming of Mr. Darcy. As a young, respected (if somewhat peculiar) English professor, her expertise lies in all things Jane Austen--but she knows that the closest she'll ever get to being a real-life Elizabeth Bennet is in her dreams.

When Who Wants to Marry Mr. Darcy, a new reality TV show, starts filming at her best friend Charlene's estate, Phaedra is intrigued. And when the producer asks her to lend her Austenian knowledge as a consultant on the show, she's over the moon. But on the first day of filming, when Charlene's new husband is found electrocuted and Charlene herself is accused of the crime, Phaedra comes crashing back to reality.

With murder on the syllabus and her best friend in dire straits, there's no Mr. Darcy around to help Phaedra--she'll have to get to the bottom of this mystery herself.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: I quite enjoyed this book, which is the first in the new Jane Austen Tea Society Mysteries series. It was a unique premise, Phaedra was a good main character, and I liked the supporting characters, too! Overall, this was a good beginning to a new cozy series, and I will definitely be checking out the next book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: Fools In Love!

Review: Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales edited by Rebecca Podos

Join fifteen bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming authors as they reimagine some of the most popular tropes in the romance genre.

Fake relationships. Enemies to lovers. Love triangles and best friends, mistaken identities and missed connections. This collection of genre-bending and original stories celebrates how love always finds a way, featuring powerful flora, a superhero and his nemesis, a fantastical sled race through snow-capped mountains, a golf tournament, the wrong ride-share, and even the end of the world. With stories written by Rebecca Barrow, Ashley Herring Blake, Gloria Chao, Mason Deaver, Sara Farizan, Claire Kann, Malinda Lo, Hannah Moskowitz, Natasha Ngan, Rebecca Podos, Lilliam Rivera, Laura Silverman, Amy Spalding, Rebecca Kim Wells, and Julian Winters this collection is sure to sweep you off your feet.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a great short story collection! My favorite stories were Gloria Chao's (An adorable couple who are oblivious!) and Laura Silverman's (Fake dating! The best trope!), but I think the whole collection was wonderful! I definitely think there is a story for everyone in the book, and I would definitely recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.