August 2020 EOM Wrap Up

I have read 8 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge.

Betwixt (Betwixt & Between, # 1) by Darynda Jones
*Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology, # 2) by Robin LaFevers
*Midnight Sun (Twilight, # 5) by Stephenie Meyer
Miss Adeline's Match by Joanna Barker
Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker
The Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil, # 1) by Gena Showalter
The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter by Mimi Matthews

I have reviewed 4 books. *These qualify for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath, # 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Fair as a Star (Victorian Romantics, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
Making a Play (The Field Party, # 5) by Abbi Glines
Fable (Fable, # 1) by Adrienne Young

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 08/02/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/09/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/16/20
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/23/20
Can't Wait for The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson
Can't Wait for Bewitched (Betwixt & Between, # 2) by Darynda Jones
Can't Wait for Kingdom of Ice and Bone (Frozen Sun Saga, # 2) by Jill Criswell
Can't Wait for Game Changer (The Field Party, # 6) by Abbi Glines
2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up

Goals:
I am 37 days ahead on of schedule my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 68 out of 52 books (including children's books).
I've read 8 out of 5-10 series enders.

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/30/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

The kids have been doing well at school still. Monday the whole family was sneezing quite a lot. The kids seemed fine after taking some allergy medicine, but Husband and I have continued to worsen as the week has gone by. Mostly we have stopped up noses now and a general tiredness. Husband did tell me that a couple of donation boxes in our area are open again, so I was able to take six bags to donate. Four were bags of clothes and 2 were bags of toys. It feels so good to pass those on. I can't wait to go through the rest of our baby clothes for what we can keep and reuse and what we need to donate or sell. We did get to hang out with my Mom on Thursday so that was a nice change of pace from the last couple of weeks. I'm worried about going into a reading rut. I'm craving a very specific type of read and unfortunatly, I don't have any in that genre in my possession right now.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Fable (Fable, # 1) by Adrienne Young (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Fable (Fable, # 1) by Adrienne Young (4 Stars).blogspot.com/2020/08/2020-series-enders-reading-challenge.html">2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up

Wednesday: Can't Wait for Game Changer (The Field Party, # 6) by Abbi Glines

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: August 2020 EOM Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: January 23rd 2018 by Perfectly Proper Press

226 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A WORLD-WEARY RAKE

After years of unbridled debauchery, Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton has hit proverbial rock bottom. Seeking to escape his melancholy, he takes refuge at one of Victorian society’s most notorious house parties. As the Christmas season approaches, he prepares to settle in for a month of heavy drinking…until an unexpected encounter changes his plans—and threatens his heart.

A PRIM VICAR'S DAUGHTER

Valentine March is not the drab little spinster she appears to be. When her new job as a lady’s companion lands her smack in the middle of Yorkshire with England’s most infamous rake, she resolves to keep her head down and her eyes fixed firmly on her future—a future which most definitely does not include a sinfully handsome viscount.

A MATCH MADE IN SCANDAL

A friendship is impossible. An affair out of the question. But when one reckless act binds them together, will two star-crossed souls discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Game Changer

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Game Changer (The Field Party, # 6)

By: Abbi Glines

Expected Publication: November 17th 2020 by Simon Pulse

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Field Party series—a Southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks—from USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Welcome to the Field Party. Where you bring the party to the field, where you dance all night, where anything goes. From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next book in this series about a small Southern town filled with cute boys in pickup trucks, Friday night football games, and wild parties that stir up some major drama.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Sandy finished Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology, # 2) by Robin LaFevers & Midnight Sun (Twilight, # 5) by Stephenie Meyer.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the August giveaway runs from August 25th - September 25th. On September 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Fable - Review

Fable (Fable, # 1)

By: Adrienne Young

Expected Publication: September 1st 2020 by Wednesday Books

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

Like stories about mermaids, I've struggled to find a book about pirates that I have connected with. While Fable isn't exactly a pirate book, it is as close to one as I've read that I enjoyed. Adrienne Young has created a world that is unique and intriguing.

Fable grew up on her father's trading ship, the Lark. Her mother was a dredger and started teaching Fable the skill since she was 6 years old. When the Lark sinks killing Fable's mother, Saint leaves her on the island of Jeval and tells her to survive. If she finds her way off the island then he will give her what is rightfully hers. On Jeval Fable uses her dredging skills to mine for gems underwater. But competition is fierce. And she's completely alone. Everyone on the island is out for themselves and surviving is difficult. West has become a repeat customer trading coppers for the jewels Fable dredges. His consistent business has kept her alive. But as Fable's copper stash grows in hopes of buying her passage off the island and back to her father, enemies begin closing in and Fable finds herself desperate for escape sooner rather than later.

West is the helmsman of the Marigold. When Fable comes flying down the dock fleeing for her life, he makes the decision to allow her passage on his ship. His crew isn't happy because their agreement is to vote on decisions like that. Plus the last dredger they had on their ship stole from them. They're not feeling particularly welcoming of Fable. But Fable has a way of finding her way under their armor.

The entire world Adrienne Young created is a hard place. Not just Jeval. Fable has 5 rules that she's lived by, taught to her by her father. 1) Keep your knife where you can reach it. 2) Never, ever owe anyone anything. 3) Nothing is free. 4) Always construct a lie from a truth. 5) Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you. These rules make it difficult to make connections with others. And until Fable meets the crew of the Marigold, she's been without family or friends or...anyone she could depend on since the night the Lark sank. And regardless of how much we might try to go through life alone, each of us craves connection with other human beings.

Of course for me, the drive behind my favorite books focus around the relationships. It was easy to see that West and Fable have a connection they, he especially, are trying to ignore. But this is a harsh world, and one of Fable's main rules is to never reveal who matters to you. It's dangerous to care about others. Doing so can get you killed much faster than anything else. And the Marigold crew has enough enemies as it is.

Favorite quotes:

-It was unnerving to see the sea asleep when I’d seen how bloodthirsty she could be.

-Nothing is free. He wasn’t just talking about food or passage or the clothes on your back. He was talking about respect. Safety. Protection. They were things no one owed you. And one way or another, you always paid.

-Anything given freely was probably a lie.

-“I’m not saying I don’t want you to love him. I’m only saying that if you get him killed, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep myself from cutting your throat.”

Of course, my favorite quote would spoil too much. So I left it out.

Truly, I have barely touched the surface of the events of Fable. I got sucked into this book and these characters from the opening line of this book. I basically read it in 24 hours which is so rare these days. The copy I read did have a few typos that I imagine will be ironed out by the time the book is published. Things end in a cliffhanger that wasn't entirely unexpected but certainly did its job having me dying to get my hands on Namesake. Fable easily gets 4 Stars. Have you read Fable? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/23/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

This has been a good week. The kids seem to be thriving at school. No tears this week for Little Boy. I've gotten a good bit done during school days, but not quite as much as last week. Tuesday and Thursday were both a little bit rough behavior wise. But sometimes that just happens. I think everyone is still adjusting to the different schedule. I finished Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover. My review for that might be November at least before it goes live (I'm schedule until then already and review books always take priority over non-review books. So pleasure books often get pushed further and further back for me.) I had no idea that A Wild Hope was over 800!!!! pages when I requested it. And even though it sounds really good, I likely would have taken a pass if I'd realized that it would be so long. I always seem to put off really long books, however, I am ahead of schedule with reading and being scheduled so far in advance with reviews, I might end up reading it sooner rather than later. We'll see. I cannot believe August is almost over. Things ought to be super busy from here through the end of the year. And well beyond since Baby # 3 is due in January.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Making a Play (The Field Party, # 5) by Abbi Glines (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Kingdom of Ice and Bone (Frozen Sun Saga, # 2) by Jill Criswell

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Fable (Fable, # 1) by Adrienne Young
Tuesday: 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up & Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Heart Bones

By: Colleen Hoover

Expected Publication: August 27th 2020 by Hoover Ink, Inc.

300 pages

Genre: Young Adult?, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Beyah comes from a life of poverty and neglect; Samson from a family of wealth.

When the two find themselves spending the summer as neighbors, they soon realize money is one of the few things they don't have in common.

Their bond is too intense to ignore, but with only ten weeks separating them from the start of their new lives on opposite ends of the country, Beyah and Samson decide to stay in the shallow end of a summer fling.

What they don't realize is that a rip current is coming and it's about to drag both their hearts out to sea.

A Wild Hope (Wild Swan Trilogy, # 1)

By: Celeste De Blasis

Expected Publication: October 8th 2020 by Bookouture (first published 1984)

843 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Banished from her uncaring family home for her growing friendship with older neighbor St. John, Alexandria Thaine is unprepared for the new life she encounters with her distant cousins in England’s West Country. She blossoms under the warmth of the Falconers, and as she throws herself into the thrilling danger of the family’s smuggling trade, Alex forms an unbreakable bond with the eldest son, Rane.

But just as Alex begins to imagine a future in Devon with Rane at her side, the death of her older sister forces her back home to care for her sister’s motherless twins. Still yearning for Rane, Alex grows to love the helpless babies, and as she rekindles her friendship with St. John, she finds herself caught between her heart and her home.

When the opportunity comes to start anew in Maryland’s lush horse country, Alex faces the agonizing choice between the life she dreamed of and the promise of the new world. But starting over in a golden land on the brink of war brings unforeseen dangers to her door, and when Alex’s new family is threatened, can she find the strength to risk her happiness today for the wild hope of a brighter tomorrow?

The sweeping, epic and emotional novel by beloved storyteller Celeste De Blasis, available in eBook for the first time. Perfect for readers who love Poldark, Outlander and Daphne du Maurier.

A Wild Hope was originally published as Wild Swan.

The Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil, # 1)

By: Gena Showalter

Publication: June 25th 2019 by Inkyard Press

544 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--WELCOME TO THE FOREST OF GOOD AND EVIL.

A DREAM COME TRUE…AND A LIVING NIGHTMARE.

Far, far away, in the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm and fairy tales are real. Except, fairy tales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future.

Raised in the mortal realm, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a real-life fairy-tale princess—until she manifests an ability to commune with mirrors.

Look. See… What will one peek hurt?

Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.

With powers beyond her imagination or control, Everly returns to the land of her birth. There, she meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed. As the prophecy unfolds, Everly faces one betrayal after another, and giving in to her dark side proves more tempting every day. Can she resist, or will she become the queen—and villain—she was born to be?

The battle between good and evil is on.

The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil, # 2)

By: Gena Showalter

Expected Publication: September 29th 2020 by Inkyard Press

324 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Once Upon a Time meets Game of Thrones in book two of New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter’s magical, romantic dark fantasy series, in which the fairy tales we know and love are prophecies of the future. Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil, where villains may be heroes and heroes may be villains…it all depends on who you ask.

Ashleigh Anskelisa may be called the Glass Princess due to her weak heart, but Saxon, king of the Avian, knows she is more dangerous than broken glass, in this Cinderella retelling that sweeps readers into the magical land of Enchantia, filled with treacherous enemies, unexpected allies, forbidden love, and dangerous magic! Can destined lovers find their way to each other, or will evil win the day? Everything changes at the stroke of midnight as one determined princess fights for her legacy, her love, and the crown that is her destiny.

Otherwise Engaged

By: Joanna Barker

Expected Publication: October 1st 2020 by Covenant Communications

262 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Regency

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--She’s never been afraid of breaking the rules—until she risks breaking her heart

Constantly stifled by the rules of Society, spirited Rebecca Rowley enjoys finding ways to quietly—or not so quietly—rebel. But riding bareback and avoiding nosy neighbors are nothing compared to the thrilling secret she is keeping from her family.

When Rebecca’s quick thinking saves the life of a young girl, she unwittingly attracts the attention of the child’s dashing brother, Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. As that attention turns flirtatious, Rebecca is forced to tell him the truth: she is secretly engaged—to the one man her family would never approve of. Fortunately, Lieutenant Avery is a navy man with no wish to marry, or so they both assume as they enter into a friendship.

Rebecca hopes to change her family’s mind about her betrothed, but the more she comes to know the handsome lieutenant, the more she wonders if she promised her hand too hastily.

After all her carefully laid plans are shattered during a family crisis, Rebecca must force her heart to decide. Should she stay true to the promise she made or fight for the future she’s only just begun to imagine?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Kingdom of Ice and Bone

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Kingdom of Ice and Bone (Frozen Sun Saga, # 2)

By: Jill Criswell

Expected Publication: September 22nd 2020 by Blackstone

300 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lira and Reyker have lost everything. Including each other.

Lira of Stone watched her home burn and her clan fall beneath the sword of the warlord known as the Dragon. She believes the man she loves, a warrior who defected from the Dragon s army, is dead. Alongside her exiled brother and his band of refugees, she will fight the forces that conquered her island. But the greatest danger may come from Lira herself with the blood of banished gods running through her veins, she s become a weapon, and no one is safe from the power of her wrath.

Reyker Lagorsson thought he was done being a Dragonman. That was before he saw Lira leap from a cliff and vanish into the sea. Determined to honor her memory by protecting her people, Reyker must feign loyalty to the warlord, undermine him at every turn, and seek alliances with renegade soldiers without succumbing to the battle-madness that threatens to possess him once more.

When the Fallen Ones offer Lira a chance to defeat the Dragon, her quest leads her to a place she never expected Iseneld, the warlord s homeland. Her journey into the heart of the Frozen Sun will put her on a collision course with Reyker, costing both of them more than they ever imagined, and leaving her with a terrible choice: to save their countries, she must forsake everything she loves.

Honestly, I didn't completely love the first book in this series, and I'm still torn on whether I'll end up reading this one or not. But I am following this book so I thought I would feature it anyway. What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Making a Play - Review

Making a Play (The Field Party, # 5)

By: Abbi Glines

Publication: August 20th 2019 by Simon Pulse

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from the e-Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The fifth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Field Party series—a southern soap opera with football, cute boys, and pick-up trucks—from USA TODAY bestselling author Abbi Glines.

Ryker Lee is finally enjoying his senior year—he has great friends, hangs out with hot girls, and is on track to get a football scholarship that will set him up for college. Despite this, a small part of him wonders if there’s more to life than parties and meaningless hookups—and if football even means as much to him as it does to his fellow teammates. And when he meets the new girl at school, his world totally changes…

Aurora McClay is new to Lawton. She’s grateful that her twin brother, Hunter, is star of the football team and can help her adjust to her new school, but she’s not grateful at how overprotective he is over every person she meets. Just because she is deaf does not mean people have to treat her differently. When she meets Ryker Lee, the two of them spark an instant and intense chemistry, one that proves to be controversial not only because of Ryker’s reputation as a player, but also because of Aurora and Hunter’s father’s bigoted views about who Aurora can and can’t date.

Aurora and Ryker know in their hearts that they are meant for each other. But can their relationship endure the turmoil of rumors and prejudice?

I say this pretty regularly, but Abbi Glines is an author that can easily pull me into her characters and story, but I often have issues with her books that keep them from being 4 and 5-Star reads for me. Each book varies when it comes to the things that bother me, yet I consider her to be a pretty consistent author. Because Losing the Field was tame with the physical descriptions, I kind of expected Making a Play to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. I was happy to find that it was not. I will say that language was fairly common and on the more frequent scale for my preferences, but I can mostly skim over that.

love the representation of deaf culture in Making a Play. My friend's 4-year-old daughter was born deaf and I have witnessed a lot through her journey. I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation entirely, but I appreciated it nonetheless.

Ryker and Aurora have an instalove kind of story. Ryker is the typical bad boy that Abbi Glines is famous for writing. And even though we know he's been affected by his relationship with Tallulah, his cousin Nash's girlfriend, due to some harsh and mean things he's said about her in the past that he's already had to face some uncomfortable facts about himself and change, but he goes from player to committed in literally the span of an eye lock. To make the instalove comment even more true, the majority of the book spans a week. Aurora is sweet and innocent and never has to see Ryker at his worst because he basically changes upon meeting her.

The other big conflict for these two characters is the racial differences. Ryker is black and Aurora is white. And Aurora's father is labeled as a racist throughout the book because he wouldn't be happy knowing that his daughter is dating a black guy. Now I just don't know how I feel about all of this. Certainly, racism still exists. Stereotypically racism exists in the South. Even more stereotypically, racism exists in Alabama. And this is true. To an extent. I will say though that I have watched interracial relationships grow in increasing numbers from when I was in elementary school to today when my nieces and nephews are in high school and college. And the stigma just isn't the same as it used to be. Are there some who still look down on interracial relationships? Of course. But I have some mixed feelings upon whether disapproval of interracial relationships equals racism. One thing is for sure, I don't have all of the answers.

I enjoyed Ryker and Aurora's relationship and story. It was a little "insta" for me, but I go into Abbi Glines's books expecting fun, light and fast. I don't expect every piece to be 100% realistic. So I don't hold it all under a microscope like I might for something else. Making a Play gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Making a Play? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/16/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Kiddos started back school Monday. It's such a hard decision to make as a parent. Little Boy has been having some separation anxiety, but he seems to be fine once he gets to school. I've been doing a lot of chores that I don't get done regularly, purging some of the cabinets in the bathroom and such like that. I have gotten some reading done. I finished Midnight Sun, but my review won't go up until October. But mostly I've been spending any extra time working on a personal project. My mom came to hang out with us on Thursday. That's always nice. I'm so thankful she's now retired, and we're able to spend more time together. Little Girl has been asking for sushi for some reason. She's never had it before, so we attempted to go to a Japanese food restuarant but the wait was too long. So we opted for a different place to eat. She told me after she was glad the other place was busy because the food she had was so good! Both kids were a bit overtired on Saturday and their behavior reflected it.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Fair as a Star (Victorian Romantics, # 1) by Mimi Matthews (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Bewitched (Betwixt & Between, # 2) by Darynda Jones

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Making a Play (The Field Party, # 5) by Abbi Glines
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers, # 3)

By: Roseanna M White

Expected Publication: September 8th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers, until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee after speaking out against Lenin and separated from his brother along the way, he arrives in England driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera--and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and recreating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily. He sees patterns in what she deems chaos; she sees beauty in a world he thought destroyed. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share. When her photographs reveal that someone has been following Zivon, his loyalties are called into question--and his enemies are discovered to be far closer than he'd feared.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Bewitched

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Bewitched (Betwixt & Between, # 2)

By: Darynda Jones

Expected Publication: September 15th 2020 by Feather & Leaf, LLC

? pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Witches

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Forty-something Defiance Dayne only recently discovered she comes from a long line of powerful witches. Added to that was the teensy, infinitesimal fact that she is what’s called a charmling. One of three on the entire planet. And there are other witches who will stop at nothing to steal her immense power, which would basically involve her unfortunate and untimely death.

No one told her life after forty would mean having to learn new lifeskills—such as how to dodge supernatural assassins while casting from a moving vehicle—or that the sexiest man alive would be living in her basement.

Whoever said life begins at forty was clearly a master of the underappreciated and oft maligned understatement.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Fair as a Star - Review

Fair as a Star (Victorian Romantics, # 1)

By: Mimi Matthews

Publication: July 14th 2020 by Perfectly Proper Press

202 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews comes a Victorian tale of love and longing in a quaint English village.

A Secret Burden…

After a mysterious sojourn in Paris, Beryl Burnham has returned home to the village of Shepton Worthy ready to resume the life she left behind. Betrothed to the wealthy Sir Henry Rivenhall, she has no reason to be unhappy—or so people keep reminding her. But Beryl’s life isn’t as perfect as everyone believes.

A Longstanding Love…

As village curate, Mark Rivenhall is known for his compassionate understanding. When his older brother’s intended needs a shoulder to lean on, Mark’s more than willing to provide one. There’s no danger of losing his heart. He already lost that to Beryl a long time ago.

During an idyllic Victorian summer, friends and family gather in anticipation of Beryl and Sir Henry’s wedding. But in her darkest moment, it’s Mark who comes to Beryl’s aid. Can he help her without revealing his feelings—or betraying his brother?

Mimi Matthews has become an auto-buy author for me. She does such a great job making me care about her characters and their stories.

Typically when you hear of someone taking a year-long vacation in historical fiction, the character has gone off to have a baby without anyone in their home town knowing to protect their reputation. That wasn't the case for Beryl. She struggles with what we now know as depression. Yet the characters didn't have the benefit of knowing what we've since learned about mental health and depression. And from my reading of the topic within this genre, the methods of dealing with the mind during this time were as extreme as they were harmful rather than helpful. Beryl doesn't understand her sadness any more than I do. I don't deal with depression, so I'll be the first to say that I just don't understand it. Beryl didn't understand it either.

I appreciated that Mimi Matthews knew that the love story between Beryl and Mark wasn't there to "fix" Beryl. Instead, Mark simply accepted Beryl as she was even while doing what he could to provide her with coping mechanisms.

Sir Henry was a struggle for me. He was so cold and set in his view of the world. I couldn't decide if Winifred was going to be the one to change his heart or if she and Dr. Black were going in that direction. Obviously, I could see more by the end. I'm interested to see if Mimi Matthews chooses to write Winifred's story at some point. Or even Sir Henry's story. He has to find someone to soften him eventually. One would hope anyway.

Favorite quote:

-“Loving someone isn’t a weakness,”

I do have to say that Fair as a Star isn't my favorite Mimi Matthews book. I appreciated the look at mental health from this time period, but this isn't the first book I've read that addressed this within the genre. And personally, I found it harder to relate to Beryl than other female leads. Mark was easy to like, but I didn't always fully support his actions either. Fair as a Star gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Fair as a Star? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 08/09/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

We had a mostly normal week. Monday through Wednesday anyway. Walked a few days, but not every day. Went swimming every day. Thursday was a lot. I had a chiropractor appointment. Then I had to run by the bank to have something notarized. I got home just in time to load the kids up (they'd been hanging with Grammy) and head to my mom's house. Then I had just enough time to drop the kids off there before running to a doctor's appointment. We found out the baby's gender, but we're not quite ready to share that just yet. Friday and Saturday were again normal days. Well except we were exceptionally lazy on Saturday.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath, # 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Fair as a Star (Victorian Romantics, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Midnight Sun (Twilight, # 5)

By: Stephenie Meyer

Publication: August 4th 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

672 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Vampires

Source: Own, Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting beautiful, mysterious Bella is both the most intriguing and unnerving event he has experienced in his long life as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and, drawing on the classic myth of Hades and Persephone, brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Vanishing at Loxby Manor

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor

By: Abigail Wilson

Expected Publication: January 26th 2021 by Thomas Nelson

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Christian Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Disappearances, strange activities in the night, and secret organizations abound in this mysterious Regency romance.

Haunted by the assault she’s kept hidden over the past four years, Charity Halliwell finally has a chance to return home to the quaint village she left more than five years before and the happy life she wants so badly to reclaim. All she needs is good conversation with her old friend and an opportunity to find a governess position, and she can leave the fear and guilt behind. But the family who agrees to her yearlong visit turns out to be a far cry from the one she thought she knew, particularly when her friend disappears and the one man she made certain would not be at the house is forced to return. How can she possibly heal and claim her independence when day in, day out she must face the only gentleman who ever held a piece of her heart?

Piers Cavanagh was branded a coward when he failed to show up for a duel he arranged. He had his reasons, of course, but disclosing them would hurt far more than continuing life as an outcast. And worse, with the mysterious departure of his sister, the strange nightly occurrences in the ruins of an old abbey, and the uncomfortable whispers of a secret organization, Piers must overcome his aversion to society and work with the last person he ever thought he would get the chance to speak to again—the girl whose heart he had no choice but to break.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Vying for the Viscount - Review

Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath, # 1)

By: Kristi Ann Hunter

Expected Publication: August 4th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When a strange man appears to be stealing horses at the neighboring estate, Bianca Snowley jumps to their rescue. And when she discovers he's the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued--but romance is unfeasible when he proposes they help secure spouses for each other. Will they see everything they've wanted has been there all along before it's too late?

The description for Vying for the Viscount was a little vague. Here's what you need to know. Hudson's grandfather is a Viscount. His father fled to India because his brother (Hudson's uncle) threatened to kill any heirs to the title. Hudson was born and lived his entire life in India. Yet he was trained and educated to take over the title one day. His grandfather eventually passes away and Hudson heads back to England to take his rightful place. Yet he thought the transition would be much simpler. Social customs are different, the weather is different...almost everything is different. Except for the horses.

Bianca has always been allowed to kind of do her own things. Her stepmother was always more concerned with her own daughter. But Bianca's father has informed the stepmother that Bianca's younger half-sister should not get married before Bianca. Now her stepmother is set on marrying her off to the one man she can't fathom being married to. Yet she has no other prospects. She's been so uninterested in social things and the idea of a husband that she's let her prospects slip by. Now she's motivated to find a match on her own. She would love to marry for love, but she hopes she can at least marry a man she will respect.

Bianca and Hudson repeatedly encounter one another because Bianca has an agreement with the stable manager to exercise one of the horses at Hudson's estate every day. Bianca loves riding and being able to continue to do so is of huge importance in her choosing a husband. Hudson is so determined to establish and prove himself as a worthy heir to his title, estate, and his grandfather's stable that he sets his sights on a woman who comes with a racehorse stud as part of her dowry. The problem comes in that Hudson does not know how to navigate English society. Bianca chooses to help him even when recognizing early on that she wishes he would set his sights on her.

Bianca's admiration continues to grow with the exposure she has to Hudson. The more opportunities they have to converse the more she realizes her regard for him. He, however, is oblivious. And this made for one of the more difficult parts of the story for me. I connected easily enough to Bianca and her heart. I appreciated her struggles and her heart pining for a man that didn't seem to return her affections. But it was disappointing that Hudson's attention was so thoroughly directed away from Bianca for so long in the book. I was disappointed at how late he realized his feelings. I did appreciate that there wasn't a complete bow put on the entire relationship but rather the expectation of a complete happily ever after.

I will say that my favorite part is the fan-service in tying in characters from Kristi Ann Hunter's prior series. Trent and Adelaide from the Hawthorne House series were present and others from the Haven Manor series were mentioned. I can't say that Bianca and Hudson have my favorite love story from Kristi Ann Hunter, but I did enjoy this book. And more than anything, I can't wait to read Aaron's story next. Vying for the Viscount gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Vying for the Viscount? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 08/02/20

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

This past week was really busy. The kids and I headed to Gulf Shores to visit my sister and her family. We spent the night and came home the next afternoon. We really don't get to see them as often as we'd like so it was really good to visit. They've just moved into a new house. My mom came to hang out with us on Thursday. We are still going for walks and swimming after. It makes for a good mix, but Little Boy is getting a little tired of the pool I think. He's always excited to go swimming, but he is also always the first one ready to get out. Saturday, my mom went with us to visit my grandmother. I haven't seen her since February, and she's very lonely. The visit seemed to do her a lot of good. But man I'm exhausted from traveling so much over the last week. Thankfully this week should be less active.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Colors of Truth (Carnton, # 2) by Tamera Alexander (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Almost a Bride (The Bride Ships, # 4) by Jody Hedlund
Saturday: July 2020 EOM Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath, # 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2020 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2020 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!