December 2024 EOM Wrap Up

I read 9 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
The Wonder of Creation by Louie Giglio
The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 2) by Stephanie Garber
*A Curse for True Love Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3) by Stephanie Garber
The Awakening (Zodiac Academy, # 1) by Caroline Peckham (Not pictured/will not be reviewing)
The Candymakers (The Candymakers, # 1) by Wendy Mass
Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, # 1) by Callie Hart
Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, # 30) by Janet Evanovich
Committing to the Cowgirl (Colorado Cowgirls, # 1) by Jody Hedlund
Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) by Helen Scheuerer

I have reviewed 7 books (not including mini reviews of children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
A Yorkshire Carol (A Christmas Match, # 3) by Jennie Goutet
ADHD is Awesome by Penn & Kim Holderness
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
Lady Helen's Misalliance by Jessica Spencer (DNF)
Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection, # 4) by Alexandria Bellefleur
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, # 30) by Janet Evanovich

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 12/01/24
Sunday Post - 12/08/24
Sunday Post - 12/15/24
Sunday Post - 12/22/24
Sunday Post - 12/29/24
Top Ten Winter 2024 TBR List
Can't Wait for Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
Can't Wait for The Folklore of Forever (Moonville, # 2) by Sarah Hogle
Can't Wait for Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1) by Helen Scheuerer
Homeschool Friday - Go Go Go
Homeschool Friday - Go Away, Spot
2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - December Wrap Up

Goals:
I finished my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 111 out of 65 books (including children's books).
I've read 9 out of 5-10 series enders.

Dirty Thirty - Review

Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, # 30)

By: Janet Evanovich

Publication: October 31, 2023 by Atria Books

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Humor, Mystery

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Stephanie Plum, Trenton’s hardest working, most underappreciated bounty hunter, is offered a freelance assignment that seems simple enough. Local jeweler Martin Rabner wants her to locate his former security guard, Andy Manley (a.k.a. Nutsy), who he is convinced stole a fortune in diamonds out of his safe. Stephanie is also looking for another troubled man, Duncan Dugan, a fugitive from justice arrested for robbing the same jewelry store on the same day.

With her boyfriend Morelli away in Miami on police business, Stephanie is taking care of Bob, Morelli’s giant orange dog who will devour anything, from Stephanie’s stray donuts to the upholstery in her car. Morelli’s absence also means the inscrutable, irresistible security expert Ranger is front and center in Stephanie’s life when things inevitably go sideways. And he seems determined to stay there.

To complicate matters, her best friend Lula is convinced she is being stalked by a mythological demon hell-bent on relieving her of her wardrobe. An overnight stakeout with Stephanie’s mother and Grandma Mazur reveals three generations of women with nerves of steel and driving skills worthy of NASCAR champions.

As the body count rises and witnesses start to disappear, it won’t be easy for Stephanie to keep herself clean when everyone else is playing dirty. It’s a good thing Stephanie isn’t afraid of getting a little dirty, too.

I always say that Stephanie Plum books aren't ones that I take too seriously. They're fun, filler books for me. The overall storyline progresses so slowly that not much has happened in the overall arc over the last several releases. But the gists of the events stay the same. 

Morelli is out of town testifying on a case, so Stephanie is babysitting Bob, Morelli's dog. But Morelli being missing means this book has much more of Ranger on the page. He's helping Stephanie hunt down Nutsy because his business was providing security for the jewelry store that got robbed, and Ranger doesn't like unsolved mysteries concerning his business.

Stephanie only had 3--maybe 4--skips to hunt down in Dirty Thirty, aside from working to find Nutsy who the local jewelry store owner thinks might have robbed him. Lula is always present on her adventures, but Lula is convinced she's being stalked by Grendle (from Beowulf). After Lula's apartment has a fire, she moves in with Stephanie--who temporarily moves in with Ranger. It's complicated. 

One of the best scenes of the whole book is the chase scene with Stephanie's mom driving on their stakeout. It's one of those things that you can't see Stephanie's mom doing, yet it also completely fits in with her character at the same time.

As for that overall story arc I mentioned earlier, Stephanie finds herself in a dilemma at the end of the book that will potentially move us along a little bit. I'm hesitant to get too worked up about the supposed cliffhanger because, in typical fashion, I doubt much will be solved or wrapped up in the next book. We shall see.

Either way, Dirty Thirty was entertaining and exactly what I expected it to be when I picked it up. I actually had a chuckle out loud with this book which bumps it from my typical 3-Star rating to a 4-Star rating. Have you read (or listened to) Dirty Thirty? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 12/29/24

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.

Monday we had a nice day at home. It was our first day home without activities in a while. I worked on cleaning the house to prepare for Christmas Day. Monday evening, I went to dinner with my friend from Texas who is here to visit family for Christmas. We also ran to Target to get some last minute items for the kids. And then we stood in the cold talking for about an hour. Tuesday was Christmas Eve of course. Again, we didn't have plans on this day. Husband had to work half a day, but he was feeling crummy and took a nap when he got off work. I finished the house cleaning that I wanted to do. Christmas Eve my parents also came over to help us put together the trampoline which was our kids big gift from Santa. They all ask for one and we wanted it built for them to wake up to. It was about 35 degrees while we were building. And I was terrified someone was going to wake up. Thankfully, I had done all my wrapping already and only had to bring presents to the living room and fix stockings. We got in bed about 1 am. Christmas Day was probably the best Christmas we've had. The kids were so good. They took turns opening presents really nicely. They all seemed happy and satisfied with what they got--even though I cut back a little bit compared to the year before (minus the trampoline). My parents and Husband's mom came over to lunch on Christmas day. The day after Christmas the kids spent a lof of time jumping on the trampoline. Husband was back to work. And I spent a large portion of the day being lazy and reading. I've gotten a lot of reading done lately, but I NEED to be prepping blog posts for the end of the year and writing book reviews since I'm so far behind. Thursday afternoon, Husband's mom came over to see Big Girl on her new roller skates and she tripped going out of our garage and fell. She fractured her knee just below where she's had her knee replacement done. Husband took her to the ER which was packed. And he didn't get home until about 2 am. Friday, he was still feeling crummy. Work gave him the day off since he had extra PTO and he'd been up so late the night before. He slept most of the day. I actually slept a good bit too. I'd stayed up until midnight waiting for a diagnosis on his mom. Then Little Boy woke right before 2 am. He's been scared of the dark lately. And he proceeded to get up two more times after that. We checked in on his mom Friday evening--his sister came from Georgia Thursday night so she wouldn't have to spend the night alone. Saturday, we had our family Christmas with his side of the family. I feel terrible for his mom, but we had a great day regardless.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - December Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Want Santa to Bring Me 2024
Wednesday: Merry Christmas - No blog post
Thursday: Review of In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros (4.5 Stars)
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Look for the Lorax

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, # 30) by Janet Evanovich
Tuesday: December 2024 EOM Wrap Up
Wednesday: Happy New Year - No blog post
Thursday: 2024 EOY Wrap Up
Friday: Homeschool Friday - The Giver

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

NEW BOOKS:

No new books this week, but I did get two gift cards that I will be using to purchase books in the weeks ahead.

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!

Homeschool Friday - Look for the Lorax

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Look for the Lorax

By: Tish Rabe

Publication: January 10, 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Level-1 Readers, Early Reading, Step Into Reading

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Look out for the Lorax! Dr. Seuss's lovable grump makes his Step into Reading debut in this wonderland adventure through hills of green where the Truffula trees sway. Through easy words and simple sentences, the youngest readers will discover the Lorax's paradise, from singing Swomee-Swans to playful Bar-ba-loots.

We're going through our collection of Step-1 or Level-1 readers with my now 7-year-old. He could probably advance to level-2 at this point, but I want to finish up the Level-1/Step-1 books that we have. He picked Look for the LORAX thinking there would be a hide-and-seek element to the book. There's not. Don't be confused. The Lorax isn't hiding at all. The "story" mentions some things that the Lorax sees.

Look for the LORAX is written in a style reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, meaning there is a rhyming scheme. I like that it repeats phonetic principles so that the child can see how changing just a few letters here or there makes a similar but different word. And I like that the Step-1 readers we have are a mix of repetitive words and phrases as well as repetitive phonics principles.

Look for the LORAX gets 3 Stars. It's fine. It's good. The title is a little confusing. And there's nothing wrong with it. But I wasn't overly impressed with anything. Have you or your child read Look for the LORAX? What did you think? Let me know!

In the Likely Event - Review

In the Likely Event

By: Rebecca Yarros

Publication: August 1, 2023 by Montlake

348 pages

Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Military

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon Currently On Sale )

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

Goodreads description--When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.

Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.

He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

I've only read Rebecca Yarros's fantasy books Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Her writing was impressive enough that I wanted to check out more books. And I got In the Likely Event when it went on sale. Historically, I don't read as many adult contemporary books. But I see that transition coming.

In the Likely Event is told in then and now chapters alternating points of view between Izzy and Nate. As the description says, Izzy and Nate meet on a flight when they are seatmates. Izzy is terrified of flying, and this flight is Nate's first. Izzy is headed back to college and Nate is off to basic training. The two start a conversation while waiting for the plane to take off. And then the plane crashes into the Missouri River shortly after takeoff. Nate and Izzy pair up to help other passengers off the plane and get to shore. When Izzy is taken to the hospital with some internal bleeding and a ruptured spleen, Nate is whisked off to basic training. They lose contact but continually wonder about the person they had such an intense connection and encounter with over time. 

In the now, Izzy is a lawyer working for a senator doing some charity work while trying to get a girl's chess team out of Afghanistan in 2021 when the American troops are exiting the country. Thankfully, even though some of these events have a political nature, the characters had no political commentary. No agenda or narrative was pushed. Events were just recorded as they happened in a way that didn't feel like the author was trying to push the reader into feeling one way or the other about the events. All authors could take note of this. I much prefer this method over any agenda being pushed--even if it's an agenda I might agree with. Nate is now in Special Forces and tasked with protecting the Americans on this mission. Specifically, he has been assigned as Izzy's bodyguard. Their history is palpable because their last encounter before this one didn't end well. Yet the reader doesn't know what happened. 

The "then" chapters are sprinkled throughout the book, building from their first meeting until that last one that leads to three years of no contact between them. Izzy is now engaged and working in a field she always hated. Nate is finding it hard to believe she hasn't changed. To make matters worse, Izzy is on a personal side mission while in Afghanistan increasing the danger she will face. 

Guys, I loved this story. It is a retelling, or at least inspired by, Ladyhawke. Two star-crossed lovers are destined to meet briefly, repeatedly, but they can't spend much time together before being whisked away again. The tension and hope build and build. I didn't understand why Nate never felt like the timing was right for them. And then I didn't understand why Izzy was not okay with waiting for him. Yet, I really had to stop and put myself in her shoes. Literal years went by with no timeframe to guess when they might actually be able to be together for more than 9 days at a time. For like years. I mean they might go an entire year with that short time together. Living like that long term is impossible. And I can see how I wouldn't be able to sustain that or the hope needed to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

There were also a lot of pop culture references as well as book references. Sometimes this bothers me because it can date a book. Other times, I don't mind when the readers aren't referencing things as present pop culture. The references made were already out of date which makes them okay in my opinion. 

Favorite quotes:

-Go figure we'd meet again like this. We'd always had a habit of colliding at the worst times and in the most inconvenient places. It was almost fitting that it was a battlefield this go-round.

-I took the hint and retrieved my own book out of my purse, flipping to the bookmark in the middle of chapter eleven of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Half-Blood.

-"Very Jess Mariano of you."

-...the way I see it, there are all kinds of wars. Some are just more visible than others. It won't exactly be the first time someone has swung for me, and at least this time I'll be armed.

-"I mean, there was totally room on the door, but I loved the rest of it."

-"She'll be safer with me." "Because you're in love with her?" Torres questioned. I shook my head. "Because Jenkins isn't willing to die for her."

-That was all we were together: one giant, crossed line that neither of us belonged on the other side of.

-"What changed?" "It became one of the lesser traumatizing things I've seen," he said softly. "But if I do get them, they're usually that I can't get you out, or that you slip away in the current. Never gets past that, though. I'm perpetually battling to get you to shore."

-It was impossible to give away a heart I'd never gotten back in the first place.

-I could almost taste the butter pecan. It was a lifetime ago, and yesterday, all in the same breath. That's what Nate was to me. As far away as a lifetime and as close as yesterday, as near as twelve inches.

-"I'm capable of a lot of things, but unfortunately for my own sanity, I seem to be incapable of not looking at you."

There were maybe three on-page sexual scenes that were descriptive, but not the worst I've seen or the most descriptive I've seen from Rebecca Yarros. But I'm telling you in case you care. Cursing was also present. Not so much that I felt like it was excessive. 

And there was one "twist" that I didn't see coming that makes me look forward to doing a re-read on this one. 

In the Likely Event starts out pretty quickly. The plane crash isn't in the first chapter, but it does happen quickly. And I was hooked on Izzy and Nate's love story. I can definitely see myself re-reading this book in the future as I'd like to see the signs of that twist coming. And I really just loved this story. In the Likely Event gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read In the Likely Event? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Books I Want Santa to Bring

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Books I Want Santa to Bring

1. Frankly, My Dear Clara (London Dreams, # 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter
2. Risking It All (Pushing the Limits Next Generation, # 1) by Katie McGarry
3. Saved by the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 2) by Jody Hedlund
4. A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews
5. There Goes the Groom (A Romance of Rank, # 3) by Esther Hatch
6. Persuaded by the Sea by Amanda Taylor
7. Praying the Scripture for Your Children by Jodie Berndt
8. Many Ways to Say I Love You: Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers
9. Committing to the Cowgirl (Colorado Cowgirls, # 1) by Jody Hedlund
10. Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson

Which books are you hoping Santa brings you? Let me know!

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - December Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Sandy finished A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 3) by Stephanie Garber.

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 December giveaway runs from December 23rd - January 25th. On January 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries from the entire year to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sunday Post - 12/22/24

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.

Monday, Little Boy had his Christmas party at his mother's day out class. We had a normal school day at home. It was our last "morning school" day until January. Tuesday, we spent the day with my parents and got groceries. Wednesday, we met some friends at the park and played for a few hours. Then we grabbed Chickfila on the way home for lunch. Thursday we had our last day of co-op for the fall semester. We also had a Christmas party afterwards. Friday, we had a nice lazy morning. Then my sister-in-law asked if I could run an errand for her at Michael's. They didn't have what she was looking for, so we ran by Hobby Lobby with no luck there also. We got home in time for lunch. And then we made and decorated Christmas cookies. I love doing this with my kids every year. The boys didn't decorate much though. Then I had to bake my mac and cheese and get ready for a family Christmas celebration. We grabbed cheese biscuits from Jim N Nicks on the way. This was a different type of year for my side of the family. It's the first year that we siblings didn't exchange gifts. My parents still buy for pretty much everyone, but the families are just getting so big. We did a Christmas craft instead and painted wooden nutcrackers which was a lot of fun. Saturday, we went to my parent's house to spend time with my sister, niece, and nephew before they had to go home. And we did gifts with my parents.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: DNF Review of Lady Helen's Misalliance by Jessica Spencer
Tuesday: Top Ten Winter 2024 TBR List
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1) by Helen Scheuerer
Thursday: Review of Merriment & Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection, # 4) by Alexandria Bellefleur (2 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - December Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Look for the Lorax

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign 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!

NEW BOOKS:

Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, # 1)

By: Callie Hart

Publication: September 10, 2024 by Forever

624 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Vampires, Magic, Fae

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--The global phenomenon by Callie Hart--a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance--now has an embossed cover, silver foiling, and an updated interior design.

Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate.

Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone.

When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed.

The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details...

Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) 2

By: Helen Scheuerer

Publication: February 22, 2024 by Alchemy

466 Pages

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--“I always knew you would be the end of me.” With darkness cursing the world around her, Althea Zoltaire is desperate for vengeance. But as she hunts Wilder Hawthorne across the kingdoms, brutal secrets begin to unravel. Not knowing what – or who – to trust, Thea and her companions find themselves entwined with a destiny far greater than one man. Together, they must navigate the haunting revelations that could shatter the very foundations of the midrealms. Yet it’s not only the world at stake, but Thea’s heart too. As everything teeters on the verge of destruction, her fate collides once more with Wilder’s. Will their reunion ignite the fiery passion between them amidst the ashes of betrayal? Or will it end in a heartbreaking, deadly showdown? In a journey fraught with danger, where the lines between enemies and allies blur, Thea must decide where her loyalties lie, and who will stand at her side against the looming evil. Get ready for an epic adventure brimming with steamy romance, and a sprawling world of magic and monsters. Fate & Furies is the penultimate book in the spellbinding epic romantic fantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, The Bridge Kingdom, and The Witcher.

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: May 20, 2025 by Berkley

400 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Victorian

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful politician’s systematic attack on women’s rights, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults

By: Daniel G Amen & Charles Fay

Publication: March 26, 2024 by Tyndale Refresh

355 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help, Parenting

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Parenting is about to get easier--and a whole lot more effective…. In a time when so many children and young adults seem to be struggling, parents are looking for help in bringing up mentally healthy kids who are equipped to thrive. Finally, evidence-based help is now available for overwhelmed parents who are trying their best but feel like they’re falling short. #1 New York Times bestselling author and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen and child psychologist Dr. Charles Fay have teamed up to reveal what’s missing from most parenting books. It’s the fact that you need to address both the brain and the mind of your child (and yourself) in order to effectively raise good and strong humans. In this groundbreaking book where neuroscience meets love and logic, parents are given practical tools to help children of all ages go from behavioral problems like defiance, meltdowns, and power struggles to confident, kind, and resilientBetter prepared to make good decisionsMore focused and motivatedBetter able to have healthy relationships, and more…. Let Dr. Amen and Dr. Fay help you learn how to be the parent you've always dreamed you could be—and raise great kids who are on their way to reaching their full potential, including their best possible mental health.

Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 1)

By: Penn Cole

Expected Publication: October 8, 2024 by Atria Books

416 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Dragons

Source: Prime Reading

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--When old secrets catch fire, everything will burn.

In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by the Descended, their cruel offspring, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village.

Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.

With the dying King’s handsome, mysterious heir watching her every move, and a ruthless mortal alliance recruiting her to join the growing civil war, Diem will have to navigate the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics in order to save her family—and all of mortalkind.

Spark of the Everflame is the first book in The Kindred's Curse Saga, a four-book fantasy romance series. This slow burn, enemies-to-lovers epic is perfect for lovers of magic, dragons, angst, and banter and will appeal to fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Gild, and The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

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!

Merriment and Mayhem - Review

Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection, # 4)

By: Alexandria Bellefleur

Publication: November 12, 2024 by Amazon Original Stories

58 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday

Source: Amazon Prime

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--This Christmas, a hot fireman makes a holiday rescue and sparks fly in this funny, sexy holiday short story by bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.

Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

I didn't request this book from NetGalley when I saw it available for review because I don't usually do short stories. But when I saw it free on Amazon for Prime I figured I would snag it for a short Christmas story. I didn't even read the description. This was doubly exciting when I realized that I also had access to the audiobook which would sync with my reading. So I could read when I had time and then switch to the audiobook while driving or cooking. 

The beginning of Merriment and Mayhem was good. I liked the repeated 911 calls that forced Everleigh and Griffin together. I liked that there was an instant attraction that prompted Griffin to pursue Everleigh. But I felt like the pacing was completely off. I don't know this author at all. And I know this was always intended to be a short story, but so many pieces were mentioned that went nowhere. It felt like this was written for a longer story and things were cut or not addressed to force it to fit the short story needs. 

Because it was a short story, Everleigh flipped quickly from rejecting Griffin to being "so, so tired of pretending this is not what I want." Thankfully there were no declarations of deeper feelings at this point.

However, it felt like half the story was the sex scene. Granted it was only about the last 30%. Regardless, I wasn't a fan of these two jumping into the sheets. It felt jarring to me. Too much, too soon. Of course, as a Christian, my preference would be for them to wait until they get married, but that's not today's culture. I spent this entire section of the book skipping ahead and rolling my eyes. 

I also felt like the language was excessive for this story. And all of these things put together turned me off the idea of searching for more books by this author. 

Merriment and Mayhem's pacing felt completely wrong to me. The plot and details didn't fit the story length. The characters went from one thing and then completely flipped to a different thing. And things progressed in their relationship (physically and relationally) entirely too fast. Thankfully no "I love yous" were thrown out, but one character is considering a move to be with the other after three/four encounters. Merriment and Mayhem gets 2 Stars. Have you read Merriment and Mayhem ? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Iron & Embers

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.

Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1)

By: Helen Scheuerer

Expected Publication: January 28, 2025 by Alchemy

614 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--“I’ve made no secret of what I want... You. It’s always been you.”

Wren Embervale, alchemist-turned-assassin, finds solace in only one thing: seeking vengeance for the death of her friends. The wars of the past may be over, but her thirst for revenge is far from quenched.

For years, she has been content with her poisons and potions for company, but when an unknown form of alchemy is used to attack a king of the midrealms, Wren’s time in the shadows comes to an end.

She’s offered a place at the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor to find a cure to the dark magic threatening the kingdoms. To win her spot, she must conquer the Gauntlet, a grueling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life.

More is at play than sabotage from fellow competitors. Magic wielders are being targeted and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk.

But the biggest threat of all might come from the man assigned to protect her—Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero who has hated her since she assassinated his last charge.

Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both.

Peace is fragile, trust is scarce and enemies lurk around every corner… Will love heal all wounds—or will it be the most lethal poison of all?

Iron & Embers is the breathtaking first installment in the epic fantasy romance series, The Ashes of Thezmarr. With its lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and heart-pounding action it’s perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, From Blood & Ash, and The Bridge Kingdom.

A slight spoiler for the previous series, which I haven't finished. Bummer. What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Winter 2024 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Winter 2024 TBR List

1. A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan
2. The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic
3. A Touch of Shadows (The Lost Queen, # 1) by Jessica Thorne
4. He is Here!: 25 Days Of Christmas Devotions by Browning Montgomery Wood
5. I Want to Trust You But I Don't by Lysa TerKeurst
6. After Life by Gayle Forman
7. Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
8. The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
9. Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, # 3) by Rebecca Yarros
10. The Candymakers (The Candymakers, # 1) by Wendy Mass

Which books are you hoping to read this winter? Let me know!