Somewhere Only We Know: January 2022

Monday, January 31, 2022

Rage and Ruin - Review

Rage and Ruin (The Harbinger, # 2)

By: Jennifer L Armentrout

Publication: June 9th 2020 by Inkyard Press

576 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle 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--Dangerous secrets and forbidden desires lead to shocking consequences… Don’t miss book two of the fantastical Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.
“Jennifer L. Armentrout’s intoxicating new fantasy is her best yet!” — New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Storm and Fury
A half human, half angel and her bonded gargoyle protector must work with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.
As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.

I read Storm and Fury in the summer of 2019. So it's been 2.5 years. The cliffhanger ending had me dying to get my hands on Rage and Ruin. But I didn't end up getting approved for an e-galley. And while I always knew I wanted to continue the series, review books always take priority for me. So Rage and Ruin kept getting pushed back. And finally I needed something fantasy that I could just jump into and I felt it was finally time to read this book.

Because so much time passed since I read book 1, I was lost at the beginning of Rage and Ruin. I needed a few chapters before I felt like I remembered enough of the past book. But I easily remembered how much I loved Zayne and Trinity. Their forbidden relationship made them so easy to root for. Can they overcome? Will there be consequences for breaking the rules. Obviously I say it all the time, the relationships are my favorite part. I felt like the relationship was evenly balanced with the hunt and discovery of the big bad.

What I didn't really like is how fiction often portrays the idea of "something can't be wrong if it feels so right". Those words weren't used in the book exactly but I felt enough like the idea was pushed to mention it. And boy was I gearing up to blast JLA over the whole "I know this is wrong but my emotions are overwhelming my logic completely" direction it seemed like things were going there at the end. She worked this angle to be just different enough for me to be semi-satisfied. The character didn't quite have to follow through with the direction he/she was planning.

Of course it wouldn't be any book but the series ender if there wasn't a cliffhanger. I'm curious to know what will happen next, but I'm afraid too much of the next book will be fighting the big bad.

Rage and Ruin was a very nice sequel to Storm and Fury. I'm intrigued with where the cliffhanger will go, but I kind of imagine it being easily worked through. I enjoyed every second of Trinity and Zayne's relationship journey. Rage and Ruin gets 4 Stars. Have you read Rage and Ruin? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Sunday Post - 01/30/22

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.

Things were back to normal Monday. Or at least back to school. Little Girl was so excited to go back to school. And then wham, Wednesday was a virtual day that was planned all along. Little Boy had a classmate test positive on Tuesday, so we decided to keep him home on Wednesday as well. The weather was nicer for a few days this week so we were able to play outside a little. We have had a second contractor come in to work on our bedrooms this week. This isn't a part of our original renovation that we started last April. We did have a 3rd contractor come look to give us a quote on finishing the project from where we fired our original guys. And then we also hope the contractor working on the bedrooms will give us a quote too as we'd like two different quotes to compare. Anyway, Baby Boy had his 1 year check up on Thursday. He's in the 97% for his height. It's looking like he's going to be quite tall. And then the rest of the week was spent preparing for his birthday party which we had on Saturday.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White (4.5 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2021 & 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - January Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Stranger at the Hall (Stranger, # 6) by Mary Kingswood

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Rage and Ruin (The Harbinger, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Tuesday: January 2022 EOM Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2022 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.

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!

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Can't Wait for Stranger at the Hall

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.

Stranger at the Hall (Strangers, # 6)

By: Mary Kingswood

Expected Publication: March 13th 2022 by Sutors Publishing

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery

( 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 newly discovered heir to the barony arrives to claim his inheritance.
Cameron Saxby is contented in his life as a bank clerk in Edinburgh, knowing that if he works hard, he has a good career in front of him. But fate has a different plan for him - as heir to the late Lord Saxby. Inheriting the title drags Cameron away from his unassuming Scottish roots and drops him into the wealthy estate of Maeswood Hall, surrounded by deferential villagers and the resentful family of the late baron, a man who left such a trail of misery in his wake that someone murdered him.
Cass Saxby’s life is already settled - she’s betrothed to the village clergyman, who talks charmingly of love and seems uninterested in her vast dowry. But the arrival of the new baron upends her quiet existence in a multitude of ways, and forces her to make life-changing decisions, while revelations from the past may put her very life in danger. Cass and Cameron must unearth the secrets of the late baron’s life and fast, or one of them may become the murderer’s next victim. This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 6 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - January Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Neither Holly nor Sandy have finished any series enders this month.

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 23rd - January 25th. On January 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a grand prize winner.

Monday, January 24, 2022

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind - Review

How to Manage Your Life Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

By: Dana K White

Publication: November 8th 2016 by Thomas Nelson

240 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help

Source: Personal Kindle 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--Bring your home out of the mess it’s in and learn how to keep it under control.
“The dirty little secret about most organizing advice is that it’s written by organized people,” says blogger, speaker, and decluttering expert Dana K. White. “But that’s not how my brain works. I’m lost on page three.” Dana blogs at A Slob Comes Clean, chronicling her successes and failures with her self-described “deslobification process.” In the beginning she used the name “Nony” (short for aNONYmous), because she was sharing her deep, dark, slob secret. Now she has truly come clean—with not only her real name but the strategies she has developed, tested, and proved in her own home. She has learned what it takes to bring a home out of Disaster Status, which habits make the biggest and most lasting impact, and how to keep clutter under control.
In How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, Dana explains that cleaning your house is not a onetime project but a series of ongoing premade decisions. Her reality-based cleaning and organizing techniques debunk the biggest housekeeping fantasies and help readers learn what really works. Chapter titles include
My First Step: Giving Up on the Fantasy
The Worst Thing About the Best Way
Just Tell Me What to Do
Conquering Laundry
Get Dinner on the Table
Putting an End to the Never-Ending Weekly Cleaning Tasks
Don’t Get Organized
How to Declutter Without Making a Bigger Mess
Fighting the Perceived Value Battle
But Will It Last?
With a huge helping of empathy and humor, Dana provides a step-by-step process with strategies for getting rid of enormous amounts of stuff in as little time (and with as little emotional drama) as possible.

I first found Dana K White through her YouTube channel. Then I got her book Decluttering at the Speed of Life when the audiobook went on sale. And then I got How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind when the Kindle version went on sale. Technically, HtMYHWoLYM published first so that tidbit will come in handy later in this review.

This book really comes down to three sections. There is the first section dedicated to the daily tasks you need to work into your day in order to keep your home manageable. The second section is dedicated to decluttering. And then the third section (in the version I have) is an appendix of 28 days to implement the tasks discussed in section 1 so that they become habits.

The first section was what I took the most away from in this book. I have always hated cleaning but I very much enjoy having a clean home. Before our home renovation project began I'd gotten into the habit of two of these tasks already. And thankfully I've been able to maintain them while we've been living with my parents so I don't think they will be hard to resume once we are back in our house.

The second section felt like a repeat too me of Decluttering at the Speed of Life. That is simply because of the order that I read these books. I suppose Dana K White wrote that section in this book and then realized that decluttering could be an entire book all it's own. I didn't mind the repeat personally because I need all of the reminders of the process and the benefits that I can get.

I'm not sure the third section will be very beneficial for me or not. If I were home or if I needed to start from scratch on these habits then maybe so. But maybe I'll jump in the middle of the 28 days when we get back home to finish developing the daily habits that I need to.

Regardless, I feel like I got a lot out of How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind. I might have preferred to listen to the audiobook version of this if Dana had narrated it like she did the other, but having the Kindle version will be easier for reference. I look forward to being able to fully implement the ideas from this book once we get back home. How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Sunday Post - 01/23/22

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 were off school Monday. Monday night little girl started running a fever and complaining of a headache. Tuesday morning, she woke up with a fever, and she tested positive for COVID-19 on a home test. Thankfully, her school ended up virtual all week due to staff shortages because of COVID. With the new CDC guidelines, she can return to school tomorrow as long as she is fever-free all day today. She hasn't shown any other symptoms, and she had no more fever after Tuesday morning. However, the rest of us started getting sick. Husband, my mom, and Baby Boy all have coughs and stuff noses. My mom took a home test on Wednesday and it was negative so who knows what's going on with all of us. Home tests are hard to come by and since we've all been stuck at home we didn't see the need to go get tested. We kept Little Boy home from school all week too due to sister's exposure and her being virtual all week. Of course, she's in kindergarden so there's only really worksheets for her to complete at home. Friday, Baby Boy turned ONE! I cannot believe it's already been a year. I'm mourning the baby stage, while also soaking in every moment and enjoying watching him grow. Several new books this week.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Chaperon (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 2) by Mary Kingswood (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Books I Didn't Get to in 2021
Wednesday: Can't Wait for This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, # 1) by Tahereh Mafi

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

NEW BOOKS:

From the Jump

By: Lacie Waldon

Publication: July 19th 2022 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (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--A chronic yes-woman finally admits to what—and who—she really wants in this unforgettable and heartfelt romantic comedy, by the author of The Layover.
Liv Bakersfield is used to living her life in “shoulds.” Be fit. Be financially responsible. Be your best self. An overworked graphic designer, she’s stretched so thin that she’s about to miss yet another vacation with her beloved group of college friends. But when Liv finally decides to start saying no, it feels good…good enough to leap straight into quitting her job and hopping on a plane to join them in South Africa.
Amid the exotic landscape and unforgettable sights, Liv expects sun and safari animals and an easy time with her best friends. But such close proximity makes everything more complicated, especially with the emotionally unavailable Lucas Deiss. Their friendship is the only thing in her life that's still solid, and she vows to do anything she can to keep the group together. But once they get back to L.A., Liv discovers that her leap of faith has become a freefall, sending her crashing into Deiss's arms. With the trust of the people she loves most on the line, Liv must decide between doing what she should … and risking everything for what she shouldn’t want.

Meet Me in the Margins

By: Melissa Ferguson

Publication: February 15th 2022 by Thomas Nelson

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

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--Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, a prestigious publisher producing only the highest of highbrow titles. And while editing the latest edition of The Anthology of Medieval Didactic Poetry may be her day job, she has two secrets she’s hiding.
One: She’s writing a romance novel.
Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.
After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all. As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same. Melissa Ferguson’s latest—a love letter to books, readers, and romance—will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath.

Enchanting the Heiress (Hearts on the Heath, # 3)

By: Kristi Ann Hunter

Expected Publication: March 1st 2022 by Bethany House Publishers

352 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--Harriet Hancock likes to make the lives of those around her better whether they like it or not. So, she is surprised when her friend Sophia Whitworth has ideas of her own on how to make Harriet happier--by throwing her together with Sophia's brother, stable hand Jonas Fitzroy. When Harriet discovers his natural way with words, she hatches a plan that would benefit them both.
Holding a grudge against Harriet for her meddling in Sophia's life, it is only because of his sister that Jonas agrees to approach Harriet about a possible artistic project. What he doesn't expect is for her to request his help writing a book. As they work together, they start to see each other in a different light, but when the truth of Harriet's schemes is revealed, she'll find her good intentions for once have gone too far.

Meet Me in the Middle

By: Alex Light

Expected Publication: July 12th 2022 by Harperteen

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (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--A romance interrupted by tragedy sets two people on different paths in Wattpad superstar Alex Light’s latest YA romance.
Eden had her best friend Katie—she didn’t need anyone else. But then there was Truman.
Katie’s older brother, the artist. The recluse. The boy with the innocent smile and the dangerous eyes.
Eden had never really known Truman—not until the night of Katie’s accident. That was the night they’d finally let each other into their orbits—only to have the sky come crashing down on them.
With Katie in the hospital and Truman fleeing from his grief without a word, Eden is left alone to grapple with her own pain. But when Truman returns to the city, can Eden let him back into her life knowing that their first kiss is what tore their world apart?
Wattpad superstar Alex Light is back with another poignant romance perfect for fans of Jennifer Dugan and Laura Taylor Namey.

This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, # 1)

By: Tahereh Mafi

Expected Publication: February 1st 2022 by HarperCollins

512 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (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--Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.
Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir, this is the explosive first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi.

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!

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Can't Wait for This Woven Kingdom

This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, # 1)

By: Tahereh Mafi

Expected Publication: February 1st 2022 by HarperCollins

512 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--Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.
Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir, this is the explosive first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi.

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

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Ten Books I Didn't Get to in 2021

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 Didn't Get to in 2021.

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
A Wild Hope (Wild Swan Trilogy, # 1) by Celeste de Blasis
Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer
Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky, # 1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
A Wicked and Beautiful Garden (Witches of the Island, # 1) by Katie McGarry
Raise them Up by Sally Burke
A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker
The Second Blind Son (Chronicles of Saylok, # 2) by Amy Harmon

Which books were you unable to get to in 2021? Let me know!

Monday, January 17, 2022

The Chaperon - Review

The Chaperon (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 2)

By: Mary Kingswood

Publication: September 6th 2018 by Sutors Publishing

365 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery

Source: Personal Audiobook 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--A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.
Poor and widowed, Lucy finds a post as chaperon to two young ladies while their mother is awaiting the birth of her child. It sounds like easy work, well suited to her sociable nature, but the sisters squabble over their suitors, and there are tensions below the surface of the seemingly happy family. Then there is the charming Mr Audley, who is more interested in flirting with Lucy than in discovering where his sisters have disappeared to. And as for Lucy’s uncle, who lives nearby, she’s quite convinced he is hiding something. Curiosity is Lucy’s abiding sin, and one day it will get her into trouble.
Mr Leo Audley is rich, handsome and very successful with the ladies - until he meets widow Lucy Price, who isn’t the least bit susceptible to his flirtatious charm. His pride is piqued - surely he can find a way to seduce her? But Lucy challenges everything about him, and he finds himself unexpectedly falling for her. He’s never been in love before, but can he convince her that he’s more than a heartless rake? And when she draws him into her investigations of the mysteries surrounding his family and hers, they find themselves in deeper trouble than they could have imagined, and facing the possibility that someone in the family is a murderer.
Book 2 of the 5-book Sisters of Woodside Mysteries series, each a complete story with a HEA, but read all of them to find out all the secrets of the Winterton family!

I don't always enjoy mysteries. I know I have said it over and over here on the blog. But I listened to The Governess and really liked it, so I knew I wanted to continue the series. And it's hard to beat the $4.99 price for an audiobook that I got through Chirp. So I got book 2 in this Sisters of Woodside Mysteries series. And I am glad that I did.

I didn't mention Joanna Stephens much in my review of The Governess but she does a really good job with all of the voices in the story adding character. I was worried she would have exhausted her repertoire after book 1, but I've already started The Companion (book 3) and she is still able to bring a new voice into the mix.

Lucy is such a different character than Annabelle. Annabelle is pretty serious, and Lucy initially struck me as being flippant. But I learned that her chattering is not from being a silly girl. Thankfully. I don't know that I would enjoy reading from the perspective of a truly shallow character. Lucy is the only one of the Woodside sisters that is a widow. As such she is qualified to chaperon two girls newly come out as their stepmother must take things easy due to being pregnant. Lucy has a very good grip on society and what is expected of her and others. She does a wonderful job wrangling two spoiled brats and their suitors.

I loved that Lucy was just as affected by Annabelle's past romantic history. I can't for the life of me remember her initial suitor's name, but his treatment of Annabelle seems to have scared Lucy off young men. Her own deceased husband was rather old, and Lucy finds ease in the company of older men. I liked how this was worked in because I surely remember being affected by my sister's love life when I was growing up.

Leo is a playboy. He openly admits it. His sister warns Lucy away from him in the beginning. And she finds his flirting with her to be obnoxious and off putting. When he sees that this tactic of seducing the young widow won't work, he vows to be honest with her. What he finds is that she becomes his friend. One of the only true friends he has that he can truly be open with. And with that knowledge comes his desire for more than a fling with her. Leo also takes the censure and heat from his friend Tom's indiscretions upon himself. It is easy to let others believe him to be what they already expect. But doing so shows a depth of character that isn't exactly expected.

The mystery in The Chaperon was kind of two-fold. Was there any foul play at hand over Leo's sister's first two babies' deaths? Or were they simply accidents? How will things play out with baby # 3 that she is now expecting? And then also what has become of Leo's other sisters? (Half sisters.) He is convinced that his two brothers-in-law are hiding information and possibly even their locations from him. I liked that there wasn't one big mystery to be solved but two and that in some ways they connected and in other ways they were completely separate. I saw one of the big reveals coming a mile away. The other not as much.

The relationship between Leo and Lucy is what drove me forward and had me anxious to get back into the car for school pick ups so that I could listen. And the relationship has to always be more important than the mystery in order for me to enjoy these types of stories. The Chaperon succeeded in this area and may have been even better than The Governess. I did enjoy the two mysteries though. And so The Chaperon gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Chaperon? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Sunday Post - 01/16/22

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.

Ever since last Wednesday, things with our builder have been really tense. I am so thankful for being able to stay with my parents. They are such a huge help, and we couldn't replace the time we've been able to spend together or the memories made. I also really want to get back into our home. It's been so long. We ended up deciding to do some work in the bedrooms (replacing carpet, windows, painting, etc) that wasn't a part of our original renovation. So that's adding to the overall project. We've contracted with a different builder to do those though. Saturday, I took Baby Boy to get his 1 year old pictures made. I cannot believe he'll be 1 in just a few days.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Governess (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 1) by Mary Kingswood (4 Stars)
Tuesday: Ten Most Recent Newly Acquired Books
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale
Thursday: 2021 EOY Book Survey

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Chaperon (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 2) by Mary Kingswood
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

NEW BOOKS:

FLIP The Gratitude Switch: A Simple Formula To Change The Trajectory Of Your Life

By: Kevin Clayson

Publication: August 22nd 2016 by Createspace Independent Publishing

212 pages

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help

Source: Personal Kindle 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--This powerful book is the ultimate guide on how to create real happiness in your life, through finding, cultivating, and activating gratitude no matter what your life circumstances may be... and to do it in a way that will change the trajectory of your life.
This book will show you how to make gratitude something you DO not just something you FEEL, and how to change your life quickly, simply and permanently as a result.
Hal Elrod says, "This is the definitive 'gratitude how-to guide,' a timeless classic... and it's a book that the world has needed for a long time."
All it takes is one FLIP... that single moment when you decide that you want to stop thinking about the life you should be living and ACTUALLY START LIVING IT! This highly anticipated new book will show you that the life you want is a lot closer than you think. It's not what happens to us that defines and shapes our lives - it's how we CHOOSE to react to the things that come our way.
There is only one person who gets to decide how happy and contented you feel, how meaningful your relationships are, how much control you have over your life, and how much success you have... and it's you!
Do you want to create success out of failure?
Do you want to feel hopeful about the future?
Do you want your relationships to grow and thrive?
Do you want to live an abundant life no matter what?
Then it's time to stop focusing on the things that happen TO YOU and start being thankful IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, whatever they may be. It doesn't matter where you are right now or where you've been. You can begin re-writing your story immediately - and guarantee it will have a happy ending - simply by FLIPping the Gratitude Switch with the simple 4-step FLIP Formula!

My Sister's Big Fat Indian Wedding

By: Sajni Patel

Expected Publication: April 19th 2022 by Amulet Books

304 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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--A fresh, witty rom-com romp set against the backdrop of a high-profile music competition and a riotous Indian wedding
Zurika Damani is a naturally gifted violinist with a particular love for hip hop beats. But when you’re part of a big Indian family, everyone has expectations, and those certainly don’t include hip hop violin. After being rejected by Juilliard, Zuri's last hope is a contest judged by a panel of top tier college scouts. The only problem? This coveted competition happens to take place during Zuri’s sister’s extravagant wedding week. And Zuri has already been warned, repeatedly, that she is not to miss a single moment.
In the midst of the chaos, Zuri’s mom is in matchmaking mode with the groom’s South African cousin Naveen—who just happens to be a cocky vocalist set on stealing Zuri’s spotlight at the scouting competition. Luckily Zuri has a crew of loud and loyal female cousins cheering her on. Now, all she has to do is to wow the judges for a top spot, evade getting caught by her parents, resist Naveen’s charms, and, oh yeah . . . not mess up her sister’s big fat Indian wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

A Brush with Love (Untitled Series, # 1)

By: Mazey Eddings

Narrated By: Emily Lawrence & Vikas Adam

Expected Publication: March 1st 2022 by St. Martin's Griffin

336 pages

Genre: 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--Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable.
A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn’t have the same passion for pulling teeth that Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper’s rules.
So with the greatest of intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be “just friends.” But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can't risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.
Blood, gore, and extra-long roots? No problem. The idea of falling in love? Torture.

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!

Thursday, January 13, 2022

2021 Book Survey

Jamie, The Perpetual Page Turner created this EOY Book Survey. I've participated several years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020). I enjoy the survey so much that I am here again for 2021. I've discussed in the past how difficult narrowing down these are for me, but since 2021 was such a difficult reading year for me, I'm not going to stress out about my choices and just go with my gut. Oh and feel free to join in and do your own survey. Just link back to Jamie.

2021 Reading Stats

46 books read so far (including a few children's books)
0 book re-read
Genre Read the Most From? Adult & Historical fiction

Books

1. Best book you read?

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas
Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K White

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
A Warrior's Heart (Brides of Laurent, # 1) by Misty M Beller
Layla by Colleen Hoover

3. Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read?

After by Amy Efaw (mostly because I thought I was reading a different book entirely)

4. Book you read that you recommended to people the most?

Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K White

5. Best series discovered? Best Sequel? Best series ender?

Series:

Never Fall for Your Fiancee (The Merriwell Sisters, # 1) by Virginia Heath
The Governess (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 1) by Mary Kingswood
Manor for Sale, Baron Included (Romance of Rank, # 1) by Esther Hatch
Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood, # 1) by Sally Britton

Sequel:

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

Ender:

Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas

6. Favorite new author you discovered?

Alene Wecker, Virginia Heath, Mary Kingswood, Tiffany Odekirk, Sally Britton

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

The Chaperon (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 2) by Mary Kingswood (I'm not normally a fan of mysteries.)

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book?

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 4) by Sarah J Maas
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas
Rage and Ruin (The Harbinger, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

In years passed, I've chosen books that I read in a day, but this year, I chose books that I got sucked into and didn't want to put down even though they might have taken longer to read.

9. Book you read that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Hardly any time for re-reads.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read?

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

11. Most memorable character?

Nesta

12. Most beautifully written book read?

I don't think I read any particularly beautifully written books this year.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you?

Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K White

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL this year to finally read?

Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson (I got this for review several years ago.)

Rage and Ruin (The Harbinger, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout (I really enjoyed book 1 but didn't get approved for this one so it took me a while to get around to it.)

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read?

-Faith isn’t really faith until it’s beat up and put through a fire. When you’re crushed, you feel like you’re dying. But you’re actually coming to life. When you’re broken, that’s when the best of you comes out.” Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

-“Hindsight is an unfair standard to use against yourself,” Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

-When you allowed yourself to enter someone else’s trauma, there were so many benefits: a righted perspective, a deeper sense of friendship, a holy devotion to the sacredness of now. Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

-The point of life isn’t to quench our thirst, it’s to realize we’re thirsty for something that we can’t find here.” Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson

-"How long can you wait?" "Until the stars burn out." Beguiled by Darynda Jones

-Father may control her life, but she controlled her perspective on it... To Marry an Earl by Karen Thornell

-“I am perfectly capable of having more than one friend, James. You need not enter into a rivalry with my horse.” To Marry an Earl by Karen Thornell

-“I imagine I would enjoy it more than an amputation of the foot but less than being drained dry by a score of leeches." An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker

-I had come to expect flippancy and outrageous flattery from him, which was as painless for him to deliver as it was for me to cast aside. But I could not laugh away the flattery of being heard. Of being seen. Of being thought of. An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker

-The image of my favorite stuffed rabbit, which I had adored into oblivion, came to mind. It would lose its tail, the beans spilling out while I shrieked and cried. Nurse would fix it, and I would love it again until I loved it with too much vigor and a seam would rip. An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker

-“Oh, for pity’s sake, they’re ghosts, Gray! The kind who wake you up at night and steal your joy and make you pray to God for forgiveness. That kind of ghost.”...“Then you’re going to have to defeat them. Or turn them into something that inspires you to be a better man.” Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden

-He smiled. She was becoming almost tired of his smile and the way it sucked in everyone around him. She wished he would be rid of it for a day and allow her to not dwell on whom else he had been smiling at. A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch

-"But when he dropped his burden in the pond, he became happy for what he could be happy for--that he no longer had a burden. He didn't mourn the things he couldn't change." ..."He didn't want to lose his burden. It was only after it had slipped in that he rejoiced it was gone." A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch

-You couldn't love a dragon, nor could you get close to one, but you wouldn't wish it to become a fish. A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch

-“That’s the key, isn’t it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it… that’s the important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder.” She gestured to the stars zooming past. “The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things.” A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

-Next time he saw Kit, he was definitely going to frown at her. Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter

16. Shortest and longest book you read?

Longest: Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas (989 pages)
Shortest (not including children's books): Forever Wild (Wild, # 2.5) by KA Tucker (156 pages)

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (Updated to: Book that shocked you the most?)

After by Amy Efaw

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read (romantic)?

Nesta & Cassian
Poppy & Casteel
Sunshine & Levi
Rowan & Aelin
Hugh & Minerva

19. Favorite relationship (non-romantic) from a book you read?

Silas, Isaac, Jacob, Hope, Grace, & Esther
Sally & Victoria
Annabelle, Lucy, Margaret, Rosamund, & Fanny

20. Favorite book you read from an author you’ve read previously?

A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas

21. Best book you read that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else?

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read?

Damon Jennings

23. Best debut you read?

I can't ever tell (keep up with) what's a debut and what isn't.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read?

A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 4) by Sarah J Maas
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas

25. Book that was the most fun to read?

Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry?

I don't have a note that any of the books made me cry this year. And looking back, I can't remember any of them making me cry. Maybe Kingdom of Ash.

27. Book you read that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

Most of the historical fiction I've been reading is Christian fiction. I always think these are overlooked by the masses.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 4) by Sarah J Maas - the sheer amount that Nesta has to overcome is just crushing.

29. Most Unique Book You Read?

#StayMarried by Michelle Peterson
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

After by Amy Efaw

Blogging

1. New favorite book blog you discovered?

Honestly, I haven't had the time I'd like to visit other blogs. Again, it's the stage of life that I'm in. Perhaps soon, I'll have a new favorite blog to share with you guys.

2. Favorite review you wrote?

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood & Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
A Good Day for Chardonnay (Sunshine Vicram, # 2) by Darynda Jones
The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood & Ash, # 3) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Maybe next year I'll have a better way of figuring this out. Or I won't wait until last minute to get this post completed.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signing, festivals, virtual events, meme’s, etc)

N/A

5. Best moment of book blogging/your book life this year?

Honestly, this year was all abour survival. I forgot to post more times this year than ever before.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

See answer to # 5, but also having 3 kids 6 and under and not even being in our home for half of the year was just difficult all around. I didn't even have my kindle with me June through November.

7. Most popular post this year on your blog (views or comments)?

Blogger's latest update has made this harder to determine. And for the sake of getting this post done, I'm going to skip this one.

8. Post you wished got a little more love?

Any of them? Reviews especially.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, stores)?

Chirp Audiobooks, a site for discounted digital audiobooks.

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of the year?

Reading the Bible in a Year is the only book related goal that I accomplished this year. I came under on both my reading goal for the year as well as my series enders goal.

Looking ahead…

1. One book you didn’t get to this year but will be your number 1 priority next year?

Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer

2. Book you are most anticipating next year (non-debut)?

The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout

3. Debut from next year you are most anticipating?

No debuts are currently on my radar I don't think. Or they might be, but I really don't make note of that when I'm adding to my TBR list.

4. Series ending you are more anticipating next year? Sequel?

Sequel: The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout

Ender: I honestly don't think any of the series that I'm currently in the middle of are ending in 2022.

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging next year?

This has been my main goal for the last seven years...Just keep going. With dwindling time to read and blog I'm hoping to just hang tight and keep doing the best that I can until another season in life comes that will allow me more time to do both.

6. A Release from Next Year You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk

What would your answers be to the 2021 EOY Book Survey? Leave me your link so I can check out your post. Or just leave me a comment! Let me know!