2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - September 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!

Sandy finished A Daughter's Courage (Brides of Laurent, # 3) by Misty M Beller. Holly hasn't 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 September giveaway runs from September 25th - October 25th. On October 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sunday Post - 09/18/22

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.

We've spent the week sickly. Husband woke up Monday morning with pink eye. He got a prescription from his doctor for that. Wednesday, my doctor called in a prescription for me. And I also took Baby Boy in for an appointment. Turns out he's had RSV and developed a double ear infection. So he got a prescription too. I've been to the pharmacy so many times this week. Thankfully, Little Girl and Little Boy are doing well. My mom did come over Thursday to spend the day with us. And we've had some cooler weather. Now not full on fall weather, but we've had some 80 degree days. Fall is close--what little fall we seem to get here in Alabama. Little Girl had fall pictures at school on Wednesday, and Little Boy had fall pictures on Friday. We also took the kids to the Compassion Journey Friday afternoon. And then we went to dinner and came home. Saturday was a little out of our norm because we didn't go for a walk. But we did play outside much more than normal. I usually love playing outside, but since we moved back home this past April I haven't loved taking the kids outside because there's still a lot they don't need to get into out there. We can only do so much and the outside spaces haven't been our priority. I went through another box from the garage and painted two window casings on Saturday. I don't think I read hardly at all this week. I haven't had the energy so I've been catching up on some Netflix shows.

THE PAST WEEK:

Thursday: Review of Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker (3 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: ????
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
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:

A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3)

By: Darynda Jones

Expected Publication: December 6, 2022

352 pages

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Humor

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--Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

The Call of the Sea

By: Sian Ann Bessey

Expected Publication: November 1, 2022

pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

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 Viking Historical Romance

On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter―Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.

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!

Miss Newbury's List - Review

Miss Newbury's List

By: Megan Walker

Expected Publication: February 7, 2023

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

( 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--England, 1820

Rosalind Newbury loves her family and wants nothing more than to add to their legacy. So when an opportunity arises to marry a duke—a dream come true for her family—despite hardly knowing him, she quickly agrees.

But after rediscovering a childhood wish list, Ros realizes that she has dreams of her own and little time left to fulfill them. She recruits her dearest friend Liza and subsequently Liza’s handsome but wayward cousin Charlie—a gentleman turned rugged boxer—to help her complete her list before her wedding.

From boxing lessons to buried treasure, Charlie helps Ros experience a life and love that she’d never dreamed possible. Soon, Ros is faced with the very decision she’s been running from—to save her family’s future or her own.

Like time travel books, I have found that I don't enjoy "bucket list" books. I find them cheesy. Contrived. And forced. I almost didn't request Miss Newbury's List because of my frustration with bucket list stories of the past, but I really liked Megan Walker's previous book, and I've been looking forward to her next book. So I hoped the historical fiction setting would be enough to change my typical dislike of bucket list stories.

In short, it wasn't.

I am sure, as independent and headstrong as I am, that I would chaff against the situation that Rosalind finds herself in. Yet as the reader, I often root for arranged marriages. I like seeing them work out despite the unromantic start. I knew I was fighting a losing battle. The description tells you all you need to know, but I kind of hoped the description would be wrong and maybe Charlie would help Rosalind accomplish her list while still leading to a path where she fulfills her original goal. Ms. Walker wrote the Duke in such a way that you couldn't really root for him in the end. But I just feel like I was predisposed not to like this book. Sometimes I can be too stubborn for my own good.

As I said, I find parts of executing a bucket list contrived. The part where Charlie hangs Rosalind's painting in the opera house gave me secondary embarrassment. I felt so awkward through that scene.

I don't know. I can't put my complaints into words that make sense. Ultimately, I just don't like bucket list storylines. I knew this ahead of time, but this book solidified my determination to stay away from them. I feel like I should apologize for even requesting this book. I'll do better in the future. Rosalind and Charlie were decent, and ultimately, I am glad things ended the way they did. Miss Newbury's List gets 3 Stars. Have you readMiss Newbury's List? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 09/11/22

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.

Some years I wonder when we're going to forget. I know that I didn't grow up thinking much about Pearl Harbor. But that's because I didn't live it. So I blew it off. And it's hard to imagine, but it's true...there's a whole generation of people already born and some are adults now that didn't live the September 11th attack. But I remember. And I always watch the video of the 911 calls from that day. It gets me every single time. And you know what, I don't want to forget.

This past week was a little bit of the struggle bus for us. Our whole family has gotten sick or been sick this week. Thankfully, we have had a span of almost 3 months between sicknesses though compared to last year when we were sick every other week or so it felt like. Anyway, it started with Little Girl, then Baby Boy, then Little Boy, then Husband, and finally, I joined the sickly crew Saturday morning. We did send Little Boy to school on Wednesday because he'd just started coughing and you never know how bad it's going to be in the very beginning. He actually came home from school feeling better, but the next day he started running a fever. Anyway, so most of the week we did nothing. We watched too much TV. We did walk when we could. And we just snuggled up together which was nice. At the same time, I've been dying to just get out of the house. I finished painting all of our interior door this weekend. Well we still have some bifold closet doors we have to purchase and those will need to be painted, but the ones we have are DONE. I still have some window and door casings left to paint, and we have some exterior doors that need paint as well, but it's a huge check off my to-do list.

THE PAST WEEK:

Tuesday: August 2022 EOM Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3) by Jennifer Delamere

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Miss Newberry's List by Meagan Walker
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
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:

Scotland's Melody isn't receiving the best reviews so I'm a little bit regretful that I requested it. We shall see.

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 Holding the Line

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.

Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Expected Publication: December 1, 2022

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, 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--A widow at just 30 years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light.

As the overseer of his two widowed sisters' financial and domestic affairs, John Milburn carries heavy responsibilities for a single man. But he's faced with his biggest challenge when his headstrong niece falls prey to the attentions of a powerful man who could ruin both her and her family.

When Rose and John join forces to protect his niece, they put everything they hold dear--including their growing attraction--in jeopardy.

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

August 2022 EOM Wrap Up

I read 3 book (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton
The Belle of Bellgrave Square (Belles of London, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis

I have reviewed 5 books. *These qualify for the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson
Saving Miss Everly (Inglewood, # 3) by Sally Britton
FLIP The Gratitude Switch by Kevin Clayson
Junie B Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (Junie B Jones, # 3) by Barbara Park
Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 08/07/22
Sunday Post - 08/14/22
Sunday Post - 08/21/22
Sunday Post - 08/28/22
Top Ten Books I Loved 10+ Years Ago
Can't Wait for Isha, Unscripted by Sajni Patel
Can't Wait for A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3) by Darynda Jones
Can't Wait for The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey
Can't Wait for There Goes the Groom (Romance of Rank, # 1.5) by Esther Hatch
2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - August Wrap Up
July 2022 EOM Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 31 out of 52 books (including children's books).
I've read potentially 2 out of 5-10 series enders.

Sunday Post - 09/04/22

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.

Husband was gone on a work trip this past week. He left Sunday and came back on Wednesday. My parents agreed to keep Baby Boy for me while he was gone so I wouldn't have to interrupt his nap every day with having to get Little Girl from school. Sunday afternoon I took the two big kids to a birthday party for a kid in Little Boy's class. Monday we had a powerline like pop or something. There was a flash of light and a boom and next thing we know the front yard is on fire from the downed wire. So I called the fire department and the power company. But we were without power for several hours. I ended up taking the kids out to dinner that night. Tuesday, I took Little Boy to the park and the library. I cannot believe I've never taken them to the library before. And then Tuesday afternoon after I got Little Girl from school we went to see the new Minions movie in the theater. Little Boy has never been so he was beyond ecstatic. We also grabbed CFA for dinner. Wednesday after school we went to pick up Baby Boy from my parents. They were all so happy when Daddy got home. I don't remember much about Thursday or Friday. Saturday, we went to Birmingham for what was supposed to be a family reunion. We didn't have a big crowd this year, but I really enjoyed the group that was there. Today we're heading to Georgia for my great-nephew's birthday party.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for There Goes the Groom (Romance of Rank, # 1.5) by Esther Hatch

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Happy Labor Day!
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: August 2022 EOM Wrap Up

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!