Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Can't Wait for Regretting You

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.

Regretting You

By: Colleen Hoover

Expected Publication: December 10th 2019 by Montlake Romance

? pages

Genre: 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--From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us comes a poignant novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal that will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters.

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.

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

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Hope's Highest Mountain - Review

Hope's Highest Mountain (Hearts of Montana, # 1)

By: Misty M. Beller

Publication: October 1st 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: 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--Ingrid Chastain readily agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. She never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her injuries, she's hesitant to put her trust in this quiet man who seems to have his own wounds.

Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. But his self-imposed solitude in the wilds of Montana is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to face his regret and call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacious determination despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.

Hope's Highest Mountain was a quick read for me. It didn't take long for the beginning events to set up what was to come. Ingrid was involved in a wagon accident that resulted in her having a broken leg and rib and losing all of the other occupants of the wagon. Thankfully, Micah came upon the accident and was able to save Ingrid's life.

I expected more of the book to focus on Ingrid and Micah being alone together while she healed from her injuries before continuing the original mission of carrying the smallpox vaccines to a village in Montana. But Ingrid was passionate and determined to continue the journey as quickly as possible so that her father, her maid, and the wagon's driver didn't all die in vain. Micah has a history with the smallpox virus as he lost his wife and daughter to it five years prior. To be able to prevent others from suffering the way that they did is what motivates him to help Ingrid on her journey.

For the first part of their journey, Micah and Ingrid travel alone, but along the way, they run into a mother and son in need. Joanna and Sam really round out the story. I felt for Sam as he's about 4 (I believe) which is the age of my daughter. Traveling isn't very fun for a toddler with a lot of energy. I smiled at all of his interactions because he reminded me of my kids. I love how he was more aware than I think people give kids credit for a lot of times. I also related to Joanna as his mother. She's doing the best she can to survive and protect her son.

I loved the slow build between Micah and Ingrid. They were thrust into a team to accomplish a mission. They needed to lean on each other--granted Ingrid did a bit more leaning physically. Yet she provided a lot of emotional and spiritual strength for Micah. Ingrid was easy to love. She was so strong through all that she endured, both physically and emotionally. And their journey was not an easy one. It was packed with life-threatening situation after situation. Micah had a lot of emotional baggage to work through, but I was impressed with his choices and strength of character.

Hope's Highest Mountain was better than I expected. I enjoyed learning a little more about the smallpox virus and at the risk of incurring the wrath of the anti-vaxers, I'm so thankful for vaccines that ensure my own children don't face this illness. Ingrid and Micah both went through so much and I love to read about strong characters that overcome. And I can't wait to read more about Joanna and Samuel (potentially) as the series continues.Hope's Highest Mountain gets 4 Stars. Have you read Hope's Highest Mountain? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 11/3/19

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.

I can't believe I missed another week of wrap ups. Except the week before was PACKED. I spent every day working on getting the house ready. Friday night my mom came to get the kids after work. They spent the night with my parents. My sister, nephew, and niece came in from out of town and spent the night with them too. Saturday morning my parents took the kids to a first birthday party for a sweet girl we go to church with. Then that afternoon we had their birthday party. Little Girl is officially 4 and Little Boy turned 2 this past Wednesday. I did a Super Mario Brother's theme with food and decorations because Little Girl has started playing Mario with Daddy. They had a blast. This past week also felt like a whirlwind. All of the influx of new toys has had the kids fighting over things more than normal. But I also love seeing them play together when they finally do quit arguing. Wednesday, like I said, was Little Boy's birthday. We only did one present that morning and then had to save the rest for after Daddy came home from work that night. Thursday it rained the entire day. We really needed the rain but I hate being trapped inside. Getting outside with the kids daily is a sanity thing for me. (For all of us.) I wasn't sure the rain would stop but we did end up getting to trick or treat. Little Girl was Owlet & Little Boy was Gecko from PJ Masks. Friday Grammy kept Little Boy so I could run my car to get the oil changed and tires rotated and balanced while Little Girl was at school. That was a much needed mental break. And now I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks of normality.

My annual "All Things Halloween" event ended Thursday. This is my month-long event where I feature reviews from Halloween-y genres (fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, sci-fi, horror, mystery, thriller, and suspense). Over the last few years I've had mostly fantasy books as I just haven't been in the mood for much horror, but still...these are books that can get you in the mood for Halloween.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS:

Monday 10/21: All Things Halloween Review of Beasts of the Frozen Sun (Frozen Sun Saga, # 1) by Jill Criswell (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday 10/23: Can't Wait for Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy, # 1) by Amélie Wen Zhao
Monday 10/28: All Things Halloween Review of Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, # 6) by Sarah J Maas (4 Stars)
Wednesday 10/30: Can't Wait for The Guinevere Deception (Camelot, # 1) by Kiersten White
Thursday 10/31: All Things Halloween Review of The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 9) by Darynda Jones (4 Stars)
Friday 11/1: October 2019 EOM Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Hope's Highest Mountain (Hearts of Montana, # 1) by Misty M Beller
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor, # 3) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Don’t forget to link up for the 2019 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2019 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Promised

By: Leah Garriott

Expected Publication: February 18th 2020 by Shadow Mountain

368 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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--Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Warwickshire, England, 1812

Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match—to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams.

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, # 1)

By: Kiersten White

Expected Publication: November 5th 2019 by Delacorte Press

352 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

*THE FIRST BOOK IN THE CAMELOT RISING TRILOGY*

Meet Me At Midnight

By: Jessica Pennington

Expected Publication: April 7th 2020 by Tor Teen

288 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--They have a love-hate relationship with summer.

Sidney and Asher should have clicked. Two star swimmers forced to spend their summers on a lake together sounds like the perfect match. But it’s the same every year—in between cookouts and boat rides and family-imposed bonfires, Sidney and Asher spend the dog days of summer finding the ultimate ways to prank each other. And now, after their senior year, they’re determined to make it the most epic summer yet.

But their plans are thrown in sudden jeopardy when their feud causes their families to be kicked out of their beloved lake houses. Once in their new accommodations, Sidney expects the prank war to continue as usual. But then she gets a note—Meet me at midnight. And Asher has a proposition for her: join forces for one last summer of epic pranks, against a shared enemy—the woman who kicked them out.

Their truce should make things simpler, but six years of tormenting one another isn’t so easy to ignore. Kind of like the undeniable attraction growing between them.

The Map from Here to There (The Start of Me and You, # 2)

By: Emery Lord

Expected Publication: January 7th 2020 by Bloomsbury YA

368 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--Acclaimed author Emery Lord crafts a gorgeous story of friendship and identity, daring to ask: What happens after happily ever after?

It's senior year, and Paige Hancock is finally living her best life. She has a fun summer job, great friends, and a super charming boyfriend who totally gets her. But senior year also means big decisions. Weighing "the rest of her life," Paige feels her anxiety begin to pervade every decision she makes. Everything is exactly how she always wanted it to be--how can she leave it all behind next year? In her head, she knows there is so much more to experience after high school. But in her heart, is it so terrible to want everything to stay the same forever?

Emery Lord's award-winning storytelling shines with lovable characters and heartfelt exploration of life's most important questions.

A Castle in the Clouds

By: Kerstin Gier

Expected Publication: January 28th 2020 by Henry Holt & Company

336 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, 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--A Castle in the Clouds follows a girl as she navigates secrets, romance, and danger in an aging grand hotel.

Way up in the Swiss mountains, there's an old grand hotel steeped in tradition and faded splendor. Once a year, when the famous New Year's Eve Ball takes place and guests from all over the world arrive, excitement returns to the vast hallways.

Sophie, who works at the hotel as an intern, is busy making sure that everything goes according to plan. But unexpected problems keep arising, and some of the guests are not who they pretend to be. Very soon, Sophie finds herself right in the middle of a perilous adventure--and at risk of losing not only her job, but also her heart.

That Boy (That Boy, # 1)

By: Jillian Dodd

Expected Publication: January 13th 2014 by JILLIAN DODD INC. (first published May 2nd 2011)

304 pages

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

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--Fall in love with the boy next door in this sweet contemporary romance by USA Today Best Selling Author, Jillian Dodd.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

If you're a football fan, love small town romance, and cute boys next door, you'll love the That Boy series.

How to Speak Boy

By: Tiana Smith

Expected Publication: January 7th 2020 by Swoon Reads

288 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--Quinn and Grayson have been fierce speech and debate rivals for years. They can't stand one another, either in competition or in real life.

But when their AP Government teacher returns their school assignments to the wrong cubbies, they begin exchanging anonymous notes without knowing who the other is.

Despite their differences, the two come together through their letters and find themselves unknowingly falling for the competition. Before the state tournament, the two of them need to figure out what they want out of life, or risk their own future happiness. After all, what’s the point of speech and debate if you can't say what's in your heart?

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!

Friday, November 1, 2019

October 2019 EOM Wrap Up

October involved my annual All Things Halloween event--a month of paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books. I hope everyone had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I have read 7 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2019 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
*A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor, # 3) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Paper Princess (The Royals, # 1) by Erin Watt
Broken Prince (The Royals, # 2) by Erin Watt
Twisted Palace (The Royals, # 3) by Erin Watt
Tarnished Crown (The Royals, # 3.5) by Erin Watt
Diamond in the Rough (American Heiresses, # 2) by Jen Turano
The Curse of Tenth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 10) by Darynda Jones

I have reviewed 6 books. *These qualify for the 2019 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Iron Gold (Red Rising, # 4) by Pierce Brown
Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson, # 8) by Darynda Jones
The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon
Beasts of the Frozen Sun (Frozen Sun Saga, # 1) by Jill Criswell
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, # 6) by Sarah J Maas
The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 9) by Darynda Jones

Other Posts:
Sunday Post 10/06/19
Sunday Post 10/13/19
Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 10/20/19
Can't Wait for Igniting Darkness (Courting Darkness Duology, # 2) by Robin LaFevers
Can't Wait for Scavenge the Stars (Scavange the Stars, # 1) by Tara Sim
Can't Wait for Crescent City (House of Earth and Blood, # 1) by Sarah J Maas
Can't Wait for Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy, # 1) by Amélie Wen Zhao
The Guinevere Deception (Camelot, # 1) by Kiersten White
2019 Series Enders Reading Challenge - October Wrap Up

Goals:
I'm 11 days ahead of schedule with my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 82 out of 52 books (including children's books).
I've read 5 out of 5-10 series enders.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

All Things Halloween Review - The Dirt on Ninth Grave

The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson, # 9)

By: Darynda Jones

Publication: January 12th 2016 by St. Martin's Press

326 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Humor, Mystery

Source: Borrowed from the e-library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

I was a little unenthused going into The Dirt on Ninth Grave. Charley gets amnesia at the end of Eight. I find that I enjoy amnesia stories when I am learning about a character's past at the same time that they are, but I don't always enjoy stories as much when I know a significant amount of information that the character doesn't. So I worried that I wouldn't enjoy this book as much because it almost felt like starting over at the beginning of the series. Thankfully the cast of characters I've come to love was present much sooner than I expected.

So basically all of the crew shows up in the town that Charley wakes up in. Charley is working as a waitress in a restaurant and the other characters mostly just show up and are hanging around except Cookie who has also gotten a job as a waitress. The others barely interact with Charley at first but slowly do so more and more. Cookie just feels like Charley's new BFF. Charley obviously has the hots for Reyes but she can see he's not just human and tries to keep her distance. You can tell how difficult of a time Reyes is having by letting Charley take her time with things. And seeing his pain at her not recognizing him is evident.

This wouldn't be a Charley Davidson book without several mysteries to solve. And it was fun to see how much of Charley's personality remained despite not remembering her past. Charley obviously doesn't know that she was a private investigator or the grim reaper in the past but her desire to help the living and the dead push her into another case. All the while attracting the unwanted attention of a psychopath.

There were times when I was waiting for Reyes to show up based upon Charley's heightened emotions. At times it seemed like he was still able to read her, but other times I felt sure if he could then he would have shown up. I hated that this wasn't explained because it seemed like a gap or inconsistency at the least.

I also found myself wondering why Charley never questioned the information before her when it came to Cookie and Reyes specifically having a connection with her old self. They both mention someone close to them disappearing. For Reyes his wife and for Cookie her best friend. In Reyes's situation, he mentioned his wife, Charley feels an unexplainable draw to him and she knows she woke up in the alley wearing a wedding ring. Plus Cookie calling her Charley multiple times over the name, Janey, that she has been going by. Even though Charley did question Cookie, I felt like this was explained away too easily. Especially given other things she took note of or overheard.

How Charley did get her memories back was both satisfying and anticlimactic at the same time. I won't discuss more here in an effort not to spoil anything.

And then there was the twist ending. I don't know why but I wasn't surprised in the least. I figure there will be a workaround, but time will tell.

I kind of hate that I put off reading The Dirt on Ninth Grave a few months after finishing book 8 because the ending of the previous book wasn't as fresh in my mind as I'd have liked. Overall my worries over The Dirt on Ninth Grave were for nothing and I was hooked into the story very quickly. The Dirt on Ninth Grave gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Dirt on Ninth Grave? What did you think? Let me know!