Can't Wait for Winterkeep

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.

Winterkeep (Graceling Realm, # 4)

By: Kristin Cashore

Expected Publication: January 19th 2021 by Dial Books For Young Readers

528 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--The highly anticipated next book in the New York Times bestselling, award-winning Graceling Realm series, which has sold 1.3 million copies.

Four years after Bitterblue left off, a new land has been discovered to the east: Torla; and the closest nation to Monsea is Winterkeep. Winterkeep is a land of miracles, a democratic republic run by people who like each other, where people speak to telepathic sea creatures, adopt telepathic foxes as pets, and fly across the sky in ships attached to balloons.

But when Bitterblue’s envoys to Winterkeep drown under suspicious circumstances, she and Giddon and her half sister, Hava, set off to discover the truth–putting both Bitterblue’s life and Giddon’s heart to the test when Bitterbue is kidnapped. Giddon believes she has drowned, leaving him and Hava to solve the mystery of what’s wrong in Winterkeep.

Lovisa Cavenda is the teenage daughter of a powerful Scholar and Industrialist (the opposing governing parties) with a fire inside her that is always hungry, always just nearly about to make something happen. She is the key to everything, but only if she can figure out what’s going on before anyone else, and only if she’s willing to transcend the person she’s been all her life.

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

Top Ten Winter 2020 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Winter 2020 TBR List.

1. The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep
2. Hooked on You (A Maple Falls Romance, # 1) by Kathleen Fuller
3. A Wild Hope (Wild Swan Trilogy, # 1) by Celeste de Blasis
4. The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky, # 1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
5. Layla by Colleen Hoover
6. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, # 2) by Jennifer L Armentrout
7. A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, # 4) by Sarah J Maas
8. The Gentleman Spy (Serendipity & Secrets, # 2) by Erica Vetsch
9. Faith's Mountain Home (Hearts of Montana, # 3) by Misty M Beller
10. Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis

Which books are on your Winter 2020 TBR List? Let me know!

Miss Adeline's Match - Review

Miss Adeline's Match

By: Joanna Barker

Publication: April 1st 2019 by Covenant Communications

263 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library (birthday present)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--Miss Adeline Hayes is the perfect lady's companion: pleasant, conversational, and unceasingly proper. But when her closest friend, Charity Edgeworth, breaks off her arranged marriage without explanation, even Adeline's superior skills are put to the test. Charity's father banishes the two young women to the country, sending Adeline with a charge to find Charity a husband or suffer dire consequences.

As Adeline takes on the role of reluctant matchmaker, she discovers more than one obstacle in her path. Not only does Charity prefer escaping in books to socializing, but Adeline soon finds her own attentions distracted by the standoffish—and irritatingly handsome—Mr. Evan Whitfield. Amidst an eventful foxhunt and the unexpected arrival of Charity's former betrothed, Adeline simply doesn't have time for a battle of wits with Evan. But the two are continually drawn together until Adeline begins to question her tightly guarded convictions about love and marriage.

However, when secrets are revealed and truths made known, Adeline must face her most fearsome obstacle yet: herself.

Let's get past the cover, shall we? Adeline is a gentleman's daughter. But her father, a physician, has begun to suffer from what we can assume to be Alzheimer's disease which wasn't understood back then. Her mother left once her way of life could no longer be maintained, and Adeline and her older sister, Cordelia, have been struggling under the financial burden of medical expenses ever since. Thankfully, Adeline earns some money as a lady's companion for her best friend, Charity. But recently, Charity's life and Adeline's has gotten more complicated. Charity suddenly called off her engagement to George Henley and won't even tell Adeline why. Rumors are beginning to spread, and Charity's father sends the two women to his sister's house, Mrs. Beckett, for a country house party.

The twist comes in that Charity's father tells Adeline that she is in charge of seeing Charity successfully married or her family, already behind on their rent to him, will be evicted. Adeline knows that she won't steer Charity toward any man unworthy of her despite the risks to her own family, but she does embark on a journey of trying to help Charity move past her heartbreak and on with her life. If that means seeing her married to a worthy man then so be it. She begins plotting immediately upon their arrival. And there's really only one candidate despite there being two eligible men in the group.

Evan picks up on Adeline's manipulation immediately although he doesn't know her motivations, he writes her off as all of the other society girls from London that he's come to despise. His opinion of Adeline begins to change as he witnesses her help a starving young boy who tries to poach on the Beckett's property. Adeline doesn't turn him in, instead, she goes above and beyond to help young Peter. Evan begins to realize that he's likely judged her prematurely. And his admiration for her begins to grow.

A wrench is thrown into Adeline's matchmaking when George Henley shows up at the Beckett's house in an attempt to find out why Charity suddenly called off their engagement. His adamant refusal to give up and sulk away without fighting for Charity is telling about his true feelings. Ultimately, he agrees to be gone for good if Adeline will deliver a letter to Charity for him. Yet Adeline doesn't keep her promise.

When secrets come to light, Adeline must live with the decisions she's made in meddling with Charity's life, and Evan wonders if she is no better than the society women he despises after all.

Favorite quotes:

-“Happiness does not equal perfection,” Mrs. Beckett said softly. “And neither do you need to be perfect to achieve happiness. There will always be difficulties in life, and we will always make mistakes. But happiness is what makes life worthwhile, what makes it bearable. We must find joy in the everyday things.”

-I considered that for a long moment before sighing. “I wish I had your positivity.” “It is not something that comes naturally to me, I assure you,” she said with a wistful smile. “It is a decision I must make every day, though it is one I have never regretted making.”

Miss Adeline's Match was just what I needed. I was hooked on the characters and wanted good things for all of them. I read this in 24 hours which is always a bonus for me. Miss Adeline's Match gets 4 Stars. Have you read Miss Adeline's Match? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 12/13/20

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

Monday, when I picked the kids up from school and gymnastics the runny noses and coughs were upon us. At least I got a lot done while they were gone. I cleaned bathrooms, did laundry, took pictures for an eBay listing, worked on printing and cutting some stickers for my Etsy shop, and ran by the post office. Tuesday, the kids played together so well the entire day. I kept feeling like I should involve myself in their play just to be involved, but as I'm expecting a newborn next month, having them play together without me is going to be imparative. So I left them to it. Minus a few squabbles they did so well. We also did a video chat with my niece. Wednesday, I decided to keep the kiddos home from school, but my goodness they were high energy. It was chaos the entire day. Thursday my mom came to hang out with us. Friday was good. I got some presents wrapped but that took longer than I hoped. Saturday was grocery shopping and playing outside.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Songbook of Benny Lament by Amy Harmon

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Miss Adeline's Match by Joanna Barker
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

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

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Faith's Mountain Home (Hearts of Montana, # 3)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, 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--Nate Long has always watched over his identical twin brother, Aaron, even when it put him on the wrong side of the law. When Aaron is wounded in a shootout, the brothers are taken to Settler's Fort to recover. As Nate works to make reparations for their past, he marvels at the nursing Aaron receives under the care of a woman with all the reason in the world to resent him.

Laura Hannon knows what it is to start over, and she knows Nate's newfound faith is real. What she can't look past is how far he allowed himself to be led astray by his brother's weaknesses.

A Cowboy for Keeps (Colorado Cowboys, # 1)

By: Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, 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--Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family. And the mayor, who has promised to try to help Greta, has just the candidate in mind for Wyatt to marry.

Dreams of Savannah

By: Roseanna M White

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

400 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, 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--Cordelia Owens can weave a hopeful dream around anything and is well used to winning the hearts of everyone in Savannah with her whimsy. Even when she receives word that her sweetheart has been lost during a raid on a Yankee vessel, she clings to hope and comes up with many a romantic tale of his eventual homecoming to reassure his mother and sister.

But Phineas Dunn finds nothing redemptive in the first horrors of war. Struggling for months to make it home alive, he returns to Savannah injured and cynical, and all too sure that he is not the hero Cordelia seems determined to make him. Matters of black and white don't seem so simple anymore to Phin, and despite her best efforts, Delia's smiles can't erase all the complications in his life. And when Fort Pulaski falls and the future wavers, they both must decide where the dreams of a new America will take them, and if they will go together.

Forever Phoebe

By: Chalon Linton

Expected Publication: February 8th 2020 by Covenant Communications

224 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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

Goodreads description--At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park. Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

The Layover

By: Lacie Waldon

Expected Publication: June 15th 2021 by Putnam

320 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--An unexpected tropical layover with her nemesis turns a flight attendant's life upside down in this witty, breezy debut romantic comedy about life--and love--30,000 feet above the ground.

After ten years as a flight attendant, Ava Greene is poised to hang up her wings and finally put down roots. She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell, and she plans to enjoy every second of it. But then she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone--the absurdly gorgeous, ridiculously cocky man she's held a secret grudge against for years--is on her flight. And he has the nerve to flirt with her, as if he doesn't remember the role he played in the most humiliating night of her life. Good thing she never has to see him again after they land....

But when their plane encounters mechanical problems, what should have been a quick stop at the Belize airport suddenly becomes a weekend layover. Getting stuck on a three-hour flight with her nemesis was bad enough. Being stranded with him at a luxury resort in paradise? Even with the sultry breeze and white sand to distract her, it will take all the rum punch in the country to drown out his larger-than-life presence.

Yet the more time Ava spends with him under the hot Caribbean sun, the more she begins to second-guess everything she thought she knew about him...and everything she thought she wanted from her life. And all too soon, she might have to choose between keeping her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds....

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

Can't Wait for The Songbook of Benny Lament

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

The Songbook of Benny Lament

By: Amy Harmon

Expected Publication: March 16th 2021 by Lake Union Publishing

448 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

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

Goodreads description--From the bestselling author of What the Wind Knows and From Sand and Ash comes a powerful love story about a musical duo who put everything on the line to be together.

New York, 1960: For Benny Lament, music is his entire life. With his father’s deep ties to the mob, the Bronx piano man has learned that love and family can get you in trouble. So he keeps to himself, writing songs for other musicians, avoiding the spotlight…until the night his father brings him to see Esther Mine sing.

Esther is a petite powerhouse with a gorgeous voice. And when Benny writes a hit song and performs it with her, their collaboration thrusts the duo onto the national stage…and stirs up old issues and new scrutiny that the mob—and Benny—would rather avoid.

It would be easier to walk away. But the music and the woman are too hard for the piano man to resist. Benny’s songs and Esther’s vocals are an explosive combination, a sound that fans can’t get enough of. But though America might love the music they make together, some people aren’t ready for Benny Lament and Esther Mine on—or off—the stage.

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