Sunday Post - 07/31/22

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.

So my kids ended up spending the night with my parent's last Sunday night. Husband and I ended up having a date night which we rarely ever get to do. Then I took them on a playdate Monday with a new family in our neighborhood. They have kids of similar ages. They've only lived in our neighborhood about a month and their house was struck by lightning the week before. The community has really reached out to support them. Tuesday, Husband had off work and that was the last night the kids were spending with my parents. We killed it painting. He finished painting our playroom (except window and door casings), the pantry, the entry closet, and he got one coat on the linen closet and fireplace. I worked on sanding and caulking. I got the door casing done for my daughter's bedroom and painted her bedroom door. I got my youngest son's window casing done. I got the curtains down in the bathrooms and washed those as well as backpacks and lunch boxes. We only have one more week until school starts. Anyway, we rocked and rolled and we are so much closer to being done. I've also gotten the window casings finished in my middle child's room and gotten one coat done on the window casings in the master bedroom. I also finished painting the door to the linen closet this week. Not yesterday, but last Saturday, Husband's mom fell and broke her shoulder so we've been checking in on her pretty regularly. And then our elderly next door neighbor fell Saturday and I went to check on her a couple of times during the day. Husband got curtains hung in both boys rooms Saturday and he got the rods up in the living room finally. Things are really coming together. We still have at least 7 doors that need painting, five door casings, and five window casings (outside of our bedroom that I've already started on). But man we're so much closer than we used to be. Anyway, one more week and then school starts here.

THE PAST TWO WEEKS:

Monday 7/18: Review of The Dreaming Beauty by Anneka Walker (3 Stars)
Monday 7/25: 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July Wrap Up
Tuesday 7/26: Ten Books on My TBR List I STILL Haven't Read
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed (A Romance of Rank, # 2) by Esther Hatch
Friday 7/29: Review of From the Jump by Lacie Waldon (4 Stars)

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: July 2022 EOM Wrap Up
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday: Review of A Tenuous Betrothal (Royal Regency, # 3) by Jen Geigle Johnson

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 Curse of Blood and Stone (Fate & Flame, # 2)

By: KA Tucker

Expected Publication: July 12th 2022 by K.A. Tucker

485 pages

Genre: New 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--“I do not know how to love you and be a good king to my people.”

From jewelry thief to interloper to queen-in-waiting, Romeria flees Cirilea a traitor to all. But the yawning distance between her and Zander troubles her more than any king’s bounty on her head. While Zander may have escaped by her side, he seeks to regain his throne, and no immortal will ever welcome her as Islor’s queen. She fears it won’t be long before Zander abandons her as everyone else she’s ever loved has.

Zander sacrificed his crown to save Romeria’s life, yet he dreads what her existence means for the future of his realm. As Ybaris’s plan to destroy Islor unfurls, a more insidious threat, orchestrated by rival fates, lurks beneath the surface. He can offer his allies no honest explanation for why he protects the Ybarisan princess and takes counsel from Queen Neilina’s caster, leading those closest to doubt his wisdom—and his allegiance.

As their company aims for the Venhorn Mountains, steered by prophecy, Romeria is desperate to wield her newfound abilities to undo Princess Romeria’s treachery before the kingdom tears itself apart. But with the mortal rebellion swelling, bolstered by the gift of Ybaris’s poison, it may already be too late. From internationally bestselling author K.A. Tucker comes the second novel in her Fate and Flame series, an adult fantasy story that should be read in series order.

The Bone Crown (Charassi's Fae Queen Book, # 1)

By: Ava Richardson

Expected Publication: July 27th 2022

? pages

Genre: 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.

NetGalley description--From high school student to Queen of the Fae…

When a dragon bulldozes through a portal and into the grounds of her Texas school, Ophelia Monroe can barely believe her eyes. Dragons and magic are just fairy tales, right?

When the dying dragon bonds with her to spite a Fae prince, suddenly Ophelia is dragged into a different realm: a world of Fae intrigue and deception where, as Prince Corrin informs her, her dragon bond has made her Queen of the Fae.

His Queen.

Ophelia’s always wanted to make a difference, but nothing could have prepared her for magical powers she can’t control, a dead dragon's voice in her head, and subjects questioning her right to be queen. Or the infuriatingly handsome Fae prince who won't leave her side.

To avoid execution, Ophelia must validate her claim to the throne by traveling throughout the magical realm, accompanied by Prince Corrin. But the journey reveals a dark secret lurking in Charassi...

The only way to save the realm is to find the source of the trouble; but the truth may be just as terrible as the evil magic that threatens the Fae’s existence.

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!

From the Jump - Review

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.

Lacie Waldon has impressed me for a second time. The Layover was the first book to hook my interest after having Baby # 3 in 2021. And so I knew I wanted to see what she would write next. And honestly, I can't remember what was holding me back from picking up From the Jump earlier.

Basically, Liv is in a group of 5 friends who met in college. Mac and Deiss are the two guys of the group and friends before the fivesome. Pheobe, I believe, was Liv's college roommate. And then Simone was the 5th wheel to the group. Mac and Pheobe dated for six years before calling their relationship off, and the two have unresolved issues. Simone and Liv have an almost simultaneous crush on Lucas Deiss. Simone comes from money and is used to getting what she wants. But Liv has to work hard to keep her head above water.

Even after college is over the friend group has a regular monthly meet up of the third-Thursday of the month along with yearly vacations to keep them strong and bonded together. However, Liv has never been able to afford to go on the vacations, and she's never been able to take time off work. But she kind of snaps one day and decides that she wants to start speaking up for herself. This breaks her longtime self-preservation rules. And the problems begin when she shows up on vacation with little planning to get there.

While on vacation, Lucas Deiss and Liv have some moments of spark and flirting. But Pheobe and Mac's breakup nearly broke up their group back in the day, and Liv and Pheobe are certain that getting into future relationships with any member of their friend group will tear them apart for good. Yet, Liv needs a place to stay when she returns from vacation, and it just so happens that Lucas has an extra room. Of course, the two grow closer, and I loved their journey.

Simone becomes an issue, though, as her jealousy and fears are what really threaten to tear the group apart. Mostly, I felt she was entirely selfish and out of line, but I could also see some genuine caring for Liv in all her twisted drama. I found it hard to like her. She was definitely my least favorite of their friend group.

Favorite quotes:

-What's cool on him--his aloofness and self-contained personality--is perceived as cold on me. But I suppose you can't compare the two of us. Not when Deiss makes no effort at anything, and I feel like I never stop trying to get every little thing right.

-"That's what it looks like," he whispers, "when I'm making an effort."

-Despite the fact that my head has always been fully on board with our status as platonic friends, my skin seems to have gotten confused by all the changes.

From the Jump was better than I was expecting. I may have even liked it better than The Layover. Honestly, I think that I did. I can relate to Liv trying to do all the right things even if my reasons differ from hers. And I loved that there are essentially two romances in From the Jump. Plus, the main characters and side characters were all well-rounded and fleshed out. Each one popped off the page. From the Jump gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read From the Jump? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed

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 Earl's Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed (A Romance of Rank, # 2)

By: Esther Hatch

Expected Publication: December 30th 2022

352 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--If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him dressed in women’s clothing, he has finally had enough. He cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away--and fortunately, his solicitor knows just the place…

Florence Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again--even if it is only for a little while.

But the last thing Florence expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s business while he is away. But Florence insists that’s what she’s been asked to do. The quiet retreat is what they both need, but who will get to stay?

Not Samson, because he has never gotten the better of a woman, not since… well, not since Florence let him kiss her years ago…

Come to think of it, perhaps it is time for Samson to win after all.

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

Ten Books I STILL Haven't Read on my 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 Books on My Past Seasonal TBR Lists Still Unread.

1. The Second Blind Son (Saylok Chronicles, # 2) by Amy Harmon
2. In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen, # 3) by Karen Witemeyer
3. The Valet's Secret by Josi S Kilpack
4. May His Face Shine Upon You by Susi Larson
5. This May End Badly by Samantha Markum
6. A Wicked and Beautiful Garden (Witches of the Island, # 1) by Katie McGarry
7. A Wild Hope (Wild Swan Trilogy, # 1) by Celeste de Blasis
8. The Other Side of the Sky (The Other Side of the Sky, # 1) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
9. Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
10. The Seventh Sun (The Age of the Seventh Sun, # 1) by Lani Forbes
11. Fireborn (The Aurelian Cycle, # 1) by Rosaria Mundo

Which books are still on your TBR lists unread? Let me know!

2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge - July 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 Sandy nor Holly has 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 July giveaway runs from July 25th - August 25th. On August 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