Publisher: Penguin

The Weekly Recap (128)

Posted April 22, 2019 by Rowena in Books, Features | 12 Comments

It’s been a pretty quiet week for me so I was able to get some TV shows watched, some books read and still hang out with my bestie and my family. My friend, that died last year? We’re creeping up on the one year anniversary of his death and his birthday is tomorrow (he shares a birthday with my Mom) so over the weekend, my bestie Therese and I took some flowers and balloons to his grave because we were thinking of him. We ran into his parents at his gravesite so it was good for us to catch up with them and share some time talking about David with them. After we left the cemetery, we went to lunch and tried Susiecakes and meh, Susiecakes isn’t nearly as good as Miss Priss cupcakes across the street. They don’t have anything on Sprinkles either. Their banana pudding doesn’t hold a candle to Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding either. Meh. Our Easter was spent going to dinner with the entire family at new to us Japanese BBQ place that was pretty damn good. They kept the food coming, the food was great and thought it was a little pricey, but I still enjoyed dinner quite a bit. Now, onto the books…
What I’m Currently Reading
The Weekly Recap (128)Frost Burned
by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #7
Also in this series: Silver Borne
Published by Penguin, Ace on March 5, 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 342
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges:2019 GoodReads Challenge, 2019 TBR Challenge

Patricia Briggs's novel River Marked was praised as "an urban fantasy where our everyday world is believably twisted into the world of fey, werewolves, vampires, and myths made real." Now Mercy Thompson faces a shapeshifter's biggest fear as the realm she has embraced is thrown into chaos...

Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more...

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. But she fears Adam's disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

I’m almost done with my read of this book but holy cow am I glad to be back in Mercy Thompson’s world. I’ve missed these guys and I can’t wait to see how things turn out for Adam, the pack, and Mercy. Man I love these guys!
What I Read
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2) by Ilona Andrews | 4.25 out of 5 Ice Hot (New York Nighthawks #1) by Tracy Goodwin | DNF Hook Shot (Hoops #3) by Kennedy Ryan | 4.75 out of 5 The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang | 4.25 out of 5 The Fifteenth Minute (The Ivy Years #5) by Sarina Bowen | 4 out of 5
Eye Candy Friday
Lotus DuPree Hook Shot (Hoops #3) by Kennedy Ryan
What I Reviewed
Extra Credit (The Ivy Years) by Sarina Bowen | 4.25 out of 5 Repeat by Kylie Scott | 4 out of 5 Anatomy of a Player (Taking Shots #2) by Cindi Madsen | 3.5 out of 5 The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo | 4 out of 5 Mine till Midnight (Hathaways #1) by Lisa Kleypas | 4 out of 5
What I Posted
The Weekly Recap (127) TV Tuesday: Game of Thrones: Season 8, Episode 1 The Wednesday Post (11) Throwback Thursday: The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years #1) by Sarina Bowen Eye Candy Friday: Lotus DuPree in Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan
What I Got
Best of Luck (Chance of a Lifetime #3) by Kate Clayborne Body Check by Elle Kennedy Can’t Escape Love (Reluctant Royals #3.5) by Alyssa Cole Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals #2.5) by Alyssa Cole Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson #7) by Patricia Briggs
What I Got for Review
Brazen and the Beast (The Bareknuckled Bastards #2) by Sarah MacLean
What Made Me Laugh
There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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The Weekly Recap (127)

Posted April 15, 2019 by Rowena in Books, Features | 6 Comments

This week was a pretty busy week for me, both in my real life and on the blog. I actually wrote up some posts and had them go live. Woot! My squad also celebrated my bestie Theresa’s birthday with loads of sushi, some Mexican cocoa with a side of gossip as well. My family also celebrated another family member’s birthday on Sunday at one of those fancy brunch spots in Downtown Los Angeles. That was the best party because on top of fabulous food, we had a huge TV in our party room and it was on the Dodgers game so if you know, that’s my idea of the perfect party! Now, onto the books…
What I’m Currently Reading
The Weekly Recap (127)Magic Burns
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #2
Published by Penguin, Berkley on April 1, 2008
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 260
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads

Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

My reading slump is still kicking me in the ass. I’ve been reading this book ever so slowly for the past week. I’m just not in the mood to read these days but I really, really need to kick that slump because I have shit to read and review. Fingers crossed that this is the week I kick my reading slump in the ass for good.
What I Read
Fumbled (The Playbook #2) by Alexa Martin | 4 out of 5 The Shameless Hour (The Ivy Years #4) by Sarina Bowen | 4.25 out of 5
Eye Candy Friday
Jon Snow HBO’s Game of Thrones
What I Reviewed
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton | 4.25 out of 5 You’d be Mine by Erin Hahn | 4 out of 5 Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton | 4.25 out of 5
What I Posted
The Weekly Recap (126) My TBR Pile: April 2019 The Wednesday Post (10) Eye Candy Friday: Jon Snow from Game of Thrones
What I Got
Nothing this week. Maybe next week?
What I Got for Review
No Judgments (Little Bridge Island #1) by Meg Cabot
What Made Me Laugh
There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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The Weekly Recap (126)

Posted April 8, 2019 by Rowena in Books, Features | 4 Comments

Happy Monday, everybody! I know that I haven’t been around for a while and I could say that I’ve been super busy with a bunch of work stuff and family stuff because things have been pretty crazy on both fronts but really, I’ve just been in a funk. I haven’t been in the mood to write up posts, I’m reading but my heart’s not in it and I think a lot of it has to do with the way that my friend was let go at work. The whole thing just kicked me in the gut and I haven’t (along with all of my other coworkers) gotten over it. We’re having a farewell dinner for our friend and I feel a little bad about not inviting my boss but well, thems the breaks. Nobody wants to spend any personal time with upper management right now. I’ve also been pretty busy getting ready for my trip back to Utah for Chance’s graduation and Caiden’s birthday party. I’ve been helping Chloe (Caiden’s Mom) plan things out, ordering things that I want to include for the party like an Incredibles Sign that is all about Caiden, his birthday invitations, stuff like that and I’m having a lot of fun with that. I’m hoping that this post will kick off my coming back from my blogging slump but…we’ll see. Also, before I jump into my week in books portion of this post…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDEST AND BESTEST FRIEND, THERESA!
I can’t wait to celebrate with you and the rest of our squad on Thursday. I hope you have the best day today, Therese! Now, onto the books…
What I’m Currently Reading
The Weekly Recap (126)Fumbled
by Alexa Martin
Series: The Playbook #2
Published by Penguin, Berkley on April 23, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges:2019 GoodReads Challenge, 2019 New to Me Challenge

A second chance doesn't guarantee a touchdown in this new contemporary romance from the author of Intercepted.

Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal. After years of hard work, she's built a life she loves. It may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it's all hers, and nobody can take that away. Well, except for one person.

TK Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL. His world is football, parties, and women. Maybe at one point he thought his future would play out with his high school sweetheart by his side, but Poppy is long gone and he's moved on.

When Poppy and TK cross paths in the most unlikely of places, emotions they've suppressed for years come rushing back. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they'll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship.

I’m making slow but sure progress on my review pile for April and I’m hoping to really catch up this week so that I can start on my buddy reads. Wish me luck. So far, this book has been great. Alexa Martin is a new to me author and I’m really enjoying her writing style and this book. Poppy is a fantastic mother and reminds me of myself with Brenna so I’m a happy camper with this one. I’m almost done too.
What I Read
The Right Swipe (Modern Dating #1) by Alisha Rai (eARC) | 3.5 out of 5 You’d be Mine by Erin Hahn (eARC) | 4 out of 5 When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (eARC) | 4.25 out of 5 Extra Credit (Ivy Years) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) | 4.25 out of 5 The Year We Hid Away (Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) | 4.5 out of 5 The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo (eARC) | 4 out of 5
What I Reviewed
Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots #1) by Cindi Madsen | 4 out of 5 Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews | 3 out of 5 The Dating Game by Kiley Roache | 3 out of 5 Eye on Me by Rachel Harris | 4 out of 5 Team Player by Julianna Keyes | 4 out of 5
What I Posted
The Weekly Recap (125)
What I Got
Thirsty (Eastside Brewery #1) by Mia Hopkins (eBook) Rafe (Loose Ends #1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon (eBook) Hook Shot (Hoops #3) by Kennedy Ryan (Kindle Unlimited) Extra Credit (Ivy Years) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) The Year We Hid Away (Ivy Years #2) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) The Understatement of the Year (Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) The Shameless Hour (Ivy Years #4) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited) The Fifteenth Hour (Ivy Years #5) by Sarina Bowen (Kindle Unlimited)
What I Got for Review
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen One Fine Duke (School for Dukes #3) by Lenora Bell Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patricia Briggs The Duchess in His Bed (Sins for All Seasons #4) by Lorraine Heath
What Made Me Laugh
All the damn time.
There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

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The Weekly Recap (125)

Posted March 18, 2019 by Rowena in Books, Features | 10 Comments

I’m in Utah, y’all!! I’m spending this week taking care of this little one so that his parents can work and still be with him on his birthday this coming Thursday. Can you believe little Caiden will be turning 2 this week? I can’t. I remember when he was born and then when he was a baby. Compared to how skinny he is now, he was such a chunky baby. Still super adorable but chunky too. It’s been a pretty eventful week for me at work. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to wrap weekly stuff up so that my backup and boss don’t have to deal with any of that stuff this week while I’m out. Meghan is completely done with basketball now. Meghan lost her game at Nationals last week so they were knocked out and in her conference, only one team remains this week. Good luck to Masters University! Bren and Ken had their Sophomore Showcase this past Friday that Delene drove them to and they said they had fun, and the rest is up to the coaches that were there to see them. I wonder why the showcase was so early since a bunch of NAIA teams were at Nationals and didn’t have anyone out at the showcase to see these girls. That was kind of dumb but whatever. Bren and Ken are the most excited about getting their nails done finally. They haven’t been able to get their nails done since they kept breaking during basketball but nothing is holding them back now. Haha. Now, onto the books…
What I’m Currently Reading
The Weekly Recap (125)When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton
Published by Penguin, Berkley on April 9, 2019
Genres: Historical, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges:2019 GoodReads Challenge

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life--and heart--to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez--her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future--but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything--not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart...

I finished Next Year in Havanah by Chanel Cleeton last night so I’m going to start this book today. I’ve got a lot on my plate today so I’m hoping to start this one tonight when I’m off babysitting duty and have some time to myself. Wish me luck since I can’t wait to start Beatriz’s book!
What I Read
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews | 3 out of 5 Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots #1) by Cindi Madsen | 4 out of 5 Anatomy of a Player (Taking Shots #2) by Cindi Madsen | 3 out of 5 Next Year in Havanah by Chanel Cleeton | 4.25 out of 5
My favorite read of the week goes to Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. That ended up being a super good story and I enjoyed pretty much all parts of it. I’ll be buddy reviewing it with Ames so stay tuned for that. Magic Bites and Anatomy of a Player were both slow starts and I did like them, I just liked them least of the books read. I am looking forward to reading the next books in both series so that’s something.
What I Reviewed
Bad Reputation (Bad Bachelors #1) by Stefanie London | 1 out of 5 Overnight Sensation (Brooklyn Bruisers #5) by Sarina Bowen | 4.5 out of 5
What I Posted
The Weekly Recap (124) The Wednesday Post (9)
What I Got
Nothing this week. Lots of other stuff going on. Maybe this week…
What I Got for Review
Nothing this week.
What Made Me Laugh
There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

10 Comments
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The Wednesday Post (9)

Posted March 13, 2019 by Rowena in Books, Features | 4 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tessa over at Wishful Endings and it was based on Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme that is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. I decided that I’m going to do a mashup of the Can’t Wait Wednesday and WWW Wednesday posts here on my blog. I’m bringing them together and calling it The Wednesday Post. Here’s what I’m up to this week.
WWW Wednesday

What did you recently finish reading?

Repeat by Kylie Scott
My friend Holly really enjoyed listening to this book and recommended it to me so I finally listened to it and while I liked it, I didn’t love it as much as Holly did. I did really enjoy Clem’s journey to finding out who she used to be and who she wanted to be now. They were two totally different people and I liked who Clem was now. The romance between her and Ed was cute but not the highlight of the story for me.

What are you currently reading?

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews
I’m on Day 5 of reading this book and I’m barely halfway through. I’ve been hearing such great things about this series but holy shit is this book slow af. I’ve got my fingers crossed that something finally happens because I need to finish this damn book already.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
I’m going to jump into this book because I’m reading it with Ames and it’ll be our next buddy review. I’m pretty anxious to read it since it’s been getting rave reviews everywhere. Woot!
Can’t Wait Wednesday
The Wednesday Post (9)Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune
by Roselle Lim
Published by Penguin, Berkley on June 11, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

Lush and visual, chock-full of delicious recipes, Roselle Lim's magical debut novel is about food, heritage, and finding family in the most unexpected places.

At the news of her mother's death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn't spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years ago, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco's Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood is fading, with businesses failing and families moving out. She's even more surprised to learn she has inherited her grandmother's restaurant.

The neighborhood seer reads the restaurant's fortune in the leaves: Natalie must cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook to aid her struggling neighbors before the restaurant will succeed. Unfortunately, Natalie has no desire to help them try to turn things around--she resents the local shopkeepers for leaving her alone to take care of her agoraphobic mother when she was growing up. But with the support of a surprising new friend and a budding romance, Natalie starts to realize that maybe her neighbors really have been there for her all along.

"Vivid and lyrical with a touch of magic."--Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient

This week, I’m looking forward to this book. I’m really digging the Asian romances right now because my Polynesian ass relates to a lot of the cultural stuff that’s in them and I’m just over here, hoping and praying that one of my favorite authors writes a romance for a Samoan character…
So, what are you reading this week? Anything good? Anything that you want to rant about? Are you looking forward to Natalie Tan’s Book of Fortune and Luck? What other books are you looking forward to releasing this year?

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