Tag: Week in Review

Week in Review (87)

Posted April 30, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

Not much is going on with me. My family did participate in the 2018 Relay for Life, a cancer fundraiser that is held each year and the Torrance one is set at South High School. My family walk for our family members who have survived or died from cancer and we started walking when my nephew RJ was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He was a freshman in high school and once RJ was free and clear of the disease, my other nephew Chance signed us up for Relay for Life. We’ve been walking every year ever since. So not too long after Chance signed us up, both Chance and RJ left to serve their missions so they haven’t been back to a Relay for Life since that first year.

RJ made a point to be here this year and I continue to be amazed and this young man. He goes to school in Idaho, had a wedding in Utah the day before Relay for Life started and he drove from Idaho to Utah, attended the wedding and then jumped in his car with my niece Chloe, her husband Markus and baby Caiden and drove to California for Relay before jumping back into his car on Sunday to return Chloe and her family to Utah and then driving on back to Idaho for his 7:45AM class on Monday. Love this guy!

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Rumor Has It (Real Love, #4)
by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Real Love #4
Published by Random House, Loveswept on May 15th, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 212
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

This is one bad boy who’s fit to print. A notorious jock tackles life—and love—after football with a type-A journalist in this sexy standalone from the author of Eye Candy.

Barrett:

As a former pro football star, I’m used to playing the field. After injuries cut my NFL career short, my second act as a broadcaster ended on live television when a hot mic picked up a little verbal . . . indiscretion. But this latest publicity stunt might just land me back on top—much to the chagrin of Catarina Everhart, the prissy, beautiful journalist who’s been assigned to date a bad boy (i.e., me) and write about it. Catarina swears I’ll never touch her, let alone kiss those full lips of hers. Based on our chemistry, I’m not buying it. . . .

Catarina:

Barrett Fox seems to be doing everything in his power to make me hate him. The cocky egomaniac is infamous for his bad behavior, and now, thanks to my boss’s harebrained schemes, he’s apparently my problem. As one fake date leads to another, I start to see a different side of Barrett. He’s close with his family. He does volunteer work. And, okay, he kisses like a dream. Am I really dating Barrett Fox? Or is he playing me? Because suddenly I’m risking my reputation—and my heart.

I started this book this morning and so far, it’s okay. I’m not far enough into the story to know if I love or hate this book but I’m hopeful that this will be a good one. I really enjoy this series so I’ve got my fingers crossed.

What I Read

Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken | 3 out of 5
Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid | 2.75 out of 5
Hot Asset (21 Wall Street #1) by Lauren Layne | 4.25 out of 5
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo | 4 out of 5

I read a couple of books each week in the last couple of weeks. I read Dragon Actually for book club and I wasn’t as enthused about that one as everyone else was and same with Neanderthal Seeks Human. In both books, the heroine annoyed me. In Dragon Actually, the heroine came off as a freaking shrew and that sucks because she’s supposed to be such a strong person who leads armies into war. For me? She yelled too much and I hated the way that she treated the dragon. I guess it’s supposed to come off as strong-willed but meh. That’s not how it showed for me. In Neanderthal Seeks Human, the heroine is supposed to be super smart but she was super dumb about a lot of things. It didn’t work for me.

Fortunately for me, things picked up last week on the reading front. I read both Hot Asset by Lauren Layne, and The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo. I really enjoyed both books so that was a come up from the previous week.

What I Watched on TV

The Resident: The Resident is back this week and holy cow, you just know that it’s building to a dramatic as shit explosive finale because holy hot damn!!

Grown-ish: Ugh, I’m still not over who she chose so ugh again.

Suits: I’m not sure what I’m feeling about how this season ended. I’m happy that Meghan Markle can now jump into her new life as a real-life Princess without looking back. I’m just curious how this entire show is going to move on without Mike. Mike’s been the center, and the heart of this show so without him around, how the heck is that going to work? Katherine Heigl is going to replace Mike? Hahahahahahahaha, riiiggghhhtt.

What Movies I Watched

You guys, I’m still not over Infinity War. Seriously, how, what, why?????

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Books, Movies, The Weekly Recap, TV Shows, Week in Review

Week in Review (86)

Posted April 16, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 10 Comments

This past week has been a really quiet one for me. I’ve stuck close to home and caught up on cleaning my room, watching my Dodgers stink it up to start the season, watching my Lakers end their season on a bright note even though we didn’t make the playoffs and I’ve also had to deal with watching my Kings lose game after game after game in the first rounds of playoffs while listening to my sister cheer her Golden Knights on (they’re the ones beating the Kings).

So this has been me most of the week…

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Dragon Actually
by G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin #1
Published by Kensington, Zebra on August 26, 2008
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 544
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads

It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear - a lot - or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way, she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.

Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe - a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fill her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong...

I’m finishing up this book and normally, I don’t read loads of paranormals but I’m really enjoying this one. Annwyl and Fearghus are a great couple and the drama surrounding them is interesting. I’m super glad that my book club chose this book to discuss because we’ve been reading historical romances non-stop and this is a nice change from the norm. I’m also mighty curious about the other dragons in Fearghus’ family.

What I Read

If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say by Leila Sales | 1 out of 5
The Hookup by Erin McCarthy | 4 out of 5

What I Reviewed

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
What a Difference a Duke Makes by Lenora Bell
West Coast Love by Tif Marcelo
Suddenly Forbidden by Ella Fields

Forever My Girl (2018)

What I Posted

Week in Review (85)

What I Got for Review

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

What I Watched on TV

The Good Doctor: I wasn’t really interested in watching this show when it first came out but I’ve heard good things and was in the mood for something new so I started this show on a whim. I’m super glad that I did because it’s a good show. I have such a soft spot for Dr. Shaun Murphy and the biggest crush on Dr. Neil Melendez. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried and happily sighed while watching this show so it hits all of my happy buttons so I’ll definitely continue to tune in.

Suits: My Darvey ship is finally sailing you guys! Donna kissed Harvey to end the first half of the seventh season and it’s back and they’re dealing with the aftermath. Harvey is pissed at Donna for making him the kind of man he never wanted to be while dealing with how much that kiss affected him. Donna is pretending that she wasn’t affected by that kiss too and Mike and Rachel are still adorable together. Louis is trying to figure things out with Sheila and I am so here for all of this. Things are heating up and yessssss….I love it!

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

10 Comments
Tags: Books, Movies, The Weekly Recap, TV Shows, Week in Books, Week in Review

Week in Review (85)

Posted April 9, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

This was our first week without Caiden and we’ve all been a little down because we miss the little guy but he’s happy to be reunited with his parents, his Mom especially so I’m glad for him. With him gone, I’ve been keeping myself busy with books, TV and movies.

Over the weekend, my brother, sister in law and I took Meghan out for a belated 21st birthday celebration and we got Meghan pretty wasted. She was hurting the next day which made me laugh. Good time though.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say
by Leila Sales
Published by Macmillan on May 1, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher, NetGalley
Add It: Goodreads

Before we go any further, I want you to understand this: I am not a good person.

We all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. But what happens when we’re seen and heard saying or doing the wrong things? What then?

When Winter Halperin—former spelling bee champion, aspiring writer, and daughter of a parenting expert—gets caught saying the wrong thing online, her life explodes. All across the world, people knows what she’s done, and none of them will forgive her.

With her friends gone, her future plans cut short, and her identity in shambles, Winter is just trying to pick up the pieces without hurting anyone else. She knows she messed up, but does that mean it’s okay for people to send her hate mail and death threats? Does she deserve to lose all that she’s lost? And is “I’m sorry” ever good enough?

First and foremost a novel about public shaming in the internet age, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say is also an exploration of the power of words, the cumulative destructiveness of microaggressions, and the pressing need for empathy.

I’m determined to finish this book and then move on to the other books that I must read in the next week or so. Wish me luck.

What I Read

Nothing. I went an entire week without finishing anything. I read a few chapters of If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say by Leila Sales but that’s about it. I wasn’t in the mood to read. It wasn’t the book but seriously, an entire week of not finishing at least one book? Send help!

What I Reviewed

In Skates Trouble (Chicago Rebels #0.5) by Kate Meader | 3 out of 5
Hello Stranger (Ravenels #4) by Lisa Kleypas | 4.25 out of 5
JockBlocked (Gridiron #2) by Jen Frederick | 4.75 out of 5

Iron Man (2008) | 4 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (84)
Monthly Recap: March 2018

What I Watched on TV

For the People: This show is really shaping up to get a regular spot on my weekly TV watchlist. I’m really connecting with all of the lawyers (which is no easy feat considering how different each lawyer is) but my least favorite of the lawyers was up front and center this week and Seth really surprised me. I didn’t think he had it in him to keep me interested and while he did annoy me, he also won me over in the end and I’m glad. This show is so good. I’m crossing my fingers that this show doesn’t lose me the way that Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder did.

Chicago P.D.: I’m all caught up on this show and I’m still on the fence about continuing it or not. Right now, I’m only watching it for Jay Halstead, out of loyalty but I don’t know, I’m just not as into it as I used to be and I’m over Lindsay leaving the show. I actually like the girl that replaced her but everyone else? Meh.

Splitting Up Together: There are only two episodes of this show out right now and I watched them both. Enjoyed them both, too. I love Pam from The Office so I’ll watch her in whatever she’s in and I’m not at all mad that I started this one. It’s sweet. It’s funny and the cast is great. I’m all in.

Legion: My co-worker was talking about how much she’s enjoying this show and so I started it on a whim and I’m hooked. I’ll definitely be binge-watching this show for the next little while.

What I Watched in Movies

What I Got

After Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
Long Shot (Hoops #1) by Kennedy Ryan
My Way Back to You (Second Chances Duet #2) by Claire Contreras
The Swedish Prince by Karina Halle

What I Got for Review

More than Words by Mia Sheridan
Regrets Only by Erin Duffy

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

4 Comments
Tags: Book Nerd Things, The Weekly Recap, Week in Review

Week in Review (84)

Posted April 2, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 6 Comments

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their morning coffee and that today doesn’t totally suck for everyone. Mondays after a holiday are always hard, right? Anyway, Chloe and Markus are back from Samoa and they leave back home to Utah tomorrow with Baby Caiden in tow. This is me right now…

We had a good week with Caiden though. All of us got to hang with him, he went to Disneyland a few times and we had a great send-off party yesterday with an Easter egg hunt and everything. He’s going to be missed but now I’m even more serious about going to visit him in a couple of months for an entire week. Haha. I hope Chloe has room for all of us that are coming…cause we are.

And on that note, I want to wish my beautiful niece Chloe a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Instead of posting a picture of her though, I’m going to post a picture of her beautiful son, Caiden.

This is my favorite picture of Caiden and Brenna took it last week Monday when they went to Knotts Berry Farm for Lukey’s birthday. Isn’t it the best picture, ever? He’s such a happy boy and man I’m going to miss him.

Baseball season is once again upon us and my Dodgers started off the season with a series against that dratted team from the Bay. Thank goodness we found our bats and were able to split the series because I did not want to start our season off 0-4 against the Giants. My Lakers are wrapping up another surprising season. They did a lot better this season than last so I’ll take that as a win but we’re not going to make the playoffs…again. That’s surprising since we’ve always been dominant and now? Not so much. Oh well…I’m seeing progress and that makes me happy.

But dude, did you guys watch the Woman’s Basketball championship game between Notre Dame and Mississippi State? Man, what a freaking game. It came down to the wire and the same girl that saved Notre Dame against UConn, saved them again in the championship game. Holy shit, it was amazing!

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say
by Leila Sales
Published by Macmillan, Farrar Straus and Giroux on May 1st 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

Before we go any further, I want you to understand this: I am not a good person.

We all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. But what happens when we’re seen and heard saying or doing the wrong things? What then?

When Winter Halperin—former spelling bee champion, aspiring writer, and daughter of a parenting expert—gets caught saying the wrong thing online, her life explodes. All across the world, people knows what she’s done, and none of them will forgive her.

With her friends gone, her future plans cut short, and her identity in shambles, Winter is just trying to pick up the pieces without hurting anyone else. She knows she messed up, but does that mean it’s okay for people to send her hate mail and death threats? Does she deserve to lose all that she’s lost? And is “I’m sorry” ever good enough?

First and foremost a novel about public shaming in the internet age, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say is also an exploration of the power of words, the cumulative destructiveness of microaggressions, and the pressing need for empathy.

I took the weekend off from reading and chose to watch movies instead. I’m going to be starting this book today and I’m excited. I have enjoyed Leila Sales before and I hope that I enjoy her stuff still. Wish me luck!

What I Read

Suddenly Forbidden (Gray Springs University #1) by Ella Fields | 4 out of 5
Hot Response (Boston Fire #4) by Shannon Stacey | 4 out of 5
The Love Coupon (Stubborn Hearts #2) by Ainslie Paton | 4.25 out of 5

What I Reviewed

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews | 5 out of 5
White Hot by Ilona Andrews | 4.25 out of 5
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews | 4.5 out of 5
On Hart’s Boardwalk by Samantha Young | 4 out of 5

Home Again (2017) | 4 out of 5
Black Panther (2018) | 5 out of 5
The Greatest Showman (2017) | 5 out of 5

What I Posted

Week in Review (83)

What Movies I Watched

Doctor Strange (2016) | 4 out of 5
Captain America: Civil War (2016) | 4.25 out of 5

What TV Shows I Watched

The Resident: This week’s episode threw me for a loop. I immediately texted Brenna to find out if she watched it because I needed to discuss it with someone. We continue to find out more evil things about certain doctors in power at Chastain and that ending??? OMG. I’m still blown away that they actually did that and the previews for what’s to come? Wow. Nick???? What is Conrad going to do? What else is Privesh’s fiancee going to find? What’s going to happen with Mina? Sheesh, so much goodness to come.

Chicago PD: This week was also the week that I finally caught up on Chicago PD. I’m surprised that I like the new girl (that replaced Erin Lindsay) so much and I’m also surprised that the girl that I never thought I’d hate is…Burgess. Every episode, I’m always annoyed with her and it’s gotten to the point where I wish she’d join Lindsay in New York. Ugh. Still, the show itself is good and I’m mighty curious to see how the whole thing with Olinsky plays out because…damn. I guess I’ll have to keep watching.

What I Got

Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
Dragon on Top by G.A. Aiken
About a Dragon by G.A. Aiken
What a Dragon Should Know by G.A. Aiken
Last Dragon Standing by G.A. Aiken
The Dragon who Loved Me by G.A. Aiken
How to Drive a Dragon Crazy by G.A. Aiken
Light My Fire by G.A. Aiken
Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken
Bring the Heat by G.A. Aiken

What I Got for Review

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over by Shani Petroff

There you have it, my week in review. How was your week?

6 Comments
Tags: Books, Currently Reading, Dodgers, Lakers, Movies, The Weekly Recap, TV Shows, Week in Review

Week in Review (83)

Posted March 26, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 6 Comments

This past week was for celebrating Baby Caiden turning 1! He was supposed to spend the day at Disneyland but with the unusual rainy days here in Southern California, that trip got postponed until this past Saturday. We ended up celebrating his actual birthday at Chuck E. Cheeses. The kids had a great time and it was good to catch up over salad and pizza with my siblings so all in all, it was a fun.

The only downer was we forgot to FaceTime with Caiden’s parents in Samoa when we sang Happy Birthday to him and his Mom wasn’t too happy with us, oops.

The rest of the week was pretty chill. We didn’t do much, stayed close to home with all the rain and I haven’t been in the mood to go out so I’ve been hanging with Caiden, reading some books and watching tv and movies.

Now, onto the books…

What I’m Currently Reading

Find the Author: Goodreads

The Love Coupon
by Ainslie Paton
Series: Stubborn Hearts #2
Published by Harlequin, Carina Press on April 9th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 264
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Buy It: Amazon|Barnes & Noble
Add It: Goodreads

Can you fall in love if you have the right coupon?

Tom O’Connell had a problem. His temporary roommate, Flick Dalgetty was noisy, messy, made of bees and had enough energy to power an amusement park. The problem was he shouldn’t have kissed her.

Flick Dalgetty had a problem. Her landlord, Tom O’Connell was made of granite. He was a big, repressed anti-social ogre, but the man knew how to kiss. The problem was he felt guilty about hooking up and she wanted more.

Until Flick’s gift of thirty coupons, each entitling Tom to one guilt and obligation free activity, from bowling and bubble bathing to morning delight and lingerie buying, removed all the guesswork of being incompatible partners and temporary roommates.

Now the only problem was Flick had to leave and Tom needed to stay and they might be falling in love—and there wasn’t a coupon for that.

Love can be a sexy game until it becomes the only one your stubborn heart wants to play.

I’m taking a break from Ilona Andrews because I need to. I have fallen behind on my review pile (though not far behind) and I need to catch up so I’ve taken every IA book off my kindle for now so I don’t tempt myself to get lost in more books. The first book that I’ve picked up from my review pile? The Love Coupon. I’ve been hearing some good things about this book and this author and this series so I’m curious enough to try it out for myself. I haven’t gotten very far into the book so I don’t really think anything of it at the moment but I’m sure that I’ll enjoy it.