What Are You Currently Reading? (11)

Hi there, friends! It's been aboooout a month since I last did one of these posts, so I figured it was time for another. Since then, I've been my regular mood-reading self. Meaning, I mostly spent time reading whatever I could get to hold my attention as I waited for the next Mariana Zapata book because that was released a couple of weeks ago and her books are auto-reads for me.

So yeah. I think that kind of makes it obvious what I'm about to say I'm reading this weekend, hmm?

First up...

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

Losing people you love is hard.

Aurora De La Torre knows moving back to a place that was once home isn’t going to be easy.

Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be.

But a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart.

Checking out her landlord across the driveway just might cure it too.

Goodreads | Amazon

*Available through KindleUnlimited!*

How much I've read: nothing yet, lol

Thoughts: As I'm writing this, the book JUST released earlier today, so I haven't had the chance to start it yet. But I'm so excited!!! The perfect way to spend my long holiday weekend. It's on my Kindle, waiting to be started. And goodness knows this is going to be a good one, as pretty much all of MZ's books are!

I'm also reading...

Broke Down by Sharan Daire

My car broke down on an icy road in the middle of nowhere. I’ve got no money in the bank, no place to stay, and no food for my kids. Can it get any worse?

Sure. A police car pulls up.

The county sheriff calls his twin brother to tow my car for repairs that'll probably cost more than the beater is worth. They say don’t worry about it. They only want to help.

Sure they do.

These gorgeous guys just happen to have two friends who own a luxurious motel called Little Cypress Lodge. I walk into this incredible hotel and it's like I've entered a new fantasy world. It's warm, there's plenty of food for my kids, and they say I can stay. For free. As long as I need a place.

The four of them even want to hire me to do some modeling work for their new fashion line. Crazy, right?

Me. The broke down, homeless single mom.

If I can keep up the act long enough to make some deposits on a new place, I can start a new life for me and my kids. If I don't lose my heart first.

Goodreads | Amazon

*Available through KindleUnlimited!*

How much I've read: 101 pages / 32%

Thoughts: This is such a fun RH brain candy read. Which is exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. Things are really just starting to get rolling, but I'm enjoying the characters so far, and I'm looking forward to finishing the story! I'll probably finish it after I read ARLH though... because idk if I can help myself long enough to finish this one first, even though I am really liking it...lol

That's what I'm reading this weekend! What do you think? And I'd love to know what y'all are reading?! :)

What Are You Currently Reading? (10)

 

lol remember when I started this post series and I said I'd make a better graphic at some point? And here we are, over a year later, and I'm still using this rough graphic. Sigh. But I digress.

Hello, friends! It's been a hot minute since I made one of these posts. My last one was on HALLOWEEN. Goodness. Suffice it to say I've read quite a few books since then. In 2021 alone I've read 15 books so far. My GR goal is 75, so I'm keeping up alright so far. Still the same moody reader as always.

And SPEAKING of mood reading, let's get into what I'm reading this weekend, shall we?

First up, I'm reading...

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series…

She's been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

Goodreads | Amazon

How much I've read: 23%

Thoughts: So basically Jennifer L. Armentrout sat down to write this book & said to herself "this is going to be THE BEST BOOK." It's so freaking good. It starts with a bang and does. not. stop. It's interesting and the romance is perfect and dear goodness I love Kieran. And I'm only 23% in. AHHH.

And because my attention span is garbage I am ALSO reading...

Forever Never by Lucy Score

You don’t fall for your brother’s high school sweetheart, your boss’s daughter, or your ex-wife’s best friend. Especially when they’re all the same woman.

Under Brick Callan’s mile-wide chest beats a loyal heart with a few cracks in it. He’s the steadfast, overprotective type. Especially when it comes to the one woman he can never have. It’s a long, complicated history punctuated by fights, friendship, family, and an attraction that strains his iron willpower.

When Remi Ford returns to Mackinac Island in the dead of winter with a secret, Brick makes it his mission to find out what put the shadows in those green eyes. Even if it means breaking down the walls he’s built between them. Even if it means falling for the one girl he’ll never get over.

The free-spirited artist just needs to lay low for a few weeks so she can figure a way out of this nightmare. She’s definitely not staying. Not when the man who broke her teenage heart into splinters keeps showing up at her parents’ dinner table. Remi doesn’t need broody, bearded Brick riding to her rescue…again. Not when it will put them both in danger, costing them much more than their hearts.

Author’s Note: Frenemies-to-lovers. Opposites attract. Slow burn. Girl in danger. Glorious, glorious banter. Fighting as foreplay. Small-town shenanigans. Big, grumpy, pining, overprotective hero. Wild-child, trouble-finding heroine who keeps on pushing the hero’s buttons. Steam Level: Lava. Suspense: Nail-biting. Feels: Big time.

Goodreads | Amazon

*Available through KindleUnlimited!*

How much I've read: 78 pages / 14%

Thoughts: Since I'm reading and loving TCOGB, I was not looking for another book to read. But of course I stumbled on an ad for this one on Facebook and couldn't help but download the sample to peek at while I was at work on Friday. And now here I am with the whole book downloaded from KindleUnlimited, 14% in and so curious about where it's going. I really enjoyed Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score, so I have high hopes I'll like this one too. And so far, so good. I love how hung up Brick is on Remi. I am so here for the pining. And I'm curious about the details of what's going on with her. It's all shaping up to be pretty good!

So yeah, I have two monstrously large books to tackle this weekend. Now, I'd love to know what y'all are reading?! :)

Top 10 Books of 2020

 

I ended 2020 with 79 books read. Not an astronomical number, but since it was such a tough and stressful year, I'll take it. I've set my goal for this year at 75 books and am already well on my way to finishing book 1 (Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai which is WONDERFUL so far), but I thought I'd take a moment and share my favorite books I read in 2020 before I completely dive head first into 2021 :)

*I'm putting these in an order, but it's a rough order...except for my #1. I'm pretty sure about that...*

click on covers for Goodreads links

10. Sanctum by Hannah McBride

One of my favorite people published her first novel in 2020, and I'm so glad it ended up being one I love enough to call a favorite. It has everything I look for in some of my biggest comfort reads, including but not limited to a sweet fated romance and interesting relationship dynamics (among family, friends, and the love interest). Plus, it has shifters!

9. Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Strange to put this at #9, but for now I like it here. This book was a big deal to me this past year, partly because of nostalgia and partly because I truly love this series and these characters. I'm so grateful to have finally gotten Midnight Sun and relieved that it was just as good as, if not better than, I'd imagined it would be. 

8. Always Only You by Chloe Liese

This one was a little bit of a pleasant surprise for me. I read book 1 in this series earlier in the year and liked it, but didn't LOVE it. So I almost didn't pick up Always Only You. But then I saw people talking about it and it caught my interest--and I'm so glad it did. I loved Frankie and Ren and still think about them all the time. And now I'm looking forward to reading the next Bergman novel!

7. Lost Star by Rebecca Royce

Ah yes, my obligatory fangirling over Rebecca Royce's RH. This author writes some of my FAVORITE. This series, Wings of Artemis, in particular. Lost Star was everything I'd wanted i to be and more and I love it so much and now I think I'm going to need to re-read it soon. This harem is...*chef's kiss* I miss this series.

6. Hands Down by Mariana Zapata

Almost always without fail, MZ books end up being favorites. Hands Down was no exception. It made me so happy, and I've re-read it since it released in the summer and I still ADORE Zac and Bianca and their sweet, funny friends-to-lovers story.

5. Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

The Brown Sisters brought be so much joy. It was tough to choose between them, but Zafir slays me. Such a sweetheart, and his dynamic with Dani. Perfection. If you need a pick me up, I strongly suggest picking up these books. They're a delight.

4. A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

This book took me an embarrassingly long time to read, but the fact that I stayed interested the whole time and kept coming back to this beast of a book during the trying year is a testament to how fantastic this story is. I looooooooved the relationship growth in particular, and I'm already clamoring for book 3. Poppy & Cas 5ever.

3. Sworn to the Shadow God by Ruby Dixon

Ruby Dixon was the author I read the most this year, so it was somewhat difficult to pick which book of hers to include on this list. But the Aspect & Anchor series was my introduction to RD, and Sworn to the Shadow God was the book of hers I was most excited to pick up this year. It did not disappoint, and now I'm anxiously awaiting another installment in this series. And now that I'm talking about it, this will likely be another one I re-read soon because I freaking LOVED this book.

2. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

This was one of the last books I read in 2020. I actually got it for Christmas. But wow, it was such a gem. I'm so glad I didn't hesitate to pick it up once I had it in my hands because this book warmed my heart and made me so beyond happy. A new favorite. And now I'm looking into Kate Clayborn's backlist because I need more. I'm also greatly looking forward to Love at First because as I said, I need more. 

1. Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon

Technically a duology, but it's all one big story to me so I'm counting it altogether as #1. These books have brought me the most reading joy of 2020. They're now all-time favorites. I originally read them through KU, but they wormed their way into my heart so much that I bought the paperbacks. I've re-read them more than once since my first read. They are...basically perfect. A sweet reverse harem that unfolds flawlessly. Gaaaah, so so so so BEYOND good. So yeah, definitely my favorite of 2020.

What do you think of my list? What were your favorite reads of 2020? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

evermore Book Recs (Part 1)

For the past week, my life has been taken over by my new obsession with Taylor Swift's most recent album, evermore. So naturally, I want this week's post to intertwine with that--I'm going to give a few book recs based on songs from evermore.

This is just a starter list because I'm still processing the songs, their words, their meanings. So there will certainly be a part 2 and maybe more. Most of these will be off vibe/aspects of the book that I feel are reflected in the song.

~* willow *~

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

I feel like this one is obvious. After the music video for this one dropped, soooo many people were saying it gave them S&D vibes. It took me a little longer to see it, but yeah willow has some witchy vibes. Pair that with the thread of romance in the song, and this is a good fit.

~* dorothea *~

After the Climb by Kristen Ashley

I actually had a couple of KA books come to mind for this one, but After the Climb was the first. Mostly because Duncan's view of Imogen (once he got over the grudge he was holding) reeeally fit the perspective of the song. "If you ever get tired of being known for who you know, you know you'll always know me" & "It's never too late to come back to my side" are lines that are *chef's kiss*

~* champagne problems *~

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

This is kind of a looser connection, but I read romance--which means happy endings. This song does not have one. But when I was brainstorming recs for this post, Intercepted came to mind for champagne problems because Marlee makes a choice in this book that takes some time to understand. A choice that was right for her, but could likely be viewed the same way the answer in the song was viewed. "Sometimes you just don't know the answer til someone's on their knees and asks you." 

(Luckily the characters are mature and things work out after that in a way that is good and healthy for both characters)

~* no body, no crime *~

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

In general, this song gave me Tarryn Fisher vibes. The only challenge was picking which book to pair here. For now, I'm going with The Wives. Because I think Este's paranoia early on in the song (that is then transferred to her friend once she goes missing) is very Thursday (and for good reason). Plus, both the song and the book are fun experiences, in their own way.

~* long story short *~

Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

I feel like this song is SO Hazel. It's an upbeat, fun song, and Hazel is totally an upbeat, fun person. And I could totally see her embracing soooo many of the lyrics. "When the shoe fits walk in it til your high heels break." And the character growth? Perfect!

~* happiness *~

Complicated by Kristen Ashley

I know, I know, another KA book, but I couldn't help myself. happiness is such a poignant, mature song, and I wanted to do this rec as much justice as I could. I feel like the hurt in the song, the main message in the song, can very much be applied to Hixon's situation with his ex-wife. Especially if you think of this song as being from his ex-wife's POV. It totally fits. Especially "there'll be happiness after you, but there was happiness because of you" & "there'll be happiness after me, but there was happiness because of me" -- they show the growth in the story, both that has already taken place and is still to come. It's beautiful.

That's all I've got for this post! I'll definitely keep listening and brainstorming, and in the future hopefully I'll have at least one rec for each song (and maybe even some doubles...because I've already got one in mind for willow in particular). 

Now, please tell me what you think! Do you like my recs? Are there any books that you think fit well with songs on evermore? :)

My Life in Books Tag

I, like many others, am currently utterly consumed with Taylor Swift's new album evermore at the moment. So that, mixed with an intensely busy week at work, has me so drained. I wanted to do a "What Are You Currently Reading?" post today, but my brain can't compute thinking about what I'm going to read this weekend. Maybe next week?? But for this week, I decided a book tag would be fun! I found this one here.

Find a book for each of your initials

J - Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

L - Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

B - Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Count your age along your bookshelf: What book is it?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

(this hardcover version!)

Pick a book set in your city/country

Austin, TX--Wait For It by Mariana Zapata

Pick a book that represents a destination you'd love to travel to

His Royal Highness by R.S. Grey--I'd love to go to Disney :)

Pick a book that's your favorite color

Red--A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

What book do you have the fondest memories of?

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. SHOCKER, I know.

Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

The most DIFFICULTY? Hmm. I'm not sure? If I have difficulty getting through something, I just...don't read it. So I guess this would be something I DNFed? Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins (I love her! but this book was not for me)

Which book on your TBR will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it?

Right now? A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I need my attention span to COOPERATE.

After that, probably House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas.

And that's it! What do you think? What would your answers be? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

Let's Chat... Books I Read Before I Started Blogging

Hello, friends! I hope you're having a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend. This past week I saw this tweet from an author I admire:

As someone who's published 20+ books and hasn't made many end-of-year lists, it definitely hurts to not be noticed. To feel like your book is invisible. BUT, readers find books that aren't on lists all the time. That's who we write for anyway, yes?

— Lisa - DON'T JUDGE ME out now (@lisa_schroeder) November 25, 2020

And I really like this, because of course end-of-year lists aren't the end all, be all. That said, it also got me thinking because this author has written some books I love. Books that definitely would have hit end of the year lists for me--except I read them before I was blogging, so they didn't make any list for me.

Which brings me to this post--I'm going to share ten books I read before I started blogging that I love SO MUCH and definitely would have made my end-of-year lists if I'd been blogging and making lists like that at the time I read them.

(These are in no particular order, btw--I can't even attempt to rank them!)

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Obviously a book by the author who inspired this post has to be on this list :) Chasing Brooklyn is a story written in verse--one of the best books in verse I've read, actually. It's unique and romantic and sad and I think about this book literally all the time. If you want to have many feelings and beautiful writing, Chasing Brooklyn is perfect.

The Secret Circle by L.J. Smith

This series and pretty much everything by L.J. Smith could make this list. These books made me feel so at home and they have a place near and dear to my heart. I mean, witches and romance--perfection, yes?? I think I need a Secret Circle re-read now that I think about it because I truly love this series so much.

 

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I change my mind pretty much every day on which Sarah Dessen book is my favorite, but I think Just Listen resonates with me the most. It's another one that I think about all the time. "Don't think or judge, just listen." AHHH.

Evernight by Claudia Gray

This series was among my obsessions after I worked my way out of re-reading Twilight over and over again. The only thing similar between this and Twilight is vampires and romance, but I was eager to devour anything of the sort. I adore the premise of this one (like, I truly wish there could be more in this world!!!), and I fell so in love with these characters. To this day I still love Balthazar.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I know, I know, but I'd be a liar if I didn't include this book. It would have been my number 1 read of 2009. This book was my LIFE back then. Not quite so much now, but I do still love it.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

This book is such a gem! It's cute and sweet and the premise is basically the best thing ever. Look at this: When a random act of kindness involves Katrina with Malcolm, a handsome teenage guardian angel intent on fulfilling her greatest wish, fame and fortune seem like the most obvious requests. But after two botched wishes, Malcolm knows Katrina is hiding something from him. How can she tell him the truth, when her heart's desire has become Malcolm himself? TELL ME that doesn't sound fantastic??? I don't believe you. Read this book, thank you.

Scent of Danger by Andrea Kane

This was the first ~adult romance~ book I ever read, so it has a special place in my heart. But honestly it's a fun little suspense. I enjoy re-reading it every now and then because Sabrina and Dylan's chemistry is exquisite, and Sabrina and Carson's blooming father/daughter relationship?? An all-time favorite.

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

I remember standing in Borders, practically begging my dad to buy me this book because I wanted to read it *so bad.* Totally worth it. Quite possibly the first "unlikable" female protagonist I ever remember reading, I reflect on this book often. So, so good.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter

I probably passed this book up at Borders like ten times before finally caving and buying it with babysitting money when I was ~14. It then became one of the books that took over my life because of course I was obsessed. Vampires and shifters and love...so fun. I will forever wish this series was completed, but regardless I will continue to re-read this one and the sequel FOREVER.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

I will forever wonder why more people haven't read this series. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I am obsessed with it to this very day. Dru Anderson is one of the OG strong YA protagonists. She's snarky. She's awesome. And she has a little love triangle of her own that I have strong opinions about and still consider writing fanfiction for because MY HEART. 

So there it is, ten books I read before I started blogging that would have been on my end-of-year favorites list. Have you read any of these? And did you enjoy this post?? Because I am definitely interested in writing another sometime soon!! :)

Let's Chat... #NaNoWriMo

Hello, friends! Yet again this year, I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. I feel like I've been pretty tight-lipped about it so far, so I thought it'd be fun to talk about it here. 

This is my 8th NaNoWriMo, so I figured I'd walk us through my previous years...

2013: This was my first year. A couple of other girls in my high school gym class and I all participated together. It was actually a super cool experience, because we'd work on it on our own time and then whenever we saw each other in class we'd talk about our progress. 

I won 2013 with 50,203 words to a YA project called Apollo. 

2014: This one coincided with my first semester of college. So while I entered it with the highest of hopes, I didn't do quite as well. 

I lost 2014 with 11,198 words on a NA romance called Little Imperfections.

2015: I...don't entirely remember what happened this year. I think I had trouble picking a project. And then I went with one I'd done a lot of prep work on. I actually still love my idea for this one...hmm. I guess I got stuck in NaNo *shrugs*

I lost 2015 with 19,026 words on a YA with witches called Oath Bound.

2016: Oh, this was a great NaNo year for me. I'd worked on a project I'd been tinkering with for YEARS.  

I won 2016 with 54,683 words on a YA paranormal called Peacekeeper.

2017: Okay, so I wrote a whole lot of words this year. However, they were split between fanfic and an original. So it wasn't a whole chunk of words focused in one place, it was an okay amount of words spread across multiple things. That said...

I won 2017 with 62,549 words on my main Twilight FF at the time, a YA contemporary romance called Truth by Truth, and another FF story or two.

2018: I'd intended to work on two projects this year (like 25k to one and 25k to another), but instead I just ended up writing a lot of fanfic. It was fun, though.

I won 2018 with 50,019 words of fanfiction.

2019: lol. This was my absolute worst year of NaNo. I was in the process of finishing my last semester of college while also looking for a job in my field for after I graduated. I actually ended up getting hired for my current job in Nov 2019. So, yeah...I didn't get much writing done.

I lost 2019 with 0 words :(

Now for 2020...

I'm working on a contemporary romance with a slow burn called Drown. I love the idea, but I kind of don't love how it's turning out. It might be partly due to the fact that this was supposed to be my 2019 project that never happened so quite some time has passed since I had the idea. I'm hoping I'll be able to fix it up into something not terrible, but we'll see. I AM definitely having fun writing again. It has been such a stressful year that I haven't gotten nearly as much writing done as I'd hoped.

Oh! Wow, I almost forgot. The first chunk of this year’s words went to fanfiction. I wasn’t sure I wanted to work on this particular original idea so instead of wasting more time I wrote words for FF before deciding for sure on Drown. All my words this past week had been on Drown so I almost forgot to mention the FF portion here, hah.

Current status for #NaNoWriMo2020: on track with 33,841 words (which is almost a miracle because I started so late!--I didn't start this year until after the election, for obvious stress reasons)

Now, I'd love to hear from you! Have you ever participated in NaNo? Are you participating this year? Tell me all the things! :)

The Guilty Reader Book Tag

Hi, friends! After a super busy week at work, I want to do a post that's lower maintenance this week. So I searched book tags and this was one of the first to come up, and it sounded cool, and now here we are. I'm not sure who started it? The one I'm using is here, though. 

So yeah. Here goes!

Have you ever re-gifted a book you’ve been given?

Yes. Either because it was a book I already had or too much time passed without reading it and I lost interest. 

Have you ever said you’ve read a book when you haven’t?

Lol yeah, some books for school back in the day. I didn't actually read all of Lord of the Flies. Or a couple others we were supposed to read in high school. I don't really say I've read books I haven't read in every day life, though--there's no point. 

Have you ever borrowed a book and not returned it?

Ugh. Yes. And I feel terrible about it.

Have you ever read a series out of order?

YES. I first did this a long time ago by accident. I checked a book out from the library and only realized it was book 2 in a series after I'd started reading it and didn't understand like any of the past events being referenced. More recently, my answer is still yes--with companion series, though. If they're standalone companions I have no problem picking up the ones I'm most interested in first.

Have you ever spoiled a book for someone?

No? Not unless they asked me to, at least. But I still think no.

Have you ever dog-eared a book?

Yes. I did it a lot when I was younger. Now it's rare, and if I do it's only in paperbacks.

Have you ever told someone you don’t own a book when you do?

No. Why would I do that?

Have you ever told someone you haven’t read a book when you have?

...No. Again, why? lol

Have you ever skipped a chapter or a section of a book?

YES. I am big on skimming or skipping around if I need to in order to hold my attention. Or if I'm super nervous about how something in a book is playing out, I will absolutely skip forward and then circle back to skim and fill in the gaps.

Have you ever bad mouthed a book you actually liked?

Sadly, yes. I fell into the Twilight hate with everyone else back in the day. I'm back to unapologetically loving it now, because really I do. And I never do this anymore. I'm much more confident in my reading choices these days. I like what I like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That's it for this tag! What do you think? Would your answers be similar to mine??

What Are You Currently Reading? (9)

Happy Halloween, friends! It has been too long since I did one of these posts, so I thought now was the perfect time to fix that. Since my last post, I FINALLY finished Midnight Sun...and subsequently wished it wasn't over because I miss it already. I've also read many books on KU. Because of course.

Okay, update done. Now let's talk about what I'm reading this weekend!

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice...

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

How much I've read: 65 pages. (still where I left off last time, just in paperback now!)

Thoughts: I'm still super excited to get into this one, and I think my chances of actually making progress have improved now that I'm not also reading Midnight Sun. Easier to make progress on one big beast of a paperback at a time than two. I'm especially eager to read this now that I opened the book to find the last page I read and got a peek at what happened so far--I love these characters!

And because I can't help myself but to read a paperback and an ebook, I'm also reading...

When She Dances by Ruby Dixon

I never expected to spend my days as a dancing girl… but it beats the alternative. In the window of a filthy space station cantina, I gyrate my hips and hope for better days.

When I’m bought by the most intimidating alien on Three Nebulas Station, those better days are on their way. Zakoar of the Broken Back is a cyborg who deals in black market prosthetics. He’s terrifying to look at, with a metal jaw and a fearsome demeanor. He intimidates everyone in the galaxy… except me.

Zakoar doesn’t want my name. In fact, he doesn’t want anything from me…except a little bed sport. In exchange for my willingness, he’ll take me to a human-friendly planet where I can live unafraid.

Love isn’t part of the bargain, but every moment that I spend with him, I learn more about the male beneath the metal…

…and I’m suddenly dreaming of a very different happy ever after for myself…

Goodreads | Amazon

*Available through KindleUnlimited!*

How much I've read: like 2%

Thoughts: I've barely opened this one yet...like, I'm literally still in the sample instead of the full downloaded book from KU...but considering both Ruby Dixon's track record and how much I've enjoyed the previous Risdaverse books, I already know I'm going to like this one. When She Belongs is a contender for one of my favorite books of this year so I have high hopes When She Dances will at the very least be enjojyable. Plus, I was super intrigued by Zakoar when we met him before. Looking forward to diving more into it this weekend!

So that's what I plan to dig into this weekend. Now I'd love to know what y'all are reading?! :)

Let's Chat... 10 Books I Want to Read by the End of 2020

Here I am again with a new post series idea that I'll do...whenever I get the urge. This one isn't anything super special--basically just a discussion post with whatever topic strikes my fancy. And I made a mediocre graphic to go with it because of course. 

It hit me this week that we are...kind of getting close to the end of the year. Which is exciting to me because I love the end of the year (winter! Christmas!) but also wild to me because this year has been such a blur. And I started to think about books I've read...and books I want to pick up.

You see where I'm going with this?

I'm not the first one to ever make a post like this--I'm certain people do these posts every year (heck I've likely done at least one like this before), but I digress. In no particular order, here's 10 books I want to read by the end of 2020...

*click on covers for Goodreads links*

Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

I've been meaning to continue this series for the longest time. The first few books were FANTASTIC, so there's really no reason for me to not love this one too. I just have to, you know, pick it up and read it.

A Song of Wraiths & Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

I LOVE the premise of this book. The only reason I haven't read it yet is because it's fantasy and I need to be in just the right mood to get into it. Ideally with fall and winter right around the corner, the cozy seasons will put me in a fantasy mood...because I really want to pick this one up and love it!

My Big Fat Fake Engagement by Lauren Landish

This one looks fun and fluffy, which is right up my alley right now. Then again, the fake relationship trope is always up my alley. I read the sample recently and I'm definitely interested. I'll probably pick this one up sooner rather than later!

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Another thing I'm always here for: witches. And we're on our way into the witchy season, yes? I'm aiming to get to this one in October...fingers crossed!

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

I kind of need to read this sooner than later because my friend Steph has been telling me I need to read it for months now. This one has fallen into the same category as ASOWAR though--it's fantasy (and freaking huge) and I need to be in the right mood for it. Cozy fantasy reading weather will hopefully help...

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Ah, like Branded by Fire this is another book that always ends up on my list of books I need to read. I don't know what my hang up is with this one. The Raven Cycle is one of my favorite series ever. It's a series ender, but there's still more to come with the Dreamer series. I think I just need to sit down with this book one day and binge it. I'm going to love it, there's no doubt about that.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

I just got this book in the mail this week and I! Am! So! Excited! Y'all. It's a retelling of Romeo & Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai with a blood feud between rival gangs! Sounds violent and delightful and I cannot wait to pick it up.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

I own two copies of this book and still have somehow not read it yet? I think it's because I know I'll get so invested and have many feelings but then have to wait for the sequel. So I suppose it's good I'll be reading sometime between now and the end of the year because book 2, We Free the Stars (gaaah I love that title) releases in January!

The Corsair's Captive by Ruby Dixon

I've got to be realistic--of course there's Ruby Dixon on this list. I'd be a liar otherwise. For the past year-ish I've been working my way through her backlist. And her frontlist. Just...all of her books, really. She writes some top notch romance and it's been a great comfort to me. I'll likely pick this one up soon.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

I've seen so many glowing reviews for this book, and I'm excited to fall in love with it myself. Goodness knows I love a good romance, and this one sounds glorious!

That's what I hope to read by the end of this year (..well, some of it anyway, hah). Now let's chat! What do you think of my list? What do you hope to read??