Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ 2022 Week #18

1st May 202230th Apr 2022 Louise H15 Comments

Welcome to my weekly round-up post where I link up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberley @Caffeinated Reviewer as well as The Sunday Salon meme hosted by the wonderful Deb @Readerbuzz. Do please pop by their blogs and show them a little love 💗.

Life Last Week

Tree blossom – not so good for those who have hayfever

A row of “pit houses”, terraced housing built 100+ years ago for mine workers.

It’s been a cold week in Nottinghamshire, despite it being well into spring. It is a long weekend with many of us having Monday off work, as it is a Bank Holiday. As the weather forecast is for rain we are planning on visiting my husband’s mum today, hopefully, tomorrow is nice enough to get out for a walk and do some much needed weeding of the garden!

My blog was also featured by Romantic Suspense Reads in their post on Romance Blogs You’ll Fall In Love With. A huge thank you to KT for both her kind words and her blogging generosity. And, for those of you who share my love of romance reads, do check out her fantastic post on the Best Mafia Reads of 2022 (so far!)

Last Weeks Books

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of The Thief. I really enjoyed this YA fantasy. It was written entirely from Gen’s perspective and in first person, which I’m used to from reading romances! This is a series I will definitely be completing.
UN-breakable was an Amazon freebie. It wasn’t quite the book I was expecting, but I did enjoy it.
Scorpion Trap was from my TBR and is a series I am gradually working my way through in between reading arcs.

April saw me read 14 books and DNF’d 3 more, 1 on my TBR of owned books, the other was on my TBR of series’ to finish.

Currently Reading

Waking up alone . . . Ellie Masters comes out of a coma to find herself the only inhabitant of an eerily empty moon station. She’s not on Earth any more, she’s not even in the right solar system. So when someone reaches out to her, tells her he’s her friend, she’s happy to believe it. The alternative is to be stuck alone with an enemy.
The hunt of his career . . . Grih Battle Center captain, Renn Sorvihn, has been chasing a rogue Tecran ship for over a month, convinced its captain is simply trying to delay his inevitable surrender and punishment. But when Renn follows the Tecran ship into an uncharted sector, and realises the Tecran have been working their way to a secret moon base for weeks, he suddenly understands things are most definitely not as they seem.
Caught in the crossfire . . . When the Tecran arrive, with the Grih hot on their heels, Ellie finds herself the catalyst for heightened danger to everyone. The Tecran see her as evidence of their military’s crimes, the Grih see her as a massive diplomatic complication, and her presence brings the whole confrontation up several thousand notches.
But Ellie isn’t alone, and her new friend has ways to help her. Time to outclass them all . . .

DARK CLASS is the fifth book in the Class 5 series, but can be read as a standalone novel.

Looking forward to…

… a week off in June.

… sitting outside in the garden.

…WARM sunshine (since the lovely sunshine we had this week didn’t warm anything).

2022 Reading Stats
Books read – 47 (44)
Re-reads – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 12 (12)
5 Star reads – 11 (10)
DNF’s – 12 (12)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ 2022 Week #17

24th Apr 2022 Louise H20 Comments

Life Last Week

This week saw the start of the Summer term and the shocking realisation that exam season is almost upon us and with it will be chaos, disruption and anxious students. We’ve had lovely bright blue skies all week, but a cold wind has made it difficult to trust your eyes or know quite how many layers to wear!

Yesterday I had a fun girls’ afternoon that involved Prosecco, cocktails, more cocktails and lots of laughter. We’re already making plans for the next one.

Last Weeks Books

I read three books, two of which were arcs. The other is a collection of stories by different authors all based around a fictional town.

Currently Reading

Eugenides, the queen’s thief, can steal anything – or so he says. Then his boasting lands him in the king’s prison, and his chances of escape look slim.

So when the king’s magus invites him on a seemingly impossible quest to steal a legendary object and win back his freedom, Gen in no position to refuse.

The magus has plans for his king and his country. Gen has plans of his own . . .

Looking forward to…

… two bank holiday weekends in May!

… my husband’s birthday in May.

…sunshine.

2022 Reading Stats
Books read – 44 (41)
Re-reads – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 12 (11)
5 Star reads – 10 (10)
DNF’s – 12 (12)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ 2022 Week #16

17th Apr 2022 Louise H26 Comments

Life Last Week

The week started pretty cold and dismal, so we caught up on jobs around the house. By the middle of the week, the weather had improved greatly with temperatures in the high 60s. So of course I came down with another head cold that left me feeling too tired to go out and enjoy the sunny skies. Oh and the bats that fly across our garden and close to the windows at dusk.

Today my parents are visiting, we will be having a meal with a choice of gammon, venison and goats cheese vegetable tart, veggies and both roast and mashed potatoes – yum! We’re hoping to get in a pre-dinner walk to generate healthy appetites, and perhaps earn a slice of my mum’s gooey chocolate cake for pudding.

It’s a Bank (public) Holiday tomorrow and then back to work on Tuesday. I have to say that this has been a very restful break and it feels like a long time since I was last at work.

Last Weeks Books

I adored Six Days, touching my heart with its tale of love, trust and belief. The Easter Hunt was a novella spin-off from the author’s Pleasure House series. You need to have read at least Brian and Mina’s book to fully appreciate, understand and enjoy this one.
Six Nights of Sin was an Amazon freebie that I read as a “palate cleanser”. I’d been struggling with the same arc that I mentioned last week and find that reading something “trashy” helps. I enjoyed it so much I bought the second part of the story, Six Weeks of Seduction, and read it in a day!

Currently Reading

Revenge is his art. I am his canvas.
When I met Rensselaer Prince, I had nothing. My life was a mess. Then, for one night, he made me the subject of his carnal art. He put me on display. He controlled me completely. I loved every second of it.
But that was just a test.
He has bigger plans for me. He needs someone to get close to his enemies. Someone they won’t suspect. An outsider – a nobody.
He says I’ll be perfect.
The deeper I sink into his world, the more danger we face. Keeping me safe could force Rennselaer to swear off his vengeance.
I won’t let that happen. Loving Rensselaer has changed me, forever.
There’s no going back.

Dark romance fans won’t want to miss Mila and Rensselaer’s twisted, scorching-hot journey!

Looking forward to…

… a girly Saturday afternoon with my sister and two friends.

… working with a colleague I haven’t worked with for a few years.

…longer days.

2022 Reading Stats
Books read – 41 (37)
Re-reads – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read – 11 (10)
5 Star reads – 10 (8)
DNF’s – 12 (11)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ 2022 Week #15

10th Apr 202211th Apr 2022 Louise H23 Comments

Life Last Week

We had a wonderful few days in the city of Norwich. The city has mainly avoided the modernisation many cities in the Midlands have undergone, so we got to enjoy the narrow, cobbled side streets and buildings that dated to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. On the way home, we decided to venture into Wymondham (pronounced win-dem), where we discovered a medieval abbey, one of the oldest public houses in England and some quaint shops and homes.

Yesterday we heard squawking and kafuffle emanating from the back garden. Looking out we saw a sparrow hawk had caught a blackbird. All that remained was a pile of feathers.

Last Weeks Books

Truth or Dare is the fourth book in an MM Urban Fantasy by the hugely talented Ariana Nash. I cannot recommend this author highly enough, and if adult content isn’t your thing then try her alternate pen-name, Pippa DaCosta.

I was struggling with an arc, and DNF’d another book before reading two books from my TBR list. I will give the arc another try in a few days before deciding whether to DNF it or not.

Currently Reading

Two people. One love story. Six days.
He loves me… He loves me not… He loves me…
Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church.
Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn’t abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren’t concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week… assuming they want to be found, that is.
For the next six days Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love.
How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

Looking forward to…

… a week off work.

… a family get-together (hopefully) over Easter.

…warmer weather (please!).

2022 Reading Stats
Books read – 36 (33)
Re-reads – 7 (7)
Owned books from TBR list read –10 (8)
5 Star reads – 8 (8)
DNF’s – 11 (10)

Meme

Sunday Wrap-Up ~~ 2022 Week #14

3rd Apr 2022 Louise H12 Comments

Life Last Week

My drive to work through the suburbs of Nottingham

Whilst the beginning of March saw warm weather hit the UK, by the end the temperatures had dropped and we had snow falling again. Despite that, it was one of the sunniest Marches on record. Hopefully, April will see the return of warmer weather!

Yesterday saw a trip to Leeds Grand Theatre to watch SIX. I’ve not visited the city before, and we only really got to see a very small part of it, so I definitely want to return one day for a longer stay.

I thought I’d include some urban photos this week – they aren’t as pretty as the countryside ones but I quite like seeing how different the US urban landscape is to the UK one.

Last Weeks Books

This wasn’t what I’d planned on reading, but after finishing Stone Broke Heiress I was actually looking for a quick, meaningless read. I didn’t actually get that with Ice Queen, instead I got a powerful story of a strong yet fragile woman bravely learning to trust in others. I didn’t realise the book was part of a duet and had no hesitation in immediately one-clicking and reading the second book, Mirror of my Soul.

Currently Reading

America. The land of the free. Unless you’re a latent.
Kage is missing. Alexander Kempthorne would prefer he stay that way. Life at the new-look Kempthorne & Co agency is difficult enough without adding a missing American to the mix. But John “Dom” Domenici won’t abandon someone who was once their friend, even if Kage is technically an enemy.
But as the team investigate Kage’s disappearance, his traumatic, hidden past comes to light. And a missing persons case soon turns into a fight for survival for Dom and Kempthorne, in a land not-so-free.
***
Breathless action, suspenseful mystery, and steamy romance combine in the fast-paced gay adventure series from the author acclaimed for their enemies-to-lovers, epic twists, and morally conflicted characters.

Please note the Shadows of London series is predominantly set in London with British characters. Although the series has been edited in US English for the US market, to include US spelling and grammar, many English slang words and spelling remain as part of the character of the work.

Looking forward to…

… visiting Norfolk this week.

… time off with family.

…longer days.

2022 Reading Stats
Books read – 33 (31)
Re-reads – 5 (5)
Owned books from TBR list read – 5 (5)
5 Star reads – 8 (8)
DNF’s – 10 (10)