The Sunday Post/It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hey, ladies!

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. 


A busy work week, but with plenty of nice weather! Instead of the upper 80s of the past few weeks, this was low-mid 70s during the day, and the 50s at night. So perfect! We're creeping back into the heat, but it was lovely while it lasted.

I did a massive clean out of all my things in order to prep for the upcoming European voyage, and it felt so good. So much stuff was just clogging up everything, and it was incredibly liberating to sell and donate it all. The increase in space, plus the focus on things I truly enjoy, is great. I no longer want anything I don't love. Less is more in that regard, but I would love to splurge on a few quality items. We'll see what comes next!


I haven't been reading books too much lately. Between researching destinations, planning, and attempting to get a basic grasp on Italian and French (the Rosetta Stone method does not work for me. That's not how I learn. I'm having much better results with learning things that will actually be relevant, such a how to order food, pleasantries, ect), my nonfiction reading has dropped like crazy. I actually don't mind too much, but I'm going to try and bring it back up.

While I love the health benefits of being fit and active, and what it's done to the rest of my body (fantastic legs, if I do say so myself ;)), I miss my boobs. Yesterday I wore one of those super-pretty-but-basically-useless lacy bras (you know, the kind with no underwire, thin straps, next to no coverage?) under a thin tank top out in public. Before getting fit, I could have never taken my tatas anywhere outside the house without underwire. Sigh. From a very generous C to a small B. Damn it. 

Steps this week:

Sunday - 11,968

Monday - 11,755

Tuesday - 11,487

Wednesday - 17,351

Thursday - 19,994

Friday - 13,471

Saturday - 11,875

Total - 97,901

This Week's Recap

April Recap

Top Ten Tuesday: Coming of Age Stories

Waiting on Wednesday

TBR Thursday 

Cover Lust, No. 23

Coming Up*

{Mini Review} Monster in His Eyes by J.M. Darhower

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Non-Bookish Websites I Love

Waiting on Wednesday

TBR Thursday

Cover Lust, No. 24

*As always, subject to change!

Read This Week

le Sigh. I do love this author's smut. It's porntastic in the best way.
3 stars!

4 stars!
Interesting, a bit scary, and action packed. I'm not much for YA, but this was good! Bitch of a cliffhanger, though.
Audiobook 

Currently Reading

Is it bad to say I kind of prefer Adrian to Dimitri? 

What Will I Read Next?

The cliffhanger doesn't leave you much choice when it comes to picking up the sequel!

Cover Lust, No. 23

Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.

Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.

Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s man arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?

When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society. 

I'll probably never read this (historicals... oy, I really dislike them!), but THAT COVER! So simple, yet so dramatic. I love the ink drips, and how it looks textured. Perfect!

TBR Thursday

Kimberly @ Kimberlyfaye Reads started a new weekly feature that I'm excited to join in! This feature is to showcase what's on your to be read shelf (or eReader, or Audible library) and see what others think of it. Have you read it? Should I read it or put it back on the shelf? It's a way to dust off the books on your self and decide if they're worth reading!

My childhood was perfect.

I’ve led a charmed life, and I’m not going to blow it now by picking the wrong guy.

I’ve got my sights set on my brother’s best friend.

He’s known my family for years. He’s reliable and kind and handsome.

Sure, he’s been avoiding me since I was six.

I’m a bit aggressive for him, maybe.

But he’s the one… right?

I haven't read the author's first book, but this sounds light and funny, and is getting good reviews. Has anyone tried it?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine and is a fun way to see what books other bloggers just can't wait to get their hands on!

As a Part-time PI and fulltime grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister’s hair before she wakes up? But, “How do I trap not one malevolent god, but three?” was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.

There’s just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?

Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who’s been charged with murder, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying-gods thing, we’re saved. If not, well… 

I just realized that this bad boy releases next month!!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Coming of Age Stories I'd Like to See

Hey, ladies!

It's Top Ten Tuesday by The Broke and The Bookish! This week's topic is ten childhood characters you'd love to visit as adults, or ten characters you'd like to see coming of age stories of.


In no order, here are my picks, thought not a full ten.  Not all would be in childhood (most are actually just set before the book/series started), and not all are the main characters!

Barrons from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

I would love to see a novella from Barrons' point of view, before he met Mac. He's such a fascinating character, and I would love to see the circumstances that shaped him. 

Kate from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

Speaking of circumstances shaping characters, who wouldn't want to see a younger Kate?

Lily and Lo from the Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie

While it'd be incredibly sad, it'd be so neat to watch the bond between these two form during their childhood. 

Reyes from the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones

I could totally get on board with a Reyes story set before First Grave on The Right. Damn, that man is fine.

Bones from the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

Bones will always and forever be my favorite book boyfriend. I want to see him before Cat!

Gallagher from Menagerie by Rachel Vincent 

If there ever was an interesting character, it's Gallagher.

April Recap

Hey, everyone!

I can't believe we're in May already! It's time to recap what I read in April, check in on the challenges, and share my favorites. :)

April Reads

Forever Pucked (Pucked, #4) by Helena Hunting - 5 stars

Blood Games (Chicagoland Vampires, #10) by Chloe Neill - 4.5 stars

44 Chapters About 4 Men by B.B. Easton - 4.5 stars

Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires, #11) by Chloe Neill  - 5 stars

One With You (Crossfire, #5) by Sylvia Day - 3.5 stars

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas - 4 stars

Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires, #12) by Chloe Neill - 5 stars

Appealed (The Legal Briefs, #3) by Emma Chase - 4.5 stars

Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward - 3 stars

Lead (Stage Dive, #3) by Kylie Scott - 2.5-3 stars

Dirty (Dive Bar, #1) by Kylie Scott - 4 stars

Sidebarred (The Legal Briefs, #3.5) by Emma Chase - 5 stars

Monster in His Eyes (Monster In His Eyes, #1) - 4.5 stars

Total - 13

2016 total so far - 58

Challenge Updates

55/130 - 42% complete

I did drop my goal down by 20 books, since I don't think I'll be reading too much this fall/winter while in Europe.

Blood Games

Dark Debt

One With You

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Midnight Marked

Lead

Monster in His Eyes

Total - 7

Total so far - 29

44 Chapters About 4 Men

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Appealed

Lead

Dirty

Monster in His Eyes

441,445 steps/ 198.8 miles / 75.4 hours 

Favorites

Ack, so good! I can't wait for the next one!

Amazing! It was everything I wanted and more. The third book on my Best of 2016 List, and it's the second from Emma Chase!

I was really surprised at how much I liked this one! I found the hero fascinated, and it forced me to look at the heroine with a new perspective. Very engaging!

Biggest Disappointment

I really didn't enjoy this one at all. 

Made Me Laugh My Ass Off

Total guilty pleasure, but I laughed so hard I cried. 

So enjoyable and relatable! I loved the "did she really just say that?!" humor. I want this chick to be my BFF.

Favorite Protagonists

Merit is a favorite of mine!

Jake is so freaking amazing!

Most Intriguing 

This one left me thinking!

Book Boyfriend of The Month

Jake, for the second month running!
I love him. I want him. Seriously, he's officially in my all time favorites book boyfriends. 

The Sunday Post/It's Monday, What Are You Reading

Hey, ladies!

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. 


How is it already May?!

A stressful and tiring week that I am glad to be done with. There's few things quite as nice as having relatives you don't like leave town. ;) 
On the plus side, my dog did great with her tooth removal, and is feeling great. I think the broken tooth hurt her worse than the post-surgury pain, poor thing!

It's almost officially too hot to be outside, except for the late evenings and at night. Low 90s already! Don't even get me started on those bugs....

Still really enjoying the weekend Outlander fun, though I do miss the ability to just binge watch!

Steps this week:

Sunday - 15,917

Monday - 15,267

Tuesday - 11,290

Wednesday - 15,038

Thursday - 15,988
Friday - 14,421
Saturday - 12,832
Total - 100,832

This Week's Recap

{Mini Review} Stuck Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Bookish Delights

Waiting on Wednesday

TBR Thursday

Cover Lust, No. 22

Coming Up*

April Recap

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Characters' Coming of Age Stories I'd Like to Read

Waiting on Wednesday

TBR Thursday

{Book Review} Monster in His Eyes by J.M. Darhower 

*as always, subject to change!

Read This Week

3-ish stars!
Not sure how I feel about this one. I still like book one best!
Audiobook 

4 stars!
A really sweet and funny romance novel. Can't wait for the next!

5 stars!
Oh my god, I loved this. Loved it. I laughed, I bawled, and I had so. many. feels. Read it in one sitting.
Emma Chase has officially earned her spot on my favorite authors list.

4.5 stars!
Very engaging and enjoyable read. Kept me on the edge of my seat, and the narrator is great. Can't wait to read the next!
Audiobok 

Currently Reading

This is really funny!

Slooooowwwwllyyy making my way through this, just reading a few pages every night. I'm going with the physical book, since the narrator was atrocious. 

What Will I Read Next?