I'm Back, and with The Remarried Empress

 I know it has been a long time since I lasted posted. Honestly, I haven't been reading as much. However, I'm back from my hiatus. Might as well start back January 1st. Here I am with a book I read in a day. I have decided I'm going to broaden my reading choices cause I ended up in a reading slump. I decided to start out the new year with The Remarried Empress vol. 1. Which happens to be a graphic novel for teen. 

Now you are wondering how I stumble upon this story. It all started with a bingo challenge that my local library is doing. This fills one of the criteria. The graphic design of the cover caught my eye, so I decided to try it out. I took it to the counter and the girl at Target was I love this story. I didn't know they made it into print, It started out on Webtoon. 

Anyway, I have started Volume 1, and I'm intrigued on how this will all end since this is the first time I'm seeing this. I'm curious on how Empress Navier's story is going to end since she pretty much tossed aside by the Emperor for the mistress. It's a pretty good story, and I have to wait a couple of days before the next books arrived. This might something to checkout if you are interested in graphic novels since the pictures are beautiful, and you can feel the pain of the Empress being tossed aside for another. 

Rating: 

4 Stars 

Audiobook Review: Party Games by RL Stine

After finishing You May Now Kill the Bride I was still on an RL Stine kick. Okay more along the lines of Fear Street, so I decided to give Party Games a go. 

We have Brendan Fear who is a wiz at video games, and loves to program them. He also throws amazing birthday bashes. Rachel Martin has a crush on Brendan Fear, and is totally stoke when she gets invited to the big birthday bash. That's when things turn a little weird for Rachel and Brendan.

Okay, Party Games kept me on my toes. I liked the story. However, it was a decent read or listen. Would I check this story out again? Probably not. The funny thing is I actually bought this book for my daughter, because I wanted her to try out RL Stine. There is a book two and I might try it out, but I think I might hold off on the story. 

Copy provided by Local Library

Rating: 3 Stars

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean (Review)

I think one of the most important thing about reading a Sarah MacLean book is that they are interconnected with each other. We actually meet Lady Felicity Faircloth in The Day of the Duchess. I recommend reading that one first before diving into Wicked and the Wallflower. Then you get an understanding why Felicity has nickname like Finished Felicity, and there is a few others. All she wants to be is accepted into Society again. Since she's no longer adored by the ton, she started to run her mouth saying she was engaged with the Duke of Marwick.

Fortunately, Marwick didn't call her out on her lie. They were basically using each other in a way. Here comes Devil. Devil also uses Felicity to get to Marwick. Marwick and Devil have a history together, which gets explored in this story. Devil feels this pull toward Felicity, but he needs to complete the mission that was set out all those years ago. Felicity happens to be collateral damage. All Felicity wants to be is loved.

Sarah is known to write a smart, witty stories. Wicked and the Wallflower does fit that description. Sarah combines two worlds that wouldn't be brought together. Felicity which is light while Devil is dark. They balance one another. I think this is a little more edgier than her previous book, but still just as good. I look forward to see what will happen as the series goes forward.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

Rating:
4 1/2 Stars

Audiobook Review: Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Truth be told, I actually listened to Nobody's Baby But Mine last year, but I felt that should probably re-listen to the story before I wrote my thoughts. Which I'm glad. I love that Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes about strong, smart women. They definitely make an impression. Especially Dr. Jane Darlington. Now Jane has hit a rough patch in life. She felt that she was probably too smart for her own good. As a child, she was a bit precocious, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, she didn't have anyone to guide her, so when she hatched this hair brain idea about finding a dumb jock she thought she was doing some good to her unborn child. She decided that Cal Bonner would be the ideal candidate. Boy was she wrong that account.

Anyway, when they first get together is pretty awkward. I didn't realize how awkward it was until the second time I heard the story.
Well, Jane's plan goes out the door when Cal finds out she's having his baby. He feels duty bond to marry Jane, but has no desire to make a real marriage. Oh boy, was the beginning so rocky. However, we see Cal start to develop feelings for Jane, but he doesn't know how to handle it. Not pretty. There's usually a lot going on in SEP books, and this is where we meet Kevin Tucker. Gotta love Kevin Tucker. The story is pretty entertaining once we getting going.

SEP books can make you have your emotions go all over the place, and Nobody's Baby But Mine is no exception. You are going to be all over the place with this story, but by the end you have all the feel goods you need. If you are in the mood of finding a crazy story that leads you to the path of love you might want to try this one.

Since this was an audiobook, Anna Fields does and amazing job reading this. She's one of my favorite narrators.

Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

My Oxford Year
Julia Whelan
William Morrow
May 2018

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret. 

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.


My Thoughts:

Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas (Review)

Okay, I bought this when this first came out, because I LOVED the first book. I loved the fact that Lisa was bringing a new family, and each of the character brings dynamic to the story. At the end of Cold-Hearted Rake Kathleen does something that pretty much pissed off Rhys Winterbourne, and the wedding is called off. At the time Helen was extremely confused, and not sure how she should feel. By the start of Marrying Winterbourne we see Helen do something ballsy, and she changes the course of her life. However, in Marrying Winterbourne we find out some deep dark secrets about the Ravenel which involve Helen. Actually, the secrets that lie in this story explain why Helen is the way she is.

Rhys is definitely ambitious, and he's willing to take down anyone who gets in the way. In some aspects he scares Helen. She truly fears that his ambition will be the reason they won't get married, and there's more to her fear. Helen is an extremely sweet, shy girl, and she's falling everyday in love with Rhys. However, she has a fear that once he learns the truth about her past, he's not going to want anything to do with her. It's a huge burden for her to carry, and she carries it through most of the book. I love how Rhys softens a little for Helen, because she needs that. After all she never really received that as a child. There parents were special. 

Overall, Marrying Winterbourne is still a pretty good read. I love that see the whole family throughout the story, but at the same time they are in the background. However, the Ravenel's do know how to bound together in a time of need. I can't wait to see how the other children behave. 

Rating:

4 Stars