A Bookish Life In AK

Sitting here on a rainy Kodiak afternoon just thinking about how I love spending my time on days like this.

When it is sunny on Kodiak Island, we all avoid inside chores, or being inside generally at all. I’ve been fishing, going for walks, hanging with our chickens and ducks, and watching my tomatoes grow. When it’s raining though, like today, it’s time for laundry, sweeping & mopping, dusting and of course, fuzzy blankets, socks, coffee (or tea), and a good book.

Latest reads: As July was wrapping up, I finished Pepper Basham’s “The Mistletoe Countess.” It was my first book of hers I’ve ever read. When I saw her latest one, “The Juliet Code” come out earlier this year, I noticed that it was part of a series. I just couldn’t pass that up, especially when Baker Book House had it as a set, Can we all cheer for matching covers? “The Mistlletoe Countess” introduces to Grace Fergueson, a known bookworm to her family, 18 years old and not at the least interested in marriage. She os excited for her sister, Lillas, who is marrying a Lord Fredrick Astley to help save hos family home with her dowry. When Lilas drops a bombshell, Grace steps up and does what she feels is the right thing. She offers herself in Lilas’ place. Thankfully Fredrick and her had conversations and interactions while he was getting to know his future bride. Grace shows herself to be a quirky, interesting character, full of fictional book knowledge which ends up helping them both out in the end. Because of her love of reading and learnng in general she endears the staff of Lord Astley’s family and staff to her. I am currently reading the second book in the series, “The Cairo Curse,” and yes it does take place in Eygpt. So far I am loving these book for their quick pacing and lovable, and not so lovable, characters. Full of God’s truth throughout these books makes them a keeper in my library.

Coming up reads: I will be reading the firat of the Love on Thin Ice Series, “Breaking the Ice” by Whitney Dineen. A small town, enemies to lovers closed door hockey romance. I wll also be reviewing Anne Kemp’s bok “Penalty and Proposals” later in Semptember. I cannot tell. you how excited I am for this series, so many great authors. I am also going to be reviewing a Sweetkiss Creek book by Anne as well, “The Art of Falling in Love with Your Grumpy Neighbor.” If you’ve been reading my blog for anythime, you all know how much I love the Sweetkiss Creek series. And last but not least will be the Cinnamon Rolls & Pumpkin Spice series. I haven’t been chosen for any of the ARC’s yet, but with the authors involved, I have no problem whaiting for the books to come out and buy every one of them.

Book Review: “Falling for My Off Limits Fake Boyfriend in Serenity Springs” by Bertie Stein. A new to me author I found through Booksweeps. She sent me a ARC in exchange for a review. Olivia is back in Serenity Springs for a vacation from an unfulfilling job. Serenity Springs is where she and her college friend, Jenna, would spend time on school breaks. When checking in, she runs into Jake, Jenna older brother that she’s always had a crush on. Jake is in town to show investors the town and propose. new resort. He talks Olivia into being his fake girlfriend for the weekend to help him woo them. They eventually come to realize their true feelings for each other. There is some misunderstandings, a car crash, trauma and a happy ending. The characters were good and decently developed, I liked the idea of the story, but it was repetitive and the time line jumped a bit too much for me. I had to back and reread things to see if I missed something. There was also one romantic scene that got a bit graphic out in a park one night that made me think that they were back in her hotel suite. There were also several bottles of wine being opened in just about every chapter, now, I don’t mind my characters drinking here and there, but this bordered on excessive. I’m not sure if I will read more from this author.

Well that’s all for now, I hope you guys are as excited for the upcoming books this fall as I am. If you read any of them drop me line and let me know what you think. Till then, Prayers and Blessing, Becky