February Reading Round-Up

Once again it has been an excellent month for reading. I decided to reread The Others series by Anne Bishop – loved that series as much this time as last time – maybe more.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.
The total read for February was 40 books (7 of them picture books!) with the following breakdown:
Fantasy /Paranormal – 17
Historical Romance– 0
Romance – 8
Women’s Fiction – 3
Non-fiction – 1
Memoir -1
MG – 1
Picture books – 7
Sci-Fi – 1
Poetry – 1
(Diverse books –(2 )

I will continue to record in more detail where the books originated – from the library, on my TBR shelves (bought/gifted or won), an e-book, or a charity read (Bought from a charity store). Here’s the breakdown
Library reads –24
TBR books –2
E-books – 12
Charity reads – 2

Here are the books read for my favourite challenges:

Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)
#9 – Book with map – Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
#12 – Passes Bechdel Test – Joy for Beginners by EricaBauermeister
#20- Title caught your eye – The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
#28- Book with robot, cyborg – The Cyborg’s Lady by Alix Nichols
#31 –With gold or silver in title – Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
#34 – Meant to read in 2019- A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
Advanced #10 – Main character in their 20s – Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

52 Books in 52 Weeks
9. Set in space – The Cyborg’s Lady by Alix Nichols
12. A guilty pleasure – The Others series by Anne Bishop
22. Character that frustrates you –The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister
25. Title that begins with C – Cold as January by Katie Graykowski
33. Poetry book – I Asked the Wind by Valerie Nifora
34. A book with illustrations – A Kiss Before You Go by Danny Gregory
36. Written in 1sr person POV – Taste by D. S. Murphy
50. Author you previously disliked – The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Monthly Key Word Challenge
The key word I used this month was: LOVE
The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan
The Way You Love Me by Miranda Liasson

Monthly Motif
The theme this month was “SEEING Red” – red in the title or red on cover
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Vampire Deception by Eli Grant

Beyond the Bookends and Diversify Your Reading
The theme at both was A Hot Romance”
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan
The Way You Love Me by Miranda Liasson

Favourite Reads
The whole Others series by Anne Bishop, as well as Lake Silence and Wild Country
A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
Joy for Beginners by EricaBauermeister

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
All Fired Up by Lori Foster
A Kiss Before You Go by Danny Gregory

 

I am linking with the following:
Monthly Wrap-up (At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)
Best of the Bunch (at A Cocoon of Books)
Spread the Love (at As Told by Tina)

 

Rapid Fire Book Tag

Just saw this great (and quick!) book tag at Falconer’s Library, so thought I’d take part.

Rapid Fire Book Tag

 This tag was created by Girl Reading, and it’s some quick bookish questions and their quick bookish answers

 

E-Book or Physical Book?

Physical, although I’m reading ebooks.

Paperback or Hardback?

Either.

Online or In-Store Book Shopping?

Either.

Trilogies or Series?

Either.

Heroes or Villains?

Heroes

 

A book you want everyone to read?

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

 

Recommend an underrated book?

Almost Jamie by Gina Robinson

 

The last book you finished?

 

Etched in the Bone by Anne Bishop

 

The Last Book You Bought?

Keep It Moving by Twyla Tharp

Weirdest Thing You’ve Used as a Bookmark?

A leaf.

Used Books: Yes or No?

Absolutely.

Top Three Favorite Genres?

Contemporary romance,  fantasy, historical

Borrow or Buy?

Borrow from my library first, then will buy.

Characters or Plot?

Either

Long or Short Books?

Doesn’t matter

Long or Short Chapters?

Either.

Name the First Three Books You Think Of:

Any three books by Anne Bishop! Just reread them all this past 2 weeks!

Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry?

Laugh.

Our World or Fictional Worlds?

Fictional. Love well-crafted fantasy worlds

Audiobooks: Yes or No?

No – although have used them infrequently in the car.

Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover?

Sometimes.

Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?

Book to TV or movie..

A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book?

Princess Bride

Series or Standalones?

Either

 

Linking as well with

Friendship Friday Blog Hop

Guest Post by Valerie Nifora: Life is Too Short

As part of the WOW blog tour for Valerie Nifora’s amazing poetry book I Asked the Wind, Valerie is sharing her thoughts on what prevents people from fulfilling their dreams

Welcome Valerie

Life is short. Do it now before you die.

My son, when he was much younger wandered into my office and between my conference calls, he asked me, “Mommy, how many days have I been alive?” I broke out my calculator and did some math and he was roughly 1,965 days. “Wow, he said. That seems like a lot.” He then wandered off to go play with a toy. But, that exchange has stuck with me ever since.

The funniest thing about living, is the fact that you have absolutely no control what happens to you at all. Who’s to say, that you don’t get into a car accident and not make it home? Or what if you get hit by a bus crossing the street? Or, suddenly come down with a disease? All of a sudden the number of days that you’ve been alive take on a new meaning.
I did some of my own math and as of this writing, I’ve been around for roughly 16,600 days (give or take a few), and who’s to say if I actually get another 16,000 days to wake up and try again. Why am I telling you this? Because if you think about how long you’ve been alive, or potentially how much longer you might have to live based on some statistical model — I think you’ll probably come to the conclusion, that it’s simply not enough days. Life is short.

Which brings up another point, since life is short — why are you putting off all those things that you wanted to do? Why aren’t you trying to achieve your dreams, even if in small measures? What can you account for in the number of days you’ve been alive? I’m by no means advocating selling everything and joining the circus, but why not make a small choice every day to do something that matters to you?

It could be volunteering the use of your talent in some way. It could be writing down your family history as you recall it, so that future generations might know more about their roots. It might just be socking a little extra into a retirement account so that you can take that trip you always wanted. Or maybe, it’s hugging your son just a little longer at bedtime. Whatever it is that’s your heart’s desire — start today. Because life is short, and you want to make sure you used those days wisely when they come to an end.

 

Thanks so much Valerie for sharing these wise words to help us reach for our dreams.

Be sure to check all the stops on the WOW Blog Tour for Valerie’s book

Blog Tour Dates
February 10th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you stop by WOW! Women on Writing’s blog today and read an interview with author Valerie Nifora as we discuss her book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry. You can also win a signed copy of her book!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

February 11th @ Karen Brown Tyson
Stop by Karen’s blog today and read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora who will be talking about what prevents people from following her dreams.
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
February 13th @ Michelle Cornish
Stop by Michelle’s blog and you can watch an interview with author Valerie Nifora. Don’t miss it!
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

February 14th @ A New Look on Books
Visit Rae’s blog today and you can read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora about what helped her get through heartbreak.
https://www.anewlookonbooks.com/blog

February 14th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Visit Veronica’s blog today and read a feature that spotlights one of the poems from the book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/

February 15th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey’s blog today and read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
http://www.coffeewithlacey.com

February 16th @ Phy Roselle
Stop by Phy’s blog today and read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about what most people miss about live.
https://phyroselle.wordpress.com/

February 20th @ Precious Phyllis
Visit Phyllis’ blog today and read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
http://phytallic.wordpress.com/

February 22nd @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

February 24th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog today and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why if you’re lonely, you are not alone.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/

February 25th @ Lori’s Reading Corner
Visit Lori’s blog today and read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about whether we really have to love ourselves before we love another person.
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/

February 28th @ Beverley A. Baird
Stop by Beverley’s blog again and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about how life is short, do it now before you die. Get inspired today!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

February 29th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry. You can also read her interview with the author as well.
http://bookworm66.wordpress.com

March 1st @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog today and you can read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about what her children taught her about love.
http://madelinesharples.com/

March 2nd @ Armed with a Book
Visit Kriti’s blog and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
https://www.armedwithabook.com/

March 4th @ Armed with a Book
Stop by Kriti’s blog again and you can read her interview with author Valerie Nifora.
https://www.armedwithabook.com/

March 6th @ The Faerie Review
Come by Lily’s blog today and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why risk is sometimes worth it.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com

March 9th @ It’s Alanna Jean
Visit Alanna Jean’s blog today and you can read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora, who will discuss why people fear failure. Don’t miss this one!
http://itsalannajean.com/

March 10th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Visit Jill’s blog and you can read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why we settle on mediocre.
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com./

March 15th @ Teatime and Books
Stop by Janet’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.
http://teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com/

 

Connect 5 Friday – 5 Male Authors

It’s Friday once again and that means it’s time for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.\

I tend to read mostly female authors, but I was made aware of some books by make authors that several people are recommending. I plan to check these books out:

5 Books by Male Authors Highly Rated by Book Bloggers (and I plan to read)

Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higgenbotham A NF book that looks at what really happened at Chernobyl

The Marvels by Brian Selznick. A MG novel, historical fiction and an amazing author.

 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A mystery, a thriller – sounds intriguing

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.  A YA science fiction, with lots of varying opinions

 

The Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. A fantasy with a strong female protagonist. Sounds intriguing.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?“, at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

What I Read Last Week
I read 9 books: 7 fantasy books, contemporary romances, and a women’s fiction.

Here are the books I read:
I was immersed in fantasy worlds this week. I reread the first 2 books of my favourite fantasy series (The Others) and found 2 new fantasy authors I liked on kindle.

     

Written in Red by Anne Bishop Fantastic series about The Others
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

 

A new fantasy/paranormal series by Jeri Westerson which I enjoyed.

   

Booke of the Hidden   and  Deadly Rising  by Jeri Westerson.

 

Another fantasy series, by K. F. Breene which I really enjoyed

     

Into the Darkness

Braving the Elements
On a Razor’s Edge

 

The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister. Another interesting read by a favourite author

The Blessing by Jude Deveraux. A sweet romance

 

What I’m Reading Now
The Others series by Anne Bishop Books 3-5
Keep it Moving by Twyla Tharp. Reading a bit at a time and enjoying her wisdom.

What’s Up Next
An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

 

WOW Blog Tour for”I Asked The Wind” by Valerie Nifora

I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Valerie Nifora’s poetry book I Asked the Wind, which I read and am now reviewing.

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

 

My Review:

Valerie Nifora has given us a heartfelt, powerful series of poems, written over 15 years, that lays bare her love and heartbreak.

From the very first poem – “I Love You. Eternal”, we are drawn into the images and sensory of each poem.
There is heartache; there is love; there is so much sharing from the depths of her soul – not only of pain, but of what love can truly be.

I was very moved by Nifora’s poems. And, I know you be as well.

I recommend this book of poetry by Valerie Nifora.

 

About the Author, Valerie Nifora

Valerie Nifora was born and raised in New York to Greek immigrant parents. For over twenty years, Valerie was Marketing Communications Leader for a Fortune 50. She served as a ghost writer for several executives and has executed award-winning campaigns using her special gift as a storyteller to inspire. Her first book is a collection of romantic poetry that explores innocence, sensuality, passion, desire, heartbreak and loss through the lens of her personal experience spanning over 15 years. Her beautiful and powerful voice immediately calls forth a time of leather-bound books and invites the reader to find a comfortable chair and begin their journey through the powerful human emotion of love. Valerie holds a B.A. in Communications from Emerson College and an M.B.A. from Fordham University. She is married and a mother of two amazing sons.

Website: www.valerienifora.com.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vnifora/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieNifora/

Twitter @vnifora

 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valerienifora/

About I Asked the Wind

 

Book Summary

 I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry is a journey into romance, love and loss through poetry. The poems published in this collection span over 15 years of writing. Often starting with short rhythmic patterns, each poem’s lyrical tone is filled with inspired words to express the deep emotion experienced in the intricacies of romance.

Handwritten in a journal and hidden away until this publication, the poems chronicle the journey into and out of love. Written in three parts, the book enables the reader to transverse the intensity of romantic love, from the first moment of falling in love, to the intense pain of heartbreak.

Beautiful and powerful in its lyrical and simple verse, the reader is immediately immersed in a world of sensuality, passion, desire, and innocence; all woven together into a tapestry of human emotion. Each poem transports the reader to a story through the art of poetry. Drawing on natural elements such as the sun, sand, wind and moon, this collection explores the light and darkness of romantic love, leaving the reader questioning if love was ever real at all.

Print Length: 108 Pages

Genre: Poetry

Publisher: The Unapologetic Voice House LLC

I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry is available to purchase at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Target.

 

 

Be sure to take in all the stops of Valerie’s blog tour. She will be stopping her as well on Feb. 28th.

 Blog Tour Dates

February 10th @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you stop by WOW! Women on Writing’s blog today and read an interview with author Valerie Nifora as we discuss her book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry. You can also win a signed copy of her book!

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

 

February 11th @ Karen Brown Tyson

Stop by Karen’s blog today and read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora who will be talking about what prevents people from following her dreams.

https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/

February 13th @ Michelle Cornish

Stop by Michelle’s blog and you can watch an interview with author Valerie Nifora. Don’t miss it!

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

 

February 14th @ A New Look on Books

Visit Rae’s blog today and you can read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora about what helped her get through heartbreak.

https://www.anewlookonbooks.com/blog

 

February 14th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf

Visit Veronica’s blog today and read a feature that spotlights one of the poems from the book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/

 

February 15th @ Coffee with Lacey

Visit Lacey’s blog today and read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

http://www.coffeewithlacey.com

 

February 16th @ Phy Roselle 

Stop by Phy’s blog today and read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about what most people miss about live.

https://phyroselle.wordpress.com/

 

February 20th @ Precious Phyllis

Visit Phyllis’ blog today and read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

http://phytallic.wordpress.com/

 

February 22nd @ Beverley A. Baird

Visit Beverley’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

 

February 24th @ A Storybook World

Visit Deirdra’s blog today and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why if you’re lonely, you are not alone.

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

 

February 25th @ Lori’s Reading Corner

Visit Lori’s blog today and read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about whether we really have to love ourselves before we love another person.

http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/

 

February 28th @ Beverley A. Baird

Stop by Beverley’s blog again and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about how life is short, do it now before you die. Get inspired today!

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

 

February 29th @ Bookworm Blog

Visit Anjanette’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry. You can also read her interview with the author as well.

http://bookworm66.wordpress.com

 

March 1st @ Choices 

Visit Madeline’s blog today and you can read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about what her children taught her about love.

http://madelinesharples.com/

 

March 2nd @ Armed with a Book

Visit Kriti’s blog and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

https://www.armedwithabook.com/

 

March 4th @ Armed with a Book

Stop by Kriti’s blog again and you can read her interview with author Valerie Nifora.

https://www.armedwithabook.com/

 

March 6th @ The Faerie Review

Come by Lily’s blog today and you can read author Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why risk is sometimes worth it.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com

 

March 9th @ It’s Alanna Jean

Visit Alanna Jean’s blog today and you can read a guest post by author Valerie Nifora, who will discuss why people fear failure. Don’t miss this one!

http://itsalannajean.com/

 

March 10th @ Jill Sheets Blog

Visit Jill’s blog and you can read Valerie Nifora’s guest post about why we settle on mediocre.

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com./

 

March 15th @ Teatime and Books

Stop by Janet’s blog today and you can read her review of Valerie Nifora’s book I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry.

http://teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com/

Connect 5 Friday – Ravens and Crows

It’s Friday once again and that means it’s time for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.

I just finished reading Written in Red by Anne Bishop (a reread of my favourite fantasy series!) and as I get ready to start book 2, I realized how many books there are with crows or ravens in the title. Here are 5 – 2 I have read (the first 2) and three I haven’t but so want to.

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop, Her characters, her world, her story are so captivating – hard to put down! Can’t wait to start it again.

 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Strange world, intriguing characters.

 

         

The Raven King and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I’ve hears so much about this fantasy series – must read it.

 

Raven’s Shadow by Patricia Briggs. Loved her Mercy Thompson series – I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one as well.

 

Have you read any of these fantasy book?

 

Top Ten Tuesday

Time once again for Top Ten Tuesday, that bookish meme hosted at “That Artsy Reader Girl.”
The topic this week is “The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover”

The ten following books were read this year.

A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophia Kinsella

The Girl in the Letter by Emily Gunnis

The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Secret of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackman

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abi Waxman

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?“, at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

What I Read Last Week

I read 8 books: 4 picture books, , 2 contemporary romances, a women’s fiction, and a fantasy ebook

Here are the books I read:

A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan, 3 woman, 3 different challenges. Loved this new book by Morgan.

The Way You Love Me by Miranda Liasson. A n engaging romance

The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan. Twins switching places – how could it go wrong? Loved it. (and it was a free kindle ebook!)

Dragon’s Guard. By Eva Chase. An okay fantasy.

 

4 Picture books – loved them all (especially the first)

A Thousand Hugs from Daddy by Anna Pignataro

Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes, illus. by Bryan Collier

Snug as a Bug by Tamsyn Murray and Judi Abbot

Mouse and Mole: A Winter Adventure by Wong Herbert Yee

 

What I’m Reading Now

Keep it Moving by Twyla Tharp. I loved the Creative Habit. This promises to be just as good – for us older people! Just bought and already enamoured!

Booke of the Hidden by Jeri Westerson. First in a new fantasy/paranormal series, which I am already enjoying.

The Blessing by Jude Deveraux. Just picked this up Goodwill today and of course started it, to see what it was like. Should be enjoyable

 

What’s Up Next

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

An then: a reread of The Others series by Anne Bishop!

 

Connect Five Friday – Novels With Love in the Title

It’s Friday once again and that means it’s time for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.
This month I plan to share my favourite authors/series from my favourite genres.

I am taking a bit of a detour, although I am sharing one of my favourite genres –Romance (both contemporary and Historical).

But, as it is Valentine’s Day, I am sharing 5 books that have love in the tile and that I rated 5 on Goodreads.

1. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

2. Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Molly Cannon

3. Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey

4. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

5. Love After All by Jaci Burton