October Reading Round-Up

Once again, we are at the end of one month and beginning a new one.

October has sped by. My hubby is slowly recovering from his wound – we may see it finally closing in a few weeks. Lots of wonderful books this month – a needed stress reliever.

It’s time to share what I have been reading this past month.

The total read for September was 28 books with the following breakdown:

Fantasy /Paranormal –3                      Romance – 5

Women’s Fiction – 4                              Historical romance – 8

Non-fiction – 1                                         Pix books – 3

YA – 1                                                          SciFi – 2

Memoir – 1

I continue to record in more detail where the books originated – from the library, on my TBR shelves (bought/gifted or won) or an e-book. Here’s the breakdown

Library reads – 21       TBR/owned books –2        E-books –5 

Favourite Reads

My overall favourite reads of the month were (I just could not choose 1!)

Sister’s Choice by Emilie Richards

The Lies That Bind by Emily Griffin

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The rest of my top 10 reads, by author (cheating a little – it was hard once again to choose just 10 books this month):

Kelly Bowen: A Duke in the Night, Last Night with the Earl, A Rogue by Night, Duke of My Heart, Between the Devil and the Duke

J.C. Andrijeski: Vampire Detective Midnight, Eyes of Ice

Devney Perry: Wild Highway

Debbie Macomber: It’s Better This Way

Emilie Richards: Lover’s Knot

Ilona Andrews: Blood Heir

 I am participating in quite a few challenges (check here for my list) but I have a few that are my favourites and have done these for a few years. Here are the books read for these challenges:

  

POPSUGAR Ultimate Reading Challenge (Through Goodreads)

I read 3 books for this challenge.

#32 – Title starts with Q (or X, Z) – Queen of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Advanced #8 – Chosen at random from TBR: – Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Advanced #9 – DNF from TBR – The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

52 Books in 52 Weeks

I read 2 books for this challenge:

#2 – Features the legal profession –Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

#46 – Winner of National Book Award – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Monthly Key Word Challenge

I used this key word this month: Night and read 3 books by Kelly Bowen, with night in the title:

A Duke in the Night, Last Night with the Earl, A Rogue by Night

Monthly Motif

The theme this month was “Lurking in shadows”- grey, black and/or white cover or has shadows:

A Duke in the Night by Kelly Bowen

Debbie McComber’s Reading Challenge

The theme this month was “5 words in the title”. I read 2:

Last Night with the Earl and A Duke in the Night 

Beyond the Bookends

The theme this month was “Mental Health”. I read:

Queen of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

 Looking Ahead to November

I need to keep working on reading more books for The Popsugar and 52 Books 52 Weeks Challenges and definitely read more of my own books!

November is all about reading novellas and non-fiction. I hope to read more of both. It is also NaNoWriMo and I am going to try to finish it this year!

I am linking with the following:

Monthly Wrap-Up (At Feed Your Fiction Addiction)

Best of the Bunch (at A Cocoon of Books)

Inspire Me Monday (at Create With Joy)

It’s Monday! What are You reading?

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

Happy Hallowe’en everyone. Looking forward to a more normal night of trick or treating tonight. No one was out last year.

 

What I Read Last Week

I read 7 books –1 historical romance, a non-fiction, a YA novel in verse, 2 women’s fiction and 3 romances.

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jiminez. Loved this contemporary romance. How would you spend the last year of your life?

It’s Better This Way by Debbie Macomber. Imagining falling for your ex’s new wife’s ex-husband?

The Lies That Bind by Emily Griffin. A most enjoyable novel written at the time of 9/11.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. This coming-of-age story is so well done – especially in verse.

Queen of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett. A sweet romance between two damaged people.

It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn. An enjoyable historical romance about the youngest Bridgerton daughter.

Wild Highway by Devney Perry. I so enjoy her romances and this was no exception.

What I’m Reading Now 

5 Little Indians by Michelle Good

 

What’s Up Next

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Connect Five Friday – Quotes from Books Read

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

Since June I have read quite a few books, both fiction and non-fiction. I keep a journal for the year into which I record to-do lists, books to read and words and articles I want to save. Several of the fiction books I have read since June offered some lovely quotes that I had to preserve in that journal.

Here are 5 such books and my favourite quotes from the books:

The Color of Light by Emilie Richards

“Time doesn’t free up on its own. Make yourself a priority for a change.”

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

“I want to savor each day. I want to enjoy every single thing I eat and drink, and all the people I meet and every last second on this Earth. I want to laugh. I want to explore. I want to live life…like a butterfly in the wind and go where the wind takes me.”

“I don’t pretend to be happy. I just refuse to be sad.”

The Irresistible Bakeshop and Café by Mary Simses

“If you keep looking, you’ll keep seeing more and more. That’s what it means to be an observer. There’s always more than you think…. You have to look at a thing from all angles before you can really see it.”

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

“I’m not happy because it comes easily to me. I bite and scratch and claw my way toward happiness every day…It’s a choice. A choice to value the good things that matter. A choice to rise above everything that could pull you down. A choice to look misery right in the eye …and then give it th4e finger.”

“Pay attention to the things that connect you with joy… Joy is an antidote to fear. To anger. To boredom. To sorrow.”

Confessions from the Quilting Circle by Maisey Yates

“Creating…isn’t about struggling to make something that looks perfect, but about the joy to be had in the journey. The same might be true of life.”

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

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

A quieter week – no disasters, although the surgeon said to expect to see my hubby’s wound to keep leaking for at least another month at least! Ugh. 

What I Read Last Week

I read 5 books –2 historical romances, a non-fiction, a fantasy and a science fiction.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I read this for my writer’s book club and we finished it this week. Glad I read it, but proved to be just okay.

 

2 Historical romances by Kelly Bowen, both of which I enjoyed:

   

Duke of My Heart             Between the Devil and the Duke

Eyes of Ice by J.C. Andrijeski. Another great read from this dystopian future involving vampires, seers and humans.

Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde. This fantasy/paranormal was such a fun read. Lots of humour and great characters. Especially enjoyed Mitzi – an older woman who reclaims her magic and her moxie.

What I’m Reading Now 

5 Little Indians by Michelle Good

What’s Up Next

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Connect Five Friday – 5 New Series

 

It’s time once again 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 past month I have discovered several new series and authors – 4 of them beginning with a free ebook. I am juggling 4 now to finish all the books in the series – the 5^th I just finished the last today.

Here are 5 new series, in 4 different genres (I’ve included covers of the books I’ve read):

Kelly Bowen’s “Season for Scandal” historical romance series – just finished it and loved it. This was the only one I got through the library.

   

J.C. Andrijeski’s “Vampire Detective Midnight” series – which pushed me to join KU so that I could get the other 4 books of the series. Loved the characters, the world-building of this scifi dystopian series. Still have 3 to read.

 

Deborah Wilde’s “Magic After Midlife Series”– just started the series and loving it. But what’s not to love – the humour, an older female MC, a hot shifter, the magic.

Tamara Leigh’s “Age of Faith” series – this medieval historical fiction/romance was an enjoyable read. There are 8 books in the series, although I just read the first 3.

 

Kay Lyons/Stockham’s “Taming the Tulanes” series – a contemporary romance series set in a small town. I’ve read the first 2 of 5 and plan to read the rest of this enjoyable series.

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

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

Finally, it was my turn to visit emerg – which I did Friday after direction from my doctor. She wanted to rule out heart problems – sore shoulder arm, nausea, chills. After 4 hours I left with an okay heart, Tylenol 3 prescription and a note to get physio. Muscle strain? Possibly. It is still sore, there’s still nausea and no, I won’t (can’t) take Tylenol 3. Maybe physio.

 

What I Read Last Week

I read 6 books – a romance, 2 historical romances, a woman’s fiction, a fantasy and a science fiction.

 

Sister’s Choice by Emilie Richards. Have loved this Shenandoah series and have read the last one, which I so enjoyed.

 

 The MacGregor’s Lady by Grace Burrowes. The third book in her historical fiction series “The MacGregor’s”, and a most enjoyable read.

 

A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen. Another enjoyable book in her historical romance series, A Season for Scandal.

 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews. Another fantasy book in their Kate Daniels world. Just as good as the original series.

 

Vampire Detective Midnight by J.C. Andrijeski. I got this as a free ebook and am now addicted to this dystopian future involving vampires, seers and humans. Joined KU just so I could read all 5 in the series. Great world-building.

 

Their Secret Bargain by Kay Lyons. Another free ebook which I really enjoyed. But then, I love books with teachers as main characters.

        

What I’m Reading Now 

Eyes of Ice by J.C. Andrijeski

5 Little Indians by Michelle Good

 

What’s Up Next

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Connect Five Friday – A Balanced Reading Life?

 

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

Reading has been a godsend for me the past few years what with all the health issues my hubby has had (and my poor old arthritic knees!), especially when he spent 4 months in hospital last year.

Being retired has freed me to read voraciously – usually a book a day. And books from many genres as well. I read a wonderful post by Carol at Reading Ladies, entitled “Is a Balanced Reading Life Important?”

I answered her questions after reading the post and it has still left me thinking about it. I do try to have a balanced reading life. And so, I have come up with 5 reasons why I need a balance reading life and why it is important:

1. As a mood reader, I need to have a variety of books on hand. I tend to read 3-5 books at a time – a romance, a fantasy, a non-fiction, a book or 2 from the library. That way I can switch back and forth.

2, I want to learn so I turn to non-fiction regularly – to learn a new skill (right know that is digital photography), to learn about the past, to learn about others, to improve my writing.

3. I read mentor texts in the genre I am writing – from romance to MG to picture books. These give me guidance as I write.

4. If a movie is coming out, I try to read the book it is based on first.

5. And then sometimes I just read for fun, especially after a heavy, emotional book.

Join in the discussion here.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

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

This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I have a lot to be thankful – hubby’s health is improving, family and friends are well, delicious turkey dinner, great books, lovely weather.

 

What I Read Last Week

I read 8 books – 3 pix books, a romance, 2 historical romances, a woman’s fiction and a memoir.

Odyssey of Love by Linda Jamsen. I read this for a review and really enjoyed this memoir. Read my review here.

 It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. I enjoy any book she writes.

Lover’s Knot by Emilie Richards. Another enjoyable book in her Shenandoah series.

Two historical romances by Kelly Bowen, both enjoyable:

       

Last Night with the Earl              A Rogue by Night

3 picture books I enjoyed

Butterflies are Pretty Gross by Rosemary Mosco, illus. Jacob Souva

Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson, illus. Marc Boatavant

Miss Molly’s School of Kindness by Zanna Davidson, illus. Rosie Reeve

What I’m Reading Now 

Sister’s Choice by Emilie Richards

The MacGregor’s Lady by Grace Burrowes

 

What’s Up Next (Still – too many other books are coming due at the library and need to finish them!)

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5 Little Indians by Michelle Good

Connect Five Friday – a little late

It’s time once again 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 am late coming to this challenge as it is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I have been busy. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Saturday – but with just 3 of us. Nothing like the dinners pre covid. But I am thankful that we are all doing okay – even if we are separate.

With the holiday in mind, I decided that I would share 5 authors I am thankful for:

Susanna Kearsley. She is my favourite author, a Canadian, and an exceptional author. Most of her books are historical fiction or have a dual time-line. My favourite of her books – The Rose Garden 

Anne Bishop. She is my favourite fantasy author, of my favourite series – The Others. This is the only series I have ever reread.

Louise Penny. Another Canadian, she has the wonderful Inspector Gamache series that takes place in the small Quebec town of Three Pines.

Kelly Bowen. I have just discovered this Canadian author who was born in the same city as I did (Winnipeg, Manitoba). I’m so enjoying her historical romance novels.

There are so many wonderful authors, that I am choosing the latest author I am enjoying:

Emilie Richards. I am reading the last novel of her Shenandoah series and loving it (Sister’s Choice).

WOW Review of Odyssey of Love by Linda Jämsén

I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Linda Jämsén”s Oddyssey of Love which I read and am now reviewing.

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

My Review:

Linda Jämsén’s memoir pulled me in through a number of avenues:

~ as a teacher, who at one time was an ESL teacher and who travelled to the NWT to teach, far from home

~as an older woman who sought love and finally found her match

~as a lover of music

~as someone drawn to Mary, mother of Jesus

I have never been to Eastern Europe and Linda described the countries she visited and lived in so well, especially Budapest. Learning a bit of the Hungarian culture and language was an added bonus.

As she described places she visited and music she played, I found myself looking up cathedrals and towns and even playing music by Liszt. I definitely would love to visit many of these places.

Her writing style was so personal – I felt like we were sharing a pot of tea and she was sharing her life story. So many emotions filled the pages – from sadness, to hope, to embarrassment to love. It was so easy to visualize her adventures. The advice she received, “to settle down, not settle for” was so wise. And Linda followed that advice several times.

I highly recommend Linda’s memoir. It drew me in from the beginning and I was rooting for her to find her soul mate.

About the book Odyssey of Love:

When Linda doesn’t receive the marriage proposal she had long been expecting from her boyfriend on her 41st birthday, she reluctantly visits a psychic, Angelica, who predicts that Linda will soon leave him for a romantic and music-filled Odyssey in Europe. There, a “Russian icon” will lead to her future husband, a “tall man with glasses.” 

Skeptical at first, but eager to explore her Eastern European roots and reignite her passion for music, Linda moves to Hungary, the land of her idol, composer-pianist Franz Liszt. In Budapest, she reinvents herself as an English teacher and joins a chorus. Soon, she’s performing at the Liszt Academy of Music and Tel Aviv’s Opera House.

With Angelica’s vision in mind, Linda vows to “settle down, not settle for,” but is tempted by romantic close calls: Gabi is gorgeous but too immature; David in Amsterdam fits Angelica’s description to a T, but his British reserve needs some defrosting. Liszt look-alike Ádám has it all, including a wife.

With her teaching and singing gigs ending, Linda flies to Finland for one last trip before moving back to Boston. But is her Odyssey truly over, or is it just beginning?

Publisher: Tulipan Press (May 2021)

Pages: 320

ISBN-10: ‎ 194860499X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1948604994

Genre: Memoir

About the Author, Linda Jämsén

Linda Jämsén is an American ex-pat writer-musician living in Finland. She grew up in New York, holding a book in one hand while exploring the piano keyboard with the other. Mesmerized by her mother’s playing of the Romantic repertoire, she soon studied piano with her and later graduated with a B.A. in Music from Bard College. Linda is also an avid choral singer and has performed in Hungary, Finland, the UK, and Israel. 

During her years in Boston, Linda raised funds for a variety of philanthropic causes and completed the graduate management course at Radcliffe Seminars/Harvard. However, longing to return to her musical roots, in 2001 she moved to Budapest, land of her musical idol, Franz Liszt. There, she volunteered for the Music Academy in his name and received a CELTA certificate from International House, where she then taught English as a foreign language. Her musical, romantic, and travel adventures abroad inspired her to write Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, her literary debut.

Linda lives on an island in Helsinki with her husband, the “tall man with glasses” from the memoir, and their treasured Russian icon. A sequel, Triptych, is in the works.

To follow the author, visit her website at www.lindajamsen.com. Make sure you also follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and GoodReads.

— Blog Tour Schedule

September 20th @ The Muffin

We kick off the blog tour over at WOW! Women on Writing’s blog, The Muffin, where we interview the author and give away a copy of this amazing memoir.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

September 21st @ One Writer’s Journey

Join Sue as she features author Linda Jämsén’s guest post about how to organize and host a kick-ass virtual book launch event at little cost.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 22nd @ Create Write Now

Join Mari as she publishes author Linda Jämsén’s guest post about what inspired her to start journaling.

https://CreateWriteNow.com

September 23rd @ One Writer’s Journey

Visit Sue’s blog again where she reviews Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

September 24th @ The Faerie Review

Join Lily when she features Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

September 26th @ Michelle Cornish’ Blog

Join Michelle as she shares her review of Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

September 28th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Linda Jämsén about her experiences and writing her memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

September 30th @ Choices

Come by Madeline’s blog today and you can read a fascinating guest post by the author about how a visit to a psychic ended up changing her life.

http://madelinesharples.com/

October 1st @ Michelle Cornish’ Blog

Visit Michelle’s blog again and you can read a guest post by the author about self-publishing versus traditional publishing and why she chose the former.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

October 3rd @ Word Magic

Join Fiona as she features Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love and gives away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

October 5th @ A Storybook World

Stop by Deirdra’s blog and read a feature of Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love. A memoir you don’t want to miss if you are looking for love!

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

October 6th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog

Visit Beverley’s blog and read a guest post by the author about publishing as a debut author in mid-life. Don’t miss this inspiring post!

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

October 8th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog

Come by Beverley’s blog again and you can read her thoughts about Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

October 11th @ What is That Book About

Visit Michelle’s blog and read Linda Jämsén’s guest post about taking chances in mid-life and finding adventures and true love.

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/

October 12th @ Alanna Jean

Alanna features Linda Jämsén’s guest post about top European travel destinations.

https://alannajean.com/blog/

October 14th @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy’s blog today and read her review of Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

October 15th @ The Forgotten Books

Join Heather as she reviews Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love on her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/The_forgotten_books_/

October 18th @ Memoir Writer’s Journey

Visit Kathleen’s website as she reviews Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

October 20th @ Words from the Heart

Visit Linda’s blog where she reviews Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/

October 24th @ Leslie’s Voice

Join Leslie on her blog today and read her review of Linda Jämsén’s memoir Odyssey of Love.

https://lesliesvoice.com/