This past month of February has actually been pretty solid for the most part. Work has been going pretty solid, its still pretty busy but I am adjusting to the new pace and my reading hasn’t been too bad, February always seems like a shorter month of reading, or is that just me that feels that way? I did have some wonderful reads though, so that is always a plus even if the month of reading is a bit shorter than the normal. There was some drama in the book community (when is there aren’t these days) but also there have been changes in certain world events that I am sure have been affecting all of you in some way. Unfortunately, it affected my last week of reading, it triggered my anxiety and my blood pressure went up through the roof and my body is still adapting and even ended up in the ER for it because the pain was so bad. So it basically means I haven’t been reading but hopefully, March will be a better month and i can get back to reading there. But to end on a happy note, it was the month of love and Valentine’s Day. I never seem to be dating anyone when it’s this month, haha but I always like to treat myself, had a nice homecooked comfort meal, with some chocolate-covered strawberries and watched Pride and Prejudice (2005—because that’s my favorite version). What did you all do for Valentine’s ? Even if you didn’t have someone to share it with, hope it was special in some way.
Book Stats for hte Month
Books Read: 26
Audiobooks: 5
Audio Book Listening: 43 Hours & 16 Minutes
Number of Pages: 7,140
Library Books: 7
Re-Reads: 0
Total Books For Year: 65
Historical: 3
Contemporary: 11
Dark: 1
Epic Fantasy: 1
Erotic Romance: 1
Mythological Fantasy: 1
PNR: 6
Romantic Suspense: 1
Urban Fantasy: 1
5 Stars: 4
4.5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 13
3.5 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 2
2 Stars
1 Star
DNF:
Top Picks of the Month
Maccus Fury, a fallen angel, is trying hard to keep his sanity. Seems being an assassin might be catching up with him. Now, Heaven, or Hell, has sent a beautiful assassin to kill him. Lovely. She’s pretending to seduce him, and he’s okay with that. She’s smart and snarky – but she has no idea what she’s walked into. And he’s more than peeved that they only sent one person. They’re going to need an army if they want him dead.
Morrigan Quill is one of Hell’s bounty hunters. She sold her soul to keep her sister safe, and now she’s working off her contract by catching bad guys and dragging them back to hell. When Lucifer makes her a new offer – that’s definitely too good to be true – she can’t say no. All she has to do is kill a powerful and crazy-hot fallen angel, who will totally kick her ass in battle.
Good thing he won’t see what’s coming next.
MY RATING
I absolutely adored this book and it was one of those picks that really surprised me in how much I actually enjoyed it. I really wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. First off, its one heck of a page-turner, but also its enemies to lovers where the two main characters have orders to kill each other, only instead they both realize there is a bigger picture and end up working together to figure out why they were targeted in such a way and its so delightful. I loved the intensity of their bond
Journey deeper into the world of Chicago’s most dangerous, alluring crime family in this incendiary installment of the Shadow Riders series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
Shadow Rider Elie Archambault has been called many things: domineering, brash, loyal, but most of all fast. And there’s nothing faster than choosing to marry a woman you’ve never met. All he has is a signed contract and a list of his new bride’s expectations for their arranged marriage. He’s not expecting love or some happy ever after, just a partner that knows exactly what she signed up for. He’ll be faithful because he’s a man of honor, but she’ll never have his heart….
Elie knows who he is. A privileged member of the Archambault family. A skilled rider and fighter. A man who’s always had things easy for all the wrong reasons. He’s made his mistakes and lost his chance at real, true passion with his other half thanks to his own careless arrogance. Now he just wants to do his duty as a Shadow Rider and leave the past behind.
But Elie has no idea that his choice is about to spark a blaze that will burn all his carefully laid plans to the ground….
MY RATING
Shadow Fire is an ARC that I received via Berkley Publishing House and there isn’t much that I can say about this one until my review is released but what I can say is how fantastic this book turned out to be and is one of my favorites of the series so far. Its an arranged marriage (which is one of my top favorite tropes to read), but is also a second chance romance as these two believe they are marrying a stranger, but they know each other and there are some issues they both have to work through. I was on the edge of y seat throughout this one.
Kace August: famous, intense, dark, addictive. Aria Alard: a woman with secrets, passion, and a dangerous past. Passion. Secrets. Mystery. Aria fell hard for Kace. She trusted him. But did he deserve that trust? And where is Gio?
A Wicked Song is the second book in the Brilliance Trilogy.
MY RATING
This is part of a trilogy, and there is an aspect of Lisa Renee Jones that is so fantastic to read. She is an author I know will always be easy to read, and I was so hooked with this series and the first book is free so I highly recommend grabbing it up. It’s a unique take on violinists. (as someone that plays the violin, this trilogy really spoke to me). It features a hero who is a rock violinist (and yes that’s a real thing AKA Trans Siberian Orchestra for example) and the heroine is on the run as her father was an infamous maker of violins who made the best in the world and her life is in danger if they locate her or her brother. I will say that if you love contemporary intense romance….you definitely need to grab up this trilogy.
Sorry, you weren’t feeling well. I missed the drama this time. I always seem to come into it after it happened and then have to backtrack to find out what happened. Hope your upcoming days are better.
I’m so sorry to hear about the continued issues with your blood pressure and the trip to the ER! You poor thing. I hope this month is better health-wise and with reading. Good for you for your Valentine’s meal. I love that you treat yourself like that. 🙂
I’m sorry your health got the better of you in February. Hopefully you can find some self-calming techniques and / or get some help for your anxiety. The world is on fire, and unfortunately it’s not going to get better soon. gentle hugs
The cover for Fury Unleashed is stunning!
My birthday was in February, along with several friends and family, so I got to enjoy several celebrations and lots of good food.
You did have a busy month and too bad you couldn’t get to your reading as much. Love seeing your favorites, though. Have a good March.
I am so sorry you ended up in the ER. I hope you are feeling better.
I love NJ Walters and Christine Feehan. Both of those books are good.
It seems that I missed the drama in the book world!!
I’m sorry you have been going through that. It’s scary. I have been having more issues reading and paying attention to books with everything too. I have started avoiding the news. That’s helped me anxiety a bit. The drama in the book community hasn’t been fun, but there is always something happening. I try to not let it bug me too much. I’ve been deep diving into the whole Tiktok dancer cult thing myself. That’s some crazy stuff.
So sorry to hear you ended up in the ER, that’s never any fun at all. I hope you’re doing better now.