M

I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

January 2022: Monthly Recap

by | Feb 4, 2022 | At A Glance | 3 comments

This past month of January has been such a wild ride and while it’s not exactly the type of reading month that I would have preferred it was still a solid one and I read some amazing books but quite a few were over 500 pages. As you all have noticed I started the new year off with a new fresh look. I hope you all are loving it as I have been. I still need to work on polishing some things up, but I am really loving what has been employed here. It’s been so nice having something so different and fresh. I have been more involved on Instagram which has been fun. Although my crowd will always be the blogging community, as you all have stood by me no matter what, we gotta stick together. LOL January wasn’t a crazy month or anything, work has been loaded up with tax season coming in, but I am still enjoying it for the most part. It’s nice having office hours although all the holiday paid time off isn’t good sometimes because then you have to adjust to regular hours haha. But we did get to do a second Christmas which was really fun with my sister.

Bookish Stats

Books Read: 27

Audio Books: 8

Audio Hours Listened: 79:48:00

Number of Pages: 9783

Library Books: 5

Re Reads: 4

Total Books For Year: 37

Historical: 6

Contemporary: 8

Romantic Comedy: 1

Paranormal: 4

Dark: 6

Sci Fi: 2

Epic Fantasy: 2

Dystopian: 1

Romantic Suspense: 3

5 Stars: 11

4.5 Stars: 3

4 Stars: 18

3.5 Stars: 2

3 Stars

2 Stars

DNF: 0

Average Rating: 4.34

Books Read and Reviewsd

Audio Book Review-A Princess by Christmas by Julia London (My Review)

Book Review-Death by Laura Thalassa (My Review)

Book Review-The Bookworm’s Guide to Faking It by Emma Hart (My Review)

Book Review-The Sinner’s Duet by Sophie Lark (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Book Review-The Girl in the Mist by Kristen Ashley (My Review)

Audio Book Review-Texas Homecoming by Leigh Greenwood (My Review)

Book Review-Scoundrel Of My Heart by Lorraine Heath (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Audio Book Review-Fall by Kristen Callihan (My Review)

ARC Review-Savage Road by Christine Feehan (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Book Review-Overlord by Anna Hackett (My Review)

Don’t Kiss The Bride by Carian Cole (My Review)

Make Me Burn by Tiffany Roberts (My Review)

Audio Book Review-My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid (My Review)

Book Review-Cold Queen by K Webster (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Book Review-Hooked by Emily McIntire (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Trilogy Review-The Enforcers by Maya Banks (My Review)

Book Review-Rhythm, Chord, and Malykhin by Mariana Zapata (My Review)

Book Review-Pure Rapture by Aja James (My Review)

Audio Book Review-Fire In His Embrace by Ruby Dixon (My Review)

Book Review-Emperor by Anna Hackett (My Review)

Book Review-The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath (My Review)

Audio Review-No Place To Run by Maya Banks (My Review)

Book Review-Scarred by Emily McIntire (My Review)

Book Review-Running on Diesel by Melissa Foster (My Review) *TOP PICK*

Book Review-Phantom Game by Christine Feehan (My Review)

Book Review-Fairest of Them All by Teresa Medeiros (My Review)

Book Review-Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin (My Review)

Book Review-My Cruel Salvation by J. Kenner (My Review)

Top Picks of the Month

A funny, sexy, and emotionally riveting standalone contemporary romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. RUNNING ON DIESEL is the perfect love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, strong family bonds, bikers, babies, and more! USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller.

Desmond “Diesel” Black is a Nomad with the Dark Knights motorcycle club. He protects others with his life and always rides alone. Tracey Kline left the only family she had for a man who broke more than her spirit, leaving her untrusting and on her own. When a twist of fate reveals pieces of the other no one else sees, will they be able to help each other mend their past hurts and learn to trust the chemistry and connection that’s too strong to deny?

MY RATING

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Melissa Foster has become a new favorite, but I was blown away by this one here. I just was so entranced by this romance and the way that these two come together and the sexual tension was on point in all of the best of ways.

In a cold, empty castle, a young queen is dying.
Weak. Fragile. Disgraced.
But Queen Whitestone is not alone in her final days.
She has her beloved sister.

Until a wicked king rides onto her land.
Arrogant. Insufferable. Demanding.
King Bloodsun has come with an offer…peace in trade for a bride.
He wants the princess.

The fiery king won’t take no for an answer.
He vows to keep the cold queen captive until she gives in to his demands.

A queen bows for no one, though.
Not even when she’s frail and fading away.
She’ll tap into her strength, protecting the only family she has left.

The king is about to learn why they call her the cruel one…

MY RATING

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cold Queen is one of the BEST dark fantasy romances that I have ever read and I also think if you like grittier fantasy, even if you don’t read dark romance, then I think this book is a good introduction into the sub-genre. It’s basically a retelling of Frozen (which I have NEVER read before).

Lorraine Heath begins an exciting new series with a breathtaking romance about a young woman who must marry a titled gentleman to obtain her inheritance and the usuitable man she begins to fall madly in love with…

She is desperate to wed a duke…

Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a titled gentleman to claim her inheritance and has finally gained the attention of a duke. Yet she is unable to forget the scandalous second son who aided in her achievement—or his betrayal.

He wants what he can never possess…

Lord Griffith Stanwick is tormented by the bitter truth that as a “spare,” he will never be able to give Kathryn what she yearns to possess. But when his father is found guilty of treason, Griff detours into the dark and dangerous corners of London, haunted by memories of the woman lost to him forever.

Love not to be denied…

As the duke’s courtship intensifies, Kathryn discovers Griff has become a man to be reckoned with. When old passions flare and new desires ignite, she must decide if sacrificing her legacy is worth a lifetime shared with the scoundrel of her heart. 

MY RATING

Rating: 5 out of 5.

While Lorrain Heath is one of my favorite authors, her books don’t always work for me. Even though so many raved about this I had lower expectations for this one as I never know if a Heath book these days will work for me. But surprisingly the pacing in this book was rock solid and I couldn’t put it down and I loved the tension between this pair and so much fun bantering was implemented here.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan explores uncharted territory in the new Torpedo Ink Motorcycle Club novel.

When Savin “Savage” Pajari and Seychelle Dubois first met, their connection was instant, their attraction undeniable. Their relationship has been full throttle since day one. Even though months have passed, the passion and love between them has only increased.

Savage completely owns what he is: a sadist in the bedroom who can only get off on his partner’s pain. He believes he’s not a good man, but he loves Seychelle with a fierceness that shocks him. He wants all of her, but only if she gives herself freely with eyes wide open.

Seychelle never imagined the lure of mixing pain with pleasure, or how much she’d crave Savage’s darkness. She’s been shaken to her core, but Seychelle is committed to Savage and their life together—even though he’s keeping a piece of himself back. And to truly make their relationship work, he has to give her everything that he is, just as she is doing for him.

Savage knows that what he really needs could break his woman if she isn’t ready. She agreed to come into his world, and he’s not about to give her up. He has to find a way to let her see the monster inside without pushing her away. But the real Savage might be more than Seychelle can bear…and he knows he wouldn’t survive losing her

MY REVIEW

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Savage Road really surprised me, but I am not sure why I would have been surprised because this author delivered in so many ways. I loved the depth that this book offered here. And it was so interesting to see how Feehan handled the sadism scenes (and yes these are very intense) but many of them worked out in a way I didn’t expect and had me loving this book even more because of it.

I loathe Alastor Shaw.

The city of San Francisco thinks we’re rival artists.

In truth, we’re predators battling for hunting ground.

We never chased the same prey. Until the night we both laid eyes on Mara Eldritch.

Shaw wants to use her as a pawn in his twisted game.

I’m fixated on her for a different reason…

She makes me feel things I never thought I could feel. Want things I never wanted.

Only she can make me lose control.

I don’t know if I should protect her at all costs… or destroy her before she ruins me.

Mara knows I’m no saint. But she has no idea she’s dancing with the devil…

MY RATING

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This duet that Sophie Lark wrote was so epic and beautiful in all of the best of ways. I loved the hero being an assassin and both the hero and heroine are artists and I really loved that element. We don’t see too many art-themed romances and it was also the duet

How was your reading month? Did you have any successes or failures? What book was the most memorable for you? Let Me know in the comments below

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3 Comments

  1. Sam@WLABB

    I keep meaning to try something from Foster. Good job with reading some big books there. I avoid them. HA!

    Reply
  2. Mary Kirkland

    I agree, Savage Road was great. The author handled that subject matter really well. I did notice the new look and I like it.

    Reply
  3. Sophia Rose

    Sounds like a decent month as you got back into your regular hours. Neat seeing what books made your favorites list and your stats show a fab month of reading.

    Have a great February, Renee!

    Reply

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