Book Ramblings With Sophia #13
Sharing thoughts on books read, books acquired, books desired, reading challenges, and the such.
Greetings on Palm Sunday! I say that to remind myself that, wow, next Sunday is Easter Sunday and I don't want to lose track of that fact in the midst of all the distraction I feel from this infernal virus. It is spring, the days of mild and lovely, the blooms are opening, I got everything on my grocery list, I have income, and everyone within my circle is healthy. Blessings, indeed!
For my Pantry challenge this past week, I used up five items. I also discovered that I have molasses and it became a challenge within a challenge to find ways to use it up. It has gone into French toast and pancake mixes, brownies and cookies this week. I'm not a fan of a straight molasses taste, but I do like it blended with other tastes.
Challenge Update:
Spring semester is in its last month so the ladies over at Because Reading have posted the Summer Challenge Sign Up. It will go from May - August.
I am going for it with all four professors at the beginner level. This is 16 books.
1. Professor Author Luv (Carolyn Brown)
May- The Banty House July- Miss Janie's Girls
June- Cowboy Strong August- Long Hot Texas Summer
2. Professor Genre (Sci-Fi)
May- Gabriel's Ghost July- Hope's Folly
June- Shades of Dark August- Rebels and Lovers
3. Professor Mix Up
May- A Brush With Shadows July- I Never Knew Myself
June- The Last Train to Key West August- Firetouched
4. Professor Ann Thology
May- Captain Lacey Mysteries July- Meryton Vignettes
June- Hot Beach Romance August- Crashing Into Love
Books Read 3/29- 4/4:
1. 4:50 to Paddington by Agatha Christie, narrated by Joan Hickson, mystery, 4 stars
2. Bonds of Brass by Amy Skrutski, m/m sci-fi 4 stars.
3. Down the Long Hills by Louis Lamour, narrated by Michael Crouch, western, 4.5 stars.
4. One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry, historical mystery, 4 stars.
5. Suzy Spitfire Kills Everybody by Joe Canzano, sci-fi, 4 stars.
Currently Reading:
Currently Listening:
Books Acquired for Free, Gifted, or Bought 3/29-4/4:
1. Heroes of New Vegas #2-3 by Colleen Gleason, Dystopian, free.
2. No Secrets in Creedance by Sarah Hall, Historical Romance, free
3. Relentless Considerations by Amy Cecil, Historical Romance, free.
4. Mr. Darcy's Kindness by Rose Fairbanks, Historical Romance, free.
5. A Spoonful of Sugar by Kate Hardy, Contemporary Romance, free.
6. Kellynch by Kwen Griffeth, Historical Romance, free.
7. Constable on the Hill by Nicholas Rhea, mystery, free.
8. Book of Ivy by Amy Engel, YA dystopian, free.
9. Chasing Truth by Julie Cross, YA romantic Suspense, free.
10. My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris, YA Time Travel, free.
11. The Sinner by JR Ward, paranormal romance, gift card
12. Sweep With Me by Ilona Andrews, urban fantasy, gift card
13. A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber, historical mystery, gift card.
14. Sanctuary of Roses by Colleen Gleason, historical romance, free.
15. The Dragons of Kellynch by Maria Grace, historical fantasy, Amazon credit
16. Wildflower Ranch by Carolyn Brown, contemporary romance, Amazon credit and bought $.48.
17. Be the Girl by KA Tucker, YA Contemporary Romance, free.
18. Bound by a Dragon by Linda Hopkins, historical fantasy romance, free.
19. Drakon's Promise by NJ Waters, paranormal romance, free.
20. Parental Guidance by Avery Flynn, contemporary romance, free.
21. Magnolia Mystic by Lisa Kessler, paranormal romance, free.
22. Gamma Rift by Kalli Lanford, sci fi romance, free.
23. The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne, thriller, Prime First Reads.
24. After the Climb by Kristen Ashley, contemporary romance, author newsletter free
25. The Pilgrim Lydia Bennet by Don Jacobs, Time Travel Romance, bought $.99
26. Wild by Jill Barrett, historical romance, free.
Books Acquired for Review from 3/29-4/4:
1. Do Me a Favor by Christina Hovland, Contemporary Romance, from the author.
2. Spent Identity by Marlene Bell, Romantic Suspense, from Lola's Book Tours.
New Book Release of Miss Austen by Gill Hornby on April 7th:
Whoever looked at an elderly lady and saw the young heroine she once was?
England, 1840. For the two decades following the death of her beloved sister, Jane, Cassandra Austen has lived alone, spending her days visiting friends and relations and quietly, purposefully working to preserve her sister’s reputation. Now in her sixties and increasingly frail, Cassandra goes to stay with the Fowles of Kintbury, family of her long-dead fiancé, in search of a trove of Jane’s letters. Dodging her hostess and a meddlesome housemaid, Cassandra eventually hunts down the letters and confronts the secrets they hold, secrets not only about Jane but about Cassandra herself. Will Cassandra bare the most private details of her life to the world, or commit her sister’s legacy to the flames?
Moving back and forth between the vicarage and Cassandra’s vibrant memories of her years with Jane, interwoven with Jane’s brilliantly reimagined lost letters, Miss Austen is the untold story of the most important person in Jane’s life. With extraordinary empathy, emotional complexity, and wit, Gill Hornby finally gives Cassandra her due, bringing to life a woman as captivating as any Austen heroine.
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