What I Read When I'm Not Feeling Well #books #amreading

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews.

Today's topic: What I Read When I'm Not Feeling Well

There are always two authors that I turn to whenever I'm feeling down in the dumps or if I'm sick and in dire need of some cheering up. If I'm caught up with all of their books, then I'll go back and reread them. But, these two authors are guaranteed to make me smile and laugh which is a definite cure for whatever is ailing me at the time.

Janet Evanovich

Her Stephanie Plum books are hilarious. The cast of characters outrageously funny. Each book is guaranteed to make me laugh. Stephanie is a bounty hunter usually in need of money to pay her rent. In order to do that, she has to bring in the skips who've jumped bail for her cousin, Vinnie. There are a variety available from those committing petty theft to more violent crimes. With her on her quest is Lula, who adds a unique flavor to every book installment. I love Lula! She takes no nonsense from anyone. She's also a woman who knows what she wants and goes for it! Then there's Grandma Mazur, who is well known for wanting to see an open casket at the local funeral parlour and if there isn't one, she'll find a way to take a peek anyway. Another reason to keep reading these is to find out just who will Stephanie finally settle down with, Joe Morelli, the sexy cop who she has an on again, off again relationship with, or Ranger, the drop-dead gorgeous man of mystery who often sweeps in to save the day. It's also fun to see how many cars Stephanie accidentally destroys in each book.

   

Julia Quinn

Oh, the Bridgertons! I fell in love with this family since I first picked up Colin's story. I had to go back and read from the beginning, although Colin remains my favorite. The entire Bridgerton clan has a book each. She also branches off to continue other stories for some of the characters populating the world she created in Regency England. These books are humorous and sweet and so emotional that I can go from laughing to crying within a page. The stories are compelling and addicting. I will read these again and again. They're guaranteed to make me smile and help make me believe that there is always love and hope in this world.

   

Be sure to check out the other blogger's suggestions at ...

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

FIRE & ICE

Fire and Ice...they are two of the most powerful elements known to man.

From the tiniest sparks to a blazing inferno, fire is an intense energy that can consume anything in its path.

Ice is it's unrelenting and frigid counterpart that can startle your senses and make you shiver. When put together, you'll find a force that is stronger than anything you'll ever encounter.

If you love the paranormal and can't get enough of romance, then this set is exactly what you need in your library.

You can Follow me on ...

BookBub | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest 

#BookReview: Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich #mystery

Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Catch a professional assassin: top priority. Find a failure-to-appear and collect big bucks: top score. How she'll pull it all off: top secret. 

Trenton, New Jersey's favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he's out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city's hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer's whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn't want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti's bookkeeper and knows all his boss's dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti's list of people to put six feet under. 

To top things off, Ranger--resident security expert and Stephanie's greatest temptation--has been the target of an assassination plot. He's dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he'll have to enlist Stephanie's help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.

Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day's work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur's wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli's Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what's number one on the list--but that's top secret.

My Review:
I can always rely on Janet Evanovich to brighten my day and provide a book with laugh-out-loud antics. The combination of bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, her side-kick, Lula, and the annoying Randy Briggs is guaranteed to wreak havoc and chaos in Trenton, New Jersey.

Stephanie's on the hunt for another skip, Jimmy Poletti, who proves elusive, but extremely active since Randy Briggs is convinced Poletti's out to kill him. And because Briggs being, well, Briggs, no one will help him but Stephanie. She figures if Poletti's out to get Briggs, she'll have a better chance at capturing him by keeping Briggs close.

This story is filled with mystery, mayhem, Chihuahua minions, dead bodies, a scary Russian assassin with one eye, rocket launchers and car bombs. It also has Bob, the dog. And smokin' hot Ranger and sexy Morelli, so I'd say this book is definitely worth the read.

View all my reviews

Can't Wait to Read Books #BookBlogExpo #Giveaway

Day 3 - Most Anticipated Books and Giveaway Day

One of the things that I really, really, really LOVED about working at a bookstore was that I was privvy to all the New Releases coming out. I knew the dates for all the Pre-Orders and Street Dates for the titles getting released. And I even had the chance to take a peek at the books before any customers saw it!

Well, with the exception of the Harry Potter books. For those books, we weren't even allowed to open the shipment boxes before Release Day! That was Top Secret stuff!

Nowadays, with the vast expanse of the internet, I find I have a difficult time keeping track of all the new books getting released. There are so many new authors and new books out every single day that if I think about it too long my brain implodes.

That's why I think it's soooo important for readers to talk about the books they're reading. Tell people about them, otherwise that special book might not get seen by other readers!

That being said, there are a select few of my most favorite authors that I'll pre-order on Amazon when I discover they have a new book coming out. These are my must-have books! The books and authors that I just can't live without!

And check out the Giveaway below!

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Release Date - Tuesday, November 20, 2018

If you know me at all, at some point in our relationship you've heard me talk about Julia Quinn. She is one of those authors who continues to impress me with each book she writes. She's an amazing author who writes some of the most humorous and emotionally touching books I've ever read. Seriously, if you enjoy reading Regency-era romance, you must read her Bridgerton series. I got a sample of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and I was so hooked that I bought her whole backlist of books and read them like a fiend!

The Cajun Persuasion by Sandra Hill

Release Date - Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Here's another romance author with laugh-out-loud moments. Sandra Hill writes romantic comedy like no one else. She has a Cajun series, a Viking/Time Travel/Navy Seals series and a Viking/Vampire/Angel series. And now, I see she has a Christmas romance which strikes me as a Christmas Beach Read scheduled for release, too! The woman is clearly a mad genius.

The Forever Christmas Tree by Sandra Hill

Release Date - Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

Release Date - Tuesday, November 13, 2018

I'm a little behind on the Stephanie Plum series, but I still buy all of her books on release day because I know I'll be in the mood to read about Stephanie's insanely quacky family and the on again/off again relationships she has with the two special men in her life.

The Demon Whisperer #3 by Ash Krafton

Release Date - To Be Announced

I really enjoy reading Ash Krafton's Demon Whisperer books about exorcist mage, Simon Alliant. These books are dark, gritty and emotional. Not for the faint of heart. I have no idea when the next book in this series will be announced, but as soon as it is, you can be sure that I'll pre-order that baby!

In the meantime, if anyone is interested, Ash Krafton is releasing Takin' It Back on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. This was originally part of a box set released last year which I read and loved! Definitely, check it out!

Which leads me to the last two books on my most anticipated reads list. I was fortunate to have two of my stories selected in anthologies that were recently released this year.

Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology 

A Wink and a Smile: A Read on the Run Anthology

The digital versions of both of these books are already available for purchase, but the paperback versions are scheduled for release this summer! I'm really looking forward to these paperback versions! Not just because my stories are in there, but because I'm looking forward to reading the other amazing stories by the authors selected for these anthologies. I prefer reading in paperback, so I'm waiting to get my hands on these!

In the meantime, for those who can't wait and would like to have a chance to read the digital versions now, I'm offering to giveaway these titles to one lucky winner!

Be sure to check out Girl Who Reads for more Book Blog Expo posts!

a Rafflecopter giveaway