BeckyBookstore

ABC Book Challenge: B

Hello Book Friends! I have seen this challenge on a few blogs like One Book More and Meeghan Reads and thought it looked like a fun way to talk about some books I read before (and after) I started my blog and also some upcoming books I would like to read that are on my tbr. For the books I pick I will put in parentheses what number it is in a series, if it’s in one and the author.

Books that start with B

A Bad Day For Sunshine (#1) by Darinda Jones – Mystery with some romance
Badger to theBone (#3) by Shelly Laurenston – Paranormal Romance
The Baller by Vi Keeland – Contemporary Sports Romance
Beard Science (#3) by Penny Read – Contemporary Romance.
Beauty and the Mustache (#4) by Penny Reid – Book 4 in the Knitting in the City but introduces the Winstons! Contemporary Romance
Blood Stain Vols 1-3 by Linda Šejić – Graphic novels about a woman who works for a mad scientist.
Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman – Woman’s Fiction/Romance
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall – LGBTQ+ Romance
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore – Historical Romance
Bromance Bookclub by Lyssa Kay Adams – Contemporary Romance

Books on my TBR that start with B

Baby and Ballistics (#4) by Penny Reid – Love this cozy mystery series, no release date yet.
Baking Me Crazy (#1) by Karla Sorensen – Have on my kindle and will hopefully be reading soon. Contemporary Romance
Bear Town by Fredrik Backman – Fiction, bought a copy at the thrift store.
Becoming by Michelle Obama – Autobiography, have the audio just need time to listen
Behind Closed Doors – B. A. Paris – Mystery/Thriller, bought forever ago at the thrift store.
Bitter Falls (#4) by Rachel Caine – Mystery/Thriller, hopefully getting to it this month.
Blitzed (#3) by Alexa Martin – Contemporary Sports Romance
Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan – Have had on my kindle for awhile, Woman’s Fiction
The Bright Lands by John Fram – Horror/Mystery have the audio

Do we share any of the same memorable books for the letter B? Let me know in the comments below!

Until Next Time, Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson

Christmas Charms
Teri Wilson
Published by: Hallmark Publishing
Publication date: October 6th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She never dreamed her holiday would include
her hometown, a dog, or a firefighter.
But a mysterious charm bracelet
predicted it all…

Ashley’s supposed to be having the Christmas of her dreams. After four years of working at an upscale jewelry store in Manhattan, she’s finally going to get a little velvet box of her own—from her boyfriend Jeremy, who’s taking her on a romantic trip to Paris. What could go wrong?

Well, everything.

Ashley heads home to Owl Lake instead, falling asleep on the train ride there…and waking up with a beautiful antique charm bracelet on her wrist. Soon, she realizes that each silver charm predicts an event that happens in real life. What does this mean for her and Jeremy…or her and Aidan, her former high school boyfriend, who’s now a local firefighter? Is there still a chance that she could have the perfect Christmas?

This small town Christmas romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Spiced Walnut Crust Cookies with Chocolate Ganache and Sea Salt.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Attention, passengers. This is your conductor speaking. We’re nearing the Owl Lake Station, our final stop. All train passengers must disembark. Thank you for traveling by rail, and have a happy holiday season.

I jolt awake, disoriented as the train comes to a stop. The overhead lights have been turned up brighter, and I seem to be the only person left in my car. My heart sinks as I realize that the seat Betty occupied is now empty.

I’ve missed the chance to tell her goodbye.

I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and something in my lap shifts. When I look down, I spot a familiar red bundle—it’s the stocking Betty had been knitting while I shared my story. There’s a small lump near its toe, and when I gather the stocking in my hands, it makes a jingling sound.

No. My heart hammers in my chest. It can’t be.

I reach inside, and as soon as my fingertips brush against cool silver, I know it’s true. Betty has left me her vintage charm bracelet.

My astonished gaze travels over it, moving from charm to charm, and I run the pad of my thumb over the bracelet’s interlocking links. The charms swivel in place, almost as if they’re winking at me. I can hardly believe it. This bracelet can’t possibly be mine. There’s no way I can accept it. It’s far too precious for Betty to give it away to a perfect stranger.

I glance up and down the aisle, but she’s nowhere to be seen. She must have gotten off at an earlier stop, and I slept right through it. How can this be happening?

I peer inside the knit stocking, hoping she’s left me her contact information. If so, I’ll return the bracelet the first chance I get. Sure enough, there’s a small piece of paper folded into a square deep inside the stocking’s round toe. But when I unfold the note and scan Betty’s swirling cursive script, there isn’t a hint of an address or phone number. Not even her full name. She’s only written a single, mysterious sentence.

Please wear this and have the Christmas of your dreams.

Author Bio:

Teri Wilson is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, whimsical contemporary romance. Three of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies by Crown Media, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel THE BACHELOR’S BABY SURPRISE. Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and Audrey Hepburn films, and she loves following the British royal family. Visit her at http://www.teriwilson.net or on Twitter @TeriWilsonauthr.

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Book Blitz: The Night’s Chosen by E. E. Hornburg

The Night’s Chosen
Emily Hornburg
(The Cursed Queens Series, #1)
Published by: City Owl Press
Publication date: October 6th 2020
Genres: Adult, Fairy Tales, Retelling, Romance

Chosen of the Moon Goddess. Destined to rule. Fated to marry.

A quest to save her family, kingdom, and heart.

For the past five years Princess Eira has run from her impending wedding. As much as she loves her goddess and kingdom, she’s searched the kingdoms for another way to rule as queen someday while also choosing her own husband.

Yet, Eira’s claim to the crown falls into jeopardy when her father, King Brennus, is poisoned and fated to a sleep of living death and Eira is next on the assassin’s hit list – who happens to be her stepmother, Queen Amelia.

After Eira escapes Queen Amelia’s clutches she journeys to the northern Paravian mountains in search of an enchanted cup to save her father.

Her quest is more than she anticipated with evading Queen Amelia’s guards, traveling with the one man she shouldn’t be with, and having to bargain with the ancient dragon guarding the enchanted cup.

She’ll have to decide how to save her family and kingdom, even if it means sacrificing her heart and all she’s wanted her whole life.

If you like Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Estep, and Maxym Martineau, then you’ll love this adult fantastical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Eira never dreaded sunset. Or the Moon Festival. Or returning home. Or seeing the Oxarian royal family. She had always looked forward to those things. But not today. If only she could stop time.

No, not stop time, exactly. If she stopped time, Eira would never become queen.

She’d spent her life, all twenty-odd years of it, preparing to reign. She wanted to stop the wedding, something she should have been as prepared for as ruling Cresin.

Eira twirled the betrothal band around her wrist. The wedding was going to happen, regardless of what she wanted. With a deep exhale, she closed her eyes and sang, hoping to ease the storm brewing inside and instead focus on the peaceful magic bestowed on her by Luana’s priestesses.

The song ignited the crescent moon tattoo on her chest, and as it glowed, stars formed and sparkled around her head. Swirls of darkness poured out of her fingers and mingled with the betrothal band. The tune and words were meant to sooth and calm the soul, make the singer become one with Luana and be as peaceful as the night sky. Yet it did little to ease the darkness, ice, and stars warring underneath Eira’s skin.

Luana grant me peace…grant me grace…

The wedding was this week. Tonight, she and Alvis were going to perform the opening ceremony for the Moon Festival, ushering in Luana’s season, where the nights became longer than the day. This year, it would also signify the start of the wedding celebrations. As the Chosens of Luana and Ray, it was believed pieces of the souls of the god and goddess resided inside both she and Alvis, making them the closest to the deities their people would ever have. The two had been betrothed her entire life. Yet now the week arrived and she still wasn’t ready.

A knock came at the door, breaking Eira’s trance. With a wave of her arms, the stars and darkness vanished, and her tattoo faded. Taking a deep breath, she closed her robe and moved to the door, where the knocking was becoming incessant.

“Eira! Will you quit all your praying and let me in?” Rose’s voice drifted from the other side of the door.

Her younger sister almost clubbed Eira in the eye with the velvet box she held as Eira pulled the door open.

“I’d imagine after a year of visiting temples, you’d have had enough of praying by now.” Rose barreled into the room, leaning on her crutch, and dropped the box on the vanity with a thud.

“It was more necessary than usual today.” Eira shut the door behind them and exhaled, pressing her lips together before placing her hands on her hips. “And maybe if I hadn’t received dozens of letters from you and Father begging me to come home from those temples, I wouldn’t need to pray so long this morning.”

Rose waved Eira off. “It wasn’t as though you hadn’t planned on being home in time for the Moon Festival. We were simply reminding you.”

She dropped her crutch and it clattered to the ground as she flopped onto the plush, deep blue bed, pale freckled arms outstretched. Her copper hair splayed out on the quilt like fiery waves.

Eira had only been home for a few days since her yearlong pilgrimage, and had a curious new fascination with Rose. In so many ways she was the same, but in spite of sending letters all year and seeing one another for the holy days, there was still something different Eira couldn’t put her finger on. Rose had always been as fiery as her red hair and ready to speak her mind at any given chance. She never sat still for more than a moment. Yet now there was an air of unease and distance about her Eira didn’t recognize. This was one of the reasons she was glad to be home, in spite of everything. She wanted to get to know her sister again.

“And it wasn’t dozens of letters,” Rose replied. “It’s been a difficult year.”

Eira crossed the room and sat on the bed next to Rose.

“I’m aware. It’s not as though I was only sitting in temples praying the whole time. I went and visited as many of the villages that needed help as I could. They’re recovering from the fires, but it’s going to take a long time.”

“I’m not only talking about the fire recovery.” Rose propped herself on her elbows. “People have been…talking.”

Eira shifted in her seat. “People talk often Rose, whether I’m here or not.”

Author Bio:

Emily is an author of fantasy novels who has had a life long love affair with stories and the written word. Her debut novel, The Night’s Chosen, a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will be published with City Owl Press October 6, 2020.

She’s a Chicago South-Sider, aunt to the best niece ever, expert at the fan-girl flail, a wheelchair “part-timer” with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, dog mom, Hufflepuff, coffee addict, and has a degree in youth and theatre ministry.

When not devouring or creating books, you can find Emily watching Gilmore Girls (for the 20th time), belting out showtunes, attending the latest con, brainstorming how she can go to Disney World (again), or figuring out how to make the perfect combination of chocolate and nachos.

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Let’s Talk Bookish – What Makes You DNF A Book?

Happy Friday Book Friends!! I am so glad it’s the weekend. We are planning on going star gazing tonight with my daughters girl scout troop and we are all excited. Today I am participating in the Let’s Talk Bookish weekly meme, this is created and hosted by Rukky@EternityBooks and Dani@Literary Lion. Today’s theme is WHAT MAKES YOU DNF A BOOK? by (Rafaela @ The Portuguese Bibliophile). (DNF stands for Did Not Finish). I really like this question because I am not afraid to DNF a book, I have so many I want to read and not a lot of free time so I want to make sure I am enjoying what I am reading.

Is there a specific trope you can’t stand? Since I read mostly romance or woman’s fiction, I will not read a book that has the death of a partner as a plot point. I can’t handle it and do not want to read about that pain.

A plot twist that will make you drop instantly? Same as before I was reading a book last year and out of nowhere the partner of a main character was suddenly killed and I was like nope, not doing this!

How many pages do you usually give a book to capture your attention? It honestly depends, I have dnf’d within less than 10% and I have dnf’d at 50%. The writing and being able to hold my interest is key to when I decide to stop and that can vary depending on the book. If I can make it over half way I can usually push myself to finish the book at that point.

How many books do you give a series before deciding if it’s worth your time? Until the books are no longer holding my attention. For some I won’t go past the first book, there are many fantasy series that this happens with. With others I will stop late in the series. For the Wheel Of Time series I stopped at book 12 of 14 and The Stephanie Plum series I stopped at book 24 and 27 is coming out soon. I found that if the plot never moves forward and every book is the same it makes me less inclined to pick up the books.

Do you count books as read on Goodreads if you DNF them? I do both and I am not sure what I should actually be doing. I do have a shelf dedicated for DNF books so I try to always use that.

Do you DNF books or do push through?

Until Next Time, Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Soul Jumper by Shalana Battles

Soul Jumper
Shalana Battles
Publication date: October 6th 2020
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

I wasn’t supposed to find Selexah in this life.

Timing is one of the weirdest things in the world. Some people are like magnets. Their chemistry is undeniable. The ones who look at each other in a way every person on the planet prays someone will look at them. There are two people, who clearly have a connection, but for a reason secret to everyone except the universe, they can’t be together. Maybe it’s because one of them is interested when the other is not. Maybe in the instant that the person who was interested first gives up, the other decides to start holding on. Maybe it’s a physical distance between two locations. Maybe it’s not being single at the same time. I doubt, however, that anyone has ever thought, before today, that maybe, it’s because one of them is dead.

And, I am dead.

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From now until October 31st the author will donate $1 of every paperback sold to The Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation for domestic violence awareness month!

—

EXCERPT:

Danny and I lie motionless. The thin bed presses against his back and I wish I could sit up without the action resulting in people talking to me. At some point I’ll have to think of something to say. For now, I’ll rest. Throughout the day, different people come in to see Danny. It’s always the same. People are so happy when someone doesn’t die. I had someone to mourn my death, but those memories always seem just out of reach.

I wonder sometimes if people are ever not happy when someone lives. It sounds a bit morbid, but there are people who truly want to die. I think their families must feel that. They must know somewhere deep down that they’d be better off. Maybe they’re sick and dying, the inevitable being prolonged. Or, maybe they’re mentally ill. Maybe they struggle and fight every day to wake up, go through the motions, and are just looking for some peace. I don’t think any parent wants to outlive their child. I don’t think any person wishes death on someone they love. But, after all my Jumping, and all the thoughts I’ve read, I can’t help but believe that there are circumstances when death is the best choice. When “I’m so happy you’re alive” is a lie, and both parties know it.

That’s not Danny’s case. He’s just a boy, barely nine years old, with a lifetime ahead of him. He has plenty of people who love him and will care for him. He has people to ensure he keeps living, keeps dreaming, and keeps moving forward.

“What happened?” Finally, I speak. If I’m ever going to get Danny out of this joint, I’ll have to talk. Maybe I can get him out before I give his body back, and he can completely skip the hospital. That’d be a nice gift. He can wake up in his own bed. The worst part will be having to be told again that his parents are dead. He won’t remember when he’s told now, because his grandpa will actually be telling me. The people in his life will chalk it up to shock and retell him the story, never knowing that two days from now will be the first time Danny truly hears the story of how he lost his parents and almost his life.

—

BOOK TRAILER:

Author Bio:

Shalana Battles is a YA/Adult writer who tells stories about love…sometimes with witches and ghosts. Her debut novel, SOUL JUMPER is coming out October, 6, 2020. Be the first to hear about upcoming projects and book updates by signing up for her newsletter below!

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Book Review

Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott – 5 Stars

I have loved Penny Reid’s for years and have talked about them numerous times here on my blog but I have never ventured into her Smartypants Romance books. These books are by other romance authors but take place in the universe that Penny has created. I don’t know all of them but I know there are the park rangers, the library, the security company and I think the Nut House. I picked a few up when they go on sale and this week I needed something that I thought might hold my interest so I picked up the first one in Park Ranger series.

I freaking love the covers on both Penny’s books and the spinoffs, they all have the bearded man silhouette.

Happy Trails is the first in the Park Ranger series and we are following Ranger Jay Daniels who is presently tasked with making sure that the thru-hikers for the Appalachian Trail are safely off the trail before an early snow storm hits in October. He finds all the hikers except for Snowbird who is traveling solo. Deciding to turn around and head back down to the station he unexpectedly comes across someone in the bushes, turns out its Snowbird. Snowbird is actually Olive Perry who a few months earlier turned down a proposal on instagram live and then was promptly left by her ex. Not wanting to go home, Olive decides to continue on the AT and head back south to where the Trail ends in Georgia. Just shy o her goal, Olive is rescued by Ranger Daniels and the two have to find shelter from the snow storm.

I loved the dynamic between Jay and Olive, they were both holding onto some ideals about themselves that they needed to work through. Jay was of mixed heritage and struggled with the fact that he could pass as white while his sister could not. Olive came from money and had never real had a job of her own and dealt with societal ideals on image. I loved the journey that they both went on together and by themselves.

My other favorite part of this book was the bird references. In my spare time when I am not reading and dealing with kids schedules, I like to go birding. It’s something I have been doing for years and enjoy whenever we go on vacations. During the early part of Olive’s solo journey she picks up a copy of Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds and decides to start checking them off. She is actually looking for the Black Throated Blue Warbler when Ranger Daniels thinks she is going to the bathroom. I loved all the bird talk and it made me love a great story even more.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book.

“Watch out fancy dinner parties, I’m going to blow your socks off with ornithological facts.” Page 49

“To all the haters who think I’ll never get married and am going to die alone as a cat lady, I say ha! I’ll be the crazy bird woman with binoculars and a camouflage poncho, silently hiding out in reeds or woods.” Page 49

“You can keep the mayo, AKA the devil’s mucus.” Page 120 (my husband hates mayo and I love it, so this made me laugh)

“There are two types of people in the world: those who use bookmarks, and monsters.” Page 126 (psst…I’m a monster!)

Have you read any Penny Reid or Smarty Pants Romance books? If so which one’s are your favorite?

Until Next Time, Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: The Heart of Rutherford by Melanie A. Smith

The Heart of Rutherford
Melanie A. Smith
(Life Lessons, #1-3)
Publication date: October 8th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Come visit the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital, where three steamy romances unfold, now with bonus epilogues…

Never Date a Doctor

Some lessons are more fun when learned the hard way…

What’s the first rule of nurse’s club? Never date a doctor. Which Sasha Suvorin has no intention of doing, since she’s a nurse at Rutherford Hospital by day and working on her master’s degree by night. Who has time for dating, much less dating someone you work with? Bad idea much?

That is, until the sexy British Dr. Caleb Thompson starts at her hospital. It doesn’t help that he’s exactly her type with his dark hair, blue eyes, and rockin’ bod. Or that he’s not your typical arrogant and bossy surgeon. But Sasha isn’t easily convinced, and she soon discovers Dr. Hottie has a past that puts a stop to whatever she might have been feeling before anything starts between them.

Unfortunately, working together means facing temptation. Every. Single. Day. Is Sasha strong enough to resist what might be the perfect man? And if she gives in, will Cal’s past stay in the past? Sasha may be used to playing it safe, but life has a way of teaching its lessons … one way or another.

Bad Boys Don’t Make Good Boyfriends

Even when you know better, sometimes it’s simply too tempting…

Hospital work isn’t for the faint of heart. Becca Dillon knows that, having worked as a medical assistant in the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital for longer than she cares to think about. What she does care to think about is having fun, gossip, and guys. Her favorite of the three. And why stick to one, when you can sample them all?

That’s exactly her plan when a workplace crush on a mysterious bad-boy orderly takes a steamy turn. But Vincent DeMarco is nothing like she expected, and before she knows it, she’s falling hard. She wants him in ways she’s never wanted anyone before, but there’s something he’s keeping from her. Something that’s holding him back. And Becca is going to find out what.

Even though she knows that bad boys don’t make good boyfriends, he seems like he might be so much more. Will her quest unlock the truth? Or will it end their relationship? Either way, Becca’s world is about to change.

You Can’t Buy Love

Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can pride …

Julianna Magnusson is tired of working at her thankless job as a nurse practitioner for the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital. Tired of having no time for her own life. But most of all, she’s tired of pretending that she’s happy about it. So when her boss insists she attend the annual hospital charity gala, spending money on a dress to impress a bunch of stuck-up snobs doesn’t exactly sound like her idea of a good time.

Still, she makes an appearance. Only to meet a handsome stranger named Noah who stops her from drunkenly confronting the man who owns the hospital about all the issues at work. Then Noah does so much more, giving her a night of passion that she’ll never forget. Still, Jules has no intentions of taking it further. As timely as meeting him was, Noah is many things she’d never want in a man: Clearly elitist, arrogant, and bossy, he’s nothing more than a one-night stand.

Which was a great plan until he turns up at her hospital with a mind to shake things up in a way that could affect her career and her decision to write him off, igniting an epic battle between them as the chemistry that sparked the initial attraction transforms into a battle of wills. Their clash could jeopardize everything Jules has worked for — or, if she can look past her own pride, it might lead to everything she needs. In the fight between what we think we want and what life has in store for us, what wins?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Never Date a Doctor

“Would you like to hear what I want?”

I close my eyes and give a slight shake of my head. “Will it change anything?” I open my eyes and look up at him. Mistake. He’s painfully, heartbreakingly beautiful as he looks down longingly into my eyes.

“I guess I won’t know until I’ve told you,” he says simply. “But I don’t want to overwhelm you. I can only imagine how the wolves have been treating you while I was away.” He gives a faint smile.

“Fine. What you do want?”

His eyes light up at the question, and his heated gaze pins me to the spot. “A good many things. But just one that you need to know about.” His hand reaches up, and he strokes a finger down my cheek. “Put simply: You. From the moment I saw you. Even though I knew it would be messy on many levels. Though I’m afraid I haven’t behaved entirely honorably. And I do understand where you’re coming from. But you should know that I’m not going to give up.”

Author Bio:

Melanie A. Smith is the best-selling author of The Safeguarded Heart Series and other contemporary romance fiction. Originally from upstate New York, she spent most of her childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles for college. After that, she spent almost fifteen years in the Seattle Area, and now lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with her family.

A voracious reader and lifelong writer, Melanie’s writing began at a young age with short stories and poetry. Having completed a bachelor of science in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s in business administration at the University of Washington, her writing abilities were mainly utilized for technical documents as a lead engineer for the Boeing Company, where she worked for ten years.

After shifting careers to domestic engineering and property management in 2015, she eventually found a balance where she was able to return to writing fiction.

Melanie is also a Mensan and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and driving with the windows down and the stereo cranked up loud.

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