Year in Review (2020)

 

2020 is a year that we will not forgot! Despite the pandemic it was a year of blessings and milestones.  My husband and I celebrated 40 years of marriage and my 60th birthday.  During the shut down in Spring we re-painted most of the rooms in the house and replaced carpet in 3 rooms.

Year in Review
Total Read: 152
Fiction - 152
Non Fiction - 0
Audio - 38
Young Adult - 0
Men - 15
Women - 79
New to Me Authors -16
Shortest book - 80 pages Cleaning the Gold
Longest Book - 652 pages Where The Light Enters
Oldest Book - 1996
Longest Audio - 14 hours Cemetery Road
Shortest Audio - 3 hours Once Upon A Christmas Eve
Stand Alone Books - 44

Repeat Authors: Anna Lee Huber (7), Dannika Dark (6), Elizabeth Hoyt (6), Grace Burrowes (6), Lorraine Heath (6),
Repeat Narrators: Ashford McNab, Justine Eyre, Kate Reading, Nicole Poole, Rebekkah Ross, Rosalyn Landor, Susan Duerden, Tavia Gilbert,

Where I Read: Alabama (2), Alaska (4), Arizona, Boston (2), California (19), Chicago, Colorado (4), Connecticut, Florida (5), Fort Knox, Georgia (2), Iowa, Kentucky (2), Louisiana (2), Maine (2), Martha's Vineyard, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey (2), New Mexico, New York (13), North Carolina (5), North Dakota, Ohio (3), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (3), South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (4), Utah, Washington (5), Washington, DC (3), West Virginia, Wyoming (2), Antarctica, Australia, Belgium, England (22), London (13), Scotland (7), Wales

Genres: Contemporary (24), Crime fiction (7), historical (9),  historical mystery (7), historical romance (27),  mystery (4),  paranormal (9), romance (22), suspense/thriller (32)

I am surprised that I did not read one non-fiction book (other than devotional books) this year. My reading was predominately series books as well. My goal for 2021 is to read more male authors and stand alone books.

First Book of 2020                                                

    Last Book of 2020                                     

   
                                                                                           First Book of 2021

Happy New Year!!

Weekly Reading Wrap Up

Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh #1

Homicide Detective Bree Taggert's sister has been killed back in her hometown.  This crime echoes the one that Bree experienced as a child.  Bree's brother-in-law is missing and is the prime suspect.  Matthew, a former cop, is willing to help Bree figure out what happened as the missing BIL is his friend. In addition to working the crime Bree is named guardian of her sister's two kids, a responsibility that leaves her more scared then chasing down dangerous criminals.  Plenty of twists and turns gets this first book of a new series off to a great start.

Beauty Tempts The Beast by Lorraine Heath #6 (audio)

Althea finds herself in Whitechapel after her family loses everything when her father is convicted of treason. She takes a job at a local pub.  Benedict Trewlove stops there often as it is owned by his sister. Benedict is also knows as Beast due to a number of reasons that are a part of the story and his character.  He realizes at once that Althea is a lady and is intrigued by what brings her to his side of town.  He offers her a job to train the women under his protection on how to find respectable employment.  She takes him up on the offer in exchange for him teaching her something. As they each fulfill their bargain attraction builds, but then the past comes to throw a wrench. Will his deep sense of responsibility come between them? A wonderful conclusion to this series narrated by the absolutely brilliant Kate Reading!

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

Somebody To Love by Kristan Higgins #3

After losing everything due to her father's insider trading Parker moves from Rhode Island to Maine.  She was left a home by an aunt.  Her plan is to sell it and use the proceeds to get on with her life back in RI.  She arrives to find a huge fixer upper with hardly and means to do so.  James, her father's attorney, shows up and tells her he will help her fix up the house.  Parker thinks he is there at her father's request, James let her think it. As they work on the home together Parker finds out he is not what she always figured him to be. She fights leaning on him too much as he doesn't fit into her plans.  Plans change.  

Up Next:

Trouble in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

If Wishes Were Earls by Elizabeth Boyle

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

The last weekly reading wrap up of 2020.  At times it seemed days were crawling by and others a week was over before we knew it.  Hope these last days of 2020 are filled with joy and an excitement as the New Year begins. 

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Weekly Reading Wrap-Up

Boone by Emily March #3

Boone and Hannah have both suffered tragedy and loss to the extreme.  Hannah is trying to escape it all and ends up in Eternity Springs because she likes the  name of things in the city.  Boone is a bit farther along and has been offered something he never thought would happen.  They meet at Lovers Leap and Boone recognizes a tortured soul. He talks her down and invites her to stay in his guest cottage.  As their friendship deepens Hannah finds she is welcomed in Eternity Springs and this just may be the place that will help her heal.  When Boone asks her to help him out she knows it will test her to the limits.  Will she give herself a second chance and see what Boone already knows, that they are meant for each other?  A great conclusion to this trilogy.

*Thanks to St. Martin's Press/NetGalley for this review copy*

Criss Cross by James Patterson #27

Alex Cross has to determine if his nemesis is really alive or if someone else is at the center of these recent murders that leave a note to Dr. Cross behind.  Quick, fast-paced read. 

Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich #27

Stephanie's Grandma is in danger.  She a recent widow that was left keys to a treasure that her husband's former partners think she knows the location of.  Stephanie has to figure out where this treasure is before harm is done to herself and her grandma.  Along with the usual cast of characters two new ones enter into Stephanie's world. Plenty of laughs accompany the situations these characters find themselves. Will the treasure be found before anyone is hurt? 

Penny For Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber #3

Verity and Sidney attend a dinner party of one of her friends.  Ada has not been widely accepted in their social circles and their attendance hopefully will help.  The next day Ada's husband is found shot in his office with Ada as the prime suspect.  She asks Verity for her help and along with Sidney they set out to investigate. Meanwhile a former colleague in the war has died and her sisters asks Verity for help in finding out if her death is suspicious.  This couple is working hard on their marriage after their lives took drastic turns during and after WWI. An enjoyable installment in this mystery series. 

Up Next:

Somebody to Love by Jill Shalvis

Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh

Plenty of time to read since shopping and wrapping is done!  Hope your celebration is wonderful this week! Merry Christmas.

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Weekly Reading Wrap Up (SP/IMWAYR?)

Pivot by Martin, Zanetti & Ivy

Each story in this anthology is connected. Meri, Michelle and Melanie were all foster sisters at one time. Meri is on the run to get away from Joey her criminal child's father on the way to Michelle's. Michelle is a writer with a drug addicted mother who steals her tablet with a unpublished graphic novel on it to sell. Melanie works at a youth center and rescue's a young boy that criminals want to use as a pawn. All three are helped by cops/former cops in this fast paced, action filled anthology.

Shadows in Death by J.D. Robb #51

Eve and Roark are called to a murder in the park.  They discover a young mom who was meeting her artist friend after a jog.  While on scene Roark catches sight of a person from his past and knows he is the one who killed the woman.  As the story of Cobbe comes out Eve and her team are busy tracking down this assassin. When he shows up at their doorstep and leaves a dead cat in a bag the hunt intensifies to a showdown on Roark's home turf in Ireland. 

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes #5

Robert and Constance met while teens at a asylum.  He as a patient, she as a employee.  When Robert's brother found out he was not dead as he was led to believe, he brought him home.  Robert suffers from the falling sickness and was hidden away. Constance's sister Althea is his next door neighbor. When Robert and Constance are reunited they have to fight against the plans of greedy people who want to declare him unfit and gain the use of his wealth. A great story of triumph and second chances.

*Thanks to Forever/Netgalley for this review copy*

Along Came A Duke by Elizabeth Boyle (audio) #1

Tabitha is a spinster that has recently come into an inheritance with conditions to be married to a specific gentleman.  She is glad to be getting away from her aunt and uncle who treat her terribly. After an accidental meeting with Christopher whom she really doesn't care for, she can't stop thinking about him.  He doesn't understand how this spinster has caught his attention and he is determined to not let her be used for her fortune.  Tabby asks him to ruin her to get her out of the marriage.  When he agrees, things so all kinds of wrong.  Will they put a stop to this plot and find love together?  Witty, fun and completely entertaining.  Narrated by the brilliant Susan Duerden.

A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber #4.5

Kiera is more than happy to take on a couple of inquiries to escape all the stress of her upcoming marriage to Gage.  She is looking forward to marrying him, but the more her sister plans the more it stresses Kiera.  She receives a necklace that has a history she wants to uncover before accepting. Also they are asked to retrieve a journal that has been hidden in a writing desk that now belongs to someone else. So glad we get to attend the wedding of these two beloved characters. 

Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard (audio)

Family dysfunction over the top with too much ickiness that talented narrator Natalie Ross could not overcome. This murder mystery/love story would have been so much better without the family connection the author chose.

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster for this review copy*

Earl's Well That Ends Well by Jane Ashford #5

Arthur has offered his help to four young men in dealing with grief and encourages them to allow love back into their lives. All four have found love and a new life due to Arthurs help and matchmaking. Arthur returns home and decides to visit his young friend Tom who has taken a liking to the theater.  He meets Tom's friends and immediately is intrigued by Theresa, the set painter.  He wants to discover the secrets she is keeping.  When opera dancers go missing they all work together to solve the mystery. Theresa is just as intrigued but is wary of Arthur because of his title, and needs to keep a low profile. Tom turns the tables on Arthur and begins to set about getting these two to take a chance on love. A great conclusion to this series.

*Thanks to Sourcebooks/Netgalley for this review copy*

Up Next:

Boone by Emily March

Penny For Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber

And The Miss Ran Away With The Rake by Elizabeth Boyle

I am surprised to find myself done with Christmas shopping and having the gifts all wrapped!  This has been a weird year!  LOL. Looking forward to spending time with family since we didn't get together for Thanksgiving.  I have my First Book chosen for 2021.  

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

November Wrap Up

Titles Read:

A California Christmas by Brenda Novak
A Study In Death by Anna Lee Huber
Louisiana Lucky by Julie Pennell (audio)
Mine Til Midnight by Lisa Kleypas (audio)
My One And Only Duke by Grace Burrowes
One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas (audio)
Tall, Duke and Dangerous by Megan Frampton
Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas (audio)
The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs (audio)
The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan
The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor
When A Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes


•Total Read: 13
•Adult: 13
•YA: 0
•Audios: 5
•New to me authors: 4
•Debut authors: 0
•Series Books: 8
•Women Authors: 9
•Men Authors: 0
•Shortest: 323
•Longest: 464

•YTD - 136

•Favorite Book(s) of the Month: The Lost and Found Bookshop, A Study in Death

Where I've Read This Month: California (4),  Louisiana, England (6), Scotland (2)

Genres read:  Contemporary (5),  crime fiction , historical (7)

What I Am Looking Forward to next month:

Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich

Linking up with Nicole at Feed Your Fiction Addiction Month In Review

Weekly Reading Wrap Up (SP/IMWAYR?)

When A Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes #2

Duncan is asked by his cousin to go and see if he an put a property to rights.  While there he discovers poaches and is saved from them by a woman.  Matilda is in hiding and when offered a job of translating Duncan's travel journals she accepts. She is a mystery that Duncan is intent on uncovering. Good characters, boring story.  

The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan

Evangeline spent 4 years in prison for a crime she did not commit.  When released she is asked to help bring down the real culprits.  Story got off to a great start then fell flat.

Tall. Duke and Dangerous by Megan Frampton

Surprised I stuck with the story.

Up Next:

The Trouble With Dukes by Grace Burrowes

Shadows in Death by J.D. Robb

Cut and Run by Allison Brennan

It was a strange week of reading.  None of the books were great, a couple I put down a few times.  Did get up the Christmas decorations earlier than normal, probably because the books were not holding my attention.

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Weekly Reading Wrap-Up (IMWAYR?/SP)

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Detective Maggie takes a leave of absence to go back to Dublin as some new evidence to her cousin's 23 year disappearance may have been found.  She offers her help to the local authorities, and does some investigation on her own.  As we get Erin's backstory suspects begin to emerge. Plenty of twists and turns with a complete surprise revelation kept me totally engaged in this story.

Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas #3 (audio)

Book three in the audio re-read of the Hathaway series.  Narrated by the fantastic Rosalyn Landor. Third sister Poppy has an understanding with a young man and is expecting an offer soon.  When she learns he will not stand up to his father she is devastated.  Harry, the owner of the hotel the family is residing at, is intrigued by her, but Poppy is not interested.  When they become compromised and must marry Harry is determined to win her over.  

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes #1

Quinn has been wrongly accused of murder and is awaiting execution.  Since he is a banker he has a bit of privileges in prison and gets a visit from a preacher's daughter.  Jane is looking for a bit of escape from her overbearing father.  While they visit she reveals she is a pregnant widow and loathes living with her father.  Quinn graciously offers to marry her and provide her with some security to live on her own.  Jane takes him up on the offer.  Imagine her surprise when she learns he has been rescued from the noose just in time.  It has been discovered that he is heir to a Dukedom.  As they decide to continue with their marriage, Jane is eager to learn all she can about her new role.  Quinn, however, is determined to find out who set him up and get his revenge despite how it may affect this blossoming relationship.  Lovely story with wonderful characters that hopefully will each get their own story.

Up Next:

When A Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes

Pivot by Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti and Alexandra Ivy

Shadows in Death by J.D. Robb

It will be a quiet Thanksgiving this year.  There is much to be thankful for despite what this last year has brought.  Hope you enjoy however you are able to gather this year.

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Weekly Reading Wrap Up (SP/IMWAYR?)

A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber #4

Kiera is at her sister's home awaiting the birth of her newest niece or nephew as well as planning her wedding to Sebastian Gage.  While waiting she has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Lady Drummond.  Kiera has learned to recognize in other what she suffered with her first husband.  One morning when she arrives for the sitting, Lady Drummond is discovered on the floor dead.  Kiera is sure it a suspicious death and sets out to prove the finding of natural wrong.  Sebastian agrees to help her much to the displeasure of his father.  As the suspect pool grows Kiera and Gage navigate their engagement with a few bumps. An enjoyable installment in this historical mystery series.

Mine Til Midnight by Lisa Kelypas #1 (audio)

This audio was just as good as the original reading of the book eight years ago.  Rosalyn Landor is brilliant in her narration of these characters.  Cam and Ameilia begin the Hathaway series

Seduce Me At Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas #2 (audio)

Hathaways #2 Win and Kev's story. One determined to make her wish come true and the other, out of fear, trying to avoid it.  Love Rosalyn Landor's narration and plan to continue to listen (as a reread) to the series.

Louisiana Lucky by Julie Pennell (audio)

Sisters Lexi, Hanna and Callie play the lottery.  Their ticket is the big winner and they each begin to try and make their dreams come true with their winning.  Predictably, the money and all that it brings ends up making all kinds of things go wrong.  As their lives implode each one figures out, just in time, what most know, money does not buy happiness. Rebekkah Ross, Nancy Wu and Megan Tusing narrate the alternating chapters of each sister.  An okay story to listen to while walking.  

*Thanks to Simons & Schuster Audio for this review copy*

One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak

How many people expected to find family they didn't know existed after sending in one of those home DNA test kits?  This is the premise of this novel.  Serenity, Lorelei and Regan all discover each other as half-sisters and meet together to see if they can figure out how they could be related. Their stories are told in alternating chapters, each with other issues that having found each other has helped.  While this is a fictional story, I wonder how many real life scenarios like this end up with a satisfying conclusion. I picked up this book not knowing it's premise and almost didn't read as it happened in my family.

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs (audio)

Natalie is tired of fixing everyone's mistake at work.  When she loses her boyfriend and mother in a tragic plan accident she quits her job to take care of her mother's business (a bookshop) as well as her grandfather.  When she finds everything in complete chaos instead of giving up she gets to work trying to figure out a solution.  Along the way she meets interesting people as well as learning more about herself than she ever imagined.  A delightful story narrated by Emily Rankin. Loved the characters and setting.

*Thanks to HarperAudio for this review copy*

A California Christmas by Brenda Novak #7

Emery is invited to live with a friend's family while she is decompressing from being the target of revenge by a former boyfriend.  He releases a video that destroys her career and self-esteem.  Dallas is back home for his foster mom's wedding and the holiday.  He is an up and coming solo climber that uses his career as a means to survivor's guilt.  He finds himself drawn to Emery and wanting to fight for her. Emery just wants it all to go away, but with his encouragement decides to go ahead with the wrongful termination suit. The sparks fly despite each of them trying to hold them back.  Will this trust they find in each other bring them the second chance they deserve or will old wounds disrupt this fragile new beginning?  

*Thanks to HarperCollins/Netgalley for this review copy*

Up Next:

The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes

Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard

No procrastinating about picked up the leaves in the yard this year!  Nice to have it done. Got lots of time to listen to audios while doing so!

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.