Books I Plan to Read September 27 - October 3 and last week's results

 

Shikamoo (Hello in Swahili)

I hope everyone is doing fine. This weekend, we are being hit by a Nor'easter on and off. Some areas have major or minor flooding, but so far my home is fine, just downpours occasional and once in a while some thunder. The rain is expected to be on and off until Tuesday. Perfect reason to stay in and read, then do more packing. I am getting there, folks.

My reading went well this week. I even managed to sneak in an extra ebook. This is how it went.

Ebooks:

(finished) Prey for Me by Allie Oleander - 4 1/2 stars

How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce - 4 1/2 stars

Devil's Snare by Nikki Landis - 5 stars

(extra read) The Marquess's Forbidden Bride by Julia Justiss - 5 stars

Audiobooks:

(finished) Can't Run with the Big Dogs by Tracy Carter - 5 stars

Goode Tidings by Jennifer Millikin - 4 1/2 stars

Planned Reading for September 27 to October 3

Ebooks: 

Audiobooks: 

Seems light once again, but we will see. I want to explain my rating system. You may notice that I give 1/2 stars. When I do, I select the next star down. For example, on the site where I am reviewing, I select 4 if I feel that it was a 4 1/2 rating. Half stars mean that it was a good story with a little more (or less if I feel that there is too much description or narrative that takes me out of the story), but not quite "I couldn't put it down" which gets the 5 stars. In the heading box and at the beginning of the review, I will put 4 1/2 stars so that readers will know. Do you write reviews? How do you rate those stories?

If you have a question about my rating system or my reading preferences, just let me know.

Kwaheri (Goodbye in Swahili)

Audiobook Review: Goode Tidings (Serendipity and Shenanigans Series) by Jennifer Millikin, narrators Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue

 

Blurb: 

From Amazon Charts bestselling author Jennifer Millikin comes a new cozy, laugh-out-loud romance.

Callum Goode, the grumpy creator of the beloved website Goode Tidings, never planned on unlawfully occupying the abandoned lakeside cabin where he spent summers as a child. But after a painful and humiliating betrayal, he trades the city for a secluded life in the mountains. There he finds peace, solitude, and a hot tub—which is where Callum happens to be when Eden Madigan and her teenage son wander onto his property claiming the cabin is theirs for the next year.

Seeking space from the newcomers, Callum moves into the small backyard office. Eden might be beautiful and funny, but she's also the no-filter ex-wife of Callum's former stepbrother, making her totally off-limits.

Callum appears to be all scowls and ruggedly handsome, but Eden knows there's more to him. She's determined to peel back his layers, but what she's really doing is getting under his skin in a way neither of them expected.

Eden maintains that bringing Callum coffee every afternoon is just a simple kindness. Callum claims he was only offering a friendly ear when Eden was upset. But the way Callum has been showing up in town wearing an uncharacteristic smile on his face says otherwise.

With tentative touches lingering, and lengthy glances heating up, Callum's grasp on his control begins to slip.

And when the tension finally snaps? There's no going back.

Amazon: Amazon.com: Goode Tidings: A single mom, small town romantic comedy (Serendipity & Shenanigans) eBook : Millikin, Jennifer: Kindle Store

Audible: Goode Tidings Audiobook by Jennifer Millikin

B&N: Goode Tidings | Barnes & Noble®

Bookbub: Goode Tidings: A single mom, small town romantic comedy (Serendipity & Shenanigans) by Jennifer Millikin - BookBub

Goodreads: Goode Tidings by Jennifer Millikin | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars for me. I did find this story to be full of love, wit, and complications. Eden was trying to straighten out her life after work issues. I loved her relationship with her son, which felt like true teen-mom interactions. Eden was smart yet felt like she had low self-esteem at times. Enter her first glimpse of Callum, a very entertaining scene. He was a bit of a grouch, loner, with his own family issues. I loved how he stepped up with Oliver and Eden. He was protective and pushed her when she needed it. How things worked out in the end brought tears to my eyes. Enjoyable read.
Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue brought the humor, love, and tension to the story with their narration. They helped me enjoy this story.

I received an audiobook through Valentine PR, and this is my unsolicited review.

Narrator Reveal: Carved in the Shadows (Crimson Crows #2) by A.L. Jackson, narrators Andi Arndt and Austin Stone

A.L. Jackson has revealed the narrators for Carved in the Shadows!

Duet Narration by: Austin Stone & Andi Arndt

Releasing October 20, 2026

It was a terrible idea to agree to move in with my best friend’s little sister

She is everything I’ve ever wanted and the one thing I can’t have.

As our motorcycle club’s Vice President, I’m charged with her protection.
Touching her would be a penalty subject to death.

When she demands the chance to spread her wings, it’s my duty to go with her.
I knew staying at her new apartment would be excruciating.
Listening to her in her room and imagining her under the fall of the shower.
But when she asks me to crawl into bed with her so she won’t feel so alone, there’s nothing I can do.

One brush of her hand and I’m crumbling.
One crook of those fingers and I’m trapped.
One reckless night and there’s no going back.

Only with the lives we lead, our enemies are never far away, and as she begins to receive threats, I’m in a race to end the threat before it’s too late.
Soon, our secrets unravel, and I’m faced with the consequence of loving her.
But I promised her everything, and I’m willing to offer the greatest sacrifice.

Pre-order Today!

https://geni.us/CITSAudioOP 

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4cKlA6S 

Narrator Reveal: Beck (Double U Ranch #2) by Jessica Peterson, narrators Savannah Peachwood and Sean Crisden

Author Jessica Peterson has revealed the narrators for Beck!

Narrated by: Sean Crisden and Savannah Peachwood

Releasing January 12, 2027 

She wasn’t supposed to come back broken.
She definitely wasn’t supposed to find him waiting.
And she absolutely wasn’t supposed to want the life she left behind.

Posey Adkins has built a career out of knowing what she wants—what tastes right, what sells, what’s worth a second look. As a writer and food critic, she’s made a name for herself one sharp review and recipe at a time. But when her carefully ordered life cracks wide open, there’s only one place she can think to run: the small Texas town of Hartsville, where memories she’s spent years avoiding are alive and well.

Especially the one named Beck.

Beck Wallace never did learn how to forget Posey. Not the summer she came to Hartsville grieving her mama. Not the night they gave each other everything, knowing morning would still come with goodbye. She had a future waiting in New York, and his was rooted in the family ranch that had been theirs for generations.

Now Posey is back, and Beck isn’t the boy she left behind. He’s built something of his own—a thriving restaurant, a place on the ranch, a life he’s proud of. The only thing missing is the woman who taught him to live well and love hard.

This time around, Beck isn’t interested in almost. He’s ready to fight for Posey and for their second chance. Most of all, he’s ready to show her the dreams she’s been chasing have perhaps been here all along.

BECK is the second book in the all new Double U Ranch Series. Coming January 2027!

Pre-order today!

Audible: https://bit.ly/3Tz15DI

Influencer ALC sign-up: https://bit.ly/4xYWF8f 

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/46s6fnV 

Audiobook Review: Can't Run with the Big Dogs (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery #4) by Tracy Carter, narrator Alyssa Baumann

Blurb: 

The escape of Veronica Kildare's vindictive, long-time nemesis from prison overshadows what should be a festive holiday season for her and her team. Law enforcement is convinced that Tommy Arnett perished in a fiery car accident, but Veronica can't shake the sinking feeling that she hasn't escaped that easily from his relentless pursuit of revenge against her.

Other unsettling factors are swirling through Colorado along with the encroaching harsh winter weather as Veronica and her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Leda, search for several missing young women who've been abducted and pitilessly left to face the elements, and the daughters of her search and rescue partner, Sgt. Tim Donovan, are targeted by a mysterious man with an unknown agenda. All is not as it seems with regard to the kidnappings, however, as one case ties back to a local thoroughbred racetrack where a nefarious scheme has been enacted by a villain willing to eliminate anyone who stands in their way.

While Veronica also trains a C. diff sniffing canine for nursing homes and a dog able to identify illegal equine performance-enhancing drugs at Blue Columbine Downs, she and her father examine the undercurrents affecting the racetrack in an effort to pinpoint the source of the wrongdoing there.

As malign forces gather around them, will Veronica and Leda be able to outrun a terrible fate when their brutal past and their present day life collide?

Amazon: Can't Run with the Big Dogs (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery Book 4) - Kindle edition by Carter, Tracy. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Can't Run with the Big Dogs Audiobook by Tracy Carter

B&N: Can't Run with the Big Dogs | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Can't Run with the Big Dogs eBook by Tracy Carter - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Bookbub: Can’t Run with the Big Dogs by Tracy Carter - BookBub

Goodreads: Can't Run with the Big Dogs: A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery, Book 4 by Tracy Carter | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

I loved this story, and the narration by Alyssa Baumann added more to it. Wonderful job. As to the story, I enjoyed the descriptions of how to train and what to train the dogs for. I found it very interesting. There were a fair amount of search and rescues amongst the main thread with the race horses, all with happy endings. Veronica was such a trooper with all the requests that came to her and couldn't say no. I also loved the depth of the relationship and friendships that were explored in this story. I had moments of tears and breath holding as the end of the book came closer. Well worth reading/listening to.

I received an audiobook ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

Books I Plan to Reading September 20-26 and last week's results

 

Czesc (Hello in Polish),

I hope everyone had a good week. I have been fairly productive this week with regards to packing up my house. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long time coming. (Enough tacky common phrases.) So has fall reached your area? We are finally spending more days in the 70's, going down to the 60's at night. Regardless of the temperatures, I am spending most of my waking hours inside, either reading or packing.

Here is last week's reading. I began one ebook and one audiobook that were planned, but I did not complete either. I will finish them up over the next couple of days.

Ebooks:

April's Fool by E.C. Land - 5 stars

Knight by Kate Bonham - 5 stars

Custody in the Crosshairs by Barb Han - 4 1/2 stars

Audiobook: 

Code Violation by Ruth Stilling - 4 1/2 stars

Planned reading for September 20-26

Ebooks:

(finish) Prey for Me by Allie Oleander

I am waiting on two possible ARCs so it could be one of these:

OR

Audiobook:

(finish) Can't Run with the Big Dogs by Tracy Carter

As with the ebooks, I have an audiobook ARC I am waiting on so it could one of these.

OR

Recently, I have been agreeing to fewer ARCs as I don't want to disappoint anyone once I begin our drive west when I will have less time to read. It should only be a week of travel, but I could still fall behind. This is at least a month off, so I have no firm plans.

As I say goodbye for the week, I want to remind you all to take a moment to relax every day. If you find a couple hours with nothing to do, look in that closet you seldom go in and go through what is there. I am finding stuff from when my in-laws lived here, and I do not have a use for it. Do not forget to donate those items that are still in good shape if you don't want it. I took about 7 boxes to one of the local donation drop offs. 

Well for now, Do widzenia (goodbye in Polish),

Audiobook Review: Code Violation (The Rules of the Rink #2) by Ruth Stilling, narrators Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah

 

Blurb: 

I’m in love with my brother’s ex-girlfriend.

After years of acting like Vesper Stone isn’t the girl of my dreams, I owe it to myself to be honest, even if the confession can only ever remain a secret.

There are so many reasons why I should forget about her. As the captain of the Seattle Rogues, I shouldn’t betray my only sibling, and I ought to honor the promise I made to our late mom to stand by him.

But my brother isn’t a good man, and I can’t take my eyes off the stunning bartender with sleek black hair and a smile that falters whenever she gets a text from the guy who never deserved her.

Voicing my feelings is a terrible idea. My brother isn’t only a bad person, but he’s dangerous, too, and my top priority is protecting the one girl I can never have.

But I didn’t make it as a pro hockey player without going after what I wanted, and regardless of who she is to my family, I can’t stop showing up at her apartment.

Maybe we can just be friends. I’d rather have that than lose her altogether. My brother doesn’t need to know we hang out and eat pizza while watching a movie.

But friends don’t hold their breath whenever they catch each other’s gaze, and they definitely don’t do what we did the other night …

I should walk away.
For her.
For us.
For the sake of keeping the peace.

So, why am I standing outside Vesper’s door right now, ready to lay my heart on the line? And why am I about to speak the words I vowed to take to my grave?

Because now that I’ve had her in my bed, I’ll go to war to keep her—and our baby—forever.

Amazon: Amazon.com: Code Violation (The Rules of the Rink Book 2) eBook : Stilling, Ruth: Kindle Store

Audible: Code Violation Audiobook by Ruth Stilling

Bookbub: Code Violation (The Rules of the Rink Book 2) by Ruth Stilling - BookBub

Goodreads: Code Violation (The Rules of the Rink #2) by Ruth Stilling | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars. I did enjoy this story. Silas was very patient, waiting for the right time to let Vesper know his truth, even while she was with his brother. He protected her, covered for her, and loved her. Vesper had allowed Kane to walk all over her until she realized she deserved better. I was glad that she finally saw her worth and what was truly in front of her. Secrets, steam, and some dangerous moments made their journey worth the read.
The narration was well done by Raven Hawkins and Tristan Josiah. I felt that they added an extra dimension to their personalities.

I received a copy through Hambright, and this is my unsolicited review.

Audiobook Preorder: Goode Tidings (Serendipity and Shenanigans) by Jennifer Millikin, narrators Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue

Goode Tidings by Jennifer Millikin is now available for pre-order on audio!

Narrated by Hannah Chiclana & Aaron Donahue

Releasing on October 1, 2026 

Callum Goode, the grumpy creator of the beloved website Goode Tidings, never planned on unlawfully occupying the abandoned lakeside cabin where he spent summers as a child. But after a painful and humiliating betrayal, he trades the city for a secluded life in the mountains. There he finds peace, solitude, and a hot tub—which is where Callum happens to be when Eden Madigan and her teenage son wander onto his property claiming the cabin is theirs for the next year.

Seeking space from the newcomers, Callum moves into the small backyard office. Eden might be beautiful and funny, but she's also the no-filter ex-wife of Callum's former stepbrother, making her totally off-limits.

Callum appears to be all scowls and ruggedly handsome, but Eden knows there's more to him. She's determined to peel back his layers, but what she's really doing is getting under his skin in a way neither of them expected.

Eden maintains that bringing Callum coffee every afternoon is just a simple kindness. Callum claims he was only offering a friendly ear when Eden was upset. But the way Callum has been showing up in town wearing an uncharacteristic smile on his face says otherwise.

With tentative touches lingering, and lengthy glances heating up, Callum's grasp on his control begins to slip.

And when the tension finally snaps? There's no going back.

Pre-order today!

Audible: https://bit.ly/4cQho5H

Amazon: https://bit.ly/46nycgL 

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4gW82b7 

Books I Plan to Read September 13-19 and last week's results

 

God dag (hello/good day in Norwegian),

I hope all of you are doing well. Things have been moving along slowly here, including the heat coming down in preparation for fall/autumn. Even day, it was still hitting the low 80's. Packing is inching along, and I feel a little stressed because of the slowness. I did have fun at the Renaissance Faire last Sunday. After so many years attending, it was hard to say goodbye to those we came to know. I am looking forward to this new step but sad to leave everything behind.

Enough of that. I did well again this week with the planned reading, and I have been lucky for the most part with, what I feel were, good stories. Here are the results: 

Ebooks: 

A Wedding in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand - 4 1/2 stars

Property of Whiskey by Morgan Jane Mitchell - 5 stars

Property of Viking and Priest by K.L. Donn - 4 stars

Property of Incubus by D.M. Earl - 5 stars

Audiobook:

Holding Ground by Piper Rayne - 5 stars

Planned Reading for September 13-19

Ebooks:

Audiobooks: 

Looking good for the week. I will try to put in more hours on packing while still getting in my reading time. Continue to take the time to relax, have some downtime in whatever works for you. 

Hadet (goodbye in Norwegian)

Audiobook Sale!!! Beautiful Enemy (Enemies #1) by Piper Lawson, free only on Chirp September 11-14

Start the Enemies series by @piperlawsonbooks now for FREE in audio only on Chirp!

Listen to book 1 free today!
https://bit.ly/4h2Q6KJ

Grab the remaining audiobooks for $2.99 each!
Beautiful Sins: https://bit.ly/4A5yyWT
Beautiful Ruin: https://bit.ly/4xLAaDL
Beautiful Salvation: https://bit.ly/4xN8Uo8

Narrated by: @ms_brentmoor & @shaneeastreads

#PiperLawson #BillionaireRomance #ForcedProximity #BritishHero #Valentineprlm 

Audiobook Review: Holding Ground (The Mercer Family #1) by Piper Rayne

 Blurb: 

I’ve been a single dad for five years. Then the wrong woman rented the guest cabin behind my house, and I knew right then she was going to ruin everything.

When Baylor's mother walked out, I made a promise—I'd be enough. Just the two of us. No one to disappoint her. No one else to leave.

Then Emelia Greene rolled into Echo Lake in a Mercedes and a power suit to convince the townspeople to change what makes our small town great. She’s everything this place isn't.

Emelia's not supposed to be kind. She's not supposed to be good with my daughter. She's definitely not supposed to be the one I find myself confiding in at the end of my dock every night.

She's leaving in three months. I know that.

The problem is, I can't stop wondering what it would be like if a woman like her belonged in a place like this.

In a life like mine.

Amazon: Holding Ground (The Mercer Family Book 1) - Kindle edition by Rayne, Piper. Contemporary Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Holding Ground Audiobook by Piper Rayne

Bookbub: Holding Ground (The Mercer Family, #1) by Piper Rayne - BookBub

Goodreads: Holding Ground (The Mercer Family #1) by Piper Rayne | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

I found this to be a very touching story. Emelia had a good heart, worked hard, detail oriented, intelligent, and honest. Elliot was a wonderful father, great with his family, gruff, and suspicious of Emelia and her company. I loved how the town supported everyone and encouraged the connection between Emelia and Elliot. There was plenty of steam, tension, smiles, and tears. I was glad that Elliot kept an open mind, with a little encouragement, when Emelia's plans came under question. Well worth the reading.
The narration of Callie Dalton (Emelia) and Jason Clarke (Elliot) added very much to my enjoyment of this story. With the added cast of Connor Crais, Jill Smith, JF Harding, and Aaron Shedlock for all the other characters, this was a wonderful listen.

I received a copy through Valentine PR, and this is my unsolicited review.

Audiobook Release: Holding Ground (The Mercer Family #1) by Piper Rayne, narrators Callie Dalton and Jason Clarke with full cast, with my review

 

Holding Ground by Piper Rayne is now live on audio!

FULL CAST Duet Narration: Jason Clarke & Callie Dalton
Also featuring: Connor Crais, JF Harding, Aaron Shedlock & Jill Smith 

I’ve been a single dad for five years. Then the wrong woman rented the guest cabin behind my house, and I knew right then she was going to ruin everything.

When Baylor's mother walked out, I made a promise—I'd be enough. Just the two of us. No one to disappoint her. No one else to leave.

Then Emelia Greene rolled into Echo Lake in a Mercedes and a power suit to convince the townspeople to change what makes our small town great. She’s everything this place isn't.

Emelia's not supposed to be kind. She's not supposed to be good with my daughter. She's definitely not supposed to be the one I find myself confiding in at the end of my dock every night.

She's leaving in three months. I know that.

The problem is, I can't stop wondering what it would be like if a woman like her belonged in a place like this.

In a life like mine.

Listen today!

https://books2read.com/holdingg

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4wCDMqk

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

 

I found this to be a very touching story. Emelia had a good heart, worked hard, detail oriented, intelligent, and honest. Elliott was a wonderful father, great with his family, gruff, and suspicious of Emelia and her company. I loved how the town supported everyone and encouraged the connection between Emelia and Elliott. There was plenty of steam, tension, smiles, and tears. I was glad that Elliott kept an open mind, with a little encouragement, when Emelia's plans came under question. Well worth the reading.
The narration of Callie Dalton (Emelia) and Jason Clarke (Elliott) added very much to my enjoyment of this story. With the added cast of Connor Crais, Jill Smith, JF Harding, and Aaron Shedlock for all the other characters, this was a wonderful listen.