Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where bloggers and readers create a list of books based on a weekly list theme.
Today’s topic was: Top Ten Series I’ve Been Meaning To Start But Haven’t
Previously hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey; Now Hosted by Book Date
Last week flew by in one hell of a blur and given everything I have on this week, I can only imagine it will be much the same. Work is going to be INSANE this week, so sadlyI’m not expecting to have a lot of reading time 😦
Last week I was fortunate enough to attending a charity Ice Hockey match between Canada and the USA. It was AMAZING! I love ice hockey and being able to see these two teams play in my local ice rink was kind of awesome.
A year ago, a devastating bushfire ripped Annie’s world apart – killing her grandmother, traumatising her young daughter and leaving her mother’s home in the mountains half destroyed. Annie fled back to the city, but the mountain continues to haunt her. Now, drawn by a call for help from her uncle, she’s going back to the place she loves most in the world, to try to heal herself, her marriage, her daughter and her mother.
A heart-wrenching, tender and lovely novel about loss, grief and regeneration, Ache is not only a story of how we can be broken, but how we can put ourselves back together.
hoping TO read:
Just Finished:
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
REVIEW: Brothers From A Different Mother by Phillip Gwynne and Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall 4/5 Stars
Let’s Talk Books With Alyssa J. Montgomery, Author Of The Irredeemable Prince
COVER REVEAL: Sapphire by J A Low!
Brought to you (and me) by Magan & Estelle @ Rather Be Reading
I’ve been sitting on an Amazon gift card since Easter and I finally got around to using it this week. Truth be told I went on one hell of one-click spree early on and I’m not hiding from my bank balance! But look at all the beautiful books I now have just waiting for me to read them!
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole,
they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother.From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt story of friendship…and seeing past our differences.
In MIDNIGHT JEWEL, Richelle Mead goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the Glittering Court, delving into the dark, political underbelly of Cape Triumph through the eyes of one girl who dares to fight for her freedom.
A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining the Glittering Court.
Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. There, Mira finds herself subjected to persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well—men she would potentially be expected to give her life to.
By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies’ maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely—one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.
MIDNIGHT JEWEL is the extraordinary story of a girl with few options who courageously forges a new path, finding love, passion, lifelong friendships, and maybe even a way to freedom.
When sixteen-year-old Emma Nash is ‘ghosted’ by the love of her life Leon Naylor, she does what any normal teenage girl would do…
Emma spends the summer lurking in her bedroom, avoiding all human contact (and the shower), surrounded by the collection of chewit wrappers she saved from packs Leon gave her, back when he actually acknowledged her existence…But seeing Leon suddenly ‘In a relationship’ on Facebook with the perfect Anna, spurs Emma into action and she embarks on a mission to make positive changes to her life (or ‘edits,’ if you will) and vows to use the internet for more than obsessively stalking Leon’s activities! Instead, she will use it for good and noble causes like finding someone who will actually be nice to her, and recording her findings for the rest of the world to see (i.e. BFF Steph and her mum) on her new Editing Emma blog.
But Emma soon discovers her ‘habit’ is harder to break than she first thought – turns out she’s not the only one ‘editing’ herself online (thank you Tinder for finding her mum’s profile, age 35, really?) and that life through an Instagram filter isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. But it could be worse, she could have outed her best friend, accidentally chatted up a 12 year old boy and revealed to the world why Leon Naylor is worth no girl’s time or virginity… oh no wait, that’s exactly what happened…
In a world where every word and gesture is copyrighted, patented or trademarked, one girl elects to remain silent rather than pay to speak, and her defiant and unexpected silence threatens to unravel the very fabric of society.
Speth Jime is anxious to deliver her Last Day speech and celebrate her transition into adulthood. The moment she turns fifteen, Speth must pay for every word she speaks (“Sorry” is a flat ten dollars and a legal admission of guilt), for every nod ($0.99/sec), for every scream ($0.99/sec) and even every gesture of affection. She’s been raised to know the consequences of falling into debt, and can’t begin to imagine the pain of having her eyes shocked for speaking words that she’s unable to afford.
But when Speth’s friend Beecher commits suicide rather than work off his family’s crippling debt, she can’t express her shock and dismay without breaking her Last Day contract and sending her family into Collection. Backed into a corner, Speth finds a loophole: rather than read her speechrather than say anything at allshe closes her mouth and vows never to speak again. Speth’s unexpected defiance of tradition sparks a media frenzy, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps, and threatens to destroy her, her family and the entire city around them.
Night time is the right time…
Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He’s hot, he’s sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it’s a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he’s the one, she just can’t turn him away.
Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She’s gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver’s lethal underground scene, Hawk’s protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk’s Alpha attitude in the daylight, she’s not so sure he’s the one anymore
The NHL’s biggest bad boy is about to fall for the virgin next door…
I am the world’s biggest dating failure. We’re talking my last date went home with our waitress kind of failure.
But I have an ace in the back pocket of my mom jeans–my sexy-as-sin best friend, NHL superstar forward, Justin Cruise.
Justin owes me favors dating back to seventh grade, long before he became a hotshot with a world famous…stick. So in return for my undying platonic loyalty, all I want is an easy-peasy crash course on how to be a sex goddess.
How hard can it be?
***
I have never been so hard in my life.
The things I want to do to my sweet, kindergarten-teaching, mitten-crocheting best friend Libby Collins are ten different kinds of wrong. Maybe twenty.
But I’m a firm believer in teaching by example, and by the end of our first lesson, we’ve graduated to a hands on approach to her education: my hands all over her, her hands all over me, and her hot mouth melting beneath mine as I prove to her there isn’t a damned thing wrong with the way she kisses.
Give me a month, and I’ll transform Libby from wall flower to wall banger, and ensure she’s confident enough to seduce any guy she wants.
Problem is… the only guy I want her seducing is me.
Homeless. Hungry. Desperate.
Doe has no memories of who she is or where she comes from.
A notorious career criminal just released from prison, King is someone you don’t want to cross unless you’re prepared to pay him back in blood, sweat, pu$$y or a combination of all three.
King’s future hangs in the balance. Doe’s is written in her past. When they come crashing together, they will have to learn that sometimes in order to hold on, you have to first let go.
Who can you trust in a world built on secrets?
After witnessing rich and powerful businessman Joe Tench commit a serious crime, everything changed for Mia Thyme. No longer masquerading as Miranda the high-class escort, Mia is now training for the ultimate fight-back of her life.
Relying on the shelter of the secret government agency, the OCT-U, Mia finds herself under the watchful eye of her mentor, Nick Davis. Mia finds Nick’s protection intoxicating and sparks arise when she sees a new man behind the old flame.
With the promise of discovering the truth to the murder of friend and fellow escort, Sally, Mia questions exactly where her place is within the secret agency. Finding her way back into Tench’s world won’t be the hardest part of her assignment, but resisting the charm of the shadowy businessman when her heart belongs to Nick may be the biggest battle of all. But both men have their own agendas and Mia is but a pawn in darker operations…
The gripping conclusion to Buying Thyme, this fast-paced thriller reveals Sydney’s underworld, from the pen of a former police officer.
The journey that began in top-rated, best-selling Bright Side, continues …
This is the story of Gus.
Losing himself.
Finding himself.
And healing along the way.“ … but the honest-to-God truth is I don’t even know how to function anymore. Bright Side wasn’t only my best friend; she was like my other half … the other half of my brain, the other half of my conscience, the other half of my sense of humor, the other half of my creativity, the other half of my heart. How do you go back to doing what you did before, when half of you is gone forever?”
The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love
Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?
Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…
Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she’s shut him down. Completely.
That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It’s a good thing Drew knows all about winning.
First we were friends. Then we were roommates. Now I want more…
What can I say about Chess Copper? The woman is capable of bringing me to my knees. I know this about five minutes after getting naked for her.
No one is more surprised than me. The prickly photographer my team hired to shoot our annual charity calendar isn’t my usual type. She’s defense to my offense, a challenge at every turn. But when I’m with her, all the regrets and darkness goes away. She makes life fun.I want to know Chess, be close to her. Which is a bad idea.
Chess is looking for a relationship. I’ve never given a woman more than one night. But when fate leaves Chess without a home, I step up and offer her mine. We’re roommates now. Friends without benefits. But it’s getting harder to keep our hands off each other. And the longer we live together the more I realize she’s becoming my everything.
Trick is… Now that I’ve made her believe I’m a bad bet, how do I convince her to give this player a true shot at forever?
Jet McAlister has a secret. Eddie Chavez has the hots for Jet (not to mention Eddie’s just plain hot). Jet has too many problems to realize that Eddie’s interested. Eddie loses patience when Jet ends her waitressing shift at a strip club with a knife at her throat. Since Eddie’s a cop, he figures he can help. Since Jet’s used to solving everyone’s problems she doesn’t want Eddie’s help.
Throw in a Dolly Parton look-alike, a gruff but lovable strip club owner, Jet’s ne’er do well father, his ne’er do well friend, Bear, Bear’s long-suffering, chain-smoking wife Lavonne and the crew from Rock Chick and you’ve got Rock Chick Rescue.
Rock Chick Rescue takes you on a wild ride with Jet, Eddie and the gang as they wrestle bad guys in a bagel shop, hit Denver’s backstreet poker tables (with big hair), and help the strippers at Smithie’s take down a would-be murderer.
Through this, Jet’s got to learn that even when life made you give up your dreams, you can still end up with the (hot) guy. Eddie’s got to rescue Jet from a bad man (so he can do better things with her) and teach her that some dreams can come true.
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a bold new chapter in her extraordinary paranormal romance saga with the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. Wild passion will encounter the darkest of betrayal…
Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him.
Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.
Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed…
Today’s super star guest for Let’s Talk Books is none other than Aussie author Alyssa J. Montgomery. Alyssa is a new-to-me-author, having other discovered her writing with through her current Royalty Series. It’s been an absolute blast hosting Alyssa on the blog today and I can’t wait to get stuck into the rest of her books and some of the ones she mentions here; my TBR Pile will never end!
Alyssa lives on acreage south of Sydney with her husband, three children and a menagerie of animals. As well as writing, she works as a Speech Pathologist in her own private practice and has been a professional pianist and international flight attendant. Her hobbies include gardening and playing tennis, but most of all she loves to travel overseas with her husband and children, and get together with friends and family. She writes contemporary romance for Escape Publishing as Alyssa J. Montgomery, and uses the pen name Alyssa James for her medieval romances.
What are you currently reading?
Lisa Kleypas’ Again the Magic
What was the last book you bought?
Sophie Jordan’s All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue
Do you prefer to read books in print or electronically?
In print
What do your bookshelves look like? Do you have an organisation system (genre, colour, author…) or are you just happy to go with the flow?
I have a wonderful lot of bookshelves in my dedicated “writing” room. One section of book shelves houses my contemporary Harlequin series books that I’ve read (stacked by author first name in alphabetical order), the middle section houses all my TBR pile as they come (and some photo albums) and the third section holds the historical novels I’ve read, some reference books for writing and a few folders containing my children’s’ portfolios from school. These are exclusively my bookshelves for romance. My husband has his own bookshelves in his study for other non-fiction genres (which I’ll also read), and any how-to or non fiction books are in a separate sitting room in bookshelves. The kids have their own in their rooms…so we are a huge book family!
How often do you read?
Generally every night before I switch off the light.
Describe what you would expect to find in your dream book?
Romance, humour, a dash of intrigue and of course a to-die-for alpha hero.
How do you choose what to read next?
My TBR pile is so extensive I admit I have just gone to the section at times, closed my eyes and reached out!
So you’ve started a book and discover it’s not for you. Are you more likely to discard it or finish it?
Discard it.
If you could read any book again, for the first time, what book would you choose?
That’s the toughest question so far. I really love regency romances and I can’t say one book springs to mind from my adult years. I love Aussie authors Stephanie Laurens, Anna Campbell and Cassandra Samuels. But, a series I adored as a child which I haven’t re-read is Anne of Green Gables, so maybe that one.
What is about books that appeals to you so much? What is your favourite part about reading?
Putting all the hectic schedule of life on hold and being able to escape my “To Do” List. Reading can be physically and mentally relaxing yet mentally stimulating at the same time, and it can be really emotionally fulfilling. My favourite part about reading I think is the exclusive “me” time I’m snatching out of a hectic day. It’s my pleasure after I’ve done all the other important things for everyone else. It’s my reward!
Can you tell us a bit about your writing style. Are you a pantser or a plotter? Do you prefer to write in 1st or 3rd person? Are you an early riser writer or a late night owl writer?
I definitely used to be a plotter but my style has changed. These days I have a rough idea of my characters initially and their goals, motivations and what sort of conflicts they’ll have in the story, however I’m tending to start writing, get three quarters the way through the story then sit down and go back to plotting.
I did a course with Cherry Adair on “Plotting by Colour”, which I found very useful. I’m up to chapter ten of my next submission (Book 4 in a royalty series for Escape publishing), but I’ve decided that this weekend I’m going to go back to using my plotting chart to really pull it apart and look at it again.
I definitely write third person rather than 1st, and whilst I am an early riser (to feed animals, make school lunches and get kids off to school before I start in my speech pathology private practice by 9am), I am a late night owl writer. I much prefer writing when the household is calm and quiet and all the essential jobs are done for the day.
Was there any particular book that inspired you to start writing?
Not really, but definitely a category. My two elder sisters were always reading the Harlequin Mills & Boon Presents/Sexy series stories and they actually challenged me to write a romance.
Do you have any advice to other writers out there?
If writing is your dream stick at it. It was ten years before I was published, and there are two pieces of advice that resonated with me. First, my husband suggested I phone Harlequin and ask them whether there was something I could do to help me on my writing journey. Romance Writers of Australia was suggested, and I joined RWA and was put in touch with the Sutherland branch. It was through the support of other writers there, particularly Enisa Haines,that helped me improve. I entered RWA contests and got great feedback from judges which also helped me on my way.
I went to a workshop given by Melanie Milburne and I remember her saying “the delete key can be your friend”. I said that to myself again just yesterday as I hit that key. Hopefully my current story will be stronger for it!!
And lastly, what are you currently working on?
The wonderful Kate Cuthbert from Escape Publishing asked me to write a royalty series. The Defiant Princess has been published, the second story The Irredeemable Prince will be released on June 5th and the third story The Formidable King has just been contracted. I’m currently working on the fourth story which is about Prince Marco from this “Royal Affairs” series. At this stage the untitled story about Prince Marco will be the last in the series. Then, Kate’s given me another project!
Published: 3rd April 2017
Publisher: Penguin Viking/ Penguin Random House Australia
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover Picture book (courtesy of the Publisher)
RRP: $19.99
4/5 Stars
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole,
they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother.From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt story of friendship…and seeing past our differences.
Brothers From A Different Mother by Phillip Gwynne and illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall is a stunning and poignant book that I wish everybody knew about. In a world full of fear and hate, it’s a shining light daring children not to dismiss someone based on their differences, but rather to celebrate and explore those differences.
Brothers From A Different Mother is the age old story of how two individuals from very different treks of life meet and become life long friends. When Tapir and Pig first meet they are confronted by each other’s differences, but drawn in by their similar physical attributes and common interests. Before long the pair are the best of friends, but their parents and the community around them fears their differences and seeks to split apart the pair. What follows is a story about the strength of a friendship that defies stereotypes and bulling. In a world full of Cow and Monkey’s (the book’s detractors), Brothers From A Different Mother asks the reader to choose to be like Tapir and Pig; to see beyond what everyone else sees, while illustrating the role that perception and acceptance can play in your life and your friendships.
Phillip Gwynne has crafted a very poignant and engaging narrative that seeks to inform and explain to young children about accepting one’s differences and celebrating diversity. The text is simple and easy to understand, making it an ideal story to start open discussions at both school and in the home.
When a author and his story are combined with the right illustrator, magic happens, and that is exactly what Marjorie Crosby-Fairall’s illustrations have brought to this book. As powerful and poignant as Gwynne’s narrative is, it’s the illustrations that bring this story to life. Each double page spread is a whirl of colour, excitement (and at times sorrow), and there is so much detail in each and every picture. It’s Crosby-Fairall’s illustrations that highlight the fine line between the two leads similarities and differences, and just how special their friendship is. The images are highly emotive and simply stunning; I personally couldn’t believe how life like the animals looked.
Brothers From A Different Mother is a fantastic contemporary text to explain to kids about diversity, differences and acceptance. Given the current political climate with race/colour/religious divide, Brothers From A Different Mother is not only a beautiful text to behold, but it’s a powerful and educational piece that seeks to inform and breed understanding. All in all, there needs to be more books like Brothers From A Different Mother out there.
Previously hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey; Now Hosted by Book Date
A heart-wrenching, tender and lovely novel about loss, grief and regeneration, Ache is not only a story of how we can be broken, but how we can put ourselves back together.
“It’s not an easy thing, loving a Morelli.”
Vince Morelli.
The closest I ever wanted to get to him was several rows away in English class. We’d never spoken, but of course I heard the stories about his family. I know they’re dangerous. I know he’s dangerous. Vince never had a reason to notice me, anyway—until I inadvertently witnessed his first mob hit.
His family doesn’t believe in leaving witnesses alive, but Vince seems different. He knows the best thing he can do for me is stay away, but something keeps drawing us together. Despite knowing the risks of getting mixed up with him, I can’t resist. Only problem is, Vince is a package deal—you don’t get him without getting swept up in his family’s dark games.
Now entangled with a notorious Chicago crime family, will my life ever be mine again?
Just Finished:
