HAPPILY EVER AFTER discussion

Hello everyone,

Please share about your recent and/or current reads.

Thank you :-)

I just finished reading Michelle Obama's Becoming. Very powerful and beautifully written.

I'm reading 'I'm watching you' by Karen Rose.

It's been a while since I last read a romance book... I think I will have to start one once I am done with some of my current reads which include Timeline, Hydranos, Sea Witch and the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

I recently read Sophie Kinsella's latest publication: I Owe You One and was pleasantly surprised. 

I say this because I was a big fan of Sophie Kinsella at one time. The first five or six books of her Shopaholic series and her standalones:
—Twenties Girl
—The Undomestic Goddess
—Can You Keep a Secret? 
. . . are among my favourite romantic comedies. (Saving I've Got Your Number for later to read as a special treat. My friend assures me it's as good as the books I mentioned above :-)

But then her writing just seemed to have lost its spark. The later books of her Shopaholic series didn't appeal much, and her standalone: Wedding Night actually felt like it was written by someone else! I simply stopped reading her books altogether. 

I'm glad I picked up I Owe You One, though. It wasn't a five-star read, but I could see some of her original spark in the book. Looks like I'm going to get my favourite romcom author back after all :-)

Mostly non-fiction, and switch off to some HR. Lately IMO most HRs have 'cookie cutter' plots.

HR-ML wrote: "Mostly non-fiction, and switch off to some HR. Lately IMO most HRs have 'cookie cutter' plots."

Actually, I think it's kind of the same with Contemporary Romances (which is what I'm reading these days). The stories are based on any one of the established tropes and follow more or less the same basic pattern. What sets each book apart is how the story is written and how the hero and the heroine connect with each other and evolve, individually and as a couple. 

Anyway, I read this genre mostly to unwind and to be entertained. I appreciate good writing and like to get involved with the characters and their journey, maybe even learn something from their experiences, but I'm not really looking for a unique, deep or complexed storyline. It's more of a comfort reading for me. A fun bit of escapism. So it works out pretty okay for me :-)

I finished The Andromeda Evolution by Daniel H. Wilson.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My last romance was All Fired Up by Lori Foster.

I am currently reading When we Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal. It is an intriguing book and it has kept me spellbound I can't wait for the sisters to reunite!

Am currently reading Fall of Giants By Ken Follett, Historical Fiction and series book

One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker. It’s really good!

I'm reading The Network by L.C. Shaw.

I just finished The Network by L.C. Shaw

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just started The Warsaw Protocol by Steve Berry.

Finding My Leprechaun

With one month until publication, I can now publish my review of All Fired Up by Lori Foster.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Warsaw Protocol by Steve Berry.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have started a paranormal romantic suspense novel: A Wicked Hunger by Kiersten Fay.

I finished reading A Wicked Hunger by Kiersten Fay.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Witchkin Murders by Diana Pharaoh Francis.

This book combined several of my favorite genres/sub-genres - urban fantasy, murder mystery and supernatural police procedural, with a little paranormal romance. It is the first in a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler at the end of September, but the publisher wanted reviews to be held until 1 month prior to publication.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris .

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished Saint's Gate by Carla Neggers.


Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Rage by Jonathan Maberry.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5 star action thriller / military thriller

Pride & Prejudicial

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Romantic comedy/chick-lit

I finished The Snow Killer by Ross Greenwood.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Villa of Sun and Secrets: A warm escapist read that will keep you guessing

Also finished this cute short read...A Christmas Tail

Good

Ramla Zareen wrote: "HR-ML wrote: "Mostly non-fiction, and switch off to some HR. Lately IMO most HRs have 'cookie cutter' plots."

Actually, I think it's kind of the same with Contemporary Romances (which is what I'm ..."

Sorry just saw your reply. I now have a part-time job. Escapism is the essence
of romance. Some of my fav HR authors now tend "to phone it in" or recycle
couples or ideas. A let-down. But I enjoy original stories. I've listed a few below.

I previously read these:

A Wicked Kind of Husband
Romance/ humor. An estranged couple. Won RITA: new HR author.
Bespoke
Quirky HR w/ quirky characters. Humor & kisses only.
Most Valuable Playboy
A reformed playboy QB. He acted more mature than most romance
heroes. He did not overreact. He did not stalk or become sexually
aggressive w/ heroine. A slow-burn: the best IMO.

I finished Snow Creek by Gregg Olsen.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Helen Keller's story of my life.....
Wow! What a optimism

Helen Keller was amazing. I read her autobiography years ago.

Thank you for the recommendations, Cheryl :-) You made Most Valuable Playboy sound so appealing, I couldn't resist checking it out. Lol. Anyway, its prequel novella: Most Irresistible Guy was free on Amazon, so I grabbed a copy. I'll try to read it soon, get a feel of the author's writing style and the characters, and will then decide whether to continue with the series. Thanks again for sharing about it :-)

Ramla Zareen wrote: "Thank you for the recommendations, Cheryl :-) You made Most Valuable Playboy sound so appealing, I couldn't resist checking it out. Lol. Anyway, its prequel novella: [book:Most Irre..."

Oh, thanks for the headsup. I will download it right away! :)

You're welcome, Adite :-) 

By the way, if anyone would like to get information about special deals on books, please feel free to visit the following discussion thread:

Special deals/Giveaways/Freebies (by authors & other members)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Maybe some of the books are still available for free or at discounted prices. 

Thanks and Happy Reading :-)

I just finished A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished a cozy paranormal mystery: The Mint Julep Murders by Angie Fox.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished Locked In by Iris Darshi

Simply loved it!

Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks :-)

I finished Verse and Vengeance by Amanda Flower.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished An Ale of Two Cities by Sarah Fox.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Weight of a Moment by Michael Bowe.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Leopard's Run by Christine Feehan.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Museum of Desire by Jonathan Kellerman.

My 5 star review will be posted around 1/21/2020; two weeks prior to publication at the request of the publisher.

I finished A Sight for Psychic Eyes by Kelly Hashway.
3.5 stars.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished Cold Heart Creek by Lisa Regan.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished two more books. The first one is a Romantic Suspense novel and the second one is a cozy mystery with a hint of romance.

Secrets and Deceptions by Lorelei Confer.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and

Hems and Homicide by Elizabeth Penney.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Blood & Ash by Deborah Wilde.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Burning Room by Michael Connelly.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Always Goodbye by Ray Hecht.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am reading Wicked Cowboy Wolf by Kait Ballenger.

I finished Wicked Cowboy Wolf by Kait Ballenger.

My 4 Star review will be posted one month prior to publication on 1/28/2020.