All posts by skyebjenner

Crafts Spell Challenge

Challenges

Duration: 1st March – 31st March 2021
Number of books: 10
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

C –
R – Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid
O –
C –
H –
E –
T – Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
I –
N –
G – Marry in Haste by Anne Gracie

MARCH 2021 SPELL – CRAFTS
Timeframe: 3/1/21 to 3/31/21

To go along with Barb’s National Craft Month scavenger, choose one or more of these words to spell out in March. You may use the first letter of the first word in the book’s title (excluding A, An and The) OR the author’s first or last initial (middle names or initials can NOT be used).

These are tools/equipment needed for the crafts mentioned, or the end-product.

basket
baste
batting
beads
candle
cards
chisel
circular
crafts
crocheting
decoupage
embroidery
fabric
flux
hammer
hooks
jewelry
knitting
leading
loom
molds
needles
origami
paper
pillow
plane
pliers
pottery
quilting
reeds
scrapbooking
shuttlecock
soaps
solder
stained glass
tools
weaving
wire cutters
woodworking
yarn

CHALLENGE RULES:
♦ Please sign up by posting at least a partial list of the challenge requirements. This gives us a post to link you to, which you can use to update your books as the challenge progresses.

♦ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long. (See the link here for rules regarding graphic novels.) Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged 🙂 Re-reads are allowed, as long as you read the entire book and not simply skim through it.

♦ For each book you read, please post a link to the title, and indicate the author and the date you finished reading it.
* If you don’t know how to post a link to the book title, cover or author, see the instructions here:
Add a link to the book title, book cover and/or author

♦ When you complete the challenge, please post your entire list as a new message to make it easier for everyone to see what you’ve read 🙂 If you don’t repost your list, your name will not be added to the list of those who have completed the challenge.

January 2021

List, , ,
Creative Dabbling: Hello January!

I started off the New Year with a bang. A new look for my website, a better attitude and a lot of optimism. Alright, things haven’t actually changed since last year… but it’s sometimes nice to pretend that you have a fresh start on January 1st.

Series

Standalones – Novels

Image source: Creative Blogging – Dabbler

Soul Deep by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Soul deep : Leigh, Lora : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Title: Soul Deep
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 28th January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Two vehicles were behind them, one at their side and two ahead of them and in seconds there were bodies hanging out of all of them, firing at the helicopter streaking toward them.

Synopsis

What couple could be more unlikely than a sassy, independent President’s daughter who doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut and a longer Coyote Breed with a hunger for a cute rosebud mouth that he’s determined to still.

Kiowa’s job is to watch Amanda, the President’s daughter – look, but not touch. just make sure the Secret Service detail assigned to protect her does their job until the new Breed Law is passed. But when the bad guys move in to take her out, Kiowa reluctantly slips i to the rescue, snatching Amanda away to safety. But she isn’t going to come easy and it takes mroe than smooth talking to make her see his point of view.

For a man who’s had nothing, Amanda Marion is food for hte hunger that has tortured him, the reality to every dream Kiowa never dared believe in. What he feels for her is more than heat, more than love. She breathes life into his hardened heart, melting the icy chill and touches a part of him that he thought had died – his soul. And now he’ll kill anyone who tries to take her away from him.

But the one person he can’t fight is Amanda, and when she wants to leave…

Thoughts

This was a bit of a quicker and less conspiracy-theory based story than the other Breeds novels so far. But, it did introduce the idea of the Coyote Breed, and the fact that people of minority groups, such as Native Americans, were kidnapped in this world to create the Breeds. Which meant that although this novel wasn’t as intense in the overall series as many of the others, it was still wonderfully brilliant. And completely impossible to put down.

As with all of the Breeds books, this one just made my toes curl. And left me with a huge grin on my face. There is something a little bit extra lustful and guilty-pleasure-like about this series. Something that always makes me check over my shoulder and spreads a blush across my cheeks because I don’t want anyone to take a peek at what I’m reading. I love that in a good romance and add to that the fact that it’s just generally well written… well, I’m seriously falling hard for these books.

Kiowa’s story really made my heart break. None of the breeds have good background stories, but the way he was treated by his own blood… it just made everything feel that much worse. It also stopped me from wanting to put down this book at all. I had to find out about Kiowa’s happily ever after. After all, he’s already been abandoned and destroyed by his own blood, so you need to know that Amanda is going to stick with his bullshit and they’ll get their happily ever after.

Amanda was such a wonderful female lead in this story. Kiowa and Amanda are a little bit more into the DomSub stuff in the bedroom… but she’s also more than capable of standing on her own two feet when the world requires it. This great juxtaposition helps her to kick Kiowa’s butt when he needs it and get the respect that all women deserve. Whilst still enjoying the benefits of his dominance in the bedroom… 😉

<- Kiss of HeatThe Breed Next Door ->

Image source: Internet Archive

The Player and the Pixie by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Player and the Pixie (Rugby, #2) by L.H. Cosway

Title: The Player and the Pixie
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Rugby #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sport
Dates read: 25th – 28th January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: And far too pitiful, aggrandizing, and introspective.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

How can someone so smokin’ hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehold. So… what is wrong with me that I can’t stop thinking about him?

THE PIXIE

Lucy Fitzpatrick doesn’t like rugby.
As the little sister of Ireland’s most infamous rugby player, Lucy can’t seem to escape the championship-sized shadow cast by her brother, or her mother’s frequent attempts to micromanage her future. Her rainbow hair is as free-spirited as her quest for inner peace, yet overbearing expectations keep bringing her down. And when she’s down, her compulsive little problem lands her in seriously big trouble.

THE PLAYER

Sean Cassidy is a cold-hearted brute… or so he’s been told. Frequently. By everyone.
His blonde locks, baby blues, and rock hard body make ladies the world over drool with desire. As the rugby world’s second most infamous player, he should be basking in his success. But Sea has never been content settling for second place, and his frequent confrontations with Lucy’s big brother leave him cold. And when he’s cold, his compulsive little problem lands him in the lap of Lucy Fitzpatrick.

THE PLAN

Sean has a problem only Lucy can solve. Lucy has a problem only Sean can fix. The solution seems obvious: you scratch my back, and I’ll bail you out of jail. But when their business arrangement unexpectedly leaves Sean scorching hot and Lucy on the precipice of inner peace, can they convince the world – and Lucy’s big brother in particular – that this is the real deal?

Either way, both the Player and the Pixie are about to teach each other some pretty monumental lessons about family, life, but most importantly, love.

Thoughts

As with everything that involves Penny Reid, I was hooked from the very first moment of this story. The fact that it also introduced a new author to my happy little brain whilst taking me into this fun new world… it just made me much, much happier. I love that both Sean and Lucy appear to be a little mainstream… but end up being completely, totally and utterly unique, with some very fun little compulsions…

This may be the first romance that I’ve ever read which features a man who isn’t good in bed. The fact that he’s a player, sexy and just ridiculously well known for all of his conquests… well, it just made everything so much better. I love that Sean has absolutely no idea what he’s doing and ends up being the more vulnerable and kind of sappy one out of the couple. Which, you would think, would make him a bit of a less dreamy lead character. But, somehow it doesn’t. There is still something ridiculously drool worthy and dreamy about the character that still continues to pull you in.

The other aspect of this story that was a whole new experience for me was the fact that this tale features a kleptomaniac. Again, it’s a feature in a character that I’ve never come across. One that worked beautifully and gave Lucy a whole heap of new vulnerabilities that left me smiling. It also highlights how unhealthy some relationships with family members can be – and how we can struggle to manage them. I know that I have my own compulsions when I’m struggling, so it was lovely to read about someone who was kind of worse than me.

I pretty much inhaled this book. Actually, my partner tried to talk to me a few times whilst reading this, and I’m not entirely sure that he got any kind of response out of me. It’s just that good. You fall in love with Lucy and Sean from the beginning. You feel all of their emotions. And you just… enjoy the whole journey. From the very beginning to the very ending.

<- The Hooker and the HermitThe Cad and the Co-Ed ->

Image source: Goodreads

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Over Sea, Under Stone | Book by Susan Cooper | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Title: Over Sea, Under Stone
Author: Susan Cooper
Series: Dark is Rising #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Camelot, Fantasy, Young adult
Dates read: 27th – 28th January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: McElderry Books
Year: 1965
5th sentence, 74th page: But they seemed to go for the books, and I can’t vouch for those.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

All through time the two great forces of Light and Dark have battled for control of the world. Now, after centuries of balance, the Dark is summoning its terrifying forces to rise once more – and three children find themselves caught in the conflict.

Simon, Jane, and Barney, on holiday in Cornwall, discover an ancient map that leads to a grail: a vital weapon for the Light’s fight against evil. The search for the grail becomes their quest, and they risk their lives in a race against sinister human beings who serve the dreadful power of the Dark.

Thoughts

I bought the box set of Dark is Rising ages ago. Partly because it was on sale, but I also have a tv series based on this series and I’ve heard good things about it. But then, because the covers of my versions aren’t the most attention-grabbing, I kind of kept forgetting about them. And wow, am I kind of regretting that fact. This book was wonderful and intense and seriously, wonderfully enjoyable. Most definitely a great start to a series. One that I plan on reading more of in the (hopefully) near future.

In the past year I’ve started to find and enjoy some Camelot stories. I don’t know a lot about Arthurian lore, not anything that isn’t seriously mainstream. But it’s definitely something that I’m beginning to enjoy more and more. A theme and base that is used beautifully in this story. The whole tale is about the search for the Grail. And I’m getting some serious King Arthur vibes from Simon. There was also that nice little crumb at the end of the story about Merlin which I’m really looking forward to unpacking…

From the moment you open this book, you are pulled into this great adventure. As a child, I might have even tried to solve the little riddles and clues that are riddled throughout the novel. But, as an adult, it was just a lot of fun to be pulled along on this adventure. This unexpected journey that takes you all over the countryside pulling you into a story that you won’t forget anytime soon. One that had me smiling and gleefully turning to the next page again and again throughout.

This is a fantastic, wonderful and very, very enjoyable adventure story. One that has introduced me to a whole new world that I can’t wait to sink further and further into. I love that although the battle is over in this story, you can feel all the hints and horrors of the war to come. And now I can’t wait for the next mystery to be revealed!

<- More Susan CooperThe Dark is Rising ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Kissing Tolstoy (Dear Professor, #1) by Penny Reid

Title: Kissing Tolstoy
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Dear Professor #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves:  Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romance
Dates read: 25th January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: I couldn’t bring myself to look at him again, so I directed a short wave at the room.

Synopsis

What do you do when you discover that your super-hot blind date from months ago is now your super-hot Russian Lit professor?

You overthink everything and pray for a swift end to your misery, of course!

Thoughts

I fell stupid, crazy in love with this novel. Like, completely, totally and utterly head over heels for it. Not only was it fun and brilliant. But, as with every one of Reid’s books, the characters were a little quirky and impossible not to love. Particularly Anna with her slightly zany and very unique outlook on life. And Luca? Oh my goodness! Completely drool worthy! (Nobody look at my book… there are drool stains through the pages).

Every time I read a story that features academia, I kind of want to return to that world. Although, this is a perfect way in which to return without having all of the crap that actually comes alongside a life in the area. It’s a great window into a world that is seriously intense and complex. One that is fascinating and intriguing. The fact that it’s the setting for this book, and series, but not really a feature of it left me thinking of all of those wonderful positives. Whilst not dwelling on any of the negatives.

This is one of those stories in which things seem to go wrong, one thing after the other. That no matter what Anna tries to do, she’s drawn into Luca’s orbit and just isn’t quite sure how she got there. But, she wants to stay. It’s got that fate kind of feel to it that makes you think that those who are meant to be together will be, even if they’re not quite sure how to go about it. Which, honestly is the kind of thing that I love in a good romance – that feeling of inevitability that lends itself to a happily ever after.

All in all this was a fantastic, fun and impossible to put down book. I completely fell in love with it and don’t know that it is one that I will forget anytime soon. I most definitely can’t wait to sink my literary teeth into Kissing Galileo now!!!

<- More Penny ReidKissing Galileo ->

Image source: Goodreads

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel eBook: McQuiston, Casey: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Dates read: 9th – 24th January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: Shaan almost called in the sniffer dogs.

Synopsis

What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius – his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex / Henry altercation, U.S. / British relations take a turn for the worse

Heads of family and state and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: Stage a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations. It raises the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through?

Thoughts

I bought this on an impulse because one of the book bloggers I love to follow had it on their reviews last year and said it was awesome. And you know what? They weren’t wrong! This book is amazing and wonderful. Unforgettable and left me feeling super happy, calm and complete. The kind of book that I will most definitely read again and again as the years go by.

I love that not only is this novel a romance, but it’s also a coming-of-age story. In a pretty major way. The whole time throughout this story, Alex is not only falling in love with Henry, but he’s also having to figure out his own identity and nonsense. That’s not exactly an easy feat. Making this an even mor amazing and impossible to forget story. Or at least, that’s what it was like for me – I love how Alex is constantly having new revelations and realisations throughout.

Reading this novel coming out of the shenanigans of what has been happening in America felt… time worthy. It felt poignant and perfectly timed. And, although I still know next to nothing about American politics, it did help to give me a little insight into some of the horrors that the poor Americans have been dealing with. Or at least, that’s how it felt. It highlighted the horrors, but also did so in a optimistic and somewhat positive manner.

All in all, I absolutely loved this novel. I can’t wait until McQuiston’s next book, One Last Stop comes out and takes it place on my shelves. There is something optimistic and brutally honest about McQuiston’s writing that draws you in completely from the beginning. It is impossible not to feel connected to both Alex and Henry as they try and negotiate their very public lives. And, just generally, leaves you feeling light, hopeful and believing in true love as you turn that final page.

<- One Last StopMore Casey McQuiston ->

Image source: Amazon

One Bite with a Stranger by Christine Warren

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
One Bite With A Stranger (The Others, #1) by Christine Warren

Title: One Bite with a Stranger
Author: Christine Warren
Series: The Others #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: He’d killed her.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

In New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren’s seductive world of The Others, passion sizzles and danger is just around the corner…

When Regina’s friends insist on setting her up on a “Fantasy Fix” to help her get over her cheating ex, she dreams up some kinky out-of-this-world encounters that they could never II possibly II bring to life. But the next thing Regina knows, her friends have got her laced into a shiny black corset, tight leather pants, and a sexy pair of stilettos. It’s time for some downtown vampire-fantasy fun…

ONE BITE WITH A STRANGER

The Vampire Ball in Manhattan’s East Village isn’t really Dmitri Vidame’s idea of a good time, but as a member of the Council that governs The Others, he has to keep an eye on all the young vamps who prey on the pretenders. After he feasts his dark eyes on fiery Regina at the bar, he knows that he must have her. But for the first time Dmitri meets a woman who is more than a match for his indomitable will. And he may be the fantasy Regina hoped for… until she – and her feisty friends – discover her sexy new lover’s bloodsucking secret…

Thoughts

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this brilliantly, wonderfully lustful book. I knew that I’d like it. But I didn’t quite realise how much. So much so that I basically didn’t put it down until I had read it cover to cover… there was just something about the story that completely swept me away from the very first, wonderful moment.

The collection of women in this story kind of reminded me of the women in the Knitting in the City series. Reggie and her friends get together, drink wine and talk a lot of wonderful nonsense. The fact that they do the “Fantasy Fix” just made it all that much better. Alright, so I wouldn’t want to do a Fantasy Fix myself. But the idea of having girlfriends who will hook you up with whatever amazing fantasy you want… mmm… that’s kind of delicious.

There is something incredibly, wonderfully titillating about reading the more erotic / lustful books like this. It may not be the kind of thing that I’m into myself, but it’s definitely thoroughly enjoyable reading about it! I always feel a little uncomfortable about the level of bossiness that some of these stories begin with, particularly in the case of Dmitri in his first encounter with Reggie… but then, the story begins to unfold. The characters get a little more flesh on them, and suddenly that discomfort is just… gone. And things feel sweet and a little delicious all over again.

The novella Any Witch Way She Can got me interested in this series. But this novel has most certainly got me hooked on it. I can’t wait until I can find a copy of Big Bad Wolf and sink further into the intriguing, and very toe curling world of The Others…

<- More Christine WarrenBig Bad Wolf ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl

Book Review, ,
Overview
Book Reviews for The Magic Finger By Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake | Toppsta

Title: The Magic Finger
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 23rd January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1966
5th sentence, 74th page: And where his arm had been, he had a pair of duck’s wings instead!

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Suddenly a sort of flash comes out of me, like something electric. It jumps out and touches the person who has made me cross…

Thoughts

This story had me giggling and laughing out loud. Frequently. Probably because it is a book that features a young girl with a “magic finger” who manages to teach people a lesson and deliver karmic justice. Definitely the kind of book that left me smiling and giggling. And a great way to take a short break from all of the more responsible stuff that I have on my to do list.

As someone who isn’t a huge fan of hunting, I kind of like that the karmic comeuppance in this story is based around hunting. The fact that characters are changed to stop them from hunting and so that they understand what it feels like to be hunted… it is just all that much better. Alright, I don’t know if I think that this kind of poetic justice is great, but I still think that it was wonderfully written.

This is a fun, light and easy read. One that I seriously, thoroughly enjoyed. And look forward to picking up again in the future. It was the perfect way to escape the realities of adulthood for a little while, and find a light story to fill my mind with for just a little while…

<- Kiss KissMatilda ->

Image source: Toppsta

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Book Review, ,
Overview
James and the Giant Peach (Colour Edition) by Roald Dahl - Penguin Books Australia

Title: James and the Giant Peach
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1961
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Balderdash!’

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Bigger and bigger grew the peach, bigger and bigger and bigger.

Thoughts

There is something fun and enjoyable about rereading a beloved childhood book. And finding out that it’s actually just as good as you remember it being! That was most definitely the case with this. In fact, I actually made myself a bit of a pillow fort in my loungeroom before I even cracked the spine of this book. Just to help me highlight that wonderful nostalgic feeling all over again.

James and the Giant Peach is one of those stories that is wonderfully written and reminds you that there is always a better ending, just around the corner. If you have the guts to go looking. Alright, we don’t all have a giant peach that will take us to fresh new pastures, but there’s still that general feeling that anything is possible, peach notwithstanding.

This novel also reminds us that friends can come in all shapes and sizes. That it doesn’t matter what we look like, or how we’re made. We can all be friends and find friendship in the weirdest of places. Although, that could just be me putting that idea onto the book – after all, it’s something I believe wholeheartedly.

I loved this novel as a kid, and I loved it as an adult. The only real difference I found in reading this as an adult was the realisation that the peach actually kills James’ horrible aunts. Didn’t quite pick up on the horribleness of their death as a child… which is probably a good thing if you stop and think about it.

<- The GremlinsKiss Kiss ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia