Title: Ninja at First Sight Author: Penny Reid Series: Knitting in the City #4.75 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 7th – 8th June 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: SmartyPants Romance Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: He’s every girl’s wet dream.
He wants to be all her firsts
What do a cynical former Marine and a sheltered former Olympic contender have in common? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He has a girlfriend and she’s never been kissed. He’s sullenly sarcastic and she’s earnestly empathetic. He can’t stop thinking about her. She knows she should keep her distance Nevertheless, when opposites attract, the results may be unexpected, but they’re also undeniably magnetic.
This was one of those wonderful, happy and easygoing novellas. I was honestly expecting just a little bit more drama in this story. But im eternally grateful that there wasn’t. It created this wonderful, beautiful and fun story that I fell in love with. Just as you experienced the journey of Fiona falling in love with Greg.
I did expect a little of this novella to be from Greg’s point of view since that seems to be common in Penny Reid’s works. But it actually turned out better that it was all written from Fiona’s. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming. And, I always love a good surprise at the end of a story. Although, only when I have the next story ready to go right next to me…
Even though Fiona has had an extremely sheltered life and not much experience, she’s still a strong kick ass woman. I especially loved how she goes out of her way to make friendships and experiences outside of Greg. That first fall into love is a heady thing and it can be difficult to remember who you are… Fiona managed this without having a minor breakdown (personally, I had like, 10).
I’ve had a but of a hiatus from the Knitting in the City books. And now I have no idea WHY!!! They’re just amazing. This requires staying up reading Happily Ever Ninja now until I fall asleep…
Title: Sea Swept Author: Nora Roberts Series: Chesapeake Bay Saga #1 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Family Dates read: 24th May – 5th June 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: With a laugh, she crouched down, held out a hand.
Cameron Quinn is coming home to say good-bye to the only father he ever loved. And he’ll have to put his fast-paced life on hold to care for the last boy Ray Quinn hoped to save…
I absolutely adored this story. It was one of those gorgeous, heart felt tales that made you just… smile. And I also love that although the couple gets together at the end… there is still that feeling of unfinished business that promises a next, wonderful novel in the series. It provides a great common thread beyond brotherhood and makes me itch to go out and buy the next book.
The fact that this story starts with a death and some tragedy is pretty harsh. But, it works beautifully as a story starter. Plus, how else do you get four brothers back together to start a series? The fact that one of these brothers is new to the clan… Well, it didn’t make me want to get to know Seth any less. He’s just as adorable and wonderful as Cam, Philip and Ethan.
I love that Anna is a social worker. It’s a role kind of similar to my own, with even more heartbreaking scenarios. And, honestly, it’s something I could see myself moving into I the future. The fact that Roberts doesn’t make it into a dreamy and hopeful job all the time. But is honest about the realities of that kind of work? It made Anna a far more appealing character and my first foray into the writing of Nora Roberts seriously enjoyable.
This might be a contemporary romance, but I loved the family aspect to the whole story. It reminds you that family can be who you choose, and who stands by you. And, honestly, I found the story of the four brothers to be an even bigger love story than that of Cam and Anna.
Duration: 1st July – 30th December2021 Number of books: 60 Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Are you afraid of what lies beneath? Afraid of the things that stand in the darkness, watching you. The things that keep you up at night…..
Gather round the fire and share tales of terror with your friends to see who is really afraid of the dark.
Duration July 1st – December 31st
Rules Complete at least 10 tasks to get the vampire heart All genres welcome Rereads welcome No minimum page count One book per task
Levels Terrified of the dark: 10-15 books A little scared of the dark: 16-30 books Not at all afraid of the dark: 31-45 books Master of Darkness: 46-60 books
The Tale of the Phantom Cab Two brothers who often fight with each other get lost in the woods, and come across a mysterious cab driver named Flynn. He leads the two boys to an unusual man named Dr. Vink to help them find their way out. The catch is that Vink will not help any of his guests until they solve one of his riddles. Failure to do so results in undesired consequences. 1. Read a book with brothers in the plot – A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods 2. Read a book where the MC gets lost 3. Read a book where a character takes a cab/Uber or something similar – Your Coffin or Mine? by Kimberly Raye 4. Read a book where the MC works in the medical profession – The Gap by Benjamin Gilmour
The Tale of the Lonely Ghost Amanda is stuck spending time at her aunt’s house, and desperately wants to be friends with her snotty cousin Beth. She agrees to spend the night in the haunted house next door to become part of her group of friends. She soon finds out that the story regarding the “haunted” house may actually be true with a living connection close by. 1. Read a book tagged ghost(s) on the first page of tags 2. Read a book where a character can see or talk to ghosts – Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs 3. Read a book with a scary or haunted looking building/house on the cover 4. Read a book where a character wants to fit it with other people – Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
The Tale of Laughing in the Dark Josh decides to prove that an amusement park fun house isn’t haunted by stealing the nose from a prop of Zeebo the clown. Zeebo was a corrupt circus clown who died in a funhouse fire while escaping from the police after stealing money. Josh soon learns that the story is indeed true when Zeebo’s ghost visits him demanding his nose back. 1. Read a book with an MPG of funny/humor or something similar – The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine 2. Read a book where a building is set on fire during the book – Witching Moon by Rebecca York 3. Read a book with the word “clown” in the text 4. Read a book where the MC steals something or is running from the police – Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre
The Tale of the Twisted Claw In a twist on the classic story “The Monkey’s Paw”, two boys play a mean trick on an old lady the night before Halloween. The next night the boys return for trick or treating “disguised” in costumes, but rather than candy she gives them a wooden vulture’s claw. She tells the boys that this “gift” grants wishes warning them to “be careful what they wish for”. The two boys start making wishes with unintended terrifying consequences. 1. Read a book where a character celebrates Halloween – Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr 2. Read a book with a claw(s) or claw marks on the cover – Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs 3. Read a book a boy plays an important role in the book – Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr 4. Read a book tagged horror or thriller
The Tale of the Super Specs A prankster named Weeds buys a pair of novelty glasses from Sardo that allow the wearer to see into another dimension. This alternate universe is populated by figures in black, that are looking to merge with the known universe unless Sardo can close the door between the two dimensions. 1. Read a book with more than one dimension in it 2. Read a book with glasses on the cover – Geekerella by Ashley Poston 3. Read a book with someone wearing black on the cover – The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin 4. Read a book set in an alternate dimension – The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
The Tale of the Captured Souls A girl and her two parents move into a lakeside rented room for the summer where they befriend the young property owner Peter. Strangely the residence is full of mirrors that the owner cites as a “hobby”, and even stranger the parents start feeling weaker by the day. However when the girl discovers the young owner’s plot to take away her parents’ youth to keep himself young using a device connected to the mirror and make her as his mate, she has to stop him before it’s too late. 1. Read a book set during the summer – Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr 2. Read a book with a mirror on the cover 3. Read a book where a character has an ability to stay young – Dawn’s Awakening by Lora Leigh 4. Read a book with a true or fated mate – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
The Tale of the Hungry Hounds Amy and Pam discover their late aunt’s old horse-riding jacket in an old trunk. When Pam puts on the jacket, she becomes possessed by the aunt’s spirit, who must feed her hungry dogs in order to rest in peace. 1. Read a book with a dog on the cover 2. Read a book where a character is possessed – Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas 3. Read a book with food on the cover – Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods 4. Read a book with a jacket on the cover – A Wild Life by Martin Hughes-Games
The Tale of the Nightly Neighbors A new family moves into Emma’s neighborhood. They are originally from Eastern Europe, wear black, collect blood, and are only active at night. 1. Read a book where the MC moves – Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods 2. Read a book with a vampire – Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh 3. Read a book set in Europe – The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason 4. Read a book where a character is active mostly at night
The Tale of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Dean is a high school outcast who gets a chance to have some power from awakening an ancient secret hidden in the school. In doing, so he briefly forgets the person who cares for him most without realizing it. 1. Read a book where the MC is a student – Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot 2. Read a book where a character suffers from amnesia for at least part of the book – The Answer to the Riddle is Me by David Stuart MacLean 3. Read a book with an MPG of magic – Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews 4. Read a book where the MC is a witch or wizard – Sky of Ash by Rachel Madbury
The Tale of Jake and the Leprechaun Jake Joysen is an aspiring, young actor who is excited to be part of a play titled Will o’ the Wisp, but Jake himself soon learns in due time that there is much more to the play than meets the eye. 1. Read a book where a character is an actor/actress – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr 2. Read a book with an MPG or mystery – Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid 3. Read a book with an Irish character or Leprechaun – An O’Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods 4. Read a book with an author or an MC who has the same first and last initial – Cowboy and the Captive by Lora Leigh
The Tale of the Dark Music Andy moves into a new neighborhood where things do not start out well until he figures out that there is something hidden inside his basement that only seems to appear whenever music is played. 1. Read a book with an MPG of music 2. Read a book where a character goes into a basement during the book – The Wanderer by Robyn Carr 3. Read a book with a dark cover – Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid 4. Read a book with an author or MC who has either a first or last initial of A – Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
The Tale of the Pinball Wizard Despite being warned by his boss against playing the pinball machine and finish cleaning up before going home, Ross plays a pinball game that comes to life when he is left in the mall after closing time. 1. Read a book where a character gets in trouble with his/her boss – Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson 2. Read a book where a character plays a game – Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods 3. Read a book where a character is somewhere they are not supposed to be – Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott 4. Read a book with a wizard on the cover
The Tale of the Final Wish Despite being 13 years old, Jill still loves fairy tales and believes in “happily ever after.” When Jill wishes for everyone who has bullied her and lectured her about her immature behavior to go away, a hippie-looking man known as The Sandman kidnaps Jill and shows her a world where her wish has come true and her beloved fairy tales have a dark side. 1. Read a book with a HEA – Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr 2. Read a book where a character is bullied – The Edge of Heaven by E.M. Lindsey 3. Read a book a character is kidnapped – Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher 4. Read a book where someone has a dark side – Beard Necessities by Penny Reid
The Tale of the Midnight Madness Dr. Vink helps a struggling movie theater gain more patrons with a copy of the classic vampire film, Nosferatu, but when Dr. Vink gets cheated out of his money in saving the theater, he curses the famous movie monster to step out of the movie and haunt the theater, and it’s up to two teenaged ushers to break the curse. 1. Read a book where the MC watches a movie 2. Read a book with a curse in it – The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones 3. Read a book with a monster in it 4. Read a book with the word midnight in the title
Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021 Number of books: 6 Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Duration: July 1 – 31
Rules Complete at least two tasks to get the vampire heart All genres welcome Rereads welcome No minimum page count
1. July 4th is a celebration of Independence Day in the U.S. Listen to a book with a cover that is mostly red, white or blue or a combination of these colors – The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine 2. July 6th is International Kissing Day Listen to a book with a kiss on the cover of lipstick on the cover or where lips are prominent on the cover 3. July 10th is Teddy Bear Picnic Day Listen to a book with a child who plays a large role in the book or with “picnic” in the text – A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods 4. July 20th is Ugly Truck Day Listen to a book with a truck on the cover or where the MC drives a truck – Geekerella by Ashley Poston 5. July 30th is International Friendship Day Listen to a book where the MC has a close friend(s) or best friend(s) in the book – Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods 6. July is definitely summer in the Northern Hemisphere Listen to a book published in July or with the letters of SUMMER in the title
Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021 Number of books: 6 Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Duration July 1st – 31st
Rules Complete at least two tasks to get the vampire heart All genres welcome Rereads welcome No minimum page count You must read a different book for each task
Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021 Number of books: 11 Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Duration Starts: July 1st Ends: July 31st
How It Works Ten books each month is a lot, so there will be 5 different levels. Pick which level you want to do and that’s how many items you will need to check off.
1. Happy July! We’re halfway through the year, and that’s certainly something to celebrate! read a book with a colorful cover OR read a book with a celebration involving fireworks – A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods
2. It’s the height of Summer or Winter depending on where you are on the planet with long days/short nights in the Northern Hemisphere and short days/long nights in the Southern Hemisphere: read a book with a sunny sky on the cover or with an MC who is a desert animal or shifter OR read a book with a moon on the cover or with an MC who is a creature of the night – Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
3. July’s birth stone was turquoise or onyx from the 15th to 20th Centuries, but is now ruby or carnelian: read a book with a blue or black cover (or both)OR read a book with a red cover – Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
4. July’s flowers are delphinium, larkspur, and water lily: read a book with the letters F L O W E R in the title and/or author’s name OR read a book with a character who lives in or near a body of water – Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods
5. 7/1 is the birthday of Christian II of Denmark in 1481, Louis II of Hungary in 1506, and Frederick II of Denmark in 1534: read a book with an MC who is a member of the monarchy (king/queen, prince/princess, duke/duchess, etc.) OR read a book that is the 2nd in a series
6. On 7/1/1846, Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone: read a book with a musician MC OR read a book with a musical instrument on the cover
7. 7/1/1903 marked the start of the first Tour de France bicycle race: read a set in France or written by a French author OR read a book with the word “bicycle” or “bike” or “cycle” in the text
8. On 7/1/1983 Buckminster Fuller died. He was an American architect, designer of the Montreal Biosphère, developer of the geodesic dome: read a book tagged Science Fiction or Futuristic OR read a book with an architect or engineer or construction worker MC
9. On 7/1/1997, China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong: read a book set in China or Hong Kong OR read a book tagged historical
10. On 7/1/2013 Charles Foley died. He was an American game designer and co-created Twister: read a book with at least one circle on the cover OR read a book with a twisted plot or character
BONUS: read any book published in July of any year
Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021 Number of books: 9 Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Welcome to Night Spawn BINGO. Each month a new BINGO game will be posted with new tasks to complete. Get three in a row (Horizontal, Vertical, or Diagonal) to receive your Vampire Heart.
Rules: Complete three tasks to get the vampire heart All genres welcome Rereads welcome No minimum page count One book per task
Read 3 books that have one of the following (Must be in a Horizontal, Vertical, or Diagonal pattern).
Top Row:
MC is a Necromancer~ MC is an Undead Character (Zombie, Vampire)~ MC is a Grim Reaper
Middle Row:
Cemetery/Gravestone on Cover~ Author first or last initial found in DEATH ~ Skeleton/Skull on the cover
Bottom Row:
Character uses a summoning circle~ Character can see/talk to ghosts~ Haunted house in the story
Saloon 1. Read a book where a character works in a bar/saloon 2. Read a book with an alcoholic beverage on the cover 3. Read a book where the MC has too much to drink – Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott 4. Read a book with an MPG of history or historical
Living Quarters 1. Read a book with an indoor scene on the cover – On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle 2. Read a book set where a group of characters live together (apartment complex, house where a shifter pack/vampire clan lives etc) – Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews (warehouse together) 3. Read a book where the MC lives alone – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward 4. Read a book with at least one scene set in a bedroom – Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr
Earth and Skye 
