My Goals for 2023

2023 Goals Challenge Adventures 

I've got a whole bunch of goals for the new year. 

Read 200 Books

Complete all challenges bookish and those not. 

Be more active in the community 

Just do more stuff that I love. I feel like I lost myself a bit last year. 

I'm sure I'll be adding more to this list over the next week so I'll update the challenge page as I go. 

 Challenges 

I'm doing a personal reading challenge 

In Love With The Monsters 

This one is very fitting since I love all forms of monsters, from paranormal romance, to monster hunting, and felt that this year was the perfect start to challenge myself to read more of them. As a child I grew up watching monster movies with my dad. Which has evolved into watching them with my own kids now. Godzilla will always be my favorite monster in movies. 

My goal is to read as many monster books, manga and comics. Plus watch as much monster stuff as I can get my hands on. 

If you want to join you are more than welcome to just doing it for fun. 

Betty Neels Read

I have almost all of the Betty Neels Books and plan to read all 134 this year. They are classic Harlequin novels so short sweet and about 200 pages each. My grandmothers started my Harlequin addiction. A lot of the books they passed down had been classic Betty Neels. As I've read many it's been years so this is a perfect time to re-read them. 

Uncorked Reading Challenge 

Hosted by The Uncorked Librarian (here) 

It's divided into quarters which I like plus they have a facebook group

BookTok Baddies Reading Challenge 2023

This one is hosted via the facebook group (here) 

Coyer 

Another new year I have to join in hosted by the lovely ladies at Because Reading Is Better Than Real life (here)

Foodie Challenges

I'm super into baking and foodie recipes. These are just personal ones I'm challenging myself to do. Recipes and pictures to come. 

52 weeks of fritters. I'll be sharing more when I share the first recipe of the year. Basically I've got a fritter recipe I love and have been playing with combos. It's all done with 2 base ingredients and the combos are endless. I also air fry them so less greasy. I hope to write a cookbook off of this. I'm going to do sweet and savory combos so they will be tasty. I've made some yummy pizza ones. 

I want to bake 12 cheesecakes over the next year. New flavors and combos. My goal is 1 per month possible more we will have to see. 

Try it Tuesday is going to be a new recipe every week that I found and tried. I'll be sure to share the good and the bad. 

My random creations. I'm always coming up with new creations as my muchkin calls them. I want to try more combos this year. 

Crafty 

More sewing, stitching and crafty projects completed. New crafty projects to try. I'll be sure to share them over the course of the year. 

Not a crazy list but I like my goals for the year. 

 

Happy New Year 2023

Happy New Year!!! 

I hope everyone has had a safe holiday. I know here in Northern California it's been raining for weeks. They suspect we will have a few more weeks of rain but it won't help our drought in the long run. It's scary out there lots of flooding and I hope everyone is staying dry and safe. 

I didn't make it to midnight the munchkin was asleep and it was quiet. I was holding out reading till the new year so I could start my first book of 2023. Now I can't decide which one to read lol.

I'm so ready to say goodbye to 2022 it's been a long year and blogging has been on the back burner a lot. I'm ready for a fresh start with 2023. I've got so many great ideas, challenges, goals and plans to get back to what I love again. 

I hope everyone has a lovely start to the new year.

Book Review: Filthy Rich Vampire

  Title - Filthy Rich Vampire 

Author - Geneva Lee Albin 

Series - Filthy Rich Vampires #1  

Genre - Paranormal Romance

Format - Kindle

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon)

Synopsis 

“It was as if my life had been marked by her absence…” Sensual, dangerous, provocative — step into a daring new world of dark magic, primal attraction, and breathtaking romance.

Julian Rousseaux has a problem. He’s single, and for the world’s wealthiest vampires, the social season is about to begin. Julian would rather stake himself than participate in the marriage market. But as the eldest, eligible Rousseaux he’s expected to find a wife before the season ends—whether he likes it or not.

When cellist Thea literally stumbles into his life at a gala, he knows she's the last person he could ever fall in love with. She's too innocent, too kind, and way too human. But now that she knows about his world, she's also a walking target. She needs protection. He needs a fake girlfriend to discourage overzealous vampire matchmaking.

So, Julian makes Thea an irresistible offer: pretend to be his lover and he’ll change her life. For one year, they’ll attend the season’s social events together in exchange for his protection and a way out of her mother’s crippling medical debt.

She can’t say no. But the vampire world is impossibly decadent and darker than Thea ever imagined, and Julian’s filthy rich vampire family wants her out of the way. But with each moment they share, new dangers emerge: a desire as forbidden as their stolen touches, an awakening of a long-dead heart, and secrets that could tear them both apart.

Review 

Julian has been forced to wake up from his long sleep to take part in the marriage market. It's been a long time since the rites were enforced and the season has gone into full swing. When a chance encounter brings Thea into his life the perfect solution to his problem is staring him in the face. Thea knows nothing about he vampire world until she's forced to face the truth, and thankfully Julian shows up at just the right time to save her. 

Neither of them can deny the attraction to each other, and when Julian gives her an offer she can't refuse she's whisked into the vampire world. However, not everyone is happy to see the eligible bachelor has been taken off the market least of all his own mother. As Thea struggles to take on the rites darkness is looming in the shadows intent on causing bloodshed. Are they strong enough to survive the season or will it be too much for them? 

I have had my eye on this one for a while it's a Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridgerton with vampires. I finally decided now was the time as the 2nd one is out, and it fit for my bingo game. I was hooked by the first chapter it's a captivating story with characters you can't help loving. Julian is just as I hoped he would be and Thea is as sweet and adorable as could be. I devoured this book in just a few reading sessions as it was hard to put down.

I love the story I was hooked before the end of the first chapter Thea and Julian quickly becoming my favorite couple. I was so nervous as it reminded me of two of my favorite books but the author did it beautifully with her own twist. From start to finish it was a fantastic read it left me wanting more and wanting to toss my kindle across the room. I can't wait to start the next installment which is already on my kindle ready to go....This one could be top 3 for 2023 best books I've read this year. 

Book Review: All Work and No Slay

 Title - All Work and No Slay 

Author - Skye Sullivan 

Series - Witches of Devil's Orchard #1  

Genre - Paranormal Mystery

Format - Kindle

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon) 

Synopsis 

Bobbi Brooks has enough trouble keeping her cafe from burning down on the best of days. Learning she has fire-magic? It's bound to go up in flames...

It's a beautiful day in the small town of Devil's Orchard when Bobbi's grandmother informs her she's actually a witch. Not just any old witch, either.

Bobbi is part of a long line of demon-slayers.

Bobbi, who can't step on a cockroach without squealing, is a demon-slayer? Yeah right. She's tempted to write the whole thing off as a stress-induced hallucination. Especially when the dumpster-diving fox starts talking...

But then she stumbles over a body that's unfortunately very real, and very dead, and life gets even more complicated. Because people in small towns love to talk. Like about how great a shot her grandmother is with her little .22 pistol. And how her dislike of the dead guy gives her motive. Or how she's just crazy enough to pull the trigger.

They're not technically wrong, but Bobbi knows her grandmother's innocent, and she'll do whatever she can to prove it. Even if she has to find the killer herself.

She'll have to use her newfound magic to do so, but a spell is just a recipe, and Bobbi's good at following those.

This witch thing should be easy... Right?

All Work and No Slay is a hilarious, full-length paranormal cozy mystery filled with plenty of sass, snark, sarcasm, spells, snooping, snacks, spirits and sleuthing. And one of Bobbi's prized recipes!

Review 

Bobbie is just a local cafe owner with a unique granny and trying to make it through each day. Her old best friend has moved home to be a local cop and he's not the tall lanky boy she remembers but he didn't return home alone. When the local thorn in everyones side turns up dead in her shop freezer the local's are pointing fingers and hr granny is looking a little more like a suspect. 

In order to prove her granny is innocent she needs to find the killer before it's too late and they strike again. As if finding a killer isn't enough to keep her busy she learns that she's also a witch and future Guardian of the Rift. At least she's come into her magic so she has some tricks up her sleeve and she's got her sassy fox familiar by her side. Will they find the murder before it's too late? 

I love Bobbie she's clearly my spirit character she spends her days making these amazing lunchbox's and spends her evenings reading. She's just adorable her character I found refreshing she feels so real and I just love her. Her sassy fox and granny are the perfect complement to Bobbi a perfect team. 

This is my first book by the author totally picked it based on the cover had a house which could be the haunted house in the story. I love the authors storytelling she's created a captivating hilarious story that was hard to put down I had to know what would happen next. I plan to continue on the series because I can't wait to see what happens with Bobbi in the next book and see what our next recipe is. I think I'm going to try them out. Highly recommend for fans of fun paranormal mysteries.

Book Review: Librarian Witch

Title - Librarian Witch 

Author - Ella Hendricks 

Series - Moongrove Academy: Wicked Spells #1  

Genre - Reverse Harem

Format - Kindle

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon) 

Synopsis 

 I didn’t know I was a witch until a pair of cats started talking to me and I received an official summons to report to a training school for my supernatural abilities.

That’s when I’m shipped off to a highly esteemed university for the supernatural, Moongrove Academy. I go to class alongside shifters, vampires, and other creatures straight from the paranormal books I love so much.

When magical testing reveals that I’m a librarian witch, I’m ecstatic. Except, it turns out it means I’m a custodian of knowledge and creatures from beyond our dimension, rather than a curator of books. Librarians around here wield silver swords instead of decimal systems, and I’m about to find out why.

On my first day in the library, I accidentally release an ancient dimensional being from centuries-long imprisonment. It escapes and begins terrorizing everyone on campus.

My screw up wakes Geo, a duty-bound gargoyle who senses danger to his destined mate—me.

But he’s not the only one watching my back. I team up with Benjamin Cross, an enigmatic guy with a killer smile, who is searching for his lost little brother in all of this mess.

Yet the most mysterious man of all is Phaeron, the dimensional I freed. He claims he isn’t responsible for the murders across campus. If that’s true, then who is?

I must find out before anyone else is hurt and I’m expelled. Spare a little luck my way, I’m still in my first semester.

This is the first book in a medium burn, fated mates, enemies-to-lovers series with a strong heroine who doesn’t have to choose between her three love interests. It is recommended for mature readers.

Review 

Cress had no idea she was a witch until the day they showed up to send her off to Moongrove academy for her to learn her craft. Thankfully she quickly make some friends at the school so she's not going at it alone. When a mistake sets her down a path she won't be able to come back from now she's running from a dimensional who's hunting her, another who's determined to prove he's not the killer who she can't deny she's attracted to. At least she's not at it alone she has Geo a Gargoyle she happened to wake up as he must protect her mate. 

After losing someone very close to her she meets Ben he says all the right worlds and knows just how to charm her but he's also holding a secret that could destroy her world. With the help of her loyal Geo she's determined to fix the mistake she created and set things right. The shadows are a dangerous place and she may not make it out alive. 

I picked this book up for a reading Bingo game because it's about a witch and I've had my eye on it for a while. I loved Cress right from the start she's adorable and I found her easy to connect with. She's nerdy and reminds me a lot of myself aside from I don't have the skills to draw fashion but I always wish I could. I love the way that Geo plays out he's so unique as a character the way he transforms between both forms. I loved the way he was addicted to the internet and have so much hope for him in the future. 

Ella Hendricks is a new author for me so I was super curious to check out her writing style which I instantly loved. I found her storytelling captivating and hard to put down. The characters are easy to connect with but full of depth and personality. I truly enjoyed every page as I devoured the book and eagerly await the next one. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next for Cress and her men. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long. I highly recommend checking out if you are a fan of academy reverse harems with a spunky main character. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

  

Hosted by The Book Date 

Welcome to It's Monday! Every week we share what we just finished reading, are reading or plan to read over the next week. 

I've been reading a bit more. I still haven't finished a bunch of books I've started but I'm working on it. 

Finished 

Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs 

Cursed Rage by Sara Snow 

Currently reading 

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I'm buddy reading this series with my bestie a couple of chapters per day. We are loving it but real life has been keeping us from reading recently. 

Marry by Tana Rose (Goodreads)  Still working on this one. 

Librarian Witch by Ella Hendricks my bingo book (Goodreads)

Up Next

I'm working my way through the Pantheon trio. 

Kill by Tana Rose (Goodreads) 

Rest of the week 

I'm hoping to get a good chunk of my next bingo book read. 

What are you reading? 

Book Review: Storm Cursed

 

Title - Storm Cursed 

Author - Patricia Briggs

Series - Mercy Thompson #11

Genre - Urban Fantasy

Format - Paperback

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon) 

Synopsis 

In this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves...

My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter.

And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn't stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word.

We will die to keep it.

Review 

Storm Cursed is the 11th book in the Mercy Thompson series. In the prior book she claimed all the citizens under her protection and in doing so she's been responding to all the disputes and cases. From a goblin killer who's come running from the police to her territory. With the help of the pack so far things have been fairly quiet. That is until the zombie miniature goats are running around and the murder of a coven of witches. 

As if that's not enough to keep the pack busy they also have the humans having a meeting with the fae that they are providing security for. As things spiral out of control Mercy has to rely on friends in order to help her protect those she cares about, as they all become the targets.

I don't want to spoil too much but this book was another amazing installment in the series. I loved every moment of it and finished it in one afternoon it was impossible to put down. Mercy is just one of those characters you can't help loving she's just keeps evolving and getting better with each novel. I've loved every book by the author she's a very talented story teller each novel is amazing. 

I've been a long time fan since the 1st book came out, she's been on my auto buy list since the first novel. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I've fallen behind in the series but I'm catching up. Always my go to recommendation as she's one of my favorites. 

Book Review: Cursed Rage

Title - Curse Rage

Author - Sara Snow

Series - Cursed Mates

Genre - Paranormal Romance 

Format - Kindle 

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon) 

Synopsis 

On the heels of betrayal, can we find the right allies before all hope is lost?

Yeah, so my so-called friend Morgan attacked and tried to kill me.

Now I don’t know who to trust. I know only one thing: someone must stop Samara, before she steals our powers and takes total control.

Our only hope is to convince the High Council—a.k.a. the powerful-but-pig-headed fools at the top who only care about themselves—to declare war on Samara. And FAST, before she becomes unstoppable.

I’ll do whatever it takes to bring them to our side. But will it be too late?

Review 

I received Cursed Rage in return for an honest review. Cursed Rage is the 4th installment in the Cursed Mates series. It starts right where book three ended the gang has found out that the people they thought they could trust aren't on their side. Time is running out and they need to figure out a way to stop Samara before her curse wipes out the wolves for good. 

She's given them a curse puzzle with the change to solve save them all but they also could in fact make the curse worse if they don't get it right. Emily finally learns a little more about where she's come from who her family is when a fortune teller gives them a push in the right direction. With danger lurking at every corner they head into the fae world which sends them on a quest to gain ally's for the fight against Samara. Will it be enough with all the ally's to fight the powerful witch? 

I love Emily she's a sweetheart who has two very different Griffin and Cassian former friends who are now forced to share their mate with each other. I also really like Ember she's been a great addition to the group and I have some feelings she's more who she appears. I love the sister vibes between her and Emily she's a great complement to her just what she needed. 

This book revealed so much answering a few questions but I still have so many unanswered questions. I devoured it in one sitting dying to know what was going to happen next for our hero's. I truly love the authors gift of story telling it's a beautiful captivating story. Each installment is action packed a little romance and whole lot of adventure. This is a slow burn romance series but I feel like it works perfectly. It's refreshing to not have insta love. I can't wait for the next installment. 

Book Review: The Dark Bite

 

Title - The Dark Bite  

Author - Leia Stone 

Series - Vampire Hunter Society 

Genre - Paranormal Romance 

Format - Kindle 

Add it to (Goodreads)

Buy it here (Amazon) 

Synopsis 

Vampires are the spawn of the devil. Evil to the core... or so I thought, until one of them saves my life.

As a member of the House of Rose, a division of the Vampire Hunter Society, I've got one of the highest kill records on file. I track my mark and don't stop until the job is done.

That is, until my mark saves my life. Luka Drake isn't like the vampires I've been hunting for the past five years, and despite the fact that he's a vampire prince fresh out of Magic City Prison for committing God knows what crime, I can't kill him.

My only other option is to walk away and pretend our paths never crossed. I'm about to pull it off but Luka pulls me back, and in the worst way possible, in a way that changes everything.

This is a full-length slow burn paranormal romance for readers that love Jaymin Eve, Linsey Hall and K.F. Breene.

Review 

Aspen in an orphan raised to be a lethal vampire hunter it's all she's known her whole life. She's rising up the ranks quickly never missing her mark until the day she has Luka Drake in her sights. What should have been a quick easy kill goes terribly wrong and Aspen finds herself saved by the vampire she was sent to kill. In return she does something for him that changes both of their lives binding them forever. 

Meeting Luka has changed Aspens life in more than she ever imagined. He's not the vampire she expected him to be. Which forces her to question everything she's know about vampire and the life she was raised in. Maybe they aren't the blood sucking killers that she's been led to believe. Aspen will have to choose to believe the truth of keep her head in the sand. 

I knew this one was going to be amazing as we had a taste of Luka from the Wolf Girl series which I love. I just love Aspen right from the start she's this spunky red head who is bad-ass in her own right. She and Luka who have this instant chemistry that works if they can both accept they are in this together. I love that Demi and the crew are in this one as she's one of my all time favorite characters and I've missed her. 

Leia Stone is an auto buy must read author for me. I've read most of her book and truly love every story each one. She creates these worlds filled with unique characters that capture the heart as well as the imagination. It's impossible not to love every book she's written. I admit this one has sat on the shelf far longer than it should have because it's amazing. I devoured it in just one afternoon. A must read if you love action packed slow burn romance. 

It's Monday! What are you reading?

 

Hosted by The Book Date 

Welcome to It's Monday! Every week we share what we just finished reading, are reading or plan to read over the next week. 

Munchkin went back to school and real life is finally settling down at last. 

Finished 

Kiss by Tana Rose (Goodreads) need to write a review but I loved it. 

Currently reading 

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I'm buddy reading this series with my bestie a couple of chapters per day. We are loving it. 

Marry by Tana Rose (Goodreads) Half way done and love it. 

Up Next

I'm working my way through the Pantheon trio. 

Kill by Tana Rose (Goodreads) 

Rest of the week 

I'm not sure what's next yet but I suspect another dark romance series. 

What are you reading?