Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 40
May 15, 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: The Family Secret
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.
This week I’m participating with: The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin
First Chapter, First Paragraph:They’re dead.
They’re actually…actually dead.
If this wasn’t the worst time possible, I might make a joke that they died to avoid finally meeting me. But…yeah, not the right time.
Blurb:Their new home has a terrifying secret.
When freshly engaged Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass receive the news that Lowell’s parents have died unexpectedly, they set out for the historic Bass estate to handle their affairs and lay the former heads of the family to rest.
Enshrouded in layers of secrecy and tradition, the Bass estate, and the family residing within its walls, give anything but a warm welcome. When the idea of staying in the home permanently is brought up, Austyn witnesses a side of her future husband she’s never seen before.
Late one night, Austyn overhears a whispered conversation, revealing she hasn’t been given the full truth about the world she’s marrying into. And when Emily, an old friend, calls with devastating news of her own, Lowell and Austyn invite her to join them for a visit at the estate.
Upon Emily’s arrival, a confession is made, causing a rift in the seemingly impenetrable bond the girls once had. As Emily settles into their home, becoming closer to Lowell than ever before, Austyn fears she’s made a grave mistake.
Trapped inside the Bass estate under the ever-watchful eye of the staff and her soon-to-be family, Austyn makes another chilling discovery—something so terrible it changes everything.
With distressing revelations hidden around every corner and time running out before final decisions are made about her future, Austyn must uncover the truth about the opulent and powerful Bass family…at the risk of becoming another one of their dark secrets.
What do you think? Would you read this one? I loved it! It’s now in the top 3 of my favorite Kiersten Modglin books!
May 14, 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 15 May 2023
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Hey Bookdragons! Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Did you get any reading time in?
Last Week I Read:In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead
I really enjoyed my reread of this one, even more so than the first time. I still think the main character makes questionable decisions but that’s kind of part of the book and her character development.
Sallow Bend by Alan Baxter
This was such a disappointment. I wanted to love it but I was so bored I ended up DNFing it a few chapters in.
The Family Secret by Kiersten ModglinThis one on the other hand I loved! I couldn’t put it down! An unwelcoming house, buried family secrets, a fiancé whose whole personality changes once they arrive at the house, a forbidden interested in someone the main character shouldn’t want… whew! I say it every time but this may be my favorite KMod book so far!
Currently Reading:Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Another reread for me. The first time I read this one I liked it but didn’t love it but now that I’ve read this author’s backlist I’m hoping to enjoy it more. I just started it yesterday.
Next Read:Undecided. I might do another reread or pick a new book off my shelf. Or I might check out another Kiersten Modglin book on KU.
May 13, 2023
The Sunday Post: Warm Days, Spring Cleaning, and Rest
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Warm Days, Spring Cleaning, and RestHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! How was your week? Mine wasn’t too bad, I got a lot accomplished.
We finally had some warm weather and sunny days here in Wisconsin! They also fell on my days off so I was able to get out and about a little as I ran some errands in town.
While I was off I had two main goals: catch up on sleep and do some housework. Thankfully I achieved both. I did a few things around the house I haven’t had a chance to catch up on for a couple weeks. There are still a few things to do next time I have some time to catch up but it was a start.
For the first time in a couple months I haven’t had a ton of early morning commitments on my days off so I was able to catch up on much needed sleep. I think a part of me will always be tired with the schedule I keep but I feel better for sure.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 8 May 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Sometimes I Lie
Can’t Wait Wednesday… Midnight Vow!
The Friday 56: I Know Who You Are
What I’m Binge-Watching: 7-13 May 2023
I skipped Top Ten Tuesday this week because I feel like I did that prompt a few months ago on a Freebie post.
The Sunday Post: Warm Days, Spring Cleaning, and Rest (You are here)
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 15 May 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Family Secrets
Top Ten Tuesday: Things Getting in the Way of Reading
Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Camp!
What I’m Binge-Watching
The Friday 56: Family Secrets
None this week. 
May 12, 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching: 7-13 May 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching is a weekly meme to document all of our favorite binging obsessions. Follow along and let me know what you’ve been binge-watching lately!
Hey everyone! How was your week? I keep trying to schedule these posts for Thursdays but something always comes up. This week my wifi was down for a few days so I couldn’t stream anything until later in the week.
Just Binged:Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
I binged all 6 episodes on Thursday. I really enjoyed it, almost more than Bridgerton itself! I admit though I was more interested in Lady Danbury’s story and Brimsley/Reynolds than the main story about Queen Charlotte and King George. I liked the young Charlotte and the actor that plays George is really attractive but his mood stuff made it hard to root for him.
Started but Unsure if I Will Continue:High Seas:
I started this one and while it has all the elements of something I should love, there’s just something missing that the show isn’t keeping my attention.
Ongoing:CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
My mom and I are now past the midway point in Season 7. The box with the 4th Minature Murder has just been delivered.
Psych:
Psych is another one of my comfort shows that I’m continuously rewatching. I’m just at the beginning of Season 3.
Just Added to My Watchlist:Queen Cleopatra
I saw the trailer for this when I got onto Netflix to watch Bridgerton on Thursday and it looked really interesting.
What are you currently binge-watching? Let me know in the comments! Happy binging!
May 11, 2023
The Friday 56: I Know Who You Are
The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. How to participate: Grab a book, any book. Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. Find a snippet, short and sweet. Post it, and link up on Freda’s Voice so everyone knows to visit.
This week I’m participating with: I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney
Blurb:Meet Aimee Sinclair: the actress everyone thinks they know but can’t remember where from.
Except one person.
Someone knows Aimee very well.
They know who she is and they know what she did.
When Aimee comes home and discovers her husband is missing, she doesn’t seem to know what to do or how to act. The police think she’s hiding something and they’re right, she is―but perhaps not what they thought. Aimee has a secret she’s never shared, and yet, she suspects that someone knows. As she struggles to keep her career and sanity intact, her past comes back to haunt her in ways more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.
In I Know Who You Are, Alice Feeney proves that she is a master of brilliantly complicated plots and killer twists that will keep you guessing until the final page.
In some places in the world people believe that having your photo taken steals a part of your soul. My fears don’t stretch quite that far, but I do worry that a camera can capture something in me that I would rather remained hidden.
What do you think? Would you read this book? This one was a bit more difficult to get through than the other Alice Feeney books I’ve read in the past few weeks. There are a few heavy situations/subjects.
May 9, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday… Midnight Vow!
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
Midnight Vow (Wolves of Midnight Book 1) by Becky Moynihan
Paranormal, Shifter, Romance
eBook, Paperback
June 20, 2023 by Broken Books
Blurb:Freeing my wolf could cost me everything . . .
As a natural-born werewolf, I should have shifted years ago. Instead, I’m little more than a human.
Desperate to free my wolf, I leave my pack to seek the aid of a nearby witch coven. But when the meeting goes south, I run. Only to find out they’re hunting me.
There’s no one I can turn to for help, until I meet the devilishly handsome Kolton Rivers. He’s the wealthiest, most powerful alpha in America, leader of the Midnight Pack. But his violent reputation precedes him.
Unfortunately, a single touch from him starts to awaken my wolf.
When he offers me protection, I refuse it. Despite my wolf’s reaction to him, I don’t trust his motives. Then he offers me something I can’t walk away from: help unleashing my wolf.
But his help comes at a price. If he succeeds in setting my wolf free, I must vow to give him something in return.
Me.
MIDNIGHT VOW is book one in the steamy Wolves of Midnight series, a paranormal wolf shifter romance and modern Hades and Persephone retelling. For fans of enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage, fated mates, feisty heroines and morally gray men.
*Wolves of Midnight is part of the A Touch of Vampire world, but it’s not necessary to read the series in order.
*This book is part of a series and ends in a cliffhanger. Best suited for ages 17+
Why I Want to Read Midnight Vow:Becky is one of my author friends and she’s so talented. I love the world she’s built in the A Touch of Vampire Universe and I can’t wait to meet those new characters!
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
May 8, 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Sometimes I Lie
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.
This week I’m participating with: Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
First Chapter, First Paragraph:My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:
1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie.
Blurb:My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:
1. I’m in a coma.
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore.
3. Sometimes I lie.
Amber wakes up in a hospital. She can’t move. She can’t speak. She can’t open her eyes. She can hear everyone around her, but they have no idea. Amber doesn’t remember what happened, but she has a suspicion her husband had something to do with it. Alternating between her paralyzed present, the week before her accident, and a series of childhood diaries from twenty years ago, this brilliant psychological thriller asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it’s the truth?
What do you think? Have you/would you read this one? This isn’t my favorite Alice Feeney but I couldn’t put it down and the twist at the end was fantastic as always!
May 7, 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 8 May 2023
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Hey Bookdragons! Happy Monday! I hope your month is off to a great start and you’ve had some good reading so far!
Last Week I Read:Sometimes I Lie by Alice FeeneyAnother great thriller read with a crazy twist! This was 3 out of 4 in my Alice Feeney binge.
I Know Who You Are by Alice FeeneyThis was probably my least favorite read by Alice Feeney. Parts of it were hard to get through without throwing the book at the wall.
The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman
This was a feel-good short story and I breezed through. I really enjoyed it! This was my first read by this author.
Currently Reading: In my Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley WinsteadThis is a reread for me. I just had to read it again after getting this gorgeous Fairyloot edition!
Next Read:Sallow Bend by Alan BaxterThis is in a book box I no longer subscribe to but it was in Kindle Unlimited and I’m looking forward to reading it next.
What books are you reading and enjoying this week? Have you read any of these?
May 6, 2023
The Sunday Post: Cholesterol, Cars, and Monthly Goals
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Cholesterol, Cars, and Monthly GoalsHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! How was your first week of May? Mine was cold for the most part.
Monday I had my yearly wellness exam at the doctor. Everything looks good except my bad cholesterol was “mildly elevated” and I’ve been told to cut down on eating red meat (which I only eat maybe once or twice a month) and start eating more oatmeal (which I hate), walnuts (which I’m allergic to), salmon (which I don’t eat), and herring (which is just plain gross). But I’ve sorted out a bit healthier diet and plan to do some grocery shopping this week.
On Tuesday my mom decided to buy a car she was looking at on Facebook Marketplace so we went halfway across the state to look at it. It’s a 1949 DeSoto. We already have a 1950 DeSoto but the 1949 is in slightly better shape body-wise but doesn’t currently run. Summer project.
I also finally sat down and sorted my May goals. I want to get more writing time in (always more of a dream than a reality with my work schedule). I want to start eating healthier (see about the cholesterol above). I need to set my driving road test up for June (I know, I’m almost 31 and I don’t drive. I just don’t like to). Also I want to take my photos from my Charleston trip and make a photo book.
The Sunday Post: Charleston, Twisted Ankles, and New Ink
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 1 May 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Rock Paper Scissors
Top Ten Tuesday: The First 10 Books I Randomly Grabbed from my Shelf
Can’t Wait Wednesday… Good Bad Girl!
What I’m Binge-Watching April 7-May 6 2023
The Sunday Post: Cholesterol, Cars, and Monthly Goals (You Are Here)
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 8 May 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Sometimes I Lie
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books or Authors I Recommend to Others the Most
Can’t Wait Wednesday… Midnight Vow!
What I’m Binge-Watching – 11 May 2023
The Friday 56: I Know Who You Are
Fairyloot Edition: In My Dreams I Hold A Knife None This Week
What I’m Binge-Watching- April 7-May 6 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching is a weekly meme to document all of our favorite binging obsessions. Follow along and let me know what you’ve been binge-watching lately!
Hey Guys! How is spring treating you? Any new shows you’re obsessed with? I’ve been re-watching a few old favorites and only took in one new-to-me show but I’m trying to watch more unlatched shows on my list.
Last Month:Mr. Mercedes
Last month my mom and I binge-watched all 3 seasons of Mr. Mercedes. I loved the first season and the second season was okay but I was pretty meh about season 3.
Ongoing:CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationWe’re still rewatching CSI and I think we’re in season 5 or 6 right now.
Vacation Binging:
As you probably already know, I just took a trip to Charleston, SC at the end of April. It’s been so long since we’ve had cable at home that is not used to not being able to watch whatever I want whenever I want to anymore. So I binged a lot of Law & Order and NCIS while I was there.
Added to My Watchlist:Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton StoryI finally caught up on Season 2 of Bridgerton a few months ago so I might as well check this one out while I wait for Season 3.
High SeasI just saw this one while looking through Netflix. I believe it’s in Spanish but if I can get it dubbed into English it looks really good.
What are you currently binge-watching? Let me know in the comments! Happy binging!
