Rosco the Rascal and the Holiday Lights

By: Shana Gorian

James and Mandy’s neighborhood won the holiday lights Best Block contest, and all the neighbors are getting ready to put on a big show. Everyone has a job and a role to play in order for the night to be a success. Rosco’s job is to behave and not mess up anything! Rosco wants to be good, but he doesn’t understand what all is going on and when he spies some suspicious behavior, well, a good German Shepherd must investigate. Will Rosco be a hero, or will his investigation wreak havoc and cause a holiday disaster?

Told from the point-of-view of Rosco, readers will see the world through the eyes of a very good dog, who tries his best to protect his family, yet still gets into mischief. Though there are five books in the Rosco the Rascal series, there is no need to read them in any specific order. This adorable book is perfect for the holiday season. Families will chuckle out loud as they follow Rosco’s “helpful” antics. There are several sections in the back to help younger readers advanced their knowledge, from dog breeds to holiday spelling lists.

Having grown up with dogs, including the best German Shepherd a girl could ask for, it was wonderful reading a book through the dog’s eyes. Children will adore this cute story.

Notes:

I signed up to honestly review this title from Netgalley.

To learn more about this book, click here.

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The Crown

Today, I watched The Crown. Or shall I say, rewatched The Crown. Season 1 is soooo good. My brain is pretty much mush and my body is protesting, but my heart is loving the cooler air. So I took another day to relax, and plan the following week. I promise reviews are on the way.

What have you watched recently?

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A Day for Rest

Today was a desperate day for rest. Yet, I still managed to schedule my new doc appt, and my next 2 hospital tests. Otherwise, I watched The Crown and took a much needed nap.

Tomorrow, I will be back with reviews. I have a few to post. 😊😊😊 But in the meantime, tell me what is the last amazing book you read. The one that you still keep thinking about, keep replaying the events in your head.

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Current Read Update

I am reading The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks. I stopped last night on the date of March 1st.

I love historical fiction novels. I love learning about events from the perspective of lesser known figures. I did not know much about the Lindberghs, until I read The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. I loved that book. I immediately researched Anne, and added Gift From the Sea to my wish list.

So when I saw this cover and title, I immediately requested it through Netgalley. I was so excited when Minotaur approved the request. I read a few chapters, then started researching Betty Gow. Not much is known about her. Everything I could find is in direct relation to the kidnapping of baby Lindbergh.

I look forward to finishing this title this weekend! Do you enjoy historical fiction? Do you research the real events/people, while you read?

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A Quote to Begin the Night…

β€œNever trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”

~Lemony Snicket

I am back at the doc tomorrow, so you know I will have a book with me. This time it will be: Can You Survive the Wizard of Oz? By: Ryan Jacobson. I haven’t read a Choose Your Adventure style book before, so I am excited to see what this one has to offer.

What are you reading this evening?

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A Duke Worth Fighting For

By: Christina Britton

(Isle of Synne #3)

The Duke of Carlisle has accompanied his mother to the Isle of Synne, to spend time with her friend’s family and give her a chance to heal. The Duke, Daniel, is all too glad for the reprieve before the traumatizing London season begins, and he must find a wife. Daniel, not only has physical scars and PTSD from the war, but he is also traumatized from the years of mental torture his cousin inflicted upon him. Margery Kitteridge, who was disowned from her father for marrying the boy she loved has spent several years in mourning, and plans to continue to do so, forever. Spending most of her time by her grandmother’s side, she has seen the gift of her grandmother’s matchmaking talents. So when the awkward Duke arrives, shortly after a blackmail letter, Margery thinks she has solved all her problems. When she proposes the Duke hire her, to help him find a wife, the two embark on a crazy adventure. Will she be able to find him a wife, and pay off the blackmailer? Or will their mutual attraction get in the way?

Despite this being the third in a series, it is easily read as a stand-alone novel. Though the writing was a bit repetitious, the storyline is amazing! The main characters are the type that readers will be rooting for, from the very first chapter. Readers can relate to some of the pain and anguish that they each have experienced. While there is a very large cast of secondary characters, the main set provide comfort and laughter. The uniqueness of this storyline will be appreciated amongst regency romance readers.

This was my first Christina Britton story. I thoroughly enjoyed the role reversal of the confident woman and the war-hero man with so many traumatized self-doubts. The storyline makes me want to read more of the series, just so I can’t get glimpses of these two, again. The author’s next book is a spinoff of this series and will be focused on one of the unique secondary characters that we met in this book. I look forward to seeing how that works out.

Notes:

I signed up to honestly review a finished copy from Forever Publishing.

To learn more about this book, click here.

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Let the Season of Witches Begin…

I am so excited to read this book. Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese is an historical fiction novel, set during the Salem Witch Trials and, as you might have guessed it, stars a Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne. I loved The Scarlet Letter and I enjoy classical retellings.

I am also reading Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman.

What are your favorite witchy reads? πŸ§™πŸ§™β€β™€οΈπŸ§™

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Sunday Night Football

My Ravens are playing tonight, so of course, I am reading a purple book! A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton, is a regency romance, bk 3 in the Isle of Synne series. There is a widow being blackmailed, and an awkward war hero with major injuries.

On the subject of football, one of my all-time favorites is from years ago. Black Sunday by Thomas Harris. Yes, this was about a terrorist attack, but it was planned for Super Bowl Sunday. This book was originally written in 1975, and I believe I read it somewhere around 7th/8th grade. I just know I read it before 9/11/2001. If you haven’t read this book and like FBI suspense, terrorist plots, I highly recommend this story.

Do you watch football? Growing up it was always High School and NFL, while here in SC, it is all about College ball. Who do you root for? Do you match your books by theme or cover to support your team?

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October is Full of Bookish Days

Did you know October is National Book Month? It is also, National Reading Group Month, and National Cookbook Month. I think cooler weather, does entice one to dust off the cookbooks and get inventive, in the kitchen. As for the others, well Reading Groups should celebrate all year long, and Books are celebrated every day!

The first week of October celebrates mystery series. While the last Friday is Frankenstein day. (I think Halloween has a play, in that date.)

The Mad Hatter Day was on the 6th, while Myths and Legends are honored on the 11th. Break out the dictionaries, because their day is the 16th.

Love your library? Give them extra love the third week as you celebrate Friends of the Library week.

Plus, a couple of prizes are awarded. Maybe you have heard of the Nobel Prize for Literature & the Booker Prize??? Congrats to Annie Ernaux for winning the Nobel Prize.

What’s bookish day will you be celebrating this month?

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Did you get the Enewsletter?

The first enewsletter went out a few minutes ago! I hope you all enjoy.

If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter, you can see the current issue here.

Tonight, I reading Atomic Family by McElroy. What are you reading?

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