Author: Bree

Hi, I'm Bree. I'm a tea-guzzling writer, designer, and romance novel junkie who takes my books like I take my tea & baths, steamy. I also do weird things like buy candles that smell like book boyfriends and write character descriptions for everyone I meet.

How I Met My Book(s): The Morgan Brothers Series by Lauren Rowe

~ Bree ~ Leave a comment

Once Upon a Time I attended my very first Shameless Book Con. This was only the second bookish convention I’d ever attended, the first being Apollycon.

I attended this event with my sister (and fellow romance lover) and we were so excited and overwhelmed by the awesomeness. Aside from Apollycon, we’d never been surrounded by so many like-minded people in our lives. Everywhere we looked there were books that looked amazing.

I’d gotten quite a bit more involved in the online bookish community back in 2018 at this convention (at least, I think it was 2018, I can’t really remember.) and I’d fallen in love with indie authors. Suddenly, I was surrounded by so many amazing indie authors I had yet to discover.

And one of them was Lauren Rowe.

First of all, the covers for this series are amazing. They would’ve caught my eye, even if I hadn’t heard of Ball Peen Hammer in passing.

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Having recognized the cover and her name as an author I wanted to buy books from, I practically ran over to her table. Unfortunately, though, by the time I got there, she was sold out of Ball Peen Hammer. Instead, she offered me to enter her giveaway for Ball Peen Hammer and Captain, so, of course, I did.

And HOLY CRAP! I actually won!

A few weeks later, when I was hit hard with the flu, my copies of Ball Peen Hammer and Captain came in the mail. I read them BOTH in one day.

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And thus began my love of all things Lauren Rowe.

I ended up purchasing all of her books on audio as well as physical copies because when I love a book, I like to both read and listen to it.

Now, here we are, a couple of years later, and she has come out with a spin-off of The Morgan Brothers Series based on one of the most intriguing characters from that series that I’ve been BEGGING for FOREVER: The Reed Rivers Trilogy. The first two books are already released (and available on Kindle Unlimited!), and the third is releasing TOMORROW, March 19.

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I admit, because of my lack of patience, I’ve been waiting for all three books to release so that I could binge them. And binge them I shall after Historical Romance Readathon ends this week!

Top 10 Tuesday: Spring 2020 TBR (Books I Own)

~ Bree ~ 13 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

We’re homeschooling right now due to COVID-19, and it’s going as well as can be. Thank goodness the girls’ school was prepared and the teachers have made it a lot easier for those of us who do not have the same skills that they do!

It’s stressful trying to homeschool two young kids who require a lot of guidance AND work from home, but we’re managing. Luckily, my husband is able to work from home as well, so we tag team. I’ve also put together a daily schedule that we follow and I make checklists for the girls every day.

I’ve also worked in reading time for the three of us once I finish with my work for the day. I’ve been loving the Forest app. The girls love growing trees by having focused time reading. They are terrified of killing the tree if they lose focus LOL!

Anyway, sorry for the long intro. Here are some books on my Spring TBR. I do make monthly TBRs that I use as more of a guideline than a hard-and-fast MUST-READ list. This will be the same.

  1. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J Maas
    I will read everything SJM writes. #SJMtrash
    ⮕ Adult fantasy
    ⮕ Party girl MC
    ⮕ Revenge story

  2. The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller 
    I am SO all about the shadow king thing. 
    ⮕ YA Fantasy
    ⮕ Deception
    ⮕ Hate to love fake marriage

  3. The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by  Kiersten White 
    I’ve been intrigued by this book since it came out!
    ⮕ Gender-bent King Arthur retelling
    ⮕ YA
    ⮕ Secret identities

  4. Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed
    I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Becky Albertalli so far.
    ⮕ YA Contemporary
    ⮕ Political
    ⮕ Diverse

  5. Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Orgeron & Kate Stewart 
    I got this one at Shameless Book Con and I’ve heard so many good things.
    ⮕ Adult contemporary romance
    ⮕ Emotional military romance
    ⮕ Love triangle

  6. Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer 
    I’m dying to read one of this author’s contemporaries. I loved her YA Fantasy.
    ⮕ YA Contemporary
    ⮕ Overachiever MC
    ⮕ Forced togetherness 

  7. Furyborn (Empirium #1) by Claire Legrand
    Ever since Chan gushed about this on her channel (Chandler Ainsley), I’ve been wanting to check it out.
    ⮕ YA Fantasy
    ⮕ Prophsized queen
    ⮕ Bounty hunter

  8. The Wicker King (The Wicker King #1) by K. Ancrum
    This one not only looks really interesting, but I’ve heard that it’s really, really good.
    ⮕ Hard-hitting, dark YA contemporary
    ⮕ LGBTQ
    ⮕ Mental illness rep

  9. Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton 
    Give me all the witchy books.
    ⮕ YA Fantasy
    ⮕ LGBTQ
    ⮕ Devils and witches

  10. Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts #1) by Emma Scott 
    I love Emma Scott’s duets!
    ⮕ New Adult contemporary romance
    ⮕ Love triangle
    ⮕ Emotional military romance

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

~ Bree ~ Leave a comment
5-stars
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Title: Things You Save in a Fire
Author: Katherine Center
Format: Audiobook Borrowed on Libby

Synopsis:
Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she’s seen her fair share of them, and she’s excellent at dealing with other people’s tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it’s an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie’s old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren’t exactly thrilled to have a “lady” on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn’t seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can’t think about that. Because she doesn’t fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don’t date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping…but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she’s worked so hard to be taken seriously?

Katherine Center’s Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage

GOODREADS

Review

This is my second Katherine Center book. The first one I read was How to Walk Away and I loved that one just as much as I loved this one.

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Historical Romance Recommendations for #HRREADATHON20 From My Sister

~ Bree ~ Leave a comment

I’m so excited to participate in the Historical Romance Readathon beginning tomorrow. I’m not a huge historical reader, but my sister is, so I sent her the bingo board and asked to borrow some books.

Historical Romance Readathon Info

Dates: March 16-22
Hosts: @peacelovebooks, @remarkablylisa, @laceylovesbooks
Bingo Board:
EQ6c0EiU0AANYCl

Historical Romance Recommendations

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Never Trust a Rogue (Heiress in London #2) by Olivia Drake
Published after 2000

  • War Hero/Scoundrel and guardian of young ward
  • Sneaky “fake detective” heroine
  • Murderer on the loose

Goodreads

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Seduce me at Sunrise (The Hathaways #2) by Lisa Kleypas
POC MC

  • Hero of mysterious origins who doesn’t think he’s good enough for the heroine
  • Hero and heroine separated for a long period of time
  • Secrets and high stakes

Goodreads

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The Last Debutante by Julia London
Highlander

  • Sexy laird w/ supposed amnesia
  • Spirited English lady
  • Adventure, romance, kidnapping

Goodreads

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A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers #4.5) by Lisa Kleypas
Wallflower

  • Hero w/ shocking American ways
  • Proper lady-in-waiting
  • Matchmaking

Goodreads

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The Proposal (The Survivors’ Club #1) by Mary Balogh
Titled hero

  • Solitary widowed heroine
  • Daring war hero
  • Rescue meetcute

Goodreads

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Highland Scandal (The Scandalous Series #2) by Julia London
Highlander

  • Hero on the run
  • Marriage of convenience
  • Niece of a highland laird

Goodreads

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Silent Melody (Georgian #2) by Mary Balogh
Series, Published before 2000

  • Beautiful, wild, unspoiled, deaf, and mute heroine betrothed to the wrong man
  • Dark and reckless lord hero
  • Second chance romance

Goodreads

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First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh
Marriage of convenience

  • Fiery sensual family
  • Proud, daring, widowed heroine
  • Eligible bachelor hero

Goodreads

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Again the Magic (Wallflowers #0.5) by Lisa Kleypas
Set outside of London

  • Forbidden romance
  • High class heroine
  • Hero who becomes powerful

Goodreads

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Only a Kiss (The Survivors’ Club #6) by Mary Balogh
Set outside of London

  • Secluded heroine who witnessed her husband’s murder
  • Hero who inherits heroine’s residence unknowingly
  • Can be read as standalone

Goodreads

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Dancing at Midnight (The Splendid Trilogy #2) by Julia Quinn
Titled hero, Scarred hero, set outside of London

  • Smart and beautiful heroine taking a break from Marriage Mart
  • Wounded war hero
  • Hate to love

Goodreads

Goodreads

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A Rogue of my Own (Reid Family #3) by Johanna Lindsey
By Johanna Lindsey

    • Unknowing rivalry
    • Courtly spies
    • Spies and double lives

 

Goodreads

A Few Favorite Backlist Romance Novels for #Backlistreadathon20

~ Bree ~ 6 Comments

I read more backlist titles than recent releases, to be completely honest. Unless it is by an author a love or a book that has gotten to me with the hype – I rarely read new releases. So, it was pretty easy to pick 10 backlist books that I loved.

I purposely chose a few that are what I would consider “classic” adult romance novels – books that, as a romance reader, you’ve probably had on your TBR forever or have at least heard of them – and I’m here to tell you that now is the perfect time to finally getting around to reading them! Some of these books are my favorites that I feel don’t get enough love.

I also focused on choosing books published BEFORE 2014.

These are all adult romance novels that vary from paranormal to contemporary.

Anyway, today is the first day of the Backlist Readathon, so if you’re looking for a backlist title to read, I highly recommend these:

Backlist Adult Romance Novel Recommendations

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Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (2005)
Although this is a beast of a book, this is a must-read for romance lovers. The romance in this one is as epic as the story and the TV show is one of the best adaptations I’ve ever seen.
Goodreads | How I Met My Book

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Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by JR Ward (2005)
If you somehow haven’t heard of this series, I’d be very surprised. Granted, I did not finish the series as there are about 8 million books in it, and I could only handle the way these characters speak for the first 10 or so books, I absolutely ADORED the first three books. If nothing else, read those!
Goodreads | How I Met My Book

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Shifters series by Rachel Vincent (2007)
This entire series does not get enough love! My sisters and I were so obsessed with these books and we’ve all re-read them about 100 times. If you love Rose from Vampire Academy, you will love Faythe. Her character is very similar, but this is a New Adult paranormal romance, so there are steamier scenes. Faythe goes through a similiar, satisfying character growth as Rose and the love triangle is on point.
Goodreads | Review

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Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid series) by Richelle Mead (2007)
Speaking of Vampire Academy, aside from that series, this is my favorite series by Richelle Mead. It’s a super steamy, super hilarious paranormal adult romance that follows a Succubus that hates her job. And it’s definitely a job, all of the paranormal creatures are like characters in a workplace comedy. It’s amazing.
Goodreads

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Sunday’s at Tiffany’s by James Patterson (2008)
This is an oldie, but goodie and such a unique love story between a woman and her imaginary friend when she was a child. Oh, and it was also made into a Hallmark movie that is cheesy AF, but I love it.
Goodreads

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Kiss of Fire (Dragonfire series) by Deborah Cooke (2008)
For those of us who had Black Dagger Brotherhood hangovers, but couldn’t stand to read on in that series because if they heard, “What’s doin'” one more time, they’d break… I present you with dragon shapeshifters.
Goodreads

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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (2011)
I highly recommend the audiobook for this one, I’ve heard it can be daunting to read (and I had a similar experience), but the audiobook is SO good. It is read by my favorite audiobook narrator, Jennifer Ikeda. Her accents are on point. This is another one that was made into a really good TV show!
Goodreads

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Rule (Marked Men #1) by Jay Crownover (2012)
Jay Crownover has been writing a lot of cowboy romances lately and it seems weird to me, because this is my favorite series by her. It’s a contemporary new adult romance series that follows characters that work in a tattoo parlor. I adore this series and all of the characters, but this first book is my favorite in the series.
Goodreads

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Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (2014)
This author duo is very popular, but although this is my favorite book that they’ve ever written, it’s not one of their more popular titles – and I’m not sure why! It’s definitely much more steamy than most of their books, but the romance is SO swoony!
Goodreads | Review

Leo Loves Aries (Signs of Love #1) by Anyta Sunday

~ Bree ~ 11 Comments
5-stars
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Title: Leo Loves Aries
Author: Anyta Sunday
Series: Signs of Love #1
Format: Audiobook available on Audible Escape

Synopsis:
A new person will enter your life in the early year, Leo. Look past any moments of frustration they might bring and laugh—this could be the start of a thriving friendship.

Theo Wallace usually laughs at the horoscopes his mom sends. Still hung up on his ex-girlfriend and practically friendless, this one begs him to reconsider. Because a friendship that stuck, that thrived…

Well, that would be a reason to leave past pains behind and look to the Bright Future.

When his sister Leone challenges him to find her the perfect date for a spring wedding, Theo uses it as a chance to make new friends. Theo’s ex economics tutor and newest roommate Mr Jamie Cooper seems to be a possible and convenient match. Real convenient. Like written in the stars, convenient.

All he has to do is make sure this Jamie is good enough. Could really be the one for her, and the friend for him.

But watch out, Leo, the stars have a surprise in store…

GOODREADS

Review

Don’t judge this book by its cover.

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Credence by Penelope Douglas *New Favorite*

~ Bree ~ Leave a comment
5-stars
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Title: Credence
Author: Penelope Douglas
Format: eBook Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited

Synopsis:
Tiernan de Haas doesn’t care about anything anymore. The only child of a film producer and his starlet wife, she’s grown up with wealth and privilege but not love or guidance. Shipped off to boarding schools from an early age, it was still impossible to escape the loneliness and carve out a life of her own. The shadow of her parents’ fame followed her everywhere.

And when they suddenly pass away, she knows she should be devastated. But has anything really changed? She’s always been alone, hasn’t she?

Jake Van der Berg, her father’s stepbrother and her only living relative, assumes guardianship of Tiernan who is still two months shy of eighteen. Sent to live with him and his two sons, Noah and Kaleb, in the mountains of Colorado, Tiernan soon learns that these men now have a say in what she chooses to care and not care about anymore. As the three of them take her under their wing, teach her to work and survive in the remote woods far away from the rest of the world, she slowly finds her place among them.

And as a part of them.

She also realizes that lines blur and rules become easy to break when no one else is watching.

One of them has her.

The other one wants her.

But he…

He’s going to keep her.

GOODREADS

Review

I was scared to read this.

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Backlist Readathon 2020 TBR

~ Bree ~ 11 Comments

The backlist readathon is happening next week, so I figured I’d share my TBR with you!

I love this readathon because it’s so easy for me to find books I already own since I read so many backlist titles as it is.

Here is the info about the readathon:\\B A C K L I S T R E A D A T H O N

DATES:
March 9th – 15th

CHALLENGES:
| read the shortest backlist title
| read the backlist title that intimidates you the most
| read a backlist title you added because of someone else’s recommendation
| read a backlist you are most excited for
| read a diverse backlist book (lgbt, mental illness, author of color, etc.)
| read a backlist with blue on the cover

HOSTS:
| Gabby
| Chan
| Jacqueline
| Emily
| Zoë
| Melanie

Here are the books I’m planning to read for each challenge:

shortest backlist title
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The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
I thought for the shortest book, it would be good to read a poetry book. I’ve had this on my bookshelf for years and on my TBR for even longer. I love modern poetry, so I hope to enjoy this one.
Goodreads

 

backlist title that intimidates you the most
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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
I bought this on Audible when it went on sale, but I kind of knew when I bought it that it would take me a while to read it because it’s SO long. However, I am pretty excited about reading this.
Goodreads

 

someone else’s recommendation
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Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett
I organized my Audible library by the shortest length book and I came across this one that I must’ve forgotten I owned. I remember seeing this back in 2017 on Goodreads and a few of my GR friends really enjoyed it.
Goodreads

 

most excited for
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Desperate Measures (Wicked Villains #1) by Katee Robert
I’ve been dying to read this entire series because they are dark romance retellings of Disney stories! This one, I believe, is about Jasmine and Jafar.
Goodreads

 

diverse backlist book
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Love from A to Z by SK Ali
There is so much diversity in this book and it also has a character with MS (like me!) so I’m super interested to read it.
Goodreads

 

blue on the cover
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Bloom by Kevin Panetta, Savanna Ganucheau
There is so much diversity in this book and it also has a character with MS (like me!) so I’m super interested to read it.
Goodreads

 

TeaChat

~ Bree ~ 7 Comments


For those of you who are new around here, TeaChats are a monthly post that I do in which I pretend that you and I are going out and grabbing a cup of tea (or coffee or wine) and we’re chatting about what we’ve been up to lately.

Let’s chat!

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