Showing posts with label book haul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book haul. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

A trip to a local store, and a book haul

April 22, 2025


We have a couple stores in town that remind me of Hastings. Do you remember Hastings? The really super cool store that sold music, books and videos?  Used to be one of our favorites anytime we visited my in laws in Lawton, Oklahoma.  
 
Well Entertainmart is a similar store, that also sells comic books, Funko Pops and tons of retro things.  It's just a neat store to walk around and browse.
 
We went there on Saturday to find some things for Jasmine, and were met with the news that it is permanently closing in May.  What a bummer!
 
With that said, all their books are on sale for 99c.  I couldn't pass up that opportunity, of course, so I grabbed 10 and do plan on heading back this weekend to find some more.  Let me show you what I got, including the surprise of author signed books that I was not expecting to see, when I brought the books home.
 
In the first picture above:
 
On her last escapade, Charlotte unintentionally witnessed a murder and found herself embroiled in a dangerous chain of events. Now, Charlotte returns in a stunning sequel that takes the reader into the most sinister institution in London: Bedlam. With the death of her siblings and far from home, Charlotte has few people to trust. Struggling with romantic entanglements and her stressful rise to prominence on the literary scene, she is more alone than ever. On a visit to London, Charlotte goes on a tour of London¹s most famous hospital for the mad, Bedlam. She is sure she recognizes a struggling Mr. Slade, her long-missing ex-lover, strapped to one of the stretchers. Charlotte starts digging, and soon finds herself trying to reveal a secret that high-powered men would (and do) kill to protect. It is up to Charlotte to find the truth and expose a plot of global proportion. But what if the conspirators get to her first?
 
Strasbourg, 1518. In the midst of a blisteringly hot summer, a lone woman begins to dance in the city square. She dances for days without pause or rest, and when hundreds of other women join her, the men running the city declare a state of emergency and hire musicians to play the Devil out of the mob. Outside the city, pregnant Lisbet lives with her husband and mother-in-law, tending the bees that are the family’s livelihood. Though Lisbet is removed from the frenzy of the dancing plague afflicting the city’s women, her own quiet life is upended by the arrival of her sister-in-law. Nethe has been away for seven years, serving a penance in the mountains for a crime no one will name.

It is a secret Lisbet is determined to uncover. As the city buckles under the beat of a thousand feet, Lisbet becomes caught in a dangerous web of deceit and clandestine passion. Like the women of Strasbourg, she too, is dancing to a dangerous tune. . . .

Set in an era of superstition, hysteria, and extraordinary change, and inspired by true events, The Dance Tree is an impassioned story of family secrets, forbidden love, and women pushed to the edge.

 
 April 22, 2025

Frances Pierce is a simple, plain country girl who enters Lady Anne Boleyn’s circle after shielding her from an angry mob. Anne is beloved by King Henry VIII, and queen in all but name. And Henry is determined to put aside his wife Catherine, marry Anne, and mak her his lawful queen—no matter the consequences.
 
Frances delights Anne with her poetry and her forthright ways, and soon becomes a favorite. Dazzled by her new life and the glamour of the court, and besotted with Anne’s brother George, she pays scant attention to the intrigues that swirl around her mistress. But when the king’s favor shifts, Frances will learn just how quickly those who rise far and fast can meet their downfall.  
 
Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars' ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy's cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.
 

April 22, 2025

Present day: Emma Lovett, who has dedicated her career to breathing new life into long-neglected gardens, has just been given the opportunity of a lifetime: to restore the gardens of the famed Highbury House estate, designed in 1907 by her hero Venetia Smith. But as Emma dives deeper into the gardens’ past, she begins to uncover secrets that have long lain hidden.

1907: A talented artist with a growing reputation for her work, Venetia Smith has carved out a niche for herself as a garden designer to industrialists, solicitors, and bankers looking to show off their wealth with sumptuous country houses. When she is hired to design the gardens of Highbury House, she is determined to make them a triumph, but the gardens—and the people she meets—promise to change her life forever.

1944: When land girl Beth Pedley arrives at a farm on the outskirts of the village of Highbury, all she wants is to find a place she can call home. Cook Stella Adderton, on the other hand, is desperate to leave Highbury House to pursue her own dreams. And widow Diana Symonds, the mistress of the grand house, is anxiously trying to cling to her pre-war life now that her home has been requisitioned and transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. But when war threatens Highbury House’s treasured gardens, these three very different women are drawn together by a secret that will last for decades.
 
An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers (Book 2  in the Mark of the Lion Series)
Believed dead, Hadassah finds employment helping a doctor in the poor section of first-century Rome and discovers an ability to heal others through the power of her faith. When Julia falls ill, Hadassah is forced to confront a difficult decision: should she return to the Valerian household, risking exposure and death, to help her former tormentor in the Christian tradition?

Continuing to search for meaning and faith, Marcus turns away from the opulence of Rome, led by a whispering voice from the past into a journey that could set him free from the darkness of his soul.

 

April 22, 2025

A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. Everything will change—especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome.

Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside-down, both women must maneuver carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
 

April 22, 2025

These 3 books are all signed by the author.  I got such a surprise when I opened the first page and saw the signature.  How neat!
 
They are part of a 4 book series, and I only managed to find books 1, 2 and 4.  But I went to Paperbackswap and immediately found the missing #3, so that one is on the way.  Yay!
 
By the way, all 3 of these are available for free through Kindle Unlimited, so if you have it on Amazon and want to give them a read, go on over and grab them while they're available.
 
 
Salina Hastings’ sixteenth birthday came on the heels of Jeremy Barnes’ return from California in August 1862. It was the summer Ethan, Salina’s older brother, asked Taylor Sue Carey to be his bride—not long before the day the Rebels and Yankees clashed at the Battle of Chantilly.

Salina inherited a keen sense of adventure from her father, a Confederate captain and spy. As the war drags on, loyalty and survival draw Salina into risking her life in service of Captain Hastings’ “Network.” In spite of mounting danger, Salina gathers her courage, determined to do what she can to restore the days she loved—precious time with her family, her friends, and Jeremy—Virginia as it was prior to secession and invasion.

Captain Duncan Grant, a Union secret agent, has orders to stop the flow of information to the South. His assignment takes him on a search for the leader of this circle of Southern civilian spies. Captain Grant’s persistent search is not only for information, but also for anyone who might lead him to the stolen documents he must recover for the North.
 
The War Between the States has created a stage where true character will be tried and revealed. In this unfolding drama of conflict, the Hastings family contends with life and death, loyalty and disloyalty, and hope for a future tinged with the knowledge nothing will never be the same. Each decision will bring honor or dishonor, trust or distrust, truth or deception.

Risking her life, Salina Hastings kept her word of honor to her father and to a struggling Confederacy by delivering secret documents to a Rebel contact in San Francisco. Following the darkness of Alcatraz and a treacherous journey back to her beloved Virginia, Salina faces the threat of execution as a Confederate spy for her refusal to abandon the deep-seated loyalty to all she holds dear.

Reunited, Salina and Jeremy’s relationship is sorely tried by questionable allegiances, doubt, miscommunication, and deliberate lies as they weather the ongoing war. Their trust in God and in one another is the only way they can withstand the turmoil which besets them.
 
The fighting between the Confederacy and the Union evolved from a “gentlemanly conflict” to indiscriminate treachery. Measured in terms of human life, costly battles, lightning-quick raids, and secret missions effect the inevitable end of the War Between the States as President Lincoln has a commander in Ulysses S. Grant who will fight Robert E. Lee without mercy.

Returning to Virginia a young wife and expectant mother, homecoming at Shadowcreek is not what Salina Rose Hastings Barnes imagined. Yankee Major John Barnes—corrupted by a decades-old vendetta—has sworn to annihilate not only the Hastings family and the land they hold dear, but also Salina’s husband, Captain Jeremy Barnes. The love Jeremy and Salina share, combined with their faith in the Almighty, produces the strength required to endure perilous trials.

Unable to serve as an active operative in her late father’s spy ring, Salina’s war contributions seem limited to knitting socks for Southern soldiers and nursing in a Richmond hospital. As anticipated victory eludes the defiant Confederacy, Salina dreams of life beyond the conflict and harbors hopes of solving the mystery surrounding the identity of Jeremy’s natural father. The fall of Richmond and the Army of Northern Virginia’s eventual surrender exact a heavy toll, but Jeremy and Salina continue to acknowledge God alone is worthy of the glory and honor for the great things He has done.
 

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

Cleaning the fridge, and another book haul ♥

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Cleaning the fridge!

Some enjoy it, others don't.  Well, I don't know if any of us can say that we enjoy the process, it's a bit mundane and it does take some time, but it's a chore that is very much needed as a homemaker.  I will admit I tend to let it go a bit longer than I probably should, I mean, I will give it a wipe here and there but a good cleaning is definitely not something I do constantly.

But as I picked up groceries a few days ago, I needed to get this under control.  I think the fridge is one of those things that no matter how much you try to keep it organized, with some many people in and out of it, constantly using or taking or putting in, it tends to go bananas pretty quickly.

So I gave it a very good clean before picking up the groceries, and packing the new ones in.  Always feels much better once you open those doors and see everything neatly packed away.
 
Now, moving onto more books.  On Saturday we went downtown to pick up some gifts for Issac, our daughter's boyfriend.  While doing that, we decided to stop in at one of our favorite local stores, which has a plethora of old movies, books, collectibles and games and anything that you could find interesting.  It's a lot of fun to look through and just browse the different collections.



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The store was having a sale on movies and books.  They have these brown bag deals they do, where for books you pay $14.99 and get a collection.  You have no idea what you're getting, so it's almost like a gift that you're opening and not knowing what is in there.  

This weekend their special was a buy one and get one free, so my hubby knowing how much I love books, bought me a bag of romance books and it came with another bag for free.  I was beyond thrilled, let me tell you.

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The first bag was a selection of mystery book, and I will say I don't read mystery books it's not my favorite genre at all.  But I will see if my sister in law wants any of these because she does enjoy this genre.  Whatever she doesn't want, I will post on Paperbackswap and will hopefully be able to trade them for books that I will enjoy.

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While I was pulling out the books, Elliott immediately ran into one of the empty paper bags.  Cats and bags, right?


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The next bag was right up my alley, romance books and quite a few from my some of my favorite historical fiction writers, like Eloisa James and Mary Balogh. 

Just look at that pile of amazing romance novels.  Just look, and let your eyes skim down the list.  Catherine Coulter, Tessa Dare, Gayle Callen, Sabrina Jeffries.  I think the only authors I haven't yet read are Gayle and Sabrina, but the books look so interesting and exactly what I usually enjoy.
 
Safe to say that this pile is going straight into my bookshelf and not onto Paperbackswap.

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Hubby wants to go back and grab me another 2 bags LOL

You know I'm pretty bad when it comes to books, almost a hoarder but not quite as a I do tend to swap them out for newer ones.  But still, I have a hard time saying no to a book, and it doesn't help when my husband fuels that craziness.  I won't complain though, I am dying to get my hands on some more romance novels.

So there you have it, a clean fridge and a stack of books.  I know they have nothing to do with each other, but it's a little look at my home and my day.  I think that's the life of a homemaker, there's a little bit of everything, all combined into one home, right?

Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Book Haul - Amazon and Booksamillion

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Raise your hand if you are obsessed with books.  I'll go first ✋ 

It doesn't matter how many books I already have, how many are littered throughout my house, how full the bookshelves are, or how many are still in my TBR (to be read) pile.  

I can't stop.  If I see a good book, I have to have it.  So it happened this past week, I got some books that I'm hoping will snap me out of my reading funk.  And before I show you the books, I will say, I found the right book and I have been reading non stop since Saturday.  
 
The first 3 books are from Booksamillion, from their bargain book section.  I rarely buy full priced book, although I did get two full priced from Amazon, which I'll show you below.  But it definitely was a rare thing for me to do.


 
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
 
Inspired by the star-crossed tale of Tristan and Eseult, this is the story of the legend's true heroine: Branwen. For fans of Graceling and The Mists of Avalon, this is the first book of a lush fantasy trilogy about warring countries, family secrets, and forbidden romance.
 
I love the tale of Tristan and Eseult  taking place in the time of King Arthur.  I've always loved their story, and so this book was a definitely pick up for me.
 

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The Circus Train by Amita Parikh
 
When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward?

1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena—who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio—yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.

As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist’s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible—herself.
 
I debated bringing this one, until the last minute.  I don't know why.  I mean the story sounds interesting and the cover is gorgeous.  I know, I'm one of those that is often attracted to books by their covers, which has led me to some books I didn't enjoy, but it's ok, I love a beautiful book regardless of. 
 

 
The Last White Rose by Alison Weir
 
Elizabeth of York is the oldest daughter of King Edward IV. Flame-haired, beautiful, and sweet-natured, she is adored by her family; yet her life is suddenly disrupted when her beloved father dies in the prime of life. Her uncle, the notorious Richard III, takes advantage of King Edward’s death to grab the throne and imprison Elizabeth’s two younger brothers, the rightful royal heirs. Forever afterward known as "the Princes in the Tower," the boys are never seen again. On the heels of this tragedy, Elizabeth is subjected to Richard’s overtures to make her his wife, further legitimizing his claim to the throne. King Richard has murdered her brothers, yet she feels she must accept his proposal.

As if in a fairy tale, Elizabeth is saved by Henry Tudor, who challenges Richard and defeats him at the legendary Battle of Bosworth Field. Following his victory, Henry becomes king and asks Elizabeth to be his wife, the first queen of the Tudor line. The marriage is happy and fruitful, not only uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York—the red and white roses—but producing four surviving children, one of whom, Henry VIII, will rule the country for the next thirty-six years.
 
Alison Weir, as you may already know, is one of my favorite historical fiction writers.  She is brilliant at what she does, and one of her favorite eras to write about is the Tudor Era, which as you may also know is also one of my favorite eras.  Anything King Henry, his wives and so on is fascinating to me.
 
This one was definitely not a hard choice to bring home, and to place in my Alison Weir pile. 
 
 
Now the next two are the ones I got from Amazon, and actually paid full price.  I did so because I've been wanting to read these for a very long time, and because it was a little treat for myself.  I believe we all need to indulge sometimes and treat ourselves to something we love.
 
The very first book is the one that has knocked me off my reading funk and renewed my love for reading.  I picked it up, read the first few lines and knew that I was going to be hooked.  This book, is going to be one of my all time favorite reads, I have no doubt. 


 
Never by Jessa Hastings
 
Growing up, Daphne always knew Peter Pan would come for her. The way he'd come for her mother, and her grandmother Wendy before that. The Darling girls. Their stories are all the same: the forever-young boy at their window after their thirteenth birthday, and the shimmering, magical land behind a star.

When Peter doesn't show for Daphne until she's seventeen, inexplicably full-grown and with no excuse for his tardiness, Daphne doesn't know what to think. Still, she has always been told that Peter Pan is her destiny. It's beyond choice to take his hand and leap into the stars, no matter what comes next.

But in Neverland, Peter's true colors begin to show. One moment, he's making Daphne's heart flutter, and the next, he's forgotten her entirely. So when Daphne stumbles into the path of Jamison Hook, the pirate son of Peter's nemesis, she lets herself get swept up in his vulgar charm, despite the warning signs.

Both boys are trouble, and both have dangerous secrets about this strange fantasy land they call home―and if she loses her heart to either one, Daphne might just lose herself, too.

 
Do you understand now why I've been wanting to read it and why is is quickly becoming one of my favorite books?
 
Peter Pan, my friends.  Peter Pan and Neverland.  I am already in love with this book.  It's such a sweet story bringing to life one of our favorite fairy tales but in a different way, as we get to see an older Peter Pan, Captain Hook's son and Daphne who is Wendy's granddaughter.  I'm not going to say anything else, other than I am so thrilled to have gotten this book and can't wait to keep reading and seeing what happens.  I'm sure I'll have more to share with you on it, later on.
 

 
What the River knows by Isabel Ibanez

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

What the River Knows is the first book in the thrilling Secrets of the Nile duology.


I have read such amazing reviews on this book, so I didn't mind paying the full price either.  Funny story, but growing up, for the longest time I wanted to be an archeologist, especially in Egypt.  The pyramids, the mummies, was and is something that I find interesting.  This story kind of brings some of that to light for me, at least the Egypt and mummies and ancient history and so on.

I am very much looking forward to reading this one next.  

As I said above, not a very big book haul but nonetheless, I wanted to share with you what is on my current summer reading list.  I'm hoping to get all these read in the next two months, and if I do I will be happily back on my reading kick.

Have you been reading anything interesting lately?  Do you have a good book recommendation for me and the other blog readers?  If so, be sure to leave it down below.