Wednesday, October 31, 2018

What Are You Reading? ~ Oct. 31, 2018

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *


What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Happy Halloween, my friends! I have a few ghoulish books listed below if you are in need for a Halloween read!! :) 

Here's my list:


I'm currently reading Only the Dead Don't Die by A.D. Popovich. A Post-apocalyptic plus zombies story adds up to a great read for Halloween! Needless to say, I'm enjoying it! 





I'm also reading Twisted Up by Erin Nicholas. I started reading this for a lighter read while my company was here. Plus, I have this on Audible so I can listen to it while I walk the dog and fold the clothes. I'm enjoying this one too!



I recently finished Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I was surprised by how much I liked this story! It was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. I had all the movie versions in my head, but the creature is very intelligent! ~ 4 stars


What's next? I think I might read Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel, a Pride & Prejudice/Frankenstein mash-up! Or I may save it for next year! 








FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!



I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.


And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words


So, tell me, what are you reading? 

Monday, October 29, 2018

Chance and Circumstance by Kara Louise ~ My Review


Chance and Circumstance
by Kara Louise

Publication Date: Oct. 26, 2017
Publisher: Heartworks Publication 
Pages 304 (paperback)
Received: Gift from the author with no expectations of a review.
Rating: 4.5 stars 

Chance brings about an early encounter between Charles Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet soon after his move into Netherfield. He soon begins to favour this pretty and lively young lady. Circumstances have kept Jane Bennet and Mr. Darcy from the neighbourhood, thereby changing the events that Jane Austen penned in "Pride and Prejudice."

When Mr. Darcy finally arrives, will he be able to keep from interfering when he meets this young lady his friend so greatly admires? When Jane returns from touring the Lake District with her aunt and uncle, will the young gentleman who returns with her prove to be better suited for her than Mr. Bingley ever was?  

In this "Pride and Prejudice" variation, chance and circumstance greatly affect the way several of Jane Austen's characters arrive at their happily ever after, but not necessarily the way you think. 

My Review

Once again Kara Louise has written another delightful Pride and Prejudice variation that I adore! 

What if… Jane was with the Gardener’s, touring the Lake District at the time when Bingley first comes to Netherland.  He meets Elizabeth first and thinks he’s in love with her? And what if, while Jane is gone she meets another man? 

Because of my own personal dislike of situations that find Elizabeth or Darcy attached or married to someone else, I had a tough time getting into this story. It’s just not right that it’s Bingley and Elizabeth admiring each other. No! No! No, it cannot be! Lol! But it didn’t take long for me to become hooked to the story, and then I couldn’t put it down!

I did love watching Darcy, who was also falling in love with Elizabeth, struggle with Bingley’s attachment to her. Darcy knows Bingley is not right for Elizabeth. She is much more suited for him! But Bingley has claimed her first, and as a gentleman and Bingley’s friend, Darcy can do nothing about it. Or can he? 

When Jane comes home to Longbourn, Bingley finds his true angel. But Mr. Marshal, the gentleman she met while touring with the Gardener’s, has also come to Longbourn. Is Jane already taken? And what of Elizabeth?

I also loved Mary’s story in this book. Because the older two Bennett girls seemed to have made good matches they were not available for Mr. Collins. Still, he overlooks Mary, who is perfect for him and she likes him! Fortunately, Elizabeth notices and gives Mary some much-needed help.

I loved Chance and Circumstance! After a few twists and misunderstandings, all was set to right, and our dear couples have their happily ever after. 

Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!



About the Author

Kara Louise grew up in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. In 1991 she moved with her husband and son to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived for over 20 years. In September of 2013, they moved with their dog and 5 cats to the St. Louis area to be near their son and his wife. Four days after they moved there, they found out a baby was on the way and would soon be grandparents. They now have two very spoiled and very loved granddaughters, and a few other animals added (and subtracted) from the menagerie.


Kara began writing Pride and Prejudice variations in 2001 and has  12 published novels based on Pride and Prejudice: Assumed Engagement, Assumed Obligation, Master Under Good Regulation, Drive and Determination, Darcy’s Voyage, Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, Pemberley Celebrations, Pirates and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy’s Rival, A Peculiar Engagement, Chance and Circumstance, and Mr. Darcy’s Magpie.


Connect with Kara Louise



Here are some other books from Kara Louise that I've reviewed:


My favorite Kara Louise book:

Mr. Darcy's Voyage
I read this book way back (before I ever reviewed a book) when it was Pemberley's Promise.


Many thanks to Kara Louise for gifting me a copy of her book! :)

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! 

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

What Are You Reading? ~ Oct. 24th 2018

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *


What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Here's my list:


I'm currently reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I'm really enjoying it! It's nothing like what I thought it would be.  Frankenstein has remorse for what he's done, and the creature is very intelligent. I'm close to the end, so I should be finished by tonight or tomorrow.



I recently finished reading Summer of Scandal by Syrie James. I enjoyed it! I should have a review up soon.  ~ 4 stars. 
What's next? I'm not sure. Maybe another good October read would be Only The Dead Don't Die by A.D Popovich. Love this cover! We have company this weekend, and I need something I can read on my Kindle Fire in the dark after everyone else is asleep. -- I turn off the blue light. Does anyone else do that? 






FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!




I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.


And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words


So, tell me, what are you reading? 

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

What Are You Reading? ~ Oct. 17, 2018

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *


What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Well, I've not been reading very much lately, and that is why I've only been posting this post every other week. There is a good reason for this though, I have been spending more time with my teenage kids! We've gotten into the habit of watching shows together every night before we go to bed (my usual reading time), but I'm not going to complain! I value this time. :) 

Here's my list:


I'm currently reading Summer of Scandal by Syrie James. I am loving it! I'm enjoying the characters! Madelina and Charles definitely belong together!





I recently finished Dark Desires by Eve Silver. This gothic tale was a perfect read for October! A romantic Victorian mystery! 






What's next? I've always wanted to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and what a better time that it's 200 year birthday!  I've linked to the Uncensored 1818 Edition. 







FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!



I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.


And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words


So, tell me, what are you reading? 

Monday, October 8, 2018

Sadie by Courtney Summers ~ My Review


Sadie
by Courtney Summers

Publication Date: September 4, 2018
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 378 (Kindle Edition)
Received: From the publisher via NetGalley.
Rating: 4 stars

A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she's left behind.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.  

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him. 

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late. 

My Review

I was fascinated by this YA mystery! Sadie is a gripping story of a girl (Sadie) who disappears a few months after her little sister, Mattie, was murdered. Devastated, Sadie sets out to find Mattie’s killer.

Throughout the story, we slowly learn the awful truth’s of Sadie’s lonely life with her mother, what she endured growing up, and how she tried to make a difference in Mattie’s life. How she wanted to protect Mattie.

West McCray, a producer and radio personality, receives a call from May Beth, the girls' surrogate grandmother, who asks West to help locate Sadie. He agrees. He also begins a serialized podcast chronicling his investigation with interviews and information he uncovers along the way.

The story is told from two points of view. One from Sadie’s and the other in the form of McCray’s podcast, “The Girls.” The cool thing is you can actually listen to the podcast on Apple or Stitcher

Although the podcast is really well done, and I listened to most of the episodes before I started reading the book, I found it a little redundant as the podcast is pretty much word for word what is written in the book. I would have liked some added information, but again, the podcast is brilliant and well made. 

Sadie meets some interesting people during her quest, and there are some twists and turns in the story, some I didn’t see coming! And as in life, there are some questions we never find an answer to. 

Sadie is a raw, dark and engrossing novel. I wasn’t sure what Sadie’s plan was, or if she even knew. I didn't know if she would find the man she was looking for, or if she did, could she accomplish what she set out to do - which is to kill him. 

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the story from the publisher for my honest review.

Buy: Amazon • B&N
Add to Goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!



About the Author



COURTNEY SUMMERS lives and writes in Canada. She is the author of What Goes Around, This is Not a Test, Fall for Anything, Some Girls Are, Cracked Up to Be, Please Remain Calm, and All the Rage.





Connect with Courtney




Read an excerpt from Sadie here.


Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for my review copy of Sadie!



Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! 

Friday, October 5, 2018

Georgiana Darcy by Alice Isakova ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! Today I'm delighted to have Alice Isakova visiting So little time...! She has brought with her a lovely excerpt from her new book, Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

There is also a very nice giveaway! Details are at the bottom of the page! 

This is a beautiful cover!! 






Georgiana Darcy
by Alice Isakova

With her temptingly large dowry, the beautiful and talented Georgiana Darcy catches the eye of numerous suitors, not all of whom wish to marry purely for love. As Georgiana navigates the treacherous waters of courtship, her story becomes intertwined with that of Anne de Bourgh, her wealthy but painfully awkward cousin, who stirs up trouble when she sets her sights on a young gentleman with a rank far below her own. In so doing, Anne encounters the opposition of her proud and domineering mother, the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and sets in motion a chain of events that brings a damaging secret to light and threatens to destroy Georgiana's dreams of happiness. Intrigues, gossip, and elopements further complicate Georgiana's efforts to find love and avoid the snares of fortune-hunters. 

Written in a sparkling, witty, humorous style on par with Jane Austen's own in Pride and Prejudice, Alice Isakova's Georgiana Darcy continues the tale that has delighted readers for over two centuries.


Excerpt:

In the afternoon of the following day, Anne descended the stairs to the blue drawing room, where she found one of the maids hurrying to finish dusting before the arrival of Mr. Grey, who was expected at Rosings shortly. Lady Catherine had been displeased with how the room was dusted that morning, and, her ladyship having given the order to do it again, the maid now worked at lightning speed to complete the task in time. Seeing Anne come in, the servant said, "I beg your pardon, Miss de Bourgh. I shall be gone in an instant."

     "That is fine, Hannah. Please feel free to finish your work."

     Anne chose a comfortable chair nearest the fire, while the maid flew about the room with her dust cloth. Lady Catherine was to enter at any moment, and Hannah was anxious to finish in time to avoid her mistress' scolding tongue. In her haste, she knocked a vase off of a table, and despite her best efforts to catch it before it fell, the vase came crashing to the floor. For a few seconds, the maid stared in disbelief at the pieces of porcelain before her. 

     "Oh, no! What have I done?!" cried she. Kneeling to the floor, the servant began picking up the shards. "No, no," she moaned, as if willing the vase to reassemble itself back to its former condition. "It is worth more money than I will see in a lifetime. Her ladyship will surely dismiss me from the household when she discovers what I have done!"

     "Oh, Hannah! Do not cry," Anne entreated. "Perhaps it will not come to that."

     Half-blinded by her tears, Hannah could hardly see what she was doing, and not surprisingly, she cut her hand on a fragment of porcelain. The wretched girl began sobbing in earnest as drops of scarlet began trickling down her palm.

     "There, there, Hannah. Calm yourself," said Anne as she produced a handkerchief and proceeded to tie it around the wound. Just then, Lady Catherine walked into the room.

     "What is all this?" her ladyship demanded. Then, perceiving the broken pottery strewn on the floor, she cried, "My favourite Sèvres vase! How did this happen?!"

     Hannah opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words emerged, and all she could do was stare in terror at her mistress.

     "I broke the vase, Mama," said Anne. "I… I stumbled and accidentally knocked the vase off the table. Hannah was collecting the pieces, and she has cut her hand, you see."

     The maid at first looked astonished at these words, but then her expression turned to profound gratitude and relief at having escaped her ladyship's fury.

     "Anne, it does not do to always be stumbling about and knocking into things," Lady Catherine chastised her daughter. "You must endeavour to move with more grace. And straighten your shoulders! If you continue hunching them in that manner, you will soon have a permanent hump in your back."

     Anne bore her mother's scolding patiently and silently except for the occasional "Yes, Mama." While Hannah collected the vase fragments, Lady Catherine upbraided her daughter and would have continued to do so at length if she had not been interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Grey.

     The gentleman who entered the drawing room was uncommonly good-looking; he had flaxen hair, a warm smile, and beautiful, blue eyes full of merriment—he was one of the handsomest young men Anne had ever seen. She coloured at the sight of him and knew not where to direct her gaze but became suddenly self-conscious about her appearance. Oh, why had she not chosen a prettier dress that day! The one she had on was one of her plainest and least becoming gowns. But it could not be helped now! The best Anne could do was to arrange her shawl in a more attractive manner around her shoulders.

     Lady Catherine, on the other hand, looked as grand and imposing as ever, or perhaps even a little more so than usual, as she cast a scrutinising eye over her visitor. Yet, although Mr. Grey conducted himself with respect towards her ladyship, he did not at all seem to be awed or intimidated by her presence, not even when she began her interrogation:

     "Mr. Grey, you attended Oxford, I believe?"

     "Yes, that is correct."

     "And how did you make use of your time there?"

     "Use, Madam? I am not sure I comprehend your meaning."

     "Then I will speak plainly—the universities of England were once fine educational institutions, but over time they have become more akin to seminaries of vice rather than learning. Many a promising young man has descended into dissipation after commencing his studies. Free from restraint, he adopts the drunken habits of his new acquaintances and spends less time reading books than gambling, fox hunting, and visiting houses of ill repute. Is that how you spent your years at Oxford?"

     Looking a little surprised but at the same time amused, Mr. Grey replied:

     "No, not at all. While it is true that some students hardly attended their lectures and led lives of dissipation, I was never one of them. Although I made many new friends at Oxford, the greater part of my time I spent in study, and those with whom I chose to spend my leisure hours were fine gentlemen of sense and good character."

     "What about your academic results? Did you take honours?"

     "I did, my lady."

     "In classics or in mathematics?"

     "In both. I received a double first."

     "A double first class degree! That is a fine distinction, indeed!" her ladyship exclaimed.

     Anne was no less impressed and could not help but regard Mr. Grey with admiration. Not only was he extremely handsome,  with pleasant and engaging manners, but also he was clearly an intelligent man, a scholar. Had he also been rich, Mr. Grey would have had no equal among men. However, his lack of a fortune did not prevent Anne from taking a keen interest in his response to Lady Catherine's next question:

     "Mr. Grey, marriage is a fine institution. Have you considered getting married?"

     Somewhat taken aback by the directness of her question, he answered, "I… well… yes, I have, my lady," to which she replied:

     "I firmly believe that an unmarried man more easily falls into temptation and every form of vice, and marriage is therefore the natural remedy against such evil. A clergyman must lead by example and get married as soon as may be. You are of the same opinion, I hope, Mr. Grey?"

     "The institution of marriage is indeed a fine thing," answered Mr. Grey thoughtfully. "If a man is so fortunate as to find a woman with whom he can share his life, then I suppose there is no reason for delay."

     "Good. I am pleased to hear it. The late rector of Hunsford, Mr. Collins, found himself a wife not long after I advised him to do so. He chose a very sensible, useful woman as his wife. I hope that you will follow Mr. Collins' good example?"

     "Madam, I thank you for your concern regarding my future, but much as I might wish to find a good wife sooner rather than later, I think we must await God's will in the matter."


     "Mr. Grey, with a little effort, it cannot be difficult to find such a wife. In the village there are a number of fine young ladies of the same station as yourself. Surely you can find one among them who is suitable."


~*~


About the Author

Born in Eastern Europe, Alice Isakova spent the latter part of her childhood in the United States before finally settling in Australia. There she obtained a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and won multiple university prizes for outstanding academic achievement.


Alice now lives with her family in rural Tasmania. She spends her free time either writing or pursuing her passion for fitness, especially the disciplines of rhythmic gymnastics, yoga, and ballet. Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is Alice Isakova's first book.




Connect with Alice


Links to book

Buy: Amazon US • Amazon UK
Add to Goodreads

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon US. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 


* * * GIVEAWAY * * *


It's giveaway time! Alice Isakova is graciously giving away an eBook of Georgiana Darcy to five of my lucky readers! Thank you so much for your generosity, Alice!



  • Five winners will be picked.
  • One eBook per winner.
  • Winners will be picked randomly by Rafflecopter.
  • To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
  • Open Internationally!
  • Last day to enter the giveaway is Oct. 12, 2018, 11:59 PM Pacific time.

Good luck!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Alice, on the publication of your first book, Georgiana Darcy! That is super exciting! It was my pleasure to have you on So little time... today, and thank you so much for offering five of my readers a chance to win an eCopy of your book! Yay!



I'm very intrigued by Mr. Grey! I love the way he handles Lady Catherine. He seems very sure of himself. What do you think? 

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

What Are You Reading? ~ Oct. 3, 2018

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *


What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Hey there! It's late, but it's still Wednesday! Lol! I just got back from the JASNA AGM and haven't had time to put together my Wednesday post, but it's not too late, right?! ;)

Here's my list: 


I'm currently reading Dark Desires by Eve Silver. I started listening to it while on the train so I could stare out the window and watch the beautiful scenery go by. I realized this book is a perfect October read! It's a dark and creepy Gothic romance! So far I'm enjoying it, I'm only about 30% into it. 


I recently finished Persuasion by Jane Austen. The theme of the AGM was on Persuasion. I am so glad I took the time to re-read it! Everything was fresh in my mind for all the lectures. The AGM was amazing, and I had a blast!




What's next? I'm looking forward to reading Summer of Scandal by Syrie James. 









Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 



I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.


And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words


So, tell me, what are you reading? 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...