Love of the Game Book Review

Love of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel by Lori Wilde is the third book in the Stardust, Texas series. I have really been enjoying the series but I am sad to see that there are only three books so I have reached the end.  Although after reading it and seeing that there is one more sister, I was hopeful that there is a new book coming but the date on the first three books were 2015 and 2016.  Sad that I might not get to visit Stardust, Texas again but I will check out other books by the author.

 

 

A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn’t the only thing that needs healing in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde.

With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.

Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel’s guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.

Kasha Carlyle is the next sister who gets handed down the hope chest from her sister that was just married.  Kasha is trying to build a life for herself so that she can take care of her half sister that she just found out about.  She blames herself for the fact that her sister Emma has no family and is working to gain custody of her special needs sister.  In order to do so, she leaves the job that she loves in order to take a more high paying one with better insurance.  Kasha is quick to try to do the job to the best of her ability and opens her mouth when Axel asks what she thinks about his shoulder recovery.  Axel is a superstar baseball pitcher who is recovering from shoulder injury and he is not doing a great job.  Kasha says that she can do better with some rest and best diet and then she will gain her permanent spot as a physical therapist for the Gunslinger team.  Axel is a tough patient because he keeps doing things that are against what she is asking but he finally learns that she is going to make him better and he trusts the process.  Axel starts yoga and painting and spending more time relaxing instead of pushing himself like he was before and he starts to heal.  More time with intensive therapy, Kasha and Aexel have a hard time fighting their attraction to each other but you have to pick up the book to find out what happens....hint, there is a hope chest and a key that plays a big part.  I hope that you check out this book and the others in the fun series. It was a great story line and I am holding out hope that there is a fourth book in the series someday.

Menu Plan Monday 9/28

 

 

 

Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade French Fries
Grilled Beer Can Chicken with Rice
Taco Rice with corn bread
Pancakes, Hashbrowns, Eggs and Bacon
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni, Garlic Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Pizza Knuckle Roll Ups)
Baked Potato Soup with Bacon
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade French Fries

 Last week was pretty close to the plan with most of the days happening as planned but we changed up Sunday night to have Monday Pasta and eat the leftover Pizza Knuckles.   I was totally surprised to plan out this week and realize that we were already into October.  I have to double check the freezer inventory to fill in the missing meals for the month and complete the monthly meal plan.  I know that we need milk for the month but that seems to be the only thing that we need for the month.  I am going to have to put together a shopping list and see if there is anything else.

Rules of the Game Book Review

 I was excited to read the next installment of the Stardust, Texas series but there was a break in the action where I had a few books.  Rules of the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel by Lori Wilde was the second book in the series. I was excited to get back to the series and went from the second to the third book quickly.

 

 

 

A jilted bride meets a superstar baseball player in  this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde.  Just uttering the word "wedding" makes Jodi Carlyle break out into a cold sweat. So a year after she'd been dumped at the altar, and two days after turning the big 3-0, she decides to break some rules—by dressing to the nines, hiring a limo,and crashing a swanky wedding . . .

 . . . Where she catches the eye of the Dallas Gunslingers' new star hitter Jake Coronnado. He's hot. He's sexy. He sticks by her side all evening. He's the perfect fling. After a wild weekend, where they do everything and then some, Jodi thinks she'll never have to see him again . . . hey, she's even told him her name is Gwendolyn! But she thinks wrong. Because guess who's the best man at Jodi's sister's wedding? And guess who's still as seductive as ever? And guess who's determined to turn their one-night fling into happily-ever-after?

 Jodi is in therapy to get over her ex leaving her at the alter.  She is dealing with the fact that all things wedding make her physically sick.  The big problem is that her sister is getting married and she is the maid of honor!  She is trying to get over her past to live with her family and enjoy her sister's big day.  Her therapist suggested that she crash a wedding and she decides that she is going to go to a wedding in another town so that she could be better for her sister's wedding.  When she arrives at the wedding and dumps her whole bag but she is quickly saved by Jake Coronnado.  They spend the evening together and get to know each other even though Jodi refuses to give her real name.  They decide that they are going to have a wild one night stand and put it in the past.  Then they run into each other again when they both thought that they wouldn't see each other ever again.  It is a fun story and you have to pick up the book to find out what happens.  I promise there are laughs and tears but always another surprise around the corner.  I hope that you check out the book and the rest of the series.  I have enjoyed this book and stay tuned for the next book review soon.

The Christmas Swap Book Review

 I have enjoyed the books that I read by this author so I was excited to see another one.  Even more excited that it is a Christmas story because they are my favorite all year round.  The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson was a great sounding story .  Plus how can you say no to that picture perfect cover!!  The wonderful snow covered ground and the beautiful house was something that I wanted to find out more about so I was excited to pick up this new book right after I got it.

 

All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.

Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things
get . . . messy.

Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another delightful Christmas tale to warm your heart on those cold winter evenings.

Emma is working as a substitute teacher to pay the bills while working on her music career.  She has lived her whole life in Arizona but she is given the chance to join her friends family for the holidays in Colorado.  She is going with the Landers family because it is going to be her first time seeing snow because she doesn't leave Arizona very often.  The Landers are staying in a big house in Colorado where the caretaker, West, is staying in the house behind the main house.  West is more then he pretends to be because he actually owns the house and is supposed to leave for vacation but was interested as soon as I he heard Emma's voice and her positive outlook on life.  West is actually TW Prescott who is well known in the music world. West volunteers to teach Emma to ski and wants to spend as much time with her as possible.  When her friend, Gillian, learns that he is famous and rich, she starts to get in between their friendship. Lots of craziness and confusion happen next but you have to pick up the book and find out for yourself.  The biggest thing that I can say is that it was a great story but it ended too quickly.  I would have loved a little more resolution in the story.  I hope that you check out this book and others by this author.  I think that you will enjoy them as much as I have!  I am glad that I got the opportunity to read another great story.

 

**I was provided a copy of the book for my review but all opinions here are my own.  I was not required to provide a positive review.

A Soldier's Heart Book Review

 I got a bunch of books on reserve when I heard that the library was going to open again and this was one of those books.  However, tons of books came in at once so these were at the bottom of the stack.  A Soldier's Heart (The Flanagans, Book 7) (Larger Print Love Inspired #396) by Marta Perry was the next book that I read because it was it was at the end of the renewals and I was going to have to return it.  I was looking forward to finding out which Flanagan child this book followed because I have enjoyed the others that I have gotten the chance to read.

 

 

Wounded army officer Luke Marino was sent home, his career, his spirit shattered. Now he wanted only to be left alone, refusing even the physical therapy he needed.

But Mary Kate Flanagan Donnelly, a widow with two children to raise on her own, needed Luke's case to prove herself as a capable therapist. Despite the revival of feelings she thought dormant since their high school romance, she was determined to help the stubborn hero and keep matters strictly business….

 Mary Kate Flanagan Donnelly is living in the same small town she grew up in and she has had to go back to work after loosing her husband.  She is raising two children on her own.  She has taken a job as a physical therapist but she has to prove herself in order to keep the job.  She gets assigned to the difficult patient that no one else has been able to reach.  Luke Marino has come home from the military and he was injured.  Luke was in a deep depression and didn't want to see anyone or leave the house.  Mary Kate doesn't give him a choice when she goes around to the back door and goes into the house.  Luke is surprised that she came in when everyone else has stayed away per his wishes.  Mary Kate knows that her job and supporting her family depends on this so she isn't taking no for an answer.  She convinces Luke to do in home physical therapy but his main hold out is that it can only be her.  Mary Kate goes back to her boss and he agrees to the solution.  Luke's dad is paying for all the equipment that is needed in his house but this is a secret because Luke and his father are estranged.  It is an interesting story line and you have to pick up the book to find out what happens.  I think that you will enjoy it as much as I did.  It was a super emotional story about a soldier trying to find his way back to living and it was very real.  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did and check out other books in the series to enjoy as well.

Menu Plan Monday 9/21

 

 

Homemade Lasagna (Penne for son) and Garlic bread
Grilled Spedies Chicken with Basmati Rice
French Dip Sloppy Joes with mac and cheese
Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes (Hashbrowns, Eggs and Bacon for son)
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni, Garlic Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Pizza Knuckle Roll Ups)
Southwest Chicken Tortilla Soup with corn bread
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade French Fries

 Last week was a little long but we got all the planned meals on the table except on Friday.  We decided to splurge and get Pizza Hut instead of making pizza at home because it helped me stay with my son and help him finish his work for school.  This week is starting to get cold and we had some yummy meals and are excited to get to enjoy some winter meals.  How are things going in your area?

Menu Plan Monday 9/14

Pasta with Homemade Sauce and Garlic bread
Grilled Greek Chicken with Basmati Rice
Tacos with corn bread (Chicken Fries and Tater Tots for my son)
Honey Mustard Chicken Nuggets with mac and cheese
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni, Garlic Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Pizza Knuckle Roll Ups)
Leftovers or Freezer Food (Mini Tacos, Corn Dogs, Chili)
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade French Fries

Last weekend we went out of town so when we came back, my son wanted his favorite dinner because it felt like Sunday night so we ended up pushing all the meals down a day which had him confused later in the week because he couldn't figure out what day of the week it was. I crossed off Thursday meal which was the chicken tacos so I am sure we will have them some other day in the month.  I do have the whole month already planned with the items already in the house so who knows when but if we need to change out another meal.  The pizza night often uses up leftovers so we went with Salsa Sloppy Joes Pizza and Buffalo Chicken Pizza for the adults and Pepperoni Pizza for my son and Pepperoni Pizza Knuckles for everyone.

I haven't been to the store yet this month and I do really need to get to the store but school makes that very hard with the change in schedule.  The great thing is that I have tons of food in the house so we still have a bunch to make it through the month.  I know that I will make it in the next few weeks or when we run out of something that we can't live without which might be cheese, turkey lunch meat or tortilla chips.  I guess we will see what the item is that has me running to the store.  Anything your family can't live without?

Prepping 101 Book Review

I decided to get a few non-fiction books at the library to see what they were about and see if there is any helpful hints.  Prepping 101: 40 Steps You Can Take to Be Prepared: Protect Your Family, Prepare for Weather Disasters, and Be Ready and Resilient w... by Kathy Harrison was the first in my pile that I decided to read.  It was short enough and entertaining enough to read it quickly and learn all the information.

The next severe storm, power outage, or financial meltdown could hit at any time. Having a household contingency plan and being part of a strong, resilient community could mean the difference between life and death. This friendly and highly accessible guide introduces the most important, practical steps your whole family can take to ensure survival in short- or long-term emergencies. The critical information is presented in 40 achievable tasks, ranging from simpler ones such as creating a preparedness notebook and repackaging store-bought food for storage to more involved preparations like learning to collect rainwater and building a solar oven.

There are many things in this book written in 2018 that are a little creepy now in 2020.  I thought it was really interesting to talk about all of the different ways to be prepared including having a 72 hour bag, 3 month food supply and long term storage.  I think that it provides a lot of introductory information but not all the details.  If there is something that you are interested in learning more, there are suggestions of many other books and sources that you might like to read for research.  I kept a list of a few interesting other books suggested that might provide interesting information.  I think that the best tip that is included in book was to stock up on things that you already use and it gives some ideas on how to store things.  Things that I wish we have are 72 hour bags but they seem so impractical because of season and size changes in clothes and difficulty to change out food stores in bags.  I feel like we are in an area where the fast evacuation is less likely so I always figure that I will grab books and pack up everything just like when we go on vacation.  I think that we have gotten pretty good at what bags hold what items and what we need to pack and where it fits in the car.  I do think that we should have all of our important paperwork stored together in a binder or other storage information that can be easily grabbed when we need to go too.  I think that it raises lots of questions and makes you think about your current preparedness.  I was most interested in the follow up books that I thought might also be interesting.  I hope that you check out this book and see the facts for yourself. I hope that some of them are helpful for you.

A Snow Country Christmas Book Review

I was ready to read the next book in the pile and I moved my whole pile to try to read the oldest books from the library.  A Snow Country Christmas: An Anthology (The Carsons of Mustang Creek) by Linda Lael Miller was the one that I jumped out and decided to read.  I was super excited to see who this book was going to be about since it was the fourth book in the series and they already did all the brothers. 

It’s a Christmas affair to remember as a Hollywood mogul discovers his inner cowboy—and the woman of his dreams—amid the rugged beauty of Wyoming  Raine McCall would take snow-covered mountains over a star-studded premiere any day. But when hotshot movie executive Mick Branson arranges dinner on Christmas Eve to discuss a work opportunity, she’s intrigued—by the offer and the man. She’s a no-makeup, no-frills single mom who’s happy with her quiet life. Sharing chili cheeseburgers and sizzling kisses with Mick is sure heating up her holiday, but country girl and power player don’t mix… It’s not just work that’s brought Mick back to Mustang Creek. Since he first visited to oversee a documentary, free-spirited graphic designer Raine has been in his head. Their attraction is undeniable—and so are their differences. Putting down roots in the Wild West wasn’t in the script. But there are some Christmas gifts you can’t walk away from, even when they turn your whole world upside down…

This book gets us to meet Raine and Mick who have been in other books through the series but they were never main characters.  Raine is an artist mom who is trying to make her life separate from daughter, Daisy's, father while still trying to maintain a friendship.  Being alone is sometimes hard when you see it every day when all of the others in your life pair off.  Mick works with Daisy's father doing different jobs with his movie productions.  Mick came to town to show off their new movie but he also wanted to spend more time with Raine.  They quickly get into a growing relationship that Raine decides to call a friendship.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens with this new friendship because I think that you will see the writing on the wall before Raine does.  I hope that you enjoy this book and the rest of the series.  I know that I was glad that there was a fourth book and I was excited to learn more about Raine who has been in all the books but we haven't gotten to know a lot about.

August Month End Budget Update of Grocery and Eating Out Spending

August is a long month for whatever reason but mostly because I know that next month is going to be difficult with school starting back up and everything virtual.  It is going to take a long time to adjust to the new schedule and trying to get my son on and off classes with the right links so I won't be able to shop during the day like I have been doing.  I have been doing once a month shopping so it is normally leaving the house early and hitting three or four stores to get everything we need for the month.

Aldi $57.13

This was my first and main shopping trip for the month.  I went to Aldi first because I thought that the prices there have been lower recently because it is right across the street from the new Lidl that opened so they lowered their prices to stay competitive.   The great thing for me is that means that I can stock up on a bunch of things that we need for the month at a lower price. I got our 4 Cran Grape, Apple Juice, and Milk for drinks.  I got two bags of nacho chips and two bags of pretzels.  I got four stick margarine for baking with through the month.  I got sour cream to make ranch dip and use for cooking.  I got 4 Mozzarella cheese blocks and 8 Extra Sharp Cheddar blocks.  I got some veggies with carrots and lettuce.  I got some meat with two bacons, two turkey lunch meat, and 2 pepperoni.  I got two veggie shortening to use for greasing pans and in the fryer and super glad that they are back at Aldi.  We got two bags of mini marshmallows to make some Krispy Treats through the month.

Lidl $7.27

I went to get a few things that were still on my list that I couldn't get at Aldi. We have really taken to their tortilla chips and their ketchup.  The chips are super thin and crispy which my son and husband can't live without.  The ketchup has turned into our replacement to Heinz since it was tough to find during all the shopping limitations.  It is super tasty (and close to Heinz after our taste test comparison) and way cheaper.  We also got the name brand brownie mix which is pretty cheap at Lidl for our monthly desserts. I also decided to grab the yellow corn meal because we are almost out of our bag from Colvin Mill and all of them in the pantry and we have been enjoying weekly corn bread.

Aldi $13.25

I didn't get a few things so I went to the other Aldi to find the missing items. The first Aldi didn't have my son's spreadable margarine or his chicken fries.  Super glad that the second Aldi had them because life would be super limiting without his favorites.

Wegman's $50.66

I might have gone a little crazy but I got my ground beef for the month which is a huge expense at $22.62.  But I was totally out of bread flour ($2.99 each) and out of my favorite Wegman's Unbleached flour since I just used my last one from my  November stock up.  The sale price in November is $0.97 per bag and it is $1.49 now when they have it in stock.  I obviously under estimated what I was going to need for the year or else we have been using a ton of flour....which is highly possible.  Last I added a case of mac and cheese because we have been eating one a week which means that we would be out soon and this would last around 3 months. I got a bag of salt potatoes which was a fun summer treat but it lasted us three meals.

Walmart $0.40

I went to the store to get a few things that we needed and I got a gift card to spend less money out of pocket from Swagbucks so that I would use my points to pay instead of cash.  It was great because I had a few extra things in my cart in case it wasn't high enough but spent the whole gift card with the taxes.  I only had to pay $0.40. I decided to get an emergency toilet paper which is crazy expensive without sales and coupons so the gift card helped me feel better.  I got glue sticks for virtual school which my son insists he doesn't need but they were on the supply list.  Also got one Gerber because it was the only one on the shelf.  Some coconut for the next time I make granola to put in the pantry.  I got my deodorant because they are no longer carrying it at many of the stores I got it at so I am trying out the new scent before stocking up again.

Giant $9.04

They had an amazing sale and I couldn't pass it up because there was a 5 lb bag of potatoes for $1.47 and the potato prices have been going up and up. We use about 15 pounds of potatoes a month between the french fries, hash browns and baked potatoes.  It is great to stock up on them at a low price and get even better quality potatoes than we normally can at Aldi.  I got 6 bags which is 30 pounds.

Harris Teeter $49.37

I went a little crazy but there was a sale on chicken so I bought all the chicken that they had.  I marinated and grilled two containers which I diced and froze so that we can have them with meals easily.  We did one package last time and we really enjoyed having them to grab for fried rice and pizza so that they were quick and easy to pull the complete meal together.  Then cut and processes the other three to freeze in bags to use for meals in the upcoming months.  There was a great sale on cereal so I got the evic price and then used a coupon.   I got free milk with the cereal promo and free oat milk from my evics.  I got free yogurt from evics.  I also grabbed another head of lettuce because we like our lettuce!!

Aldi $6.05

I went to get a few things that we had run out of because I just figured out that the lunch meat is going to last us for 8 days per package so we need at least 3-4 to make it through the month but I am always worried it is going to go bad.

Harris Teeter $15.22

I stopped at the second Harris Teeter because we really needed Grape Fanta but there was none at either store so I grabbed the soda that they had since the sale was ending and I wasn't going to go to another store to check.  I think that many people have said that they are going to limit the number of sodas produced because of the limit of the metal for the cans.

Giant $4.31 

I stopped at another Giant to get the few things that I forgot and a few more potatoes because I thought I needed more.  I loaded a coupon to get a free yogurt and then $1 off of 2 Gerber which made them $0.85 each.

Harris Teeter $3.03

Although I was super happy to get this deal, it wasn't something we truly needed especially over budget but it is my son's favorite dessert treat to have after dinner.  I wrote a note to Turkey Hill to let them know that we love their ice cream and they sent a bunch of coupons.  The ice cream was on sale for $1.97 each limit 4.  I got 4 of my son's favorite and then used four different coupons to get all of the ice cream for less then one carton!  He was super happy to see those come home that he didn't even mind helping me with the groceries.

Total Retail $461.43

Total Savings $245.70

Total Rebates $0.20

Total OOP $215.53

Although I was over budget by a little bit, I don't think that I did that badly.  I probably could have skipped the soda but it is our biggest splurge of quarantine.  We got lots of things that we will be using for upcoming months.  I also think that September shopping is going to be put off because of the holiday and school starting.  Here is hoping that we have everything we need to make it through until the next big shop.

Eating Out

We decided that we would get Pizza Hut which got cheers from my son.  He is enjoying getting back to take out even though we are only doing it about once a month.  We spent $10.59.  I guess we have lots of fun to look forward to when we get to go more then once a month.

Forever A Hero Book Review

I read this series a little out of order because I started with one on my shelf during quarantine but I am going back to the beginning to try again.  Forever a Hero: A Western Romance Novel (The Carsons of Mustang Creek) by Linda Lael Miller is the third book in the series.  I was excited to get into this series and meet all the characters.

For the youngest Carson brother, finding—and fixing—trouble seems to be all in a day’s work

Mace Carson doesn’t consider himself a hero. Back in college, he came upon a woman in trouble and intervened—but he was just one irate Wyoming cowboy with his boots planted firmly on the side of right. Now a successful vintner, Mace is shocked to be reunited with the woman he saved. But it turns out she’s in Wyoming on business…a corporate executive representing the company that wants to buy his winery. Only, he’s not selling.

Kelly Wright has never forgotten that horrible night ten years ago when Mace came to her rescue, has never forgotten him. The surprising success of a winery in the middle of ranch country has brought her to Mustang Creek, and she’s secretly thrilled to discover Mace at the helm. Reluctant to mix business with pleasure, Kelly vows to keep things professional, until her attacker is released from prison and comes for vengeance…against both of them.

This book was the third book in the series and it is following the third brother, Mace.  I was super excited to get to know more about this brother who has been in the background in the other books.  Mace was working in the winery and making the most of his business.  He had a meeting set up with Kelly Wright but didn't know who she was and how she was from his past.  Mace was driving through the area and he passed someone who lost control of their car and it went towards the edge of the road.  He looked in and got her to put the car in park and take off her seat belt.  He held the car door while she got out of the car and then the car went over the edge.  He took her to the hospital and got her checked out to make sure that she didn't have any additional injuries.  Kelly was in town to meet with Mace at the winery so that she could present her plan on how to grow his business.  It was a crazy way to meet again after 10 years and their last strange meeting.  Mace saved her from an attack at college and now he saved her from her car accident.  She was hoping that she was going to have a professional meeting about the winery but she wasn't excited about the start of this meeting.  Pick up the book and find out what happens with Mace and Kelly.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series.  I know that you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Menu Plan Monday 9/7

Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Tater Tots
Pasta with Homemade Sauce and Garlic bread
Grilled Sweet Chili Chicken with Jasmine Rice
Salsa Sloppy Joes with mac and cheese
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni, Garlic Chicken and Pizza Knuckle Roll Ups)
Baked Potato Soup with Bacon (eggs and hash browns for my son)
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and Homemade French Fries


I don't know what happened but my blog changed formats again and published this before I actually put the meal plan on it for the week so it looked a lot like last week.  We were out of town over the weekend so I didn't get things updated yet.

We had a busy weekend and now we are looking for an easy week to get school started.  I don't know how much free time I am going to have with all the changing of classes and links for the first week but I am super hopefully we will catch on to this schedule quickly.  I hope that if you are heading back to school that you are ready for all the busy times to start again!!  I know it seems like the summer has been going on for 7 months sometimes but other times it seems like it just started and I can't believe it is school time again!

Sunset Point Book Review

I got to the end of the pile of books from the Shelter Bay series.  I can't believe that I have read them all.  Sunset Point (Shelter Bay) (Volume 10) by JoAnn Ross is the 10th book in the series and it was the last book in my pile to read.  I was also trying to go through some of the books that needed to be returned to the library.  They are waiting 96 hours to check books back in after return and I am starting to loose track of the books that are waiting to be checked in.  I have started taking pictures because I look at the list and can't figure out what day I return them.  I currently have been sharing my card with my son so we have reached our limit of books out.  We have 94 books out (limit is normally 50 but now doubled to 100) so we are hoping to get some books checked back in soon so I know how many books we actually have.....but any way we have a problem!! We need to finish books and return a bunch soon!

Someone to Watch Over Me. Independent, strong-willed Tess Lombardi has dedicated her life to fighting for justice.  As a deputy district attorney, threats are merely part of the job. This time, with several high profile cases on the line, she reluctantly agrees to protection. Only to discover that Nate Breslin comes with his own risks. How can she trust a bodyguard who’s stalked her? And lies for a living?  Former Marine sniper Nate Breslin has managed, at least most days, to leave danger and death in his past. Nate has his own reasons for tracking Tess down, but when her life is threatened, this mission becomes personal and he’s willing to risk anything and everything to keep her safe. As the danger escalates and her would-be killer closes in, Tess must learn to trust Nate. With her life. And her heart.

This book was super great and kept you on the edge of your seat to find out what was going to happen next.  Tess Lombardi works as a district attorney and she is in the middle of a few tough trials.  She is getting threats and there are people that are ending up dead.  She is meeting one of her witnesses in Shelter Bay and she finishes up her meeting when Nate comes up to her.  She is immediately confused and he won't let her go so she hits him until he starts bleeding and falls on the ground.  Nate realizes that he made a bad choice surprising her and decides that he needs to make up for it.  Nate tracks down Tess through friends and decides that he is going to help her when he finds that her life is threatened.  Tess has moved to Shelter Bay to live with Nate in order to get away from the threat because her father and other police officers feel that they can solve the problem without her there.  I think that you need to pick up the book to find out what happens but I know that you will be on the edge of your seat waiting for what happens.  I hope that you check out this book and the great series. I know that I have enjoyed it and I am waiting for the next books to come out which I hope will be soon.....I mean after I have caught up with some work.

Beyond the Sea Book Review

I was excited to read the next book in the series, Beyond the Sea (Shelter Bay) (Volume 9) by JoAnn Ross.  I was excited to see how this worked with two different series coming together in one book.  I couldn't wait to find out what characters were going to be followed in this next installment of the series.

While in Ireland to bake a wedding cake for movie star Mary Joyce, Sedona meets Conn Brennan, an Irish rock star who refuses to fit into any of her tidy, concise boxes. Unable to deny the sizzling chemistry between them, Sedona rashly throws caution to the winds, forgetting that she’s never, ever, been attracted to bad boys.

When Conn learns a dark family secret that has stayed buried for over thirty years, the revelation has him questioning nearly everything he’s believed about his life. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is his intense attraction to Sedona Sullivan, the gorgeous blond American he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. The woman he’s destined to spent the rest of his life with. But first he must break through Sedona’s formidable defenses and convince her that their romance is much more than a summer fling. And Sedona must decide where her heart truly belongs.

This book was about Conn and Sedona.  Sedona lives in Shelter Bay and Conn lives in Catlelough so they are worlds apart but come together in this book because Mary Joyce sends them together.  Mary Joyce tells Sedona that she needs her to go to Ireland to find out what is going on with Conn because he is going through a lot of family crisis and she feels like he isn't doing well.  Sedona just went through a terrible storm and lost her home and cupcake shop in Shelter Bay.  She isn't recovering or dealing well with any of it so she asks Conn to help her get away from the bad memories in Shelter Bay and open up to make sure she is okay.  It is interested to see all of the things that both characters are dealing with and how they come out better.  You have to pick up the book to see for yourself but I know that you will enjoy this story of two unlikely people hitting it off to form a close bond.  Find out what changes they are going to make to change their lives forever.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of both series.  I know that I have added the Castlelough series to my list!!  I was super glad to have a cross over book so that I know what to add to my list next.

You Again Book Review

I have enjoyed the Shelter Bay series and was getting to the part where I wasn't sure what book came next because different sites labeled them differently.  I finished the Christmas story so I decided to go on to this shorter book next.  You Again: A Shelter Bay novella (Volume 8) by JoAnn Ross is a novella which means it is a shorter story at only 141 pages but I was excited to read it.

A book nerd, a brainiac science guy, and a misplaced killer whale...  Meghann Quinn wasn’t always a hugely successful author. Adam Wayne wasn’t always a marine biologist studying whales. Back in high school in Shelter Bay, Oregon, she was the shy book nerd helping the brainiac science guy pass English. Meghann had no idea Adam would turn into such a hottie. Adam has no idea their once-upon-a-time sweet summer romance inspired Meghann’s popular teen novels.

Two shy geeks didn’t have the courage to share their true feelings back then. But now that Meghann’s back in town, they’re pondering life’s important questions. Such as, will Adam ask her to the Snow Ball? And what are they going to do about the lost Orca who shows up on Christmas Eve? And can two nerds get past their initial insecurity to take a second chance on a once-in-a-lifetime love?

I loved the characters in the book and I think that this could have been a whole book but the interesting thing was that because it was shorter, the characters took no time to jumping into a relationship that they had been away from for years.  They are in two different cities and doing different jobs but when one reaches our for a fundraiser, everything changes.  Meghann decides to take a break and visit the sleepy town of Shelter Bay to take a break from the busy life that she has had writing.  Adam Wayne is there studying whales and teaching kids at the local college.  They quickly feel the spark but instead of fighting it, you have to pick up the book to find out what happens.  There is a great story and wonderful characters that have you coming back each time for more but I especially liked this story as a change of pace from the others.  I hope that you check it out for yourself and enjoy it as much as I did.