My Monday Musings…life and reading update

If you’ve been following my posts (or lack thereof) for the past few weeks, you know that I have tendinitis in my hand and the pain had gone all the way up my arm to my neck. It’s been going on for over a month so I had to really take this seriously and rest my arm for an extended period of time.

This past week I went for a massage and she got the spot in my neck that was so tight and hoo-boy did it hurt. I didn’t know if I was going to punch her and start bawling BUT it finally released all that tightness so my hand and arm stretches finally started to make a difference.

I also took a break from my phone and computer – allowing myself only an hour or so per day and only in small increments. I’m going to give it another week so I don’t backslide but will hopefully return to blogging and commenting next week.

In the meantime I realized that my Macmillan winter ARC box had a few January releases that I have to get to. For some reason I didn’t think there were any until February/March. Bad blogger.

The Electric War is about the Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse’s race to light the world, All is Fair is a Swoon Reads book (always adorable) YA historical with spies and international intrigue, and The Wild Lands is thriller that sounds a bit dystopian. There’s a natural disaster (fire) that destroys all the wild lands in Alaska and several teens have to survive the harsh conditions together.

(And I LOVE my new mug - "Due to unfortunate circumstances I'M AWAKE"




READ

I finally read things!


The Memory or You by Jamie Beck was a KU read with free audible so I listened to it on audio. – This was a second chance romance when both LI move back home to their small town after a lot of hard knocks.
Ryan is a separated, single dad going through a tough divorce, while Steffie is starting a new remodeling business and a new life back home after a brutal attack.
This wasn’t bad – both Steffie and Ryan are good people but OMG Ryan can hold a grudge and Steffie (& all of her friends) spend most of the book telling other people how to fix their lives while they do the complete opposite. Not bad but kind of frustrating and there's a lot of  time spent on setup for the future couples.




Love `a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm was a delightful little story about food, cooking, travel, friends with a pinch of romance. If you are a fan of any of the Food Network competition shows, food documentaries or celebrity chefs this is the book for you. If you aren’t – some of the references might go over your head. I would love for there to be companion novels for some of the other
cooking school students.





REVIEW READING



Noble Hops by Layla Reyne – the 3rd book in the romantic suspense Trouble Brewing trilogy

Not Dead Yet by Jenn Burke – book #1 in a new PNR, mystery series

Both come out in February

WON



I never win anything but I won Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig over on Goodreads. now let’s see if the publisher ever sends it lol

READING CHALLENGE

2019 Reading Challenge

Karen has read 2 books toward her goal of 50 books.

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2 of 50 (4%)

view books

I always set my goal lower and then adjust it as I go. I usually end up reading about 150-ish books each year. Rough start so far but some months are better than others.

I've also been watching some Netflix and if my hand continues to improve, I hope to be able to post about that soon Since I have 0 books read to review lol

And, same as last week, I'm trying to keep up with my blog visits but be patient with me for a little longer.

So what are you all up to? Reading or watching anything good?

My Monday Musings…

Going on week…whatever. I've lost track at this point – of my wrist/arm/neck issue. It is getting better thanks to rest, massage, physical therapy and drugs but it’s tough not using my right hand then trying to use my phone or computer for even basic things and hurting it again. I’m restricting my phone/computer use and trying to use voice to text when I can but it's slow going.

So bear with me while I verrrry slowly visit and comment on your blogs. I’m trying to hit up 5-6 per day.

I have started reading again a bit. Finally! I went 4 weeks without reading. It always feels weird when I don’t read for an extended period of time but I’ve also learned to roll with it because it’s my brain telling me to take a break to avoid burnout.

Here’s a quick update of my January reading plans. (I’m not even going to recap December because I only read 2 books lol)

January TBR:



I already read Love `a la Mode and it was adorable. Heavy on the foodie references with a dash or romance. I’m hoping to be able to type up a review in the next week or so.

This week in reading:



96 Words For Love is up next.

I’ve been reading Reindeer Games: A Holiday Romance Anthology since November and at the pace I’m going I might have it done in time for next Christmas lol

But the first story, His For The Holiday - a M/M romance by Helen Kay Dimon – A recluse professor & a former graduate student (although he’s much older by the tie the romance happens) - was very good - the second story, Dysfunctional - a M/f romance, by Eve Dangerfield was scorching hot with the swooniest of heroes falling hard for a feisty, jaded heroine who’s sworn off men, sex and relationships. 7 more stories to go!

And, to rest my hand, I’ve been listening to the audio of The Memory of You by Jamie Beck. It was on KU, which I really need to use more since I paid for it. Single dad and SUPER grumpy hero (he’s been burned a lot in his relationships) reunites with the first girl to break his heart when they both move back to their small home town. A few quibbles but I’m enjoying so far.

What are your reading plans for this week or month?

January 2019 Of Books Giveaway!

I’m joining in again with the monthly Of Books Giveaway Hop hosted by It Starts at Midnight and FLYLēF for January.

It’s a new year so to celebrate - the winner will receive a pre-order for any (one) book coming out in 2019 (or if it already released in January – that’s fine) up to $20 value.

But wait…there’s more!


I missed my 9 year Blogiversary in December so I’ll be picking a second winner for any (one) book up to $15 value (any release date – old/new/pre-order)

This giveaway ends on January 31, 2019 at 12:00am EST.

Need a little inspiration? Check out these lists!

New & Upcoming Book Releases for 2019
Most Anticipated Romance Novels of 2019
YA Novels of 2019

Rules & stuff!

The winner will be announced on February 1st on this post in the rafflecopter form - and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or I will pick another winner. (read my full * Giveaway Policy here)

International entries OK as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

To enter – fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment!

I’m going to suggest a few New Years themed prompts for your comment – but if you’re not feeling adventurous just leave a 2019 book release you’re most looking forward to.

~ A bad habit I’m going to break
~ A skill I’d like to learn
~A new place I’d like to visit
~ Book, movie, event you’re most looking forward to in 2019

Extra Entries – not required to enter but thank you if you give me a follow!

My SM links are in the sidebar - Twitter is where I like to chat, Instagram is where I mostly post pics of food, my dog – Fonzi  and a grumpy, clingy cat named Figment and, of course, books, Goodreads if you want to know what I’m reading and Bloglovin to get all my latest posts!

Happy New Year and GOOD LUCK!

And don't forget to visit the other blogs in the linky for more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway