I’m still in awe that January finally passed and we are now over a week into February. Time stands still for no one. But I am happy to fill my time with a good book, or to pass driving time and chores with a a good audio book, so here the books I read/listened to in January.
I read and listen mostly through Kindle Unlimited and through Scribd. Get 60 days free at Scribd.
The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)- Sarah Morganthaler 4 stars I started and ended my month with this series. I listened to this one via Scribd. The narrator is really good so this makes for a great audiobook. This is a cute rom-com about Graham, an Alaskan native who really dislike tourists and Zoey, a tourist, who steals his heart. At the end of her two week vacation, they have to decide if this is a fling or the real thing. There are lots of other subplots and moving parts to the story, but all fun. All the characters are just adorable.
Mistletoe and Mr. Right ( Moose Springs, Alaska #2) Sarah Morganthaler- 5 stars I also listened to this one on Scribd, but had to wait for it to be available on January 25. Some of the newer releases are only available on Scribd for a few days at the beginning of your billing cycle and if you don’t snag them, you have to wait another month. So I technically finished this one February 1, but it’s my review so I’m counting in as a January book. Lana Montgomery (Zoey’s friend from book 1) is a rich girl who happens to own most of the town and she is everything the town resents- money and change. However, she falls for Rick Harding, a local, and he falls for her. They have to decide if their two lifestyles will really work together in a relationship and Lana has to decide between what might cost her family money and her love for the town and best interest of Moose Springs. This is also an adorable story with some action scenes built it. So many of these characters and their stories could be developed to take this series further. I’m excited to read or listen to book 3.
The Color of Joy (Color of Heaven series book 8) Julianne Maclean I started this one in mid December and finished it up early January. I read on Kindle Unlimited and listened to parts on audio. Riley and Lois James’ newborn daughter goes missing from the hospital. Meanwhile there is a second story about Jenn and her sister that ultimately ties in. True to fashion for this series, there is the appearance of the supernatural, or an angel, whatever you prefer to call it, that complicates the search for the baby in a way. I usually enjoy this series but this was not my favorite so far. I still gave it 4 stars. Looking back, maybe it’s only a 3 star book.
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren This started out kind of cheap and sleezy to me, but gained a lot of depth as the story developed. Millie is “just one of the guys” until she falls for one of the guys and has to face her issues as to why she won’t allow herself close relationships. I listened on Scribd. 5 stars
The Last Sister, Columbia River #1 by Kendra Elliot– I read and listened on Kindle Unlimited. 4 stars I didn’t like this as much as the Mercy Kilpatrick series but it’s still a good read.
“Twenty years ago Emily Mills’s father was murdered, and she found his body hanging in the backyard. Her younger sister, Madison, claims she was asleep in her room. Her older sister, Tara, claims she was out with friends. The tragedy drove their mother to suicide and Tara to leave town forever. The killer was caught. The case closed.”
Enter special agent Zander Wells when Emily find’s Madison’s best friend murdered and the husband also hanging in the backyard. Is is just coincidence? Lots of secrets unravel with this investigation.
9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life- Henry Cloud I listened on Scribd. 5 stars It’s full of great advice and it’s one of those books I want a paper copy to dog ear and refer to over and over. It’s rooted in Christian principles.
1 Dig it up – figure out your passion, the talents that may be been suppressed in childhood or later.
2. Pull the tooth – do not hang onto bad stuff, move past negative. (if fixable, get busy & try to fix!)
3. Play the movie – make decision based on effects- what the future will be like, helps prepare for challenges.
4. Do something – work to improve the situation, even if not your responsibility/ fault.
5. Act like an Ant – do small steps. (rather than feeling overwhelmed by big goals, take small steps towards the completion of bigger goals.)
6. Hate Well – hate constructively and objectively.
7. Don’t play fair – give back BETTER than you are given. “As you would have them do unto you”- This is something I really need to work on.
8. Be Humble – help others who fail, accept your failures, admit mistakes.
9. Upset the right people – do not base decisions on reactions of others, be willing to frustrate controlling, manipulative & irresponsible people.
It’s a short list compared to some months last year, but my goals are lower this year as I’m focusing on reading some other materials about blogging and taking some web based classes on a variety of topics related to blogging and social media.
Linking up with Show Us Your Books.