March in Review and the end of The TBR Triple Dog Dare!

Again I am behind in my book reading goal. Goodreads says I am 3 books behind. I have read a total of 10.5 books. Fifteen would keep me on my goal of 5 books per month. Yikes. I had better kick it in gear.



March:

9. Of Moths and Butterflies by V. R. Christensen

     1. New to me author
     2. Women's Literary Fiction Challenge
     3. E-Book
     4. Already Owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare
 

10. Emma by Jane Austen

    1. New to me author
    2. Women's Literary Fiction Challenge
    3. Paperback
    5. Already Owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare


11.   Accidental Bachelor by Tim Holsten

    1.  New to me author
    2.  E-book
    3.  Already Owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare
    4. DNF - although the writing was decent, I grew tired of the macho dialogue.


12. The All -Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

        1. New to me author
        2. Paperback
        3. Already owned: TBR Triple Dog Dare
        4. not quite finished but almost
        5. Women's Literary Fiction Challenge.


I am linking up with Kathryn's at Book Date for Month in Review.

And this ends the TBR Triple Dog Dare. I was successful in only reading books already on my shelves. I did purchase a few, but they have not been read. One was inadvertently purchased as my great grandson, age 2.5 yrs, was playing with my Kindle. He hit the yellow button several times and purchased the next in a series. It's OK, I wanted to read it. But now I have to figure out how to put a child restriction on my tablet. 

A side note: I have been completing some quilting challenges since the first of the year. I have finished a Scattered Squares pillow, a Spring Wallhanging and a table runner for my daughter.

Table runner called Waffle Time and a matching placemat from the scraps.

So I haven't been entirely slug-like.



Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Wondrous Words Wednesday

 Kathy at Bermuda Onion hosts Wondrous Words Wednesday. A chance to highlight words you find while reading or occasionally by listening. Share your words then link up with Kathy's blog so we can all learn a new wondrous word.


My current read is The Accidental Bachelor by Tim Holsten.  There are lots of words that are Hawaiian, but I can get the meaning by the use in the sentence. Also, there is a great deal of dialogue with Finnegan's boss, Duke that is pidgin. Hard to read, sometimes hard to understand.


kapu - noun ( in Hawaiian traditional culture and religion) a set of rules and prohibitions for everyday life.


Every guy in the place was staring at my teacher's hibiscuses. How could they not know it was kapu?

This word was used later in the book and then the meaning was clear.


I keep hoping this book will give me a reason to like it. A reason for Finnegan to get a grip and make something of his life.


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

TBR Triple Dog Dare vs Read The Books You Buy -

       Either way I am a Winner!!





Yesterday, after reading Laurel-Rain Snow's post about Reading The Books You Buy, I had to double check a couple of the titles I included on my list. As it turns out, several of the books on my Kindle were purchased before June 2015. Thanks Amazon for keeping track for me. The titles will work to complete the TBR Triple Dog Dare of only reading books already owned from January 1st until April 1st. But they are too old to be included on Kathryn's Read The Books You Buy Challenge. So check the corrections on my pages tab, 2016 Challenges.


I am going to continue to read some of my old titles whether they fit a challenge or not. Some will work for Women's Fiction Challenge and maybe I can even find one that fits a category in What's In A Name 2016. Maybe I'll start my own personal EBook challenge!


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros- The Littlest Cowboy ( The Texas Brands Book #1)

I am linking up this morning with Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea. Every Tuesday she hosts a  place to share a book you are currently reading or one you plan to start soon. Write a post about your current read and then link up at Diane's blog. From there, you can check on what others are reading or hoping to read soon.

The Littlest Cowboy

Maggie Shayne

Published 1996

Chapter 1



Garrett Brand awoke in a cold sweat, some foreign kind of dread gnawing at his stomach. Heart pounding, he sat up fast and wide-eyed, his fist clenching defensively before he got hold of himself. Blinking the sleep haze from his eyes and taking a few deep breaths, he let his tense muscles relax and unclenched his fists. There was nothing wrong. There was no reason for that panicky feeling that had slipped through him like a ghost slipping through a wall. No reason at all.  

This has been on my Kindle for some time. I must admit, the cover won me over and the price. I believe it was 99 cents  on Amazon. What do you think?  Would you read more? I was wondering how the cover connects with the story but if you check the synopsis on Goodreads, it will give you a clue.



Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

On my Kindle since November 2013.

The Accidental Bachelor by Tim Holsten

Goodreads Synopsis:

Finn McCallister has serious doubts about his career. The receptionist in his coastal California real estate office wears her wetsuit to work, and his eccentric boss lectures in Pidgin: Braddah Finn, tell dem kook clients to pound sand! As the last of his friends to find a customer for his surname, hungover from one singles-bar karaoke of "Heat of the Moment" too many, Finn senses his personal life, too, is circling the drain.

In an attempt to outrun his insecurities, Finn trains for a marathon and literally collides with doe-eyed veterinarian Kim, who awakens primal feelings dormant since Phoebe Cates graced the halls of Ridgemont High. As Finn gains momentum from this new relationship, he attempts to rehabilitate his toxic best friend, Carmichael, whose marriage has flatlined. Still playing point guard from their high school basketball glory days, Carmichael plans a guys' weekend in the one city diametrically opposed to rehabilitation--Las Vegas.

An epic desert battle of Finn's morals versus Carmichael's impulses results. In combat, Finn slips back into a Members Only jacket, reunites with a (now clothing-optional) prom date, clubs with a Saved by the Bell alum, and stages the ultimate 80s-tribute concert. In the heat of the moment, in a last-stand effort to save a friend, Finn risks destroying his own future.

My Thoughts so far:

I am having a bit of trouble warming up to Finn and his buddies. I especially am not impressed with Carmichael  Thompson, Finn best friend and the bully of the bunch.  Maybe I am just too old to appreciate the world as seen through the eyes of a 30 something male. 



On my nightstand:

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion  by Fannie Flagg.  This is next month's read for my face to face book club. I have it in a print book and it will be the last of the titles on my TBR Triple Dog Dare. Luckily I was able to read the book club books as part of the Dare because I purchased all of them before the end of 2015.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The one and only Fannie Flagg, beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, and I Still Dream About You, is at her hilarious and superb best in this new comic mystery novel about two women who are forced to reimagine who they are.

Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore may be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter. Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother's past that knocks her for a loop and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.

My  thoughts so far:

Ok, I don't want to spoil the plot here, but just now I am shaking my head at Sookie Poole. I like the writing so far,  Ms. Flagg knows her characters  and their flaws. And she knows how to make you laugh at the ordinary things that happen in life.


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Saturday Snapshots Saturday Before Easter

Every Saturday, Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads, host a place to share a photo or more. Rules are few, the photos must be yours or taken by a friend or family member and they must be suitable for all eyes. Link your photos at Melinda's blog then check the blogs to see other's photos.

I have not posted in the last couple of weeks. No pictures were taken, nothing to share. This week I took a few photos with a new phone. Maybe having a better camera phone will encourage me to take more pictures. Tuesday night, the 22nd, the snow started to fall and in about an hour everything was covered. These pictures are taken out the front door. The lights across the street at the Primrose Retirement Community look so soft.

 Our cat, Tux, was interested when I opened the door to take these photos, but then he arched his back and hissed at the snow. He hates the cold and snow.

We have some solar lights on two of the post on our front porch. You can see the blue glow and the snow on top of the copper cap.

This is looking out toward our driveway. Our granddaughter and her husband had just left, you can tell where their car was parked. The snow makes for lovely pictures but yuck it is not very nice with Easter on the way. I can't tell you how many Easters happened with our new dresses covered under parka's and boots had to be worn over new white patent-leather Mary Janes.  *Sigh*

Hope your Easter is bright and sunny and you can wear your Easter bonnet. We still have snow, though tomorrow is supposed to be 52 and sunny. Fingers are crossed.


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Of Moths and Butterflies by V.R. Christensen

Of Moths & Butterflies by V. R. Christensen

Goodreads Synopsis:

Archer Hamilton is a collector of rare and beautiful insects. Gina Shaw is a servant in his uncle’s house. Clearly out of place in the position in which she has been discovered, she becomes a source of fascination . . . and curiosity. 
A girl with a blighted past and a fortune she deems a curse, Gina has lowered herself in order to find escape from her family and their scheming designs. But when she is found, the stakes suddenly become dire. 

All Gina wants is the freedom to live her life as she would wish. All her aunts want is the money that comes with her. But there is more than one way to trap an insect. An arranged marriage might turn out profitable for more parties than one. 

Mr. Hamilton is about to make the acquisition of a lifetime. But will the price be worth it? Can a woman captured and acquired learn to love the man who has bought her? 
All Gina wants is the freedom to live her life as she would wish. All her aunts want is the money that comes with her. But there is more than one way to trap an insect. An arranged marriage might turn out profitable for more parties than one. 
Mr. Hamilton is about to make the acquisition of a lifetime. But will the price be worth it? Can a woman captured and acquired learn to love the man who has bought her? 

My Thoughts:

A bit slow at the beginning, I soon found this story hard to put down. Ms. Christensen has obviously done her homework regarding the restrained dialogue and the emotions of the 1880’s. The dialogue in this story frustrated me a lot. As was the times, no one spoke straightforwardly.

Women had no rights, and unless married were destined to a life “in service”.   Imogene Everard lived a life much like servitude in her uncle’s house. She was his bait, as he enticed unethical businessmen to his home. When he dies, his will surprises everyone, including Imogene. But she wants nothing of her uncle’s ill-gotten gains and makes a hasty decision regarding her future.

Her future seems destined for failure. No matter what decisions she makes, something always goes array.  This fact was a little disheartening. As the story progresses I began to root for Imogene or Gina as she was known to Archer Hamilton.  Archer treated Gina with care and respect. Like the insects he acquired and displayed, he too was caught up in a web of family secrets.  As their stories became more intertwined, the secrets threatened to be revealed and I couldn’t put the book down until I discovered the outcome.