Weekly Check-in #54

 What I've Been Writing:

I fully intended to set aside the romantasy duology I'd been working on since last June and just get into Book 6 of my Seven series already. Except...every time I tried to work on anything else, my mind kept wandering right back to these two freaking books. They're nuisances, I tell you! Which means, I am currently re-reading Impostors and Thieves--except I'm pretty sure I'm going to change that title...again. After setting it aside for a minute (okay, a month), it's so fun and fresh to read. Someone out there is going to love the banter, humor, romance, and adventure that this book offers them; I know it. I just have to figure out how to get it to you.

What I've Been Reading: 

My friend at the day job was like, "Oh, Linda, you're going to love this book. I'll put it into your office mailbox to read." So I was stuck reading A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins this week. It was not at all the type of book I love to read, but I was able to get through it. And if I can get through something that's non-romance, then I figure it must be pretty good for its genre.

After that, I needed a total romance dive, so I reread/skimmed my way through The Deal, The Mistake, and The Score by Elle Kennedy before the Off-Campus series drops on May 13th (yes, I'm so jumpy excited to watch Garrett Graham in action). Except, I got to this scene in The Score, and was like, "Wait a second. Why does this sound so familiar?" So I opened one of my own books and did a little search to find a scene that's very similar. I was like, "Holy crap, did I get my idea from this?" I one-hundred percent do not remember reading it in The Score, but I do remember being all giggly and proud of myself when I wrote it, thinking, "I'm so original." Ugh. I'd read the scene nearly a decade before, and it must've just been hanging out in my subconscious, waiting to come back out. So now I'm all humbled and beaten down and depressed that I'm not as clever as I thought I was.

After my Elle Kennedy refreshers, I picked up Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen and am working my way through reading her masterpiece. (Yes, I'm loving it so far.)

What I've Been Collecting:

Got six new books this week. 

• Dark Shores and Dark Skies by Danielle Jensen. (Had some Amazon credit I used to get them.)
• Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen (Eek! Excited to finish this.)
• Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli (Because I loved the cover and edges.)
• Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth (my Book of the Month Club pick from my May box.)
• And then I completed my Bridgerton special-edition set by getting On the Way to the Wedding.

I asked my ten-year-old to give the books a photo shoot. I didn't realize she would go so artsy, so I added the boring spines and edges pictures so you can see their titles and pretty edges in their original state. And that's been my shelfish week. Have a great National Have a Coke Day!

Weekly Check-in #53

 What I've Been Writing:

This week, I wrote nothing, sorry. No new words typed. I'm probably going to pivot and work on something new next week. But I've read two books and bought two books, so at least I have something shelfish to talk about!

What I've Been Reading:

Dire Bound - So last week, I was all like ooh, Tempest Blade was my favorite book of the year. Bla, bla, bla. And then, directly after that, I read Dire Bound, which was...wow. Then, double, triple, and quadruple wow. So now I'm confused. They were both just soooooo good. I'm pretty sure I'm dropping everything and reading Fury Bound as soon as I get my grabby hands on it after it releases next week.

When Life Happened - I actually loved this story, but I could also agree with people's arguments if they didn't like it. I mean, it kind of makes a case for cheaters, which is like bleh to me. But it's still such a good book. And that plot twist...most unexpected thing I think I have ever read in my life. I was sure it was a spoof and not real for the longest time, and I had to keep going back to the page where everything turned on its head to make sure I read it right, but nope...it really happened. I read it right. It was pure, crazy goodness.

What I've Been Putting on my Shelves:

This week, I got The Throne of Broken Gods: Book 2 in the Gods and Monsters Series. And then I got the special edition of It's in His Kiss: Book 7 of the Bridgerton series. I should complete my collection of special editions for the Bridgerton series next week. And yes, I was a fan of these books before the show came out. I was one of those people who had to wait a full year before the next book was released; I'm that old of a fan. Wait. I didn't say old. I'm not old. (Hush!)

Anyway, hope you have a great May. 

 

Weekly Check-in #52

 What I've Been Writing:

Defectors and Queens - Word count is at 110,000 words. And I have the first 36 chapters fleshed out. I feel as if we still have a ways to go to finish, so I'm still writing strong!

What I've Been Reading:

The Tempest Blade - This was my favorite book of the year so far, plus most anticipated book of the year. I loved it all the way through. I just wish I hadn't read it so fast; I should have savored the ride.

City of Iron and Ivy - Got this through my Allurial Book Box subscription, and I thought all the books sold there were supposed to be romantasy; this was not a romantasy. Not sure why it has been promoted as one, but aside from that, it was a good book. Just don't go in thinking any couple's going to come out with a hea/hfn ending (which is basically the only reason I read books, but I can deal), and you'll be fine. 

What I've Stacked on my Shelves:

You're never going to believe this, but I got no new books this week. I know! Something feels missing from my life. I may have to make up for this next week.

And...I just realized I didn't mention last week that I also got my Allurial Book Box Subscription last week. So add three more to last week's total: The Wicked Sea, City of Iron and Ivy, and (yes, another) Blood Bound!