Uncategorized – Page 4 – Donna's Reading Chair

Sundays In Bed With…

I discovered this meme thanks to Jill’s Book Blog. This meme is all about what book you are reading today!! So let’s all talk about what book we currently have in our hands! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

Phoebe Miller isn’t sure when the rusty car started showing up in the cul-de-sac she calls home, or why its driver would be spying on her. What could be interesting about an unhappy housewife who drowns her sorrows in ice cream and wine and barely leaves her house?

Only one knows why.

When a new family moves in across the street–the exuberant Vicki, who just might become the gossipy best friend Phoebe’s always wanted, and her handsome college-bound son, Jake, who offers companionship of a different variety–Phoebe finds her dull routine infused with the excitement she’s been missing. But with her head turned she’s no longer focused on the woman in the car. And she really should be…

This book has me thinking all kinds of crazy things about my neighbors…haha…what are you reading today?

#VegasStrong

Today, we remember. We honor those 58 sweet souls who are looking down on all of us. For those of you who may not know 1 October greatly affected my family, friends, and community. Take a moment to hug those around you and tell the people you love that you love them. Walk in to a blood bank in your community and donate today. Be kind. Love one another. We are and forever will be…VEGAS STRONG.

May You Forever Rest In Peace

Hannah Lassette Ahlers

Heather Lorraine Alvarado

Dorene Anderson

Carrie Rae Barnette

Jack Reginald Beaton

Stephen Richard Berger

Candice Ryan Bowers

Denise Burditus

Sandra Casey

Andrea Lee Anna Castilla

Denise Cohen

Austin William Davis

Thomas Day, Jr.

Christiana Duarte

Stacee Ann Etcheber

Brian S Fraser

Keri Galvan

Dana Leann Gardner

Angela C Gomez

Rocio Guillen

Charleston Hartfield

Christopher Hazencomb

Jennifer Topaz Irvine

Teresa Nicol Kimura

Jessica Klymchuk

Carly Anne Kreibaum

Rhonda M LeRocque

Victor L Link

Jordan McIldoon

Kelsey Breanne Meadows

Calla-Marie Medig

James Melton

Patricia Mestas

Austin Cooper Meyer

Adrian Allan Murfitt

Rachael Kathleen Parker

Jennifer Parks

Carolyn Lee Parsons

Lisa Marie Patterson

John Joseph Phippen

Melissa V Ramirez

Jordyn N Rivera

Quinton Robbins

Cameron Robinson

Tara Ann Roe

Lisa Romero-Muniz

Christopher Louis Roybal

Brett Schwanbeck

Bailey Schweitzer

Laura Anne Shipp

Erick Silva

Susan Smith

Brennan Lee Stewart

Derrick Dean Taylor

Neysa C Tonks

Michelle Vo

Kurt Allen Von Tillow

William W Wolfe, Jr.

Vegas Strong Resiliency Center

Book Review: Lock Every Door @riley_sager @DuttonBooks @Hendersonlibs #Thriller #PageTurner #TooGoodToBeTrue #Mystery #BookWorm #ReadMe

I requested a copy of Lock Every Door through my local library and was one of the first few patrons to hold this in my hands! I love it when that happens!! I just hope many more patrons after me choose to love this one too! I was so excited to read this and get this back to the library for the next person’s turn, I didn’t even snap my own pic!!!!

Jules is broke, jobless, heartbroken, and homeless. Well, she’s crashing on her best friend’s couch while she tries to get her life together. One day she comes across an ad for an apartment sitter and decides to answer it. If anything it will get her out of her friend’s apartment and into her own space for a bit.

She ends up in one of the most exclusive apartment buildings in Manhattan. It is also one of the most mysterious. Jules finds out she will get $1,000 every week just for living there. There are some weird rules she needs to follow (no talking to residents, absolutely no visitors, and you must spend every night in the apartment), but for the money, she’s happy to oblige.

Rumors swirl around this building…from disappearances to mysterious deaths. Her best friend isn’t too keen on her staying here and keeps telling her she will lend her the money, to just leave, but Jules can’t do that. Oh, what a heart pounding adventure we go on.

I couldn’t fathom what was going on. It was absolutely bizarre; however, plausible given that we are dealing with New York City elite. That’s all I will let on and tell you there. You will have to pick this one up and read it to find out what I mean. It is a dark and creepy read. I found myself a little creeped out reading it while I spent the weekend alone. That’s what I get for reading by myself late at night! Haha.

Phenomenal 4 star book. It twisted and turned down a road that just appeared out of nowhere. I mean…the mind of Riley Sager. Wow. Jules gives us something to hold on to as she is bound and determined to find out what is happening in the building she is living in. Sager knows just how to twist you so you think one thing…but it’s really something else that is happening completely. What are your thoughts on this one??

Title: Lock Every Door

Author: Riley Sager

Genre(s): Suspense, Thriller, Mystery

Publisher: Dutton Books

Release Date: July 2, 2019

Find it here on Goodreads

Fall Reading Challenge! #ReadingChallenge #Fall #Autumn #FallReading #MomsWhoRead #ReadMe

I came across this at Colletta’s Kitchen Sink. The rules for the challenge are SUPER easy…here they are…

1. Decide how many books you’d like to challenge yourself to read this Fall. It can be 5, 10, 15, 20, …etc.

2. Create a post about the Challenge telling us how many books you are going to read, if you are picking out certain books you’d like to read or if you are going to freestyle it. Make sure you put a link back to this Sign-up post so all your friends can join in!

3. Come back to this post and leave a comment with a link to your sign up post.

4. Visit the other participants’ sign up posts

5. Read, Read, Read!!!!

The challenge itself is from September 1st – November 30th. I am committing myself to 20 books! I have been on a book reading kick lately, but I know I will eventually be slowing my pace down, so I hope to be able to read 20 in this span! If I surpass this goal…GREAT! If not, just know I tried my darndest!!! Happy reading and I hope you’ll think about joining this neat little challenge with me!

Book Review: Handle With Care @HelenaHunting @Goodreads @StMartinsPress #Romance #Steamy #MomsWhoRead #BookWorm

Thank you to Goodreads for this advance reader copy of Handle With Care! Keep entering those giveaways on Goodreads, I promise real people win!

This was my first book by Hunting and I can promise you it won’t be my last! I laughed out loud and kept hoping the slow burn would turn into something full on…and let me just say that this book certainly detailed the hook up. Despite the fact that I was reading by myself I am pretty sure I was grotesquely blushing.

Wren is a handler for Moorehead Media where she handles the image and PR for Armstrong Moorehead (the son of the CEO…who is a train wreck). When Mr. Moorehead suddenly passes away, his widow offers Wren a hefty pay increase and contract extension to stay and be the handler for her other son, Lincoln.

You see where this is going…Lincoln is a do good kind of guy. He is pulled from his humanitarian builds to come in and try to help run the company. He fights being involved with Moorehead Media with every ounce of his body. He also tries to fight off feelings for a certain woman he is working closely with…

I was a little worried that this book would be all about sex; however, despite one scene in this book, that was it. It isn’t raunchy or completely inappropriate. I am usually not a fan of romance novels, but this had a different feel. Almost like it was a family drama with a sprinkled romance story line.

I found myself rooting for Lincoln and Wren and hoped there would be a happy ending. The drama with his family is what made this book amazing. Yeah sure, it’s a romance book, but it was refreshing to have drama outside of the relationship. So often with romance novels the conflicts lay with the couple, but not in this book. Wren and Lincoln are two AMAZING, caring people that are the reason there is good in this world.

Solid 4 star book. If you are someone who enjoys a non-mushy romance, brace yourself for one crazy descriptive scene, and dig in to this novel. Seriously…this surprised me with how awesome it turned out to be! It’s officially released tomorrow so make sure to snag your copy then!

Title: Handle With Care

Author: Helena Hunting

Genre(s): Romance, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: August 27, 2019

Find it here on Goodreads and Amazon

Amazon & The Kindle: Part 3 #Kindle #AmazonPrime #Amazon #Reading #Ebooks #Perks

Welcome to Part 3 of my series…

Amazon Prime & The Kindle (Bonus: Matchbook Pricing)

Here is the biggest perk with Amazon Prime and The Kindle…you do NOT need to own a Kindle to get the perks of the Prime Reading Library…you simply need to have an Amazon Prime Membership and the Kindle app (fun fact: this is how I first got my feet wet with ebooks, I used the app on my phone with some free books through the Prime library and look at me now).

Prime Reading Library

That link will take to Amazon’s Prime Reading Library where you are able to check out up to 10 books at a time!

As long as you see this logo, the book will be checked out for free!! Sometimes when I’m browsing I will get out of the actual Prime Library so, just be warned if you end up browsing outside of the library…make sure you see THIS logo otherwise it isn’t free with your Prime membership!

Here is something else that is unique and only offered to Amazon Prime members as well…

At the beginning of every month, Amazon releases some titles early, exclusively for Amazon Prime members! Each month you can pick ONE book for free and then pre-order others at a discount! It is an awesome opportunity to read a book before it’s released to the general public!

Amazon First Reads

That link will take you to the page where you can browse each month’s titles. I get excited when the calendar hits the first of the month because free book time!!!! Honestly, these offers alone make my Prime membership worth it!

I promised you some bonus content…I want to make sure I cover all my bases and I was reminded to make sure I discuss Amazon’s Matchbook Pricing! What is that? If you have bought a print edition of a book through Amazon (not a third party seller), you may be able to purchase the Kindle edition for $2.99 or less!

Here’s a link to more info.

If you follow the link it and are signed in to your account it will automatically pull up Matchbook titles you are able to buy! Pretty convenient! **DISCLAIMER: You do NOT need to be a Prime member to enjoy this perk!!!

I hope some of you are finding this helpful and resourceful. If there is anything else you can think of I need to add, let me know. If this has helped you, let me know that too! I wish when you bought a Kindle it came with a helpful tips booklet so this was common knowledge for all!

Tune in next Sunday, August 18th for Part Four: Free Newsletters For Kindle Reads!

PAST AMAZON SERIES POSTS

Amazon & The Kindle: Part 2 #Kindle #Amazon #KindleTips

Amazon & The Kindle: Part 1

Cover Reveal: Forget The Stars @kelswritesstuff

Title: Forget the Stars
Author: Kelsey Kingsley
Genre: Friends-to-Lovers/2nd Chance Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2019
Cover Design: Danny Manzella
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44427670-forget-the-stars

I am SO excited for Kelsey’s next novel!! I am even more excited that it’s coming out THIS month!!! YAY!!!!! You can expect a review for this one here on September 4th (my stop on the blog tour)! Ready to get excited with me???

Blurb:

Guitarist Chad Wilcox’s life isn’t going according to plan.

At thirty, he never thought he’d still be unmarried and living with his parents. And with the added stress of his poor health, he’s convinced the only thing within his control is the success he’s found as a rockstar.

After reconnecting with his childhood best friend, Chad sets into motion a new plan to regain control over his happiness, and things start looking up. But when he finds himself diagnosed with a potentially debilitating chronic illness, he begins to wonder…

Is this as good as it’s going to get? Or is it at all possible for a guy like him to get everything he’s ever wished for?

Are you excited yet?!?! YES?!? You’re in luck…here’s your SNEAK PEAK at this upcoming novel with a little excerpt!!!

“What’s that look for?” she asked with a giggle, as she reached around to secure her bra.

I shook my head as a smile stretched over my lips. “Nothin’. Just …” I swallowed at the warmth crowding my heart and my lungs. “You’re my best friend.”

She tugged a tank top on and sighed, her exhale lingering in the air. “You’re mine.”

Mine. The word was simple and yet held the world. It was an agreement, it was possession. It was an invisible contract that lingered between us, and I would’ve gladly used my own blood to sign on the dotted line.

But instead of pricking a finger and sealing the deal, I simply nodded, as only two words left my mouth.

“I’m yours.”

Author Bio:

Kelsey Kingsley is an author of eight, almost nine, novels. She lives in New York with her family and a cat named Ethel. She loves tattoos, music, makeup, and Frasier reruns. Kelsey is a Slytherin. She curses a lot, and she f***ing hates cheese.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.kelseykingsley.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelswritesstuff

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kelswritesstuff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kelswritesstuff

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kelseykingsley

BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/kelsey-kingsley

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c3K409

First Line Fridays: July 12th #SummerStack #SummerReading #Reading

As always First Line Friday comes courtesy of Hoarding Books Blog. I discovered this magic thanks to Crystal at Must Love Reviews. This week I am featuring another book FROM MY SUMMER BOOK STACK! I am so proud of myself, two books down! Here’s the line…

The moment Lillo Gray pulled up to the Atlantic Yacht Club and Hotel, she began to sweat.

Here’s the book…

What? Didn’t I just feature this book yesterday? Why yes, yes I did. I’ll have my review of this one up soon, PROMISE! What is the first line of the book you’re currently reading now??

Mystery Blogger Award

I was tagged by Literary Elephant for this fun award! I was tagged about a week ago and found the perfect spot to fit this post in! I love doing these sort of things, they are so much fun and I learn so much about everyone!!!

What’s the Mystery Blogger Award?

“It’s an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion.”

Okoto enigma

The original creation post comes from Okoto Enigma’s Blog!

Rules

Put the award logo/image on your blog
List the rules
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog
Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
Answer the 5 questions you were asked
Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
Nominate 10 – 20 people
Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
Share a link to your best post(s)

Questions to Answer

What’s your favorite place that you’ve ever visited? – Tough question. I have 2. My zen place, my most favorite place in the world is York Beach, Maine. I started going there as a baby and spent many summers there. It bums me out that I live so far away from it now. It is just a special, special place for me. On the flip side, one of my favorite places I have been to that I would LOVE to go back to is…Barcelona, Spain! We stopped here on our family trip last summer and I just, I could have spent a solid week here and still needed more time. It is the coolest place to go explore!
Do the number of bookshelves that you use hold all of the books that you own and/or what do you do with overflow books? – I don’t actually own any bookshelves. *gasp* The majority of my books go in a stand we have from IKEA in our living room. My books are in here along with my kids’ books. I am overflowing so I put books in my entertainment center and then in drawers of a dresser too. I have little hiding spots all over the place, haha. I really should put some shelves in my kids’ rooms to move their books out and then I’m pretty sure I could fit all the physical books I own. I don’t keep my books, I share them with my “reading circle” and then donate them to a Little Free Library when I’m done, hence why this stand works!
Which book-to-film adaptation do you wish would be redone? – This is seriously one of the best and hardest questions…I tend to read a book with the purpose of watching the movie and then fall in love with the book and refuse to watch the movie, haha. I do wish they would remake The Kissing Booth. It upset so much how they changed the main character (from a popular, everyone loves her girl to a one friend, loner loser girl). I didn’t care for the book and then I watched the movie and got so angry that it made me LOVE the book, haha. Go figure!
Name a story you loved as a child/teen that never gets old. – The Witch Of Blackbird Pond. I even made up a little jingle with the title and still sing it from time to time, haha. I just remember loving this book to pieces.
[weird question] Which of your favorite characters would win a karaoke contest, and with what song? – You know who would? Eleanor Oliphant because Raymond would coach her and she just wouldn’t care. I have a lot of faith in my girl. She would rock “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga too. I know I’d be there cheering for her!

About me

I have jumped out of an airplane. The most exhilarating moment was that free fall. The leisurely glide down to the ground did nothing for me, haha. My aunt and I always try to find something adventurous to do for our birthdays. We have jumped off a building before too!
I have 2 master’s degrees. I am very passionate about special education and the kids I teach and I hope one day to make some headway and get some changes rolling for the most severe population that often gets neglected!
I like to go fishing. I never fished until a few years ago when I finally caved and tried it with my husband. As much as I would love a book in my hand next to the water, there is something calming about fishing that I just love! I don’t go nearly often enough!

Nominations

(If you’re not tagged and want to participate, consider yourself nominated! No pressure on anyone to participate if you don’t want to. I just went through and tagged 10 of my favorite blogs I’m following!)

Questions I’m Asking

What is the last book you purchased?
If you go anywhere in the world, where you you chose to go and why?
If you could change the ending to any book you have read, which book would it be and how would you end it differently?
Which book do you wish would be made into a movie/tv show that hasn’t?
[weird question] If you were the President/Leader of your country, what color socks would you wear?

Fave posts

One of my favorite posts is the review I did for Book Review: Between Hello & Goodbye. This book was such an emotional read for me which takes place in York Beach, Maine (my favorite place in the world). Sometimes books fall into our laps at the right time to read and this was one of them. This is the most heartfelt review I have ever written (and most successful).
My Summer Reading Stack was a fun Top Tuesday post. I have read 2 of these books so far. I truly believe I will finish most of these by the time September rolls around…*fingers crossed*
Blind Date With A Book was a fun one because I finally had the opportunity to participate in one. It was soooo exciting to pick out some books with just the description (and terrifying). Thankfully they both look like great books. I got them off a reading group on Facebook so if you’re interested let me know and I can get you a link to join the group!

Thanks again to Literary Elephant for the tag! I’m going to steal her concluding message so here it is…I really enjoy the tags/awards that look different every time you see them; there’s so much room for creativity here. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is your chance! And even if you have, this is a great post to repeat with different questions and answers. Happy blogging, all!