Showing posts with label Month In Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Month In Review. Show all posts

Saturday, February 29, 2020

February 2020 In Review:

Good Morning my loves,

It's the end of the month and it's time to account for our recent accomplishments and failures. How did you do this month?? I did pretty well actually. First I ended up being able to read 5 audiobooks before Scribd limited me again, but that's ok because I finally was able to gain access to Hoopla from my previous library card (it had expired I know *shock*) and they had so many more good books on audio that I just had to gobble up.

I felt so motivated to read this month and enjoy myself so let's look at what happened when that worked out:

Book Hauls:
 I had a few pre-orders come in, however, I'm going to do a quarter haul ( January to March)  since it's not a lot of books.

Reviews on the Blog This Month:
I'll be honest I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for the past two months, lots of reading but no motivation to write reviews, so no reviews. Sorry.


Read So Far This Year: 3
Books Read This Month: 21
Yearly Goal: 225   
Monthly Goal:   13
 Balance: 201


Key:
Blue means the book added during the month. Red= DNF (Did Not Finish) Black= Original Titles at the beginning of the month.

Mocha Girl Reads Book Club:
  • We're Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union UNREAD I don't own it and wasn't able to borrow it in time. 
Nora Roberts/ JD Robb Challenge:
  • Black Rose ✓
  • Red Lily 
Brenda Jackson: NONE THIS MONTH.
20 Books To Read in 2020:
  • Hate To Want You (Forbidden Hearts #1) Alisha Rai
Perpetual Author Challenge:
  • "Second Time Sweeter" Beverly Jenkins ✓
  • Beverly Jenkins
  • Christine Feehan
Finish It Series:
  • Night Huntress by Yasmine Galenorn  ✓
  • Demon Mistress by Yasmine Galenorn
  • Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn 
  • Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn 
  • Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn
  • Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn 
  • Shadow of Night (All Souls Book 2)
  • The Book of Life (All Souls Book 3)
Freshman Series Challenge: INCOMPLETE
  • Freshman Dorm (Freshman 1) 
Men Made In America Challenge: INCOMPLETE
  • Call It Destiny (Alabama) by Jayne Ann Krentz 
  • Borrowed Dreams (Alaska) by Debbie Macomber
ARC:
  • Awaken The Dragon by A.C. Arthur INCOMPLETE
  • Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
  • The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
  • Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee
Black Out Challenge:
  • Tears of the Tiger Sharon M. Draper INCOMPLETE
  • Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
  • American Street by Ibi Zoboi
  • Second Time Sweeter by Beverly Jenkins
Erotica Books:
  • Under His Kilt by Melissa Blue ✓
  • Honor Bound by Joey W Hill (RE-READ
Non-Fiction Books: INCOMPLETE
  1. Religious Book
Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:

Everything I read this month.  I had an amazing reading month and can't wait to share my thoughts on the books.

TV Shows Binged:

All three seasons of The Good Place. Wow what a show. I loved it, it took me a few episodes to get into it, but once I did???!!!


checkout the preview:

What'd you read this month?? Share in the comments down below and let's discuss. Good luck with your goals next month!!

Sunday, February 2, 2020

January 2020 In Review

I've never been this happy to see the back of a month the way I'm happy for January to go. Sweet Gods this month was like 90 days in a month, the amount of foolishness that kicked off. I can't deal.


For those not aware of RWA imploding starting in December right before Christmas and then falling apart in the new year. There is so much foolishness that started this and it's ridiculous that people are willing to let their racists feelings matter more than the feelings of Black and other authors of Color. Then of course the press got the information wrong like always.  

Then let's talk about Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan having to leave the royal family due to all the racism aimed at them. 

Then tons of personal things as well and January can kick jagged rocks in flip flops. 

I got only three books read this month because I ended up watching tons of tv to deal with the foolishness in my life.

I literally marathoned Sabrina Chilling Adventures in two days. I have been re-watching GRIMM because Nick and Adalind are so cute together and this was one of the best endings to a series I have seen in a long time.

Book Hauls:
Reviews on the Blog This Month:
Books Read This Month: 3
Yearly Goal: 225   Monthly Count: 13   Balance: 222

  • Re-Read: Velvet Ties by Susie Charles (ebook)
  • Connections In Death by J. D Robb ( audiobook)
  • Vendetta In Death by J. D Robb (audiobook) 

That's it. Scribd limited my audiobooks for the month and as I'm having more difficulty with my vision I wasn't able to read on the kindle as much this month so no real reading went on.

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:

It's Black History Month so I will be featuring some of my favorite romance writers and their works. And the Black Romance Author Feature will make it's return 

How'd you do?? Did you have a better reading month?? Share what you read in the comments down below and good luck in February with your reading goals. 

Sunday, November 3, 2019

October 2019 In Review:

This has been one of the better months this year. Not only did I read quite a bit and read widely too, I also had good audiobook experiences. I'm so hooked to them now. I shared my deep dive into a new favorite author's catalog, Seressia's work really pulled me out of the start of a slump and jumpstarted the month.  Checkout below to see what else I read this month

Also I'm going to have a separate post about my adventures at KissCon in Mohegan Sun this past Saturday October 29th, 2019. It was awesome, I will also have a haul from there as well.

Book Hauls:
Stacking The Shelves # 24: The NetGalley Edition
Stacking The Shelves # 25: The Library Book Sale
Stacking The Shelves # 26: Harlequin Haul

Weekly Wrap Up Post:
Check out the wrap up here

Reviews on the Blog This Month:

Part Two:
  1. Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan Review
  2. Sleep with the Lights On by Maggie Shayne Review
  3. Dream of Danger by Maggie Shayne Review
  4. Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass Review
  5. Shadow Chase by Seressia Glass Review
  6. Shadow Fall by Seressia Glass Review
  7. ARC Wake To Darkness by Maggie Shayne Review
  8. Innocent Prey By Maggie Shayne Review
  9. Deadly Obsession by Maggie Shayne Review
  10. ARC Xeni: An Marriage of Inconvenience by Rebekah Weatherspoon Review
  11. Seducing The Jackal by Seressia Glass Review
  12. Hunting The Jackal by Seressia Glass Review
  13. Claiming The Jackal by Seressia Glass Review
  14. Audiobook Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn Review
  15. Audiobook Love In Catalina Cove by Brenda Jackson Review
  16. Audiobook Forget Me Not by Brenda Jackson Review
  17. ARC Finding Home by Brenda Jackson Review
Books Read This Month: 
Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count: 15   Balance: 16
Part Two: 

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:


These are just a few of the books I've read recently that I want to review and share my thoughts on with you. I also have a video and a small haul from a recent author event I can't wait to share withy ou as well. How did your October go??

What have you read recently that I should check out??  Thanks for stopping by and seeing the progress my loves.

Monday, September 30, 2019

September 2019 In Review:

Hey my loves

We are once again finishing out a month of reading with a bang. This weekend I was seriously ill but between sleeping and coughing up my lungs I managed to bust out three books. I'm so excited about my reading this month and I can't wait to share my reviews with you.

Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count:  11  Balance: 34

Book Hauls:

Amazon Pre-orders It was too short to make a video since it was two books but I still wanted to share.

Harlequin Labor Day Sale Part 1

Of Course, I couldn't just buy 1 set of books I bought two:

Part Two Harlequin Labor Day Sale:


Reviews on the Blog This Month:

A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby


Copycat by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Promise of Darkness by Bec McMasters

Books Read This Month: 

  1. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals 3)by Alyssa Cole 
  2. Black Tie Billionaire (Blackout 2) by Naima Simone
  3. Sleep with the Lights On (Brown & De Luca 1)by Maggie Shayne
  4. Dream of Danger (Brown & De Luca 1.5)by Maggie Shayne
  5. Innocent Prey (Brown & De Luca 2)by Maggie Shayne
  6. Deadly Obsession (Brown & De Luca 3)by Maggie Shayne
  7. Dark Illusion (Carpathian Series 29) by Christine Feehan
  8. Shadow Blade (Shadowchaser 1) by Seressia Glass
  9. Shadow Chase (Shadowchaser 2) by Seressia Glass
  10. Shadow Fall (Shadowchaser 3)by Seressia Glass
  11. Promise of Darkness (Dark Court Rising 1) by Bec McMasters 

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:
  1. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals 3)by Alyssa Cole 
  2. Black Tie Billionaire (Blackout 2) by Naima Simone
  3. Sleep with the Lights On (Brown & De Luca 1)by Maggie Shayne
  4. Dream of Danger (Brown & De Luca 1.5)by Maggie Shayne
  5. Innocent Prey (Brown & De Luca 2)by Maggie Shayne
  6. Deadly Obsession (Brown & De Luca 3)by Maggie Shayne
  7. Dark Illusion (Carpathian Series 29) by Christine Feehan
  8. Shadow Blade (Shadowchaser 1) by Seressia Glass
  9. Shadow Chase (Shadowchaser 2) by Seressia Glass
  10. Shadow Fall (Shadowchaser 3)by Seressia Glass
I had a fantastic reading month with mostly four star reads and I can't wait to share all I have upcoming in the next few weeks. If I disappear for a little it's because I'm moving and trying to get all settled in.

Let me know if you have read any of these or want to do any buddy reads with my newest hauls and I will see in the next one my loves. I hope your month was great as well, share what your triumphs were, any fails, any DNFs?? Comment down below and let's commiserate together. 
As always
Love, Light and Happy Reading my loves, 

Saturday, March 2, 2019

February 2019 In Review

Wait, how can it already be the end of the month??? That's so crazy. The month is already gone, y'all gone!! Well since it's gone here are the books I have read, the reviews I have written and a recap of all the awesomeness that came my way.

Books Read This Month: 6  Yearly Goal: 150  Balance: 132

Book Club Read: 
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This was my absolute favorite read for the month, hands down my favorite for the year. I can't rave about it enough. Full Review pending

For the #ReadSoulLit challenge on booktube I picked up  Unforgivable Love by Sphfronia Scott. (This is the only book I didn't own, borrowed from the library to read for the challenge)

I seemed to be on a Nora Roberts Binge this month and read:
  1. Luring a Lady
  2. Falling for Rachel
  3. Convincing Alex
  4. Waiting for Nick 
  5. Considering Kate
All of these were from the Stanislaski family saga, which I started in January. I was very happy to finish the series. Especially because I got to physically move 4 books from the Nora Roberts Shelf over to the Read mass market bookshelf.  

Working on the Finishing up Series

I pulled Monica Murphy's Torn which for a book that was 234 pages took me forever. I didn't feel in the mood for romance. *Shock, gasp Sacrilegious* and so I wasn't really in love with the story. I'm going to honor that feeling this month and go with more non-fiction books as that's what I feel called to.  I did love the story once I paid attention to it, so I will continue on with the series.

Book Hauls:

Because I'm reading my bookshelves this year, I once again didn't have much to haul. I did have pre-order come in though: Stacking The Shelves

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas (author of the smash The Hate U Give). No idea what it's about but I pre-ordered as soon as I knew about the link.


And when in Boston visiting my sister we stopped by an independent comic book slash bookstore and I snagged a copy of Binti  (the Complete Trilogy) by Nnedi Okorafor. The cover is amazing and I really couldn't justify to my cheap self paying 10 to 12 dollars each for a 90 page book, but I had no qualms about snagging this gorgeous baby. 

Reviews on the Blog This Month:


My Review


My Review

And that's what happened during the month.  I'm looking forward to next month's wrap up, because I'm hoping for some awesome reads.  What did you do this month my loves?? Any big changes, haul any good books?? Share in the comments down below and let's chat.

Friday, August 31, 2018

Month In Review: August 2018

Hello my loves

We are once again at the end of a month, and a season. Summer is heading out the door and we are in that weird time between late summer and early fall, where the days are blistering hot and the nights are a bit chilly. The change like this makes me want to read differently and because I tried to resist the urge to change my reading this month my reading suffered. Instead of hitting my reading mark and I lagged behind then decided to binge watch some Supernatural and that just ruined any chance of doing any serious reading so this month is a little less than normal.

Waiting On WednesdayThe Books coming out this month that I would love to get my hands on. What are you lusting for??


Book Hauls:

  1. Stacking the Shelves (21): The Paperbackswap Edition
  2. Stacking the Shelves (22): Paperbackswap Edition Part 2
  3. Stacking the Shelves (23): A Mix of All The Things
  4. Stacking the Shelves (24) A Mix OF All The Things

Reviews on the Blog This Month:
 The Liar by Nora Roberts
Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare

Dagger's Edge by Lora Leigh
The Breakup by Erin McCarthy

Monday Movie Review:

Books Read This Month: 7
Balance Forward: 67

Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count: 13   
Balance: 60


These are the prompts I was using to complete my monthly TBR.  Blue means I filled them in during the month.  Black are from the beginning TBR. 

Lemonade Syllabus:
  • Ebony Exodus Project
  • Jambalaya
  • Of Water And Spirit
  • Opening To Spirit
Sylvia Day:
  • Captivated by You
  • One With You
Nora Roberts:
  • Black Rose 
  • Red Lily
  • The Last Boyfriend
  • The Perfect Hope
  • Honest Illusions
  • The Liar
  • Black Hills
  • Angels Fall
Shayla Black:
  • Delicious
Brenda Jackson:
  • Riding The Storm 5
  • Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee 6
  • .The Chase Is On 7
  • The Durango Affair 8
  • .Ian's Ultimate Gamble 9
  • Seduction Westmoreland Style 10
  • Spencer's Forbidden Passion 11
  • Taming Clint Westmoreland 12
  • Cole's Red Hot Pursuit 13
  • Tall Dark, Westmoreland 15
Beverly Jenkins:
  • Jewel
  • Topaz
  • Captured
  • Night Song
  • Sexy/Dangerous
  • Something Like Love
  • Winds Of The Storm
  • Wild, Sweet Love
  • Always & Forever
Finish It Up Series:
  • Right Kind Of Wrong (book 3) by Chelsea Fine 
  • Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen 
  • Fifth Grave
  • Sixth Grave
  • Wild Card Lora Leigh
  • Christine Feehan
Black Out List:
  • Like This & LLikeThat Nina Stephans
  • Any man I want Michelle Grant
  • American Street Ibi Zoboi
Summer Reading List:
  • When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
  • Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Madsen
  • City Love
  • Drama High book 1 L. Divine
  • 4 Harlequin Presents titles
  • Mermaids; List: Fins are Forever; Forgive My Fins & Deep Blue
  • Riptide
Read In August:
  1. Respect by Jay Crownover 
  2. Deadly Night by Heather Graham
  3. Deadly Harvest by Heather Graham
  4. Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

And that's it. Still a decent enough month, but not my usual and it was annoying to realize that once I embraced reading what the change in season called for that I read way more.  How'd you do this month?? Read anything fun?? Watch any fun movies?? Share in the comments down below and we can discuss!!

Thanks for stopping by

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Month In Review: July 2018

Wait, how can it already be the end of the month??? That's so crazy. Summer is almost gone, y'all gone!! Well since it's gone here are the books I have read, the reviews I have written and a recap of all the awesomeness that came my way.

Waiting on Wednesdays: The Books coming out this month that I would love to get my hands on. What are you lusting for??
  • WOW: A Duke By Default by Alyssa Cole
  • WOW: Pale As Death by Heather Graham
  • WOW: The Impossibility Of Us by Katy Upperman
  • WOW: Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown
Book Hauls:
  1. Stacking the Shelves (17)
  2. Stacking the Shelves (18) The Strand Edition 
  3. Stacking the Shelves  (19) The Ebook Edition
  4. Stacking the Shelves (20) Thriftbooks & The Dollar Tree
Reviews on the Blog This Month:

Books Read This Month: 12

Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count: 12   Balance: 67

These are the prompts I was using to complete my monthly TBR.  Blue means I filled them in during the month.  Black are from the beginning TBR. 
Lemonade Syllabus:
  1. .

Perpetual Author Challenge:
  • 2-3 Brenda Jackson Books
  • Ming Game & Night Game Ghostwalker Series by Christine Feehan
  • The Obsession by Nora Roberts 
  • Cross Breed by Lora Leigh.(ARC) 
Finish Series Challenge:
  • Fifth Grave Past The Light by Daryna Jones


ARC
  • Crossbreed by Lora Leigh ✔
  • Dagger's Edge by Lora Leigh ✔ 
  • Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare✔
  • The Breakup by Erin McCarthy ✔

Black Out Challenge:
  • Between The World & Me by Ta-Nahisi Coates 
  • The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevado 
  • .
  • .
  • .
Erotica books:
  • Decadent by Shayla Black
  • .
  • .
Non-Fiction Books:
  1. Religious Book
  2. Religious Book
  3. Finance Book
  4. Social issues Book
  5. Personal Interest Book
Summer Reading Challenge Books:
  • Out of this World Marriage by Maggie Shayne
  • Revealed: A Prince and A Pregnancy by
  • The Billionaire's Pregnant Mistress 
  • First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month: I read a few books as ARCs that are coming out this month, I can't wait to share my thought with y'all.

  • Dagger's Edge by Lora Leigh
  • The Breakup by Erin McCarthy
  • Surviving Adam Meade by Shannon Klare
These are just a few of the books I read this month and I have audiobook reviews to share and I just am so proud of how well this month went. 

And that's a wrap!!! I was very excited once I started to put this together and realized what a productive and fun month I had. I can't wait to see how I do next month!!! I hope you're doing well in your challenges as well. Have you read any of these?? What's on your accomplished for the month list?? Share down below so we can pat each other on the back about a job well done and I'll see you tomorrow.  


Monday, July 2, 2018

Month In Review: June 2018


My goal this year is 150  books, if I break that down it comes out to 13 books per month, with 3 to 4  books a week. Totally doable in my books, so as the proverb says, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time, so here are my first few bites.

Book Haules:
Highly Anticipated Reads:
Reviews On THe Blog This Month:
This month I completed the 13 books and have now moved up to the following statistics



Read So Far this Year: 
71
TBR Pile 
150
TBR Balance:
79

KEY: ✔ Read / Section Completed, Blue _ title added in during the Month   Red- Books read from the original TBR list

Lemonade Syllabus Books:

Perpetual Challenge Books:
  • 2-3 books from Brenda Jackson's Westmoreland Series
  • Judgement Road by Christine Feehan
  • The Next Always Inn Boonsboro Trilogy Bk 1 Nora Roberts
Finish Series:

ARC:
  1. Swipe Right to Mate by D.J Bryce
Non-Fiction Books:
  1. Financial Book
  2. Religious Studies Book
  3. Religious Studies Book
Erotica Romance:
  1. Their Virgin Mistress by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake  RE-READ
Black-Out Challenge Books:
  • Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
  • Something Old Something New by Beverly Jenkins
  • A Wish & A Prayer by Beverly Jenkins
  • Crystal Clear by Beverly Jenkins
  • Heart of Gold by Beverly Jenkins
  • For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins
  • Stepping into a New Day by Beverly Jenkins
  • Chasing Down a Dream by Beverly Jenkins
Non Challenge or Category Books:
  • Convicted Wife for The Bedroom by Carol Martinolli RE-READ
I picked up so many good books this month almost all of them where 3 stars or higher. I was able to read very quickly this month and despite having two weeks where I wasn't really reading I still got my numbers in. I love it.

What did you read this month?? Share down below and we can encourage each other this month.  

Happy Reading






Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Month In Review: February 2018

Wait, how can it already be the end of the month??? That's so crazy. The month is already gone, y'all gone!! Well since it's gone here are the books I have read, the reviews I have written and a recap of all the awesomeness that came my way.

Book Hauls:
Highly Anticipated Reads:
Reviews on the Blog This Month:
Read So Far this Year: 
13
Read This Month:

TBR Pile 
150

TBR Balance:
138
KEY: ✔ Read / Section Completed, Red Books added on and read beyond the challenge prompts

Lemonade Syllabus Books:
Perpetual Challenge Books:
  • 2-3 books from Brenda Jackson's Westmoreland Series:

  1. Thorn's Challenge 
  2. Best Laid Plans ARC✔

Finish Series:
ARC:COMPLETED
  1. Masked Innocence by Alessandra Torre'
  2. Switch It Up by Sara Brookes
  3. Rugged Texas Cowboy by Lora Leigh
  4. Collision Point by Lora Leigh
Non-Fiction Books:
  1. Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
  2. Financial Book
  3. Religious Studies Book
  4. Religious Studies Book
Erotica Romance:
  1. The End of Innocence by Alessandra Torre'✔
  2. .
  3. .
Black-Out Challenge Books:
And there you have it. I made my way through a few books and I currently have so many on the reading pile and I'm going to have to step back and really take a breath then dive back in.  What'd you read this month?? What's on your list of books to complete?? Share in the comments down below & I'll see you next month. 

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Month In Review: Jan 2018

Welcome to the end of the month. I'm so glad to share with you what I've read and what's coming up for me next month.  Why not share your monthly accomplishments.

2018 Challenge Posts & Master Lists:


Book Hauls:
Reviews on the Blog This Month:
Books Read This Month: 12

Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count:12     Balance: 138

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:
  • Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
  • Delaney's Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson
I had an amazing reading month. I blew through 12 books and I can't wait to see what next month brings.  
Share in the comments down below so we can share and support each other.  As always, Love & Light and Happy Reading.