Against The Chords by Heather Young-Nichols

 

Rockstar romance lovers rejoice!  Get your hands on the first book in the Reckless Saints series! I love that it's part of a series but is read as a standalone. I love interconnected standalones!

Here's the blurb: 

A steamy, SECOND CHANCE, coming home, rock star, STANDALONE romance. He was my first love. And my first mistake. Jagger Hunt was supposed to be forever–first love, first time, first…everything. Until one mistake blew it all apart. I’ve spent the last ten years pretending I’m fine. Acting like what happened didn’t still affect me. Working for my father’s company, building a quiet life, locking my heart behind walls no one could touch. But now Jagger’s back in Hawthorne Hills, and the boy who broke me? He’s a full grown rock star with a voice that soothes me and eyes that don’t let me forget a thing. He says he never stopped loving me. Still wishes he could undo all of it. But I’m not the same girl who believed in forever. Loving him once broke me. Loving him again might ruin me. Against the Chords is the first standalone in the Reckless Saints series featuring a rock star drummer haunted by the one who got away, the woman whose heart he broke, steamy second chances, emotional tension, and all the “it’s always been you” heartbreak you crave.

Grab your copy here: https://geni.us/Chords

About the author:

Heather Young-Nichols is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romances. She writes swoony heroes and snarky heroines with a heap of romance. When she's not writing, she's binging a show with her kids, watching baseball, or snuggling with her cuddly animals.

Chosen to Be Monsters --Romantasy by J. Von Tobel

 

What a cover right?  Looks like there is danger ahead! Here is the blurb:

War turns us all feral. The loyalists bend, but do not break. Casualties pile higher and victory is just out of reach. Anca shields Eugen from the war as the Household’s feuding alliance reaches its limit. Worst of all, Anca fears that she is not cruel enough to end this war. Her love for Eugen cuts as much as it soothes. The shadow of House Furloc looms large as he explores who he is without the Blood Flame. When a legend from his past returns, Eugen is forced to reckon with a legacy he chose to leave behind. An unlikely ally offers her a way to end the war at the cost of Eugen’s life. Caught between duty and love once again, her choice will bring the old order crashing down around them. Unseen enemies move to topple House Sulia once and for all. Legend becomes reality and Households will burn. In the thrilling finale to the Fated Hunters duology, Anca must face if she is really any better than the monsters she hunts.

Buy it here: https://jvontobelauthor.com

More about the author: With a preponderance towards Dungeons & Dragons, sexy vampires, and Lovecraftian nightmares, it isn't surprising she ended up writing romantasy. A Chicagoan for ten years, she is an active member of the Chicago North Romance Writers.

J. Von Tobel is the author of the Fated Hunters Duology, the first in the series being Fated to be Monsters. Curse of Flame, her debut novel, is a dark fantasy novel which acts as the first chapter in a new trilogy. She hopes to write more in this world and others beyond. https://jvontobelauthor.com

Back to School! #TheSundayPost

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog an
d showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Tomorrow is my last day of summer break; and it's also my birthday. Am I ready to go back? Noooo. Am I looking forward to seeing the kids and being in my new classroom?  Yes. 

This summer, for whatever reason, I never got into the habit of staying up late and sleeping in—so I have that going for me as we transition back to school days. 

This week, after weeks of stalking the ticket resale sites, I got tickets for me and my eldest kiddo to go see BTS! I justified spending on the tickets because when am I going to have a chance to see them again? Since I love live music, seeing BTS is like a bucket list item.  

We also went and saw Spider-Man this week. I loved it! 

This week I'm finishing a few books. Each one is very good in its own different way!

How was your week? 

Oh No! August is Here! #TheSundayPost!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Audrey Hobart

Between Friends at Lollapalooza 

I went with my daughter and her friend to Lollapalooza. We had a good time, saw all the musicians we wanted to see. My daughter said we should go see Audrey Hobart and I'm glad she did. She is a quirky singer-songwriter. Since I'm part of the oldest cohort going to Lollapalooza, I notice all the old people like me and this year there was quite a few of us!

And now it's August and going back to school is right around the corner!Ack! I have my first day of school shirt ready, so there is that. 

Writing-wise, I'm making good progress on my revising, and I have my boxed set ready for release this Thursday! Yay!

I've been using Pinterest to make boards of books I want to read, recipes I want to try, and shows I want to see. The process makes me feel organized. 

How was your July month of reading? Here is what I read:

 

The Sunday Post--The End of July, Already?

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

We got to enjoy some cooler weather this week and no smoke, so it was a lovely time to be outside. We finally got our gazebo put up and now have a place to sit outside and enjoy our back yard w/o worrying about sunburn.

This week I finished my rough draft and now it's time to revise, revise, revise. 

I've been trying very hard to cook at home and to avoid carry out--especially since I'm on summer break. But now going back to school looms and I'm looking for recipes that are easy to prepare or can be prepped the night before. Do you have any go to dinner recipes?  Please let me know!

My gazebo and my dog:

My heirloom atomic grape tomatoes are ripening! They will be purple when ripe!

Books and Produce

Produce I've been giving away. I hope my garden continues to produce into the fall. My tomato plants are starting to have tomatoes, the question is how long will it take for them to turn red.

Like my garden, my book reading has also been plentiful. Here are books I've read recently with a super short description!

An allergy related death. A light dusting of magic. I enjoyed the sleuth and her boyfriend. I would read more in this series!

First book in new urban fantasy series. I liked the narration. I think this book is pretty dark. Teenagers dying in the book. Even though it's a first in series, it has a satisfying ending. I found myself more interested in side character than our main character--but more growth will certainly be hand in book two.

I love the cover. This is the 7th book in the series. It was I liked the magic system. I didn't understand something the MC does, like I needed more of a reason. I also didn't like her somewhat estranged boyfriend who thinks she committed a murder. What kind of boyfriend is that? 

I listened to the audio. I like the narrator! This is set up as the first book in a series. I liked that I learned something new about science and paintings. It's worth adding to your TBR. 

Newsflash Arizona in July is Hot! The Sunday Post

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I hope you had a nice week. Today we are back under an air quality alert. We have had our air running basically 24/7 this whole summer between the excessive heat and now poor air quality. I'm very glad we got solar a few years ago. Because of that our electric bill was $20. I don't even want to know what it would be if we didn't have the solar offset. 

Speaking of heat. I was in the Phoenix, Arizona area with my husband this week. He had a work trip so I got to go with. It was ridiculously hot. Like the surface of the sun hot. Like it was too hot to walk 10 steps to the pool barefoot. LIke it was too hot in the pool by 2pm hot.

It sure is pretty in Arizona. When you are inside it's hard to believe how hot it is outside. Living in the desert is not for me. 

August is quickly approaching. I got myself a new planner and set up a school year countdown. LOL 

How was your week? I finished a few books on vacation!

I'm ready to start the school year next month.

I Don't Even Want To Think About It! The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This time next month I'll be back to school. YIkes! This week I'm going on a business trip with my husband. I haven't flown in ages. The passport I got earlier this year is going to be put to use.

This past week I read some books, did writing sprints, used my pool, and went on a charity garden walk. How was your week? 

I'm working on this cozy mystery challenge for 2026 

Here are a few pictures from the garden walk!

Head To The Moutains!

 Need a sexy mountain man in your life? I've got a book for that!  Plus our heroine is a barista who loves puns. This book sounds as good as a yummy cinnamon dolce latte!

A shy motel owner, a pun-loving barista, and one wildly funny plan collide in this heartwarming rom-com. Sometimes the best love stories are brewed, not planned.

 

Molly Griffith gave up the spotlight for quiet mornings as the pun-loving barista at Jasper’s Coffee Loft. Life is simple and sweet—until her boyfriend-turned-ex flaunts his big-city dreams and new job. Desperate to save face, Molly crafts a bold plan: a fake boyfriend, brewed with just the right amount of jealousy and a dash of local charm.

Her top choice? Jeremy Wentworth.

 

The shy motel owner who never misses his morning coffee, Jeremy reluctantly agrees, and their staged romance quickly heats up with crossword puzzles, a laugh-out-loud cosplay trivia night, and an unexpected trip to the ER. But as Molly finds herself savoring his quiet humor and tender smiles, she starts to wonder: is this still pretend, or is her heart percolating for real?

 

When an unexpected twist threatens to spill the beans on Molly’s quiet life, she faces a choice: run again or brew a cup of faith in having found what truly perks her up.

 

This just kisses rom-com contains a swoony, cinnamon roll hero who takes care of the heroine. It's set in a small town and contains crossword puzzles, sci-fi trivia, and some LOL coffee puns.

Here is the link if you want to add it to your TBR: https://a.co/d/0a4uaY20

Oh Hi July! The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

The heat and humidity continues so I go for a walk in the morning and then I hop into our new pool. It's delightful!

I have been doing writing sprints with Sisters in Crime every morning and it's so fun to get that part of my day done in one compact hour. This leaves me plenty of time to clean the house and do laundry---hahahhaha no. I mean more time to read! 

What have you been reading?  Here is what I'm in the middle of this week:

Reading Round Up for June and It's Hot Out Here!

 

I am excited to say these are only some of the books I read in June. I continued to work on spending more time reading and less time on social media!

Today I'm listening to the audio book The Favorites By Layne Fargo. I signed up for a book club--with the author on 7/19! I heard from another reader that the audio had a full cast and was very good, so I purchased the audio from Libro.FM because then it benefits the bookstore hosting the event.

I am 11% in to the book and it is very engaging. I guess it's a modern retelling of Wuthering Heights.  So we will see how toxic this couple becomes. The story is about ice dancers and since I love watching the Olympics, I'm familiar with the sport. 

The extreme heat warnings here in Illinois continue. After only a few uses, my blow up pool stopped staying inflated. Thankfully a better pool was only a trip to Menards away and less than fifty bucks.

I'm so glad we got our privacy fence and can better enjoy a little outdoor pool this summer!

RIP cheaply made pool

Hello affordable and better made new pool (still filling with water in this picture!

How is the weather by you?

Suspense Summer! A New Release by Sawyer Bennett! Out Today!

I've been reading more romance suspense this summer and so I'm calling it Suspense Summer! Sawyer Bennett has the first book in a new series out today. Here is a little about the book:

                                                           🔥 Some fires destroy everything.

🔥 Some never stop burning.

CODE NAME: EMBER is a gripping romantic suspense about lost love, deadly secrets, and a second chance neither of them expected.

When investigative journalist Tessa Ward uncovers a conspiracy tied to deadly wildfires, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer. Her only chance of survival may be Cole Mercer, the former special forces operative she never truly got over.

But surviving the danger is only part of the battle.

Because the closer they get to the truth, the harder it becomes to ignore the feelings still smoldering between them.

📚 Read now:
https://a.co/d/01wOvmPL

*******

Doesn't it sound good?  I can't wait to find out more about those still smoldering feelings!

 

The Sunday Post Now It's Really Summer!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Look at the bounty from my garden! And it's not even July. I planted earlier than I usually do, and it worked out. 

Here is how it's growing:

I did a book signing at Partners In Crime bookstore in Chicago, this is one of the cozies I picked up. 

Now that summer school is over, my plan is to wake up and enjoy a book and coffee in my backyard.  We are on the brink of an extremely hot week and I hope my garden doesn't suffer. I am going to water, of course, but there isn't much else I can do. 

I got borrowed this audiobook from the Queer Liberation Library and it is so good. I'm halfway done at the moment!  How was your week? 

 

The Sunday Post-- The Last Week of Summer School is Here!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Four more days of summer school! I can do it! I realize I'm being a big baby. I only have summer school Monday through Thursday from 9:15 to 12:45pm. And yet, it's a lot! I have bloodwork to get done on Monday after work. I'm only typing that to hold myself accountable to just go and get it done. Blech. Then I'm going to get acupuncture. So far, the acupuncture seems to help reduce the restless leg syndrome that I have. Restless legs suck. I would only wish it on my very worst enemies. Speaking of appointments and work, I just checked my calendar, and I scheduled a doctor's appointment and a Prolia shot for right after I finish summer school on Thursday. Well, I guess I am getting it out of the way?

Next Saturday, I'm going to a book club for the book Yesteryear. I'm looking forward to hearing what other people think. People have strong feelings about this book. I gave it 5 stars because I really didn't like the main character (which is what the author wanted you to feel) and it stuck with me. It's a memorable book. 

Readingwise, I'm finishing up Without Fail,  another Jack Reacher book on Kindle. On audio, I'm listening to a thriller called, The Widow's Secret by Theo Baxter. Physically, I'm reading this book! 

Rumors and Whiskey is a romantic suspense book by Victoria Wilder.I think it just recently came out since she is on a book tour. Have you read any of her books?

The Sunday Post--We Survived Without Power!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

We had a couple of days of severe storms with high winds that knocked down trees and branches. Our power was out for three hours Thursday evening and Friday evening we lost power and it didn't come back until just before noon on Saturday. Friday afternoon, I went for a walk with a friend. On our walk through a local forest preserve, we ran into new obstacles! Several trees were down on the path! 

The sky looking all nice a few hours before more storms wer going to knock out my power.

Boy, did I miss electricity! How was your week? I read some good books!