June Reading Wrap Up

 

Hi! It's been a long time since I've done a monthly wrap-up. The last year and a half, if my memory serves me correctly, since April 2024, has been filled with everything required to be a guardian of your incapacitated parents. I won't bore you with all the horrible details; suffice it to say that when you become a guardian and conservator, you have just been hired for a job you didn't apply for, you don't receive a salary or benefits, and it's exhausting.

June ushered in some great reading for me, actually, it started with May. I read Jen Turano's new release, A Lesson in Propriety, and Shannon Sue Dunlap's Hearts Aweigh. In June, I started reading You and Me For Real by Hayley Elliott, and while Jill Eileen Smith's book Dawn of Grace was published in February, switching genres has really helped me get back into reading. I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction books, but I've read The Primal Wound, which is about adoption, and The Birth Order Book. So, if you find yourself struggling to read, which I don't think of my readers, switch up your genres and see if that helps. I read more than one book at a time, and that keeps my brain continually interested.

How was your reading in June? Better? Worse? About the same?

Let me know in the comments

The Alphabet Challenge THE A's HAVE IT!

 

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to a new Tuesday post. Today's Top Ten Tuesday, theme sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl, is fulfilling wish lists. I've done that one a couple of times, so I thought I'd try this Alphabet Challenge I've seen on a few blogs. The books will be in alphabetical order and will be perfect for fulfilling reading challenges. If the title starts with The, I will use the second letter.

If you sign up for Mesu Andrews newsletter, you will receive this book for free.

I was actually surprised at how many A-titled books there were. Have you read any of these? Are they on your ever-growing TBR? 

After She Falls, Across Ages (the entire series), and Abigail, I definitely need to read. 

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano Reviewed

About the book:

Title: A Lesson in Propriety

Author: Jen Turano

Series: Merriweather Academy For Young Ladies #1

Source: Publisher/Netgalley

Publisher: Bethany House

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

In this entrancing series starter, Turano presents a tale of laugh-out-loud adventure, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age.

Goodreads || Amazon || Baker Book House || Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts

What should a displaced heiress do? Well, in the fingertips of anyone else, she would probably just sit down and cry, but in Jen Turano's experienced hands, she decides to leave New York for the family castle in Chicago. However, the castle definitely fits the term eccentric with ferrets, goats, and a crime family keeping a watchful eye on what's going on. 

Jen Turano, the queen of the Gilded Age, has started her new series off with a bang and lots of laughter! But would we expect anything less? 

A Lesson in Propriety has all of the trademarks of a Jen Turano novel, with all the eccentricity, mystery, romance, and endearment that I have come to expect from this author. I have no idea how she comes up with a tenth of what happens in her books, but regardless of how, I am so glad she does. It has kept this reader entertained for a good number of years, and I honestly don't want her to stop writing!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About Jen Turano

 

A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers. Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as JenTuranowell as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist.  It is also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. Her seventh book, Playing the Part, released in the spring of 2016, and will be followed by a new four-book series, Apart from the Crowd. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver with her husband and neurotic Cattle Dog, enjoying herself as an empty-nester since her son recently abandoned her for college life. 

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

First Line Friday Featuring A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano

 

Happy Friday!!! I haven't participated in First Line Friday in a couple of months, and I just realized that tomorrow is Friday, so I thought I'd put a post together.

We're finally having some warm weather, and I'm loving wearing shorts along with enjoying the sun and the beautiful outside weather.

About the book:

Title: A Lesson in Propriety

Author: Jen Turano

Series: Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies 1

Source: Publisher

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

Goodreads || Baker Book House || Amazon || Barnes & Noble

First Line:

New York City

January 1885

"I'm sure you'll agree, my dear, if you take a moment to ponder the matter, that it might be for the best if we put all plans for our upcoming wedding on hold... perhaps indefinitely."

If that isn't a way to start off a book!!!

What's you're first line? Let me know in the comments, and then go to my friend, Carrie, of Reading is My Super Power, to read other first lines.

Top Ten Tuesday Springy Covers

 

Hi! I received a cortisone injection in my elbow, so I'm going to see if I can actually get an entire post done. 

While some of these are published in the Spring, they remind me of Spring with the bright cheery colors.

 I love the trailer on this cover! It reminds me of being a kid and living in one while my dad went to school in San Diego.

                                                                                 

Top Ten Tuesday My Spring TBR List

 

Happy Tuesday!! Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday, sponsored by that Artsy Reader Girl. 

I'm afraid some of my Spring TBR may be from my Winter TBR. It's been a long winter with illness attacking me at every turn. I'm so ready for Spring and Summer!!

Sorry, this is so late!! I was exhausted last night and had an appointment this morning and am just getting this finished. Let me know if you have any of these books on your TBR!

Top Ten Tuesday Featuring Books Set In A Different Time

Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday! I have no rhyme or reason for my choices. I've been fighting a cold and I just looked for ones that might be out of the norm.

As always, I hope you find something new that you'd like to read or an old friend.

 

   

I hope this list has brought a smile to your face and given you a new author or two to read.