Shon's Monthly Wrap-Up & Book Haul | August 2020

Happy Monday Bookworms!  I hope you’re well & safe!  I’m back with my August reading wrap up.  August has been my best reading month thus far!  I read 20 books and added 15 eBooks to my collection.  I discover some new to me author, that have me wishing for January.

On the flip side, I found myself  DNF-ing almost every second book in a series that I try to read this month.

eBook Haul

Skyward (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Running Wild (Havoc #1) by S.E. Jakes

Never a Saint (Polished P & P #2) by Lila Rose

Chaos Theory (The Sanguine Crown #1) by Susan Harris

Butterfly Effect (The Sanguine Crown Book 2) by Susan Harris

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Family Man by Heidi Cullinan, Marie Sexton

City of Stairs (The Divine Cities #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett

Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb

A Guy Walks Into My Bar by Lauren Blakely

Starsight (Skyward #2) by Brandon Sanderson 

Murder and Mayhem (Murder and Mayhem #1) by Rhys Ford

The Musician and the Monster by Jenya Keefe 

Wolfsong (Green Creek #1) by T.J. Klune

Blood of Zeus (Blood of Zeus #1) by Meredith Wild, Angel Payne 

Wrap-Up

The Vampire's Club: Book One (The Vampire's Club #1) by X. Aratare (Rating: 2/5 stars)

The Vampire's Club: Book Two (The Vampire's Club #2) by X. Aratare (Rating: 3/5 stars)

The Vampire's Club: Book Three (The Vampire's Club #3) by X. Aratare (Rating: 3/5 stars)

The Vampire's Club: Book Four (The Vampire's Club #4) by X. Aratare (Rating: 3/5 stars)
The Vampire's Club: Book Five (The Vampire's Club #5) by X. Aratare (Rating: 4/5 stars)
The Vampire's Club: Book Six (The Vampire's Club #6) by X. Aratare (Rating: 4/5 stars)
The Vampire's Club Book Seven (The Vampire's Club #7) by X. Aratare (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Marry Me (Tattoos and Temptation #1) by Mia Monroe (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Clashing Hearts (Hometown Jasper #1) by Nicky James (Rating: 4/5 stars)
The Alpha and His King (Kincaid Pack #1) by Kiki Clark (Rating: 3.5/5 stars)
Wolf Lost (The Wolves of Kismet #1) by Sam Burns (Rating: 2/5 stars)
Forbidden Magic (Magic and Claws #1) by Liam Kingsley, Jill Haven (Rating: 2/5 stars)
Chaos Theory (The Sanguine Crown #1) by Susan Harris (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Butterfly Effect (The Sanguine Crown Book 2) by Susan Harris (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Never a Saint (Polished P & P #2) by Lila Rose (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Family Man by Heidi Cullinan, Marie Sexton (Rating: 4/5 stars)
A Guy Walks Into My Bar by Lauren Blakely (Rating: 3.75/5 stars)
One Man's Trash (The Heretic Doms Club #1) by Marie Sexton (Rating: 4/5 stars)
Trouble by Devon McCormack (Rating: 3.75/5 stars)
Forbidden Blood (Ironwrought #1) by Anna Wineheart  (Rating: 2/5 stars)

DNF

Confused Hearts (Hometown Jasper #2) by Nicky James

The Second and His Bonded (Kincaid Pack #2) by Kiki Clark

Just My Luck by Alice Winters

Terms of Service (The Heretic Doms Club #2) by Marie Sexton 

Format Break-Down

• 0 Physical books (Purchased)
• 0 Audiobooks (via Audible)
• 20 eBooks
• 5 (Purchased)
• 15 (Kindle Unlimited)

How was your month? What was your favorite book you read in August? What books did you add to your collection?  Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

Shon

Can't-Wait Wednesday / Waiting on Wednesday #123

Title: Grown
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Expected Publication: September 15th 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery

When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom.

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.

Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?

All signs point to Enchanted. 

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comment section below.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Can't-Wait Wednesday / Waiting on Wednesday #122

Title: The V- in 403C
Author: Jess Bryant 
Expected Publication: August 27th 2020
Genres: M M Romance

Jonah Monroe might be a genius when it comes to his studies but he’s never been able to find his footing in the real world. A college graduate by the age of eighteen and a doctoral candidate at twenty-one, he doesn’t fit in with his peers and lacks the social graces that would attract friends, let alone a lover. He’s resigned himself to his status as awkward and forever alone, until one bad decision turns his world upside down.

He shouldn’t have even been in that club. He shouldn’t have let a sexy stranger buy him a drink. And he definitely shouldn’t have let the man kiss him like he’d never been kissed before.

Reed Matheson has done a lot of dumb shit in his short life but he never would have guessed that kissing a stranger in a bar would be the best decision he ever made. He didn’t expect the intense connection he feels for the shy, socially awkward stranger to linger long after he was gone. And he certainly never expected to see the cute guy the next morning, preparing to teach his class.

Reed is a student and Jonah is a TA. Unwritten rules or not, nothing more can happen between them, at least that’s what Jonah keeps telling himself. But Reed has never been one to play by the rules and he’s not about to start now, when for the first time, his heart is on the line.

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comment section below.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Can't-Wait Wednesday / Waiting on Wednesday #121

Title: A Guy Walks Into My Bar

Author: Lauren Blakely

Expected Publication: August 19th 2020

Genres: M M Romance

A sexy, passionate, utterly addictive standalone MM romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!

Every bartender should follow one simple rule—don't go home with the customers.

That’s been easy for me to stick to, until the night a cocky, confident, and sinfully charming hockey star walks into my bar. This sexy athlete is too hard to resist, especially when he makes it clear how much he wants the “sarcastic, witty, hot AF” guy behind the bar—also known as me.

Still, I’m not keen on breaking my own rules since I know where that can lead—no place good.

But when that man makes his case with one bone-searing kiss on the streets of London, I throw resistance out the window.

What could go wrong with a hot, dirty, no-strings-attached fling before he leaves town in five days?

Trouble is, soon our nights together lead to days, to long conversations, to getting to know each other, and to something I never expected—falling ridiculously hard for a man who’s getting on a plane to America when I live a world away.

My life is here. His is there. And no amount of falling or feeling will change that one big problem.

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comment section below.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Manic Monday #21: The Best Books I've Read in 2020 (so far)

Today I'm going to talk about the best books that I've read so far this year.  I read 100 books so far this year which is absolutely ridiculous because last year I read 118 books, so the fact that now in half a year I've already read 100 that is just unbelievable. I know it's already obvious so we're already way past the half year mark but I don't care. 

Rocket Science (Love Logic #1) by K.M. Neuhold : That was a nice surprise! I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, flirty, sweet. Just what I needed at the time.

Fake It 'til You Make Out (Love & Luck #1) by Isla Olsen : This book was super funny and sexy.

Virgin Flyer by Lucy Lennox : Virgin Flyer is my very first book by Lucy Lennox. And just like that, I am in love. This is a stand alone M/M sweet, sexy, fun, witty and just amazing romance and I have fallen hopelessly in love with these two men.

Without You by Marley Valentine : This is my very first book by Marley and WOW!  Oh my heart, be prepared to sob. Don’t read it if you are looking for a super light romance….little bit heavy!!

Just Drive (Anchor Point #1) by L.A. Witt : I have read some books by this author and they 've been hit or miss (mostly miss) but this one really hit the mark.

Daddy Ink (Get Ink'd #1) by Ali Lyda : A single daddy and a tat artist, what more to you need?

A Rhythm You Feel (The Rock Gods: East Coast Label #1) by Ann Lister : When I pick this book up I did not know this was a spin off series. 

NoX by Adrienne Wilder : THIS BOOK! Probably one of the biggest surprises for me. I picked it up on a whim.  I don't read Paranormal / Shapeshifters but after read this I jump head first into Paranormal romance. 

Marriage Contract by A.J. Sherwood : Super short. Super cute! May/December romance. 

Falling for the Geek (His Best Friend's Brother #1) by R. Cayden : This one really worked for me. It had lots of things that I loved.  Best friend's older brother theme.

Project Hero by Briar Prescott : This is a very sweet read. Thoroughly enjoyable but with a hint of angst. I liked the balance. Both main characters were good decent guys, they fall hard fast but it doesn't feel rushed. 

Power Plays & Straight A's (CU Hockey #1) by Eden Finley, Saxon James : Loved this one and can't wait to read the others in the series.

Wreck Me Forever (Polished P & P #1) by Lila Rose : This was an unexpected surprise from a new to me author.  Can't wait for the next book.

Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews :  Baseball, age gap, low angst, dirty talk, hot sex and kink.  What's not to love?

Marry Me (Tattoos and Temptation #1) by Mia Monroe : If you are looking for a fantastic romance, this book was a delight! This faux romance is full of amazing chemistry but also just such richly written characters whose struggles feel so real.

What have YOUR best or your favorite books of 2020 so far??

Can't-Wait Wednesday / Waiting on Wednesday #120

Title: Trade Deadline (Hat Trick #3)

Author: Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn

Expected Publication: August 17th 2020

Genres: M M Romance

It’s a reunion to remember…

Don’t miss this friends-to-lovers hockey romance from Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn.

Daniel “Bellzie” Bellamy should be on top of the world—a Stanley Cup is the perfect topper to his fourteen-year NHL career. But despite the post-win high, something’s missing. When the chance to play for his hometown team, the Miami Thunder, comes along, he’s open to it. And when he runs into an old friend from his past soon after he makes the move, he wonders if it might be kismet.

Micah Kelly never thought he’d see his childhood crush—and first kiss—again. Danny Bellamy moved on to bigger and better things when they were teenagers, and the idea that Micah’s relationship with the professional hockey player could be anything more than one-sided Instagram thirst seems too good to be true.

Maybe too good to be true is the new reality, though. As the season goes on, Micah teaches Daniel to surf, and Daniel introduces Micah to his lovable pack of rescue dogs and the world of being a hockey boyfriend. Life is good. But when things on the ice don’t go as planned, they’ll have to decide if their rediscovered romance is built to last.

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comment section below.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Shon's August 2020 TBR

Hello friends and fellow book lovers!  How is it August?  It’s all going by too fast people!  I’m sure I’m stray from this list because I always do but I love making TBR’s all the same.  Here is what I’d like to read:

Mission: All In (Brantley Walker: Off the Books #1) by Nicole Edwards 

Spotlight (Famous #2) by Eden Finley

Silk & Steel (Silk and Steel #1) by Ariana Nash, Pippa DaCosta

Pendulum (Kingdom of Night #1) by Joel Abernathy

Touch and Go (Vanguard Towers #1) by Aiden Bates

Even though I know I’ll read more in the month, those are just some of the books I want to pick up.  I have a "stack" of  books I download from Kindle so I’ll probably dive into those. 

Do you guys have any of these on your August TBR?  If you have read any of these what did you think? Are you participating in any challenges this month?  Let me know what your TBR looks like for this month.

xoxo,

Shon