Tranquil Reader

Hello Everyone,


So this is going to be my last blog post for the year; and on top of that, I've had a good reading year - 82 books for 2017! I'm hoping to read more books next year; so we'll see how that goes. Anyways, let's move onto the reviews that I did this week:
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold:
Amazon: Amazon Review - The Lovely Bones
Goodreads: Goodreads Review - The Lovely Bones
Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - The Lovely Bones

A Kiss for Christmas by Melody Grace:
Amazon: Amazon Review - A Kiss for Christmas
Goodreads: Goodreads Review - A Kiss for Christmas
Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - A Kiss for Christmas

I'll Take Manhattan by Judith Krantz:
Amazon: Amazon Review - I'll Take Manhattan
Goodreads: Goodreads Review - I'll Take Manhattan
Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - I'll Take Manhattan

I've just realised that all the books I've listed above are leisure reads - and I reckon that is a good way …

The Copy that I Read
Year Published: 2002 Genre: Contemporary; Drama
Blurb: My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. In heaven, Susie Salmon can have whatever she wishes for - except what she most wants, which is to be back with the people she loved on earth. In the wake of her murder, Susie watches as her happy suburban family is torn apart by grief; as her friends grow up, fall in love, and do all the things she never had the chance to do herself. But as Susie will come to realize, even in death, life is not quite out of reach . . . A luminous, astonishing novel about life and death, memory and forgetting, and finding light in the darkest places, Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones became an instant classic when it was first published in 2002. There are now over ten million copies in print. It inspired the film starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Saoirse Ronan.
About the Author: Alice Sebold is the aut…

Hello Everyone,


2017 has been quite a productive year for me; so I've decided to put together a list of books (and authors) that I read in 2017: ARCs and New Releases edition. I'm going to start with the ARCs and then move onto the New Releases that I got.
ARCs: Brake Failure (Alison Brodie) Sweet Lake (Christine Nolfi) Defining Her (Samantha March) The Night We Fell (Lindy Dale) Playing House (Laura Chapman) Deep Water (Deborah Coonts) The Cowboy's Accidental Baby (Marin Thomas) The Comfort of Secrets (Christine Nolfi) Ramp Rat (CC Standish) The Spell of the Horse (Pam Billinge) Zenka (Alison Brodie) Meet Me at 10 (Vicky Jones and Claire Hackney) A Police Action (A.A. Freda)
NEW RELEASES: Pumpkintown Perils: Volume 2 (Aubrey Law) A Thorne in Time (Lorel Clayton) Don't Make Plans (Ava Armstrong) Lucky Ride (Deborah Coonts) Searching for Sarah (Julieann Dove) All Measures Necessary (Steven Kay) Bleeding Cross (Aaron Dawbot) Self-Compassion and Mindfulness for Healing and Acceptance (Jason Jaco…

Cheers to 2018!
I've decided to make a small list of books that I would like to read in 2018. As you can see from the pic above; I've got paperbacks of all of the books I'm about to mention down below. Some of these books have been sitting on my TBR for quite a while...
11.22.63 by Stephen King: I like reading Stephen King. And I haven't read any of his books in quite a while - which is why this one is in the pile (and the only one that I currently have that I haven't read yet!).
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: I got this book because it was on special - and because I've heard so much about it.
Unfathered by Disa Mogashana: I saw this book floating around on Instagram; and when I read the blurb - I knew that I had to add this book to my tbr. I paid a bit of a price for it - but I'm quite sure that it's going to be worth it! This book is by a South African author. 
Sisterhood by Bobbie Houston: I've occasionally listened to Hillsong musicians as…

My Copy of the Book
Year Published: 2013 Genre: Contemporary romance coupled with chick lit that has a tiny hint of erotica
Blurb: Celebrate the holidays with this special festive romance bundle from New York Times bestselling author, Melody Grace!  In UNWRAPPED… When a unlikely couple gets snowed in on the way to the wedding, a flirty game of truth-or-dare sends temperatures soaring.  In HOLIDAY KISSES… Writer Dash needs peace and quiet to finish his new script, but he wasn’t betting on inn-keeper Ellie and the local Starbright festival to give him a jolt of holiday inspiration. In UNEXPECTEDLY YOURS… Sophie has been dreaming of a magical winter holiday in New York City. Can a chance encounter with musician Austin bring her festive dreams to life?
About the Author: Melody Grace is the New York Times bestselling author of the Beachwood Bay series - a worldwide phenomenon with over 2 million downloads! A small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover, she loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-aft…

The Copy that I Read
Year Published: 1987 Genre: Women's Fiction
Blurb: Gorgeous, flamboyant Maxi Amberville is twenty-nine and has already discarded three husbands on two continents.  Life is a stream of endless pleasure in her lavish Trump Tower apartment--until her widowed mother married a man who plots to sell her father's magazine empire.  And Maxi turns her incredible lust for living into a passionate quest for power. Maxi takes over the small weekly Buttons And Bows. She gathers her hot-blooded ex-husband, sassy daughter and a coterie of the powerful elite.  Then, risking all, Maxi creates B&B --the glitziest, ritziest, most successful fashion magazine in the country.  Here is a dramatic, sizzling story of love, family, ambition and one unforgettable woman who gives life and love everything she has.
About the Author: Judith Krantz began her career as a fashion editor and magazine article writer. Her first novel, Scruples, was an immediate top bestseller. Her other books in…

Hello Everyone,


It's been quite a productive week for me; so I'm going to jump straight into the reviews.
Waiting Here for You by Louie Giglio: Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - Waiting Here for You
I chose to do only a blog review for this book rather than also do reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.
Faithful by Meghan McDonnell: Amazon: Amazon Review - Faithful Goodreads: Goodreads Review - Faithful Genuine Jenn: Genuine Jenn Review - Faithful
And last but not least:
Love, Secrets and Absolution by K.L. Loveley: Amazon: Amazon Review - Love, Secrets and Absolution Goodreads: Goodreads Review - Love, Secrets and Absolution Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - Love, Secrets and Absolution
Monthly Reading Goals: Alright; I have finished both my August and November's reading goals. I'll reveal December's one since I've done a review for the book: it was 'Waiting Here for You' by Louie Giglio. I've started December's, and have decided to…

My Copy of the Book


Year Published: 2015 Genre: Religious; Non-Fiction
Blurb: Waiting Here for You helps us anticipate rather than dread the busy season of Advent and Christmas. Life is full of waiting – we can’t escape it. We find ourselves in the middle of it every day – waiting on a prognosis to be given…a verdict to be reached…a promotion to be announced. And in these seasons of waiting that anxiety, desperation and hopelessness creep in. Waiting Here For You takes us through the advent – the season of waiting. In it we see the story of the coming of Jesus. It teaches us that waiting is the means God often uses to carry his plans in our lives. And it brings us back to the truth that our waiting is never wasted when we are waiting on God. Join pastor and author Louie Giglio and take hold of the chance to uncover the vast hope offered through the journey of Advent.  Find peace and encouragement for your soul as anticipation leads toward celebration! Waiting is not wasted when it is waiting …

Title: Love, Secrets, and Absolution: An emotional and gripping psychological, family drama. Author: K.L. Loveley Publication Date: 1 November 2017 Genre: Contemporary fiction Publisher: Globeflower Books
Book Blurb: People in the village gossip about Grace’s son, Alfie. He’s a lonely boy full of secrets, lies, and obsessive thoughts. How far can a mother’s love go? Will she ultimately sacrifice her life for his? Set in Nottinghamshire, this family drama follows the lives of Grace and Alfie as he transforms from a naïve, young boy into a teenager spiralling out of control. Love, Secrets, and Absolution is a coming of age story with a difference. Deceit, betrayal, love, and addiction, a family falling apart in the midst of teenage angst and torn loyalties; will anybody find absolution?
Book Trailer:




About the Author:
K.L Loveley is a retired nurse, who has seen, heard, and dealt with a wide range of medical, social and family dramas. She has used her nursing experience, along with her excellent peop…

Hello Everyone,

Even though there are no reviews this week; I've been able to catch up on some reading. There will definitely be reviews next week since there's a blog tour that I'm taking part in. And, from this week, things will be back to normal schedule. 
Painting is hard work...
Monthly Reading Goals: I'm still busy with November, October and August's reading goal, but I am definitely likely to make more progress from next (long) weekend. 
Cleaning paint brushes definitely ain't fun...
Last Word: I spent most of yesterday getting caught up with reading since the last two weeks I haven't been able to do much. And as for work...I'm finishing this week Friday! (Going to be helping out on Saturday though) I've also been able to get some painting in as well, since I've also been neglecting that lately as well. I will most likely start the walls next week (more pics to come on that one!), and I'll be doing what I can during the week - I'm expect…

Hello Everyone,

This week has been quite hectic, so I haven't done much reading; which means that there are no reviews to post this week.
Monthly Reading Goals: I haven't made much progress here either, except for getting further along in my November reading goal.
Last Word: Work has been hectic this week, but that isn't the only reason for not really reading. My mom is away for the week, which means I have to take on added responsibilities. With work being busy the way it is, by the time I get done with things in the evening, it doesn't leave much time or energy for reading. 
I'm hoping that next week will be a little bit better, I will be carrying on with my November reading goal, I'm not sure if I'm going to get much else done but I'll definitely try. I've also started painting my work station, but haven't made too much progress since I've had to put that on the back burner this past week having to get other things done.  It seems as if I'll…

Hello Everyone,


It's been a slightly busy week, I managed to get two reviews done as well as one other blog post. Here are the reviews that I did:

Rapier by R.A. Correa:
Amazon: Amazon Review - Rapier
Goodreads: Goodreads Review - Rapier
Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - Rapier

Splintered Reflections by Laura Kelly:
Amazon: Amazon Review - Splintered Reflections
Goodreads: Goodreads Review - Splintered Reflections
Here is my blog review of the book: Blog Review - Splintered Reflections

Monthly Reading Goals:
At the moment, I'm still busy with August, October and November's reading goals; and will most likely start December's towards the middle of the month.

Last Word:
I've had a slightly busy weekend: I've started painting the room where my work station is going to be (I will be posting pics throughout the month as I make progress); I have officially decided that I am going to be painting it a bright and happy yellow/green colour (and no, not lime), and I w…

Hello Everyone,


Wow; I can't believe that it's December already - the last month of the year; as well as the last month that I will be working in a corporate job. November's been a bit of a busy month for me - and I have an idea that I will have an overall favourite this month. It appears as if I've read 10 books this month - can you believe it?! Although I will say, since I have read so many books for November; I did struggle a little bit. 
Actually, now that I think about it - I will most likely have two favourites this month; and for those who have been keeping up to date - you will most likely know which ones they are. Wait; make that three! 

As I'm sure you can tell; sometimes I have difficulty in choosing which are favourites, but all us bookworms can relate to that, right? 
Anyways, onto the favourites (and in no particular order either):
- Zenka by Alison Brodie
- Foolish Bride by A.S. Fenichel
- Splintered Reflections by Laura Kelly
One other book that I would like…