Thursday, January 12, 2023

Where Is Your Bookmark: A peek into Exes and O's & A Couple (more) Upcoming Releases I Can't Wait to Read



A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.


You know your day is going swimmingly when you've been projectile vomited on and someone stole your Greek yogurt from the staff room refrigerator. And it's only seven in the morning. [opening lines from Exes & O's]



A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.


I've written My Life Would Totally Succ Without You across the top of the card in faux calligraphy. This card screams friend-zone. A least, I thought it did. Technically, I've made the eyes tiny hearts. Under Angie's critical eye, I'm now paranoid Trevor will mistake it for a declaration of love, which is the last thing I need. [excerpt from 56% in Exes & O's]

At the moment, my bookmark is in Amy Lea's Exes and O's, a romcom after the romance reader's heart. I am just over half way finished with the novel and look forward to finishing it soon. That opening line is an attention grabber, isn't it? As to the Friday 56 excerpt, I think a card like that could have gone either way--until the heart eyes . . . 

A romance novel–obsessed social media influencer revisits her exes on her hunt for true love in this romantic comedy from the author of Set On You.

Romance-novel connoisseur Tara Chen has had her heart broken ten times by ten different men--all of whom dumped her because of her "stage-five clinger" tendencies. Nevertheless, Tara is determined to find The One. The only problem? Classic meet-cutes are dead thanks to modern dating apps. So Tara decides to revisit her exes in hopes of securing her very own trope-worthy second-chance romance.

Boston firefighter Trevor Metcalfe will be the first to rush into a burning building but the last to rush into a relationship. Love just isn't his thing. When his new roommate Tara enlists him to help her reconnect with her exes, he reluctantly agrees. But Tara's journey is leading him to discover his own new chapter.

The more time they spend together, the more Tara realizes Trevor seems to be the only one who appreciates her authentic, dramatic self. To claim their happily-ever-after, can Tara and Trevor read between the lines of their growing connection? [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like a book you would enjoy? 


Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Are there any new books you are excited to read this year? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

 

So many! I actually posted a list of ten for this week's Top Ten post, which I hope you will check out. Here are a few I did not mention previously but which recently caught my attention.

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig (June 6, 2023) 
For readers of Outlawed, Piranesi, and The Night Tiger, a riveting, roaring adventure novel about a legendary Chinese pirate queen, her fight to save her fleet from the forces allied against them, and the dangerous price of power.

When Shek Yeung sees a Portuguese sailor slay her husband, a feared pirate, she knows she must act swiftly or die. Instead of mourning, Shek Yeung launches a new plan: immediately marrying her husband's second-in-command, and agreeing to bear him a son and heir, in order to retain power over her half of the fleet.

But as Shek Yeung vies for control over the army she knows she was born to lead, larger threats loom. The Chinese Emperor has charged a brutal, crafty nobleman with ridding the South China Seas of pirates, and the Europeans-tired of losing ships, men, and money to Shek Yeung's alliance-have new plans for the area. Even worse, Shek Yeung's cutthroat retributions create problems all their own. As Shek Yeung navigates new motherhood and the crises of leadership, she must decide how long she is willing to fight, and at what price, or risk losing her fleet, her new family, and even her life.

A book of salt and grit, blood and sweat, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea is an unmissable portrait of a woman who leads with the courage and ruthlessness of our darkest and most beloved heroes. [Goodreads Summary]

 

 Episode Thirteen by Craig DeLouie (January 24, 2023)

A ghost-hunting reality TV crew gain unprecedented access to an abandoned and supposedly haunted mansion, which promises a groundbreaking thirteenth episode, but as they uncover the secret history of the house, they learn that “reality” TV might be all too real — in Bram Stoker Award nominated author Craig DiLouie's latest heart pounding novel of horror and psychological suspense.

Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. It’s led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin and features a dedicated crew of ghost-hunting experts.

Episode Thirteen takes them to Matt's holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This crumbling, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about the bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It's also, undoubtedly, haunted, and Matt hopes to use their scientific techniques and high tech gear to prove it.

But, as the house begins to slowly reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of.

A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, correspondence, and research files, this is the story of Episode Thirteen — and how everything went horribly wrong. [Goodreads Summary]

 

A Witch's Guide to Fake-Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley (March 7, 2022)

Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to?


Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both. [Goodreads Summary]

 

Block Party by Jamie Day (July 18, 2023)

On the night of the annual Summer block party, the Meadowbrook community Facebook page lights up with posts reporting sirens descending on the desirable and exclusive cul-de-sac neighborhood on Alton Road. Bit by bit, the comments trickle in, some taking pleasure in their neighbors’ misfortune and others showing concern. The truth eventually comes out. It's not an accident, or a drowning, or a fire, as some had predicted. For the first time in forty years, there's been a murder in Meadowbrook.

The residents of Alton Road—The Fox family, the core of the neighborhood but each with secrets of their own; the Adair Family, the seemingly perfect all-American family; the Thompson Family, on the brink of an explosive divorce; The Kumars, the mysterious "new neighbors"; Brooke Bailey, the "Black Widow"; and Gus Fisher, the quirky salesman— are entangled in a web of secrets and scandal unbeknownst to the outside world and even each other.

Who was murdered at the block party? Who committed the murder? And why? As the night unfolds, the residents will discover that the real danger lies within their own block and nothing—and no one—is ever as it seems. Propulsive and layered, THE BLOCK PARTY will keep you guessing until the very last page. [Goodreads Summary]

 

Do any of these books interest you? What new book are you looking forward to reading? 


 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

© 2023 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

46 comments:

  1. I was thinking the note for the Friday 56 in Exes and Os was a declaration of love BEFORE I found out about the hearts. Glad you're enjoying it.

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    1. Mark - I think I've just read too many corny Valentine's Day card messages not to see them both ways. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  2. This is the second time in two days that I've seen Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea - it definitely looks gorgeous and I'm starting to think I need to put it on my TBR!

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    1. Eustacia - Doesn't it sound good? I noticed there are mixed reviews on Goodreads already, but I don't think that will stop me from reading it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. Sounds like a super cute read!! Happy weekend!

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    1. Freda - It is cute--maybe a little too cute at times. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  4. Both the excerpts from Exes and Os are humorous and grab my attention. I can see how the card could go either way, except for the heart eyes . . . Happy Reading!

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    1. Kym - I am enjoying it. It's funny and sweet. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. That opening of Exes & O's is funny. Well, funny when it's happening to someone else. lol

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    1. Tanya - Yes! Haha. Better her than me, that's for sure. Thank you for visiting!

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  6. I rarely pay attention to what books are going to be published and when so I am sometimes surprised to learn that books by favorite authors have been out for several months.

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    1. Anne - I am often surprised when books by my favorite authors come out--or have been out for quite a while as the case may be. I am terrible at tracking that kind of stuff. Haha! If it weren't for bloggers and author's and publisher's newsletters, I would probably miss them all together. Thank you for stopping by!

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    1. Lark - Doesn't it sound good? I probably shouldn't read it late at night. LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  8. I'd love to read Exes and I was approved by NetGalley to read Deep as the Sky. Can't wait!

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    1. Harvee - I hope you enjoy Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea! I look forward to reading your thoughts on it. Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. I'm looking forward to the Block Party too. Exes and O's sounds delightful!

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    1. Wendy - Block Party sounds fun! I'm glad I don't live on a block like that though. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  10. Exes and O's sounds delightful. Glad you are enjoying it so much!

    And Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea looks good, too.

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    1. Deb - Exes and O's has been a fun read. The main character is sometimes a bit much, but then I also think I relate to her a little too much in those moments. Haha. Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. Yes, the opening lines are awesome, and awful too!! It does sound like a cute Romcom! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Cindy - It is cute. I'm enjoying it. :-) Thank you for visiting and have a good weekend too!

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  12. Hope you are enjoy it Exes and O's, can't wait for read it soon

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    1. Vero - Thank you! I hope you like it too when you read it. Thank you for visiting!

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  13. Oh, I have a copy of The Block Party from Netgalley that I'm going to need to read. And Exes and O's looks really interesting too. Hope you have a fabulous weekend. - Katie

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    1. Katie - I hope you enjoy The Block Party when you read it. I hope we both do. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  14. You are not good for my TBR! All the ones you listed as being excited about reading look really good. Exes and O's looks great too!

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    1. Katherine - I hope they will be good! Thank you for visiting!

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  15. These all look good, especially Episode Thirteen!

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    1. Naida - I hope it will be! I don't read horror novels very often, but sometimes one catches my fancy. Thank you for stopping by!

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  16. These all look great! But A Witch's Guide to Fake-Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley is definitely the one that immidiately grabbed my eye :D

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    1. Maureen - It sounds good, doesn't it? One of my favorite tropes with a paranormal twist. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  17. Love that beginning! What a horrible morning! Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great weekend! :)

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    1. Ashley - I hope you have a good weekend too! Thank you for stopping by!

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  18. Ex's & Oh's sounds so good. I have to look for that one.

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    1. Yvonne - I hope you like it if you give it a try! Thank you for visiting!

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  19. I have way too many to even begin to name them all 🤣

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    1. Jody - That's why I participate in Can't Wait Wednesday every week--there's no end to the list. Thank you for stopping by!

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  20. Exes and O's sounds charming! I hope it continues to be a good read. And, the other new books you mention sound pretty good too, especially Episode Thirteen. I love a good thriller.

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    1. Iliana - I ended up liking it more than I thought I would when I first started! It was a good one. Thank you for visiting!

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  21. Exes and Os sounds like a fun read. I could do with a fun romance novel right about now.

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    1. Helen - It was! It's heavy on romance trope references, which I didn't mind. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  22. Our reading tastes are very similar! I have Episode 13, A Witch's Guide, and Block Party on my wishlist!

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    1. Carole - I read your review of Episode Thirteen and am glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for visiting!

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  23. I'm going to check out all these books! They all sound good to me.

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    1. Melody - I hope you enjoy the ones you decide to read. Thank you for stopping by!

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