Planning My November TBR - This is going to be difficult...

I don't know why, but I feel like challenging myself. I mean REALLY challenging myself. I want to plan out my entire November TBR and ONLY read books from my list (unless I somehow get through them all, then I can of course pick up other books.) ;)

I definitely am a planner, so I enjoy lists and such; but, I'm never really good at sticking to a TBR list. I always seem to find something else I want to read so I'm just super curious if I can complete this challenge.  

I haven't been reading as much as I usually do, so I'm going to keep my list to 8 books.

I'm curious if any of you have ever challenged yourself like this? Please share in a comment below or on any of my social pages. :D

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NOVEMBER TBR

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. 

 

Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock | Amazon

Words of Hope for Women by Carolyn Larsen | Amazon

Every Stolen Breath by Kimberly Gabriel | Amazon

Lake Season (Bluebell Inn Romance #1) by Denise Hunter | Amazon

The Mystery: Finding True Love in a World of Broken Lovers | Amazon

Series: A Defense of Honor (Haven Manor, #1) | Amazon

A Return of Devotion (Haven Manor, #2) | Amazon

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor, #3) | Amazon

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott

About the book:

Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession--starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn't realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart. He can't afford to be distracted during this survey, which is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides--and even from within--Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

My rating:
3.5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

A Distance Too Grand was different than I was expecting, but nonetheless a good read overall.

I enjoyed the setting and how the heroine was so passionate about photography. Reading some of the descriptions on the scenery was so good and I liked that part.

The characters were fine, although I never felt connected to them and I don't know why...maybe because of the romance and the way that played out. Although I had a difficult time empathizing with the heroine at times, I did enjoy it in the end.

All in all, A Distance Too Grand was enjoyable to read and I recommend it to fans of this genre. I look forward to Regina Scott's next novel.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

About the book:

Brought together across time by a love of story, three women in England fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.  

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries. 

My rating:
4 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

(I just want to say how embarrassed I am that I read this back in July and never reviewed it...It somehow slipped my mind because of life and I only just now noticed I still hadn't reviewed it. So sorry!)

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The Secrets of Paper and Ink was just what I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I liked how even though there were several storylines, I was able to remember who was whom and didn’t get confused.

The bookstore and journal aspect were intriguing and I found myself eager to see where the story would go. I loved the setting and I liked how the author wasn't afraid to address difficult things in the story.

All in all, Secrets of Paper and Ink was a great read and I recommend it!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: Synapse by Steven James

About the book:

Thirty years in the future, when AI is so advanced that humans live side by side with cognizant robots called Artificials, Kestrel Hathaway must come to terms not just with what machines know, but with what they believe.

Soon after experiencing a personal tragedy, Kestrel witnesses a terrorist attack and is drawn into a world of conspiracies and lies that she and Jordan, her Artificial, have to untangle. With a second, more brutal attack looming on the horizon, their best chance of stopping it is teaming up with federal counterterrorism agent Nick Vernon. But the clock is ticking—and all the while, Jordan is asking questions Artificials were never meant to ask.

Deftly weaving suspense and intrigue into a rich, resonant tale that explores faith and what it really means to be human, Steven James offers us a glimpse into the future—and into our own hearts.

Synapse is an unforgettable, gripping story of dreams shattered, truth revealed, and hope reborn.

My rating:
4.5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Synapse was a very good read. I've read all of Steven James fiction books and, while this one is different from his previous works, I still found it to be a fascinating read and it held my attention.

The book had suspense and intense action. I found the characters endearing and the whole Artificial aspect was intriguing -- definitely made you think about things and how they could go.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Synapse and recommend it. I can't wait for this author's next release.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon, Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Read More