[memes] Oh Those Villains! + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Whoa boy it got cold, yall. It was like summer...summer...WINTER! lol We're getting down into the 30s at night. Holy cow.

This was a pretty good week.

Tasty Delights-- Sweet Potato Chickpea Stew

I've been in a food funk lately. Not that I've not been enjoying what I'm making but I just wasn't trying anything new, really. And I was missing that bit of creativity and adventure in the kitchen. 

A 16 hour rainy day proved just the thing I needed to get back in the kitchen and try something new. This time a Sweet Potato Chickpea Stew. 

Yall. It was SO good!

1 star-- The Rescuer by Ann Omasta

What the fresh fucking hell?! This is one of those reads someone should have stepped in and said no. Just...no. What a ridiculous mess. I'm actually kind of pissed it wasted my time. Yall. I'm about to have me a rant. So, yeah, there will be spoilers in this review.

The Gist: The heroine finds herself at the bank during a robbery and offers herself up as the hostage so they'll leave a little deaf girl alone. She'd been eye fucking the girl's daddy while waiting in line and just couldn't let her be taken.

4 stars-- Revenant (Lords of Deliverance #6) by Larissa Ione

Ah man. I forgot how much I love Ione's books! It's been ages since I read from this series but I finally got myself together to read Revenant and damn. Just damn. Action packed and doesn't hold any punches. Lordy but it was good.

The Gist: Well. Blaspheme and Revenant. Their lives are...complicated. Being hunted by angels, dealing with Satan, families that'd make you wanna poke someone's eye out, damn inconvenient lusty thoughts about each other. Yeah. Life is more than a little bit messy. Even more so when they realize they're the ones who have to stop the big bad...somehow.

[memes] Pretty Libraries + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

It was a pretty great week here! I got a TON of stuff done. And survived another hurricane. smh

4 stars-- It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor #7) by Jill Shalvis

It's been a few years since I spent time in Lucky Harbor but I decided it was time to finish up this series and oh my word. So fun!

So two quotes today because they both made me laugh as Shalvis always does...

3.5 stars-- Vampire Most Wanted (Argeneau #20) by Lynsay Sands

Oh Lynsay Sands. She does make me love vampires all over again. It's been a while since I've read in this series and Vampire Most Wanted reminded me how much I've enjoyed them.

The Gist: Marcus has a job. Check out a carnival fortune teller and see if she's possibly a rogue vampire. He just has to make sure it's the right vampire he's hunting and to do so? Well, he joins the carnival.

Tasty Delights-- Halloween Mummies

Sometimes you need a little silly in your life. I saw this one floating around last year on Facebook and since I had hot dogs and crescent rolls from couponing (yay free things!) I decided to give them a go.

Totally cute and pretty tasty for a little holiday whimsy.

I think these would be great for kids to get them hands on and having fun in the kitchen. Super easy, yall.

[And So We Sing] Everything's Gonna Be Alright

Taking a little break from books and herd to...sing a little. 

I heard this when things were rough with the herd and there were car troubles and I just really needed this one.
I'd not heard of David Lee Murphy and not a huge fan of Chesney on his own but together this one was working me.

[memes] Longest Reads & Urban Fantasy + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Whew! It's been a busy week again. Lots of couponing (our store is having a big event), the USO, the food pantry, house projects, herding. Blog Ahead started and I'm making slow progress on that. But at least I'm doing posts! I haven't formatted posts since early July. So it's a good thing even if slow. lol

4 stars-- Keep Me, Cowboy (77th Copper Mountain Rodeo #3) by Nicole Helm

Oh goodness. Helm does know how to give you down to their bones fucked up and broken characters and make you ache for them. Keep Me, Cowboy was a short read but one full of feels as a family is forced to face how messed up they've become over the years and tries to piece their lives back together.

The Gist: 10 years earlier Cole left town and the girl he loved. He thought he was doing the right thing at the time but now that she's forcing him to come back to town and face his family (the one she wishes were her own) and her? Well, he's realizing maybe he hadn't had it right all those years ago after all. 

"I don't know who I am. All I've ever done is look for family, and no one wants that from me. So, I don't know who to be."

The Monthly Herd-- September-- It...was a handful

Oh my September. You were a handful.

[memes] Authors I'd Love to Meet? Nope! + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Whew, yall. It was a busy week!

The Cowboy's Runaway Bride (The McCall Brothers #3) by Laurie LeClair

The Cowboy's Runaway Bride was a cute read.

The Gist: A smarmy groom and a bride deciding oh hell no and making a run for it. A sexy cowboy unwittingly helping her escape. A little fib of having amnesia and hiding out with him and his family on their ranch while she figured things out. And maybe finding herself a stand up man in the process. Mmhm.

[memes] How Could I Miss THESE Books?!! + my reading week

Home

• The Acadia is still in need of a name. But she's back from the repair shop. She was getting some paint fixed up (paid for by Carvana). She's looking good. 

• We survived the hurricane! My state is a mess but thankfully my area lucked out. Rain and our lake rose but okay!

3 stars-- Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers #1) by Kathleen Brooks

Bluegrass Undercover was pretty good. I snagged it because hello *pets the pretty cover* and supposedly it was book one (it's not, start here) so...why not.

The gist: A new drug's targeting high school athletes and Annie's been sent in undercover as a school guidance counselor to try and figure out who is behind the new drug.  And she kinda finds herself landing the much sought after coach, too.

2 stars-- The Wedding Band (Save the Date #3) by Cara Connelly

The Wedding Band and I did not get along.

The Gist: Dakota's brother is getting married and it's his mission to keep all reporters out of the celebrity wedding. He's not fond of reporters. At. All. Christine, though, plans to sneak into the wedding with her dad's band in order to get the gossip and spread it all over the gossip rags. That's the plan.

[memes] That Tart Flo! + some bookish things

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

So. Things are a little crazy in North Carolina. lol

So There Might Be A Hurricane.

So yall not on my social media. I'm...dealing with a hurricane and this guy showed up last night on our coast. Noooooo! lol I'm inland but they're thinking it'll actually be really bad here with flooding and other than initial impact could be more deadly. Ergs! We're expecting up to 80mph winds starting Friday afternoon and up to 20 inches of rain in less than 2 days.  [ETA little update, with the push South we're in an iffy area. On the wrong side of the hurricane now but not as close a hit so it still could be pretty bad they just don't quite know] They're calling for catastrophic flooding for nearly the entire state from coast to mountains. Yikes!

3.5 stars-- The Dom Who Loved Me (Masters and Mercinaries #1) by Lexi Blake

The Dom Who Loved Me was an entertaining little read that combines so many of my favorites... (light) BDSM, suspense and nice ----though not always easy-- romance as Grace and Sean's worlds collide in a steamy and dangerous way during the hunt for a terrorist.

The Gist: Sean thinks Grace works for a company that's really a front for illegal activity and connected to terrorist activities. But he needs to get close to find proof so he goes a bit under cover and starts things up with Grace--an older woman-- thinking she might be the key to the investigation and he can seduce the truth out of her. But things, as they usually do, get oh so complicated when their attraction can't be denied and it turns out they both have an interest in BDSM. Ahhh yay!

[memes] Hidden Gems! + My Week in Books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

4 stars-- When It's Right (Montana Men, #2) by Jennifer Ryan

When It's Right didn't hold any punches. The first half of the book did a number on me and held me in it's grip. It was awesome.

The Gist: Gillian has escaped a life of abuse and has been sent to her grandfather's ranch until she recovers. Thing is...she's never met him. Being around strange men...make her nervous. Her grandfather's right hand man...definitely makes her nervous but not in an entirely bad way.

Would You Rather [book tag]

I was going through my drafts and found all of these book tags I'd been, well, tagged in. Figured I'd start doing a few of those.

This is the Would You Rather book tag. Lanie tagged me in it. I honestly don't know if she's still blogging but I think not :/ But figured still fun to random chat books and habits so might as well!

The Monthly Herd-- August-- New Brothers, New Moms, The Dreaded "B Day"

August was a busy month around here. Lots happened at home and with herd. It was a pretty decent month though, yall, I am DONE with this heat and humidity. DONE. Bring on the fall! Please! lol

[memes] I'm a New Mom!!! + My Reading Week

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Guys!! It was a huge week here with the herd. I'm a new mom!

Beginnings-- A New Year of Me!

This month's Blog All About It theme is...beginnings.

Lordy yall. I was like hmm what to do. What to do. And then I was like, well, the beginning of my 36th year. Today. Yeah. Yall know I do not handle these well. I so do not. lol Especially now that I'm officially closer to 40 than 30. Un..acceptable! Ha! I mean. Better than the alternative but damn all how the heck did I get this old? *shakes fist at August 29th* lol

3 stars-- Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Copper Ridge 0.5) by Maisey Yates

Shoulda Been a Cowboy, indeed. Hes a mechanic, though. Still pretty dang sexy and worth a lick 😉

The Gist: It's been 15 years since Jake and Cassie's high school friendship was put on hold when he left town unexpectedly. He's come home to deal with his father's estate. She happens to rent one of the buildings he's planning on selling. Oy!

Mystery Blogger Tag

Ooo a long while back J Lenni tagged me in the Mystery Blogger meme. Aaaand it's finally happening like a year later. lol Sooo some things...

[memes] Teacherish Characters + my reading week

Our Weekly Memes! Scroll down the post for the one you're looking for :)

OOo yall. I'll have news next week out the ears! I can't wait. If you're on my social media you'll know but yall get to wait a little longer on here. lol

This week. It was busy but nothing bad. USO and Food Pantry went well. I cooked and cleaned and planted things. The herd is holding stable.

My mom did get a new pup! So that's exciting. He showed up during a storm and was in pretty poor shape. So she's getting him healthy. He's quirky though. Will only eat hamburgers, buttermilk biscuits, tasty cake donuts and Lance sandwich crackers. That...is it. Isn't he adorable?! His name is Jim the Boy.

3.5 stars-- Good Time Cowboy (Gold Valley #3) by Maisey Yates

Ahhhh so many quotes. Yall I had a good time with these two and their families. I couldn't resist including all these bits.

First the hero and his sister. Gave me a good laugh because I am totally in agreement with the sister. That is a big ol nope.

4 stars-- Kentucky Home (Southern Comfort #1) by Sarah Title

I've been having fun trying new authors and Sarah Title caught my eye. I'm glad, too. Kentucky Home hit the spot!

The Gist: Mallory needed to escape an abusive husband so her friend Lucas decided to take her home to his family in Kentucky. They'd pretend to be engaged and she could stay safe with his family and regroup. Problem is? Well, she kind of falls for his growly older brother Keith in the mean time. Oops!

3.5 stars-- Accidentally in Love with the Biker by Teri Anne Stanley

Accidentally in Love with the Biker was a cute read. The cover is totally what pulled me in and it suited them perfectly.

The Gist: A romance book con and a writer in need of a date. A charming biker she met during a car accident agreeing to be her fake boyfriend during the book con? Score!

[memes] Authors That Save Me From Book Slumps! + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Whew. It was hot and humid this week but we're surviving!

Not too much went on but one awesome thing... Cleo got the all clear from her surgeon! He walked in and went whoa! What are you doing to her? She looks amazing! So 2 months, 1 day and like 23 minutes post open chest surgery...she's good! No more checkups or procedures unless something dramatic happens. Relief yall. Relief.

Mattie, one of my ferals that after 8 years decided he loves me went in for a vet visit, too. He did awesome with his skeerdy cat self. Even got his nails trimmed.

4 stars-- Home Sweet Home (Southern Comfort #2) by Sarah Title

Sooo the hero and heroine. They've got a bit of an antagonistic relationship going on. The town has just been hit by a severe storm and he's come by in the midst of it to board up her windows. This little bit made me laugh.

3 stars-- Cinderella's Cowboy (This Old House #4) by Roxanne Snopek

Cinderella's Cowboy was a cute fairytale retelling. A hunky cowboy in need of an event planner. A workaholic designer and her two flighty but lovable stepsisters. A tiny wee kitten.

[memes] The Best Blogs! + my reading week

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

Blog Front

• I hit my Goodreads reading goal yesterday!
• I finally caught up with blog visits, too. Woo!

[InstaWed] Counter Cats, HairCuts, And the 'Hoe

Because I love Instagram and sharing what we've been up to the last couple weeks...

Oo it's been over a month since I've done an insta-wednesday post. So...cats, planners, herding, and such...

4 stars-- Hard Riding Cowboy (Gold Valley #2.5) by Maisey Yates

A sexy-sweet quickie. Just what I needed. I had a good time with Hard Riding Cowboy. Including the meet cute where the heroine is checking out a guy's ass in line and thinking dayum! then he turns around and she realizes that omg I used to babysit him! And promptly has a mental freak out because eeeeewwwwww lol

The Gist: Lauren's moving back home with her two girls after being widowed and her soon to be new house needs a lot of work. And the aforementioned owner of the hot ass decides he's going to be the one to help her since this girl has been his every fantasy since he was 12 years old. And, well, sparks, emotions and clothing fly!

2.5 stars-- A Bride for a Billionaire (A Virgin, A Billionaire and a Marriage #1) by Lauren Hawkeye

Eh. A Bride or a Billionaire was okay. It was a quick read and entertaining enough though nothing all that special.

The Gist: Matteo finds himself suddenly in need of a wife. And the perfect 'fake wife' is right at his fingertips...a girl he's just rescued from an airport scuffle that left her injured. She's desperate for money so...why not? They'll spend a month married, both get what they want then go their separate ways...

[memes] Series That Should Merge! + my reading week + thin skinned authors

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta memeage happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for. 😸

The Awesome:

I got to have breakfast with a good reader friend. Ro and I met up and visited for a few hours. Always a blast.

3.5 stars-- Cooper's Charm (Love at the Resort #1) by Lori Foster

Lori Foster is always a good time. Cooper's Charm was all kinds of adorable and a lot of fun, too.

The Gist: It turns out an RV Resort is the perfect place to escape when you need to lick your wounds. Some hard work, a beautiful setting, sexy coworkers? Yeah, it'll do just fine for now.

The Monthly Herd--- July-- Herd, Hair, & Getting Back to Normal

Woo boy! It was quite the month, yall...

The SPIRIT of the Blog?! Tag: The Cat Herder [Edition 35]

I was trying to figure out what to do for this month's Blog All About It prompt which was SPIRIT. I'm thinking one of our Tag posts kind of sums up the spirit of the blog maybe? What do you think? lol

  

[And So We Sing] Have Mercy

Taking a little break from books and herd to...sing a little. 

This one just gets to me.

[memes] Hyped Up Reads + my week in books

I wanted to meme. And only had one weekly post to do it. So there's a whole lotta meme-age happening in this post. You might have to scroll down a bit to get the one you're looking for (Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday, What Are You Reading, Top Ten Tuesday and Book Blogger Hop). 😸