Quote-tastic/Review-- so ashamed!-- The Bachelor Auction by Rachel Van Dyken

Another new to me author! I've actually followed her on FB for ages but finally dove in and it was a cute read.

Fun characters, the whole Cinderella thing, donkeys. lol

I mean. We've all been there, right?

It was too early. Way too early for a donkey in the middle of the room.

The Monthly Herd-- October-- snow plows, zombies, firemen & a new addition

October was a long month, yall. I'm pretty exhausted from it and ready for 2017 because, seriously, 2016? GTFO. What the hell with all this? Ease up!

So my sad first since I don't wanna focus on it too much but I use these posts to keep a reminder. The start of the month I lost my herd eldest after 2 years of fighting cancer. She was a trooper and the best kitty. And then we had a hurricane. It made for a brutal start to October.

But. I decided to fight depression. I set out to keep busy so I wouldn't think and ...it helped. I'm still heart hurt over losing Sierra but I was able to keep from totally falling apart and have actually been enjoying myself the last two weeks in my adventures...

And, yes, that's a snow plow...in North Carolina... in October.

Life Reboot-- Week 2

Life Reboot. Taking control of my life one day at a time, getting out of those ruts...and having a blast doing it, too!

Each week I'll share how I did and what I plan for the coming week. If you want to join in...please do! Either in a blog post or just share what you're doing in the comment section!

Tasty Delights-- Crispy Sunchoke and Quinoa Salad

So this one was chock full of things I've never tried! Woo! A couple weeks ago I mentioned trying the HelloFresh subscription and this was one of the recipes in my first box.

It was super easy to make and really fun.

Plus trying new things! I'd never even heard of sunchokes which are a tuber and type of sunflower. Who the heck knew that?! It reminded me of ginger looking at the outside but inside was more like water chestnut. Kinda crunchy until roasted. Kale was a new one for me as well. And I'd never made Quinoa on my own. It always intimidated me but again...super easy! Yay!

3.5 stars-- When a Marquess Loves a Woman (Season's Original #3) by Vivienne Lorret

And so we have Max and Juliet...finally! Seriously yall. I was totally *flailing* about over these two! Lordy but I've been itching for When a Marquess Loves a Woman and getting that front row seat to the showdown between these two. And it was so dang fun.

So. Five things about When a Marques Loves a Woman...

Guest Post w/ Liv Rancourt-- Top Ten Favorite M/M Vampire Stories

Hey guys! Today we're welcoming Liv Rancourt back to the herd! She's bringing yall vampires. Lots and loves of vampires. Noms! Yall check em out then hit those comments and Liv know if you have a favorite! ~anna

Insta-Wednesday: Firemen, Cars, Construction & BabyG 2.0?

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

It's been a pretty good two weeks. Lots of exploring and herd babes.

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

Look at all the CHRISTMAS!! LOL There are a lot of pretty ones out today. And I've only read one of them (Heated Pursuit). Crazy! There's some freaking awesome freebies, too. Including a free pre-order for Jill Shalvis's 2017 release. It's down there and the one without a cover.

Quote-tastic/Review-- the thrill of the journey -- Heated Pursuit by April Hunt

A new to me for today's Quote-tastic! A sexy security team, a determined heroine, the jungle with danger coming at them from all corners. Ah! Yes! lol

So this first quote. I always love when a character says something then is like oh damn! I did NOT just say that! ha!

Life Reboot--Week1

I'm working on a "life reboot" at the moment. I'm not unhappy with my life but I've definitely been in a rut the last few years. Let a lot of things slip on the home and personal front. And I'm trying to change that. Trying to get out of my ruts, get stuff done that needs doing, and have fun, too.

In My Cart-- Hello Fresh Food Delivery Box

Once a month I like to share some of the new products I've tried out. This month I tried Hello Fresh. One of the bloggers I know, Angela, has been using them for a while and offered me a trial discount so I jumped on it. Here's what I thought!

Audio Files-- W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton

W is for Wasted (Kinsey Millhone #23) by Sue Grafton

The Story:

If you haven't read this series it's pretty fun. It's set in the 80s but being written currently. So no cell phones, internet, etc. It's kinda trippy sometimes but a good time. Kinsey is an investigator and always getting pulled into strange cases. This time a dead homeless man that somehow has ties to her and may have been linked to a shady medical program. I always enjoy Kinsey. She's blunt and has a bit of a give-no-fucks attitude but she cares for those people who are in her circle and for finding the truth. The mystery was decent and while not too difficult to figure things out it was still fun watching it all piece together. On the romance front a few past love interests make appearances but nothing romanticky happens. Just passing story points and characters. Maybe one day she'll find her guy. The story did drag a little bit but I'm not sure if that was the story or having done it on audiobook since this is my first time reading one this way.

3 stars-- Legal Wolf's Mate by Eve Langlais

Legal Wolf's Mate-- a paranormal quickie that's full of entertaining characters. The basic gist is that Megan has been set up for her new boss's murder and our dashing hero, Gavin, just happens to be a lawyer and intrigued. And a little knocked back on his ass since it turns out his new client...totally his future mate.

3 stars-- Deal Me In (Betting on Romance #4) by Cheri Allan

I love a good second chance romance and I enjoyed Deal Me In. It was an easy read with a solid orderly hero and a heroine who was a bit more whimsical and trying to figure things out.

The quick of it is that Grace and Jeff have some past history that left them, well, not totally infatuated with each other. And now that he's come back home to live and work, well, they're having to deal with each other. And not totally loving that either...at first.

Attack of the 14 Nights of Halloween Giveaway!!! omg yall. The prizes! Pretty!

Hey guys! Giveaway time! And oh my word so many Etsy pretties! If you're addicted to Etsy click with care! lol But, really, enter the giveaway. The prizes are so fun! I've shared my favorite Halloween-ie movies, too. Ahhh good memories. Good memories. ~anna

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

A handful of new releases and a bunch of deals this week. I only read Mistletoe Games. It's a pretty good sports antho but all of the novellas are previously released in ebook so no new bits. But still good :)

For more info on each book please click the cover! It'll take you to the Amazon page for the book.

Quote-tastic/Review-- just...delightful!-- A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.

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I couldn't resist this cover. Couldn't. Resist. And yay! I'm so glad because A Study in Scarlet Women was fantastic! Sherlock Holmes with a slight twist. Sherlock? Totally a chick.

4 stars-- Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

Whew boy! Deadly Silence--non-stop deliciously sexy romantic suspense. Danger around every corner, unexpected twists and discoveries, scorching hot, passionate romance? Yeah. Zanetti will have you begging for more.

Holy cow was there a lot going on in the lives of Zara and Ryker...

Fall into Romance Giveaway Hop! (Oct 14-21)

Fall Into Romance! Share the romances that had you falling in love with the genre!
Or the ones that keep you smitten! Stop by each blog for new recommendations and giveaways!

Yall! This hop! I love it! Romance is my favorite genre... obviously. lol But I'm still fairly new to the genre. I didn't start until 2011 but man I was hooked!

Guest Post w/ Celia Breslin-- A Spooky Top 10

Hey guys! Today we've got Celia joining us for a spooky halloween post. Yall check it out then hit those comments and leave her some love! ~anna

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Celia’s Spooky Top 10

Insta-Wednesday: Kitty mom, Plant mom, & an Unfortunate Turn

Because I love Instagram and fun pictures. The Herd's week ala Instagram :)

It's been a roller coaster this past couple weeks. Some really awesome stuff, some cute, some heartbreaking. This is that in photos.

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

K Bromberg, Paige Tyler, Laurell K Hamilton, Bella Andrea. Ahh, people! Ahh! So many pretteh reads. lol Let me know if you grab anything!

For more info on each book please click the cover! It'll take you to the Amazon page for the book.

4 stars-- Texas Tall by Kaki Warner

Oh, I am SO going to have to read more from Kaki Warner! Texas Tall was a slower moving romance but it grabbed my heart completely and had me falling in love with this dusty little Texas town and the eclectic group that call it home.

The quick of it is one day a group of Rangers are bringing a prisoner through Lottie's town and a shoot out happens. A young Ranger is shot and Lottie rushes in to comfort him while help is called. And so a connection is made that holds both of them in it's grip even after he's left town. But something keeps pulling them back together month after month until they just can't resist any longer.

Quote-tastic/Review-- a mutual rescue?-- Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.

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I was so excited to see this new series from Blake. I just love me some Riders. So, Day. He rescued what he thought was a woman in need and she ended up being evil and tortured him and his brothers to near death and cost them their immortality. So he's not so much in the damsel rescue business these days and lamenting a new damsel in need. I loved this thought from his friend Barbara...

Tag: The Cat Herder-- The Halloween Edition

  

This one has a *little* NSFW-ness. So click with caution :)

Crafting with Kitties-- Cross stitch for the WIN!

I'm trying to get myself back into crafting. And, of course, the herd involves themselves. 

I thought it would be fun to share some of our crafty adventures. I could definitely use a little light hearted this week. 

First up is my cross stitch I got for my birthday from Kelly. I know yall have seen this one in the Insta-Wednesday posts but I figured it was a good way to kick off the feature :)

4 stars-- All the Little Liars (Aurora Teagarden #9) by Charlaine Harris

Woohoo! One of the first series I picked up when I started reading was the Aurora Teagarden mysteries and it quickly became a favorite so I was freaking thrilled to see All the Little Liars. And it was a good time. I loved being back with Aurora!

The quick of it is that things are going pretty good with Aurora and her family. Her stepbrother is settling in, she's pregnant, she and Robin are married. Things are good. Until they aren't. Starting with her brother disappearing without a clue along with three other kids in town.

Meet the Herd-- SierraCat

Saying good-bye.

Buy the Book-- New Releases, Sales, Freebies!

Hey guys-- Just a heads up. I'm going to be quiet the next few days on here, visiting and social media. Our eldest herd babe SierraCat has been struggling. Blood work crashed and an ultrasound today found that the cancer had spread into her belly. I'll be spending most of my time with her the next day or so before we have to say good-bye. Posts will go live and I may pop in now and again but likely not much. I'll catch up when I can. ~anna

Seriously. The number of AMAZING reads releasing this week is ridiculous. I kinda maybe have all of them and loved a bunch of them too. lol Check the blog this week and next for ALL of the reviews!

For more info on each book please click the cover! It'll take you to the Amazon page for the book.

Quote-tastic/Review-- momentarily dumbstruck-- My Brown-Eyed Earl by Anna Bennett

Join us each week and share a favorite quote that you just loved.

You can add a review or post just a quote. You can post any day of the week, too. Totally flexible. Link ups are live on Monday.

Everyone's welcome to join in. Authors, bloggers, readers. The more the merrier!

Just grab the button and toss up your post :) No blog? No worries, just leave your favorites in the comment section or in a FB post and link it up.

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Sooo a semi-new-to-me. Anna Bennett is actually one of my favorite authors who has had a name change. She used to write as Anne Barton. It was so good, yall.

Anywho. Today's quote. ::snort:: Basically, years ago the hero caught the heroine skinny dipping and he's having to squirm a bit and explain himself. This part of it just made me laugh. Good save, hero. Good save.

Tasty Delights-- Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Ahhhhh Halloween! It needs cuteness. And cake! I made one of these years ago when I was down in Florida and being our "social director" aka making EVERYONE CELEBRATE EVERYTHING. lol

I thought they were so cute and I was wanting cake and it's fall and I figured I'd make them again. They're easy and tasty and just cute.

4th Quarter Challenge Link Ups--Blogger Shame, Pick Your Genre, New to You & Pervy Girl

The end is near! The end is near! lol 4th Quarter Challenge Check Ins!

I'm hosting 4 reading/review challenges in 2016.
If you're participating in one of them you can find your Quarterly Check In link ups below!
Put together your recap for the last three months and let us know how you're doing!

Don't forget that every time you link in one of your reviews you're entered into the end of the year giveaway for that challenge!