Bed rest and all that goes with it

30 weeks into my pregnancy and I have Dr recommended bed rest. Now at almost 32 weeks, I've done so much reading it is pathetic. Let me fill you in on what all I've done in the 2 weeks I've been abed.

1. Since joining Goodreads.com, I've participated in their reading challenge. Thanks to my bed rest, I'm 88% finished with the goals I set for myself for the year. I can't take all of the credit though. Due to free books on Amazon.com and Advanced Reader Copies from Netgalley.com, I'm pretty much set on my To-Read list for the year.

2. Planning my baby shower and arranging a baby registry online has taken up a surprising amount of my time. You'd think you could just go online, click on a few things and be done with baby shopping. Not so. I've spent a few hours each day this week sorting through items on BabiesRUs.com asking myself not only if I really need this item, but can I see one of my baby shower invitees buying this for me. Thank goodness I'm a "Barganista" so everything on my registry is under $60. Although, I do feel kinda bad about asking for a set of bottles that are almost $30.

3. Although I've only made a few stitches in the past month or so, I've made it a personal goal to finish my crocheted baby blanket for this little one by April 15. Maybe that's an impossible goal, maybe not. I guess it will depend on how dedicated I really am to finishing it. I have no idea why it is taking me so long to get this one going, especially considering once I started working on the my 2 son's blankets I was super dedicated. As in I did nothing but work on their blankets until I had them finished and ready for the new baby to use.

I've been on bed rest before, with both of my previous pregnancies actually, so it isn't like I'm in unfamiliar territory here. The only difference is I did my previous 2 pregnancies in the Fall and Winter (they were born in February) whereas with this last one I've had Fall-Winter-Spring (she's due the end of May). I dunno, keep your fingers crossed for me, and wish for the best. I know with a 6 and 1 year old that I'll be far from bored this time around.

Review: When Girlfriends Chase Dreams

When Girlfriends Chase Dreams by Savannah Page
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 33%!

How can anyone give this more than 2 stars? It was mind-numbingly boring and read like a cheesy B-Rated chick-flick. I could picture it as a movie, maybe one starring Jessica Biel or Scarlett Johanson and women everywhere gushing over how wonderful the movie was. As a book, I hated it. I couldn't get over how incredibly shallow and juvenile Claire was and through the whole portion of the book I read I wanted to shake the daylights out of her just for being such a brat. I wanted to give up at 12% because there was simply too much back story, but I pressed on just to see how things went with Melissa. Now I guess I'll just have to ask someone who managed to make it all the way through this tedious piece of nonsense.

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Review: SOUTHERN COOKING: More Than 250 Secret Southern Recipes

SOUTHERN COOKING: More Than 250 Secret Southern Recipes by APRIL KELSEY
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hailing from central Georgia, I was looking forward to this book. Honestly, the only part I enjoyed was the breakfast portion.... maybe I'm just not southern enough.

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Review: You Can't Always Get the Marquess You Want

You Can't Always Get the Marquess You Want by Alexandra Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.com. **Tread carefully as this review contains spoilers!**

Ah, forbidden love. The kind of love that makes soft hearted women like myself weak at the knees and desperate for their man after reading books like this one. I loved that there was a main character named Tempest, and the chemistry between her and Chance was better than any "better than sex" brownies any day. The story flowed nicely, the dialogue was strong, and the characters were full and engaging.

Now to the part that we all dread when reviewing anything that we enjoyed. The dislikes....

1. The Title:
Now, usually I overlook titles that really don't fit with the book, but this one really got me. It insinuates that maybe Tempest wanted one man, but as the book progressed she found she didn't really want him and ended up with the man she was really meant for all along. That is so far from the case here.

2. Bits of the Story:
As with most romances, there was the usual "girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, girl marries boy" dynamic, but the story didn't read like it was really building towards what the ending contained. I was so startled when I saw where the story had taken, that I had to step back and give what I was reading some serious thought.

3. The Sex:
For those of you who read my reviews, you know I'm not much of a fan of overwritten sex scenes. I felt that was the case here. Not only that, but when we finally get to Imogene's history, the author just skimmed right over the details. I would have liked for there to be more in-depth writing there (although I'm told the author does give us a glimpse of the details in another book) than to have read 4 pages worth of Tempest and Chance's sexual exploits. I don't like the fact that if I really want details about Imogene's tragedy, that I have to turn myself into a PI and go searching for information.

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Review: You Can't Always Get the Marquess You Want

You Can't Always Get the Marquess You Want by Alexandra Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.com. **Tread carefully as this review contains spoilers!**

Ah, forbidden love. The kind of love that makes soft hearted women like myself weak at the knees and desperate for their man after reading books like this one. I loved that there was a main character named Tempest, and the chemistry between her and Chance was better than any "better than sex" brownies any day. The story flowed nicely, the dialogue was strong, and the characters were full and engaging.

Now to the part that we all dread when reviewing anything that we enjoyed. The dislikes....
1. The Title:
Now, usually I overlook titles that really don't fit with the book, but this one really got me. It insinuates that maybe Tempest wanted one man, but as the book progressed she found she didn't really want him and ended up with the man she was really meant for all along. That is so far from the case here.

2. Bits of the Story:
As with most romances, there was the usual "girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, girl marries boy" dynamic, but the story didn't read like it was really building towards what the ending contained. I was so startled when I saw where the story had taken, that I had to step back and give what I was reading some serious thought.

3.
For those of you who read my reviews, you know I'm not much of a fan of overwritten sex scenes. I felt that was the case here. Not only that, but when we finally get to Imogene's history, the author just skimmed right over the details. I would have liked for there to be more in-depth writing there (although I'm told the author does give us a glimpse of the details in another book) than to have read 4 pages worth of Tempest and Chance's sexual exploits. I don't like the fact that if I really want details about Imogene's tragedy, that I have to turn myself into a PI and go searching for information.

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Review: The Girl from Summer Hill: A Summer Hill Novel

The Girl from Summer Hill: A Summer Hill Novel by Jude Deveraux
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Jude Deveraux has done it again and I am so grateful that she has!

From the very first sentence until the final acknowledgements I was hooked on this story. I'll admit to being a bit apprehensive when I read the chapter outline. As a huge Jane Austen fan, I couldn't possibly imagine anyone rewriting one of Ms. Austen's best works and said rewrite being even half as good as the original. I loved how Ms. Deveraux spun the tale, put on a play, and kept to the original book.

I laughed at many parts of this book, some I had to literally stop reading due to the "laughter tears".Having nothing in common with these characters, I still found myself connecting with them and really able to feel their emotions. Ms. Deveraux did an excellent job with this book and I can't wait for it to go on sale so all of my friends can read it.

I received a free copy via Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: How to Manage a Marquess

How to Manage a Marquess by Sally MacKenzie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not really what I was expecting. This book took fast paced to the max and then some. One example: when Anne and Nate took the boys out on the lake, Nate asked the boys to go look in the picnic basket for some food whilst him and Anna talked. As soon as their conversation was over (which for some reason it ended abruptly) we see Anna, Nate, and the boys walking out of the woods. Scenes such as this one are common throughout the entirety of this book. Don't get me started on the ending!!!!!

Next is the sex. It became painfully obvious that there wasn't going to be much to this book other than Anna and Nate battling their sexual attraction for one another. About 20% into the story I wanted to pull my hair out because there didn't seem to be much else detailed except for the sex. Marcus, Nate's cousin and a Duke, is battling a curse that is detailed briefly. There is a house just for spinsters that ties into the curse, Anne's best friend is in love with said cursed Duke, there was paperwork found that questioned the curses authenticity but for some reason was never mentioned as to what that paperwork entailed.

There were so many different ways this book could have gone. The author really seemed to try to make the plot have an original idea (the curse and spinster house) but sadly, she fell short. the editor and publisher should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to pass inspection. What I read should have still been in the "work-in-progress" stage. This book, in my opinion, is nowhere near ready for the public. I can't imagine anyone being happy to spend even $.99 on this.

Free ARC provided by Netgalley.com

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Review: The Forbidden Duke

The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Exceptionally well written, great character connection, and beautifully crafted dialogue. However, this book was so anti-climatic that I just couldn't bring myself to give it 4 stars. I love this author, and thoroughly enjoyed this book.... however, it just wasn't enough for me.

Free ARC orovided by Netgalley.com

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Review: The Fearless Highlander

The Fearless Highlander by Amy Jarecki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley for a free ARC

I applaud the author for not only taking on such a heavy topic, but keeping the details as close as possible to the actual events that transpired during that horrific time in history. I know it can't be easy to write something people want to read about a subject that has been told so many times. After I finished this book, not only being a history buff, but being 1/2 Scottish myself, I did my research on the Glencoe massacre. A quick Google search will give you tons of info on the subject.

All of that being said, I hated Hugh and Charlotte. In the beginning they were fine, but by the end I was hoping Colonel Hill had actually kept his word and sent her to London. I know the author kept them together for the sake of this being a Romance novel, but I wanted her gone. I saw no real growth in Charlotte, although I was happy for her assistance. Hugh, on the other hand, made real progress, suffered real loss, and overcame great tragedy. Call me crazy, but I just felt like his happiness with Charlotte was the only real thing that was out of place in this book.

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Review: Wedding Night With the Earl

Wedding Night With the Earl by Amelia Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A cute little story that reminds me of an adult veraion of the little engine that could. I loved Katherine and Adam. Their emotions felt real and their chemistry was off the charts. The author clearly did her homework on Regancy-Era midwifery, and for that I decided to go with 4 stars instead of 3.

Although I enjoyed this book, it felt like there were times when the author stuggled to get her point across. Add to that the lengthy descriptions and how the characters seemed to know information not privy to them in one chapter and yet seem totally oblivious to the same information a little later in the book.

Free ARC via Netgalley.com

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Review: Three Weeks To Wed

Three Weeks To Wed by Ella Quinn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thank you Netgalley.com for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The overall concept of this book is very engaging. Unfortunately, this story fell way short of it's mark. Never have I read a book that I had to skim that much just to get to something interesting. The whole book (view spoiler)[focused around Grace wanting to keep her siblings together and the sex between her and Matt (hide spoiler)]. There was a bit of a plot twist, but it was so anti-climatic that I'm not even sure what the proper phrase would be to call it.

I loved the characters (the physical description of Matt was hard to believe) and believe that this book has potential, but there needs to be some serious work done before it is worthy of anything higher than a 2 star rating from me.

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Review: Boys For Sale

Boys For Sale by Marc Finks
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

DNF. With my children being close in age to the characters in this book, it just hit too close to home. I literally couldn't make myself read another line.

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