Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Author: Lynsay Sands
Pages: 384
Publisher: Avon
Date: April 23, 2024. (Reprint!)
Instagram

Summary:
Roundhouse Publishing editor Kate C. Leever’s first letter to her new author was meant to impress upon him the growing demand for vampire romances. And even though he’d expressed little-to-no desire for any publicity, book tours, or similar, it was clear this was an author just waiting to be broken out – despite himself, if necessary.
When she suggested attending a romance convention his response – unusually quick to arrive – was succinct: ‘No.’

But Kate was adamant: Mr Lucern Argeneau was going to attend a romance convention and meet his fans. By hook or by crook, despite his reclusive nature and odd sleep patterns, the surly yet handsome author would attend. And she was sure that, once there, he would reveal himself to be a true charmer.

Of course, that was before she realised that his ‘romances’ were more like biographies, and it’s literally her neck on the line …

Review:
I found this book…at…the grocery store. Yup you read that right..at the grocery store! Sometimes the grocery store has a small book area to buy from. Anyone else checks book out at the grocery store?

And. I bought it and read it because duh..vampires!

Note: I have read Lynsay Sand’s books before and they’re just so fun to read! I have lost count which ones I have read. I think I may have to keep track of them. I know I have not read them all.

Back to the review shall we…
Vampires..check! Laughter and fun..check! Sweet romance…check! Soulmate time..check! Spicy bits..check!

I was hooked from reading this story from beginning to end. Kate and Lucern’s story was so fun. I laughed and squealed at the story many times. So many things kept happening that was heartwarming and sweet! I could totally see this as a cute rom com movie. I love how Kate was concern for Lucern at times on certain things. I loved how Lucern was a bit delayed with the times but slowly catches up. Oh I do have to say the mention of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was awesome. I was laughing so hard at it. I can only imagine how Lucern would react to the whole series.

It’s a must read!

Have you read this book?

Have you read any of Lynsay Sands books?

I spy Youth Graphic Novels today

Dark side and cute side of graphic novels for youth…

A new Midnight Society gathers around the campfire to share urban legends, folklores, and all manner of spooky stories. These three terrifying tales feature haunted buses, monstrous creatures, and spine-chilling mysteries guaranteed to have you reaching for the light switch!

In “The Tale of the Witch’s Wings,” a young boy with a habit of bullying meets his match when an ancient witch sets her eyes on him. In “The Tale of the Haunting of Bus #13,” a young girl finds herself potentially trapped on a bus haunted by more than just ghosts! And in “The Tale of the Stray Comet,” two siblings bring home a stray dog that is much more monstrous than they could ever imagine!

Are you afraid of the dark? You will be…

Learning to become a witch is hella difficult! Luckily, Gwen can always count on her two best friends in the whole world for help. Except Sloane and Miles aren’t exactly from this world. They’re from the Hallowlands, a monstrous realm, which they can only leave as the year creeps toward Halloween. This year, Gwen is determined to flex her magical skills. Armed with her first-ever grimoire, she’s hoping her friends will finally see that she has what it takes to leave boring suburbia behind and join them in the Hallowlands.

Except Gwen hadn’t counted on Hiro, a local kid obsessed with hunting the supernatural. When he and his reluctant sidekick start making trouble for them, the monster squad will have to fight to avoid having their secrets exposed—or worse. But when Gwen’s quest to prove herself leads to a string of unintended consequences, the five of them may just have to band together to take on something even more nightmarish than being a teen.

July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it’s Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth―for William to live, July must die.

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark yet resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice, and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.

Meet Mimi. She’s charming! She’s cheerful! She’s cute!

But that’s not all! She’s also a loyal friend and fun playmate, who has the best adventures with Penelope, her magical toy dog. But when Mimi notices people treating her like she’s too cute, can she show them that she’s much more than meets the eye? Or will she be stuck in this cute-astrophe?

Boo-hoo! Mimi is not having a good day. She can’t get her pigtails to sit right, she’s not in the mood for her favorite breakfast, and she’s far from feeling like her usual self. Mimi has a case of the Blahs, where nothing feels quite right. With the help of Penelope, her magical toy dog and best friend, she sets out to find a way to get rid of this icky feeling. Will Mimi reclaim her spark, or will the Blahs get the best of her?

What am I reading next?

Next up to read are these three books…first to are e-arcs from Netgalley and the publishers. The last one is an arc book that I snagged at ALA 2023! I’m excited to read these!!

E-Arc Review: Snowed in for Christmas by Jaqueline Snowe

I received an e-Arc from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review!

Author: Jaqueline Snowe
Date: October 3, 2023
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 336

Summary:
Sorority mom Becca Fairfield is used to guys not taking her seriously. She’s too blond, too quirky, or Just. Too. Much. So she’s ditched dating to focus on her job and a house filled with drama and plenty of tea. Now with the holidays and a major blizzard on her doorstep, Becca has everything she needs to survive the next two weeks on her own. Hot cocoa, plenty of books . . . and the memory of a steamy kiss with a certain sexy, grumposaurus next-door neighbor to keep her warm.

Only Becca’s seriously underestimated this Snowpocalypse. So when the power goes out and Harrison Cooper—football coach, master crank, and the guy who acted mega-awkward after said steamy kiss—offers her shelter, it only makes sense to accept. They’ll just be Blizzard Buddies. Hang out, stay safe, and maybe indulge in a little R-rated cuddling. Becca knows that Harrison isn’t the dating kind, and what happens during the storm lasts only as long as the storm. But are they keeping warm . . . or playing with fire?

Review:
I could not stop reading this book. It was a perfect romantic comedy adventure being stuck in a blizzard.
I had to know what was going to happen between Harrison and Becca.
I could see this being made into a cute movie too!

So many things kept happening that was sweet and funny. One thing after another. I liked how Harrison and Becca connected slowly and gave each other a chance during their time together in the blizzard. Their conversation was real.

There are a few steamy moments in this book after all it is a rom com.
Whoo whee. I felt it!

I love how the books switches from Becca and Harrison’s point of view and thoughts!

Becca has a heart of gold but if you mess with her friends or family she will turn into a lion. She shows compassion, leadership and kindness. I love how she rambles. I love how she is not a person who would do well in an emergency situation. She faints at the sight of blood.
And her hot chocolate!

Harrison is a guy who is grumpy but under the grumpy exterior, he’s a guy with kindness. It takes him a while to show his softer side of things. I love how he’s handy in things and how he helps Becca in certain situations. He’s a great uncle which I liked seeing in the story.
I think Becca brings out the better side in Harrison.

I will say that both of their families have their quirks. Becca’s mom is being a mom who is hilarious in trying to set her up which does not succeed. Her father seems super chill.

Harrison’s sister is awesome who has three kids and husband which give off a great family vibe. I love the visit! His brother, Hank needs to wake up because his parents put Hank on a pedestal.

Each of their families have their own issues. I liked how Becca would give Harrison an out if he needed it and Harrison did the same for Becca. All of that tied in nicely with the story.

This is a pleasant and fun read! You have to pick this up if you are looking for a cozy, cute and sweet read. October 3rd 2023!

What to read next…..

I may read these two next….

Review: The Little Bookstore on Heart Lake Lane by Sarah Robinson

I received an e-arc from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review!

Author: Sarah Robinson
Publisher: Forever
Date: May 23, 2023
Pages: 336
Website
Instagram

SUMMARY:
As chaotic as it can be, Rosie Dean loves her unruly life. But between raising twins alone, running her struggling bookshop, and secretly writing a parenting advice column, the single mom can’t think about dating. At least that’s what she tells herself . . . until her high school crush (and his incredible blue eyes) return to Heart Lake for the summer. Even though Evan has grown into a huge grump, he’s still a super sexy one, and soon sparks begin to fly.

Single dad and widower Evan Mills is used to hearing he’s too serious. But with a grieving tween daughter to raise on his own, the graphic designer is just trying to stay strong for her. He hopes a few weeks at the lake will be the fresh start they both need. Evan never anticipated reconnecting with Rosie, or that she could make him feel whole again—if he’d give her the chance. Will one steamy summer with Rosie be long enough to melt Evan’s heart?

REVIEW:
This story was sooooo cute. I really liked this book because I could identify with the story in some parts like single parenting and the concerns of dating and that the characters are normal folks. I read this book in a day and half because I could not put it down.

I loved how it took Evan some time to realize on how he had to learn to open up again and how to show, cope with his feelings. His connection with his daughter was cute and he was trying his best to be a single dad. I thought he was a good dad but also needed to balance school and fun for his daughter. I loved how Evan also took care of his mom and dad while being back home for a bit.

Rosie was cool. I wished we hd a bit more backstory about her bookshop. Anyways one part in the book I liked how Rosie was thinking “Queen of the castle.” Rosie was an independent woman who could do it. I liked her attitude on that. She’s a great mom and her kids are a riot in this book. Her connection with the other ladies in town was sweet too.

When Evan and Rosie meet up a few times, they had some playful banter, heck even flirting which was so fun. I giggled at their comments and how they reacted afterwards. I loved the connection they had from high school and that they were aware of each other back in the day. Another connection that they had was raising kids. It was well rounded in the areas of connections between Evan and Rosie. So they were juggling with many of the same thoughts, ideas, and coping skills.

This story once again was so cute and so well written with warmth and truth and connections. The flow of the story was amazing. I could not stop reading the whole story because I wanted to know what would happen with Evan and Rosie. There were some cute moments in the story along with the kids being kids!

I will say the ending was quick. I kind of wished it lingered a bit more.

So let these questions linger in your mind: Will Evan and Rosie connect? Will they find love?

You gotta get the book to find out!

I”m glad I got the chance to read this book. I look for more stories like these!

Youth Spanish Picture books

I saw these two cute Youth Spanish Picture books.
I just had to share them.

La brujita Wanda es tan tímida ¡que casi ni puede hablar! Pero cuando Flo, una nueva alumna, llega a su clase, descubre que para hacer amigos no es necesario utilizar palabras. Sin embargo, un terrible desastre en el concurso de magia del colegio pone en grave peligro a Flo. ¿Será capaz Wanda de pronunciar las palabras mágicas que salven a su amiga? Una divertida historia de brujas, escuelas para aprender pócimas mágicas y amistades a prueba de obstáculos.

Wanda the witch is so shy she can’t talk! No matter how hard she tries, the words won’t come out. But when another nervous little witch called Flo joins her class, it seems that Wanda’s not the only one who worries about speaking. Then disaster strikes at the magic contest… will Wanda have the courage to shout out the magic words and save her new friend Flo from a dangerous dragon? This heart-warming adventure about finding confidence through friendship is filled with potions, spells and magical animals! Children will fall in love with brave Wanda the witch, especially those who have difficulties with speech, anxiety about talking, or lack confidence in front of others.

Erizo y Tortuga no pueden abrazarse, pero saben que se quieren, porque hay muchas maneras de demostrarlo ¡hasta que podamos abrazarnos!

Hedgehog and Turtle can’t hug each other, but they know they love each other, because there are so many ways to prove it
until we can hug!

500 Miles From You

• Author: Jenny Colgan
• Publication Date : June 9, 2020
• Print Length : 432 pages
• Publisher : William Morrow Paperbacks

What happens when two medical professionals–ex Army medic from a village in the Scottish Highlands and an inner city nurse from inner-city London—switch jobs for three months and become unlikely pen pals?

Lissa, is a nurse in a gritty, hectic London neighborhood. Always terribly competent and good at keeping it all together, she’s been suffering quietly with PTSD after helping to save the victim of a shocking crime. Her supervisor quietly arranges for Lissa to spend a few months doing a much less demanding job in the little town of Kirrinfeif in the Scottish Highlands, hoping that the change of scenery will help her heal. Lissa will be swapping places with Cormack, an Army veteran who’s Kirrinfeif’s easygoing nurse/paramedic/all-purpose medical man. Lissa’s never experienced small-town life, and Cormack’s never spent more than a day in a big city, but it seems like a swap that would do them both some good.

In London, the gentle Cormack is a fish out of the water; in Kirrinfief, the dynamic Lissa finds it hard to adjust to the quiet. But these two strangers are now in constant contact, taking over each other’s patients, endlessly emailing about anything and everything. Lissa and Cormack discover a new depth of feeling…for their profession and for each other.

But what will happen when Lissa and Cormack finally meet…?

◊◊◊

My Review:
⊂⊃
It took me a few days to read this book.  I checked this book out from my local library.

The summary of the book is up above, I am not going to repeat it.  I think the goings back and forth between Lissa and Cormack is cute and real.  They go on new adventures and have misshaps!  I love how both characters adjust to new settings.   They are both coping with trauma and learning new things about themselves.

The texts and emails between Lissa and Cormack are cute, funny and simple. It made me smile.  Don’t you just love that type of feeling?  I did want more of this interaction and kind of felt like it needed a little more development.  It mostly focused on Lissa’s trauma and trying to cope with it.  Cormace has trauma but I did not find out more about it.  Perhaps the story will continue on in another book?

The story covered a bit of romance, with every day aspects, emotions, laughter and learning how to cope.  I love the quiet of the countryside which made me want to go there.  London makes me miss it since I have visited there once!  One day  I will visit again.

The story was just there.
I do not know how to describe it.
I enjoyed it but didn’t love it to the max.
It was just an okay, cute read to escape.

Cute Love Books

Eliza Herman (a.k.a. The World’s Worst Cupid) has spent her entire life carefully avoiding her calling as a Descendant of Eros. After all, happily-ever-afters are nothing but a myth. But when a family crisis requires her to fill in at the local Cupid-for-hire shop, Eliza finds herself enchanting couples under the watchful eye of her assigned mentor, Jake Sanders…the one man she could never get out of her head.

Before long, Eliza is rethinking her stance on romance―until things start going terribly wrong with her enchantments. Now Eliza and Jake must fight to unravel a conspiracy that could destroy thousands of relationships, including their own…and spell the end of Love itself.

No pressure, right?

 

After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn’t love her in the “forever” way she loves him, Cadie believes it’s time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie’s favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It’s a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Annie Cassidy dreams of being the next Nora Ephron. She spends her days writing screenplays, rewatching Sleepless in Seattle, and waiting for her movie-perfect meet-cute. If she could just find her own Tom Hanks—a man who’s sweet, sensitive, and possibly owns a houseboat—her problems would disappear and her life would be perfect. But Tom Hanks is nowhere in sight.

When a movie starts filming in her neighborhood and Annie gets a job on set, it seems like a sign. Then Annie meets the lead actor, Drew Danforth, a cocky prankster who couldn’t be less like Tom Hanks if he tried. Their meet-cute is more of a meet-fail, but soon Annie finds herself sharing some classic rom-com moments with Drew. Her Tom Hanks can’t be an actor who’s leaving town in a matter of days…can he?

 

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them…right?

I have read all of these books. You can pretty much tell these books are related to romance and cute moments.  Yes it is cute and fun to daydream away of romance.  I enjoyed all of these books.   The stories are fun, the covers are eye catching and love!  Who doesn’t like reading about love?  So tell me have you read any of these books or are any of these on your list to read?  Let me know!