I Like Books

I like to read. A lot. Working from home and not having kids helps me out with that so I thought I'd share what I've read so far this year. 

Have you read any of these?

Told you it was a lot! 

I'm still in my romance phase but am easing my way back into more mysteries and thrillers. And fantasy. Although, I find I really enjoy contemporary romances, so I'm definitely not going to leave those behind. 

At the end of last year / beginning of this year, I definitely went through a cowboy romance phase. Don't judge and don't think I haven't already bought Maisey Yates' new cowboy romance novel. It's set at Christmas. It'll be awesome, but don't be surprised if you hear that I'm moving to Oregon to start working on a ranch. Again. Don't judge me. I already have a cat for that. 

Starting just before Pride Month, when everyone was recommending LGBTQIA+ books to read, I fell hard for LGBTQIA+ romance novels including my favorite book of the year, Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Seriously - romance and politics. Not since All's Fair with Love, War, and Running for President* have I been this happy! I have even reread it AND listened to it. 

Right now I'm starting a new mystery by one of my absolute favorite authors, Julie Anne Lindsey, called Seven Deadly Sequins - it's Book 2 of her Bonnie & Clyde mysteries. Book 1 was Burden of Poof! She's an Ohio author, but fear not. All the murders in her books take place out of state, such as Kentucky Crime Ring which I finished this morning. That means you're in good shape here in the Buckeye state! (Don't mind the obnoxious football fans, God love 'em!)

I've also had the pleasure of reading a debut series by a brand new author and friend, Krissyann Granger. Last weekend, I finished Book 4 of that series, Maggie Finds Clarity, and gave it a 5-star review. 

I listen to books as well - great for when I'm actually driving to work each day. Right now, we're 50/50 with working home vs. in the office. I finished Words of Radiance, book 2 in the Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson (OMG - it was so incredibly good) and am currently on book 3: Oathbringer. I read Book 1, the Way of Kings. Book 2 was 48 hours and Book 3 is a mere 55 hours. I'm about 20 hours in. Only 35 to go! 

I don't give a lot of 5-star ratings, but Red, White and Royal Blue, Burden of Poof, Maggie Finds Clarity, and Words of Radiance each got one. I'll highlight my 5-stars here later this year so be sure to watch for those. 

So tell me, what are you reading? 

Happy Reading! 

        - Heather

* All's Fair with Love, War, and Running for President is not actually a romance. It's a very well-written political book written by Mary Matelin (Campaign advisor to President George H.W. Bush) and her husband, James Carville (Campaign advisor to then-governor Bill Clinton). It's an excellent read!

Twitter - @GrantsCrossing 

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Bookstores - How do I love Thee?

This is what I do when I get to Barnes & Noble. I take pictures! I've already read 13 of these, DNF'd another and I have two waiting in the wings. A few more look fun, too.

X = read

S = started, not yet finished.

√ = I have it, but haven't yet started it.

Yeah. Got slightly hooked on romance novels. I credit the pandemic.

My absolute favorite: Red, White, And Royal Blue. If you read nothing else, read this one. 

Other favorites include these (and the other few I didn't mention!)

People We Meet on Vacation

And you have to read Beach Read - writers, especially, will appreciate it! 

Life's Too Short

You'll cry. You'll laugh. You'll want to read it again. Promise.

Boyfriend Material

Such a sweet and wonderful story about love and acceptance.

Well Met 

First two were great - I have the 3rd on pre-order

Good Luck Charm

A great book for all your sports fans out there!

Float Plan 

...for sure! You need to read this one!

Party of Two 

My favorite of Jasmine Guillory's books

Bromance Book Club 

...and all its sequels

Meet Cute

Really enjoyed this along with Kiss My Cupcake. So many great choices!

The Ex Talk

Great for lovers of public radio.

Island Affair 

My first romance novel! Love Priscilla Oliveras' books!

And most definitely The Tourist Attraction 

(Though all three books in that series are awesome. #3 is my favorite)

I also have If I Never Met You and The Dating Plan which are currently on deck for me.

If you're looking for some good romance novels but have a preferred theme, here are some additional suggestions. Trust me. I can suggest a lot more.

• Want some Cowboy romance? Hit up Maisey Yates Start with the Garrett family: Part-Time Cowboy, Broke Down Cowboy and Bad News Cowboy.

• Want some Football romance? Alexa Martin Intercepted, Fumbled, Blitzed, Snapped - My fave is Blitzed.

• Want some Motorcycle Club romances? Melissa Foster Start with the Whiskeys - Tru Blue is the first.

• Want some LGBTQ+ romances? L.A. Witt  (and Melissa Foster) My faves are Rules of Engagement and Covet Thy Neighbor as well as her suspense novels.

• Want some Tattoo romances? Chelle Bliss (and L.A. Witt) Start with Flame and Burn.

• Want laugh out load books? Lyssa Kay Adams You definitely want the Bromance Book Clubs, You'll pee your pants, you'll laugh so hard. Watch for The Russian. OMG. SO HILARIOUS!

• Want a good cry? Libby Hubscher Meet me in Paradise. I went through at least 10 Kleenex before looking into just buying stock so I could get my money back.

I'm sure you'll find some great books. In the meantime... 

Happy Reading! 

        - Heather


Twitter - @GrantsCrossing 

Instagram - @GrantsCrossing 

Goodreads - H.M.S. Brown - for this and all my book reviews

Coffee and a Classic - June

Check out my June Coffee and a Classic subscription box!

Coffee and a Classic is a monthly subscription box that arrives about the middle of each month with a classic novel, pre-chosen by the sender. I haven't read a lot of the classics that everyone says you should read or that every Top 100 list contains, so I figured this would be a good way to get some into my library and let me try some new (to me) authors and books I might not normally read. 

How it works: Readers can subscribe to the adult classics, which is what I get, or the children's classics which are geared to younger readers. This is what I received this month! 

June's book is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a book I've never actually read, but have heard is beyond excellent. July's book will be The Odyssey by Homer. May's book was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 

Included in the box are a handful of items that are related to the book itself including coffee or tea (I choose tea) and a mug. Of course, you have the option of foregoing the mug and coffee or tea in favor of the book and other goodies. 

Coffee and a Classic are taking orders now for their August book. It'll be up as a sneak peek later this month. 

Happy reading! 

 - Heather

Twitter - @GrantsCrossing

Instagram - @GrantsCrossing

Goodreads - H.M.S. Brown - Find this and other book reviews here