July 2023 Book Recommendation: Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Karyn Good

Because…we can all use a book about a grieving, grumpy heroine who finds happiness in the most unexpected of places.

Published: March 2015

Categories: Romance / Action Adventure / Comfort Read / Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

Could she change the story of her life?

It was time. Helen Carpenter knew that. Thirty-two and divorced for a year, Helen knew it was time—past time—to pull herself together. She needed to do something wild and adventurous and completely out of character. Which is why she signed up for a wilderness survival course in Wyoming.

Thus begins the strangest adventure of Helen Carpenter’s well-behaved life: three weeks in a remote mountain range where she will survive a summer blizzard, a group of sorority girls, rutting season for the elk, and more than one infuriating man. Yet, despite the hardships and the indignities, the mountains bring their own wisdom to Helen’s life, somehow teaching her the very things she needs to learn. Like how to stand up for yourself. How being scared can make you brave. How the things you hold on to become the story of your life. And, maybe most of all, how sometimes you just have to get really, really lost before you even have a hope of being found.

My Thoughts:

I loved The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. Read my review here. I noticed that they were making one of her early books, Happiness for Beginners, into a Netflix movie and I wanted to read it before I watched it. There is so much to love about this book. The characters, both main and secondary. Oh my gosh, Duncan, the younger brother! The setting. Hello wilderness camping, which I would never do. The healing and the humour. It tugs at the heartstrings and makes you laugh in equal measure. And the older heroine, younger hero is one of my favourite tropes. I’m guessing there are very few us who haven’t felt like we’ve been figuratively lost in the wilderness. Or who’ve found ourselves feeling one step behind or feeling out of step while everyone is marching forward. It’s sweet and funny, but it’s the depth of story that makes it a winner. Highly recommend.

We’ll see if the movie gets it right…

Until next time…

What’s everyone else reading?

July 2023 Book Recommendation: Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Karyn Good

There is something about looking at summer night skies that makes me prone to wondering and wanting to read science fiction! I remember back to camping when our children were young and staying a regional campground out in the middle of nowhere beside a small lake with very little light pollution. The sky at night was stunning. So much happening up there, which always make a person wonder…

Published: February, 2022

Categories: Romance / Action/Adventure / Science Fiction / Space Opera

Blurb:

Octavia Zarola would do anything to keep her tiny, close-knit bounty hunting crew together—even if it means accepting a job from Torran Fletcher, a ruthless former general and bitter adversary. When Torran offers her enough credits to not only keep her crew afloat but also hire someone to fix her ship, Tavi knows that she can’t refuse—no matter how much she’d like to.

There’s just one catch: with so much money on the line, Torran and his crew insist on joining the hunt. Tavi reluctantly agrees because while the handsome, stoic leader pushes all of her buttons—for both anger and desire—she’s endured worse, and the massive bonus payment he’s promised for a completed job is reason enough to shut up and deal.

But when they uncover a deeper plot that threatens the delicate peace between humans and Valoffs, Tavi suspects that Torran has been using her as the impetus for a new war. With the fate of her crew balanced on a knife’s edge, Tavi must decide where her loyalties lie—with the quiet Valoff who’s been lying to her, or with the human leaders who left her squad to die on the battlefield. Because this time, her heart is on the line.

Thoughts:

If you loved the show Firefly, definitely dating myself here, you’ll love Hunt the Stars. This story is the kind of enemies to lovers story I love. They’re on opposite sides but mutual respect is present in any and all types of communication. Being enemies doesn’t mean the two main characters have to be antagonistic towards each other all the time. I mean, it can! And those stories are great too. But when they respect each other’s abilities and put the job first and actually act like adults to get the job done, then that’s my catnip. My other catnip is badass heroines who are kind and nurturing. They know how to win a fight and then some, but they’re good at other things too. You don’t have to chip away forty layers of pent up hostility to find out they have a heart.

And then there was the world building. It pulled me right in and gave me a complete picture of what the world looked like for this story. So many much needed details about how everything functions. I could picture it perfectly.

There’s plenty of action/adventure, lots of steamy romance, and centers around another of my other favourite tropes – close proximity. It’s clever and it’s entertaining and I definitely recommend it.

Until next time…

What’s everyone else reading?

June 2023: A Writing Retreat at St. Peter’s Abbey

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Karyn Good

Four of us went on a writing retreat last weekend. Annette Bower, Jana Richards and Alison Lohans and I packed up some writing gear and spent the weekend at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan. My first writing retreat since 2019.

Gosh, it was lovely to get away and focus entirely on writing! The companionship was excellent, too. The abbey is basically in the country, outside of the (very) small town of Muenster and close to the larger town of Humboldt.

The accommodations are simple. We stayed in St. Scholastica, a former nuns’ residence, not the main college building. No air conditioning. Common washrooms. We ate in the cafeteria. Simple food found on many a prairie table. No distractions. We met for meals and in the evening in the common room. It was delightful.

And, I got a lot done. Now it’s back to reality. We’re doing things like cleaning out our garage and basement. There’s a big disposal bin on our driveway and we are getting things done! We might fit in a game of golf or a barbecue, too.

Until next time…

It’s the long weekend here in Canada! What’s everyone else doing?

June 2023: Round Up

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Karyn Good

I’m busy getting ready to go on a writing retreat this weekend at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan. The first one in the after times. I’m so excited to spend three days thinking of nothing but writing.

June was a lovely month that went by entirely too fast. Somewhere in between planting, watering, and weeding, I fit in a couple of games of golf. A read a great book, A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske. It’s the first book in her Last Binding series. Highly recommend!! Will go into more depth in a couple of weeks. I baked a rhubarb pie for Father’s Day from rhubarb I picked from my yard. And the peony I planted last fall is blooming and it’s the prettiest pink. I ordered a couple of mugs from The Clay People. I’ve been wanting to order a mug from them forever, but every time they announced a stock resale of their Wheat Collection they were gone before I could order one. This month I was successful and I LOVE these mugs!

Now I’ve got to get back to packing!

Until next time…

What are your plans for the weekend?

June 2023: Some Romance Book Recommendations by Saskatchewan Romance Writers

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Karyn Good

I’m putting together this post as I listen to Mary Balogh‘s interview on the Fated Mates podcast. I highly recommend listening to it. Mary is so well spoken, so talented, and very passionate about the romance genre. She’s also a friend and a fellow member of my writing group. So, needless to say, this post is taking forever to write because I’m distracted by listening to one of my favourite writers, Sarah MacLean, talk writing with Mary.

Mary Balogh Regency Romance

Annette Bower Contemporary Romance

Donna Gartshore Love Inspired Romance

Jana Richards Contemporary Romance

Ryshia Kennie Romantic Suspense

Until next time…

Happy reading! I’m always looking for book recommendations, so feel free to share yours!

Five Summer Book Recommendations for June 2023

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Karyn Good

Here are five book recommendations to add to your summer reading list! They all have a little something different to tempt you into picking them up.

My Five Book Recommendations For Summer 2023

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn. My review found here.

Contemporary small town romance. I can not say enough good things about this book! It is one of my favourites from this year.

Bluebird by Genevieve Graham

Time slip romance. WWI. Historical Romance. Canadian author. Canadian setting. I loved this story. Genevieve Graham is one of my go to authors!

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Contemporary Romance. Romantic Comedy. Big Ranch vibes. Totally fell for this one. Read by review here.

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Book 2 Game Changers series)

MM Romance. Contemporary Romance. Hockey Romance. Canadian Author. I adore this whole series! Seriously, it’s the best.

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Contemporary. Plus Size Heroine. Reality TV Romance. This one was entertaining and inspiring! Read my review here.

Until next time…

Leave your summer book recommendations in the comments! I’m always looking for my next read!

May 2023: Round Up

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Karyn Good

Well, May flew by and it’s already the last Friday of the month.This round up includes a bunch of spring things. Like Mother’s Day, tulips, garden planning.

I love my three S’s: salad, soup and sandwiches.

The Lasagna Roll Up recipe is from Natasha’s Kitchen. It was delicious. Definitely recommend giving the recipe a try.

I order my tulips from Whistling Prairie Flowers which can be found in southwestern Saskatchewan. I have had nothing but success with anything I’ve purchased from Whistling Prairie Flowers. But be warned, they are a small operation and they sell out of stock fast! If you’re interested sign up for their newsletter so you know when stock becomes available.

So…this is my second attempt at planting a garden and I’m hoping it goes better than last year when nothing but zucchini and weeds grew. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

What I’m Reading: The Eden Series by Devney Perry. I’m on Book 3, Garnet Flats. So far, the first book is my favourite so I’ll see if I finish the series, or not.

What I’m Listening to: A Sinister Revenge, Book 7 in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series by Deanna Raybourn. One of my absolute favourite series! I’m also listening to You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon, cohost of Maintenance Phase (my absolute favourite podcast!)

Until next time…

Who else is up to their ears in yard and garden work? Loving it? Or hating?

May 2023 Book Recommendation: Hallows End by Kristen Proby

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Karyn Good

I’m reading a lot of books with magic in them these days.

Hallows End (Book 1 of The Curse of the Blood Moon series) by Kristen Proby

Published: October, 2022

Categories: Contemporary Romance / Paranormal Ghost Romance / Witches and Wizards Romance / Small Town Romance / Romantic Suspense Romance

The Blurb:

Returning to her beloved home of Salem after a trip away, Lucy Finch can’t shake the feeling of anxiety that suddenly plagues her. Nor can she shrug off her third eye’s urging that she has a mission she must undertake—a secret she must uncover.

As a green witch, Lucy has always felt strongest and the most at home in the forest, surrounded by nature. But when a disturbing dream wakes her and sends her fleeing into the woods, she isn’t prepared for what she finds. She expected her element. Perhaps a message from spirit. She didn’t expect to cross paths with a sexy-as-sin man, straight out of a movie scene.

Jonas Morley isn’t like the other residents of Hallows End. He knows the town’s secrets, as well as Salem’s, and it has been his honor and duty to protect them for as long as he can remember. But the gorgeous witch who graces the town’s hidden border shakes him and makes him second-guess his directive. She calls to him like no other. But can he save his home and those under his care and still make her his? Or will their union mean danger and destruction for not only them but also those who live within the town’s borders?

Curses don’t discriminate, and the curse of the blood moon is the most determined and dangerous of all.

This book weighed in heavier on the suspense/plot side of the story then the character development side, which some will enjoy and some will not. I’m actually here for it. It was a palate cleanser. I’m all for character development and deep emotional dives and a reasonable amount of angst, but sometimes I just want to read a book about witches and magic and time travel and have it just be about breaking the evil curse while a couple fall in love.

Having said that, let the suspension of disbelief begin, because sometimes that’s the funnest part. Three friends. Three witches. They live in Salem. Because of course they do. Where both non-magical people and witches live in harmony. A nightmare sends the heroine, Lucy, into the woods where she meets the hero, Jonas, a male witch capable of time traveling, sort of. He needs to break a spell he cast to shield Hallows End from the infamous witchcraft trials happening in Salem in the mid 1600s. And now Hallows End exists in the 1600s but not in contemporary times.

A colourful, quick read about three friends navigating past hurts, lasting friendships and banding together against an evil entity. It that’s your sort of read, give Hallows End a chance and see what you think.

Until next time…

What’s everyone else reading?

May 2023: Charcuterie Season

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Karyn Good

‘Tis patio season!

That means happy hour outside. Hands up if you love a good Charcuterie board as much as I do? We also love nachos. Chips and dip. Any kind of cracker you can use to scoop up some hummus. Heck, microwave popcorn. Of course, you can eat all these things year round, but everything tastes better outside.

How to build a Charcuterie Board inspiration.

Even more inspiration with Four Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board.

I’m just back from a wonderful time in Vancouver visiting family and having a lovely time that involved my granddaughter’s three year birthday party. It was as much fun as it sounds. Laughter and balloons and rainbows, which was the theme. That means next week will be about getting back into some kind of schedule and back to my work-in-progress that I haven’t thought about in a month. I may have to glue my butt to the chair.

Until next time…

Give me all your best ideas for snackin’ on the patio!

April 2023: Round Up

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Karyn Good

We’re back from a much needed vacation. For me, vacations include time away from social media which is why there wasn’t much happening here in April. So, this round up is about our trip to Palm Springs, California. We’re big fans of California.

Palm Springs, California

This was our first time staying in Palm Springs instead of staying near the ocean. I love vacationing by the water but it’s just warmer in the desert, go figure.The desert resort city of Palm Springs lies in the Coachella Valley of southern California. It’s got a very mid-century modern vibe, which I immediately embraced.

In fact, we stayed in a VRBO that was immersed in the mid-century modern style from the architecture to the design details. I loved how the teal tones blended with the brown and orange tones. There was a tiny patio off each bedroom and a lovely landscaped yard with a view of Mount San Jancito State Park.

MCM became popular in Europe post WWII as cost effective way to move forward in function and style. A wide low footprint, flat roof lines, and an abundance of windows put the focus on blending in with nature. The style made it way to America and was embraced by the West Coast, particularly, and Palm Springs quickly became known for all things mid century modern.

Honestly, we didn’t do a lot of exploring and kept it very low key. We swam, we read, we dined. We shopped. We did do a self guided tour of mid century modern homes. Below is the Edris House. You can see and read more about this fabulous house here.