[Official Blurb] The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog. This is your news post, so personalize it! Include as much as you want or as little. Be creative, it can be a vlog or just a showcase of your goodies. Link up once a week or once a month, you decide. Book haul can include library books, yard sale finds, arcs and bought books.. share them!
- Enter your link on the post-
- Sundays beginning at 12:01 am (CST) (link will be open all week)
- Link back to this post or this blog
- Visit others who have linked up
- Read this week’s #TheSundayPost!
Happy Spring, dear hearts!
I’m hopeful for a renewal of reading this season,
and lots of wicked good stories on the horizon for me to read!
Jorie’s life behind the blog:
The *best!* moment I was able to share over the past week was celebrating my 12th Blogoversary – which manifested itself through a variety of posts – both on Jorie Loves A Story and on my #bookstagram posts via @joriestory3. The first post on Insta was simply announcing the blogoversary itself and acknowledging the last *12!* years I’ve been book blogging and socially bookish online. Whilst the second post was a BIG reveal of what I purchased as part of the celebration of the milestone 12th Year whilst getting a firm start on my plans to focus on serial fiction throughout 2025! It was one of the goals I revealled on the third post on Insta which was a ‘fond farewell’ to (2024) as well as a nod to my Cuppa Book Love Awards for (2024).
I had intended to read more this past week – however, the last few weeks have been emotionally over the top for Mum and I. As we’re navigating the current medical issues of my father’s whilst sorting out what the next steps are in his care plan. I had a lot of days where I was just too exhausted (mentally, physically and emotionally) to do much past eat a bit of dinner and watch some tv just to ‘relax’ and ‘unwind’ after a long day of working two separate shifts. The stories I knew would wait for me to return to them as I just didn’t have the capacity to soak into their worlds at that point in time.
I am hopeful as I can rest today and on Tuesday, I will be a bit more rejuvenated overall. There are still a lot of uncertainties about my Dad, but we knew that one day our lives were going to grow more complicated because of his medical issues eventually. Blessedly, my Dad is in good spirits despite what is going on and he still retains his humour which is something that gave us a good laugh when we were with him. Humour is the best medicine in life. As we navigate this new path in our lives, we’re simply taking it one day at a time and one week at a time. It is hard to look too far ahead right now and we’re simply thankful for the times we have with him. If it turns out this is our final season with Dad we’ll be there for each other and walk through the grief of his loss together. So far, we haven’t heard the results of the doctor’s enquiries into his health and medical issues – as for whichever reason we’ve been told that could take longer than we’d expect it too. *le sigh*
For now, we have a reprieve and we’re taking it day to day. It is all we can do.
In regard to my blog and readerly life:
I also missed a lot of the announcements being revealled for #WyrdAndWonder’s 7th Year – which is something I will be rectifying this week. My lovely co-hosts have been featuring their announcements in my absence whilst we’ve been happily planning out our theme: Nautical Fantasy which will be celebrated in a variety of ways this May.
- Ari has a lovely Intro to Year 7 which also talks our buddy reads and book club pick
- Annemieke has a great round-up of all things Wyrd And Wonder
- Lisa happily announced our Nautical Fantasy Wyrd And Wonder
- Imyril helps you chart your course into our 7th Year
I’ve been preplanning what I want to do this year and although, Nautical Fantasy interests me greatly – I only picked a handful of selections to read per the theme this year, as other stories of Fantasy are calling to me a bit more which I’ll be focusing on throughout the month. I look forward to sharing what those choices are and which stories I started last year (either during May or October, for #SpooktasticReads) which have made the cut to be finished this May, too.
Aside from the JOYS of Wyrd And Wonder, I’ve been having some wicked good #bookpost of late and I am happy to share the latest stories I’ve received from Ms Anna J. Stewart. She writes the Harlequin Heartwarming series Hawaiian Reunions and the Harlequin Romantic Suspense series Honour Bound – both of which I am in the process of reading. Some of those stories have already been featured on Jorie Loves A Story, too! Whilst she has a new series which picks up after Honour Bound, too.
I’ve received a wicked #bookpost from Ms Stewart:
NOTE: I am a member of her Review Team.
Part of Hawaiian Reunions series:
A Surprise Second Chance (book three)
A Hawaiian Christmas Romance (book four)
Part of Colton’s of Owl Creek series:
Hunting Colton’s Witness (book eight)
Part of the Blackwell Belles series:
A Cowgirl on His Doorstep
NEW series: McKenna Code
Arctic Pursuit (book one)
As disclosed this past week (see also Post), I am in the process of bringing home the Blackwells series I never had the chance to purchase – starting with purchasing the Blackwells of Eagle Springs which will be followed by the Blackwell Belles. The authors themselves had sent me copies of the original series: Return of the Blackwell Brothers and the Blackwell Sisters. I cannot wait for the Belles to become part of my personal library as then, I’ll have ALL *four!* Blackwell series. I fell head over heels for this family and the series has been one I’ve wickedly enjoyed becoming immersed inside.
Whilst I’ve been reading the Hawaiian Reunions series whenever the books arrive as they’re a delight of pure JOY. I have oft lamented how it feels like I’ve returnt home whenever I am lost inside one of those installments! I love the setting and the towne and all the delightful characters – both lead and support and minor. It is one of those heart-grabbing romance series which renews your spirits as you read each installment. Whilst the Honour Bound series is keeping me wicked entertained with heart-pulsing Suspense – I cannot wait to finish the eight novel (as I’m currently reading the sixth novel) as then I can shift into reading the McKenna Code series!
The Colton’s are a multi-author serial which takes on different aspects of the Colton’s lives. This is one instance where I am reading a series out of order – simply due to a) lack of time to read all the stories within each Colton series and b) the time needed to locate used copies of all the Colton novels as a lot of them are harder to source nowadays. These are longer serials too – as I previously read and reviewed Colton on the Run (see also Review) which was book nine out of 12! When I read Undercover Heat (see also Review) it was the third novel of a series of 12 but part of a larger series of stories/series! (see also this page via Fantastic Fiction) Most of the Colton series are listed on this page via Fantastic Fiction – however, you have to read through them as these aren’t all related to Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
My short-term goals are gathering the books before and after Ms Stewart’s novels within her Colton novels whilst if and when I can – I might see if I can source the rest of the 12 novels per each Colton series she participated in. For now, I am appreciating her novels within each of the Colton series and find that I feel just as connected to those stories as if I had been reading the series start to finish. This isn’t typical for me as my personal preference is to read serial fiction in order every time, I pick up a new series – however, I think it’s because of how these particular series are written, you can move in/out of the sequences of order.
I am truly blessed to have crossed her path years ago whilst reviewing the Return of the Blackwell Brothers as it had led me to becoming a part of her Review Team which is truly a blessing for me. I love her style of relationship-based romances and I love how she can write both Contemporary Romantic Suspense and Contemporary small-towne romances. She has a beautiful gift for writing Romances in both styles of narrative – whilst giving you settings you feel as if you’ve visited yourself and characters who feel as tangible and real as if they were walking beside you.
I can’t wait to dive inside A Surprise Second Chance !! As this is the book I’ll be focusing on first as I just have to know what happens with Daphne!! I feel like all the characters who live in Nalani have become part of my extended circle of friends and family now.
Bookish Events coming to Jorie Loves A Story:
17th April : Half Life Empire blog tour hosted by The Write Reads
2nd May : White Feathers blog tour hosted by The Coffee Pot Book Club
I’ve started to host blog tours again – between last year and now – you’ve might have noticed the tours I’ve been featuring by The Write Reads and The Coffee Pot Book Club? I have showcased them on my blog and on my #bookstagram feeds as well. I have two lovelies coming up next which I wanted to shine a light on ahead of their arrival. I used to announce my bookish events more often in the past and simply have gotten out of the habit of doing that again.
I’m currently in the process of reading another series by Shami Stovall which is the Chronos Chronicles – Time-Marked Warlock (book one) and Chronos Warlock (book two) – which crossed my paths originally via TWR and then, directly was sent to me by the author herself. The blog tour was cancelled but I’ve been reading and listening to the series on my own and will happily be sharing my ruminations on the series in the next several weeks. As I want to share my review for the first novel in April and the sequel in May. The third installment of the series: 24-Hour Warlock released this April.
Whilst I noticed she had another blog tour coming up for TWR: featuring Half Life Empire. This novel is Post-Apocalyptic within a First Contact storyline and is a Sci-Fi Adventure series. It is also most likely a complete 180 from my usual choices when it comes to reading or listening to Science Fiction. At the time, when I saw the blog tour announced I was going through a lot with my Dad and I felt maybe a story outside my comfort zones would be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it is good to read outside your own wanderings to reset your readerly life if you’ve hit a rut. And, I definitely am in a bit of a rut as I’ve emotionally been so consumed with what is going on with my Dad that I just haven’t had the will or inclination to focus on reading. Although I’m in the opening bits of Time-Marked Warlock – I knew already that I LOVE Stovall’s style of writing. Hence why I signed onto this blog tour and happily found the audiobook via Audible. For members who have the Plus Catalogue it was already ready to listen without purchase. I’m not sure how long that will remain true but thankfully it is available right now as I listen to it for my tour stop which is this Thursday!
I have a long history of reading Feminist Historical Fiction stories – which discuss the Women’s Rights Movement through different portals of entrance and focused on different Suffragettes in History. When I read the premise of White Feathers it encouraged me to re-open this door – not only on Feminist HistFic but also on war era stories as I had closed the door on traditional war dramas for a long time as it took an emotional toll on me as a reader. I had kept the door ajar for human interest stories set during the war eras and/or a war-time romance but it has been quite a long while since I’ve entertained reading either of those kinds of stories.
Although, I will be reading the story – I was given the option to also host an interview with the author and I was thankful for that opportunity as the context of the story lends well to discussion whilst so does the history of time wherein the story is set. Some of the answers from the author to my questions took on different avenues of discussion than I first realised they might lead but overall, it is a good literary conversation about a novel and the History behind the events within the novel which I think will spark more discussion. I look forward to sharing the conversation with my readers whilst I look forward to reading the story firsthand and then, sharing my reactions.
Depending on when I receive the novel in the post, I might run the interview for the tour itself and showcase my review of the novel afterwards. I will simply have to wait and see to make that final choice ahead of the 2nd.
In case you’ve missed my Reviews & Interviews thus far into 2025:
I would normally only recap the last month of featured reviews and guest features – however, as my content is arriving at a bit of a slower pace as (2025) kicked off – I felt I’d take a moment to talk about what I’ve featured thus far into Spring. There have been some incredible stories I’ve read this year and getting the chance to host authors on my blog again – especially via interviews is making my heart smile. I love putting together the questions for authors to discuss their novels whilst sometimes it is also nice to host a spotlight on a novel which has perked an interest to read but not one I can read right now. Thereby, here is a quick snapshot of what I’ve been featuring on Jorie Loves A Story since January:
BOOK REVIEWS:
The Heart of the Uni-verse by S.D. Henke (one of my Cuppa Book Love Award winners) (see also Review)
Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley (see also Review)
Tales of a Paperboy: A Christmas Story by Andrew J. Mair (see also Review)
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David (see also Review)
My Heart is Hurting by S.E. Reed (see also Review)
GUEST AUTHOR and/or SPOTLIGHTED FEATURES:
Murder on West Lake by I.M. Foster (spotlighted book and series) (see also Post)
The Many Lives and Loves of Hazel Lavery by Lois Cahall (spotlighted book with excerpt) (see also Post)
Strait Lace by Rosemary Hayward (author interview) (see also Post)
Whilst you might have missed my latest WWWednesday wherein I discussed the books I’m currently reading right now. And, don’t forget reading through what my #BestBooksof2024 post!
You can keep track of my bookish events via this Page!
Music has been sustaining me too a lot lately. I’ve been finding new artists and songs via Spotify and curating a playlist which befits the New Year, too. Lots more rock than pop and some lovely Indie artists, too, as I love the Indie Folk and Rock scenes. There is song by PINK which befits the mood of my life lately: Turbulence. I feel better about where I am with my readings after writing this post – as sometimes I get so bogged down in the angst of work that is hard to remember the things that make me happy like reading and exploring different niches of literature. I find stories renewing – not just of joy but also, in seeking the creative ways in which authors tell their stories. Everyone has a unique style of writerly voice, and I love getting lost in a writer’s vision of their world.
I’ve also been binge watching some tv series with Mum – we just finished Younger which we never saw before except for a few episodes. We’ve had the joy of going through the whole series now via NetFlix and it was a wicked good experience. View Spoiler » We also are in the throes of the first year of Matlock and are loving the performances by Kathy Bates. She IS the entire show – even though she has a wicked good supporting cast and a co-lead in Skye P. Marshall who plays Olympia. Whilst I am binge watching a Korean teenage drama called XO Kitty. I only watch the show betwixt and between my shifts at work, so it is slow progress but enjoyable!
I am eagerly diving back into stories today, sorting out where I left off with A Guardian Till Christmas by Danielle Thorne and Death on the Golden Mile by Caleb Wygal. Whilst diving straight into Half Life Empire as I wasn’t able to start listening to the story until now.
I wonder what everyone else is currently reading?
Kindly read through my archives for #TheSundayPost
REMEMBER: IF you’ve read a story you feel I might enjoy myself as I love reading Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, relationship-based romances, and Mysteries — kindly leave me a comment with a link to your post/review on your blog and I’ll be glad to visit you in return.
{Sources: Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #TheSundayPost banner, #Bookpost from Anna J. Stewart collage graphic (Photo Credit: jorielovesastory.com) and the Comment Box banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2025.
I’m a social reader | I share my readerly life on #bookstagram!
I shared this post via #bookstagram!
Leave a Reply