Sunday Post 14 | Happy Galantine’s and Valentine’s Day

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

It’s been a cold, dreary, wet and gray week – except for Tuesday, but only Tuesday. That day, the sun came out and the temperature rose to into the low 60s. I just had to go take a walk around the lake. It felt so good to get out of the house and breathe in some fresh air. This Tuesday is supposed to be a repeat of last, but again – warm temps on Tuesday and only Tuesday. All other days are wet, cold, dreary, and gray. Yay for Tuesdays!

Last Sunday, we actually got some snow overnight that covered the ground and lasted all the way until noon – just enough time to get some pictures. Looking at the picture, I realize that the lake even looks dreary this time of year – brown and dreary. But the snow is pretty 😍

How was your week? Any sunny skies and warm temps come your way – literally or metaphorically?

Be sure to check out my newest bookblog friends. Their sites are so fun and full of great books ❤️

Monogamist Reader – I love Marta’s site tag, “Book reviews and unpopular opinions. Always happy to add more books to your TBR.” She particularly loves YA fantasy and she is the monogamist reader because she can only read one book at a time. 😀

mybookishblogspot – Amanda describes her site as, “Just books, more books and some other stuff too.” She is a librarian who particularly enjoys literary fiction and good, intelligent crime or psychological thrillers.

Read Betwixt Words – Sheri Dye describes herself as a writer, artist and dreamer. She reads, reviews, and recommends a variety of books. Her most recent post is a review of Monster by S. E. Green.

6 books this week – all from NetGalley and the last 4 are Read Now books. Project Hail Mary was a wish granted book. Chasing the Lion came to me by the author sending me a widget – I was surprised to find out it is being published by St. Martins Press. I’ve never had an author with a big publisher send me a widget 🤷🏻‍♀️ but, of course, it intrigued me. The last two are both the next book in series that I read/reviewed the first book(s) of. So, there you go – my book haul for the week 📚.

Project Hail Mary by Andrew Weir

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

---

Chasing the Lion by A.J. Tata

As a child, Dariush Parizad survived Iran’s Islamic uprising, becoming a symbol of the revolution. Named The Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah himself, Parizad rose through his nation’s military to become a lethal soldier and brilliant tactical commander. Now a general, he leads Quds Force, an extremist terrorist organization targeting America and its western allies.

The United States has just uncovered a biochemical weapon, Demon Rain, developed by Parizad’s group. A psychoactive viral agent, it attacks a person’s nervous system and renders them susceptible to mind control. Parizad plans to unleash Demon Rain within Washington D. C. on Inauguration Day during the swearing in of the country’s first female president to spread fear and chaos, turning civilians into weapons.

Assigned to stop the terrorist strike are Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command team. Across the Middle East, Europe, and the U. S., Sinclair pursues Parizad only to discover a deeper conspiracy—involving a disturbing revelation that his wife may not have died from cancer but was murdered as part of a plot against the president-elect. Separated from his teammates and unsure of who he can trust, Sinclair is on a mission not only to save his country, but to avenge his family against Parizad with extreme prejudice…

---

The Hive by Gregg Olsen

In the Pacific Northwest, police officer Lindsay Jackman is investigating the murder of a young journalist found at the bottom of a ravine. Lindsay soon learns that the victim was writing an exposé. Her subject: a charismatic wellness guru who’s pulled millions into her euphoric orbit…

To hear Marnie Spellman tell it, when she was a child, a swarm of bees lifted her off the ground and toward the sunlight, illuming her spiritual connection with nature—an uncanny event on which Marnie built a cosmetics empire and became a legend, a healer, and the queen of holistic health and eternal beauty. In her inner circle is an intimate band of devotees called the Hive. They share Marnie’s secrets of success—including one cloaked in darkness for twenty years.

Determined to uncover the possibly deadly mysteries of the group, Lindsay focuses her investigation on Marnie and the former members of the Hive, who are just as determined to keep Lindsay from their secrets as they are to maintain their status.

---

The Necklace by Matt Witten

The clock ticks down in a heart-pounding crusade for justice

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago—and now, at long last, this small-town waitress sets out on a road trip all the way from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer’s execution.

On her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that leads her to suspect the condemned man is innocent—and the real killer is still free. Even worse, her prime suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk. With no money and no time to spare, Susan sets out to uncover the truth before an innocent man gets executed and another little girl is killed.

But the FBI refuses to reopen the case. They—and Susan’s own mother—believe she’s just having an emotional breakdown. Reaching deep, Susan finds an inner strength she never knew she had. With the help of two unlikely allies—a cynical, defiant teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest—Susan battles the FBI to put the real killer behind bars. Will she win justice for the condemned man—and her daughter—at last?

Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben

---

Gilded Serpent by Danielle L. Jensen

(Book Three in the Dark Shore series)

THEIR BATTLES ENDED IN VICTORY

Lydia returns to Mudaire to enter training at the healing temple. But instead of fighting to save lives, she’s convinced she is doing more harm than good. She delves into the history of the gods only to discover a truth that will change her life forever.

His birthright as commander of the Royal Army is finally in his grasp, but Killian feels anything but victorious. Burdened by his past, he embraces the darker side of his mark—and in doing so, risks starting a war.

BUT THE WAR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN

Having defeated the tyrant Urcon, Marcus struggles to form a lasting alliance with the Arinoquians. But he is plagued by the knowledge that there is a traitor among his friends, and it could cost him everything that he’s fought for.

Torn between her growing allegiance to the Thirty-Seventh legion and her need to liberate her people, Teriana finds herself mired in a web of secrets. She embarks upon a path that will either save everyone she loves—or put them all in their graves.

Readers may read either Dark Shores or Dark Skies first! 
Suggested series reading order:
1. Dark Skies or Dark Shores
2. Dark Shores or Dark Skies
3. Gilded Serpent

---

Warrior’s Ransom by Jeff Wheeler

(Book 2 in The First Argentines series)

After a pilgrimage to the East Kingdoms seeking a blessing from the Fountain, source of the land’s magic, Sir Ransom Barton returns home in search of two dreams: Claire de Murrow, the heiress he loves, and a patron for his warrior skills. Unexpectedly, Ransom finds himself in the favor of Devon, the notorious Elder King. Brought into the ruler’s mesnie and given two wards of his own, Ransom is devoted to his privileged new position. He’s also privy to the running of the realm and to all its courtly intrigues—notably, the machinations of the king’s three remaining sons, all engaged in a manipulative battle to become heir to the throne.

As Ransom is thrust into the middle of poisonous family conspiracies and betrayals, allegiances are shattered, and Ransom fears he may end up serving his worst enemy—or worse, face exile for demonstrating loyalty.

Drawing on his developing powers, Ransom takes up arms against the dark forces coming in a war that will test the limits of his courage and determine the fate of the dangerous and fractious Argentine dynasty.

In case you missed any of my posts last week, you can find them here:

• Tuesday (2/9): #BlogTour Book Review | The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa (YA Fantasy ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Wednesday (2/10): WWW Wednesday
• Thursday (2/11): #BlogTour Book Review | Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney (YA Humor ☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Thursday (2/11): Book Review | The Project by Courtney Summers (YA Mystery ☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Friday (2/12): Book Blogger Hop: What book or series can you see getting made into a movie and not being horribly re-written?
• Saturday (2/13): #BlogTour Book Review | Brush with Death by Fiona Leitch (British Cozy ☀️☀️☀️☀️)

This week is not as busy but still contains lots of good stuff, including 3 five-star reviews. I hope you come back to see the following:

• Tuesday (2/16): Book Review | The Future is Yours by Dan Frey (Sci-Fy ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Wednesday (2/17): WWW Wednesday
• Thursday (2/18): Book Review | Black Coral by Andrew Mayne (Mystery Thriller ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Thursday (2/19): Book Review | Possession by Katie Lowe (Psychological Thriller ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️)
• Friday (2/20): Book Blogger Hop: Is reading a fixed Is part of your morning or evening routine?

I watched To All The Boys: Always And Forever Lara Jean – the third movie in the book adaptations by Jenny Han. I haven’t read the books but I’ve liked the movies, particularly the first and third. I thought the second one was just meh. I think Lana Condor really makes the movie. She’s just too cute and funny in a low key kind of way.

I also finished the last two episodes of Cobra Kai season 3. It’s mostly a nostalgia show, but my husband and I have been marveling at what a really good actor William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) actually is. His reactions and timing are priceless. And the writers have gone above and beyond with his material too. His Facebook message to his high school sweetheart, who he lost to Daniel back in the day, is just so spot on with someone who is unused to social media – all in caps and way too detailed and long.

Did you read, watch, or do anything fun this week?