WEEKLY UPDATES: SWEET THOUGHTS FOR VALENTINES EVERYWHERE…

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

Another week has flown by, but with all the political havoc happening every day, I will be glad to turn the page on it.  I only read and reviewed two books this week, thanks to the distractions.

I’ve been loving Bridgerton, on Netflix, and hope to find more shows to binge-watch over the weekend.

I’m sipping my coffee right now…join me while we take a closer look at the week.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Tuesday Excerpts:  “Hadley & Grace”

Tuesday Potpourri:  Bookish Delights…

Hump Day Reading…

Bookish Treasures…

Another Backlog Book…

Bookish Friday: “An Ordinary Life”

Review:  Pretty Little Wife, by Darby KaneReview:  Strawberry Shortcake Murder, by Joanne Fluke

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Empty Physical Mailbox!  I did receive one NetGalley ARC…and downloaded two e-books.

The Necklace, by Matt Witten (On Sale 9/7/21)

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

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Strawberry Shortcake Murder, by Joanne Fluke

An Ordinary Life, by Amanda Prowse

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CURRENTLY READING:  Last week, I planned to read The Push, by Claire McGowan…and I did begin.  But then I got sidetracked by other books, one of which I did finish…so now I am finally reading it.

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day…we’re having a special lunch, with goodies to post.  Meanwhile…here’s something to send your way….

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80 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: SWEET THOUGHTS FOR VALENTINES EVERYWHERE…”

  1. The Necklace sounds very good.
    I look forward to your thoughts.
    Anything by Amanda Prowse is bound to be good and a real tear jerker.
    The Push should be another good one.
    You have a nice lineup there.
    Enjoy.
    Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Books have helped me survive the last four years. Probably more like five. lol
        My granddaughter and her husband are at the hospital right now having my first great grandson. First boy at all. I had a girl and she had two girls. So excited. He’s about three weeks early but will be fine. I hope.

        Like

    1. Thanks, Kathryn, I have such fun creating these mini-me characters.

      I wasn’t sure about Bridgerton at first, but then I was hooked. I really like the look of the Simon character…LOL

      Lovely interiors always catch my eye, too.

      Enjoy your week!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Gayathri Lakshminarayanan

    I am yet to watch Bridgerton on Netflix. But I am on the fence about it, I liked the book but there were parts that put me off so much. I hope the Netflix version did a better version of it. I hope you have a great week ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Sophie, in the end I did not watch the “defense” case once I realized how many distortions they were presenting. Not surprised by the outcome, but I’m very glad it is over so regular shows can resume!

      I was glad to have Bridgerton to watch. Enjoy your week.

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  13. I am sorry that politics have distracted you from your reading this week, Laurel-Rain. I do hope the fun sounding Strawberry Shortcake Murder helped you a escape for at least a bit and I hope you enjoy your special Valentine’s Day meal. Take care and happy reading. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Trin Carl

    Love fluke murders. I didn’t pay attention much to the politics but I had a great discussion about politics with a passenger whose father was a republican like my dad, and how hard it was to grow up with these drastic opinions in the house.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Trin, it is hard to grow up at odds with others in the family…and even now that I am definitely an adult on my own, I still run into these opposing viewpoints from some family members.

      Fluke murders are great to read…and view on Hallmark.

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  15. Literary Feline

    I have not been able to watch any of the impeachment trial, but I read the highlights in the evenings. The outcome was expected, even if still disappointing. Isn’t Bridgerton fun? I really enjoyed watching it too. The Necklace looks good! I hope you enjoy it along with your other reads.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Wendy, and not only was the outcome of the trial unsurprising, I was pleased that some of the Republicans did the right thing. Not enough, of course.

      I liked the compelling case put on by the House…and was outraged by the defense team’s attempt to make Trump look completely innocent. As if.

      Well, maybe we can forget about him for a while…but I do wish that they could have done something to prevent him from every running for office again. Perhaps the criminal courts will step in to some extent.

      I am delighted by Bridgerton. Enjoy your week!

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  18. The politics this week made me sick. Yes, we knew the outcome but I was still holding out for things to go differently. It’s disappointing and heartbreaking but, yes, at least it’s behind us now and I can watch the soaps again without interruption.

    I’m really behind on the Joanne Fluke series. It’s so good, but I just haven’t had a chance. There are so many cozy mystery series out there. i feel like I’m behind on all of them. LOL

    Hope your dinner was a nice one and you have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Yvonne, I am very happy that the political mess is behind us…for the moment, anyway! I am definitely looking forward to watching our soaps again.

      I love the Hallmark series based on Fluke’s books, and I also enjoy the cozies by Charlaine Harris upon which the Aurora Teagarden show is based.

      I’ve heard good things about our dinner menu…more later!

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. It was definitely another news-heavy week! I saw someone above recommended watching Sanditon… I’ll echo that one. It was so good and I’m hoping for another season! Enjoy your books and shows this week. Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. I’ve seen a lot of people reading THE PUSH and I’ve heard good things about it. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would be a good book for me as it has some elements that kind of hit me in a bad way.

    I really should watch Bridgerton, but I think I’ll wait until the buzz has died down! Also, since the kids are always home, it’s hard to find a time to watch it when they won’t see it!

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. Susan

    Happy belated Valentines Day Laurel. Hope your day was great. I’m in SoCal right now as I made the flight from Canada a couple weeks ago to check in on my parents (85). My siblings & I are going to be moving them soon to a senior care village as they are getting beyond living in their house of 50 years. We haven’t told my Mom yet but I think she will flip out when we do tell her. Perhaps you might have some advice on how best to handle this delicate transition? Anyways, what is with all the novels this year with the title of The Push …. isn’t that the 2nd novel with the same title. Ha. Much to Push … this year I guess.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Susan, and I empathize with your situation with your parents. As for advice, I could say to include them in the process, the decision-making, as much as possible. I was definitely part of the decision, though, and still felt “forced” by my kids. The winning factor for me was that the place I came to had levels of care, and I am able to be independent. Of course the Pandemic ruined all of that for me, lol. How much value is there in independence if you can’t go anywhere?

      I am stunned by the two books of the same title, The Push, and I have encountered duplicate titles in the past, but these were so confusing. The books are different, though, so once I had read one of them and now I am on the second one…it’s not an issue.

      What a year we are having! Enjoy the coming weeks and getting your vaccines as soon as possible.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Gilion Dumas

    I like these weekly wrap up posts. I’m making a visit of Mailbox Monday posts since I usually only visit on Book Beginning days. I need fresh blog ideas! Thanks for the inspiration, as always!

    Liked by 1 person

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  33. I was looking at reviews on Amazon last week (which I don’t actually do that often) and I saw one by you! I was so excited! (I can’t remember the book now, though.) I am so bad at keeping up with current events and politics, I really should focus more on them than I do, but I never turn on the news and only glance at the newspaper headlines. I haven’t delved into Bridgerton yet. It’s very rare that I watch a show on my own, and I doubt my husband wants to watch Bridgerton! I do still want to try The Queen’s Gambit, but maybe that’s already passe by now!

    Liked by 1 person

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  34. Cheryl Malandrinos

    I agree, all the political goings on are distracting. I am almost at the point I don’t want to read the news at all.
    An Ordinary Life looks good. Hope you enjoy all your books.
    Thanks for visiting my blog today.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  38. Izabel Brekilien

    I raise my cup of coffee to yours and I add a chocolate chip cookie (homemade) ! I’d love a strawberry shortcake but without the murder ^^ Enjoy your weekend !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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