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Need A Vacation and Can’t Get Away? || Kailua Marines Series Review!

6/28/2023

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I used to be drawn to the mountains, and to be honest, I still love them! But more and more, these days my heart is running to the beach. And right now, I just can’t get there. There’s no time and with my husband’s work schedule, it’s not gonna happen. Plus, I don’t really want to see people running around in colored underwear!

So, I take a vacay via books! And I am so excited to share my reviews of this indie published series!
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This is the author’s second series and if you want the full story, I recommend starting with her San Diego Marines series, which I am back tracking to 😉

*Just so you know, this is a sweet romance series, with minor steamy scenes (my copies are censored to meet my personal convictions.) I recommend this series to mature adult readers. *

Treasured in Turtle Bay

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This was such a sweet story! I was craving a good modern military story, and when I saw this one, I decided to give it a try. I am a hardcore Army girl, but I used to live 15 minutes from a Marine base, so I'm well acquainted with the Corps *halo*

I love Roman and Molly's different personalities; how they show that you don't have to be the same to love each other! And I love Molly's highlighter system! The Pineapple Love story analogy was so sweet and sad too... I also loved the reference to the USO center at the airport because I feel like civilians like me don't usually know about things like that. (I did know about them, but only because I'm a military fanatic and have friends in the service.) And finding out that there were certain things Roman couldn't do in the military because his dad was from Italy was fascinating to me. AND CAN WE APPRECIATE THAT ROMAN WAS HOMESCHOOLED???

Content: pre-marital kissing, hugging and deception.

*I received an early copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.*

Promises in Pyramid Rock

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This book was precious! The characters were so individual and easy to tell apart. I loved the content creator aspect, indie publishing and homeschooling! I felt like I had taken a tour of Hawaii and that's what I love in books, immersive setting! Add in the military flavor and the food choices? It was a recipe for success! Great plot and awesome talent!

Content: alcohol (brief, not drunk); noticing physical attributes but not too detailed/risqué); kissing hugging prior to marriage; mentions of drugs, immorality (clear it's wrong).

Stranded on the Sandbar

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This was a fun read! A little steamier than I care for, but still not toooooo detailed. Glad I finished! Tyler is so sweet and makes me think of my husband with all the little things he did and the way he gently pushes you out of your comfort zone. So yeah! It didn't disappoint!

Content: alcohol, refers to drunkenness as a diseases, swimwear, touching, kissing, thoughts, unmarried couple stranded together overnight for a few days.

Romance on the Reef

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This book is my favorite. I know I say that every time. But it's true! I love this story and come on, who isn't a softy for snarky, hurting marines who read books to escape? I love remarriage stories (when they were widowed) and this story was so beautiful! Take me to Hawaii btw…

Content: N/A (Forgot to list it when I read it, pregnancy brain 😉)

Heartbeats in Honolulu

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Loved this books so much! When I was putting this together, I realized I never reviewed this book, therefore there will be no content review. But I know there was nothing more than what was mentioned in the previous books. It was a rivals to lovers, workplace romance setting and honestly, it was so sweet! And the plot twist at the end!!! LOVED IT!!!

Christmas in Kailua

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This is a sweet single mom military romance that takes place at Christmas time on Kailua Hawaii! All the young mom feels…

This story was so vibe-y! It’s everything I would expect from a Hawaiian Christmas and I so want to visit! All the found family vibes and 😍 I loved the on going arc with Logan and his brother and I will say, I even enjoyed screaming at my book/phone when Jimmy was in the picture. I hate him. And Jess did a great job making sure I did. And the Christmas trees. Guys 😭

I loved the military tidbits scattered through the story and the peek into military life! That’s probably my favorite element of this series! And shot out to Jess for making us first time moms feel seen!

(There are a few things in the book I wasn’t a fan of, those are under content.)

Logan is the literal best y’all. He’s honest about his feelings of insecurity about being a step dad, he’s such a hero family member his brother (and learns he’s maybe too much so!), and he’s so protective of Tess and Sadie! This girl needed him 💚 Even with the *spoiler alert* miscommunication, he wasn’t about to let her go and I love him for that *end of spoiler* Also the Christmas tree scenes. All of them.

Tess grew on me. She wasn’t my favorite of the gals, but definitely not one I disliked! She’s young, dumb and way too trusting and I love her’s and Nora’s relationship 🥰 She’s a great mom to Sadie and as I said, I felt so seen! And at one point I wanted to slap her, but when we switched to her POV, OH MY GOODNESS I WAS SO PROUD OF HER! I can’t give deets, but read this book so we can fangirl! Cause this trope (see above spoiler) was done right!

Content: pre-marital touching and kissing; divorce (I do not believe this is biblical, however, it does happen, and in spite of, I enjoyed this book); lots of talk about what people look like in the beginning, but it wasn’t overbearing to me; flirting; alcohol talked about in a casual manner.

Hope you have a lovely time on your trip to Hawaii ;) What are your favorite beachy reads? Share them below!

Have a great summer!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22
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Monthly TBR’s Stress Me Out! || What I’m Doing to Enjoy Reading Again!

6/21/2023

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I used to make monthly TBR’s for myself. But I quickly found out that this was stressing me out so much that I wouldn’t read at all. Today, we’re going to discuss why it stresses me out and what I’m doing to break myself out of this vicious cycle 😆
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Why it Stresses Me Out

1| I have Deadline Commitment Issues, haha!
I don’t know why, but having a deadline pretty much guarantees that I will not finish on time. I get so nervous about it that I just freeze up. So giving myself a stack of books to finish in a month is a bad idea for me.
 
2| I’m a Mood Reader
This is something that I am figuring out about myself, but my mood heavily dictates what I want to read. If I’m not in the mood for romance (clean ones!), I’m going to take the romance book slow or stop completely. Even if I’m enjoying it, I just can’t seem to force myself to finish it without going into a slump.
 
3| I Have Trouble Focusing when I have too many Pre-Scheduled Books or Not Enough Time
Hailing back to reason 1, my brain freezes up under pressure. I feel panicky, even though I’m the only one putting pressure on myself. I don’t like being a quitter. It’s deeply ingrained in me, and I am trying to break that mindset in regards to reading.
 
4| Did I mention I hate Deadlines?
Yeah, I just really, really, hate deadlines.

What I’m Doing to Enjoy Reading Again

1| Allowing My Self to DNF Books I’m not Enjoying
Not enjoying the book, I’m stopping. Sometimes it takes me a page, sometimes a few chapters. But when I realize I don’t like it, that’s it.
 
2| Reading comic books to help me feel accomplished.
I need to see progress happening. I need to see my number of books read growing. Comic books are a great way to feed that need while also reading longer works. This why, I don’t feel like I’m spinning my wheels.
 
3| Trying new authors and new genres
A few years ago, I never would have read anything remotely romantic or related to manga. Now, I’m cautiously dipping my toes into these genres and am eyeing suspense novels too!
 
4| Reading books I love, regardless of what others may think.
Relating to those two genres I just mentioned… Many people have a stigma attached to romance and manga. Let me be clear. I am very selective with the one I read and I am not above censoring my copies. But as long as I don’t feel God telling me not to or my husband for that matter, I don’t have to justify my reading habits to anyone else. Some books I mention on here are not going to be for everyone. And that’s okay!
 
5| Shelving books that I’m just not clicking with in that moment.
Some books just aren’t right for the moment, ya know? Classics usually do this to me. If they don’t intrigue me from chapter one, I probably won’t stick with it/have to take a break. They will keep for the right time. (Also, audiobooks help!)
 
6| Reading the first chapter of multiple book and picking the one I’m most interested in.
I never used to do this, but now, I’m finding this really helps me pick my books! I highly recommend grabbing four or five books you can’t choose between and reading the first chapter before deciding!
 
How about you? What are your tips and tricks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 
Have a blessed day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22
4 Comments

Writing Update || What I’ve Got Going on and What I Plan to Do

6/16/2023

4 Comments

 
Hey! I know this post is late, but I’m doing my best to get back into the once a week posting habit. I have so little control over my life right now, this is one thing I want to try and control 😆
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Honestly, I haven’t been doing much writing lately. I have been trying to find time to write, but I honestly just do not have any inspiration right now. I’m doing good just to read, much less write. I want to write. I miss it. I just have zero inspiration and desire to work on any relevant projects.

I am trying to work on The Battlefield is Silent, because I owe that to you, my readers! I want to finish this series. I want to see my characters get the ending they deserve. I WANT TO FINISH SOMETHING! 😆 But honestly, I’m not excited to write it either. I can’t stand writing about the fall of the greatest nation to ever exist. And by that, I mean Constitutional America. When the Confederacy lost the war, America as a whole lost. So yeah, I’m not looking forward to writing about that. I honestly don’t want to. And I don’t know how to make this series end well with all this in mind.

That being said, I’m gonna take my time, maybe write some short stories to get my creative juices flowing. After I finish this series, I may take a break from novels and do flash fiction and just for fun writing. I need a creative recharge.

Sorry this post is so short and melancholy 😅 I honestly just don’t know what to do at this point, so any all ideas are welcome.
 
Have a great day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22
4 Comments

Possible Summer Reads || A List of Books I Want to Read, but Probably Won’t Get To ?

6/5/2023

2 Comments

 
Well, I didn’t intend to take off the month of May, but with family life and baby days happening, lets just say, I guess I needed the brake😋

Today, I thought it would be fun to share some books on my tbr list that I really want to read this summer, but as the title indicates, I have no idea if that will happen at all! But a girl can dream, right? So, let’s take a look at this list and see if we have any books in common!
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The Oustsiders

About: No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends - true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. And when it comes to the beating up on "greasers" like him and his friends - he knows that he can count on them for trouble. But one night someone takes things too far, and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down...

Why: I’ve had MULTIPLE people recommend this book to me and y’all, it’s time. It’s got some classic summer vibes and I’m honestly excited to see what all the hype is about!

The San Diego Marines Series

About: Fall in love with the San Diego Marines in this sweet military romance collection. This set includes eight standalone sweet romances with handsome heroes and happily ever afters.

Why: I love Mrs. Mastorakos’ writing style and have enjoyed several of her books! This is her first series and I am so looking forward to getting into it! Each book ties into the previous one, but they can be read on their own. I do recommend them for mature adults (I do some minor censoring to my personal copies).
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Where the Crawdads Sing

About: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.

But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.

Why: Honestly, I’m starting to wonder 😅 I’ve read two chapters of this book and if it were set in Louisiana, it would be fine I guess? But this author, in spite of living in the NC mountains, knows very little about NC history and culture. It’s very, “stupid, poor, southern, white trash,” so I’m eager to skip the ludicrous backstory and get to the murder mystery 😅

The Sunrise at Normandy Series

About: This series follows the lives of the three Paxton brothers as they worth through family struggles, find love, and battle the Germans, all culminating in the Battle of Normandy!

Why: I read these books when they first came out and I want to reread them so bad! The Anniversary of D-Day is coming up tomorrow, so I’m planning to start book 1!
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Coral

About: Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?

Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?

Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?

When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?

Why: I’ve always loved mermaids! And the summer seems like the perfect time to read about them! I like my mermaids dressed modestly and having it just be a silhouette on the cover was a huge win for me! Plus, I am deeply interested in the topics covered!

Mammoth and Titan

About: Hardy Boys meets Indiana Jones in this new adventure novel.

After the death of his father, misfit and aspiring paleontologist Tommy Rhodes seeks refuge in the ramshackle lighthouse that stands guard over the city of Mammoth, Washington. Left in disarray by years of bad weather, it’s the perfect place for Tommy to hide from everything that’s gone wrong with his life – and to party with his band of friends, the Jailbirds – the only family he has left.

After a storm uncovers a secret hidden in the walls of the old lighthouse, Tommy unravels a mystery beyond his wildest dreams and the deadly conspiracy that surrounds it – and Tommy’s entire life seems tangled at the heart of it all.
Tommy and the Jailbirds – Jude, Maya, Mars, and newcomer Lydia – are thrust into the middle of a deadly hunt for the truth that will challenge their bond, uncover the secrets that lurk beneath the surface of Mammoth, and test just how far they’ll go to set things right. (From Book 1!)

Why: This book set is another reread for me! I love these books so much and now that I have the paperback, I am dying to reread and annotate them!
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The Brides of Beaufort Series

About: Escape to a small town in South Carolina for six seriously swoonworthy sweet romances! This set includes 6 interconnected novels with 2000+ pages of handsome heroes, witty banter, and feel-good love stories that will take your breath away.

Why: This series by Jess Mastorakos is the follow up to the Kailua Marines Series that I finished in April! I cannot wait to read them all 😍

As the Crow Flies

About: Riley Conrad knows how to put on a good show, but it’s the man behind the guitar who will always come first to me.

I’m the shy middle sister. My younger sister is bubbly and charismatic; my older sister is an actual country music superstar—America’s sweetheart, through and through. They might stumble, but they always get back up and fight for what they want in the end.

Me? I’ve wanted something for six years and haven’t been brave enough to admit it out loud.

Why: I’ve read the first few books and I am so looking forward to this one the most! I loved Riley and Aubree so much and I cannot wait to hear their story! Again, for mature readers, not spicy, but a little steamy, so it may require censoring.
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What books are you wanting to read this summer? Share your lists in the comments! Oh, and if you’ve read any of these, let me know!
 
Have a blessed day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22
2 Comments
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    Ryana Lynn

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