WWW Wednesday | 5/6/26

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

I’ve been forgetting to post these WWW Wednesday posts for some reason – just slipping my mind? Stress? lol…I have 2 trips this month, and they are coming up quick. The first trip, I planned. But the second one…I’m relying on my parents! lol They planned it and I’m scared 😅 because I feel like I have no control over any of it.

Anyways here is what I’ve been reading – but I think I’m not feeling like reading lately because I have so much on my mind but I’m hoping to finish my arcs that are due in early June since I’m not sure about my wifi situation when I go to the Philippines.

What are you currently reading?

Hart’s Landing by. Melanie Harlow – 5%

This Book Made Me Thing of You by. Libby Page – audiobook – 57%

The False Vow by. Lydia Gregovic – 12%

When the Light Returns by. Joanna Ruth Meyer – 24%

What have you just finished reading?

The Beckett Effect by. Nashae Jones – arc- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Between Tides & Thunder by. Leena Kazak – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Shadow Reaper by. Lynette Noni – arc – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Curses, Keys and Secret Societies by. Breanne Randall – ⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

What are you going to read next?

Fury Bound by. Sable Sorensen

The Secret World of Briar Rose by. Cindy Pham

Game of Rogues by. Julie-Ann Long

Their Will Undone by. R.J. Valldeperas

What are YOU reading right now?

Weekly Wrap Up | 5/3/26

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ Happy May everyone! It’s the first Sunday in May and nothing special happened this past week. We are just trying to get to the end of this month and get everything done with kids and their last month of school which will be cut short since we are leaving on a trip to the Philippines during their last week of school.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

The Becket Effect by. Nashae Jones
Between Tides & Thunder by. Leena Kazak
Verity Guild by. Mai Corland
My Dreadful Darling by. H.D. Carlton
Soon by You by. Dahlia Adler

Currently Reading:

The False Vow by. Lydia Gregovi
Curses, Keys and Secret Societies by. Breanna Randall
When the Light Returns by. Joanna Ruth Meyer
Shadow Reaper by. Lynette Noni
This Book Made Me Think of You by. Libby Page

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

+ Running Point (Netflix) – Season 2 – this show makes me laugh so much! Love it!

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

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Between Tides & Thunder by. Leena Kazak | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Between Tides & Thunder

Author: Leena Kazak

Pages: 496

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 3/31/26

Categories: Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy

She was raised to hate him. Now she shares his bed.
Princess Mayah of Tundrayn isn’t allowed to want. Not freedom. Not love. Not even her own future. Instead, she’s spent her life healing others’ pain and swallowing her own. But when her father strikes a fragile alliance with enemy-kingdom Arbinj to crush a rising rebellion, she is bartered into a marriage she didn’t choose for a crown she doesn’t want.

She expects a prince. She gets the Dark Commander.
Zevayr is ruthless, unyielding, and a stormwielder with a reputation soaked in blood. He is everything Mayah was taught to fear. Yet as they race across rebel-torn lands, the less certain she is of where the monster ends and where the man begins.

In Arbinj’s glittering courts, the Rebellion surges and dangerous secrets stir from Mayah’s past—secrets that could shatter her kingdom, and her heart, if she lets them.

The question is not if Mayah will betray, but who: her people, her love, or herself?

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Two warring kingdoms, Tundrayn and Arbinj, have a choice – unite now against the Rebellion or keep killing one another. Mayah is a princess of Tundaryn and her father has arranged for her to marry Faramir or Arbinj but it’s his brother, Zevayr that comes to fetch her. In this world there are non-wielders of magic who are just known as commoners and each kingdom has a way of dealing with them. There are also magic wilders of elemental powers, Mayah can hearl, Zevayr can call storms. So I did enjoy the magic system and the different kingdoms. There is one other kingdom though that gets mentioned but we don’t see much of.

Characters: Mayah is very outspoken, she’s a healer but we also find later on that there is more to her than what she portrays in the first half of the book. There were times I was frustrated with Mayah and I did not blame Zevayr for his anger when things really go down between them. Zevayr, is the Dark Commander who’s killed so many people during the war, but he’s a good guy who is patient with Mayah and gives her all the space she needs. Both of them have had trauma because of the war.

Romance: This is low on spice, but high on steam! There is so much yearning and angst between Mayah and Zevayr because they are enemies, but during their journey to Arbinj they get sort of close. It is such a slow burn I almost thought there would be no time for any spice between them but I think what made up for it was their relationship journey. There is betrayal, and it’s a hump they have to go over and work through but it does feel like there is no chance for them. But their declarations of their feelings are intense and made up for the lack of spice I think. I did love them together.

Story: I was kind of addicted to this story, it really does take you on an emotional journey. And there was a moment where I was totally mad at Mayah. 😅 I loved Zevayr, but Mayah tried my patience at times. The plot twist did feel like it was for shock value because it comes out of nowhere, but I went with it. As for the story, it was more light on the world-building and political intrigue also. It is a standalone and things are neatly tied up at the end when it comes to the villains, but I think I wanted more from the villains. Kind of wish this was a series!

Now some of the writing starts kind of bothering me in the second half. I’m having a “thing” right now about the nicknames characters use for one another. And “baby” was used a lot in this book because he teases her that she’s a big baby…but then it becomes a nickname, and for some personal reason of mine, it just felt too modern speech to me. It kept making me cringe. And then the battle scenes at the end where everyone has to use their powers but food is the fuel for their magic –I thought it was hilarious that they were fighting and then Zevayr would should bread in her mouth to help keep up her energy to use her magic! 😂. It’s not supposed to be funny but it was kind of crazy how they were eating and fighting. I was like, what is going on?!

Final Thoughts:

This is a standalone romantasy that has magic, a slow burn romance, yearning, betrayal and I found it addictive even though at times the FMC was frustrating. I do wish it was a duology at least so that the wild ending didn’t seem rushed, and there were some things about the writing that I didn’t gel with but overall, it’s one of those books that I just found entertaining despite the issues.

Read if you like:

slow burn romance, yearning
elemental powers
secrets, betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Shadows That Listen by. Louisa Carmody | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating:

Title: The Shadows That Listen (Angel Ruin, #1)

Author: Louisa Carmody

Format: ebook

Pages: 399

Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

Publication Date: 9/9/25

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance, Series

WHO WILL SURVIVE THE NIGHT?

The Shadows that Listen is an unputdownable dystopian romantasy with a delicious slow burn romance, from debut author Louisa Carmody. Perfect for fans of Crescent City and Silver Elite.

It’s been five years since the world was brought to its knees by an immortal war. Daemons crawled from the depths of hell and the sky bled gold as the angels arrived. Humanity thought it was saved, but the angels did not come to protect us.

Amara is a human warrior working for the Angel Intelligence Agency. She spends her days searching for those who don’t make it home after curfew. But when her boyfriend Jeremy goes missing, she decides to venture into the shadows to bring him back. Even if it means death.

Nathaniel is an archangel tasked with leading the destruction of humanity, for which he cares little. He doesn’t have time to protect little humans running around in the dark, especially those who stab him in the stomach.

But Nathaniel and Amara will soon realise they share a foe, one that lurks in the shadows and stalks them from the skies. She might long to kill him, but Amara knows that having an angel at her side is the only way to find the man she loves.

The shadows lengthen. They listen. Who will survive the night?

Content Warning: violence, death, suicide

World Building: This urban fantasy, dystopian world is one where humans are caught in a war between the angels and demons. I was very fascinated with it! Amara is part of an agency called the AIA, they train to fight demons, and try to study angels as much as they can. But they also look for missing people, which happens a lot when curfew kicks in at sundown, when the demons come out. Most of the story takes place on a quest to find Amara’s missing boyfriend, Jeremy and a fallen angel named Cain. So I don’t feel like there was much chance for world-building. We do get some of the angel headquarters in the beginning but not a lot. Would love to see this world open up in the next book.

Characters: Amara is a bad-ass, she is a fighter and we get to see all her skills in action. I love her relationship with Xavier, her only family/friend, he was fun and I wish we had more time to get to know him. But Amara is willing to die to find her boyfriend, Jeremy, with the help of archangel Nathaniel. Nathaniel is the head of the angel legion and he can kill very easily. She and Nathaniel get to know one another as they are reluctant allies during their quest. I thought it was interesting how he was deadly in a fight but had moments where he seemed playful. But a few things test their relationship at the end. Since most of the book is the two of them on this quest, I feel like we don’t meet many other characters.

Romance: There is only a kiss, and nothing else. Amara and Nathaniel do grow close and I enjoyed the banter between them. And yes I totally wanted more to happen but she still has a boyfriend. But after that ending, it will be interesting to see what happens next between Amara and Nathaniel! I definitely wanted more steam hopefully in book two!

Story: This story starts off intriguing but there is a moment at the start of this quest where there is not a lot dialogue. The second half of this book really picks up and is so action packed – I loved the fight scenes, especially because of Amara. Some twists were predictable but I still enjoyed it! And the ending, the secrets? The betrayal? That ending ripped my heart out, made me even tear up. But would love more world-building.

Vibes: angels, demons, bad-ass FMC

Final Thoughts:

I read this in two sittings and that ending ripped my heart in two. I did have some little issues with it but I was totally invested in Amara and Nathaniel, loved the fight scenes against the demons. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Read if you like:

urban fantasy, with dystopian vibes
enemies to reluctant allies
secrets, betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Weekly Wrap Up | 4/26/26

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ We have been back in the school routine. I thought I was going to do a jury summons on Monday, but the case was settled so yay, I didn’t have to drive into morning traffic for that.

+ It is back to being HOT in Hawaii, we are hovering in the high 80’s so it feels like summer again.

+ My sister, my daughter and I are going to Stanford, California for the BTS concert in 3 weeks, and then a week after that I’m going to the Philippines with my parents and my kids…so I am traveling in the next few weeks. It’s going to be…a lot! I’m excited but also like…a little overwhelmed? Most of the Philippines trip my parents are planning and they have their way of traveling and I have my way…SO…I am giving up control to them I suppose? 😅 I’m kinda scared BUT…I have learned in my travels the past 3 years…just have to go with the flow.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan
Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen
Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity
Double Happiness by. Heather Eng
The Last Page by. Katie Holt

Currently Reading:

Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews
Verity Guild by. Mai Corland
Soon By You by. Dahlia Adler
Rites of the Starling by. Devney Perry

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

MUSIC:

+ Drop Dead by Olivia Rodrigo – obsessed with it, love the regular and acoustic version!

+ BTS Arirang album so I can know the lyrics for the concert.

+ Still rocking Bruno Mars The Romantic because I am still on the concert high from his show.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

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WWW Wednesday | 4/22/26

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

Back to my schedule, and trying to get my May and June arcs done as much as I can because I have 2 trips in May, one to the BTS concert and then a 2 week trip to the Philippines with my kids and my parents! So I’m working on that and my Libby holds, some I’ll have to just let go because arcs are taking priority.

What are you currently reading?

Rites of the Starling by. Devney Perry – 3%

Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen – arc – 46%

Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews – 14%

The Last Page by. Katie Holt – arc – 5%

What have you just finished reading?

The Summer of Second Chances by. K.L. Walther – arc- ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Verdant Cage by. Jess Lourey – arc – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan – audiobook – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego – ⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️

Crown Me Dead by. Liv Zander – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

Crown Me Yours by. Liv Zander – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

The Shadows That Listen by. Louisa Carmody – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

What are you going to read next?

Soon By You by. Dahlia Adler

Double Happiness by. Heather Eng

Curses, Keys and Secret Societies by. Breanne Randal

When the Light Returns by. Joanna Ruth Meyer

Shadow Reaper by. Lynette Noni

What are YOU reading right now?

Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Weavingshaw (#1)

Author: Heba Al-Wasity

Format: ebook

Pages: 464

Format: ebook (Libby)

Publication Date: 2/24/26

Categories: Fantasy, Gothic, Romance, Paranormal, Series

In this debut gothic fantasy, the first book of an enthralling fantasy romance trilogy, a young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a magnetic and dangerous purveyor of dark secrets to save her brother’s life.

Three years ago, Leena Al-Sayer awoke with a terrible power.
She can see the dead.

Since then, she has hidden herself from the world, knowing that if she ever reveals her curse she will be locked away in an asylum.

When her beloved brother, Rami, falls fatally ill, Leena is faced with a terrible CHOICE: Let him die or buy the expensive medicine that will save his life by bartering the only valuable thing she has—her secret.

The Saint of Silence, a ruthless merchant who trades in confessions and is shrouded in unearthly rumors of cruelty and power, accepts her bargain, for a deadly price. Leena must find the ghost of Percival Avon, the last lord of Weavingshaw—or lose her freedom to the Saint forever.

As Leena’s search takes her and the Saint to Weavingshaw, she finds the estate and the surrounding moors to be living things—hungry for blood and sacrifice. Fighting against Weavingshaw’s might, Leena must also fight her growing pull toward the enigmatic Saint himself, whose connection to Percival Avon remains a mystery.

As the house begins to entomb them, time is running out on their desperate hunt for answers. For Leena has come to see that here in Weavingshaw, the dead are not hushed—and some secrets are better left buried with them.

Content Warning: violence, death, kidnapping, suicide

World Building: I was so immersed in this gothic atmosphere of Weavingshaw. There is political unrest, and powerful players like the aristos, plus demons and worshiping of saints. One man, St. Silas, the Saint of Silence is one of the most powerful men in this country and Leena needs to make a bargain with him so she can get medicine to save her brother. I really loved the intrigue and secrets that are all over this story, it lends to the dark, gothic atmosphere. And the paranormal elements are fantastic – Leena can see ghosts and her ability is what St. Silas needs. Loved it all!

Characters: Leena loves her brother and she’s a survivor, they both are. But I love how she doesn’t show her fear even though St. Silas is someone feared – he deals in secrets. He has the power to take anyone down. Leena is determined, brave, and gets under his skin. St. Silas has so many secrets and I love how as the story goes on, Leena tries to uncover them. Leena also has a few secrets of her own though. I also love Rami her brother, though he’s a hot-head, and Mrs. Van, St. Silas’ housekeeper who has a history of her own. I love some of the ghosts too.

Romance: This is the slowest burn or slow burns EVER. It kept me hook on the story, as I waited to see if St. Silas would just give in to his yearnings for her. There is just a steamy kiss…that’s it! I think if there was maybe something a little more my rating would have jumped to 5 haha. But I love how she didn’t feel anything for him but fear, until she learns more about him and his actions spoke louder than words. I am kind of relishing the slow burn but I hope in book two, there is a little more steam.

Story: I read this one in two days – I was hooked and could not put it down. I love the gothic romance, the ghosts and deals with demons (they thrive on delicious secrets), the atmospheric writing, the strong willed FMC and the powerful MMC trying to hold himself together. I cannot wait for book two – oh and it has a cliffhanger ending.

Vibes: it might just be me but it was giving me Jane Eyre vibes – the gothic vibes.

Final Thoughts:

I really couldn’t put this book down it had everything I want in a gothic romance, I just want a little more steam but the the yearning, the secrets, demons, ghosts, and atmosphere is just so good. I can’t wait for book two!

Read if you like:

gothic romance
paranomal
dark secrets

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Weekly Wrap Up | 4/19/26

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ My kids and I went to Las Vegas to see Bruno Mars in concert on April 11, 2026. Let me just tell you what a crazy weekend it was. First, the weather called for HEAVY rain – thank you God it didn’t affect us. And I was worried about TSA lines, but that went smoothly and quick. 🙏🏽. Through security I run into someone I went to college with in California…and she’s my ex-high school boyfriend’s wife now. 😅. She’s a great girl, and we keep in touch – but it’s always kind of been awkward between my ex and me, if I saw him in public he never said hi to me. WELL…with me and my kids there and his wife calling out my name, he had no choice but to finally say hi to me. 😂 We even hugged! Anyway, they were going to the same Bruno Mars show as we were but they were on a different flight that was delayed.

Our flight was stopping over on Maui to switch planes, which we did on time…then the pilot comes on and says they need more fuel to make the trip to Vegas. SAY WHAT? And that they were trying to get clearance to fuel up in Maui…well they were denied, so we had to fly to the Big Island next door, to refuel there. So now we were delayed for 2 hours…kids were hungry. Good thing I loaded up on snacks but we reached Vegas at almost 9:30pm, checked into the Excalibur and got to our room by 10pm. They have a 24/7 food court, thank goodness…but yeah it was a LONG, tiring, day.

Since it was my kids’ first time in Vegas I did want them to see it in the day time, so we slept in, got breakfast, then decided to walk to Park Mgm and take the free tram to the Bellagio so I could show them the flower garden.

The hotels are so big you don’t know you’ve walked 8,000 steps until you’ve felt it! After checking out Caesar’s Palace my daughter said her feet hurt and it was time to rest before the concert. We spied the line for the Hello Kitty/Bruno Mars merch which I wanted so badly but my kids didn’t want to stand in line (I don’t blame them – it was a long line). We were supposed to check out the arcade at the hotel but I needed to nap and the kids wanted to go back to the room. So I napped, kids were on their ipads and we got at least 4 hours of resting our feet before taking the free tram from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and walking it over the bridge to Allegiant Stadium. It wasn’t bad at all! The weather was nice too.

The stadium was nice, entry was easy – if you are ever going there for a concert, make sure you read the bag policy – clear bags only of a certain size!!! I’m glad I read it beforehand. Overall, we had such an amazing time! My daughter was a bit tired from all day walking (next time I’ll book one more day to rest), but once Bruno came on, both my kids were so hype. My son is a teen and always so self-conscious about singing…oh boy did he sing his heart out! Bruno was fantastic, such a showman, such a performer and that voice…I’m so glad my kids got to see him with me! ♥️. It’s my 4th time seeing him in concert and each time has been so amazing.

After the concert, we walked back with the massive crowd back over the bridge and to our hotel. When I looked at my steps counted it was 23,000 for the day! I felt it! We got back to our room at 11:45pm and I told the kids to go to sleep because we had to wake up in 4 hours to catch a 7am flight! UGH. I could do these quick trips when I was younger or just traveling with a friend but with kids, it’s a little hard, so next time I know to book one more day. Flight was on time, and who was on my flight? My ex and his wife again LOL….good times! What a weekend.

+ After our concert weekend it was back to our regular schedule but also I am planning my son’s bar mitzvah which is in July. He’s not having a major party because he said he didn’t want one. But I’m trying to at least make it a little special for people attending the ceremony. So now I’m stressed with that. 😅. At least I’ll be better at planning my daughter’s bat mitzvah in 4 years.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

The Summer of Second Chances by. K.L. Walther
Us Dark Few by. Alexis Patton
A Merry Life by. Sarah Branson
Miracles in Mercy by. Briony J. Shutt
The Verdant Cage by. Jess Lourey
Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego

Currently Reading:

For Whom the Belle Tolls by. Jaysea Lynn
The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan
Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen
Heir of Twisted Lies by. L.J. Andrews
Weavingshaw by. Heba Al-Wasity

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

MUSIC:

+ I cannot wait for Olivia Rodrigo’s album and by the way I promised my kids I’d take them to her concert. 😩 Mama is broke! But I’m going…someway, somehow. I love her new single Drop Dead!

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

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WWW Wednesday | 4/15/26

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

Wow…last week leading up to my trip to Vegas was stressful as HELL. 3 friends cancelled on the trip, so it was my first time traveling with just me and my two kids to Vegas of all places haha. But it worked out, even when we had only 4 hours of sleep before catching our flight back home. The concert was amazing and my kids were such good sports about everything. ❤️ I did start some books on my kindle on the plane rides but didn’t finish anything. I am pretty much recovered now and now have to get ready for BTS in a few weeks. 😅. So hopefully I can get some reading done before then!

What are you currently reading?

The Summer of Second Chances by. K.L. Walther – arc – 25%

Rites of the Starling by. Devney Perry – 3%

The Verdant Cage by. Jess Lourey

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by. Katrina Kwan – audiobook – 5%

Heart of the Wolf Queen by. Sarah Gallego – 32%

Change of Plans by. Sarah Dessen – 7%

What have you just finished reading?

I Could Give You the Moon by. Ann Liang – alc- ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Malachite by. Ashley Anderson – arc – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/🌶️🌶️

A Merry Life by. Sarah Branson – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Starside by. Alex Aster – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️

What are you going to read next?

The Last Page by. Katie Holt

Soon By You by. Dahlia Adler

Double Happiness by. Heather Eng

What are YOU reading right now?

WWW Wednesday | 4/8/26

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

I guess I forgot to do a post last week Wednesday but it’s been that kind of April so far – bad. 😅. I’m hoping to turn things around this weekend as my kids and I go to Bruno Mar’s concert in Vegas, but we are also going to have stormy weather in Hawaii when we fly out. I’m just hoping all goes well. 🙏🏽. Also it doesn’t help that world events are making me super anxious. Sigh….thank goodness for books that let me escape a tiny bit.