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2d

Wild Goose Chase
Sarah Adler
An antique dealer and his inconvenient(ly irresistible) new colleague must contend with an illicit stuffed goose and their sizzling attraction, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler. Antique store owner Callahan Leitner has an illegal taxidermy goose in his living room. Why? ItâsâŚcomplicated. But it may end his career unless he finds a legitimate way to dispose of the bird ASAP. Except, thereâs an unexpected wrench in his plansâthe frustrating, effervescent Annie OâNeill. Annie is happy to fill in for her uncle at his antique store; itâs the perfect opportunity to gain more experience before opening a shop of her own, plus sheâll finally meet his handsome young business partner. Unfortunately, Cal is nothing like the charming man she expected. Sheâs tempted to take his apparent dislike personally, until she stumbles upon the source of his moodiness: the contraband waterfowl hidden upstairs. When the goose goes missing, both of their professional reputations are on the line. As Cal and Annie attempt to track down the bird before it can be traced back to the store, their tentative alliance turns into something much deeper. Will the hunt for their felonious fowl lead to true love, or end in ruin?

Stephlove.reads started reading...
2d

Wild Goose Chase
Sarah Adler
An antique dealer and his inconvenient(ly irresistible) new colleague must contend with an illicit stuffed goose and their sizzling attraction, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler. Antique store owner Callahan Leitner has an illegal taxidermy goose in his living room. Why? ItâsâŚcomplicated. But it may end his career unless he finds a legitimate way to dispose of the bird ASAP. Except, thereâs an unexpected wrench in his plansâthe frustrating, effervescent Annie OâNeill. Annie is happy to fill in for her uncle at his antique store; itâs the perfect opportunity to gain more experience before opening a shop of her own, plus sheâll finally meet his handsome young business partner. Unfortunately, Cal is nothing like the charming man she expected. Sheâs tempted to take his apparent dislike personally, until she stumbles upon the source of his moodiness: the contraband waterfowl hidden upstairs. When the goose goes missing, both of their professional reputations are on the line. As Cal and Annie attempt to track down the bird before it can be traced back to the store, their tentative alliance turns into something much deeper. Will the hunt for their felonious fowl lead to true love, or end in ruin?

Stephlove.reads finished a book
2d

Yes, Chef
Grace Reilly
The Bear meets It Happened One Summer in this delicious new romance from USA Today bestselling author Grace Reilly, in which a down-on-his-luck chef and a determined social media maven strike a reluctant deal to bring a beloved restaurant back to life. If you canât take the heatâŚget out of the kitchen. After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattanâs most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And thatâs before Poppy Winfield, the blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock. Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herselfâand she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, prickly, intimidating man sheâs ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at. She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a deal: working together to open a revamped version of his mentorâs restaurant. Heâll handle the menu, and sheâll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, itâll be an accomplishment no one can denyâand a ticket for them both to return to New York. Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: if Poppyâs going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him. As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering--could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

Stephlove.reads started reading...
1w

Yes, Chef
Grace Reilly
The Bear meets It Happened One Summer in this delicious new romance from USA Today bestselling author Grace Reilly, in which a down-on-his-luck chef and a determined social media maven strike a reluctant deal to bring a beloved restaurant back to life. If you canât take the heatâŚget out of the kitchen. After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattanâs most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And thatâs before Poppy Winfield, the blond, bubbly, utterly infuriating daughter of his former boss, shows up at his dock. Poppy needs to escape. From her disapproving family, her horrible ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herselfâand she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, prickly, intimidating man sheâs ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at. She knows Jack is desperate to come back from his unceremonious firing, so she proposes a deal: working together to open a revamped version of his mentorâs restaurant. Heâll handle the menu, and sheâll use her skill as a social media influencer to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make the restaurant a success, itâll be an accomplishment no one can denyâand a ticket for them both to return to New York. Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: if Poppyâs going to work for him, she must learn the ropes of the entire business. Including how to cook. From him. As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen and tensions reach a boiling point, Poppy and Jack are left wondering--could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

Stephlove.reads started reading...
3w

Broken Dove
Dani Francis
Lines will be crossed, loyalties will be tested, and the fight for the Continent is only just beginning as Wren Darlington finds herself caught in the middle of two wars: one for the fate of her home and another for the fate of her heart. LINES WILL BE CROSSED. After blowing her cover as a double agent within Silver Elite and fleeing the Prime-controlled capital, Wren Darlington is finally safe behind allied lines. As her lover and former commander Cross Redden works to disrupt the Primes from inside their ranks, Wren turns her focus toward assisting the Uprising in overthrowing their rule once and for all. LOYALTIES WILL BE TESTED. Though sheâs back among her own people, trust is hard-won and hidden agendas abound on the Mod base. And beyond those walls, Wren canât help but worry that Cross is keeping secrets of his own . . . secrets that could jeopardize everything. Complicating matters even further is her shocking reunion with hotshot fighter pilot and undercover operative Grayson Blake. Once her closest friend in Silver Elite, Gray seems to understand Wren on a level she never thought possible. AND THE FIGHT FOR THE CONTINENT IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING. With the war between Mods and Primes growing more brutal by the day, and with her own role in the conflict becoming more essential than ever, Wren must confront some gut-wrenching questions. Who is she fighting for . . . and who is she willing to lose?

Stephlove.reads TBR'd a book
3w

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard
Douglas W. Tallamy
Douglas W. Tallamyâs first book, Bringing Nature Home, sparked a national conversation about the link between healthy local ecosystems and human well-being. In Nature's Best Hope, he takes the next step and outlines his vision for a grassroots, home-grown approach to conservation. Nature's Best Hope advocates for homeowners everywhere to turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. This home-based approach doesnât rely on the federal government and protects the environment from the whims of politics. It is also easy to do, and readers will walk away with specific suggestions they can incorporate into their own yards. Nature's Best Hope is nature writing at its bestârooted in history, progressive in its advocacy, and above all, actionable and hopeful. By proposing practical measures that ordinary people can easily do, Tallamy gives us reason to believe that the planet can be preserved for future generations. Â

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3w

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants
Douglas W. Tallamy
"If you cut down the goldenrod, the wild black cherry, the milkweed and other natives, you eliminate the larvae, and starve the birds. This simple revelation about the food webâand it is an intricate web, not a chainâis the driving force in Bringing Nature Home." âThe New York Times As development and subsequent habitat destruction accelerate, there are increasing pressures on wildlife populations. But there is an important and simple step toward reversing this alarming trend: Everyone with access to a patch of earth can make a significant contribution toward sustaining biodiversity. There is an unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlifeânative insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, impoverishing the food source for birds and other animals. In many parts of the world, habitat destruction has been so extensive that local wildlife is in crisis and may be headed toward extinction. Bringing Nature Home has sparked a national conversation about the link between healthy local ecosystems and human well-being, and the new paperback editionâwith an expanded resource section and updated photosâwill help broaden the movement. By acting on Douglas Tallamy's practical recommendations, everyone can make a difference.

Stephlove.reads TBR'd a book
3w

When Devils Sing
Xan Kaur
A debut novel about a Punjabi teen who strikes a deal with a devil, thinking it's her chance to escape the poverty of her rural Georgia community; instead, she and three other teens are drawn into the investigation of a local boy's disappearance and into the heart of the town's corruption, where something sinister and ancient is awakening.

Stephlove.reads TBR'd a book
3w

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery
Brom Brom
Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it. A spirited young Englishwoman, Abitha, arrives at a Puritan colony betrothed to a stranger â only to become quickly widowed when her husband dies under mysterious circumstances. All alone in this pious and patriarchal society, Abitha fights for what little freedom she can grasp onto, while trying to stay true to herself and her past. Enter Slewfoot, a powerful spirit of antiquity newly woken ... and trying to find his own role in the world. Healer or destroyer? Protector or predator? But as the shadows walk and villagers start dying, a new rumor is whispered: Witch. Both Abitha and Slewfoot must swiftly decide who they are, and what they must do to survive in a world intent on hanging any who meddle in the dark arts. Complete with 8 pages of Bromâs mesmerizing full-color artwork and chapter illustrations throughout, his latest book is sure to delight.


Stephlove.reads finished a book
3w

Little and Often: A Memoir
Trent Preszler
Trent Preszler thought he was living the life he always wanted, with a job at a winery and a seaside Long Island home, when he was called back to the life he left behind. After years of estrangement, his cancer-stricken father had invited him to South Dakota for Thanksgiving. It would be the last time he saw his father alive. Preszlerâs only inheritance was a beat-up wooden toolbox that had belonged to his father, who was a cattle rancher, rodeo champion, and Vietnam War Bronze Star Medal recipient. This family heirloom befuddled Preszler. He did not work with his handsâbut maybe that was the point. In his grief, he wondered if there was still a way to understand his father, and with that came an epiphany: he would make something with his inheritance. Having no experience or training in woodcraft, driven only by blind will, he decided to build a wooden canoe, and he would aim to paddle it on the first anniversary of his fatherâs death. While Preszler taught himself how to use his fatherâs tools, he confronted unexpected revelations about his fatherâs secret history and his own struggle for self-respect. The grueling challenges of boatbuilding tested his limits, but the canoe became his sole consolation. Gradually, Preszler learned what working with his hands offered: a different perÂspective on life, and the means to change it. Little and Often is an unflinching account of bereavement and a stirring reflection on the complexities of inheritance. Between his past and his present, and between Americaâs heartland and its coasts, Preszler shows how one can achieve reconciliation through the healing power of creativity.

Stephlove.reads DNF'd a book
3w

The Sun and the Starmaker
Rachel Griffin
There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world... and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy. Nestled deep in the snowy mountains of the Lost Range, the small village of Reverie endures on a miracle. Beyond the reach of the Sun, Reverie is dependent upon the magic of the mysterious Starmaker: every morning, he trudges across a vast glacier and pulls in sunlight over the peaks, providing the village with the light it needs to survive. Aurora Finch grew up on tales of the Starmakerâs magic, never imagining sheâd one day meet him. But on the morning of her wedding, a fateful encounter in the frostbitten woods changes everything. The Starmaker senses a powerful magic within her and demands she come study under his guidance. With her newfound abilities tied to the survival of the village, Aurora is swept away to his ice-covered castle at the mountainâs peak. The Starmaker is as cold and distant as the dark woods, leaving Aurora to explore his enchanted castle with only an immortal rabbit for company. Yet the more she discovers about the sorcerer, the stronger their ruinous attraction grows, pulling her closer to the secrets he refuses to share. A deadly frost approaches, and Aurora must uncover what the Starmaker is hiding before she is left in an endless winter that even the Sun cannot touch.

Stephlove.reads finished a book
5w

The Auction (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Novel
Sadie Kincaid
The queen of dark mafia romance, Sadie Kincaid, begins her new explosively sexy Wages of Sin series with The Auction. Order your deluxe hardcover limited edition with stunning cover effects, stamped foil case, lush matching endpapers, and decked-out floral edges today. Beauty and the Beast meets organized crime in this tense slow-burn romance with scorching spice, thrilling suspense, and life-altering secrets. I was trained to be a pawn, but I will rise as a queen. My life has never been my own. After the death of my parents, I was saved by my grandfather, with the promise that he would turn me over to the Brotherhood on my twenty-first birthday. I was kept away from the outside world so I could one day be sold to the highest bidderâpure and unsullied. Penance for my parentsâ alleged crimes. Thatâs how I come to be sold at an auction. And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight? Some say that heâs a monster, more dangerous than any of the evil men from the Brotherhood. That he wears a mask to cover his scars. But I believe heâs hiding more than just his face behind his mask. My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. Iâm trapped. Entirely at his mercy. I have to escape. But something here isnât what it seems. Lincoln isnât what he seems. Maybe heâs not a monster at all. Iâm drawn to him in a way that I canât explain. Until I discover that his secrets go far beyond his mask. Heâs everything Iâve been taught to fear, but what if everything Iâve ever known has been a lie? Perfect for readers who ⢠Masked men ⢠Morally grey alpha heroes ⢠Determined heroines ⢠Gothic vibes ⢠Fiery slow burns ⢠Beauty and the Beast, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights inspo ⢠God of Malice, Ruthless Creatures, and The Kiss Thief

Stephlove.reads finished a book
5w

The Shippers
Katherine Center
One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship. After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sisterâs destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sisterâs a little busy being a bride at the momentâso JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if sheâs honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJoâs life. Itâs bliss for her to see him again, and itâs agony, tooâand the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she canât bring herself to ask. Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romanceâas JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way. No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.