#jennifer ryan

[sadierosewrites]

TLDR: 8/10, Excellent, Go Read it.

Although most of what I post on this blog is focused on the 19th century, I do cycle through other historical eras occasionally, including World War Two. My interest in the period goes back to childhood, when I read a good deal of holocaust related fiction, such as Number the Stars, After the War, and The Devil's Arithmetic. I might not read much from the era these days, but an interesting enough book will draw my attention, and this one definitely qualifies.

I read another book by Ryan a few years ago-- The Chilbury Ladies' Choir-- and enjoyed it, so I added it to my wishlist. It then made it onto a list of suggestions of Christmas presents I sent my mother (primarily books, with a few journals). She shared the list with my Aunt, who probably looked at it, saw the plethora of niche history books, went "what on earth are these," and picked the most normal of the lot.

It's a good book, although a little predictable at times, following three women of the title's Sewing Circle. Cressida is a major fashion designer, her niece Violet is a society girl, and Grace is the pastor's daughter. All of them have love in the cards and all of them have growing to do. What I appreciate most, however, is the community spirit of it. It's nice to see everyone pull together to help one another. Most of Ryan's books, at least of the three that I've read, include this aspect of wartime Britain. I will say that I did wish there was a little more focus on the fashion and dress making, as well as the dress modifications. But that's probably just me.

[grvstnaya-svka]

Post season 8 Castle Headcanons

Castle picking up the kids from school bringing them to the precinct to visit mommy, Captain Kate Beckett-Castle. Sometimes they get to hang out with Aunt Lanie, & Uncles Ryan and Esposito too. Castle often brings dinner for his wife. She sometimes forgets to eat, seeing as she’s not on the streets nearly as much. Not as many opportunities to go out and pick up some food on the case. Though, the boys do offer sometimes.

Castle buys Lanie very nice Spa certificates, jewelry, etc and new equipment for the morgue. And a cappuccino machine.

Kate always bringing Lanie coffee, treats, etc. when she’s called to a crime scene.

Castle surprising Kate with a puppy for their 5th anniversary. At first, she’s convinced it was to entertain their kids but he reminds her of their time taking care of Royal, the dog show judge’s own golden retriever companion. Kate had mentioned that she’d been wanting to get a dog then. In fact, they both did. Now was the perfect time. (s4, e13)

Big “Sissy” Alexis and Gram babysitting/ absolutely spoiling the kiddos during “Caskett” date nights or late nights at the office/precinct.

Kate meets up with victims’ relatives on occasion to comfort them when they need it. Usually from Joanne Delgado, whose mother was stuffed in her safe during a home invasion/robbery. (s1, e7)

Detective Karpowski coming back to the 12th on a case of her own to get a consult. When her case is solved they all take her out for a celebratory beer. They reminisce about her time at the 12th, and of course, the Bet ™. (s2, e2)

Jeremy preswick and Emma Carnes run into castle and Beckett one day at the park while walking their dog, Lucy. They chat for a bit. Both Emma and Jeremy are excited because it seems that Jeremy was starting to gain some of his memories back from before the shooting at the art gallery. They’re still living together. Rebuilding what they once had as much as possible with Jeremy’s memory lapse. But that’s ok with Emma. They both seem very happy to have each other. (s2, e11)

Castle decides to do his PI work from home. Alexis helps man the office with Hayley. Rick plays more of a consultant role at this point, seeing as he has three youngsters to watch. The cases he helps with are rather sparse and small but it keeps him occupied and happy. He never fails to get super excited/giddy when he gets a case that somehow intercepts with an investigation from the 12th. Of course, the Castles now have a deadbolt on the apartment door. Given the wild shit they’ve dealt with before, both of them being in the same dangerous line of work, their children’s safety was a bit more of a concern.

Jenny, Kate, Hayley, Lanie, Alexis, and Martha having a girls’ day every so often. Brunch and spa days, mani/pedis, etc. Kate even convinces the hubby to let them use the vacation house in the Hamptons sometimes for a weekend.

The poker games continue! Both the bestsellers crew, and Rick’s “Gotham City” crew, plus Kate. The Castles’ are no longer shy about kicking each other’s asses. Kate wins a good 55% of the time. Out of all of them. Montgomery’s chair is honored with the same rule as with the best sellers crew. Nobody sits there. Sometimes, former captain Gates joins them. She enjoys watching Kate whooping Castle’s ass. Very much.

Annual New Year’s party at the Castles’ place. Jenny & Ryan, little Sarah Grace and Nicholas Javier, Lanie, Esposito, Hayley, Vicram, Alexis, Martha, Jim (Beckett) and of course the Castles’; Rick, Kate and little Lily, Jake and Reece. Sometimes Gates makes a special appearance. The grownups play some of poker once the kids are asleep.

The boys going to games together. Sometimes clubs. Castle lists Javi on his insurance for the Ferrari. Javi likes to try to pick up chicks if he can with the fancy car.

Castle finding out Kate and Jim’s favorite baseball team(s) and getting them all the tickets he can get his hands on. The best seats. Close enough for a chance to catch a flyaway ball… just for Kate. They usually bring the kids. And sometimes Castle.

The whole 12th gang getting tickets/invites to the next broadway play featuring The Martha Rodgers.

Mia “The Nose” Lazlo (s8, e5) sends Kate special order perfumes that she’s helped test. Mia and Castle exchange emails every now and then. Castle always makes sure to send her tickets to his mother’s shows.

Kate and Jim have a tradition to visit the late Johanna Beckett’s grave on her birthday. Sometimes Castle comes along. Sometimes they bring the kids, if they’re up for it. They always bring flowers. Kate, Jim, and the kids like to give her little updates on the things happening in their lives.

The 12th detectives , Lanie and Castle visit Captain Montgomery’s grave, when they can. They keep in touch with his family. Make sure they’re doing ok.

The team going to each other’s kids dance recitals, science fairs, etc. They have play dates with each other.

Summer cook outs/ memorial weekend/ July 4th at the Hamptons with he whole crew! (Or whoever’s available.)

On particularly difficult cases, castle hosts Blue Nights at The Haunt. Cops get drinks free. Though, the 12th crew always get some sort of friends & family discount. There is also a small shrine to Roy behind the bar. Every time any of them visit, they have a drink in his honor.

Dinner dates at Q3. Being good friends with the owner and the new chef really makes the whole experience that much better. Beckett and Madison get to catch up every now and then. And castle gets to try Chef Wong’s oven roasted pork belly glaze that she’d made on Kitchen Wars. (e2, e22)

[books-in-a-storm]

Book Of The Week

Title:  Wild Rose Ranch #1 Dirty Little Secret

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Pages:384

Synopsis:

Noah Cordero is a modern-day cowboy who loves three things: ranching, his younger sister, and his step-father. John Cordero groomed Noah to take over the Montana spread where he learned to ride and work the land. But when John unexpectedly dies, he leaves half the ranch to a woman Noah doesn’t even know.

Roxy shares Noah’s last name, but not his blood. Estranged from her father, haunted by regrets, and eager to escape her notorious mother’s past, she is forced to fulfill her father’s last wishes. Inheriting means sharing a home with infuriating, challenging, and oh-so-tempting Noah. But John didn’t just make her owner of his ranch and guardian to her sister, his hidden sideline is her worst nightmare—she’s the new owner of the notorious Nevada brothel called Wild Rose Ranch where she grew up.

As their strictly business relationship starts to turn to true love, Roxy begins to wonder, what will happen when Noah discovers her dirty little secret?

[nprbooks]

The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir author Jennifer Ryan is back with a new tale of World War II-era England -- The Kitchen Front follows four women from very different walks of life who are all competing in a cooking competition with a possibly life-changing prize: The chance to co-host a wartime cooking show on the BBC. Our own Maria Godoy calls it “a comfort-food read I gobbled right up.”

Sounds tasty!

-- Petra

[quoted-books]

Then I looked out onto the horizon myself and realized that loss is the same wherever you go: overwhelming, inexorable, deafening. How resilient human beings are that we can learn slowly to carry on when we are left all alone, left to fill the void as best we can. Or disappear into it.

Jennifer Ryan, The Chilibury Ladies’ Choir

[books-in-a-storm]

Snowflake Reviews Master List

▪Abbie Zanders

Callaghan Brothers-Abbie Zanders

Dangerous Secrets(Callaghan Brothers #1)

First and Only(Callaghan Brothers #2)

House Calls(Callaghan Brothers #3)

Seeking Vengeance(Callaghan Brothers #4)

Guardian Angel (Callaghan Brothers #5)

Beyond Affection(Callaghan Brothers #6)

Having Faith(Callaghan Brothers #7)

Bottom Line(Callaghan Brothers #8)

Forever Mine(Callaghan Brothers #9)

Covendale-Abbie Zanders

Five Minute Man(Covendale #1)

All Night Woman(Covendale #2)

The Connelly Cousins-Abbie Zanders

Celina(The Connelly Cousins #1)

Jamie(The Connelly Cousins #1.5)

Johnny(The Connelly Cousins #2)

Michael(The Connelly Cousins #3)

Cerasino Family Novella-Abbie Zanders

Just For Me(Cerasino Family Novella #1)

Just For Him(Cerasino Family Novella #2)

Just For Her(Cerasino Family Novella #3)

Sanctuary-Abbie Zanders

Protecting Sam(Sanctuary #1)

Best Laid Plans(Sanctuary #2)

Shadow of Doubt(Sanctuary #3)

Nick UnCaged(Sanctuary #4)

Organically Yours(Sanctuary #5)

Prodigal Son(Sanctuary #6)

▪Chantal Fernando

Fast & Fury-Chantal Fernando

Custom Built(Fast & Fury #1)

Custom Made(Fast & Fury #2)

Custom Love(Fast & Fury #3)

Knights of Fury-Chantal Fernando

Saint(Knights of Fury #1)

Renegade(Knights of Fury #2)

Temper(Knights of Fury #3)

Wind Dragons MC-Chantal Fernando

Dragon’s Lair(Wind Dragons MC #1)

Arrow’s Hell(Wind Dragons MC #2)

Tracker’s End(Wind Dragons MC #3)

▪Harper Sloan

Coming Home-Harper Sloan

Lost Rider(Coming Home #1)

Kiss My Boots(Coming Home #2)

Cowboy Up(Coming Home #3)

Corps Security-Harper Sloan

Axel(Corps Security #1)

Cage(Corps Security #2)

Beck(Corps Security #3)

Uncaged(Corps Security #3.5)

Cooper(Corps Security #4)

Locke(Corps Security #5)

▪Jennifer Ryan

Hunted-Jennifer Ryan

Saved by the Rancher(Hunted #1)

Lucky Like Us(Hunted #2)

The Right Bride(Hunted #3)

Chasing Morgan(Hunted #4)

Everything She Wanted(Hunted #5)

Montana Men-Jennifer Ryan

At Wolf Ranch(Montana Men #1)

When It’s Right(Montana Men #2)

Her Lucky Cowboy(Montana Men #3)

Stone Cold Cowboy(Montana Men #4)

Her Renegade Rancher(Montana Men #5)

His Cowboy Heart(Montana Men #6)

Montana Heat- Jennifer Ryan

Protected by Love(Montana Heat #0.5)

Escape to You(Montana Heat #1)

True to You(Montana Heat #2)

Tempted by Love(Montana Heat #3)

The McBrides- Jennifer Ryan

The Return of Brody McBride(The McBrides #1)

Falling for Owen(The McBrides #2)

Dylan’s Redemption(The McBrides #3)

Wild Rose Ranch- Jennifer Ryan

Dirty Little Secret(Wild Rose Ranch #1)

Restless Rancher(Wild Rose Ranch #2)

Tough Talking Cowboy(Wild Rose Ranch #3)

▪Mia Malone

The Brothers-Mia Malone

Gibson(The Brothers #1)

Padraig(The Brothers #2)

Joke(The Brothers #3)

Day(The Brothers #4)

Mac(The Brothers #5)

▪Winter Travers

Devil’s Knights-Winter Travers

Loving Lo(Devil’s Knights #1)

Finding Cyn(Devil’s Knights #2)

Gravel’s Road(Devil’s Knights #3)

Battling Troy(Devil’s Knights #4)

Gambler’s Longshot(Devil’s Knights #5)

Keeping Meg(Devil’s Knights #6)

Fallen Lords MC-Winter Travers

Nickel(Fallen Lords MC #1)

Pipe(Fallen Lords MC #2)

Maniac(Fallen Lords MC #3)

Wrecker(Fallen Lords MC #4)

Boink(Fallen Lords MC #5)

Clash(Fallen Lords MC #6)

Freak(Fallen Lords MC #7)

Slayer(Fallen Lords MC #8)

Brinks(Fallen Lords MC #9)

Kings of Vengeance MC- Winter Travers

Drop a Gear and Disappear(Kings of Vengeance MC #1)

Lean Into It(Kings of Vengeance MC #2)

Knees in the Breeze(Kings of Vengeance MC #3)

Midnight Wreckage(Kings of Vengeance MC #4)

Thrill Seeker(Kings of Vengeance MC #5)

Livin’ on the Edge (Kings of Vengeance MC Book 6)

Blacktop Freedom(Kings of Vengeance MC #7)

Ride or Die(Kings of Vengeance MC #8)

Nitro Crew-Winter Travers

Burndown(Nitro Crew #1)

Holeshot(Nitro Crew #2)

Redlight(Nitro Crew #3)

Shutdown(Nitro Crew #4)

Powerhouse M.A.-Winter Travers

Dropkick My Heart(Powerhouse M.A. #1)

Love on the Mat (Powerhouse M.A. #2)

Black Belt in Love(Powerhouse M.A. #3)

Black Belt Knockout(Powerhouse M.A. #4)

Skid Row Kings-Winter Travers

Downshift(Skid Row Kings #1)

Powershift(Skid Row Kings #2)

Bangshift(Skid Row Kings #3)

▪Scott Hildreth

Biker MC Romance-Scott Hildreth

Hard(Biker MC Romance #1)

Rough(Biker MC Romance #2)

Dirty(Biker MC Romance #3)

Rigid(Biker MC Romance #4)

Nuts(Biker MC Romance #5)

Thick(Biker MC Romance #6)

Devil’s Disciples MC-Scott Hildreth

Baker(Devil’s Disciples MC #1)

Selected Sinners MC-Scott Hildreth

Making the Cut(Selected Sinners MC #1)

Taking the Heat(Selected Sinners MC #2)

Otis(Selected Sinners MC #3)

Hung(Selected Sinners MC #4)

Ex-Con(Selected Sinners MC #5)

Money Shot(Selected Sinners MC #6)

Hard Corps(Selected Sinners MC #7)

[books-in-a-storm]

Snowflake Book Review’s

Title: Protected by Love(Montana Heat #0.5)

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Pages:191

Snowflake Rating:❄❄❄❄(4/5)

Synopsis: It was DEA Agent Caden Cooke’s third chance to impress beautiful chef Mia Martin. He’d already stood her up twice, and was shocked she was even giving him another chance. For Caden, taking down the bad guys is important, but Mia’s made it clear there’s no excuse for his bad behavior. So he’s vowed to make it worth her while with an apology he’s cooked up just for her. From the moment they meet, it’s clear this isn’t just another fix up. The sparks flying between them are undeniable; the tension is electric. Then, suddenly, the best moments of their lives turn treacherous when a drug dealer set on revenge puts their lives in danger. And Mia and Caden quickly realize they will do anything to protect the other—and live for the love neither of them expected.

[books-in-a-storm]

Snowflake Book Review’s

Title: Tough Talking Cowboy(Wild Rose Ranch #3)

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Pages:400

Snowflake Rating:❄❄❄❄(4/5)

Synopsis: Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath has come home to Montana, locked in a battle with himself, lashing out at those who love him most—driving away his ex-fiancée and alienating his family. But Adria Holloway sees beyond Drake’s tough talk to the raw pain beneath.

Raised with her twin sister Juliana by a neglectful mother at the Wild Rose Ranch, Adria also struggles to put the trauma from her past behind her. To help them both, she makes Drake a shocking deal—a no-strings relationship that’ll help them both face down their demons. Maybe it’s a way for her and Drake to heal each other, one sizzling night at a time…

The heat between them is instant and incredible. But the biggest challenges are yet to come. With Juliana battling her addiction and Drake working on his issues, Adria realizes she can’t save everyone. But Drake and Adria discover love can survive tragedy and loss—and they can have the life they never thought possible if they just hold on.