2018 in Retrospect

Posted January 22, 2019 by karenbaron in Update / 0 Comments

The Baroness’ 2018 In Retrospect

In Retrospect is my wrap up of the previous year. It is also a way for me to highlight my favorites for the year too. Oh, I have a lot of favorites from last year. It was so hard to make my final picks, but I think I got them right.

2018 was a, OK year. I did read more books than I thought I would and did I few new things blog-wise. I signed up with some book touring companies in 2018 to help get the word out when new books are released. Thank you to Buoni Amici Press, LLC., YA Bound Book Tours, and Prism Book Tours for giving me this opportunity. They have also introduced me to some published authors and some independent authors, that I might not have seen before.

I am however looking forward to and enjoying 2019. I hope all of you are too.

You can check out my reviews by clicking the individual book covers (or the award on the top 3).

My Top Three Favorite Reads

Seashells, Spells, and Caramels by Erin Johnson

Spells & Caramels #1

My favorite is Erin Johnson’s first book and the one that got me hooked on her books. I loved the plot summary, and I thought it was pretty cool about a bakery competition for magical people. Imogen Banks is the main character who loves to bake and doesn’t realize she is magical. The baking competition reminds me of one of those on the Food Network without the magic, and I loved the cozy mystery part. The tension between her and Hank is also really well written.

River Rising by John A. Heldt

Carson Chronicles #1

I have read a few of Mr. Heldt’s books, and I like the way he tells the stories. This book is a little different than his others. In River Rising, there are five siblings who are all very different, and yet they all have the same goal. This one centered mostly around the two oldest brothers. It was pretty cool to see how they all dealt with being in 1888-1889. Honestly, I love Mr. Heldt handles time travel.

The Rancher’s Twins by Carol Ross

Return of the Blackwell Brothers #1

Ms. Ross’s book was my first Harlequin Romance book, and I loved it. I picked this book up from Prism Book Tours because it is set in Montana and I wanted to see how it would end for Johnathan Blackwell’s small little family and the nanny. Now that I have read this one book I felt hooked not only on the series: The Return of the Blackwell Brothers but also these sweet romances. I love the happy endings. So, if you are looking for a wonderful story with great characters and an awesome setting this is a good start for you.

First Crush Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna

I have read romance books before, and this one is different than the others. This book is separated into three sections. I thought that was cool since it has time in high school, college, and then after. The characters were well developed and seeing them progress through the different stages in their lives was fabulous.

Chipless by Kfir Luzzatto

This book is by another new author I found in 2018, and Mr. Luzzatto made an awesome dystopian world. The book kept me guessing about everything. Things were explained but wow, I can still remember the feelings while reading it. The story was so believable and I loved the characters.

Hunt Me by Louise Cypress

The Puritan Coven #2

I know this is the second book in the Puritan Coven series but I loved this one so much. In this one, the three girls that are the main characters in each of their books go on a camping trip. We learn a lot here including how vampires and sasquatches deal with each other. This book was so much fun to read, I felt like I was a part of it. Oh, and I totally want a sasquatch.

Dragon Mount by Jennifer M. Eaton

My first Dragon book and it was a great one. I definitely didn’t except the way that Ms. Eaton combined the legend of where the book took place to creating the dragons the way she did. The main female character is fabulous and as well as the main male character that is a dragon-shifter. This is such a fun, exciting, and nerve-wracking story with an incredible ending.

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

So, this book has been the only retelling that I have read. Granted, I don’t really count it as a retelling because it’s about before the villain was a villain in the original fairytale. Not, Disney’s The Little Mermaid but the Hans Christian Anderson one. It was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Oh, and isn’t that cover spectacular.

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

I have been wanting to read this book for a while and I am so glad that I did as it was fantastic. Ms. Reekles did a fabulous job of writing a book in a setting she has never been in. The characters are all great and I loved them. The movie was also really good and the actors and actress were excellent.

The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn

Fresh Baked Mystery #3

I found this author from BookBub and I have to say I am loving this series so far. This is the second book I have read from her series and I liked it a lot. Ms. Washburn is a fabulous writer. The main character also reminds me of Jessica Fletcher and it makes my day whenever I read one of these marvelous cozy mysteries.

My Favorite Series of 2018:

Picking these weren’t as hard as the books to figure out. I was trying for three, but I just couldn’t get to only three. So, I have four favorite series in 2018, and here they are:

The Spells and Caramels Series by Erin Johnson is so magnificent.

I have adored Imogen since the very first book. She and Hank make such a fabulous couple. I can’t wait to read more of their story. There is a ninth book coming out soon it is titled: Eclairs, Scares and Haunted Home Repairs. I even made Imogen’s Poppy Seed Cake. So, check out this phenomenal series.

Review of Seashells Review of Black Arts Review of Mermaid Fins Review of Cookie Dough Review of Full Moons Review of Airships Review of Due East Review of Grimoires

Carson Chronicles by John A. Heldt is time travel at it’s best.

I love John A. Heldt’s books and the two I have read in this book series are great. This series is a incredible one where we follow a family through their adventures time traveling to find their parents. The time travel part in this book is definitely different than in the other two series’ I have read. Time traveling in this one happens on the eqoinexes. I connected with the two girl siblings the most. They are Natalie and Caitlin. I like Natalie as I love to write and just like Caitlin I love to read. In each book they go to a different time and it’s pretty cool. Mr. Heldt also adds so much history to each story.

I haven’t had the chance to read Indian Paintbrush but it is on the list and I hope to get to it soon. However, don’t let that stop you from checking it out.

Review of River Rising Review of The Memory Tree

The Blackwell Brothers Return by five Harlequin Heartwarming authors is spectacular.

This series was my first time reading Harlequin romances. I always thought they were the books that my Grandma read. However, Prism Book Tours was asking for reviewers, and the plot summaries sounded good. So, I signed up and love these quirky, macho ranchers who find the loves of their lives. Seriously, if you are looking for a clean and wholesome romance, these five brothers will each steal your heart.

A different author wrote each book. We have Carol Ross, Cari Lynn Webb, Melinda Curtis, Amy Vastine, and Anna Stewart. It all works work as we have five authors writing the five brothers so they each have a different personality but the connection between the stories are solid and combine the family well.

Review of Twins Review of Rescue Review of Redemption Review of Fake Fiancee Review of Homecoming

The Puritan Coven by Louise Cypress is young adult paranormal at its best.

The premise of the series is so unique and inspiring. It takes the basic need of a vampire and modernizes the outcome. However, as in all creatures, there is a good side and a bad side. I enjoyed reading about how each character struggled to find their new path in our world. These characters felt like friends. I still miss them and hope that Louise Cypress has plans for more of the Puritan Coven.

Review of Bite Me Review of Hunt Me Review of Slay Me

Featured Authors

In 2018, I was able to spotlight eight amazing authors who took time out of their busy schedules to answer questions and be part of my year. A special thanks to all of you.

If it weren’t for authors I wouldn’t have this blog and how would we meet all of these true-to-life characters and visit the fantastic lands. Please keep writing as the characters you have created are my friends, and I enjoy spending time with them.

Take a minute if you haven’t already and visit the interviews with each of them.

Louise Cypress Michelle M. Pillow Mandy M. Roth Heather Blake Amy Boyles Carolyn Haines Cari Lynn Webb Erin Johnson

Bookish Recipes

In 2018, I was reading books with wonderful recipes included or the author sent recipes in their newsletter. Since this is a book blog and the recipes are included in the books and I found this hashtag #bookishrecipes, I thought let’s do it. So, when I find a delicious sounding recipe I give it ago. Take some pictures and show all over you the results.

There were two genuinely outstanding recipes in 2018. The first was Imogen’s Poppy Seed Cake and the second was Katie Lightfoot’s Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies. Yum! I have made them both again, especially the cake. Our whole family loves it.

#BookishRecipe posts

[9 Jul] Imogen’s Poppy Seed Cake

[10 Oct] A Catered Halloween by Isis Crawford ★★★★★
[15 Oct] Spellbound Sweets by Connie Shelton ★★★★★
[15 Oct] Samantha Sweet’s Chocolate Nut Drops

2018 Reading Challenges

I participated in the Goodreads Reading Challenge and I exceeded the 60 books that I thought I would read by 25. Yes, I read 85 books total. Super happy with myself.

There were two other reading challenges that I participated in last year:

2018 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge which I pledged 20 books, but I exceeded that by reading 25. Then there was the 2018 Kitty Lit Reading Challenge which I promised five books, and I read six books. However, it seems that neither of these two Reading Challenges is going this year.

Don’t fret; I found lots of other challenges to participate in this year. If you are interested, most of them are still open, so pop over to my 2019 Reading Challenges the links to the challenges are there.

On the Personal Side~

Well, we didn’t go on any vacations, but we did pop around Northwestern Montana. We went to the Buffalo Range with my Aunt Anna, took a drive through the Lost Prarie area where the state has tried to reconstruct the river bed, and Montana Cedars that are these ancient and huge cedar trees. I so didn’t know that cedar trees got that big.

I also went to the local book store Bookworks in Whitefish a few times. It is such a nice independent book store. Let’s hope I make back in there soon, not that I need any more books my TBR is enormous already.

On a sad note, we lost two of our pets in 2018, Tank our little Frenchie, and my cat, Mia. Sometimes, it is lonely without them, but we still have our cockatoo Gabby who keeps it from being too quiet.

Here are some stats for the year:

Number of Reviews

Format	Amount
Audible Audiobook	1
Audio CD	0
ebook	5
Hardcover	5
Kindle	108
Movie	0
Paperback	9
PDF	0
T.V. Movie	4
T.V. Series	1

Average Ratings

Formats (Number of Books)	Average Rating
Audible Audiobook (1)	5 Stars
ebook (5)	4.6 Stars
Hardcover (5)	4.4 Stars
Kindle (108)	4.78 Stars
Paperback (9)	4.78 Stars

To see the reviews for the Hallmark Fall Harvest Movies and the Christmas Movies check out the Menu for Movie Reviews.

Thank you for stopping by!

2018 in Retrospect is a wrap. There lots of really great books and lots of T.V. Movies.

2019 holds lots of promise, I have signed up with another book touring company, Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. This one is for cozy mysteries, sounds like fun to me.

Oh, yes just wanted to remind any of you Shadowhunter fans out there the last season of Shadowhunters will begin on February 25th on Freeform. Catch it live if you can the cast generally are on social media when it is playing.

I am grateful that you joined me in 2018 but stick around I promise 2019 will be a magnificent year.

And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Anyways until the next time, have a delightful day!