Tag: books

Not quite back to normal service after Sheffield because it was a very, very busy week but I’m getting there. And as we’re hurtling towards the end of the month that’s probably for the best. Hopefully now I’m back up to date with everything and I can get down to finishing some more books and not just starting them!

Read:

A Not So Model Home by David James

Managed Mayhem by Patti Benning

Beattie Cavendish and the Highland Hideaway by Mary-Jane Riley*

Walled Off by Patti Benning

The Vanderbeekers Ever After by Karina Yan Glaser

Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

Started:

On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry

Still reading:

The Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy*

Future Saints by Ashley Winstead*

Square Haunting by Francesca Wade

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

No books bought!

Bonus picture: I love an old school logo, and this moving van in Fitzroy square felt like such a mix of modernity and tradition that I had to take a photo!

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

So I was off work last week, but I was also spending 7 hours a day watching figure skating, so not a lot of reading happened! It was a fabulous week though, it was amazing to see all the European skaters at their last competition before they head to Milan for the Olympics next month. The atmosphere in the arena was amazing and all the people sitting around me were great too. It all went very fast, and I can’t believe it’s over already. Normal reading should be resumed this week…

Read:

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

Pawsitively Perilous by Patti Benning

Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh

Running Scared by Patti Benning

How to Spot a Fascist by Umberto Eco

Started:

A Not So Model Home by David James

The Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy*

Future Saints by Ashley Winstead*

Beattie Cavendish and the Highland Hideaway by Mary-Jane Riley*

Still reading:

Square Haunting by Francesca Wade

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Three books bought, and you’ve seen them all already.

Bonus picture: an action shot of the Brits on their way to a bronze in the ice dance.

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

Honestly I really picked the wrong week to do the commute in to work daily (rather than staying down there for a few nights) and it was as very rude awakening for the post Christmas return to normality. Still that number of train delays means more reading time I guess? Anyway, I’m pleased with myself – I’ve read two of my January NetGalley books already and also a non-fiction book so I’m off to an alright start to the year really.

Read:

Silenced at the Book Show by Kim Griswell*

Meet-Cat by Adele Buck

Deliberate Cruelty by Roseanne Montillo

Nose Dives by Patti Benning

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven*

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters

Started:

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

Still reading:

Square Haunting by Francesca Wade

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Three kindle books bought because of poor will power while writing the offers post!

Bonus picture: Snow week…

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

I finished the Christmas and New Year Period with some more time off work, so I got some more reading done, even if I didn’t managed to finish the two incredibly long runners. Yet. I have made progress though, I really have. Anyway, enjoying the freedom from challenges I read two books that I had been saving since last year because I already had those states ticked off (Illinois and Montana) and two more books that I’d been wanted to read but had had to wait because of the need to finish the 50 States (the Nev Fountain and Mimi Pond) Happy New Year to me!

Read:

The Christmas Alibi by J G Colgan

Do Admit by Mimi Pond

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards*

Lies and Dolls by Nev Fountain

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer

The Merchant of Menace by Jill Churchill

Jammed with Secrets by Selina Hill*

Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman

Started:

Silenced at the Book Show by Kim Griswell*

Square Haunting by Francesca Wade

Still reading:

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

One pre-order dropped onto my Kindle and two more ebooks bought

Bonus picture: We went to Lyveden New Bield for a New Year stroll. You gotta love a finished moat but an unfinished house. Priorities.

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

I do hope your Christmas season has been filled with good food and good company and that Santa brought you what you wanted/were hoping for. The weather where I am is Baltic now, which is good because that’s what it’s meant to be like in December, but also a bit of a shock given how mild it has been until now. Still it’s perfect weather for staying inside and keeping warm with a book, and if you have time off because of the festive season or New Year all the better. It should be noted that I have now finished my final state and have read my way across the USA for the year and am freeeeeeeee to read whatever I want. Which may explain why I’ve started two more Christmas books this week and haven’t finished the long runners. But I do want to try and start the new year with a clean sheet so I will keep trying…

Read:

Murder Most Modern by Hugh Morrison

The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly

Murder Boogies with Elvis by Anne George

Season of Love by Helena Greer

The Wedding Bait by Adele Buck

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer

Started:

The Christmas Alibi by J G Colgan

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards*

Still reading:

Do Admit by Mimi Pond

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Oh dear. There have been a rash of post-Christmas sales from authors that I like and it has been somewhat dangerous. And then I got a stack of books for Christmas which was delightful and you can see what I got on Saturday.

Bonus picture: the Christmas Tree. Tis the season etc.

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

Three more states ticked off this week, leaving me with only two states to go. Just two. And I’ve still got nine days left in the year. Exciting times. Apart from that, a bit of Christmas reading, a bit of non Christmas read and a lot of Christmas parties last week!

Read:

Death in Ambush by Susan Gilruth

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel

Merry and Bright by Ali Rosen

All Wrapped Up In You by Rosie Danan

You Better Not Point by Mia Sosa

A Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere

Murder at the Library by Ellen Jacobson

Started:

Murder Most Modern by Hugh Morrison

Do Admit by Mimi Pond

Still reading:

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Four ebooks bought

Bonus picture: View of wintery London from one of the aforementioned Christmas parties!

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

A very busy week, and increasing numbers of Christmas books on the list, despite the fact that I still have a couple of states still to go. Two more ticked off this week though. Nearly there.

Read:

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

The Odd Flamingo by Nina Barden

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander*

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

How My Ex Stole New Year’s by Kate Callaghan*

A Reconstructed Corpse by Simon Brett

Snow Place Like Home by Laura Pavlov

Started:

Death in Ambush by Susan Gilruth

Still reading:

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Two e-books bought

Bonus picture: My Christmas flowers!

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.

The start of December was cold and sometimes wet, but the Christmas lights are making everything a bit more cheerful, so that’s good. On the reading front, I’m another state down and two more started. But almost more importantly, I got one book off the long runners list. So I’m proud of me, even if I didn’t stick to my goal of finishing off the 50 states before I bought the first in the Last Ditch series and not only have I bought it bt I’ve already read it. I will try and do better this week…

Read:

Renewing Forever by Kelly Jensen*

The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage*

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Scot Free by Catriona MacPherson

Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade

You Had to Be There by Jodie Harsh*

Thrones, Dominations by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L Sayers

Started:

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

Still reading:

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop

Pet Shop Boys, Literally by Chris Heath

Two e-books bought.

Bonus picture: Commitment to the Christmas bit at Euston on Friday afternoon.

*next to a book book title indicates that it came from NetGalley. ** indicates it was an advance copy from a source other than NetGalley.