This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
Frances and I had a lovely weekend away with my parents last week – they were amazed at just how grown up she is. We returned home on Sunday and had the pleasure of Frances’ company until Wednesday, when she returned home. The house seems very quiet without her… Though it’s just as well, as I went down with a cold the following day, spending most of the day in bed and was still struggling when my lovely friend Mhairi spent the day with me on Friday. I’m on the mend, at least I’m now able to work.
I have been busy working through the edits on Netted and editing Mantivore Dreams. Other than that, not much else given my cold and the steaming temperatures.
This week I have read:
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
One September evening in 1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock hears urgent knocking on his front door. One of his captains is waiting eagerly on the step. He has sold Jonah’s ship for what appears to be a mermaid.
Beautifully written with a very well depicted historical setting. I’ll be reviewing this one in the coming week.
Like Never and Always by Anne Aguirre
On a hot summer night, a screech of brakes and shattering glass changes two lives forever.
Liv wakes in the hospital, confused when they call her Morgan. She assumes it’s a case of mistaken identity, yet when the bandages come off, it’s not her face in the mirror anymore. It’s her best friend Morgan’s. Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life, yet Liv must navigate endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety—and a romance that feels like a betrayal. Torn between the boy she loved as Liv and the boy she’s grown to love as Morgan, Liv still has to survive Morgan’s last request.
Engrossing YA thriller with plenty of twists and turns featuring a likeable protagonist – review to follow in due course.
My posts last week:
Review of The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah
Teaser Tuesday featuring The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
Can’t-Wait Wednesday featuring Hidden Sun – Book 1 of the Shadowlands series by Jaine Fenn
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of Like Never and Always by Anne Aguirre
Review of Crossways – Book 2 of the Psi-Tech series by Jacey Bedford
Instafreebie Giveaway – LEGION – Women Authors of Sci-Fi
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week, in no particular order:
Best applications for writing https://earthianhivemind.net/2018/08/03/best-applications-writing/ A really helpful list of writing aids for those of us who do a fair amount of it…
Fun Fact Friday with Franky’s Fun Flamingo Facts https://wandaluthman.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/fun-fact-friday-with-frankys-fun-flamingo-facts-5/ I’ve grown really fond of this little nuggets of information about flamingos – and this week’s continues the alliterative theme!
Self Care Isn’t a Want https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/self-care-isnt-a-want/ This excellent article is dear to my own heart – note the ranting comment I leave…
Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District – Traveling in Japan 2018 series https://www.spajonas.com/2018/08/03/kanazawas-higashi-chaya-district-traveling-in-japan-2018-series/ Travelling via my computer is always a treat and this travelogue, including a delightful video, is a gem.
Everyone interested in time travel, meet here yesterday https://blogging807.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/everyone-interested-in-time-travel-meet-here-yesterday/ And this set of time travel jokes had me cackling with laughter…
Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to visit, like and comment on my site and have a great week.
Brainfluff 
Oh my, Like Never and Always has quite the premise! I love twisty tales like that, with mixed up identities or memory issues or the like. Sounds fun! And sounds like you guys are baking over there huh? I hope it cools down soon.
I clearly need to go check out that time travel article. 🙂
Have a fantastic week!
Yes, the premise is amazing in Like Never and Always – and while it has had some mixed reviews, I really enjoyed it. Yes – we’re hot, which is a bit of a shock for the land of drizzle… It’s not been like this since the 70s and while I’m enjoying it, I can stay in and work indoors with windows and doors open – I’m not trapped in a sweltered office or classroom, thank goodness! My poor father is WELDING in this heat…
Do check out the time travelling jokes, they are really funny – and have a great week, Greg.
Like Never and Always sounds like a great read. I love books with unexpected twists and turns. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
You’re very welcome, Laurel:). I hope you have a great week and feel a lot better soon!
I’m looking forward to your review of Like Never and Always, I have a copy but I’m not sure I have time to read it. Your review could sway me either way😁
Hi Tammy, I reviewed this one on Thursday – here is the link… https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2018/08/02/new-release-special-review-of-netgalley-arc-like-never-and-always-by-anne-aguirre-brainfluffbookreview-likeneverandalwaysbookreview/
Sounds like some wonderful family time. Summer colds are the worst. Feel better soon, Sarah:)
My Sunday Post
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Laura – fortunately it was only a glancing blow, though I felt wretched on Thursday. And yes… we had a lovely time altogether.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Yes, the house seems so quiet when they leave. By Friday night I am exhausted from having them all week, but by Saturday evening we are missing them! I hope you have an amazing week! Feel better!
Thank you, Kimberly – yes, that sums it up nicely:)). Although Frances, now being 13, is not nearly as exhausting as when she was 3. In fact, she’s total joy. I keep waiting for her to turn surly and teeny on me – but so far it isn’t happening!
Looks like some good books. Sounds like you had a great time with family! Have a great week and feel better.
Mary my #SundayRoundup #30!
Thank you, Mary:). I’m on the road to recovery, which is a relief.
Glad you had a lovely time with your granddaughter! Fingers crossed for a continued speedy recovery from the cold.
Thank you, Nicci:). Yes, I am feeling better, though still a tad wiped out and sore. My sciatica is grumbling away at present…
What great family time! I hope that cold clears up quickly! Thank you for commenting – and sharing! – my post about self care.
You’re very welcome – it’s an excellent article about something I feel increasingly strongly about as I get older.
Sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope this week is better for you. I’ll be looking for your review and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock. I love mermaids. Thanks for dropping by.
sherry @ fundinmental Sunday Memes
Thank you, Sherry. Yes… the mermaid is more of a symbol, rather than an actual thing in this story. I’ll be reviewing it on Thursday. Have a great week:)
Ick. Colds are never fun, but they’re especially ugly and uncomfortable in the summer. (I had a cold after returning from Writer’s Digest Conference last August, so I know the feeling.) Hope you’re on the mend soon! And glad to hear you enjoyed the rest of your visit with Frances.
Thank you, Sara – fortunately, the cold didn’t hang around too long as I was able to break off and properly nurse it – which I did. Have a great week:)
I hope you feel better soon! I’ll look for your review of The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock. That book is on my TBR list. Have a great week!
Yes – the review should be up on Thursday, AJ – and I hope that you, too, have a great week:)
Hmmm…I like the idea behind the story of the mermaid! Can’t wait to see what you think. Hope your motor is running in first gear again soon.
Thank you, Deb. Now on the mend and feeling MUCH better now I have my trust TENS machine back:)
Oh no!! I’m sorry to hear you got sick with a cold. 😦 That’s the worst! Especially in summer (though I know English summer is not like American summer at all.)
Thank you, SJ:). Though fortunately the cold has now more or less passed. And this summer is a lot more like US summers than usual! Temperatures today have been up in the 80s again – for the 4th day in a row and we’ve only had 2 days of rain in nearly 3 months…
Sorry to hear about your cold although hopefully you send like you’re on the mend. I look forward to reading your Mermaid review – I don’t think you enjoyed it quite as much as I did unless it picked up for your in the second half.
Lynn 😀
Thank you for your kind good wishes – yes, I’m glad to say the cold is now behind me. Though it has left me rather tired… And sadly, no I didn’t enjoy The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock as much as you did. Though I’ll agree that she is an amazingly talented writer with a beautiful prose style.
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better now. Those summer colds can be pretty nasty. I know what you mean about quiet houses though. My son was visiting his grandmother last week and my house was almost painfully quiet, lol.
Yes – I think I got off very lightly, although I was feeling very sorry for myself last Thursday and Friday!
It’s very quiet here at present – though I’m working flatout, so I suppose that’s a good thing!
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. Those colds that hang on our so awful. Sometimes I think I’d rather just get really sick and get it over with (except when that actually happens I regret that thought!). I loved Charlie’s post on Self Care so I had to go check out your rant-y comment. It is funny how running ourselves into the ground is considered a virtue. What good is that really to anyone? Hope you’re having a lovely week.
Yes – I do get fed up when people (men, mostly) insist on driving themselves past those warning niggles and then fall in a heap – and think it’s a virtue. So, like you, I thought Charlie’s post was brilliant. I hope you, too, have a lovely week, Katherine:)
I got Like Never and Always not long ago, too. I can’t wait to read it.
I hope you’re on the mend, and that the temperatures will drop a little bit. I suffer with this heat – I wish I were at a beach somewhere 🙂
Have a wonderful week and happy reading.
I hope you enjoy it, Lexxie – I thought it an enjoyable, entertaining read. Thank you for your kind good wishes, I’m now recovered. We are luckier than most as we live a 10 minute drive from the beach, which I’ve enjoyed walking along in the evening. Have a great week:).
So glad you had a good time with family. It’s nice to spend time with them. And some great reads there! Hope you have a great week!
Thank you, Melissa – I hope your week is a good one, too:)
After reading this post, I can’t recall you mentioning “Mantivore Dreams”. Did I miss you talking about it?