This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
It’s been a busy week. On Wednesday, Tim had his exam. I drove him and his mother to college and we waited for him in the canteen, praying and thinking positive thoughts at him. It would be marvellous if he could pass this one. On Wednesday evening, owing to a complete brainfade moment, I realised I 
had a major glitch with the publication of Mantivore Prey owing to the fact that I’d – somehow – managed to forget to upload the manuscript! So I was wrestling with that problem into the wee small hours… I have to say, Amazon were unfailingly nice and helpful about the whole thing – and it was a huge relief to have Mantivore Prey available by the original publication day!
On Thursday, Sally came over and we spent the afternoon editing her book, which is going well. And on Friday, which thankfully was a lovely sunny day, I finally made it up to my daughter’s to spend time with her and watch my eighteen-month-old granddaughter having a swimming lesson. Yesterday, my sister had all her furniture moved to her new home, which now looks wonderful with her own things in it. I spent some of the time with her, mostly providing moral support as her removal men were fantastic. And today I am back to Brighton to celebrate Frankie’s fifteenth birthday – where does the time go??
Himself is finally back to work, though still on the painkillers and far from fully recovered. He needs to keep moving – sitting still for any length of time is a problem – and keep doing the exercises.
As well as the publication of Mantivore Prey I’ve had a complete blast throughout November, taking part if Sci Fi Month, which was great fun. Thanks go to Imyril of There’s Always Room for One More and Lisa of Dear Geek Place for their hard work in making this blogging event such a success.
Last week I read:
Valkyrie Burning – Book 3 of the Hayden War Cycle by Evan Currie
The war that began on Hayden’s World years ago has blossomed into a brawl across the stars, and yet that single and otherwise largely unimportant colony continues to be a central point in the conflagration. Human forces have pushed outward, now taking enemy worlds in response to the attacks on their own, but they don’t have the numbers or the power to hold what they take.
This third book nicely expands this initial flashpoint between the humans and the aliens in the military space opera adventure. And I was also pleased to see that the wonderful super-soldier Sorilla Aida has a key role in the story. Review to follow.
Navigating the Stars – Book 1 of the Sentinels of the Galaxy by Maria V. Snyder
Terra Cotta Warriors have been discovered on other planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. And Lyra Daniels’ parents are the archaeological Experts (yes with a capital E) on the Warriors and have dragged her to the various planets to study them despite the time dilation causing havoc with her social life.
When one of the many Warrior planets goes silent, and looters attack her research base, Lyra becomes involved in discovering why the Warriors were placed on these planets. And, more importantly, by who.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – the ongoing puzzle of exactly what is going on, along with the issue of time dilation combined with Faster Than Light travel, makes for an engrossing read with some original aspects. Review to follow.
My posts last week:
Mantivore Prey – Book 2 of The Arcadian Chronicles is now available!
Reblog – Parley with an author, S.J. Higbee by The Cap from Captain’s Quarters blog
Friday Faceoff featuring Chocky by John Wyndham
Review of Sparrow Falling – Book 2 of The Gears of Empire series by Gaie Sebold
Review of Shadow Captain – Book 2 of the Revenger series by Alastair Reynolds
Review of Pirate Bound – prequel to the Telepathic Space Pirate series by Carysa Locke
Sunday Post 24th November 2019
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last few weeks, in no particular order:
Frozen Wavelets presents: Standard Deviant by Holly Shofield https://earthianhivemind.net/2019/11/30/frozen-wavelets-presents-standard-deviant-by-holly-shofield/ This short story is a gem – I certainly didn’t see that ending coming!
The Best Poems About Islands https://interestingliterature.com/2019/11/30/the-best-poems-about-islands/ Living on a large island, this article caught my eye. Some of these I know and love – and some I need to check out…
#SPFBO Semi Finalists and Finalist Announcement https://lynns-books.com/2019/11/27/spfbo-semi-finalists-and-finalist-announcement/ I’m in awe of how my blogging buddy, Lynn, tackles the task of judging this competition that features some of the best indie fantasy reads – and this is the book that she has selected from an entry of 30 books…
Writing NETTED – What I’d Planned and How It Worked Out by S.J. Higbee https://www.sarah-ash.com/fantasy-and-science-fiction/2343/writing-netted-what-id-planned-and-how-it-worked-out-by-s-j-higbee/ I was honoured when Sarah Ash, talented fantasy author and manga expert, asked me to write a guest blog about my writing process – and this is the result…
99 Problems and #Fibromyalgia Is All of Them https://yadadarcyyada.com/2019/11/22/99-problems-and-fibromyalgia-is-all-of-them/ Donna uses edged humour to highlight just how difficult it is to live with a chronic condition with a slew of miserable symptoms. I found this both poignant and funny – and came away with a huge respect for her courage…
Thank you for visiting, reading, liking and/or commenting on my blog – I hope you have a wonderful week.
Brainfluff 
I feel like I’ve been running the entire month, and I’m a little relieved that SciFiMonth is over for the year. It was fun but I felt like I didn’t focus on much else. Have a lovely week😁
You’re right, Tammy. I do have a backlog of other reviews and reads that have stacked up – but I did love it! As for running on the spot to keep up – it seems to have become a default setting for the whole year…
Congratulations that you could publish Mantivore Prey. It must be an exciting feeling for you. Hope it sells well. When will you know if Tim passed his exam? Have a great new week and happy writing and reading.
Thank you, Vi:). Yes – I always feel a real sense of achievement when I am able to set another book free. We will know after Christmas if Tim has passed his exam, so he gets a proper break. And I hope that you, too, have a lovely week:)
Congrats on publication day!
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you, Shelleyrae:). I never stop feeling excited about setting loose another book…
Congratulations on uploading the manuscript, despite your initial “forgetting” about it.
Your week sounds good…and so do your books. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Laurel! I know I’ve had a great deal on my plate recently – but I’m still scratching my head as to how I could have let such a vital component slip from the To Do list!
It sounds a good week all around. It’s great you were able to spend time with family. Where does the time go – I can’t believe it’s December already. Congrats on your new book! I still have many of your reviews to read; I’ve been so slow this week. Have a lovely week!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
I know! And as usual, I’m completely unprepared for Christmas! Thank you for your good wishes for the book, Anne. And I hope you, too, have a lovely week:)
I really don’t know where the time goes – maybe a black hole (nod to SciFi month even if it is too late.How did the exam go?
Lynn 😀
As it’s a public exam, we won’t know now until after Christmas. And we’re determined to now forget about it until the New Year! As for the time, frankly, it terrifying the speed at which it whips along…
Soon be Christmas. Fingers crossed for a good result in the New Year – and thanks for the shout out by the way.
Lynn 😀
You’re very welcome! Richly deserved…
I’m going to miss SciFi Month even though I haven’t been keeping up as well as I’d like at the tail end here. So many great posts though- they outdid themselves this year from what I’ve seen. 🙂
Glad to hear your sister got her new place too. That’s always nice!
Thank you, Greg. I had so much fun with Sci Fi Month – although as the world slightly fell on my head, I didn’t check out as many of the reviews and posts as I’d wanted… I’ll be popping back, I think. Yes, it’s lovely to see my sister so happy and excited in her new home and with her things around her. I hope you have a lovely week.
It sounds as if things are getting back to “satisfactory.” Wednesday wraps up another class and semester for me. Did I tell you I was asked to teach a second class in January? I’m taking it on but am a little apprehensive. Pray I’ll have the stamina and time management skills to do a good job for both classes.
I’m not surprised that you are in demand. Northbrook are still keen for me to take any classes, too…
Congrats on publishing Mantivore Prey! That’s great news! Hope you have a great week!
Thank you, Yvonne. I’m now just relieved that I got it out at the right time:) And I hope that you, too, have a lovely week.
I’m so happy for you! You got the book done on time! Hurray!
You’ve had a busy time lately. Maybe things will slow down this month?
Now that Nonfiction November is over I am looking forward to reading some fiction for a change. I might even read some sci fi. That would be lovely.
Have a great week!
Thank you, Deb. Yes… it was a major scramble at the end – not helped by the knowledge that it was a mess ENTIRELY of my own making! I hope you enjoy your dive back into fiction:))
I hope your book sells well and gets lots of good reviews. Have a great week!
Thank you, AJ. Here’s hoping your week is a good one, too.
Navigating the stars is on my wishlist. Have a good week. My weekly update
I hope you enjoy it, Sarah. Wishing you, too, a good week:)
I hear you about a busy week. The whole year has just flown by!
I know what you mean about 2019 flying by… And – just for a change – I’m not prepared for Christmas!
Sounds like a busy but pretty good week!
I hope that the release of Mantivore Prey is going well? It must be such a mix of emotions letting loose your own book into the wild!
Yes – I’ve been pleased at the response to the book so far, though it’s early days. And yes – I love seeing my books finally free, at last…
Oh how crazy about your book but so glad you were able to get everything settled. Huge relief I’m sure! Sounds like it was a crazy week but mostly good. I’m sure your sister is thrilled to have all her furniture. Glad HImself is back at work but hope he feels better soon. Have a great week!
Thank you, Katherine:). I hope you, too, have a great week.
Congratulations! You must be excited about the release and those glitches can’t hold us back forever!!! I’m thrilled for you, I hope to read and review someday soon. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely mention, but be aware it’s hard to type when tears are welling up; you’re too kind but I thank you. 🙂 And the best part, I’m in fantastic company and found new blogs to follow and new books to read. 🙂
Hope this week is giving you its best so far and continues to get better and better. 🙂
xoxox Big bloggy hugs
Ah, bless you, Donna:)). It’s people like you that make blogging such a joy.x
Busy busy this week! Congrats on your new release! It’s always my biggest fear that I’ve forgotten to upload the manuscript in time. Gah! I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you!
Thank you for your kind sympathy – it was entirely my own fault! Still, at least the book was still released on the right day.
I am glad to hear you got Mantivore Prey still releasing on the correct day and how nice that Amazon was so helpful, but that does sound stressful to have to fix that in the early hours. That’s great most of your sisters furniture got moved to her new house. I’ve enjoyed some Maria v Snyder books, but haven’t read this one yet, glad to hear you enjoyed it. Have a great week!
Thank you, Lola. Yes – it was stressful, but I was delighted to be able to have it released on publication day. And the Maria V. Snyder is worth tracking down…
What a busy week, SJ! Many congratulations to you, hugs and all, for your latest publication! I hope Himself feels better soon, and that you can continue meeting with friends and family to stay inspired and to write on!
Thank you, my friend:)). Thankfully, Himself is continuing to recover, although he still needs painkillers from time to time. And yes – I’m now also feeling better – I hate it when he’s ill!
I know just what you mean! Everyone seems to be congested right now in this house, and therefore slightly miserable. You two stay healthy now for the Christmas season!
Bless you! We’re doing our best – popping vitamin C and B12 sprays to ward off all the germs… Keeping my fingers cross that you and yours all stay fit, too!
Thank you! Especially when one’s surrounded by nose-picking, spit-balling, not-hand-washing kids…eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!
It’s a germ factory! I was ill for nearly a whole year when I started teaching, before my immune system shaped up…
I believe it!