This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.
Like so many others, we’re in Week 3 of Lockdown and the outside world is beginning to feel rather 
unreal. At least the beautiful weather has helped. I’ve been taking coffee, tea breaks and lunch outside in the garden. As you can see, it’s been hectic… And the sun has brought out the flowers… Unusually, I haven’t read much this week, as I’ve been writing hard and making good progress on my How-To book. However yesterday, I woke up with some insights into aspects of Mantivore Warrior, so – uncharacteristically – I dropped everything and spent the day editing the manuscript and tightening up one 
of the major subplots.
On Thursday, my sister took her car for a service before work, so she was wearing her work tunic – she works in a chemist’s. In the middle of the afternoon rush, she looked up to find her car mechanic had queued to give her the keys, as they’d parked her car in the nearest car park rather than make her walk back to the garage. And when she got home and had a chance to look at the paperwork, she discovered the lovely people had billed her for the MOT and parts, but hadn’t charged her for the labour. What a lovely thing to do!
My father-in-law is now busy making masks for the NHS with his 3-D printers, putting in about 40 hours a week, which doesn’t sound all that impressive. Until you take into account that he is now 83, caring for his wife, and battling cancer… Some people are remarkable.
I’m making Running Out of Space free until Tuesday – if you would like to dive into an escapist read, please click on the cover in the sidebar and it will take you to your nearest Amazon store
Last week I read:
Shorefall – Book 2 of The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett
Having narrowly saved the metropolis of Tevanne from destruction, Sancia Grado and her allies have
turned to their next task: sowing the seeds of a full-on magical-industrial revolution. If they succeed, the secrets behind scriving—the art of imbuing everyday objects with sentience—will be accessible to all of Tevanne’s citizens, much to the displeasure of the robber-barons who’ve hoarded this knowledge for themselves. But one of Sancia’s enemies has embarked on a desperate gambit, an attempt to resurrect a figure straight out of legend—an immortal being known as a heirophant. Long ago, the heirophant was an ordinary man, but he’s used scriving to transform himself into something closer to a god. Once awakened, he’ll stop at nothing to remake the world in his horrifying image.
And if Sancia can’t stop this ancient power from returning? Well, the only way to fight a god…is with another god.
This one started with a bang and continued full-throttle right until the end. Sancia and her band of companions use their ingenuity and courage to face yet more overwhelming odds. Bennett is good at creating those… I found this an entertaining foot to the floor adventure with a great magic system. Review to follow.
Scythe – Dimension Drift prequel NOVELLA #1 by Christina Bauer
Truth time. I go to a Learning Squirrel High School. Don’t judge. On second thoughts, judge away. Learning Squirrel is one step above attending class in a junkyard. But what do you expect? Everything’s made out of garbage these days. At least, I have my freelance work to keep Mom and me housed, clothed, and fed. How? I’m your regular high school science geek for hire… only my work manipulates space-time. These gigs pay really well, but the government wants people like me dead. Good thing I’m super careful about hiding from their detection systems.
As you can see, the first-person narrative voice is strong and this was an entertaining adventure – though I felt the story was just gathering momentum just as the book came to an end. Review to follow
My posts last week:
An Easter Present from Me to You
Friday Face-off featuring The Wise Man’s Fear – Book 2 of the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
Review of AUDIOBOOK The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
Can’t-Wait-Wednesday featuring The Dark Side of the Road – Book 1 of the Ishmael Jones by Simon R. Green
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of Death of a Bean Counter – Book 12 of Maggy Thorsen mysteries by Sandra Balzo
Sunday Post – 5th April 2020
Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week, in no particular order:
Mending the Cosmic Egg https://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2020/04/10/mending-the-cosmic-egg/ A wonderful article on mending an ostrich egg and the current situation by a highly talented writer…
Women in SF & F Month: Jennifer Estep http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2020/04/women-in-sff-month-jennifer-estep/ An inspirational article by a best-selling author…
Fiction Must Make More Sense Than Real Life https://jaceybedford.wordpress.com/2020/04/06/fiction-must-make-more-sense-than-real-life/ Jacey’s articles are always worth reading – and I really enjoyed this one…
Aquí hay una vida que vivir https://applegategenealogy.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/aqui-hay-una-vida-que-vivir/ What a wonderful example – so helpful right now…
Apologies for not having visited more – I had major technical issues where I couldn’t leave any comments on Blogger sites, for some reason. Thank goodness, it’s now fixed, although I’m not sure why…
Thank you for visiting, reading, liking and/or commenting on my blog – I hope you and yours have the best possible Easter and a peaceful, healthy week. Take care.
Brainfluff 
Your father-in-law sounds amazing, God Bless him. Have a good Easter Sarah and continue to keep safe. It sounds like you are doing what you need to do and counting your blessings.
Thank you, Carla:). Yes… that’s what I wanted to do this week – to highlight the moments of gold throughout the week. I hope you and yours have a lovely Easter and that you have a peaceful, healthy week:)
Thanks Sarah, back at you.
I can’t believe your father in law, wow. What an inspiration. Frankly, he’s making me look bad, lol😁 I’m going to start Shorefall today, and I’m finishing up a thoroughly surprising book called The Ancestor which I hope to review later in the week. Happy Easter!
He is an amazing man – he is a cyclist, who when not in lockdown, still cycles an average of 400 miles a week… So he makes us look bad, too!
I look forward to your review of The Ancestor, because if you are finding it a surprising book, then I’m really intrigued, Tammy. And I hope you and yours have a Happy Easter!
What a lovely thing for your FIL to do!
Your sister’s story is also lovely. I much prefer hearing stories of kindness at the moment to the stories of cretins taking advantage of the crisis to do harm of which there seems to be many. 😦
Hope you have a lovely Easter and a good week!
It was one of the reasons why I wanted to talk about those stories – they uplifted me, and I think we need all the help we can get to stay cheerful right now. Or maybe that’s just me… Thank you for your kind good wishes, Nicci and I hope that you, too, have a great Easter and a peaceful week:)
I love reading about the amazing people who are stepping up in this time of crisis. It helps take our minds off those who are not doing that.
Enjoy your garden and your books. I was laughingly telling my granddaughter (on the phone, since we can’t see each other face to face) that we will have nails like claws and hair covering our faces when this is over.
Stay safe and enjoy your books.
Yes – I decided I wanted to feature the best, rather than fulminate over the worst… I know what you mean about our appearance, although I’m still feeling chuffed at having chopped my hair off! I hope you, too, stay safe and have a great reading week, Laurel.
That’s amazing to see these acts of kindness!!! And the sun is shining here too so it helps!
Yes, it is lovely to see the sunshine – though we now could do with some rain in the garden! Though we’ll happily keep watering the pots, and keep the blue skies! I hope the coming week is a peaceful, healthy one for you – hopefully with more of your amazing humour breaking through:)).
My absolute respect to your father-in-law! Around here companies (small and big) too started to produce masks and PPE for all those who work at the front line. I love your pictures. You look great if I may say that. Hang in there and stay safe. And if that helps: Happy writing!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Vi:). Yes, he’s part of a cooperative that is linking up people who own 3-D printers by providing them with the materials and collecting the finished product. I’m glad you like the new hairstyle – I’m very proud of it:)).
I loved the pics of the Easter eggs – what a shame that folks don’t get to see them because of the lockdown. I’m sorry I didn’t comment – but I’m having issues with my Google a/c which won’t let me link up with some folks’ blogs. I hope your father soon feels a lot better – and how scary that dentists are closing! I hope you, too, stay safe and have a good week.
Your father in law is a gift!! What a wonderful man!
He really is… it’s lit up his life to feel useful and needed. Have a great week, Samantha
Good to see you have been able to get out in your garden to enjoy the sunshine – I have been doing the same this week and it has been really good for my soul. It is wonderful to hear the little acts of kindness you have been witness to. I hope this coming week will be a good one for you and a happy Easter to you and yours. 🙂
Thank you, Jessica! I really value being able to get outside, as I can’t abide the cold, so it had to be really warm before I can venture out. You’re right – it is good for the soul:)). I hope that you, too, have a happy Easter and a good week.
I’m glad you are able to enjoy the spring weather and get things done. I am rather unmotivated. Your FIL sounds like quite a special guy. It’s folks like him that give me hope the world isn’t a total loss. Robin loved Foundryside and will be reviewing Shorefall soon.
Have a healthy, safe week! Happy Easter!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
I have to say, I’m only working on things that I’m enjoying. The housework is being left to the elves, at present. Ditto the garden… I hope you, too, have a happy Easter:)
Your father-in-law is amazing! Glad you are able to get outside. We have moments, but its been cold and is currently snowing! I need to read Shorefall!
Oh, good grief! Snow on top of everything else… Although I do recall that the day my son was born it snowed – and that was 7th May! Yes, Shorefall is a real foot-to-the-floor read, though a tad apocalyptic just now.
Such beautiful flowers! As much as I love the rain, I do hope the sun will make an appearance and stay awhile soon. we are expecting more rain tonight though. That was so nice of the mechanic to give your sister a break like that on the cost of service. I think what your dad is doing is great. He sounds like a great human being. I hope you have a good week, Sarah. Stay well and safe.
Thank you, Wendy. Yes… it’s people like my sister’s mechanic and my father-in-law that keep my spirits up during these difficult times. I hope you, too, have a great week – stay safe.
Boy, your father-in-law is amazing. Thank you for sharing this story about him. It gives me hope for the world.
I’m glad you are writing so well during this time. I’m reading nonstop now, after a long lull. Maybe I need to set my books down and pick up my pen.
Oh, it’s got to be an entirely personal choice. I love reading, but on balance – I love writing even more. So it’s my go-to place when the world isn’t playing nice. So read away, my friend, and enjoy! Have a peaceful week and more games of Monopoly:))
Your father-in-law is truly amazing. What a wonderful man!
I hope all is well with you. Take care and stay safe!
Thank you, Yvonne. Yes, thankfully me and mine are all keeping well and safe, so far. I hope you have a great weekend and a good reading week – take great care:)
Oh wow- that’s so awesome about your father-in-law. What an amazing person. It’s so gratifying to see, even with all the horror stories of people doing bad things, that there are people doing extraordinary things as well. Helping others. It’s inspiring.
Glad you had some nice weather as well. It definitely helps doesn’t it? I find the sunshine improves my mood even when I’m reading all the bad news!
Take care this week and be well! 🙂
Thank you, Greg:). Yes – it’s why I particularly wanted to highlight these acts of kindness, especially as neither of them meant for anyone else to know… I hope you, too, have a peaceful, healthy weekend and a good week.
that such kindness and selflessness exists is a balm for the soul in these difficult times.
I’m glad you are able to enjoy the sunshine.
Wishing you a great reading week, good health and a Happy Easter 🐣
A Happy Easter to you too, Shelleyrae:). Yes – I wanted to celebrate the best of what is around us right now… I hope you, too, have a good reading week, an a peaceful, healthy time with your family.
It there is something positive in this world-wide crisis is the way so many people are reacting to the emergency, giving their best and showing that the human race does indeed have a huge potential for good. It’s hope-inspiring and very comforting at the same time….
Book-wise, I just started Foundryside, since everyone seems to be looking forward to Shorefall with great expectations, and I’m glad to see that the second book looks just as good as the first one, if not better 🙂
Oh yes, I had problems with the pacing during Foundryside, which don’t occur in Shorefall. So I hope you find Foundryside enjoyable, because I think Shorefall is a better read.
Your father-in-law is an inspiration! Reminds he so much of my mother. Stay safe and well, Sarah.
What a nice gesture to your sister! And your FIL is a rock star! That’s so great he can put his 3D printer to good use. ❤
It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I’m so glad that I was able to share these instances with everyone, too, SJ:)
Your father-in-law sounds like such an amazing guy. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Shorefall. I’m about halfway through it right now and so far love it even more than I enjoyed Foundryside. Crasedes is making my skin crawl, haha.
I’ve just written my Shorefall review – yes, isn’t Crasedes an excellent baddie??? I particularly liked him. Overall I think Shorefall a better read than Foundryside and thoroughly enjoyed it right to the end:). Enjoy!
So nice about your sister and how lovely to hear what your father-in-law is doing. Your garden looks pretty and I’m glad you’re able to get outside. It was raining for ages here and now it’s too cold for me (I’m a serious wimp though so it’s fine for most people) to head outside. I do need to make an effort to get out though. I hope you have a great week!
Thank you for your kind comments, Katherine – it was lovely, wasn’t it? I’m sorry the weather has been so unfriendly – I’m a wimp too! The fact that I’m outside was because the temperature was around 65 F in bright sunshine and I was very well wrapped up! I hope it seriously improves for you – yes, I’m delighted there is so much colour in the garden just now. It does cheer me up… I hope you, too, are having a lovely week.
As the saying goes, the faster I go, the behinder I get! Sorry to be getting to this so late (Thurs.). It was definitely worth my reading time, and I’m glad I didn’t skip it!
No worries, Rae:)). I’m doing a dire job of keeping up with my blogging friends! I hope you are having a peaceful, healthy week.
wow, your father-in-law is a legend and I’m guessing your sister is also a key worker if she works in a chemist? How inspiring.
Lynn 😀
Yes – wasn’t it wonderful? And yes… my father-in-law is a remarkable man. And yes, my sister is a key worker, who is very much on the front line as she is sadly the target of a lot of rudeness and aggression from frightened people who don’t like queuing for their prescriptions.
Your father-in-law is a wonder! Sounds like he could be the hero of a story all his own. xxxxxxxxx
Oh, absolutely!