This is my update on how I’m doing while coping with Long Covid now it’s been 10 months since I first got ill, which I’m adding to my Sunday Post blog, hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer.
It’s been a week of two halves, but as I’m now able to write this Sunday Post just a week after my previous effort, you’ll be right in thinking that overall my energy levels are still reasonably good. So long as I don’t think of trying to do any housework! While I know it is definitely positive that my emotional and mental energy have improved so much – it’s very much a two-edged sword… The first half of the week was grim. I woke up on Monday feeling angry and miserable and while I can generally throw off those feelings – this time around, I couldn’t. It was the anger I found impossible to shift. And of course, given there is just the two of us – the person who bore the brunt of it is the one person in my life who is completely undeserving of my snarling criticisms on what he hadn’t managed to do around the house. It’s rather chastening to realise that I’m far less nice when I’m more like me, than when I was too ill and exhausted to care… And even that reflection didn’t manage to lift my black fury at how bloody helpless and useless I am.
However, thank goodness I had a reflexology appointment on Thursday afternoon. Laura listened sympathetically to my teary rant about how much I hated being so vilely furious – and how it was poisoning my life at a time when I really cannot afford the energy to be so negative. So she set to work, promising to concentrate on my emotional energies. At one point, while she was working on my hormonal energy, which she said was allll over the place, my leg was twitching uncontrollably. Whatever she did certainly worked. I always feel very tired after a consultation. But I woke up on Friday morning feeling reasonably happy again. I’m still sleeping badly, and the constant high-pitched screaming in my ears is still something of an ongoing struggle. But I’m back to believing I can get through this – that I haven’t finally run out of stamina and courage. And that there will come a time when I will regain sufficient energy to write my books again so that my grumpy black dragon, Castellan, will once again soar through my life.
This week I’ve read:-
Blood Politics – Book 4 of the Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper
You’d think that life would finally be dealing Mack Smith a kind hand. Living in London, and with the opening of the new improved city version of Clava Books mere days away, things appear to be settling down. Other than the terrible nightmares about dragons, that is. Or the fact that she’s being constantly tailed by a string of mages, shifters and faeries, all of whom are constantly demanding her attention. And that’s without even bringing the temptation of Corrigan, Lord Alpha of the Brethren, into the equation.
Then, when a local dryad asks her for some help, things really start to fire up. There are some long hot summer days ahead…
I thoroughly enjoy Harper’s gutsy, short-fused heroine. Mack is a shapeshifter with a difference and this urban fantasy is full of twists and turns that kept me reading throughout a wretched night and into the small hours. Be warned, Mack tends to get very sweary when she loses her rag, so there is a lot of bad language – but I’ll forgive that. And there is also a doozy of cliffhanger at the end that had me reaching for the next book in the series – which is something that I hardly ever do. 9/10
Blood Lust – Book 5 of the Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper
Life’s no fun being a dragon, especially when you are forced into responsibilities that involve trying to keep the peace between an array of shifters, mages and faeries in order to bring down the scariest and deadliest foe the Otherworld has ever seen. And that’s not to mention the fact that your own soul mate hates your guts…
Mack Smith, a fiery Draco Wyr, is battling to come to terms with her emotions, her heritage and her true capabilities. All she has to do is defeat Endor, win back Corrigan and live happily ever after. From the streets of London and Russia, to the beaches of Cornwall, will she be able to ever win the day?
Not only does this book deliver yet another engrossing adventure featuring short-tempered Mack, our foul-mouthed yet endearing heroine – it also has to produce a convincing and satisfactory conclusion to this series. I’ll be honest – given the narrative dynamic Harper had set up, I couldn’t see how she would pull this one off. And then she did… I completed this one with a lump in my throat and a smile on my face. Very highly recommended. 10/10
The Gathering – Book 1 of The Hundred series by Vanessa Nelson
As one of the Hundred, Yvonne cannot ignore a plea for help, even if all she wants is a quiet life, somewhere safe for her adopted children to grow into adulthood. Safety is in short supply. Young people, some of them children, are going missing in large numbers, leaving bewildered and grieving families behind. It’s not something she can ignore.
She finds an unexpected ally in an arrogant goblin lord, who seems intent on following her from place to place. With her skills in magic, and his resources, can they track down the kidnappers and return the children home?
I’ve been reading her Ageless Mysteries series and been very impressed, so when I saw this series I immediately tucked into the first one and was very glad I did. Nelson’s worldbuilding is superb – a layered realistic world that gradually is revealed through the eyes of a nuanced, three-dimensional character. The relationship between Guise and Yvonne is beautifully done and I look forward to reading the next one. 9/10
Witch Hunt – Book 3 of the Secondhand Magic series by Lori Drake
Magic Crimes Consultant Emily Davenport’s prestigious family coven may have been disappointed in her lack of magical talent, but they never took issue with how she lived her life—until she registered as a witch. Now the gloves are off, and she’s under investigation by the Circle, a powerful alliance of ancient covens.
But with an important case three months in the making finally starting to bear fruit, she can’t just stop and walk away. The witches of Santa Fe need her. A mysterious, illicit drug that only affects witches is gaining more traction by the day, and every minute she spends worrying about her own future is an opportunity for another witch to die. Can Emily stop the flow of the deadly narcotic and prove herself before her clock runs out, or will she be carted off to face tribunal in chains?
This urban fantasy whodunit has a strong heroine, who used to be an emergency nurse who is dismissed once she registers as a witch. Now she ekes out a living as a consultant on magical cases with the local police department. I really enjoyed Emily’s backstory – she is a strong, sympathetic protagonist who has been put in a convincingly difficult position. I’m delighted there are more books in this smart, well written series. 9/10
The Dragon and Mrs Muir by Connie Suttle
The wedding was an outdoor affair, on a beach with the Gulf of Mexico in the background. In all, seventy-two were injured, and the body count rose to seventeen. Local hospitals were filled with bleeding attendees, and, at one point, the bride, her bloodied white wedding dress cut away and spilling onto the emergency room floor, went into cardiac arrest. Her groom died at the scene.
Philomena Muir became a widow on her wedding day. Three years later, she found herself bumping into the strangest man she’d ever met–except he wasn’t a man. More specifically, he wasn’t human. That brief meeting became the catalyst for a brewing war, pitting one human witch against the might of a supernatural race. The cards are stacked, and Philomena needs a winning hand…
This is an unusual book and despite the slight unevenness of the story-telling and the ease with which some of the conflicts are overcome, I enjoyed the dynamic. The dramatic backstory is very well handled and I really liked Phil. Overall, an intriguing and memorable read. 8/10
Little Witches – Book 21 of Schooled in Magic series by Christopher G. Nuttall
Laughter Academy is in trouble. The student witches are growing increasingly reckless, preying on the mundanes below the mountains as their tutors plot and scheme to take advantage of the chaos. And no one seems to know why.
Emily is in no condition to intervene. But she cannot refuse. Heading to Laughter, Emily finds herself dragged into a world of schoolgirl games, staffroom politics and a deadly plot aimed at the heart of the Allied Lands themselves…
As I’ve been reading this entertaining and unpredictable fantasy series, I’ve often imagined Nuttall having a conversation in a bar with a couple of writing buddies. “So… what do you think would happen if a girl got transported from our world, back to a medieval society? And then triggers a major change by introducing some key inventions – what would happen then? I think I’m going to write it. Just to see where it goes.” Because that’s exactly the dynamic of this fascinating series story arc and Emily – the protagonist and catalyst of so much of the upheaval that occurs – has become a firm favourite of mine. There are three more books to go in this series and I’d intended to space them out – but I immediately got hold of the next one, because of that amazing cliffhanger ending. 8/10
The Right Side of History – Book 22 of Schooled in Magic series by Christopher G. Nuttall
A brutal uprising in the Kingdom of Alluvia has shaken the Allied Lands – and Emily finds herself accused of starting it. Desperate, all too aware the kingdom is on the verge of becoming a vortex of chaos, Emily travels to Alluvia in the hopes of calming both sides long enough to secure peace…
…Unaware that the uprising is merely the first step in a plan to shatter the Allied Lands beyond repair.
I pretty much inhaled this one – the beginning is fraught and full of danger. And the tension doesn’t ease up. But the climactic final battle at the end left me reeling as we lose a major character – and Emily suffers a terrible betrayal that I didn’t see coming. Oh my goodness. I’m trying to be good and not immediately reach for the penultimate book in the series as I want to cling onto this world for just a bit longer… this series has seen me through so many wretched nights and difficult days during the worst of my illness. 9/10
AUDIOBOOK – Hard Time – Book 2 of The Time Police series by Jodi Taylor
Team Weird are back causing havoc in the Time Police in this irresistible spin-off series by international bestseller Jodi Taylor, author of The Chronicles of St Mary’s. A time slip in Versailles, problems in the Ice Age and illegal time travellers in need of rescue. Must be a job for the Time Police.
Luke, Jane and Matthew are back and ready to cause havoc – inadvertently or otherwise – in their latest adventures.
This time travelling adventure hasn’t quite the rollicking, no-holds-barred flavour of the St Mary’s books, but it is still full of humour. In typical Taylor style, there are also deeply moving and emotional moments, too. It was a joy to listen to. 9/10
This week I have posted:
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* – Review of The Ivory Key – Book 1 of The Ivory Key duology by Akshaya Raman
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* – Review of Spirits and Smoke – Book 2 of the Maddie Pastore by Mary Miley
Sunday Post – Living with Long Covid #7
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I’m very aware that right now, it’s a very one-sided relationship and I don’t know when I’ll be able to fully reciprocate. In the meantime, do take care and try to keep well.
Brainfluff 
I am sorry you are going through this but also glad you can find things which help you ease the pain and stress. I have never been excited about housework but we certainly have relaxed our standards during covid, even before I had my back/hip thing. I’m still OCD about kitchen cleaning and I like laundry but vacuuming and dusting have never been my favorites. Well you have lots of great books, so here’s hoping this week is better.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Lol… yes – we’ve definitely become a LOT more relaxed, though I never have been a huge fan of housework. But right now, Himself is finding it a struggle to keep on top of everything. Which isn’t a surprise, seeing as it’s nearly 11 months ago since I got sick. Thank you for your kind good wishes, Anne – and I hope that you, too, have a good week.
I’m so sorry you were feeling like that, I’m glad to hear that it seems your mood is turning. I hope things get better. Enjoy your reads.
Thank you, SJ. I hope that you, too, have a good week:)).
I am so sorry. Sending you hopes for healing and continued improvement.
Thank you for your kind good wishes, Cindy:)).
First of all, your are not useless! Not a single bit. Sure we are not ourselves when we are sick, but keep in mind that your family loves you and that they do what they can to help you. Kick your household, Sarah. It is not important to get all your carpets perfectly cleaned or that the kitchen looks like nobody´s ever used it. It is important that you and your family get through this with as less psycological problems as possible. Think of all the little improvements you´ve had and how you feel when you can do something you couldn´t do for a long time. You are not alone. Hang in there.
Ah, thank you for your kind encouraging words, Vi. I do know I’m not useless – well… I do when that black dog of a mood isn’t lying across my shoulders:)). It’s just a bit hard at times when I see just how tired Himself is getting with trying to do everything and hold down a responsible, demanding job.
I’m so glad you are healing, Sarah, albeit slowly. Keep feeling better! 🙂
Thank you, Jennie for your kind good wishes:)).
You are welcome!
I know you aren’t enjoying going through this but I am glad you are sharing your story, I think long covid is something so hard to understand and your updates help put it in context.
Thank you, Emma. I try to give a sense of the ongoing experience – I’ve never, ever had to deal with anything like this in my life before. And I’m aware that I’m very fortunate to have got to my age without any major health issues. But I did want to give folks a sense of what it’s been like. Here in the UK, the talk is allll about the infection rate and the death toll – I just want to remind people that there is another consequence of this illness.
Even though there are still bad days, you can concentrate on the good ones: they are the sign that improvement is not only possible, but well within your grasp. And your reflexologist and her therapy sound like a good medicine – and a true blessing. My best wishes, as always! 🙂
Ah – thank you, Maddalena:)). Yes – I’m trying to hold onto the positive. And even the fact that I’m being a royal pain about what I can’t do is progress. Up to now, most of the time I’ve felt too exhausted to care:)). I hope you have a lovely week.
I don’t have a good excuse to avoid housework, yet I manage 😉
I’m glad the week finished well for you, and I hope it stays that way into the next
I like the sound of the Secondhand Magic series, I’m going to look for that one
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you, Shelleyrae:)). I think it’s watching Himself struggle to cope with keeping on top of all the household chores and hold down a full-time job for nearly 11 months, without my being able to help AT ALL most of the time that is chafing. But… I just need to shrug it off like I did when I was too ill to care – my grizzling about it isn’t helping, either:)).
And yes! If you can squeeze Secondhand Magic into your reading schedule, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I hope you, too, have a lovely reading week.
I didn’t know about the high pitched screaming, how awful, I’m so sorry! But at least you are reading some good books. The Dragon and Mrs. Muir reminds me that I want to rewatch The Ghost and Mrs. Muir😁
Ah – thank you, Tammy. I’m lucky in that it comes and goes. But at its worst, it certainly makes getting to sleep and meditating successfully a lot more challenging.
I like the sound of The Ghost and Mrs Muir – I’ll check it out:)).
Ugh. I would be angry too. FURIOUS. So you’re not alone. I’m sure those feelings are very common with covid long-haulers. I hope you have a week of energy this week!
Thank you, SJ. I’m sure you’re right about the feelings of anger and frustration. The trouble is that they just make a bad situation so much worse. And I can’t get away to walk/drive them off! Or even sit down and write… So it was a huge relief when Laura was able to rebalance everything to the extent that I now feel a lot more positive:).
Good to hear you have been physically better, however I am sorry to hear you have been struggling so badly with anger and dark mood. I pray you will conquer this soon. 🙏 I am currently poorly myself with my second bout of Covid. I’m afraid it is sweeping through my school and it was finally my turn again. This time it feels like a really rotten cold! 🤒
Take care and I hope you continue to enjoy your reading 😊
I’m sorry to hear about the dark mood but it’s completely understandable. I’ve never been as sick for as long as you’ve had to deal with but I had pneumonia a few years ago that took me about 6 weeks to finally kick and quite a bit longer to fully recover and I was regularly wanting to throw something and I’m pretty lazy by nature! I’m glad you were able to get some peace with the reflexologist. I wonder if an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication might help? You’ve been through so much for so long I can imagine it has to be wearing. I hope you have a wonderful and much better week.
Thank you for your kind concern, Katherine. I have thought about it – but there is a worry that any other medication might also impact on my energy levels, which are very fragile right now. And as Laura has managed to rebalance everything holistically, I’m hoping that will have done the trick:).
Hard Times appeals to me, and although the others are not, I am glad you are able to read. Although not suffering from Covid, long-term or, otherwise, do understand the anger that accompanies bad physical health . Your post was a reminder to me that I need to see MY reflexologist soon. Praying you’ll feel stronger and able to WRITE soon!
Thank you so much for your kind good wishes, Rae:). I’m looking forward to the time when I can consistently write, too!
I hope you get a chance to track down Hard Times – and yes… I think by now I’d be a gibbering wreck if I wasn’t able to read:)).
I’m very relieved that the anger has gone though – it is such a toxic emotion to deal with when I cannot use my usual coping strategies. And I hope your reflexologist is able to help you, too:)).
I’m glad you managed to shake off those negative feelings. From my own experiences I know how hard it is to function when your own body chemistry is acting up against you for no reason (i.e. no specific event to justify the feelings).
Yes… I can’t say that I’m terribly impressed with my body right now. If she wasn’t all limp and unwell, I’d be yelling at her to pull herself together.