This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books they’ve read and share what they have got up to during the last week.
Thank goodness it’s been an easier week. The school have really come through for Oscar, providing him with a shortened learning programme that he should be able to manage, taking into account the daily migraines he’s currently enduring. And the Dr has also said we can double the dosage of the medication he’s on – so fingers crossed that it helps.
We have also missed out on all the snow, for which I’m very grateful. I hate the stuff, given we’re not set up for it so it causes chaos and then turns to a slushy mess. Though I’m very sorry for the folks who are suddenly confronted with it – just in case we thought that the worst of Winter was over.
I’ve had a quiet week at home, but am enjoying writing the third Picky Eaters’ novel, Problems With Power, where poor old Castellan is having all sorts of issues. And no… I haven’t yet published Books 1 and 2, although they are written and mostly edited. I prefer to write my trilogies before publishing, as sometimes things come up in subsequent books so that I need to go back and tweak plotlines or characters to ensure everything makes sense. I also enjoyed dusting off my Saturday feature whereby Castellan gives the world the benefit of his hard-earned wisdom, garnered over a very long and eventful life. As far as reading is concerned, I’m about a third of the way through the doorstopper that is Samantha Shannon’s A Day of Fallen Night – and thoroughly enjoying it, too.
Last week I read:-
AUDIOBOOK – A Civil Campaign: A Comedy of Biology and Manners – Book 12 of the Miles Vorkosigan Saga Series by Lois McMaster Bujold
Miles Vorkosigan has a problem: unrequited love for the beautiful widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson, violently allergic to marriage after her first exposure. If a frontal assault won’t do, Miles thinks, try subterfuge. He has a cunning plan… Lord Mark Vorkosigan, Miles’ brother, also has a problem: his love has just become unrequited again. But he has a cunning plan… Lord Ivan Vorpatril, Mile’s cousin, has a problem: unrequited love in general. But he too has a cunning plan…
A complex story, as the various members of Miles’ family attempt to find their one true love, and a measure of destiny. This against a background of domestic political squabbles and an earnest attempt at capitalist enterprise.
My back was against the wall – so I got hold of one of my favourite all-time reads as an audiobook. And yes… it’s every bit as funny, poignant and thought-provoking as when I read it a lifetime ago when it was first published. I just have to think ‘butter bugs’ and a certain banquet and I start to grin… 10/10
AUDIOBOOK – Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason – An Audible Original Drama by George Mann & Scott Cavan
There is a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria and only Sherlock Holmes can stop it…or can he? Investigating a crime seemingly unconnected to the Royal Family, Holmes & Watson uncover a conspiracy to kidnap Queen Victoria and destabilise the British Empire.
With a ticking clock to her next public engagement, Holmes and Watson must discover who is behind the plot and locate her majesty, while Mycroft tries to keep the monarch’s disappearance a secret from the British people. At first, Holmes believes Moriarty is responsible for the abduction, but when the Napoleon of Crime is proved innocent, Holmes must work with his arch-nemesis to rescue the Queen.
An Audible Original drama starring Nicholas Boulton as Sherlock Holmes and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Dr. John Watson alongside a full cast.
This dramatised version was huge fun, though the story was more than a tad daft. For me, the strongest performance was Moriarty, who came across as thoroughly charming and very dangerous – exactly as he’s supposed to be. It was an ambitious plot, full of twists, which kept me listening to discover what happens next. 8/10
AUDIOBOOK – Eye of Truth – Book 1 of the Agents of the Crown series by Lindsay Buroker
After ten years at war, Jev Dharrow looks forward to hanging up his sword, relaxing with a cool mug of ale, and forgetting that the love of his life married another man while he was gone. But when his ship sails into port, a beautiful woman wearing the garb of an inquisitor from one of the religious orders waits to arrest him.
His crime?
He’s accused of stealing an ancient artifact with the power to start another war. Jev would gladly hand over the artifact to stop more suffering, but he has no idea where it is or even what it looks like. The inquisitor woman definitely has the wrong person.
Inquisitor Zenia Cham grew up with nothing, but she has distinguished herself as one of the most capable law enforcers in the city, and she’s next in line to become archmage of the temple. All she has to do is find the Eye of Truth, and her superiors are certain that Jev has it. He tries to charm her with his twinkling eyes and easy smile, but she’s not letting any man get between her and her dreams. Especially not a thief. If Jev can’t convince Zenia they’re on the same side, find the artifact, and clear his name, his homecoming will turn into a jail sentence. Or worse.
This is typical Buroker fun – lots of adventure and action with likeable protagonists in the middle of the unfolding chaos. The plotting and scene setting is strong, the writing smooth and the dialogue often humorous and snarky, which means these stories don’t get too dark or grim even when our adventurers are really going through it. And I love Vivienne Leheny’s narration. I wanted to listen to this one again, as I’ve just got hold of the second book and needed to revisit the world – and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 9/10
My posts last week:
Castellan the Black and his Wise Dragonic Musings on Life
Hope you, too, had some brilliant books to tuck into and wishing you all a happy, healthy week😊.
Brainfluff 
I’m glad you had a better week, and I hope the double dose of meds helps with Oscar’s headaches. And that’s great that you’re writing again! Hope you have a good week😁
Thank you, Tammy:). I’m hoping the double dose helps, too! And I’m really pleased to be writing more REGULARLY – that’s the bit that I’m celebrating.
Have the doctors found a cause for Oscar’s headaches. It is rather awful for him to br suffering so much. The first book, A Civil Campaign, sounds great.
No… Oscar’s headaches have everyone stumped, although there are a number of theories that have been proposed. It’s horrible watching him suffer so much:(.
On a happier note – yes! The whole Vorkosigan series is awesome and well ahead of its time for all sorts of reasons. But I love this particular slice as the author wanted to write a sci fi novel that paid homage to Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen.
I hope a diagnosis is made soon. It took me 15 years to get a sort of diagnosis for my son’s health problems and now he needs more tests. It is very stressful. I’ll take a look on Amazon for the book.
It’s funny you mentioned snow. When I got up it was snowing, although it is melting and the temperature is 5C/ 40F. It’s going to be 21C / 72F in a couple days which is more normal. It wasn’t predicted or I would have covered the lettuces and snow peas.
I’m glad you are writing again. I am so sorry about Oscar and hope a solution is found. My daughter has them sometimes and also has medication but lower stress is the best medicine.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
The butter-bugs in A Civil Campaign still make me giggle helplessly even though I know how the story goes. This was one of the most amusing Vorkosigan novels of the series, with the added bonus that in the end dear Miles did finally “get the girl” 🙂
Oh, he did, didn’t he? And that scene in the Council Chambers is just fabulous – almost as good as when Cordelia dumps the head on the floor, claiming that she’s been shopping…
That was one of my favorite Cordelia moments!
It’s wonderful that you are feeling well enough to write more regularly, Sarah. Poor, Oscar. I hope the double meds do the trick for the migraines with no side effect. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you, Carla. I’m hoping the meds will now help him more, too.
Glad to hear this week was better than last. And I’m also happy to hear about the modified school schedule! Living and working through migraines is so hard.
Yes – he is struggling somewhat. I’m hoping the extra structure will be helpful.
I am glad this week was a little better. I’m sorry Oscar is suffering from headaches. I hope he gets some relief soon.
It makes sense that you would complete an entire trilogy before publishing any of the volumes. I wish everyone did that!
I’m aware there are a number of authors who do a brilliant job of producing a coherent series while writing as they go. I’m not one of them!
I am so glad ye be back to writing about Castellan as I enjoyed the short story. I certainly want more dragon adventures. I didn’t know we be getting a whole trilogy though! Arrr!
x The Captain
Thank you for the enthusiasm! I have been having SUCH a blast writing these books so haven’t wanted to stop:).
I’m glad you had a better week. Hopefully the medicine helps the headaches.
Thank you, AJ:). I am keeping my fingers crossed that the increased dosage helps the headaches, too.
I’m so glad the school is really working with Oscar but I hate it for him that he’s having to endure all that. Yay for missing the snow! I’m not a big fan of it either (or cold in general) and we have the same problem of not being set up for it. When it snows or gets icey the whole city shuts down for days on end. I hope you’re having a great week!
Ah – thank you, Katherine. Yes, it’s grim watching him living a current half-life at the moment. I’m just hoping it’s a developmental glitch – he’s in the throes of a growth spurt and I can almost watch him shoot up.
Still no snow – yay!! And I hope that you, too, are having a good week:)).
I hope the increased dosage helps Oscar and his doctors track down the cause soon.
I don’t mind snow if I don’t have to be out but I hate driving in it. My area doesn’t have the equipment to handle it well either. Enjoy your week!
Oh I know what you mean about driving in the snow – I hate it!! I’ve spun out twice, fortunately with no consequences. But I now avoid it whenever I can.
It is so good that you are writing series once again. And, I agree with Deb Nance, it is the logical thing to write all three before going to publication! You rock, girlfriend.
Thank you, Rae:)). It’s very heartening that you are enthusiastic about series I’m working on. And yes – I’m delighted to find that I’m getting my writing mojo back.
Getting your mojo back is the best news I’ve heard this week!
Your mention of that dramatized version of the Holmes tale does make me want to pick Doyle’s stuff again and revisit them! Happy reading, Sarah. 🙂
Thank you, Lashaan:). There is an audiobook version of all the Sherlock Holmes canon, read by Steven Fry – who can make the telephone directory sound beguiling. Though do be warned, several of the stories are very unpleasant with their explicit racism – to the extent that I couldn’t get through them. However, most of the adventures were an enjoyable listen.