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.
It’s been a good week. On Monday afternoon, I was able to attend the monthly Swanbourne Poets meeting. As ever, it was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. The quality of the poetry is impressive, as most of those who attend are published poets and it’s a joy to listen to their latest work.
I’ve had sufficient energy this week to start properly contributing to household chores, like regularly cleaning the bathroom and doing the laundry. And while that might not sound like a big deal, it really is. On Friday, I took one of my friends out to celebrate her birthday at the Sea Lane Café. We were lucky enough to get a corner table looking out over the beach and had a lovely time exchanging news and just enjoying each other’s company – the first time we’d done so since before the first lockdown. It was such a treat!
Himself and I have a weekend to ourselves as Oscar is off to watch Everton play with his stepdad. We popped into Rustington yesterday, as Himself had a hair appointment and enjoyed a leisurely coffee together before returning home. This morning, we nipped out intending to go to the beach, but ended up having a coffee at the Harbour Lights café and wandering along the riverside walk. That’s where the pictures were taken. The RNLI – the wonderful folks who risk their lives to rescue folks caught in bad situations at sea – were having a barbeque on the river front. And as you can see, there is lovely sunshine, though there is a northerly bite to the wind which means we can’t shed coats or sit out in the sunshine. Nevertheless, it’s a treat to see that shiny orb in the sky, instead of perpetual cloud and rain😊.
Books I’ve read this week:
Chosen – Book 5 of The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson
Demons on the loose. Ritual murders. An ancient vampire breathing down her neck.
Some days Max just doesn’t know where to start. The problems facing her city are piling up, and there seems no end or solution in sight.
Max’s job used to be dealing with supernatural creatures. Now she’s got to tackle demons from the underworld who are far more powerful than anything she’s come across before, and who seem intent on bringing an end to the daylight world.
Part of Max would love to sit this one out. Let someone else save the world for a change. But was it ever really a choice?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, so it’s with some sadness I’ve come to the end. I’ve particularly enjoyed Max’s two delightful shadow hounds, who accompany her on all her adventures. The good news is that Vanessa is busy on a new series – which I’m pleased about as I really enjoy her writing. 9/10
AUDIOBOOK – High Stakes – Book 3 of the Bo Blackman Boxed Set series by Helen Harper
It may be less than a month since the doors of New Order opened but that doesn’t mean Bo Blackman isn’t busy. It’s not just daft allegations about vampire dogs and complicated relationships that she has to deal with, however.
When a woman is brutally assaulted, barely escaping with her life, Bo ensures she forms an integral part of the investigation. The trouble is that she may end up being confronted with a darkness that she’s simply not ready for…
This time around, I fully bonded with Bo. During the first two books, she slightly annoyed me at times. But while she’s still apt to go off on her own, ignoring advice and generally haring towards trouble – her innate kindness towards Kimchi, the alleged vampire dog, as well as a huge act of sacrifice had me thoroughly rooting for her in this adventure. I’m very glad there’s more books to come in this series. 9/10
Dragons Beyond the Pale – Book 7 of Jane Austen’s Dragons series by Maria Grace
After months in Bath mentoring Dragon Keepers and Friends, Dragon Sage Elizabeth Darcy actually anticipates traveling to London for the Keeper’s Cotillion. Which says a great deal considering the she-dragons who make up the Cotillion board would very much like to show the Sage her proper place.
The she-dragons, though, are no match for what Sir Fitzwilliam Darcy finds waiting for him in London. Threats to the Order on every side, and Lord Matlock demands he keep them secret from Elizabeth. No one keeps secrets from Elizabeth.
In the meantime, Anne and Frederick Wentworth arrive in London with hopes of finally being accepted in good Blue Order society, unaware of the burgeoning maelstrom about to engulf them.
Darcy manages to keep matters under control until a fairy-dragon’s prank unleashes sinister forces who perpetrate an unthinkable crime that could spell the end of the Pendragon Accords and usher in a new age of dragon war. Can Elizabeth and Darcy, with the Wentworths’ help, restore balance to the Blue Order before the dragons decide to take matters into their own talons and right the wrongs themselves?
This story took an unexpected turn. I flew through this gripping instalment of Grace’s exceptional series, thoroughly enjoying the way the author cleverly negotiates Austen’s world with the addition of dragons. I am trying hard to spin this series out, because I know that there will be a HUGE book hangover when I come to the end of these delightful books. 10/10
My posts last week:
Castellan and His Wise Draconic Tips on Life
Review of INDIE Ebook Frozen Stiff Drink – Book 6 of the Braxton Campus Mysteries by James J. Cudney
Hope you, too, had some brilliant books to tuck into and wishing you all a happy, healthy week😊.
Brainfluff 