Recent Blog Posts

SUNDAY POST

18 October

This is part of the weekly, or fortnightly 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.
We have had spells of wind and rain, but for most of the week, we have been treated to more sunny, dry weather. The heating has come on once for a short time, when the temperature dropped below 64 degrees F early one morning. But most of the time, it has been in the mid to high 60s, which is amazing at this time of year. Insects are still flying, weeds and grass are still growing and leaf fall has hardly started. We did have an extraordinary incident – a young sparrowhawk killed a seagull in the back garden and was frantically trying to eat enough of it, so it could carry it away. It occurred on one of the few days when it was pouring with rain and I’ve included the short video I took. Apologies for the poor quality, but I took it from an upstairs window as I didn’t want to disturb it. I’ve never seen a bird of prey in our back garden, before – and don’t expect to do so again. It’s just not the place where a raptor should be hunting. It didn’t manage to eat enough of the seagull to carry it away so I had to clear it up. Needless to say, we shut Amari inside during the whole business.
   Read More...   

Castellan the Black and his Wise Draconic Tips on Life

18 October

Despite our dwindling numbers, some parents still think it acceptable to let their younglings fly off with little or no schooling in how to deal with eddies, downdraughts or whirlwinds. It isn’t. Flying fatalities such as these are no longer acceptable and parents should be punished if their offspring suffer such deaths.
   Read More...   

Review of NETGALLEY arc Evie Walters Take the Wheel by Kathleen Fox

16 October

This isn’t my usual genre. But as the protagonist is also not that far apart from my own age and I’ve a weakness for strong, sympathetic older protagonists – I requested it and was glad to get an arc.
   Read More...   

Can’t-Wait Wednesday

14 October

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. This week’s Can’t-Wait offering: Meet Me After Life by Anneka-Rose Burrell
Release date – 17th October, 2026
    Read More...   

Review of NETGALLEY arc The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo

12 October

I really liked the premise for this one. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fantasy adventures recently – and this one sounded intriguing. And it also has some aspects in common with Adrian Tchaikovsky’s novella, Preaching to the Choir.
   Read More...   

Castellan the Black and his Wise Draconic Tips on Life

10 October

Acquiring a reasonable hoard and a reputation as a strong fighter are the two more important goals for a young lord – but do try to have fun along the way. There are established alphas who have striven so hard to achieve their ends, they’ve forgotten what joy is.
   Read More...   

Review of NETGALLEY arc The Library of Botanical Witchcraft by Jasmine Wigham

9 October

I loved the cover, but what closed the deal was the mention of the Emily Wilde adventures which I loved. So would this book hold the same place in my heart?
   Read More...   

Review of NETGALLEY arc The Court of Venus by Bel Banta

7 October

I’m a sucker for suspenseful, well-told tales of court politics, preferably with a splash of magic. So when I saw this one, I immediately requested it.
   Read More...