Remember my recent return to reading epic fantasy and how annoyed I was? It reminded me I hadn't yet read the third trilogy in Lynn Kurland's Nine Kingdoms series. If you haven't guess by now, that's exactly what I did, so let's talk about it! Why I took so long to read this third trilogy, I don't know nor understand. Sure, last year I might have needed a break after plowing through the first six books, but for an entire year? When I love this series so, so, SO much? What's so great about ...
Musings
WOMS: A Grave Robbery
Veronica and Stoker are back at it, and this time they must solve a dastardly crime! This week for "What's on my Shelf," it's Deanna Raybourn's latest A Grave Robbery! Last we heard from our sleuthing lovers, they had reconciled and returned to Bishop's Folly in contented bliss after solving their last case. As employees of Lord Rosemorran, we find them continuing their work of documenting and preparing the myriad of specimens in his collection for public viewing. Much to their dismay, the ...
WOMS: The Curse of Penryth Hall
It's getting close to spooky season, and since I happened to read a few thrilling stories over the summer, let's get in the mood! This week, we're reviewing Jess Armstrong's The Curse of Penryth Hall. What drew me most to this book was its setting in post-war England, especially since that is when my own work in progress is set. Of course, the promise of an enticing mystery didn't hurt. I had heard The Last Heir to Blackwood Library compared to this novel, so I hoped I would be indulged ...
Forging Neurodiversity
When people think of autism, usually what pops into their mind is Ray from Rain Man or some other harmful, maybe even more grotesque, stereotype media has embedded in our psyches through misinformation. The problem with those images besides their obvious stigma and discriminatory depiction is autistics are a vibrant and eclectic group of people who vary greatly across the wide spectrum that is our condition. Yes, that’s right. I’m autistic, too. Naturally, I have some bias on the subject. ...
WOMS: A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets
Saffron Everleigh is at it again, and this time she’s going undercover to unravel the secrets of a sinister society in the heart of the British government. This week for “What’s on My Shelf,” it’s A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets! In the third installment of a series I am absolutely adoring, Saffron is tasked with helping clear Alexander Ashton’s brother name as a suspect in King’s Cross constabulary’s latest murder case. "But wait!" You might say. "Isn’t that the same love ...
The Subscriber Chronicles, Vol. I
This week and month begins a new type of post I will be sharing once per quarter with only my subscribers. It's still free, but you must be subscribed to this website and blog to access it, so... Welcome! Especially to my new readers. I've noticed several new followers on across all the social media platforms, and I'm excited you've found your way here! It's going to be an exciting journey together! These new Subscriber Chronicles will be a periodical I share to update all of you, my ...
WOMS: A Most Agreeable Murder
We're back in the Regency Era this week with another murder mystery, you might say an agreeable one? It's Julia Seales A Most Agreeable Murder! This one had been on my TBR for a while, but my library never had it available. It was always checked out. I suppose it was/is quite popular. After waiting and waiting in a queue, when I went book shopping with a friend one Sunday, I decided to buy this book and give it a chance. (I normally don't buy books I haven't read yet.) I'm so glad I ...
A Neurodivergent’s Battle
The first thing that went wrong that morning was I overslept. Turning over to see the clock read 8:03 AM instead of 7:00 made my stomach lurch. Of course, all I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep, but that would only make the situation worse. It wasn’t a normal Sunday. Pesach was tomorrow. There were groceries to be bought. Dishes to be kashered. Endless preparations looming in the back of my mind. I couldn’t relax; not for a second. Dragging myself out of bed, I stirred my ...
WOMS: When the Moon Hatched
This week as promised, it's a return to fantasy with Sarah A. Parker's When the Moon Hatched. When I last wrote, I mentioned I had made a brief return to fantasy, which I would soon review. However, if you're here for a lashing based on my frustrations I shared last week, you won't find it. Despite my frustrations with the fantasy genre as a whole, especially trends that were still present in this book, overall I was pleasantly surprised, and impressed, with Parker's latest novel. I ...
The Case of the Missing Hero
Let's take a break this week because I want to share something rather epiphanous, at least for me. Though I may have shared some of these thoughts before, I’m not certain I divulged them with the same clarity. Recently, I tried a return to fantasy as I stumbled upon what appeared to be a next great hit of a series full of wonder and adventure and maybe even a little bit of romance. Of course, I'll review that book soon here, but something struck me as I dived deep into its pages and ...
