Coffee is required

 Monday

 Over the weekend I read BONES IN THE BLACKOUT by Emma James. Previously published as MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER. 1st of 3 in series.

 On the eve of World War II, Dr. Benjamin Bones is at war with himself. While most young men are being sent away to fight the Germans, Ben is chosen to serve on English soil. Ordered to move to wild, beautiful Cornwall, he must trade his posh London office and stylish city life for the tiny village of Birdswing, population 1,221 souls. But leaving his home and shelving his career ambitions aren't the only sacrifices facing Ben. His unfaithful wife, Penny, is accompanying him to Cornwall in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. But moments after their arrival, Penny is run down in the street, and Ben is almost fatally injured. And while the villagers assume Penny's death to be an accident, Ben quickly deduces it was murder. As he convalesces in Fenton House, which the locals call haunted, Ben meets Birdswing's eccentric inhabitants. Mr. Gaston, the volunteer air warden, obsessed with defending his remote village against Nazi spies; Mrs. Cobblepot, a thoroughly practical housekeeper who believes in fairies; and Lady Juliet Linton, a prickly, headstrong aristocrat who won't take no for an answer. While adapting to life during Britain's "War at Home," a time of ration books, victory gardens, bomb shelters, and the Blackout, Ben sets about solving the mystery of Penny's murder--with a little help from Lady Juliet and the Fenton House ghost.

Published 2014; 284 pages. 4.5 stars. I loved the co-character of Lady Juliet. She's over 6' tall and has a STRONG attitude. I picture her as the actress Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones show.

 Starting another 1000 pages read challenge this week. The host always does it the last week of the month.

Goal 1000

9/24: 398

9/25: 0

9/26: 0

9/27: 0

9/28: 0

9/29: 0

9/30: 0

TOTAL: 398/1000

Books Finished for the week:

 Currently reading HEARTLESS by Elsie Silver. 2nd of 5 in Chestnut Springs romance series.

 

 Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me. Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes. He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist? But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him. Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms. My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months. But my heart says this is forever.

Published 2022; 476 pages.

 Also reading NETWORK EFFECT by Martha Wells. 5th of 7 in Murderbot science fiction series.

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot. When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action. Drastic action it is, then.

Published 2020; 350 pages.

Reading update:

 The weekend was fine. The weather is Fall beautiful. No sprints tonight for me to run. Tomorrow/late tonight, the new Robert Galbraith is out in the wild.

 Have a good day

 Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster