Thrilled it's Monday

 Monday. No receptionist this week.

 

This weekend I started and finished ENCORE IN DEATH by JD Robb. 56th of 57 in series featuring Eve Dallas, a homicide lieutenant in futuristic New York City

 

 It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, a celebrity couple who’d conquered both Hollywood and Broadway. And now Eve Dallas has made her entrance―but not as a guest. After raising a toast, Fitzhugh fell to the floor and died, with physical symptoms pointing to cyanide, and the police have crashed the party. From all accounts, he wasn’t the kind of star who made enemies. Everyone loved him―even his ex-wife. And since the champagne cocktail that killed him was originally intended for Eliza, it’s possible she was the real target, with a recently fired assistant, a bitter rival, and an obsessed fan in the picture. With so many attendees, staff, and servers, Eve has her work cut out determining who committed murder in the middle of the crowd―and what was their motivation. As one who’s not fond of the spotlight herself, she dreads the media circus surrounding a case like this. All she wants is to figure out who’s truly innocent, and who’s only acting that way…

Published 2023; 375 pages. I figured out who it was pretty early but I still liked it. 4 stars.

I've stalled out on the Retro-Romance Readathon going on this month. I hadn't been enjoying a couple of the reads. I decided I have too much that I want to read for myself rather than self-imposing other books on myself. Who am I trying to impress, the cozy group who doesn't really care what I do? I gotta stop doing stuff like that. 

 

 I've had several starts and stops this month.

I read some 30% of the Fawcett book. I don't know if I'm liking it or not. It's verging on another DNF at the moment. I felt a mini slump come on so I needed to read a sure thing last night.

 Currently reading OBSIDIAN by Alice Sabo, 5th of 5 in Tales of Haroon fantasy series.

 

The great explosion in Obsidian resulted in more than simple destruction. The royal family is missing, and the city is in danger. But when Marten starts his search, he finds unexpected repercussions all over Haroon. His journey takes him from High Barrens down to the Marshes and up into the Gray Plains. As Delvers attempt to stabilize the city, Marten and Stash hunt for the people desperately needed to start the recovery. The losses are overwhelming, and he fears the world will never be the same.

Published 2022; 213 pages. I hope she writes more; her writing somehow soothes my brain. This is the last one thus far.

 And for the "purple on the cover" scavenger hunt coming this Saturday, I've abandoned the first choice (just didn't grab me) and going on to the second simply because I have already have it and Bowen is a good writer. Starting HER ROYAL SPYNESS by Rhys Bowen. 1st of 17 in series featuring Lady Georgiana, minor royalty in 1930s England

 

 London, 1932. Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the English throne, is flat broke. She's bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed. London is a place where she'll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH—oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name...

Published 2007; 336 pages. 

Tonight I have a reading sprint from 5-7. Steve will have leftovers, feed Ryker, read and bed. But first, get through the day.

Have a good day

 Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster