A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen

Title: A Royal Pain (Royal Spyness #2)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Berkley 2008

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 332

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seasonal Series - Set in real world

London, 1932. Poor Lady Georgiana--thirty-fourth in line to the throne--has nothing to serve her Bavarian princess houseguest, even though the Queen of England has requested that she entertain her. Then there's the matter of the body in the bookshop and the princess's unwitting involvement with the Communist party. It's enough to drive a girl mad...

A fun little cozy mystery for this week. It started out slow, but once the killings started, we were off! I loved Georgie’s attempts to fake a rich household for the visiting princess complete with imposter butler, cook, and maid. But what I really want to know is who is Darcy? Or more to the point, who is he working for? Plus, what’s up with the Inspector? Very annoying man!

Her Royal Spyness:

#0.5 Masked Ball at Broxley Manor
#1 Her Royal Spyness
#2 A Royal Pain
#3 Royal Flush
#4 Royal Blood
#5 Naughty in Nice
#6 The Twelve Clues of Christmas
#7 Heirs and Graces
#8 Queen of Hearts
#9 Malice at the Palace
#10 Crowned and Dangerous
#11 On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service
#12 Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding

Next up on the TBR pile:

Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings by Jodi Taylor

Title: Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #6.5)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2015

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 51

Stars: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Bonus Content

It's Christmas again at St Mary's and time for Max's obligatory illegal jump. On this occasion, however, they're right up against it. A loaded gun has been left behind in Ancient Egypt and it's up to St Mary's historians to retrieve it before someone accidentally blows their own head off, thus affecting the timeline for centuries to come. And as if that's not enough, Max has inadvertently poisoned Mr Markham. It's hot, they're running out of supplies, they can't find the gun, and it's all going horribly wrong. Again.

I so love these cute little short interlude stories featuring the crazy characters at St. Mary’s. This story is another fun Christmas-time adventure with a visit to ancient Egypt. I love every time Markham shows up to add to the fun.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Mumford & Sons "Guiding Light"

Yeah!!!! A new Mumford & Sons song. I’m so excited about this one. A nice blend of the old material and the newer electronic stuff.

Life Right Now #31

As I look outside my window: It’s a gloomy day here in Indiana. It’s supposed to rain on and off most of the day.

Right now I am: Lounging, trying to decide what we are going to do today. Maybe a movie?

On my bedside table: A Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen; Florida by Lauren Groff

On my tv this week: Nothing really. Other than some cartoons, I haven’t really watched any TV this past week.

Listening to: My usual mix of podcasts.

On the menu for this week: No idea as we’re still in Indiana.

On my to do list: Nothing much until we finally get to Omaha.

Happening this week: I have no idea… We’re still waiting for the moving truck to arrive in Omaha so then we can get into our new house. From there, I will obviously be spending some time unpacking. We do have children’s theater tickets for Sunday and really hope to be able to make it.

What I am creating: Working on my September Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Iced tea, brownies, homemade chili, snuggles with Q

Looking around the house: It’s not my house so… I guess we just need to pick up the toys.

From the camera: Lunch date at Steak n Shake.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor

Title: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #6)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2015

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 300

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series; Seasonal Series - Science Fiction

Max is back! New husband, new job, and a training regime that cannot fail - to go wrong! Take one interim Chief Training Officer, add five recruits, mix with Joan of Arc, a baby mammoth, a duplicitous Father of History, a bombed rat, Stone Age hunters, a couple of passing policemen who should have better things to do, and Dick the Turd. Stir well, bring to the boil - and wait for the bang! Join Max in the sixth instalment in the off-the-wall Chronicles of St Mary's series.

Every time I started a Chronicles of St. Mary’s book, I’m expecting a light and fluffy story. They usually start that way and then Wham! something tragic happens. This volume was no exception. And the tragedies that occurred really hit me. Full of emotion. And yet, I loved every page of this book. I love continuing the adventures of Max and her band of misfits. Such a great series.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#9 The Long and Short of It

Next up on the TBR pile:

Larceny and Lace by Annette Blair

Title: Larceny and Lace (Vintage Magic Mystery #2)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher: Berkley 2009

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 276

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Eating Candy

Madeira Cutler is busy opening her new vintage clothing store in what was once the town's morgue when she discovers an intruder snooping around a bunch of bones in a body drawer. Now, she'll have to dig up more than the past to solve a crime.

Another fun cozy mystery to bid my time here in Indiana. I really do feel like I read the first book in this series at some point in the past, but the details of this second book really are not familiar. So yeah, I was went into this one with a completely open mind and really enjoyed it. I loved falling back into the hijacks of Maddie and crew. This murder mystery was extra creepy and I was really confused about the whodunit until the big reveal. I think I’ll be putting this series on my official “To Read” pile.

Vintage Magic Mystery:

#1 A Veiled Deception
#2 Larceny and Lace
#3 Death by Diamonds
#4 Skirting the Grave
#5 Cloaked in Malice
#6 Tulle Death Do Us Part

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

We had to buy a fridge for our new rental and I am irrationally happy about it. Finally a fridge that I actually like!
I’ve fallen into a cozy mystery hole and I’m not sorry about it.
I packed for Indiana weather in the 50s and 60s. Unfortunately it’s going to be upper 70s and low 80s this week. I am hot!
I hope the boys transition to our new house and routine well. Guess we will see next week.
Lore did an episode (Ep. 91 Beneath the Surface) about Mackinaw Island and I loved it! I used to visit with my family almost every years during my childhood. Creepy stories! Now I want to go back and revisit those places.
Started a few new-to-me podcasts this past month. Unfortunately now I’m getting behind on my regulars.
Driving my Grandpa’s old car while here in Indiana and it’s a piece of crap. Shakes when you go above 50 mph. I really miss my Odyssey!

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

Title: A Veiled Deception (Vintage Magic Mystery #1)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher: Berkley 2009

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 246

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - V; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - First Book in Series

The right dress can be magic; the wrong one, murder! From the national bestselling author of Sensation’s Witch series comes the new Vintage Magic mystery series, featuring Madeira Cutler. While opening her own vintage clothing shop, Maddie must clear her family’s name when her sister’s wedding festivities hit a snag: murder.

For some reason, I feel like I’ve started this book before, but I definitely don’t remember finishing it. A cute little cozy mystery featuring a murder and even a dapper ghost. I hope to have more ghostly appearances in subsequent books, but this one was a good start. Maddie is a fun protagonist and I really love the rest of the residents of Mystic Falls. I will have to pick up the next volume while still here in Indiana.

Vintage Magic Mystery:

#1 A Veiled Deception
#2 Larceny and Lace
#3 Death by Diamonds
#4 Skirting the Grave
#5 Cloaked in Malice
#6 Tulle Death Do Us Part

Next up on the TBR pile:

October 2018 Life Goals

Let’s check in on September's goals and my progress.

Read 10 Books -- Success! I ended up reading 13 books while getting ready to move. I’d say that’s a great showing.
Execute the boys's birthday party -- Success! We had so much fun!
Execute the retreat -- Success! It was a lovely few days away.
Finish packing and move!

October's Goals:

Do something special for Arthur’s 5th birthday — Maybe a pumpkin patch?
Unpack to a reasonable point — J will have unpacked the big furniture and most of the kitchen.
Join a book club — I am scheduled for a few ones. Hopefully I really enjoy one of these groups.
Find a class/group for Arthur — Maybe martial arts or gymnastics.
Find a few new-to-us places to hang out
Launch my crafty business in Nebraska
Go trick-or-treating!

Next up on the TBR list:

Music Monday - OneRepublic "Connection"

I always like a good OneRepublic song. Really dig the video for this one..