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Sunday, July 23, 2023

July 23rd's Sunday/Monday Post

 I know, two weeks in a row!  Based on the last few weeks, that's shocking, isn't it?  But time for a Sunday/Monday post where I will be linking up to:

Sunday Post
Sunday Salon
Stacking the Shelves
Mailbox Monday
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Summer has definitely arrived.  While I have yet to see it hit triple digits here despite their predictions that we will, it is consistently hitting the upper 90's.  It's noticeable when you step outside.  But I'm not complaining.  I love summer and the hot weather.  Of course, I'm very thankful for my AC, but I would rather have the heat than the cold.

Tuesday, I had a friend invite me over to join a group for dinner and games.  We played Monopoly Deal, which is a card game inspired by Monopoly.  It was fun even if I lost every game we played.  (Yes, the games go much faster than traditional Monopoly.)

Saturday, I went to the book launch party for Joanne Fluke's new book.  It officially comes out on Tuesday, but they were selling it a few days early to those who went.  I wound up sitting at a table with a couple of fans, and we chatted for quite a while since we all love cozy mysteries.  It was lots of fun.

And I worked a couple of hours on Saturday.  It was one of those weeks where I was constantly interrupted and couldn't get everything done I needed to get done.  There's still more it would be good if I did, but the jump I have makes me feel like this coming week might be manageable.

Blog Spam Comment of the Week:

I was in too big a hurry to add one of these last week, but it's back today!  Here's a comment I got last month:

"I appreciate the practical advice provided in this blog. It's not just about theories; the author offers actionable tips that can be implemented in real life. It's incredibly helpful!"

And yes, the quotation marks were included in the post.

I'm so glad they found one of my book reviews helpful (actually, if I remember right, they posted this on two of my reviews, but I only kept one of them).  I never thought about a review as theory or actionable tips, but what do I know.  I just write the reviews, right?

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Murder at a London Finishing School by Jessica Ellicott
Tuesday - TV Show Review: Diagnosis: Murder - Season 7
Wednesday - Book Review: A Fatal Groove by Olivia Blacke
Thursday - Movie Review: A Christmas...Present
Friday - Book Review: The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:


I already mentioned one of this week's books - Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  I will admit, I don't enjoy this series as much as I once did, but I still want to check in and see what is happening with the characters.

My other two books of the week are ARCs from Crooked Lane.  I'm still waiting for approval for one title, but I'm expecting it to come in this week.  Both of these come out in October, so I will be reading them closer to release date.

The first is the first in a series.  Murder by the Seashore is the first California Bookshop Mystery from Samara Yew.  I enjoy cozies set in California.  I love books.  I love the beach.  This one has been calling my name since I heard about it.  Hopefully, it lives up to my expectations.

Then comes another Christmas cozy mystery.  It's getting to be that time of year where the ARCs start to be available.  A Nutcracker Nightmare is the second Killer Chocolate Mystery from Christina Romeril.  I'm looking forward to seeing where the characters go in this one.

What I'm Currently Reading:

As I'm typing this on Saturday night, I'm actually between books and have been for several hours.  Before I went to the signing, I finished up A Fatal Groove by Olivia Blacke.  Good thing since I'm planning to review it Wednesday, right?  I really don't like being this close to release day, but it's how life is going right now.  Anyway, I enjoyed it.

Up next will be A Sense for Murder, the sixth Sally Solari Mystery by Leslie Karst.  I'll be reviewing it as part of a blog tour, but the review isn't due until release date, which is August 1st.  I've got a little bit of time, fortunately, but not that much.

That wraps things up here.  Have a great week.

24 comments:

  1. I keep forgetting to collect the most egregiously inappropriate spam messages. I hit “delete” before I think of it. Your collection is amusing. I really wonder what motivates them to do this one weird trick.
    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  2. Glad to know that there are still dedicated cozy mystery reviewers out there on the blogosphere. I gave up on most and can't seem to get back in the groove. Reading a foodie one with Filipino foods right now but am speed reading it.

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  3. I'm still reading A Fatal Groove so I know what you mean! Here's my SP: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2023/07/23/sunday-post-full-steam-ahead-sundaypost/

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  4. I just finished A Fatal Groove and loved it. I'm so far behind on the Joanne Fluke series, but I do enjoy it. The book launch party sounds like fun. I hope you have a great week!

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  5. It is fun to read the spam comments.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  6. I didn't know there is a card game based on Monopoly, that sounds like fun. I remember playing for hours (and yes, days) as a kid so a faster version sounds perfect.

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  7. That spam comment was funny. And I read the first books in that Joanne Fluke series, but I got tired of the love triangle. Did Hannah ever choose between Norman and Mike? Oh, and thanks for commenting on my blog earlier! :D

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  8. My husband prefers the heat to the cold as well. I'm opposite, but I do like all the flowers that bloom in the warmer weather. How fun that you went to a signing! Looks like you have a lot of fun cozy mysteries to read! I want to read more of them. Have a lovely week, Mark!

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  9. I've read most of the Joanne Fluke books because of the MN setting and the food. I lived in MN for 35 years. I just don't read as many cozies these days. I'm more diverse but for years I only read mysteries of all types when I was working long hours.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  10. Gah, I hate spam! Your books look/sound interesting. Have a great week!

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  11. Dinner, games and a book launch party!!!! FUN!!!

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  12. I love cozy mysteries so much! I tend to read them more during fall/winter time for some reason.

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  13. We played Red A (cards) with my sister's g-kids this weekend while we were in Waco. It was so much fun!

    And---wow---a book launch party for Joanne Fluke! Very cool!

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  14. That spam comment is hilarious! :D That's so cool you got to go to the book launch party for Pink Lemonade Murder. I'm on number 17 in the series and I agree it isn't as good as the older ones. But I also agree, I'll still be checking in the characters. I'll keep reading it as long as it's being written. I am currently reading A Christmas Candy Killing and really enjoying it. I love the name of the second one in the series. Have a great week. :-)

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  15. That Fluke launch party sounds fun!

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  16. Ha-ha/ That SPAM comment. What a crack pot. Enjoy your week.

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  17. Nice to go to a book signing even if you are not quite as into the series as once before but as you say nice to catch up with the characters.

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  18. That spam comment is ridiculous. I'll be flying into Palm Springs in August to visit my parents .... now that'll be Hot! Have a great week.

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  19. Sounds like you had a great week! I really need to read The Fatal Groove as I loved the first book in the series. I love music so it was a fun setting. We are supposed to have a really hot week here in WV too.

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  20. I know what you mean about feeling pressured to read and write reviews. I was feeling that way a month ago or so and decided to put nose to the grindstone and get ahead again. That works for me because I'm retired. I can see how it would be much harder if I were still reading. I'm auto-approved for Crooked Lane titles but don't have either of those on my stack. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  21. Looks like you've been busy. Sometimes I don't request too many books to review just so I can feel like I am reading for pure entertainment. Hope you have a great week.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2023/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_0938842206.html

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  22. wow, another Christmas mystery, to keep cool, lol.
    Here is my post, with giveaways:
    https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/07/23/sunday-post-89-07-23-2023-book-giveaways-galore/

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  23. Sounds like a good week for you. It is fun to go to author events. I like Crooked Lane too and I like the looks of Murder by the Sea. Happy Reading!

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  24. Super curious about what actionable advice you offered on a cozy mystery review! You've got to love the bot comments. I've passed on Murder by the Seashore but I have a feeling I'm going to regret that! I hope you're having a great week!

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Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.