Showing posts with label sunday post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunday post. Show all posts

Sunday, April 12, 2026

April 12th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  I will be linking up to:

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

Not too much here this week.  I worked.  I came home.  Such an exciting life, right?

The weather has cooled off again.  We're only supposed to be in the 60's this weekend, and we should be getting some rain.  Looks like it will be mostly overnight, ending during church Sunday morning.  I'm wishing that if it were going to rain, it would be Sunday afternoon when I'd be home and able to enjoy watching it.  We get rain so rarely that I enjoy watching it while I'm home and dry.  We're only talking about half an inch or so, but that's a big deal here in So Cal in April.

And, since it's the second Saturday of the month, it's my friends' game day.  So let's get to it so I can finish getting ready to go over there.

Joke of the Week:


I quickly covered myself with my arms as my bookcase fell on me.
My fast thinking was due to the shelf defense class I took.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Wicked
Tuesday - Book Review: Sovereign Sieged by Sarah E. Burr
Wednesday - Book Review: A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman
Thursday - Book Review: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian
Friday - Movie Review: Wicked - For Good
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I have books I ordered that are almost here, so next week, I know I'll have plenty to talk about.  Not that I have a small number this week since I have three books on my list.

Up first is Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly.  This is book seven in her Grilled Cheese Mysteries series.  The ARC just hit Netgalley, so I snagged it.  The book itself comes out April 21st.  I won't get to the ARC to review it by then, but I'm aiming for the beginning of May for this one.

I won a giveaway from the Facebook Cozy Mystery Party group when Cindy Quayle was hosting a takeover of the group.  My prize included a copy of her newest book Lies are Better at the Lake.  I haven't read this series yet, but with a scuba diver main character, sounds like something I would enjoy.

Finally, I got Blues in the Dark.  This is the latest Nate Ross Mystery from J. R. Sanders.  The series revolves around a PI in Los Angeles in the 1930's.  I always enjoy them.



What I'm Currently Reading:

As I'm typing this, I've just barely started Blues in the Dark by J. R. Sanders.  When it arrived Friday, I decided to start it next.  I'm about 15 pages in at the moment, but I'm hoping to get a bit more read this morning before I leave for game day.  Nate's met his client and found out what he's being hired to do.  That's all I know so far.

Depending on how much reading I get done over the next couple of days, I may or may not still be reading that book on Monday.  Either way, I think next for me will be Death on Cozumel Island by Cindy Quayle.  Yes, I just won book four in this series.  I've actually had the ebook version of this first book for a couple of years.  I'm thinking now is the time to pick it up and read it since I much prefer to read a series in order if I can.

I'm off to read a bit before game day.  Have a great week, everyone!

Posted by at 4 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Easter Sunday's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's 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?

Fairly quiet week around here.  Not much going on other than work.

The weather cooled down a bit this last week.  We were in the upper 60's, which is closer to normal this early in the spring that the upper 80's/low 90's we had for much of March.  We even got a tenth of an inch of rain.  Not much, but still something.  And we got wind.  Lots of it on Friday, and some more on Saturday.  Fortunately, it looks like we won't get much on Sunday since my church is having an outdoor service for Easter.

Speaking of which, I did go to the Good Friday service yesterday.  And I'm looking forward to the Easter service tomorrow.  I hope everyone has a great Easter Sunday, especially if you are celebrating.

Joke of the Week:


Why did the Easter Bunny have a panic attack?
He was having an egg-sistential crisis.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Ornament Review: A World Within #11
Tuesday - Book Review: Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst
Wednesday - Book Review: Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
Thursday - Book Review: Big F@!king Deal by Lawrence Allan
Friday - Friday Post featuring The Ninja's Illusion
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Just two books to tell you about this week.

Up first is A Poetic Pox.  This is the third Lady Librarian Mystery from Samantha Larsen.  I loved the first but didn't find the second as enjoyable.  But when I found the Kindle version of book three was on sale for $1.99, I decided to give it a shot.  

I also decided to get another audiobook from the library.  I'm behind in my audiobook goal for the year, after all.  It looks like one of the series I used to get on audio isn't available in any of my libraries.  Two books in a row weren't in the system, so I'll have to see if I have the next in the series somewhere around the condo.  All of that is a long way of saying that I went back to Tony Hillerman for A Thief of Time.



What I'm Currently Reading:

And I've started A Thief of Time.  I'm just over half way.  I'm a little surprised that one thing hasn't been resolved yet, but maybe it is because there is a twist coming.  I'll have to keep listening to find out, I guess. 

I'm also working on The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier.  I'm reading an ARC since it comes out in a couple of weeks.  I'm enjoying it, although it's not as focused as I normally like.  Still, I do like the characters and the vibes, so hopefully I'll keep enjoying it.

Have a great week!

Posted by at 8 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Palm Sunday's Sunday/Monday Post

Happy Weekend!  Time again for the 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?

Our temps went down a little this week, but it was still in the upper 80's most of the week, which is unusually high.  Not that I'm complaining.  I much prefer warmer weather to colder weather.

Saturday was quite the day.  I spent the day down in Orange County.  I headed down there for the Muddy Dash.  Yep, another mud run.  It was held on a spot where I've done many mud runs over the years, and it was great to be back on the property.  I got good and muddy, too.  Cleanup wasn't quite as great as I would have liked, but I managed to get cleaned up.

Which was good since I then went to visit some family friends who live in the area.  It meant I got home in the evening, but it was so worth it to catch up with them.  But I will sleep well tonight.  (Yes, I'm typing this up having just gotten home.)

Joke of the Week:


In honor of baseball starting up again this week:

Why are zebras bad at baseball?
Three stripes and they're out!

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney
Tuesday - Book Review: Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer
Wednesday - March Reading Summary
Thursday - Book Review: The Maze in the Heart of the Castle by Dorothy Gilman
Friday - Friday Post featuring Murder, Local Style
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got five books on my haul this week.

Up first is My Nightmare is Yours, the thirteenth Madison Night Mystery from Diane Vallere.  The book is out at the end of May, but I have an ARC, so I'll be reading it in a couple of months.  I'm very much a fan of this author, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in this mystery.

Next up is Welcome to Cozy Town, a novella (or maybe a short story) from Marla Cooper.  It is designed to be a spoof of cozy mysteries.  I loved Marla's two cozy mysteries, and I'm thrilled to see she is writing again.  And this just looks like something I am going to really enjoy.  Hopefully, I get a chance to read it soon.

I also snagged Call In for Murder by Tammy Barker.  This is her first novel, and it introduces us to a radio call in host in Las Vegas.

Someone I respect recommended Seven for a Secret Never to be Told by Derek Wheeless back when it came out last fall.  It sounds like something I will probably enjoy, so I finally got it.

Finally, I got Murder at the Karaoke Bar.  I know of three series that call themselves the Bucket List Mysteries, but this is the series by father/daughter duo who write as Elizabeth Perona.  It's the fifth and final book in the series.  While I wasn't a fan of book four, I am curious how they are going to wrap things up.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I feel kind of ashamed to get to this part of the post since this is a rare day when I read absolutely nothing.  (If you need to be reminded why, go back and look at all the fun I had today.  So, I'm not too ashamed).  Well, that isn't completely true.  I finished up Fair Warning by Michael Connelly, the audio book I was talking about last week.

But the book I didn't get to today is Sovereign Sieged, the eighth Court of Mystery novel from Sarah E. Burr.  I am about a third of the way into the book, and I'm enjoying it, although I'm ready for the main plot to kick in.

Maybe I should go see if I can get a chapter in before I fall asleep.

Have a great week everyone!

Posted by at 9 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 22, 2026

March 22nd's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  I'll be linking up to:

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

Fairly quiet week around here.  Went to work.  Came home.  That was about it.

It was very hot.  Like upper 90's all week.  As much as I am a summer/warm weather guy, I wasn't quite ready for it yet.  I would have preferred to have some spring weather first.  But I'm sure it will cool back down to upper 70's or low 80's here soon.  That's the sweet spot for me.

Joke of the Week:


Why did the turtle break up with the giraffe?  They never saw eye to eye.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - TV Show Review: The Traitors - Season 4
Tuesday - Book Review: Birth of the Black Orchids by M. R. Dimond
Wednesday - Movie Review: Tremors 5 - Bloodlines
Thursday - Book Review: Broken Trust by Liz Milliron
Friday - Friday Post featuring Vengeance in Venice
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got four books to tell you about this week.

Up first, is an audio book.  It's been a while since I listened to one, so I got Fair Warning by Michael Connelly.

I also got a finished copy of Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer.

I was thinking that Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips came out this coming week, so I was surprised when my preorder shipped.  Yeah, it came out this past Tuesday.  It's the first book, and it won a publishing contest - one that a couple of authors I've really enjoyed previously won.  The main character is a new dad and a new PI trying to juggle the two.  It sounds fun, so I'm hoping to get to it...soon.

Finally, I got a comic strip book.  Been a while since I've bought one of those.  But I've become a huge fan of Strange Planet, a comic from Nathan W. Pyle.  I think between his social media posts and the page a day calendars I've had last year and this year, I've probably seen them all, but I still decided to get this collection of the strip.



What I'm Currently Reading:

You'll notice, I didn't say much about those first two books.  That's because I'm currently working on them.  So I saved talking about them for this part of the post.

Fair Warning is the third book Michael Connelly has written about reporter Jack McEvoy.  I'm about a quarter of the way into the book, and I'm definitely interested in seeing where it is going to go.  It's got a crazy connection, but I also really like that connection.  It's going to make for an interesting ride seeing how it plays out.

Vengeance in Venice is the seventh Jane Wunderly mystery from Erica Ruth Neubauer.  In this book, Jane and her new husband are taking a long delayed honeymoon in Venice, but they've gotten involved in murder.  It's set in 1927.  I always enjoy Jane's adventures.  I'm about a third of the way into this one.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

Posted by at 7 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 15, 2026

March 15th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  As usual, I will be linking up to:

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

It was a quieter week at work.  With the craziest deadlines behind us, I was able to focus on what I'd normally be doing.  And I got it all done.  So now I can spend the next couple of weeks working on some other projects that come up.  It never ends, does it?  I guess that's job security.

In addition to the extra daylight at night (love it!), we also got warmer temps.  It was in the upper 80's on Friday.  That's rare this time of year, but I will take it!

Last Sunday was my birthday.  I had a couple of celebrations this week, dinner with friends Tuesday and lunch with another friend on Thursday.  Plus, I've been using all those emails you get from loyalty programs for extras, like desserts.  I need to cut back this coming week!

I think that's about all the news around here.  And since Saturday (today) is the game day my friends host, let's get to it.

Pun of the Week:


We've got another punny holiday coming up on Saturday.  Third Saturday in March – Needle-less to say, Quilting Day is always sew much fun.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - TV Show Review: The Amazing Race - Season 38
Tuesday - Book Review: Death at Tidal Creek by Caleb Wygal
Wednesday - Movie Review: Nelly Knows Mystery - All Manners of Murder
Thursday - Book Review: Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien
Friday - Friday Post featuring Broken Trust
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Of course, I got books for my birthday.

The first book I got was The Pirate's Secret by LynDee Walker and Bruce Robert Coffin.  It's the third in a treasure hunt series.  I enjoyed the first, but the second not as much.  I want to give the series another try before I decide on it one way or another.

My other gift was The Glass Thief, the sixth Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery from Gigi Pandian.  I need to read book five still, but I really want to get caught up on this series this year, especially since Gigi just announced she's be writing more with these characters, the first of those new books coming out next year.  Anyway, I will hopefully get to this book this summer.

This last book was a birthday gift from the author.  Only, she didn't intend it as such.  The ebook version of Campfires & Corpses by Nikki Weber went on sale this week for...free!  I've had my eye on this book for a while, so I snagged it.  Maybe this will be the summer I get to the camping themed cozies I've gotten over the years.  Anyway, this book looks like it is still free as of me typing this Saturday morning.  



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm hoping to get Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney finished before I head to game day.  But we'll see if I make it.  This is book six in a series, and I am determined to finish the series even though the writing is weak, making the entire book less fun to read.

Up next will be The Maze in the Heart of the Castle by Dorothy Gilman.  She's one of my favorite authors, so I'm sure I will love it, although it's a bit different since this is more of a coming of age story than a mystery/adventure.  At least I think it is.  It will be interesting to see what I think of it and how it unfolds.  But it has a connection to her book The Tightrope Walker, which I read last fall, so it made me want to read it.

That's it for me.  Hope you have a great week!

Posted by at 6 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Birthday Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's 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?

You'll remember last week, I talked about having internet issues.  Last Sunday, the tech came out and fixed whatever was going on with my internet.  He's not completely sure what he did, either.  He tightened a few connectors and checked a bunch of stuff.  He confirmed it wasn't working right when he got here, so something he did fixed the problem.  And my internet has been working just fine since then.

Other than that, it's been a bit of a crazy week at work.  But we have the extra reporting with insane deadlines finished up - or at least my part of it.  Now, to start working on my normal next work load starting on Monday.

Pun of the Week:


I pirated a movie yesterday...
I gave it 3.14 stars.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Sugar and Vice - A Hannah Swenson Mystery
Tuesday - Book Review: Vanished in the Crowd by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles
Wednesday - TV Show Review: The Brady Bunch - Season Two
Thursday - Book Review: Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz
Friday - Friday Post featuring Fatal Fried Rice
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

It's another four book week here.

Up first is the only physical book, and it is an ARC of In the Spirit of French Murder, the fourth American in Paris Mystery from Colleen Cambridge.  This series features Julia Child as a supporting character and is set in Paris in 1950.  I usually enjoy it, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the characters get up to next.

This next one was a spur of the moment purchase.  I can't exactly call it a splurge since the ebook was on sale for 99 cents.  Murder by the Book is the first in the Cosy Crime Club Mysteries by M. R. G. Davies.  It sounds like something I would enjoy, and for that price, I'm willing to give it a shot.  

The final two books are ebooks I bought because they are next in series I read and I'm hoping to get to them soon.

Home Sweet Homicide is the fifth Hometown Mystery from Rosalie Spielman.  I read and enjoyed the first four last year.  I plan to read this one soonish so I'll be ready for book six, which I believe is coming out this fall.

Finally came Hawai'i Volcanoes, the latest Jack Prester Mystery from Sandy Dengler.  The main characters here are National Parks rangers who head to parks that are having extraordinary problems.  This is a series I've enjoyed for years, so I'm always happy to jump into the latest entry.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm currently working on Birth of the Black Orchids by M.R. Dimond.  It's really more a novella length with two short stories in it.  I read the first story on Friday and I'm hoping to get further into the second one.  The first was a little slow, so I'm hoping this one will be better.  It's off to a promising start.

By Monday, I expect to be working on Broken Trust.  this is book three in the Laurel Highlands Mysteries from Liz Milliron.  This is one of two series I'm making a concerted effort to read more books in this year.  I won't get caught up, but I'm hoping to be much closer.

Have a great week!

Posted by at 9 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 1, 2026

March1st's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's 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?

We have entered quarter end at work, thanks to our slightly off fiscal year.  I'm as set up as I can be, but this coming week is going to be brutal.  I'll get through it.  I always do.  But it won't be fun.

Also not fun?  Having internet that comes and goes.  I'll have it for a few minutes, then it will vanish again.  Then come back.  It started Thursday night, and it's making all my online stuff take so much longer than normal.  But I have a technician coming out on Sunday to take a look.  Hopefully, they can get it fixed.  It started right out my power went out for about 30 minutes, so maybe that caused it?

I went paddle boarding Saturday morning.  Yes, our weather has warmed up significantly.  It felt great to be out on the water.  I need to get passes again instead of just going with my friend.  I think if I get passes again, I'll go more often.  At least that's my hope.  But there are so many other things to be doing and only so many weekend hours, right?

One other thing.  Remember when I went to watch a sitcom taped back in September?  It's finally airing this week!  It's the episode of Happy's Place that will air this Friday.

Joke of the Week:


A hungry lion roamed through the jungle looking for his next meal when he came up two men.  One man was sitting under a tree reading a book; the other man was writing in a notebook.  The lion quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him.  Even the king of the jungle knows that readers digest and writers cramp.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - February's Reading Summary
Tuesday - Book Review: Europa by James Ponti
Wednesday - Novella Review: Pompeii, Paccheri, and Panic by Traci Andrighetti
Thursday - Book Review: Murder at Chateau sur Mar by Alyssa Maxwell
Friday - Ornament Review: Ride Around the Kingdom
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got another three books to tell you about this week.

Up first is Someone Murderous at the Midnight Motel by Kris Bock.  I'm ashamed to say I've had the first few books in this series for a while, and I have yet to read any of them.  So, why did I get another one?  Because this one was free on Kindle.  And it looks like it still is as of Saturday afternoon.  It's book five in the series, so I now have books one through three and five.  I'll have to snag four at some point, but obviously, I have some time before I'll be wanting to read it.

I also snagged Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards.  Honestly, this was a very spur of the moment purchase.  I know I'd heard about it, but it wasn't really on my radar to read.  But with it being on sale, I decided to jump on it.  After all, you can never have too many books to potentially read, right?  You never know when you might suddenly have to go a couple of years without ever buying a new book again.

Which brings us to the last new book for the week.  This one is an eARC - The Bush Tea Murder, the first in a new series by Ashley-Ruth Bernier.  It combines a culinary cozy with a place I've been - St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.  That's pretty much all I know about it, so hopefully, I enjoy it.  We'll find out pretty soon since it comes out in April.

How is that next month already?

Late Breaking Addition:

I thought I'd finish this section, and was getting a link to talk about the book I'm currently reading when I discovered that Death of a Legend, book eight in the Myrtle Beach Mysteries, is on sale for 99 cents.  In fact, it looks like the first eight books are all on sale, probably to celebrate the release of the latest in the series, which just came out.  Anyway, I snagged that.

Which brings the total up to four for the week.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm currently working on Death at Tidal Creek by Caleb Wygal.  This is book five in his Myrtle Beach Mysteries.  So far, I'm enjoying it.  It's taken a couple of turns I wasn't quite expecting.  And I'm about to go read some more.

Have a great week!

Posted by at 6 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, February 22, 2026

February 22nd's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to the weekend.  Time again for this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  I will be linking up to:

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

It was cold this week.  Okay, I know most of you will laugh at me when you find out I'm talking about low 50's, but for me, that's cold.  And it came with rain.  Not complaining about the rain, especially Monday since I could just watch it from my windows.

But the worst part was the three days I had to be in the office this week.  I don't know if the heater wasn't working or was just set low, but it was cold all week.  Like leave my jacket on indoors all day cold.

Fortunately, it's is supposed to be in the 70's this coming week.

Yeah, this is how exciting my life is, that I'm talking about the weather.  Pretty much, it was work and then come home to watch as much Olympics as I could.  Which never felt like enough.

The cable company did come out and figure out the problem with the sound on my TV was actually one of the HDMI ports not working.  But when someone came out to look at that, it was working just fine.  So we will see if it acts up again.

And my cold is doing better.  Still have a bit of a cough hanging on, but everyone who has gotten a cold recently is experiencing that, so I'm not too surprised.  Still, I wish it would go away completely.

Punny Holiday of the Week:


February 23 – Keep your eyes peeled for any monkey business on Banana Bread Day.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: I Can Only Imagine 2
Tuesday - Book Review: Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Matthews
Wednesday - Book Review: Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver
Thursday - Book Review: The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair
Friday - Movie Review: Scream 7
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Depending on how you count it, I have either three books or five books to tell you about this week.

What the heck am I talking about?  Well, the first entry on the list is a three ebook boxed set.  Does it count as one book?  Or three books?  Yeah, I think it counts as three books, too.  Anyway, I happened to catch the set of books 4 through 6 in the Travel Can Be Murder series for free.  Sadly, that isn't the case any more.  Do I have books 1 through 3?  Yes.  Have I read any of them?  Don't be silly!  But still, I couldn't pass up getting more.  Hopefully, I'll enjoy the series when I get to it since I now have over half of the published 10 books in the series.

Also this week, I got the newest Orphan X book, Antihero.  Hard to believe it's book eleven in this series from Gregg Hurwitz.  The last couple have been uneven for me, so we'll see what I think of this one.

Finally, Saturday morning, I spotted a deal on Murder at Arleigh by Alyssa Maxwell.  This is book thirteen in the Gilded Newport series, and I have quite a bit to go before I get there since I recently read book 5 (review to come first week of March).  But I know I will get there eventually because I am really enjoying this historical series.

That's the information on the three five books I got this week.



What I'm Currently Reading:

As I type this, I'm working on Vanished in the Crowd, book twenty-two in the Molly Murphy series from Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.  I just hit two thirds of the way into the book, and I'm hoping to finish it on Sunday.  As has often been the case with Rhys's books recently, it's uneven.  But I am curious to see how it will end.

If all goes according to plan, I will be starting Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz on Monday.  Yes, it's jumping over the books I was saying last week that I couldn't wait to read.  But the books in this series are longer than what I normally read, and I'm ahead of schedule right now.  So I'll be able to not rush a bit more as I read this one.  Seemed like a good time to pick it up to me.

Have a great week!

Posted by at 6 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, February 14, 2026

President's Day Weekend's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post, where I will be linking up with:

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

Had a fairly quiet week.  Nothing too exciting.  In fact, I got a cold this week, so I even worked from home more than I normally would have.  I did go in on Thursday.  Ironically, Thursday was the day I wound up feeling the worst.  I'm still congested today, but I'm definitely feeling better.  If this cough would go away, I'd be completely fine.

Fortunately, I have a long weekend this weekend.  My current company is the only place I've worked where we got President's Day off.  So I get to chill over the next few days and hopefully completely kick this thing.

My cable box decided to cut off the sound this morning, which makes watching the Olympics pretty silent.  Fortunately, other things are working, and my cable box in the bedroom is working.  The cable company will be out on Sunday to take a look at it.  I was happy I could get them out so quickly.

And, as become tradition, I spent the Friday early evening of President's Day Weekend doing my taxes.  Do I know how to party or what?

Pun of the Week:


A dad took his six-year-old son to his first football game.  Afterward, he asked the boy what he thought of the game.
“It was exciting,” he replied.  “But I don’t understand why they were killing each other for twenty-five cents.”
“What do you mean?” the dad asked.
“Well, everyone kept yelling, ‘Get the quarter back!’”

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Romantic Rewrite
Tuesday - Book Review: The Queen of Poison by Robert Thorogood
Wednesday - Movie Review: Kingsman - The Golden Circle
Thursday - Book Review: The Big Boat to Bye-Bye by Ellis Weiner
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got another five books to tell you about today, and they are all physical books.  They're all books I'm very excited to read and are next books in series I already know I enjoy, so expect to hear more about them soon.  As in they all went directly to my nightstand.

Up first, Alyssa Maxwell was kind enough to send me Murder at Chateau sur Mer, which is book five in her Gilded Newport series.  I'm very anxious to get back to this series.

For these next three, I took advantage of Barnes and Noble's stamp promotion a couple of weeks ago and ordered next books in series.

Up first is Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien.  It's book seven in her Noodle Shop Mysteries.  Yes, I'm only about half way through the series, but I need to work harder on catching up.

I'm also trying to make some progress on Liz Milliron's Laurel Highland's series, so I got Broken Trust, which is the third in that series.

Rounding out that order, I got The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian.  I'm hoping to catch up on this series this year.  After this one, I'll only have two more to go.  This is book five in her Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt series.

My final book of the week is Europa, the newest City Spies book from James Ponti.

What I'm Currently Reading:

You know how I said I couldn't wait to get to those books?  Well, currently, I'm about half way through Europa.  I'd hoped to get a little further into it than I am today, but either way, I suspect I'll be finishing it up on Sunday.  I'm enjoying it, and I can't wait to see how things are going to wrap up.

The next book I plan to read is one I talked about getting in last week's post.   Pompeii, Paccheri, and Panic by Traci Andrighetti is a novella being used to introduce a her new series.  I haven't read anything from her, but she's been on my radar for quite a while.  This is a free story available via her newsletter.

That's it for me.  Hope you have a good week.

Posted by at 9 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, February 8, 2026

February 8th's Sunday/Monday Post

It's been a few weeks.  Maybe it's time for another Sunday/Monday Post.  I will be linking up to:

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

What have I been up to?  I'm so glad you asked.

First up was a Caribbean cruise.  We had six ports and three sea days, and it was great.  I got lots of reading done.  Got to snorkel three times, plus I went zip lining and tubbing on other days.  Nice and relaxing and plenty of fun, although my body had no idea what time it was when I got back between not sleeping well and the time zone changes.

Then, last weekend, I had a friend in the area from out of state.  She and her (adult) daughter were here to run the Disneyland half marathon.  The last time she came out and did that, I ran it, too.  I didn't this time.  She and her family regularly do the runs at Disney World.  Anyway, I spent Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland with the two of them.  So much fun just hanging out.  And I hadn't been to Disneyland for a few years, so I got to check out the new rides for myself.

And last weekend, I had a first.  It was the first time I missed a day posting on the blog by choice.  (I had a couple of days I didn't post when my computer went down and I couldn't access my drafts.)  I had a short turn around between the cruise and being at Disneyland.  I have drafts of things I could have gotten ready to post, but I just didn't take the time.  That's one missed day in 13 years.  Still not sure how I feel about that.  Part of my feels bad because I broke my perfect streak.  But part of me hopes I'm finally giving myself permission to take some time off from the blog.

We'll see what happens, I guess.

So this weekend?  So far, I've been a slug, just sitting on my laptop with the Olympics on.  It's nice to have a quiet day around the condo.  I will probably wind up doing the same tomorrow, just watching the Super Bowl, too.

Punny Holiday of the Week:


Feb 8 – String out the celebration for Kite Flying Day

This Past Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Nothing

This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Something Whiskered by Miranda James
Tuesday - Movie Review: Sharknado
Wednesday - Book Review: Burdened Bloodline by Sarah E. Burr
Thursday - Movie Review: Adam's Rib
Friday - Book Review: Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I actually didn't get any books until I got back from my cruise.  But I've made up for it the last couple of weeks.

First was up The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander.  I'm so far behind in her books.  But this is the first in a recent and shorter series.  And it was free.  I couldn't pass that up.

Up next is another free book.  Traci Andrighetti is introducing a new series, and she has a novella to introduce it to readers.  I haven't read any of her other books yet (but I have a couple and she's on my list), but again...free.  Pompeii, Paccheri, and Panic is only available via her newsletter, so head over there if you want a copy.

I also got two ARCs from NetGalley in the last couple of weeks.  The first of those is Vanished in the Crowd, the new Molly Murphy Mystery from Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.  I always enjoy visiting 1900's New York City with Molly, so hopefully this will be another enjoyable book.

The other ARC is Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst.  It's the third in a series set on the Big Island of Hawai'i.  I'm looking forward to a return visit.

Finally comes a book that wasn't free but was on sale.  The ebook edition of Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen Cambridge was on sale earlier this week.  I read book three while on vacation, so naturally, I snagged this.  It's one of several series I'm hoping to focus on a bit this year and get caught up.

What I'm Currently Reading:

I'll admit, I've been reading slower than normal since I got back from my trip.  Obviously, I had a busy weekend last weekend, and I've been focusing on catching up on TV when I was at home.  It's also hard to be too motivated when I am reading books to review the end of February at this point.

But I am currently about half way through Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver.  This is book four in a five book series set in the early day of World War II in London.  The main character is a thief who has found herself working for the government.  I'm enjoying it.  The final book in the series is out in hardcover, but I have the paperback preordered, and it will be out this spring.  Hopefully, I can get to it soon after it comes out.

I should be done with that one by Monday, so Monday I'll be jumping ahead a few years to just after World War II with The Unkempt Woman, the fourth Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery from Allison Montclair.  The main characters here run a marriage bureau to help veterans find spouses.  Of course, that lands them in mystery and mayhem.  Plus their personal lives are anything but calm.  I a ways behind on the series, but I enjoy it when I pick up one of the books.

Have a great week!

Posted by at 9 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, January 11, 2026

January 11th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to the weekend and another Sunday/Monday Post.  I will be linking up to:

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

The plumber came on Monday and got everything fixed.  There's still a hole in my closet, but someone is coming Sunday afternoon to take care of that.  It's nice to have that taken care of.

We've gotten a break from the rain.  Of course, the sun brought his friend wind with him.  And it's not exactly warm.  Yes, I get that my idea of cold isn't what the rest of the country views as cold, but you've got to admit that a wind makes anything feel colder.

Fortunately, the wind wasn't blowing Friday night.  I have a friend who volunteers at the LA Zoo, and she gets complementary tickets to their Zoo Lights.  This was the last weekend of the event, and we went.  They displays are pretty and fun to look at.  It was cold (at least for us), but fun.  Then we went out to dinner afterwards.

And today is the first game day my friends host for 2026.  Really looking forward to it!

I've been remiss in mentioning a blog milestone.  Over Christmas, I hit 6 million total lifetime hits on my blog, at least according to Blogger's hit counter.  Now you may be thinking, "Mark, that's amazing since you just hit 5 million earlier in 2025."  And I completely agree with you.  I suspect that it is counting bots that are constantly crawling over my blog, especially when you look at some of the random entries that spike for a week or two for no explainable reason.  But I'm not going to point that out.  I'm just going to bask in the glow of crossing another milestone.

Punny Holiday of the Week:


Jan 13 – Let your enthusiasm bubble up for Rubber Ducky Day

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - TV Show Review: Rescue HI Surf
Tuesday - Book Review: Lime and Punishment by Cathy Wiley
Wednesday - Movie Review: A Case for the Watchmaker
Thursday - Book Review: Heaven Has No Rage by Liz Milliron
Friday - Friday Post featuring Death of the Party
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Got four books to tell you about this week.

Up first is my pre-ordered copy of Fire Must Burn, the newest Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery from Allison Montclair.  This series is set in London just after World War II, and features two women who open a matchmaking service.  Of course, their clients get them involved in mysteries, plus there are some strong ongoing storylines.  I'm very behind in the series.  I should work on catching up this year.  (Among other series I should be focusing on.) Of course, there's one book in the series I still don't have, but it's not the next I need to read, so I guess I have no excuse for not reading more.

Up next is Big F@!king Deal by Lawrence Allan.  It's his second Jimmy Cooper Mystery about a former child star, recovering alcoholic, and PI.  As you can tell from the title, it's not a cozy, but I loved the first one, and I'm looking forward to this one.

Today, author Heather Day Gilbert put the bundle of her Exotic Pet Sitter Mysteries on sale.  I already had the first two books, but for 99 cents, I figured I would snag this so I would have book three as well.  Now, I have no excuse not to start the series, right?  Actually, I've grabbed quite a few of this author's ebooks over the years when they've been on sale.  I really need to read some of them.

Finally, I went to the library for Something Whiskered, the latest Cat in the Stacks Mystery from Miranda James.  This used to be a favorite series, but it's slipped recently.  Still, I was curious enough about what happens in this book to get it from the library.  We'll see what I think of it.



What I'm Currently Reading:

At the moment, I'm working on Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.  As I told you last week, my nephew wants me to read it badly enough he gave it to me for Christmas.  I'm enjoying it so far.  Hoped I would get more time to read it today, but I slept it.  So, it's looking like I will wind up finishing it on Monday.

I think next up for me will be Michelangelo's Ghost by Gigi Pandian.  I've had this one for a while, but I've been reading her newest series instead of this one.  It's time I go back and read more in it.  This one takes Jaya Jones, the main character, to Italy.  Should be fun.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

Posted by at 8 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, January 4, 2026

January 4th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to my first Sunday/Monday Post of 2026.  As always, I will be linking up to:

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

Happy 2026!

I got to spend Christmas week with my family in Northern California.  I worked remotely the first three days, but then was around for fun in the evenings.  And then I took the day after Christmas off.  I drove back last Sunday, stopping along the way to visit some friends.

That means I missed the horrible storm we had before Christmas.  Yes, it rained where I was, but nothing like we had down here.  I spent much of the week worrying about how much my garage might flood, which happens upon occasion, but nothing like it used to.  Fortunately, when I got home, my garage was dry.  I could tell a little water got in, but nothing I had in there got wet.

After procrastinating for a couple of days, I finally started taking my Christmas decorations down New Year's Eve.  Everything is down and the living room put back together.  Plus, I've taken extra stuff out of my spare room so the plumber can get in there on Monday.  Meaning, my living room is pretty crowded at the moment.  Can't wait to put everything back.  And maybe I should sort through/get rid of some stuff at some point, too.  But, you know, these books aren't going to read and review themselves.

Joke of the Week:


I have several page a day calendars with extras on the back, and that's where I get some of the jokes and puns I post.  This last year, they had puns related to those weird holidays you hear about every so often, which I usually saw after the fact.  So I saved them for this year.  You'll see them sprinkled into this part of my posts as we get near those dates.

For  example, Monday the 5th is National Whipped Cream Day.  Pun-officially, that's not a holiday to dessert.

This Past Week on the Blog:


Wednesday - 2025 Reading Challenge Wrap Ups (multiple posts)
Thursday - 2026 Reading Challenge Sign Ups (multiple posts)

This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Favorite Books of 2025
Tuesday - Book Review: Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel
Wednesday - Movie Review: Love in Aruba
Thursday - Book Review: A Spy in Saigon by Nancy Cole Silverman
Friday - Friday Post featuring Lime and Punishment
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

It's been two weeks with Christmas in there.  Of course, I have plenty of books to tell you about.

I got three books for Christmas this year, two of them from my wish list.

The first of those is Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood.  It's the fourth in the Marlow Murder Club series.  I haven't read book three yet, but I have it, and I'm looking forward to this one.

Next was Lost and Clowned, a stand alone cozy from Dana Mentink.  I really enjoyed her Shake Shop Mysteries, so I'm looking forward to this one set in a circus.

And the book that wasn't on my wish list?  My nephew loves the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.  So, he gave me the first one.  He's told me multiple times that I need to read it.  As I often say, I read mysteries because I fell into them and can't get out - not that I'm trying too hard.  So I'm anxious to check out this book.  In fact, I'm planning to get to it sooner rather than later.

Of course, that didn't stop me from getting some ebooks that went on sale this past week.

The first of those was Great Party!  Sorry About the Murder by D.B. Elrogg.  I just love that title.  The party in question is a New Year's Eve party, so now was the time to put it on sale, right?  Looks like it is back to full price.

I also snagged Cozy Up to Danger by Colin Conway.  My patience finally paid off!  I've been waiting for this book to go on sale for three and a half years.  The later books are on sale as well, but a dollar more.  I'm not quite ready to spring that much for more (don't think the series is worth spending too much on).  But I might change my mind before the prices go back up.

This last one wasn't on sale, but I had some Kindle points set to expire at the end of December, so I used them to get Reckoning at the Riviera Royale by P.J. Fitzsimmons.  This is book five in his Anty Boisjoly series, which I always enjoy.

What I'm Currently Reading:

Friday night, I finished up Lime and Punishment by Cathy Wiley.  It's book five in her Fatal Food
Festivals series.  I really enjoyed it, but that's no surprise since I always do.  I need to work on my review, but it won't be up until the 13th.

As I'm typing this, I'm only two chapters into my next book, Heaven Has No Rage by Liz Milliron, the second in her Laurel Highlands series.  I want to try to read a few of these this year since I'm so far behind and I enjoy her books.  I'm hoping to get a little more reading time in this afternoon, so I will be further along soon.  The plan is to finish it on Monday.

Hope you have a great week!

Posted by at 10 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, December 21, 2025

December 21st's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's 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?

This week was definitely better at work. Calmer and I was able to focus on what I needed to. In fact, I even worked on something that I don’t need to do until January!  Hoping to do a bit more of that working ahead this coming week. 

If only the getting ready for Christmas were going as well. I keep finding things to distract me from wrapping presents, like my friend inviting me to join her dinner and games group Tuesday night. Or blog work. But I finished that Friday night before midnight! (It was 11:45).

And on Monday I finally had a plumber come for what I thought was going to be a simple but annoying recurring job. It turned into something major he will have to come back and tackle in January. Which means I will have to take down Christmas decorations as soon as Christmas is over so I can organize some stuff so he has access to what he needs. I’m not looking forward to that at all. I like keeping my decorations up until mid-January before I start thinking about taking them down. I’m just trying to remind myself how nice it will be when they are all down since I dread the undecorating. Which is another reason I often don’t start taking them down until mid-January.

Joke of the Week:




This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews
Tuesday - Movie Review: Gremlins
Wednesday - Ornament Review: Season's Treatings #17
Thursday - Merry Christmas!
Friday - Movie Review: Double Indemnity
Saturday - TV Show Review: Step by Step - Season 1

Book Haul:

Despite what I said last week, I’ve got two books to tell you about. Because I got two ARCs. 

The first is Lime and Punishment, the fifth in the Fatal Food Festival Mysteries by Cathy Wiley. This time, the main character is in the Florida Keys. I love this series, so I’m looking forward to it. The book actually came out this week, but I’m going to be reading it for review next month. Which is next year. Crazy to think about, isn’t it?

The other book is Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Matthews. This is the second in her Irish Bed and Breakfast Mysteries. Appropriately enough, it will come out close to St. Patrick’s Day at the end of February, so I’ll be reading it for review then. I’m looking forward to getting to know the characters a little better. 



What I'm Currently Reading:

I’m actually posting my last book review of the year tomorrow. So I decided to reread some to finish out the year. Specifically, I’m rereading Elizabeth George Speare. I finished The Witch of Blackbird Pond, which I enjoyed all over again. Now, I’m working on The Bronze Bow, which was my introduction to her books. I was hoping to get The Sign of the Beaver in as well, but I don’t get as much read typically when I’m with my family, so I might decide to save that one for later and start on 2026 books. That way, I don’t start the new year stressed about my reading.

And how crazy is it that we are looking at 2026!

Anyway, that’s it for me. Hope you have a Merry Christmas or happy whatever holiday you celebrate. 

Posted by at 8 comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, December 14, 2025

December 14th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  As usual, I will be linking up to:

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

What a week.  When I last checked in, I thought the worst of fiscal year end craziness was behind me at work.  

I was wrong.

Almost every day this week, I got some last minute, drop everything and work on this request for me.  And, either the way it was worded or the timing or the stress factor made them all take me longer than they should have.  I really do not get it.  Why can't these things be better planned out so they don't add as much stress.  The worst was one where I had done the work only for the file it was in to have vanished.  I'm not sure if it was accidentally deleted or was a victim of our new file storage system.  I'm not a fan and will be going back to the old network location, at least for my files.

Hopefully, this coming week will be better.  At least, I have my deadline met, so I will have time for any more fire drill requests.  I wish I felt like people would learn from this and things would be better going forward, but I know they won't be.

Ok, deep breath.

Today is my friends' monthly game day.  The one is December is always a big deal since it's Christmas.  Really looking forward to it.

And, it's time to get serious about wrapping presents.  I've been putting it off, but I can't do that much longer.  At least all the presents are in the condo, so when I start, I can dive in and get it all done in a night or two.

Joke of the Week:


Why did the Christmas tree go to the doctor? Tinselitis!

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: The Hunger Games - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Tuesday - Book Review: At Death's Dough by Mindy Quigley
Wednesday - Ornament Review: Deck the Shelves
Thursday - Book Review: Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman
Friday - Movie Review: Meet Me in St. Louis
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Just two books to tell you about again this week.  And this will probably be in until Christmas.  (Now watch, some books I'm interested in will go on sale this coming week.)

The first is Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel.  It's the second in his Redwoods Country Mysteries.  I'm planning to make it the first book I read for 2026.  It's set up near where my family lives, so I'm hoping to at least start it when I'm home for Christmas.

If you haven't noticed, I rotate through some series/authors for my audiobooks.  I went to get the next in one of those series to listen to coming home from Christmas, and discovered that none of the library systems I have access to have the book in audio format.  I guess I'll have to read that book.  I might even have it around the condo, although finding it would be a challenge.  Anyway, I skipped ahead to the next author in the rotation, and fortunately, I was able to get that one.  And that book?  Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman, the first team up for his two characters, Leaphorn and Chee.



What I'm Currently Reading:

As I teased last week, I've been reading Christmas cozy mysteries this week.  I've only got two this year.

I've finished the first, which was Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman.  It's the fourth in her series, and the fourth I've read this year.  Given all that, I'm sure it will be no surprise to say I enjoyed it.  I've got to get the review written since I am hoping/planning to review it this coming Thursday.

As is tradition, the final Christmas cozy of the year is Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews.  She releases a Christmas entry in her long running Meg Langslow series most years, and I save it to read during December.  I'm currently about half way through and completely enjoying it.

That's it for me this week.  Off to hopefully write a review or two before I leave for game day.  Have a great week!

Posted by at 6 comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)