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

Sunday, August 23, 2026

August 23rd's Sunday/Monday Post

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

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

I've got the new part for my pump coming, but it hasn't arrived yet, so no paddle boarding for me this week.  (And yes, my paddle board is inflatable.)

On the one hand, it is too bad since we are back up to the upper 90's or low 100's.  We are right on that boarder, and different places are giving different temps.  So let's just say we are at 100.  That's what August is supposed to be.  And also when I want to be out on my paddle board.  Oh well.  Next week.

And I've been busy when I would normally go.  Thursday night, I went to see Beauty and the Beast.  The touring company is back in LA, and I went with a friend.  It was a great production.  We both loved it.  It's one of my favorite movies, so it would be hard for the play to miss.  I did notice they've taken a couple of songs out of the show.  Neither is a huge loss, especially the one they nixed from act 2.

Saturday, I headed to the beach.  That's one way to cool off from the heat.  I went with a friend, and we weren't lonely.  Plenty of people were there escaping the weather.  I need to go to the beach more often.  I'm about an hour away from several, so it's not like I have to travel far.

Pun-Official Holiday of the Week:


August 26 – Paw-lease go mutts with pup-lifting festivities for Dog Day!

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Saboteur
Tuesday - Book Review: Harrowed Heir by Sarah E. Burr
Wednesday - TV Show Review: The Brady Bunch - Season 3
Thursday - Book Review: Legally Blind Luck by James J. Cudney
Friday - Friday Post featuring Murders in the Marquee
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Thanks to a late breaking ARC, I have three books to tell you about this week.

The first is a pre-order that arrived a little late.  But that's okay.  The book is Murder at the Agency by Kylie Forsythe.  Kylie is a debut author, and I've been hearing some good things about it, so I'm looking forward to diving in.

And the late breaking ARC?  It's Death in Luxor by M.A. Monnin.  This is book four in her Intrepid Traveler Mysteries.  I've really enjoyed this series, so I'm looking forward to reading the latest installment.  It actually just came out, but I signed up for a spot in the blog tour happening in October, so I'll be reading it in a few weeks.

I also decided it was time for another audio book.  I'm back to Michael Connelly in my audio book rotation, specifically, The Dark Hours.  This one features his long running character Harry Bosch and the newer character Renee Ballard.


What I'm Currently Reading:

As I'm typing this, I've already started listening to The Dark Hours.  I'm really enjoying it so far.  My guess is I will wind up finishing it Sunday, but if not, I'll definitely finish it Monday.

I'm also currently half way through Probably Caws, the newest Meg Langslow Mystery from Donna Andrews.  It just came out at the beginning of the month, but I had other books I wanted to get through first.  I'm enjoying it as always.

I have a feeling I will be done with it before Monday.  So, when Monday rolls around, I will actually be reading Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Heather Day Gilbert.  This is book two in the Exotic Pet-Sitter Mysteries.  I just read the first one a couple of months ago.  Since it's just a three book series, I decided to try to finish it up this year.  We'll see if I can work book three in or not over the next few months.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, August 16, 2026

August 16th'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
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's been a fairly quiet week around here.  Met my deadlines at work, which is always good.

It was cooler this week, which doesn't make me happy.  It's August!  It's supposed to be hot.  Our high on Wednesday was only 82!  That's autumn weather!!  But it's looking like we are going to hit the upper 90's this coming week.  That's more like it.

I went paddle boarding on Thursday this week, and I took a friend with me.  He borrowed a board from a friend of his.  The only downside was that I broke my pump's connector, so I'll need to buy a replacement.  Fortunately, it's just a part, not the whole thing.  Anyway, before and after the paddling, we hung out at his place for a bit.  Nice to spend time with his family.  We haven't hung out much in a few years.

Joke of the Week:


What does a clock do when it’s hungry?
It goes back four seconds.

(I know, I know, an oldie.)

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Superman IV - The Quest for Peace
Tuesday - Book Review: Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen Cambridge
Wednesday - TBD
Thursday - Book Review: City of Promises by Victoria Thompson with Ellen Thompson
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I'm going to tell you about three books this week.

The first is an ARC.  Mrs. Claus and the Fatal Figgy Pudding is the seventh Mrs. Claus Mystery from Liz Ireland.  If you've been around here very long, you know I adore this series, so I can't wait to dive in.  I'll be doing that soon since the book comes out the end of September.

The other two are ebook deals I snagged this week.  And these books are both still on sale as I'm typing this Saturday afternoon.

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera is set in New York City with an immigrant taxi driver as the main character.  I'm not completely sure about it, but for $1.99, I was willing to take a chance.

I swear I bought Death and Croissants by Ian Moore at some point in the past.  But if I did, it wasn't on Amazon since they didn't tell me I'd bought it before.  So, when I saw that the book was on sale for $1.99, I snagged it.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I've barely started Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink.  I've been having a very lazy Saturday because I thought I would be further into it by now.  It's a historical mystery set in 1905 in San Francisco.  I'm looking forward to diving more into it.  The book itself comes out September 1st, and that's when I plan to review it, so I've got some time yet.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, August 9, 2026

August 9th's Sunday/Monday Post

Hello there!  I'm so glad you could join me for this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  As always, I will be linking up to:

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

I really don't have much to report of excitement this week.  It continues to be hot, which is lovely for August.  Month end close went well at work.  I went paddle boarding on Friday after work.  Just another typical week.

Saturday was my friends' monthly game day.  It was a memorable one.  We found a week about a couple of hours into it, so we had to fill some buckets with water, and then shut off the water.  Not that it kept us from staying and playing games.  I won one early on, but after that didn't come close.  Still, it was lots of fun.

With nothing else to talk about, let's get to it.

Joke of the Week:


What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Jaws - The Revenge
Tuesday - Book Review: A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras by Ellen Byron
Wednesday - Ornament Review: Sandal the Sandman #5
Thursday - Book Review: Serving up the Truth by Debra Klein
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I'm back to my usual book buying habits this week with four books.  One of those was a preorder and rest were ebook sales.

The preorder is Probable Caws, the latest from Donna Andrews.  This is book 39 in her Meg Langslow series, and yes, the titles are always bird puns.  Obviously, I'm a fan if I'm this far into the series.  I'm looking forward to getting to this one soon.

Now, for those ebook sales.  All of these were books I've had my eye on, so when the prices dropped, I jumped on it.

The first is A Spoonful of Gunpowder by Katherine H. Brown. It's described as a Steampunk Mary Poppins inspired cozy mystery.  I'm very curious what that is.  So, when it was on sale Thursday, I snagged it.  It looks like it is back to regular price, which is $3.99 for the ebook.

Next up is The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran.  I keep collecting these camping themed cozies, and then I don't read them.  I really need to go about fixing that at some point.  Anyway, this one went on sale for 99 cents, so I got it.  Looks like it is still that price as of Saturday, when I'm typing this.

Finally, we have Caught on Camera, the first Camera Club Mystery from Kara Lacey.  It's been on my radar for a while, and when it dropped to 99 cents (still on sale as of me typing this), I picked it up.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I just finished City of Promises by Victoria Thompson with Ellen Thompson.  Yes, this was the one new book I got last week.  I told you I was looking forward to it.  I enjoyed it, too.  I've got to get a couple of reviews written, including this one.  But I should be posting a review soon.

That means, I've just started Harrowed Heir, the next Court of Mystery novel from Sarah E. Burr.  I've barely started it, in fact, but I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to the characters in this book.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, August 2, 2026

August 2nd'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
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's been a fairly quiet week.  Heck, my car hasn't been out of the garage most of the week.  The advantage of working from home, especially with gas prices what they are.  I ran some errands one day, and I went paddle boarding Friday night.  That's about it.

It's also been hot!  We've been in the upper 90's most of the week, reaching triple digits this weekend.  That's summer weather, I don't care what you have to say about it.  (Yes, I know lots of people who complain about summer weather, but I love it!)

Saturday morning, I was able to go to a book launch party for Ellen Byron.  Really, a double launch party since she has books coming out just a week apart.  (Two different series with two different publishers.)  Then, I went to the game group I've been to a few other times about half an hour from me.  It was a good day, but a day that involved lots of driving in the hot weather.  Fortunately, that's why we have AC, right?

Joke of the Week:


How did one tectonic plate apologize to the other?
“My fault.”

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Talking God by Tony Hillerman
Tuesday - Book Review: A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker
Wednesday - Movie Review: A Prince in Paradise - A Royal Wedding
Thursday - Book Review: Hell Hath No Fury by Annette Dashofy
Friday - Friday Post featuring A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I said last week I'd have one book to talk about for sure this week.  And, I have...one book to talk about this week.  I managed to avoid any impulse purchases, so the only book is the preorder that came out on Tuesday.

And that book?  City of Promises by Victoria Thompson with Ellen Thompson.  I am extremely excited about this book.  I've been a fan of both of Victoria's series for years, and this book is a crossover between the two.  She had just started it when she passed away a couple of years ago, and her daughter, Ellen, has picked up the reigns and is going to continue both series.  She's started out by completing this crossover.  I will be reading it soon.



What I'm Currently Reading:

But not quite yet.

Over the weekend, I finished A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras, the newest Vintage Cookbook Mystery from Ellen Byron.  Yes, this is one of the two books she's launching right now.  I enjoyed it as always.  My review will be up on the 11th.

Which means I'll be starting this week with Two Truths and a Murder, the fifth Phyllida Bright Mystery from Colleen Cambridge.  This will get me current with the series...until book six comes out at the end of October.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

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Sunday, July 26, 2026

July 26th'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
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

If you hadn't guessed, I'm actually been out of town for the last two weeks.  I spent the first week working from my parents' house for four days.  Then I went to the amusement park with my brother and his family I talked about last week.

This week, we went camping in the redwoods at the state park we all love.  It was so nice to be there again.  We walked around the groves and played lots of games.  Roasted s'mores over the fire.  It was a great time.

Friday, I went to a different amusement park with my brother and his family.  We had a great time.  This is one they like better, and it's easy to see why.  It was pretty quiet while we were there, so we got to hit all the big rides with hardly any wait, which was awesome.

Then I drove home on Saturday, stopping to visit a friend and his family along the way.

Monday will be back to work and back to working from my current home.  Sigh.  Reality is overrated.

I'm glad to be home, but it was a fantastic trip.

Joke of the Week:


Have you heard the rumor about butter? Never mind, I shouldn't spread it.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Dead Days of Summer by Carolyn Hart
Tuesday - Movie Review: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Wednesday - Short Story Review: "Robber Crabs" by Joan Druett
Thursday - July Reading Summary
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:


I don't have any books to talk about this week.  I do believe this is a first.  But I was off my laptop most of the week, which really was nice.  But I have a preorder releasing this coming Tuesday, so I'll be back with at least that next week.  There's a physical ARC I'm expecting pretty soon as well, so hopefully, I get that.

What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm working on my August books and reviews, which I'm sure isn't a surprise.  At the moment, that means Hell Hath No Fury, the fifth Detective Honeywell Mystery from Annette Dashofy.  I'm loving it, which isn't at all a surprise.  Annette is a fantastic mystery author.

I did listen to Talking God by Tony Hillerman on the drive home Saturday.  Look for my full review soon (after I get it written), but for now, know that I enjoyed it.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, July 19, 2026

July 19th'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
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

The biggest news of excitement around here was that I spend Friday with my brother and his family at an amusement park.  Had lots of fun on the rides, but unfortunately, I lost my dark glasses on the last ride.  They aren't prescription glasses and I hadn't spent much money on them.  But the style I like to wear is hard to find these days, so that will be the hardest part of replacing them.

But other than that, it was a successful day.  We hit all the rides we wanted to and had plenty of fun along the way.

I also played ultimate Frisbee this morning for the first time in a long time.  Like at least a year.  I had lots of fun.  And I only had two missed connections all day, which is great for me.  I'd argue one wasn't my fault, and my brother and I are sharing blame on the second one.

Joke of the Week:


My grandmother reached 100 yesterday!  That's the last time I get in the car with her when she's late for bingo.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron
Tuesday - TV Show Review: Wings - Season 1
Wednesday - Book Review: Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert
Thursday - Ornament Review: The Perfect Gift
Friday - Book Review: The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian
Saturday - TV Show Review: R.J. Decker - Season 1

Book Haul:

Would you believe I only have two books to talk about this week?  I don't either.

The first is Murder at Crossways by Alyssa Maxwell.  This is book seven in the Gilded Newport Mysteries, which just happens to be the next in the series I need to read.  I'm not sure when I will get to it, but I'm hoping it will be soon.

The other book is the next in Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee series, Talking God.  I was a little surprised to see I am up to book nine when I looked it up just now.  Anyone I got this one from the library.  I know I'll be listening to it soon.




What I'm Currently Reading:

As I type this, I'm working on A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker.  I'd debated long and hard before I requested an ARC of this book, and I'm kind of regretting that I did.  It's a long book, and the writing style is using one of my pet peeves.  I'm only about a quarter into it, so hopefully, I'll find myself fully invested in it before I reach the end.  I do find it compelling when I sit down to read it, so there is that.  We'll see what I think of it when I am done.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, July 12, 2026

July 12th's Sunday/Monday Post

It's that time of the week again.  Time for this week's Sunday/Monday Post, where I link up to:

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

We got some summer weather this week - upper 90's.  Yes, it will go higher before summer is over, but I'll take this.  Remember, I am a warm weather person.

I went into the office for a few hours this week.  For the next year, we do still have an office building, so my director had the locals who report to her in.  Turned out I was the only one who just came in for lunch and a meeting as opposed to working in the office all day.  Oops.  I'll know for next time.  Still, it was nice to see people.

And I did go paddle boarding Thursday night after work.  Got to enjoy the evening hours while I still can.

Saturday is Hallmark's ornament premier (half their ornaments for the year are out).  And it's game day.  So let's get to this, shall we?

Pun-Official Holiday of the Week:


July 14 – Americans do not meter out the lengths they’ll go to celebrate Tape Measure Day.  Many enjoy the day in a yard.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - TV Show Review: The Golden Girls - Season 1
Tuesday - Book Review: Strong Medicine by Steve Hockensmith
Wednesday - Ornament Review: Happiness Is...A Warm Hug
Thursday - Book Review: Lie Down with Dogs by Liz Milliron
Friday - Friday Post featuring All Aboard for Murder
Saturday - TV Show Review: Survivor - Season 50

Book Haul:

I got another four books this week.

Up first is an ARC.  Murders in the Marquee is the first in a new historical series set in San Francisco written by Dana Mentink.  I have enjoyed the previous books from her I've read, and I always enjoy reading books set in California.  Between the two?  I had to get an ARC.

P.J. Fitzsimmons offered an ebook copy of his latest Anty Boisjoly Mystery, The Case of the Accomplished Accomplice, free to his newsletter subscribers.  Of course, I jumped on that since I enjoy his series so much.

I was looking to get free shipping on an order from Amazon (no, I don't have Prime), and so I decided to get The Pie & Mash Detective Agency.  This debut from J.D. Brinkworth sounds fun, and I am hoping I can get it read before the sequel comes out early next year.

Finally, I got an audio book out of the library.  Dead Days of Summer is the next Dead on Demand Mystery for me.  None of my libraries had an electronic audio copy.  And only one of them had it on CD.  Fortunately, my car still has a CD player, so I can listen to it that way.


What I'm Currently Reading:

In fact, I've already started Dead Days of Summer by Carolyn Hart.  I'm very curious as to what is happening, so I'm looking forward to more time in the car so I can find out.

I'm also working on The Glass Thief, the sixth Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery from Gigi Pandian.  I was hoping to read it for a Christmas in July review since it's set around the holiday, but I don't think I'm going to make that.  But I'm enjoying it.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, July 5, 2026

July 5th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to this week's Sunday/Monday Post.  I am way behind where I wanted to be today (Saturday), so let's get to it.  I'll be linking up to:

Sunday Post
Sunday Salon
Stacking the Shelves
Mailbox Monday

Technology is not being my friend right now.  My TV is not connecting to my wifi.  Everything else is connecting to the internet.  I can wire it in, but last time this happened, my TV broke and I had to get it fixed.  I'm worried that's about to happen again.  The fix wasn't cheap, but was covered by my warrantee, which has now expired.

Meanwhile, I got a new laptop a couple of weeks ago.  I'm just now trying to move stuff into it.  Yesterday, it was music and pictures.  Today, I woke up to a notification from Microsoft that I was over my limits.  Turned out, my photos were automatically put into OneDrive for me.  Deleted them from my new laptop, and I'm now no longer over my limit.  So, now, I need to figure out how to store stuff on my hard drive.  You know, what I actually want to do.  It looks like my documents will all be put to the cloud as well.  Keep in mind that I had to get a new laptop because I was out of storage on my hard drive there, so if all that stuff were in the cloud, I wouldn't have room for it without paying a monthly fee.  But if I were willing to do that, then I wouldn't need a new laptop.  (Yes, there were some other reasons for it, but that was the big one.)

I always hate getting a new laptop, and stuff like this is why.

What else have I been up to this week?  I went over to some friends' to watch Wednesday's USA World Cup game.  I'm not a big sports person, but it was nice to get to spend some time with them, and I did enjoy the game

Other than that, it's been work.  I had Friday off, so I went over to paddle about noon.  It was later than I had planned, but the wind wasn't too bad yet, and I enjoyed it.

Joke of the Week:


Why do restaurants on the moon get such bad reviews? No atmosphere.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Toy Story 5
Tuesday - Book Review: The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood
Wednesday - Movie Review: The African Queen
Thursday - Book Review: Death on the Back Nine by Caleb Wygal
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got five new books to talk about this week.

Let's start with Serving up the Truth by Debra Klein.  I won it from a blog giveaway.  I'm planning to get to it in August.  Sounds like it's something I will enjoy.

My Kindle buying spree last week was because I had a bunch of Kindle points expiring at the end of June.  I've let some expire this year, but I was close enough to a reward and this was a huge chunk, so I didn't want to let that happen again.  But that also meant I had to use them this week.  Oh darn, right?  I used them to get Homicide on the Range, the newest Hometown Mystery from Rosalie Spielman.  This is book six.  I still need to get book five read, but I'm hoping to do that soon.

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn went on sale for Kindle this week.  (And it still is as of my typing this Saturday at noon.)  I wasn't the biggest fan of the first in the series, but I've been curious about the sequel, so I decided to snag it.

The last two books are eARCs.  I signed up for a blog tour for A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras by Ellen Byron.  The book comes out in August, so I won't be reading it for another couple of weeks, but I've got the ARC for when I'm ready.

Strong Medicine by Steve Hockensmith comes out much sooner.  Like July 14th.  This is the latest in his Holmes on the Range series, which features cowboy brothers solving mysteries in the old west using skills they gleaned from the Sherlock Holmes stories.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm sure it's no surprise that I'm currently reading Strong Medicine by Steve Hockensmith.  I'm enjoying it so far, but I need to get more read.  With the morning I had, I haven't gotten as much read as I had hoped Saturday.  I'm still hoping to finish it off on Sunday.

Which means Monday, I'll be working on All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron.  Yep, she has books coming out pretty close together again.  I'm part of a blog tour  for it on July 20th, so I need to get it read and the review written.  I always enjoy her books, so I'm looking forward to diving in.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, June 28, 2026

June 28th's Sunday/Monday Post

Welcome to another Sunday/Monday Post, where I will be linking up to:

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

I'm typing this up a little early this week since I'm going to the beach with friends on Saturday, and I don't want to have it worry about it then.  So I'm typing it up on Friday.

Wednesday night, I met up with a couple of friends for dinner.  It was nice to catch up.  We were there about four hours, and the time just flew by.

Thursday was another trip to the lake to paddle board.  This time, it was solo, but it was still nice.

And, an update about the package I ranted about last week.  They finally shipped it on Monday, six days after I ordered it.  But they shipped it from several states away not the neighboring city I expected, so I finally got it Friday.  But I have it!

Joke of the Week:


Luke and Obi-Wan are in a Chinese restaurant having a meal. Skillfully using his chopsticks, Obi-Wan deftly dishes a large portion of noodles into his bowl and tops it with some chicken and cashew nuts.  All this is done with the consummate ease you’d expect from a Jedi Master. Meanwhile, Luke is using his chopsticks in both hands, dropping food all over. Obi-Wan looks at Luke disapprovingly and say, “Use the forks, Luke.”

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - TV Show Review: Murder, She Wrote - Season 10
Tuesday - Book Review: Pour Choices by Adrian Andover
Wednesday - June Reading Summary
Thursday - Book Review: Murder at Ochre Court by Alyssa Maxwell
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Another week, another four books to talk about.

Up first is Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku.  I recently heard some good things about this debut, and then the ebook went on sale, so I snagged it.

Up next, my preorder of The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood arrived early.  The release date, at least here in the states, is July 7th.  But, as long as I got it early, I went ahead and read it.  I really enjoyed it!  Now, I need to write my review, but I won't post it until the 7th, so I've got a little time yet.

I also ordered two other books this week, which just arrived on Friday.  The first of those is City of Fallen Angels by Paul Buchanan.  It's a historical set in LA in the 1960's.  I'd heard about it a while ago and it sounded good.  I found a decent deal on it, so I snagged it.

I also got Go F@!k Yourself, the third Jimmy Cooper Mystery from Lawrence Allan.  No, it's not quite my normal read, but I do enjoy the humor of these mysteries.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to Jimmy here.


What I'm Currently Reading:

Friday, I got about a quarter of the way into Lie Down with Dogs by Liz Milliron.  This is book 5 in her Laurel Highlands series.  If you've been paying attention the last few months, you know how much I enjoy these books and am enjoying catching up on the series.  So far, this one is no exception.  I'm not sure how much reading time I'll really have this weekend, but I'm pretty sure I'll still be working on it on Monday.  Honestly, I'll be happy if I can finish it  off on Monday.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, June 21, 2026

Father's Day's Sunday/Monday Post

That time of a week again!  I'll be linking my Sunday/Monday Post to:

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

Another quiet week around here.  I went paddle boarding with a friend on Friday night after work again.  I've made it out all three weeks since I got my pass at the beginning of the month.

I do have a bit of a rant.  I bought something on eBay Tuesday night.  It was a localish vendor (not my city, but I could be there in 30 minutes or so).  Claimed to be a fast shipper.  I figured I'd have it by now.  Nope.  They haven't even shipped it yet.  Technically, the predicted arrival window starts on Saturday the 20th.  But seriously?  You claim to be a fast shipper and you haven't even shipped it yet?  Yeah, not happy.  Yes, it's definitely a first world problem, but I'm am still going to complain about it.

Let's see, other than that, it cooled down here this week.  We actually had some June gloom with gray skies in the morning before we did get sun in the afternoon.  After being in the 90's, we were only in the 70's most of this week.  Should be a little warmer this coming week, fortunately.

And Saturday night, I met up with a friend for dinner.  It was great catching up with her.

Think that's about all the news here.

Joke of the Week:


I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Ornament Review: Two Turtle Doves
Tuesday - Book Review: Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg
Wednesday - Book Review: The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
Thursday - Book Review: The Quirky Quiz Show Caper by Sally Carpenter
Friday - Friday Post featuring Murder at Ochre Court
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Let's kick things off this week with All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron.  This is book three in her Golden Motel Mysteries.  I really enjoyed the first two books, so I can't wait to read this one and find out what is going on with these characters.

Then I went on a bit of an ebook shopping spree.  And I have a feeling another one is coming soon.

It's been a while since I read any of Jacqueline Vicks books.  While I have the first in a series from her that I haven't read yet, we'll blame it on the fact that I don't have the next books in the Frankie Chandler Pet Psychic Mysteries.  But now I have no excuse since I just bought books seven and eight in the series, Some Like Murder Hot and A Spinning Wheel of Murder.  

I also got the next Anty Boisjoly Mystery from PJ Fitzsimmons, The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich.  I enjoy this series, so this should be another good one.

Finally, I got the first from a new author.  Cool Change by Kevin Zelenka features a retired military police officer who finds himself involved in a murder in a small Minnesota town.  Hopefully, it's good.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm working my way through Death on the Back Nine, book six in Caleb Wygal's Myrtle Beach Mysteries.  I haven't been focused on reading as much the last few days as normal, so I haven't made it as far as I had hoped.  I am intrigued by what is going on in this book, however.  Hopefully, I'll get some focused reading time on Sunday so I can finish it up on Monday.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, June 14, 2026

Flag Day's Sunday/Monday Post

Happy Flag Day!  (At least here in the USA.)  Let's celebrate with a Sunday/Monday Post where I will link up to:

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

I got the extra reporting finished up at work.  I didn't make it quite as far with the account recs as I had hoped, but I am in good shape with them.

This coming Monday marks that day I thought I would be working in the office four days a week.  Instead, it will mark the beginning of week four of working from home again full time.  Still rather hard to believe.  I hope they don't change their mind at some point.

I went out paddle boarding again on Thursday.  This time I met up with a friend and his daughter.  They were in their kayaks while I was on my board.  It was nice to chill with them.

And, since today is game day and I have much to do before I go, let's get on with it, shall we?

Joke of the Week:


I wondered why that Frisbee kept getting bigger.  Then it hit me.

(As a retired ultimate Frisbee player, I prefer this version of the joke.)

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Upgrade
Tuesday - Book Review: Lost and Clowned by Dana Mentink
Wednesday - TV Show Review: Step by Step - Season 2
Thursday - Book Review: Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've just got three books to tell you about this week.  I can hardly believe it myself.

The first is The Quirky Quiz Show Caper by Sally Carpenter.  This is book four in the series.  I'd gotten book five a couple of weeks back and told you that I should be getting book four soon.  Here it is.  Actually, I've already read it and enjoyed it, so look for that review coming soon.

I also got Mystery Most Senior, the anthology from this year's Malice Domestic convention in April.  Author Ellen Byron did a giveaway for a copy signed by her and Jacqueline Winspear, the Lifetime Achievement Honoree from this year's convention.  I'm really glad I won it since I haven't seen it pop up for sale anywhere yet, and I did want to get it.

Finally, I decided it was time for another audio book.  Since this was a last minute decision, I was lucky to get my first choice, The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly.  It's the next in my effort to read all of Connelly's books in order, and it's one I've been anxious to read since it came out in 2020.  I just had to get here.

What I'm Currently Reading:

Yep, I've already started The Law of Innocence.  I'm not quite an hour into it, and it's is a twelve and a half hour audio book, so I have my listening cut out for me.  But yes, I am completely hooked already.

I'm also working on Pour Choices, the second Mixology Lounge Mystery from Adrian Andover.  I'm about 45% into my eARC of this book and really enjoying it so far.  This time, the comedian at an event the main character is hosting at his cocktail lounge is killed the next morning.  The book will be out June 30th, and I'll have my full review up then.

If everything goes according to plan, I will be on to Murder at Ochre Court by Alyssa Maxwell on Monday.  I'm anxious to get back to her Gilded Newport Mysteries.  Hard to believe I'll be starting July books that early, isn't it?  But I do want to stay this far ahead of my posting dates.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

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Sunday, June 7, 2026

June 7th's Sunday/Monday Post

Hello, and 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?

Wow, I'm late getting this drafted this week.  I might not post until late on Saturday, but I usually at least have it drafted by now.

This past week was busy at work.  Thanks to our slightly off fiscal year, I had extra reporting to do.  I thought I was finished when I logged off on Saturday, but I think I need to redo one of the reports come Monday.  Shouldn't be too bad.

Thursday after work, I went over and got passes for paddle boarding again.  And I paddle boarded that evening.  My goal is be over there every Thursday this summer.  We'll see how that goes.  And I'll probably mix some Saturdays in as well, although it is harder when I'm trying to do other things on Saturdays.

Speaking of which, today, my small group went over and cleaned the church.  Then, I headed down to Burbank to the game store down there to join up with a group to play some games.  I almost left at one point, but I wound up staying until about seven thirty.  Been doing some other stuff, which is why I am just now getting to this blog post.

At least I have all my reviews for this coming week drafted, although I am still behind on book reviews.  I've got to buckle down and get some blog work done soon.

Pun-Official Holiday of the Week:


June 11 – Have an a-maize-ing time today.  It’s Corn on the Cob Day.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Book Review: Hot Stuff by Don Bruns
Tuesday - Ornament Review: Gardener Mickey
Wednesday - Book Review: Crown of Chaos by Sarah E. Burr
Thursday - Movie Review: Supergirl (1984)
Friday - Book Review: Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got five new books to talk about this week.

Two of the books are eARCs from NetGalley.  The first of those is A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker (no relation).  This looks like an import that will finally be published in the US in August.  Either way, it sounds like something I would enjoy.  Hopefully, that will be the case.

The other ARC is Hell Hath No Fury, the fifth Detective Honeywell Mystery from Annette Dashofy.  I always enjoy her books, so I'm very much looking forward to reading this one.

I also got a couple of books for reading later this year.  They are both in series I'm actively working on catching up on.

The first of those is Thicker Than Water, the sixth Laurel Highlands Mystery from Liz Milliron.  I still have book five to go, but I should be getting to this one in a few months.

The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories is a short story collection from Gigi Pandian featuring the characters from her Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt series.  I have the last book in the series on the July TBR pile, but I'll get to this story collection this fall.

Finally, my preorder of Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg arrived.  This is the first in a new series from him.




What I'm Currently Reading:

When Murder by Design arrived, I decided I'd go ahead and read it.  I usually enjoy Lee's books, and he's got another entry in another series coming later this year, so I didn't want to fall behind.  Of course, I got almost nothing read today, so I'm still about 10 pages in.  But I'm sure I'll get hooked soon.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

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Sunday, May 31, 2026

May 31st'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?

We've got a lot to cover, so let's get to it.

Let's start with the reason I didn't post last week.  I went out of town for Memorial Day.  I met up with my parents a couple of hours away from me.  We did do a little bit of touristy stuff one day, but other than that, we stayed around their trailer playing games.  It was wonderful!

This past week, I went from being a hybrid employee to being fully remote again.  My company told us that we could work from home full time.  I've got to admit, it has been a bit more bittersweet than I was expecting.  I am going to miss seeing people in the office three days a week.  But I'm not going to miss the drive to and from the office or getting ready for work.  And I don't have a long or bad commute to really complain about.

I also know that I need to make a point to get out and do stuff on weekends.

Which is what lead me to head to an art festival about 30 minutes from me on Saturday.  I went because a mystery author organization was taking part, but they never posted a schedule, so I don't know who was signing when.  I did stop by while I was there, but I didn't stick around all day to potentially say "hi" to other authors I know.  Instead, I came home after a couple of hours.  I enjoyed looking at some of what was for sale, but I didn't wind up buying anything.

And my blog passed 8 million hits in the last couple of days.  Now, if you are thinking to yourself, "But Mark didn't brag when he passed 7 million hits," you'd be right.  That was about two months ago.  The bots sure have found my blog, and they continue to hit it.  I don't think the numbers are remotely accurate, but I do still want to mark the milestone.

I think that pretty much catches you up.

Joke of the Week:


The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference.  He acquired his girth from too much pi.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - May Reading Summary
Tuesday - Book Review: One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver
Wednesday - Movie Review: Superman III
Thursday - Book Review: The Lady from Burma by Allison Montlciar
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I'm sure it's not surprise when I say I have books to tell you about.  Specifically, four of them.  What is surprising to me is that I have none from this week.  They are all from the week before.

The first is my preorder of Newsboy by John James.  John was the first lead singer of the Christian band Newsboys, and this is his memoir.  I've only ever been a casual fan of the band, but thought I'd pick it up.

I placed a couple of orders recently, and purchased the next couple of books I need in Sally Carpenter's Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries to get free shipping.  Ironically enough, book six, The Notorious Noel Caper, arrived before book five.  I'll probably save this one for December, although my December is getting a bit crowded.  I definitely won't read this one before I get and read book five.

Switching over to the library, I got the audio version of Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes.  I had to have something to listen to last weekend while driving to see my parents, right?  (We will ignore the fact that this audio book was much longer than my drive, okay?)  I've finished this one.  It wasn't quite what I expected, but it's been on my radar for a while, so I'm glad I listened to it.  More to come when I get my review written.  (And I'm behind on reviews.)

Finally, I got an eARC of Pour Choices, the second in Adrian Andover's Mixology Lounge Mysteries.  Since I enjoyed the first so much, I'm looking forward to reading this one.



What I'm Currently Reading:

I'm currently working on Lost and Clowned by Dana Mentink.  At the rate I'm going, I'll probably finish it on Tuesday, but we will see if I get to it faster than that.  I'm enjoying it so far.  The main character is part of a traveling circus.  I'm curious to see where it is going to go.

That's it for me.  Have a great week!

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Sunday, May 17, 2026

May 17th'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?

Another quiet week around here.  Nothing outside of work.  The temps have been mostly in the 70's, which is pretty standard for this time of the year, to be honest.  As much as I'm ready for summer heat, this is what we often get.

The exception to that was Saturday, when I went down to Knott's Berry Farm.  I hadn't been in decades (like since I was a kid).  It's included with my season pass for Six Flags.  I was going to go last year and never got around to it, but with a free weekend and perfect temps, I headed down this weekend.

It was definitely more crowded than I was expecting.  And I'm not sure how trustworthy their line estimates are.  But I have fun.  I hit three of the biggest coasters there.  But two of them were at the end of the day, and one was the first thing I did when I got there.  It was a little weird being at a theme park I'm not super familiar with since I usually go to Disneyland or Six Flags Magic Mountain, both of which I know extremely well.  I might have done more walking/exploring than anything else, especially when I would turn somewhere and go "Now, what's down here?"  I was in a long line when the park closed, so I got home early Sunday morning.  I should be in bed by now, so shall we get to it?

Joke of the Week:


What happens when you throw books into the ocean?
You get a title wave.

This Past Week on the Blog:


This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3
Tuesday - Book Review: Reckoning at the Riviera Royale by P.J. Fitzsimmons
Wednesday - Movie Review: Best Served Cold - A Hannah Swensen Mystery
Thursday - Book Review: Harm Not the Earth by Liz Milliron
Friday - Friday Post featuring My Nightmare is Yours
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

Strap in.  I've been very bad this week buying Kindle sale books.  (Or good, if you like to get books at a steal.)

Up first is Killer Brownies, which had just crossed my radar.  A culinary cozy set on the California coast?  I'm there.  This is the first in a series from Amelia Pine.  Looks like it is currently still on sale, but no idea how long it will be 99 cents.

Sadly, this next isn't on sale still.  Crooked Lane doesn't seem to leave their books on sale for very long.  Anyway, I've heard great things about A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen.  The main character is a retired man who tries to find out what happened to his neighbor, helped by his caretaker.  Sounds like it could be lots of un.

Outline for Murder by Anthony J. Pucci has been on my radar for a little while.  The main character is a high school English teacher.  It came out a while ago, so if I like it, I've got quite a few more books to go.  As of my typing this, it looks like it is still free, but I don't know how much longer that will last.

I was looking at the attendees at a convention this week, and one author I hadn't heard of before was Kim Griswell.  Her series is set along the Oregon coast, which caught my attention.  I don't find as many cozies set on the west coast to begin with, and Oregon and Washington are usually overlooked.  And, since the first book was 99 cents, I decided to give it a shot.  Again, as of right now, Murder at Last Chance Cove is currently still on sale, but no idea how long that will last.

Finally comes On the Rocks by Mia Gold.  I got this one from author Julie Mulhern's weekly freebie newsletter.  A bartender in the Bahamas as the main character was pretty much all it took to get me to download it.  I mean, at free, it's risk free, right?

What I'm Currently Reading:

Heading to a theme park by myself.  You can guess what my plan to do in line was, right?  I read on the Kindle app on my phone.  Of course, to do that, I will be pushing things around a little.  Jumping into the gap will be Hot Stuff by Don Bruns.  It's book six in a series about two twenty-something best friends who get dragged into cases.  There are seven in the series, so I'm hoping to finish it this year.  

I have a feeling by Monday, I will be working on One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver.  I just talked about getting this book last week.  I told you I was planning to read it soon!  I'm looking forward to seeing how this series about a lock picker in London during World War II ends.

Have a great week!

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Sunday, May 10, 2026

Mother's Day'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?

It was another quiet week.  Work, reading, and a little bit of TV watching.  I finished up my rewatch of season 7 of Once Upon a Time, something I've been going to do for about 4 years now.  My thoughts on the season haven't really changed since it first aired - some great moments and compelling but lots of stuff that they just didn't have enough time to fully develop.

Anyway, our temps stayed in the 60's early in the week, but we are in the 80's now with temps in the 90's predicted for Sunday and Monday.  Then, of course, we start to drop again, but fortunately not quite as far as the 60's.  It's May, after all.  Time for some warm weather.

And today is my friend's game day, so let's get to it, shall we?

Pun-Official Holiday of the Week:


May 13 – Take a leap and be hoppy for Frog Jumping Day.

This Past Week on the Blog:



This Coming Week on the Blog:


Sunday - Sunday/Monday Post
Monday - Movie Review: The Flash
Tuesday - Book Review: Murder, She Wrote - Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early
Wednesday - Movie Review: Avatar - The Way of Water
Thursday - Book Review: Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood
Friday - Friday Post
Saturday - Weekly TV Thoughts

Book Haul:

I've got three books to talk about this week.

Up first is my preorder of One Final Turn, the fifth and final Electra McDonnell book from Ashley Weaver.  Yes, the books been out for a year, but I preordered the trade paperback, which came out this week.  I'm very much looking forward to seeing how things are wrapped up.  I'm planning to read it soon, with a review hopefully coming the beginning of June.

I've had my eye on Murder to My Ears by Rebecca McKinnon for a while now.  When the ebook popped up as free, I snagged it.  Looks like it's back to regular price of $3.99 now.

Finally, we have another free ebook that has gone back to regular price ($2.99 in this case).  Murder in the Cranberry Bog is the second in a series from Mike Cassidy featuring a reporter who is traveling the country.  I already have the first, but I haven't read it yet.  But free is a good price to grab book two in case I enjoy the first one.



What I'm Currently Reading:

Friday night, I finished up Harm Not the Earth by Liz Milliron.  Yes, I was just talking about getting this book a couple of weeks ago.  It's book four in her Laurel Highlands series, and I enjoyed it.  Got to get the review written.

Which means I've just started My Nightmare is Yours, the new Madison Night Mystery from Diane Vallere.  Since it doesn't come out for a couple of weeks, I'm reading an ARC.  I'd hoped to get a bit further into it before I left for game day, but that isn't looking good.  Either way, I'm only about 10% into the book, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Have a great week!

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