What I'm Reading: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes (Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, Anne Stuart)

I've been having the WORST LUCK with books lately, either they haven't held my interest, or I didn't like them enough to finish. So I gave up and re-read something I knew I'd like. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes is a collaboration of three authors and it's very much in the same vein as the Practical Magic or Charmed. It's fun and light-hearted and I was this-many-weeks-old when I realized that the title was a pun. Miss Fortunes = misfortunes. To make matters worse, one of the characters flat out explains it right IN THE BOOK: "we ended up the Little Miss Fortunes, and you'd have thought somebody would have seen the play on words there, wouldn't you? But no"

Yeah, no kidding. Me either. 

Anyway, it's cute, well-written, and magical, with three happy endings. Or possibly four. I'm rooting for you, Pauline!

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

Jennifer Crusie
Eileen Dreyer
Anne Stuart 

https://www.amazon.com/Unfortunate-Miss-Fortunes-Novel-ebook/dp/B004VMWJX4

Three magical sisters meet their true loves—in a wicked scheme to take their powers—in this sexy romantic fantasy from a trio of beloved authors.

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she's still trying to control her shape-shifting power, which is no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Dee's sister Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart . . .

While Mare, the youngest Miss Fortune, towers above her sisters, her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video VP and Mare's long lost love turn up…and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

Mug Shot: Owl Mug

 

I guess we're on a tangent this month. Owls are also on my could-be-a-spirit-animal list. I've loved them forever, too. 

I love this mug for many reasons. First of all, it's bigger than it looks in the picture, which means it holds a lot of coffee without feeling massive. Also, the Taupe and Teal color combo has always been a favorite. The spirals look like something I might have put on a mug during my high school ceramics phase. Actually, the owl looks like something I might have drawn in high school, as well. 

I bought this used and have NO idea when it was made, but everything about it, including the shape, screams '70s to me...which is when I actually was in high school, so it all tracks. I feel like I imagined this mug into being. 

Not for nothing, but my husband also likes this mug. I know, surprised me, too. 

What I'm Reading: Crazy Together (Marie Sexton)

It's been awhile since I picked up a Marie Sexton book. I devoured her Coda and Tucker Springs series--and several of her stand alone stories, as well. Back in the day, we wrote for several of the same publishers and hung out together at conventions (I still owe her some wine bottle stoppers, come to think of it. Oops.). 

But, anyway...

I was thrilled to find out she'd written TWO new books in a new, Christmas-themed series. Yay! If you're a fan of low-angst, heart-warming M/M stories, check them out!

Crazy Together

A Camp Bay Christmas Novel

Marie Sexton

https://www.mariesexton.net/books/complete-book-list/crazy-together

In the wake of his husband's recent passing, nightclub owner Bryan Nantel feels smothered by sympathy from his well-meaning friends. Tired of being seen only as a grieving widower, Bryan decides to spend the holiday with his father in Houston, even though he fears it will be the end of his hard-fought sobriety. But a chance encounter at the airport changes everything.

Noah Porter is a former baseball player whose career was cut short by a devastating injury. He’s not quite ready to come out of the closet, but he has every intention of losing his virginity ASAP. On a whim, he invites Bryan to spend the weekend with him at Camp Bay Chalet, a secluded B&B tucked away in the panhandle of Northern Idaho.

Bryan knows running away with a man he just met is crazy and reckless. Maybe even dangerous. But it sure beats his other options. He figures what happens at Camp Bay can stay at Camp Bay. And a bit of Christmas craziness may be exactly what he and Noah both need.

Mug Shot: November Legend Mug

 

So it's my husband's birthday this week, and I bought this mug for him. It's stainless steel and insulated and it comes with a lid so he can take it with him anywhere.  

I'm happy to say that this IS (finally) a mug that he likes.

The playlist today was chosen because the heroine of book one, Waiting for the Big One, is a Pisces, like I am, and her hero is a scorpio, like my husband. 

What I'm Reading: A Christmas Spark (Diana Biller)

This is a VERY short story, with almost no angst to it at all. But it's Christmas, so who cares? It also has a very steampunky feel to it, which I love. The h/h are both scientists, the hero is a total cinnamon roll, and there's ice-skating. Also, I love the cover.

The author has three books (this and two others) that I assume are linked in some fashion; this one is set in the 1840s, the other two are set in the 1870s and the heroes in all three books have the last name Moore. 

I'm assuming a family connection and that THIS Moore might be the father of the other two. I've ordered one of the other books in hopes of finding out, but I REALLY wish authors would make things like that more obvious on their websites. 

A Christmas Spark
Diana Biller

https://www.dianabiller.com/a-christmas-spark

Winnifred can’t believe her luck! She’s been hired to work for renowned scientist John Moore - which in 1843 is the next best thing to being a scientist herself. Unfortunately, she didn’t expect to find his very presence so… distracting during experiments.

 John thinks Winnifred Byrne is a disaster of an assistant. She makes a dreadful cup of tea and has caused not one but multiple explosions! Except...she's warm, funny, brilliant, and to make matters much worse, is probably the most beautiful woman he's ever met.

 As the snow falls and their friendship deepens, one thing becomes clear: he’s met his match in more ways than one.

Mug Shot: Junk Gypsy

 

I love chickens. I'm not convinced they're my spirit animal, but I was born in the year of the rooster, so, they kind of are, right? 

Anyway, this mug comes from Junk Gypsy. There's a store in Wimberley, not far from my son's house. Rumor has it that Miranda Lambert is a part owner, but as far as I can tell, the rumors are unfounded. 

What I like about this mug are the bright colors, the cover, and the shape. I dearly love tall mugs with decent insulation and that double as travel mugs. It's a win/win/win. 

What I'm Reading: All of Us Murderers (KJ Charles)

Well, this was just delightful. If you were ever a fan of the old, mid-century, gothic novels have I got a book for you. It's creepy and atmospheric, featuring a truly horrible family house party where everyone's dying to leave, but no one can get away. There's an ADHD hero (actually, I think he's more AuDHD--there's that whole justice sensitivity thing) that I absolutely loved. And all the plot twists you could ask for.

I'll be amazed (not to mention seriously disappointed) if this doesn't get turned into a film along the lines of Mousetrap, Deathtrap, or And Then There Were None.

All of Us Murders

KJ Charles

https://kjcharleswriter.com/standalone-books/

 When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative’s remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn’t possibly get worse.

Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family–but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there’s no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house’s shadowy depths…

Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House–and live to tell the tale?