What I'm Reading Wednesday Rogues Lie (Jenny Schwartz)

It feels like I've been waiting longer than five months for this book--which is number three in Jenny Schwartz' Caldryn Parliament series. Which, as Jenny says, “is a homage to the Golden Age mysteries of the past, but set in a futuristic society that has magic.” Perfectly stated. If Agatha Christie had taken it into her head to write  Sci-Fi instead of Mystery, I imagine she'd have written something a whole lot like this!

I enjoyed this book a lot. My only complaint is that now I'm anxious to read book four. Jenny has revealed that there'll be a dead body in the next one. See? Just like Christie!

https://authorjennyschwartz.com/

Rogues Lie (Caldryn Parliament Book 3)
Jenny Schwartz

https://www.amazon.com/Rogues-Lie-Caldryn-Parliament-Book-ebook/dp/B0DXN289NV/ref=sr_1_1

A whisper campaign threatens Vanda Kavanagh’s hard-won position as Warden of Caldryn Parliament, but are the malicious rumors a personal attack or do they mask an uglier plot?

As Vanda investigates, long-hidden truths are revealed leading her to question everything she believed about herself.

In a city steeped in magic and political intrigue who can Vanda trust?

Mug Shot: Christmas Trees

 

Here's another Christmas mug that reminds me of one of my sets of Christmas dishes--in this case, Christmas Tree by FURIO. Again, it's not a perfect match, but it has a similar feel. The glaze colors in particular are a dead match. 

This mug has a nice shape and feel to it. And it's not generic, like last week's cute mug. 

What I'm Reading: The Dark is Rising (Susan Cooper)

REALLY not a new book. In fact, it's a fairly old book that I first discovered when my own kids were young. Now I'm reading it to/with my grandson. He has not been a fan of reading and I'm looking to change that! I'm hopeful that this book might help with that. 

This is classic Sword and Sorcery, but for kids. And while this is actually the second book in the series, the fact that the series takes its name from THIS BOOK, tells you all you need to know. 

I actually read the first book first, and in a lot of ways it's more accessible for younger readers. But this book is the more compelling read. So if you have a reluctant reader, maybe let them get hooked on this first, and then (with any luck) they'll be happy to go back and read the first book. 

https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Susan-Cooper/706255

The Dark is Rising

Susan Cooper

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MCKTCVH

On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift-- that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. 

At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. 

And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight. 

Mug Shot: Surf Santa Mug

Is this not the cutest mug ever? I got it in Galveston (obvs) a few weeks back. It reminds me of one of my Christmas dish sets ("Santa Comes Home" from Meadow Lane) even though it doesn't really look like that at all. But it's whimsical, you know? 

It's a fairly standard mug, misprinted with the comma in the wrong place (WTF?) but I couldn't resist the cuteness. 

Happy Yule! (Free Gift)

https://tinyurl.com/2025SantaPaws This title contains the following three stories: (Available for FREE—but only until the end of the year!) Christmasing With You The sweater was just the beginning… ​Mike's been a very good boy this year and Santa Claire has the perfect present picked out for him—one that's both naughty and nice! One more disaster could be the end… Mike and Claire were hoping their first Christmas together would be unforgettable. But when their sexy, adult-film-themed weekend abruptly veers into low-budget, chiller-diller territory, they’re left to worry that this Christmas will turn out to be memorable in all the worst ways. An isolated cabin, a winter storm, a hungry cougar—what could possibly go wrong? In a word: everything. This Ugly Christmas Sweater short story features the characters Mike and Claire from Let Me Count the Ways (LA Love Lessons, book 3). Spicy Nick It’s beginning to look a lot like NIX-mas! Nick Greco is getting worried. His wife has never been a big fan of the holiday season, but this year she seems more distant than ever before. In fact, the last time that he can remember seeing her this distracted was right before their wedding—when she tried to back out of marrying him. Can you get cold feet after the fact? Is Scout feeling overwhelmed by the holidays? Or underwhelmed by…gulp…him? Whatever the cause, Nick has a plan. He’s going to spice up their marriage and put the heat back in the holidays. And when he’s done, Scout won’t be saying, “Bah Humbug!” She’ll be saying, “ho, ho…OH!” (And check out If Only in My Dreams for Scout’s story!) Not Just for Christmas You've read the sisters' stories (in WE'RE DREAMING OF A WINE CHRISTMAS--which is also available as a free download!). Now read Clay's version of what REALLY happened Christmas Day!

What I'm Reading: Masters in this Hall (KJ Charles)

Not a new book, but at three years old, it's still newish. Set in England in the very late 1800s, it's technically part of Charles' Lilywhite Boys series. But, really, it could also be lumped in with her collection of "Worst. House party. EVER!" books (along with Proper English, Think of England, and All of us Murderers). 

It's giving Agatha Christie/Hercule Poirot and is another delightful read. Like the other books mentioned above, it does very well on its own. However, you miss soooo many of the inside jokes if you haven't read the other Lilywhite Boys books first. There aren't that many of them. Suck it up and read the other three first. 

https://kjcharleswriter.com/the-lilywhite-boys/

Masters in this Hall

KJ Charles

https://books2read.com/u/m2dWQd

John Garland was in love: now he’s in disgrace. He’s jobless, alone, and determined to avenge himself on the thief who ruined his life. All he wants for Christmas is to see Barnaby Littimer in gaol.

Barnaby has secured a job running the extravagant traditional Christmas at a rich man’s country house. John intends to thwart whatever he’s up to.

But amid the festivity, the halls are decked with unexpected dangers. And John will need to decide if he can trust Barnaby one more time…

A standalone m/m romance novella (30,000 words), set in the world of the Lilywhite Boys, four years after Gilded Cage.

“The perfect Christmas novella for those of us who prefer our seasonal tales to have a bit of zing and bite. It’s sharp, it’s funny, it’s devoid of religion and sentimentality, and it’s just the ticket for a cold winter’s afternoon. Enjoy!”–All About Romance

Mug Shot: Candy Cane Striped Mug

 

Nothing says Christmas like candy canes, am I right?  I mean, whenever I'm trying to get into a Christmas mood (in order to write Christmas stories in, say, August) I always reach for a candy cane. 

This mug is tall, so it's perfect for hanging a candy cane off the rim. Mint Mochas, anyone? 

Also, Mint counts as a spice. So here's a spicy Christmas playlist for your enjoyment.