What I'm Reading: How to Fake it in Society (KJ Charles)

Have I mentioned how, so much of the time, Charles' regency world reminds me of Georgette Heyer?  Not a complaint. It's like finding Easter eggs when you're least expecting to. This book, for example has a premise very similar to the one in Heyer's The Reluctant Widow, which I wrote about earlier this year. And honestly? I think Charles does it better. 

How to Fake it in Society

KJ Charles

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

It is 1821 and Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte is making a splash in London Society. The son of Jeanne de Valois de La Motte, infamous for stealing a priceless diamond necklace meant for Marie Antoinette, Nico hopes to restore his wronged mother’s reputation, if only he can raise the funds. But he must operate with great secrecy, because the Bourbon dynasty murdered his mother, and he fears for his life.

At least, that’s what he tells Titus Pilcrow. Titus was a simple shopkeeper, making and selling artists’ paints, when he found himself suddenly married to an immensely wealthy woman who wanted to disinherit her nephew on her deathbed. As word spreads of his fortune, Titus finds himself a target of every scammer and beggar in London . . . including one Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte.

Nico is on his last legs, out of money, and on the run from some terrifying gangsters. When Titus offers Nico a space in his household, it’s the perfect chance for him to exploit London’s newest golden purse – until he falls in love with the man he needs to cheat. Still, Nico is sure they can have a happy ending together. If he can just find his way out of his own web of lies…

Mug Shot: Blue Travel Mug

I love this mug shot. It's one of the few where the mug isn't staged but is shown in situ. And it's pretty. The steel blue of the mug, the blue sky, the blue-gray car dash is complemented by the green grass, yellow flowers and white clouds. 

I really like this mug, too. I bought it a few days before we took this trip to Mustang Island. We were shopping for last minute travel needs when I saw this mug and fell instantly in love. I love the color, the grippable surface, the handle(!), the size. My husband was less enchanted at first, but he's since come around to my way of thinking. 

It's a great mug. 

What I'm Reading: Animals and the Afterlife (Kim Sheridan)

I first read this book a few years ago after I lost my dog. We lost our other dog the following year and my grandson's puppy the year after that. So no, I am not okay. And while I am starting to get to the point where I think about maybe adopting an older pit bull (one who gets along with smaller dogs and will not try and kill the neighborhood cats) I'm not quite there yet. But I digress.

One of the things I found most interesting about this book was how much the author talked about pet rats that she and others had had. It was unusual. Most pet psychics seem to stick to more mainstream animal companions--dogs, cats, horses. Rats are outliers to some extent. Of course, there are people who might say the same about horses, but that's beside the point. 

I was at yoga last week and overheard the teacher talking about his pet rats (all dead now) and how he was thinking about getting a new one and about reincarnation, wishing he could communicate with his former pets, etc. 

I couldn't wait to suggest this book to him. And now to all of you, as well...

Animals and the Afterlife

Kim Sheridan

http://kimsheridan.com/books/

Do animals have souls?
What happens when they die?
This book offers some amazing answers…

Kim Sheridan grew up with animals as her constant companions. Each time she faced the death of a beloved animal, along with the pain came the same questions, to which she could find no answers. Then mysterious things began to happen which she could not explain. Unable to dismiss these mysterious events, Kim embarked upon what became an incredible journey to uncover the truth. Along with her own experiences, she compiled the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people from around the world. She discovered overwhelming evidence that forever erased her own doubts of an afterlife for animals. Kim’s award-winning book provides reassurance to anyone who has ever loved and lost an animal. For more information, visit: www.AnimalsAndTheAfterlife.com

Mug Shot: I Love Books

So, April 23 is World Book Day...which I'd never heard of before. According to UNESCO: "Books are like a window onto another world – with each new page, they introduce us to new people, new cultures and new ideas. Every year, on 23 April, UNESCO celebrates World Book and Copyright Day in recognition of the power of books as a bridge between generations and across cultures."

I certainly can't argue with that! I picked this mug up at a local thrift store. It's nice, kind of elegant, with a good design. I've been using it a lot lately. 

What I'm Reading: It's Not Me, It's You (Jo Lovett)

So, I love books that involve characters having to deal with being part of a reality TV show--mostly because my own reality TV book series (Inked in OakTown) has been stalled for some time. This story also features a heroine who writes romance and a hero who despises the genre--at least at the beginning. 

It was surprisingly intriguing, although I must admit the rules of the challenge confused the hell out of me. It was also very When Harry Met Sally meets the Great British Bake Off. IYKYK.

It's Not Me, It's You

Jo Lovett 

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Me-You-rom-com-ebook/dp/B0F42JYHTK/ref=sr_1_2

One hopeless romantic 💕

One hardened cynic ❤️‍🩹

One bet they’ll never forget... 🔥

Freya writes bestselling romance novels for a living, but off the page, she doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Jake is a divorced divorce lawyer who does believe in romance ­– despite every day seeing the results of failed relationships.

When a TV news segment captures their very public disagreement about modern love, the clip goes viral, and to settle the debate, they strike a deal: Jake will find Freya her perfect match, and Freya will convince Jake that romance is a fairy tale best left in fiction.

The rules are simple. The stakes are high. And the chemistry? Undeniable.

Mug Shot: Cat Mug

This mug is very apropos because it's currently kitten season in my neck of the woods. Which means that the wild cat population of my town is larger than it was a few weeks ago.  Personally, I love cats. I consider myself a cat person even though I haven't actually had a cat as a pet in quite a few years. The last three dogs I cared for were NOT cat friendly, sad to say, which is why so many people who haven't known me that long assume I'm a dog person. However, since my "not having cats" has coincided with my living in places where there's been a robust "neighborhood cat" population, it's not like I haven't interacted with cats. It just means they don't live in my house. 

I found out recently that these cats are known collectively as the Kyle Curse. Apparently they live in (and travel through) the sewers. I don't think they're entirely feral since a surprising number of them are eager to be petted, and of course they're always happy to be fed, but they don't seem to want anything more than that out of our relationship. Which allows me to continue to deny any sort of ownership. 

Up until the point where I decide to move, of course. When that day comes, all bets are off.  

But anyway, the mug. I've found myself liking blue now more than I ever did before, so that's a plus. It's a good (albeit generic) size and shape. And the cat faces are really cute. 5/5  Would recommend. 

What I'm Reading: Blood and Sand (Jordan L Hawk)

So I think this is the end of this series, which is sad, although everything was wrapped up in a very satisfactory manner. The Pride seems to be an off-shoot of Hawk's earlier series, Hexworld, which I think is my favorite of all her series. So...it feels sort of like I'm saying good-bye all over again.

Anyway, they're both really similar in feel to Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan series (which also has a spin-off or two)

So if you like prohibition-era, paranormal, m/m romantic suspense with shape-shifters, bootleggers, flappers and the like--these are the series for you!

Blood and Sand

Jordan L Hawk

https://jordanlhawk.com/products/blood-and-sand-the-pride-3-ebook

War has come to the streets of Chicago…

Sam Cunningham didn’t set out to work for a gangster, but his job as Mickey Sullivan’s hexmaster seems safe enough…until a gang war puts a target on both of their backs.

Cheetah-shifter Alistair Gatti is desperate to keep his family’s speakeasy up and running. But with a brutal assassin killing off the city’s bootleggers, his options are growing slimmer with every passing day.

Their one chance to remain safe and keep The Pride afloat lies in the form of an ancient hex looted from an Egyptian tomb. If Sam wants to escape Sullivan’s grasp, he needs to recreate the hex and get it to work.

But in a gang war fought by magic as well as guns, the odds are in no one’s favor, and the streets of Chicago will soon run red with blood.