What We're Reading - April

As usual, the wenches have an eclectic and exciting selection of reading favorites from this past month. I think we've covered all the genres from wedding fantasies to biographies, with lots of romance in between!

 

Pat:

Aunt Dimity's Death, Nancy Atherton

This book is labeled a mystery, but it’s not a traditional one, which is probably why I adore it. There is no suspense other than determining the reason the mysterious Aunt Dimity was left alone and unhappy all her life. It’s more a fairy tale ghost story, since Aunt Dimity haunts the protagonists’ life in more ways than one, always in a cheerful, amiable manner. The heroine is the next best thing to the Poor Little Match Girl. She gets to visit what is, to all intents and purposes, an enchanted castle in a modern metropolis, meets a prince who isn’t really handsome but a lawyer, and is given a list of odd tasks she must accomplish to earn a princely sum. It’s all low key, pleasant, and charming, and we all get to live the fairy tale with her. In this day and age, I’m good with that.

 

Nicola

I’ve read two great books I’d like to recommend this month. The first is The Stranger by Kate Riordan.  It’s set in Cornwall in the 1940s and tells the story of three very different young women sent to work as Land Girls on a big estate. Their stories interweave with those of the family and the local villagers and old secrets start to unravel. . . It’s a gripping book that reminded me of Agatha Christie in the way that the mysteries of the past were revealed and also of Daphne Du Maurier in the sense of menace and the stunning evocations of the Cornish landscape. If you enjoy the writing of Kate Morton and Susanna Kearsley, this could be a good one for you!

 

Also, because it’s impossible to escape Royal Wedding fever at the moment and because I’m partial to a royal romance, I picked up Marrying The Rebel Prince by Janet Gover. I loved the romance between the gorgeous Prince Nicolas Verbier d’Arennes and no-nonsense artist Lauren, who arrives to paint his portrait and in the process teaches him a very different way of looking at life. It’s cute and funny and poignant, and very romantic. So now I’ve finished it I need another royal fix and I’m picking up Not Your Cinderella by Kate Johnson, which looks like another winner!

 

 

Mary Jo

Here's a non-fiction read: Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Gretchen Rubin.  Rubin is an American, a graduate of Yale Law School and a professor there.

In the lively introduction, Rubin explained how she came to be fascinated by Churchill only to be overwhelmed by the staggering number of books about him.  She said there were about 650 bios, some of them multi-volume.  He was a towering figure of the twentieth century and lived a very eventful life.  (An understatement!)  He was born 9 years after the end of the American Civil War (1874), and died the year Malcolm X was assassinated.  I'm something of a Churchill buff myself, but 650 bios? No way!

Rubin cautiously started sampling them, made a lucky choice of her first (Churchill's own memoir My Early Life), and then read more.  And more.  And was baffled by the vastly contradictory views of him, and how much his biographers selected the facts of his life that fit their views of him as well as sometimes over-interpreting material. 

She was also struck by how these writers could look at the same facts and reach completely different conclusions.  Was he a military genius or a bungling amateur?  A champion of liberty or a reactionary imperialist?  And so on.

And what makes Churchill so fascinating is that all of these things were true.  A very complicated and exhausting man.  Which is why Gretchen Rubin decided to write her own biography in which she would present the many contradictory facts and observations, usually in the same chapter.  Most of his biographers were male, British, and their lives overlapped his.  As a woman and an American who was born after Churchill's death, she gives a fresh perspective that seems very balanced to me. 

It's also great fun to read and gives a full-bodied portrait of an amazing, and amazingly complicated man. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to know more about Winston Churchill without being buried under the weight of 650+ biographies!

On the fiction side, I really enjoyed Beth Anne Miller's New Adult Novel, Under a Storm-Swept Sky.  The heroine, Amelia, is a non-athlete raised in flat Long Island, and in a private pledge to the universe, she has vowed to hike the Skye Trail on the very mountainous Scottish island of Skye--even if kills her, which it might!  The challenge is even harder because of tormented guide Rory, who is haunted by his past.  Miller creates a vivid sense of hiking in Skye, and the romance is intense and satisfying.  Wonderful for all lovers of Scotland--but I'll let others do the actual hiking! 

 

 

Anne

As usual I've read and enjoyed a mix of genres; fantasy, historical romance and contemporary.  First up was Roadsouls, a fantasy by Betsy James . “Say yes to the Roadsouls, and you can’t unsay it.” The roadsouls are a kind of gypsy troupe, with magical elements. From the publisher's blurb: "Timid Duuni has spent her life as abused and guarded property. Blind, arrogant Raím is determined to be again what he once was: hunter, lover, young lord of the earth. Desperate to escape their lives, the two lift up their hands to the passing Roadsoul caravan—and nothing is as it was. Lost to their old lives, hating each other, they are swept out of their cruel old certainties into an unknown, unknowable, ever-changing world of journey and carnival, artists and wrestlers and thieves."

Next and also in the fantasy genre came Sebastien de Castell - Traitor's Blade (The Greatcoats, Book 1).

I'm halfway through this swashbuckling series, about the aftermath of a short period of good rule, and the once-heroic, now scorned "greatcoat" brotherhood, struggling to restore order in a kingdom rife with greed and corruption. A good read (though I do confess I skip a lot of the fight descriptions.)

And then onto romance — I read Eloisa James's Wilde in Love and  enjoyed it very much.  I also had the happy discovery of finding Emily Larkin's Ruining Miss Wrotham lurking unread in my kindle, and immediately devoured it (the story, not my kindle.) Ruining Miss Wrotham is part of the delightful "Baleful Godmother" series. Don't let the element of magic put you off here -- Emily writes about the Regency era with a deft touch, good research, and lively characterization. I interviewed Emily about the first book in the series here. 

 

And since Nicola introduced the topic of Royal Weddings, I'm about to begin my umpteenth reread of my very favorite royal wedding story, To Marry A Prince, by Sophie Weston. 

 

Andrea/Cara

This month I’ve been immersed in historical mysteries, enjoying the latest books of C. S. Harris and Charles Finch, two of my favorite authors in the genre.

 Why Kill the Innocent, C. S, Harris’s newest installment in her Sebastian St. Cyr series, is another meticulously plotted unraveling of a puzzling murder. This one involves the Prince Regent and the pressures he’s putting on Princess Charlotte to make a political marriage. As the two protagonists, Sebastian and his wife Hero, begin to untangle the twisted threads of self-interest and which factions within the highest circles of Society factions are trying to outwit the others, they find a serpent’s nest of deceit and selfishness. It’s a fascinating—and chilling—look at how the young princess was used as a pawn, even by those closest to her. As usual, Harris creates wonderful ambiance and characters and an intriguing plot that keeps you reading into the wee hours.

 In The Woman in the Water, Charles Finch does a prequel to his popular Charles Lennox series, and show us Charles as a young man, freshly down from Oxford and going against the grain of family and friends by wanting to be a detective. I love Finch’s writing—it’s gentle and yet very perceptive. I sort-of think of him as a male Jane Austen as he describes a young man struggling to gain confidence and gravitas as he deals with his social world— and also solve a puzzling double murder. If you don’t yet know the series, I highly recommend it.

 

Susan 

 

I found a couple of standouts among the books I read this month. I always look forward to a new Sophie Kinsella, and the latest, Surprise Me, was worth the wait. I listened to this one, beautifully narrated by Fiona Hardingham, and found the story as surprising as its title. When Sylvie and Dan decide to spark up their marriage--they're a young couple with twins, but ten years in, their marriage and life, which seems nearly perfect on the surface, is getting a bit predictable. Sylvie suggests trying a few surprises. As they embark on a plan, things go awry with one calamity and unexpected development after another. At first, the story veers off into little predictability too, but Kinsella knows her stuff -- it quickly deepens from romantic comedy to an insightful, heartfelt exploration of love, loyalty, trust, and acceptance. 

And I loved it. 

 

Thanks to a Wench recommendation last year, I read and totally loved Sophia Bennett's Love Story, so recently I read The Castle. Bennett creates a YA adventure with wonderful characters and a fast pace. British teen Peta Jones still mourns her father, lost in military action in the Middle East--but she's never accepted his death. When she gets a series of mysterious messages, she follows the trail straight into a dangerous international situation that becomes part mystery and part spy novel. Whisked off to a mysterious island, over her head in intrigue, Peta must find her courage, learning fast what to do--and what not to do--to save herself and others. A ripping YA tale with a spirited heroine, the story also touches on key issues of equity and human rights. Well done and highly recommended! 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Quantum]

I'm a big Sophie Kinsella fan (except for the shopaholic books!) and have 'Surprise me' in my Audible wish list. Glad you rated Fiona Hardingham as a narrator, Susan . I haven't tried her yet so its good to have a recommendation.

I'm also a fan of female detective novels ... the ladies always have to struggle extra hard with the baddies and often have to strive for acceptance by mail colleagues. Feminine intuition is a big plus when detecting criminals, especially sexual predators, and Lynda La Plante's 'Prime Suspect' is a big favorite. I just finished her 'Tennison' audio books, where she develops the young Jane Tennison's career before becoming a DI. The audio books are highly recommended and Julie Teal does a very good job with narration.

[Beth Anne Miller]

Thank you, Mary Jo! I'm so glad you enjoyed UNDER A STORM-SWEPT SKY!!

[Quantum]

Having hiked many trails in the English lake district and admired the Black Cuillin of Sky from afar, this hike has been on my bucket list for a while. Alas I don't think my fitness will allow me there now so I will grab this opportunity to join Amelia from an arm chair ... thanks for the rec. Just downloaded the kindle version ... pity there is no audio.

[sharon]

I have been reading Encounters by Barbara Erskine (The Lady of Hay). It's a series of her short stories. I've like a lot of them, but not all as with any short story set. I really enjoy her books.

[Sue McCormick]

Two new novels: Andrea's "Murder on Black Swan Lane" (along with rereading it's predecessor) and Carla Neggar's "River House (along with a reread of It's predecessor).

Otherwise, I'm still alternating rereads in the Stephanie Lauren's Cynster universe and various Mercedes Lackey universes.

All have been enjoyable.

[Janga]

Pat, I have adored Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity books since I first read Aunt Dimity's Death back in the early 1990s. I think the upcoming Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom will be the twenty-third book in the series. Few have the charm of the first three books, but they are all worth reading. Anne, EJ's second Wilde book, Too Wilde to Wed, is equally a joy to read. I'm already counting the days to the release of Born to Be Wilde.

I have had more reading time than usual this month due to surgery and recovery, so I have read a dozen or more ARCs. Among the most memorable were Cottage by the Sea, Debbie Macomber at her best; The Christmas Sisters, Sarah Morgan’s second foray into women’s fiction; and When a Duke Loves a Woman, Lorraine Heath’s pairing of a tavern owner and a duke that was difficult enough to make me willing to suspend disbelief. I loved all three. Since April is National Poetry Month, I’ve been reading more poetry than usual, most recently Naomi Shihab Nye’s Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners. One particular delight in this collection is that one of Nye’s poems consists of bits of “gossip” about various writers. She begins with a bit about Robert Bly, American poet and translator and father of Eloisa James. Thus, two genres that fill me with joy are linked. I also read a small, lovely book for children—The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, who wrote the Sarah, Plain and Tall books. Teddy is a dog recued by the poet Sylvan. After Sylvan’s death, Teddy rescues two children lost in a snowstorm. Only poets and children can hear Teddy speak. This is one I expect to reread many times. As part of my research for a freelance assignment on the written word in the Medieval Age, I am reading a fascinating book by Alison I. Beach called Women as Scribes: Book Production and Monastic Reform in Twelfth-Century Bavaria about the role women played in the intellectual revival of the Middle Ages. Variety is indeed the spice of my reading life.

[Mary T]

Loved MARRY IN SCANDAL by Anne Gracie. This is Lily's story - the second in the marriage of convenience series. The hard part about reading a series as they are being written is having to wait for the next one to be released. You are all set to move on to the next one and it's not there yet. Not sure if it will be Rose or George's story, but I'm looking forward to it.

I decided to go through my kindle and read some of the books that I downloaded but hadn't read. Most of the ones I have read so far are quite unremarkable. I'm thinking they were probably free.

However, one I did enjoy was A WINTER SCANDAL by Candace Camp. Our heroine, who lives with her brother, the vicar, is decorating the church for Christmas, when she finds a live baby in the manger. She assumes the child belongs to a visiting Lord and storms off to confront him about it. Because of a brooch that was pinned to the child's clothing he assumes the baby belongs to his sister who has been missing. The rest of the story involves finding out who left the child and, of course, a love story develops.

[Kara]

I'm currently reading The Hathaway series (5 books in all) by Lisa Kleypas. I love the humor and the pathos.

[StephanieL]

Very little time has been spent on reading in April. Too much family drama but I DID finally get to read Lisa Wingate's Before We Were Yours (after being on the library waiting list for a century or so) and was just so touched. My sister is a house mom at a Christian orphanage and it just made me want to hug her a little tighter. All those babies...just ugh. Anyway. Other than that I've only managed to nibble Jane Austen fan fictions as I go. Leenie Brown is always my favorite. So glad for this post, I see a few I need to add to my list! Thanks Wenches!

[Susan King]

Quantum, Fiona Hardingham is an excellent narrator, and she's truly one of my favorites. She does a fantastic job with Surprise Me, well worth the listening!

[Anne Gracie]

I love the Sophie Kinsella non-shopaholic books, too and read Surprise me when it first came out. It was a slow start for me, but I soon got caught up in it and loved it by the end.

I agree with you about the importance of getting a good audio-narrator. It's not always something an author is consulted about, though.

[Anne Gracie]

Oh Sue, you've reminded me — it's ages since I've read a Mercedes Lackey. I must go hunt up her most recent books.

[Anne Gracie]

Wow Janga, what a great and varied reading collection. I have Too Wilde to Wed preordered on my kindle. My house is collapsing under the weight of books so I'm buying almost all e-books now.
I hope you're recovering well from your operation.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary, I'm delighted you enjoyed Marry In Scandal — thank you! Rose's story is the next one — I'm beavering away on it now.

[Janice]

In April I too read MARRY IN HASTE, and I thought it was a good time read, or, sweet but not sticky ;)

I checked out a bunch of vintage regencies for review, but out of a dozen or so, I could only finish one (our self-made rules include that you have to finish the book and you may not review a book just to bang it because you couldn't finish it). I find these days I am liking Mira Stables and Sylvia Thorpe because they get to the point and their heroes act like real men.

The best non-genre book I read was THE HOLY THIEF by William Ryan, a mystery set in 1936 Russia at the beginning of the Stalinist purges, also concerning the State's attempt to stamp out religion.

DRAGON TEETH by Michael Crichton was a fun read: a western with dinosaur bones. The hero is fictional but the professional rivalries of gunfighters and paleontologists are historical. I read GOOD OMENS by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman all the way through because it's a forthcoming miniseries; I had read some of it back in the day and I see where I gave up. This time around I did find it amusing enough to stick with to the end.

I reread A HERO OF FRANCE by Alan Furst, set in Paris the year after the Nazi occupation began, in which 'Mathieu' and his group help smuggle downed RAF pilots into (relative) safety in Spain. Furst is really good at creating the atmosphere and the mindset of that era, but with a touch of movie madness here and there.

Now reading THE WHITE GHOST, #10 in the Billy Boyle WW2 series by James R. Benn, in which Billy goes up against the Kennedy family.
As always I read bits and pieces of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer at odd moments.

[Patricia Rice]

Whew, typepad kept me out all morning while all these wonderful comments zipped by my screen. Not being able to respond is frustrating!

I'm so sorry you needed surgery but thrilled to have your recommendations! I have the first Wilde book in my ereader and haven't got to it yet, so I'm behind already! Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your favs.

[Patricia Rice]

Aren't Anne's books pure delight! And I've not seen this one of Candace's, so I need to hunt it down. It sounds like it's just up my alley, thanks.

[Patricia Rice]

Lisa is brilliant at extracting emotion, isn't she?

[Patricia Rice]

glad to add to your TBR pile and hope you have time to get to it soon. Your recommendation sounds wonderful, so we need more!

[Patricia Rice]

A reader after my own tastes! I had problem with Good Omens initially too. Must go back and re-read. I haven't read Crichton in a long while but this sounds great, thank you!

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Janice -- I do like that description: " sweet but not sticky ;)"
LOL

[Kareni]

Books read in April ~

— I finished T. Hammond’s Team Red series which I began in March. The first volume is currently free to Kindle readers at https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Seduction-Team-Red-Book-ebook/dp/B00C8UB0JK/ref=la_B00BS93JK0_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523067552&sr=1-1&refinements=p_82%3AB00BS93JK0
— How to Stop Time by Matt Haig – This an enjoyable novel about a man who ages incredibly slowly. When the story begins he looks about forty but is over five hundred years old. The story raises some interesting questions about life and more.
— A Country Christmas by Josi Kilpack, Carla Kelly, and Jennifer Moore. I was interested in reading this collection of historical romance novellas because it contained a work by a favorite author, Carla Kelly. I much enjoyed Kelly’s The Christmas Angle (no, that is not a spelling error) and look forward to her forthcoming book which will continue the story of these two characters. The other two stories left me untouched.

— The Last Wolf (The Legend of All Wolves) by Maria Vale. It took me a while to get caught up in the story, but I ultimately enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the author’s next book set in this world. The Last Wolf reminds me a bit of Anne Bishop’s The Others, but I can’t quite figure out why.
— Melissa F. Olson’s Blood Gamble (Disrupted Magic Book 2) which I enjoyed. I’d recommend that this series be read in order. In fact, it would be best to start with the author’s earlier series since a number of the characters reappear.
— re-read Sheri Cobb South’s For Deader or Worse and the short story, Finders Weepers. Read for the first time, Mystery Loves Company. I enjoyed them all.

— The Bones Bundle by Kim Fielding which includes three novels and a story. Kim Fielding is a favorite author of mine, and I enjoyed all of these male/male romances.
— Taproot: A Story about a Gardener and a Ghost by Keezy Young; this graphic novel was a pleasant read
— Some Kind of Magic (Being(s) in Love Book 1) by R. Cooper is a paranormal male/male romance between a werewolf and half human/half fairy and was another pleasant read.
— for my book group, Orhan’s Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian. I found this to be a very quick read though it dealt with a heavy subject, namely the Armenian genocide that took place about a hundred years ago. While I found the story poignant, I didn’t feel touched by it.
— re-read with pleasure Lord of the Fading Lands (The Tairen Soul Book 1) by C. L. Wilson; this is a fantasy with an element of romance.

— the historical mystery What Angels Fear: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery by C. S. Harris; I enjoyed it. I suspect I’ll read on in the series at some point.
— re-read two wonderful romances by Kim Fielding, a favorite author: The Tin Box and Rattlesnake. The Tin Box in particular is poignant in that one of its storylines deals with a homosexual incarcerated in an insane asylum at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the US.
— N.R. Walker’s Taxes and TARDIS which was an enjoyable contemporary male/male romance
— E.J. Russell’s The Artist’s Touch (Art Medium Book 1), a somewhat spooky male/male romance.
— The Nerd’s Pocket Pets by D.R. Grady; a pleasant romance though one must be willing to suspend disbelief. Amazon has it classified as a Clean and Wholesome romance; I’d agree.

Plus a few books that aren't worth mentioning.

[Vicki L.]

Early in the month I started my reading with a "snack" as my sister Cyn referred to it - The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye. It is a fun fairy tale with lovely illustrations. I found it at the library book sale and gobbled it down very quickly.

Then I reread Give him the Slip by Geralyn Dawson (aka Emily March; book retitled as Luke.) I enjoyed it a second time. Romance with a touch of who dun it murder in it.

Victoria Alexander - Desires of a Perfect Lady. A very fun Regency. Left a happy smile on my face (and apparently on my 2nd sisters face as well because she drew a smiley face on the PostIt on the book.)

Suzanne Enoch - My One True Highlander was a really enjoyable book as well. Scotland always is a wonderful background for a book.

While I was on my cowboy/western romance kick I reread Cowboy Boots for Christmas by Carolyn Brown. She is kind of a hit or miss author for me. That one I like, a different one I read by her last week was a big miss for me.

While in my SciFi/Fantasy mood, I was inspired to reread Restore by Anne McCaffrey. That is one of my favorite books she wrote.

There were a variety of other books but I can't find my notes. A number of bleahs, Oh well's and so so's. As well as a couple of WHAT? DNF's. (I am getting more ruthless about giving up if a book doesn't do it for me.)

Sadly I had one truly regrettable book (that I had greatly anticipated) where the characters in the series finale turned stupid, wussy, and pitiful. Even worse, the main female character frequently acted like a 2-yr old. She wasn't like that in the other 3 books!! Sigh.. At the moment I'm not sure if it was me or the book. Maybe I'll ask my two sister's to read it and tell me what they think.

[Maryellen Webber]

I just finished Marry In Scandal and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I really enjoyed it. I also finished A Duke In The Night by Kelly Bowen. It's strange that the title really has nothing to do with the story.
I love Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity series. It's the perfect escape from reality!! My next book TBR is A Rogue Of Her Own by Grace Burrowes.

[Anne Gracie]

As always, a feast of reading, Kareni. I love that C. L. Wilson series, too. Might be time for a reread for me -- except that the latest Mary Balogh has dropped into my in-box.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, maryellen -- I'm so pleased you enjoyed Marry In Scandal. I've been reading Grace Burrowes too — I'm going to be meeting her in person in August when she's coming to Australia, so that'll be fun.

[Andrea Penrose]

I've been meaning to try the "Prime Suspect" biiks, Quantum, so glad to hear you like them. Up they go on the TBR pile.

[Andrea Penrose]

So glad you are enjoying Wrexford and Sloane, Sue!

I need to try the Mercedes Lackey books!

[Andrea Penrose]

Sending big hugs, Janga. I'm sending big hugs—hope you're back on your feet again really quickly!

And as always, such an interesting and impressive list. (Madly scribbling notes!)

[Andrea Penrose]

No surprise that you love Anne's new book. She writes such lovely, rich characters, doesn't she?

[Andrea Penrose]

Always glad to recommend books!

May the life-life dramas calm down for you.

[Andrea Penrose]

A wonderful list, Janice. Dragon Teeth sounds fun, and I've been meaning to try the Billy Boyle books. They sound very interesting.

[Andrea Penrose]

Wow, Kareni—quite a selection! I see much to add to my TBR list. I've been hearing aout How To Stop Time, and plan to give it a try.

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, sigh. It's always disappointing when a series falls flat. It can happen . . . maybe the author had some personal distractions. (I like to give the benefit of the doubt!)

[StephanieL]

Leenie Brown writes JAFF and her style is low angst and really good story writing and I find it to be the perfect thing for a bit of escape when life is making me bald. http://www.leeniebrown.com/books/ The Choices Series and The Dash of Darcy collection are favorites for those days. I love all her books though so it's impossible to choose. LOL If you're looking for high drama...not here. She is a firm believer in "letting other pens dwell on guilt and misery" :-)

[Patricia Rice]

at some point, we have to be ruthless. I do try to go back and re-read a DNF just in case it was my mood at the time. Sometimes it works better later.

[Patricia Rice]

I've only read a couple of books into the Dimity series but they're so pleasant and relaxing that I save them for times of stress. And isn't Grace fabulous? Anne, you'll enjoy meeting her.

[Annette N]

I am in the midst of a book of short stories- Blood On The Tracks. Each story is a British mystery by authors like Dorothy Sayers. Many of the authors are writers I did not know, but each one is terrific.

Every mystery involves a train. The book is edited by Martin Edwards. The man has the most wonderful job. He finds vintage mysteries and gets them republished so people like me can swoon.

[Patricia Rice]

that does sound interesting! must go check it out, thanks!

Patricia Rice
http://patriciarice.com

[Karin]

I also read "Marry in Scandal" and I loved it! Lily was a sweetheart.
Some of my other reads this month:
"Ice Blue" by Emma Jameson. This is a British police procedural which also has the beginnings of a May-December romance, so I am looking forward to reading the next 2 books in the series.
I read 2 very good old Regencies, "The Mock Marriage" by Dorothy Mack, and "His Lordship's Swan" by Martha Kirkland. I somehow missed Kirkland when I was reading Signet Regencies back in the day, so this one was a happy surprise. The book was absolutely charming.
I have also been trying to catch up on my New Yorker magazines which are piling up! Yesterday I read a great essay piece, which I hope non-subscribers will also be able to access: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/07/cairo-a-type-of-love-story?mbid=nl_Magazine%20Daily%20043018&CNDID=18492539&spMailingID=13414989&spUserID=MTMzMTc5Njg2OTkzS0&spJobID=1382642936&spReportId=MTM4MjY0MjkzNgS2
It's about a journalist couple from the States who are living and working in Egypt through the Arab Spring and the turbulence and Revolution of the following 6 years, but it's framed through their experiences of raising their twin baby daughters and an Egyptian Mau cat which they adopted to keep rodents out of the apartment. Impossible to describe, but a really funny and delightful read, especially for cat lovers.

[Kareni]

I read the Emma Jameson series recently. I found books two and three a tad silly but continued on nonetheless. I've finished through book five now and will happily continue on.

[Patricia Rice]

I am officially impressed! I have never had time to keep up with the New Yorker! And Mack and Kirkland are two fabulous authors, glad you found them.

Patricia Rice
http://patriciarice.com

[Teresa Broderick]

I really enjoy these posts as I always find something new to read. I've earmarked The Stranger which sounds like a book I'd enjoy and Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill. I'm a big fan of Churchill and yes I do get overwhelmed by all the books about him.
I'll probably take some time to read these as my mother died last week and was cremated on Monday. I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment. Reading this blog and the others I follow are helping to give me a bit of respite at a bad time.

[Patricia Rice]

Oh, Teresa, Im so sorry for your loss! There has to be a huge empty place in your life right now. Reach out where you can to help fill it until you find your balance again.

Im glad youre enjoying these posts. Theyre a big dangerous to the pocketbook. The wenches all end up spending a lot the day we put this together!

Patricia Rice
http://patriciarice.com

[Andrea Penrose]

The Emma Jameson books sound very interesting—with Kareni's caveats in mind.

And I'm behind the the NYer articles too. This one sounds wonderful. But then, they have so much good writing! It's always a pleasure to dive into an issue.

[Andrea Penrose]

Oh, Teresa, I'm so, so sorry for your loss.It's beyond hard to lose a parent. Please know that all of the Wenches are sending hugs and love.

I know I found books to be a respite from the first shock of grief when my Mom died, so I hope they will a small source of solace for you, too.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Beth, it was a great read! My pleasure to mention it here.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Teresa, I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss--the world changes when one loses a parent. You're always a welcome guest here, and we all know how wonderful books can be at helping us through difficult times. Virtual hug coming your way--

Mary Jo

[Teresa Broderick]

You are all so much more than kind and I appreciate all your kind words. Reading this blog and following my friends on GoodReads is really helping. I can't concentrate enough at the moment to read but hoping it comes back to me soon as books have always been a solace to me too.

[Patricia Rice]

Hugs. These things take time. Be good to yourself.

Patricia Rice
http://patriciarice.com

[Kareni]

Teresa, my sympathies on the death of your mother. I hope that your reading mojo will soon return and give you comfort.

[Janice]

Hugs, Teresa. Been there, think I understand. I don't know why it is, but reading trad regencies seemed to help me at the time. It was escape, it was comfort, it was a kind of certainty. Also I had a close friend I could talk to - maybe that helped me most of all. You will be okay. Your mom would want you to be okay, so you will.