BW13: Sunday's Book Babble - Clio, Daughter of Mnemosyne

Clio, Muse of History

It's book week 13 in our 52 Books quest and this week is all about the daughter of Mnemosyne, Clio, the muse of history. 

I finished reading Thea Harrison's Elder Races series, (except for the novella's) which I thoroughly enjoyed and want to read again.  The setting reminds me of the Guild Hunter series in which the main setting is New York and they live in a high tower, but there aren't any angels involved.  Dragons, Gryphons, Elves, and Vampyres sets it apart. 

1. Dragon Bound 
2. Storm's Heart
3. Serpents Kiss 
4. Oracle's Moon
5. Lord's Fall
6. The Wicked
7. Kinked
8. Night's Honour 
9. Midnight's Kiss 
10. Shadow's End 

For my historical fiction read this week, I dove into The Duke and I, the first Bridgerton story and thoroughly enjoying it. Will probably continue to read the series. Also watched the first episode of Bridgerton on Netflix which is equally good. 

Took a break from Monte Cristo and will get back into this week. 

BW12: Sunday's Book Babble - A prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

Butterfly Princess by Josephine Walls

 It's book week 12 in our 52 Books Quest and Today is World Poetry Day.  One of my favorite poets is Robert Frost. 

A Prayer In Spring

 By

Robert Frost

(March 26, 1874)

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

 Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

 For this is love and nothing else is love,

To which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends he will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.

*********

Books in progress are Count of Monte Cristo, continuing Thea Harrison's Elder series and currently on Night's Honor, and started a sci fi space opera Ancestral Night (#1 White space) by Elizabeth Bear.  

BW11: Sunday's Book Babble - Darn clock jumped forward

 

It's week 11 in our 52 Books Quest and those darn clocks jumped ahead again leaving me feeling a bit forlorn and bedraggled with the loss of that extra hour. However, there's plenty to look forward to with Tea for Two Tuesday, the wearing of the green on St. Patrick's day, and the beautiful blossoming blooms of Spring arriving on the March Equinox.

Last week I  finished The Peculiar Pink Toes of Lady Flora by Jayne Fresina, a historical with a little bit of supernatural thrown in. It's as unique as Lady Flora, heartwarming, as well as amusing, and will leave one guessing in the end whether there will be a HEA.  

Last night I  finished the 2nd book in Thea Harrison's Elder Races series, Storm Heart which was quite good and made me want to go back and read the first book again.

"During the rule of her murderous Dark Fae uncle, Thistle "Tricks" Periwinkle found sanctuary among the Wyr in New York. Her ethereal beauty and sparkling personality won the hearts of the public, but after her uncle's death, there are those who don't want to see her ascend to the throne.

Able to wield thunder and lightning, Wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the Wyr's best weapons. And he's sent to protect Tricks when she's almost assassinated in Chicago.

Soon, both Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them—a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds"

Continuing with # 3 Serpent's Kiss

BW10: Sunday's Book Babble's - 52 Books Bingo Cunning Capers

 

It's week 10 in our 52 Books Quest and the next category in 52 Bingo is Cunning Capers.  In the mood for a sting, a heist, a hold up, perhaps a little breaking and entering and a five fingered discount? Perhaps a cozy mystery that is clever and adventurous, maybe humorous or audacious. 

There seems to be a number of ways to go - with an ensemble cast, a bungling burglar, a devious dog or even a rat, or cat, or two.  Throw in a bank heists, train robberies, book swindling, or perhaps a supernatural, magical or real life event and settle in for the ride.  Oh the drama of it all.  *grin*

 My cunning caper read just coincidently turned out to be the book I just finished - Nora Roberts Three Fates which was supposed to be a reread but I think it was a used book I bought that got lost in the shelves and forgotten and I thought I had read it because I didn't remember a thing about it.  Hee hee!  With the sinking of the Lusitania, a thief, lose, grief, connections, and of course love, Roberts spins an Interesting story with twist and turns about the three silver statues the three fates and how they were stolen, lost, then stolen again. 

Also finished Tea with the Black Dragon which was somewhat convoluted and things that seemed simple were not.

"Martha Macnamara is called west to San Francisco by a message from her daughter Elizabeth, a computer programmer. When she arrives, however, Elizabeth has disappeared. Mayland Long, an Asian gentleman who is skilled in both human and computer languages — and who may be a transformed 2,000-year-old Chinese dragon —aids Martha in her search for her daughter. As they search for clues to Elizabeth's disappearance, they discover hints that Elizabeth is involved in a dangerous crime."

Bookish notes - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

 

I'm completely enamoured with V.E. Scwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.  Having a hard time putting it down.  Started reading it yesterday and for the first time in a long while, took the book to bed until 1:30 or so.   😁  Good thing I have the day off.  Back to reading this morning all the way through lunch time. Taking a break to get things done.  

"France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name."

 Finished Pratchett's The Colour of Magic which was really good and weird to say the least. The blurb was right. Where ever Rincewind went, chaos followed. How often can you say the character of Death is amusing.  

BW9: Sunday's Book Babble - Fictional librarian for March is Dr. Horace Worblehat

 

It's book week 9 in our 52 Books quest and March's fictional librarian is Dr. Horace Worblehat from Terry Pratchett's Discworld 

Reads in progress: The Count of Monte Cristo and learning a few new words.  Pratchett's The Colour of Magic which is weirdish but kind of reminds of Xanth series and having to learn a whole new world and cast of characters.   Karen Marie Moning's Kingdom of Shadow and Light which is very good and putting everyone to the test. 

Bookish Notes - Karen Marie Moning's Kingdom of Shadow and Light

 

I'm currently reading Karen Marie Moning's 11th and final book in her Fever series - Kingdom of Shadow and Light. Completed my speed read and now going back to savor and absorb.  The final book is all the more poignant because Moning reveals she had been battling a chronic illness which left her unable to write for a couple years which is why it took so long for this book to come out. 

"From the moment MacKayla Lane arrived in Dublin to hunt her sister’s murderer, she’s had to fight one dangerous battle after the next: to survive, to secure power, to keep her city safe, to protect the people she loves.

The matter of who’s good and who’s evil can be decided by the answer to a single question: Whose side are you on?

Now, as High Queen of the Fae, Mac faces her greatest challenge yet: ruling the very race she was born to hunt and kill - a race that wants her dead yesterday, so they can put a pure-blooded Fae queen on the throne."