Saturday, September 03, 2022

Weekly Mews: September Heat Wave (Be sure to vote in this month's TBR Poll!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 



How are you today? I had to take my daughter in for a blood test this morning (thank goodness the doctor requested it to be done stat because the wait would have been horrendous) and we followed it up with a visit to Barnes and Noble. That seems to be where we end up after every visit to the doctor's. We made it home before it got too hot outside. While we had a rather mild summer compared to past summers (high 90's instead of triple digit temperatures), this week we have been hit with a heat wave with temperatures over 100F. I think the hottest day this week was 107F. In my office building, however, it was sweater weather. Not that I am complaining. I am very grateful for the air conditioning.

I had not planned to stay away from blogging for so long, but life got in the way in more ways than one. It has been a rough several months, but things are looking up--or so I hope--and hopefully I can find my blogging (and reading) rhythm again soon.


Read Recently

Bait and Witch (Witch Way Librarian #1) by Angela M. Sanders was a fun paranormal cozy mystery and the book that gave me hope I was coming out of my reading slump. I should have picked up the next in the series, but instead decided to read Karen Heuler's The Splendid City, which I considered setting aside several times. I just was not enjoying it as much as I hoped I would. The ending was satisfying though, and so I am glad I stuck with it--mostly, anyway. After that I hemmed and hawed over what to read, nothing really catching my fancy. I finally decided to go with a couple of my favorite authors, husband and wife writing team, Ilona Andrews. I flew through Burn For Me, the first in their Hidden Legacy urban fantasy series.  

My husband, daughter and I are enjoying reading the manga series, Uncle From Another World by Hotondoshindeiru I am behind everyone else in house admittedly, but I am liking it so far. 


What did you recently finish reading?


Reading Now

At the moment, I am reading Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations #1) by B. B. Alston. I am not too far in, but it's so good already! I hope I can talk Mouse into reading it. I think she would enjoy it too. I am also reading White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews because why mess with a good reading streak? 


What are you reading right now? 

Up Next

I could use your help in choosing my next read! When I mentioned to my husband that I have found some relief to my reading slump by returning to old favorite authors of mine, he suggested this month's TBR List poll theme could include the next books in favorite series I have been neglecting. I thought that was a great idea--of course, narrowing it down to just three was next to impossible, but I tried! Which of these three books do you think I should read next? 


Etched in Bone
(Others #5) by Anne Bishop

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves…

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.
[Goodreads Summary]


Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante
(Maggie Hope Mysteries #5) by Susan Elia MacNeal

In this riveting mystery from Susan Elia MacNeal, England’s most daring spy, Maggie Hope, travels across the pond to America, where a looming scandal poses a grave threat to the White House and the Allied cause.

December 1941. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill arrives in Washington, D.C., along with special agent Maggie Hope. Posing as his typist, she is accompanying the prime minister as he meets with President Roosevelt to negotiate the United States’ entry into World War II. When one of the First Lady’s aides is mysteriously murdered, Maggie is quickly drawn into Mrs. Roosevelt’s inner circle—as ER herself is implicated in the crime. Maggie knows she must keep the investigation quiet, so she employs her unparalleled skills at code breaking and espionage to figure out who would target Mrs. Roosevelt, and why. What Maggie uncovers is a shocking conspiracy that could jeopardize American support for the war and leave the fate of the world hanging dangerously in the balance.
[Goodreads Summary]


The Dark Archive (The Invisible Library #7) by Genevieve Cogman

A professional spy for a mysterious Library which harvests fiction from different realities, Irene faces a series of assassination attempts that threaten to destroy her and everything she has worked for.

Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian's job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected. But when they both narrowly avoid getting killed in an assassination attempt, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left - especially when the assassins keep coming for them, and for Irene's other friends as well...

In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do best: search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever.
[Goodreads Summary]




Thank you for voting! What will you be reading next?

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 


What I Have Been Watching

My family and I have been putting on an episode of Star Trek: Discovery most evenings. We are well into the second season now. The show has a great cast, and although I am not an original Star Trek fan, it's been fun to pick out the Easter eggs that pop up now and then. We also are watching the latest Marvel series, She-Hulk. I loved Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black and was eager to see how she would do in her new role. I was a little leery after seeing the trailer for She-Hulk initially, but I think both my husband and I are enjoying the show more than we expected. I know not everyone appreciates it, but I like that all these Marvel shows are so different from one another in style and genre-mix. I talked my husband into watching the first episode of the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, and we plan to watch the next when it comes out. 

Since we are reading the manga series Uncle From Another World, we have also been watching the anime series. Anjin and Mouse are much more into anime than I am, but occasionally they tempt me. Mouse talked me into watching Demon Slayer with her last month. We just started the second season (which first came out as a movie but was broken up into episodes to create the series).  Mouse also introduced me recently to Fruits Basket, which I may have to watch more of. 

We ventured out to the movie theater for the first time in a couple or so years and saw DC League of Superpets at Mouse's request. I was kind of hoping she would pick Thor or Top Gun, but no such luck. The film turned out to be really cute though, and we all had a good time. I had forgotten how expensive going to the movies could be! 


What have you watched recently?


New to the Shelves

Mouse and I added more books to our bookshelves recently.  Let's take a look!


Mouse's Loot
Super Sons: The Foxglove Mission by Ridley Pearson
The Keeper of the Lost Cities: Exile (Volume 2) by Shannon Messenger
The Apothecary Diaries #3 by Natsu Hyuuga
The Haunted Studio (The Hayley Mysteries #1) by Hayley LeBlanc
Timo the Adventurer by Jonathan Garnier


My Loot
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Witches by Brenda Lozano
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill


Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations #1) by B. B. Alston
Signal Moon: A Short Story by Kate Quinn
Embers on the Wind by Lisa Williamson Rosenberg

What new books made it onto your shelf recently? 


I hope you have a great week and month of September! Let me know what you have been reading and watching!



© 2022, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

78 comments:

  1. You must be in Southern California as well. I definitely recognize our weather you were talking about. I enjoy the hot weather, but usually from the comfort of my AC. However, I never liked needing a sweater or jacket in my office. I am loving working from home because it means I can set the temperature to where I want it to be and be comfortable. No more leaving with my hands and feet like blocks of ice at the end of the day.

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    1. Mark - Those office ACs either work too well or not at all, in my experience. My side of the office stays pretty cool, but I had to set up a fan for one of my coworkers Friday because it was getting too warm on that side. Luckily we had a fan on the floor to use otherwise it would probably be days before we could get one in. I am looking forward to fall and the cooler weather.

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  2. Barnes and Noble is a good place t go after a doctor visit.

    I am liking She hulk so far. I loved Orphan Black!

    Have a nice LAbor Day!

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    1. Greg - It's nice to have something to look forward to after having to go to the doctor's. :-) I am glad you are enjoying She-Hulk too! I hope you have a nice weekend as well.

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  3. I picked up Signal Moon as well! Hope you find some more blogging and reading time.

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    1. Marg - Thank you. I hope we both enjoy Signal Moon. I look forward to reading it.

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  4. Welcome back Wendy, you've been missed and I'm glad life is getting back to some normalcy. Hope your daughters blood work is good. I'm happy September is here as summer wasn't one of my best either. Lots of good books stacked for fall reading. Participating in RIP Challenge once again and currently reading/listening to Shirley Jackson's, Dark Tales Collection - very good. Have a good week and good September.

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    1. Diane - Thank you. RIP has been on my mind this weekend. I won't be participating formally, but I imagine many of my planned reads would count if I did. I hope you have a great week and September too.

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  5. I like being able to treat myself after a Dr or dentist appointment too and Barnes & Noble is a great place to do that. Looks like you had a great haul this week. Have a wonderful week ahead!

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    1. Jodie - It makes doctor's and dentist's visits much more bearable, doesn't it? I hope you have a great week too.

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  6. Book Lovers is very popular. It was an enjoyable rom com for me.

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    1. Harvee - I think I was worn down by all the accolades Book Lovers has received. :-) Seriously though, it does sound like something I will enjoy. I am glad you liked it!

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  7. I'm sorry life has gotten in the way lately. Let's hope that reading one of these old favorite authors will be a kick-start.

    That heat! It must be a comfort to have a cold office.

    Book Lovers is a good idea. I'd also recommend Lessons in Chemistry if you haven't read it yet. Both of these kept me reading. I also just finished I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter and loved it.

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    1. Deb - Thank you. It's a work in progress. :-)

      It is nice to have a cool office on these hot days when it feels like an oven outside. Luckily the office wasn't so cold we had to resort to bundling up in blankets--we've had to do that before.

      I've heard good things about Lessons in Chemistry. Thank you for the recommendation. I am glad to hear you loved I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. I have that one on my TBR pile.

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  8. Sorry things have been so crazy lately, but glad you were able to get back into blogging!

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  9. I enjoyed the quick read Signal Moon and also Woman in the Library...a good mystery. Book Lovers is on my library request list - I might see it before the end of the year LOL. Thanks for the visit and it seems you might be finding your reading mojo again.....you have some interesting looking books here.
    Terrie@ Bookshelf Journeys

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    1. Terrie - I am glad you enjoyed Signal Moon and The Woman in the Library. I am looking forward to reading both. Hopefully we will both get to Book Lovers before the year is out. I am not great about getting to books I purchase right away. Thanks for visiting!

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  10. Ughh, I hope it cools off for you soon.
    My eldest son is all about anime, but it’s not my thing at all.
    I loved Book Lovers, I hope you do too. The Woman in the Library is also an interesting read.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - Thank you. I hope so too! We're staying inside as much as possible to stay cool. I am glad to hear you enjoyed Book Lovers. I look forward to reading it! I hope you have a great reading week too!

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  11. You have a great book haul, I hope you enjoy them all. Wow, those are some hot temperatures, I hope it cools off soon for you. Have a great week!

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  12. I am sorry to hear you've had a rough few months and hope things are getting better. Especially I hope your daughter is doing ok. Santa Barbara's heat wave isn't as bad as your's further south, but it's bene in the mid to upper 80s, unusual for us. Have a great week!

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    1. Helen - Thank you. Hopefully the blood tests will turn out okay. I am glad you aren't getting the heat that we are down here. Hopefully you won't. I hope you have a great week too!

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  13. Some great looking books there. I hope that things get better. Glad that your reading and blogging is getting back. I hope the heatwave ends soon.

    Have a good week next week.

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/04/sunday-post-47/

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    1. Emily - Thank you. I hope so too! I hope you have a good week as well.

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  14. It's easy for things to get out of hand. I love the Hidden Legacy series and need to read each one as soon as I could get my hands on it. I also love The Others by Anne Bishop and the library series by Genevieve Cogman. So you are reading the good stuff! I hope it cools down there soon, and here too.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - We can't go wrong with favorites! I am enjoying the Hidden Legacy series and am glad I am finally getting around to reading it.

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  15. Sorry you're having a heat wave this month, too. 107 is awful! We've been setting records here in Salt Lake with temps of 103. Ugh. I so want some cooler fall weather soon. Sorry things have been so hectic and rough for you. Hopefully this month will be less stressful and better. :)

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    1. Lark - I hope we see some cooler fall weather soon too. I am easing into September and so far so good. Hopefully it will be a good month. I am cautiously optimistic.

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  16. I picked Etched in Bone because I've seen good things about that one even though I've never read it.

    Sorry to hear you have had some rough times. Hopefully things get better and the heat cools down a bit too.

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    1. Mary - Thank you for voting! I loved the first few books in the Others series and am not sure why I haven't read Etched in Bone yet. Thank you for your kind words. You've had a hot and wet summer. Were you impacted by the flooding? I feel like I'm so out of the loop being away from blogging for awhile. Stay cool!

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    2. We had some flooding where I'm at a couple of times. Probably more rain last month than the last couple of years honestly. Since we have a drought going on, I won't complain about the rain.

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    3. Too much rain at once can be detrimental, but I know what you mean--we really need the rain here too. We're supposed to get some this weekend. I sure hope so!

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  17. I'm sorry to hear that it's been a rough couple of months. I hope, like you said, that things are looking up. I'm glad you're blogging again and hope to see more posts. I also hope your daughter's health isn't too serious.

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Jenni Elyse - I sure hope so. I could use a light at the end of this tunnel. And thank you!

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  18. Blimey - that aircon sounds seriously icy! I hope Mouse's blood tests come back okay - books are always ideal for coping with such hurdles... And I love how you take part with her reading, too:). I voted for the Ann Bishop series as I've read the first four and really enjoyed them. I hope you have a good week, Wendy.

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    1. Sarah - At least it wasn't cold enough to break out the blankets like it has in the past. I hope the results will be okay as well. Mouse and I don't read together as often as we used to, sadly, but I like that we share an interest in some of the same books and are able to discuss them. Thank you for voting! I hope you have a good week too.

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  19. I hope that things getter better!
    Bait and Witch is on my list - really looking forward to it.
    Take care!

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    1. Sara - Thank you! I hope you enjoy Bait and Witch when you read it. I loved it.

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  20. Hi Wendy, glad to see you back. Wow 107 is hot! My office is the same, its sweater weather while I'm there. Enjoy the manga reading, how nice your husband also reads with you guys. And Barnes and Nobles after the doctor sounds like a great treat. Stay well.

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    1. Naida - Thank you. It's kind of funny how it works that way--sweater weather inside and summer weather outside this time of year. It never fails. I'm back working from home this coming week, thankfully. It's like we have a family manga book club. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  21. So nice to see you blogging again. I thought our heat was bad, but yours is much worse. I have Bait and Witch. It looks really good. I hope you enjoy your books. Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - Thank you. It's good to be back. I hope you have been having a good week!

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  22. Demon Slayer is so fun! By the way, the second season is set in the red-light district - I don't know if you want to contextualise the setting for Mouse beforehand.

    I hope her blood results come back okay too!

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  23. Hope your weather cools down some, that would be too much for me. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Jamie - Thank you. It actually has cooled down some with the hurricane coming in on the coast. It's been bad for the fires in the county though. I am hoping we will see rain and not just the wind we've been getting.

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  24. I read Amari for a blog tour and it's a great book! My 23yo son is obsessed with Demon Slayer. He watches it over and over. lol

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    1. Carol - I am enjoying Alston's book. I keep seeing the second book in the stores and am tempted to pick it up. My daughter really likes Demon Slayer and insisted I should watch it.

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  25. It may rain a lot in the UK but at least we don't have such high temperatures to contend with! I had a really bad reading slump a couple of years ago and also found that re-reading some favourite books helped me out of it.

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    1. Louise - I often dream of living in a place where rain is more common. Why did I pick such an arid place to settle?! I am not much of a re-reader, but I luckily I have favorite authors I haven't read everything by so I know I can turn to them in times of need.

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  26. The Others series is an all-time favorite so I definitely vote for Etched in Bone. I love all those characters at the Lakeside Courtyard. :)

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    1. Tanya - I've loved all the books I've read in the series so far. I don't know why I haven't yet read Etched in Bone. Thank you for voting!

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  27. Life does manage to get in the way doesn't it? Hope all goes well with the results of the bloodwork and I think any visit to the doctor should be followed up with a trip to the bookstore! That's a great way to get over the anxiety of going to the doctor :) Wishing you more comfortable weather - we've had a very hot summer so I'm glad we're in September and hopefully more normal temperatures are coming. Hope it'll be a great September and excited to see you back blogging!

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    1. Iliana - Thank you. It's nice having the bookstore so close to the hospital. :-) I hope you have a great September too.

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  28. You got some great books! We've been having high temps, only in the 90s, but I'm ready for fall! Hope you enjoy your new books and have a great week!

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    1. Lisa - I can't wait until fall starts. We may get some much needed rain today. I sure hope so. I hope you are having a great week too!

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  29. I think a trip to the bookstore after a doctor's visit sounds perfect! I'm so sorry to hear that you've had a rough few months but am glad things are looking better. Enjoy your reading and hopefully things will cool off soon!

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  30. Wendy, so very happy to see a post from you and get a bit of a catch-up on what's going on in your life. I am sorry that the last few months have been rough. Will be thinking of you for sure. As to reading slumps, I've been in a bit of one myself. Our house renovations have begun and while that is wonderful in that they are progressing, it's hectic and annoying and just has to be endured. Ha!

    I did vote in your poll. We have not watched She-Hulk yet, but I think we've watched most of the other MARVEL adaptations. Didn't really like WANDAVISION much, but the others were OK. We haven't been to a movie in a theater since before Covid. Not sure we will go back. I was always a bit annoyed with people in the theater anyway. We have watched the first episode of the Rings of Power. Liked it and will continue with the series. Oh, and I read and loved THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY. Hope you do too. Take care friend!

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    1. Kay - Thank you. I can imagine how distracting the house renovations can be! I hope it goes well for you. There weren't too many people at the theater when we went fortunately. It was a nice outing for us. I am glad you enjoyed The Woman in the Library. I hope I will too! Thank you for voting and have a great weekend.

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  31. I can't resist a Barnes and Noble. They smell like books and food! My two favorite things. I hope September is good to you. :)

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    1. AJ - Yes, they are irresistible. My daughter would go every week if I would let her. I hope you have a good September too!

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  32. Lol about 100’s outside and sweater weather in the office. I feel your pain!

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    1. Jill - That seems to be the way it always works out. LOL

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  33. I came from a very cold Melbourne to rather pleasant Colombo because it is raining and hence the temperatures are manageable! Reading and reviewing has got delayed. I have not visited blogs and now trying to rectify this first.

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    1. Mystica - Going from cold to pleasant would be nice. :-) I hope things at home have calmed down politically.

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  34. Unseasonably warm here in the UK though thankfully nowhere near the temperatures you have been experiencing. I think its worse here as our houses are designed to keep the heat IN rather than cool.
    So many wonderful books, though that said I didn't have to think twice about what novel would get my vote ... I mean how can you compete against a book set in a mysterious library?

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    1. Felicity - I hope you are finding ways to stay comfortable and cool. When you don't live in an area where higher temperatures are the norm, it can be unbearable. Thank you for voting!

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  35. Welcome back, Wendy! Sure miss reading your posts. I hope the weather will get cooler over at your end. We've been getting more rains here despite it's not monsoon season yet. Hope you enjoy those books and I vote for Etched in Bone.

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    1. Melody - Thank you! It's starting to get cooler with the coming of a storm. Right now it's hot and humid and very windy. Thank you for voting.

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  36. Good to see you Wendy! Sometimes a break is exactly what is needed. I hope that life calms down for you. I loved Burn for Me so much and am happy to see that you moved right on to book 2. I picked The Dark Archive but was torn between that one and Etched in Bone. I hope that you have been having a great week!

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    1. Carole - Thank you! Burn for Me was really good and I enjoyed the rest of the trilogy. I'm taking a little break before diving into the next trilogy in the series.

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  37. Glad you're back on the blog. I hope things become more positive for you ahead. Happy reading .... and I hope the Vampire book might be good.

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  38. I've been seeing more of Amari lately, and I'm really curious about the book. I'll have to add it to my wishlist. Happy Reading!

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    1. Jennifer - I really enjoyed Amari and the Night Brothers and am looking forward to jumping into the second book sometime soon. Now I just need to talk my daughter into trying it! I hope you get a chance to read it.

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