The periwinkles in our garden came out for the end of April.
Viewing
Superb:
Blue Lights Season 2 BBC***** Police drama set in post-troubles Belfast.
And very good:
Traces season 2 bbc**** Could have done with a better recap of season 1 but otherwise good. Scottish crime drama based on novels by Val McDermid..
Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens bbc**** Interesting – and some of it nostalgic for me. I would perhaps have liked either fewer gardens or more concentration on one or two, perhaps in an extra programme.
Himalaya: Michael Palin bbc**** Explores in typical friendly detail all the countries that have parts of the mountain range within their borders. I now know exactly where Bhutan is…
The Cuckoo my5**** Gripping family drama, well produced and acted.
Dogs behaving very badly Ch5 **** We love this series which shows some dogs with weird behaviour but really concentrates on changing the behaviour of the owners.
Reading
Superb:
How Immigration Really Works by Hein de Haas***** Excellent book pulling together all the strands I was aware of but hadn’t really put into a coherent whole. Don’t suppose politicians will take any notice. (I bought this for my OH for Christmas.)
Fallen Splendour by Jackson Marsh***** Next in the Clearwater Mysteries. This time Silas’ sisters are in danger but so is Silas. Bitter Bloodline by Jackson Marsh***** More Victorian melodrama with mm slant. Henry Irving and Bram Stoker star as possible victims of a crime. Artful Deception***** More Victorian melodrama and Quill might now be in the past and at the bottom of a mine.
The Faerie’s Secret by Chloe Garner***** Worthy sequel to The Queen’s Chair. Stasia and friends escort the princess to the mountains. The Rogue’s Bargain***** is book 3 and there’s a first hint of slow burn romance which is welcome.
The Wine of Angels by Phil Rickman.***** Re-read. Following entire series again in conjunction with Merrily’s Border. Apples and cider in Herefordshire. Then on to Midwinter of the Spirit ***** Hereford Cathedral is under threat. What on earth were ITV thinking when they messed it about for TV?? Crown of Lights ***** Betty and Robin, practising pagans, buy an old farm with a ruined church. Witchcraft meets fundamentalism but there is also some criminal abuse. Cure of Souls ***** Merrily has two cases, one in a hop yard where Lol is staying and the other involving Amy, a girl from Jane’s school. The Lamp of the Wicked ***** One of the darker novels, based partially around the Wests in Gloucester.
Beware of Psychics by Holly Day***** (ARC) Box set of three stories (two short novels and a novella) based in a shifter/psychic world. I sent an in-depth rave review to PRG.
Liberty by Alexandra Caluen***** (ARC) reviewed for Scott. Really good ‘older main characters’ mm romance with a lot of excellent background detail on careers, hobbies, etc.
And an excellent fanfic:
Heartbreak Hill by Pale Rider ***** https://archiveofourown.org/works/54643969
Fandom: Hill Street Blues. MM romance (Bunz/LaRue) Extremely well written story with explicit sex that furthered both character and plot and was, for once, readable. An interesting exploration of an affair that started almost accidentally and opened one character’s eyes to his bisexuality and the other’s to his need for permanence. All set against the usual atmosphere and typical action of the show and the minor (for this story) characters. Recommended if you ever watched the show but one tip (from the writer) which certainly helped me, was to read the endnotes first for re-orientation.
And some other highly recommended books:
Criminal Past by Gregory Ashe**** Maybe slightly too violent even for this pair but very exciting – I woke up one morning wondering how on earth they would solve the problem.
Spring Rains by RJ Scott**** Nice to see how the main characters from previous books were doing. Lots of drama, both past and present as Chris and Noah get together.
Hand of Glory by Nazri Noor**** Another adventure for Jack and Xander but it’s still the fae who are invading, this time at the Greyhaven Gala. A strong subplot concerning a proposal and a choice of ring.
The Gargoyle and the Romance Writer by Chloe Archer**** (ARC) reviewed for Scott. Well structured and written sweet friends to lovers romance with selection of paranormals,
It must be clear from the above that I am currently working my way through a few highly recommended series and in the case of the Merrily Watkins books, for the second time.