The violets in our garden think it’s spring. The wind and rain from storm Kathleen are not so sure.

Viewing

Worth finding on the streaming services.

The Great Pottery Throwdown ch4***** I love the way we learn a lot about ceramics whilst cheering on the competitors.

Lost temples of Cambodia ch 4***** Fascinating. I knew, of course, about Angkor Wat but not the other temples.

Death in Paradise Season 13 bbc.**** Very formulaic but I enjoyed it. The finale was satisfying. However, I miss Marlon and am irritated by Dwayne.  

Reading

The excellent

Lovers at the Museum by Isabel Allende***** Intriguing and beautifully written short story about a couple found frolicking naked in the ‘Guggenheim in Bilbao overnight. An Amazon free read otherwise I might never have discovered it.

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N Holmberg ***** Whimbrel House Book 2. A lovely sequel to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. I like the deliberate dissonance between the manners and prudishness of the AU Victorian era and the mayhem of the magic and murder. I looked forward to book 3. Boy of Chaotic making.***** And it was equally exciting. Owein has a chance to regain his humanity.

Deviant Desire by Jackson Marsh***** First of the Clearwater Mysteries so the focus was Archie and Silas. Exciting and beautifully written as usual.  Twisted Tracks***** follows straight on. Excellent though I can’t say I quite understood the train sections. Unspeakable Acts***** follows with another thrilling story set mostly in the theatre. For reasons unknown I started with the Larkspur Mysteries which actually follow the Clearwater ones, so I was already aware of some of the characters and delighted to read their stories.

The Queen’s Chair by Chloe Garner***** Brilliant fantasy adventure with a fascinating heroine. Stasia, third and ‘spare’ daughter, moves with her father to a new country where she becomes an unofficial assistant to the queen. Will follow the series.

And the very good.

Outlaw Dragon by Steve Turner**** Good sequel to Rebel Dragon but some of the journeying got boring at times. So I read Heretic Dragon*** Still on their travels… and for much of the time the dragons were AWOL. Not sure I’ll continue.

An Iron Fist by Nazri Noor**** Nice story in the Arcane Hearts series. Maybe Jack will get the Artificers Guild going again. Dwarves and mines in Norway this time.  Followed by A Velvet Glove by Nazri Noor.*** This book was set largely in Xander’s old school, and there were too many gods, demons, etc. Not quite to my taste though I still like the main protagonists. 

Breadcrumbs by Kim Fielding**** Well written mm contemporary version of the Babes in the Wood story. Johnny and Zimri.

Stitches by Amanda Meuwissen**** and The Bard and the Fairy Prince***. Tales of the Gemstone Kingdoms 2 and 3.These were ARCs, reviewed in more depth for PRG.

.