Pandemic Procrastination

 Hi, my friends, 

While I’ve been reading about a book a day, I’ve been bad about posting my reviews. Not the best way to start a blog, is it? 

I’m resolving to do better, despite the tendency to feel tired and cruddy. It’s not COVID-19 (don’t worry). It’s the stuff that makes me high-risk instead. Also, migraines. Those who get them know what I mean. 

I’ve also been dealing with a mouse problem, which so grosses me out. I was away for over a month helping my mom after my stepdad was hospitalized and then later passed away. My dad was kind enough to watch my dogs (and the house) but didn’t notice the mice. Flash forward and the mice have moved in for the winter. Since I’ve gotten back, it’s been a devil of a time getting rid of them (mousetraps that don’t spring when they go for the cheese, strategically placing rat poison so my dogs don’t eat it). They might be cute in theory but boy are they gross and annoying in real life. I’m finally going to be going back to a full 40 hours at work, so hopefully I’ll be able to hire an exterminator soon!

At least 2021 is looking better than 2020, what with a President who is taking the pandemic seriously and is listening to science and experts rather than alternative facts and conspiracy theorists. Fingers crossed!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J K Rowling (2017)

This is a review of the audiobook. 

Terrifically creative tome of magical beasts

Eddie Redmayne does a fantastic job with the audiobook. It made what could have been a little on the dry side entertaining and attention-keeping. Some of the creatures listed here are incredibly creative, original and unique. Like the bird that resembles a snitch and another like a dodo. 

If you’re a fan of books like D&D’s Monster Manual or National Geographic’s Book of Mammals, I definitely recommend.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Highlander's Promise (Highland Brides # 6) by Lynsay Sands (2018)

Aulay Finally Finds True Love!

Greatly enjoyed this installment of Highland Brides. It’s one of the funnier of the series and lets us get to know Aulay and Rory (and even Alick) better. I have to say, Aulay’s now one of my favorite Buchanans. Of course, I like them all, but if I had to rank them… Aulay’s right at the top of the list. 

We know from previous books that his facial scar has left him a bit hopeless about ever winning a wife, but in this book, he meets someone who thinks the scar is rakish and prefers it because it keeps him from being too beautiful. As the book starts, the anniversary of his twin’s death is approaching. Aulay retreats to the family lodge to suffer his annual grief and melancholy away from his loving family’s annoying interference. The lodge has been rebuilt (due to events in book 4) close to the seashore and Aulay plans to go fishing. Unfortunately, Alick is slightly clueless (as usual) and tags along. 

When they reach the beach, Aulay spots something floating in the water. It turns out to be a woman strapped to the broken mast of a ship. She’s half dead with terrible head wounds (see strapped to mast during horrible storm) but she’s conscious enough to smile and call Aulay her angel. (Cue touching cheek caress by damsel.) Then she sleeps for 3 weeks as she recovers from her brush with death. With healer Rory advising, Aulay is her nursemaid and he calls her Jetta because of her jet black hair.