Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
30 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Sunday Post, Weekly wrap up
Weekly Update
Busy, busy, busy. Hope you’re all doing well? I’m still playing catch up to be honest, but, I’m making progress. I have a few reviews to catch up with and I’m not fully caught up with blog hopping but slowly, slowly. I also posted my ‘Countdown to Christmas’ – the prompts are here. So, this week I’ve read Too Old For This by Samantha Downing which was so completely different from my usual reading and I really enjoyed it. A serial killer who is trying to give up. Dark humour indeed. And, I’ve picked up The Blackfire Blade by James Logan (The Last Legacy #2).
Next Week’s reads
Well, I’d like to finish reading The Blackfire Blade by James Logan and maybe start Outlaw Planet by MR Carey. I also posted my ‘Countdown to Christmas’ – the prompts are here.
Reviews Posted:
The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull.
Outstanding Reviews
- Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
- The Naked Light by Bridget Collilns
- The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
- Ragwort by Sam K Horton
- Too Old For This by Samantha Downing
Friday Face Off: A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St James
28 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Box Full of Darkness, Friday Face off, Simone St James
Today I’m returning to the Friday Face Off, originally created by Books by Proxy). I’ve missed these for the past few months and so would like to get back to comparing covers (and hopefully I will be updating this page with a new banner. This is an opportunity to look at a book of your choice and shine the spotlight on the covers. Of course this only works for those books that have alternative covers (although sometimes I use this to look at a series of books to choose a favourite). So, if you have a book that has alternative covers, highlight them and choose your favourite. If you’re taking part it would be great if you leave a link so I can take a look at what you’ve chosen.
This week I’ve chosen a forthcoming read that I’m very much looking forward to (particularly after reading and loving Murder Road by the same author) A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St James.
Here are the covers:
I quite like the blue cover with the arms stretching up out of the box but I think my favourite is the second cover:
Which is your favourite this week?
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill
26 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Breaking the Spine, Can't wait Wednesday, Greenteeth, Molly O'Neill, Nightshade and Oak, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: Nightshade and Oak by Molly O’Neill. I absolutely loved Greenteeth and can’t wait to tuck into this one. Here’s the description and cover – feast your eyes:
An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth.
When Malt, the goddess of death, is accidentally turned human by a wayward spell, she finds she’s ill-equipped to deal with the trials of a mortal life. After all, why would a goddess need to know how to gather food or light a fire?
Unable to fend for herself, she teams up with warrior Bellis on a perilous journey to the afterlife to try to restore her powers. Frustrated by her frail human body and beset with blisters, Malt might not make the best travelling companion.
But as animosity slowly turns to attraction, these two very different women must learn to work together if they are to have any hope of surviving their quest.
Expected publication: February 2026
Review: The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull
25 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Jessica Bull, Review, The Austen Christmas Murders
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Another Enjoyable Instalment in Series
I’m enjoying Jessica Bull’s Miss Austen Investigates series and so couldn’t resist this novella with it’s seasonal title.
This is only a short instalment but I found it an easy and enjoyable read and a good addition to the series.
In this latest story the Austen Christmas is disrupted when human remains are uncovered in the cellar of Deane Rectory where Jane’s brother James is rector. James, his wife and their new baby move out until the body can be removed and take up residence in the Austen household causing pandemonium. Meanwhile, Jane, who was expecting nothing if not a dull Christmas, particularly in her sister’s absence, has now set her sights on discovering the true identity of this body – particularly as the local magistrate has immediately written the whole case off already. Jane has her sights on a local woman who went missing some years ago, on the day of her wedding.
So, not to elaborate on the story too much because this is a bitesize story that can be read in one or two sittings with ease.
What I really enjoyed about this particular story were the family elements. Of course, the central story is the mystery of the dead body, discovering the identity and if foul play was involved, and also we have Jane running around, determined, even with the firm instructions of her father to the contrary, to discover the identity and uncover the truth. And, to be fair, the mystery is actually quite intriguing, but what I particularly enjoyed were all the letters back and forth between Jane and her siblings, the chaotic family household and all the little Christmas references.
This was a very easy read, the writing set the scene really well and in fact the author has caught the tone well without reverting to over fussiness.
Overall I had a good time with this and am enjoying this series.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars
Countdown to 2026
24 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book Reviews, Books, Countdown to 2026, reading
A short and sweet post to let you all know that once again I am doing my December Countdown where I tick off the days to the new year by spotlighting a book from the present one. This is a one per day prompt where I will literally post the prompt and the book I think fits the prompt. I’m hoping to use books read during 2025 where possible and use this as an opportunity to shine the light on some good reads (although some of the prompts may require books from the year before or after). Books will be linked to reviews where possible or Goodreads. If you fancy joining me feel free to dip in and out. This is not meant to be hard work, a little fun and the chance to highlight some good books – post, or do not post, or, post five prompts in one post, or ignore some of the prompts, etc. Just enjoy yourself. Starts on 1st December and concludes on 31st.
Here are the prompts: 31 days of December and 31 opportunities to give a very quick shout out to a book you’ve loved or are highly anticipating.
Prompts:
- Snow – a book set in a cold or wintry climate
- Shopping – the last book added to your wishlist
- Wrapping paper – a lovely cover
- Gifts – a book you enjoyed more than you expected to
- Chocolates – a book that was simply delicious
- Christmas stocking – stocking fillers – a novella or short story
- Christmas Tree – a winter read
- Baubles – these add some colour, a very colourful and striking cover
- Fairy Lights – something magical
- Under the Tree – a book you forgot you owned
- Mistletoe – a little bit of romance
- Holly and Ivy – a book with great world building
- Feast – a book that was magnificent
- Christmas pudding – if you could squeeze in just one more book this year
- Mince pies – a little sweet something
- Turkey Dinner– eye’s too big for your belly? A chunkster
- Glitter – A book that you simply have to have
- Christmas Cards – a book with a message
- Christmas Carols – a book with musicians, song or instruments
- Eggnog – a book that was out of your comfort zone
- Santa’s Snack – a book that was a ‘light read’ between heavier books
- Reindeers – a book with memorable critters
- Sleigh bells – a series that you want to ring out the praise for
- Christmas Eve – One of your most anticipated books for next year
- Christmas Day – a book you received as a gift
- Boxing Day – feeling bloated, a palate cleanser
- Christmas Crackers – Ended with a bang
- Candlelight – a book that kept you up into the early hours
- A roaring fire – a book that was heartwarming
- Family and Friends – a book with great characters
- Bottle of Bubbly – your first read in the New Year
Books and travelling with Lynn 