It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (December 29, 2025)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Christmas. I had a nice quiet one and am now stocked up on Amazon gift cards for a while. 

It is snowing right now, and we're supposed to get 6 - 8 inches before the snow moves out on Monday afternoon. The past week was warm (for Minnesota). We hit a high of 34 yesterday. We also had some rain, freezing rain, and drizzle over the last few days. Our steep driveway was a skating rink despite my brother's liberal use of deicer. He came home from work Friday night and fell when going down it to check the mail. He had quite a bump on his head but is feeling better and is bump-free now. 

I mostly threw my reading plans to the side this week. I listened to seven audiobooks in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. These were relistens for me since I'd already read the books and listened to the audiobooks. Sometimes it is just nice to revisit old friends. 

I also bought some audiobooks this week. I already had Kindle copies of The Brazen Bride, The Reckless Bride and Ember Eternal but decided that I wanted to listen to them instead. Then I bought the Kindle copies of two audiobooks that I had gotten from Chirp earlier in the year. The one bad thing about audiobooks for me is spelling the names of the characters in the story in my reviews. One of the characters in the Chirp audiobooks was Bo or Beau. I had to know which was correct. I often like to read along and follow the text while listening to the audiobook.

Cooking this week consisted of ham and funeral potatoes for Christmas dinner and a ham and wild rice soup from our Minnesota with Love cookbook. There is still plenty of leftover ham. We also have leftover chicken from the rotisserie chicken we had on Christmas Eve. I really need to find something to make that uses the leftovers this week. 

Read Last Week

• White Hot by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook Reread) -- 2nd book in the Hidden Legacy Urban Fantasy series. 
• Wildfire by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook Reread) -- 3rd book in the Hidden Legacy Urban Fantasy series. 
• Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook Reread) -- Novella in the Hidden Legacy series.

• Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook Reread) -- 4th book in the Hidden Legacy Urban Fantasy series. 
• Outfoxed by David Rosenfelt (Kindle, Mine since September 29, 2023) -- Fourteenth book in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. My review will be posted on January 14.
• Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook Reread) -- 5th book in the Hidden Legacy Urban Fantasy series. 

• Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook reread) -- 6th book in the Hidden Legacy Urban Fantasy series. 
• Bone of Contention by Kristi Rose (Chirp Audiobook, Mine since February 11) -- Contemporary mystery set in Central Florida. My review will be posted on January 20.
• The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens (Audiobook, mine since December 25) -- Third in the Black Cobra Quartet of historical romantic suspense stories. My review will be posted on January 15.

• A Moveable Feast by Jennifer Ashley (Kindle, mine since August 6) -- This Below Stairs novella has Kat cooking Easter dinner at another house and solving the murder of the son of the house. 
• Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill (Audiobook, mine since December 26) -- First in a new Romantasy series. Fox is an honorable thief with a special magic. She uses her talents to foil an assassination and finds her swept up into a long-running conspiracy. Great characters and interesting worldbuilding. My review will be posted on January 17.

Currently

• Bone to Pick by Kristi Rose (Chirp Audiobook, mine since February 11)
• Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong (Kindle, mine since December 15)
• A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen (Review, January 27)

Next Week

• Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow (Review, January 27)
• Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh (Review, January 27)
• Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Kindle, Mine since August 6)

• Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb (Review, February 3)
• Lost & Found by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook, mine since December 3)
• Books & Bewitchment by Isla Jewell (Review, February 3)

Reviews Posted

• Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook)
• Field of Dishonor by David Weber (Kindle)
• The Short Victorious War by David Weber (Kindle)

• Hounded by Kevin Hearne (Audiobook)
• The Cyprian by Mercedes Lackey (Review copy)
• Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman (Kindle)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

Bought:

• The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham (Audiobook, $5.60)
• The Reckless Bride by Stephanie Laurens (Audiobook, Audible Credit)
• The Brazen Bride by Stephanie Laurens (Audiobook, Audible Credit)

• Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill (Audiobook, Audible Credit)
• Bone of Contention by Kristi Rose (Kindle, $3.99)
• Bone to Pick by Kristi Rose (Kindle, %4.99)

• Toll of Honor by David Weber (Audiobook, $5.45)
• To End in Fire by David Weber & Eric Flint (Audiobook, $5.18)

What was your week like?

Book Review: Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Baltimore Blues
Author: Laura Lippman
Series: Tess Monaghan (Book 1)
Publication: William Morrow Paperbacks (October 13, 2009)

Description: In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz’s death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer’s notoriety—and his taste for illicit midday trysts—make the case front-page news in every local paper except the Star, which crashed and burned before Abramowitz did. 

A former Star reporter who knows every inch of this town—from historic Fort McHenry to the crumbling projects of Cherry Hill—now unemployed journalist Tess Monaghan also knows the guy the cops like for the killing: cuckolded fiancé Darryl “Rock” Paxton. The time is ripe for a career move, so when rowing buddy Rock wants to hire her to do some unorthodox snooping to help clear his name, Tess agrees. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the Charm City shadows. And Tess’ own name could end up on that ever-expanding list of Baltimore dead.

My Thoughts: BALTIMORE BLUES begins the twelve-book Tess Monaghan series. 

When this story begins Tess is still dealing with losing her job as a newspaper reporter when her Baltimore newspaper folded. She is working part-time in her Aunt Kitty's bookstore and part-time for an uncle who works in city government. She fills the rest of her time rowing. She is sort of drifting through life including an on-again, off-again relationship with an old boyfriend who is still a reporter for the Baltimore Beacon Light - called the Blight by those in the know.

The death of Michael Abramowitz, a lawyer, causes Tess to change things in her life. Her good friend and fellow rower Darryl "Rock" Paxton is accused of the murder. It seems that his fiancé Ava who was working for Abramowitz might also have been sleeping with him. 

Rock had hired Tess to follow Ava and find out why she had changed. She was becoming distant and making excuses for not seeing him. Ava follows her and learns that she is a secret shoplifter and spends afternoons in a hotel room with Abramowitz. Tess confronts Ava who rushes right to Rock to get her side of the story in first. In her side, she is being taken advantage of by Abramowitz. Rock heads to Abramowitz's office inside of the offices the prestigious firm of O'Neal, O'Connor, and O'Neill and admits to punching Abramowitz. He insists, however, that when he left Abramowitz was not dead. 

Rock's lawyer Tyner, also a fellow rower, hires Tess to do some investigating for him. Tess expands Tyner's remit and finds herself looking into who else might have wanted Abramowitz dead. She finds lots of people including victims of rape whose rapists were successfully defended by Abramowitz, victims of asbestos poisoning who were still waiting for the settlements they won, and serial killers on death row who were also unsuccessfully defended by Abramowitz. 

This was an interesting and engaging story with a main character who is drifting through her life. She's still dealing with the grief at her lost career as a journalist even when she comes to realize that journalism was not making her happy. 

I bought this one January 27, 2025, from a BookBub newsletter. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

 Happy Friday!

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader. She asks that the first sentence is posted along with the author and title of the book and the reader's initial thoughts on the sentence, the book, or anything else it inspires. 

Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower.org also provides a linky for sharing first lines and connecting with others. This meme asks that the chosen books be PG or marked as Mature if they are not. 

Beginning:

On the last night of August, Tess Monaghan went to the drugstore and bought a composition book -- one with a black-and-white marble cover. She had done this every fall since she was six and saw no reason to change, despite the differences wrought by twenty-three years.

Friday 56:

"Hi, it's me in the kitchen." She figured the front desk attendant wouldn't want to admit he didn't recognize the voice of a fellow employee. "Hey, what room if Mr. Abramowitz in this week? I can't read it on the room service slip and you know how he is if his food is cold. He always threatens to sue!"

This week I am spotlighting Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman. I bought this first in a series thriller on January 27, 2025, from a BookPerk newsletter. Here is the description from Amazon:

In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz’s death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer’s notoriety—and his taste for illicit midday trysts—make the case front-page news in every local paper except the Star, which crashed and burned before Abramowitz did. A former Star reporter who knows every inch of this town—from historic Fort McHenry to the crumbling projects of Cherry Hill—now unemployed journalist Tess Monaghan also knows the guy the cops like for the killing: cuckolded fiancé Darryl “Rock” Paxton. The time is ripe for a career move, so when rowing buddy Rock wants to hire her to do some unorthodox snooping to help clear his name, Tess agrees. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the Charm City shadows. And Tess’ own name could end up on that ever-expanding list of Baltimore dead.

Audiobook Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Hounded
Author: Kevin Hearne
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 1)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (April 19, 2011)
Length: 8 hours and 6 minutes

Description: The first novel in the Iron Druid Chronicles - introducing a cool, new, funny urban fantasy hero

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power - plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

My Thoughts: HOUNDED begins the Iron Druid series of urban fantasy novels. Atticus O'Sullivan is laying low in the desert Southwest. He's the last Druid and over 21 centuries old despite looking 21. He'd be happy quietly running his adult bookstore and tea shop and roaming the desert with his wolfhound. But he also holds a magic sword, and an ancient Celtic deity has been looking for it and for Atticus for centuries.

With the help of some witches, the deity has tracked Atticus down. Atticus will need the help of the friends he has gathered if he wants to survive. Luckily, his lawyers are a werewolf and a vampire. He also has the aid of a couple of goddesses and a Hindi witch inhabiting the body of his favorite bartender. 

The story has great worldbuilding and a wonderful snarky main character and his even snarkier canine companion. It was packed with action and with humor. 

I bought this one June 27, 2022. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Field of Dishonor by David Weber

Field of Dishonor
Author: David Weber
Series: Honor Harrington (Book 4)
Publication: Baen Books (December 15, 2012)

Description: HONOR BETRAYED

The People's Republic of Haven's sneak attack on the Kingdom of Manticore has failed. The Peeps are in disarray, their leaders fighting for power in bloody revolution, and the Royal Manticoran Navy stands victorious.

But Manticore has domestic problems of its own, and success can be more treacherous than defeat for Honor Harrington. Now, trapped at the core of a political crisis she never sought, betrayed by an old and vicious enemy she'd thought vanquished forever, she stands alone

She must fight for justice on a battlefield she never trained for in a private war that offers just two choices: death . . . or a ''victory'' that can end only in dishonor and the loss of all she loves.

My Thoughts: This story concentrates on Honor's relationship with Captain Lord Pavel Young. After his cowardice and desertion on the field of battle that was near the end of the previous book, this book begins with his court martial. But Young has powerful friends and the government needs to appease them if they are going to get the declaration of war against Haven that the need so badly.

An almost hung jury saves Young from being shot but enough was proven to have him cashiered out of the Navy. After his father's death just after the verdict is given, Young becomes the new Lord North Hollow who inherits his father's secrets and position in the House of Lords. But he blames Honor for all his problems and won't be content until she is dead.

Before he gets to Honor though, he decides to make her life terrible by killing Paul Tankersley who is Honor's love and lover. North Hollow hires Denver Summervale to challenge Paul to a duel. Summervale is a cashiered Marine who is a killer for hire who has killed many men on women on the field of honor. 

Honor had been sent to Grayson to get her out from under the massive publicity the court martial has stirred up. When she hears about Paul's death, she is determined to challenge Summervale to a duel and kill him herself. But Honor has friends on her side who get to Summervale and convince him to tell them who hired him. To no one's surprise, the man was hired by North Hollow and Summervale's confession is on tape. Of course, with the confession gotten by less than legal means it is impossible to take the take to law enforcement.

Honor publicly calls out North Hollow and demands that he meet her on the field of honor even though she gets a lot of pressure from the Queen's government and her own superiors to back off. North Hollow's support is still needed in the upcoming war effort. But Honor won't be dissuaded. She feels that the cost to her career is a cost worth paying if it gets justice for Paul and shows North Hollow for the coward he is. 

The story was packed with emotional intensity. Honor's grief for the loss of Paul was very convincingly written.

I bought this story three times - print, Kindle, and audiobook. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: The Short Victorious War by David Weber

The Short Victorious War
Author: David Weber
Series: Honor Harrington (Book 3)
Publication: Baen Books (January 1, 2002)

Description: The families who rule the People’s Republic of Haven are in trouble. The treasury’s empty, the Proles are restless, and civil war is imminent. But the ruling class knows what they need to keep in power: another short, victorious war to unite the people and fill the treasury once more. It’s a card they’ve played often in the last half-century, always successfully, and all that stands in their way is the Star Kingdom of Manticore and its threadbare allies. Enemies who in the past have always backed down. Only this time the Peeps face something different. This time they’re up against Captain Honor Harrington and a Royal Manticoran Navy that’s prepared to give them a war that’s far from short...and anything but victorious

My Thoughts: The People's Republic of Haven is in trouble. Their economy is tanking because so many of their people are on public assistance. They can only support their economy and the privileges the wealthy enjoy by continually adding new star systems to their Republic. So they have the wonderful idea to start, or pretend to start, a war with Manticore.

Honor Harrington has completed her long complicated recovery from the injuries sustained in the previous book and has been assigned as Flag Captain to a new ship named Nike and sent with a task force to a frontier repair base. The only problem is that that Admiral in charge of the task force doesn't like Honor whom he sees as hot-tempered and reckless which causes some problems for her despite the support of her immediate superior who is also in the Admiral's bad books. 

Since the Peeps are conducting all sorts of feints into neighboring star systems, the Admiral decides that he needs to defend one of the more populous systems and leaves Honor and her boss to defend the repair facility with very little help.

Haven has been secretly watching the whole area with stealth ships and knows when the largest part of the force leaves the repair facility and knows that it is time to take it and bring the war into official existence. It should be easy as their ships and armaments vastly outnumber those left with Honor. But Honor and her boss have done all the tricky planning they can to get their system as safe as it can be and can hope to hold out until help arrives to support them.

Meanwhile on Haven, Rob Pierre is planning a revolution which will take down the current government and put himself and his own supporters in control. And he is planning to use part of the Navy he hates to accomplish his goals. 

This was another exciting episode in the Honor Harrington series. It was filled with action and adventure.

I bought the Kindle copy November 19, 2025. It joins the paperback and audiobook already in my collection. You can buy your copy here.

Audiobook Review: Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz

Shattering Dawn
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
Series: The Lost Night Files (Book 3)
Publication: Recorded Books (January 7, 2025)
Length: 8 hours and 43 minutes

Description: An unsettling investigation teaches two suspicious people how to trust, in the next thrilling novel of the Lost Night Files trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.

Amelia Rivers, a member of the Lost Night Files podcast team, hires private investigator Gideon Sweetwater to catch the stalker who has been watching her. Amelia suspects that whoever it is may be connected to the shadowy organization responsible for the night that she and her two friends lost to amnesia—a night that upended their lives and left them with heightened paranormal talents.

Gideon believes that Amelia is either paranoid or an outright con artist, but they have a chemistry he can’t resist. He takes the case despite his skepticism. For her part, Amelia has second thoughts about the wisdom of employing the mysterious Mr. Sweetwater. She is wary of the powerful attraction between them and deeply uneasy about the nightmarish paintings on the walls of his home. She senses these were inspired by his own dreams.

Amelia knows she doesn’t have time to find another investigator, and Gideon is forced to reckon with the truth when he disrupts what was intended to be Amelia’s kidnapping. Now the pair is on the run, with no choice but to return to the haunting ruins of the old hotel where Amelia’s lost night occurred. They are desperate to stop a killer, as well as the people who are conducting illegal experiments with a dangerous drug designed to enhance psychic abilities. If they are to survive, they will have to trust each other and the passion that bonds them.

My Thoughts: The finale of the Lost Night Files trilogy stars Amelia Rivers and Gideon Sweetwater. Amelia is a photographer who has found a way to take pictures of auras and does real estate and corporate headshots to pay the bills. When she believes that she has attracted a stalker, she goes to Gideon Sweetwater who works as a private investigator.

Gideon has been recently injured on one of his cases but is intrigued by Amelia and her problems. He quickly determines that she does have a stalker. The two decided to go back to the abandoned hotel that was the scene of Amelia's lost night to see if any clues have been missed.

Their visit confirms that Amelia and her friends had been kidnapped and had illegal experiments performed on them. The experiments were designed to enhance their psychic talents, and the experimenters have been watching them to see if the experiments were successful.

Unfortunately, Amelia and her friends were all psychic before being experimented on and were used to hiding their psychic abilities making them less than useful for the experimenters. Gideon has psychic talents of his own which doesn't come as a surprise to Amelia since she chose him because his name appeared on the same list she and her friends were on. The list indicates those tested for presumed psychic powers.

This episode also had portions from the viewpoint of the man who set up the experiments and who is eager to see what results they had because he has been playing around with his own psychic abilities. He is going insane because of his experiments.

This was an entertaining finale to the trilogy with lots of doors left open for further explorations in the world Krentz created. 

I bought this one from Audible November 11, 2025. You can buy your copy here.