State of the Stack (September 30, 2026)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. Cursed City by Kate Golden (September 23)
2. The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas (September 29)
3. Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams (September 29)
4. Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (October 6)
5. Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (October 6)
6. Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (October 7)
7. Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (October 8)
8. Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (October 8)
9. The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (October 13)
10. The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (October 14)

DNF

1.  

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. The Chase by Felix Francis (September 1)
2. Those Who Are Gone by Laurie R. King (September 1)
3. Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima (September 2)
4. Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (September 3)
5. The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle (September 3)
6. A Field Guide to Death and Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (September 8)
7. A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (September 9)
8. I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (September 10)
9. Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander (September 15)
10. The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander (September 22)
11. The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves (September 22)
12. The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (September 24)
13. Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (September 24)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (November 17)
2. Save a Horse by Jen Doyle (January 12, 2027)
3. Perfect in Death by J. D. Robb (February 2, 2027)
4. Please Kill My Boss by Evie Ross (February 9, 2027)
5. The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell (February 16, 2027)
6. Elodie and the Dark Lord by Ashley Poston (March 16, 2027)
7. Big Cult Energy by Jack Friday (June 1, 2027)

All TBR Review Books

October

• Split Screen by Lee Goldberg (October 20)
• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (October 27)
• Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (October 27)

• Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (October 27)
• The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 27)

November

• Murder in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (November 3)
• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (November 3)
• The Trial of Magdelena Overmorrow by Catriona Moran (November 3)

• Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (November 3)
• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 10)

• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (November 10)
• Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (November 10)
• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 10)

• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (November 10)
• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (November 17)

• The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (November 17)
• Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17)

December

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)

• Cry of the Rain Crow by Laurie L. Dove (December 8)
• Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan (December 8)

January

• Murder Most Irregular by Vicki Delany (January 5)
• Save a Horse by Jen Doyle (December 12)

• The Magical Cheese Emporium by Sarah Beth Durst (January 19)
• Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal (January 19)
• Roundabout by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart (January 19)

• The Book Hunter by Jayne Ann Krentz (January 26)
• Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 26)

February

• A Rogue's Guide to Winning a Wife by Meredith E. Phillips (February 2)
• Perfect in Death by J. D. Robb (February 2)
• Please Kill My Boss by Evie Ross (February 9)

• Murder Most Cryptic by Alys Cummings (February 16)
• The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell (February 16)

March

• Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2)
• Elodie and the Dark Lord by Ashley Poston (March 16)
• Peril in the Night by Katharine Schellman (March 23)

June

• Big Cult Energy by Jack Friday (June 1)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 28, 2026)

 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...

And the end of September arrives! The baseball regular season ends later today. Luckily, my Atlanta Braves have made it to the post-season which means I will have more baseball to watch before games begin again next March. 

Besides going crazy at Audible and buying eleven new audiobooks, the week was quiet. I bought the whole A Natural History of Dragons series by Marie Brennan after beginning the first and really enjoying the audiobook. I also bought the books that were missing from my collection of the Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold since I have been thinking hard about a reread of that series. I once had them all by\ut some were Audible Plus copies that are no longer offered there. 

The main part of the reason that I bought so many is that I'm taking part in the Audible Rewards program. One of the deals was spent $40 and get $10. Only, I didn't activate that offer before I bought the Marie Brennan books which means they didn't count. So, I bought the missing Vorkosigan audiobooks so that I could get my $10 off on the 5th Marie Brennan title. 

I did add three more review copies including one this morning that made its way to my Currently Reading pile and caused a rearrangement of my calendar. My total stack of review books now numbers 37. Five are on my Next Week stack and two are on Currently reading. 

My brother works days Monday through Thursday this week which means I'm in charge of dinner. I put a pork roast, sauerkraut, and potatoes in the crockpot this morning even though this is his day off and he could cook since I have doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. That should give us leftovers for at least one more meal one of those days. And there is always pizza if a better idea doesn't emerge. 

With this week's additions my 2026 TBR stack has ballooned to 26 books. None of the Bujold books are on the calendar yet but all the others are. 

Read Last Week

• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 13) -- 34th in the Andy Carpenter contemporary mystery series. My review will be posted on October 8.
• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjens (Review, October 13) -- Spooky and twisty thriller set in an Austrian castle turned boutique hotel. My review will be posted on October 8.
• The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (Review, October 20) -- Holiday enemies to lovers romance. My review will be posted on October 13.

• A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since September 24) -- First in a five-book historical fantasy series. Excellent. My review will be posted on October 23.
• The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews (Audiobook, mine since September 3) -- First in a new urban fantasy series. My review will be posted on November 10.
• Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King (Audiobook, mine since November 1, 2025) -- 19th in the Mary Russell historical mystery series. My review will be posted on October 27.

• Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis (Kindle and Audiobook, Mine since September 22) -- Second book in the Queens of Villainy romantasy series. My review will be posted on October 20.
• Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since September 19) -- Final book in the Lake and March historical romance series. My review will be posted on October 16.

Currently

• To the Hilt by Dick Francis (Audiobook, Mine since September 17)
• The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (Review, October 20)
• Split Screen by Lee Goldberg (Review, October 20)

Next Week

• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (Review, October 27)
• Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (Review, October 27)
• Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (Review, October 27)

• The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (Review, October 27)
• Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (Review, November 3)
• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (Review, November 3)

Reviews Posted

• The Pumpkin Vice Cafe by Ellie Alexander (Review copy)
• The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves (Review copy)
• The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson (Review copy)

• Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose (Review copy)
• Cursed City by Kate Golden (Review copy)
• Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick (Audiobook)

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

Review:

• Split Screen by Lee Goldberg (Review, October 20)
• The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell (Review, February 16)
• Elodie and the Dark Lord by Ashley Poston (Review, March 16)

Bought:

• A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (Audiobook, $8.51)
• The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (Audiobook, $13.49)
• In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan (Audiobook, $13.49)

• Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan (Audiobook, $13.49)
• Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan (Audiobook, $3.81)
• Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (Audiobook, $13.49)

• The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (Audiobook, $13.29)
• Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (Audiobook, $13.49)
• Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold (Audiobook, $13.49)

• Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis (Audiobook, Audible Credit)
• Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier (Audiobook, Audible Plus)

What was your week like?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 21, 2026)

 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...

This was another nice quiet week. Fall weather has arrived with high temperatures ranging from 57 to 70. We also received .8 inches of rain this week which did little to relieve our state of extreme drought. It is currently 55 degrees and cloudy but with no rain in the forecast. Leaves are just starting to turn. I can see one gorgeous red-leafed something out my patio window but most of the leaves I see are still green.

My week of cooking didn't really turn out to really be my week since my brother made a big pot of chili on Sunday which was his day off. I did make an excellent lentil soup and a chicken pot pie with a biscuit topping. We still have leftovers of both. I think he's planning to make Shrimp Lo Mein for dinner today which will leave even more leftovers. I have the making for a homemade pizza which might be lunch today. 

I added two new review copies to my stack this week and read three leaving my TBR review stack at 38. I also couldn't resist a number of book deals this week and added 10 books to my 2026 TBR pile. I've already read one and am currently reading a second. All the rest of the new additions are on my 2026 calendar. I currently have 23 TBR books on my 2026 stack with this week's additions. 

This week everything I read was reviewed and scheduled on my blog. However, I've been skipping around a bit with audiobooks, so the reviews are not the next ones on my calendar. I have a bunch of review copies on my calendar but have been fitting in the audiobooks for a change of pace. After my current audiobook, I have only one more on my October calendar to go along with the 15 Kindle books (mostly review copies) that I still need to read for my October calendar. Of those 15, only one has the possibility of reading it as an audiobook which I haven't yet purchased. I might find myself getting further ahead and further out of balance by listening to some audiobooks on my November calendar. 

Read Last Week

• The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks (Kindle, Mine since July 20) -- Historical Fantasy. It was nice. My review will be posted on October 3.
• The Case of the Christie Curse by Kelly Oliver (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since June 14) -- Third in a historical mystery series. My review will be posted on October 13.
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (Review, October 13) -- Andrews' annual humorous Christmas mystery. My review will be posted on October 6.

• Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz (Audiobook, Mine since December 3, 2025) -- Contemporary romantic suspense. My review will be posted on October 20.
• Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (Review, October 13) -- Romantasy, sort of. Interesting premise. My review will be posted on October 6.
• Don't Look Back by Amanda Quick (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since August 13 & September 16) -- Second book in the Marsh & Lake historical mystery trilogy. My review will be posted on October 9.

• Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz (Chirp Audiobook, Mine since March 7, 2025) -- Contemporary romantic suspense with a paranormal element. My review will be posted on October 15.
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (Review, October 13) -- Funny mystery that contains ALL the romance tropes. My review will be posted on October 7.

Currently

• Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since August 13 & September 19)
• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 13)

Next Week

• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (Review, October 13)
• The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (Review, October 20)
• The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (Review, October 20)

• Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis (Kindle, Mine since July 24)
• Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (Review, October 27)
• Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (Review, October 27)

Reviews Posted

• The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves (Kindle & Audiobook)
• Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts (Kindle & Audiobook)
• Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich (Kindle & Audiobook)

• Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett (Kindle & Audiobook)
• Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander (Review copy)
• Turning Darkness into Light by Marie Brennan (Kindle & Audiobook) 

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

Review:

• Save a Horse by Jen Doyle (Review, January 12)
• Big Cult Energy by Jack Friday (Review, June 1)

Bought:

New Audiobooks:

• To the Hilt by Dick Francis (Kindle & Audiobook, $7.30 for both)
• Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff (Kindle & Audiobook, $22.68 for both)

• Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick (Audible Credit)
• Don't Look Back by Amanda Quick (Audible Credit)

New Kindle:

• The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (Kindle, $2.99)
• At Close Range by Laura Griffin (Kindle, $1.99)
• The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritson (Kindle, $3.99)

• Spark by Sarah Beth Durst (Kindle, $.99)
• The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Kindle, $2.99)
• Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier (Kindle, Prime Reading)

What was your week like?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 14, 2026)

 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...

This was another nice, quiet week. My dentist appointment for my new crown went without any excitement. My dentist and I both wanted a boring appointment since the last was so exciting. I did dream all week about swallowing the crown AGAIN but it was a completely trouble-free experience this time. 

Since I was out and about, I stopped at my pharmacy and got both my flu shot and a Covid booster. As usual, my only reactions to the shots were slight soreness at the injection sites. The Covid site is still sensitive to the touch but not really a bother. 

I gave myself a week off to finish my In Death reread and to listen to the audiobook of the latest which I had reviewed earlier. Now, I'm back to reading what is on my calendar. I have five review books on the pile for this week. Well, six if you count the one I have listed as currently reading but which I haven't actually started yet. 

I see that most of my book reviews posted this week have blue covers which I hadn't notice previously since I read on my black & white Kindle. I also see that it will be Christmas time this week as I have four books centered around Christmas on my stack. 

I'm also watching baseball as the season is winding to a close. My Braves would need a disaster to miss the playoffs this season. I hope they do well there this year. 

There has been no change in my review stack. I still have 39 books on the pile. I did lower my 2026 TBR pile to 16 this week. 

This week I'm the designated cook since my brother works all day shifts. I have some plans but not very firm ones beyond a pot of lentil soup for Monday. I've been looking at the remainder of a bag of red lentils in my pantry for a while. So, when I saw a ham hock in the "sell now" bin of meat at the grocery store, a plan was born. I have been saving a lot of recipes from my Facebook feed which will give me some options too. 

Read Last Week

• Passions in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)

• Framed in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)
• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook reread)

• Dragon Blood by Eileen Wilks (Kindle, mine since September 2) -- Urban fantasy. Fourteenth in a series. My review will be posted on September 30.
• The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (Kindle & Audiobook, mine since August 30) -- An excellent love story for books and libraries. My review will be posted on October 1.

DNF

• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong (Review, October 6) -- I read 20%. I like the author but really don't like horror.
  

Currently

• The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks (Kindle, mine since July 20)
• Jay to the World by Donna Andrews (Review, October 13)

Next Week

• Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks (Review, October13)
• Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (Review, October 13)
• Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (Review, October 13)

• Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (Review, October 13)
• Don't Look Back by Amanda Quick (Kindle, mine since August 13)
• The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (Review, October 20)

Reviews Posted

• Shards of Glass by Michelle Sagara (Audiobook)
• The Case of the Christie Conspiracy by Kelly Oliver (Audiobook)
• Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander by Christian Hurst (Audiobook)

• A Field Guide to Death & Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen (Review copy)
• A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau (Review copy)
• I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas (Review copy)

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

Review:

Bought:

• Fury in Death by J. D. Robb (Kindle and Audiobook)

What was your week like?