Nose Prints

 Walkin' and Readin' Wednesday!

Two 'hood doggos, sharing one window.

The Clinton River, from The Crocker Bridge in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan, about 1/2 mile from Eastside Cats.

Unknown neighborhood kitty, who was friendly.

Neighbor's window cat; still don't know his name.

Ruby, my neighbor who always greets me, with her wee tailio wagging a mile a minute.

Yes, she has ears.

❤️ 👀 😻

Recently completed audiobooks that I recommend:

The Royal Art of Poison: Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman
Narrated by Susie Berneis

Published: June 12, 2018

Goodreads Blurb: "In The Royal Art of Poison, Eleanor Herman combines her unique access to royal archives with cutting-edge forensic discoveries to tell the true story of Europe’s glittering palaces: one of medical bafflement, poisonous cosmetics, ever-present excrement, festering natural illness, and, sometimes, murder."

My Two Cents: Not as many forensically proven murders as one would think, but the whole world was poisonous back in the day.  Not for the faint of heart, and an interesting look into historic society that makes one wonder if it isn't just safer to be poor and unknown.  Famous folks mentioned: Napoleon Bonaparte, Danish mathematician Tycho Brahe, Baroque painter Caravaggio, and many more.

The Bravest Hour: Verity Kent Mysteries #9 by Anna Lee Huber

Narrated by Heather Wilds

#1: This Side of Murder (2017)

#2: Treacherous Is the Night (2018)

#3: Penny for Your Secrets (2019)

#4: A Pretty Deceit (2020)

#5: Murder Most Fair (2021)

#6:  A Certain Darkness (2022)

#7: The Cold Light of Day (2024)

#8: A Moment's Shadow (2025)

#9: The Bravest Hour (2026)

Goodreads Blurb: November 1920. Dublin, Ireland. British Intelligence Agent Verity Kent's efforts to foil a contemptible plot by the traitorous Lord Ardmore and save countless lives—as well as the British government’s reputation—has exposed her to detrimental scrutiny, bringing her contact with the Irish rebels to light. Crushingly, she finds herself incarcerated in Dublin Castle, the “Dread Bastille,” where she must withstand interrogation from her own countrymen.

My Two Cents: Am not a fan of this narrator, but the stories are so good!  Began reading this series in 2023, and this ninth book in the series feels like a finale, as Verity and husband Sidney have been in the game for a long time. However, the author may be unable to retire them.  The surprise of all surprises occurs early in Book #1, which hooked me like a largemouth bass.

The four audiobook Emaneska series, by Ben Galley

#1: The Written, 2010

#2: Pale Kings, 2012

#3: Dead Stars - Part One, 2013

#4: Dead Stars - Part Two, 2013

Narrated by Steven Cree

Goodreads Blurb: "Game Of Throne meets Die Hard in this explosive epic fantasy, packed with tattooed mages wielding unbridled spells, meddling gods, dragon-riders, and twisted Norse mythology."

My Two Cents: Ben Galley can write women, men, dragons, leviathans, gods, demigods, queens, and these stories (and the following three book The Scalussen Chronicles) keep the reader on the edge of their seat, and wondering what the heck is going to happen next!  This is war, played dirty and gritty, and every character is treacherous. 

📚 📚 📚