Category: Blog

Thursday catching up

So, I’ve been writing.  Tinsori Light:  The Novel (real title TBD) stands at about 32,000 words.  I’m having fun, which historically has meant that y’all will have fun, eventually.

I’ve been in the habit of thinking that the book is Just Roaring Along, but, looking back, I see I started Serious Writing on November 20, 53 days ago, which gives me a nice, steady 600-ish words a day, on average.  I think part of the Roaring Along feeling is that I’ve been doing a lot of sitting with my notebook and pen, plotting, and sketching in scenes.  A couple days back saw the arrival of The Ending (of this novel, to be clear), which is actually helpful (as it so often is not), and pretty closely jibes with the plotting I’ve been doing, so that’s another thrill.

I foresee a slowdown in work, sadly, as the tax documents are beginning to arrive, and I’ll have to start pulling things together for the accountant.  Also, we should be seeing the copy edits of Fair Trade pretty soon.  I’m feeling pretty grumpy about the upcoming need to spend time away from the WIP, but one does what one must.

What else?  It’s been cold and grey and precipitating, but, yanno — January in Maine.  We have winter here.

And that?  Gets us caught up.

Everybody stay safe.

Oh, hey!  Here’s a snippet:

“Got a letter from Theo.”
“So soon? I hadn’t considered that even Theo could fall into a scrape as quickly as this.”
“You need to accept the fact that Theo’s natural state is ‘in trouble,'” Miri told him. “Be a lot easier on your nerves.”

 

PSA: Who’s Writing Which for When?

Lee and Miller are under contract to Baen Books for three Liaden Universe® novels after Fair Trade, which will be published in May.  Those novels are:

1   The sequel to Fair Trade (title TBD) — Steve Miller, Lead Writer

2   Tinsori Light: The Novel (better title coming along RSN) — Sharon Lee, Lead Writer

3   A Liaden Novel to be Named Later — Sharon Lee, Lead Writer probably?  At the moment, I’m leaning toward going back to the Redlands and checking in with Padi, Tekelia, Aunt Astra, Eet, and the gang. This could change, as all things may change, and only reflect my thoughts at the moment.

For those who have been playing along at home for a long time, the above three novels complete the Triple Threat contract with Baen.

We do not at the moment have any short works under contract, but that, too, could change.

Here ends the PSA.

Books read in 2021

82  The Jasmine Throne, Tasha Suri (e) (The Burning Kingdoms #1)
81  An Unsuitable Heir, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #3)
80  An Unnatural Vice, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #2)
79  An Unseen Attraction, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #1)
78  Mystery Mile, Margery Allingham (e) (Albert Campion #2)
77  The Bride of the Blue Wind, Victoria Goddard (e) (The Sisters Avramapul #1)
76  Ruin of a Rake, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #3)
75  The Soldier’s Scoundrel, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #1)
74  The Lawrence Browne Affair, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #2)
73  The Matzah Ball, Jean Meltzer (e)
72  The Seventh Bride, T. Kingfisher (e)
71  Lady Whilton’s Wedding, Barbara Metzger (e)
73  Holly Jolly Diwali, Sonya Lalli (e)
72  Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings, Ursula K. LeGuin (Catwings #3)
71  Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Pope (e)
70  Henchmen of Zenda, KJ Charles (e)
69  Half-off Ragnarok, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #3)
68  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-aloud w/Steve)
67  Good Night, Mr. Holmes, Carole Nelson Douglas (e) (Irene Adler #1)
66  Band Sinister, KJ Charles (e)
65  Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao (e)
64  The White Mountains, John Christopher (e) (Tripods #1)
63  Paladin’s Hope, T. Kingfisher (e) (Saint of Steel #3)
62  Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
61  Midnight Blue Light Special, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #2)
60  The Widows of Malabar Hill, Sujata Massey (e) (Perveen Mistry #1)
59  Sixty-Five Hours, N.R. Walker (e)
58  Silver Silence, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #16) (re-read)
57  His Sacred Incantations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #2) (e)
56  Any Old Diamonds, KJ Charles (e)
55  Think of England, KJ Charles (e)
54  Fast Women, Jennifer Crusie (re-read)
53  The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-re-read) (e)
52  Mouse and Dragon, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (#3 in the Space Regencies internal arc of Liaden Universe®)(e)*
51  Scout’s Progress, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (#2 in the Space Regencies internal arc of the Liaden Universe®) (e)*
50  Witness for the Dead, Katherine Addison (e)
49  The Kingdoms, Natasha Pulley (e)
48  His Secret Illuminations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #1) (e)
47  Logan’s Run, William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (re-re-re-&c-read)
46  The Hellion’s Waltz, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #3) (e)
45  The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #2) (e)
44  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
43  Subtle Blood, KJ Charles (Will Darling #3) (e)
42  Welcome to Temptation, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #1) (re-read) (NOTE: Yes, I read the Dempsey books “backward.” I read them that way the first time, too.  Plus, I prefer #2 to #1 by an ooomph of an inch)
41  Faking It, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #2) (re-read)
40  Angel of the Overpass, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #3) (e)
39  Upside Down, N.R. Walker (e)
38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

*Yes, yes, it’s a sad thing, an author reading her own stuff for fun, but there it is — I recently had to proof Local Custom, the first of the threesome, and found it, err, compelling, and I had the two follows on the phone, so here we are.  For the record, I’m having fun.  The trilogy runs thusly:  Local Custom, Scout’s Progress, Mouse and Dragon.

Writer at work

So, today was a Thinky Day.  I spent almost all of it in the Comfy Chair in my office, with notebook and pens (and the occasional coon cat) working out bits and schticks: what happens when, what absolutely must happen, what I’d like to happen (a far different thing, ref. The Wrong Lance), and who does what to whom.

I haven’t written a book in exactly this way before, but they’re all different, and, let’s face it, given the last few years, I’m different.  If Tinsori Light: The Novel (actual title TBD) needs to be carefully worked out in modest detail via pen and paper before ever fingers hit the keyboard, that’s certainly doable.  I have plenty of paper, and plenty of ink (though I’m going to have to splurge on another bottle of Dragon’s Blood if this goes on, as we all hope that it will, for some time yet).

It’s very pleasant sometimes to just sit and work inside your own head, shutting out the din of Oughts and Musts and Haven’t You Dones from the outside world.  Sadly, I can’t do it every day, but it’s nice to get revisit that headspace now and then.

I hope you all have time for a bit of quiet contemplation as the year winds down.

Here’s a snippet from the WIP:

“I am under the impression that the delm wishes this station to reflect Korval’s on-going commitment to the realities that govern the universe that received the diaspora. Am I correct in this assumption?”

“Are you asking if I am privy to the delm’s necessities?”

“An impertinence. Forgive me. Unvarnished, what I wish to know is if Korval prefers tools which are untainted by the Old Technology.”

Happy Holidays

So!  The boss is giving us a half-day today, on account of we worked on the Solstice.

I was raised in the tradition of gift-giving and trees and special music and family gathering and so on for December 25, and some of those practices form part of my personal traditions.  I like to send cards, so I send Solstice cards. I like the tree decorating thing, but we have cats, and I still have ornaments that belonged to my grandmother, so — we forego the tree, though we do have greens in the house in the shape of fresh wreathes.  Since I love to distraction Things That Light Up, we have glass trees to accompany the ceramic Christmas tree Steve’s mother made him years ago.  We have a special meal, or two, or three, and take some time off — how much depending on how near the nearest deadline looms — to read, play Scrabble or cards, watch a movie, whatever.  It’s a nice break in routine, and who doesn’t need a break?

All of which is to say — happy holiday to those who celebrate; happy weekend to those who have one; happy day to those for whom these next few days are days-in-the-life.

Stay safe.  Remember to tell the people you care about that you love them.  Raise your face to the sky and smile at the stars.  Be kind, and be happy.

Books read in 2021

81  An Unsuitable Heir, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #3)
80  An Unnatural Vice, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #2)
79  An Unseen Attraction, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #1)
78  Mystery Mile, Margery Allingham (e) (Albert Campion #2)
77  The Bride of the Blue Wind, Victoria Goddard (e) (The Sisters Avramapul #1)
76  Ruin of a Rake, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #3)
75  The Soldier’s Scoundrel, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #1)
74  The Lawrence Browne Affair, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #2)
73  The Matzah Ball, Jean Meltzer (e)
72  The Seventh Bride, T. Kingfisher (e)
71  Lady Whilton’s Wedding, Barbara Metzger (e)
73  Holly Jolly Diwali, Sonya Lalli (e)
72  Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings, Ursula K. LeGuin (Catwings #3)
71  Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Pope (e)
70  Henchmen of Zenda, KJ Charles (e)
69  Half-off Ragnarok, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #3)
68  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-aloud w/Steve)
67  Good Night, Mr. Holmes, Carole Nelson Douglas (e) (Irene Adler #1)
66  Band Sinister, KJ Charles (e)
65  Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao (e)
64  The White Mountains, John Christopher (e) (Tripods #1)
63  Paladin’s Hope, T. Kingfisher (e) (Saint of Steel #3)
62  Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
61  Midnight Blue Light Special, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #2)
60  The Widows of Malabar Hill, Sujata Massey (e) (Perveen Mistry #1)
59  Sixty-Five Hours, N.R. Walker (e)
58  Silver Silence, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #16) (re-read)
57  His Sacred Incantations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #2) (e)
56  Any Old Diamonds, KJ Charles (e)
55  Think of England, KJ Charles (e)
54  Fast Women, Jennifer Crusie (re-read)
53  The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-re-read) (e)
52  Mouse and Dragon, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (#3 in the Space Regencies internal arc of Liaden Universe®)(e)*
51  Scout’s Progress, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (#2 in the Space Regencies internal arc of the Liaden Universe®) (e)*
50  Witness for the Dead, Katherine Addison (e)
49  The Kingdoms, Natasha Pulley (e)
48  His Secret Illuminations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #1) (e)
47  Logan’s Run, William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (re-re-re-&c-read)
46  The Hellion’s Waltz, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #3) (e)
45  The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #2) (e)
44  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
43  Subtle Blood, KJ Charles (Will Darling #3) (e)
42  Welcome to Temptation, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #1) (re-read) (NOTE: Yes, I read the Dempsey books “backward.” I read them that way the first time, too.  Plus, I prefer #2 to #1 by an ooomph of an inch)
41  Faking It, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #2) (re-read)
40  Angel of the Overpass, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #3) (e)
39  Upside Down, N.R. Walker (e)
38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

*Yes, yes, it’s a sad thing, an author reading her own stuff for fun, but there it is — I recently had to proof Local Custom, the first of the threesome, and found it, err, compelling, and I had the two follows on the phone, so here we are.  For the record, I’m having fun.  The trilogy runs thusly:  Local Custom, Scout’s Progress, Mouse and Dragon.

Books read in 2021

80  An Unnatural Vice, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #2)
79  An Unseen Attraction, KJ Charles (e) (Sins of the Cities #1)
78  Mystery Mile, Margery Allingham (e) (Albert Campion #2)
77  The Bride of the Blue Wind, Victoria Goddard (e) (The Sisters Avramapul #1)
76  Ruin of a Rake, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #3)
75  The Soldier’s Scoundrel, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #1)
74  The Lawrence Browne Affair, Cat Sebastian (e) (The Turners #2)
73  The Matzah Ball, Jean Meltzer (e)
72  The Seventh Bride, T. Kingfisher (e)
71  Lady Whilton’s Wedding, Barbara Metzger (e)
73  Holly Jolly Diwali, Sonya Lalli (e)
72  Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings, Ursula K. LeGuin (Catwings #3)
71  Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Pope (e)
70  Henchmen of Zenda, KJ Charles (e)
69  Half-off Ragnarok, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #3)
68  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-aloud w/Steve)
67  Good Night, Mr. Holmes, Carole Nelson Douglas (e) (Irene Adler #1)
66  Band Sinister, KJ Charles (e)
65  Iron Widow, Xiran Jay Zhao (e)
64  The White Mountains, John Christopher (e) (Tripods #1)
63  Paladin’s Hope, T. Kingfisher (e) (Saint of Steel #3)
62  Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny (re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
61  Midnight Blue Light Special, Seanan McGuire (e) (Incryptid #2)
60  The Widows of Malabar Hill, Sujata Massey (e) (Perveen Mistry #1)
59  Sixty-Five Hours, N.R. Walker (e)
58  Silver Silence, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #16) (re-read)
57  His Sacred Incantations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #2) (e)
56  Any Old Diamonds, KJ Charles (e)
55  Think of England, KJ Charles (e)
54  Fast Women, Jennifer Crusie (re-read)
53  The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-re-read) (e)
52  Mouse and Dragon, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (#3 in the Space Regencies internal arc of Liaden Universe®)(e)*
51  Scout’s Progress, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (#2 in the Space Regencies internal arc of the Liaden Universe®) (e)*
50  Witness for the Dead, Katherine Addison (e)
49  The Kingdoms, Natasha Pulley (e)
48  His Secret Illuminations, Scarlett Gale (Warrior’s Guild Book #1) (e)
47  Logan’s Run, William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (re-re-re-&c-read)
46  The Hellion’s Waltz, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #3) (e)
45  The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows, Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits #2) (e)
44  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
43  Subtle Blood, KJ Charles (Will Darling #3) (e)
42  Welcome to Temptation, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #1) (re-read) (NOTE: Yes, I read the Dempsey books “backward.” I read them that way the first time, too.  Plus, I prefer #2 to #1 by an ooomph of an inch)
41  Faking It, Jennifer Crusie (Dempsey Family #2) (re-read)
40  Angel of the Overpass, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #3) (e)
39  Upside Down, N.R. Walker (e)
38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

*Yes, yes, it’s a sad thing, an author reading her own stuff for fun, but there it is — I recently had to proof Local Custom, the first of the threesome, and found it, err, compelling, and I had the two follows on the phone, so here we are.  For the record, I’m having fun.  The trilogy runs thusly:  Local Custom, Scout’s Progress, Mouse and Dragon.