Carole´s Monday. The Pemberley Picnic

Author: Melanie Rachel

Title: The Pemberley Picnic - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Genre: Historical Romance, What If, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 160

Published: July 16, 2026

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Fitzwilliam Darcy never expected Elizabeth Bennet to come to Pemberley—least of all after the proposal she so decisively refused. Yet here she is, seeing him not in a ballroom or a drawing room, but on his own ground, where he might be able to prove to her that he has changed.

But he has only days before she returns home.

So he does something entirely unlike himself: Darcy announces a picnic. There is only one difficulty. He has not planned a picnic.

Still, he is certain everything will go well. It must.

But Darcy soon discovers that even the simplest picnic can go astray—especially when the wind, the weather, and Miss Bingley all seem determined to keep him from the guest he most wishes to please. As old misunderstandings soften and new feelings bloom, Elizabeth and Darcy must decide whether pride, prejudice, and past mistakes can give way to something far sweeter.

Review:

I'm in a JA mood, I guess! 

Here we have a P&P variation. Darcy never expected to see Elizabeth again after she declined his proposal. Well...here she is....in his home.....this is his chance to show her he has changed. He decides that there will be a picnic on the grounds! What could go wrong? Everything. 

I'm going to be chill again and divide and conquer this review. It's been a long week. 

The Good

- LOVE a P&P and Austen variation. It's just so fuuuuun. 

- Awww loved seeing Darcy do something so out of character. 

- Fitzwilliam was a gem. So witty. So funny. 

- This was very sweet and adorable

The Bad and the Ugly

- Some phrases and words didn't seem to vibe with the time period and characters. It just didn't hit the ears (well...I did the ebook...would it be eyes?) right. 

Conclusion

I enjoyed this little gem. It was very sweet, and I liked this cute twist. Imagine if Darcy got an extra day with Lizzie. So very sweeeeet. 

4 stars. 

Everyone wants to rule the world except me by Django Wexler

Series: Dark Lord Davi (#2)

Format: 384 pages, Paperback

Published: May 27, 2025 by Orbit

Fantasy/own

Duology! Yes!

Davi has been living for a 1000 years and dying, and dying. Horrible deaths. All cos this old wizard said she was the chosen one. So in the last book she said EFF this and decided to become the dark lord instead. She has won the title, gathered a horde, has a smexy Orc lady to bed and now...wait now what? I mean she does not want to go and kill all humans.

And that is where we are, what now? She has made friends, and enemies. She still does not understand this world, since she is from earth. And how can she get out of this time loop?

I liked Davi, she was snarky, and hey I would have lost my mind long ago. She has tried everything through out the years.

I liked it, and even more I liked that it was a duology

Davi has done this all before. She's tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she's rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she's killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she's been defeated every time.

This time? She's done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that's who she needs to be. It's Davi's turn to play on the winning side.

The Missing girl by Jenny Quintana

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: September 20, 2018 by Pan Books

Thriller Mystery/borrowed

I expected it to be more thrilling, or dangerous. But it was pretty lowkey

It takes place in 1982 and then 30 years later. In 1982 Anna´s sister Gabriella goes missing and they can´t find her. What happened?

30 years later Anna comes back to deal with her mother´s death estate and she starts looking for clues again. There were suspects and she learns new things, and yes she will learn what happened. Totally sad, but I did expect some danger. But it is just her looking for clues, finding the truth and having closure. Which is good, but yes you know what to expect then.

I did want to know what happened to Gabriella. I hoped she was fine, and for some reason had not talked to the family she loved for 30 years...

When Anna Flores' adored older sister goes missing as a teenager, Anna copes by disappearing too, just as soon as she can: running as far away from her family as possible, and eventually building a life for herself abroad. Thirty years later, the death of her mother finally forces Anna to return home. Tasked with sorting through her mother's possessions, she begins to confront not just her mother's death, but also the huge hole Gabriella's disappearance left in her life – and finds herself asking a question she's not allowed herself to ask for years: what really happened to her sister? With that question comes the revelation that her biggest fear isn't discovering the worst; it's never knowing the answer. But is it too late for Anna to uncover the truth about Gabriella's disappearance?

A marriage of Lions by Elizabeth Chadwick

Format: 512 pages, Paperback

Published: April 14, 2022 by Sphere

Historical fiction/own

I like Chadwick´s historical books. They always makes me go down rabbit holes. Following entire lines of people and yes Joanna is a direct ancestor of the royal house still today.

Joanna was a granddaughter of William Marshall, but she was not an heiress. Still she got a position as a lady in waiting when she was 8. Also was the Marshall men cursed to not have kids? It is weird. Anyway, suddenly Joanne was an heiress and is married of to Henry IIIs brother William de Valence.

At this time Simon de Montfort is gaining power and is using the message England for the English and not foreigners, oh I guess it is nothing new then. He gets some barons on his side. Joannas husband who is from France is one reason they are angry. Also since she was an heiress and did not even marry someone from England. Also he was a total dick, de Montfort that is.

It is about her upbringing, marriage, kids and just life that is. All while tension is brewing through out the country.

I enjoyed it, and it is always fun with books that makes you want to google

England, 1238

Raised at the court of King Henry III as a chamber lady to the queen, young Joanna of Swanscombe's life changes forever when she comes into an inheritance far above all expectations, including her own.

Now a wealthy heiress, Joanna's arranged marriage to the King's charming, tournament-loving half-brother William de Valence immediately stokes the flames of political unrest as more established courtiers object to the privileges bestowed on newcomers.

As Joanna and William strive to build a life together, England descends into a bitter civil war. In mortal danger, William is forced to run for his life, and Joanna is left with only her wit and courage to outfox their enemies and prevent them from destroying her husband, her family, and their fortunes.

Flawless by Elsie Silver

Series: Chestnut Springs (#1)

Format: 378 pages, Paperback

Published: August 29, 2023 by Bloom Books

Contemporary romance/own

Cowboy romance, hey I love it. But it also got me thinking, I have seen people lately complain about 3rd person, and this was 1st person and well I prefer 3rd, it makes me one step away. Which is good when it gets really down and dirty.

Rhett is a bullrider who gets in trouble as he says bad things about his sponsor. So he gets a babysitter named Summer, who is also the daughter of his PR agent. Don't get to close!

But ovbi they get really close. First they dislike each other, but then feelings grow and maybe this could work after all. Insert drama!

I enjoyed it. I will read more

The rules were simple: keep his hands off his agent's daughter and stay out of trouble. But now he's stuck with her. There's only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.

Rhett Eaton is the face of professional bull riding. The golden boy. Or at least he was until it all blew up in his face after a public brawl. Now his agent says he has to clean up his image, and sticks Rhett with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as "full-time supervision."

But Rhett doesn't need a goddamn babysitter--especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can't stop running.

And he quickly learns that Summer Hamilton isn't just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn't run--she pulls him closer, even when she shouldn't.

She says this means nothing. Rhett says this means everything.

She says there are boundaries they shouldn't cross. That Rhett's reputation can't take any more hits...and neither can her damaged heart.

Rhett says he's going to steal it anyway.

Carole Monday: The spider silk scarf

 

Author: Ana Reyes

Title: The Spider Silk Scarf

Genre: Fantasy, Short Story, Thriller, Horror

Format: ebook

Pages: 32

Expected publication September 1, 2026

Where I got It: My Shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Nora has always gotten a thrill from stealing things—from shoplifting nail polish as a young teenager to now, in her twenties, reaching higher than a receptionist’s salary allows. Her handyman fiancé, Ben, doesn’t ask questions when she shows up with a new necklace or cracks open a bottle of high-end cognac that they clearly can’t afford.

When Ben comes home from a repair job for a notoriously reclusive neighbor, he passes along rumors of an extraordinary object hidden away in her gloomy old house. A scarf, woven from the silk of black widow spiders. It’s priceless, not only because it’s completely unique, but also because, as legend has it, it took twelve weavers seven years to create. Only eleven survived.

As obsession takes hold, Nora finds herself breaking into her neighbor’s home. But what happens next defies explanation. One glimpse into the world of a witch could change Nora’s life forever—if she makes it out.

Review:

Weeeee Amazon first read! A friend and I both picked this to check out. How could you not? That title....that cover....that summary???? So enticing!

In this story, we follow Nora. Nora has always gotten a thrill from stealing. Ben, her future husband, never bats an eye when Nora shows up with things that are way out of their price range. After doing a job for a reclusive neighbor, he passes along a rumor of an extraordinary object in the neighbor's house. It's a priceless scarf, and Nora wants it. It's a scarf that is woven from the silk of black widow spiders. However, there is a legend attached to it....there were twelve weavers, but only eleven survived. After breaking into the neighbor's house to steal the scarf, Nora will come face-to-face with the unexplainable. 

Oh Nora....you have a problem. And if Ben doesn't know...he's dumb. All the signs are there. I guess love is blind? SMH. 

It's hard to feel for our main here, but I still enjoyed the story. There is a lesson mixed in with the story. Maybe multiple lessons, to be fair. 

This would be a lovely short to read during Halloween. Maybe I'll read it again in a couple of years! It has some spooky elements for sure. 

The ending was good. A nice twist. 

Overall, this was a quick read but a nice read. It was just enough. The characters are hard to feel bad for, but not all stories have characters that are likeable!

4 stars. 

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Her Majesty´s royal coven by Juno Dawson

Series: Her Majesty's Royal Coven (#1)

Format: 452 pages, Paperback

Published: August 3, 2022 by Harper Voyager

Paranormal/borrowed

First I was disappointed at once cos I stupidly believed it would take place in the 1800s...oops, ok that one is on me. It was modern time.

And it was sort of ok, but sigh. I thought this would be fun, it was not. I thought it would be friendship and women, no. The whole book was about women in different covens arguing.

There had been a war between warlocks and witches. One would think that would be in issue...nope.

Satan was coming through and all witches are going to die said an oracle, one would think that would be an issue..sort of, but still let's just argue instead.

So women being bitches to each other instead of witches. YAWN

If you look hard enough at old photographs, we’re there in the background: healers in the trenches; Suffragettes; Bletchley Park oracles; land girls and resistance fighters. Why is it we help in times of crisis? We have a gift. We are stronger than Mundanes, plain and simple.

At the dawn of their adolescence, on the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls--Helena, Leonie, Niamh and Elle--took the oath to join Her Majesty's Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department. Now, decades later, the witch community is still reeling from a civil war and Helena is now the reigning High Priestess of the organization. Yet Helena is the only one of her friend group still enmeshed in the stale bureaucracy of HMRC. Elle is trying to pretend she's a normal housewife, and Niamh has become a country vet, using her powers to heal sick animals. In what Helena perceives as the deepest betrayal, Leonie has defected to start her own more inclusive and intersectional coven, Diaspora. And now Helena has a bigger problem. A young warlock of extraordinary capabilities has been captured by authorities and seems to threaten the very existence of HMRC. With conflicting beliefs over the best course of action, the four friends must decide where their loyalties lie: with preserving tradition, or doing what is right.

Juno Dawson explores gender and the corrupting nature of power in a delightful and provocative story of magic and matriarchy, friendship and feminism. Dealing with all the aspects of contemporary womanhood, as well as being phenomenally powerful witches, Niamh, Helena, Leonie and Elle may have grown apart but they will always be bound by the sisterhood of the coven.

Audio: A Lady´s reputation by Amy DOrazio

By: Amy D'Orazio

Narrated by: Lillian Rachel

Series: The Engaged to Mr Darcy Series

Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins

Release date: 10-11-19

Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing

Pride and prejudice variation/from audible

I am appalled, appalled I say! Mr Bingley, you are not a gentleman!

In this one, Darcy is an idiot in love and goes and blabs to everyone that he and Lizzy is engaged, sigh. Well, see he has not actually asked her yet and the gossip is soon everywhere. If she "ends" it it will seems she jilted him and her reputation will suffer. MEN! But he invites her to Pemberley, and the Gardiners so they can get to know each other and maybe work it out.

And then there is Bingley who becomes more and more of a spineless toad. And when I thought he could not sunk any farther, he does! Where is my glove?! I will slap him and call him out.

Darcy and Lizzy will eventually fall in love, and then there is some drama that made me maaaad! You are dead to me Bingley!

All in all, everyone lives happily ever after, except those who deserves no happy endings.

I liked it

“Mr Darcy, I am eager to hear your explanation for the fact that quite a few people believe we are engaged.”

It starts with a bit of well-meant advice. Colonel Fitzwilliam suggests to his cousin Darcy that, before he proposes to Elizabeth Bennet in Kent, perhaps he ought to discuss his plans with their families first.

What neither man could have predicted however was that Lord Matlock would write the news to his sister, or that Viscount Saye would overhear and tell his friends, or that his friends might slip a little and let their friends know as well. The news spreads just as quickly through Hertfordshire once Mrs Bennet opens the express Mr Bennet receives from Mr Darcy, and in a matter of days, it seems like everyone knows that Mr Darcy has proposed marriage to Elizabeth Bennet.

Everyone, that is, except Elizabeth herself.

Her refusal is quick and definite - until matters of reputation, hers as well as Jane’s, are considered. Then Mr Darcy makes another summer at Pemberley so that Jane can be reunited with Mr Bingley and so that he can prove to Elizabeth he is not what she thinks of him. Falling in love with him is naturally impossible...but once she knows the man he truly is, will she be able to help herself?

Audio: An ordinary sort of evil by Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Kate Handford

Series: A Rip Through Time, Book 5

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Release date: 05-19-26

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Historical mystery/own

A new adventure, and finally! Mallory and Grey will get a bit closer. I get why nothing has happened before, but these two would be so perfect together.

But first there is a mystery, a psychic claims that Lady Adler´s maid is dead and Grey and Mallory is called in. There is no body, just a girl who seems to have quit her job.

A missing maid. More mysteries. How does the psychic know?

Though I must say, Mallory sure is sceptic of ghosts considering she time travelled from modern time to 1860s.

I enjoyed this one. Especially since these two clearly has something going on between them.

Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell has grown accustomed to life in Victorian Scotland after travelling 150 years into the past into the body of a housemaid. She’s built a new life for herself. Even though she works as an assistant to forensic-science pioneer Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie, she considers them true friends. And with Gray in particular, perhaps, someday, something more.

Late one night, Gray and Mallory are summoned urgently to the home of Lady Adler, a patron of Gray’s undertaking business, and they assume there's been a death in the household. But instead, they arrive in the midst of a séance with a ghost demanding Gray's presence. The ghost is Lady Adler's former maid, who had gone missing but now requests that Gray investigate her murder. Although Gray and Mallory are skeptical, they agree to look into the matter, whether she's dead or alive. But unsure if there's been a murder or not, unable to call out the medium as a fraud, and concerned for the fate of the young maid, Gray and Mallory are once again drawn into a mystery much more puzzling—and more dangerous—than it first seems

The Belle of Belgrave square by Mimi Matthews

Series: Belles of London (#2)

Format: 432 pages, Paperback

Published: October 11, 2022 by Berkley

Historical romance/own

Julia loves reading, she hates parties and gatherings. Her parents are hypochondriacs, and she does pretend to be ill at times so she does not have to attend balls.

Jasper is called the hero of Crimea, but at the same time people gossip about how sadistic he was and about his brood of bastards. Also he needs a rich wife since his estate needs repairs. And he has his eye on Julia.

Of course it will happen, and sure he wants her money but he is falling. And she really needs to get out of her house, her parents are horrible.

I liked it, they fit well together. At first I was a bit worried about those kids, I hate when a stepmum comes in and the kids are just mean beyond words. But it all works out.

A London heiress rides out to the wilds of the English countryside to honor a marriage of convenience with a mysterious and reclusive stranger. Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood. For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt. In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

Carole's Monday

 

Author: Martha Wells

Title: Compulsory

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #0.5

Genre: SciFi, Humor, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 8

Published: December 17, 2018

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Murderbot—the sardonic, almost-homicidal, media-loving android created by Martha Wells—has proven to be one of the most popular characters in 21 st century science fiction. Everything that makes this protagonist (it would be wrong to call Murderbot a hero) beloved of fans is on display in Compulsory.

While trying to watch episode 44 of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, Murderbot is—again, what is it with humans?—distracted by something that is technically outside its purview. A miner is suddenly in danger following a pointless (to Murderbot’s way of thinking) argument, and the choice is to risk discovery and leap into action, which would require hitting the pause button during a very exciting part of SanctuaryMoon, or to follow orders and stay still.

This is a tougher choice than it seems. But then, when has Murderbot ever been faced with an easy choice?

Review:

I'm finally going back and reading the short stories. Not sure why I skipped them. Maybe because my library didn't have them? Perhaps, per maybe. 

But yes. For this guy, we are at the very beginning. Back to when it all started. 

Murderbot faces a tough decision... follow orders and do nothing, or do something. This decision will change his future forever.

Quick story but a big one. I liked it. It was weird going back, but it was nice seeing the difference of the Murderbot he has become vs when he was just following orders and just a bot. 

Def worth it. Honestly....I say wait to read this until after a couple of the books. The difference was fun to see. Love a good origin story. 

This could've been a hair longer methinks. I would've liked to see more of the origin. 

4 stars. 

Author: Martha Wells

Title: Rapport

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #2.5

Genre: SciFi, Humor, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 34

Published: July 11, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover...

Review:

This was an interesting one. I wasn't sure I really wanted to read this one, but I'm in it to win it with these shorts!

So we are with Perihelion and its crew. We get to see a whole new POV. We get further insight into the Corporates from Iris' perspective.

I was a little nervous because we are not in the mind of Murderbot. I was scared, but I was pleasantly surprised. I did enjoy this lil guy. 

Def read book 1 and book 2 before diving into this one. 

But yes, short and entertaining. I'm glad I didn't skip it. 

4 stars. Not the same without our main ;) 

Author: Martha Wells

Title: Home

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #4.5

Genre: SciFi, Humor, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 19

Published: May 5, 2020

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

This short story is told from the point of view of Dr. Mensah and follows the events in Exit Strategy.

The story picks up with Mensah returning to Preservation Station. While she deals with the bureaucratic and political aftermath, Murderbot is physically recovering and emotionally distancing itself — a typical defense mechanism for it.

Review:

Another short where we get to see from someone else's POV. Again...I nearly wanted to skip it but it didn't feel right. 

Here we follow Menash who is returning to the Preservation Station. While she is dealing with the aftermath, Murderbot is physically recovering and emotionally distancing....typical. 

I really enjoyed this one. I actually went back and re-read it. It was entertaining for sure! I like Mensah. 

You need to read the others before this one. There are some references and things you won't understand esp about Murderbot. 

This was my favorite of the shorts. I really liked it. 

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #19

Best of July

 

August!! Here we come!!

Here are our faves for July.

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Bunny by Mona Awad

"Best book goes to Bunny because I like weird lit."

Carole -  Platform Decay by Martha Wells

"Not the best month for books for me. But this one was so dang good! Last inning book for the win!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Young Washington (2026)

"No 5 star movies this month, but I did really enjoy this one! Loved seeing George before he became a hero to this nation."

Blodeuedd - 72 Hours (2026)

"Movie of the month was 72 hours, it was fun and crazy."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Ghosts (s4) & The Mentalist (s6)

"I finally watched s4 of Ghosts, and s6 of The Mentalist.  Almost done now."

Carole - Versailles (s1 - 3)

"This needed a season 4, but I still enjoyed re-watching this after so many years."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick: "I don't know why, but I just love this cover!"

B's pick: "So pretty!"

Honorable Mention:

Blodeuedd - The Watchers by AM Shine

"A good horror that made me want more."

Carole - Murderbot Diaries short stories

"I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked all three!"

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

Format: 357 pages, Paperback

Published: February 1, 2024 by Michael Joseph

Thriller/borrowed

A perfect vacation thriller/murder mystery.

A famous movie star named Lana invites some friends over to her Greek Island. Then a murder takes place. The book is narrated by Elliott as he wrote a book about this famous murder. So we get to see how everyone met, how friendly everyone was, who had dated who and so on.

And well...spoilers. I can not say more. Stuff goes down. Most are not that decent human beings.

I enjoyed it. It was a fast read that I did not know where it would take me

This is a tale of murder.

Or maybe that's not quite true. At its heart, it's a love story, isn't it?

One spring morning, reclusive ex-movie star Lana Farrar invites a small group of her closest friends for a weekend away, on her small private island, just off the coast of Mykonos.

Beneath the surface, old friendships conceal violent passions and resentments. And in forty-eight hours, one of them will be dead.

But that was just the beginning...

You may think you know this story. Think again.

A forgery of fate by Elizabeth Lim

Format: Paperback 440p

Published: April 25, 2026 by HACHETTE INTL

Fantasy/own

Tru is an art forger trying to keep her family afloat after her dad disappeared. But things go bad and she is running for her life.

In comes a dragon to the rescue. Help him return from exile, pretend to be married and he will save her family for ruin and worse! She really has bad people after her.

Oh and people do not know dragons still exist, and they live under water. And the dragon king is mad, angry and really hates his half breed grandson.

I liked Tru and her dragon prince. They did have their work cut out for them as he is lacking a heart, long story.

A good fantasy story. Dragons, noodles, a lot of water and a budding romance.

Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

Bunny by Mona Awad

Series: Bunny (#1)

Format: 375 pages, Paperback

Published: February 6, 2020 by Head of Zeus

Lit fic/borrowed

This was surreal on crack, and I do like weird lit.

Samantha has writer´s block. She is a student and her group is scary. They all just all call each other bunny and hug. Then they invite her, she does hesitate but she goes and shit happens, like what is going on? I can´t tell you either because that means spoilers, but someone mentioned Alice in Wonderland and it fits. It gets surreal, there is weirdness and when you think you know, you do not.

Weird lit is fun. You never know where it is headed. I guess this is under horror, but it is never like SCARY, just wtf am I on?

I liked it a lot.

Samantha Heather Mackey is an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at Warren University. In fact, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort – a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other 'Bunny'.

But then the Bunnies issue her with an invitation and Samantha finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door, across the threshold, and down their rabbit hole.

Blending sharp satire with fairytale horror, Bunny is a spellbinding trip of a novel from one of fiction's most original new voices.

Audio: The eye of the bedlam bride by Matt Dinniman

By: Matt Dinniman

Narrated by: Jeff Hays, Patrick Warburton, Travis Baldree, Annie Ellicott

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 6

Length: 26 hrs and 46 mins

Release date: 09-01-23

Publisher: Audible Studios

Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy

This one was longer! It actually took me some time to get through it.

Donut and Carl ends up in Cuba, and there are monsters, zombies, crabs, seals, gods, nuns. Crazy times.

I do not really know how to review these anymore. Stuff happens, explosions happen, there is danger, near death experiences, more is learned about the crawl and well down with all those who Serve the crawl!

I liked it. Amazing narration a always

A pantheon of forgotten gods. An old grudge between a talk show host, an heiress, and the man they shattered along the way. A rapidly deteriorating AI system. An inconvenient tiara upon the head of a friend.

It is bedlam on the eighth floor.

As management reels from the unexpected conclusion of the seventh level, the surviving crawlers stumble onto the eighth and find themselves scattered. It’s a map based on Earth’s final days before the collapse, where ethereal, intangible ghosts of humanity go about their lives, oblivious of the impending doom. Living amongst these ghosts are monsters based in Earth lore. “Legendary” creatures tied to the geographical location they inhabit.

Each team of crawlers is given a find and capture six of these beasts. The captured monsters will be turned into cards. Cards that can be summoned into battle again and again. The stronger and deadlier the better.

At the end of the floor, the bad guys will also have decks, and they will have some of the most powerful cards available. So it’s crucial to assemble the toughest squad possible.

But like always, there is a catch. There’s always a catch.

As Carl and Donut know all too well, just because someone is captured, it doesn’t mean they have been tamed.

Her name is Shi Maria. She’s easily the most powerful monster in their area. If they want to survive, they must capture her. But she is no ordinary beast. She’s intelligent. She was once married to a god, a god who is now missing. Her special attack is known to drive one insane. They call her the Bedlam Bride.

“Beware, beware. Beware the eye of the Bedlam Bride.”

Carole´s Movie Monday: Enola Holmes 3

Title: Enola Holmes 3

Length: 1h 45m

Released: 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Action/Adventure, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

Detective Enola Holmes heads to Malta, where her aspirations merge in her most complex and dangerous case yet.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Number 3 babbbyyyy!

We are back with Enola and crew. This time they are in Malta, and Enola is about to wed. Gasp. But a kidnapping, murder, and many a mystery land on her shoulders to solve, so the wedding is postponed. 

Like the others, this was fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should the viewer. There is humor and a LOT of fourth wall breaking. 

My biggest issue with the film was the lack of mystery. Yes, it is "there," sure, but the first like 5 mins for sure ruins the mystery. Sure, our fearless detective doesn't know, but we know. I did not like that one bit. Like, come on. 

It was fun to uncover the what and why. Enola was on a clock and 10 steps behind for so long. Plus...fixing what she broke was nice to see. I think he was being a little.....dramatic. But it is what it is. 

Oh! I did like the serious tones near the end. It was nice to keep this from being too campy. 

In the end, I had fun with this. The local was fun, the mission was okay, and there were some nice serious tones attached that helped deepen the story. Yes, yes, I laughed a few times at the funny moments.

3 stars from me.