#Cleo Goldstein

[ozu-teapot]

This, That and the Other! | Derek Ford | 1969

Cleo Goldstein

[tamtam-go92]

The party was a true roof raiser. Everyone was just so happy that Catherine and Betty could finally have a life together.

How will that life look like in the future? What about Andrew and Brandi? Will he meet the other kids of Brandi and will they like him? Will he continue living with his aunts or do they want an empty nest to found their own little family? Find out next season!

[lasudio]

VeronaHills, Round Two: Shikibu

Patricia's got her game face on and an axe to grind.

There's no gym in Riverblossom Hills. How can a town have no gym? What do people here do for exercise?

Patricia gets her answers when she asks Cleo, and she's not fond of them. Walking (boring), gardening, (dirty), iceskating (too much potential for embarrassment).

Cleo shrugs. "I dunno. Axe-throwing?" She chuckles. "Imagine you, with an axe! Run for the hills!"

It turns out Cleo didn't have to hold onto that vision for much longer, because it soon became reality. Patricia went online and researched home setups for axe throwing, ordered the equipment, and entered several competitions being held at Mission University. Hiffing axes is great for upper body strength! She also invests in a barre to work on her core. She's going to be fit, snoozy village town be damned.

Cleo benefits from the entertainment factor of watching her glossy, cerebral friend transform into a hulking, roaring beast when she wraps her hands around an axe. She shares this with aunt Catherine's good friend Betty over a cup of coffee at the market.

"There really must be something in the air," Betty remarks. She pauses. "Whatever it is, I hope it's good. For all of us."

Before Cleo can ask what Betty means, the elderly woman spins off into a tangent about the suspect of her yacht robbery a few years ago being in town. Cleo sips her coffee and nods along with the tale. The red-haired, rough and tumble pseudo-pirate sounds just like the woman she just had her first kiss with...

[lifetime-want]

[riverblossom-valley]

happenings at the Viejo household ♥️

[zx-ta]

Riverblossom Hills, my loves!

So, as usual, my timelime is happening like 5 years before TS2, it means that Linda Martin is still alive, Xander is a toddler, Jules and Jacob are kids and that the Greenmans aren't a thing yet.

The Roth family was made using the Goths as a base (obviously) and that's why Sandra is still a teen.

Everybody lives in Henford except Alexandra O'Mackey who lives in Tartosa and the Roths who live in San Sequoia.

I now have more than 350 sims in this save and I chose to delete some TS4 families that I don't play with :(

Cleo Shikibu, Patricia Wan, Jacob Martin, Andrew Martin, Betty Goldstein, Catherine Viejo, Linda Martin, Alexandra O'Mackey, Jules O'Mackey, Gabe O'Mackey, Leod McGreggor, Stella Roth, Xander Roth, Sandra Roth and Morty Roth.

[juniper-simblr]

Greetings from Riverblossom Hills Year one: introduction

Here is the town of Riverblossom Hills

This rural town is far away from.. well, everything. It's a nice place for the young to grow up (although, maybe a bit boring at times...).

There's currently 16 sims spread across 6 households in the town:

202 Welsh Lane: Wan household. Patricia Wan & Cleo Shikibu lives here.

125 Huckleberry Lane: O'Mackey household. Gabe & Jules O'Mackey lives here.

110 Old Farm Road: Greenman household. Rose, Jason & Daisy Greenman lives here.

115 Old Farm Road: McGreggor household. Leod McGreggor lives here alone.

208 Welsh Lane: Roth household. Morty, Stella, Sandra & Xander Roth lives here.

204 Old Farm Road: Viejo household. Catherine Viejo lives here along with Betty Goldstein, and Andrew & Jacob Martin.

[uberhoodbracket]

[the-al-chemist]

Lineage Challenge Day 6 - Ask Game!

Thank you @kathrynalicemc for creating this challenge, it’s been so interesting and great for development! Long answers and pretty pictures ahead, so I’ve put in a cut.

1) Canon or Fiction? What drew you to that specific family? Did you make any changes to Canon, and if so, why?

This isn’t a canon family, I created the name Hexley for Artemis after writing a list of surnames and giving them a magical twist. The lore has gone back from Artemis through to my HPHL OCs. I have strict rules about not altering established canon in my writing (which is why Sara Kowalski was born after the events of the Fantastic Beasts films finish) but working around it to create stories that can exist in the magical world adjacent to canon.

I have, however, changed my own canon. Mavis Morland was originally supposed to be a Muggle, not a Squib with a secret history, and the Hexley family were not going to be distantly related to some of the other families I mention below. I also intended the line to end with Artemis, however I have grown to cherish this family lineage to the point that I couldn’t do that. So, Cleo came into being, and now the Hexleys have a future as well as a history.

2) Family Ties - What other families are related/connected to this one? Are they Canon families or creator-made families? (Tag them!)

The Hexleys are connected through marriage to several other wizarding families.

To the Anders and Cleary families, due to the marriage of Theodore Hexley to Florence Mudge. Florence’s nieces gave the Hexley family a distant connection to the McNully and Hopper families. @kc-and-co @thatravenpuffwitch

To the french Fortinbras dynasty, thanks to the marriage of Jim Hexley and Héloïse Perrault.

To the Mercury family, after Ethel’s marriage to Lysander Mercury and the birth of their three daughters: Beatrice, Flora, and Ottilie. Eventually, this branch of the family leads to Flora’s granddaughter Iris and her son Zephyr, and to Ottilie’s grandson Orlando Taylor, and his daughters, Phoebe and Zadie Taylor-Allen. @slytherindisaster

To the Nott and Burke families through Marius Hexley’s marriage to Mavis Morland, who was born Marguerite Nott. This connects them through the marriage of Marguerite’s sister Dahlia to the Pendleton lineage, however this is not a fact that is known by anyone but Mavis Marius themselves and Mavis’ mother Eliza, who was born Ophelia Burke. @kc-and-co @lifeofkaze

To the Goldstein/Kowalski family, through Leander’s marriage to Sara Kowalski. Sally’s maternal aunt Tina Goldstein married Magizoologist Newt Scamander, thus linking another family to the tree.

To the Cole family, thanks to the birth of Jacob Hexley and Angelica Cole’s daughter Cleo. However, as the couple never married and were separated whilst Cleo was still young, the connection between the two lineages is not strong.

3) Foundations: What year and which OC was the founder of the family line?

I have traced the Hexley lineage back as far as Humphrey, Jim and Ethel’s paternal grandfather, however the name Hexley has existed in Wizarding records since the late medieval era. The name sprung up as if from nowhere, and it is unknown whether this is because the family originally was an offshoot of the Yaxley family who cut ties with their less liberal-minded clansmen, or was descended from Muggle stock. Either way, the Hexley family is old enough to have garnered some respect for itself over the years, but not fanatic enough about maintaining the purity of its bloodline to have kept its prestige high.

4) Fun Facts: Do you have any misc lore that you haven’t had a chance to post about? Talk about anything you like!

I’m going to talk about property and homes. There are several old properties that have been owned by the Hexley family over the generations, some of which are still in the possession of their descendents.

Cathedral Close, Exeter, Devon

Muggles are not able to see the door with the hedgehog-shaped knocker among the buildings of the ancient part of Exeter which marks the entrance to the ancestral home of the Hexley family. Humphrey Hexley and his wife Jemima took over this home from Humphrey’s parents in the 19th century, and this is where they raised their son Theodore. Next door, there is a house whose door bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Hogwarts castle’s Room of Requirement. It is unknown if this is a coincidence or not. The property was inherited by Ethel Hexley-Mercury and her family.

Dunsworthy-in-the-Moor, Devon

Florence Mudge’s Muggle parents were not extremely wealthy, but they had enough money to purchase a set of three terraced cottages in Dartmoor, one to be given to each of their three daughters upon marriage. Theodore and Florence raised their children Jim and Ethel in the cottage, with the property later passing to Jim. Both Jim’s children were also raised here, as was his grandson Leander, but the property was sold after the death of Marius Hexley during the first Wizarding War.

Château de Miel, Sarlac, Dordogne

Jim Hexley’s marriage to Héloïse Perrault greatly raised the family’s status financially. Héloïse grew up in the Château de Sarlac, the property bestowed upon her parents after their marriage by her maternal grandparents, but only returned to live there as an adult after her own children had grown. The château was then renamed and went on to have an interesting life of its own, housing both cryptanalysts during the Global Wizarding War and refugees during the Second British Wizarding War, and running a working honey farm throughout the latter two thirds of the 20th Century. Currently it is in the possession of Lucienne Hexley.

Lovelace Terrace, Camden, London

After graduating from Hogwarts and getting a job at the British Ministry of Magic, Héloïse’s grandmother ‘gifted’ her a London townhouse. Unfortunately, Héloïse despised London wholeheartedly, so the building was instead used by other members of the family until passing onto her grandson Leander, who used the money from the sale of the Dunsworthy cottage to purchase the Camden house from his grandparents and use it as a home in which to raise his own family. After Leander’s death, the property was inherited by his two surviving offspring, Jacob and Artemis. After years of attempts, Artemis managed to successfully sell her share of the property in the early 2000s to a surprising buyer, but that is definitely a story for another day.

5) Free Space: Feel free to ask any creator a question not listed here, and maybe you will get one in return!

Y’all know that I’m always open to asks!

[glowyjellyfish]

Megakingom Makeovers: Riverblossom Hills part 2

Patricia Wan

and Lady Cleo Shikibu. Patricia is a merchant who is going to own the local market, and Cleo is the heir to her aunt Duchess Catherine Viejo. Technically, as a medieval hood, the preference is for male heirs, but when planning I picked the social classes I felt made sense and were interesting for each household. Patricia is going to need to find a good man who is willing to share ownership of her business rather than bringing his own to the table (likely a young man from the college dating pool), while Duchess Catherine was on thin enough ice ruling in her own right--Lady Cleo pretty much has to marry an appropriate man without his own title in order to keep her claim on the duchy. (also likely a college man.) Otherwise, the King may award inheritance rights to the Roths, or to any other male sim of good bloodlines.

(also I thought this dress was black when I chose it. it's fine, I might make her change)

The Roths, the local Gentry family. I don't think they are scheming to claim the duke title or anything--they would be happy to step up if the King gave it to them, though!

Morty Roth

Stella Roth

Sandra Roth

and Xander Roth

Finally, the Viejo household.

Lady Betty Goldstein, Lord Morty Roth's cousin and a gentry-level gentlewoman lady-in-waiting of the Duchess

Duchess Catherine Viejo, looking fantastic if I say so myself. Perfect outfit, love her headdress. I would like to use medieval headgear more often, except I have too many accessories and it takes a long time to load, and then things start going pink after loading all that. I should probably narrow the CC down a bit.

Andrew Martin, a peasant employed as gardener and servant

and his son, Jacob.

I'm not sure what is the popular way to play this household, but I am very tempted to either make Lady Betty and Duchess Catherine be lovers, or make Duchess Catherine lovers with her serving man. Andrew's a good match for many single peasant ladies, but he does already have an heir, so a childless affair with an elder duchess won't hurt anything, and may in fact get him showered with expensive presents. Betty/Catherine may just make more sense though. We'll see how they all feel when I get in the game.

Almost done with medieval makeovers! I'm actually mostly through Veronaville and just haven't posted it yet, and after that it'll be the premade college sims for my marriage pool, then Kaylynn Langerak and whatever major townies I can get my hands on.

I have a couple of remodels I haven't posted yet, too, and I am down to only needing to remodel or build homes for the DeBateaus, and the Rutherford household (and decide whether it makes sense to keep lords Geoff and Connor as roommates or not), and then do quick exterior remodels for all the remaining prebuilt homes and community lots. That's going to take a while, plus I have started wondering if I should redo the church and separate the church building and the convent/monastery/abbey/orphanage/school residence (...i should look up the best term to use for that) into separate lots, so that other households can visit the church on Sundays as I play them, rather then just being summoned on Sundays while I play the church household. Still, I feel way closer to Actually Playing than I did before the holidays--the end is in sight!

[esotericfaery]

Winter Reading Picks, 2023: Top 11 Novels (Middle-Grade, Teen & Adult)

It's colder and will only get even more cold in the Northern Hemisphere. So here are my top reads for this year. Get your tea, coffee, cat, dog, and the comfiest spot on the couch. In no particular order, here are my top shelf novels of the year.

TLDR: ★★★★★ "Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things", by Michael Poeltl ★★★★★ "Journey to Jumbalot", by Ryan Wakefield ★★★★★ Seven Sisters of Avalon, "Book 7: Jasmine of Avalon" & the finale, "Book 8: Violet of Avalon", by Katrina Rasbold. ★★★★★ "Emma’s Dragon, Book 2: London and Pemberley", by M. Verant ★★★★★ "The Between State", by Joseph A White Jr ★★★★★ "Wilde Grove: Golden Heart", by Katherine Genet ★★★★★ "The Other AJ Hartford", by Addison Michael ★★★★★ "The Byways: A Novel", by Mary Pascual ★★★★★ "A Gift of Leaf", by H.A. May

Best four-star reads of the year; for when you run out of other novels:

★★★★ "Follow the Shadows: The Tales of Moerden Book 1", by Rosemary Drisdelle ★★★★ "The Possibilities", by Yael Goldstein-Love

~~~

★★★★★ "Cleo McCarthy Time Travel and Other Impossible Things", by Michael Poeltl

"Poeltl's ability to weave romance, mystery, and pure science fiction-based subplots into one riveting adventure is what makes Cleo McCarthy: Time Travel And Other Impossible Things a one-of-a-kind reading experience." - Readers' Favorite 5-star review The first time Cleo feared for her life was when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 23. The second time is when she discovered she could travel back in time at 24. While she is offered guidance from fellow time traveler Franklin, she is plagued by a fragmented message transmitted through white noise. Cleo’s best friend Bobby, a physicist, is recruited to help her and Franklin make sense of what’s happening, but despite their successes, Cleo’s constant jumping backward in time delays their progress. Once the message is received in its entirety – and more than one harsh realization is discovered - the three friends race against time to right the wrongs disclosed in the cryptic message. But one of these friends is not like the others, offering an additional obstacle to an already impossible situation. Burdened with an unlimited number of do-overs, Cleo McCarthy finds herself asking, how much time is enough?

Unlike some of the time travel novels coming out in recent years, this one goes a bit differently than expected, and that's a good thing.

The writing style lacks all pretentiousness, by drawing you immediately into the story. You keep guessing, and your attention is held. The characters have their own distinct personalities and motivations. Isn't it amazing how many novels in the past few years can't accomplish these simple things? If a time-travel junkie like me, or even if only slightly interested in the subject, definitely add this one to your reading list.

Another thing that's uncommon, is doing romance right in novels; avoiding that tired old instalove trope. And this novel nails it.

There's one part near the end that's just... Multi-dimensionaly beautiful. I won't spoil you any more than that.

Buy it at Kobo Buy it at Amazon

~~~

(I'm including some books in here which are from previous years, yet which were only put on Netgalley for Advance Reader Copy [aka: ARC] reviews this year.)

★★★★★ "Journey to Jumbalot", by Ryan Wakefield

A glowing doorway. A lost friend. Will one loyal pet turn out to be the hero of the hour? Alby the housecat has no desire for adventure. Rescued by the kindly Professor Wizoom, he’s grateful to be safe and lazy. But when his master vanishes through a magical door, the scaredy cat summons what little courage he has and races in after him. Stuck in a strange land of mixed-together animals, Alby teams up with an irritating froguar to locate his missing owner. But when he’s mistaken for a spy, the lonely cat finds himself caught in a war between wolvaraptor pirates and noble tigeroon knights! Can the timid feline conquer his worries in time to save the day? Journey to Jumbalot is an award-winning, action-packed middle grade fantasy novel. If you like talking animals, daring deeds, and enchanted worlds, then you’ll love Ryan Wakefield’s illustrated quest. Buy Journey to Jumbalot to learn to be brave today! Amazon, ★★★★★ GoodReads, ★★★★★ Kids’ BookBuzz, ★★★★★ Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★ 2022 Readers' Favorite International Book Award: Gold Medal for Children's Preteen Fantasy 2021 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition: Gold Award for Published Fantasy Mom's Choice Awards: Gold Recipient for Excellence in Family-friendly Media, Products, and Services Global Book Awards: Silver Medal for Children's Action and Adventure Category

I enjoyed this charming middle-grade / all ages fantasy adventure which is filled with strange and interesting creatures, and has just enough whimsy. The weird characters in this new world were inventive mixes of real animals. The technology is cool too.

This book is good enough that if there's a sequel, I'll read it even if I don't get an ARC.

~~~

Seven Sisters of Avalon has been a favoured series of mine since it begun. Though it's always best to start with book one of a series, as nuance will be lost, I feel these can also be enjoyed as stand-alone novels.

This series, while not gratuitous, is for adults only.

★★★★★ Jasmine of Avalon & the finale, Violet of Avalon, by Katrina Rasbold.

The seventh book in the Seven Sisters of Avalon series follows Jasmine, the priestess who sees no distinction between magic - the world into which she was born - and her lifelong passion of science and anatomy. Sent to Dumnonia to marry the warrior king, Bledric, Jasmine’s journey takes one startling turn after another as she navigates the complicated relationships within her new family, both married and chosen. As with all the books in this series, Jasmine’s story includes elements of one of our favorite classic tales woven into the fabric of post-Arthurian historical lore, leading us solidly into book eight’s dynamic conclusion of this incredible saga. In this, the cataclysmic finale of the Seven Sisters of Avalon series, we follow the compelling story of a woman confined to a tower prison at the mercy of a king who might be serial murderer. To establish her value and attempt to delay her impending death, our heroine enchants the king with compelling and seemingly fantastical tales that he finds just might be true. With elements of the classic tales of Rapunzel, Bluebeard, & Scheherazade, Violet of Avalon takes us on a fast-paced journey that ultimately leads us back to Avalon and to the startling conclusion of this incredible series. As a bonus for fans of the Seven Sisters of Avalon series, this book contains additional information about the previous stories you read and loved to add a new layer of insight about the first seven books. This book contains spoiler information about vital plotlines of the first seven books. Although the other books in the series work well as stand-alone stories, the author and publisher recommend reading Violet of Avalon after completing the first seven books. Seven Sisters of Avalon book series (in reading order): The Daughters of Avalon Rose of Avalon Aster of Avalon Iris of Avalon Lily of Avalon Dahlia of Avalon Jasmine of Avalon Violet of Avalon This series follows the stories of the royal family of Avalon, starting with The Daughters of Avalon and continuing with each of the seven priestesses and their individual stories as, under the instruction of the Druid and Elder Priestesses of Avalon, they go into the Britain Beyond Avalon to negotiate with the leaders of seven different kingdoms to ensure the safety of Goddess worshipping people in Britain. Each book draws on post-Arthurian fictional canon as well as classic fairy tales and popular fiction, including elements of Snow White, Robin Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Mulan, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Pied Piper, Frankenstein, Bluebeard, Rapunzel, and Beauty and the Beast. The Daughters of Avalon sets up the series, introducing Lilian, the Lady of the Lake, and Brannon, the Merlin Reborn. Their epic love story sets the stage for the adventures of their seven daughters, presented over the course of the next seven books.

It's difficult to put into words how enthralling this series was. I was hooked from book one, and deeply invested. I've read many series' incorporating Avalon, yet this is my favourite. Yes, it's better than Marion Zimmer Bradleys Avalon series, (and not just because of the controversy surrounding her.) This series kept me guessing, and like a heroin addict, wishing that other pagan novels I tried to read or re-read, could be as great. Here's an author to keep an eye out for.

~~~

★★★★★ Emma’s Dragon, Book 2: London and Pemberley, by M. Verant

This book is great as a stand-alone, or after having read the first.

Emma Woodhouse needs a dragon. Her life depends on it. But Emma’s dragon is claimed… by Elizabeth Darcy. When Emma Woodhouse meets newly wed Elizabeth, a brush of their gloved hands unmasks the Darcys’ fantastic secret. Emma has discovered Yuánchi, the deadly dragon coveted by both Emperor Napoleon and England’s Secretary of War. Luckily, secrets are nothing new for Emma. She has her own: a deathbed promise, and a clever plan to achieve it. The Darcys’ power, forbidden to her, might even help. But clever plans can go astray. As treason stalks a royal ball, an avenging queen rises to ravage England. Survival rests on a fabled alliance: Emma and her secrets, Elizabeth and her dragon, and the magical music of Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy. Will Emma, Elizabeth, and Mary unravel the mystery of the great wyves in time to save England and themselves? Emma’s Dragon is the second book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. This boldly original story is filled with magical dragons, strong heroines, and a brilliantly reimagined Regency that challenges barriers of class, race, and love. Don’t miss this thrilling, romantic fantasy!

As with book 1, these retellings of "Pride and Prejudice", and "Emma" with dragons are actually improvements on the classics. It's better than the other regency or victorian romances which incorporate dragons or other fantasy elements. A few surprisingly nice moments were Elizabeth and Darcy handfasting; loving the pagan vibe, plus the hint of romance developing between two who you wouldn't expect. Filled with thrills, mystery, whimsy and, of course, romance, it makes me highly anticipate the next in the series.

~~~

★★★★★ The Between State, by Joseph A White Jr

When Jeff, a computer software professional, repeatedly awakes inside realistic dreams in which he's inside the mind of a young woman, he struggles to find a rational explanation. The woman, he discovers, is real, and he becomes an unwilling time traveler periodically thrust two years into his past, where he experiences her life through her senses. An expert logician, he battles with the limitations of logic in his efforts to uncover the explanation for why he has become immersed in this new, supranatural world. Does he have a role to play in helping this woman escape her troubled past and move towards a future of serenity and hope?

I couldn't put this book down. It ends with one question still unanswered, yet ends satisfyingly. Maybe there will be a sequel, but even if there isn't, I would consider buying other subsequent books by this author.

~~~

★★★★★ Wilde Grove: Golden Heart, by Katherine Genet

A new wind is blowing. Selena makes the decision to take Rue to Wilde Grove, to get to the heart of her dreaming, for it is certain that Rue has lived before as a priestess of Wilde Grove. But what is the lesson Rue needs to learn? With Morghan giving Rue a crash course in walking between the worlds, the story behind Rue's dreaming cannot remain a mystery for long. She will walk the same paths she did long ago, in another skin, and find out exactly what Bryn, one of the first priestesses of the Forest Grove wants from her. Back in New Zealand, a loss is suffered, and a shock, one that brings Selena straight back home, for someone is screaming out to Clover from the spirit world for help that the child is too young and frightened to give.

Here's another Pagan novel series to really get into, which can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, yet is better when reading the series in order. Here's where it begins, and here's where it continues, leading to Golden Heart.

This series starts during the first year of covid (I know, I know, annoying, yet bear with me), and is a modern tale of an English village, and the relationships between the Christians and the Pagans. The characters are realisticly multi-faceted, and the stories of spirituality, mystery, healing and love are enthralling. There is none of that nonsense in many books where all of one side, or all of the other, are unrealistically painted as evil.

Then there's a prequel series, where we can see characters who were only mentioned, some of the original characters at younger ages, and new young people are added to the mix. There are several mature themes related to various forms abuse, and though not gratuitous, I recommend this series for teens and above.

~~~

★★★★★ The Other AJ Hartford, by Addison Michael

A phantom on a train. A mysterious kidnapping long ago. Can she connect the dots before all her futures disappear forever? AJ Hartford is content. With both a teaching job and a teenage daughter she adores, the thirty-something divorcée has settled away from high drama and into wonderfully normal happiness. But her ordinary days turn upside down when she’s chased by a sinister stranger… and runs into a ghostly version of herself. Learning her doppelgänger is from another universe where she was murdered in the future, the sentimental mother panics when she discovers it triggered a lethal domino effect. And if she can’t save her uncanny visitor from being killed in yet another dimension, all the AJs who ever were and their families will be permanently erased from existence. With the lives of herself and her beloved child on the line, can she escape into a second reality and rescue the past? The Other AJ Hartford is an action-packed multidimensional science fiction thriller. If you like good-hearted heroines, ghostly phenomena, and nail-biting high stakes, then you’ll love Addison Michael’s mind-blowing adventure.

An entertaining time travel novel that held my attention. I liked how the romance actually adds to the story. Many novels these days, including both those for teens and those for adults, are falsely advertised as being thrillers or sci-fi, when really they are only romance novels with a bit more (too little) of real subtance added in.

~~~

★★★★★ The Byways: A Novel, by Mary Pascual

Neurodivergent high school student CeeCee Harper has a temper and a reputation for trouble. Angry at the rumors and afraid she’ll never fit in, she makes a wrong move—and lands in the byways, a world of alleys, magic, and forgotten people . . . some that aren’t even human. And if she doesn’t escape quickly, CeeCee learns, she’ll be trapped for good. Searching for a way out, she gets lost among monsters, drug pushers, the homeless, and political upheaval, and soon finds there are those who will stop at nothing to keep her from leaving. But the byways pull people in for a reason. CeeCee must figure out why she got stuck in the first place—before her loved ones are put in danger and she loses them forever. A dark retelling of Alice in Wonderland meets Neverwhere , this contemporary fantasy will enchant Neil Gaiman and Christina Henry fans.

A solid fantasy adventure with a bit of thriller and a bit of whimsy. If there's a sequel, I'll read it.

~~~

★★★★★ A Gift of Leaf (Chronicles of Leaf #1), by H.A. May

Jinny Morai, is a foundling, wrenched from her foster parents as a young child to slave in the darkness of the Library caves of the Holtanbore, the black labyrinth under the Royal Great Tree. Every night she has a strange mental visitor who begs incessantly. One day Jinny discovers two stones, catalysts which change her life completely. One, a broken amulet hidden in a nest of leaves is much too pretty to throw away, the other, a mailed egg, is much too strange. Incredibly, a baby dragon is hatched from the strange egg. Because of this, Jinny sees daylight for the first time accompanied by Quaryk, a young Mage, who takes her up to the Bole to meet the Triad of Mages there. While her dragon, Sprout, is growing up, they live with Quaryk’s family. A year later, summoned by the Three, she returns to the bole and is raised to Magehood. There she is visited by the Woodspirit who identifies her as the one who may find the missing half of the amulet. But Jinny is anxious - as just a foundling and ex-slave, how can she find the lost half of the stone?And how can she rid Leaf of threat of the Necromancer, Dark Mage, and monster who wiped out the race of dragons long ago? Finally meeting her long-lost foster family, she finds the courage to make a decision. But is she up to the task of finding the only hope, the missing half of the stone, which will restore the Talisman, the most powerful amulet known on Leaf? And, more importantly, who is Jinny Morai, exactly?

I really enjoyed this whimsical middle-grade / teen novel. The relationship between Jinny and Sprout is really cute, and I'm curious to see what happens next in this adventure story.

~~~

Best four-star reads of the year; for when you run out of other novels:

~~~

★★★★ Follow the Shadows: The Tales of Moerden Book 1, by Rosemary Drisdelle

When Marise Leeson gets her hands on a crystal ball, she believes her knowledge of Wicca is about to expand. The magic, however, goes horribly wrong. In short order, she’s thrown into an alternate world, attacked by a dragon, and rescued by Javeer, a young male dragon in search of a friend. Marise is desperate to get home alive. Instead of dabbling in scrying and spells, she must now use her Wicca skills to survive in Moerden―navigating rival dragon factions, riding Javeer without falling, and dodging unknown perils of an alien landscape. Through a series of adventures and mishaps, she learns that the dragons face slow extinction from a mysterious disease. Some see Marise as part of the cause. Some hope she’s a key to a cure. Marise grows up fast as her focus switches from escape from Moerden to saving the dragons. She draws upon her powers, intuition, and some help from home as she and Javeer begin a quest to solve the puzzle of the stagger. If they survive, and if their trust and courage are strong, they may succeed. If they do not, the dragons of Moerden will cease to exist.

At first, the protagonist bothered me as some of her behaviour, as a teen, seemed immature. Yet there is character growth.

The dragons seem to have more distinct characterization than Marise, yet that didn't bother me much.

One of the things I really enjoyed were the funny, endearing parts between Marise and Javeer, including after they find out...well, you'll see ;). What she does for him is great. I also enjoyed how this is a story about a human helping sick dragons, and that the way the dragons and humans communicate is unusual.

Overall, this fantasy adventure novel held my attention, so whether or not I'm able to get an ARC, I'll read the sequel.

~~~

★★★★ The Possibilities, by Yael Goldstein-Love

A new mother ventures into parallel worlds to find her missing child in this mind-bending novel that turns the joys and anxieties of parenthood into an epic quest. "A bravura, unforgettable performance."--Namwali Serpell, author of The Furrows What if the life you didn't live was as real as the one you did? Hannah is having a bad day. A bad month. A bad year? That feels terrible to admit, since her son Jack was born just eight months ago and she loves him more than anything. But ever since his harrowing birth, she can't shake the feeling that it could have gone the other way. That her baby might not have made it. Terrifying visions of the different paths her life could have taken begin to disrupt her cozy, claustrophobic days with Jack, destabilizing her marriage and making her husband concerned for her mental health. Are the strange things Hannah is seeing just new-mom anxiety, or is something truly weird and sinister afoot? What if Hannah really did unlock a dark force during childbirth? When Hannah's worst nightmare comes true and Jack disappears from his crib, she must tap into an extraordinary ability she never knew she had in order to save him: She must enter different versions of her life while holding on to what is most important to her in this one to bring her child back home. From the intimate joys of parenthood to the cosmic awe of the multiverse, The Possibilities is an ingenious and wildly suspenseful novel that stares down into the dizzying depths of maternal love, vulnerability, and strength. I couldn't put this multiple universes novel down; it kept my attention throughout.

The only thing I would have wanted different, was how it was all resolved so quickly, with little to no explanation, and with...Well, I won't spoil you.

[ozu-teapot]

This, That and the Other! | Derek Ford | 1969

[tamtam-go92]

And finally a very important day arrived.

Catherine: I can't believe we're really doing this!

[lasudio]

VeronaHills, Round One: Roseland

All good dogs want their humans to be happy and Porthos is no exception.

Cyd shares good news - he's quit his job as a bookie, and wants to become a doctor, perhaps even a veterinarian. Porthos approves. He would never judge Cyd for sticking with a life of crime, but his human seems happy, and that means they'll celebrate by watching a dog movie together!

Cyd has more news. To keep on top of bills while he studies medicine, he's got a housemate to move into the spare room in the trailer. Porthos is a little more neutral on this development and decides to observe the new human. She's clearly interested in Cleo, who's also new in town. He thinks her name is... Alex.

Throwing rich people off their yachts and stealing their jewels was fun. The law potentially catching up with her? Less fun. Alex came to shore, heard her former criminal colleague needed a housemate, and moved in by night to avoid running into anyone from her past. It's a foolproof hideout plan... until she runs into someone from her past. Specifically, a rich person she threw off a yacht. She admires the old bat for confronting her (with her fists!) but Alex happily hands her ass to her. And the gentleman accompanying her seems happy to watch. Yikes. She forgot how weird these small town people are...

[lifetime-want]

[dollycas]

2022 Reading Challenges - Wrap Up Post

2022 was a crazy year. I completed most and exceeded many allowing me to jump up levels but I was unable to complete the U.S. portion of my Literary Escapes Challenge. I realized too late with all my other commitments I was unable to add books to cover every state. I need to add those harder states to my reading calendar earlier in the year if I am going to complete the challenge in 2023. Here's my complete list. 2022 Reading Challenge

LORI has read 180 books toward her goal of 175 books. hide 180 of 175 (103%) view books

A. Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle B. Bake, Borrow and Steal by Ellie Alexander C. Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush  D. A Dash of Death by Michelle Hillen Klump E. Evil Under the Tuscan Sun by Stephanie Cole F. A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon G. The Guest is a Goner by Carly Winter H. Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy Coco I.  Ice Cold Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek J. Jellies, Jams, and Bodies by Donna Walo Clancy K. A Killer Sundae by Abby Collette L. Laughing Can Kill You by Maggie King  M. Murder Faux Paws by T.C. Lo Tempio N. Night Shift by Annelise Ryan  O. On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young P. Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson Q. Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia R. Remembering Rosie by Nadine A. Block S. Show Me The Bunny by Laurien Berenson T. The Twist and Shout Murder by Teresa Trent U. Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly V. The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams W. Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston X. X Marks the Spot: We’re All Going to Die! So… What’s for Lunch?  by David Boyne Y. Yoga Pant Nation - Laurie Gelman Z. Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death Mini Challenges January - And-If-But - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert February - Olympics - Stiff Competition by Annelise Ryan March - 2 Word Title - The Match by Harlan Coben April - Birthstones - Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner May - Natural Elements - Dead in the Water by Annelise Ryan  June - Alliterative Title - The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen July - Party - Celebration - Death Crashes the Party by Vickie Fee August - Book - Handbook for Homicide by Lorna Barrett September - Name - Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson October - Ghost/Witch - The Ghost and the Stolen Tears by Cleo Coyle November - Fruit, Veggie, Nuts - The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen December - Calendar - Once Upon A December by Amy E. Reichert

A. Alexander, Ellie - Bake, Borrow and Steal B. Berenson, Laurien - Pup Fiction C. Cleo Coyle - Honey Roasted D. Day, Maddie - Batter Off Dead E. Ernst, Kathleen - Lies of Omission F. Flower, Amanda - Put Out To Pasture G. Gelman, Laurie - Yoga Pant Nation H. Heather Day Gilbert - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass I. Innes, Louise K. - Death at Holly Lodge J. Joyce St. Anthony - Front Page Murder K. Kate Carlisle - Absence of Mallets  L. Lynn Cahoo - A Fatal Family Feast  M. Maggie King - Laughter Can Kill You  N. Nancy Coco - Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas O. Osler, Rob - Devil's Chew Toy P. Parker, Ann - The Secret in the Wall Q. Jesse Q. Sutanto - Four Aunties and a Wedding  R. Reilly, Linda - Up to No Gouda S. Salem, Cassidy - Fit For Murder T. Tara Lush - Cold Brew Corpse U. Unger, Lisa - The Sleep Tight Motel V. Victoria Houston - Wolf Hollow W. Wacek, Michele Pariza - Ice Cold Murder X. Xarissa, Diana - Boats and Bad Guys Y. Young, Kate - On Borrowed Crime Z. Zunker, Chad - Family Money Complete 9/9/2022

Alabama - Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein Alaska - Bear Witness by Lark O. Jensen Arizona - The Tuesday Night Survivor's Club by Lynn Cahoon Arkansas - Hook, Line, and Sinker by Marc Jedel California - Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle Colorado - A Hill to Dye On by Rebecca McKinnon Connecticut - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert Delaware - Read the full article