The Sunday Post Now It's Really Summer!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Look at the bounty from my garden! And it's not even July. I planted earlier than I usually do, and it worked out. 

Here is how it's growing:

I did a book signing at Partners In Crime bookstore in Chicago, this is one of the cozies I picked up. 

Now that summer school is over, my plan is to wake up and enjoy a book and coffee in my backyard.  We are on the brink of an extremely hot week and I hope my garden doesn't suffer. I am going to water, of course, but there isn't much else I can do. 

I got borrowed this audiobook from the Queer Liberation Library and it is so good. I'm halfway done at the moment!  How was your week? 

 

The Sunday Post! The Last Day of May!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Much to my surprise, this summer looks like it will be the summer all three of the kids are back home. This is fine as my husband and I have always believed if they can live here while they find solid employment, then great. Kid #1 has paid off all student loans and is going to work on a master's degree. Kid #2 is moving back home after working 2 years post-college at a job that didn't pay enough to live on, but was in his field, and Kid #3 just graduated. 

I don't regret moving out when i did, but in hindsight, I should have lived at home after high school. 

This week is our last week of school. Will be sad to see my little nuggets finish the year? No. Will I think of them fondly from time to time over the summer? Yes. Will I run into them over the summer break? Possibly!

Another week of reading and writing for me. This week I read a very good YA book. I think it is also appropriate for 6th grade and above. If you have a young person in your life, pick this book up for them!

Continuing on my young reader reading, I picked up a copy of Tiffany Jackson's book Blood in the Water. It's an excellent middle-grade mystery book. 

The Sunday Post! May has been a long month--but...

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

We are down to the final days of school. Three days this upcoming week and three the week after. I think the entire staff is surviving on coffee fumes at this point. I know I am. I wound up with an infection this week and had to take an antibiotic. I learned the hard way that one of the side effects of Bactrim is anxiety. Oh my gosh it was awful. I couldn't think!  Fortunately, I was able to get a different antibiotic and feel much better. 

I had to take a few days off writing my book becasue I didn't have the energy to think. I'm hopeful today I'll be able to get some writing done. This week my reading of books continued. I think I might be on a long streak of reading losts of books and I am excited!

My raised beds as of 5/13. We will see how it grows!

And here are the books I read:

This was a 3 star read for me. I didn't like the ending. Your mileage may vary!

I found this to be a delightful cozy and I enjoyed learning more about sewing!

This book was so good! I loved it!

I enjoyed this one. Reacher made mistakes but it all worked out in the end.

It's not Gonna Be May, It is May! The Sunday Post!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Happy new month to you. It has been cool here, but it hasn't officially frosted at my house, and so I'm pleased. Only 21 more days of school left for this school year. The kids--and the staff--are in full-on can't wait for summer mode. Myself included.

I"m continuing to read Jack Reacher book. I'm about halfway through One Shot. On audio I'm listening to A Deadly Inside Scoop and T.J. Klune's We Burned So Bright. All are delightful books. 

What have you been reading? 

The Sunday Post: Midway Through April

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I hope you had a nice week. I am currently watching a variety of streaming shows that release weekly. Imperfect Women, Rooster, DTF St. Louis, and The Pitt.  It's practically like watching network TV. The weather here in Chicagoland continues to be a roller coaster. We've also been getting lots of rain, which I will do my best not to complain about. I've got peas and carrots planted, and I can't wait to see them flourish! Plus, it is almost time for me to plant lettuce. There is nothing better than fresh from the garden lettuce!

I'm continuing to work my way through the Reacher series, based on what I can borrow from my library--not the actual order of the books. I am looking for a nice, long series to read after this one. Ideally something that urban fantasy. Do you have any recommendations for me? I've read the Harry Dresden Files, The Kate Daniels series, The Hollows by Kim Harrison, and the Psy Changeling series by Nahlini Singh (I know this isn't Urban Fantasy). 

Speaking of books, have you read any of my steamy small town romances? They are all available in KU! https://www.amazon.com/stores/Victoria-Hamel/author/B0CSBGDRFQ

The Sunday Post My Jack Reacher Spring Break is Almost Over!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Well, I got a taste of the good life, one week without work, plenty of time to do what I wanted. I rejoined the gym—and went to it. I wrote over six thousand words. I went to a Tarot class, and I read four Jack Reacher books. 

This week is a four-day work week. Yay. I actually have three four-day work weeks in April. That's because I took a personal day to go to the Chicago Spring Fling. It's a fantastic romance writers' conference. I'm really looking forward to it .

The last quarter of the school year begins tomorrow. 45 school days left! I hope our spring weather evens out soon. I keep getting headaches from the temps and humidity rising into summer temperatures for a day or two and then crashing down into February weather!

What have you been reading?

The Sunday Post 4 School Days Til Spring Break

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Happy Sunday, today I am going to a Books and Brew event at a brewery in Chicago. I have finally finished having my covers redone. Yay! I have had covers with stock photo people on them, and now I have illustrated covers. Let me tell you, readers are way more interested in the new covers.  Below is one of the new covers.

After eight years, a dream I had when we bought our townhome has finally be realized. I set up my desk and writing space in our walk in closet. It's cozy, has a door, and a window. Finally I don't have to wander the house trying to find somewhere to do zoom calls. 

As part of my new space, I moved my phone charger, and that means now I don't have my phone w/in arms reach when I'm in bed. I hope this means I'll sleep better. We will see. I'm trying to stop being on my phone if I am watching a show. 

Readingwise, I have read some books! 

This is a YA fantasy book.

I read Bad Luck and Trouble and Die Trying. Now my hold at the library has come up for Tripwire so I'm doing the audio for that. 

This summer I was thinking about reading the Nalini Singh Guild Hunter series while I can still get the books in mass-market paperback. Have you read it? Thoughts? 

The Sunday Post I've Got Tomorrow Off!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I love a three-day weekend. At the end, you are only 4 workdays away from the next weekend. Today, I'm planning to visit blogs, read books, and prep some food for the week. I also need to start writing my next book! I've been spending my time reviewing and refreshing my first three books into one set, AKA an omnibus, so I can put that out at the end of March. I'm two-thirds done with that project.

What are you up to today? 

Next Saturday I'll be doing my first solo signing, which I have mentioned here before. I really hope people come out!  I want to bring a sweet treat. What sweet treat would you bring to a signing if you were me?

A. Mini Cupcakes

B. Cookies

C. Chocolate Candy

D. Donuts

Yesterday I went to a bookstore and bought a copy of The Killing Floor.  As a person of limited book-spending means, I am really sad about the end of mass-market paperbacks. I could have gotten two mass-market paperbacks for the cost of this trade paperback ($18.99 and bigger than the very easy to carry around mass market paperback) Not all innovations are great, IMO. The same goes for AI and digital calendars. 

I hope you have a wonderful week! 

Bowie enjoying Valentine's Day! 

The Sunday Post It's Not A Hallmark Holiday

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Valentine's Day is this week. The usual suspects will complain that it is a Hallmark holiday. It's not. It's older than Hallmark, and it's in the general vicinity of Imbolc and St. Brigid's Day. Part of the reason for Valentine's Day is just to give us all a reason to have a little fun in the cold, grey days of winter. 

Treat yourself—even if you have loved ones that will shower you with gifts—2026 is a real heck of a year; we need all the love (and self-love we can find!)

The hubs and I recently had occasion to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of Chicago. Here is the view from our room. I was trying to capture the sunset. We were facing south, so my result wasn't great.

The Sunday Post, Do Yourself a Favor

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Another week with reminders that we no longer live in a democracy. Arresting of journalists—shameful! I hope you are doing well with the horror and the weather.

Recently I talked my husband into making a change, and I have zero regrets. The bathroom experience is profoundly changed and I'm never going back... What did we do?  I found inexpensive bidet attachments for regular toilets, and the husband installed them in both our bathrooms. Talk about feeling fresh!

 This is the brand we purchased: PIKETS Bidet Attachment for Toilet, Dual Nozzle (Frontal and Rear Wash) Non-Electric Fresh Water Toilet Seat Attachment with Nozzle Self Cleaning, Adjustable Water Pressure(Chrome Silver)

Writing-wise, I decided that if I wanted to put together an omnibus of my first three books, I should go back through the books and update for typos and freshen up the prose. I feel better about my first book now, which is nice. If you haven't read it, now is a great time to give it a go! 

Or...you can wait a few weeks and borrow it from one of the library ebook apps! I submitted it yesterday, but it will take a while before you can see it on Libby! 

Reading-wise, I'm listening to Game Changer by Rachel Reid. Along with many other readers, I'm not a fan of the narrator's Kip voice. On Saturday, I'm going to book club to talk about Game Changer, so I'll muddle through.

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday! Next Sunday is the big game that I don't care about, but that the hubs will enjoy. 

The Sunday Post A Three Day Weekend

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

It was extremely cold, so our school district closed. I got to enjoy a day off on Friday. I didn't leave the house, and I wore pajamas all day. I also finished a James Patterson book I got secondhand. It was written in 1986. What would people in 1986 think if I told them about the state of the USA in 2026. 

I really don't know what to say. And I don't know how long we can keep going when about 20 percent of the US believes a different reality. The man killed yesterday was a VA ICU Nurse. The VA! 

My friend who lives in Minneapolis, her husband and son have an Esty shop. They are selling these shirts. They are donating all the profits to mutual aid. Here's the link to their shop and the shirt: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4446206411/preorder-protect-your-neighbors-t-shirt?ref=yr_purchases

 

The Sunday Post The Ho-Ho-Ho RAT Is Almost Over Already!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

It was a great day to bake some cookies! I have been doing a crummy job keeping up with my Christmas TBR. But I did have time to bake! I made peanut butter cookies, peanut butter chocolate chex bars, oatmeal scotchies, and a batch of brookies!

 Now I'll need to muster that much energy for the school week! Only 5 days til Winter Break!

How is the Ho-ho-ho Readathon for you? Share below! And here is the link to my cookie recipe exchange challenge!

https://victoria7401.blogspot.com/2025/11/ho-ho-ho-rat-holiday-cookie-recipe.html

Ho-Ho-Ho RAT Holiday Cookie Recipe Exchange! Share and be entered to win!

 

I'm super excited to be a blog challenge host this year! Have you signed up to be part of the 2025 Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon? If not, here is the link: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2025/10/13th-annual-ho-ho-ho-readathon-sign-up.html 

I have a stack of Christmas-themed reads I'll be reading during the readathon. 

And when you're taking a little break from your reading, share a cookie recipe you love below, and you will be entered to win a $10 gift card! 

I've got my family's buy-in for a day of cookie baking this December, and I'd love to try some new cookie recipes. Please share a favorite below--and if you don't bake, just search for your favorite cookies to eat and then share that recipe!

Happy reading! I'm going to go make some cocoa now so I'll be ready for some cookies! 

A picture of Christmas past cookies!

Darkness is coming #The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This week is the last week before we fall back, and night shows up before five p.m. I am not a fan of such early nightfall. How about you? 

Yesterday I attended a very fun event--a brunch with authors and readers! How was your weekend? 

We also watched the movie The Substance It was filled with body horror, but had a very affirming message about life. Then we watched A House of Dynamite, which reaffirmed that if there is an apocalypse, I don't want to be part of the post-apocalypse--just take me in the first round of disaster, please. 

A ghost cloche I made. It was a kit from our local library! 

The Sunday Post Morbid History

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Our library has some great programs, and this one was no exception. It was called "Morbid History." And the content lived up to the name. The presenter talked about some of the strange (and gross) history of human burial and cemeteries from around 1830 to the present. 

It was so fascinating, I actually borrowed on of the books on the presenter's recommended books list. I listened to the audiobook Stiff by Mary Roach. It was hard to turn off! The book is all about human cadavers. I actually fell asleep listening to it and had a great night of sleep--don't ask me why! I have no clue--the book is super morbid. I mean, it's literally all about what happens to the body after death. 

In lighter news, I got my manuscript back from my editor and am halfway done revising it. Then it will go to my proofreader, and then I'll revise it some more, and then I'll format it and revise it again! I still need to come up with a cover and the blurb for the back of the book--ugh! So hard!

How was your week? Any fun plans for the upcoming week? 

We are all decorated for Halloween! If it was dark you could see the orange and purple lights as well!