Hoping that early snow is not a portent of a long, hard winter, we did have flurries on Halloween. I guess we had just a bit of the same in 2019, but usually when we had an early snow in California, we were hurting for decent skiing conditions even in December. I’m still getting used to the different weather climate out here.
I took advantage of a slight warming last week to get my yard stripped of the last vestiges of both the veggie and flower gardens. Not much to bring in, as we’d used most along the way and, sad to say, the tomatoes just sort of petered out. Crazy summer!
In the meantime, strongly feeling the absence of our Frosty and the encouragement of our kids (and the neighbors!), we began looking for another dog (as I mentioned last month)—this time a mature one (no puppies). I was looking for a small companion—the CE fell in love with an ex-breeder. 
A Pomeranian—one I never would have considered and she is proving to be the problem I expected she might. A 4 ½+-year-old with absolutely no history has apparently never been introduced to a house, never mind house training, commands, or even knows what treats or pets are. While she is extremely human shy, she doesn’t seem to have that problem with other dogs. Perhaps lived in a kennel all her life just turning out puppies? Who knows? This kind of shelter/rescue dog will take months of patience, kindness, and consistency. We’ve been at it now three weeks. According to the 3-3-3 rule, the first two big hurdles done. Hopefully, progress by three months. How do you go about house-training a dog that was never turned out to potty and won’t allow you to take them?
So you might have guessed where a bulk of my time went in October. Even deleting one post per week, I’m still backlogged and playing catch up. We did manage thirteen books in October, always including NetGalley books. I’ve experienced fits and starts with audiobooks but you’ll note one at five stars in the list below. (And as always, links below are to my reviews that include purchase or source info.)
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Danger in Numbers by Heather Graham (audiobook)
The Constant Soldier by William Ryan (CE 5* review)
Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown
Quarter to Midnight by Karen Rose (audiobook)
Closure by Garrett Addison (CE review)
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman (5*)
Twas the Bite Before Christmas by David Rosenfelt (5* audiobook)
Rescuing Crockett by David Pyke (CE review)
Secrets of the Greek Revival by Eva Pohler
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris (audiobook)
Head Case by Bonnie Traymore (CE review)
Death by Cutting Table by Susie Black
The CE greatly enjoyed several of his books and I always enjoy my auto go-to Rosenfelt books (audiobooks especially). My vote for October, however, is going to Jonathan Kellerman’s The Ghost Orchid. Love the way the author plays off the main characters and maneuvers two negative victims to sympathic.
Book of the Month for October—The Ghost Orchid
My Reading Challenges page… I have 122 books of a goal of 145 in Goodreads (at this point two books ahead of schedule) and still at a 97% feedback ratio in NetGalley. My Reading Challenges page has suffered from neglect–again.
In another move of the social media upheaval separating from each other, I got a notice that Goodreads will no longer connect with your Facebook account. First the change of Later for Instagram scheduling, the disconnection from Twitter (BIG BLACK X) and the push to sign up for paid accounts, then the change in Canva with an eye on providing all that scheduling if only you’ll go “Pro.” Soon the privilege of sneezing will require a paid account or risk the redoubling of the work and effort to continue a simple blog. Any change at my age is difficult, but change that comes with increased expense, more so. How are you coping? Signed up for paid accounts formerly free?
As always, welcome to my new subscribers! And I never stop appreciating those who read and comment.
©2023 V Williams
This tale embraces the politics of a small teaching institution that caters to the very rich and foreign students. The characters are well developed and the plot simple but tragic. Avarice is a terrible taskmaster. Mix that with a mental condition and you have the ingredients for an interesting and heartrending tale. 4 stars – CE Williams
This book paints a very colorful and graphic analysis of life in the 1830s in the then Republic of Texas as well as Mexico. Because Crockett had been a U.S. Representative from the state of Tennessee, his history was very important to the population at that time. He became disillusioned with his political struggles in Tennessee and moved to Texas to join that new republic. He fought with the Texas dissidents at the Alamo and was either captured or killed outright. This alternative possible outcome is very fun to read. Enjoy! 4 stars – CE Williams
This writer is very talented! He illuminated the subject with surgical precision and graphic detail. His writing would have garnered a five-star rating from me except that his topic was appalling! Writing with such illuminating clarity about a sadistic serial killer is, in my opinion, an unfortunate misuse of his talent. 3.5 stars – CE Williams
William Ryan has spun a very believable story of the frantic situation lived by the people in Eastern Europe nearing the end of WW II. The struggle for the basics of life and just to be alive is continuous and unremitting. The mental images and development of the characters in this book is illuminating, revealing, and gripping. Putting myself in their shoes made my appreciation of the tragedy of war and their survival more personal. 5 stars – CE Williams
Dugoni does not disappoint. The trail is convoluted and has more twists and turns than the road to Pike’s Peak. Read and enjoy this novel! 5 stars – CE Williams
This writer has devised a well-conceived crime with many false leads. The guilty party is not exposed until the end and I found myself totally in the dark, unable to guess the perp. I was impressed by the myriad of false leads leading to the climax. I heartily recommend this read to everyone who enjoys a good mystery. 5 stars – CE Williams
Time and distance make the discovery of our planet problematic! Even at the speed of light mankind cannot expect to explore habitable planets outside our solar system. The time is just not available for us as fragile creatures. This entire novel is a serious look at astronomy and philosophy and is a well-written treatise. 4 stars – CE Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 