Stacking the Shelves #84

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Murder On the Village Green by Rosie Hunt (Lady Felicity Mystery Book One)

Free with Rosie Hunt newsletter subscription

Rosie Hunt sends out her newsletter each week and it's really cute. She suggests other cozy mystery authors too and really shares some fun personal and book information. This week she gave away her first book in this series on Kindle. 

Lady Felicity is caught up in an English country mystery murder and it's the 1920's, everyone's favorite cozy historical time period. No, I don't need another series to start (10 books total) but i can't help myself when the author is so charming. And of course, the beautiful cover :) 

The Winter List by S.G. MacLean (Damian Seeker Book 6)

Kindle purchase: 99 cents this week

I bought this because it was on sale so cheap but I still haven't read this series. I keep trying to start but I get distracted by other books. I don't know why. Maybe I just haven't been in the mood for dark mysteries lately. This is the latest one so at least I'll have it when I want it. I own The Seeker, the first book and I've read and reviewed another S.G. MacLean book, The Bookseller of Inverness, and enjoyed it. 

This story takes place in 1660 right at the time of the restoration of Charles Stuart, something I know almost nothing about. It focuses on Damian Seeker's daughter, Manon, and her fear that her father will be found to be a traitor and spy to the former government, appearing on The Winter List of those who are being hunted down for execution. 

Westward To Freedom by David Field (The New World Nautical Saga Book Three)

Free with my Kindle Unlimited trial

I'm loving that Kindle Unlimited has all the David Field books but running out of time to read them all on the free trial I have. It ends mid February. So since I have read book one in this series, I need to try to read the other two before my membership expires. 

This book covers the adventure of the Pilgrims and The Mayflower voyage. I know a lot about this subject but Field always manages to add things I'd never heard before. I'm sure it will be a great read.

Stacking the Shelves #83

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham (Albert Campion Book One)

Free today on Amazon Kindle

I see this author a lot as a Golden Age mystery writer. And I have heard about this series with Albert Campion. So it's worth a shot, especially since it is free to buy on Kindle this weekend. It looks like your typical country house murder mystery, guests caught inside with the killer. But I'm a sucker for these kinds of Golden Age books. And I prefer to start with book one in series reads too.

An Uncivil War by David Field (The Medieval Saga Book Three)

Free with my Kindle Unlimited Trial

I love David Field's books, especially the history based ones. I have read most of this series but not the ones on The Anarchy (this one), Henry II, or Richard I. I skipped them because I knew so much already about those subjects and wanted to focus on the Norman Conquest and Simon de Montfort books. But I saw this one this weekend and just for kicks started it and can't put it down. It's really good and I've actually learned some new things. Looking forward to continuing with these three I've missed. 

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick (Eleanor of Aquitaine Book One)

Libby borrow: Free

As if I don't have enough books about Eleanor....I impulsively borrowed this from Libby Friday night and started it. I will probably take awhile to read it but I just wanted to start as it is a goal of mine to read this series and the Chadwick Marshal books as well. I never get tired of Henry, Eleanor, and her family and love the way different authors take the same material and make it their own.

 

Stacking the Shelves #82

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart by Tim Butcher 

Free with Kindle points

I used to read lots of books like this one. The documentary type stories about other countries and reporters who bravely venture through dangerous territory. I got tired of the genre and hadn't read any for many years. But this story caught my eye and I started it and found it was hard to put down. This daring author retraces the famous Livingstone/Stanley journey into the Congo in the early 2000's. He has an obsession with completing the journey despite everyone warning him not to. 

I'm on chapter 3 and already full of anxiety for him! Not my usual book to post about but I consider it history (he starts with an account of the Congo's long internal conflict and Livingstone and Stanley's journeys), adventure, and current events. It is also a bit of a mystery in that you are kept wondering what scary event will befall him next. I am really enjoying it. 

Mirage: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt by Nina Burleigh

Library borrow: Free

Loving all things Egypt and the Napoleonic Era this book looked interesting, combining both. I had absolutely no idea that Napoleon took a group of scientific explorers and intellectuals into the Middle East to investigate, explore, and catalog everything in the surrounding country of the pyramids. 

I am honestly surprised I'd not heard about this as it seems like a pretty amazing undertaking. It took them three years and created a huge written account of the pyramid treasures. 

Trouble On a Country Lane by Isabella Bassett

Free with Kindle Unlimited trial

Of course no Sunday Stacking the Shelves would be complete for me without a cozy mystery! This is book 4 in one of my favorite series about an English socialite turned assistant who keeps getting involved in....you guessed it....murders. Along with her adorable, eccentric Uncle Albert (who she works for), she and her love interest, James, work to find out whoodunit. 

I love the locations for these books, Uncle Albert's quirkiness and affiliation with the Royal Society, and Lady Caroline's humor. It's one series I will continue to stick with. 

Stacking the Shelves #81

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver (A Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Book 4)

Libby borrow: Free

I'm ready to start the next mystery in this series and see what Fiona, Kitty, Archie, and Fredricks are up to. In this one, Fiona is invited to a country house to infiltrate animal rights activists and the death of a horse doctor. I love the mix of humor, WW I history, and Fiona's love triangle with Archie and Fredricks. It's a unique series with lots of fun twists. 

The History of Scotland by History Nerds 

Free with Kindle points

Yes, I'm a history nerd for sure so enough said.....all about Scotland from start to finish, written simply, and easily read by the average person wanting to know more. My favorite kind of history book. 

Crossed Skis: An Alpine Mystery by Carol Carnac (British Crime Classics)

Free with Kindle Unlimited free trial

I'm trying to slowly collect and work my way through this series of British classic mysteries. This one looked interesting from the title and cover. Written in 1952 and taking place in London and the Austrian Alps it looked like a good mystery to try out.

Stacking the Shelves #80

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters (Amelia Peabody Book 7)

Libby borrow: Free

I am up to book seven in this series and decided January is the time to get back to it. In this adventure, Amelia has to rescue her beloved Emerson who has lost his memory. Knowing the couple's interactions this should be an interesting and probably hilarious read, while having fun experiencing their romp through ancient excavations too. 

The Royal Bastards of Twelfth Century England: Power and Blood by James Turner

Free with Kindle points

I have way too many books about the wild and crazy Plantagenets and their dysfunctional children but I don't care. They are always a source of fascination and family dynamics for me. This book covers drama in the reigns of Henry I through Henry II. I may not learn a whole lot of new information but I never get tired of the stories. 

The King's Daughter by Christie Dickason

Free with Kindle points

I know nothing about Elizabeth Stuart, James I 's daughter but her story looks fascinating. This novel covers her relationship with her father, brother, and the court and then her marriage to Frederick of Bohemia, who I also know nothing about. I always love learning about royals from countries that aren't often featured and, of course, anything about the Stuarts. 

Stacking the Shelves #79

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Bloody Crowns: A New History of the Hundred Years War by Michael Livingston

Library Hold: Patience required!

This author was interviewed about this new book on a recent podcast The Medieval Podcast with host Daniele Cybulskie and I enjoyed his new take on how the hundred years war should actually be considered the two hundred years war. It is very hard to find material on this subject that isn't historical fiction or military based. I am sure it will be very interesting if you like this era. 

It is pretty expensive right now to either buy hardback or on Kindle, so I just have to wait in line at the library or hope it goes on sale. 

The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller (Laurence Bartram Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Unlimited: Free with my 3 month trial

This series only has two books written over a decade ago but that's okay because I'm constantly getting roped into ones with 20 plus books I can never finish. It was free to try so I thought why not? A veteran of the Great War tries to solve the why behind the mysterious deaths of fellow veterans. From the description on Goodreads it looks like an edgier, William Monk type of book, which I'm a fan of if things aren't too dark.

Hieroglyphs and Homicide by Tracy Higley (A Clarissa Bell Mystery Book One)

Kindle Unlimited: Free with my 3 month trial

I hadn't heard of this series which is surprising since I love all things set in Egypt especially during the 1920's era. So when I looked ahead at the other books in the series I was excited to see this setting continues throughout. I'm hooked! The author has a degree in Ancient History and has actually traveled to Egypt. She has other books set in Egypt and Rome. In this book, the heroine discovers an ancient artifact which lands her in a lot of trouble, along with a love interest. I can't wait to get started on these. 

Stacking the Shelves #78

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading ya'll!

Silent Nights by various authors, edited by Martin Edwards (British Library Crime Classics)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

This is part of the British Crime Classics series and I love that it is a Christmas themed edition. I might not get to all the stories by New Years Day but it'a a good one to pick up and read between longer books. It features 15 Christmas themed mysteries by classic authors.

An Ancient Evil by P.C. Doherty (Canterbury Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trail

I'll be honest....I'm not sure about this one but it looks unique and is written by an author who started writing in the 80's after majoring in medieval history studies. I want to try it and it was free right now with my 3 months Kindle Unlimited subscription. Pilgrims from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales narrate the story on their way to the sacred shrine. Along the way they tell tales of "mystery, terror, and murder."

The Case at Barton Manor by Emily Queen (Mrs. Lillywhite Investigates Book One)

Kindle Freebie through newsletter and Book Funnel

I love to subscribe to newsletters of publishers and authors. You can really get some good deals and insider info. I received a free copy of book one in this series and while I might not get to it right away I will try in 2026. After the death of her husband, Rosemary Lillywhite becomes involved in a murder investigation involving her brother. Another lady detective series set in the Roaring 20's.

Stacking the Shelves #77

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading ya'll!

Feud by Derek Birks (The Wars of the Roses Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

The author of this book hosts one of my favorite podcasts, A Slice of Medieval. He is a former history teacher who is especially knowledgeable about The Wars of the Roses. This is book one in his historical fiction series about that time period and begins in the year 1459 with the growing conflict between a knight and a local, rival Lord. We see history unfold alongside the knight, Ned and his family, who of course become involved. I think it will be a great series and there are nine books taking it all the way to 1485.

Talleyman by John James (Victorian Maritime Adventures Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

I don't know anything about these books but I do love the mystery and nautical feel from the cover and description. It is set in Ireland in the 1840's during the Irish potato famine and concerns a seaman from the British Royal Navy who is trying to help distribute food to the desperate, starving people of Cork County. He becomes involved in a brewing rebellion and must decide which side to take. I think it sounds like an action filled amazing read!

The author lived and wrote during the mid 20th Century. He was from Wales. These books are considered classics now.

No Dark Place by Joan Wolf  (Medieval Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

This is the first of a two book series from 1999 by an author new to me. But I'm a sucker for good medieval mysteries so it looked worth trying. This author has written mostly best selling romance books, which I'm not a big fan of but this one looks more mystery based. 

It is set during Norman England. A nobleman has just lost his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, and finds out his real childhood may have been more dangerous than he remembers. He sets out to solve the mystery of his past and finds danger along the way.