Need a good historical romance. Other genres too. discussion
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Discussion of HR and other books. And recs.
I just listened to three chapters of The Vibrant Years and returned it to KU. I couldn't find anything I like about it.
HRAutism has a spectrum from 1 to 10. They say most people can be 1. The higher the level the worst the symptoms.
I looked after a girl with autism. Some days I could end up in tear’s. She could be fine one minute. Then screaming and throwing thing’s the next. They tend to like routine. If you change it, they cannot cope. She was the reason I started reading. If she seen me reading, she would tend to leave me in peace for a while. But would tell me what book I was reading . Hard work. But it’s sad as they cannot help the way they think.
Mod
You had extreme patience w/ the girl with autism. I understand the
comfort in the routine. 60 Minutes featured a son w/ autism with his Dad, several years ago. The son did not speak. The family introduced him to Disney movies & the son sang along. Eventually the son spoke! The family limited the # of times per day that the
son could view these movies. Fascinating on the son's progress.
I had a client w/ mental illness who had 2 sons w/ autism. She continued to take
her psych. meds during both pregnancies. (Before I met her.) Was this a factor? Her older son had restaurant jobs but argued w/ mgrs. Maybe a case mgr. could've helped him find a meaningful, yet less stressful job?
Thank you all for the condolences for Tigger, my last older cat. I just hate that his last month on this earth was uncomfortable. I loved reading about your companion animals. Roberta2, I'm glad your dog is doing better. Your friend was awesome to take care of your dog while you were gone.
Aw, BJ - hugs for you and your son's grief - but how wonderful that your dog was so loved.
OLT and Roberta, I hope your foot problems improve. It's good advice to not overuse them until they heal.
Roberta2 wrote: "My husband and I started Grantchester last night. It's definitely a cosy mystery. Right now, I need cosy mysteries and romances. I feel I need a rest from politics and the state of the world. I a..."
Roberta2, I know our house has gotten away from us. It's awful. I'll retire at the end of 2023 and expect to start tackling it then. I just don't have the time or the energy to do it right now. Not even one shelf at a time. The clutter is astonishing.
Mod
The Turncoat's Widow
The Counterfeit Wife: A Revolutionary War Mystery
HR-ML wrote: "Recs per Happy Book Worm nearly 11 hours ago:The Turncoat's Widow
The Counterfeit Wife: A Revolutionary War Mystery"
Thank you, HR-ML.
I am reading Embers by Helen Kirkman . This is set in the year 716 A.D.Pictish Princess and a Northumbrian Prince.
Mod
Do you like the book?
Do you + your family celebrate on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both?
I read the first book, found it to be a bit boring in part’s, could not get into it ( Forbidden). Hoping this one will be better. Reading them for Mad about a Series challenge. Last one for the year. Have read 10 series, 37 books in all. I do like a series. If they are long, I will have a break , read something different in between books.Normally celebrate Christmas Day. All the family come round. I think Christmas has lost it’s proper meaning. Husband called it commercial day. When we were talking about it the other day. Need to put up lights and tree yet. Might do it later today.
Mod
I've read some series of books. but it seems to me an author
cannot always keep the quality of writing from book to book.
Or a charming character in book #1 is now unrecognizable
in book #4.
We don't have a Christmas tree because of our cat. She's a klepto & moves or hides items: shoes, cough drop wrappers, clothes, mail, she knocked my cell phone off a table, & once behind a bookcase. My friend keeps giving me Christmas ornaments.
My granddaughter cat kept sitting in the Christmas tree last year. It did look cute.
HR-ML wrote: "We don't have a Christmas tree because of our cat. She's a klepto & moves or hides items: shoes, cough drop wrappers, clothes, mail, she knocked my cell phone off a table, & once behind a bookcase. My friend keeps giving me Christmas ornaments."LOL. Never had a klepto cat but did have one that liked to slowly, deliberately push things off the edge of tables, counters, etc and watch them fall (and often break) like a scientist observing results of her experiments. Needless to say this really inhibited any interior decorating I did for 16 years!
I've had lots of cats over the years. One year I thought I was really clever. On the lower branches of Christmas tree I hung soft ornaments that wouldn't be harmed if cats batted them off tree; breakable ornaments on upper branches. Kept coming home from work and finding at least one breakable ornament lying on floor broken into bits. On the following weekend I witnessed one particular cat climbing the tree (same one who knocked things off counters and tables), knocking off an ornament or two, and then the rest of the gang batted it around until it inevitably hit a wall and smashed. All right in front of me. They had no shame.
Then another cat would regularly bite off a few nettles from the tree, then immediately throw them up. Over and over and over again. So I stopped buying trees for years until most of them were senior citizens and no longer cared about the trees.
Now I'm just down to a 15 mo. old cat who was a stray living in our yard and he really really wanted a home. So I took him in 6 months ago and I adore him. Put up the tree and waited with baited breath b/c he's very nosy, into everything, likes to chew things and thinks everything in the house is his. So far so good - he's not too impressed with the tree. Fingers crossed. My theory is b/c he already lived outside in our yard for about 6 weeks (we think someone dumped him) and was so happy to get inside, he doesn't miss anything from his outside days :)
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "My granddaughter cat kept sitting in the Christmas tree last year. It did look cute."This makes me smile :)
Mod
God love the curious and playful nature of cats!
One of my kitties used to use the toilet. I didn't teach him. He just started doing it on his own.
Carol wrote: "One of my kitties used to use the toilet. I didn't teach him. He just started doing it on his own."That's amazing; also maybe a little scary to have a cat that smart. No telling what else they'd think to get up to. I've had my hands full over the years just trying to keep one step ahead of some of mine.
Cath wrote: "Carol wrote: "One of my kitties used to use the toilet. I didn't teach him. He just started doing it on his own."That's amazing; also maybe a little scary to have a cat that smart. No telling wha..."
It was so funny. My husband and I were in bed when we heard a tinkling in the bathroom. He asked me if I left the water on. I said no and turned on the light and there he was akimbo the toilet seat. I went back to bed and said it's just Puddy using the toilet.
My dachshund that intelligent. He found his Christmas present today, while we were doing the Christmas tree. I forgot it was in the room we put the tree in. I do my front living room and the porch for Christmas. Rest of the house is what my husband calls Christmas free (hum bug)😂
Carol wrote: "It was so funny. My husband and I were in bed when we heard a tinkling in the bathroom. He asked me if I left the water on. I said no and turned on the light and there he was akimbo the toilet seat. I went back to bed and said it's just Puddy using the toilet.."LOL. Like it was no big deal? - "oh just Puddy using the toilet." I would have been walking around the room with my jaw hanging on the floor :)
I was half expecting to read "...and then we heard the toilet flush." lol
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "My dachshund that intelligent. He found his Christmas present today, while we were doing the Christmas tree. I forgot it was in the room we put the tree in. I do my front living room and the porch ..."well you know the rule then, you gotta buy him another present so he'll be suitably surprised on the actual day :)
CatIt took me weeks to find his present. It’s the only dog toy he doesn’t rip to pieces in about 5 minutes. It a very hard plastic ball with three rope’s coming out of it. He will destroy the ropes in a couple of days but then he’s left with the ball. Give him a tennis 🎾 ball , white is ripped off first then ball is ripped in half . Ball is in bin 5 minutes later.
Tried to take it off him , just sat at the door crying for it. Worse than a baby 🙄
Awww you are such a good Mom to go to such lengths to find a special present for him like that. He's very lucky!
Carole That’s one clever cat you have. I remember seeing a tv program that showed a cat doing that.
Animals are not fools. My husband taught our dog to do tricks . He is no fool, he will only do them if you have a treats for him. One treat for each trick. 😂
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Carole That’s one clever cat you have. I remember seeing a tv program that showed a cat doing that.
Animals are not fools. My husband taught our dog to do tricks. He is no fool, he will only do ..."
I had a wonderful Irish setter a long time ago. She had no patience for tricks, but she did learn three. When I had a treat and asked her to sit, she would also give me her paw and lie down. She was done. She got her treat. She was great at pointing though.
Cath wrote: "HR-ML wrote: "We don't have a Christmas tree because of our cat. She's a klepto & moves or hides items: shoes, cough drop wrappers, clothes, mail, she knocked my cell phone off a table, & once behi..."Yes, I hung non-breakable ornaments on the bottom branches and put the glass ones higher up. We also quickly switched to artificial trees. We haven't had a tree in years, am thinking of putting one up - or getting one of my family - to put one up this weekend.
Cath wrote: "HR-ML wrote: "We don't have a Christmas tree because of our cat. She's a klepto & moves or hides items: shoes, cough drop wrappers, clothes, mail, she knocked my cell phone off a table, & once behi..."A small town near where I live just convicted several women who were trapping and neutering stray cats who lived on an empty lot, because they also fed and watered them daily. People are incredibly ignorant. I did that for years and caught some flak for it too, but at least I wasn't arrested and convicted.
Carol wrote: "🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Carole That’s one clever cat you have. I remember seeing a tv program that showed a cat doing that.
Animals are not fools. My husband taught our dog to do tricks. He is no fool, ..."
Carol, that is adorable. We have 3 dogs who are good at bumping me with their wet noses when they want treats. Right now the treat is either a dog biscuit or a dried chicken strip.
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "CatIt took me weeks to find his present. It’s the only dog toy he doesn’t rip to pieces in about 5 minutes. It a very hard plastic ball with three rope’s coming out of it. He will destroy the rope..."
Aw, you are a good mom. Is this the dachshund who destroys tennis balls?
HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "Carol wrote: "🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Carole That’s one clever cat you have. I remember seeing a tv program that showed a cat doing that.
Animals are not fools. My husband taught our dog to do tricks. H..."
I usually give my dog those "baby" carrots. He loves them. Actually, he loves most veggies and fruits. I am careful not to give him the foods that are bad for dogs.
HBWYes it’s the dachshund. Daughter got a Fox face Pomerania . They have been friends from being puppies, same age. She hides her treats in lots of different places. When he goes to her house. He hunt’s them all down and eat’s them. Sometimes she guard them, he then knows not to touch her things. We take both dogs out every day. She is the bossy one. He usually follows her about, if she gets to bossy with him. He will let her know, he’s not in the mood for her today. They are funny together. She comes in our house and jumps in his bed, and get’s all his toys as if to say. I am here and I am the boss
If you're looking different Christmas stories,Santa Baby is .99 or KU. You could be in Three Pines with all the quirky characters, but an awful crime is going on and our hero, spec opps O'mallery, finds himself involved in it. Charming characters, blood and gore, and angsty romance. Not my usual read. Recommend it.I'm on to the second in the series. GL Robinson is fast becoming a fav.
Mod
Those who are PBS members can stream this ahead of it's
new season on PBS. I just finished seas #3 via this method.
My fav. character is Moses. He's charming & by design
shares little personal info about himself. Wish Wm. would
just kiss Eliza. Please don't stretch this out like Sam +
Diane on Cheers or the Moonlighting couple.
Well Embers by Helen Kirkman. Did not grab me either. I thought Forbidden/Embers could have been good story. I found not enough story, too much about what they were thinking . Which I found boring to the point of skipping pages.
I always have to finish a book, once I have started reading it. It’s got to be bad if I start skipping pages.
🐝 Shaz 🐝 wrote: "Well Embers by Helen Kirkman. Did not grab me either. I thought Forbidden/Embers could have been good story. I found not enough story, too much about what they were thinking . Which I found boring..."
Shaz, I start skipping if it is really boring.
Oh, I loved all the dog/cat stories. We put up a Christmas tree every year. Our lab, Roxie, chewed up all the wooden ornaments on the bottom. We now put any wooden ornaments at the top of the tree. We still go to a Christmas tree farm in our town and cut down our tree every year and haul it home. We have been doing this since the kids were toddlers. I keep thinking that one year my husband will get tired of it, but so far, he is still into it. This year the tree was 11-12 feet. Shouldn't we tag and cut a smaller tree now that we are in our late 60s? Not yet, apparently. Our daughter is flying in tonight and our son on Monday. I am so happy they will both be here for the holidays.
HR-ML, I agree about Moses on Miss Scarlett and the Duke. They could increase his role, and I would be happy.
Mod
Nothing beats a real tree but takes work. Good your fam. can come together.
Moses is tops & he steals the show! He is good at bargaining w/ Scarlet. LOL!
I'm in the middle of season 3 right now and am a bit annoyed at the addition of Arabella as the Other Woman. And am finding Scarlet a little more annoying than in the first two seasons. Or it that just me and my lack of patience?
Mod
Arabella is boring. Scarlet is impatient and needs to be careful IE
guns have been trained on her and she's survived gunfire. She
has to do everything her way. She undermines William too much
& makes him look foolish. She asked him to be her assistant-LOL!!
I agree that they introduced the other woman because they don't want Scarlet and the Duke to get together. It is Victorian England, and how would that work if Scarlet continued to work. Duke is conventional in how he sees women's roles. I finished the 3rd season, and I am sure they will do a fourth. I like the kind of slimy seeming other detective. My favorite episode was the 2 of them in the French hotel. I don't know how they can get the Duke and Scarlet together and she keeps working as a detective. But, maybe I am wrong, and they will somehow write it.
Mod
Ivy helped Scarlet make a beautiful cake & Wm wanted Ara's dessert instead. Wm should give Scarlet credit for being outside her comfort zone in the domestic realm but trying anyway.
I love baking. When I met the man who later became my spouse, I made him 3 cherry pies (his fav) over a few weeks: 1 too tart, 1 too sweet, 1 sweet yet tart.
I'm not too big on baking. I always seem to screw up the instructions. Love to cook though, where mistakes sometimes become a wonderful new variation. And I'm not too big on sugary things. Just give me rich.
Mod
Yrs ago my friend and I worked at the same social agency. She
brought in 10 different types of homemade cookies for Christmas.
Drop cookies, refrigerated, rolled, cookie-cutter, pastry-like
etc. Most appreciated. But our co-workers didn't understand
how labor intensive this was.
I brought these same co-workers a choc. cake for Valentines. They wouldn't cut a slice, claiming it looked too perfect. LOL! My fav home-made dessert was hubs and I made a real carrot cake. Another day hubs bragged he could make a pie "from scratch" but was clueless, I had to show him.
I do do carrot cake and banana bread. They're not too complicated and not too sweet.
Mod
It tastes v rich.
You all are making me want to head to the kitchen and see what we have that is sweet. I know for sure that we have chocolate covered graham crackers from WalMart. My husband just made a wonderful pumpkin pie that didn't last long. I haven't cooked in a long time.
joyofbaking.com has a great carrot cake that's not too sweet. It's the recipe I used and now my grandson uses it, so I don't have to.
I can't do Christmas baking b/c I'll just eat it all. Very quickly! I have no will-power. Plus I have a very high tolerance for rich chocolate foods, like fudge, so I don't easily get sick of it after a few bites, or pieces, and I can eat a lot in one sitting. A lot! I like to attribute this to my having excellent survival genes for if I had been living back in the caveman days of food scarcity, when your body knew the importance of eating any and everything in sight that was fatty and high calorie lol.
Need a good historical romance. Other genres too.
Books mentioned in this topic
Dragon Bound (other topics)A Waltz on the Wild Side (other topics)
Someone to Romance (other topics)
Every Summer After (other topics)
One Golden Summer (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Allison Goodman (other topics)Allison Goodman (other topics)
Darcy Burke (other topics)
Erin Langston (other topics)
Nancy Bilyeau (other topics)
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I d/c'd Netflix and hope to have Hulu in my future. That sounds like a good series.
My limited knowledge on autism- that some of these folks may not recognize
the change of tone of voice or non-verbal cues of someone else. Also they don't tend to follow social norms IE don't say excuse me etc. Tend to be more concrete than abstract in thinking.
Roberta2---
Pets are good for our B/P and overall well-being, besides make us laugh. Our cat is a hoot!