tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185010362024-03-17T09:12:58.688-05:00Darlene's DigestHistorical romance author Darlene Marshall's blog--<a href="http://www.darlenemarshall.com">www.darlenemarshall.com</a>Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.comBlogger1756125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-81515629225428839262024-03-17T09:12:00.001-05:002024-03-17T09:12:25.660-05:00Review: A Gentleman in Moscow
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34066798" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551480896l/34066798._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="A Gentleman in Moscow" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34066798">A Gentleman in Moscow</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4536964">Amor Towles</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6350843683">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-89623926187138791042024-03-17T09:00:00.001-05:002024-03-17T09:00:37.974-05:00Review: Bride
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707665130l/181344829._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Bride" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829">Bride</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177">Ali Hazelwood</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6332244738">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-9949070197906193052024-03-10T10:28:00.001-05:002024-03-10T10:28:21.159-05:00Review: The Price You Pay
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63018960" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687807573l/63018960._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="The Price You Pay" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63018960">The Price You Pay</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15149976">Nick Petrie</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6316425876">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-54142285330686464342024-02-28T15:06:00.001-05:002024-02-28T15:06:45.760-05:00Review: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167006698" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1692905897l/167006698._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167006698">Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18206333">Benjamin Stevenson</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6025844601">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-86085175012424171552024-02-21T15:46:00.000-05:002024-02-21T15:46:40.428-05:00Boskone 61, or "How I Spent My Winter Vacation"<p>I just realized I was having such a good time at #Boskone61 that I forgot to take pictures! Ah well, you'll have to use your imaginations. </p><p>I'd missed most of last year's conference as a family emergency called me home, but this year all worked out well. My flights were on-time, the taxi line was short, and best of all, the weather cooperated. No snow or rain, and daily temps in the upper 40sF and evenings in the 30s meant we could comfortably walk to supper. I could even take a brisk walk out of the Westin Seaport now and then.</p><p>I arrived too late in the day on Friday to be put on panels, but I did get to Registration to pick up my credentials, including the information for my panel, Crossing Genres. I also saw lots of friends and acquaintances I only see at science fiction conventions. We've all aged in the 20+ years since I started attending Boskone, but we still love to hang out and party (albeit not all night--at least not some of us.) It was also a mask-mandatory event and I felt good about that too, since COVID and RSV and other unpleasant illnesses are still very much out there. Sure, I'm vaccinated to the hilt, but I'm also aware one can still get the disease and I have people at home I need to protect.</p><p>Friday night was supper with friends, then a tour of the art show. It was smaller than some of the past shows but I saw some new-to-me artists, which is always fun. </p><p>Saturday I had a full day of panels I wanted to attend and a panel I was moderating. I spent part of the morning reviewing my notes for my panel, but took time to attend a memorial for noted editor and fan John Douglas, who passed away last year. It was bittersweet, as all of us who were privileged to know John miss him, but it was good to be with friends and John's widow Ginjer, sharing anecdotes and remembrances.</p><p>Later that morning I sat in on <i>Writing the Fight Scene </i>which was both a refresher for me and an opportunity to pick up some new tips and techniques. One thought I took away with me was a reminder that unless you're Inigo Montoya fighting The Dread Pirate Roberts, most fights are really fast, and having good cardio stamina helps.</p><p>I moderated the panel <i>Crossing Genres</i> with authors Laurence Raphael Brothers, Dana Cameron, Delia Sherman, W.B.J. Williams, and Michael Swanwick. It was a lively group, with lots of good information shared on how writers use their existing skills to broaden their writing range and attract new readers. We talked about using pen names when shifting into a different genre, like J.D. Robb instead of Nora Roberts, but we also talked about bringing existing fans over into something different. We were still discussing and answering questions right up to the end, a sign of successful convention programming.</p><p>I walked through the Dealers Room to see what books were being offered and to check out some of the other merchandise. We don't get as many book dealers as we used to, since so much business is transacted online, but Larry Smith Books was represented and they carry my novels. I made note of some books to purchase from them before the convention ended on Sunday, chatted with friends, and checked out the Art Show again. </p><p>I find at these conferences it helps me pace myself if I can take a tea break and unwind in the afternoon, so I did that and enjoyed a rugelach brought for me from NYC by my bestie. It helped recharge me for the evening's dinner excursion and gossip session with my friends that I only see one or twice a year.</p><p>Sunday was unusual in that I had no programming scheduled. Oftentimes I'm on a 10 a.m. panel because the programming staff know I'm an early riser (even if the audience and other panelists often appear to be in serious need of caffeine.) I bopped into a few different program items, had breakfast with friends, even got outside for a walk since the weather was a balmy (for Boston in winter) snowless day. When the Dealers Room opened I purchased some books I'd been wanting from my favorite bookseller and talked about getting in touch when my next book is published (which I really, really need to finish!)</p><p>Post-convention I had supper with convention friends at one of their homes, and while we didn't watch the Super Bowl, we arrived back at the hotel just in time to watch the final five minutes and the overtime play on the giant screen tv in the lobby of the Westin. Even for a non-fan like me it was exciting! </p><p>The weather continued to cooperate and I caught my flight home on Monday ahead of a huge winter storm, so all worked out well.</p><p>People often ask me why I attend Boskone and Worldcon. As my bio says in the convention program books, writing romance is my day job, but I'm a lifelong science fiction fan. These conventions allow me to meet some of my favorite authors, spend time with like-minded friends, shop for more books to add to my TBR bookcase, and broaden my own horizons as an author. It's even worth traveling to Boston in the winter, provided my return ticket says "Florida." I'm already looking forward to Boskone 62, which is scheduled for February 14-16 (Presidents Day weekend) 2025. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-87685547357569752032024-02-14T09:43:00.001-05:002024-02-14T09:43:27.918-05:00Review: Butcher & Blackbird
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196864520" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1692083376l/196864520._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Butcher & Blackbird" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196864520">Butcher & Blackbird</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21299126">Brynne Weaver</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6240946057">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-59164670339875975582024-02-01T21:22:00.001-05:002024-02-01T21:22:54.353-05:00Review: Midnight Ruin
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123487291" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697730741l/123487291._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Midnight Ruin" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123487291">Midnight Ruin</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398028">Katee Robert</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6214241858">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-27026441664147499372024-01-29T09:36:00.000-05:002024-01-29T09:36:23.252-05:00MY BOSKONE 61 SCHEDULE<p>It's almost February, which means I'm looking forward to flying up to the frozen north (no, really!) and seeing friends and fans at <a href="https://boskone.org/">Boskone 61</a>, the longest running science fiction and fantasy convention in New England.</p><p>I'm on one panel, but I'll be moderating this year and it looks like a good one, combining my interests as a romance author, a science fiction and fantasy fan, and as Membership Director of <a href="https://thebeaumonde.com/main/" target="_blank">Regency Fiction Writers</a>:</p><br /><b>CROSSING GENRES:</b> Some writers stick to their guns, others cross genres or even combine them, resulting in sub-genres such as urban fantasy and "weird west." Why do some writers do that? What are the benefits and pitfalls?<div><br /></div>Other listed panelists are Michael Swanwick, Lawrence Raphael Brothers, Delia Sherman, Dana Cameron, and WBJ Williams. I look forward to a lively discussion!<br /><div><br /></div><div>For more information on attending Boskone, click on the link. If you've never been to a science fiction or fantasy convention, this one is large enough that if offers a variety of options over three days, but not so large that you'll get lost in the crowds. Check it out, and if you're attending, please say "hi!"</div>Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-18978606108425995662024-01-25T19:20:00.001-05:002024-01-25T19:20:57.419-05:00Review: Always Remember: Ben's Story
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/134116829" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682618889l/134116829._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Always Remember: Ben's Story" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/134116829">Always Remember: Ben's Story</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9759">Mary Balogh</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6188548017">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-71689509010710181922024-01-15T10:22:00.001-05:002024-01-15T10:22:45.859-05:00Review: The Housemaid
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60556912" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646534743l/60556912._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="The Housemaid" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60556912">The Housemaid</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7244758">Freida McFadden</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6169161267">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-43976814704465591142024-01-15T10:05:00.001-05:002024-01-15T10:05:19.536-05:00Review: The Jewish Journey: 4000 Years in 22 Objects From the Ashmolean Museum
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40805945" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531561658l/40805945._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="The Jewish Journey: 4000 Years in 22 Objects From the Ashmolean Museum" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40805945">The Jewish Journey: 4000 Years in 22 Objects From the Ashmolean Museum</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/204170">Rebecca Abrams</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6168696500">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-1486319336303616522024-01-14T09:57:00.001-05:002024-01-14T09:57:55.903-05:00Review: Paladin's Faith
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202408844" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700426016l/202408844._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Paladin's Faith" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202408844">Paladin's Faith</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7367300">T. Kingfisher</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6045197429">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-75782411419152654312023-12-26T14:49:00.001-05:002023-12-26T14:49:24.225-05:00Review: A Psalm for the Wild-Built
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864002" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600789291l/40864002._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="A Psalm for the Wild-Built" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864002">A Psalm for the Wild-Built</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17650479">Becky Chambers</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6081629743">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-9313936620581808572023-12-13T14:04:00.001-05:002023-12-13T14:04:59.596-05:00Review: The Mystery Guest
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157062582" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686577262l/157062582._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="The Mystery Guest" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157062582">The Mystery Guest</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20650250">Nita Prose</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5885418960">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-59255306932537855652023-12-08T14:48:00.001-05:002023-12-08T14:48:42.841-05:00Review: Calamity
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127281916" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686386246l/127281916._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Calamity" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127281916">Calamity</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22164322">Constance Fay</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6034076845">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-18285404395836727142023-11-11T21:49:00.001-05:002023-11-11T21:49:10.484-05:00My Top Three Romance Reads of 2023<br /><br />If you've been following this blog, you know I love to share book recommendations, and I've been working with <a href="https://shepherd.com/">Shepherd.com</a> to curate my <a href="https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/darlene-marshall">"Best of the Year" list for 2023</a>. I decided to make it a little bit easier to narrow it down by only picking romance, so here are my #Romancelandia favorites for this year. If you read them, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, and check out Shepherd.com, where authors recommend their favorite books!<br />Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-79316545110363971772023-11-10T09:16:00.000-05:002023-11-10T09:16:39.095-05:00Thank you, veterans<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedPQJYGe2iRQVfjIZj6AbdUC4Qc1TNWcqXEppVxXPdrEIytcAyF7mV_VacB9_jcZfc439KNpTD7MOURuhwD7P-MPb_qSTYjIOyFFfLS4SmJHrhrrJ8LLyTkc6nZWUNuzZ2Cyxoj8lqbLehGgu85bvB7_tOVc66cfODKKljw9qZNP4KVOIjw/s612/SeaChange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedPQJYGe2iRQVfjIZj6AbdUC4Qc1TNWcqXEppVxXPdrEIytcAyF7mV_VacB9_jcZfc439KNpTD7MOURuhwD7P-MPb_qSTYjIOyFFfLS4SmJHrhrrJ8LLyTkc6nZWUNuzZ2Cyxoj8lqbLehGgu85bvB7_tOVc66cfODKKljw9qZNP4KVOIjw/s320/SeaChange.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />...when Captain Doyle returned there was a full report. A peace treaty had been negotiated restoring Great Britain and the United States to their antebellum status.<br />“But what of the prisoners?” Charley asked Captain Doyle.<br />“A Yankee trader from France bound for Charleston put into port a few days back. That is how we heard the news. The governor is not interested in having a gang of Americans roaming through Kingston, and asked if we would ‘host’ them for a while longer until they can ship out with their countrymen.”<br />It was that simple. Men who two days earlier would have run each other through or blown each other to pieces, now were up on deck toasting each other’s countries with carefully rationed grog. Captain Doyle wisely put a limit on the amount of alcohol served, knowing that it wouldn’t take much to re-ignite the conflict on a smaller scale.<br />“Captain Fletcher told me I do not understand men, Mr. Bryant,” Charley said in bemusement later that night. “I have to agree with him.”<br />He shrugged his shoulders. “They fought when they needed to fight. Now they’re anxious to go home. We sailors are not complicated creatures, Doctor.”<p></p><p><br /><b style="color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Change-Darlene-Marshall-ebook/dp/B06X6JMRYS" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #58d5a4; text-decoration-line: none;">--SEA CHANGE</a></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Researching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Change-Darlene-Marshall/dp/0692848371" target="_blank"><i>Sea Change </i>(High Seas #1)</a> I learned about the history of American privateers, and how their actions were vital to the new nation both during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. It always tickles me that Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution allows Congress to issue letters of marque and reprisal, i.e. a license to be a privateer. It's still there! It's only international treaties we've signed that keep Congress from doing that, but you never know...</p><p>Anyway, on #VeteransDay I put out my flag, remember our veterans (especially the ones in my own family) and think about the brave privateers who did their part for our young nation, bringing back money and materiel to fund our war efforts. A meaningful #VeteransDay to all who served, and thank you!</p>Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-57431016269792228262023-11-06T09:56:00.001-05:002023-11-06T09:56:00.986-05:00Review: Assistant to the Villain
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257687" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679005122l/123257687._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Assistant to the Villain" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257687">Assistant to the Villain</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29765140">Hannah Nicole Maehrer</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5955748434">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-85002440407236603252023-11-01T13:00:00.001-05:002023-11-01T13:02:32.936-05:00My Favorite Romance Novels of 2023<p> <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I love to share book recommendations, and I've been working with </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="http://Shepherd.com">Shepherd.com</a></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to curate my "Best of the Year" list for 2023. It wasn't easy! Shepherd puts together book recommendations from authors, and helps readers find their next book to love. You should definitely check them out--they're independent, not trying to sell you anything, and while they do have affiliate links, they're not confined to one behemoth of a site. </span></p><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">So here are my </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">#Romancelandia</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> favorites for this year, and if you read them, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!</span><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/darlene-marshall">https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/darlene-marshall</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hzpwrwfdi/image/upload/c_fit,l_text:Oxygen_80_center:Darlene%20Marshall's%203%20favorite%20reads%20in%202023,w_1935/c_fit,h_149,w_1060/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_20.0,y_20/l_media:logo_small/c_pad,h_80,w_80/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_1100,y_20/l_media:covers:59801786_1_wkscqi/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_0,y_189/l_media:covers:9781250809469_howxsw/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_400,y_189/l_media:covers:you-were-made-to-be-mine_rbsqhe/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_800,y_189/b_white/media/blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="800" height="405" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hzpwrwfdi/image/upload/c_fit,l_text:Oxygen_80_center:Darlene%20Marshall's%203%20favorite%20reads%20in%202023,w_1935/c_fit,h_149,w_1060/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_20.0,y_20/l_media:logo_small/c_pad,h_80,w_80/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_1100,y_20/l_media:covers:59801786_1_wkscqi/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_0,y_189/l_media:covers:9781250809469_howxsw/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_400,y_189/l_media:covers:you-were-made-to-be-mine_rbsqhe/c_pad,h_419,w_400/fl_layer_apply,g_north_west,x_800,y_189/b_white/media/blank.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-56515809997556923762023-10-04T09:03:00.001-05:002023-10-04T09:03:59.125-05:00Review: Cassiel's Servant
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884931" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1679423203l/61884931._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Cassiel's Servant" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884931">Cassiel's Servant</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9237">Jacqueline Carey</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5446078716">3 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-66987510734092519272023-10-02T10:26:00.001-05:002023-10-02T10:26:51.976-05:00Review: Thornhedge
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884932" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676554049l/61884932._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Thornhedge" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884932">Thornhedge</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7367300">T. Kingfisher</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4975607905">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-18125918934084251782023-09-04T08:42:00.000-05:002023-09-04T08:42:28.925-05:00Happy #LaborDay! <p> </p><p> </p><blockquote class="tr_bq">“You may have noticed I am wearing one of your shirts this morning.”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU8JV3bk073NbLRjDBcKysZMDyuyG5IXVsBT-_TcQ4An1k13EctRja4T04u0vn1X0fKooSONvieIgx9l145J1k0hThuI0cz1trVrBtq1LQ1J7-8_-6LA9VGVbu-HxJttXVWpLreGfUIc71kU9Or8qL2AbCKwXuuZhgX4AKE4JR-3K_gRlSnv6/s499/New%20Smuggler's%20Bride%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU8JV3bk073NbLRjDBcKysZMDyuyG5IXVsBT-_TcQ4An1k13EctRja4T04u0vn1X0fKooSONvieIgx9l145J1k0hThuI0cz1trVrBtq1LQ1J7-8_-6LA9VGVbu-HxJttXVWpLreGfUIc71kU9Or8qL2AbCKwXuuZhgX4AKE4JR-3K_gRlSnv6/w131-h200/New%20Smuggler's%20Bride%20Cover.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>“Oh yeah,” Rand murmured. He’d noticed. Looked like she had two puppies in a sack in there, tusslin’ when she moved.<br />“The reason I am wearing your clothes is because the laundry needs to be done and you have not done it.”<br />That statement took him out of his contemplation of how much fun it would be to undo the rest of the buttons on his shirt and give those pups some air.<br />“What?”<br />“I said, you have not done the laundry, Washburn.” Julia turned back to the grate to squat down and flip the cakes.<br />“Yeah, well, that’s your job. You’re the wife.”<br />She turned her head and looked up at him with raised brows. “Is that what you thought? That because that magistrate pronounced a few words over us I would take over all the domestic chores? Who did your laundry before you had a wife?”<br />Rand shifted and ran his free hand through his hair. “I did my laundry. But I didn’t like it!”<br />“No one likes it. Here is what I propose… I will continue with the chores I have been doing, the cooking and tending the garden and keeping the cabin neat. I will even do the mending. But you will do the laundry. After all,” she said dryly, “it’s not like you have a lot of acreage to plow out there.”<br />“No, but I do have to hunt and fish to keep food on the table. I can’t be spendin’ all day doin’ women’s work!”<br />“If it is women’s work, it is not work this woman ever did. At the estate where I lived there were laundresses who did the cleaning for the entire household. I can cook better than you can, but it seems to me that if you have experience doing laundry, then you can continue to do a better job than I would. Not to mention that if I am spending all my time doing laundry, then I won’t have time to make the pork pie I was planning for dinner. With persimmon cake for dessert.”<br />There was something wrong with this logic, Rand knew it, but he couldn’t come up with a good argument. It became even harder to think about it when Julia waltzed past him into the house carrying a plate and leaving behind an aroma of griddle cakes, syrup, and woman.</blockquote><br /><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smugglers-Bride-Darlene-Marshall/dp/0692839747">--Smuggler's Bride</a></i></b><br /><br />Happy Labor Day to all the hard working American women and men who keep the laundry clean, the fish caught, and the persimmon cake on the table. This is your day to be recognized, and for all of us to be aware of how much we depend on the labor of others. Thank you!Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-48526109870663362522023-08-29T20:02:00.001-05:002023-08-29T20:02:14.230-05:00Review: Strange Love
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574451623l/48915429._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Strange Love" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429">Strange Love</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/835348">Ann Aguirre</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5806040598">4 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-91964128541646201612023-08-21T08:44:00.001-05:002023-08-21T08:44:02.512-05:00Review: A Delightful Compendium of Consolation: A Fabulous Tale of Romance, Adventure and Faith in the Medieval Mediterranean
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2661809" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347269156l/2661809._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="A Delightful Compendium of Consolation: A Fabulous Tale of Romance, Adventure and Faith in the Medieval Mediterranean" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2661809">A Delightful Compendium of Consolation: A Fabulous Tale of Romance, Adventure and Faith in the Medieval Mediterranean</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/312896">Burton L. Visotzky</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5784445781">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18501036.post-33364078856258637752023-08-13T14:02:00.001-05:002023-08-13T14:02:15.939-05:00Review: Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207330" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348089568l/207330._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207330">Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/121292">Dhan Gopal Mukerji</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5755266446">5 of 5 stars</a>
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Darlene Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12257357992471110528noreply@blogger.com0