January Reads 2026

Not a lot read this month, I admit. But completion of a sseven-bookseries, at last. Hope to do better this year as the year goes on.

The Dance of the Serpents (Frey & McGray), Oscar de Muriel
I found parts of the chase sequences a little erratic, but this was still another enjoyable book in the seven-part series. Not as humorous as earlier books, although this is likely owing to the author increasing tension leading up to the finish.

The Sign of the Devil (Frey & McGray), Oscar de Muriel
And we come to the last one. I liked the relationships changed and surprised me in this book. An excellent ending to a well-plotted series, with ever characters doing their all to help each other in this one. I don’t know if anything really surprised me by the time I reached the end, having taken the time not to rush through them reading them consecutively. But I was definitely rooting for the right people to survive, fearing they might not all make it. Plenty of suspense, and I really liked where the various relationships concluded. I’ve been trying to clear out books after I read them except those I truly love, and I will keep these at least for now.

A Quick Update on Why I'm so Quiet

Hey everyone,

I know, I know, promises and all that. I was going to do better with blogging this year, and I’ve got to write my next update on January Reads. You might wonder why I haven’t. So here’s the best explanation I can give you at this time.

I’m working. Yes, that means writing! And it’s something completely new, although not all my romance readers will be excited as it’s another genre. Alas, I can’t talk about it just yet. I’m really not allowed. Writers sometimes get opportunities that may even turn out to be a lot of hard work for nothing because occasionally some don’t pan out. And, as usual, I’m thinking, OMG, what am I doing? How am I going to write what they’ve asked me to write? Note: this is far from the first time I’ve ridden this emotional rollercoaster, and I never know if it’ll be my last. I’ve always come through before, so I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed. Though I’m not, because that would make typing impossible, so maybe I should ask everyone else to do that for me.

Writers sometimes have to just hibernate in their ‘writing caves’ to meet deadlines, and I don’t have a lot of time. I don’t have the luxury of being a one book a year author, even though I’ve not been writing as well as I usually do for sometime. But this time I definitely have a timeframe to keep to.

I’ll be back next week with book reading news, but aside from that, bye for now!

Stay well. Sharon x