Finished Reading “Dead Reckoning” and Headed Home

Today is the last full day of the cruise. We get into Galveston tomorrow morning.

Is 14 days too long? Usually, I would say no. This time we had an inside cabin, and it was tiny. It made a difference, that’s for sure. It will certainly be the LAST time we get an inside cabin. Heck, the next 10 cruises we already have booked are balcony cabins. Yes, we have already booked 10 more cruises for the next 24 months. Cruising is almost like a second home to us, I guess. And I got a lot of writing done. Of course, most of those next cruises will be in ports we’ve never visited (in fact, countries we’ve never visited), so they’ll be a little bit busier than this cruise. We stayed on the ship for most of the ports this time around, and it was very relaxing.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 30

Dates read: October 25-31, 2024
Title: Dead Reckoning
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Aedyn Brooks
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series:  Grave Intentions Book 1
# of Pages: 254
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: The dead deserve justice…
    When psychic medium Joni Smith encounters a pesky ghost in an antique store, she triggers attention from the wrong people. She should have thought twice before jumping the fence past the no trespassing signs, and she shouldn’t have dug up the ghost’s bones to retrieve a locket either, but Joni wants lost souls to find peace. Sometimes taking risks are worth damning the consequences.
    So do the living…
    Newbie detective and paranormal skeptic, Zeke Gregson isn’t quite sure what to make of Joni digging up a grave in the backwoods of his neighbor’s property. She won’t hand over whatever she stole from the grave, and she won’t answer his questions. He has no choice but to bring her in for questioning because someone is killing women in Pendleton County. If Joni isn’t the murderer, she might be the key that leads him to who is.
    A secret society…
    As Zeke and Joni comb through evidence, they soon realize they are in over their heads. Before another woman dies, they must lean on each other’s skills in order to get justice.
    A secret desire…
    Trust doesn’t come easy for either of them, but as they fight for their lives, racing against the clock to stop the killer, they may discover something neither realized they were searching for…love.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Oooh, a new-to-me author’s book that I liked so much that I will go out and get book 2. Ghosts, suspense, and romance. I liked them all. If it was possible to buy book 2 while on the cruise (it’s not, because technically I’m not in the USA), I’d buy it now.

That book was my 30^th read, which meant I reached my goal! That doesn’t always happen when I’m also writing, so I’m happy about that. Happy that I can write and read, it’s not one or the other.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Accidental Leigh” and I’m Melting

Usually when we cruise in late October (it is late October, right?), it’s not so hot at the islands. Yeah, that’s not happening this time. I feel like I’m melting here! Probably a good thing we don’t have excursions booked and we’re just playing it by ear.

Puerto Rico (where we stopped yesterday) was 90 degrees, but the humidity made it feel like 105. We didn’t leave the ship. Today, we’re in St. Thomas (a very beautiful island, by the way), and it’s stifling humid here, too. I think the temp will also be in the 90s. We do plan on getting off the ship, but not doing much but walk around the pier and look to see if there is anything interesting to do (there are always people selling some kind of activity on the dock). But most likely we’ll just stay in the port. I’m so glad Hubby is okay with all of this, too.

Now, if we were going to an island we’ve never been to, we would have booked an excursion to check it out. But this time, we’re just saving our money as we’ve already seen the islands. It’s okay to do nothing.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 29

Dates read: October 23-24, 2024
Title: Accidental Leigh
Year of publication: 2014
Author: Melissa James
Genre: Paranormal comedy (not a romance)
Series:  Literal Leigh Romance Diaries #1
# of Pages: 98
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: How does a girl become a witch? By accident, of course!
    Leigh Epstein is a grief stricken and lonely elementary school teacher that is devastated by the brutal and unexpected death of her true love at the hands of a careless writer. She overcomes her grief by taking matters in her own hands and takes up a little romance writing to resurrect her vampire-werewolf book-boyfriend. Leigh gets more than she bargained for when she discovers that every steamy erotic scene she creates is magically reenacted by her family, friends and coworkers.
    In her hilarious first diary, Leigh unwittingly sets her parents up for a weekend dinner party that they will never forget. She has two weeks to find out what her new found magic is capable of. Can she prevent a wild erotic encounter that could devastate her sweet parent’s marriage? What and who else will get caught up in her magic spells?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Short and ends on a cliff hanger. Sure, the author apologizes for that and says it’s the only one in the series that does. Will I get book 2? Nope. Yeah, it’s humorous, but there really isn’t a story there. Just events. And I wasn’t in the mood for events. If you like funny things happening without an overall story, go for it. It’s easy to read and goes quickly.

I’m enjoying pizza for breakfast this morning. It’s something I do on cruises. Mainly because I’m not a big eggs and bacon (or sausage) kind of eater. Oh sure, there’s fruit and cereal, too, but why not pizza? It’s more fun and it’s not something I do when I’m home. Gotta make it fun!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “You Betrayed Me” and I’m Cruising

October is a busy month, travel-wise. Italy was interesting. Even though I got sick with a stomach bug through a good portion of our trip (I missed Pompei and the Amalfi Coast). Apparently my cancer treatments are messing with my immune system and it took me forever to get my energy back. Not to mention my appetite. Really put a damper on things (and I felt like I was ruining everyone’s trip).

But I finally did get better and was almost back to normal for our cruise. Unfortunately, I still have trouble being active. We rode bikes in Key West (which is flat, by the way) and it really wiped me out. We’re just taking it easy for the rest of the cruise. We don’t have any excursions booked since we’ve been to our island stops more than once. Probably just as well. I gotta accept that I have limits now. It’s a bummer, for sure.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 28

Dates read: October 3-23, 2024
Title: You Betrayed Me
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Lisa Jackson
Genre: Suspense
Series: Cahill Family Novel #3
# of Pages: 431
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: The Cahills of San Francisco are famous for two things: their vast wealth, and the scandals that surround them. Murder, greed, deadly ambition . . . some people will do anything to get, and keep, the Cahills’ kind of money. Not that James Cahill wants any of it. He’s tried to make his own way, less interested in a future inheritance than in his construction company—and in enjoying the many women taken in by the easy charms of a handsome, soon-to-be-rich bad boy.
    Perhaps there’ve been too many women. Waking up in a small hospital in Washington State, bandaged and bruised, James barely recognizes the gorgeous blonde who comes to visit. Through the haze of pain and medication, he recalls that she is Sophia, the woman he’s been cheating with. Gradually memories return—his girlfriend, Megan, had found out about Sophia. Now Megan is missing, her sister, Rebecca, is hounding him—and police and reporters are asking questions too. James insists he has no idea what happened. Yet he can’t escape a feeling of dread . . .
    Meanwhile, in a locked room, a woman waits, trapped, petrified, and desperate. She thought she knew who to trust. But the betrayal you can’t imagine—or can’t remember—may be the most terrifying weapon of all . . .
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: The author liked to repeat herself a bit too much for my taste, making this story longer than it needed to be. I’m glad this wasn’t a romantic suspense (I almost thought it was) because I’m not sure what I thought of James. Certainly not hero material. And I won’t even go into the bizarre behavior of the police detective. The story was interesting enough for me to stick with it to the end, which is why I would recommend it.

I’m trying to spend most of my time on this cruise working on Alien Desires. I really need to get that one finished and sent to my editor. But let me tell you, this cruise is a lot more relaxing than our trip to Italy. I’m content to do nothing but read, write, and crochet!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Witches Get Stuff Done” and I’m in Italy

I still find it hard to believe that I’m in Italy. And right now, Venice. Got a little down time today (mainly because it’s raining) and finally finished a book, so thought I would post it now.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 27

Dates read: September 21 – October 2, 2024
Title: Witches Get Stuff Done
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Molly Harper
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Starfall Point #1
# of Pages: 222
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done...
    From the moment Riley Everett set foot in Starfall Point, magic bubbled inside of her. But with only her late aunt's journals and a cantankerous live-in ghost butler to instruct her on all things witchy—including her newly inherited Victorian haunted house—Riley seeks out a coven for sisterhood and support. The last person she expects to be drawn to is the town's frustrating, yet ridiculously attractive head librarian.
    Edison Held knows almost everything there is to know about Starfall Point, but Shaddow House was always off-limits, thanks to its elusive owner. If he can convince the new owner, Riley, to let him take a peek inside, there's so much he could learn. But as he gets closer to Riley, he's fascinated by her dazzling wit and fiery spirit. Edison will do whatever he can to help Riley keep her family legacy alive, especially if it means spending more time with the captivating new witch in town.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I enjoyed it for the most part. But the romance was a bit…rushed? Not a lot of sexual tension. I got this book free from B&N (because I’m a member), but I doubt I get the next book. Mainly because I have so many books now and it just didn’t hold my attention. Doesn’t mean it won’t hold yours.

So far I’ve visited Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Venice. Tomorrow we head to Sorrento (via Naples). I liked Pisa (and took one of those cheesy photos where it looks like I’m holding the tower up). And Venice is really cool (except St Mark’s square does like to flood every now and then). We visited the Murano glass factory today, but I didn’t buy anything. The prices were ridiculous!

Still, I’m having quite the experience. Now, if it would just stop raining.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Taken” and Recovering from Dragon Con

I came home from Dragon Con with con crud, or a cold, or maybe it’s just allergies. What I do know is it’s not COVID. I took three tests just to be sure.

My nose is a faucet. And I’m going through tissues like crazy. My oncologist prescribed Zyrtec (the prescribed version) and Flonase. I hate taking them. Zyrtec just wipes me out. I feel like a zombie when I take it. I try to remember to take Flonase, but that’s not fun, either. I hope I’m all dried up by next Friday. That’s when we leave for Italy!

I am anxious about that trip since I’ve never been to Europe before. I’ll actually get my passport stamped (that’ll be a first, too, since they don’t stamp them in the Caribbean). I also expect to be doing a lot of walking. Sure hope I survive the trip!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 26

Dates read: September 7 – 20, 2024
Title: The Taken
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Brett Battles
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Jonathan Quinn #16
# of Pages: 320
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: The world thought Dmitri Melnikov was dead.
    Especially Quinn. Why would he have believed otherwise, since the bomb intended for Melnikov had nearly killed Quinn and several members of his team?
    But Melnikov is not dead. He has been taken by someone who wants to shut him up. And the former chess champion isn’t the only one who has been abducted.
    US Intelligence can’t do anything about it. Not officially, anyway. The risk of causing an international incident is too great. What the agencies can do is ask someone who’d been there when Melnikov was kidnapped to do something for them.
    It’s not a normal mission for Quinn and his friends, and the chances they’ll all survive are slim, but this one is personal. So how can they say no?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Good story. Almost seems like the end to the series. It’s all wrapped up as if it were the end. But I’ll gladly read more if it continues. I love this series.

Sure seems like summer is fighting to stick around, doesn’t it? It’s been in the 90s the last few days. We’re going to a high school football game tonight and will probably sweat in the stands. It will be our last game of the season for us (since we’ll be out of town for the last 5 games), so no cold or rainy games to look forward to. Looks like we won’t be missing much, either. Our first string QB broke his collar bone on the first game. The back-up broke his leg on the second game. We’re down to the third string with a running back as backup. They haven’t won a game since the first game. Worst season in quite a while. I feel bad for the seniors.  

Happy Reading!

Stacy