Reading Update and Procrastination

I procrastinate. A lot. I seem to find other things to do to keep me from doing what I should. This is not news to me. I know I do it. I just don’t know why.

Why don’t I want to write? I used to look for time to write. Now, I just can’t seem to get my imagination to run wild (I sure loved it when it ran wild).

So instead of writing, I read. And crochet. And watch TV. I used to watch TV all the time, before writing. I hate that I watch TV during the day now, but yet, I do, because I like the TV on when I’m crocheting. And right now crocheting is more fun than writing.

I have excuses as to why I don’t write. I don’t like the set up I have in the sunroom. I don’t like my glasses. Yeah, these are things I can fix, but I just don’t. Actually, I’m not sure HOW to set up my sunroom without removing/replacing furniture. And I don’t know what kind of furniture would help.

And then, I get a thought that maybe I should just quit. Just retire. And the next thing I do, I sign up for another book convention, hoping that will motivate me.

So far they haven’t.

I want to finish Ghostly Protector. I NEED to finish it. And maybe it’s the finishing it that is causing me to procrastinate. Because if I finish it, I may just be finished. I don’t know.

It sure is hard being honest with yourself, isn’t it?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 11

Dates read: March 14-19, 2023
Title: A Terrible Fall of Angels
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Laurel K. Hamilton
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Zaniel Havelock #1
# of Pages: 477
Paper or plastic: Mass Market Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Meet Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel Speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the Celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something  more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. A race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.
My thoughts: Not exactly a fast-paced book. Lots of back story to get through and lots of events that don’t seem connected to one another. Plus, the author can overdo it with the description (like she does in the Anita Blake series). Parts of it were enjoyable, though, so I will probably try the next book in the series (when/if it’s released) just to see if maybe the pace picks up.

So… are you a hopeless procrastinator? Think there’s a cure for me?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and an Online Class for Writers

Are you a writer? Are you always looking to better yourself? Central Ohio Fiction Writers (COFW), my writing organization, is offering an online class April 1-30, 2023, on Crafting Your Character’s Internal Conflict, presented by Linnea Sinclair. Here are some of the details…

It’s the bottom of the iceberg. The fuel for the fire. It’s the secret engine for the story-line conveyor belt. It’s internal conflict—that illusive and often ignored element in your character’s GMC. Yet, like fuel, it’s a powerful element in crafting your character and your story, and it’s the irresistible element that will keep your readers turning pages.

In this in-depth workshop, RITA® award-winning author, Linnea Sinclair, will show you how to dig deeper to unearth your story’s hidden power by writing to this primal force. (A working knowledge of GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict is helpful for this class.)

So join Linnea Sinclair on the COFW digital class site as she teaches us how to create that iceberg’s foundation.

The course is presented via e-mail, with lots of homework assignments! Linnea Sinclair has taught me a lot and I absolutely love her classes. Cost is $30 for members, $35 for non-members. Here’s the link to register: Classes - Central Ohio FictionWriters | Official Website (cofwevents.org). After you pay, please wait for the Google form to pop up so you can finish your registration (we need the information to get you signed up correctly).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 10

Dates read: March 8-14, 2023
Title: An Accidental Goddess
Year of publication: 2006
Author: Linnea Sinclair
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 434
Paper or plastic: Mass Market Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Gillaine Davre is wondering where the last three hundred years have gone. Waking up in an unknown space station, the last thing the Special Forces captain remembers is her ship being attacked. Now it seems that while she was time-traveling, she was ordained a goddess. But if she’s to survive, she can only hope no one notices.
    Admiral Mack Makarian suspects Gillaine may be a smuggler. But he can’t begin to imagine the truth. For the ethereal beauty is now Lady Kiasidira, revered by countless believers, including Mack—an irresistibly commanding man who inspires feelings in her that are far from saintly… Feelings that are clearly mutual. But when a longtime enemy attacks the station—again—can Gillie stop the invasion without revealing her true identity and losing the man she loves?
My thoughts: I had a hard time putting this book down. Action-packed and the romance… yum (and not overly sexual). My ONLY issue with this story was the names of certain things, and if I was pronouncing them correctly. But then, that’s my issue with a lot of books!

So, I finished reading all the Linnea Sinclair books I could get my hands on. You don’t need to have read her to take one of her writing classes, though. Although, she writes some really good books. Especially if you love sci-fi romance. But if you are a writer and need some help with internal conflict in your story, then her class will definitely help. Plus you get to see what other writers are struggling with. Kind of helps to keep you from feeling like you’re all alone. Because you’re not.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Routines

I still haven’t gotten back into my exercise routine. But I have been writing (well, editing) more. Sometimes I wonder if that’s a correlation. I can either exercise or write, but can’t seem to do both in the same day. I need to fix that. Once I get motivated to exercise again. Of course, the weather is starting to warm up, so I may be able to get back to walking. I always enjoy doing that more than exercising indoors anyway.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 9

Dates read: February 26 – March 8, 2023
Title: Finders Keepers
Year of publication: 2005
Author: Linnea Sinclair
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 453
Paper or plastic: Mass Market Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Trilby Elliot’s stopover on the uninhabited world of Avanar should have gone unnoticed—and would have—until she discovered that a Zafharin military officer had crash-landed almost in the middle of her illegal repair site. The attention of Rhis Vanur is hardly the sort that an independent trader and sometime smuggler like Trilby would ordinarily welcome. But in getting the injured Rhis back on his feet, Trilby has glimpsed the flesh-and-blood man beneath the arrogant military façade. The trouble is, Rhis isn’t quite who or what he seems He’s intent on commandeering her ship…and her heart. Until a warlike race begins hunting them both. Then suddenly Trilby and Rhis are in it together, for better, for worse—or till death blasts them to oblivion….
My thoughts: I thought this book was part of her Dock 5 series, but it isn’t. It’s strictly a stand-alone. And it was very entertaining. I waited too long to pick this up from my TBR stash (because I’ve owned the book awhile).

Pretty, sunny day today. But only getting as warm as the mid 40s. Brrr… Not exactly motivating me to go out and walk. And then this weekend we turn the clocks ahead one hour for DST. That’s gonna mess me up, too. Maybe it’s a good thing my treatment is tomorrow. I don’t tend to exercise the weekend after it anyway, as I find rest keeps me from getting a headache. And I hate the headache that came with the treatment. So I’ll be chilling this weekend for sure!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Feeling…Meh

Can’t tell if I’m finally getting a bad reaction to my treatment, or if I just caught a stomach bug that my daughter and husband also had. Thing is, my symptoms are lasting way longer than theirs did. Guess I’m calling the doctor tomorrow.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 8

Dates read: February 22-26, 2023
Title: Listen to Me
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Rizzoli & Isles #13
# of Pages: 300
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are plagued by what seems to be a completely senseless murder. Sofia Suarez, a widow and nurse who was universally liked by her neighbors, lies bludgeoned to death in her own home. But anything can happen behind closed doors, and Sofia seems to have accumulated plenty of secrets in her last days, making covert calls to traceless burner phones. When Jane finally makes a connection between Sofia and the victim of a hit-and-run from months earlier, the case grows only blurrier.
    Meanwhile, Angela Rizzoli hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in all the years since her daughter became a homicide detective. Maybe the apple hadn’t fallen too far from the tree: Nothing in Angela’s neighborhood gets by her—not the gossip about a runaway teenager down the block, and definitely not the strange neighbors who have just moved in across the street. If only Jane would listen—instead of writing off Angela’s concerns as the result of an overactive imagination.
    With so much happening on the Suarez case, Jane and Maura already struggle to see the forest for the trees, but will they lose sight of something sinister happening much closer to home?
My thoughts: I love this series. I liked the TV series, too, but the characters are way different on that, which I have to remember when I start reading another book of this series. I might have figured out the case long before the end if I hadn’t made an ASSUMPTION at the beginning. That’s what I get for not paying attention, I suppose.

I hate not feeling well. I don’t necessary feel sick, just…meh. I certainly don’t feel like exercising (walking or anything), or even eating. Although, I do wish I had some bananas in the house. I don’t feel like going to the store and getting any, though. But if I’m forced to go out tomorrow, I’ll definitely stop and get some.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Pictures from Monkey Land

I finally downloaded the photos we bought at Monkey Land. I posted them below my book update. Those monkeys were sooooo cute!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 7

Dates read: February 14-21, 2023
Title: The Wrong Victim
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Quinn & Costa #3
# of Pages: 567
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: A bomb explodes on a sunset charter cruise out of Friday Harbor at the height of tourist season and kills everyone on board. Now this fishing and boating community is in shock and asking who would commit such a heinous crime—the largest act of mass murder in the history of the San Juan Islands.
    Was the explosion an act of domestic terrorism, or was one of the dead the primary target? That is the first question Special Agent Matt Costa, Detective Kara Quinn, and the rest of the FBI team need to answer, but they have few clues and no witnesses.
    Accused of putting profits before people after leaking fuel endangered an environmentally sensitive preserve, the West End Charter company may itself have been the target. As Matt and his team get closer to answers, they find one of their own caught in the crosshairs of a determined killer.
My thoughts: A little slower than the last one, but still a good read. I like this series.

So, here are a few shots taken from Monkey Land (Dominican Republic). I was surprised at how soft their feet were. I expected claws. Not a scratch on us!

Happy Reading!

Stacy