Finished Reading “This is Why We Lied” and Stuff is Breaking

Here it is, the coldest week of the year, and it appears our water heater is on the fritz. It wasn’t heating the water, in any case. Hubby and Son tried to look at it, but they couldn’t figure out how to drain it. Then they tried the reset button. That seemed to work.

Then it didn’t. So we called the plumber. The plumber hasn’t gotten here yet, but now it’s working. Or so it seems. So do we cancel the plumber? I just don’t know what to do.

Then I started laundry today, which is my day to do it. Figured we’d give the water heater a work out and see what happens. Nothing is happening because now the washer is on the fritz. It won’t spin. So no laundry today (repair person won’t be out until Monday). What a drag.

I’m almost afraid to use another appliance. I don’t want it to break, too.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 32

Dates read: November 22 – December 6, 2024
Title: This is Why We Lied
Year of publication: 2024
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Suspense
Series:  Will Trent #12
# of Pages: 451
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: A Secluded Cabin Retreat
    For GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton, McAlpine Lodge seems like the ideal getaway to celebrate their honeymoon. Set on a gorgeous, off-the-grid mountaintop property, it’s the perfect place to unplug and reconnect. Until a bone-chilling scream cuts through the night.
    A Murderer in Their Midst
    Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the Lodge, is dead. With a vicious storm raging and the one access road to the property washed out, the murderer must be someone on the mountain. But as Will and Sara investigate the McAlpine family and the other guests, they realize that everyone here is lying… Lying about their past. Lying to their family. Lying to themselves.
    Who Killed Mercy McAlpine?
    It soon becomes clear that normal rules don’t apply at McAlpine Lodge, and Will and Sara are going to have to watch their step at every turn. Trapped on the resort, they must untangle a decades-old web of secrets to discover what happened to Mercy. And with the killer poised to strike again, the trip of a lifetime becomes a race against the clock…
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I love this series. And I had no idea what was going on until close to the end. Good mystery. Good suspense.

Well… since I can’t do the laundry today, I might as well get back to Alien Desires. I’m really close to the end. But I keep stopping at parts that need extra work. Hopefully I can get through that section today and not run into another one!

Yeah, that’s not likely. At least I’m working on it!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Photographs” and Stuff

Got our first snowfall today and I’m cold. It’s not that the house is any colder than it normally is, but snow tends to make me feel colder for some reason. So I may bump up the heat a bit. I know Hubby won’t care. He’s always cold!

The ending with Alien Desires (which I thought was finished but was wrong) is finally coming into play in my head (I had to change it so that my hero looked heroic). Now to get it on the page. Why is that part always the hardest? At least I’m almost there. I’ll be glad when I can send it off to my editor.

This Saturday I will be in Springboro, Ohio for an author event during their annual Christmas festival. I’m one of the featured authors between 4:30-6:30pm at the Springboro Historical Museum. If I sell any books I’ll be pleasantly surprised, but I’m prepared for the best. At least I’ll be indoors. Most of the festival will be outdoors, so maybe people will come inside to get warm! One can always hope.

And if you’re in the area and are looking for Christmas ideas, check it out. Then come inside and see me.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 31

Dates read: November 1-21, 2024
Title: Photographs
Year of publication: 2020
Author: James Garcia, Jr.
Genre: Supernatural thriller
Series:  N/A
# of Pages: 229
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: One night, two exceptional women meet. Both carry broken hearts and one has been dead for sixty years.
    In 1956, film actress Allison Belle abandoned the glamour of Hollywood for Fresno, California, and an idyllic new life.
    In 1959, she disappeared altogether.
    Sixty years later, real estate agent Joanna Johnson steps unsuspectingly into the old Belle house and a story long forgotten.
    A devastating personal event opens a hidden door into the actress’s world. The mystery behind what broke Allison’s heart and what ultimately happened to her is revealed slowly by a series of long lost photographs the agent uncovers; the relationship she builds with the actress’s ninety year old husband; and through a series of “dreams” she has where she relives the moments captured by each photograph - herself a participant in them.
    The closer Joanna gets to the truth, the closer she gets to suffering the same fate.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Interesting story. I thought maybe it would be horror, but it’s not really that. More like a thriller, with a ghost. Started out slow, but it did keep my attention and the ending was satisfying.

The wifi antenna (or whatever it’s called) on my laptop was starting to act wonky. I couldn’t connect to the house’s wifi, but I could connect to my phone’s hot spot. Unfortunately, when I was connected to the hot spot, I couldn’t print anything as the printers were off line. Hubby found an external antenna and so far it’s been working (I’m connected AND I can print!). What a relief. I really don’t relish replacing this computer. I like it!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

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