I’m a Guest Poster and Other Exciting Tidbits

Today I’m featured at The Unpublished Writers’ Guide to Survival where I tell how I got to where I am, publishing-wise, that is. Which isn’t much, but hey, I’m still new. So come on over and say hello or boo or laugh at me and maybe you’ll find a new blog to follow. J Here’s the LINK.

I’ve got big news! I’ve mentioned before that I’m one of thirteen authors involved with a Facebook page, Sizzle and Sass. It’s been up and running for awhile now, pretty much available to any of us that want to post under the Sizzle and Sass name. Starting this week, one author will take over hostess duties each week for the next 13 weeks (my week is November 3-9). So what’s the big news? Starting tomorrow, Sizzle and Sass will be holding a sweepstakes.

 

My cover is on this - see? Far right. Yahoo!

 

One lucky follower will win a Kindle and a book from each of us. Now, my book isn’t available until January 6, but I will either send an ARC or gift a copy when it comes out. So…Like the page. Enter the sweepstakes. Spread the word. Here's the LINK.

Soon-to-be self-published author, Laura Stephenson asked if I would help get the word out regarding her Kickstarter project. I don’t how much my word will mean, I don’t even have 100 followers (that I know about, anyway). I’m lucky to get 75 hits a day (and who knows how many of those are my own - haha!). But hey, if putting the word out here helps her, then I’m all for it. So here’s the LINK to her blog, which has the link to her project (if you care to help her out).

 

That is all! Well, until Wednesday, that is. J

Happy Monday!

 

Stacy

 

Changes, Schmanges

Okay, how many you belong to a Yahoo group? How many of you use AOL software? Recently, they have both upgraded. I use both. Can’t say I’m happy with either one.

AOL switched their browser from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome. I made sure NOT to make it my home page, and to only have it affect my mail. Thank goodness I did, because when I upgraded I had no idea WHICH browser it was switching to. Only once I upgraded did I find out.

Opening e-mails is a pain now. I click on the “next” button, but if the e-mail has any links, I don’t get the “enable links” button unless I close the e-mail and re-open it. How is that better?

AOL said it’s faster. I open a news article and it locks everything up. How it that better?

I’m not putting the blame on my computer. With AOL 9.6, I may have had some problems, but nothing compared to what I’m getting now. This only reinforces my hatred for Chrome. And yes, I sent AOL feedback. We’ll see if they do anything.

As for Yahoo... Yes, they upgraded. For the most part I don’t have an issue. I’m not there a whole heck of a lot. The problem I have with them is through their Groups and getting messages through e-mails. Most of my groups are set to immediate e-mail. Ha! I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen replies to e-mails come through before the original e-mail. Heck, even an e-mail I sent to a group last week has yet to show in my own e-mail. Kind of wonder when I’ll finally see it.

I did go to the site to offer my feedback, but I think they’re getting the message. LOTS of people are complaining - and I’m able to see the complaints.

Sometimes I wonder if these companies actually TEST their new software before spreading it out to the masses.

I’ll admit it, I hate change (especially when I think it’s unnecessary). It’s one of the reasons I hope I never have to lose Vista. The stuff that replaced it has not interested me in the least (and I’ve used Windows 7 and seen enough of Windows 8 to not even want to bother). Don’t even get me started on upgrading Word 2003. Does that make me a dinosaur? **ROAR**

So how do you feel about change? Has Yahoo or AOL made you crazy yet? Or do you use another browser/software that drives you just as batty?

Here’s hoping it’s not driving you too batty not to enjoy the upcoming weekend. Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads

My motivation is waning. Oh, not with reading or writing (like that will ever happen!). With exercising. Since June, I’ve been doing the weight training basically three days a week (one hour each day, increasing my weights regularly), walking and/or bike riding the days I don’t go to the gym, and even cutting back on my eating and I have no weight loss to report (my clothes aren't getting baggy, either). It’s sad and so depressing! I guess I have mother nature to thank for that (as I fan off another hot flash). Something’s gotta give soon. I’m pretty certain I’m gaining muscle. When will it eat off the fat?

Anyway, here’s what I read during the last week (it's light as I’m struggling with my current read):

Sep 18: “Killer Instinct” by Zoë Sharp. This is a mystery thriller. Blurb on back: Charlotte “Charlie” Fox makes a living teaching self-defense to women in a quiet northern English city. It makes best use of the deadly skills she picked up after being kicked out of army Special Forces training for reasons she prefers not to go into. So, when Susie Hollins is found dead hours after she foolishly takes on Charlie at the New Adelphi Club, Charlie knows it’s only a matter of time before the police come calling. What they don’t tell her is that Hollins is the latest victim of a homicidal rapist stalking the local area. Charlie finds herself drawn closer to the crime when the New Adelphi’s enigmatic owner, Marc Quinn, offers her a job working security at the club. Viewed as an outsider by the existing all-male team, her suspicion that there’s a link between the club and a serial killer doesn’t exactly endear her to anyone. Charlie has always taught her students that it’s better to run than to stand and fight. But, when the killer starts taking a very personal interest, it’s clear he isn’t going to give her that option… I bought this book years ago with the intent on reading it soon. Yeah, I have a whole bookcase full of intentions! But I finally got around to this one and became hooked (next one is on order). Charlie is a character I want to know more of. I have a feeling I may never get through my to-be-read list, since it grows faster than I can read them! I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads. If you like thrillers, give this a try. You might become hooked, too.

So how large is your stack of un-read books? According to Goodreads, I’ve got 73. But then, I don’t think I have them all entered, either.

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

Pictures - Do You Know What These Are? I Don't

Today for a little fun, I would like someone to tell me what these things are on the following pictures. It's hard to gain this information on the web, since I don't know how to seach a picture. So... if anyone out there knows, I would sure appreciate you shedding some light my way.

This one is semi-easy. I know it's a bug (ooh - aren't I smart?). I took this picture from inside my house, so this is the underside of the bug and it's kind of blurry, since I couldn't get it to focus up close. I THINK it's a stink bug (although the stink bugs I used to call stink bugs back when I was a kid living in Southern California were black and looked like beetles). I hate these things, though. They like to jump at you. And, well, I don't like things that jump at me. Especially bugs! And if this is a stink bug, do they really stink? Have you ever smelled one? Curious minds...

This one is a mystery. I noticed it hanging from the top of the porch overhang a couple of weeks ago. I tried to knock it off with a broom, but it ain't budging. I think it'll need to be cut off, but no one remembers to bring out scissors when we go outside. I thought it was just a lone thing until I saw our little tree (below).

Can't tell from this picture too well, but off to the left, where it appears a different tree is growing (and it's all the same tree - I checked), more of those things are displayed. I took a closer shot, below.

There are lots of these suckers. So, is it some kind of seed pod? Or has some strange creature laid eggs? Should I worry? Should we cut the whole thing down? I mean, the tree has looked in better condition. It used to be all one shape! It's strange how this other growth has morphed out of it. Have you ever had a tree do that to you?

I think I've asked enough questions. Sure hope I see some answers! Happy Monday!

Stacy

Aack! Promotion!

It kind of amazes me how obsessed some authors can get over promoting their book. They’re worried if they have the right cover, or if they’re on the right site, or if they should blog or twitter or whatever. Or they wonder how they can get more reviews so they can move up in the rankings. It’s crazy out there.

I wonder how they can write being so stressed out like that.

Even with the little bit I’m doing now, I’m finding it time consuming. Almost overwhelming. I’m not even OUT there with the people, and it’s draining me. That’s how much of an introvert I am, I guess. Do I need to pile on the stress and obsess over reviews and ratings? No, I don’t. But do I need to promote? Hmmm… If I self-pubbed, I probably wouldn’t put much effort into it, but since I’m through a publisher, they kind of expect me to do something.

One promotional tool I’m interested in will get my book promo in front of book clubs. The site isn’t up yet and will cost me a little bit of money, but I will seriously consider using them. Getting the word out to book clubs sounds like the way to go, and a whole lot less stressful. Of course, now I must figure out what kind of promo material to send and how much I want to spend. Aack!

Can you tell I’m not a great decision-maker?

But I am a business. I know this. And a business must spend money to make money. I’m hoping since I’ve been blogging for so long, and have a few conferences under my belt, that maybe I won’t have to go to extremes to promote. Besides, isn’t the best promotion having another book out there? That’s what I SHOULD be working on, isn’t it?

I’ll say one thing: you won’t find me obsessing over something I can’t control - reviews and rankings. I need to just get the next book out there. Easier said than done, though, huh? But I’m working at it!

So how do you feel about promotion? Do you like getting it? I have to admit, I don’t. But apparently a lot of readers do. Especially if the author makes it personal (just another thing I have to figure out). 

Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

P.S. This was posted late because of internet difficulties at home. You know the kind: lack thereof! Hopefully all fixed now, though. 

Wednesday Reads and a Little Rant About Reviews

Am I doing a disservice to myself when I review books? Is giving 4 stars instead of 5 stars putting a nail in my publishing coffin? What about 3? When I give stars to books, it’s really for my own information - to let ME know which books I liked more than others, especially if I ever have to clean out my bookcase and get rid of books (heaven forbid!!!).

I also like sharing what I have read via Goodreads, but now I’m wondering if I should even bother.

Many authors beg for reviews, but apparently they only want good ones, right? So if people only say good things about the book, but never any bad, why have reviews at all?

I do try to be fair and list WHY I don’t care for a book and I never trash an author. I know how hard it is to write a book. Doesn’t mean I like them all, though.

I really don’t want to stop rating books, but if it’s detrimental to my new career, I might just have to. What do you think?

In the meantime, here’s what I read during the last week:

Sep 10: “Shades of Dark” by Linnea Sinclair. This is the continuation of the story that began with “Gabriel’s Ghost,” a sci-fi romance. Blurb on back: Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from the “justice” of a corrupt Empire. Along with her lover, the former monk, mercenary, and telepath Gabriel Ross Sullivan, Chaz hoped to leave the past light-years behind--until the news of her brother Thad’s arrest and upcoming execution for treason. It’s a ploy by Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke to force them out of hiding, and it works. With a killer targeting human females and a renegade gen lab breeding jukor war machines, Chaz and Sully already had their hands full of treachery, betrayal--not to mention each other. Throw in Chaz’s Imperial ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and a Kyi-Ragkiril mentor out to seduce Sully, and not just loyalties but lives are at stake. For when Sully makes a fateful choice, changing their relationship forever, Chaz must also choose--between what duty demands and what her heart tells her she must do. I really enjoyed the first book (even with all that sci-fi stuff and unpronounceable names) because I liked Chaz and Sully. So it was a no-brainer to read more of them. They are the kind of couple I enjoy reading - fighting against a common enemy while figuring each other out. I could probably come to love reading sci-fi romance, or even plain sci-fi, if I could get past all the strange spellings (it’s what pulls me out most of the time). At least on TV and in the movies, the names are pronounced for me (of course, then I have no idea how they’re spelled! Haha!). I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Sep 12: “The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo” by Kerrelyn Sparks. This is the fourteenth book in the Love at Stake series, a paranormal romance. Blurb on back: Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he’s ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself…because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo… Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There’s even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal’s gorgeous green eyes set her pulse racing. But can she trust him--and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored…? You’d think with 14 books in the series, I’d get tired of reading them, but NO WAY! I loved this book just as much as the other 13! I did not want to put this one down. Good thing I accompanied my husband to his class on Thursday (so I could have dinner with him after). It gave me many enjoyable hours to read (of which I finished the last few pages when we got home). The romance was great and I fell in love with the characters. I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

If you have an opinion regarding my little rant, I would appreciate hearing it. Really!

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

When You've Got Nothing - Give 'em Music!

Okay, I got nothing on this Monday morning. So… since I heard this song on my husband’s iPhone the other day, it brought back memories of the music video I thought was so funny when it first aired. It’s still pretty silly. And I do love the song! Enjoy.

 

Stacy

Give WRiTE CLUB a Try and Vote!

Happy Friday the Thirteenth!

The second phase of WRiTE CLUB has taken off this week. If you haven’t signed up to vote, it’s still not too late. Bouts started on Monday and are posted every weekday until next Thursday (9 bouts in total). You have until noon on Sunday, Sep 22 to vote on all 9 bouts. Yes, I am included in one of these bouts. No, I won’t say which one. The winners of these bouts (plus the top vote getter of the losers) then have to produce a new set of work in which they will be pitted against each other. Here's the link: http://dlcruisingaltitude.blogspot.com/. You must be on his list to vote. Just follow his instructions.

I enjoy this little competition because it shows me how other people write. I also like seeing the comments (critiques) some people give, showing me different tastes in genres. What one person hates, another loves. It’s really eye-opening, and quite the learning experience.

My writing has been going fairly well. Monday was crap, but over 500 words each day the rest of the week. Hope to do the same today. I think my story has finally cemented itself inside my brain. I’m actually waking up with ideas for scenes. I kind of missed that.

This weekend looks to be a cool one (highs in the sixties instead of the nineties). It figures, too. HS Football is tonight. Looks like I might need to bundle up. I wouldn’t have minded it still be a little bit warmer. Maybe I’ll get me some spiked coffee after the game. You got any suggestions? We’ll most likely go to Applebee’s.

Have a good weekend and don’t walk under any ladders!

 

Stacy

 

No Wednesday Reads, Just Miscellaneous Stuff

Oh no! What happened? I’m back home, that’s what. AND I’m reading a longer-than-usual book. That means no books finished in the past week. Good thing I’m six books ahead in my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge.

I also got some bad news, which didn’t help in the reading or writing. Bite Me was rejected. L To say the news stung is an understatement. Oh well, I must press onward. I have other options, so it’s not a dead project. Just not the route I wished to take.

In my effort to figure out how to promote myself (because, let’s face it, books don’t always sell themselves, do they?), I joined some Lyrical Press “sisters” on a Facebook page--Sizzle and Sass. The main kick-off starts on Oct 1 and each author (there are 13 of us - is that lucky or what?) has control of the page for a week (my first week is Nov 3-9), but if you wish to LIKE the page now, we won’t object. I did send out some invites, but tried to be selective. In that instance, I could have missed some people (like you!). It’s all about having a good time (we don’t want to bombard the fans with sales, but yeah, our books will be mentioned at times). So if you’re interested, or know someone who loves to read romance, let them know about our page! Here’s the link (I hope it works!): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sizzle-and-Sass/213212842173895

The anthology my local RWA chapter is putting together (which includes two of my short stories) apparently hit a snag (or communications error). The book was planned to be released in August. I have no idea when it’ll be out now, but I’m guessing the theme, Summer Reads, won’t fit so much now. Hmmm… I’ll let you know more when I learn more.

So, what do you do when you get bad news? I usually reach for some comfort food, which in my case is a spoonful of Skippy creamy peanut butter. But did I have any in the house when I wanted it? Of course not! My husband had finished off the jar while I was at Dragon*Con. Talk about depressing! I’m good now, though. J

Happy reading! I should have at least one book to list next Wednesday.

Stacy

 

Dragon*Con Pictures - Costumes Galore

Okay, put writing first, then post pictures. I'm only going to make THAT mistake once! Haha!

Here are the photos I took at Dragon*Con of the various costumes I came across. I did attend the costume contest, but none of those people stood still, so all those pictures came out blurry. Here's a hint for anyone entering a costume contest: STRIKE A POSE. Trust me, not a lot of people watching will be able to snap your picture if you keep walking back and forth across the stage! Okay, rant over.

Now, if any of you KNOW who any of these characters are, please share with me and I'll update the picture. And in case you weren't aware, click on the picture and it will ENLARGE.

He had no problem striking a pose for me!

I'm guessing steampunk here.

If they made these costumes, I'm impressed!

I'm assuming with the light sabers it has something to
do with Star Wars. Unless some other show has light sabers.

A pirate wearing a kilt? Okay, to be fair, he said he wasn't
wearing a costume! Haha!

I know this is from "Brave"! Yay!
Do I get any points for that?

I'm always boggled with the kind of costumes
people come up with.

Sparkly!

Yes, Oscar moved (couldn't show that on
the photo), so either electronics or a little
person was in that can! Haha!



Can't imagine how this person stopped to
eat! Heck, I can't imagine how he/she
could SEE!
(Update: According to Maria,this is a Dalek.)

Even the blue makeup isn't helping me here.

Witches like Dairy Queen, too (since she
stood behind me in line).

These two are from steampunk Alice in
Wonderland: White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat.
I actually asked them while we stood in
line to see the Arrow panel.

I went to a Karoke party and these two intrigued me.
It's hard to see, but their costumes were made out of beer
cans and cartons. I'm assuming Thor is on the left. Not
sure of the creature on the right.

See, I think I did WAY better than last year when it came to taking pictures. I hope you enjoyed them.

So, if you were to attend Dragon*Con, would you dress up? If so, which character(s)?

Stacy

 

Pictures of John Barrowman and other Dragon*Con Panels!

I posted the pictures before I wrote anything, now I can't get the writing to be above the pictures without screwing them all up. Anyway...the above photo is the crowd waiting for John Barrowman (I was in the 2nd row - yep, lucky me!). Most of the celebrity panels were held in the Atrium ballroom at the Marriott. It's the biggest.

I figure I'll post the celebrity panel pictures today and the costume pictures on Monday and hopefully won't blow up Blogger with all my pictures! Enjoy!

Yep, this is John Barrowman. He was on several panels. This was a solo one, and very popular, too. I still can't believe how close I got.

This is probably the only time he actually stood still. The guy is crazy-restless, I swear.

In case you can't read his shirt (and why could you, it's never clear), it says "Legalized Gay." It's in reference to his marriage to Scott a couple of months ago.

 John asked for scissors because he said he had something that was scratching his left you-know-what. The lucky lady got to keep the string or whatever it was that was bothering him. Guess he wasn't afraid she'd nip something important!

This panel was for actors from Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is John DeLancie and Michael Dorn.

Here's Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis. She is really funny (and snarky). Nothing like Deanna Troy at all!

One of the few writers panels I attended (this one was on fight scenes). John Ringo is sitting on the far left. I don't know who the next two writers are. Then it's AJ Scudari and Jim Butcher. I'm sorry I don't know the last one. I'm bad, I know.

Made it to the William Shatner panel. The man likes to ramble. I sat there and froze. Apparently that side of the ballroom is an ice box, because the other side was comfortable!

Back to another John Barrowman panel. This one is Torchwood. You can see John just can't keep still. You can also see I didn't have such wonderful seats this time around. The actors from left are: Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto), Eve Myles (Gwen), John Barrowman (Captain Jack), and Burn Gorman (Owen).

Hopefully a better picture of the group. The stories that they told--ooh boy! I guess the sexual harrassment laws are different in UK than here, that's all I have to say. I laughed so much! Especially when John fell backward in his seat -- TWICE! His expression was priceless.

Went to a panel for a "Time After Time" reunion, with Malcolm McDowell and David Warner. While they were entertaining, I don't think they remembered the movie all that much! Haha!

Dragon*Con isn't complete without attending a Buffy panel. Here is Nicholas Brendon (Xander), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce, Buffy's Mom), and James Marsters (Spike). By the way, I managed to get into the elevator with Kristine one time. Wasn't sure at the time if it was her, but after the panel, realized it was. No, I didn't say anything to her. I'm not THAT brave!

Another picture of the group. Couldn't tell which one was better!

Here is another John Barrowman panel. This one is for Arrow. Stephen Amell was supposed to be there, but he had to cancel at the last minute (boo hoo). Anyway, here is Kelly Hu (China White), Seth Gabel (The Count), and Janina Gavankar (Det. McKenna Hall).

 

Seth Gabel, Janina Gavankar, John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn), and  Manu Bennett (Slade Wilson). Wow, John is actually still! Interesting tidbet - Janina and John attended the same high school (years apart, of course). When someone asked John if he practiced archery for his part, he said the only time he ever did was back in high school when their one goal was to see if they could shoot the arrows at the convertible soft tops in the car dealership next door. Even as a kid, he was wild.

Really blurry shot, but I have to tell you why I took it. John was telling us how he embarrassed Stephen Amell during the scene where Stephen was tied up (after Merlyn discovered Oliver is the vigilante). John came onto the set playing the scene (or so Stephen thought) and tweaked Stephen's nipples. Stephen couldn't do a darn thing about it, either. This is the demonstration of what John did (Manu acting as Stephen). John is one crazy dude, isn't he? But he's just so funny!!

Last celebrity panel I attended was for the bionic couple: Lindsay Wagner and Lee Majors. Almost makes me want to watch the series again. I loved them!

I hope you enjoyed these photos. My camera works pretty good when people hold still. When they move, not so much (especially if I've zoomed it as big as I can). Still, I didn't think the pictures turned out all that bad.

So, do you enjoy seeing this kind of stuff, or have I bored you completely?

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads

When you drive to a convention (8-9 hour car ride one-way) and stand in lots of long lines, you tend to get a lot of reading done. Boy, did this weekend up my book count on Goodreads! Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Aug 28: “The Enraged” by Brett Battles. This is the seventh book in the Jonathan Quinn series, a thriller. Blurb on back: The rescue on Duran Island did not go as planned. Jonathan Quinn knows that someone is responsible. That someone decided throwing people Quinn cares about into the line of fire in a cold-hearted act of self-preservation was a good idea. He also knows that this someone has made a serious mistake. Because when Quinn gets mad, the last place anyone should ever be is in his crosshairs. He will not stop until the guilty pay. Sometimes revenge is best served now. After I finished reading the sixth book of this series, I immediately bought this one because I just hate being left hanging like that. Any other author and I might not have bothered, but I love this series and the characters. I would have preferred not to have been played with that way, but it is what it is, I guess. I enjoyed this book just like all the others and glad to see the story come to a satisfying end. I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

Aug 30: “Conquest of the Heart” by Michele Stegman. This is a historical romance. Blurb from Goodreads: Her people conquered his country. How can they overcome the distrust they feel to find love? Madeline wants a big, brash, never-defeated-in-battle, Norman knight. What she gets, by order of the king, is a wiry Saxon who once studied for the priesthood instead of warfare. But is this gentle man she has fallen in love with entangled in the rebellion now sweeping the land? Ranulf wants to marry the girl next door. What he gets, by order of the king, is a lush, strong Norman woman who just might be a spy reporting his every move. He wants her in every way a man can possibly want a woman. But can he trust his heart to a woman who might have been sent to root out the struggle for freedom his people are engaged in? It had been decades since I’ve read a historical book set in the 1000s, so I got lost a little in the terminology. I liked the characters and romance (even if the hero did have a beard - not crazy about them!). It was a good story and I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Sep 2: “Sleight of Hand” by CJ Lyons. This is the second book in the Hart & Drake series. Blurb from Goodreads: Two months ago Dr. Cassandra Hart was forced to kill a man. The man who murdered her best friend, almost killed Drake and seriously wounded her. Now she's back at work in her Pittsburgh ER, but nothing seems the same. When she fears that a young boy is being abused by his "perfect" mother, her friends and colleagues worry that she's returned to work too soon, imagining dangers that don't exist. Others accuse her of trying to cover up her own alleged mistakes in the boy's treatment by making a false report of abuse. Drake's facing problems of his own, trying to cope with the aftermath of the night two months ago when his passion for Cassie led to a confrontation with a killer. He's on desk duty, reviewing cold cases, and delves into the homicide case that killed his father seven years ago. But after so long, what good can he do, a cop without a gun? The stakes escalate when Cassie is almost killed and Drake finds evidence that the killer his father was tracking might be planning to strike again--this time targeting a young boy. It had been several months since I read the first book and there wasn’t much to remind me about it in the beginning of this one. When I have trouble remembering who the characters are, that pretty much tells me it’s not memorable. Still, this book helped pass the time pleasurably, but it was also easy to put down. I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads.

Sep 3: “Face to Face” by CJ Lyons. This is the final book in the Hart and Drake series. Blurb from Goodreads: In Hart and Drake, Book #1, NERVES OF STEEL, you met the ER doctor who never gives up… In the second book, SLEIGHT OF HAND, you saw Hart and Drake risk everything to save a child and you knew they were meant to be together. Now, see what happens when they lose it all… Drake hunts a stalker with deadly intentions. Hart fights for justice for one special victim while also fending off her ex and his family as they try to destroy everything she holds dear. Neither realizes the real danger lies with an old enemy whose fury has grown and will not be satisfied with anything less than Hart and Drake’s blood. With the lives of two children at stake, how can they walk away? I read this in one day, while driving home from Atlanta, so it made the trip a lot nicer than it could have been. Still, I thought the characters did some pretty stupid stuff, which kept my rating lower than usual. I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads.

Now that I’m back home, I can spend my time writing more than reading. At least during the day!! Happy reading!

Stacy

I'm on Goodreads!!

Hi all!

I'm still at Dragon*Con, getting no writing done, but then, that's not what I came here for, now is it? Anyway, I am getting some reading done (standing in line can become tedious when it's your third or fourth event), so last night while I was updating my Goodreads account, I noticed a big change.

"My Sunny Vampire" is listed!!!

I just wanted to share that with you.

Now, back to the con. I have taken more pictures this year than in previous ones, so I'll be sharing soon. Probably Friday.

Have a nice Holiday! (It is Labor Day, right???)