Wednesday Reads

I’ve finally approved the print version of Blind Temptation. In fact, it’s already showing up on Amazon. Talk about fast. Ah, but that’s what happens when Amazon owns CreateSpace. I’m sure it won’t be so fast to show up in B&N. Now I just have to figure out how to sell the darn things. That’s the one part of this job I hate. And to think I used to think book signings would be the part I’d hate. Hahahahahahahahaha!

Anyway, here’s what I read this week:

Apr 23: “Playing Dead” by Allison Brennan, the third book in the Prison Break trilogy, a romantic suspense at 462 pages long. Blurb from book: Sentenced to death for crimes he didn’t commit, ex-cop Tom O’Brien is now a hunted fugitive. After fifteen years in prison, he’s determined to prove his innocence—but first he must convince his daughter, whose testimony helped put him behind bars, that he has damning evidence of a plot to frame him. Claire is no longer the naïve teenager who arrived home to find her mother and her mother’s lover shot dead and her father holding the murder weapon. She’s a successful fraud investigator who assumes that everyone lies. Though Claire is convinced of her father’s guilt, curiosity propels her to look into the disappearance of a law student who claimed to have proof of Tom O’Brien’s innocence. But seeking answers only leads to more questions, reinforcing Claire’s belief that there’s no one left to trust. Obsessed with the O’Brien case, FBI agent Mitch Bianchi befriends Claire under false pretenses, certain that Tom is not only innocent but in grave danger—and not just from the cops. As the three race toward the truth, a murderous conspiracy tightens its noose—and Claire becomes the target of an ice-cold psychopath who will kill to protect his secrets. Another good story. Attempted murders, rescues, a love story… It had just about everything this reader loves. Well, except no paranormal/supernatural elements. But that’s okay. No book is perfect.

I got a nice compliment from a Smashwords representative (after I notified them that Kobo isn’t selling the digital version of Blind Temptation and it had been over 2 weeks). He said that he was happy I presented my book with a description that made him curious to read it. Don’t know if he tells that to all the authors, but this one enjoyed reading that.

So… Have you been complimented lately? Want to share/brag? You're welcome to here.

Happy reading!

Stacy

Sorry, No Service

I didn’t realize how much I could miss being connected until suddenly I wasn’t.

The retreat was nice. I got a lot of re-writing done (several chapters, which I would have done even if I had internet). But I missed having cell service, and not just to keep up with my e-mails (or the Sizzle & Sass page, which I totally flubbed). I missed talking to my sweetie before bed.

I’ve gotten so used to being able to e-mail or text or call him whenever. I missed sharing my day (however boring) with him. I missed hearing his voice.

I missed hearing how the last Penguin game went—I can’t believe they lost in overtime. Oh, the agony!

As for the retreat, I stayed in a cabin with 11 other women, and apparently a family of mice, too (thank goodness I didn’t see them). I slept in the bottom bunk up in the loft with 4 other people. On the first night I slept fine, but the people on the lower level froze at night, so they asked to turn up the heat. Well, guess where that heat went? I about died the second night.

Of course, it could have also been my hot flashes (I’m getting so sick of those).

I ate a lot, too. How do I know? My jaw hurt Sunday (and it still hurts). Yeah, I’ll be paying for that for the next few days I’m sure. This is why I don’t keep snacks in the house. I eat them!

Came home in time to take a shower (the water at that place stunk—didn’t taste too well, either) and then headed on out to see the Dayton Dragons beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (yay!).

All in all, it was a productive and fun weekend, even with all the issues with the cabin. Retreats are fun to get to know some other writers. To be able to brainstorm on the fly or just sit and write (and apparently eat).

But next time I hope to have cell service (and maybe less food). Or maybe not host Sizzle & Sass at the same time. Major fail, there!

Now I get to worry about getting ready for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. Before I know it, May 10th will be here. Which reminds me…I need to get my mom a Mother’s Day gift!

So…How was your weekend? Have nice weather? It rained here on Saturday, but was absolutely beautiful on Sunday. Couldn’t have asked for nicer baseball weather.

Stacy

A Retreating I Will Go

First off, I think those drugs the doc gave me for my allergies are working. At least I’m sleeping better (I’ll blame that on the Zyrtec). Oh yeah, I’m coughing less, too. Not finished coughing, mind you, just coughing less. Well… he did say it might take a few days for the drugs to kick in.

Today I leave for a writers retreat. I’ll be staying in a cabin with 12 other women in Hocking Hills. I anticipate lots of time to write (or in my case, re-write) and chat with fellow writers. I’ll come home on Sunday and then head on out for a Dragons game (our first for the season). I just hope it’s not cold. The temps have been kind of screwy (but it’s April, what did I expect??). Did you see it snowed at some baseball games the other day? I don’t want THAT to happen to me. I won’t stay for the game, that’s for sure. I may love baseball, but not that much.

The re-drafting is going well. I keep getting stuck at parts that need a major overhaul, but that’s only because it usually requires a lot of thinking and sometimes I’m slow at thinking. I’m trying to continue to treat this as a first draft, so I try not to worry about the telling. I’ll beef that up once I finish the darn thing. I am seeing the end in sight. That’s good, right?

Not sure if I’ll have phone service where I’m going. I think I’ll need that to turn on my hot spot so I can get to the Internet with my laptop (I’m still hosting the Sizzle and Sass Page through Saturday, so I kind of need to be available). Don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t get the hot spot to work. Guess no one will hear from me, then!

So…Got any big plans this weekend? I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the Penguins. Almost kind of glad I won’t be able to watch the game. I’d rather be happy seeing them win on my phone than seeing the Rangers celebrate on TV. No, I do NOT want to see that.

Have a good one!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Nearly Killed My Computer

Yesterday’s doctor visit went well. Came home with more drugs: Zyrtec and Flonase. At least I only have to take them once a day and I can do it at bedtime, so any drowsy side effects will occur when I sleep. I hope.

Here’s what I read this week:

Apr 16: “Tempting Evil” by Allison Brennan, the second book in the Prison Break trilogy, a romantic suspense at 407 pages long. Blurb from book: Joanna Sutton can cope with the fierce winter storm bearing down on the small rural community of Centennial Valley, Montana; the popular romance writer has survived much worse in life. Haunted by the loss of her husband and child, Jo has found refuge at her family’s secluded lodge, but her haven soon becomes a hell. During the ferocious blizzard, a local Boy Scout troop is stranded in the wilderness, compelling Jo to spearhead a desperate rescue mission, aided by a newly arrived stranger with an unknown agenda. Meanwhile, Sheriff Tyler McBride hears that two escaped convicts are fast approaching Big Sky Country. Hoping to warn Jo, he faxes over the men’s mug shots. But they never reach their intended recipient. Then Tyler makes a shocking discovery: Two people are dead, and a killer is among the group, along with the woman Tyler loves, searching for his lost son. More than one innocent life is at stake. For the sake of those Jo cares about most, and for her own survival, she’ll need all the cunning, courage, and passion she can muster to survive the mounting terror. Man, there is a LOT in this book. That’s not a bad thing (for me), but if you have problems keeping stories straight, it can be a bit overwhelming. The villains (yes, there’s more than one) in this book escaped from the same prison the villain from the last book (and the next one) did, so I can see NOW why it’s a Prison Break Trilogy (duh!). So you’ll see the same FBI agents pop up in all three. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the action kept me turning the pages.

^^^^^^^

I think if I owned a gun, I would have shot my computer. Oh, not my new laptop, but the desktop in the living room. But I don’t, so I didn’t. Why? Because as JeffO said in Monday’s comments about my numerous doctor appointments: I pulled a thread and ended up with a pile of yarn!

I’m beginning to think I’m cursed.

All I wanted to do was update my iPod Shuffle. Instead I ended up having to reset the device (because iTunes couldn’t recognize it), update iTunes when I couldn’t get the reset to work (that stupid notice wouldn’t go away—just how many freakin’ updates can they do in a year?), which required me to restart the computer. Then when I finally get the reset to take, I STUPIDLY selected the wrong playlist to copy to my Shuffle (would there be a stop or cancel button anywhere? Nooooo). Anyway, four hours after I started, I finally got my tiny little job accomplished. Can you see now why I wanted to shoot the computer? Wouldn’t you?

So… What do you do when life frustrates you? Drink? Punch a wall? Shoot a computer? I drank. Coffee! (Yeah, I hadn’t had my cup when all that happened—whatever was I thinking???).

Happy reading!

Stacy

It Started with ONE Appointment in February

I hadn’t been to the base hospital in ages (except for pap smears and mammograms, and that happens usually once a year if I remember). Then I hurt my leg while walking on the treadmill awhile back. It didn’t get any better with rest and I wanted to exercise, so I made an appointment with the doctor, which turned into three physical therapy appointments.

A week or so after I saw the doctor, my cold returned worse than ever, so I went back to the doctor. On this trip, he noticed my heart murmur (it’s a mitrovalve prolapse that I’ve had probably since birth, but was discovered when I was nine, when I went through a barrage of tests). He wanted to do some tests—just to make sure. Okay, why not? It had been since the nineties (I think) since I’ve had them.

So I went in for an EKG and then later for an Echocardiogram. Cardiologist called a week or two later and made an appointment to see me. That appointment is this Thursday. I’m not worried about this. I’ve gone through this before (and if it were serious, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to join the Army). It’s a teaching hospital, too, so I think I’ve become this great test subject!

My cough has YET to go away (it’s been two months since my initial cold). My husband is bug, bug, BUGGING me to go see the doctor. Okay!! (I just want to shut him up.) So I made an appointment for this Tuesday. I’m thinking allergies, but who knows anymore.

In the meantime, I still need to make an appointment with a gynecologist (my night sweats are driving me insane).

Last year I went to the hospital maybe twice, this year six and counting (three more for sure). Good thing I don’t have an outside job. I’d be out of sick leave by now! J

In other news… I’m so HAPPY the Penguins won game 2 against the Rangers. Game 3 is tonight. Go Pens!!!

So… What have you done that you thought would be one and done and it turned into multiple events? Or am I the only one who’s lucky that way?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

More Diary Fun

Nothing new to report (well, except to grumble that the Penguins lost the first game of Round 1—grrr). That tends to happen when I’m busy writing, or in my case re-writing. Whatever it’s called, it’s working and I’m a happy camper (except where the Penguins are concerned—grrr). But… that doesn’t help my blog any. So, here’s some more diary fun (I love that I have this to fall back on).

Wednesday, December 12, 1973

Well, long time no write! Who’s ever reading this must be terribly bored (especially with all the misspellings). Some time I would love to right pages of stuff like on “The Waltons.” For you young people-It’s a television show which is my favorite right now (along with a lot of other shows). Today was a minimum day and I saw Rick (which I didn’t think would happen). He came into the band room to see the time (which he could have done outside. Maybe he wanted to see me. FAT CHANCE!). I will not have a diary after this maybe a book. P.S. I love you Rick!

Some comments:

1) I was 16 when I wrote this.

2) The “long time no write” remark was made because the last time I had written in that diary was October 28. In fact, this diary has a LOT of blank pages!

3) I like how I mentioned the misspellings and then misspelled “write” after I had spelled it correctly earlier!

4) My memory is faulty and I don’t remember what minimum days were (either shortened classes or some classes were eliminated), BUT… I do remember Rick coming into the band room (because I had a HUGE crush on that guy, as you can tell from the P.S.).

5) I think it’s funny that I wrote I will have a book next, when I couldn’t even write in the small yellow diary every day. But I did use spiral notebooks starting in 1974, and I was able to write more, just not more often (I still had problems with that).

Maybe next time I’ll post one of those longer ones. I’ll have to find one that’s interesting.

So… Starting Saturday I’ll be hosting the Sizzle and Sass Facebook page. My week always seems to catch me off guard. What catches you off guard? The weekend? Monday? Hmmm…

Have a great day!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

I’m reading lengthy stuff AND that whole re-drafting is going well, so my quantity has decreased. Good thing I’m still 3 books ahead of my goal (yay!). Here’s what I read this week:

Apr 11: “Killing Fear” by Allison Brennan, the first book in the Prison Break trilogy, a romantic suspense at 421 pages long. Blurb from book: Theodore Glenn loves to inflict pain…both on his victims and on those who later find the mutilated corpses. At his trial seven years ago, Glenn vowed vengeance on Detective Will Hooper, the cop who nabbed him, and beautiful Robin McKenna, the stripper whose testimony put him behind bars. When a catastrophic disaster sets Glenn free, he blazes a freshly bloodied path across San Diego County. But the death he craves most is Robin McKenna’s. Putting aside their past troubled relationship, Will rushes to protect Robin, now a savvy businesswoman operating an upscale club. As the killings mount and Glenn proves a master manipulator, Robin and will become snared in a twisted web of horror. But the shocking truth is even worse: the evil they are to face is even deadlier than they fear. This book has lots of suspense, a sensual romance and one wicked villain. I also enjoyed seeing characters from her other books. Can’t believe I hadn’t read this trilogy before. I’m finding I enjoy everything from Allison Brennan so I plan on reading everything she has to offer. I’ll start with what I have on-hand (which are the other two books in this trilogy).

Sales for Blind Temptation are going slow (just like all my other books—surprise!). Might help if I advertised, but I haven’t found anything worthwhile that will take a book without reviews. I only gave the book to a few people to read for review and I’m still waiting for them to finish reading it. If you’re interested in reviewing the book, I’ll gladly give you a copy (and my eternal thanks). Just let me know what version you’d prefer: mobi or epub.

So… Any movies you’re looking forward to seeing this year? I’ll be watching the new Avengers movie shortly after the release date. Oh yeah!

Happy reading!

Stacy

Blind Temptation Buy Links

Blind Temptation is released! Yay!!! It’s currently on sale at an introductory price of $2.99. Eventually it will go up to $4.99. When? Well… I have submitted this book for a BookBub ad. If it gets selected (and I’m not holding my breath—I’d rather be pleasantly surprised), then the price will stay at $2.99 until 4 weeks after the ad airs. If it’s not selected, then the price will probably go up after June 1st (and seeing how long it took me to get all these sites to actually show the book, I’m assuming it will take awhile before they all show the higher price—Amazon going last, of course).

Anyway, here’s the blurb (in case you haven’t gotten sick of it yet!):

Dreading the prospect of losing her position on the Vampire Committee, Victoria is forced to integrate with the mortal population. She hasn’t stepped outside since her husband died over 40 years ago and the thought of being treated like the 17-year-old she resembles frustrates her. But when she discovers that Ben, her hot & sexy driver’s ed teacher, is blind, she gives into temptation and flirts. She never expects to fall in love.

Ben knows he shouldn’t get involved with Victoria—she’s his student. But something compels him toward her. She makes him feel young, alive, and more importantly, whole.

Victoria would love nothing better than to have Ben as a mate, but fears he wouldn’t want to be blind forever. As she struggles to keep her identity hidden from him, an old acquaintance of Victoria’s turns up and is willing to do anything to win her love, including disposing of her boyfriend.

And this is where you can purchase the digital version:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Smashwords

 

Not a sale site, but if you want to add the book to Goodreads, click HERE

 

Eventually, it’ll show up on Kobo; it’s just being slow. Next I have to format it for print. Okay, I have to get my formatter (aka Enterprise Book Services, aka hubby) to format it for print.

In other news…. The Penguins made the playoffs! YAY!!! Talk about waiting until the last game to do it (and yes, it was the very last game of the season). Now they’ll face the Rangers in the first round. I’m hoping the games show on television here, because I really need to burn off some calories. How? From the stress (and I’m sure the games will stress me out, but I’m addicted and can’t give them up). Let’s go Pens!!!

So… When you buy books, what format do you buy and what store do you buy them from? I’m a Barnes & Noble on-line shopper and I prefer paper, but will buy the Nook version if it’s a new author. Then, if I really, REALLY like their books (like I’ve fallen in love with M.Q. Barber’s books), I’ll purchase the paper version. Just doesn’t feel like I OWN it if I can’t see it on an actual bookshelf.

Have a great day!

Stacy

Happy Birthday to my Daughter!

I can't believe it's been THIRTY years since I gave birth to this wonderful person. That's her, with her wonderful brother, back in 1988. Wasn't she the cutest little thing???

Awww, what am I saying. She's STILL cute.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!! I love you!!!!!

**************

I know I was going to post buy links for Blind Temptation, but seems publishing is like the military: hurry up and wait. I should see the book pop up on B&N really soon and I set up an account with iTunes (my husband knows someone with an Apple computer so I can upload direct instead of going through Smashwords), and while it's available on Smashwords, I'm still waiting for it to get sent to other distributors. It's all taking sooooo much time, and I just want this book out there everywhere so I only have to send out one notice (the newsletter is pretty much ready to go, just waiting on those links).

Hmmm... Maybe I SHOULD have done pre-orders. If only so that all the books are available at the same time. I'll have to remember that the next time. If there is a next time. I still haven't decided if self-publishing is for me. Now, if the money starts rolling in.... Haha! I crack myself up at times.

So... Do you leave reviews on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, or some other site after you read a book? How about ratings? Before I got into this business, I never really thought about reviews. Now? I try and remember to leave something on B&N and Amazon, especially if there aren't many there to begin with. I always rate or say something about a book on Goodreads (although I didn't start out that way). But I just wonder how many other people do this? Is the old "me" the way it is for most readers and am I the one who has changed because I'm now an author? Hard to tell sometimes. What are your thoughts?

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

Hey there! Blind Temptation HAS shown up on Amazon (I've got the link on the book tab for now). Nothing on B&N yet, and my husband still needs to format for Smashwords (so it can go to other vendors) and for print (because…PRINT!). I plan on posting whatever links I have and whatnot on Friday (so it’ll be visible ALL weekend!) and update as necessary. Anyway, reading’s been good, too (I’m 4 books ahead of my goal!!!), BUT so has the writing (completely re-did the second chapter—yay!). Hoping I can keep them both up. Here’s what I read this week:

Apr 4: “Kiss of Midnight” by Lara Adrian, book 1 in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance at 402 pages long. Blurb from book: He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell’s deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night—or this man—is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed—a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind—and the unwitting humans existing alongside them—from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands. Here, in the arms of the Breed’s formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasure of all… Well, it happened, damn it! I have fallen in love with another series (like I really needed to do that). This one currently has 12 books out, but is expected to end with #18. I like the fact that Lucan is an alpha hero, but he’s not an ass. In fact, I like him a lot. There’s a war going on that doesn’t end in this book, but there’s no cliff-hanger, which won me over right there. If you love wounded heroes and a hot couple (or if you love JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books), then this is the book for you. I know it was for me!

Apr 5: “A Touch of Midnight” by Lara Adrian, book 0.5 in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance novella at 124 pages long. Blurb from Goodreads: Savannah Dupree is halfway across the country from her Louisiana bayou hometown, a freshman studying at Boston University on a full scholarship. But academic excellence is only one of Savannah’s gifts. She possesses something even more remarkable than her quick mind and insatiable curiosity for learning. With a simple touch, Savannah can see an object’s past—a skill that puts her life in danger, when her studies bring her into contact with a centuries-old English sword and the secret hidden within the blade’s history: the vicious murders of twin boys by a group of fanged creatures borne of the worst kind of nightmare. In all his three hundred years of living as one of the Breed, vampire warrior Gideon never dreamed he’d see the blade again that spilled his young brothers’ lives ages ago on that blood-soaked night in London. Ever since the boys’ deaths, Gideon’s been on a personal quest to rid the world of Rogue vampires, but now he can’t help wondering if the brutal slayings of his only kin was something more sinister—an act perpetrated by an unknown enemy. An enemy who is apparently living in hiding somewhere in Boston. There’s one certain way to prove Gideon’s suspicion, but it will mean using innocent, gifted Savannah to help uncover the full truth—a truth that will shatter everything she knows about herself and the world around her. And with danger closing in from all sides, the passion that ignites between Gideon and Savannah will tempt them to risk their hearts and lives for a love that might just last an eternity… This prequel novella to the first book was free and, of course, I couldn’t resist getting it and reading it right away (that’s how much I loved the first book). Enjoyed this just as much as the first one, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy them all. I do plan on reading them in series order (even if they weren’t written that way).

So… Who here is happy baseball season has started? The Reds won their first game (yay!) and I realized how much less stressful it was to watch than hockey. Don’t get me wrong. I love hockey. But lately, the Penguins have been nerve-racking to watch (well, maybe not watch—I don’t have the ability to watch all the games, but I do get updates on my phone). Man, if they would ONLY play the whole game like they do the first period, they’d have already clinched a playoff spot. It’s so frustrating. I certainly hope the Reds don’t frustrate me this season, too. I’m not sure I can handle that.

Happy reading!

Stacy

Getting Closer to Self-Publishing

Gosh! I never knew what was involved with just uploading books to sell.

On Saturday I spent a good deal of time just setting up my vendor accounts (I tend to read all those terms and conditions). Sunday the hubby uploaded Blind Temptation to B&N and Amazon (Smashwords will come later).

I’m beginning to really hate filling in forms (not that I enjoyed them all before, that is) and he was the one typing it all (I just had to tell him what to type).

Anyway, the book has been uploaded, but I have no idea when it will become live. I can assure you, though, I will post something later today (or tomorrow) if I find them for sale on the sites!

Just so you know… Blind Temptation will go on sale at $2.99 for a limited time. Probably on May 1st, I’ll start raising the price to $4.99. I first thought 2 weeks, but then thought April would be just as good.

So… How was your Easter (or Sunday, if you don’t celebrate)? I actually COOKED! I managed to get a $10 coupon for $10 or more of items at Kroger, so I used that to buy ham, biscuits, and some yummy caramel Cadbury eggs (I already had boxed potatoes and frozen broccoli). I love those free meals, you know? Plus, I have leftover ham. Yum!

Stacy

Writing and Getting Stuck and Starting Over

For those who celebrate, Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter.

My husband has the day off today, which will probably mean I won’t get much writing done.

I don’t know why that is, either. It’s like when he’s here, I feel guilty writing! I shouldn’t. Especially when he expects me to.

Now, when we’re on a cruise, I have NO PROBLEM writing with him sitting beside me. Of course, he’s usually reading or playing a game (on his phone or iPad), so I shouldn’t have any problem writing at home when he’s here. But I do. Call me strange. I know I am.

As for writing my current project…I got tired of being stuck. I’m taking a class on adding conflict, because I though that might be the problem with my book. Well… it is! I don’t have enough conflict to sustain the story (duh! That’s why I’m stuck!). It’s kind of funny, though, because I’ve never had this problem before. Not like this, anyway.

So, based on another article I read (it’s like my muse has thrown all these articles and classes on conflict in my face, telling me to get with it!), I’m going to re-draft my book. What is re-drafting? Basically starting from scratch. I printed out what I’ve written already (210 pages worth!!!) and I’m taking that and writing it into a fresh document. As I re-write the book, I will determine where to add more conflict. I’m already getting lots of ideas, and made some minor changes so far (I’ve only re-written the first two chapters), so apparently this process has some merit after all. Which is good. I really want to finish the first draft of this thing.

So since I’m basically just typing from my old manuscript, I should be able to write if my husband is sitting nearby. Of course, I could always take my work to another room. Except there isn’t another room where I could comfortably write. Maybe I should just kick him to another room.

Yeah, like that would work—not!

In other news… My hubby has finished formatting Blind Temptation for mobi and epub. Yay! Hope to get that sucker uploaded and for sale really soon. In fact, I’m hoping Monday’s post will tell you where you can buy it. I hope a lot, don’t I?

Tomorrow my hubby, my daughter, and I will be going to Columbus to see the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Columbus Blue Jackets. I expect to see a huge Pittsburgh turnout, since that’s usually the case. It’s the first game I’ve gone to all season (and most likely the only) and it’s the first game I get to wear my new black & gold jersey (#87 Crosby). Can’t wait. Let’s go Pens!!

So… have you ever had to start over from scratch? Did it feel pointless or invigorating? I’m happy to say I’m feeling invigorated. Yay!

Have a good weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

April Fool’s Day!! But it’s no fool when I tell you I’ve read THREE books in the past week. And they weren’t skimpy books, either. Yeah, I know. I should be writing. I’m getting there. Honest! Anyway, here’s what I read this week:

Mar 24: “Saint Odd” by Dean Koontz, book 7 in the Odd Thomas series, a horror at 338 pages long. Blurb from book: Odd Thomas is back where it all started…because the time has come to finish it. Since he left his simple life in the small town of Pico Mundo, California, his journey has taken him to places strange and wonderful, mysterious and terrifying. Across the land, in the company of mortals and spirits alike, he has known kindness and cruelty, felt love and loss, saved lives and taken them—as he’s borne witness to humanity’s greatest good and darkest evil. Again and again, he has gone where he must and done what he had to do—for better or worse—with his courage and devotion sorely tested, and his soul forever changed. Every triumph has been hard won. Each sacrifice has taken its toll. Now, whatever destiny drives him has finally steered his steps home, where those he cares for most surround him, the memory of his tragically lost true love haunts him, and one last challenge—vast and dreadful—awaits him. For Odd Thomas, born to serve a purpose far greater than himself, the wandering is done. Only the reckoning remains. I’m not sure how I feel about this ending. It is an ending, that’s for sure, but seems like Odd went through a whole bunch of convoluted stuff (in other books) just to get to that. Did I enjoy the book? Sure. Doesn’t mean I understood it all, though (but then, do you ever really understand ANY of Koontz’s books?). And then I realized I missed a book. Yeah, this says it’s book 7, but Odd called it #8. There’s a novella (actually, a 3-part novella which makes one good-sized book) between 4 and 5 that I completely missed. I have it now. When I want all books to the series I want them ALL. And I’ll read it, too. Eventually. I like Odd Thomas (the character).

Mar 28: “Die Again” by Tess Gerritsen, book 11 in the Rizzoli & Isles series, a crime/suspense/thriller at 330 pages long. Blurb from book: When Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are summoned to a crime scene, they find a killing worthy of the most ferocious beast—right down to the claw marks on the corpse. But only the most sinister human hands could have left renowned big-game hunter and taxidermist Leon Gott gruesomely displayed like the once-proud animals whose heads adorn his walls. Did Gott unwittingly awaken a predator more dangerous than any he had ever hunter? Maura fears that this isn’t the killer’s first slaughter, and that it won’t be the last. After linking the crime to a series of unsolved homicides in wilderness areas across the country, she wonders if the answers might actually be found in a remote corner of Africa. Six years earlier, a group of tourists on safari fell prey to a killer in their midst. Marooned deep in the bush of Botswana, with no means of communication and nothing but a rifle-toting guide for protection, the terrified tourists desperately hoped for rescue before their worst instincts—or the wild animals prowling in the shadows—could tear them apart. But the deadliest predator was already among them, and within a week, he walked away with the blood of all but one of them on his hands. Now this killer has chosen Boston as his new hunting ground, and Rizzoli and Isles must find a way to lure him out of the shadows and into a cage. Even if it means dangling the bail no hunter can resist: the one victim who got away. Wow, this book had me guessing alllll the way to the end and then I still hadn’t guessed correctly. Awesome read! Have to say, though, that the beginning of this book (in first person, present tense), kind of threw me for a loop. But it started to make sense after the first few chapters. The majority of the story is told in third person.

Mar 31: “Invaded” by Melissa Landers, book 2 in the Alienated series, a YA sci-fi at 356 pages long. Blurb from book: Cara always knew life on planet L’ehir would be an adjustment. With Aelyx, her L’eihr boyfriend, back on Earth, working to mend the broken alliance between their two planets, Cara is left to fend for herself at a new school, surrounded by hostile alien clones. Even the weird dorm pet hates her. Things look up when Cara is appointed as human representative to a panel preparing for a human colony on L’eihr. A society melding their two cultures is a place where Cara and Aelyx could one day make a life together. But with L’eihr leaders balking at granting even the most basic freedoms, Cara begins to wonder if she could ever be happy on this planet, even with Aelyx by her side. Meanwhile, on Earth, Aelyx finds himself thrown into a full-scale PR campaign to improve human-L’eihr relations. Humans don’t know that their very survival depends on this alliance: only Aelyx’s people have the technology to fix the deadly contamination in the global water supply that human governments are hiding. Yet despite their upper hand, the leaders of his world suddenly seem desperate to get humans on their side, and hardly bat an eye at extremists’ multiple attempts on Aelyx’s life. The Way clearly needs humans’ help…but with what? And what will they ask for in return? I’m enjoying this series, although I find it just a BIT far-fetched that the fate of both planets rests on teenagers. You all see how I acted when I was young (via the diary entries I post every now and then), so forgive me if I find it hard to believe a seventeen-year-old would be so mature. Have they really changed all that much from the 70s? I don’t think so. Still, this is an interesting story and the sci-fi isn’t at all techy (thank goodness).

So… Plan on pranking anyone today? Have you ever? If so, please share. Maybe I can use some of it in a future book set around April 1. I’m sure I can find a secondary character who likes to prank people. J

Happy reading!

Stacy