I'm Going to Cleveland

Hey there! If you find yourself in the Cleveland, Ohio area this Saturday, come stop by the Strongsville Holiday Inn between 11:30-12:30. I’ll be there selling books (along with all these other fine authors shown HERE)! Signing them, too! Well…unless you didn’t want me to sign yours, but why would you want that? You’d just buy the digital version then, right? It’s certainly a lot cheaper!

The Cleveland Rocks Romance Conference is hosting the book fair, which is free to the public (the conference isn’t, though). This is my second of three conferences within a month’s time (I’ll be going to the third one next weekend). I certainly hope I sell a few books. That would certainly make things nice.

By the way… I’ve picked the date of August 1st to raise the e-book price of Blind Temptation to $4.99. So you have until then to purchase it for $2.99.

Of course, you’ve all purchased it already. Right? J

Okay, I know not ALL of you have. That’s okay. I still like you! But if you know someone who would like my books, I’d be eternally grateful if you spread the word.

Yep, ETERNALLY grateful. That’s a long time!

Last night the hubby and I went to a Dayton Dragons game (they are the Single A team of the Cincinnati Reds, or baseball for those of you unfamiliar with MLB). Between innings, the Green Team entertains the crowd (they’re called the Green Team because they’re all wearing green uniform shirts and green is the team’s color). Twice during the game (before the first inning and the middle of the 8th) they go around the park and shoot off some T-shirts. One of these T-shirts came sailing our way last night. My hubby dove for it and so did another larger fellow. Hubby lost the fight for the shirt (I kind of thought they were both being a little ridiculous) and now he thinks he might have broken his finger. But does he go to the hospital to get it X-rayed? Of course not. Says all they’ll do is splint it. Duh! Isn’t that the whole point?

Sometimes I really wonder about that man.

Anyway…at least the Dragons won! They’re certainly playing a lot better than the Reds (I don’t even know what’s happening with them—they started out so well!).

I’m still keeping up with the Stanley Cup Finals, too. Can’t believe the East and West series have both gone to a Game 7. I’m rooting for the Hawks and Bolts, in case you were interested. I don’t want to see the Rangers in the final (and yes, it DOES have a lot to do with the fact the Penguins lost to them!).

So…You got any big plans this weekend? Hope the weather cooperates for you!

Have a great Friday (and Saturday and Sunday)! I’m certainly going to try. J

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and DVR Woes

We have a love/hate relationship with DVRs. Two years ago our DVR died on us and we lost many hours of programming. It was an old DVR and didn’t hold many high def shows. So when it died, we took that opportunity and switched to a whole-house system so we could get a bigger and better DVR. Well, on May 7 (not two years later) that bigger and better DVR died on us. Arrgh! We lost way more than the last time because this DVR was over 80% full (close to 80 hours), and of course there’s no way to transfer what was recorded to a new DVR. So frustrating!

My daughter was able to baby the broken DVR for a bit (unplugged it to cool and then plug it back in). When she couldn’t get it to stay on for more than 15 minutes, she gave the go ahead to get it replaced (a good portion of the lost shows were hers). We finally got the replacement DVR on Friday only to find the display acting all wonky (most of the time we can’t even make out the time). Not feeling too confident with this machine, I now get to swap it for another, which means driving 20 miles to the store. What a pain.

If we ever move, I seriously wonder if I’d stick with cable. Can’t imagine the other services are any better, though. I guess no one business is perfect. I should just stop watching television, but I doubt that will ever happen. I like it too much. J

Anyway, this is what I read this week:

May 24: “Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire” by Kerrelyn Sparks, book 16 (and finale) in the Love at Stake series, a paranormal romance at 370 pages long. Blurb from book: Russell wakes from a coma to find he’s become a vampire. Now he has a thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the master vampire who turned him, he’s used to working alone…until he meets Jia. She is after the same vampire for murdering her parents and insists she can help Russell on this mission. Reluctantly, he agrees, and sets up some ground rules. Rule #1: Their partnership is strictly business. If he holds her a little too close…if she looks at him with those exotic eyes…well, that has to stop. Rule #2: He’s in charge. Jia isn’t used to taking orders and questions every move he makes. So he stops her the only way he knows how. Rule #3: Don’t fall in love. But the kiss that was supposed to quiet her awakens something else in him…something forbidden. Because Jia is engaged. To someone else. It was sooooo refreshing to read something I love. Something that fueled my own writing. So sad that this is the end of the series, though. I really love these books.

May 25: “Jason” by Laurell K. Hamilton, book 23 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, an urban fantasy at 255 pages long (although the print was practically double-spaced, so probably a lot shorter than that). Blurb from book: Jason Schuyler is one of Anita Blakes’s best friends and favorite werewolves, with benefits. J.J. is his ladylove, and old flame from childhood who dances at one of the top ballet companies in New York. She’s accomplished and beautiful, and she’s crazy about him, too. Neither of them wants to be monogamous, so what could go wrong? J.J. is enthusiastically bisexual, with an emphasis on the female side of things. She plans to keep sleeping with women, because Jason can’t meet that need, just like she can’t meet Jason’s need for rough sex and bondage. J.J. doesn’t understand why Jason isn’t content to go elsewhere for a need she can’t fulfill, so Jason asks Anita to help him explain. Anita is having her own relationship growing pains with her only female lover ever, Jade. Jason suggests that J.J. might be able to help Anita with her girl problem, while she helps him with his kinky explanations. With some encouragement from a few other lovers in Anita’s life, she reluctantly agrees, and J.J. makes plans to fly into town for an experience that none of them will ever forget. This story wasn’t really part of the series, but an off-shoot of mostly a discussion on sex (oh, and sex, too). So, no fighting monsters and stuff like that. I enjoyed reading it because I enjoy the characters, but it’s certainly not required reading to stay with the series. I did find it a nice recap of who is who in Anita’s world, though (since I tend to forget sometimes).

So…What service do you use to watch TV: cable, satellite, antenna, or other? Do you like it? Or do you dream of switching?

Have a good Wednesday and happy reading!

Stacy

Too Much On My Mind

Got busy with the husband last night planning our September cruise to New England & Canada that I forgot to write something for the blog. Other stuff has been happening, too, and I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I'll blame it on the convention. And the contest I promised to judge. And the upcoming conventions.

I'll be glad when June 8th comes around. I can take a breather!

This Sunday I'll be celebrating Mother's Day with the kiddos (since I was gone on the actual Mother's Day). Then Monday the husband and I will visit our friend in Columbus for a nice BBQ. This is the first Memorial Day weekend in years we haven't traveled to someplace new. Seems kind of strange. Maybe it's what I need. Some relaxing, do-nothing days.

Hope your weekend is good for you, however you spend it. And if you're driving, be safe!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and My Time at RT

I went to RT and came back with 28 books. All free. My friend came back with 104. She bought 16 of those. Just goes to show you what you can come away with. She worked at getting books. I didn’t. For a newbie, she did pretty darn good. She also wants to go to next year’s RT, which will be in Vegas. I don’t think I want to go. Too far and too expensive for me. The year after will be in Atlanta. Now, that’s more my thing. It’s only an 8 hour drive there! J

While at RT, I did get some more people to sign up for my newsletter. I probably would have gotten more if I had remembered to ask them. D’oh! And I sold two books during the giant book fair. Not much, but two more books than I sold last year, so that’s good. I also gave away 9 copies of Ghostly Liaison at the Kensington event. One to a woman who had already read the book (and loved it—did I mention that?). She just wanted an autographed copy. Awwww!!!

I have to say, I had a lot more fun at this RT than I had at previous ones and I owe it all to my friend. We had a blast (and laughed a lot – mostly because of Boris the spider). It really does make a difference when you go with someone you know (even if you don’t go to all the same events). I’m so glad she had a good time, too. I think she’s hooked, now!

Now…on to what I read this week:

May 19: “My Name is A’yen” by Rachel Leigh Smith, book 1 in A’yen’s Legacy series, a sci-fi romance at 302 pages long. Blurb from Goodreads: They've taken everything from him. Except his name. The Loks Mé have been slaves for so long, freedom is a distant myth A'yen Mesu no longer believes. A year in holding, because of his master's murder, has sucked the life from him. Archaeologist Farran Hart buys him to protect her on an expedition to the Rim, the last unexplored quadrant. Farran believes the Loks Mé once lived on the Rim and is determined to prove it. And win A'yen's trust. But she's a breeder's daughter and can't be trusted. Hidden rooms, information caches and messages from a long-dead king change A'yen's mind about her importance. When she's threatened he offers himself in exchange, and lands on the Breeder's Association's radar. The truth must be told. Even if it costs him his heart. It’s an interesting story, but a difficult read for me. I won’t be reading book 2.

As you can see, I didn’t read much and it took me a while with that one. I’m looking forward to reading the last Love at Stake book (up next!), but I also promised to judge a writing contest and received the entries on Monday. Thank goodness I can’t judge while I’m walking on the treadmill, so I will get my reading in. But my writing? Well… I’ll just space the entries out so I get my writing done, too. It feels like forever since I’ve written! I miss it.

So… If you start reading a book that is difficult for you, do you finish it or stop reading? I find I can’t NOT finish a book I’ve started. Wonder why that is? Any theories out there?

Have a good Wednesday and happy reading!

Stacy

Picture from Kensington Event

Not much to report. I'm tired, though. And I did take a picture. Yeah, just one. But it's a goodie. Here you go...

This is from the Kensington event, where patrons received my book for free, provided they gave me a ticket (everyone who came in only got 2 tickets and there were a lot of books to choose from).

I can't believe I actually gave all my books away. And I wasn't last, either. Yay!!

Some even indicated they'd purchase my book on Saturday, since they already spent their two tickets on other books. Man, that sure made me feel good.

My buttons are a hit, too.

All in all it was a good day.

That's all I have. I'm ready to crash. Have a great Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Hi-Jacker

I’m having fun at RT so far. The trip to Dallas was almost uneventful. No bad weather (thank God), just a hi-jacking spider. The black, hairy kind. Ugh! Do I have to tell you I freaked out when I saw that thing while I was driving Sunday night? After checking the car on Monday morning and not finding it anywhere, we felt pretty safe until I started driving and the hairy beast stared at me from the rearview mirror! (Oh, and I cracked up my friend because of the way I said it: "He's. On. The. Mirror.") I quickly pulled over to the side (when I say quickly, I mean quickly; I was driving in a 75mph zone.) so my friend could squish it. But of course, it dropped to the floor and skittered under the console. I continued driving after that (a miracle in itself) while my friend kept staring at the floor. We made it to Dallas without another appearance by the monster and parked the car, hoping the sucker would die. But no. I saw him again yesterday just before he crawled under the seat! I may have to buy some bug spray before we leave here on Sunday!

Now…on to what I read this week:

May 7: “Enchanter’s Echo” by Anise Rae, the second book in the Mayflower Mages series, a paranormal/fantasy romance at 275 pages long. Blurb from Goodreads: Aurora Firenze lives a quiet life hiding in a junkyard. Her repair shop is the last hope for gadgets and gizmos before they get tossed onto the trash towers. Fortunately, Aurora can fix almost anything, including mages, though repairing people with metal enchantments is highly illegal. Edmund Rallis, heir to the Rallis senate seat, has spent months hunting down his errant enchantress. He’ll play every game he knows to win her back and entice her to share the secrets she hides. But he’s inadvertently put her on the frontlines of a new game, one with an opponent who’s determined to destroy Rallis Territory and drive the Republic toward war. If the new enemy isn’t stopped in time, Edmund will lose his enchantress again—and this time there won’t be another chance. Started a little slow, and read like a historical at times (formal dialogue), but once the action started, I had a hard time putting it down. I still can’t tell WHEN this story is. Now, in an alternate universe? Future, in how things will end up being? There are vehicles and such, so I assume NOT in the past. Whatever, I enjoyed reading this story.

May 12: “Kiss of Crimson” by Lara Adrian, the second book in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance at 387 pages long. Blurb from book: He comes to her more dead than alive, a towering black-clad stranger riddled with bullets and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, veterinarian Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all, but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. In a single erotically charged moment Tess is plunged into his world—a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swath of terror. Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need—but now, with his brethren under attack, he must shield Tess from a growing threat that includes Dante himself. For with one reckless irresistible kiss, she has become an inextricable part of his underworld realm…and his touch awakens her to hidden gifts, desires, and hungers she never knew she possessed. Bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to thwart deadly enemies, even as they discover a passion that transcends the boundaries of life itself…  Loved, loved, loved it! I can see now I’m in deep trouble with this series, because I want them all!!! If you love J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books, you’ll love these books, too. I read this book with pure enjoyment.

No question today since I won’t be around to comment. Have a good day and…

Happy reading!

Stacy

RT, Here I Come!

For those that don’t know, RT stands for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. This year it’s held in Dallas, TX, May 11-17. I head on down to Dallas (driving with a friend) on Sunday (with a stop on the way because I don’t wish to arrive in Dallas in the middle of the night). Hopefully the storms will have all gone away by then (my friend is nervous about that).

If you happen to be attending, you can find me in Club RT on Wednesday at 3:30 and Thursday at 11:30. I’ll also be included in Kensington’s party on Thursday, signing free copies of Ghostly Liaison (for those people who wish to spend one of their two free tickets on my book!). And I’ll also be selling/signing at the Giant Book Fair (open to the public) on Saturday.

Last year I didn’t sell anything at the book fair, but then I only had the two anthologies. This year I’ll have the three books from Lyrical/Kensington (Blind Temptation wasn’t ready for me to include in my list of books). I’ll also be handing out my buttons. I think I’m a little more prepared this year, but I’m probably not. I’ve got a total of 20 books to sell/sign. It’ll be nice if I don’t bring any of them back! But if I do, I have two more book signings coming up. And I’ll be able to sell Blind Temptation at those.

If you read Wednesday’s posting, you know I gushed about a 5-star review an anonymous reader left on B&N for Bite Me, I’m Yours. Appears she* also gave 5 stars to My Sunny Vampire and Forever Thirty-Two (my first EVER review for the short story). She says she loves me and wants to read all my books! I think I love her back.

If you don’t hear from me next week, you’ll know why. However, I will still post Wednesday Reads (I have at least one to report). I’ll try and take more pictures this year, but, heh, heh, heh, let’s be serious, here. I say that every time and never come through. I honestly suck at doing that for some reason. But I’ll have my camera. And my phone. Something’s gotta work. What kind of pictures would YOU like to see? Maybe that’s what I need… An assignment! J

Have a great Friday (and Saturday and Sunday)!

Stacy

*I’m assuming the reviewer is a she.

Wednesday Reads

Yesterday I found a lovely 5-star review on B&N for Bite Me, I’m Yours. It was so nice to see and really perked up my day. It’s nice to know I have an audience out there even if it’s taking awhile for them to find my books.

Here’s what I read this week:

Apr 29: “Love in the Time of the Dead” by Tera Shanley, the first book in the Dead Rapture series, a dystopian romance at 208 pages long. Blurb from Goodreads: Laney Landry has been fighting Deads alongside her brother and friends for three years. But she has a secret. She's immune to Dead bites and has to find the right people to trust with the information. Her team rallies around her to find a doctor who can extract a vaccine from Laney which could fight the virus that ended the world. Sean Daniels leads a colony that provides her team with much needed shelter and supplies. He is obviously interested in Laney. The question is whether he's only intrigued by her as a source for the possible vaccine, or for something more. Tests for the cure might push her body beyond what it can endure, and just as she faces a ghost from her past, her longtime teammate Derek Mitchell hints at an interest in more than just her Dead slaying abilities. Two honorable and alluring men -- one colossal decision to make. Despite historically bad taste in men, can she rise above the chaos of the apocalypse and choose the one who deserves her heart? The right choice could mean the difference between surviving...and just living. Not the kind of romance I typically enjoy. I don’t like love triangles and if I had read the blurb more closely (my bad), I probably wouldn’t have read this. Other than that, the zombie parts (no pun intended) were interesting. If you like zombie books (or love triangles), you’ll probably like this one.

May 1: “How to Kill Your Boss—An Erotic Love Story, by Krissy Daniels, a romantic suspense (for want of a better genre) at 221 pages long. Blurb from Goodreads: In Tatum Wood’s opinion, murdering her boss on a daily basis within the safety of her thoughts is better than therapy. Until he takes a swan dive off a building and all evidence points to her. Thank goodness she has Franklin Reed. Her mysterious, overprotective and drop-dead gorgeous coworker is all too eager to play hero. With two attacks in her building and her stalker with a penchant for roses, Franklin’s injection into her life couldn’t have come at a better time. As Tatum and Franklin scramble to discover who’s behind the murder, secrets are unearthed that question his motives…as well as his identity. I knew going in that this was in first person and wouldn’t be the kind of romance I normally like (since I like to know what the guy is thinking), but it sounded like fun. The numerous ways Tatum dreamed of offing her boss were funny, but the rest of the book leaned toward serious. It is erotic (as the title states), so if you like numerous, titillating sex scenes in first person this is your book.

So… What little thing can perk up your day?

Happy reading!

Stacy

New Music Monday

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've been REALLY lazy lately. Friday I posted a journal entry and today a video. So sue me.

Okay, don't sue me. I can't afford that.

Muse's new album will be released on June 8th. Yay! I'll be getting that one for sure. I love Muse. I became curious about them when I read the Twilight books because Stephenie Meyer mentioned their music giving her inspiration. I hadn't ever heard of the group before that and wanted to know more. Wasn't quite sure what I thought of their music at first, but they really grew on me. So much so, I've been to two of their concerts, which were AWESOME. They certainly know how to entertain.

Here's one of their latest releases on this New Music Monday. Hope you enjoy it.

I sure hope that flour/dust/whatever was added digitally AFTER the dance. I can't imagine breathing in that stuff!

So... do you like listening to new music or prefer the stuff you grew up with? I like them both and have them mixed on my iPod.

Stacy

Ah, the Life of a Teenager

And that teenager would be me. Yeah, I’m lazy. Yeah, I have some more diary fun for you. This entry is longer than earlier ones because I had upgraded to writing in an 8-1/2 by 11 inch notebook.

May 8, 1974, Wednesday, 10:01pm

Hello! Something good happened to me! Rick sort of kind of talked to me. I was going to get my clarinet in the band room and Rick was standing in front of the instrument room. I went in got my instrument then heard a BAM! Rick asked someone to throw some keys to him and he missed and they went into the room. If the person who threw them was a bit farther to the left, they might have hit me, but I doubt it. Anyway, I headed for the door. Rick picked up the keys and looked at me saying “Oooh, close” (or something like that). He was smiling at me, too. How wonderful! Don’t you think so? I certainly do. I wonder what would have happened if they (the keys) hit me? I guess I’ll just never know (at least for today)

Tonight I saw “Play it Again Sam” on Channel 100. It was good.

Carol has always been calling me something. Either Thurbey or Teenie Weenie Thurbini. So I thought of a name for her (McIntosh is her last name). It’s McIntoshwishywashy. I hope I can get her embarrassed with it.

Tomorrow I’ll finally transfer out of non verbal communication. Yippee!

I’ll write tomorrow! Bye

 

Notes about the above:

1) I was 16 when I wrote that (a junior in high school).

2) Channel 100 was the precursor to HBO.

3) My maiden name is Thurber. For some reason people liked to play around with it.

4) I was far from being Teenie Weenie!

5) Non verbal communication was an English class I was taking where you weren’t allowed to talk. Honest! You’d think that would have been the perfect class for me, wouldn’t you?

6) This encounter with Rick happened after I had asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance (it had only taken me about two hours to make that phone call!). Unfortunately, someone beat me to it, so he had to decline.

7) I WANTED those keys to hit me.

*********

Tomorrow I’ll be attending my book club meeting. Yeah, I belong to a book club. No, we don’t assign books to read. We just like to talk about books (and other things). Normally, about 5 of us show up and we meet in Barnes & Noble or the Panera Bread across the street. But tomorrow we’re having a guest author visiting: Kallypso Masters. I’m not familiar with her work, but she apparently has lots of fans in the area. We had to move our meeting to the Dingle House Pub and Grub. They apparently have a meeting room, or a large enough area for us to meet. Now, the Facebook event says 39 are going. I highly doubt they all show up (heck, on those meetings where 5 of us show, it always says around 20 will). Anyway, it should be an interesting event, but I’m guessing it won’t be the fun chat fest it usually is.

So… Got big plans this weekend? Or do you plan to just sit back and nap?

Whatever, have a great one!

Stacy