Wednesday Reads and I got a new Phone

First off… I realized I never told you what I thought about “Arrival” (the movie I went to see on Black Friday). I left the theatre a little bewildered and wondered if Hubby and Daughter enjoyed the flick. I found it funny that they both loved it. Okay, whew. But me? I liked it, but didn’t quite get it. At least, not until I discussed it with Hubby and Daughter. It is a thought-provoking flick, that’s for sure. And very quiet. Really. QUIET. Hubby liked how “real” it seemed—like that’s what we could expect upon first contact.

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 25: “The Chemist” by Stephenie Meyer, a thriller at 518 pages. Blurb from book: She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn’t even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning. Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They’ve killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon. When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it’s her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires makes her situation even more dangerous. Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talent in ways she never dreamed of. I don’t know how Stephenie Meyer does it, but she managed to get me obsessed with another book. I did not want to put this one down. I’ve read some snarky reviews that compare the main character to Jason Bourne, but I didn’t see it. I thought it was well written. Enough so, the characters stayed in my head long after I had finished.

November 29: “Switching Hour” by Robyn Peterman, Magic & Mayhem Book One, a paranormal comedy novella at 116 pages. Blurb from book: Released from the magic pokey and paroled with limited power is enough to make any witch grumpy. However, if you throw in a recently resurrected cat, a lime-green Kia and a sexy egotistical werewolf, it’s enough to make a gal fly off the edge. Not to mention a mission…with no freaking directions. So here I sit in Asscrack, West Virginia trying to figure out how to complete my mysterious mission before All Hallow’s Eve when I’ll get turned into a mortal. The animals in the area are convinced I’m the Shifter Whisperer (whatever the hell that is) and the hotter than asphalt-in-August werewolf thinks I’m his mate. Now apparently I’m slated to save a bunch of hairy freaks of nature? If they think I’m the right witch for the job, they’ve swallowed some bad brew. I enjoyed Robyn’s first book so much (which was a contemporary), I’ve been trying her paranormal stuff. The first book in the vampire series ended on a cliffhanger and I gave that up. At least this one doesn’t do that, although the story is clearly the beginning of a series. Thing is, I’m not so sure I want to read any more. It’s possible I just don’t get her humor (I apparently don’t get a lot of people’s humor), but it might have helped if I liked the main character more.

Monday was a busy day for me. I was at the fitness center for a little over four hours doing my best to be seen with my books (a couple of ladies showed interest, so not too shabby). Then I headed to the mall to get new iPhones for me and Daughter. I’m glad I made an appointment for 3:30. I could have waited for hours and I was meeting friends for dinner at six.

Both of our iPhone 5s were unreliable, what with the battery draining too quickly or not charging sufficiently. Now we’re owners of the iPhone SE (hers in slate grey because—BLACK, mine in rose gold because—PINK) and our old covers even fit (no new expense there). It’s been a pain getting the phone set up, though. I have to upload all my apps again, then log into them (and hope to remember the passwords!). And then OCD me has to have them in the same order as before.

This is why I hate changing phones. TOO MUCH WORK!

Oh wait. Daughter said she knows how to copy old phone data to new phone. We’ll see. Regardless, I hope to own this phone a good long time, since it’s not a hand-me-down.

So… How’s your reading coming along? Do you read more during this time of the year? I think I do. It’s not like you can go outside and play in the dark. Well, you can, but it’s COLD out there! Plus, it’s DARK! J

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Don’t Call it a ROMANCE if it Ends TRAGICALLY

I love to read romance. If the author (or publisher) puts ROMANCE on the book, I expect a happy ending. That’s just the way it is for romance. The same is said for romance movies, too.

So when a writer friend mentioned she watched “Titanic” for the first time and how she didn’t like it and it’s the reason she doesn’t watch romance movies, I had to tell her that “Titanic” is NOT a romance. It’s a tragic love story.

She disagreed with me. Said it was a tragic romance like “Romeo and Juliet.”

Yeah, well, “Romeo and Juliet” is not a romance, either. It’s a tragedy. But I knew I wasn’t going to change her mind, so I stopped arguing.

Let me tell you, though. If I read a book labeled ROMANCE and one or both of the couple dies at the end, I would do the same thing Bradley Cooper’s character did in “Silver Linings Playbook.” [Note: scene contains swearing]

 

 

FYI: I love that scene. Granted, the book he was reading was not labeled a romance.

But I truly believe if you slap a ROMANCE genre on your book and it ends tragically… you’ll be lucky if you ever get those readers back. I’m not saying you can’t write those kinds of stories. Just don’t label them a romance. Romance readers expect happy-ever-afters (HEAs) or happy-for-nows (HFNs). It’s just the way that genre is. And I’m glad. I want to know going in that I won’t end up depressed at the end. I can get that with other genres.

Like love stories.

Weekend Sports Update:

• College Football: OH. MY. GOD. Did you watch the OSU Buckeyes play that team up north? Double Overtime! I don’t remember watching a more stressful game. When Urban Meyer collapsed to the ground after the last play, I sympathized. I could have collapsed too. Except I was too happy dancing! USC Trojans and West Virginia also won in less stressful games. Lucky them.
• Hockey: Penguins also won in a shoot out on Saturday (after getting clobbered the day before). Hot and cold. Hot and cold. I have a feeling this season will be suspenseful. Maybe I should wear gloves. I might not have any fingernails left!
• NFL: Steelers beat the Colts on Thanksgiving in a much-needed win. Bengals couldn’t manage to beat the only team we really wanted them to beat. And the poor Rams… What can I say? I’m still a fan.

Today I’m at my fitness center again (Ladies Premier Fitness), hoping to gain some readers. Doubt I sell any books, but figured it can’t hurt to sit there and hope to get noticed. It’s not costing me anything except time. Who knows? Maybe someone will buy a book. Or become a fan.

So… Do you like to argue for argue’s sake? Or will you stop when you find it pointless to continue? I used to be the former, but now I’m more the latter. My family, however, are the former. Argue, argue, argue!

Happy Monday!

 

Stacy

Movie Day

I’m pretty sure I ate too much for dinner yesterday. But the food was good and I couldn’t resist. Thank goodness we ate at Bob Evans. No leftovers. At least from me. Hubby apparently knows when to stop eating!

I don’t know about you, but the day after Thanksgiving isn’t a shopping day for me. Nope. It’s movie day. A day the family goes out to the theatre. And the movie we’ll be seeing today is… “Arrival.”

I haven’t seen many previews for the film, but since I have no wish to see “Fantastic Beasts” or “Doctor Strange,” I felt this was the best option available. Didn’t hurt that it got outstanding reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, either.

Keeping my fingers crossed that everyone likes the flick! We’ve seen enough stinkers, that’s for sure.

So… Do you have any traditions on this Black Friday Movie Day? If you shopped, did you get any super deals? And can you believe Christmas is only a month away? Aaack!

Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you’re spending it alone or with family, I hope it finds you in good health. And maybe snow-free. Unless you’re one of those freaks who actually LIKES the snow (like my son does).

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 21: “The Lost Girls” by Allison Brennan, #11 in the Lucy Kincaid series, a crime drama suspense at 439 pages. Blurb from book: Photojournalist Siobhan Walsh has been searching for two sisters who disappeared two years ago in Mexico, so when she receives a call from a priest in Texas about an abandoned baby holding a locket with her name, she calls her friends in the FBI for help. The infant obviously belongs to one of the sisters, but how did she end up in Texas? And why did she abandon her newborn? Lucy Kincaid and her mentor, Supervisory Special Agent Noah Armstrong, track the missing girls and uncover a human-trafficking organization that leads to a seedy underworld in which nothing is as it seems. The bad guys seem to stay two steps ahead of them, leaving a trail of dead bodies and Lucy with more questions than answers. Meanwhile Lucy’s fiancé Sean Rogan has a crisis of his own. An old girlfriend returns with shocking news: not only does Sean have a son, but Jesse and his stepfather have disappeared. The last thing Sean wants to do is leave Lucy when she’s investigating a horrific case, but his son is in grave danger. Torn between impossible choices, he makes a decision that has far-reaching consequences for Sean, Lucy, and everything they hold dear. I practically cried on the treadmill as I raced through the end of this book. Very emotional. I love Lucy and Sean and will eagerly snatch the next book (due out in March, I believe).

 

By the way, this was my 65th book read during the year, officially reaching my adjusted reading goal. Guess I adjusted too low, huh? I don't care. I REACHED it! Yay!

So… Do you have big plans for Thanksgiving? Or maybe just little plans? We have little plans here. Our Columbus friend had to cancel due to other commitments (family comes first—even new family), our son is spending the holiday with his future bride’s family (he was with us last year, so we kind of expected that), so our daughter will come over and the three of us will head to Bob Evans for our Thanksgiving feast. Then maybe later I’ll force my daughter to watch the turkey episode of “WKRP in Cincinnati.” Because… FUNNY.

Happy Reading! And gobble gobble.

Stacy

Making Lists and Getting Things Done!

I’ve started making lists and I’m actually getting stuff done. Imagine that, huh?

My mind had been filled with a flurry of tasks, but I wasn’t accomplishing anything because as I went to do something, I’d get side tracked.

Every. Time.

Then I remembered something I was told in this class I took about dealing with stress and life issues (which I took because I thought it would help me when the day came I needed heart surgery). Teacher suggested I write down four things I wanted to accomplish that day and how good it would feel to mark stuff off. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying.

Boy, does that list making thing WORK. I feel so much less frazzled. And it DOES feel good crossing stuff off. Really good.

Since making my lists, I finally sent that e-mail to the Santa Barbara Visitor’s Bureau to request brochures on their beaches. I want these for a convention in May, but if I can’t get them, I need time to figure out another plan. I can’t afford to procrastinate here. I’ve been meaning to do this since September, but kept forgetting or would tell myself I’d do it after such and such thing, which never happened. But I put it on my list and BAM! It got done.

Since making my lists, I finally got my post cards ordered for that same convention (I can’t sell my books at the book signing so I want to give away post cards of the covers). So glad to get that over and done with. I have Vista Print to partially thank for kicking my butt into gear. If not for their sale (which ended yesterday), I might not have listed it. But I did and I finished it. Yeah!

Since making my lists, I finally called my mom to tell her I’m coming out to visit and to make sure she heard about my son’s upcoming wedding (I told my dad, but sometimes he forgets to pass info on). You’d think I wouldn’t need to write this down, but every time I remembered to call her it was either too early or too late (I cannot interrupt her soaps, you see, and she’s in PST and I’m in EST). Seeing “Call Mom” on the list over and over reminded me at the right time! Whoo hoo!

I tend to write down more than 4 things each day, but look to accomplish at least 4. And so far I’ve only included non-writing issues. Next I need to try and include writing. But my problem has never been about writing. It’s been about the stuff that’s keeping me from writing. So if I can keep a list for completing non-writing stuff and get that done efficiently, it will certainly clear up my mind to write. At least, that’s my hope. **fingers crossed**

Football Update:

• High School: Wayne lost in the Region 3 final. What a shocker. They did not play like they played all season. Passes were missed. Mistakes were made. It was a very stressful game. I was hoping we’d at least go into overtime (we’d been tied what seemed like forever), but the other team scored a field goal with no time left on the clock. At least most of our team will return next year and they certainly went farther than we even dreamed at the beginning of the season.
• College: OSU Buckeyes squeaked by with a win. I wasn’t able to see this game, and it was probably just as well. USC Trojans beat their rivals, UCLA. Very happy about that one and if the game hadn’t started so late (10:30pm my time), I would have watched it, too.
• NFL: Steelers finally won, but then they were playing the winless Browns. Hey, I’ll take the win. Rams could have won their game, but apparently they only know how to play 3 quarters. What a disappointment.

So… How do you manage to accomplish tasks/errands? Do you make lists? Have a To Do jar and pull from that? Does your system work? Please share!

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I Don’t Like Getting Ripped Off

Wednesday was almost as bad as Tuesday. I discovered someone had absconded with my Ulta points. All 2000 of them. I was just getting ready to cash them in (via shopping), too. Talk about being pissed! I was sure this whole week was going into the sewer.

I don’t know how this person in Wichita could have gotten my phone number or ID # because I never gave out my phone number at the store. I would use my card whenever I purchased something and the card was still in my wallet. But my points (and free money) were gone, so I contacted Ulta to find out how something like that could happen.

While they had no idea how it happened, they couldn’t apologize more. Told me to set up another account (with a different e-mail and phone #) and they would restore my points. I hadn’t expected that, so that’s why the day was only ALMOST as bad.

Yesterday I went to Ulta and spent my points before someone else could abscond with them ( I like that word: abscond!). I wasn’t asked for an ID when I used my points. Doesn’t that seem wrong? Hmmm… Maybe my experience will cause Ulta to rethink their reward system. I can only hope.

And if this happens to me again, I don’t see how I can set up another account. I only have two phone numbers.

In other news… Yesterday I finally figured out how to get my radio to display the band/artist playing (instead of displaying the station’s name). It had been 6 years since I bought my vehicle, so forgive me for not realizing I had changed it that way, way back when. Thank goodness I still have the owner’s manual (and a brain telling me to look in it!). There were the instructions to do just what I needed. Yay! It’s amazing how such a little thing can make me happy again. J

Tonight Wayne plays in the region semi-final. Today’s temp is expected to reach in the mid 70s; however, tonight the temps are supposed to drop. Rain is coming, along with some wet snow (UGH!). I just hope it waits until AFTER the game. I’d like to enjoy the last of the nice weather!

So… Have you ever been ripped off? What did you do?

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and one Sucky Tuesday

Tuesday officially SUCKED and I had such high hopes for that day. First, I took my car to Nissan for them to replace my satellite radio. Now the display only shows the channel, not the artist playing, like it used to. Grrr… Second, I went to get my new glasses. I normally have issues with new frames. This time I have a HUGE issue with the lenses. The reading lens is way too narrow, plus the two bottom lenses are too low. I have to lift my head way up just to read my laptop through the middle lens. FAIL! I’ll be going back today to get them fixed (what a pain). Third (I guess things DO happen in threes), I go to open the document I started for today’s blog post only to find out it’s gone. Of course it is, because the day SUCKED! Needless to say, I got NO writing done on my WIP. Just not in the mood. Hopefully today is a better day.

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 10: “Closer Than You Think” by Karen Rose, #1 in the Cincinnati series, a romantic suspense at 678 pages. Blurb from book: Psychologist Faith Corcoran is desperate to escape the stalker who’s made her life a nightmare for the past year—desperate enough to run to the one place that has been her nightmare far longer. Both boon and bane, her recent inheritance of her grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati offers sanctuary in which she can start her life anew, but requires that she face the dark memories that still resonate to this day. But she has no idea how close to home her fears still are. Two college girls have gone missing in the area, and FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak is called to work on the case. When his inquiry unexpectedly leads him to Faith, he finds a beautiful and brave woman he can’t help but fall for. Soon they’ll discover that this seemingly simple investigation is anything but. Reaching back decades into Faith’s own past, it will shatter everything she believes in to be true and will give terrifying new meaning to flesh and blood. This was one whopper of a book. Lots of twists and turns and hard to put down. I didn’t figure out who was responsible until the end.

I have to admit, though, I don’t know if I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it on an e-reader. I had to go back numerous times to re-check stuff, which I could easily find because I knew how far along I’d read. I just can’t do that with an e-reader. And while I took my Nook on the cruise, I never used it. I brought two paper books with me, which turned out to be the right number for the short cruise. Next time I might need to use the Nook, though. It’ll be a longer cruise!

So… Do bad things happen to you in threes? They certainly seem to happen in bunches though, don’t they? Hopefully all my bad mojo was contained in one day—yesterday. I don’t think I could stand two days (or worse—three days) in a row like yesterday.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Video and Pictures from my Cruise

Apparently nothing can be easy. I plugged in my iPhone to my computer and couldn't see it anywhere (no D drive, no nothing). I even made sure to open the phone (because I have made THAT mistake before). So I unplugged the device and plugged it back in (you know, like rebooting the system--isn't that was all the computer techs say to do?). That's when I saw the little notification pop up saying to click here to see what to do with the device. I must have missed it the first time and when that notification disappears, forget about finding it again! So frustrating.

Ahhh, but then I get frustrated easily with electronics. They don't always like me so much.

Anyway, here's the video I promised of the tide coming in (Nassau, Bahamas). Afterward, I realized I didn't have to go to all the trouble of putting it on YouTube. I probably could have just uploaded it from my computer. I'll try to remember that the next time I film something. Of course, by then it'll probably change again. Ain't that always the case?

Here are some pictures I took. If you click on the photo, it should enlarge.

This sign cracked me up!

 This was our ship (taken at Freeport, Bahamas)

Took a panoramic view of Paradise Island (Nassau, Bahamas) from our ship. That is Atlantis off to the right.

Normal view, with Atlantis off to the right.

While on Paradise Island, we stopped for some ice cream. This isn't the FIRST time we've visited this particular store, either. Found it two years ago. Glad it was still there!

Football Update:

• High School: We made it to the game in plenty of time and promptly froze our faces off (temps dropped into the 30s and it was windy!). But it was worth it. Wayne easily won (55-10). We play in the Region 3 finals next week, back in London, OH. Whoo hoo!
• College: OSU Buckeyes were awesome again. And my USC Trojans even helped by beating the #4 team (yay!!). With Clemson (#2) and that team up north (#3) also losing, OSU moved up to #2! Yay!!!
• NFL: Rams won! But the Steelers lost. Gah! I just want to kick them. Stupid errors (penalties). Stupid plays. They could have won that game, but they were STUPID!

So… Do you like the beach? If so, do you have a favorite? When I lived 5 miles from the beach (growing up in Southern California), I didn’t visit so much. Now that I’m miles and miles away, I wish I were closer. Guess it just makes me appreciate it more when I do get to visit.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Zoomin' Down the Highway

By the time this posts, the ship should be docking in Charleston. Hopefully an hour or two later, we’ll be getting off. Then the trip home begins.

Or rather, the trip to the football game.

Yep, we’re going to do our best to make Wayne’s game tonight (zoom-zoom). Their game is in London, OH, so if we’re lucky, the GPS won’t take us through Cincinnati. Going through there will severely slow us down. Construction! Ugh!

I’m gonna miss the warm weather. The beaches. The water. But I don’t think I’ll miss this ship so much. It’s not my favorite of all the ones we’ve been on (our dining companion feels the same way, so it’s not just me). I’d say it’s because it’s small, but we’ve been on small ships before and liked them much better.

Oh well. We wanted to try a new ship and did that. I’ll just knock it off my list of ones I want to go back to.

To answer Maria’s question from the last post… The Spa holds sales/specials on port days because most people get OFF the ship. I doubt they’d get much business if they didn’t have the sales.

The trip in to Nassau on Wednesday was nice. We rode a taxi over to Paradise Island (where Atlantis is located). Walked over to the free beach access (about a 25 min walk). When we got to the stairs that led to the beach, the bottom step had just gotten washed away in the rising tide. The people in front of us were in the process of climbing back onto the steps and one got hurt.

I was disappointed I didn’t get to walk along the beach, but it was nice to sit on the steps and watch the waves come in. I even took a little video of it, which I posted to Facebook. Once I figure out how to post it here (meaning once I get home), I’ll share it with you. Same with the few (very few) pictures I took. Trying to upload them through the ship’s wi-fi (when I have access—our account only allows one device to use it at a time) takes FOR-EV-ER!

 

We took the water taxi back to the port and had planned to walk to another beach, but by then I got a blister on my foot, so we just went back to the ship. Dang blisters! Kind of put a kink into my exercise routine, too. I HAD planned on exercising on the ship (they have a nice fitness room), but not with a blister.

So… While I’m flying down the highway, what are you up to? Maybe avoiding our car? Haha!

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and My 1000th Post

That’s right! This is my 1000th post!! I started blogging the day after Thanksgiving of 2009. Who knew I’d be sticking around this long?

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 2: “You Belong to Me” by Karen Rose, #1 in the Baltimore series, a romantic suspense at 494 pages. Blurb from book: Baltimore homicide detective J.D. Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies turning up throughout the city. He’s up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta, and J.D. is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case. Medical examiner Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by J.D.’s compassion, but she isn’t about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there’s a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she’s keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings—and put her next on the killer’s hit list… Wow. If you love romantic suspense and haven’t read any of her books, go out and read one. I’ve got two more in my TBR stack and I have a feeling I’ll be buying the rest. Yep, that good. And there wasn’t even any paranormal stuff in it! Haha!

November 7: “Pairing Off” by Elizabeth Harmon, a contemporary romance at 380 pages. Blurb from book: American figure skater Carrie Parker’s Winter Games dreams were dashed when her philandering partner caused one of the greatest scandals in skating history. Blacklisted for competing in the United States, her career is over…until she receives a mysterious invitation and is paired with the most infuriating, talented—and handsome—skater she’s ever met. Russian champion Anton Belikov knows sacrifice. He gave up a normal life and any hope of a meaningful relationship to pursue his dream. And he’s come close—with a silver medal already under his belt, the next stop is the gold. All he needs is a partner. While he’s never forgotten the young American skater he seduced one long-ago night in Amsterdam, he never expected to be confronted with their past…never mind share the ice with her. When what starts as a publicity stunt grows into something real, Carrie and Anton’s partnership will test their loyalties to family, country and each other. With only a few months to train for the competition of a lifetime, can they master technique and their emotions, or will they lose their footing and fall victim to the heartaches of their pasts? This book was a Rita (RWA) finalist and I can see why. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these figure skaters. Heck, I’m a fan of the sport. But I have to admit, I won this book and wasn’t sure I’d read it, until I saw it was situated in Russia (I’ve got this fascination with that country because one of my vampire characters is from there). So glad I wasn’t disappointed.

I tried commenting on Monday’s post, via my iPhone, but it wouldn’t post because Blogger said I entered the wrong password (I hadn’t). I tried another account and got the same message (but in that case I had entered the wrong password). Finally got around to commenting when I posted this, via my laptop. Just know I’m able to READ your comments, even if I can’t comment right away. Thanks, too. I love comments.

Cruise activities (so far):

• Monday: Sailed to Freeport. Wrote some. Read a lot. J
• Tuesday: Docked at Freeport (a boring port), so I stayed on ship and had a massage (they’re cheaper when ship is docked). My first one. Loved it!
• Today: Docked at Nassau. Hope to walk along the beach.

Overall, the weather has been BEAUTIFUL. And I’m getting a lot of REST. It’s been great.

So… What was the last book you read? Was it your favorite genre or something different that caught your eye? Good or disappointing?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

The Problem with Goodreads

I was going through my e-mails before I left on the cruise and, like always, opened the one from Goodreads to see what my friends had read, or marked to read. One friend gave 5 stars to The Chemist. That’s the new book from Stephenie Meyer.

Oooh! I quickly looked to see if it was out now. No, it’s not. But soon (Nov 8). I hadn’t added it to my wish list, so I fixed that right away (I always hit that list first whenever I get a coupon from B&N). Then I went over to Goodreads to see if I had added the book there.

Again, I hadn’t (how that was possible, I don’t know—I knew the book existed!). It already had 57 reviews there (nothing on Amazon or B&N because they won’t let you post them until the book is released). Or so I thought. There were no reviews. These were all comments on their perceived notion of the book (yes, this one is a totally different genre—for one it’s not YA). Some were happy to see another Stephenie Meyer book (like me). Others? I’m shaking my head.

I don’t know why people feel the need to bash an author if they have NO INTENTION of reading their book.

Now, I love Goodreads, don’t get me wrong. I love adding the books I’ve read or will read. I love keeping track of my reading. I love seeing my own books listed there. But I think some people just like to use it as a way to feel superior.

Yeah, like on Facebook.

Except on Facebook you have to use your real name. On Goodreads you don’t.

Those snarky reviews (well, more like comments marked as reviews) won’t dissuade me from reading The Chemist. I loved the Twilight series and I liked The Host. And when I finally get the book and read it, I’ll post something real without all those GIFs.

In other words… I try to use Goodreads as it’s intended. Post something that says to me what I liked or didn’t like and recommend it, if I feel it’s worthy. I will not bash a book before I’ve read it. That’s just silly. And uncalled for.

Oh well, just my opinion. Apparently other readers don’t feel the same.

Football Update:

• High School: Wayne won their first playoff game. Yay! We’re hoping we’re off the ship in time to make it to this Friday’s game. We did it two years ago, so know it’s doable! Hopefully the game is located in a place so we don’t have to drive through Cincinnati to get there. I hate driving through Cincinnati during rush hour (and it always seems to be rush hour!).
• College: OSU Buckeyes were awesome. Loved how they played. USC Trojans and WV also won decisively. Awesome Saturday night (gee, do they even play day games anymore??).
• NFL: I had to post this before the games ended (and I ran out of battery on my laptop—no plugs at Buffalo Wild Wings), so I can’t report on the Steelers and Rams. But we were able to watch all of the Steelers play since we weren’t allowed to check in at the ship until after 6:30pm (last minute cruise delay).

The Penguins also won decisively on Saturday AND I won a Stanley Cup Champion license plate holder on the Angry NHL Fans-Pittsburgh Facebook Page! Angry, the admin of the page, is always giving away Penguin stuff by having us guess stuff like who will score first or how many shots are in a period/game, etc. Saturday she asked for first period shots (for both teams). I picked the correct number of 18 (along with a bunch of other people) and she drew my name. Yay! A nice way to start my vacation. J

So… Do you use Goodreads? How so? If not, why not?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

What a Week

I’ve had so many errands and stuff, I barely had time to write. I hate weeks like that.

• Monday: Eye appointment followed by a headache. Got nothing done.
• Tuesday: Cardiology appointment in the morning (heart’s still ticking and I’m good for another 6 months!) and Nissan appointment in the afternoon (my satellite radio is on the fritz—grrr). Still managed 265 words, so not too shabby.
• Wednesday: I hosted the Sizzle & Sass Facebook page. It’s more time consuming than it sounds. Really. Got -3 words written (remember: revising!).
• Thursday: Laundry, bank, eye doctor again (I didn’t like the frames they had and she ordered more, they came in, and I liked one of them), then…PACKING. We leave on vacation tomorrow. Yeah, I wait until the last minute, but this time I couldn’t wait until the last-last minute. I did manage to get 156 words written.
• Today: I have a board meeting with my local RWA chapter (I’m the treasurer and it’s an hour drive away) and then a football game tonight. That’s why I had to do the laundry and bulk of the packing yesterday. Wouldn’t have had time tonight. I’ll be surprised if I even open my WIP today. Surprised, I tell you!

Guess it’s a good thing I start my vacation tomorrow, huh? Yay!! So looking forward to it. We’re cruising to the Bahamas again. It’s a short one, but I don’t care. It’s a CRUISE! I still plan on posting and commenting while I’m gone (Hubby will get the wi-fi package so his work can get in touch with him—ah, the price we pay for “free” internet: his work is paying for it). Hopefully I’ll get some good pictures to share. That’s always fun to post.

So… How has your week gone? Hopefully less hectic than mine.

Have a great Friday!

Stacy

P.S. I tried posting this via Edge instead of Internet Explorer. Ugh. How UGLY. Guess I'll stick with IE for Blogger. Too bad Yahoo hates IE, though. It's all messed up. **heavy sigh**

Wednesday Reads and Good Riddance to my Newspaper

Here’s what I read the past week:

October 25: “Defy the Dawn” by Lara Adrian, 14th book in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance at 286 pages. Blurb from book: Daywalker Brynne Kirkland survived a hellish upbringing as a product of a madman’s lab. Tough, driven, and devoted to her work in law enforcement, Brynne has never dared to risk opening her heart to anyone—least of all a handsome immortal from a world on the verge of a war against hers. Atlantean warrior Zael left the intrigue of his realm several lifetimes ago, along with the battles he fought as one of the queen’s legion. As a free-spirited loner walking the fringe of two worlds—that of his secretive and powerful people, and the outside world belonging to mankind and the Breed—it was never his intention to return to combat and bloodshed. Nor had he imagined that he might ever be tempted into anything stronger than desire…until he meets Brynne. Thrust together as allies of the Order in the fight against a diabolical enemy, Zael and Brynne embark on a mission that will ultimately force them to decide between duty to their people, and a passion that defies all bounds. I’m still engrossed in this series, even after fourteen books! Wonderful romance. **heavy sigh**

I got a notice in the mail yesterday that my newspaper (Dayton Daily News) is raising rates…AGAIN. I finally got fed up with the increases and cancelled it. How bad did it get?

• In November 2014 I was paying $21.44/mo.
• In July 2015 they raised it to $24.99/mo.
• January 2016, $30.52/mo.
• July 2016, $35.49
• December 2016, $43.49!! That’s over $500/year!!!

Rates have more than doubled over the past two years. Ridiculous! I truly believe they WANTED me to cancel. Why else raise it so much, and multiple times a year? I'll miss getting the paper, but not at those prices.

I do have some GOOD news. Seems the construction crew is just about finished with widening the road my road connects to. Lines were painted yesterday so it would make sense that I should be able to turn left off our street today. Would you believe they actually PARK the equipment in the middle of the road so no one can get through? It’s been a pain to have to go around, but at least the end is in sight! Yay!

So… Do you subscribe to a newspaper? Think I waited too long to cancel? I’m thinking maybe I have. Oh well…

Happy Reading!

Stacy