My Top Ten Authors Read and Rain, Rain, Go Away

We’ve been getting a lot of rain. A. LOT.

We thought the basement had sprung a major leak (not a good thing to happen as you’re getting ready to sell the house). Turns out it wasn’t the basement at all. It was the furnace.

Our condenser pump failed.

You’d think those things would come with some kind of an alarm!

But one pump and a new hose later (because wouldn’t you know it, the hose had been leaking for a while, too), all is dry.

I don’t know why the furnace generates so much water. I sure hope we don’t run into that issue in our new house. The furnace will be in the attic. Any leakage there could cause major damage.

I noticed over on Goodreads the other day that I could see which authors I had read the most. So I snipped a screen shot of my top 10. No surprise who number one is. Or number two for that matter. I don’t even think I have all their books listed in Goodreads yet. Doubt I ever get around to adding them, either. Too much work.

Well, I’ve managed to reach the 10K word mark this month. Yay!! And I’ve not only been writing, but getting edits done on Book 5. I have to get my 500+ words written for Book 8 first, though. Then I’m free to edit. So far, I’ve only been tackling a chapter a day, but it’s a chapter more than I’d been working on! If I stay on this track, I’ll have the editing finished by next month (and hopefully a better idea of what the second alien book should be about).

So… Do you wonder who your most read author is? Or do you already know? Please share!

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Picture of our House in Progress

I’ve been writing EVERY DAY since March 11th. It’s such a wonderful feeling, too. I just hope my project isn’t crap!

Wouldn’t that just be the kicker?

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #12

Dates read: March 19-23
Title: “Twisted Truths”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Blood Brothers #3
# of Pages: 382
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Noni is desperate. Her infant niece has been kidnapped, and the only person who can save her is a private detective with too many secrets to count—and more enemies than he can name. A man who walked away from Noni without any warning a year ago, a man who broke her heart. But with Talia’s life on the line, Noni needs his help now more than ever—and this time, she won’t take no for an answer…
    The moment Denver Jones sees Noni, the memories come rushing back. The fire in her eyes. The determination in her voice. The danger of having her in his life. Denver had to push her away once, but now with vicious criminals threatening Noni and her niece, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect them. But enemies from his past are circling, and they’ll use anything—and anyone—to get to Denver.
My thoughts: Great ending to this trilogy, and basically for the Sin Brothers’ series, too. If you like romantic suspense with a little bit of strange mixed in, these two series are for you.

I drove by the new house yesterday evening. It was raining and almost too dark, but I wanted to see what was going on. Here’s a picture!

It’s definitely coming along. Can’t believe I’ll be living there in a couple of months. Whoo hoo!

So… Have you ever worked on two similar projects at the same time? Like, read two books? Or write two books? I have trouble reading two books at the same time, but I’m going to attempt to write two…sort of. While I’m writing Book #8, I’m hoping to edit Book #5. That’s right. #5. It’s my alien book and I finally figured out what the next book in the series could be. I don’t want to publish or submit #5 until I’ve got the second book mostly written. And I’m hoping when I finish the first draft of #8, I can then start on the next alien book while editing/revising #8. We’ll see how that goes. I’ve got to finish #8 and #5 first. J

Happy Reading!

Stacy

No Snow! Yay!

I was so happy on Saturday. The snow storm completely moved south and we got nothing!

Well… not completely nothing. It was still FREEZING! I believe it’s finally supposed to get up into the 50s this week. But with rain. Of course, with rain.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be able to take a walk outside again (I’m certainly not doing it at the fitness center!).

The Author Fair went as I expected. Some day I’d like one of these things to go as I HOPED, but it is what it is. I sold one book and gained a new subscriber to my newsletter, which is about what I do at these things, so I can’t really complain. It’s all about getting noticed, right?

At least I didn’t have to pay for the table, so there was that.

Hubby accompanied me on the trip, so we stopped at Der Dutchman (in Plain City) on the way home. It’s a huge restaurant/shopping experience run by the Amish (or for the Amish, I can never tell). Food was great. Dessert was even better. Overall, it was a nice day.

My writing streak is currently at 15 days. I really didn’t think I’d manage on Saturday, but I got over 300 words written in the morning and over 500 on Sunday. And Hubby was in the house! It’s a miracle, I tell you. And I'm quite motivated to keep the streak going.

So… Did the weather surprise you this weekend?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I’m Going to an Author Fair, but…SNOW!

Saturday I’ll be traveling to Marion, Ohio, for an author fair at the Marion Public Library. But wouldn’t you believe it? More snow is forecasted. Ugh.

I’ve been looking forward to this event and would like a good turnout. But how many people will turn out if it’s snowing?

Will winter never go away?

I can only hope that the storm isn’t going to be bad, or it goes south (let Cincinnati and Kentucky get it all!). But I won’t hold my breath that’ll happen. I might pass out!

So… If you happen to find yourself in the Marion area on Saturday, I hope you’ll stop by and say hi. You could buy a book, too. I won’t mind!

My writing is still going strong, although I doubt I get anything written on Saturday (there goes my streak!). Of course, if I get up early, I could possibly get some words written. Hmmm… Sure something to think about. Don’t want to break that streak.

So… Do you like driving in the snow? As long as it’s daylight out, I’m usually okay. Night time and snow? Not so much. I don’t like how the snow is reflected off the headlights. It’s almost as bad as fog!

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Did It!

Ten days. 5013 words.

That’s what I’ve written so far this month. And those ten days were in a row, with word counts over 300 each day (most were in the 500s). Whoo hoo!

My goal was 5000. The last time I wrote that much in a month was October 2015! Now I’m thinking I can hit 10000. Why not? I still have 11 days left. I can do this!

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #10

Dates read: March 10-14
Title: “Wicked Bite”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Realm Enforcers #5
# of Pages: 267
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: As she hunts for a drug lord killing her fellow witches, all Nessa Lansa’s instincts point to the Grizzly motorcycle club. That might be because their leader, Bear, is the strong, silent shifter type: warm brown eyes and more muscle and alpha male than any woman can ignore. Which makes Nessa’s plan to seduce and betray him all the more dangerous…
    Bear doesn’t trust the curvy, blue-eyed witch. But Nessa can heal the injuries that sap his strength. And since he can’t stop thinking of her lush body and teasing smile, her plan to mate him to reclaim her own power is highly tempting. Just one problem. Once a desire this wild is loose, no one will ever control it…
My thoughts: Pretty bad when the blurb on the book (which I fixed here) had the heroine’s name wrong (they called her Tessa!). Another good read, and I believe the end of this series. I mean, they solved the over-all problem, so it must be. Doesn’t mean there won’t be another spin-off, though.

Book #11

Dates read: March 14-19
Title: “Lethal Lies”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Blood Brothers #2
# of Pages: 380
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars—even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.
    Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identify, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.
My thoughts: No witches or vampires in this series (which is a spin-off of the Sin Brothers series), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t strange stuff about. These brothers are human-engineered, so their reflexes and senses are heightened. And, of course, they’re on the run. Lots of adventure, suspense, and romance. Looking forward to the finale of this trilogy.

Not only have I written more, I’m reading more. Is there a correlation? Maybe. Maybe.

So… What are you reading and what drew you to that book? Are you glad you’re reading it?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Not So Frustrated the Second Time Around

I got my new glasses last week—trifocals instead of progressive lenses.

I’m still not happy about needing trifocals, but at least I can SEE the way I’m used to. Actually, I see better (new prescription!).

I had issues with the lenses lining up, but got those fixed and now it’s not bugging me so much. I wish I had more reading and middle lens than I have, but that probably couldn’t happen unless I got bigger frames, and I’m not so sure I want bigger.

This isn’t the eighties, you know.

It’s just something I’ll have to get used to, but at least I WILL get used to it. Plus I didn’t get frustrated like I had with the other pair. And man, that was certainly a relief.

I sometimes wonder if that’s because my hormone therapy pills haven’t really affected me yet, but then again, maybe I’m not getting the same side effects. Only time will tell.

Good news! I had my mammogram last week and it showed up cancer-free. Whew! That means Hubby and I have both been cleared. Keeping fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Would you believe I actually got some writing done this weekend? Both days! I don’t know the last time I wrote on the weekend. I’m so happy this story is starting to meld. In fact, I was talking to Hubby about my book during breakfast Saturday and told him he could tell I was into it. I hadn’t talked books with him in ages! I’m sure that thrilled him…NOT. Yeah, sometimes I don’t think he cares so much; it’s the way his eyes glaze over. At least he doesn’t tell me to shut up. He’s nice like that.

So… Did you do anything productive over the weekend? I probably should have started going through our junk to see what we can get rid up before the move, but I was thrilled that I WANTED to write, so I wrote!

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I'm On a Roll!

Every month this year (which would be only three times), I’ve set a writing goal to add 5000 words to my WIP. January I added 1527. February was worse at 683. But this month? So far I’ve written 2524 words in the past 5 days! And I passed the 10K mark on my WIP, too!

I am on a roll!!

I am determined to keep up the madness work and obliterate that goal.

The other day I was interviewed over on the Eight Ladies Writing blog. You can read it HERE. Don’t worry. It’s short. I apparently don’t believe in rambling in my answers. Is that a good or bad thing? I haven’t decided.

Hubby returned home safe and sound at 3:02am yesterday. His flight was only delayed twice! Don’t you just hate flying? We do.

Penguins won last night, but lost in overtime the night before. What an ugly game that was, too. I’m happy the games were on NBCSN, but hate those back-to-back games. And they have the most (or 2nd most) back-to-back games this season. Doesn’t seem right.

So… Got any big plans this weekend? I’ll be attending my local RWA chapter meeting on Saturday and then on Sunday we celebrate my daughter’s birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. No, it’s not her birthday yet (it’s actually April 10), but we have eight coupons for free slices of cheesecake (oh, look, and there will be 8 of us!) and they expire on the 31st. Can’t let them go to waste (just waist). J

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I’m Writing

I think I reported earlier this year that I was writing. Unfortunately, that didn’t last. And I’m only on day four of a streak, but I truly believe it’s different this time. I may actually meet my goal of writing 5000 words this month. I credit it all to that brain-storming meeting I had last week. Those ladies really helped me figure out two of my characters (or at least gave me some great ideas) and apparently it was all that I needed. I still need work on my hero, but I’ll let him come to me slowly. It was my heroine and villain which needed the most help, because I came to realize that they’re pivotal to my story.

Don’t you love it when a story starts taking root?

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #9

Dates read: March 5-10
Title: “Wicked Kiss”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Realm Enforcers #4
# of Pages: 261
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Working as an informant for the DEA, Victoria Monzelle is used to living on the edge. But she’s not a big fan of getting kidnapped. And definitely not by a bunch of bad boy witches with fancy-colored fire to shoot at people. So when Adam Dunne shows up and claims to be a witch enforcer she’s not going to put her life in his hands based on his word, no matter how smooth and smart and beautifully Irish his words sound. But on the run from a tribunal of witches, she isn’t going to make it far…
    Before she knows it, Adam’s word is all that stands between her and execution. Sophisticated, just-gotta-ruffle-him Adam has vowed to make her his one eternal mate, wild and unpredictable as she is—to save her from a sentence of certain death. But Tori isn’t interested in being anyone’s pity date. And if they think she’s unpredictable now, they should see what’s coming next…
My thoughts: Fast-paced, lots of action, and romance to boot. What’s not to love?

I watched “It” (the movie) last night. Since the mini-series was six hours long, I wondered what was being cut out of the movie. Exactly what I thought: the grown-up part. I guess that comes in Chapter 2? It’d been decades since I read the book last (and yes, I’ve read it more than once), but the movie seemed pretty close to what I remember, so I’ll give it a thumbs up.

On Sunday and Monday I binge-watched Wonderfalls. My daughter had brought over the DVDs for me to watch and since Hubby is away on business (he returns late tonight), I thought it’d be a good time to watch it (after reaching my writing goal for the day). What a quirky show. Have you ever seen it?

So… What do you do when your significant other is away on business? 

Happy Reading! Oh, and Happy Pi Day!

Stacy

Facebook Hates Me

That’s right, Facebook hates me. I’ve been trying to run an ad since the beginning of the month (via Barclay Publicity).

First, BP couldn’t get into my ad account after I had added her. So I removed her and then added her back. She was able to go inside and create the ad. All I had to do was add the money.

I go into the account. It’s deactivated due to unusual activity.

Well, duh! I’ve never run an ad before, of course it’s unusual. I send them my information. After several messages back and forth, they finally activated my account. I go in and add the money.

The ads aren’t running. I don’t know how to fix it. I ask BP to go in and see what’s wrong.

She can’t get in. I remove her from the account then add her back in. She fixes the ads. I get a message saying they were approved. I go into the account.

It’s deactivated due to unusual activity.

Arrrgh! I contact them again. They sent me a form to complete except when I click SUBMIT, they won’t accept it because I’m not an advertiser. No… I’m the owner!

I swear, if they were in the same room, I’d have punched them.

I went to tell them about the stupid form via a comment on the case and they closed it to all comments.

Arrrgh!!

I entered another complaint. Nothing.

I entered another complaint. Oh look, they activated my account. Oh look, the ads are not running.

Instead of having BP go back into my account and create another “unusual activity” event, I asked her for guidance.

I don’t know what I did, but I managed to see ACTIVE on the ad. We’ll see if it runs.

What a mess. Why does FB have to be so difficult? And people wonder why I don’t advertise more.

It’s so frustrating!!

Good news, I figured out some things about one of my characters and I may actually get some writing done today. Wish me luck!

So… What can make you crazy? Would you have lasted as long as I did with FB? I was about to give up altogether. And if it breaks again, I may just do that.

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I'm Stuck

When I’m not writing, I’m reading. And I’m not writing right now because I’m stuck. Hopefully I get unstuck today when I meet some writer friends to brainstorm.

Yeah, I need to storm my brain all right. It just doesn’t want to work like it should!

But at least I’m caught up in my reading goal now. Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #6

Dates read: February 21-28
Title: “Two to Die For”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Lucy Kincaid #12.5/Maxine Revere #3.5
# of Pages: 218
Paper or plastic: e-Book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: "Spiral" (Lucy Kincaid #12.5)
    Sean Rogan and Lucy Kincaid are enjoying their honeymoon in a remote cabin outside Vail, Colorado. They sorely need the quiet time alone—a break from the murder and violence that has defined so much of their lives. And for one blissful week, they are in paradise.
    But they should have known that their idyllic peace would come to an end. When their reclusive elderly neighbor disappears, the police find no evidence of foul play, but Hank would never leave his beloved Golden Retriever out in the cold all night. With the help of the faithful dog, Sean and Lucy retrace Hank’s steps and learn a dangerous truth that may turn their honeymoon into their funeral.

"Retired" (Maxine Revere #3.5)
    Nothing gets under investigative reporter Maxine Revere's skin like someone getting away with murder, especially when the victim is a harmless elderly woman. So when 82-year-old Lois Kershaw contacts her about a suspicious death at the posh Del Sol Retirement Community, Max agrees to go undercover as Lois’s granddaughter.
    Max is willing to go along with Lois’s wild theory — up to a point. Proving an octogenarian died of anything but natural causes is next to impossible, and soon Max wonders if the lonely widow is creating an elaborate mystery for attention. But as she digs deeper into the history of Del Sol, Max uncovers a dark secret and realizes that Lois—and other Del Sol residents—are in grave danger. Finding the truth will take all of Max’s cunning and street smarts—and a little help from her new friends.
My thoughts: Two very good novellas. As a rule, I’m not a fan of novellas, because they’re usually too short for my taste. But when they’re in a world I enjoy, I’ll read them because I want everything from that world. And I must admit these were just the right size for the stories being told.

Book #7

Dates read: February 28-March 3
Title: “Shattered”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense
Series: Maxine Revere #4
# of Pages: 390
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Library (but I will buy the paperback when it comes out in May)
Blurb from book: Over a span of twenty years, four boys have been kidnapped from their bedrooms, suffocated, and buried nearby in a shallow grave. Serial killer or coincidence?
    That’s the question investigative reporter Maxine Revere sets out to answer when an old friend begs her to help exonerate his wife, who has been charged with their son’s recent murder. But Max can do little to help because the police and D.A. won’t talk to her—they think they have the right woman. Instead, Max turns her attention to three similar cold cases. If she can solve them, she might be able to help her friend.
    Justin Stanton was killed twenty years ago, and his father wants closure—so he is willing to help Max with her investigation on one condition: that she work with his former sister-in-law, Justin’s aunt, FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid. Trouble is, Max works alone, and she’s livid that her only access to the case files, lead detective, and witnesses depends on her partnering with a federal agent on vacation. She wants the career-making story almost as much as the truth—but if she gets this wrong, she could lose everything.
    Haunted by Justin’s death for years, Lucy yearns to give her family—and herself—the closure they need. More important, she wants to catch a killer. Lucy finds Max’s theory on all three cases compelling. With Max’s research added to Lucy’s training and experience, Lucy believes they can find the killer and justice can finally be served. But the very private Lucy doesn’t trust the reporter any more than Max trusts her.
    Max and Lucy must find a way to work together to untangle lies, misinformation, and evidence to develop a profile of the killer. But the biggest question is: Why were these boys targeted? As they team up to find out what really happened the night Justin was killed, they make a shocking discovery. Justin’s killer is still out there…stalking another victim…and they may be too late already.
My thoughts: Woo-wee, felt like I was also reading a Lucy Kincaid book. Now I really can’t wait to read the next one. I love Allison’s books. They’re so hard to put down!

Book #8

Dates read: March 3-5
Title: “Breaking Point”
Year of publication: 2018
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense
Series: Lucy Kincaid #13
# of Pages: 419
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Bella Caruso survived a nightmare of abuse and betrayal. Today, she has dedicated her life to saving other young women from the hell that almost killed her—first as an officer of the law, then by stepping outside the law and into the darkness where true evil dwells. Now, it appears that the darkness has taken her once again.
    JT Caruso often worries about his sister, given her line of work. This time, when he learns that Bella is working undercover to find a missing girl involved in a dangerous prostitution ring, JT asks FBI Special Agent Lucy Kincaid for help.
    Even with Lucy’s extensive experience in running down human traffickers, finding Bella will not be easy. Not only because she is in too deep. But because Bella, who will not rest until she saves the girl, doesn’t want to be found…
My thoughts: See, when I put my mind to it, I can get some reading done. Of course, it wasn’t too hard with this unputdownable book! Kept turning the pages to see what was gonna happen next. Great read!

So… Has spring made an appearance in your neck of the woods, or does it still look like winter out there? I don’t think Mother Nature has made up her mind around here. Our temps have been hovering around the 50s lately. Not too shabby. Except a chance of snow is forecasted for today with temps falling into the 30s for the rest of the week. Ugh.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

July? Not Even Close

First off, let me say this: that Penguins game last night SUCKED! Yeah, JeffO, I know YOU enjoyed it. Daughter and I did NOT. Blech.

I don’t know what the heck happened to our team, but that sure wasn’t them last night. I hope they get over whatever is ailing them SOON.

Remember when I said we were having a house built and should be closing in July? Well…

Hubby and I met with the builders on Tuesday to go over the plans and stuff. The project manager mentioned us having to be at certain meetings during the construction, like the pre-drywall phase, which was the most important one.

Now, we’ll be in California May 9-16 and I was afraid that meeting might conflict so I asked when to expect that. He said about six weeks after they started. I asked when they were going to start. He said he’d get to that.

And he said that because he’d learned in the past that once he mentioned a date, the customer only fixated on that and didn’t pay attention to the rest of the meeting. Okay, I could understand that. Sort of.

He finished going over the checklist. After he answered our questions, he then told us that he wanted to start work on the house on Wednesday, but with the rain coming on Thursday, he was postponing it until Monday.

I’m thinking, great, the meeting won’t conflict with our trip. Then Hubby asked when they expected to be done.

The answer? May 9th! The day we’re leaving on our trip!

What happened to July?

I mean, we’re sort of happy it will be finished earlier than planned. Means we might actually get moved in before we leave for our Alaskan cruise (instead of after it). But man, May is not even in the ballpark to July. Talk about FAST.

It took almost a year for the builders to build our current house. But then they were HORRIBLE. Ryan Homes is so much more…organized!

So, I don’t know if we’ll be closing on the house before or after our California trip, but we’ll definitely have time to move before we leave on our Alaskan cruise. I can’t wait! I’m ready to get out of this house. Although, I’m not really looking forward to the actual move. I mean, who does?

It’s times like these I wish I could be like Samantha Stevens and just wiggle my nose and it would all be done.

So… Got any plans this weekend? Ours looks pretty quiet. We might want to start thinking about getting rid of some stuff, though. Because it sure isn’t all going over to the new house.

Happy Friday!

Stacy