Reading and Other Updates

I did it! Finding the Perfect Mate has been uploaded to all my vendors so if you pre-ordered a copy, you will get it on April 1. And I decided to keep the e-book pre-order price of $2.99 through April 30^th, mainly because I was soooooo late in getting it uploaded to Google Play.

Also due to this stupid virus.

I also got the paperback version uploaded. Amazon is already showing it for sale, but delivery will occur after the 1^st. I expect the paperback to show up at B&N and Books and Company (on line) sometime next week (if I’m lucky).

It was nerve-wracking there for a bit, but it’s all behind me now. Yay!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #12

Dates read: March 14-20
Title: An Extraordinary Union
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Alyssa Cole
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Loyal League Series #1
# of Pages: 252
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. As the Civil War rages between the states, a courageous pair of spies plunge fearlessly into a maelstrom of ignorance, deceit, and danger, combining their unique skills to alter the course of history and break the chains of the past…
    Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice and an eidetic memory. Trading in her life of freedom in Massachusetts, she returns to the indignity of slavery in the South—to spy for the Union Army.
    Malcolm McCall is a detective for Pinkerton’s Secret Service. Subterfuge is his calling, but he’s facing his deadliest mission yet—risking his life to infiltrate a Rebel enclave in Virginia.
    Two undercover agents who share a common cause—and an undeniable attraction—Malcolm and Elle join forces when they discover a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy’s favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, and fighting a fiery and forbidden love, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other…
My thoughts: I’ve said before I wasn’t a fan of historical romances, but what I really mean is the British historical. American historical is a whole nother puppy! I loved this book. There was so much danger going on, too! Kept me riveted. I will certainly pick up the next in the series and recommend it for any historical romance lover. Actually, for any romantic suspense lover!

So … What’s been keeping you busy lately?

Happy Reading and wash your hands!

Stacy

I Was a Guest Blogger

I wrote a post over on Delilah Devlin's blog about visiting Russia without ever leaving my house (that's because I was crazy enough to write a book set in that country!). It was posted yesterday. Here's a link to go check it out:

https://www.delilahdevlin.com/blog/2020/03/23/stacy-mckitrick-how-i-visited-a-country-without-leaving-my-house-free-read/

Only 1 week + 1  day until Finding the Perfect Mate releases! Although, the way Amazon works, you can order the paperback now, it just won't be delivered until after the 1st. I'm still having issues with Smashwords (which feeds into Kobo and Apple), so send some positive vibes that I get it all worked out in time.

I really hate it when they change the way they want files. I've never had problems before, so of course when I'm on a tight deadline, I run into problems. Ain't that the way it usually goes?

Ugh.

At least it looks to be a decent day outside today. Might actually take a walk. I miss walking, and luckily I'm still allowed to do that in Ohio.

So … You got any plans today?


Stacy

What Day is it?

I don’t know about you, but I’m losing track of days. It was easy when Hubby went to work. Now that he and our daughter are here all the time, I’m losing track. Maybe I should write what day it is on the white board. J

Daughter and I were supposed to leave for Vegas today. I was so excited for this trip when we made the plane reservations back in January. And the room reservations in February. And when we bought our tickets to the hockey games. So excited!

Now I’m bummed.

Hubby and I are supposed to go on our Transatlantic cruise in June. Take a European land tour after. Vacation all June long. Now I’m wondering if even that trip will go, or which part will get cancelled and we’re unable to make the other part.

What a mess.

I submitted my flight cancellation through Travelocity on the 12^th or 13^th after Daughter decided to cancel our Vegas trip. After I hit submit, a box popped up and said I’d hear back from someone in five days, but I never got any email confirmation the cancellation was received. I waited more than five days and still… nothing. So I called the number on Wednesday (since the flight was now less than 7 days away) and got cut off. Then the number wasn’t working. Tried again yesterday, same thing. I checked the website and it says the flight is still a go. Really? I tried their virtual chat—what a joke! I really hate those virtual chat rooms. They can NEVER help you. I went over to the FB page and finally found (in the comments) an e-mail address I could try (because heaven forbid Travelocity lists that on their website). At least I got a bot to respond to my email saying I’ll hear back in 48 hours. I probably won’t but at least I have SOMETHING! I’d really like to get some of my money back (or at least credit toward another flight).

So … today is Friday, right? I was going to post this last night, but finally (FINALLY) got the edits back for Finding the Perfect Mate and spent all day reading over the book (again) to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Now it’s in my formatter’s hands (that would be Hubby). I have to upload that book on Smashwords by Saturday to meet the pre-order date. I have a few extra days to upload on KDP and B&N, but man, it’s been stressful (and I can’t even blame the virus for this). I’ll be so happy when I finally upload the book and don’t have to worry about it any longer.

I think the next time I’m not going to set a pre-order date when I don’t have the book ready to upload. It’s too stressful. I need less stress in my life.

So… are you losing track of days? Finding life to be a little more stressful now? Maybe it’s a good thing my cardiologist put me on blood pressure medicine!

Happy Friday and keep your distance!

Stacy

Reading Update and No Symptoms ... Yet

When the coronavirus keeps you indoors, you tend to read more. Well, at least I do.

I’m also still writing, so that’s good. I was afraid my mind would be elsewhere, but it seems to be in my story, which is almost finished. I hope.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #11

Dates read: March 9-14
Title: The Unknown
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Brett Battles
Genre: Suspense
Series: Jonathan Quinn #14
# of Pages: 438
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. A snowy night. A train making its way through the mountains of Austria. Asleep in one of the private compartment is a very important passenger, a scientist who has created something others desperately want. Precautions have been taken to ensure the man’s safe passage, but even with a highly skilled bodyguard onboard, the trip does not go as planned. When the scientist vanishes, Jonathan Quinn and his team are sent in to locate him before the secrets in the man’s head can be extracted. Because if that happens, the world would change forever.
My thoughts: Very suspenseful. I had a hard time putting this book down. I’m becoming to really like Jar, too. I hope she shows up in future books.

So far we’re doing fine. No signs of any sickness, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it remains that way. I did go to the store (commissary) on Monday since I was on base to pick up my pills anyway, but haven’t left the house since then. We had an appointment for later today, which we were told was now being conducted by phone (yay!). But man, I don’t see how businesses can stay in business during all this (my daughter even got laid off). I sure hope two weeks is enough. I don’t know if the economy can handle much more.

But hey, if the economy tanking is the worst that happens, I'll take it. It's better than death. This virus scares the crap out of me and I do NOT want to catch it.

Now, if the weather would only cooperate. I’d love to go out and take a walk, but it’s either too cold or too rainy. Boo hiss!

Happy Reading and wash your hands!

Stacy

Making Changes due to Coronavirus

Saturday Hubby and I went to Bob Evans for breakfast like we do every weekend. Place was practically deserted. Yesterday morning, we did the same. We also made a decision: this would be the last breakfast out in awhile.

Little did we know that this decision would also be made for us.

Last night we went out to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. We had FREE cheesecake coupons that expire on the 31st and originally we were going to be gone the following weekend and my son and daughter-in-law are gone the last weekend in March. She likes going there for her birthday (which is in April) and we always get the gift cards at Christmas because they give away free cheesecake coupons. Win-win, right? The way things went, I’m glad we celebrated her birthday early.

Because while we were at the restaurant, the governor declared all restaurants and bars will be closed starting at 9pm and would only remain open for take-out or drive-thru orders.

Man, did we time that party or what?

If Hubby and I do eat out again, we can only get the food to go, or we’ll get Daughter to pickup and bring over (especially if she’s joining us). I do have some food in the house (for once!), and I’ll make one more swing at the commissary today, since I have to go to the base to pick up my medication. I’m kind of curious to see how empty that place is. If it’s even open. It might not be.

I feel like we’re preparing for a huge snow storm. And funny thing is, it did snow Saturday. Got about an inch, which thankfully only stuck to the grass and cars; the roads were clear. I’m still waiting for spring to show up early. Yeah, that groundhog was full of it, wasn’t he? Haha!

It’s a good thing that Hubby and I don’t mind being homebodies. Oh sure, we love to cruise, but we spend a lot of that time doing nothing but reading or writing. At least on the sea days. So I’ll just pretend we’re on several sea days where we can’t go anywhere.

The only bad thing? I have to cook! Oh well, can’t have everything, huh?

So … Are you keeping to yourself more often now or is life the same as usual? I suppose if you’re forced to go to work, it would be the same as usual.

Happy Monday and be safe!

Stacy

Happy (?) Friday the 13th

I’m beginning to think this year is one big Friday the 13th. It’s certainly not a very good year so far.

Guess I didn’t need to worry about my trip to Las Vegas. Since the NHL has suspended the rest of the season (so we didn’t even get to go to the Pens game last night), there wasn’t any reason to go to Las Vegas, so we cancelled.

Actually, I wasn’t going to go anyway. I didn’t trust I wouldn’t get the disease at the airport and Hubby cannot be exposed (his immune system has been compromised, and technically so has mine, from cancer). So I’m glad the NHL made it easier to tell my daughter. I really didn’t want to be the one to disappoint her.

Luckily, I was able to get a refund on the room. Still working on the plane tickets, though. Travelocity is having phone issues (I wonder why). Even if I have to pay a cancellation fee, I’ll be happy to get most of my money back (those tickets were stupidly expensive).

My daughter was also able to get a refund on the Grand Canyon trip. The only issue in limbo is getting refund on the games.

Since the season is suspended, the games could just be postponed to another date. If that becomes the case, we’ll have to see if we can sell our tickets. I won’t hold my breath that we’ll get our money back.

But hey, if the Pens-CBJ game is postponed to a later date, at least we’ll be able to go (as long as we don’t have other obligations!).

Hubby is now working from home indefinitely (for both his night teaching job and his day job). We still go out to dinner but even that may end up being curtailed (I’m actually stocking up the freezer with food!), especially if anyone in the area becomes infected.

This disease really sucks. I’m hoping we’re all overreacting, but doubt we are.

So … how has this disease disrupted your life?

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Reading Update, Hockey, and Coronavirus

I have plans to go to Las Vegas later this month with my daughter (and her friend) to celebrate her birthday (which isn’t until April, but … hockey). We have tickets to three Vegas Golden Knight games while we’re there (the last three of the regular season). We’ve paid for the flight. We’ve paid for the room. And we’ve paid for the games. We’ve even paid for a trip to see the Grand Canyon while we’re there.

But I just read that the San Jose Sharks are considering closing their arena for their last games due to the coronavirus. That they would play without an audience. If Vegas decides to do the same thing, I don’t know what we’ll do. Do we still go? I’m sure we won’t be able to get our money back on anything, not even the hockey tickets since they were re-sells.

This really sucks!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #9

Dates read: February 26-March 4
Title: The Shape of Night
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Suspense/Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 268
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. After an unspeakable tragedy in Boston, Ava Collette flees to a remote village in Maine, where she rents an old house named Brodie’s Watch.
    In that isolated seaside mansion, Ava finally feels at peace … until she glimpses the long-dead sea captain who still resides there.
    Rumor has it that Captain Jeremiah Brodie has haunted the house for more than a century. One night, Ava confronts the apparition, who feels all to real, and who welcomes her into his world—and into his arms. Even as Ava questions her own sanity, she eagerly looks forward to the captain’s ghostly visits. But she soon learns that the house she loves comes with a terrible secret, a secret that those in the village don’t want to reveal: Every woman who has ever lived in Brodie’s Watch has also died there. Is the ghost of Captain Brodie responsible, or is a flesh-and-blood killer at work? A killer who is even now circling closer to Ava?
My thoughts: This was a strange book. Kind of like a horror. Kind of suspenseful. But it was kind of sexual (sensual?) too. It’s written in first person present tense, which I didn’t care for. I read it because I like this author, but this is not one of my favorite stories of hers.

Book #10

Dates read: March 5-8
Title: The Damaged
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Brett Battles
Genre: Suspense
Series: Jonathan Quinn #13
# of Pages: 221
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. Jonathan Quinn is the best at what he does: making bodies disappear. Within the espionage world, his reputation is impeccable.
    There was a time, thought, when that reputation was still being built under his mentor, Durrie. A time when the very man who had taught Quinn all he knew could have derailed the young cleaner’s future.
    Fifteen years ago, Quinn was offered a job. On the surface, a straightforward mission to stop a terrorist. But the client gave Quinn the additional task of taking on Durrie as his number two, as a last chance for the veteran agent to be rehabilitated.
    Durrie had been on a downward spiral, going from being a highly respected operative to an unreliable has-been. These changes threatened to destroy everything—not only in Quinn’s life, but Orlando’s, too. She was Durrie’s girlfriend, and Quinn’s best friend.
    Both she and Quinn were desperate to help Durrie return to the person he once was. They hoped this job would be the answer. Durrie had other plans.
My thoughts: I really love this series (and it’s not even romance—go figure!). Once I open the books, I just have a horrible time putting them down. And it appears this book took the series in an unexpected direction. I’m digging into the next one now!

So … Should sporting events play without an audience? I can’t imagine it would be very motivating for the home team. This Thursday we’ll be going to Columbus to watch the Penguins beat the Blue Jackets (I’m being positive here, not only for the game to go on, but for us to win). I’m curious how many people will stay away. The governor suggests we don’t go (because of large crowds), but we will. I’m hoping the odds are in our favor of not getting sick. Heck, the airport scares me more than the arena does. Go figure, huh?

Happy Reading!

Stacy