Reading Update and Happy End of Year!

This is most likely the last post for 2021. Probably last book finished, too. I don’t see me reading a lot this week. At least not enough to finish something. I didn’t do too bad at 58 books this year, huh? And I couldn’t even say that was because of my cruise, because I had already reached my goal before that started. I mostly read during breakfast and lunch. And if I’m not in the mood to do something else, I’ll read. My eyes curse me on those days, but it is what it is: I love stories. Especially good ones.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 58

Dates read: December 20-28, 2021
Title: The Wolf
Year of publication: 2021
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Prison Camp #2
# of Pages: 418
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased (I also won a copy)
Blurb from the book: Rio Hernandez-Guerrero has been working undercover to bring down Caldwell’s worst drug lord, the elusive and sadistic Mozart. She knows she’s finally getting close to him when she’s ordered to negotiate a massive deal with a shadowy supplier. But what shows up at the meeting…is nothing she expects.
    Betrayed by his clan, Lucan was locked up decades ago for the crime of being both wolven and vampire. Forced to engage in drug dealing by the prison camp’s despot, he is not looking for anything more complicated in his cold and isolated life. But then a human woman with a stare that tames him, crosses his path…
    Rio captures a predator’s heart, but they both have secrets that threaten not only their fate as soulmates but their very lives. Will they find a way to win at the deadly game they’re both playing…or will their inner natures shatter their love?
My thoughts: Love, love, love this series. Or actually, this world. It’s the same thing, right? Seems like it to me. The next book can’t come out soon enough. I could have read this book a lot quicker, except I wanted to make it last. But once I got really involved, I couldn’t stop reading. And now I’m sad it’s over.
    FYI - I won a copy of this book (Goodreads giveaway) after I had pre-ordered a copy, that I don't remember pre-ordering. I don't usually pre-order books, so that's why I entered the giveaway (and is it strange that the last two time I won a giveaway was a J.R. Ward book???). So now I have two copies. Might have to give one of them away.

So… how many books have you read this year? Did you reach your goal? Did you set one? I’ll set my goal for 2022 to be 50 again. Why ruin a good streak?

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

Stacy

Reading Update and Merry Christmas!

If you celebrate the holiday, Merry Christmas! If you celebrate something else, Happy Holidays! Yesterday was the first day of winter and now I can expect the days to start getting longer again. Of course, I have to suffer through snow and cold before the longer days bring warmer weather, but I have to look at the positives here!

Our Christmas should be warm and wet this year. Warm being near 60 degrees. And that’s a lot warmer than it is today (at 30). Doesn’t matter if it rains, it’s way better than snow, so I’ll take what I can.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 57

Dates read: December 10-20, 2021
Title: The Way You Bite
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Zoe Forward
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Blood Wars #1
# of Pages: 223
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the Goodreads: When King Werewolf shows up in veterinarian Vee Scarpa's ER, she's livid.
    Her father, North American head honcho vampire, has threatened a chilling or else if she "accidentally" helped a wolf again, especially since they're at war. But she's tempted by the sexy wolf. And his deadly blood calls to her in a way that should set off warning bells...
    A promise to his brother in arms obliges Lexan Dimitrov to rescue the aristocrat vampire before her family discovers her secret—a secret Vee herself isn't even aware of. What he didn't expect was to find her sexy-as-hell. He's not into vamps, yet the inescapable heat building between them is a delicious temptation guaranteed to end in total disaster.
My thoughts: This is book 1 in a series, so there are some loose ends to the overall story (basically about the war between vamps and wolves), but the romance is contained in this book with a satisfying ending, so all’s good there. I enjoyed this for the most part. I had a few issues with the plot, especially at the end, but others might not even realize the issue. Will I get the next book in the series? Probably.

So… do you go to the movies on Christmas day? It’s a good possibility we may, but finding a movie everyone wants to see will be the issue.  I know what I want to see, but not everyone is into football movies (Kurt Warner fan, here). Got any recommendations?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and I’m Back Home

I made it back home safe and sound.

The cruise was great. Loved being relaxed. Now I’m home and I’m stressing over Christmas. Or at least just stressing over the work I need to do. See why I cruise? Oh well… Next cruise begins in roughly two months. Yay!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 56

Dates read: December 7-10, 2021
Title: A Gift of Ghosts
Year of publication: 2011
Author: Sarah Wynde
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: The Tassamara Series Book One
# of Pages: 170
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Akira has secrets. But so does the town of Tassamara.
    Akira Malone believes in the scientific method, evolution, and Einstein’s theory of relativity. And ghosts. All the logic and reason in the world can’t protect her from the truth—she can see and communicate with spirits.
    But Akira is sure that her ability is just a genetic quirk and the ghosts she encounters simply leftover electromagnetic energy. Dangerous electromagnetic energy.
    Zane Latimer believes in telepathy, precognition, auras, and that playing Halo with your employees is an excellent management technique. He also thinks that maybe, just maybe, Akira can help his family get in touch with their lost loved ones.
    But will Akira ever be able to face her fears and accept her gift? Or will Zane’s relatives be trapped between life and death forever.
My thoughts: The story idea (of how Akira sees ghosts) is similar to the new series “Ghosts,” although this was written years before the series and it’s not a comedy. It’s light reading and enjoyable, but rather short (for my tastes).There isn’t a cliff hanger (yay) as this story could be read as a standalone. Seems the series has to do with the inhabitants of the town and not just one couple. Don’t know if I’ll continue to read the rest of the series, because while it was fun, it really didn’t grab me to want to read more. Heck, I’d completely forgotten I’d bought this book in the first place. I can only imagine I found it while looking for books as keywords (Amazon advertising), and checked B&N to see if it was there, since that’s the only place I buy e-books. If you’re looking for a short romance with ghosts and a little suspense, give this one a try.  

After stating on the last post that I wasn’t working on Ghostly Protector during the cruise, I went and worked on Ghostly Protector! Finally got past the part that was holding me up. Actually, finally FIXED the part that was holding me up. Boy, did that feel good.

I still have to organize my photos (stuff I need to do), so once I do that, I’ll post some pictures here on the blog. Hopefully I won’t take too long, but hey, when I get stressed to do stuff, I tend to not do it. Or other stuff gets priority. Something like that.

So… Are you ready for Christmas? I haven’t even gotten the tree up yet. But it is on my list of things to do. Probably should do it first though, huh?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Still Cruising

Yesterday we spent our day on Gatun Lake in Panama. The lake that is just past the locks, since our cruise only went to the Panama Canal, not through it (like the cruise we have booked in April 2023 is supposed to do). If we were to cross to the Pacific Ocean, we would travel through the lake to the other locks. Well, I assume there are other locks. I really don’t know. But it was interesting to see how the locks on the Atlantic/Caribbean side functioned. To think they’re 107 years old!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 54

Dates read: November 30 – December 2, 2021
Title: Naked in Death
Year of publication: 1995
Author: J.D. Robb
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Eve Dallas/In Death #1
# of Pages: 260
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Eve Dallas is a New York City police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she’s seen it all—and knows that her survival depends on her instincts. And she’s going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire – and a suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. But passions and seduction have rules of their own, and it’s up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about—except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.
My thoughts: So many friends have talked about this series and since I discovered the first book in the series was only 99 cents for my Nook, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Okay… I may need to read some more. I still don’t care for Nora’s head hopping, but I really enjoyed the story, and the characters. And it’s set in the future. More of a future to 1995 than 2021, but 2058 is still a ways away. The Nook books for the rest of the series aren’t cheap, though (only a dollar less than a paperback), so I may check them out of the library instead.

Book 55

Dates read: December 3-7, 2021
Title: Never Say Die
Year of publication: 1992
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 202
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Twenty years after her father’s plane crashed in the jungles of Southeast Asia, Willy Jane Maitland is finally tracking his last moves. She recognizes the danger, but her search for the truth is the only thing that matters.
    Willy knows she can’t proceed without the help of ex-army officer Guy Barnard, who knows the mysterious land well. But in a place where truth has many faces, she suspects even Guy has hidden motives. What she couldn’t have prepared for are the shocking secrets and the undeniable attraction.
My thoughts: I don’t know what I think about this book. I got it because it was on sale for 99 cents and I love Tess Gerritsen’s books, but it didn’t really grab me like her other ones. It was an okay read, I guess. One to pass the time while cruising.

I brought my computer on the cruise and hoped to become motivated to work on Ghostly Protector. But alas, that hasn’t happened yet. Still sailing for a few more days, so maybe? We’ll see. Have two more ports to visit (Isla Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico). Already been through Jamaica, Curacao, Aruba, and Limon (Costa Rica). This has been quite the trip! And technically, I shouldn’t have to work during vacation. Right? I know… excuses. I’m full of them!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and I’m Celebrating 42 Years on a Cruise

Hubby and I are celebrating our 42nd anniversary today in Jamaica! That’s our first stop on our cruise. I’m so glad to finally be back cruising. I’ve missed it sooooo much!

Now, while I was able to post this on my blog, I don’t have access to the internet very often (I can use it when Hubby isn’t), and the connection can be slow or non-existent during the day, so I won’t be able to answer any comments. But I actually finished a book before Wednesday, and I wanted to share what I read. I’m hoping I’ll get several books read during this 14-day cruise. But if they’re all as long as the last one…maybe not!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 53

Dates read: November 15-30, 2021
Title: The Devil and the Dark Water
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Stuart Turton
Genre: Historical mystery/thriller
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 449
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased for free
Blurb from Goodreads: A murder on the high seas. A remarkable detective duo. A demon who may or may not exist.
    It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.
    But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered. Anyone could be to blame. Even a demon.
    And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.
    With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.
    For fans of Steven King, The Devil and the Dark Water brings a chilling new spin to the Sherlock Holmes detective duo in a thriller of supernatural horror, occult suspicion, and paranormal mystery on the high seas.
My thoughts: I was offered a free book from B&N last month and of the four presented, this one looked the most interesting. And I was right! If you like sea-faring mysteries (a la Sherlock Holmes), with a lot of superstitious characters, this book might interest you, too. But just because it’s a historical book, don’t expect any real history. It’s all fiction. Which is the way I like it.

I’ll post next Wednesday if possible. If not, I’ll “see” you on the 15th!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and We’re Going to WV

Hubby and I are taking an unplanned trip to WV today. To get a copy of Hubby’s birth certificate. Seems he let his passport expire back in June and we need the birth certificate so he can get on the ship later this month for our cruise.

You’d think he’d kept his birth certificate secure somewhere. Like, where all the other certificates are kept. But nope. He got his passport while in the Army and has never needed his birth certificate (or he needed it for the original passport and promptly lost it). So we’re going to Charleston because we don’t trust we’ll get it in the mail before we leave.

He processed getting a renewed passport on Saturday, but he won’t get it back until after our cruise. However, at least we’ll have it before our February cruise. I hope.

We would have noticed the expiration date if we’d been able to go on ANY of the cruises we had booked since December 2019. But since those were all cancelled… Oh well, not much we can do about it now.

Except drive to WV and get his birth certificate. Do you think I’ll let him forget this?

No way.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 52

Dates read: November 6-15, 2021
Title: Mercury Striking
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Post-apocalyptic romantic suspense
Series: Scorpius Syndrome #1
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynne Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynne is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury… Danger has never looked quite so delicious.
My thoughts: Man, when I started reading this, I thought… COVID? I mean, this was written in 2016 and while COVID isn’t as bad as Scorpius, there are just too many similarities, especially when they mentioned what the virus looked like. It was kind of eerie. But this is the beginning of a series, and it leaves a few threads hanging (except the romance, which is a good thing!). I’m all in now and will get the rest of the books soon.

So… is your passport still valid? Do you have your birth certificate in a secure place? Might want to check on those things now, just in case…

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Exercising

Exercising sucks! Unfortunately, it’s an evil necessity for me since I’m not an active person naturally.

I don’t mind walking, though. That’s fun. But not so fun when the temps drop. Then it makes me miserable (I hate being cold). Why’d we pick to live in Ohio? Oh yeah… it’s cheap here. Well, cheaper than California.

So last year I took up step aerobics during the cold weather. Which led me to realize I needed my heart valve fixed, but we know how that ended up. So far. Anyway, I pulled out the step a couple of weeks ago. Figured it was better to exercise a little than not at all (I don’t even bother putting in the risers—I can’t handle them anyway).

But now I hurt. I think I pulled a muscle in my thigh. This is what I get for all that walking? Step aerobics is way more strenuous than walking, but you couldn’t tell that from my Fitbit. Ugh.

Yeah, exercise sucks. But I need it in my life. So I hope my thigh feels better soon. I can’t afford to be away from exercising for very long. Otherwise, I may never start up again.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 51

Dates read: October 28-November 5, 2021
Title: Driven
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Deep Ops #4
# of Pages: 379
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Angus Force is determined to hunt down the serial killer he’d once shot dead—or so he thought. But an anonymous source reports that Lassiter is alive. Force hasn’t slept since, knowing it’s only a matter of time before “The Surgeon” strikes again. And soon, a body is found, bearing Lassiter’s same maniacal MO. It’s just the beginning of a murderous trail blazing through DC and Virginia, right to Force’s backyard…
    Nari Zhang is the shrink for the ragtag Deep Ops Unit, though she isn’t Force’s shrink—which is a very good thing. Because once they’re thrown together on the case, their attraction is explosive and irresistible. They’ll just have to fight that much harder to keep the heat between them from flaming out of control. But things are about to become far more challenging, and deadly, than they could have imagined…
    Once the killer catches a glimpse of Nari, she becomes his new obsession. She is now the focus point—for both Force and Lassiter—in a dangerous dance for survival…
My thoughts: Oooh, nice twist at the end. Great romantic suspense. I really like this series.

So… how do you keep fit in cold weather? Do you bother? I miss my old fitness center, but it got bought out by a larger company and it’s just not the same anymore so I didn’t bother renewing my membership (not that they contacted me and asked me to). I also moved farther away, so there’s that, too. Yes, I can be THAT lazy.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and… I reached my reading goal!

I reached my reading goal…2 months early. Whoo hoo! I didn’t think I’d reach it this early, that’s for sure. Feels good to accomplish something. Which means, I probably should set goals for other things. I should, but I probably won’t. Not unless I’m confident I’ll reach the goal. Does that make me a cheater? Or possibly a coward? Hmmm…

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 50

Dates read: October 18-28, 2021
Title: Frankenstein
Year of publication: 1818?
Author: Mary Shelley
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 206
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Borrowed from daughter
Blurb from book: Written in 1816 when she was only nineteen, Mary Shelley’s novel of “The Modern Prometheus” chillingly dramatized the dangerous potential of life begotten upon a laboratory table. A frightening creation myth for our own time, FRANKENSTEIN remains one of the greatest horror stories ever written and is an undisputed classic of its kind.
My thoughts: I thought I had read this before (I had marked it read in Goodreads back in 2013), but as I got into the story, I realized I’d never read it. I saw the movie version with Robert DeNiro as the monster a few months ago, which got me interested in reading the book. It’s all told in first person by several people—as letters or stories told to another. And while the events are horrendous, I can’t really say it’s horror. At least, not in this day and age. I associate horror with suspense. Thrills. Or just plain old spookiness. You don’t get much of that here. But it is an interesting tale and I’m glad I can now say that I’ve actually read this book!

So… Have you reached any of your goals—reading or otherwise—that you set earlier in the year? Did you set any goals?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

My Crochet - Recent Projects

I haven't finished reading my latest book yet. So I'll write about something else I'm doing.

I've been crocheting a lot lately.

Friend 1 had some yarn her mother was discarding. She gave it to Friend 2 for a thrift shop she was involved with. Then Friend 1 thought I would like the yarn because I've been crocheting so much. Well, I didn't want the thrift shop to lose out, so I told Friend 2 that I would use the yarn to make things for the thrift shop to sell. 

Friend 2 delivered the THREE BOXES of yarn to me. Wow. And I thought I had a lot of left over yarn. 

I sorted the yarn and decided to use up the baby yarn first. Started with making granny squares, which turned into blankets. I also made a one-piece blanket. I used up pretty much all the baby yarn I could use. Then I switched to some reflective yarn. I've been having a blast, really. Here are pictures of the items I made in the last few months:

This is the first baby blanket I made using left over yarn. I basically just started making squares until I ran out, which proved a little troublesome when it came to assembling it. I like patterns and couldn't figure out what to do. Then another friend suggested diagonal. That seemed to work.

This second granny square was made with finer yarn (so I couldn't mix it with the first blanket). There was a lot more there and I was able to figure out a pattern first then just used the rest of the yarn as edging. I goofed a little on the edging (it wouldn't lay flat), but I loved the way the colors turned out.

There weren't enough yarn to make more granny squares to suit me so I just started crocheting a one-piece blanket using a pattern I found in a book. It's not very big, but would work good in a stroller. 

After I posted pictures of the blankets I made for the thrift store, my cousin asked how much it would cost to make a blanket for his niece. He didn't care what kind, just that it was blue! I told him I would do it at cost. I've made this blanket before and think it's cute. 

I was finished with the baby yarn and found some patterns for the reflective yarn I had (which was a bulky yarn). I had just enough in these two colors to make this hat. Unfortunately, it was too small for my head, so hopefully it'll fit a child. I've since made a larger one and will probably make another (as I have more bulky yarn to use up).

Found this pattern for ear warmers and the orange reflection yarn seemed perfect for this. You can't see the reflection, but if you hold it up to the light just right, or take the picture with a flash, it shows up. I was just happy the ear warmer fit my head so it's good for an adult. I also made one of these in neon yellow & neon green (since you use two strands of yarn--yes this will really warm your ears!).

Before I started using all this donated yarn, I had my own project - place mats for my table. I found a cool pattern and made one of each color. They turned out larger than I thought, but it's cotton and will probably shrink when I was them. I'm just afraid to wash them now, so I'll wait until they've been used at least once!

I'm making scarves and more hats for the thrift shop since they could use winter wear. It's fun to crochet, but I don't always have someone to make things for. I feel like I'm helping doing this, and it feels good. 

So... Are you a crafty person? What's you're talent? I tried knitting, but that's just too frustrating. And bulky to carry around. Crocheting is easier and if you drop a stitch, you only drop one stitch. And if I make a mistake... well, that's what makes handmade items special. They're one of a kind!

Stacy

Reading Update and I Fixed my Blog List

Last week I asked for help regarding the blog list on my side bar since I couldn’t get it to update or add blogs. Well… turns out I was using an old gadget (Blogger’s term, not mine). You’d think they’d automatically update the one I was using. Or let me know they updated it, right? But no… And I couldn’t just copy and paste the data over, I had to enter ALL the blogs I follow onto that list. One. At. A Time. But first, I needed to clean up my list. Why enter old blogs? And I had a LOT of old blogs on that list.

What a job!

I never realized how many people I followed had quit blogging. Not just not posting, but deleting the whole kit and caboodle! But now my list is clean. Yay! Although, I notice a lot of bloggers I follow still don’t have the https before their URL. Which meant the blog posts weren’t showing (just the blog, but not the latest post). Good thing I knew a way around THAT!

Sometimes I know too much for my own good. That usually gets me in trouble. Hopefully not this time, though.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 49

Dates read: October 9-18, 2021
Title: Mile High With a Vampire
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Lynsay Sands
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Argeneau Vampires #33
# of Pages: 341
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Jet Lassiter likes being a pilot for Argeneau Enterprises. Perks include traveling to exotic locations and meeting interesting people, even if they are the blood-sucking kind. He’s living the good life, until his plane goes down in the mountains and four of his passengers are gravely injured. They need blood to heal…and Jet is the only source.
    Quinn Peters never wanted to be immortal. Once a renowned heart surgeon, she was turned against her will and now she has to drink blood to survive. Before she can ask how her “life” can get any worse, she’s in a plane crash. One of the few survivors, Quinn is desperate to get the mortal pilot to safety before her fellow immortals succumb to their blood lust and drain Jet dry.
    But hungry vampires are the least of their worries—the crash wasn’t an accident, and someone is trying to kill Quinn. Will she and Jet find their happily ever after as life mates, or will her assassin find her first?
My thoughts: Still a fun series to read. I love escaping into this world.

The weather has gotten a little cooler here. And definitely way less muggy. I’m enjoying my walks, but taking them later in the day. Seeing temps in the 40s in the morning doesn’t make me motivated to get out there and walk! Eventually I’ll have to go back to my step aerobics, but so far the weather has cooperated this October. In fact, it’s been an AWESOME October. The trees are still green!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and What’s Up with Blogger

I’ve tried to add blogs to my “Blogs I’m Following” list (over on the right side bar). But every time I try to save my selection, the window won’t close, even though the SAVE button goes grey, showing that I had saved it. I can’t close the window without leaving the page, so I have to go to another website or close it down altogether instead. But when I go back to my blog, the new blog I want to follow isn’t listed. This has happened more than once and is rather frustrating.  Anyone else having this issue on Blogger?

And don’t tell me there are other ways to follow. I know there are other ways. I’d just rather not have another blog sent to my e-mail. I tend to ignore them that way, especially since I get way too many e-mails.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 48

Dates read: October 1-9, 2021
Title: Billy Summers
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Thriller/Crime Drama
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 514
Paper or plastic: Hard back
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He’s a killer for hire and the best in the business. But he’ll do the job only if the target is a truly bad guy. And now Billy wants out. First there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong?
    How about everything.
    This spectacularly riveting novel is part war story, part love letter to small-town America and the people who live there, and it features one of the most compelling and surprising duos in King fiction, who set out to avenge the crimes of an extraordinary evil man. Billy Summers is about love, luck, fate, and a complex hero with one last shot at redemption.
My thoughts: I didn’t know what to expect when I cracked open this book, because I don’t always read the blurbs of authors I love. I just buy their books and read them! This is a good story. And I love the reference to The Shining. That’s about the only spooky stuff in this book, too. And even that reference isn’t all that spooky.

So… Do you use Blogger? Got any tips on how to add blogs to my list? I’ve tried updating using Edge and Chrome, but got the same results. Kind of funny that this feature isn’t working for me since that’s why I started my own blog in the first place—to follow other blogs! I always check that list on the right and see who has blogged recently. That was the best feature of Blogger! I hate that it appears to be broken.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Selling the Next Book

However did a reader find books to read in the old days? The days before books went digital, I suppose is what I mean. I read about how I can optimize my sell-through by putting direct links to the next book in the back of the one the reader is currently reading. And how to do it for this retailer or this retailer or this… That it should be listed right after the end of the book, on the SAME PAGE as the ending—that that space is prime real estate. Have people really gotten that lazy? Am I wrong in thinking that if a person loved the book, they’ll look for the next one ON… THEIR… OWN…? It’s what I’ve always done.

I realize the competition out there is crowded, but the reader is already reading my book. If they didn’t like it, no amount of links will get them to click for the next one.

I just don’t get it.

That’s not to say I don’t put a link in for the next book, but it’s a link to my website (so I don’t have to have a zillion—yeah, sarcasm—different versions for each retailer) and it’s on the next page with other author notes and stuff (and before and after the first chapter to the next book teaser I share). So I do give them a short cut, but I just figured they’d keep scrolling to find them. Maybe I’m figuring wrong and people really are that lazy.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 47

Dates read: September 18 – October 1, 2021
Title: Heartless
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series: Immortal Enemies #1
# of Pages: 398
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Vengeance is irresistible… Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abducting and seducing his foe’s beloved bride to ensure his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a human beauty with dangerous secrets…
    Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash-talking, bad at peopling. After a long-awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh-and-blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run…or descend into the darkness with him?
My thoughts: I don’t know that I would have read this book if a friend didn’t rave about how bizarre it is. And it is bizarre. Kaysar and Cookie are the STRANGEST romantic couple I’ve read about. Not exactly hero material, more like two villains put together. I did struggle to get through this (not so much about the bizarre behavior, but the fantasy aspect of it—it’s really not a paranormal romance as marketed), but ultimately, I wanted to know how it ended. Will I read book 2, which won’t be released until July 2022? Will I have remembered this book by then? I really don’t know the answer to either question except, maybe, we’ll see.

So… Do you read digital books? Do you click on the links at the end? I tend to read more paper books than digital ones. And clicking on my Nook doesn’t do much good as I keep the WiFi off most of the time (it drains the battery, and to be truthful, I usually only read from it when I’m on a trip and can’t get WiFi).

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Remembering Dreams

Do you remember your dreams? For the most part, I don’t. But if they fall into a certain situation (or theme), I do.

One of the dream themes I tend to remember is about bathrooms. Specifically, looking for one that isn’t dirty or broken. I haven’t had one of these dreams for a few years…until this week.

FYI: I posted about this in 2013 (Stacy's Rantingsand Whatnot: Dreams (stacysrantings.blogspot.com)) so that shows you how long it’s been since I had a bathroom dream!

I don’t know what brought them on in the past, or what brought it on this past week, but I find it amazing that I can usually remember my bathroom dreams but not most of the other dreams I’ve had.

This last dream, I was looking for a bathroom. I guess I was on a ship (because of the way it was built—all metal). The one I found had water on the floor that covered my shoes. By the time I was finished using the bathroom, the water was up so high it soaked my shorts (which I find weird because I rarely wear shorts!). I woke up after that, probably because I was amazed I had a bathroom dream!

I liked it better when I dreamt about having a large house with hidden rooms. It was so much fun to explore! I used to dream about that a lot, but not for decades now. Or maybe I have dreamt them and just don’t remember them anymore. That makes me sad to think about…

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 46

Dates read: September 8-17, 2021
Title: Ghost Moon
Year of publication: 2010
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: The Bone Island Trilogy #3
# of Pages: 376
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Reclusive collector Cutter Merlin is seldom seen in Key West—lately, not at all. Officer Liam Beckett visits Merlin’s curious house and discovers the gentleman in his study. In his death grip: a volume of occult lore and a reliquary. His eyes are wide with fright, his mouth a horrified rictus where spiders now dwell.
    Kelsey Donovan returns to the old house to catalog her estranged grandfather’s collection of artifacts and antiquities, vowing to see his treasures divested properly. But she cannot ignore the sense that she’s being watched, the reports of malevolent black figures, the pervasive smell of death.
    Is the Merlin house haunted, even cursed? Liam knows well that some ghost stories are true and he swears to protect Kelsey. But there are forces at work for whom one more life is a pittance to pay for their deepest desire….
My thoughts: Quite a mystery. I couldn’t figure it out. Not that I’m good at that kind of thing. A nice wrap-up for the trilogy and I enjoyed them all.

So I wonder why we remember some dreams but not all. Our brains are strange, aren’t they? Do you remember any of your dreams? Do any have recurring themes?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Dragon Con

Dragon Con was great. With attendance capped at around 40K, it was definitely noticed. I could walk through the hotels in a reasonable amount of time (especially after a panel). And everyone wore masks!

Now, not ALL of the rooms had spread out the chairs, but a lot of them did. And of course, we were close standing in line before a panel (there really was no way around that). But overall, I felt pretty safe. Everyone was just so happy that Dragon Con was a go, I don’t think anyone really griped about wearing masks. It was wonderful.

Heck, at the food court in the Peachtree Center Mall, the owner of one of the restaurants came out and hugged everyone in line thanking them for coming. I’m sure all the businesses in the area appreciated whatever kind of attendance came.

I spent most of my time in the writers’ track, hoping to generate some motivation in my writing. I think it actually helped. Monday night/Tuesday morning, as I was trying to sleep with all the snoring going on, I realized that I needed (NEEDED) to write the murder scene of Ghostly Protector (the murder has already happened when the book starts). I’ve never written it as a scene, only mention bits and pieces during the story (and not all the bits and pieces since I’m never in the head of the “person” who witnessed the whole thing), so I kind of went over it in my head and plan on getting it written today. I need it written down (especially now that I know who the murderer is and other details—details I didn’t have when I wrote the first draft) so I don’t screw up the book more than it’s already screwed up. This will NOT go into the book. It’s purely for ME! And I’m excited about writing it, too. I really think this is what I need to get the book finished.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 45

Dates read: August 29-September 7, 2021
Title: Ghost Night
Year of publication: 2010
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: The Bone Island Trilogy #2
# of Pages: 371
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: A slasher movie turns real when two young actors are brutally murdered on a remote island film set. Their severed heads and arms are posed in macabre homage to a nineteenth-century pirate massacre.
    Two years later, survivor Vanessa Loren is drawn back to South Bimini by a documentary being made about the storied region. Filmmaker Sean O’Hara aches to see how the unsolved crime haunts her…and Seans knows more than a little about ghosts.
    Lured by visions of a spectral figurehead, Vanessa discovers authentic pirate treasures that only deepen the mystery. Are the murders the work of modern-day marauders, the Bermuda Triangle, or a deadly paranormal echo of the island’s violent history? As Vanessa and Sean grow closer, the killer prepares to resume the slaughter…unless the dead can intervene.
My thoughts: I love the ghosts in this series. Especially Bartholomew.

While I loved being at Dragon Con, I’m really happy to be back home and sleeping in my own bed. It’s so much quieter!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Headed to Dragon Con

As you’re reading this, I’m headed to Atlanta and… Dragon Con! They said they were capping attendance at around 40K (less than half that attended in 2019 and about the number that attended at my first DC in 2010), requiring masks, and you must show proof of vaccination or a COVID-free test (taken within the past 72 hours), so that’s great. Of course, they’re also limiting how many people can go into the rooms for panels. I don’t see where that matters so much, unless they’re purposely spreading the chairs apart. Which could be what they’re doing. We’ll see.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 44

Dates read: August 21-28, 2021
Title: Ghost Shadow
Year of publication: 2010
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: The Bone Island Trilogy #1
# of Pages: 351
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: There are those who walk among us who are no longer alive, but not yet crossed over. They seek retribution…vengeance…to warn. Among the living, few intuit their presence.
    Katie O’Hara is one who can.
    As she’s drawn deeper and deeper into a gruesome years-old murder, whispered warnings from a spectral friend become more and more insistent. But Katie must uncover the truth: could David Beckett really be guilty of his fiancée’s murder?
    Worse—the body count’s rising on the Island of Bones, and the dead seem to be reenacting some macabre tableaux from history. The danger is increasing by the moment—especially as Katie finds herself irresistibly drawn to David, who may be responsible for more than just one killing…
My thoughts: I really liked this. It’s set in Key West, a city I really came to like when we visited for a few days way back in 2019. Oh, and I liked the ghosts, too (which is the main reason I bought the book to read).

FYI: The e-book box set for Books 4-6 of the Bitten by Love series is now available! So now you can get the whole series in two box sets for less than purchasing them separately. That’s a great deal, don’t you think? You can purchase it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google, or Smashwords.

I bought a white board to help me get my timeline straight on Ghostly Protector. I realized I created a huge mess when I moved scenes around (and of course, I don’t remember why…). That could be why my brain is having issues with moving forward on this project! I started to document the timeline, but stopped since I’ll be gone a week. I’ll only forget what I did (or why I did it—I know me too well), so better to wait and start when I return home. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself!

So… Got any plans this Labor Day?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Heart News

Saw my cardiologist on Monday. She wants to wait until after my scheduled imaging (for my kidneys and lungs) in November before she looks into me having heart surgery. But, she did say she would talk to the cardiac surgeon to see what my options are after that. So… more waiting. Granted, I would prefer surgery (or whatever) to happen after our March cruise, but it’s the not knowing that I don’t like.

Other than that, I’m doing fine. No changes. That’s good.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 43

Dates read: August 13-20, 2021
Title: Claimed
Year of publication: 2021
Author: J. R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Lair of the Wolven #1
# of Pages: 509
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Lydia Susi is passionate about protecting wolves in their natural habitat. When a hotel chain develops a tract of land next to the preserve, Lydia is one of the most vocal opponents of the project—and becomes a target.
    One night, a shadowy figure in the forest threatens Lydia’s life, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her. Daniel Joseph is both mysterious and someone she instinctively wants to trust. But is he hiding something?
    As the stakes get higher and one of Lydia’s colleagues is murdered, she must decide how far she will go to protect the wolves. Then a shocking revelation about Daniel challenges Lydia’s reality in ways she could never have predicted. Some fates demand courage, while others require even more, with no guarantees. Is she destined to have true love…or will a soul-shattering loss ruin her forever?
My thoughts: This new series is set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world and a character from that series is in this. Not yet sure how it all connects, as this particular book doesn’t wrap up that storyline. Yeah, there’s a little bit of a cliffhanger…for the series. But it wasn’t an irritating one for me. Or maybe I just like J.R. Ward too much to fuss about it? Maybe… But I enjoyed this and look forward to reading more.

My walking is taking a hit this week. Doctor appointments on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and I had to pick up my daughter Tuesday morning. I refuse to walk later in the day, as the temps have been in the 90s (and will continue to be that way for the rest of the week). I like summer, but 90 degrees is ridiculous. Hopefully I’ll get back to walking tomorrow.

I recorded a TV series this past spring: “Debris.” I thought it was one of those one-season kind of series, so I waited until the whole series was aired before watching and never bothered looking up anything (so as not to be spoiled). Well, I finished watching it Monday night, where it ended on a huge cliffhanger. Then I checked and saw it wasn’t renewed for a season 2. WTH??? To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I wish I’d never watched it now.

So… Are you as gun-shy about starting a new series on television like I am? I really don’t watch as much TV as I used to. Mainly because it seems like nothing lasts anymore. Or more importantly, nothing ends properly.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and a Dragons Game

I had planned on posting this last night. Hubby and I went to a Dragons game and usually we’re home by 10-10:30. But of course, that didn’t happen.

It rained yesterday. And didn’t stop until around 6:30 when the game usually starts at 7:10. So of course the field wasn’t prepped. Game was delayed two hours, and we stayed for the whole 7 innings, which meant I didn’t get home until after midnight.

We almost left early, because the Dragons were losing 3-0, but then they went and got a 2-run home run and were only down my 1. You can’t leave a close game like that!

Unfortunately, they ended up losing and I didn’t get this posted because I was tired when we got home. Good thing I don’t have a job to report to anymore. I’d be draggin’ right about now. Anyway…

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 41

Dates read: August 2-10, 2021
Title: The Graveyard Shift
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Darynda Jones
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Charley Davidson #13.5 (novella)
# of Pages: 128
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Guarding a precocious five-year-old who is half-human, half-god, and 100% destined to save the world is no easy feat.
    Garrett Swopes was the ultimate skeptic until he met a certain hellion and her husband. They vanished after stopping a catastrophic event and left him, a mere mortal, in charge of protecting their gift to mankind. But when she disappears as well, he needs the help of another breed of hellion. One who can see past the veil of space and time. One who betrayed him.
    She will get a truce in the deal, but she will never earn his forgiveness.
    Marika Dubois’s son—a warrior in the coming war between heaven and hell—was foreseen long before his birth. But to create a child strong enough to endure the trials that lay ahead, she needed a descendant of powerful magics. She found that in Garrett Swopes and tricked him into fathering her son. A ploy he has never forgiven her for. But when he knocks on her door asking for her help, she sees the fierce attraction he tries to deny rise within him.
    And Marika has to decide if she dares risk her heart a second time to help the only man she’s ever loved.
My thoughts: It was so much fun to re-enter this world. Even for a shorter story. I really missed these characters.

Book 42

Dates read: August 11-13, 2021
Title: The Gravedigger’s Son
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Darynda Jones
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Charley Davidson #13.6 (novella)
# of Pages: 100
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: The job should have been easy.
    Get in. Assess the situation. Get out. But for veteran tracker Quentin Rutherford, things get sticky when the girl he’s loved since puberty shows up, conducting her own investigation into the strange occurrences of the small, New Mexico town. He knew it would be a risk coming back to the area, but he had no idea Amber Kowalski had become a bona fide PI, investigating things that go bump in the night. He shouldn’t be surprised, however. She can see through the dead as clearly as he can. The real question is, can she see through him?
    But is anything that’s worth it ever easy?
    To say that Amber is shocked to see her childhood crush would be the understatement of her fragile second life. One look at him tells her everything she needs to know He’s changed. So drastically, she barely recognizes him. He is savage now, a hardened – in all the right places – demon hunter, and she is simply the awkward, lovestruck girl he left behind.
    But she doesn’t have time to dwell on the past .A supernatural entity has set up shop, and it’s up to them to stop it before it kills again.
    While thousands of questions burn inside her, she has to put her concern over him, over what he’s become, aside for now. Because he’s about to learn one, undeniable fact: she’s changed, too.
My thoughts: Another shortie that I immensely enjoyed. I wish these stories were longer, though. I miss this series.

So… What’s the latest you’ve stayed with a game? Would you have left at 8 when you were notified the game wouldn’t start until 9? We thought about it, but since we go to fewer games now, and really didn’t have to get up early the next day, we decided to stay. It was a pretty decent night (a little humid) once the rain stopped.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Savannah

I was going to post this while I was in Savannah, but having driven to the city on Tuesday, and arriving late in a heavy downpour, it kind of slipped my mind!

I had a great time at the Literary Love Savannah Summerween book convention. So much so, I didn’t get any reading or crocheting done! I also didn’t do too bad in the selling part, either. It was my best year since attending my first one in 2019.

I’m still debating on whether or not I’ll go next year, though. A lot depends on whether or not I’ll have heart surgery in March (the convention is held in July next year). It would also be nice if I had a new book out by then, too. I really need to get back to work on it!!

If you love books and always wanted to go to a book convention but were afraid of the crowds, this is a great one to start with. It’s on the small-side and everyone treats everyone like family there. It’s a great event. Next year’s theme is Book Life. You can join the Facebook group (HERE) for more information (no obligation to register).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 40

Dates read: July 23-August 1, 2021
Title: Phantom Evil
Year of publication: 2011
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal romantic suspense
Series: Krewe of Hunters #1
# of Pages: 360
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Though haunted by the recent deaths of two teammates, Jackson Crow knows that the living commit the most heinous crimes.
    A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition, Angela Hawkins already has her hands full of mystery and bloodshed.
    But one assignment calls to them too strongly to resist. In a historic mansion in New Orleans’s French Quarter, a senator’s wife falls to her death. Most think she jumped; some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits inhabiting the house—once the site of a serial killer’s grisly work.
    In this seemingly unsolvable case, only one thing is certain: whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion will cast Jackson and Angela into danger of losing their lives…and their immortal souls.
My thoughts: Okay, I can see me reading the rest of this series (which is currently up to book #35). But I think I want to finish her other series first (since this series does tie into the Harrison Investigation series). The romance is on the light side (if that matters to you), as this book is more mystery and suspense. I enjoyed it all.

So… I only have 10 books to read to reach my goal for this year. Awesome! How is your reading goal coming along? Do you have one? Why or why not?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update, Books, and St. Louis

I’ve been buying lots of books. It’s crazy. Will I ever read all the ones I currently own? Who knows. But I will be reading the ones I just purchased. I’m on a Heather Graham ghost ride right now, so will probably just binge her first. I just bought 5 of the 6 books I was missing from the Harrison Investigation series. I’ve read 1-4 and now own 6-10. Of course #5 is the hard one to find at a reasonable price! Good thing I don’t really need to read these in order.

The trip to St. Louis was fun, but hot and humid. My daughter’s Footy team won all their games (they ended up playing co-ed since there weren’t enough women to play their own game). We got hit with rain on Sunday before our trip to the zoo. Thankfully, it let up by the time we finished breakfast. Unfortunately, the rain didn’t take the humidity away. It was like a sauna walking through the zoo. I got my shirt wet from the rain and it was still damp when we got home! The humidity here felt dry compared to St. Louis. I will not complain about our humidity again. Maybe.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #39

Dates read: July 16-22, 2021
Title: The Vision
Year of publication: 2006
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal romantic suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #4
# of Pages: 410
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased.
Blurb from book: When Deep Down Salvage begins the hunt for the Marie Josephine off Key West, it seems like any other dive—until Genevieve Wallace sees the vision of a dead woman in the water.
    A dead woman who opens her eyes and looks directly at her…
    Terrified and confused, Gen is haunted by the memory. But no one, including her diving partner Thor Thompson, believes she saw what she knows she saw. Then a dead woman washes up on shore, and everyone assumes this is Genevieve’s “vision.” Genevieve knows better. This dead woman is definitely not the ghost she encountered but another victim of the same brutal killer.
    Sensing that the threat of death is coming closer, she and Thor are forced to acknowledge that some things can’t be explained but simply are. Somehow they have to link a violent past with a present-day mystery… because if they don’t, the power of death will possess them, too.
My thoughts: More suspenseful than romantic, but lots of spooky goodness and I had trouble putting this book down. I enjoyed visiting Key West again, too (if only in my memories).

This week I need to gather my stuff for LLS2021, since I leave for that book convention on August 3. I have been making a list, so I know what I need. But now I just have to make sure it’ll all fit in the car!!

So... Do you own more books than you feel you'll ever read? Maybe I just need to learn to read faster? Hmmm...

Happy Reading!

Stacy