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