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