Reading Update and Today’s the Day, Sort of

Today I have an appointment with one of my cardiac surgeons. Apparently, I have two. Surgeon #1 is who I would use if I have open heart surgery to repair/replace my leaky heart valve. Surgeon #2 is who I would use if I’m a good candidate for the mitra clip. But I don’t see #2 until the 31st. Frankly, I hope I’m a candidate for the clip. No cutting or breaking bones involved!

So maybe I find out if I’m a candidate today? That’s what I’m hoping. And that second appointment is just to let me know what to expect. But at least today’s a start on getting SOME answers.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 16

Dates read: May 11-22, 2022
Title: Quicksilver
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 356
Paper or plastic: Hardcover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Quinn Quicksilver was born a mystery—abandoned at three days old on a desert highway in Arizona. Raised in a orphanage, never knowing his parents, Quinn had a happy if unexceptional life. Until the day of “strange magnetism.” It compelled him to drive out to the middle of nowhere. It helped him find a coin worth a lot of money. And it practically saved his life when two government agents showed up in the diner in pursuit of him. Now Quinn is on the run from those agents and who knows what else, fleeing for his life.
    During a shoot-out at a forlorn dude ranch, he finally meets his destined companions: Bridget Rainking, a beauty as gifted in foresight as she is with firearms, and her grandpa Sparky, a romance novelist with an unusual past. Bridget knows what it’s like to be Quinn. She’s hunted, too. The only way to stay alive is to keep moving.
    Barreling through the Sonoran Desert, the formidable trio is impelled by that same inexplicable magnetism toward the inevitable. With every deeply disturbing mile, something sinister is in the rearview—an enemy that is more than a match for Quinn. Even as he discovers within himself resources that are every bit as scary.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this well enough. The ending kind of seemed like it was the beginning of a series, but then again… maybe not. Who knows! I just wasn’t enthralled with the ending although the main story was resolved…I guess. I still have questions.

By the way, I’m three books behind schedule in my goal of reading 50 books this year. I’ve been busy crocheting instead. I get these spurts, what can I say? Sometimes I’m in the mood to read, sometimes I’m in the mood to crochet. I’m just waiting on getting that mood to write. Of course, maybe I should just not wait for the mood and just get to it. Easier said than done, huh?

I’m hoping today’s news will help in getting to that motivation to write.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Our Pittsburgh Visit

Daughter and I enjoyed the Penguins game in Pittsburgh very much on Saturday. Got a little worried in the 2nd period, but it all turned out good (and not with any nasty overtime play, either!).

We had arrived in Pittsburgh around 4:30, parked, and headed toward a restaurant I found on Maps (on my phone) that is near the arena. It’s called Pizza Bosa (I think) and their menu is really extensive. I just didn’t expect such a small place.

We got there at the right time, though. After we placed our order for a Pierogi Pie (see picture) and sat down, a line started forming and went out the door! Yeah, that placed filled up FAST.

And our dinner? It was awesome!! When they brought the “pizza” to our table, I about fainted from the wonderful aroma. If you love pierogies, you will love this “pizza.” Crust, mashed potatoes, onions, cheese, and garlic. It was heaven! I highly recommend it!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 15

Dates read: May 2-10, 2022
Title: Immortal Rising
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Lynsay Sands
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Argeneau Series #34
# of Pages: 369
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Stephanie McGill was attacked and turned when she was just a teenager. Worse, her abilities are unlike any other immortal. Now thirteen years later, with the help of her adopted Argeneau family, Steph has carved out a new—if not lonely—life for herself. Until a new neighbor arrives…
    Thorne is also one-of-a-kind. The result of a genetic experiment, he’s not an immortal, but he’s not mortal, either. He’s looking for a place to hide, to get some peace and quiet so he can figure things out, and Stephanie’s sanctuary is perfect. In fact, Stephanie is perfect. For the first time, Thorne is free to be himself and he’s falling for her.
    But if they’re going to have a future together, they’ll first need to deal with their past…because the mad scientist who created Thorne is now after Stephanie.
My thoughts: I kind of savored this book by not reading it fast. Then I realized I had nothing to post about today unless I finished reading it. Had no trouble breezing through it, either. I can’t believe this is book #34 in the series and I am still not tired of it. I love the world and the characters so much.

So… I got my new glasses. They aren’t working so well. The reading portion starts up too high, so I went back to the eyeglass place and they’re making new lenses. It’s hard to tell if the prescription is good right now, but I’m hoping once I’m able to wear the glasses correctly, I’ll be able to see the monitor clearer. Just gotta wait another week to find out, though.

Sometimes I really hate my eyes.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and I’m Watching the Playoffs

I realized this morning that I hadn’t posted this. And that would be because last night I was watching Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Penguins and Rangers. And that game went into TRIPLE OVERTIME!!!

Thank goodness the Pens came out ahead!!! But what an insane game.

Daughter and I have tickets to see Game 3 in Pittsburgh. When she found out that game was on a Saturday, she asked if I wanted to go and when I said, SURE, she said, “Happy Mother’s Day”! I’d like to think the Pens would be up 2 games to none on that day, but right now I’m just glad they won the first game. Should be a fun event on Saturday. I’m looking forward to being there!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 14

Dates read: April 25 – May 2, 2022
Title: The Beautiful
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Genre: Paranormal mystery
Series: The Beautiful #1
# of Pages: 425
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Borrowed from a friend
Blurb from the book: In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she’s forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirees and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city’s glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group’s enigmatic leader, Sebastien Saint Germain.
    When the body of a girl she knows is found in Sebastien’s own lair—the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks—Celine battles her attraction to Sebastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
    Celine finally take matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.
My thoughts: A friend loved this and gave me her copy to read. But I’m not as enamored of this story as she was. I don’t plan on reading the rest of the series in any case. The pacing was a bit on the slow side and the characters weren’t all the compelling to me. Plus, the ending of this book wasn’t exactly all that satisfying. The fourth book in this quartet isn’t out yet, so if this book looks interesting to you, you might want to wait to read it until the whole series is finished.

So… Are you watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs? If so, which team are you rooting for?

Happy Reading!

Stacy