It’s a Start and Other News

BOOK NEWS
I registered for a book signing that will take place June 2023 in Cleveland, OH. I will also register for Literary Love Savannah soon for that convention which takes place in July 2023. Have I finished Ghostly Protector yet? Nope. But… I’m actually working on it. So… it’s a start. If these events don’t motivate me, nothing will and I’ll have to face that fact… next year.

HEART NEWS
I feel great. Actually, I don’t feel all that different from before the surgery (except I haven’t attempted steps yet—hopefully get the clearance tomorrow). But, because my heart went into AFib during surgery, I have to wear a heart monitor for 30 days AND take blood thinners during that time. The heart monitor itches (well, the tape securing the monitor itches) and is driving me a little nuts. I’ll be glad when July 20th comes around. I return the monitor then and find out whether or not I need to be on the thinners any longer. Keeping fingers crossed all goes well!

CANCER NEWS
I see my oncologist on July 19 and will find out when I start treatment on my cancer then. I’ve got some trips coming up (family reunion in August, DragonCon during Labor Day weekend, and a tour through national parks in mid-Sept), but he said they’d be able to work around our schedule. We’ll see!

I didn’t finish reading a book this week, so no update, but I wanted to share my other news with you. Stuff is actually happening! Maybe life is finally going back to normal. I can hope!

So… got any trips scheduled for this summer?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and It’s Done!

I got my heart valve fixed! Doctor said he couldn’t even hear the murmur anymore. Turned out better than he even expected. That’s good. The bad part… I went into Afib  toward the end of the procedure. Because of that, I have to take blood thinners for 30 days and wear a heart monitor during that time. What a pain! I just hope the Afib was a quirk and I don’t have a permanent issue that requires me to take blood thinners forever. Just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I can’t drive for 14 days and I can’t lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. Most of that is due to how the procedure was conducted. Basically, the hole in my groin area. Gotta make sure it heals correctly.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 19

Dates read: June 12-20, 2022
Title: Justice Ascending
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Apocalyptic romantic suspense
Series: Scorpius Syndrome #3
# of Pages: 333
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly—and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he’s lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there’s no turning back for either of them…
    Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she’s one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she’s not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she’ll face even that hell again to save him.
My thoughts: Tace didn’t start out as an Alpha male until he contracted Scorpius in Book one. Apparently, one of the effects of Scorpius (if you survived and are a male), is becoming an Alpha male. Well, that’s what I see. But I enjoyed this book. Lots of action and suspense. And love. Can’t forget the love.

I don’t know how long it’ll take for me to recover from the surgery. I’m encouraged to walk, but apparently not as far as I usually do (around 2 miles a day). The temps are going up again, so it’s probably a good thing not to walk that far anyway. The mornings aren’t even cool when it’s been in the 90s the day before. So I won’t push it.

So… are you roasting on this second day of summer? We are!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and I Have a Date!

So… June 20th. That’s the day of my cardiac procedure/surgery. On that day, the doctor will insert (via the vein in my groin) a mitral valve clip (called a mitraclip) on my mitral valve. The clip is supposed to help the valve close so blood doesn’t continue to flow backward (which is causing my heart to work harder than it should). Yesterday I got all the pre-op stuff finished. As long as they don’t find anything wrong, I’m good to go. And I won’t hold my breath about anything going wrong. I got this far last year when the surgery was called off. Hoping not to experience that again.

After the procedure/surgery, I’ll spend the night at the hospital and expect to be released the next day (after an echocardiogram). Yeah, I’m a bit nervous. More nervous than I’ve been before any of my other surgeries. Will I feel different? Will I feel the device? I really hope I don’t feel the device. I just want to feel normal again.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 18

Dates read: June 1-11, 2022
Title: Shadow Falling
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Apocalyptic romantic suspense
Series: Scorpius Syndrome #2
# of Pages: 349
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from the book: Before the Scorpius Syndrome tore through North America and nearly wiped out the population, Vivienne Wellington was the FBI’s best profiler. The bacteria got her anyway. But she survived. She recovered. And when she woke up from a drug-nightmare of captivity, her trust in her fellow man had gone from shaky at best to nonexistent. Her mysterious rescuer wants to convince her he’s the exception. But no matter how tempting he is, with his angel’s eyes and devil’s tongue, Vinnie knows she shouldn’t trust him.
    If the FBI were still around they would rate Raze Shadow as one of the bad guys. His military training can’t wipe out his association with the Mercenaries, the most feared gang in a thousand miles. His loyalties are compromised. He won’t even tell Vinnie his real name. But there’s no FBI in the new America of fear and firepower, only instinct and risk. And the way his arms wrap around her tells its own story. Whatever else Raze is concealing, he can’t hide his desire…
My thoughts: Lots of alpha males in this series. I’m not a fan of those, but I liked this book and I’m enjoying the series. Curious to see how it all ends.

I’m way behind in my reading. Four books behind in reaching my goal. I think I’ll blame it on my crochet. I do seem to be doing that a lot. I should be blaming it on my writing. Maybe that will come later. Fingers crossed.

I thought I might get some reading done on our trip to Michigan (to visit friends), but with my surgery, that trip has been delayed (we were due to leave on the 22nd). If that’s the only trip that gets delayed, I’m good with that!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and It’s Happening Soon

I talked to 2nd cardiologist about the mitra clip yesterday. I’m a perfect candidate for the procedure and he wants to get it done in the next 2-3 weeks. Yay! I’ll be glad when I get an actual date, though. But it’s happening. And soon. I’m so happy!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 17

Dates read: May 23-31, 2022
Title: When a Princess Proposes
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Fantasy romance
Series: Embraced by Magic #6
# of Pages: 373
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: All Princess Eviana needs is an escape. Possessed of an unfortunate and unusual Embraced gift, which she’s been banned from using, she required no training. Now, her overprotective parents want her to wed. As a result, the palace is crammed with obnoxious noblemen… Until Quentin, the enigmatic eagle shifter and royal spy, maneuvers several of the unsuitable suitors into revealing their most embarrassing secrets before the court. Finally, Eviana has an excuse to free herself. If only her family knew the blow that’s shaken her: golden-eyed Quentin’s refusal to let her near…
    Heroic, bur low born, Quentin’s infatuation with Eviana is as inappropriate as it is unshakable. He must keep away from her, for his own sake. But after a series of suspicious deaths, and the princess’s narrow escape from kidnapping, Quentin knows that only together can they expose the danger stalking Aerthlan’s Embraced. On foot, in disguise, they’ll need trust and quick wits to uncover the vicious conspiracy closing around them. But finding the truth might break down their own defenses as well…
My thoughts: Funny, thrilling, and romantic. Loved it.

I love being able to see the end of all this heart stuff. Means I can start making plans again. Hubby wants to plan another cruise (our next one isn’t until January), but I’ll just be happy to take the trip we have scheduled in September. And maybe visit my mom after. Oh, I still have to get treatments for my cancer, but they’ll be able to work around our schedule. I just love being able to see an end to it.

Happy Reading!

Stacy