Reading Update and Feeling…Meh

Can’t tell if I’m finally getting a bad reaction to my treatment, or if I just caught a stomach bug that my daughter and husband also had. Thing is, my symptoms are lasting way longer than theirs did. Guess I’m calling the doctor tomorrow.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 8

Dates read: February 22-26, 2023
Title: Listen to Me
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Rizzoli & Isles #13
# of Pages: 300
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are plagued by what seems to be a completely senseless murder. Sofia Suarez, a widow and nurse who was universally liked by her neighbors, lies bludgeoned to death in her own home. But anything can happen behind closed doors, and Sofia seems to have accumulated plenty of secrets in her last days, making covert calls to traceless burner phones. When Jane finally makes a connection between Sofia and the victim of a hit-and-run from months earlier, the case grows only blurrier.
    Meanwhile, Angela Rizzoli hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in all the years since her daughter became a homicide detective. Maybe the apple hadn’t fallen too far from the tree: Nothing in Angela’s neighborhood gets by her—not the gossip about a runaway teenager down the block, and definitely not the strange neighbors who have just moved in across the street. If only Jane would listen—instead of writing off Angela’s concerns as the result of an overactive imagination.
    With so much happening on the Suarez case, Jane and Maura already struggle to see the forest for the trees, but will they lose sight of something sinister happening much closer to home?
My thoughts: I love this series. I liked the TV series, too, but the characters are way different on that, which I have to remember when I start reading another book of this series. I might have figured out the case long before the end if I hadn’t made an ASSUMPTION at the beginning. That’s what I get for not paying attention, I suppose.

I hate not feeling well. I don’t necessary feel sick, just…meh. I certainly don’t feel like exercising (walking or anything), or even eating. Although, I do wish I had some bananas in the house. I don’t feel like going to the store and getting any, though. But if I’m forced to go out tomorrow, I’ll definitely stop and get some.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Pictures from Monkey Land

I finally downloaded the photos we bought at Monkey Land. I posted them below my book update. Those monkeys were sooooo cute!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 7

Dates read: February 14-21, 2023
Title: The Wrong Victim
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Quinn & Costa #3
# of Pages: 567
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: A bomb explodes on a sunset charter cruise out of Friday Harbor at the height of tourist season and kills everyone on board. Now this fishing and boating community is in shock and asking who would commit such a heinous crime—the largest act of mass murder in the history of the San Juan Islands.
    Was the explosion an act of domestic terrorism, or was one of the dead the primary target? That is the first question Special Agent Matt Costa, Detective Kara Quinn, and the rest of the FBI team need to answer, but they have few clues and no witnesses.
    Accused of putting profits before people after leaking fuel endangered an environmentally sensitive preserve, the West End Charter company may itself have been the target. As Matt and his team get closer to answers, they find one of their own caught in the crosshairs of a determined killer.
My thoughts: A little slower than the last one, but still a good read. I like this series.

So, here are a few shots taken from Monkey Land (Dominican Republic). I was surprised at how soft their feet were. I expected claws. Not a scratch on us!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and… Stuff

I am doing much better in my reading goal this year. I’m also doing better with my writing. Maybe 2023 will be a good year! Well, a good year for reading and writing. For my FitBit… not so good. It died! I was forced to get another because I really miss having that thing on my wrist. I hope I like it. I am not a fan of change. Heck, is anyone?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 6

Dates read: February 9-13, 2023
Title: Tell No Lies
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Quinn & Costa #2
# of Pages: 540
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
    Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking, and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
My thoughts: I breezed through this one. I guess that happens when you read a suspense that keeps you in suspense that you just want to keep reading! I liked the locale of this book, because it reminded me of when I lived in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I only lived there a short time (little more than 2 years), but really loved the area. But overall, this book was entertaining and had me guessing to the end.

I’ll be in three book events this year: Literary Love Savannah (July), Books and All That Jazz (Cleveland in June), and now Book Love on the Rock (Rockford, IL in Oct). I need to post more information on this blog, and I will…eventually. But if you want the information NOW, let me know and I’ll send it to you.

Do you like attending book events? The Savannah one is actually a convention (lots of fun stuff for the readers), but the other two are basically book signings. I need to get something written up for my newsletter and I’ll be sure to share it on this blog, too. I really need to get the word out there, and I’ve been such a slacker.

FYI: My last treatment went well. I didn’t have any adverse effects (not even a headache—yay!). I just hope that’s a good thing. Sometimes I wonder if I don’t have any effects if the treatment is working. Isn’t that crazy thinking?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and It’s Treatment Day

I finished reading my latest book a couple of days ago, but just now getting around to writing this (and posting). We got back from our vacation on Sunday afternoon and I feel like I’ve been catching up since then. Also, yesterday I had a bugger of a headache (that stuck around until around 4am this morning), and I really didn’t feel like looking at my computer (if you know what I mean).

But this morning is going better. I leave in a couple of hours for my immunotherapy treatment (and really hoping my headache stays away) and I’m waiting on my coffee to finish brewing (oooh, I think it’s done!!).

Ahhh, that first sip. Yummy.

Anyway… Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 5

Dates read: January 31 – February 7, 2023
Title: Wicked Game
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Wicked #1
# of Pages: 366
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from B&N (as a member)
Blurb from Goodreads: One By One, They'll Die. . .
    Twenty years ago, wild child Jessie Brentwood vanished from St. Elizabeth's high school. Most in Jessie's tight circle of friends believed she simply ran away. Few suspected that Jessie was hiding a shocking secret-one that brought her into the crosshairs of a vicious killer. . .
    Until There's No One Left. . .
    Two decades pass before a body is unearthed on school grounds and Jessie's old friends reunite to talk. Most are sure that the body is Jessie's, that the mystery of what happened to her has finally been solved. But soon, Jessie's friends each begin to die in horrible, freak accidents that defy explanation. . .
    But Her. . .
    Becca Sutcliff has been haunted for years by unsettling visions of Jessie, certain her friend met with a grisly end. Now the latest deaths have her rattled. Becca can sense that an evil force is shadowing her too, waiting for just the right moment to strike. She feels like she's going crazy. Is it all a coincidence-or has Jessie's killer finally returned to finish what was started all those years ago?
My thoughts: For a suspense, this book was soooooo sloooooow. I did not need to know the back story of every freakin’ character! The basic story was interesting, I just wish the authors would have gotten to it sooner. Also, the romance was a bit confusing. Wasn’t sure WHO the romantic couple was going to be until almost a third through the book. I got this book free for being a member of Barnes & Noble (a choice from 5 given) and I love romantic suspense, so I thought—no brainer! I’m not going to bother getting the others in this series.

So far treatment is going well. If I have any side effects, I can’t contribute it to the drug. I have too many issues and can’t tell you what effect is from what! At least none of them are severe (which is the important thing). Dry, itchy skin. Weather or treatment? Fatigue. Treatment or just old age? Trouble climbing stairs. Heart or treatment? Or just out of shape? See what I mean?

But I did do better on the stairs during this past cruise than I did last year. I couldn’t even climb three flights last year. I did four with barely a stop for a breather (took them slow, though). So whatever is helping (heart clip, exercise, treatment), I’ll take it!

Now, it’s time for me to have breakfast. I find it helps if I eat before treatment (less chance of getting another headache).

Happy Reading!

Stacy