Finished Reading “Unhallowed Ground” and an Unexpected Adventure

This past weekend I was in Cleveland for a book event. I left Friday after lunch and drove the three hours through mostly rain. It was pretty miserable. But we (Hubby came with me) made it to the hotel, which is going through renovations (as most of the area seemed to be—construction everywhere!), and found a place to park. When I got to the front desk, it turned out that my reservation was cancelled.

They did call me ahead of time. But I was driving, didn’t recognize the number, and never got a notice that I had a voice message (or I would have had Hubby check it out). Seems the room I was assigned, as well as a bunch of others, didn’t have water and they reassigned me to another hotel, a half-mile away.

Now, when you’re an author at a book event, you kind of like to be in the hotel the event is at. Especially when you have books and swag with you. I was pissed and nearly went home. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go anymore.

But the coordinator talked me down, said lots of authors were having the same issue, and that the hotel would help any way they could. Apparently one of the things they did was comp my room and paid for the room at the other hotel. They also paid for the parking.

I managed to have a good time despite all that. Would have had a better time if I sold more than one book, but oh well… At least I didn’t have to pay for the hotel. And I got way more steps than I anticipated, too. Just wish I didn’t have to get some of them in the rain!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 33

Dates read: Jun 22-26, 2023
Title: Unhallowed Ground
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #9
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: When Sarah McKinley is finally able to buy and restore the historic Florida mansion that she has always loved, she dismisses the horror stories of past residents vanishing and a long-dead housekeeper who practiced black magic. Then, in the midst of renovations, she makes a grim discovery. Hidden within the walls of Sarah’s dream house are the remains of dozens of bodies—some dating back over a century.
    The door to the past is blown wide open when Caleb Anderson, a private investigator, shows up at the mansion. He believes several current missing-persons cases are linked to the house and its dark past. Working together to find the connection and stop a contemporary killer, Sarah and Caleb are compelled to research the history of the haunted house, growing closer to each other even as the solution to the murders eludes them.
    But there is one who knows the truth…a spirit who follows every move they make. Soon Caleb begins to fear that if he can’t stay a step ahead, he could lose Sarah to a killer with an ability to transcend time in a quest for blood and sacrifice.
My thoughts: Lots of stuff went on in this doozy of a book. I think one of the cases wasn’t resolved, but maybe I missed it. It’s possible! Thoroughly enjoyable, though.

Tonight Hubby and I are going to see the Doobie Brothers in concert. Tomorrow, Santana. Looking forward to both. This is the start of our concert season! Too bad rain is in the forecast tonight, but at least we’re sitting under a cover. I just hope I don’t get cold. Highs on both days are in the mid 70s.

This is summer, right?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Nightwalker” and I Finished My Shawl!

I finished the shawl I mentioned on another post. Isn’t it pretty?

I plan on wearing it to Books and All That Jazz, a book event in Cleveland this weekend. Don’t know if it’ll help me sell any books, but maybe it will be enough to help me stand out.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 32

Dates read: Jun 18-22, 2023
Title: Nightwalker
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #8
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: One night, desperate for money to support her grandfather, Jessy Sparhawk places the bet that will change her life forever. Just as she’s collecting her winnings, a man stumbles through the crowd, a knife protruding from his back, and crashes into her, pinning her to the table.
    Hired to investigate the murder, private detective Dillon Wolf finds himself fascinated by the gorgeous redhead who’d been trapped beneath the victim—and by the single world the dying man had whispered in her ear. Indigo
    One murder leads to another as Dillon and Jessy realize that the nightmare is only just beginning—and that the dead still have a hand left to play.
My thoughts: I gobbled this one up. Lots of ghosts! And a good mystery (I didn’t know who was involved until I was told—I’m either bad at deducting or the writing was that good). I liked all the characters in this one. The romance was pretty good, too.

This weekend is the start of my busy summer, author-wise. I’ll be in Cleveland for the above mentioned book event. In July, I’ll be in Savannah for a book convention (which I have a LOT of stuff in my house for—I’ll unclutter the house when I leave for that con). In October, I’ll be up in Rockford, IL for another book signing. Will I sell any books? I can only hope!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Death Dealer” and Good News

I downloaded the results of my CT scan this morning. If I understand it right, one of the nodules is SHRINKING! The rest are remaining stable. That certainly has put me in a good mood! I’ll get it confirmed at my appointment later this month, but I’ve been reading enough of these scans to figure out what to look for.

Yes, I’m doing a happy dance today!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 31

Dates read: Jun 14-17, 2023
Title: The Death Dealer
Year of publication: 2008
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #7
# of Pages: 353
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: Genevieve knows all about nightmares. She herself survived two months as a psychopath’s prisoner: And now this new menace stalks the city. Spooked by the bizarre slayings, she turns to P.I. Joe Connolly, her past rescuer, friend, and… hopefully something more, if he would just quit avoiding her.
    At first Joe isn’t even sure there is a case. But the body count rises, and it’s clear that a twisted killer is on the loose. Even more unsettling is the guidance he starts receiving from beyond the grave. People he knows to be dead are appearing, offering him clues and leads, and warning of some terrible danger ahead.
    But can even the spirits stay the hand of a madman bent on murder?
My thoughts: Okay… I feel better about how the previous book in this series ended. Pretty much the same characters are in this book. And I had no problems reading it quickly (spending over two hours at the Honda service center helped). This was a good story and a good mystery. I really didn’t know whodunit until the end!

I’m off to my writers’ group meeting and then I gotta get ready for Father’s Day. Hubby decided to grill hamburgers and hotdogs tomorrow, which means I need to go to the store. After I get home from my meeting. This is turning out to be a busy Saturday!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Dead Room” and Another CT Scan

Had another CT scan today. I get them every three months, but they just seem to come closer and closer together. And while the experience is never totally good, it’s not all that bad, either. Except for today. First, the tech didn’t swab my arm for the IV (I thought they always did that!). And when he poked me, it hurt. A lot. I’m usually not such a wimp, but I cried out. Then after the scan, he removed the IV and wrapped my arm up. But apparently not tight enough. By the time I walked to my car, my arm was bleeding and getting on my jacket!  

Needless to say, I didn’t feel like doing much of anything once I got home. Well, except read. And I did.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 30

Dates read: Jun 8-13, 2023
Title: The Dead Room
Year of publication: 2007
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #6
# of Pages: 379
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: A year ago, archaeologist Leslie MacIntyre barely survived an explosion that took the life of her fiancé, Matt Connolly. Since then, she’s slowly come to terms with both her loss and an unsettling ability to communicate with ghosts, a “gift” received in the wake of her brush with death.
    Now she’s returned to lower Manhattan, site of the explosion, to investigate a newly discovered burial ground. In this place restless spirits hold the secrets not only of past injustice but of a deadly conspiracy against the city’s women—including Leslie herself.
    By night Matt visits her in dreams, warning her and offering clues to the truth. By day she finds herself helped by—and attracted to—his flesh-and-blood cousin Joe. Torn by her feelings for both men, caught between the worlds of the living and the dead, Leslie struggles against the encroaching danger: As she is drawn closer to the darkness she must ultimately face the power of an evil mind, alone in a place where not even the men she loves can save her.
My thoughts: Lots of ghosts in this one. I liked it. The ending took me totally by surprise, though. Still don’t know how I feel about that.

I’m almost finished with season 2 of Deep Space Nine. Zipping through them, while I crochet, of course. I’m working on a shawl. One that I may keep for myself. It’s turning out so pretty!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Séance” and a Crochet Project

A writer friend had a bunch of yarn (which belonged to her mother who couldn’t crochet anymore) and was going to donate it to a thrift store run by a woman’s shelter. But another writer friend who runs the store didn’t think it would sell. She knew I crocheted and asked if I wanted it. I said I’d take it and make things for the store (like scarves and hats). Writer friend #2 said she had a lot of yarn in the store and asked if I wanted that, too. I said, why not?

I had no idea what I got myself into.

But I’ve made the store lots of blankets, scarves, hats, and miscellaneous things and they appear to sell quickly (although, I think she doesn’t sell them for very much).

I had some cotton yarn that I thought (THOUGHT) would make a nice market bag. Thing is, the bag turned out way bigger than I thought, and took much more yarn than I had on hand. So of course, I used my own leftover yarn to finish it, only to find out I didn’t have enough of that, either. On to the store I went. So what started out with left over yarn, ended up with purchased yarn. I figure I can keep some of the other cotton yarn for myself. Maybe.

Anyway… this is what I made. It was supposed to be 17” across. It’s more like 24”. Doubt I make another. It took way too much yarn. But that’s what I like about making things for the thrift store. I can try out patterns. If I don’t like them, I don’t make anymore. If I do like them, I have a new pattern to reuse.  

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 29

Dates read: Jun 2-7, 2023
Title: The Seance
Year of publication: 2007
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #5
# of Pages: 371
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: A chill falls over Christina Hardy’s housewarming party when talk turns to a recent murder that has all the hallmarks of the so-called “Interstate Killer” murders from fifteen years before. To lighten the mood, the guests drag out an old Ouija board for a little spooky fun…and that’s when things become truly terrifying.
    Summoned by the Ouija board, the restless spirit of Beau Kidd, the lead detective—and chief suspect—on the original case, seeks Christina’s help: the latest killing isn’t a copycat crime, and he wants his name cleared. Back in the real world, cop-turned-writer Jed Braden is skeptical of Christina’s ghostly encounters, but his police sources confirm all the intimate details of the case—her otherworldly source is reliable, and the body count is growing.
    The spirits are right. The Interstate Killer is still out there and Christina’s life is hanging in the balance between this world and the next.
My thoughts: I’m glad I picked this series to begin my binge-reading. They have ghosts (yay!) and will hopefully get me back into my own ghost story. I liked this story. The mystery had me guessing for most of the book and brought back characters I actually remembered from the previous book. I like when that happens.

My son owns the dvd series of Deep Space 9. I felt like watching it again, so I borrowed them from him. I forgot how much I enjoyed the shows. And it’s nice to watch them while I’m crocheting, too. Keeps me from eating, anyways! Haha! I’ve already watched season 1 and started on season 2. I appear to be binging a lot lately. Books, TV. Hmmm… what else could I binge? Is there anything else?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Unforgiven” and Feeling Swindled on a Re-release

I had started reading a different book after my last one but discovered I had already read it. Under a different title! Thankfully, I didn't get far into the book before it seemed familiar. I feel like I was swindled out of $12 (I bought it too long ago to return) and I doubt I ever buy another one of that author’s books again. If you’re going to re-release a book under a different title, put it on the cover, not the blurb on the back. I don’t always read those. Especially from authors I already enjoy reading. Well, USED to enjoy reading.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 28

Dates read: May 25 – Jun 1, 2023
Title: Unforgiven
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Deep Ops #5
# of Pages: 254
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Run: Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent…
    Hide: Jethro Hanson has blood on his hands. He’s working with ivy-covered university halls now but he knows that his work with the Deep Ops team and the deadly acts he once committed for the sake of Queen and country place him beyond forgiveness—until he meets Gemma…
    Seek: Soon, the passion between them stuns them both. But when Jethro discovers a threat is fast overtaking her, he must choose between the redemption he seeks—and releasing the ever-present killer inside…
My thoughts: Funny that I couldn’t remember Jethro from the other books, but Roscoe? The beer-drinking, German Shephard? Yeah, I remembered him! Great comic relief. This story was good, too. Suspense and romance. Two of my favorites.

Got my treatment today. So far the treatments have been going pretty smooth. I hope it stays that way. I get another scan on the 13th. Keeping fingers crossed!

For Mother’s Day I got lots of gift cards for B&N and I went on a shopping spree! I’ve got three series to binge-read now and I’m looking forward to reading them.

Do you like to binge-read a series?

Happy Reading!

Stacy