Finished Reading “Unclean Spirits” and Going Cruising Again

I’m leaving on another cruise tomorrow. Fifteen wonderful days. We’ll be hitting Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Barbados (not in that order). We’ve never been to St. Lucia or Barbados, so some new territory to explore!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 51

Dates read: September 16-28, 2023
Title: Unclean Spirits
Year of publication: 2013
Author: Chuck Wendig
Genre: Horror?
Series: Gods and Monsters #1
# of Pages: 248
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from Barnes & Noble
Blurb from Book:  Five years ago, it all went wrong for Cason Cole. He lost his wife and son, lost everything, and was bound into service to a man who chews up human lives and spits them out, a predator who holds nothing dear and respects no law. Now, as the man he both loves and hates lies dying at his feet, the sounds of the explosion still ringing in his ears, Cason is finally free.
    The gods and goddesses are real. A polytheistic pantheon—a tangle of divine hierarchies—once kept the world at an arm’s length, warring with one another for mankind’s belief and devotion. It was a grim and bloody balance, but a balance just the same. When one god triumphed, driving all other gods out of Heaven, it was back to the bad old days: cults and sycophants, and the terrible retribution the gods visit on those who spite them.
Recommend: Ummm…
My thoughts: This book did not grab me enough to want to pick it up and read it. It was just…bizarre (I can’t even tell what genre it is). I’ve always wanted to read one of his books and now I have. I’m kind of disappointed. I don’t think I’ll pick up another of his.

I don’t know if I’ll get any writing done on this cruise, but stranger things have happened. Sometimes I think I need to write something else and forget about Ghostly Protector (for now). I just don’t know what to write about. No one is talking to me! And that’s what is really disconcerting.

Who knew I’d miss the voices in my head?

Got any suggestions on how to get them back?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “After That Night” and Got GREAT News!

On Tuesday I saw my oncologist to go over my last CT Scan. Seems my treatments are working great. There wasn’t any evidence of cancer. Anywhere. The spot on my lung has disappeared!!!

I asked if I still needed the treatments. He said to be safe, to stay on them for another year. Then I can quit and just be monitored after that. I think I can handle another year. Especially with the GREAT news I got on Tuesday! I’m a happy camper!!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 50

Dates read: September 11-15, 2023
Title: After That Night
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Crime/Suspense
Series: Will Trent #11
# of Pages: 421
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:  Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton’s life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her.
    Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes. Sara battles to save a broken young woman who’s been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by GBI Special Agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that Dani Cooper’s assault is uncannily linked to Sara’s.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I love the twists.

Tomorrow my daughter plays Australian Rules Football (Footy) in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and we decided to drive up here with her so we can watch (especially since we haven’t been to any of her games this year). She was going to drive by herself, but I said I’d go with her. Then Hubby said he wanted to go, too. So, here we all are! The weather for tomorrow’s games seems to be pretty decent: sunny, high low 70s. I think we lucked out!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Can’t Let Go” and Recovering from a Migraine

I spent all weekend suffering with a migraine. Yep, all weekend. Saturday AND Sunday. Don’t know if it came on because of the contrast I drank (or was injected with) for the CT scan on Thursday. I do know it wasn’t COVID. It’s been a rough weekend, that’s for sure and I hope to never have another like it. Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t reappear today.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 49

Dates read: September 7-11, 2023
Title: Can’t Let Go
Year of publication: 2013
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Genre: Prequel to a contemporary romance
Series: Love in the Balance #1.5
# of Pages: 100
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased from author
Blurb from Book:  Sadie Howard would never admit there's such a thing as love at first sight, but she can't deny the connection between her and sexy Adonis Aiden Downey. She also can't deny she loves to kiss him-his mouth might be his most precious asset. Despite every promise to herself not to get involved any deeper than a first date, she can't keep from seeing more of Aiden . . . in more ways than one.
    Aiden Downey had no idea the hot blonde from the club would trigger his protective, gentle nature, but the moment she drops her guard and he sees the real Sadie Howard, he's a goner. When a family crisis puts the brakes on their budding romance, can Aiden find a way to hold on to her? Or will he lose the best thing in his life just as quickly as he found her?
Recommend: Only if you have Book #2 to read next
My thoughts: I thought this would be a fun novella to read between Will Trent books. I was wrong. It would have been fine if I was ready to read the next book in this novella’s series, but I’m not. No happy ending to this story. In fact, it leaves you hanging. I’m not a happy reader.

Not sure what I’m going to do today. I’m almost afraid to move because I do not want that migraine to return. Are you like that after a looooonnnnng migraine?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Silent Wife” and Being Peeved

Survived the roaches at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta (and got $500 knocked off my bill for my troubles). Was almost afraid to book for next year, then the CGH made it easy for me. They linked the booking information publicly (instead of sending it to those of us who had stayed during Dragon Con—like they said they would) and it sold out before I had a chance to make a reservation. So I’m not sure I’ll even go to Dragon Con next year. We’ll see what October brings (when two of the other host hotels open up their rooms to book).

Is it a requirement for us to stay at a host hotel? Not really, but the group rate for the con is better than their normal rates. I’m just really peeved at the CGH right now.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 48

Dates read: September 2-7, 2023
Title: The Silent Wife
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Crime Suspense
Series: Will Trent #10
# of Pages: 476
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: Investigating the killing of a prisoner during a riot inside a state penitentiary, GBI investigator Will Trent is confronted with disturbing information. One of the inmates claims that he is innocent of a brutal attack for which he has always been the prime suspect. The man insists that he was framed by a corrupt law enforcement team led by Jeffrey Tolliver and that the real culprit is still out there—a serial killer who has systematically been preying on women across the state for years. If Will reopens the investigation and implicates the dead police officer with a hero’s reputation of wrongdoing, the opportunistic convict is willing to provide the information GBI needs about the riot murder.
    Only days ago, another young woman was viciously murdered in a state park in northern Georgia. Is it a fluke, or could there be a serial killer on the loose?
    As Will Trent digs into both crimes it becomes clear that he must solve the cold case in order to find the answer. Yet nearly a decade has passed—time for memories to fade, witnesses to vanish, evidence to disappear, and lies to become truth. But Will can’t crack either mystery without the help of the one person he doesn’t want involved: his girlfriend and Jeffrey Tolliver’s widow, medical examiner Sara Linton.
    When the past and present begin to collide, Will realizes that everything he values is at stake…
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Another one that goes back and forth in time, but at least it’s clear (once it starts). Pretty much read the bulk of this book in two days (driving from Atlanta and a quiet day at home). Didn’t want to put it down!

Today I had another CT scan. Usually they go pretty smoothly, but not today. I needed an IV for the contrast and it took the techs four times to finally get it done. Four times. I think that’s a record for me. I just hope that’s not a sign of things to come. I want good results from the scan like last time!

I have one book left to read in the Will Trent series, but I ordered it too late and won’t get it until the 11th. So I found a novella to hopefully last until Monday. We’ll see… It is a football weekend, so it’ll probably last.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Cleaning the Gold” and Bugs

The weather in Atlanta is…pleasant! Well, it has been so far. I think the heat and humidity return tomorrow, so I’m enjoying the good weather as much as I can, because it’s never been this cool and comfortable during Dragon Con.

We’re enjoying the convention (as usual), but our room, not so much. It has bugs. More specifically, cockroaches. They sprayed, but it hasn’t really helped. And if the hotel wasn’t full up like it is, they would have moved us.

So be warned, if you ever stay at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta, make sure you don’t have a room by the pool. We’ve stayed at this hotel every Dragon Con since 2010 (when it was owned by the Sheraton) and we’ve NEVER had bug issues like this. But then, we’ve never had a room by the pool, either (it’s an indoor pool, so we don’t have any access to the outdoors from our room, and it’s very humid).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 47

Dates read: August 31 – September 2, 2023
Title: Cleaning the Gold
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Karin Slaughter & Lee Child
Genre: Crime Suspense
Series: Will Trent #8.5; Jack Reacher #23.6
# of Pages: 79
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased new
Blurb from Book: Will Trent is undercover at Fort Knox. His assignment: to investigate a twenty-two-year-old murder. His suspect’s name: Jack Reacher.
    Jack Reacher is in Fort Knox on his own mission: to bring down a dangerous criminal ring operating at the heart of America’s military. Except now Will Trent is on the scene.
    But there’s a bigger conspiracy at play—one that neither the special agent nor the ex-military  cop could have anticipated. And the only option is for Jack Reacher and Will Trent to team up and play nicely. If they can…
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Again, I read this novella out of order. But it didn’t seem to matter. The story is kind of left hanging a bit, but not for Will. For Jack. I confirmed with Hubby that the story was told in one of those novels (probably #24).

Let me tell you, having a room by the pool is really not all that great. Besides the bugs, it’s noisy as all get out. Thankfully, the pool closes around 10pm, but man, until then, it’s one party after another out there. I prefer my hotel rooms to be quieter during the day.

Happy Reading!

Stacy