Finished Reading “The City” and Roller Coaster Weather

The weather has been a roller coaster lately. Snow and cold on Saturday (high 30). Warm today (mid 60s). Rain is due tomorrow, which might end in some more snowflakes, and the cold weather will return. But then it gets warm again.

Are we in winter or spring? I can’t tell.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 7

Dates read: February 24-26, 2024
Title: The City
Year of publication: 2014
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Paranormal suspense
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 398
Paper or plastic: Hardcover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Here is the riveting, soul-stirring story of Jonah Kirk, son of an exceptional singer, grandson of a formidable “piano man,” a musical prodigy beginning to explore his own gifts when he crosses a group of extremely dangerous people, with shattering consequences. Set in a more innocent time not so long ago, The City encompasses a lifetime but unfolds over three extraordinary, heart-racing years of tribulation and triumph in which Jonah first grasps the electrifying power of music and art, of enduring friendship, of everyday heroes.
    The unforgettable saga of a young man coming of age within a remarkable family, and a shimmering portrait of the world that shaped him, The City is a novel that speaks to everyone, a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, it’s a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Not what I expected. What did I expect? Horror of some sort, of course. Oh, there were some horrific things that took place in this book, but the same kind you would read in a regular suspense. And there was a little bit of “woo-woo” in it, but not the horror kind. Still, it grabbed me and I read with abandon.

So… the weather is really rather nice today. I haven’t taken a walk in what seems like forever ago. I might venture out after I post this. Don’t know how far I’ll make it, but it’s better than not trying. Right?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Mine” and Progressing Slowly

I have my good days and bad days. Today is leaning toward a bad day. Only because it’s laundry day and moving around and lifting stuff aggravates my chest (or rather, the area inside where they shoved in a camera for surgery). My incisions are healing fine. They don’t hurt. Not itching as much, either. But this one spot on my chest… yeah, that can hurt when I overdo it. And apparently it doesn’t take much for me to overdo it. Healing in that one spot is really progressing slowly.

I really hate the after effects of surgery.

But I do have some good news. I’m another step closer to publishing Ghostly Protector. I finally finished with the fixes and it’s back with my editor to re-read, making sure I, 1) fixed it okay and 2) didn’t screw something else up. When I get it back from her, then it’s off to my copy editor (actually, my daughter) to clean it up. I’ve decided not to put it up for a pre-order. Once it’s all finished and formatted and ready to go, I’ll just put it up for sale. I can’t judge when the book will be done, so instead of picking a date way far into the future, I’d rather have it available when it’s actually ready. I think my readers will appreciate that more, anyway.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 6

Dates read: February 11-23, 2024
Title: Mine
Year of publication: 2024
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Suspense
Series: The Lair of the Wolven #3
# of Pages: 478
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Lydia knows time is running out. Daniel’s terminal diagnosis has doomed her to grief, and she just wants to spend as much time as she can with him. When his doctor goes missing, however, their secret lab’s location is compromised and suddenly she is at war with an enemy she doesn’t understand.
    As a former black ops soldier, Daniel is very familiar with the danger they’re in, and he’s determined to keep his beautiful wolven safe. This means he must turn to his former boss—and relying on a sympath for anything is a worst-case scenario on a good day. But what choice does he have?
    With Daniel’s sixth sense telling him there’s more to the kidnapping, he and Lydia must work with their allies to defend the underground facility. Little do they know that the sympath has something even more valuable offer them…but at what cost?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Nice ending to this trilogy. It took me awhile to read it but not because it was bad. I just had a lot of stuff going on. Today just seemed like a good day to finish it, since it’s laundry day and I need to rest between loads.

So… do you pre-order books? I rarely do (only if the book seller is offering some kind of sale or deal to pre-order the book). It’s not like I read the book as soon as I buy it (if only!), but then I guess I’m not the typical reader. In fact, I’m finally getting to my Dean Koontz collection. It’s been awhile since I read one of his books, but it certainly hasn’t stopped me from buying them. I got six of them to read (and I think I still have one in my B&N wish list).

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “When a Dragon Falls” and…Stuff

Apparently when I’m writing, I’m not reading as much. I got the edits back on Ghostly Protector and have been working on that. I can’t believe how close I am to getting that one published. It’ll be my 9th book. Whoo hoo!

But I’ve also had some medical issues…again. I had surgery on Jan 26th to remove the lymph node from my chest. That’s when they found some tissue behind the node (which is what the CT scan saw). The node came back normal, but the tissue came back as kidney cancer. My oncologist wants to put me on another drug, but I saw the side effects on that and need more answers. I see him on Tuesday. In the meantime, I’m a bit sore in the side and chest (also really itchy from the glue!). I’m getting around slowly, but at least I’m getting around. Eventually I’ll get back to some exercise. I really need to get back into that.

So my reading has slowed. So has my crochet. But my writing is continuing, so that’s a good thing. Haven’t started anything new yet, but I’ll get there. Just too much other stuff to do!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 5

Dates read: January 21 – February 9, 2024
Title: When a Dragon Falls
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series: Embraced by Magic #4/The Embraced #7
# of Pages: 355
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Princess Lenushka of Norveshka prides herself on her courage. She’s faced down the doubters who think a woman dragon shifter is worth less than a man. She will marry to secure the support of her nobles—and ensure she’ll hold the Norveshki throne. A battle-hardened soldier, she’s prepared to destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun, who threaten all Aerthlan. But she can barely look at Bran Morris, the Raven. His dark, brooding beauty is off-limits for a princess who must wed for advantage. And he has far too many secrets of his own for Lennie to trust him with hers.
    Bran’s quest is for vengeance, against the Brotherhood monsters who killed his brother and abused his sisters. He can’t dream about the sharp-eyed woman warrior whose memory haunts him, not even when she appears to rescue him from an unknown dragon shifter. But when Lennie and Bran discover they’re Aerthlan’s last defense against a powerful, murderous mastermind, they can no longer afford to deceive each other—or themselves. And when a dragon’s passion is freed, anything is possible…
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Took me a bit to get back into this world. I like the series. Don’t know why it takes me so long to remember past books. I blame it on my medication. Or old age. Or maybe the combination. This is a fun series, though. Highly recommend.

Weather has been really wonderful the last few days. Into the 60s today. I know winter isn’t over yet, but nothing wrong with enjoying the warm sunny weather while we got it!

Happy Reading!

Stacy