Finished Reading “Charmed by the Past” and I’m Back Home

I am so glad to be back home. Twenty-four days away was just a bit much. And then the flight home was…torture!

Went to bed Monday night thinking our flight would leave at 12:30pm on Tuesday. A text went off on my phone around midnight informing us that our departure had changed to 1:06pm. There were storms in Dallas which were causing problems (mainly, the plane from Dallas couldn’t leave on time to Santa Barbara). The change was a little problematic, as it really cut short our layover in Dallas. Then I get another text at 6am saying the flight was changed to 2:15. Now we were missing our connecting flight.

I called American Airlines and was able to get a flight out of Santa Barbara at 9:56am (so much for thinking I had a leisurely morning!), but we wouldn’t be going to Dayton. We would be arriving in Cincinnati at 10:30pm via Phoenix with a 4-hour layover. That was doable. I changed our flight (at least there was not a cost to us).

We got to Phoenix. That flight to Cincinnati was also being delayed. First it was leaving at 3:30. Then 4:30. Then 6:30. I told Hubby that I felt like I was at the supermarket when I was asked whether I wanted to fly to Cincinnati or Columbus and of course I picked the wrong line! So we went and stood in line at customer service to see if we could get on that Columbus flight.

We could! Whew! And still no cost to us. Yay!

So instead of arriving in Cincinnati at 2am (if that flight even went), we arrived in Columbus at 10:17pm. Much better. And our luggage followed us there, too. Miracle!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 15

Dates read: May 24 – 30, 2024
Title: Charmed by the Past
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Aimee Robinson
Genre: Time travel romance
Series: Spirits Through Time #1
# of Pages: 255
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Freebie from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: She’s researching her family’s genealogy, but she never expected to become history herself.
    Sarah Johansson is planning a family reunion when a photo of a little-known relative sparks her curiosity. A closer look at the post-World War I image causes her to tumble back in time to 1919 and into the hospital room of a brooding, wounded infantry corporal.
    Jacob Bellamy is done with war and everything it involves. After risking his life in the trenches, he hopes to finally find peace by retiring to his family’s farm. But when the war’s toll strikes too close to home and lands him in a hospital bed, the last thing he’s prepared for is the beautiful, mysterious woman who barges into his room and demands help—or the long-dead feelings she stirs inside him.
    As Sarah tries to unravel clues about her family’s history, her attraction toward the sexy Army veteran only grows. But her time in the past is growing short, and when an old wartime enemy of Jacob’s sets his sights on the blond beauty, Jacob will stop at nothing to keep her safe...even if it means losing her for good.
Recommend: Maybe
My thoughts: I had issues with this story. Only one scene from the ghost. Why have it if his appearance is not explained at all? And there were other issues with having someone from today being transported back 103 years. I just don’t know if I want to read the next book in this series (which I also got free), especially when I see WHO it’s about. He’s the villain in this book and I think he should remain that way. What he did could not be redeemed. But… if you like time travel romances, you might not have the same issues I did. And I did like Sarah and Jacob.

I was reading a book of short stories, all about different kinds of vampires, but as I was slogging through that, I realized I needed something fun to read, so I switched. Yeah, I read that much quicker. Don’t know if I’ll go back to the short stories. I’m not a huge fan of my new Nook anyway.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “A Lovely Drop” and On Vacation, Sort of

Made it to California without any issues. Not even issues with my hearing (they tend to plug up after a flight). That’s a win in my book!

I brought my portable keyboard on this trip to see how it works. I’m still deciding whether or not I like it. Maybe I just need to get used to it. I just know that I’m not 100% fond of the keyboard on my travel laptop, but if the portable one is just as frustrating, it’s not worth lugging around. Know what I mean?

But I figure I will be doing a lot of writing on this trip. I’m still waiting for the edits on Ghostly Protector. I had really hoped to have them by now. Now I don’t know if I’ll get the paperback version done and ordered before Literary Love Savannah. Because not only do I need to fix what was found, I need Hubby to format it so I can tell my cover artist the dimensions for the cover (at least the cover is done and only waiting on that!). Still, it’s a lot to do and have the books in hand by July 16. Know what I mean?

So I’m a little bit stressed. And on my vacation, too. Figures, huh?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 14

Dates read: May 4 – 4, 2024
Title: A Lovely Drop
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Darynda Jones
Genre: Urban fantasy
Series: The NeverNeath #2
# of Pages: 81
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Downloaded from author’s website
Blurb from Goodreads: A woman who claims to do the impossible…
    Andrea Grace comes from a long line of women who can do the impossible: They can eavesdrop on the past. But ever since her mother’s suspicious death, Andrea has led a half-life, guarding herself from those who would kill to get their hands on her. From heads of states to the most violent criminals craving what she has to offer, every drop she makes puts her at risk.
    But one fateful night, Andrea decides to anonymously help authorities solve a murder, a particularly horrendous one, and she gets a taste of what it feels like to use her powers for good. And she’s hooked. She continues solving crimes with no one the wiser and does so for years until one single mistake gets her caught. And what does she do to get out of the bind she finds herself in? She tells the ludicrous, inconceivable truth.
    …meets a man who believes her.
    Special Agent Sebastian Strand is almost desperate enough to believe the girl’s claim that she can see through the veil of time. Almost. But when he tests the defiant redhead and discovers her gift seems as real as the resentment she wears like a bulletproof vest, he asks for her help to stop a terrorist.
    Now, the only element Andrea’s been able to control her whole life is the only thing she needs more of as she races against time with an FBI agent hell-bent on saving the world. But will she be too late to save the embittered man’s life? Or will she lose her own life, not to mention her heart, before time runs out?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: It states it’s #2 in the series. You don’t need to have read #1 to read this. But I tried to find #1. I guess it is also a short story (shorter than this) and I couldn’t find where to get it. In any case, I did enjoy this little story, and I might read more, but there doesn’t appear to be any more out there! Oh well…

I haven’t worked on my alien series for awhile now. Mainly because I thought I was going to be working on Ghostly Protector. Now that I’m settled in a bit (and acclimated to the time change), I’ll get back to the alien stories. But now I gotta get used to this keyboard.

I know… excuses, excuses. I’m full of them. How about you?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Beloved” and Getting Ready

Getting Ready.

I really kind of hate doing that.

Whenever a trip is approaching, I have to get ready for it. Make a list of what to bring. Make sure I finish reading what I’m reading so I don’t have to carry the book with me (I take my Nook on trips). Make sure I can pack everything I want to bring.

Getting Ready.

I don’t pack until the day before a trip. That’s because I usually USE everything I take on a trip. And now I have a travel laptop, so I have to get that ready for the trip, too.

Getting Ready.

Well, at least I finished reading the book I was reading. Next one I start will be on the Nook. But I got laundry to do before I can pack.

I love my vacations. Don’t get me wrong. It’s the Getting Ready I despise!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 13

Dates read: April 16 – May 2, 2024
Title: The Beloved
Year of publication: 2024
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #22
# of Pages: 409
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Nalla, the blooded daughter of Zsadist, has led a sheltered life. Protected by her father and the Brotherhood, kept away from the deadly war with the Lessening Society, she is chafing against the walls of the very safety that has ensured her survival. One night, she gives in to her restlessness…and comes face-to-face with a male whose inner darkness rivals even that of her sire’s horrific origins.
    Nate is a fighter with nothing to lose—and nothing to live for. Tortured in a human lab as a young, then cursed with immortality, he is all vengeance and no purpose because he cares for no one—not even himself. The Brotherhood knows this all too well, and following Nate’s deliberate violation of the cardinal rule in the war, they declare him a dangerous liability that must be dealt with.
    When Nalla and Nate find themselves fighting side by side, daggers aren’t the only things that fly. A sizzling attraction is ignited, though Nalla knows her sire will never accept him—and on his side, Nate has made a secret bargain to end his own immortality. As the enemy closes in, and Nalla realizes she must choose between her mate and her sire, what starts with such passion may well end with eternal sorrow and no chance of a reunion—even in the Fade.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Took longer than I thought to read this, but that was only because I was writing (a good excuse, I think!). I love this series. This book is a good addition to it, too.

In case you were wondering, we’re going to Santa Barbara on Saturday. We’ll be there for nearly the whole month. Will spend a week with my mom, take a week and drive through several national parks, then spend another week with mom before we head home. For the most part, I’m looking forward to it. Some others…yeah, I’m apprehensive. Flying, for one. I really hate flying anymore, but driving there just didn’t make any sense. Maybe if Hubby was retired… but he’s not. Not yet.

Happy Reading!

Stacy