Finished Reading “Reaching for Normal” and a New Phone

Why is it when you want to change your phone package to something cheaper, you lose a device? You lose it because they won’t carry it to another plan. The device we lost was our wifi box. It ran our house number, with the answering machine. Made it easier to scan calls. Could listen who was leaving a message and could pick up in the middle (if we so wanted). But in order to save nearly $50 a month, we had to lose it and replace it with a regular old cell phone, which doesn’t have ANY of the features we liked with the wifi box.

We had a cell phone to use. Turns out it’s so old, there isn’t enough memory and no way to increase it, either (we tried). And without memory, it won’t take messages. So now we have to get another phone, one with working memory. All because we wanted to SAVE MONEY! Gee, what were we thinking??

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 22

Dates read: July 20-25, 2024
Title: Reaching for Normal
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Jemi Fraser
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Bloo Moose Romance Book One
# of Pages: 192
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: After a childhood spent in hospitals and foster homes, Myla’s freelance adventure writing suits her perfectly. A couple of weeks trying out new things then move on. Now, if she can only get her guide to all things winter interested in helping her lose her V-card.
    Sawyer’s lost his parents, his SEAL team, and his legendary Spidey senses. Now he’s faced with a sexy, secretive woman who makes him want things he has no business wanting.
    When someone starts butchering the wolves Sawyer is trying to reintegrate, he ends up in the bush with Sexy City Girl whose titanium attitude is more than enough to compensate for her weak leg.
    If Sawyer and Myla can’t learn to trust each other and themselves, they might not make it out alive.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I liked the story. And the characters. Suspense is on the thin side, but the romance is all in.

This week has been busy with appointments. I think tomorrow will be the first day back from the convention without an appointment in it. I will sit back and enjoy the quiet, too. I need a break!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Eternity Embraced” and an Award

So… Literary Love Savannah 2024 is over. My sales were lackluster again, but hey, I hooked up with some new readers and you really can’t put a price on that, right? They were so awesome, too. And this is why I keep coming back (and why I have already registered for next year’s convention).

The readers were so great, they actually gave me an award! Most Chill Author. Ain’t it pretty?? I think 5-6 awards were given out on the last night. Color me shocked that I even got picked for one!! They made my con, that’s for sure. Here’s a picture of it, too. Isn’t it cool? I got it displayed for EVERYONE to see.

And no, that’s not in the bathroom. Please!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 21

Dates read: July 19-20, 20204
Title: Eternity Embraced
Year of publication: 2011
Author: Larissa Ione
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Demonica #3.5
# of Pages: 32
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from somewhere a long time ago
Blurb from Goodreads: Desire…
    Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.
    Versus Instinct…
    Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him — as food — he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I enjoyed this story. Don’t know why it took me so long to read it, except it was on my Nook and it was short? Yeah, that’s probably why. I will have to check out the rest of the series now. And no, I did not need to have read books 1-3 before picking this up. Completely self-contained. It was a good introduction for me to want to read more in this world, that’s for sure.

Weather in Savannah was brutal last week. In the 90s every day (with feel-like temps in the 100s). Storms every night (one night we lost power for about a minute). So humid, it was almost hard to breathe. I’m relishing the 80 degree temps and lower humidity at home. Almost feels cool outside!

So… I’m home and life is still not normal. Doctor appointments Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Oh wait, that IS normal. Guess I just better get back to work, huh?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Shadow Heart” and Life is Almost Back to Normal

I’m currently on my way to Savannah for a book convention (Literary Love Savannah). I’ve been going since 2019 (missed 2022) and I’m already registered for 2025. It’s the only convention I’ve been attending regularly because it’s fun. Last year was a little disappointing because I didn’t sell many books, but then I didn’t have a new release, either. I’m hoping for a better turnout this year. And if I get my butt in gear, I’ll have a new release for next year, too. **fingers crossed**

But once this convention is over on Sunday, and Hubby and I drive home, life will finally go back to normal. For awhile, anyway. I just need to get back into writing, and I’m hoping the normalcy will make that possible. What with the book release and the convention (as well as Hubby’s heart incident), not much has been normal recently. I need some normal.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 20

Dates read: July 5-16, 2024
Title: Shadow Heart
Year of publication: 2024
Author: Meg Gardiner
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: UNSUB #4
# of Pages: 331
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: FBI Special Agent Caitlin Hendrix faces a case from nightmares.
    In a Tennessee prison, Efrem Judah Goode draws haunting portraits of women he claims he has killed. Around the country, desperate families of the missing seek answers in his eerie drawings. And on darkened back roads and New York City streets, a new killer poses duct-taped bodies at the sites of Goode’s murders.
    Two serial killers are locked in a twisted rivalry. To stop the brutal slayings, FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix must unravel the connection between Goode and the Broken Heart Killer. Their warped competition destroys anyone in their path. Caught between a manipulative psychopath and a ruthless UNSUB, Caitlin has to dive into not one, but two dark and twisted minds. She will risk everything, plunging into the depths of their depraved clash to hunt down an unstoppable killer.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I love her books and this one was no exception. I didn’t expect the ending, either, so that’s good. If I wasn’t getting ready for a book convention, I would have probably read this quicker. But when you’re busy, you’re busy.  

It’s supposed to be in the 90s every day in Savannah while I’m there. Ugh. But I always enjoy visiting. It’s a neat city. Have you ever been?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Fangs Deep” and a Lot is Happening

It’s been awhile since my last post. And while I trudged through my reading (which I should have finished well before now), lots of stuff have been happening.

First, that BookBub listing. I think it was a bust. I haven’t even made back half the cost. Oh, I sold books (yay), but not the amount I thought would happen. Oh well…

Next, and the biggest: My hubby had a stent put in. On June 24, he went walking (like he usually does in the summer) for about 6 miles. It was a hot and humid day and he felt tightness in his chest and down his arm. I asked if he wanted me to take him to the emergency room. He said he sat and rested and felt fine. Didn’t think he needed to go. I shouldn’t have listened to him. On Wed, Jun 26, he went walking again. Couldn’t even make it 1/3 of a mile before the tightness returned. Drove home and said he was going to the emergency room. I told him I would drive him. Would you believe he said that I didn’t need to if I didn’t want to? Sheesh!

The base ER couldn’t help him since they didn’t have the equipment for cardiology patients, but the tests they ran indicated something was wrong and they weren’t letting him go. So he was transferred to Miami Valley South where they did a heart cath the following morning. His large artery (the artery they call the “widow maker”) was 80% blocked. They inserted a stent, but apparently he has more blockage. They put him on different medication for his cholesterol and hope it will fix the rest. So we’re basically on a “wait and see” regiment. Scary stuff! But at least he feels fine now and hasn’t had any symptoms since the stent. Of course, he hasn’t really walked all that far since then, either. I’m gonna get him out there tomorrow (when it won’t be as hot and humid as it has been).

At least I did get some GOOD news. I had my CT scan on the first. They called me on the second and told me that it appears the spot was just some kind of infection in my lung and not cancer since it’s getting better (smaller).  Whew!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 19 (adding Ghostly Protector as read in Goodreads jumped my number up, which is fair. I did read it…numerous times!)

Dates read: June 24 – July 5, 2024
Title: Fangs Deep
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Molly Burkhart
Genre: Paranormal
Series: Pain in the Neck Trilogy #3
# of Pages: 255
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased from author at a convention
Blurb from book: When Linnie Rogers moves in with the vampires wooing her, she feels completely adrift from her old life. She wades into uncharted waters without map or compass, trusting that her new roommates will keep up their end of the bargain. Her growing feelings for them only make her less sure of herself and the situation.
    However, as the guys slowly woo her with good food, pajama movie nights, and cuddly snuggles, she warms to the idea of learning to love them. Even with the cat hiding in the bathroom any time a vampire is near, Linnie doesn’t fight her growing fondness. This is the rest of her life, after all, and the guys each make a compelling case for her affections with art, music, and a truly epic Dungeon’s & Dragons campaign.
    Just as she overcomes her past and gives into her desire, disaster strikes. Linnie is whisked away from her lovers and thrust into a dangerous tussle between evils for her life and the lives of her beloved vampires. It seems that no matter who wins, Linnie will lose.
    Can she fight the evil threatening to overwhelm everything she’s built for herself, or is she doomed to a life of blood servitude?
Recommend: Maybe
My thoughts: This is the last book in the trilogy. It took a LOOOONNNNG time getting to anything exciting. There wasn’t really any conflict between the four of them (three vampires and her). Yes, the sexy scenes were sexy, but the rest was just…blah. This trilogy could have been cut and combined into one book that would have been more interesting to read. I slugged through this one, but then it wasn’t the kind of book I normally read. I saw “vampire” and was intrigued. I’m just sorry it let me down.

Yesterday I emptied two bookcases so they could be moved to another room. They were completely filled and I forgot I had some of those books. Now I want to re-read some of them. I might just start pulling one of them a month or so to read. Just have to figure out which one to start with. Decisions, decisions.

Happy Reading!

Stacy