Finished Reading “Photographs” and Stuff

Got our first snowfall today and I’m cold. It’s not that the house is any colder than it normally is, but snow tends to make me feel colder for some reason. So I may bump up the heat a bit. I know Hubby won’t care. He’s always cold!

The ending with Alien Desires (which I thought was finished but was wrong) is finally coming into play in my head (I had to change it so that my hero looked heroic). Now to get it on the page. Why is that part always the hardest? At least I’m almost there. I’ll be glad when I can send it off to my editor.

This Saturday I will be in Springboro, Ohio for an author event during their annual Christmas festival. I’m one of the featured authors between 4:30-6:30pm at the Springboro Historical Museum. If I sell any books I’ll be pleasantly surprised, but I’m prepared for the best. At least I’ll be indoors. Most of the festival will be outdoors, so maybe people will come inside to get warm! One can always hope.

And if you’re in the area and are looking for Christmas ideas, check it out. Then come inside and see me.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 31

Dates read: November 1-21, 2024
Title: Photographs
Year of publication: 2020
Author: James Garcia, Jr.
Genre: Supernatural thriller
Series:  N/A
# of Pages: 229
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: One night, two exceptional women meet. Both carry broken hearts and one has been dead for sixty years.
    In 1956, film actress Allison Belle abandoned the glamour of Hollywood for Fresno, California, and an idyllic new life.
    In 1959, she disappeared altogether.
    Sixty years later, real estate agent Joanna Johnson steps unsuspectingly into the old Belle house and a story long forgotten.
    A devastating personal event opens a hidden door into the actress’s world. The mystery behind what broke Allison’s heart and what ultimately happened to her is revealed slowly by a series of long lost photographs the agent uncovers; the relationship she builds with the actress’s ninety year old husband; and through a series of “dreams” she has where she relives the moments captured by each photograph - herself a participant in them.
    The closer Joanna gets to the truth, the closer she gets to suffering the same fate.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Interesting story. I thought maybe it would be horror, but it’s not really that. More like a thriller, with a ghost. Started out slow, but it did keep my attention and the ending was satisfying.

The wifi antenna (or whatever it’s called) on my laptop was starting to act wonky. I couldn’t connect to the house’s wifi, but I could connect to my phone’s hot spot. Unfortunately, when I was connected to the hot spot, I couldn’t print anything as the printers were off line. Hubby found an external antenna and so far it’s been working (I’m connected AND I can print!). What a relief. I really don’t relish replacing this computer. I like it!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Dead Reckoning” and Headed Home

Today is the last full day of the cruise. We get into Galveston tomorrow morning.

Is 14 days too long? Usually, I would say no. This time we had an inside cabin, and it was tiny. It made a difference, that’s for sure. It will certainly be the LAST time we get an inside cabin. Heck, the next 10 cruises we already have booked are balcony cabins. Yes, we have already booked 10 more cruises for the next 24 months. Cruising is almost like a second home to us, I guess. And I got a lot of writing done. Of course, most of those next cruises will be in ports we’ve never visited (in fact, countries we’ve never visited), so they’ll be a little bit busier than this cruise. We stayed on the ship for most of the ports this time around, and it was very relaxing.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 30

Dates read: October 25-31, 2024
Title: Dead Reckoning
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Aedyn Brooks
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series:  Grave Intentions Book 1
# of Pages: 254
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: The dead deserve justice…
    When psychic medium Joni Smith encounters a pesky ghost in an antique store, she triggers attention from the wrong people. She should have thought twice before jumping the fence past the no trespassing signs, and she shouldn’t have dug up the ghost’s bones to retrieve a locket either, but Joni wants lost souls to find peace. Sometimes taking risks are worth damning the consequences.
    So do the living…
    Newbie detective and paranormal skeptic, Zeke Gregson isn’t quite sure what to make of Joni digging up a grave in the backwoods of his neighbor’s property. She won’t hand over whatever she stole from the grave, and she won’t answer his questions. He has no choice but to bring her in for questioning because someone is killing women in Pendleton County. If Joni isn’t the murderer, she might be the key that leads him to who is.
    A secret society…
    As Zeke and Joni comb through evidence, they soon realize they are in over their heads. Before another woman dies, they must lean on each other’s skills in order to get justice.
    A secret desire…
    Trust doesn’t come easy for either of them, but as they fight for their lives, racing against the clock to stop the killer, they may discover something neither realized they were searching for…love.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Oooh, a new-to-me author’s book that I liked so much that I will go out and get book 2. Ghosts, suspense, and romance. I liked them all. If it was possible to buy book 2 while on the cruise (it’s not, because technically I’m not in the USA), I’d buy it now.

That book was my 30^th read, which meant I reached my goal! That doesn’t always happen when I’m also writing, so I’m happy about that. Happy that I can write and read, it’s not one or the other.

Happy Reading!

Stacy