Finished Reading “Girl Missing” and “Ghostly Protector” is a Finalist!

I got some wonderful news while on this cruise (yes, I’m still on it—we arrive back in Baltimore on Sunday). Ghostly Protector is a finalist in the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards! Winners will be announced in July. You can find all the finalists listed here: NERFA Finalists & Winners - National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. I am extremely stoked! And extremely happy!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 12

Dates read: June 4 – 5, 2025

Title: Girl Missing (previously published as Peggy Sue Got Murdered)
Year of publication: 1994/2014
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series:  N/A
# of Pages: 185
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased from B&N
Blurb from book: A beautiful young woman’s corpse is found dumped in a garbage-strewn alley. Now laid out in the office of medical examiner Kat Novak is an unidentified body that betrays no secrets—except for a matchbook clutched in one stiff hand, seven numbers scrawled inside. When a second victim is discovered, Kat begins to fear that a serial killer is stalking the streets, using a deadly drug to do his dirty work. The police are skeptical. The mayor won’t listen. One of the town’s most prominent citizens, with a missing daughter of his own, is also Kat’s chief suspect. As the death toll rises, Kat races to expose a deadly predator who is close enough to touch her.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: A real quick read for me. Kind of needed one after the monster books I have been reading lately. Gotta get my reading stats up! I enjoyed this book (I like most of her books, what can I say?), even though the romance was a bit on the thin side. But she did say this was more suspense than romance and kind of bridge between her two genres (she writes mostly suspense thrillers now). If you’re looking for a quick suspense, give this one a try.

Weather in both Canadian stops (Corner Brook & Sydney) was EXCELLENT! Kind of worried as we kept sailing through fog everywhere. Now we’re back on the Atlantic Ocean in overcast weather. I hear it’s been warm on the east coast. Right now, I kind of have my doubts.

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

Reading Update, an Award, and I’m Walking!

Alex  J. Cavanaugh gave me this award on Monday. You can find it and the other awardees on his blog HERE. Thanks, Alex! You made my day.

I finally got back into a walking routine: do it first thing in the morning. I’ve done it seven days in a row so far (today will make eight) and I walked more than three miles yesterday (that was my goal for now). Thank goodness the weather has cooperated. I hope it lasts, or I get into the routine that I don’t care if it isn’t perfect out there. I really need to get back into some kind of shape. I hate feeling so…weak. My heart shouldn’t be racing when I’m walking from my car to my doctor appointment. And that was the SIGN for me to finally do something about it.

I had to do some major reading Tuesday so I had a book to post today. I know, what a chore, right? Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #24

Dates read: June 8-16
Title: Serpentine
Year of publication: 2018
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Anita Blake Vampire Hunter #26
# of Pages: 452
Paper or plastic: Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. A remote Florida island is the perfect wedding destination for the upcoming nuptials of Anita’s fellow U.S. Marshal and her best friend, Edward. For Anita, the vacation is a welcome break, as it’s the first trip she gets to take with wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel. But it’s not all fun and games and bachelor parties…
    In this tropical paradise, Micah discovers a horrific new form of lyncanthropy, one that has afflicted a single family for generations. Believed to be the result of an ancient Greek curse, it turns human bodies into a mass of snakes.
    When long-simmering resentment leads to a big blowup within the wedding party, the last thing Anita needs is more drama. But it finds her anyway when women start disappearing from the hotel, and worse, her own friends and lovers are considered the prime suspects. There’s a strange power afoot that Anita has never confronted before, a force that’s rendering those around her helpless. Unable to face it on her own, Anita is willing to accept help from even the deadliest places. Help that she will most certainly regret—if she survives at all that is…
My thoughts: Frankly, only fans of this series will enjoy this book. Too much repetition and ramblings, especially in the beginning, really slowed the pace. It picked up around page 300, but like I said, only the fans might have stuck around that long. And I am a fan. I went in knowing what I would probably find. I’ll keep reading this series because I want to know what’ll happen next.

So… has the weather been cooperating where you live? It’s been great here. Low humidity and cooler temps. That will all change this week as the high temps and humidity will return. But as long as I get up early to walk (like, at 6:30), it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I hope.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Vote for Biting the Curse

Biting the Curse is up for a RONE award. The first step is to get enough votes to make it to the second step. That’s where you come in. You can vote for my book!

Here is the link: https://indtale.com/rone-awards-week-one-april-13-19

First, though, you have to register on InD’tale before you can vote. Registration is free and you also get subscribed to their free magazine. You can cancel it at anytime.

I realize not everyone likes to register for stuff they don’t want, and if that’s you, I understand. But if you are already registered, or don’t mine registering, I would really appreciate your vote. The top 5 vote getters go on to the next round, which means someone (or many someones) will READ my book and judge it accordingly. I’d really like to get in that round. So please vote!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #15

Dates read: April 5-10
Title: The Third to Die
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Crime/Suspense
Series: Mobile Response Team #1
# of Pages: 458
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. An edgy female police detective… An ambitious FBI special agent… Together they are at the heart of the ticking-clock investigation for a psychopathic serial killer. The bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for high-stakes suspense.
    Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage.
    Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before because if they fail, one of their own will be next…
My thoughts: It was a little more procedural than I like in my crime/suspense. This might be a series where I wait until it’s out in paperback before I read the next one.

I have more good news, too. I finished the first draft of Ghostly Protector! How sweet is that? I’m taking a mini writing break now, especially since I’m signed up for a couple of classes this month. It’s nice to be able to just concentrate on those, although it also feels weird not writing, too.

My next book might be in the Bitten by Love series. A friend asked for a certain couple. Now, this was a couple I hadn’t thought about writing, but once she put that thought in my head, the characters started talking to me. Now I have to write it. Right? Because I’m sure it’ll be difficult to shut them up!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Biting the Curse Is a Finalist!!

First off, Happy Veterans Day. If you served, thank you for your service. And if you’re like me, take advantage of a free meal somewhere. There are lots of restaurants treating veterans today. I plan on visiting a couple. Why not, right?

Last week I got some WONDERFUL news! My book, Biting the Curse, was a finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers International Digital Awards contest. I got a badge! Ain’t that cool?

A great review AND a finalist. I’m feeling really good about this book. Don’t know if I’ll enter it in as many contests as I did Ghostly Interlude, but I will definitely enter it in the Ritas (Romance Writers of America’s contest). Not that these contest actually help sell books. At least, not that I’ve been told. I guess I just feel the need to be recognized since I suck at advertising!


I’m hoping now that I’ve sent my next release, Finding the Perfect Mate, off to my beta reader I’ll be able to write more on the next ghost book. Of course, I think I screwed up somewhere. Good thing I meet with my plotting group tonight. I really need the help!!

I plan on revealing the cover to Finding the Perfect Mate in my next newsletter. Also plan on giving away some neat Buffy and Supernatural cards I picked up at Dragon Con last year. If that interests you, then sign up for my newsletter. The link is on the sidebar of this blog and at my website http://stacymckitrick.com.

So … Do you think awards help books? How about movies? I have to admit, I never planned on watching Rocky until it won the Oscar for Best Picture. And then it turned out I loved the movie. Go figure!

Happy Monday! And Happy Veterans Day!

Stacy

Oops, I Watched the Golden Globes

I had a busy day yesterday, in which I ended with watching the Golden Globes. Completely forgot about my blog! Bad me. Good thing I’m not blogging toward any goal, although technically I’m still blogging on Monday. Just later.

As for the Golden Globes… I thought I watched a lot of movies. Watched a lot of TV. Apparently not. I didn’t even know most of the shows that were up for awards. At least I recognized the actors. Mostly.

I remember when television series from cable networks (e.g. HBO & Showtime) would appear as award winners on the Emmys or Golden Globes and people would say they weren’t really television shows. At least they were ON the television. Netflix and Hulu and Amazon and whatever are not ON television. They’re on the internet. Maybe they should have a separate division for them: Internet Series. If the Golden Globes are going to differentiate between a “television” movie and a “theatre” movie, why not differentiate between an internet series and a television series? Better yet, separate all the paid channels/services together from the free-based (or commercial-based) ones. The commercial-based category has a big disadvantage to the internet and cable when it comes to content. Just saying…

Yesterday was a good day sports-wise. Steelers won (YAY!). Penguins won (YAY!). My daughter was at the Penguins game (yeah, a little jealous, but then they probably would have lost if I attended). It was originally scheduled for 1pm, but because the Steelers were playing, it was moved to 5pm. She got home super late (or rather, super early this morning), because she had a 4-5 hour drive home via Cleveland (dropped off her friend) and had to be at work this morning. Zzzzzz.

I set up my writing goals for the week (on my to-do list). But since I got such a late start this morning  (7:30! I never get up that late!), and came home from the fitness center later than usual (9:30!), I hope I’m able to complete some of the stuff I had planned on accomplishing today. And since writing a post wasn’t one of those items… Oh well, I did create the list for items to accomplish this WEEK. I just hoped to have certain stuff done today.

So… Did you watch the award show? Do you want to see “La La Land” now? I’m thinking I do. Daughter saw it over the weekend. I’ll have to ask her how it was.

Happy Monday! And if it’s not happy, kick its butt! J

Stacy

I’m a Guest Poster and There’s This Liebster Award

When the word LINK is highlighted, the URL to the post I wrote for Romance University will be linked (since I did not receive the link prior to posting this—although you could just check their SITE and see if it’s there!). If you’re interested in seeing how I organize my writing via spreadsheets, come check it out. And if you’re not interested, come say hi. ESPECIALLY if there aren’t any comments. Because I just don’t know what’s more depressing than not getting any comments. Do you agree?

Blogger buddy (and Lyrical sister) Sandra Cox of Sandra’s Blog has nominated me for a Liebster Award. Now, I don’t normally play along, but I needed something to blog about (besides my guest post).

Here’s the lowdown on the award (in blue): The Liebster Award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers. The goal of this grand gesture is to help find blogs which are worthy of a bigger following... sort of like finding diamonds scattered amongst tiny grains of sparkling, white, distant sands. You imagine they are there but you have to look hard enough to pick up their beauty and inspiration against the decadence of a jealous sun. (Gee… does that even sound like me? I mean, besides the having less than 200 followers part?)

In German, Liebster means kindest, beloved, valued and welcome.

The rules for accepting this award are as follows:

• List 11 random facts about myself.
• Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated me.
• Nominate 11 other blogs who have less than 200 followers and let them know they have been nominated.
• Post 11 new questions for those bloggers to answer (If they wish to accept the award, it’s completely optional).

I’m not playing the complete game since I refuse to nominate other bloggers. That’s just too much darn work for me and you all know how lazy I am. Besides, I don’t think I know 11 blogs that have less than 200 followers. And if I do, they haven’t blogged in a good, long time! But I can do the first and second (of which Sandra only gave me six questions, so she cheated, too).

Eleven random facts about me, that maybe I haven’t mentioned before:

1. I’m a name-dropper.
2. I went to high school (and graduated in the same class) as Meg Gardiner. In fact, we lived only a couple of blocks away from each other (even though we weren’t friends at school, our sisters were). And if you don’t know who she is, that means you didn’t read last Wednesday’s POST. L
3. I’m a character in Brett Battles’ book, “The Silenced.” Yeah, I’m a dead character, but a character is a character, and I was mentioned SEVERAL times!
4. I hate filling out forms.
5. I hate pickles. Especially the pickle juice. Keep them away from my sandwiches!
6. I love Diet Dr. Pepper with Cherry.
7. I joined the Army instead of the Air Force because I weighed too much for the Air Force.
8. I hate walking barefoot.
9. I love wearing bright yellow.
10. I hate wearing bright yellow OUTSIDE. It just seems to call to every flying bug out there!
11. I’m so glad this list is over. J

Here are the six questions Sandra gave to me:

1. If you were an animal what would you be? I AM an animal, aren’t I? Hmmm… Other than human? A guess a cat. A big cat. Like a panther, maybe.
2. What's your favorite genre? Paranormal romance
3. When reading, do you prefer paper or a hand held device? Paper! Although, isn’t paper ALSO a hand held device? Hmmm…
4. What's your favorite vacation spot? A cruise
5. What's your favorite charity? I guess Disabled Vets. They keep sending me a calendar, so I keep sending them money.
6. If given the choice, where would you live? Wait, I’m always given a choice, aren’t I? And I chose Dayton, Ohio. But if money didn’t matter? Santa Barbara, California!!!

Yeah, I can’t even answer questions easily, can I? Maybe I should have put THAT down as a random fact. Haha! J

So… Did you check out the guest post? What did you think?

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

Thirty-Eight Years Ago?!

I saw the date on the calendar yesterday and realized that date fell on the same day of the week as it did in 1976 (yet the calendar for 2014 isn’t same as 1976, because 1976 was a leap year). How do I know that? Because on this date in 1976, on a Monday, I raised my hand and joined the U.S. Army.

Thirty-eight years ago! Talk about feeling OLD.

Strange how much I remember of those two days, though (considering a lot of my life is a blur!!). On Sunday, the 19th, I attended the St. Francis Pro-Am Celebrity Golf Tournament held at the Montecito Country Club (Santa Barbara). I loved going to this tournament and not just because I loved golf. It was the only time I got up close and personal to some celebrities (Bob Hope was there one year) and some of my favorite pros (not Jack Nicklaus, though - he was my favorite-favorite!). I don’t know when they stopped holding this tournament, because I can’t find any information on it, so it was probably awhile ago (and that didn’t help in making me feel any younger, either).

My parents drove me down to the Los Angeles recruitment center after. I remember the ratty hotel the Army put me up in (I wasn’t about to venture outside alone, that’s for sure) and my roommate, Kathy Spoon (we ended up being in the same platoon during basic training--pure luck!). The next day after swearing in, I found out I wasn’t going to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina (as I was originally told), but to Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Yeah, I freaked a little. I had no idea where Ft. McClellan was located. But I had a new friend, so the trip wasn’t all bad.

If I could go back, would I do it all over again? Yep. I really enjoyed my stint in the Army. Of course, the world was a lot different in the 70s than it is now. If I were an 18-year-old today, I’m not so sure I’d be brave enough to join. Kudos to those who do!

At the Central Ohio Fiction Writers meeting I attended Saturday, I was given a gift for my first sale! Isn’t that just the coolest thing ever?

Pen states: Stacy McKitrick, First Sale, COFW 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, did you serve in the Armed Forces? If not, did you ever THINK about serving?

Stacy

 

The Booker Award

Seems Jennette Marie Powell has gone and bestowed The Booker Award to me.

What is this award? Well, apparently I get to blog about my five favorite books and follow these two simple rules:

1. Link back to the person who gave me the award (click on Jennette's name and you will be sent to her site).

2. Give this award to three more bloggers, who will then link back to you (go to end of post to see if YOUR name is listed - bwahahahaha).

Anyway, here are my five favorite books – in the order they came to me.

"Lightning" by Dean Koontz. This is my most favorite Koontz novel and I tell everyone I know to read this book. It's not a true horror novel, my husband can attest to that, since I even got him to read it (he hates horror). It's just a great thriller. Even when I re-read the book, I have trouble putting it down. And I know what's going to happen!

"The Stand" by Stephen King. This is the first Stephen King book I ever read. It hooked me to find his other novels (which weren't as numerous back in the 70's) and I've been a fan ever since. I sometimes wish I had that original paperback version, but it's been long gone (now replaced with the uncut hardback).

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. I've read this book four times. I fell in love with the characters. And because of this book, it encouraged me to start writing my own. You can't ignore a book that can do that, now can you?

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I read this book back in high school. Then I had to see the movie. Then I had to read the book again. I felt like I WAS Scout.

"Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. This book started me on my road to reading. Before I read this book, reading was a chore. I sometimes took six months to finish a novel. Then I took a reading class in high school, where your grade was based on how many credits of books you read. This book counted as four books – four credits. My mother owned the book. I thought, why not? I read that thing in TEN days. A record for me back then. I discovered I was just reading the wrong books. So the book that actually made reading fun has GOT to be in the top five. No doubt about it!

So those are my five favorite. They all affected me in one way or another, so it makes it hard to forget them.

To follow the rules (which is a rarity for me, I know), I must now pass this award to three others:

Todd R. Moody – Fireflies and Laser Beams (www.firefliesandlaserbeams.blogspot.com)

LD Masterson (www.ldmasterson-author.blogspot.com)

B.E. Sanderson – The Writing Spectacle (www.writingspectacle.blogspot.com)

You know, now that I mentioned all these books, I want to read them again! But I really need to get my pile of TBR books down JUST a bit! It would make my husband happy, anyway.

Have a happy Friday and a great weekend!!

 

To Award or Not To Award

No favorites this week. I think I ran out anyway. But if any more come to me (or if you have a suggestion), I'll continue to list them on Wednesday.

* * *

I have a question for you all. Do you like blogger awards? Do you like receiving blogger awards? I know they aren't chain letters, but sometimes they sure feel like it, especially with statements like this:

"To accept this award, you must pass it on to seven other bloggers."

Yeah, sure, I don't have to follow the rules. And I could just not accept the award. But then I just feel bad. I hate feeling bad.

I guess I've never really seen the purpose of a blogger award. Are they just a way to get a post written? To get more followers? They have helped me with the first; can't say they helped with the second.

Maybe my problem with awards is that there are so many out there. They have kind of lost their meaning, their specialness. Everyone seems to get them; everyone seems to pass them on. Am I overreacting here? Have I just shot myself in the foot? What do you think? I'm open to hear your opinions! Maybe you can change mine.

* * *

On Monday, I blogged about writing 10,000 words this week. I think that mark was a bit ambitious. With reading MY SUNNY VAMPIRE (out loud) in the afternoon, I don't get quite as much written as I should. I'm also a little stuck on Book #5, so it's going slow in the morning, too. Ugh! So, yeah, I really don't think I'll hit that 10,000 word mark this week. It was a good thought, though.

Kreativ Blogger Award

LD Masterson bestowed the Kreativ Blogger award to me. Thanks, Linda. If you don't know her blog, go on over and check her out. And if you love jokes so bad they make you laugh, you'll enjoy her groaners.

Accepting this award requires me to do two things:

1. Share ten things about myself, and

2. Pass the award onto six other bloggers

Now, ten things about myself – egads! Where to begin. How about some favorite things?

1.         Favorite ice cream flavor – Coffee

2.         Favorite Cheesecake Factory cheesecake – Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake
3.         Favorite soft drink – Diet Dr. Pepper
4.         Favorite hamburger – Bacon cheeseburger at Buffalo Wild Wings
5.         Favorite french fries – Penn Station East Coast Subs
6.         Favorite breakfast cereal – Wheat Chex
7.         Favorite photographer – Ansel Adams
8.         Favorite painter – Van Gogh
9.         Favorite type of eggs – Over easy
10.       Favorite gemstone – Ruby

I couldn't list favorite actor, actress, writer, book, movie, or tv show, because it's impossible to have one favorite in any of those.

I don't mind sharing the ten things about myself, but I have problems with passing the award on. So instead, I will list some blogs I enjoy the most:

Lying for a living

Past the Print (check out Wake-Me-Up Wednesdays!)
Unearthly Musings (Fantasy Man Fridays are THE BEST!)
Piedmont Writer
Maria Zannini
Jennette Marie Powell

The Happy Whisk (Be ready to boogie, boogie!)

Feel free to visit their blog and maybe even follow. You can tell them I sent you, too!
And if your blog is listed and you want the award - consider it awarded to you!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I received an award. I've received this award in the past, but heck – I'll take it again. Who says you can't receive it more than once? If actors can receive more than one Oscar or Emmy, and musicians more than one Grammy, why can't bloggers receive more than one blogger award? Right?

As with all awards, this one comes with rules.

1. Thank and link to the person who nominates you – Thank you, Linda. Please visit her blog (she wouldn't mind you following, either). She usually posts some funny "groaners". You'll just have to visit her to see what I mean. You can find her here: http://ldmasterson-author.blogspot.com/

2. Share seven random facts about you

• I've got a crush on Alex O'Loughlin. Not the "I want to date him" kind, because – hello! – I’m happily married. No, this crush is because he resembles my character Jack VanAllen to a T – and I envisioned Jack long before I ever really paid attention to Alex. Now I want to watch everything he's acted in. I'm posting his picture here again, because I just like looking at him. It's sad, really, but I can't help it!
• I fight changes on my computer, or anything kind of technology change (Facebook and Yahoo! are starting to get on my nerves). I use my laptop to write and read blogs. If it ain't easy to use, I usually don't. But once I discover something cool, then I'm all over it. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything cool about Word 2010, so I'll stick with Word 2003 for as long as I can. If that means I keep Vista, I keep Vista. I pray my laptop NEVER breaks!
• I've always wanted to sky dive. Ever since I was a teenager. Maybe someday I will (on one of those tandem jumps – with an experienced jumper, of course). I think it would be the greatest thrill ever!
• I love roller coasters! Anything up and down and going fast – yea!! I want to experience it. I love the thrill. We'll be going to Kings Island next month (for a work related function). I hope to ride several of them numerous times (provided the lines aren't long). It better not rain!
• I hate twirling rides. They make me sick. Tea Cups at Disneyland? Please don't rotate the handle! Those rides where the floor drops out from under you? No way, not unless you want to clean up the mess.
• I hate to cook. Well, maybe I should clarify. I hate to cook meals that have more than one item (casseroles I can handle…usually). I have a sign in my kitchen that states "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house." So true, so true. I'll NEVER get rid of that sign.
• I'll probably jinx myself here – but I have NEVER received a speeding ticket. That's not to say I haven't been pulled over for speeding. That happened only once. I was late to school (college) and I had an out of state license (California driving in Alabama). I think she couldn't find the number, but she also saw my school books on the seat, and let me go with a warning. Whew!!

3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it! – Well, I got 7, and some of them aren't so new to me. If you've already received this award, you can repeat as I have, or ignore it. I will NOT be offended!

• Kristi – Random Daily Thoughts, a journey through life and writerdom   http://kristichestnutt.blogspot.com/
• Lizzie – Bttrfliesz Are Free http://bttrfly29.blogspot.com/
• Jennette Powell http://www.jenpowell.com/content/blog/
• Tonya Kappes http://tonyakappes.blogspot.com/
• Todd – The Verge http://the-verge-trm.blogspot.com/
• Natalie – Indulge Yourself http://nataliedamschroder.blogspot.com/
• Carey – My Own Brand of Madness http://careycorp.blogspot.com/

Go and visit these lovely blogs and maybe follow them if you're so inclined! I'm sure they would appreciate it. Now I'm off to notify them of their award.

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

I've been blessed with TWO people bestowing me The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. Does that make me doubly sweet?

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the Award on to deserving blog buddies (One stated 10, the other stated 15 – I'll probably do less than that!!).
4. Contact those buddies and let them know.

First off: my thanks to The Viking Princess and Todd Moody for this award. You've given me something to blog about! Ha ha!

Now, seven random facts about myself:

1. I play with my hair. Doesn't matter if it's long or short (and it's usually long), I twirl my hair around my finger. And I use the index finger on my left hand even though I'm right handed. Go figure!

2. I collect magnets from every Hard Rock Café and Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurtants I can find. Doesn't matter if I eat there or not (except I usually do if I find a Bubba Gump Shrimp - YUM), I just want the magnet to show I was in that city.

3. I've got a dated Christmas ornament for every Christmas since I've been married (the first one being 1979). And yes, they go up on the tree every year. I think I'll cry if any of them are destroyed!

4. I’m an early arrival. If I have an appointment at 8:00, I’ll be there before 7:45. Sometimes I over-calculate my drive and will arrive even earlier than that! In that case, I sit in my car and read until it’s time to show up – still early, but maybe only 5-10 minutes. My Dad always told me it’s better to be early than late, and it’s been ingrained in my brain ever since. Unfortunately, I married someone who waits until the last minute to get ready to leave. So if I’m with him – we’re usually late. That drives me nuts! But at least I can blame him (and I usually do!).

5. I love sports. Well, most sports. Can't stand basketball (except for March Madness) or soccer. Once I started watching hockey, I got hooked (Go Penguins!). I've loved baseball for as long as I can remember and I love playing softball, too. My Dad introduced me to golf when I was 14. If our high school had a women's team, I would have been on it. Now, if I only had an athlete's body… Oh well…

6. If I'm in a room full of people, I'll be the quiet one. Unless you pose a question directly to me, I just sit and listen. That is, until I get to know everyone. Of course, that could take a year (or more). Yes, I am THAT shy (or introverted – I haven't decided).

7. I wrote my first short story when I was 14. It was titled "It Was One of Those Weeks" (and my teacher liked it). I wrote my second short story when I was 52. Quite a gap, huh? It took me awhile to find my way back, but I'm sure glad I did.

Now to pass on the award. This is where I break the rules (I'm a rebel, what can I say?).

Journal of a Midnight Writer. She's one of my critique partners and I enjoy reading her blogs.

Hold On To Your Bloomers. Erin's blog is always entertaining (to me, anyway).
Unearthly Musings. If you only visit Danica's blog on one day, make it Friday. It's how she hooked me!!
Piedmont Writer. I should visit her blog more often (heck I should visit everyone's blog more often), but when I am there, I find I usually have a comment to make. I like interactive blogs.

If you haven't visited them before, now's your chance!

Stylish Blogger Award

I received my second award. Don't know if my blog is stylish, but it functions for me. Anyway, the rules for receiving this award are as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award on.

So, thank you, Piedmont Writer, for this award. To check out her blog, click HERE.

I've shared information about myself with the other award I won, so I may end up repeating myself. If I am – oh well…

1. I am a direct descendant of Susannah Martin (she was one of the first women accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials – and she was hung). Genealogy can uncover some interesting family members!

2. My favorite radio stations are KYSR-98.7 FM out of Orange County/Los Angeles (I listen to them on-line while at work) and AltNation (channel 43?) on Sirius/XM radio (which I get in my car). I can't find any local stations that play the music I want to hear (which started out with Muse and has grown from there).

3. My favorite color of car is YELLOW. Do I own one? No. My Xterra didn't come in that color anymore. Made me sad. Not too sad, since I did purchase one (only it's dark grey). Maybe one day I'll get it re-painted.

4. I bought my Xterra because it became a feature in my first book (a yellow one, of course). Doing all that research made me want one of my own! And now I have one.

5. I hate shopping. Doesn't matter what kind. Shoes, Clothes, Groceries. Maybe it's going to the store I hate. I don't seem to have much problem buying books from Barnes and Noble on line, though!!

6. Two years ago you wouldn't have found me on Facebook or this blog. Heck, I didn't even text two years ago! See what writing has done to me?

7. I bite my nails. Yes! I said it. But I'm better now than I used to. Maybe because I'm not as scared as I was when I was younger. Don't know. My nails are still short, though.

I pass this award on to the following blogs:

Linda Leszczuk at http://lindaleszczuk.blogspot.com/
Erin Kane Spock at http://courtlyromance.blogspot.com/
Nicole MacDonald at http://www.damselinadirtydress.com/

Now go check them out!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I’ve been awarded THE VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD. It’s my first award.


The rules:
1. Thank those who loved me enough to bestow this gift.
2. Share seven things about myself.
3. Bestow this honor onto 15 newly discovered or followed bloggers–in no particular order–who are fantastic in some way.
4. Drop by and let my fifteen new friends know I love them.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to follow all the rules, though. I don’t think I follow 15 blogs who don’t already have this award.

So, thank you Danica Avet! If you don’t follow her blog, you should. Especially on Fridays! I’ll let you figure that out for yourself.
 
Seven things about myself:

1. I was in the Army for nearly six years. Held the rank of Specialist5 – SP5 (E5). Since I was a clerk-typist, I couldn’t be a Sergeant. Bummer!

2. I went to high school with Meg Gardiner. We weren't exactly acquaintences since she was sort of popular and I wasn't, but I remember her (and her sister & my sister were friends).  Does that make me a name dropper? Probably. She won’t mind if I tell everyone to go read her books. They’re AWESOME!

3. I am a direct descendant of Susannah Martin (actually from two of her daughters – cousins married later down the line). Who’s she? She was executed during the Salem Witch Trials as a WITCH.

4. I collected stamps when I was in high school. I thought they were cool. Still have the collection somewhere in the house.

5. When I was 13, I placed my name in an ad to get pen pals. It stated my age. Of course, the ad didn’t run until I was three months shy of 15. Mostly everyone who responded (and I had LOTS of responses) was a year or two younger than me. I gave some of the rejects to my sister (who is a year younger than me), since there was no way I could afford to write to them all. I still correspond with some of them (even if it is only during Christmas!).

6. I played the clarinet in my high school band. I don’t think I could play one now if my life depended on it. But I can still sort of play the piano.

7. I was never much of a reader until I read “Gone With the Wind”. And the only reason I read that book was that it counted for three books in my ninth-grade English class. I read it in ten days (a record for me at the time). Since then, I’ve been hooked on reading.

I bestow this honor to only one blogger, since most of the blogs I have followed the longest either already have this award or of the type I’m not comfortable sending (agents, publishers, or multi-authored). Stacie Carver’s blog “One Writer’s Journey” hasn’t been around long. I met her at the RT Convention and we became friends. I’m hoping this award will get her to blog more often!

I really haven’t been following blogs all that long. Heck, I’ve only been writing this one since November. And the reason I started this blog was to make it easier on ME to find the blogs I follow. Crazy, huh?

I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about me.  I kind of had fun trying to think of seven interesting things.  Hopefully I succeeded.