Wednesday Reads and Talking Characters

Here’s what I read the past week:

Book #58

Dates read: November 6-14
Title: “Undiscovered”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Sara Humphreys
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Amoveo Rising #1
# of Pages: 353
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Free at RT17
Blurb from book: Centries ago, Zander Lorens was cursed to walk the earth stripped of his Dragon Clan powers. Every night, trapped in a recurring nightmare, Zander relives his darkest moment. He can hardly believe it when the dream changes and a beautiful young woman appears. Zander believes she’s the key to ending his torment. Finding her in the real world is one thing, but how will he convince her of who—and what—she really is?
    Rena McHale uses her unique sensitivity as a private investigator, touting herself as a “human divining rod” and finder of the lost. By day she struggles with sensory overload, and by night her sleep is haunted by a fiery dragon shifter. Nothing in her life makes sense, until the man from her dreams shows up at her door with a proposition…
My thoughts: Ahhh… Just the kind of book I’ve been craving, and to think it’s been sitting on my bookshelf. I got this book free at RT17. Sara conducted the exercise classes I attended each morning and gave away her books to anyone who wanted them. I’m glad I grabbed this one. I had so much fun reading it.

I finished this book late last night and almost forgot about my blog. Then again, if I hadn’t stayed up to finish it, I wouldn’t have had any books to report! Whew, dodged one there, huh?

I woke up the other morning with a character talking to me. This made me happy until I realized it was Sam, my vampire character, and not my ghost character. Good? Bad? I don’t know. So I’ve got a poll running on my Facebook page asking readers which book they would prefer I write: Bitten by Love #5 or Ghostly Encounters #3. If you have a preference, you can always go over there and vote. It’s pinned to the top of the page, so you’ll see it first. Or you can just say here in the comments. That would work, too.

So… Have you had snow yet? While it’s snowed here, I haven’t seen any yet (not looking forward to it, either). Forecasters are calling for a white Thanksgiving for a lot of the country. I don’t know if I like that so much. We’ll be driving to Columbus. Good thing we have AWD.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I’m Writing!!

I’m feeling pretty good. Apparently I still know how to write. J And I might have a title to my latest WIP: Ghostly Protector. So far it fits, but that could all change. It’s been known to happen before (I’ve already gone through a couple of titles on this one alone!).

Here’s what I read the past week:

January 4:

Title: “The Surrender Gate”

Year of publication: 2015

Author: Christopher Rice

Genre: Paranormal romance

Series: Desire Exchange #1

# of Pages: 247

Paper or plastic: Paper

How obtained: Got it free at a conference (most likely RT)

Blurb from Book: Emily Blaine’s life is about to change. Arthur Benoit, the kindly multi-millionaire who has acted as her surrogate father for years, has just told her he’s leaving her his entire estate, and he only has a few months to live. Soon Emily will go from being a restaurant manager with a useless English degree to the one of the richest and most powerful women in New Orleans. There’s just one price. Arthur has written a letter to his estranged son Ryan he hopes will mend the rift between them, and he wants Emily to deliver the letter before it’s too late. But finding Ryan won’t be easy. He’s been missing for years. He was recently linked to a mysterious organization called The Desire Exchange. But is The Desire Exchange just an urban legend? Or are the rumors true? Is it truly a secret club where the wealthy can live out their most private sexual fantasies?
It’s a task Emily can’t undertake alone. But there’s only one man qualified to help her, her gorgeous and confident best friend, Jonathan Claiborne She’s suspected Jonathan of working as a high-priced escort for months now, and she’s willing to bet that while giving pleasure to some of the most powerful men in New Orleans Jonathan has uncovered some possible leads to The Desire Exchange—and to Ryan Benoit. But Emily’s attempt to uncover Jonathan’s secret life lands the two of them in hot water. Literally. In order to escape the clutches of one of Jonathan’s most powerful and dangerous clients, they’re forced to act on long buried desires—for each other.
When Emily’s mission turns into an undercover operation, Jonathan insists on going with her. He also insists they continue to explore their impossible, reckless passion for each other. Enter Marcus Dylan, the hard-charging ex-Navy SEAL Arthur has hired to keep Emily safe. But Marcus has been hired for another reason. He, too, has a burning passion for Emily, a passion that might keep Emily from being distracted and confused by a best friend who claims he might be able to go straight just for her. But Marcus is as rough and controlling as Jonathan is sensual and reckless. As Emily searches for a place where the rich turn their fantasies into reality she will be forced to decide which one of her own long-ignored fantasies should become her reality But as Emily, Jonathan, and Marcus draw closer to The Desire Exchange itself, they find their destination isn’t just shrouded in mystery, but in magic as well.

My thoughts: Man, that’s a long blurb, huh? This is a new-to-me author, but not his first novel. What I didn’t like about the book: Marcus’s point of view doesn’t show up until page 112. Before that it was mostly all Emily’s POV and the book was easy to put down (it was kind of slow, but interesting enough to keep reading). What I liked about the book: Marcus! Once I was able to see into his head, I wanted to keep reading. I would have loved for him to have shown up a little bit earlier, like maybe the first time he noticed Emily. Certainly would have perked up those first hundred pages! As for the paranormal/magic portion of the novel… Eh. It doesn’t evolve from the main characters and it’s not really explained, but then it is the beginning of the series, so maybe it will be later. Some storylines are left hanging at the end, but not the main one, which is good (because I hate cliffhangers). It’s not all that erotic (although some people have labeled it such), just sexy. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but I doubt I’ll continue with the series. Not paranormal enough for me. Besides, the next one isn’t out yet, if it’s even written. Maybe he’s a slow writer like me. J

I almost had two books to add this week, but I thought I would wait and finish my current read today so I would be sure to have a book to report next week. I’m such a cheat, huh?

So… What makes you pick up a book from a new-to-you author? The title or the cover? I’d have to go with cover. Especially if it’s sexy. I can’t help it. My eyes are automatically drawn to it. But then the title has to be intriguing, too, if I’m going to read what the book is about. Time is precious. Seems the older I get, the faster time goes. Just doesn’t seem fair now, does it?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Waking Up With the Answer!

You all know I’m revising Ghostly Interlude. I’ve BEEN revising for a long time now. What with my doctor visits and a possible surgery for me last summer and then Hubby’s cancer, it’s a wonder I’ve worked on it at all. But I’m determined to get this story done. I only had one problem…

What should book 3 in this series be about?

I mean… I have book 1 and book 2. I can’t have a series without at least a third. I just can’t.

I got lucky with an idea for book 2. Dean was a character in book 1. But I have no one in book 2 that I could use in book 3. It was a real stumper.

Sunday morning I woke up with the answer. And I could have slapped myself silly.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE it when that happens. Sure, I’ll have to go in and add a character in book 2, but man, I’ll gladly do that to get this story finished. And then hopefully I’ll be in full-blown mode to start book 3 (of which I kind of already have something started—I just had no idea it would ever be useful!).

Now, let’s see if this will motivate me to finish quicker. I could use a little quick by now.

Looks like the Penguins want to win this the hard way. Two losses in a row! Argh!!! Why do I watch this stuff? Oh yeah, I like the game. Still… Ugh.

So… What gives you heart palpitations?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy