Finished Reading “The Stand” and Waiting for Things to Settle Down

It never fails. I leave on a trip and when I get home I have appointments out the wazoo! If it’s not for me, it’s for the cars. Plus, the weather has been wild, too. I think things will lighten up a little next week. I sure hope so. I’ve been home for a week!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 5

Dates read: February 22 - March 18, 2026
Title: The Stand
Year of publication: 1978/1990
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 1235
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased at B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.
    And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides - or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail - and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: This was the third or fourth time reading this book. Probably third. First was in the late 70s when I saw the book in Safeway indicating it was going to be a movie (it wasn’t, not then, anyway). Fell in love with it. Then I bought the updated version when it came out. I don’t think I read that hardcover twice (although with my memory, it’s possible I just forgot). But for the cruise, I wanted to read something that I already knew and loved, so I bought the e-book for my Nook (of which I could not get on my Nook being away from home so I was stuck reading it on my phone). Still as good as the first time I read it. And believe it or not, I remembered most of it. I guess reading a GOOD book really makes a difference in remembering.

I bought the anthology of short stories written by lots of different authors, all tales of The Stand. I think that was another reason I wanted to read The Stand again. Plus, I want to watch the miniseries, too (the one with Gary Sinese). But I’m making that my reward for finishing The Alien’s Change of Heart. I need something to motivate me to finish!!

FYI: I will be at a book signing in Columbia, SC on March 28^th at The Market on 701 Whaley. 12-5 pm. It’s free for readers to attend. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi! And maybe buy a few books while you’re at it. I’ll be sharing a table with Jeanne Oates Estridge (writing also as Opal Mason). We're driving down together. Should be fun!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Slay” and a Book Event

I went to a book event in the Indianapolis area yesterday. Sold 7 books. Not enough to break even, but better than I expected. And a lot of people seemed interested in Alien Desires (which I only had a postcard for). Hopefully I get some preorders. A lot of people were also interested in my other series, and I get the feeling they might buy the e-books later. Fingers crossed!

Overall, I would attend this event again, but alas, next year (Aug 8, 2026) I’ll be on a cruise. I know, you feel really sorry for me, huh? Haha!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 9

Dates read: April 12-26, 2025
Title: Slay
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series:  Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #30
# of Pages: 412
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: Anita Blake is small, dark, and dangerous. Her turf is the city of St. Louis. Her job: U.S. Marshal—Preternatural Branch. She’s faced horrifying monsters and brutal killers and come out the other side still standing.
    Considering how things in her life tend to go, Anita never expected her walk down the aisle with Jean-Claude to go smoothly. They’ve already been confronted with naysayers and a power-hungry ancient evil, but now Anita has to do the one thing that actually scares her: introduce her very religious, very human relatives to her fiancé—the newly crowned vampire king of America.
    As Anita tries to keep the peace between the family she left behind and the family she’s chosen, dark forces jump at the chance to take advantage of the chaos. With her happy-ever-after at risk and everyone’s immortal souls hanging in the balance, Anita grapples with a hard truth: Blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: There were actual times I did NOT want to put the book down, but had to. Talk about frustrating. But now I’m wondering where #31 is. It’s been almost two years. She usually has the new one in hard cover by the time the latest is in paperback, but I don’t see anything. I won’t panic. Yet.

FYI: Registration for Literary Love Savannah (July 9-13) ends May 1^st, so if you’re looking to attend, don’t wait too long. This is the last LLS for a while. Which is sad, but highly understandable. Just comment that you’re interested and I’ll send you the details (or just go to their FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/283444507738356). I really like this convention (and it is a convention, not just a book signing). I have a lot of fun with the readers.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

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 “Undone” and I’m In Savannah

Hot, hot, hot. That’s what it is in Savannah. If I didn’t have to go out to eat, I’d just stay in the hotel, with the convention. But since I’m taking readers OUT to eat tonight and tomorrow that’s not gonna happen. Just need to make sure I stay hydrated, because even a quarter-mile walk can be taxing.

I’m in Savannah for LLS2023 (Literary Love Savannah), a book convention that runs from Thursday (actually, Wednesday evening for some) to Sunday morning (raffle basket time). It’s a lot of fun and the readers can really get to know the authors, if they want. We do try to pamper them!

I don’t know if I’ll come back next year, though. I really don’t see the sense if I haven’t finished Ghostly Protector. Can’t make money if I don’t have any new stuff, right? But Hubby loves coming here every year with me (didn’t make it last year due to my surgeries). He always finds something new to do.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 37

Dates read: July 12-19, 2023
Title: Undone
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Crime Fiction/Suspense
Series: Will Trent #3
# of Pages: 504
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: In the trauma center of Atlanta’s busiest hospital, Sara Linton treats the city’s poor, wounded, and unlucky—and finds refuge from the tragedy that rocked her life in rural Grant County. But when a tortured young woman becomes a patient in her ER, Sara finds herself thrust into a desperate police investigation, coming face-to-face with Special Agent Will Trent and his partner, Faith Mitchell.
    In this suspense masterpiece, Karin Slaughter weaves together the moving, powerful human stories of three unforgettable characters from her New York Times bestselling novels Faithless and Fractured, who collide for the first time in an electrifying race against the clock—and a duel with unspeakable human evil. For Sara, Will, and Faith—each wounded, each carrying dire secrets—are all that stand between a madman and his next victim.
My thoughts: I didn’t realize Sara Linton had her own series (like I read the blurb—not—when I’m committed to reading the series), but you don’t need to have read them to read this. I’m at the part in the book series where I realize the TV version is completely different, but I don’t care. These are still great reads and I’ll keep at it (because I already own the books!).

Lots of construction is going on around the hotel. Savannah is growing. The riverwalk has expanded to go past our hotel to new condos being built. I guess new businesses will also appear once the condos are finished (don’t they usually?).

Have you ever visited Savannah? It’s a neat city, with lots of history.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Fractured” and Book vs TV

I’m feeling a little bit better than last time I posted. Don’t know if it’s the weather, or getting back out there and walking, or if it’s because I finally feel ready for Literary Love Savannah 2023 (I got off my duff and organized my stuff for that book convention). I always spend way more than I ever make at that convention, but I have fun, so I figure it’s worth that, at least. I also crochet lots of stuff I give away (either in raffle baskets or with swag). Makes me think that I should have a character in my books who crochets a lot. Then giving this stuff out as swag would make more sense!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 36

Dates read: July 8-12, 2023
Title: Fractured
Year of publication: 2008
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Crime Fiction/Suspense
Series: Will Trent #2
# of Pages: 503
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: When Atlanta housewife Abigail Campano comes home unexpectedly one afternoon, she walks into a nightmare. A broken window, a bloody footprint on the stairs, and, most devastating of all, the horrifying sight of her teenage daughter lying dead on the landing, a man standing over her with a bloody knife. The struggle which follows changes Abigail’s life forever.
    When the local police make a misjudgement which not only threatens the investigation but places a young girl’s life in danger, the case is handed over to Special Agent Will Trent of the Criminal Apprehension Team—paired with detective Faith Mitchell, a woman who resents him from their first meeting.
    But in the relentless heat of a Georgia summer, Will and Faith realize that they must work together to find the brutal killer who has targeted one of Atlanta’s wealthiest, most priviledged communities—before it’s too late.
My thoughts: I realized early on that I had a UK version of this book. I guess that’s what I get for buying it at Half Price Books, huh? I don’t think it mattered in the long run (I got used to the ‘ vs “ marks in dialogue). This is the story that was used in the pilot of the television series “Will Trent”. And as early as I had seen that, I still couldn’t remember whodunit. Very good read. And I just ignore how the author describes the characters. I go by who’s playing them in the TV series. It’s just easier for me that way.

Do you read books that were based on a television series you watch? Or have you watched television series based on books you’ve already read? Which do you prefer? I read the Sookie Stackhouse books while I was watching True Blood. But I didn’t start reading the first book until after the first season ended. I was afraid I would spoil things. Silly me. I should have known by then that TV and movies RARELY are the same as the books. And… the books are always better. Agree? So I have no problems reading the Will Trent books and hope the series has been renewed. Because I know the TV series will eventually veer in a different direction than the book series. And I like them both.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Unhallowed Ground” and an Unexpected Adventure

This past weekend I was in Cleveland for a book event. I left Friday after lunch and drove the three hours through mostly rain. It was pretty miserable. But we (Hubby came with me) made it to the hotel, which is going through renovations (as most of the area seemed to be—construction everywhere!), and found a place to park. When I got to the front desk, it turned out that my reservation was cancelled.

They did call me ahead of time. But I was driving, didn’t recognize the number, and never got a notice that I had a voice message (or I would have had Hubby check it out). Seems the room I was assigned, as well as a bunch of others, didn’t have water and they reassigned me to another hotel, a half-mile away.

Now, when you’re an author at a book event, you kind of like to be in the hotel the event is at. Especially when you have books and swag with you. I was pissed and nearly went home. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go anymore.

But the coordinator talked me down, said lots of authors were having the same issue, and that the hotel would help any way they could. Apparently one of the things they did was comp my room and paid for the room at the other hotel. They also paid for the parking.

I managed to have a good time despite all that. Would have had a better time if I sold more than one book, but oh well… At least I didn’t have to pay for the hotel. And I got way more steps than I anticipated, too. Just wish I didn’t have to get some of them in the rain!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 33

Dates read: Jun 22-26, 2023
Title: Unhallowed Ground
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #9
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: When Sarah McKinley is finally able to buy and restore the historic Florida mansion that she has always loved, she dismisses the horror stories of past residents vanishing and a long-dead housekeeper who practiced black magic. Then, in the midst of renovations, she makes a grim discovery. Hidden within the walls of Sarah’s dream house are the remains of dozens of bodies—some dating back over a century.
    The door to the past is blown wide open when Caleb Anderson, a private investigator, shows up at the mansion. He believes several current missing-persons cases are linked to the house and its dark past. Working together to find the connection and stop a contemporary killer, Sarah and Caleb are compelled to research the history of the haunted house, growing closer to each other even as the solution to the murders eludes them.
    But there is one who knows the truth…a spirit who follows every move they make. Soon Caleb begins to fear that if he can’t stay a step ahead, he could lose Sarah to a killer with an ability to transcend time in a quest for blood and sacrifice.
My thoughts: Lots of stuff went on in this doozy of a book. I think one of the cases wasn’t resolved, but maybe I missed it. It’s possible! Thoroughly enjoyable, though.

Tonight Hubby and I are going to see the Doobie Brothers in concert. Tomorrow, Santana. Looking forward to both. This is the start of our concert season! Too bad rain is in the forecast tonight, but at least we’re sitting under a cover. I just hope I don’t get cold. Highs on both days are in the mid 70s.

This is summer, right?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Nightwalker” and I Finished My Shawl!

I finished the shawl I mentioned on another post. Isn’t it pretty?

I plan on wearing it to Books and All That Jazz, a book event in Cleveland this weekend. Don’t know if it’ll help me sell any books, but maybe it will be enough to help me stand out.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 32

Dates read: Jun 18-22, 2023
Title: Nightwalker
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #8
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: One night, desperate for money to support her grandfather, Jessy Sparhawk places the bet that will change her life forever. Just as she’s collecting her winnings, a man stumbles through the crowd, a knife protruding from his back, and crashes into her, pinning her to the table.
    Hired to investigate the murder, private detective Dillon Wolf finds himself fascinated by the gorgeous redhead who’d been trapped beneath the victim—and by the single world the dying man had whispered in her ear. Indigo
    One murder leads to another as Dillon and Jessy realize that the nightmare is only just beginning—and that the dead still have a hand left to play.
My thoughts: I gobbled this one up. Lots of ghosts! And a good mystery (I didn’t know who was involved until I was told—I’m either bad at deducting or the writing was that good). I liked all the characters in this one. The romance was pretty good, too.

This weekend is the start of my busy summer, author-wise. I’ll be in Cleveland for the above mentioned book event. In July, I’ll be in Savannah for a book convention (which I have a LOT of stuff in my house for—I’ll unclutter the house when I leave for that con). In October, I’ll be up in Rockford, IL for another book signing. Will I sell any books? I can only hope!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and… Stuff

I am doing much better in my reading goal this year. I’m also doing better with my writing. Maybe 2023 will be a good year! Well, a good year for reading and writing. For my FitBit… not so good. It died! I was forced to get another because I really miss having that thing on my wrist. I hope I like it. I am not a fan of change. Heck, is anyone?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 6

Dates read: February 9-13, 2023
Title: Tell No Lies
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Quinn & Costa #2
# of Pages: 540
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
    Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking, and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
My thoughts: I breezed through this one. I guess that happens when you read a suspense that keeps you in suspense that you just want to keep reading! I liked the locale of this book, because it reminded me of when I lived in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. I only lived there a short time (little more than 2 years), but really loved the area. But overall, this book was entertaining and had me guessing to the end.

I’ll be in three book events this year: Literary Love Savannah (July), Books and All That Jazz (Cleveland in June), and now Book Love on the Rock (Rockford, IL in Oct). I need to post more information on this blog, and I will…eventually. But if you want the information NOW, let me know and I’ll send it to you.

Do you like attending book events? The Savannah one is actually a convention (lots of fun stuff for the readers), but the other two are basically book signings. I need to get something written up for my newsletter and I’ll be sure to share it on this blog, too. I really need to get the word out there, and I’ve been such a slacker.

FYI: My last treatment went well. I didn’t have any adverse effects (not even a headache—yay!). I just hope that’s a good thing. Sometimes I wonder if I don’t have any effects if the treatment is working. Isn’t that crazy thinking?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

It’s a Start and Other News

BOOK NEWS
I registered for a book signing that will take place June 2023 in Cleveland, OH. I will also register for Literary Love Savannah soon for that convention which takes place in July 2023. Have I finished Ghostly Protector yet? Nope. But… I’m actually working on it. So… it’s a start. If these events don’t motivate me, nothing will and I’ll have to face that fact… next year.

HEART NEWS
I feel great. Actually, I don’t feel all that different from before the surgery (except I haven’t attempted steps yet—hopefully get the clearance tomorrow). But, because my heart went into AFib during surgery, I have to wear a heart monitor for 30 days AND take blood thinners during that time. The heart monitor itches (well, the tape securing the monitor itches) and is driving me a little nuts. I’ll be glad when July 20th comes around. I return the monitor then and find out whether or not I need to be on the thinners any longer. Keeping fingers crossed all goes well!

CANCER NEWS
I see my oncologist on July 19 and will find out when I start treatment on my cancer then. I’ve got some trips coming up (family reunion in August, DragonCon during Labor Day weekend, and a tour through national parks in mid-Sept), but he said they’d be able to work around our schedule. We’ll see!

I didn’t finish reading a book this week, so no update, but I wanted to share my other news with you. Stuff is actually happening! Maybe life is finally going back to normal. I can hope!

So… got any trips scheduled for this summer?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Having Fun, Football, and Saturday

The fun part

Someone asked me a long time ago which part of the writing process I enjoyed the most. I had said all parts. But you know what? That’s not true. At least, it’s not true anymore.

The part I enjoy the most is the revising part. Adding meat. Fixing the story. That’s where the fun is at. And I’m having loads of fun fixing my short story. But I wouldn’t have had anything to fix if I hadn’t written the stupid thing first. That’s the thing I have to keep reminding myself as I’m writing that first draft.

And I have to remind myself A LOT!

Football
Should I just be happy my teams (okay, most of my teams) won this weekend? USC didn’t win, but OSU did. Barely. But then, they didn’t really “win” that game. Maryland kind of handed it them.

Why do teams go for 2 when they can tie it at 1? Maryland got bit in the butt for that (not that I’m complaining) and so did the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

The Steelers also played like crap but managed to come out on top against the Jaguars. I told Hubby that Ben HAD to make that touchdown to make up for all those stupid interceptions.

Sometimes I think our favorite teams just like to torment us fans every now and then. They all do it, don’t they?

Tonight the Rams play against the Chiefs. They’re both at 9-1. I’m almost afraid to watch it, especially after what my teams did on Saturday and Sunday. We’ll see if I can stay awake for the whole thing, though. I want to go bed happy.

The book signing
The author event on Saturday didn’t turn out so bad. I sold a book! I might have sold two if the girl who said she’d left her purse in the car had returned after leaving (she said she wanted one of my books). I think I gave her a magnet, so hopefully she finds me on line and buys one that way.

I guess the library does this event annually, but I doubt I go back. Just not that many romance readers attended. But I’m always willing to try new places, especially when they only cost my time and fuel to drive there.

So… Did you know this calendar year (2018) is the same as 1979? Do you know how I know that? Because Hubby and I were married on Saturday, December 1^st and this December 1^st falls on a Saturday. And Thanksgiving came early that year, too. I had flown into Georgia (probably Atlanta) to meet up with soon-to-be Hubby and we drove down to Jacksonville for me to meet his parents. For Thanksgiving. Then we drove back to Arizona and spent the week preparing for our wedding. Ahhh… memories.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I'm Looking Forward to...

A colonoscopy

Okay, I’m NOT looking forward to this. I’m looking forward to it being OVER! Ten years ago I had my first colonoscopy and told to come back in ten years. My doctor told me not to be surprised if I’m told this time to come back in five years, because apparently ten years between them is too long? Grrr… Yeah, I know, better to get checked often than wait too long and find something.

What I’m really not looking forward to is the prep I have to go through today and tomorrow morning for tomorrow’s procedure. Monday is usually pizza/TV with Son, but I cancelled that since I can’t eat anything after 9am today until after the procedure. Ugh…

Tomorrow’s procedure is going to happen on base this year (last time I went someplace off base—not a hospital). Last time I wasn’t completely out and remember a lot of it. I’m hoping I’m totally out this time. I don’t want to remember it. I don’t want to feel it!!! Wish me luck!

A book signing
Yay! Something good to look forward to this week. I’ll be at the Boone County (KY) Public Library this Saturday for their Author Event (you can see more information here: https://www.bcpl.org/undiscovered/local-author-fair-just-in-time-for-holiday-shopping/ ). I’m apparently going to be on a panel discussing self-publishing, but that’s about all I know. Well, that, and I get a table to sell my books. I don’t usually sell at library events, but it was free for me and publicity is publicity. Right? And if I actually sell a book (or even get a newsletter subscriber), SCORE!

I pretty much have all my swag in one room, just have to pack it up to transport (I have pens and bookmarks now!!). And my books are all set to go. Don’t know if Hubby will accompany me. I hope he does, but I won’t nag him about it.

Although, maybe if I give him the sad eyes… J

A finished short story
That’s right! I’m highly confident I’ll finish my short story this week (might have finished it Friday except I was at the hospital with Daughter—who is doing well by the way). Next I need to figure out the blurb and what kind of cover I want for it. The sooner I get that all done, the sooner I can get back to my WIP. I miss those characters.

So… Are you looking forward to anything this week?

Happy Monday! 

Stacy

Gotta Get With It

Looks like I forgot to get another post ready for this morning.

I really gotta get with it.

Not only that, my newsletter should go out tomorrow and I haven’t written one word of that yet.

I really gotta get with it.

Then yesterday I almost forgot a book event I was scheduled to attend in Springfield at 1:30. I remembered at 10:30. Talk about running around looking for my stuff!

I really gotta get with it.

But… Today it looks like we’ll get our backyard patio and driveway poured. I sure hope they don’t do the sidewalk, too, because then I don’t know how I’ll get out of the house (or how Hubby will get back in!). I’m sure the workers have figured that all out…maybe.

I say maybe because when they formed the driveway, they formed it incorrectly. We ordered a 20-foot wide driveway (from edge of house to edge of house). They formed for 16 feet (width of garage opening). We had the narrow opening at our old house and hated it, that’s why we paid for the wider opening. Thank goodness we (and the builder) noticed the mistake and it’s getting corrected. But…because the driveway comes real close to the water meter, the city has to inspect and approve the change. You’d think they’d have done this BEFORE building the house. The wider driveway was on the plans.

It’s been a busy week. A week I thought would be slow because I’d be at the old house getting the stuff out of there. Instead it was one appointment/event/thing after another. I was able to go over there twice. TWICE! That certainly isn’t getting the stuff cleared out of there.

We really gotta get with it!

So… What have you been trying to get accomplished but other stuff keeps getting in the way? Or maybe you WANT the other stuff to get in the way. Sometimes I think that’s how Hubby and I feel. It’s too much work going through the crap at the old house!

Happy Friday!

Stacy

We Have Drywall!

The last time I drove by the new house, it didn’t look any different (no siding), but we got pictures from the developer on Friday. We have drywall!

This is the kitchen area. Those three windows will be above 

the cabinets

From the great room toward the front door. Archway on the left is to the

master bedroom. Kitchen is to the right.

Holy Pucks, Batman! Did you see yesterday’s Penguins/Flyers game? I thought for sure we were going to lose (and after Friday’s game, I was rather depressed) and then BAM! The Penguins showed up. Yay! So glad THAT series is over. Now we wait to see who we play in the next round. I kind of hope it’s Columbus. I’d like to see them win a first round for once (knocking the Capitals out would just be a bonus).

Author event down in Corbin went about as I expected. Got two new subscribers to my newsletter. Sold a book. But look at my new banner. Ain’t it pretty?

I miscalculated the height needed (it was too tall for the table), but made it work. I also have a smaller version (for when I only have a 3’ table), because I thought it turned out so great.

And yes, I realized AFTER I set up the table that I had the vampire books over the ghost saying and the ghost books over the vampire saying. I will remember to line them up correctly the next time.

Best question I got on Saturday: Do you write paranormal? Hmmm… Let me think.

I’ll have you know that even having traveled 3-1/2 hours on Friday, the book signing and traveling 3-1/2 hours home on Saturday, I have NOT broken my writing streak. 43 days and counting (of writing 300+ words). Whoo hoo! Motivation (or would that be competition against myself) is a powerful thing. Plus, I’m just so darned THRILLED that writing has become fun again.

So… How was your weekend? Frazzled or quiet? Or maybe a happy medium?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

On the Road Again

Today I head down to Corbin, KY for tomorrow I shall be at the Southeastern Kentucky Author Event. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come by. It’s only $5 per person to see over 40 authors. Should be fun.

DL Hammons is running the WRiTE Club again this year (http://www.dlhammons.com/). If you want to help out some writers (who have submitted anonymously), check out the bouts and vote for the one you like best. There’s a different bout each day (and it started on Monday), but you have a week or two to vote, so it’s not too late to go over there and start reading and voting.

I started watching “The X Files” this week (after my writing, of course) basically as research (since I kind of reference it in a book I’m revising). I’ve never seen the original series before and I’m enjoying it so far. Twenty-five years didn’t seem all that long ago, or different, in my mind, but now that I can actually SEE it on the screen… Wow. Life was different back then. Not quite as connected as it is now.

Drove by the new house yesterday, but not much has changed on the outside. Still waiting on the siding. Maybe next week! I think the weather is supposed to get warmer. Gosh, I hope so!

So… Got any plans this weekend? I’m hoping I get to Corbin before the Penguins game comes on. I don’t want to miss it!

Happy Friday! And let’s go Pens!!

Stacy

Happy Tax Day!

If you’re one of those last minute tax preparers, I hope you get your return filed in time (I believe you have until midnight tonight). I may be a procrastinator, but I NEVER wait until the last minute. The IRS scares me too much to do that. Haha!

I got my return filed weeks ago and already received my refund (another reason I filed early). I’m sure I would have waited until later if I owed money, but I still wouldn’t wait until the last day. Nope. That would just be too much stress for me.

I do not have any pictures from Sunday’s Reds game. That’s because we didn’t go. It was raining pretty steadily by the time we had to leave for the 1:10 game, so we waited. Game kept getting postponed until first pitch started at 3:45. By that time I was already into the Penguins game (they’re now up 2 games to 1—whoo hoo!). Plus it was getting colder by the hour. Thank goodness the tickets were free. I didn’t feel that guilty not going.

I took a walk to the post office on Friday. It was pretty windy, but nice and warm (close to the 80s!). Thought I might actually get to start walking outside this week. Then I checked the weather.

Yeah, it ain’t happening this week. Rain, rain, maybe snow, and cold weather until Friday. Some spring this is turning out to be. We’re going to go straight from brrrr to sweaty, I just know it.

So… Has the weather put a crimp in your weekend plans? Next Saturday I’ll be in Corbin, KY for the Southeastern Kentucky Author Event. It’s not an outdoor event, but I sure hope the weather is nicer. Maybe then more people will attend!

Happy Monday!

Stacy

No Snow! Yay!

I was so happy on Saturday. The snow storm completely moved south and we got nothing!

Well… not completely nothing. It was still FREEZING! I believe it’s finally supposed to get up into the 50s this week. But with rain. Of course, with rain.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be able to take a walk outside again (I’m certainly not doing it at the fitness center!).

The Author Fair went as I expected. Some day I’d like one of these things to go as I HOPED, but it is what it is. I sold one book and gained a new subscriber to my newsletter, which is about what I do at these things, so I can’t really complain. It’s all about getting noticed, right?

At least I didn’t have to pay for the table, so there was that.

Hubby accompanied me on the trip, so we stopped at Der Dutchman (in Plain City) on the way home. It’s a huge restaurant/shopping experience run by the Amish (or for the Amish, I can never tell). Food was great. Dessert was even better. Overall, it was a nice day.

My writing streak is currently at 15 days. I really didn’t think I’d manage on Saturday, but I got over 300 words written in the morning and over 500 on Sunday. And Hubby was in the house! It’s a miracle, I tell you. And I'm quite motivated to keep the streak going.

So… Did the weather surprise you this weekend?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I’m Going to an Author Fair, but…SNOW!

Saturday I’ll be traveling to Marion, Ohio, for an author fair at the Marion Public Library. But wouldn’t you believe it? More snow is forecasted. Ugh.

I’ve been looking forward to this event and would like a good turnout. But how many people will turn out if it’s snowing?

Will winter never go away?

I can only hope that the storm isn’t going to be bad, or it goes south (let Cincinnati and Kentucky get it all!). But I won’t hold my breath that’ll happen. I might pass out!

So… If you happen to find yourself in the Marion area on Saturday, I hope you’ll stop by and say hi. You could buy a book, too. I won’t mind!

My writing is still going strong, although I doubt I get anything written on Saturday (there goes my streak!). Of course, if I get up early, I could possibly get some words written. Hmmm… Sure something to think about. Don’t want to break that streak.

So… Do you like driving in the snow? As long as it’s daylight out, I’m usually okay. Night time and snow? Not so much. I don’t like how the snow is reflected off the headlights. It’s almost as bad as fog!

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Publishing Update and Have Lunch With Some Authors

I finally got the print format for Ghostly Liaison and My Sunny Vampire uploaded to Createspace, so now the waiting game begins. I’ll still get a proof copy first (because you never know…), but I sure hope I’m done with these two.

Bite Me, I’m Yours is with Hubby (via Enterprise Book Services) to format the e-book and paperback. He said I should get the e-book version by today to upload. It’ll probably be a few days later for the print format. I just hope it’s all done before I leave on my vacation (which starts Friday—yay!).

By the way, here’s the new cover to Bite Me, I’m Yours. Isn’t it great? I think Maria Zannini (www.bookcoverdiva.blogspot.com) has done a wonderful job in creating my covers. And she puts up a lot from me, too (because I can be so indecisive at times).

So, to sum it up, here are the statuses of the following books I’m working on:

• My Sunny Vampire: e-books available for sale; print book in process
• Bite Me, I’m Yours: e-books and print book in process
• Ghostly Liaison: e-books available for sale; print book in process
• Ghostly Interlude: with copy editor.

I can’t believe how time consuming it’s been to get these books out. I DESERVE that vacation now! And I’m really hoping I get some writing done because yes, that does sound like a fun thing to do on vacation. It’s been way too long since I wrote anything NEW.

If you’re in the Cincinnati area (or even if you’re not—haha!) and you’d like to have lunch with a bunch of us authors (because hey, that’s fun!), here’s a great opportunity and it’s for a good cause, too. The Book Chicks of Cincinnati is holding a Christmas luncheon/book signing with proceeds going to the Toys for Tots. I had a blast last year (as did everyone), but if we don’t get more tickets sold, it could very well be cancelled this year. L You can find all the details HERE, but before you go registering, email me first (stacy @ stacymckitrick . com—without the spaces). I’ll send you a code to get $5 off.

SPORTS! Wayne HS won on Friday, with 14 seconds left in the game!!! I even found a video of it HERE (it's not long, less than a minute). Aaack. Too exciting! Saturday was a nice sports day. OSU won. USC won. Penguins won. Dodgers won. And WVU won (yes, I like them, too). And Sunday the Steelers squeaked by KC in a nerve-wracking win, the Rams beat the Jags, and the Dodgers won it in the 9th inning with a walk off home run!! They’re up 2-0 in the NLCS. I could use more fun sports weekends like that.

So… Which sports are you enjoying/focusing on now? You can see what interest me (and did you notice I don’t mention the NBA? Yeah, I don’t like them). This certainly is the busy season, isn’t it?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

What a Weekend

I got so busy this weekend, I didn’t have time to write a blog post. But there’s no rule that says I have to post by 6am, is there? Nah! It’s my blog, I can post whenever. So I choose now to post.

I’d say I have pictures to share, but then I’d be lying. I took a couple of pictures, but they’re still on my phone and pretty lame, anyway. Nothing with ME in them. Sometimes I think I need an assistant just to take the pictures. Haha!

The Angels and Sirens book signing went better than I expected, but a lot different than I expected, too. Apparently I also had to pay extra for the dinner and mixer after (I thought it was part of the author price—it was not). Oh well, so I didn’t stay for those. But a lot of people did stop by my table during the signing (some even bought a book!). I had a giveaway basket I had hoped would generate more interest, but that didn’t work out like I thought. Live and learn. Live and learn.

My next reader convention is RT (Romantic Times Booklovers convention). That’s a massive event, but it’s fun, too. I’ll be part of Kensington’s party (they’re giving away copies of Ghostly Liaison for me to sign), which is a nice bonus for me. I’ll also be part of another party – Beach Blanket Bingo. I’ll be sharing my table with writer friend, TeriAnne Stanley. Should be lots of fun!

Anyway, back to my weekend.

I was so wiped out on Saturday (having gotten up at 4am and then driving 3 hours to Washington, PA), I was asleep by 9:30pm. Of course, I was the first to wake up in the morning! But we still took our time getting up and ready. Didn’t have to be in Pittsburgh until 3:45 (when the charity bag sale commenced—Daughter bought one), so we had lunch at a restaurant I had never been to before. A place that’s pretty famous in Pittsburgh: Primanti Brothers.

Now, I didn’t go and get the sandwich that has slaw and French fries in it (yep, IN it). I opted for the meatball sub. Man, was that sub AWESOME. So glad there’s a restaurant in Beavercreek (about 10 miles away from me). I don’t have to wait so long to return, because, yeah, I’ll go back for that sandwich!

After lunch, we drove into Pittsburgh and found a place to park. Unfortunately, we left the car in auxiliary mode for a bit until we were ready to leave for the stadium and drained my car battery (it is getting old—nearly 7 years). Ooops. We crossed our fingers that when we came back to the car after the game, that there would be enough juice to start up. There wasn’t.

Someone was still in the parking lot when we returned who had jumper cables and gave us a start. Man, were we lucky or what? Guess I’ll be buying a new battery this week. Probably today, if I ever get my butt out of the house!

The Penguins game was awesome, too! Of course, I wasn’t feeling so great after the first period, since we were losing 3-0. Coach actually replaced Murray (the starting goalie) with Fleury. Ah, the love for that man! We were all chanting Fleury’s name during the game, especially after the awesome saves he made. Buffalo never scored again and we ended up winning 4-3 (the last two goals coming within the last 3 minutes of the game!). So it was an exciting game and made the 3-1/2 hour drive home so much more pleasant!

Even though we had to eat in the car after—we were afraid to turn it off so soon after leaving!

It was a great weekend and one I won’t soon forget. Especially now that I know I need a new battery! Haha!

So… Think I was just lucky my 6-1/2 year-old battery started on a jump? This battery is the one that came with the car. I’ve always been impressed with Nissan batteries (my Altima battery lasted long, too). We’ll see if I get as much mileage with the replacement.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

A Book Signing Event and a Hockey Game

This weekend finds me in Pittsburgh once again.

On Saturday I have to get up well before the rooster crows and drive three hours to the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington, PA. Need to get there between 8-9:00am for the Angels and Sirens Book Signing.

Oh, and if you’re thinking of attending, it costs $10 at the door just to get into the book signing, so this isn’t a freebie thing for readers.

I’m not exactly sure what to expect (or how many people are attending). Book sales/signing is from 11-4 (starts at 10 for early-bird attendees). Dinner (extra $) is at 5pm and a Mix & Mingle party (extra $) starts at 7pm.

I’m pretty sure my author fee includes all of that (but I can’t remember—aren’t I pathetic?). In any case, I’m prepared for a long day (doesn’t help that these events kind of drain me, too) and will do my best to go with the flow and have a good time.

It probably would have been smarter to leave tonight, but I’m cheap, what can I say?

Hubby and Daughter are accompanying me on this trip, but won’t be going to the event. They’ll be on their own Saturday, but Sunday is PENGUINS HOCKEY!

Yay! We’ll drive up to Pittsburgh (only about 30 minutes away) for a 5:00pm game against Buffalo. This game will be indoors, where it will be considerably warmer than last Saturday’s outdoor game. Then after the game we’ll drive home (hopefully as happy fans!).

So, that’s two weekends in a row in Pittsburgh. Two weekends of Penguins hockey. I’m ready.

So… Got any plans this weekend?

Happy Friday!

Stacy