Finished Reading “The Death Dealer” and Good News

I downloaded the results of my CT scan this morning. If I understand it right, one of the nodules is SHRINKING! The rest are remaining stable. That certainly has put me in a good mood! I’ll get it confirmed at my appointment later this month, but I’ve been reading enough of these scans to figure out what to look for.

Yes, I’m doing a happy dance today!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 31

Dates read: Jun 14-17, 2023
Title: The Death Dealer
Year of publication: 2008
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Series: Harrison Investigations #7
# of Pages: 353
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased used
Blurb from Book: Genevieve knows all about nightmares. She herself survived two months as a psychopath’s prisoner: And now this new menace stalks the city. Spooked by the bizarre slayings, she turns to P.I. Joe Connolly, her past rescuer, friend, and… hopefully something more, if he would just quit avoiding her.
    At first Joe isn’t even sure there is a case. But the body count rises, and it’s clear that a twisted killer is on the loose. Even more unsettling is the guidance he starts receiving from beyond the grave. People he knows to be dead are appearing, offering him clues and leads, and warning of some terrible danger ahead.
    But can even the spirits stay the hand of a madman bent on murder?
My thoughts: Okay… I feel better about how the previous book in this series ended. Pretty much the same characters are in this book. And I had no problems reading it quickly (spending over two hours at the Honda service center helped). This was a good story and a good mystery. I really didn’t know whodunit until the end!

I’m off to my writers’ group meeting and then I gotta get ready for Father’s Day. Hubby decided to grill hamburgers and hotdogs tomorrow, which means I need to go to the store. After I get home from my meeting. This is turning out to be a busy Saturday!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

I'm On a Roll!

Every month this year (which would be only three times), I’ve set a writing goal to add 5000 words to my WIP. January I added 1527. February was worse at 683. But this month? So far I’ve written 2524 words in the past 5 days! And I passed the 10K mark on my WIP, too!

I am on a roll!!

I am determined to keep up the madness work and obliterate that goal.

The other day I was interviewed over on the Eight Ladies Writing blog. You can read it HERE. Don’t worry. It’s short. I apparently don’t believe in rambling in my answers. Is that a good or bad thing? I haven’t decided.

Hubby returned home safe and sound at 3:02am yesterday. His flight was only delayed twice! Don’t you just hate flying? We do.

Penguins won last night, but lost in overtime the night before. What an ugly game that was, too. I’m happy the games were on NBCSN, but hate those back-to-back games. And they have the most (or 2nd most) back-to-back games this season. Doesn’t seem right.

So… Got any big plans this weekend? I’ll be attending my local RWA chapter meeting on Saturday and then on Sunday we celebrate my daughter’s birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. No, it’s not her birthday yet (it’s actually April 10), but we have eight coupons for free slices of cheesecake (oh, look, and there will be 8 of us!) and they expire on the 31st. Can’t let them go to waste (just waist). J

Happy Friday!

Stacy

I Reached My Goal!

That’s right! I posted 13 times each month, mostly Mon-Wed-Fri. I say mostly because I believe there was one month where I had to skip a day to keep it to 13, but otherwise, the rest were spot on. Yay! So nice to have reached a goal. And no, I don’t intend to continue. Turned out to be more stress than I needed.

I mean, I’m still blogging Mon-Wed-Fri, but if I miss a day, no biggie. And trust me, when I’m at a convention or on vacation, I’ll be missing some days.

Reaching goals does feel good, though. I’m glad I finished the revisions (pre-editor) to Ghostly Interlude in 2016. Of course, I had planned on finishing it back in March. Oops. So I’m a little late. I made it in 2016, though. No way was I stretching that into another year. No. Way.

As for 2017, I have no idea what kind of goals to set. I’ll have to think about it for a bit. No need to rush, right? Although, I do plan on starting Book #8 in 2017, but I still have to figure out a decent storyline (and a title). I need a brainstorming session with someone. I know just the person, but she’s always so busy and it’s been difficult getting together. I will see her at a chapter reunion in January, so maybe I’ll get lucky. **fingers crossed**

I finally managed to watch “Star Trek: Beyond.” Good movie. Hopefully I’ll remember that one. We re-watched the one before and even though I know I saw it in the theatre, I barely remembered any of it. It was like I watched it for the first time. Sometimes I really wonder about my brain.

On Monday we went and saw “Passengers.” It’s not getting very good reviews and I don’t know why. I really enjoyed the movie, but then I’m a sucker for romance. Yep, you can call this one a sci-fi romance. I don’t think I’ll have any problem remembering that one. I want to see it again!

So… Have you set any goals for 2017 yet? Are you celebrating the New Year with friends or family? We’ll be going to Columbus to celebrate with our friends. Dinner before the OSU game. Dessert during half-time. And hopefully celebrating two-fold as the clock strikes midnight! Go Bucks!!

Have a Happy New Year!!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and My 1000th Post

That’s right! This is my 1000th post!! I started blogging the day after Thanksgiving of 2009. Who knew I’d be sticking around this long?

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 2: “You Belong to Me” by Karen Rose, #1 in the Baltimore series, a romantic suspense at 494 pages. Blurb from book: Baltimore homicide detective J.D. Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies turning up throughout the city. He’s up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta, and J.D. is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case. Medical examiner Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by J.D.’s compassion, but she isn’t about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there’s a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she’s keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings—and put her next on the killer’s hit list… Wow. If you love romantic suspense and haven’t read any of her books, go out and read one. I’ve got two more in my TBR stack and I have a feeling I’ll be buying the rest. Yep, that good. And there wasn’t even any paranormal stuff in it! Haha!

November 7: “Pairing Off” by Elizabeth Harmon, a contemporary romance at 380 pages. Blurb from book: American figure skater Carrie Parker’s Winter Games dreams were dashed when her philandering partner caused one of the greatest scandals in skating history. Blacklisted for competing in the United States, her career is over…until she receives a mysterious invitation and is paired with the most infuriating, talented—and handsome—skater she’s ever met. Russian champion Anton Belikov knows sacrifice. He gave up a normal life and any hope of a meaningful relationship to pursue his dream. And he’s come close—with a silver medal already under his belt, the next stop is the gold. All he needs is a partner. While he’s never forgotten the young American skater he seduced one long-ago night in Amsterdam, he never expected to be confronted with their past…never mind share the ice with her. When what starts as a publicity stunt grows into something real, Carrie and Anton’s partnership will test their loyalties to family, country and each other. With only a few months to train for the competition of a lifetime, can they master technique and their emotions, or will they lose their footing and fall victim to the heartaches of their pasts? This book was a Rita (RWA) finalist and I can see why. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these figure skaters. Heck, I’m a fan of the sport. But I have to admit, I won this book and wasn’t sure I’d read it, until I saw it was situated in Russia (I’ve got this fascination with that country because one of my vampire characters is from there). So glad I wasn’t disappointed.

I tried commenting on Monday’s post, via my iPhone, but it wouldn’t post because Blogger said I entered the wrong password (I hadn’t). I tried another account and got the same message (but in that case I had entered the wrong password). Finally got around to commenting when I posted this, via my laptop. Just know I’m able to READ your comments, even if I can’t comment right away. Thanks, too. I love comments.

Cruise activities (so far):

• Monday: Sailed to Freeport. Wrote some. Read a lot. J
• Tuesday: Docked at Freeport (a boring port), so I stayed on ship and had a massage (they’re cheaper when ship is docked). My first one. Loved it!
• Today: Docked at Nassau. Hope to walk along the beach.

Overall, the weather has been BEAUTIFUL. And I’m getting a lot of REST. It’s been great.

So… What was the last book you read? Was it your favorite genre or something different that caught your eye? Good or disappointing?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

I Did It!

Two days later than I had planned, but I did it. At 90,233 words, GHOSTLY LIAISON is finished!

Yes, there's editing & revision ahead of me, but right now...

It's party time!