Finished Reading “Ice Planet Octogenarians” and Got a New Laptop

My new laptop was delivered on the 27^th. I got it all ready to use on the 28^th. I’m calling it IceBlue, since that’s the color of it. My old computer was called BigRed because it was red. And while the screen on BigRed is an inch smaller than IceBlue’s, IceBlue is a smaller laptop (by about an inch wide and deep). Go figure.

One thing I HATE about Windows 11 is that it uses One Drive. I HATE One Drive. I thought I had disabled it on my travel laptop, but apparently I didn’t as the files from that computer showed up on IceBlue. I realized I needed to uninstall it. So I did. On IceBlue and the Travel laptop.

Talk about an annoying software.

I purposely do NOT use the cloud. I don’t trust it. So no way would I use One Drive. I’ll just manually transfer whatever files I need to my travel laptop when I’m traveling. Besides, a lot of my traveling is on a cruise ship, so I doubt I would even be able to access the files I want through One Drive. The internet is not everywhere.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 34

Dates read: December 20-29, 2024
Title: Ice Planet Octogenarians: Haroom’s Harmonance
Year of publication: 2025?
Author: Opal Mason
Genre: Science Fiction Rom Com
Series:  Ice Planet #1
# of Pages: 219
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: ARC from author
Blurb from Book: Ice Planet Barbarians Meets Golden Girls!
    You’d think being eighty-five years old would protect you from being kidnapped by sex-trafficking space aliens. But you’d be wrong.
    Because my friends and I took out the slave traders only to crash-land on an ice-ball of a planet called “Oog.”
    The natives here are huge and purple, with feet like beaver tails, two thumbs on each broad hand, and towering antlers. You wouldn’t think they’d be interested in a quartet of eighty-somethings, but their tribe is really short on females.
    Also, their saliva contains a chemical that, when applied to the right location, turns back the clock on these rickety old bodies.
    Before you judge us, let me ask you this: What if you were standing so close to the Grim Reaper you could see the whites of his eyes? And what if a strapping young fellow came along and offered you the chance to be twenty-five again?
    Do you really think you’d turn that down?
Recommend: Yes, once it’s published
My thoughts: This was fun to read. I was asked to beta read this book because the author is still working on the series and needs some help. Once she has all four books finished, they will be available for sale. And when they are, I’ll be getting them.

So… 2024 is about over. It wasn’t a horrible year for me (heck, I’m technically in remission, so…yay!). Well, it wasn’t horrible until I had to fix the water heater, get a new washing machine and a new laptop. Here’s hoping all my electronics work in 2025!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Falling Stars” and My Laptop is Dying

It’s been an expensive month. Besides Christmas, we had to get the water heater repaired and then buy a new washing machine because the old one (from 2007) died. Now? My laptop, which I’ve had since 2016, is dying (the hard drive is going bad). I had to buy a new one (which I won’t get until the 26^th) because working on my travel laptop is NOT FUN. It’s just too small for everyday use.

I really did NOT want a new laptop. But even if I replaced the hard drive, I would still have to get all new software, so I might as well get a new one. I just hope the new one lasts as long (or longer) than the old. I hate change!!

This year is certainly not ending on a high note, is it?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 33

Dates read: December 7-19, 2024
Title: Falling Stars
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Fern Michaels
Genre: Contemporary romance
Series:  N/A
# of Pages: 222
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from B&N (membership perk)
Blurb from Book: Emily Ammerman has always felt at home amid the ski runs and slopes of Snowdrift Summit, the Colorado resort her family has operated for decades. Snow is her element, and she doesn’t hesitate when a new client asks her to train him to ski The Plunge, one of Colorado’s most treacherous runs.
    But Zach Ryder is no regular client. On screen, he’s famous for starring as a daring CIA officer who always saves the day. In real life, he’s just as handsome and charming as his alter ego, though not everyone is impressed. Some are concerned about what kind of impact these slick, showbiz types will have on their town.
    As for Emily—she’s got a secret, and it’s one she can’t reveal to anyone, especially not to Zach: she’s his biggest fan. But she’s also a professional. She’ll train him till he’s ready to tackle any slope, but she won’t fall in love with him, the way so many others have.
    Still, not everything in life can be planned, and sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t help but fall . . .
Recommend: Not really
My thoughts: I struggled through this “fun and festive holiday story.” It just confirmed that I am not a fan of contemporary romance. Although, it was ONLY in Emily’s POV, so it’s really hard for me to call it a romance. I thought the characters were a bit on the boring side, too. I will not be purchasing another book from this author. I am NOT her audience.

Can’t believe Christmas will be here in less than a week. I’m basically ready. Still have wrapping, but I’m getting that done little by little.

Oh, and a reminder… my books are on sale over on Smashwords. My Sunny Vampire and Ghostly Liaison are free, the rest are at 50% off. If you’ve wanted to try my books, now would be the time to do it.

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 “The Spy Coast”, “Darkness: The Shark” and Other Stuff

So… I’m on a cruise (surprise, huh?) and using a new computer. I bought a smaller one for travel purposes and I’m still getting used to it. Especially since I don’t have Word on it...yet. That will be remedied when I get home. LibreOffice works in a pinch, though. At least I can write!

Big Red (the laptop I usually use) is getting kind of heavy for me, and I don’t like traveling with ALL my files (if you know what I mean). This new one is only about 3 lbs and smaller (making it easier to tote around). I call it my travel laptop. Hey, whatever works, right? And I only have the files I need on this one.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 1

Dates read: December 27, 2023 – January 5, 2024
Title: The Spy Coast
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Genre: Thriller
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 347
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she’s living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement.
    But when a body turns up in Maggie’s driveway, she knows it’s a message from former foes who haven’t forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends—all retirees from the CIA—to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This “Martini Club” of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they’re eager to use again, if only to spice up their rather sedate new lives.
    Complicating their efforts is Purity’s acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau. More accustomed to dealing with rowdy tourists than homicide, Jo is puzzled by Maggie’s reluctance to share information—and by her odd circle of friends, who seem to be a step ahead of her at every turn.
    As Jo’s investigation collides with the Martini Club’s maneuvers, Maggie’s hunt for answers will force her to revisit a clandestine career that spanned the globe, from Bangkok to Istanbul, from London to Malta. The ghosts of her past have returned, but with the help of her friends—and the reluctant Jo Thibodeau—Maggie might just be able to save the life she’s built.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I liked the story, just not the way it was delivered (first person for some points of view, third person for others). Just make it all third and I’m happy.

Book 2

Dates read: January 6-8, 2024
Title: In Darkness: The Shark
Year of publication: 2023
Author: L. Diane Wolfe
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: In Darkness #2
# of Pages: 61
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: Souls shrouded in darkness…
    Focused on her studies and duties at the aquarium, Jewels prefers her solitary life. Burned many times and short on trust, she has more in common with her aquatic friends than the people around her. But she never imagined coming face to face with a shark named Clarence…a shark who talks!
    As their friendship grows, Jewels must overcome her deep set mistrust. There are dangers, both in the Australian ocean and on dry land. Can Jewels depend on the great white or will his animal nature betray her?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I got this because I saw it was a paranormal romance. But it read more like a children’s book. The romance kind of showed up at the end, but it was all very...young-like. I don’t know how old the protagonist is, but she was in school and an intern at an aquarium. She just seemed way younger than she was portrayed to be, I think. But if you you like short (VERY SHORT) sweet stories, you might enjoy this. It was written well.

We’re sailing on Royal Caribbean this time around. A first for us. Frankly, I miss Carnival. Not any one specific thing, just a lot of little things. Dinner, for one. This is a smaller ship and even though we were told we’d get the early seating (at 5:15), the day before we’re notified that we have Your Time Dining. Sounds fine, until you realized the earliest you can eat is 6:30. And that’s if you call in early enough to get the reservation (their app won’t let me reserve on line). Not a fan.

First full day on the ship was pretty awful, too. Seas were really rough and I got sea sick. That’s never happened to me before, so I wasn’t prepared. Well, I did bring my anti-nausea medicine (that I take for my treatments), but even they didn’t work. Luckily, we hit calmer seas about two hours before our dinner and I was able to eat. Can’t blame that on RC or the ship. It happens. Just wish it hadn’t happened to me!

FYI: Now that I see how this is posting with LibreOffice, I will DEFINITELY be getting Word on this computer. I don't like what it's doing (I'm very OCD when it comes to my posts, what can I say?).

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Updating a Computer

We’ve had a tower unit as our “home” computer what seems like…forever. It included a separate 750g drive AND a 750g backup drive. All were getting old. And bulky. We were looking to streamline and we needed to do it before the tower unit failed for good. Problem is, when you get a new computer (in this case, a laptop to replace that tower unit), it’s like starting all over getting software and files transferred over.

The worst? iTunes. I had music files all over the place, but when I opened the software, it only showed those songs purchased from iTunes. Nothing from the CDs I had uploaded over the years. Took me awhile to figure out where the music files should be stored, move the music over there, and how to get iTunes to recognize them. And then the OCD/Organized person in me took over. I wanted everything to be just right. To get all the compilation albums recognized as one album (instead of by the individual artist). To have all the covers showing (a lot of the albums didn’t show one). It took me a few weeks (and a lot of copying of album covers from Amazon or Google) and now it’s nice and pretty. I even managed to upload some new CDs I’ve been wanting to upload for awhile now (but not on the old tower unit). I was happy to see everything working.

Well… except I had lost all my playlists. What a bummer. I’m almost afraid to link my iPhone up to update my playlist. Will it delete/replace what I have on my phone or add the new one? I only have one playlist on my phone. Will it recognize more than one? Guess I’ll find out soon enough.

I do know that I can no longer link my iPod Classic to iTunes (iTunes doesn’t recognize the device anymore), which is a bummer. I like my iPod Classic. It still works. I just can’t add new music to it. Doesn’t seem right. What’s wrong with making sure the new software can work with the old devices?

As for the computer, I’m still getting files off the two separate drives (like pictures I thought had been lost!). After I’m done, Hubby will go over the drives and then he plans on reformatting them. We’ll probably use them as backup drives (provided they’re still good).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #31

Dates read: August 3-6
Title: No Way Out
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Lucy Kincaid #16.5 (novella)
# of Pages: 123
Paper or plastic: e-book for Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads:. Nine years ago, mercenary Kane Rogan and photojournalist Siobhan Walsh risked their lives to rescue Hestia Juarez, a thirteen-year-old girl being forced to marry a much older man to expand her father’s crime family. Her enraged father has never forgotten.
    Now, Kane and Siobhan are finally getting married. They only invited a few people—including FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid and her husband Sean Rogan—to celebrate. When Sean and Kane go missing the day before the wedding, Lucy must put her fear aside and work the case. Because someone believes that Siobhan knows where Hestia is … and will do anything or kill anyone to make her tell the truth. 
My thoughts: Lots of suspense packed into this novella. Whew!

So… When was the last time you had to update a computer? Was it an easy process or were you ready to pull your hair after you finished?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Computer Woes

This has not been a good week. On Saturday, Big Red (my laptop) was running so slow, I couldn’t get anything to work right. Hubby looked at it and said my disc was full. Except it wasn’t. Something was using up all the disc space, but we couldn’t see WHAT!

On Sunday, I was able to back up my files (thank GOD!!). It took several hours, but I got it done. Hubby took Big Red to work for them to look at (pays to work in the IT dept, huh?).

The bad news: my hard drive was bad. The worse news: he couldn’t copy anything over to the new (solid state) drive we bought, which meant I had to start all over again as if I had a new computer.

It was not easy being without a computer for so long. Hubby gave me another laptop to use, but I basically used it to read e-mails, which I got super far behind in reading (heck, I’m still trying to get caught up). Didn’t help any that I had signed up for two classes that started this week, either. It’s been a mess.

But I have Big Red back now (which should work faster with the solid state drive) and just in time for this week’s post!

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #1

Dates read: December 28 – January 2
Title: Day Shift
Year of publication: 2015
Author: Charlaine Harris
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series:  Midnight, Texas #2
# of Pages: 362
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Midnight, Texas: a tiny little town with one stoplight and a lot to hide. And those who live there will do whatever it takes to keep their secrets…
My thoughts: I really enjoyed the short-lived television series "Midnight, Texas," but it’s NOTHING like the books, besides the character NAMES. Not even the descriptions are all that similar. But I’m enjoying the books and since it appears there are only three in the series and I have them all… J This book is written sort of in the omniscient view. In fact, very similar to the Dean Koontz books I’ve been reading. So it’s no first person urban fantasy here, and I’m okay with that.

Book #2

Dates read: January 3-7
Title: Night Shift
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Charlaine Harris
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series:  Midnight, Texas #3
# of Pages: 385
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Midnight, Texas, is a sleepy Southern town whose strange and secretive residents must unite to prevent all hell from breaking loose…
My thoughts: Okay, now I found some resemblance of the books to the television series. The events in books 1 and 3 were in season 1. I’m sorry this series has ended, though. I could have read some more about this town and the characters in it.

So… When was the last time you had to start a computer from scratch? You think you know how you had everything set up, but you don’t. You really don’t. I’ll probably be fixing things for the next month or so.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

No Wednesday Reads, the New House is Ours, and No A/C

Our trip to Cleveland/Put-In-Bay during Memorial Day weekend was really nice. It had been years since I’ve been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, so it felt all new to me (in a way). I’ve never been to Put-In-Bay and had no idea what to expect there. Most of the mode of transportation on that island is by golf carts. And a funny thing there, too. They have a 9-hole golf course. It’s the ONLY place the golf cart isn’t allowed!

Oh, you can take your car to the island, but good luck in finding a place to park (and they can’t guarantee you can take it off the same day). Best way is to leave it behind, take the ferry, and rent a cart (or take the bus into town, where you can walk to almost anyplace).

Hubby and I felt like we were on one of our cruising excursions! Everyone seemed to have fun, too. Yay!

Since the weekend was so busy, I didn’t write anything and read very little (I was usually too tired to do anything when I got back to the room). I do have a proof-reading job (via Hubby’s business), so I read something this past week, just nothing I can post here…yet (although I will later, once the book is released or shows up in Goodreads). So…no Wednesday Reads today.

Tuesday we closed on the new house! It’s all ours! Just wish the closing went more smoothly. Our 10am appointment got moved to 11am and then when we were on our way, moved again to noon. What a pain! But it’s over and done with and we have the keys. Yay!

Let the moving begin…

And none too soon. Our A/C in the old house is on the fritz. Doesn’t that just figure when the temps are approaching 90 outside? The unit wasn’t cooling very well and started making strange banging noises outside, that we finally just shut it down. Thank goodness this house has fans.

Last year the unit wasn’t cooling, but the technician couldn’t find the leak so he put in die and said to call when it stops working (which I did last week). I sure hope it’s fixable. I can’t imagine how much one would cost… like we need that kind of expense right now.

And when it rains… I think I reached the tipping point this week with my computer software. I thought I could get used to LibreOffice, but I’m starting to see that I cannot (too many key strokes to do what I can do in Excel in ONE), so I might have to actually use Excel 2010 (or 2007—whatever one we have in the house). Which means I’ll have to change Word, too. UGH!! I am not a happy camper about that, but it’s starting to distract me way too much from my writing and I can’t have that.

Of course, I’ll just complain about the newer version of Excel (and Word), too. I wish they’d just leave the software ALONE! If I had wanted a newer version earlier, I would have gotten it.

Sort of like how Goodreads is trying to get the Mobile and Desktop to be the same. WHY??? If I want the mobile version, I’d get it on my phone. But the mobile version SUCKS, so I use the desktop. Now they’re making the desktop suck, too. How is that any better? Software developers drive me NUTS!

Oh, and if I don’t have enough stuff going on this week, I think my washer is leaking. Or, maybe just the hose. I hope it’s just the hose. All I know is that I keep finding water inside the machine (not all the time, just every now and then, which is weird!), so it’s got to be coming from somewhere (because it drains everything after the load). Maybe if we buy new hoses for the new house it’ll fix the problem. **fingers crossed**

I have a feeling I won’t be getting much written this week (or next). Busy, busy, busy!

So… What’s making you want to rant this week? Hopefully, nothing (and I’ll envy you, too!).

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Hate Windows 10

Windows 10 did an update on my computer Monday night. Tuesday morning, my Excel no longer worked. I am not a happy camper.

I knew this day would eventually come, because software programs never last forever, do they. I have Excel 2003 and LOVE 2003 because it’s simple and I know where everything is (mostly). I downloaded LibreOffice, but not sure I like it. Might have to give it time. But if I want to keep updating my writing spreadsheet, I guess I better figure it out soon.

I hate WINDOWS 10! Why can’t they just leave the stupid program ALONE????

And no, I won’t switch to a Mac. I hate their keyboards. And I won’t go to a newer version of Excel. Too much on the screen. It would drive me bonkers.

To top it all off, our A/C is on the fritz (no wonder I’ve been so hot!), and the oil decided to leak out of the fun car yesterday and all over the garage and driveway. Can this week get any worse? Wait, don’t answer that.

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #19

Dates read: May 7-22
Title: The Red Lily
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Juliette Cross
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Vampire Blood #2
# of Pages: 248
Paper or plastic: Nook e-book
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: The Black Lily resistance needs a larger army if they are to defeat the vampire monarchy. In order to do so, former lieutenant and traitor to the vampire Crown, Nikolai must seek help from the red-hooded temptress he needs to avoid at all costs. The secret he carries could prove dangerous for her if she gets too close...even though keeping her close—very close—is the only thing on his mind.
    Sienna will do anything for the Black Lily, and when Nikolai asks for her assistance to gain the trust of the commonwealth, it's the last thing she wants to do. The thought of leaving her woods and her wolves behind is terrifying...not to mention the danger being with Nikolai poses.

My thoughts: Despite taking so long to read, I did enjoy this story. Too much going on in my life, I guess. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. If you prefer a historical feel to your paranormal romance, give this book a try, because this is certainly not a contemporary series.

So… How’s your week going? I’m hoping today’s tour of our new house will lift my spirits. They could certainly use some lifting.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Had a Scare!

Monday morning I did my best writing of the year (986 words!). I even worked on my editing project and was implementing my changes on the document when I realized my keys weren’t working. The mouse would move the cursor (so I was able to save the document), but I couldn’t type anything out.

Okay, time to reboot. Right? That’s what I did. At 1:30pm.

Five minutes later, the screen still said “Restarting.” I tried to turn off the laptop. Power button wouldn’t work. Now, before you tell me to disconnect the battery… I couldn’t. It’s built in. I needed Hubby to do that and he wasn’t due home until close to 10pm.

Yep, my computer was out of commission all freaking day and all I could do was hope I could turn it off and then turn it back on. I didn’t want to lose those 986 words (I hadn’t e-mailed the document to myself yet)! I also didn’t want my writing streak to end if by some chance I had to turn my laptop into a repair center.

But do you know what was a real miracle? I didn’t lose my temper. I didn’t feel the need to throw Big Red out the window. I was just disappointed.

Whew, you don’t know how happy THAT made me.

Good news, though. Hubby was able to pull the battery wire (he couldn’t remove the battery). Yay, it turned off. We let it cool awhile. He then plugged the battery back in, and pushed the power button.

Yay, it turned on. I emailed the document to myself. What a relief.

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #14

Dates read: April 3-8
Title: “The Silent Corner”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Suspense
Series: Jane Hawk #1
# of Pages: 434
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: “I very much need to be dead.” These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demand: find the truth, no matter what.
    People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important—so terrifying—that they will exterminate anyone in their way.
    But all their power and viciousness may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless—and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love.
My thoughts: It’s horrific, but not horror, if you know what I mean. And the fight is definitely not over. It’s freaky and scary to think something like this could happen, and I certainly hope it cannot. That this is really all just make-believe fantasy. But if it’s not… Ugh. This book is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure (think Stepford Wives). Will I read the next one? You betcha. Already own it (thanks to Christmas money!). But I wasn’t going to buy book 3 until I read this one. It’s on my list, now.

So… How often do you back up your computer? For important stuff, like my books, I e-mail a copy to myself every night I touch it. Other than that, I do backup my laptop about every 4 months, or when I think about it, like I am now. Hmmm… time to backup!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Well, That Was Awful

Neither football team I rooted for yesterday won. Ugh. And I bet that when the Eagles play the horrible patriots in the SuperBowl, they’ll get skunked. Because that’s how it always seems to go. I have hopes someone, ANYONE will beat those horrible patriots and they never do.

I posted on Facebook and will repeat here: I don’t think I’ve hated the Cowboys as much as I hate the patriots.

And I really, really hate the Cowboys.

And yes, I’m intentionally not capitalizing the team name. That shows you how much MORE I hate them.

I suppose that’s how some people feel about the Penguins, although I don’t think the Penguins have ever been caught cheating. And maybe the patriots didn’t cheat THIS year, but they have before, so I’ll never EVER like them. Never. Ever.

As if the football games didn’t make yesterday crappy enough, I remembered (too late!) that I started hosting duties for the Sizzle and Sass page (Facebook). Oops! But when I went to post on my PC, I discovered I couldn’t. I could do it from my phone, but it’s kind of hard to post the pictures I have on my laptop from my phone. Plus, I type better on my laptop than I do on the phone (why can’t Apple have a BACK SPACE key anywhere??).

I tried everything, checked everything, and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I finally contacted Facebook (with a screen shot, even).

And while I was going through all that, we were constantly losing the internet (an issue we’ve been experiencing lately). Last weekend Spectrum came out to check our router and we were told the signal was too high, causing it to short out. They supposedly fixed that problem and left the router alone.

When the internet/wifi went out yesterday (after having gone out a few times on Friday), Hubby called them again. They sent someone out again. Seems the router was going bad (no, really?). Technician replaced it, and after Hubby got the wifi up and running, guess what? I could post to the Sizzle and Sass page.

I can’t imagine our router was the cause, and I’ve never known Facebook to react so quickly, but hey, whatever. I almost thought I wasn’t going to be able to host this week.

I certainly hope the week goes better than yesterday did. I don’t like feeling grumpy!

So… What sports team (any sport) do you hate the most? Or are you the type of sports fan that just likes watching the game with no emotion whatsoever? I can’t imagine ever doing that. Why watch if you’re not going to get emotional?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Life is in a Lull For Now

After the last couple of weeks, the calendar seems strangely empty this week. No appointments. No conventions. No concerts. No hockey. L

Okay, it’s not completely empty. We have some Dragons games to go to, but not until Friday and Saturday. I consider that the weekend. J

And if the weather cooperates, I’ll even see less of hubby this week. He likes to walk after work. 10 miles. About 3 hours. I’m lucky to have DINNER with him on those days (I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to eat dinner after 8:30 pm).

So not only will I have all the days to myself, I’ll spend a good portion of the evenings alone, too. You’d think I’d get my revisions done in no time at all, wouldn’t you? I wish it worked out that way, but my brain can only do so much before it starts scanning.

I sometimes hate my brain. I must train it to be better. Any suggestions?

I guess I better just enjoy this lull while I have it, though. Next thing I know I’ll be busy again. Up and down. Up and down. Life is a roller coaster.

My headache has gone (yay!), but my cold is still lingering (as colds are wont to do). I’m hoping it won’t keep me from walking in the morning. As long as I can breathe through my nose I should be good. Doubt I’ll go to the fitness center, though.

They kind of frown at you when you cough all over the equipment.

Hey, did you notice? I haven’t complained about Big Red since the mother board was replaced. Oh sure, it does some funky stuff (like I’ll be typing away and suddenly nothing is showing because somehow I’ve deselected the page – it does that a lot), but it’s not crashing on me anymore. Whew! I’m almost to the point where I can actually count on the thing working. Almost. I’ll give it another month or so before I have complete confidence in it.

Especially if it stops deselecting the pages I’m currently using. Ugh! Does your computer do that? Is it maybe a Windows 10 thing? It’s very distracting.

So… Did you have an enjoyable Father’s Day? The kids came over. We went out to dinner (ate too much) and then later played Phase 10. That was fun.

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Yes!! No RADIATION!!!

We got the BEST NEWS EVER! Doctor said everything came back clean. Hubby won’t need radiation. Looks like he’s cancer-free! He’ll go back in 3 months for another PET scan to be sure, but WOW! We did NOT expect that news. So happy!!!!

Now maybe life can get back to normal. A new normal, but normal. Whew.

Big Red update: I’m pleased to say that he’s been working great since I got him back last week. So far. It’s sad that I can’t be optimistic. Maybe when a couple months have gone by without an issue, I’ll feel more confident.

Maybe.

I noticed that I posted 13 times each month this year (this one being the 13th for April). I’ve never posted the same AMOUNT for the first four months before. February usually messes things up. Then again, this is a leap year, so apparently that extra day helped. Anyway, I just thought that little stat was interesting. I know, it is for me, not necessarily for you. J

I’m still watching the Penguins/Capitals game as I write this, as it is going into overtime and I just want to go to bed. Ugh. I have a feeling this round will be stressful.

Have a great weekend.

Stacy

Bumblebees, Big Red, and Penguins

Well, apparently painting the mailbox pole (which is wooden) did NOT help with the bumblebee problem. They’re back. And they brought friends. So now I have FOUR of those stingers flying around the mailbox instead of just two. I probably wouldn’t mind so much if they didn’t like dive-bombing me whenever I approach the mailbox. Grrr…

I got a surprise yesterday. Dell sent me one of those automated telephone calls saying Big Red (no, they don’t call it that) was on its way to me via FedEx. They had just gotten the laptop on the 19th! Then when we came home after Hubby’s doctor appointment (he got his feeding tube removed—yay!), we found Big Red waiting at the front door. I thought they shipped it yesterday, but it shipped on the 20th. I’ve got it all set up (again). Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m glad to have it back (I really don’t like Tasha Yar), but I’m not feeling all that optimistic. Big Red has been breaking down after a week of use. How would Dell know it’s fixed unless they have it on for a week? Grrr…

Penguins won last night. Yay!! If they win on Saturday, then they go onto the next round. They’re playing so good and it’s fun to watch. I love hockey.

So… Saturday looks to be a busy day (hair appointment, writer’s group meeting, hockey game), but Sunday should be nice and quiet. How’s your weekend looking?

Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

Good News and… Well, Of Course it Can’t All be Good

Wednesday Hubby had his follow-up appointment with his surgeon. We got the BEST news. His lymph nodes came back negative! Hubby won’t need chemotherapy! Yay!!!

Of course, that was followed up with some not so good news (ain’t that always the case?). The margins of the surgery fell below what the surgeon wanted. Instead of 5mm all around, one part came back at only 2mm. He knows exactly where the spot is and wants to go back in. If Hubby doesn’t want more surgery, then he’d have to have radiation on that spot. Surgery may very well mean no radiation at all. So, Hubby took that chance and said, “Go for it.”

Surgery is set for Monday, April 18. Should be an outpatient kind, so he won’t need to spend the night. And the doctor doesn’t think it will set Hubby back very far in his healing (probably because Hubby is still using the feeding tube for most of his nutrition).

It’s a pain, but hopefully the last of it. It’s nice to know, though, that chemotherapy is out. Now we want radiation out, too. I’m thinking it will be (after the surgery). Gotta keep those positive thoughts!!

Yesterday was a quiet day for a change. Not that I wanted it THAT quiet. I went to turn on Big Red and it wouldn’t boot up. At all. I e-mailed Dell. Again. Told them I wanted it replaced. Again. While I waited for their call, I read because I didn’t feel like pulling out Tasha Yar. Again. But then I finished the book and wanted to record the read (and maybe do some more revisions to Ghostly Interlude), so out came Tasha Yar. Again.

Dell called while I was updating my reading page. Had us remove the hard drive and then put it back in. Big Red still indicated that no hard drive was installed. I was so ready to let them have it if they told me it needed a new hard drive. Instead…

Dell’s going to replace the mother board. Gee… I think we asked them to do that awhile ago. Hubby said it’s the next step and we have to be patient (which was funny coming from the most impatient person I know). I just wish it didn’t take Dell a mile of steps to figure it out!

So now I’m back on Tasha Yar for a week or so. Again. I’m so glad I backed up Big Red on the 12th. I wasn’t home very much during the day on the 13th and there was this hockey game on at night and I barely used the computer, so I didn’t lose any data. Whew! Dodged a bullet there, huh?

I’ll say one good thing about Big Red and Dell: They’re giving me something to BLOG about! J

So… Going to any concerts this year? Hubby and I have tickets to see: The Monkees (only Mickey and Peter), Abba Concert (not featuring the actual group Abba), The Go-Gos, and The Dixie Chicks. We’ve been lucky if we go to one concert in a year. This year lots of interesting ones have been popping up. It might have something to do with the new music center in town (although we’re seeing The Dixie Chicks near Indianapolis).

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Trying to Stay Positive

Here’s what I read last week:

Apr 12: “Dragon’s Redemption” by Eden Ashe, #2 in the Dragon Lore series, a paranormal romance at 212 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: When her brother goes missing, everything in Lily Cage's world turns upside down. Born a Hunter female, the last thing she needs is an attraction to Dallas, the scariest dragon in existence. The one known as The Destroyer. With peace between the Hunters and Dragons hanging by a thread, one wrong move on Lily or Dallas's part could catapult them all back into war. But with Dallas playing by his own rules and someone on the outside decimating her life, they have a choice--stand and fight, or lose everything they never realized they wanted. I didn’t love this one like I did the first book, but then my head’s not into reading so much right now (gee… I wonder why?). I’d like to blame my head instead of the book, but actually, it’s probably a bit of both. Which is a shame, because it was an interesting story. It just felt a little…rushed.

****

Well… the book signing at the library didn’t go so well (but I got pictures!). I had one visitor, who didn’t read romance. No one else stopped by to say hi.

I must look scary or something.

Then again, not many people wandered into the library. It was raining all day long! Plus, this is Centerville’s smaller branch. The woman running the 2nd Monday Authors program said more traffic comes through the other branch and that they may end up switching it so that all the 2nd Monday Author events happen in the other library. And, if the program is still going on next year (and she hopes it is, because she doesn’t feel there are enough author events around), she said she’d invite me back next year in the other branch. So, that’s nice. Plus, all three of my Bitten by Love books were checked out! Gotta look at the positives, huh?

My doctor appointment yesterday went pretty much as I expected. I’m scheduled for an echocardiogram next Wednesday and have a stress echo to look forward to in the near future. Oh joy!

So…This happened yesterday (see picture). Luckily, I was able to boot Big Red up on the second try. I am so not amused. I sent this picture to Dell. From now on that’s what I’m gonna do. Take pictures and send them. Then maybe they’ll replace Big Red. I’m sure Dell will call back when I’m not home, because that’s what they do!

So… Do you find reading difficult when it seems the whole world is against you or is reading a means to escape? I had really hoped for that escape, so maybe the world really IS against me.

Because I look scary or something. J

Happy Reading!

Stacy

P.S. I noticed Blogger must have changed the way pictures post. I didn't get the option to make the picture larger or smaller and I had to drag the picture instead of clicking on Left/Right/Center. Why do they have to keep messing with stuff that isn't broken???? Why am I always whining??? Wasn't I supposed to stay positive??? Ugh. I'll do better next post.

Wednesday Reads and the Hospital Has Wi-Fi

I expect to be home late Tuesday night, so it’s nice the hospital has wi-fi (FREE wi-fi!) and I can post this early. Here’s what I read last week:

Apr 1: “The Unleashed” by Brett Battles, #10 in the Jonathan Quinn series, a suspenseful thriller at 289 pages. Blurb from book: Even those who make bodies disappear for a living need a vacation. To Quinn and Orlando, the offer of a private villa on a quiet island beach sounds like heaven, and they jump at the chance for some family time with their six-month old daughter and Orlando’s teenage son. At first it seems as though their holiday will be even better than they’d hoped. The water is warm, the house is beautiful, and the view is spectacular. But when revenge is in the air, things have a way of going sideways. Another goodie. But it leaves it hanging on the next job, errr… next book. Not a cliff hanger per se, but pretty damn close. Great read, though. Hard to put down. Plus, I just love Quinn and Orlando. Can’t wait for the next one.

Apr 5: “Wallbanger” by Alice Clayton, a humorous contemporary romance at 365 pages. Blurb from book: The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she’s gaining an—um—intimate knowledge of her new neighbor’s nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy’s athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed “dating hiatus,” and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly… I noticed this book at RT last year, but that was about it. A lot of my friends raved about it, but still, I didn’t pay much attention. Then I noticed a sale at B&N for buying 3 books for $30. Well, they had the next two of the Crossfire series (a series I got hooked on), but I needed a third book for the deal. Then I saw this one. Boy, am I glad I bought it. It wasn’t anything like I thought (I thought erotica, and while it has its sexy scenes, it’s not erotica). It’s in first person (not my favorite), but it’s so funny I didn’t care (the texts going back and forth are very entertaining). Clive the cat was awesome. Looking for a humorous romance? Here ya go!

Hubby is still in ICU, but only because he has a drain tube sticking out of his neck (I like to call him Frankenstein). As soon as it stops draining, they’ll remove it and send him to a regular room. That, or home. He’s hoping for home and doing the best he can to get that. Can’t really blame him there.

So far Big Red has been cooperating. For how long is anyone’s guess, since I got a scare on Sunday (and e-mailed Dell about it). Dell said they called me (if they did, it wasn’t the number I gave them—my cell), so I have to e-mail them back, but since I’m not at home, I haven’t. Yeah, the hospital has wi-fi, but I don’t feel like dealing with Dell with this slow connection. Again, the timing couldn’t suck more.

So… It snowed here Saturday. And Monday night. And I think we’re under another freeze warning. It’s supposed to be spring, right? Where’d it go? Hope it’s warmer where you are!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

April Fool’s!

Well, Big Red decided to work yesterday, so hopefully it was just an early April Fool’s joke when it wouldn’t start on Wednesday. I can only hope.

Sometimes this day is fun. Sometimes…not so much. There used to be a radio station in the area that liked to play on this day. One year, back in the 90s, they announced the genre was switching from pop to country then proceeded to play country music. All day! I turned the radio off (I kept checking back to see if it was just the morning show’s joke—nope!). No offense to you country-music lovers, but I can only take so much of that.

You wouldn’t believe how many people actually FELL for that prank, though. Thankfully, I was prepared. The year before they had broadcasted from a “parade” on I-75, talking about the different floats and bands and everything (including the traffic)! Now, that event was funny, although I wonder how many people actually drove down I-75 looking for it.

The extent of my fooling someone is telling them it snowed (when it hadn’t). I tried to tell Hubby I was pregnant one year (many years ago), but he was too smart for me. As you can see, I’m not an elaborate prankster. If there’s a lot of work involved, I’m probably not going to do it. They don’t call me lazy for nothing. J

Last night I wasn’t in much of a mood to write. Or read. Hubby was out teaching and I had the house all to myself. So I watched a movie I know he’ll never see: The Lost Boys. Have you ever seen it? Would you believe this is the first time I’ve ever seen it? That would most likely be because of Hubby. Or I didn’t have any friends to go see the movie with.

Let’s see… It came out in 1987. Hubby was stationed in Korea and my two little kiddies and I were living in California with my parents. Yep, I wouldn’t have found anyone to go see it with since all of my friends (which weren’t all that many) had left the area. Heck, I rarely left my kids with my parents (I felt they had put up enough letting us live with them).

Anyway… The movie was a bit cheesy, but then aren’t all flicks eventually? I probably would have loved it back in 1987, although I wasn’t (and am still not) a fan of Kiefer Sutherland’s. Jason Patric on the other hand…yum! The soundtrack was good, I’ll give it that.

So…  Do you enjoy playing tricks on this day? Or are you the one usually being tricked? What was the best one (either way)?

Have a great weekend and Happy April Fool’s!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Will BigRed Turn On?

Hmmm… Last time my hard drive conked out on me the Wednesday after I installed the new hard drive. And I had forgotten to post my blog. Well I didn’t forget to post this (but I’ve backed up my data), so here’s hoping BigRed turns on in the morning. I’ll keep you posted in the comments. Meanwhile, here’s what I read last week:

Mar 24: “Wish in One Hand” by B.E. Sanderson, first book in the Once Upon a Djinn series, an urban fantasy at 282 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ In hindsight, Jo Mayweather should’ve taken those words seriously back in 1926. Of course, spoiled brat, flapper-girl that she was, Jo probably would’ve made the not-so-clever wish that turned her into a genie anyway. Being endowed with phenomenal power may have its perks but, for the most part, life’s been a pain in her tiny hiney. After running into a ‘slash first, ask questions never’ genie, her problems only worsen. Some demented thing is making wishes that can’t be granted and djinn are dying. Now, instead of freeing her brethren from their bonds, Jo has a killer to neutralize. If she’d kept her mouth shut ninety years ago, she wouldn’t be in this mess. But she’s got a job to do despite some reject from a bad B-movie trying to ruin everything she’s worked so hard for. Too bad this time doing her job might get her killed. Or worse—enslaved again. Entertaining story, but not what I expected after reading the first chapter (because I don’t always read the blurb!). Now, if the first chapter said “Prologue,” I would have been okay (I know, picky me). This being the beginning of a series, not all the plot lines are finished, but the major one is wrapped up. If you’re looking for a different kind of paranormal without any romance, give this one a try.

Mar 29: “Time’s Best Friend” by Jennette Marie Powell, third book in the Saturn Society series, a romantic time-travel adventure at 343 pages. Blurb from book: In 1939, time-traveling, Appalachian farm woman Florie LaBeau fell in love with an 18th-century frontiersman, and vowed to cross time to be with him again. Then war broke out, forcing her to wait four years to travel back two hundred. But when she arrives in 1756, she finds her frontiersman doesn’t know her, Nazi soldiers occupy her historic home, and her only friend a mysterious dog who just might be their spy. Ousted from his home by strange Hessian soldiers, fur trapper Zeke Allen can’t believe his luck when his new hunting dog brings him a woman. Knowledgeable in the ways of pioneer life, the lovely Miss LeBeau could make the perfect wife, if not for her crazy tales of time travel, a club called the Saturn Society, and an impossible war in the twentieth century she insist she comes from—and to which she must return. Slowly, Zeke begins to believe Florie’s crazy stories as his fondness grows into a love she returns. But the men she calls Nazis tear her away from him, plunging her into a future where she must deliver information that could change the outcome of the war. Finding her way back to Zeke proves difficult. Harder still: convincing others of the truth—and saving her canine rescuer and herself from the Saturn Society, the very people she thought would protect her. Time travel stories sometimes really mess with my head. I guess that’s the fun in reading them and I enjoyed this story very much (kind of reminded me a little of Dean Koontz’s Lightning). I loved Damon. Heck, I love dogs in books. You don’t have to read the others in the series to enjoy (or understand) this one, since this one has different characters with different times. If you like time-travel books, I highly recommend this one. I think it's the best in the series.

So…  Are you looking forward to baseball starting up? Or are you still hot and heavy for hockey? Or do all sports just turn you off? I’m hot and heavy for the Penguins (since they’re hot right now), but I am looking forward to baseball, too. I love this time of year!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Really?!?

BigRed is on its way back to me. In fact, I should receive it via FedEx today. I went on Dell’s site to see exactly what they did to it this time. Remember, BigRed has gone through THREE hard drives since December (when I purchased it).

According to their site, Dell replaced the hard drive.

REALLY? How is this hard drive going to fair any better than the others?

I've had people tell me the mother board should probably be replaced. Or that I just have a lemon. Because no laptop should be eating hard drives as many as mine has in such a short amount of time.

Now, it’s possible Dell did more and just didn’t post it on their site. But I doubt it.

I wonder how long the new hard drive will last? The previous one only lasted a few days. Dell hasn’t kept BigRed with them for more than two. How would they even know if it will last or not without putting it through the wringer?

Grrr…

I have a feeling I’ll continue to work from my flash drive for awhile.

In the meantime, I got an e-mail from Dell asking if I want to extend my warranty for $63. I don’t think I want to give them any more money for a laptop they should have replaced by now.

So… Got any plans for Easter? We’re going to our Columbus friend’s house. She’s smoking a ham. Sounds yummy! I’m sure she’ll have plenty of sweets, too. She always does!

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

One Hectic Week

Monday: Hubby went in for PET scan, which took a couple of hours (had to wait for all that glucose to go through his body). The scan is supposed to indicate where the cancer is, since cancer seems to suck up the glucose. After that, he had an appointment with the nutritionist to learn all the things he can look forward to if he goes with radiation (like…not swallowing—ugh) and gets recipes for high-protein, high-calorie, easy-to-eat foods. Then we were off to see the radiologist to get the results of the PET scan, but the doctor wasn’t in. Apparently our appointment wasn’t for the doctor! They thought hubby wanted to do radiation and the appointment was for measurements. Hubby said he wasn’t making a decision until he spoke with the surgeon. So basically a good portion of the day was spent at the hospital. In which I forgot my phone, so I couldn’t even post on the Sizzle and Sass page (which I was hosting). Oops. But hey, my new hard drive was working fine.

Tuesday: Hubby went back to work. I went back to the fitness center. And I walked to the polls to vote. Now my arms are sore. But hey, my new hard drive was working fine and I actually got some revising done!

Wednesday: Had breakfast with hubby. He went to work. I came home and turned on my laptop. It couldn’t find the hard drive. Again. Tried turning it on many times. No luck. Contacted Dell. They said I needed to return BigRed to them so they could fix it. Again. But hey! I at least e-mailed my project to myself and was able to work on it. Figured I had lost what little I had created since installing the new hard drive on Saturday, but hubby disconnected and reconnected the hard drive and I was able to back up my files. Whew!

Thursday: We met with surgeon in Cincinnati. Encouraging news: Doctor believes he can cut out all the cancer and remove the lymph nodes and if he’s successful, then no radiation and no chemo! Surgery hasn’t been scheduled yet, but we’re hoping soon. Came home in the afternoon and took BigRed to FedEx (I sure hope it gets fixed). When I got back I got on TashaYar and it started acting up! Ugh! I swear, computers HATE me.

Today: No appointments. Hubby’s back at work. I should be able to go to the fitness center. My arms still ache from Tuesday’s visit. Let’s see if I can do the same to my legs. Don’t want them to feel left out!

Tomorrow: I’m meeting with some writer friends in Cincinnati. So looking forward to that.

So… that was my week. I really sucked at the hosting duties (for Sizzle and Sass), too. Hmmm… Didn’t I post something about timing recently? Yep. It still sucks. Why don’t you share some good news in the comments? I want to congratulate someone. J

Happy Friday! (P.S. This is my 900th post.)

Stacy