A Book I Couldn’t Finish Reading and Some Wonderful News

Made it home safely despite all the snow. Had over 4” of the stuff on our parked car, but I think it was two storms’ worth. Maybe. But it pretty much snowed all the way from Baltimore to Dayton and we made it without incident. Best kind of driving trips, right?

But that’s not my wonderful news. Nope, it has to do with my writing projects.

While on the cruise, I sent Ghostly Protector to my editor (boy, did that lift a weight off my shoulders—I never felt so free!). Which meant I was free to work on something else.

Now, I had a couple of projects that I started years before. One is in the Bitten by Love series. I stopped because I didn’t think what I had would cover a whole book. But a novella? Yeah, that seemed possible. So I opened up my document from four years ago and read the 15 pages I had written. Came upon a character I didn’t even remember writing about. But the bad thing about it is I had written something that contradicted what I had in Blind Temptation (at least, according to my notes). I had no way of checking while on the cruise, so I decided not to work on the novella. Instead, I went to my other project. My alien story. Just to see if I could get inspiration as to what the next book in that series should be.

The last time I had looked at Alien Desires was back in 2018. Didn’t publish it because I thought it was a mess. Well, apparently I had fixed it sometime ago (don’t remember when) and what I read, I LOVED. This book is ready for an editor! Not only that, I got an idea of how to start the next book.

So, the wonderful news is that I’ll have two new books published in 2024 (after a 4-year drought).  Whoo hoo!

Now for the book I couldn’t finish reading…

Here’s what I attempted to read since my last update:

Book 4

Dates read: January 16-21, 2024
Title: Hidden
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Fern Michaels
Genre: No idea
Series: Lost and Found #1
# of Pages: 368
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: At first glance, few would guess that Luna and Cullen Bodman are siblings. Cullen is efficient and serious while his younger sister Luna is a free spirit. When the two launch their furniture restoration shop/café—an offshoot of the family’s longtime antique business—in an up-and-coming arts center, little do they know their unique talents may be their only defense against a dangerous betrayal.
    When Luna gets a strange sense about a piece Cullen just acquired, the two find themselves uniting to solve a mystery that has far-reaching consequences—never knowing there are some who’ll stop at nothing to claim what they believe is theirs. No matter what, Luna and Cullen know they can rely on each other—and this time, their lives may depend on it…
Recommend: No
My thoughts: I got as far as page 47 and had to stop (and I rarely do not finish a book). Not worth my time. If this is a mystery, I couldn’t tell. It certainly isn’t a suspense. All I ever got was back story, and boring back story at that. So glad I didn’t waste any money on this one. I don’t usually mark DNF books as books read, but in this case, I feel like I wasted precious reading time trying to get through this one and said, I’m marking it READ!

This week is one busy week. Tomorrow I get a colonoscopy (which means I gotta prepare for it today—ugh!). Tuesday I have a pre-op appointment and an ultrasound on my thyroid. Wednesday I have my treatment and a dentist appointment to get a crown on my molar. And Friday I have surgery to remove a lymph node from my chest (because the biopsy I had was inconclusive). But hey! I’m excited about my writing. I think that wins!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and More Tests

Today I’m getting an MRI on my left adrenal gland. Friday I’m getting a biopsy on the nodules on my thyroid. It’s a busy week. I sure hope the results come back good. But I won’t know for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. Which isn’t a heck of a lot.

I am still walking. I try to get out there before 8am if it’s humid (and it appears summer likes it to be that way). If I’m out there early, I walk a little over 2 miles. If it’s later, then I stick to about a mile. I’m not fond of sweating.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #36

Dates read: June 25-30, 2021
Title: Moon Kissed
Year of publication: 2010
Author: Michele Hauf
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Beautiful Creatures
# of Pages: 291
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased.
Blurb from Goodreads: Escaping from bloodthirsty vampires, Belladonna Reynolds ran straight into the arms of a werewolf. As a man Severo drew her in with his dark good looks; as a beast he astounded her with his insatiable sensual appetite. Whether afraid or aroused, Bella fled to his lair when threatened by an evil monster of the night....
    Severo tried to keep Bella--his mate--safe from the vampiress who held a malicious desire for revenge against him, but he alone wasn't enough. Now Bella had taken the form of his most cursed enemy. How could he desire the very thing he'd spent his life destroying? And even if he did, what would the werewolf do to Bella on the next full moon?
My thoughts: Interesting world, but I’m still not fond of alpha werewolves. Besides that, it was a nice romance and had lots of action, too.

So… how’s your reading goals coming along this year (if you set a goal, that is)? I’m ahead of my goal—yay! I haven’t been ahead of a goal in a long time. I’ll take what I can get.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Other News

Quick health update: I’m having an MRI on July 7 to check the mass on my left adrenal gland and I’m having a biopsy on one or two nodules on my thyroid on July 9. So glad I don’t have to wait until September to get these suspicious masses check out! The endocrinologist also ran a lot of blood work on me to double check the adrenal gland. I probably had a dozen vials taken! FYI: 34 vials = a pint. At least that’s what the lab technician told me.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #35

Dates read: June 21-25, 2021
Title: Forever Werewolf
Year of publication: 2012
Author: Michele Hauf
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Beautiful Creatures
# of Pages: 274
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased.
Blurb from book: Alexis Conner, princess of the Alpine pack and pureblood werewolf, hides a painful secret—she has never shifted. If she can’t shift, she can’t mate, and so Lexi resigned herself to a lifetime of loneliness. But then a stranger arrives, and Lexi senses that her world will never be the same…
    A massive avalanche might be to blame for Trystan Hawkes getting stuck at Castle Wulfsiege, but after one look at Lexi, Trystan is not about to leave. Lexi is strong, smart and incredibly sexy. Not that it matters. Tryst is an omega—the fabled lone wolf. Even more damning is his mixed vampire heritage.
    Lexi knows that the vampire blood running through Tryst’s veins makes him off-limits, but what if he’s the one man who can rouse her inner wolf?
My thoughts: Just focusing on the couple and the romance, I liked this book very much. And thank goodness there are some vampires in it, too. I realized why I’m not a fan of werewolf (shifter) books: the leaders of the pack are assholes, the betas blindly follow their leader, and the women are treated as property (I really felt sorry for Lexi’s sister, even at the end).

It’s been nasty hot here. Not as bad as the northwest, but 90+ temps with high humidity is pretty darn close. If I don’t get my walk started before 8am, I don’t bother. It’s just too miserable out there. But I am walking up to 2 miles now. I’d probably go farther if not for the heat!

So… Watching any sports? I gave up on hockey when Vegas lost. I’m into baseball now. Reds are fun to watch this year (about time!).

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update, Doctors, and Weather

Saw my primary care physician yesterday. She thinks September is too long to wait for my “suspicious” thyroid nodule to be looked at/biopsied and will look into getting me seen on base sooner (especially since one of their endocrinologists has just returned from deployment). Fingers crossed!

EDITED TO ADD: I'm seeing the endocrinologist on base tomorrow (Thursday)!!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #34

Dates read: June 14-19, 2021
Title: The Vampire’s Protector
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Michele Hauf
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Beautiful Creatures
# of Pages: 296
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Unsure. It’s signed by the author, though. So I either purchased it from her or got it free at a convention.
Blurb from book: For over a century, musician Nicolo Paganini had rested in peace. Until Summer Santiago’s innocent touch raised him from the grave. Awakening in a world suddenly so foreign, he needed Summer’s help. Yet his protector was a vampire…with a deep desire for Nicolo’s blood.
    Despite the raving attraction between them, the pair had something more dangerous than bloodlust to contend with. The devil had a plan for Nicolo’s eternal life. Should Nicolo play the cursed black violin, his fate would be sealed. But if he resisted Satan’s call, he would lose the woman who had made his life worth living.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this story very much. There were just a couple of loose threads I would have like answered (and have nothing to do with the series), but it didn’t distract from my enjoyment. This was a great romance with lots of paranormal characters.

Monday I got up early to walk because it was already warm and muggy by 7:30am (temps in the 70s). Tuesday I had to wait until after 9:00am for it to warm up to the high 50s. What is up with this weather? Granted, I’d prefer not to have any more humid days. I don’t like sweating that much while walking.

So… Happy belated Father’s Day to all you daddies out there. I hope you had a good time. Hubby seemed to enjoy his day. And he appreciated the new headphones I got him. I knew they’d be perfect. He’d sent me the link! Haha!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update, Walking, and Dr. Appts.

My back has finally shut up and I’m back to walking. The weather has been cooperating, too. I still won’t go far (not my usual 2-3 miles), at least not until it’s been four weeks since surgery (which is the time frame I’ve been given to not lift anything heavier than 15 lbs).

I finally got an appointment to the endocrinologist (for my thyroid nodule). September 16th!! Man, I sure hope I don’t have anything serious. That seems crazy. But I was told there are only 3 endocrinologists in the Dayton area, so it is what it is. I do see my primary care physician next week, so if she’s not worried about it, I won’t be. And if she is worried about it, then I’ll leave it up to her to hurry things along.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #33

Dates read: June 9-14, 2021
Title: Far from Home
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Kate L. Mary
Genre: Horror
Series: Far Series Book 1
# of Pages: 307
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Free from author
Blurb from book: As the only child in an upper-middle class family, Rowan has had it easy. Doted on by a mother who never wanted anything but a child to love, she’s never wanted for anything. Kiaya’s life, however, has been anything but easy. Parents who didn’t want her, followed by being torn away from her only sibling by the foster care system, she knows what it means to have to work hard for the things she wants.
    When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Rowan and Kiaya are away at college and far from everything they love. Desperate to make it home, they team up, but as the world around them dies, an unexpected detour leaves them stranded in Vega, Texas where they make a shocking discovery. The virus isn’t just killing people. It’s turning them into zombies.
    When former cop, Devon, sweeps in to save the day, it looks like their luck has shifted. With hundreds of miles left to cross and the dead taking over, the trio is determined to do whatever it takes to get home. Traveling historic Route 66, Rowan, Kiaya, and Devon fight for survival as they struggle to come to terms with the changing world.
My thoughts: As I started into this book, I could see it being like The Stand, but then the zombies came into play and I realized it’s not. And since this is the beginning of a series, there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. Because of that, I won’t bother reading the next book. I’m not really into zombies anyway (I didn’t watch The Walking Dead, but if you liked that series, you’ll probably like these books). I did enjoy the story. I just wish it…ended.

Are you doing anything special this July 4th? Hubby suggested we go somewhere, but I can’t think of any place to go for the weekend that we haven’t already visited. Then I suggested we just stay home and visit things in the area that we haven’t seen. So we might do that. And Cincinnati has some interesting tours that we could possibly take. That might be fun. Do you have trouble figuring out what to do when you want to get away? I’d really love to just go to the beach and walk along the shore, but, unfortunately, they’re a little far from here.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and It Sold!!

What sold, you ask? Our house. Our old house. We closed on it yesterday. You don’t know how happy we are to no longer have to worry about it!

We were supposed to close on Feb 1^st, but on Jan 30^th, the title company discovered that the original contract loan never removed the lien from the house (and of course the original bank had been sold…twice). This is a house that had been refinanced a couple of times! You’d think they would have caught that. So because of that little SNAFU, we couldn’t close on the 1^st and waited until it got fixed (which took a week). We didn’t want to say anything to anyone until the deal was done, afraid it might jinx it or something.

But it’s done now and we now just own ONE house, which we hope to refinance at a cheaper rate with a big down payment. So glad that’s over with.

I’m also glad my judging is over with, too. Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #10

Dates read: February 4-6
Title: ?
Year of publication: 2018
Author: ?
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series:  ?
# of Pages: 219
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased (couldn’t read PDF)
Blurb from book: ?
My thoughts: Not as bad as I thought it would be. Would recommend to fans of the genre.

Book #11

Dates read: February 6-8
Title: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave
Year of publication: 2018
Author: Darynda Jones
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series:  Charley Davidson #13
# of Pages: 292
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Charlie Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity—which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.
    She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. Now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest the burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.
My thoughts: A fitting end to the series, but I’m sad it’s over. This is a great series. And if you love humor, some sexy scenes, and a bunch of supernatural stuff, you have to read these books!

I also got wonderful news from my cardiologist yesterday (yesterday turned out to be a GREAT day!!). My last echocardiogram showed no difference from the one before! Yay! So, since my diagnosis in 2015, there has been no change in my mitral valve regurgitation. Then, I was told to expect surgery in five years. Now, I’m still told to expect surgery in five years, but I’m thinking it might be longer than that. And maybe by the time I need surgery they’ll know how to fix it without cracking open my chest!!

So… Do you have any good news to share? I’m thinking this is a great week!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Survived

I Survived

Colonoscopy itself went quick. The prep beforehand… not so quick. That stuff they give you tastes AWFUL! A mixture between salt and metal. Blech! I got the first 2 liters down Monday night (took two hours), but when I got up at 4:30 am to continue the second two liters... let’s just say I didn’t finish it. Luckily, I didn’t have to. But it messed up my stomach (nauseous) and head (bad headache) so bad that I wasn’t even HUNGRY! The anesthesia fixed my stomach (and I don’t remember the procedure at all—yay!), but the headache took some food (and caffeine) to fix.

At least I don’t have to have another for 10 years! Yay!

Wednesday Reads
Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #48

Dates read: November 2-9
Title: The Outsider
Year of publication: 2018
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Thriller/Suspense (horror?)
Series:  N/A
# of Pages: 560
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. The case seems ironclad, especially when Anderson and the district attorney are able to add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. But Maitland has an alibi, and it turns out his story has incontrovertible evidence of its own.
    How can two opposing stories be true? What happens to a family when an accusation of this magnitude is delivered? When must reason or rationality be abandoned in order to explain the inexplicable? As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock as only Stephen King can.
My thoughts: When I was marking this book as my current read in Goodreads, I noticed a question and answer about it sort of being book #4 in the Bill Hodges series. That piqued my interest even more. Of course, as I was reading this book I wondered HOW is it #4? Then I hit the half-way mark. Ahhh… Holly Gibney. I do like her. Actually, I liked the whole book. Knowing Stephen King’s books, I wasn’t “shocked” at the answer, just surprised it’s not listed as a horror book (at least it’s up for best thriller in the Goodreads best book awards), when it kind of is a horror book.

So… Do you like horror books? They used to be the only kind of books I read (before I read Twilight and started writing and then discovered other awesome genres). Which is strange that I don’t write them. You’d think I would, huh?

Happy Reading!

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

Wednesday Reads and Other Stuff

I went to bed Monday night when the Rams/Raiders game was at half-time. The Rams were losing 10-13 in a back and forth type of game. Would have stayed up if I didn’t have a doctor appointment the next morning. So happy to wake up Tuesday and saw the Rams WON! 33-13. They shut those Raiders down in the second half. Whoo hoo!

As for that doctor appointment… it was a follow-up from my skin cancer “surgery” back in February. There were some spots I’ve noticed on my face and arm which I brought to their attention. The spots I found were okay (whew), but… Yeah, she saw something else on my face and it’s pre-cancerous. Now I have to put cream on the spot to kill the skin cells. Basically it burns the skin off after 3 weeks (2x a day) of treatment. That won’t be fun. Hubby had to do that to his whole face before and he was miserable! At least I can wait until I get back from vacation to start and then I can moan and groan like he did. Okay, maybe not like he did. I don’t have to put it all over my face. Just on the spot on my cheek. Still… pre-cancerous. Ugh!!!

One of these days I’m going to go to the doctor and leave without a follow up appointment!

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #34

Dates read: September 5-11
Title: Don’t Tell
Year of publication: 2003
Author: Karen Rose
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Romantic Suspense #1/Chicago #1
# of Pages: 482
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: It was a desperate plan. But Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child form her abusive cop husband was to stage their own death. Now all that remains of their former life is at the bottom of a lake…
    Armed with a new identity in a new town, she and her son have found refuge hundreds of miles away. As Caroline Stewart, she has almost forgotten the night-mare she left behind nine years ago. She is even taking a chance of love with Max Hunter, a man with wounds of his own. But her past is about to collide with the present when her husband uncovers her trail and threatens her hard-won peace. Step by step, he’s closing in on her—and everything and everyone she loves.
My thoughts: Man, what a page turner! I hated putting this one down. I had started reading some of Ms. Rose’s books further on in the series after I had met her at a convention and got her to sign the few books she had on hand (which I bought after someone had said they stayed up all night reading them—when I hear words like that, I gotta check them out). Then after reading those books, realized I wanted (WANTED, not needed) to read them from the beginning. You don’t have to if you don’t want (they can be read as stand alones), but man, if you love romantic suspense, you’ll want to start these from the beginning, too, if only because some of the characters will show up in future books. I have found myself another author where she’ll be an auto buy, but first I gotta get through the series (which is up to #22). I look forward to reading them all.

So… Do you prefer to binge read a series or spread them out? I’ve done both and I think I prefer binge-reading. I remember more when I’m reading them back-to-back.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

No Wednesday Reads and Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought I was going to get a lot of reading done on Monday. I thought wrong, and boy was I happy about that. Meant I didn’t have to spend the day at the hospital.

Of course, it meant I spent most of the day with a roaring headache, but I survived. Didn’t finish reading my book, but I survived.

And I no longer have skin cancer. That’s the best news!

It was nice that I only had to feel that shot of lidocaine once (the other time the doctor shot me with that stuff I was still numb, so I didn’t feel it). It was also nice I only had to get cut once. That meant the hole is way smaller than I thought it would be, so my bangs should cover it up fine enough.

They don’t cover it up so find now, though. Now I have this huge bandage on my forehead. Hubby likes to tell people I fell when he hit me.

Ain’t he a hoot?

So after going to bed Monday with a huge headache, I was happy I woke up pain-free. Meant I wouldn’t be miserable during my stress echo test.

In case you were wondering what a stress echo test is, they do an echocardiogram after I exhaust myself on the treadmill.

I started on a slight incline at an easy pace. Every three minutes they raised the incline and made it faster. I lasted 9 minutes only because I knew I couldn’t walk any faster (although I was breathing rather hard) and I wasn't about to run. Still, not too shabby for someone who hasn’t exercised in awhile.

And good news! The results showed my leakage isn’t as bad as it showed the last time. So instead of being moderate to severe, I’m just at moderate.

Gee, does not exercising work or could it have been the radiation? Whatever, I don’t care. I just want to prolong surgery as long as I can and having results like that is very encouraging. Told Hubby he could now look to book cruises in 2019!

And I really need to get back to exercising.

So… It’s Valentine’s Day. Do you celebrate the day? Buy something for your sweetie? Hubby and I never really celebrated the “holiday.” Oh sure, we’ll say Happy Valentine’s Day to each other, but that’s about it. We don’t need a special day to say we love each other because we say it every day!

Happy Reading and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads and When it Rains…

First off, I’m finishing this post up after returning from a wonderful night in Pittsburgh. Plus, the Penguins won! Didn’t enjoy driving home in the snow, though…

Here’s what I finished reading this week:

Book #3

Dates read: January 31 – February 6
Title: “Blood Fury”
Year of publication: 2018
Author: J. R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #3
# of Pages: 411
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Borrowed from daughter
Blurb from book: A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.
    Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.
    As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous. Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love…and cost Saxton everything?
My thoughts: Two romances in one book! I loved it. Then again, I love this series, and the series it’s spun from and the world and just everything about it.

When you make one appointment doesn’t it seem like another pops up and then another? When it rains, right? That’s what I’m faced with anyway.

It started with this funny mole-like thing on my temple. Turns out it’s cancerous (basil cell carcinoma, not melanoma, thank goodness). They wanted to schedule the Mohs surgery for Feb 5th. But I was going to Pittsburgh the next day and asked if that would be possible. They didn’t think it would be a good idea and since I wasn’t NOT going to the hockey game, they moved the surgery to Feb 12th. All is good until this past Monday.

I get a call from the cardiology department regarding my stress echo test. I expected the call, because I told them I was ready for the test now (I was supposed to have it back in November, but with all the surgeries and radiation, they said to wait until I was finished with that). The tech told me it was scheduled for Feb 13th. Hmmm… I told her I had Mohs surgery the day before. If they didn’t like me traveling to Pittsburgh and going to a hockey game, I wasn’t sure how’d they feel about a stress test.

Couldn’t I do the stress echo another week? Seems not. My doctor is being deployed the week after for six months and didn’t want to wait that long. But if I was okay with using a different doctor, I could probably do that. Didn’t really want another doctor (I’m already on my second cardiologist), so I said I’d call dermatology and see what they said.

Turns out they’re sort of okay with it. I’m not on any blood thinners and I’ll be at the same hospital. They’ll just wrap me up good on Monday and said to stop in on Tuesday if it starts leaking after the stress test.

The cardiology nurse said to remind them about my surgery. I said I’d probably have this huge bandage on my head and she replied that they aren’t always the brightest to spot that sort of thing. Gosh, don’t you love it when your cardiology department has a sense of humor?

So… How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Did Liam come visit you? And don’t you just love these storm names?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I’m a Little Mad

Here’s what I read the past week:

Book #53

Dates read: October 5-14
Title: “Dark Legacy”
Year of publication: 2009
Author: Anna DeStefano
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Legacy #1
# of Pages: 307
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Free from a convention
Blurb from book: “Die!” scream her nightmares. The voice is her sister’s, the compulsion stronger than any ordinary dream.
    Maddie Temple can’t go through this again. Her twin has been in a coma for the last ten years. Their psychic link was severed. At least, that’s what she thought.
    But there’s a lot Maddie doesn’t know—about the 200-year-old curse on her family, about the shadowy group that wants to exploit the Temple twins’ powers for themselves, about the sexy psychiatrist offering to help her. The only way to find the answers and avoid being pulled into the abyss of madness is to trust her heart and confront her dark legacy.
My thoughts: This is one of those books that I nearly threw across the room when I reached the end. Why? Because the ending was not satisfying. Wait, it would have had to have an ending for that to happen. This story isn’t over. Not by a long-shot (I still don’t know what the 200-year-old curse is!). It’s a tactic some authors use to get you to buy the next book, but this book would have had to be great to rope me in, and it wasn’t. I saw the low rating (and bad reviews) on Goodreads, but gave it a try anyway because it’s a romance. Except it really wasn’t (not in the way I like them). Yay me for sticking with it. Not so yay for the author, because I really have no desire to continue reading this series. Not when I don’t trust the author.

Can I be a little mad? And no, this has nothing to do with the book. I arrived to what I thought was an appointment with my radiation oncologist on Monday in preparation for radiation treatments (which are to start in Nov). But… he said the appointment was for the following Monday. Not so, I said. I won’t be in town (so I know I wouldn’t have agreed to that date!). He wants to wait until after I see my surgeon, which I see tomorrow. Luckily, he can see me that day, after that appointment. The not so lucky part was that he hinted that the margins might not have come back good enough and I might need more surgery.

More surgery? I specifically told my surgeon to take MORE than was needed. That I wasn’t worried about disfigurement or anything like that. So yeah, I’m kind of pissed. I sure hope the radiation oncologist was wrong because I really don’t want to have to go through another surgery. And really, why should I? Won’t the radiation kill whatever cancer cells I might have remaining? I’ll let you know Friday what I find out.

So… Have you read any books this year that you wanted to toss after reaching the end? What did you do with it? Like all of my free reads this year, I’m giving mine away (via my newsletter), but I feel so bad about the ending, I’m also giving away a bonus book. Gotta keep my subscribers HAPPY!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Miscellaneous Stuff

Wasn’t sure I’d have anything to report this week, but when you can’t sleep at 3am because you ate too much at dinner and dessert, reading is in store. Here’s what I read the past week:

August 14: “End of Watch” by Stephen King, the third book in the Bill Hodges trilogy, a thriller at 429 pages. Blurb from book: In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something has awakened. Something evil. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were badly injured, has been in the clinic for five years, in a vegetable state. According to his doctors, anything approaching a complete recovery is unlikely. But behind the drool and stare, Brady is awake, and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room. Retired police detective Bill Hodges, the unlikely hero of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, now runs an investigation agency with his partner, Holly Gibney—the woman who delivered the blow to Hartsfield’s head that put him on the brain injury ward. When Bill and Holly are called to a suicide scene with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find themselves pulled into their most dangerous case yet, one that will put their lives at risk, as well as those of Bill’s heroic young friend Jerome Robinson and his teenage sister, Barbara . Brady Hartsfield is back, and planning revenge, not just on Hodges and his friends, but on an entire city. I told Hubby he could read this trilogy, that there wasn’t any “woo woo” in it. Oops, was I wrong. This book has plenty of “woo woo.” Hopefully it’s not enough to turn him off, though (he does watch “Sleepy Hollow”!). I enjoyed this book (and series) because I really like the characters. Specifically: Bill, Holly, and Jerome. Brady, not so much!

Today Hubby gets the official results of his PET scan, along with the results of the tumor board. Hoping for good news all around. Kind of expect it, but then you never know… I’ll report the results in the comments. Just so you know, Hubby is doing EXCELLENT. Still doesn’t like the feeling of carbonated beverages and spicy food in his throat, and he still can’t open his mouth as wide as he used to, but says he can live with that.

Tonight Hubby and I are going to see the Go-Go’s in concert. Supposedly their farewell tour. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. You just never know nowadays, huh? Anyway, we’re expecting a fun evening. Or at least, I am! Haha!

So… Have you seen the new Jason Bourne movie? Hubby and I saw it last night. Has all your typical Bourne stuff in it, so yeah, I liked it. We could have seen the Star Trek movie, but I let Hubby choose. Oh, and $5 Tuesdays has been increased to $6. Boo.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Penguins and Stress Tests

Penguins are going to the finals! We’re playing for the cup!! Whoo hoo! What a game. So glad that’s over. Next: San Jose Sharks. I see more stress in my life next week!

Speaking of stress… I had my stress test yesterday (in more ways than one, if you also count the Penguins game). Doctor said there didn’t seem to be much of a change from last year. I, however, thought there might be. I lasted 9 minutes, 17 seconds on that treadmill last year. I’ve been exercising all year long, and I only lasted 9 minutes this time. Seriously? I feel like a total failure in the exercise circuit (I don’t run, but I do lift weights—thought that might count for something). Then again, it could be a symptom. But she said I was okay and to come back in 6 months. Who am I to argue with the doctor, right?

So… What are you plans this weekend? I think I’ll be smiling through most of mine. J

Have a great Friday!

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

This Week Sucked

This week sucked…exercise-wise.

Tuesday it was snowing. No exercise.

Yesterday I had a medical procedure at 9:00am (had to leave at 8:00am). No exercise.

Today I am still recovering (yeah, I’m all right, but I was told to avoid lifting anything over 10 lbs). No exercise.

At least I exercised on Monday and Wednesday. I must make an enormous effort this Monday to get up early and go to the fitness center. These excuses, while valid, can snowball into invalid excuses. I know. I’ve done it many times before.

But… good news! My foot doesn’t hurt near as much as it did last week. I can walk on the treadmill again. I haven’t been able to do much, but what little I did do, didn’t come back to bite me in the foot! J Hopefully I can get my speed back up to 3mph (or better) next week. **fingers crossed**

This week sucked…writing-wise.

Due to appointments and errands, I’m behind in my writing. Figures, huh? On the upside, I am reading more. Helps pass the time while waiting for those appointments (or standing in line at the post office!). I really hate having so many appointments and errands in one week. Really messes up my routine. Not that I have much of one. J

So… If your routine gets interrupted, can you put it back on track, or do you let it derail for the rest of the day? I let it derail. I really shouldn’t, but old habits really are hard to break.

Here’s to a weekend I hope DOESN’T suck (Go Steelers! Go Penguins!).

 

Stacy

This and That Monday

We got six (SIX) trick-or-treaters on Saturday. I thought the year we got 16 was bad, but six is an all time low. Guess that’s what you get when you live on a cul-de-sac off another cul-de-sac. Still, I thought there were more kids living here now than when we first moved in. Guess I was wrong. Or…they went to a bigger neighborhood. Wouldn’t blame them if they had.

Wayne won their game on Friday!! They ended the season undefeated (10-0!!) and became the GWOC Central champs!!! (I just love exclamation marks!!!!). Ranked #3 in Division 1, Region 2, Wayne will get to play the first round playoff game at home (subsequent rounds are played at neutral sites) on Saturday against the #14 team, Reynoldsburg (7-3). Can’t wait! Hope the weather’s nice. Ah, but even if it isn’t, I’ll still be going to the game.

Hey! I cooked again last night. This time I made enchiladas (using the recipe on the can of Old El Paso enchilada sauce). I’ve made this recipe numerous times, so it’s not that much work for me. I figure if I make the familiar meals, maybe I’ll venture into the unfamiliar. Maybe. I still don’t like cooking, but if I lose weight from it (and that would be from making meals with fewer calories, not from making meals that aren’t edible—I know you thought that!), I’ll keep doing it.

I saw my cardiologist on Friday (the one who recommended I go to Cleveland Clinic). I just wanted to find out how often he wanted to see me (since the surgery was a no-go for now). I go back to see his replacement in 6 months (he’s leaving the Air Force), but I won’t have another echo & EKG until next year (as long as I still don’t have any symptoms). I’m to ramp up my exercise, though. He wants me to do 150 minutes a week of cardio (intense enough to get me winded). I kind of worried about that because of my knee, but everything I read about osteoarthritis says exercise is the best thing for it. I usually don’t feel any pain in my knee until AFTER an intensive walk anyway (intensive = averaging 17 min/mile).

Maybe all this cardio will help with the weight loss. I had planned on upping my cardio anyway. Now I have motivation – doctor’s orders. J I just hope I don’t have to resort to riding the stationary bicycle. It’s worse than the treadmill! But I’ll do it if I have to.

This week looks to be a little warmer than last. I’m hoping to get some outside walking in on Tuesday and Thursday (I like to walk 4 miles on non-gym days). Soon I won’t be able to do it at all. I do have my limits when the temperature drops. 50-degree mornings I can live with. 40s and below, not so much. When the temps stay low for the upcoming seasons, I’ll have to re-vamp my whole exercise program. That could be a good thing. The same ’ol, same ’ol can end up being boring.

So… How'd your weekend go? Do anything interesting?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and I Nearly Killed My Computer

Yesterday’s doctor visit went well. Came home with more drugs: Zyrtec and Flonase. At least I only have to take them once a day and I can do it at bedtime, so any drowsy side effects will occur when I sleep. I hope.

Here’s what I read this week:

Apr 16: “Tempting Evil” by Allison Brennan, the second book in the Prison Break trilogy, a romantic suspense at 407 pages long. Blurb from book: Joanna Sutton can cope with the fierce winter storm bearing down on the small rural community of Centennial Valley, Montana; the popular romance writer has survived much worse in life. Haunted by the loss of her husband and child, Jo has found refuge at her family’s secluded lodge, but her haven soon becomes a hell. During the ferocious blizzard, a local Boy Scout troop is stranded in the wilderness, compelling Jo to spearhead a desperate rescue mission, aided by a newly arrived stranger with an unknown agenda. Meanwhile, Sheriff Tyler McBride hears that two escaped convicts are fast approaching Big Sky Country. Hoping to warn Jo, he faxes over the men’s mug shots. But they never reach their intended recipient. Then Tyler makes a shocking discovery: Two people are dead, and a killer is among the group, along with the woman Tyler loves, searching for his lost son. More than one innocent life is at stake. For the sake of those Jo cares about most, and for her own survival, she’ll need all the cunning, courage, and passion she can muster to survive the mounting terror. Man, there is a LOT in this book. That’s not a bad thing (for me), but if you have problems keeping stories straight, it can be a bit overwhelming. The villains (yes, there’s more than one) in this book escaped from the same prison the villain from the last book (and the next one) did, so I can see NOW why it’s a Prison Break Trilogy (duh!). So you’ll see the same FBI agents pop up in all three. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the action kept me turning the pages.

^^^^^^^

I think if I owned a gun, I would have shot my computer. Oh, not my new laptop, but the desktop in the living room. But I don’t, so I didn’t. Why? Because as JeffO said in Monday’s comments about my numerous doctor appointments: I pulled a thread and ended up with a pile of yarn!

I’m beginning to think I’m cursed.

All I wanted to do was update my iPod Shuffle. Instead I ended up having to reset the device (because iTunes couldn’t recognize it), update iTunes when I couldn’t get the reset to work (that stupid notice wouldn’t go away—just how many freakin’ updates can they do in a year?), which required me to restart the computer. Then when I finally get the reset to take, I STUPIDLY selected the wrong playlist to copy to my Shuffle (would there be a stop or cancel button anywhere? Nooooo). Anyway, four hours after I started, I finally got my tiny little job accomplished. Can you see now why I wanted to shoot the computer? Wouldn’t you?

So… What do you do when life frustrates you? Drink? Punch a wall? Shoot a computer? I drank. Coffee! (Yeah, I hadn’t had my cup when all that happened—whatever was I thinking???).

Happy reading!

Stacy

It Started with ONE Appointment in February

I hadn’t been to the base hospital in ages (except for pap smears and mammograms, and that happens usually once a year if I remember). Then I hurt my leg while walking on the treadmill awhile back. It didn’t get any better with rest and I wanted to exercise, so I made an appointment with the doctor, which turned into three physical therapy appointments.

A week or so after I saw the doctor, my cold returned worse than ever, so I went back to the doctor. On this trip, he noticed my heart murmur (it’s a mitrovalve prolapse that I’ve had probably since birth, but was discovered when I was nine, when I went through a barrage of tests). He wanted to do some tests—just to make sure. Okay, why not? It had been since the nineties (I think) since I’ve had them.

So I went in for an EKG and then later for an Echocardiogram. Cardiologist called a week or two later and made an appointment to see me. That appointment is this Thursday. I’m not worried about this. I’ve gone through this before (and if it were serious, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to join the Army). It’s a teaching hospital, too, so I think I’ve become this great test subject!

My cough has YET to go away (it’s been two months since my initial cold). My husband is bug, bug, BUGGING me to go see the doctor. Okay!! (I just want to shut him up.) So I made an appointment for this Tuesday. I’m thinking allergies, but who knows anymore.

In the meantime, I still need to make an appointment with a gynecologist (my night sweats are driving me insane).

Last year I went to the hospital maybe twice, this year six and counting (three more for sure). Good thing I don’t have an outside job. I’d be out of sick leave by now! J

In other news… I’m so HAPPY the Penguins won game 2 against the Rangers. Game 3 is tonight. Go Pens!!!

So… What have you done that you thought would be one and done and it turned into multiple events? Or am I the only one who’s lucky that way?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy