Reading Update and Our Pittsburgh Visit

Daughter and I enjoyed the Penguins game in Pittsburgh very much on Saturday. Got a little worried in the 2nd period, but it all turned out good (and not with any nasty overtime play, either!).

We had arrived in Pittsburgh around 4:30, parked, and headed toward a restaurant I found on Maps (on my phone) that is near the arena. It’s called Pizza Bosa (I think) and their menu is really extensive. I just didn’t expect such a small place.

We got there at the right time, though. After we placed our order for a Pierogi Pie (see picture) and sat down, a line started forming and went out the door! Yeah, that placed filled up FAST.

And our dinner? It was awesome!! When they brought the “pizza” to our table, I about fainted from the wonderful aroma. If you love pierogies, you will love this “pizza.” Crust, mashed potatoes, onions, cheese, and garlic. It was heaven! I highly recommend it!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 15

Dates read: May 2-10, 2022
Title: Immortal Rising
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Lynsay Sands
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Argeneau Series #34
# of Pages: 369
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from the book: Stephanie McGill was attacked and turned when she was just a teenager. Worse, her abilities are unlike any other immortal. Now thirteen years later, with the help of her adopted Argeneau family, Steph has carved out a new—if not lonely—life for herself. Until a new neighbor arrives…
    Thorne is also one-of-a-kind. The result of a genetic experiment, he’s not an immortal, but he’s not mortal, either. He’s looking for a place to hide, to get some peace and quiet so he can figure things out, and Stephanie’s sanctuary is perfect. In fact, Stephanie is perfect. For the first time, Thorne is free to be himself and he’s falling for her.
    But if they’re going to have a future together, they’ll first need to deal with their past…because the mad scientist who created Thorne is now after Stephanie.
My thoughts: I kind of savored this book by not reading it fast. Then I realized I had nothing to post about today unless I finished reading it. Had no trouble breezing through it, either. I can’t believe this is book #34 in the series and I am still not tired of it. I love the world and the characters so much.

So… I got my new glasses. They aren’t working so well. The reading portion starts up too high, so I went back to the eyeglass place and they’re making new lenses. It’s hard to tell if the prescription is good right now, but I’m hoping once I’m able to wear the glasses correctly, I’ll be able to see the monitor clearer. Just gotta wait another week to find out, though.

Sometimes I really hate my eyes.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Ohio’s Screwy Weather

I’ve lived in Ohio for nearly 31 years, you’d think I’d get used to the screwy weather in April. Or at least REMEMBER that April is full of screwy weather. I’ll blame the remembering part on my old brain.

But on Monday, April 18 (half-way through the month!!), it snowed here. For half the frickin’ day! Didn’t stick to the roadways so much, but it did stick to the grassy areas, the trees & shrubs, AND my car (of which I was using because I had a LOT of errands, of course). Plus, it was cold! I’m ready for spring. It’s supposedly been here a month already, so what’s with the snow?

Oh… spring is coming Saturday. Or rather, summer is poking its head in. It’s supposed to reach 80 on Saturday. Frostbite to sunburn within one week. Yep, April weather is screwy in Ohio.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 12

Dates read: April 5-14, 2022
Title: Hollow’s End
Year of publication: 2013
Author: Marianne Morea
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series: The Legend #1
# of Pages: 245
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased from author
Blurb from the book: Two hundred years of secrets and lies are bleeding into the present, and high school seniors, Hunter Morrissey and Rowen Corbett find themselves linked with unseen forces shrouded in mystery and violence. In the quaint river town of Sleepy Hollow… But the dark water of the Hudson River is not the only blackness looming in the distance. Truths, buried and long forgotten, have risen at a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.
    Only Hunter and Rowen hold the key to locking the past in the past. And setting old wrongs to right.
    Can justice be served?
    Can the two find a way to straddle both worlds and solve the mystery when they don’t understand the clues?
My thoughts: The copy I have had way too many grammatical mistakes that kept taking me out of the story. But the story does end and it was interesting. If you like YA paranormal, give this a try. On the book it’s labeled a YA romance, but it’s not, not really, although there is romantic elements. And in Goodreads, it’s listed as a horror, but I didn’t really find it all that horrific. It’s certainly suitable for young adults.

On Monday (during the freakish snow storm), I ordered some “computer” glasses after my eye appointment (of which my eyes haven’t changed all that much). These will be bifocals with the middle range on top and the reading range on the bottom. I normally wear trifocals with a really narrow middle range that isn’t suitable for a computer screen. At least, not for me. I’m hoping the new glasses will make it easier for me to write. At this point, I’m trying everything to make it easier to write (or at least eliminate the excuses??). Wish me luck that it works. I need something to work.

So… Do you wear glasses? How annoying are they for you?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Not So Frustrated the Second Time Around

I got my new glasses last week—trifocals instead of progressive lenses.

I’m still not happy about needing trifocals, but at least I can SEE the way I’m used to. Actually, I see better (new prescription!).

I had issues with the lenses lining up, but got those fixed and now it’s not bugging me so much. I wish I had more reading and middle lens than I have, but that probably couldn’t happen unless I got bigger frames, and I’m not so sure I want bigger.

This isn’t the eighties, you know.

It’s just something I’ll have to get used to, but at least I WILL get used to it. Plus I didn’t get frustrated like I had with the other pair. And man, that was certainly a relief.

I sometimes wonder if that’s because my hormone therapy pills haven’t really affected me yet, but then again, maybe I’m not getting the same side effects. Only time will tell.

Good news! I had my mammogram last week and it showed up cancer-free. Whew! That means Hubby and I have both been cleared. Keeping fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Would you believe I actually got some writing done this weekend? Both days! I don’t know the last time I wrote on the weekend. I’m so happy this story is starting to meld. In fact, I was talking to Hubby about my book during breakfast Saturday and told him he could tell I was into it. I hadn’t talked books with him in ages! I’m sure that thrilled him…NOT. Yeah, sometimes I don’t think he cares so much; it’s the way his eyes glaze over. At least he doesn’t tell me to shut up. He’s nice like that.

So… Did you do anything productive over the weekend? I probably should have started going through our junk to see what we can get rid up before the move, but I was thrilled that I WANTED to write, so I wrote!

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Tuesday is Release Day!

That’s right! Ghostly Interlude goes live tomorrow! Happy happy joy joy! If you can’t wait that long, you can always read an exclusive excerpt that was posted over at the USA Today HEA blog on Friday here: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/02/23/ghostly-interlude-excerpts-stacy-mckitrick/ . How cool was that, huh?

Today I’m taking my glasses back to the optical shop and getting them changed to trifocals. I just can’t handle these things on the computer or reading my book, so I’m not going to torture myself any longer.

One thing these glasses did was trigger a huge mood swing on Friday. I’m talking rage followed with a crying jag. I was a mess. I figured my hormone therapy pills were to blame for that so I stopped taking them until I can talk to a doctor, who I hope to see today, after I turn in my glasses.

Never a dull moment is it? I’m ready for some dull, though. Honest!

Happy Monday!

Stacy

My Eyes Hurt

I swear, these new glasses of mine will be the death of my eyes.

It’s either that, or maybe I’m just tired from staying up until 2am (Thursday morning) watching the women’s US Hockey team beat Canada! What a nerve-wracking… ahem… exciting game that was! I really didn’t think I’d stay awake for the whole thing, but that game sure kept my attention.

So while my lack of sleep could be the cause of my poor eyes, I really think it’s also the glasses.

You see… I went from trifocals to progressive lenses and either there’s something wrong with the glasses or there’s something wrong with my eyes.

I’m thinking some of the blame is on the glasses. I went yesterday to get them adjusted, but the only person at the shop was the one person who couldn’t fix them (because she had carpel tunnel surgery and couldn’t grip things). I’ll be back today, though and hope for the best.

I really hope it’s my glasses. Because I can’t imagine working on the computer, or even reading, for any length of time with these things the way they are now. I’m going bonkers trying to keep the stupid screen in focus!

So… Have you ever stayed up late to watch a game? Did you regret it the next day? I might have if USA hadn’t won, but they did, so it was well worth being tired yesterday!

But I still don’t like my glasses. Yet.

Happy Friday!

Stacy

My Brain is Full and I’m Another Year Older Tomorrow

This past weekend I attended two workshops, which encompassed six classes, all taught by Laurie Schnebly Campbell. My brain is full.

So full, I might have figured out the problems with Ghostly Protector. You don’t know what a relief that is, because I was pretty sure that story had died. So maybe I will be writing Ghostly Protector next. It would certainly be nice if I could actually write something.

Well, I guess I am writing. I write blogs. I write short stories. But it’s been awhile since I wrote the first draft of a novel. I just have to focus and plow on through the barriers I’ve apparently set up for myself. Barriers I might have broken through this past weekend. Yay!

Speaking (okay, writing) about short stories, the Literary Escapism blog is supposed to feature the Hidden Treasure part of a short story I wrote about Rob and Bridget (from Ghostly Liaison) today. It’s to help generate some interest for the Rust City Book Con (you know, if people like what they read, maybe they’ll come out and see me??). I’m only sharing the middle portion of the story (which is basically a complete story in itself) in the hopes that people would want to read the rest of it. The thing is, I’m only sharing the story in my August newsletter, so they’d have to sign up to read it. Aren’t I evil that way?

Still, if you’d like to see my Hidden Treasure story, hop on over to Literary Escapism (I’ll edit with the direct link when I get it). Then come back and tell me what you think.
[EDIT: Here's the direct link to the post: http://www.literaryescapism.com/49840/hidden-treasures-ghostly-treasures-by-stacy-mckitrick]

You could do that for my birthday, couldn’t you?

Yeah, that’s right. Tomorrow’s my birthday. A pretty significant one, too. Doubt I do anything special tomorrow, but my friend is cooking a nice dinner for me on Saturday (and if Hubby remembers, he’ll get me a birthday cake!).

Today I have an appointment with my eye doctor. Decided I should finally find out why my right eye suddenly sees better without my glasses than it does with them. I’ve even gone the last few days not wearing them because they’ve been bugging me so much.

So… What kind of fun things do you think I should do tomorrow? Maybe sit at home and write? Hmmm… Maybe.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Footy, Lovely Weather, and Eyesight

Hello, hello, hello! My trip to Raleigh, NC went well. Except for a bit of rain on Saturday evening (okay, more like monsoon!), the Footy tournament (this was the Eastern Regionals) went well, although a bit on the warm side (temps close to 90 and the humidity a bit high). Luckily we were able to sit in the shade for a good portion of the games.

As for my daughter’s team, they didn’t win, but it was close. The women played 20 minute quarters (normally they play 20 minute halves). I was very impressed with their play. I was even more impressed that 13 Jillaroos made it to the tournament. There had been a time when my daughter was the only Jillaroo. Good thing they can combine to make a team. In this case, the Jillaroos combined with the Baltimore Eagles. They played against the New York Magpies/Boston Lady Demons/Philadelphia Hawks (which was made up of mostly NY).

Want to know what the USAFL is all about. Well here’s a video for you to check out. Some of the shots go by fast, my daughter could be in it and I just don’t see her!

We came home yesterday to 70 degree weather. And dry. But the house was hot and stuffy! Good thing I have the A/C repairman coming by Tuesday. Although the temps are supposed to stay in the 70s for awhile (man, it feels soooooo good outside). I opened the windows to cool the house down. Now, if it can only stay this way, I won’t need the A/C at all!

Can eyesight get…better? I’ve been having issues with my eyeglasses lately. Especially my right eye. I thought something must be wrong with my eye, because I’ve only had this new prescription for less than a year. Then I noticed something even stranger. Seems my eyesight in my right eye is practically perfect without the glasses.

So I took off my glasses and watched TV. I was able to make out all the detail I couldn’t with my glasses on. Hmmm…

My left eye still prefers the glasses, but since my right eye appears to be the dominant one, I see better without my glasses than I do with. It’s bizarre.

So… Do you wear glasses? How often do you have to get your prescription changed? I haven’t really felt comfortable with these glasses since I got them. Now I’m beginning to understand why. Just never figured my eyesight would get better instead of worse.

Happy Monday!

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads and one Sucky Tuesday

Tuesday officially SUCKED and I had such high hopes for that day. First, I took my car to Nissan for them to replace my satellite radio. Now the display only shows the channel, not the artist playing, like it used to. Grrr… Second, I went to get my new glasses. I normally have issues with new frames. This time I have a HUGE issue with the lenses. The reading lens is way too narrow, plus the two bottom lenses are too low. I have to lift my head way up just to read my laptop through the middle lens. FAIL! I’ll be going back today to get them fixed (what a pain). Third (I guess things DO happen in threes), I go to open the document I started for today’s blog post only to find out it’s gone. Of course it is, because the day SUCKED! Needless to say, I got NO writing done on my WIP. Just not in the mood. Hopefully today is a better day.

Here’s what I read the past week:

November 10: “Closer Than You Think” by Karen Rose, #1 in the Cincinnati series, a romantic suspense at 678 pages. Blurb from book: Psychologist Faith Corcoran is desperate to escape the stalker who’s made her life a nightmare for the past year—desperate enough to run to the one place that has been her nightmare far longer. Both boon and bane, her recent inheritance of her grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati offers sanctuary in which she can start her life anew, but requires that she face the dark memories that still resonate to this day. But she has no idea how close to home her fears still are. Two college girls have gone missing in the area, and FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak is called to work on the case. When his inquiry unexpectedly leads him to Faith, he finds a beautiful and brave woman he can’t help but fall for. Soon they’ll discover that this seemingly simple investigation is anything but. Reaching back decades into Faith’s own past, it will shatter everything she believes in to be true and will give terrifying new meaning to flesh and blood. This was one whopper of a book. Lots of twists and turns and hard to put down. I didn’t figure out who was responsible until the end.

I have to admit, though, I don’t know if I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it on an e-reader. I had to go back numerous times to re-check stuff, which I could easily find because I knew how far along I’d read. I just can’t do that with an e-reader. And while I took my Nook on the cruise, I never used it. I brought two paper books with me, which turned out to be the right number for the short cruise. Next time I might need to use the Nook, though. It’ll be a longer cruise!

So… Do bad things happen to you in threes? They certainly seem to happen in bunches though, don’t they? Hopefully all my bad mojo was contained in one day—yesterday. I don’t think I could stand two days (or worse—three days) in a row like yesterday.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Happy Halloween! And My Calendar Works!

As I was looking at my iPhone yesterday morning, I noticed the notification for the Bengals game said it started at 9:30 am.

9:30 am? Not 8:30 am?

I stared at this for several moments to make sure it was actually coming from my calendar instead of from ESPN (because the game started at 9:30). I opened my calendar app and sure enough, the game times for all my sports teams were CORRECT!

I don’t know how it happened, but YAY! My calendar now works. All is good with the world.

For now. J

 

Apparently my Halloween spirit comprises of music videos. This one is fun. Hope you enjoy it, because… BEETLEJUICE!

 

Weekend sports update:

• High School Football: As I already reported on Friday, Wayne won on Thursday. They ended up being #1 in their Region (I believe this is a FIRST) and will play the #8 team (Lancaster, OH) on Friday at home. Yay!
• College Football: USC Trojans also played on Thursday and won! And OSU Buckeyes squeaked by one on Saturday (whew!).
• NHL: Penguins beat the Flyers on Saturday in what seemed to be a rather exciting 3rd period (3 goals in 55 seconds by the Pens!). Sure wish I could watch the games, but I refuse to pay for the NHL package for just one team (and moving to Pittsburgh isn’t all that feasible, either—although I’ve thought about it!).
• NFL: Rams and Steelers were both on a bye week. Figures. Couldn’t they have had different bye weeks? And the Bengals game ended on a tie. I just had to laugh at that game (I’m not a “true” fan, but I will root for them most of the time).

 

In case you were interested… All Romance Ebooks is having a Halloween 50% rebate sale that ends today. Lots of books to choose from (including MINE!).

 

I’m getting an eye exam today. The doctor will dilate my eyes, which means I can pretty much forget about writing, or reading. But at least I’ll get new glasses out of this (my right eye has been twitching, which usually tells me I need a new prescription). I hate my current pair, and have since I got them two years ago. I was just too cheap to get them replaced until now.

So… Do you wear glasses? How often do you replace the frames? And if you don’t wear glasses (or contacts)… lucky you!

Happy Spooky Monday! Oh, and did you notice? My 13th post for the month!!!

Stacy

Status Update

So far my goal of writing 2000 words a day is turning out to be 2000 for the week! Didn’t help that I had to delete 2800 words yesterday. Talk about painful! But most needed. I had taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque and had to get back on course. That’s the peril when you write by the seat of your pants. But I wouldn’t write any other way.

Let me tell you, though. While deleting those 2800 words hurt, I’m so GLAD those scenes were thinly written. I hadn’t spent all that much time on them (although they were really great scenes and I wish I could have salvaged them); I only wrote what needed to get the story moving. If I had spent hours editing them to make them sound right, it would have hurt a whole lot more.

So basically, when I come to a kissing scene, I just say they kiss and move on. No descriptions. No emotion. Okay, maybe a little emotion. Love scenes (and fighting scenes) are hard. No use spending time on them if there’s a good chance they’ll be cut. Once I know everything is in place, THEN I can add the meat. And as long as I can remember all that, the scenes should get written faster.

At least, that’s the plan!

So… my eye exam went well (no big changes). I couldn’t believe I’ve owned my current set of glasses since 2008. Okay, maybe I could believe it a little bit. They are pretty scratched up. Time to get a new pair, something I hate shopping for. Not only are they expensive, I’ll be wearing them all the time, so they have to look like me. And they can’t distract me (no shiny frames). I have a feeling when I finally get to the store to buy them, I’ll be spending quite a bit of time there (I’ve been known to try on nearly every frame). And no, I won’t consider contacts. Those are even MORE expensive (since I have an astigmatism). If you wear glasses, how often do you buy a new set? Do you get more than one? Yeah, I only get the one pair.

 

They don’t call me cheap for nothing! J

 

Have a good weekend!

Stacy