Pictures of My New Floor

Because I wasn't at the house when the family room was emptied, I didn't get any pictures of the room with the old carpet. Probably just as well. Who wants to see old, dirty carpet anyway?

But what do you do with all the furniture that was in the family room? Well, you stick it whereever it can fit. Most of it went into my dining room (a lovely mess, don't you think?).

And some larger pieces ended up in the kitchen. Yeah, I wasn't using the dishwasher or microwave for awhile (not that I was using it all that much anyway).

Here's what it looked like before the workers arrived. Kind of took me back 18 years, when we had the house built. It echoed! Kind of made me afraid that might happen when the flooring was put down. Hmmm...

Here's the family room after the quarter-inch plywood was put down. My husband didn't do this part when he laid the wood flooring for the living room and dining room. So I guess we won't be surprised if it ends up squeaking. So far, so good, though.

Here's the beginning of the flooring on top of the roofing felt (which we ALSO didn't put down on our previous project--were we slackers or what?).

Up close and personal.

All done! Ain't it pretty? Now we just have to put everything back. Ugh!

While not everything has been returned (not sure I want everything returned, I'm still going through the stuff!), putting the DVDs back was more work than I thought. It's all alphabetized, though! Oh, and the room does NOT echo. Whew!

Next up: getting the area rug for the room. We already ordered it -- 8x10 Steelers Logo! Figured why not? The room is full of Steelers stuff anyway (and it makes the hubby soooo happy).

We still have to replace the couch with two chairs, but I'm in no hurry to go shopping. My goal right now is Dragon*Con. Can't believe I'll be in Atlanta in less than a week. Squeee!!!

A dear author-friend of mine is having a giveaway and I thought I would share the details with you. I've read all her books and loved them all! Even the sweet romance ones (which are the ones she's giving away--so if you haven't read her, now's your chance to try and win her books!).

"Be An Angel" Day is coming this Friday (August 22nd) and in celebration of this day, Renee Vincent is hosting a giveaway at Romance Books 4 Us where she will donate $100 to St. Jude's Hospital AND give away an autographed set of her Jamett & Joseph series to one luck winner!

***Contest ends August 23rd***

 

See here for complete details and enter today: http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2014/08/be-angel-giveaway.html

So... Has summer finally decided to visit you? We're due for some 90-degree temps for the next several days. HEAT WAVE! Not looking forward to that. Better than snow, though. So I guess I won't complain TOO much! :)

Have a good weekend!
  Stacy

Wednesday Reads

Even when I attend a convention, I find time to read. Helps when my friend (and roomie) likes to, also. It’s a wonderful way to decompress, because even laid back conventions can still be stressful (at least to this writer). Anyway, here’s what I read during the week:

Jun 6: “Sixth Grave on the Edge” by Darynda Jones, the sixth book in the Charley Davidson series, a humorous & sexy paranormal. Blurb from book:  Most girls might think twice before getting engaged to someone like Reyes Farrow—but Charley Davidson is not most girls. She’s a paranormal private eye and grim-reaper-in-training who’s known to be a bit of a hell-raiser, especially after a few shots of caffeine. Her beloved Reyes may be the only begotten son of evil, but he’s dark and sultry and deeply sexy and everything Charley could hope for. Really. But when the FBI file on Reye’s childhood happens to land in her lap, she can’t help herself: She opens it… and then the real fun begins. First, Charley finds a naked corpse riding shotgun in her car. Then a man loses his soul in a card game. Throw in a Deaf boy who sees dead people, a woman running from mobsters, and a very suspicious Reyes, and things can’t get any worse for Charley. Unless, of course, the Twelve Beasts of Hell are unleashed… Love Charley. She made me laugh several times. Love Reyes. Especially the excerpt at the end in his POV (I wouldn’t mind more of that). But man, I don’t know how Charley can keep track of all her jobs. I got a little lost at times. Even so, I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.

Jun 7: “The Road to Something Better (Jamett & Joseph Series #2) by Renee Vincent. I don’t know what genre this book falls under. Maybe contemporary romance. I guess the old classification would have been chick lit. I don’t necessarily care for that classification, though. Blurb from Goodreads: The road less traveled never had so many bumps. Jamie Sutherland never expects to connect with her sexy-as-sin neighbor, Joseph Scarbrough, especially after all the failed relationships she’s suffered. Not only does she find out he’s not quite “the player” she believed him to be, but that his heart bears scars much deeper than her own. Ready to take a chance on this unlikely match, she eagerly awaits their upcoming date and hopes that Joseph is the very companion she’s been waiting for all her life. Time and time again, the comical sporadic encounters resume in their loft apartment complex and Joseph eventually reveals that he is the building superintendent in a very unforgettable, Lucky-in-the-Diet-Coke-commercial fashion. While he's proficient in fixing Jamie’s clogged sink, he's not all that great at leaving his past behind. When Caroline, his yuppy ex-girlfriend, makes another surprise visit, Jamie's road to something better gets a little rocky. Will Joseph choose the familiar woman with whom he had a history, or the loyal friend who's given him a future? The story does NOT end with this book (as I suspected), but I am enjoying the story as these two get to know one another. I just kind of wish it were all in one book. Oh well, at least I’m getting credit for reading THREE (haha!). I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Jun 8: “The Gift of Something Grand (Jamett & Joseph Series #3)” by Renee Vincent. This is the last book of the series, a contemporary romance. Blurb from Goodreads: When those three little words aren't enough. Jamie Sutherland finds herself falling in love with her irresistible next-door neighbor, Joseph Scarbrough. No surprise there. But when she wakes up in his bed, she's stunned that even in her sleep, she can't resist him. As their relationship heats up, Joseph gives Jamie a key to his apartment and he finally gives Caroline, his relentless ex-girlfriend, the boot. Jamie's excited to think he just might be the one. But how do you tell the man of your dreams you love him when he insists that he can't fall in love? I enjoyed reading this series. Made me all happy and giddy at the end. The best way to read this series is back-to-back-to-back. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

So… What do you like to do to decompress?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads

So nice to be home again. So nice to be writing again (okay, revising). So nice to be reading again, too. Here’s what I read during the week:

May 18: “An Unwilling Husband” by Tera Shanley, a historical romance. Blurb from Goodreads: For adventurous Margaret Flemming, arrived from Boston to be with her father, the Old West town of her childhood is a far cry from the drawing rooms and balls of the high society life she’s used to. Her fancy gowns and proper manners have no place in the dusty, cruel land inhabited by Indians and rough cowboys. And her fiercely independent streak constantly gets her in trouble. When tragedy strikes, there’s only one person she can turn to--her childhood friend, Garret Shaw--but he’s disgusted with her Society ways. With his ranch under attack from the land-grabbing Jennings, the last thing Garret needs is to be saddled with a high-falutin’ lady. Even if she is his friend’s daughter and her kind ways tug at his hardened heart. Duty to her father forces them to wed, but he knows sure as anything, when the chance comes along, she’ll go back to Boston. No matter how much he wants her, loving her is not a risk he can take. Will Maggie choose a life of luxury and ease over struggle and hardship with an ill-mannered cowboy? Only her heart can answer. This is not my usual genre, but the story intrigued me and didn't disappoint. Well, except for the part where it was a SWEET romance, and I would have enjoyed a little more STEAM, but that's me. If you like sweet, this is the book for you! I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

 

May 18: “The Start of Something Good” by Renee Vincent, a contemporary fiction novella. Blurb from Goodreads: Jamie Sutherland, coffee shop owner and serial ruined-relationship survivor, moves into a beautiful loft apartment for a change of scenery. What she doesn’t plan on getting is an eye-full of her handsome next-door neighbor—in nothing but a towel—arguing with his significant other in the hallway. Joseph Scarbrough's world crashes down on him one cruel morning when his childhood sweetheart rips his heart out of his chest and walks away. His humiliation isn't complete until he turns around to pick up the pieces and sees a beautiful brunette who just witnessed his Dear John moment. Caught in an awkward situation, the two backpedal into their separate worlds. But fate seems determined to make their worlds collide on a regular basis. Is it destiny just being clumsy when it comes to the two unlikely neighbors or is it the start of something good? I knew going in that this book would be sweet and was the beginning of a series. Would have preferred it to be a little longer, though (only about 100 pgs). Won’t stop me from purchasing Books 2 & 3 to see how it ends up (at least I assume Book 3 is the end) because I like Jamie and Joseph. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

So… how do you like your romance (if you read it, that is)? Sweet or steamy? And if you don’t read romance, what’s your favorite genre?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

What I Read Since Last Week

Well, it looks like I will NOT be making that trip to Atlanta for RWA after all, since “Ghostly Liaison” did not final in the Golden Heart contest. Have to say, it made for a depressing afternoon, so I spent it reading. Besides I had to finish that last book so I can read “Lover at Last,” that is as soon as my daughter finishes it (and according to her, that should have been sometime last night).

As always, I do not spoil the book in my gushes or rants! Here is what I read last week:

Mar 21: “The Temperate Warrior” by Renee Vincent. This is an historical romance (set in 923 AD Norway). Blurb on back of book (in blue): Gustaf Raeliksen lives by the blade of his sword. After avenging his father’s murder and reuniting with his family, he wants nothing more than to settle down and have sons of his own. Only one woman will do--a fiery redhead he saved from the spoils of war. No longer forced to warm the beds of the men who’ve taken everything from her, Aesa has nothing to offer the noble warrior but her heart. When someone with a deep score to settle seeks revenge upon her, Gustaf’s world is torn asunder. He has but one vow--saving the woman he loves from the ignorant fool who dared to best the temperate warrior. These characters were mentioned in her Emerald Isle Trilogy, but you do not need to have read those to read this (in other words--you won’t be confused). I really enjoyed this story, as I have enjoyed all of her stories (and I’m not a huge historical fan). I just love the way she writes. I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 22: “Absolution” by Susannah Sandlin. This is a paranormal romance, the second book in the Penton Legacy series. Blurb on back (in blue): Mirren Kincaid remembers the vampire he used to be--and he’s not going back. As the Slayer, Mirren served the Vampire Tribunal as its most creative and ruthless executioner. Then he refused a kill order and eventually found himself the protector and second-in-command of the peaceful enclave of Penton, Alabama. As civil war threatens to break out in the vampire world over the scarcity of untainted human blood, the Tribunal wants its slayer back--and has sent a beautiful witch to retrieve him. Descended from a powerful shaman, Glory Cummings is meant to restore Mirren to his bloodthirsty ways as the Tribunal’s assassin. But Glory doesn’t see a killer when she looks at Mirren; she sees a vampire haunted by his past. Though her mission is to turn him into a monster, she hopes her magic touch can heal the man she’s suddenly falling for. But the Tribunal has never looked kindly upon defiance. As you can tell by the dates, I zipped right through this one. Sure, it helped I had a few hours to kill while waiting for my husband to teach his class, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t have mattered. I just didn’t want to put this book down. This is one series I absolutely love and I’m sad to say I don’t have the third in my hands (although it is on order). This author knows how to hook me! I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 26: “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. This is labeled simply as fiction. Blurb from Barnes & Noble (in blue): Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. I saw the movie and really liked it. My daughter said she had the book. I told her I wanted to read it. It had been sitting on my shelf ever since, because other books caught my eye first. But I finally got around to reading this and man, did I enjoy it! I especially loved Jacob (and the story is told in his POV--first person). I read the last 150 pages on a day I was kind of depressed, and it was just what I needed. I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads.

Three books - whoo hoo! Next week I'll possibly only list one. I will read “Lover at Last,” but I also have my second round of edits due back on April 15th. So reading will be at a minimum (after I read the Lover book, of course) until I get this round back to my editor (I just love having one of those!).

Are you getting lots of books read? Any of these sound good to you?