Wednesday Reads

I finally got on track with my Goodreads goal. Here’s what I read during the week:

Mar 7: “The Girl and the Raven” by Pauline Gruber, a paranormal young adult novel. Blurb from Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Lucy Walker just wants a normal life, until she learns she is half-witch, half-demon. Now she's got other problems, like keeping her demon dad from killing her boyfriend, keeping the witches in her life from killing her demon dad, and keeping her non-supernatural friends safe from both sides. All the while she’s desperately searching for the family raven that carries her magical legacy. She's walking a tightrope between good and evil, drawn to both, uncertain which she will ultimately choose. I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t read any more YA books. I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 9: “Dangerous Affairs” by Nina Pierce, three erotic romance novellas (“Blind Her With Bliss,” “Deceive Her With Desire,” and “Cheat Her With Charm”). Blurb from back: Three sisters looking for love. Three men seeking redemption. Three reckless romances that will push each of them into the dangerous world of revenge. I enjoyed reading these stories back-to-back. It was like reading one regular-sized book, with different little stories of each sister, but a continuous story about the family. If not for the wacked out ending in the last, I’d be giving this book top honors, instead it gets 4 stars on Goodreads. Still, it was such a joy to read something I didn’t have to struggle with. 

Had lots of fun yesterday in the Los Angeles area. Should post pictures on Friday. Today I’m taking a break and doing the laundry. Whoo hoo! Fun times!

What fun stuff are you doing today?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

Pictures of Santa Barbara-Part I

I put Part I in the title, because I'm sure I'll have more pictures to post.

But before I post the pictures I took yesterday, let me show you what it was like at home (as always, if you click on the photo, it will enlarge).

This is a picture of my street on Feb 16. Pretty dreary, huh?

This was a picture of my backyard on March 6th. This portion doesn't get much sunlight, and the temps haven't been very high. I know, it's not as bad as some, but man, I'm just sick of snow!

Yesterday, on Stearns Wharf! Look, no snow!!!

Walk/bike path. I could get used to coming here everyday!

The beach. Yes, that's still California there in the distance (Santa Barbara beaches face south). And that cliff off to the left, just a little downways is the Santa Barbara cemetery (Well, the cemetery is on TOP of the cliff!). My grandmother is buried there.

Here's a panoramic view. Stearns Wharf is from center to right.

I got a little bit of sun. Well, we all did. We planned on going to the Santa Barbara Zoo today, but now we're rethinking that. Might hold off. On Tuesday we plan on going to Santa Monica and Los Angeles. I want to see the LaBrea Tar Pits!!

It's not a given I'll have access to the internet during the day (you know, because I don't have one of THOSE phones--haha!), but I'll check in when I can. 

Where do you wish you could be right now? I'm where I wish! In fact, I think it's going to be real hard leaving this place.

 

Stacy

 

Travel Day

No blogging today. My traveling time begins at 8:00 am and ends around 11:00pm (EST). Hopefully, I’ll get around to blogging on Monday. But if I don’t, just know I’m having a blast in California! J

Because, I mean, how couldn’t I? It’s the land of my birth!

Bye-bye snow! Don’t wait around for me.

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads and a Trip!

In two days I leave for California. The family and I are going to visit my parents. And while I’m looking forward to seeing them again, I’m almost looking forward to the warmer weather more. Almost. Honest!

I hope to get some extra reading in (and won’t that make for a long blog!). I’m certainly starting to get caught up in my reading goals now. Here’s what I read during the week:

Feb 26: “Ignite Me” by Tahereh Mafi, young adult dystopian, the third and final book of the Shatter Me series. Blurb from book: Nothing will ever be the same. The fate of Omega Point is unknown. Everyone Juliette has ever cared about could be dead. The war could be over before it ever really began. Juliette is the only one standing in The Reestablishment’s way. She knows that if she’s going to survive, The Reestablishment cannot. But to take down The Reestablishment and the man who very nearly killed her, Juliette will need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together to bring down their enemy, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she new--about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam--was wrong. I suppose it’s a fitting end to the series. I definitely enjoyed the ride. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 2: “The Promised One” by C.D. Hersh, a paranormal romantic suspense. I won this book in a giveaway from the authors. Blurb from book: In the wrong hands, the Turning Stone ring is a powerful weapon for evil. So, when homicide detective Alexi Jordan discovers her secret society mentor has been murdered and his magic ring stolen, she is forced to use her shape-shifting powers to catch the killer. By doing so, she risks the two most important things in her life--her badge and the man she loves. Rhys Temple always knew his fiery cop partner and would-be-girlfriend, Alexi Jordan, had a few secrets. He considers that part of her charm. But when she changes into a man, he doesn’t find that as charming. He’ll keep her secret to keep her safe, but he’s not certain he can keep up a relationship--professional or personal. Danny Shaw needs cash for the elaborate wedding his fiancée has planned, so he goes on a mugging spree. But when he kills a member of the secret society of Turning Stones, and steals a magic ring that gives him the power to shape shift, Shaw gets more than he bargained for. You’d think with the title this book would be religious, and if I hadn’t met the authors (a husband & wife team) and heard them talk about the story, I would have probably never taken another look at it. Sorry--titles can repel this reader and I’m not one to read religious books. But the story intrigued me. Unfortunately (for me) all sex is behind closed doors. Boo hoo! The story in this book ended, but other events are left open, since this is apparently the first of a series. I liked the story well enough, but I had a lot of nit-picky issues that other people might not even notice (or care), which was enough for me to knock off a star. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 3: “After Dead” by Charlaine Harris. Blurb from book: Dead Ever After marked the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series--novels that garnered millions of fans and spawned the hit HBO television show True Blood. It also stoked a hunger that will never die…a hunger to know what happened next. With characters arranged alphabetically--from the Ancient Pythoness to Bethany Zanelli--bestselling author Charlaine Harris takes fans into the future of their favorite residents of Bon Temps and environs. You’ll learn how Michele and Jason’s marriage fared, what happened to Sookie’s cousin Hunter, and whether Tara and JB’s twins grew up to be solid citizens. This coda provides the answers to your lingering questions--including details of Sookie’s own happily-ever-after… I kind of expected more from this pricy hardcover. Heck, I couldn’t remember most of the characters listed. Oh well…I’m counting it toward a book read! I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads.

I’m looking forward to my vacation, but dreading it, too. Why? Because I hate to fly. Not the actual flying portion (I love being up high), but the hassle-of-the-airlines portion. That’s why I usually drive. Unfortunately, driving would just take too much time. What about you? Do you prefer to drive or fly?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

The Start of Another Book?

My aunt and her husband have this blog, Pro Writers Blog, where they give out some good tips on writing. On Friday they had a fun “What if?” writing exercise about beginnings (and hooking readers) that I decided to give it a go. Who knew I could hook myself? This little beginning I wrote now has Maggie clamoring to be heard. 

The “What if?” scenario was this:  It is a café, it is 11:00 p.m., a young woman sits, empty dishes in front of her. Here’s what I came up with (and it took me about 15 minutes):

Maggie blinked her eyes open and grabbed onto the table in front of her as the room came into focus.

What the hell? She was supposed to be in bed, not having a meal at the café down the street. Yet the dirty dishes in front of her indicated as such and she wasn’t wearing her pajamas. Instead she had on a sweater and jeans. Oh shit. That wasn’t a good sign. She placed a hand over her racing heart.

A waiter approached and laid the check on the table. “Ma’am, we’re closing up. You have to leave.”

She grabbed his arm. “What day is it?”

“It’s 11. We’re closing.”

“Not time. Day. Day!”

His eyes widened and he shrugged free. “Friday. The eleventh.”

“The eleventh?” No, that couldn’t be. She’d just lost two days. Two freakin’ days! Shit. What had she done this time?

So, do you think I have the beginnings of another book? You can be honest! 

Stacy