Reading Update and No Jury Duty…for now!

I was soooooo happy to see that the trial I was assigned to was cancelled and I don’t have to report to jury duty. Whew. That’s good. Well… except I’m still on call, but they will contact ME if I’m needed this month. I don’t have to do anything else, like call them every three days for status. That’s nice, because I tend to forget to call!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #32

Dates read: August 10-16
Title: Midnight Sun
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Twilight #5
# of Pages: 658
Paper or plastic: Hardback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
    This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger? 
My thoughts: I’m a huge Twilight fan (it’s what got me interested in writing my own books), so of course I bought this. I had read the beginning of this story when Meyer posted the leaked portion on her blog (way back in 2008) and was instantly hooked. So glad she finished it and I was able to read the rest. Now, will she do the same to the rest of the series? I don’t know, but I’d read them.

I’m officially off of quarantine now. Celebrated in a way—my daughter came over (I sure did miss her). But it’s also nice to know I’m in the clear and I didn’t get sick from the convention (no one did—yay!). So… see? It is possible to have fun and not get sick if you wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and keep your distance whenever possible.

Now I just have to wait and see if our December cruises are a go (we have two scheduled back-to-back, sailing out of Mobile, AL). I’d feel less worried if there was a viable treatment or vaccine, but frankly, I’d be surprised if any of the ports will be open if there isn’t a vaccine by then. Heck, would any island/country want USA visitors if we don’t have this disease under control? I highly doubt it.

So… Are you getting more or less read during this pandemic? I think I’m reading about the same, but then my life hasn’t changed all that much! I just don’t go out to eat anymore.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Updating a Computer

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #31

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

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

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and I’m Self-Quarantining

Last Tuesday, Hubby and I drove to Savannah. We came home Sunday. Now we’re doing the self-quarantining thing. If all goes well, I’ll be able to go out again right around the time I’m supposed to have jury duty (provided the trial is a go). Perfect timing, huh?

But you’re probably wondering what I went to Savannah for. Well, I went to the Literary Love Book convention. There were about 100 of us, masks were required for EVERYTHING, and we did our best to keep our distance from one another. Of course, that wasn’t possible all the time, but that’s why we wore masks.

I had a good time. It was nice to interact with people (authors and readers) again. I’m hoping all the safety measures that we took were enough. I’d hate to think they weren’t. I may never go to another convention if that’s the case.

Frankly, I’m more afraid of attending jury duty than I was attending the convention. I just can’t see how I’ll be able to social distance in a court room, and I can’t imagine the room is all that big, either. So I’m crossing my fingers that the trial is cancelled or postponed.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #29

Dates read: July 20-31
Title: Fallen
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Deep Ops #3
# of Pages: 347
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. A talented hacker who got caught, Brigid Banaghan is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. But she won’t reveal any more to these renegade Feds than she has to. Especially not to Raider Tanaka, her control freak of a bodyguard and handler. It’s enough that his body is tensed for action and his heated gaze is always on her…
    Raider knows there’s more to his new assignment than he’s been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid’s estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston’s organized crime, Raider’s mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses…
    To clear her father’s name, Brigid needs Raider’s help. The Unit’s idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her “fiancé” won’t fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can’t resist…
My thoughts: I liked this book—the suspense, the romance—but I can see which couples will be featured in future books. I don’t know if I like that part or not. Raider did tend to be a bit more of an alpha man than I like, but he wasn’t mean, so that helped. For me.

Book #30

Dates read: August 1-2
Title: Storm Warning
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Lucy Kincaid #14.5 (novella)
# of Pages: 108
Paper or plastic: e-book for Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads:. FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid and her colleague Nate are racing a hurricane, but the storm is the least of their worries...
    Lucy and Nate head to rural Texas in order to take an FBI Most Wanted armed robber into custody. When they reach the jail hours from San Antonio, the local cops ask them to transport another prisoner, too, since the transfer location is on their way. With the hurricane keeping everyone busy, Lucy and Nate don’t have much of a choice but to help out.
    When the two prisoners stage an escape and take a child hostage on their way, Lucy and Nate must try to rescue the boy and survive the storm, without letting these violent criminals get away
My thoughts: Nice, quick read with characters I enjoy reading about. Nice little suspense, too.

So… have you had to self-quarantine during this pandemic? I really hope neither of us get this dreaded disease. My daughter is apt to kill us if we do! Okay, not kill. But she’ll definitely scorn us or something evil like that.

And if we manage to not get COVID, I’ll be a lot less nervous going to a restaurant. They really are doing their best to keep everything sanitized. Their business depends on it.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Publishing Decisions

What do you do when a series isn’t selling? I have six books in my vampire series. The latest was released on April 1 to lackluster sales. I started advertising on Amazon (took a class in April that showed me how to create low bid ads). Sales have increased on book 1 (yay!), but unfortunately I’m spending more than I’m bringing in. It’s not a huge loss ($20-30/month), but not exactly the profit I had hoped for.

I was told that my series is probably perfect for Kindle Unlimited (vampire romance does well there, I guess). But I would make less per book based on what they pay for pages read vs the royalties I get on the selling price. Of course, I have to SELL the books, right?

I’m really wondering whether I should even bother writing more books in this series. If I decide to stop, then it might not matter if they’re sold wide. Right? Luckily, this isn’t a decision I need to make anytime soon. And I may wait at least until the last book has been out a year. If my advertising loss becomes too pricy, I can always stop the ads. Right now I’m still acting on hope. Hope that the series takes off. Thing is, it takes time to get recognized. And I have to advertise to get recognized.

This publishing business sure can be frustrating.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #28

Dates read: July 12-19
Title: Cut and Run
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense
Series: Lucy Kincaid #16
# of Pages: 432
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid is dead-set on solving a cold case—even if the original investigators stonewall her every step of the way. A violent storm has uncovered the remains of a family that authorities assumed fled the country years ago to avoid prosecution. But the boy of the youngest Albright son never turned up. If the child is dead, why wasn’t his body found with his parents? If he’s alive, where has he been…and what does he know? Now Lucy and her partner Nate must reconstruct an old crime to find a missing child in the present day.
    Meanwhile, investigative reporter Maxine Revere is called to San Antonio. A confessed killer of a young woman named Victoria has recanted his statement, which opens the door to a whole new world of secrets and betrayal. Max hires Sean Rogan, Lucy’s husband and seasoned PI, to help. The discovery that Victoria might be connected to the Albright family leads Max, Sean, and Lucy to the darkest corridors of corporate crime. But how can they untangle their complex web to find justice for the victims…and the killer in their midst?
My thoughts: This series is beyond being romantic suspense (but it is how Lucy and Sean started). Doesn’t matter much to me, though. I enjoy these characters so much.

It’s probably a good thing I stalled on writing the 7^th book in the vampire series. But I really need to work on something new (besides revising the next ghost book). Yesterday I might have gotten an idea for another ghost book. But I really need to get book 3 in the ghost series done and published. Apparently my ghost series is selling better than my vampire series. See? There’s still hope I’ll make a profit at this gig!

So... What are you reading? Anything good?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update, an Injury, and an Online Class

Well… my walking came to a stand-still (haha, see what I did there?). I apparently pushed myself too far and pulled something in my hip area. I’m resting it and using Arnica cream to help with the pain (it’s working). Of course, the last couple of mornings have been wonderfully cool and dry and I couldn’t go out and enjoy it. Not the way I wanted to, anyway.

I wish I knew what I did. I don’t walk THAT fast! And I stretch after every walk, too (have to or I’ll get cramps and that’s no fun!). So hopefully later this week I’ll give walking another try (slowly and not as far). But then the humidity is due back, too. Figures, huh?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #27

Dates read: July 6 – 12
Title: Inherit Truth
Year of publication: 2019
Author: Alicia Anthony
Genre: Psychic Suspense
Series: Blood Secrets #1
# of Pages: 302
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book:. When Liv Sullivan’s dead grandmother beckons for help from beyond the grave, the reluctant psychic is forced back to her small Ohio hometown. Scrambling to make sense of her grandmother’s legacy, Liv finds herself face to face with undercover Agent Ridge McCaffrey.
     Assigned to protect the woman whose gifts unnerve him, all for a covert psychic intelligence operation he doesn’t understand, Ridge struggles to place duty over desire. But when a body is found at Sullivan Farm and Liv’s allegiance is called into question, Ridge’s mission becomes clear.
    Can Liv unearth family secrets that are best left buried before the ghosts of her past destroy her dreams of a normal future?
My thoughts: I really thought my issue with this book would be because her point of view was written in first person and his was written in third (I really don’t like it when authors do that). Instead, my mistake was thinking this was a romantic suspense (I had to look up categories on Amazon after I read it to see where it fit). If I had gone into reading this with that information, maybe I wouldn’t have any problems. So if you’re looking for a romantic suspense, you won’t find it here because there is no HEA (happy ever after) or even a HFN (happy for now) at the end of this book. The story isn’t over, either. Yep. Cliffhanger. Big time, too. I’m not happy. So while I can’t recommend it to romance readers, suspense readers may enjoy this kind of series. Just make sure you have all three books to read before you start on the first because I’m guessing the second will also end with a cliffhanger.

For all you writers out there: My RWA chapter, COFW (Central Ohio Fiction Writers), is offering the following online class for the month of August (it’s all done in groups.io). You don’t have to write romance or belong to RWA to benefit.

This August, COFW is offering a class from Linnea Sinclair! CHARACTERIZATION: MAKING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES WORK FOR YOU (or No More Mary Sues!)

Down with one-dimensional cartoon-like characters! Down with the two-dimensional ones, while we’re at it. Embrace your characters—warts and all—in this lively workshop with Bantam author Linnea Sinclair. Reviewers note that: “Her characters are intelligent, no-nonsense and have a depth that gives me an instant mental picture...” (Road to Romance Reviews) and “The author's sure hand with characterization makes each twist of this emotionally laden storyline as suspenseful as any well-wrought battle scene.” (Science Fiction Weekly)

Sinclair will help writers dialogue with their characters to bring out information that builds depth and uniqueness. She’ll also discuss the pros and cons of using archetypes, astrology and tarot to build story people.

About the instructor: Winner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA®, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair has become a name synonymous for high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels.

Sign up at cofwevents.org/classes. Price as follows: COFW Members, $25; RWA Members, $30; Non-members, $35.

This is a great deal and I can attest that Linnea’s classes are AWESOME. I’ve learned so much from her.

My birthday is Saturday (Happy Birthday to me!!!) and we’re meeting friends and family at a park for a picnic (keeping our distance and ordering takeout). We found a covered picnic area with plenty of seating, but with the temps forecasted for the low 90s, I hope we don’t melt. Although, if I melted off some fat, maybe I wouldn’t complain.

Happy Reading!

Stacy