Some Music on a Friday

I've got nothing to blog about. Sad, huh? Too busy writing, I guess. And maybe reading, too. :)

Here's some music from a group I like. Enjoy!

Have a super, hopefully warmer, weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Feeling Good

In Monday’s comments, Maria mentioned I must be in a good mood. And going by that post, it sure seemed like it. But actually, I was trying to stave off some depression. Reading certain blogs lately has been kind of disheartening, making me feel kind of stupid. And it wouldn’t be the first time I thought it.

I felt that way when I stayed with a job where I felt I wasn’t appreciated by the higher-ups. Instead of being rewarded with pay raises and bonuses, I was rewarded with more work. So why was I staying? Because I had friends there and I felt knowledgeable. Eventually money became a concern and I quit for a better paying job. And that was my downfall in my accounting career. I hated it. I missed my friends. I learned it’s not always about the money. My husband might think that way at times, but I can’t.

So after reading some of those blogs, I started wondering if I was doing things all wrong. If I was being stupid. But there are reasons behind everything and I know why I’m doing what I’m doing. It might not be right for those other bloggers, but it’s right for me. Thus I wrote that post. It made me feel good just writing it, so in that I succeeded.

And I think I’ll avoid those bloggers for awhile, too.

Now, here’s what I read during the week:

Jan 24: “Blood Reunited” by Amber Belldene. This is the third and final book in the Blood Vine series, a paranormal romance. Blurb from Goodreads: Brooding vampire halfling and biologist Bel Maras is determined to create a cure for the wasting disease that plagues his vampire family. His work becomes essential as the Hunters intensify their global and bloody campaign. When Bel's cure fails, only his ancient and estranged godmother Uta Ilirije can help. But seeing the ice-cold Uta reveals something shocking--she is his bonded mate. She may be a dangerous warrior, but Uta feels her failures acutely. She has been unable to protect her kind from Hunters, and vampires are dying out. Worse, she tied Bel to her long ago in an accident of blood, then abandoned him for his own good--a choice he has never forgiven. Many days, she is convinced Bel and the vampires would be better off if she just walked into the sun. Biology has fated them to be mates. Now these old enemies must overcome their past to save the vampires and come to peace with the bond they never chose. I bought and read the first two books of this series and loved them. I told Amber (yes, we’re friends) I couldn’t wait until her next one came out, so she sent me an ARC! I still bought the e-book when it came out yesterday, because the formatting on that ARC sucked. So, what does that say about the book? I loved it. It was such a wonderful ending to a wonderful series. I’m really glad, too. Nothing worse than disliking a friend’s book, you know? While this book is mainly based on a hetero couple, it also features a same-sex couple and some m/m action. It wasn’t a problem for me, but just thought I’d warn you. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.

So, what’s made you feel good lately?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

I Love Writing!

When I’m starting a new story and getting to know my characters, I love writing.

When I’m in the middle of my story, trying to keep the tension and conflict going, I love writing.

When I’m near the end of my story and see it all come together, I love writing.

When I’m adding “meat” to my story to give it more emotion, I love writing.

When I’m chopping the hell out of my story to fix a major plot hole, I love writing.

When I’m polishing my story to a fine shine, I love writing.

And when I manage to find someone who loves my story as much as I do, I REALLY love writing.

I love writing!

What do you love?

Stacy

 

Cold as a Witch's...

Can you believe it? It’s warmer in Alaska than it is here in Dayton, Ohio. That’s just disgusting. If it’s going to be frigid here, it should be frigid there. Only makes sense. Ah, but when has Mother Nature ever made sense?

Have you ever experienced below zero temps? I know when it gets that cold and I don’t need a thermometer to tell me. Nope. I just have to breathe through my nose. The hairs all freeze up. The first time I ever experienced that was when I was stationed in…now get this…Alaska! I’m not thrilled I get to experience it again.

All this cold weather is really getting me nervous, too. The last cold snap froze the master bath pipes. At least this time I remembered to let the faucet drip (drip,drip) and the heater is on non-stop (well, as long as someone is home, that is). So far, so good. Of course, the worst is yet to come. Ugh!

I’d like to say all this cold weather has stifled my writing, but I guess I finally hit my stride with my current project and I’m sailing along, better than I have in a LONG time. I certainly won’t give credit to the cold. I give credit to finally seeing the end in sight! I just hope I’m not writing crap. THEN I’ll blame the cold! Haha!

So… you got any plans this weekend? I think I’ll stay in and keep warm.

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads and Movie Night

I’ve got to read some shorter books. These longs one are putting me behind. Like three books behind! Dang! And it’s only January. Anyway, here’s what I read during the week:

Jan 21: “Beautiful Darkness” by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. This is a YA paranormal, the second in the Caster series, and I got this book as a Christmas gift. Blurb on cover: Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena’s family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending. Together Ethan and Lena can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan’s eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there’s no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town’s tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems. I’m still enjoying the series, although this book wasn’t quite as good as the first. Parts of it seemed to drag a little, I guess. Plus, I wanted more of Ethan and Lena (whiny reader here). I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Went and saw “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” last night (discount movie night). It was good. Chris Pine wasn’t too bad to look at, either (haha!). If this is the re-boot of the series, I’d go see the next one. Funny how I could NEVER get into reading the books (too technical for me), but I’ve loved the movies. Or maybe it was the actors in the movies! Okay, maybe a little bit of both.

Next movie I see will probably be “Vampire Academy.” Now, those books I loved. Any movies you’ve gone out to see recently? Any recommendations (either to go to or stay away from)?

Happy reading!

Stacy