Finished Reading “Accidental Leigh” and I’m Melting

Usually when we cruise in late October (it is late October, right?), it’s not so hot at the islands. Yeah, that’s not happening this time. I feel like I’m melting here! Probably a good thing we don’t have excursions booked and we’re just playing it by ear.

Puerto Rico (where we stopped yesterday) was 90 degrees, but the humidity made it feel like 105. We didn’t leave the ship. Today, we’re in St. Thomas (a very beautiful island, by the way), and it’s stifling humid here, too. I think the temp will also be in the 90s. We do plan on getting off the ship, but not doing much but walk around the pier and look to see if there is anything interesting to do (there are always people selling some kind of activity on the dock). But most likely we’ll just stay in the port. I’m so glad Hubby is okay with all of this, too.

Now, if we were going to an island we’ve never been to, we would have booked an excursion to check it out. But this time, we’re just saving our money as we’ve already seen the islands. It’s okay to do nothing.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 29

Dates read: October 23-24, 2024
Title: Accidental Leigh
Year of publication: 2014
Author: Melissa James
Genre: Paranormal comedy (not a romance)
Series:  Literal Leigh Romance Diaries #1
# of Pages: 98
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: How does a girl become a witch? By accident, of course!
    Leigh Epstein is a grief stricken and lonely elementary school teacher that is devastated by the brutal and unexpected death of her true love at the hands of a careless writer. She overcomes her grief by taking matters in her own hands and takes up a little romance writing to resurrect her vampire-werewolf book-boyfriend. Leigh gets more than she bargained for when she discovers that every steamy erotic scene she creates is magically reenacted by her family, friends and coworkers.
    In her hilarious first diary, Leigh unwittingly sets her parents up for a weekend dinner party that they will never forget. She has two weeks to find out what her new found magic is capable of. Can she prevent a wild erotic encounter that could devastate her sweet parent’s marriage? What and who else will get caught up in her magic spells?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Short and ends on a cliff hanger. Sure, the author apologizes for that and says it’s the only one in the series that does. Will I get book 2? Nope. Yeah, it’s humorous, but there really isn’t a story there. Just events. And I wasn’t in the mood for events. If you like funny things happening without an overall story, go for it. It’s easy to read and goes quickly.

I’m enjoying pizza for breakfast this morning. It’s something I do on cruises. Mainly because I’m not a big eggs and bacon (or sausage) kind of eater. Oh sure, there’s fruit and cereal, too, but why not pizza? It’s more fun and it’s not something I do when I’m home. Gotta make it fun!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “You Betrayed Me” and I’m Cruising

October is a busy month, travel-wise. Italy was interesting. Even though I got sick with a stomach bug through a good portion of our trip (I missed Pompei and the Amalfi Coast). Apparently my cancer treatments are messing with my immune system and it took me forever to get my energy back. Not to mention my appetite. Really put a damper on things (and I felt like I was ruining everyone’s trip).

But I finally did get better and was almost back to normal for our cruise. Unfortunately, I still have trouble being active. We rode bikes in Key West (which is flat, by the way) and it really wiped me out. We’re just taking it easy for the rest of the cruise. We don’t have any excursions booked since we’ve been to our island stops more than once. Probably just as well. I gotta accept that I have limits now. It’s a bummer, for sure.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 28

Dates read: October 3-23, 2024
Title: You Betrayed Me
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Lisa Jackson
Genre: Suspense
Series: Cahill Family Novel #3
# of Pages: 431
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: The Cahills of San Francisco are famous for two things: their vast wealth, and the scandals that surround them. Murder, greed, deadly ambition . . . some people will do anything to get, and keep, the Cahills’ kind of money. Not that James Cahill wants any of it. He’s tried to make his own way, less interested in a future inheritance than in his construction company—and in enjoying the many women taken in by the easy charms of a handsome, soon-to-be-rich bad boy.
    Perhaps there’ve been too many women. Waking up in a small hospital in Washington State, bandaged and bruised, James barely recognizes the gorgeous blonde who comes to visit. Through the haze of pain and medication, he recalls that she is Sophia, the woman he’s been cheating with. Gradually memories return—his girlfriend, Megan, had found out about Sophia. Now Megan is missing, her sister, Rebecca, is hounding him—and police and reporters are asking questions too. James insists he has no idea what happened. Yet he can’t escape a feeling of dread . . .
    Meanwhile, in a locked room, a woman waits, trapped, petrified, and desperate. She thought she knew who to trust. But the betrayal you can’t imagine—or can’t remember—may be the most terrifying weapon of all . . .
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: The author liked to repeat herself a bit too much for my taste, making this story longer than it needed to be. I’m glad this wasn’t a romantic suspense (I almost thought it was) because I’m not sure what I thought of James. Certainly not hero material. And I won’t even go into the bizarre behavior of the police detective. The story was interesting enough for me to stick with it to the end, which is why I would recommend it.

I’m trying to spend most of my time on this cruise working on Alien Desires. I really need to get that one finished and sent to my editor. But let me tell you, this cruise is a lot more relaxing than our trip to Italy. I’m content to do nothing but read, write, and crochet!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Witches Get Stuff Done” and I’m in Italy

I still find it hard to believe that I’m in Italy. And right now, Venice. Got a little down time today (mainly because it’s raining) and finally finished a book, so thought I would post it now.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 27

Dates read: September 21 – October 2, 2024
Title: Witches Get Stuff Done
Year of publication: 2022
Author: Molly Harper
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Starfall Point #1
# of Pages: 222
Paper or plastic: Nook book
How obtained: Free from B&N
Blurb from Goodreads: Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done...
    From the moment Riley Everett set foot in Starfall Point, magic bubbled inside of her. But with only her late aunt's journals and a cantankerous live-in ghost butler to instruct her on all things witchy—including her newly inherited Victorian haunted house—Riley seeks out a coven for sisterhood and support. The last person she expects to be drawn to is the town's frustrating, yet ridiculously attractive head librarian.
    Edison Held knows almost everything there is to know about Starfall Point, but Shaddow House was always off-limits, thanks to its elusive owner. If he can convince the new owner, Riley, to let him take a peek inside, there's so much he could learn. But as he gets closer to Riley, he's fascinated by her dazzling wit and fiery spirit. Edison will do whatever he can to help Riley keep her family legacy alive, especially if it means spending more time with the captivating new witch in town.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I enjoyed it for the most part. But the romance was a bit…rushed? Not a lot of sexual tension. I got this book free from B&N (because I’m a member), but I doubt I get the next book. Mainly because I have so many books now and it just didn’t hold my attention. Doesn’t mean it won’t hold yours.

So far I’ve visited Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Venice. Tomorrow we head to Sorrento (via Naples). I liked Pisa (and took one of those cheesy photos where it looks like I’m holding the tower up). And Venice is really cool (except St Mark’s square does like to flood every now and then). We visited the Murano glass factory today, but I didn’t buy anything. The prices were ridiculous!

Still, I’m having quite the experience. Now, if it would just stop raining.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “The Taken” and Recovering from Dragon Con

I came home from Dragon Con with con crud, or a cold, or maybe it’s just allergies. What I do know is it’s not COVID. I took three tests just to be sure.

My nose is a faucet. And I’m going through tissues like crazy. My oncologist prescribed Zyrtec (the prescribed version) and Flonase. I hate taking them. Zyrtec just wipes me out. I feel like a zombie when I take it. I try to remember to take Flonase, but that’s not fun, either. I hope I’m all dried up by next Friday. That’s when we leave for Italy!

I am anxious about that trip since I’ve never been to Europe before. I’ll actually get my passport stamped (that’ll be a first, too, since they don’t stamp them in the Caribbean). I also expect to be doing a lot of walking. Sure hope I survive the trip!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 26

Dates read: September 7 – 20, 2024
Title: The Taken
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Brett Battles
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Series: Jonathan Quinn #16
# of Pages: 320
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: The world thought Dmitri Melnikov was dead.
    Especially Quinn. Why would he have believed otherwise, since the bomb intended for Melnikov had nearly killed Quinn and several members of his team?
    But Melnikov is not dead. He has been taken by someone who wants to shut him up. And the former chess champion isn’t the only one who has been abducted.
    US Intelligence can’t do anything about it. Not officially, anyway. The risk of causing an international incident is too great. What the agencies can do is ask someone who’d been there when Melnikov was kidnapped to do something for them.
    It’s not a normal mission for Quinn and his friends, and the chances they’ll all survive are slim, but this one is personal. So how can they say no?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Good story. Almost seems like the end to the series. It’s all wrapped up as if it were the end. But I’ll gladly read more if it continues. I love this series.

Sure seems like summer is fighting to stick around, doesn’t it? It’s been in the 90s the last few days. We’re going to a high school football game tonight and will probably sweat in the stands. It will be our last game of the season for us (since we’ll be out of town for the last 5 games), so no cold or rainy games to look forward to. Looks like we won’t be missing much, either. Our first string QB broke his collar bone on the first game. The back-up broke his leg on the second game. We’re down to the third string with a running back as backup. They haven’t won a game since the first game. Worst season in quite a while. I feel bad for the seniors.  

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus—Revelations” and I’m at Dragon Con

It’s Labor Day weekend (well, almost) and that means…Dragon Con! We got into Atlanta yesterday to a bigger crowd than we’ve ever seen on that day. I mean, we come a day early because it’s quieter. Apparently, not anymore. Wednesday has become the new Thursday and Thursday the new Friday. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be a whole week long at this rate.

But I’ve pretty much got my whole stay planned. And daughter and I already have appointments for group photos: cast of Roswell and cast of Resident Alien. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on photos, so I’m not looking to get anymore. Well, except maybe some selfies in the Walk of Fame. Provided they aren’t charging a fortune for one.

And we’ll see if I can last the day of busy panels and standing in line (in 90+ degree heat, at that). I’ve been known to say “screw it” and go back to my room until the next day. You wouldn’t think it would be exhausting, but fighting crowds of over 70,000 people is exactly that. Still, we keep coming back.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 25

Dates read: August 23-29, 2024
Title: Love, Lies & Hocus Pocus—Revelations
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Lydia Sherrer
Genre: Paranormal
Series: The Lily Singer Adventures #2
# of Pages: 259
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Being a wizard, Lily Singer likes her magic logical and systematic. So when her cat suddenly starts opening locked doors and telling her what to do, she is not pleased. Before Lily can deal with her errant feline, however, her witch friend Sebastian warns of a heist plot at the very museum she was just hired to ward.
    Lily must lay a trap for the would-be thief and figure out why Sebastian is suddenly acting so suspicious, all while wrangling her newly magical cat. To make matters worse, a mysterious wizard waltzes into her life claiming to know the truth about her past, and Lily must decide who, amid all the chaos, she can trust. Will discovering the past reveal her future? Or doom it?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Okay, the cat finally started talking in the first chapter. But I still haven’t found the snark or the love (as the titles implies), so I’m not going to bother buying anymore. That’s not to say I didn’t like them. They were okay to read. Just not what I look for in a book.

It’s not like I don’t have a pile of books to read as it is. And since I’m away, I’ll pick something on my Nook next. Maybe the one of vampire short stories that I stopped reading while in California. Just so I can get the thing marked as read!

I brought my crochet projects with me. Not just to work during the car drive here and back, but also because there’s a panel on crafts (for us to bring our own) and I had started working on this little vampire bat that the instructions don’t really show how to assemble it! It was a kit I purchased, so it wasn’t like I could see the pattern beforehand. I made sure to complete all the parts and I’m really hoping someone shows up in the panel and can show me how to attach the ears and wings. I also brought another project that is way easier to do (a pretty lacy scarf). I may work on it while I’m waiting in line for one of the many panels I plan on attending. I don’t need to count stitches and rows with that (unlike the vampire bats). I really don’t know what I was thinking when I ordered the kit. But they were so cute, I couldn’t resist. However, I did post a review on the kit saying if someone needed detailed instructions (like I do, plus it states it’s a pattern for beginners), not to buy it. If I had seen such a review, I would have rethought my purchase.

Happy Reading!

Stacy