Finished Reading “Darius” and Cleaning Up

For years, we’ve had two DVR boxes in the living room. Mainly because we watched so many series, that sometimes two would be recording and we’d want to watch some sporting event. Or we wanted to record a third and it wouldn’t do it.

But a lot of the series we watched are no longer airing. One DVR is hardly used, we didn’t need two. And when the main box acted up (couldn’t fast forward through the commercials on some of the recordings—annoying), we figured we didn’t need to pay for two DVRs.

So yesterday we finally disconnected that unreliable DVR and moved the backup to its place (after a long time of testing to make sure the backup didn’t also act up). Never realized how many wires were no longer needed (because we didn’t need the splitter). It looks…cleaner! On Monday I’ll return the unreliable DVR and start saving some money, too.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 56

Dates read: November 16-19, 2023
Title: Darius
Year of publication: 2022
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #0
# of Pages: 295
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Darius, son of Marklon, isn’t looking for love the night destiny comes to claim him. He’s also not interested in crashing his new car. But when a human runs out into the road and he must swerve to avoid killing her…everything goes off course.
    Disillusioned by his King’s lack of leadership and the losses in the war against the Lessening Society, Darius finds purpose in protecting a woman he cannot make his own. Love finds a way, however—until the truth of what he is comes out and she leaves him in horror.
    Unbeknownst to them both, Anne is carrying his young, a female who is destined to be Queen—and after a tragic reunion, he vows to protect their daughter. Resigned to perpetual sadness, he is determined to serve the memory of his beloved no matter the cost…unless, by some miracle, fate sees fit to once again bring them together.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: Darius died in book 1 of the series (practically the first chapter!) and I’ve always wanted to know more about him. So glad she gave us this story. Yes, I cried at the end!!

I was reading the Epilogue of Darius yesterday when I had to leave for my COFW meeting. I was hoping to just squeeze in those last pages, but nope. Then I got home, watched the OSU game, had dinner, and never sat back at the table where the book was to remind me to finish it! Not that I had the time to savor it then. Glad I waited until this morning, where nothing rushed me and I could just enjoy it.

Editing has slowed a tiny bit. Not due to anything except…doctor appointments. Plus, I’ve gotten to the point in Ghostly Protector where I actually added stuff (actually, the part that kept me baffled for two years), so I need to pay more attention and beef it up with more emotion and description. And being disrupted with appointments is quite annoying. Not to mention that the appointments themselves are quite annoying.

This week is pretty free, though (aside from Thanksgiving). I have hope I’ll finish soon.

Happy Reading! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Democracy Awakening” and It’s a Lazy Day

I had my treatment this morning, which makes me lazy the rest of the day. I figure it’s my right. Not that I’m all that active on other days. But no shopping, no laundry, no chores. I’ll read or watch TV and crochet instead.

Treatments don’t seem so bad (mentally) now that I’m in remission, but it can still mess with my body if I don’t watch out. Especially with a headache. I try to avoid those as much as possible.

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 55

Dates read: November 10-15, 2023
Title: Democracy Awakening
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Genre: Non Fiction
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 253
Paper or plastic: Hard cover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: In the midst of the impeachment crisis of 2019, Heather Cox Richardson launched a daily Facebook essay providing the historical background of the incessant torrent of news. It soon turned into a newsletter, and its readership ballooned to more than two million dedicated readers who rely on her plainspoken take on the present and past in America.
    Now, in Democracy Awakening, she explains how, over the decades, a small group of wealthy people have made war on American ideals. By weaponizing language and promoting false history they have led us into authoritarianism. In this compelling and original book, Richardson reminds us that it is up to us to reclaim the principles of which the nation was founded, principles that have been repeatedly championed by marginalized Americans. Their dedication to the promises embodied in our history has renewed our commitment to democracy in the past. And it is in that commitment where we will find the road map for the nation’s future.
    Richardson’s talent is to wrangle our giant, meandering, and confusing news feed into a coherent story that singles out what we should pay attention to, what the precedents are, and what possible paths lie ahead. In her trademark calm prose, she is realistic and optimistic about the future of democracy. Her command of history allows her to pivot effortlessly from the Founders to the abolitionists to Reconstruction to Goldwater to Mitch McConnell, highlighting the political legacies of the New Deal, the lingering fears of socialism, the death of the liberal consensus, and the birth of “movement conservatism.”
    Many books tell us what has happened over the last five years. Democracy Awakening explains how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I follow Heather on Facebook and also get her letters via e-mail (in case I can’t get to Facebook). They are usually the first thing I read every morning. I love the way she explains it all. I think if I had her for a history teacher, I might have paid more attention! She makes history interesting reading. And this book is no exception.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! With the way my reading has slowed (because I’m writing/editing—yay!), I doubt I’ll post before then. So… I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you get to spend it with the people you love (or like).  And try not to eat too much. I know, it can be a difficult thing to do. But I’m gonna try. I’ll probably fail, but I’ll try!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Binding Their Hearts” and Redraft is Done!

Would you believe it? After starting the redraft of Ghostly Protector in September 2021 (over two years ago!) and wondering if I would ever write again, I finished! And the best part? I had fun fixing it! Whew! This was truly a day I never thought would come.

Next up: read it, add some more details or clues (if needed), and then send it off to my editor. Ghostly Protector is ALMOST READY!!

I should probably send out a newsletter and share the news, huh?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 54

Dates read: October 26 – November 9, 2023
Title: Binding Their Hearts
Year of publication: 2023
Author: M.Q. Barber
Genre: MMF Erotica
Series: Neighborly Affection Book 7
# of Pages: 350
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads: Planning a wedding for three is the least of their problems.
    Since nearly losing Jay, Henry is driven by an inescapable urge to collar his submissives. Jay's certain to be all in, but Alice has fled from commitment before. Negotiating their needs is a treacherous tightrope. Can he sketch a path to forever?
    As Alice's career takes off, the new demands steal time from Henry and Jay. The stress is crushing when every decision hurts the ones she loves. She'll have to rig a solution before she cracks under the strain and takes her lovers down with her.
    After years of resisting, Jay is learning big lessons in therapy. Loosening his family's stranglehold leaves him free to explore what—and who—he wants in his life. But with Alice at work all the time and a deadline looming for the trio to vacate their apartment, stability is hard to find.
    Can Henry, Alice, and Jay hold themselves together when the world keeps pushing them apart?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I love this series. It’s not a typical genre read for me, but the characters really grabbed onto me from the beginning and I really want to know how they turn out. Last book in the series comes out soon and I’ll be ready.

A couple of ideas are actually bouncing around in my brain as to what I’ll write next (another thing I thought I lost). I had started Book 7 in the Bitten by Love series, but stopped when I realized it really wasn’t good enough for a book. But now my brain is thinking…novella! Yeah, that would totally work. I think. Anyway, that’s one thing. The other is my alien series (which book 1 is still in my computer and not the store). I’m thinking if I finally clean up book 1, then an idea for book 2 will come. I really want a second book ready before I release book 1. Or… I re-write book 1 to be a stand alone without any hint that the story could continue on. That would be an option, too. Something to think about. And I have plenty of time to do that. It’s not like I’m in a rush or anything!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Tuesdays with Jay and Other Stories” and Still Writing!

Well… it seems when I write, I don’t read as much. And I’ve been writing—or rather, re-writing—a lot. I’m almost done with the fixes to Ghostly Protector. Then I get to start over, read from the beginning, and maybe stick in some clues (since this is sort of a mystery—it was to me!). But I can see the end from here and I’m so happy!!!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 53

Dates read: October 4-25, 2023
Title: Tuesdays with Jay and Other Stories
Year of publication: 2020
Author: M.Q. Barber
Genre: MMF Erotica
Series: A Neighborly Affection Companion
# of Pages: 327
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Goodreads:  Finally, readers of the Neighborly Affection series get the other side of the story...
    Jay Kress knows his lover is into the girl next door. As a polyamorous bisexual guy, he’s cool with that. And he’s pretty sure the gal is into Henry, too, if their explosive dinner party is any clue.
    But now he'll have to tackle a submissive’s toughest job: getting his lovers to make the leap from occasional sex to the permanent triad relationship he knows they deserve. Their hearts are made for each other—and the sexual perks ain’t bad, either.
    With an overcautious dominant on one side and a newcomer to the lifestyle on the other, Jay knows he has to tread lightly, but he can't help pushing for more. Can he bring Henry and Alice together before their fear of losing each other dooms them all?
    Read Tuesdays with Jay and Other Stories side by side with Playing the Game and Crossing the Lines to see the bigger picture of how Henry, Alice, and Jay found their forever love.
Recommend: Yes (for readers of the series)
My thoughts: I had read these shorts from the newsletter M.Q. sent out quarterly, but thought it would be good to read them again to get ready for book #7 in the series (since it’s been awhile). It was fun reading. I love Jay.

Cruise News: It was great. While the weather was a bit hot and humid at every island we visited (Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St Lucia, St Maarten, and St Thomas), we explored some new places and created some memories. Not all great, though. I ended up getting a cold (not COVID) and while I was looking for a tissue on the way back to the ship in Barbados, I tripped over a pothole and really skinned my knee good. And then it took several people to help me up (since I couldn’t get on my knees to do that). At least I didn’t break anything!

Also on the cruise, it turned out that one of our table mates at dinner had read my books! We were just talking about Facebook and social media and I mentioned that I was only on Facebook because I was told that’s where my readers are. The next day she asked what kind of books I wrote. I mentioned the series and her eyes lit up. Did I make her cruise? I don’t know, but she sure helped make mine better!

Who knew that diving back into Ghostly Protector would get the characters to start talking to me again? Who knew? I didn’t. Although, I really don’t think I was ready to hear them before. Some people think it was getting that clear CT scan that did the trick. Maybe it was the cruise. I really don’t know what did it. But I’m glad it happened.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Grave Secrets” and Writing Again

Well… it’s happened. I’m writing again. And with Ghostly Protector! Man, if I can get this thing finished, I might just sign up for next year’s Literary Love Savannah. I got until January 1 to decide, but I’m hoping I’m finished long before then. I’m feeling pretty good about it.

And I haven’t felt like that in YEARS!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 52

Dates read: September 29-October 3, 2023
Title: Grave Secrets
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Alice James
Genre: Paranormal mystery
Series: The Lavington Windsor Mysteries
# of Pages: 251
Paper or plastic: Nook
How obtained: Free from Barnes & Noble
Blurb from Goodreads:  An adventure with zombies. And vampires. And romance. And croquet.
    Toni Windsor is trying to live a quiet life in the green and pleasant county of Staffordshire. She’d love to finally master the rules of croquet, acquire a decent boyfriend and make some commission as an estate agent...
    ...but first she’s got to deal with zombies rising from their graves, vampires sneaking out of their coffins and a murder to solve.
    It’s all made rather more complicated by the fact that she’s the one raising all the zombies - oh, and she’s dating one of the vampires. Really, what’s a girl meant to do?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I thought this book had ghosts (don’t know where I got that because the blurb clearly doesn’t mention them), but got vampires instead. Win for me! While the graphics were a bit wonky on my Nook, the typeset wasn’t (thank goodness). This was a cute read. There is apparently more in this series, so I may check them out. But fair warning… this isn’t a romance (as the blub suggests). It has romantic elements (as a lot of cozy mysteries do—at least the ones I’ve read).

It’s been a bit warm on this cruise. I’m not used to it being hot over water. At night.

Spent the day in Aruba today. Took a walking tour that we’ve taken before. I don’t think I ever want to take another walking tour. Especially when it’s hot and humid. Too much work!! Tomorrow is Curacao and we’ll be visiting an ostrich farm. No walking! But it will be hot. Probably 90.

Happy Reading!

Stacy