Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  One Last Chance was published in ebook on 08/31 and the paperback was published on 09/01/24. I ended up getting it submitted and released thru Amazon a couple of days earlier than I expected. I've put a picture of the cover and the story summary/blurb below under the Random Things category. You can click on the cover on the upper right side of this blog to be taken directly to Amazon to purchase it. It is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

Motivational Quote: "The most meaningful goals are usually slow to achieve." ~ Atul Gawande

What I'm Reading: I started reading Liar's Point by Laura Griffin yesterday afternoon. This is the 5th book in the Texas Murder Files series. 

Random Things: As I mentioned above One Last Chance (Caine's book) is finally available for purchase. The cover is below. Here's the story summary/blurb:

You know what they say about Karma…

Supermodel Tabitha Mayne had it all - fame, fortune, and a willingness to do anything to stay on top. But one fateful night, her world is shattered. Tortured and left for dead, she now bears physical and emotional scars that she can't bear to show the world. Desperate to escape the constant scrutiny of the paparazzi, she flees to a small town in Virginia.

Hiding from her old life proves to be a challenge when she unexpectedly finds herself sharing a cabin with Sebastian Caine, a former elite military operative with extraordinary abilities. Wounded and on the run from a powerful adversary, Caine has no choice but to take refuge in his isolated cabin. When he discovers Tabitha, he wants nothing to do with her. The last thing he needs is the complication of a woman running from her troubles. He has enough of his own.

As circumstances force them to stay together, an unlikely bond begins to form between them. When Caine’s enemies close in, threatening to destroy them both, Tabitha and Caine must put their trust in each other but their troubled pasts may be their undoing. Can they overcome their demons and find true love, or will their secrets tear them apart forever?

Random Photo: Here's the cover for One Last Chance

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I added an additional chapter between chapters 13 and 14 so I have to go back and make sure all the chapters going forward are numbered correctly. The battery on my laptop died. I received a couple of notices over the last few months that the battery's ability to charge was low, but I have to admit I just dismissed the notices and didn't worry too much about it. Well, now the battery doesn't charge at all and I have to keep the laptop plugged in all the time. I spent yesterday researching the best place and price to get a replacement battery. 

Motivational Quote: "Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." ~ Alexander Graham Bell

What I'm Reading: I started reading Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin. I'm a big fan of Ms. Griffin. I highly recommend her Tracers series.

Random Things:  Belated Happy Mother's day wishes to all the moms who stop by my blog. I hope you had a great day being celebrated by your families.

Random Photo:

My nephew's cat who likes to sleep in the decorative bowl they keep on their coffee table.

  

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I didn't end up uploading Honor Bound to Amazon last week. I ran into a snag setting up my account. I spent most of my writing time last week getting things updated and revised so Honor Bound will be ready to be released by the end of this week. I did manage to write about 15 pages of new material in the second book in the series. I also wrote the blurb for that book. I just need to nail down the title for it.

Motivational Quote: "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." ~ Robert Collier

What I'm Reading: I'm reading Hidden by Laura Griffin. This is the first book in the Texas Murder Files series. I absolutely love Ms. Griffin's books. If you're a fan of romantic suspense, I highly recommend them, especially her Tracers series.

Random Things: Isn't it strange that the tasks you think will be easy to check off your To Do list are the ones that seem to take twice as much time and effort as those things you keep putting off because you think they're going to be time consuming. 

Random Photo:

            Somebody has decided my pillow case is really a cat sized sleeping bag.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped last week. I had a couple of appointments after work and had some unexpected visitors that cut into writing time. With only one appointment after work, I'm hoping to do better this week.

Quote of the Week: "You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind." ~ Irish Proverb

What I'm Reading:  I started Touch of Red by Laura Griffin on Sunday. This is the 12th book in the Tracers series. 

Random Thoughts: It's been a bright and sunny few days. The temperature has been hovering between 30 and 35 degrees each day. I'm not complaining though. No snow is forecast at all this week. After all the snow we've gotten since March 1st, I'm welcoming the break from the winter weather even if it is still cold.

Random Photo of the Week:

                                   A close up of Somebody. I love his little pink nose.

Borrow vs. Buy

I read quite a bit, usually whenever I have some free time though lately free time seems to be coming at a premium. I wanted to write that I read a lot, but I set a goal of reading 52 books last year and fell short. I only read 48 books so I can't say I read "a lot." My mom read 94 books so I guess she can say she reads a lot.

I happened to mention to a friend that I was going to the library this past weekend. She looked at me like I'd just said I was going to commit murder. She asked in an astounded tone, "You don't buy the books you read? You're a writer. I can't believe you don't support your fellow authors."

While I do borrow the majority of the books I read from the library or friends and family, I also buy about a third of them. It would be next to impossible for me to buy all the books I want to read. I do occasionally buy a new to me author especially if the author and/or book has been recommended to me by a friend or family member. For example a friend raved over the Brooklyn Bruisers Series by Sarina Bowen. I borrowed the first book from the friend, purchased both the first and second books, and when the third book came out, I purchased that as well. I do plan on looking into other books written by Ms. Bowen, but unless they grab me like the Brooklyn Bruisers series did, I most likely will borrow them from the library.

Most of the books I do purchase are automatic buys by certain authors. Whenever these authors release a new book, I don't even have to know what the book is about. I make a trip to Barnes & Noble or hop online to Amazon to buy that latest book.

Some of my auto buy authors are Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, Laura Trentham, Jill Shalvis, Sarah MacLean, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Guhrke, Laura Griffin, the Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones, and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Do you utilize your local library or do you purchase the majority of the books you read? What are some of your automatic buy authors?

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): I actually managed get seven pages of new material written last week. It's a dismal amount I know, but I expect to get even less written this week. Between getting things prepped and ready for the upcoming Easter weekend and the extra hours I'll be working at the day job, I don't expect I'll have much time to sit down and write.

Quote of the Week: "It is beautiful to do nothing and then rest afterwards." ~ Spanish proverb.  This is my preferred way to spend a Sunday.

What I'm reading:  At Close Range by Laura Griffin. This is the latest book in her Tracers series. I highly recommend the series.

Random Thoughts:  "Are you serious" - my reaction when I realized next weekend is Easter already. It seems like March took forever to end and April is flying by.



Random Photo of the Week: 

 

How my writing seems to be going lately - at a snail's pace.