Spring Break Wind Down - The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

It's a good thing I have a day job. Over spring break, I spent more than my typical paycheck on nonessentials!  To be fair, I was taking care of replacing things that were falling apart, like my running shoes. The facial I got also fits in the things falling apart territory. And I got the opportunity to spend time with the middle kiddo and his partner. We went out to lunch, and I treated, of course! 

I was part of a boozy book fair last Sunday, and I bought almost as many books as I sold. I've already read two of the books I got. Sugar's Cookies is a quirky, laugh-out-loud spicy novella, and Returning Home is a violence-packed mafia thriller. Two very different books! Next up, I'll be reading a romantasy from the same event. 

On the TV front, we finished "Reacher" season three. Have I mentioned that my plan for the summer is to have a "Reacher" summer where I read all the books?  I started planning for summer by putting the first three books on hold at my library. I'm going to do as many audiobooks in the series as possible. So if you see me out and about with headphones on this Summer, I'm spending time with Reacher. 

Do you have summer reading or viewing plans?

Five More School Days Until Spring Break!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Yes indeed, it's the final stretch before our school district is off until April 2nd! My fingers are crossed that the weather will be free of snow. This week we had some unseasonably warm weather and I wouldn't mind that weather popping back in when I'm on break. I'll be getting some things done during my break including:

For life maintenance: Two doctor appointments (routine follow-ups) 

For self-care: A facial and a massage!

For the writing life: I'm doing two boozy book fairs. One on the 23rd- to kick off my break, and one on the 29,-to wrap up my break. And a podcast recording this week as well!

I'm also looking forward to the show from Shondaland called The Residence and it looks like it is going to be fun. I love a closed-room mystery and the cast is stacked with great actors! 

What are you reading this week? I'm continuing on my Alex Delaware kick. I'm currently listening to this one:

Sunday Post Mid February: The Joy of Doing Nothing

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Today I have a spot at a local brewery vendor market. My goal is to sell some books and to get a tarot card reading. I need to figure out a good question to ask for the reading. I'm feeling out of sorts for several reasons. One, I don't care for a non-elected person who has too much money screwing up our governmental agencies. Two, it's the time of year when I start getting really tired of the cold. Third, I have a medical test coming up--it's totally a surveillance thing, but still, any and all medical stuff up to and including dental appointments give me PTSD.  Call me, Crankypants. 

I'm glad I have a fun event to enjoy today and readers to meet! Monday I have the day off and my plan is to embrace the joy of doing nothing. Maybe I'll even take a long bubble bath?

How are you faring this week?

My orchid bloomed! Joy in the midst of winter!

 

The Beast Takes a Bride by Julie Anne Long

I borrowed this book via the Libby app from my local library. I thought it was a book club selection for January. I was about sixty pages in when I realized it wasn't. This book is part of a longer series and you really don't need to read any of the other books to enjoy it.  I read it over four days and it held my interest even when my husband was watching the new Harlan Corben limited series on Netflix. It was also a good distraction from my itchy face.

Why was my face itchy?  A few years ago I had this goal to set aside money and get a chemical peel for myself for Christmas. But that didn't happen for a couple of years. Then I researched and found out I could get a less intense chemical peel for a lower cost at Massage Envy. Plus unlike my dermatologist, you can join the Massage Envy club and pay for one credit a month for your choice of facials or massages. 

In September, I promised myself I could get a facial once I finished drafting my book. Then I got busy and didn't do that--but on the plus side, I accrued credits and was able to use two to get the chemical peel I'd been promising myself for quite some time! I'm welcoming in the new year with a hopefully more luminous face once the itching subsides. It's not that bad, I'm being a little dramatic. 

The Beast Takes a Bride has some Beauty and The Beast vibes but not too much. Lots of pride getting in the way of love for our leads, which I enjoyed. It doesn't have a true third-act breakup, so if you like books without one, this would be a good one to add to your list. 

Next up I am going to read Vinyl Resting Place which is The Cozy Mystery Club book for January. I was pleasantly surprised to see it is available on KU. 

What are you reading to the start the new year?

 

It's Official I Have a Website!

 

Once we returned from our trip down South, the hubs made a spiral ham. We had leftovers and I decided to make a quiche. When pie crusts are on sale, buy some. They come two in a package so I keep one set in the freezer and I'm ready when the opportunity to turn leftovers into a fancy and easy to make quiche presents itself!

As you may have noticed today is the last day of 2024. It's been quite the year. I'm ending on a high note by having my author website up and running. Want to see it?  Here it is: https://victoriahamelauthor.com

As part of my new website, I have a blog. I don't know that I can integrate this blog there, but for now, I have my header from here on my website. My new website is built off WordPress, so I think if I want to put posts from here on it I'll have to cut and paste?  This is all above my paid grade and I'm the sole employee of my author business!

I'm cruising my way through The Beast Takes a Bride. It's so good! I'm a sucker for a Darcy-esque hero and Magnus is so Darcy! All his problems are the result of his wounded pride! 

I'm treating myself to a facial today. I'm terrible at rewarding myself for accomplishing goals--but past me prepaid for future me to get a facial once It App-ened One Night was revised! 

I hope you have a wonderful last day of this year!