Our internet was down for the majority of last week.  Some websites took over 45 minutes to load and others I just gave up on.  Streaming Netflix or Prime was out of the question.  It took several hours of speaking to 9 different AT&T reps spanning Tuesday through Saturday before the problem was resolved.  The first 7 told me they couldn’t help me at all and transfered me from one department to another.  What it all came down to was when I received help via esupport chat a couple weeks ago, the rep made our WiFi modem into a cell phone, voice only.  Not by my request, obviously.  It’s a complicated story that makes absolutely no sense.  However, my new best friend is AT&T rep Michelle from Oklahoma City who got me up and running on Saturday in about 20 minutes.  I was on hold for 30 minutes before I got her, but she was well worth the wait.  Now I have lots of blog visits to catch up on.

Over the weekend, I finished A Boy Named Rabbit by Marcia Meara.  And I want to join the family in that book.  It was the perfect heart-warming, feel good read to take my mind off everything going on in the world right now.  Other readers have commented on how much they loved Rabbit, and I fell head over heels for him.  I still need to write the review, but it absolutely will be a 5 star!

Now that we have WiFi again, hubby and I were able to watch more NYPD Blue on Prime.  I watched the series when it was on years ago, but he never did – and he loves it.  We’re still in the first season, and it’s just as fantastic for me watching it a second time.  We’re also watching Ride with Norman Reedus (Daryl from TWD).  Hubby isn’t a fan of The Walking Dead, but he enjoys Norman’s motorcycle adventures with guests as he visits different states and countries learning about the local culture and sampling some pretty tasty food.  It’s on late night Sundays, so we DVR it.

Friends, we’re one week closer to the end of this pandemic.  Everyone take care and stay healthy!

Now that Subject A36 has been released, it’s time to focus on the sequel.  I attempted NaNo (and epically failed), but knew I wouldn’t win this time.  My goal was to check in with my characters and hear their thoughts three months after Subject A36 ended, which is where the sequel picks up.  They told me in around 9K words.  Today, I start my own kind of NaNo.  My plan is to re-read what I’ve already written – I haven’t opened the file since November – and go from there.  I’ve been jotting down ideas and have a good bit of the story in my head, but it’s time to strap in and get started.

How many of you belong to critique groups or have a critique partner?  I’ve never had one, but SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) started a chapter locally several months ago, and I’m meeting with my group for the first time in a couple weeks.  Which is another reason I need to get down to business with the new book.  Neither of the other two writes YA or reads YA to my knowledge, so I don’t know if that will be a factor, but I’m eager to see where this goes.

Hubby and I just finished season 3 of Jon Favreau’s The Chef Show on Netflix.  If you’re a foodie, I recommend it.  The first season, some of his guests were Marvel actors he’s directed.  When it comes to food, there are four basic things I don’t care for – mustard (the smell makes me sick), mayo, peppers, and onions.  Now, imagine you’re me in a restaurant perusing the menu.  Trust me when I say those four ingredients are usually included in about 80% of the offerings.  Many times, onions aren’t even listed as an ingredient, so I always have to ask.  While watching The Chef Show as yet more peppers and onions were added to a dish, I remarked to hubby how it seems like chefs could be a bit more creative and not rely on those four things so often.  He disagreed, of course – he’s a fan of all four.  Maybe I should issue a personal challenge to chefs everywhere to create more dishes for people like me.  We’re discerning, not picky.

Happy Reading and Writing this week!

Last week was some week.  I’m still tired.  Releasing a book is exciting, but also exhausting.  And then there was the whole Gmail debacle where I lost around 200 emails on release day – that’s always a good feeling.  They just disappeared out of my inbox and weren’t in my trash.  Out there in cyberspace or that inbetween world where all the socks go that never return from the dryer.  Luckily, I have a techie friend (thanks, Susan!) who immediately came over and helped me find them.  We still have no idea what happened.  Four hours of my life I’ll never get back.

Moving on to less stressful things, hubby and I are traveling with our oldest son to Canada to visit his girlfriend and her parents.  This will be my first trip to Canada, so I’m really excited.  My son has been several times, and the pics he’s sent show incredible scenery.  We’ll be going to Calgary and Banff.  I was expecting some pretty frigid weather, but unless something changes, temps should be in the mid 40s during the day.  Weird, but welcome.

This past Friday, my cat, Bond, was interviewed by Lilie (a Westie) on Tori Zigler’s Friends of Furkid Friday feature.  He’s still getting fanmail.  If you missed it, click HERE.

Happy Reading and Writing this week!

Hubby and I had a good weekend.  Friday night was spent at our son’s concert (orchestra) – he cleans up pretty well and looks snazzy in a tux.  On Saturday, we saw The Gentlemen.  The first twenty minutes, we were pretty skeptical.  Not one laugh in the whole theater, and it was soooo slow.  Despite the movie having a fantastic cast, I prepared for disappointment.  But then it really took off, and received two thumbs up from us.  For me, Charlie Hunnam and Colin Farrell were standouts.  Check it out if you have time.

Something I saw on social media gave me a good laugh, and for all you writers out there, I’m betting you’ll have the same reaction.  Someone new to the industry – he’d never written a book, but had plans for one plus a sequel – stated he’d just live off the royalties for the first book while writing the second.  I’ll wait while you get a tissue to wipe away your tears of laughter.  It may come as a shock to some people, but none of us are in this business to get rich.  The majority of authors, both traditional and indie, have day jobs.  For a lot of us, writing is as necessary as breathing.  We can’t rest until the words are on the paper – or the characters won’t let us rest until their stories are told.  I hope it works out for him – it’s good to have goals – but talk about rude awakenings.  Poor guy.

Time for another teaser from Subject A36!  In this scene from Asher’s perspective, the Insurgents are in a strategy meeting planning their next mission, when they’re interrupted by a radio communication to Noah.  If you read my post from this past Friday, you know Noah is the Controller of this sector of Insurgents.  He’s just received information that several incoming vehicles have breached the outer barrier of their compound.  And they’re not Insurgents.

“How many vehicles?”

His radio crackled again.  “Ten trucks.  And I picked up five helicopters on radar.”

Noah stared into space, his eyes unfocused.  I knew the decision he warred with, and it’s something we’d planned for, a protocol Patrick had put in place but hoped would never be necessary.

He took a deep breath.  “Evacuation Protocol.  Send it out immediately.”

We’d drilled the Evacuation Protocol on a regular basis in the event our compound was infiltrated and we were forced to fight or withdraw.  First Patrick, and then Noah, made sure we were prepared if the time ever came.

And that time was here.

My gaze shot to Brynn.  Not all of us would escape this.  

Some of us would die.

Wasn’t it just Monday?  Seems like it to me, but here we are again.  Other than blog posts and book reviews, I haven’t been writing.  I owe an interview and a guest post to a couple of people (I’m working on them today, Marcia and Tori!), but nothing on the sequel to Subject A36 yet.  Still, that hasn’t stopped me from thinking about the plot and characters.  Lots of things floating around in my brain.

On recommendations from a friend (thanks, Diana!) and my brother-in-law, I started watching The Expanse on Amazon Prime.  One of the leads, Steven Strait, I remember from Sky High, a cute movie my boys watched years ago.  The story involved a high school for superheroes and their sidekicks, and Strait played Warren Peace (get it?).  I’m about seven episodes in and already hooked.

Hubby was at a work function Saturday night, so I decided to watch Marriage Story on Netflix and see what all the fuss was about.  It’s received numerous award nominations, and I’m a fan of both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson.  Every one of those nominations is well-deserved.  Both actors turned in powerful, phenomenal performances, and I was captivated.  Watch it if you get a chance.

I’ve got another excerpt from Subject A36 for you today – only a few more weeks until release!  In this scene, two Insurgents were due back from a supply run hours ago, and Asher hasn’t heard from them.  They’ve never deviated from protocol in the past, and Ash has to make a decision on what to do.

It was time to take action.  Just as I was ready to gather a search party, the low growl of a motor reached my ears.  The glow of headlights splashed over me as a truck bounced along the dirt road leading to our compound.  Relief flooded through me.  Paige, Jonah, and I rushed over to meet them.

My relief melted away when I noticed the reckless manner of the driver.  The truck swayed from side to side and changed speeds erratically.  I grabbed Paige’s arm to pull her out of its path just before it jolted to a stop.

The driver remained a mystery until the door flung open and moonlight fell upon Mason’s close-cropped copper hair.  He tumbled from the driver’s seat, gripping the doorframe as he struggled to stay on his feet.  An inky blackness dripped from his hairline and trickled down his face.

Blood.

Happy Monday!  Monday is probably the least popular day of the week for most people, but for me, it’s an opportunity to get started on my to-do list for the week.  I’ve mentioned it before, but if that list isn’t plastered to my face, I tend to wander around aimlessly like Dory in Finding Nemo.

Last week hubby and I celebrated our anniversary and his birthday, which is one day before – no way he can forget it, right?  Anyhoo, we went out with friends Saturday night to a local Greek restaurant.  It’s one we frequented several years ago, but then it closed.  Luckily, six years later, it reopened in a new location, and I couldn’t wait to dig into the tzatziki sauce (which I’ve tried to duplicate, with one epic fail after another) and the oozy honey goodness that is baklava again.  Good food and great friends – a fun night for everyone.

I finished the second season of You on Netflix.  It was just as good as the first season – even darker, but completely addictive.  It takes a talented writer to make you loathe nearly everything Joe has done (killing numerous people in his quest for love), and yet somehow you still want him to get his happily ever after.

It’s time for another excerpt from Subject A36!  Last week the ebook preorder wasn’t available, but it’s live now HERE.  To set up the teaser, Asher and Brynn practically grew up together, but their friendship evolved into a romantic relationship in their early teens.  Their relationship was fun to write because they challenge each other, are competitive to a fault, enjoy witty banter, and share an unusually deep bond.  In this scene, they’re considering adding a new member to their team of Insurgents and are observing him while he trains.

The way the other female recruits, and some of the males, looked at Declan made me wonder if he’d be a distraction in the field.  He was a few inches shorter than me, had a muscular build, startling blue eyes, and dark, wavy hair.

My gaze slid in Brynn’s direction to gauge her reaction.  “Well?”

Brynn considered Declan, tracking his movements about the training course.  “He’s a pretty boy, but he’s got the skill set.”

I grinned.  “Prettier than me?”

Brynn stood on her tiptoes, nuzzled my neck, and then whispered in my ear.  “No one’s prettier than you.”

And then I was distracted.  Focus, Ash.   

Once again, I’m playing catchup on blogs and comments.  Actually, I’m not sure I ever caught up after Bad Moon Rising.  Anyhoo, it was for a good reason.  Hubby and I took a long weekend and traveled to Marathon, FL and Key West!  The weather was perfect – and if you knew our history with weather and vacations is a miracle in itself (hurricane during a cruise, a week in Hawaii with temps in the 40s).

We stayed in a new resort in Marathon (it was gorgeous), then drove down to Key West on for the afternoon on Monday.  With it being a weekday, it wasn’t too crowded, and only one cruise ship was docked.  Yes, we took a pic at the southernmost tip of the US.  Gorgeous views of the ocean.  I don’t have the words to describe the many shades of blues and greens.  Just look at that gorgeous sunset in the first pic.  The second is a little blurry, but you can barely make out the boats in the marina decorated with Christmas lights.  The third is the view from our hotel room the one night we spent in Miami before flying out.

Yes, I also did some reading – finished one book and only have 100 pages or so on another.  And remember when I said the weather was perfect?  It was also a little humid, and I forgot to pack my hair defrizzer.  This is live footage of how I looked at the beach for most of the trip.

This will be my last post of the year.  We’ll have both boys home for a few days, so I’m excited about that.  The youngest will be traveling to Dallas with his university’s marching band for a bowl game, so we’ve had to make some schedule accomodations, but the four of us will be seeing The Rise of Skywalker on Christmas Eve and then having dinner with friends who are really more like family.  Wishing all of you peaceful holidays spent with family and friends!