HOT!!!     HOT!!!     HOT!!!    HOT!!!   HOT!!!

Not only is it hot where I live in Oregon, it is Hot most everywhere. My friends and family who live in various parts of the United States all say this is the hottest July they can remember.

What I know is true is that since late June, I’ve had one (1) day under 90 degrees and that one day was 89. I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell the difference between 89 and 90 so it all has melded together for me.

Those who know me will not be surprised to learn I’m counting the weeks and looking forward to counting the days until October.

Why October?

I’ve lived in Western Oregon most of my life and I do not remember Any 90 or 100 degree days in that month.

September?

A few.

August?

Definitely!!!

So, in 10 weeks, it’ll be October and this, for me, hellish weather, will be in my past.

I am grateful I have a heat pump so my house can be cool enough I’m not sick and in the ER (yes, I’ve been to the ER because of heat and I was drinking water to stay hydrated).

I am grateful I have family and friends who will run errands for me so I don’t have to go out in the heat.

I am hopeful that we’ll get a break and our high temperatures will be in the mid to low 80’s and our nights in the 50’s. While not my favorite temperatures, I can manage because it isn’t already hot (to me) at 9 a.m.

In my fantasy world, I spend fall, winter here and spring and summer in Australia.

Why not spend spring here? It’s not that hot…true, but there are plants that bloom in the spring that when I breathe in their pollen my lungs actually seize.

Spring and summer in Oregon would be fall and winter in Australia. It’s a great fantasy. I’ve been to Australia once and loved it. I’ve writer and Glasser friends there. It’s a great country and I could spend time traveling around. I’d love to see Perth and Melbourne and returning to the Butterfly Sanctuary would be fantastic.

Back from fantasy land…10 weeks isn’t so very long especially since I’m fairly certain there’ll be a few breaks in this on-going heat wave. And, I remind myself, it could be worse. Friends in Arizona are dealing with strings of days with temperatures over 110.

How do you deal with the heat? Or does it even affect you?

For a cool read, you can pick up books by any of the Genre-istas. I’m currently rereading (3^rd time), Eleri Grace’s “Courage to be Counted”.

The authenticity of this book is exceptional. If you have family or friends who served in the European Theater in World War II, you’ll come away from reading this book about Vivian and Jack with a new appreciation for what they survived.

You can find my books at your favorite e-book vendor as well as through my website www.JudithAshley.net and Windtree Press. Print books are available at Jan’s Paperbacks in Beaverton, OR and Arte Soleil in Portland, OR. Get the addresses from my website. And be sure to ask your library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2024 Judith Ashley

A Smorgasbord of Books!

I read across all genres. So I thought I would share some of the different books I've read.

First a sci-fi from Author M. Pax. This book is packed with adventure.

"In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bio-engineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the first book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. Try it for free. A space opera adventure. After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the remaining planets. Competition is fierce, and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to improve his fortunes by destroying his son. He tells his only boy their moon isn’t big enough for them both and gives Craze a ticket for the next transport leaving the space dock. Treated worse than a stranger, like the scuzzbag of the galaxy, Craze is forced to flee his home. Cut off from everyone he knows with little money and no knowledge of the worlds beyond his, he must find away to forge a new life and make sure his father regrets this day."

"The Troublemaker Next Door" is NOT Erotica, but it is VERY HOT!
This is the first of a three book series. Excellent read! Marie Harte writes men who walk and talk like real men. I've never found a better writer who can make male characters so-o-o believable.

"He's not into relationships. She's done with idiots. But where there are friends...sometimes there are benefits. And sometimes the boy next door might be just what you need at the end of every day."

If you like mysteries, Paty Jager's "Double Duplicity", the first in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, is a must read.
 Book one of the Shandra Higheagle Native American Mystery Series 
Dreams...Visions...Murder...
On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but just as determined to discover the truth. 
Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them and believes in her. 
Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?

This book by Kate Curran /Kathy Coatney was very entertaining. The pace was perfect and the characters came alive on the pages.

"Leave Me Breathless… What do an inquisitive reporter, a dedicated cop, and a band of geriatric mystery sleuths have in common? The desire to see justice done! Tossed from a prestigious San Francisco newspaper, journalist C.J. Pulaski returns to her hometown of Conspiracy, California, in disgrace. She’s hit rock bottom and will do anything to find her next big story and get her career back on track. In desperation, she even joins her father's Trench Coat Brigade, a wacky group of seniors with a penchant for solving mysteries. After his partner was killed in the line of duty, Nate Cole left the LAPD to become police chief in Conspiracy. Small town living suits him just fine until he has to solve a thirty-five-year-old murder, keep the Trench Coat Brigade in line and deal with a spunky, outspoken reporter. Now, Nate suspects there’s been something missing from his life."

There are so many good/great books available. I just can't keep up with all of them!! My to-be-read pile is so big, it will take a couple of years to read all the books. Unfortunately, I keep adding to the pile! Go figure. I'm a writer and a reader!!!  

What genre do you like to read?