Saturday, December 30, 2023

Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2023

 
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”   
Dr. Seuss
 
To all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!

As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous years...

The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!

Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.

Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.

In 2023, I did a great deal of re-reading favorites, which left me with less newly published books to consider for my favorites. As far as genres go, I read 4 non-fiction, 5 general or literary fiction, 39 contemporary mystery/suspense/thrillers, and 4 historical fiction. The remaining 175 were different sub-genres of romance.

There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. (Thanks to a dear friend who gifted me with two new releases that I was on long library hold lists for, I was able to read Inheritance and Resurrection Walk this year. Both made my favorites of the year! So, thank you sweet "C"!) I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list, just as I made an exception this year for one "Special Mention" book that was first published in 2022.

I'll be starting out 2024 with about 180 books on my to-be-read shelves—Kindle and Audible—and the 25+ books on my library wish list. I will again set my StoryGraph Reading Challenge goal at 200 books.

My 2023 Stats

My StoryGraph Challenge total was 227 (first reads and rereads of single titles) - My 2023 StoryGraph Wrap-Up
My database total was 173 (first reads of individual formats only)

(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
 
My Favorites Published in 2023
(alphabetical by author)

Single Titles
The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Resurrection Walk (Mickey Haller #7) by Michael Connelly
State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force
The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James (review)
Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland 
True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
Play of Shadows (Dr. Evan Wilding #3) by Barbara Nickless
The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Inheritance (Lost Bride Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 
Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
 
Special Mention
 
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger (indie published in 2022 & republished traditionally in 2023) (review)

Series Titles (two or more installments published within 2023)
 
The Law of Opposites Attract Series (The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister & The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand) by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland


Favorites by Category

Genres

Favorite Contemporary Fiction - The Wishing Game by Meg Schaffer
Favorite Suspense/Thriller - Resurrection Walk (Mickey Haller #7) by Michael Connelly
Favorite Contemporary Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Romantic Suspense - State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force
Favorite Military Romance - In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Favorite Paranormal Romance - Inheritance (Lost Bride Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts
Favorite Romantic Series - Cherry Tree Harbor Series by Melanie Harlow
Favorite Audiobook - (tie) Play of Shadows (Dr. Evan Wilding #3) by Barbara Nickless. Narrated by Tim Campbell AND Fall Into You (Morally Gray #2) by J.T. Geissinger. Narrated by Troy Duran, Jacob Morgan, Connor Crais, Vanessa Moyen, and Angelina Rocca.

Romance Tropes

Favorite Age Gap Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Enemies to Lovers Romance - Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score
Favorite Forced/Close Proximity Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Favorite Friends to Lovers Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Favorite Second Chance Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Small Town Romance - Crimson River (The Edens #5) by Devney Perry
Favorite Workplace Romance - Fall Into You (Morally Gray Series #2) by J.T. Geissinger

Characters

Favorite Character Repartee - Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
Favorite Romantic Couple - Samantha Holland and Nick Cappuano from State of Denial by Marie Force
Biggest Flirt - Beckham Cross from Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
Favorite Alpha Male - Aidan Leighrite from Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Favorite Romantic Hero - Devin Buckley from Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor #3) by Melanie Harlow
Favorite Antihero - Cole McCord from Fall Into You (Morally Gray #2) by J.T. Geissinger
Most Tormented Hero - Alex Fox from The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Most Heroic Hero - Vance Sutter from Crimson River (The Edens #5) by Devney Perry
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Alexandra "Lexy" McIntyre from Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor #3) by Melanie Harlow
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Samantha "Sam" Holland from State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force

Themes/Moods
 
Most Taboo Dark - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Heartrending - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Most Humorous - Runaway Love (Cherry Tree Harbor #1) by Melanie Harlow
Most Luscious - The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James
Most Realistic Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Most Erotic - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Surprising Plot Twist - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan

Most Pleasant Surprise - The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Most Striking Cover - The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James
 
 
Book Bundle I Read in 2023

Since my book database counts a multi-book bundle as a single book, the following is a list of the individual books from within the book bundle I read this year. The remainder of my 2023 database total reads follows. 

The Sin Series - Boxset by Aleatha Romig
White Ribbon (#.5) 06/07/2023 (6 out of 10 stars)
Red Sin (#1) 06/08/2023 (10 out of 10 stars)
Green Envy (#2) 06/09/2023 (9 out of 10 stars)
Gold Lust (#3) 06/09/2023 (9 out of 10 stars)
Black Knight (#4) 06/10/2023 (10 out of 10 stars)


Most Anticipated Books of 2024
 
The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves 
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Crossroads (Haven River Ranch #1) by Devney Perry
Mind Games by Nora Roberts 
The Mirror (Lost Bride Trilogy #2) by Nora Roberts
 
 
Individual First Time Reads of 2023
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook and a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.) 

Book List

Author Title Publication Year Reading Date My Rating
Bailey, Tessa It Happened One Summer (a) 2021 1/16/2023 10
Bailey, Tessa Hook, Line, and Sinker (a) 2022 1/18/2023 9
Biller, Diana Hotel of Secrets 2023 6/7/2023 7
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare All That Is Hidden 2023 3/26/2023 8
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare All That is Hidden (a) 2023 8/28/2023 7
Bowen, Sarina A Little Too Late 2022 9/4/2023 5
Brown, Sandra Overkill (a) 2022 1/21/2023 9
Brown, Sandra Out of Nowhere 2023 8/23/2023 7
Byrne, Kerrigan ; St. Aubin, Cynthia Nevermore Bookstore 2023 10/7/2023 6
Byrne, Kerrigan ; St. Aubin, Cynthia Brewbies 2023 10/9/2023 5
Carmen, Christa The Daughters of Block Island 2023 11/25/2023 8
Cate, Sara Highest Bidder 2023 3/26/2023 8
Christy, Samantha Unlikely Date 2022 2/16/2023 7
Christy, Samantha Unfinished Ex 2022 2/22/2023 7
Christy, Samantha Untaken Twin 2022 3/5/2023 8
Christy, Samantha No Small Bet 2023 3/6/2023 8
Christy, Samantha No Easy Dare 2023 11/13/2023 10
Christy, Samantha No Simple Lie 2023 11/21/2023 10
Christy, Samantha Igniting Ivy 2019 3/7/2023 10
Christy, Samantha Sparking Sara 2019 3/8/2023 9
Christy, Samantha Engulfing Emma 2019 3/9/2023 7
Cole, Carian The Lovely Return 2023 12/4/2023 10
Connelly, Michael The Black Echo (a) 2020 1/27/2023 8
Connelly, Michael Resurrection Walk 2023 12/10/2023 10
Cooper, Anderson; Howe, Katherine Astor 2023 9/25/2023 7
Day, Sylvia So Close 2023 4/12/2023 6
Day, Sylvia Too Far 2023 10/26/2023 6
Dick, R.A. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 2014 5/8/2023 6
Force, Marie State of Affairs (a) 2021 9/1/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Grace (a) 2022 9/2/2023 10
Force, Marie State of the Union (a) 2022 9/3/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Shock (a) 2022 9/4/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Denial 2023 10/16/2023 10
Force, Marie Light After Dark 2016 12/29/2023 8
Force, Marie Gansett Island Episode 1: Victoria & Shannon 2017 12/20/2023 8
Force, Marie Gansett Island Episode 2: Kevin & Chelsea 2017 12/20/2023 8
Force, Marie Mine After Dark 2018 12/19/2023 8
Force, Marie Yours After Dark 2018 12/19/2023 8
Force, Marie Trouble After Dark 2019 12/22/2023 8
Force, Marie Rescue After Dark 2020 12/25/2023 8
Force, Marie Virtuous (*p) 2015 6/24/2023 10
Force, Marie Valorous (*p) 2015 6/25/2023 10
Force, Marie Victorious (*p) 2015 6/26/2023 10
Force, Marie Someone to Hold 2022 1/2/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Fool's Puzzle 1995 7/31/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Irish Chain 1996 8/2/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Kansas Troubles 1997 8/4/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Goose in the Pond 1998 8/6/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Dove in the Window 1999 8/8/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Mariner's Compass 2000 8/9/2023 10
Fowler, Earlene Seven Sisters 2001 8/11/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Arkansas Traveler 2001 8/14/2023 6
Fowler, Earlene Steps to the Altar 2003 8/14/2023 10
Fowler, Earlene Sunshine and Shadow (a) 2008 8/15/2023 7
Fowler, Earlene Broken Dishes (a) 2011 8/17/2023 7
Fowler, Earlene Delectable Mountains (a) 2012 8/17/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Tumbling Blocks 2008 8/17/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene State Fair 2010 8/19/2023 6
Garmus, Bonnie Lessons in Chemistry 2022 9/22/2023 7
Geissinger, J.T. Liars Like Us 2023 5/26/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Liars Like Us (a) 2023 8/23/2023 9
Geissinger, J.T. Fall Into You 2023 10/4/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Fall Into You (a) 2023 12/14/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Pen Pal 2022 5/26/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Ruthless Creatures 2021 5/28/2023 9
Geissinger, J.T. Carnal Urges 2021 5/29/2023 7
Geissinger, J.T. Savage Hearts 2023 12/6/2023 8
Geissinger, J.T. Brutal Vows 2023 12/13/2023 8
Geissinger, J.T. Wicked Beautiful 2016 12/17/2023 7
Grafton, Sue Kinsey and Me: Stories 2013 7/12/2023 7
Halle, Karina A Ship of Bones and Teeth 2023 6/16/2023 Defies rating
Harlow, Melanie Drive Me Wild (*p) 2020 5/3/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Runaway Love (a) 2023 5/20/2023 9
Harlow, Melanie Runaway Love 2023 5/8/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Hideaway Heart 2023 8/22/2023 8
Harlow, Melanie Make-Believe Match (a) 2023 12/15/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Make-Believe Match 2023 11/26/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Ignite (*p) 2021 4/3/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Tempt (a) 2023 3/16/2023 7
Harms, Kelly Wherever the Wind Takes Us 2022 3/13/2023 5
Henry, Emily Book Lovers (a) 2022 8/30/2023 9
Hunter, Elizabeth Dust Born 2023 11/7/2023 7
Hunter, Elizabeth Bishop's Flight 2023 10/20/2023 6
Hunter, Elizabeth Fangs, Frost, and Folios 2023 12/5/2023 8
Hunter, Elizabeth Blood and Sand (*p) 2013 1/20/2023 10
Hunter, Elizabeth A Ghost in the Glamour 2017 1/3/2023 6
Hunter, Elizabeth A Bogie in the Boat 2018 1/3/2023 8
Hunting, Helena Kiss My Cupcake 2020 5/25/2023 6
James, E.L. Fifty Shades of Grey (p) 2015 5/28/2023 10
James, E.L. Fifty Shades Darker (p) 2017 4/29/2023 10
James, E.L. Fifty Shades Freed (p) 2018 4/30/2023 10
James, E.L. Grey (p) 2015 5/19/2023 10
James, E.L. Darker (p) 2017 5/21/2023 10
James, E.L. Freed (p) 2021 5/23/2023 10
James, E.L. The Missus 2023 7/6/2023 10
Jordan, Skye Hot Blooded 2023 5/10/2023 5
Keeland, Vi The Game 2023 1/23/2023 8
Keeland, Vi Something Unexpected 2023 7/7/2023 10
Kiernan, Denise The Last Castle 2017 5/19/2023 6
Kubica, Mary Local Woman Missing 2021 1/16/2023 8
Lauren Christina Dating You / Hating You (*p) 2017 10/24/2023 10
Lauren, Christina Something Wilder (a) 2022 9/16/2023 8
Lauren, Christina True Love Experiment 2023 5/18/2023 10
Lea, Amy Exes and O's 2023 3/4/2023 6
Lynn, Cherrie Rock Me (p) 2017 12/30/2023 10
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Brit 2021 3/16/2023 7
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Enigma 2021 3/23/2023 6
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Resurrection 2022 4/15/2023 6
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Rising 2023 4/27/2023 4
McIntire, Emily Hooked (a) 2022 9/11/2023 6
Mirren, Lilly The Island 2022 1/7/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly The Beach Cottage 2022 1/7/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly The Blue Shoal Inn 2022 1/8/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly Island Weddings 2023 1/10/2023 8
Moskowitz, Isa Chandra; Romero, Terry Hope Vegan Pie in the Sky 2011 10/3/2023 6
Nickless, Barbara Dark of Night (a) 2022 1/8/2023 8
Nickless, Barbara Play of Shadows 2023 11/18/2023 10
Nickless, Barbara Play of Shadows (a) 2023 12/1/2023 10
Nickless, Barbara Ambush (a) 2019 1/13/2023 6
Nickless, Barbara Gone to Darkness (a) 2020 11/9/2023 8
Perry, Devney The Brawl (a) 2022 1/9/2023 10
Perry, Devney The Brood 2023 9/8/2023 10
Perry, Devney The Brood (a) 2023 11/3/2023 10
Perry, Devney Garnet Flats (a) 2022 11/30/2023 8
Perry, Devney Jasper Vale 2023 2/6/2023 8
Perry, Devney Crimson River 2023 6/17/2023 10
Perry, Devney Sable Peak 2023 12/9/2023 9
Perry, Devney Timeless 2022 2/8/2023 6
Perry, Devney The Dandelion Diary 2023 7/16/2023 7
Perry, Devney Quarter Miles (a) 2020 8/1/2023 8
Perry, Devney Coach 2023 4/9/2023 7
Porizkova, Paulina No Filter 2022 1/6/2023 8
Reber, Tina Jacked (*p) 2014 4/16/2023 10
Reichs, Kathy The Bone Hacker 2023 8/24/2023 8
Reiss, C.D. Crowne Jewel 2023 7/10/2023 5
Robb, J.D. Naked in Death (a) 2008 3/27/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Glory in Death (a) 2008 3/28/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Immortal in Death (a) 2008 3/29/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Rapture in Death (a) 2008 3/30/2023 7
Robb, J.D. Ceremony in Death (a) 2008 4/24/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Vengeance in Death (a) 2008 7/4/2023 8
Roberts, Nora Identity 2023 7/3/2023 7
Roberts, Nora Inheritance 2023 11/29/2023 10
Roberts, Nora Nightwork (a) 2022 9/7/2023 8
Roberts, Nora Whiskey Beach (*p) 2023 9/11/2023 10
Romig, Aleatha Silver Lining 2022 6/13/2023 6
Romig, Aleatha The Sin Series: Box Set 2023 6/10/2023 10
Romig, Aleatha White Ribbon 2021 6/7/2023 6
Score, Lucy The Worst Best Man 2018 3/18/2023 8
Score, Lucy No More Secrets 2019 4/3/2023 7
Score, Lucy Fall Into Temptation 2019 5/12/2023 7
Score, Lucy The Last Second Chance 2019 6/4/2023 5
Score, Lucy By a Thread (*p) 2020 5/1/2023 10
Score, Lucy Things We Never Got Over (*p) 2022 7/15/2023 10
Score, Lucy Things We Hide from the Light (a) 2023 7/30/2023 8
Score, Lucy Things We Hide from the Light 2023 3/1/2023 8
Score, Lucy Things We Left Behind 2023 9/6/2023 10
Score, Lucy Maggie Moves On (a) 2022 3/12/2023 10
Scott, Emma Between Hello and Goodbye (a) 2023 3/2/2023 9
Scott, Kylie End of Story 2023 5/16/2023 8
Scott, Kylie The Rhythm Method 2021 6/4/2023 7
Shaffer, Meg The Wishing Game 2023 9/1/2023 10
Sheridan, Mia All the Little Raindrops 2023 11/11/2023 9
Sheridan, Mia Bad Mother 2023 4/5/2023 10
Sheridan, Mia Bad Mother (a) 2023 7/15/2023 8
Torre, A.R. A Familiar Stranger 2022 7/29/2023 7
Ward, Penelope Stepbrother Dearest (a) 2015 11/16/2023 5
Ward, Penelope Toe the Line 2023 3/11/2023 7
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating (a) 2022 1/24/2023 8
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister 2023 11/21/2023 10
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating My-One Night Stand 2023 11/22/2023 10
Yarros, Rebecca In the Likely Event 2023 9/12/2023 10
Young, Samantha Beyond the Thistles 2023 5/7/2023 7

Exported from BookCollector 12/30/2023 8:19:44 AM

Saturday, July 15, 2023

When Authors Stop Publishing

When authors you read stop publishing, do you wonder why? 



Several authors whose work I enjoy have stopped publishing. A few have announced their reasons but most have not. Authors like: Olivia Cunning, J.M. Darhower, Katy Evans, C.M. Foss, Linda FairsteinEarlene Fowler, Cara McKenna, Katja Millay, Leah Raeder/Elliot Wake, Tina ReberLaVyrle Spencer, Tammara Webber, and Joanna Wylde. These are just some of “my” authors who have ceased publishing. (Didn’t everyone wonder why Harper Lee didn’t publish another book after To Kill a Mockingbird? Her second book {which is considered a first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird}, Go Set a Watchman, wasn’t published until after her death.)


 Observations and Questions

  • We can be curious and still be respectful. 
  • I'm aware of why several of the above authors stopped publishing but not all.
  • This is about publishing and not writing.
  • Some have mostly (or completely) disappeared from social media and even deleted their websites.
  • Some authors use pseudonyms and simply disappear by using their real names. 
  • Does keeping an air of mystery positively affect their ongoing book sales? 
  • Some authors return to publishing: what were their reasons for their break? 
  • Did they just decide it was the time to retire? 
  • Did they feel their books didn’t do well enough? 
  • Did they feel they just didn’t have any more stories to tell? 
  • Did they doubt their abilities? 
  • Did they feel any rewards weren’t worth the negativity and possible outright animosity directed at them/their books? 
  • Was there a scandal? 
  • Were there accusations of plagiarism? 
  • Were there health reasons? 
  • Family reasons? 
  • We can certainly wish them well. 

I enjoy rereading my favorite books but miss the idea of new works.

 

How do you handle it when your authors no longer publish? 

 
(rev. 07/04/2024)


Friday, June 30, 2023

Driven to Extremes - The Diverse Vehicles of My Life

I was eight years old the first time I "took the wheel." That was when my dad started letting me steer his 1968 VW Beetle from the passenger seat while he drove. I then graduated to shifting as he worked the clutch. When I was about nine years of age he started driving me down to a dead-end street between a cemetery and the back of a housing development and put me in the driver's seat. It couldn't have been all that often because this only happened when he was on leave from the Navy. He seemed endlessly patient; but I was a "natural," so that had to have helped, right?

A  Delta Green 1968 VW Beetle just like my dad's

In 1975, my grandmother purchased a 1974 Chevrolet Cheyenne Super 20 truck (3/4 ton, 454 cu.in. big block V8) from a couple for whom I babysat. It was Rosedale Red in color and in immaculate condition for having belonged to horse people. She paid $4,500 for "Rosie" and I loved her like crazy. I had my learner's permit and was my grandmother's gratis chauffeur. We had quite a few horses and used Rosie to haul feed, and pull our 2-horse trailer; and then after a lot of work (including beefing up the leaf springs & shocks, putting 12R16.5 tires & white spoke wheels on her and a custom extended bumper) she also carried a 10-1/2 foot Lance cab-over camper. About the time we got her our newish neighbor, Jerry, started inviting me over to learn basic automobile maintenance. He had three children younger than myself and he had been a master mechanic before an injury sidelined his employment. He taught me how to maintain Rosie and quite a bit about cars in general. I changed her oil, did a tune-up, lubed her chassis, rotated her tires, and learned how to detail her 'til she once again looked new. She belonged to my grandmother but she felt like mine. After my grandmother died in late 1978 I sold her for my grandfather for $5,000. It was hard watching her being driven away, let me tell you.

A 1974 Chevy Cheyenne Super 20 (Rosie) like the one I maintained & drove

Jerry's older son (about 12 years) had a 1970 Camaro Z28 under a tarp that they would work on here and there. Jerry showed me a magazine article featuring the different years and styles of Camaros and when I saw one almost identical to the one below, I decided that was my "dream car." I never did get one but then I had always favored trucks over cars. But isn't she an amazing fantasy car?!

The exact dream car of my teens & twenties - a 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28

While working (and essentially living) at an Arabian horse farm in Northern California, I knew I wanted a truck of my own. The farm had three trucks, all of different weight rating classifications, that were all at my disposal for farm business. However, I felt I needed my own vehicle for the limited amount of time I wasn't on duty. I can't recall with any certainty why I settled on the truck I did, but I probably saw one and thought, that's it! I called dealer after dealer looking for the exact model I wanted but didn't find one in stock until a dealer 150 miles away in Sacramento said they had only ONE! I arranged for a day off and permission to drive the farm's 1/2-ton truck to pick up my new truck. On 21 Jul 1981, after dropping almost $3,000 down, I had to drive home in the old farm truck while a salesman drove my new truck, and another salesman drove a separate vehicle to take the driver of my truck back to Sacramento. What a caravan! I swiftly named my new 1981 Toyota SR-5 4 x 4 Black Package Sylvester (as I never got my bright yellow Camaro that I planned to name Tweety). I enjoyed cruising in my new truck: back roads, highways, freeways, river beds, etc. It didn't matter where. I'd pop the moon roof, crank up my music, and speed on up (or down) the road. I loved my first vehicle an inordinate amount but man was it expensive! Even with the large down payment, my monthly payments were too much for this poor horse girl. After doing a few personal upgrades I sadly decided I needed to sell Sylvester. I think it was late summer in 1982 that Sylvester went to its new owner. I sure missed that truck for a long time but never missed those huge payments.

My 1981 Toyota SR-5 4x4 Black Package (Sylvester)

I knew any vehicle that I could afford would be a disappointment after Sylvester. How much of a disappointment I wouldn't have guessed until I ended up with a 1976 Honda Civic CVCC. It was a rusty orange with gray primer spots and I was not impressed. I needed a car to get me to work, to my horse, and for errands. It did that. For a year or so anyway. When it kept popping freeze plugs (I lived in San Diego!) and needing fuel system repairs it was time to let it go. Thank goodness. I have never wanted an economy car.

A 1976 Honda Civic CVCC just like the one I had

I don't remember where I found my next car (*grumbles*), but it was a step up from the Civic. The Rabbit was zippy and quiet and got great gas mileage, but it was still an economy car. I think I drove it between 3 & 4 years. At some point, it started having "issues" and three different times it stalled out right outside service stations. I was able to coast in and park. I have always been thankful for its timing, anyway. The last straw came when it needed a valve job or some other $1,500+ repair. Um, not on your life little car! See ya!

A 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit just like the one I had

One of the stores I managed for years was in a diverse area. Home to beach goers, the super-wealthy, and horse people, most of whom, it seemed, were driving SUVs. It was 1987 and SUVs were everywhere! Jeep Cherokees, Chevy Blazers, Toyota Forerunners, Nissan Pathfinders, and Ford Bronco IIs. I used every opportunity to ask the owners of one of these what they liked and didn't like about them. After months of "research" and talking to a customer who had a car-buying business in the same shopping center, I put in my request. On 23 Dec 1987, I was outside waiting for my new "baby" when I spied it for the first time. Being driven into the shopping center and then parking in front of the business a few doors down. It was two days before Christmas and we were busy but I had to go see it! After all of the questions and test driving two other makes I decided on a 1988 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer Edition. It was deep shadow blue and saddle tan and it was ALL MINE! I never named it and drove it all over California, Oregon, Virginia, and Maryland. For fifteen years I took excellent care of it and it took excellent care of me. I was heartbroken when it finally needed work and that work was too expensive. Parting with my Baby Bronco was heartbreaking, but I sold it to a mechanic who said it's in too good of shape to scrap. Thankfully, a few weeks later I ran into the mechanic's wife who was very pleased with her (new) 15-year-old Bronco II!

My 1988 Ford Bronco II at 14 years - My "baby" for 15 years!

Another reason I sold the Bronco II was because someone offered to give us their 10-year-old Chrysler Town and Country mini-van. They had already let us use it to move once before and they were upgrading. It had a lot of nice qualities but it had been used hard (moving lots of people's belongings, commuting, and long trips) and showed it. The previous owners had a rebuilt transmission installed and taken care of other mechanical issues, but in the 2 or so years we owned it we had to have it towed THREE TIMES! When it totally "crapped out" it was parked for nearly six months before we would get our next vehicle, which turned out to be my last! I'll always be thankful to it for introducing me to the wonders of mini-vans, though.

This 1994 Chrysler Town & Country was given to us

Which comes to my last vehicle...

My 2001 Ford Windstar SEL - 5 years old (left) & 15 years old

Not only my most recent but probably my last vehicle ever. My ex saw this gorgeous blue and silver Windstar in a small local used car lot. After we all laid our goo-goo eyes on it we jumped through hoops to get it. On 26 May 2006, I drove off the lot and it was true love! We put a new battery and new tires on it and drove it to Ohio. It was five years old and the only blemish was a light coffee stain on the pearl gray carpet between the front seats. I bought new pearl gray floor mats and new pearl gray seat organizers. I bought an organizer for the "trunk" and put a thermoelectric cooler in that same "trunk" for grocery shopping, picnicking, trips, and family visits. My daughter and I took it on many sightseeing trips and had mini-van picnics in it. It had all of the amenities of the time, was quiet, and ultra smooth. I took excellent care of it and took it in for maintenance regularly. But, my oh my, did it end up needing a lot of repairs. I had it for just under ten years with repair after repair after repair. When I had some work done and it immediately needed another rather mysterious and expensive repair I had to call it quits. I was moving across the country and couldn't depend on it getting me there. Damn, I was sad. I LOVED that mini-van! I sold it for almost nothing to a mechanic (just like my Bronco II!) and when he saw how visibly upset I was when I asked him, "You aren't going to scrap it, are you?" He said something like, "No way, it's much too beautiful to scrap!" And then he drove away...😭 A few days before I was to leave that area I saw it driving in my direction on the opposite divide of the highway. At least my last sighting was a positive one. (Flickr Photo Album: My Wonderful Windstar)

My beautiful Windstar driving away from me 😭

I'm too pragmatic to make this a goal but if I were to dream...

The dream "car" of my sixties - a Chevy Express Passenger Van

...I would dream of a passenger van like the one above to convert into a camper van retrofitted perfectly just for me. I have a wish list with lots of ideas and I have watched thousands of hours of videos on converting everything from small cars to high-top cargo vans into homes on wheels. I don't expect it to ever happen but the ideas are there if it miraculously ever should.