Treadmill Goals/Tracking

• Get on the treadmill (or equivalent exercise) daily
• Pace is fine at 30 min/mile, although I may up it on occasion
• Time range between 30 minutes and 1 hour per day
• Distance 1-2 miles per day
• Read the chosen book. I’m officially modifying my original rule of not reading the book-of-the-week off-treadmill. I’m usually going to look at length and try to divide it up somewhat evenly per day, even if that means either closing that book early (if it’s short) or continuing after (if it’s long).

Week 162: December 29, 2019 – January 4, 2019

DAY	PACE	TIME	DISTANCE
Sunday	30 min/mile	31:05 min:sec	1 mile
Monday	30 min/mile	31:17 min:sec	1 mile
Tuesday	30 min/mile	30:11 min:sec	1 mile
Wednesday	30 min/mile	30:21 min:sec	1 mile
Thursday	30 min/mile	30:53 min:sec	1 mile
Friday	30 min/mile	33:07 min:sec	1.1 miles
Saturday	30 min/mile	30:38 min:sec	1 mile

What I’m Reading

Note: Although I will try to avoid them, my weekly reading snippets may or may not contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

What I #amreading: 2019 Top Ten Gay Romance

My favorite lines this week…

✿✿ SUNDAY ✿✿ (Snowed In: Jonah and Cooper by Kris T. Bethke)

He kissed my forehead, then murmured into my skin, “We have enough regrets between us, don’t you think?”

Cooper was probably right about that. But I wasn’t going to admit it. Instead, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep until the act became reality.

✿✿ MONDAY ✿✿ (Awakenings and French Songs by Nell Iris)

The French guy agitates my heart with his singing, and Ronan calms it with his kindheartedness. The contrasts are intense, making my skin feel too snug for my body, my chest tight, and my stomach worried. My pulse flutters in my neck, and I worry that Ronan will see it. I don’t know what to do with myself.

So I allow myself to look at Ronan, seeking comfort in his calming presence. I drink in the warmth radiating from him as though he’s the sun and I’m a sagging flower in desperate need of his rays of life.

✿✿ TUESDAY #1 ✿✿ (More Than Summer by Shawn Lane)

“…And honestly, Brady, you’re a celebrity. You probably have guys knocking down your door.”

Brady rolled his eyes. “I really hate that cliché. People assume you don’t have normal problems like anyone else. I line sincerity in the guys I date, Jere, not guys out to be seen with me.”

My lips quirked. “Somehow I still think my dating issues are more pronounced than yours are.”

He smiled a little and reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

✿✿ TUESDAY #2 ✿✿ (Back From the Future by JL Merrow)

One might suppose that Bill and I had a particularly close friendship, given that he’d asked me to babysit his fish while he swanned around at some conference in Hawaii, every hussy on the island shaking her grass-skirted booty in his face. One would, alas, suppose wrong. I am everyone’s house-sitter of choice; something to do with being a clean-freak, I’m told. People have been known to go away solely to get me to blitz their house for them. At least, that’s what Bill told me, right before he cautioned me not to let people take advantage, then in the same breath asked me if I’d do him a teensy little favor.

✿✿ WEDNESDAY #1 ✿✿ (I Thee Wed by A.R. Moler)

Tristan held his breath for a ten count before speaking. “This isn’t about making you happy. I have a job I’m proud of and I’m marrying the man I love. When did all of this suddenly become all about you? Live your own life. Stay out of mine.”

✿✿ WEDNESDAY #2 ✿✿ (Home Coming by Elizabeth Noble)

“Oh, I don’t think so, not yet,” Taren chuckled again and stepped away from Ian. He grabbed the second bag from the counter. “I stopped at one of our favorite stores today. I found an interesting little gizmo.”

✿✿ THURSDAY #1 ✿✿ (Sound the Fairy Call by K.L. Noone)

“Go back to the part where you said abduction.”

“Was that not clear? You belong to me now.”

“Sorry,” Eoan said, and put the wine-skin down, very firmly. His lips tingled. Wild blueberries and dandelion ice lingered on his tongue. “I have people to go home to.”

“People.”

“Family. My mother. Don’t you have a mother? Or an acorn you hatched out of or something?”

“I doubt I’d fit into an acorn, and folklore has rather a lot to answer for. I can make you stay.”

“Yes,” Eoan agreed, watching the bone flute, watching slender fingers. “You could.”

The limpid labyrinths of those eyes changed. Annoyance; but interest too, hiding in the depths. “Stay.”

✿✿ THURSDAY #2 ✿✿ (Saved by Sam by Deirdre O’Dare)

Roy stood his ground. “Nobody’s come in for the past half-hour, officer.” The man might look like a Teutonic god, but his arrogant tone grated. “This is a quiet, orderly place. We don’t tolerate drug dealing, violence, or anything but law-abiding behavior.”

The gas-flame blue eyes flickered to him and as quickly away, in clear dismissal. When the policeman barked a harsh, guttural word, the dog left his side. It began to move around the room in a zigzag pattern, dark nose twitching.

✿✿ FRIDAY ✿✿ (The Amulet by Pelaam)

Seemingly of its own volition, Shaw’s gaze dropped from Drake’s eyes to the expanse of smooth golden chest revealed by a maroon silk shirt slashed in a deep ‘v’ almost to Drake’s navel. A pendant, that sat between toned pecs, reminded Shaw of an elliptical eyes and seemed to gaze unblinkingly back at him.

✿✿ SATURDAY ✿✿ (Truck Me All Night Long by J.D. Walker)

“Lonely? Me? Please.” Although… Well, no, I didn’t want to think about that right now. And this evening wasn’t supposed to be about me, anyway.

I turned to face Adrian, one eyebrow raised. “How can I be lonely, friend, when I have you to bust my balls all the time?” He had the decency to blush.