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 168: February 9, 2020 – February 15, 2020

DAY	PACE	TIME	DISTANCE
Sunday	30 min/mile	30:33 min:sec	1 mile
Monday	30 min/mile	31:12 min:sec	1 mile
Tuesday	30 min/mile	30:21 min:sec	1 mile
Wednesday	30 min/mile	30:58 min:sec	1 mile
Thursday	30 min/mile	30:26 min:sec	1 mile
Friday	30 min/mile	30:28 min:sec	1 mile
Saturday	30 min/mile	30:30 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: The King’s Honour by JL Merrow, The Mistaken Fiancé by Kim Katil, 99 Problems by Becky Black, and A Pebble in the Water by Lisa Gray

The King’s Honour by JL Merrow

In this M/M retelling of the Grimm fairytale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Reuben, a soldier, is on his way to the castle to offer his services to the king, who is sorely troubled with the question of his family’s honour. His wayward daughters go out dancing every night, and refuse to tell how or where.

Walking through the forest, Reuben meets a handsome woodcutter, Corin, who offers to help him unravel the mystery of the dancing princesses. With the magical aid of Corin’s grandmother, the two set out together, mindful that their journey could end in sorrow. The king offers a rich prize to anyone who can discover the princesses’ secret — but the penalty for failure is death.

The Mistaken Fiancé by Kim Katil

Martin adores his fiancé. The handsome figment of his imagination shields him from the unwanted attentions of his creepy team lead. Until a work party forces Martin to either admit the truth or produce a fiancé out of a hat. In a panic, he arranges for a blind date to be his fake fiancé for the night. When he finds him at the bar, the rugged man is perfect.

Warner is charmed by the adorable stranger who introduces him as a fiancé to the entire tavern. He plays along until they leave the party and he has to admit he isn’t the blind date sent by Martin’s friend. Warner’s friendship with Martin’s boss means they need to continue the charade. But is it really a charade? Because he wants Martin for much more than a fake relationship.

99 Problems by Becky Black

Rob Catteneo takes charge of his family’s business, selling ice cream in a British seaside town, and finds their oldest competitor, Bianchi’s, is now being run by the youngest son, Chez. Chez was once a schoolmate but never a friend, because of their old family rivalry.

Rob’s interested in both a business partnership with Bianchi’s and a more personal relationship with Chez. But Chez is deep in the closet, terrified his very traditional family will discover he’s gay. A night together in a hotel gives Rob insight into Chez’s fears and vulnerability and he’s sure he can help, but Chez resists further business and personal overtures.

On an important summer weekend for both firms, Rob keeps a cool head in an ice cream emergency and helps Chez out, leaving Chez open to future propositions. Will this be the first step on the road to a sweet future together?

A Pebble in the Water by Lisa Gray

Stephen’s lover Emmett accuses him of being boring and way too predictable. To prove him wrong, Stephen plans a surprise romantic getaway to a cabin on the river. But Emmett has plans of his own for romance — ones that don’t include Stephen anymore.

Depressed at yet another break-up, Stephen wonders if it isn’t time to give up hope. But finding that elusive man he longs for — the one willing to risk everything to be with him — would take a miracle.

So Stephen travels alone to the cabin in search of a new perspective. Resolving to be more adventurous, he tries kayaking for the first time in his life. It’s great until he dozes off and wakes in the middle of a raging flood.

Terrified, he fights for his life, nearly losing his battle with the river. On the edge of surrender, he’s rescued by an unusual stranger who might not really exist.

Nothing makes any sense after that. Mystical explanations seem no less likely than rational ones. But does it matter? Because if Stephen wants an adventure, taking one last chance on love might turn out to be the best one of all.

My favorite lines this week…

✿✿ SUNDAY ✿✿ (The King’s Honour by JL Merrow)

Suddenly he shook his head. “But come, lover, let us not be melancholy, for there is music and moonlight, and ’twere a sin not to dance!”

So dance they did, alone and free in the gently light of the moon, while the waters of the lake lapped gently at the shores and the strains of the music wafted out to them on the breeze. And if truth be told, they did more than dance to show their love for one another.

✿✿ MONDAY ✿✿ (The Mistaken Fiancé by Kim Katil)

A demon had crawled into his mouth while he had slept and left behind fire and brimstone. Martin struggled to open his eyes before groaning.

“Hey, angel, I’ve brought you some more water. How are you feeling?”

Panic ran through Martin chasing away every vestige of lethargy. His eyes flew open and landed on a striking figure standing next to him. A very shirtless striking figure that made excitement of a different sort push aside the panic. Warner. His fake fiancé. Martin struggled to sit up, and Warner reached out to steady him.

✿✿ TUESDAY ✿✿ (The Mistaken Fiancé by Kim Katil)

“Why do you keep calling me angel? he asked, trying to sound reasonable rather than ridiculously hopeful.

“Oh, you just remind me of a slightly fallen angel.”

“Slightly fallen? How is that even possible?”

“Very, very carefully.” Warner grinned at him. “And I intend to keep working on it.”

✿✿ WEDNESDAY ✿✿ (99 Problems by Becky Black)

Their first pint went down fast. “Thirsty work,” Rob said.

“Been lucky with the weather.”

“Who, us or the happy couple?”

“Chez smiled. “Both.” He raised his glass. “To the happy couple. What were their names again?”

✿✿ THURSDAY ✿✿ (99 Problems by Becky Black)

Chez had insisted on hiding in the bathroom when the room service waitress delivered their food, and later when she returned to collect the empty plates. Maybe he feared he’d run into his Nana, moonlighting as a hotel waitress. Rob was surprised he hadn’t called out to Rob in a falsetto to put the waitress off the scent.

✿✿ FRIDAY ✿✿ (A Pebble in the Water by Lisa Gray)

He left the ravaged cheesecake in the center of the table. For anyone else but Emmett, that likely would be explanation enough. But not wanting there to be any question, he retrieved the torn box lid and scrawled on it: “I’ll be out of town for a few days. Should be enough time for you to move out. Leave the key.” There. Emmett wouldn’t be able to miss that message written in thick, black, felt-tipped pen on the bright pink box.

✿✿ SATURDAY ✿✿ (A Pebble in the Water by Lisa Gray)

Stephen sighed. God, it was so nice to be taken care of for a change. He wanted to thank Cal again for everything, but sleep was enfolding him too fast. He struggled against it long enough to feel soft, cool lips gently brush his. So Cal had claimed a kiss after all. Stephen smiled and let himself slide into darkness.