Summer plans. The clock is ticking, with one son home from college next week, and another finishing his freshman year at the beginning of June. Lots of fun to come!

Approaching the halfway mark on my YA space opera, and what twisty fun wild ride it is!

Things heated up for a minute so I was slipping into iced tea mode, but a sudden storm yesterday had me busting out the ingredients for a warm, spicy cup of chai. Yum.

I was planning to shout my love for Rise to the stars, but now I'm screaming in anguish. Why, NBC?!? How could you cancel this amazing, beautiful, gorgeously acted show?

Here's a random five off the space opera playlist: "Hellfire", Barns Courtney; "Blackbird Song", Lee DeWyze; "Wolves," Down Like Silver ; "Hold on for Your Life (acoustic), Sam Tinnesz; "Wicked Ones", Dorothy.

Space Opera, by Cat Valente. (Appropriate, no?) Seriously, though. This book. It's prickly and pointed and so, so funny. I love it!