BlogFest 2010 Winner!

I'm proud to announce that the winner of my fantasy reader gift bundle is:

Melissa @ Books R Us

Thank you all, again, for participating! BlogFest 2010 was a huge success!

Melissa, I'll be emailing you.

BlogFest 2010 Ends

BlogFest 2010 has come to a close. Thank you all for participating! 

I had so much fun working through the blogs, visiting some I've never seen before, entering contests. 

I hope you had fun too!

I can't believe how many people turned out to enter my contest! 

Seriously. I didn't expect this much of a response.

And several of you joined my followers! Awesome!

You're probably waiting for a winner announcement....you'll just have to wait. 

This is a filler post. I'll do another post soon with the winner's name. 

And the winner is........

Out of 38 total entries, Carey was chosen to be the recipient of the $60 gift card from CSN stores......and will also be receiving a surprise romance novel from me! Congratulations, Carey! I will be emailing you soon for your shipping address.

My blog is 1 year old!!

I love birthdays! Don't you?  And while I adore receiving birthday gifts, I've learned a lil something from my husband and now I also enjoy giving other people gifts on my birthday. My blog's birthday works just as well for me.....I've got goodies to give away!

One of the bloggy-birthday gifts I'm giving is a $60 gift card to any of the CSN stores. They have dozens...hundreds...of different stores and products to choose from. Personally, I like the book case store and the bedding stores, but you can use it where ever you want.

The other gift, which I decided to add just now (literally), is a surprise. Sort of. The winner of the gift card will have the opportunity to choose from three categories of books.  I will then surprise them with a book of my choice . (Hey it's my bloggy birthday, I pick what you read!)  If the winner of the gift card doesn't choose a genre then a separate, different winner will be chosen from those who did, to receive the book.

Please spread the word! Birthdays are better with friends!

Fill out the form to enter!

So excited!

In honor of this blog's birthday, CSN has kindly given me a $60 gift certificate to share with my followers. Since we're all readers here, maybe you'll choose a new book case, or maybe something to spruce up your bed. Curling up someplace comfy does sound good doesn't it?

On the anniversary of my first post, July 16, I'll post about the actual contest. It will run until July 31...giving you lots of time to enter, hope, and plan what you'll use the gift certificate on. Plus, I'll probably throw in some other goodies.

How does that sound for a birthday party?

Want a Sony EReader?

Shiloh Walker  is hosting a huge contest to promote the release of her new book.

If you'd like your chance to win one, you have a couple options. Both of these are listed on her blog. Check there for full details.

1. Buying a copy of the book

2. Blog about the contest

Book summary from author's site:  

One woman, one man, and a love that won’t let either of them go.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks and dealt a fair share of hardship, Nikki Kline never gives up a fight. Even when her reason to keep going is ripped from her, Nikki tries desperately to hang on. But when the man who broke Nikki’s heart comes back into her life she doesn’t know how much she can take. Especially since that man seems determined to win back her damaged heart.

Wade Lightfoot is a man who knows he’s made more mistakes than most. As much as he would like to repair the damage he’s done to those he loves, Wade also knows there is no going back. But when he sets out to put things right the last thing he’s prepared to find out is that he had a son. A son he’ll never get the chance to meet.

When the truth is out and all the old wounds are bared, it seems impossible that Nikki and Wade will find their way back to each other. But true love is an undeniable force that even past hurts can’t destroy.

This book has been previously published and has been revised from its original release.

Warning: This title contains heartbreaking tragedy, lies and deception, and a scorching passion that nothing can deny.

Now, go enter! ;)

The Twilight Gospel

*Source: Sent to me, for free, from LitFuse Group in exchange for my honest review and participation in the blog tour.*

You've read the novels, yes? Now what are you to do, as a responsible reader, if you want to get something more out of the Twilight series beyond a teen Romeo and Juliet like vampire fantasy? Mr. Roberts tackles this exact idea.

So often popular books and movies get dismissed as being poor moral influences on our young readers. Sometimes parents, educators, and clergy will even try to ban or forbid certain texts.....usually only with limited success. Mr. Roberts does, with this novel, something I wish more people would do. Instead of dismissing or banning the book he takes a closer look at both the postives and negatives in order to spark thought and discussion.

This book is a mere 155 pages....practically a pamphalet when compared to the novels it is discussing. However, the author is able to touch on a variety of topics. He tackles some of the obvious plot points....vampires....sex, but also many topics that are not usually pointed to.

Discussion Points / Chapters

1. Forgiveness

2. Loving Your Neighbor

3. Violence

4. Sacrifice

5. The Unborn

6. Money

7. Sex

8. Power

Overall: This is not an in depth study of the Twilight novels. It is a good solid conversation starter for parents. I wouldn't recommend just handing this book to a young Twilight fan, but it does give the grown-ups in their live an idea of where to start the conversation.

Other reviews and blog tour participants: http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-twilight-gospel-by-dave-roberts.html

A Contest!

Be sure to TWEET This to be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!

TWEET THIS: Understand cultural and Biblical insights surrounding The Twilight Saga by reading #TheTwilightGospel. Please RT! http://ow.ly/1vjc6

(Or anything about it, but must use hashtag #thetwilightgospel to be entered)

Winners!!!

The Winners
of the
Heretic's Daughter Giveaway:

1. #43 Stacey
2. #109 Anita Yancey
3. #5 Cheddar Fish
4. #103 Karen K.
5. #126 TwiFanHeather

Thank you all for participating! You've given me lots of suggestions for witch books and movies to get a hold of. Winners, be on the look out for my email to you. I need your names and mailing addresses. Thanks, also, to Hachett Book Group for sponsoring this giveaway!

Giveaway!

The Heretic's Daughter

I love tales about the witch trials and those that were accused. I think this may have started some of my liking of all things paranormal. Witches fall into that category for me.....in most cases. In the spirit of Halloween and all things witchy, I have 5 copies of The Heretic's Daughter to give away!

From the Hachett Website: Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.
Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.

The Details:

These books are offered by the Hachett Book Group. The contest will run from today through October 27th. I'll choose the winner through Random.org. The winners will be sent their books via Hachett. Open to US and Canada only.

How To Enter:

+1 Leave a comment that includes your name and email
+1 Be a follower
+1 Become a follower
+2 Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest (include @name and the link to the tweet)
+1 Spread the word however you wish (included links)
+3 What are your favorite witch stories, books, movies?
Please put all of your entries into one comment.....makes it easier on you and me.


Good Luck!

Give Away!

I know I don't have a large following. In fact, I'm pretty sure only two or three people (all people I know and love) have even bothered looking at my book lists, but that's alright. You see, I really enjoyed the last book I reviewed ~ The Imposter's Daughter. I want to share this book with someone. If you'd like to read this book, leave me a comment with your address (or a comment with your email so I can get your addy).

Fun will be had by all!

Things to read

Since this blog was started with the purpose of chronicling the books I read, I thought it might be good to talk about what's in the works. Over the past month I've been busy on twitter entering book give-away contests. (Hey! Free books are da bomb!) I've even won a few of the contests. All told there should be 6 books and an awesome book themed tote back heading my way. Assuming all goes well and nosey neighbors don't decide to help themselves to any packages (we've had packages left on our door step (to be found later when we're home) that were obviously opened, rifled through, and the contents picked over for anything they deem as good.) the books should be showing up any time now. Actually, two have already made their way to me. I just finished reading the advance copy of "The Imposter's Daughter" which was sent to me by Little, Brown publishing and today I'm diving into "Surrender of a Siren" by Tessa Dare. She's a lovely woman I follow on Twitter. I can't wait!

Also, due to my affinity for young adult novels I've been entering quite a few giveaways for them as well. Today, I'm entering one for a werewolf book. I don't read a lot of werewolf fiction, so this will be a new experience for me. I thought I'd share the contest links since the blogger doesn't require that you be a twitter user to enter. Here is the contest page: Werewolf YA Book Contest!

And where was I?

A few weeks ago there was a conference I'd love to go to, but alas, as far as I know it is for romance novel authors. I am not one of those, just a humble reader. At the conference Harlequin gave away some quite nifty tote bags. Several different women, who I follow on blogs, hosted contests that included books and the coveted bag. So, I entered.

And then promptly forgot to check the results.

Until today when I received an email with a link to this blog post: Lusty Giveaway!

That's right....I'm a winner! I'm so going to carry all my teachery things around in that bag!


And Charolette.......thank you again for notifying me!