Simplification

Dear Bloggers,
 Do not be alarmed if you see I've unsubscribed to your email. In an effort to cut back on the immense amount of emails I get, I've decided to eliminate all emails from bloggers as I already follow  all of you on Google Friend Connect. This seemed a good idea at the time I signed up but I have since realized that I often end up going to your site anyway so why duplicate what I'm reading. 

Browse Inside "Fat Vampire" A Never Coming of Age Story by Adam Rex

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it's just not the same.

Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her—hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated—it's not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings. . . .

Searing, hilarious, and always unexpected, Fat Vampire is a satirical tour de force from one of the most original writers of fiction today.

Want the chance to check out the first 7 chapters of this book before 

plunking down your dough? Click HERE and Harper/Teen will let you do just that.

Read Pretty Little Liars for Free!

Read Pretty Little Liars for Free!

Pretty Little Liars is this summer's hottest new show and for a limited time you can read 100% of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard for free with Browse Inside Full Access!

Again, the wonderful people at Harper/Teen have offered a great free read. I'm sure this will be available for a short time, so if you want the opportunity to read it free click HERE

Books I've Bought, Swapped or Won for the Week of 6-27

  

Thumper Award- If You Can't Say Something Nice

What is the THUMPER AWARD you ask? Well, this is what I've decided to give a book that I did not finish. I'll always try to read at least 100 pages before I totally give up. And often, it may be a book that was just not my type or I may not have been in the mood to read it. If I've had lots of people tell me how good it was, it will probably go back on my shelf for a later try. If I complete it, no matter how much I struggled, I'll give it a star rating. As my moma always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all. 

FictFact - User Profile - alterlisa

FictFact - User Profile - alterlisa

FIRST CONTEST--100 Followers & Birthday Giveaway- ENDS 7/19

Wow, cannot believe that almost 6 months have passed since I officially started blogging. While only a little bit more HTML savvy (still have the Blogging for Dummies book unopened on my desk), I don't curse and pull my hair out quite as often. My biggest challenge is getting my reviews written in a timely fashion as for some reason I seem to be bogged down reading other blogs. I simply have to limit myself but hey reading your blogs is what got me started and I love to find yet more new ones to read. I must be more disciplined! I could read an extra book every other day if I could just step away from the computer. So anyway, I just want to thank all of you who have stopped by, looked, commented, and followed.  Following will be the only requirement. I will chose using random.org to choose YOU! I have a big (no I'm not saying which) birthday coming in mid July . I'll have at least three winners--1 to celebrate my 1/2 year blogaversity, 1 to celebrate my birthday, and 1 to thank my 100 followers. Should I get a bunch of new followers, I'll add an extra book and winner for each 25. Ends on 7/19-

I'll have a choice of books and let you decide which one you want. First winner gets their choice, second gets theirs and so on. At this time it is USA only as I only have two internationals but I will have another at the end of summer to celebrate the arrival of Fall. I will probably offer a gift card if the winner is an international as I hate to pay more for the shipping then the book cost. So keep your eyes open as this should be posted by the end of the week. 

Here are a few of the books that I've chosen to offer in the giveaway. There will be more as the week goes on. Hopefully, you will find one that you would enjoy. Anyone have any suggestions for one you'd like to have? Leave me a note and I'll see what I can do.

CONTEST: Your choice of

The Crazy School by Cornelia Read (pb gently read),

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent (pb new),

A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore (pb new),

Fallen by Lauren Kate (hb gently read)

Flirting With Forever by Gwyn Cready (pb new)

Embers by Laura Bickle (pb new)

Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo (pb new)

Wilde Thing by Janelle Denison (pb gently read)

To Sin With a Scoundrel by Cara Elliott (pb new)

Sexy Beast VIII by Kate Douglas (pb new)

Cars from a Marriage by Debra Galant (hb new)

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett (hb new)

The Language of Secrets by Diane Dixon (hb gently read)

- USA only

- Ends July 31st, 2010 Midnight EST- fill out the form Here

  

BOOK BLOGGER HOP June25

Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS http://www.crazy-for-books.com

Okay guy's it's FRIDAY! And you know what that means. Go get on over to Jennifer's and add your name to McLinky and get read to met and great new and old friends.

OPTIONAL TWIST:
On your blog hop post, tell us about some of the other great blogs you've found while Hopping around!
Tell us how you decide who to Hop to and check out. Last week, I used the entry #s and anyone who was divisible by 10, I visited. This week, I think I'll  visit every other site that their entry site # ends in a 2, staring with 22.

 If you sign MckLinky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG!  How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?

Brought to you by the # 2-
Can you tell someone watches Sesame Street? 

Blogs I visited this week

http://patriciasparticularity.blogspot.com/
http://cat-bookmagic.blogspot.com/
http://talesandtreats.blogspot.com/
http://priyaparmar.blogspot.com/
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/
http://starmetaloak.blogspot.com/
http://jessheartsbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.readingwithtequila.com/
http://www.hea-reviews.blogspot.com/
http://onlysexybooksallowed.blogspot.com/
http://emeraldfiresbookmark.blogspot.com/
http://booksaredreams.blogspot.com/
http://bookaddictreviews.blogspot.com/
http://www.ysprincess.blogspot.com/
http://literarymusings-blog.blogspot.com/
http://howardsherman.net/
http://bookgirl-mel.blogspot.com/
http://basicallyamazing.blogspot.com/
http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/
http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/

It's amazing but 4 or 5 of these were blogs that I was already familiar with and the rest were new to me. Well, I'm taking my hopper off to bed but will check out these blogs in much more dept over the week. So from one hopper to another---Night 

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Rooms: A Novel by James Rubart

                         THUMPER AWARD

Title: Rooms: A Novel

Author: James Rupart

Genre: Christian Fiction

Rating: DNF

Publishers Date: 4/01/11

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: B&H Books

ISBN: 0805448888

FTC Disclosure: This book was obtained, free of charge, through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks to B&H Publishing for providing me the chance to read and review it.

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend.

When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

Read probably the first 150 pages of this book and was really getting into it, when all of a sudden the paranormal that I thought I was reading evolved into Christian fiction. Now don't get me wrong, I on occasion do read CF, but this wasn't promoted as CF on Net Gallery. I selected the book thinking it was one thing and it was actually another. The blurb I read was as follows-

 Debut author and professional marketer Rubart has created a suspenseful tale in the vein of Ted Dekker's House, in which inexplicable happenings take over and direct a character's life. Twenty-five-year-old Micah Taylor receives a mysterious letter from a great-uncle he never knew informing him of a home built for him by said uncle. His interest piqued, Micah, a wealthy software company owner, takes off for the Oregon coast to visit his newly acquired 9,000-square-foot house. What he finds is a shape-shifting, mind-boggling revisiting of his past that jeopardizes his future. With only a handful of letters as his guide, Micah tries to summon up the courage to face old wounds that somehow are connected to various rooms in the house itself. As soon as Taylor opens one door, in floods a sea of memories that he must choose to face or run from.

Does that say Christian Fiction to you?  Sounds more like a fantasy or paranormal than CF. Even though this was free, my time was spent reading a book that I probably wouldn't have picked up and I don't like the bait and switch. After reading the Amazon reviews, I realized that apparently others were sucked in the same way, which is sad because all the 1 star ratings that the mislead gave it made it an average 3 star book rather than the 4 or even 5 star rating that it might have otherwise had. Looks like whoever decided not to be totally upfront on the genre of the book should have read their Bible verses more. 

OMG! OMG ! Finally After 31 years!

Earth's Children

1. The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980)

2. The Valley of Horses (1982)

3. The Mammoth Hunters (1985)

4. The Plains of Passage (1990)

5. The Shelters of Stone (2002)

6. The Land of Painted Caves (2011)

I don't know if any of you can appreciate the level of excitement that I experienced when I visited 

http://bookmarkyourthoughts.

blogspot.com/

to comment on her question--- 

Too long to wait for your book??

Is there a series that you love, that has had a longer than you like pause between it's last book and the next?

While knowing that it had been almost 8 years since Auel's last book, I clicked on over to FantasticFiction.com to confirm the beginning date of this series to see the most fantastic, wonderful, scream out loud news that this reader was dying to see. WE ARE GOING TO GET A NEW BOOK MARCH 2011! A NEW BOOK, A NEW BOOK I say, dancing around and around in a circle. Now you may be saying so-- but it was 2002 since we had the last one! The first book came out in 1980--31 years ago. I mean my gosh, that's before some of you were even born. I was just commenting today to a lady at our local used book store that I hoped I'd get to read at least one more of Auel's books before I got so old that I couldn't see to read them. 

Well, there goes my reading schedule shot all to hell cause I'll definitely be rereading this series in anticipation of the new book. Oh, boy can't wait to write the reviews for this 5 star series of books. If you like historical fiction (I'm talking cave dwelling people here), romance, action, adventure, mystery--this series is so great. OMG, I just can't wait.  

Sorry, Gena but as much as I anticipated  "Unraveled", nothing, I mean nothing is more anticipated than "The Land of Painted Caves".  I just can't believe it, I was off to bed an hour ago and thought I'll read just one more email and now, I so hyped up, I don't know if I can sleep or not.

Should publishing houses charge more for an eBook than a print book?

Once again BittenByBooks has asked a question that I and I'm sure other readers feel very strongly about. So stop by and leave your 2 cents worth. They also always have some fabulous contests and interviews with authors. For my 2 cents check the end of this post.
******************************************************

Welcome to the Bitten By Books poll of the week!! Polling runs through Sunday 6/27/10 at or around 11:00 pm CST. VOTE on the Right side of their site then stop there to tell them  “Should publishing houses charge more for an eBook than a print book?” And why you feel the way you do.  Tell me too!

Last week’s poll showed 115 out of 309 voters said they loved the book version of Eric Northman. 

Please comment as MUCH as you like. We want to hear from AUTHORS AND READERS alike! 

My 2 cents worth!

I imagine the publishing houses are going to charge the most they can and get by with. All I can say is it’s a damn good thing for them that I’m not the average book buyer. No way in hell would I pay more for a book that I can’t hold in my hands or loan to a friend if I want. I buy 90% MMP. For the same $25 I’d get 1 hardback, 1 1/2 trade size (and don’t get me started on these bulky things that do not fit in a purse) or 3 1/2 MMP. If a book I want to read is only available in HB or trade then I get it from a swap site, which is where I share all my books after reading them anyway. Why would I spend even more to put it on an electronic reader and heavens forbid should I lose it, then I’d be out a $300 ereader and thousands of dollars of ebooks in one swoop? It’s not that I mind spending the money on books, I probably spend $100 a month easily but I expect to get the most for that $100 that I can. Like I said, if all readers bought like I did, the publishing houses would drastically have to change their strategy or they’d go belly up.

HARPER/TEEN Browse Inside and Try Before You Buy Feature

Harper/Teen.com has a Browse Inside and Try Before You Buy Feature that I think is wonderful. They always have 4 or 5 full length books you can read for free (usually the first book of a series where there is a new book for the series coming out) and also a sample (3 or 4) chapters of new books that are about to be released. This is a great way to take a new book or author for a test drive. So if your in the mood for a test drive, check them out today.

Browse Inside this book Get this for your site

Browse Inside this book Get this for your site

TELL ME A SECRET

It's tough living in the shadow of a dead girl. . . .

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda's death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister's world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

When two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears, Miranda is stripped of her former life. She must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister's demons and her own.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her own future.

WAYFARER

In a time of deadly crisis, Linden alone has the power to save her people.

The faeries of the Oak are in danger of extinction, and their only hope for survival rests in fifteen-year-old Linden. Armed with the last of her people's magic, she travels bravely into the modern human world. Along the way she makes a reluctant ally—a human boy named Timothy.

Soon Linden and Timothy discover a danger much worse than the Oakenfolk's loss of magic: a potent evil that threatens to enslave faeries and humans alike. In a fevered, desperate chase across the country, Tim and Linden must risk their lives to seek an ancient power before it's too late to save everyone they love.

R. J. Anderson has artfully crafted a world of stunning magic, thrilling adventure, and delicate beauty, where the key to the future is in an unexpected, forbidden friendship.

Board Books For Babies

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents" 

     (Emilie Buchwald)

I received a baby shower invitation a while back and was tickled that one of the items that the givers of the shower requested was that we bring a favorite children's book to help fill the new arrival's bookcase. Well, as you can see, I was unable to pick just one. And what was so wonderful is that Barnes and Nobles carries so many children's books as board books. Great for little ones to handle.

If you read one of my earlier posts you know that "Go, Dog, Go!" was my youngest son's favorite and of course I had to include my daughter's favorite, "Stellaluna". If you've never read or heard the story of Stellaluna especially if you have a young child in the family, you owe it to them to get this book right away. 

My daughter used to check this book out at least once a month at school because she loved it so much. It's the story of a baby fruit-bat that gets seperated from it's mother and the lessons she learns about friendship. 

It's a wonderful story that little ones never get tired of hearing, over and over. When my daughter's school had a book fair, we were encouraged to donate a book to the school library. Well, every year for 5 years we bought the same book and donated it. Yep, you got it, "Stellaluna". As my daughter said, "Now, Momma more than one of us can get "Stellaluna" at the same time.

BOOK BLOGGER HOP June18

Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS http://www.crazy-for-books.com

Here are Jennifer's instructions.

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a placejust for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get nearly 200 links every week!! 

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know!  Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added!  And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

OPTIONAL TWIST:

On your blog hop post, tell us about some of the other great blogs you've found while Hopping around!
 DISCLAIMER:
The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs.  It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest.  So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week.  This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine!  We'll see you next week!

If you sign MckLinky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG!  How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?


These are some of the blogs I visited this week. Come check them out with me!
http://readitseeitblogit.blogspot.com/
http://and-the-plot-thickens.blogspot.com/
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog.html
http://mandasmovements.blogspot.com/
http://myrandomactsofreading.blogspot.com/
http://bookenddiaries.blogspot.com/
http://www.cookiesbooksbikes.com/
http://jacobsbeloved.blogspot.com/
http://aisleb.tumblr.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/
http://www.divasbookcase.blogspot.com/
http://leaveyoureyesbehind.blogspot.com/
http://addictofromance.blogspot.com/
http://bookreviews.me.uk/
http://robsad79.blogspot.com/
http://pettywitter.blogspot.com/
http://theblackcell.net/blog/
http://wormyhole.blogspot.com/
http://www.mediareaper.com/
http://she-is-too-fond-of-books.blogspot.com/
http://tarawriter.blogspot.com/
http://tanu-elmyra.blogspot.com/
http://zoereads.blogspot.com/
http://uneparole.blogspot.com/
http://www.blackfingernailedreviews.blogspot.com/
http://literarysoundtrack.blogspot.com/
http://thesmartyowl.blogspot.com/
http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/
http://www.anovelreview.com/
http://www.25hourbooks.com/
http://bettyboochronicles.blogspot.com/
http://novelconfessions.blogspot.com/

Wow, my hopper is about hopped out!

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