Happy New Year 2013

I will be giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble Giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Linky code:

2013 Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013


Welcome to the third annual Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge! I'm still loving the cozies and this is one of the few challenges I plan to continue hosting.

To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.

So, here are the rules...

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:
Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 and ends December 31, 2013.

3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.

NOTE: If you don't have a blog and want to participate, that's fine. You don't have to have a blog, just post in the comments section as you finish books. If you belong to a site like Goodreads and review the books there, that's fine too. Just leave us the link.

6. Take the button above, put it on your blog and post about the challenge. Then add your name to Mr. Linky below. Just click here. Please use the link of your challenge post, not the link to your home page.

7. I'm going to have one link for signing up, one link for completed reviews and one link for your wrap up posts. I won't be having a monthly link, just one for all reviews read for this challenge.

I'm not going to be using the Cruisin' thru the Cozies blog I started last year. I'm going to keep it simple with everything at this blog. Too many blogs was getting confusing :)


This reading challenge is hosted by Socrates’ Book Review Blog. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Foodie's Read 2013 Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013


Margot @ Joyfully Retired has decided that she no longer wants to continue with the Foodie's Read challenge. She offered me the chance to start hosting the challenge, which I am thrilled to do.

Many of us who love to eat also love to read. But we go beyond that. We love to read about food. If that is you, then you are invite to join us in the Foodies Read Challenge for 2013. This is the second year in which we’ll indulge ourselves with good food writing.

If you are new to a food/reading challenge, you may be wondering – what is a “food book”? A food book is a book which is centered around food and/or drinks. That could be a cookbook, a food biography or memoir, a non-fiction book focused around a specific food, wine, chef or restaurant. Also allowed is a fictional story in which food plays a major role.

Here’s how the challenge works:
1. Decide how many food books you want to read in 2013. Pick one of the reading levels below. Remember, this is a challenge, so try pushing yourself.
Levels:
Short-Order Cook: 1 to 3 books
Pastry Chef: 4 to 8 books
Sous-Chef: 9 to 13 books
Chef de Cuisine: 14 to 18
Cordon-Bleu Chef: More than 19
2. Grab the challenge button and write a post on your blog so we can spread the word. No blog? That’s okay. Sign up in the comments section.
3. After you read each book for the challenge, come back here and tell us about it. Click on the correct category for your book (on the menu bar) and post the link to your review. We’ll use the same categories as last year: Cookbooks, Memoirs/Biographies, Fiction, and Nonfiction. I’ll also include a page where you link up your Challenge Wrap-Up post.

Guidelines:

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2013.

You don’t need a pre-selected list of books.

It’s okay to cross over with other challenges.

Any book format is allowed (print, audio, ebook)


This reading challenge is hosted by Foodie’s Read 2013. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

50 States Challenge 2013

please see this post.

2013 WHERE Are You Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

3rd year running and OH I love this challenge! As the host of the weekly What Are you reading meme, I find it awesome that I get to host the WHERE Are You Reading Challenge each year. What is the point of this challenge? It is to try to read in each of the 50 States between January 1 2013 – December 31, 2013.

How do you decide what state a book is categorized under?

1. In a fiction read it would be the State or Country that the book spends the most time in. (i.e.. If your main character is from Wisconsin but the book is all about his/her time in college in California – the books should categorize under California….)

2. Non fiction reads categorize in whatever State or Country it is about (i.e.…. a book about fly fishing in Colorado is a Colorado point, and a book about women in Afghanistan is an Afghanistan point.

3. If the book goes from one state to another… go with the state that most of the time is spent.

How to get started
Set up a map under Google Maps. It is easy to do! Every time you read a book in 2012, upload a cover picture to Picasa Web Albums (there may be other sites to use, feel free to use what works best for you).

Once you are ready and have your map set up please create a blog post (those who have blogs) using the Challenge picture of the map I provided above as well as link to this post so others may join in. Then come back and link that post here to Mr. Linky (below) so I as well as other participants know that you are participating and we can pop in throughout the year to check out your map and how we are all doing. I will post a linky at the end of each month so participants can check in with their own post of how they are doing. I will offer a $10 amazon gift card to one lucky participant who does a check in post at the end of each month and links it.

This is actually a fun and easy challenge as all books you read qualify and it will be fun to see where you generally read books from as well as searching out books to fill in areas that you need.

For those who have covered the 50 states by the end of 2013, they will go into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble or to Amazon. ** All other areas beyond the 50 states are bonus points and we will have a drawing using random.org for those who read 10 or more books throughout 2013 in that category.

You can see my map I worked on in 2011 here to see what the map looks like and how the pictures link to the reviews. (If you zoom in you will see the individual areas I read in and clicking on the blue pins will show you what book it was and clicking on the picture will take you to the post!

That’s it! Here is a link to tips on how to do it. Any other questions – please leave them in the comments section below.

I can’t wait to see WHERE You Are Reading!

This reading challenge is hosted by Book Journey. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

1. Uzbekistan: Picture Book by Planet Collection
2. Egypt by Planet Collection
3. Ethiopia: Picture Book

2013 Sequel Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

Welcome to the 2013 Sequel Challenge, hosted by me! I personally am TERRIBLE about reading the first book in a series and never going any farther. I don't know why, but for some reason series intimidate me (especially if it's longer than a trilogy). I searched and searched for a challenge like this and couldn't find one, so I decided to make my own!
The goal: To read as many sequels as you can. You set your goal at whatever number works for you.
Guidelines
1. The challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st.
2. Any books started before Jan. 1 will not count.
3. Any book after the first book in a series counts. Books in the same series also count.
4. Novellas also count, as long as it is after book #1. (ex: #1.5, #2.5, etc.)
5. Sign ups will be open until December 1st, 2013.
6. Add the URL of your challenge post to the linky widget. (If you'd like to wait, it's ok to use your blog URL and send me your link when you get the post up)
7. At the end of each month I will post a linky for you to add your sequel reviews to.
8. I will try to do some giveaways throughout the year for participants (as long as I can afford it).
9. There will be a giveaway at the end of the year for all participants who completed the challenge.

This reading challenge is hosted by Auntie Spinelli Reads. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

M.C. Beaton Cozy Mystery Challenge

M.C. Beaton Cozy Mystery Challenge (Perpetual)
(I'm Starting January 1, 2013 - ??????)

Here are the challenge details:

1. This is a perpetual challenge, which means there is no end date. You will finish the challenge whenever you finish both series! Take as much time as you need.

2. The challenge will begin on December 9, 2012. You can join the challenge at any time, whether you haven't yet started either series or are already halfway through.

3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges.

4. You do not need a blog to participate! If you are not a blogger, you can post your reviews at Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing and link them up here.

5. All formats of books are acceptable: Bound copies, e-books, and audiobooks (as long as they are unabridged).

6. There will be a link-up for your reviews, which will be posted on THIS page.

7. There will be a link for your challenge progress at the end of each year (starting in 2013).

8. Create a sign-up post and link back to this post. Sign up with Mister Linky below! Be sure to use the direct url to your sign-up post and not the url to your blog.

9. Grab the challenge button and post it in your sidebar.

This challenge will include both the Agatha Raisin series and the Hamish Macbeth series. Because there are so many books, I have decided to make this a Perpetual Reading Challenge, which means that there is no ending date! Take as much time as you need to finish both series!

The books in the Agatha Raisin series are:
1. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
2. Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet
3. Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener
4. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley
5. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage
6. Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist
7. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death
8. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham
9. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden
10. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam
11. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell
12. Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came
13. Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate
14. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House
15. Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance
16. Agatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon
17. Agatha Raisin and Love, Lies and Liquor
18. Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye
19. Agatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison
20. Agatha Raisin: There Goes the Bride
21. Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body
22. Agatha Raisin: As The Pig Turns
23. Agatha Raisin: Hiss and Hers
And for the enthusiast: The Agatha Raisin Companion


The books in the Hamish Macbeth series are:
1. Death of a Gossip
2. Death of a Cad
3. Death of an Outsider
4. Death of a Perfect Wife
5. Death of a Hussy
6. Death of a Snob
7. Death of a Prankster
8. Death of a Glutton
9. Death of a Travelling Man
10. Death of a Charming Man
11. Death of a Nag
12. Death of a Macho Man
13. Death of a Dentist
14. Death of a Scriptwriter
15. Death of an Addict
16. A Highland Christmas
17. Death of a Dustman
18. Death of a Celebrity
19. Death of a Village
20. Death of a Poison Pen
21. Death of a Bore
22. Death of a Dreamer
23. Death of a Maid
24. Death of a Gentle Lady
25. Death of a Witch
26. Death of a Valentine
27. Death of a Sweep
28. Death of a Kingfisher

2013 Mystery/Crime Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

I love a good mystery, my favorite authors include Agatha Christie, James Patterson, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; so I thought that having a reading challenge for 2013 that includes reading mystery/crime novels and short stories would be fun, even if I turn out to be the only one participating! So here are the rules should you want to join in the fun:

1.) The challenge starts January 1, 2013 and ends December 31, 2013.
2.) You can read any novel, short story or author just so that the genre is mystery/crime.
3.) 1 novel counts as 1 novel( 1 novel is anything over 100 pages) of course but you will have to read 5 short stories to count as 1 novel.
4.) There will be a monthly post for you to add a link or links to your post showing the progress that you have made so far.
5.) Each month there will be a drawing for those that linked up their participation in the challenge for that month the prize is a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble or Amazon. These gift cards are delivered via email so you can only use it at Barnes and Noble.com not the store and of course Amazon is all online anyway.

If you don't have a blog you can also link up through GoodReads or Flickr (for Flickr just keep track by having a picture of the novel and then numbering them in the description so I know where you are at in the challenge).

If you read a certain number of novels you receive a rank at the end I will award a secret prize to the person who reads the most books:
5 books= Detective
10 books = Sergeant
15 books = Lieutenant
20 books = Captain
25 books = Chief
30+ books = Sherlock Holmes


For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge 2013

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

I intend to make a small dent in my TBR pile this year, beginning with challenging myself to read 24 (gasp!) this year. Yes, I originally said 12, but I’m trying to push myself, and it’s not as if it should be a chore. I acquired the darned things because I wanted to read them, right? Right!

So here we go. Since I’m so last-minute with this I will allow people to sign up through January 8, though the challenge begins January 1.

RULES: To be considered a TBR book, you must own it prior to Jan 1, 2013. The book can count toward other challenges, as well. It can be fiction or nonfiction, poetry or play, as long as it is a book. This is not a picky challenge–just about reading the riches we already own.

On the last day of each month I will post an entry where you can say how many TBRs you read that month, titles, and whether you liked them or not. Full-blown reviews not required. You can list them in comments or link back to your own blog or page where they are listed.

At the end of the year I will have pretty badges for all levels, and if I haven’t learned to create them by myself, hopefully somebody else will make them for me.

There are five levels of accomplishment (and a bonus challenge) in the Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge.

Copper: Read 6 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bronze: Read 12 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Silver: Read 24 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013

Gold: Read 36 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Platinum: Read 50 TBR books between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2013.

Bonus Challenge! The same levels are also available for digital samples. If you are like me, you also have a quizillion samples you’ve downloaded onto your e-reader. Culling through samples and deciding whether to keep reading or not is a separate challenge with all five levels and the same year-end prize–a special badge.

So, are you in? And have I left anything out? I’ve never done this before, so let me know if I need to adjust anything or add anything! Use Mister Linky to link to your blog or wherever you might announce your participation in this challenge, and leave a comment below to say which will be your goal for 2013. You will get the appropriate badge/prize for whatever you read, whether you come in under or over your goal.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Author Interview: Dead Running by Cami Checketts

Little Blurb about yourself:
Cami is a wife to a daredevil husband; a mother to four future WWF Champions, an exercise scientist trying to make her corner of the world healthier; and a wanna-be saint struggling to behave like a Christian while dealing with a two-year old.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
My mom. I was fighting postpartum depression after the birth of my second son and napping, a lot. My mom came over to visit, dragged me out of bed, and said, "Go write a book." (Can't you just hear her that Mother tone?) I started writing that afternoon and haven't had time for a nap since.

2. How long did it take you to write Dead Running?
Two months to write it, almost a year to revise and polish.

3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
Too often! I write whatever comes to me through nightmares and while running or walking. Once I get the main part of the book down, I have to start revising and it is always a mess. One of these days I'm going to actually plot a book and save myself a lot of stress.

4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
Children's section. Oh, wait, did you mean I actually went on an errand without one of my boys? Hmm. Romance, definitely.

5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Four adult books. A young adult with each of my older boys and hundreds of pictures books with my younger two (Unless I can weasel Dad or older brothers into reading, "Darth Maul's Revenge" for the twentieth time).

6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
That is tough. I love heroines who are tough and funny, but I can't think of one right now. How about Jane from Shannon Hale's Austenland. She cracked me up.

7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
1. I love dark chocolate - I talked myself into giving up milk because dark was healthier and now I not only adore dark but I don't have to share my treats with anyone!
2. I teach a strength training class at the local rec and am a complete dork: I fall off my step, tell them stupid jokes, and breathe heavily into the microphone. It's amazing anyone comes to the class.
3. I dance. Horribly. Yet every morning we turn on the music and my boys let me make a fool of myself.
4. I used to play the piano really well until I chopped off three of my fingers in a lawnmower. My poor mother cried over 15 years of piano lessons wasted.
5. I think training for a marathon is the coolest experience. Your mind conquers over your body and you lose toenails. Fun, eh?

8. Your favorite Genre?
Clean romantic suspense.

9. What are you currently reading?
Line of Fire by Rachel Ann Nunes

10. What is the best book you've read?
That is another tough question. Nonfiction: The Bible and The Book of Mormon. Hard for any other book to compare to those two. Fiction: Shadow Song by Dorothy Keddington.

11. Any new projects coming up?
I'm writing another short sequel to Dead Running, picking up on Cassidy's adventures after Dying to Run.
I'm also polishing a conspiracy thriller entitled, Blog This, about a mom who blogs against violent video games and is rewarded with a hitman knocking on her door. It scares the crap out of me.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog!
Warmest wishes,
Cami

Dead Running



Cassidy Christensen is running.

Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.

Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.

Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.



With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.



Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.



This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Author Cami Checketts



Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.



Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.



Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

Links

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog

Blog Tour Giveaway!



$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Cami Checketts

3 Sets of iFrogz Earbuds & Armbands





Ends 1/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





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Jillian Dodd Promo Event

“THANK YOU Jillian for all that you do!”
Friends of Jillian Dodd are showing their appreciation!
In appreciation for the hard work and effort indie author Jillian Dodd does behind the scenes for authors, her writing friends are offering YOU the chance to win one of her books! You can choose from one of the Keatyn Chronicles: STALK ME or KISS ME. Or maybe you prefer one of the titles in the That Boy series: THAT BOY or THAT WEDDING. All books are New Adult contemporary romance. Good luck!

STALK ME - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13557124-stalk-me
Gossip girl meets Hollywood in this new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd.

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed of. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore.

Because really, things aren’t all that perfect.
Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam.
Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to.
It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect.
And deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom’s long-time fan has turned stalker.
An older man is flirting with her and telling her they should make a movie together.
And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating a guy like him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.
But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

KISS ME - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16073993-kiss-me
I've always written scripts for my perfect life.
But no way could I have ever scripted this.
My life is so far from perfect, it’s not even funny.
All because of a stalker.

I’m at a boarding school where I have to lie about who I am.
I can’t see my family.
I’m tutoring a Hottie God that tortures me with his smile.
The most popular girl already hates me.
But there’s this boy.
This hot, sweet, sexy boy.
So I’m going to stop trying to script my life and just live it.
Because who knows how long I have left.

THAT BOY - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11382346-that-boy
That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

THAT WEDDING - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13361570-that-wedding
The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness.
I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy.
The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after.

But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions.
His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past.
I have horrible wedding disaster dreams.
I can’t find the perfect dress.
I have to manipulate him to get my way.
An old boyfriend asks me to run away with him.
My best friend says I'm going to ruin everything.
And forever starts to sound like a really long time.

Which totally freaks me out and makes me question everything I know.

Should best friends get married?
Will my past affect our relationship?
Are my horrible dreams a warning?
Will I ever find a dress?
Could his sexiness be clouding my judgment?
Am I going to ruin everything?
Or is it just a case of cold feet?

And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or am I going to listen to my heart and marry him?

About the Author

Jillian is the author of the That Boy series and The Keatyn Chronicles. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She lives in Texas with her family.

Author social media links:
Facebook
Twitter
Pintrest

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Library Books Reading Challenge 2013

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
Our love of reading can be expensive! Not only are we purchasing books but we also need space to keep them. I've started using the library (again) but couldn't find a challenge to help me. Here it is. There are a number of levels, for those who don't have a library card yet to those that live there. Enjoy!
Requirements:
• choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
• check books out of the library
• books may overlap with other challenges
• any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
• reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is.
• a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in

Levels:
• board book - 3
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• adult - 36 I'll be trying this level
• just insert IV - 50

This reading challenge is hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

2013 Sports Romance Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

The rules are simple!

Challenge does NOT start until January 1, 2013. Ends December 31 2013.

Please make a post about this challenge linking back to this post

Crossover's with other challenges are okay, ebooks are okay!

Any sport works for this challenge, as long as one of the main characters plays and it's romance based.

Levels:

Pee Wee: 1-3 books

Jr. Varsity: 4-7 books

Varsity: 8-11 books

Pro: anything over 11 books



This reading challenge is hosted by Crazy Book Slut. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

150+ Reading Challenge for 2013

For me 100 books is not a problem to read for one year. I know there are a lot of people out there who can read more than the base line of 100.
So....this year I am not only challenging myself, I am going to challenge you to read even more this year!
The goal is to reach 150+ books for this challenge. Now don't get discouraged! I know 150 books or more sounds like a lot. When you read the rules below though, you will find that it is quite easy to reach 150 books.
Don't be shy! Come sign up and spread the word! The challenge doesn't officially start until January 1st, 2013. Only books read on this date or after count towards the challenge.

DETAILS/RULES:


1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.
3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 thru December 31, 2013. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.
6. When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
READY......SET.....SIGN UP!!!!

For more information and to sign-up

1. Uzbekistan: Picture Book by Planet Collection
2. Egypt by Planet Collection
3. Ethiopia: Picture Book

Romance Reading Challenge 2013

Without further ado, here are the rules:

1. The challenge runs from January 1st, 2013 through December 31st, 2013.
2. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.
3. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.
All kinds of books count, ebooks and audiobooks too.
If you are looking for suggested reading see Best Romance Novels Today or Romance Novels on Wiki or check out Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts, to name a few.

4. Read your book selections at your own pace in 2012 then post the link to your review(s). You don't need to have a blog, posting your reviews on Goodreads and LibraryThing counts as well. If you do have a blog and are joining us, please consider linking back to this post either with text or with one of the buttons provided below to help spread the word.

I hope you will join us! Happy reading :)

Sign up here

This year, I am hosting two giveaways for those who participate. One winner will be announced on February 14th, Valentines Day. The other winner will be announced on June 1st.

The giveaway prize is:
A $15.00 U.S. Amazon Gift E-Card or a $15.00 U.S. Barnes & Noble Gift E-Card.

To enter to win:
1. Sign up for the Romance Reading Challenge 2013.
2. You have to have a minimum of one book read and reviewed for the challenge. Everyone who joins the RRC this year and has at least one book read and reviewed for the challenge will be eligible to win a gift card. Each book read and reviewed for the RRC gives you one entry. So the more books you read and review, the more times your name will go in the draw. I'll use Mr. Linky to keep track of books reviewed so make sure to link your reviews there.
3. Leave me a comment on this post with your valid email addy. Let me know which gift e-card you prefer.
4. I will announce the winning name at my blog on the two dates I mentioned. I will also notify the winner via email. If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours, the first runner up will be chosen.

Good luck and happy reading! Contest is open worldwide.

2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge

January 1st, 2013 to December 31, 2013

Are you a book addict? Well, are you? Are you that person who is always seen with your nose buried between the pages and never without a book or two nearby? Perhaps, your looking for the ultimate reading challenge?
Well then, the 2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge is just for you!
This is the place where I challenge you to read... -a- latte!

Here are the challenge details:
1. This challenge will begin on January 1st, 2013 and end December 31, 2013.
2. Books for this challenge can be from any genre and may include print books as well as e-books (please, no audio books). Sign-ups will close on September 1, 2013.

Choose a Level:
Latte 75 books
Cappuccino 100 books
Double-Espresso 150+ books

3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges.
4. You do not need a blog to participate! If you are not a blogger, you can post your reviews at Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing and link them up here.
5. I will create a new post each month with a linky for your reviews. Also, I'll be offering quarterly reader gifts to the top three participants. I'll announce the winners on the last day of every three months. And at the end of the challenge I'll have a special bonus for the top three overall participants.
6. Create a sign-up post and link back to this post. Sign up with Mister Linky below! Be sure to use the direct url to your sign-up post and not the url to your blog.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

1. Uzbekistan: Picture Book by Planet Collection
2. Egypt by Planet Collection
3. Ethiopia: Picture Book

The Erotic Literature Reading Challenge

The Erotic Literature Reading Challenge

January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013

Here are the details…
• The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
• You can choose you level of commitment

First Base - 1-3 books
Second Base - 4-7 books
Third Base - 8-11 books
Let’s go all the way,baby! -12 and more

(Ok, maybe those level names are kind of lame but it’s late at night. If you have other suggestions,I’m all ears)
• You can read short stories,novels,memoirs, or even audiobooks. Just as long as they all are considered erotica.
• You don’t have to pre-select what you’re going to read or submit any list prior to joining in. Just jump in and read what you want throughout the year
• When you’ve finished a book you can:
Write a review on your own blog and enter the link in Mr Linky below OR
Give a mini-review in the comment section here if you don’t have a blog

Depending on how things go throughout the year (for me…not you all), I’d like to have a drawing periodically for an appropriately themed prize (sex toys, maybe?) . If that happens, it would be done in a drawing based on how many entries you have in the Mr Linky section or per review in the comments…so make sure you update with your reviews ! Even if we don’t have a drawing, it’s still nice to read other’s reviews to get more ideas of books you can add to your To Read List, right?
I’ll make a button you can put on your own blog one of these days very soon, so check back to grab that.

Looking for some suggestions of what to read? Here’s some : Best Erotica for the Well-Read Woman (with more to be added. I also will probably add some as the challenge goes on based on positive reviews)
Ok. Now go find some hot books to read.

For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Sunday Post Edition #2

This Week @ Books, Books The Magical Fruit

Author Interview – Char Chaffin : A Soulmate for Christmas Anthology
Book Bash:Author Interview: Snow by Kathryn Hewitt
Book Blast/Giveaway: Faith by Heather Bixler
Bookmark Blitz: Gossamer by Renita Pizzitola
Promotional Event:Holiday Book Sale with Indie Book Festival
Texas Statehood Giveaway : Familiar, Texas (A Fear Familiar Mystery #19) by Caroline Burnes
Meme Feed My Reader Friday #4
Cover Reveal: Beauty from Pain by Georgia Cates



Next Week @ Books, Books The Magical Fruit

Author Interview (I Am A Reader) Dead Running by Cami Checketts
Meme: In My Mailbox Monday
Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop (I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Babs Book Bistro)
Page Turner Tour(Buy The Book) Weathering Rock by Mae Clair
Book Feature & Excerpt(Virtual Book Tour Cafe') Twilight of the Drifter by Shelly Frome
Author Interview(Pump Up Your Books Tours) No Time for Love by JB Miller
Book Blast (I Am A Reader) Dead Running by Cami Checketts
Book Blast (I Am A Reader) Daisy: Between a Rock & a Hard Place by Janis F. Kearney
Freebie Friday Giveaway - Fine Things by Danielle Steel
Author Guest Post: The Killer Poet's Guide to Immortality by A B Bard
New Mexico Statehood Giveaway  - New Mexico by Dana Fuller Ross
Meme : Feed My Reader Friday #5


Downloaded Books (All In My Cloud)

Cover Reveal:Beauty from Pain by Georgia Cates

Title: Beauty From Pain
Author: Georgia Cates
Expected release date: January 31, 2013
Genre and Age Group: Adult Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Georgia Cates
Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:
They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth makes him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

About the author

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.
Georgia Cates | Facebook | Twitter

Texas Statehood Giveaway - Familiar Texas by Caroline Burnes

GoodReads Review

FAMILIAR TROUBLE

Hank Dalton couldn't resist a damsel in distress -- and beautiful city-slicker-turned-rancher Stephanie Chisholm certainly fit the bill. She'd come home to Pecos, Texas, to settle her aunt and uncle's ranch estate, but when she learned their deaths were no accident, she became the next target.

Unable to deny the protective instincts she aroused, Hank vowed to keep Stephanie safe day...and night. But could joining forces with a familiar black feline help him and Stephanie find the killer before the killer caught them?


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Promotional Event:Holiday Book Sale with Indie Book Festival

The Post-Christmas Holiday Book Sale, hosted by the Indie Book Festival, will kick off on December 28 and run through December 31. All books will be .99!! The Indie Book Festival will be posting the participating books to their Facebook page as well.

The Indie Book Festival website is the premier online website for seasonal ebook sales events! From Halloween to Valentine's Day – we'll celebrate it by bringing you bestselling books by today’s hottest Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal and Young Adult indie authors.

Indie Book Festival | Facebook | Twitter

You can also enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card now!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feed My Reader Friday #4

THERE ARE NO SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE.

Just put up a post sharing the new ebooks you've added to your reader, computer, phone, etc. Sponsored by I'm a Reader, Not A Reader
You can grab the graphic I have on this post, make your own graphic, skip the graphic, whatever works for you.
I will put up a post each week that will include a new linky. The linky will be set as a blog hop so you can grab the code at the bottom of the linky to include with your post IF you want. These posts will go live on Thursday night so you can stop by on Fridays and link up your post IF you want.
Again there are really no requirements. You don't need to link to me or credit me or anything like that. Just share all your great ebooks.

Rock Star’s Girl by J.F. Kristin

Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she’s taken on to keep her business – a popular fashion-snark web site – up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.

While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it’s a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster – personally and professionally. To save the web site and writing career she’s made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.



Replica by Lexi Revellian

Still free? Click Here to find out!
Beth Chandler, bright, attractive but unassertive, is accidentally replicated in a flawed experiment at the government research institute where she works. A second Beth comes into being, complete with all her memories. To Sir Peter Ellis, MI5 chief, the replica is an embarrassment that must be hushed up and disposed of. Overhearing him, Beth Two goes on the run. With no official existence, homeless, penniless and pursued by Sir Peter’s agents, she has to find the inner strength and aggression to survive on icy London streets.

Meanwhile the original Beth, unaware of what has happened, becomes romantically involved with Nick Cavanagh, the spec op she believes is there to protect her. In fact, he’s hunting her double. Nick refuses to face his moral doubts about Beth Two – as far as he’s concerned, it’s not his problem. As events unfold, and the situation grows more complicated, he has to decide whose side he is on.



Revenge Gifts by Cindy Cruciger

Still free? Click Here to find out!
Tara Cole specializes in revenge. In fact, she’s an expert. Lace pillows filled with cat hair-for your least-favorite, most allergic relative; boxer shorts that set off metal detectors-for your cheating spouse; and her best seller at RevengeGifts.com: chocolates for your worst enemy, so you can watch gleefully as she packs on the pounds.

Tara’s best friend warns her that all this revenge is damaging her karma, but Tara doesn’t care about her next life-she wants to enjoy this one. Besides, her kitchen is full of cranky ghosts. Tara figures she’ll be the same one day, when she leaves the mortal plane… And that might happen sooner than thinks.



Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis


Six months ago, if anyone would have told Em Johnson she’d end up divorced, broke, and running the dilapidated Tiki Goddess Bar on the magical North Shore of Kauai she would have told them to shove a swizzle stick up their okole.As if all that isn’t bad enough, when an obnoxious neighbor with a grudge is found dead in the Goddess luau pit, suspicion falls on Em and the rest of the Goddess staff. With the help of a quirky dance troupe of over-the-hill Hula Maidens, Em and the cast of characters must ban together to find the killer and solve the mystery before the next pupu party. JILL MARIE LANDIS has written over twenty-five novels, which have earned awards and slots on such national bestseller lists as the USA TODAY Top 50 and the New York Times Best Sellers Plus. She is a seven-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award in both Single Title and Contemporary Romance as well as a Golden Heart and RITA Award winner. She’s written historical and contemporary romance as well as inspirational historical romance, and she is now penning The Tiki Goddess Mystery Series, which begins with MAI TAI ONE ON.

Desperate Housedogs by Sparkle Abbey

When Caro Lamont, former psychologist turned pet therapist makes a house call to help Kevin Blackstone with his two misbehaving German Shepherd dogs, she expects frantic dogs, she expects a frantic dog owner, she even expects frantic neighbors. What she doesn’t expect is that two hours later the police will find Kevin dead, his dogs impounded; and that as the last person to see Kevin alive (well, except for the killer) she is suddenly a person of interest, at least according to Homicide Detective Judd Malone. Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets – Sparkle (Mary Lee’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and depending on the time of day either an iced tea or a margarita.)

Worth The Weight by Mara Jacobs

A New Body…A New Life…An Old Flame? Lizzie Hampton is literally a shadow of her former self. Having lost half her body weight, she’s headed to her small hometown to test out her new body on an old flame. Just a harmless fling to get her self confidence back before she returns to the city and the new man in her life. But Lizzie’s plan has a few bumps in the road. Finn Robbins can’t believe Liz is back in town. Desperate to be the holder of her innocence eighteen years ago, he never got the chance. Now she’s back and he can finally check her off his to do list.
But her friends, his son, and the mysterious Annie may have something to say about that.

Cover Reveal: Jillian Dodd Event

Jillian Dodd is revealing the next three covers in her Mature Young Adult romance series, The Keatyn Chronicles. The covers were designed by Okay Creations.

Title: DATE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #3)
Expected released date: April 2013
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173484-date-me

Title: LOVE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #4)
Expected release date: September 2013
Goodreads: Love Me

Title: HATE ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #5)
Expected release date: January 2014
Goodreads: Hate Me

About the author:

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy.

She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Jillian Dodd | Facebook | Twitter