9th Annual Graphic Novels & Manga Challenge 2016

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
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The 9th Year of this Challenge starts in 2016 and will be my 5th year as host and I am thrilled to be here!!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!

The button this year is designed by "moi". I had someone cancel on me at the last minute so decided to finally give it a shot myself for the first time. The scary (perhaps interesting?) looking dude in the picture is my oldest son. I got that image from a photoshoot he participated in this year. No, he's not a professional model; he's a software engineer but can be found dressed like a comic book character in his spare time. Just kidding son, if you read this (LOL)

Anyway ....

It's time to start signing up for the 2016 challenge. No changes this year, but if anyone has any ideas for the big 10-year celebration next year get in touch with me.


• Please write a sign-up post on your blog and then sign-up below with a link to yourspecific sign-up post (NOT to your home page).


• What counts: graphic novels, collected trade editions, manga, comic strip collections, comic books or combinations of text and bubbles all in the same book. In print or digital. Anything else you feel is suitable. My personal criteria is if it has either frames OR speech bubbles it counts. I'm not going to be the comic police but if you are unsure, ask me in the comments any given month.


• You must write a review and link to it for it to count towards the challenge. Reviews may be posted on your blog or goodreads or similar places. Several reviews may be gathered and posted in one link on your blog, but each book must be linked back here in the monthly linkies to count. Come back every month to record your progress.

Here is how the Challenge plays out:

runs from Jan.1 - Dec. 31, 2016

Levels

Modern Age: read and review 12 books during the year (that's only 1 book a month)I'll try this since I haven't read this type of book in a while

Bronze Age: read and review 24 books during the year (Can you handle 2 books a month.)

Silver Age: read and review 52 books during the year (Are you up to a book a week!)

You must sign up for a level, but once you complete that level you may move up and try for the next one.
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This reading challenge event is hosted by 9th Annual Graphic Novels & Manga Challenge 2016.
For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Reading Challenge Addict

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

So we are challenging each of you who can also say that you also are a Reading Challenge Addict.

How addicted are you?
Easy as Pie: 1-5 Challenges (Entered & Completed)I'll go for this one
On the Roof: 6-10 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
In Flight: 11-15 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
Out of This World: 16+ Challenges (Entered & Completed)

Rules:
We're not making this a difficult challenge, actually, it's going to be very simple!
Each edition of the challenge will begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
Write a starting post joining the challenge and outlining your challenges.
Track all of your challenge accomplishments - good & bad.
Stop by to join us in the mini-challenges, updates & extra giveaways throughout the year.
Comment like crazy and offer support for your fellow addicts.
Have FUN!

Easy, right? Who wants to be in on the fun? What else will be on offer? Random giveaways for participants to enter and unannounced special drawings for commenters on the site so be sure to leave your email address with your comment! Are you ready? As soon as it shows up in the tabs across the top, sign up on the latest "Reading Challenge Addicts" page.

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This reading challenge event is hosted by My Reader's Block.
​For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.


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2016 New Release Challenge

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
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The 2016 New Release Challenge is a year-long challenge in which we aim to read books released in 2016. I am lucky enough to have an awesome co-host for the New Release Challenge, Lexxie at Unconventional Book Views is here to share both the fun and the burden There will be monthly update posts that you can link too, and each quarter – the end of March, end of June, end of September and in December, there will be a giveaway with the update as well.

In 2015, so far, I have read 41 books read that were released this year which is way more than I anticipated. So I needed a challenge to keep me reading those new ones to stay caught up (though I am afraid I still fell behind.) This is why I wanted a New Release Challenge, and so I joined up with Lexxie. After a while of google-fu, Lexxie found one, but it’s not exactly the way she wanted the challenge to be, however it is still inspired by Olivia at Book Comet: 2015 New Releases Reading Challenge. And her challenge might be 100% the way you want a New Release Challenge to be.

We have also created a Facebook Group for the 2016 New Release Challenge, to have a place where we can keep up with each other, cheer each other on, and get to know each other better. It is also a place where we can help each other find even more 2016 releases.
The rules for the 2016 New Release Challenge are simple:

• Books has to be released and reviewed in 2016.
• Other challenges can be used as well, if you are participating in the Netgalley / Edelweiss challenge or in the COYER challenge, books can count towards more than one challenge, as long as the ones you use for the 2015 New Release Reading Challenge qualify to the first rule.
• The minimum length for a book to qualify is 100 pages, it can be in any format though, physical, e-book, ARC or audiobook.
• You don’t have to have a blog to participate as Goodreads, booklikes, etc will count as long as you link your reviews.
• The New Book Release Challenge is open from January 1st through December 31st 2016, and sign-ups are open until February 15th 2016.

There are four levels in the New Release Challenge:
1. 1-15 books per year – New Release NewbieI'm going to try this level
2. 16-30 books per year – New Release Pro
3. 31-45 books per year – New Release Veteran
4. 45+ books per year – New Release Enthusiast
To sign up, please link your sign-up post in the linky below, and also make sure you use the quarterly linky for your reviews, as that will be the way the giveaway winner will be chosen. You can choose if you want to do monthly or quarterly challenge updates on your blog, but for this first edition, we will go with quarterly official link-ups and giveaways.
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This reading challenge event is hosted by Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews.
For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.



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Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2016

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
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Welcome to the sixth annual Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge! Six years later and I'm still loving those cozies! I hope you'll join me in this challenge.

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 booksI choose this level

Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books

Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13-20 books

Level 4 - Sleuth Extraordinaire - Read 21 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2016 and ends December 31, 2016.

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. I also have a group for this challenge on Goodreads and you can sign up by clickinghere.


6. If you do have a blog, take the button above, put it on your blog and post about the challenge. Then add your name to Mr. Linky below. 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.

Have fun
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This reading challenge event is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews....
For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.



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Book Review: Over-Schedule Andrew by Ashley Spires

Title: Over-Scheduled Andrew
Author: Ashley Spires
Publisher: Tundra Books
ISBN: 9781770494848
Release Date: January 12th 2016
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads: Andrew loves putting on plays so he decides to join the drama club at school. Determined to make his performance the best it can be, he joins the debate club to practice his public speaking. He signs up for dance and karate to help with his coordination. Then he's asked to play for the tennis team and edit the school newspaper. Before long he's learning to play the bagpipes, attending Spanish classes and joining the French film club. Suddenly Andrew doesn't have time for anything or anyone else, not even his best friend Edie. And he definitely doesn't have time to sleep. Will Andrew figure out how to balance all his favorite activities and his best friend at the same time? A hilarious, over-the-top look at a common issue many kids today face.

Mine: Very cute – it seems like all our lives – we try to cram too much in to everyday. The only thing here is that it is a little worrisome it that some of this is so true and you wonder if kids really get to be kids it we take them from one activity to another. We spread ourselves thin, but do we need to teach that to our children early on.

He realizes that it’s too much and misses his best friend. It is a over-the-top look at what we all do on an everyday basis.


Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Cover Reveal : The Spiral of Bliss series by Nina Lane

We've got a post packed with awesomeness for you today! We're so thrilled to be sharing new covers for Nina Lane's bestselling Spiral of Bliss series - and an exciting announcement!

The fourth book in the series, ADORE, will be releasing on February 9th! If you've been dying to get back into Liv & Dean's world, you are definitely going to want to preorder a copy!

The first three books in the series, AROUSE, ALLURE, and AWAKEN will also be receiving some awesome bonus content - more on that soon.

Check out the stunning new covers below, with more about each book below the new covers, in case you missed the previous books! (And if you did, now is definitely the time to dive in if you're looking for a passionate contemporary romance to fall in love with!)

Covers designed by Victoria Colotta, VMC Art & Design, LLC (www.vmc-artdesign.com)

Aren't the covers incredible? You can find out more about each book in the series below!

You can click on the covers below to view each cover in a larger size..

About AROUSE

(Spiral of Bliss #1)

"Come here, beauty," he says. "You need to be kissed."

He's right. I need to be kissed, and he's the one who needs to kiss me.

He is Professor Dean West, a sexy, brilliant scholar of medieval history and the love of my life. He is my white knight, my rock, the keeper of my dark secrets. He taught me the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. He has slayed monsters for me and alongside me. He knows he has all of me.

And then...I discover that I don't have all of him.

BOOK ONE in USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane's sexy, passionate SPIRAL OF BLISS series. This contemporary erotic romance about professor Dean West, a protective alpha male, and his cherished beauty Olivia will melt your heart, turn you on, and enchant you with the power of a love to end all loves.

Purchase AROUSE: Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads

About ALLURE

(Spiral of Bliss #2)

BOOK TWO in USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane's sexy, intense Spiral of Bliss trilogy. Liv and Dean West's passionate romance is put to the test again as they struggle with an unexpected family crisis.

"We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense."

After lies and betrayal almost destroy their marriage, Dean and Olivia West reignite their blissful passion. The medieval history professor and his cherished wife are determined to fix their mistakes and fall madly in love all over again. But when Dean is forced back into a feud with his parents and siblings, he and Liv must battle events that could damage them in ways they had never imagined.

Purchase ALLURE: Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo| Google Play | Goodreads

About AWAKEN

(Spiral of Bliss #3)

"I love that you love me, professor."

"I love loving you, beauty."

Since their intense, passionate beginning, Professor Dean West and his wife Olivia have fought dark secrets and betrayal in order to save their marriage. Now reeling in the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Liv and Dean are driven further apart by a vindictive threat to Dean's career. The tumultuous journey that began in AROUSE and continued in ALLURE now comes to a breathtaking conclusion as Liv and Dean battle to protect each other and their love.

Purchase AWAKEN: Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads

About ADORE (Spiral of Bliss #4)

Liv and Dean West have always fallen together, but this time they might fall apart...

Liv and Dean have everything…almost. With a rambunctious toddler, crazy work schedules, and too many responsibilities, they’ve lost sight of their passionate, intimate marriage. And Professor West is none too happy about that.

Determined to lure his wife into hot new adventures, Dean struggles with his need to have Liv all to himself and the reality of sharing her with the world.

Then he gets an opportunity that could change their lives…and Liv is faced with the prospect of her white knight going places where she can’t follow.

ADORE releases February 9th. Preorder it now (more links coming soon): Amazon

Sign up for Nina Lane's newsletter for a free novella!

Did you know newsletter subscribers have access to ARRIVE, a free novella written by Nina Lane? Find out more and subscribe here on her website!

About Nina Lane

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she holds a PhD in Art History and an MA in Library and Information Studies, which means she loves both research and organization. She also enjoys traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Although Nina would go back to college for another degree because she's that much of a bookworm and a perpetual student, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Newsletter

Foodies Read 2016

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
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Do you love reading books about food? Do you want to find more recommendations of books to read and to sing the praises of books that you’ve loved?

You’re in the right place. Starting in January 2016, I’ll be taking over Foodie Reads.
We will still have a challenge levels and for those of us who don’t like to plan that much there will be an a la carte option.
Want to challenge yourself? Pick a level below.

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
Don’t like to plan? Choose the a la carte option and let us know when you read a book about food.I'll chose this one, since one never knows

What counts as a food book? Any genre – fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, etc. If food is a major part of the plot then it counts!

Each month I’ll have a new page for book reviews that you post. You can find the page for the month linked here and on the blog’s right sidebar. Each month will feature some posts from the last month. Posts will be pinned to Pinterest and publicized on Twitter to get the word out. Along the way there may be giveaways for participants.
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This reading challenge event is hosted by Based On A True Story.


Baseball Eats by Katrina Jorgensen

Book Review: Baseball Eats by Katrina Jorgensen

Title: Baseball Eats
Author: Katrina Jorgensen
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
ISBN: 9781623706470
Release Date: February 1st 2016
Pages: 145
Genre: Sports, Cookbook
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads:
Forget peanuts and Cracker Jacks! America s Ballparks now offer a dizzying array of edible options. These make-like stadium recipes give young chefs and sports fans a culinary road trip at home. From the famous fish tacos at the Giants s AT&T Park in San Francisco to the mouthwatering Cuban sandwich at the Tampa Bay Rays s Tropicana Field, these diamond dishes are perfect for any seventh-inning stretch. Produced in partnership with Sports Illustrated KIDS."

Mine:
Yummy…….what a wonderful choice of the great fare found at America’s Ballparks. Cleveland Indians offer Parmesan Garlic Popcorn and Nutty Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn, Detroit Tigers offer Coney Dogs. I can remember visiting my relatives in Michigan and going to the A&W to have my first Coney Dogs (nothing like it on the west coast) The Minnesota Twins have Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Burgers (boy the picture looks good) Seattle Mariners – sushi is a little much for me ,but the Texas Rangers Pecan Pie Bites look like the go down sweet.

As you move the National League side of things New York Mets offer Garlic Fries (but I believe the best are still offered by the Giants with fresh garlic from Gilroy), San Francisco Giants offering up a Caribbean Rice Bowl (Cha-Cha). Milwaukee Brewers and their Bratwurst Sliders (sign me up please), Philadelphia Phillies offer a Philly Cheesesteak Sliders (wouldn’t expect anything else.)

The great think is the recipes to make all these fine parks foods and tidbits about some of the teams most popular players and what some of liked to eat – Chicken anyone (Wade Boggs – Foul Tips). Some stadiums have food stands names after players or some Players have opened up their own resturants and have stand at the ballparks.



Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge (Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)
Foodies Read 2016 (Based on A True Story)
2016 New Release Challenge (Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My! and (un)Conventional Bookviews)

Book Blitz : Darkness Brutal & Darkness Fair by Rachel A. Marks

Cover Reveal/#Giveaway : Wolfsbane's Daughter by Jennifer Silverwood

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Wolfsbane's Daughter

By Jennifer Silverwood

(A Wylder Tale Novella)

YA Dark Fantasy

ebook, 52 Pages

Wolfsbane and his daughter Resha are on a never ending quest in the Wylder Mountains, to wipe out the wolves who destroyed their village. Before their enemies stole everything she loved, Resha cared for little beyond learning how to be a hunter. After, she learned a hunter must be prepared to fight as well as flee. Now she cares for nothing but revenge.



Until she discovers two majikal humans half frozen in the forest. Resha has a choice, to follow her instincts and leave the strangers to the wolves, or save them. Yet the enemy is on the prowl and there is little time for Wolfsbane's daughter to find safe haven before they are discovered.

Goodreads

The First Book in the Series

Craving Beauty

(A Wylder Tale, #1)

Paperback & ebook, 239 pages

October 31st 2015

Vynasha has spent the last four years tending her mother's roses and looking after her nephew. The fire that killed their family has left her scarred and put Wyll on the brink of death. Soon the first frost will come down from the mountains and she knows this winter will be his last.



Until a strange beggar appears on the road, telling her of the majikal Source that can heal her Wyll. With nothing left to lose, Vynasha braves the forbidden Wylder Mountains to seek out a cure and her fate.



A lost kingdom is uncovered by an equally lost girl, but the castle is not abandoned as she believes. Shadows cloaking unseen eyes watch. Tapestries whisper from the hidden corners, wondering if the one to break their curse has come. And a hungry beast waits, ready to devour her soul.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of the Heaven’s Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.

Website - Blog - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Tumblr

Other Books by the Author

   

Cover Reveal Giveaway



$20 Amazon eGift Card

Ends January 9th



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post #1/Stacking The Shelves#35

Lost track of my numbers so starting over in 2016.

This Last Week @ Books, Books The Magical Fruit
Week of December 27, 2015 – January 2, 2016
01/01 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Chelsea Avenue by Armand Rosamilia
01/01 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Get your journal for success! by Journal Life
01/01 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Ella Medler
*01/02 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Julia Buckley's Ignite ebook by Julia Buckley
*12/28 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Life isn't all about tutus! by Casey Peeler
*12/29 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - New Release - The Safe Bet by Shealy James

Next Week @ Books, Books The Magical Fruit
Week of January 3 – January 9, 2016
Cover Reveal/#Giveaway(Prism Book Tours) : Wolfsbane's Daughter by Jennifer Silverwood
Grand Finale Blitz (Prism Book Tours) : The Howling Heart by April Bostic
*01/05 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - #PilotToProfit Takes Flight! by Lisa Larter
01/07 - Cover Reveal (InkSlinger PR): The Spiral of Bliss series by Nina Lane
*01/07 - HeadTalker (Twitter/Facebook/Tumbler) - Winter Kindle & GC Giveaway
01/08 - Cover Reveal (InkSlinger PR): BY HIS GAME SERIES by Emma Hart
01/08 - Release Day Launch (InkSlinger PR): Revolution: A Love & Decay Novella by Nazarea Andrews


Coming soon

January 2016
01/13 - Cover Reveal (InkSlinger PR): SERENDIPITY by Airicka Phoenix
01/15 - Cover Reveal (InkSlinger PR): SINFUL LOVE by Lauren Blakely
*01/16 - HeadTalker (Twitter/Facebook/Tumbler) - Your Irresistible Love is live by Layla Hagen
*01/17 - HeadTalker (Twitter/Facebook/Tumbler) - The Tatterdemon Opus
01/19 - Release Day Launch (InkSlinger PR): THE UPRISING by T. H. Hernandez
*01/19 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - The Other Woman by Love Lust And Lipstick Stains
*01/20 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Sparks Will Fly in The Raising by Steven dos Santos
*01/26 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Happily Ever Alpha by hotboxedbooks.com
01/27 - Cover Reveal (InkSlinger PR): DARE ME by Rebecca Shea
*01/30 - Thunderclap (Twitter/Facebook) - Biker Chicks Anthology Vol 1! by Kay Renee

February 2016
02/02 - Release Blitz (InkSlinger PR): HE WILL BE MY RUIN by K.A. Tucker
02/04 - Release Blitz (InkSlinger PR): HARD EVER AFTER by Laura Kaye
*02/11 - HeadTalker (Twitter/Facebook/Tumbler) - Deadly Vows on Amazon
02/15 - Release Day Launch (InkSlinger PR): THE LIE by Karina Halle
*02/15 - HeadTalker (Twitter/Facebook/Tumbler) - Space Dreams Sci-Fi Adult Coloring Book Adventure


Books Reviewed
An Armadillo in New York by Julie Kraulis

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

Books Received




Books Downloaded
I like to download from Amazon – so will just be listing with a link to GoodReads page

Don’t Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Blogger’s Playbook
Cupcakes Cookbook: 90 Delicious Cupcake Recipes (Cupcake cookbook, Cupcake recipes, Cupcake, Cupcake recipe book) by D A WHEELER
How to take care of your Android Smartphone
by ZACH ABRAHAM (Zach Abraham)
MAIL ORDER BRIDE: Clean Romance: Bride Bundle BOX SET [Western Christian Inspirational Historical Romance Collection] (Western Christian Historical Romance Short Stories)by Ponderosa Publishing Books
Double Deception (Mail Order Brides #5) by Annie Boone
The Apollo Program: The History and Legacy of America's Most Famous Space Missionsby Charles River Editors
On Any Given Sundae (Sweet #1) by Marilyn Brant
Less is More: Effective Tips to Declutter and Simplify for More Fulfilling Life by Kate Jenkins
Kitty O'Shea (Fort Benton Mail Order Brides #4)
by Suzanna Murdock
Perfect (Love Series #1) by Autumn Jordon
Forever After (Montana Brides #3)by Leeanna Morgan

Grand Finale Blitz/#Giveaway : The Howling Heart by April Bostic

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

The Howling Heart

By April Bostic

Did you enjoy diving into a world with mythical werewolves? If you missed any of the posts about this paranormal story-book world, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Interview with the Author

1. What is your motivation behind The Howling Heart? Why did you want to write it?



I was inspired from watching the unfortunately cancelled TV series Wolf Lake and the movie Blood and Chocolate. I enjoyed both of them immensely and I liked how the werewolves were portrayed. I’m a big fan of werewolf movies and shows, and these are two of my favorites. I decided to write my own werewolf-themed story and give my werewolves a unique origin that I’d never read or seen before, including the addition of Norse mythology. I also liked the idea of wolves turning into humans instead of vice versa.

Cherry Mischievous - To love a werewolf, you must love the wolf.

Werewolves take center stage in my aptly titled paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart. I think my werewolves are unique, because they’re descended from a 13th century Scandinavian wolf that was blessed with the ability to shapeshift into a human by Máni, the Norse god of the moon, and Freya, the Norse goddess of love...

Wishful Endings - The History of Varulv

Riley Gray is the hero in my paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart, and is somewhat of a storyteller. I thought it would be fun to quote him when he shared the magical story of his werewolf ancestry with Paige, the love of his life and heroine in the book. The history has been passed down from generation to generation....

Becky on Books - Excerpt

I blushed under his steady gaze and looked away in an attempt to ignore him. For some reason, I couldn’t control myself. My gaze kept finding his. A smirk played on his lips—the color of a summer peach—and I wondered if they tasted as sweet.

Harlie's Books - Wolves and Research & 5-Star Review

When writing fiction, there is no limit to the author’s imagination. Oftentimes, we ask our readers to suspend disbelief. But being a book reader as well, I know sometimes there is a limit to the suspension before the story is just too unbelievable. Some readers want to be grounded in a little reality, so I think it’s ideal for an author to find a balance between the two.



"Plus there is a touch of the Viking in here too and oh man…I loved it!"

Singing Librarian Books - Excerpt

"No worries. I don't mind," he soothed. "You can borrow whatever you want. What's mine is yours, love."

Cover2Cover - The Howling Heart Main Character Spotlights

Today I’d like to shine the spotlight on the main characters in The Howling Heart. First, I’ll introduce Paige Donovan, the heroine and story narrator. She has provided the following hand-written list on a piece of loose-leaf notebook paper. She revealed to me that she wished she could’ve typed the list on a tablet, but is no longer afforded such a technological luxury...

underneath the covers - Excerpt

I didn’t sleep peacefully, because the sound of whimpering awakened me. I opened my eyes to see Riley suffering a nightmare. He panted rapidly. His wolf body twitched, and his head jerked against the pillow. I propped myself on my elbow and touched him gently to rouse him.

Colorimetry - Meet Riley as told by Paige

Hello Everyone! I’d like to introduce you to Riley Gray, the hero in my paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart, as told by Paige, the heroine and narrator. These are just some fun facts about him which makes him an interesting man---I mean, an interesting werewolf.

The Howling Heart

by April Bostic

Adult Paranormal Romance

Paperback & ebook, 220 pages

August 8th 2013

Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.



Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.



Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble

April Bostic is a New Jersey-based, Adult Romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled A Rose to the Fallen. 

Her first short story, Right Here, Right Now, released in January 2012, is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories--a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled Eros, My Love, and a sexy romantic comedy entitled Love Addiction. 

After five years, she released her second novel, The Howling Heart, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. To end her busiest year in publishing, April also released her fourth short story in December 2013, a historical paranormal romance entitled A Dark Scandal.

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Book Review: An Armadillo in New York by Julie Kraulis

Title: An Armadillo in New York
Author: Julie Kraulis
Publisher: Tundra Books
ISBN: 9781770498914
Release Date: April 12th 2016
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook (will be hardback)
Source: NetGalley

GoodReads:
A winsome armadillo from Brazil takes a trip to New York in this delightful new picture book from Julie Kraulis. Arlo is an armadillo who is always up for adventure. His grandfather, Augustin, loved adventure too. When Arlo was born, Augustin wrote travel journals about his favorite places for Arlo to use when he was old enough to go exploring on his own. When Arlo reads about New York and the mysterious Lady Liberty, he decides it's time for his next adventure. He travels to New York and, guided by Augustin's journal, discovers the joys of the city: gazing at the vast skyline, visiting the Guggenheim, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and, of course, meeting Lady Liberty . . . but who is she? Each spread has a clue about her identity, and kids will see hints of her scattered throughout the pages. This book is like a gorgeous stroll through New York with an adorable friend--a stroll you'll want to take again and again.

Mine:
Arlo is a wonderful creature – who wants to follow in his grandfather Augustin’s footsteps. Based on grandfather’s journals he must find Lady Liberty. On his way there he experiences other sights and wonders of New York” Empire State Building, Broadway, he then finally gets the ferry to see Lady Liberty.

Very cute story that takes you around New York – it’s a nice tour of a wonderful city.



Reading Challenges:
2016 Pages Read ( The Crafty Engineer's Bookshelf)
2016 I Love Picture Books (Bea's Book Nook)
2016 What an Animal Reading Challenge IX (Socrates Book Reviews)
Let's Turn Pages Challenge (GoodReads - 2015 and 2016 Reading Challenge)
2016 Reading Challenge (GoodReads)

Happy New Year - Hello 2016

May all your book dreams for the year come true!!!!

2016 #BookishResolutions

It’s time for a brand new challenge for the New Year: 2016 Bookish Resolutions Challenge hosted by Laura @ trips down imagination road and Michelle @Because Reading. The challenge itself is a personal one, though we do have a few different rules to last year and an extra giveaway half into the year!

You can sign up anytime between December 1st to March 1st, the challenge starts January 1st and ends December 31st. The 2016 Bookish Resolutions Challenge is about setting New Years Resolutions for books and book blogging (though we’re not too mean…one of your resolutions can be a personal goal!)

You can sign up via blog post, Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads!

We have changed some things around this year to make it more interactive and we added two giveaways and a few twitter parties.

Each month Laura and I will have an update post with a link so you can share with us how you are doing.

Rules:

*This is a year long Challenge it starts January 1st 2016 and ends December 31, 2016
*You have 3 Main goals to choose from; Blogging Goal, Reading Goal or Personal Goal
*You must pick at least 2 Main goals and each main goal must have at least 1 to however many sub-goals (except Blogging Goals you need a minimum of 3) as you would like (see below for a list of examples)
*Create a sign up post and add it to the Linky on this post (sign up before March 1st)
*On the 30th of each month (and the 29th for February) create an update post about your goals and add the post to the Linky that will be on Laura’s or My blog
*This is a year long challenge once you do a sign up post you can add or take away goals as you would like BUT on Jan 1st you will no long be able change the list.
*There will be two giveaways
*We are also having 3 Twitter Parties.
*Use the Hashtag #Bookishresloutions to update us on how you are doing throughout the year.
*Laura and I have made Goal Posts so you can see how to set up your post. This will also help if you are confused by how the challenge works. You can find Laura’s Post HERE and My Post HERE.

- See more at: http://www.becausereading.com/2016-bookishresolutions-sign-up-post/#sthash.dyoGquVz.dpuf



 
Reading Goals ~
• Complete 6 number of challenges this year
(This challenge does not count towards the total. Mini-challenges within a bigger challenge do not count separately)
• Listen to 12 number of audio books this year
• Read 12 number of paperbacks this year/per month
• Read 2 number of classics this year
• Read 10 number of books that I already own
• Read 6 number of non-fiction books
• Participate in 3 number of read-a-thons (read-a-thons as a part of larger challenges count separately)
Blogging Goals ~
• Fix tags on blog
• Redo layout or update design
• Visit 10 amount of blogs a week
• Update calendar once a week
• Update Pages on blog
• Write 1 review a week
• Respond to comments as they come in
• Create a Blog/Review Schedule (e.g. using a spreadsheet)
• Take part in a meme every month for the whole year
Personal goals :
• Start writing that book you always wanted to write (Family Genealogy)
• Exercise more
• Do random acts of kindness through the year