Giveaway Winners

Congrats to all of the following giveaway winners.


No Gentle Seduction by Helen Bianchin - Mystee (still need addy to send to)

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy - Jessica (still need addy to send to)

The Winter Lodge by Susan Wiggs - Tina Peterson (still need the rest of you addy)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - ASHLEY HOLT (still need addy to send to)

Author Interview - Into the Path of Gods by Kathleeen Guler

Describe your books in five words or less.

Gritty, realistic Arthurian spy thrillers

How did the ideas for your books come to you?

The Macsen’s Treasure Series originated from a dream I had about a dark-haired, dark-eyed man wearing medieval garb who was searching for something in a dark, dank tunnel. He struck me as someone who strove to set things right amidst a great deal of turmoil. Imagination? Past life memory? Wishful thinking? Who knows? But he became the basis for the series’ main character Marcus ap Iorwerth. “Into the Path of Gods,” the first book in the series, contains a scene in the middle that reflects the dream.

Aside from the dream, most of my ideas come from history and studying how people thought and acted in other times. The challenge of puzzling together a long-past era is fascinating. Ideas also sometimes come from tiny snippets of inspiration—an impression from a movie scene or photograph, a piece of music, watching the way someone moves, a phrase, or any number of other seemingly unrelated things. Regarding music, I’ve got a lot of inspiration from some of Hans Zimmer’s dramatic motion picture scores, especially the movies set in historical times. Great stuff for visualizing characters!

What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?

I love all parts of writing: the intense research, imagining the characters, plotting, the first draft, rewrites, revisions, edits, polishing. Each can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but I never say any one is harder or easier than the other. I enjoy them all equally. Probably the only difficult thing is finding enough time to truly allow my imagination have a good long run. I laugh at the folks who always advise: find a quiet place to write and don’t let anyone disturb you. Hah! Doesn’t work in real life. Fortunately, I’ve taught myself the discipline to always be thinking and imagining the story and characters at any time, so that when I do get to the keyboard, at least I can get some words out.

What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?

I recently completed the rewrite of my first book, Into the Path of Gods, which was originally published in 1998. It needed tightening up and I am pleased to report it is now in most ebook formats along with the rest of the Macsen’s Treasure Series. So now it’s time to move on to something new and over the past few weeks I began research for my next writing project. The premise is about four main characters who recur throughout a collection of interconnected short stories, each set in a different era. At this point I’m just exploring ideas and need to do a lot of research to find the stories in the history. I have a sense of the beginning and end, but little in between. But that’s the fun of research—finding the characters and what they do!

Why did you choose to write for specific genre?

Historical fiction has always been my favorite genre to both read and write. I have always felt more at home in past times than in my own time. I don’t really know why. Some say interest in other times may be subconscious memories surfacing from past lives. If so, perhaps that would explain some of the odd dreams…??

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?

This is such a wonderful feeling. The most gratifying comment I ever received came from a woman and her husband who are in their 80’s. The gentleman had read the first three books in the series and was looking forward to the fourth, A Land Beyond Ravens. Unfortunately before it was published, the man had a stroke. His wife feared he might not be able to read the final book, but when it came out she got a copy for him. Later she told me that by reading this book—because he enjoys the stories so much—he began to recover his cognitive brain function. Even though he sometimes struggles and goes over the same page again and again, reading this book gives him a good mental exercise that is helping his recovery. It moves me to tears to know that something I wrote has helped someone so profoundly.

What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Q: What has the writing life inspired you to do that you never dreamed of doing when you started?

A: Two things. First is public speaking. Like most folks, I avoided this like the plague all through school. If I had known that being an author also entailed giving presentations, I would have perhaps been a bit more open to the idea of taking a public speaking class. Still haven’t had the chance to take one, so I’ve been learning on my own and gaining some great experience. Guess what? I actually kind of like it and as my speaking skills improve, hope to develop more presentations to deliver at writers conferences and other venues.

Second, I have started graduate school with the goal of a Masters Degree in history. Since I have had to learn the historian’s craft of research over the years and because it was time to start researching my next writing project, it just seemed natural and the perfect opportunity to aim some of that work towards a degree as well. Now I also see why so many writers also teach—not only does it give some badly needed income, but it also gives admittance to the university’s academic resources that would otherwise remain inaccessible.

What was your road to publications like?

Publication, as for most authors, was a long, arduous road. I was lucky to find a small publisher with a great editor who believes in my work. For that I will always be grateful. The drawback has been that small publishers, their books and their authors are often and unfairly ignored in the industry simply for their lack of size, regardless of quality. Sadly, in order to take my writing career to the next level, I find it necessary to attempt to move on to a larger publisher in the future. Hopefully it won’t be completely starting from scratch because I do have a track record now that includes eight awards.



Author bio:


Kathleen Guler is the author of the four-part Macsen's Treasure series of historical spy thrillers set in fifth century Britain. She has been recognized with numerous writing awards, including her most recent book, A Land Beyond Ravens, which won the
2010 Colorado Book Award for historical fiction. She has also published numerous
articles, essays, short stories, reviews and poems, is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the International Arthurian Society, and participates in several writing organizations. While currently conducting research on her next project, she is also working on her Masters degree in History.

Website: http://kathleenguler.com
Blog: http://kathleenguler.blogspot.com.

Freebie Friday - Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris (ends 3/11)

GoodReads Review:
After her friend Godwin has a nasty quarrel with his significant other, John, Betsy Devonshire finds herself with a roommate. But heartbreak turns to grief when Betsy and Godwin discover John dead in his home, and Godwin is arrested for the murder. Betsy sets out to prove him innocent, and finds that John had some dishonest dealings that made him a lot of money--and a lot of enemies. Now Betsy has to untangle a cat's cradle of lies if she's going to save Godwin... before the murderer decides to cut off all the loose ends for good.

Author Interview - Ice Rose by Alison Neuman

Describe your book in five words or less.
A mysterious journey towards truth.

How did the ideas for your books come to you?
While on a break in my B. App. Comm. classes at MacEwan, I had a question about where a teenage secret agent would go to train and polish her/his skills. After researching what is required to be a spy and where the perfect location to train would be, I had the idea that grew into Ice Rose – A Young Adult Spy Novel.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?
The hardest part of writing is being isolated, sitting in front of the computer and typing. The easiest part of writing is losing myself in the story and experiencing the journey vicariously through each character.

What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?
I am currently writing my next YA novel, tentatively titled “Hindsight”, about a teen girl who falls in love with a mysterious teen who is stalked by his past and the truth that he cannot have revealed to the world. In addition, I am writing an adaptation of Ice Rose for a television series.

Why did you choose to write for this specific genre?
After reading and falling in love with the quality and richness of such series as “Nancy Drew”, “Harry Potter”, and “Twilight” writing YA was an easy choice. In addition, my lead character Elissa is a teen, and her journey was welcomed within the YA genre.

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?
It was a dream come true to hear that readers were eagerly waiting to read Ice Rose. I only hoped that they enjoyed reading Ice Rose as much as I enjoyed writing it.

What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Is Ice Rose a one off book or will Elissa continue her adventures via a series?
Elissa will continue her adventures beyond Ice Rose as this is the first book in the series.

What was your road to publications like?
Navigating the road to publishing took some time, but when there was interest from Lois Bennett at Fireside Publications I knew this was the destination to end the journey. Having an opportunity to work with Lois Bennett at Fireside Publications and having them share in the enthusiasm to bring Ice Rose into the world has been a wonderful experience.




Author Bio:
Biography

Alison Neuman graduated from MacEwan with her Bachelor of Applied
Communications Degree. Her thrill for secret agent literature, movie, and television
shows and her own experience using a wheelchair inspired Ice Rose. Other writing
credits include several magazine and journal articles, lyrics, and a co-written screenplay.
Alison Neuman lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Author Interview - The Long Night Moon by Willie Elizabeth Towles

Describe your book in five words or less.

Tragedy, Responsibility, Romance, Cherokee wisdom

How did the ideas for your book(s) come to you?

The story, The Long Night Moon, began with a close relationship between a brother and sister and with the introduction of my Cherokee character, Wasi, a very different story stepped into my mind...in other words, the story found me.... From then on, I could only write the words my characters gave me.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? What is the easiest?

A. keeping my author's voice from intruding in the word flow or plotting of story. B. listening to my characters' voices, letting them tell the story.

What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for the future?

I am always writing something, a quick blog, a short essay, and am drafting a sequel for my novel that involves an element of mystery that takes the story a step beyond the in-depth love story of the first book.

Why did you choose to write for specific genre?

I write in several genres, memoir, short stories based loosely on a bit of truth, poems, and of course, fiction.

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?

Like winning a lottery of emotions: overwhelmed, jubilant, anxious, all the same feelings going on at the same time.

What is the one question that you've wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

How and when do you determine how to end the story? When it feels right, when my characters smile their okay.

What was your road to publication like?

At times very frustrating, off-set by times of sheer joy at a publication, no matter how small the story, entering contests, and all the while refining the novel that won't let you rest, working diligently with each piece in the best way I know how; most of all, believe in yourself.





Author bio:
I am a freelance writer living in Charlotte, North Carolina. My publishing credentials include several essays, memoirs and poems published in local magazines and an out of state newspaper, The Protection Press, Protection, Kansas. My credits include: a Bronze National Merit Award in 2003 for Here's Memories, in 2005 for my contribution of In Sickness and In Muck for the Cup Of Comfort series (F&W)
Adams Media, and contributions in 2006 in the book, Retired by A. Boroughs Books. The Long Night Moon is my first novel. Also have monetary awards in 2010 for essays, A Ticket to the Past and The winter of a Mind.

Author Interview - Lin Wellford

*Describe your book in five words or less.*
The art of rock painting

*How did the ideas for your books come to you?*
My eight how-to books grew out of a hobby that turned into a career

*What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?*
Sitting down and begining to compile information and outlining subject
matter is far harder than coming up with ideas. Ideas are everywhere, but
it takes discipline to work them into a book.

*What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future
projects?*
A friend and I have been researching a book that would help inspire and
motivate women to get out and embrace outdoor adventures.


*Why did you choose to write for specific genre?*
Writing how-to books seemed like a smart thing to do while I waited for my
fiction writing career to take off. But my first book, published in 1993,
is still in print and selling steadily. I realized that non-fiction has a
much longer shelf life, and it turned out to be something I'm good at doing.

*What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's
release date?*
These days it's a little uncomfortable to have fans ask when my next rock
painting book is coming out, because I don't really feel motivated to
continue in that vein.


*What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview?
How would you answer that question?*
How did I know I wanted to be a writer?
Answer: Like many authors, I still have stories saved from childhood, and
was always fascinated by words. Though my writing career has combined
writing and art, to me words are like colors on a palette, and putting them
together is like painting a picture.

*What was your road to publications like?*
I have the requisite drawer full of rejections, starting while i was in
college. I would send out stories and queries, get discouraged and quit,
then find myself starting up again. My real break-through was when I was
filling out a medical form and came to the space for profession. I took a
breath and wrote in 'writer'. From that point, things started to happen. My
first proposal for a book on painting on rocks was held for 6 months by a
NYC publisher and I was sure I was finally going to be published. Instead,
I learned they had misplaced my material (I never did get it back.) That
fueled my determination to submit it again to another publisher, and within
two weeks, I heard back from an editor who was interested in the idea. I
went on to sell nearly 2 million copies all told, including foreign
editions in seven languages.





Lin Wellford Bio:
Lin Wellford is the author of eight books that explore the innovative art
of painting on rocks, transforming ordinary stones into lifelike looking
animals as well as flowers, cottages and more. She appeared regularly on
the Carol Duvall Show on HGTV, as well as on Handmade by Design and Your
Home Studio, and articles about her unusual art form have appeared in such
diverse publications as Ranger Rick, Grit, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Woman's
Day, National Geographic's World, and The Artist magazine. Her most recent
craft title, Painted Garden Art Anyone Can Do, is now in its ninth printing
and available at Lowes Home Centers as well as on Amazon.com.

In addition, she co-wrote The New Grandparents Name Book; a lighthearted
guide to picking the perfect grandparent name, which is available through
the Bas Bleu catalog as well as through Motherhood.com and Pea in a Pod
maternity stores.

An avid kayaker and outdoors woman, she is currently at work on a book to
introduce women to the joys of kayak camping. Lin Wellford

What Are You Reading Monday? #34

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Enchanted Thyme by Ariane Smith with Chef Michael Wilson


Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
One Zillion Valentines by
Abraham Lincoln by
Frog Knows Best by
George Bush by
Valentine Mice by


Reviews posted this week:


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Book Tour – Letters From Home by Kristina McMorris (February 21)

March is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – Lin Wellford (March 1)
Author Interview - The Long Night Moon by Willie Elizabeth Towles (March 2)
Author Interview - Ice Rose by Alison Neuman (Fireside Publications) (March 3)
Author Interview – (March 4)
Author Interview - Independence Day Plague by Carla Suson (March 5)
Author Interview - Barbarians in the Kitchen by Ginny Connors (March 6)

Author Interview - Chessie Bligh by Thora Gabriel (Chessie Bligh-Publisher) (March 7)
Author Interview - FACES IN THE MIRROR: OSCAR MICHEAUX AND SPIKE LEE by John Howard (March 8)
Author Interview - Essays on Living with Alzheimer's Disease: The First Twelve Months by Lois Wilmoth-Bennett, Ph.D. (March 9)
Author Interview – (March 10)
Author Interview - Bring Yourself to Love: How Couples Can Turn Disconnection into Intimacy by Mona Barbera (March 11)
Author Interview - Littluns: And the Book of Darkness by Mark Glamack (March 12)
Author Interview - Alaska Hoops: Tips and Tales from the Girls' Locker Room by Becky Crabtree (March 13)
Author Interview – A Life of Integrity by Trish Knight (March 14)
Author Interview - The Dog Walked Down the Street: An Outspoken Guide for Writers Who Want to Publish by Sal Glynn (March 15)
Author Interview - Mary Stevens (March 16)
Author Interview – (March 17)
Author Interview - Choose to Be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness by Rima Rudner (March 18)
Author Interview - Turtle Hope by Jennifer Brown (March 19 )
Author Interview – (March 20)
Author Interview – (March 21)
Author Interview - The Journey of the Little Red Boat by George Smith (March 22)
Author Interview - Joan West (March 23)
Author Intverview - Eat Smart in France by Ronnie Hess (March 24)
Author Interview - UFO by Kyle Lovern (Woodland Publishing) (March 25)
Author Interview – East Wind by Jack Winnick (March 26)
Author Interview - Accidental Cowgirl by Mary Lynn Archibald (March 27)
Author Interview - Stillwaters by Crystal Rhodes (Crystal Ink Publishing) (March 28)
Author Interview - The Magical Adventure of Tara and the Talking Kitten by Diana Cooper (March 29)
Author Interview - Above Honor by Donald Himelstein (March 30)
Author Interview - Judith Finkel (March 31)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop (March 17 – 20)
Fool for Books Hop (April 1-2)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week:

Freebie Friday - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (end 3/4)

GoodReads Review:
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the non-magic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal.

What Are You Reading Monday? #33

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Enchanted Thyme by Ariane Smith with Chef Michael Wilson
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)


Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
One Zillion Valentines by
Abraham Lincoln by
Frog Knows Best by
George Bush by
Valentine Mice by


Reviews posted this week:


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Book Tour – Letters From Home by Kristina McMorris (February 21)

March is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – Lin Wellford (March 1)
Author Interview - The Long Night Moon by Willie Elizabeth Towles (March 2)
Author Interview - Independence Day Plague by Carla Suson (March 5)
Author Interview - FACES IN THE MIRROR: OSCAR MICHEAUX AND SPIKE LEE by John Howard (March 8)
Author Interview - Essays on Living with Alzheimer's Disease: The First Twelve Months by Lois Wilmoth-Bennett, Ph.D. (March 9)
Author Interview - Bring Yourself to Love: How Couples Can Turn Disconnection into Intimacy by Mona Barbera (March 11)
Author Interview - Alaska Hoops: Tips and Tales from the Girls' Locker Room by Becky Crabtree (March 13)
Author Interview – A Life of Integrity by Trish Knight (March 14)
Author Interview - The Dog Walked Down the Street: An Outspoken Guide for Writers Who Want to Publish by Sal Glynn (March 15)
Author Interview - Mary Stevens (March 16)
Author Interview - Choose to Be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness by Rima Rudner (March 18)
Author Interview - Turtle Hope by Jennifer Brown (March 19 )
Author Interview - The Journey of the Little Red Boat by George Smith (March 22)
Author Interview - Joan West (March 23)
Author Intverview - Eat Smart in France by Ronnie Hess (March 24)
Author Interview – East Wind by Jack Winnick (March 26)
Author Interview - Accidental Cowgirl by Mary Lynn Archibald (March 27)
Author Interview - The Magical Adventure of Tara and the Talking Kitten by Diana Cooper (March 29)
Author Interview - Above Honor by Donald Himelstein (March 30)
Author Interview - Judith Finkel (March 31)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop (March 17 – 20)
Fool for Books Hop (April 1-2)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week:

The Debutante Divorcee by Plum Sykes (ends 2/25)

Surfing Saturday Blog Hop

Welcome to the 29th Surfin' Saturdays hosted by Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Two Monkeys & a Washtub, And Then There Were Four, The Coupon Challenge and Dandy Giveaway!
Each week we will be surfin' a different social network. You will have to check back every Saturday to see where we will be! One week it may be a facebook hop and then the next an email hop! It will be lots of fun and you will get to meet new people and see old friends as well!








We kindly ask that you follow these simple requests


1.Follow the hostesses in the first five spots (We will follow you back! Just please leave a comment letting us know that you are following us!)
2.Please only link up the network that is being hopped that specific week.
3.No spam please. These will be removed.
4.It would be wonderful if you are linking up this week if you could add our button to your sidebar or in a post to help spread the word! :) The more people that join, the more fun it will be! (Plus if you add our button to your sidebar you can grab 5 extra entries into any ONE giveaway!)
5.If someone follows you please feel free to follow them back! If you follow me and leave a comment you are guaranteed a follow back!

Blog Hop Friday

Freebie Friday - The Debutant Divorcee by Plum Sykes (ends 2/25)

GoodReads Review:

A major national media event when published in hardcover, this delicious follow-up to Bergdorf Blondes was an immediate New York Times bestseller and confirmed Plum Sykes status as a literary superstar.

Sylvie Mortimer has just married and is blissfully happy with The Divine New Husband, Hunter. Sylvie s new friend, Lauren Blount, is very rich, very young, very thin, very pretty -- and very, very divorced. The most reckless and glamorous of Manhattan s Debutante Divorc�e set, Lauren captivates Sylvie, the group s token newlywed. But while Lauren sets out on a morality-lite, orgasm-heavy Make Out Challenge, Sylvie discovers her marriage isn t exactly an Eternity ad -- especially when the city s most notorious Husband Huntress zeros in on her spouse.

Follower Love Blog Hop Winners

Crazy In Love - Lani Diane Rich - Elizabeth Tan

No Greater Love - Danielle Steel - Annette E

Valentine Pontifex by Robert Silverberg - Michele Luker

Bridal Scandal by Stephanie Laurens – Leanna Morris

What Are You Reading Monday? #32

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)

Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

Reviews posted this week:


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Book Tour – Letters From Home by Kristina McMorris (February 21)

March is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – Lin Wellford (March 1)
Author Interview - The Long Night Moon by Willie Elizabeth Towles (March 2)
Author Interview - Independence Day Plague by Carla Suson (March 5)
Author Interview - FACES IN THE MIRROR: OSCAR MICHEAUX AND SPIKE LEE by John Howard (March 8)
Author Interview - Essays on Living with Alzheimer's Disease: The First Twelve Months by Lois Wilmoth-Bennett, Ph.D. (March 9)
Author Interview - Bring Yourself to Love: How Couples Can Turn Disconnection into Intimacy by Mona Barbera (March 11)
Author Interview - Alaska Hoops: Tips and Tales from the Girls' Locker Room by Becky Crabtree (March 13)
Author Interview – A Life of Integrity by Trish Knight (March 14)
Author Interview - The Dog Walked Down the Street: An Outspoken Guide for Writers Who Want to Publish by Sal Glynn (March 15)
Author Interview - Mary Stevens (March 16)
Author Interview - Choose to Be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness by Rima Rudner (March 18)
Author Interview - Turtle Hope by Jennifer Brown (March 19 )
Author Interview - The Journey of the Little Red Boat by George Smith (March 22)
Author Interview - Joan West (March 23)
Author Intverview - Eat Smart in France by Ronnie Hess (March 24)
Author Interview – East Wind by Jack Winnick (March 26)
Author Interview - Accidental Cowgirl by Mary Lynn Archibald (March 27)
Author Interview - The Magical Adventure of Tara and the Talking Kitten by Diana Cooper (March 29)
Author Interview - Above Honor by Donald Himelstein (March 30)
Author Interview - Judith Finkel (March 31)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop (March 17 – 20)
Fool for Books Hop (April 1-2)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week:


Love Hop (February 8-13)
Winners –
Crazy In Love - Lani Diane Rich - Elizabeth Tan
No Greater Love - Danielle Steel - Annette E
Valentine Pontifex by Robert Silverberg - Michele Luker
Bridal Scandal by Stephanie Laurens – Leanna Morris

In The Still of the Night by Jill Churchill (ends 2/4/11)Winner - Brooke DeSpain

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen(ends 1/28/11)Winner – Ashley Holt


Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich (ends 1/14/11) Winner - Joanne

A Painted House by John Grisham (ends 12/31/10) Winner – Jessica Lay

Happy Valentine's Day 2011