The True Book Addict

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon: My Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

***This is a sticky post for my read-a-thon updates. Please scroll down below this post for newer content. Thanks.***

Update--Wednesday, 1/25/12
On Monday:
Read...Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid--186 pages (REVIEW)
Read a bit of...Gone with the Wind--5 pages (LOL)
On Tuesday:
Finished...The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (started on page 99)--Total pages read 116

Running totals
Pages read: 307
Books read: 2
Currently reading:
Gone with the Wind (started on page 44) Note: will not read entire book--only catching up for read-a-long
Coming up next: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Wild Mind by Natalie Goldberg

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My Mini-Challenge participation:
Charla's (Book Talk with Charla) Mini-Challenge--Character Do-Over:

The Scarlet Letter--Hester Prynne
Hester is a succubus and seduced the Minister Dimmesdale into carnal knowledge with her. After that, the bond was established and she slowly sucks the life from him over time, which explains his sickly condition.

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Karla's (Book Addict-Paranormal Romance Obsession) Mini-Challenge--Love Sentence from book titles. Since one of these books is about love, I figured this is a love sentence. LOL!

Wild Mind: The Secret History, Gone with the Wind

I did the best with what I had to work with. If we could add some extra words, it would make more sense, like...A Wild Mind and the Secret History is Gone with the Wind. ;O)

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I started reading at Midnight (CST). Yes, it's an all-nighter for me because I'm reading Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid. Starting my read-a-thon off right. ;O) Here's what else I'm going to read this week:

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (will read on Tuesday to catch up on my TuesBookTalk read-a-long)
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (catch up for read-a-long with Kate @ Literary Explorations)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (this is my Just for Fun read for Dollycas's challenge)

I'm not going to list anything else right now because I have to think on it some more. I'm so looking forward to this week though because I don't really have any major obligations so I'll be able to read, read, read....when I'm not too busy hosting, that is!

A Winter's Respite: Day Four Winners and Final (Mega) Mini-Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:05:00 +0000

Day Four Winners!

Srivalli @ Valli's Book Den

TFrances @ Wading Through the Ocean of Life

Head over to the PRIZE PAGE and pick your prize and then email me your choice at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom Prizes are awarded on a first response basis. Congratulations!

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On Wednesday, we had a mini-mini-challenge...fairly easy, not much effort. Well, today for our final mini-challenge we have a Mega Mini-Challenge (sort of)! The object of today's challenge will be to show something we covet and something we already cherish. And what is the object that we covet and cherish? Why it's our home libraries! Here's what I want you to do:

Show/share what you covet...Find an image (Google images, photobucket, etc.) of a home library design that you covet. Post the image in a blog post. If you're not updating from a blog, you can just share the link to the image in the comments.
Describe what you cherish...If you're not up to taking photos of your home library or your huge TBR stack, you can describe your home library or TBR stack, either in your blog post or in the comments along with the link to your image of your coveted library. OR....
Show us what you cherish...For those of us who are extremely ~~boastful~~ proud of our home libraries, take some photos of your library (or use images you've already taken) and add them to your blog post, or leave links to the photo(s) in the comments.

**You must do the 1st step above and one of the 2nd or 3rd step above for your challenge to qualify**
If you do a blog post for this challenge, add the link to your post in the linky below. If you decide to just leave a comment, it should include the following:

link to coveted home library image
description of your home library/TBR stack OR link(s) to image(s) of your home library
your email address, in case you win

This mega mini-challenge will stay open until the very end of the read-a-thon, which is Sunday, January 29 at 11:59pm CST. There will be two winners drawn randomly from all entries via random.org Have fun and good luck!

And now I'll share with you my covet and cherish....

I had to post two coveted home libraries. I have such a huge amount of books (3000+), I was looking for designs that would hold a ton of books yet still look aesthetically pleasing. I think these two libraries fit the bill. Which one do you like better?

Now, it's time for me to show off the home library I cherish. You will probably notice books stacked in front of many of the shelves and this is because I ran out of shelves. LOL I apologize for the quality of some of these images. The cell phone camera isn't always agreeable!

The corner shelf holds my collections

of Anne Rice, Stephen King, and other

authors and/or series books

My Christmas books

Some of my non-fiction

More non-fiction

Yes, I even had to utilize my coffee table!

A Winter's Respite: Day Three Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0000

Day Three Winners!

Shaunie @ The Space Between

Melissa @ Jayne's Books

Head over to the PRIZE PAGE and pick your prize and then email me your choice at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom Prizes are awarded on a first response basis. Congratulations!

Don't forget!

All of the mini-challenges and giveaways being hosted at other blogs are still going on. There are some great prizes up for grabs. Check out the list at this POST.

My read-a-thon mid-week mini-mini-challenge is open until Saturday morning at 8:00am CST. It's a really easy one. Check it out HERE.

Good luck!

Cat Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:46:00 +0000

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon

Alice...my favorite read-a-thon companion!

She's thinking about nabbing Gone with the Wind...

And there she goes...(really she's trying to play with the bookmark tassel..LOL)

A Winter's Respite: Day Two Winners and Mini-Mini-Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:39:00 +0000

Day Two Winners!

Bri @ Kindling the Fire

Abigail @ The Story Factory Reading Zone

Head over to the PRIZE PAGE and pick your prize and then email me your choice at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom Prizes are awarded on a first response basis. Congratulations!

Now...on to today's Mini-Mini-Challenge!

Here's what I want you to do:

Take your current read and pick one sentence from three of the following pages: page 1, page 77, page 179, page 255, page 360, or one from the 5th page from the end (I picked a diverse number for books of varying lengths).
Take the three sentences and make them into a short paragraph. If it makes sense as is, fine. If not, you can add your own words or sentences to make it romantic, funny, scary...whatever.
Be sure to bold and/or italicize the original text from the book or, if you leave it in the comments, put quotes around the original text.
You can leave yours in the comment section below and/or post it on your blog. If you do a post on your blog, add the link to the linky below. If you don't have a blog or just would rather not do a post, leave yours in the comments and include your email address.
This mini-challenge will be open until Saturday, (1/28) at 8:00am CST. One winner will be randomly selected from all submissions and chosen by random.org The winner will pick a prize from the PRIZE PAGE.

I will do my current read for you as an example. I'm reading Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. The sentences I used are from pages 1, 77, and 829 (5th page from end).

Her eyes were pale green without a touch of hazel, starred with bristly black lashes and slightly tilted at the ends. They were eyes that would flash fire when she was angry or provoked. She dragged her eyes away from his without smiling back, and he turned as someone called. When he turned back around, he looked at her in an almost kindly way, speculation in his eyes.

Easy Peasy! Here's the linky:

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon: Mini-Challenges/Giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

UPDATED: TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012

Hi there, fellow read-a-thon-ers! Please accept my apology for the late posting. I was on a deadline for a review today. I started reading it at midnight last night and promptly fell asleep about a 1/4 into the book. So, had to finish it today. Now that it's out of the way, time to get down to business!

These are the giveaways and mini-challenges that are being hosted by other bloggers and authors...the generous souls. =O) Thanks very much to all of them!

Giveaways
Author Mysti Parker @ Unwritten
Author Ami Blackwelder (comment on any blog post on her blog and mention you're a read-a-thon participant...read-a-thon-ers get 2 points for each comment...win Shifters Evolution 1-5) Also, enter to win swag (info in top left sidebar)

Mini-Challenges
Book Talk with Charla
Kate @ Read 2 Review
Karla @ Book Addict-Paranormal Romance Obsession
Author Nicole Chardenet @ Tongue of Dog's Breakfast
Lisa @ Lit and Life

There may be more added to this list later so be sure to check back.

All the prizes for the mini-challenges and giveaways I host here will come from the PRIZE PAGE.

My first mini-challenge, posted today in the starting line post, was to do a post or link to your reading list, pic, etc. for the week. You can enter this by entering the link to your post, Tweet, Facebook note, Goodreads read-a-thon shelf (however you are participating), at the Starting Line post HERE. I'm keeping this mini-challenge open until Saturday morning at 8:00am CST for people who will only be joining us for the weekend.

If anyone has any questions, leave me a comment, tweet me at the #WintersRespite hashtag, or email me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom.

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon: Info about my Mini-Challenges/Giveaways and Two Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:43:00 +0000

I finally got the PRIZE PAGE posted last night. Whew...it was a monster! By my calculations, I have 19 book prizes! Thanks so much to the authors/bloggers/publicists who were so generous to donate. So, here is how it's going to work:

Participant giveaways: Every day (at the end of the day/night), I will choose two participants who signed in at the STARTING LINE to pick a prize from the PRIZE PAGE.
The first mini-challenge has already been posted. It was part of the sign-in process...to post your reading list/plans/image/etc. This mini-challenge will stay open until Saturday at 8:00am CST so people who are joining us for just the weekend can be a part of it too. There will be two winners for this mini-challenge. If you haven't done so yet, be sure to post your link at this POST.
I will have two more mini-challenges during the course of the read-a-thon. There will be a mini-mini-challenge with one winner (probably on Wednesday) and a larger one at the end of the week with two winners again.
The number of winners could change (meaning=increase), if I happen to receive more prize donations during the read-a-thon.
all winners are chosen randomly at random.org

Be sure to check out the mini-challenges/giveaways being hosted by other bloggers/authors at this POST.

Now, without further ado, here are the daily participant winners from Monday:

Senora G @ Telly Says

Mirjam @ A Bookworm's Treasure Trove

Head over to the PRIZE PAGE and pick your prize and then email me your choice at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom Prizes are awarded on a first response basis. Congratulations!

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Leave me a comment, catch me on Twitter at the hashtag #WintersRespite, or email me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

TTBA Weekly News and Mailbox Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:50:00 +0000

This feature was inspired by It's Monday! What are you reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and by The Sunday Salon.

Today was the first day of my read-a-thon, A Winter's Respite, and it got off to a great start with all of the enthusiastic participants. It's so fun when people get excited! I had a bit of a slow start getting everything posted, as I was working on reading a book for a book tour for today so I was late posting giveaways, mini-challenges, the prize page, etc. I hope everyone forgives me. Hey, I did finish a book though! You can read my review of Lifting the Wheel of Karma and enter the three copy giveaway HERE. You can still get in on the read-a-thon. It lasts through Sunday. Go HERE for details and to sign-in.

NEWS

I recently announced a new reading challenge which I am co-hosting with Kate from Read 2 Review. The Stephen King Challenge is a perpetual reading challenge and will start on February 1, 2012. To encourage regular reading of the books (because, let's face it, we all tend to procrastinate when there is no eminent deadline), there will be periodic mini-challenges with prizes and we will have occasional read-a-longs. Of course, I will be participating, as well as Kate, but we will be excluded from winning any prizes, of course. For more information about the challenge and to sign up (I hope you will), please visit the dedicated blog.

EVENTS

If you haven't already, please take a moment to stop over at Castle Macabre and vote on the name for my Spring read-a-thon. I've decided to make the Fall and Spring read-a-thons scary themed and the Winter and Summer with regular themes hosted here. I want to pick a good name because it is probably what I'll use year after year. The poll is at the top of the left sidebar. Please go cast your vote at Castle Macabre. I really appreciate it!

TuesBookTalk Read-a-Longs on Twitter (@tuesbooktalk #tuesbooktalk) and on Goodreads is reading The Color Purple by Alice Walker in honor of Black History Month in February. Our discussion will actually start on Tuesday, January 31 because we are going to take Tuesday, February 14 off for Valentine's Day. Chats on Twitter are at 10:30pm EST/9:30pm CST. You do not have to join us on Twitter. Feel free to share your thoughts in the Goodreads group if you can't make the chat on Twitter. Get the full reading schedule HERE.

What I'm reading

You can check out what I'm reading this week for the read-a-thon in the sticky post at the top of the post section. I will probably be adding to the list, as this week is relatively uneventful. =O)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is currently on tour. This month's host is Alyce from At Home with Books (want to read a book description? Clicking the book covers will take you to the book's page on Amazon)

WON:
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa...from Good Choice Reading

Stay by Allie Larkin...from Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book
Lori also sent me some swag, some yummy hot cocoa and buttery Kettle Corn microwave popcorn!

BOOKMOOCH:
The Lambs of London by Peter Ackroyd

HISTORY BOOK CLUB (a back order from my earlier order):
Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell

LIBRARY SALE:
Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company: A Novel of Lewis and Clark by Brian Hall
The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander
Wealtheow: Her Telling of Beowulf by Ashley Crownover
Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
The Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato

American Psycho (Uncut Killer Collector's Edition) got this DVD for $1.50!

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon: Prize Page

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:34:00 +0000

PRIZES FOR READ-A-THON/MINI-CHALLENGE GIVEAWAYS AT THE TRUE BOOK ADDICT

Most books will include promotional info. Others will have clickable titles to learn more about the books.

Thanks again to all the generous authors/bloggers who donated all of our prizes! You are awesome!

***Prizes will be awarded on a first response basis***

*Titles/quantities struck through indicate prize is taken--winners' names will be listed beside prize as well*

Donated by Julie @ Knitting and Sundries--print copies (U.S./Canada)
"Bright and Distant Shores" winner--Melissa @ Jayne's Books
"Sweet Tea and Secrets" winner--Shaunie @ The Space Between

Sweet Tea and Secrets by Nancy Naigle

Bright and Distant Shores by Dominic Smith

Khantara: A Haanta Novel by Michelle Franklin-New Edition/Deluxe PDF eBook (International)

Khantara tells the story of the Den Asaan's father and mother, how they met, how Khantara saved Anelta's life, and how their secret bond was threatened by impending war. It is the first stand-alone novel in the series.

From Chapter 4

The instant Khantara began to walk the short path to the barracks he was attacked by swarms of wrens and sparrows from the nearby willows, all of them in a flutter to have their turn to speak to the gentle mountain. The owls and nighthawks had taken his evening and now it was only fair that they should have his morning to themselves. He must hear of their new nests and warbling chicks and horrid neighbors, and they were going to claims their perches on his head and shoulders and tell him whether he wished to listen or to ignore them accordingly. He would listen, however; the quick and nervous conversation of the sparrows was often one-sided and he was therefore required to do nothing but allow them to nest in his hair and continue walking. The wrens, however, were lest content to permit him to be indifferent: they would have him hear of every rude caterpillar and impudent butterfly flitting around trees they knew to be theirs. Theirs was a talk of territory, and they would have Khantara understand their plight. It was wrong of the caterpillars to climb their trees and enter theirnests, and it was so devious of them not to be edible though their bright colours and squirming movements were so enticing. How horrendous it was that the bustle and brilliancy of the butterflies’ wings should be so fascinating. They could hardly capture the creatures to feed to their chicks with such a violent display of beauty. Would only Khantara tell the caterpillars to taste more agreeable, the obnoxious moths to make their cocoons somewhere else, and the owls to leave the worms alone when there was mice enough for them. Khantara, however, would say nothing to the purpose. He only smiled and shook his head at the wrens, and their loud and intricate trills conveyed their indefatigable displeasure toward the giant’s infuriating civilities. He would let nature go its own way, and the birds could do little to convince him otherwise. The wrens threatened to claim strands of the giant’s long molded locks for their nests if he did not comply, but he would not regard their threats as any so troublesome. He simpered at their attempts and silently declared that they could not break his draping tendrils no matter how hard they should try when the giant suddenly found himself at the barracks.

Praise for "Khantara"

"Exceptional world building and character development- talents which completely draw the reader in, making them impervious to everything going on around them. I don't think it possible for the reader to not fall in love with Khantara, the most kindhearted and selfless giant..." --Avery's Book Nook

"This is a beautiful love story. Khantara and Anelta’s lovely beginning was marvelous." --Kindle Book Review

"Riveting to the core. Fantasy at its very prime with a sweet helping of romance and adventure. Khantara is a welcomed edition to a that series I love so much..." -LovLivLife Reviews

Visit Michelle Franklin at her website

The Wandering Valkyr by Dan Wright--eBook (International)

GENRE: Fantasy

BLURB: Long before the Dragonkin, the Valkyr once defended the planet Draconica from evil forces. Now they are all but extinct and Alix and Dylan are all that remain of their chapter, wandering the world and working as bounty hunters for a crime syndicate. But when a new evil arises that threatens to destroy the world they must spring into action or else the world is doomed. One problem - the heart of the evil is a woman whom Dylan thought he lost long ago.

The Wandering Valkyr is a story about love and loss, redemption and the bond of family. Follow the the brother and sister duo as they must work out a plan to stop this evil - whilst Dylan tries to save the woman he loves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dan Wright lives in Canterbury Kent in the United Kingdom. A huge fan of both fantasy and manga, he combines both within his writing to create a style unique to him. Authors who have inspired Dan are Douglas Adams, J.R.R Tolkien, H.P Lovecraft, Alan Moore, Joss Whedon and Hiromu Arakawa.

Dan’s first book was Trapped on Draconica, which introduced readers to the world of Draconica. He plans to write more books set in the world of Draconica and expand on the world. He is also a reviewer on the website www.read2review.com, where he reviews the latest in science fiction and fantasy.

Contact Dan via the following links:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK
TWITTER @PandragonDan

Nicole @ Tribute Books--YA eBooks (International)
"Until Next Time" winner--Bri

The Priest and the Peaches by Larry Peterson

http://www.thepriestandthepeaches.com

Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 by Amy Lignor

Author Bryan Healey--print copies (U.S. only)
"A Line Blurred" winner--SenoraG

~~A Line Blurred~~

Kevin is a depressed executive living a predictable life. When he unexpectedly deviates from his paralyzing routine to be with another woman, he finds himself risking everything for redemption. Kylie, his frustrated and defeated wife, finds solace in a flirtatious encounter with a younger man that sparks a dangerous relationship. Both unable to pull themselves from their newfound happiness, they rationalize their actions to satisfy their guilt, coming ever closer to an emotionally shattering end for both themselves and their children, who are unwillingly swept into their downward spiral.

Shattered Wings

John has a hold of the American dream: Love, a beautiful little girl, a lovely home and a well-paying job. But a sudden layoff brings it all into question, as he deals with the unexpected financial and emotional strain. As he struggles to find new work, a growing sense of despair triggers a return to alcohol and causes him to face his demons of addiction, discrimination, and regret as he tries desperately to recover his once happy life before it's too late...

Author Bio:

Bryan Healey attended Northeastern University, studying Computer Science before entering the workforce as a software engineer. He is currently pursuing an additional degree in English. He lives in Rhode Island with his beautiful wife.

Visit Bryan's Website

The Devil's Dime by Bailey Bristol aka Mary Schwaner--print copy (U.S.) ~~eBook (International)~~

Read about author Bailey Bristol at Goodreads Int. winner--Srivalli

~~Eromenos by Melanie McDonald--paperback copy (International)~~
Winner--Abigail

Eros and Thanatos converge in the story of a glorious youth, an untimely death, and an imperial love affair that gives rise to the last pagan god of antiquity. In this coming-of-age novel set in the second century AD, Antinous of Bithynia, a Greek youth from Asia Minor, recounts his seven-year affair with Hadrian, fourteenth emperor of Rome. In a partnership more intimate than Hadrian's sanctioned political marriage to Sabina, Antinous captivates the most powerful ruler on earth both in life and after death.

This version of the affair between the emperor and his beloved ephebe vindicates the youth scorned by early Christian church fathers as a "shameless and scandalous boy" and "sordid and loathsome instrument of his master's lust." EROMENOS envisions the personal history of the young man who achieved apotheosis as a pagan god of antiquity, whose cult of worship lasted for hundreds of years—far longer than the cult of the emperor Hadrian.

In EROMENOS, the young man Antinous, whose beautiful image still may be found in works of art in museums around the world, finds a voice of his own at last. (from Goodreads)

Read my review HERE

About the author:
Melanie McDonald won a 2008 Hawthornden Fellowship for her debut novel, Eromenos (March 2011, Seriously Good Books), a 2011 GalleyCat Handpicked Title and a finalist for the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She has an MFA in fiction from the University of Arkansas. Her work has appeared in New York Stories, Fugue, Indigenous Fiction, and online in Fiction Brigade and Squawk Back. She has pursued her writing in New York, Galway, and Paris, where she studied with C. Michael Curtis, senior fiction editor for the Atlantic Monthly. She spent several months in Italy at work on Eromenos. A native of Arkansas, she now lives in Virginia. Visit Melanie: Website | Facebook

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan--two (2) (1) print copies (one U.S., one Europe)
Winners--Mirjam & Tobe

Take a look at the book trailer HERE. It's awesome!

Visit Savita at her WEBSITE

Find her on Twitter @savitakalhan

Pandora's Reading Room, Volume I by Pandora Poikilos--Three Kindle copies (International)

Author David Russell--eBooks (International)

Self's Blossom

This is about a young woman's self-discovery. Selene is a 'success story', having become a top journalist, while retaining her dazzling looks. However, in the past she has had unhappy relationships, and feels she has missed out on hedonistic fun. This she obtains, firstly with a young stranger on a beach, and finally with enigmatic Hudson: tryst is preceded by cultural tourism, and careful sizing up of minds. Afterwards Selene returns to her 'I stand on my own' attitude.

While she is on holiday, her mind is free to ramble, often into Selene's chequered past. Flashback blurs into the present, past-rooted interior monologue into direct observation. The dialogue is sparse. Selene is a cautious, premeditative type, in whom thought, reflection and analysis outweigh direct action.
Selene’s subtle, monitoring mind coolly observes and controls all the events. Maybe she is super-confident, or perhaps has a deep, underlying insecurity. She is many things to many readers.

Explorations

Newly divorced and looking for interesting new experiences, Janice takes an art class with live models and the star makes her want more than a coincidental meeting. Art model, Cedric, thinks he knows the lady from somewhere when he sees her again at the pool. Body language says a lot and chance meetings lead to a desire for more. Will Janice ask Cedric over for a private modeling job and will he accept?

A review:

This short is all about rediscovering oneself – mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually. Janice and Cedric, who have both been in stale relationships, cross paths a few times before deciding that they both want more from themselves, for their lives. Determined to take a risk Janice makes her move, leading to sexual explorations with Cedric.

I liked Janice. I think she represents a lot of women who find themselves in a position of not being where they want to be in life or even who they want to be. Her feelings rang true, making this story seem more real and her risks even more worthwhile. I also like how Russell writes from Cedric’s point of view as well. I like being able to see where each character has come from, and how each character reacts to the same situation. I found Explorations to be a great read and very satisfying!

About the author:

Born 12 June 1940 and living in West London, UK, David is a writer in all genres, including poetry, fiction, and criticism, and he is a guitarist and singer-songwriter. Some of David’s erotic poems have been featured in anthologies produced by Forward Press. He has a collection of poetry and prose entitled Prickling Counterpoints, that has been published in many magazines. He has written two novellas: High Wired On (speculative fiction) and Self’s Blossom (romance). The latter, together with the short story Explorations, have been published by Silk’s Vault. His albums include Bricolage (Hangman Records, 1992) and Bacteria Shrapnel (Posterity Recordings, 1997).

The Stranger from the Valley by Oscar Case--print copy (International)

U.S. Marshal Chappie Wesford is recalled to Army duty and sent to Altaveel to award two citizens with a Civil War Medal. The Henberry family thinks he has come to take over their business and try to run him out of town. Chappie meets Esther Bigknife, a widow and friend of Milt Henberry, who thinks he is interfering there, too, but Chappie falls for Esther and it all comes to a head at the big Fourth of July celebration. Chappie returns to Altaveel on the trail of bank robbers and there is a shootout on Six Mile Road when he catches up with them.

About the author:

Oscar William Case began writing family history and genealogy and morphed into Western novels. He was born during the Depression in the small town of Altonah, Utah, in the foothills of the Uintah Mountains and the setting of five of his books. He is author of The Upamona Gold Claim Wrangle and Blood and Blazes in Upamona and two other stories yet to be published. Mr. Case is a member of the Arizona Authors Association and writes a blog on the internet entitled BlogginCurly. His short stories have been published on the internet at ropeandwire.com, frontiertales.com, and thewesternonline.com.

Book Tour: Review and Give@way--Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +0000

My thoughts:
This book really is amazing. It's the perfect length, for if it had been longer, it would have lost it's impact. Of course, this is a novel, but the main character Joseph is so real, it seems almost an autobiography. Joseph has been tormented his entire life by nightmares and visions. Little does he know that these occurrences will lead him to his destiny in life.

It's funny how I keep reading books that deal with reincarnation. Each time I read about the phenomenon, the further I come in believing it. Something that was said in the book about reincarnation was, "Because it only makes sense. God is not cruel. He is trying to teach us what we need to learn, and giving us many opportunities to learn it....there is too much to learn in just one lifetime. Secondly, do you really think this little planet is the only place life exists in the universe?" That is a convincing argument, in my opinion.

I really liked the spiritualism of this book and that it touched on something I truly believe is the answer in our world. Kindness to everyone. At one point, Joseph says, "...God wouldn't mind if we spent a little less time telling him how great he is and a little more time loving each other, and not just the people we're supposed to love, but everyone." Wise words and ones I think we could all live by.

I have to say that this book did have a couple of problems. I found myself wondering what happened to the girl Joseph fell in love with. And the story didn't flow as smoothly as it could have at some points. However, in all it is well worth a read because of the message it conveys. We could all learn something from this book.

About the book:
Lifting the Wheel of Karma Book Summary

A Profound Spiritual Journey of Extraordinary Healing and Redemption

Joseph Connell is a gifted high school athlete from Montana, loved deeply by his family, yet tormented by nightmarish visions he can neither explain nor escape.

He believes the answer to what threatens to crush him can be found in the knowledge possessed by a mystical old wise man, who lives deep within the remote Himalayas of India.

If Joseph is ever to find the peace he so desperately seeks, he must get this wise old man to reveal what he truly knows, but that will not be easy…for this sage knows far more than he admits.

A modern tale that harkens back to the myths of antiquity. It takes you on a remarkable journey, while exploring the themes of healing, redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice, and ultimately...peace within.

About the author:

Paul H. Magid started writing his debut novel, Lifting the Wheel of Karma, twenty-five years ago while still in high school. It took him so long to complete because he tried repeatedly to abandon it, but the work refused to be forsaken. Eventually he realized that sharing this story with the world was, in fact, his Dharma.

Along the way he has worked as a Wall Street financial analyst, a waiter (not a very good one), a Hollywood Agent Trainee, a real estate developer, a summer day camp director, an award winning screenwriter, and independent filmmaker—including his autobiographical film, A Life Unfinished, which screened in The Hamptons International Film Festival.

Paul H. Magid Website | Facebook

Lifting the Wheel of Karma: Facebook

Tribute Books Blog Tours: Facebook

Lifting the Wheel of Karma blog tour site

Paperback

Price: $15.00
ISBN: 9780984016068
Pages: 192
Release: September 23, 2011

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

eBook

Price: $9.99

Kindle

Giveaway details:
Paul was generous enough to offer three (3) paperback copies of the book to readers of my blog. Open to U.S. entries only. To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address so I can contact the winners. Giveaway will be open until January 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Good luck!

I received a copy of this book in conjunction with a book tour with Tribute Books in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary compensation.

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Starting Line

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:23:00 +0000

Welcome to A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon! I hope everyone is ready to read and to have a ton of fun this week. I'm am so appreciative of the massive outpouring of prize donations from authors and offers from other bloggers and authors to host giveaways and mini-challenges. This is going to be so much fun!

First, I want to get some details out of the way. Since I have such a large amount of prizes, I'm doing things a little differently. Instead of doing a participant giveaway at the end with one or a few prizes, I'm going to do participant giveaways all week. I will also have a few mini-challenges this week as well. I'm sorting out the prizes and I will have a prize page posted tomorrow. Each time someone wins, they will get to choose a prize from the prize page, kind of like how they do it for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon's. Each prize will (books) have info about the book and the author so you can make a conscious decision. LOL! International and U.S. only prizes will be stipulated by each prize and the prizes will be awarded on a first response basis. I will have the winner email me with their prize selection and then I will mark that one off the list. I hope this is to everyone's satisfaction.

Note: I will not be included in any of my giveaways here at The True Book Addict, but since I am participating in the read-a-thon as well, I will enter mini-challenges and giveaways at other blogs. If anyone objects, please let me know.

I will also be posting all of the mini-challenge hosts and giveaway hosts in a separate post so be watching for it. It will be up later this morning.

If you're on Twitter, be sure to check in with us at #WintersRespite.

SIGN IN AT THE LINKY BELOW. This is the first mini-challenge. Do a post of what you're reading this week, take a picture of your read-a-thon TBR stack, or, if you've already done your post, just add your link below. If you don't have a blog, you can link to Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads. Remember, what you list is not set in stone. You're welcome to change you mind. Above all else, just have fun! If you talk to someone else who is doing the read-a-thon, be sure to ask them if they've signed in. We don't want anyone to miss out on all the goodies!

This mini-challenge is open until Saturday at 8:00 am CST to give weekend participants a chance to join in.

Important Announcements

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:02:00 +0000

A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon is less than two days away! It starts at 12 midnight on Monday. Have you signed up? I have received a ton of prize donations and I have a few authors and bloggers hosting mini-challenges and giveaways so it's looking like it's going to be a fun time. Like I ever had any doubt! If you'd like to sign up or read more about the read-a-thon, go HERE. Or you can wait until it starts on Monday and sign in at the starting line. All participants must sign in at the starting line to be eligible for the giveaways. Remember, you can join us at any time during the week of the read-a-thon. Just be sure to sign in when you're ready to start. Again, the sign-in post will go live on Monday at midnight. Hope you will join me!

Yes, I signed up for one more reading challenge! Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR is hosting the 2012 Tudor Reading Challenge. Of course, I couldn't resist this one, for my love for the Tudors knows no bounds. LOL! Plus, it will fit in nicely with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. Certainly looking forward to it! Of course, my progress on the challenge will be tracked at my challenge blog.

Cat Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:14:00 +0000

I've Been Interviewed....and SOPA

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:56:00 +0000

Be sure to stop by Read 2 Review and check out my interview. Go HERE. Thanks!

Also, be sure to support the protest of SOPA today by displaying a badge on your blog, on your social networking profile images, and/or by blacking out completely. I elected not to black out here or at Castle Macabre, but I did write letters to my congressmen and I signed several petitions. This issue directly affects us so let's help put a stop to it! You can visit their site by clicking the badge over in the left sidebar.

2012 Reading Challenges!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:12:00 +0000

Here are the reading challenges I'm signing up for this year! You can read full details about each one over at my reading challenge blog, Challenges of the True Book Addict. To find out more about each challenge, click the individual button.

TTBA Weekly News and Mailbox Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:26:00 +0000

This feature was inspired by It's Monday! What are you reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and by The Sunday Salon.

Last week was another whirlwind for me! Here it is only the middle of January and I've already started on the path of slacking on my new year's goals....ugh! I just have to keep telling myself that it's a work in progress. I participated in the Bout of Books read-a-thon last week and failed miserably. But on a good note, we got our apartment totally clean (Spring cleaning early!) so we could have our son's birthday party on Sunday. It looks fabulous and it was lovely to finally have guests over for the first time since moving in last year. Plus, a clean home is such a comfort!

NEWS
--I apologize to anyone who participated in The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge for the delay on announcing the winners. I will be drawing the winners tomorrow and will announce them over at The Christmas Spirit.

--If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the giveaways at The Christmas Spirit, which are open until December 20th. You can find links to them all at this POST.

--My friends over at Read 2 Review have announced their January sale catalogue. Check it out!

EVENTS

--Sign-up for my winter read-a-thon, A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon. It's only one week away on January 23 -29, 2012. Visit the sign-up post HERE. It's going to be a good start to those new year's resolutions, if they include tackling that ever looming to-be-read pile/stack/mountain. I hope you will join me!

I'm still looking for mini-challenge hosts and/or giveaway hosts. Also, prize donations would be greatly appreciated. Authors looking to promote your book(s), this would be a great way to do it! Drop me an email at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

--I need some input on the name for my Spring read-a-thon. I'm hosting it via Castle Macabre (in case anyone doesn't know, it's my horror/speculative fiction blog) and it will be scary themed again. My Fall read-a-thon was such a success so I thought, "why not host two read-a-thons here and two at Castle Macabre every year?" I have a poll up at the top of the left sidebar. Please go cast your vote at Castle Macabre.

What I'm reading
I'm not mentioning last week because it was such a fail. =O( I'll just say that I only read about 55 pages.

Currently reading:
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Coming up:
Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid (book tour with Tribute Books)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Just for Fun reading challenge--Dollycas)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is currently on tour. This month's host is Alyce from At Home with Books (want to read a book description? Clicking the book covers will take you to the book's page on Amazon)

WON:
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon...from BookTrib

Herald of Death by Kate Kingsbury...from Mystery and My Musings

BOOKMOOCH:
Troy by Adele Geras

LIBRARY SALE:
1984 by George Orwell
The Memorist by M.J. Rose
Benjamin Franklin by Edmund S. Morgan
The Perfect Royal Mistress by Diane Haeger
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

Bout of Books 3.0 Read-a-Thon

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up:

If you look down below at the daily updates, you will see that my last update was on January 10. I had good intentions for the read-a-thon, but unfortunately, life got in the way. I planned on being able to read a lot, while still getting our apartment in order for my son's birthday party yesterday, but that wasn't meant to be. The week just got away from me and I was too busy to read or even to post updates. Bummer! So, total pages read last week was 55 pages. Ugh! I better get my butt in gear if I'm going to reach my goal of 100 books read in 2012!

I'd like to thank Amanda again for hosting. Hopefully, at her next one, I'll do better.

My Goals

I have a busy week ahead of me trying to whip the apartment into shape for Reece's birthday party on Sunday, but I'm going to read as much as I can. So...

--Catch up on read-a-long books

--Read at least two or three books total

Books To Read
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (TuesBookTalk read-a-long)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (read-a-long)

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life by Natalie Goldberg

The Gift of a Year by Mira Kirshenbaum

The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe

Unrest in Eden by Florence B. Weinberg

Updates

Amanda made us this awesome template, but I'm going to modify this a bit because I know I probably won't finish a book in one day, but we shall see...

1/9
Pages read today: Oh, woe is me...maybe 5...ugh. =O(

Number of books I’ve read today: 0
Total number of books I’ve read: 0
Books: Read from Gone with the Wind

1/10
Bad, bad read-a-thon participant *slaps hand*
Pages read today: 50

Number of books I’ve read today: 0
Total number of books I’ve read: 0
Books: The Scarlet Letter

1/11

Pages read today:

Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/12

Pages read today:
Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/13
Pages read today:

Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/14
Pages read today:

Number of books I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

1/15
Pages read today:

Number of books I've read today:
Total number of books I've read:
Books:

Epic Kindle Give@way--Final day!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:25:00 +0000

captioned by Michelle/The True Book Addict

Want to win a Kindle Fire? Authors Aiden James, Scott Nicholson, J. R. Rain, and H.T. Night are teaming up Jan. 11-13 to give away $1,000 in prizes, including four Kindle Fires, $200 in Amazon gift cards, and 45 free Kindle books.

There are four ways to enter during Jan. 12-13:

Share this blog link according to the blogger’s directions
Share our free books and event from http://epickindlegiveaway.blogspot.com
Spread the news about our contest on your favorite Internet hangouts and the Kindle Fairy is searching and putting names in her Magic Hat

TODAY’S FREE KINDLE BOOKS

Scott Nicholson

Drummer Boy (supernatural thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Red Church (supernatural thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; As I Die Lying (psychological thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Creative Spirit (haunted house thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Disintegration (suspense thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Zombie Bits (zombie stories) Amazon US Amazon UK; Amazon US Amazon UK; Speed Dating with the Dead Amazon US Amazon UK; The Skull Ring Amazon US Amazon UK; Scott Nicholson Library, Vol. 4 Amazon US Amazon UK; October Girls (YA paranormal) Amazon US Amazon UK

H.T. Night
A Boy's Life (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Boy Meets Girl (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Everlasting Love (Poetry) Amazon US Amazon UK; Getting Yours (Romantic Comedy) Amazon US Amazon UK; Paranormal Love Stories (Vampire/Werewolf Love Story) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Werewolf Whisperer (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Love Story (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Back to School (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Boys Being boys (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK

J.R. Rain
BAD BLOOD - A Vampire Thriller Amazon US Amazon UK; BLACK RAIN: 15 Short Stories Amazon US Amazon UK; ELVIS HAS NOT LEFT THE BUILDING - A murder mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; JUDAS SILVER - An adventure screenplay Amazon US Amazon UK; LOST EDEN - An adventure screenplay Amazon US Amazon UK; THE BODY DEPARTED - A ghost story Amazon US Amazon UK; THE VAMPIRE CLUB - supernatural fantasy comedy Amazon US Amazon UK; THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO -mystery novella Amazon US Amazon UK

Aiden James
Aiden James Vampires (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cursed Immortals (Supernatural Thriller/Vampires) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Raven Mocker (Horror/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Deadly Night (Murder mystery/Supernatural) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Forgotten Eden (Supernatural Thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Twice Bitten (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK

If one of the four authors hits #1 on the Kindle Free list, they will give away another Kindle Fire. If at any time during the event, the four authors hold all the Top 10 slots on the Kindle Free list, they will give away a sixth kindle. Kindle Fire winners will be selected by the Watauga County (NC) Public Library staff using random.org.

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To my visitiors...share this post on any social networking site or your blog and come back and leave me the links in the comments. If you post on Twitter, be sure to include #epickindlegiveaway in your tweet. Don't forget to include your email address with your comment. Easy peasy! Good luck!

Epic Kindle Give@way--Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:31:00 +0000

There are several ways to enter during Jan. 12-13:

Share this blog link according to the blogger’s directions
Share our free books and event from http://epickindlegiveaway.blogspot.com
Spread the news about our contest on your favorite Internet hangouts and the Kindle Fairy is searching and putting names in her Magic Hat

TODAY’S FREE KINDLE BOOKS

Scott Nicholson
The Red Church (supernatural thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; As I Die Lying (psychological thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Creative Spirit (haunted house thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Disintegration (suspense thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Zombie Bits (zombie stories) Amazon US Amazon UK; Duncan the Punkin (children’s book) Amazon US Amazon UK; Speed Dating with the Dead Amazon US Amazon UK; The Skull Ring (suspense thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Scott Nicholson Library, Vol. 4 Amazon US; Amazon UK; GHOST COLLEGE - A supernatural mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; CURSED urban fantasy Amazon US Amazon UK; BAD BLOOD - A Vampire Thriller Amazon US Amazon UK Transparent Lovers (paranormal mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Head Cases (psych thriller stories) Amazon US Amazon UK Solom Amazon UK

Aiden James
Aiden James Vampires (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cursed Immortals (Supernatural Thriller/Vampires) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Vampires’ Birthright (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cades Cove (Horror/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Twist (Vampire adventure/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Raven Mocker (Horror/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Deadly Night (Murder mystery/Supernatural) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Forgotten Eden (Supernatural Thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Twice Bitten (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK

J.R. Rain
ARTHUR - A modern-day spiritual adventure Amazon US Amazon UK; BAD BLOOD - A Vampire Thriller Amazon US Amazon UK; BLACK RAIN: 15 Short Stories Amazon US Amazon UK; CURSED - Supernatural horror thriller Amazon US Amazon UK; DARK QUESTS: Two Adventure Screenplays Amazon US Amazon UK; ELVIS HAS NOT LEFT THE BUILDING - A murder mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; GHOST COLLEGE - A supernatural mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; JUDAS SILVER - An adventure screenplay
Amazon US Amazon UK; LOST EDEN - An adventure screenplay Amazon US Amazon UK; THE LOST ARK - An adventure novel Amazon US; THE BODY DEPARTED - A ghost story Amazon US Amazon UK; THE VAMPIRE CLUB - supernatural fantasy comedy
Amazon US Amazon UK; THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO -mystery novella Amazon US Amazon UK

H.T. Night
A Boy's Life (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Boy Meets Girl (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Everlasting Love (Poetry) Amazon US Amazon UK; Getting Yours (Romantic Comedy) Amazon US Amazon UK; Paranormal Love Stories (Vampire/Werewolf Love Story) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Werewolf Whisperer (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Love Story (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Back to School (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Boys Being boys (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK

If one of the four authors hits #1 on the Kindle Free list, they will give away another Kindle Fire. If at any time during the event, the four authors hold all the Top 10 slots on the Kindle Free list, they will give away a sixth kindle. Winners will be selected after the contest by the Watauga County (NC) Public Library using random.org.

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To my visitiors...share this post on any social networking site or your blog and come back and leave me the links in the comments. Easy peasy! Good luck!

Cat Thursday: Authors and their Cats (7)

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:15:00 +0000

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

The second Cat Thursday of each month is Authors and their Cats Thursday. Each time I will feature an author and their cat(s). Today I have for you....

Joyce Carol Oates and a cute companion (image from Writers and Kitties)

Epic Kindle Give@way!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:08:00 +0000

There are four ways to enter during Jan. 11-13:

Share this blog link on social media according to blogger’s directions
Follow the authors on Facebook (J.R. Rain, H.T. Night, Aiden James, and Scott Nicholson) and look for "Click to share" posts
Follow Ereader News Today on Facebook and click to share their free book bundles
Go to their free books on Amazon, click "like" and then "share" each book on Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtags “free for #kindle” and “#epickindlegiveaway”

TODAY’S FREE KINDLE BOOKS (Click Amazon link next to each title)

H.T. Night
A Boy's Life (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Boy Meets Girl (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Everlasting Love (Poetry) Amazon US Amazon UK; Getting Yours (Romantic Comedy) Amazon US Amazon UK; Paranormal Love Stories (Vampire/Werewolf Love Story) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Werewolf Whisperer (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Love Story (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Back to School (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Boys Being boys (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampires and Werewolves Beginnings (Vampire Romance) Amazon US

Scott Nicholson
The Red Church (supernatural thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; As I Die Lying (psychological thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Creative Spirit (haunted house thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Disintegration (suspense thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Harvest (technothriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Zombie Bits (zombie stories) Amazon US Amazon UK; Transparent Lovers (paranormal mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK

J.R. Rain
ARTHUR - A modern-day spiritual adventure Amazon US Amazon UK; BLACK RAIN: 15 Short Stories Amazon US Amazon UK; CURSED - Supernatural horror thriller Amazon US Amazon UK; DARK QUESTS: Two Adventure Screenplays Amazon US Amazon UK; ELVIS HAS NOT LEFT THE BUILDING - A murder mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; GHOST COLLEGE - A supernatural mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; THE LOST ARK - An adventure novel Amazon US; THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO -mystery novella Amazon US Amazon UK

Aiden James
Aiden James Vampires (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cursed Immortals (Supernatural Thriller/Vampires) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Vampires’ Birthright (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cades Cove (Horror/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Twist (Vampire adventure/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK

If one of the four authors hits #1 on the Kindle Free list, they will give away another Kindle Fire. If at any time during the event, the four authors hold all the Top 10 slots on the Kindle Free list, they will give away a sixth kindle. The bonus Kindle winners will be selected using the #epickindlegiveaway hashtags on Facebook and Twitter.

The Facebook and Twitter hashtags must accompany a link to one of the free books, a participating book blog, or the contest home page at http://epickindlegiveaway.blogspot.com or it won’t count as a valid entry. Thanks, good luck, and enjoy the free books!
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Happy Birthday, Reece!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:06:00 +0000

Today is Reece's 9th birthday! Happy Birthday to my sweet son who always cares about everyone with a heart as big as the world. We love you, my boy. May you have many, many more happy birthdays.
xoxoxoxo

TTBA Weekly News and Mailbox Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:15:00 +0000

This feature was inspired by It's Monday! What are you reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey and by The Sunday Salon.

Whew, the holidays sure were a whirlwind! It's a new year and everything is full of promise again for new beginnings and new goals. I skipped last week's post because, frankly, I was overwhelmed by my new routine I'm trying to adopt. So far, I'm doing okay, but it's a work in progress!

NEWS
--If you participated in The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, be sure to post your wrap-up post by midnight tonight HERE. You'll be in the drawing for a mystery box of Christmas books (U.S. only) or a $5.00 book of your choice from Book Depository or Better World Books (International only).

There are also three giveaways going on over at The Christmas Spirit. You can find links to them all at this POST.

--I'm still working on picking my reading challenges for this year. I'm trying to be very selective, but it's hard! I completed 9 last year, in addition to the extra ones during the year (R.I.P., etc.), so it wasn't a total fail. In the midst of choosing challenges, I decided to totally redesign my challenge blog. Take a look here: Challenges of The True Book Addict

EVENTS

--Sign-up for my winter read-a-thon, A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon. It's scheduled for January 23 -29, 2012. Visit the sign-up post HERE. It's going to be a good start to those new year's resolutions, if they include tackling that ever looming to-be-read pile/stack/mountain. I hope you will join me!

I'm still looking for mini-challenge hosts and/or giveaway hosts. Also, prize donations would be greatly appreciated. Authors looking to promote your book(s), this would be a great way to do it! Drop me an email at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

--I need some input on the name for my Spring read-a-thon. I'm hosting it via Castle Macabre (in case anyone doesn't know, it's my horror/speculative fiction blog) and it will be scary themed again. My Fall read-a-thon was such a success so I thought, "why not host two read-a-thons here and two at Castle Macabre every year?" Here are the choices for names. You can leave your opinion in the comments. I will be putting a poll up at Castle Macabre soon as well.

1. Spooky Spring Read-a-thon at Castle Macabre
2. Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon at Castle Macabre
3. Spring is Scary Read-a-Thon at Castle Macabre

What I'm reading
I've been doing mainly Christmas reading, of course. You can read all about what I read for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge HERE.

This week, I'm participating in the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon and you can read about what I'm reading at the sticky post on the blog or HERE.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia and is currently on tour. This month's host is Alyce from At Home with Books (want to read a book description? Clicking the book covers will take you to the book's page on Amazon)

WON
from Read 2 Review:
Bridger by Megan Curd
A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker
Demon Soul by Christine Ashworth
Bone Dressing by Michelle I. Brooks

from the 8 Authors Holiday Blog Hop--Rebecca Zanetti:
Fated by Rebecca Zanetti

from C Mash Loves to Read:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell

FOR REVIEW
book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours:
At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Anne Clinard Barnhill
The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins

The Rebel Wife by Taylor M. Polites...book tour with Tribute Books

White Seed by Paul Clayton...from the author

BOOKMOOCH
The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom
The Gift of a Year by Mira Kirshenbaum

PURCHASED FROM BETTER WORLD BOOKS:
Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life by Natalie Goldberg

FROM HISTORY BOOK CLUB (intro package):
The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere
The World of King Arthur by Christopher Snyder
History of Britain and Ireland--DK Publishing
She-Wolves: The Women who Ruled England before Elizabeth by Helen Castor

Book Nooks (6)

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:23:00 +0000

I missed the last two Book Nooks, so they're on number 8, but I'm only on number 6. =O)

Book Nooks

*Every weekend*

Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

Show us something pretty!

Commentary: This one really struck me. It looks so cozy and the painting above the nook is so inviting. The only thing I might change would be to have the shelf be full of books (which there wouldn't be any other choice in my house...I have so many books).

Details: Image originally obtained from John Wallace Benecke Interiors

Source: Nonsensical

Join in: Add your own Book Nooks post

Cat Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle @ The True Book Addict) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:49:00 +0000

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

The Christmas decorations are coming down (well, mine will be taken down this weekend). This kitty is being very proactive about it and even made up a little lyric change up to the classic Sound of Music song, My Favorite Things.

Some of you have already seen this on Facebook, but I thought I'd share with you a picture of me and my girl, Alice!