- Then go enter the contest for Chasing Alex by Em Woods and A Special Christmas by J.P. Bowie! Contest closes 10 pm CST, December 10.
Congrats to Courtney, who won Breathe by Sloan Parker!
Congrats to Marie, who won Mistletoe and Submission by Kim Dare! Mistletoe and Submission will be released by Total-E-Bound on December 6.
Congrats to Brenna and LadyM, who won His for the Holidays by LB Gregg, Harper Fox, ZA Maxfield, and Josh Lanyon. His for the Holidays will be released by Carina Press on Monday, December 6.
Contests
- Lea’s giving away an advance ebook copy of Anne Rainey’s forthcoming short erotic romance, What She Craves. Comment by midnight EST, December 3 (today) for your chance to win.
- Tracy’s giving away a copy of Lipstick in Afghanistan by Roberta Gately. Comment by 11:59 PST, December 8, for your chance to win.
- Amora’s giving away an ebook copy of Raev Gray and Alexandr Voinov’s new m/m romance, Transit, to someone who answers her question in the comments by midnight PST, December 10.
Bookity
- Author newsletters: Kim Dare (news, free story, and a contest) and Heidi Cullinan (I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m sure it’s filled with awesomesauce).
- DIK (Desert Island Keepers) is looking for new team members to blog a few times a year. Hurry – you have to submit your application by December 4!
- New releases and more: Lily (m/m romance), Elisa (GLBT), Tor.com (YA paranormal, SF, UF/PNR), and SciFiGuy (SF/SFR, fantasy, UF/PNR, YA).
- Check out Gizmodo’s guide to gifts for book lovers. Paperback Writer has ten gift ideas for writers or readers, all for under $10.
- A very amusing “So you want to write a novel” video.
- Go now and read some of Uncle Walter’s Bad Romance Novel Quotes! Hee hee. (Thanks, Stephani!)
Ebookity
- Have you been to Brief Encounters yet? It’s a new blog from Tam and Jenre, devoted entirely to reviews of short m/m stories. Congrats, you two! Were you concocting this in San Francisco?!
- Trek shares some thoughts on prices for ebooks from traditional publishers.
- An American Editor with some things you should consider when deciding which ereader you should buy.
- TeleRead shares the story of how a skeptical writer became an ebook convert.
- Amazon’s been charging for Project Gutenberg books… which you can get for free in Kindle format from Project Gutenberg.
Think, Do, Learn, Make
- Harvey Milk’s speech on hope is as relevant today as it was over 30 years ago. It gave me chills.
- An engineer might have figured out how Stonehenge was built.
- How many of history’s ten most dangerous cars can you name?
- A recent study found that people were able to predict the future… and porn was one of the tools used in the study.
Gluten Free
- Does your Walgreens carry Delish gluten-free snacks?
Gift Ideas
- Refreshingly honest hand sanitizers for the OCD people in your life! (Thanks, Jase!)
- Fear in a Can, anyone?
- More geeky gift ideas from Tor.com, including stuffed animals.
- Perhaps a bowl made of melted plastic toy soldiers for the child at heart?
- Very cute felted cat hats (not hats for cats, just to be clear…).
- Knit a Noro hat for a quick and colorful gift.
- Sew a DSLR bag for the photographer.
- Fourth Amendment underwear for the frequent flier?
- CRAFT has a gift guide for chefs, plus links to several other gift guides.
- Gift guides from Gizmodo: cyclists, booklovers, caffeine addicts, and the guy who never grew up.
Holiday
- This rainbow felt ball garland looks pretty easy to make.
- Build a LEGO Death Star ornament!
- With “faker crochet”, you can make doily-covered soaps in five minutes or less!
Cool
- I can’t believe these are just made from thread!
Huh
- The Starship Meaterprise…
LOL
- It’s obviously a spoof based on the van number, but what a fun thing to rename your wifi network!
- I loved this emergency Thanksgiving pie recipe.
- Who would win in Hobbes vs. Pooh?! (Thanks, Jase!)
- Whoa! Dramatic animal drama! (Thanks, MamaTulip!)
- How to wrap a cat like a Christmas present. (Thanks, Kim!)
- Eeek!
Teh Cute
- Cat and kitten! Red panda! Albino wallaby! Kittehs in sinks! Snow kittehs! Baby cheetah! Hummingbirds! Donkeys! Otter! Lemurs! Kittens!
Reading Update
Unspeakable Words by Sarah Madison. ebook. Excellent paranormal m/m romantic suspense about a very precise San Francisco-based FBI agent who’s been shuffled around a lot because he’s not easy to deal with. He gets assigned a temporary partner from Quantico because of a new lead in an old case. When his temporary partner ends up sleeping on his couch, his orderly world is disrupted and things start to get interesting. I’m definitely hoping for more books about these two!!
Beyond Reckless by Ava March. ebook short. Very good steamy short m/m Regency romance about two men who enjoy the thrill of nearly being discovered…
Idaho Battlegrounds by Sarah Black. ebook. Very good m/m romance about a small-town Idaho sheriff who’s also a lieutenant in a National Guard unit that’s been in Afghanistan for the past four years. He’s now up for reelection against the corrupt interim sheriff, while at the same time getting to know a local dairy farmer who has a few secrets of his own…
Pretty Ugly (Petit Morts #6) by Jordan Castillo Price. ebook short. Very good short paranormal m/m story about a photographer who describes himself as “plug ugly”. He’s shooting an event when he encounters the elusive chocolatier Chance, who gives him a very special chocolate…
Sort of Stranger than Fiction (Petit Morts #7) by Josh Lanyon. ebook short. Very good short paranormal m/m romance about a small-town bookstore owner who’s quite intrigued by the scarred guy who owns a nearby dojo.
One Less Stiff at the Funeral (Petit Morts #8) by Sean Kennedy. ebook short. Very good short m/m paranormal story about a guy who helps family members plan services for their freshly deceased relatives.
Critic’s Choice (Petit Morts #9) by Josh Lanyon. ebook short. Very good short m/m paranormal m/m romance about a film critic who gets the chance to work on a dream project and does so, even though he’ll be working with his cheating ex-boyfriend.
Wishink Well (Petit Morts #10) by Jordan Castillo Price. ebook short. Excellent short paranormal m/m romance about a man in a hospice, dying of COPD, who runs into the mysterious and alluring Chance stocking vending machines. This Petit Mort has sharper edge than the others.. and we find out a tiny bit more about Chance.
In a Wolf’s Eyes by Cassandra Gold. ebook short. Good short paranormal m/m romance about a guy who gets lost in the woods and found by a strangely intelligent wolf…
Copper Country Gold by Taylor Lochland. ebook. Good short paranormal m/m romance about a bobcat shifter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula who’s been limiting himself to one-night stands because there aren’t any other gay shifters in the area and he knows his clan leader will never accept an outsider.
WHAT by Missy Welsh. free ebook short. Good free short paranormal m/m romance about a tattoo artist who has a crush on his straight boss.
Dinner and a Movie by Beth Wylde. ebook short. Steamy short m/m encounter about a couple out for dinner and a very unusual movie…
Strings Attached by Nick Nolan. ebook. Good but uneven m/m romance about a high school senior who discovers, after his alcoholic mother ends up in treatment, that his dead father’s family is wealthy. His transition to a life of privilege while he tries to figure out who he is and what he wants does not go smoothly. The author’s afterward reveals numerous references to the story of Pinocchio, only a few of which I caught. I’d suggest including a forward with an abbreviated version of that story to help the reader…
Double Bound (Strings Attached, Book 2) by Nick Nolan. ebook. Ok m/m romantic suspense that was all over the place. This book focused on the butler/bodyguard from the previous book. Unfortunately, especially the closer to the end of this book I got, it felt like the heir (the main character from the previous book) was back to being Pinocchio, with others deciding things for him.
The Christmas Wreath (Tales from the Bell End Cafe, Book 1) by Fabian Black. ebook short. So-so short m/m holiday romance about a young man who fancies himself in love with the older man who saved his life. I think this is the first installment in a serial story… and those drive me nuts. I’d rather read an entire story, not wait for it to be eked out.
The Perfect Tree (The Forbidden Room, Book 3) by J.P. Barnaby. ebook short. Steamy short kinky holiday m/m romance, after which reading you’ll not look at Christmas decorations the same again!
Twinkle, Twinkle by Josephine Myles. ebook short. DSP Advent Calendar. Good short holiday m/m romance about a doctor who, when treating an electrician shocked while checking the wiring for Christmas lights, realizes that the hunky electrician was the fat kid everyone beat up in school.
Biting the Christmas Biscuit (Broken, Book 1.2) by Dawn Kimberly Johnson. ebook short. So-so short holiday m/m romance in which the couple from Broken go to spend the holidays with one’s dead boyfriend’s family. The ending on this was odd – it just sort of stopped.
Storm on the Mountain (Mountain #7) by P.D. Singer. ebook short. Very good short m/m romance continuing the story of Mark and Allan, this time with a Valentine’s Day blizzard.
On Call: Crossroads (On Call #3) by P.D. Singer. ebook short. Doctors Without Borders Charity Sip Blitz. Very good short m/m romance continuing the story of veterinarian Dante and doctor Keith, as Keith tries to come to grips with losing a patient.
Housesitting by M. Durango. ebook short. Doctors Without Borders Charity Sip Blitz. Good short m/m romance about a guy who’s housesitting for his uncle for the summer, next door to the now-resident who was his teenaged crush.
Little Fishes by Syd McGynley. ebook short. Doctors Without Borders Charity Sip Blitz. Ok short kinky m/m romance about a master taking his slave to meet his family, who aren’t aware of the nature of their relationship.
How Did I Lose My Passport – And Find My Love by JM Cartwright. ebook short. Doctors Without Borders Charity Sip Blitz. So-so short m/m romance about an absent-minded medical researcher who misplaces his passport while traveling and is surprised when his nemesis, the hospital’s COO, turns up to get things sorted out.
“That was tasty. I’m glad Mom left those crackers near the edge of the counter while she was getting something out of the fridge!” -Chaos
Now why would someone want a naked showering santa…
A recent post from blodeuedd..Review- The Heir – Grace Burrowes
Thanks for the shout out Chris! No it was all dreamed up after SF, but very much based on the number of people at Yaoicon who told me how much they missed my blog :).
Actually, given the amount of shorts you’ve read this week, I think we need to recruit you as a guest reviewer!
I have the Sarah Madison book in my TBR pile but it may be while before I get to it. Looks good though :).
A recent post from Jenre..The Perfect Tree by JP Barnaby
Wow – that was still a lot of linkity! I would totally use those hand sanitizers as stocking stuffers 🙂
Looks like you had a pretty good reading run too!
A recent post from Patti..November Reading Wrap-Up and Giveaway Winners!
I kind of like naked Lego Santa. *runs away*
A recent post from katiebabs..Guest Author Post- Sex- Lies & Togas- The Secret Life of Augustus from Stephanie Dray
Some really thought-provoking links today. Especially that one about ebooks and epricing 😉
A recent post from trek..Just for fun
LOL, the cover of “Mistletoe Madness” cracks me up! The look on the face of the guy sitting down – whoa! Look what I’m getting for Christmas!!
That bit about humans walking in circles – so fascinating! I never knew, but I’m not surprised.
Want.Baby.Cheetah. Don’t care if he one day chases me down. Baby.Cheetah.
A recent post from Brigitte..Its The Little Things
Love the Death Star ornament 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend!
A recent post from Alison..Two Scarves and Some Towels
thanks for this list of books. Am totally buying the Sean Kennedy short!
And as always, thanks for the linkage!
A recent post from Jessica..Review- A Certain Pressure in the Pipes- by Clancy Nacht
oh, and hey, I juts noticed that cool “Jessica’s last blog” thingy. Love it!! I wonder how I can add that to my own wordpress blog?
That’s you all over–give, give, give–never thinking of yourself!
Personally, I find this quote from the bad quotes freaking brilliant. I want to know more.
“Before you know it, you’re naked and handcuffed to the headboard of some guy named Dirk with a ruler tattooed on his penis.”
Thanks for the shout-out and no, Jen came up with that one on her own after she got home. 🙂
It wasn’t that they were “predicting” porn would show up more than 50% of the time, it was that they were HOPING it would show up more than 50%.
I want fear in a can.
Love the thread art. No like squid shoes.
Starship Meaterprise. I’d eat it.
Loved the gift card blurb.
I shouldn’t read Squirrel!Neo at work. Laughing out loud is not good.
Yay, glad I’m not the only one who really liked Unspeakable Words. I was starting to get paranoid since so many people had issues with it. LOL I’ll definitely be on the look-out for more. Otherwise except for the Taylor Lockland one and the Charity sips I haven’t read any of those. I haven’t even kept up with my Daily Doses. Ack! I sense and over-Dose coming on. LOL
Have a great weekend.
A recent post from Tam..And today on the internet- a new blog is born
Chris- So, if I wrapped KC up in Christmas paper with kitties on it- would that be on the wrong side of the taste barrier?
I need a ruling on this.
A recent post from Lorraine..Lack of Progress Report
Love the cyclist gifts! Too bad I already got #2 son the merino wool hoodie he asked for, but the Chipotle gift card is the perfect stocking stuffer for him. The wannabe writer video is hilarious! I have a draft post with the crows vs. kitteh video; shall I still post it? Is there anyone who DOESN’T read your blog?
Sorry gotta go, need to gift-wrap the cat…
A recent post from kmkat..Winter
Did you know that the cat-wrapping video has a sequel? It’s called “The One Where the Owner’s Eyes Were Clawed Out as Soon as the Camera Was Turned Off.” 🙂
A recent post from Marsha..This looks like a dream
I must thank you for Lilith Saincrow…
nice tongue Chaos…. guess you like the salt, eh?
Smith makes the best GF latkes. Commeon over!
Good work, Chaos. Max is envious of your ability to climb.
A recent post from margene..The Nutty Guys
Oooo, I’m gonna be distracted from today’s tasks!
A recent post from Kristi aka FiberFool..New Knitting Pattern- Kate Shawl
Great linkity! I mean, fear in a can? Squid shoes? Awesome thread installations! Hope you get rested up this weekend from that hectic week. 🙂
A recent post from Val Kovalin..New Blog Dedicated to Gay Romance Short Stories
Lots of stuff going on in your life – so much linkity, so many contests, all those books! Do you ever sleep?
Thanks so much for the link to our blog! We love to get such positive feedback. And, well, *cough* if you’re looking for even further distraction, you should click through my name to our covers site, too. 😉
Tam, that quote has been extremely popular. One of the things I love best about our blog is that we promote and sell books, even while poking (all in good) fun at them. If you decide to purchase a book, don’t forget that you support Uncle Walter by clicking through from our site!
Okay, is that enough self-promotion for now??? LOL Seriously, though, I tip my hat in acknowledgment! 🙂
A recent post from The Wife..This is your last chance After this- there is no turning back
Greay Linkity!
Were those the most awesome rice crackers that Chaos managed to nab?
Squid shoes? Eeek.
Also – I still find myself wondering why one would be hanging mistletoe while on a stepladder with one’s pants around one’s ankles.
A recent post from Nicole..December Resolutions- a la Le R
the stonehenge thing, totally cool. I love the squid shoes, those are awesome! The high heel hiking, not so much. I can barely stand up on flat shoes when hiking. And I think I need the typewriter waffle maker.
A recent post from Rebekah..Arts and Crafts Weekend
And fine linkity it is. I’m still reading the Stonehenge article…
Linkety linkety lalala!
Of course I would be all over those purple sneakers if they had a dark sole instead of a white one! I also cracked up over naked santa & showed my son the wrapped cat… I wonder if captin jack would let me do that to him???
Another great set of links, thanks!
Among my favorites were the Hand Sanitizers and the Chipotle card. Funny!
LOL, I can’t believe I forgot to finish and post the new books. I started it Wednesday after work but lost track of it in the prep for Jules’ surgery. Just finished and posted it now.
As for the books, I’ve not read any of these but do have a couple on my TBR. Have a great weekend!
A recent post from Lily..Cold Winters by AKM Miles
Wow, It’s been so long since I’ve gotten out and about, I’d forgotten how uber awesome the linkity was!
I may be here for days, just a clickin’ away!
A recent post from Amara..Finely Friday- and more!
Hey… I’m on there!
You are soooooo the best! Thanks Chris =D
A recent post from Amara..Finely Friday- and more!
Pretty awesome linkies for the week you’ve had.
Was there the proper hill climbing in Sarah Madison’s ebook?
A recent post from Carrie K..A New Year
Oh, I hear you about the worn to the nub part Chris. As evidenced by the fact I haven’t been around much at all.
I hope you can enjoy a restful weekend.
Oh, Chaos – I’m glad you enjoyed those crackers! Naughty boy. 😉
Great linkety as always and thank you so much for the mention. (hug)
A recent post from Lea..A Cape May Interview with Anne Rainey & GIVEAWAY!
i think a can o’fear is just the right gift 🙂
The Stonehenge article is way cool and the kids and I are totally going to make Deathstar ornaments for the tree – I think they’ll go nicely with the pirate, faery, and Winnie-the-Pooh ornaments. 😀 And I LOVED Milk’s speech. Thanks for more awesome linkity goodness!
That was some good linkity, Chris! 🙂
Ohhhh those crackers were delicious! I am glad that you liked them!
A recent post from Cecile..Wanna Sneak Peek Sexy Peek @ Forever In Lingerie
I totally love the snow cats 🙂 They are awesome!
A recent post from mrspao..Snow Day
I see the big guy is just as naughty as ever…
A see a few books here I have on my wish list….
Thanks for the links – Loads of info as usual…
E.H>
How can you keep up all that linkety! I can hardly blog anymore, or even read them!
A recent post from lisa..At least I washed my balls
Oh, FlippyCat was so patient with the Christmas wrapping. He lived a good 16 years.
I really, really want “Fear in a Can.” Looks like it’s a brick and mortar only. I have friends who would love their zombie line as well. Yes, I have weird friends 🙂
A recent post from Karen B…Just In Time!
I’ve had a crazy, stressful couple of weeks also.
A neighbor has a dog that’s very old and blind. They say she tends to walk in circles until she bumps into something.
I love the thread art!
I can identify with the easy open product graph.
A recent post from Sydney..Post Halloween Wrap-Up
Congrats to all the winners! Oh, must check out Tam & Jenre’s blog 🙂
I do like the sound of Unspeakable Words!
Chaos – I too love crackers 🙂
A recent post from orannia..Random Facts
Still wondering about the purpose of doily-covered soaps…
A recent post from Cheryl S…FO- Nanako Jacket