Congrats to Harper Bell, who won Tono (the sequel to Loving Edits) by Mickie B. Ashling! Tono is being released by Dreamspinner Press today.
Congrats to Samantha, who won Tears of Blood (Drone Vampires, Book 12) by Stephani Hecht! Tears of Blood will be released by eXtasy Books on January 15, 2011.
Congrats to Marie A, who won the Saddle Up ‘N Ride anthology by Em Woods (and friends)! Saddle Up ‘N Ride will be released by Total-E-Bound on January 17.
Contests
- Janna’s celebrating her fifth blogiversary by giving away yarn and your choice of a $20 Amazon or iTunes gift certificate. Closes midnight CST January 14.
- Patti’s giving away two paranormal romances and two non-paranormal romances. Comment by January 16 for your chance to win. US & Canada.
- Blodeuedd’s giving away two copies of The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen. Comment by January 19 for your chance to win. US & Canada.
Bookity
- New releases and more: Lily (m/m romance), Literary Escapism (UF/PNR news, contests, etc), All About Romance (romances), and Book Lovers Inc (assorted types of romance).
- Authors of m/m romance|gay romance who use Scrivener – TeddyPig wants to feature you! Some authors who’ve already participated include Jet Mykles, A.M. Riley (includes information on how to participate), Heidi Cullinan, Ally Blue, and more.
- Book news and links from Dear Author, ReadReactReview, and Book Lovers Inc.
- All About Romance kicks off its Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Challenge.
- Orannia explains the 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge.
- Paperback Writer features some unusual bookcases.
- Bookshelf Porn, via CRAFT.
- Did you catch the special edition of the Misadventures in Stock Photography over at Clare London’s blog earlier this week?
Ebookity
- Go download Stuff My Stocking: M/M Romance Stories that Are Nice…and Naughty free, courtesy of the 25 authors and the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.
- If you feel like reading something a little heftier (but still free), how about Access to Knowledge in the Age of Intellectual Property?
- Dear Author has ten tips for new ebook reader owners.
- Libraries (including academic libraries) are actually experiencing growth, with many planning to get into ebooks this year.
- Interesting article from TeleRead on how ebook pricing relates to revenue.
- I can’t say that I’m surprised that a recent survey found traditional publishers don’t understand consumers/readers.
- BookBaby is the new ebook publishing/distributing venture from CDBaby. It will focus on independent authors.
Think, Make, Learn, Do
- Paperback Writer explains what an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for your blog is and why it might be useful to get one.
- MaximumPC names the 12 technologies they expect to be nearly gone by 2020.
- Red wine can apparently enhance the conducting properties of superconductors (and yes, this discovery was made about how you’d guess it was).
- If you take public transit, you’ll be thrilled to discover Google Maps can now help cut down on how much time you spend outside waiting (and at the mercy of the weather).
- Make your own chocolate hazelnut spread! (Mmmm… Nutella…)
- Fascinating chart of cat coat colors and patterns. Chaos is a black tabby (mackeral pattern). Mayhem is a black smoke, albeit without the light-colored ruff.
Snowity
- Make your own removable cleats for walking on ice or hard-packed snow.
- Does this shoveling technique actually keep snow plows from blocking your driveway?
Craft
- Have you tried dyeing fabric using snow?
- Hmm. Is it really the world’s largest yarn stash?
- Turn socks into fingerless mitts (this has potential for handknit socks that get a hole or two).
Cool
- The new Star Wars area in LEGOLAND California will contain 2000 hand-built models!
- The Fifth National Soup Swap is January 22. (Hmm. Maybe not so good to have this after that zombie link.)
Huh
- I think it’s easier to carry a notebook in your pocket…
- Pretty sure I don’t want to eat noodles that had boll weevils, even after the boll weevils were removed…
LOL
- Basement Cat loves tornadoes! Do you know why?
- From the Oatmeal, how his handwriting has changed since kindergarten.
Teh Cute
- Cats in a Christmas tree! Kittens! Bunny nose! Quokka! Kitten! Cat and kitten! Fawn! Fennec foxes! Fossa! Kittens! Kittens (or gollums?)! Bison! Baby tree kangaroo!
Reading Update
Death by Misfortune by A.M. Riley. ebook. Excellent m/m romantic suspense/mystery about the murder of a “psychic to the stars” and a prominent Hollywood producer, filled with lots of complex twists and turns. The story is told from two alternating points-of-view: Jeremy, a production assistant, and Bill, the closeted cop first introduced in Amor en Retrogrado.
His Client by Ava March. ebook. Very good kinky Regency m/m romance about a prostitute who’s had enough to retire for a while, but stays on at the brothel because he’s fallen in love with one of his clients – a client who’s been pining for his straight best friend since they were at university together.
Trusted Bond (Change of Heart, Book 2) by Mary Calmes. ebook. Very good paranormal m/m romance continuing the story of Jin and Logan about six months after Change of Heart ends, complete with attackers, kidnappers, and assassins! As Logan comments more than once, life with Jin is never dull or predictable.
Taking You Home (Boys of Summer, Book 2) by Cooper Davis. ebook. This sequel to Boys of Summer was a very good m/m romance that continues the story of Hunter and Max as they deal with Max’s family and Hunter works to adjust to the idea of himself as not straight.
Pulling Apart (Pulling Away, Book 2) by Shawn Lane. ebook short. Good short m/m romance continuing the story of Noah and Charlie as Charlie pulls away and Noah has no idea what’s wrong or how to help.
Things I’ll Never Say by M.J. O’Shea. ebook. Very sweet m/m romance about two guys who’ve been best friends for years. One’s had a crush on the other for ages, but is so sure it isn’t returned that he plans to go to college out of state to get some distance.
Euphorbia by Glyn Soitino. ebook. Very good short m/m romance about a gardener who was burned by love and doesn’t plan to get involved beyond one-night stands ever again.
Black Gold by Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid. ebook. Pretty good m/m romance about a glam rock superstar and the leader of a punk band. I would’ve rated this higher if there hadn’t been so damn much talking. These two talked and talked and TALKED. They had long, complicated, deep conversations during allegedly spectacular sex. Um. Yeah. *rolls eyes* Really, I just wanted everyone to shut up after a while. Love the cover, though! 🙂
Firm Touch by Christine d’Abo. ebook short. Steamy short m/m holiday romance about a couple whose lives have been so busy with work that they’ve been growing apart, even though it isn’t what either of them want. Will a drunken revelation that leads to a kinky surprise help bring them closer together or be the beginning of the end?
What He Wants by Eden Cole. free ebook short. Free so-so short m/m romance about two nominally straight best friends whose mutual female friend points out to each of them that they’re in love with each other.
Giving Chase (Seattle) by Jamie Hill. ebook short. Meh short m/m romance about a programmer who meets a gift store clerk and is instantly smitten. The whole thing felt forced and unrealistic.
Best Laid Plans by Cat Kane. ebook. Ok m/m romance about a disaster-prone wedding coordinator who gets involved with the groom of a wedding he’s planning. I might’ve liked this more had the whole reason behind the big misunderstanding plot made sense to me.
Rescuing the Librarian (New Horizons, Book 1) by Serena Yates. ebook. Ok m/m romance about a research librarian who agrees to help a porn star attempting to break into more mainstream acting get a better understanding of what a librarian’s job involves. Alas, I had some niggles about this one – the actor, from Scotland, must not have had any accent at all, since the librarian didn’t realize he was from Scotland. How likely is that? And what happened to the librarian’s assistant, who seemed as if he was going to be a critical player in the story, but vanished after a couple pages?
Naughty Nooners by Carol Lynne, Kaenar Langford, J.P. Bowie, Cian Fey, Jade Mason, & Dakota Rebel. ebook collection. Ok collection of m/m romance short stories about steamy lunch hour interludes and instalove.
Law and Ardor by Jack Greene. ebook short. Steamy short m/m romance about a cop who responds to a breaking-and-entering report and meets an adorable guy that he’d really like to get to know better. Small editing fail when counting fingers at one point…
Love Thy Neighbor by Jack Greene. ebook short. Steamy short m/m/m story about a guy who becomes fascinated by the two exhibitionist models who have an apartment across the courtyard from him.
“Why are you taking my picture?!” -Chaos
For some reason your linkity title made me think of the Viking Kittens:
http://www.dennyweb.com/viking_kittens.htm
That is such a cool house for cats – even Chaos would like it, perhaps….
A recent post from mrspao..We heart sushi and Cat Attack with real cats
I’m getting kittens this week! So excited!
I must be slacking because I’ve only read one of your books this week – Naughty Nooners – I agree it was an OK read.
I have the AM Riley on my TBR pile and I’m saving it for a special occasion.
A recent post from Jenre..Love Thy Neighbor by Jack Green
I started reading early today to get through those link..
I so agree about lack of sleep and snacking.. I am so guilty..
A few books there I really need ot get to…
🙂
The lack of sleep this is true. I’ve known it for years (and my fluctuating weight pretty much confirms it). Unfortunately, it is a big leap being knowing about it and being able to manage it. There is only so much I can do to make sure I get more sleep!
A recent post from Seanna Lea..Challenge 2- Iron Craft draft dodgers
Excellent linkity as always!
(Am I the a perv in the am or just the first to mention the link to the “male sex toy fail”isn’t there anymore?)
A recent post from Patti..Yours for the Taking by Robin Kaye
I love these brief blurbs about the books. It gives me exactly what I need to know about the book. 🙂 Knowing the premise is sometimes half the battle.
Thanks, Chris.
Patti: D’oh! I removed the link. Thanks for the heads up!
Jenre: Kittens! Yay! Need photos. 🙂
Mia: Glad you enjoy the reviewettes!
I have to agree with Teddy’s three no-no’s.
I’ve used Adobe Digital for epubs and it works fine.
Great ISS quote. Made me go “woah”.
That is quite the cat house. Snail guitar is weird.
The sex toy link doesn’t work. Yes, I’m the one clicking on that link. LOL
I could have used some footie pjs last night. My feet were FREEZING.
Those warning labels make me think that some idiot did what they tell you not to and then tried to sue the company because really, who’d ever think up most of that stuff unless it already happened?
“Sparkles is pregnant?” Ha! A classic line.
Wow, I only read two of those, the Greene one (at BE today) and the Librarian which I had issues with too. Have I reviewed it yet? Maybe it’s in draft form. I have a few of those in my TBR. I’ve heard so many complaints about the yappy guys that I may move that much further down my list although as you said, gorgeous cover.
A recent post from Tam..Nothing- nothing- nothing but a rainbow of cookies
I refuse to admit that I have gone to the gym drunk to exercise *whistles*
A recent post from katiebabs/KT Grant..Im All Swarmy in My Pants! The Black Swan- Blue Valentine and The Kings Speech
All I can think about is Turkish Delight.
But my name is not Edmund… I think that was his name.
Hail oh excellent Snow Queen!
A recent post from Teddypig..Decadent Publishing
I love the cat house, perfect! Oh and those ice-cubes, gross, lol
A recent post from blodeuedd..Interview and giveaway- Mary Lydon Simonsen with The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy
The article about libraries and ebooks — unknown, I think, to a lot of non-academics, is that there is a whole different type of ebooks purchased by academic libraries. These are read on your computer screen, not on an ebook reader. They also aren’t (usually) downloaded — you have to be online to read them. You can download chapters (again, usually), but not the entire book. Since most of our students wander around with their laptops and since the wireless network is pretty ubiquitous, this isn’t a huge problem. But it’s a way different scenario than what is going on at public libraries.
A recent post from janna..Blogiversary and a Random Drawing
It’s taken me all day to go through the links! I especially like the winter in the Netherlands video.
Chaos, get used to it!
A recent post from margene..Breaking Out
Love that snail guitar! And I’m still excited about that crocheted sand worm from last week. I might even learn how to crochet!
A recent post from Val Kovalin..Awesome Author Meme from Angelia
Chris- Alex’s friend has a Fennec Fox- Pnut-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgCkBPbdfmQ
A recent post from Lorraine..As I was saying
That’s such a cute pic of Chaos!
No keys? Keys? But keys are…..key.
A recent post from Carrie K..Deliberate
linkity linkity lalala!!
So many tabs open! I’m going to buy an ereader this weekend (I think!) (how many times have I said that) I’m going to have to learn how to side load all these books from elsewhere.
Fabulous list! I’ve only gotten partway through, but I’ll be back.
Chaos, you’re looking cross-eyed, hon. Your mom must be stressing you out.
A recent post from Eyre..Kids try to figure out 80s gadgets
Interesting post on the 3star review. For me 3 stars means I liked it. It didn’t blow me away, that’s a 5 but is also wasn’t terrible, that’s a 1. A 2 is an okay book while a 4 means I really liked it a lot.
I agree with TeddyPig’s list.
Interesting info on ISSN’s. I’d not heard of that before.
I had never realized how many variations of cats there were. Kitty is a Tuxedo Cat without the optional White Tail Tip.
Winter in the Netherlands was beautiful. Just how I like to see snow. On a screen. Which is why I live in Florida and hopefully we’ll continue to be snow free. I’m going on vacation in a couple of weeks to Georgia and N/S Carolina. Fingers crossed the snow is gone by then. 🙂
I think Kitty would love that cat house. I’d be worried about airborne attacks when she felt like playing though.
LOL on the Snail guitar.
Eww, I can’t believe they still served the noodles.
Gives new meaning to “Bless you”. Lucky guy!
OMG, my favorites were the visor “do not drive with it in place” and the fire log “risk of fire”. 😀
LOL on the footie pj’s. Emma absolutely loves them and if she can get away with it will wear them all day long.
The zombie movie was good though the first one I did a few weeks back was better.
I’ve got His Client on my wish list, liked Trusted Bond a lot, have Taking You Home on my TBR and Pulling Apart also on my wish list. I’m pretty sure I read Giving Chase a while back and it was okay for me, Best Laid Plans was also okay as well as Naughter Nooners. I enjoyed Love Thy Neighbor.
Have a great weekend and thanks for the mention!
A recent post from Lily..The Friday 56 and aww- so cute- so funny and so sexy!
Love the snowplow hint! I have been plowed in so many times this winter I can hardly keep track. Oh-oh. I just looked out the window – I believe it is going to happen again.
Have you seen this interesting take on a warning sign? http://nickholmes.tumblr.com/post/2624844887/attn
Thanks once again for all the great links!
A recent post from Kristi aka FiberFool..Homemade Shortbread with Homemade Butter
I’m going to safe some of this enormous amount of links for tomorrow. 🙂 I did very much enjoy the Dutch Winter film link though. And thanks for the link to the Goodreads collection of free stories, I would’ve missed that if you hadn’t mentioned it.
Good to see you liked His Client so much, I just bought that.
I’m off to bed now. Have a great weekend, Chris!
A recent post from Janna ErotRomReader..Happy Gay Friday & A reading update
Awwww – you put my naughty kitties on linkity! BTW, the tree is down now. There is much sadness in my house.
I’m so getting that fang ice cube tray for a certain someone for her birthday! I love when linkity and my shopping needs collide. 😀
Those little Fennac Foxes are adorable!!!
And now, thanks to the linkity title, I now have Led Zeppelin stuck in my head.
Thanks for posting the link to Jo Knowles blog – I thought it was really thought provoking. 🙂
I love that picture of Chaos. 😀
A recent post from Bronwyn Green..This is why my damn tree is still up!
Excellent Linkity today!
Katie is a blue ticked.
I thought for sure it was going to be a guitar for snails.
So we should all make sure to have a drink before we exercise?!
A recent post from Sydney..Snow Day!
A treadputer?? I can chew gum and walk, but typing? I’m thinking that’s way beyond my coordination skills.
A recent post from Ava March..His Client – Now Available
the laundry captain is outside shoveling right now, should I go explain how to do it at the driveway? I think not. The warning labels were great. Once my mother burned my father by accidentally hitting the steam button while running the iron on his back. (She was ironing, he complained of a stiff shoulder…)
A recent post from Mary Lou..The Mystery of Tea Towels
She’s taking your picture, because the world is white in Minnesota and you are strikingly not white.
Thanks for all the updates Chris! I meant to send u a link to a blog post I saw that I thought you may find really interesting but you likely saw it at Dear Author.
Contests to all the winners!
Your picture is being taken because you are cute Chaos! 😉
A recent post from Lea..Musings Post 1- Reading- Thinking About Books I Want To Read- 2011 TBR Challenge- & Dog Boots
Ooops:
That was supposed to say “Congrats to All The winners..
I need more coffee.
A recent post from Lea..Musings Post 1- Reading- Thinking About Books I Want To Read- 2011 TBR Challenge- & Dog Boots
and Chaos looks like he has his nose pressed right up against the lens …. ha ha ha
I guess the Barbies aren’t the only ones who roll around naked in their stash.
A recent post from Cheryl S…Uh oh
Gotta love the libraries. Our town one might close. Honestly, I think it should: it has really limited hours and limited resources and we also support the county system – where I do all of my library bookity.
It is kind of odd how I support libraries but see why this one should close.
A recent post from trek..In which trek cons
Now that my husband has given me an iPad for Christmas, I shall take the time to read all the ebookity posts. The iBook store is lame, but thankfully the Kindle app is free. I have to figure out the other formats. I can read pdfs no problem.
Chaos, you love being a blog kitty! You can’t fool us with disgruntlement.
A recent post from Brenda..Wisconsin Knitter turns 100 on 1-11-11
Thank you for the link 🙂
Oh, and I love the cat house!
Chris – Chaos looks possessed!
A recent post from orannia..The Reflex
It’s so nice to catch up on your linkity!
OK, so the fingerless gloves totally have me thinking about the collection of knitted socks I have with holes in them. I’m thinking about trying to use a steek as a way to make the thumb hole. (The wheels are turning…)
Think I might make them while sipping some of that hot cocoa! 😉
Great linkity, as is your usual.:)
Black Gold looks good!
A recent post from Tracy..Review- Falkes Peak by Madison Layle & Anna Leigh Keaton