Congrats to Tam, who won Possession (Devlin Island, Book 1) by S. W. Vaughn!
Congrats to Natasha, who won Opposites Distract by Stephani Hecht! Opposites Distract was released yesterday by All Romance Ebooks as part of its Perfect Strangers series.
Congrats to Otter, who won How the Other Half Lives by Clare London! How the Other Half Lives will be released by Amber Allure on February 6.
Congrats to Carmel, who won Chocolate Dreams by Em Woods! Chocolate Dreams will be released by Total-E-Bound on February 7.
Contests
- Cecile’s giving away a copy of Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro, an Aztec Gold t-shirt, and a Stronger Than Sin tote bag. Contest closes today (February 4).
- Leontine’s giving away a copy of A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang. Winner announced February 7.
- Blodeuedd’s giving away two copies of Everyone Loves a Hero by Marie Force. Comment by February 8 for your chance to win. US & Canada.
- Novel Addiction’s giving away five ebook copies of Spiral X by J.J. Westendarp. Contest closes 11:59 pm, February 10.
- If you read Promises by Marie Sexton, you might be curious about Jared’s tattoo. Marie’s having a contest for you to submit drawings or photos of what you think his tattoo looks like. The winner will receive a copy of Marie’s forthcoming m/m romance (and sequel to Promises), Putting Out Fires. Contest closes February 11.
- Amara’s giving away all sorts of romances (paranormal, historical, and more) in paper and ebook. Answer her question in your comment by 12 am PST, February 14.
- Sweet Vernal Zephyr’s giving away four classic romances that she literally grew up with. Contest closes February 20.
- Book Lovers Inc is giving away winner’s choice of one of Jaci Burton’s backlist titles (print or ebook). Contest closes February 20.
Bookity
- New releases and more: Lily (m/m romance), Elisa (LGBT), Smexy Books (various types of romance), Literary Escapism (UF/PNR), and Book Lovers Inc (romance, UF/PNR)
- Some great book linkity and commentary from Smart Bitches. More great linkity from ReadReactReview (worth it just to watch the video for “I’m Reading a Book”) and Sloan Parker.
- Cool bookshelves and book quote. (Note that some site content is very NSFW.)
- Dear Author explains how bestseller lists work.
- Paperback Writer on ten ways writers can save money.
- Marie Sexton shares her thoughts on women writing m/m romance. (Note that some site content is very NSFW.)
- The Goodreads M/M Romance Group celebrates 2000 members with a big chat event today (February 4) from 1 pm to 10:30 pm EST. Chat participants will have the chance to win prizes!
- LoveRomancePassion identifies some male romance novel cover models… alas, none that we see in the Misadventures.
Ebookity
- Dreamspinner Press and ManLoveRomance Press are offering a free anthology of m/m romance short stories, poems, and anecdotes celebrating author Patric Michael.
- Lots of commentary on Apple’s enforcing some of the App Store fine print to reject the Sony Reader iPhone app.
- Some info on ebook bestseller lists, including the forthcoming list from the New York Times.
Do, Think, Make, Learn
- Heidi Cullinan writes eloquently against the proposed amendment to the Iowa State Constitution, which would restrict marriage to being between one man and one woman. You can donate to One Iowa to help fight for equality.
- If you’re confused about the various tablet computers available, Lifehacker’s infographic might help. They also have an article about five ways they feel the Android-powered Google table is better than the iPad, along with some things they feel the iPad still wins. Gizmodo reviews the Dell Streak 7 Android tablet… it doesn’t fare well.
- Do you have tech OCD?
- Lifehacker has ten tips on improving your brain.
- It’s Friday! Check out The Graphic Recipe Guide to Prepare Perfect Cocktails!
- What are some of the options out there for unlimited online backups?
- Some eerie videos and photos from Snowpacalypse (the non-Minnesota version). Lifehacker has a useful checklist for staying productive during Snowpocalypse (or other events that cause widespread power outages). And Gizmodo has a list of gear to help you stay warm.
Valentine’s
Cool
- Insanely creative crochet. (Thanks, Juni!)
- The first photo in CRAFT’s Flickr pool roundup combines high heels and knitting in a clever way.
- Super cute knit kitty hat! (Yes, I had to buy the pattern instantly.)
- It’s amazing that there’s still an uncontacted tribe living in the Amazon jungles.
- Cool or huh? You can now buy camping chairs with not only cupholders, but also butt warmers.
Huh
- My toes get really cold just looking at these boots.
LOL
- Remember the Alot, as created by Hyperbole and a Half? Check out the Alot love! (Thanks, Wren!)
- Sparkly Google autocomplete… (Thanks, Lea!)
- When someone says Hogwarts isn’t real… (Note that some site content is very NSFW.)
- TARDIS humor! (Note that some site content is very NSFW.)
- xkcd on cooking at home. (Make sure you hover your mouse over the comic for additional text.)
- The folks who brought you Damn You Autocorrect have a new blog: Parents Shouldn’t Text.
- Be very afraid of snaking the toilet… (Not nearly as scary as it sounds.)
- Who knew that kittens attacked red blood cells?
Teh Cute
- Bunnies! Kitten! Kitten! Baby kangaroo! Foxes! Baby cheetah!! Baby lion!! Cat and kittens!! Kitten! Kittens! Matching dog and kitten! Muddy lioness! Stoat! Baby penguin! Civet! Tiger! Polar bear! Wee sugar glider!
Reading Update
Rubbing Vignettes: The Wrong Way and the Right Way by Wren Boudreau. free ebook short. Cute short m/m Valentine’s romance split into two scenes as Greg tries to figure out how to celebrate his first Valentine’s with Finn, and then as they celebrate. I really hope that the first scene was the set up for a sequel to Back to Normal, featuring a couple of guys who rub each other the wrong way…
One Night Stand by Cassandra Gold. ebook short. Very good short m/m romance about a guy whose friends drag him to a club to help him get back out there after a few years. He seems to have a real connection to the guy he brings home… until the guy freaks out about having stayed over night and leaves. (This short story was originally part of the Friction anthology.)
Love Ahead: Expect Delays by Astrid Amara. ebook. Very good m/m romance about two guys driving a 1989 Geo from Seattle to drop off in Boulder, hoping to get there for part of Hanukkah, until the drive turns into the roadtrip from hell.
Half Pass by Astrid Amara. ebook. Good m/m romance about a horse phobic guy who inherits his aunt’s boarding stable and moves back to the small town in which he grow up so he can get the stable ready to sell. Unfortunately, it felt like all the details about the horses and their training and care overshadowed the actual story.
Handcuffs & Spreader Bars (Rawlings Men, Book 5) by Kim Dare. ebook. Very good kinky m/m romance about a dom (and police officer) who’s had his eye on one of the newer constables for a while, but has only just learned that the constable equates submission with being taken advantage of due to a prior bad experience.
MIA Case Files 1: Wolfsbane by K.C. Burn. ebook. Very good paranormal m/m romance about a closeted agent who works in a secret government agency (MIA) that investigates dangerous paranormal activities. While he and his partner are trying to figure out what’s going on in the small town of Rothburg, he meets and becomes fascinated by a gorgeous young man working at a coffee shop.
MIA Case Files 2: Blood Relations by K.C. Burn. ebook. Ok paranormal m/m romance about another MIA agent who gets involved with a young man who seems too good to be true. I didn’t enjoy the second book in this series nearly as much as I did the first – it was just too predictable.
Del Fantasma: Duck Fart by Jade Buchanan. ebook. Good paranormal m/m romance about an innocent Siamese cat shifter who just tracked down the best friend he’s had a crush on for years, only to discover that his friend is now mated to someone else. He thinks his heart is broken – so why is he leaving with that duck shifter and that human?!
High Flow (EMS Heat, Book 7) by Stephani Hecht. ebook. Good m/m romance about a medic who was gay bashed and now can’t let anyone get close or touch him. But maybe the handsome doctor in the ER will be patient enough to past his defenses…
True Hollywood by James Buchanan. ebook short. Good short m/m romance about two stuntmen who haven’t seen each other since their breakup years before until they run in to each other at their former mentor’s wake.
Second Helpings (Table for Two, Book 2) by Scarlet Blackwell. ebook short. Ok short m/m romance continuing the story of Luc, the arrogant French chef, and Daniel, the closeted British food critic, as Daniel’s obnoxious mother (who doesn’t know he’s gay) arrives for a visit and ratchets up the tension.
Beach Reading (Book 1) by Mark Abramson. ebook. Ok m/m mystery about a waiter in the Castro who spends a lot of time wandering around stoned and picking up guys. I did enjoy being able to picture the various locations mentioned. I didn’t enjoy the rambling brain dumps from everyone in the story.
A Bid for Love by T.D. McKinney & Terry Wylis. ebook. Ok m/m romance about an FBI agent who participates in a charity auction and is “purchased” by an anonymous bidder he assumes to be a woman. Ah, the surprise that awaits him when he and the bidder meet up in Italy. Sadly, the language was too flowery and overwrought for my tastes.
Knight or Daye by Jude Mason. ebook short. Ok short kinky m/m/m romance about a guy who infiltrates a human slavery ring, hoping that he can reconnect with and rescue the lover he drove away.
Howl by Lacey-Anne Frye. ebook. Ok m/m paranormal romance about a couple who stays at an isolated B&B in the middle of the woods. The proprietor tells them not to go outside after dark… Why don’t people ever listen??
What You See by C.J. Black. ebook short. So-so short m/m encounter between a waiter and an older man who always sits in his section at the restaurant.
“I’m hiding in my Plastic Tub of Invisibility. You can’t see me.” -Mayhem
I immediately gravitated to the opt out link for the yellow pages. Somewhere under the last umpety loads of snow is the last copy of the yellow pages we received. We never even brought it in!
Also, I have the vibram shoes for running. While I do not love them as much as I love my regular running shoes (and I won’t run a second half marathon in them, because they were on the list of things that didn’t work for a full 13.1 miles), they are great for occasional workouts to give muscles in your feet and legs that are coddled by normal running shoes a bit of a workout on their own. The gorilla feet look doesn’t bother me, but my toes did get cold when I tried to run in them shortly after I bought them (we were just entering late fall at the time).
A recent post from Seanna Lea..Take any heart! Take mine!
Those lines you’ll never hear were funny.
Those snow pictures are pretty amazing, and frightening.
Those pretzels were so cute, and so much work.
The little tiny storm troppers was sad.
OMG, a cheese cave. I want cheese.
Cute kitty hat. Can’t wait to see a pic of you wearing it. 🙂
Wearable planter, awkward. Anatomy dress, weird. Cake shoes and toe boots, stupid.
I read some of those books this week. First three agree, I have the second KC Burn as I enjoyed the first. We’ll have to see what I think of the second. Of course James Buchanan is always a good choice and I did adore Drake so loved Duck Fart. Looking forward to Stephani’s.
A recent post from Tam..Paranormal Thursday
Congratulations to Tam!
Hey, thank you for mentioning the posts and contests at Book Lovers Chris. Much appreciated.
I’m going to have to come back late tonight after work and check out all the great links – great stuff as always.
LOL Mayhem!
TGIF and enjoy you weekend Chris!
I want my own Alot!
I know it’s Friday when I come here and see all the links and book covers. Can you let me know which links I shouldn’t miss?
TGIF!
A recent post from margene..At the Same Time
Thank you, thank you for the Yellow Pages opt-out. I live in a condo building and the directories are left outside on the landing to die a slow death.
Where do you find this stuff. “Huh” is right.
Happy (and warm) weekend to you and the kitties.
A recent post from Karen B…Gone- baby Gone
The Darth Vader typography poster was awesome and so were those little crocheted critters lined up on the windowsill!
And I’m so glad you liked Love Ahead Expect Delays! I enjoyed that one a lot. 🙂
A recent post from Val Kovalin..Review Kindling Fire With Snow by Kate McMurray
Well, dear Chris- I am off to raid the gigantic tub of Lego in the crawlspace to make cufflinks.
Is that clear tub like the cone of silence?
A recent post from Lorraine..Still Crazy After All These Years
Well, Miss Mayhem, I can’t see you “clearly.” You have a good weekend, Pet.
A recent post from Marji..imbolc
“Just eat less”. What a surprise.
I am sad that there are not yet any good 7″ tablets. It seems like a very useful size. For tablet PCs, of course.
I remember someone saying just recently that they wanted a heated chair… now who was that…
A recent post from Cheryl S…Happy Snails to You
Really the Amazon tribe, the skeptic in me questions its authenticity but the realist in me really wants it to be true as that is cool.
I have to get those cufflinks.
I’m very upset with you today Chris for not posting a kitty picture.
I’m guessing that I’m not supposed to eat less fruits & vegetables.. but less McDonalds.
Loved the 10 minute mail link on the Yellow Pages opt out from Gizdmo
A recent post from cursingmama..10 on Tuesday and more!
Love the stormtrooper one and prehistoric cat lady 🙂
A recent post from blodeuedd..Review- The werewolf upstairs – Ashlyn Chase
I think a black kitten on a horse is probably the most frightening of the Horsemen.. just ask any black cat/kitten staffperson. Also.. I sat & stared at those Vibram boots for about 5 minutes trying to figure out whether they were the most awesome or ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. My husband (who cannot stand “toe socks”) would just DIE if he saw those.
A recent post from Mouse..QOTW- Follow your Own Path
So much great linkety! I’m enamored of the Beowulf socks.
I hope that those camp chairs with the butt warmers are being marketed toward the ice fishing crowd.
How about “More Linkity Than You Can Shake a Stick At”? 🙂
A recent post from Marsha..Life update- Bits and bobs
I so have to see you in that kitty hat!!!!
Congrats, Tam!!!
LOL I loved the Reading a Book video so much. I posted it on FB and shared it with my whole family. 😀
Thanks for the links to Patti and Kim’s blogs.
Pretty interesting use for soda can tabs.
I sent the link to the gluten-free breads and Valentine’s Day to my sister, thanks!
Loved those garden pictures!
That’s a lot of cheese!!
Uncontacted after all this time? Amazing… I watch a couple of other videos there with my grandson. He loved the HDR video of a chapel made to look like a video game and the hardcore metal lego video.
Eek, thiose five finger boots/shoes are ugly/weird/strange!
Double eek and yuk for the anatomy dresses!
LOL on the laptop Kama Sutra. I had no idea that’s what I was really doing. 🙂
I’ve read a few of those (and pretty much agree with your thoughts) and have a few more on my TBR/TBB.
Thanks for the mention and have a great weekend.
A recent post from Lily..Better late than never this weeks new releases
That is one big cheese cave! :-O And I want that Pop Art Toaster.
A recent post from Ava March..Story Behind the Story – From Afar
Yay, a Peter Pan LOLCat!
A recent post from Nicole..Quick Reviews
Great linkity – as usual. Loved some of that humor – funny stuff.
*jotting down book names furiously*
And where’s Mayhem? That tub of invisibility sure works well.
A recent post from Tracy..Saturday Song
I want those Beowulf so badly. I *covet* them!!!
I really love all the alots. 🙂
I agree with Carolyn – I want to see a pic of you in that hat, too!
A recent post from Bronwyn Green..Perfect Strangers
Oh, lots of interesting books!
And I’m coveting the Beowulf socks too!
May – what exactly are you inside of?
A recent post from orannia..Books 2011- January Update
Woah! I’ve been checking out blogs from fellow GoodReads friends and when I came across yours I had to blink twice. My fist thought was “huh”?
But this is so cool! And so handy!! The animals are just too cute! 🙂
Mayhem is SO cool! (those shoes, weird…)
A recent post from lisa..have been sort of ignoring the blog i guess
Who knew Kraft even took cheese seriously enough to have a cheese cave?!
Toes or fingers in gloves, socks or shoes are not good for keeping warm. I don’t think I’ll be buying toe boots any time soon.
Yeah, I’m waiting to see you in the Kitty Hat.
Good links!
A recent post from Sydney..Between Snow Storms
Naming linkity is definitely difficult. Thanks for the additional links on the Apple app store stuff. It seems everyone has a different interpretation.
A recent post from Kristi aka FiberFool..ECF- A BFL Kind of Week
Oh, you’re right! I do feel better after having seen Teh Cute! I love that polar bear, and that little kitten trying to hunt. Reminds me of Atticus!
A recent post from Brigitte..Things Are Starting to Look Normal Again
OK, finally getting to linkety. Now I may get fired if I don’t stop reading why parents shouldn’t text. I can’t help myself.
A recent post from Mary Lou..Coquille Italiano
Why did you post that picture of an empty plastic bin?
And why so many cool linkies??! Must. Work.!!
A recent post from Carrie#K..6th Annual Brigid Poetry Festival