Congrats to Mandy B, who won Forever in One Second by Finn Marlowe!
Congrats to Cathy M and Alder, who each won their choice of Saving Valor (Fanged Love #1) or Chalice (Planetary Submissives #1) by Amber Kell! Saving Valor (Fanged Love #1) was released by Silver Publishing on January 14. Chalice (Planetary Submissives #1) was released by Total-E-Bound on January 16.
Contests
- Brief Encounters Reviews is giving away an electronic bundle of the Channeling Morpheus (2nd edition) stories 1-5 by Jordan Castillo Price. Comment by 11:59 pm CST, January 20 (aka today), for your chance to win.
- Margene’s giving away a copy of Sweet Shawlettes by Jean Moss. Comment before January 21 for your chance to win.
- Becky Black is giving away a print copy of her m/m scifi romance, Liar’s Waltz. Comment by 9 am GMT, January 21, for your chance to win.
- JL Merrow is giving away an ebook copy of her forthcoming Permanently Legless. Contest runs through January 22.
- Josephine Myles is giving away an ebook copy of her forthcoming Tailor Made. Contest closes 6 am GMT, January 23.
- Joder’s giving away an ebook copy of Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne. Contest closes 11:59 pm CST, January 23.
- Celiac Chick is giving away a copy of The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook by Elizabeth Gordon. Comment before January 26 for your chance to win.
- Blodeuedd’s giving away two ebook prize packs containing Sparring Partners and Second Chances by Leigh Morgan. Contest closes January 27.
- LA Witt needs a band name for a book she’s working on – comment with your suggestions by January 31 for your chance to win an ebook of your choice from her backlist.
- Shawn Lane’s giving away a copy of her forthcoming paranormal m/m romance, Eternally His. Comment by February 3 to enter.
Bookity
- New releases and more: Literary Escapism (UF/PNR), Book Lovers Inc (a little of everything), and Fiction Vixen (various sorts of romance).
- RJ Scott explains how Edit Minion works – it’s not going to replace actual editors and proofreaders, but it can certainly help you spot issues with your writing.
Ebookity
Do, Learn, Make, Think
- Not that I’m much for fast food, but if McDonald’s and Burger King have gluten-free buns in other countries, why not the US?!
- The big news of the week was the internet blackout against SOPA/PIPA. This infographic illustrates the difference the protest made. And if you didn’t listen to “The Day the LOLCats Died”, you really must.
Cookity
- Spicy honey-glazed chicken. (via CRAFT)
- Zesty quinoa cakes. (via The Kitchn)
- Hot chocolate on a stick. (via CRAFT)
Crafty
- Sew a macaroon coin purse. (via CRAFT)
Cool
- Go download Redemption City, a free double album from Joseph Arthur. (via You Ain’t No Picasso)
Cool or Wha…?
Wha…?
- Awkward stock photos… (via TeddyPig)
LOL
- Siri’s interpretation of a knitting store shopping list… (Thanks, Jeanne!)
- Blog post about the Eagle Nebula written without the assistance of Wikipedia (due to the internet blackout). (There were Romulans in it the first time I read it…)
- Weirdest cat ever?!! Maybe so. (Thanks, Jeanne!)
Teh Cute
- Cat and kitten! Baby falcon! Kitten! Baby polar bear! Kitten! Sea otter and baby! Cat and kitten! Baby cheetah! Kittens! Bun! Kitten! Kitten! Cat and dolphin! Kitten! Tiger and cub! Lioness and cubs! Lion! Leopard! Tiger!
Reading Update
Galley Proof by Eric Arvin. ebook. Excellent gay fiction (with romantic elements) about an author who lives a very predictable, safe life ruled by lists and habit… until his attractive new editor shakes things up. As with so many books by Eric Arvin, this book was simultaneously fun, funny, and thought-provoking – pretty much like life itself.
Pole Star by Josephine Myles. ebook short. arc. Excellent short and smutty m/m romance about a stripper who gets injured onstage and ends up in the emergency room in his firefighter costume, flirting with the cute radiographer. I had really good intentions of waiting until closer to the release date to read and review this one, but… I couldn’t resist. 🙂
Tailor Made by Josephine Myles. ebook. arc. Sweet and smutty m/m romance about an unapologetically slutty art student who wants to get his advisor in bed. But he’s not expecting to find himself so drawn to the fashion student he tries to shanghai into helping him with his senior project…
The Heart of Texas (Texas #1) by RJ Scott. ebook. Very good over-the-top m/m romance reminiscent of the tv show Dallas, complete with oil wells, villains, lies, a marriage-of-convenience, and more!
Heatstroke by Taylor V. Donovan. free ebook. Very good m/m romance told via nearly 50-year old journal entries being read by a young man trying to figure out the mystery of why his cold grandmother is so adamant he stay out of her attic.
Raven’s Mark (Sandpipers #2) by Jade Archer. ebook. Very good m/m romance about a chef who becomes fascinated by Raven, the guy who’s just started watching the owners’ son along with his own. However, Raven suffers from crippling PTSD… and his past hasn’t given up on him yet.
A Life Without You (Boston Boys #1) by Erica Pike. ebook. Good m/m romance about a gay college student who has a crush on his engaged straight best friend and roommate… his apparently bi-curious straight best friend. Emotions definitely run high in this one (and the POV is first-person present), but it worked for me. And I’m very curious to see who the next book will be about!
Just Like Cats and Dogs by BA Tortuga. Good m/m paranormal romance about an orphaned panther shifter who grew up with a pack of wolf shifters, but was never really accepted. So when he runs into a wolf shifter who tormented him while they were growing up, he’s surprised at the attraction between them. The repetitive style of writing isn’t so noticeable for short works, but it definitely grated during this longer book.
There’s Cock in This Book (The Hockey Story) by Isa K. free ebook short. Good short m/m story about a deeply closeted minor league hockey player who survives by keeping his head down and blending in… until the new guy on the team hits on him. With a bit more proofing and a less abrupt ending, this would have been a Very Good read.
How to Keep the Love of Your Life (After Mistaking Him for a Serial Killer) by Maureen Willmann. ebook. Ok m/m romance about a guy who thinks someone is following him right up to the door of his apartment… and it turns out to be his neighbor across the hall. Too sugary sweet and implausible for me. Also, so very tired of stalkers.
The Man Who Spoke My Name (Joey #2) by Azalea Moone. free ebook short. Meh short m/m story about a guy torn between the ex who cheated on him and the guy he slept with on New Year’s Eve.
“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos
Ooh some good books this week. I have those Josephine Myles books in my TBR pile too and now I’m really looking forward to reading :).
A recent post from Jenre..Vamp Week at BER
Ack, read the Psycho prequel as PsyCop prequel and was all YAY *bounces*, then I got depressed 😉
I’m gonna get some zzzzzzz soon too, just need to get home 😀
Eagle Nebula – love the geek humor!
A recent post from trek..In which Pipey delivers
Chris- I’m trying to figure out how to fit that Stormtrooper cake in my oven.
I may be a while. 😉
A recent post from Lorraine..My Year So Far
Gluten free food! YuM!!
A recent post from margene..Gray Matter
Hubs will be pleased with the beer article. 😉
The Eric Arvin book sounds like something I need to read. Oh and I totally want to read the Josephine Myles books as well. I love her writing!
A recent post from Janna..Double review: Apples and Regret and Wasted Time by Cornelia Grey
Here’s something I’d expect to see in your Linkity! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RWF86D_UNxc
Oh, how cute is that little catpire!
Yum, lots of good recipe links!
A recent post from Brigitte..Stella, Ginger and Maud
I especially enjoyed the article on the 3 star rating. I had recently been thinking I was being too harsh as it seems I rarely see 3 star ratings on GoodReads, but I fell right in line with the author of the article. Perhaps because I read both genre fiction and more literary fiction that I keep a broader scope to my rating system. I just don’t expect a cozy to rate more than a 3 most of the time. As usual, I’m saddened by the e-book/e-audiobook and library news.
A recent post from Kristi aka FiberFool..Take Action!
That lifesized stormtrooper cake is the coolest thing ever!!!
That lifesized stormtrooper cake is the coolest thing ever!!!
That lifesized stormtrooper cake is the coolest thing ever!!!
Aw – Chaos is so cute with his little tongue sticking out. 🙂 And knitting your own cat solves the litter box problem, too.
A recent post from Ava March..Random Updates Version…I lost track
Lol, I want those bumper stickers
A recent post from blodeuedd..Review: Undead and Unwed – MaryJanice Davidson
Why would you want to knit a cat when you can have the real deal?
I admit it’s cute as a toy but I’d much rather have a real life cat, claws, teeth and all.
Thanks for the linkity 😀 I would have missed the final Diary of an author without it and that would just suck
The illusion Mona Lisa = wow.
Crow sledding = ditto.
I’m going to start dusting with dryer sheets. If I ever start dusting, that is…
A recent post from kmkat..This is democracy in action.
I was going to go to bed, but I got sucked in by linkity.
Poor little batties. 🙁
OMG – that Stormtrooper cake is nothing short of amazing!
A recent post from Bronwyn Green..I Miss You, Sweet Boy
Also, I can think of at least one person who’s going to get that unicorn mask as a gift.
A recent post from Bronwyn Green..I Miss You, Sweet Boy
Pole Star and Heatstroke look really good.
How can you not love the name of that book: There’s Cock in this Book. That’s too good. lol
A recent post from Tracy..Saturday Song
Fab linkity 🙂 The kitties, particularly.
A recent post from mrspao..So much linkity, so little time
I love to chop my salads. So much tastier that way, besides being easier to eat than shoving whole baby greens in your mouth.
I have to poke the kibbles occasionally, too.
A recent post from Cheryl S…FO: Tuesday Night Cowl
Love the sledding crow!
A recent post from janna..Catching up
I hope you’re hibernating safely. Is it safe to pet Chaos?
My mom’s cat often requires demonstration that there is, in fact, food in her bowl…at least she’s stopped needing to walk around the coffee table before she’ll go outside.
The poor little brown bats. I wish the article had some suggestions about how we could help!
A recent post from Seanna Lea..[10 Tuesday] baby, it’s cold outside
That crow video is really something. I am always chasing them out of my yard, because they are so freeakin loud, but now I have to watch them more closely.
A recent post from Mary Lou..Is something retrograde?
Poor bats.
I had no idea there was such a thing as edible glitter.
Crows always make me laugh, but especially the sledding one. Well also the blue jay who comes to my yard only to hide things in the ground.
I like the idea of eye-bombing.
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think my eyes can taste mint. Not to mention I have sensitive eyes. I’ll let someone else try them.
I had no idea baby falcon’s could be so cute.
A recent post from Sydney..RIP Zoe Ferret, 2002-2011
Love the “Day the LOLcats Died”!
Thanks for posting all the recipe links. I pick out the good ones and send them to Michael to cook!
A recent post from Brenda..Forward into 2012