Congrats to Nancy, who won the copy of Stephani Hecht’s Man Down (which was released today)!
Contests
- Stop by Morning Glow’s blog Novel Addiction tomorrow – she’ll be interviewing paranormal romance author, Frances Stockton, who will be giving away a giftcard to Amazon or Barnes & Noble!
- Lea’s giving away a copy of Tracy Wolff’s steamy new romance, Tease Me, to someone who comments by 7 pm EDT, April 16.
- Largehearted Boy is giving away baseball cards and a $100 Threadless gift certificate. For your chance to win, answer his question in the comments by midnight CDT, April 16.
- Tell Renee about a book that really spoke to you and you could win a copy of Octavia Butler’s classic science fiction novel, Parable of the Sower. Leave your comments by midnight PDT, April 16.
- Not sure I want to tell you about this, because it will decrease my chances of winning… 😉 L. B. Gregg’s giving away an ARC of her forthcoming m/m romance, In and Out (Men of Smithfield). Make sure you read the whole post before you leave your comment! Contest closes midnight EDT, April 18.
- Leave a comment at Renee’s Book Addiction by midnight PDT, April 18, for your chance to win a copy of Carolyn Crane’s recent urban fantasy, Mind Games.
- Blodeuedd’s giving away three copies of Alexey Pehov’s new fantasy, Shadow Prowler. And she’s giving away two copies of Amelia Grey’s new historical romance, An Earl To Enchant. Both contests closes April 19.
- Ralph’s giving away an ebook copy of Heidi Cullinan’s recent m/m romance, Special Delivery. Contest closes midnight, April 19.
- SciFiGuy’s giving away an ebook copy of Teal Ceagh’s paranormal romance, Eva’s Last Dance, to someone who answers his question in the comments by midnight EDT, April 20. (Teal Ceagh is aka Tracy Cooper-Posey.)
- Fill out the form at Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin’ Giveaways before May 4 for your chance to win one of three copies of Jane Slayre.
- Take a poll at TechKnitting for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the yarn shop of your choice if you respond by midnight CDT, May 15.
- All Things Urban Fantasy had 140 urban fantasy giveaways listed when I looked yesterday.
Reading & Books & Lions, Oh My! (Ok, I made up the lions bit)
- Happy National Library Week!
- All sorts of book news, interview links, new release info, and more: Lily (m/m romance), SciFiGuy (urban fantasy, paranormal romance, etc), Literary Escapism (urban fantasy, paranormal romance), Smexy Books (contemporary & paranormal romance), and Katiebabs (assorted romance genres).
- Dear Author had lots of good info on ebooks, pricing, taxes, and more in their Tuesday Links post.
- ReadReactReview’s Monday link posts are guaranteed to get you thinking deep thoughts. Anastasia found some thought-provoking links, too. TeachMeTonight ponders what’s at the heart of the romance genre. And Fangs, Fur, & Fey talks about “literary criticism of the non-literary”.
- The Book Depository is launching an ebook store.
- Open Library might make searching for ebooks easier.
- Dear Author has a really good post about book pricing.
- Sales of ebooks surpassed the sale of audiobooks last year.
- Some thoughts on the global nature of publishing from India Ink.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that ebook piracy has increased since the launch of the iPad. And the US government’s General Accountability Office thinks that most piracy reports overstate piracy.
- Nicola’s hosting the next Book Worm’s Carnival at her blog, Alpha Heroes, and the theme is Arthurian fiction. You’ll need to put your posts together by May 7 to participate.
- Consumerist thinks this is the saddest book ever written.
- Blood of the Muse reported in from a Jim Butcher book signing event.
- Charles Stross on misconceptions about book covers. Meljean Brook shares the step-by-step development of one of her book covers. Rick R. Reed on the step-by-step development of one of his book covers.
- Smart Bitches had a contest to mock up a fake book cover and the results are hysterically awesome. (Find out who won here.)
Learn Things, Make Things, Do Things
- If you or someone you know follows a gluten-free diet, you should participate in the FDA’s survey on gluten-free shopping habits.
- Have you voted in the Webbys yet? Goodreads is nominated in Websites – Connections – Social Networking… and voting closes April 29. Thanks for the heads up, Ralph!
- *blink blink* Touching money can reduce pain?
- *blink blink blink* Each black hole might contain a smaller alternate universe? And our universe might exist inside a black hole in a larger universe?!
- Check out this visual representation of how many servers Google owns. Yikes.
- Lifehacker has some ideas on how you can declutter your digital life.
- Want to turn your print books into ebooks? $20 will set you up to do so.
- Lily found some great facts about coffee.
- If you’ve ever been curious about how much musicians earn online…
- Consumerist has some great tips to help you spot fake online reviews.
- Make your own inexpensive freezer packs for your lunchbox/bag.
Things That Made Me Happy or Amused Me
- Colin. Really. You must read it.
- Oh, Hyberbole and a Half, how I do love thee! Favorite recent quote: “As a grammatically conscientious person who frequents internet forums and YouTube, I have found it necessary to develop a few coping mechanisms.”
- Some Mental Floss, courtesy of Jeanne: cats playing in the bathroom (see the human cat perch! watch Orca go nutso on the TP!) and a very clever April Fool’s math class.
- What have you learned from watching soap operas?
- Anyone who has cats and knits will relate.
- Apparently Hell is fluffy.
- Basement Kitteh tries a different strategy.
- Heh – kitty packaging fail.
- Whoops – signage fail…
Ewww
Squee!
Reading Update
The Prayer Waltz by K.Z. Snow. ebook. Very good m/m romance about a writer who returns to the Wisconsin town in which his lover had been a priest (before he left the church), looking for understanding and closure, but finding so much more. A gorgeous and highly recommended read.
The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon. ebook. Very good m/m fantasy romance about a finder of magickal books who’s interning in England from the American Confederation and gets drawn into something more complex than he realizes. I did spend the first quarter of the book with my usual “I am reading a fantasy” frustration of trying to remember all the specialized details, but I enjoyed the story enough that I got beyond that. Recommended.
Colliding in Free Fall by Vivien Dean. ebook. Good m/m romance about a closeted Midwestern firefighter who, in his early 40s, wants to keep doing his job, no matter what the doctor thinks.
Of the Clan O’Grady by A.M. Riley. ebook. Good m/m urban fantasy about the (male) banshee of the Clan O’Grady who befriends a naive young fae lost in New York City.
Son of a Gun by A.M. Riley. ebook. Very good m/m romantic suspense about a writer who returns to the small Texas town where he grew up. He’s there for the funeral of his best friend, but why won’t anyone give him a straight answer about what happened? Highly recommended.
The Nest by G.S. Wiley. ebook. Good m/m romance about a young man struggling to take care of his three younger siblings and keep them out of the hands of Social Services while living on the wrong side of the tracks.
Mightier (The Seven of Swords) by G.S. Wiley. ebook short. Good m/m romance about a writer who’s staying at a friend’s Irish cottage trying to get past his writer’s block.
Heart Song by Sara Bell. ebook short. Nicely done m/m romance about a guitar player who’s forcibly outed and the impact it has on the rest of the band. What I really like about Sara Bell? She can write a sweet story without making it sappy.
The Lovers by Sara Bell. Another good m/m romance from Sara Bell about a soap opera star whose drug addict mother threatens to out him unless he pays her off (again).
Making Lemonade by T.C. Blue. ebook. A sweet m/m romance about a guy whose partner just died, but whose blossoming friendship with his partner’s nephew helps ease his grief.
In Hot Pursuit by Kate McMurray. ebook. Good m/m romantic suspense about a closeted NYPD cop, whose boyfriend was killed by a shot meant for him and who has been working too much in the years since then, is sent by his captain to a timeshare in Tampa on vacation to avoid burnout. Oh, the excitement he finds on his vacation…
Lynx by Joely Skye. ebook. Pretty good paranormal m/m romance about Trey, a werewolf who hides his nature and works for a blacks ops group in the US government. When running as a wolf in the Canadian Shield, he encounters a giant lynx shifter, and life will never be the same for either of them. While I enjoyed this book, I had trouble with how large, critical parts of it occurred offsides… and it distanced me from the story. The author’s note at the end of Lynx actually explains the offsides bit. Trey has been in Skye’s books Monster, Zombie, Minder, Marked, Feral, and The Strength of the Wolf and it was finally time for his story. Since Lynx was occurring at the same time as those books, with much of the critical stuff happening in other books, it ends up being sort of an odd read.
Bi Now, Gay Later (Perfect Timing, Book 5) by Kim Dare. ebook. Good m/m romance about a dominant who doesn’t believe that bisexuality exists, which causes a problem for his bisexual submissive.
Sandalwood and a Potato by Andy Slayde & Ali Wilde. Enjoyable m/m romance about two guys who work at a mall – one owns a New Age shop and the other’s a banker who’s sworn off relationships. The best part? Finding out how the potato fit into the story!
Finding Chandler (free), 
A Test of Love, 
Switching Gears, and .jpg)
Stardust (The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay, Books 1-4) by Claire Thompson. ebooks. These m/m romances are decent reads and remind me quite a bit of a Carol Lynne series. The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay are a group of extremely cynical guys who’d given up on love and get together to bitch and moan about fools who believe in love. Then the bartender issues them a challenge…
Balance by Zahra Owens. ebook. So-so m/m romance about a desk jockey whose fascination for being tied up leads him to an introductory session at a kinky club, at which he meets a very intriguing tattoo artist.
Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by M. King. ebook. Interesting m/m romance about a guy working in advertising who becomes involved with a guy who works in the adult film industry. Usually this particular dynamic feels completely unrealistic to me, but in this book, it felt more plausible because it addressed the emotional complexity of the situation.
The Perfect Pumpkin Pie by Aaron Michaels. ebook. Cute m/m romance about a guy whose obsessive roommate keeps sending him to the store for very specific items – good thing the assistant manager of the store is so helpful, hmm?
Finding the Words by Terry O’Reilly. ebook. Ok m/m romance about a speech therapist who finds himself increasingly drawn to one of his patients.
One Good Turn (Turner & Turner, Book 1) by Amber Green. ebook. M/m romantic suspense that’s really too complicated for me to even attempt summing up. Not sure if it was my state of mind while I was reading or what, but this felt disjointed. Plus I really disliked the abrupt ending – I think this book needed to be longer or more tightly edited or both. (Yes, very good, that is Candy Cane Guy with the smiley face!)
Never Say Goodbye (Slippery When Wet, Book 3) by Jenna Byrnes. ebook. Ok m/m romance about an ex-con who’s been hired as a live-in lover by a wealthy and unscrupulous man. Had the insta-love thing, which is never a favorite of mine.
*bathing in the sunshine sounds* -Chaos
Somehow, I just can’t find a butt crack on the cover to be sexy…
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..I Still Exist =-.
I’ve read a few of those. I thought Turner and Turner was kind of overly complex and the ending was a bit sudden. I was left with more questions than answers.
I’m kind of curious about the M. King one though. Sounds interesting.
Oh and that cat covered in packing peanuts made me laugh out loud.
What a way to spend the day. If only I could be a black kitty lolling in the sun.
After reading your thoughts and Tracy’s I must read “The Prayer Waltz”, it sounds so ‘gorgeous’.
I also like the sound of the Josh Lanyon book, but I must read the others I have of his first. *hangs head in shame*
“As a grammatically conscientious person who frequents internet forums and YouTube, I have found it necessary to develop a few coping mechanisms.†I LOVE this.. lol
o_O Re the anectodal evidence about the iPad.
“Touching money reduces pain”?? I’m going to suggest this to someone I know that is suffering right now.. 🙁
Happy National Library week to you Chris!
And, finally thank you for the double nod on the posts – you are so very kind.
Your linkety post rocks as always!
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness Chaos.”
*blink blink*
So glad I’m not on call for Google. Holee.Molee.
(Your insane weather of the other night is heading our way, minus the lightning storm. Saw pictures on the news last night.)
.-= Brigitte´s last blog ..A Handsome Model =-.
The lion reference isn’t really out of place since it’s with mention of a library. Think New York Public Library. (NYPL–my husband, who spent his pre-college years in the NYC area, grew up calling it “the Nipple.” Heh.)
Bookmarking this for when I get home from the dentist. Oh, joy.
Oh you linked my other contest already 🙂 Thanks, that was some quick linking 😉
.-= blodeuedd´s last blog ..Guestblog + giveaway: Amelia Grey – An Earl to enchant =-.
Holy linkity, Batman.
.-= Mouse´s last blog ..Happy Easter =-.
Chaos- I think we all need a rest after all those links.
.-= Lorraine´s last blog ..Kitty Konversations =-.
Those book covers are hilarious. Did you see the special Library Week story about the St. Paul Librarian who stole materials and then wiped out her overdue fines as well? Happy Library Workers Day!
.-= Mary Lou´s last blog ..Bobble Nightmare =-.
Wow, you weren’t kidding about the amount of links. Interesting and funny. Thanks also for the mentions!
Lots of good reading. I’ve read some and have some of the others on my TBR.
.-= Lily´s last blog ..New Books Available – Week 15 =-.
Loved the dish soap freezer pack link.
.-= trek´s last blog ..WNBP-TPE =-.
I’m going to start referring to you as the “link lady”, LOL!
I added a few of your books to my “go check these out” list – must. hide. wallet!!!
Wow. Super linkety.
I saw the LoC tweet archiving in one of my newsletters this morning. Kind of cool and kind of freaky at the same time, though I have read histories based on the written accounts of the secondary citizens (aka, not elite, white males) and it definitely gives a fuller grasp on what life was like during those periods.
.-= Seanna Lea´s last blog ..watering the lawn =-.
I think the baby’s first cubicle toy may be the most miserable toy ever marketed. Ugh!
The knit princess cartoons are hilarious. My cats seek out my poncho no matter where I put it. 🙂
I had to send my cat out of the room during those videos. Human cat perch indeed.
Hey hony.. wowowowo linkty link link link… a lot going on here!
Hope you have a great day!
I’ve come to the conclusion that you are equivalent to a drug dealer for me. My own personal candyman (woman). I came to this conclusion after I spent 15 minutes watching cats unravel toilet paper, flush toilets and take showers.
.-= wren´s last blog ..How Much Is Too Much? =-.
Chaos has the right idea. I could use a some time sunbathing. 🙂
(What is it with kittehs and The Meaning Of Life on SoC lately? First May and her sleep wisdom, and now this…)
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Week 15: Thunderbird Falls =-.
I really NEEDED that Lifehacker article – but I’m very scared of it & the time suck of doing it.
Wish I could be like Chaos today!
I think Mayhem would enjoy teaching that huge basket of black/grey kittens how to be proper Panther Princes/Princesses. Although the world might not be ready for that.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..One April Sock and a Nice Surprise =-.
Too many “very good”s in there! Oy – my wish list keeps growing. 🙂
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..M/M Challenge Review: The Prayer Waltz by KZ Snow =-.
I agree with Tracy – and your ‘very good’s go on my to-buy list as a rule 🙂 *sigh*
.-= ErotRomReader Janna´s last blog ..High Five, Low Five Review of More by Sloan Parker =-.
So many cute kitties today!!!!
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..PSAs =-.
I am amazed at all these links! You must have subscriptions to something like 200 things in your RSS feed reader, ha, ha!
And reviewettes! Too cool. I just don’t have “the touch” to get them this short and yet meaningful. I’m going to run over to Smashwords to look into this one by A.M. Riley. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
.-= Val Kovalin´s last blog ..Review An Uncommon Whore by Belinda McBride =-.
Aw, thanks, Val! So, I realized I had no idea how many feeds I had in Google Reader and just checked… 420. *gasp*
*thud*
Whoa, 420! That’s amazing. I might have 15 and I routinely get overwhelmed and just mark ’em all read to clear the reader out, ha, ha!
.-= Val Kovalin´s last blog ..Review An Uncommon Whore by Belinda McBride =-.
I think I need another kitten. Those tabby ones are uber cute.
.-= mrspao´s last blog ..Sew Cute =-.
Thanks for the shout. And wow, that Universe thing proves that Horton hears a Hoo had it just right!
.-= Carolyn Crane´s last blog ..Quiz: are you reading an unhealthy amount of urban fantasy & paranormal literature?? =-.
The LC thing really annoys me. (Well, I don’t think about it too much.) But LC is supposed to not be our “national library” but the library FOR Congress, and so what good would tweets be, by say, me, be for Congress? I think it’s a colossal waste of time to catalog them.
I wonder why ebooks surpassed audiobooks. I personally prefer listening to books so I can knit at the same time!
.-= elspeth´s last blog ..Bite Me =-.
P.S. Fun fact about me: I used to work for the Library of Congress. It was an amazing job, and I often regret leaving to go to library school. Oh well.
.-= elspeth´s last blog ..Bite Me =-.
I’m going to be a happy clicker for awhile! Thanks for the roundup.
You’ve had a really good reading week. As I was browsing through your reads and came across Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, I surreptitiously glanced behind me to be sure hubby wasn’t standing there. LOL! *stares some more*
.-= Donna-FantasyDreamer´s last blog ..Review: Vintage Soul by David Niall Wilson =-.
I think it’s hysterical that the Library of Congress is archiving everyone’s tweets. Can you imagine some person in the future going through them to look for something useful?
What is it with cats and flushing toilets? I keep hoping Katie never learns how to flush.
.-= Sydney´s last blog ..Easter =-.
I’ve been taking “sips” from today’s linkity post all day, reading and clicking whenever I had a few minutes! So much to look at.
Thanks for including my giveaways in the linkity madness! 🙂
I felt the same way about Lynx. I enjoyed it a lot, except the leaps forward threw me. It made so much more sense after reading her author’s note. However, IDK if I’d have read it if I had known it was part of a long series. Tho’ I’ll probably pick up the rest of the series at some point.
I think this post took the ‘Roids.
If I have the chance to come back, I think I’ll come back as one of your cats Chris. What a life 🙂
So many pretty books and links. Oh, and The Book Depository is opening an eBook store? OH!
.-= orannia´s last blog ..The Fine Print =-.
Wow, you have about a gazillion good links, here. It’s going to take forever to follow them all … looks like it will be worth it, though!
OMG…the kitty with the iPad. I’ve totally gakked that to share. Hee!!!