Congrats to Nikyta, who won Wild Thing by Mia Watts! Wild Thing will be released on August 23 by Total-E-Bound.
Contests
- Leave a comment by August 21 at Smexy Books for your chance to win a copy of Kresley Cole’s forthcoming paranormal romance, Demon From the Dark (Immortals After Dark #10).
- LesleyW’s curious if there’s a series of books that you’ve given up on – leave a comment with your answer before August 21 for your chance to win a copy of Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist.
- Tracy’s giving away a copy of Jennifer Crusie’s latest romance, Maybe This Time. Leave a comment by 11:59 pm PDT, August 26, for your chance to win.
- Head over to Book Faery to read about Carolyn Crane’s favorite messed-up alpha hero moments and have a chance to win a signed copy of either Mind Games or the forthcoming Double Cross! Fill out the form by September 4 for your chance to win.
Bookity
- New releases: Lily (m/m romance), Katiebabs (various romances with appealing covers), and Literary Escapism (upcoming UF/PNR release dates).
- Some really interesting articles and discussions about m/m romance, gay literature, queer identity, and more: TeddyPig, TeddyPig again, James Buchanan, K.Z. Snow, Gehayi, and Katiebabs.
- Sweet Vernal Zephyr provides a concise overview of bdsm in books.
- ReadReactReview with some Twitter dos and don’ts for authors.
- *gasp* Some literary authors appear to have realized that genre authors have more fun and usually sell better.
- This definitely gave me a high school flashback: how to cover a book with a paper bag.
- Via Smart Bitches, differences in fantasy cover art from 2008 to 2009 and changing cover art fashion trends for urban fantasy heroines during the same time.
- This tribute to Where the Wild Things Are is both sweet and sad.
Ebookity
- The next installment of Kris’s “Choose Your Own M/M Romance Story” (I’ll Tell You a Secret, Jackalope by Matthew Vandrew) is now available!
- Maybe your ereader would enjoy a vintage book cover.
- An American Editor on psychological price-point barriers for ebooks.
- The head of Library Information Technology at the University of Tennessee on how trying to treat digital content like physical content is a path leading to madness.
- Newsweek has a good chart on ebooks.
- One reader’s thoughts on how publishers could get him to buy more ebooks.
Think, Learn, Make, Do
- Quite a few brands of eggs are being recalled due to salmonella – make sure the ones in your fridge aren’t on the recall list. (Thanks, trek!)
- Target’s support of an anti-gay gubernatorial candidate here in Minnesota has led to boycotts and a very creative musical protest.
- Nice history of the internet infographic. A scary infographic on texting trends. And an interesting article on the history of some common computer symbols.
- Apparently our computer/smartphone lifestyles are hard on our eyes.
- If you’re on Facebook, you might want to think about disabling the new Facebook Places feature.
- Did you know that you can save money by emailing to phones instead of texting to them?
- Lifehacker lists the best online places to learn things for free.
- Gizmodo lists the ten most dangerous things you can do online, securitywise.
- I love this embroidered quote.
- Perhaps you need a print-and-fold robot skull around the house.
- Make yourself a Frappuccino on a stick.
Gluten-Free
- Mmmm… gfÃÂ zucchini banana bread…
- What does the recent trendiness of the gf diet mean for celiacs?
Knitting & Crochet
- Marsha has a scarf-themed linkity post.
- Maybe the next baby gift you knit should be baby’s first DNA model. (Thanks, Kim!)
- Come on, you know you want to knit devil’s head balaclavas for everyone you know. (Thanks again, Kim!)
- Knitted ankle bracelets with bells on them – for kids… or for adults…………
- What a cute crocheted rainbow change purse!
Linkity Peeps
- Nicole has writing and knitting links.
- Jessica has the Monday Morning Stepback at ReadReactReview.
- KB’s weekly WTFery post is not guaranteed to be work safe.
Huh
- This Testicle Festival is not what you think it is… (Thanks, Bron!)
- Have trouble waking up in the morning? Maybe you need an alarm clock that runs away.
- Do not attempt to make a car safety seat out of cardboard for your child.
- The Canadian government has decided to stop using a penis-measuring lie detector on youthful sex offenders.
- I’m glad this isn’t a real tricycle.
- Bacon dinner party, complete with photos and menu.
- Meat-Man Parfait, anyone?
- I’m not sure the world is ready for pies baked inside of cakes.
LOL
- If you’ve ever watched Dora, you’ll appreciate Jennifer Armintrout’s spoof.
- Meljean Brook’s curious about what’s underneath Superman’s costume….
- A short educational film about landsharks…
- There’s a new Simon’s Cat episode! Plus some other kitties in boxes…
- Ack! Nine kittens?!
- Do not try to give Basement Cat a bath.
- Who could fear evil this floofy?! Or this wee?
Teh Cute
- Is the world really ready for these adorable cat band-aids?
- This baby panda makes some of the most pathetic sounds ever as it tries to climb a step.
- I’m pretty sure those penguins do not have the butterfly’s best interests at heart.
- Melly’s tummy! Kittens and the Bean! Sand cat! Baby panda! Naughty kitten! Baby penguins! Floofy kittens! Sweet black cat! Kitten with a feather! Kitten!
Reading Update
Fugly by K.Z. Snow. ebook. Excellent m/m romance about three extremely superficial friends who hit on the wrong man’s husband in a bar. Afterward, they discover that the men they find attractive and hit on now shun them due to a mysterious rash that has appeared on their faces.
A Red-Tainted Silence by Carolyn Gray. ebook. Very good, emotionally draining m/m romantic suspense about two successful musicians, who’ve loved each other since their teens, and the outside forces and people that have torn them apart and nearly destroyed them. Constantly switching between the present and the past, half the story is told from one’s perspective; the rest from the other’s.
Chaos Magic, 
Love Runes, and 
Personal Demons (The Gods & Chaos Series) by Jay Lygon. ebooks. Very good kinky m/m urban fantasy series about a willful submissive who’s also a powerful witch and who worships an unusual set of gods: the God of Traffic, The God of Negotiation, etc. As he tries to stay out of the way of his abusive ex, he meets a powerful and compelling dominant and his whole life changes.
The Harem Boy by Jay Lygon. ebook short. Good short kinky m/m romance about Ophir and Chris, two of the characters from the Gods & Chaos series.
Chain-Male by Angelia Sparrow & Naomi Brooks. ebook. Good, quirky m/m romance about a librarian who meets a guy in the history class he’s auditing and gets a history lesson he won’t soon forget.
His Hearth by Mary Calmes. ebook. Good m/m paranormal romance about a guy who’s wildly successful in his advertising career, but much less so when he dates.
Stirring Up Trouble by Z.A. Maxfield. Good m/m romance about a chef who only lasts a few months at any job before getting fired. He ends up working at a failing neighborhood restaurant owned by an anti-social guy who looks pretty tasty when he’s cooking in his Utilikilt…
A Big Hunk O’ Love by Hunter Raines. ebook. So-so short m/m romance about a recently divorced, deeply in the closet mechanic who takes a trip to Alaska with his (gay) best friend, who’s an Elvis impersonator.
Blind Faith by Claire Thompson. ebook short. Ok short m/m romance about a guy, blinded in a car accident, who sees himself as damaged goods that no one could find attractive anymore.
Continuum of Longing by Claire Thompson. ebook short. Ok short m/m romance about two guys who work together in a bank, neither of whom realizes that their attraction is mutual.
“What?!!” -Chaos
Yay, kitties, and wtf posts
A recent post from blodeuedd..Review- The Red Queen – Philippa Gregory
Ooh, I hadn’t realised there was a new Simon’s Cat episode. They make me laugh so much because they accurately reflect a cat’s behaviour. That’s just what my cat does when she sees a new cardboard box :).
Interesting reading this week. I’m glad you enjoyed A Red Tainted Silence. Despite its length, it’s well worth reading. And Fugly is just a fab book.
I’ve got a couple of these books on my TBR pile and I may have to add the God’s and Chaos series cos that sounds interesting.
How I missed your links! ð Always good for an hour of clicking, reading and laughing!
A few of the books are on my ereader already, but I can’t buy Fugly (these king-cart links never allow me on their server ð Probably don’t like Dutch peeps *g*). The Jay Lygon books are added to my tbb, I like the sound of them.
Okay Chris, I have spent the last 90 minutes going through all of these…enjoyed every minute, but still! lol
Thanks for pulling all of this together.
Chris- I can’t resist those print and fold things- this is eating up alot of printer paper and ink….
A recent post from Lorraine..Just sit right back and youll hear a tale
I love chicken, but some combinations should never ever be thought of. O.o
You make my searching for WTFckery all the easier ð
A recent post from katiebabs..The Personal Lives of GLBT Romance Authors Out Magazine Article
What… where is my Catnip at MOMMIE???
Hope you have a great Friday honey… YAYAYAYA!! Finally!! How is your day going??
A recent post from Cecile..Calling All Peeps in the Surrounding Area
Um. Actually. Kicking and screaming and rolling around on the floor while kicking and screaming does make me feel better.
A recent post from Brigitte..Its Been a Year!!
Thanks for the link-pimping!
And I just shudder at the thought of that lie detector – WTF!
But the evil floffy made up for it!
A recent post from Miranda..Review of Burn For Me
I haven’t bought many ebooks yet, despite having a ton of ebook money (thank you relatives for borders gift cards). I’m finding that the books I really want to read, a number of which are in your lists, are not available at the bookstores I have the cards for. Poopy!
A recent post from Seanna Lea..Turpins big hairy
I was sad to see that unicorns have all but disappeared off fantasy covers, just like in real life. Sigh.
Cool history of the internet. It’s hard to believe that when my kid was born the internet didn’t even really exist and sure as hell not as we know it. I know how I got my full name as a hotmail address because I was one of the first to sign up. LOL No numbers required.
I think I so might try to build that cat scratching post.
I’m sending some of those food links to Kristen because I KNOW she’s going to want to try the meatman parfait. Cake AND pie? At the same time? Yes please. You can have your cake and eat your pie too.
Love that landshark instructional video.
Those Jay Lygon books sound like they have potential. I must get that ZAM book. I keep forgetting. Loved KZ’a and I haven’t read the others. Not sure I’m all that interested. The second one sounds too angsty for me. I have plenty to read as it is.
Have a super duper weekend.
A recent post from Tam..Yellow Fever
I finally watched the cherpumple video. I am so trying that. LOL Maybe not three layers though. That might be overkill. LOL
A recent post from Tam..Yellow Fever
I don’t know whether to think it’s pathetic or just amusing that there is a tutorial for how to make a paper bag book cover. Don’t kids have to do that to protect their books anymore? What do they doodle on? Do 5th grade boys still draw tanks and racing cars on them? Plus, re. Target – why aren’t people also mentioning that this gubernatorial candidate thinks states don’t have to follow federal statute unless they want to — does business really think that’s a good idea? Sheesh.
A recent post from Mary Lou..No- no- I have a better idea!
I will never make it through all of the linkity today!
IMAX 3D porn? Seriously? Somehow I think that the theaters showing those films will NOT be asking patrons to drop their 3D glasses in the bin for reuse…
A recent post from Marsha..What to do when the Westboro wackos come to your town
Ah, the joys of not being in a deadline crunch!
I didn’t realize Simon’s Cat was an entire enterprise. So I had to watch all the films I hadn’t seen. Too funny!
A recent post from wren..New Book- New Template same old me
Great links today! I will have to come back later to go through the rest of them. Maybe after I make a paper skull.
I’m picturing the sneak preview of the IMAX porn movie. “We’d like to get your honest opinion of the movie, so please be sure your penile plethysmography leads are properly connected to your 3D glasses.”
What a lovely linkity! Of course, I just lost the last two hours of my day – lol!
Now, I must behave and go back to the WIP…sigh…
Thanks for the link to re: Facebook Places! I had been meaning to dig around for those settings since I noticed the new feature, but hadn’t gotten around to it. The e-book links were interesting too!
Thanks for the Facebook hints. I don’t go on there a lot – hardly at all actually, but it’s nice to know about the privacy stuff.
OMG that gf zucchini bread sounds heavenly. Have you made it?
Fugly – Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year!
The Gray books sounds good but I’m not sure I’m up for emotionally draining right now. ð
A recent post from Tracy..Review- Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie & Book Giveaway
Oh, and thanks for the linkage. ð
A recent post from Tracy..Review- Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie & Book Giveaway
Great links!
The red velvet cake-chicken is scary.
My your kitties have been having attitude issues this week!
Have a great weekend!
A recent post from Brenda..Summer on the Needles
OK, so I finally got thru all the links. Fabulous as always! I enjoyed them very much.
I loved Fugly, A Red-Tainted Silence and the Chaos Magic series. Great reading! The only other one I’ve read is Blind Faith which was okay.
Thanks for another fun-filled Friday and for the mention. ð
A recent post from Lily..Duck! by Kim Dare
A Red-Tainted Silence is one of my all-time favorites.
Thanks for the heads-up about Facebook places.
Hope you have a great weekend. ð
A recent post from Eyre..Here I Am – Yesterday- Today And Tomorrow – Video
After reading through all the links, and going to many to read through them,I feel like Chaos.
A new GF bakery/deli is opening tomorrow. She may expect to ride the wave of interest in the GF diet, but I certainly hope she is successful. After all, she has cake pops!!
A recent post from margene..In the Garden
First of all, your title makes me want to break out and sing. Tomorrow…tomorrow…I love ya…tomorrow…
Second…AHHHH…for some reason that pic of your kitty scared the bejesus out of me!
And third, we’ve been reading the same books. ð
ROTFL at the Testicle Festival! It’s a great idea though.
I’m sorry but if my alarm clock ran away in the morning, I’d probably let it.
Oh oh a new Simon’s cat and another one I hadn’t seen.
A recent post from Sydney..While I was out
I love the way ‘Testicle Festival’ rhymes. Just rolls off the tongue…and I’m referring to the rhyme ð
3D porn?? And IMAX? While I’m a fan of good porn (bad pron=ick), the idea of a huge schlong in 3D on a movie screen is…disturbing. Lol
I admit it, I had to look up Testicle Festival. OMG WHAT a great idea!!
OMG No Abuela NOOOOOO!!!!!
ROTFL!!!!
*sigh* I love penguins and butterflies.
Thank you, Chris. ð
Do you ever read to the kitties? Or do they read to you?
A recent post from K. Z. Snow..Puter Problems Continue Contract Arrives but Cant Leave
P.S. Please let us know when you find a link for making cars out of cardboard. Or computers.
A recent post from K. Z. Snow..Puter Problems Continue Contract Arrives but Cant Leave
Congrats Nikyta!
Oh, thank you Chris! Where to start! I missed Kris’ Choose Your Own M/M Romance? *sulks* At lease I can read it ð
And I read in sips…mainly because I get twitchy unless I’m in bed and keep thinking of chores I should be doing.
*looks at Chaos* *looks away* Nothing…
A recent post from orannia..The Ordinary Heroine
I love Simon’s Cat, this was the first week I saw those and shared them with everyone I knew that owned a cat. Which is most of my family as they are cat people, while I”ve become more of a dog person.
A recent post from Rebekah..Someone Stole My Donkey
The Wild Things video is so sweet– still my favorite!
chicken fried beefcake? *snort* ð
A recent post from Kaetrin..Shades of Gray by Brooke McKinley
I’m sick of book covers already! (and I ran out of paper bags – yikes!)
Like the vintage e-reader covers, they’re cute!!
A recent post from Patti..Review- Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis
I’m so slow catching up on blogs but I loved Red Tainted Silence too.
Now I’ll be here for a week or more catching up on links. Don’t mind me ð
That *is* a fantastic embroidered quotation.
A recent post from naomi..eye candy tuesday
Nine kittens! ð
A recent post from mrspao..Anniversary Lady