Funday Monday: What's New, What's Not, and What's Coming

It's been a long time since a Funday Monday post. A looonnnngggg time.

So let's get started with:

What's New

1- New is my awesome With This Kilt, I Thee Bed short story anthology coming in October. The current plan is to release October 14th. This is a self-publishing venture and I'm navigating the piranha invested waters like a motor boat with a clogged motor. I will say that I'm confident I'll figure the majority of the 'need-to-know's' before release day. In the meantime look at the SHINY Cover! Thank you to the fantastical G. Pendergast for the work and the beautiful Jenn LeBlanc and Studio Smexy for the stock photo.

2- The Season for Romance is now Smitten by Books! Oh, yes. I loved reviewing for The Season and it's a little bittersweet at the name change because I'm a huge Historical Romance fan. Yet, change is good (something I'm slowly learning) and I look forward to the new site. There will still be as many awesome giveaways and reviews as before. Also, take a gander at the site banner and you may catch a glimpse of some sexy Highlanders. :) P.S. The website is still being worked on. In the meantime you can still see reviews over at Smitten by Books Blog.

What's Not

1- I'm still closed to reviews here on the blog. I've received multiple emails and I'm really honored that you want me to read your book. Unfortunately, there's no time in my schedule for reviewing like I used to do in the old days. 

2- In the meantime Indie Books R Us is still looking for self-published and small press published books to read. We've got open dates for October, November, and December... of this year. It's almost unheard of, but the slots are there. So I encourage you to checkout the submission guidelines and submit. 

What's Coming

1- A new website, a new blog, and so much more. Yep, I working on a few changes. Alright several new changes. As I get them finished I'll be sure to announce them right here. Don't want to keep anyone out of the loop. 

2- Scream! For a Cure Charity Auction. Do you like paranormal, erotic romance, horror, YA books in paranormal and urban fantasy. Then prepare the pocket books for this upcoming event hosted by my fellow Indie Books R Us Co-Founder, Catherine Peace.  I'll have a more detailed post about this event coming later in the week or you can click the link above to find out more. 

Reading List: September 2012

It's been review land for me over the last couple of months. I'm also trying out new things in the writing realm. As I move into October I'm working to finish wrapping up my reviews for the year. The goal is to somehow write like an insane woman, and read the rest of my review commitments.

If you've sent a request via email and I haven't responded rest assured you're on my list. I need a time turner, a magic mirror or a hour glass that can give me extra hours. Anything for more time, and now I know what it feels like to let people down. Regardless, I've got a few things on my mind that I'm hoping to share...soon.

1. Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas**
2. Royal Pain by Megan Mulry**
3. Eyes of the Seer by Peter Dawes*
4. The Angel by Tiffany Reisz***
5. Seducing Mr. Knightly by Maya Rodale**
6. A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long**
7. Head Over Heels by Susan Andersen*
8. Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba*
9. Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James**
10. Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath**
11. Mistletoe Bride by Vanessa Kelly**
*Review available on IndieBooksRUs
**Review available or upcoming on The Season
***Review available on this blog.

A Few Good Reviewers Needed!

Here's the official post, as promised.

Indies Books R Us is looking for a few good nuts... um, we mean reviewers, but if you're a little cray too then no biggie!

Yes, we need help. If you follow our blog regularly you've seen on the last few months have put a strain on us. The indie book reviewing world is just too big for only 2 reviewers on this site. Commitment is for just 1 review/1 book per month. You'll get a choice in what you review, and you only have to put down about 300-500 words of your thoughts on the book's content. No extraordinary deal, no website design or fancy postings (we'll take care of that). Additional details will be provided if you're interested.
Those who want more info or are definitely up to the challenge send an email to: indiesrus@live.com

Include:

-Contact info

-Experience (it's not required, but a bonus).

-A review example. If you've never written one before write a review based on the last book you read.   I hope there's a few of you out there interested in joining the cause, at least that's one way of defining it. There's a ton of books available out there and we need to help people sift through the good, the questionable, and the fuzzy.

Funday Monday: August 20th, 2012

Well we're halfway through my birthday month and so far I'm lovin' it! Yesterday was the official day I turned one year older. Nothing exciting but as always worthwhile. It's been a long time since I posted a Funday Monday set, and a few things have popped up on my radar. This week's group of 5 involves stuff for writers (of course). Just a bit o' everything.

5. Reviewers Needed! So you're not into the full blown romance novel set, but you want to write reviews... how about YA/ New Adult? The Season Review site is looking for those interested in reviewing YA novels. You can sign up for what you want, but need some strong writing skills for more info check out THIS POST.

4. I love reading self-pub/indie books! If that's the case do you want to review them? Currently Lexcade and I are searching for a few good folks to help enhance our IndiesBooksRUs review blog. We want to do more but we're only two folks. 2013 is just around the corner so be on the lookout for a post here and there coming soon! Until then if you have some interest you can send me an email direct.

3. Writing Opportunity. Have you checked out the Writer's Digest site? I'm sure you'll tell me you have, but it's one of those things you can easily forget. What captured my interest is this upcoming webinar on Self-Editing. I can't participate due to the fact I work a day job during these hours, but I felt like sharing the wealth. If this doesn't interest you there's another webinar for query help coming up in September. Just check out the site. You won't regret it.

2. Avon Romance Addict? Yes this is a question for those fans of Tessa Dare, Caroline Linden, Julie Anne Long, Lynsay Sands, Kerrelyn Sparks and Lori Wilde to name a few. If you are then Avon is looking for 25 special addicts to get the opportunity of early reads, free swag, and other special perks. All you need do is apply here. Deadline to apply is September 7th, 2012.

1. Finally the last bit of Funday Monday jazz is this article that's a bit sad. I recently read this and thought heavily about the decline of the Ninja. This got me thinking about other practices throughout history that are now in a decline including doll collecting (weird I know). Not that I collect dolls, but I'm just saying. So when you're thinking about plotting a book something obscure like this may be fun, different. Just felt a need to share the news with the rest of those out there.

Reading List: March 2012

As you can see I'm running a bit low this month, but in my defense the day job has heated up a bit. I'm working some long hours plus doing a few other things.

1. Immersed in Pleasure by Tiffany Reisz*
2. Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brooks
3. Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins**
4. Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels**
5. The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands
6. A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah Mclean
7. Beguiling the Beauty by Sherry Thomas**
8. Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James
9. The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash**
10. Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream by Caddy Rowland***
11. The Lesson Plan by Jackie Barbosa
12. Skies of Fire by Zoe Archer**
13. How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling**
14. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
15. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Plans for much more book reading in the month of April. Also expect a sudden burst of reviews in the first couple weeks of the month. After that I'm thinking of going dark.... you know, books don't write themselves.

*Review available or upcoming on this site.
**Review available or upcoming on The Season
***Review available or upcoming on Indie Books R Us

Reading List: February 2012

This was the month to remember. I was just 3 books away from reading one for every day in the month of February. So close... unfortunately my personal life intervened. My other accomplishments or activities will be mentioned in another post, but let's just say that this past weekend was an extreme workout.

1. Fire Bapitzed by Kenya Wright **
2. The Runaway Countess by Leigh Lavalle ***
3. Tempted by Blood by Laurie London*
4. Heiress Without a Cause by Sara Ramsey*
5. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
6. Once Upon a Wicked Night by Jennifer Haymore*
7. To Bewitch an English Knight by Alena Stuart*
8. Confessions of an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville***
9. A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare***
10. How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back by Sophie Barnes***
11. The Rake and The Recluse: Ruination**
12. The Rake and The Recluse: Submission**
13. The Rake and The Recluse: Retribution **
14. Engaged With The Boss by Elle James
15. Bet On It by Jennifer Cruisie
16. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
17. By the Book by Scarlett Parrish
18. The Marriage Bed by Laura Lee Guhrke
19. And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke
20. Faking It by Jennifer Cruisie
21. Catering to the Italian Playboy by Tamelia Tumlin*
22. The Rent-A-Groom by Jennifer Blake*
23. The Devil's Heart by Lynn Raye Harris
24. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Cruisie
25. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Cruisie
26. What the Lady Wants by Jennifer Cruisie
27. Charlie All Night by Jennifer Cruisie

*Review upcoming or available on my blog
**Review upcoming or available on Indie Books R Us
***Review upcoming or available on The Season

Reading List- January 2012

I apologize for my absence the last week. Let's just say sometimes the personal life takes a dive with sickness, children, appointments and any other number of things that you would rather not have to deal with. But I'm back, and here's my reading list for January. Not as large as my usual, but I'd like to think it's a pretty good list for someone who's been readying for a blog tour and trying to work on some writing. Look for more review posts soon.

1. Between by Cindy Tefft ***
2. How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long**
3. Crash Into You by Roni Loren
4. Gypsy Bond by Lindy Corbin*
5. The Disgraced Playboy by Caitlin Crews
6. Mad About the Earl by Christina Brooke*
7. The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle***
8. The Rake and The Recluse Redux Part 1***
9. The Rake and The Recluse Redux Part 2***
10. Seal of My Dreams- ongoing
11. My Man Pendleton by Elizabeth Bevarly
12. Kiss Me I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, and Maureen Child*
13. A Waltz at Midnight by Crista McHugh*
14. She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath**
15. Question of Trust by Laura Caldwell *
16. Blame it on Bath by Caroline Linden

*Review available or upcoming on my blog
**Review available or upcoming on The Season site.
***Review available or upcoming on the IndiesBooksRUs site.

Fails and Fabs- Jan. 21st, 2012

It's Fails and Fabs day! Yippee! Not really, but you got to be positive about things. As for my CP, Lori, I have no clue where she's at, but I do know that sometimes we need a break week for life's little hiccups so this week she gets a pass. Me on the other hand, well, I don't have any excuses.

Let's first get the bad things out of the way.
Fails
-Haven't wrote a review since last Saturday. Not that this is a bad thing, but when you've got a long list of commitments then you need to get to crackin'. It's on my Sunday afternoon list right now.
-I only plotted about 3 hours in 2 weeks. Grr...
-Technical writing has been abundant. Creative writing limited.

Fabs
-Had a stimulating and wonderful shop talk lunch with the fabulous Elle James! She writes for the Harlequin Intrigue Line. It was a blast and look for a future post on the subject.
-I plotted for 3 hours! I know this was a Fail to, but when you're living as crazy as I am 3 hours is something to be proud of.
-Cate and I celebrated our second review post and author interview at the Indies blog! The project is going well, even though traffic has died a bit. That's probably bound to happen as visitors get used to our two-week posting schedule.
-I've almost got all the details hammered out on a special blog tour for rescue dogs! The announcement is coming right here and will be tied directly with the Pawsibilities Small Town Rescue Blog. Get ready, it's gonna be big (at least I hope so)!

Upcoming Reviews:
The Duke is Mine by Eloise James
How the Marquess was Won by Julie Anne Long
Unraveled by Courtney Milan
Not Wicked Enough by Carolyn Jewel
Proof of Love by Arabella Stokes

There's more reviews coming, and hopefully with a little more frequency. Plus, you can check out the Indies blog for a list of upcoming reviews we'll have over there.

Motivational Photo of the Day

Fails and Fabs- Jan. 7th, 2012

My first writing goal related post! As mentioned previously in my 2011 Recap, Lori Sizemore (my critique partner) and I are putting the pedal to the medal in 2012 (at least we're trying to). Each week I'll be posting a Fails and Fabs post on Saturdays to cover my writing success (fab) or lack thereof (fail).

I hope you enjoy these. The posts are more designed for my public humiliation and torture; a way to keep me from lying to myself and be more responsible. :)

Fabs
-Started review blog  'Indie Books R Us' with Cate and had a fairly successful launch week.
-Posted 3 reviews.
-Successful evaluation of initial story ideas; meaning my ideas seem to work and our solid.

Fails
-Novel plotting came in at 1.5 hours. (boo!) I'm supposed to be plotting an hour a day.
-No new review posts or anything finished.
-Spent more time reading this week then anything, double boo! (A plus if you're reading only for fun but I have commitments)

Plus side! Lori reports that she didn't write a thing! Woot/Boo! So right now my 1.5 hours of plotting are leaving her in a trail of dust. My resolve is to plot more, as new ideas have sprung a leak in my brain since midnight Friday.

Motivational Photo of the week:

Indie Books R Us Launch Day!!!

The announcement I've been waiting to give, and now I finally can. Surprised that I can keep my mouth shut for so long?? Well, it's true... I'm capable.

Back to the point! I am entering a partnership with my dear buddy Cate Peace (known as Lexcade to most) on a new review blog aptly titled Indie Books R Us!




This blog is dedicated to reviewing the self-pubbed books that don't get as much as attention as their well-promoted, publisher handled counterparts. Plus, we hope to bring some faith to the self-pubbed industry.  Good self-published books do exist beyond the handfuls that have reached fame and fortune through large sales numbers. Our first review will actually post this Tuesday (January 2nd, 2011).

Until then I hope you can stop by, say "Hi", and join us as we venture into the unknown (Ha!). Also, if you're self-pubbed or know someone who is-- spread the word. Our guidelines and submission rules are posted, and of course if you have questions just shoot us an email.

There's a lovely launch day post over at Indies and of course we welcome thoughts, comments and ideas.