Category: Virtual Nightstand

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 4-12-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

First of all, Happy Easter to those who celebrate the holiday.

Second, my Blogo-Birthday Celebration has come to an end for another year. All the prizes will be awarded today, and then it’s back in mothballs for another year. Next April 4-5 will be the 10th Blogo-Birthday, and at that point this will definitely be the longest I’ve ever had a single job. (I stayed one place 9.5ish years but didn’t make 10, so this will be the one!) But it’s always fun to have a Hobbit Birthday and give other people presents – especially from some of my favorite authors.

Meanwhile, here’s a look at what’s coming this week. I had a dream about solving mysteries and drinking whiskey last night. I’m not sure why as I’ve certainly never been a detective and seldom drink – and certainly not whiskey, neat. But the whole mystery solving thing leads me to picking up One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry, as that’s sure to be a fascinating mystery!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop (ends WEDNESDAY!)
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr

Winner Announcements:

The winner of their choice of any book by M.L. Buchman is Sandy K.
The winner of their choice of any book by Duncan M. Hamilton is Carl
The winner of their choice of any book in C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr series is Nicole C.
The winner of a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card in my Birthday Giveaway is Sarah L.
The winner of a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card in my Blogoversary Day Giveaway is Ann
The winner of $25 in books in my BlogoBirthday Book Giveaway is L Lam
The winner of a $25 Amazon Gift Card in my BlogoBirthday GC Giveaway is Alya

Blog Recap:

A Review: Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr + Giveaway
B Review: Anthropocene Rag by Alex Irvine
B Review: Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown
A- Review: House of Rone: Guard by Anna Hackett
B+ Review: Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer
Stacking the Shelves (387)

Coming This Week:

PsyTek by Melanie Yaun (guest review by Amy!)
Rain Rain Go Away Giveaway Hop
One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry (review)
Something to Marble At Giveaway Hop
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 4-5-20 + Giveaway

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

Today is my birthday. And it’s weird to be celebrating a birthday without even the possibility of going out for dinner. It’s not that I generally make a big deal out of it, but it just feels strange not to be able to mark it much at all. And to know that by the time we can go out again, it will be too far in the past to make any sense. This makes all those childhood birthdays when I couldn’t have a party and cake because my birthday often fell during Passover seem like wild extravaganzas in comparison. (Passover this year starts on Wednesday, so I did miss it this year!)

Today is also First Contact Day in the Star Trek Universe. In that version of what would be history, Earth’s known “First Contact” with an alien race will occur on April 5, 2063 when the Vulcans observe Earth’s first warp flight. If this sounds familiar at all, that’s because it’s the event that the Borg are trying to prevent in the movie Star Trek: First Contact. Probably my second favorite of all the Star Trek movies, after Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. And this might be a GREAT day for a rewatch.

But to completely mix my favorite SFF metaphors, while today may be First Contact Day, it is my birthday and, just as every day this past week. it will be a Hobbit birthday. Meaning that I am giving presents instead of getting them. Today’s giveaway is another Barnes & Noble $25 Gift Card, but all of this week’s giveaways are still open, and will be until the end of this coming week.

Live Long, and Prosper!

Current Giveaways:

$25 Amazon Gift Card in the Blogo-Birthday Celebration
$25 in Books in the Blogo-Birthday Celebration
$10 Amazon Gift Card OR $10 Book in the Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop
$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card in the Blogoversary Day Giveaway
Any book by Duncan M. Hamilton
Any book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris
Any book by M.L. Buchman

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop is Viki S.

Blog Recap:

Early Blogo-Birthday Celebration + Giveaway
A++ Review: Servant of the Crown by Duncan M. Hamilton + Giveaway
Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop
A+ Review: Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris + Giveaway
A Review: Condor by M.L. Buchman + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (386) + Giveaway

Coming This Week:

Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr (blog tour review)
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown (review)
Anthropocene Rag by Alex Irvine (review)
Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer (review)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-29-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Sunday Post

When last we left our heroes, they were all sheltering in place at home. And that’s pretty much where they are this week. And next week. And hopefully the week after that, because the other alternatives are all fairly grim, sooner or later.

For those who have laughed at ANY of the cat memes about felines not necessarily wanting their humans home 24/7 disturbing their naps and other important feline business, that’s not true in this house. Hecate is omnipresent, and Freddie is very needy. Lucifer just waits until nightfall to begin quietly demanding his nightly snuggles. As far as this bunch is concerned, their humans are SUPPOSED to be home with them all the time.

But this is certainly a time of disruption and crisis for many of us. Whatever happens, the world will never be the same.

Even though many of us are staying home for the duration, that doesn’t mean that some events aren’t still going on as planned. One of those events is coming up next weekend. The 9th anniversary of the first post on Reading Reality is April 4, and my birthday is April 5. I generally have a Blogo-Birthday celebration the week those events occur, with giveaways every day. That BOTH anniversaries are on a weekend left me in a bit of a quandary – whether to celebrate ahead or wait until after.

We all need a bit of a pick-me-up, so the Blogo-Birthday will be celebrated early, this coming week of March 30-April 3, with giveaways every day. So be sure to come back every day to participate in the festivities!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop (ends TUESDAY!)

Blog Recap:

A- Review: The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
B Review: Paladin by Anna Hackett
B Review: Hearts of Oak by Eddie Robson
A- Review: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
A Review: The Orphans of Raspay by Lois McMaster Bujold
Stacking the Shelves (385)

Coming This Week:

Early Blogo-Birthday Celebration
Servant of the Crown by Duncan M. Hamilton (review)
Worth Melting for Giveaway Hop
Condor by M.L. Buchman (review)
Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-22-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

Anyone who has ever believed that cats are aloof and not affectionate has not spent an hour trying to distract a cat who is screaming “I want daddy! Where’s my daddy?” at the top of her little kitty lungs, as well as basically trying to drag her secondary human around the house in the hopes of finding her primary human RIGHT MEOW! (If you’re wondering, Galen is outside mowing the lawn while the sun is shining, because it’s supposed to rain yet again today.)

 

 

 

I hope that wherever you are, you are safe, healthy and not completely stir-crazy yet. And that you are able to maintain yourself, your family and your health insurance in this continuing crisis. We are ALL in this together, no matter how far apart we need to physically be.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Leaping Leprechauns Giveaway Hop is Elizabeth H.

Blog Recap:

Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop
A- Review: Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights edited by Patrick Weekes
B+ Review: The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne
B+ Review: Battle Bond by Lindsay Buroker
A+ Review: Knight of the Silver Circle by Duncan M. Hamilton
Stacking the Shelves (384)

Coming This Week:

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (review)
Hearts of Oak by Eddie Robson (review)
Paladin by Anna Hackett (review)
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (review)
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-15-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Sunday Post

This has certainly been one hell of a week. It started with losing an hour to Daylight Saving Time, ended with Friday the 13th and included the declaration of a worldwide epidemic. I have a feeling that this week is going to turn out to be one of those defining moments, the kind where life is marked as “Before” and “After”. Lives are changing, behaviors are changing, and some of those changes will have long-term consequences, while others will not. It will take time and distance to learn which are which.

And speaking of distance, “social distancing” has become a huge phenomenon amazingly quickly. Those of us who are introverts and especially those of us introverts who work from home, are kind of used to that. At the same time, this weekend is teaching us that there’s a big difference between staying home because we want to and staying home because we have to.

I know there will be a lot of walks and Sunday drives in our future, but probably not this weekend. It’s raining as I type this on Saturday, and more rain is predicted for the ENTIRE week!

Stay safe out there – or in there – as the case may be.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Leaping Leprechauns Giveaway Hop (ENDS TOMORROW!!!)

Blog Recap:

A++ Review: A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers
A- Review: Love Hard by Nalini Singh
A- Review: Dangerous Territory by Lindsay Schopfer
B+ Review: The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde
A+ Review: Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton
Stacking the Shelves (383)

Coming This Week:

Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights edited by Patrick Weekes (review)
The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne (blog tour review)
Battle Bond by Lindsay Buroker (review)
The Lane Betrayal by John A. Heldt (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-8-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Sunday Post

Did you remember to “spring ahead” last night? In the U.S. Daylight Saving Time began in the wee hours of this morning. I was awake and my clock suddenly jumped from 1:59am to 3:00am in the blink of an eye. But I’m not sure there’s enough caffeine to power through this day. How about you?

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Leaping Leprechauns Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

Leaping Leprechauns Giveaway Hop
A++ Review: A Blight of Blackwings by Kevin Hearne
B+ Review: One Little Lie by Colleen Coble
A- Review: Sinister Magic by Lindsay Buroker
B+ Review: Aunt Gertrude’s Red Hot Christmas Beau by Cerise DeLand
Stacking the Shelves (382)

Coming This Week:

A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers (review)
Love Hard by Nalini Singh (review)
Dangerous Territory by Lindsay Schopfer (review)
The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde (blog tour review)
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights edited by Patrick Weekes (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-1-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

I don’t know about where you are, but here in Atlanta March came in like a lamb. 60s and sunny. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood!

I thought I was going to review Sinister Magic last week, but that’s because I assumed, erroneously, that the book would come out on Tuesday as most books do in the US. It didn’t, it came out on Friday, so I didn’t get my copy until sometime in the wee hours. But I have it now, and I still can’t wait to read it!

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the OMG It’s a Giveaway Hop is Nikki M.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar
A Review: The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes
A Review: The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark
A- Review: Finna by Nino Cipri
B Review: The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood
Stacking the Shelves (381)

Coming This Week:

Leaping Leprechauns Giveaway Hop
A Blight of Blackwings by Kevin Hearne (review)
One Little Lie by Colleen Coble (blog tour review)
Sinister Magic by Lindsay Buroker (review)
A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-23-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

It’s Sunday and I seem to have fallen down a fanfiction rabbit-hole. Climbing out is always hard. I was having such a good time! But I have more books to read! And a cat who suddenly wants ALL the attention. As they do. Where did the weekend go?

I was also flailing around a bit about this week’s reads – at least until the list of Nebula Awards Finalists came out. That switched things around a bit, especially as I’m trying to decide what to put on my Hugo nominations. I’ll have some answers at the end of the week. Well, some more answers, anyway.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the OMG It’s a Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor is Andrea C.
The winner of the Cat’s Meow Giveaway Hop is Shelly P.

Blog Recap:

A+ Review: The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
A Review: The Beast Hunter by Lindsay Schopfer
A Review: Prosper’s Demon by K.J. Parker
A- Review The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy
A Review: Passing Strange by Ellen Klages
Stacking the Shelves (380)

Coming This Week:

Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar (blog tour review)
The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood (review)
The Deep by Rivers Solomon (review)
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djeli Clark (review)
Sinister Magic by Lindsay Buroker (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-16-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

This is one of those rare weeks where there’s no blog hop and no blog tour books. Which means I can read whatever I want, and my wants may change without notice. You have been warned!

My cat Lucifer, who could almost have been the model for the Cat’s Meow Giveaway Hop graphic (right color fur, wrong color eyes) tells me to remind you that the hop ends Tuesday. And I ALWAYS do what Lucifer tells me to!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Cat’s Meow Giveaway Hop (ends TUESDAY!)
$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the OMG It’s a Giveaway Hop
Wild Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Last Day by Luanne Rice is Kathy M.

Blog Recap:

A+ Review: The Fate of the Tala by Jeffe Kennedy
A- Review: Hell Squad Survivors by Anna Hackett
B Review: Wild Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor + Giveaway
B Review: Sisters by Choice by Susan Mallery
OMG It’s a Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (379)

Coming This Week:

The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (review)
The Beast Hunter by Lindsay Schopfer (review)
The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy (review)
Sword of Fire by Katharine Kerr (review)
Dead Man’s Reach by D.B. Jackson (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-9-20

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Sunday Post

The weather outside is actually quite frightful, and I’m not singing “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” It’s already SNOWING, dammit. I’m writing this one Saturday, this is Atlanta, and it is just not supposed to snow here. As somebody said on twitter, “THERE ARE RULES, PEOPLE.” And we have tickets to see The Eagles tonight, in downtown Atlanta. Which is going to be an absolute mess. And probably even worse in the morning, because this snow is supposed to turn to rain, then FREEZE. And we’ll have freezy skid stuff everywhere. Dammit.

Howsomever, Lucifer is standing in the hallway, pivoting his view from one front window to another, looking extremely grateful to be in here where it’s warm and dry and not out there in the middle of that nasty, cold, wet stuff. He appears exceedingly pleased with his current accommodations.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in The Cat’s Meow Giveaway Hop
Last Day by Luanne Rice

Winner Announcements:

The winner of The Hollows by Jess Montgomery is Carol L.
The winner of the $25 Gift Certificate in the Back in Black Tour is Bill H.

Blog Recap:

B Review: Last Day by Luanne Rice + Giveaway
The Cat’s Meow Giveaway Hop
A+ Review: Back in Black by Rhys Ford
A- Review: Golden in Death by J.D. Robb
A- Review: Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
Stacking the Shelves (378)

Coming This Week:

The Fate of the Tala by Jeffe Kennedy (review)
Sisters by Choice by Susan Mallery (review)
Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor (blog tour review)
Hell Squad: Survivors by Anna Hackett (review)
OMG It’s a Giveaway Hop