The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 8-21-16

Posted on August 21, 2016August 18, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

I’m none too sure about the upcoming week’s schedule. As you read this, I am at Worldcon in Kansas City, or on my way home. While I will certainly have time to read on the plane going and coming, time to write is likely to be non-existent – as it certainly should be. We’re there to have fun, and meet some of our favorite authors. Also to see how the Hugo Awards turn out this year. Noah Ward will probably receive more virtual awards for his metaphorical closet. As it write this the outcome is still in doubt, but by the time you read this, we’ll know. If the above Hugo neepery doesn’t ring any bells for you, consider yourself lucky. Last year was a huge SNAFU, this year has been a much quieter riot. Hopefully we’ll get this fixed a bit for next year.

Meanwhile, here’s what I have scheduled at the moment. But life is still what happens when you’re making other plans.

Current Giveaways:

$25 Amazon Gift Card from Harlequin

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox
B- Review: Fire Brand by Diana Palmer + Giveaway
A Review: Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn
A- Guest Review by Amy: I Will Fear No Evil by Robert A. Heinlein
A- Review: A Maiden Weeping by Jeri Westerson
Stacking the Shelves (198)

Coming Next Week:

Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn (review)
Always a Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller (blog tour review)
Oria’s Gambit by Jeffe Kennedy (blog tour review)
Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh (Cass Rant on Demand)
Quantum by Jess Anastasi (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 8-14-16

Posted on August 14, 2016August 13, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

Well, this was a weird week. I didn’t give anything away and no one won anything. This must be the summer doldrums.

I also hashed the schedule at the last minute. I usually read at both lunch and dinner. One of my favorite things about leaving home for college was that I could read at the table if I wanted to. And I still want to. But a friend came to town to visit, and I missed out on my Wednesday and Thursday meal-time reading sessions, so Friday’s original book didn’t get finished. But I’m halfway through so it will reappear this week.

And I have a guest review scheduled on Friday from Amy, my favorite (and most reliable) guest reviewer. A Heinlein review is apropos for this coming weekend, because we will be at WorldCon in Kansas City. I expect Heinlein’s name to be invoked in multiple contexts, most notably, the blood drive that is always conducted at Worldcons in his honor.

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: The Bluebonnet Betrayal by Marty Wingate
A- Review: Hell Squad: Finn by Anna Hackett
A Review: Family Tree by Susan Wiggs
A- Review: The Third Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay
A- Guest Review: The MasterHarper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Stacking the Shelves (197)

Coming Next Week:

The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox (blog tour review)
Fire Brand by Diana Palmer (blog tour review)
Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn (review)
A Maiden Weeping by Jeri Westerson (review)
I Will Fear No Evil by Robert Heinlein (guest review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 8-7-16

Posted on August 7, 2016August 7, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

It’s always, well, let’s call it “interesting” to have a much different take on a book than nearly everyone else. Readers are continuing to rave about Amanda Bouchet’s A Promise of Fire. My fellow Book Pushers absolutely adored it. And it is a book I expected to love. But it hit one of my buttons, and not in a good way. Back in my bodice-ripper reading days, when I was in college a long time ago and definitely in a galaxy far, far away, the “falling in love with her kidnapper” trope didn’t bother me. But now, even more than my questions about questionable consent, what I found teeth-grittingly off-putting was the way that every other character in the story dismisses the heroine’s righteous negative feelings about being kidnapped. Her right to be angry about being threatened, kidnapped and used is considered to be the equivalent of a little temper tantrum that she will just get over when she realizes how much better off she is. And that’s an open question. While on the surface her kidnapper has better motives than her previous abusers, the fact that he was more than willing to let his ends justify his means does not, in the end, actually make him a better “person” than her previous abusers. I’m very curious to see whether the author takes this series.

Coming Next Week:

The Bluebonnet Betrayal by Marty Wingate (blog tour review)
Hell Squad: Finn by Anna Hackett (review)
Family Tree by Susan Wiggs (blog tour review)
The Third Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay (review)
Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-31-16

Posted on July 31, 2016July 30, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

A busy week here at Reading Reality, especially with an additional review over at The Book Pushers. There’s nothing quite like finishing a book up at dinner in order to write it up immediately for posting the next morning to keep a girl on her toes. In other words, I was running behind the entire week. Maybe I’ll catch up to myself this week, and then again, maybe I won’t. I have “extra” books to slide in for the next couple of weeks.

It was certainly a week of excellent books. So many of this week’s books were ones that I have been anticipating since last year. It was terrific that they all lived up to my expectations!

Current Giveaways:

Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone (US/CAN)
The Ninja’s Daughter by Susan Spann (US/CAN)

Blog Recap:

A Review: Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone + Giveaway
A- Review: The Ninja’s Daughter by Susan Spann + Giveaway
B Review: The Mechanical Theater by Brooke Johnson
A- Review: Indomitable by W.C. Bauers
A-/B+ Review: The Lafayette Sword by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne
Stacking the Shelves (195)

Coming Next Week:

Heart Strike by M.L. Buchman (blog tour review)
A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet (blog tour review)
Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery (review)
No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished by Rachel Aaron (review)
The Ultimate Western Blog Tour

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-24-16

Posted on July 24, 2016July 23, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

This week had some real winners. Amy obviously adored Red Lily. I remember that one fairly fondly myself. But Lonen’s War is the fabulous start to a new epic fantasy series by Jeffe Kennedy, and The Emperor’s Arrow was an awesome debut by Lauren D.M. Smith. Rock Wedding felt like a fitting end to Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss series, and Fatal Justice was the perfect reading crack to round out the week.

Next week looks fantastic. These are all books that I’ve been looking forward to for a year, and I can’t wait to dive in!

Current Giveaways:

$50 Amazon Gift Card from Nalini Singh

Blog Recap:

A+ Guest Review by Amy: Red Lily by Nora Roberts
A- Review: Lonen’s War by Jeffe Kennedy
B+ Review: Fatal Justice by Marie Force
B Review: Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh + Giveaway
A- Review: The Emperor’s Arrow by Lauren D.M. Smith
Stacking the Shelves (154)

Coming Next Week:

Four Roads Cross by Max Gladstone (review)
The Ninja’s Daughter by Susan Spann (blog tour review)
The Mechanical Theater by Brooke Johnson (review)
Indomitable by W.C. Bauers (review)
The Lafayette Sword by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-17-16

Posted on July 17, 2016July 17, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This has been the worst weekend ever. On Friday, Sophie-cat had to be put to sleep. Her little bum ticker just gave out. And this afternoon we said our last goodbyes to Lazorra T. Cat. She ran through the last of her 9 lives and the years just caught up with her. They were our little girls and we will miss them forever. Now poor Mellie-cat is suddenly only child, and she is NOT HAPPY. Neither are we.

And in an attempt to work through his grief by cutting down the shrubbery, we now have a gouge in one of the pipes leading to or from the air conditioner, and it needs emergency repairs. On a Sunday. This weekend may never end.

Current Giveaways:

Paperback set of the Fatal series by Marie Force

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop is Jennifer L.

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: Fatal Affair by Marie Force + Giveaway
B Review: Unexplored by Anna Hackett
C+ Review: Pistols and Petticoats by Erika Janik
B+ Review: Hostage to the Stars by Veronica Scott
A- Review: Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold
Stacking the Shelves (193)

Coming Next Week:

Red Lily by Nora Roberts (guest review by Amy)
Lonen’s War by Jeffe Kennedy (blog tour review)
Fatal Justice by Marie Force (review)
Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh (blog tour review)
The Emperor’s Arrow by Lauren D.M. Smith (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-10-16

Posted on July 10, 2016July 8, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand

The most exciting event this week was the feline health crisis. We love them. They are kittens for so brief a time, adult cats for years that are never long enough, and then suddenly they are little elder statescats with all of the unfortunate issues of old age. LaZorra is 17, and her kidneys and her thyroid seem to be in a race to see which one will actually do her in. Something happens, she scares us half to death, and then the new problem seems to clear up. At least until the next time.

I did have some good books to retreat into, in between visiting the vet.

Current Giveaways:

$25 Amazon Gift Card from Harlequin
$10 Book or $10 Gift Card in the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop

Blog Recap:

Fourth of July 2016
A- Review: A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels + Giveaway
A Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
B+ Review: Star Cruise: Outbreak by Veronica Scott
A+ Review: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Stacking the Shelves (192)

Coming Next Week:

Fatal Affair by Marie Force (blog tour review)
Unexplored by Anna Hackett (review)
Pistols and Petticoats by Erika Janik (review)
All These Perfect Strangers by Aoife Clifford (review)
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-3-16

Posted on July 3, 2016July 2, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

It’s good to be home. The cats think so too. I’m not sure we’ve been completely forgiven yet, but we’re getting there.

I had a lot of good books last week. Something about A Certain Age sucked me in and wouldn’t let go. It was fun to see the book in the publisher’s booth at the conference and tell them that I almost forgot to come to the Opening Exhibits Reception because I didn’t want to put their book down. And Just One Damned Thing After Another was absolutely marvelous. I know I’ll be buying the rest of the series!

It was great to spend a few days with 17,000 of my nearest and dearest colleagues, but home is where the heart is. And where the kitties are.

And speaking of where my heart lies, the latest issue of Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly has just been released into the spacelanes. Check us out at http://www.scifiromancequarterly.org/

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop
Essex Sisters Box Set from Eloisa James and Forever
$25 Amazon Gift Card from Harlequin

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Riverbend Road by RaeAnne Thayne is Elizabeth H.
The winner of The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan is Anita Y.
The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop is Stacy T.

Blog Recap:

B Review: The Daredevil Snared by Stephanie Laurens + Giveaway
A- Review: A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
B Review: Hell Squad: Niko by Anna Hackett
B+ Review: A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James + Giveaway
A+ Review: Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (191)

Coming Next Week:

A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels (blog tour review)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (blog tour review)
Star Cruise: Outbreak by Veronica Scott (review)
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 6-26-16

Posted on June 26, 2016June 25, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

I’m on the road. We are attending the American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando. And I can’t wait to go home. I miss my own bed. I really miss the cats. And I miss my desktop computer.

Yes, I know that laptops are marvelous inventions. I love the ability to bring my work with me wherever I go, without having to duck into a library or an internet cafe to check email or whatever. But I hate touch pads. They don’t like me. If I so much as breath on the touch pad, the cursor takes off to parts of my screen unknown. Then I have to hunt for it and correct whatever errant keystrokes it recorded wherever it took itself off to.

Did I mention that I can’t wait to go home?

Current Giveaways:

$10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop
The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan
Riverbend Road by RaeAnne Thayne

Winner Announcements:

The winner of June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore is Tracee

Blog Recap:

B- Review: The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan + Giveaway
Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop
A- Review: Riverbend Road by RaeAnne Thayne
B+ Review: Absinthe of Malice by Rhys Ford
A- Review: Autumn Princess, Dragon Child by Lian Hearn
Stacking the Shelves (190)

Coming Next Week:

The Daredevil Snared by Stephanie Laurens (blog tour review)
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams (blog tour review)
Hell Squad: Niko by Anna Hackett (review)
A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James (blog tour review)
The Hunt for Vulcan by Thomas Levenson (review)
Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 6-19-16

Posted on June 19, 2016June 18, 2016 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

After having reviewed a book about magical libraries this week, it seems totally appropriate to be heading off to the American Library Association Annual Conference next week. Just as there is an L-space that connects all the great Libraries of the multiverse, I am convinced that there is also a C-space that connects all the Convention Centers, and imposes a uniformity on all the spaces. Having attended ALA for a number of years, one exhibits floor looks pretty much like another. The booths move around, and the contents change, but an overhead photo looks fairly similar from year to year. The support beams are just in slightly different places in each hall.

This year, the ALA Annual Conference is in Orlando, the site of so much recent tragedy. I was torn about mentioning the location, because I just wasn’t sure what to say about recent events. But in Galen’s post yesterday, “Naming and Responding to Hate –YAPC::NA and ALA Annual in Orlando“, he said it all so much better than I could. In closing, one more comment. It’s true in a sense that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, but people with guns, especially military assault rifles, can generally kill a lot more people a lot faster than people without guns. Why is this so hard? Why does this keep happening?

Current Giveaways:

June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
$25 Amazon Gift Card from Susan Grant

Winner Announcements:

The winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Card in the Life’s a Beach Giveaway Hop is Elizabeth H.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
B Review: June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore + Giveaway
A- Review: The Space Between Sisters by Mary McNear
B+ Review: The Champion of Baresh by Susan Grant + Giveaway
C Review: Maggie Dove by Susan Breen
Stacking the Shelves (189)

Coming Next Week:

The Woman in the Photo by Mary Hogan (blog tour review)
Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop
Riverbend Road by RaeAnne Thayne (blog tour review)
Absinthe of Malice by Rhys Ford (review)
Louisa by Louisa Thomas (review)

Current Giveaways:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this:

Current Giveaways:

Winner Announcements:

Blog Recap:

Coming Next Week:

Share this: