Happy Book Birthday! - Endless by Misha Gerrick - #review

“First, do no harm.” Blake Ryan swore that oath to become a doctor. Ironic, given that he spent most of his thousand year life sucking souls out of other immortals.

Things are different now. Using regular shots of morphine to keep his inner monster at bay, Ryan has led a quiet life since the Second World War. His thrills now come from saving lives, not taking them.

Until a plane crash brings Aleria into his hospital. Her life is vibrant. Crack to predators like him. She’s the exact sort of person they would hunt, and thanks to a severe case of amnesia, she’s all but defenseless.

Leaving Aleria vulnerable isn’t an option, but protecting her means unleashing his own inner monster. Which is a problem, because his inner monster wants her dead most of all.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah = #atozchallenge

Today's song is Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah from Disney's 1946 live-action/animated film "Song of the South".  Let's see what the Muppets do with it!

~~~oOo~~~ And, the A-to-Z-inizer's 2016 swang song:
GOODBYE A TO Z
Goodbye A to Z, it's been a great year
My oh my, I could shed a few tears
Thanks to the hosts, co-hosts, minions I mean
Will see you back here in 2017.

Tomorrow we will want to write more
It could happen, you know
Good to keep good habits, let's go

So long A to Z, I just want to say,
I hope we all have a beautiful day!

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Thanks also to the behind-the-scenes folks who help things run smoothly, and to all the participants for the many wonderful posts!
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Yellow Submarine - #atozchallenge

Today's song is "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles:



~~~oOo~~~

Running it through the A-to-Z-inizer, we get

A TO Z

In the month of April we
Participate in A to Z
Lots of new blogs we will find
Lots of bloggers come to mind
So we went and visited
Blogger friends by the hundred
Of comments we did not lack
Going forward, not looking back

We all write in the A to Z Challenge,
The A to Z Challenge, The A to Z Challenge
We all write in the A to Z Challenge,
The A to Z Challenge, The A to Z Challenge.

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Xanadu - #atozchallenge

Today's song is "Xanadu" by Olivia Newton-John



~~~oOo~~~

Running it through the A-to-Z-inizer, we get:

A TO Z

A feat, which nobody dared to do
To blog every day a month, through
We call it A to Z.
And now, mid-three figures bloggers write
In April  day or night
We call it A to Z.

A million posts are published
And here we go, you have to know
New blog friends you will find
New subscribers, new followers too
A to Z, A to Z
(Now we are here) in A to Z
A to Z, A to Z
(In the home stretch) of A to Z
A to Z,  thanks to the
Admins again, A to Z!

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Silence of the Lamps by Karen Rose Smith - #review #giveaway

Caprice’s house staging is disrupted by Drew Pierson, a caterer who opened Portable Edibles, a business in direct competition with her sister Nikki’s Catered Capers. Nikki turned down Drew as a possible partner and he seems determined to undermine and bury her. However his successful launch of a deal for his blackberry barbecue sauce must have stirred up his enemies. When Nikki visits the house where Drew lives with his grandmother to resolve differences, she and Caprice find him dead–murdered with the base of a valuable Tiffany lamp.

Caprice discovers clues about Drew’s sly business dealings–from stealing recipes from another chef, to friends who hold grudges, to a sister who will now inherit half of her grandmother’s estate since Drew is dead. In the midst of her own romantic relationship upheaval, helping her uncle set up his pet sitting-business, assisting a friend care for a pregnant stray cat, Caprice follows the suspect trail, inadvertently putting herself in danger once more.

What Do Ya Think About That - #atozchallenge

The song for today is Montgomery Gentry's "What Do Ya Think About That".  It's one of those that is 'disabled by request' but if you'd like to view it, you can do so here.  This is one of my all-time favorites.

~~~oOo~~~

From the A-to-Z-inizer, we get:

I WILL GET PUBLISHED SOME DAY

Now I logged into Twitter

And saw some blogger didn't like my A to Z.

How'd they find out about it

When it hasn't even posted

Is what just puzzles me.

Now I could go to war on Twitter, that's for sure

But what good would that do.

I don't want to waste my time

I've got matters more sublime

To turn my attention to

There will always be people who have to see

Others brought down low.

I'm not going to worry

'Bout the ones who say "no" 'cause that don't make it so

I will not feel down about people who frown

And try to discourage me

I won't be down long, my heart still holds a song

I will get published some day.

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Vacation - #atozchallenge

Today's song is "Vacation" from the Go-Go's:



~~~oOo~~~

From the A-to-Z-inizer, we get:

A TO Z SUNDAYS

Can't seem to concentrate on writing
So many distractions emerging
Now my door is locked
And I'm ready to rock
Tomorrow, a day that I am looking forward to

Sit at a blank screen
Wonder what I
Will write and then the lightbulb
Goes on and the words will start to flow

[Chorus]
A to Z
Sundays, what a breather
A to Z
Sundays calling me
A day to
Charge up for the week ahead!

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Must-Have Swag for Book Lovers - 1 Million Books for Literacy Programs

Literary Must-Haves for Book Lovers

Do you read past your bed time? 
Find yourself begging, “Just one more chapter!”? 
Have an emotional break down when your favorite character dies?

Then say it loud and say it proud: I LIKE BIG BOOKS AND I CANNOT LIE!

Here is a list of must-have pieces for every literature lover.

1. If you are a Harry Potter fan:

Represent your Potter pride with this tank.

Cozy up with your favorite Quidditch player. Pillows here.

Just in case Hogwarts starts delivering their acceptance letters via text. Here.

***Attention Harry Potter Lovers: In honor of J.K. Rowling being named the Top Followed Author on Reader’s Legacy in 2015 we’re holding a 1 week sale on ALL of her books. From April 25th-30th, 2016 any Rowling book is 20% off AND double the LitCoins will be loaded into your account just for purchasing. Click the link to check out this limited time offer! ReadersLegacy.com/JKRowling***

2. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games:

If you get a set of these bracelets you’ll know it’s real. See what I did there? Click here.

Let’s be honest, Seneca Crane’s beard is the real winner of the Hunger Games. Mug here.

But what do we do about the tracker jackers? Tank here.

3. For Lord of the Rings fans:

The one fire pit to rule them all here.

You’ll love these leggings like a hobbit loves second breakfast.

4. Who Doesn't Like Alice in Wonderland?

Now you can go to Wonderland every night. Bedspread here.

“I’m not crazy. My reality is just different from yours.” -Cheshire Cat Here.

5. If You Loved "To Kill a Mockingbird":

…and stick it in my awesome tote, thanks.

6. Sherlock Holmes fanatic?

Nothing says ‘high-functioning sociopath’ like these Baker St. cuff links.

*ring ring* Detective Holmes, is that you? Phone case here.

7. The Great Gatsby

Why Daisy Buchanan, you are simply radiant tonight! Headband here.

Ain’t no party like a Gatsby party because a Gatsby party don’t stop until two people are dead and everyone is disillusioned with the jazz age as a whole. Gatsby envelopes here.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia

So how does it work if you keep your map of Narnia in your wardrobe? Do you fall into Narnia when you go to put it on? Narnia-ception. Scarf here.

Three cheers for The Great Lion! Necklace here.

9. Pride and Prejudice

Is it just us, or did Mr. Darcy give you unrealistic expectations of love too? Printable here.

Never leave home without your Jane Austen! Bag here.

This wisdom from the 18th century still holds. Pillow here.

10. Where the Wild Things Are

I think they’re hiding in your hair! Bow here.

Capture the wild side of parenting with this matching set.

And for all of the book lovers that can’t choose just one novel to rep!

How’s THAT for a full-fandom? Shirt here.

You other readers can’t deny; when a book walks in with a good plot base and a big spine in your face you get sprung! Tote here.

Deep breathe in. Ahhhhh books! Candle here.

~~~oOo~~~

***As an added perk of Reader’s Legacy’s Rowling celebration, we will be holding a special 20% off sale for each of her novels from April 25th to April 30th – ReadersLegacy.com/JKRowling. 

The sale not only celebrates J.K. Rowling, but was also brings attention for a special grant program we have created in order to give away 1 million physical books in support of literacy programs! Spreading a love of books, and ending illiteracy around the world is 100% possible, and with the help of reader’s on the site, we believe will be one step closer to achieving that goal! Get in on this sale HERE.

Framed to Death by Christina Freeburn - #review #giveaway

Eden has turned into a hotspot of crime, and Faith finds herself smack dab in the middle of the flare-up. When a favor for a friend links Faith to the synthetic marijuana problem invading her town, no good deed goes unpunished becomes the title of her life. The town accuses the police of favoritism toward her, putting a strain between Faith and Ted, and a new officer is determined to prove Faith’s guilt.

When the criminal is outed, Faith’s relief is short-lived. A fire takes out the store—along with the suspected dealer—and she’s now number one on an officer’s suspect list. Faith sets out to prove her own innocence, and her digging sparks the truth to life. Instead of the truth setting the town free, Faith finds out it might destroy Eden, the friends she holds dear, and smother out her own life.

With a Vengeance by Annette Dashofy - #review #giveaway

Paramedic Zoe Chambers and the rest of rural Monongahela County’s EMS and fire personnel are used to wading into the middle of trouble to rescue the sick and the injured. But when someone with an ax to grind seeks retribution by staging accident scenes and gunning down the first responders, Zoe finds herself forced to not only treat her own brethren of the front lines, but also, in her role as deputy coroner, seek out whoever is killing her friends.

At the same time, Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams races to track down a gun, a mysterious all-terrain vehicle, and the sniper before Zoe goes back on duty, placing herself—and Pete—firmly in the gunman’s crosshairs.

Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), book club recommendations, audio books for download, police procedurals series, amateur sleuth books.

House of the Hanging Jade by Amy M. Reade - #review #giveaway

A dark presence had invaded the Jorgensens’ house. On a spectacular bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, something evil is watching and waiting . . .

Tired of the cold winters in Washington, D.C. and disturbed by her increasingly obsessive boyfriend, Kailani Kanaka savors her move back to her native Big Island of Hawaii. She also finds a new job as personal chef for the Jorgensen family. The gentle caress of the Hawaiian trade winds, the soft sigh of the swaying palm trees, and the stunning blue waters of the Pacific lull her into a sense of calm at the House of Hanging Jade–an idyll that quickly fades as it becomes apparent that dark secrets lurk within her new home. Furtive whispers in the night, a terrifying shark attack, and the discovery of a dead body leave Kailani shaken and afraid. But it’s the unexpected appearance of her ex-boyfriend, tracking her every move and demanding she return to him, that has her fearing for her life . . .

U Got the Look - #atozchallenge

The song for today is Prince's "U Got the Look".  RIP, Prince.

See all music videos Prince

(I don't know if the video above is one of those things that will only show up when you post or what, but I couldn't find Prince performing this song on YouTube.  Here's the direct link if you are interested.)

~~~oOo~~~

Out of the A-to-Z-inizer comes:

U GOT THE BLOG

We're A to Z
We fear the letter U
Q, and X are letters that we speak not of
Tell me, have you go the blog?

You made a post, people read
I've never read a post quite so
Int'resting, blogger
You got that blog!

So write what's in your heart
Write with passion from your soul
Readers will find you out there

You've got the blog (you've got the blog)
You sho'nuf writing words that make me
Subscribe to your blog
And maybe even
On Twitter follow planin'
if blog's so good
Let's get to readin'

You got the blog.
You got the blog.

~~~oOo~~~

Many thanks to Jeremy at Hollywood Nuts! for the letter graphics.
Click on the main A to Z button at the top to go to the participant list!

Monday Bookish Post - April 25, 2016

    

   

Thanks to Stephanie of Tynga's Reviews, Kathryn at Book Date, Ramona at Create With Joy and Janice at Mostly Blogging for hosting these respective link-ups!  (Click on the buttons to go to the respective blogs.)

~~~oOo~~~

STACKING THE SHELVES

This is a selection of books that I got this week.  The first five are Kindle Freebies (a bookish obsession) and the last is a physical book I received for review.  Click on the covers to see more about the books on GoodReads:

  

   

   

~~~oOo~~~

IT'S MONDAY.  WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Actually, I'm reading the "None Like Him" book above.  You can click on the cover for details.  I received it from FlyBy Promotions, and will post a review here on the blog this Saturday, April 30, 2016.

Here are a couple more than I got read this last week:

   

Both books are e-books from Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and NetGalley for review.  My review of "Murder" will appear on Thursday, July 7th, 2016.  The review of  "Vengeance" will post today (here - although the link will not be active until 8am Eastern US time).

I am also reading in the "Sleuthing Women: 10 First-in-Series Mysteries".  I will review this (these?) titles on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

I have completed the first book in this anthology, 

I'm currently reading the 2nd book, and guesstimate I'm about 20% in:

~~~oOo~~~

THE INSPIRE ME MONDAY TWINS

(from Hamlet II ii)