Whopping BIG Monday! Still reading, of course.

This is one of those memorably BIG Mondays for me. Eep!!  (Panic squeak.) The car show we're coordinating is this Saturday. We're planning for 300 cars.  EEP!!! And 100 volunteers.  EEP!!!!  and a couple thousand people. EEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 - it's time to finish the last-minute to-do's!!
2 - I can start worrying whether anyone will show up
3 - do I have all the decorations?  Can I set out the tables TODAY?!
4 - 'cause what if I'm missing something?
5 - Huh?!  What then?!
6 - I could add something to my to-do list today. Tomorrow my brain might quit working.
7 - how many ibuprofen can I take at one time?
8 - what does that have to do with an event?
9 - it's time to read a book.

Phew! At least I can keep reading!!  Which means Monday is awesome!

Thx, Sheila @ Book Journey.  It is my pleasure to celebrate this Monday regardless of what the week holds. (eep)



On my Nook, I finished Deepest Night a few days ago. OMG. What a hauntingly beautiful... OMG. This one ACHES with a sweet, sad... star-song. Shana Abe's writing is becoming a drug that I need periodically. How did I manage before discovering her last summer?

This morning I finished In a Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener. My plan is to enjoy the series while bookblasting awesomeness come Thursday. Because In Defense of the Queen comes out on Thursday.  :-D  There's a lot I want to say about that, but I should save it for the review!


I'm listening to The Fellowship of the Ring in the car while running errands. I checked out an old radio re-enactment of the book and recently passed a scene that was sooooooooo.... frightening-absorbing-harrowing-gripping that I forgot where I was. In fact, I was startled to realize I was driving the car. I could have sworn that the day was dark and gloomy and there were ring-wraiths on my tail and we were crossing a ford instead of sunny rush hour traffic just outside of the city.



Wow.

I had to drop off some books at the library yesterday and got sucked inside. (I was helpless to resist the vortex that is a huge building full of books.)  I came home with a HAUL... Legend, Crewel, Etiquette & Espionage, Of Poseidon, The Assassin's Curse, & Partials.  Some of these I've already read... and most of them (if not all) I don't have time to get to. But I like to encourage my library to keep stocked with good titles. Plus... once they're in my hand, it's really hard to set them down again. And I happened to have a nice carrying bag from dropping off so many books. It wasn't my fault I took more than I can read this week. Honestly. I'm innocent!!

(And maybe a little crazy!)

To remain sane this week... I'm starting  Keeper of the King's Secrets immediately. I'll find something on my Nook for late-night, low-light reading, too... and I've pre-ordered the audio version of The Two Towers just in case.

Being me requires AT LEAST three books simultaneously.

And with that thought... I'm ready to tackle this HUGE EVENT COMING UP THIS WEEK!!!  AAAARRRGH!!!!!!  (I sound like the ring-wraiths in my head, screaming down towards the water. No worries, I won't frighten the kids. They may see me laughing and think I'm nuts, but that's not new.)

Monday - News and Awesome Stuff

Welcome to Monday!!

Are you going to BEA this year? If not... are you participating in Armchair BEA?!  There will be so much going on next week... so many giveaways... so much awesomeness.

At Colorimetry, I will be launching a new tour - The Battle for Princess Madeline by Kirstin Pulioff. The tour is full, but anyone is welcome to share the Launch, which is fun, or get on the Rafflecopter for sharing our Grand Finale on June 14th. If you're interested, sign up HERE.


I am ALSO hosting a mini-series for Triskele Books highlighting a new author and book every day with interviews and stuff which will include a new giveaway DAILY plus a grand release party on June 1st. I will be sharing that Release Party Post with other bloggers - let me know if you want IN!  :-D

Besides this excitement... and a few pre-written posts... June is pretty much a no-blogging month for me. Lol. I have two birthday parties and four kids released from school and a general BUZZ of activity and energy at my house that makes blogging nearly impossible. I wish I could share it with you - it's really fun in an insane sort of way. I've gotten used to it since Dash was in Kindergarten and Trinity was born. As soon as the basketball playoffs begin, I feel the build-up. Lol. (The 9th month in any pregnancy is memorable, but spend two of those months watching the playoffs and it's MEMORABLE.)

It's good blogging manners to announce breaks in schedules... not that I keep a schedule, but June will be different. This is my announcement.

I'm reading the Infernal Devices Series, so I had to participate in this awesome thing hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.


I finished The Clockwork Prince over the weekend and dived into my signed and personalized copy of The Clockwork Princess Sunday.

This series...

It's got talons, I tell ya!  It gets a good grip and won't let go!!  I don't know how I'm going to go about regular Monday activities when I'm on page 138 of 568. I wish I could turn on the sunshine and swing in a hammock and not come out 'til I've closed the back cover.

Ah well... I'll be in England of a century past in my thoughts, at least.

So Many Books...

It's agony... sweet, sweet agony!  So many books, so little time. 

Join the Linky and share your books!

Here's my newest on my Nook:
Click any of the covers to check 'em out somewhere...

          

I have to agree with Kathy:

There is no way I will ever be able to read all the great ebooks I have but I love having my Kindle full of wonderful books

I sort all the books on my Nook like I re-arrange my TBR shelves. Just to look at them. *rolls eyes* Pretty, pretty bling!!!

Books I'm reading for tours (there's always room for one more on a tour - join in the fun!):

     

So far... 

I couldn't put Daughter of the Sky down... my review's up already. Lol. I enjoy Michelle Diener's writing style. This book is rather heart-wrenching and loaded with strategic details.

Eternity Cure is a review book... and I peaked inside* last night and it's... gory. In the first few pages, I was reminded of Immortal Rules - the nitty-gritty dystopian world & the disgusting rabids. The story dives right into choosing victims to blood... and visions of torture. Not exactly bedtime, late night reading. I was not sleepy after reading a few pages. Weird.

The Deepest Night will be a treat, I hope... I've been reading some of Shana Abe's books and they're so fluidly beautiful. I'm hoping this follows The Sweetest Dark in being more YA-ish since I'm a little skitterish around adult love-making, having my own man & liking to keep that sort of thing just between the two of us. *ahem*

Amanda Carlson's books are new to me... direct from Orbit via NetGalley. I think I'm in the mood for wolves. Lol. Full Blooded has some raving reviews on Goodreads. Maybe I should've checked for hotness levels... hm...

I won Pirate Ruse participating in one of Kathy's monthly Kindle Fire giveaways. You can win things by posting those. How cool is that?!  I'm saving it for a rainy-reading-day. :-)

Terra - Couldn't put it down. I tried, too, 'cause I like to read half-way through tour books to capture that  lovin'-it-but-clueless-still moment. But, I couldn't stop, the story is much too fun. This tour is coming up fast, starting April 1st, but... yea. Take advantage. Jump on the ride!!

I Have People found me huddled under my covers white-knuckled, nervous to see what would happen next. Taylor has captured that cycle of anger-sorry-love-anger that is too real to look away from. EEP!!

Sweet Mercy... Ha! All the appearance of sweetness and innocence... all the foreshadowing of it being an illusion. Planning this tour yesterday was DE-LIGHTFUL. I'm hoping to highlight those gangsters mentioned that ruled during the prohibition, not to mention, the secret moonshining boom.

At my house we watch every old gangster movie that comes out. All the moonshining ones, too. There's something thrilling about the real people who dared wild adventures... something *shivery* about the reality of their shortened lives. Is it creepy that I find that so fascinating?!

I also have recently acquired & wish I had time to read:

         

I will... I will read them ALL!!  Muahahahahaha....

I have lost track of time... these are the most recent additions to my Nook that jumped onto my TBR. Not all my new additions...

*I have had a horrible habit lately of starting something and not finishing. Do you ever do that? It's very irritating. It's just... I have SO MANY books that I want to read NOW. 

I started Mastiff on audio a couple weeks ago. I finally pulled it out of the CD player in the car and took it back to the library. There are just too many details repeated too many times. Too many additional details added for fun. Plus, the style of entries in a journal sucks whatever tension there might be right out of the story. Ffffwoooop!  Gone.  I might return to it at a later date, but right now... Ugh. DNF.  My review of Bloodhound was unfortunately spot-on for me.

I've also peaked inside of: Beauty Queens, The Golden Lilly, & Throne of Glass this week from the library. I'm having trouble picking one "just for fun". I also started Mila 2.0 & Strands of Bronze and Gold (both released 3/12, weird!) while lingering in the middle of A Duke's Promise. Whatever is going on at the moment, this butterfly flitting? UGH.

However... I found Scarlet at the library on audio. Only... on audio. Lol. I've got the whole fam gathered around every night listening to it. It's all I can do to not finish it RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!!  But then I'd have to listen to it twice. 'Cause they're done skipping ahead to where Mom's at. Phthfffft

I also started Clockwork Angel. I haven't read any of Cassandra Clare's books, yet (somehow), but she's coming to my B&N on Sunday. I have it all planned out:  Before church, I'll run down to B&N & get a copy of Clockwork Princess and a bracelet with an early number on it. Then I'll go to church. (Happy Palm Sunday all y'all!)  Then... I'll go back to B&N in time for the reading & signing & meeting awesome author. My kids (?) will be happy b/c I'll be early in line... with the early bracelet number.  See?  Flawless!!

Today, however... I'm writing. My book is finally coming together. In one cohesive order and I'm squeeling with glee, kissing Scrivener. (I re-arranged everything without re-writing it all!!!!)  Lol. I guess it's no wonder I'm not getting much of anything else done.

Blue Sky Monday!!!

I'm lookin' at Blue Skies!!!!  For real. Figuratively, too. I've been planning tours the past week or so-ish, and it's lookin' GOOD!!!!  :-D

Thx, Sheila, @ Book Journey for this great-way-to-start-a-Monday! She's all decorated St. Patrick's Day. Beautiful!

I'm trying my first EVER audio book. Rather sporadically. When I run errands and stuff.  I'm listening to Mastiff by Tamora Pierce. It's quite the out-of-body experience for me... I am so visually grounded. To hear a story leaves me wondering if I actually know what's going on or not... it's, like, extra mysterious, or something. Do you listen to books much?

I recently finished Terra by Gretchen Powell so I could plan the awesome Scavenger Hunt Tour in April. I don't usually finish tour books. In fact, it's my policy to stop mid-way to plan a tour. I like to grab that tension... you know, that moment when you're into the story and can hardly put it down, but you still don't know what's next?  Yep, that.

Also for tours... I'm in the middle of daynight by Megan Thomason (possibly the most creative person I've ever met. Ever.) and Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas. I'm right there in that moment... the one I described. Sweet tension!!!

Next up... would be Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock, 'cause that tour's comin' up and I have yet to plan it. Also in the works are tours for I Have People by Taylor Dean and The Battle for Princess Madeline by Kirstin Pulioff. (And The Golden Lily, Vale!)

I only mention all these in case you wanna join the parties, I mean Tours. Lol. Click on the covers in the sidebar or I've linked the ones with open sign-ups here, too. 

Musing Mondays by Miz B asks you to muse about one of the following each week… • Describe one of your reading habits. • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).

When I read slowly... it's because I'm catching an hour before everyone wakes up in the morning and half an hour at night after I get everyone to bed. When I read fast... I'm pretending to be too sick to perform all my regular duties and I camp out on the couch with a cup of tea. :-D  I schedule "sick days" as regularly as possible.


My most recent book purchase, well, besides By Darkness Hid, which everyone should nab today (sidebar!), was Indigo Spell at the book signing. Yes, it's signed. SQUEE!! And that's why I bought it, besides voraciously reading all of Richelle Mead's VA series in the last 6 months. (That might have had something to do with it, too.)

Did you see the trailer for Dark Triumph, yet? Hm?  It's soooooo perfectly dark and sinister. I love it.



Enjoy your Monday!!!!

Current Reads & Bookmarks... Coffee Chat

Continuing from our last discussion...

I read Across the Universe & A Million Suns last year. It apparently was so good & thrilling &.. &, well, there was a moment if I wondered I had the wrong copy *bites cookie* I just couldn't deal with the protagonists, gosh, no. I'll shut up about that now.  Hmm, I say YES to reading Divergent, Lucia, before we get accidentally injured or something *glances at ladies around the table* Lets give it a try, what could possibly go wrong?

*mumbling incoherantly* I'm not responsible for accidents around here.

But, hey! Now I can give YOU all The Cyber Look, for Daughter of Smoke & Bone is so, SO great. Then again, I had a shock attack whenever I finished Days of Blood & Starlight, so putting it a little down the list may be the best choice right now, I think.  

Why, Laura, New Books are the best! Even if afterwards we gather to talk about TBRs & such... What? Is the truth.  

Anyway, talking about the Covenant Series, I WISH I was reading Apollyon right NOW, Jenny, but ooh, no, release dates & time & waiting. Which brings me again to the Opal issue, I'm almost afraid to start it, & it IS in my Nook. Waiting. Alluring me!! 

So I'm reading Sophie's World instead (I know, I sounded like a boring grandma right there). It was a wishlist book once, then it became a TBR book for months, THEN I started reading it, but since it is nothing as I expected it to be, you can say is a total New book. *frustrated sip*  

Also, I'm trying NOT to read The Well of Ascension (by Brandon Sanderson ), so I think that counts... right?  

Plans, plans... planing is something that I'm usually good at, why that doesn't work with reading?? I swear I can't stick to a schedule. I was wondering about TBR Rules, or something, but it occurs to me rules are made to be broken!  

Moody reader alright!

Oh, well, I don't worry about books from the Library or Netgalley. I don't have a library anywhere near (I don't even know IF there are libraries on Tijuana!) & Netgalley apparently hates me, so nope. The TBR comes from too much time in the Internet, university issues & new releases pushes.  

Oh, amaretto & cherries ice cream! Love it. 

Yum!  Thx!! 

Alrighty... I'll pull Daughter of Smoke & Bone off the shelf... maybe I can get to it sooner rather than later...  

Do you have a cool bookmark?  Hm?  *waggles eyebrows*  Show off the bookmarks you're using!!!  I don't have many bookmarks I actually want to use. Is that weird? They are treasures and might get roughed up when I set them aside to read delicious books. I mean, what if I sat on one of 'em?!  *shakes head*  No way... but this ribbon is nice. See how thin it is? And pretty?  I like it. I got it from Michelle Diener.  I'm nervous about stuffing it in my purse. What if the beads fell off?  I'm sure it'll end up in my treasure box along with the others... but for now I'm enjoying it.

You all do bring your books with you everywhere, right? *jumps up to find more coffee*

I just finished reading A Million Suns, which was really good by the way!  I'm also reading something off my TBR pile, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry.  I'm about halfway through and LOVING IT!! I can see what all the hype was about on this book!  Next I'll be reading a new release--Shades of Earth.  I really want to finish that series!  Then I MUST tackle my pile of library books!

I have a ton of different bookmarks, but I have a few favorites!  I'll send along a pic of them!  And I just got a really cool homemade one today in the mail from a blogger friend, Beth@Living the Goddess Life! I'll include a pic of that one, too!

(Details on the pic--the Big Ben one is my favorite.  My mom got if for me the last time she was in London.  The little corner bookmarks I bought at a craft fair, and I love them.  They are so handy!  The beautiful purple bookmark is the new one I received today!)

Alrighty, its freezing cold here in Iowa tonight, so I'm off to make a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows!  Laters!

Of course I bring books with me EVERYWHERE. Even when I travel (for what I adore my Nook) What kind of person would I be if I didn't? Some kind of freak, I assure you. 

Oooh, bookmarks. I use about anything for bookmark, though it depends on my mood & the kind of book & its mood, I think. So, I have some fancy book marks, like that metallic moon shaped one or the butterfly. Though, also I left a friend's deck of playing cards joker-less, since I loved it; is a peacock! I practically begged for it, but was worthy :D I also use things I cut off from places, like those eyes, which I got from a beauty salon flier; or from doodles in post-its, like that sunny one. Or, some homemade bookmarks like the one I'm using in Beautiful Redemption =3 

The bookmarks I don't use are the ones from book tours, you know, 'swag'. Nope, those to my book-like box, which I keep in my bookshelf. 

Ooooh, but when people THINK is funny to take the bookmark out the page? I get murderous!!

I love seeing everyone's bookmarks... in fact... I think for the Follower-Love Giveaway comin' up, I'll make some. Not so fine as Beth @ Living the Goddess Life, maybe, but homemade by someone you know is the BEST!

Bookmark Share!!!

Which one are you using RIGHT THIS MINUTE?!

Calling Generous Bloggers! Updates, updates!!

It's good manners to share changes.

I've been blogging long enough to know I don't want to stop. I love the books... I love the company. Probably in the opposite order, actually. The books are even better because of all the new friends I've made.

On the other hand... I need to ration out my time online. I mean, I started blogging so I could write my book. And, well, there's writing happenin', alrighty, but not the book. Lol. So, this is what I'm thinking.........

I didn't create Colorimetry to just walk away. No way. That means..... I'm opening my doors. I love having authors over for interview visits, why not bloggers?  If you have a blog or Goodreads account or any platform you were wishin' you could get more followers for... and you have something you'd like to give away as a "thank you", I'd like to invite you in my living room!!  Let's talk books!! YOUR favorite books!  You offer something deliciously bookish for readers... and I will bring the tea!  :-D

Sounds fun, right?

I still have openings for the Cast of Stones Tour. The stones on the cover show up right away... as enigmatic as they look, perfectly smooth, flawless, balanced... treasured. I'm hooked on the story & I just started it this weekend. This is my new awesome banner, thx to Kimberly Krey & her mad skills:

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

I just finished Splintered. Like within the hour. If I'm not careful, I'll want to share all my opinion right here, right now... that review must be written ASAP!! It's everything it looks like... wow!!


Before that I finished Mind Games... because I could NOT put it down. I'll post both these reviews this week.


Now... I'm reading A Cast of Stones & Dark Triumph. (Eep! Yes!!)

Here's something fun Kathy is sharing over at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.... 

What's your favorite word?

What an awesome question!! Lol. I can't think of a fav word... (I'll prob wake up in the middle of the night inspired - if so, I'll let you know!) My favorite sound, though... is a guttural or uvular trill. It's the sexiest sound on the planet... like a purr. Not when I make it... when I make it, it sounds like I'm about to puke something up, but when it's done right by a hot guy.... (I get to keep my husband all to myself. Go find your own guttural triller!)

What words or expression do you overuse?

Geez... what don't I overuse?! Awesome. Saweeeet!  Lol. It's pathetic, really... where's my creativity?!

If you were on Death Row what would your last meal be?

An endless bowl of New England Clam Chowder.

Pets?

I have for kids (no, they're not my pets!!  Sheesh!) so we have pets, alrighty. Two dogs... two cats... and a rabbit. (He's mine. Lives outside my kitchen window so we can visit all the time.)

Facebook or Twitter?

I'm pretty lame at both of 'em. Facebook is so loaded with TMI that I let my honey follow the drama. I'd like to figure out Twitter 'cause I'm so clueless. I think I'll like it if I ever get the hang of it.

Your turn!!  Pick a question and share your answer!!  Or join the hop and answer them all!!!  Plus... what are you reading?

As for the update you've been waiting for.... The latest on the Evie's Knight Tour!!

1 – Kimberly Krey – Cover Change!

Blastin’ off the TOUR!!   Min Reads and Reviews; Books, Books, the Magical Fruit ; Oh the Books You’ll Read ; Passion and Life (English/Spanish); Christy’s Cozy Corners ; Monique Morgan ; Paulette’s Papers; A Backwards Story; icultgen - (English/Portuguese)

1 – Kelly Fox – Goodreads Review

1 – I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Clean Romance I

2 – Monique Morgan - All You Need is Love I

3 – Getting Your Read On – Review - Clean Romance II

4 - Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review

6 – Passion and Life – Peaches Recipe & Excerpt – English/Spanish

6 - Paulette’s Papers – All You Need is Love II

Monday... R U Ready?!

There's only 7 shopping days left 'til Christmas... are you ready?!  Lol. 

I'm up to my elbows in crafting. I started making these book swag boxes and I love 'em. All my relatives are getting one. (If you are related to me, cover your eyes!)


One has bits of Pride & Prejudice in my handwriting on the inside. They're all one-of-a-kind. I hoard crafting supplies, so who knows where'd I'd find duplicate materials. *snort* No worries... I have lots more supplies, (You were worried, were you not?) in case you want one. $15 in the US, $20 INT.

I really want to post a How-To about these... I just decoupage 'em and I had only heard of the technique before I whipped out my first one a year ago. It's not complicated, just messy... and me -n- messy seem to get along swell.


What are they? You ask. *humph* Swag boxes, of course!!!  Somewhere you can hide your awesome stashes of signed bookmarks and stuff. You gotta have a secret safe beautiful place for them. You do keep your swag in a special place, right?  These are shaped like a book so they can hide on your bookshelf. (Like you have spare room on a bookshelf. That's funny.)


It's Monday! What are you reading?!  Thx for askin', Sheila!

This week I finished Starflower, The Escape of Princess Madeline, & The Iron Queen. Hopefully I'll get those two reviews posted in the next few days.

Now I'm reading Splintered. I've only just got going, but what fun. I hope to start A Cast of Stones this week, too.

   

This is a great Tour... these are such fun bloggers! Each post is so unique... check 'em out!!

Starflower December Tour

3 - Letters to the Cosmos - Review
4 - I Am a Reader, Not a Writer - The Kiss by the River
4 - Kari's Crowded Bookshelf – Review - The River Calls to Starflower
5 - Aleksandra's Corner - Inspired by Cats I

6 – The Reading Diaries – Review

6 – Bookworm Lisa – Inspired by Cats II

7 – Motality Bites – PAGE reveal by Anne Elisabeth!!!

7 – Unputdownable Books – Inspired by Cats III

9 – Passion and Life – Night Terrors – English & Spanish

10 – A Backwards Story – Imraldera Meets the Dragonwitch

11 – Colorimetry – Review

12 – Getting Your Read On – Love is to be Bound I

12 – Kimberly Krey – Writing Drafts

13 – Christian Novels – Mini Reviews of the entire Goldstone Wood Series

13 – The Reading Diaries – Interview

14 – Open The Page – Love Is to Know and be Known II

16 – Mortality Bites - Review