Posts filed under ‘cool blog stuff’
Support Sarah!
In random awesomeness, Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books is running in the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell 5K Run on November 20, 2011, and is running in my honor!
Last night on Twitter, Sarah mentioned she was considering entering a 5K. I replied that while I’ve volunteered at the run, I’ve never been able to run, since I have arthritis. (More on that in a sec.) And, faster than you can say, “Wham, bam, thank you mam,” Sarah was registered for the run!
Then, came the most important part, the planning of the 5K wardrobe. Of course it had to have LOTS of jingle. Oh! And, the most fashionable of Menorah headwear.
When I was 14, I began to get mysterious pains in my legs. Over the next 4 years, I was diagnosed with pinched nerves, pulled muscles, and teenage-girl hysteria. (Seriously, I had 3 doctors stare me down and say nothing was wrong with me even though I KNEW my legs hurt.) However, when I was 18, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease—an auto-immune intestinal disease, that resulted in my seeing a rheumatologist. (Often, people with a Crohn’s will get a secondary form of arthritis during a flare-up.) Not only did I have Crohn’s related arthritis, I also had another, second form of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis. (Yes, I seem to have hit the arthritis jackpot.)
One of the best support systems that I found in my 20s was a young adults with arthritis support group. We met regularly for advice, support, and socializing, and volunteered for arthritis-related events, including the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell run.
Over the years, I’ve had 7 surgeries (including a revision on my right hip-replacement this past February), braces, medications, and more scans, tests, and x-rays than you can shake a stick at. The Arthritis Foundation provides research grants, education for people with arthritis and their families, and exercise classes, as well as lots of other incredible programs. You can learn more about them, here.
I’m so touched that Sarah is not only participating in an event that will support the Arthritis Foundation’s efforts, but that she will also be doing it in my honor.
Please support Sarah’s effort in raising money for the Arthritis Foundation.
Run, Sarah, run!
Romantic Times 2011
Last weekend, I cashed in my Christmas gift, and headed to the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention. I was a conference virgin, so this was pretty exciting stuff for me.
First off, was the Carina Blogger dinner, hosted by Malle Vallik, Director of Digital Content & Social Media for Harlequin and Angela James, Executive Editor of Carina Press. We had an incredible meal at Nick and Stef’s Steakhouse, and amazing conversation with a great group of women.
(You can click on any of these pictures to enlarge.)
 |
Back row, from left: Sarah (Smart Bitches, Trashy Books), Malle Vallik, Angela James, Tracy (Tracy’s Place and DIK blog), Mallory (PR/Editor at Carina).
|
 |
Katie, showing the really yummy marshmallow hot fudge cake that we shared. |
 |
Malle, with a piece of lemon meringue pie that was sooo yummy. (Yes, I stole a bite of that, too.)I returned to the Convention on Friday, and joined Holly, Nikki, Lori, Rosie, and Tracy at the Ebook Expo, where we met lots of great ebook authors, including ZA Maxfield, and bought a couple of books. That evening, my blogger partners-in-crime and I were joined by LB Gregg (alias blogger Lisabea from Nose in a Book) and we went to The Pantry, an LA institution, for dinner. This was followed by an evening in the bar, talking and drinking. I had some great chats with Tracy, Beth Kery and Lorelei James (who wore some bad-ass boots). I returned to my room exhausted, but somehow managed to stay up till 3am talking more (about books, of course) with my lovely roommate, author Vivienne Westlake. Saturday was the giant Book Fair, and while overwhelming, it was heady. I had to use the wheelchair to get around, since I could have never managed on my crutches. Holly had my ticket waitig for me when I got to the ballroom, and Rowena helped wheel me around. (Good friends are priceless, let me tell you.) I met too many authors to name them all, but some of my highlights included James Buchanan, Ann Aguirre, Jill Sorenson, Lauren Dane, and Patrick Rothfuss. That night, we returned to the Lobby Court Bar for the So Cal Bloggers and Authors bar bash. Lots of great people came by to hang out: |
 |
From left: Tracy, Zoe Archer, Nico Rosso, and Nikki |
 |
From left: Jill (Romance Rookie), KB Alan, Vivienne Westlake, and Lisa Hendrix |
 |
Sabrina Darby and Jennifer Haymore |
 |
From left: Beth Kery, Joss Ware (Colleen Gleason), Beth Williamson, Rowena (Book Binge), LB Gregg, and Julie James |
 |
From left: Rowena, LB Gregg, Julie James, and ? (if you know who she is, please let me know!) |
 |
From left: Beth Williamson, Lorelei James, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, and Holly (Book Binge) |
 |
Lori and Rosie (Nobody Asked Me) |
 |
Julie James and Beth Kery |
By Sunday, I was dead on my feet! I spent the morning in bed, reading Lauren Dane’s Mesmerized, and listening to the audiobook of Lisa Kleypas’ The Devil in Winter, while I packed.
After we checked out, Vivienne and I, along with my guy and the kid —who was so amped he was practically levitating— had a GREAT lunch at a Peruvian restaurant.
All in all, it was a blast. I’d LOVE to attend RT 2012 in Chicago, but probably won’t be able to make it. However, I’m already looking forward to RWA 2012, which will be in Anaheim. (And, like this year’s RT, I’ll be there for all the socializing!)
Has it really been a year? (and a giveaway!)
Yes! It has. Actually, yesterday was my year anniversary, but after being in vacation mode last week, I didn’t have my act together enough for this post. My first post was titled “Trying to figure this thing out” which seems like what I’ve been doing all year. 
I’ve made lots of wonderful friends, read some amazing books, and been able to get back in touch with the writing muscles I’ve neglected since college. Here are some of the high points over the last year:
- Buddy reviews/Challenge reviews/Conversations with AmyC from Romance Book Wyrm (see our Shadow Queen post); Carolyn Jean from The Thrillionth Page (see our Bride of Casa Dracula post); Bridget from Good Books, Bad Books (see our challenge reviews here and here); and Nath from Breezing Through Books/Books, Books & More Books (see our Turn Coat buddy review).
- Joining the ladies over at Desert Island Keepers, both as a guest blogger and later, as an official “DIK lady”
- participating in the TBR Challenge and Re-read Challenge
- and, these gals
So Cal Bloggers
A few of my favorite posts have included :
- My Top 5 posts: they’ve allowed me to really think about my favorite books, and what is it about them that makes them my favorite. (See sidebar on right for links to all of my Top 5 posts.)
- Reviews for Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale, A Companion to Wolves by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear, and To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt. I haven’t been reviewing much, lately, but these are the ones of which I’m most proud.
- ETA: Fantasy Casting: the men. How could I leave this out! I had so much fun picking the men and the pics!
In the coming year, I’m really looking forward to:
- A super-sekrit project with Carolyn from The Thrillionth Page
- A couple of buddy reviews with Nath
- Reading and sharing some more great books
- More get-togethers with the So Cal Bloggers, including (hopefully!) one with soon-to-be honorary So Cal gal, Nath, and (hopefully!) the return of honorary So Cal gal Lisabea.
And so, on to . . .
The Giveaway
I had a great time putting together my giveaway a few months ago, where I let the winner choose from a selection of books and I want to do another similar giveaway. So, here’s the deal:
Using my Top 5 posts (not including the audiobook post), the winner will receive their choice of TWO books, in either paperback or ebook format. E-books are available through Fictionwise (I can gift a specific book at this site), with a couple noted exceptions.
- To Seduce a Sinner (The Legend of the Four Soldiers series, book 2) by Elizabeth Hoyt
- Devil’s Bride (Cynster series, book 1) by Stephanie Laurens
- The Devil in Winter (Wallflowers series, book 3) by Lisa Kleypas
- Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
- Scandal by Carolyn Jewel
- Moon Called (Mercy Thompson series, book 1) by Patricia Briggs
- Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampires series/Sookie Stackhouse series, book 1) by Charlaine Harris
- Storm Front (Dresden Files, book 1) by Jim Butcher
- Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows series, book 1) by Kim Harrison
- Bitten (Otherworld series, book 1) by Kelley Armstrong
- Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling series, book 1) by Nalini Singh
- Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter series, book 1) by Nalini Singh
- My Wicked Enemy (My series, book 1) by Carolyn Jewel
- Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood series, book 1) by JR Ward
- Without Reservations (With or Without series, book 1) by JL Langley (M/M)—paperback, ebook is not available at Fictionwise, but you will receive a gift certificate from MBAB for the amount of the ebook.
- Wicked Lovely (Faery Court series, book 1) by Melissa Marr
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman—paperback will be the international edition
- Uglies (Uglies series, book 1) by Scott Westerfeld
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins—paperback only
- Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires series, book 1) by Rachel Caine
ETA:
- Sugar Daddy (Travis family series, book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
- Blue-Eyed Devil (Travis family series, book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
- Flat-Out Sexy (Fast Track series, book 1) by Erin McCarthy
- Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins
- Natural Born Charmer (Chicago Stars series) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
All you need to do is comment with your choice of TWO books, and the format in which you’d like to receive them—print or ebook. This contest is open to everyone. (International print books will be sent through The Book Depository.)
Comment by midnight PST, on Monday, August 31, 2009. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on September 1st.
ETA: NOTE THE CORRECTED CLOSING DATE!! I HAD PREVIOUSLY STATED INCORRECTLY THAT IT WAS SUNDAY THE 31ST. I RECENTLY LOOKED AT A CALENDAR (DUH) AND REALIZED I HAD THE WRONG DATE. MONDAY, AUGUST 31ST IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER. ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED. SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION.
Good luck everybody!
YA post party at The Book Smugglers
All month, Ana and Thea have been hosting a Young Adult Appreciation Month over at their place, The Book Smugglers. There has been lots of great reviews, interviews, and guest posts.
As part of their celebration, they issued an open invitation to other bloggers to join in the fun by submitting a YA post for linkage. My participating post is my Top 5 YA Books and Series post from earlier this week. There are TONS of great posts that have been submitted.
If you love YA lit, are interested in some suggestions for trying it out, or have a YA-related post you’d like to submit, cruise on by The Book Smugglers and check out today’s post.
Around town
Things are finally quiet here around the homestead (at least for the moment,) and I can now catch up on all my favorite blogs, write a couple of reviews, and read my email. As I’ve been cruising around today, here are a few things worth noting:
Great contests:
-
Barbara, over at Happily Forever After is celebrating the release of Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins, with a guest post by the author and a giveaway. (This book has one of the prettiest covers I’ve seen in a while. — I’m such a sucker for a pretty dress.) - Lea, at Closetwriter, has been a contest madwoman lately, and is keeping up the momentum with an entire week of giveaways in honor of Devin Quinn’s release, Man After Midnight.
- SciFi Guy, Doug, is giving away copies of Jacqueline Carey’s Santa Olivia over at his place. Drop by and let him know which book you are looking forward to being released for a chance to enter.
- Leslie, of Leslie’s Psyche made lemonade from lemons, and after chasing all around town tracking down (one of my most eagerly anticipated reads) The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley, she bought 2 copies, and is generously giving away 1 of them.
Cool review:
- Brie, over at Musings of a Bibliophile has a dual review with Hilicia for Elizabeth Hoyt’s To Beguile a Beast. I just finished reading this book yesterday. (I loved it!)
Wonderful random post:
- Over at LisaBea’s Nose in a Book, her weekly ManLoveMonday post feature’s m/m author Ethan Day, author of Dreaming of You. He’s written a lovely piece on the fantasy of romance vs the reality. Cruise on by. Read. Comment.
People are going to talk…