Happy Birthday C.S. Lewis!

Actually, his birthday was yesterday, November 29th, but I was neck-deep in edits; today I'm only hip-deep. :D

Today, Lewis is best known for his children's series, The Chronicles of Narnia, but he wrote many more books. Most of them, I believe, have Christian themes, as do the Narnia books. However, I've only read his Narnia books so I may be mistaken.

As a child I loved the Narnia books, they were among my favorites. I only owned "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" but I regularly checked out the others from my school library, the town library and the base library and read them repeatedly. I just realized, I still only own the first book; I never did get around to buying the entire series. :D Bad Bea!

It wasn't until I was in college that I really realized all of the Christian subtext in the Narnia books. My roommate my sophomore year loved the books also and we stayed up late many nights discussing the books: the characters, the action, the detailing, the themes and subtexts. We had many, many discussions that lasted until the early morning hours.

If you're not familiar with the Narnia books, they take place in another world, accessed from Earth, but they are fantasy, not sci fi. Four siblings travel to Narnia and have many adventures. I loved the talking animals, the mythological creatures, and I really loved that little Lucy, the youngest of the siblings, was the smart, courageous, steadfast one. She was the youngest and the littlest, and on Earth, got the least amount of respect, but in Narnia, she was hot stuff. Being the youngest of four, two boys and two girls, just like the books, I could relate.

I was very happy when the first Narnia live action film came out a few years ago; I hoped it would equal or rival the Harry Potter films but alas, that failed to happen. :( So far, there have been 3 books made into movies; the first is my favorite but it was also my favorite of the books. I still have hope that the remaining 4 books will be turned into films. I would see them for sure! Hey, I've had my ticket to The Hobbit for several weeks now! Only 2 more weeks until it comes out. :)

I don't know how I'll make the time but sometime soon, I need to re-read the series. Library, here I come!

2013 Ebook Challenge

I decided to do this challenge since much of my reading is done on my kindle these days. I did it a few years ago but was rotten at keeping track. I will do better this year. 

The 2013 Ebook Challenge. Encouraging readers to expand past just physical books to embrace ebooks in all forms, whether on Kindle, Kobo, computer, or any other reader. It's being hosted by Workaday Reads.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec. 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

1. Floppy disk – 5 ebooks
2. CD – 10 ebooks
3. DVD – 25 ebooks This is my goal
4. Memory stick – 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive – 75 ebooks
6. Server – 100 ebooks
7. Human brain – 150 ebooks

At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews for that month. The linky will remain open for the remainder of the year, so if you forget, feel free go back and add them when you remember.

There will be a giveaway at the end of the year for everyone who achieves their goal level (or higher).

Sign up for the 2013 Ebook Challenge here.

Giveaway & Spotlight: All the Right Moves by Ever Leigh

Book Blurb (from author):

Life for Lilah had become too predictable. Convinced she needs a bit of a challenge and change of pace in her life, she moves away for college and embarks on a new journey of self-discovery.

A college town, new friends, and a new romance with a mysterious older guy that may prove to be an even bigger challenge then she bargained for!

Note: Not suitable for younger readers. Contains mature content including sexual situations. 

 

Publisher & Release Date: To Be Published via Amazon and Smashwords Early 2013

Genre: New Adult

Format: ebook   

Ever Leigh

Website

Twitter - @AuthorEverLeigh

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

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Cover Reveal! The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye

Writers Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye have joined up to write "The Midnight Spell" a YA book releasing in February 2013. Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies trilogy (The First Days, Fighting to Survive, Siege,) and the author of three other books: the vampire novels Pretty When She Dies and The Tale of the Vampire Bride and the young-adult zombie novel The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters. Inspired to independently produce her work from the urging of her fans, she published The First Days in late 2008 and quickly gathered a cult following. She won the Dead Letter Award back-to-back for both The First Days and Fighting to Survive, the former of which the Harrisburg Book Examiner called ‘one of the best zombie books of the decade.’ Rhiannon is currently represented by Hannah Gordon of the Foundry + Literary Media agency. You may contact her by sending an email to rhiannonfrater@gmail.com.

Kody Boye was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho. Since his initial publication in the Yellow Mama Webzine in 2007, he has gone on to sell nearly three-dozen stories to various markets. He is the author of the short story collection Amorous Things, the novella The Diary of Dakota Hammell, the zombie novel Sunrise and the dark fantasy novel Blood. His fiction has been described as ‘Surreal, beautiful and harrowing’ (Fantastic Horror,) while he himself has been heralded as a writer beyond his years(Bitten by Books.) He currently lives and writes in the Austin, Texas area.

Kody's Links:

Website: http://kodyboye.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2775292.Kody_Boye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kody.boye

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KodyBoye

Rhiannon's Links:

Website: http://www.rhiannonfrater.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2310121.Rhiannon_Frater

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhiannon.frater

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhiannonfrater

Book Blurb (from the authors):

Best friends since kindergarten, Adam and Christy have always been the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas.  The other kids call Adam gay and Christy a witch.

On both counts the bullies are right.

Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome football player Ian seems to be going nowhere fast and her witch puberty is making her life miserable.

When a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, the best friends realize that finding a boyfriend is the least of their worries. Soon Adam and Christy will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.

Goodreads

 

And now, the cover!

 

 

 

Dusty Reads Link Up

Dusty Reads is a meme started by Giselle at Xpresso Reads featuring a book that has been sitting unread on your shelf for some time. Books don't have to be 'x' years old. If you've had the book for a few months without reading it, it's dusty! :D You can post on any day but Giselle and I usually post or put up a linky on Tuesdays. If you don't use the button, try to link back to this post or Giselle's so others will know how/where to link up. You can use the above button, the one below or create your own if you prefer.  

Excerpt from Threesome Sweetness by JoAnne Kenrick

Erotic romance author JoAnne Kenrick has a new book in her Irish Kisses/1NS series; "Threesome Sweetness" is, appropriately, the third book and was released on the 9th. Book four, "Hot Winter Kiss" will be out on the 30th of this month.

Born and bred Brit, JoAnne Kenrick grew up in a wee sea-side town in North Wales and has enjoyed a variety of vocations such as holistic healer, window dresser, and ghost tour guide. Having lived in Wales, England, and Scotland with her dear family, she finally escaped the dull British summers to reside in sunny Australia. After two years, they moved to the States where she endured three harsh winters in Minnesota. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids and two puddy cats. When they aren't demanding her attention, or jumping on her head, she strums away on the keys of her little laptop, creating worlds and adventures she could only ever dream of. Come across the pond and faraway....with JoAnne Kenrick! 

Get exclusive sneak peeks at her new and upcoming releases by signing up to her quarterly newsletter here: http://tinyletter.com/joannekenrick 

Find JoAnne  online:

website

facebook

twitter

********************************************************************************** 

 Excerpt - PG/13

“Ten minutes in here and I’ll need ta strip down ta nothing. Phew.” She wafted

her hand over her face, puffing out her cheeks.

“My dear, that is the plan.” Winking, he slipped out of his robe and bundled it to make a pillow before lounging back.

“We can’t strip in a public sauna.” Peering through the tiny glass window, she prayed nobody was around to see her husband butt naked.

“Here’s the fun part—the sauna is ours for a whole hour. We can do whatever we like in here.”

“Really? What if someone happens ta look in?”

“The main door to this area is locked, so we’re safe.”

“In that case....” She untied the belt around her waist and let the material slide over the curve of her hips to the floor. Pulling in a deep breath, she paraded in front of him. A click. Sounds of the door opening. Her back stiffened, she dared not look behind her.

Oh crap.

“Hmm, your photo does not do you justice, Elizabeth.” Someone slid his hand around her waist then spanked her buttocks.

“How dare ya?” Jerking in response, she spun to face the intruder. He loomed over her, devilishly handsome...and butt naked! Her knees almost gave way at the delicious sight of him before anger bubbled at the crude intrusion.

“Ma’am, I do believe I’m apart of your birthday present...if you accept it, that is.”

“What have ya done, Todd? Did ya go ta a strip club ta arrange a threesome or something? Gross!” She turned to her husband, trying to avert her stare from the new eye candy.

“No, no, ma’am. I’m not a whore. I’m your date for the evening. It’s all very tasteful and safe...through 1Night Stand. I guess this birthday present was somewhat of a surprise for you.”

“Good guess.”

He traced his thumb over the peak of her breasts, causing the sensitive flesh to tingle and send heat rushing down to her tummy. Then, with a whisper-soft touch, he stroked under the curve of her fleshy mounds and groaned. “I do hope to be buried deep inside you soon, if you’re agreeable.”

********************************************************************************** 

Threesome Sweetness

Author:  JoAnne Kenrick

Publisher:  Decadent Publishing

ASIN:  B00A3KZN4K

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, M/F/M, F/M
Length:  292 KB

Release Date: November 9, 2012

Buying Links:  Amazon   Decadent Publishing   Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from author):

A shot of Threesome Sweetness stirs up emotions….

Elizabeth, a part-time manager of Bell’s Irish Pub and business student, is newly hitched. Her marriage could use a serious shake up, but she finds shopping a more therapeutic use of her time.

If Todd’s wife is happy, he’s happy. But it seems nothing is putting a sweet smile on her face these days, not even her friends at Bell’s. So he contacts 1NightStand and arranges the one thing he knows she doesn’t necessarily want but definitely needs for her thirtieth birthday; a threesome.

Enter cowboy Cade, who’s in London, England hoping to make a restaurant franchise deal. After weeks of doors slamming shut, he uses the 1Night Stand agency in hopes of sprinkling some fun over his overseas business trip and perhaps to learn what he’s missing out on by being relationship shy.

A harmless night of intimacy is planned.

Is a dash of Threesome Sweetness the remedy each is looking for, or will the date leave a bitter aftertaste each will regret for the rest of their lives?

It's out now, so if you liked the excerpt, go pick up the book!