March Balancing the Books

Inspired by the now defunct Fantasy Is More Fun and by The Geeky Blogger's Book Blog, I decided a few years ago to track my book expenses. I'll do a wrap up post at the end of each month.

I've given myself $10 real money each month to spend on books, whether for myself or as gifts, and blog giveaways. "Real money" being cash from my bank account as opposed to gift cards and store credits; the money will not roll over each month. Books that I borrowed from the library or a friend, and books received for review do not count against my purchases though I'll track them here as books acquired.

March Challenge Review Link Ups

WOOT! I'm actually posting on time this month. Don't get too used to it, lol. I'm such a procrastinator, plus if it's not on the calendar then it doesn't happen. I did finally remember to add it to the calendar so maybe, just maybe, I'll be on-time next month too.

So, this is the post where you link up all your reviews for March for Finishing the Series Reading Challenge, I Love Libraries, and I Love Picture Books. If you forget, no worry. You can add at any time until the end of the year.

The Quarterly Book Report

 

Inspired by posts I spotted on Twitter, I thought it might be fun to share what our favorite reads were for the first quarter of 2015. If it goes well, I may do it every quarter. Jax and I will share our five favorite books that we read between January 1st and March 31st of this year (Steph was going to join us but ran out of time).

March Challenge Wrap Up

This year I signed up for fewer year long challenges and I'll do more short-term challenges. Last month, March, I had the Take Control Of Your TBR Pile, hosted the Caffeinated Reviewer.

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready! 

March's Balancing the Books with Bea

Inspired by Fantasy Is More Fun and The Geeky Blogger's Book Blog, I decided to start tracking my book expenses this year. I'll do a wrap up post at the end of each month.

I've given myself $10 real money each month to spend on books, whether for myself, as gifts, or blog giveaways. "Real money" being cash from my bank account as opposed to gift cards and store credits. I am counting money spent to ship giveaways and Paperbackswap.com books. Books from my personal shelves, borrowed from the library or a friend, and books received for review do not count against my purchases.

The Final Battle - Choose Your Kensington Hero! Day 2

It's the final week of Kensington's March Madness style elimination tournament in which Kensington will pit its heroes against each other as readers and fans vote in each match for their favorite hero. The winner advances on to the next round until there is only one hero left standing. Will he be a dashing duke? A fearsome vampire? A sexy detective? Only time will tell.

The Final Battle - Choose Your Kensington Hero! Day 1

It's the final week of Kensington's March Madness style elimination tournament in which Kensington will pit its heroes against each other as readers and fans vote in each match for their favorite hero. The winner advances on to the next round until there is only one hero left standing. Will he be a dashing duke? A fearsome vampire? A sexy detective? Only time will tell.

March Challenge Wrap Up

 I went a bit nuts this year with challenges; I hope I can accomplish them all. The only one I'm not tracking is my goodreads reading challenge; all the rest I'll include in my monthly wrap up post. This month I did a personal challenge (I'm not tracking) to read mostly books that I won or was gifted but I did sneak in a few review books and other books.

Last month I also participated in the March 2014 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge and the Clean Out Your E-Reader Challenge March 2014. I didn't do as well as I hoped but I did make some progress so I'll take it. I was sick all last month and I was editing as well as working full-time and job hunting, all of which cut into my reading time. Maybe this month I'll read more.

Grab a drink, get comfy, and get ready! 

Reading BINGO Challenge

A Book with More than 500 pages - The Witness by Nora Roberts
A Funny Book - A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper 
A Book More Than 10 Years Old - Witness in Death by J.D. Robb

TOTAL: 10 No BINGO yet

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge - Goal: 1-5

1. A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper

March Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7". 

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

COYER - Clean Out Your E-Reader March 2014

 

I participated in this challenge back in the fall and made some headway reading those free books and review books that had been piling up. Today starts the COYER challenge and I'm diving in again. Along with the Caffeinated Reader's TBR Pile Challenge also going on this month, I should whittle down that TBR pile. I also have a few current review books I'll be reading but most of my reading this month will be for these two challenges.

For the month of March Fantasy is More Fun & Because Reading is better than real life are hosting this challenge. The idea is to start cleaning out your free or nearly free E-reads! Not only will you get to those reads that have been sitting unread for too long, but 2 participants will have a chance to win prizes in the Review Posts Giveaway. 

So, what books count? The book must have been FREE or NEARLY FREE: under $5, Kindle Deals, Netgalley, Edelweiss & author review requests only (NO blog tour reviews at this time). Anyone caught not using a free book, or using a book that is pirated will be removed from challenge.

Sign up here, then between now and March 8th create a post announcing that you’re participating and a list of books you hope to read during the challenge (this can change). If you don’t have a blog this can be done at the Goodreads group “Two Girls and A Challenge” Any participant that doesn’t have a starter post up by 11:59 PM EST March 8th (giving you procrastinators a little more time!) will be ineligible for the grand prize.

Start reading your books (March 1st) and reviewing them, on your blog, goodreads, Booklikes, etc. Put the link to your review (to the review URL, not your web address) on the review linky available March 1st, listing your blog name and the name of the book you reviewed. When you write your review, you MUST include the challenge logo and linky somewhere on the post so that we can all check out the reviews. (I just know I'll forget that part, lol.)

There will be challenges, giveaways, and a twitter party, see the details here.

The Levels:

Each person who participated will be able to grab an award ribbon at the end to put up on their blog announcing your accomplishment. Another level has been added to reflect the amazing reading prowess of some readers last time.

Lightly Clean – 1 to 4 eBooks
Spring Clean - 5 to 9 eBooks
Deep Clean - 10 to 14 eBooks
Xtreme Clean - 15 or more eBooks

Since I'm doing two challenges this month and have some review books I have to read, my starting goal is Lightly Clean. At the end of the month, I'll post my results in my monthly challenge wrap up post.

My very tentative reading list:

1) Gwynneth Ever After by Linda Poitevin
2) Against the Mark by Kat Martin
3) The Long Way Home by Jessica Scott
4) No Flowers Required by Cari Quinn

March's Reading Challenges Wrap Up

I'll put up a wrap up post every month or early the next month for all of my 2013 reading challenges. Some books, I posted reviews on the blog, some are on goodreads, there may be one or two without reviews, especially books I edit or that are put out by my publisher.

I had mixed success in March with my challenges. In addition to my regular challenges for the year, I participated in Kimba the Caffeinated's Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge. I focused on books for that challenge during March. For the results of that challenge, see here.

Book Chick City's 100 Books in 2013

For this challenge, I am not counting any children's books, unless it's YA, nor am I counting books that I edit. I am also doing goodreads' reading challenge and I'm counting everything for that one, but not tracking here on the blog. :D

1. The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page
2. Blood and Fire by Shannon McKenna
3. Written in Stone by Ellery Adams
4. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
5. Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle
6. Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham
7. Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne
8. Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack
9. A Test of Mettle by Kevin Hearne
10. Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

Total to date: 28

Cruisin' Through the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013 - Goal 13 or more 

1. The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page 
2. Written in Stone by Ellery Adams
3. Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle
4. Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham
5. Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

Total to date: 9

2013 Ebook Challenge - Goal 25 


1. Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne
2. Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack
3. A Test of Mettle by Kevin Hearne
4. Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

Total to date: 14

Just For Fun Reading Challenge 2013 - Goal 1 A Month 

1. Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

Total to date: 3

Not too shabby, I'm chugging along and getting books read. I'm currently 7 books behind on my goodreads reading challenge but I have time to make those up.

Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge March 2013 Wrap Up

Well, the challenge is over. I achieved 9 books that counted for the challenge though I read 14 in all for the month of March. I also went through my TBR shelf on goodreads and updated it. I marked as read some books I missed, removed some I was no longer interested in, and moved all books that I didn't actually own but want to read and put them on a wishlist shelf. Of course, I've added books, mostly for review. My current TBR shelf is at 739 and my wishlist is at 171. I still have too many books to read but I'm getting there. 

 When I posted my goals I had the following books that I hoped to get read. The ones I actually read are listed after.

 Written in Stone by Ellery Adams (library)

Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle (library)

Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham (library)

Flawless by Carrie Lofty (won)

Unmasking Kelsey by Kay Hooper (library) 

Daybreak by Ellen Connor (won)

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger (library) 

The Frog Prince by Deanna Wadsworth (won)

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber (won)

The Janus Affair by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris (won)

The Man Who Dreamed of Elk-Dogs & Other Stories from the Tipi by Paul Goble (won)

Dark Water by Chynna T. Laird (won)

Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson (won)

Scent to Her Grave by India Ink (library)

The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page (library)

The Books I actually read for the challlenge:

The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page 

Blood and Fire by Shannon McKenna

Written in Stone by Ellery Adams

Etiquette & Espionage by Cail Carriger

Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham

Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle

Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

A Test of Mettle by Kevin Hearne

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

I knew I wouldn't make it all the way through my reading list but I had hoped to do better. Ah well, at least I made some progress.

Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge March 2013

 

I was sure I had already done a post for this challenge but I can't find it if I did. It's hosted by Kimba at Kimba the Caffeinated. You can still sign up if you'd like.

So, if you come around often, you know I have a huge tbr pile. According to goodreads, I have almost 900 books to be read. Yes, you read that right, almost 900. Now, that number includes print and digital, review and pleasure, books I own and books I don't yet own or will get from the library. I also have print books that I haven't yet entered on goodreads but that haven't been read yet so the real number of unread books is even higher.

With so many books, it's been hard to decide what to read, but for now, I think I'll focus on books that I have won and library books. I may change my mind during the month; I'm sure I'll read others while not reading some on the list.

 

My tentative reading list:

 Written in Stone by Ellery Adams (library)

Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle (library)

Drop Dead on Recall by Sheila Webster Boneham (library)

Flawless by Carrie Lofty (won)

Unmasking Kelsey by Kay Hooper (library)

Daybreak by Ellen Connor (won)

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger (library) 

The Frog Prince by Deanna Wadsworth (won)

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber (won)

The Janus Affair by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris (won)

The Man Who Dreamed of Elk-Dogs & Other Stories from the Tipi by Paul Goble (won)

Dark Water by Chynna T. Laird (won)

Wicked Circle by Linda Robertson (won)

Scent to Her Grave by India Ink (library)

The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page (library)

Excerpts from Romance Authors Emily March and Ruthie Knox

Thanks to Sue Grimshaw from Romance At Random, I have excerpts from a couple of romance books to share with you. The first one,  "Angel's Rest", by Emily March, was released February 15, 2011 and is the first book in her Eternity Springs series. 

Blurb:  Gabriel Callahan has lost everything that mattered. All he wants is solitude on an isolated mountain estate. Instead, he gets a neighbor. Vibrant, no-nonsense Nic Sullivan is Eternity Springs’ veterinarian, and she has an uncanny plan to lure this talented architect back to the world of the living. First with a dog, next with a renovation project, and, finally, with a night of passion that ends with a surprise.

Now a man still raw from tragedy must face the biggest struggle of his heart. Can he forgive himself and believe in the power of second chances? Dare he trust in the promise of a future and a brand-new family here in Eternity Springs?

The second one is from a forthcoming book, "Ride with Me" by Ruthie Knox, releasing on February 13, 2012.

Blurb: When Lexie Marshall places an ad for a cycling companion, she hopes to find someone friendly and fun to cross the TransAmerica Trail with. Instead, she gets Tom Geiger—a loner whose bad attitude threatens to spoil the adventure she’s spent years planning.

Roped into the cycling equivalent of a blind date by his sister, Tom doesn’t want to ride with a chatty, go-by-the-map kind of woman. Even Tom’s stubborn determination to keep Lexie at a distance can’t stop him from wanting more. But when the tour ends, where will they go next?

Thank you Sue, for the excerpts. I hope you all enjoy them!
Angel's Rest by Emily March (Excerpt)

RIDE WITH ME by Ruthie Knox, A Loveswept eOriginal Excerpt

End of Month Giveaway! Open globally

So, to close out the month of murder and mayhem, I am having a giveaway. I may even do this every month, or every month where I have print books to mail. :)

Up for grabs are some of the books that I reviewed this month. Which ones? Well, the ones that I have print copies of :D A few are ARC's so the covers are different and there are some typos plus the final content of the printed book may differ; most are the final book. I'm having camera problems so for now, I'll use the cover pix from the posts. The winner can choose up to 3 of the listed books, and it's open internationally. April 1st, (no kidding, honest!) I'll use random.org to choose a winner.

Who is eligible to enter? If you commented on a review this month, then you will be entered. Sorry, only review comments count.

The Books:

1. Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent
2. The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch
3. The Survivor by Sean Slater (ARC)
4. Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (ARC - has different cover & title)
5. Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne
6. Altar of Bones by Philip Carter
7. Treachery in Death by JD Robb

Murder and Mayhem in the Month of March

It's almost March and here in the US, that means it's almost time for March Madness, a whole month of basketball games and craziness. Now, I can take or leave basketball nor am I alone. Several bloggers and reviewers have come up with their own versions - Dear Author and the Smart Bitches have a month long tournament, DABWAHA, to decide one champion and romance author Ashley March will be hosting a month long celebration of historical romance readers and writers.

Now I am not that ambitious nor do Jax or I have that kind of time. As I was looking at my TBR piles of print and digital books, I realized that I had a fair number of mysteries, suspenses, and thrillers. So I decided to make March Mystery Month. Not all of the reviews will be in those genres, but they will be featured. There will more reviews than usual from Jax and I, and a guest post or two. I may even have a couple of interviews, though those aren't definite yet.

The stories reviewed will be a mix of traditional mysteries, cozy mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense, maybe even a paranormal mystery or two. So, make a pot of tea, curl up in your favorite spot, and get ready to be scared and terrified. Don't forget to leave a night light on. :D