The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 10-6-19

Posted on October 6, 2019October 4, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This was the week of the hot mess in reviews. Honestly, three of the books I reviewed this week featured a hot mess in one form or another. Ivy Gamble in Magic for Liars is a hot mess, as was the entire situation of the French Revolution in Ribbons of Scarlet (although the book about this particular hot mess is very good!) and the story in This is How You Lose the Time War, well, it read like a hot mess to me, although opinions on this one certainly vary. It seems to be a book that people either really love or can’t quite get into – and for me it was the latter.

It also feels like Giveaway Hop season is starting to rev up. Whether that’s because people are in more of a giving mood near the holidays, or because some bloggers (including moi) enjoy having a day when we don’t have to produce a review, or a bit of both, it’s still getting to be that season. Speaking of giveaway hops, signups for the Black Friday Giveaway Hop are open! – even if I can’t believe I’m working on stuff for Thanksgiving already.

Coming This Week:

Jade City by Fonda Lee (review)
Howl-O-Ween Giveaway Hop
The Lying Room by Nicci French (blog tour review)
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers (review)
Pets in Space 4 by S.E. Smith, Anna Hackett, Tiffany Roberts, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Donna McDonald, Regine Abel, Alexis Glynn Latner, E.D. Walker, J.C. Hay, Kyndra Hatch, Cassandra Chandler (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 9-29-19

Posted on September 29, 2019September 28, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

First things first. Now that it is, at least theoretically Fall, it’s time to begin thinking about the holidays. Including the annual Black Friday Giveaway Hop, hosted again by yours truly and the Caffeinated Reviewer. So if you can participate in the hop, sign ups are now open. If you’re hoping to avoid the Black Friday shopping crowds and stay home and curl up with a good book, we’ll be here to give you opportunities to win a present or two or three.

Speaking of giveaway hops, the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Hop ends tomorrow – just in time for Spooktacular to begin on Tuesday! It’s still so hot in Atlanta that the Wicked Witch would melt just by standing out in the sun – no water required!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Giveaway Hop (ENDS TOMORROW!!!!)
Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne
The Price of Grace by Diana Muñoz Stewart

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the September to Remember Giveaway Hop is Kelly

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: Lies in White Dresses by Sofia Grant
B+ Review: Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne + Giveaway
A- Review: Kiss of Eon by Anna Hackett
Black Friday Giveaway Hop Sign Up
B+ Review: The Price of Grace by Diana Muñoz Stewart + Giveaway
A- Review: The MacInnes Affair by Blair McDowell
Stacking the Shelves (359)

Coming This Week:

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (review)
Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
Ribbons of Scarlet by Kate Quinn, Sophie Perinot, Laura Kamoie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Heather Webb (blog tour review)
The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley (review)
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 9-22-19

Posted on September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Reading-wise, this was a terrific week, with not just one but TWO A+ books. That both are female-led space operas probably says a lot about where my headspace is at the moment. I also finished another one, and absolutely adored it, but haven’t written it up yet. It was a FANTASTIC week for space opera – or at least for me to go on them.

But this week is also fantastic, as it is Banned Books Week. The reason for Banned Books Week is, of course, not so fantastic. As a librarian, the idea that some people want to prevent other people from reading whatever they want is pretty much anathema. That someone does not personally want to read a particular book, a particular genre, or a particular author is not the issue. You do you – but I’ll do me, thank you very much. There are plenty of things I have no interest in, and find abhorrent or can’t be bothered with – or occasionally both. But I won’t stop you. And you shouldn’t stop me either.

If you check out any of the Banned Books Week lists at the American Library Association website, you will see some extremely surprising books on those list. Many books that are thought of as classics have been banned at one point or another, and some, like Slaughterhouse Five, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath, downright frequently. As has the entire Harry Potter series – and Dr. Seuss!

Celebrate your freedom to read, and see what it’s all about!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the September to Remember Giveaway Hop (ENDS TUESDAY!)
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Hello Autumn Giveaway Hop is Stephanie

Blog Recap:

Follow the Yellow Brick Road Giveaway Hop
A+ Review: Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
A+ Review: A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
B Review: Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
B+ Guest Review: H20 by Irving Belateche
Stacking the Shelves (358)

Coming This Week:

Lies in White Dresses by Sofia Grant (blog tour review)
Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne (blog tour review)
Kiss of Eon by Anna Hackett (review)
The Price of Grace by Diana Muñoz Stewart (blog tour review)
The MacInnes Affair by Blair McDowell (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 9-1-19

Posted on September 1, 2019August 31, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

It’s hard to believe that it’s already September 1, that this is Labor Day Weekend in the U.S. and that summer is unofficially over. I say unofficially because it’s still going to be in the low 90s here in Atlanta for most of the week. While one of the things I love about living here is that winter mostly skims by us – at least compared to other places I’ve lived – summer most definitely does not.

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest is Danielle H.
The winner of the Back to School Giveaway Hop is Sharon B.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: Spaceside by Michael Mammay
A+ Review: The Passengers by John Marrs
B- Review: The Chocolate Maker’s Wife by Karen Brooks
A- Review: Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone
A+ Review: A Better Man by Louise Penny
Stacking the Shelves (355)

Coming This Week:

Hello Autumn Giveaway Hop
The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul (blog tour review)
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (review)
Cold Storage by David Koepp (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 8-25-19

Posted on August 25, 2019August 25, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Dorothy was right. There is no place like home. (There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.) We had a fantastic time in Dublin, and Worldcon was awesome, but it is SO GOOD to be home. We missed the cats SO MUCH, and the pet cam is no substitute for cuddling them. Also jet lag is a complete bitch. I’ve seen the sun come up more times this week than I have in years because my body clock just isn’t adjusting back to my usual night owl schedule. And it’s driving Lucifer a bit spare because I’m just not assuming the position he wants me in for nearly as long as he requires for his nightly snuggle. He has to be in the feline superior position and my going to sleep right away is just not working for him.

This is a bit of a catch-up Sunday Post, as I’ll finally be announcing – and notifying – the winners of all the giveaways that ended while we were gone. But speaking of giveaways ending, the Back to School Giveaway Hop rather appropriately ends this week, as everyone seems to have gone back to school by now!

And I’d like to give a very big shout out to Amy Daltry, who provided so many wonderful guest reviews while I was away. Thanks a bunch Amy!

Current Giveaways:

Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Back to School Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of Forgotten Bones by Vivian Barz is Anita Y.
The winner of Relative Fortunes by Marlowe Benn is Marjorie R.
The winner of The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare is Jen M.
The winner of the Sweet Goodness Giveaway Hop is Angela C.
The winner of the Oh! the Places You’ll Go Giveaway Hop is Jenness M.

Blog Recap:

B Review: For the Killing of Kings by Howard Andrew Jones
A- Guest Review: Sentinel of Darkness by Katie Reus
A Review: The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs
B+ Review: Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest + Giveaway
B+ Review: Defender by Anna Hackett
Stacking the Shelves (354)

Coming This Week:

Spaceside by Michael Mammay (review)
Passengers by John Marrs (blog tour review)
The Chocolate Maker’s Wife by Karen Brooks (blog tour review)
Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone (review)
Turning Darkness into Light by Marie Brennan (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 8-4-19

Posted on August 4, 2019August 2, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

There’s a kitten napping under my chair as I write this. She’s adorable. I’d take a picture, but she’s a mostly black tortie and she’s deliberately hiding in the shadows. She’s also deliberately positioned so that I can’t move my chair to take her picture. They’re devious little devils when they want to be.

We’re gearing up for our trip, which should be an absolute blast. But it means setting all my posts up ahead – and I’m mostly there. And I’ll have my laptop for dire emergencies. When I’ll have time to deal with said dire emergencies is anybody’s guess. But I can’t wait!!!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Sweet Goodness Giveaway Hop
Relative Fortunes by Marlowe Benn
Forgotten Bones by Vivian Barz

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop is Coline
The winner of the All That Glitters is Gold Giveaway Hop is Nikki
The winner of Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean is Linda

Blog Recap:

B Review: A Conspiracy of Wolves by Candace Robb
B Review: Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
B- Review: Relative Fortunes by Marlowe Benn + Giveaway
Sweet Goodness Giveaway Hop
B+ Review: Forgotten Bones by Vivian Barz + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (351)

Coming This Week:

The Third Mrs. Durst by Ann Aguirre (blog tour review)
Oh! the Places You’ll Go! Giveaway Hop
The Hound of Justice by Claire O’Dell (blog tour review)
The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe (blog tour review)
The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-28-19

Posted on July 28, 2019July 28, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Last week was one of those weeks when the schedule went WONK! Which means this week kind of went the same way. And I just figured out that I confused our arrival day with our departure day for Worldcon, so I have one less day than I thought to get everything done before we leave. So many books, so little time, so much to do, so little time to do it in! I foresee a LOT of caffeine in my immediate future!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the All That Glitters is Gold Giveaway Hop
Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean

Winner Announcements:

The winner of When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal is Nancy P.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
A+ Review: Becoming Superman by J. Michael Straczynski
B+ Review: Sentinel by Anna Hackett
A Guest Review by Amy: Second Time Around by Nancy Herkness
B+ Review: Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (350)

Coming This Week:

A Conspiracy of Wolves by Candace Robb (review)
The Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman (blog tour review)
Relative Fortunes by Marlowe Benn (blog tour review)
Sweet Goodness Giveaway Hop
Forgotten Bones by Vivian Barz (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 7-21-19

Posted on July 21, 2019July 21, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This has been one of those weeks where I’m really feeling the “so many books, so little time” thing. And I’m starting to panic about our trip to Worldcon. Thanks to Amy, I have enough posts to fill in the time I’ll be gone, because I know I won’t get a lot of time to either read or write while we’re there – nor should I. That’s kind of not the point, after all. But I do have two assignments to write about the con after we get back.

Sufficient unto the day are the evils thereof, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself!

Current Giveaways:

When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the All That Glitters is Gold Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Star Spangled Giveaway Hop is Carolyn D.

Blog Recap:

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop
All That Glitters is Gold Giveaway Hop
B+ Review: When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal + Giveaway
A+ Review: Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews
B Review: The Eagle Has Landed edited by Neil Clarke
Stacking the Shelves (349)

Coming This Week:

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory (review)
Becoming Superman by J. Michael Straczynski (blog tour review)
Sentinel by Anna Hackett (review)
A Conspiracy of Wolves by Candace Robb (review)
Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean (blog tour review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 6-30-19

Posted on June 30, 2019June 30, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

There’s booming in the other room. My husband is playing Cat Quest, and it’s adorable. Cats going on adventures! With puns. Lots and lots of puns. The game is adorably cute AND fun to play.

I’m still digging out from the usual post-conference disorganization. There tends to be both a post-conference boost and a post-conference crash. So many great panels. So many excellent speakers. So many, many, many bright shiny new books. Followed immediately by the rush to get home, the continuing aching of the feet, and the need to figure out what happens next. Getting home at 1 in the morning didn’t help any.

But it’s good to be home. The kitties missed us and we missed them. Watching them over the kitty-cam is NOT the same!

Current Giveaways:

Wilde in Love by Eloisa James

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $20 Dreamspinner Press Gift Certificate is H.B.
The winner of the Hello Summer Giveaway Hop is Chelsea W.

Blog Recap:

A+ Review: European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman by Theodora Goss
B Review: Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker
A- Guest Review: Phaze by S.C. Mitchell
B+ Review: Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James + Giveaway
A- Review: Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh
Stacking the Shelves (346)

Coming This Week:

Star Spangled Giveaway Hop
Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep (blog tour review)
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite (blog tour review)
Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 6-16-19

Posted on June 16, 2019June 14, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done. Or at least it certainly seems that way. We’re off for the American Library Association Annual Conference at the end of the week and it feels like there are suddenly a million-and-one things to do before we go. Only because there probably are.

The cats are NOT going to be best pleased. They never are when their human servitors abscond from their duties for any length of time longer than a catnap. Come to think of it, not even then. We’re obviously supposed to be at their beck and call even when they’re sleeping!