The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 4-21-19

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

It’s both Passover and Easter Sunday today, so HAPPY whatever you celebrate in this Spring season!

I’m trying to figure out what to say about either last week or this coming week, and for some reason I’m drawing a blank. At least I didn’t do an actual blank and just leave the “XXX” from the template in this space!

The upcoming week feels like a relatively quiet week, at least at the moment. No blog hops, no new tours, no new giveaways. It feels a bit anticlimactic. But fear not, the next several weeks have bloghops and tour reviews galore!

Coming This Week:

Cat Chase the Moon by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (review)
Heart of Eon by Anna Hackett (review)
Pirate’s Pleasure by Lisa Kessler (review)
The Fire by John A. Heldt (review)
Under the Table by Stephanie Evanovich (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 4-14-19

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

Now I know that the Blogo-Birthday Giveaway Celebration is REALLY over. All of the rafflecopters have ended, and it’s time to announce the winners for all the giveaways. I’d like to thank everyone who participated, and everyone who reads and follows Reading Reality. You all make it a blast!

Both of the remaining giveaways end early this week, but fear not! I have new ones starting on the very same days!

I was clearly not as awake as I thought on Saturday. I prepped my Stacking the Shelves post but forgot to publish it! It was THAT kind of week! Now that the taxes are done for the year, hopefully this week will be a bit less fraught.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop (ends TOMORROW!)
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Rain Rain Go Away Giveaway Hop (ends TUESDAY!)

Winner Announcements:

The winner of any book in the Leaphorn Chee and Manuelito series by Anne and Tony Hillerman is Danielle.
The winner of any book in the either Pitt series by Anne Perry is Helen.
The winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is Cali.
The winner of the $25 Book(s) is Laura.

Blog Recap:

A Review: Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris
B- Review: A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian
B Review: Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James
A+ Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss
A+ Review: Doctor Who: Scratchman by Tom Baker
Stacking the Shelves (335)

Coming This Week:

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop
Something to Marble At Giveaway Hop
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (review)
The Winds of Marque by Bennett R. Coles (review)
Old Baggage by Lissa Evans (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 4-7-19

Posted on April 7, 2019April 5, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Blogo-Birthday> Blogoversary> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This was the week where I gave things away. Lots of things. Lots of bookish things. April 4 was the EIGHTH anniversary of the founding of Reading Reality, and April 5 was my (ahem) 62nd birthday. I gave stuff away every day, and the rafflecopters are all still open for at least another week. So you haven’t missed your chance to enter – or to enter again.

Both books I reviewed, the books by the Annes, were both terrific, and I look forward to the next outing in both series, hopefully next year. Maybe in time for my next Blogo-Birthday?

Current Giveaways:

$25 Amazon Gift Card AND $25 Book (2 prizes) in my Blogo-Birthday Celebration Giveaway
$10 Amazon Gift Card OR $10 Book in the Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop
$10 Amazon Gift Card OR $10 Book in the Rain Rain Go Away Giveaway Hop
Any book in either the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series or the Daniel Pitt series (both) by Anne Perry
Any book in the Leaphorn, Chee (and Manuelito) series by Anne Hillerman and Tony Hillerman

Winner Announcements:

The winner of The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick is Danielle
The winner of The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne is L Lam

Blog Recap:

Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop
Rain Rain Go Away Giveaway Hop
A Review: Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry + Giveaway
Blogo-Birthday Celebration + Giveaway
A+ Review: The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman + Giveaway
Stacking the Shelves (334)

Coming This Week:

Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris (review)
A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian (review)
Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James (review)
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine (review)
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-31-19

Posted on March 31, 2019March 29, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This week contains the EIGHTH anniversary of the start of Reading Reality. My first post was published on April 4, 2011. It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight years. It feels like yesterday! April 5 is my birthday, so when those days rolled around in 2012, it seemed as if they were meant to be celebrated together. Hence, Blogo-Birthday!

I will be giving stuff away every day this week – so stop by every day to see what’s on tap!

Current Giveaways:

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne
Paperback set of the Diamonds in the Rough series by Sophie Barnes

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop is Brenda E.

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick + Giveaway
B Review: The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne + Giveaway
A+ Guest Review by Amy: Stardance by Spider and Jeanne Robinson
B Review: The Infamous Duchess by Sophie Barnes + Giveaway
B+ Review: If This Goes On edited by Cat Rambo
Stacking the Shelves (333)

Coming This Week:

Worth Melting For Giveaway Hop
Rain Rain Go Away Giveaway Hop
Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry (review + giveaway)
EIGHTH ANNUAL BLOGO-BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman (review + giveaway)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-17-19

Posted on March 17, 2019March 17, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

I don’t know about you, but the whole Daylight Saving Time thing is still kicking me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love that it is light later into the evening. But I want that hour back, and next November is a LONG time from now. By then, I’ll be used to it and not want to give up the light. Uniform time serves a purpose – Daylight Saving Time no longer does. Or, at any rate, switching back and forth no longer does.

On a brighter note, this past week included our 14th wedding anniversary. It both seems like a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and only yesterday, all at the same time. And it’s been wonderful from that day to this. I’m looking forward to LOTS more.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the $10 Gift Card or $10 Book in the Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop is Patricia

Blog Recap:

B Review: Mahimata by Rati Mehrotra
B+ Review: Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton
A+ Review: The Chaos Function by Jack Skillingstead
B Review: Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood
Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (331)

Coming This Week:

Radicalized by Cory Doctorow (review)
Hell Squad: Griff by Anna Hackett (review)
The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear (review)
Lonen’s Reign by Jeffe Kennedy (review)
The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 3-3-19

Posted on March 3, 2019March 1, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

Once upon a time I read somewhere that if you have the opportunity to see a band you’ve always wanted to see, you should take that opportunity and go. So we’re going to see Fleetwood Mac tonight. Hopefully Galen has prepared himself for another singalong!

It’s March already, which is hard to believe. Has it come in like a lion where you are, or a lamb? I think we got the lamb. A fairly damp lamb (say that 3 times fast) but a lamb just the same. It’s spring here and a few things are blooming. I’m looking forward to the leaves filling in the trees in the backyard. It’s interesting to see the neighbors’ houses on the other side of the creek, but I prefer the tree canopy!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop is Gaby
The winner of the February of Books Giveaway Hop is Laura

Blog Recap:

B+ Review: California Girls by Susan Mallery
C Review: The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
A Review: Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne Long
A+ Review: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (329)

Coming This Week:

Wild Country by Anne Bishop (review)
Jacked Cat Jive by Rhys Ford (review)
Mahimata by Rati Mehrotra (review)
Hunting Game by Helene Tursten (review)
If This Goes On edited by Cat Rambo (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-24-19

Posted on February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

I almost did it this time. I almost posted this with the “XXX” in place of the usual verbiage. Thank goodness for the ability to preview the post – also that I seem to have had just enough caffeine for it register on my consciousness – which is admittedly still a bit lacking.

We just got back from another cross-country flight yesterday morning in the ridiculous hours. I can’t sleep sitting up, so overnight flights are generally hell. Hopefully this is my last trip until ALA Annual in late June. I’m still having the “happy happy joy joy” reaction to being home and I expect it to last for a while. The cats were SO GLAD to see us! Hecate seemed to have saved up a week’s worth of pouncing and bouncing in anticipation of her people coming home. She also seems to have hit another growth spurt.

I’m looking forward to getting back to normal this week. Especially since it seems to be SPRING in Atlanta!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the February of Books Giveaway Hop (ends WEDNESDAY!)
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop (ends THURSDAY!)
$10 Amazon Gift Card from Sophie Barnes

Winner Announcements:

The winner of The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen is Susan

Blog Recap:

A+ Guest Review by Amy: Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey
B Review: The Woman in the Lake by Nicola Cornick
Spotlight + Excerpt: California Girls by Susan Mallery
B+ Review: When Love Leads to Scandal by Sophie Barnes + Giveaway
A Review: The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Stacking the Shelves (328)

Coming This Week:

California Girls by Susan Mallery (blog tour review)
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (review)
Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne Long (blog tour review)
How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin (review)
Snow Much Fun Giveaway Hop

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-17-19

Posted on February 17, 2019February 17, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | Giveaways> The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

This week’s schedule kind of collapsed at the end there. Like last week, I had a few days where I didn’t need a review or was posting a review I’d already written, so I planned on taking the opportunity to read a really long book. Howsomever, once I started those two really long books, I changed my mind. Not that I didn’t like what I was reading, but that both books (The Ruin of Kings and Black Leopard, Red Wolf) are what I call “stories being told” where the book is the written version of someone in the story telling their story to someone else within the story (or in the case of The Ruin of Kings, multiple someones telling their stories). I decided to get them both on audio, so that I could also listen to the story being told. So far in The Ruin of Kings that decision feels correct. It reads well but it listens better.

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the February of Books Giveaway Hop
$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
The Victory Garden by Pam Jenoff

Winner Announcements:

The winner of The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff is Laura D.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen + Giveaway
D+ Review: Duchess by Deception by Marie Force
Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop
A- Review: Mission: Her Defense by Anna Hackett
B Review: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Stacking the Shelves (327)

Coming This Week:

Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey (guest post by Amy)
The Woman in the Lake by Nicola Cornick (blog tour review)
California Girls by Susan Mallery (blog tour excerpt and spotlight)
When Love Leads to Scandal by Sophie Barnes (blog tour reviwe)
Dead Man’s Reach by D.B. Jackson (review)

GIVEAWAY

I did a major oops at the beginning of the week and forgot to include the giveaway for The Victory Garden in the review post. That has been corrected, but I wanted to make sure that people saw the rafflecopter, so here it is again!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 2-3-19

Posted on February 3, 2019February 2, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

First of all, I did a thing. On January 31, 2019 the winners of the SFR Galaxy Awards were announced. We had a terrific fleet of winners this year – as we do every year. I’ve already added stuff to the virtually towering TBR stack. If you like science fiction romance, or action adventure romance, this year’s winners will be a real treat. And if you’re new to the genre or just want to see what all the fun is about, the list of ALL the award winners, from this year and previous years, should provide you with plenty of places to start. (Full disclosure, I’m one of the judges).

Second thing, as in previous years, I have been appointed to one of the American Library Association committees that produces a “best books of the year” list. This year it’s The Reading List, which judges genre fiction in the categories of Adrenaline, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Almost all of the categories are my jam to one degree or another, so I’m really looking forward to this year’s selections. Which will never be highlighted on any of my Stacking the Shelves posts or in my reviews – but they will be there.

Third, speaking of ALA, I just got back from the Midwinter Conference. The committee I served on this past year, the Carnegie Medals, announced the winners at this year’s conference.

And I picked up what would be an actual metric buttload of books at the conference – if I got print ARCs instead of eARCs. That list is in yesterday’s Stacking the Shelves.

It’s great to be home. The cats really missed us – to the point where they seem to be clinging to us all night and underfoot all day – at least when they’re not cat napping!

Current Giveaways:

$10 Amazon Gift Card or $10 Book in the February of Books Giveaway Hop

Winner Announcements:

The winner of the Hats Off! Giveaway Hop is Cassandra D.

Blog Recap:

A- Review: Target of One’s Own by M.L. Buchman
B Review: Connections in Death by J.D. Robb
A- Review: Cast in Oblivion by Michelle Sagara
A- Review: Forged in Blood I by Lindsay Buroker
February of Books Giveaway Hop
Stacking the Shelves (325)

Coming This Week:

Forged in Blood II by Lindsay Buroker (review)
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff (blog tour review)
Duchess by Deception by Marie Force (review)
The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons (review)
Oria’s Enchantment by Jeffe Kennedy (review)

The Sunday Post AKA What’s on my (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand 1-27-19

Posted on January 27, 2019January 23, 2019 by Marlene Harris | Author : Marlene Harris | The Sunday Post> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

I’m writing this very far ahead, as when you read it I’ll be in Seattle for the American Library Association Midwinter Conference. Where it will probably be gray, gloomy and a bit rainy, but hopefully not snowy. Or so my memories of living in Seattle tell me. But “climate is what you expect, weather is what you get” so we’ll see what really happens.

But that means that my attempt to predict what I will post the week of 1/28 probably counts as attempting to see into a crystal ball – or read tea leaves. At least at home I actually HAVE tea leaves, but that doesn’t mean my powers of prognostication are all that good. Divination is generally bunk – but we’ll see just how good I am at predicting my own behavior in the weeks to come.