Author: CMash

An avid reader for many years. Married for 31 years with 2 fantastic adult sons who I am so very proud of with great gfs. Am disabled. Found this wonderful community of book blogging in approximately December 2009 and have loved every minute of it. Am now a reviewer for authors, publishers, publicists, etc. And am also a partner in a Virtual PR tour company, Partners In Crime Tours for authors of novels of mystery, suspense and crime (www.Partnersincrimetours.net)

Thank You from author, Graham Parke

Back on December 1st, Graham Parke, kindly asked if I would extend an invitation to all of my followers and/or visitors to a Birthday Bash that he was hosting for his book, No Hope For Gomez.

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He has just contacted me and would like to send out Thank You notes and include a token of his appreciation.
Muchas Gracias
From Graham Parke:
Hi!


As a token of my appreciation for letting me guest-post on your blog, I’d like to give you the rights to distribute my new eBook,”Random Acts of Senseless Kindness” to your followers.

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Clinical studies have recently shown that reading this eBook is not only likely to make you more attractive to the opposite sex, it will also elevate your random luck by about 9.5%**
So, that’s a nice bonus right there.
(**These statements have not been evaluated by any person of consequence!)
You can find the eBook and some text and graphics here:
http://www.grahamparke.com/gomezbday/gomeznewyear/gny476.html
For legal reasons I have to state that I am hereby granting you digital distribution rights to this eBook from the 26th of December 2010 until the 16th of January 2011.

At the end of the period the page above will go offline, so if you link directly to it, that part is taken care of automatically.
Happy holidays,
Graham
  PLEASE LEAVE COMMENT HERE REGARDING THIS DIGITAL SHORT.

 This blog hosts  the giveaway on behalf of the above.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

DISCLAIMER

Slapdash Sunday (Part 2) Topics: Changes, EReader Questions

SUNDAY
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How is everyone today?  Did Santa treat you well?  Are you exhausted?  Glad it’s over?  I think it is kind of sad that we get stressed out, trying to get everything done, not having enough hours in the day and in a snap of your fingers, it is over.  I hope that everyone got to spend a wonderful time with family and friends, shared memories, laughed a lot,  ate too much, and of course, got a book related present.  And now,as book bloggers, we have something else to look forward to…..our 2011 Challenges!!!! 

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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
Last week I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the past couple of weeks as I wrap up 2010, my first full year of blogging, and preparing for 2011.  I have learned a lot and know there is much more to learn.  They say “change is good” so am going to try some new blog related issues to see what works better.  I am also going to make a big New Year’s resolution and may need your help with it  lol.  Also, my bloggy friend Gina from Hott Books has decided that I need to join Bloggiesta in January and has generously offered to help me with the computer issues.  Because of this, there may be even more changes that I am not yet aware of.
Here are a few changes that I am going to implement for 2011.
1.  BIGGIE…being able to say NO to so many requests…..ROFLMAO (this is where I need help)
2.  Have modified my “Review Policy” whereas I will guarantee 3-4  review requests per month for ARCs, agreed upon by author/agent and myself if I receive book 6-8 weeks before date.  If not, I will review requests in the order of receiving as I have done in 2010.
3.  In 2010 every book I read was in the order received, however, I signed up for the Just For Fun Challenge hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts.  So I will be taking the liberty of, whereas, that each month, I will select 1 book of my choosing, from either my tbr request pile (out of sequence) or my tbr personal bucket list pile to read.
4.  I hope that the above 2 changes will not cause too much of an inconvenience to those that are on my TBR Request Reading Schedule 
5.  Set aside one day per week to draft 7+ future posts: daily memes, Guest Author and giveaways (hoping that this will cut down daily computer time to allow more reading time).
6.  ?
Which brings me to today’s topic.  Are you making any 2011 book blogging resolutions?  Are you making any changes regarding your requests, reading, blogging issues?  Do you have any suggestions that you think I need to or should make?  Any items that you think I should continue or delete?  Would love to hear your thoughts!!!  Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!
?? EReaders:
Last year hubby bought me a Sony EReader PRS600, which I feel have both pros and cons.  One of the biggest negative was that it came with absolutely no operating instructions.  Does anyone own one of these because I would love to know how to archive a book read and/or mark it as read.  Since I suffer from “senior moments”, I have to keep another spread sheet (more work) to list what is in my library and what I have read.
Sony E-reader
Another question is, for those who do own EReaders, do you own more than one, different makes?  I received GC to Amazon and am wondering if I should put it towards a Kindle, which there is a model now priced at $139.00?
Kindle
I find that the majority of time, an Amazon GC is given, which the ebooks from Amazon are not compatible with my Sony EReader.  Also another negative with the Sony is the battery life, which is only a few days before needing to be recharged whereas I just read that the above Kindle has a battery life of a month.  Or do you own a Nook?  Have you compared the different makes and models?  What do you have or want?  What are the pros and cons of your EReader?  Would love to read your reviews of the EReader you own!!! 
Let’s have a Slapdash Review!!!!

Slapdash Sunday (Part 2) Topics: Changes, EReader Questions

SUNDAY
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How is everyone today?  Did Santa treat you well?  Are you exhausted?  Glad it’s over?  I think it is kind of sad that we get stressed out, trying to get everything done, not having enough hours in the day and in a snap of your fingers, it is over.  I hope that everyone got to spend a wonderful time with family and friends, shared memories, laughed a lot,  ate too much, and of course, got a book related present.  And now,as book bloggers, we have something else to look forward to…..our 2011 Challenges!!!! 

Photobucket
Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
Last week I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the past couple of weeks as I wrap up 2010, my first full year of blogging, and preparing for 2011.  I have learned a lot and know there is much more to learn.  They say “change is good” so am going to try some new blog related issues to see what works better.  I am also going to make a big New Year’s resolution and may need your help with it  lol.  Also, my bloggy friend Gina from Hott Books has decided that I need to join Bloggiesta in January and has generously offered to help me with the computer issues.  Because of this, there may be even more changes that I am not yet aware of.
Here are a few changes that I am going to implement for 2011.
1.  BIGGIE…being able to say NO to so many requests…..ROFLMAO (this is where I need help)
2.  Have modified my “Review Policy” whereas I will guarantee 3-4  review requests per month for ARCs, agreed upon by author/agent and myself if I receive book 6-8 weeks before date.  If not, I will review requests in the order of receiving as I have done in 2010.
3.  In 2010 every book I read was in the order received, however, I signed up for the Just For Fun Challenge hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts.  So I will be taking the liberty of, whereas, that each month, I will select 1 book of my choosing, from either my tbr request pile (out of sequence) or my tbr personal bucket list pile to read.
4.  I hope that the above 2 changes will not cause too much of an inconvenience to those that are on my TBR Request Reading Schedule 
5.  Set aside one day per week to draft 7+ future posts: daily memes, Guest Author and giveaways (hoping that this will cut down daily computer time to allow more reading time).
6.  ?
Which brings me to today’s topic.  Are you making any 2011 book blogging resolutions?  Are you making any changes regarding your requests, reading, blogging issues?  Do you have any suggestions that you think I need to or should make?  Any items that you think I should continue or delete?  Would love to hear your thoughts!!!  Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!
?? EReaders:
Last year hubby bought me a Sony EReader PRS600, which I feel have both pros and cons.  One of the biggest negative was that it came with absolutely no operating instructions.  Does anyone own one of these because I would love to know how to archive a book read and/or mark it as read.  Since I suffer from “senior moments”, I have to keep another spread sheet (more work) to list what is in my library and what I have read.
Sony E-reader
Another question is, for those who do own EReaders, do you own more than one, different makes?  I received GC to Amazon and am wondering if I should put it towards a Kindle, which there is a model now priced at $139.00?
Kindle
I find that the majority of time, an Amazon GC is given, which the ebooks from Amazon are not compatible with my Sony EReader.  Also another negative with the Sony is the battery life, which is only a few days before needing to be recharged whereas I just read that the above Kindle has a battery life of a month.  Or do you own a Nook?  Have you compared the different makes and models?  What do you have or want?  What are the pros and cons of your EReader?  Would love to read your reviews of the EReader you own!!! 
Let’s have a Slapdash Review!!!!

Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas!!!
Best wishes to you and your family.  
I want you to know that you have given me the greatest holiday present…your friendship. You are all so very special to me and I want to say thank you.
So from our house to your’s, I wish you a very Merry Chritmas and a Happy Holiday!!! I have whispered in Santa’s ear that you deserve love, health and happiness and a few other goodies too!!

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Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas!!!
Best wishes to you and your family.  
I want you to know that you have given me the greatest holiday present…your friendship. You are all so very special to me and I want to say thank you.
So from our house to your’s, I wish you a very Merry Chritmas and a Happy Holiday!!! I have whispered in Santa’s ear that you deserve love, health and happiness and a few other goodies too!!

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#15 !!!!

IT’S
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I CAN’T
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ANOTHER CHALLENGE
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  Challenge Rules:
   I hope all of you ARC Readers will join me again in 2011 for the ARC Reading Challenge. I welcome old and new participants. I don’t know about you, but my ARC pile is way too big. That is why I am making one big change to this challenge. For 2011 you don’t have to list all of the ARCs that you have. That’s right, no more “wall of shame.” LOL! Although you can list them if you want to.
    Note: I use the term “ARC” loosely,any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.
The Levels
*Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC’s and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to catagory b.
  b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.
*Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS
*Level Gold: Read 25 ARCS  (I chose this level)
*Level Platinum: Read 30 or more ARCS
Rules:
*To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.
*You don’t have to make a list of which ARC’s you plan to read, but you can if you want.
*If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
*Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC’s.
*Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don’t have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
*Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR Linky. Please add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post. For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author’s Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader). Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog. Then please leave a comment.

Are you signing up?

Friday

FRIDAY
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Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
  In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
  If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:
What are you hoping Santa leaves you?
My Answer:
My dated Hallmark ornament and anything to do with books.

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

From Java’s blog:
Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!

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#15 !!!!

IT’S
Photobucket
I CAN’T
Photobucket
ANOTHER CHALLENGE
Photobucket

  Challenge Rules:
   I hope all of you ARC Readers will join me again in 2011 for the ARC Reading Challenge. I welcome old and new participants. I don’t know about you, but my ARC pile is way too big. That is why I am making one big change to this challenge. For 2011 you don’t have to list all of the ARCs that you have. That’s right, no more “wall of shame.” LOL! Although you can list them if you want to.
    Note: I use the term “ARC” loosely,any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.
The Levels
*Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC’s and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to catagory b.
  b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.
*Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS
*Level Gold: Read 25 ARCS  (I chose this level)
*Level Platinum: Read 30 or more ARCS
Rules:
*To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.
*You don’t have to make a list of which ARC’s you plan to read, but you can if you want.
*If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
*Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC’s.
*Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don’t have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
*Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR Linky. Please add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post. For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author’s Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader). Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog. Then please leave a comment.

Are you signing up?