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)

Tuesday Memes

TUESDAY
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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The woman shook her head.  “The cabin is kept for special times.  The Powerses are there for prayer and meditation with their daughter.  She’s going to be ___”.

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page 113

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Hosted by Katrina from Callapidder Days


Week # 11 Question:
Do you ever read the end of a book before you actually get there? Have you sneaked a peek at the last page or two to find out what happens? Or do you faithfully avoid the final pages until you’ve “earned” them by reading to that point?

My Response:

NO..NEVER!  I wouldn’t dream of doing that.  In my opinion, that defeats the purpose of reading for enjoyment, pleasure, relaxation, fun etc etc.  

Book Review and Giveaway


Euphemania: Our Love Affair With Euphemisms by Ralph Keyes
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-05656-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): An entertaining look at euphemisms-where they come from, why we need them, and what they tell us about who we are.
  How did “die” become kick the bucket, “underwear” become unmentionables, and “having an affair” become hiking the Appalachian Trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy and taboos and to make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the evolution of euphemisms from tools of the church to expressions of gentility to today’s instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak. As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, Euphemania is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Just in time for the holidays. This book is informative, filled with trivia and a fun read. I found it to be quite interesting as to where and how certain terms came in to being such as “a loose cannon” (pg 193), “bookworm”(pg 228) “under the weather”(pg 124) and so many more. This book is perfect for those that enjoy trivia, history of the English language and the origin of certain phrases. I will never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again (page 111). Just in time for the holidays, this book should be on one’s Christmas list, for yourself or someone you know.

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THANKS TO BRIANNE AND THE TERRIFIC
PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
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I HAVE THREE (3) COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Book Review and Giveaway


Euphemania: Our Love Affair With Euphemisms by Ralph Keyes
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-05656-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): An entertaining look at euphemisms-where they come from, why we need them, and what they tell us about who we are.
  How did “die” become kick the bucket, “underwear” become unmentionables, and “having an affair” become hiking the Appalachian Trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy and taboos and to make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the evolution of euphemisms from tools of the church to expressions of gentility to today’s instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak. As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, Euphemania is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Just in time for the holidays. This book is informative, filled with trivia and a fun read. I found it to be quite interesting as to where and how certain terms came in to being such as “a loose cannon” (pg 193), “bookworm”(pg 228) “under the weather”(pg 124) and so many more. This book is perfect for those that enjoy trivia, history of the English language and the origin of certain phrases. I will never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again (page 111). Just in time for the holidays, this book should be on one’s Christmas list, for yourself or someone you know.

Photobucket
THANKS TO BRIANNE AND THE TERRIFIC
PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
Photobucket
I HAVE THREE (3) COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Monday Memes

MONDAY
December is being hosted by Lady Q from Let Them Read Books
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before I share my mailbox with you, I would like to give a big Thank You to Lady Q who is graciously hosting Mailbox Monday for the month of December.  This past week was a slow one for my mail carrier and am pretty sure she was happy about it lol.

Monday 11/29/10
From The Hachette Book Club

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

“Meet Me On Monday!”
From Java:
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!

Questions:
1. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
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Mozzarella, BUT like all foods, there is never
 just one  favorite for me.  American, cheddar
provolone are some others I enjoy.

2. What size is your bed?
Sleeping Girl
Queen
3. What is your most overused phrase?
It would be “Really?”
4. Green or purple grapes?
grapes
and seedless
5. Shower, morning or night?
SMILEY SHOWERING
Night…this way I have extra time in the morning


Monday Memes

MONDAY
December is being hosted by Lady Q from Let Them Read Books
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before I share my mailbox with you, I would like to give a big Thank You to Lady Q who is graciously hosting Mailbox Monday for the month of December.  This past week was a slow one for my mail carrier and am pretty sure she was happy about it lol.

Monday 11/29/10
From The Hachette Book Club

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

“Meet Me On Monday!”
From Java:
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!

Questions:
1. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Photobucket
Mozzarella, BUT like all foods, there is never
 just one  favorite for me.  American, cheddar
provolone are some others I enjoy.

2. What size is your bed?
Sleeping Girl
Queen
3. What is your most overused phrase?
It would be “Really?”
4. Green or purple grapes?
grapes
and seedless
5. Shower, morning or night?
SMILEY SHOWERING
Night…this way I have extra time in the morning


Still Partying!!!!

The party is still going on!!!  They are having sooo much fun that
author Graham Parke is extending the Birthday Bash!!!
From Mr. Parke’s site:
“Instead of heading for the big mental breakdown,

I decided to have a little one every Tuesday evening.”
— Gomez Porter

You are cordially invited to Gomez’ online after party. It starts right now and runs till December 10th. You’ll receive:
*’Activated Carbon’ exclusive short story collection
*Making of Gomez: behind the scenes eBook
*A kindle will be raffled off. Extra prizes for those who bring friends.
Simply purchase your copy of “No Hope for Gomez!” from Amazon and forward your receipt to nohopeforgomez@gmail.com before December 11.
Stop by his place and tell him CMash Loves To Read sent you!!!

Still Partying!!!!

The party is still going on!!!  They are having sooo much fun that
author Graham Parke is extending the Birthday Bash!!!
From Mr. Parke’s site:
“Instead of heading for the big mental breakdown,

I decided to have a little one every Tuesday evening.”
— Gomez Porter

You are cordially invited to Gomez’ online after party. It starts right now and runs till December 10th. You’ll receive:
*’Activated Carbon’ exclusive short story collection
*Making of Gomez: behind the scenes eBook
*A kindle will be raffled off. Extra prizes for those who bring friends.
Simply purchase your copy of “No Hope for Gomez!” from Amazon and forward your receipt to nohopeforgomez@gmail.com before December 11.
Stop by his place and tell him CMash Loves To Read sent you!!!

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Time

SUNDAY

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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!

TODAY’S TOPIC:  ALLOCATING TIME
It has been a busy past 2 days and have not been on the computer much nor have I read, which means I am, once again, behind.  It started Friday when hubby and I drove the 1+ hour drive to see the doctor for my post op visit (got very little bit  reading done because hubby was in a talkative mood), x-rays then waited 2 hours (got a bit of reading done then) to see the surgeon.
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The doc has revoked his mandates.  I am now able to drive short distances and to attempt minor household chores (wish this restriction had stayed in place lol).  I admit that I got spoiled by not having to do housework and could spend the majority of my time blogging and reading.
And yesterday, hubby and I spent the whole day moving and settling my mom and sister into a new assisted living facility.   I am the latter part of the baby booming era and the sole person responsible for them both.
Which takes me to today’s topic.  I know how much time it takes to keep up my blog,  check my google reader for all current news and events, visit other blogs and read from my tbr requests pile .  Today I will try to catch up with my blog to-dos, drafting posts and giveaways, hopefully posting another one and try to get some reading in.  I also feel that I might have missed out on things since I haven’t even checked my google reader in the past couple of days. 
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I am wondering….how do you allocate your time to do everything?  Do you have a routine as to how much time goes into blogging, reading, chores?   Do you do find that there is a “good time” to be on the computer for not missing out on “specials” or “giveaways” when the call goes out for reviews?  Do you blog in between doing chores?  What is your schedule or do you even have one?
So……..let’s have a Slapdash Share…..how do you do it all?  Am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic!!!