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)

Monday Memes

MONDAY
It’s official, well at least as far as I am concerned!!!!!  Winter is here in New England.  Woke up to snow.  Not much, but snow is snow.  According to this morning’s news, it was a surprise even to the local weathermen…lol….that’s encouraging.  I tell my family just to ask me, with all the hardware I have, I can tell what the weather will be.  That is why I wasn’t blogging or near the computer yesterday, I was lying down for most of day/night. 
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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Today’s Question:
My questions for today are ones that are asked at the end of this particular article: What are  your responses to this report? Does it match with what you –as a reader– have observed? With your own buying habits? When was the last time you bought a book? What did you buy and why?
Link to article: 
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/trendspotting-readers-spending-on-books/
My Response:
As a reader and a consumer, that article mirrors my feelings.  I can’t remember the last time I bought a HC.  However, I did purchase a few ebooks over the last couple of months.  If a book was published that I wanted to read, before getting my EReader, I would either put a request in at the local library or see if it was at the used book store I frequent or just wait for the PB.  My buying habits have changed over the past year.  I used to buy as many as 5 PBs at a time but even cut back on that because of the rising cost.   What I found interesting is that mysteries, thrillers, and crime are the top genre.  I would have thought it to be the newest rage, that of PNR/UF.  
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Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
November is being hosted by Julie at Knitting and Sundries 

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.”

11/05  Friday
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from The Hachette Book Group

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old
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 pie?
Is this a trick question?  Just one?  Seriously one?  hmmmm how about I say
“I can’t find my glasses?”  ok…thats my story and I am sticking to it  lol.
2. Have you ever ran out of gas in the car you were driving?
Easy one…..No…Never…………Not yet!!!!
3. How many languages do you speak?
Another easy one…..ONE….English
Unless…those seldom used words, not found in the dictionary, but endearingly said to hubby when he leaves the seat up time and time again….would that be considered another language?
4. Do you take daily vitamins?
No
5. What is your worst eating habit?
See question 1

Giveaway November 7th to November 21st

Rules Of Betrayal
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by CHRISTOPHER REICH
November 7th to November 21st
Synopsis:

The most riveting novel yet in Christopher Reich’s New York Times bestselling series—featuring Dr. Jonathan Ransom and his undercover-agent wife Emma, a dangerous woman with a mysterious past who has gone rogue in the high-stakes, serpentine world of international spies.

In 1980, a secret American B-52 crashes high in a remote mountain range on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Nearly thirty years later, and spanning locales from those peaks to New York City, a terrible truth will be revealed.

Jonathan Ransom returns as the resourceful doctor thrown into a shadowy world of double and triple agents where absolutely no one can be trusted. To stay alive, Ransom must unravel the mystery surrounding his wife—an enigmatic and lethal spy who plays by her own rules—and discover where her loyalties truly lie.

Rules of Betrayal is a masterfully plotted novel that cements Christopher Reich’s reputation as one of the most admired espionage thriller writers today.

THANKS TO JUDY, LIZ AND THE
TERRIFIC PEOPLE FROM DOUBLEDAY
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I HAVE TWO (2) COPIES OF THIS
THRILLER TO GIVE AWAY!!!
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.


My review will be posted in the coming weeks.

DISCLAIMER
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners
via publisher, agent and/or author. This blog hosts
the giveaway on behalf of the above.
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.

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Remembering

SUNDAY
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BTW and FYI (lol)..I received an email right before shutting down Lily Laptop regarding the November Voting for I Love Your Blog Award.  So if you have the time, think that you might like to and feel that I deserve a vote, THANK YOU. 
What I received regrading the voting: (image on right side)
I hope everyone is enjoying November so far! I hope your day will get even better when I say that voting for the first annual ‘I Love Your Blog’ Awards is now open! You can go over to the site and click on Vote Here! There you fill out a form picking out your favorite blogs for each category. You can vote up to however many you want for each category. Voting will close on November 29 and I will announce the winners that same day! Award icons will be handed out the next day! So, go spread the word!
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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:  Remembering
My bloggy friend Bev from My Reader’s Block, if you haven’t been by her blog, you really should stop by.  Her postings are incredible!!  OK…where was I?  Oh I remember now….as I was saying, Bev participates in a meme entitled Top Ten Tuesday whereas a book related question is asked and the blogger selects their top ten.  For example, one week it was “Top Ten Books That Made You Cry”.   Hmmmmmmm  Remember?  Ten?  So it got me thinking……..

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Is it just me?  Should I blame it on “senior moments”?   Would you be able to recall answers to the questions?  I know I couldn’t.  Sometimes I will remember that I read a book by the title but can’t recall the plot.  Or, even the books that are 5+ ratings, and I read it, say 8 months ago, I may recall the storyline but not how it ends.  Or I will purchase a book, start reading it and it sounds familiar only then to remember that I had already read it (geeez even I will admit that is bad!)  I also have another problem with titles, that are all similar, by the same author.  I have a few of those in my EReader, some have been read, some that need to be read and I can’t remember which is which!! 
So am wondering…do you remember all the books you read?  Would you be able to come up with the answer for example….the top ten of favorite female lead characters?  
What are your thoughts on this topic?   Do you have suggestions for me to remember more on this topic?  Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion.
And if you have time, stop by Bev’s place and say hi!!  

Giveaway November 7th to November 21st

Rules Of Betrayal
Photobucket
by CHRISTOPHER REICH
November 7th to November 21st
Synopsis:

The most riveting novel yet in Christopher Reich’s New York Times bestselling series—featuring Dr. Jonathan Ransom and his undercover-agent wife Emma, a dangerous woman with a mysterious past who has gone rogue in the high-stakes, serpentine world of international spies.

In 1980, a secret American B-52 crashes high in a remote mountain range on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Nearly thirty years later, and spanning locales from those peaks to New York City, a terrible truth will be revealed.

Jonathan Ransom returns as the resourceful doctor thrown into a shadowy world of double and triple agents where absolutely no one can be trusted. To stay alive, Ransom must unravel the mystery surrounding his wife—an enigmatic and lethal spy who plays by her own rules—and discover where her loyalties truly lie.

Rules of Betrayal is a masterfully plotted novel that cements Christopher Reich’s reputation as one of the most admired espionage thriller writers today.

THANKS TO JUDY, LIZ AND THE
TERRIFIC PEOPLE FROM DOUBLEDAY
Photobucket
I HAVE TWO (2) COPIES OF THIS
THRILLER TO GIVE AWAY!!!
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.


My review will be posted in the coming weeks.

DISCLAIMER
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners
via publisher, agent and/or author. This blog hosts
the giveaway on behalf of the above.
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.

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Remembering

SUNDAY
Photobucket
BTW and FYI (lol)..I received an email right before shutting down Lily Laptop regarding the November Voting for I Love Your Blog Award.  So if you have the time, think that you might like to and feel that I deserve a vote, THANK YOU. 
What I received regrading the voting: (image on right side)
I hope everyone is enjoying November so far! I hope your day will get even better when I say that voting for the first annual ‘I Love Your Blog’ Awards is now open! You can go over to the site and click on Vote Here! There you fill out a form picking out your favorite blogs for each category. You can vote up to however many you want for each category. Voting will close on November 29 and I will announce the winners that same day! Award icons will be handed out the next day! So, go spread the word!
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!
Today’s Topic:  Remembering
My bloggy friend Bev from My Reader’s Block, if you haven’t been by her blog, you really should stop by.  Her postings are incredible!!  OK…where was I?  Oh I remember now….as I was saying, Bev participates in a meme entitled Top Ten Tuesday whereas a book related question is asked and the blogger selects their top ten.  For example, one week it was “Top Ten Books That Made You Cry”.   Hmmmmmmm  Remember?  Ten?  So it got me thinking……..

Photobucket
Is it just me?  Should I blame it on “senior moments”?   Would you be able to recall answers to the questions?  I know I couldn’t.  Sometimes I will remember that I read a book by the title but can’t recall the plot.  Or, even the books that are 5+ ratings, and I read it, say 8 months ago, I may recall the storyline but not how it ends.  Or I will purchase a book, start reading it and it sounds familiar only then to remember that I had already read it (geeez even I will admit that is bad!)  I also have another problem with titles, that are all similar, by the same author.  I have a few of those in my EReader, some have been read, some that need to be read and I can’t remember which is which!! 
So am wondering…do you remember all the books you read?  Would you be able to come up with the answer for example….the top ten of favorite female lead characters?  
What are your thoughts on this topic?   Do you have suggestions for me to remember more on this topic?  Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion.
And if you have time, stop by Bev’s place and say hi!!  

Drum Roll……And the……..

for HOW MUSIC WORKS by John Powell

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

16     6     4

Timestamp: 2010-11-06 22:11:21 UTC

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Patty said… 16  No I don’t play, but I so very wish I could! I am entranced by the sound of a violin and would love to be able to play. I really admire people who can.

Tore said… 6  No I don’t play an instrument but I always wanted to play the piano
Cathy W said… 4  No I don’t play an instrument.

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen

AND DON’T FORGET…….

2011 Challenges…

This morning I spoke about 2– 2011 Challanges I had my eyes on…..well……I decided to take the plunge and sign up today.  I have a lot going on in the coming weeks so thought I might as well post about it today, especially since they both are 2010/2011 Challenges.   I will provide links for those who may be interested in joining!!

The first is being hosted by Yvonne from Socrates Book Reviews. Thank you Yvonne.

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2011 James Patterson Challenge.   I am signing up for Level 2–Read 5 books….a loyal fan.
The following is the criteria from her blog:
I decided that I love reading James Patterson’s books so much that I’m going to begin a new James Patterson reading challenge. In the next couple of days, I’ll be starting an Alex Cross challenge, too!

This one is a bit different than last year. You get to choose how many books you want to read.
Level 1 – Read 2 books…just trying them out
Level 2 – Read 5 books…a loyal fan
Level 3 – Read 10+ books…obsessed with James Patterson
Here are the guidelines…
  1. Choose one of the levels above. You do not need to make a list of what you will read now or, if you want, you can. However, nothing is written in stone and the books you list can be changed at any time. Overlapping books with other challenges is allowed.
  2. Although you can change books throughout the year, you cannot change your level of participation. So, choose one level and that’s what you must stick with for the year.
  3. As long as it’s written by James Patterson, you can use the book in this challenge. Even if you are part of my upcoming Alex Cross challenge, you can overlap books and count them as part of this challenge.
  4. All books need to be read between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. Books read prior to September 1st don’t count for this challenge.
  5. If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to here.
  6. Audio and Ebooks are acceptable.
  7. Please use Mr. Linky below to sign up. Use the link to your post about this challenge, not your main blog address. Links that don’t go directly to your challenge post will be deleted.
  8. Once you complete the challenge, please post the link to your wrap-up blog post with Mr. Linky (I will put up a Mr. Linky for completed lists.)
  9. There will also be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.
10. You can take the button above and post it on your blog.
     I will be starting off with reading Private

The 2nd Challenge is being hosted by Sarah at BA Reading Challenges.  Thank you  Sarah.  You can also find her at Bookish Ardour and is hosting multiple challenges for 2011.

Off The Shelf!
2011 Off The Shelf Challenge and will be signing up for Making A Dint-30 books.
This criteria for this challenge is:
October 30th 2010 to Nov 30th, 2011

Challenge Levels
Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
Trying – Choose 15 books to read
Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
Off The Shelf Challenge
 Are your books multiplying like rabbits before you even get a chance to read them? Trying to keep up with them, but can’t stop buying new ones?
 Maybe this challenge is for you. I know what it’s like. There’s so many titles and so many beautiful books out there sometimes it’s hard to keep that TBR shelf under control, but if you really want to try why not challenge yourself?
 Note: This challenge is to read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading. If you don’t have many that you own, but have a massive TBR shelf you’re welcome to read those ones as long as you don’t add new ones. You don’t need to actually get rid of your books after you’ve read them, this is just to read them.
How To Participate
 Decide which challenge level you’ll be doing (further below) – do not include books that you buy from the start of this challenge.
 Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren’t blogging, on a social network or forum – Submission For Non Bloggers).
 Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you’re really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..
 Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don’t use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..
 Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.
 When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you’re using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them
Anyone want to join me?  Thanks Gina for posting about these challenges!!
I will be back later tonight to announce the winners of How Music Works, so last chance to enter.
And don’t forget to Fall Back and change your clocks!!

Drum Roll……And the……..

for HOW MUSIC WORKS by John Powell

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

16     6     4

Timestamp: 2010-11-06 22:11:21 UTC

Photobucket
Patty said… 16  No I don’t play, but I so very wish I could! I am entranced by the sound of a violin and would love to be able to play. I really admire people who can.

Tore said… 6  No I don’t play an instrument but I always wanted to play the piano
Cathy W said… 4  No I don’t play an instrument.

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen

AND DON’T FORGET…….