Hey there.
Long time no blog.
Yep.
Been kinda quiet around here.
So I guess its time for true confessions of the blogger for the close out of 2016.

First, Happy New Years Eve

Yep.

Pretty much over self thrashing now.  I mean it is what it is.  I didn't meet my personal goals for keeping up with blogging last year. You can tell from the side bar. Three posts.  Granted they were for charity - so bonus points on the positive sharing.  The year before of the reinventing of me - 23.  I'd say I fell down on the job.

So what happened?

On the serious side, I did take some time off in January and February to have elective surgery that I am happy to say went beautifully and so happy I took care of.  But if I was being honest, it's the excuse.  I had two 'overdue' blog posts not done prior to my surgery.  When I thought about blogging, well...two turned into three...and so on...and so on.  Kinda of a snowball effect.  I felt overwhelmed by my pastdue unwritten blog entries.

Where do I start?
Do I do the most recent past due one?
Or the oldest past due one?
Or the one I've been thinking about?
Or the one that I think is the most interesting?

I just didn't start.  That didn't solve the problem. I just choose to ignore it. All year long.

Just so you know.  It wasn't just blogging that I fell apart on commitment. That effort to write reviews for everything I read?  Yeah, that got overwhelming too.  I read a shit ton of books while recuperating but the reviews just didn't happen.  That added to the anxiety- do I catch up the blog or the reviews first?  Sheesh...as Elisa says I let it go.

Okay fine there you have the reasons.  Why am I writing this now?  I got inspired by a friend. See she's started her own blog.  (Link on the side bar) And her blog is everything I wanted this blog to be.  Not a promo blog.  Not a strictly review blog.  Just a blog of her reading and random thoughts on life. So, its what I want my blog to grow up to be someday where I talking about the reading world and what is on my mind on a fairly consistent basis.  Not for anyone else but me.

Okay - LETS DO THIS (again).  I've got a plan.

And the plan is:  Just blog whatever is on my mind and whenever I feel like it. I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't get my Tuesday night entry done.  When it happens, I will be basking in the awesomeness of getting it done.  And rather than taking the approach where I am fair and unbiased.  I'm going to be biased as hell.  Yep, I'm going to fangirl all over your face about something that I absolutely love.  You'll see - in my head - there is an epic blog entry tomorrow.  Baring any hangovers.

Now, what about my past blog entries.  Those will come.  You see, I have some really great pictures to share and awesome adventure tales to tell.  Which means this blog entry will become somewhat out of whack because -yes, I'm admitting to cheating- backdating the entries to when they occurred.  So you'll see 2016 go from 3 to unknown number. It's kinda OCD of me.  But hey, my blog and my rules.

In the mean time, grab a cocktail of your choice, be with your favorite people and usher in 2017 with a big smile.  I will with a great book in my hands.

Since you asked so nicely. It's an ARC of Dirty Secret by Chelle Bliss and Brenda Rothert.

Fangirl Activated: Little Rock Author Event November 2016

I'm going to apologize ahead but this is going to be a LOOONNNGGG ass post.   Besides going to a hosted author event in Arkansas (never been), I had adventures galore to share that fellow bookworms maybe able to appreciate.

Before I get to the ACTUAL book signing, I have to give you a bit of background on the how and why. Here goes...

Fellow admin in Darlene & Dexter's Book Nook was FINALLY going to go to her first signing event. YIPEE!  Besides that the talented and lovely Sawyer Bennett (a mutual fan favorite) would be in attendance.  Double YIPEE!! So, let's plan a trip to ala Pittsburgh.  And a secret plan was underway.

Since I had never seen this part of the country, I decided to do a weekend crazy road trip from North Carolina to Arkansas.  I flew into Raleigh and visited with fellow bookworm from Chicago event, Barbara.  The next morning I drove to Greensboro to see this lovely lady and darling young man.

Beth is a fellow book blogger at Panda & Boodle.  I highly recommend you follow her.  Where did we meet up? A bookstore of course!  Where I picked up a copy of Sugar Free for Sawyer Bennett to sign that weekend.  Parting is always sad, but I'm so glad I got to hug and see these faces for a few hours.  Off I drive through the gorgeous Smokey Mountains to Jonesboro.  Where I stop for gas here:

Next I stayed with Darlene and her accommodating husband to visit for a few before we headed to Little Rock.  Another book lover, Danielle, joined the caravan for the weekend.

Once we got there, mission Surprise Sawyer Bennett was underway.  Fellow roommate/booklover/LuLaRoe supplier Hannah joined in the mission of surprise. 

We had our map ready and I was safely tucked behind in line for operation Surprise.  We let Darlene go first to get hugs and kisses out of the way.  

However, Lisa, Sawyer's PA not in on Surprise, kept wandering. I couldn't wait.  So I barge in and shout:

"Break it up.  There is a line here."  

Yes, I shocked the shit once again out of Sawyer Bennett. High Five me!

Yes, fans the picture on the right is Sawyer looking at me with her mouth open as Darlene is laughing her butt off.  Don't you just love when a plan comes together?  Once the cat was safely out, picture taking commenced! 

Now, besides Sawyer, there were other authors and vendors in attendance that made it an awesome event.  Too many to say, such as H.K. Szczesaik, that took generous amount of time to discuss their stories. However shout outs to:

Hilary Storm - I met her the first time in Chicago and TOTALLY forgot she'd be in Little Rock.  Since I failed to get a picture in ChiTown that was quickly remedied.  If you haven't read her Pay for Play series with Victoria Ashley, it's a HOT recommend from me. 

Now, this lady is the BOMB.  Funny as hell.  And will on occasions have Facebook takeovers/wine time that you CANNOT miss.  If you love contemporary romance, she's a definite recommend.  I had first met her in Chicago.  If you have the opportunity, attend an event where she is at and get to know this rockin' author, JD Hollyfield! 

And what is a trip to the South without proper fried foods for dinner.  I met a new book friend, Amber, who I found we were in a lot of the same groups.  It's so cool to attend these events and meet people who are just as passionate as you are about reading.

After a impromptu LuLaRoe pop up in our hotel room, it was back driving to Raleigh to spend dinner with friends and of course...talk books. 

I encourage anyone and everyone to attend a book signing once.  It's amazing the people you meet and future books for your TBR. 

*~*~* Available for LIMITED TIME ONLY*~*~*

A CHAPTER FOR CHARITY

YOU ASKED. HERE IT IS UNITL 8/31/16

A CONTINUATION OF KATY AND RICHARD’S STORY

If you have read The Contract, and want a little more —get your copy now and support a great cause!

So many readers wanted to know what was next for Katy and Richard. Melanie Moreland wrote this small continuation of their story for her newsletter, with the intention of eBook sites to offer free download. After hitting some Amazon roadblocks and head scratching as to how to let more people see it, an idea formed.

She didn’t write this to make money, but to say thank you. So the best idea—pay it forward.

Melanie has partnered with the Keith Milano Memorial Fund, and all profits will go to this amazing charity which benefits Mental Health awareness, and suicide prevention. This story available until 8/31/16 for 99 cents.

Purchase Amazon: goo.gl/XNlKa2

Purchase Nook: goo.gl/XNlKa2

Purchase iBooks: goo.gl/lr16Ks

Purchase Kobo:goo.gl/JSC43D

Fund Information:

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating and deadly disease that is mental illness. Keith’s spirit and laughter is kept alive through our efforts to increase awareness about mental illness and to raise money for education and imperative research. Keith often struggled with society’s perception of mental illness. Our hope is that by having the strength to say that Keith was “Bipolar” we can strip away the stigma and help others to be more open about their disease.

Keith’s fund is a self-directed memorial fund. Funds raised are spent on programs and research programs selected by the Milano / Sprung family

Keith Milano Memorial Fund

140 Adams Ave Suite B-12

Hauppauge NY 11788

www.keithmilano.org

https://www.facebook.com/keithamilano

@MilanoFund

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) http://www.afsp.org/

AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.

AFSP is a fully accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in the state of Delaware with primary offices in New York City. Federal tax ID # is 13-3393329.

AFSP’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) number is 10545. Donations to AFSP are tax deductible.

Facebook Page: Melanie L Moreland goo.gl/mvlySD
Twitter: @MorelandMelanie
Goodreads: Melanie Moreland goo.gl/E9fiic
The Romance Reviews (TRR): Melanie Moreland goo.gl/9FAwtq
Amazon Author Page: goo.gl/sUSdo4

#chapterforcharity #isupportmentalhealthawareness #KMMF #AFSP

*~*~* A CHAPTER FOR CHARITY *~*~*

YOU ASKED. HERE IT IS:

A CONTINUATION OF KATY AND RICHARD’S STORY

So many readers wanted to know what was next for Katy and Richard. Melanie Moreland wrote this small continuation of their story for her newsletter, with the intention of eBook sites to offer free download. After hitting some Amazon roadblocks and head scratching as to how to let more people see it, an idea formed.

She didn’t write this to make money, but to say thank you. So the best idea—pay it forward.

Melanie has partnered with the Keith Milano Memorial Fund, and all profits will go to this amazing charity which benefits Mental Health awareness, and suicide prevention. The add-on is releasing 7/3/16 and is available for pre-purchase. This story available for a limited time for 99 cents.

If you have read The Contract, and want a little more —get your copy now and support a great cause!

Purchase Amazon: goo.gl/XNlKa2

Purchase Nook: goo.gl/XNlKa2

Purchase iBooks: goo.gl/lr16Ks

Purchase Kobo:goo.gl/JSC43D

Fund Information:

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating and deadly disease that is mental illness. Keith’s spirit and laughter is kept alive through our efforts to increase awareness about mental illness and to raise money for education and imperative research. Keith often struggled with society’s perception of mental illness. Our hope is that by having the strength to say that Keith was “Bipolar” we can strip away the stigma and help others to be more open about their disease.

Keith’s fund is a self-directed memorial fund. Funds raised are spent on programs and research programs selected by the Milano / Sprung family

Keith Milano Memorial Fund

140 Adams Ave Suite B-12

Hauppauge NY 11788

www.keithmilano.org

https://www.facebook.com/keithamilano

@MilanoFund

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) http://www.afsp.org/

AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.

AFSP is a fully accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in the state of Delaware with primary offices in New York City. Federal tax ID # is 13-3393329.

AFSP’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) number is 10545. Donations to AFSP are tax deductible.

Facebook Page: Melanie L Moreland goo.gl/mvlySD
Twitter: @MorelandMelanie
Goodreads: Melanie Moreland goo.gl/E9fiic
The Romance Reviews (TRR): Melanie Moreland goo.gl/9FAwtq
Amazon Author Page: goo.gl/sUSdo4

#chapterforcharity #isupportmentalhealthawareness #KMMF #AFSP

#1click4charity #bid4charity #ShareYourWhy #isupportmentalhealthawareness

I've been on blog hiatus while I've been taking care of me for awhile.  But watch out - I'll be back.  However, May is Mental Health Awareness and a very important public awareness.  When the book community joins in, I can't help but support.  So this will be my only blog entry for May.  I love and support the ladies at Shhh Mom's Reading.  Denise has become a special friend and her work with KMMF and AFSP is heartwarming.  When I post my "Why", I'll update this page.


Welcome the 4th Annual Mental Health Awareness Month Book Fundraiser benefiting the Keith Milano Memorial Fund.

During the month of May, over 25 authors have agreed to donate a portion of May sales to the fund and over 40 authors have donated items to an online auction also benefiting the fund!

There are number of ways you can help raise money and awareness for mental health:

• You can purchase a book from the amazing books listed below! We hope you will #1click4charity a number of these amazing books! Please note that although the sheet below has Amazon Kindle buy links, the portion of sales is from any platform: digital and print.
• Bid on auction items that interest you at www.kamauction.org. There are so many wonderful items to choose from!  The winner pays the Keith Milano Memorial Fund at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) directly.
• Help Raise Awareness by sharing a photo or short video of why this cause matters to you using #ShareYourWhy via Social Media.
• Share the image below on social media to raise awareness and to show your support.
• Make a tax-deductible donation directly to the Keith Milano Memorial Fund at AFSP. You can do a direct donation at http://bit.ly/MilanoFund.

Author	Book	Amazon Buy Link
Alison G Bailey	Stop!	http://amzn.to/1MOU6xc
Aly Martinez	The Fall Up	http://amzn.to/1owBgQ1
Alyson Santos	Night Shifts Black	http://amzn.to/1Mac39m
Amy Harmon	The Sparrow and the Sword
Amy Lane	Chase in Shadows	http://amzn.to/240DfMs
Beverly Preston	The Perfect Someday	http://amzn.to/23c2pY7
Brenda Rothert	Blown Away	http://amzn.to/1URw1ch
Carly Phillips	Dare to Love Series	http://amzn.to/1MOWmo3
	Dare to Love (#1)	http://amzn.to/227HLG2
	Dare to Desire (#2)	http://amzn.to/1qlNHjo
	Dare to Touch (#3)	http://amzn.to/1qqD5iO
	Dare to Hold (#4)	http://amzn.to/1PQRHN4
	Dare to Rock (#5)	http://amzn.to/236EhJP
	Dare to Take (#6)	http://amzn.to/1TxA1wO
	NY Dares series	http://amzn.to/1V5APKy
	Dare to Surrender (#1)	http://amzn.to/1RV3Sgq
	Dare to Submit (# 2)	http://amzn.to/1QjbZVs
	Dare to Seduce (#3)	http://amzn.to/1qqDemC
Chelle Bliss	Enshrine	http://amzn.to/236DI2B
	Men of Inked	http://amzn.to/1PQSf5H
	Throttle Me (#1)	http://amzn.to/1OA3t1P
	Hook Me (#2)	http://amzn.to/1ApcUKf
	Resist Me (#3)	http://amzn.to/1t5S6TG
	Uncover Me (#4)	http://amzn.to/1yM3Leu
	Without Me (#5)	http://amzn.to/1ITTMsw
	ALPHA PI	http://amzn.to/236G5T8
	Sinful Intent	http://amzn.to/1JMgRxn
	Unlawful Desire	http://amzn.to/1R3eP1P
Erin Noelle	The Hidden Life
Faith Gibson	Release Me	http://amzn.to/1STRuL3
Felice Stevens	Second to None	http://amzn.to/1SZs1zX
Georgia Cates	Tap: A Lovibond Series	http://amzn.to/227IMxW
Ginger Scott	Harper Boys Series	http://amzn.to/201UVVu
	Wild Restless (#1)	http://amzn.to/1MOVWht
	Wicked Restless (#2)	http://amzn.to/1Mad9BW
	The Falling Series	http://amzn.to/1RAVfbN
	This is Falling (#1)	http://amzn.to/1RK0KSc
	You and Everything After (#2)	http://amzn.to/1TxDcEV
	The Girl I was Before (#3)	http://amzn.to/1q1JW1P
	In your Dreams (#4)
Heidi McLaughlin	The Archer Brother	http://amzn.to/1Sx6UVJ
	Here with Me	http://amzn.to/1RK0aUz
	Choose Me	http://amzn.to/1qqEaY0
	Save Me	http://amzn.to/1VrSsmP
K Bromberg	Aced	http://amzn.to/1qlOz7z
Kindle Alexander	Double Full	http://amzn.to/1RAU6RG
KL Grayson	Touch of Fate Series	http://amzn.to/1RK1Mha
	Where We Belong	http://amzn.to/1Iqmazo
	Pretty Pink Ribbons	http://amzn.to/1XdCRWY
	Live Without Regrets	http://amzn.to/1YcmZUB
Kris Cook	Mockingbird Place Series
	The Marine in Unit A	http://amzn.to/1MOVdx1
	The Cowboy in Unit E	http://amzn.to/1XdArYr
	The Fireman in Unit C	http://amzn.to/23c3Eq9
Laura Ward	Until Now
Leylah Attar	53 Letters to My Lover	http://amzn.to/1RJZWwx
Lisa Eugene	Keeping Secrets	http://amzn.to/1RAUO1a
Melanie Harlow	Some Sort of Happy	http://amzn.to/1qqDRML
Melissa Collins	From the Wreckage	http://amzn.to/1RJYZVf
Michelle Mankin	Tempest Raging: The Tempest Rock Star Series (books 1-4)	http://amzn.to/23c3NKk
Michelle Lynn & Nevaeh Lee	Collaboration	http://amzn.to/1VrRO8A
Nicole Edwards	full catalog
	Curtis	http://amzn.to/1WAQsXV
	Kaleb	http://amzn.to/1RJkOEc
	Zane	http://amzn.to/1Ma1jIf
	Travis	http://amzn.to/1TwR1TT
	Holidays with the Walker Brothers	http://amzn.to/1SwNVuh
	Ethan	http://amzn.to/1TwRk0Z
	Braydon	http://amzn.to/2369MDK
	Sawyer	http://amzn.to/1UQQzl7
	Brendon	http://amzn.to/1W6DDXp
	Club Destiny Series	http://amzn.to/1SMDo0y
	Conviction	http://amzn.to/23byWxk
	Temptation	http://amzn.to/1UQQP3z
	Addicted	http://amzn.to/1q10o2r
	Seduction	http://amzn.to/1W6E2sO
	Infatuation	http://amzn.to/1RAsJXW
	Captivated	http://amzn.to/1W6EaZp
	Devotion	http://amzn.to/1MOvnJj
	Perception	http://amzn.to/1SwO94E
	Entrusted	http://amzn.to/1RUJ5td
	Adored	http://amzn.to/1RUJ5td
	Boots Optional	http://amzn.to/1qqlbN7
	Betting on Grace	http://amzn.to/25HfLh0
	Overnight Love	http://amzn.to/1UQRHoP
	Chasing Dreams	http://amzn.to/1ql5qaG
	Vanishing Dreams	http://amzn.to/1PQIvrZ
	Without Regrets	http://amzn.to/1M94ivr
	Naughty Holidays 2015	http://amzn.to/1UQSkig
	Reckless	http://amzn.to/1V53oYs
	Fearless	http://amzn.to/1qDZFV0
	Wait for Morning	http://amzn.to/20160X7
	Never Say Never	http://amzn.to/1q12peN
	Southern Boy Mafia Series	http://amzn.to/23c6ETt
	Beautifully Brutal	http://amzn.to/1N5iW6L
	Beautifully Loyal	http://amzn.to/2016bl5
	A Million Tiny Pieces	http://amzn.to/1qqlI1z
	Inked on Paper	http://amzn.to/226X9m0
	Unhinged	http://amzn.to/1SMsMPp
	Unraveling	http://amzn.to/1VrfA4M
	Chaos	http://amzn.to/1RAu01d
Nina Levine	Storm MC series
	Storm	http://amzn.to/1PQSNZh
	Fierce	http://amzn.to/1TxHagz
	Blaze	http://amzn.to/236IixL
	Revive	http://amzn.to/1PQSXQe
	Slay	http://amzn.to/1qlU8mr
	Sassy Christmas	http://amzn.to/1RYwDMf
	Illusive	http://amzn.to/1RV6riy
	Command	http://amzn.to/1URBiQS
	Havoc	http://amzn.to/1PQSMo0
Riley Mackenzie	Abruption	http://amzn.to/1S5zq02
Rylie Roberts	Chasing Happy
R.K. Lilley	Bad Things	http://amzn.to/23c7jUU
Sawyer Bennett	Sugar Daddy	http://amzn.to/1RV6B9A
Scott Hildreth	Finding Parker	http://amzn.to/1VENjJj
	Karter
	Threefold	http://amzn.to/1VENW5K
Tina Reber	Jacked	http://amzn.to/23e3Ncz
Virna De Paul	Rock Strong (Rock Candy #1)	http://amzn.to/1YcnZbv

Fund Information:

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating and deadly disease that is mental illness. Keith’s spirit and laughter is kept alive through our efforts to increase awareness about mental illness and to raise money for education and imperative research. Keith often struggled with society’s perception of mental illness.  Our hope is that by having the strength to say that Keith was “Bipolar” we can strip away the stigma and help others to be more open about their disease.

If you want to know more about Keith or why Denise does what she does, here is short video/interview that speaks to that! https://vimeo.com/148760740

Be on the lookout as she will also be posting her #ShareYourWhy this month.

Keith Milano Memorial Fund 140 Adams Ave Suite B-12 Hauppauge NY 11788 www.keithmilano.org www.kamauction.org https://www.facebook.com/keithamilano @MilanoFund Direct Donation: http://bit.ly/MilanoFund

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) http://www.afsp.org/

At the end of the event, participating authors will pay AFSP directly.

Keith’s fund is a self-directed memorial fund. Funds raised are spent on programs and research programs selected by the Milano / Sprung family

AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.

AFSP is a fully accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in the state of Delaware with primary offices in New York City. Federal tax ID # is 13-3393329.

AFSP’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) number is 10545. Donations to AFSP are tax deductible.

Fangirl Activated: Los Angeles Literary Affair January 2016

What is the best way to say "Happy Birthday" to a bookworm? Send her to an author signing event!! 

First off, I have to thank this MAN below. Not only is he the love of my life but he drove 9 hours to where I was staying in LA to make sure I got to the event.

Rewind: Exactly two weeks before the event, I had major surgery. Although I had a friend staying with me, she had left because I felt well enough. But not cleared to drive. So THIS MAN showed up to make my birthday wishes come true.

First up, the view was SPECTACULAR! The winter weather cooperated- it is sunny SoCal. We had gorgeous views of the Hollywood skyline to enjoy as we waited. 

Besides having the opportunity to meet up with authors I have read and adored their stories, I got to hug and chat with two fellow bookworms.