And the Winner's Are..

Are you getting ready for GIVEAWAYS GALORE? They're coming YOUR Way! I just had to recuperate a bit and now... it's about to begin.  Before the posting begins, I'd like to announce some BIG WINNERS, according to Random.org!  I can hardly stand the excitement! 

Oh...one thing...if ANYONE Knows how to post the actual little box that shows the number that comes up on Random.Org, could you please let me know? I've tried the right click thing and that doesn't work! I just want everyone to know what number is coming up! 

And the Winner's are...

The winner of the "Piggy Paint" Gift Certificate is - 

# 53  Casey Aubut! 

The winner of a Personalized Button for their Blog by Bloody Bad! -

#30 LovesToRead0708!

The winner of the ENTIRE Harry Potter Boxed Set #1-7 - (out of 564 ENTRIES!)

#46 Kristina!

The Three Winners of "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" (Audio Book) -

#12 RhapsodyInBooks!

#19 Remaker/fcffollower!

#81 Yours*Truly!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF MY WINNERS!!!

As always, I wish I had one for everyone, but please don't feel left out if you didn't win this time! I've got some Wonderful Giveaways coming up! Watch and See!

Kisses & Toodles!!

And The Winners Are...

This is ALWAYS one of my very FAVORITE posts!  It's time to announce the winners! And do I ever have A LIST of Winners!  You've ALL been emailed and have 48 hours to get back to me.  If you do not, the unclaimed prizes will be up for grabs in a "Who Wants It?" post! OK?  Those are Open to all that read the blog but according to each giveaways rules!

This Post includes some really BIG Winners! So, please watch your email and the blog! Oh, and for BBW, I will be giving away a COMPLETE HARRY POTTER BOX SET 1-7!! So, Please watch for that post!

And the Winners Are...

Out of 169 Separate entries, I used Random.org and came up with-

AIK - You're the Winner of The "Cleopatra's Daughter" Prize Package from author Michelle Moran!!

The Five Winners of "The Lost Dog" are as follows:

Irene Yeates
Kathy
Bekki1820cb
Stacie
Nancye

The Five Winners of "SO Into You" are:

MJ
Debbie F.
Patty
Erin From Long Island
Liz

THE BIG BOOKSHELF GIVEAWAY WINNER -- BETH2346!!
Beth, I have emailed you! Please get back to me ASAP! I'm a little worried because I couldn't find your blog! But out of 235 Comments, your name was drawn!! Congratulations BETH!!

The THREE Winners of the CATCHING FIRE PRIZE PACKAGE - Which includes the Hardcover book, LIMITED Edition T-Shirt, and Collectable Mocking Jay Pin!

The Book Vixen
Lauren - Lauren's Crammed BookShelf
Sheila (BookJourney)

How To Be A Hepburn in a Hilton World -- 5 Winners!

Preppy Coastee
Kristi
Bridget
Pbd
mikaroni

"The Blue Star" -- 5 Lucky Winners!

Karen
Jamie
PippiRose
Edmontobjb
Kira R.

Five Lucky Winners for "The Year of the Cock" are as follows!

Mary Ann DeBorde
Brenda
Madeleine
Mari
Nelsby

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!! More WINNERS Coming Up This Week! Please Watch for My Very Special HARRY POTTER BOX SET Giveaway for BANNED BOOK WEEK!

Kisses - x0xx

Reminders and Ramblings

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to keep you all up to date on what's closing soon and a few things coming up!  Thank you SO much for making my blogging giveaways a huge success! I have some really great ones coming up including a brand new Sony E-Reader which will be listed extremely soon! (promise) As for what's closing, here are a few items you need to hurry for if you'd like to enter!

Ending TONIGHT at Midnight (EST):

Cleopatra's Daughter - This includes a *Signed* Hardback copy of Cleopatra's Daughter Plus an ancient coin that comes with authenticity papers! A Very Special THANK YOU to Michelle Moran for making this Giveaway Possible! (Follow the link and Enter!)




The Lost Dog - (I have 5 Copies...One Could Be Yours)

So Into You -  (Also, 5 Copies...So Hurry)

Ending Tomorrow at Midnight (EST) September 24th -

THE BOOKSHELF! - OK, this one's on ME...so, make sure you HURRY and ENTER!

CATCHING FIRE - The Amazing Sequel to "The Hunger Games"...This Giveaway includes "Catching Fire", A Limited Edition T-Shirt and A Collectable Gold Mocking Jay Pin!

Ending in Two Days At Midnight (EST) Sept. 25th -

How to Be A Hepburn In A Hilton World - I LOVED this book and I have 5 copies, one of which could be yours!

The Blue Star - (5 Copies)           

The Year of The Cock - This Memoir Was Wonderfully Written and A LOT Of Fun! I'm Going to Have The Author (Alan) Here for an Interview/Guest Post and He's Also Going to Be Doing a Giveaway Just for My Readers!




Please note that RUINED has an extended end date of September 30th instead of the 28th! (This was requested by the company doing the promotion...so MORE time for you!) I have this one and it's really a Fantastic Read!

That's it for the Giveaways ending in the next couple of days! So Click, Enter and Win!!

Coming up, I have winners for "Geektastic" and "How It Ends"! Please remember that winners (for now) will always be contacted by mail, given 48 hours (Unless you email me that you're away...then I will gladly hold your prize, and Posted here!

I have some AMAZING giveaways and Authors lined up (Some Bookish and Some Not)! So, please check back and feel free to enter. About the Giveaway Rules, they are going to be posted soon under the new "Giveaway Policy" tab, but for now, please note that they will run as follows! I always list who the giveaways are open to. The ones that I run, as long as the company I am ordering from ships to you, or if I am mailing myself, is open world wide. The Giveaways being mailed by publishers or authors are listed according to their rules (those are just basically out of my hands).

Thanks for Listening to me ramble! There's LOTS to do! What are you Still doing here?

KISSES - x0xx

Lucan Blog Tour Giveaway!!

Lucan

By: Susan Kearney

Publisher: Forever

Available: September 5, 2009

Pages: 358

Visit Susan Kearney's Website!

Buy Lucian!

Synopsis:

Healer and high priestess of her people, Lady Cael is fated to life without a mate. But a mysterious explorer named Lucan Rourke doesn't know her secrets, and his touch makes her crave a future that her extraordinary birthright has forbidden her. . .

Lucan has just one mission on Pendragon: to find the mythical Holy Grail, Earth's only hope for survival. His powerful attraction to Cael is a distraction he can't afford, unless he convinces her to join forces with him. Yet working so closely together only heightens their passion . . . even when the terrifying truth of Cael's heritage threatens to shatter Lucan's every belief-and the galaxy itself.

Read an Excerpt - HERE!

Still Not Convinced LUCAN Is One Amazing Read? Watch This...

About the Author:

Kearney is known for her sexy Rystani warrior books, The Challenge, The Dare, The Ultimatum and The Quest, a series of paranormal romances set in the future. In September 2009 Kearney begins the Pendragon Legacy series with LUCAN, a futuristic romance. She follows up with RION in December and JORDAN in March 2010.

Kearney, a native of New Jersey, writes full time and has sold books to the industries' top publishing houses — Grand Central, Tor, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Berkley, Leisure, Red Sage and Kensington. As an award winning author, Kearney earned a Business Degree from the University of Michigan. Kearney's knowledge and experience spans throughout the romance genre, and her fifty plus books include contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, futuristic, science fiction and paranormal novels. She resides in a suburb of Tampa—with her husband, kids and Boston terrier. Currently she's plotting her way through her 54th work of fiction.

LUCAN GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy of Lucan Listed Above!!

This Contest is Open to Residents of the U.S. and Canada

The Books Will Be Shipped Directly From The Publisher

What does that mean? No P.O. Boxes (Please)!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!

You must follow MY Blog With Google Friend Connect

Just Hit the Follow Button!

That Way I Can See You and Know You Are One of My Readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight October 20th (EST)

WINNERS Drawn on (or around) the 21st!

Extra Ways to Win!

Remember! You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT

or the Extra Entries Do Not Count!

I'd Like to Thank Anna at Hachette Book Group

for making this Giveaway possible!

Also, Because of the "Royal Giveaway" coming up, I recommend

that you Subscribe to My Feed and/or Follow Me On Twitter!

That Way, You Will Not Miss Important Announcements!

This is Not Required to Enter This Giveaway - Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail

+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+3 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)

+10 If you Follow Me @APrkAvePrincess on TWITTER!

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post

+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+15 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention that they are new and you sent them!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

This past week was about Book Blogger Appreciation

and I Want You To Know That I Appreciate You ALL

and Have A Whole Lot To Celebrate! So Much that I'd

Like to Continue Celebrating for the Rest of the Month!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

KISSES ~ x0xx

The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe Review and Giveaway!

When I first saw this book, I knew I HAD to read it. Marilyn has always been someone that I've been interested in. She lead an exciting, glamourous and at times, very sad life. She's gorgeous, glamorous, sexy and is just one of those women that looks like she has "it all". There are SO many stories in the different chapters, her early childhood, teen years, how she came to be "Marilyn Monroe" and of course the Men!

Many stories fly about Marilyn and the "type" of life she lead. The jealousy, the flings, and her death, it seems to me that everyone has an opinion. But what draws me most to her is how she lived to be the entertainer that she was. I think the more dangerous a woman seems, the more enticing she is. I didn't want this book to end and to me, that's always a wonderful sign.

Here's a little bit about the book and how you can win one of three audio copies courtesy of Hachette Book Group for your own!

The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

By: J. Randy Taraborrelli
Class: Memoir

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Format of Giveaway: Audio Book (3)

English

Pages 640

Buy The Audio Book:

About the Book:

From New York Times bestselling author J. Randy Taraborrelli comes the definitive biography of the most enduring icon in popular American culture.

When Marilyn Monroe became famous in the 1950s, the world was told that her mother was either dead or simply not a part of her life. However, that was not true. In fact, her mentally ill mother was very much present in Marilyn's world and the complex family dynamic that unfolded behind the scenes is a story that has never before been told...until now. In this groundbreaking book, Taraborrelli draws complex and sympathetic portraits of the women so influential in the actress' life, including her mother, her foster mother, and her legal guardian. He also reveals, for the first time, the shocking scope of Marilyn's own mental illness, the identity of Marilyn's father and the half-brother she never knew, and new information about her relationship with the Kennedy's-Bobby, Jack, and Pat Kennedy Lawford. Explosive, revelatory, and surprisingly moving, this is the final word on the life of one of the most fascinating and elusive icons of the 20th Century.

About the Author:

J. RANDY TARABORRELLI, is the author of sixteen books, including the New York Times best-sellers, Call Her Miss Ross - The Unauthorized Biography of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson - The Magic and the Madness, Sinatra - Behind the Legend, Madonna - An Intimate Biography, Jackie, Ethel, Joan - Women of Camelot, and Elizabeth. The Los Angeles writer is not only a respected journalist, he is also a recognizable entertainment personality and in-demand guest on many television programs, including Today, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and CNN - Headline News. Additionally, J. Randy Taraborrelli works for CBS News as a news analyst.

The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe GIVEAWAY!!

(Audio Books)

THREE LUCKY Readers Will WIN The Audio Book Listed Above!!

This Contest is Open to Residents of the U.S. and Canada

The Books Will Be Shipped Directly From The Publisher

What does that mean? No P.O. Boxes (Please)!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!

You must follow MY Blog With Google Friend Connect

Just Hit the Follow Button!

That Way I Can See You and Know You Are One of My Readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight October 19th (EST)

WINNERS Drawn on (or around) the 20th!

Extra Ways to Win!

Remember! You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT

or the Extra Entries Do Not Count!

I'd Like to Thank Anna at Hachette Book Group

for making this Giveaway possible!

Also, Because of the "Royal Giveaway" coming up, I recommend

that you Subscribe to My Feed and/or Follow Me On Twitter!

That Way, You Will Not Miss Important Announcements!

This is Not Required to Enter This Giveaway - Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail

+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+3 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)

+10 If you Follow Me @APrkAvePrincess on TWITTER!

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post

+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+15 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention that they are new and you sent them!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

This past week was about Book Blogger Appreciation

and I Want You To Know That I Appreciate You ALL

and Have A Whole Lot To Celebrate! So Much that I'd

Like to Continue Celebrating for the Rest of the Month!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

KISSES ~ x0xx

Thank you!

I just wanted to THANK YOU all for making my first Giveaway that wasn't claimed a success! I need a name for this type of Giveaway and I'll think of one in the future.  Congratulations to Christine at Booktumbling she was REALLY quick!

But, for the many others that tried, I have a ton more coming up so check in often!  These Giveaways just like any of the others are open to my followers!  If ANY prize is left unclaimed, this is how I will be giving them away.  Or, if someone already has a book or item after I draw their name, they will go up for grabs this way as well!  I hope you enjoy this new method, I really like it.  We'll try it and if you have any comments, questions or ways to make it better, please contact me and let me know!

That's it for now! I've got some giveaways to list!

x0xx - KISSES

The Imposter's Daughter Review & Giveaway!

The Imposter's Daughter : A True Memoir
By: Laurie Sandell
Publisher: Little Brown & Co.
Available: July 29, 2009
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 259



My Rating:





About the Book:

TAKEN FROM THE AUTHOR'S WEB SITE!

IT TOOK A MERE SEVEN YEARS TO WRITE!

I remember the first time I met with my agent, who’d read a story I’d written for Esquire, “My Father, the Fraud,” and was interested in selling the book. I told her, “I’m very fast—I can have a few chapters to you within the next two months.”

Not so much. Turns out when you’re writing about the people who raised you—and the story is unfolding as you write—you have to calculate a few extra years for emotional paralysis, intensive therapy, and the occasional pill-fueled breakdown. But all that is behind me, now…and look what I have—a book! You can buy it from Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound. (Note: It is a work of nonfiction, however, some names and details have been changed.)

My Thoughts:

Is it true to say that most little girls grow up idolizing their father's? I think so... But for Laurie Sandell this is only the beginning to a lifetime of secrets. Secrets that she would find out about as she grew older. Still, as a child and her father's "favorite" among her other sisters. it seemed that Laurie was always struggling to do things to gain approval from him. She listened to the stories of a war hero and was proud to be his daughter. During high school, she begins to feel that her father is different from other parents and she questions some of the things he tells her. Those thoughts are short lived and soon forgotten. Until she graduates from college.

It's then that Laurie begins to find out that her father had obtained credit. But in who's name? No, not his own, that's right...Laurie's and just imagine that's only the beginning! How many questionable things could one man do to his own daughter. The daughter that wants to see him the way she did as a young girl. Unfortunately, she now sees him through the same eyes, but with a very different view.

Much of this memoir is based on Laurie's deep search to find out just who her father is. It leads to personal problems, an unhappy relationship and a journey she will never forget.

I haven't had much experience with memoirs told in the style of a graphic novel, but this one was easy to read and filled with many drawings that made the time just fly by. In no time at all, I was through with the book, but not through with the thoughts that haunted me afterwards.

Ms. Sandel does an amazing job telling her story with extreme honesty and courage. A compelling read
that I would highly recommend to anyone!

Please note there are cartoons that contain nudity in this book.

Visit Author Laurie Sandell to learn more about her and her book!

GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of Their Very Own!!
Courtesy of Anna at Hachette Book Group
and Park-Avenue Princess!
Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules
You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY
Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win
NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win? It's Simple!

You must follow me by hitting the FOLLOW button!
That way, We can both see you and know you are one of my readers!
All Entries MUST be in By Midnight (EST) October 1st
WINNERS Drawn on October 2nd!

Extra Entries

These only count if you FOLLOW by HITTING the FOLLOW BUTTON

(It's located on the Right Side of the Blog)

You Should See Yourself As A Blog Follower If You Did It Correctly!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail
+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway
+5 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave Your @APrkAvePrincess)
+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post
+15 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back!

Try to Separate your entries one per post (Pretty Please)!
(+5 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog
wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!

KISSES ~ XXX

Cult Insanity Review & Giveaway

Cult Insanity : A Memoir of Polygamy, Prophet and Blood Atonement
By: Irene Spencer
Publisher: Center Street
Available: August 12, 2009

My Rating:







About the Book:

Life for Irene Spencer was a series of devastating disappointments and hardships. Irene's first book, Shattered Dreams, is the staggering chronicle of herstruggle to provide for her children in abject poverty and feelings of abandonment each time her husband left to be with one of his other wives. Irene was raised to believe polygamy was the way of life necessary for her ticket to heaven.

The hard knocks of her environment were just the beginning of Irene's shocking tale. Insanity ran rampant in her husband's family and was the source of inconceivable events that unfolded throughout Irene's adult life. CULT INSANITY takes readers deeper into her story to uncover the outrageous behavior of her brother-in-law Ervil -- a self-proclaimed prophet who determined he was called to set the house of God in order -- and how he terrorized their colony. Claiming to be God's avenger and to have a license to kill in the name of God, Ervil ordered the murders of friends and family members, eliminating all those who challenged his authority.

For those who were gripped by Shattered Dreams, the rest of the story will blow them away. CULT INSANITY is a riveting, terrifying memoir of polygamist life under the tyranny of a madman.

My Thoughts:

If you're like me and have read Irene's first book "Shattered Dreams" and were fascinated, then you'll most-likely find "Cult Insanity" an interesting addition. It's in this book that she talks in depth of Ervil's evil and shares her thoughts on being raised in polygamy.

There are some difference that I found throughout the two books, which confused me a bit. I found myself going back and forth comparing facts that I knew I had read differently in her first book. These facts do not take away from the terror that she went through nor the interest of the story.

Just like the first, I found myself with my mouth gaped open trying to even comprehend going through something like this. It's hard to relate to such an unbelievable life these people live. Their beliefs and daily ways are just so opposite of the ones most of us are brought up with. I believe this is the main draw to the book itself. This is Irene's PERSONAL view, which makes the story all the more tragic in it's realism.

Ervil would die in the Utah State prison in 1981 after killing a total of 28 people (members of the family, friends and church). But the killings didn't stop there. His children continued to kill for him after his death. He had even left them a list! I was awe-struck!

I did find that some of the chapters didn't really add to the story at all. In fact, they could be skipped all together. But, there was a list of all the people killed over the twenty years (1971-1991) by either Ervil or his cult group.

The facts in this story were both fascinating and unbelievable and author Irene Spenser does an incredible job of telling it! I definite must read.

About the Author:

Irene Spencer resides in Northern California with her husband of twenty-one years, Hector J. Spencer. During the twenty-eight years of her first marriage to a polygamous husband, Irene gave birth to thirteen children (all single births). She additionally adopted a newborn girl, who became her ninth child.

Irene has 123 grandchildren and sixty great-grandchildren. Among her many talents, she is an accomplished seamstress, a great cook, and is fluent in Spanish, and she has traveled to twenty-three countries and twenty-three states speaking on polygamy and related issues.

GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of Their Very Own!!
Courtesy of Anna and Hachette Book Group
Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules
You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY
Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win
NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!
You must follow me by hitting the FOLLOW button
that way I can see you and know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight October 1st Winners Drawn on the 2nd!

Extra Entries

You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT HERE ON THE BLOG
(It's the Button Over On The Right Side Of the Blog You Should See Your Picture)
I Recommend Following On Twitter -It's NOT Required But I do Contests
and Giveaways There Plus Major Announcements!

The Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail
+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway
+5 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)
+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (0r any others I'm having)
+15 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back


Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+5 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!
Thank you ALL for Stopping By!
Without you, your comments and input, this blog
wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!

KISSES ~ XXX

Saturday Spotlight & Generous Giveaway!

Hello Lords and Ladies! Today I have another wonderful blogger for you to meet! She was one of the very first bloggers I met when I began blogging! Let's Welcome Our Saturday Spotlight Blogger...

**Thunderous Applause**

Oh Mystery Blogger Let's start off with something easy...



What's Your Name? Cheryl Koch

Do You Have an *Alias*? No

What's Your Blog name? Cheryl's Book Nook

And What's the URL? http://www.cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/


We ALL want to be able to find you!!


Tell Us A *Little* Bit about yourself? You know, a short Bio...

Well, I am married, no children but I have one dog, two cats and a tank full of fish. I love to read, do cross stitching and my favorite tv shows to watch are The Tudors, Project Runway, Top Chef, and Hell's Kitchen.

Why did you start your blog? To be honest, I started one because blogging was a popular thing but when I started it I had no plans as to what I was going to use my blog for. Due to my love of books, I decided to post my thoughts about them and thought other people might enjoy my recommendations.

(And you were right!!) *smile*


Back to the Interview...What is your favorite genre and/or genres?
My Favorite genre has to be suspense/thriller, but I read just about any genre.

Who is your favorite author? No particular favorite but some of my favorite authors are Cody McFadyen, Kevin O'Brien, Brian Freeman, Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton, Karen Rose, and Tess Gerristen to name a few.

What's your favorite book of all time? I don't really have a favorite but I do remember some that really got my interested in reading are The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Most people would probably be surprised to see these books named as I have just gotten back into the non ficition genre.

Please Name & describe your blog features: Cheryl's Book Nook. I post reviews of books you should know about, author interviews, guest posts, and of course giveaways.

Describe your review system: Well my review system may be different than most are used to. I mean, this because if people are looking for a scoring system, I don't use one. I just write my thoughts on the book and don't assign any stars. I beleive my thoughts are my own and I don't want to discourage anyone for not reading something. I want my readers to make up their own minds based on my reviews. Though I do assign stars on other sites where I post my reviews like Shelfari, Goodreads and Amazon.

How is your blog unique from other blogs? This is a tough question. To be honest, I don't know how mine is unique from others. Everytime I visit other blogs, I think wow I should do that! But then, I have gotten so many great comments from authors that they like my blog because it is simple and not clustered. Maybe that is how I am unique in the fact that I keep things simple.

How do you market your blog? I try to feature it on many different sites like Shelfari, Goodreads, Book Blogs, join a lot of book blog tours, comment on other bloggers sites and swap links.

Can you give us 3 tips about content? Keep things simple, short and to the point.
Try and make the postings interactive, and Just have fun with your postings.

What are your 3 Major Tips for Blog Promotion? Join book blog tours, Be friendly with other bloggers, and comment on their sites! Join sites that focus on what your blog is about and make friends.

Some of the nicest and coolest people I have met, I met through blogging. One of those people is Amy from Park-Avenue Princess (No she did not pay me to say this)!

*Gets caught putting away money* .... What? I ... Um, needed something out of my purse...mmmhmmm *AHEM* Cheryl, should we tell them about the GIVEAWAY?

Cheryl: "Of course WE should tell them about the GIVEAWAY!"

OK...Well, now that you all know a little bit more about Cheryl and her "Book Nook" ... (Not to be confused with Nookie. Although, you MIGHT think about nookie when you see some of the covers of the books that Cheryl is sometimes reading! I stop by for drool factor alone! *wipes drool* KIDDING! Princesses DO NOT DROOL! DUH!

Here's the Exciting News! 5 Copies of "Tall, Dark & Fangsome" by Michelle Rowen are up for grabs! One copy per Winner! (That's 5 Winners in all) - (I know..DUH)

GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of Their Very Own!!

Courtesy of Anna at Hachette Book Group, Cheryl of Cheryl's Book Nook

and Park-Avenue Princess!

Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules

You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY

Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win

NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win? It's Simple!

You must follow me by hitting the FOLLOW button AND

You Must Also Follow Cheryl!

That way, We can both see you and know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight (EST) Sept. 26th

WINNERS Drawn on the 27th!

Extra Entries

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail

+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+5 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave @I*heart*thePrincess)

+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post

+15 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back!

Try to Separate your entries one per post (Pretty Please)!

(+5 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)
They just have to mention it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By! I hope you enjoyed meeting Cheryl!

Without you, your comments and imput, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!

**WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN**
THE SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT?

JUST SEND ME A MESSAGE VIA EMAIL AT IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com

OR BY HITTING THE "Contact Me" Button Up Top!!

KISSES ~ XXX

Untill Next time...

Year Of The Cock Review & Giveaway!!

Year of the Cock
By: Alan Wieder
Publisher: Grand Central
Available: July 22, 2009
Pages: 320

Can't wait? Buy it!

My Rating:

About the Book:

The year of the Cock: The Remarkable True Account of A Married Man Who Left His Wife and Paid the Price By: Alan Wieder

From a powerful new voice in nonfiction comes this electrifying chronicle of a married man who leaves his wife to pursue a carefree bachelorhood - only to plunge into an abyss of shame, regret, and penis envy.

Thirty-year-old Alan Wieder has everything a man could possibly want: a nice home in L.A., a thriving Hollywood career, and to top it all off, a beautiful and adoring wife. Then one day in 2005 - the Year of the Rooster - he wakes up with questions: Have I settled down too soon? Am I consigned to a humdrum future of marriage, kiddies, home-cooked meals and hybrid SUVs? How the %&! did this happen to me?

And just like that - after ten years in a committed relationship - Alan decides to walk out on his wife to pursue his fantasy of becoming a hardcore bachelor. Explaining very little, thinking even less, he dives into his exhilarating new single existence - buying a vintage Porsche, moving into a tastefully decorated bachelor pad, ignoring his wife, and bedding as many chicks as possible. However, to Alan's surprise and dismay, becoming a single dude also unleashes in him a torrent of crippling insecurities that he didn't even know he had. And soon, his would-be swingin' bachelorhood is cut short - very short - by a strange and shameful obsession that drives him to utter madness.

Some men leave their wives only to discover that the grass isn't greener. What Alan Wieder discovers - about the perils of newfound freedom, and about his own fragile male psyche - is far more agonizing and wretched. In this riveting and brutally honest memoir, Alan recounts the true story of his impulsive, wild, and ultimately disastrous foray into bachelorhood. A tragicomic tale of betrayal, sexual (mis)adventure, and ultimately redemption, Year of the Cock marks the debut of a remarkably talented new writer.

My Thoughts:

I never expected to LOVE this book. I wanted to hate it and hate it big time. All I could think about was my girlfriends and I sitting around talking and finding out that this one's boyfriend/husband cheated on this one. And so-and-so's husband wants a divorce because he's got a younger woman with a hot body...and then all the man - bashing that goes along with it.

Ever wonder WHY they do what they do? Honestly? Not the "What men want you to think" answer? Well here it is in all it's memoir glory! Alan writes this book with wit and a sharp tongue. The one-of-a-kind new and fresh voice that comes from this author stings with honesty! I couldn't stop reading and I actually took it with me for a couple of days everywhere I went.

As a woman, there were parts of this that were definitely hard to read and others that were just so funny I had to laugh out loud. I applaud Mr. Wieder for his honesty and ability to admit his faults. This memoir was as real as it gets!

Ladies...if you've ever known a cock (or two - dle doo .... sorry) and I'm not taking about the Chinese Zodiac...OK? And were left with some unanswered questions, then this is the book for you. Oh, and guys...I'm sure you'll have a few of those "I can relate" moments or maybe even be a little ticked off that he broke what I call "The Man Code" by telling all...I guarantee you'll still enjoy this book!

Alan Wieider does NOT disappoint in this Not to be missed, in your face memoir of the year!

**OK Ladies here's the scoop...you'll either LOVE this on or you'll HATE it. I believe there is NO in between with this one. Remember that this was written from an honest foul-mouthed man. And, I mean what I say when I say "Fowl" mouthed (LOL Another joke...I really couldn't help it). Here's an example and a little bit about the author, right from his own site!

Alanology Go ahead and "click" it...I'll wait! Wow! Back already? : ) See what I mean?

Here's another example...just to give you fair warning. This is a chance to win his book by September 31st if you don't want to sign up to win it here. But he wants you to do um....a little "project" to win it. Go HERE to find out what that would be.

The book has a writing style all it's own and is very enjoyable. (I thought anyway...) But, I did want to give my more "Conservative Gals" a fair warning! And IF Penis Haiku's aren't in your near future...you can win it right here and I'm going to tell you how!!

You can Follow Alan on Twitter

Friend him on MySpace

GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of Their Very Own!!
Courtesy of Valerie and Hachette Book Group
Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules
You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY
Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win
NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!
You must follow me by hitting the FOLLOW button
that way I can see you and know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight Sept. 25th Winners Drawn on the 26th!

Extra Entries

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail
+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway
+5 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)
+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (0r any others I'm having)
+15 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back


Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+5 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!
Thank you ALL for Stopping By!
Without you, your comments and imput, this blog
wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!

KISSES ~ XXX

HUGE GIVEAWAY In YOUR Future!

I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank everyone for spreading the word and bringing in some new faces! I PROMISE to reward your actions very soon! I'm going to be having a HUGE contest coming up in the near future. The more followers I have, the better. You're going to LOVE the prize and while I'd love to tell you what it is...

But, I'm sworn to secrecy!! Here's one big the thing... The people who were already followers before I start the contest are going to have a way to earn MORE entries ... just as an extra special *Thank You* for following me before the big contest! I'm getting ALL of the details together and will post everything (Including the HUGE Prize) soon!

This contest is going to most-likely run until Christmas! But, it depends on HOW QUICKLY I reach the designated amount of followers. If I reach the number SOONER than December, then I will draw a name the very night the set number of followers are reached!

Stay tuned and watch for the HUGE news!! I promise not to disappoint!!

Kisses ~ XXX

The Blue Star by Tony Earley GIVEAWAY!!

The Blue Star
Tony Earley
Publisher - Back Bay Books
Available August 2009
Paperback (Reprint)
Pages - 336

About the Book:

Seven years ago, readers everywhere fell in love with Jim Glass, the precocious ten-year-old at the heart of Tony Earley's bestseller Jim the Boy. Now a teenager, Jim returns in another tender and wise story of young love on the eve of World War Two.

Jim Glass has fallen in love, as only a teenage boy can fall in love, with his classmate Chrissie Steppe. Unfortunately, Chrissie is Bucky Bucklaw's girlfriend, and Bucky has joined the Navy on the eve of war. Jim vows to win Chrissie's heart in his absence, but the war makes high school less than a safe haven, and gives a young man's emotions a grown man's gravity.

With the uncanny insight into the well-intentioned heart that made Jim the Boy a favorite novel for thousands of readers, Tony Earley has fashioned another nuanced and unforgettable portrait of America in another time--making it again even realer than our own day.

This is a timeless and moving story of discovery, loss and growing up, proving why Tony Earley's writing "radiates with a largeness of heart" (Esquire).

About Tony Earley

Tony Earley is the author of four books: Here We Are in Paradise, a collection of stories; the novel Jim the Boy; the personal essay collection Somehow Form a Family; and The Blue Star, a novel released in Spring, 2008. A winner of a National Magazine Award for fiction, he was named one of the twenty best writers of his generation by both Granta, in 1996, and The New Yorker in 1999. His fiction and/or nonfiction have appeared in Harper's, Esquire, The New Yorker, The Oxford American, The New York Times Book Review, Tin House, Best American Short Stories, New Stories from the South and many other magazines and anthologies.

He is a native of western North Carolina and a graduate of Warren Wilson College and The University of Alabama. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and daughter, where he is the Samuel Milton Fleming Associate Professor of English at Vanderbilt University.

Reading Group Guide

Is this the book for you? Read an Excerpt

GIVEAWAY!!

Star Light - Star Bright -I Wish I May - I Wish I Might..

Ready to Have YOUR Wish Come True?

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of Their Very Own!!

Courtesy of Valerie and Hachette Book Group

Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules

You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY

Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win

NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!

You must follow me by hitting the FOLLOW button

that way I can see you and know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST Be In By Midnight (EST) September 25th

WINNER DRAWN of September 26th!!

Extra Entries

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail

+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+5 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)

+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (0r any others I'm having)

+15 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

(+5 for every NEW follower you bring me)

**IMPORTANT**

Please DO NOT WRITE I FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER FIVE TIMES

You just have to put +5 I FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER

If you have any QUESTIONS or Concerns, Please hit the "Contact Me" Button!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

Without you, your comments and imput, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

KISSES ~ XXX

Royal Giveaway (*Update* and Questions Answered)

Hi Everyone!

I've been getting A LOT of emails about the contest/giveaway and I'll try to answer a few of the most asked here and update a few things!

1. If you follow before the day that I actually put up the post with the list of prizes and how it is EXACTLY going to go that is a PLUS TEN for following before hand on the BLOG and a PLUS FIVE if you already follow on Twitter.

2. After the contest is posted, if you BLOG about it (that's a PLUS THREE) if you tweet about it (PLUS TWO) (I'm trying to decide if multiple tweets will count as a plus two each time or not still...only because of the amount of work. UNLESS, you keep track of your tweets by posting. That could work because I need a link obviously!

3. Who is it open to? Anyone! Yes, world-wide! So, let's have fun with this! It's about FRIENDS (OLD and NEW) and following and finding NEW Blogs!

4. Prizes ... My favorite! The winner is going to get a Bracelet done by LIZZY BLEU at her Etsy Shop. You can have it made like the one below or anyway you'd like (maybe, your name?) Like one of mine that I will picture below as well! Now...after we get 100 followers, for every FIFTY, I will add something...I'm thinking a gift-certificate to you favorite book store (or Amazon) and you may buy what you'd like! I'm also talking with Lizzy Bleu to see if she will also add an extra gift certificate to her shop for maybe $25, $50, or up to $100.00 depending on the amount of followers. Because I am doing the buying amount myself (except for the bracelet that LIZZY BLEU is making and donating which is a OOAK and VERY UNIQUE and ORIGINAL!) Sound good? So the more you spread the word and the more followers I get, the more prizes that are added on until the end of the month! I will make a sticky post soon with all the details and that is where you can start by making your initial post which is your first PLUS ONE.








5. If your name is in someone's post as the referral point, then that is also a PLUS for you!

I will keep putting updates here...if you're confused (and that's most-likely MY fault, no joke...lol OK, it's funny) than you can find your answers here. Just post the question or email me at IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com!

Have fun! That's it for now!

KISSES ~ XXX

THE PRINCESS

THIS IS GOING TO TAKE ME A WHILE TO ADD UP EVERYONE'S PLUS POINTS WHEN THIS STARTS! SO, IF YOU KEEP TRACK AS WELL, AND KEEP IT IN YOUR POSTS, IT MAY BE EASIEST. BUT, THAT'S UP TO YOU!

Oh and don't forget to check out LIZZY BLEU'S Typewriter Jewelry and she's even going to make us a special BOOK MARK! : ) Lizzy Bleu...I love you!