UnBlessed by Crystin Goodwin and Book at the Door Winner

And the winner is…

Georgia Rose!

Georgia (who writes lovely books of her own) will be getting a signed copy of Crystin Goodwin’s book UnBlessed and this print by Melissa at Ever Growing Farm with the first line of the book on it.

Of course, even if you didn’t win, I still recommend you check out Melissa’s blog, where you can find links to all the fun places she spreads her gorgeous pictures online, (like Instagram, don’t miss her if you are on Instagram!). And of course, you should find yourself a copy of UnBlessed as well!

UnBlessed by Crystin Goodwin

I could tell you…

I could tell you about the world. The magic of the elements and the animals. The ceremonies and the changes. The extensive history of the people.

But I’d hate to ruin the way the author unfolds it for you.

I could tell you in great detail the why’s and wherefores of the characters whom I loved and those who, upon reflection, I wished had been a little more fleshed out.

But I don’t want to introduce any prejudice. I want you to be as taken with the people as I was.

I could tell you what I absolutely loved and what left me wanting.

But I won’t.

I could even tell you just how it leaves you hanging at the end to send you running off to Amazon to see if her next book has yet been published.

I could tell you all of that.

But all that’s really important.

All I really feel you need to know.

Is that I have three young girls who all require breakfast in the early morning.

And the night I sat down to read (and eventually finish) this book I was left with far, far, less than the recommend eight hours of sleep a person is supposed to receive.

Far, far, less.

Would I recommend it? It was my turn for the morning shift with the girls and it was still totally worth it.

The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory and Book at the Door Winner

Mar28

And the winner is…

Rosie Amber!

Rosie is none other than the wonderful Rosie of Rosie’s Book Review Team, of which I’m proud to be a member. Her blog (rosieamber.wordpress.com) is full of book reviews from all genres and you should certainly stop by if you are looking for your next book to read.

Rosie will need to be on the lookout for a package in the mail with a copy of The White Queen by Philippa Gregory as well as these beautiful prints by Amy Maranto!

Now that you have seen these photos again I’m sure you would like to go visit Amy on her blog Photography Journal Blog (https://marantophotography.wordpress.com/) where she shares her thoughts on her photography and photo editing journey!

Rosie she says she hasn’t read any Philippa Gregory books yet, which is a terrible problem to have and I am so happy to be able to help her solve that problem with my favorite of Gregory’s books!

The White Queen takes you back in time to before the Tudors came to the English throne when the Plantagenets are fighting for the crown.

And by fighting I mean not only out right battles, but also betrayals, and tricks and backstabbing. This is all done by a group of people who share remarkably similar names and is all told from the point of view of a strong woman with a hint of magic flowing in her blood. It’s mind boggling-ly awesome.

If you have already read The White Queen I bet you agree with me that these photos are a perfect eerie reminder of what now remains of all that bloodshed and tragedy.

And if you, like Rosie, haven’t already read any Philippa Gregory books, even though this isn’t chronologically the first of The Cousins War books, I highly recommend you start with this one as well!

Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Artists of all kinds (Yes, you photographers and you who says you can’t draw and you who just wants to practice hand lettering and you who is selling paintings online and…all of you!) if you are interested in providing a small piece of work that includes a first sentence I would love to hear from you!

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book at the Door Giveaway with Maranto Photography

Mar8

I’ve got a book, would you like it?

This month I’m giving away a paper back copy of a book that’s been gently loved by others. I’m sure it must have been loved by others because not only was it written by my favorite historical fiction author but, of all her books, this one is my favorite.

Now, because I love to read the first page of a book over the back cover or any other available excerpts and reviews, I’d like to tell you the first line of this one. In fact that’s all I’m going to tell you, but I’ve got help.

This month Amy Maranto of Maranto Photography has worked her photo magic to help me share the first line of this book.

“My father is Sir Richard Woodville, Baron Rivers, an English nobleman, a landholder, and a supporter of the true Kings of England, the Lancastrian line.” (Author name has been smudged to preserve the fun!)

Unfortunately I have a little problem. She worked her magic more than once…

…and neither of us could decide which photo should go to the winner of the giveaway. That’s right, if your name is drawn you will not only get the book mailed to your door but one of these haunting pictures as well.

All you need to do is leave a comment below, tell me the name of the book we are giving away this month (Go ahead Google it!) or which of the photos is your favorite and you are automatically entered.

But before you leave that comment, make sure you visit Amy’s online haunts and check out her other beautiful photos! You can find her on her blog Photography Journal Blog (https://marantophotography.wordpress.com/) where she shares photos she’s taken, often with before and after editing pictures and a discussion of where her editing process took her. And, being that it’s photography we are talking about, you probably also want to find her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/marantophotography/ ). If those aren’t your social media haunts of choice, she is on Twitter, or Flicker and certainly check out her portfolio on Picfair (https://www.picfair.com/users/marantophotography) where you can purchase her images!

Leave a comment below, you’ve nothing to lose and a great book and photo to gain!

Giveaway is open worldwide through March 21st.

The winner will have the honor of receiving Amy Maranto’s photo in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book at the Door: January Giveaway

Jan24

I’ve got a book.

Would you like it?

That’s right, an honest to goodness hard cover book that I’m ready to put in the mail and send to your door. But, because I’m the sort of person who would never read the last chapter first (Except for recently but that was totally an accident!) and rarely read the front matter or even the back cover to decide if I’m going to read it, I’d also like to introduce you to my favorite way to pick a book. I prefer choosing a book by reading the first page or even better the first line to see what I think and avoid any and all potential spoilers.

The first line of the book I have for you goes like this:

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again.”

The book I’m ready to send doesn’t look like the photo above, that picture is instead the paper crafting genius of my best friend Sarah. Normally here is where I would tell you a million places to track down the lovely person who donated their time and art to the giveaway. Sarah says she social medias only in technology school teachery sorts of ways and nobody wants to see that. I think that’s probably untrue, she does pretty neat things in her school under the guise of technology integration so I’m just going to sneak her twitter account in here (thinkbigmuch on Twitter) because someone is always interested. Then, since it is a little bit sad that the book doesn’t actually look like this when you open it, I will also send along a high quality print of this piece of art. (My apologies, we are having a little technical difficulties, the printed copy will be much better quality than the photo above- promise!)

If the first line of this book sounds promising to you, all you have to do is either tell me the title of the book (Go ahead use the google, it knows all the things!) or tell me one of your long time favorite books in the comments below. Your name will then be entered in a random drawing for the book (which happens to be one of my long time favorites) and print (which happens to be made by one of my long time favorites). Win, win people, win win! Book at the Door

Contest will be open through January 31st.

The winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Sarah’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Scotch on the Rocks by Lizzie Lamb and November Book at the Door Winner

Nov23

And the winner is:

I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

Anyes from Far Away in the Sunshine!

Anyes will need to watch her mail box because on it’s way is a brand new paper back copy of Scotch on the Rocks by Lizzie Lamb, the print of the first line artwork by Bradley Corbett and a fun packet of extra goodies sent along by the author!

Ishabel Stuart raced her car against the combined forces of time and tide, a thunderstorm snapping at her heels.

Lizzie Lamb writes humorous, contemporary romance, you can find her on her website, on Twitter and on Facebook. If you hop on over to any of those places you’ll see that it just so happens, that her books are on sale right now!

If she’s a new author to you, this is the perfect time to give her books a try.

I think they are just as good as birthday cake…

Scotch on the Rocks

“Romance novels are birthday cake and life is often peanut butter and jelly. I think everyone should have lots of delicious romance novels lying around for those times when the peanut butter of life gets stuck to the roof of your mouth.”

– Janet Evanovitch

Life had too much peanut butter in it. I needed a birthday cake of a romance novel and, thankfully, Scotch on the Rocks was on the menu.

Why a birthday cake of a romance novel?

Well, because like birthday cake, you aren’t expecting nutrition from your romance novel. You don’t expect your latest romance or slice of birthday cake to make you a better person. And you don’t actually want much of a surprise. “Surprise – your birthday cake has nuts!” Is not something anyone wants to hear.

The comfort of predictability, reliable sweetness, a touch of decadence, and a great big pile of happy… that’s what makes both a good birthday cake and romance novel.

Scotch on the Rocks was a true birthday cake of a romance novel.

The woman is beautiful, but in a girl-next-door way: Yellow cake.

The man is gorgeous: Chocolate frosting.

And rich: Chocolate ganache frosting.

The banter between the two is witty: Two layers!

The steamy scenes are steamy without being raunchy: Extra big slice!

He, on occasion, wears a kilt: Frosting roses!

There is a super sassy parrot: Sparkler candle!

But then, of course, there is the terrible, everything has to fall apart so they can get back together section.

I hate that part.

It’s like when your husband pretends to steal all your frosting and then gives it back right at the last second. You’re pretty sure that since he hates frosting, he’s going to give it back but it’s always a relief when it’s back on your own plate. Just in case this is the time he changes his mind.

Sure, it adds some drama to the experience but I don’t actually want drama. I just want to eat my frosting and be happy. It was a relief that, while reading this birthday cake, frosting was merely scooped off my plate with a flourish before I received a wink and it was plopped right back on top!

Would I recommend it? Well… do you like cake?

Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book at the Door is taking a break for the month of December but will be back again in January!

Book at the Door: November Giveaway

Nov8

I’ve got a brand new paperback book to giveaway this month.

Would you like it? Book at the Door

Of course, not only do I have the book but I also have a nice print of this fun artwork with the books first line on it:

“Ishabel Stuart raced her car against the combined forces of time and tide, a thunderstorm snapping at her heels.”

Now if you are new here you are wondering what is going on and why Bradley, of Green Embers blog reknown, drew such a cool thing and what on earth the book actually is. Let me fill you in…

I love books.

I love giving away books I love.

But I don’t like to spoil the surprise that waits within them.

So, once a month(ish) I like to giveaway a real-paperback-send-me-your-address-if-you-win-because-this-is-a-book-to-hold-in-your-hands book. And just to make it a little more fun… instead of telling you the title, I have an artist present a piece of artwork that includes the first line of the book.

This month I’m super excited to tell you that the author of this book is also going to include a letter and a few fun items for the winner! So, if you’d like a brand new copy of the book that starts with the above line, a copy of that artwork and a note from the author, just leave a comment below! Tell us what you think the title of the book is (It took me 7 seconds to Google it and today my computer is having more technical difficulties than a porcupine has quills) or tell us what your favorite kind of cake is and I’ll be sure your name gets into the random drawing on November 22nd.

Of course before you move on to other internet realms, be sure to check out not only Bradley’s Green Embers blog but also his new blog Below the Blanket Fort which is a super fun blog comic that may even feature some bloggers you recognize. Or if Instagram is more your style you can find him there too, or Twitter, or Facebook… you know us bloggers, you can find us anywhere you prefer to internet!

(Cake? Really? Yes. Really. Anybody remember a book review that mentioned a birthday cake? Hint, hint. Also I love cake!)

Contest will be open through November 22nd.

The winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Bradley’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book At The Door: September Giveaway

Sep8

I’ve got a book here. Would you like it? Book at the Door

But, you protest, how do I know? What is it? What is it about?

Ahhh…. that’s just telling don’t you think?

Let’s be surprised instead!

My favorite way to pick a book is just to open it and see how it starts.

This one sounds intriguing don’t you think?

“A fug of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the cafe.”

As always this month’s book is going to be sent in real life, passing through hands of actual postmen to land at the winner’s door along with the above print of the first line.

If you want to be entered to win, just leave a comment below that includes the name of the book or your favorite thing to order from a cafe. (Googling book titles is totally encouraged but Googling favorite cafe orders seems like a risky thing to base an actual cafe order off of.)

This month’s awesome artwork comes from Dan of straydogstrut.co.uk where you can find him blogging, creating and wearing his dreamer hat. You can also track him down on Twitter and Facebook, but my favorite place to connect with Dan is on Instagram. There, in addition to peeks at daily life, he chronicles the 100km ultra challenges he does for charity. The first time John and I “watched” the event unfold we cheered for Dan. The second time we were rooting for his feet to make it through in better shape!

Please, go track him down on your social media platform of choice, see what he’s up to today, tell him I said hi, and check out his charity work. Then come back and play with us! Leave a comment, maybe you’ll be the one to get a package in the mail!

Contest will be open through September 27th.

The winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Dan’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book At The Door: August Giveaway

Aug10

I’ve got a book here. It’s been read once or twice but not yet lost it’s shine. It’s a book I’ve loved for years, loved so well I have my own copy in a special place on the shelf. But this book, still with it’s shine on, is begging to be read and I love to share the books I have loved. Which brings us to the big question…

Would you like it?

Book at the Door

If further incentive is what you need here, art work courtesy of Abbie, is the first line.

“124 was spiteful.”

Are you intrigued? I hope so. This one has been a long time favorite of mine. If you’d like the book, just do a bit of googling (unless you know that line as well as I do) and leave the name of the book in the comments. If you are the winner I will send you not only one of my all time favorite books but a print of Abbie’s artwork as well.

Now if you are thinking “That sounds great but who is this Abbie person?” let me help you out…

While it’s true that Abbie is a published writer and poet, I met her along her blogging journey on Sidereal Catalyst. There she often writes about her personal journey with depression and anxiety and there you will also find that she is the fiercest mental health advocate. This passion of her’s inspired her to start the mental health resource, Depression: Catalyst for Change. You can also find Abbie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Go on, pop on over to her corner of the internet and say hello. Just come back and leave a comment with the book title so your name makes it into the hat for the drawing!

Contest will be open through August 23rd.

The winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Abbie’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book At The Door: July Giveaway

Jul12

I’ve got a brand new book here and I’d really like to mail it to someone.

Would you like it?

I believe that the first page, paragraph and even sentence of a book will give you a feel for what it contains.

This months book is no exception:

“They say she is property.”

This month’s signboard art was made by Ra. Do you know Ra yet? You should, I mean, she lives on the internet, is basically a dinosaur and she (probably) loves you. This kind of magical being doesn’t come along everyday, you don’t want to miss out on a connection like that. Go visit her at Rarasaur.com, say “Hey”, and tell her Jessie sent you. Then, if you like this signboard, you should see all the others she’s put together! Don’t worry, it’s easy. Just find rarasaur on instagram. Of course if you are already on Instagram looking at sign boards, you should probably take a peek at Ra herself. And I’ll give you a teeny hint about this month’s book… shhh don’t tell but Ra wrote it! I know! An internet-living, book-writing, people-loving dinosaur, what are you waiting for? Go meet her!

Then, come back, leave me a comment, tell me the name of her book and you’ll automatically be entered to win a copy of her brand new book and a print of the first line art.

Contest will be open through July 26th

Winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Ra’s signboard in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Book at the Door: June Giveaway

Jun20

I’ve got a great book.

Would you like it? Book at the Door

Not only do I have here a great hardcover book that I recently fell head over heels for, but it begins with this magical first line:

“Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood.”

One of my favorite parts about this particular book is that it contains a hint of magic. Just enough to bring a little extra vividness to a beautiful family story without delving too far into the fantastical. Now, just look at that piece done by the talented Mr Tookles. Doesn’t it capture the feeling perfectly!?!

Do you know Mr Tookles? Well, actually Mr. Tookles is a green robot bank owned by the woman behind this magical painting, a 33 year old Dutch-Surinamese-Indian woman who says it’ll be alright if we call her Madhawi today. (Pronounced as ma-the-we.)

You can see more of her amazing work on her new website mrtookles.com. Madhawi’s website is still pretty new but I’m sure it will fill up fast because, as she says, ” I started drawing from a very young age and never really stopped. Creating to me is just as necessary as eating and breathing.”

If you’d like this magical combo (A print of this first line art and the book) to show up on your doorstep, just leave me a comment! Let me know what book it is I’m giving away this month (go ahead use the google magic) or let me know your favorite magical book, and I’ll enter you in the drawing!

Don’t forget to pay Madhawi a visit! Tell her about your favorite shoes and robots (she loves those) and say “Hi!” from me! (Psst! You can find her on Instagram too! https://www.instagram.com/mr.tookles/)

Contest will be open through June 28th.

Winner will have the honor of receiving a quality print of Madhawi’s artwork in the mail as well as the book.

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!