Manga/Graphic Novel/Video Game Novel Challenge 2012-June Round Up

This challenge is being hosted by Mother/Gamer/Writer.

 For more details on the challenge such as levels, guidelines, PRIZES!!!, just click here.

This post is to  link to all reviews of the books I've read for this challenge this month. To check out  books for this month read by other readers that are taking part in this challenge click here! 

So this month I decided to try to fill some of my Graphic Novel quota.  I found:

The Twilight Zone: Walking Distance

Summery from Amazon:

Step off the beaten path as Martin Sloan takes the journey of a lifetime when his car breaks down within walking distance of his home town. Martin is shocked to find that he has somehow walked into his own past. Can he find a way to warn the boy he once was to seize the day and save his future happiness?

My review:

I loved watching Twilight Zone reruns when I was a kid.  I don't actually remember seeing this one on t.v. though.  Which I think is a good thing because then I wasn't comparing it to the original.  

The book itself has a nice intro before the story itself giving a bit of the background on the phenomena that was The Twilight Zone.  I liked finding out the little extra details.

The story itself was definitely classic Twilight Zone.  I kinda did expect some of the twists.  (Maybe I did see this episode?), but not all of them.  Since the story stayed true to the original episode there weren't any additions of cell phones or gps.  Click here to read the rest of my review. 

To All My Blogger Friends Out There:

Free Sign up for $50 and $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! From the 6th to the 20th Promotional Book Tours is having an 10 Book Tour Giveaway! Sign-ups are free and are still open.

Click here to find out more!

Be sure to let them know I sent you!

To my Blogger Friends out there:

Interested in signing up for free to participate in a $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway?  Sign-ups are still open!!! Go to I Heart Giveaways to find out more info and sign-up today!

Where I've Been ~ #2

Sooo where have I been this week???? I've found some pretty cool posts and even appeared in one!! (well at least my fishies did!)  

So in my travels I stopped by A Daft Scots Lass.  She has this amazing post about some really awesome things you can do with random stuff you've got laying around the house.  My faves the one with the dustpan! Click here to see what I mean!

Also she's got this cool caption contest that she holds once a week.  Way back a few months ago, ok maybe about a month ago, I actually won one. Yes me! I know right?  Well on top of all the awesomeness that she sent me (go check it out she's got an great pic of it up here) I also received a Daft Scots Lass tattoo! I have skin issues, so I put it on my fishy's tank instead, and now my fishies are swimming around on her latest post for all to see!  It also happens to be her latest caption contest so be sure to hurry over caption that pic! Maybe you'll be the next luck winner of some awesomeness too!  Click here to start captioning!
(click here to see what other past winners have done with their tattoos!)

These were for a Book & Nails post
over at Vvb32 Reads.

Now some of you might know that I LOVE having my nails done.  I'm spoiled that way.  I rarely do them at home.  But when I do an at home mani I tend to get creative. (see pic to the right--------> )
Plus my youngest loves experimenting with polish at home, so I was really excited when I found Lace and Lavander Hints Post about how to make a Sparkly Polka Dot Bow Mani!

Thanks so much for letting me use the pic!

My girls and I haven't gotten a chance yet to try out this one.  (Busy, busy, busy trying to raise money for the youngest's dance fees!)  But I think I'm going to try it specifically for July 4th.  Make my nails all nice and patriotic. What do you think?  Click here to find out all the details on how to get your nails looking this glam!



I got uber-lucky this week too!

I  won a print copy of Beyond the Dead Forest by Steve Groll  at Amanda Stephan's   Indie Author Giveaway Hop.




Awesomeness of awesomeness! I also won any book of my choice from Paper Hat Press.  Courtesy of The Reynolds Mom and her wonderful giveaway on her blog!  Very cool, can't wait to show you guys what I decide to order!  I've got some b-days coming up and I think that this book would be great for one of the younger readers on my list!

 I also got an awesome SIGNED book mark from Emi Gayle. She's the author of After Dark: Book One of the 19th Year.

Click here to see the front and back!

So where have you been this week? Seen anything awesome, cool, or just terribly interesting that you'd like to share?  Feel free to leave your links in the comments!  Can't wait to see what I find next week, 'til next time...

AimeeKay

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks by Iceland Music Export

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks by Iceland Music Export


Sooo loving this song right now!!

Where I've Been ~ #1

So I'm starting a new weekly post.  As many of you know I travel around the blog-o-sphere visiting other blogs, guest posting on some, entering contest on others.  I've found some great blogs and very entertaining bloggers. I've decided to start this post letting you know where I've been during the week.  Links to where I've guest posted, to cool contests I've found (or won), amazing posts, and interesting sites, etc.. I don't know if this will be a weekly thing, but I'm hoping it will be.

So this past week 2 of my reviews went up over at Mother/Gamer/Writer.

My review of Knee Deep by Jolene Perry.  This review is also part of the blog tour for Knee Deep so be sure to check out the other stops as well since it is running from May 1st to July 31st.

My review of Systems by Saleena Karim.   This went up as part of Mother/Gamer/Writers Indie Spotlight Feature.










I won  one e-book from Brita Addams over at All I Want and More's Shameless Summer Hop
This is the book that's pictured, -------->
but it says one e-book from her backlist, so I'm wondering if I get to choose a different one? If you've read any of her work is there any one you might suggest?







I also won a copy of :

The DaughterBy: Christina Wolfer

at the A Charming Crime Release Day Event at author Tonya Kappes Street Team Page.   That was tons of fun.  There were lots of people chatting and posting awesome pics, as well as some great contests! (Interested in finding out more about Tonya Kappes and her street team? Want to win a copy of her newest novel A Charming Crime? Click here)






I've also been to the fair!!!! Have you been yet? 

Be sure to visit before the 24th of June, when the fair will close it's gates once more!   There are tons of booths and rides! (Plus get chances to win some awesome prizes!!  I won an e-copy of The Nameless Dwarf Omnibus by D.P. Prior when I visited the Dwarf Dungeon!)

 Don't worry about being late, a new booth opens every day!  Click here for a map of the fair grounds!

Be sure to check out The Witching Well! ( I helped sponsor it!)

Also, last but not least, I finally received my e-copies of The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk by Oliver  Potzsch.  I received them as part of a BzzAgent campaign I am taking part in.  Click here to find out more.  

So where have you been to this week?  I'd love to hear all about it! Any recommendations for where I should visit next week?  Be sure to leave those too!

JL Bryan's Book-Related Blog: Midsummer Dream Fair Day 16: Blue Ribbon Creature ...

OMG! Go check out the awesome animals!! Vote for your favorite! Mine's the Zombie Bunny, of course!



JL Bryan's Book-Related Blog: Midsummer Dream Fair Day 16: Blue Ribbon Creature ...: One of my favorite things about writing the Songs of Magic series is encountering all of the strange plants and creatures in the f...

Hi!

Okay. So lately my life has been CRAZY!  All last weekend I spent helping out my oldest daughter's booster booth at the local Cherry Festival to help raise money for the marching band and color guard at her school.  Midway through I found out that my younger daughter was going to need $645 to participate in the dance squad for same school.  AND that she will need the money by the 8th of July.  Uh, yeah....that's A LOT of money!   (not something I have lying around if you know what I mean)  So on top of helping out at the festival my younger daughter and I started a mad scramble to try to find ways to earn the money for her in such a short period of time. Unfortunately my daughter is still 13 so her getting a part time job isn't an option.

We started by collecting bottles and cans, then a friend was nice enough to agree to donate $20 if my daughter would hand out coupons for her restaurant at the local Cherry Festival Parade.  The same friend was nice enough to introduce us to a local business owner, who not only donated money to the cause in exchange for my daughter handing out coupons for her business, but who has also agreed to donate a gift basket that my daughter will be selling raffle tickets for! (really the generosity of people always amazes me!)
We are also having a garage sale on the last weekend of this month.  

I mentioned on Facebook that my daughter was looking for ideas and one of my friends suggested ChipIn.  That way if my friends or family wished to donate money and they lived out of state they could do so without having to send money via the mail.  (I've had a few state that they wanted to help)

So that is what has led to this post.  Since the site doesn't seem to have an option to place the widget on Facebook.  (If anyone knows how it can be done please let me know! Thanks!)

So I've decided to post it here on my blog.  If you look to the left side bar you will see it at the top.  I've also placed it at the bottom of this post.  That way my friends and family can follow the link from Facebook to my blog and then use the Chipin widget here.

Am I asking for any of my readers to donate?  No, I just wanted to let you guys know what this widget is and why it is here.   I didn't want to offend anyone by having them think I was using my blog to beg for cash.  (I do plan to share pics of the gift basket when we pick it up, if only cause I think it is really awesome that someone could be so nice!)  

Also if anyone has any other ideas of things that my daughter could do to raise money she and I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.



*someone did say that this was a horribly large amount for a school activity and why doesn't the school pay for the team.  Yeah....unfortunately due to the massive lack of funding in schools most teams and extra-curricular activities have either had to find ways to fund themselves or be cut altogether.  To find out more about how you can help at your own local schools click here to go to my other blog were I discuss schools and volunteering, etc.*



 

The Value of the Reader~Guest Post from Tonya Kappes & Giveaway! (International!)

I’ll never forget the very first email I had received from a reader. She was telling me how much my books helped her through a very difficult time in her life. That is when I sat back and really took notice of how important a reader is.

You see, I started writing for myself. And when I decided to pursue publishing I still had myself in mind. I wanted to see my book on Amazon or on the shelf at the book store. It had become a dream of mine. BUT I never took into consideration who was going to buy my book. . .outside of my family.

And her email really touched me. Her words filled my soul with gratitude and joy. After her email, it was like the flood gates opened. One after the other, more and more reader mail popped up in my email. Each one had something different to say about my stories.

The more I heard from them, the more they fed my muse. I wanted to give them more. It wasn’t about me selling more books, it was about pleasing the readers that I had gained. I wanted to make them feel good and continue to feel good.

Sometimes I think that authors forget about the reader. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not putting any authors down or saying that I’m the right one here, but I see readers different than most writers.

This year I decided to focus on the reader! Last year was a phenomenal year. I sold over 60k e-books and 5k print books. I sure didn’t buy them and I don’t have that many friends, so it was time for me to truly thank my readers.

I started a TONYA KAPPES STREET TEAM. This is a Facebook page where my readers have gathered and we talk about everyday life, what they are reading, or just a quick hello. It’s not a place for my readers to praise me. It’s the place where I PRAISE them!

Here is what it’s all about:

This is a team that I have assembled because you have been so supportive and an instrumental part of my success. I'm creating this group to help spread the word about my books. The best sell for an author is personal recommendation. The best way for me to do that is for you, my friends, to spread the word through email or word of mouth would be a great big help.

There isn't much to it. As a member, you will join my online yahoo group which is a yes to the street team invite. And in return you get a chance to:
* have a character named after you in my books
* win monthly drawing for Street Team Members only-you are automatically entered. (this includes gift cards, books, and other fun stuff)
* In the month of my releases, you have a chance to win a $25 Visa Giftcard
* Fun tips about my characters
* Extra more things!

What do you have to do to be a TONYA KAPPES STREET MEMBER? You only have to do none or all of these:)
* spread the word to family and friends about the books of mine that you really liked
* take promo materials to local writers groups, conventions, etc...
* be my friend
* pick one of my books for your book club
* skype me into your book club or google plus is fine too
* if you have a blog, feature my new book trailer, review my book, interview me
* post reviews for my books on all the reader-centric sites like Goodreads, Shelfari, Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc...

I can't take credit for the street team concept. It was coined in the 70's with music executives working on spreading the word about new artists, and making them bigger names. I'd love for you to spread the word about my books! Will you please join my team? Email me at tonyak11(AT)yahoo(Dot)com and put JOIN in the subject line.

Why am I doing this when I only release four books a year and giving away something every month? Easy! YOU have always showed up for me! You have been the inspiration to keep me going and writing books. It's time I give back to you, my reader! I give back to the writing community with this blog. I want to connect with you!

So I do weekly give away to a lucky STREET TEAM MEMBER and thank them for being them! I’m so honored and flattered that someone who is as busy as I am (trust me I have three teenage boys that play every single sport) takes five minutes out of their day to open one of my books. WOW! That is truly an honor for me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

If you want to join my STREET TEAM, we’d love to have you!!

Street Team Link

Tonyakappes.blogspot.com.

You can also find Tonya at:

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

I want to thank Tonya for stopping by and sharing today!  In addition to her invite to join her Street Team she has also been kind enough to offer two (yep that's right! TWO!) of my lucky readers an e-copy of her newest novel :

A Charming Crime!

Bubble... Bubble...

June Heal has nothing to lose when she relocates her homeopathic cure shop, A Dose of Darla, from the flea market booth in her home town, to a quaint shop in the cozy but unusual little town of Whispering Falls, Kentucky. Or so it seems.

Cures and trouble...

Whispering Falls has a lot of secrets. From talking snow globes to whispering animals not to mention a few sprinkles of fairy dust, June realizes Whispering Falls is more magical than she thought. . .literally.

                                                      

Magic stirs...

June discovers she was born into a family of psychics, and her homeopathic cures truly are magical. Unfortunately, they are not magical enough to save her from being the number one murder suspect when a member of the community that she had just had a disagreement with shows up face down in the lake with June’s lucky charm in the victim’s grasp.

And troubles double...

Add to that an attraction to her high school best friend, Sheriff Oscar Park and  Mr. Prince Charming, her cat, is stealing charms from Belle’s Baubles, June is forced to clear her name in more ways than murder. After all, they don’t have cauldrons in jail.

~Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!! The contest will run from June 12th to June 30th.  Since it's my second time using Rafflecopter I'm going to try throwing in some extra ways to enter! (as well as an easy one two, so let me know what you think) ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Bzz on The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk

So maybe some of you know, I'm a BzzAgent.  (I generally tweet about it or share the links on Facebook)  It's actually a pretty neat program.  I get to try free stuff, give my opinion on it, and tell other people about the stuff I get.  (I was doing this anyway before, the bonus to being a BzzAgent is I get access to even more cool stuff and I get more MyPoints.  Always very cool)  

The latest campaign I've been invited to though is truly awesome!!! I got free copies of  The Hangman's Daughter AND The Dark Monk by Oliver Potzsch to read on my Kindle.

I just got the books downloaded today, and plan to start reading them tonight.  I can't wait! I've seen some pretty good things about them and I love historical fiction.  Hopefully both books will live up to the hype, I plan on updating about them on facebook, as well as twitter.  Plus I'll be letting all my wonderful readers here know what I think too!

Have you heard of or read either book? I'd love to know what you think! 

There be dragons....

Have you been to the fair yet? There be dragons there today!!! Plus find out how to enter to win the fairs grand prize!

JL Bryan's Book-Related Blog: Midsummer Dream Fair Day 11: The Dragon Ride:   Fair news : We've added a new page where you can enter for the final big prize of the fair... details here ) For today's post, I i...

Come visit the Witching Well at the fair! (maybe win some goodies too!)

Come visit the Witching Well, now open to visitors at the Fair!  Sarra Cannon the author of The Peachville High Demons Series has been seen at the well and is offering a chance for one lucky reader to win her entire Peachville High Series! Just click the link below!

JL Bryan's Book-Related Blog: Midsummer Dream Fair Day 6: The Witching Well: (Witches - they're popular villains in fairy tales, luring children into their candy houses and other evil tricks.  Sarra Cannon , auth...

Have you been to the fair yet???

Have you been to the fair yet??? Be sure to get there today Queen Mab has decided to grace the fair with her amazing presence! (and she brought goodies!!!)
Click the link below to be transported to her shining presence!!

JL Bryan's Book-Related Blog: Midsummer Dream Fair Day 2: The Lollipop Shop!: QUEEN MAB LOVES YOU!! Once a year, the ruthless highly accomplished Queen Mab shows her love for all the Folk in ...

You're Invited to the Fair!!!

So look what I found fluttering in my mailbox!



So needless to say they had me at 'Ride Unicorns!'.  Definitely sounds like my kind of fair!  Plus they have games AND prizes!  And it's being hosted by J.L. Bryan!!!!  I'm sooo gonna be there!  Even without the unicorns I love fairs.  There's always something magical about the way they transform an empty field.  Over night rides and booths replace dirt and weeds. 
No ticket? That's fine, here's your invitation! Hope to see you there! I'll  be the one with a face covered in cotton candy riding the stole...I mean borrowed purple unicorn. (I mean really, they can't expect me just to ride in one little circle all day....and it's the Midsummer Dream Fair, so I'm sure they'll have enough unicorns for everyone!  Here's a copy of the fairground map, be sure to let me know what booths you plan to visit, I'll try to keep my eyes out for you.