See ya 2013! Welcome 2014!

It's time for me to wrap up 2013 and look ahead to 2014...a brand new year starts tomorrow, but first...what did I do last year?

I managed to get to my goal of reading 100 books this year. It's been a long time since I've gotten to that point, but mainly it's because my company closed mid-year and I haven't been able to find a new job yet.  Hopefully, I will find a new one soon.  Of course, that means I probably won't reach 100 books next year. However, I'm still going to make 100 books my goal for 2014. You never know what I'll be able to do :)

Review: Hero’s Journey by J.J. Cook

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Berkley

Release Date:
December 2013

Review: Cat on the Money by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Genre:
Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Ad Stellae Books

Release Date:
September 2010

Review/Giveaway: That Old Flame of Mine by J.J. Cook

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
Paperback/E-Book

Publisher:
Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Release Date:
April 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Happy Monday Everyone!  The last one of 2013!  Who would believe it?

Starting next week, I think I'm going to combine my Sunday and Monday posts and link them to both The Sunday Post/Salon and Monday posts.  I see alot of people do that and it looks like a good idea.

So, here's what I did last week...

Hope you all have a very Happy New Year!

The Sunday Salon/The Sunday Post - December 29th

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Review/Interview: Cat-Eye Witness by Patricia Frye (#2 in A Klepto Cat Mystery)

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher
Matilija Press

Release Date:
October 2013

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop – week 143

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.


This week’s statements:

The Friday 56

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.


It's that simple.

This week I'm reading...

Review: Jingle My Bells by Kelli Roberts and Audrey Hollander

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Amazon Digital Services

Release Date:
November 2013

Cat Thursday - December 26th

Merry Christmas!

merry christmas pictures

Book Giveaway Winner!

The winner of  Sketcher in the Rye by Sharon Pape is:

Entry #27 Sue T.

Congrats to Sue!  

Thanks to all who participated!

2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

This is another reading challenge I always participate in and never complete, but I don't really care. This year it's called the 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge and it's hosted by Lori at Escape With Dollycas

Here are the details...

2014 Just For Fun Reading Challenge

Okay, I joined this one last year and did terrible. I wasn't sure I was going to join again, but I decided to give it another try. After all, my goal for 2014 is to read more books for my own enjoyment. It's being hosted by Lori from Escape With Dollycass on Goodreads.

Here's the info...

I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!

JANUARY - Stealing Home by Jennifer Seasons (Click here for review)

FEBRUARY - 1105 Yakima Street by Debbie Macomber (Click here for review)

MARCH - The Diva Takes the Cake by Krista Davis (Click here for review)

APRIL - Nine Lives Last Forever by Rebecca M. Hale (Click here for review.)

MAY - How To Moon A Cat by Rebecca M. Hale (Click here for review.)

JUNE - Crazy VA by Shannon Hill (Click here for review.)

JULY - Free Agent by Roz Lee (Click here for review.)

AUGUST - 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber (Click here for review.)

SEPTEMBER - The Cats That Surfed the Web by Karen Anne Golden (Click here for review.)

OCTOBER - When First They Met by Debbie Macomber (Click here for review.)

NOVEMBER - A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender (Click here for review.)

DECEMBER - Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland (Click here for review.)

All book formats are allowed, printed, audio, e-book

Wish me luck!!!!

2014 My Kind Of Mystery Reading Challenge

Yes, I'm signing up for another reading challenges. This is a brand new one and doesn't start until February 1st, but it's all about mysteries and I love mysteries! It's hosted by Riedel Fascination and looks like fun.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Happy Monday Everyone!

2014 ARC Reading Challenge

This is another challenge I've done and completed each year, so I'm signing up again. It's hosted by Teddy at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time.

Here's the info...

Review: Happy New Year, Baby Fortune! by Leanne Banks

Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Galley

Publisher:
Harlequin Special Edition

Release Date:
January 2014

The Sunday Salon/The Sunday Post - December 22nd

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

What's In A Name 6 Reading Challenge - Completed-Wrap Up Post

I'm so excited - I finished this challenge. I didn't think I'd have a chance to do it, but I read all six books. I do this challenge every year and it's the first time I completed it. I'm not sure I have room to do it next year, but I'll think about it over the weekend. Anyway, here are the books I read to complete this one:


1. A book with up or down:  Fatal Descent by Beth Groundwater (Click here to read my review.)
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen:   Topped Chef by Lucy Burdette (Click here to read my review.)
3. A book with a party or celebration: Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb (Click here to read my review.)
4. A book with fire: Steamed to Death by Peg Cochran (Click here to read my review.)
5. A book with an emotion: Payne & Misery by Catherine Leggitt (Click here to read my review.)
6. A book with lost or found: Finding Colin Firth by Mia March (Click here to read my review.)

The Friday 56

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.


It's that simple.

This week I'm reading...

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop – week 142

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.


This week’s statements:

Review: Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

Genre:
Fiction

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Gallery Books

Release Date:
July 2013

Cat Thursday - December 19th

Romance Reading Challenge 2014

This is one of my favorite reading challenges. I've been doing it for the last few years and it's one of the few challenges I actually complete. So, here I am signing up again :) It's hosted by Naida at The Bookworm. Here are the details...

Blog Tour: Sketcher in the Rye by Sharon Pape (Review and Giveaway)

About the Book

Teaser Tuesdays/First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday - December 17th

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Care to join us?

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading...

Review: Christmas in Tahoe by Elisabeth Barrett

Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Elisabeth Barrett

Release Date:
November 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Promo: Deathblow by Dana Marton (Giveaway!!!!)

The Sunday Salon/The Sunday Post - December 15th

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Review: The Edwin Drood Murders (The Dickens Junction Mysteries) by Christopher Lord

Genre:
Mystery

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Harrison Thurman Books

Release Date:
September 2013

The Friday 56

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.


It's that simple.

This week I'm reading...

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop – week 141

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.


This week’s statements:

Blog Tour: Christmas in Dogtown by Suzanne Johnson (Spotlight and Review)

Christmas in Dogtown
Suzanne Johnson

Genre: Sweet Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Story Vault

Date of Publication: December 2012

ASIN: B009RBKTSG

Number of pages: 30
Word Count: approx. 11,000

Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Blog Tour: Heartache Motel by Terri L. Austin, Larissa Reinhart, and LynDee Walker (Review, Interview, and Giveaway!)

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-Book (available in paperback)

Publisher:
Henery Press

Release Date:
December 2013

Waiting on Wednesday - December 11th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This is the first book in a new cozy series that sounds interesting...

Review: Mistletoe Magic (A Copper Mountain Christmas) by Melissa McClone

Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Tule Publishing Group

Release Date:
November 2013

Teaser Tuesdays/First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday - December 10th

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Care to join us?

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Blog Tour: Whips, Cuffs and Little Brown Boxes by Kathryn Long (Review and Giveaway!)

About the Book

Aunt Fran is missing. Those words echoed throughout the town, worrying family and friends. So, Lilly Millenovanovich, a mystery writer, decides to help the authorities find her aunt. The Barton police have very few leads and Lilly is between novels with time on her hands. Her search becomes a hazardous journey in Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes. Thrown into awkward situations is familiar to Lilly Millenovanovich, like hiding in a stranger’s bedroom closet and discovering a naked man cuffed to the bed. Though events sometimes turn dangerous Lilly continues her sleuthing and recruits Mona, her cousin and best friend, to assist in the search.

Complications erupt, making their quest almost impossible. A chain of store robberies, the unusual behavior of Aunt Fran’s husband, and death threats from the mob are just a few. No matter where the search takes them, Lilly sees one common element – Ron Kinecki, known by women in town as Slick Dick Ron. He’s the owner of Repo Ron’s Used Cars, but might be selling more than automobiles.

As luck would have it, not all eyes watching Lilly intend harm. Her eccentric neighbor, Kooky Colonel Crockett, proves to be a helpful witness as he stands guard over the neighborhood. Aunt Sadie, the bold matriarch of Lilly’s family, who may tip the bottle once too often, executes strong will and bold opinions to keep Lilly on a straight path. Even an anonymous emailer feeds Lilly clues.

Before it’s over, Lilly must face more trouble than she can manage alone. Still, with friends and family to lend their support, everything turns out well in the end. Certainly, it doesn’t happen without a murder or two, but then all is back to normal. At least until the next mystery hits town.

My Review

This is the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series and it's off to a great start! It’s filled with some of the most eccentric characters I’ve seen in awhile. Most of them are from Lilly’s very own family. LOL

It all starts when her Aunt Fran disappears and her family panics.  Lilly decides to lend a helping hand in locating her aunt.  She gets hit with a few obstacles along the way in her search, including her cop boyfriend who wants her to stay out of it, a crazy neighbor who thinks Lilly’s dog is wild game, her interfering adoptive mother, and her Aunt Fran’s husband’s odd behavior. It all equals one madcap adventure.

The characters were all very vivid and entertaining. I adored Lilly’s friendship with her cousin Mona and their camaraderie in locating their aunt. I did not want to put this book down until I knew what the outcome would be. It’s a bit of a cross between chick lit and cozy mystery. Reading this book gave me several hours of fun.   If the rest of the series is this good, Kathryn Long has a winner on her hands.

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for the blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

About This Author

Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, “Betrayal in an Envelope” and “A Good Man”, both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing the cozy Lilly M. mystery series with titles Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes and Gangs, Illegals, and a Rose Tattoo, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her latest mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press.

Links

Website: www.kathrynlong.webs.com
Blog:  www.kjlong-teacherwriter.blogspot.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/home.php#!/authorkathryn.long
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klteacherwriter
GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4203129.Kathryn_Long

Purchase Links

AMAZON              B & N

E-Book Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 2 - Brooke Blogs - Interview, Giveaway 
December 3 - According to Squenn - Review
December 4 - Queen of All She Reads – Review, Giveaway 
December 5 - Books-n-Kisses - Review, Giveaway 
December 6 - Darla King Series - Review
December 8 - Socrates' Book Review Blog - Review, Giveaway 
December 9 - readalot blog - Review, Giveaway 
December 10 - StoreyBook Reviews - Review, Giveaway 
December 11 - rantin' ravin' and reading - Review, Interview, Giveaway 
December 12 - Dr. Pepper Diva - Review, Giveaway