Wiked After Dark Giveaway Hop

Welcome all to the Wicked After Dark Giveaway Hop. It's the time of year when our wicked sides tend to come out to play. What better way to play then to be at our sexiest. I'm spicing things up here on the blog for this giveaway. I'm going to be giving away two gift cards...one to any ladies FAV place to feel SEXY, Victoria's Secret and the other for Bath and Body Works. Each is a $15 USD value. All you have to do is fill in the rafflecopter form below. Good luck and thanks for stopping my my lovelies! a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget about the other fellow bloggers and authors who are participating in this Wicked hop! So be even more wicked and stop in to see how wicked you can ultimately be!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. I'm thrilled to be participating in the hop. I have some really great prizes for our victims err... guests. I love Halloween, so my giveaway is related in a way. I happen to love dressing up as something I'm not, so getting into costume is always fun for me. Please share what you like about Halloween.

The giveaway starts on the 23rd and goes until MIDNIGHT on Halloween. There are over 400 participants in the blog so make sure to drop in and see what they have up for grabs! Below are the details for the prizes.Thanks for stopping by and being my guests for the hop!

From:

from

And last not NOT least...

Thanks again for dropping by and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Mashup #4

Welcome to the Monday Mashup. This is a no frills, but all thrills meme with no commitment issues! Just fun getting to know fellow bloggers. This blog is hosted by Amy H of DJ Library Dishes and Poison Rose of Picked byPoison. All we want to do is introduce you to your fellow bloggers whom you may or may not know and share the blog love!
If you'd like to be featured, or know someone you'd like us to feature, contact either Amy or Poison. Welcome to the Meme and enjoy getting to know another blogger.

Welcome to Francesca of Under the Covers Book Blog

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you?
Hi everyone and thanks Sara for inviting me over!! Well I’m Francesca and I blog over at Under the Covers. I’m a 29 book addict, animal lover, sometimes health nut and newly engaged. I am originally from Italy, grew up in Panama (yeah the country), lived in many cities of Florida and currently trying to adapt to life in New York (after moving here three years ago)

How long have you been blogging?
I’ve been blogging for about a year and a half. We started Under the Covers in May 2011. Wow, time flies!

 

Why did you get into blogging?
It seemed as if all of my friends at the time had started a blog and were having fun with it. After much resistance to the idea we all jumped in with a full commitment to it and now we are having a great time!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book that you have read so far in 2012?
Hmmmm Fave books is a hard question because I’ll have to think about it. But I can tell you a few WICKED AS THEY COME by Delilah S. Dawson because it was amazingly unique. The RESCUE ME series by Kallypso Masters because it breaks my heart one book at a time. The Unbound series by Rachel Vincent is one not to miss!! I also discovered some amazing authors this year: Katie Porter, Carrie Lofty, Tessa Dare, Roni Loren, Tori St. Claire, Vivian Arend, Emma Lang. I have also taken a step to the wild side and started reading m/m this year, after the peer pressure of some good friends. I am loving Damon Suede, Anne Tenino and Daisy Harris.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why>?
Author… Lorelei James. I think she’s amazing and a lot of fun. Characters: John Matthew, Blay and Qhuinn from BDB. And then we can have some after dinner fun ;)

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?
Caldwell, New York. Why? Because the brothers are there and John Matthew has to meet me so he realizes that I’m his true shellan.

Hmm.. That sounds like what Annie said last week. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
I love the whole book community. Bloggers and readers alike. I think the book blogging community is pretty supportive of each other, which I don’t think was the case when we started blogging. I do think that sometimes people that have any type of following should watch what they say because I’ve seen bloggers and authors alike make themselves look bad. Social media is a marketing media and I think people should treat it that way. And readers and the book community in general because I have so much fun every time I attend a romance book convention! You guys are awesome and so much fun!!!

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
Wow yes! My reading tastes were changing even before I started blogging because I think as time passes, your tastes on everything change. Reading is no different. Sometimes I cringe at my ratings for books I read a few years ago. But I think blogging has changed them because it exposes me to authors or books that I would normally not have read.

And about you:

Tell us three non-book-related things that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

1. I used to love horror movies, but now I can’t stomach them. Yeah, I turned into a wuss.
2. I don’t like sweets of pretty much any kind. I’d much rather eat some bread or cheese.
3. You can usually find me with a drink in my hand.

What do you like to do in your downtime (besides read of course)?
Right now I’m having the best time with home décor! I just moved into my new house a couple of months ago and have been doing some furniture shopping and now more recently redesigning rooms to get remodeled. Yes, I’m addicted to the Do It Yourself channel, all the Extreme Makeover, Yard Crashers, Kitchen Crashers, etc… Ohhhh and I LOOOOOOOOVE The Voice.

If you were given a break to do one thing on your “bucket list” what would you do?
Damn…. I’ve always wanted to skydive but as time goes by I realize I could never do it. So I’d have to go with taking an RV trip through the castles of Europe. My mom did it when she was first married and I would love to do the same, sounds and looked like it was so amazing.

If you went to your dream vacation spot where would we find you?
Usually I’d say anywhere with a beach BUT since this is DREAM vacation I’m going to go with AUSTRALIA. I’ve always wanted to go there.

Thanks so much for sharing Francesca. It was fun to pick you mind and see if I could stump you! *grins* I'm going to be more like toy and not like sweets after I'm done on my diet, but its for the bettering of my health. Congrats on your engagement!!!

Thanks so much for having me!!!!

Monday Mashup #3

Welcome to the Monday Mashup. This is a no frills, but all thrills meme with no commitment issues! Just fun getting to know fellow bloggers. This blog is hosted by Amy H of DJ Library Dishes and Poison Rose of Picked byPoison. All we want to do is introduce you to your fellow bloggers whom you may or may not know and share the blog love!
If you'd like to be featured, or know someone you'd like us to feature, contact either Amy or Poison. Welcome to the Meme and enjoy getting to know another blogger.

Welcome to Annie of Under the Covers Book Blog

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you?
My name is Annie and I’m a blogger/reviewer at Under the Covers Book Blog. I also review for FreshFiciton.com as well. I live in Canada and I am an avid reader. My love for David Gandy is well documented. You can stalk me on Twitter at @AnnCraven – It’s okay, I like it.

How long have you been blogging?
I've been blogging for a year and a half approximately. So still relatively new.

 

Why did you get into blogging?
Well, I used to review books on Goodreads just for fun, telling friends about the books I've read and why I loved them. From that, many of my other friends started blogging and it seemed like the next logical step. When we first started UTC, we just wanted to spread the word about our favorite books and have some fun in the process!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book that you have read so far in 2012?
I am currently reading THE SEDUCTION OF ELLIOT MCBRIDE by Jennifer Ashley. This is a December 2012 release and omg, it’s just amazing! Highland Pleasures is one of my favorite series and Ashley pens a fantastic story for Elliot! He’s the newest addition to my hottie harem ;).

My favorite book I've read this year is probably Tiffany Reisz's The Original Sinners. Both THE SIREN and THE PRINCE blew my mind. They are definitely not books for the lighthearted. But I think more people should try SWEET AS SIN by Inez Kelley too. That book is amazing!

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?
I love doing our Reading On the Darkside posts. They’re always so fun and we do a lot of them together. It’s cool to put faces to our favorite characters and seeing how our opinions differ from one another. We may be casting the same character, but we each picture vastly different people. It’s also nice when we get input from the Maidens.

Where do you see your blog in five years?
Oh, gosh… Hmm, hopefully bigger and better? We’re always trying to come up with something new and different for the Maidens, hoping that it sets us apart from other blogs. I’m lucky to be doing this with a great group of girls so I guess we’ll just have to see!

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
NO CLUE. I guess we just hope that people read our reviews first and foremost. I love it when people come up to me and tell me they loved the book I recommended or reviewed on the blog.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why>?
Hands down, I’d pick Karen Marie Moning. I’m a huge fan of both her Fever series and her Highlanders. I think if I could pick her brain for a night, I would be in complete bliss. She writes so well and with such heart that I think readers are helpless but to fall prey to her every whim. She writes, I devour – It’s that simple.

And imagine if Barrons was present at the dinner table? *thud*

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?
Tough question! I have absolutely no clue. But I did stumble upon this picture of the Long Room of the Trinity Library in Dublin, Ireland. It looks so enchanting, like something out of my favorite book!

But if we’re talking hypothetically, imagine stepping into the Brotherhood mansion in J.R. Ward’s BDB series!!! I think I would squeal with excitement and run around the whole place, screaming, “I want to be a shellan!” stopping only to grab a Brother and lock myself in a room with him.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
My favorite part has to be conversing with other readers and bloggers. Reading is very much a solitary act, but when you get the chance to talk to someone else about books, it becomes something more. You can create excitement, joy and anticipation. It can be an uplifting experience.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
Yes and no. I think in a way it has changed a little bit. I think I've become more open to books and authors and genres that I wouldn't have tried if it weren't for blogging. But at the same time, I know what I like and what genres fit me the most so if I’m in need of a comfort read, I know what to turn to. If I’m feeling more adventurous, then I’ll try something new.

I went from reading a lot of Young Adult before blogging and only about a year before I started blogging did I start reading Romance and Urban Fantasy books. I still haven’t gotten over this phase and I doubt I ever will. I have been reading more extreme BDSM books and have still been enjoying my M/M books. My curiosity has led me to more extreme examples of my favorite genres.

And about you:

Tell us three non-book-related things that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
This is such a hard question! I’m so boring and uninteresting!

1. I had a Mohawk once. And not the wussy kind where you just slick down the sides and spike up the top. I had the sides shaved down and everything! I did it because of a dare (and you know I never turn down a dare!) and when it grew out, I had this fugly bowl-cut.
2. I’m clumsy. Leave me alone by myself and something bad is bound to happen.
3. The Notebook makes me cry. Every. Time.

What do you like to do in your downtime (besides read of course)?
I used to paint a lot in my free time before I got into reading. Growing up, I wasn’t really a big reader and used to paint and sketch a lot. But now, with all the book series I’ve been trying to read, that leaves no time for painting anymore.

If you were given a break to do one thing on your “bucket list” what would you do?
Write a book.

If you went to your dream vacation spot where would we find you?
A beach somewhere, with David Gandy rubbing suntan oil into my skin ;P

Flash Round

Cake or pie?
cake

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Beach or mountains?
Definitely the beach! Mountains and I don’t mix well.

Night owl or morning dove?
Night Owl. I’m grumpy in the mornings.

Thanks so much for sharing Annie. It was fun to pick you mind and see if I could stump you! *grins* I have to agree a litte David Gandy is nice eye candy for all ladies. ;-)

Thanks so much for having me!!!!

A Journey to a New Me

Good Morning Everyone.

I know this is completely off topic for the blog, but I felt my journey towards a healthier life is best shared and hopefully accepted along my weight loss path. I will be sharing small "tidbits" about how I feel each day, weekly progress and other things I think would be of interest.

Short Background:
After my son Ryan was born in 2004 I was told I had VERY high blood pressure (Hypertension Stage 2) and was put on daily medication. I have been living a fairly sedate lifestyle, with little to no constant exercise or much physical activity. With the medication I was on containing a diuretic (water pill) I also had to go in for blood work semi annually. It was a week or so after my most recent visit in the end of September that the letter that spurred this change arrived by mail. My blood work was abnormal. My Doctor informed me that I was now a very high pre-diabetic and that my blood glucose level was VERY high as well. If I didn't make changes I very likely would end up becoming diabetic.

I was horrified, I am still young by most standards and not exactly "fat" but as I have taken note of how I have lived my life and the implications of continuing that life, I had to make a change. That letter was the catalyst I needed. I chastised myself for letting my health get to this point and I cried thinking about what could happen to my family if my health continued on that downward slope.

After taking a week to look over the various options I decided to go to a Medifast Center and see if it is right for me. With their support and weekly check-ins I can see my progress on a manageable scale and see the changes in myself. Today I begin my journey to a healthier slimmer me. One with enough energy to keep up with Ryan, go out dancing with the girls or to exercise without getting exhausted within a few minutes. I'm not thinking of this as a "diet" its a progressive lifestyle change. And one I plan to conquer.

I hope you will follow my journey with me.

Your friend,

Hot in Handcuffs Blog Hop w/ #Giveaway

It's time for the HOT in Handcuffs giveaway from Under the Covers Book Blog. Lately my smut has been all about Witches, shifters and Leviathans???? Hmm... but I digress. There is SOO much good smutty love to be had out there. I'm choosing one of my latest human based smut to a lucky US only commenter on the blog today. I'm giving away not one, not even 2, but THREE prizes this time. Details about each prize is below ans the Linky List of Blogs in the hop are at the very bottom of the post. Thanks for stopping in and Good Luck!

Prize One

Two Winners will each get their choice of a travel kit of a fragrance fron Bath and Body Works (provided it is available in my area.) My personal favorite is the Japanese Cherry Blossom.

Prize Two

Tis the season for double seduction.

The only item on Jana Colton’s Christmas list this year is Kevin Monahan. Preferably naked in her bed. The delicious, hunky chef has been resisting her forever, but she’s pulling out all the sexy stops this holiday. Especially since his acceptance of an out-of-state job threatens to nix her quest to rock his boxers off.

Jana has always been Kevin’s personal Kryptonite, but giving in to her isn’t an option. Relationships are a four-letter word in his book. He cares far too much for Jana to let his emotional baggage ultimately break her heart.

With the arrival of his best friend, Nick Pappas, the balance of temptation shifts. From their past history of sharing women, Nick knows every dirty trick it takes to lead Kevin astray, and he’s not afraid to use them. Particularly since Nick’s convinced that Jana is exactly what Kevin needs to be happy and whole.

Their game of seduction quickly snowballs into something that feels an awful lot like love—in triplicate. But with Kevin dead set on leaving Michigan, there’s a real possibility it could be a blue Christmas for them all.

Product Warnings: This book contains an extremely tormented voyeur, a very naughty and not so saintly Nick, a liberal application of candy cane-flavored body paint, a buzzing butterfly, and enough raunchy fun on a sex swing to melt a snowman…or two.

Along with this is a bottle of EDIBLE Peppermint Body oil. The oil warms as you rub it in and when you blot on the oil it gets HOTTER and a Chocolate Body Paint Kit! Yummy!

What could be more delicious than to cover your lover with broad strokes of chocolate body paint, and then follow each stroke of the brush, with a soft nibble or kiss? 2 oz. jar and paint brush included.

Peppy Peppermint! Peppermint flavored massage oil to enhance your mood. Apply and gently rub a small amount onto the desired area. It warms up as your rub it on. Blow on it - and it gets hotter!

            a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Mashup #2 (A Day Late)

Welcome to the Monday Mashup (a day late, but still going, its a no frills, but all thrills meme with no commitment issues! Just fun getting to know fellow bloggers. This blog is hosted by Amy H of DJ Library Dishes and Poison Rose of Picked byPoison. All we want to do is introduce you to your fellow bloggers whom you may or may not know and share the blog love!

If you'd like to be featured, or know someone you'd like us to feature, contact either Amy or Poison. Welcome to the Meme and enjoy getting to know another blogger.

Welcome to Angela of Under the Covers Book Blog

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you?
Thank you Sara for having me over. I am honored that you thought of me for this post on your blog! I am addicted to romance books and I co-blog for Under the Covers Book Blog. I have found the love for reading late in life and now trying to devour as many books as I can.

How long have you been blogging?
I started blogging about a good year now and have been enjoying it since.

 

Why did you get into blogging?
I started getting book recommendations from Goodreads and started to review them there myself. From there I met my co-bloggers and they invited me to join them. I found it fun, especially doing it with good people who share the same interests.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book that you have read so far in 2012?
I am currently reading: The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male by Jessica Clare. I’m enjoying this one a lot. I have a lot of favorite books this year and the one that come to mind now is Darynda Jones’ Third Grave Dead Ahead.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?
I have no specific favorite on our blog. I love pretty much everything on there. But if I have to pick one, it would be the book reviews. I know Fran, Suz and Annie have similar taste in books and I trust their opinion. I think a lot of our followers can agree with me on that.

Where do you see your blog in five years?
Well, it is hard to predict where this blog will be in five years. But I can tell you where I’d like it to be; I would like the blog to be bigger, badder with more followers and more authors to come by with great giveaways. I wish that Fran, Annie, Suz and I stay exactly where we are…co-bloggers and good friends.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?
RT 2013 Convention. From what I hear this convention is mostly focused on the readers rather than authors/publishers. I also hear that J. R. Ward is there every year and I would love to meet her.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
I love everything about the blogging community. Most of us see eye to eye for the love of the books, reviewing and discussing them is definitely fun. And meeting the authors is one of the great perks.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
Yes. My reading taste definitely changed. It’s gotten darker..well, not so much darker but I think I have just been more open to other genres. There are so many great books out there no one should limit themselves. I have gone from strickly PNR and now I read UF, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Eroticas and my girls at UTC swear they will flip me over to the dark side and read more BDSM/MM books. I've read some light BDSM and NO M/M books but I'm open to it. :)

And about you:

What do you like to do in your downtime (besides read of course)?
That’s easy, and this is the only thing that can tear me away from my reading…spending time with the fambam.

If you were given a break to do one thing on your “bucket list” what would you do?
Someday, I will tour Europe. That place is so rich in history and culture that I would love to see it all.

If you went to your dream vacation spot where would we find you?
? I’m easy. Anywhere tropical, beautiful beach and a 5 star resort. Nothing can beat good service in paradise. =)

Flash Round

Cake or pie?
cake

Coffee or tea?
Coffee

Beach or mountains?
beack

Night owl or morning dove?
Night Owl

Thanks so much for sharing Ang. Its always fun to chat with fellow friends/Blogging buddies. And you rock! *HUGS*