An AWESOME freebie by BBC. It’s only for 5 days, so grab some time soon and listen to it while you work or whatever. One of my favorite books of all time! BBC is offering Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 90 minutes. Check it out HERE.

To everyone that has emailed me to check on me… I’m okay. It’s been a super stressful couple of months with closing out year end (I own a bookkeeping firm in my real life) and I’ve had a few personal things to deal with. I should be back soon. I’ve read a few books with all the insanity and have the reviews mostly written. Apologies for slacking, but I’ll be back full force within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for missing me!

I asked Mandy a little bit about being a self-published author.

How does being self-published differ from being traditionally published?
Being self-published means most of the work is done on your own. That means writing the novel, editing the novel, proof-reading the novel, getting a cover designed, uploading to publisher/Amazon, marketing and promotion. I was really lucky with Strings Attached to have the support of all the members of Loveahappyending.com especially my associate readers, Team Baggot. Some of Team Baggot helped to proof read Strings Attached, helped with choosing the cover design and all of the team and some fantastic other book bloggers helped me create a two week blog tour. This is the first book that has had that much support from people and I think it really shows.

Covers are often criticised in self-published work – tell us about yours.
I have been very lucky to find an illustrator who ‘gets’ me and the style I want to create. I have to say it was inspired by Tilly Bagshawe and Jilly Cooper books where the author name is big and bold above everything else and, having written four books now, I need to familiarise the reader with me as a writer rather than just introducing the story. Even if you just publish your work as an e-book, the cover really can be the difference between someone clicking to buy or moving on to the next author. I would say the cover is probably more important that the blurb when shopping on-line. If the visual doesn’t pull you in you’re not even going to read the description, rightly or wrongly.

What are the downsides to being self-published?
No large advances, no team of professionals getting your books into the bookstores and no professional editors making sure you’ve got a semi-colon instead of a comma. Every piece of publicity, every book that makes it into a bookstore has been fought for. All my books are available on-line but physical copies in stores is still the best way to get your work in front of readers and make you a familiar name. I have some store signings at Waterstones lined up for December and into 2012 but most stores haven’t got the funds or resources to welcome self-published novelists very often. For me, every sale really does count if I want to carry on being a full-time author, so I am really, really grateful to everyone who buys my books and supports me! If I could hug you all I would!

Are you working on another book at the moment?
I am in the editing stage for my Summer 2012 release Taking Charge. And here is the blurb and a link to the You Tube trailer!

Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?
American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it?

Cole Ryan is a hockey player with a personal mission. He’s tall, dark and hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings – or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

With her ill father, a trailer trash step-mom, two cousins giving Satan a run for his money and an ex-boyfriend desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Especially when she doesn’t do dating! Can she start again? Does she really want to? And can two people really fall in love in three days?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QygMK9Gz_lA

The Cedar Season in Austin in January 2011 did me in. I have lived here for eleven years and have had allergy issues the entire time, but January… well, I told my husband that I could either go for allergy shots or we could move. So, off I went to an allergist. It was the height of the season so I was figuring I’d have to wait a month or two to even see a doctor. Nope, they had an appointment in a few days. *squeal*

The sent me a bunch of forms to fill out. Done. I showed up, the office staff were SO nice and there were only a couple of people waiting – I think these were folks that had had allergy shots and were waiting their required 20 minutes to leave. I’ve been back there a few times now and there is NEVER a long wait. Can I say how much I love that? It makes me feel like they value my time as much as I’m supposed to value their time.

My first visit with the doc was to talk about my allergies, about what I’m currently doing and what I want to do (please, I’ve never been a fan, but if you could give me a shot – well, a LOT of shots, that would make me super happy!). I do believe that Dr. Harden has one of the best bedside manners I’ve ever experienced. He’s soft spoken, quick with a little wit, understanding, etc. I didn’t once feel like he was dismissing me. He listened to my concerns, wrote me a new prescription to try something else and told me to come back for testing (yes!).

I will tell you that Dr. Harden likes to talk (so do I), but I like that he gives me a LOT of information as well as history. I feel like I have a better understanding of what is going on and why and what we are doing and why we are doing. He is truly a remarkable man.

On testing day, I spent a few hours with the lovely Linda. Linda kind of cracks me up. She has a great personality, is very gentle and has a very dry fun sense of humor, but she’s definitely the “straight man”. My personal goal over the next year is to make Linda laugh out loud.

I came back a week later to over over all of the results and talk about what to do going forward. I’m starting shots soon. It’s a big commitment so if you decide to do this, it can be a twice per week thing. I will be going in twice per week for two shots each time. But you know what? It’s a pretty fun office. You can tell they are close knit. They work hard, but they try to have fun doing it. I’m almost looking forward to it in a weird twisted kind of a way.

HIGHLY recommend this doctor and his staff.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

After a few years of visiting a big conglomerate dentist office, I decided it was time to find something else. My kid’s dentists also has become very hard to get an appointment with, so I was looking for something for the whole family. I chose this office simply because it was really close to my home. I figured I’d go in for a cleaning and if I liked it, then I’d change the kids… if not, well, there’s others.

I showed up a day early because I apparently cannot read a calendar. The front office staff was very sweet, but they couldn’t work me in. But they took my paperwork and we were ready to go for the next day (they also got a good laugh – with me, of course, not at me). I came back the next day and all was well.

I wouldn’t say that I’m afraid of the dentist, but I can think of about 10,000 other things I’d like to do than have someone poking at my mouth. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. Not only did the front staff make me feel welcome and have a wonderful sense of humor, but my hygienist (I want to say her name was Tina) was an absolute breath of fresh air. She was relaxed, we were joking around, she was gentle, my teeth got super clean and I felt like I was visiting an old friend. I definitely won’t be dreading the trip in six months.

I only visited with the dentist himself for a few minutes, he came in to take a quick look (no cavities!) and I was on my way out – where I quickly made appointments for my kids – with only a week to wait – not four months. Whew!

My kids also had a great visit. I like that they encourage you to NOT go back with them (my kids are 10 and 8). I think it made it easier on the kids, the hygienist and myself. Both kids came out smiling and happy.

One needed a small cavity filled, so we went back the next week. I did pay for her to have the gas, but she came out perfectly happy with no problems.

The did a great job AND they were super friendly. I would not hesitate to recommend them (and recommend I did!) to my friends and family.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I reviewed this back in January 2010. As you may recall, we loved it. We still do. It’s the only place I take the kids to get their hair cut. In my email this morning was a 50% off deal – go check it out HERE. Seriously. $10 is a STEAL, this place does an awesome job with kids. (Okay, I really like to write on the walls of the bathroom too – chalkboard paint!)

I promise not to do this often, I just couldn’t resist because it’s REALLY a good idea if you live in Austin/Cedar Park/Round Rock.

See that ultra cool duffel bag with the cover of Quantum on it and Portal, the first book of the series down below?

Want it? (I do but I’m not eligible, darn it!)

I reviewed Imogen’s latest book, Quantum, yesterday. It was the best of the three, I’m convinced. Today, as some of you may know, is the official launch of that book and I’m happy to say that Ms. Rose has provided us with some nice goodies. You will win the duffel and book along with some bookmarks and a special treat. The book will be signed by the author, very cool!

Want to enter? It’s easy… just post below here with a way to contact you should you win.

Want another chance to enter? Go “LIKE” this blog on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/CandysRaves and make a second post below.

I’ll take entries until Noon on November 30, 2010 (Central Time) and will draw a name at some point after that.

Good luck!

I’m going to take a nice hot shower and crawl into bed for a few hours. But first, the wrap up meme. I took this off someone else’s blog, it didn’t post to the 24HourReadAThon website, so whatever…

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
-2am-4am, had to take a nap
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
-I think it’s best to keep it light, but those that I read this year were pretty light, so take a look below for what I read.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
-I got a little frustrated when the posts on the official website weren’t complete – like hour 24 didn’t have this meme, I found it somewhere else. Or the challenge would be posted late. I get it, it’s run by humans, but I’m one of those clock watcher people. Totally *my* problem. Maybe if the posts were pre-loaded and previewed to make sure they show up right? I dunno…
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
-Twitter chatter helped when things got really rough for me in the middle of the night.
5. How many books did you read?
-7, including short stories and partials
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Let’s Do Lunch by KA Jordan, Candy Wars by RG Cordiner, Calico Pennants by David Ross, October Breezes by Maria Hooley, Waiter, There’s a Clue in My Soup by Camille LaGuire, The Song of Ballad and Crescendo by Noah K Mullette-Gillman, Last Laughter by Carolyn Kephart, High Five by Janet Evanovich
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
-Not really a fair question, I liked them all for various reasons, but I’m going to choose Candy Wars by RG Cordiner
8. Which did you enjoy least?
-Probably Waiter, There’s a Clue in My Soup by Camille LaGuire because it wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it was short stories that helped me power through the tough spots!
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
-I wasn’t, but they rocked!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
-I’m not sure of the date of the next one, but last years was April 10th. I’m a bookkeeper, that’s entirely too close to the tax deadline here in the US, so sadly, I wouldn’t. I might could do a turn as a cheerleader or something though.

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Title of book(s) current reading: High Five by Janet Evanovich
Title of book(s) finished so far: Let’s Do Lunch by KA Jordan, Candy Wars by RG Cordiner, Calico Pennants by David Ross, October Breezes by Maria Hooley, Waiter, There’s a Clue in My Soup by Camille LaGuire, The Song of Ballad and Crescendo by Noah K Mullette-Gillman, Last Laughter by Carolyn Kephart
Number of books read since you started: 6, includes short stories and partial reads
Kindle locations read since last update: 706
Kindle locations read so far this challenge: 14,524
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 14 hours 45 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 16
Other participants you’ve visited: whoever I happened to click on
Prizes I’ve won: Amazing Commenter

Well, here I sit at the top of the final hour of this here shindig. I’m really glad Monday is a holiday, I’ll need the extra recovery time. Too bad the kids and husband are home too though *laugh*

So, let’s see what challenge they have for us this morning… um… there isn’t one, well it says there is, maybe they’ll add it later and I’ll do it with my wrap up… almost done!!

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Title of book(s) current reading: High Five by Janet Evanovich
Title of book(s) finished so far: Let’s Do Lunch by KA Jordan, Candy Wars by RG Cordiner, Calico Pennants by David Ross, October Breezes by Maria Hooley, Waiter, There’s a Clue in My Soup by Camille LaGuire, The Song of Ballad and Crescendo by Noah K Mullette-Gillman, Last Laughter by Carolyn Kephart
Number of books read since you started: 6, includes short stories and partial reads
Kindle locations read since last update: 449
Kindle locations read so far this challenge: 13,818
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 14 hours 00 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 15
Other participants you’ve visited: whoever I happened to click on
Prizes I’ve won: Amazing Commenter

*waves* I’m still here. That nap was JUST what I needed to make it through I think. We’re at the top of hour 23, just 2 hours and then I’m taking a shower and going to bed for a few hours. Wooohoooo! I am down to short stories, although I might start a regular book soon. I dunno yet

Lu’s Raves and Rants (whoa, I KNOW!) is telling us to Make It Up and take any title of a book we read and scramble it up to make a new word – and give that word it’s own definition.
Okay, I’m in for this one. Let’s go back to my first read, Let’s Do Lunch by KA Jordan, Cheldto is what I’m going to use. This is what happens to a Cheeto when your kid drops them on the floor of your minivan and steps on them repeatedly, they meld with the carpet and you’re left with Cheldto!

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Title of book(s) current reading: Last Laughter by Carolyn Kephart
Title of book(s) finished so far: Let’s Do Lunch by KA Jordan, Candy Wars by RG Cordiner, Calico Pennants by David Ross, October Breezes by Maria Hooley, Waiter, There’s a Clue in My Soup by Camille LaGuire, The Song of Ballad and Crescendo by Noah K Mullette-Gillman
Number of books read since you started: 6
Kindle locations read since last update: 1206
Kindle locations read so far this challenge: 13,369
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 75 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 13 hours 15 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 15
Other participants you’ve visited: whoever I happened to click on
Prizes I’ve won: Amazing Commenter

Amazing what a 45 minute naps can do! Feeling good over there. I’ll report at the next hour, but our mini challenges were:

At Home With Books wants us to take a photo that represents a character in one of our books. I’m passing this one up this time around.

Fiction State of Mind wants us to tell them about our favorite sidekick character. Ooohh… thinking… there’s some really good ones out there, but I must chose Hermione from Harry Potter. I know, I know, but I love her. She’s such a little know it all. She kinda like a little mini-me! And I love she thinks the boys are always so stupid. They’re boys, of course they are!