Category: FREE

5000 piece puzzle of Florence

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A few years ago I put together a 5000 piece puzzle and I swore I’d never do it again.  Not only does it take too long, but at some point it stops being fun.  But, in February I was looking on ebay (a wonderful place to get puzzles) and saw this beautiful puzzle of Florence, Italy.  We were finalizing or trip to Italy, so I bought it.  And started piecing it together in February.  And did not put the last piece in place until last night.  October 24.  Obviously I took time off here and there, but still…  I’m never doing another 5000 piece puzzle again.  Really.

A special thanks to those of you who came by the house and took the time to put in a piece or two.  It may have taken me another month to finish without you!

5000 piece puzzles are expensive and I’m willing to give this puzzle away, but I won’t pay for shipping.  Once I put it back in the box I’ll weigh it so you have an idea how much it may cost to mail.  If you are interested, let me know.

EDIT-I’ve mailed this on to South Africa.

FREE books for October

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Leave a comment, tell me which book you want and I’ll get the book to you for FREE either by mail or personally if I’ll see you soon.  The first one to request each book wins.

Once you’ve ‘won’ the book I can get your shipping address if I need it.  Also, you can come back and get a free book every month if you want. 

1. The Husband by Dean Koontz (brand new paperback) – thriller  for Satish

2. Drive: the Story of my Life by Larry Bird (paperback in excellent condition) – autobiography for JerNeal

3. Widow’s Kiss by Jane Feather (paperback in good condition) – romance for Heather

4. Shameless by Tori Carrington (Feb 08 Harlequin Extreme Blaze paperback in good condition) – romance

Thanks for helping me make room for new books on my bookshelf.  Happy Reading 🙂

Free books at Writerspace

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I’ve mentioned writerspace.com before as a great site for romance lovers.  Every month the authors give away prizes to readers who stop by and enter, much like we do at other book blogs.  This is a list of the participating authors and what they are giving away this month.  If you see something that interests you hop on over to http://www.writerspace.com/contests/ and enter.  If you see a few favorite authors you should bookmark it and stop by every month for new prizes.  Good luck!

  • Catherine Anderson – an autographed book by Catherine Anderson
  • Stella Cameron – an autographed paperback edition of A MARKED MAN
  • Christina Dodd– a signed copy of both SCENT OF DARKNESS and TOUCH OF DARKNESS (1 winner)
  • Brenda Joyce – a Masters Of Time Gift Package, which includes a signed copy of DARK SEDUCTION and DARK RIVAL, a DARK EMBRACE mouse pad, a DARK EMBRACE computer cloth and a DARK RIVAL Flashlight (3 winners)
  • Jayne Ann Krentz – an autographed copy of ZINNIA, writing as Jayne Castle
  • Elizabeth Lowell – an autographed hardcover edition of RUNNING SCARED to one winner and THIS TIME LOVE to another winner (2 winners)
  • Susan Elizabeth Phillips– an autographed paperback editon of NATURAL BORN CHARMERand an autogrpahed trade paperback edition of IT HAD TO BE YOU (1 winner)
  • Leanne Banks – a Leanne Banks FOOTLOOSE Book Bag with a few extra goodies added in!
  • Jill Barnett– a $25 gift certificate to BN.com
  • Anya Bast – a copy of her e-book, STRANDS OF SUNLIGHT
  • Berkley~Signet Mystery Authors – a selection of previously released books (1 winner)
  • The Best Reviews– winners choice of a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com or BN.com
  • Sandy Blair – a hardbound, autographed copy of A THIEF IN A KILT
  • Barbara Bretton– a signed copy of both JUST DESSERTS and JUST LIKE HEAVEN, plus a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com (1 winner)
  • Robyn Carr – a signed Advanced Reading Copy of A VIRGIN RIVER CHRISTMAS <!–
  • Kristina Cook – a signed copy of Sandy Blair‘s A ROGUE IN A KILT, along with a signed TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL cover flat (1 winner) –>
  • Claudia Dain – an autographed copy of PRIVATE PLACES, containing Claudia’s novella, A Night at the Theater
  • Thea Devine – a signed copy of her novella, The Guy Diet in WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION…, plus a goody basket(1 winner)
  • Marie Ferrarella – a signed copy of THE BACHELOR (2 winners)
  • Elizabeth Grayson– choice of one of Elizabeth Grayson’s historicals or Karyn Witmer’s A SIMPLE GIFT <!–
  • Amelia Grey – an autographed copy of one of her backlist titles –>
  • Elizabeth Guest – a signed copy of NIGHT LIFE and a signed copy of NO ORDINARY MAN, written as Suzanne Simmons (1 winner)
  • Lisa Hendrix – a signed Advanced Reading Copy of IMMORTAL WARRIOR
  • Metsy Hingle – an autographed copy of both BLACK SILK” and WHAT THE MILLIONAIRE WANTS…and the winner’s choice of any book from her backlist (1 winner)
  • Emma Holly– a Levenger ballpoint pen and a signed copy of STRANGE ATTRACTIONS (1 winner)
  • Jillian Hunter – a signed copy of THE SINFUL NIGHTS OF A NOBLEMAN
  • Madeline Hunter– winners choice of ONE of the Rothwell series books; THE RULES OF SEDUCTION, LESSONS OF DESIRE, or SECRETS OF SURRENDER (2 winners)
  • Nicole Jordan– a choice of a book from a selection of Nicole’s available backlist: TO PLEASURE A LADY, TO BED A BEAUTY, TO SEDUCE A BRIDE, FEVER DREAMS, WICKED FANTASY, LORD OF SEDUCTION, MASTER OF TEMPTATION, THE SEDUCTION, THE PASSION, DESIRE, ECSTASY, THE PRINCE OF PLEASURE, THE LOVER THE WARRIOR or TOUCH ME WITH FIRE
  • Shirley Jump – ONE of these Melissa Jamesbacklist titles: LONG-LOST FATHER, OUTBACK BABY MIRACLE, HER OUTBACK KNIGHT or A MOTHER IN A MILLION (4 winners)
  • Angela Knight – a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate
  • Cathie Linz – a signed copy of BAD GIRLS DON’T
  • Sarah McCarty– a $15 online gift Certificate to Amazon.com
  • Cheyenne McCray – an autographed copy of SHADOW MAGIC
  • Lucy Monroe – a signed copy of HIRED: THE SHEIKH’S SECRETARY MISTRESS and some miscellaneous goodies (bath items, romantic stationary, etc.) (1 winner)
  • NAL/Signet/Onyx Authors– a selection of previously released NAL/Signet/Onyx books (1 winner)
  • Joy Nash – an autographed copy of IMMORTALS: THE CROSSING and 50 other chances to win a copy of IMMORTALS: THE CROSSING. The contest starts on August 12th and ends on September 30th.
  • Mary Paine – a paperback edition of A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon
  • Diana Palmer -an autographed hardcover edition of FEARLESS
  • Caridad Piñeiro – a CALLING T-shirt and an autographed copy of an earlier release (1 winner)
  • Francis Ray – a signed copy of THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
  • Karen Robards – an autographed paperback edition of BAIT
  • Eden Robins – an autographed trade paperback edition of AFTER SUNDOWN: REDEMPTION
  • Running With Quills – an autographed book from each of the Quills authors (1 winner)
  • Susan Sizemore – a signed copy of I THIRST FOR YOU
  • Christina Skye – a Foxfire t-shirt with Izzy’s signature (3 winners)
  • Bertrice Small – a Basket of Cookies and Nibblers from Mrs.Fields
  • Annie Solomon – a signed copy of LIKE A KIFE or DEAD RINGER (winner’s choice)
  • Susan Squires – a signed copy of ONE WITH THE DARKNESS and Godiva chocolate (1 winner)
  • Roxanne St. Claire – a signed copy of KILL ME TWICE
  • Mariah Stewart – a signed copy of DEAD END
  • Susan Wiggs– a free Booklovers’ Bag of goodies, a “Laugh Cry Dream Read” totebag filled with wonderful things to eat, read and pamper yourself with (1 winner)
  • Sherryl Woods– a $25 Starbucks giftcard

FREE BOOKS for September

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Be the first to leave a comment and I’ll get the book to you for FREE either by mail or personally if I’ll see you soon.  They are all in good shape and have been read once or twice.

Once you’ve ‘won’ the book I can get your shipping address if I need it.  Also, you can come back and get a free book every month if you want. 

1. Ricochet by Sandra Brown (hardcover book club copy) Brown is always reliable for a fast paced thriller  for Yessenia

2. When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman (paperback) the first of the Alex Delaware mystery series for Donstuff

3. Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg (paperback) Berg is one of my favorites for womens fiction for bermudaonion

4. Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (paperback) If you like romances you must read Phillips.  She’s one of my favorites.

Thanks for helping me make room for new books on my bookshelves.  Happy Reading!

Dear John, by Norma Betz

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Finished 7-18-08, rating 2/5, fiction, pub. 2008

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this free reviewer copy with the understanding that I would review it here.  I agreed because the story sounded interesting.  Susanna must go and take care of her deceased aunt’s estate and in the process learns a lot about herself through the letters she finds written by her ancestor, Abigail Adams.  She is joined on this journey by her best companion, her dog Quincy.  I love dogs and genealogy and thought this book would be right up my alley.  It was not.

I loved the idea of the story, but the execution wasn’t good.  My first problem came early on when I found the first notation to refer to the chapter notes at the end of the book.  There were many and they stopped the story and were totally unnecessary.  I’ve never seen it in fiction and there is a good reason why.  The clunky language was the main problem of the book.  The language was stilted and although the characters were fine, their language made them pretty boring. 

There were a few bright spots.  I loved Quincy and his relationship with Susanna.  Also, if you are interested in Abigail Adams you will probably like this better than I did.  It is filled with Abigail letters that I found myself skimming, but someone else may find very interesting.

This is her first book and she used an alternative publishing source, Authorhouse.  If you are interested in self-publishing your own book and would like me to send you this copy so that you can see the quality, leave and comment and I’ll get it to you.