Winners!! and a new home!

I know, I know, I'm really late with some of these! But I kept thinking "there's another ending soon, I'll compile 'em all and put out one post," and this is what happens... Sorry, y'all!

Anyway. Winners. Here's the whole list of 'em...

Katrina Kittle's Reasons to be Happy:  holdenj!!

Christie Craig's Don't Mess with Texas and Jane Graves' Heartstrings and Diamond Rings: Denise Z and Jolene A!!

Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus: Erin and Ashley Holt!!

Chris Evans' A Darkness Forged in Fire: Trisha W!!

Laura Anne Gilman's Flesh and Fire: Melissa Roma!!

Phew. Congratulations, everybody!! Please get me your mailing information before the end of day Tuesday. And thank you for stopping in!

Next up is some news...

I've decided to bite the bullet and get my own domain name. So, www.dreyslibrary.com is officially mine and it's up and running. I still have a ton to do to fix the links and stuff (so they're not pointing here), and who knows when I'll finally be done with that. But. Go check it out! And let me know what you think! I'll try to duplicate posts here until I shut this site down. When? I'm not sure. But I will let you know when I figure it out!

Finally, last but not least: There are giveaways still running! Go enter 'em if you haven't already!

Happy 4th of July!

Enjoy the fireworks, cookouts, etc. Don't blow off any limbs. And remember your sunscreen!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Monday, y'all! And Happy Valentine's Day too! I am hopefully sitting on a beach, drinking a daiquiri or margarita or ... *grin* BUT I still wanted to celebrate with you, so I'm here to offer you a book.

What book? Well, it's your choice. Pick a bodice-ripper, contemporary romance, historical fiction, epic fantasy, urban fantasy, etc. etc. etc. There are a ton to pick from, so go for whatever trips your trigger!

Caveat:
Unfortunately, I haven't won the lottery yet, so there's a $10 price limit on your book choice. BUT I will open this one to wherever The Book Depository ships, so (a) please check that they will ship to you, and (b) pick your book!

To enter this contest, comment here and tell me what book you'd like. Don't forget your email address, and do it all before 6pm CST February 27th.

Hello 2011!

Happy New Year, everybody! I can't believe it's 2011 already, but hey I guess time flies when you're having fun.. :) I've been noodling on a few changes for this year, but haven't made any decisions, so I guess I'll tell you about it when I get around to 'em (but don't hold your breath, I don't know how crazy work is going to get this month, especially with one project going live on the 24th)...

I've only signed up for two challenges this year--both look interesting, so hopefully I'll be a good participant and actually finish them? *grin* I'm still thinking about hosting a conquer-mt-tbr challenge for this year... I thought I'd seen something like that somewhere else but dang if I can find it. If you know who's hosting one like it, let me know & I'll sign up. Otherwise I'll start it up in a few weeks.

Alright y'all... I'm off to finish cleaning up after last night's party. Have a wonderful year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! And Happy New Year!! I will be taking some time off from the blog (except for winner announcements, and a few random posts), but will return in 2011.

Safe travels to those who are heading out or back home. See you in the new year!

** Tree art from www.adobetutorialz.com/articles/3021/1/Merry-Christmas-tree-design

Books away!

I didn't forget!! As part of my blogoversary celebration, I'd run a comment contest for books to ship out to troops stationed overseas. Well, I gave up on counting the comments, and I had a huge pile sitting here, so I just packed 'em all up (except for the ARCs, not sure if those would be accepted)... And today, I dropped off 59 books at the USO office in downtown Milwaukee. Here's a pic of 'em in my trunk. The bag has fantasy/urban fantasy/sci-fi. The middle box is all romance. The box on the left has fiction/chick-lit/memoirs. Hopefully they'll find a reader or two to enjoy 'em!

As always, thank you for swinging by. Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the good ol' US of A... So, Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

I am thankful for a lot in my life, starting with the Mr. and the little man, and our collective good (mostly) health. I am thankful for the roof over our heads, and the jobs that lets us pay the bills and afford the activities that hopefully are providing a well-rounded, explorative childhood for my little monkey... I am thankful for our friends and family, even if I'm not always demonstrative of that thankfulness. You know who you are, and I love you.

I am also thankful that there are people who stop by this lil' ol' blog, from the authors who spend time on my Q&As and guest posts, to the visitors who comment on my reviews and enter my giveaways. I am amazed that my eclectic reading selections speak to some of you, and I'd like to try for more of a dialog. I think in this next year, this blog will have more of a focus on the genres reviewed, with the occasional step out (of course!), and I hope you'll come along on that journey too.

Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Happy Halloween!

Saw this on facebook, had to share... Enjoy!

Rachel Vincent's Alpha trailer!

Been meaning to post this for a few days now, just haven't gotten around to it. For fans of Rachel Vincent's Shifters series, here's a trailer for Alpha, coming Sept. 28!



I cannot wait!!

Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository Challenges:

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day y'all! Well, if you live in the U.S. Enjoy the day! Put your feet up & read a few books, or go spend some time outside before winter descends upon us (especially up here!).

I will be reading The Iron Daughter. And maybe Discord's Apple as well. They need to get back to the library, and I can't bear sending them "home" without cracking them open first! What are you reading?

Joshilyn Jackson in WI today!!!

Ahem. Attention, everyone!

Joshilyn Jackson is in the wonderful state of Wisconsin today. Hopefully the weather is wonderful, and not scary as all get-out (as it was on Monday night!).

Deets:
Thursday, June 24
7:00 pm
Next Chapter Bookshop
An independent bookshop serving Ozaukee County and Milwaukee's North Shore
(262) 241-6220
10976 N. Port Washington Road
Mequon, Wisconsin • 53092

Thank You...

Just a short note to express my appreciation for those in the military, and their families. Thank you.

Happy April Fool's Day!

That's all. Move along now... Nothing to see here... *wink*

I want it!!

Books I added to my wish list this week:

Charlaine Harris' Dead in the Family (May)  ISBN-13: 978-0441018642
Book #10 in the Sookie Stackhouse series is coming out in May. I couldn't find a blurb for it though, so you'll just have to be happy with the cover, and an excerpt at Charlaine Harris' website: http://www.charlaineharris.com/DITFChpt1.pdf







Ilona Andrews' Magic Bleeds (May)  ISBN-13: 978-0441018529

Couldn't find the blurb for this one, either, but it's got Kate and Curran, and where they go from here. Check out Ilona Andrews' website for more info.








C.E. Murphy's Demon Hunts (June)  ISBN-13: 978-0373803149
Can't find a "proper" cover image for this one, but go to C.E. Murphy's website to see it--it's gorgeous!! cemurphy.net

Seattle police detective Joanne Walker started the year mostly dead, and she's ending it trying not to be consumed by evil. LITERALLY.

She's proven she can handle the gods and the walking dead. But a cannibalistic serial killer? That's more than even she bargained for. What's worse, the brutal demon leaves no tracks. So if Joanne is to stop its campaign of terror, she'll have to hunt it where it lives: the Lower World, a shamanistic plane of magic and spirits.

Trouble is, Joanne's skills are no match for the dangers she's about to face--and her on-the-job training could prove fatal to the people she's sworn to protect...

Chloe Neill's Twice Bitten (July)  ISBN-13: 978-0451230645
Merit, Chicago’s newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is. Shapeshifters from across the country are convening in the Windy City, and as a gesture of peace, Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan has offered their leader a very special bodyguard: Merit. Merit is supposed to protect the Alpha, Gabriel Keene—and to spy for the vamps while she’s at it. Oh, and luckily Ethan’s offering some steamy, one-on-one combat training sessions to help her prepare for the mission.

Merit must accept the assignment, even though she knows that she’ll probably regret it. And she’s not wrong. Someone is gunning for Gabriel Keene, and Merit soon finds herself in the line of fire. She’ll need all the help she can get to track down the would-be assassin, but everywhere she turns, there are rising tensions between supernaturals—not least between her and a certain green-eyed, centuries old master vampire.

You just KNOW that time is going to drag s.l.o.w.l.y. until these come out, right? *sigh*

Happy New Year!

Well, can you believe it's 2010 already?? Holy moly, where did 2009 go? I hope your New Year celebrations (if you had one) was safe and, um, celebratory. *grin*

So, did you make any New Year's Resolution(s)? I didn't. Haven't in a decade or so, because I never stuck with it anyway. I must have a general lack of willpower or something... *grin*

BUT, I am making changes to this ol' blog. If you haven't already, catch up at my 2010 changes announcement post.

In addition to those changes, whenever my nook gets here (yes, I got a nook for Christmas, w00t!!), I will hopefully start reading eBooks as well. I can't wait. =)

So, Happy New Year, y'all! May there be lots and lots of good stuff heading your way in 2010!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!

Well, it's Christmas Eve, everyone... I am going to be off till Monday, so don't y'all get into trouble, ok? *grin*

I love Christmas. I hope that this joyous season brings peace, health, and happiness to all of you and your families. I can't wait to spend time with the Mr.'s family, and I wish I didn't miss my family quite so much. But such is life, and we go on. May the spirit of the season be with you and yours.

Hugs and muahs!

Going Indie...

If you've been here for a while, you've (probably) noticed that the book covers here all link to Amazon.com. Well, for 2010, I am going to change that practice, and link to IndieBound instead. I firmly believe in supporting local, independent booksellers, and want to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

So. For 2010, all cover images will link to IndieBound, where you can search for a local bookseller. And if I remember to, I will include a text link to Amazon and B&N as well. Happy reading!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thanksgiving is not a holiday I grew up with, which isn't surprising since I didn't grow up in America. But I've been here 18 years now, and have to admit that it's one of my favorite holidays now. Not for the shopping on Black Friday--even if I have gone out with the crazies at 5am in the morning--but for the time spent with friends and family, where nothing's expected but good company, good food, and good football.

For those who are traveling, I wish you safe travels. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

To the Dingmanns, Gordons, Thomptos, Kozuchs, Joro, Kalogirous, & Riveras, I miss you guys and am thankful to have known you. Happy Thanksgiving.

It's my blogoversary!! Time to celebrate!!

OMG. I cannot believe it. ONE whole year! 200+ books. 100 giveaways. 13 interviews. 20 guest posts. 159 authors. Almost 400 followers on Google Friend Connect. 600+ subscribers on FeedBurner. Ok, so I'm slacking on the interviews... I'll have to do something about that!

I'm honored and touched that you think it worth your time to swing by and read my posts. I appreciate that you stop by, and I hope you keep doing it! *grin*

To celebrate this first year mark, I've got a few questions, and a--what else?--giveaway or two for you...

First, to make you work...

I am thinking of slowing down a bit on things here, especially the reviews. Posting daily on weekdays is a huge commitment, and I've been neglecting other things. If I can get to 3 reviews a week, I think I'll be happy. But will you? Anyway, if I slow down on my reading, I will need to focus a bit more on the genres I read. Which brings up the question--are you here for the reviews? If so, which genres do you read my reviews for? If you're not here for the reviews, then is it the giveaways? And if so, which ones?

Now are you ready to find out what the giveaway is? There are two. One starts today, so check out the drey's blogoversary: Day 1 giveaway post!

For the second giveaway, I'm borrowing the "carousel" method I saw at Dan's Journal...

There will be three books listed each day. One book will be selected, and the other two will be carried over to the next day with a new book added, until all 9 books are given away.

This one will run tomorrow through December 4th, on the weekdays only!! Please be aware that there will be books added to the carousel on Thanksgiving Day, and the day after Thanksgiving, so don't eat too much turkey and forget to come by! *grin*

A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to the folks at Pocket Book, Hachette Book Group, and Sourcebooks, for providing books for the carousel. I have had such a great time working with all of you this year, and I hope you feel the same way too!

Blogoversary...

So... My 1-year blogoversary is coming up... And I have no clue what to do for it! I had such grand plans, but unfortunately, the best laid plans & all that... *sigh*

Anyway. There will be a giveaway. Or two. Keep your fingers crossed that I will get organized! After all, there's piles of books at my house waiting for new homes.

And, I've been noodling. On changes for the good ol' blog. I'll throw some ideas out there, and would appreciate feedback. Please?

Thanks for reading. Now, back to your regularly-scheduled programming!