Work, (e)Books, and Bugs, oh my!

It's my bloooog I can rant if I want to, rant if I want to, rant if I want to..

Books! and eBooks! They're piling up around me, and I have yet to get two seconds to myself to read them. To earn some extra money (and because I needed to get out of the house more), I took on a very temporary job at a Halloween store. While I have plenty of hours available to work, I was planning on 20-25 hours. The first week? They scheduled me full time! Even after arguing with the managers, and then even the store owner, I finally managed to lessen the hours, but to 32. This week they did a little better, but I'm still at 28. So by the time I get home (the only two days I'm off are days I have classes full time) I have time to get some homework done before I crash. But I want to read! All these pretty books, they're calling to me! And not just print books, but I have recently recieved some ebooks from two authors that I told them I would gladly review them, and promote the books. I can't do that if I don't have SOME free time, dangit! Don't worry readers, I will be back! Just give me until the second (or so) of November (yay that's less than a week!) and I'll be able to at least do SOME reading and reviewing.

Want to know the books?
"Dhampir Passions" by Mary Corrales and
"The Ghost Downstairs" by Molly Ringle
The second author, I've been following her blog for AGES - she did some amazing "Lord of the Rings in 15 minutes" parodies, as well as other movies. And I was excited to receive a copy of this book to read and review. Heck, I was/am excited to receive BOTH of these!

Rant the second: BUGS! Ah! I know it's getting colder outside, and that usually means prime time for mice and bugs to get into the house since it's warmer inside.. but seriously world?! I live in a basement, and to date, I have found THREE crickets, a grasshopper (first time I've seen a grasshopper outside of the movie A Bug's Life), a spider the size of a quarter, etc. I have a love hate relationship with bugs.. they exist, and I love to hate them. Yes, I know they do good, I just wish they would do said good outside of my room. They make me all... cringey. Maybe if I print small signs and place them around my room telling bugs this is a bug free zone.. would it work?

I hope everyone has a fun (and safe!!) Halloween. Remember to beware, there are werewolves and vampires about! Just kidding, most vampires stay in and watch cheesy movies about themselves on Halloween. And werewolves would only be out if it's the full moon... better check the moon cycle!

Happy Reading, everyone!
~Morning Glow

Another contest(s) for you!

Okay, everyone needs to check out Princess Bookie, because she's having some major contests for her read-a-thon. She got so many responses for authors and others for books to give away she had to start on them early!

But I'm here to tell you about one contest for ARCs, the one I desperately want. I love Advanced copies of books.. I love the unfinished cover, I like the colors they come in (I've had yellow, black and shiny, pink, etc) and frankly.. I'm a sucker for how they look on my shelf. ARCs and Swag are two of my weaknesses.. and, well.. Books in general are a big weakness. So check out this particular contest at
Princess+Bookie

Much love and books (hopefully) to you all!
~Morning Glow

Review of 'How to catch and keep a vampire" by Diana Laurence!

Ah! Finally, you say - a review! Yes, I know. It's been forever, but... well, I just don't want to get into it. On with the good part!

From the back of the book:
" Who needs a book on dating a vampire? Well, Bella Swan and Sookie Stackhouse to name just two... Bella and Sookie are fortunate to have vampire boyfriends. But what the heroines of Twilight and True Blood don't have - and could use - is some advice on getting along with them. Everything they and every other red-blooded American girl (and guy) wants to know about finding a dreamy blood- drinker and keeping him is within How to Catch and Keep a Vampire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving the Bad and the Beautiful"

My thoughts: Well, I definitely enjoyed this book, and found myself smiling while reading it. And it's not just FAQs and answers, oh no.. there are case studies! As well as Diana Laurence's own person experiences with some vampires. And! I shall share with you the secret of the red ribbon... if you wear a red, satin ribbon on your right wrist, it's a sign for vampires, so they know you know they exist, and you're more likely to attract a good (or bad!) vampire. But if you wear the ribbon on the left wrist.. you're likely to attract an evil vampire. One that would rather kill you than keep you as their sex goddess, I mean.. lover. There are some things, especially near the end, that I didn't exactly agree with, in regards to turning, keeping your mortal boyfriend even though you're also dating a vampire, etc. But it was still a fun read. I especially liked the section about taming a vampire - why, you ask? To put it simply, she explains you can't tame a vampire! Sure, all us vampire addicts knew that, but it's always amusing to hear stories/case studies of people trying!

Are you running out to get a red satin ribbon yet? I was! I'm surprised I haven't seen more promotion for this book. I thought it was an interesting idea, and great for any vampire-lover. And I'd love to see people wearing red satin ribbons become a trend.

I'm going to give this book a FOUR out of FIVE. I enjoyed it, I'm recommending it to some people, it's interesting and well written. Yep, definitely a four. That's it for now, check back soon (I hope! Darn you real life!) for another review.

Happy reading!
~Morning Glow

Photo courtesy of amazon.com
Book recieved free of charge via a promotion on a blog, no review required - I am reviewing it of my own free will.

Be in a book!

BE IN A BOOK! YOUR NAME, NO CONTEST, NO KIDDING!

Urban fantasy romance author Jaime Rush is giving you the chance to have your name in a nationally-published book as a way of thanking you for your support, being a friend, or just being you. There is no contest, no "lucky" winner. You're all winners! Tell your friends, too. Go to her website (www.jaimerush.com) or MySpace page (www.myspace.com/jaimerush) and sign up by October 30th!

A Cool Contest for Readers and Writers –A little fame & a little fortune!
Jaime Rush (aka Tina Wainscott) is celebrating the second book in her urban fantasy romance series, OUT OF THE DARKNESS (Avon), with her Kick Butt First Line contest. Shocking, suspenseful, funny…make us want more! Cash prizes! Contest runs from through November 1, 2009. For aspiring authors, it's a chance to get your name out there and add a "win" to your bio. For readers, it's a chance to play at being a writer. For details, and to check out the entries, go to www.JaimeRush.com and click on the Contest link.

I've already done it, maybe you should too! And spread the word!
Happy Reading!
Morning Glow

A contest for everyone to check out

As I'm sure you all know by now, I'm a big fan of paranormal creatures. Especially vampires and werewolves. Especially especially vampires. And guess what, there's a great contest being held over at Bloody Bookaholic - for a vampire or a werewolf book.

From the publisher
Those obessed with fangs – the vampire and werewolf kind – will DROOL over VAMPIRES by Joules Taylor and WEREWOLVES by Jon Izzard – both published by Octopus Press USA. VAMPIRES explores the ancient and modern myths from around the world, details accounts of real-life vampires both mental and physical, and profiles the popularity and fascination with vampires in pop culture. WEREWOLVES is a riveting volume about the transformations, inner rage, extra human strength, mysterious curses and modern cures of these complex creatures. I’ve attached the press release for your reference.

Now, go check the contest out! And if get there via my post, can you please say you were referred by me? Thanks bunches!

Here's the LINK now go check it out!

Happy reading everyone!!
~Morning Glow

Almost there!

For anyone and everyone that keeps checking back in, even though I've been rather MIA these past couple.. weeks(?!), I'll be back soon, I promise! I have one more midterm and then I can get back to what I love- reading and blogging. Good thing I decided to allow myself a break to check some blogs out, it looks like we now have new FTC guidelines to follow, lovely! I guess from now on if I receive/buy/get/win/whatever a book, I better write down where it comes from, how I got it, etc..

And just FYI, I got a copy of "How to catch and keep a vampire," "According to Jane" (ARC), "Covet," and a few others that have been added to the now overwhelming TBR pile.. at last count it was at 22 something.. ah! Though I know as soon as midterms are all taken care of, I won't have a problem curling up under a nice warm blanket infront of our fake fireplace (anyone else own an Amish fireplace stove thing? My family just HAD to have one) with an excellent book.

Sorry!

I'm just posting to show you all that I am definitely still alive.. and to apologize for being gone so long. And I'm afraid it might have to continue, though I'm working on budgeting my time a little better. And just to show I'm not making this up, here's what I have going on the next couple weeks...

This week: Exam in my film studies class.. studied for that all weekend, and you know, I think I did okay. We can hope, anyways!
Also this week: The show!! That's right, everyone.. on top of being a book worm, I'm also a theatre geek! I used to be in shows all year long, but lately I've moved myself into a techie role, as my mother and aunt have moved into the production/directing roles. Oh, I always did techie stuff, usually helping said mother or aunt, but once again, I'm doing this on my own! You're looking (reading?) at the Stage Manager for a show that opens tomorrow (thursday, eek!). This is only my second time stage managing, and yes, it can be a scary thing.. Anyways, this will finally end Sunday, but then we have to strike the set, and the cast party after.

Next week!: Another exam, this time in my english class, where I have to review 5 different authors and their works (W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, etc..) and know their stories, and their lives. Yikes..

On top of all this, I have the usually homework for class (a half to a full book per week for my one English class, and an author a week for my other english class, but reading in the text for film studies, and projects and such for my online class). All of that, PLUS reading a book on my own for one of those english classes, and starting the research for a paper based on it.

I keep looking longingly at my TBR pile(s)... I will be back, everyone, I promise! I miss the blogging world! I still manage to get some time to check the blogs of my followers, and some favorites of mine. But I miss the exploring, the chatting, etc... Sigh!

Much love, and happy reading!
Morning Glow