Monthly Archives: October 2014

Covers, Linkity linkity link, Reviewettes

Halloweenity!

8 Comments

Bookity

Think, Learn, Do, Make

Cookity

Drinkity

Gluten Free

Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
The Man with the Golden Torc (Secret Histories #1) by Simon R Green. Good paranormal thriller about Eddie Drood, the black sheep of a massive family that quietly protects the world from the supernatural. I was completely surprised by all of the turns this one took! *still  boggled* This isn’t rated higher because there was an awful lot of exposition that felt unnecessary and at times unending.

“I wish the windows were open. Mom is mean.” -Mayhem

Contests, Reading

Ebook giveaway: Manipulation (Diversion #4) by Eden Winters [CONTEST CLOSED]

40 Comments

Many thanks to Eden Winters for donating an ebook copy of her forthcoming m/m romantic suspense, Manipulation (Diversion #4), for a lucky commenter to win! Manipulation will be released by Rocky Ridge Books on November 1.

Lucky Lucklighter has a new life. His old life wants him back.

He traded trafficking for taking down criminals with the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, and a drug-lord lover for a man on the right side of the law. Bo Schollenberger found the way past the thorny defenses of Lucky’s heart, and made Mr. I-Get-Along-Fine-Alone think about his and his closets, stevia in the sugar bowl, and a picket fence – with a good lock on the gate.

Now Bo is missing, and a voice long silenced asks, “Did you miss me?” Lucky must deal with a devil from his past to get Bo back.

And if Bo isn’t willing to come? A drug ring needs its back broken before flooding the US with a designer high, seductive and undetectable. But there’s a fine line between good and evil, and a truckload of temptation urging Lucky to cross.

Excerpt (scroll down)

Other Books by Eden

About Eden

Our heroine sits quietly in her cube, just one of many, typing, filing, and breaking the occasional nail, hiding her true identity beneath her clever disguise of nerdy glasses and business suits (with sensible shoes!). Frantic eyes watch the clock as she waits impatiently for the ruse to end and her true calling to begin.

With eager anticipation she drives her average car to her average home, and eats her average (vegetarian and completely healthy!) meal alone. The minutes tick by, and when the sun finally sets she leaps tall sofas in a single bound, shedding her disguise to take on her true super heroine persona! Is she in such a rush to save the world? Save the city? Save the neighbor’s kitten from a tree! No! She liberates her laptop from the evil clutches of arch villain, Hall Closet, and flings it open to free the worlds hiding within its depths. There are lonely werewolves searching desperately for mates, spoiled rich boys just waiting for her gentle caress of the keyboard to create someone who’ll truly understand them, and futuristic soldiers, gunning across the universe to save the men they love… No scenario is too bizarre! A time traveling pirate? No problem! Violin playing specter haunting a Scottish castle? You betcha!

When she’s not busily creating happy-ever-afters for fictional hotties, our heroine enjoys music, the great outdoors, and cruising down the highway on the back of a Harley Davidson.

You can visit Eden at her blog, website, and GoodReads.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment stating that you are entering the contest. Contest closes 7 pm CST, Monday, November 10.
  • By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only ritual dust bunny sacrifice will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winners will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Nope. I’m done with this photography thing.” -Chaos

*judging* -Mayhem

Contests, Reading

Ebook giveaway: Cast the First Stone by Katherine Halle [CONTEST CLOSED]

36 Comments

Congrats to Karen, who won My Soul To Keep by Anna Mayle! My Soul To Keep is being released today by Resplendence Publishing.

Congrats to Pia, who won Cutting Out (Cutting Cords #4) by Mickie B Ashling! Cutting Out is being released today by Dreamspinner Press.

Many thanks to Katherine Halle for donating an ebook copy of here recently released paranormal m/m romance, Cast the First Stone, for a lucky commenter to win!

Julian Hart is a werewolf hunter. The murder of his parents at the claws of a pair of rogue werewolves left him as guardian to his younger sister, Zoe. Grief and rage drove him to become a hunter and prevent other families from suffering the same fate. His latest hunt leads him right into Alpha Stone’s territory, where his sister was turned against her will.

Werewolf protocol demands that he ask for permission before entering Stone’s territory and continuing his hunt. That leaves Julian with an unwanted entourage and fighting an attraction to a man he shouldn’t crave.

With Alpha Stone’s people dogging his every step and Julian resisting his desire for the very man he’s supposed to hate, his hunt uncovers secrets hidden within lies and a plot for vengeance that no one saw coming.

When the smoke clears, what Julian finds at the end of the trail will forever change his life and the lives of everyone he holds dear.

Excerpt

Other Books

About Katherine

Katherine Halle is known as the “Queen of Happy Endings.” She firmly believes that no matter what the obstacles, what the struggles, or how much angst is involved in the journey, that the ending should always be a happy one.

Katherine’s love of the written word started at a very early age with repeated demands of “read to me” to any who would listen. It was only natural that writing would follow. As a child, she could often be found daydreaming, thinking up fanciful stories and writing them down. Now she does it on a laptop. Much faster.

Katherine’s favorite animal is her dog. She likes books, movies, and quirky television shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hart of Dixie. She loves cooking and watching cooking shows. She has lived in both Europe and the United States and loved both. When she’s not writing or plotting, Katherine enjoys spending her time listening to music, reading books written by other people, and being with her family. You can learn more about Katherine at her blog, Twitter, or Goodreads.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment stating that you are entering the contest. Contest closes 7 pm CST, Monday, November 10.
  • By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only ritual dust bunny sacrifice will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winners will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

Contests, Reading

Ebook giveaway: Semper Fi by Keira Andrews [CONTEST CLOSED]

50 Comments

Many thanks to Keira Andrews for donating an ebook copy of her forthcoming m/m romance, Semper Fi, for a lucky commenter to win! Semper Fi will be released by KA Books on November 11.

The war is over. The battle for love has just begun.

As Marines, Cal and Jim depended on each other to survive bloodshed and despair in the Pacific. Relieved to put the horrors of war behind him, Jim went home to his apple orchard and a quiet life with his wife and children. Knowing Jim could never return his forbidden feelings, Cal hoped time and an ocean between them would dull the yearning for his best friend.

But when Jim’s wife dies, Cal returns to help. He doesn’t know a thing about apple farming – or children – but he’s determined to be there for Jim, even as the painful torch he carries blazes back to life. Jim is grateful for his friend’s support as he struggles with buried emotions and dark wartime memories. Then Jim begins to see Cal in a new light, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expected. Can they build a life together as a family and find happiness in a world that would condemn them?

Note: Contains scenes of violence and post-traumatic stress. 95,000 words.

Also by Keira

About Keira

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical and fantasy fiction, and – although she loves delicious angst along the way – Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.” You can find out more about Keira and her books at her website and on Twitter and Facebook.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Contest closes 7 pm CST, Monday, November 10.
  • By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and counterintuitive espionage will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Mom, don’t you get tired of taking our picture all the time?” -Mayhem

“I know I sure get tired of having my picture taken…” -Chaos

Condo Living, Randonymity, Tales of the Neighborhood

Just another Misadventureless Monday

5 Comments

Congrats to Carolyn, who won Trick or Treat by JL Merrow!

I just needed a little Misadventures break this week – tune in next week when we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming! 🙂

Meanwhile, check out the view from my chaise lounge when I look up from working on my laptop (click to embiggen for the full effect):

Here’s a lovely maple in front of the Linden Hills Library last weekend:

“See how nice and quiet it is without any naughty boys, Mom?!” -Mayhem

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity leaking lime (I have no idea what these titles mean, either)

8 Comments

Congrats to Sara, who won A Time for Loving by Nico Jaye, plus a “Love” ring!

Congrats to Carolyn, who won Trick or Treat by JL Merrow!

Randonymity

  • A bookmobile in front of the Wild Rumpus bookstore in Minneapolis last weekend:

Bookity

Think, Learn, Do, Make

Cookity

Gluten Free

Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes – Photographs from the International Space Station by Chris Hadfield. Amazing, perspective altering photos of the Earth from the International Space Station, as taken by Commander Chris Hadfield during his nearly 3000 orbits of the planet. Apparently he took nearly 45,000 photos turning his time aboard the ISS – I can’t imagine how much work it was to sort them and identify the locations…
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield. Colonel Chris Hadfield’s engrossing autobiography provides a fascinating look at not only his life and the path he chose to becoming an astronaut, but also incredible glimpses of what it was like to fly on the Shuttle, ride a Soyuz to and from the International Space Station (ISS), and live in the ISS for five months. Throughout the book, Hadfield’s sense of humor and joy, as well as his levelheadedness, shine through and provide insight into living a more fulfilling life here on Earth.
Widdershins (Whyborne & Griffin #1) by Jordan L Hawke. Good paranormal m/m romance about repressed scholar Whyborne who gets involved in private detective Griffin’s investigation of a mysterious death. The especially mysterious and paranormally bits were straight out of HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. Truly, having studied at Miskatonic University in Arkham, the town of Widdershins would have to be Very Odd Indeed for Whyborne to notice anything amiss. And Whyborne’s colleague at the museum, Christine, reminded me a bit of Amelia Peabody.

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Chaos

Contests, Reading

Ebook giveaway: Fixing the Hole by Katherine Halle [CONTEST CLOSED]

60 Comments

Congrats to Sara, who won A Time for Loving by Nico Jaye, plus a “Love” ring!

Many thanks to Katherine Halle for donating an ebook copy of her forthcoming m/m romance, Fixing the Hole, for a lucky commenter to win! Fixing the Hole will be released by Dreamspinner Press on November 5.

Heavy rains and strong winds slammed an uprooted tree through Steve Crowell’s roof, leaving a gaping hole to match the one in his heart. After his ex left him for a younger man, Steve’s not sure he’s ready to handle another disaster. His best friend highly recommended the contractor, but the man’s already late, and when he shows up with his music thumping, Steve isn’t impressed – until Riley steps out of his pickup truck. Personable, gorgeous Riley talks a mile a minute, which Steve finds both ridiculously endearing and terrifying. Piecing together a heart isn’t as easy as fixing a roof, but Riley might just be the right man for the job.

Other Books

About Katherine

Katherine Halle is known as the “Queen of Happy Endings.” She firmly believes that no matter what the obstacles, what the struggles, or how much angst is involved in the journey, that the ending should always be a happy one.

Katherine’s love of the written word started at a very early age with repeated demands of “read to me” to any who would listen. It was only natural that writing would follow. As a child, she could often be found daydreaming, thinking up fanciful stories and writing them down. Now she does it on a laptop. Much faster.

Katherine’s favorite animal is her dog. She likes books, movies, and quirky television shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hart of Dixie. She loves cooking and watching cooking shows. She has lived in both Europe and the United States and loved both. When she’s not writing or plotting, Katherine enjoys spending her time listening to music, reading books written by other people, and being with her family. You can learn more about Katherine at her blog, Twitter, or Goodreads.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment stating that you are entering the contest. Contest closes 7 pm CST, Tuesday, November 4.
  • By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only ritual dust bunny sacrifice will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winners will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Sunshine on my face makes me happy!” -Chaos

Contests, Reading

Ebook giveaway: My Soul To Keep by Anna Mayle [CONTEST CLOSED]

22 Comments

Congrats to Maya, who won Under the Stars by Geoff Laughton!

Congrats to Ashley E, who won Trapped in Oz (Tales from Kansas #3) by Andrew Grey!

Many thanks to Anna Mayle for donating an ebook copy of her forthcoming paranormal m/m romance, My Soul To Keep, for a lucky commenter to win! My Soul To Keep will be released by Resplendence Publishing on October 29.

Bound by more than simple leather, the journal of a nameless soldier has languished on shelf after shelf since the final days of WWII. In its pages, the trials, heart and soul of one man. Forgotten, until small, calloused fingers lifted it from its perch, until world weary eyes began to read…

Now Allan is trapped in a storm of dreams from a war he is too young to remember. Haunted by the specter of a soldier he cannot forget. While worlds meld in a confusing vortex of fear and lust, Allan struggles to find the soldier’s name and the key to setting his restless soul free.

By the time he finds it though…will he be willing, or even able, to let his soldier go?

Other Books

About Anna

I grew up in the woods and wild, in a place almost forgotten by time, I learned that the best moments in our existence are the ones filled with the spirit of the earth when you are surrounded by family. Even now, thirty years into my life, I find there is nothing more important than family and nothing more soothing than a quiet forest and softly flowing water.

Currently I make my home in Lansing in a place surrounded by trees and gardens and affectionately called The Nest. While work, writing and family take up much of my days, I also enjoy a variety of pastimes. Some are as mundane as reading, video games, working in the gardens, singing, dancing, sketching and swimming. Others such as medieval reenactments and various other forms of live role play might seem more exciting.

All in all, I’m a geek with a love of words surrounded by the comfort and affection of a close family and a tight knit group of friends. Life hasn’t always been easy, it never will be, but it is the adversity, as well as the caring in our days, that shapes who we are and will be.

In the end…no worries.

You can find out more about Anna on Goodreads and Facebook.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CDT, Tuesday, October 28.
  • By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and counterintuitive espionage will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Mayhem

Sorry, got a little carried away with filters there. The maple tree’s leaves aren’t pink at all, but I liked the effect.

Covers, Reading

Misadventures in Stock Photography: Part the 216th (The return of Duster-Wearing Sinister Guy)

8 Comments

Congrats to Lee T, who won Danny and Mike (2nd ed) by Valentina Heart!

Welcome to another edition of the Misadventures in Stock Photography! Today we’ll be catching up with Duster-Wearing Sinister Guy.

After Lone Eagle was

by

under a

, the

was left haunting the middle of nowhere,

.

Short and tragic. *sniffle*

*ramps up judging stare* -Mayhem

Linkity linkity link, Reading, Reviewettes

Linkity leeway lacks

6 Comments

Don’t forget to enter the contest for Cutting Out (Cutting Cords #4) by Mickie B Ashling! Closes 7 pm CDT, Tuesday, October 28.

Congrats to Lee T, who won Danny and Mike (2nd ed) by Valentina Heart!

Bookity

Learn, Do, Make, Think

Cookity

Gluten Free

Crafty

Cool

Cool or Wha…?

Wha…?

LOL

Teh Cute

Reading Update
Cited to Death (Jamie Brodie #1) by Meg Perry. Good mystery about an academic librarian who receives a puzzling letter from a recently deceased ex-boyfriend (a medical librarian) and encounters no end of problems as he tries to figure out the puzzle.
Hoarded to Death (Jamie Brodie #2) by Meg Perry. Pretty good mystery in which Jamie agrees to go on a hoarding show to help his ex-sister-in-law. While I really appreciated that Jamie and his boyfriend deal with issues in a realistic way, I got annoyed by how contrived the plotlines were.
Burdened to Death (Jamie Brodie #3) by Meg Perry. Ok continuation of the series as Jamie and Pete continue working on their relationship issues and it didn’t really feel as if the “mystery” had enough substance for the book.
Researched to Death (Jamie Brody #4) by Meg Perry. Good series continuation as both Jamie and Pete’s ex-boyfriends turn up, Jamie gets involved in a murderous search for an old book, and, of course, Jamie and Pete continue to work on their relationship issues. Fortunately, the mystery in this one was more substantial than in the previous book, although I think both mystery and relationship issues could’ve been edited down to decrease how repetitive and contrived things felt by the end.
Hidden (Alex Verus #5) by Benedict Jacka. Good continuation of this urban fantasy series about a London mage specializing in divination, although you’d think his specialty was finding trouble!
Hockey Abstract 2014 by Rob Vollman, Tom Awad, & Ian Fyffe. Very good explanation, using NHL examples, of the basics of hockey analytics. This edition builds on what was covered in the 2013 edition, including discussing where and why their predictions for the 2013-2014 season went wrong. I’ll definitely be rereading this to help all the concepts sink in.

“squirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrel!* -Mayhem

The squirrel is hard to see – it’s between May’s body and the curtain (but outside, fortunately!).