Time To Prep For The A to Z Blogging Challenge!

Are you participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge? If you have no idea what I am talking about, check out this website for more information on the Blogging Challenge for the month of April, that has many bloggers preparing ahead of time, contemplating their subject matter, and looking forward to connecting with the many (hundreds ) of bloggers participating each year.

In this challenge, we are called to write something about a particular letter of the alphabet starting with of course A and working ourselves through to Z. Not everyone chooses a topic, in my first two years of participating I did not either, but I began to do so last year, and will again this year.

Mixing Spices Available On Amazon

Last year my  topic was Herbs and Spices, because of the release of my book “Mixing Spices”

This year, because I am working on a book about tea and mindfulness, I chose the topic “Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary”.

Every single day of the month of April, (minus Sundays, because we all take a break on Sundays for this challenge), I will be posting a few symbol meanings specifically for Tea Leaf Reading, including some tips and suggestions on how you work your own tea leaf reading sessions. I will also talk about symbolism in general and how this dictionary will relate to divining dreams as well, with a few tweaks and considerations.

 

Loose Tea Sampler available at Amazon

I am so excited about this entire project. And because I love you guys and you all have been such amazing partners throughout this blogging journey for me, I am giving away the entire series at the end of the month as a PDF – just to say thank you.  There are more freebies to come in the coming weeks, so if you like free stuff (and who does not), come back often.

Oh, and for those of you who are not interested in Tea Leaf Reading and Tea, I will continue to post my regular stuff, like marketing tips for creative people, some design updates,  book reviews, motivational stuff, giveaways and product reviews.

After all, as a brand ambassador, NetGalley reviewer and a designer, I cannot and am not willing to neglect my regular duties, because of a mere challenge.

I am so looking forward to the crazy business.

At the end, an extended version of the PDF, which contains the  challenge content  will be made available on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

Blessings!

P.S. Don’t forget to stock up on Tea!

Book Review: Coffee Gives Me Superpowers

Title: Coffee Gives Me Superpowers: An Illustrated Book about the Most Awesome Beverage on Earth

Author: Ryoko Iwata
Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing
Genre: Non-fiction
Release Date: April 7th, 2015
Rating: 5/5 Stars

I am a coffee addict, so it is not a surprise that I could not resist a book with the title “Coffee Gives Me Superpowers”. A caffeine fueled book, laced with info-graphics and drawings by The Oatmeal, this book is a must have conversation piece for anyone who enjoys coffee! Containing a mixture of interesting information and fun facts from around the world, as well as humorous insights in the stranger side of loving coffee – what has an elephant to do with coffee? – I can hardly wait to hand a copy of it to friends and family. This is not just a dry trivia book about one of the worlds favorite beverages, it is a fun little treasure. Perfect hostess gift!

(Disclaimer: This book was given to me for free from the publisher via NetGalley, in return for an honest review)

 

Three Reason I Like NetGalley – And The One Thing I Do Not Like

I have been reviewing for NetGalley for since February 2014 and, for the most part, I have really enjoyed the process
Reading is an essential part of becoming a better writer, and dissecting what you read is even a better way to learn about the craft of writing. Reviewing books is a wonderful opportunity to integrate both while driving traffic to this space. A win – win situation.

Here are the three things that I really enjoy about NetGalley:

1. The sign-up process is easy and there are no special hurdles to jump over.

Whether you are a blogger, a professional reviewer on YouTube, a librarian or have a bookstore, there are virtually no limitations to whom can sign up for an account with NetGalley. Your requests to view the books, however, are, for the most part, subject to the approval of the individual publisher, and each publisher can set their own requirements.

2. The books are of the highest quality.

These are not books from the darkest corner of the publishing world, no this service is utilized by the biggest names in publishing (take Dean Koontz for example, I had a chance to read his newest book before publication via NetGalley), to independent publishers. Examples of publishing houses that work with NetGalley are Kensington, HayHouse, Harlequin Romance, and many more.

3. The variety is outstanding.

If you have a niche blog and want to review only specific types of books, you will also find your fill there. I have found everything from books on architecture and photography to business and self-help as well as a variety of genre fiction, from romance to erotica and mysteries.

The one issue I have with NetGalley is that the format in which you can read the books is either Kindle or download on an Adobe Digital Reader. Adobe Digital is rather buggy with any book that has visual content, and it does not save your spot. If you are considering to review for NetGalley, save yourself a lot of trouble by syncing your kindle app with NetGalley, and skip reading it on the web (which I personally would prefer, if it wasn’t for the bugs).
I highly recommend, for additional blog content consider the at least occasional review of a book and to do it via NetGalley.

Happy Reviewing!

(Disclaimer: I did not get commissioned, nor compensated for this review)

Marked by Rebecca Zanetti- A Book Review

Title: Marked
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: Dec. 22nd 2014
Publisher: eKensington
Rating: 5/5 Stars

This book was my introduction to Rebecca Zanetti, and I enjoyed it tremendously. While not familiar with the world that was already established, I had no problem getting acquainted with it, which to me is a sign of a good fantasy Author, as she managed to write a book within a series that can stand on its own. Her characters where interesting and three-dimensional, no flat villains, and no predictable heroes, instead a great flowing story, that centered around a young, Janie and the dark Zane.
Hot enough to make this a steamy romance, while action driven enough to make this an interesting plot, I truly enjoyed this book. In fact, I could not stop reading.

This book was provided to me, free of charge via NetGalley in return for an honest review.