Archive
Giveaway: One Death at a Time by Thomas M. Hewlett (INTERNATIONAL)
This giveaway is now over! Thank you all for entering!
It’s time for the fourth giveaway of 2014 here at Opinions of a Wolf. Lots of the indie authors whose books I accepted for review in 2014 also were interested in me hosting a giveaway at the time of my review, so there will be plenty more coming up in the future too.
There are TWO ebook versions of One Death at a Time
What You’ll Win: One ebook copy of One Death at a Time
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this post stating what profession you think might secretly have a lot of vampires among its ranks.
Who Can Enter: INTERNATIONAL
Contest Ends: July 11th. Two weeks from today!
Disclaimer: The winners will have their ebook sent to them by the author. The blogger is not responsible for sending the book.
Giveaway Winner: The Second Lives of Honest Men by John R. Cameron (INTERNATIONAL)
The giveaway winner of one ebook copy of The Second Lives of Honest Men
Comment #1 Tristan Cox AND Comment #2 Amanda Ramsay McNeill!
John generously offered to supply a copy to both entrants! Yay!
Tristan and Amanda, your emails as entered in the comment form have been provided to John who will send along the ebook to you.
Thanks for entering!
Giveaway: The Second Lives of Honest Men by John R. Cameron (INTERNATIONAL)
This giveaway is now over! Thank you all for entering!
It’s time for the third giveaway of 2014 here at Opinions of a Wolf. Lots of the indie authors whose books I accepted for review in 2014 also were interested in me hosting a giveaway at the time of my review, so there will be plenty more coming up in the future too.
There is ONE ebook version of The Second Lives of Honest Men
What You’ll Win: One ebook copy of The Second Lives of Honest Men
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this post stating what historical person you would bring up to the present, if you could.
Who Can Enter: INTERNATIONAL
Contest Ends: May 3rd. Two weeks from today!
Disclaimer: The winner will have their ebook sent to them by the author. The blogger is not responsible for sending the book.
Friday Fun! (February: DC Trip and Winter Activities)
Walking in just one of the many lovely snow-covered parks in Boston.
Hello my lovely readers!
It was quite the busy month for me. Early in the month, I went on a business trip to Washington, D.C. I was sent with a friend and co-worker to go to a training at the National Library of Medicine. We just barely managed to take off in the middle of one of the many storms that hit Boston this month. We flew right out of the storm and into a chilly, but snow-free DC. In the limited free time we had, we saw the Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum and the Botanical Garden. I had never been to DC before. My impressions were that everyone is quite friendly and talkative. The city is surprisingly empty with things spread further out than I was anticipating. The architecture was interesting, and I enjoyed the museums (and the fact that they’re free!). I’d like to go back to visit in warmer weather when the plants are in bloom. Perhaps more as a stop-over on my way someplace else, though. I can’t imagine spending an entire vacation there!
In the middle of the month, I of course opened my new Etsy shop. I’m so excited to have another creative venue! I’m still doing some stitching and art just for fun and for friends and family too, though.
Baking a loaf of bread every weekend is now a thing. I also made an apple pie to try to beat back the winter doldrums. I started doing more yoga as a home practice, since it gets me moving but I don’t have to brave the cold to do it. I also did my taxes, and I’m pleased to say I’m getting a refund! I finally completed the first step toward getting my driver’s license in Massachusetts as well. I went to the Social Security office and filed for a replacement card. Bafflingly, in MA, you have to have your social security card in addition to a photo id to get your learner’s permit. You aren’t allowed to even just give them your social security number. So, although I know my number, I still had to file for a replacement card. But that step is done!
I’m pleased to say my reading pace has been going well. I’m actually ahead of the one book a week goal I set for myself. I’ve also so far read 2 books for the Mental Illness Advocacy Reading Challenge, as well as 2 of the 12 review copies I accepted for review here this year. There is a giveaway still running for the second one, the horror book The House of Azareal
I must admit, February can be a bit of a depressing month for me. I’ve noticed that pattern over the last couple of years. But my partner has been very supportive, for which I am truly grateful, and that along with yoga, books, and snuggling our cat has helped make the month pass.
Happy reading!
Giveaway: The House of Azareal by Erik Dreistadt (INTERNATIONAL)
This giveaway is now over! Since no one entered, there are no winners.
It’s time for the second giveaway of 2014 here at Opinions of a Wolf. Lots of the indie authors whose books I accepted for review in 2014 also were interested in me hosting a giveaway at the time of my review, so there will be plenty more coming up in the future too.
There is ONE ebook versions of The House of Azareal
What You’ll Win: One ebook copy of The House of Azareal
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this post stating your favorite horror trope.
Who Can Enter: INTERNATIONAL
Contest Ends: March 8th. Two weeks from today!
Disclaimer: The winner will have their ebook sent to them by the author. The blogger is not responsible for sending the book.
Giveaway: The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David C. Meredith (INTERNATIONAL)
This giveaway is now over! Since no one entered, there are no winners.
I am super-excited to get to offer up my first giveaway of 2014 here at Opinions of a Wolf. Lots of the indie authors whose books I accepted for review in 2014 also were interested in me hosting a giveaway at the time of my review, so there will be plenty more coming up in the future too.
There are TWO ebook versions of The Reflections of Queen Snow White
What You’ll Win: One ebook copy of The Reflections of Queen Snow White
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this post stating your favorite part of the original Snow White fairy tale. Your comment must also contain your EMAIL ADDRESS so you can receive your ebook.
Who Can Enter: INTERNATIONAL
Contest Ends: February 13th. Two weeks from today!
Disclaimer: The winners will have their ebooks sent to them by the author. The blogger is not responsible for sending the books.
Follower Appreciation Giveaway!
This giveaway is now over! Congratulations to Denise, who won all three of her wished for books!!
Hello my lovely readers!
As a part of getting ready for moving in with my partner (which is official as of August 1st, but we’ve already carried all the boxes), I wound up sorting through my piles and piles of books. I posted everything to ebay, where some sold, and then I was going to flat-out donate the rest, but then I thought of my lovely followers. How awesome would it be to give you guys a chance at these books first?
So. I decided to give away 3 books to you all and then donate the rest.
Here’s how it’s gonna work. Comment leaving a list of what books you want, in order of most wanted (with the first one listed being the most wanted). List up to 3. If only 3 people comment, you each get 1. If 2 comment, the first person to comment gets 2, and the second gets 1. If more than 3 people comment, I’ll use a random number generator to randomly select 3 people to each get 1 book. Make sense?
Here are the rules:
- You must be a follower of my blog! This is a follower appreciation giveaway, please respect this rule. I’m not running this to get more followers. I just want to give a thank you hug to everyone who deems my ramblings worthwhile.
- US only. Sorry, guys. I am not rich enough to ship worldwide.
- Giveaway is open through Friday, August 2 at 5pm EST, at which time I will select the winners. A post announcing the winners will go live on Saturday, August 3rd.
To enter:
- Leave a comment listing the books you want (up to 3).
- Also state that you follow me and how/where (Twitter? Email subscription? Facebook? Feedly? etc….)
- You must leave your email in some way so I can contact you to get your mailing address if/when you win.
The available books, in alphabetical order by title:
- Across the Table / Dancing on Sunday Afternoons by Linda Cardillo
- Adventures in Microwave Cooking by Montgomery Ward
hardcover, 1983, the binding is loose but all the pages are there - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
paperback, 2008 - Bookhunter by Shiga
graphic novel, paperback, 207 - Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
paperback, 2010 - Dagon by Fred Chappell
paperback, 1968, the cover has creasing and shelfwear and there is a stain on some of the pages, but it’s a copy of a Lovecraftverse story, and it’s awesome with that double cover thing where the one cover has a peephole through to the internal cover and you open it and bam there’s a craaaazy picture on the inside, so I’m really hoping it will find a loving home somewhere with another Lovecraft geek - Death Island by Joan Conning Afman
paperback, 2011 - The Empathic Civilization by Jeremy Rifkin
hardcover, 2009 - Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health by Marion Nestle
paperback, 2003 - The Gin Closet by Leslie Jamison
paperback, 2011 - Hack the Planet by Eli Kintisch
hardcover, 2010 - The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
paperback, 2010 - A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
paperback, 2006 - The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter
paperback, 1987 - Nova by Samuel R. Delaney
paperback, 1975 - The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel
paperback, 1991, this cover has quite a bit of shelfwear and some creasing in it - Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang
paperback, 1998 - A Room With a View by E.M. Forster
paperback, 1993 - Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa
paperback, 1988 - Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham
paperback, 2009 - Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
paperback, 1995 - Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia C. Wrede
paperback, 2004 - The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
paperback, 1997, the cover has a plastic sheen on it that is peeling off a bit - The New Stir-Fry Cookbook (Step-by-Step brand)paperback
- Trust Us, We’re Experts! by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber
paperback, 2001 - Unfinished Desires by Gail Godwin
hardcover, ex libris - The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel
paperback, 1983 - Vegetables: Simple and Delicious Easy to Make Recipes
hardcover - The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
hardcover, 1984, does not have the slipcover hardcovers come with, but is a very pretty purple with silver lettering - Yellow-Yellow by Kaine Agary
paperback, 2006 - Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien
paperback, 1987
With 31 books to choose from, I hope everyone can find something to hope for in the comments!
And thanks once again to all my lovely followers. Good luck!
Friday Fun! (Relaxation and Final Week of Blog Tour Updates)
Hello my lovely readers!
I had the best weekend last weekend. It included bicycle rides, farm stands, picnics, and listening to a record player. Super relaxing. :-) Which is a good thing because this week was orientation for another school (think of them as like departments) at my university. Busy busy! I found ways to relax though. I of course got in my gym time. I don’t always manage to do spin classes because of how the timing works with my schedule, but I was able to this week. I was really pleased to see that my leg strength has drastically improved. My level ten of difficulty used to be gear twelve. Now it’s gear eighteen. Yay! I also started playing a new videogame this week. I picked up Donkey Kong Country Returns for my wii. It’s super fun! Very old school side-scroller but still integrates the wii motion controllers in well. I do die a lot in it, but I’ve never been a great videogamer. I just enjoy it.
This was the final week of the Waiting For Daybreak
Just a Lil’ Lost posted a review where she states, “McNeil brings a fresh voice with this zombie apocalypse-type story. She has written a character that is refreshing and different from others I have read.”
Obsessions of a Library Gurl (who, full disclosure, is my friend but who was able to use her librarian talents to offer a fair, even-handed review), also posted a review stating, “It was an easy read and one I was able to quickly get into.”
Obsessions of a LibraryGurl also interviewed me. Check that out to hear what I think about zombies as an analogy for rape.
Reflections of a Book Addict posted a review where he states, “In all, it is an awesome read that really gets you in tune with Frieda’s struggle with the undead.”
Reflections of a Book Addict also interviewed me. Check that out to find out more about my own pets. Also, comment on the interview post to be entered in the final giveaway of the tour!
And that’s it! Hard to believe the final week of the tour is over. Many thank you’s to everyone who helped make the last week varied and exciting!
Also, happy weekends to my blog followers. :-)
Friday Fun! (Lovecraft Film Fest and Blog Tour Updates)
Hello my lovely readers!
You might not all know of my love for the Lovecraft universe, but it is intense. I think it is wonderfully creative horror, I love that Lovecraft encouraged other authors to enter and use his world, and I even have a piece of art of Cthulhu rising from the ocean and rocking out on a guitar. It will probably come as no shock then since I’ve already written about zombies that my next book will be set in the Lovecraftverse. So it was wonderful timing that a local indie theater, the Brattle, had a Lovecraft film festival last weekend. Clearly I had to go! I wasn’t able to make it to every night, but I went the last night (on Sunday) when they showed In the Mouth of Madness
The cool thing about the Brattle, besides being an indie theater that shows old and new films, is that they sell beer and wine to drink during the movie. How cool is that?! I know. So cool.
So I had a nice beer of some sort and settled in to watch the movie. It basically is about the dark ones crossing over into our reality due to an opening made by a horror writer named Sutter Cane (who clearly is supposed to be Stephen King). It was intensely meta, and I loved it! Highly recommended.
And now it’s time for the weekly Waiting For Daybreak
Offbeat Vagabond posted a review where she states, “I would love to see this made into a movie/TV show. This would look and feel great. Waiting For Daybreak will give you such a unique outlook on the world through Frieda’s eyes. Highly recommended.”
Offbeat Vagabond also interviewed me. Check that out to find out what authors inspire me. She also is running a giveaway that ends today, so be sure to enter that right away if you want another chance at a free copy!
Mervi’s Book Reviews posted a review stating, “The story’s strength is definitely Frieda who has to confront her inner demons in addition to the zombies. She also doesn’t go the usual way of becoming somehow cured or getting some powers to survive.”
Blood, Sweat, and Books also posted a review where she states, “Waiting For Daybreak has just enough Action, Romance, and Angst to satisfy even the most jaded Zombie fan. I look forward to reading more from this Author.”
Blood, Sweat, and Books also interviewed me. Check that out to find out what my favorite quote is.
Paperless Reading posted a review, where he states, “Even though Waiting for Daybreak is a quick read, it has a fully fleshed out story with a fascinating and different lead character and is very entertaining overall.”
Last but not least, An Eclectic Bookshelf posted a review stating, “This was an entertaining post apocalyptic zombie novel that also makes the reader think about how the normalcy of life is relative. It isn’t always a light and easy novel to read due the characters McNeil has utilised but these characters are what make it unique. I think any fan of post apocalyptic survival horror that is after something a little bit different and thought provoking will enjoy this.”
I was also interviewed at An Eclectic Bookshelf. Check that out to find out what books have had the greatest influence on me.
That’s it for the tour for this week! Thanks once again to every participating blog!
And to my blog followers, happy weekends!
Friday Fun! (In Which I Walk Across All of Boston and Blog Tour Updates)
Hello my lovely readers!
Another busy week at work this week (as it will be until the end of September, so be prepared to hear that sentence repeatedly). I finally got my booty outdoors this week, though, and I have the tan-lines to prove it!
On Sunday, I went for a long (accompanied) walk along the Charles River. It was completely gorgeous, but I did manage to get a bit of a burn. According to my dad, I do this every year and always along the Charles. Oops? Maybe next year I’ll finally remember to put on sunblock….
On Tuesday (my work-week Monday), I was meeting up with someone in the North End for gelatto, which I totally did not end up eating, but anyway. I decided that since he couldn’t make it there until 7 at the earliest and I had a couple of hours to kill, I would walk it. Bad. Idea.
My work is on the south side of Boston, so I basically walked across the entire city. In flat pretty sandals. And now I have the shin splints to prove it. Again, oops? You may have noticed that I don’t always manage to think my plans all the way through. On the plus side, I got to see the Public Gardens and got a sandwich from the Clover food truck in Boston Common. On the minus side, my shins were too sore for zumba on Wednesday.
I know, I know. #firstworldproblems
Anyway, after all that walking, instead of gelatto I had a glass of sangria, because that is obviously infinitely better. :-D
Also, the best street for gelatto in the North End is Hanover Street, not Salem Street. Just fyi.
Anyway, so that was my super-exciting week! Now on to the weekly Waiting For Daybreak
It was a much busier week this week, which was of course exciting!
Wickedly Bookish interviewed me. Check that out to find out my self-publishing advice!
Wickedly Bookish also hosted a giveaway that is still open. If you have yet to win a copy, definitely consider entering.
Ellie Hall posted a review (that is also cross-posted to 1889 Labs) where she says, “The story flies by and it is thoroughly engrossing, with periods of action and adrenaline nicely balanced by periods of memory and self-reflection. The sense of danger and suspense is well developed, and the narrator’s doubts and fears are easily understood.”
The Book Hoard‘s review says, “If anyone had told me that I’d enjoy a zombie apocalypse a year ago, I’d have told them they were nuts. However, I have come to enjoy a few zombie apocalypse stories like Waiting For Daybreak.”
The Book Hoard is also hosting a giveaway that is still open. That’s two! Two chances to win a copy! Ah-ha-ha.
Last but not least, Persephone’s Winged Reviews posted a review stating, “At the end of the day, it’s much more about Frieda trying to find out what normal means in a world gone wrong instead of a zombie book. I believe that it is a fresh take on zombies in the fiction genre.”
Thanks once again to every single participating book blogger! I truly appreciate you giving me (and my writing) time and space on your blogs.
To all my loyal blog readers, happy weekends! *waves*
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This work by Amanda Nevius is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Opinions of a Wolf 