Guest Post: Helen from My Novel Opinion talks about her 2014 resolutions

Today, I have Helen from My Novel Opinion stopping by to talk about her 2014 Resolutions! You might remember Helen from her being featured as a Blogger Made of AWESOME and her resolutions do not disappoint! Read on!

Helen’s 2014 Resolutions

Almost a month ago, I received an email from Tamara asking if I would like to take part in her New Year’s Resolution feature. All I needed to do was put together a post with some of my own resolutions, bookish or non-bookish, and send it back to her by December 30^th.

It’s now Christmas Eve and I’m just trying to come up with something. I figured that the best approach, and my usual one, was to just type and see what ends up on the page.

I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions, I feel that they are just there to be broken. If I do come up with one or two, it is always with good intentions. I go into the New Year all gung ho thinking, hoping, that this year will be different, this year will be the one where I manage to see my resolutions through to the end. And it always ends the same way…by Spring I have completely forgotten about them.

Some of the New Year’s Resolutions that I have made in the past are the usual suspects…eat healthier, lose weight, save more money, etc. Since I always break these – I love food that is bad for you, I lose weight but put it back on, and well money is there to be spent – I thought that I would share some bookish resolutions.

So for 2014 I resolve to:

Read at least 60 books (I managed 62 for 2013)
Read more non-fiction (I only read 2 in 2013)
Continue to discover new-to-me authors (I read books by 45 different authors in 2013, 37 of them new to me!)
Get back into sharing my thoughts and opinions on the books I read (I’ve let this slip in the last couple of months)
Read the books I have unread before adding more to my TBR (I was going to share the number but it’s a little embarrassing, let’s just say that it is more than I thought)
Stick to my blogging manifesto (I’ve been doing well with this since posting before Thanksgiving)

Thanks for reading, I’d love some encouragement as the year goes by!

Want to give Helen some encouragement? Stop by My Novel Opinion and do that!

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

Photo Credit: Goodreads

This book was sent to Traveling With T by Putnam Books.

River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz

13 years ago, Lucy Sullivan was saved from a night of horrors by a guardian angel, Mason Fletcher. Lucy, embarrassed about being taken away from the party- especially by the boy she has a crush on, is not aware of the near danger she was in. Mason, seeing Lucy as a kid, just knows he needed to save her from what evils were planned for the night. After Lucy is safe at home, Mason goes back to the party- where a confrontation with the ring-leader of danger, Tristan Brinker, happens. Within a few days of the party- Brinker is missing- presumed dead due to a drug deal gone bad.

13 years later, Lucy- grown up, more confident, and contented with her job as a forensic genealogist, returns to Summer River. Her return is about her Aunt Sara, who has recently died with her friend Mary in a car crash. Lucy and Mason see each other when she returns- and there is a spark- Lucy is not the kid she once was and Mason’s charms have developed with age nicely. The first night back in town for Lucy does not end well- she and Mason discover a body in the fireplace of Sara’s house- a fireplace that was shoddily covered up. Did Sara kill a man? And could this man be Brinker?

Lucy is determined to get to the bottom of the situation. And the deeper she digs, the more she finds out that everything has it’s roots in that night 13 years ago. With Mason’s help, Lucy is able to start putting pieces together- and even begins to question the car crash of Sara and Mary’s.

Danger, drugs, romance, suspense, and wine country- all combine to create a story that is fast paced and worth a read.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Jayne Ann Krentz book- and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. With the roots of the story happening in a party in town- and secrets, sins and blackmail happening over a course of 13 years- most of the characters have a reason to be a suspect. Slowly, though, the reader begins to understand that there is more to the story than meets the eye. The romance between Lucy and Mason is enjoyable- and the mystery is also good.

If you are looking for a book with equal parts romance and suspense- I’m recommending Broken Road by Jayne Ann Krentz.

*This book was provided to Traveling With T by Putnam Books in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Giveaway: Wild Ones by Kristine Wyllys

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, Traveling With T has another giveaway! I have 1 e-copy of Wild Ones by Kristine Wyllys to give away!

Here is the summary:

Bri Martin likes her skirts too short, her heels too high, and trouble close at hand. So when big, brooding underground boxer Luke Turner comes into the bar where she works and starts a fight before she brings his first drink, she can’t help being intrigued. Luke is everything she never wanted and everything she can’t resist.

Soon, Luke is showing up everywhere Bri is, and she can’t break free of his hold on her, nor does she want to. When her best friend turns on her, it’s Luke who is there. When Luke’s opponent comes after her to send Luke a message, it’s he who comes to her rescue.

Before Bri knows it, she’s caught in the midst of a rivalry between her boyfriend and her boss, both of whom are not content to settle their scores inside the ring. She swore she’d never live this life, so like the one she once ran from. But only by confronting her past can she decide where her future lies…and whether Luke can be a part of it.

Giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only (sorry!) Giveaway runs from January 4th-January 19th. Click on the Rafflecopter link for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Literary Friday, ya’ll………

Today is the first Literary Friday of 2014! As usual, it’s filled with some good things! Lots of talk about resolutions and book-ish goals, a giveaway from Deep South Magazine, Books Speak Volumes is telling (and providing a download) of how to get bloggy organized, and much more!

Let the Literary Friday excitement begin!

1. Deep South Magazine and their #literaryfriday is back! Giving away Fannie Flagg’s latest, The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion (doesn’t that name just SOUND intriguing?!), talking about some Gone Girl (movie comes out in 2014- and the few teaser pics look pretty good!), interview with Mark Childress, and mentions my Best of 2013 Books! She also calls me ” book blogger extraordinaire” which my reply is “aww- shucks!”

2. Books Speak Volumes is giving us all a chance to get bloggy organized! Here is her post about her free printables and a video of how she’s planning to use them!

3. What was the first book you read in 2014? I finished TAKEDOWN TWENTY by Janet Evanovich- and while it was a few chuckles and I was entertained enough- it was just not as good as some of her earlier ones (especially her 1-9). If you read them, what do you think?

4. My first review of 2014 was Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson. Cute and charming- a modern day update of the Elizabeth/Mr.Darcy relationship. Plus, Mr. Darcy with a pup? So adorable.

5. Resolutions- oh boy, do I have resolutions! Here is my resolutions, here is my guest post schedule for authors, bloggers and other book-ish people stopping by all January long to reveal their resolutions, and here is the first guest post from Ashley @ Closed the Cover– you def want to read this and you DEF want to have broken dishes on your front porch!

6. Here is the list of books that I thought were super great in 2013. Note: This list includes many (but not all) as I may have overlooked a book or 2 that was really fab! 2014 vow: Make a list each month of the books I read that were all awesome-sauce (is it just me or does anyone else love that Discover card commercial where she’s all “Awesome-sauce”! No? Just me? Oh ok- carry on!)

7. How many books did you read in 2013? First off, if you read ANY- 3 cheers for you! Now I did read a fair amount– but I really dislike when people read these lists and feel bad. Read what you can, when you can. Read for enjoyment. Just read!

8. I didn’t necessarily write a Year in Review for Traveling With T- I mainly did a “What I Learned in 2013“. I learned many bloggy lessons, met some cool people, and got to go to some fun events. My “advice” is based on what I learned- and I hope it’ll help you!

9. Last night I saw that someone used “she has 2 black eyes” to find my blog. I was puzzled because the only thing I could think of was a domestic abuse book (hello, Hush Little Baby) or that someone thought I needed a butt-load of concealer in my pic. So I went to “The Google” and started searching. And, lo and behold, it’s totally a book-ish thing! I blogged about The Rook in 2012- and talked about the woman waking up with no memory and 2 black eyes. What is the weirdest search term used to find your blog?

10. I applied to be a World Book Night giver- wish me luck!

11. What are your #fridayreads? I’m reading THE TULIP EATERS and RIVER ROAD. What about you?

Happy Reading!

Guest Post: Ashley @ Closed The Cover talks of what New Year Resolutions mean to her

A few weeks ago, I was thinking about New Year Resolutions- what they mean, what my resolutions will be and wondering about others. So I asked a few bloggers, a few authors, and some other bookish friends to write about their New Year Resolutions. They happily complied!

Today, Ashley from @ Closed The Cover is talking about New Year Resolutions (and giving us a little education on New Year Resolutions in other cultures!)

New Year Resolutions by Ashley @ Closed The Cover

Every year when the holiday season arrives I find myself experiencing growing anxiety as day after day ticks by and one more X goes on the calendar. First it’s Halloween and I think to myself, “Only two more months…” Then it’s Thanksgiving and I think, “We’re getting closer!” By the time Christmas arrives my heart is all a-flutter as there is only one week to go. I always feel a little bit like an outsider because while everyone else is excited over the fat man of Christmas I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of little baby New Year!

I first started to develop an interest in the New Year holiday when I read a book about New Year traditions around the world. For example:

* Chinese New Year celebrations are based on bringing luck, health, happiness, and wealth. They clean their houses to rid them of lasts year’s bad luck before the celebrations begin. Chinese people believe that evil spirits dislike loud noises so they decorate their houses with plastic firecrackers. The loud noises are intended to frighten away evil spirits and bad luck that the spirits might bring. New clothes are worn, and visits are made to friends, neighbors, and relatives to exchange good wishes.

* Danish New Year has a very unique celebration. In Denmark it is a considered a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes at New Years. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Year’s Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends.

* Scottish New Year celebration also begin by cleaning their houses to get rid of old spirits. They also have a tradition of the “first footer” which is said, that whoever the first person to set foot into your home on New Year’s day decided the family’s luck for the rest of the year. This was based on the belief in the magic power of beginnings.

It was a challenge to read these and not fall in love with the idea of “out with the old and in with the new.” We started to adopt a few of these traditions in the way we celebrate New Year’s. When Christmas is over and we’re prepping for New Year’s I will do a massive cleaning of my home. Remember, it cleans out bad spirits! I also go shopping to buy new clothes (thank you China for that excuse!). We also celebrate New Year’s Eve outside. I can’t remember which culture it was but somewhere always opens the windows to the home at midnight to shoo the wicked spirits away. Being outside just fills us with a sense of possibility and rebirth.

For the last 7 years we have rang in the New Year at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. It’s a big outdoor party with lots and lots of noise to scare away the evil spirits and bad luck (thanks again China!), there is usually a lot of drinking which is sure to result in at least a couple of broken glasses or bottles (and a nod to you Denmark!) but since we’re not usually at home on New Year’s Day so I haven’t figure out how to incorporate Scotland yet. We don’t typically set resolutions so it’s hard for me to say much about them. All we really do is celebrate the end of the year – the closing of another chapter – and welcome new possibilities with wide open arms.

Happy New Year! I hope you make 2014 your best year yet.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Photo Credit: Harlequin

This book was sent to Traveling With T from Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Elizabeth Scott is over rich and entitled men. In her job as a teacher at an exclusive private school, a rich and powerful man has set out to make her life miserable- and Elizabeth needs a break. One day, while showing her sweet dog at a dog show- she sees another rich and entitled man- a man that has a brusque and aloof air about him. A man that makes her pulse race. Elizabeth sees a Mr. Donovan Darcy- a good looking and rich man- and while attracted to the physical aspects, the personality leaves her a bit cold. After the dog show is over, Elizabeth knows she won’t see this man again- he has his own estate in England- and Elizabeth can quit thinking about his level of hotness that makes her pulse race.

Well….. maybe….

When Elizabeth is offered a temporary job grooming dogs for shows in England- she jumps at the chance. To leave behind the scandal in New York, to be with dogs that she loves, to have a clean slate. So Elizabeth says “au revoir” to New York and crosses the pond to London. To find out that her neighbor is Mr. Darcy. Upset at first, Elizabeth is not sure what to do. Slowly, though, she and Mr. Darcy begin to interact in a friendly way- they begin to learn bits and pieces about each other’s life- and an attraction, though neither wanted to admit, grows between them.

The romance between Elizabeth and Donovan Darcy is not a smooth one- especially when news of what happened in New York reaches England. Will Elizabeth throw away an opportunity at love, at finding herself- because she misjudged Donovan Darcy? Or will she see the man he is- behind the wealth and entitled life- the man that he truly is?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

First, when an author writes about Mr. Darcy- certain expectations are naturally expected. Darcy is a man that is a “good-looking character”. Teri Wilson shows that in spades. Of course, the original Darcy also has certain rules of courtship to abide by- but in current time- not so much. So this Mr. Darcy is a bit more free to show his attraction- and Teri writes a Darcy who has romance, but is also more current in courting. Which is all good things!

Before I read Unleashing Mr. Darcy, I had read 2 or 3 fiction books that had a WWII theme. I was due for something light and enjoyable- and Teri Wilson provided it. The interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth were humorous at times- and while I had a basic idea of how this book would end- Teri did provide some twists to the story that I enjoyed.

If you like romance, read this. If chick lit is your cup of tea- read this. Needing a laugh and a story that you sink into and just enjoy? Read this.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes a beloved character and shows him as a dog lover. I mean what could be more cute than Mr. Darcy with a dog? Nothing!

*This book was sent to Traveling With T by a publicist at Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

My New Year Resolutions- personal, bloggy and bookish.

As I write this, it’s day 1 of 2014. I’ve had some black-eyed peas and some cinnamon rolls (I read somewhere that on first day of the year eat round foods for good luck- I forgot my doughnuts- so cinnamon rolls worked. And were quite yummy). I’ve been thinking about resolutions- making them or not, what I should strive for, what is essentially a step on the way to being the best “me” possible.

Here goes:

T’s Resolutions:

Book-ish Resolutions:

1. To read more.

2. To go to more book signings.

3. To organize my books (and keep them organized)

To read more of my book-ish resolutions, please visit here to read my resolutions that I posted as part of the Closed The Cover New Year, New Books Blog Hop.

Bloggy Resolutions:

1. To have business cards made.

2. To put serious thought into what I want for Traveling With T in the future- perhaps leaving the safety of WordPress behind and becoming self-hosted.

3. To schedule blog maintenance monthly (every 2-3 months, perhaps)- updating my sidebar, reviewing my policies, and organizing my Interview/Review archive.

4. To participate in more bloggy events (Bloggiesta, blog tours, cover reveals, and more.)

5. For Traveling With T to become more known in the bloggy/book-ish world. Perhaps win a blog award or be found by a new publicist connection.

6. To go to BEA, to go back to Louisiana Book Festival, and maybe SoFest of Books.

7. To start telling people about my blog in real life as only telling about my blog to my online connections.

8. To nurture the bloggy friendships I have and to meet new bloggy friends.

Personal:

1. To be open to new experiences- trying different concerts, going to more symphony events, and attending things that sound fun.

2. To take more time for me. Days at movies. Mani/pedi. Massages. To treat myself to “date” nights- dinner and movie, dinner and concert.

3. To start writing letters more- random “thinking of you” notes- no reasons.

4. To organize and back-up all the pictures that I take.

5. I’m not going to say the usual “eat healthier” because I’m already doing that- but I resolve to enjoy the occasional treats I have- without even a smidge of guilt.

6. To participate in a Walk for MS or Walk for Breast Cancer. Both causes are meaningful to me for personal reasons.

7. To evolve my taste in wine.

8. To meet more fun people in real life.

What are some of your resolutions?

New Year Resolutions Guest Post Schedule

A few weeks ago, I started thinking about resolutions. Thinking about what I wanted for 2014- and how I could achieve it. Then I began thinking of people that I knew- authors, bloggy friends, and just people that I admire and like in the book-ish world. I sent out a few emails- with an idea of these folks guest posting about their resolutions- no rules, no restrictions- just telling it like it is.

As the guest posts have arrived in my inbox, I have laughed. Loved. Reflected about the topic. Thought it was simply wonderful. And just feel honored to be able to share these guest posts- these glimpses into a life of a blogger. Into the life of an author. Into the life of a book-ish person.

Here is the schedule:

Ashley @ Closed The Cover- January 3rd

Helen @ My Novel Opinion- January 6th

Stephanie Evanovich, BIG GIRL PANTIES, January 7th

Jolina Petersheim, THE OUTCAST, January 9th

Lori Nelson Spielman, THE LIFE LIST, January 10th

Rebecca @ Love at First Book- January 13th

Sarah Morgan, SLEIGH BELLS IN THE SNOW, January 14th

Melinda McGuire, writer, January 15th

Wendi Wachtel @ H20 Bungalow- January 20th

Erin Bass, Deep South Magazine, January 22nd

Alison Law, Southern Spines & Alison Law Communications, January 23rd

Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews- January 29th

Kristin @ Always With A Book- January 30th

Be sure and keep an eye on Traveling With T- because there may be an extra guest post or 2 🙂

Happy New Year from Traveling With T!

Today is the first day of 2014. It’s a new year, a fresh start. Take a deep breath and breathe in the newness of the year. Maybe this is the year that your dreams come true. Maybe this is the year that you right past wrongs. Maybe this is the year you are blessed with a bountiful of good news. Maybe it’s the year that your heart is broken. It might be the year you find true love. It might be the year you throw caution to the wind and embrace life- the ups, downs, and in-betweens. This year is a new year, a new beginning. Make 2014 the year that you strive to be the BEST you possible. Find the things that make you happy and surround yourself with it. Is it books? Is it a hobby? Is it your family? Friends? Is it quiet? People need all types of things to be happy- and find what makes you happy!

For me, for 2014- I have resolutions. Ideas. Hopes and dreams. Will 2014 be the year that they come true? Maybe 🙂

Whatever happens in 2014- I wish you the best. I hope you chase your dreams. Find what makes you happy. Go in search of the best thing ever. Treasure the moments that make up your life- the small moments, the big ones- and even treasure the hard ones- because sometimes, those are the ones that make you change the most.

Make 2014 the year you say “Yes” to new things. Expand your life- try something new. Step out of the comfort zone a bit- the air is much fresher there- and it’ll make you a better person. Say “hi” to a new person. Tweet with someone out of your normal circle of folks. Or take a break from social media. Unplug. Send a snail mail card to a friend. Or a loved one.

May 2014 be the best yet!

Happy Reading,

T @ Traveling With T

PS: Want to read other authors, bloggers, and book-ish folks New Year Resolutions? Be sure and check out Traveling With T all month long!

What I’ve Learned About Blogging in 2013

Oh 2013 was a strange and wonderful year for blogging (for me!) For each high I hit, for each time I had this bloggy thing figured out- there was a low (not always- but enough lows to keep me humble & knowing the bloggy thing was still not figured out!)

2013 was my first full year as a book blogger (yes, in 2012 I’d blogged about books- but I was still finding myself)- so 2013 was a test. Did I pass the test or not? All depends on how you want to grade the test (which is a lesson!)

I “met” new Twitter friends, I got to go to great bookish events ( hello, Louisiana Book Festival, Meeting Rita Leganski, Meeting Jill McCorkle, Meeting Jenny Milchman, Meeting Cassandra King, Hanging Out with Susan Gregg Gilmore and Lisa Patton, Meeting Anton DiSclafani, Meeting Susan Crandall, Meeting Stephanie Evanovich, Meeting Marie Moore, & Meeting Ashton Lee.), and I was named the She Reads Online Discussion Book Club Leader and Twitter Host (yes, still pretty jazzed over that!)

I felt my blog grow, change and evolve- into something that not only did I like- something that I was proud of. I started asking authors for interviews, using the terms #literaryconfessions & #literarycrush, and began spotlighting other bloggers with a Bloggers Made of AWESOME feature!

I gave advice (or at least opened a dialogue for discussion) on these topics: Reblogging, Giveaways, & Are You a Commenter or Lurker?). I thought hard about what I wanted as a blogger- how I wanted to be known. I created a Review Policy (thanks Bloggiesta for that push!), I started a Facebook page for Traveling With T, I tweeted (and tweeted some more!) and I even went over to G+!

Branding was a hot topic that I read more about and began thinking about more- as Traveling With T evolves. I’m still working and learning more about it- but and I know that some people disagree with this: As of now- I’m not turning all my social media into 1 big brand. Why? I was @rockstar1023 on Twitter way before I even considered being anything else- and for me, that works. I’m known (not like Madonna or Kardashian’s known- but known) and I’m cool with my level of followers and my tweets. Although, one day- in the far off future, in a galaxy far, far away- I would use my knowledge about branding in a different way.

I was interviewed twice this year- once by Katherine Scott and the other time by Pages Unbound– both interviews were super fun and allowed me to give some of the best advice to bloggers: Blog, baby, blog. I even confessed my part in literary hijinxs at Eudora Welty’s house!

Important Things I Learned in 2013

1. You are going to have days where you feel on top of the world and all the bloggy gods are smiling upon you and the air is thick with glitter and sparkles. Then some days, it’s not. It’s terrible. You go through a bloggy slump. A reading slump. No publicists are contacting you. You get denied for the tour of the year. You will survive. You will overcome. Maybe you need to reassess. Maybe you need to realize that not every day is going to be a GREAT day. But, you can and will find your groove. Find your happy place. And, while it’s tempting to listen to everyone’s advice when you are feeling insecure- just take a deep breath and don’t make drastic changes- #keepcalmandblogon. Trust. Because, seriously, and I say this with all the love, kindness and sparkles I can- while, yes, blogging is social- if you aren’t happy with the blog, the content- then it’s going to show. And you have to take time to find your voice. Find your groove. Trust.

2. Tours- oh the allure of blog tours. Getting free books, getting to interview authors, getting exposed to other bloggers. I participate in a few tours- and I do love them. But, not all are created equal. Make sure you feel good about the tour/blog relationship and know that if you don’t- it just might not be the right place for you.

3. Find your bloggy group- but always make time for new experiences, new bloggy friends. You want to have bloggy friends you can trust and that’ll be honest with you- but make sure to make time for other bloggy interests. Or welcome a new face to the crowd- be a big sister to a new blogger.

4. Blogging can be a 2 way street. Share blog posts, comment, nurture that 2 way street- don’t be a taker. Give and take. Give and take.

5. Honor bloggy commitments and be honest. It may not affect your bloggy reputation immediately- you may never face any fallout- but you want to have good bloggy karma.

6. Manage your schedule! Things WILL come up. Life will happen. It’s better for you to be generous with time allowed for reading and posting than to feel rushed.

7. Understand that you are not going to get every ARC (you can’t read them all if you did anyway!) Nurture the relationships you do have with publicists.

8. In fact, NURTURE all the relationships you have with publicists, bloggers, authors and more book-ish people by being authentic. Because, after all, being the real you is the one thing that never goes out of style.

9. Take chances. Break rules. What works for others may not work for you. Find your own bloggy beat and march to that rhythm.

10. Take advantage of bloggy services: scheduling your posts, etc. Will make life easier.

11. Take some time monthly or quarterly or every 6 months to assess the blog, to think about features, to schedule posts. To plan!

12. Most importantly: HAVE FUN.

For more bloggy advice and a shout-out to bloggers who might be questioning things or having a bad day- read Traveling With T’s A Million and 1 Ways To Be A Blogger.

Traveling With T

Bookish Thoughts, Book Reviews & Tales of Small Town Charms