May
01
2012
Reading Rewind: April 2012
What was doing?
- My site got a new look, which I adore (Thanks, Tawni)! And I moved from Blogger to WordPress (self-hosted). In all honesty, I’m still not sure the move was the best decision for me. In my first attempt to transfer my content, I lost seven months worth of blog comments, which left me devastated beyond belief. In my desperation, I reached out to the lovely Felicia of Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog, and she graciously helped me re-import my content, which saved my comments (YAY!), but then I lost a lot of my images (Boo!). Needless to say, this whole transfer has been a stressful and time consuming nightmare.
- Author Kevin Hearne stopped by to answer some interview questions, and he even brought along Atticus and Co.
- Author Kristy Berridge introduced the characters of The Hunted.
- Author Darby Karchut celebrated her latest book release with a Top Ten list!
- Can Sex Save a Marriage? Author Diane Escalera answered this question in her guest post.
- Is the Supernatural just fiction? Author K.L. Glanville doesn’t think so in her guest post.
- Author Jolene Perry stopped by to share her life in photos.
- I don’t know how, but I did my first (and possibly LAST) 21 mile bike ride. Note to self: Never attempt a long distance bike ride again without training for it first. FYI: Yes, I came in DEAD LAST. Finished in 2hrs and 8 mins.
- Completely my second ever 5k. It was a nighttime run on South Padre Island! The turn out was amazing!!! Finished in 57 mins. Yes, I mostly walked.
- I’m in my fifth week of Roller Derby School. In order to participate in bouts, I have to pass a Minimum Skills Requirements (MSR) test, which includes skating 25 laps in 5 minutes. On my first try of this, I only completed 17 laps. *sobs* Hopefully, I can improve by week ten, which is when I get to test. *fingers crossed*
Book bloggers featured on When I’m Not Reading:
- Flannery, Catie, and Tatiana of The Readventurer
- Amy of book goonie
- Nea of My Life Is A Fairytale That Will Never End
The Read and Reviewed: (title, author, rating)
- Masquerade by Cambria Hebert, 3
- American Vampire by J.R. Rain, 3.5
- The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, 3.5
- A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster, 3.5
- Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann, 2.5
- Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward, 4*
*My Favorite Book of the Month
My Book Boyfriends:
- Shane Laughlin, Born to Darkness
- Sam Kavanagh, Masquerade
- Manny Manello, Lover Unleashed
- Spencer Lark, A Perfect Storm
Upcoming Events:
- Many of you have been asking about The All Male Review Challenge. Yes, it will be coming back. I’m sorting out the details now, and hope to have them posted by the middle of the month.
- Mark you calendars! May 18th = My Birthday! I’ll be 33! Yeehaw! I’m thinking a giveaway is in order. Who wants to win a vampire book? *studiously ignores the collective groans in the room*
- And of course, we’ve got another read-along coming your way! This time, BRAINS are on the menu!
Please feel free to leave a link to your monthly recap so I can check it out. 
Aw, Missie – you are kicking ass! Stick with it and you’ll be at 25 laps easy!
Yay! I’ll be 33 this year too.
Yes, another read-along!
Keep up the hard work, girl – it’ll pay off. <3
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Yay, Christy! Aren’t the Dirty Thirties awesome?! I’m loving them. And thanks for the encouragement, I need it.
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it was a month full of emotions, so many things, it’s amazing!
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Thanks! I’ve been working hard at getting fit. It feels great.
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What an exciting month for you!! I still think you will be happy with WP and I’m super happy you got your comment back!! AND wooooho for doing so much workout! You rock!!!! Love Unleashed was great but I personally loved V’s part the most in this book!
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I am loving all the WP features I now have access too, I just wish I didn’t have to deal with so many broken links and images. I’ll probably feel better about the move once I clean everything up. LOL
Loved V’s part the most too!
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((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))
I love that you did a bike ride, roller derby, and 5k this month. You are kicking ass and taking names.
First, last, or in-between—-you are my hero!
(the wp thing—I still have tons of stuff that may never get done–hang in there we will get used to it together)
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Awe, thanks Felicia. Hearing words like that from you feels incredible since you are my hero! And I can’t thank you enough for your help with my WP site. You’re amazing.
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OKAY! May 18th is officially marked with hearts and flowers on my written calendar!! (Although it looks pretty boring on my electronic one LOL…) Hehe Missie, doesn’t the number 33 rock? If you add two of these things to it “<" then you would get two hearts! I'm glad you're starting to get your comments and stuff all back into your blog — I think I would pass out if I lost all of mine haha, so Felicia kind of rocks with helping you through that! And it looks like you haven't been reading a lot of WOW-worthy books lately! :O We need to find you one ASAP!
Yay for May! Can't wait to see what you're up to then, Missie
<3
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Ha, yes! I will be <3<3 this year! Love it. And don’t worry. I have a lot of WOW book recs on my TBR because of you. Can’t wait to get to them.
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You are rocking it girl. Riding bikes sucks butt. Hehee…butt. I just jumped back on the treadmill yesterday after too many weeks off. I’m so proud of you & that Padre 5K sounds awesome.
*frowns* sorry the move hasn’t been a joyous one.
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Ha! Funny you should say that because May is National Bike Month, and May 14-18 is ride your bike to work week. Yes, I’ll be doing it. I hope.
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Hey, it doesn’t matter that you came in last–it matters that you both started AND finished that race. Congrats! And you’ll get there with Roller Derby. Skating’s damn hard work but just think of all the fun you’ll have once you get into a bout and totally kick ass!
Great reading and blogging month!
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Awe. Thanks Mary. My mom told me the same thing, ‘all that matters is that you finished”, and it made me smile.
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I don’t think WP is for me. I think I’m going to stick with Blogger.
At least you did the bike ride! I need to exercise!
The All Male Review Challenge is coming back?! This is good news!
YAY for Lover Unleashed!
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I kind of regret the move, but it has always taken me longer than most people to adjust to change.
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*huggles your face*
I honestly think that the blogger to WP (self-hosted) is the hardest transition to make. And you either have to really know what you’re doing, or know someone who does.
Missie, your birthday has been officially added to my calendar!
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I don’t know why I was expecting the transition to be so easy. I should have know it would be like the transitions the warriors of the BDB face when the change from scrawny to brawny.
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Dude you rock! 17 laps are awesome.
And you and my ma share the same birth date, calender marked
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17 laps felt like torture. I thought it would never need. Don’t know how I’ll get to 25.
And yay for May 18th! It’s a very special day.
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Woohoo! I’m sure you’ll do your 25 laps in time, Missie! I love that you’re working on it. I’ve gotten especially lazy over the winter and I’m having a tough time making myself move.
My favorite posts last month were the interview with KEvin HEarne and The Readventurer ladies. I’m definitely joining the Married With Zombies readalong! I haven’t read that one, so I’ll just leave it alone until then. Yaay.
Also, I love that you have a May birhtday too!
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Wow, you sure have been busy again Missie!
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25 laps in 5 minutes! That’s craziness. I’d make it 10 laps and then I’d fall over and wait out the last minute on my back on the ground panting for breath. I am astounding. Way to go you, you’re a physical fitness queen:)
And Happy 33rd Birthday early! WOO HOO!!! *hugs*
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Whoo, Missie, even if you came in dead last in your bike ride, at least you finished it without even training beforehand. I’d probably stop halfway and give up. Oh who am I kidding, lol, I wouldn’t even register! How many laps are you doing now in 5 minutes for roller derby?
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What a month. Sorry the transfer has been such a drag. l love the new look,though. I see a lot of bloggers complaining about the new blogger format so I imagine down the road you will be glad.
I hope you make those laps for the roller derby! Wow your birthday is coming up! Margaritas and vampire books for all, no complaining here. Can I just say, I am freaking excited for the next read along! Thanks so much for helping me with the Darynda read along. Let’s hope May is even better for you
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I really like the rewind idea! You’ve been busy chica!
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Wow – sounds like an exhausting month! Huge kudos for all you 5Ks, bike rides and rollar derby. It’s far to energetic for me but I will be cheering you on from the sidelines!
I would love for the All Male Review to return – I have a big collection of male writers I need to catch upon and need some encouragement to make a start!
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Always so productive Missie! And roller derby sound beyond awesome! I’m so jealous of you right now. And I hope that as the days pass your transition to WP will become easier. I think you are experiencing the beginner blues, but I really do believe once everything is settled and in order you’ll be glad of your decision.
Hope it gets better for you soon!
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I’ve never done a read-along. Can you tell me more about it?
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I want to go to Roller Derby school, why do we not have this in the UK?? *sobs hysterically* it looks AMAZING. Oh and well done on the 21 mile bike ride I’m very impressed Missie!
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I’m exhausted just reading all you did! I am so going to do the roller derby too one day. Maybe we will compete! ;D
You rocked the month!
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Great month! An you go with the roller derby! I’m so jealous! I think I would really enjoy that, and it would elevate some frustration.
Have a great month in May as well!
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The more I see it the more I’m loving your blog design. I’m thinking of revamping my blog too so will have to start saving up for it.
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I love the new design…so clean and simple, yet elegant and still pretty and girly. Very pleasing to the eye! And…21 miles is amazing…no matter the time!
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Good luck with roller derby! I don’t think I’d have the courage to try it. It’s so cool that you’re giving it a go.
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So much win in this post. Look at everything you’ve accomplished in April, Missie! Congrats on completing all those fitness goals–I can’t believe you’re doing roller derby. I hate when people say this but seriously You Go, Girl! (omg, I feel old now for saying that) I’m sorry the move to WordPress was so stressful–the site looks great though!
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Congrats on the roller derby school! Wow…I’m super impressed. I’ve never been able to roller skate or ice skate. The last time I roller skated was when I was a girl scout in 5th grade. I held onto the wall the whole time. A couple of years ago, I ice skated with a friend. They have metal things that look like walkers that kids can use to practice…I held on to that the whole time. I looked like a senior with a walker. It was hilarious! lol
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Oh, my, Missie – Look at you go! I feel like such a slacker. I can’t even roller skate, let alone join a derby. And a 21-mile bike ride? You amaze me!
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You’ve been busy this month ! I just noticed your new layout, it’s pretty
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