10. This is happening. I can’t be stopped.
9. Goodreads has announced their nominees for the best books of 2013. You can vote in the many categories here. The Best Romance category includes Lover at Last by JR Ward and then pretty much every New Adult book you can think of. I’m not against the new adult genre, but come on people. No historical books? No adult contemporaries? *frowny face* (I wrote in a vote for Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh. Take that Goodreads).
I will say the Paranormal Fantasy category is fun and tough!
8. Amazon has also come out with their list of best books. So happy to see Nalini Singh, Julie James, Tessa Dare, Courtney Milan and others on this list! See them all HERE.
7. Hey, look at this! Samantha Young is giving away four signed arcs of her January 7 release, Before Jamaica Lane. You can enter by going to her blog. I really think this author has a great voice – if you haven’t tried On Dublin Street or Down London Road, you are missing out.
6. The 2014 ‘Kittendale’ calendar is now available. (how much do I love that name? LOL) Hunky men + cute kittens = WIN. Plus the proceeds goes to an animal rescue. Hunky men helping charity – MEOW. Go here to order and see more pics.
(Anyone up for a frolic through a meadow?)
5. Now don’t fret because your 2014 calendar fun is just beginning. The hot dudes and kitties are cute, but if you want something a little more…NAKEY…I have just the thing for you. The Warwick Rowers are back with their annual calendar (that raises money to fight homophobia which is AWESOME).
It’s funny because this calendar hit the webs a few weeks ago, but I didn’t mention it mostly because I have talked about it quite a bit in the past. And then the emails started rolling in asking me why it hasn’t been on the top ten list. Ok! Ok! It’s here. *wink* The video below previews the calendar but it IS NSFW.
You can purchase the calendar HERE.
4. Let’s just keep the sexiness going. What is hotter than hunks with kittens and naked rowers? Disney princesses with beards. What? November is ‘Movember’ so why not everyone wear a beard? Buzzfeed calls the above, Sleeping Beardy. Hahaha. Or how about Mustacherella?
For many more, go HERE.
3. Oreo cookies? NO! Soap. (Sold on Etsy)
Chicken Nuggets and ketchup? NO! Soap. (Sold on Etsy)
SHRIMP COCKTAIL? NO! SOAP! (Sold on Etsy – it’s strawberry scented! LOL)
There is an entire Etsy Store dedicated to food soap. She has some really cute, creative ones! Check it out.
2. This isn’t soap. These are mini marshmallows, a strawberry, a banana slice and a grape put together to make a Grinch. How cute! Is it Christmas time yet???
1. This weekend I’ll be reading Entwined by Kristen Callihan (I’ve read 30% and so cute) and Down the Aisle by Christine Bell. I also have Shock and Awe by Abigail Roux to dig into. Happy Friday!!
Great top Ten ! Love the Kittendales :-)
I´m so annoyed about the young adult/ new adult genre. The hype is arrived in Germany right now. I look in the preview for the future books 2014 and there are so many YA/NA :-(
I read one or two and like them , but come on. I don`t wont read the same story all over again in masses…
Greetings, Silke
PS Sorry for spelling/grammar mistakes. I´m better in english reading than speaking or writing :-)
There do seem to be a lot of the same-themed NA books out there. But there a few that I have found that are really good.
And hello back to you! :)
I wrote in HOO as well. The Goodreads categorizing was quite perplexing. I enjoy some NA but the romance category should include the best of the best in all romance.
“all romance”
Yes this :)
I want Shock and Awe so bad I could die of jealousy! Lucky, lucky Smexy!!! Come on Nov 11th!
I voted for Lover at Last in the Romance category. That was easy for me. But I found the Paranormal Fantasy category sooo difficult. I loved a few of those books!
I know – Estep, Andrews, others I can’t think of LOL. That was a tough category!
Food soap is dangerous…really dangerous… ;-)
I always want to bite into it (I did when I was young… the soap looked like a cucumber… Didn’t taste very well…)
LOL – I was just telling a friend my kids would want to try it even if they were told it’s soap – from the pics it looks so real!
I wasn’t happy with the Best Romance category, too. Goodreads should create a separate category for New Adult books.
This is a good idea. Or at least take a step back and look to make sure they have represented ALL of romance.
I’m reading Shock and Awe now and loving it!!!!!!!! Only about 40% through, but still. It’s a good placeholder until the next book comes out next year.
Squeak! Going to start it this afternoon. YAY!
That GR list was a shocker! I voted for Tangled – it was the only one I read & it was good. The Amazon list has lots of authors I like. Those nakey calendars are too nakey! I like a little body hair on guys!
Definite lack of hair. We need the nakey, BURLY calendar. LOL
I’m so pissed over the ROMANCE CATEGORY. Of a New Adult sub-category has to exist, then it should get its own category, just like Young Adult does. Grrrrrr! And Paranormal Fantasy is IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!
Is shock & awe a full length story???!!!! How did I freaking miss that? I read a short story she did of these two guys but didn’t know they got their own book!
It’s a novella – very short – I believe under 100 pages. It continues the short story she posted on tumblr. But I believe they have a HEA. Out 11/11
Nakey men. Nice.
Don’t get me started on the romance nominations at Goodreads. I hope Lover at Last wins it all. *fingers crossed*
It very well might
Lol those sure look like cookies to me! I bet everyone would just eat them if you put them on the table.
I always buy a Nene Thomas calender, but she did not make one for 2014, as she had not done enough original artwork. Do you think my boyfriend would object to one of those you just posted about?
I think your boyfriend should buy one of them for you! *wink*
Way to go ,Mandi, I also wrote in a vote for Heart of Obsidian. I simply couldn’t believe it isn’t among nominees.
Shock & Awe is hot… I predict that Smex Scene Sunday will feature Sidewinder boys. ;)
Great Top Ten, Mandi!
OOOH. I’m excited!
I agree with you on the Goodreads choice awards. You would think there would be one historical in there. So like you I put in my own vote of Twice Tempted.
Very cool:)
Shock & Awe – 2 days to go. Can’t wait – soooooo jealous of you this weekend!!!!
Love those Naked Rowing Boys – perhaps they can make an appearance in my Christmas stocking ;)
Your stocking definitely needs a naked rowing boy in it – or two!
So disappointed at the romance category so I did not even vote. I need more than NA