IN THE NEWS

| WHAT'S HAPPENING? |

Actually, I have so many things happening it's a wonder I can breathe. 

It's all good though! The most fun bit of news is that I finally bought a graphic and design programme. And no, definitely not the two major ones  (although I've tried trial versions of both and they were awesome), but because at the end of the day I'm no graphic designer and thought it pointless as I'd probably only use about 30% of their potential, plus I'd need to take a course for the harder bits! Anyway, the one I did get is just perfect for me or you if you intend using it for you personal needs like your blog, book covers, cute graphics and so on. Needless to say that it's been quiet around here (blog) for the last two days, but then I'm also trying to get some reading in.

Much like a kid with a new toy, I-have-not-stopped-playing on this programme, so this is mostly to blame. Anyway, this will be a periodic update feature where I will babble on about what's happening, what's happened or just plain nonsense. Without further ado, here is my bit of 'journalism'. :)

For those who are interested, you can e-mail me with all your details on ssbookfanatics(at)gmail(dot)com.

It can be anything from your book release to a cover reveal, or any blogger who is having a giveaway, or a blogaversary.

Anything whatesoever. News is news after all.

| LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD |

The Liebster award is given by other bloggers to an up and coming blogger. 

The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Essentially it's a way for a blogger to tell another blogger "You are one of my favorite blogs"

A big thank you to Laurynne at Coffee, Books & Lipgloss. It's my second one this year. As I've just recently done a whole post for the first one and chose 11 people to pass this on to, I think I'm going to hang on to this one for a while before deciding on who I'll pass this on to. It will be this year! I will, however, answer Laurynne's questions, so here goes:

| QUESTIONS FROM MY NOMINATOR |

01• What would be the ONE thing you have done that may have been the best decision of your life.

Married my sweetheart, especially as we've known each other since the age of two! Yep, a lifetime and then some considering we've now been married for twenty-two years and still going strong. :) Blessed.

03• When was the last time you ate something and thought to yourself - "If no-one see's me eat it... it doesn't count right?" - Oh and what was it?

Lays plain chips. I did it last night sneakily in the kitchen - just a few though, although I could have eaten the whole packet.

04• What is your current or all-time "Get up and Dance" song? The one You just have to jiggle to when you hear it! 

Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae : Just love, "We going at it tonight, tonight, there's a party on the rooftop top of the world, tonight, tonight and we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign..." BUT, really there are so many, and I practically do jiggle with most any song I hear. :D

05• What is the one thing you would really love... but just can't afford it right now?

Hmmm, a small island where the sun shines permanently! 

06• What is the name of the last book you read, really didn't like and actually dreaded having to write a review about it?

I honestly can't remember as I haven't read any 'really' bad ones. There is one I read recently that just needed so much work - I totally struggled through it. However, I don't want to name the author as she is self-published, and is trying really hard to sort out what needs doing. :)

07• What made you decide to start a book review blog?

I just thought that if others could do it, why couldn't I? I also wanted to share my love of books with the world!

08• Using the letters of your first name to create individual words / phrases... Describe yourself to us. ie. I would be: Lazy at times, Aloof, Under the Radar, Ready for anything, Yells at fictional characters, Never Sleeps, Needs to be more active, Easy to figure out.

| S.A.N.D.R.A |

Sun lover

Absolutely 'typo' OCD

Neat Freak

Doodler when on the phone

Reads anywhere when possible (really, lol)

Anxious

09• A fictional character you wouldn't mind waking up to each morning?

*wink* Might sound cliche, but since I have the real thing...

10• When was the last time you did something entirely selfish. Something just for you and what was it?

Here's a toughie, and I know nobody likes to think of themselves as selfish, but to be honest I don't think I'm selfish, haven't done anything selfish and if truth be told - I cater to everyone around me and always place myself last. Sometimes, I wish I could be selfish, ignore others' needs and take care of my own.

11• If you could be friends with yourself, would you? And why?   

Jeepers, Laurynne! Did you sit up all night grinning about this one? LOL Well, Yes, because I'm fun, don't act my age (which is probably unfortunate for others but I don't care) as life is way too short. I don't stay mad for longer than 10 minutes, get over stuff quickly, will go out of my way to help where I can, if I can and when I can, sometimes (again) putting things I want to do down to second place. I laugh a heck of a lot, am always smiling and yeah, just a very positive person. :)

Thanks, Laurynne. Glad that's over. Some toughies in there.

| KAREN ROSE |

www.karenrosebooks.com

Did You Miss Me? is due for release on 5 February 2013.

I can't wait, but with so much going on at the moment, it's going to be a case of having the book on my e-reader, and not being able to touch it until such time as I've carried through with my commitments.

This will be book #14 in this series of suspense/romantic suspense.

| READING ORDER |

1. Don't Tell, 2. Have you Seen Her?, 3. I'm Watching You, 4. Nothing to Fear, 5. You can't Hide, 6. Count to Ten, 7. Die For Me, 8. Scream for Me, 9. Kill for Me, 10. I Can see You, 11. Silent Scream and 12. You Belong to Me, 13. No One Left To Tell.

You can read my review for 'No One Left To Tell' here.

| BOOK TOURS by CBL |

This is one of the reasons why I've also been fairly quiet, but it's all exciting and I look forward to the month of February as it's going to be busy, busy, busy!

I'm going to continue to be fairly quiet as I have books to review for upcoming blog tours.

If you'd like to participate, and believe me you won't have to do any running around as you will be provided with all the information needed, then I suggest you click on the CBL's book tour button I've provided and sign up! 

| MISCELLANEOUS |
. As most of you noticed, I've put review requests on hold until such time as, well, I can breathe.

. Mention must be made, which is also a huge thank you to Laurynne Meyer of CBL, who not only helped me with my author/book promo badge but banged it out in seconds, which you can't help but see on my right blog widget AND for my most gorgeous, beautiful and absolutely fabulous '2013 favourite books' graphic she surprised me with. I'd asked about certain elements as I wanted to create a graphic for my favourite books of 2013, and voila, I woke up to an e-mail with this masterpiece attached. So, Laurynne, thank you so much. You're a star! Annndddd, it's all mine. LOL

You are allowed to oohhh and aahhh, because I'm still doing that. LOVE!