This 'N That

Well, I'm back home for a week! Sorry I keep disappearing but I'm trying to finish a home renovation project for my uncle, as well as some stuff for my parents - which means I'm out of town and without reliable internet service. It sucks! This week, I'll be home in preparation for my birthday party next weekend, so I'll have time to do more reviews, schedule more posts, catch up on other blogs, and basically not be as inactive as I have been.

To begin this, I have some things I need to update you guys on!

First thing is first: my blog. If you follow Lori from Pure Imagination's design blog, then you'll know that I won her layout giveaway. To say I was over the moon when I found out I won would be an understatement! I picked out a kit and with a few e-mails back and forth - this is what she came up with. You like? I l-o-v-e. So, if you're ever in the market for a blog makeover, I'd suggest her - not only are her prices unbelievably low, she does AMAZING work. Check out her other work here.

A few weeks back, I was contacted by Kate Kaynak about reviewing books in her Ganzfield series. Not only that, she also offered a giveaway for my blog/followers. I immediately agreed to review the first two books in the series, Minder and Adversary, because I've been wanting to read them ... but obligations of other reviews moved the books down a little on my TBR list. However, a perk to book reviewing is that if an author asks you to review a book ... you can use that as the excuse to move the book up! Well ... at least that's what I do! ;)

To make a long story short(ish), I read the books ... and now, I'm in love. So in love, in fact, that I've decided to dedicate a whole week to Ganzfield! So, one week very soon, you'll see all posts (reviews, memes, etc) completely Ganzfield themed - including an interview and giveaway with Kate herself!

So, my birthday is in a week and my celebration on here is scheduled to end tonight. BUT I have another contest coming up (which will be explained later in this post), so I thought that I would have this one end the day before the other ends. The other won't last as long (less than a week), so this way I can have a week to pick the winners to my birthday celebration and mail out BOTH contest prizes the same day. I promise I'm not doing this because I'm lazy - it's more because of these renovations, I can take the packages with me and make one trip to the local post office.

But, that's good news! That means if you haven't entered ... you still have more time to do so and more time for more extra entries, if you so choose! Just go here to enter!

Oh, and in response to some e-mails I've received: if you've already entered, but decide you want more entries by tweeting, blogging, etc ... then just e-mail me with the links and I'll add them to your original entry!

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer is hosting a giveaway hop for Halloween ... which I have signed up to participate in! I'm really excited! I've picked out this prize pack especially for the Halloween season, so I hope you guys will sign up to win it! It starts October 25th (my birthday!) and ends on the 31st.

November 10th is the Green Books Campaign - a one day event in which 200 bloggers post reviews of "green books", aka books printed on recycled paper. I will be reviewing The Bloodlight Chronicles: Reconciliation, by Steve Stanton. This is a sci-fi (not YA) book, but I'm really eager to start this one. Plus, this is a great cause. I hope everyone will participate in the campaign!

Lastly, another giveaway hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer! This is a hop with giveaways completely dedicated to my/our followers. I have to be honest and say I have no idea what I'm going to offer, but I promise it'll be all for you guys. I'm so grateful to you all!!

Alright, I think this is all I need to tell you guys about for now.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program!