Real READERS Always Find Time To Read!

Happy Monday! Happy READER MONDAY! 
Today I'm excited to introduce you to an amazing reader, Lori Cimino! I met Lori on Facebook through another reader friend of mine, Dru Ann Love. Lori is such a great friend to authors. She is an avid reader and gives her favorite authors a little time of each day through social networking. AND she always finds time to read. . .

I have never understood it when I hear people say, "I love to read but I never have the time." Don't get me wrong, I do understand that everyone has obligations-- kids, jobs, relationships. But if you really love to do something, really enjoy it, you find the time to do it.

My favorite pastime has been reading and I have had a love of books for as long as I can remember. My mother has a passion for the written word and I am so grateful that she shared it with me. My earliest memory of books is around the age of 4 when we would walk to the bookmobile and pick out books. And it was around age 10 that I discovered my love of mysteries in the local library. I will always cherish the memory of the first time mom took me to a bookstore and I bought my very first book, I was 12.
 
I have always found ways to steal moments of time to read. Where ever I am, where ever I go, I ALWAYS carry a book or E-reader with me. I read during lunch breaks, while waiting for appointments or in lines. I even read during long road construction stops and in the car while my husband runs errands. In fact, I often go early to appointments or the movies just so I can have some quiet time to indulge in my latest armchair adventure. I used to read while my kids took naps or while watching them at play.

Of course, now that I am an "empty nester" I have more time than ever to read. My bedtime ritual is to read an hour or so before I go to sleep. I ride my recumbent bicycle and read or when my husband commandeers the tv for video games. When I am deeply invested in a story I have been known to read during commercial breaks while watching television.

My point is, if you love to read allow yourself to find the time. If your life seems to busy or hectic it is even more important to find the stolen snippets of time for yourself. And this is true of any pleasure you enjoy. You need those moments, whether it is 10 minutes or 2 hours to unplug from real life.

Treat yourself well and blessed be.

How do you find time to read?

Reading Through The Eyes of My Son~READER MONDAY

Today I'm so excited to welcome my friend, Ann Miller to READER MONDAY! I've known Ann, as a personal friend, for over five years. Not only is Ann a good friend, she is a GREAT mom of three wonderful kids. She is always promoting reading and education in their daily life. 

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Reading through the eyes of my son has been amazing! 

My son Austin is eight and in the third grade this year.  He has rekindled my love to hold a book and flip pages again. This year when he started third grade we were introduced to the idea of Accelerated Reader points and tests.  Austin has to get five AR points a month in order keep up his third grade standard for all kids in his class.  

In August, he had the highest number of AR points in the WHOLE third grade at his school.  Austin was in AR heaven at school and got a certificate to bring home at the end of the month.   Literally on the first day of school we planned to play at an area park with his younger twin siblings and he decided to read a new book that came his way.  He sat under a tree at the park and finished his first whole chapter book.  This series of books enamored him and he had to finish all of the books in the series.

 

My son gets his love of books honestly…… from a mother and grandmother who love to read also.  He was read to all the time from utero until he started reading on his own in kindergarten.  

I have worked in the education field all my life and I must say I have a HUGE collection of books for all age readers.  Flipping the pages of a book are a rare find these days now with all of the readers out.  I personally do not have a reader yet… we are the proud owners of three for our kids.  

Sometimes I enjoy flipping to the back of the book to get a preview of what happens at the end.  Must say don’t have much time these days to flip the ole pages of books as much as I used to, but when I do it is a wonderful treat. 

I must smile now as I see Austin with at least five books in back pack that he is reading at one time.  We write on his book log each night (or sometimes the night before the whole thing is due) what book he has read and for how many minutes. 

It makes my husband and I so happy to see his love of books.  He has now started his own series of books based upon that book he first read under that tree in his own style.  I believe now Austin is up to his thirteenth book in his series with some great illustrations.  He is also very excited that his mom is friends with a great author Tonya Kappes.  

We all love to read! How do you promote reading in a child's life?

Leave a comment to be eligible to win any ebook copy of one of Tonya's book! Your choice! Winner will be announced on Wednesday!

Reader Monday: Kindle Helped Find New Authors!

I'm so excited to have Street Team member and friend, Sue Lopp on my blog for READER MONDAY! I am amazed at how owning a Kindle has changed reader's buying and reading habits. 

I love to read.  As long as i can remember books have always been a part of my life. I am an only child and  I can remember spending summers with Trixie Beldon... Nancy Drew ( who i wished i was. I always wanted a best friend named , George ).. Encyclopedia Brown. Those were some of the best summers ever.. wondering what adventure i was going to go on next.   As I got older that didn't change I always had a book with me, never knew if you were going to be stopped by a loooong train or stuck in a traffic jam..I was ready...

Some people cannot wait until Friday  to get here, not me Tuesdays were my favorite day.  NEW RELEASE DAY. I would be at Costco or Sams club to get my hands on the new releases especially the hard backs. I was particular which books I purchased in hardback I bought. ( I have collection of some of my favorite authors books in hardback  they look nice on my bookshelves  ). I had my list for the month. Then I would head over to Barnes and Noble and check out all the new paperbacks, leaving there with an arm load..  then all then all things changed. I bought my first Kindle.=. I WAS IN BOOK HEAVEN. One click here and one click there and as of today I have over 1300 books. Hi my name is Sue and I am a bookaholic (in all honesty I really didn't know if I was going to like reading on the Kindle I thought for sure I would miss holding a book.. NOPE..LOL ) 

Since I have had my Kindle my reading habits have changed.  I don't read as many as the same authors as I did I still will buy Stephen Kings book in hardback the day it is released, but also for my kindle. I have one clicked a lot of new authors for me and I have to say that I don't think  I would have bought them at the bookstore. I love that some authors give there books either free or very low priced to give us readers a chance to sample there work. There are a lot of series that I have become hooked on based on these authors kindness, and once I like an author I have to read all that they have written ( that is just the way I am ).

 I also belong a few street teams which I enjoy very much.  I enjoy telling people about new books that I am reading or have read. I  am friends with authors on facebook ( I know that they have so many "friends " that they don't know boo about me... however having them respond to something that I comment on is really great I know that if I was to meet them in person I would only be saying glub glub glub ).  I have been to a few virtual book release parties.. now those are fun...

and where else but on Facebook can I join in on a big brother party with fellow street team members ... Come on June 26th .... ( Tonya Kappes street team has a great  bunch of friendly members.. ) 

If anyone has any books suggestions for me.. would love to hear them...   :)

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Remember my first annual SPRING BOOK FLING is coming up on Thursday on my STREET TEAM!! I'd love for you to join us.
Join the Street Team HERE!!

AND

Don't forget to pick up the newly released novel in the Magical Cures Mystery Series, A CHARMING WISH.

AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

It soared to the bestsellers list in one day!! AND it's 9 FIVE STARS!!!

So. . .what books can you recommend for Sue Lopp??

Stay at Home Mom on READER MONDAY!

Happy FIRST READER MONDAY of March!! I'm excited to have Jaime Smith here today! She's is an avid reader and an amazing Goodreads player! She is awesome at promoting her favorite authors. Jaime is here to talk about how a stay at home mom can sneak in a little reading time with a couple little ones around the house. IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT SEEMS!

So you would think being a stay at home mom would be a readers dream.

But not always the case! I am a stay at home mom to two little girls aged 1 & 4. I get up to to feed two little girls breakfast and find something for them to do that is entertaining. I pick up my book then and start to read. Ten minutes into the book there is the 4 year old yelling from the potty to come help her. After that is typically the demand to watch a movie. 

Great you think! 

Pop in the movie go back to book then baby comes wanting to crawl all over you and play. Ok that is always fun anyways. So before you know it it's lunch time and you make them & yourself lunch. Of course you got to feed the littler one in between your own bites. After lunch they start to get sleepy. 

YES! Just what you needed for a reading break. 

So you lay them down and once more dive into your book till the four year old eyeing you looks really sad and says, mommy read to me one of my books. So you go and grab a pile because after all my 4 year old can enjoy story time for an hour easily. All though I'm bummed about not getting to read my book, I'm over the moon that my little girl is following my footsteps in love of books! Also reading children books to your children is really such a precious thing that I secretly really enjoy. So the little ones then fall asleep on me finally during story time. 

I don't dare move them in fear of waking up. I can read now I think except my book it just a little bit out of hands reach now with two children sleeping on me. After about a hour and half the angels wake and are up and playing.

I usually can get in 30 minutes to an hour here. Then it's snack time & more entertaining them. Before you know it it's evening and the hubby is on his way home! THANK GOD! 

I'm one very lucky girl to have a great husband who knows how important reading is to me so when he get's home he takes over the kids duty and I get to read a good hour to two before supper! Then we work on putting the kids to sleep and having some alone time for just the two of us. Then it's off to bed where I presume will be major reading time now, only I'm so tired that I literally fall asleep with a book on my face. 

To add to this all I have extreme health issues with my heart so that makes everything twice as hard and causes me to be tired often. So basically my main serious reading time is the weekends when husband is home from work. 

I love reading so much and leaving reviews to help authors and other readers but I never can seem to keep up with the piles and piles of books but you know what I DON'T MIND! That is what it is to be a reader who is in love with books! Besides it's only 4 1/2 more years before both kids are in school and then I know I will have more reading time! 

Also as my girl's get older I hope that they will also continue their love of books and we will all be curled up on the sofa reading together! Family is all about love as well as books. You got to really appreciate both and how they can come in hand if your willing to make it all work.

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WOW! Jaime! You are a busy gal during they day. And I thought I was busy with three teenagers running around! Jaime is very talented! She didn't mention she makes amazing book marks! I'm sure she's taking orders! Just leave a comment to win a copy of my novel, STRUNG OUT TO DIE and one of Jaime's cool bookmarks!
(I will post the winner on Friday and you have one week to come back to claim your prize!)

Reader Monday with Book Reviewer FORGET THE HOUSEWORK I'M READING

Happy Monday morning! The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day in Kentucky! I'm excited to have book reviewer Tobi Helton on the blog today!  A year ago, Tobi did a review of my chick-lit novel, Carpe Bead 'em, and I couldn't help but fall in love with her blog (especially since the review was AMAZING!).

I have found that her blog, Forget the Housework, I'm Reading, is a great place for reviews. I have found so many new reads from her. 

Hi!  I’m Tobi I’m on Tonya’s Street Team and I have my own Book Review Blog Forget the Housework, I’m Reading……

I love reading and I started my blog when I found a book that had so MUCH potential and ended too quickly with forgiveness to the male character too easily.  So, I wanted to vent!  In a positive way but had to get it out of my system.  This brought the birth of my first blog Mommy to 3/Book Lover.  As my blog grew and more authors began asking me to read and review their books I worked with my now friend Elizabeth Ann West on creating a more reader friendly and fun blog basing my ratings on how much housework I avoided or neglected during the reading of a book! 

Through my blog and author friends I have gained more and more author friends and non author friends. I love meeting people and talking.  I could talk to a brick wall honestly.

 I support all authors.  Indie, published and the in between.  I thoroughly enjoy reading ROMANCES, romances of all kinds.  However, I can’t do horror, not if you want me to sleep! 

I read by my mood.  If I need a lift in mood, I pick up one of Tonya’s books.  Then there are times when nothing will do but Cowboy romances (my guilty pleasure).  OH and paranormal!  I love all kinds of paranormal. Let’s just say I’m known for my eclectic reading.

Anyway, Thank you Tonya for having me!  I hope to do this again.

Oh....Do you read by your mood?? 

The winner of last Reader Monday blog of Heather Blake's signed novels It Takes A Witch and A Witch Before Dying is. . .SUSIE R.!!! Contact me through the contact tab so I can mail your books to you!!! 

Reader Monday

When I asked Melissa Lapierre to be our guest on READER MONDAY, I knew I had to know all about her history as a book blogger! I met Melissa when she blogged on my book, Carpe Bead 'em. She was such a delight to communicate with. I started following her blog because she has some great authors and books on there!! So be sure to follow the links below to check her out!!

Please welcome MELISSA LAPIERRE to READER MONDAY!!

I can't remember a time when I wasn't a reader.

As a little girl I never wanted to take naps (my how that has changed as I've aged!!!), so my Mom would plop me in my bed with a stack of books and my childhood cat, Patch. 35 years later I'm still happiest surrounded by books and cats.

In middle school I couldn't devour the Nancy Drew books from the school library fast enough. Nancy was the beginning of my love of mysteries. After that I discovered Agatha Christie, then dove into the wonderful contemporary cozies that are so popular today.

I read other genres...I love historical romance particularly, as well as true animal stories, Christmas books, and the paranormal, but mysteries will always be my first love. My Kindle collection (LOL I have three...a Keyboard, Touch, and Fire) has made my book obsession grow exponentially. What did we ever do without modern technology???

In August 2011 I decided to start a book blog (http://www.mochasmysteriesandmore.blogspot.com/) to share my love of books (and cats!) with the online community. I'd always kept paper book journals, but wanted to keep a digital record as well. It has ended up being just about the best decision I ever made.

Blogging has truly changed my life.

I absolutely cherish the friendships I've made with fellow bloggers and authors. Every time I receive a review request in my email it just amazes me that someone is asking my humble opinion on the work they've shed their blood, sweat and tears over. I never fail to be awed and honored, and wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world.

My ultimate goal is to someday work in the book industry, either in editing, promotion, or even the bit of writing I've dabbled in myself. It seems that with the rise of indie publishing the sky's the limit, and I couldn't be more excited to be just a small part of it!

What about you? Has your love of reading ever turned into a hobby or job like mine?

Aimee Hicks!! You won a free ebook copy of my latest novel STRUNG OUT TO DIE!! Be sure to email me your email addy so I can send it to you!

Holly Harper’s life is finally getting back on the right track after her divorce from “what’s his name.” She and a group of divorcees have formed a strong bond plotting creative ways to get back at their exes and created a self-help group known as The Divorced Divas where their meetings are held in Holly’s bead store, The Beaded Dragonfly.

It’s no secret that Holly’s ex husband, Sean Harper, and the wealthiest bachelor in Swanee, Doug Sloan, don’t get along because Sean is constantly fixing all of Doug’s shoddy handy man work. Plus all the Divas would love to get their claws in some of Doug’s money.

When Doug ends up dead on the floor of The Beaded Dragonfly with a string of cat eye beads around his neck, it’s up to Holly to figure out whose framing her.

Reader Monday

Happy Monday! You know what that means! It's READER MONDAY and today I'm excited to introduce you to Teri Filkins! I met Teri on line and she is full of life and fun! Not to mention an amazing teacher, which is probably why we clicked. . .I use to teach and I admire her job! What better guest than a teacher who encourages her students to read??? Take it away Teri. . . .

Thank you for having me here today, Tonya, I am really enjoying your blogs! I am in awe of how you are able to accomplish so much with your days while also entertaining "us" with really great reads!

For several years, I ran the "Reader of the Month" program at our middle school. Once a reader was selected ( not necessarily a straight A student, but more importantly a "book worm"), I would meet with that student to give them a list of pre-interview questions. I've taken pictures of readers laying under the school marquee, kidding around in the library, strutting their stuff by flashy school lockers. The best part was always sitting down and finding out about these kids.

When did they remember first loving to read? Who was the first person that they ever remember having read to them? What didn't their folks know about them and books? Where did they read? What did they read?
What did they read?

Those kids could run off genres and authors to me in a flash! How fortunate I was that never did a one of them flip me that same question. My reading diet was as odd as could be.

Most of the time, I was reading books based upon the grade I'm teaching. Since 1984, I've taught every one of them. Each grade had its own treasures.

Then, came the summers and it would be my turn!! I selected books based upon places I longed to be: beaches, oceans, quaint towns, and pirate ships.

At times, I needed an adventure. I'd get on my spy gear and go some kind of NCIS crazy exploit.

Even now-a-days, I can't always stay in the same genre, even if I love it. I need to explore. I fly from one genre to another. I'm a beach bum, a sassy witch, a torn neglected wife. Yet, I'm more than that. I am the breezy wisps of salty air flowing through the Cape windows. I am the tempest storm pounding the beaten ship.

The biggest change came for me when I was battling an illness. My oncologist therapist warned me to stay away from negative books. She advised reading fun and carefree novels for they would help me to stay happy and uplifted. That was when I entered the realm of chick-lit. Truly, this arena supported me as an optimist. Ah, perfect fit. So perfect, it wouldn't wait for summer to come.

My last Read was The Light Between Oceans,by M.L. Stedman, one of those books that puts me smack dab on a lighthouse in the middle of nowhere, with characters I want to root for. At the same time, I was reading Ashes of Roses, by Mary Jane Auch, for my 8th grade class. This book follows a family from Cork, Ireland to America, through the hard immigration process, to unfair labor practices and into the belly of the horrid Triangle Shirt Factory Fire. Now, I am sliding into the scary Gone Girl ( Gillian Flynn). I am putting on my spy gear. It's all a cycle.

Next, I know I will be more than hungry for some Indie chick.

It's just too long of an answer for a middle schooler. Eyes would glaze over.

Do you know what you read? Have you ever thought about why you read what you read? It is an interesting look inside of your reading soul.

When I am deciding upon which book to read, I am thinking something even more. The decision is, "Which adventure am I going on next?"

Teri Filkins is a Literacy Teacher at Moreau Elementary School and Oliver W. Winch School in South Glens Falls, New York. In addition, she serves on the Board of the Iroquois Reading Council, part of the New York State Reading Council and an affiliate of the International Reading Association.

Reader Monday and the Bookaholic!

I'm so excited about our second Monday of the new year and a new series that I'm featuring on Mondays. I'm calling it READER MONDAY (Yeah, creative...I know.)

The one thing that you should know about me is that I'm all about me readers! I love connecting with them here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and in person. There is nothing more fun than getting together with people who love to read! Go on over to my website and check out my news and events for places I will be traveling to this year. I hope y'all let me know if you live near these places because I would love to hook up!

So when I decided to move my blog to reader friendly, I wanted to let readers have a day where they can talk about books, why they like books, who they like, how they fit riding into their busy lives, or anything that strikes their fancy! I'm pretty open to anything.

This week I'd like to give a big WELCOME to another one of my STREET TEAM members Crystal Bozeman Cifton!! 

A couple years ago my sister decided I needed to read the Twilight series and promised I would love them. I did, and in fact that is the the series of books that got me back into reading, I choose my books mostly by description but sometimes the covers get me hooked. 

I am in my forties and I love all genres and never turn down a book just in case I may love it. I have a TBR pile so high its unbelieveable and rather comical also. I have met some of the most awesome Authors on FB, Twitter, Pinterest etc and I enjoy enteracting with them all. I also love to do promo pics for them to help get their books out to the public eye. 

Tonya Kappes, Stacey Rourke, Cameo Renae, Cindy Springsteen, and numerous other Authors have inspired me to move ahead and get my childrens books published hopefully this year. 

Reading is a place I go when I don't want to deal with the real world, in the books I am never lost and I am always on an adventure along with anyone else who has read or are reading the same book. I love books that keep me engaged in the story to the point I stay up into the wee hours reading ti to the finish. 

I love to laugh, cry, get excited and just down right mad when I am reading and I just can't explain the pictures I see in my head while reading. When an Author can make you picture the landscape or even an outfit on th echarater well they have just gone above and beyond for me. 

Reading is a wonderful escape for everyone and yes I am a Bookaholic and proud to be.

What about you, are you a bookaholic too??

Reader Monday

I'm so excited to welcome the first Monday of the new year and a new series that I'm going to be featuring on Mondays. I'm calling it READER MONDAY (Yeah, creative...I know.)

The one thing that you should know about me is that I'm all about me readers! I love connecting with them here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and in person. There is nothing more fun than getting together with people who love to read! Go on over to my website and check out my news and events for places I will be traveling to this year. I hope y'all let me know if you live near these places because I would love to hook up!

So when I decided to move my blog to reader friendly, I wanted to let readers have a day where they can talk about books, why they like books, who they like, how they fit riding into their busy lives, or anything that strikes their fancy! I'm pretty open to anything.

I'm excited to have my first guest reader today. Lori Hickey is a member of my STREET TEAM and she is so much fun! When I asked her to guest blog as a reader, I didn't know she was going to talk about me...little ole me;) But I loved it! This is exactly how I want my readers to feel when they meet me or read my novels! Lori summed it up perfectly!

Over a year and a half ago I found a new Author (with a little help from a friend) who writes fun, quirky, magical and laugh out loud stories where you fall in love with the characters. 

Since then I have read all of her books and am eagerly waiting for her next one. Tonya Knappes is her name and let me tell you she is so much like her characters. 

Since reading and finding Tonya, who lives in Kentucky while I live in Vermont, we have become friends. She is very involved with her readers and really cares about them.

She has her Street Team on Facebook which I am a part of. Tonya has book release parties that last for hours giving away lots of wonderful goodies including books that her author friends have written. 

So not only is she sharing herself with us she shares her friends with us too. This is a win win for everyone.  We have book group meetings on our Kindle Fires with Tonya. Not many authors do that. 

We’ve even had fun as a “Big Brother” group during the summer months.

I wake up every morning and turn my iPad on and go to Facebook for our morning hello and fun cartoons. This has become such a part of my routine. I would miss it if it was all gone tomorrow.

I could go on and on about Tonya and her books and everything else that she does for us but I’ll end here and hope that you will read her books and find them as enjoyable as I do.

What about you? Do you have authors that reach out to their readers?