Month in Review: November 2013

I can’t believe 2013 is almost over with. In regards to my reading goal, I’m glad the year’s almost over. I know I’m not going to reach my goal of 100 books this year so I’m ready for 2014 to start so I can get going on next year’s goal. J9 has convinced me to reevaluate my goal of reading 100 books, which I agree I need to do. The baby toddler is a handful now and I have accepted the fact that I just don’t have the same amount of time to read that I used to. I’m not sure what my goal will be, yet, but it will be less than 100 books. And if I happen to reach 100 books, all the better.

TOP PICKS for November: J9’s top pick is Long Time Gone by S.E. Jakes, which she gave 5 frogs. My top pick is Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, which I gave 4 ½ frogs.

I have completely redone the navigation menu. It’s now above the header (it used to be right below the header) and it actually works now! I don’t know about you but I had problems accessing the drop down portion of the menu. The submenu would disappear before I could find what I was looking for. So it was time to bite the bullet and fix it. And the best part – it’s fully functional on my iPad!

J9 and I have decided to open up a Q&A where you get to ask us questions about books, reading, or anything else that comes to mind. We plan on doing an occasional post (once a month at most) answering your questions, so send your questions in. And it’s completely anonymous.

The sign ups for the 2014 reading challenges I’m hosting are up! You can click on the links up above in the new and improved navigation menu (under Challenges) or click the image links in the sidebar.

The Book Vixen has a new guest reviewer! J9 and I warmly welcome Sara to our little corner in the book blogging world. Her first review will be up later this month, so keep a look out for that. And speaking of guest reviewers, I have decided to keep the application up indefinitely. So if you’re interested in being a guest reviewer on TBV, either on a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent basis, fill out this application.

Just a reminder that I’m posting Kindle deals and freebies on our Facebook Page now (instead of Twitter). We also have exclusive giveaways for our Facebook fans so be sure to follow us so you don’t miss out.

Books Reviewed on TBV:

1. More Than Everything by Cardeno C. – 4 frogs
2. Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey – 4 frogs
3. Kinked by Thea Harrison – 4 frogs
4. Eternal Sin by Laura Wright – 2 frogs
5. Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille – 3 ½ frogs
6. Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery – 2 frogs
7. High Concept by Whitley Gray – 3 frogs
8. Long Time Gone by S.E. Jakes – 5 frogs
9. Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux – 4 ½ frogs
10. After the Sunset by Mary Calmes – 4 ½ frogs
11. The Dark Collector by Vanessa North – 2 frogs
12. Nothing Serious by Jay Northcote – 3 ½ frogs
13. One Night Ever After by Tere Michaels, Elle Brownlee, Elizah J. Davis – 3 frogs
14. Pleasuring the Lady by Jess Michaels – 3 frogs
15. The General and the Elephant Clock of Al-Jazari by Sarah Black – 4 frogs
16. Broken Boundaries by Evangeline Anderson – 3 frogs
17. The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl by Gina Lamm – 3 frogs
18. Dangerous Seduction by Zoe Archer – 3 frogs
19. Take Me Home by Inez Kelley – 4 frogs
20. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean – 4 ½ frogs
21. Crash Into You by Katie McGarry – 4 ½ frogs
22. Stoned by Shelley Munro – 3 frogs
23. Dragos Takes a Holiday by Thea Harrison – 4 frogs
24. Housekeeping by Kim Fielding – 3 ½ frogs
    

Posts:

• In My Pocket: Kindle MatchBook, Joey Graceffa, Veronica Roth, and more!
• My Bookish Wants & Gots (33)
• Author Sarah Morgan shared an exclusive excerpt from Sleigh Bells in the Snow.
• Thursday Thirteen: Things that make me happy
• Thursday Thirteen: Why I read
• In My Pocket: Sons of Anarchy Spinoff, the Ken Doll and Cock Rings, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and much more!
• Thursday Thirteen: Things that create emotion in me
• Thursday Thirteen: Tech things I’m thankful for

Current Giveaways:

• (2) complete set of stories from Dreamspinner Press’ Heartwarming Advent Calendar – ENDS 12/8 (INT)

2013 Reading Challenges/Goals Status Report:

• Outdo Yourself – 75/100
• Men in Uniform – 5+/5 – COMPLETED
• Nicholas Sparks – 0/4
• Romantic Suspense – 6/13
• Contemporary Romance – 10+/10 – COMPLETED
• Read 100 books – 75/100
• Read 24 books from TBR Pile – 6/24
• Read 12 Freebies from TBR Pile – 3/12

How was your November? Are you still in a food coma? Are you reading any holiday-themed romances I should know about?