Friday, November 23, 2012

Black Friday Blog Hop: Shopping for a good Book


While the rest of the US is out handling the crowds, fighting for their holiday gifts, some of us like to stay in, shop online, or just ignore Black Friday all to together. This year, join us in our second annual Black Friday Blog Hop! It's a ONE DAY hop where we're giving away prizes, talking about books we love, and most likely  eating left over turkey. :-)

The hop is November 23rd and is ONE DAY only.

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!


Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $75 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!


Welcome to the Black Friday Blog Hop!
 
"As the shoppers rush home with their treasures..."

It's that time of year!  Crazy, conspicuous consumption is immortalized in the Black Friday Sales going on all over the country.  Now, don't get me wrong: I love a good sale as much as anyone, and I have been known to venture out on Black Fridays past to brave the crowds for a spectacular deal.

But this year, I'm staying home.  I think I'll curl up on the couch with the cat and a good book.

Do you prefer to shop for your reading material online or in person?  I'll admit, I'm torn.  It's fun to just point the mouse and click a few buttons, and then wait and watch the mail (or, better yet, turn on my Kindle and see the book appear).  But I also adore wandering through bookstores, touching spines and fantasizing about how many books I can fit on my already overstuffed shelves.

With the holiday season swinging into full gear, it's time to start thinking about gifts for all the wonderful people in your tribe.  My favorite gift to give?  You guessed it: books!

Here are some shopping suggestions for everyone on your list.

For your mother: Look for authors like Diana Gabaldon, Phillipa Gregory, and Joshilyn Jackson.  She'll get sucked into stories of love, loss, and historical splendor (not to mention the sexy romance of Gabaldon and Gregory may be just what Mom wants to read!)

For your father: Think action, adventure, and heroism.  Introduce Dad to Dan Brown or other edgy thrillers and keep him on the edge of his recliner!

For your grandmother: Janet Evanovich.  Enough said.

For your grandfather: In my experience, sharp, witty biographies and memoirs are a hit with Grandpa: A Twist of Lemmon  by Chris Lemmon was a big hist in my family.  Browse the new nonfiction section at your local bookstore for ideas. 

For your children/nieces/nephews (under 12): There are so many excellent children's books out there, but I love getting kids started on a series: this ensures hours of reading as they work their way through all the books.  Some great (long) series: Magic Tree House, American Chillers, Nancy Drew (yes, still around!), and, of course, Harry Potter.

For your children/nieces/nephews (12-18): Again, there are too many amazing YA novels hitting the shelves each week to provide a comprehensive list, but here are some favorites (of mine and of the students I used to teach): The Hunger Games trilogy, The Goddess Test trilogy, the Percy Jackson books, the Divergent trilogy, and anything by Sarah Dessen.

For your best friend: Whatever book you just finished reading: friends love recommendations, even if you aren't sure of their reading tastes.  Books that have made the rounds among my besties? Eat, Pray, Love, The Happiness Project, and American Gods.

For your lover: there are countless erotica titles out there, but if you want something a bit sweeter (and more able to be read in public) try to buy a book that relates to your partner's interests and hobbies.  If they have an Amazon Wish-List or a Goodreads "To-read" shelf, check that out and buy something from the heart.

The bottom line?  There are enough books out there to please everyone on your holiday list!  So as you brave the Black Friday crowds, make a stop at your local bookstore and stock up.



And, as a bonus: my contemporary new adult novel, The Burning of Isobel Key, is available for FREE today on your Kindle.  Why not treat yourself before you start your holiday shopping?  

Check out the other Black Friday Blog Hoppers and see how they are spending the busiest shopping day of the year!


78 comments:

  1. thank you for participating :)
    fiza700[at]gmail[dot]com

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  2. Thanks!

    dita(dot)skarste(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Thanks for the free ebook!

    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

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  4. Thank you! Great suggestions, they help a LOT!

    alinutza4u2004[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

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  5. Oh i'm staying home this black friday!!! Nothing in the sale ads could make me go today. i do like to look them over and usually can find a better deal online.thanks you for joining the hop! and for the free book!
    miriam.whitewolf@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. I don't blame you, Miriam! I stayed home, too! Enjoy the book. :)

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  6. I'm not a Black Friday shopper. I don't believe that shopping should ever be a full contact sport. I spend the day baking cookies with my kiddos instead.
    planterofhope(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Carla, that sounds perfect! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  7. I skipped Black Friday shopping this year. Hopping by.

    Jennifer Rote
    wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

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  8. I don't blame you, Lisa! Hope you had a quiet day. :)

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  9. Sounds like a good day to me! :) Thanks for hopping by!

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  10. I stay home on Black Friday and enjoy the quiet and the leftovers Thanks for being part of this hop
    crystaley73 at yahoo dot com

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  11. Thanks for the free book, I am just going to chill and read or watch movies.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome! Have a nice, relaxing weekend.

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  12. I have friends who go Black Friday shopping but it's not for me. Thanks for the chance to win!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  13. I sent the hubby for a couple items....I think we are done now..I am glad to have found you on this blog hop and look forward to reading your works. Kim86004(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Hi! Happy Holidays to you! No, im not a shopper on black friday. I hate crowds. Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaway! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Thanks for the giveaway.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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  16. Thanks for participating in the giveaway.

    Looking forward to reading your books. I just found a new author

    Happy holidays
    Sblasi9285@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Suzie! Can't wait to hear what you think.

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  17. Thank you! christiethemom@hotmail.com

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  18. Great suggestions! Maybe because it's what I'd like to receive, but I really think books make the best present. Picking out a book someone else would like is a lot of fun and makes for a very personalized present. Plus I like sharing books I loved.

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Books are my favorite gift, too! Thanks for dropping by!

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  19. I love both shopping for paper books and ebooks! ebooks are easier and I don't need to make space in the house.

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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    Replies
    1. It's great to have the choice, isn't it? :) Thanks for coming by!

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  20. I prefer going to the bookstore. I love being surrounded by all the books and touching all the spines!

    xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Bookstores are some of my favorite places on earth. Thanks for dropping by!

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  21. I love BF shopping~ I did some today and last night and got everything on my "Must have" lists! Now just leisurely shopping to do until xmas! Thank you for the lovely giveaway~

    MostlyMisha [at] gmail [dot] com

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  22. I like to do my shopping online. Thanks for offering the book and participating in the hop.

    katieamanda1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. I look for books online and then I usually go to the store and pick it up.

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Hooray for buying local! Thanks for coming by!

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  24. Thanks for the hop stop and giveaway!

    melhalp at msn.com

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  25. Thanks for the free book! I do like to do most of my book shopping online - but I also have a fondness for going to the bookstore and looking at all the covers. I spent this Black Friday taking my daughter and her friends to the movies and avoiding all the crowds at the mall. We saw Rise of the Guardians and it was lots of fun. Thanks for being in the hop!

    jochibi AT yahoo DOT com

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  26. I love Black Friday shopping, but this year I waited until the store was almost empty and I still got all the specials on my list.

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. I stuck to the web today instead of braving the crowds. ;) Thanks for the giveaway!

    fancie @ live. com

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  28. I'm with you. There are pros to both and for me it's just what I'm in the mood for lol
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

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  29. Instead of shopping, I'm hopping! I prefer to do my shopping online.
    Happy Black Friday.
    mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  30. Lovely cover! :) And I completely agree--there is a book out there for everyone. You just have to find it!

    Enjoy!
    TBQ
    The_Book_Queen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! <3 my cover artist, Heidi Sutherlin. Thanks for coming by!

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  31. Thanks for the great hop.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  32. I shop online to avoid the crowds, so hopping for me!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    nerdswillruleoneday@yahoo.com

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  33. I used to think going to the bookstore was the greatest thing ever. I didn't have to wait for my book to be mailed and it usually came Media Mail so that took an extra few days to start a series I want to read and by read, I mean NOW. LOL Since getting my Kindle, my wish has come true. If I read about a book or series that I absolutely cannot live without, I click one button and *poof* there it is! It is so wonderful!

    Thanks so much for being a part of the hop and for the giveaway!

    Happy Holidays,
    Marlena
    charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. The instant gratification is pretty cool! Thanks for dropping by :)

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  34. I do like to shop on Black Friday, but the last few years I have found better sales, No lines, No rude people, and free shipping on Cyber Monday.

    angelheart618@gmail.com

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  35. Thanks for doing the hop!

    gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. Thanks for being a part of this fantastic hop! Happy Holidays too!
    ~Lynne
    tworeads.blogspot.com
    tworeads (at) gmail (dot) com

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  37. Thanks for the free book!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  38. Thanks for the hop!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  39. Thanks for participating in the blog hop! Hope you have happy holidays. I stayed home this year for black friday because its a bit frightening in stores, I prefer shopping at home LOL! ;)


    swtlilangel4jc at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. It's great to shop from home and avoid the lines! Thanks for hopping by!

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  40. That's a really good strategy! Glad you enjoyed relaxing this weekend!

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  41. new follower through GFC as lucyatmax/no pix. You commented on my blog the sequel to the Burning of Isobel Key will be out in January, Jen do you have a title for the sequel? Will Lou and Brian pick up again? Oh my, so anxious and I am wondering how many books will be in this series?

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