IMPORTANT REQUEST.

UPDATE: Readers have been filled -- thank you for your quick responses! The book will be out in February! I hope you'll all want to read it! :)

I need two - three beta readers to read my upcoming novel. I am looking for someone who has been a dedicated Manic blog reader, who has probably corresponded with me via FB or through email occasionally, and who can read this thing in the next four or five days. Someone who will give me an absolute honest opinion on every piece of the story, what they like, what they don't like, who they think the characters should be with, what's missing from the characters. You may have to write up a page of suggestions, but I don't need a LOT of changes to the story because I feel that it's almost done. I do think there are a few things that a reader may not like, so I want someone to take a look at it.

Do you want to read it and give some minor feedback, even if you think it sucks, I will want to know. I'm getting ready to put it out as a Kindle e-reader and I really trust many of you who come here as dedicated blog readers. If you're interested, email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com with the subject line BETA READER. Remember, I'd prefer that we have communicated previously via FB, through here, or through email and that you and I know something about each other. This is going to be based on who contacts me first and who I feel most comfortable with.

Also, I would prefer you be just a reader, not someone in the book industry/reviewer venue.

ALSO, the ending I am going to send you IS NOT THE FINAL ENDING. So, there's that to work with too! Talk about a mind eff, huh?

Thanks to you all! And for those who don't read this version, hopefully you will want to read the FINAL version which will be available in February. I do have a cover designed already! The title is WHAT SHE LEFT US. Thanks! Happy New Year!

Holiday Wishes!

Wishing you health, happiness, love, laughter and joy this holiday season and all through the New Year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Manic Mommy and HER three reasons for all her seasons!

Congrats to 

ALLY who blogs at LITTLE SQUIRTS! 

You have won ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE! Please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com with your full name & address so you can get your copy!

 

ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE by Jess Riley

 

All the Lonely People
By Jess Riley

Jess Riley is a real life friend of mine and she's got a new book out just in time for the holidays, and let me tell you, if you're looking for a last-minute holiday gift, THIS IS a great book to buy. Here is my personal amazon 5-star review of ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE: 

If you have a family and have EVER celebrated a holiday, ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE is a must-read! (So that means EVERYONE, right!) Who here does not have a semi-dysfunctional or completely dysfunctional family? I loved this book for so many reasons, especially because I could identify with the characters. Having a less-than-perfect family - not wanting to spend time with them, yet loving them just the same. My heart broke for Jaime's struggle with infertility, as well as her need to find the perfect family.

What you will find when you read ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE is that you're only as lonely as you choose to be. If you surround yourself with caring people, it doesn't matter if you're related by blood or by common interests, (even if that happens to be common loneliness!) as long as you enjoy who you're with (and don't answer ads from psychos!).

Jess Riley won me over with her Target breakout debut Driving Sideways. She's done it again with this charming, "heart-hilarious-warming" book that will have you laughing and possibly even tearing up a bit. Maybe, just maybe, you'll want to call up your family to apologize for some of the rotten things you've said or done over the years. 

Here's the back-of-the-book blurb:

"WANTED: a whole new family to share holidays with. Please have a good heart and be a thoughtful, polite person. No sociopaths, no pedophiles, no fans of the Kardashians. We're not weirdos, I promise. I love old Steve Martin movies, new Steve Martin banjo tunes, Indian food, and reruns of Bob Ross painting happy little trees. So if you're looking for something other than the typical family dysfunction this Christmas, drop us a line." After losing her beloved mother to cancer, 37-year-old Jaime Collins must confront the ugly fact that she and her siblings don't actually like one another. At all. Fueled by grief and an epic argument at Thanksgiving dinner, Jaime decides to 'divorce' her siblings and posts an ad on Craigslist for a new family for Christmas. What happens next is a heartwarming, funny, and surprising journey to forgiveness and healing. Is blood really thicker than water? And how far do we have to go to find our way back home again? Dedicated to anyone who has ever wanted to unfriend a relative on Facebook, ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE is about family: those you make ... and those you make peace with. 

If you'd like to win a copy of ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE (your choice — paperback or e-reader version), leave a comment on a funny holiday story. I remember the time my sister almost knocked my mom in the head with the turkey leg at Thanksgiving — yes, we too, are a dysfunctional family!

To double your chances at winning ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE, check out Chick Lit Central's post about Jess' book here: http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2012/12/jess-riley-knows-how-to-light-up-room.html

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Latest Winners!

Congrats to the latest book winners of the following books. We recently posted about the following books, Sparkle, Speechless and Dwarf, and if your name is listed below, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com with your full name and address so we can send you your copy! Thanks, and coming up Tuesday, my friend Jess Riley and her latest, All The Lonely People!

Books & Reviews wins Sparkle

Juliet Farmer wins Speechless

Dwarf winners (Yes, the publisher offered FIVE copies so five of you have won this book!):

Mary Jo Burke

Bev V

Carol5814

betsy_blixt

Joelle

SPEECHLESS By Hannah Harrington

Speechless
Hannah Harrington

This is definitely a book for the young adult readers out there but adults will enjoy it too. I started this one and don't want to stop. It's about the popular sidekick girlfriend of the most popular girl in school who is always the one gossiping. She witnesses something and then shares what she sees with practically every single popular person in school.

What happens after that renders her speechless.

It's awesome.

Here's more information on the book:

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret.
Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

With themes about homosexuality, friendship, bullying, there's a lot to discover in Speechless. If you'd like to win a copy, leave a comment about a time you might have been left Speechless over something, whether it was something hilarious, scary, ridiculous, off-the-wall, or whatever! Or if you saw something that left you speechless... whatever you want to share!

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!