Happy February: Reaching Your Goals and Setting New Challenges

How's that goal-setting working out for you so far? Seems like 2016 barely ended and January hit the ground running. I wasn't in that marathon and didn't hit the ground very hard when it came to blogging. Rather than give up, though, I decided it was time to rev up my motor and get kicking.

 

February is NOT too late to set goals, or to begin working toward the goals you set in December.



FIREWORKS OVER MAGIC ISLAND IN HONOLULU
Celebrating Our Accomplishments of 2016
and looking forward to all that 2017 has to offer!

Two goals on my list for 2016 were to post thoughts about the 70 poems in my book of linked poetry; and to read and review 71 books. As New Years Eve approached, I could breath easier, knowing those two goals were met. That meant less guilt for me when transferring other goals to 2017.

 

You can access my Goodreads Reading Challenge 2016 page here:

https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/show/3890-2016-reading-challenge

My goal for 2017 is to read and review 72 books, in a wider variety of genres than ever before!

Facing Forward

 

There wasn't much time to celebrate reaching the end of the above goals, however. November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writers Month. If you haven't participated in this annual ritual yet, check out what all the shouting is about and consider setting it as a goal for November, 2017. Here's the link:

 https://nanowrimo.org/sign_in



 

Not everyone sets goals at the start of each new year. Some have routines that keep them soaring toward their lifetime goals without hesitation. Others accomplish tasks and projects in routine fashion, gliding over bumps in the road and sidestepping obstacles with ease. My most heartfelt congratulations to you. I really, really need to watch more TED talks!

 

To everyone:

Happy FEBRUARY of this New Year

ALOHA

and

Best of Success in 2017

  

 

My #Goodreads Read and Review Challenge Week-45

Many of my goals are carved in stone. When I decided to read and review 71 books between October 2015 and October 2016, it wasn't "more of a guideline" like some pirates' codes we've heard about. If I didn't read and review 71 books, I would have to walk the plank! With that in mind, and 46 books already read and reviewed by the end of August, I compiled a list of titles that would take me over the finish line.

It's nice to have a list of suspenseful reading material planned ahead of time.

Maybe my next reading goal will actually begin with a list!

CITY OF DREAMS by Harriet Steel

The story advances a bit slowly in the beginning, with a predictable romance that takes the reader from Russia to Parisian high society during the middle 1800s. Once CITY OF DREAMS began its rollercoaster descent, however, the author's assiduous research and knowledge shine through.

Harriet Steel's historical novel unfolds at a leisurely pace, meandering through equally tragic and pleasant scenes with characters that feel authentic in their environment. The pain and sacrifices of war bleed onto the page. My impression is that the protagonist has more than a touch of Scarlett O'Hara in her, suffering and then moving along to the next shoulder to lean on.

*****     *****     *****

 

  

SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC (A Marketville Mystery Book 1) by Judy Penz Sheluk 

The opening scenes of SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC set the stage for an intriguing mystery. I was hooked, immediately wanting to learn what, when, where, why, and, eventually, whodunit. The story is set in the small community town of Marketville situated north of Toronto. The plot, featuring protagonist Callie Barnstable, unfolds around a sketchy history of a mother who left her husband and then six-year-old daughter, Callie. Decades later, with her father now deceased, Callie is tasked with learning why her mother disappeared without explanation or warning.

The cast of characters is colorful. All tackle their roles with spirit and aid in moving the plot forward at a comfortable pace. They also fulfill reader expectation to entertain, some adding a touch of humor, others frustration or suspense. The author’s descriptions of setting and action kept me reading non-stop, along with my desire to learn “who dun what” along the way.

 

*****     *****     *****



Every Day is a CELEBRATION of ALOHA

FOR EVERY ACTION
drawing

Every day is a Celebration of Aloha! I am reminded of this most during the anniversary month of my birth. There was a time I didn’t read horoscopes, believing the predictions would somehow influence my thoughts and actions. Though not a control freak, I do not like being controlled.

In recent months, however, I have begun to read horoscopes for Libra and Scorpio as I relate to both signs. One such prediction said: 

“Being secretive, mysterious and dedicated will

make you very intriguing to the people you deal with.”

 

Because I write murder mysteries, the enigmatic statement enticed me, especially the secretive and mysterious parts. Having already completed my second novel in the Pepper Bibeau Mystery series, secretive and mysterious in its own right, I decided to celebrate my birthday by sharing the first novel in the series, FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences, with as many people as possible by offering the eBook for free on Amazon for my birthday. This FREE offer runs for five (5) days, from October 22, 2012 through October 26, 2012.

 

 

After making this arrangement through Amazon, I decided it would also be fun to give away copies of my second novel, DEADLY AS NATURE Envy Spawns Grief, to some wonderful readers on the Goodreads site. See information at right >>>>> Sign-up for this giveaway is scheduled through November 22, 2012. A total of four (4) Tradebook copies of the novel will awarded and sent to Goodreads readers immediately after the winners are announced.
 

  

Finally, I figured it was time to hold a drawing to give away two special “Pepper Dolls” designed by my good friend Kristie who has a large variety of cuddly dolls and animals for sale on her Etsy site at:

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristieskids?page=1

>>>The limited-edition Pepper Dolls are not for sale, however<<<

 

How you can be entered into the drawing for a chance to win one of two Pepper Dolls:

            A.) On or before November 22, 2012, submit your review of a Pepper Bibeau Mystery novel on the Amazon internet site for:

                        1.) FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences 

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-Consequences-Pepper-Mystery-ebook/dp/B004VT3QRU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1350892066&sr=1-1

                                                            OR                                      
 

                        2.) DEADLY AS NATURE Envy Spawns Grief 
http://www.amazon.com/DEADLY-NATURE-Spawns-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0093FJO9G/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346269159&sr=1-2&keywords=Deadly+As+Nature

 

 

            B.) AND

                        1.) Include your contact information and your Amazon review name in the comment section below,
 

                                                          OR                                           

                        2.) Email your contact information and your Amazon review name to gbaugniet@aol.com

(If you submit a review for both novels, your name will be entered into both drawings)

 

The drawing will be held on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Hawaiian time.

Winners will be announced on this blog site immediately following the drawing.



DEADLY AS NATURE
drawing

Dolls measure 9 inches from hand-to-hand and 14 inches from head-to-toe
Dresses are constructed of Hawaiian print fabric from Honolulu, HI

CHERRIES JUBILEE Week #2

Week #2 of my CHERRIES JUBILEE book blog tour begins today! I met some wonderful new people during the first week and had the opportunity to share 7 copies of my ebook with readers. This week I will give away another 7 Smashwords downloads of FOR EVERY ACTION. If you enjoy a suspenseful mystery, please leave a comment for me here or with Kate at Back of the Books Reviews for a chance to win a copy.

Best 'O Books Reviews by Rae: http://thebestobooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-review-for-every-action.html

Back of the Book Reviews by Kate: http://backofthebookreviews.com/2011/10/for-every-action-there-are-consequences-blog-tour/

Also this week:
11. Susie Kline book review: http://motherhoot.com/blog1/?p=3596

12. Haiku Around the Web http://achronicleofdreams.blogspot.com
13. Indie Snippets: http://indiesnippets.blogspot.com
14. My TBR list of Indie authors "Cherry" novels ~ Part 1