WINNERS of Gratitude Giveaways Hop

Random.org has spoken.  Congratulations Denise Z., Fairy Princess, and Leigha V.!  You are my Gratitude Giveaways Hop winners. 

Thank you to those who entered and for the follows.  I truly appreciate the support. 

Happy reading everyone!!

WINNER!

Rafflecopter has spoken.  Congratulations Julie B.!  You are my author sponsored giveaway winner.  You have won an e-copy of one of His First, Her Last by Jonathan Sturak.  You have 72hrs to reply to the email I sent you.

Thank you to those who entered and for the follows.  I truly appreciate the support. 

Didn't win?  Perhaps you'd like to enter my Gratitude Giveaway contest.  3 prize books up for grabs with 3 winners!  Hurry, it ends tonight!  ~Good luck.

Prizes:
1.  Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
2.  A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker
3.  Grimm Diaries Prequel Vol. 1-6 and Vol. 7-10

Review: One Sweet Cupcake by Janell Brown

One Sweet Cupcake by Janell Brown, NF -Cookbook, Hardcover, 160p, Rating=3.5
Source: provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, Janell Brown, gives expert advice on all aspects of cupcake baking, including ingredients, techniques, and equipment. You'll also learn the basics of cupcake decorating, along with ideas for themes, seasons, and holidays. Discover all these sweet secrets for making your cupcakes look professional and taste great.

This cookbook is absolutely beautiful!  I gained 10 pounds just looking at the professional photos of the cupcakes!  Then there's something to owning the manual that will show me how to make them that made me giddy with excitement.  After all, it imparted professional tips like using proper ingredients and tools.  Also, it had some decorating ideas (this one I'll have to try another time ...can't find my piping tools at the moment).  Just bummed that it didn't get to me before my daughter's birthday.

There's about 50 different yummy looking cupcakes so I didn't know where to start.  Subsequently, I looked at what I had in my pantry and went from there.  I discovered that I had the ingredients to make vanilla based cupcakes so I started there and made Cranberry Orange Cupcakes and Banana Cupcakes.  The next day I went to the store and bought ingredients to make chocolate based cupcakes.  Then I tackled the recipe for S'more Cupcakes. 

I followed the easy to read directions and ended up finding oversights.  For example, the instructions for the Cranberry Orange cupcake recipe paired it with Citrus Glaze icing but the picture looks like it paired it with maybe Cream Cheese icing.  I had already started with the glaze recipe so I just went with it.  Also, the Banana cupcake just didn't quite fully rise (perhaps I didn't measure the baking powder correctly?).  Then, in the S'mores cupcake, I was at loss when it didn't tell me how long to bake it for in minutes (just stated "until the tops spring back...")!  I browsed the book and some recipes had them, some didn't.  I thought that was not agreeable for a cookbook.  Oh, I did not like that the first ingredient in many of the recipes were included in red ink in the directions but should have been in black ink to uniform as ingredients (ex. Stir together sugar, corn syrup, etc.).  My eyes didn't see the sugar because it blended with the red ink direction words so I was going crazy wondering where the heck to put the sugar!  My fault but still.

Overall, I'm not going to quit my day job.  For some reason my cupcakes wasn't as moist as I would have liked them to be.  In fact, with the first two cupcakes, the texture was slightly dense that I ended up telling people that they were scones!  My chocolate cupcakes turned out better in texture, yay!  Additionally, I think baking from scratch takes a lot of patience and practice plus certain factors or conditions just needed to fit ME and MY kitchen (weather, altitude, technique, timing, love, taste buds, etc.). But the cupcakes tasted good!  Not as fabulous as I'd hoped they be but again I think that will come through trial and error.  So if you're patient and passionate about baking then I think this cookbook will pump up your baking and creative skills. 

Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with Citrus Glaze

Banana Cupcakes

I skipped the icing ..didn't have the right ingredients

S'mores Cupcakes with Marshmallow Icing

Yikes, I forgot to put a piece of graham cracker and chocolate!

Oh, I didn't have a blow torch on hand so I made do with waving it over my stove burner flame

Just because ...

I've wanted to do this and I finally did!

(Whipped egg whites and cream of tartar --

part of marshmallow icing)

Holiday Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Just in time for the HOLIDAYS - Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway #1 Sponsors:

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Allergic to Life by Kathryn Chastain Treat
   
4. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
5. Living, Learning, and Loving Life
6. Confessions of a Librarian in Training...
7. Bea's Book Nook
8. Author Kary Rader
9. Author Jennie Sherwin
10. A Book Lover's Retreat
11. These are but Shadows
12. Tressa's Wishful Endings
13. Author Lia Fairchild
14. Author Helen Smith
15. Buku-Buku Didi
16. Truth Seekers Dare to Enter
17. The Reporter and the Girl
18. Author Terah Edun
19. Young Adult Book Deals
20. Diva Booknerd
21. Jessica Loves Books
22. Homebound Unlimited
23. Author L.A. Matthies
24. Author Janeal Falor
25. Like a Broken Vessel
26. Author Bonnie Blythe
27. Author Bella Street
28. Candlelight Reads
29. Author Louise Caiola
30. Kelly's Lucky You
31. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
32. Word to Dreams
33. Kimber Leigh Writes
34. Author Wendi Sotis
35. ~Owl Always Be Reading~
36. Fairie Chick's Fantasy Book Reader
37. Author Talia Jager
38. MichaelSciFan
39. Author Charlene A. Wilson
40. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
41. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
42. Darkmotive's Books and More
43. Ketch's Book Nook
44. Blogging the Beloved
45. Book Lover's Life
46. Kelly P's Blog
47. Fae Books
48. Lori's Reading Corner
49. Author Kay Kenyon
50. A Bookish Escape
51. Christine's Blog

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway:

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Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).
There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7".
Ends 12/18/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author-Book Profile with Giveaway: His First, Her Last by Jonathan Sturak

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Jonathan Sturak grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He is a Penn State University graduate and holds degrees in Computer Science and Film. He currently lives in Las Vegas where he uses the energy of the city to craft stories about life and the human condition. "The Place Called Home," Sturak's essay about Eastern European heritage in Northeast PA, was featured on Glass Cases, associate literary agent Sarah LaPolla's pop culture blog at glasscasesblog.blogspot.com. Sturak is also a contributing editor at NoirNation.com, the premier location for international crime fiction. His debut thriller novel "Clouded Rainbow" was published in December 2009 and has over 100,000 downloads on the Amazon Kindle. New for 2013 are two exciting novels, his crime thriller "Vegas Was Her Name" published by Noir Nation Books, as well as his adventure romance "His First, Her Last: The Incredible True Story of an American Lost in the Philippines." Sturak keeps updated information on his website at sturak.com.


His First, Her Last: The Incredible True Story of an American Lost in the Philippines

Engaged couple Jason and Hazel travel across the world to meet her family in this true story of love and adventure. The moment Jason steps off the plane in the Philippines, an exotic island caught between the East and the West, the past and the present, grabs hold of this naive American and seduces him with its beauty, its places, and its people. Temptation looms as the best friend of Hazel tests their relationship and touches their souls.
A deeply personal account of the conflict of culture between American excess and Philippine poverty, His First, Her Last explores the ability of love to transcend two worlds apart. But after an accident spills blood on the streets of a remote village, the lives of this couple flash before their eyes.
Will he escape? Will she survive? Will his first trip be her last?

The author has generously offered an ebook (Mobi, ePub) GIVEAWAY of this book for my readers.  Yay!!  ~Thank you Mr. Sturak.

(Following this blog is appreciated)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Author-Book Profile with Excerpt: The Wind Whisperer by Krista Holle

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Krista Holle is an award winning author who stepped up her writing after reading Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. It occurred to Krista that there is an insatiable audience of women and girls who want to read books filled with stories about true love—not just vampires. When Krista is not writing, she loves to collect seashells, watch movies, and eat obscene amounts of pizza. Krista currently resides in Montpelier, Virginia with her husband, four daughters and an eccentric cat with a weird attachment to the family’s socks.


The Wind Whisperer (young adult—paranormal romance):
Publication date: Coming this October 15, 2013
Publisher: (Independent) Sweet River Romance
Pages: 302

This love triangle just got dangerous…
At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious. Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks. But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him. It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior. Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated. Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light.
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes. Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
Amazon (click on book image) | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Excerpt:

I looked around cautiously before freezing at the sketchy outline of a muscular man partially hidden in the grass. A man! He was sprawled on his back and golden pink from too many hours in the sun. My heart pounded to see the unfamiliar pattern of a deer on his breechcloth. I had marched myself directly into the reach of a Zennite warrior! <br /> I gingerly took a step backwards, but to my horror, the man’s black eyes fluttered open. I turned and hurled myself back across the meadow, just as the man shot up and flew after me like a predatory bird. My muscles burned and strained to lengthen the space between us, but getting away was hopeless. I was not a challenge to even the young boys in the foot races.<br /> After a few powerful strides, the warrior tackled me to the ground, painfully grazing the skin on my cheek. I wheezed a few times before my lungs filled with air. <br /> “A Chippoke?” he asked between breaths. <br /> I feverishly punched and kicked to free myself. “Get—off—me!”<br /> “Stop! I’m not going to hurt you,” the warrior chuckled as he struggled to pin my arms and legs. His voice was calm and pleasant, but lying was no different than breathing to a Zennite.<br /> “I cannot promise the same,” I wheezed as I fought. <br /> “You’re a bobcat,” he said with a laugh. “A bobcat with no teeth or claws.”<br /> “Let me go!”<br /> “I will when you’re calm.”<br /> Strong hands held my wrists while his full weight pinned my torso against the earth. Fighting him was as useless as running. “You are not a boy,” I spat angrily, fully taking in my attacker. It was little comfort that he didn’t look like a bloodthirsty killer. He was admittedly handsome with an angular face and sleek black hair that hung well past his shoulders. He was not as tall as Elan, but his muscles were narrow and built for speed. There was something different about his eyes too. They were as black as soot—very unlike the brown woodsy colors from our tribe.<br /> The warrior smirked down at me. “My mother will be very surprised to hear that. All this time she’s assumed…”<br /> My face heated, but I fiercely met his gaze. The Zenni were like wild dogs and pumas—they could smell emotions. “What I meant was, you are a man, not a boy.”<br /> “Oh, I see, but you must understand, I’m not a man yet.” <br /> “You must understand I’m a squirrel! Get off! You’re hurting me!” I ordered with a useless heave. <br /> “No,” he said with a smirk.<br /> It was then I realized I might die—right after I was lulled into a false sense of security. My chest pounded as I searched for the killer’s weapon. “Are you going to kill me?” <br /> “I do not feel like killing you just yet,” he said as his long hair swirled in my face. Were we to play a game before he killed me? <br /> “I am glad the mood doesn’t strike you,” I snarled. The warrior studied me with a drawn brow. Was he guessing that I was the forest witch? I didn’t think I looked like a witch, but I wasn’t certain what one should look like—evil at least.<br /> “I don’t understand something,” the warrior said. “Your eyes are blue—the blue of an angry sky. Are you the daughter of a god?”<br /> “Yes,” I said, heaving against his weight again. “Now get off me, or my father Achak will strike you dead with lightening.”

Books by Krista Holle:

[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

November Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Giveaway

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".


All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

NOVEMBER SPONSORS

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Ripple Effect Romance Series
4. Dark Motive's Books & More
5. Fae Books
6. Author Marianne Morea
7. Buku-Buku Didi
8. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
9. Author Stacy Claflin
10. Patchwork Press
11. Author Louise Caiola
12. Author Bella Street
13. Author Bonnie Blythe
14. Author Julia Crane
15. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
16. Author Kim Cresswell
17. A Bookish Escape
18. Author Talia Jager
19. Mother Daughter Book Reviews
20. Fiction Dreams
21. Book Angel Booktopia
22. Kelly's Lucky You
23. Author Roxanne Crouse
24. Author Rachelle Christensen
25. Author Jennifer Laurens
26. Hardback Book Hotties
27. Lori's Reading Corner
28. Author Misty Moncur
29. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
30. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
31. Living, Learning and Loving Life
32. Fairiechick's Fantasy Book Reader
33. My Story That I Like Best
34. LeahSay's Views
35. Christine's Blog
36. Candle Light Reads
37. NESSAROX
38. The Demon Librarian
39. SMIBookClub
40. Author T.L. Clarke
41. Back Off My Books
42. Michael SciFan
43. Author Carole Brown
44. Coffee and Characters
45. No Thought 2 Small
46. Stanley and Katrina, Pet Authors
47. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
48. Love Bites & Silk
49. Kimber Leigh Writes
50. Author Rae Z. Ryans
51. Author Georgina Young-Ellis
52. The Reporter and the Girl
53. Fic Central
54. Like a Broken Vessel

Sign up to Sponsor the December Giveaway (starting around December 2nd)

http://www.iamareader.com/2013/10/december-kindle-fire.html

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).
There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7".
Ends 11/30/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway