The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II/Giveaway) & This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II)

Last Sunday, I started our conversation about the fast-rising audiobook industry with my blog Are You Listening Now? The Popularity of Audiobooks. This Sunday, that conversation continues with The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Leslie (Audiobooks Part II).

As I have said before, and as reviewers/listeners we have noted many times in our reviews, a good or great narrator makes or breaks an audiobook. It doesn’t matter that you have read it before. Listening to a book makes it fresh once more. It gives a reader a new and different perspective. Often times I hear things I missed in the story, or catch things from a narrator’s inflection that highlights a previously hidden element. I love that about this format.

Also the opposite is true. A narrator you don’t connect with, or one with a flat delivery, or monotone voice…well, that can sink a terrific story faster than a lead anchor. So what’s the key? How to get some insight into those people behind the voices we love to listen to?

Well I was so lucky to hook up with the very talented Joel Leslie who agreed to answer some questions for me. A favorite narrator for both Barb, our Zany Old Lady and Ali, I was delighted to have this chance to talk audiobooks, voices and favorite genres. Here is my interview with Theatrical Director, Designer, and Audiobook Narrator Joel Froomkin , known to most of the LGBTQIA listeners of audiobooks as Narrator Joel Leslie. For you authors out there thinking of putting your story out on audio? Hmmm, I think you might find this as enlightening as our readers.

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Welcome, Joel, to Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. We love our audiobooks here, including several you have narrated including Dinner at Fiorello’s by Rick R. Reed and Ali’s Audiobook Review of Desert Heat and Native Tongue by Lucy Felthouse. I have so many questions for you but these were the first ones that came to mind.

My Interview with Joel Leslie

How did you get started with narrating audiobooks?

Long answer… lol…

It was a long and winding road actually – but I’m so grateful to have landed here. My undergrad was in performance at USC and then I did my MFA there in design and directing. My entire professional career up until the past few years has been concentrated on directing… I did a lot of assisting as well, working on shows with Dame Maggie Smith and lots of other amazing folks. About ten years ago my partner and I started a theatre company in Indiana. It was a labor of love, but despite our efforts the community wasn’t able to financially support the scale of professional productions we aimed to do. I have also been a college professor, teaching dialects at NYU and I was the Director of Drama at a university here in Indiana for a while.

While we were doing shows, in between productions I would sometimes present one-man radio dramas… I would abridge classics like Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, Jekyll and Hyde and do them for a few nights. The audiences loved them. As we were looking to be able to move the theatre company to another area, one of my long time friends who is a fantastic female narrator suggested I give it a try. So I began auditioning and the first contract I landed has actually been most successful series (the SkylerGo Foxe Mysteries by Haley Walsh).

It is a perfect blend of skills really – because 99% of the time with audiobooks you are directing yourself… so my performer background is obviously helpful, but also being able to listen to yourself with a critical ear and shape the performance I think is a terribly useful tool. And now it’s a full time job. I’m booked through February at the moment! Eep.

Do you listen to audiobooks yourself and was that an element in your career or just a plus?

I came to audiobooks largely because I was a huge fan of them. I have always loved the theatricality of an actor playing multiple roles in front of an audience… the ability to be a chameleon. And I fell in love with audiobooks because of that. My favorites were Jim Dale, Davina Porter and Roy Dotrice… they don’t just read a story – they perform it for you. I listen to an audiobook every night… I think that one of the trickiest things is actually working of authors who AREN’T listeners to audiobooks, because they don’t really have a familiarity with the art form and what the audience wants.

What is the hardest part of narrating a story?

Gosh – great question. I narrate under two names… Joel Froomkin for most of my material and Joel Leslie for my m/m material (simply so that I have a consistent brand for my m/m listeners). But Joel Froomkin does a lot of historical and fantasy stuff – and I hate doing battle scenes. It’s difficulty to not try to over act them, or speed up to make it seem exciting… and those are traps. I just think they are hard. Maybe cuz I’m not into sports lol! Other than that, I have a tough time when there are a lot of alpha american men in conversation with each other in a scene. Flamboyant characters can have quirks and personality that make them easily identifiable… and when you are doing a British book it’s so much easier because class and level of education is so distinctive with their speech and also dialects change in England every 21 miles… so you have great variety for how you make characters sound to pull them out for the listener. But if I have a bunch of super-butch American alpha males in a room having a conversation in a book I usually have a panic attack.

It’s also very challenging to do a series where the author gives you multiple POV chapters. Usually you would make your main character your own voice… because it’s going to be the most authentic and resonate as the most truthful with the reader… but when you have a bunch of characters speaking in first person… you can’t do that. And it can be a real challenge. I’ve had two like that recently (“Absolution (The Protectors #1)” by Sloane Kennedy (which is the first in an amazing series) and “Guns Blazing” by Eva Lenoir and Andrea Smith) that I sweated bullets over.

And the easiest?

People are so shocked to hear this…but the sex scenes. Because usually there isn’t that much dialogue and it’s all descriptive. So you can just settle back and read… it’s kind of like putting your car on cruise control. And after doing this for almost two years now, there really isn’t much I can read that will make me blush!

I can remember listening to books being read to me as a child. How they were read had a huge impact on me. Using different voices, no matter how silly it might have seen to the adult (bears, rabbits…you know…childrens books). The same carries over here. In some stories, you play many characters where there are different pov. Or do you only narrate stories with a singular pov?

It depends on the narrator… but I am very much a narrator who creates characters. It’s funny that you mention animals, because when I first get a book I send the author a bunch of questions and one of them is “if your character was an animal what would they be”… Finding the voice for someone is much easier if you know the author thinks they are a ferret vs. a hamster or a Persian cat. But I think the m/m listeners that really respond to my work usually do so because they enjoy how much individuality I try to give my characters. Also, because I grew up in the UK with American parents, I’m kind of a dialect ambidextrous lol. I jump between authentic British and American accents and I do as much British work for British authors as I do for American authors. Listeners who have tried multiple books of mine are often confused about what my real voice sounds like.

I would imagine, being a narrator lets you go into any genre you want…am I correct in that? Or do you have a particular favorite

Well I love that I get to do so much m/m work. I find it really important and empowering to be able to put those kind of stories out into the world. I know the main audience is female for m/m romance, but I also think about the young adults who are struggling to feel ok with themselves and they might discover one of these stories by the brilliant authors I get to work for and find some hope. And the thing about audio is it’s so private… you really are one-on-one with the listener. So it means a lot to be able to give voice to m/m romance. I also love doing fantasy stuff because it means you can use every dialect in the universe and play with crazy voices. You don’t get to do everything you want – I think you can get pigeonholed as a narrator. But I’m luckily not in that place yet, and my audiobook career has a lot of room to grow.

What’s your favorite types of stories to read or listen to?

I am such a sucker for cozy mysteries. I don’t know why. I LOVE MC Beaton and the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin books. I think that’s why I love doing Haley Walsh’s Skyler Foxe so much…because it really is a gay spin on that type of mystery. I think TJ Klune is one of the most amazing authors out there in any genre. I don’t think I could ever get tired of listening to Jim Dale doing Harry Potter or Roy Dotrice doing Game of Thrones… they are just extraordinary examples of old-school storytelling. I’m also so lucky to have an ongoing relationship with authors like N.R Walker, Kim Fielding, Andrea Smith, Kiernan Kelly, TM Smith and Grace R Duncan – they always seem to have something wonderful for me to play with.

What current projects are you working on that you want to share with our readers?

Absolution, the first in the protectors series by Sloane Kennedy just came out, as did Fame and Fortune by TM Smith. Upcoming things I’m really excited about are the sequel to Black Balled called Hard Edit by Andrea Smith and Eva Lenoir, the second book in the Red Dirt Heart series by NR Walker and The Naked Prince and Other Fairy Tales by Joe Cosentino.

If you were an bard of old….how would you start your story of your life and what would it be called?

“Once upon a time there was a kid who could never keep his big mouth shut… It took two decades for him to realize there was a career for that.”

Thank you, Joel, that was a wonderful interview. I’m sure there are many more questions rumbling about inside my head. I hope you will stop back by Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for another conversation about narration and audiobooks and any future projects you want to share with us.

To listen to Joel, here are three different excerpts:

Desert Foxe by Haley Walsh: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/desert-foxe-by-haley-walsh
Treasure by Kim Fielding: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/treasure-by-kim-fielding
Absolution by Sloane Kennedy: https://soundcloud.com/jojofro-1/absolution-by-sloane-kennedy

~

If you want to reach out to Joel, we have listed his contacts below. We also have a giveaway today for our readers brought to you by Joel who is giving away 10 copies, yes 10 winners… the winners could choose the first book in any of my series they wanted to try (Skyler Foxe, The Protectors, Jimmy McSwain Mysteries, All Cocks, or Black Balled)!

About Joel Froomkin

Joel is a UK transplant, growing up with an American parents in a British commonwealth. He is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of both American and British sounds. His wit and comedic timing also appeal to producers. He has developed a strong body of work for young audience, historical, fantasy, new-adult, romance and m/m fiction.

His author’s have praised him as “a narrator among narrators, a man whose ability to create different characters rests on the power of his voice and his impeccable delivery”, and a “true delight…” “legendary, and his professionalism, good humor, and charm make him a dream to work with”, “Anyone else would only be second best”.

Joel records under two names, for mainstream and children’s fiction as Joel Froomkin, and for m/m and adult material under Joel Leslie and has consistent access to home studio for all production needs.

You can contact Joel Froomkin at:

www.joelfroomkin.com/audiobook-narration is my website…
Even better is my Facebook page “Joel Leslie Narration”
Or they can follow me on twitter at joellesliefro @joelfroomkin

Giveaway

We are giving away 10 copies (1 copy a winner so 10 winners overall) , all thanks to Joel Froomkin! The 10 people chosen will get to chose from the first book in any of Joel’s series they wanted to try (Skyler Foxe, The Protectors, Jimmy McSwain Mysteries, All Cocks, or Black Balled).

To be entered, tell us who’s your favorite narrator or narrators are. Tell us what you like best about a narrator and maybe name some of your favorite audiobooks. New to audiobooks? OK, name the ones you’d love to be able to listen to if you had a way to listen to audiobooks. And after you do that, make sure you leave a contact name and email address where you can be reached if chosen. Contest is open until midnight, September 30th. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

(Special Note: If you are a Amazon Prime user, Audible is now free with your account.)

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This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 18:

The Narrator and Audiobooks – Our Interview with Narrator Joel Froomkin (also known as Joel Leslie)(Audiobooks Part II)
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A Paul B Audiobook Review: The Autumn Lands by J Scott Coatsworth

Monday, September 19:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway ~ Bitterwood by Rowan Speedwell
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Dad’s Nerdy New Boyfriend by JM Snyder
An Alisa Release Day Review: Power Bottom by Rowan McAllister
A Lila Release Day Review: Safe House (Buchanan House #4) by Charley Descoteaux
A Paul Review: Orion’s Circle (Sirius Wolves # 1) byVictoria Sue

Tuesday, September 20:

Release Blitz & Tour – Sweet Summer Sweat by Clare London
An Alisa Review: Broke by Amanda Young
A MelanieM Release Day Review: The Pill Bugs of Time (Offbeat Crimes #2) by Angel Martinez
An Ali Review: Looking for Group by Alexis Hall
A Stella Review: Three More Wishes by Sean Michael

Wednesday, September 21:

Its Release Day for Flight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest Anthology (QSF Flash Fiction #2) by J. Scott Coatsworth , Angel Martinez , et al.
Series Recap Tour – Guns n’ Boys by KA Merikan
A Stella Review: Resistance (Village Love #1) by Lillian Francis
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Taming the Wyld by Lucie Archer
A Ali Review: David, Renewed by Diana Copland

Thursday, September 22:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway: Gambling on Love by Jane Davitt
A Stella Review: Gambling on Love by by Jane Davitt
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Run for it All by Carolyn Levine Topol
An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Queen & the Homo Jock King (At First Sight #2) by T.J. Klune and Michael Lesley (Narrator)

Friday, September 23:

Keep Me In Mind tour: Deanna Wadsworth ‘Too Good To Be True‘ (Excerpt and Giveaway)
In the Spotlight: Immortal Watch by Olivia Helling (blitz, excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Breakaway (Scoring Chances #1) by Avon Gale and Scott R. Smith (Narrator)
An Ali Releases Day Review: Raven’s Rest by Stephen Osborne
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Model Citizen (Haven Investigations #1) by Lissa Kasey and Mike Pohlable (Narrator)

Saturday, September 24:

A MelanieM Review: Wriggle & Sparkle by Megan Derr

Are You Listening Now? The Popularity of Audiobooks and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Are You Listening Now? The Popularity of Audiobooks

I’m not quite sure when I first started noticing the increase in audiobook reviews on our website. A year ago? Two? Whenever the year or month, audiobooks and our reviews of them are definitely on the increase. In fact, according to Audio Publishers Association and MarketWatch*, audiobooks racked up over $1.5 billion in sales last year alone and remain, “the fastest-growing segment of the book publishing industry.”* No we aren’t saying the old print is dead thing again, or that e-books are a thing of the past. No. Just that along with those other formats, audiobooks has not only taken their place along side them but perhaps surpassed them in sales.

Not that I’m surprised. With our fast-paced lives, driving to and from either work, soccer games or what have you, moving about the apartment, or whatever you may be involved in from packing up a house to pushing through some other chore, listening to a book is a wonderful way to pass the time or lose yourself for a while.

Yes, romances are among the top sellers, not that any genre or type of book is outselling another. Self help? Yep, its there among top audiobooks, But so are business books and action thrillers along with the love stories I just mentioned. People want to listen to them all. Again, according to MarketWatch, Amazon reports that its Audible sales are approximately 4 times higher than its books in the printed formats, although Amazon didn’t want to be precise about the numbers. That’s a staggering figure in a short amount of time, especially as it includes self published authors or authors producing their own audiobooks for the first time.

Another surprising factor to audiobooks I’ve seen here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words? That an audiobook can make a reader take a fresh look at a book or series. Why? It all comes down to that one elemental factor ~ the narrator. How well the narrator or in some cases as a book this week, narrators, does their job, can make or break an audiobook.

I know that the reviewers here often ask first who is the narrator when an audiobook comes across for review. Yes, narrators often accumulate a following when they are good or even spectacular (or not so spectacular). The ability of a narrator to bring individual voices alive for a reader or in this case a listener goes back I think to the storytellers or bards. Whether they were gathered around a campfire or in a great hall, a bard’s ability to engage their audience, to connect with them and pull them in varies little emotionally with our narrators today. Both need to hook their listeners, make them feel the characters, move them to tears or laughter. That’s a great narrator.

We’ve interviewed a narrator and an author who narrated their own novel. See the links below.

Dreamspinner Press, Riptide Publishing, Less Than Three Press, Mischief Corner Books are, along with other publishers and Audible, companies who offer audiobooks for sale. I know there are others. Mind blank, send me names and help me out. Authors are also putting out their own audiobooks, like Jay Northcote for one. Our options to listen are getting enormous.

I hope to bring in more narrators for interviews. What questions would you like to ask them? Do you have favorite narrators of your own? Send me their names. I know several reviewers here have already accumulated their own lists.

Audiobooks have come a long way and are here to stay. Again MarketWatch is reporting that famous actors are getting into the narrating business. I’m not sure that’s a great idea. I want to be lost in the character…not thinking “oh, that’s Clint Eastwood or whoever doing the voice over”. How do you all feel about that?

And lastly, can any of you name your favorite audiobook to date? Hmmm? Start thinking about answers to all these questions. You just might find that answering them will get you a prize come the first of October.

Now on to our schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words and yes, there are audiobooks being reviewed this week!

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 11:

Are You Listening Now? The Popularity of Audiobooks
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 12:

Riptide Publishing’s Blog Tour and Giveaway – Counterbalance by Aiden Wayne
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Counterbalance by Aidan Wayne
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Obsidian Moons by Jon Keys
An Alisa Release Day Review: Cougar Chaos (Mountain Spirit Mysteries #4) by A.J. Marcus

Tuesday, September 13:

In the Spotlight: Bread, Salt & Wine by Dev Bentham (excerpt and giveaway)
Jay Northcote’s Into You Release Tour
A MelanieM Review: Heart of the Warrior by Kendall McKenna
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: A Cowboy’s Home (Montana #3) by R.J. Scott
A Caryn Review: The Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory

Wednesday, September 14:

Series Spotlight: Crooked Tree Ranch Recap by RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
Blog Tour and Giveaway: “Is This Desire?” by R. Paone
A MelanieM Review: Open Road by M.J. O’Shea
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Kyle (Legacy Ranch #1) by R.J. Scott
An Alisa Audiobook Review: The Burnt Toast B&B (Bluewater Bay #5)
by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz with Dorian Bane (Narrator) andTobias Silversmith (Narrator)

Thursday, September 15:

Riptide Publishing’s Blog Tour and Giveaway: Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh
A MelanieM Release Day Review:Commitment Ranch (Leaning N #1) by B.A. Tortuga
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Do-Gooder by J. Leigh Bailey

Friday, September 16:

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Tied Up in Knots (Marshals #3) by Mary Calmes
A MelanieM Review: Skyships Over Innsmouth by Susan Laine
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Sweetwater by Lisa Henry and Dorian Bane (Narrator)
A Caryn Release Day Review: Waiting for Patrick by Brynn Stein

Saturday, September 17:

A Stella Review: Resonance by Lillian Francis
A MelanieM Review: Midlife Crisis by Rob Rosen
A Paul B Audiobook Review: Black Balled (Black Balled #1) by Andrea Smith and Narrator Eva LeNoir

Its Labor Day Weekend ~ This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Its Labor Day Weekend – How Are You Celebrating?

Yes, if you live in the United States or Canada (yes, Canada celebrates a Labor Day too), then you know its Labor Day and chances are you are either away for the weekend or in mad preparations for some Labor Day celebrations. Maybe you are going to one of many local parades, or picnics, off to the beach (hopefully not the East or Gulf Coast) to fit in one last beach fling before school starts, or even off to the mountains and lakes. But whatever this holiday brings, normally you are taking a book or two or hundreds if you are carting your Kindle or Nook along with you.

While locally Grover Cleveland is known more as one of our running Presidents down at Nationals ball park, it was President Grover Cleveland who signed Labor Day into law nationwide. Celebrated since 1884, the first Monday in September was picked by labor unions because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. We often forget it was started by the labor unions to celebrate working men and women, even President Cleveland signed the bill, not because he supported it or the labor unions, but because he hoped to win back the popularity he lost over the strike breakers he sent down to break a railroad strike that ended disastrously,

That’s the history.

Today, we might be grilling, and chilling. Reading, or gardening. Whatever and however you are spending this weekend….I hope its a happy time. Happy Labor Day. And tell us what books are you reading this weekend? What’s on your September reading list? We’d love to know if it matches up with ours!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 4

Its Labor Day Weekend – How Are You Celebrating?
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 5 (Labor Day in the US):

Release Day for Rescued by Felice Stevens (excerpt and giveaway)
In Our Spotlight: Connection Error by Annabeth Albert (Excerpt and Giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Rancher’s Son by RJ Scott
A MelanieM Releases Day Review: Connection Error by Annabeth Albert
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh

Tuesday, September 6:

Riptide Tour and Giveaway – Shatterproof by Xen Sanders
Tour for Re-Inventing Love by Storm Grant (Excerpt)
A MelanieM Review: Re-Inventing Love by Storm Grant
An Alisa Review: Dirty Talk by Joey Jameson
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Tart and Sweet by Amy Lane

Wednesday, September 7:

A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes Cover Reveal
Tour – KC Wells – The Senator’s Secret
Riptide Tour and Giveaway – Assassins: Discord by Erica Cameron
A MelanieM Review: Black Dog Blues (Kai Gracen #1) by Rhys Ford
A Stella Review: With or Without You by Zane Riley

Thursday, September 8:

In the Spotlight: Gryffon Hall by Alexis Duran (excerpt and giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Like a Lover by Jay Northcote
An Alisa Review: Put Five Rings on It by David Connor, E.F. Mulder
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Running with the Pack A.M. Burns & Caitlin Ricci

Friday, September 9:

Release Blitz & Review Tour – Jay Northcote’s Into You
In Our Spotlight: Shira Anthony’s Take Two
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Take Two by Shira Anthony
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Into You by Jay Northcote
A VVivacious Review: The Buckland in the Vale and Sandstone Tor Gay Book Club (Inaugural Meeting) by John Wiltshire

Saturday, September 10:

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Mad Lizard Mambo (Kai Gracen, #2) by Rhys Ford
Series Recap Time for The Case of The Purple Pearl (End Street Series #5) by Amber Kell & RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
An Ali Audiobook Review: Desert Heat / Native Tongue (Desert Heat #1 – 2) by Lucy Felthouse
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Misfits by Garrett Leigh

So A New Look and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Its Here!

We’ve been promising a new look here at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words and its arrived. Colors and fonts are still being tweaked, and this look may not even last past this year but a freshening up was needed. A search engine is down at the bottom near the calendar. I hope to get it up near the top of the menu soon but, hey, we are making progress.

Now you can see multiple reviews and tours at one time. The most recent post will be the one in the largest box. I hope this will make finding the days posts easier as will having a search engine back again. Oh the story as to how it disappeared in the first place is one for the books!

We would love to hear your feedback and your comments on the colors and formats will be used in our tweaking in the future.

We’ve added another reviewer but are still looking for a couple of more to add. Please contact us at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com if you would like to review for us. We would love to hear from you.

And now for our busy agenda this week. Its packed full with a 5 day event of new cover reveals from Aria Grace, release day reviews and author interviews. Plus we love our audiobooks here too, so we have quite a few of those reviews too. Stay tuned all week, we have something for everyone.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 21:

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
So A New Look At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 22:

Cover Reveal More Than Friends (More Than Friends #1) by Aria Grace (with giveaway)
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Drunk In Love (More Than Friends #2) – with Giveaway
The Butch and the Beautiful blog tour with Kris Ripper (Riptide Tour and Giveaway)
Blog Tour – Surfacing by AL Bates (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)
Release Blitz Tour for Matthew J. Metzger’s What It Looks Like (excerpt and giveaway)
A Jeri Release Day Review: The Luckiest Master by Sean Michael

Tuesday, August 23:

Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Just Stay (More Than Friends #4) – Teasers and giveaway
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Choosing Happy (More Than Friends #3) – with interview (character)
A Lila Review: And the Survey Says by Karma Eastwick
A BJ Release Day Review: Crisped + Sere by TJ Klune
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Betrothed: A Faery Tale by Therese Woodson

Wednesday, August 24:

Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Best Chance (More Than Friends #6) – with Teasers and giveaway
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Hands On (More Than Friends #5) – with giveaway
In the Spotlight: Julie Lynn Hayes ‘Civil War and Broken Hearts’, Rose & Thorne #2 (excerpt and giveaway)
A Stella Review: Daring the Wolf by Skylar Cates
An Alisa Review: Keeping Karma by Tory Temple

Thursday, August 25:

Cover Reveal for Age Is Just a Number, A Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Finally Found (More Than Friends #8) – Teasers
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s My Name is Luka (More Than Friends #7) – Excerpt/giveaway
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Out of Nowhere by Roan Parrish
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Signs of Desire by Tempeste O’Reily
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Pre-release Review: Tongue & Groove by Shae Connor

Friday, August 26:

Cover & Blurb Reveal – Montana #4 – RJ Scott
End Street Detectives are Back in End Street Vol 2 by Amber Kell & RJ Scott (Series Recap Tour and Giveaway)
Cover Reveal for Aria Grace’s Looking For Home (More Than Friends #9) with giveaway
Cover Reveal and Recap for Aria Grace’s Choosing Us (More Than Friends #10) interview with Adam or Joey plus recap of all new covers
A Stella Release Day Review: Back Off That’s My Jock by Wade Kelly
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Don’t Twunk with My Heart by Renae Kaye

Saturday, August 27:

A Stella Review: Not a Game by Cardeno C.
A Lila Review: Tracefinder: Changes (Tracefinder #2) by Kaje Harper

Things Are Heating Up All Around Us and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Things Are Heating Up All Around Us

August Heat is the name of a short story by W. F. Harvey, penned in 1910. It tells the tale of two men, previously unknown to each other who find out through slim connections that one will be murdered by the other. It ends with the character Withencroft writing the day’s events as Atkinson sharpens some tools: “It is after eleven now. I shall be gone in less than an hour. But the heat is stifling. It is enough to send a man mad.”

Ah, yes, the wonderful August heat! Whether you are the characters of Harvey’s August Heat, or August Heat (Commissario Montalbano #10) by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli (Translator) or the families, cowboys and ex soldiers in BA Tortuga’s story, Real World, where the Texas heat is as real as the men and situations she writes about in her Love is Blind series, the searing heat of the summer acts like a main character of its own in novels and real life all over the world. This series is rapidly becoming a favorite series of mine. But that no surprise as I include that author as a favorite writer to rec as well.

We have a number of release day reviews this week, as well as audiobook reviews and regular reviews too. If you love fantasy, be sure to check out Blaine D. Arden’s Forester Trilogy which is ending with Full Circle: Forester Triad Act Three (Tales of the Forest, #3) and can be found complete in A Triad in Three Acts which will also be reviewed this week. Plus you won’t want to miss its stunning covers. Ali is reviewing a book that she thinks will be in her top 10, will it be in yours? Check it out. Plus I have Christian Baines back with his long awaited sequel to The Beast Without, The Orchard of Flesh (Arcadia Trust #2) by Christian Baines. I have a author interview and giveaway. Don’t miss that either. What a week we have in store.

Plus this will be our last week for our old look. Next week, a new look, a contest to welcome in something entirely different. Stay inside, away from the heat, unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere where its winter and cold. Grab up some books to read either way. Be here with us all week! Leave your comments, we love hearing from you. Now for this week’s schedule.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 14:

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Things Are Heating Up All Around Us

Monday, August 15:

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Marriage of Inconvenience by MJ O’Shea
A VVivacious Release Day Review: Coin of the Realm by Michael Murphy
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Real World by BA Tortuga
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Hell on Wheels by ZA Maxfield

Tuesday, August 16:

In the Spotlight: Adulting 101 by Lisa Henry (Riptide Tour and Giveaway)
Blog Tour, Giveaway and Author Interview – Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings
Dreamspinner Author Guest Post and Book Tour: B.A. Tortuga and the Real World
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Flying Fish by Sedonia Guillone

Wednesday, August 17:

Series Recap Tour – Blood Moon Alliance by SA Welsh
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Relative Best by Pat Henshaw
A Paul B Review: Psychic Says by JJ Black
An Alisa Review: Softpaw by Osiris Brackhaus

Thursday, August 18:

New cover reveal: Jamie Deacon ‘Caught Inside’ (cover reveal and giveaway)
In Our Spotlight: Lilah Suzanne ‘Burning Tracks’ (excerpt and giveaway)
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Blaine D. Arden – Full Circle
A MelanieM Review: A Triad In Three Acts by Blaine D. Arden
A Free Dreamer Review: The Cop and the Drifter by Christiane France
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Moment of Truth by Karen Stivali

Friday, August 19:

In the Spotlight: The Orchard of Flesh (Arcadia Trust #2) by Christian Baines(author interview/giveaway)
In the Review Spotlight: Sarah Madison’s Fool’s Gold
A MelanieM Review: Fool’s Gold by Sarah Madison
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Turning the Page by Andrew Grey
A MelanieM Review: The Orchard of Flesh (Arcadia Trust #2) by Christian Baines

Saturday, August 20:

An Alisa Review:Behind the Uniform Anthology
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Hexbreaker by Jordan L. Hawk

Those Hot August Days and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Those Hot August Days and Nights

In tropical climes there are certain times of day
When all the citizens retire
To tear their clothes off and perspire
It’s one of those rules that the greatest fools obey
Because the sun is much too sultry
And one must avoid its ultra violet ray

The native grieve when the white
Men leave their huts, because
They’re obviously definitely nuts!
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun…*

(find all lyrics here)

Mad dogs and Englishmen,written by Noel Coward and also later sung by Joe Cocker, summed up some of what the ancients already knew. The hot summer skies could drive you batty. It drove the lions and other predators out of the high mountains looking for water and food, telling the local populace that just by looking up at the night sky and the constellations looking down upon them that it was time to pen up their livestock or bring them down out of their highland pastures. Or if you were honest like Jane Austen, you wrote this:

“What dreadful hot weather we have!
It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.”
– Jane Austen

But if you look further, our poetry and books are full of lyrics and rhymes where the summer night air is forever perfumed and full of song (its crickets and cicadas, damnit, laughing) and romance is waiting for lovers everywhere. The fact that you were sweating away is somehow forgotten. I sort of love that, since I’m sitting in my air-conditioned room writing this. Plus, yes, I know, they didn’t know what air conditioning was. They used fans or what have you. It was still hot, they napped. Hot is hot. Dry heat included. Don’t get me started on Delta Dawn heat.

So before I start in on this week’s schedule I’ll leave you with two contrasting views of summer. Not that the first author couldn’t write some startling views of humankind, but here he’s in a kinder frame of mind. Then there’s Henry Rollins.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
– William Shakespeare

“The streets lie, the sidewalks lie, everything lies
You can try and read it but you’re gonna get it wrong…all wrong
The summer evenings burn and melt and the nights glitter but you’re gonna get it wrong
And it’s gonna sink its teeth into your flesh and pull you to the bottom.”
– Henry Rollins

Why bring them up? On August 9th, its National Book Lovers Day. From William Shakespeare to Henry Rollins, and Jane Austen to Walt Whitman. And in M/M fiction, from Ethan Stone to Devon Rhodes, to Amy Lane and Rick R. Rick and so many more. To any author you have ever loved and read and reread. Grab up an extra book or two, or three or four. I know I’m going for that new Harry Potter story too. So many books. Plus did you know that Rhys Ford has a new one coming out? Shhh. More about that later. In the meantime, here is our schedule this week. We have so many release day reviews, I’m sure you will find books to add to you TBR pile. Check them all out.

Plus we are still looking for reviewers. Send us a email at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com if you want to review for our blog.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 7:

Those Hot August Days and Nights
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 8:

Starting New Blog by SC Wynne – Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway
Confessions by Ethan Stone – author Guest Blog and Dreamspinner Tour
An Alisa Release Day Review: Confessions by Ethan Stone
A Paul B Review: Crash (Demon Elite 1) by April Kelley
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Starting New by SC Wynne

Tuesday, August 9 – National Book Lovers Day:

Nash Summer’s Poison Tongue Book Release Author Blog
An Alisa Release Day Review: One Step Forward by Tia Fielding
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Stranger in Black by Devon Rhodes
A Paul B Review: Wolf (Demon Elite 2) by April Kelley

Wednesday, August 10:

Nine Star Press Blog Tour – To Fight His Heart by Alex Nortan
An Ali Release Day Review: Poison Tongue by Nash Summers
A Paul B Review: Cosmo (Demon Elite 3) by April Kelley
An Alisa Release Day Review: Running Hot by Yolande Kleinn
A MelanieM Review: Blind Date by Kay Doherty

Thursday, August 11:

Posy Roberts’ North Star Anthology Blog Tour
A MelanieM Release Day Review: North Star Anthology by Posy Roberts
An Alisa Review: Safe with You by Catherine Lievens
A Paul B Review: Tanner and Shade (Demon Elite 4) by April Kelley
An Ali Release Day Review: Spindrift by Amy Rae Durreson

Friday, August 12:

Ash by April Kelley – Blog Tour and Giveaway
Review Tour & Release Blitz – Catherine Lievens – Safe With You
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Expanded Hearts by Logan Meredith
A Paul B Review: Ash (Demon Elite 5) by April Kelley

Saturday, August 13:

An Ali Audiobook Review: Gambling Man by Amy Lane
A VVivacious Review: Orientation by Rick R. Reed

Its Lammas Day, Dog Days of August Are Here and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Dog Days of August Are Here
Its Lammas Day

Dog Days of August Are Here and finally I can start to talk about some of my favorite summer subjects. From the dog star Sirius to Mad Dogs and Englishmen prepare to be bombarded with all sorts of things starting this Sunday pertaining to the heat, the stars, folklore and crazy stuff. Oh and books too.

The month of August and the heat associated with it has long brought out the craziness in humans and animals. From the ancient Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans and even musicians such as Joe Cocker who pulled Mad Dogs and Englishmen”,from it’s the title of a famous song by Noel Coward (who credited Kipling and it probably went back further )for his song Mad Dogs and Englishman, the dog days of summer have been both an inspiration and more. See what I mean?

But today or more accurately tomorrow, its Lammas Day. August 1st. So that’s our first topic of conversation this month. What’s Lammas Day you say? Well, I should be asking author Susan Laine here to answer that question. Her wonderful stories, The Wheel Mysteries, books 1 & 2 are now combined in one collection, revolve around a Wiccan main character and his P.I. boyfriend and take place during a Wiccan/Pagan holidays also called Sabbats.

Wiccan holidays, or Sabbats, are timed to the seasons and the Earth’s natural rhythms. Sabbats celebrate the Earth’s journey around the sun, called the Wheel of the Year, and Wiccans refer to commemorating the Sabbats as Turning the Wheel.

Most Wiccans celebrate these eight Sabbats annually:

Yule, Winter Solstice: December 20, 21, 22, or 23

Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. This is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
Brigid, Imbolc, Candlemas, Imbolg, or Brigid’s Day: February 1 or 2

Brigid, or Imbolc, is a preparation for spring. At Brigid, Wiccans clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth. It’s a time to shake off the doldrums of late winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration.
Eostar, Spring Equinox, Ostara, or Oestarra: March 20, 21, 22, or 23

Winter is now over. Light is increasing. The day and night are equal in length at the equinox. Spring has arrived or is coming soon. Eostar is the time of fertility, birth, and renewal. The ice is thawing, and the growing season for plants and animals begins. Growth is the theme of the day.
Beltane, May Eve, Beltaine, Bealtaine, or May Day: April 30 or May 1

Beltane is the time of the marriage and union of the Goddess as Mother Earth and the God of the Greenwood. It is an ancient fertility festival marking the beginning of the planting cycle. The festival was to ensure a good growing season and a bountiful harvest. Beltane is light-hearted and joyful.
Litha, Summer Solstice, or Midsummer: June 20, 21, 22, or 23

Litha is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Light triumphs, but will now begin to fade into darkness as autumn approaches. The crops are planted and growing. The woods and forests have reached their peak fullness. This is the time of abundance for wildlife, including people! The holiday is joyous.
Lughnasad, Lughnasadh, or Lammas: August 1

For the ancient Pagans, Lughnasad was a time of both hope and fear. They held hope for a bountiful harvest and abundant food, but they feared that the harvest wouldn’t be large enough and that the cold months would be filled with struggle and deprivation. At Lughnasad, modern Wiccans also face their fears, concentrate on developing their own abilities, and take steps to protect themselves and their homes.
Mabon, Fall Equinox, or Harvest Home: September 20, 21, 22, or 23

At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving. The beauty and bounty of summer gives way to the desolation of winter, and the darkness overtakes the light.
Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Hallowmas: October 31 or November 1

For many Wiccans, Samhain marks the New Year and is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year.

Lammas. August 1st, Lammas Day, is generally celebrated as the “cross-quarter” day), the midpoint of summer. For most of northern hemisphere, it coincided with the harvest of wheat. So Lammas is known as (Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mas, “loaf-mass”), the festival of the wheat harvest, and is the first harvest festival of the year. On this day it was customary to bring to church a loaf made from the new crop, which began to be harvested at Lammastide. The loaf was blessed, and in Anglo-Saxon England it might be employed afterwards to work magic: A book of Anglo-Saxon charms directed that the lammas bread be broken into four bits, which were to be placed at the four corners of the barn, to protect the garnered grain. In many parts of England, tenants were bound to present freshly harvested wheat to their landlords on or before the first day of August. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is referred to regularly, it is called “the feast of first fruits”.

So tomorrow, if you have the time…why not bake some fresh bread, think about your talents and how you want to develop them, or any of the things that Lughnasad or Lammas stands for. And why not pick up Susan Laine’s Wheel Mysteries while you are at it. I love them. There are three out at the moment, I keep waiting the rest to follow. She is writing one for each Sabbat. Happy Lammas Day.

~~~~~~

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 31 – Goodbye July!

Its Lammas Day, Dog Days of August Are Here
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 1:

Cover Reveal – His Premier by Jessie G. (cover reveal and giveaway)
Cover Reveal Blitz for “Lord of a Thousand Steps” (cover reveal and excerpt)
Far From Home blog tour with Lorelie Brown (a Riptide Publishing Tour and Giveaway)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Stranded with Desire by Vivien Dean and Rick R. Reed
Counting Daisies by Nicola Haken Excerpt Tour and Giveaway
An Alisa Release Day Review: Never Lose Your Flames by Frances Gideon

Tuesday, August 2:

Given the Circumstances by Brad Vance Blog Tour and Giveaway
In Our Spotlight – Dawn to Dusk (Lover’s Journey – Book One) by Alina Popescu (Blog Tour, excerpt and giveaway)
A Stella Review: Daniel & Erik’s Super Fab Ultimate Wedding Checklist by K. E. Belledonne
A BJ Review: Junk Mage by Elliot Cooper
A Jeri Review: The Wicked West Collection by Shannon West

Wednesday, August 3:

Paul’s Paranormal Portfolio – Online Stories from Castle Roland
Release Blitz – Amber Kell – Mate Call (Dragon Men Series #5) tour and giveaway
A Lila Release Day Review: Normal Enough by Marie Sexton
An Ali Audiobook Review: For Real by Alexis Hall
A Paul B Review: Werewolf Tutor (Shreds #1) by Jade Astor
A Jeri Review: Jersey Heat by DC Williams

Thursday, August 4:

Audio Review Tour: Sorting Out (Fitting In #2) by Silvia Violet (giveaway)
Its Volume 1 of the End Street Detectives by Amber Kell and RJ Scott (Recap Tour and Giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Sorting Out by Sylvia Violet
A MelanieM Review: Seeing Red: Scorched by T.C. Orton
A Stella Review: Into the Blue by Penny Henson
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Treasure by Kim Fielding

Friday, August 5:

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Fallow by Jordan L. Hawk
A Jeri Review: Fight the Tide by Keira Andrews
An Ali Audiobook Review: Tigers on the Run by Sean Kennedy
A Stella Release Day Review: Unbreak My Heart by K-lee Klein
A MelanieM Review: Diary Dates by TJ Masters

Saturday, August 6:

In the Spotlight: Roadside Rescue by Caitlin Ricci
A BJ Audiobook Review: Patchwork Paradise by Indra Vaughn
A Stella Review: Roadside Rescue by Caitlin Ricci
An Alisa Review: Tagging Mackenzie by LM Somerton

Designs, Scattered Thoughts and More Decisions. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Designs, Scattered Thoughts and More Decisions

So. After much thought and looking at designs, the poll, other sites, I’ve arrived at…nothing concrete. But with input, we are getting closer. Highest on the list readers want to see? More reviews. So on that front, we are looking for more reviewers so that we can handle more reviews here of every sort. We are a LGBTQIA review site, that means we want to review books of LGBTQIA content…all LGBTQIA content. From fiction to non fiction, to gay to lesbian, and all the genres you can think of.

We want to review them all. We are doing good but we’d like to do better. Also we are losing one of our reviewers this month. BJ is moving on to writing full time and we wish her well. She will be hard to replace. But try we must as Yoda would say. So if you love to read, are already reviewing books or want to try your hand at reviewing or know someone who reviews or any combination of the three, write us at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com. Send us a link to some of your reviews or a sample too. We have more than enough books to go around!

Meantime, as the heat wave continues in the US…its a perfect time to curl up with more books in ebook, audiobook or even paperback form. Here some you might want to consider for your TBR list. Meanwhile, its still July, so grab up those blueberries, hotdogs, and favorite scoops of ice cream and celebrate and the month ends.

blueberry6

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 24:

Designs, Scattered Thoughts and More Decisions
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 25:

Cover Reveal for Flying Fish by Sedonia Guillone
Cover Reveal for Amber Kell & RJ Scott – The Case Of The Guilty Ghost Signal Boost Productions
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Checkmate by Nicki Bennett and Arial Tachna
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Island Doctor by Sue Brown
A MelanieM Review: All Note Long by Annabeth Albert

Tuesday, July 26:

Angel Martinez Talks Drowning in Ideas, Writing, & Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (guest post and excerpt)
Roller Girl by Vanessa North Blog Tour – Riptide Publishing
Its Release Day for By Quarry Lake – Josephine Myles (excerpt and giveaway)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: By Quarry Lake by Josephine Myles
A BJ Review: Deductions by Lyn Gala
A Jeri Review: The First Morning After by Marie Lark

Wednesday, July 27:

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Best in Show by Kelly Jensen
A Stella Release Day Review: Settling Down by Nicole Forcine
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Temptations of Desire by Tempeste O’Reily
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: The Law of Attraction by Jay Northcote
A Lila Review: Witch King by T.A. Creech
A MelanieM Review: Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters by Angel Martinez

Thursday, July 28:

Book Blitz and Giveaway – Laid 3 by A.J. Llewellyn
Release Blitz and Giveaway- The Beginning – Victoria Sue
Series Recap – Anna Butler – Taking Shield Series Tour and Giveaway
An Alisa Review: Damaged by Noah Willoughby
A BJ Review: Femme by Marshall Thornton
A BJ Audiobook Review: Sunset Park by Santino Hassell

Friday, July 29:

Release Blitz Tour and Giveaway- Annabelle Jacobs – Bitten by Mistake
Release Day for Priest and Pariahs by Mann Ramblings (excerpt and giveaway)
With or Without You by Zane Riley Tour and Giveaway
Book Blitz and Giveaway – Another Secret by Stevie Woods
A Lila Audiobook Review: Duke in Hiding by MJ O’Shea
A Jeri Review: Fish Out of Water by Amy Lane
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: No Quarter by Christine D’Abo

Saturday, July 30:

A MelanieM Release Review: Bitten by Mistake by Annabelle Jacobs
An Alisa Review: Finally His by Shawn Lane

Design – Form, Flash or Something Altogether Different.? Both? This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Design Inquiries – Form, Flash or Something Altogether Different.

When you are looking at blogs what draws your attention? And keeps it there? Is it the flash, the dash, the colors and moving parts? Is it the substance, the content or a bit of both…just like a book cover?

What’s the most important thing to you, the reader, when it comes to review blogs? I’ve created a short poll. Take a moment and help us out by filling it out. We’re looking for a fresh new face and your input is invaluable.

July is holding on, the summer heat, (or winter cold if you call the southern hemisphere home) continues to mount getting ready for August and the dog days of summer. My summer book pile doesn’t seem to have lessened a bit. How about yours? Found any favorites to date? How about audiobooks? So many great ones out there. Check out our list of books we reviewed this week…surely there’s something for everyone.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 17:

Design Inquiries – Form, Flash or Something Altogether Different.
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 18:

Cover Reveal – Flying Fish by Sedonia Guillone
Staged by Kim Fielding – Blog Tour and Giveaway
A BJ Review: Staged by Kim Fielding
An Alisa Audiobook Review: A Forced Silence by Cate Ashwood
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Endings & Beginnings by KC Wells & Parker Williams
A MelanieM Review: Beta Test by Annabeth Albert

Tuesday, July 19:

Parker Williams/KC Wells for ‘Endings and Beginnings’ Tour and Giveaway
Top to Bottom by Delphine Dryden Blog Tour and Giveaway
A BJ Audiobook Review: Dancing Lessons by R. Cooper
A Lila Review: A Dandelion for Tulip by R. Cooper
A Free Dreamer Review: Native Wind (Native Ingenuity: First Chronicle)
by A.M. Burns

Wednesday, July 20:

Evasive Maneuvers by Lynn Michaels Creative Minds Tour and Giveaway
Book Blitz and Giveaway – Love and Magic by RE Andeen
Match Point by Leigh Carmen Blog Tour/promo and giveaway
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Desire’s Guardian by Tempeste O’Reily
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: On Wings of Thunder by MD Grimm

Thursday, July 21:

Blog Tour and Giveaway – Complexity by Harper Miller
Book Blitz and Giveaway: Boston Bauble Party by Susan Laine
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review:Boston Bauble Party by Susan Laine
A BJ Audiobook Review: Sutphin Boulevard by Santino Hassell
An Alisa Review: The Gift of Gravity by Sage Holloway

Friday, July 22:

Book Blitz and Giveaway – Save Jake Venice by Asher Oswald W.
Third Mate by Rebecca James Blog Tour and Giveaway
An Alisa Review: The Gift of Gravity by Sage Holloway
A Paul B Review: Third Mate by Rebecca James
A Jeri Release Day Review: The Boy Next Door by Kate McMurray
A MelanieM Review: All Note Long by Annabeth Albert

Saturday, July 23:

An Ali Review: Alex’s Law by Jayce Ellis
An Alisa Review: Falling for Santa Claus by CJ Anthony
A Lila Audiobook Review: The President’s Husband by Michael Murphy
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: The Second Half: A Gay American Football Story by Scott D. Pomfret

In Need of Inspiration…about July. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

In Need of Inspiration…about July

With all the sadness and madness in the news today combined with the heat facing me outside my door, I was in need of inspiration for my post this morning. Too early for the dog days of Summer, although the events felt like it. Mad Dogs and Englishmen? Falls under the same category believe it or not.

So I went looking for things about the month of July, that midmonth of summer wondering what I would find other than the usual 4th of July and Canada Day mentions. What a mixed bag…

In the Georgian calendar, the calendar that most of the world uses, July is the seventh month. However, on the Roman calendar, it was actually the fifth month and was call Quintilis, which meant fifth. Later in 46 B.C., Caesar gave 31 days and the Roman Senates named the month Julius in honor of Caesar. In northern hemisphere, July is usually the hottest month of the year when it is actually a winter time in southern hemisphere. It gets very cold in Antarctica and cold and rainy in South America. Because there isn’t much rain in July, the grass loses its greenness. Moreover, the abundance of flowers and insects occur in July.

Some immediate facts that floated to the top:

On July 1, 1898, the San Juan Hill was occupied by the American troops during the Spanish-American War.
During World War I on July 1, 1916, the Battle of Somme began.
On July 2, 1881, President James Garfield was killed by Charles Guiteau.
On July 11, 1804, during a duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton was killed.
The first atomic bomb was set off by scientists in Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945.

Hmmm…the dig went on.

On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada was established due to the British North America Act.
On July 5, 1971, Amendment 26 was proclaimed which set the voting age at 18 in the United States.
On July 16, 1790, District of Columbia was established.
On July 2, 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act (an Act to prohibit trusts) was passed by the United States Congress
The 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, was born on July 1, 1913.

Then finally…hope arrived in the form of National holidays…ones I didn’t even know about…but I’m putting them on the calendar now. blueberry6

July is officially National Blueberry Month, National Ice Cream Month and drumroll please, National Hot Dog Month. Be Still My Heart. I’ve a love for all three. So a month made for me. And its only half over! So now I’m grabbing a spoon and heading for the Blue Bunny double chocolate fudge. Maybe with some blueberries on top. Don’t judge. Join me after looking over our great lineup this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. There’s something for everyone.

July-National-Ice-Cream-Month

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, July 10:

In Need of Inspiration…about July.
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
In the Spotlight: Ice (The Salisbury Series #2) by Chris Quinton & RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)

Monday, July 11:

The Silvers by J.A. Rock Blog Tour and Giveaway
Complexity by Harper Miller Tour and Giveaway
A Paul B Review: Delivered to Hope by Caitlin Ricci & AJ Marcus
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Until September by Chris Scully
A Stella Review: Chasing the Dream by Andrew Grey

Tuesday, July 12:

AJ Llewellyn’s re-release of Mating Tomeo. Release Day Tour and Giveaway
Gays of Our Lives by Kris Ripper Blog Tour and Giveaway
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Gays of Our Lives by Kris Ripper
A BJ Review: Assumed Dead by Becky Black
An Alisa Review: Code Name Jack Rabbit by Elizabeth Noble

Wednesday, July 13:

An Alisa Review: Awakening the Alpha by Carolina Valdez
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Designs of Desire by Tempeste O’Reilly
A Jeri Review: Dinner for One by Meg Harding
An Ali Review: Wildflowers by Suki Fleet
A MelanieM Review: Kissing Alex by R.J. Scott

Thursday, July 14:

Book Blitz and Giveaway – The Olive Conspiracy by Shira Glassman
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audiobook Review: Dogwood Days & Spring Fever by Poppy Dennison
A Stella Review: Picked Fresh by Posy Roberts
An Alisa Review: Sign Here Please by Feral Sephrian

Friday, July 15:

In the Spotlight: Into the Blue by Pene Hanson (excerpt and giveaway)
Book Blitz and Giveaway – Summer Lovin’ Anthology
Acceptance Blog Tour and Giveaway by Grace R. Duncan blog
A Paul B Review: Acceptance by Grace R. Duncan
A MelanieM Review: The Greek Tycoon’s Green Card Groom by Kate McMurray
An Alisa Review: Lock & Key – Z. Allora

Saturday, July 16:

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Left of Centre by Zathyn Priest
A Lila Audiobook Review: Love Hypothetically by Anne Tenino
A Stella Review: Strong Medicine by JK Hogan

national hot dog month