Thursday, March 6, 2014

1 Year Blogversary-Huge Giveaway

 

I made it!  1 year ago (March 6, 2013) I started to create this blog.  The first few weeks were dead on visitors and lots of work and learning on my part.  I jumped in this, not knowing the first thing about blogging, html or computer smarts in general.  I am not a tech savvy person.   What I did know was books.  And I wanted to share those books with others throughout the world.  And I will be honest, the idea of possible free early releases didn't hurt.  But that was never my focus.

While I do read a fair share of mainstream or popular titles, I also love to read the lesser known books.  Or even some older titles.   Not to mention all the different genres I love.  I know for some it can make this blog seem overwhelming.  Yet it is who I am and what I love.  While I do have my favorites, one cannot put me in a box with them and expect me to be satisfied.  I love to share new books.  One thing that makes me so very happy in life is when someone picks up that lesser known book and enjoys it!  So I will continue to share in the popular and also introduce a little something different.

 Most people I know in person are not big readers. Back in 2010 I had discovered Goodreads.  I loved it.  I could organize what I have read, list what I want, etc.  Also I could chat with other book lovers like myself!  Or even sometimes just the occasional casual reader that I share a book in common with.  So I kept busy with various groups there.  Then I started writing reviews on Goodreads which started even more conversations.  In  late 2012 I was introduced to Book Blogs.  Wow!  Whole blogs dedicated to books, reading and authors!  I was in book heaven and was determined to one day be a part of it.  Now here I am.  I still have a long way to go to integrate myself into the book blogging paradise but slowly I am settling in. 

I want to thank every person that has ever followed this blog, commented or even just stopped by.  Thank you.   Especially those loyalists who come by regularly (you know who you are).  As a thank you I have a HUGE (at least for me) GIVEAWAY.  

I have been saving hard for this to make it a blast!
Also, I will have a couple games and special posts up over then next month (until the giveaway ends) so be on the lookout!

There will be a total of 5 prizes!

1)The Grand Prize-A gift card to your choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
 The card will start at $50 and can go up!
UPDATE-As of 3/8/14 evening: Gift Card is now at $65!!!
For every 250 entry points there are, I will increase the prize by $5.  Up to a maximum of $150 (I can't afford any higher)  This is eligible to anyone who can receive an eGift Card to these sites internationally

2)   A book of choice from The Book Depository or Ebook form Amazon/B&N
In honor of the Bloversary, the books must have been published between March 6, 2013 and March 6, 2014.   Any book up to $25.  Eligible to anyone so long as TBD ships to your address or must be an ebook from either B&N or Amazon.

3)  THREE swag packs for three winners.
From bookmarks, postcards, book posters, etc.  Also one random lucky swag winner will receive a $10 Gift card to McDonalds.  I am not a fan of their food so I am tossing it in for someone to win with their pack.  Also all packs include a bookmark I personally made. :)
U.S.  entrants only are eligible for these prizes.

 RULES:
No cheating!  I do verify entries.  If you are a winner, I check all entries you made to be eligible.  Any false entry and you are disqualified.  

Be aware of what prizes you are eligible for if you live outside the US.  

I have daily entries so be sure to come back regularly to increase your chances.

All entries for comments, likes, etc MUST be made on the day of entry. Old comments/likes do not count.   This does not affect any following.  Both old and new followers welcome!

Winners, once notified, have 48 hours to respond or they forfeit their prize to another person.  

Yes I know I added a lot of entry ways, but for a giveaway this size, oh well.  I am funding this by myself so it is quite a bit.  Plus I want to give as many opportunities as possible.

HAVE FUN AND THANKS FOR CELEBRATING WITH ME!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

81 comments:

  1. I read over the whole page twice and didn't find rules for entering... it says, "comments, likes, etc." Are those the only ways? Or did I miss the other ways?

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    1. You enter through the rafflecopter at the bottom. The rules just cover how the entries of the rafflecopter work (the do's/dont's). You have to answer the eligibility question and then other options open up. There are entries for following, comments, sharing etc. All in the form there. If for some reason the white form is not showing, it should be a link that pulls it up directly on rafflecopter.

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    2. Thanks, I found it but I thought I had deleted my post. Oops!

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  2. LIke the fantasy theme. Your review hold some good facts and you share a good range of books. Post more often your reviews.

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    1. Yea, I do need to get reviews up more often and quicker. Glad to hear you like the theme :)

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  3. I enjoy your blog when I come to it. Its bright easy to move around on and you do a great job with giveawyts and reviews

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  4. Actually one of my favourite things about your blog is that you have such a variety of things! It might mean that at times I might not have even heard of the books you talk about, but it also means that you've read a lot of the more obscure books that I have (well, they're not always obscure, but books that aren't like the top 20 books EVERYONE talks about). And it is always so fun to get to talk someone about books that I can't talk to anyone else about, especially as I don't have any bookish people in my life either :-/ And I LOVE that you talk books and manga! I've been considering adding a manga thing to my blog since I always love seeing all the different mangas on yours, but I haven't figured out how I want to do it yet since I don't read them by volume. Anyway, I'm going to stop now as this comment has gotten quite long haha

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    1. Wow! Thank you so very much for the insight. I am glad to know that you like the variety. I know some do not but I feel to do too different is a betrayal to my reading style. I am always up for talking books. :) I debated on the manga aspect but I feel it adds something unique plus I read so many. Love the time you took here. Thanks again!

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  5. I like your layout and the color. It is bright and very easy to read. I am a new follower and would love to have you follow back.

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    1. Glad you like it. I was nervous about the color since I have heard some say no to any purple backrounds. Thanks for the follow.

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  6. I love your banner and background. You tend to read different genres than I do, so I can always count on learning about new authors. Happy Blogversary.

    Cheryl

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    1. Thanks. I try to read most genre's so if you even want to see more of something, feel free to let me know as well.

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  7. I'm so bad at suggesting changes. I do like how you have all the pictures of the books down at the bottom and that you have three columns. I'm debating about changing mine to that to get more things to the top.

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    1. It can be fun but challenging to work layouts and widgets so that they look decent together. Since I am not very html savvy, this layout seems to work alright for me.

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  8. First time actually being on your blog and I really like your header. The color theme goes very well together. I look forward to reading your reviews in the future. New follower.
    Great giveaway!

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    1. Welcome and thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy what new bookish news I will bring over time.

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  9. Congratulations on reaching one year for your blog! I too came to the blogging world about a year ago and everything was so new. Funny how a lot can happen in one year :)

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    1. Indeed. While I still have a very long way to go, so much has changed since day 1.

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  10. Congrats on your one year anniversary, that is amazing! I think you offer some interesting, insightful reviews and posts, but I'm not a fan of too many book blitzes, blog tours and cover reveals. That goes with any blog though :)

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    1. Yea, this past week I had a couple going on and no review. Shame on me. I try to limit them to only 2-4 a month total but everything seemed to hit around the same time this month. I will try to get more quality stuff out. :) Thanks!

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  11. Congrats on the blogoversary! The first year is always the most challenging for a blogger, so kudos to you! I enjoy what you're doing with your blog! Love the colors and look of it too!

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    1. Thanks! It has been a bitcrazy at time but I am starting to get the hang of things and now I get to focus on balancing everything.

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  12. I just saw this blog thru a giveaway hop, so I don't know any particulars about it BUT! I do love how your blog appears! And reading your post... I am quite motivated because just like you, I'm new to this whole blogging system with no REALLY knowledge about blogging, blog design and stuff, you know all the things that go with BLOGGING. So yeah, maybe just like you, Time will polish my way to a better blogging. :)

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    1. Wow! This comment just made my day. There is so much to learn about blogging. And with technology changing so quickly I do not think I will ever catch up on my understanding but for the love of what I do, I will continue to do my best. The joy and curse about being passionate about something. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Happy blogoversary! Like the format

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  14. Happy Blogoversary! I like your reviews because they are short and to the point. I also like seeing Stacking the Shelves!

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    1. Thanks. Glad you like the reviews. I love the Stacking the Shelves meme. It was the first one I ever started and the one I will most likely always continue. :)

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  15. I love the easy format of this blog and the voice you have when you post!

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  16. Congratulations on your blogoversary. I've always wanted a blog but I can't write any kind of reviews and am just not good with words. I do like your blog, although I am new to it. I like the colors (it's easy on the eyes) it's easy to find your social media buttons. Thank you for having a giveaway. (We always like those) ;)

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    1. Thanks. I am still working on putting my thoughts into words. Especially without over rambling or spoiling things. Glad you like the blog and hope to continue seeing you around. :)

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  17. Congratulations ! What I do like is, your page is very fast loading. And yeah, the easy format, make it easier to locate, explore and read.

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    1. That is great to know, about the load speed. I always wondered how it worked on other computers! Thanks.

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  18. I enjoy your blog. Its easy to navigate and I like the background/color. :)

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    1. Glad you like it. Especially hearing that is easy to navigate is good news to me.

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  19. Congratulations on your Blogversary! I especially enjoy your Books by Genre, Interviews, and Giveaways.

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    1. It is good to know someone likes the genre page. I hope to get more interviews and giveaways going this year. Thanks for entering!

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  20. Happy Anniversary!! Your doing great! Keep it up!

    Mary

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  21. AWESOME idea with the gift card, and increasing it with more entries! :) I'm having my 1st Blogoversary going on now too. And I decided to have 7, well 8 days, with authors stopping by and giveaways! But I love your idea with the gift card! I'll have to try that next year! :)

    Well, happy blogoveawry! One year is HUGE! Really, it is! If you can survive the full year of all the ups and downs, you can get through just about anything in blogging! As we all know the first year is full of learning and LOTS of mess ups, screw ups, and PLENTY of mistakes, with, tons of learning! But its fun, and that's all that matters, right?

    Cheers to many more Blogoversary! :)

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    1. Glad you like how the gift card will work :) I wish I had authors stopping by but I am terrible about reaching out and asking favors like that. My social skills need more polishing there. It is the same with asking for review copies. Perhaps by next year I will have some lined up that I know better.
      Thanks you so very much for everything you shared and for stopping by. I hope we both have many successful blogging years ahead. :)

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  22. I like your blog! It's cute, it has great post, you update frequently, and you have good stuff to say! Can't ask for a better blog! :)

    Rafflecopter name is: Vannah Batista

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    1. Thanks! Although I feel I need to post more still. Especially reviews and discussion posts. Thanks for entering!

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  23. Happy Blogoversary! I'm a new follower but I like your blog! It has personality. :)

    Rafflecopter name: Julia Rain Wellman

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    1. Thank you. I hope you'll be back and thanks for following!

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  24. Happy blogoversary! I like that your buttons are mostly in the same area. I'm very particular about that. Also, more reviews please! Thanks lots!

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    1. I try to keep is simple on the buttons. I am not very HTML savvy to make it look better though. I'll work on getting more reviews out.

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  25. Happy Blogoversary! Honestly, this is my first time on your blog (I came from the March New Release giveaway). I really don't have much of an impression yet, but your layout is gorgeous!

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    1. Glad you like the layout and hope you stop by again sometime!

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  26. i want to see more giveaway..
    thx u for the chance :)

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    1. I try to do at least a couple a month. Plus some blitz giveaways. Thanks for entering.

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  27. I love the blog. You always have such great reviews that are honest and thorough. I wouldn't change a thing. :)

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    1. Thank you! This brought a smile to my face. :)

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  28. I'm honestly just starting to get into book blogs and blogging, but your blog looks really awesome. I'm excited to get more into blogging and see other people's posts as they post them, and your reviews are really interesting to get to read through!

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    1. Welcome to the book blogging world! So far I have had a lot of fun with it. Hope to see you around the community!

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  29. It's my first visit, but so far I like it! The layout is very clean, and I like the color scheme.

    vitajex(At)Aol(Dot)com

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  30. How fun! I'm kind of getting into book blogging now, which isn't really what I started with, and I'm loving it too. :) I think I'm at three, maybe four years now but I've been more dedicated to my blog for the last couple years.

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    1. I hope to be continuing 3-4 years from now. What a feat!

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  31. Happy Blogoversary, i really love your blog design it's really easy to navigate. i also appreciate that you answer the comments so i can only hope you will continue to follow your heart and sahre wityh us^^

    ( oh and i really appreciate that you think about people without facebook or twitter in your giveaways by not putting those as mandatory entry, it's really kind and thoughful)

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    1. I try to respond to comments. As you can see, it sometimes takes me forever. sorry busy past couple months.

      I try to leave plenty of options for giveaway entries without making too much mandatory. Thanks for the well thought out comment :)

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  32. I like your blog! I love the colours. I think it is a really neat design too! I enjoy reading your book reviews too :)) Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Blogoversary!!

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  33. I really like the polls (I used to do those too, loved it!) and the interviews/reviews. Great job and happy blogoversary!

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    1. Polls can be fun. I like them too. Thanks for entering!

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  34. Re: the content, everything is great! Love that you have a mix of books (I love manga) :D
    The only issue I have is that the slightly below section of the right sidebar feels a little cluttered.

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    1. I do read a wide range of books! :)
      For the clutter-do you mean the to-read book collage?

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  35. I havent browsed this blog before so I don't know what I like or dislike, I do love the purple color :)

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  36. Happy Blog Birthday! Wishing you many more great years to come. You have a great mix of posts variety. I really enjoy visiting.

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  37. The polls are fun to do :) I love the reviews and the overall visual theme of your blog too!

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  38. The polls are fun to do :) I love the reviews and the overall visual theme of your blog too!

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    1. Double comment from above? Gotta love when that happens :)

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