Sci-Fi Summer #Readathon - Mid-Event Check-In #SciFiJune

We are at mid-event! Can't believe how time is flying! Wait a minute...yes, I can. I'm trying to stay as involved as I can with the readathon, but with my move looming ever closer (it has now been moved up by two weeks due to my son's college starting two weeks earlier because of COVID-19). Dealing with buying the new house and selling the current house. Plus, all the packing. Whew! A LOT!

How is the reading going? Hope you're getting in some good sci-fi (or fantasy) reading. Let me know in the comments, or share a link to your update. 

In case you missed it, the prize page is here. 

That's all for now. I hope you continue to enjoy the readathon. Happy reading!

Sci-Fi Summer #Readathon - #Prizes #SciFiJune

This is the giveaway/prize promotion page for all the prizes being given away for readathon participants. At the end of this post, you will find details regarding how the prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the readathon.

Note: The author of the book donated would greatly appreciate a review, if you win, on your blog and/or social media and/or on Goodreads, Amazon. Thank you! (This is not required to win.)

Prizes from Ginger at Turn the Page

The Birthing Tree By Ginger Schenck - One autographed print copy (US Only)

In The Birthing Tree, Annie starts to unravel the connection between her past growing up on a haunted farm and the bizarre road trip she finds herself on. For weeks, dreams and intuition, have called to her urging her to leave small-town life and strike out on a road trip to find herself. Pulled by an invisible force, she finds herself in the small northwestern town of Sutter, South Dakota with an unlikely band of confidants. She doesn't unravel her past but she does find something. It's old, with ancient desires.

In the process, she discovers the world she knows exists alongside another one. A reality that most people ignore. There is a darkness within the light, on the edges of humanity; it lingers at the boundary of consciousness. Hidden by denial, there is a creature that watches and waits. When Annie’s very existence threatens it, the dance of desire and hunger is overwhelming.

About the Author
Ginger Schenck lives in Missouri. She loves traveling, exploring haunted places, and collecting stories. The Birthing Tree, a paranormal adventure, is her first novel. Paranormal investigations and growing up on a haunted farm fuel her imagination. Many of the episodes from her childhood are woven into her writing. Her second novel, Dark Dealings, is scheduled for publication in August 2020, followed by the second book in The Birthing Tree Series, New Orleans Calls, which will be released in October 2020.

Masters of the Universe t-shirt (size large) - US Only

PRIZES FROM YOUR HOST

Prize One (One winner)
I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice (food banks, homeless shelters would also apply), perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.

I hope you will consider having your donation made to one of these organizations fighting on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement (click each link to learn more).

Unicorn Riot
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Campaign Zero
Movement for Black Lives
BYP100
TGI Justice Project
Audre Lorde Project
Metro Atlanta Mutual Aid Fund
National Bail Fund Network
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Prize Two (One winner)
Winner's choice of any book title from the bargain books (these are generally used books) section of Better World Books. They ship internationally (priced at $3.98 or less) OR a $3.00 Amazon eGift card.

Giveaway Details
This is a readathon participant only giveaway. To be eligible, you must have signed up, participated and added a link to the official readathon wrap-up post (I will give everyone until Monday, July 6th at 11:59 pm CDT to complete their wrap-ups). We no longer use a linky for wrap-ups. There will be a Google form on the readathon wrap-up post where you will enter your info, your wrap-up link, and answer yes/no on whether you want to win a prize or not. We have a total of 4 prizes. This means there will be 4 winners. I will award prizes on a first come, first served basis. I will draw the 4 winners with random.org and email all 4 at the same time. The first person who emails me back with their choice gets that prize. I will mark off the prizes as they are taken. Winners will be chosen after the wrap-up post deadline (see above).

Sci-Fi Summer #Readathon - Engage! #SciFiJune

Time for a fun month of science fiction reading (or fantasy, if that's your poison)! 

Don't forget that you can participate even if you don't have a blog. Just link up with your Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (and just post your updates from whichever venue you choose) AND don't forget to interact with us in our groups on Facebook and Goodreads, and we're also on Instagram! If you have any questions about updates, etc., feel free to ask. I will be posting a mid-event check-in here, and I will do my best to interact across social media.

I have received a couple of awesome prize donations from a very generous author, and I'll also be offering a couple of prizes, as usual. I'll have the prize page posted by the end of the first week.     

Social media hashtag across all platforms - #SciFiJune (you can also use #Readathon).

If you have any questions about how things work, check out the guidelines tab in the menu or the sign up post, or you can always leave me a comment. This is the same linky used for sign-ups so if you do a starting line/goal post, just add your link again, but be sure to put "goal post" beside your name, i.e. Michelle/True Book Addict (goal post). 

Note: If you're just signing up, you can do it here on this post. It's the same linky.

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Important #Readathon News!

As some of you may already know (though many of you probably don't), I'm moving house in August. We live in Nashville, Tennessee (my mom, my sons, and I) and have wanted to move back to my hometown (Midland, Michigan) for a while now since my sister and her family still live up there. We planned to move after both boys were graduated, but my younger son (17) started home school last year so we decided to move sooner. Plus, my older son (who just graduated) is going to Central Michigan University in the fall. 

I know, long story and you're probably asking...what does this have to do with Seasons of Reading?

Well, we have the High Summer Readathon coming up in August which, unfortunately, I'm going to have to cancel for this year. August is going to be our main packing and moving month. My mom retires on August 4th so we will need to finish packing up and be moved by the third week in August. We have to move Gabe into the dorms the week before classes start on August 31st. My August is going to be busy, busy, busy. I'll barely have time to think, let alone host a readathon. (Note: We usually have a small Christmas readathon during Christmas in July. I'm cancelling that for this year as well.)

I apologize, as I know many look forward to High Summer every year. So, to make up for it...drumroll please!!! This year's FrightFall Readathon will be two months, September AND October (coinciding with Something Wicked Fall at Castle Macabre)!!! Granted, I will be unpacking, etc. in September (and probably into October), but having a two month event will give me more time for my hosting duties, and reading. Well...what do you think? Does that make up for the loss of High Summer? I hope so. Of course, High Summer will be back in 2021 and we will make it a special one. I promise!

Thanks for understanding and wish us luck on our move. We're going to need it...

I have over 3000 books to pack so this will probably be me amidst the packing and moving. I do not doubt it.

Sci-Fi Summer #Readathon - Sign-Up! #SciFiJune

As always, a shout out to the person who originally inspired this event...Mallory (The Haunted Reading Room). Our fifth year! I look forward to this every year. I don't read enough science fiction so this helps me broaden my horizons. It might be the same for you. 👽

Details:

• As of last year, Sci-Fi Summer is now a month long readathon! June 1st at 12:00 am CDT to June 30th 11:59 pm CDT (adjust your time zone accordingly...there's a time zone converter in the sidebar menu). 
• Since science fiction is a very specific genre, this will be strictly reading science fiction during the event. However, since fantasy is so closely related to the genre (often grouped together), if you feel more comfortable reading fantasy, that is also fine.
• to check in on social media, our new hashtag is #SciFiJune
• as usual, you do not have to have a blog to participate...feel free to link up and check in from Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Also, we have our Facebook and Goodreads groups, and we're on Instagram. 
• As always, please refer to the Guidelines page (link also in the sidebar menu) if you have any questions. For any newbies, there are specific guidelines we use for wrapping up and the giveaway. You can always contact me via the contact me tab if you have any questions. 
• Grab a button! You can get it from the sidebar using the handy grab code, or save the image to your computer to share.

I'm not sure I will be able to procure any prize donations this time, but I will offer a couple of small prizes myself. If anyone would like to donate a prize, just let me know.

That's it! Any questions? Leave a comment, or contact me via the tab in the sidebar menu.

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Spring into Horror #Readathon - At an end #SpringHorror

Well, that went by fast! Despite being in lockdown, and not knowing what day it is half the time, I'm actually really surprised how quickly the month passed.

So, how did it go? Did you get a lot of scary reading in, or did you mix it up between scary and more tame fare? I read a really good one...The Descent by Jeff Long. Highly recommended!

Thanks so much for joining me for another readathon. Stay tuned because SciFi Summer is coming up in June (now a month long too). I'll have the sign-up post ready hopefully some time next week.

I'm including the prizes I'm offering as host again below. Be sure to follow the directions so you'll have a chance to win. The form for wrap-ups is also below.

See you next time!

Spring into Horror Prizes

Prize One (One winner)I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice, perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe that all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.

Prize Two (One winner)Winner's choice of any book title from the bargain books (these are generally used books) section of Better World Books. They ship internationally (priced at $3.98 or less) OR a $3.00 Amazon eGift card.

Giveaway Details
This is a readathon participant only giveaway. To be eligible, you must have signed up, participated and added a link to the official readathon wrap-up post (I will give everyone until Tuesday, May 5th at 11:59 pm CST to complete their wrap-ups). We no longer use a linky for wrap-ups. The Google form (below) is where you will enter your info, your wrap-up link, and answer yes/no on whether you want to win a prize or not. We have a total of 2 prizes. This means there will be 2 winners. I will award prizes on a first come, first served basis. I will draw the 2 winners with random.org and email all 2 at the same time. The first person who emails me back with their choice gets that prize. I will mark off the prizes as they are taken. Winners will be chosen after the wrap-up post deadline (see above).

(If you would like others to visit your wrap-up post, please leave a comment below with the link to your wrap-up, or you can visit participants via the starting line post linky here.)

Spring into #Horror #Readathon - We're hunkered down...let's read! #SpringHorror

Boy, a lot has changed since I posted the sign-up on March 10. Our world is quite different these days. I hope you are all safe and well. One silver lining. The situation is perfect for a readathon.

So, let's get this party started! I'm thinking we might have one or two horror movie watch-alongs. If we do, I will post about them in the Facebook and Goodreads groups. To make it so everyone can participate, we do our watch-alongs on Sling. Seasons of Reading has a channel over there. It's free to sign up so stay-tuned for news on what we're watching, if we do, and for an invite link to our Sling channel. Now, we shall get some good scary reading in through April 30th. SO ready!

Just remember...the one main "rule" of Spring into Horror is that you must read at least ONE scary book (which can be a thriller, mystery, Gothic novel, or similar for those who are faint of heart). Since we are doing a month long, I hope you will indulge the scary a bit more, but that is entirely up to you. It is all about the reading after all. After you've read your "scary" title (or before...you don't have to read the scary one first), you can read whatever you want in any genre. Novels, novellas, comic books, children's books, non-fiction. Anything goes!

You DO NOT have to participate the entire month. Join in when you can, start in the middle, end early...whatever works best for your schedule. As with all of my readathons, it will be an event of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries. Also, Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon will be going on (does anyone know if they're planning on having it?) so that will be a fun addition to our month of reading bliss.

Guidelines for the readathon can be found HERE or you can access in the sidebar menu. Any information you need about the readathon can be found there. Please do be sure to check the guidelines to make sure you're following along correctly. There are specific rules regarding signing up and wrapping up, especially in regards to the giveaway. We no longer use a wrap-up linky and we are now just using the Google form for wrap-ups (since I require your wrap-up link there anyway). That way you don't have to do two steps at the end of the readathon. The wrap-up Google form will be on the wrap-up post instead of the prize page. I will have a yes/no so you can let me know if you're opting out of winning a prize. (If you want to visit people who participated, you can do so via the sign-up/starting line linky. I will have a link to it on the wrap-up post).

Strangely enough, I have not received any prize donations this time around. However, I will be offering a couple of small prizes. I'll share those in our mid-event check-in (no prize page if I'm the only one offering prizes).

Social media hashtag across all platforms - #SpringHorror (you can also use #Readathon).

If you have any questions about how things work, check out the guidelines tab above or the sign up post, or you can always leave me a comment. This is the same linky used for sign-ups so if you do a starting line/goal post, just add your link again, but be sure to put "goal post" beside your name, i.e. Michelle/True Book Addict (goal post). Note: If you're just signing up, you can do it here on this post. It's the same linky.

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Spring into Horror #Readathon - Get your #spring #scare on #SpringHorror

Welcome to the official sign up for the Spring into Horror Readathon! A month of horror...yes! We start at 12:00 am on April 1 and end at 11:59 pm on April 30. Times are set for the central time zone so adjust your times accordingly (you can use the link to the time zone converter in the sidebar menu).

Just remember...the one main "rule" of Spring into Horror is that you must read at least ONE scary book (which can be a thriller, mystery, Gothic novel, or similar for those who are faint of heart). Since we are doing a month long, I hope you will indulge the scary a bit more, but that is entirely up to you. It is all about the reading after all. After you've read your "scary" title (or before...you don't have to read the scary one first), you can read whatever you want in any genre. Novels, novellas, comic books, children's books, non-fiction. Anything goes!

You DO NOT have to participate the entire month. Join in when you can, start in the middle, end early...whatever works best for your schedule. As with all of my readathons, it will be an event of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries. Also, Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon will be going on (I'm assuming, though they don't have the sign-up or announcement posted yet) so that will be a fun addition to our month of reading bliss.

Guidelines for the readathon can be found HERE or you can access in the sidebar menu. Any information you need about the readathon can be found there. Please do be sure to check the guidelines to make sure you're following along correctly. There are specific rules regarding signing up and wrapping up, especially in regards to the giveaway. We no longer use a wrap-up linky and we are now just using the Google form for wrap-ups (since I require your wrap-up link there anyway). That way you don't have to do two steps at the end of the readathon. The wrap-up Google form will be on the wrap-up post instead of the prize page. I will have a yes/no so you can let me know if you're opting out of winning a prize. (If you want to visit people who participated, you can do so via the sign-up/starting line linky. I will have a link to it on the wrap-up post).

As is typical, I will not be hosting any mini-challenges. However, if anyone else would like to host a mini-challenge or giveaway, you are more than welcome. I am also looking for prize donations so if anyone would like to contribute, let me know. Authors, this is a great way to promote your book(s)! (Contact me using the contact form link in the sidebar menu).

Our hashtag for social media is #SpringHorror Also, don't forget about our Facebook group, our Goodreads group and our Instagram. You can also access via the links in the sidebar menu.

Sign up in the linky below. You do not have to do a post now, unless you want to help spread the word (much appreciated). If you don't have a blog, use Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube...or any social media. Having a blog is not required. Be sure to grab the button at the top of this post (there's also a grab code below the button in the sidebar).

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Winter's Respite #Readathon - Wrap-Up #WintersRespite

January is over already! This new decade is off with a bang. I hope everyone enjoyed the readathon. Thanks so much for joining us!

Remember, our process has changed for wrap-ups. No more linky for wrap-up posts. Fill out the form at the end of this post and indicate if you want a chance at a prize by selecting yes or no. Also, double check that your name is listed in the sign up/starting line linky at this post so you will be eligible for the giveaway. You have until Wednesday, January 5th at 11:59 pm CST to fill out the form. I will email the winners within a few days following the deadline so keep a look out in your email inbox (or spam folder, just in case) for an email from my truebookaddict gmail account. (Prize page is here)

I've already created the button for the Spring into Horror Readathon in April so save the date! There's a grab code for it in the sidebar. 

Once again, thank you for joining me and I hope to see you next time.

(If you would like others to visit your wrap-up post, please leave a comment below with the link to your wrap-up, or you can visit participants via the starting line post linky here.)

Winter's Respite #Readathon - Mid-Event Check-In #WintersRespite

We're halfway through the first month of a new decade. Wow! I've been reading, but haven't shared too much about which books...stay tuned. I'm also behind on visiting blogs, though I think most everyone updates on social media these days. Anyone who is not aware, we do have Facebook and Goodreads groups, and an Instagram. Links are in the menu in the sidebar.

Share your progress in the comments, or post a link to an update post.

The prize page is live here. Thank you to everyone who donated.

I hope you are all enjoying your winter reading! I just wish we would actually get some winter weather here in Tennessee. 

Winter's Respite #Readathon - #Prizes #WintersRespite

ALL PRIZES HAVE BEEN AWARDED 

This is the giveaway/prize promotion page for all the prizes being given away for readathon participants. At the end of this post, you will find details regarding how the prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the readathon. (Some of the prizes below were rolled over from the Christmas Spirit Readathon because we didn't have enough people saying yes to winning a prize.)

Note: The authors of the books donated would greatly appreciate a review, if you win, on your blog and/or social media and/or on Goodreads, Amazon. Thank you! (This is not required to win.)

WINNER - MICHELLE H. (NAILA)

Carousel of Nightmares by Kerry E.B. Black
One winner - choice of print (U.S.), eBook or Audible (International)

This collection of 29 short stories will thrill younger (and unaging) readers, without preventing sleep - much. Kerry E.B. Black corralled these untameable beasts for your pleasure. Find the beauty in their skeletal coats, the sparkle in their malignant eyes. May the ride they offer lead to the adventure you seek! 118 pages, published through Tree Shadow Press 

Amazon

About the author

Kerry E.B. Black is an American writer sometimes described as "chicken noodle soup for the Gothic soul." Lifelong resident of the land where George Romero's Dead dawned, Kerry writes an eclectic, and sometimes award winning, mix of stories available through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and https://kerrylizblack.wordpress.com/ 

Follow the author at https://facebook.com/authorKerryE.B.Black, https://twitter.com/BlackKerryblick , https://www.instagram.com/kerry_e_b_black/

Books by Wally Runnels

WINNER - DONNISHA

Twisted Love PLUS $10 Amazon card  One Print Copy (One Winner)

Roiling in political corruption and the raging violence of drug cartels in the California/Mexico borderlands, Twisted Love explores the redemptive power of love even amidst the most brutal and privileged echelons of contemporary society. Julietta Aguilar, a young archaeologist with a dark past shrouded with sordid family secrets, discovers a hidden chamber under the ruins of the Templo Mejor, in the heart of Mexico City. She soon finds herself enmeshed in an ancient mystery even as she tries to solve her father's senseless murder.Now followed by cartel killers, deadly supernatural spirits and thwarted by her own family, her quest for peace seems almost insurmountable – until she meets a man in black with a nefarious background who goes only by one name. Rocky. A fast-paced, gripping read reminiscent of fifties pulp, the characters in Twisted Love offer a dark study in human nature, with all the gory details of unbridled power, soul-searching hatred, strange fetishes, and macabre personalities etched on the reader's mind in searing black and white.

WINNER - DONNISHA
The In-Ko-Pah Spirit  One Kindle Copy

This robust novella, another in Wally Runnels' ongoing Rocky series, brings us to the eerie In-Ko-Pah Mountains, an isolated region on the Mexican/American Border where mysterious forces confound even the best laid plans of the Mexicali drug cartel. Rocky, a paid mercenary and expert hitman must confront his darkest memories and desires if he is to survive the supernatural challenges that arise as he hunts down his latest target, a hunter much like himself.

About the author
Wally was born in San Diego, traveled through Mexico, and Latin America. He was

raised on the border at his family's ranch, whose original deed was recorded in 1870.
Hanging out between two countries, he met a lot of unusual people: Hollywood types,
Border Patrol Officers, professional trackers, smugglers, and people he won't mention
by name. He'll remind you no matter how weird a story can get, it'll contain some
grain of truth.

For more information visit: www.wallyrunnels.com

Amazon Author Page

Winners - Lara, Donnisha, Michelle, Victoria, Mallory

Toto's Tale (Book One, The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy) by Peeky

Five (5) eBook copies (International)

The story begins shortly after Dorothy awakens (MGM - 1939 - The Wizard of Oz).
A commemorative series from a unique perspective, Toto's! A multidimensional plot-twister with updated cast of wondrous, quirky misfits. A "Wizard of Oz" Epic Adventure for the 21st Century Reader.

A couple of days in Oz equals a year in Kansas where Uncle Henry is dying; If the Wizard will provide the cure, Will Dorothy find her way home…and in time, to make a difference?

Detailed Synopsis
Alongside Toto, you will ride in the front seat of a thrilling and emotional roller coaster throughout the magical Land of Oz…and beyond. This Wizard of Oz takeoff is a multidimensional plot-twister as told from Toto’s perspective that includes an updated original cast and a host of other wondrous quirky social misfits. With many surprises along the way, this complex and intriguing parody has as much tongue-in-cheek humor as it does original content, adventure, mystery, fantasy, and romance.

AVAILABLE AT

Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble
Baker & Taylor
Goodreads
Kobo
Smashwords

About the author

Bob Moyer (pseudonym - Peeky) has been writing fiction for children, young adults, and adults young at heart for nearly ten years. The following stories will be posted to his website,Oziian.com or WizardWasOdd.com in the near future. "The Calamitous Attitude of Kat Katitude" is about teenage and young adult cats living together as roommates. Another is a bedtime ditty - "No Such Thing", "Fast Food" is a picture book without words about a slow spider trying to catch fast insects, and the list goes on.

Professionally, Bob Moyer has been a trainer, a guest speaker, and featured writer for over thirty years in the community association industry. In addition to having a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Accounting, he has been a Florida Real Estate Broker, a Licensed Community Association Manager (LCAM), the President of, and one of the principals in The Vanguard Management Group, Inc.

Bob is also a past President of CEOMC, an organization comprised of Chief Executive Officers of Management Companies. Its members are committed to promoting and protecting homeowner associations throughout Florida, engaging in advocacy and setting the standard for community management.

Bob began writing for children in 2010 and belonged to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for many years. In 2012, he and his wife Janet concluded a busy week with a night on the town. His opening question to her was, "So Dorothy, how is Toto?"

From that nugget, he created a version of the Wizard of Oz featuring Toto as the main character. With the input of the readers first two books, he intends to create the third book of the trilogy by 2020. This series will be a celebration of the 120th year of the first printing in 1900 of the original "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.

Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wizardwasodd
https://twitter.com/WizardWasOdd
https://www.pinterest.com/wizardwasodd/
https://www.instagram.com/oziian/

*****************

Prizes from Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist.

WINNER - VICTORIA

Singing Out Loud by Marilee Eaves
One (1) galley copy (U.S. Only)

Born during World War II, Marilee Eaves long struggled to fit into the New Orleans’ elite she was born to—secret Mardi Gras societies that ruled the city. While Marilee is a student at Wellesley, she’s hospitalized at McLean psychiatric hospital, where she begins to realize how much of herself she’s sacrificed to be fully accepted by the exclusive and exclusionary white Uptown New Orleans culture.

In Singing Out Loud, Eaves shares her journey to stand on her own two feet―to find a way to be grounded and evolve in the midst of NOLA culture. Along the way, she wrestles with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and the effects of her poor, heartbreaking, and sometimes hilarious choices.

Raw and funny, this book offers hope and encouragement for those willing to be vulnerable, address their issues, and laugh at themselves in order to embrace who they truly are.

About the author
Marilee Eaves spent nearly five decades of her life struggling to break free of the Uptown New Orleans world she’d been born into—a long line of royalty, kings and queens of the secret elitist Mardi Gras societies that ruled the city.

She moved to Seattle three months before Katrina hit in 2005, and then returned to NOLA in 2018, where she writes looking out on the St. Charles streetcars and seasonal parades. Today Marilee spends time with daughters, grandchildren, and old friends, delighting in the shifts she observes in the city.

Eaves has published articles in New Orleans Museum of Art’s Arts Quarterly, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana’s Churchwork, Madrona News, Touch Magazine and The Awakenings Review. Singing Out Loud is her first book.

Visit Marilee's website 

WINNER - MALLORY

Occupied by Kurt Blorstad
One (1) galley copy (U.S. only)

A world at war, a family kept apart and a young boy in the midst of it all. Will they all survive? As WW II breaks out, a father finds himself in the U.S. while his wife and sons are home in occupied Norway. Based on the son’s true-life journals from 1935-1945, this is the story of a family separated by war and uncertainty.

About the authorKurt Blorstad spends most of his time on airplanes for business travel, where he finds the tight environment conducive to writing. His first book, Plane Excitement, was born and raised on many of his early flights.

When his first grandchild was born with hemophilia, Kurt was inspired to use his writing to generate support and increase awareness of the condition. A portion of the proceeds from Occupied go directly to the National Hemophilia Foundation.

When he is not writing, Kurt enjoys relaxing on the beach, playing tennis and working in his garden. These are also his wife’s favorite things to do, and the two of them plan to collaborate on a murder mystery series in the future.

www.kurtblorstad.com

WINNER - MICHELLE H. (NAILA)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Victim’s Guide to Understanding, Treating, & Coping with this Debilitating Illness
by Gregg Fisher, Stephen Straus, MD, Paul Cheney, MD & James Oleske, MD
One (1) print copy (U.S. only)

Exhaustion, headaches, inability to concentrate. Depression, nagging joint pain, weight loss, low grade fever. General malaise. For those who are healthy, these common symptoms hardly sound serious. Yet, for the many sufferers burdened with the pain and debilitation of chronic fatigue syndrome, these devastating effects can seem interminable, lasting for months or even years. In this intimate and enlightening guide, Gregg Charles Fisher-himself a daily survivor of CFS-reaches through the shadow of this mysterious and misunderstood disease to reveal how life is lived on the frontlines of the battle against this disease and how it can be made more liveable for CFS victims everywhere. Drawn from the challenges and triumphs posed by Gregg Fisher's own 7 year struggle with CFS, and culled from findings of the most respected medical authorities in the field, this timely and compassionate guide empowers CFS sufferers and those who love them.

PRIZE FROM YOUR HOST

WINNER - LARA ONE WINNER
I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice (food banks, homeless shelters would also apply), perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.

Giveaway Details
This is a readathon participant only giveaway. To be eligible, you must have signed up, participated and added a link to the official readathon wrap-up post (I will give everyone until Wednesday, February 5th at 11:59 pm CST to complete their wrap-ups). We no longer use a linky for wrap-ups. There will be a Google form on the readathon wrap-up post where you will enter your info, your wrap-up link, and answer yes/no on whether you want to win a prize or not. We have a total of 12 prizes. This means there will be 12 winners. I will award prizes on a first come, first served basis. I will draw the 12 winners with random.org and email all 12 at the same time. The first person who emails me back with their choice gets that prize. I will mark off the prizes as they are taken. Winners will be chosen after the wrap-up post deadline (see above).

Winter's Respite #Readathon - Time to "read" in the new year! #WintersRespite

Happy New Year! Sorry I forgot to post this kick off post on time. Starting the new year off right. lol Let's ring in the new year...with a bunch of reading. If one of your new year goals/resolutions is to read more, well this is the place to start. We started at midnight central time and we're marathoning it all the way through January 31, 2020. A fresh decade of reading. I, for one, am super excited!

If you have any questions about how things work, check out the guidelines in the sidebar menu or the sign up post, or you can always leave me a comment (or send me a message via the contact form). The linky below is the same one as the sign up linky. If you do a starting line/goal post, just add your link again, but be sure to put "goal post" beside your name, i.e. Michelle @ True Book Addict (goal post).

A note on prizes. Only two people opted in for the prize giveaway during the Christmas Spirit Readathon so some of the prizes are being carried over to this one, plus a few additions. Stay tuned for the prize page which I should have posted this weekend.

I will post a mid-event check in post at the halfway point. Our hashtag for the readathon across social media is #WintersRespite. Stop by our Facebook group, Goodreads group and check out our Instagram. You can also access via the links in the sidebar menu.

That's it! Happy Reading!

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