It's Banned Books Week!

Again, you say? Didn't we talk about this just last year?

Sadly, yes. Books are still being banned, so the ALA Banned Books Week continues. This year, it's occurring from September 26 to October 3.

The American Library Association recorded 513 challenged is 2008, but that total is estimated to be only 20-25% of the actual number of banned or challenged books. These books include the Harry Potter series, Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams (a personal favorite), Lois Lowry's award-winning The Giver, and classics such as Slaughterhouse Five, Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

My goal this week is to identify and read a challenged book that I haven't read before. How about you? Will you join me in this challenge?

Post your selection in the comments section, and one commenter will win a prize at the end of the week!

Book BIN Tuesday - Iron by PG Forte

I'm a sucker for all things historical/paranormal, so this new release by PG Forte looks like a perfect fit for me:

Nineteenth century Ireland. Blacksmith Gavin O’Malley is a bitter man, with a heart as hard as the iron he forges. He wants his life back—the one that was stolen from him the day his wife died in childbirth—taking their firstborn son with her.

When Aislinn Deirbhile, an immortal, shape-shifting fae, arrives on his doorstep, he knows he’s in luck. For Aislinn can give Gavin everything he’s been missing: A devoted-seeming wife in the image of his beloved Mairead, and children who are sure to outlive their father. Now, all he has to do is find a way to keep her—without losing his immortal soul in the process.

But Aislinn has an agenda of her own. On the run from a vengeful fae lord who’s vowed to either make her his or end her existence, she knows the iron that allows Gavin to take her captive will also keep her pursuers at bay. In order to put herself permanently beyond her enemy’s reach, however, Aislinn will need something more. She’ll need to win Gavin’s heart and convince him to willingly part with a piece of the very soul he’s trying to save.

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Ireland? Fae? Historical? Sign me up! If this is your sort of thing, follow me over to Liquid Silver Books and Buy It Now!

Big E-Book Bash At Writeminded!

Whether you love e-books or are just curious about them, the place to be this week is the Writeminded blog. They have over 100 e-books to give away, and my book The Devil Inside is one of them! (I just checked, and it hasn't been posted yet, so it's still up for grabs.)

The contests are posted at random times, so the more often you stop by the blog, the better your odds of winning. Good luck, and happy reading!

Book BIN Wednesday -- Client Privileges

I've been almost as excited as Maia about the release of her newest book, Client Privileges. As someone who was lucky enough to be a beta-reader for this m/m fantasy romance, I'm thrilled it's found a home at Torquere Books. It's a fascinating, multi-layered, amazing story that I loved, and I'm so glad I get to feature it for Book BIN this week.

Here are the deets:

Jonas Vaneau's life seems ordinary, with days working at law courts and evenings at home with his cat, plus countless Sabbath dinners with his parents and an endless string of potential brides. Meanwhile, an unusual encounter with seemingly ordinary brothel client Jonas causes Micah Hartshorn considerable consternation. When Jonas inexplicably bursts past his emotional defenses, Micah can't even fall back on his professional skills to help him.

The attraction between Micah and Jonas grows, despite their misgivings. As they grow closer, all personal problems are swept up in political unrest when new laws threaten both men's livelihoods. When even greater troubles send Jonas' world spinning beyond his control, it's up to Micah to save Jonas from the downward spiral if he can.

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I loved both Jonas and Micah, and the external plot is excellent as well. Plus, that cover is just gorgeous. I can recommend this book without hesitation. So why not pop on over to Torquere and Buy It Now?

Winners, Weekend Plans, and Recommended Links

The problem with planning big blog parties the week before school starts is...uhm...not actually following through because I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO DO, YEESH.

So, apologies for not posting the winners before now. And congratulations to:
Deidre
who won a free copy of Lessons In Trust,

and
Karin
who won a $10 gift certificate to Torquere Press.

Deidre and Karin, please e-mail me with your contact info so I can get you your prizes.

Thanks to everyone who commented during the giveaways. And be sure to keep posting, because there will be more parties -- and prizes - to come in the following weeks.

And speaking of parties, be sure to drop by Maia Strong's blog, where she's counting down the days to her newest release, Client Privileges, from Torquere Press.

As for me, I'll be off enjoying the scenery at the rodeo. (Gotta love them Wranglers!) Enjoy your weekend!