This is the week to stop procrastinating and get those borrowed books back to the library and back to the friends that you borrowed them from.

Yes, for some reason March 1-7 has been set aside as “Return Your Borrowed Books Week”.

I buy most of my books because I take so long to read them, and wonder what the fines are for returning books now?  They used to be a nickel, a dime, really low.  Are they still?

John Grisham, one of my favorite authors, is on MSNBC’s Morning Joe site answering questions live right now…I’m hopping back and forth between blogging and viewing.

If you’re interested in being a part, click here and chat with John Grisham.  Take a look at the information about his newest book, “The Associate”.

Some interesting questions are being asked….I wonder if he will answer them all?

An author and friend who wrote a humorous parenting book will be partnering with Barb Desmaris, a parenting coach, to bring you a Teleseminar on Feb 2nd at 7 pm EST.

The seminar title is Parenting:  What We Know For Sure. There is no cost for this event, to register, go to this link at teleclasscatalog.com.

This is sure to be a fun and interesting event, so make your free reservation and mark your calendar!

How many of you authors that stop by to visit this site have written love stories? Please let us know in a comment! Have you read a good love story lately? Do tell!

February will be here soon…I hope…especially today when it is so bitterly cold in the Northeast and I want to hurry the months until Spring. But not so fast as to skip over that romantic date on the Calendar, Valentines Day. It’s a day that plays on the imagination of those who have not yet met “Mr. or Mrs. Right”, and brings back memories for those of us who have…and hopes of making new memories this year.

I have had the pleasure of indulging in reading some extremely romantic World War II letters written by a man to his wife while he was overseas. I picked them up at an auction about a year ago, and have just started to delve into them. I have over 100 letters left to read, he wrote a letter every few days over a period of almost 2 years, and all at least 2 pages long. I can’t help but think that these letters would make a wonderful book. The letters are a testament to the love and devotion this man had for his wife, and reading them is a lesson in romance itself.

As for my love story, well, that’s a story for another day, not quite as dramatic, but our marriage of 3 months shy of 30 years shows the commitment and love that my husband and I share for one another. As for Valentine’s gifts this year? Well, finances are challenging this year for us, and for many others, I’m sure, so gifts will be simple, yet nice. I’ll be looking online as usual, giving my husband ideas, and thinking of ideas for him. It helps inspire ideas to browse sites, like the Valentine’s section of redenvelope.com, for example…browse as much as your “heart” desires and do a little dreaming…and maybe take a lesson from my WWII gentleman, take some time to write a romantic letter to go with your gift…it will be treasured, I promise!

Introducing a book launch that is taking place TOMORROW! Don’t let the title fool you, this isn’t just a book for marketing during the holiday season that has just past, it’s much more!

Recession Proof Your Business In 2009 with “The 2009 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide!”

Title: 2009 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide
Author: Ginger Carter-Marks

This is an invitation to an Amazon.com eBook Launch of “The 2009 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide”, Your business marketing calendar of ideas

Launch Hours:

(48 hours only): From 12.00am Thursday, 8th January 2009 USEST
to 11.59 pm Friday, 9th January 2009 USEST
(http://www.worldtimezone.com/)

So… How will you be rewarded for taking action… between 12.00am Thursday, 8th January 2009 USEST and 11.59pm Friday, 9th January 2009 USEST only?

With an incredible array of inspiring and empowering resources that can support you in all areas of your life! They are truly valuable, unique and have a retail value of over $700. However, for 48 hours only, they are yours absolutely F-R-E-E because you simply purchased a copy of The 2009 Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide between 12.00am Thursday, 8th January 2009 USEST and 11.59 pm Friday, 9th January 2009 USEST only at Amazon.com!

Yes, you can buy the book any time, but it is only during these 48 hours that you’ll get these precious bonus gifts!

To get a sneak peek at what is inside please visit http://www.holidaymarketingguide.com/

(NOTE: When it says “Out of Print–Limited Availability” it means it’s an eBook ONLY!)

Vicki Taylor is starting out the year with a fun opportunity for you, a writing contest!

The contest runs for the full month of January, 2009.

It’s free to be part of the contest, and you have a chance to win a nice prize…for all the details, please visit this link which will lead you to all you need to know at Vickie’s website, vickimtaylor.com.

This launch runs for 24 hours on Thursday, December 18th…I don’t have time zones, but am guessing you must purchase within Amazon.com’s time zone…below you’ll find all the information that you need, and remember, to receive the FREE GIVE-AWAYS you must purchase on the launch date of Thursday, December 18th.  Mark your calendar, and save this post to your favorite social bookmarking service using the “button” at the end of the post.

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

RECLAIM YOUR LIFE - 24 HRS ONLY

Buy this Book December 18th & Receive Over $500 in FREE GIFTS

Promotion Title – “Now That He’s Gone”

ONE DAY SPECIAL OFFER:

Order “Now That He’s Gone: A Financial Therapist’s Guide to Life After Loss” by financial consultant Beverly Tobocman on Amazon for $14.95 by midnight, THURDSAY, DECEMBER 18TH.

“Now That He’s Gone” is a book for both divorced and widowed women taking those first tentative steps towards rebuilding their life on their own. While Beverly gives some financial advice to these women she primarily focuses on the importance of reaching out to others who have experienced loss and forging friendships with women in similar positions. The book is a light read offering much in the way of hope, positive thinking and motivation, dotted with humor. Go to www.nowthathesgone.com for a full review of the book.

ORDER ON DECEMBER 18TH ONLY and you will receive:

(1) A downloadable e-seminar by the author, Beverly Tobocman, entitled “Personal Finance After Your Loss” absolutely free! It’s an informative, video chock full of wise tips for solo financial success and a $500 value available exclusively with the purchase of “Now That He’s Gone” on Amazon.com ONLY ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th.

(2) A downloadable e-book by international author Ginger Marks entitled “Ten Truths of Business Ownership”. Ginger Marks, owner of a successful family of companies in writing, design and publishing, draws from her vast knowledge and experience to share the ten truths to business ownership to begin your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

(3) A downloadable e-book by author Tim Darnell entitled “Slay Your Giant”. An entrepreneur, singer and author, Tim Darnell’s book challenges, inspires and encourages you to embrace change, providing powerful tools and insight to help you fulfill your greatest dreams. This gift was graciously offered by Claudia Meydrech , publisher of ebookandbookreviews.com.

TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GIFTS FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. Go to www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0615199534 and purchase “Now That He’s Gone” by Beverly Tobocman on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th before midnight.

2. Send your Amazon.com confirmation e-mail to info@nowthathesgone.com and we will send you back the gifts. It’s that simple!

THIS IS A ONE TIME OFFER – MAKE TOMORROW “Now That He’s Gone Day”!!!

(12/3 Update - Please check the links in the following post, I believe the give-away and launch has been extended at least through this week.)

I received the following from a friend, Kathie Thomas, please read the details about the launch and prizes being offered below, and mark your calendar! It’s fun for both author and readers to participate in a book launch and watch the rating rise on Amazon, especially for an author as special as Kathie.  Kathie lives in Australia, so offers info for those living there as well.

Here’s the info I received by email:

On Monday 1st December my new book “It Happened By Design” will be launching at Amazon.com. (24 hours only): From 12.00 am 1st December 2008 US EDT (4pm 1st December -3.59pm 2nd December AEST)

During that time period there will be over $700 worth of giveaways to anyone who purchases a copy of the book from Amazon and then visits http://ithappenedbydesign.com/amazon-campaign-entry.htm to fill in the format the bottom of that page (not active till 1st December) to receive their free giveaways.

This book would make a great Christmas gift for those who love to read stories of real-life happenings where something special has taken place. http://ithappenedbydesign.com will give you an outline of what the book is about and you can read the reviews at http://ithappenedbydesign.com/reviews/.

Remember, the launch takes place this coming Monday 1st December (24 hours only): From 12.00am 1st December 2008 USEDT (4pm 1st December - 3.59pm 2nd December AEST)

Regards,

Kathie

P.S. The book is available for order in Australia at the book website also.

Kathie M. Thomas, AFAIOP, MVA, ASO, Author, Speaker, VA Coach
Award-winning “A Clayton’s Secretary”R, est. Mar 1994
Ph: 613 9585 5780, Fax: 613 9585 3785
Web: www.vadirectory.net or www.kathiethomas.com
Blog: http://www.vadirectory.net/blog/
Join me on Facebook: http://www.kathiemthomas.com