Romance Is in the Air Blog Hop

Romance is in the air this February and I'm celebrating by participating in the The Romance is in the Air Giveaway Blog Hop, hosted by BOOKHOUNDS, and just in time for Valentine's Day. There are over 100 blogs participating in this blog hop, so join in the fun and let's share some love!

When you think of Romance novels, you must have a favorite author, right? You know it! And what's better than getting a free book by the author you love the most? Well, hold on to your rosebuds! Today to celebrate romance and all the gushing you do when you read a great love story, I'm giving away a simple prize where you can choose your own prize.

I'm giving away one (1) FREE $10 Amazon Gift Card to (1) winner, so that they may pick to their heart's content. See the details below on how to enter:

To enter…

You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form. (And yes, I do check GCF)

Extra entries…

+2 Subscribe to my blog
+2 Like me on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Follow me on Google Plus
+1 Tweet this Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Entry-Form

The giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on February 4th - February 14th, midnight. Contest is open to International participants.

Want to see who else is participating? Visit BOOKHOUNDS and check out all the links and hop on by.

Mina Burrows

IWSG: Writing & Reading

Today, I'm posting for The Insecure Writer's Support Group for February.  IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month's host are Allison Gammons, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend!

Progress is slow right now.  I'm hoping things will move a bit faster, but it challenged with managing all aspects of my life.  Sometimes even keeping up with my blog is a challenge. Sigh.  I won't bemoan those everyday challenges, because they are what they are, and I'm working through that.  Anyway, I saw a quote recently from Stephen King that mentioned the importance of reading in order to be a good writer.  Sometimes that's difficult for writers since we usually have so much on our plates.  I do read often at night when I can't sleep, I'll read a chapter or two.  One of the last books I read was At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen and I really enjoyed it.  I'm not sure if I completely agree with Stephen King's comment entirely, but he does have a point.  How would be know what we like or don't like unless we read.  Right?  Anyway, I thought to ask my friends, do you agree with that statement or do you think it's a bit too harsh?  And if you don't mind, please share a book you read recently.

Hope a fantastic Wednesday!

Mina Burrows

Lost & Found - Valentine's Edition

Today's Lost & Found Blogfest - Valentine's Edition is hosted by Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out,
Guilie Castilol-Oriard at A Quiet Laughter , Elizabeth Seckman, Yolanda Renee, Denise Covey,
and Alex J. Cavanaugh.  My post is about discovering new things about love in my own life.

The Demons turned Angels

Valentines Day for me represents a time for celebration for I was gifted with my daughter almost nine years ago and found that love brought a whole new meaning to me.  She was born on February 2nd and has been making her mark ever since.  When I became a parent over a decade ago, I wasn't prepared for what parenting would bring me.  Who is though?  It's been a wonderful ride, however, filled with situations that I'd never dreamed of.  Lately, I've witnessed both my son and daughter exhibiting small acts of kindness towards each other.  I wasn't prepared for this because they are at the age where they fight like demons too--just like any siblings really.  Still, every now and then...they surprise me.  For example, my son has now started opening the door for my daughter, being courteous.  What?  That was nice.  Score one for my buddy.  Or the other day, I heard my daughter mothering my son.  "You look like you have to go the bathroom.  Do you?  Go to the bathroom.  I'll pause the movie so you can go."  It was a simple comment I overheard--one which I couldn't stop laughing silently in the other room.  She no doubt heard me say that to my son.  What I found with these small gestures was they love and care for each!  What?  My brain may explode any minute with that realization seriously.  Hey, I know they care about each other, but witnessing their kindness was a entirely different experience of love.  Remember, this doesn't happen sometimes among siblings.  I felt blessed to have even the smallest sign of that.

Lost Dog Runs a Half Marathon

This story is another lost and found love story that went viral last week.  If you haven't had a chance to watch this news click, please do.  Apparently this dog went outside to do her business and then ran off to join a half marathon.  Too funny, huh?  Talk about being lost and found...

Hope you have a great week!

 Mina Burrows