For Authors For Bloggers Beck Valley Books is an influential book review site and book tour host - Book Reviewer Yellow Pages A dream to work with, professional, helpful beyond measure plus working with her is one of the best things I've done to promote my eBook - author Lisa Consiglio Ryan I love working with you - you're kind, encouraging and effective! Thanks for all you do for all of us authors! - author Kaira Rouda I knew I had met someone who would handle my books like they were her own. Truly a pleasure doing business with you! - author Melissa Foster Your service and perseverance to assure that the tour ran smoothly enabled its success. I cannot express my appreciation enough - author Joyce Strand Amazingly organized, efficient and stays on top of the details. Her professionalism is outstanding, communication skills unparalleled and she's even rather adept at hand-holding when it is necessary - author Barbara Boswell Brunner Thanks so much to you and all of your wonderful reviewers! I've had phenomenal success from this blog tour - author Delia Colvin

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Yay for Stephen King !! Keeping Real Book Alive !!


Picture of Stephen King

The American writer, renowned for his horror and science fiction writing, has decided that he will not publish an e-book version of Joyland, so “folks who want to read it will have to buy the actual book".

The book will be published by Hard Case Crime, the line of pulp-styled novels published by Titan Books.
King’s decision not to produce an electronic version marks a change of heart. A pioneer of digital publishing, in 2000 King released Riding the Bullet, one of the first mass-market e-books, saying that "I'm curious to see what sort of response there is and whether or not this is the future."

In the following two days after Riding The Bullet was published, half a million people downloaded it.
King continued to develop digital formats for his books, posting instalments of his novel The Plant on his website and asking for a dollar from people who downloaded it. "My friends, we have the chance to become Big Publishing's worst nightmare," he said at the time.


Explaining his decision to snub an e-book version of Joyland, King, 64, said: "I love crime, I love mysteries, and I love ghosts. That combo made Hard Case Crime the perfect venue for this book, which is one of my favourites. I also loved the paperbacks I grew up with as a kid, and for that reason, we're going to hold off on e-publishing this one for the time being.”


Joyland follows the story of a college student who visits a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, only to confront "the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever".

The new novel will be published in June 2013.



Telegraph.co.uk



Wonder if I should send him an invite to our Keeping Real Books Alive FB group :-)






$25 PAYPAL FLASH CASH GIVE AWAY !! OPEN WW


Karma Media is celebrating their 2k fan milestone on Facebook, and we're having a flash cash giveaway just for you! 

We love having fans, and we want you to know how much we appreciate each and everyone of you. 
Of course we would love to be able to give something to each and every one of our followers, but with new and exciting campaigns coming in, we hope you continue to follow us here at Karma Media as well as the hard working team behind it. 
Karma Media
Our team thought long, and hard, to find the perfect prize for our followers. In the end, only cold hard cash would do. After all who can't use some extra cash, so please join us in this celebration where we are giving one lucky fan $25 USD Paypal cash. 

We have opened the giveaway internationally so all are welcome to enter! 
Don't delay, this giveaway will be over in a flash, so be sure to enter today!

This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Paypal, nor Facebook. 
Winner will have 48 hours to confirm their Paypal address so that funds can be transferred. 
Failure to confirm will result in forfeit of prize, and a new winner will be chosen. 
Prize will be supplied by Karma Media, where we make you shine!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Weekly Book Blog Hop Time !! with Linky Followers Hop !!

For Wordless Wednesday please scroll down
This runs every Wednesday - Saturday
including a Book Giveaway linky, Goodreads linky
and Authors Who Welcome UK Reviewers linky

Beck Valley Books Weekly Book Blog Hop
Hosted by Beck Valley Books and co-host Mama Luvs Books

Our Book Blog Hop is here to unite all booklovers worldwide,
readers, book reviewers, authors, publishers, book bloggers, book sellers,
putting you all in touch with each other and keeping real books alive x
We would love it if you could share our hop with all your booky friends
and display are book hop badge (optional obviously x)

Wordless Wednesday - The Beauty of the Gannet

EXCLUSIVE REEBOK COUPON CODE FOR EASYTONE SHOE AND APPAREL ITEM !!

Reebok BOGO Online Coupon Code

EXCLUSIVE REEBOK COUPON CODE FOR EASYTONE SHOE AND APPAREL ITEM !

ENDS TONIGHT !! 5/30

$100 AMAZON GIFT CARD PLUS VICTORIA'S SECRET AND TARGET/WALMART GC TO WIN


Beautifully BellaFaith and over 160 blogs have put together an awesome gift card giveaway for everyone to enter.
Not only will one lucky person WIN a $100 Amazon gift card, but they will also win a $50 Victoria's Secret gift card AND a $50 Target OR Walmart gift card

This giveaway is open worldwide. You must be 18 or older to enter. It will begin May 30th and end June 7th. There will be NO substitutions for any of the gift cards. 

I realize that there are quite a few entries, so I included an end bonus! The more entries you have...the more of a chance you have to WIN!


THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE

$100 AMAZON GIFT CARD PLUS VICTORIA'S SECRET AND TARGET/WALMART GC

WAS

JEANETTE A

CONGRATULATIONS !!

LUCKY WINNERS OF TOBY'S BOOKS ARE.........

Photobucket

THE FIVE LUCKY WINNERS OF 
TOBY'S 'PAWDOGRAPHED' BOOKS ARE

V STAYTON
K PHILIPS
S STRODE
M BEHLEN
A WILLIAMS

CONGRATULATIONS !!


Special thanks to our the gorgeous Toby and also author Charmaine Hammond xx

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Saving the home of Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Above: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Some of Britain's leading authors have joined in a High Court fight to save the large Victorian house where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a number of Sherlock Holmes stories including The Hound Of The Baskervilles. 

Julian Barnes, the Booker Prize winning novelist, the crime writer Ian Rankin and Stephen Fry have teamed up with the Victorian Society and Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, to stop the grade-II listed building being turned into townhouses.

The High Court heard yesterday that Fossway Ltd, a company based in the Virgin Islands, wants to partially demolish it and convert it to eight separate homes.

Despite its literary importance and listing, the local authority Waverley Council issued decision notices in September 2010 allowing the owner to redevelop the property set in four acres of land.

The decision has caused an outcry and a judicial review of the decision was yesterday heard at the High Court in London.

The home, called Undershaw, was built in 1897 to Sir Arthur's specifications and was where he wrote 13 Sherlock Holmes stories and entertained many of his literary and artistic friends including JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan and Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula.

But the house has laid empty since 2005 and has been allowed to become dilapidated.
"Sherlock Holmes is pretty
Supporters argue it is a "national literary treasure" and say it could be used as a study centre and tourist attraction.

But the off shore owner see it just as a "development opportunity".

Paul Stinchcombe QC, representing John Gibson, founder of the Undershaw Preservation Trust, said there was strong public support for preserving Undershaw as a heritage asset because of its literary and historic importance.

It was the house in which Conan Doyle resurrected Sherlock Holmes, one of the most recognisable fictional characters in the world, in The Adventure Of The Empty House.

The author designed Undershaw and lived there from 1897-1907, completing 13 Sherlock Holmes stories in that time, including his most famous work The Hound Of The Baskervilles.

The building has been seriously neglected by the current owners, who view it as a "development opportunity", said a QC.

Mr Stinchcombe said there were 1,360 objections to the Fossway proposals, including from the Victorian Society and local MP Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary.

Other objectors were Sir Christopher Frayling, ex-chairman of the Arts Council, and Julian Barnes, who set his Booker Prize-nominated novel Arthur And George in Undershaw.

They also included Rankin and the writer and broadcaster Fry.

Mr Gibson, a Conan Doyle scholar, backed by many literary celebrities, was asking Mr Justice Cranston to quash Waverley Borough Council's decision to allow the Grade II-listed building to be divided into eight separate homes.

Mr Stinchcombe said the Fossway scheme involved using concrete blocks to divide Undershaw into a terrace of three houses.

The court heard that the council was entitled to take the view that the development proposed by Fossway would meet the objectives of preserving and safeguarding its literary association with Conan Doyle.
It was acknowledged that the proposals would have some impact on the original plan of the house, especially the construction of a new east wing.

But the house would retain existing important features including fireplaces, stained glass windows and staircases and it would be saved from further decline.

The proposals also included some demolition and the erection of five new town houses and the conversion of the stable block into garages.

The QC argued that the planning authority had failed to give proper consideration to a third party offer to buy the property so that it could once more become a single dwelling.

Mr Stinchcome said: "There was serious neglect by the owners of this building."

Its condition deteriorated rapidly through water coming in following the theft of lead from the roof and lack of security.

The council ordered urgent works in 2006 which stopped further deterioration, and recovered nearly £75,000 from Fossway to cover the cost.

A repairs notice was served in November 2008 but was not complied with by Fossway, said Mr Stinchcombe.

Mr Fry, a Patron of the Conan Doyle library and the former youngest member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, said: “It is more certain than anything else in all literature that Sherlock Holmes will last, not just centuries, but for millennia.

“There is so much a living, thriving Undershaw could achieve. It could be a study centre, a visitor attraction, aligning museum and a focus of pride.

"I urge all those have the power to think of themselves not as wrecking balls, but as people of vision and creative insight.

“There is real value in Undershaw. If it is thought about, it can attract new generations of tourists to the area, it can be an enormous source of local pride. Please, please, have another think.”

The judge reserved his judgment and said he hoped to give his decision soon.

Richard Alleyne
telegraph.co.uk

For me this story is a crying shame, we were brought up with Sherlock Holmes and we still love the character and books now.  Why should money come before whats right all the time!!



Follow My Pins Pinterest Hop

'Follow My Pins'  Pinterest Hop !!
Follow My Pins Pinterest Hop
Hosted by Karma Media
Let's connect with each other through the 'things' we find interesting.
Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

SAVE 25% OFF YOUR PURCHASE AT EXCESS BAGGAGE !! COUPON CODE

Shop Excess Baggage 25% off Coupon Code | CouponTrade online Coupons

SAVE 25% OFF YOUR PURCHASE AT EXCESS BAGGAGE !!

Monday, May 28, 2012

WIN A KINDLE FIRE !! ENTER TO WIN THIS AMAZING GIVE AWAY !!

WIN A KINDLE FIRE !!


THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY
HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY MAPLE CASINO

Open to Canada only
Ending on 30th May 2012
For more information visit the giveaway page here

ENTER TO WIN !!

GOOD LUCK !!

If the rafflecopter does not show after a couple of minutes, please refresh page x

Environmentally Friendly Water Beads with Eco-Orbies plus Give Away





Had to share with you all a new product that I was recently asked to review.  I think this is great and quite fun as well.  If your lucky enough you will have received a lovely bouquet of flowers in the past, filled your favourite vase with water and spent some time adjusting them to look nice.  Then in a couple of days the water goes old and stale and you need to take your flowers out, empty the water and refill, then spend a some more time putting your flowers in order.  

If you want to change this pattern, read on.....Eco Orbies are water beads that can be reused and reused and can be used numerous times for up to 15 - 20 years. They can make a simple glass vase come to life and if your feeling arty you can use different colours and create layers and patterns, as the colours will not bleed into each other.  They come unscented in nine colours, pink, orange, coral, yellow, blue, purple, black, green and even clear if you prefer the neutral look.   More importantly as they are reusable and biodegradable they are environmentally friendly!!  All you have to do is simply allow them to air dry for around 3-5 days and them store them away until you need them again, you can even do this if you fancy seeing a different colour.
Before adding any water to the water beads
We received two packets, black and clear, which really impressed my kids as they are the same colour as their football team !!  Very simple to use and came with care and use instructions.  We put the black beads in one bowl and the clear ones in another, as my idea was to layer the beads when ready.  Then it was time to add the water to the little beads and wait around 6-8 hours for them to soak in the water.  We really enjoyed  watching them grow, the kids loved this part, it was really quite hard seeing the clear beads as they grew as they are of course clear, but the black ones we're really great to watch.
After the 8 hours
Now it was time for the amateur artist to try and create something different and here is the results !! I'm not going to win an award but I'm pretty pleased with myself, although thinking about it I should have really put the black ones in last to make it a lot more easier for you to see the clear ones. A little tip - if your thinking about layering them put the second and further layers in slowly as they're quite playful. I decided not to add any scent to the eco-orbies but you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oils or perfume if you prefer.

 

Of course, now I just have to sit an admire them and I can't wait to see how long they last !!  There are a lot more uses for the Eco-Orbies, such as growing plants without soil or using for plant cuttings, decorating the top of your garden or indoor planters aiding your plants to grow, light up vase effects, even giving your goldfish a couple to play with - now that would be great to watch.  Lots more uses are listed on their website.

Facebook

I received this product through Karma Media in exchange for my honest review.

YOU CAN READ MORE ECO-ORBIES REVIEWS FROM KARMA MEDIA BELOW

10 LUCKY WINNERS WIN 1 PACK OF ECO-ORBIES !!

Open to US Residents
Ending on 8th June 

ENTER TO WIN !!

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Celtic Wedding Rings - Not just your average jewelry !



Ever since my first visit to the Holy Island in Northumberland where I first came across the Celtic design in a lovely little Celtic shop, I have truly admired the beauty of all the designs.  I have always wanted a Celtic designed ring but up until now I have never managed to found one that was just right around all the shops in the area.  When I had the opportunity to review a ring from the new range of Faith bands from Celtic Wedding Rings I was overjoyed, especially when the ring picked me immediately.  

The Aislinn Trinity Knot designed ring is absolutely gorgeous, the silver design is brought to life by the black background underneath.  This is one of the more popular Celtic designs and the one I love especially, it is said to represent three Celtic goddesses or the Holy Trinity. While the name Aislinn means a vision or a dream.  Some of the other rings in the Faith band range also have an inscription in the ancient alphabet of Ogham, which dates back to around the 4th century. For me it's not just a ring, it is a work of art with history.

When the ring arrived the sheer quality of the ring was obvious.  You can not just see but feel the quality, it's thickness, strength, and strong yet delicate pattern is beautiful.  You can tell how much workmanship has gone into providing the ring and I was and still am thrilled. I was anxious trying the ring on in case of the size being wrong and not being able to wear it, but the fit was perfect.  One slight warning with the ring is that it can be worn by males and females, so if like me, your husband gets his eyes on it you might be in for a ownership battle !!  

Picture of Aislinn Unisex Trinity Knot Ring

I also have to say how impressed I was with the help finding my ring size, it's been quite a while since I purchased a ring so guessing my size was going to be a problem.  Not only do they have the traditional ring sizer chart that you can download, they also have an on display ring sizer, so if you have a credit card or driving licence to initially tune the display and a ring to compare, it is extremely easy to obtain your size.

If you visit their site, a must is to take a look at their History and Mythology page, giving you samples of  folklore which are illustrated beautifully. They also have a learning centre with information on the different materials used and care guide and FAQ's.

I think you might have guessed by now how impressed and happy I am with my new ring, now I have finally found such a high quality piece of jewelry I will certainly be returning for future items.  I already have a Celtic pendant which I bought on my beloved Holy Island, the one thing I haven't yet got is a Celtic designed cross so here is my next purchase from my new favourite jewelry specialists. 


Yes they do design and sell other jewelry as well as the many different ranges of rings.  Don't be fooled by the name Celtic Wedding Rings!!  The also sell crosses, pendants, earrings, cuff links, tie pins and best of all they are based in Ireland yet sell worldwide.  



Saturday, May 26, 2012

Win an Annual Subscription of Creative Steps Magazine OPEN WW

Photobucket
We're taking part in the Bringing in Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by Karma Media.

Once you have entered our fantastic giveaway,  please take a look at all the other giveaways listed at the bottom of the post (after entering mind !!) 




WIN AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION OF 
Creative Steps
A fantastic magazine packed with easy, fun projects and activities … an excellent source of inspiration for primary school teachers, classroom assistants, childminders & nannies, nursery teachers, playgroup and pre-school organisers, home educators, Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Scouting leaders and, of course, parents and grandparents!
Visit their website

0 - 5 years 
Concentrating on texture and sensory stimulation, projects in this group include:
mobile
treasureUSE YOUR LOAF! - Take some slices of white bread and transform them into a colourful mobile.

 JEWELLED TREASURE - Make your own treasure trove using paper plates, sweet wrappers and tin foil!



5 - 7 years
Fun crafting projects to make with children in Key Stage 1, include:
hat
HATS OFF FOR ROLE-PLAY! - Six great hat ideas to give your role-play sessions       a headstart!
cupcake
VANILLA CUPCAKES - The prettiest cupcakes you’ve ever seen - perfect for a Mother’s Day tea. 



7 - 11 years
Great ideas for older kids to make and do:
ballerina
FIREBIRD BALLERINA - A beautiful, step-by-step art project using a number of different techniques including drawing, painting and collage.
mirror
MIRROR IMAGE - Decorate a little mirror and turn it into a colourful gift for Mother’s Day.





This amazing giveaway is open Internationally!!
Winners Choice of Online or Printed Annual Subscription!!
Ending on Saturday 2nd June at 12.01am Est

Enter Below and Good Luck !!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
YOU CAN NOW ENTER THE FOLLOWING GIVEAWAYS - GOOD LUCK !!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Its that time again !! Planet Weidknecht Weekend Hop !!

 
Welcome to the weekend!
Please pause to remember all those
Americans who ensure our country
stands for FREEDOM!
Then hop around and follow
some new bloggers!

SIGNED BOOK SPECIAL GIVEAWAY - Destiny by Laura DeLuca


We're taking part in the Splash Into Summer Blog Hop.
Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog

Once you have entered our fantastic giveaway, please take a look at all the other giveaways listed at the bottom of this post (after entering mind !!)

OUR GIVEAWAY



SIGNED BOOK SPECIAL GIVEAWAY
Includes a SIGNED copy of Destiny by Laura DeLuca, 
two boxes of incense, a few dessert rose wishing stones and a crystal point. 
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
Ending on 31st May at 11.59pm est

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabrielle and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabrielle and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabrielle and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

WE HAVE A WINNER OF 
THE SPECIAL DESTINY SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY 
Stacy Claflin 

CONGRATULATIONS !!


Special thanks to author Laura DeLuca for the amazing prize xx

Thursday, May 24, 2012

WINNER OF THE NEW iPad 3 PLUS a Tuxedo iPad Case is .....


CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE LUCKY WINNER !!!!!

Jessica K.


ENJOY !!!!!!

SAVE 20% OFF FINE JEWELRY AT MY JEWELRYBOX.COM COUPON CODE

20% off Fine Jewelry, Diamond Rings and Earrings at MyJewelryBox.com plus Free Shipping over $150 | CouponTrade Online Coupon COde

SAVE 20% OFF FINE JEWELRY AT MYJEWELRYBOX.COM

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

SAVE 10% OFF PLUS FREE SHIPPING AT SHOES.COM COUPON CODE !!

10% off plus Free Shipping Shoes.com | CouponTrade Online Coupon Codes

SAVE 10% OFF PLUS FREE SHIPPING AT SHOES.COM
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Welcome to Beck Valley Books
visit our website and search for your books at http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk/

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *