Hello, dear PCN readers, are you still there?
In case anyone noticed, I have been away for a while, not just from this blog but from home. I spent the last 6 weeks of 2013 on the East Coast visiting different family members, eating extremely well (my daddy can cook!), but also freezing my buns off, which counteracted any weight gain from aforementioned delicious food.
While traveling, I stayed away from blogging and almost all social media activity, and found myself not missing it at all. I loved the real life that was happening: face-to-face conversations, laughter over late-night coffee in my parents’ kitchen, birthday celebrations, actual hugs, and snuggling with my cute-beyond-words niece/goddaughter. But I can’t mooch free food off relatives forever, and my toes threatened to fall off due to frostbite, so it’s back home and back to business.
I’m starting off the year with a giveaway of one of my favorite books from last year, Suspect by Robert Crais. The paperback was released this past Tuesday, and the kind folks at Berkley are allowing me to give away two copies of the paperback to PCN readers. Enter by leaving a comment below, telling me something you suspect will happen for you this year. As usual, lies are accepted; this rule is simply to make comments/entries interesting.
Giveaway ends Friday, January 17, 9 p.m. PST. Winners will be randomly selected and have 48 hours to claim prize before alternate winners are chosen. US addresses only, please. Good luck!
20 Comments
Jann
January 10, 2014 at 8:46 amAlready have the book, but I wanted to say welcome back! I was just complaining to my hubby yesterday that you’ve been off the grid for a while…glad you had a good time; happy new year.
Laura Benedict
January 10, 2014 at 9:02 amYou have been much missed, my dear! Sounds like a heavenly trip–I’m stunned that the cold didn’t drive you back sooner. Good for you hanging in w/ us poor frozen sorts. But I know niece cuddles are particularly cozy.
Hm. What will be new with me this year? It’s all rather hush-hush, but I’ll tell you. I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting my own reality show! It’s called Lady Writer. Very serious stuff. What my day is like. Lots of dreamy shots of me looking out the window, thinking deep, thinky thoughts. But plenty of drama, too. Machinations around Who Will Empty the Dishwasher, Who Has Been Snacking in The Cat Box, Should The Toilet Lid Be Closed or Open. Viewers may be whiplashed by my sudden changes in schedule: Will I write in the morning? Will I write in the afternoon? WILL I WRITE AT ALL? Guest appearances by the UPS Guy, and that dog pack that pees on my garden shrubs as my dogs go wild at the window. Of course, there will be a very special Lady Writer next holiday season, in which viewers will be riveted by Hrothgar tearing into the giant Dean & DeLuca box (a secret fan sends one every year, and his name might just rhyme with Laniel Braig!) while we’re Christmas shopping at the Rural King. And I know what you’re wondering–no bathroom cams!
See how much I’ve missed you? That’s like 4 blogs worth of blog comments right there. ; )
Paulette
January 10, 2014 at 7:36 pmHysterical. I would also watch this show!
Sarah
January 10, 2014 at 9:04 amWelcome back & Happy New Year! It sounds like your holidays were excellent! And (as always) I would love copy! I suspect my blog may become a reality this year only because I will meet my future billionaire husband who will say I can quit work and blog while traveling the world. =D lol
Naomi Johnson
January 10, 2014 at 9:16 amI already have the book, too, (as if you couldn’t guess) but so happy to see you back in blogging form!
techeditor
January 10, 2014 at 9:26 amI read this already. SUSPECT is a crime novel,and it’s not great literature. Although I prefer more literary books (and, yes, there is such thing as a literary crime novel), this book is more than just a who-done-it.
Robert Crais describes a wonderful man-dog relationship. Unlike so many man-dog relationship fiction, such as RACING IN THE RAIN, this story never sounds childish. This is why I rate SUSPECT highly.
Carol M
January 10, 2014 at 11:06 amI suspect that sometime this year I will burn out. I take care of my sick husband, my 91 year old mother, my 16 month old grandson and my 6 year old cat that is dying of kidney failure. How much can one person take. Reading is my only escape. I would love to read this book! Thank you for the giveawy!
Carol Wong
January 10, 2014 at 12:26 pmThank goodness for reading! Also you can get tips and help if you do some googling for caregiver.
Fred Conner
January 10, 2014 at 11:36 amGood to see you back. I have wanted to get that book for months, but could not justify the cost since I have been unemployed for more than a year. I HAVE been able to work a lot on my novel, and hope to publish it this year. (I hope that is not a lie!) Keep posting!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 10, 2014 at 11:53 amYou all have made me so happy this bright, warm L.A. morning. I suspected everyone has moved on to other blogs, ones that don’t take two months off. Thanks for not giving up on me.
Laura, you win the Best Novel-Length Comment of the Year Award! I’d watch your reality show. Heck, I’d stream it live.
Laura Benedict
January 10, 2014 at 8:22 pmConsider yourself an Executive Producer!
Thanks for indulging my silliness. xo
Pop Culture Nerd
January 10, 2014 at 8:42 pmYay! I can turn down the offer to produce HOARDERS!
Does this mean you’ll share with me the Dean & Deluca box that (rhymes with) Manny Wag sent?
Laura Benedict
January 10, 2014 at 9:54 pmWell, yeah! Of course I’ll share. Unless it’s all chocolate. Then we arm wrestle.
: P
Carol Wong
January 10, 2014 at 12:29 pmWelcome back, Happy New Year and thank you for the chance to win this book. I already know that Robert Ctais is one of the very best authors in this genre.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Paulette
January 10, 2014 at 1:23 pmWelcome home! I suspect that my immediate future will be brighter with your creative blogging. Yes, I am shamelessly promoting you! I do not need the book, simply wished to chime in!
Pop Culture Nerd
January 10, 2014 at 9:43 pmI appreciate your checking in on me last month to make sure I hadn’t been nabbed by aliens!
Anita Yancey
January 10, 2014 at 4:13 pmWelcome back! I suspect that I will get another gandchild this year. I’d love to read this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Shell Sherree
January 10, 2014 at 6:53 pmHello, PCN! It’s a pleasure to have you back ~ I know the time that goes into creating the well-crafted and intelligent posts such as yours and I figure it’s a gift to me whenever you do choose to post. If/when/however often you share your thoughts and insights with us is fine with me. Time with our loved ones is one of the most precious things on the planet.
I was very lucky to win an ARC of this before it was released thanks to you, and it’s a beautiful, touching and gripping read {and it’s Robert Crais, so what else needs to be said?!} All the best to those in the giveaway. Here’s to whatever adventures lie ahead for us all this year.
Paulette
January 10, 2014 at 7:36 pmWhat a beautiful post…
Pop Culture Nerd
January 10, 2014 at 9:32 pmThanks so much for the kind words, Shell. Having the support of friends like you keeps me coming back to blogging and not feeling like I’m talking to myself in the woods while some trees are falling.