Banned Books Week 2020
September 19, 2020 03:38 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
Every year in September, I join the American Library Association (ALA) in celebrating Banned Books Week. Reading is a very fundamental right that can enrich our lives in many ways. That’s why I think that everyone should have the opportunity to read the types of books that they enjoy, which is why I stand against the censorship of reading materials. I sometimes understand the reasons behind why people are offended by certain books. In all honesty, there are a number books that I find offensive, too, but to attempt to censor or outright ban them is a very slippery slope. Once you start challenging books that have viewpoints or content with which you disagree, you’re opening a door for people on the opposite side of the spectrum to challenge books you may love. That’s why I simply choose to leave books which I know or suspect will offend me on the shelf.
Tags: Banned Books Week, Bette Greene
August 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway
September 19, 2020 02:47 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
I had some really great reads during the month of August, but only one romance rose to the five-star level. It was the continuation of a popular, paranormal romance series by a favorite author that has produced a lot of keepers for me. It pairs Limos aka Famine, the only female Horseman of the Apocalypse, with Arik, a member of the R-XR, which is a secret branch of the military that deals with paranormal phenomena. These two shared a brief sexually-charged moment in the previous book of the series, and as this story opens, they finally share a passionate kiss, which lands Arik in literal hell, where he’s tortured for a month before finally escaping. Afterward, Limos nurses him back to health, during which time things gradually heat up between them even more, but she is supposed to become the bride of Satan, and at first glance, there doesn’t appear to be an out-clause in her contract. So they spend the better part of the book trying to figure out if there’s a way for them to be together, while still battling her brother Pestilence, who has regrouped and is once again wreaking havoc on the Earth.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Larissa Ione
Set of 3-D Butterflies + Butterfly Serenade eBook Giveaway
August 15, 2020 07:17 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
This month for my second giveaway, I’m offering a set of twelve beautiful 3-D butterflies that can be used as either magnets or wall stickers and are sure to brighten any room. In addition, the winner will receive an eBook copy of my book Butterfly Serenade.
Categories: Giveaways
Tags: Butterfly Serenade
July 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway
August 15, 2020 07:08 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
For the month of July, I read only one romance that I rated the five-stars necessary to receive the honor being named Book of the Month. It’s an inspirational that has been held up as the gold standard, not only for this sub-genre but for the romance genre as a whole and has come to be regarded as something of a classic. It actually was a reread for me and I’m happy to report that I loved it every bit as much now as I did upon first reading it about twenty-five years ago, so it has definitely held up to the test of time as well. The book was inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, and is set against the backdrop of California during the gold rush days. It tells the story of a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child and hasn’t known any other life since, nor does she believe in love. However, a simple but kind farmer who falls in love with her at first sight and feels like God is telling him that this is the woman who is meant for him sets out to change her mind, a process that takes a lot of patience and persistence over the course of four years time.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Francine Rivers
Love Proverb Wall Sticker + eBook Giveaway
July 15, 2020 07:38 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
Since my winner for this giveaway last month was outside the US, I still have this fun prize to offer for my second giveaway this month. It’s a removable wall décor sticker that says, “Love isn’t finding someone you can live with. It’s finding someone you can’t live without.” In addition, the winner will receive an eBook copy of any one of my books, winner’s choice.
Categories: Giveaways
Tags: Butterfly Serenade, Heart of the Season, Hearts Ignite in the Desert, His Heart's Desire, The Key to Her Heart
June 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway
July 15, 2020 07:30 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
With regards to quantity, I didn’t read many books during the month of June, mainly because I was reading an epic novel that took this slow reader most of the month to complete. However, it was an excellent book that ended up being my favorite five-star read of the month. Although now six years old, it’s the most recent book in this equally epic series that follows star-crossed lovers Jamie and Claire. I know now that I’ve mentioned their names, it will obvious to most exactly what series I’m talking about, and it’s been a favorite of mine for over twenty-five years. Much like Jamie and Claire’s love for each other, my love for them and this series is just as strong now as it was when I first picked up the inaugural volume of the series all those years ago, and I don’t anticipate that I’ll ever get tired of it. I’m always eager to see what happens next, which is why I simply couldn’t put this or any other book of the series down.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Diana Gabaldon
Decorative Love Proverb Wall Sticker + eBook Giveaway
June 14, 2020 03:14 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
This month, for my second giveaway, I’m offering a removable wall décor sticker that says, “Love isn’t finding someone you can live with. It’s finding someone you can’t live without.” In addition, the winner will receive an eBook copy of any one of my books, winner’s choice.
Categories: Giveaways
Tags: Butterfly Serenade, Heart of the Season, Hearts Ignite in the Desert, His Heart's Desire, The Key to Her Heart
May 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway
June 14, 2020 03:08 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
May was another good reading month for me with lots of four and four-and-a half star reads, but only one book rose to the top and received the five stars necessary to earn Book of the Month status from me. Written by one of my favorite authors, it’s the second book the series that introduced her to me. I featured the first book of this same series a couple of months ago, and this one was another awesome re-read. I just adore the entire Knight clan and this book has long been one of my favorites in the series. It’s the story of two lonely souls finding comfort and understanding in each other’s arms, while fighting the forces of evil who want to destroy, not only their burgeoning love, but also the lives of others. This book has a little something for everyone: heart-pounding action and suspense, spy intrigue, a rich and detailed historical setting, and best of all, swoon-worthy romance.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Gaelen Foley
Beautiful Butterfly Scarf + eBook Giveaway
May 17, 2020 12:08 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
For my second giveaway this month, I’m offering a beautiful butterfly scarf that measures 150 cm x 50 cm (approx. 59” x 19.5”). It has a gray background with bright butterflies in shades of blue, pink, red-brown, and yellow. In addition, the winner will receive an eBook copy of my book Butterfly Serenade.
Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win. Good luck!
International Entrants: You are welcome to enter my contest, but due to the high cost of shipping overseas, if the winner chosen is outside the US, they will receive the eBook prize, along with a $5 Amazon gift card instead of the scarf. Please note that the gift card will be issued from Amazon.com (the US site), as I am unable to purchase one on any international Amazon sites. It’s my understanding, however, that the card can only be used to purchase items on Amazon.com, and not any other Amazon sites. So please be aware of this limitation before entering.
Categories: Giveaways
Tags: Butterfly Serenade
April 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway
May 16, 2020 07:04 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
After having only a couple of five-star reads during the first three months of the year, I found myself with so many in April that I had a hard time choosing which one to feature as my Book of the Month. I finally settled on the newest book of one of my all-time favorite series that I’ve featured several times before. This book is a turning point in the series that essentially makes it the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. That’s because the war that has dominated the series from the beginning finally culminates as readers get to see whether a long-held prophecy is fulfilled, and if so, in what way. But in addition to some major changes in the overall series story arc, we also have a beautiful, love-conquers-all romance between our main hero and heroine that of course makes it all worthwhile.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: J. R. Ward
