My mailbox was a little crowded today .

1. Tempted by PC Cast & Kristen Cast
2. Silent Night, Haunted Night by Terri Garey
3. Hot Spell by Michelle Rowen
4. Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
5. From Mountains of Ice by Lorina Stephens
6. Eating Pomegranates by Sarah Gabriel

New mail guy, not cool…he thought stuffing a book in my mailbox was a great way to not have to come upstairs to my actual apartment. Umm, buddy you almost made me hulk like angry, it was a PROOF you almost damaged. Not cool.

I found out today from both Michelle Rowen & Terri Garey, why us Canadians have such a funky time trying to find books on release dates. Says Michelle: “For some reason US Releases are on the last Tuesday of the month” she suggested Loblaws if you just can’t wait for category romances. I hadn’t the slightest that Loblaws sold books!

Says Terri: “New releases come out on the last Tuesday on the month in the US, the first day of the month in Canada, so that’s probably why there’s a difference. It’s called a “lay-down” date, meaning that’s the day the booksellers lay them down on the table/put them on the shelves, but individual bookstores can vary, and some put them out early. Or late.”

So there you have it, I had no idea. I just know unless it’s a strict release date, I have a hell of a time finding a book that’s not in the back still in boxes. Never mind, pre-ordering has been nothing but drama for me. I once had to wait for 2 weeks for them to order a big order from Tennessee to ship it to Toronto for me, AFTER I had pre-ordered a month in advance. Needless to say, I haven’t pre-ordered since.

Finally, Jackie at Literary Escapism awarded me with my first blogger award, the Heartfelt award.  Thanks Jackie!

“Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you’re relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy ? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.”

I am to list 9 blogs that make me feel warm and cozy…

• One Love For Chi (please check this blog out, it’s not a book blog but a blog about Chi, the bassist for the band the Deftones who was in a horrible car accident last winter. The love of his family is something special.
• Marta Acosta’s Vampire Wire, Marta is great as a writer & a blogger.
• My Twin, someone who shares the same love of books I do…Sidhe Vicious Reviews
• Ellz Readz who’s been doing some great interviews lately
• Bibliophile’s Passion, who hasn’t been around lately.
• Bite’s who I’ve recently discovered
• Of course Doug aka SciFi Guy
• Book Whisperer, another favorite
• Parajunkee’s View, she makes beautiful templates!

Don’t forget to enter the Linda Wisdom Hex in High Heels Contest!