Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Three-Year Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway!

Three years! I've been blogging for three years! *commence flailing*

(No minion gifs this year - sorry! They'd probably be Star Wars gifs anyway, hehe.)

Sometimes I can't believe I've been at this for so long. Sometimes I feel like I'm still a newbie, finding her way in a sea of voices. Sometimes I still feel like I'm finding my way.

Sometimes I feel lost. 

I spent a year (2011-2012) in the blogging world, following blogs (like Erica's and Gail's!) before I started my own blog in December 2012. I was a high school senior, just finished with college applications, tucking in for the long wait to March. 

My life has changed so much in these three years; I honestly feel like a completely different person, and yet, wholly the same. Nothing about these past three years have been easy - my college experience especially has been, well, challenging.

I have no idea who or where I would be without my blog, without the blogging community, without books and reading and escapism in the form of words on pages.

Thank you to everyone who has touched my life in some way. Everyone who has tweeted something to me, commented here, viewed a blog post, read a blog post, liked my reviews, followed me on Goodreads, entered a giveaway, put up with me. I have so much respect for people who deal with me! I'm sassy and opinionated and bold and not afraid to speak my mind. In books, people LOVE these types of heroines. In real life, people really appreciate my candid nature. On social media, it doesn't always come across as "sassy" or "opinionated" - but rather, possibly rude or flippant. Soooo, a special thanks to those who understand me, or maybe don't, but love/like/put up with me anyway.

(I'm slightly - very - stressed and anxiety-filled right now because I know I'll leave someone out but it's not my intention! I hope I don't hurt or offend anyone if I don't mention a name - I truly appreciate so many lovely people! Forgive me if I forget you - I DO appreciate you!)

Pili, Carina, LizaLily, Erin, Sophia, Jessica, Brooke, Lauren, Nereyda, Cyra, Danielle, Nick, Mary, Alexia, Aila, Fatima, Meredith, Katiria, Rita, Amber, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, SajdaCookie, Grace, Eileen, Danielle, Sam, Kel, JuhinaCelesteAndrea, ShannonAnna, Gail, Rachel, Racquel, HeatherNikki, KarinaAneeqah, JaimeMaura, Crys, Kaitlin, Cyn, BrittKristen, Steph, Kelly, Marilyn, ZareenaJessiThais, Therin -- maybe it was one thing you tweeted to me, or a card or package that you sent to me, or a comment you posted on my blog. Constant comments, conversations on Twitter, Goodreads likes and comments, kind words - you all are amazing for a number of reasons, and I thank you all! Thank you for showing my blog or Twitter or Goodreads or ME support. It means the world to me!

Katie and Kelly -- my AMAZING Secret Santas this year! Katie spoiled me in #TBTBSanta and Kelly spoiled me in #SecretWitch. Thank you so much, both of you!

Lori, Lori, and Rachael -- thank you for your generosity! Recently you helped me track down those last three buttons and I am GRATEFUL! LizzieSkye, Kelli, Sondra, Jessica, Jen, Cyra, Brittany, Mary, Emma, Crystal, for successful trades throughout the year. You all are rockstars!

The three publicists at Avon, as well as the Avon Addicts -- I am so thankful to Avon for selecting me to be a round five participant! It is a privilege and honor. The Addicts are a lovely bunch, and the publicists are so kind and generous. Thank you!

JaimeRachelHannahthe folks at YA Reads and FFBC -- thank you all for being amazing tour organizers, and general LOVELY people! I adore all of you and working with you all is always super easy and fun. Thank you for all of your hard work! Also Jamie for being a fabulous human being, but also for organizing so many nice things like #TBTBSanta for so many years! Rockstar!

My Waterwitch Babes -- Lou, Gabi, Katrina, Charlene, Carine, Steph, Kaina, Kit, Kim, Olivia, Maddie, Ale, and Shanna. It has been an HONOR to get to know you all, work with you all, share love and excitement for Truthwitch together. I love all of you! And Nicola -- the Babes would not exist without you (or Sooz)! Thank you for all of your effort and enthusiasm! Another special thanks to Jess, who is an honorary Waterwitch - she and I have something special coming your way on January 7th. ;)

Susan Dennard - Empress Sooz, you are amazing. And so generous. I wish the world of success to you - Truthwitch is destined to be a successful book! 

All the amazing authors I got to meet at the Baltimore Book Festival this past September! I mentioned them all HERE - thank you for coming! Thank you for letting all of us book nerds fangirl all over you. I love you all!

Kathy MacMillan -- thank you for reaching out to me! I so enjoyed the opportunity to work with you and present (omg so exciting and nerve-wracking and exciting!), and I'm honored to know you, have met you, to have read (and loved!) Sword and Verse. I'll see you in a few weeks!

I could sit here and list a thousand and one authors who have done wonderful things with and for me, as well as fabulous authors who wrote amazing stories that touched my heart. Kimberley, Elissa, Melissa, Nicole, Lynne, Michelle, Christina, Emily (whose book The Accidental Movie Star was one of my first Kindle books I owned - and a favorite!) and all of the rest of the lovely authors who are amazing beyond words - thank you for being you! I'm honored to know you. 

Publishers and publicists too -- it's been an honor working with you all! I look forward to continue doing so in the future. Keep on rocking the publishing world!


And to everyone I forgot (because I sooo did - post-semester + holiday brain = holes in brain), as well as to all the people who are reading this, I adore you! I appreciate everything that you have said or done for or to me, and for putting up with me. Thank you to my parents, for housing my preciouses (my books!). Thank you God, for everything, especially for giving me a passion for reading (who even would I be if I didn't love reading?!). Thank you to everyone who has touched my life in some way - I am grateful!


I usually go through my stats but I also do that on my Dec. 31st post, so catch that in two days. For now, I will move on to my giveaway!


Winner picks two books. There will be one winner chosen from my blog, one chosen from Twitter (HERE). Feel free to enter both! The top row is hardcover, middle is ARC, bottom row is paperback. This is open internationally! Anyone can enter. Good luck! And THANK YOU!

97 comments:

  1. I would choose A Thousand Nights and Blood Passage as these would be new to me and are on my TBR!! Happy Anniversary-here's to 3 more!!

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  2. Happy Anniversary!!!I would choose Banished and Broken!:)

    Jackie @Jackie's Book World

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  3. Congrats on a successful 3 years! There are so many books that I'm really excited for so i guess my New Year's Resolution would be to find time for myself to read

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  4. I hope to maintain a healthy lifestyle in 2016 and to put more time aside to read.

    Happy Anniversary and Happy New Year!!

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  5. I'd love Blood Passage and When a Scot Ties the Knot. Thank.

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  6. My resolution is to give priority to series enders this year.

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  7. Happy Blog Anniversary. It's a pleasure to know you and work with you. Hope to see you IRL one day.

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  8. I have a blog (Savings in Seconds) but I have no idea when my blogoversary is. I think it was July 2010? 2011?

    I've been reading your blog for a while now, and love finding out your thoughts on recent reads. Congrats on college, bloggy things, and Happy New Year!
    Dianna

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  9. Happy Blogoversary! I'd probably choose Banished and Blood passage

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  10. Happy Blogoversary!!! :]
    I'd choose Another Day, and Broken. Thanks so much for the giveaway! :]

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  11. Happy blogaversary! I would Love A thousand nights and Blood passage! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  12. Happy 3 year Blogiversary!!
    I love Aestas Book blog and Black Heart Reviews a lot!!

    Betul E.

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  13. Happy Three Year Anniversary!!! I think mine is in June or July...I guess I have never kept track!

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  14. Happy blogoversary (I never know which way to spell it! haha)!!! I love you so much and I am so honored to have gotten to know you!!!! You are amazing and I hope that when Sooz gets Windwitch ready for pub, that we will still be able to be a part of the Waterwitch babes! (Screw that we are WaterwitchBabes for life!!! <3)

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway and for being around for 3 years! I hope that you stick around for much more! I just celebrated my 3 year blogiversary (there I go again!) in October :)

    I'd probably choose: A Song for Ella Grey and Behold the Bones.

    LOVE YOU GIRLY! <3

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  15. Happy Blogoversary! I'm determined to stop procrastinating in 2016. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Ann S

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  16. Eeeee! Happy Three-Year Blogoversary Alyssa <3 Thank you for including me in there, I'm so flattered <3 <3 My blogovesary is in July and I can't believe it's been 1.5years for me! A virtual cheers to many more for us :D *hugs and kisses*

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  17. Happy Blogoversary :) I would choose A Song for Ella Grey and Blood Passage.

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  18. Happy blogoversary!! :)
    I would choose Blood Passage and Behold the Bones.
    I don´t have a blog or a New Years resolution, but another blog I like to visit is BookNerdAddict.

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  19. My resolution for 2016 is to be way better at blogging haha! We've been around since 2009, but I can't remember when the actual start date was /= Thanks for the giveaway, love! Happy anniversary!!

    -Nichole @YaReads

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  20. Congrats on 3 years! That's no small triumph. I'd probably choose A Thousand Nights and A Song for Ella Grey.

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  21. Been blogging for 7 years already through multiple blogs.. LOL I've only been recently active tho :)

    Congrats on your 3 years! And hello fellow Avon Addict!!

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  22. i think i would pick teh tessa dare one and a thousand year ( blood passage is interesting but i don't have book 1 yet)

    new year resolution: try to be more regular about my blog post ( blog anniversary in october)


    thank you a lot!!!!!

    and congrats

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  23. Been blogging for 7 years already through multiple blogs.. LOL I've only been recently active tho :)

    Congrats on your 3 years! And hello fellow Avon Addict!!

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  24. Placebo Junkies and A Song for Ella Grey probably.
    Happy blogoversary!

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  25. I would pick These Shallow Graves and A Song for Ella Grey. I haven't got to read these 2 yet but I've heard good things.

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  26. Congrats, Alyssa!! I'm so happy I got to know this year, you're awesome :-)! I'd probably choose A Thousand Nights and Another Day, but not sure about that :-)! Thank you for your giveaway :-)!

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  27. Congrats!!
    I'd pick These Shallow Graves and A Thousand Nights

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  28. Happy blogaversary!!! I'm so glad you were one of my first blog friends! You're such a fantastic blogger and person! I love how you listed my name next to a Danielle in that big paragraph of mentions because that's my sister's name. Haha, I thought that was kind of crazy! I hope someday I can mention you in a three year post! Hope you have many more fantastic years of blogging! :)

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  29. Congrats!
    I would choose These Shallow Graves and A Thousand Nights!

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  30. Happy bloggoversary! I would choose These Shallow Graves and The Shards of Heaven.

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  31. *squishes tightly* HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY MY DEAR!!! You've been such an awesome friend to me all this past year and before!! I'm so glad that I met you in this crazy internet world of ours the book bloggers!! *launches cupcakes cannon*

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  32. Happy blogoversary! Your blog is amazing!! My blogoversary is August 3, 2016!

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  33. Happy 3rd blogoversary Alyssa! 3 years is such a long time, so it's a great achievement! Here's to more succesful year and looking forward to read your posts in the future <3

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  34. Wow! Three years of Blogging Bliss is something to be proud of for sure! In addition to that, I love it when people are candid, honest and sarcastic. Makes them fun and interesting! Kudos to you and I'm raising my champagne glass for you to have another 3 years! Big Hugs...RO

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  36. (take 2 okay)
    HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!!! Congrats on three years! i absolutely love your blog and your reviews! and THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SHOUTOUT omg. i'm honestly so emotional!! you're super duper nice and here's to many more anniversaries for you!

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  37. Congrats on 3 years! My new year's resolution is to take more time for myself - reading!

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  38. Happy Blogoversary. Congrats on 3 years. I would choose Another Day and Behold the Bones.

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  39. I would choose These Shallow Graves and Banished. Happy blogoversary! :)

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  40. Congrats on 3 years! My 5th blogoversary is coming up in a few months...it's kind of hard to believe!

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  41. I would probably pick These Shallow Graves and Another Day! Thank you and happy birthday to your blog!

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  42. Happy Blogoversary!
    I would love Blood Passage and Banished. Thanks for the great giveaway! :-)

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  43. I would choose Another Day and A Thousand Nights (together those sound like a song lyric!). I don't have a book blog, but my new years resolutions include being more active in meeting people to make friends and doing well in my new university courses.

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  44. A Thousand Nights and Banished would be my choices. Congrats on your three years!!

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  45. A thousands nights and Another day would be my two choices! Congrats on he 3 years! That is awesome.

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  46. Congrats! I think I'd pick A Thousand Nights and Banished :D

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  47. Aw happy three years!! It really is amazing how fast it goes some days. Congrats on hitting another blog milestone. Hope your year four is even better than the last three :D

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  48. YAAAAAAY :D Congrats on three years Alyssa. <3 Sorry for being a few days behind :) Your post is all kinds of gorgeous sweet girl. <3 I love that you have been blogging for so long. And I adore you and your blog so much :D And eeeeek, thank you for including me in your lovely post sweetie. <3 Hugs. You are very important to me :) Wishing you all the best with blogging. <3 And hope you will never stop :) And eee, thank you for lovely giveaway too sweetie. <3 I would love to win Behold the Bones + Banished, I think :D You are the best.

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  49. Happy Blogoversary!! If I was lucky enough to win I would pick These Shallow Graves and When a Scott Ties the Knot. Thanks for the chance!!

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  50. Happy blogoversary! :D I'd love Behold the Bones and A Thousand Nights!

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  51. Happy blogoversary! I would choose These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly and A Song for Ella Grey by David Almond. Thanks for the chance! (Valentina B. -on the raffle)

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  52. Congrats to you on your three years!! I would pick Blood Passage and Behold the Bones! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  54. Congrats! I would pick these shallow graves and a thousand nights

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  55. Happy blogoversary! I would probably pick A Thousand Nights and Banished! :)

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  56. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

    Alyssa, we started our blogs right around the same time, and honestly: whenever I'm in a slump/want to be inspired/or just want to find a great read, I look at your blog.

    I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished, and just the SHEER amount of energy that you have! :D

    Congrats again on this milestone!!

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  57. Congratulations!! I am so very happy for you- three years is such an amazing accomplishment. And thank you so much for mentioning me! You kind of made my day, and my smile may have been huge :D I agree with you so much about blogging being life changing too! It certainly has changed mine, 100% for the better. And funnily enough, YOU are one of the very first blogs I ever followed! Look at you, paying it forward :)

    Anyway, again, super huge congrats on the 3rd blogoversary- and I hope for many, many more to come! <3 <3 <3

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  58. Happy Blogoversary!! I'm ashamed to say that I honestly don't know when my blogoversary is :( I started it about 5 or 6 years ago, took some time off, came back as a review blogger, took some more time off, then finally came back as a book blogger a little over a year ago... Maybe I should celebrate the last one?! Anywho, As for books I'd choose... I absolutely need Broken to add to my shelves!!!! Thanks for the chance :) And the mention!!! *Hugs*

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  59. Happy Blogoversary!
    I'd probably choose These hallow graves and Another day.
    My blog's blogoversary is this sunday :)
    Thanks for the giveaway and congratularions!!

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  60. Like any American I def resolve to lose weight! :)
    Mary G Loki

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  61. Happy Blogoversary! I would choose These Shallow Graves and A Thousand Nights.Thank you for the giveaway:)

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  62. Happy Blogoversary!!
    I would pick These Shallow Graves and Behold the Bones.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  63. Happy Blogoversary!!
    I would pick a song for ella grey and banished
    Thank you for the giveaway

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  64. Happy blogoversary!
    I'd pick a thousand nights and banished, they look awesome:)
    I dont normally do new years resolutions because they never stick for me, but i realised they could be things i'd enjoy too this year so i'm thinking i should eat more pasta:) and review more books- which is a hard one for me because i get very nervous about reviewing books.
    Happy new year!

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  65. Happy Blogoversary! :)) Cheers!
    I'd be picking, if I were to win, A Thousand Nights and A Song for Ella Grey.

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  66. Yay, congratulations on three years! If I won, I would pick A Thousand Nights and Banished or Blood Passage. My goal for this year is to read at least 55 books (though I am hoping to exceed my goal, of course). :D Happy Blogoversary!

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  67. Oh man, how did I miss this post before?! A little late, but HAPPY 3 YEARS!! You know how much I love reading your posts and I love having a adult romance/HR buddy!

    Hope you have another fantastic year, Alyssa!!

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  68. Although I don't actually create New Years resolutions for myself, I am hoping to exercise more and with any luck work more in the movie/TV business. Thankfully the PA tax incentive was approved recently though unfortunately not before Niel Gaiman's American Gods series was moved out of PA in December because the budget hadn't been signed. Which I'm disappointed about. It was a huge production that we lost out on. :(

    Anyway, HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!

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  69. Thank you so much for the amazing giveaway! I would probably choose A Thoudand Nights and These Hallow Graves. Happy Blogoversary!!! :)

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  70. My 2 year blog anniversary for Fangirls Read It First will be in September. I'd choose Banished and A Thousand Nights.

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  71. Congrats!!! I would pick A Thousand Night and Behold The Bones. =D

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  72. Congratulations! I would pick These Shallow Graves and A Thousand Nights. Baking and less wasting of time. I am first grateful to Thea and Ana from The Booksmugglers. Thank you for the giveaway

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  73. What a milestone- congratulations! I would pick Blood Passage and Banished. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  74. I would pick Another Day and Banished. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  75. Happy Blogaversary. My fourth blogaversary is this February. Time sure flies when you're having fun:)

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  76. I would pick blood passage and behold the bones!

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  77. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!! I'd choose These Shallow Graves and When a Scot Ties the Know. Thanks for the giveaway!! :)

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  78. Congrats on 3 years! I would love Blood Passage, and When A Scot Ties The Knot. My favorite blog to follow is Seeing Double In Neverland.

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  79. Happy Blogoversary!!!!!!!
    I'd definitely go for These Shallow Graves and A Thousand Nights!
    Both books look absolutely amazing!!

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  80. I have a few bookish resolutions this year, including reading 30 books (last year I read 29) and to read more books outside of my normal genres. I also want to re-read Harry Potter (because I have not had a re-read in about 5 years).

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  81. Congrats!! My resolutions are to get back into shape and read 52 books in 2016!

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  82. Happy Blogoversary!! I would love to win A Thousand Nights and Another day.

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  83. Congratulations! My very first blogoversary will be in December.

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  84. Way to go! 3 years :) All the books look great. I love Tessa Dare's books, and I've been wanting to read Banished.

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  85. Happy Blogversary! I would choose These Shallowy Graves and A Thousand nights.

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  86. Yay! I would pick Banished and A thousand nights! Thank you for blogging!

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  87. Happy Blogiversary! I would choose Broken, and Playing Dirty: Bad Boys Undercover.

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  88. happy blog-anniversary! :) My favorite blogs are: tracy @cornerfolds (http://www.cornerfolds.com/)
    and claudia @mysoulcalledlife (http://www.mysoulcalledlife.com/)

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  89. Congratulations on making it to 3 years!! I'd choose A Thousand Nights and Banished.

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  90. I'd choose Behold the Bones and The Scotsman Ties The Knot.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  91. Congratulations on hitting your milestone! :) A couple of my goals include taking care of my mental health, and trying to start an exercise routine of some sort.

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  92. Happy Blogoversary!

    I think I'd like to read Another Day or These Shallow Graves.

    Shoutout to Oh, the Books! (although they're still on hiatus :( ) and Stories & Sweeties.

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  93. I'd pick Blood Passage and A Thousand Nights!
    Happy anniversary! <3

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Also, this an award and tag free blog. While I am flattered that you would think of me, I really do not have the time to follow up. Thank you!