Hello, hello!

Yes, it's me. I've been gone for months and I'm sorry about that. Life has just gotten in the way. I've been meaning to post here for awhile now and things have kept me busy and occupied. So, I figured it's better late than never.

What's been going on?

Last December my husband and I moved from Southern California to Liverpool, England. He's originally from there and we've been talking about giving it a go living there. He's been wanting to go back home for some time and I love it there so we took a chance and started the process of moving across the pond.

What most don't know is it's not as easy as simply (or not so simply) packing up your life and moving. It takes a lot of paperwork, money and time to complete the move. 

How DO you do it?

Well, since he's from England... born and raised he has kind of dual citizenship by default. He became a citizen of the US about two years ago now. Going home for him is easy. Taking me with him is what's difficult. We always knew that when we left in December. We knew that I'd only be there for a few weeks to a few months, depending on what my passport was stamped when we went through Immigration upon arrival. We knew that when that time was up I'd have to come back to the states, with him remaining behind in the UK to work while I came back to So Cal to file paperwork. 

You see, I had to do the paperwork from here in the US. I had to send over 3 pounds in weight of paperwork to prove our 15 year marriage. We had to prove that we weren't in it for a green card. Needless to say it was more paperwork than I could even tell you here, so I'll just leave it at that.

It also costs a CRAP TON of money as well.... and the catch? Or two catches actually....

1. This lasts 2.5 years. Then we have to do it allllllllllll over again. The good thing, I can do it from the UK then and it'll save us some money in airfare and shipping (It was... just in shipping the paperwork $277.00!! Why? Because you have to pay for the originals to be sent back to you as well. And shipping stuff two day, so they get the paperwork in the time they give you from when you complete your bio-metrics appt. it is in fact that much to send 3 pounds in weight of paperwork from Southern California to Sheffield, England)

2. They can deny you. And if they DO deny you and you choose to apply again you start over from scratch. And you PAY all over again as well. There's no guarantee in any of this. Our fate is in someones hands right now. AND IT IS TERRIFYING.

Wait?? You guys are APART to do this?

Yes. We sure are. I came back to the states in mid April and I've been here since. I had to renew my passport and we had to finish gathering things for our paperwork so we could e-file and then mail the forms needed. They received the paperwork on June 20th and it was just last week that I received an email letting me know that it was in fact received and someone would be assigned to work on it soon. 

They ask you what your date of travel is and we picked Sept 15th, (this is due to the fact that it tends to take, on the norm 2-3 months. There is a quicker way to rush things, but that costs another $1000.00. Yeah, no.) so that means if it's completed and they've approved me that'll be the earliest date I can leave the US. However... yes, another however.... lol If everything is done and set and I can head back "home" I have ONE MONTH to enter the UK or we're not sure what happens exactly. SOOOO, our goal is for me to be back in the UK before our 16 years together/15 years married anniversaries on Oct. 11th.

We HOPE *crosses EVERYTHING* that I'll be traveling the first week in Oct. We hope. 

We're really missing each other. Texts and FaceTime has helped and we do "dates" where we watch a movie or TV show together, but even that's starting to become hard to take. We have moments where were depressed and angry, and were really trying to deal. We know there are other people out there who are apart for so much longer than what we're dealing with so I feel for everyone that's for sure.

What else have you been up to?

I've been spending TONS of time with family. When I first came over, no one knew what the date was. They thought I was coming home later than I really was. We planned this to surprise everyone and we did that by leaps and bounds. And have the videos to prove it lol. Lots of time with my nieces. Mainly the older one since the younger niece doesn't like to come stay with us more than a night. She gets homesick. 

I've been trying to slowly sort the last of the stuff that we didn't pack before December last year. It's mainly some misc. things and my books. We're going to ship everything over at some point, so I'm trying to purge as many books as possible to save us some money. I HATE doing it, but I have to sacrifice something and it happens to be weight in the form of books. :(

I've also taken a few small trips with family while I've been here and seen a few friends. I've attended a book signing too!

One extremely exciting thing that happened right at the beginning of the year. Great friend and author Heidi Joy Tretheway was in the UK for work and I had a chance to take a day out to see her. It was one of the best days and we all had a great time! While we were chatting we talked about her hiring me to be her PA... so soon after that, exactly that happened. 

If you haven't read her books, you are SO MISSING OUT! Here's her Amazon link. Don't walk, RUN and grab up her books - Tattoo Thief is FREE! And the fourth book - Say It Louder comes out really soon. 

I've also been BETA reading for her, JC Emery, Toni Aleo, Bethany Lopez and others. I LOVE doing it!

And lastly, I've been working on plotting my OWN writing. Working for Heidi has helped me to learn SO MUCH and I know I have some great friends that I can go to for questions.

So, in a nut shell, the blog has taken a back seat. At least for now. Sadly, something had to give and it fell here.

Does this mean the blog is finished?

No. Not necessarily. I'll never say never. Having been blogging for SIX years here at A Life Bound By Books is hard to just give up. It's hard enough just putting it on hiatus. It's hard enough not having posted anything in as long as I have. It was just such a huge part of who I was for so long, that giving it up took so much out of me I don't even know how to start explaining it.

I'm still here. I'm still great friends with my co-blogger, Jenny who used to post reviews and various events in the book world she had attended. As a matter of fact, she's from the UK and lives not too far from where I do over there. We've seen each other a bunch of times. She picked us up at the airport when we landed with another friend Rachel AND when I came back the states her and her mum came with me lol. 

I'm still VERY active on Facebook. You can find me -

A Life Bound By Books

Lisa (My Personal page but I talk mainly bookish things)

Please feel free to find me on both.

So what now?

Well, that's a great question. Mainly I'll just keep plugging along here until we hear back on my immigration status. I'll also continue to reading as much as I can and try to get ready for that long, long, boring flight back to the UK. I can't wait to see my husband and friends there. I can't wait to do all the things there we have planned. I can't wait to start attending author signings there again. I can't wait for the weather. I just can't wait! Being in this holding pattern for this long isn't fun. I mean by the time I get back over there it'll be just two weeks shy of SIX LONG MONTHS! (That is if it all goes to our plan.)

If you guys could all send some good thoughts our way and maybe cross your fingers would be wonderful.

And with that... I'm officially putting A Life Bound By Books on HIATUS.

I'll try not to stay away this long again. And I promise that when time permits we'll be back.

Much love, 

PS - If anyone ever has any questions about Immigration from the US to the UK please feel free to email me. You can find my email on the right had sidebar. I still use that email and check it daily. We'd be more than happy to help anyone. It's a daunting task and we've come a long, long way and have untangled a lot to find the answers we have. So please feel free to ask away.

Hello from the blustery and chilly UK!

Things have taken me a bit longer than I had hoped to get into the swing of "normal" everyday life. It still feels like I'm on a vacation or holiday so I'm trying to force myself to sit down at least a couple times a week to do blog work. Starting today!

I've been brain storming and I'm about to talk to two readers who expressed interest in helping out here so I'm hoping over the next few weeks things will start to pick up again and be back to a smooth-er working order.

My thanks goes out to everyone who's stuck around during this huge transition. I appreciate each of you more than you know.

I have a few things in mind that'll be coming up soon, so keep an eye out here for more exciting details to come!

Until then, happy reading!

So, here we are again. Another update. My mom had surgery last Thursday and just came home yesterday. She's resting better now that we have her back in her own bed... but has a long recovery ahead of her. She came home with a few medical things that I'll have to take care of for her until her first check up next week. Also, since she can't do most everyday things for many weeks I'm here doing all those too. Well, many of them as my dad is helping out too!

And this is where the HUGE THANK YOU comes in. For being patient with me and the lack of posts for the past 3 weeks now. And with that thank you.... I'd like to let each of you know that posts will be spotty for the next few weeks as well, but I'm hoping to have some time to do a few here and there, so again I'm asking for patience until things are a bit more steady here.

We all know that sometimes life takes us away from things and that sometimes those things are unexpected. In the... almost 6 years I've been book blogging now it hasn't happened much but it has happened. And that's one thing I love about this community that everyone is so understanding.

So, again THANK YOU for taking this bumpy ride with me while I find my way back to my version of "Normal". 

Hey everyone! Me again with a quick update. Sadly, my mom is back in the hospital and had to have another procedure today and were all still waiting to find out if they're bumping her surgery up or keeping it scheduled for late next week.

Her team of doctors can't decide on the best coarse of action, as they each want to make a different plan for fixing the various problems she's having.

With that being said, I'm going to take another short hiatus for the next few days until we have a better idea what's going on. Not being home much makes everything difficult, including blog work and even reading.

Thank you for understanding the blog posts being spotty until she's home and we're in recovery mode. <333

Hi everyone. I'm sure some of you have seen my Facebook status updates about my mom being sick and in the hospital. And for those who don't know... well, she's pretty sick, worse than we originally thought.

It's a long story with a lot of frustration, worry and stress.

So I won't be around much and the blog will feel a bit empty until we get her home and settled.

Thanks for understanding everyone.

<3

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for being so patient with me this last week. Those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter I'm sure have seen that I've been fighting a horrible stomach flu this week. I haven't been able to do much but stare at the walls. I haven't been able to read in over a week (it's been killing me!!!) and this is the first time I've had my computer on. 

I do have a ton of things that I missed out on this last week which was a huge bummer but sometimes there's just nothing that can be done about it.

Slowly I'm making my way back, stomach bug still lingering and all, but I'm here... I haven't forgotten about the blog and all of my readers. 

Missing my little space here in the internet and everyone!

Thanks again for your understanding.

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to quickly check in to let you know that there will be no Book Wars again this week. 

As I mentioned last week, sadly my good friend, co-host and fellow blogger - Michelle from Much Loved Books is taking some time away to be with family after the death of her father. I know you'll all understand us taking another week off from our feature while she is away. 

After talking with Michelle we will be resuming Book Wars again on Monday, December 23rd. 

Thanks for being so understanding everyone.

Hey, everyone out there in the wonderful world! I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving had a wonderful holiday and long weekend and to everyone else, I hope your weekend was a great one!

Today I'm here to say that there will be no Book Wars this week. Sadly, my good friend, co-host and fellow blogger - Michelle from Much Loved Books is taking some time away to be with family after the death of her father. I know you'll all understand us taking the time off from our feature while she is away. 

We do have many dates planned for future "Wars" and we'll be back soon. Not sure if it'll be next week or the week after - I'm letting Michelle lead the way right now, but we will be back to resume the "Wars" soon. 

Thank you for understanding.

Since Google Reader will be leaving us this summer I thought I'd add my blog to Bloglovin sooner rather than later. Be sure to follow using the link below in this post or the button on my sidebar so you can keep reading my blog via a Feed Reader! 

Any question, please let me know and thanks to all who visit, follow along and read my blog!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Surgery News:

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I wanted to do a quick post to let everyone know that my surgery went well. There was one slight problem that happened and I wont get into, but yeah... it happened and it sucked. Thankfully I'm well on the road to recovery! YAY! It's been three weeks since my surgery and while I feel pretty much right back to my old self, I'm still a bit sore here and there. That'll take a little bit of time yet, but the worst is far behind me.

I have some HUGE thank yous to send out to so many of you. From everyone who sent well wishes, guest posts, cards and care packages, each of you are not only the best but if you ever need help with something that I can do from afar, please just ask. It was through all of you - friends, bloggers - some I know and some strangers that helped me so much through this stressful time, I don't think I could have gotten through it all without you. So Thank You again for making my recovery much easier on me.

Kindle Giveaway News:

Since I've been away... this HUGE giveaway has ended. I have been in touch with two of the other girls who let me know that they were working on adding up entries - which there were A TON!! I'm sorry that this has taken longer to pick the winner and announce, however with me and with the blogger who's ordering the Kindle - life has gotten in the way. I believe we will be choosing the winner soon, so keep an eye out for the announcement post. Again, I'm so sorry for the delay. I hope everyone understands. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to email.

Other Giveaways:

Some of my other giveaways here have ended. Actually, I think they have all ended now. Sometime this week, I'll use Random.org to help me choose the winners, and a post will follow soon after. Again, I hope you all understand. :)


It'll take me a few weeks or so to get caught up, but I'm back... or partially back and will be working a little bit here and there to catch up.

I can't say Thank You enough for everything... you are all the best! Keep an eye out for more from me soon - I have some great stuff planned :)

So, as you all might have noticed my blog has been a little lacking in content since around the first of the year. This wasn’t my intention; however, during the first week in January I was told I needed to have surgery. I thought I would have been in recovery mode at this point, but as luck would have it, bad luck that is – some of my test results came back slightly elevated and I was referred to a “specialist”.

Since then I’ve been poked and prodded and had a MRI - that turned out to be an event I never want to have to undergo again… and have since found out that while I still have to have surgery, it’s for a different Diagnosis. THANKFULLY my chances of cancer have been extremely reduced with this new Diagnosis. It was a very stressful four weeks thinking I have a chance of having cancer. There’s still a chance, but it’s really small. I won’t go into specifics, which I’m sure you won’t mind… but yeah… it’s been a horrible beginning to 2011.

By the time this posts I’ll be getting ready for my my pre-op (tomorrow morning) and getting ready for my surgery that’s scheduled to take place on the 25th. The doctor/surgeon will go in and do what he needs to do and after a possible 3 day hospital stay; I’ll be on the road to recovery and shouldn’t have any further trouble.

I’m not looking forward to any of this, but will just be happy it’s all over and done with. It’s not fun waiting, which is something I’ve been doing since all this originally stared back in mid November!

I hope you’ll all understand that the first week or two of my recovery at home I won’t be blogging. I have a few people who are writing up guest posts for me, which will be scheduled ahead of time… I have WoW’s set up as well. If anyone out there would also like to contribute a guest post, I would be more than happy to host you for a day. The more the merrier. You’d all be doing me the greatest favor ever! If you'd like to send one to help me out, please get in touch asap! I've provided a form below, feel free to use that, or email. :) I'd like to have all guest posts by Wednesday, Feb 23rd. I think on Thursday I'll be to much of a nervous wreck to function lol Thanks! And if you don’t have time, not to worry! Please just send well wishes and good thoughts my way.
I’ll try to do a quick post to check in as soon as I’m able. If you have any questions my “twin” and BFF Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic knows how to get in touch with me. Thanks for that twin!

Until the 25th, I’ll be trying not to freak out and will keep working away on my blog to see just what I can get scheduled. Everyone, I can't say thanks enough for all your understanding during this time. Each of my readers, new and old... yes ALL of you Internet ninjas out there are the best!! I might be away for a couple of weeks or so, but I’ll be far from blogging. I have TONS of great books to keep me busy when I’m not sleeping, watching TV and movies or at follow up appointments….  When I return, I have many reviews to get caught up on and I hope to add more to that list while recovering... Until then - Happy Reading everyone!

PS - I have I think one giveaway ending right after my surgery. Sorry about that guys. I set that up before my doctor gave me the date. Bare with me, that'll be one of the first things I do when I get back!

Well, as I've mentioned for the last few weeks that September is going to be pretty big here on my blog.. However... I think October just MIGHT be even bigger! Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and I are working on a Super Secret project right now that I can't really tell you about. Not to worry, details will be coming soon!! With the last 2 days being as crazy as they were - putting things together for this HUGE event - I haven't been able to write my reviews as quick as I'd like - but I'm working on those now and should have at least a couple posted over the next day or two.

Also, don't forget to enter my contests I have running. The one for a finished copy of Linger ends tonight... or when I get up in the morning! So, hurry and enter before it's to late! Another contest starts I think on Thursday... and then September 1st will be the start of my Blogoversary, Birthday and yep, it looks like I just might make it... 500+ follower bash!

Keep an eye out next week or the week after for more news on our big secret!! We think you'll all love it!

First off, I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who was part of making my first Read-A-Thon so much fun! I only ended up taking part in one challenge that Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic hosted. I had a goal that I came pretty close to completing and that was to read 4 books.

Here's my Read-A-Thon Wrap Up stats:

1. Dear Dylan By: Siobhan Curham - Finished!
2. Other By: Karen Kincy - Finished!
3. One Night That Changes Everything By: Lauren Barnholdt - Finished!
4. Life, After By: Sarah Darer Littman - Started! (I'm 114 pgs. in)
5. Infinite Days By: Rebecca Maizel
6. Girl Parts By: John M. Cusick

Total pages read: 878
Estimated time spent reading: not a clue! I didn't keep track, sorry!
 
It was so much fun and I'm glad that I ended up taking part in this one. I'm looking forward to the next Read-A-Thon. I hope everyone who took part had as much fun as I did and got a lot of books read. Reviews to follow over the next few days and on into next week....

Just a quick note to let everyone know... in case you didn't - that yes, I am back from the UK. We got back last Sunday night and are fighting off our jet lag. The trip was great but as always never enough time seeing the family.

As like clock work - just as it's happened the last two years when we've come back from the UK, I've ended up with a sinus infection. The meds are working and I should be back to reading and blogging normal next week. I had high hopes that this week would be good and I'd get so much caught up and done, it just didn't happen as I had planned. Sorry guys!

I posted a new contest yesterday (For a finished copy of The Iron King and a $25 Visa Gift Card), so don't miss out on that. Also, I have a couple other contests coming up next week that I think should be fun. I did end up bringing some books and goodies back from the UK for a giveaway. Can't wait to get that one and the others started.

I should be REALLY busy over the next few weeks if not longer playing catch up on all my reading. With all the reading means a busy blog. Sounds great if you ask me. So.... I'm off to see about getting some reading in and try to write that review that needs to be done before the headache strikes again lol It's good to be back, I've missed this and all you guys - old and new.

I can't believe this week is over! WOW, did that go by fast or what? With the end of another week, comes In My Mailbox #18. I think I had a pretty great week, so here's the list of what arrived on my doorstep. It's hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. As always, thanks so much for hosting it Kristi!

So here's what I got this week.....


For Review:

10 Cents a Dance By: Christine Fletcher

Deception (Haunting Emma) By: Lee Nichols

Linger By: Maggie Stiefvater

The Garderner By: S.A. Bodeen

She Thief By: Daniel Finn

 HUGE thank you goes out to Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Macmillan for sending these books.

When I opened the envelope and found Linger in there waiting for me I almost screamed out loud. I did jump up and down a bit... lol I never thought I'd get an early copy and can't wait to start it! I hope to read it this week! So, what all did you guys get? Great stuff I hope!

Also, a quick Hello and Thank You to all my new (and old) followers! I'm almost at 300 and that's HUGE to me. To celebrate I have plans for some contests coming up, so keep an eye out. Also, don't be shy! I love comments just as much as every blogger does, so yeah... comment away :o)

Have a great week in books, reading and everything in between!

Hey guys!

I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks to all who have entered  my 50+ follower contest!!!! My first contest is off to a great start and I'm having a great time. If you haven't entered yet... CLICK HERE!!! Sometime next week I'll post the options the winners will get to pick from when it comes to the handmade bookmarks. That way everyone will have plenty of time to think it over and will be able to choose right away once the winners are picked.

Things have been crazy here online and in the RW, and with all the new followers over the last couple days, let alone the last week... I'm sure I've missed following a few of you. Sorry about that. Please post a comment here and let me know if I've missed your blog, OR if there's a blog out there that I should know about. Thanks!

If things keep going so well with the contest... let's just say.... I'm going to TRY to add a few other books and things for the winners to pick from. IF that happens, well.... we'll just see how things go before I change things up a bit. I have more up my sleeve for you guys, whether I use it for this contest, you'll just have to wait and see. :o)

Okay, I should be reading... so, I'm off to get to it. I'll post additional updates throughout the next couple days so be on the look out!!