What are eBay Collections, and How Do I Use Them?

eBay now has a collections feature.  This is a fun feature with curated photos from eBay items, on a theme.   You can browse collections that other buyers and sellers have made, or you can make a collection yourself. 

It is easy to make a collection based on a theme.  You can make a collection of items you are selling, or just put one together of items you like.  For instance, you can search for astronaut Valentines.  Then click on an individual listing, as seen below.    You will see the option to "Add to Collection."  (I circled this in red, below.)

After you click on the "Add to Collection" option, the following will pop up.  You can create a new collection by choosing a name here.

It's easy and fun, and a nice way to save items that interest you.  You can find all my collections here:  eBay collections by Birdhouse Books.   If you'd like to explore what an individual collection looks like, here is an example:  vintage coloring books collection.

I hope you enjoy the collections posted here.  It's a fun way to visually enjoy some unique vintage items.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Life Unaware by Cole Gibson

Life Unaware

by Cole Gibsen

Release Date: 04/28/15

Entangled Teen

Book Summary:

Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school. 

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah. 

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but whatnobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched... 

Especially Regan Flay.

Guest Post Video #1

 

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | B-A-M | IndieBound | Powells

About the Author

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

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Music Monday - "Mighty Love" by The Spinners (1973)

When I was a young girl, I loved music so much that I would listen to my favorite songs on the radio, sometimes taping them to play back, and then write the lyrics down in notebooks. "Mighty Love" and "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" by The Spinners are two love songs that I remember as particular favorites.

"Mighty Love" was released in 1973, and made it to the Top 40 in 1974.  The Spinners were a group of friends from Michigan, near Detroit.  They debuted at the Apollo Theatre, but did not find great success in the 1960's.  They worked at Motown - but in desk jobs and support staff positions.  Their success came in the early 1970's, and they were everywhere on the radio during the mid-'70's.

I heard this song over the weekend on the radio and have been thinking ever since how much I enjoyed it.  I hope you do, too.

Book Excerpt and Giveaway: Double Duplicity by Paty Jager

Double Duplicity:A Shandra Higheagle Mystery (Volume 1)
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Windtree Press (January 5, 2015)
Paperback: 242 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1940064925
E-Book ASIN: B00PFWPHPQ


Synopsis:

 On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but just as determined to discover the truth.

Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them and believes in her.

Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?

Excerpt:

"I think that would be a good idea." 

Shandra's neck popped as she jerked her head to look up at the voice. Damn! Poor timing. Detective Greer stood over them holding a clear plastic baggie of ice. He handed it to her and knelt next to Naomi. 

 "Mrs. Norton, now would be a good time to tell me what you want to get off your conscience." His soothing voice didn't fool Shandra. 

"Naomi, you haven't done anything wrong. There isn't any reason-" 

Detective Greer shot her a glare. "Mrs. Norton are you the one who tossed a file about your sister into the dumpster behind the donut shop?" 

Shandra couldn't stop her friend's reaction. Naomi shot to her feet as if to run, then dropped into the chair and cried into her hands. 

 "Are you happy?" Shandra spat at the detective. "It's taken her months to get over her sister's death, and you bring it up with about as much tact as a rhino in rut." Shandra put an arm around her friend. "I don't want you asking her any more questions until you get her husband over here." She leveled an unwavering glare on the detective. 

He sighed and rose to his feet. "If you try to sneak her out of here while I get the husband, I'll find you both and haul you in for obstruction of justice." 

She continued to glare at him. 

"Am I clear?" 

"Yes." Shandra wanted to keep glaring at him, but as he walked away she had to admit, he could have pressed Naomi for information.

Buy Links:

Windtree Press http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/double-duplicity/

Amazon  http://authl.it/2ng

Kobo  http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=Double+Duplicity

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-duplicity-paty-jager/1120790322

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id942249867

About Paty:

Award-winning author Paty Jager and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon.  On her road to publication she wrote freelance articles for two local newspapers and enjoyed her job with the County Extension service as a 4-H Program Assistant. Raising hay and cattle, riding horses, and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story.

Author Links:
blog Writing into the Sunset
her website http://www.patyjager.net
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/paty.jager 
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1005334.Paty_Jager
Twitter  @patyjag

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Book Spotlight and Giveaway - The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom

I'm excited to share the cover reveal of The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom! This is a middle grade adventure fantasy that releases in June 2015. 

About the Book:

A magical tale of amazing sacrifice...

When a violent windstorm strikes an enchanted rain forest many of the woodland creatures of Willaby Creek are stranded, injured, or lost forever to the frenzied force of the tempest. Basil, a black bear full of doubt and fear, becomes the unlikely leader to head the woodland creatures' rescue. He is joined by Daphne, a spunky blue dryad; Oliver, a wise horned owl; Elbert, a noble elk; and a host of other creatures that inhabit the enchanted rain forest.

Dangerous twists and turns in this animal adventure fantasy cause Basil to discover a courage, and a conviction, he never knew he had. The answers to the ancient mysteries in this magical tale emerge in an extraordinary finale under the tall timbers of the hidden hinterland.

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About the Author:

VICTORIA LINDSTROM is a full-time writer, a voracious reader, and the author of the children's picture book, The Scandinavian Santa. She loves to wander through the woods, capture the beauty of Nature in photographs, and visit museums and fine art galleries. She and her husband, Michael, live near the shore of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. You may visit Victoria at: www.victorialindstrom.com

Facebook | Twitter @AuthorLindstrom | Goodreads | Pinterest 

Giveaway:
One hardcover copy of The Tale of Willaby Creek (US) and an ebook of The Tale of Willaby Creek (INT)
(Books will be delivered upon release, or shortly before.)
Ends May 19, 2015

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.