Life has a way of taking twists and turns, throwing us around like we’re riders on a roller coaster. Such was my summer.

You guys have probably seen this on the horizon. The days-long gaps between posting. The collapse of a team to help post, promote, and grow the site.

I’m a writer first. I started Win a Book because I wanted a place where writers and readers and bloggers could come together to learn about each other. To find a place dedicated to book giveaways. Books and only books.

But now there’s Giveaway Scout, which does the work for me with half the effort, if that. And I’ve got four books on the market, more to bring out, and I’ve resumed editing for other writers, on a freelance basis. Life has taken new directions.

Helping others is important to me. I gave a good chunk of my time to this site and to being the change I wanted to see in the publishing business.

It’s time to be selfish for a bit. To focus on my own writing, on my personal blog, The Meet and Greet. And yeah, to make some money beyond book royalties by … helping other writers.

To all of you who sent in links, who became my friend, who read the site and never once said hello… thank you. This place was a lot of fun for a long time. I’ll miss that, the crazy rush of being silly as I post, all the great people I met. I thank you all for a great run. It’s been two years since I started this concept over at Blogger. You guys transitioned with me from there to here, West of Mars.

I hope you’ll come along with me again. Great things are on the horizon.

You have until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) TONIGHT to enter to win a copy!

Just head over to Colloquium and comment on the review of the book!

And while you are there, check out the five other giveaways currently in progress for some other great titles:

• Remember Me: Ends August 31, 2011
• Next to Love: Ends September 4, 2011
• Domestic Violets: Ends September 7, 2011
• Exposure: Ends September 11, 2011
• Little Black Dress: Ends September 14, 2011

Rather, because Jessica DeGarmo has stopped in at Chick Lit Central for an interview with the Melissas, she’s showing how utterly cool she is by letting you pick which book from her backlist.

Wait. It gets better. Cooler.

Two people will win e-books — and you know what that means! No pesky shipping companies demanding your first-born. And I don’t care HOW long your summer has been, your first-born isn’t worth shipping a book.

Enter by August 29.

Which makes perfect sense when you consider the book of the moment at Booking Mama is How to be an American Housewife. I know you’ve heard a lot about this one, as it’s made some pretty serious rounds, so here’s another chance at it, and a chance with a really good review, to boot.

This give is restricted to the US and Canada only, with a deadline of September 6. Have at it.

So why’s he writing a book? And is this really the sort of thing that Luanne gives away over at A Bookworm’s World?

Tom Ryan really IS an author. And his book really IS the sort of thing Luanne will blog about.

I’ll let you go check out what’s going on with this book. I don’t want to hijack Luanne’s post, after all. I mean, she put effort into it. And she’s a friend. I am NOT stepping on her toes.

I will tell you, though, that you can win a copy of Following Atticus (US only, please). Enter by September 18.

This isn’t one of those pretty good but still lame in comparison gives, where two books find a new home anywhere in the world.

Hello? International. That right there elevates this give above a pretty good one.

But wait. It gets BETTER.

The books? They have been autographed.

Quite the keepsake for a serious collector.

Check out Marilyn’s post and enter, if you’re so inclined. Like the other post I just made featuring one of Marilyn’s blogs, this has a deadline that’s generous. Don’t put it off. Enter now, before you forget.

Check it. I’ve not read any of Carla’s books, but I’ve recognized her name for a long time now. This sounds like a good book to fix that with.

If you agree once you’ve finished the interview, you lucky US folk can enter to win a copy of Saint’s Gate. Follow the rules and don’t let that September 25 deadline suck you in as something you can wait on. We’re busy people with busy lives. It’ll sneak up on you.

Listen to your rockin’ mom friend here, will ya?

But she is and there’s a new book out called 40 Love, and you can read more about it over at Chick Lit Central, where three audio copies are up for grabs. This is to celebrate the book’s US debut, in both print and audio versions.

Pretty slick. Print and audio on the same day. I can deal. Can you?

Read all the rules and the whole post and that other stuff, and then throw your name in the hat — if you’re in the US.

Enter by August 28.

Therefore, non-fiction.

And guess what? I’m right! I guessed without seeing the big subtitle the book has, too.

I’ll let you read more over at At Home with Books, where one copy is up for grabs (US and Canada only, please). Check it all out and enter by September 4.

Number One Novels switches gears from ’80s pop culture to cultural women’s fiction this week, interviewing Brenda L. Baker about her debut novel,
Sisters of the Sari. Baker tells the humorous story of two strong-willed women who overcome barriers of language, culture, and social standing to form a bond that changes their lives and the lives of everyone around them.

There are two opportunities to win a copy of Sisters of the Sari. Contest open in the United States and Canada only.