"Christmas Books" Giveaway Hop Dec 1-Dec 7

Welcome to the "Christmas Books" Giveaway Hop
December 1st to 7th
Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Laurie Here
(I am publishing my link now as I will be in the air over the next 5 hours returning from a closing in Orlando.)

Well - don't you know I forgot to take pictures of the additional Christmas books I had pulled for this and now I am out of town.
SO--- Here's what I am offering - TWO WINNERS get to pick Choice 1 OR 2.

Choice 1:  Winner gets two books: one book pick from my existing Christmas Giveaway List of Books plus they will get one additional surprise Christmas book (Open Internationally but subject to postage fees not exceeding $8.00 or so).

OR

Choice 2: Winner can pick one CHRISTMAS book at The Book Depository - value up to $12.00. OPEN INTERNATIONALLY

ENTER THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER!
 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Hop along to share the Holiday Cheer from all of these participating blogs:

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 30, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Happy Friday! Counting Down! - 25 days to Christmas!... 6 days to Hawaii trip! I have been busy trying to tie up office work as I prepare for our trip!! I have also been trying to get rest so I am feeling a bit better - less crudly - yay! [Ok - that may not be a word but it works for me. :-)]
I hope everyone is getting ready for a special and beautiful Holiday month!

****I plan to post some more pairs and singles next week. Then I'll give some special little gifts with the December wins - to celebrate the season and to celebrate starting the fourth year of Friday Pick!****.

Thank you to all who entered the November 22 Pick. There was one automatic winner this week (the first and last comments (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Once again, three titles were blocked picks this week; one was won!

Linda K chose Palindrome. (Glad to see you back online and to know things are ok.)

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 22 Pick:

Anita won (through the block - Finally) Hard News

and
Abby gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

Image found at Des Plaines Public Library
Are you looking forward to gifting books? I am.

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

 PAIRS:
Gena Showalter:
     The Darkest Kiss and the Darkest Night
Mary Balogh:
     Simply Perfect and A Summer to Remember
Tami Hoag:
     Ashes to Ashes and A Thin Dark Line (Both have spine creasing)
Dick Francis:
     10 LB Penalty and Risk
Tom Clancy:
     Op-Center State of Siege and Op-Center Mission of Honor
SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*A Gift of Murder by M.D. Lake  (slight spine creasing)
*The Mistletoe Wager by Christine Merrill
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)
*A Family for Christmas by Kate Welsh  (slight spine creasing)
*A Regency Christmas Anthology - Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly and Gail Rainstorm


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

 Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
The Gift by Constance O'Day-Flannery
The Days of Summer by Jill Barnett
Tangled by Mary Balogh
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Angel of Midnight  by JoAnn Power
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
[One for the Money by Janet Evanovich]
Touchstone by Linda Hilton
Restless Hearts by Marta Perry
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
A Delecate Deception by Jenna Jones


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

In the Presence of Enemies by William J. Coughlin
Shattered by Dick Francis
Shadow Fires by Dean Koontz
Hard News by Jeffrey Deavers
Palindrome by Stuart Woods (spine creases)
Afterimage by Jay Brandon
Tall, Dark and Cajun by Sandra Hill
Hot Streak by Susan Johnson
When Lightning Strikes Twice by Barbara Boswell
Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
Thunder Creek by Jill Gregory
His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls
The Body They May Kill by Audrey Stallsmith
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell
Summer Light by Luanne Rice

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

These are Paired sets - two per author.

Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.

Winners get both books if you pick these.

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011

I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -

Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 437 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: Shards of Ashley by Karen Wiesner

This is a lovely story - once again Ms. Wiesner creates wounded characters who find redemption through love.

Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series)
by Karen Weisner
Book 5 of the Family Heirlooms Series
Inspirational Contemporary Romance by Karen Wiesner
Available now from

Whiskey Creek Press
978-1-61160-017-9 (trade paperback); 
978-1-61160-016-2 (electronic)
Click here for a printable order form
The paperback may be available at a significant discount with this special order form
Paperback from Amazon.com
Download from Amazon.com
Download from BN.com

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Five Family Heirloom: Learning trust
In order to reconcile her past, she must face the terrible truth she buried long ago...and, in doing so, she gambles with her heart and the salvation of her own soul.

Ashley Savage grew up in a troubled home with a competitive, pampered sister and an abusive, ridiculing mother who played at being a Christian when she needed to...and led Ashley to more addictions than one child could handle. As an adult, Ashley tells herself she's put the extreme fears of the past behind her, but she spends most of her time repairing the crumbling wall holding back the horrors she's not willing to face ever again. She's become a woman against the world.

The one man who has the annoying habit of getting through her defenses is Jay Samuels, a military chaplain and soon-to-be pastor. Much as Ashley wants to leave him behind like she believes she has the rest of her past, Jay is ambitious to a fault where she's concerned. He hears only what he wants to hear?and he doesn't want to hear that she doesn't love him as much as he loves her.

But even Jay doesn't realize the extent of all she's buried deep inside her own subconscious...and what keeps her from giving herself willingly to the God she knows is drawing her inexorably to Himself, to the one place she can't run, where she can no longer hide...

Review:
Ashley was abused by her mother and step-father. When they sought friendship in a church family, she knew them to be hypocrites. At the age of fourteen she escaped her household to find oblivion in drugs with an abusive boyfriend.

Ashley finally broke free and was given a chance to change her life. She was mentored by an interior designer who taught her how to dress and present herself as well as how to dress interiors. Ashley has buried her pain and insecurities and remade herself into a disciplined, tightly controlled success.  Ashley doesn’t see herself as worthy of love and holds herself apart from everyone. She thinks even God didn’t love her enough as a child to save her from the abuse she suffered so she learned to rely only on her own efforts.

Jay has cared for Ashley since they met as teens. He is the pastor’s son and once he returns from his military service he will become the pastor of the local church. Jay and Ashley have remained friends seeing each other whenever he is home but they have no contact for the months he is away. Jay wants that to change. In fact, he is ready for their relationship to become serious and permanent. He knows that Ashley had a difficult childhood and he knows of her past escape into drugs and sex. But he doesn’t know all of her painful past as Ashley has never told anyone.

Jay realizes that he loves Ashley and he determines that he will not let her push him away.  It may take work, especially since his time home is limited, but he wants to convince her that she is worthy of love and he will stand by her.

Bit by bit Ashley’s defenses begin to crumble when faced with Jay’s steadfast and unrelenting love. Jay and Ashley share thoughts through Journaling and it is through that medium that Jay is often able to plant seeds of faith that opens a dialogue between them. Ms. Wiesner shares some beautiful thoughts on the rewards that can come from trusting in God to see us through suffering and pain. 

Although she resists, it is clear that Ashley loves Jay. Their moments together are very sensual, even without complete intimacy. I really enjoy the depth of emotion that Ms. Wiesner gives her characters.  The situations are real to live and there is plenty of warmth that overcomes the sad suffering of the past. I am always reminded how much I enjoy this author when I read her books. There may be too much emotion for me to read these one after another, but they are a source of delight when I pick them up once every six weeks or so! I highly recommend this author especially if you are looking to read inspiring romance and stories of redemption from difficult circumstances. .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I never heard the second part of  this expression but I think it is spot on:

“Your family is very traditional. The man is the head of the household and all that.”
“Maybe so. But didn’t someone say, if the man’s the head then the woman’s the neck? She moves him in the direction he should go.”  Location 1181.

Part of Ashley' fear of trusting:

They’d made her want to trust them. They’d made her want to trust God. But trust implied giving up all the protections she’d erected for herself.   Location 1966.

I received this title from the author for an honest review.

Bookblast Giveaway -- First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

Tour Schedule

This title sounds really interesting and I can't wait to read it! My review is scheduled for December 11.

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

"What if history didn't happen that way ... the first time?"

Garison Fitch was one of the most revered scientists in the Soviet Americas until he left fame behind to work on a secret project in his log cabin in the mountains of Marx.

But something went wrong. Instead of traveling interdimentionally, Garison has traveled through time ... twice.

Now, he's in something called "The United States of America" and a woman he's never met before is calling herself his wife. It it a hoax? Or, has he somehow changed history?

If so, can he return the world to what he believes is "normal", or must he live in this strange world he created?

Purchase

Kindle * Nook * Smashwords

Praise:

"Sam continues to weave his magic as a storyteller. I always find myself anxious to find out what will happen next and what kind of twist will befall the adventurers. It helps to be familiar with the places that the heroines go, which adds to the story."

~Labdaddy, Texas

"I've had a few very unproductive but enjoyable days thanks to Samuel Ben White. If you haven't read Sam's books you have been missing a treat. These were funny, suspenseful, spiritual and kept you turning the pages."

~Karen S.

"Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your books. I have a Kindle and I have purchased all of the Garison Fitch novels. I am in Saudi Arabia and your books have really helped take me away from here."

~Scott, Saudi Arabia

Also Part of the Series:

Saving Time

Two years ago Garison Fitch traveled through time and rewrote history. An accident in the eighteenth century created a whole new world, and even gave Garison a wife he had never met before. Now, he’s got a daughter and he’s coming to enjoy this world he created. Until he’s attacked by men masquerading as Indians, and a funeral procession from out of the past enlists his help, and a tree grows from sappling to full-grown in a matter of minutes, threatening his daughter’s very life. Time itself is unraveling and Garison’s trips through time seem to be the cause. Garison must go back in time once again and keep himself from making the original trip that started the problem. But he can’t use his time machine to go back. How does one sew up a rip in time?

Lost Time

Jason Kerrigan and Brownwyn Dalmouth are pilots with the Republic of Texas Army Air Corps. A world war is going on and bombs have just brought an end to Crockett Air Field in south Texas. Jason and Bronwyn, though, are called away from the battle to be test pilots for a new aircraft that-they're told-will bring the war to an end. The experimental craft lives up to expectations in early tests, but then it lands them somewhere it never should have sent them. Another place? Another time? Another dimension? Somehow, they've taken a trip to the future and changed the past. Or did they? The answer to their change of reality may be known to a Justice of the Peace in Colorado named Garison Fitch. To figure it out, though, Garison may have to team up with his least favorite person: Bat Garrett.

Purchase
Kindle * Nook * Smashwords

Author Samuel Ben White

Samuel Ben White (“Sam” to his friends) is the author of the national newspaper comic strip “Tuttle’s” (found at www.tuttles.net) and the on-line comic book “Burt & the I.L.S.” (found at www.destinyhelix.com). He is married and has two sons. He serves his community as both a minister at a small church and a chaplain with hospice. In addition to his time travel stories, Sam has also written and published detective novels, a western, three fantasy novels and four works of Christian fiction.

Links

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Book Blast Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/18/12

*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Sam then you can leave the others blank.

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Forged in Death by Jim Melvin

This is wonderful, action packed, storytelling!
Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles
by Jim Melvin

• File Size: 644 KB
• Print Length: 260 pages
• Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (August 20, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 20, 2012
Enter the realm . . .
Book One, The Death Wizard Chronicles.
Only a Death-Knower can die. And live again.
Only a Death-Knower can return from death. And remember.
Only a Death-Knower can tell the world what he's seen. Not all care to listen.
For a thousand years, none have rivaled the power of Torg, the Death-Knower wizard, as he ruled his people and kept peace on Triken.
Now a new threat has suddenly arisen. The evil sorcerer Invictus is greater even than Torg, and his greed and ambition threaten to engulf the land in eternal darkness. When Invictus imprisons Torg in a horrifying pit bored into the solid rock of a frozen mountain, the fate of Triken hangs in the balance.
Torg becomes freedom's final hope, but first he must die to earn the victory.

Review:
Torg is a Death-Knower. You learn later in the book that he has lived for thousands of years... occasionally dying and returning, by force of will, to his body with more knowledge to continue his journeys and his battle of good over evil.

As this story begins Torg is captured by forces of the evil sorcerer Invictus. Torg and his desert warriors could battle the evil army but they would risk the lives of many innocents. Over the objections of his men, Torg trades himself as a hostage for the release of the innocent villagers and the safety and freedom of his own warriors.

Torg threatens death to any of his own who might break the agreement and try to follow him. Yet one brave, and impetuous, female warrior, Sobhana, dares to track him. She receives the unexpected help of a dragon, a mighty and powerful being who is one of the last of his kind. He is not under the mind control of Invictus and he has attempted to remain - or appear to be - neutral.

Torg is placed in isolation in painful torture and depravation. It is quite gruesome to read what Torg suffers. Sobhana schemes to rescue him before he dies, not realizing he can die and return with some strength to fight and escape.

Once Torg returns he has new insights and each day is a new adventure. There are many horrible creatures to fight,  strange new friends to help him recover and mystical powers to be gained from the earth and nature (trees). Torg is visited by a ghostly presence who he helps and who tells him glimpses of his future. Torg’s thousand years of celibacy is broken in trade for assistance and power.

I was consistently pulled by the imaginative fantasy of the characters and the metaphysical world created by Mr. Melvin. There are some harsh images of torture and some sexual scenes that make the story more appropriate for adult reading. This is fast paced with good action and always something new on the next page! If you are a fan of fantasy I recommend that you check this out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Torg is a warrior of integrity and good:

Torg believed that in order to combat Invictus he would need to perform an act of virtue that would help to even the scales between good and evil. Location 371.

Torg explains to another, but less powerful, Death-Knower who is frustrated by his lack of bravery and skill:

“You’re ashamed of your success as a gardener and your failure as a warrior. But what you don’t comprehend is that a gardener is the superior being. Nourishing life ranks among the highest states of wisdom, destroying life among the lowest.” Location 2881

I received this from Bell Bridge Books through NetGalley for my honest review.

I will add this to my New Author Challenge List.

Book Review and Giveaway: Five Days of Fear by David Kovach

This is a solidly engaging crime thriller.

Five Days of Fear
by David Kovach

• File Size: 614 KB
• Print Length: 338 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1611530288
• Publisher: Light Messages Publishing (November 9, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English

Genre: Thriller, Christian Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2012

During a family picnic, Jessica Britton’s well-ordered world is slammed against a brutal reality and her faith is tested when her mom is kidnapped, her dad is shot, and authorities can find no clues to begin their investigation. Jessica’s own anxiety and fear for her mother’s life compels her to help FBI Agent Dan Hamilton look for motives and clues that would lead to rescuing her mom. By chance, clues begin to emerge, and the once floundering investigation speeds to a hectic race against time and criminal minds in a desperate attempt to save Jessica’s mom and the lives of many in San Francisco’s business district.

Review:
Jessica is an attractive, popular and warm hearted first grade teacher. She hasn’t yet found the right man to interest her. When a peaceful family picnic is interrupted by strangers kidnapping her mother, Angie, and shooting her father, Jessica is set on a path of worry. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to the comforting presence of the steady, competent and controlled FBI agent handling the case, Dan.

Dan is an experienced agent and knows how important it is to pursue all clues immediately in a kidnapping. The problem is they have no real clues on this case. He is very attracted to Jessica, the only  witness who saw the kidnapper.  Jessica appears to be a straight forward, pragmatic, caring and brave young woman. Dan agrees to keep her apprised of the progress of the case and even agrees to let her help in a peripheral fashion.

Dan’s team members, his mentor, Chad, the bickering Ben and Ruth, and the newbie, Kyle, are a little surprised by Dan’s behavior with Jessica but they respect his leadership and are partly glad to see him take interest in a young lady. Surprisingly Ruth and Jessica both focus in on the same news story, involving jealousies and allegations of mishandled funds, as a possible avenue to investigate.

Meanwhile Angie is able to leave a few ‘bread crumb’ hints that, once found, create an urgency of time and help intensify the pace of the investigation. The FBI team races against time to follow the slim clues to try to prevent a bomb attack and also to rescue Angie before it is too late.

I really enjoyed the procedural details in this story.  Mr. Kovach shares methodology on finding possible conflicts of interest, image enhancing software, the use of dogs, following financial records and more. There were a couple of points that I questioned such as Dan taking lunch breaks with Jessica while there were leads that could be followed. I give the benefit of the doubt that other members of the team were doing leg work although that wasn’t made clear.

I can’t quite explain why the writing felt ‘simplified’ to me but it did. It reminded me of the old journalism rule that the article should be written at an eighth grade education level.  That bothered me a little at first but by a quarter or so into the book I was wrapped up enough in the story that it didn’t matter. Then I was fully engaged by the action, the plot details and the character interaction, including the sweet emotions that grow between Jessica and Dan.  There is a soft underlying faith shown by the family’s strength in the face of the trauma.  I recommend this book to those who like strong investigative details, good clean action and sweet romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some sections dealing with Jessica’s anxiety issues:

Jessica suspected that Dan liked her. That might be why he was being so nice to her. But her emotions were booked at the moment. To think of anything other than her mom’s safety and her dad’s health was beyond her. She wanted to be free of the fear that gripped her. Page 39.

Jessica tells her dad: “....I wish I didn’t have this feeling of anxiety and fear hanging over me....”
Her father responds: “Different personalities might be one reason. We’re made differently. Also, I think because you posses so many gifts and talents, it might be harder for you not to over-rely on those abilities.”  Page 137.

I received this book from TLC Blog Tours for an honest review.

This story is set in San Fransisco. I will add it to my New Author challenge list.
Learn more about David Kovach at these links:

• the author's website
• Facebook page
• Twitter account
• book trailer

Check the full tour schedule HERE.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Review Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website OR watch the trailer and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 7, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 8, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Mailbox Monday November 26, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR NOVEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is (updated) BermudaOnion's Weblog!

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I added more to my book 'forest' this week.
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

I received three review titles -two ARCs and one AudioDrama.

From Sourcebooks: two ARCs for February:


Wait Until Dark
by M.L. Buchman

and

Lady Eve's Indiscretion

by Grace Burrowes

Received from Audio-Visceral, through Audiobook Jukebox.

The Man Who Murdered His Mother-in-Law

by Jeffrey Hatcher

Wins

I got this earlier this month but forgot to post it.
$15.00 Amazon Gift Card from Cym Lowell
for the Wednesday Review Link Up Party
Thank you Cym!

Purchased

I purchased two more titles from my Audible November monthly subscription so that I would have four in November and qualify for a $10.00 coupon.

After Dark: Ghost Hunters, Book 1
by Jayne Castle

Loyalty in Death: In Death, Book 9

by J. D. Robb

Free

I picked up more free titles on Kindle.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? November 26, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

The reading this week was good again - five books completed and I am well into another two. I posted four reviews, three with giveaways, plus an Author interview. I posted a Thanksgiving post in addition to the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I got to visit blog sites at the beginning of the week but not too many later.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? November 19, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox November 19, 2012.

• Book Review: Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney; Action, Adventure; my rating 4.5.

• Q&A with Anita Clenney and Giveaway of Guardians of Stone.  Ends 11/30.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Missing by Rhoda Gibb Hinrichsen; Romantic Suspense ; my rating 4.0.  Ends 11/30.

• Happy Thanksgiving 2012. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 23, 2012. Open Worldwide.  Ends 11/29.

• Audio Book Review: The Crooked Wreath by Christianna Brand;  Mystery; my rating 4.5.

• Saturday Snapshot 11/24/12- Seattle Day 3.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Where Angels Rest by Kate Brady; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5. Ends 11/30.

• Sharing Beyond Books #76 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/30.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 25, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. Print

Where Angels Rest
by Kate Brady
Whew -lots of good suspense!
Review and ARC Giveaway linked above.

2. Audio/MP3

The Crooked Wreath
by Christina Brandt
Good mystery. Review linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles
by Jim Melvin
Lots of story telling!
Oops- missed posting that last week so it will go up this week.

4. eBook/Kindle

Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series)
by Karen Weisner
I enjoyed this and will post the review this week.

5. Print

Five Days of Fear
by David Kovach
This is an engaging Thriller.
Review and Giveaway to post
November 27; part of TLC Book Tour.

Line Edits: I'll be uploading the children's title this week - needed minor adjustment.

Currently reading:
1. Audio

Karma's Law
by Kristi Lamb
This is an interesting mystery - tangled.
I'm reviewing for Spoken Word, Inc. Audiobook through AudioBook Jukebox. 
A Tangled Tale of Murder, Malice, and Revenge
Charming Tate Sawyer, a serial Casanova, is found murdered off a popular hiking trail. As the investigation unfolds, Lieutenant Greg Kennedy and his team discover that Sawyer left behind an embittered string of wealthy women, each harboring her own motive for ending his life.
Family secrets and sibling rivalry further complicate this dark mystery.
Who was this man? Is he destined to a bitter, deceitful legacy, or is there more than meets the eye? Karma’s Law is a tale so tangled it resembles the twisted cypress of its Pacific Northwest and Alaskan setting.

2. eBook/Kindle
 

All I Want for Christmas is You
(Contemporary Holiday Romance)
(Fate with a Helping Hand)
by Lisa Mondello
I am enjoying this sweet, quick read.
Posting Review with Author Q&A on December 1;
Part of Bewitching Blog Tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
BOOK 1 in Fate with a Helping Hand Series
Sometimes fate needs a little hand...
Santa Claus is going to have a rough season... Lauren Alexander is raising her daughter alone. Abandoned by her family for her decision to keep her daughter Kristen, she has done a pretty good job for the last six years. Or she thought she had. That's why she is crushed when little Kristen gives up her wish for a toy or goodie and instead asks Santa for a present for her mother. She wants Santa to bring a Daddy. Delivering Daddies isn't Santa's bag.
But this Santa has a plan...
Kyle Preston knows what it is like to be abandoned too. Luckily he found the support of loving adoptive parents and has turned himself into one of the most successful Real Estate developers in town.
Building a house is easy. Building someone's trust is a whole other story. But with a little helping hand, a little Christmas magic can make all the difference in the world.

3. Print

His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel)
by Beth Wiseman
I am looking forward to starting this.
Reviewing for Thomas Nelson to post with Giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
An unplanned pregnancy. An absent father. Can love really endure all things?
Danielle Kent is anything but Amish. But as destiny would have it, she has fallen in love with an Amish man.
Now she’s 18, pregnant, and hopeful that the child’s Amish father—Matthew Lapp—will do the right thing and marry her. She knows Matthew plans to leave his Colorado settlement for a life in the Englisch world. But that plan never included a baby.
When Matthew walks away from her and their unborn child, she has nowhere to turn. Her unlikely friendship with Levi offers some comfort—yet they have so little in common. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, and she has never felt so alone. She doesn’t want to be pregnant. Doesn’t want to be Amish. Doesn’t want to trust God.
And yet.
God has plans beyond what her mind can imagine . . . loving plans to show a lost young woman that His love never fails but endures forever.
“Wiseman is among the best at writing moving Amish fiction.” —Booklist review of The Wonder of His Love

4. Print

Deliver Me From Temptation: A Novel of the Paladin Warriors
Tes Hilaire
I thought I'd read this before our trip.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
"Dark, sexy, and intense! Hilaire blazes a new path in paranormal romance."—Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author on Deliver Me From Darkness
Logan Screwed Up...Big Time
When things go bump in the night, Logan bumps back. Vampires, demons, succubi—you name it, he's fought it. His job as Paladin angel warrior is to protect humans. Not fall for one.
She Never Believed in Divine Intervention...Until Now
Detective Jessica Waters protects humans too-with her Glock and a good set of handcuffs. She doesn't believe in fate. But if anyone looks like a gift from the gods, it's Logan. And he clearly knows more about her case than he's letting on...

5. eBook/Kindle

Godspeed: a love story
Dan Chabot
I will start this by the end of the week.
Reading for the Author to post in December.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 28, 2012
How far will a man go to atone for guilt?
When Derry and Amedee meet during her first day on the job at the Milwaukee Ledger, it is a collision of destinies. Their love affair is so intense and perfect and pure that they are certain it will be eternal. But when it ends in heartbreak, compounded by the ignominy of a disastrously mismanaged funeral service, Derry descends into an abyss of devastation and remorse and despair.

In his overpowering grief this tormented newspaperman embarks on an obsessive crusade for redemption, an astonishing twist that will leave readers tearful yet smiling in sympathetic admiration. His improbable, tender quest eventually will lead him to peace of mind, and to someone who will help him build a new life from the ashes of the past.

"Godspeed" is a bittersweet story of laughter and tears, irrepressible humor, reckless devotion, the value of true friendship, and unimaginable longing for the "forever" that can no longer be. And as the story and its astonishing twists unfold, a poignant question lingers: How can a lie be wrong if it makes so many people feel so good?

I will probably be starting another audio this week too.

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on my new MP3.]
Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around 1989 so I will enjoy it again. The reading this week is 1 Peter.

Line Edits: I have three books that I am completing formats on this week.

I started with 20 or so titles planned for November. Seventeen have been read (fourteen posted). That leaves me working on six to post during the month. I really do intend to get a smaller list going into December!

Scheduled for November
11/27 Five Days of Fear by David Kovach - Review (TLC Tour)
11/28 BookBlast - First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White

Unscheduled for November
Sourcebooks - done

Hachette - done

Thomas Nelson
His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel) by Beth Wiseman

AudioBook Jukebox - three done; 
added Karma's Law

NetGalley
Uninvited by Heather Graham - I will carry this into December; I started it but need to try again.

Authors - done

I'd like to read at least one "Won"/TBR book and one free Kindle book.:-)
Older Won Book:  DONE
Kindle Read - TBD

Others in line up if time permits -- These will go forward to the December schedule
Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel) by Dee Davis 
The Blessed and the Damned (Righteous Series #4) by Michael Wallace
Won TBR: The Shifters of 2040, a Shifter Dystopia by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder - carry forward

[To be posted - I am setting these up for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]