It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 8, 2014

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.

I had a good first week of December. We will be trying to pull all work together so we can close the office for almost two weeks.

Reading was good, though not great. I finished four books and posted three reviews, one with giveaway. I also posted all the usual memes. 

I did get to visit a good group of sites last week which I enjoyed.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 1, 2014.

• Audio Book Review: Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy; Sci Fi, YA ; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers;  Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0. eBook Giveaway, US and Canada; ends 12/13/14.

• Audible Book Review: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper; Paranormal, fantasy; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 5, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/11/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #180 Comment Giveaway 12/6/14. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/13/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 7, 2014.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers
A nice warm, small town romance.
Review and giveaway are linked abore.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio

Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This is really cute; a fun listen. 
I will post a review this week.
A funny, whimsical story for older children and adults, it is about Santa's younger brother who runs away to Florida and becomes a pirate.

3. Print

We Are The Destroyers (We Are***Are We Book 1) 
by D. K. Lindler
This review is ready to go up this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/MP3

Dust World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 2
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
I enjoyed the action in this second book.
I hope to get the review up this week.
Publisher's Summary
The Galactics arrived with their Battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spans the Milky Way. Our only worthwhile trade goods are our infamous mercenary legions, elite troops we sell to the highest alien bidder.
In 2122 a lost colony expedition contacts Earth, surprising our government. Colonization is against Galactic Law, and Legion Varus is dispatched to the system to handle the situation. Earth gave them sealed orders, but Earth is 35 lightyears away. The Legion commanders have a secret plan of their own. And then there's James McGill, who was never too good at listening to authority in the first place....
In Dust World, book two of the Undying Mercenaries Series, McGill is promoted to Specialist and sent to a frontier planet outside the Empire. Earth's status within the Empire will never be the same.
©2014 B. V. Larson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Seducing the Ruthless Rogue
(The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2)
by Tammy Jo Burns
I am 70% through and should finish this on Monday.
I will post tour review on December 10.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah
Handel (Author), Albert L. Blackwell (Foreword)
I will continue to read this but the review will post this week to encourage those who would consider this for Christmas gifting. 
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Heir
by Lynne Stringer
I'm looking forward to starting this.
I received the ebook from the author.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Sarah hates the prestigious high school she attends. Most of the other students ignore her. School is only made tolerable by the presence of Dan Bradfield, the boy she adores. Dan is the heir to his father’s multinational computer company, but he is dating Sarah’s best friend, Jillian. When tragedy strikes, Dan is the one who supports Sarah. But she can’t shake the feeling there is something strange about him. Is he protecting her from something? Is there something going on that she doesn’t know about? And did she really see a monster in the bushes?

4. Audible

FREE Yesterday's Gone: Season 1 - Episode 1
Written by: Sean Platt, David Wright
Narrated by: Ray Chase, R. C. Bray, Brian Holsopple, Chris Patton, Maxwell Glick, Tamara Marston
I started this, from my Audible library, for a quick listen. I failed to heed the warning but now that I have started I want to know what happened to make most people disappear.
Publisher's Summary
Start the First Season of the Groundbreaking Post-Apocalyptic Serial! Yesterday's Gone: Season One: Episode 1.
WARNING: This is a post-apocalyptic horror audiobook where bad people do evil things, and as such, this series features disturbing scenes and foul language. While it is all within the context of the story, some listeners may find this content offensive.
Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
On October 15 at 2:15 a.m. Earth vanished. A scattered few woke alone in a world with no rules, other than survival at any cost.
A journalist wanders the wretched reality of an empty New York, searching for his wife and son. A serial killer must hunt in a land where prey is now an endangered species. A mother shields her young daughter from danger through every terror-filled breath.
A bullied teen is thrilled to find the world gone missing, until the knock on his door. A fugitive survives a fiery plane crash. Will he be redeemed, or return to the killing he's best at? An eight-year-old boy sets out on a journey to find his missing family, only to find something that will change him forever. These survivors aren't truly alone...
Someone or something is watching them. And waiting...
Strangers unite. Sides are chosen. Can humanity survive what it never saw coming?
©2011 Sean Platt, David Wright (P)2014 Podium Publishing

5. Print

Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions
by Aaron Tabor
I received this from FaithWords (Hachette)
for review post 12/12.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Based on the major themes found on the most active Facebook page in history,
JESUS DAILY is a 365-day interactive devotional that goes beyond even the fan page to create a deeper experience and cultural movement that celebrates your redemption in Christ. JESUS DAILY presents a devotional thought but also challenges you to respond to each daily reflection using a variety of social media tools.

I am up to date on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

I still have Sci Fi  and Christmas titles that may run into January at the rate I am reading. :-) 
I have three reviews to complete and two more that will go up this week so it should be a full week.

Decenber Scheduled:
12/10 Seducing the Ruthless Rogue (The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2) by Tammy Jo Burns; tour review and Giveaway.
12/12 Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions Review and Giveaway.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

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) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received/selected one print title and four review titles through NetGalley.
I purchased one daily deal Audible book and four $.99 kindle bundle titles this week.
I also added more free kindle titles to my library.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Review Post on 12/12.
I signed up for tour for this book but the first mail out was apparently lost.
I received two books this week - one for me, one for giveaway!
Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions
by Aaron Tabor

JESUS DAILY is a worldwide revolution in how you can connect, share, and worship the Father personally and with other believers.



I was invited to participate in another Hachette tour so I received two titles at NetGalley.

This is for review 12/18 or 19

Hope Rising (Of Love and War)
by Stacy Henrie
FROM A GREAT WAR, SPRINGS A GREAT LOVE

This Novella is from the same series-

I love this cover.

A Christmas Hope (Of Love and War)

by Stacy Henrie

TIS THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES

Then I was looking around and picked up two other titles at NetGalley:

The Advent Bride (The 12 Brides of Christmas) 
by Mary Connealy
New--The 12 Brides of Christmas! You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them! 
Shiloh Run Studios (October 6, 2014)
This whole historical romance series looks lovely and I decided to read the first story.

A Most Inconvenient Marriage

(Ozark Mountain Romance Book #1)

by Regina Jennings

Abigail Stuart Thought She was Jeremiah Calhoun's Widow.

But Jeremiah Calhoun Is Very Handsome, Very Alive, and Very Perplexed.

Most Inconvenient Indeed.

From Bethany House Publishers (November 25, 2014)

This sounded like a fun historical romance from an author I wanted to try.

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased an Audible daily deal for $1.95:

Legendarium
Written by: Kevin G. Summers, Michael Bunker
Narrated by: Robert Rossmann
This is listed as humor and it just sounded like it would be fun to listen!
In every generation, certain writers are chosen to be protectors of The Legendarium, a metaphysical library that exists at the nexus of the multiverse. Inside this library are doorways that lead to every world ever created in literature. Now, in a time of growing illiteracy, two heroes (who don't like each other) are chosen to defend The Legendarium...

I purchased four kindle titles for $.99 -- more bundles I couldn't resist.

Deadly Dozen 2
Diane Capri, Brett Battles, Robert Gregory Browne, J Carson Black, Cheryl Bradshaw, Joshua Graham, Allan Leverone, Carol Davis Luce, Aaron Patterson, Gary Ponzo, Michele Scott, Vincent Zandri, Cory Clubb, Jack Patterson

Kiss of Christmas Magic: 20 Paranormal Holiday Tales
of Werewolves, Shifters, Vampires, Elves, Witches, Dragons, Fey, Ghosts, and More
Eve Langlais, Aubrey Rose, Molly Prince, Deanna Chase, Mandy M. Roth, Michelle M. Pillow, Angie Fox, Mimi Strong, Viola Rivard, Michele Bardsley, V. M. Black, Lola St. Vil, Terah Edun, Jessa Slade, Chloe Cole, Cristina Rayne, Shawntelle Madison, J. S. Hope, Carina Wilder, Dawn Michelle, Jessica Ryan

This is the End: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set (7 Book Collection)
J. Thorn, L.T. Ryan, Stephen Knight, Glynn James, T.W. Piperbrook, Joe McKinney, Craig DiLouie, Bobby Adair

This is the End 2: The Post-Apocalyptic Box Set (9 Book Collection)

J. Thorn, Scott Nicholson, Glynn James, J.R. Rain, Edward W. Robertson, Elizabeth Basque, Jacqueline Druga, T.W. Brown, Rachel Higginson, J.A. Konrath

Free

Over the past week I downloaded** (**Note this means I have added them to my library to read "someday") another 54 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.