Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 31 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

It sounds like many of us enjoy traveling - although traveling 1000 miles west then turning around and traveling 1000 miles home isn't what I call fun travel. We had basically no internet the last two nights so I am really glad to be in a nice hotel tonight. But my guys are asleep and I need to turn out lights soon.

Looks like at least five of us would like to visit Alaska and there are five or so interested in the Scotland/Ireland area too. Mona - that Palace on Wheels train sounds interesting. Scottsgal - the Grand Canyon is beautiful and my DH and I agreed that there is still plenty for us to see in the USA ... although I would still like to visit lots of other countries too!

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #30 is: #4 Sarah. Sarah- please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 31 QUESTIONS

1. Are you a bath or shower person?
I am definitely a shower person. I rarely take time for a bath. Unfortuneately our main bedroom shower is small like this picture. My DH keeps threatening... ah promising... to expand the shower every time he bumps his elbows.

2.  Do you bathe/shower in the morning or at night?

I shower in the mornings. When I am washing my hair I use the other, larger shower.

3. Do you have a hot tub or swimming pool?

It may seem strange but I do not like hot tubs. We have a swimming pool which is currently covered but will be uncovered soon! This is a picture of our pool from last August.

Your turn to share: Do you shower or take baths?; in the morning or at night? Do you have a hot tub or pool?

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, April 8 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 30 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Last week we had fun sharing about our nationalities and about St. Patrick customs. Winnie & Jane - I'll have my son give me something this week in Chinese to share with you. You mean they celebrate St. Patrick's Day in China? Doesn't that seem odd? Then again it is a "small world after all" and Mystica is right that most of us are mixed decent and we might live anywhere. Jennifer was the natural born Irish lass.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #29 is: tooncesmom. tooncesmom- please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remainging Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 30 QUESTIONS

If you live outside of the United States replace your home country for the United States in these questions.

1. Have you ever traveled outside of the United States?

Yes - I wish I had some of my Europe pictures from 2005. We flew into London and then took the train to Antwerp to take a 15 day Viking River Rhine cruise that was WONDERFUL!  But here are pictures from our  transatlantic cruise from Spain to Florida in 2008.

 

Above - amazing food markets in Cadiz.

Left  - Interesting  sights in Casablanca and right beautiful Madeira port entrance.
We also have been to the Bahamas several times, Los Cabos,  Mexico and I have been to Canada - Prince Edward Island, Montreal and Toronto on different occasions.

2.  If you could pack up today on a vacation and money was no issue where would you go?

Hard decision as I want to go to Israel, would love to do a Mediterranean cruise and would like to visit China.  But I think I would choose Wales with side trips to Scotland and Ireland.

Visit Wales

3. Is there somewhere in the United States that you have never been that you would like to visit?

Yes - I want to visit Alaska - preferably on a cruise. (Do you get the picture we LOVE cruises!)

Your turn to share: Have you visited outside your own country? Where would you like to visit most outside and inside your own country?

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, April 1 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 29 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Oops- I jumped a week ahead to #30 when it should be #29.
Thanks for sharing last week about your names - the stories were fun to read. I think Jennifer get's my pick for the most unusual childrens' names.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #28 is: tearyeyedstars. ejhtan- please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remainging Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 29 QUESTIONS

1. What is your family background regarding nationality?

My father's family game from Holland and he is proudly one of the older living members of the Holland Society (males who are a descendant of an ancestor who lived in New Netherland before or during 1675).

My mother's family was German and English.
 

2. Have you ever eaten corned beef and cabbage, the traditionally meal of St. Patrick's Day or drank green colored beer?
 
We have often eaten corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day but my DH forgot this year. I do not think I ever drank green colored beer.

3. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in many cities in the U.S. and around the world, are there any celebrations happening near you?

I found this a good question because we had a ladies dinner Monday night. Our leader shared some interesting facts about St. Patrick's Day including a quiz. One really interesting fact she gave: There are 34 million Irish (descendants I guess) in the US and only 4 million in Ireland! The biggest celebration is in New York.
Our City has a St. Patrick's Day Celebration with bed races. I attend as part of the Board of Realtors.

This is one of the participating beds.

Your turn to share: What is your family nationality? Do you eat corned beef and cabbage or drink green bear? Were there celebrations near you?

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, March 25 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 28 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about cookbooks, appliances and take out food. The microwave got the most entries for most used appliances. Llehn uses the blender and that made me remember the days when DH would make us wonderful fruit smoothies!! Yum.  A couple of people eat take out about 3 times a week but the rest of us are less than that so most of us seem to eat more home cooked, or at least cooked at home, meals.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #27 is: Dollycas! Dollycas please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remainging Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 28 QUESTIONS

1. Author Jessica Park commented this week on Facebook that "Naming characters takes me almost as long as it does to write the book." which led me to start thinking about names. Is there a story behind your first name?

My first name is Martha -  I have always known it meant "Lady  or mistress" but I do not have a story behind it.

I found this additional information which is interesting.

Additional info:
Martha is a name of Aramaic origin, meaning "lady, mistress".

She was a figure in the New Testament. According to the gospel of John, she was the sister of Lazarus and Mary, and she witnessed her brother's resurrection.
The image of the Biblical Martha is that of a hard-working housewife, and she became the patron saint of house-bound wives.  (Well that part sure does not fit me!!)

Having been out of vogue for several decades, in 2006 Martha broke into the top 100 names in the UK (number 99). Martha is the name of the Doctor's companion in the third series of the resurrected British sci-fi series Doctor Who, and as such may be poised for a revival in the UK. However, in 2005 Martha was rated at a much lower 509 in the US.

2. Do you think parents today give more thought to the names they give their children than our parents did?
I think parents today do think seriously and pull names from more than Biblical or historical names. We picked our son's name because of it's meaning: Matthew means "gift of God" and his middle name is my husband's favorite movie character, "Shane."  Our daughter we named after a flower, Heather, and after a beloved great Aunt (Rae) and her paternal grandfather (Ray) so that became her middle name spelled Raye. I think many parents are more creative and make up names.

3. What is the most unusual child's name you have noticed recently?

Actually I think my Granddaughter's name is pretty unusual: Jozalyn Bailey. I have no idea where my daughter got those names.
They have selected a couple of boy and girl names for the baby due in early May. They chose not to find out the sex of the baby.

(This isn't my Heather but sure could be!!)

Your turn to share - Is there a story behind your name? Do you think parents put more thought into naming their children? What is the most unusual child's name you have known recently?  

I did not find too many March or Irish books - I was going to add them but have made them part of the March Giveaway Hop packages instead. 

Meanwhile Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, March 18 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 27 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about perfumes, pillows and fantasy characters.  I'm not sure why many of us choose Beauty/Belle but maybe we are all soft, kind romantics at heart.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #26 is: #4 Birgit.  Birgit please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 27 QUESTIONS

1. How many cookbooks do you own?

I do not own any. My DH has only a couple but he uses the Internet extensively. We had a very large collection of cookbooks before we moved in 2005. DH told me to get rid of them because he didn't want to carry the box of books. I took them to Goodwill.  But now every once in a awhile he will say to me "Why did you get rid of all my cookbooks?"

The Joy of Cooking we bought to replace the one I had from my mother years ago. Sunny Side Up is from the Junior League in Fort Lauderdale so that predates the move. The black ringed booklet is From Our Heart, recipes from Heartbeat Women's ministries at our church.  It includes one or two from my DH. :-)

2. What is the most used electrical appliance in your kitchen?

Definitely the microwave! Actually ours is a microwave convection oven so DH uses it for cooking. I make lots of hot tea.  A very close second would be our coffee pot or the Kurig.

 





3. How many nights per week do you have take-out, delivery or fast food?

We used to have take-out at least once a night - Pizza or Chinese; sometimes Tacos.  But since DH has been diagnosed with the diabetes we have been good to eat at home... mostly vegetables.

Your turn to share - How many cookbooks do you have? what is your most used electric appliance? or how many nights a week do you do take out?  

I did not find too many March or Irish books but I have a few.  I will add them later this week. Meanwhile Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, March 11 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 26 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about vitamins, snacks and breakfast choices. Some of us are better at taking our vitamins than others - Mariska is good to take her supplement (Congratulations on the baby - how are you sleeping? *BG*) We all like different snacks but it sounds like most of us like our breakfast foods!

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #25 is: Stacey. Stacey - please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 26 QUESTIONS

1. Do you wear perfume, body spray, etc.  If yes what are you favorite scents/brands?
A few years ago I found a new scent - I use DNKY Be Delicious or Red Delicious.

2. How many pillows are on your bed?
--- I had to go count:  There are six pillows on our bed.  A little like the picture below. But I have a foam memory pillow for my head and a small back pillow I  use under my knee. The other four pillows my DH uses.

3. If you could be any character in a fairy tale, who would you be?

Here's A List That May Help

If you check that link there are way to many choices! I think there is a wise old owl in some fairy tale and that is what I would pick I think.  Or... the other one that came to mind was Beauty from Beauty and the Beast. Not that my DH is a beast... and I am blessed with my own Happy Ending.

Your turn to share - Do you use a perfume? how many pillows are on your bed? or what fairy tale character would you like to be?  

All of February winners will get to make their selection from some Valentine and "Love" books I posted. 
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, March 4 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 25 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about the Super Bowl, love songs and blog challenges.Shows what different cultures we have when Mystica doesn't know what the Super Bowl is! (It's the final football game of the season to determine the champion team from the previous year. It is much more important normally to the men and the states who have a winning team!)

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #24 is: #6 Mona. Mona - please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired. Or let me know what credit you want or book you want from Book Depository if international.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 25 QUESTIONS

1. Do you take a daily multi-vitamin or supplement?

I used to take various vitamins but got out of the habit. Guess I should start again. The only pill I take is for joint aches.  My DH takes a dozen or so that are colorful like the picture here.

2. You're snacking - popcorn - pretzels - potato chips or peanuts?

Any-all of the above a different times! DH has just been diagnosed with diabetes2 so I think our eating habits are about to change - for the better.

3. Waffles, Pancakes or French Toast?

Depends on my mood. I like them all. But actually we started eating crepes after visiting Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.  I'll have to check to see if I have a picture of my own I can load.

Your turn to share - Do you take a multi-vitamin or supplements; which snack do you like or which breakfast "pastry"?  

All of February winners will get to make their selection from some Valentine and "Love" books I posted. 
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, February 25 at 10PM central. 

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 23 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about your sleeping habits. Although some of you have to get up early I didn't note anyone say they were actually a morning person.  Funny - Throuthehaze is going to bed about the same time that Nastassia is getting up. :-)

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #22 is: #8 Jennifer. Jennifer, please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 23 QUESTIONS

1. What was the first job your ever had?

The question doesn't say full time or part time.  Of course I did baby sitting when I was a young teen to about 16.  I remember I had a cute set of twins I sat for.  I was a copy clerk/gopher in my high school summers at a resort hotel on Ft. Lauderdale beach.  I went through undergrad in three years so wasn't off much to work then but I worked part time as a law clerk during law school.
The first full time job I had would be as a newbie lawyer with a collection law firm in Orlando.

Teddy photo from Vermont Teddy Bear
If you can't read the note card it says "confidential briefs."

2. What was the worst job you ever had?

I can think of some difficult clients but not really a worst job... except maybe getting rid of those difficult clients.

3. What is the best job you ever had?

I am very detailed and love real estate so my title company is my best job. I like my law practice most of the time too. And I enjoy my publishing company because of working with authors and editors and readers... that is work and fun. AND of course I love blogging so I thought this picture was just perfect for me:

Photo found at Problogger.net and there is a great article to go with it.

Your turn to share - what was your first job, your worst job and/or your best job?  This week and for February the winners will get to make their selection from some Valentine and "Love" books I will be posting. 
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, February 11 at 10PM central.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 22 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

I really enjoy everyone's comments. It is good to remember that some of our distant friends have totally different weather! Fi-Chan says it's too hot but most of us are complaining about the cold! :-) The beach or lodge choice votes were pretty evenly split although a couple of lodge goers wanted books instead of friends. LOL. And none of us do winter sports. Guess that is not so surprising since we are mostly busy reading!

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #21 is: #1 Stacey Smith. Stacey, please pick a book from the Christmas List for Giveaway and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 22 QUESTIONS

1. What time do you usually wake up each morning?

I usually wake before my alarm which I set between 7:25 to 7:45.  Then I like to have a cup of coffee and read for a half hour before I get up.  Every other morning I am supposed to be getting up in time to do a half hour on the bicycle.  Monday morning I will be doing that.

2. What time do you usually go to sleep each night?

I am a night owl, not a morning person. So I go to bed too late most nights.  I would like to go to bed by midnight every night but it doesn't happen. Lots of nights I crawl to bed at 1 or even 2am.  That is not healthy because I need all the beauty rest I can get!

3. Standing at the foot of your bed, do you sleep on the right side of the bed, left side of the bed, or do you have the whole bed to yourself?

Standing at the foot of the bed and facing the bed I do sleep on the left like the lady in the cartoon. But my DH is almost always asleep before I get to bed. I can listen to my Kindle or my Audible before I go to sleep but rarely get to read at night so the light doesn't disturb him.

Your turn to share - are you a morning person or a night owl?  This week and for February the winners will get to make their selection from some Valentine and "Love" books I will be posting.  I will link in the picture and titles when I get it posted.
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, February 4 at 10PM central.

Enquiring Minds Want to Know Meme Week 9

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 9 QUESTIONS

1.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?
I guess my favorite holiday has to be Christmas.

2.  ARE YOU DRESSING UP FOR HALLOWEEN? IF YES, AS WHAT?
Nope. I haven't dressed up for years now.
3.  IF YOU HAVE KIDS ARE THEY DRESSING UP? AGAIN IF YES, WHAT ARE THEY DRESSING UP AS?
Hmm- I don't think my daughter dressed up. But my 61/2 grandson dressed as a vampire - I haven't found out how that came about yet. My almost 3 year old granddaughter dressed as little red riding hood. She was quite adorable with her lovely blond hair!

Enquiring Minds Want to Know Meme

I was visiting Debbie's Book Bag and found a new meme she is participating in. It is hosted by Dollycas's Thoughts.

Read More about it at Dollycas's blog but the goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up.

I love the idea but whether I will have the time and energy each week to post remains to be seen. The meme is set for Thursdays and I may well be crunched for time mid week.

This is week 7 and here goes:

WEEK 7 QUESTIONS 

1.  What is your favorite pizza topping?

I guess I would have to say bacon.  I love bacon.  My DH made an awesome white pizza last week with white cheeses, onion, bacon and a little pit of fresh tomato.  YUM!  I found this picture of a brie and bacon pizza online and a recipe that goes with it:

I will have to get this recipe to hubby.

2.  If you could give up one household chore forever, what would it be?

To be honest I don't clean as much as I should. When I do clean I start dusting from the top, work down, move every piece of furniture and then vacuum after dusting.  You can see that takes a while and that's why it doesn't get done as often as it should. But I don't mind doing that.  I'd say the chore I least like is cleaning toilets. Thanks to my retired DH - he handles that chore!!  I bet he'd like this brush to use.  BTW- Cleaning the cat litter box falls in this category I could do without too!

3.  What is your favorite kind of music? 

I don't listen to much music since I usually have my nose in a book or earphones from my Kindle or Audible books in my ears and the Audiobooks on in the car.  That said I love all kinds of music EXCEPT heavy metal.  I guess if I had to pick one though I would go with praise and worship as it's good for my soul. :)

Now that you know more about me feel free to share about yourself and, if you would like, join the meme every week. So, as Dollycas says, we can all get to know each other better and get the answers to all the questions 

Enquiring Minds Want To Know!! 

It's Monday! What are you Reading July 26, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

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 finished reading four books. I posted two reviews last week and have four reviews and giveaways that will post this week.

Again, I only visited a few blogs early in the week and a few at the end of the week. I was very busy at work so didn't get much posted during the middle of the week. Then I had several posts for Friday the 23rd, including the GOT BOOKS? Event which was fabulous fun.

These were last week's posts plus a couple of Winner posts not listed.

• Its Monday What are You Reading?

Review of The Wild Irish Sea: A windswept tale of love and magic
by Loucinda McGary

• Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway July 23, 2010.

• Giveaway in Blog Tour of The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel

• Review of The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel by Sam Hilliard

• GOT BOOKS? Event Giveaway. 

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 25, 2010.

Finished:

PB:  The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel by Sam Hilliard.

See Review and Giveaway links above.

PB & Kindle: The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords) by Kathryne Kennedy. Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

 
This is an engaging fantasy. My review and ARC giveaway will be posted on Tuesday.

 

PB & Audible:  The Castaways: A Novel 

by Elin Hilderbrand.    

This went really fast. 

Review and Hachette Giveaway 

to post on Thursday.

 

Audio CD: Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. Another good mix of crime stories. My review and the Hachette Giveaway will be posted Wednesday.

Line Edits: I did not get much editing done last week. *Sigh.*

Currently reading:
   
PB: Bloodmaiden by Christine D. Schulze. About 3/4ths complete. I am enjoying this intricate fantasy. Review and Author Giveaway to be posted  - maybe on Saturday. Reading and reviewing for the author.

Product Description

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan... If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

PB & Kindle:  Murphy's Law [Damaged Heroes 1] by Sandy James. I am 30% into this. I love horses and really like this well written romance! Reading and reviewing for the author. Watch for the author Guest Blog and Giveaway soon.

Product Description

Seth Remington had a fortune at his fingertips, but something was missing in his life. Purpose. Knowing he has one last chance to redeem his son, terminally ill Sterling Remington rewrites his will. To earn his inheritance, his son Seth must labor as a groom for a horse trainer.
Katie Murphy's orderly existence is turned upside down by Sterling Remington's will. Raised on hard work and dedicated to her harness racing stable, Katie agrees to take Seth on as a groom. How can she ever fulfill the challenge of instilling a work ethic in Seth and still keep her faltering stable running?
Kept at arm's length by the strict terms of Sterling's will, Seth and Katie are forced to struggle with their growing attraction until a devastating racing accident forces them to take a hard look at their relationship. How much is he willing to risk for her love?

Audio Book:  When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man by Jerry Weintraub. I am just starting this. Reviewing for Hachette with Giveaway.
Partial Description:
Here is the story of Jerry Weintraub: the self-made, Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised impresario, Hollywood producer, legendary deal maker, and friend of politicians and stars. No matter where nature has placed him--the club rooms of Brooklyn, the Mafia dives of New York's Lower East Side, the wilds of Alaska, or the hills of Hollywood--he has found a way to put on a show and sell tickets at the door. "All life was a theater and I wanted to put it up on a stage," he writes. "I wanted to set the world under a marquee that read: 'Jerry Weintraub Presents.'" 

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Line Edits: . Will be working on the edits for YA fantasy Drinna by Jared Gullage.

Upcoming books:
Next up:  Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden. Hachette Blog Tour August 3rd. Author Guest Post, Review and Giveaway.
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear. Sourcebook Blog Tour August 4th.Author Q&A and Giveaway.

The Brothers of Gwynedd: The Legend of the First True Prince of Wales by Edith Pargeter. Part Three - The Hounds of Sunset. Reviewing for Sourcebooks.  Not quite sure when I will be getting back to this but it is still on the schedule.