It's Monday! What are you Reading November 1, 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 four good books this week and posted three Reviews with Giveaways.

As noted before,  for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I only got to visit a couple of  "It's Monday" posts last week and I visited a handful from the Enquiring meme (linked below).
I wish I had more time to visit. ***Sigh***

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

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 25, 2010 

•  Blog Tour Announcement for Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

•  Interview with Author Jeff Turner

•  Review and Giveaway (One Worldwide; Three total) of Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeff Turner

•  Review  and  ARC Giveaway of Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 29, 2010

•  Audio Book Review and Giveaway of Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2010

• Enquiring Minds want to know Meme - Week 9

Finished Reading:

PB:  Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell.  

Fun book; 4.25 Rating. 

See the review and 

ARC giveaway link above.

PB:   Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos) by Roxanne St. Claire. Intense romantic suspense. Check back Wednesday for my  Review, Hachette Giveaway and Author Guest Post.

The killer she can't escape . . .
The heartbreak she can't forget . . .
The one man who can stop them both.

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

Kindle:  A Halloween Collection Anthology: Sweet from Victory Press. This is one of the books donated by Victory Press for  my Halloween Giveaway. I did enjoy reading these sweet stories and I would be interested in reading longer works by all of the authors.

1 Go On Without Me by Markee Anderson - Paranormal (Ghosts); I liked this really sweet, quick romance.  4.0
2 Honor Cafe by Charlotte Raby Adrianne- Paranormal (Invisible man); I liked the story although the ending seemed abrupt; probably because of novella length. 4.0
3 The Halloween Witness by Rita Hestead - Historical mystery; I liked the direct writing but the story seemed to resolve a bit simplisticly so I’d like to read a longer piece by this author. 4.25
4.  The Memory Charmer and the Boy Next Door by Christine E. Schulze - pure fantasy; Christine definitely weaves an interesting fantasy tale. 4.0
5. I Love Pie! by Kate Kindle; Mad-Doctor theme; I liked the writing and the characters except I didn’t like the complete disregard for the marriage nor the mob attack even if it the Doctor was an evil human being. 4.0

Audio: Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin.  An enjoyable "people" and pet read. Rating 4.25. See link for review and Hachette giveaway above.


Line Edits: Had some last minute adjustments on the new fantasy so it will go up this week.

Currently reading:

PB:   Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne by Margaret Irwin. I have just started this and like the imagery but am finding I have to concentrate on the twisting dialogue. Provided by Sourcebook for review.

Product Description
From an acclaimed master of historical fiction, a captivating series that is "vivid and psychologically brilliant."
-Times Literary Supplement, UK
In July 1553, sibling rivalry looms perilous, even life-threatening, between the daughters of King Henry VIII. Their brother King Edward is dead, his successor Lady Jane Grey has been beheaded, and Queen Mary Tudor has just won possession of the throne. But her younger half sister-the beautiful and vivacious Princess Elizabeth-holds the hearts of the people. Despite Mary's health fading fast and her power beginning to crumble, she won't give up the throne, determined to rule to the absolute end as her father did before her. In these treacherous times, when all about her there is secrecy and deception, Elizabeth must rely on her faith and courage if she is to survive her ordeal and rise to fulfill her destiny. With grace and elegance, Margaret Irwin continues the story begun in Young Bess, giving readers an intimate peek into the world of that most enigmatic of Britain's monarchs.

PB (Kinlde):  Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry. This book was provided by Glass Road PR for a Blog Tour post on November 9.  Since we are on the road I ended up getting it for the Kindle so I didn't have to bring the book with me. I have only just started this but doesn't it sound really interesting??

Product Description
Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him.
However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

AUDIO:  Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. YEAH!  I got my DH to listen to this in the car today so we are already half way done!

Product Description
New York's Lombardo's Steak House is famous for three reasons--the menu, the clientele, and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer. Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad-boy. Shocked and shaken, he doesn't realize that he's accidentally captured a key piece of evidence. Ensnared in the city's most sensational crime in years, Nick investigates for a story of his own. Back off--or die--is the clear message as he closes in on the facts. Heedless, and perhaps in love, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson knows.

Audible:  New Tricks by David Rosenfelt. I got the paperback to review from Hachette especially because I LOVE this series. But I have listened to all the previous Andy Carpenter series on Audible and as I started reading I could just hear the narration by Grover Gardner.  I missed it so I decided to download the Audible and enjoy the listen - which I am!

Product Description
Andy Carpenter gains possession of an adorable Bernese puppy whose owner was brutally murdered. Few can rival Andy's affection for dogs, and he will do whatever it takes to insure that this little pup doesn't fall into the wrong hands. However, his playful new friend is valued by several people, many of whom are willing to resort to violence to get what they want.It will take more than Andy's usual courtroom theatrics to save this dog, including a little help from his beloved Golden Retriever, Tara. Andy soon discovers that anyone around him is in danger, including his longtime girlfriend, Laurie, and he will have to muster all of his wits to save those he holds most dear.

Line Edits:  Still doing some minor changes on formatting wo more books for release. It takes a bit to get them just right and go back and forth with the authors for approval.

Upcoming books:  

PB: Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan - Hachette Blog Tour Review, Giveaway and Author Q&A coming up November 10, 2010.

PB:  Stronger than Sin (Sin 2) by Caridad Pineiro - Hachette Blog Tour Review and Giveaway due November 11, 2010.

PB: The Forever Queen: Sometimes, a desperate kingdom is in need of one great woman by Helen Hollick. I only just started the print book but left it at home. The review is not due until November 18 but the book is 621 pages. I will switch to the Kindle version later this week.

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!

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 31, 2010

We traveled Saturday from Florida to Louisiana and  today we are traveling from Louisiana to Texas. I only have a few hours at night for internet checking business mail and fun reading mail.
This is a beautiful hymn I came across last week. The picture reminds me of fall - even if it is still in the 80s across I10.  The song reminds me that all I accomplish is by His Grace alone.

His Grace Alone

A Verse for today:
Titus 3:7 New Living Translation (©2007)

Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

I pray this morning that each person who reads this will feel God's touch and know His Grace is at work in their life.

Audio Book Review and Giveaway: Katie Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin

A warm tale of a charming dog and the neighbors she draws into a family.
Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (September 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1609410386
• ISBN-13: 978-1609410384

Genre:  Memoir
My Rating: 4.25

Product Description:
A personal memoir by bestselling author and celebrity journalist Glenn Plaskin, KATIE is a moving story about a man who discovers the true meaning of family after adopting a cocker spaniel puppy. Through the magnetic personality of his mischievous dog, the author soon makes powerful connections with several of his down-the-hall neighbors in a high-rise located in the unique Battery Park City neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. First, Katie trots into the lives of Pearl and Arthur, a warm-hearted elderly couple just a few doors down from Glenn. Later, John, a single Dad, and his rambunctious young son, Ryan, also move in and are seduced by Katie's charms.

All of their lives are profoundly changed as they are transformed from neighbors to friends to family, with Pearl as matriarch. The motherless boy finds a "Granny"; his Dad inherits a mother, Glenn discovers a confidante. Set in New York City, we witness nearly sixteen years of antics and family adventures spanning Hollywood high times, bad health, accidents, blustery winters, even the terrors of 9/11. Through it all, the family clings to each other, sharing a deep bond that give each comfort, support and security.

Based upon a widely-read article in Family Circle, here is an unforgettable story about the love that makes a family-one that transcends the hard realities of time, tragedy, and inevitable loss.

Review: This isn’t just a dog story but it is really a people story filled with sharing laughter and heartaches.

This audio book explains how the author found the Battery Park City community and it describes  the author’s early fears of dogs. The story progresses to the selection of a dog and the fortuitous procurement of Katie, a sweet cocker spaniel who isn’t wanted by her breeder. The listener then gets to enjoy Katie’s antics as a pup; Katie as a star with the stars Glenn interviews and for many years with the neighbors in the apartment building. Much of the story is about these neighbors, particularly Arthur and Pearl (affectionately called “PeRRL”, “Granny” or “Oldest”), the hall grandparents, and John, the single father with his three year old son, Ryan, who grows up with Katie. While Glenn goes to work, Katie spends the day with Arthur and Pearl and races up an down the hall with Ryan when he is little and later when he is home from school.

The book spans 15 years of Katie from lively puppy, to smart and sassy character and then to ailing senior dog. Many of us have smart and beautiful dogs and we can relate to the portrayal of  Katie with her own quirks, foibles and beauty. I enjoyed the author’s personalized communications with Katie.  I could certainly relate to that.

There were some great tidbits in the discussions of the people and their relationships with Katie. Glenn himself went through a depression for a time but was jolted out of it by a terrible accident. That made him thankful for his blessings and allowed him to see that “a grateful heart can’t be depressed.”

There seemed to be some very brief repetition of information as though the author wasn’t sure where to place the sentences and inadvertently they were left in twice. That is very minor. Be prepared however for a full disc on Katie’s aging followed by another disc on Pearl in her 90s as her health declines.  Those were not so cheerful listening but were interesting and ended with a loving upbeat tone.

The author narrates this audio and you learn about him, not only through the story, but also through the laughter and sadness that you can hear through his narration. I thought he did a very good job adding personality to the story.  This is a pleasant and enjoyable listen that would be good for any pet lover.

THANKS TO HACHETTE FOR PROVIDING THREE AUDIO CD BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment on either a) OR b) to enter; good for TWO entries.

a) Read an Excerpt or Listen to an Excerpt and leave a comment about that; OR
b) Visit the Book Website and tell me something you found there of interest.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For three entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For two more entries, leave a meaningful comment about this review.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Eight total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 16, 2010.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Winners of Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winners of

Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury

Thank you to all who entered plus thank you to some new followers. I hope you will enjoy visiting now and then to check out book reviews, author interviews and of course lots of giveaways.

I will email Brenda and Debbie to send their snail mail information. This is another lovely book to enjoy!