Mailbox Monday February 3, 2014

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.

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

I had one book from an author for review and three books I picked up at NetGalley; plus two ebooks I purchased. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Reviews

Sleeping Dogs: A Novel 
by Tony Vanderwarker
A thriller written with guidance from John Grisham -
Sounds interesting!

NetGalley Picks:

Two Dystopia/Futuristic Survival Stories
and a Sci Fi/fantasy.

  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)

by G. Michael Hopf
I have eyed this series for a while now.

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) 
by A. American
This is another Survival series I want to try.
I think I will get the first book with an Audible credit.

  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed
This sci fi/fantasy caught my eye. 

Won

None this week.

Purchased

Two Kindle purchases:

The Bigtime Series (Bigtime superhero series, e-bundle) [Kindle Edition]
Jennifer Estep (Author)

This looked like a good set for 99 cents

Truly Madly Deeply, 

A Carly Phillips Collection

(Love Unexpected Series) [Kindle Edition]
Carly Phillips (Author)

This is another set for 99 cents that looked like fum.

Free

Plus I downloaded 40 free Kindle titles this week.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! Waht Are You Reading? February 3, 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.

Last week was interrupted by an icy Wednesday. Most businesses in our county were closed due to inexperienced drivers on icy roads. I had a little extra reading time, then enjoyed Saturday morning with my family as the kids came to help prepare the garden for planting.

I finished three books and well into another audible. I posted three reviews, one with feature giveaway.
Plus I posted the regular weekly memes and posts (except the Saturday Snapshot). 

I did some visiting mid and end week which was nice.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? January 26, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday 1/27/14.

• Book Review with Giveaway Link: Warrior's Moon by Jaclyn M. Hawkes; Medieval Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 2/23/14.

• Audio Book Review: Flight of the Bowyer by Kenneth R. Lewis; Political Thriller, Futuristic; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 31, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 2/6/14.

• Book Review: Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles) by Cindy Spenser Pape; Sci Fi, Steampunk, Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #137 Comment Giveaway 2/1/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 2/8/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

Fifth Grave Past the Light: Charley Davidson, Book 5
    UNABRIDGED
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 5 
Another good addition to the series.
I hope to post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print/ ebook/kindle

The Sheriff's Surrender (Ladies' Shooting Club)
by Susan Page Davis
We ended up postponing our Club meeting. I'll still post the review this week with giveaway.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

 Beyond the Shadow of Canderlay Manor
by Dee Julian
I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous historicals
and loved this one too!
I will post a review later this week.
Book DescriptionPublication Date: January 7, 2014
In Regency England, Morgan Spence sets his mind upon achieving two goals. Acquiring his father’s abandoned ancestral estate and finding a wealthy bride to foot the bill for its restoration. Having accomplished the first part of his plan, Morgan moves into the neglected manor and soon discovers he’s not alone.

Afraid for her very life, Isabelle Lindley is forced into seclusion by the disfigured ruffian who burned her cottage and chased her into the forest. For the last three months she’s been hiding in a secret room at Canderlay Manor, depending upon the kindness of an old caretaker. When the new owner takes up residence, Belle tries to frighten him off by pretending to be a spirit, but the hoax backfires and nearly ends the man’s life.

After a near fatal accident, Morgan isn’t sure if he’s dealing with a ghost or clever intruder. When he discovers the truth, his plans for the future sail slightly off course, leaving him more determined than ever to avoid losing his heart.

Line Edits/Releases:

We released another Poetry collection: What Will Suffice by Barri Bryan
The subject matter of these one-hundred poems is diverse and varied with vivid and recognizable impressions, originality of diction, and variance in tone. Each poem has a life of its own. The theme is the common thread of humanity that speaks to the heart through many forms, melodious language, and personal emotions.  The author's devotion to craftsmanship lends immediacy and expressiveness to a wide variety of charming and introspective poetic images.
Genre: Poetry, Pages: 89


Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  New giveaway to be linked soon.

Currently reading:
1. Audible

Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 8 
I realized I had jumped over this one. Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke.
Publisher's Summary
With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

2. eBook/Kindle

The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence)
Timothy S. Johnston
This has a good hook to start!
Reviewing for the author; to post with giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 23, 2013
Dead Space, 2401 AD

Kyle Tanner is about to die. Alone, floating in a vacsuit only a few million kilometers from a massive, uncaring sun, he has barely enough time or juice to get out a distress signal before either his oxygen runs out or he succumbs to the radiation.

When the CCF sent investigator Kyle Tanner to SOLEX One, a solar energy harvester past Mercury, he thought it would be an open-and-shut murder case. A crew member was found dead, minus his head and hands. Not the worst Tanner has ever seen, but the deeper he delves, the more nightmarish it becomes. A shadowy figure, bleeding from his hands, assaults Tanner in his quarters. Then two more turn up dead, missing their heads and hands as well.

With no one to trust and everyone a suspect—even the intriguing chief engineer, Shaheen—Tanner must navigate a crew on the brink of madness to uncover a conspiracy that could threaten the whole of the human race. Even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice…

3. Print

New Frontier
by Jeremy Lee
I am enjoying the weaving of the mystery in this sci fi. Reviewing for Blog Tour on February 13.
Click on book title for full description.

I am up two days ahead with my daily Bible reading. :-)

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for a couple of print releases, two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) Looks like I may have only read 14 books in January which is down a little for me.  Then again, it was comfortable. So far I have seven books selected for February with more to come.
My backlog for review is still five so I hope to do four or five reviews this week to catch up.

February Scheduled-
I expect a couple of unscheduled Giveaways this month again.
2/13 New Frontier by Jeremy Lee - Novel Publicity Tour Review.

Sourcebooks:
   R is for Rebel – Megan Mulry 

NetGalley:
  The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston 
  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf
  Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) by A. American
  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed

Authors
   Sleeping Dogs: A Novel by Tony Vanderwarker

AudioBook Jukebox 
Making some new selections. 

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2014

It was so nice to be back at church to fellowship with 'family' today! The worship service was awesome!
Our Pastor's message today was: Do You Love What You Do?
What are your expectations? One definition of the verb “love” is to experience romantic passion and feeling for another. But the more important definition is found in the noun “love” - the acts that encompass more than just intimate feelings and which are outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13. Love is responsible for joy in the life that you are living.. Living under grace, through the love of God, is better than living under the law, the fear of God. The Ten Commandments are an outward symbol of the inward condition that we need to possess. Love, especially God’s love, reaches beyond the symbols! If we are living with and through God’s love, we will have more concern for others than for our self. The Fruit of the spirit applies to all equally - the pew sitter and the preacher. Ethics and morality will show through what we do. Are we living our life through love? Sometimes, we need to recognize our own shortfalls and seek more of God’s love to show to others. If you are not happy with ‘what you do’ (in work, home or play) maybe it isn’t the circumstances that need to change but your attitude towards them.

Once again I was led to a different song than I had in mind.

I had never heard this but it fits the message and I believe:

Love Never Fails

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

I was so infused in worship today - with love and praise overflowing! I thank the Lord for His exceeding Grace. May I live a life that shares and reflects, even in small ways, His love to others.

Sharing Beyond Books #137 Comment Giveaway, February 2, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

There were six definite "No" an author quote wouldn't influence reading the book with two more "not really" and one "not likely." So I count that as nine "nos." There were four "sometimes" with three more that would look closer for more info and another two who might let the quote to look at reviews. That totals nine "sometimes."  Then there were two that acknowledged small influence by the author quote.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #136 comments is: #16 Liss who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #137 (One Question.)

Q1. Liss asks: Where's your "hidden" paradise? A place where you go to read quietly, to think clearly or to have peace..??

A: I really can't think of one place. I don't have a special cushy chair... sort of wish I did. I enjoy going to sleep and waking up with either the MP3 or the Kindle plugged into my ears. And I do read in the (blush) restroom. But mostly I am happy to read wherever I am.  

This looks like a place I could curl up to read!!
Image found at Things I'm Obsessing Over.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 
January questions were supplied by bn100, MaryP, Nikki, Becky and LisaC. The winner for question reward is: LisaC.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Liss asks: Where's your "hidden" paradise? A place where you go to read quietly, to think clearly or to have peace..??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books (to be updated soon), or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday February 8, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review: Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles) by Cindy Spenser Pape

This is a very engaging and delightful “gaslight” steampunk romance mystery!

Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles)
by Cindy Spenser Pape

• File Size: 313 KB
• Print Length: 82 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (January 6, 2014)
• ASIN: B00F942VRC

Genre: Steampunk, Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: January 6, 2014
A Gaslight Chronicles novella
London, 1860
Police inspector Sebastian Brown served Queen and country in India before returning to England to investigate supernatural crimes alongside the Order of the Round Table. If his wifeless, childless life feels a little empty sometimes, that's not too great a price to pay in the name of duty.

Minerva Shaw is desperately seeking a doctor when she mistakenly lands on Sebastian's doorstep. Her daughter Ivy has fallen gravely ill with a mysterious illness—the same illness, it seems, that's responsible for taking the lives of many of Ivy's classmates.

Seb sniffs a case, and taking in Minnie and Ivy seems the only way to protect them while he solves it. But as mother and daughter work their way into his heart and Seb uses every magickal and technological resource he can muster to uncover the source of the deadly plague, it's he who will need protecting—from emotions he'd thought buried long ago.

Review:
Minnie is struggling through the snow storm and smoke poisoned air to find a doctor to help her daughter, Ivy. She stumbles at a door that is her last resort. Police inspector Seb hears a thud and opens his door to find a small figure fallen on his doorstep. He takes her in and discovers that she is seeking the doctor who lives next door. Seb decides to step in and help by taking Minnie back to her “project” apartment to pick up Ivy.

They discovered the place had been ransacked and Minnie’s friend and sitter has been murdered.
Fortunately they found Ivy hidden away. Now Seb’s interest is really picqued and he decides that Minnie and Ivy will be safest with him while they investigate the murder and the mysterious illness that has Ivy sweating out what looks like black soot.

Seb has an unusual team of investigators to call upon for help - the Order of the Round Table. These are people with special, supernatural skills: enhanced smell, sight and healing touches as well as ability to detect lies, auras and more. His friends are more than happy to add their efforts to find the villain who has been experimenting on young children from a poverty level grade school. The team also suspects that Ivy may have some super ability herself.

I really enjoyed Minnie as a tough, determined character. Though single she ‘adopted’ infant Ivy to raise as her own when her mother, another friend, died.  Minnie couldn’t be anymore fierce and protective than a natural, loving mother. I also loved Seb who is a quite determined investigator who has grown accustomed to his aloneness in life but has buried dreams of family. These two make a wonderful pair in this quick novella that gives a good feel for other characters in the series. There is mystery, suspense, steampunk elements and of course, sweet romance! I definitely want to read more in the series and recommend this to others who like mystery and romance, with or without steampunk.

I selected this through NetGalley to review for Carina Press.