It's Monday! What are you Reading February 14, 2011?

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.

Yay for another good reading week with a variety of enjoyable reads! I finished  three review books. I posted an Author Interview, three reviews, two with Giveaways; a Follower Love Giveaway Hop, a Galley Giveaway, the Enquiring meme post and my Sunday post.

I replied to a few posts again last week and I visited a bit. Still not as much as I would like. 
These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? February 7, 2011.

•  Follower Love Giveaway Hop. Ends 2/13.

• Help me Pick Next Read Giveaway. Ends 2/17.

• Book Review: I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review and Giveaway -3 Copies: To Tempt A Rake (Circle of Sin) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 2/25.

• Q&A Interview with Author Suzanne Barrett.

• Book Review and Giveaway - eBook and Print: In Love and War by Suzanne Barrett; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 2/25. INTERNATIONAL for eBook.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 11, 2011. Ends 2/17.

• Giveaway Galley Copy: Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower. Ends 2/18.

• Book Review: The Righteous by Michael Wallace.

• Enquiring Minds Meme Week #24 with Comment Giveaway. Ends 2/18.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 13, 2011.

Finished Reading:


Print:
To Tempt A Rake (Circle of Sin) by Cara Elliott. 
Review and Hachette Giveaway linked above.

 

Kindle: The Righteous

by Michael Wallace.  

Very good!! Review linked above.

 
Print: A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor 

by Robert G. Pielke

Review and Giveaway of Review Copy on 2/15. Quite remarkable!

Audio: ------------------

Line Edits/Releases:
Love From the Ashes by Patricia Andres and ΕΞΙΣ gods, ghosts and battered cellphones by Anne Abad are ready to release... just giving the Valentine week to Cupid Gone Wild Anthology.

Currently reading:

Print:  The Big Show Stopper (A Pinky and the Bear mystery) by Ken Dalton.
I am 35% into this one. It seems to be moving fast. The review and review copy giveaway will post on 2/17.
Product Description
The Big Show Stopper opens in a packed concert arena with everyone waiting for the entrance of Brady Blackstone, the richest, and premier concert performer in America. But before Brady sets his foot on the stage, a tragic accident takes his life in front of Bear and a devastated Flo. However, it does not take Bear and Flo very long to question if the death was it an accident or murder?
Once again, in the pursuit of a pile of money and a little justice, Pinky travels to an exotic site while Bear and Flo end up in one of the least desirable locations in California.
The Big Show Stopper brings back Pinky, Bear, Flo, along with a gaggle of quirky characters. A beer swilling wacko. A naked old fart. A couple of downright dangerous folks. And concludes on a dark night with the dynamic trio spread eagle counting down the final seconds of their lives.

Print: Everyone Loves a Hero: ...and that's the problem

by Marie Force

I just stared this and I think it will be a fun read.

This is from Sourcebooks for review, Giveaway

and Author Interview on February 23.

Product Description

Fame has its perks...

Reluctantly famous, First Officer Cole Langston finds being in the spotlight has its advantages-until he meets Olivia. Having women throw themselves at him everywhere he goes becomes a serious problem when he's trying to convince her she's the one...

And its price...

Olivia has trouble trusting a guy like Cole, and everywhere she turns she sees reasons to run. But he's the only man who's ever seemed to understand her as an artist and as a woman...

Cole is working overtime to prove to Olivia that he's serious, but her deep seated mistrust and his entourage of unwelcomed fans may be more than they can overcome...

Audio: The Collectors by David Baldacci.  Llehn picked this for her audio win so I will listen to it and send it on.  I am near the end of disc 3 of 5. I will finish it this week during my drive.

People are dropping dead in Washington, D.C. First the Speaker of the House falls victim to a hit man in a carefully orchestrated murder in front of dozens of the city's power elite. Next, the director of the Library of Congress's Rare Books Room dies in a book vault, but no one knows how. Caleb Shaw, Camel Club member, nearly falls victim, too. Across the country, a gifted con woman assembles an A-list team to pull off one of the most audacious scams ever, against one of the most dangerous men in the world. When the worlds of Washington and the elite con collide head-on, the Camel Club finds itself teamed with a person they don't really trust but whose skill helps them unravel a secret that threatens to bring America to its knees.

 
Audible: The audible I am listening to is The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. He is a wonderful reader. I am at Exodus 12.


Line Edits: Working to finalize and format Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf. Also doing final edits on Desperate Measures by Cindy Comer.

February 2011 Books Coming Up

All Print books
Scheduled:
Finished Reading for 2/15 A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert G. Pielke. Reviewing for blog tour.
Reading now for 2/17 The Big Show Stopper (A Pinky and the Bear mystery) by Ken Dalton.  Reviewing for blog tour.
Reading now for 2/23 Everyone Loves a Hero: ...and that's the problem by Marie Force. Author Interview and Review with Giveaway to be posted for Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Remaining Review books for February - waiting for the Help me Pick Next Book results!
The Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase
My Love, My Enemy by Jan Speas
Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain
House Divided by Raul Ramos Y Sanchez
13, rue Thérèse: A Novel  Elena Maudi Shapiro

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 13, 2011

I guess these Sunday's Words have gotten a bit more preachy.  I won't apologize for this but I hope they do not offend anyone.  I hope that those who wish to enjoy them will.

This morning our Pastor's message was entitled "Designed by God."  He reminded us that man was created with love and for love.  God made us to be in relationship with him and with each other. In America so many of us live with pseudo relationships that do not have a true foundation of selfless love.  A relationship that is based on God's Love will have these qualities:
It will have Forgiveness 1 Cor 13:5
It will be Real Matt 11:19
It will be Truthful Prov 27:6 and Eph 4:15
It will be Embracing Luke 18:16 and Luke 5:13
It will not be Selfish John 15:13
It will be Dedicated Heb 13:5 and Matt 28:20

This is the video I chose today: 
Love Letter - God has written you a letter...
There's a line that says "will you be my child?"
which made me think it could similar to "will you be my Valentine?"

A Verse for Today:

John 3:16 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Since this passage was rejected for the SuperBowl game I decided I would not reject it but that it was a good verse to share for Valentine's.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 24 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thanks for sharing last week about your first, worst and best jobs. Several of us did not like telemarketing!
I thought it was funny - but understandable! -that Cheryl's teaching was her best and worst job.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #23 is: #3 Mystica. Mystica -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.

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 24 QUESTIONS

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl? If yes, which part did you like the best, the game, the halftime show, the commercials and did you notice the mistake made with the National Anthem?
I know without looking that Dollycas watched! Congrats on the Packers win! I worked on the computer while the game was on so I only half watched.  The halftime show was rather amazing even if I don't care for that sort of hype and have to wonder at the extravagant costs!
As to the commercials... my DH always skips those - we have a TV hook-up that allows that. The commercial I would have liked to have seen was the Christian one they rejected:  

2. Dollycas joined a new meme this week called "Monday's Music Moves Me", this month's theme is love songs, Do you have a favorite love song?
Well - I guess it would be a song I choose for our wedding: What are you doing the rest of your life?  Not real well known but I loved the words. I didn't realize it was sung by Sinatra:

3. How many blog challenges have you entered this year?

This is easy to answer... so far none!  However I do have plans to enter a couple and/or create my own. Of course I will do the 100 Book Challenge. And I need to add the Reading Addict Challenge that Dolloycas has in her post! Does anyone know if there is a full list of challenges anywhere in blogsville for me to check before I create one of my own?

xxx

Your turn to share - Did you watch the Superbowl? Do you have a favorite Love Song? And how many challenges have you entered this year?  

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 18 at 10PM central. 

Winners: My Immortal Assasin and Kiss at Own Risk

Thanks as always to all who entered. I loved the many recommendations I got for paranormal reads from the Kiss at your Own Risk comments.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners of

My Immortal Assassin 

by Carolyn Jewel

I will email Christina, Vonda and PamK to send me their mailing addresses to send on to Hachette.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winner of

 Kiss at Your Own Risk 

by Stephanie Rowe

I will email Caffey to send her mailing address (and choice of bookmarks) so I can send her my review copy.

Book Review: The Righteous by Michael Wallace

I highly recommend this very gripping thriller exposing horrors of a religious cult.

The Righteous  by Michael Wallace

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 332 KB
• Publisher: Balsalom Publishing (February 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004LX0B9M

     Price: Kindle $2.99 (good bargain!)
     Genre: Thriller

See My Rating here

Product Description

Medical student Jacob Christianson is sent by church elders to investigate a murder within the polygamist enclave of Blister Creek, Utah. He brings his sister Eliza, who at seventeen, must choose a husband from three old men jostling for power within the church hierarchy.

Jacob discovers that the murdered woman has been killed in accordance with secret blood oaths taken within the polygamist temple. Together with his sister, he uncovers a plot to overthrow the church leadership, with murders that reach beyond the community and into the “gentile” world.

Review:  I found this book to be really well written and the plot gripping.

The author portrays great detail about the traditions and rituals of the polygamist sects within the Morman church. There are conflicting thoughts and emotions presented through the characters relating to the church community as well as the horrors that exist when members twist the faith into a religious cult.

Jacob, as a medical student, has some secular exposure beyond the community he has been raised in. Although he honors his church and elder’s directives he is also mindful of the world’s authority outside that church community.  He is able to use his medical skills in forensic observances to help his investigation.  However he has to walk a fine line to balance the rights, rituals and protective forces in the church against exposing the evils that he discovers.  He is faced with lies and resistance as he begins the investigation. Then as he proceeds with danger around him, he has to deal with the added pressure from his father and others to help his sister choose (or choose for her) a husband. 

Eliza is a very bright young woman who respects her church family but wants more than to be a brood mare.  She is highly sought after as a healthy and intelligent wife. However, she is unhappy being presented with the choice of three not very desirable prospects. Eliza has one brother who is already excommunicated by the church and she misses him and doesn't fully understand the lack of mercy and forgiveness towards him. The pressures on her and the unhappiness she sees stir her with thoughts of rebellion.

In the Mormon community presented by this author some wonderful rules of duty and obedience have become twisted up by evil men. The elders have isolated themselves to the point that they seem to want blind obedience without considerations to mercy or compassion for human mistakes and feelings. They reject youths for "natural" sins yet they do not see the bigger evil and corruption in their midst. The elders would rather cover up a murder than have outside authorities question or interfere with their practices.

The tension builds and builds as Jacob and Eliza find more clues to bigger problems in the community that appear to have led to the murder.  The last third of the book is definite nonstop page turner quality.  This book is not only an excellent thriller, but it causes one to think about the emotions and effects involved in living in such a restrictive community.

xxx

I received this book from the author for an honest and unbiased review.

Giveaway: Galley Copy of Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower

I am sorry I didn't get to review this one but glad that Beth from Sourcebooks has offered the opportunity to host a giveaway of one of the Galley Copies to a lucky reader!  Release date: Late February early March, 2011.  This Giveaway will only last a week so the winner can get the book a bit ahead of everyone else. :-)

Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402259638
• ISBN-13: 978-1402259630

Price:  Print $8.73

Product Description from Sourcebooks

A Notorious Duke
An Infamous Duchess
An Innocent Girl
Violante isn’t supposed to be here, in one of the grandest courts of Renaissance Italy. She isn’t supposed to be a lady-in-waiting to the beautiful Lucrezia Borgia. But the same secretive  politics that pushed Lucrezia’s father to the Vatican have landed Violante deep in a lavish landscape of passion and ambition.
Violante discovers a Lucrezia unknown to those who see only a scheming harlot, and all the whispers about her brother, Cesare Borgia, never revealed the soul of the man who dances close with Violante.
But those who enter the House of Borgia are never quite the same when they leave—if they leave at all. Violante’s place in history will test her heart and leave her the guardian of dangerous secrets she must carry to the grave.
What Readers Are Saying
“Glittering, gorgeous, compelling, and stunning.”
“A richly satisfying historical novel. It deserves prizes.”

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE GALLEY COPY:

1. Sins of the House of Borgia is the third book by Ms. Bower. The covers of the prior books are below.   Please tell me which cover you like best.
Please leave your e-mail!

2.  For an extra entry tell me of another Historical Fiction book from Sourcebooks that you would like to read. (I just had to make you go look at something)

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

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

(Five total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on February 18, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.