Mailbox Monday - January 4, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia

at The Printed Page

I won A Darker Dream by Amanda Ashley

in a follower Giveaway at The Cajun Book Lady

Thank you Kris!

And as a gift for being a Tell Harlequin Panel Member I received

The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Raeanne Thayne.

Thank you Harlequin!

What are you reading on Mondays? January 4, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog

I had a good week finishing some books and finishing some reviews that were due!

[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson. A very interesting mix of almost prose with a rough psychological reminiscence.  A thriller about four murderers, 18 to 81, in a forensic psychiatric ward.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for author through Bostwick.

 Lucifer Rising by Barbara Fifield.  First - I have to say that I found that the blurb last week was misleading.  This was interesting but is really a drama story of a reporter caught in a relationship with an obsessive, womanizing and charismatic fellow.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for author through Bostwick.

Kindle2:  Call Me Kate, Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe.  Very well done - review posted on MBS for Tribute Books. 

Cotillion Christmas Spirits Anthology - this was Five regency romances.  All five were good and the last one was especially wonderful! Review to be sent to CataRomance.

Not just a Christmas story:  Three Minutes Before Christmas by Paige Ryter. 
Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they've only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost.  Review to be posted soon on MBS for the author.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  ----------

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Currently reading:

PB:  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger.  From the gothic eccentricity of Asheville, North Carolina to the terrifying recesses of the Appalachian wilderness, from modern demonology to ancient Cherokee mythology, SOUL CATCHER follows the tormented journey of folk artist Livia Belane, who has been stalked through many lives by a sadistic and vengeful demon.Reviewing on MBS for author through Bostwick.

Next up: Seduced by a Rougue by Amanda Scott. The handsome hero abducts the lovely heiress of an enemy clan.  Can love win out over clan war?  Reviewing on MBS for Hachette giveaway and blog tour on January 12, 2010.

Kindle2:  Cup of Joe by Teri Wilson. Sweet Inspirational. From product description:  ...Goldie knows God has a new plan for her life, but she's simply too tired to figure out what it is. To make matters worse, sweet, shy coffee shop owner, Joe Montgomery, keeps showing up on her doorstep with morning coffee. ...As she takes steps to start a new life, with her new puppy scampering playfully at her side, Goldie begins to realize a cup of Joe just might be what she's needed all along. Reviewing for YGR.

Also Its A Vampire Thing by Dakota Cassidy.  Paranormal, Humor; Reviewing for CR.

Audible: on hold.

Audio CD:  On hold as I am reading/listening to review eBooks on Kindle instead.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 3, 2010

Starting off the New Year our guest pastor reminded us of the Wisemen. This is a very shortened version of a good message I had never heard before!
The Wisemen went to the Obvious place (Jerusalem) but were mistaken. They were Offensive in seeking Jesus as King Herod and the poeple sure didn't want to hear about some other King or the Messiah. They had to go to an Obscure place, Bethlehem, being Obedient by following the star there and leaving by another route.
So we have to be careful of the Obvious messages that may be coming in the world around us. We may as well accept that we will be Offensive to those who don't want to hear about Jesus, and if we water down the message we will be Offensive to other followers of Christ.  We may live in Obscurity but that is okay as long as we live in Obedience trying to follow God's Will.

This song reminds us that God makes All Things New and that seems appropriate for a New Year!

A Verse for Today:
John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

 My Prayer as we start this National Week of Prayer is that we would be a people of prayer.... seeking God's Will each day! And that has to start with me!

December 2009 Reading List!

December 2009  Books 173 - 188

(If there is no link that means I am still working on the review or it hasn't been posted yet!)

173.     Evidence of Angels by Suza Scalora Children’s Book 5.0 MBS
174.     Play it Loud by Gina Lee Nelson (eBook) Contemporary Romance 4 stars BTL
175.     The Dragon and the Rose by Gina Rifkin (eBook) Historical - Medieval 4 stars BTL
176.     Keeper of My Heart by Therese Travis (eBook) Historical Romance Need to Read YGR
177.     Wayward Angels by Karen Wiesner (eBook) Contemporary Inspirational 5.0 Gotta Read YGR
178.     The Spell by Regan Taylor (eBook) Paranormal 4.0 CR
179.     Right Under Her Nose by Lee Coston (eBook) Contemporary Romance 4.25 eCR
180.     Love Thy Neighbor by Patricia Bates (eBook) Historical Romance Need to Read YGR
181.     True Blue by David Baldacci (Audio CDs) Mystery Thriller 4.5 MBS
182.     It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale 4.0 MBS
183.     Angel and the Lawman by Barbara W. Starmer (eBook) Historical Western 4.5 eCR
184.     What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell (Audio CDS) Informational Interest 4.25 YGR
185.     Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown Contemporary 3.75 CRST
186.     Released by Kimber Chin (eBook) Suspense 4.5 YGR
187.     Exiles from Christmas by Sandra Sookoo (eBook) Fantasy 4.0 YGR
188.     Call Me Kate, Meeting the Molly Macguires by Molly Roe (eBook) Historical 4.5MBS


Plus a couple of children's books read to my Grandson!

THANKS FOR A GREAT 2009!

A BIG WONDERFUL THANK YOU TO ALL THE AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS WHO HAVE ALLOWED ME TO READ AND REVIEW THIS PAST YEAR!!

I find reading a great way to feel things we might not otherwise experience!

AND HUGS AND THANK YOU to the blogging community that has been so welcoming, warm and supportive!  BOOK BLOGGERS ROCK!