What are you Reading Monday? April 12, 2010

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

I got to visit more new blogs this week for Friday's Blog Hop meme and during Readathon.  I had a lot of fun cheerleading during Saturday.  Unfortunately, between that and doing the taxes I only got three reviews done when I had hoped for at least twice that many.

Finished:

PB: The Highest Stakes by Emery Lee.
This was very enjoyable! 
Review (with Giveaway of the ARC copy provided by Sourcebooks) to be posted by next week - have a couple other items going up first.

The breathtaking origins of thoroughbred horse racing
A tale of drama, danger, thwarted love, and retribution set in the high stakes gentleman’s world of 18th century horse racing, where fortunes could be won… and lost…
She’s lonely and neglected, but she knows horses…
Charlotte Wallace is orphaned and alone until a sympathetic stable boy takes her under his wing and teaches her everything about thoroughbred racing. In the process, the two discover in each other a love destined to be thwarted at every turn…
If only he could, he’d take her away with him forever…
Robert Devington has tried everything to persuade Charlotte’s uncle to allow them to marry. Then an ill-fated friendship, a scandal in the making, and one desperate act of folly rob them of their love and his livelihood… Dead set on retribution, all Robert’s hopes are hanging on one small horse—his only chance to reclaim his land, his dignity, and his love, against all odds…

The 8th Confession (The Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.This was fast paced and another good Women's Murder  Club mystery.  (I'm glad to say it was better than book #7.)

Someone is killing the richest people in the city—and it's the Women's Murder Club's scariest investigation ever.
APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING
At the party of the year, San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle...while someone is watching—waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder.
BUT THE TRUTH CAN BE DEADLY
While Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile killings, someone else is found brutally executed—a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it and soon discovers the victim may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.
LET THE CONFESSIONS BEGIN
As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and Lindsay's partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: Will love destroy all that four friends have built? James Patterson serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations.

 Kindle2: King of Swords -A Dom for Christmas by Antonio Tiranth.

This was a short, sexy read. Nicely done with good characters and story to go along with the sexual relationship.

(BDSM)
Lilyrose Munroe has always felt something was missing from her life and on Christmas, she finds that her old teenage crush, Sebastian Alexander, a Dominate is just the one to give it to her.

Kindle2 -  Stopping Time Part 2 by Melissa Marr
I continued this quick free Kindle read. I am glad I had Part 2 to complete Part 1.  This was interesting for hopping in the middle. If I had time I might go back and get the other books in the series - in fact I just got the Wicked Lovely for free at Kindle. :)

An exciting e-story original sequel to INK EXCHANGE! Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms-even if it meant leaving behind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them. Someone knows about Leslie-s past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn't care who gets hurt.

Audio CD - I had the The 8th Confession on Audible.

Currently reading:

PB:

God Never Blinks - 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett
I am 50% completed. This is so wonderful I am listing it as one of my TEN PICK must read books!

See the posted Hachette Giveaway for book info and to enter to win one of three copies!

White Wolf of Avalon: Werewolf Knight by Eva Gordon
I am about 35% into this and enjoying it.

Ebook Description

Story of the secret society of lycans living in ancient Britain. Bledig, an orphan raised by a childless couple near the magical Isle of Avalon dreams of becoming a knight of the Round Table. Bledig refuses to become a beast and wants no part in marrying a wolf maiden and begetting lycan children. Annora,a Romano Greco wolf maiden, is more interested in intellectual pursuits than romantic ones.

Kindle - None started yet.


Audio CD/Audible -Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan, Book 8) by Kim Harrison.
I really like this series. I started listening to this while I was working in the yard and doing laundry today.

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons,and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived totell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . untilnow. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her besthope is life imprisonment--at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery.Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trustcomes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, thedemon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

Same old story:  This week I am again committed to writing more reviews!  It could happen!

Upcoming books:

Traction - Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Print Book - reading and reviewing for YGR Reviews.
I have three businesses - I wonder why they asked if I wanted to review this one. :o)

The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch
I saw this eBook on the review list for YGR and couldn't resist!

Uncertain Magic by Laura Kindale
This is a re-release by Sourcebooks. I can do a giveaway for this ARC too at the end of April or beginning of May.

Where is the Comment Box?? New Comment System

I am trying a new comment system from Intense Debate.  It allows me to answer each reply individually.   However the system doesn't seem to be showing the comments made and doesn't show how to comment.  If you click on the title of the post the comment box will open.  I will try this out but if it doesn't work then I'll delete it. :)

Sunday Words of Encouragment April 11, 2010

This morning our Pastor had another good message that contained more than one message (INHO). He did not present it this way and this is my summary; the scriptures he did provide with Galations 6:1-10 as the primary text.
1) Recognize that we are all sinners 1 John 1:8; Gal 6:1b
2) Dislike (I try never to expend energy in "hate") the sin, but love the sinner. Gal 6:2-4
3) Be compassionate, humble and gentle in addressing issues and seeking restoration Gal 6:1; but do not enable the sinner. We must each learn to be responsible for our own actions. Gal 6:5.
4) Do not grow weary in well doing. Gal 6:9 and 2 Thess 3:13.
5) You will reap what you sow. Gal 6:10.

I couldn't help but be reminded of the book Heart of Compassion that I reviewed a few weeks ago. There they showed compassion and helped the homeless help themselves! The story fits perfectly with today's message.

Here is another song I found last week that I had never heard but it is quite awesome and beautiful!

Lost in Wonder (You Chose the Cross) by Martyn Layzell

Verses for today:
Galatians 6:4-5

4Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

I am praying today for those with addictions who need direction to get help but who must be willing to change before anyone else can help them.

A #Readathon Mini Challenge Story from My Review Books

During the #Readathon Sheila at Bookjourney issued this mini challenge:

As book lovers we do enjoy a good story!  Here is what this challenge will consist of:


Write a short story using Book Titles to make your story.  Your story should be three or four paragraphs long and have at least 10 book titles within it.  (*Bold the book titles to make them more obvious)
Feel free to post this to your blog (for two entries) and then leave me the link here in the comment area -or if you would rather, place your story in the comment area here for one entry.

I saw this "game" a week or so ago at Riding with the Top Down using just a few books for quick sayings and was thinking of posting on it.

So here goes my short story using all my current review books and four other TBR books that were in the box by my computer:

The White Wolf of Avalon, struck with Uncertain Magic couldn't get good Traction.  He had assumed The Guise of a Gentleman and he had to get to The Brothers of Gwynedd near The Wild Irish Sea before The Fire Lord's Lover went Missing. No one could explain his Primal Obsession to travel that Journey to Forgiveness.  He would offer her The Sun and The Moon and banish The Raindrop that saddened her if only he could reach her in time. Although he knew that God Never Blinks he was also aware that Heroes Die Too Young. He couldn't take that chance.

Check in on Comment Tuesday this week for the picture words I have made from the box of books I have won.  I have used three or four per phrase. Maybe you want to get some ready to share too!

Good #Readathon Break - Check out Some Magical Photos!

I was online a bit today cheering for #Readathon before I realized I had to finish my taxes.*

At one point I went to check out a review of The Maze Runner at Along for the Ride.

As always, I have to look around when I visit a new blog.  Sara follows a meme called Daily Dose Monday that features inspiring/magical images.  I thought the pictures she has posted are just wonderful! I got her okay to post about it and I encourage you to go take a look! I'm not planning on adding another Monday meme here but I may visit Sara's just to see her latest collection of pics!



*The taxes may not seem a big deal but for me I have to review two business profit and loss accounts and make sure entries are in the correct catagories because my assistant (my sweet daughter - and yes I paid her) is not a trained bookkeeper.  Then I have to figure out mortgage interest, look up interest paid, check car records for allocation, and calculate depreciation. That goes into a spreadsheet for each company. Then I have my numbers so I can do my Company taxes which I have to complete before I do our personal taxes. Now ask me: Why in the world do I wait till the last weekend? For 2010 it will be three business. Oh Sigh!