Thank You for the Fun Time at GOT BOOKS?

I forgot to say a          

to all those who entered the GOT BOOKS? EVENT giveaway and the many who left such nice comments. If you are new to my blog - Welcome!  You will learn that I LOVE to sponsor giveaways! Mostly books but I try to throw in some extra items every month or so just for fun, plus some giveaways to thank my Followers.

I have to get the summer giveaway posted soon.  It looks like the giveaway list has outgrown the top of the blog spot so I will be moving it to the sidebar later this week.


BTW- a couple people asked about the metal hook bookmarks. My friend, Jensmere, is one of the September Blogmania sponsors at eTreasures Publishing so there will be more bookmarks available there with many other great prizes. That Giveaway event will have an international package too. Please check out  the eight sponsor posts at eTreasures blog (and follow early to save time during the event).  There are some more sponsor and gift posts coming up soon.

Jensmere also makes some lovely jewelry which I will be offering, with more bookmarks, in future giveaways here at my blog. As another blogger says - it's fun to have Bling with books!

It's Monday! What are you Reading July 26, 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 reading four books. I posted two reviews last week and have four reviews and giveaways that will post this week.

Again, I only visited a few blogs early in the week and a few at the end of the week. I was very busy at work so didn't get much posted during the middle of the week. Then I had several posts for Friday the 23rd, including the GOT BOOKS? Event which was fabulous fun.

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

• Its Monday What are You Reading?

Review of The Wild Irish Sea: A windswept tale of love and magic
by Loucinda McGary

• Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway July 23, 2010.

• Giveaway in Blog Tour of The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel

• Review of The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel by Sam Hilliard

• GOT BOOKS? Event Giveaway. 

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 25, 2010.

Finished:

PB:  The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel by Sam Hilliard.

See Review and Giveaway links above.

PB & Kindle: The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords) by Kathryne Kennedy. Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

 
This is an engaging fantasy. My review and ARC giveaway will be posted on Tuesday.

 

PB & Audible:  The Castaways: A Novel 

by Elin Hilderbrand.    

This went really fast. 

Review and Hachette Giveaway 

to post on Thursday.

 

Audio CD: Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. Another good mix of crime stories. My review and the Hachette Giveaway will be posted Wednesday.

Line Edits: I did not get much editing done last week. *Sigh.*

Currently reading:
   
PB: Bloodmaiden by Christine D. Schulze. About 3/4ths complete. I am enjoying this intricate fantasy. Review and Author Giveaway to be posted  - maybe on Saturday. Reading and reviewing for the author.

Product Description

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan... If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

PB & Kindle:  Murphy's Law [Damaged Heroes 1] by Sandy James. I am 30% into this. I love horses and really like this well written romance! Reading and reviewing for the author. Watch for the author Guest Blog and Giveaway soon.

Product Description

Seth Remington had a fortune at his fingertips, but something was missing in his life. Purpose. Knowing he has one last chance to redeem his son, terminally ill Sterling Remington rewrites his will. To earn his inheritance, his son Seth must labor as a groom for a horse trainer.
Katie Murphy's orderly existence is turned upside down by Sterling Remington's will. Raised on hard work and dedicated to her harness racing stable, Katie agrees to take Seth on as a groom. How can she ever fulfill the challenge of instilling a work ethic in Seth and still keep her faltering stable running?
Kept at arm's length by the strict terms of Sterling's will, Seth and Katie are forced to struggle with their growing attraction until a devastating racing accident forces them to take a hard look at their relationship. How much is he willing to risk for her love?

Audio Book:  When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man by Jerry Weintraub. I am just starting this. Reviewing for Hachette with Giveaway.
Partial Description:
Here is the story of Jerry Weintraub: the self-made, Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised impresario, Hollywood producer, legendary deal maker, and friend of politicians and stars. No matter where nature has placed him--the club rooms of Brooklyn, the Mafia dives of New York's Lower East Side, the wilds of Alaska, or the hills of Hollywood--he has found a way to put on a show and sell tickets at the door. "All life was a theater and I wanted to put it up on a stage," he writes. "I wanted to set the world under a marquee that read: 'Jerry Weintraub Presents.'" 

Click here for full description.

Line Edits: . Will be working on the edits for YA fantasy Drinna by Jared Gullage.

Upcoming books:
Next up:  Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden. Hachette Blog Tour August 3rd. Author Guest Post, Review and Giveaway.
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear. Sourcebook Blog Tour August 4th.Author Q&A and Giveaway.

The Brothers of Gwynedd: The Legend of the First True Prince of Wales by Edith Pargeter. Part Three - The Hounds of Sunset. Reviewing for Sourcebooks.  Not quite sure when I will be getting back to this but it is still on the schedule.  

Winners of GOT BOOKS? Event!

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO WINNERS OF THE GOT BOOKS? EVENT!!

First Place: (#159)

and

Second Place (#12)

Amy J is from USA and Ilona is from Australia.
Amy has confirmed that she would like to receive the VAMPIRE ACADEMY TRILOGY. (I may have to get another one as I thought I might want to read those myself.)

I have emailed Ilona to determine her selection and then will update to announce that.

UPDATE:  Ilona chose the alternate two book package plus bookmark and sway.  She picked A Black Tie Affair and The 8th Confession as her two books.

[Note: this means the Sookie collection, the Christine Feehan trilogy, the Amish trilogy and those other loose books will be back up for future giveaways!]



It was fun to see the choices - the top three items were:
Sookie Stackhouse Collection - 113
Vampire Academy - 60
Not Yet Decided - 30

I had entrants from 38 states in the US, several from Canada and 23 international countries! It was very interesting to see where entrants were from. :0)

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 25, 2010

Our Pastor's message this morning was "Friends That Care." The primary verses were Phillipians 2:19-30. He advised us to

• Cultivate a genuine interest (like Paul and Timothy) Phil 2:3-4.
• Offer sincere encouragement to others. Phil 2:19-22.
• Practice unselfishness. Isaiah 58:10-11.

He also reminded us that we have different levels of friendships in our lives: acquaintances, casual friends, close friends and intimate friends. The one friend we can always count on though is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and the friend who gave his life so that we could inherit the Kingdom with Him: Jesus.

I had this video on my list and I think it fits well today.

A verse for today:

Proverbs 18:24 (New International Version)

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

We prayed today for strength and guidance to be better friends to others. I was mindful of friends I have made online who have health and family struggles and I prayed for them. Also, we have a youth team on a mission trip to Spain this week and we pray for their safety and that they might touch hearts.

Check out Review and Giveaway for The Last Track by Sam Hilliard

I am trying to keep the GOT BOOKS? post on top of the blog today. However I also am a blog tour stop today for The Last Track: A Mike Brody Novel by Sam Hilliard. Please take a few minutes in between the GOT BOOKS? event this weekend or set a reminder to come back and check the Review and Giveaway for this entertaining mystery.

My Friday Picks post for July 23 will also be posted but will be scheduled to place below the GOT BOOKS event. Thanks for understanding.