Mailbox Monday August 23, 2010

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

This Meme started  with Marcia at The Printed Page but is on blog tour and for August the host is Chick Loves Lit.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I got the GOT BOOKS? win package in from JoJo at JoJo's Book Corner.

Thank you JoJo!

Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter - a Holiday Collection with Bite. Signed by Kresley (Two authors I need to read and this would make a nice holiday book - if I can get it read in November.)

A Journal notebook                      

and

Swag By:
Gabi Stevens
Cynthia Eden
Caridad Pineiro (signed)
Larissa Ione
Leanna R. Hiebner (signed)
And Much Much More!

 If you didn't see JoJo's winner announcement it was very unique and sexy!

I also received two books from Romance Junkie Reviews.  Thank you RJR and Cat.


An ARC of A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (Another good holiday book - sounds intriguing!)

Product Description
Although the widowed Lady Rebecca has sworn off marriage, men are another matter. London's cold winter nights have her dreaming of warmer pursuits-like finding a lover to satisfy her hungry heart. Someone handsome, discreet, and most importantly as uninterested in marriage as she is. Someone like Jack Fulton.

A known adventurer and playboy, Jack seems like the perfect choice. There's just one problem: Jack isn't interested in an affair. He needs the beautiful, mysterious Lady Rebecca to be his wife. And he doesn't have much time to persuade her. A secret from Jack's past is about to surface, and by Christmas Day he'll be either married to Rebecca or dead.

and 

(This sounds good too.)

Uncorrected Proof of

Stormwalker by Allyson James

Product Description

Janet Begay is a Stormwalker, capable of wielding the raw elemental power of nature, a power that threatens to overwhelm her. Only her lover, Mick, is able to calm the storm within her-even as their passion reaches unimaginable heights of ecstasy.

But when an Arizona police chief's daughter is taken by a paranormal evil, they find themselves venturing where no human can survive-for only together can they overcome the greatest danger they've ever faced.

It's Monday! What are you Reading August 23, 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.

More good books this week! I only finished two books  this week.
I posted two interviews, three reviews, three book giveaways and a chat post with giveaway.
I continue to work on some of the older reviews and have decided to slow down on reading while I work on some more reviews.

I was without a secretary for part of this week so was plenty busy at work. I visited a handful of blogs.I am going to try a new system this week and I'll see how it works and report on it next week. :)

These were last week's posts plus several Winner posts not listed.

• It's Monday What are You Reading? August 16, 2010

• Blog Tour Feature with Author Dee Davis

• Blog Tour Interview with Author Dee Davis 

• Giveaway of Desparate Deeds
  

• Review of Desparate Deeds
  by Dee Davis

• Review and Giveaway of Bloodmaiden
  by Chirstine E. Schulze

• Blog Tour Q&A with Author Kira Morgan

• Review of Captured by Desire
  by Kira Morgan

• Giveaway of Captured by Desire

• Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway August 13, 2010.

• Let's Chat Post - Do you like Author Interviews? (with comment Giveaway.)

• Blog Tour Announcement for Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 22, 2010.

Finished Reading:

PB:  Whisper of a Witch by Suza Kates. The review and giveaway will be posted for August 25 Author Tour. I really liked this and am sad I have to wait till February 2011 for the next in the series.

Product Description
Shauni Miller has no idea why her life is changing, but she must answer when an unknown force summons her to a mystical island. She also harbors a secret, one that has the potential to alter her life forever. Dr. Michael Black helps Shauni in her time of need, but sees more in the raven-haired temptress than she ever meant to reveal. He knows she's hiding something, but then, so is he. Only the fates know what role they will play in a centuries-old prophecy. Or if one of them has to die.

Kindle:  Retired And On The Rocks [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 1] by Karen Weisner. I realized I had this in my pdf queue.  This was an enjoyable mystery and I will post the review soon.

Product Description
A missing engagement ring leads to murder-
It-s been a month since Denim McHart hung up his private investigating career after he ended up with a bullet in his leg. The injury has forced Den to re-evaluate future goals in his career, his love-life and his spiritual life. To keep himself busy in early retirement, he-s been attempting to restore an antique table and he-s officially bored. He can-t seem to keep his mind off his investigative partner, the lovely and complicated Sylvia Price whom he-s had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship with in the past. When Sylvia calls him out of the blue, he doesn't waste time getting down to their office.
In this past month, Sylvia has been dealing with her own feelings for Den, her overwhelming guilt for the pivotal event that happened years ago and caused her mother to be mentally unstable, coinciding with her inability to forgive herself the way she knows the Lord has forgiven her.
Before the sparks can fly between Den and Sylvia in the direction he has his heart set, she says they-ve got company. Jilted bride Naomi Deva tells him that her groom-Mayor Thomas Julian-dumped her at the altar. Reluctantly, she admits he-d caught her in a compromising position with the best man only minutes before the ceremony. Naomi also reveals the reason why she-s sought them-the local police department hasn-t been able to turn up the six point one carat diamond engagement ring Thomas gave her...and the groom wants it back. Immediately.
Genre: Romance / Mystery / Suspense

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

Line Edits:  -------

Currently reading:

Reading small HQ book #1 for survey.  I'm halfway through this and really enjoying this. It reminds me why a quick category romance is nice now and then.

PB: Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn for August 26 Blog Tour. I realized I better get this read for Thursday. I am one third done and definitely like this author.

Product Description
SINS THAT CAN'T BE FORGIVEN
Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tonged seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he's dallied with many women, yet none as mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at king's court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan's greatest enemies.

PASSION THAT CAN'T BE DENIED
Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. She's horrified to learn that the handsome stranger she kissed is of this clan. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel's body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she's sworn to hate be the only one she can ever love?

E-Book: Never a Bride by Amelia Grey. I have to read this eArc on my computer so it may take a bit longer. The review is for September.

Her name is on everyone’s lips . . .
When he left for America six years ago, the handsome Viscount Stonehurst never suspected that he would return home to England to find his lovely fiancé embroiled in the scandal of the decade. The woman he planned on making his wife has been kissing every man in London . . . except him!
But scandal doesn’t matter in search of the truth . . .
Engaged and then abandoned, Mirabella Wittingham is determined to find the man who drove her cousin to suicide, even if it means ruining her reputation and disgracing herself in the process . . .
When her plans go awry, Mirabella has no choice but to turn to her long-lost fiancé for help. But can she trust the man who deserted her so many years ago, or is he destined to fail her yet again?

Audio Book: The Island: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand. I have three discs left and I do want to find out what happens to these ladies. I will probably finish and post the review and Hachette giveaway the end of the week.

Birdie Cousins has planned a getaway with her daughter Chess on rustic, charming Tuckernuck Island off the coast of Nantucket, a chance to bond before Chess's upcoming marriage. Birdie's been through a difficult divorce herself, so she knows the big commitment that marriage entails. She's only recently dared to tiptoe back into the waters of romance. When Chess abruptly breaks off the wedding and her fiancé shockingly dies in a rock climbing accident, it leaves Chess feeling guilty and deeply depressed. Birdie circles the wagons, convincing her younger daughter Tate, and her own sister India to join them on Tuckernuck for the month of July. Secrets and intrigue soon make their way to the surface, as Elin Hilderbrand once again weaves a masterful story of summer suspense.

Kindle ------

Line Edits: I have been spending more time posting working on the publishing new website. All product is in but we are uploading covers.

Upcoming books:
A second small "Tell HQ" review book.
PB:  One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy. Reading and reviewing for Sourcebook.
Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5) by Larissa Ione - Review and Hachette Giveaway 9/10.
Last to Die by Kate Brady - Review and Hachette Giveaway 9/15

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.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 22, 2010

Our Pastor's message this morning was on truth.  He posed the question: Moral relativism or absolute truth - Which is correct? He directed us to look at the world around us and understand the times. Things that were considered wrong only forty years ago (in the 1960s) are accepted by today's teens as acceptable. In the name of tolerance what sins have we accepted as "situational?" Have we become complacent?

I found this song and I like that it speaks of the Voice of Truth.

Life isn't always easy and we fail in our own efforts, but we have a hope and someone who stands with us.

There are some awesome images too.

A verse for today:

Isaiah 40:8 (New International Version)

 ⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall,

       but the word of our God stands forever.

We prayed for people, ourselves included, to seek truth and chose absolute truth in their daily walk, rather than moral relativism.

Blog Tour with Seduced by a Highlander - Starts 8/23

Join me this coming Thursday for an Interview, Review and Giveaway of Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn. Visit the participating blogs listed below.

Author Photo & Bio

The MacGregor and Grant Family Tree

Author Article "I Didn't Choose to Write Scotland, Scotland Chose to Write Me"

"Like" Fans of Paula Quinn

Follow @Paula_Quinn on Twitter

Friend Paula on MySpace

Visit PaulaQuinn.com

Participating Blogs:
8/23/2010 www.froggaritasbookcase.net Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
8/23/2010 www.maryinhb.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/23/2010 http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/ Review, Giveaway
8/23/2010 http://simplyali.blogspot.com Feature, Giveaway, Q&A
8/23/2010 http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/ Giveaway
8/23/2010 http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/23/2010 http://kandksblog.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/23/2010 http://simplystacie.net Giveaway
8/24/2010 http://www.rexrobotreviews.com Feature, Giveaway, Guest Post
8/24/2010 http://diana-book-of-secrets.blogspot.com Giveaway, Q&A
8/24/2010 http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
8/25/2010 www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/25/2010 www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/25/2010 http://triciareads.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway

8/26/2010 http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway, Q&A

8/26/2010 http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com Giveaway
8/27/2010 http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway
8/27/2010 http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com/ Feature, Giveaway, Q&A
8/28/2010 http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com Giveaway, Guest Post
8/30/2010 http://www.saveyspender.com Review, Giveaway
8/30/2010 http://bridget3420.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/30/2010 http://onebookshy.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/31/2010 www.bibliophilicbookblog.com Review, Giveaway
8/31/2010 http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
8/31/2010 http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway
8/31/2010 http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway
9/1/2010 http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com Review, Giveaway
9/1/2010 http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
9/2/2010 http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
9/2/2010 kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 http://candidclevercosteffective.net/ Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 www.bookwormygirl.com Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 www.renees-reads.com Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 http://startingfreshnyc.com/ Review, Giveaway
9/3/2010 http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway

So Let's Chat! Do you read/like Author interviews?

I've missed our Comment days and some of my followers have too. I will try to pull in more chat days and topics - maybe at least once a month with a comment Giveaway like today. :)

Here is today's topic:

You may have noticed that I have been fortunate to get to do quite a number of author interviews lately.

I'd like your input on this.

First Q - Do you read/like Author interviews?
Second Q - Taking it as a given that I will continue to do interviews, how often do you think I should post Author interviews? Once a month? Once a week? Twice a week?
Third Q - How long do you think an interview should be? 5 Qs, 10Qs, 12Qs, 15Qs???
Fourth Q - Would you participate in an Author chat where the author visits for the day and answers questions from the comments?
Fifth Q - Do  you have a question that you would like to ask authors that doesn't get asked?  [You could always ask it in an interview comment and some of the author's might answer. :)]

Sooooo - Talk to me!
Every commenter on this discussion will be included in a drawing to win a book pick from the Friday pick books and one gift from the Blogoversary items.  If an international commenter wins then they may pick a small book and gift if the postage doesn't exceed $8.00 or they can choose a gift certificate or book depository books totaling $8.00. The drawing will be done August 28 at noon central.