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Sunday, December 5, 2010

It's Monday! What are you Reading December 6, 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 four books this week;  posted three Reviews, one ARC Giveaway, two Hachette giveaways and a special Hachette (Forever Romance line) multi book Holiday Giveaway.

As noted before, for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I didn't get to visit last week - with new software training in the office and one assistant out sick I was juggling work duties again.  But I hope to do better this week.

These were last week's posts plus four Winner posts not listed.
Finished Reading:
Tempted by Fate (The Guardians of Destiny) 
Print:
Tempted by Fate (The Guardians of Destiny) by Kate Perry. 4.25; Review and Giveaway linked above, as well as author guest post.

The Heir 
The Heir by Grace Borrowes. 
I really liked this a lot!  
I will post a Guest Post by the author 
on Tuesday December 7. 
I read this for Sourcebooks and 
will post the review and 
Giveaway this week too.

While the Savage Sleeps 
Kindle:
While the Savage Sleeps by Andrew E. Kaufman. I am reviewing this for the author and will be doing an author interview. Good mystery thriller with a psychic element. I'll post the review and interview soon.

Room: A Novel
Audio:
Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue.
4.75; WOW moments; 
the review and 
Hachette Giveaway 
are linked above.   

Line Edits: ------


Currently reading:
Print:  Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee. I should finish this tomorrow. It is for Hachette Review and Giveaway  December 9. 
It took me a while to warm up to this but now at 75% I am liking it more.
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin)Product Description
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

Print and Kindle:  The Remains by Vincent Zandri. I am reading and reviewing this for the author and Pump up Your Book Promotions. I am at 30% and the creepiness is building. Review and Giveaway to post on Wednesday December 8.
The RemainsProduct Description
Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape. Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead. Now, it s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He's back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.
Audio:  The Reversal by Michael Connelly. I hadn't read a book in the Harry Bosch series for some time which is too bad. Even though I don't practice criminal law, I really like the legal posturing and aspects as presented by this author. It moves very quickly. I will post the review and Hachette Giveaway soon. 
By Michael Connelly: The Reversal [Audiobook]Product Description
Longtime defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to change stripes and prosecute the high-profile retrial of a brutal child murder. After 24 years in prison, convicted killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Haller is convinced Jessup is guilty, and he takes the case on the condition that he gets to choose his investigator, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.

Together, Bosch and Haller set off on a case fraught with political and personal danger. Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years.

With the odds and the evidence against them, Bosch and Haller must nail a sadistic killer once and for all. If Bosch is sure of anything, it is that Jason Jessup plans to kill again.
Audible:  Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare. (A personal book pick.) I keep sneaking in a little listening on this (as I gather wood or do dishes). I am enjoying the story.

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)Product Description
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Line Edits:  I am moving closer to three more releases.

Upcoming December books:
Print:
Next week:
December 14:  Talion by Mary Maddox. Reading and Reviewing for Author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
December 16: Kathryne Kennedy Author interview. I am reading Beneath the Thirteen Moons for Sourcebooks review.

December 21: Susanna Kearsley Author Interview. I am reading The Winter Sea for Sourcebooks review.

I will be squeezing these in the next two weeks.
Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain. I have received this for review from Sourcebooks.
Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley; reviewing for Sourcebooks.

Kindle:
Books on hand to read for Turquoise Morning Press and authors.
Rescue Me by Jennifer Johnson; Sweet Contemporary Romance.
Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; Romantic Suspense.December

    Enquiring Minds Want to Know Meme Week 14

    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 14 QUESTIONS

    1. What is your biggest pet peeve?
     I am pretty easy going but I do get annoyed with a few things; these are the things that come to mind:
    • Obvious typos in books...okay a couple is one thing but reapeatedly? Someone didn't do there job. Especially if names get reversed - that's a real "grrr."
    • Someone using the end of the toilet paper and not putting on a new roll.
    • Piling the dishes IN the sink when I need to get to the sink to rinse or clean them... why can't they (uhh - the DH particularly) learn to set them on only one side of the double sink or on the counter beside the sink???
    2. Do you shop online?
    Yes I like to shop online probably more than going out shopping - it's less crowded. :)

    3. Have you ever traveled by train?
    We love to travel by train and are always disappointed that Amway doesn't have a better priced system.  Most recently we took the two hour train ride up to the Grand Canyon.  Here us my DH playing on the train as we waited to board for the return trip.
    And here are the bank robbers coming in to rob us on the way back!
    It was a beautiful ride and great fun!

    Sunday Words of Encouragement December 5, 2010

    The Second Candle in Advent this year for us represents Joy!  Today our Pastor explained that Joy means "cheerfulness, calm delight."
     


    • Joy is required of a righteous person - Phil 4:4
    • Joy is produced by the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23
    • Joy looks beyond the present to our salvation - 1 Peter 1:8
    • Joy focuses on our Sovereign God - Heb 12:2
    • Joy is possible even in the midst of trials and sorrow - John 16:22, 24; Acts 13: 50-52 and 2Cor 6:4
    You have a choice... you can be miserable or joyful.  Which do you choose?  God gives Joy if we accept it!


    This is not the ususal Joy to the World 
    but rather
    Joy to the world - a Christmas Prayer
    sung by Nick Jonas
    A Verse for today:
    Isaiah 35:10
      ...and those the LORD has rescued will return.
    They will enter Zion with singing;
       everlasting joy will crown their heads.
    Gladness and joy will overtake them,
       and sorrow and sighing will flee away.


    My prayer today matches the song lyrics:

    Every year at Christmas
    All I can see
    Are pictures of the things I want
    Around the tree
    But this year’s a little different
    I’m not thinking of myself
    So my prayer for this Christmas
    Is for somebody else

    (Chorus)
    So I pray…
    Joy To the World
    Peace for every boy and girl
    Hope when life is hard
    Light when everything seems dark

    God I know you’re listening
    And you can hear
    The need of every broken heart
    And all their tears
    I don’t have a lot to offer
    Just this one simple prayer
    That this Christmas everyone would know
    Somebody cares…

    (Chorus)
    So I pray…
    Joy To the World
    Peace for every boy and girl
    Hope when life is hard
    Light when everything seems dark

    I pray that every hungry soul
    Will be filled and will be warm
    That not a single, solitary child
    Would suffer harm

    And Lord we find their ending
    As we take another view
    My hope is that this Christmas prayer
    Would somehow come true


    I pray…
    Humanity would rise
    And join with me
    And together we’ll sing

    Joy To the World (To all the world)
    Peace (Peace) for every boy and girl (for every boy and girl)
    (Talking bout hope) Hope when life is hard (when life is hard)
    Light when everything seems dark

    I pray that (I pray) every hungry soul
    Will be filled and will be warm
    (Not a single child) That not a single, solitary child
    Would suffer harm

    And Lord we find their ending
    As we take another view
    My hope is that this Christmas prayer
    Would somehow come true…

    Joy To the World
    Peace for every boy and girl

    Blog Tour: Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee 11/29 to 12/10

    Visit me on Thursday December 9 for Review and Giveaway of Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin).



    Visit AmandaMcCabe.com

    Facebook

    Follow @AmandaLaurel1 on Twitter


    Previous title:



    Participants:
    11/29/2010    http://thebooktree.blogspot.com    Feature, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    htttp://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://simplystacie.net    Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://theromancereviews.blogspot.com/    Feature, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    www.kmomjdk.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com    Review, Giveaway, Q&A
    11/29/2010    http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://nhertel85.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/29/2010    http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/    Review, Giveaway
    11/30/2010    http://SimplyAli.blogspot.com    Giveaway, Q&A
    11/30/2010    http://maryinhb.blogpsot.com    Review, Giveaway
    11/30/2010    http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com    Feature, Giveaway
    11/30/2010    http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com    Giveaway
    11/30/2010    http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/1/2010    http://www.libslibrary.blogspot.com    Feature, Giveaway
    12/2/2010    http://mindingspot.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/2/2010    www.becksbookpicks.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/3/2010    www.thebookgirl.net    Review, Giveaway
    12/3/2010    http://www.rundpinne.com    Review
    12/3/2010    http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/    Review, Giveaway
    12/4/2010    http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com    Feature, Giveaway
    12/5/2010    http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com    Review
    12/5/2010    http://bridget3420.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/5/2010    http://j-rabbits-corner.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/5/2010    http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/6/2010    http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/7/2010    www.rexrobotreviews.com    Review, Giveaway, Q&A
    12/7/2010    http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com    Giveaway
    12/7/2010    http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/9/2010    http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com    Review
    12/9/2010    www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com    Review, Q&A
    12/9/2010    http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/    Feature, Review, Giveaway
    12/10/2010    www.lovetoreadforfun.com    Review, Giveaway
    12/10/2010    http://onebookshy.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway, Q&A
    12/10/2010    http://startingfreshnyc.com/    Review, Giveaway
    12/10/2010    http://candidclevercosteffective.net    Review, Giveaway
    12/10/2010    http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com    Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post

    Saturday, December 4, 2010

    Forever Romantic Holiday Giveaway - Four Books!

    What's better than a ONE Book Giveaway? How about FOUR Books for THREE Winners??!!

    Thanks to Forever Romance at Hachette I am hosting a giveaway with books from Four authors you are probably familiar with. I know I have had reviews and giveaways of books by three of them. Great romances to curl up with on a snowy night.



     A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham--the Earl of Hadley--is not accused of murdering anything--save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London's newspapers. Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

    Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl's proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives-not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It's a potent mix and the result may be explosive-and perhaps deadly-if they don't watch their step.

     
    The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.

    Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever.

     
    FROM FANTASY TO ECSTASY Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to "play" women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there's no turning back.


    Defending Her Was His Duty

    Skilled with a sword and quick with her wit, Scottish rebel Claire Stuart cannot be tamed. And nothing can deter her from rescuing her beloved sister and saving them both from arranged marriages--not even the handsome Highlander who vows to protect Claire. His scorching gaze and fiery kiss bring her to the brink of surrender, but she belongs to no man...

    Seducing Her Would Be His Reward

    Graham Grant has had his share of lasses. But he has never met one as headstrong or as bonnie as Claire--or one with such desperate, dangerous plans. Helping her could betray his honor, his country, and more. Graham can't claim her. Yet everything in him says: Take her, make her yours, teach her pleasure, and never let her go.

    TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

    1. Easy entry:  Follow me and let me know how you follow: by GFC, Subscribe or Twitter.
    This is required for entry. 
    Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

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


    It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

    (Four total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! THREE winners!

    * This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
    * No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
    * Only one winner per household.
    * This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 20, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 

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