Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop - Be Quick! Dec 21-22 Only.

Midwinter's Eve is the longest night of the year so why not spend it entering some great giveaways?

The is a quick hop that runs from 12:01 AM on Tuesday, December 21st to 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 22nd. 

Each participating blog is hosting their own giveaway with their own entry requirements. All participating blogs are linked up through a Midwinter's Eve linky below. After you have entered one giveaway hop to the next giveaway on the list.

I've tried to make this one an easy entry for both you and me! The only requirement is to be a follower in some format: GFC, Twitter, or Subscribe (all of these links are available on the left sidebar) or Goodreads (I am there but not up-to-date). Sorry I don't use Facebook yet so you can't follow me there.

#1****One Winner, worldwide, will get a $20.00 Gift Certificate for books at bookstore of their choice or books valued at approximately $20.00 at Book Depository.

#2****One US Winner or someone 

with a US mailing address 

will win one of my new 

hardback copies of

 Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) 

by Cassandra Clare.

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.

ENTER USING THIS FORM!

Thanks for hopping by!  Have a great Midwinter's Eve!

Thank You Fun with Holiday Swap!

This was the second Holiday gift swap I participated in.  This is hosted by a group of bloggers who set up a separate Holiday Swap Blog.

I got a wonderful package from my Santa, Maria at The Serpentine Library.
Again I received two books from my Wish list plus some other goodies.
Wrapped:

Unwrapped!

The package consisted of: a lovely card, a metal Bookmark, two pretty pens, two notebooks and Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare and Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin, Book 1) by G. A. Aiken.

The very cool bookmark reads:  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt.

Thank you Maria!

Now some of you might notice that I got two hardback copies of Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) and if you read my It's Monday post you know that I am listening to the book on Audible.  How did that happen? Certainly not the fault of my Santas.  I did list that at the top of my wish list when I did the list in November. Then, not thinking too hard about it, when it came time for me to download my Audible selections in November I grabbed Clockwork Angel.  So I guess that means I have two copies to share. :o)
One will be one of the Giveaway prizes in the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop that starts tonight.

Christmas 2010 Song Videos: GO TELL

This week I am posting videos each day with songs from our Christmas Program. We sang songs from two books: Portraits of Christmas and King of Glory, King of Love.
These are not our church choir but videos of the songs we sang thatI have found at You Tube.

This particular video is not good quality but the singers are so enthusiastic and the song is clear so I chose this version over some others.  I hope you enjoy these song videos.

It's Monday! What are you Reading December 20, 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 last week and posted four Reviews, two with Giveaways; one Author Interview; one Comment Giveaway and one Christmas Giveaway.
I also announced a Holiday party that is for today, Monday December 20 at The Sweetest Romance Blog.

DON'T FORGET THAT MIDWINTER'S EVE GIVEAWAY HOP WILL RUN THIS WEEK TUESDAY 12/21 and WEDNESDAY 12/22 ONLY.

Also, I will be posting Christmas Videos each day this week so I hope you will get to stop by and enjoy. 

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 :).

Again I didn't have too much time this past week to reply to comments or visit. I keep hoping to improve.

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

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? December 13, 2010.  

•  Announcement for The Sweetest Romance Holiday Party - I was a week early so don't miss this today, Monday December 20, for lots of giveaways of lovely sweet books!

• Book Review Talion by Mary Maddox; Fantasy Suspense; my rating 3.5.

• Book Review Rescue Me by Jennifer Johnson; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway Two Copies: Beneath the Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy; Fantasy Romance; my rating 4.5.

•  Q & A Interview with Kathryne Kennedy, author of Beneath the Thirteen Moons.

•  Announcement Celebrating Jane Austin's 235th BD and free download ebooks.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 17, 2010.

• Audio Book Review and Hachette Giveaway Two Copies:  By Michael Connelly: The Reversal [Audiobook] Legal Thriller; my rating 4.25.

•  Thank you to Secret Santa.

•  Enquiring Minds want to know Meme - Week 16 Plus Comment Giveaway.

•  Christmas Gifts Giveaway.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement December 19, 2010.

Finished Reading:
 
Print:  Beneath the Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy; Fantasy Romance. Review and Giveaway linked above! 

 

Kindle:  Rescue Me 
by Jennifer Johnson; 
Review is linked above.

Audio:  The Reversal by Michael Connelly. Review and Giveaway linked above. 

 
Print: Dating Mr. December

by Phillipa Ashley;

Contemporary Romance.

A light, cute read.  I will post a review 

and ARC giveaway later this week.  
Description from Fantastic Fiction:

When a nice girl asks twelve men to get naked, 
it's sure to cause a scandal...

Emma Tremayne leaves her high-powered PR job and moves to the Lake District looking for peace, quiet-and celibacy. So perhaps it's not the best idea when, in the spirit of "community-mindedness," she agrees to help the local mountain rescue team fund raise by putting together a "tasteful" nude calendar. Especially since quite a lot of the community seems to mind what she's up to-including the tall, dark and handsome Mr. December, Will Tennant, who appears to have gotten the wrong impression about Emma's intentions. So how does she convince him that he's more than just the flavor of the month?

Line Edits/Releases: ΕΞΙΣ: gods, ghosts, and battered cellphones by Anne Abad. A collection of science fiction stories - was delayed for a cover change.
Love from the Ashes by Pat Andres, a paranormal romance mystery, should be getting released this week.

Currently reading:

Print and Kindle: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley; Historical Fantasy Romance.
I am 60% through this interesting story. Not really a quick read. Review and Author Interview to post on December 21. Reviewing for  Sourcebooks.

(Time-Travel/Historical Fiction)

The story of an epic love that transcends both time and place from award-winning author Susanna Kearsley!

Carrie McClelland came to Scotland to research her next book. Renting a cottage in the same town where her story takes place, Carrie embarks not only on her novel, but on a romance with her landlord's handsome son, Graham Keith. When the boundary between past and present begins to blur, Carrie finds herself channeling memories not her own. Pulled deeper and deeper into the memories of the past, Carrie realizes these visions are more than the means to another bestselling novel, but also a way to right the wrongs of the past and create a future with the man whose love is her destiny.

Print:  Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain; Historical Romance. I have just started this and I like the heroine from the first few pages. Reviewing for  Sourcebooks.

Product Description
They called him the devil...
With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.
And she's the only one who can conquer him...
When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.
As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.

Audible:  Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare.  Now that I finished the Audio CD for review I will continue to listen to this from my own wish list.


Line Edits:  I am moving closer to two more releases, in addition to the noted two above.

Remaining December books:
Nothing else has a specific date in December but I still have these books to complete:
Print:
Wolf Fever by Terry Spear.  Reading for Sourcebooks
The Sherlockian by Graham Moore.  Reading for Hachette.

Kindle:
Books on hand to read for Turquoise Morning Press and author.
Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; Romantic Suspense.

Reviewing for Author:
No Greater Love by Kinzie Monroe; Inspirational Romance.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 19, 2010

At our church this fourth week of Advent we celebrated the message of Peace.  (It appears that there are four clear advent themes but they are not all allocated to the same Sunday. It depends on the church and the leader.)

Although the candle we lit today was for Peace, the message that our Associate Pastor gave was on Being A Christmas Light. This was a wonderful message that asked if people see the Light of Christ in our lives. We are messengers and we should shine like stars.

Today I am posting a video on peace and I will save the "light" video for another Sunday.
This is a Casting Crowns singing: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Verses for today:

Philippians 2: 14-16

 ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

My prayer today is that each of us may do our own little part help bring peace in times of strive and to shine light to the world.