It's Monday What are You Reading? April 16, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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.

This was another good week of reading. I finished four books;  posted three (it was four in my head but three in reality) reviews, a guest post with tour giveaway, an interview with giveaway, and a D.E.A.R. children's giveaway.  I also posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I had fun visiting 26 or so blogs last week, most on Sunday and a few later in the week.  Thanks once more to the nice people who visited me too. :-)

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

• It's Monday What are You Reading? April 9, 2012.

• Magical Creatures - Guest Post by Marsha A. Moore, with Tour Wide Giveaway. 

• Book Review: Seeking A Scribe by Marsha A. Moore; Fantasy Romance; my rating 4.25.
  

• Book Review: A Lady's Revenge by Tracey Devlyn; Historical Romance;  my rating 4.0.
  

• Author Interview with Tracey Devlyn and Giveaway, author of A Lady's Revenge.

• D.E.A.R Day Giveaway - Children's Books.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 13, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 4/19.

• Audio Book Review: The Templar Chronicles 1 The Heretic by Joe Nassise; Urban Fantasy;  my rating 4.25. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #44 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 4/20.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 15, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle 

 

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One (Enchanted Bookstore Legends)

by Marcia A. Moore

Fun reading.
Review, Guest Post and 
Tour Giveaway are linked above. 

2. Print and Audible
 

Illusion

by Frank Peretti

This was a wonderful read. I will post the review and giveaway on April 17.   (Reviewing for Handlebar Marketing.)

3. Audible (MP3)

 

Crusade: Destroyermen, Book 2

by Taylor Anderson
Narrated by William Dufris

I really enjoyed this action sci fi.
I will post the review this week. (From TBR list.)

4. Audio Download (MP3)
 

Tar The Wandering
Author: Helen Sea
Narrator: Julia Franklin

This is lovely lyrical listening.  
I will post the review this week.

(Reviewing through AudioJukebox.)

Line Edits/Releases: No new releases finalized this week.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)
 

A Light on the Veranda

by Ciji Ware

I am 22% on this and enjoying Ms. Ware's writing.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2012

A secret may hold for a hundred years... and then it's time for the past to take revenge

Daphne Duvallon vowed never to return to the South years ago when she left her philandering fiance at the altar. Now family has called her back to Natchez, Mississippi, a city as mysterious and compelling as the ghostly voices that haunt her dreams.

From a time when the oldest settlement on the Mississippi was in its heyday and vast fortunes were made and lost, Daphne begins to uncover the secrets of an ancestor whose fate is somehow linked with her own. In a compelling and mesmerizing tale, now Daphne must right the wrongs of the past, or follow the same path into tragedy...

2. Print
 

The Highlander's Prize

by Mary Wine 

I just started this and it is starting with good conflict.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

BASTARD ROYAL DAUGHTER, PAWN IN A DEADLY GAME

Sent to Scotland to be the king's mistress and produce an heir, Clarrisa of York has never needed a miracle more. But the brusque Highland laird who kidnaps her is a bit too rough to be considered divine intervention.

HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO THWART HIS KING

With rival lairds determined to steal Clarrisa from him and royal henchmen searching for her all over the Highlands, Laird Broen MacNicols has a mess on his hands. Worse yet, there's a magnetic attraction between them, although he's betrothed to another. But even an independent–minded lady like Clarrisa knows that a Highlander always claims his prize...

3. eBook/Kindle (NG) 
 

 Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations)
by Michael J. Sullivan 

I am looking forward to starting this later in the week. Reviewing for Orbit through NetGalley.

Book Description
Publication Date: December 14, 2011 | Series: Riyria Revelations (Book 2)
Royce and Hadrian have been called upon to aid the struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly formed empire. As war approaches a desperate gamble behind enemy lines is their only chance at forming an alliance with the Nationalists to the south.

But Royce has plans of his own and uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian's hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue.

And so continues the second tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

BOOKS IN THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS
Theft of Swords (The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
Rise of Empire (Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
Heir of Novron (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 

[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]

Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around 1989 so I will enjoy it again. This week's reading will be the book of Job - another book I love to read!

Line Edits: My goal is for a release on one print book and a galley on edits for another this week.

I carried over two books to read from March. There are 11 new titles lined up for April so minimum of 13 to read. Adding the two review posts carried from March, it looks like I will still be doing at least four reviews a week. There are several repeat author books I am looking forward to and some new ones too.
4/15 Seven read, three this week, four+ to go.

April Scheduled:

April 17: Review and Giveaway: Illusion by Frank Peretti
April 17-22: No Strings Giveaway Hop

April 26:  Author Interview and Review Untouched by Sarah Humphreys (Sourcebooks)

Unscheduled but Planned for April:
Sourcebooks
A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware (NG) (carry over from March)
The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine (Print)

Hachette-
Orbit - Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations) by Michael J. Sullivan
Little Brown & Co:  The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (With Giveaway!)
Possibly - one additional received but it will go on May list.

AudioJukebox
The Withering of Willoughby and the Professor by Joe Bevilacqua


Author Reviews:
Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers
April/May additions if they fit:
Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson
Foolish Games (Book 3 of the Family Heirlooms Series) by Karen Wiesner


[To be posted - I am setting these up for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 15, 2012

This morning we had a sweet celebration of communion.  
Pastor’s sermon was entitled “Believer or Christian?” The summary of the message is that true Christians are believers who try to walk in the teachings and follow the way of Christ.  The followers of Christ are:

•   God’s ambassadors to the world.
•   God’s salespeople, sharing His good news.  
•  God’s dividing line, showing the difference His way makes in our lives.

Our lives reflect a fragrance - an attitude.  Are we sharing the aroma of life with those around us?

 This was also Mission Sunday.

Many bring lunch foods representing countries around the world.

This song is perfect of Missions.
Hopefully as we serve we reflect a loving fragrance.

Verses for Today:

2 Corinthians 2:15-16  (NIV)

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

I prayed today that I might be a true follower of Christ, living a life that reflects the sweet aroma of Christ's love.

Sharing Beyond Book #44 Comment Giveaway April 14, 2012

Welcome to SBB! Has everyone had a nice spring week? I only wish I could get outside a bit to enjoy it.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
There were a lot of different choices of authors to be stranded with.  There were three authors who were chosen twice: Veronica Roth (real dystopian author), Neil Gaiman (real children's author) and Richard Castle (fictional author). :-)

The broken bones experience was very split: 8 of us had no broken bones and 9 did have broken bones. Three people had broken toes...yes Sarah, those count!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #43 comments is: #12 bn100. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. bn100 please let me know if you want a GC (if you are international) or choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #44 Questions

Q1. This week Abby asks: What is your earliest childhood memory of and how old were you??

A:  I am very nearsighted and they didn't find out until I was 6. So there was apparently a lot I didn't see at a young age. But when I was 5 we visited Nova Scotia and I remember looking over a small bridge and seeing star fish magnified in the water. On the same trip we picked spiny burrs and stuck them  together to make baskets.

Photo from Nova Scotia Island Journal

 

              

 Photo from Tanglewood Threads 

Q2. My question this week is a book Q to go along with Q1.  I thought it had been asked before but I don't see it on our list - sorry if it is a repeat: What is the earliest book you can remember??

A:  I started reading very early, even under the covers with a flashlight, but the book I always remember reading on my own is Smoky the Cowhorse.

Image found at Project Gutenberg of Australia

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!
Your turn to share:

1. What is your earliest childhood memory of and how old were you???
 
2. My question is: Have you ever had a broken bone??
 
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 10 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, April 20, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winner of Audiobook - Jacob's Return

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winner of  

Audiobook Jacob's Return

Emma please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the book.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

Audio Book Review: The Templar Chronicles 1, The Heretic, by Joe Nassise

This is a fully dramatized production and very exciting to listen to.

The Templar Chronicles 1 The Heretic

by Joe Nassise

Approximate Run Time: 6 hours

Release Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59950-836-8
Available in paperback, Kindle and other formats too.

Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Description:

At the end of the First Crusade, the church created a monastic military order known as the Knights Templar. Now, rising up from the ashes of history, they are the Vatican’s last defense in the war between good and evil…

Cade Williams is no ordinary man. His ability to cross over to the other side makes him uniquely qualified to command the Church’s special operations division. As a modern-day Knight, Cade can use the curse that has scarred his soul as a weapon against the forces of darkness. But a new kind of unholy war is brewing — and soon Cade may be the last man standing…between the living and the dead.

The desecration of Templar cemeteries has sparked a full-scale investigation. Cade and his team suspect that a cabal of necromancers is behind it all. Their purpose: to claim the legendary powers of a lost holy relic for their own ungodly campaign.

For Cade, there’s only one way to stop them — by tracking the dead himself…crossing the most sacred of battle lines…and facing his own terrifying demons.

Review:

This is an excellent audio with full graphic sound effects aptly described as the introduction notes: “Graphic Audio - a movie in your mind!”

The Templars are a line of Vatican warriors, dating back to the Crusades, who fight demons and other supernatural forces in the age old battle of good forces versus evil. Each knight has a special paranormal skill they use in the battle.

Cade Williams, is sometimes looked at as a rogue member of the Templar knights known as “the Heretic.”  Cade’s wife, Gabriel, was tortured and butchered right in front of him.  He is brash, bitter and resentful. He fought against the evil Adversary and is able to walk through portals to a grey shade world of the dead. Cade refuses to recognize or appreciate a God who would allow his wife to be disfigured and killed, but he still fights for the good against the vile evil he knows exists. Cade may not always exhibit all Christian precepts, but his team respect his expert leadership knowing that he sees a broader picture and will be on the front lines leading them through the battles.

Cades’s team is called in when the hidden headquarters of the Templars and the Templar cemeteries are attacked. Although other teams could serve as bodyguards, Cade’s team is assigned because they will go on the offensive when it becomes needed, which is likely. The attacks on the headquarters are mysterious and devastating. There are few clues except that someone in their own ranks is leaking information and there is an obscure reference to ‘a circle of 9.’

The trail eventually leads to a necromancer, Logan, who was thought to be a minor wizard.  But Logan has joined forces with The Adversary to gain power. The goal is to steal a priceless and powerful artifact from the archives of the Templars. Do Cade and his loyal team stand a chance to protect the treasure of the Templars when the enemy is always one step ahead?

There are several secondary characters who are not fully developed but presented with sufficient quirks and flaws that I want to read more about them in future ‘episodes.’ Although Cade’s love for his wife has a significant part in the story, this story is definitely action and not romance. Mr. Nassise has created an interesting storyline and characters who you root for and mourn.

The audio reading is powerful and intense, suiting the fast paced action and dangers of the story. The background noises do make it seem like listening to a movie. Once in a while (like a lot of movies I know) the sound is almost too much, overwhelming the dialogue. But most often the production is wonderfully entertaining and it left me wanting more of the story and more graphic audio experiences.

The audio version is great but if you don't do audio and like action then I recommend you try this series in another format. 

A big thank you to Graphic Audio and AudioJukebox for making this book available to me for review.

Although the action moves around, it starts and several scenes occur in Connecticut so I will place it there for Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and Audio challenges.