It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 23, 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.

Interesting that last week's reviews were all Audios! Reading this week seems little at two books but A Light was good length and I have read about 240 pages into Rise of Empire. I also posted a Giveaway Hop with my 2012 year to date Reading to refer to.   As usual I posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I had fun visiting a dozen 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. I apologize that when first posted the comment was turned off.:-)

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

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

• MBS 2012 Reading List. 

• No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop. Ends 4/22.

• (Audible) Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Illusion by Frank Peretti; Paranormal, Christian Fiction; my rating 4.5.
  

• Audio Book Review: A Tar's Wandering by Helen Sea; Paranormal;  my rating 4.5.
  

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 20, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 4/26.

• Audible Book Review: Crusade: Destroyermen Book 2 by Taylor Anderson; Science Fiction;  my rating 4.5. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #45 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 4/27.

• Surprise Gift from Author Dee Julian.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 22, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)
 

A Light on the Veranda

by Ciji Ware

A nice mix of contemporary and historical. 
I will post the review this week.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

2. Print

 

The Highlander's Prize

by Mary Wine 

This is a light read, nicely sensual.
I'll post the review this week.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

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

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG) 

 

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

I am enjoying the intrigue and adventure of this story. It is long (816 pages); I am at 30%. 
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.

....

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

(Click on the title for full description.)

2. Print 
 

Untouched 

by Sarah Humphreys

I started this and like the characters!

I will post review, author interview and Giveaway on Thursday 4/26.

Reviewing for Sourcebooks.

Book Description
Publication Date: April 3, 2012 | Series: The Amoveo Legend

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED...
Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLLY BODYGUARD...
Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

Praise for the Amoveo Legend series:
"Sizzling sexual chemistry that is sure to please."—Yankee Romance Reviews
"A moving tale that captures both the sweetness and passion of romance."—Romance Junkies, 5 Blue Ribbons
"Fascinating...the characters haunted my dreams...I'm dying for the sequel."—Long and Short Reviews Best Book

3. Audio
 

The Withering of Willoughby and the Professor

by Joe Bevilacqua  

I will be starting this tomorrow and I am thinking this will be a fun listen.
As heard on Sirius XM Radio and NPR stations!

This is epic science-fiction fantasy comedy, in the Monty Python/Terry Gilliam vein, about a boy and his professor who travel willy-nilly across time and space in a failed attempt to ''cure the world of all its ills''. Produced, directed, and voiced by Joe Bevilacqua, with David Garland and Margaret Juntwait, written by Joe Bevilacqua and Robert J. Cirasa, theme music by David Garland, musical numbers written by Joe Bevilacqua, performed by the Paul Salomone Trio with Paul on piano, Ed Fuqua on bass, and Jim Mason on drums.

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 Psalms which I will enjoy!

Line Edits: I still have that goal for a release of a one print book this week. Just doing final tweaks.

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.
4/22 Nine read, three this week, + others to roll to May..

April Scheduled:

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

Unscheduled but Planned for April:

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 22, 2012

We have our Sunday small "connect" groups today so we will be going out for lunch right after church.  

I am sharing these notes from a Sunday School lesson a few weeks ago.

Our God created us with a special purpose and our talents are given for His benefit, not our own. We should know that as long as we are part of this earth we battle with Adam’s sinful nature. 

This is how we must fight Man’s Battle of the Mind:
1. Realize who we are through our creator and redeemer.

2. Refuse to bow to worldly pressure and temptation.

3. Replace negative thoughts.

4. Repeat the process every day.

5. Rely on God.

This awesome acknowledgement of how worthy God is to be praised
is another song we sang on Easter.

You Are Worthy!

A Verse for Today:

Revelations 4:11 (NIV)

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

I am praying this morning for several members of our church family who are suffering major illnesses. I am also mindful of some online friends who are preparing for surgery this week. If you need healing, I may not know your need but I know that our Father in Heaven knows and I pray that He will be with you to give you healing, comfort and peace. 

Surprise Gift From Author Dee Julian

Author Dee Julian is making a very generous gift. She has asked me to award an ebook choice of her books to all of the entrants from the Promise Me Giveaway!  If you entered that Giveaway and would like to choose an ebook copy of Promise Me or The MacGregor's Daughter, two wonderful historical romances, please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to select either book and I'll send the information on to Dee.  Please reply within 72 hours. 
Thank you Dee!

Sharing Beyond Books #45 Comment Giveaway April 21, 2012

Welcome to SBB! Ohhh - another short/long week! LOL. 
Thank you to all those who commented last week.
It seemed like many had memories from age 4 or so. There were some marvelous childhood memories. Several recall their first tricycle. I'm glad that LindaK got over the traumatic fear of dogs.

(Oops - Sorry  - I didn't change the second question at the bottom so a few answered the prior week's question.) I did expect to see Dr. Seuss and I wasn't surprised by Dick and Jane (from the older crowd) and Sesame Street (from the younger crowd) as choices. I remember The Little Engine That Could and although I have often heard of Heidi, I never read it. I love that Sarah had her own library at age 6. Way to go!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #44 comments is: #9 Faith Hope CherryTea. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Faith Hope CherryTea  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 #45 Questions

Q1. This week Louisa asks: Have you considered writing a book? And have you? Stories to tell??

A:  I have not thought seriously about writing a book. However, I have a folder of story plotlines, some dialogue, and one dictated outline. I sometimes think I would like to share these with an author who could complete the stories. :-).

My notes look a lot like these!

Image found at Cynsations

Q2. My question this week, to go along with Q1.  Have you ever kept a diary or a journal??

A:  I don't really recall if I had a diary as a young girl although I would have liked the idea of one of those little books with a key.  I did have a journal of sorts in late high school and college. I wrote something, usually a poem or prose, everyday for several years. I have the last note book, the earlier ones were all destroyed in by water damage to a trunk in storage. :-(

I like the looks of this journal,
which is actually an iphone ap

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. This week Louisa asks: Have you considered writing a book? And have you? Stories to tell??
 
2. My question is: Have you ever kept a diary or a journal??
 
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 27, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Lots of Winners! How to Ravish a Rake, Promis Me, Love to Water My Soul and D.E.A.R.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS!!

Giveaways Ended April 20

Three Winners:

How to Ravish a Rake

sienny, Maria D and Johanna

Giveaway of Promise Me and The MacGregor's Daughter 

One winner for each) Open Worldwide

First: Choice of print or ebook of Promise Me

Margaret

Second: ebook of The MacGregor's Daughter

Eli

Giveaway Love to Water My Soul; Open Worldwide
BTW - if you looked at the author's blog link to Bo's Blog you would find a picture of the dog captioned as a wirehaired Pointing Griffon 

mamabunny13

D.E.A.R. Childrens' Giveaway

FIRST Win:

Lisa G

 Package #2 - Winner's choice of two print books.


SECOND Win:

Tena

Package #1 - Download PDF of Annie's Special Day Plus FIRST CHOICE of a print book.

THIRD Win:

Agnieszka

Package #3 - Remaining two print books. 

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the book or let the Publisher/author know.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.