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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Book Feature for a Good Cause: End Malaria

End Malaria, http://www.EndMalariaDay.com , is an astonishing new book by more than sixty best selling business authors and social thought leaders who joined together to share information in a book whose entire profits go to buy malaria bed nets. Malaria is a disease that causes more childhood death than HIV/AIDS. 
Malaria bed nets are simple nets that hang over a window or a bed. They're treated with a chemical that mosquitoes hate. The mosquitoes fly away, they don't bite, people don't get malaria. 
Every single penny spent on the Kindle edition goes to Malaria No More, giving them enough money to buy one or two bednets and to deliver them and be sure they're used properly. Low overhead, no graft, no waste. Just effectiveness. None of the authors or anyone at the Domino Project receive money to be part of this project.  
Wait, there is one ulterior motive: We hope you are inspired. One of the sixty plus contributors might share a gem or spark an idea. The book is a collection of essays from 62 business and social thought leaders about the key drivers to live a life of meaning and impact. Contributors to the book (all of whom donated their work) include David Allen, Tom Peters and Keith Ferrazzi; TED speakers Brene Brown and Sir Ken Robinson; New York Times' best-sellers Jonah Lehrer, Gary Vaynerchuk and Dan Pink; Daymond John and Dave Ramsey; and leaders from organizations such as Google and GlaxoSmithKline.

There's a second motive: Stepping up feels right. It's a few clicks to buy a book and for the rest of the day, or even a week, you'll remember how it felt to save someone's life. 
END MALARIA was born out of a passion to save lives by author and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons Michael Bungay Stanier. Teaming up with marketing and publishing innovator and creator of Squidoo.com Seth Godin, they found a way to sell a book and give away all of the profit in the fight against malaria.

" This is the power of authors working together, the power of ebook distribution and most of all, the power of people who care to make a difference. Over and over, we're seeing that a new generation cares about business not just as a way to make money, but as a way to make a difference. These authors (and their readers) are making a difference at the same time they're saving lives." - Seth Godin.  

Learn more about End Malaria Day:
Buy the book:

End Malaria Day is April 25, Twitter #EndMalariaDay , www.Facebook.com/endmalariaday
$20 sends a mosquito net to a family in need and supports life-saving work in the fight against malaria.

Book Review: A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware

This is a rich mix of history, haunting harp, lush jazz and modern romance set in  the beautiful, old South, environs of Natchez, Mississippi.  

  • File Size: 1740 KB
  • Print Length: 480 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1402222734
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (March 1, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
Also available in print.
Genre:  Time Travel, Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


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...


Review:
Daphne has had a bad choice of beaus having rebounded to a cheating fiance, Jack Ebert, after she discovered that her boss and first love forgot to tell her he was married.  Daphne agrees to return from New York to the deep south to play her harp at the wedding of her brother, King Duvallon and Corlis (from Midnight On Julia Street.)

Daphne meets an attractive photojournalist at the Monmouth, an historic plantation house turned hotel.  Sim Hopkins is in town to do a photographic documentary of the birds painted in the area by John James Audubon in the early 1800s.  Sim has been a traveling man for many years, running from the ghosts of his failed marriage.  Daphne and Sim are drawn together by attraction and something more haunting.

Daphne doesn’t want to be a one night stand for a traveling man and Sim isn’t sure he can commit to settling anywhere. While they get to know each other and try to figure out what they might have going, Daphne is struggling with more than her own painful memories of jilted lovers.  The sounds of the harp, rain and other natural melodies transport Daphne to a vision world in the past where she watches the unfolding of the tragic story of her name sake seeking love but surrounded by sorrow.

Modern day Daphne forges forward, living with her Aunt Maddie in an old family home and juggling tea time harp playing while developing a new career as a jazz harpist.  She has to cope with stalking behavior by Jack who turns out to be on opposing sides of naturalist issues impacting the community. Pressure, confusion, doubts and jealousies build when Jack brings in a top gun attorney who happens to be Sim’s beautiful ex-wife.

Ms. Ware skillfully weaves two stories with detailed research, a remarkable setting and superb storytelling. I loved the blend of the historic story and the modern romance conflict. You can visualize the lush beauty of the past as you learn of environmental issues of the present. The idea of a female jazz ensemble including the harp was fascinating and the author used the sensual sass, like the song "Peel Me a Grape", as part of the romantic seduction.

This can be read as a stand alone although you might not want to miss the first story, Midnight on Julia Street, set in beautiful New Orleans, where similar haunting time travel visions are triggered by smells rather than sounds. If you are a fan of time travel, lush settings and strong storylines, this is an author you will enjoy.  
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sense the music:
The beat, the blossoming synchronicity of the quintet, created in Daphne the distinct sensation of a key fitting smoothly into a lock, opening up a world of full-flavored, melodious sound. Location 2151
Thank you to Sourcebooks through NetGalley for providing this book for reading and reviewing pleasure.
This book is set in Natchez, Mississippi for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. It will also go on my ARC reading list.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

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

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)
 

A nice mix of contemporary and historical. 
I will post the review this week.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.





2. Print
 

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 
 
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
 

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 GiveawayIf 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!

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