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Sunday, May 6, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 7, 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.

I finished two books which seems less than normal, but I did get  started on several for this week. :-)  I posted two book reviews, three Book Features with Giveaways as well as my usual regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I visited a handful of blogs last week but not as many as I would have liked. I may not get to visit alot tonight since our power was out for four hours today and I have some things to complete. (At least it provided time to read.)  Thanks again to the nice people who visited me.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.
Finished Reading:
1. Print:
 

by Regina O'Melveny 
This is beautifully written and full of historical tidbits.
The Publisher will be providing one copy for Giveaway when I post the review on Tuesday.
Reading for Little Brown & Co.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 10, 2012
Dr. Gabriella Mondini, a strong-willed, young Venetian woman, has followed her father in the path of medicine. She possesses a singleminded passion for the art of physick, even though, in 1590, the male-dominated establishment is reluctant to accept a woman doctor. ...
Gorgeous and brilliantly written, and filled with details about science, medicine, food, and madness, THE BOOK OF MADNESS AND CURES is an unforgettable debut.


2. Kindle
 

by Scott Nicholson
This is a gripping story.
I will post the review on Wednesday.
Reviewing for the author.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2011
"Scott Nicholson explores the dark legends of the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain, a nightmare country that ends in Stephen King's yard."-- Sharyn McCrumb, author of The Ballad novels
--------------------
CREATIVE SPIRIT
A modern Gothic thriller



Line Edits/Releases: Worked Saturday to get categories set up and linked.


Currently reading:
1. Print
 

Charlinder's Walk
by Alyson Miers
I am finding this interesting. The review and interview are scheduled for May 16.  Reading for Blog Tour with Novel Publicity.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 16, 2011
In 2012, the Plague ended the world as we know it. In 2130, Charlinder wants to know why. The origin of the disease remains a mystery. Their ignorance of its provenance fuels a growing schism that threatens to destroy the peace that the survivors' descendants have built. Unwilling to wait for matters to get any worse, he decides to travel to where the Plague first appeared and find out the truth—which means walking across three continents before returning home. Charlinder has never been more than ten miles from home, has never heard anyone speak a foreign language, and he's going it alone. He survives thousands of miles of everything from near-starvation to near-madness before he meets Gentiola. By then he’s so exhausted that the story she offers to tell seems like little more than a diversion...until he hears it. Nothing could have prepared him for what he learns from her, and no one ever told him: be careful what you wish for. The world is a much bigger place than Charlinder knew, and his place in it is a question he never asked before.


2. Audible
 

    UNABRIDGED
    by Maggie Stiefvater
    Narrated by Jenna Lamia, Pierce Cravens, Dan Bittner, Emma Galvin, Maggie Stiefvater
I am half way through this and
I'm interested to learn the conclusion.
This is from my own TBR choice.
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.



3. Print/Kindle
 


by Shona Husk
I like the characters so far and the conflict and tension are building.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Shadowlands
"Steamy, sensual, and dangerous...Dark and delicious."—Fresh Fiction on The Goblin King
The Man of Her Dreams
He is like a prince in a fairy tale: tall, outrageously handsome, and way too dark for her own good. Amanda has been hurt before, though. And with her daughter's illness, the last thing she needs right now is a man. But the power of Dai King is hard to resist. And when he threads his hands through her hair and pulls her in for a kiss, there is no denying it feels achingly right.

In a Land of Nightmares
After being trapped in the Shadowlands for centuries with the goblin horde a constant threat, Dai revels in his newfound freedom back in the human realm. But even with the centuries of magic he's accumulated, he still doesn't know how to heal Amanda's daughter—and it breaks his heart. Yet for the woman he loves, he'd risk anything...including a retun to the Shadowlands.



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 is the Book of Isaiah.

Line Edits: Working on new line edits; have several book conversions ready to upload to Kindle/Smashwords.


I have brought a couple of April books into May to finish which gives me 11 or so books scheduled to read for review in May.
This month I have several Promo events without reviews; THREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY EVENTS! 

May Scheduled Events:

May 8 - Pump Up Your Books Tour for Allergies, and Awesome You; Month long giveaway for a Kindle Fire!
May 15 -30th BookBlast Blogger's Kindle Fire Giveaway 
May 16 Novel Publicity Tour with GC Giveaway: Charlinder's Walk by Alyson Miers
May 19 Review and Author Interview:  Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers
May 24 Forever Romance Blog Tour: Book Review and Giveaway Lucky in Love (A Lucky Harbor Novel by Jill Shalvis

Unscheduled but Planned for April:

Hachette-
Henny on the Couch by Rebecca Land Soodak

Sourcebooks:
Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live) by Catherine Mann
Kiss of the Goblin Prince: Shadowlands series by Shona Husk

AudioJukebox
To be Determined

Author Reviews:
Foolish Games (Book 3 of the Family Heirlooms Series) by Karen Wiesner
Dangerous Favors by Joyce DiPastena.

NetGalley
I have several chosen but not sure if they will make May reading.

[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.]
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Sunday Words of Encouragement May 6, 2012

Our associate Pastor preached today on the story of Ruth.   Naomi, an Israelite widow, decided to return home when all the men in the family died.  Her widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth, from Moab, determined to followed Naomi back to Israel with the commitment that Naomi's people would be her people and Naomi's God would be her God. It is as though the power of God called to Ruth who had grown up in the brutal Moabite society.  Neither Naomi nor Ruth did anything particularly spiritual but they returned home to resume living in the Israelite community.  Then they did the day to day tasks necessary to survive and Ruth was obedient to her mother-in-law, Naomi. God honored their trust and obedience.

Pastor D. pointed out that often we are impetuous and we do not wait on God. When we get off on the wrong exit or path we may miss the full blessings God has in store. God wants us to learn to hold steady and know that He has all things under control. God will lead us and bless us as we trust Him and walk in obedience just as He led, provided for and blessed Naomi and Ruth.

One of the worship songs we sang today is I am a Friend of God.  I was struck that it fit with the sermon (I love how God does that!) because God showed Himself as a friend to Naomi and Ruth and has chosen to call us friend as well. 


A Verse for Today:
Ruth 1:16 (NIV)
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

I pray today that I will be faithful in daily tasks and that I will be obedient to follow where God may lead me.
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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Winners of The Highlander's Prize and Untouched

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS
Giveaways Ended May 4
 
Horror and Fantasy fonts
andieleah

Glittery text maker
danni

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. 
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Sharing Beyond Books #47 Comment Giveaway May 5, 2012

Welcome to SBB! Oh dear - it looks like I linked the wrong post although you can always find the link through the right sidebar Quick Links or the blog archive. 

Thank you to all those who commented last week.

Several of us picked Space Opera or Sci Fi for a "next life" setting and a couple picked cozy mystery.  Three picked Historical Romance, Krystal wants to keep her same life (*smile*) and Abby couldn't quite decide so she may bounce from historical to mystery to futuristic.

What? No one had a Mickey Mouse watch?? Several liked their wrist watches, including Bridgit's wind-up kiddie watch.But I like marybelle's family "Bonging" clock.
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #46 comments is: #2 Birgit. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Birgit  is international so may pick a GC 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 #47 Questions

Q1. This week mamabunny13 asks: What is the name of the restaurant with the most romantic setting/atmosphere that you've been to and what is it about the restaurant that makes it so romantic?
A:  Oh boy... I haven't been to a romantic restaurant for some time. My DH and I thought a bit and agreed on a restaurant in downtown West Palm Beach called "This is It Pub". It was dark, candlelit cozy and being together made it romantic. I think it may have changed since 17+ years ago.
This picture reminds me of the pub but this is courtesy of

Q2. My question this week:  Share a restaurant or meal from a book you just finished or are currently reading; identify the book too.
A: Let's see... I just finished a horror, ghost story today but I can't remember any meal scenes. So the book I finished Thursday was The Book of Madness and Cures. One of the meals they shared on their journey consisted of bread, olives, sliced boar meat and cheese.

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 mamabunny13 asks: What is the name of the restaurant with the most romantic setting/atmosphere that you've been to and what is it about the restaurant that makes it so romantic??
 
2. My question is: Share a restaurant or meal from a book you just finished or are currently reading; identify the book too.
 
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, May 11, 2012 at 10 PM central.
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Friday, May 4, 2012

Book Feature and Giveaway: I Want To Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression, and God

Tom Laresca lives in New York with his wife and three children. Currently working as a foreign stock trader, he attended college at St. John’s University. Laresca enjoys playing sports and weightlifting.
I Want to Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression and God is his first book.
You can visit his website at http://iwanttohelp1225.com.

ABOUT I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION AND GOD

Tom Laresca lived an average life in a quiet American town: a good job as a stock trader, a wife, a family, a beautiful home. Then in 2001, his life changed.

While living in Boca Raton, Florida, Laresca explains, “I was wrongly arrested and abused by the police. I had been an athlete in high school and college, and had never been in trouble with the law before or since in my professional career as a stock trader. I was put into intensive care, due mainly to being maced for thirty minutes while being pinned down, handcuffed and hogtied. These events all happened in front of my own home in an exclusive gated community.”

Following the assault, Laresca says his main focus was to get the charges against him dropped. “For years, I spent time and money on lawyers to make this happen. The police wanted me to sign a pre-trial intervention (PTI) document, which would make the charges go away but with me assuming part of the guilt. But I didn’t want to do that; I wanted them to admit what they did. I spent years fighting the PTI.  Even though the charges finally went away, I never found out what happened, and the police were never questioned or investigated. This all took lots of time and money, and I had to miss work.”

During this period, Laresca was diagnosed with cancer in three parts of his body and faced the grim possibility that he might only have three months to live. After his treatment and recovery, he then fought a battle with depression.

“Something told me to write about it.” he says. “I wrote the book in one night, sent it out to publishers, and went with the first publisher who answered.”

The book, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD, is a tiny book which, as Laresca says, “is written with the sole purpose of helping others overcome any struggles they may be going through. Not that everyone will go through something as severe as I did, but I believe that most people at some time are struggling with something.”

“The book begins with me learning I had been diagnosed with cancer in three parts of my body. I recount what it felt like to receive the news from my doctor, coupled with the grim possibility that I may have three months to live. I talk about my hospital stay, my fight to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, but most of all spiritually.

“Next, I tell of going through chemotherapy treatments and on to recovery, only to be brought down by what I can only say was crippling depression. I go on to thank God for getting me through all this. Because the truth is that God brought me through it all, and He is waiting to help you with anything you are going through.”

Laresca remembers that as a child, he read Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. “There were two things that stuck with me: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ and ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Those helped me through everything, and I use this [philosophy] every day.”

At twenty pages, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD is so short, Laresca says, because he worked long hours, had three kids, and not a lot of time. Still, he adds, people who have read it tell him that it’s helped them in some way, and that he’s heard that grownups have given the book to their children.

These days, Tom Laresca is much more relaxed, especially now that he’s written the book. “If reading it can help just one person,” he says, “I’ll be happy.”

My Death

The final part of my book I believe is incredible but true. It deals with death, my death. What makes it even more incredible is that it came at the hands of the police right in front of my own home. I have 3500 dollars worth of intensive care bills from that night and I also took a lie detector test to help prove what I say is true. I had owned a home in a wealthy development in Boca Raton Florida. I moved back to New York for six months where I have lived most of my life to start a charity for single moms. I was doing it with Leonard Marshall form the New York Giants and Vice President of the NFL Lem Burnham. When I returned to my home in Florida I was unaware that there had been an armed burglar in our development and police were hired to stay there to find him.
      
On the night of the incident I went out my backyard which was situated on the golf course I went for a little run and as I returned to my home five police officers came running down my block and shouted at me to stop. I had no idea what they were doing there but I immediately stopped. They ordered me on my hands and knees I was completely confused there had never been police officers in our development we had our own security Wackenhut. I saw one of our security guards and I told him to tell the police that I lived here. I was approximately 10 feet from my front lawn, the lights in my house were all on and I pointed to my house and told the officer I live here. He shouted again for me to get on my hands and knees you see they thought they had the burglar and I had no idea what was going on. Before I knew anything else I was pepper sprayed my face felt as though it were on fire soon after an officer from behind me stripped down my shorts. I was now naked in front of my own home with my face burning like mad. Now the officer pulled his gun on me and pointed it directly at my chest and said “I’ll shoot” I said go ahead. At this point I had had enough he said it again  “I’ll shoot” and put the gun closer to my chest, so not knowing if he would or not I pushed his gun down. I know in retrospect it wasn’t the brightest thing to do but how would you feel if this happened to you right in front of your own home?
   
I put my hands behind my back and they put handcuffs on me. The officer then ordered the security guard to go behind the building and said he would take care of this. They placed me in the street and laid on top of me I figured he was now going to get even for making him look foolish again I know pushing his gun down wasn’t the wisest thing to do put I had no idea they would take the punishment to the extent to which they did. They began pepper spraying me nonstop for what seemed 20 minutes, I have the security guard Santiago Diaz sworn testimony stating he heard me screaming “You’re killing me” and “I can’t breathe” for what he said was a half an hour. After awhile of them pepper spraying me I could barely breathe my lunges weren’t getting any oxygen I turned to the officer and asked are you trying to kill me? He responded “yes”.
  
I realized then he wanted me dead and buried along with the embarrassing part of me getting his gun down. I felt I only had a few breaths left and I knew he was for real he wanted me dead so I decided to take as a deep a breath as I could get and hold it put my head down and pretend to be dead so they would get off me. I did it and it worked but as he rose from my body and thought I was dead this horrible man patted my shoulder and said “good”. I felt the blood boil inside me and couldn’t control my mouth to which I said ah you a#%hole you can’t kill me. I was wrong as he got back down on me and began pepper spraying me again till I could no longer breathe. I remember dying and what death was like I also remember coming back to life. I am sure that that officer checked to make sure I was dead this time only to be sure he wouldn’t be made a fool of again. What I say is the truth and I am offering the proceeds from my book as a reward if that officer Sergeant Klaus will take and pass a lie detector test about that night. So please help me prove the truth that I was dead thank you.


TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR A PAPERBACK COPY:
1. Leave a comment about this guest post OR why you would like this book.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.
* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 11, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 12 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.
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