Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 14, 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 three books and posted four book reviews, two with Giveaways and a Book Feature with Giveaways.  I also posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I visited a about fifteen blogs last week between What are you reading and Mailbox Monday.  I'll have to work my way through the Mailbox bloggers which may take time. Thanks to the nice people who visited me.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.
  • Book Review: Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson; Horror;  my rating 4.25
  • Audio Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater; Paranormal Romance, Werewolves;  my rating 4.0.
Finished Reading:
1. 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.



2. Print/Kindle
 


by Shona Husk
This is a warm romance.
Review and ARC giveaway linked above.
Reviewed for Sourcebooks.



3. Print
 

Charlinder's Walk
by Alyson Miers
This is an interesting and full read.
The review and interview will post on May 16.
Read for Blog Tour with Novel Publicity.
Post Apocalyptic



Line Edits/Releases: Worked on edits a little this week.


Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle:
 

by Jacquie Rogers
This is fun reading.
I won this book last year and am glad to be reading it. I will do review and author interview this week 5/19.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 24, 2011
Buy a copy and see for yourself what everyone is talking about. Once you read just one of Ms. Roger's books, I can assure you that you'll be a fan... Diana Coyle, NOR Reviewer

*** CTRR Award ***
Jacquie Rogers creates a witty, delightful, and downright amusing book with impressive charming players. Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance and More Reviewer

Like romance? Love stories about the old west? Want a dreamy cowboy to cuddle up and read about? Then this is the book for you.
~~My Eclectic Bookshelf, 5 dragonflies

Daisy Gardner wants to be a detective just like dime novel heroine Honey Beaulieu.  To her delight, her sister shot a bank robber and he got away, so now she even has a crime to solve. But her parents insist she marry a man whose farm is miles from town.  She can't solve crimes stuck out there. What better solution than to marry the new marshal!

Rancher Cole Richards saves his friend from robbing a bank, but is shot for his efforts, and now is a wanted man.  His friend takes him to Oreana to see the doc, where Cole's mistaken for the new marshal.  Now he faces a dilemma few men have to face--tell the truth and hang, or live a lie and end up married. Either way could cost him his freedom.



2. Audio
 
by Julia Franklin
Listening to this for review through AudioJukebox.
Product Description
This is a debut novel from actress and audiobook reader Julia Franklin. 'I've read somewhere between 300 and 400 novels as audiobooks over the last 25 years,' she says, 'so I thought it was time to have a go at a novel of my own.' The result is Turn Up for the Book, a romantic comedy that begins with the breakup, one Christmas, of a marriage.
Poor Viv has begun to look like the sofa she sits on most of the time. No wonder her unfaithful husband, Clive, is leaving her for a glamorous supermodel. But over the next 12 months, she will find that books and friendship will move her to a different kind of sofa altogether. Set against a background of publishing, food, and drink, oh yes, and maybe murder, Turn Up for the Book is a lovely lighthearted companion to warm you on dark winter evenings.




3. Print


 
by Rebecca Land Soodak
I will start this book later this week. 
Reviewing for Hachette
Book Description
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Kara Caine Lawson has worked hard to become the woman she is-wife, mother and successful shop owner. Having survived a turbulent childhood, Kara understands that life could've just as easily gone another way . . . and even if she isn't gliding through the trials of lost library books, entitled customers and routine date nights, at least she's not sipping a Dewar's all day like her mother did.

But then Kara unexpectedly encounters paintings by her now-famous college boyfriend just as she's beginning to suspect that her daughter Henny's difficulties may be the sign of something serious, and all of her past decisions are thrown into dramatic relief.

Kara's narration, at turns heartbreaking and hilarious, captures the imperfect thoughts we have about ourselves and those around us. Rebecca Land Soodak's debut novel asks the difficult questions about the choices we make while revealing the minute details that end up defining our lives.


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 Jeremiah and Lamentations.

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. --Five completed; 3 this week; 5+ remaining.
This month I have several Promo events without reviews; THREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY EVENTS

May Scheduled Events:

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

AudioJukebox
Turn Up For The Book

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

Reading for Book Club: Calico Canyon - Lassoed In Texas by Mary Connealy

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.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 13, 2012

This post is a tribute to Mothers.


Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.
Inspirational Quotes on Mothers Day by: Unknown  

Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Inspirational Quotes on Mothers Day by: Elizabeth Stone

All mothers are working mothers.
Inspirational Quotes on Mothers Day by: Author Unknown

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.
Inspirational Quotes on Mothers Day by: Jewish proverb 

Thank you Mom for the love, strength and courage you taught me, just to name a few of your gifts. I still miss you.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #48 Comment Giveaway May 12, 2012

Welcome to SBB! How is everyone this beautiful week of May? I am still in my hotel room in Tallahassee with one more day of training tomorrow.  Happy Mother's Day!


Thank you to all those who commented last week.

Not everyone had a romantic restaurant to share but those restaurants that were shared sound wonderful.  Jane agreed that you create your own romance no matter the place. :-)

It was fun to see what meals were shared and I enjoyed even more learning what books you were currently reading. Faith Hope and Cherrytea shared two recipe books and I love the name (and thought) of Friendship Bread.
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #47 comments is: #2 marybelle. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. marybelle 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 #48 Questions

Q1.  Sarah asks: What is your favourite mode of transportation??
A:  Well I think that is an easy question for me because I love cruising! So cruise ships is #1 and trains would be #2 although unfortunately they are too expensive for fun travel.

This is a shot looking back at the Emerald Princess
while we took the tender into Greenland.

Q2. My question this week:  If you were to give your Mom a book for Mother's Day, what book would you pick?? Or, for those like me whose mother's are not here to share with, what book do you associate with your Mother??
A: This is still a little hard for me even though my Mom has been gone for many years. She passed when I was 21.  The book that always makes me think of her is one of her favorite books, Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson. It is a book which I gave to her as a gift when I was in college.

Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson
 I don't think this is the right cover and I will check when I return home.
The one I have is a paperback volume from the 1960s.

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. Sarah asks: What is your favourite mode of transportation??

 
2. If you were to give your Mom a book for Mother's Day, what book would you pick?? Or, for those like me whose mother's are not here to share with, what book do you associate with your Mother??
 
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 18, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winner of I Want to Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression and God

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER
Giveaways Ending May 11

katja9_10
katja9_10 please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the books and/or notify the publisher/author.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

Audio Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

A satisfactory conclusion to this haunting werewolf trilogy.

Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 3) UNABRIDGED
by Maggie Stiefvater
Narrated by Jenna Lamia, Pierce Cravens, Dan Bittner, Emma Galvin, Maggie Stiefvater
  • Audible Audio Edition
  • Listening Length: 12 hours and 16 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Scholastic Audio
  • Audible.com Release Date: July 12, 2011
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005C7QSX4
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

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.

Review:
This is the conclusion of this YA trilogy.  It started a bit slowly for me but after an hour or so I was engaged in the story and rooting for Sam and Grace as well as Cole and Isabelle.

Sam and Grace met in Shiver. Grace is a young, smart teenager and Sam is a young man who yearns after her but turns wolf each winter. The pack leader, Beck, believed that Sam would remain a wolf the next winter.

At the end of Linger, Sam had been “cured” of being a werewolf by being infected with high fevers apparently suppressing the werewolf cells. Unfortunately, age or stress or a combination of factors, had triggered the werewolf cells to emerge in Grace where they had been suppressed since she was bitten as a child. Sam was now human and Grace a wolf each winter.

In this third book there is more angst between several characters. Cole is a talented but tormented musician who was “recruited” by Beck to “manage” the pack since Beck believed both he and Cole would be unavailable to do so.  Cole has had a pretty rocky and arrogant life and he rubs proper, angry Isabel the wrong way.  She is drawn to him but realizes he would be bad news. For some reason Cole is unable to keep his werewolf stable. He begins to experiment with ways to trigger the changes.

Sam is waiting for spring to bring the wolves, and especially Grace, back to him. Grace's parents and many townfolk think that Sam is responsible for the disappearance of Beck and Grace. The authorities are starting to put pressure on him. Adding to his troubles Sam begins to have emotional struggles thinking that it was a betrayal when he was deliberately bitten as a child.

Isabel’s brother Jack was turned to a wolf and died in the second book.  Their father begins to arrange a public hunt for the wolves.  When several more teens are attacked, the hunters get permission to use a helicopter to herd the wolves together for the hunt.

Sam, Cole and Grace race against time to find a way to move the wolf pack to a safer area. They find a friend in a surprising person but their efforts may not work when the hunt is suddenly moved up by several weeks.

Once again I enjoyed the haunting poetry, music and songs that were shared by Cole and Sam although there seemed fewer than the prior books.  There was plenty of excitement as the hunt pressed in. The writing is pleasantly lyrical and simultaneously simple in presentation but complex in emotion. I was a little disappointed that the ending didn’t fully resolve all the questions but there was enough for the reader to draw in a positive conclusion.

I especially love the audio performance for this trilogy.  The different voices bring the characters alive and enhanced the story for me. If you like werewolf stories and sincere teen romance, I highly recommend listening to this trilogy.

This is from my own Audible TBR library.
This is located in Mercy Falls, a fake town, in Minnesota for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also include it on my Audio Challenge list.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails