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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Book Review: The Claimed by Caridad Pineiro

This is an exciting story and strong romance.
  • Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Forever; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0446584606
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446584609
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Sin Hunters (Book 2)
THE CLAIMED
Victoria Johnson loves her life. She's her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It's Victoria's duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she's his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don't want peace-and they'll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .
Review:
Victoria is a lovely character. She is strong and caring. She has to balance her personal life with her duties as a business owner but most importantly as a future leader of her Light Hunter clan.  Victoria will soon be coming into Equinox, the biological time during which she must mate or her powers will be weakened and her whole clan will be diminished. On the other hand she needs to be careful who she selects as a mate. Her parents have been forced to acknowledge that the mate promised to her as a child is no longer available. Now she must get them to agree to allow her to make her own choice.

Christopher is an equally wonderful character of strength, fairness and goodness. He is he son of the Anaru, Alexander, the leader of the Shadow Hunter clan. The Shadow Hunter clan has been deceased and weakened with the deadly pox because they have denigrated to feeding off other Hunters or humans. Unlike his father though, Christopher and a small following of their clan have been purifying their bodies by returning to the ancient ways of feeding only from natural elements. While Alexander looks for a powerful Light Hunter as a feeding energy source Christopher thinks perhaps he could become allies with the Light Hunters. He is convinced that they can survive and thrive if they purge the sickness and the bad feeding practices, even if it means he will have to fight his own father.

Victoria and Christopher have a glimpse sighting of each other that sparks interest but they don’t pursue a connection until a second encounter. Then the sparks begin to really ignite even as they realize that they are from enemy clans. The forbidden friendship--or more--is difficult enough but there are jealousies and traitors who will fight the possibility of a merger of Light Hunter with Shadow Hunter. Can they learn to trust each other? Will they survive to protect each other?

Ms. Pineiro has developed a fascinating world of superpowers and internal conflicts. I was immediately engaged by the characters and the plot. There are some likeable secondary characters as well as some really unpleasant wimps, traitors and nasty characters.  There are conflicts, obstacles and plenty of action to give this a good pace for entertaining reading.

I was a little wary of the level of sexual heat from this author.  I am pleased to say that the encounters between Victoria and Christopher are highly sensual and, although pretty detailed, they are loving and in no way lewd. There is one female enemy who is close to a succubus and I found her actions rather offensive but suitable to her character.

If you like your stories hot and intense with lots of conflict, excitement and heavy romance, this author and book fit the bill!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isn't this what every romantic female looks for? 
Even though her biological clock was ticking, Victoria would not let that alone determine her fate. She wanted a partner for the future. Someone who would share her joys and her sorrows and help to lead her people. But more important, someone she could love. Page 39.
Thank you to Caridad Piñeiro and Pump Up Your Book tours for this book to review. Please see the Author Q&A post for a chance to win this exciting book.
This is set in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, for my Where are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC challenge list.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Audio Book Review and Giveaway: Web of Evil by J.A. Jance

This is not the best J.A. Jance I have ever read; entertaining but with parts that make you roll your eyes.
Web of Evil: A Novel of Suspense (Ali Reynolds Mysteries) J.A. Jance (Author) Karen Ziemba (Reader) 

Simon & Schuster Audio, December 2008
Abridged Compact Disk, 5 disks
ISBN-10: 0743576136
ISBN-13: 9780743576130

Genre: Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: January 9, 2007 | Series: Ali Reynolds Mysteries

J.A. Jance's new series, begun in the New York Times bestseller Edge of Evil, continues with a powerhouse tale of suspense.

The highway from Los Angeles to the Palm Springs desert is parched, unforgiving, and deadly. In the suffocating stillness of a car trunk, a man -- his mouth and hands bound with tape -- awaits his fate. What possible enemy could be bitter enough to commit such a heinous crime? And when will the monster make another move?
Ali Reynolds is traveling that same blistering, lonesome highway, looking forward to putting her past behind her. But her cheating husband is in a hurry for a divorce, and the television network who wrongfully dismissed Ali for the sole sin of being over forty will face her in court as well. So Ali must return to the scene of these crimes. As she passes the site of a horrifying accident, she thanks goodness it's no longer her job to report the news. Until she finds out the news is her own. . . . For the victim is Ali's cheating husband, and soon she'll find herself the prime suspect at the center of a terrifying web of evil.

A twisted and lethal drama of heart-pounding suspense, Web of Evil asks the question: If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, just what punishment could that fury unleash?


Review:
This thriller starts off well but sadly moves into incredulity by mid-book.

Ali Reynolds is suing her previous employer, a network television, for wrongful dismissal after they let her go to hire a younger woman. She is also struggling with a divorce from her husband who found a younger model. Ali has been spending time blogging about her work situation and upcoming divorce from “Fang,” the cheating husband.

Ali travels from Sedona to Palm Springs for her final divorce hearing and a deposition in her wrongful dismissal case. Problems arise when her husband, who plans to marry his pregnant mistress the next day, fails to appear for the final hearing. Within 24 hours he is discovered murdered at an accident site that Ali drove past on her way into town.

Ali is a prime suspect because of the acrimonious relationship, her motive for gain as the surviving spouse, and her opportunity being in the wrong place at the right time. Her high powered divorce attorney quickly engages another firm attorney who specializes in criminal law. Her mother comes into town to give support and an old high school friend and local deputy, Dave, who is on vacation also arrives. Since none of them trust the local police department they team together to find the true killer on their own.

The protagonist, Ali Reynolds is a bright career woman but an irrational suspect and sleuth. She does everything she is told not to do such as getting into a patrol car with two police officers without calling her attorney, talking about her estranged husband’s murder on her blog, entering crime scenes, running off to investigate without letting anyone know where she is going. Her mother does much of the same.

Although the twists and turns of the story are good, the actions of the amateur sleuths are very exasperating. Even a police sting operation was startlingly inept and put innocent people in danger which made no sense.  It made my husband and me roll our eyes and want to shout at the audio: “Are you crazy? How stupid can you be!!”

Also, there is a good bit of telling through the use of Ali’s blog which slowed the pace of the mystery without contributing much besides some compassion. Being a blogger, I don’t think I minded that as much as my husband did. Keep in mind too that this was the abridged version so I doubt that a full version would help in this area.

Having read and enjoyed other J.A. Jance titles, I have to say that this one is a bit disappointing. My final summary is this had some good thriller/mystery twists but got dragged down by the blogging and the stumbling method of investigating.

This was a CD audiobook I picked up one day so it is from my own TBR.
This story is set in Los Angeles/Palm Springs, CA, for my Where are you Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my TBR and Audio challenge lists.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Audiobook Copy:
1. Share a comment on how you feel about books that disappoint you when you have read better from the author.  This is required for entry.

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.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 15, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 16. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Mailbox Monday June 11, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday. Thanks everyone for linking and visiting with me last month - it was fun to host.
FOR JUNE: the Mailbox Monday Tour host has been updated to Burton Book Review.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 


My book garden is steadily growing! How about yours?

Review Titles

I received a lovely list of eBooks to review from Leatherwood Press.
My first book to review is Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch. (I really like this cover.)



 Wins

I won a discount of 50% for a download at Gypsy Shadow Publishing through Coffeetime and The Romance Studio Romance and Coffee Anniversary Extravaganza.

Purchased
I had to order extra copies of Flabbergasted at Christianbook.com for Ladies' Book Club so I ordered
Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman. It sounded cute.

 Free
I picked up more free Kindle books last week.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? June 11, 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 seven books with the help of cruise time. I posted six book reviews but no giveaways last week.  I also posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I didn't get to visit at all last week since I was away on cruise with limited internet access.  Thanks as always to the nice people who visited me. I haven't had a chance to visit Armchair BEA either. We had a great day today with family visiting.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.
  • Book Review: Foolish Games by Karen Wiesner; Inspirational Romance; my rating 4.25
  • Audio Book Review: Wired Kingdom by Rick Chesler; Thriller; my rating 4.25.
Finished Reading:
 1. ebook/Kindle



by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley  
This is was interesting start of the series.
The review is linked above.




2 Kindle
 

by Sparkle Abbey
This was paired with Desperate Housedogs through NetGalley.
The reviews are linked above.




3.  Print
 

by Caridad Piñeiro
I liked this alot.
Interview and review to post on June 12.
Reviewing through Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Sin Hunters (Book 2)


4. Audio CD
 

J.A. Jance (Author)
Karen Ziemba (Reader)
We listened to this in the car
as we drove to our Port destination.
I hope to do a short review later this week.


5. eBook/Kindle
 

Nadir (The Samsara Chronicles Book 2)
Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley
This is book two in the series and building the story.
The review will post on June 13.
Reviewing through Pump Up Your Book.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
The fate of a besieged Earth rests on Aislinn and her soul mate, Dylan, to battle the alien Eletarii bent on conquering humanity.

Aislinn, directed by circumstance to meet her past and future soul mate, Dylan Young, begins to understand the daunting task awaiting her. In order to save Earth, she and Dylan must open the portal, the celestial gateway that will allow salvation of Earth's chosen. Facing opposition at every step from a world plunged into chaos, they have until midnight, December 31st, to reach their destination.



6. Audio
 

Wired Kingdom
 I enjoyed listening to this thriller.
The review is linked above.



 7.  Audible
 

This is a fun story and great narration.
I will do a review later this week.
        Series: Royal Spyness, Book
Publisher's Summary

 Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, cousin of King George V of England, is penniless and trying to survive on her own as an ordinary person in London in 1932.

So far she has managed to light a fire and boil an egg... She's gate-crashed a wedding... She's making money by secretly cleaning houses... And she's been asked to spy for Her Majesty the Queen.

Everything seems to be going swimmingly until she finds a body in her bathtub... and someone is definitely trying to kill her.



Line Edits/Releases: I hope to have two books complete soon.


Currently reading:

1.  eBook/Kindle
 

I started this and almost finished it in one day. Very engaging.
I will post author Interview, Guest Post and Review on Thursday June 14
as part of Bewitching Book Tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2011
On a Friday afternoon before Labor Day, Americans are getting ready for the holiday weekend, completely unaware of a long-planned terrorist plot about to be launched against the country. Kyle Tait is settling in for his flight home to Montana when a single nuclear bomb is detonated 300 miles above the heart of America. The blast, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), destroys every electrical device in the country, and results in the crippling of the power grid, the shutting down of modern communications, and bringing to a halt most forms of transportation.

Kyle narrowly escapes when his airplane crashes on take-off, only to find himself stranded 2,000 miles from home in a country that has been forced, from a technological standpoint, back to the 19th Century. Confused, hurt, scared, and alone, Kyle must make his way across a hostile continent to a family he’s not even sure has survived the effects of the attack. As Kyle forges his way home, his frightened family faces their own struggles for survival in a community trying to halt its slow spiral into chaos and anarchy.

77 Days in September follows Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, as they are stretched past their breaking point, but find in their devotion to each other the strength to persevere. 



2. Print
 

by Brenda Jackson
This is reading quickly too.
I am reading this for Harlequin Survey.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 24, 2011 | Series: Westmorelands
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson brings you the story of Jason Westmoreland. With one convenient proposal, he could have a Southern beauty in his bed and her birthright in his hands. If only the lovely lady would say yes….

Plus a Brenda Jackson classic—the first in the Steele family series, Solid Soul.



3.  Audible
 

I am looking forward to listening to this book in the series.    
Publisher's Summary
Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?


4. eBook/Kindle
 

by Phillipa Ashley
I will be reading this later in the week.
Reading for Sourcebooks through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 5, 2012


Praise for Carrie Goes Off the Map:

"Engaging...Ashley's charming prose makes the journey enjoyable."—Publishers Weekly

"This tale has its own Bridget Jones–style appeal."—Booklist
"Quirky and fun!"—RT Book Reviews

"Fulfills all the best fantasies, including a gorgeous humanitarian hero and a camper van!"—Katie Fforder, UK bestselling author of Love Letters
There's one question a girl should always say yes to...
But Lucy Gibson said no. On national TV. Now she's hated by nearly everyone.
Fleeing the spotlight's glare, Lucy holes up in a cottage in the country, where she just might find the right reasons to say yes after all...
From beloved novelist Philipa Ashley, Just Say Yes is a sharp and exuberant tale of the rocky road to love that'll leave you saying "Yes!"
. .


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 Obadiah, Jonah and Micah.

Line Edits: Working on finishing a format; still working on final adjusts on book conversions to upload to Kindle/Smashwords.

I am really looking forward to my June reading.  I have at least 15 books I plan to read and review.With a few extras it will be a busy month posting reviews. :-)

Scheduled for June:
6/12 Claimed - Interview and Review - Review for Pump Up Your Book
6/13 Nadir by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book
6/14 77 Days in September by Ray Gorham - Review for Bewitching Book Blog Tour
6/14 Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop
6/19 Kidnapped by Maria Hammarblad - Interview and Review for Bewitching Blog Tour
6/20 Covenant by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book
6/28 Itineras by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley - Review for Pump Up Your Book
6/30 Flabbergasted: A Novel by Ray Blackston - Ladies' Book Club  

June but Unscheduled: 
Sourcebooks
The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine by Jayne Fresina
Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley (NetGalley)
Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson (NetGalley)


Other NetGalley Review choices:
Get Fluffy by Sparkle Abbey
Deadly Dance by Dee Davis
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein

Audio
Next - TBD

Hachette
Grand Central Station
Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione


I also hope to read a couple of Won books this month too.

[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 June 10, 2012

We are home from our short but relaxing cruise. It was so wonderful as we met three other Christian couples with whom we got to visit and share encouragement. One couple was involved with the film, Facing the Giants, and in fact the wife is the wife in the movie! My DH was thrilled to meet a 'movie star.' :-) He came home and watched the movie on YouTube. I encourage you to watch it with a box of tissues.

Although we didn't witness directly to non believers I am aware that our smiles, prayers and demeanor were noted by others. I pray that hearts were moved to seek the joy of Christ.

This is one of the choruses we sang this morning and I wanted to share the sheer joy of it.

A Verse for Today:
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)
12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Today our Pastor preached on Walking with God. I pray that I might walk daily with God in a way that is pleasing to Him.

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