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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Mailbox Monday June 25, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
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

Audio CD No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose;
to review for Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox







Two Sourcebooks Print books for September
 Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster









                 

                               by  Shana Cale



 Wins
No new wins but I am still receiving wins from the Coffee Anniversary Extravaganza hosted by Coffeetime and The Romance Studio. In addition to the Nook I won all of the items noted below. I have received so far the nine that are highlighted. I still haven't had a chance to pick out any books yet.

Publisher Prizes (To go along with the ereaders)

Week 1 - received 7  in bold  
Week 2 - received 2 in gold
 

Soul Mate Publishing –  $25 gift certificate
J. Taylor Publishing

Darkness & Light by J.A. Belfield
Little White Lies by Aimee Laine
The Glass Man by Jocelyn Adams
Into the Unknown by all three of the above authors
Instinct by J.A. Belfield
Touch of Frost by Jocelyn Adams
Hide & Seek by Aimee Laine
The P.U.R.E. by Claire Gillian
and we'll include Tidal Whispers by Jocelyn Adams, Julie Reece, Clair GIllian and Kelly Said as well (it releases June 4th).
Ellora’s Cave -    5 eBooks of the Winner’s Choice
The Wild Rose Press - $25 gift certificate
Books for a Buck – Gift Certificate for $11.97
eXtasy Books - $5.00 gift certificate
Eternal Press/Damnation Books- ???
Untreed Reads - $15.00 gift certificate
Torquere Press - $15 gift certificate
Liquid Silver – 2 books
Changeling Press – Free books for a month at ChangelingPress.com (2 books a week for 4 weeks)
Total E-Bound – ???
Champagne Books – Gift Certificate
Carnal Passions – Gift Certificate
BURST - Gift Certificate
JMS Books - $25 gift certificate
Inspired Romance Novels – 3 books, winners choice
Red Rose Publishing - $25 gift certificate
Loose Id – $10 gift certificate to each
Beachwalk Press – eBooks of  Barely Dreaming by Stephanie Beck (Fantasy Romance), Soul Dancer by Aurora Rose Lynn (Science Fiction Romance/Interracial Romance) Fool Me Once by Lacey Wolfe (Erotic Contemporary Romance)
Gypsy Shadow Publishing – 50% off for the winners
Black Velvet Seduction – 3 eBooks (winner’s choice) 



Purchased
No purchases this past week.

Free
I did spend one evening picking up some free Kindle books last week.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? June 25, 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.

My reading felt rather sparse this week with interruptions and piece meal reading although I did finishing three books. I posted five book reviews, two with giveaways, and an author interview.  I also posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words. 

I got to visit some other sites mid-week but not enough time with family issues.
Thanks as always to the nice people who visited me.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.
  • Book Review: Kidnapped by Maria Hammarblad; Sci Fi Romance; my rating 4.5
  • Book Review with Giveaway of related series book: Deadly Dance by Dee Davis; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
  • Audio Book Review: Whisper II: The Books by Terry Rich Hartley; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.25.
Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

by Dee Davis
This is an author that is on my 'Always Read' list.
The review and giveaway of related is linked above.
Read for Hachette through NetGalley.



2. Audio
 

by Terry Rich Hartley
This was a chilling good quick listen. 
Review is linked above.
Listened for Mind Wings Audio through AudioBook Jukebox. 



3. eBook/Kindle


Code Name Verity 
by Elizabeth E. Wein
This was very engaging and 
I will post the review this week.
Reading through NetGalley.



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


Currently reading:

1. Audible
 

Timeless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fifth

I am not too far into this; it seemed to have started slowly. 
    

 2. eBook/Kindle
 

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley
This is continuing the Chronicles.
Review to post 6/28 for Pump Up Your Book
Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Fleeing increasing danger after acquiring the skull, Aislinn and Dylan begin their journey by visiting her parents and meeting Aislinn’s soul sister Angelica.

No longer safe in Burnaby, Aislinn and Dylan are directed to visit her parents on Boxing Day where they meet an Italian orphan, Angelica. Aislinn recognizes her soul sister from her home world, Nirvana. Guided by an escort in the guise of an eagle, Aislinn and Dylan continue their quest to gather the talismans.


3.  Print
 


Jayne Fresina
Just started and this has a light-hearted beginning.
Reading for Sourcebooks - June Release.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 5, 2012
"A scintillating debut...as addictive as chocolate."—Mia Marlowe, author of Touch of a Rogue
"Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, time-wasters, and gentleman without other attachments need not apply."—Miss Sophie Valentine

A SCANDALOUS LADY
Sophie Valentine knew placing an ad for a husband in the Farmers Gazette would bring her trouble-and she was right. When the darkly handsome, arrogantly charming Lazarus Kane shows up on her doorstep, the nosy residents of Sydney Dovedale are thrown into a gossiping tizzy. After all, it's common knowledge that Sophie is a young lady In Need of Firmer Direction. But even Sophie isn't so scandalous as to marry a complete stranger. .. is she?

SEEKS HANDSOME STRANGER
Lazarus Kane has been searching for Sophie half of his life. She may not remember him, but he could never forget her. But the past is a dangerous thing, and it's best if his remains secret if he wants to tempt Sophie with ...
A MOST IMPROPER PROPOSAL



4. Print
 


by Ray Blackston
This is our Ladies' Book Club pick for June 30.
Book is home and I am still away but I will start soon.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2010
When Flabbergasted stormed on the scene in 2003, the reviews came fast and furious: "Good writing and an ample dose of humor make this as charming as Bridget Jones's Diary from the male point of view."--Library Journal "Blackston's novel will tickle your literary taste buds with a relational gumbo of quirky characters."--Christian Book Previews "Amazing. A novel that is simultaneously serious, hilarious, and impossible to put down."--The Dallas Morning News "With a colorful cast of quirky characters and a plot full of surprises, this is one of the feel-good novels of the year."--CCM Now this summertime favorite about a single stock broker looking for love in the murky waters of the southern church singles scene is repackaged with a hot new look.

5. Print


by Brenda Jackson
I am 75% done 
but have to wait to get home to finish this.
I am reading this for Harlequin Survey.
Book Description - click on title
Publication Date: August 1, 2011

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 --- I'll check when I get home.

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

I am enjoying my June reading.  I've already read 17 for the month; I will do 4-5 this week, leaving two to move into July. Definitely a busy month posting reviews. :-)

Scheduled for June:
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
Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson (NetGalley)

Other NetGalley Review choices:

Audio

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 24, 2012

I am grateful I have peace and trust the ultimate Healer as we have been watching our Dad day by day in ICU. He is getting stronger and although still disoriented, he seems less agitated.  We have had a nice family visit with the four of us (two brothers and my sister and me), our stepmom and some of the grandchildren.

I have chosen a video on healing but I cannot get any YouTube  to play right now.
 Healing Is In Your Hands by Christy Nockels
 Songwriters: Daniel Carson, Christy L Nockels, Nathaniel E Nockels, Matthew James Redman, Christopher D Tomlin
No mountain, no valley, no gain or loss we know
could keep us from Your love
No sickness, no secret, no chain is strong enough
to keep us from Your love
to keep us from Your love

How high, how wide
No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong,
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future, our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood

How high, How wide
no matter where I am, healing is in Your hands
How deep, How strong
And now by Your grace I stand, healing is in Your hands

In all things, we know that.
We are more than conquerors.
You keep us by your love.
You keep us by your love.

Verses for Today
Psalms 103:1-4 NKJV 
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! {2} Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: {3} Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, {4} Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Thank you Lord for peace in all circumstances. I pray for healing and peace too for my Dad and peace for all my family members.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Winner of Claimed by Caridad Pineiro

CONGRATULATIONS  
to WINNER
Giveaway Ended June 22

SandyJune please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form to confirm the win and I'll send out the audiobook.  Please reply within 72 hours! 
Thank you to all who entered.

Sharing Beyond Books #54 Giveaway Comment June 23, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!
I'm still in South Florida but we were pleased that they had Dad sitting up in ICU for the first time in 10 days.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

More fun questions! I welcome William as a new commenter - maybe we can get some male perspective. :-) We all remembered our first user names. William's was work related but I have to admit I love Abby's first user name -Abyssinian, because she loves cats.

Okay - so most of you DO NOT fall asleep while reading - 9 compared to 7 of us who do. At least two others, Linda and Margaret, join me in waking up and grabbing a book. :-) No one else acknowledged that they wake up in the middle of the night and grab a book. Guess I am the odd ball out on that one.
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #53 comments is: #9 Jane There are still 7 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Jane please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the ARC/Review box (New Updated list at the Giveaway Hop) and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #54 Questions

Q1.  Birgit asks: Is there a genre (or more than one) you would never ever read??

A: Well- Never ever is a long time! I don't choose to read much erotica but every once in a while I read one by an author I know online or one I might win. So that is not "never ever". I pretty much do not read menage or GLBT as those are not my thing.  Most other genres I will read even if some are only occasional. 


Image found at  Imbecile Entertainment
 
Q2. My question: What is your primary online tool: desk top computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone??

A: I carry my laptop wherever I go as I use it at work, home and travel.  I do have a tablet that I am just growing accustomed to.  I do not yet have a smartphone.



 

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. Birgit asks: Is there a genre (or more than one) you would never ever read??
 
2. My question: What is your primary online tool: desk top computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 9 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, June 29, 2012 at 10 PM central.

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