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.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #59 July 28, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Another busy week for me and I am working hard to get things caught up. I have been reading some good suspense this week.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

There are several people who don't drink while reading so they don't risk spills. For others the drinks range from coffee, tea, water and sodas... even an occasional glass of wine. I think I would fall asleep if I tried to drink wine when I read. Llehn had the most different drink a banana mocha shake - which almost sounds decadent. :-)  Maria admits to reading through meals, when alone. I do that too, especially at lunchtime when I eat at my desk with the Kindle going.

Snack choices are for the most part not healthy things like: chocolate, cookies, chips, popcorn. Marianne had the more healthy choice with nuts or craisins; and Lissette eats fruit. Carol L eats trail mix as a second choice after chocolate licorice! Really?? I love chocolate and I love licorice ... but not together. LOL

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #58 comments is: #11 Di  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Di please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #59 Questions

Q1. Abby asks: Have you ever watched a movie because it won an award? Which movie was it? Did you actually like it??
A: I had to think about this. Well, actually I had to look up a list of award winning movies to remember. One movie was A Beautiful Mind. And yes I liked it although it isn't one I would watch over and over - rather sad.
 Image found at Wikipedia
 
Q2. My question: To go with Abby's - Have you ever read a book because it won an award? Which book? Did you like it ??
A:  I again went the lists: Hugo Awards (sci fi) and Pulitzer Prize. I had picked up two books at Audible for their ratings and award The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Hugo 2009) which I just read this month and rated it a 5.0.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Pulitzer Prize 2007) I listened to in 2008 and rated it a 5.0 at Audible.  This book started me reading more post-apocalyptic stories.
 Image found at Audible
 

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!   July questions were offered by: Krystal, Mary P, Faith Hope and CherryTea and Abby. Random.org picked #4 -- Abby gets a book pick.



Your turn to share:

1. Abby asks: Have you ever watched a movie because it won an award? Which movie was it? Did you actually like it??
 
2. My question: Have you ever read a book because it won an award? Which book? Did you like it ??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 8 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List 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, August 3, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Illusion and Heroes Die Young

I was checking books for updated ARC and Review Giveaway list and discovered that I had never announced a winner for this one - so sorry for the delay.

 Ended April 27, 2012
ARC Copy of Illusion
Helen



Ended July 27, 2012
Bison61

Helen and Bison61 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.

Book Review: Blackout by Annie Solomon

This is a fast paced, twisting suspense; a bargain of a read on Kindle for $2.99!
by Annie Solomon

  • File Size: 470 KB
  • Print Length: 376 pages
  • Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2, 2008)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B001M2FTFQ
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My rating: 4.25 of 5.0
 
Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2008
LIVING NIGHTMARE

A month ago Margo Scott was a book dealer with family and friends. Now, suddenly, she can't remember the last four weeks of her life, everyone close to her has disappeared, and she's the prime suspect in a murder. When an intruder attacks, she responds with lightning-quick moves she has no memory of ever learning. Undercover agent Jake Wise has her in his sights and can't decide if this mysterious woman is an assassin or a pawn. Is he tempted to protect her because she's innocent or because he's falling for her? Thrust together, these two loners realize that trusting each other is their only hope of survival. Because the good guys and the bad guys have one thing in common. They all want Margo Scott dead-the sooner, the better.


Review:

Margo Scott wakes up one day and feels a bit under the weather. Later in the day she discovers from her book store neighbor that she has lost a month.  Not only has she lost time, but she realizes she can’t really verify her identity, much less her whereabouts. She really knows she is in trouble when she begins to respond with skills she doesn’t recognize: fighting off an attacker with skilled defense moves, throwing knives with deadly accuracy and picking up guns that feel naturally familiar to her hands.

The police are beginning to suspect Margo of first one murder, then another. Since she has no memory she isn’t certain she didn’t commit the crimes.  As she begins to get flash backs she suspects she may be a skilled, government or covert assassin who has committed worse killings. Is it possible she shot a child a point-blank range?

Jake Wise was asked do ‘watch’ Margo by his ‘mentor’ and covert operations boss, Frank. Now Frank is dead, Margo is a likely suspect and there are lots of questions as to why Jake was to be watching her. Is Margo the killer and who are the men who are attacking her? One group is looking to question her and another is intent on executing her. Can he keep her alive long enough to find out what the heck is going on?

Can two loners with clearly deadly skills find a place of comfort and peace together? Assuming they live of course.

This story has great suspense and full on action from beginning to end. The romance starts as a battle of two untrusting loners and slowly moves to a merger of need, first for comfort and reassurance of life, and later for companionship, passion and commitment. The writing is crisp and has a fast flow that moves well with the pace of the story.There is some rough language - "f" word used 13 times.

I looked back to see I read Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon in September 2010 and gave it a 4.5 rating.  I don’t plan on letting another two years go by before reading this author again. She is going on my "don't miss" list of romantic suspense authors!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Margo realizes she doesn't know what has happened over the past month:
Then where had she been for the last month?
The question thumped inside her, deadly and relentless, and she longed to skitter away to a safe comforting place. A place with no questions. Location 382
Jake wonders if he had made up his mind if she was telling the truth:
Had he? The truth hit him like a gale-force wind, like one of those moments in the movies where the camera closes in and everything slows way down. ... It was that he didn’t care. He would support her either way. Fight for her either way. Location 2455.
Love this quote!! Margo thinks about her love of books:
Books were always more reliable than people anyway. Stories never let her down. No matter where she went there was a bookstore or a library. New worlds, better worlds. Location 2938.
I am very glad that I picked this title up on NetGalley to read for Hachette/Forever Yours imprint of Grand Central Publishing.
This story is set in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. for the Where are You Reading Challenge.

MBS July Blogoversary 2012 Flash Giveaway

Here is a 2012 Blogoversary FLASH GIVEAWAY - WORLDWIDE --- ONLY OPEN till Midnight 7/31.
I hope this giveaway serves to reward close followers and to help my reading picks. :-)


I want to read some of my Kindle Free reads but I need help choosing. I have pulled 15 summer titles (some that have the word "summer", "heat", June, July or August somewhere) that I have had in my Kindle Library  before 2012:
   
1.  Summer of Fire: Book One in the Yellowstone series
    Jacobs, Linda    September 10, 2011   
2.  Sons of Thunder (Brothers in Arms Collection (Summerside Press))
    Warren, Susan May    September 10, 2011   
3.  Summer Loving - No link available
    Folsom, Tina, Andre, Bella    August 7, 2011   
4.  The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook Presents: 10 Summertime Treats
    Bucholz, Dinah    July 17, 2011   
5.  Summer Sizzlers
    Reeves, Joan, Wicklund, Cynthia, Raco Chase, Elaine    July 9, 2011   
6.  Summer of Firsts
    Simon, Coco, Evans, Zoe    July 5, 2011   
7.  The Days Of Summer
    Barnett, Jill    June 23, 2011
8.  Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey)
    Kagawa, Julie    June 11, 2011   
9.  Making Waves: A Novel (Lake Manawa Summers Book #1)
    Seilstad, Lorna    May 1, 2011   
10.  Love on a Dime (Ladies of Summerhill)
    James, Cara Lynn    November 15, 2010   
11.  Lucy's Perfect Summer (Faithgirlz! / A Lucy Novel)
    Rue, Nancy    July 24, 2010   
12.  Summer of the Midnight Sun (Alaskan Quest #1)
    Peterson, Tracie    January 20, 2010
13.  June Bug (Murder-by-Month Mysteries, No. 2) (Murder-By-Month Mystery)
    Lourey, Jess    June 4, 2011
14.  Heating Up the Kitchen: Recipes with Love from Lucky Harbor
    Shalvis, Jill    October 14, 2011
15.  Icy Heat
    Wyndfield, Leigh    February 3, 2010


I am going to select TWO Winners; Both get same prize choice but #1 gets to pick first.
a) Print copy of Days of Summer by Jill Barnett which I have in my book boxes
b) ANY book from my Updated Review and ARC giveaway list! (Subject to reasonable postage.)
OR
c) Choice of the Summer Titles above (if available), in eBook (up to $10.00 value), or print to be sent through The Book Depository.

I may substitute the prize for International winner as $8.00 GC if you don't get delivery from TBD or if the postage on book choice is too high.

I will read either the winner's choice or the most picked title - or maybe both - in August. ;-)
ALSO, THE #1 WINNER GETS TO GIVE ME A WORD CHOICE TO PICK THE NEXT GROUP FROM MY KINDLE LIBRARY (like I picked 'Summer' with it's add-ons this time) for a September read. :-)  THANKS FOR HELPING!!

TO ENTER:
  • Follow my blog in any social form. 
  • Comment to tell me which book you think I should read from the summer titles. 
  •  Enter through the Google Form
  •  Extra bonus entries for commenting on Non Giveaway review or Author feature posts (guest post or interviews) since January 1, 2012. (Up to three posts for 6 bonus entries.)

Open Worldwide. Closes 11:59 pm EST July 31, 2012; winner to be announced August 1.

Updated ARC and Review List for Giveaways

5/25/13- I have some new books to add and I will be updating the list soon.
Latest update at bottom - 3/25/13

10/6/12 Update: I have added some extra titles with a new photo below.

6/14/12 I have updated my Review and ARC pictures into these three pictures. The books are in alphabetical order by title and the books are listed below under either Review or ARC.










Review Books:
  1.  Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden    March SBB
  2.  Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee
  3.  The Fear Principle: Jaguar Series by B.A. Chepaitis April/May SBB Choice
  4.  Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
  5.  Lonestar Secrets (Lonestar Series Book 2) by Coleen Coble 
  6.  Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes Series) by Eileen Dryer (3 copies - one ARC, two review)
  7.  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeffery W Turner (not in picture)
  8.  Still the One by Robin Wells
  9.  Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry  
ARC Books:
  1.  A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (one ARC, one review)
  2.  Confessions of an Improper Bride (A Donovan Novel) by Jennifer Haymore
  3.  Deliciously Sinful by Lilli Feisty
  4.  The Goblin King by Shona Husk
  5.  The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) by Margaret Mallory 
  6.  Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee 
  7.  Montana Glory by R. C. Ryan
  8.  Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5) by Larissa Ione (1 ARCs)  May SBB choice
  9.  Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
  10.  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger
  11.  The Storm that is Stirling by Lisa Renee Jones Dec SBB choice
  12.  Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
  13.  Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon  (2 ARCs) - 1 Chosen for SBB June win
  14.  Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

Added Titles 7/28/12
Review Copy: 

ARC Copy (no cover images)
15.  Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded by Kate Hardy    March SBB
16.  The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress by Kelly Hunter



New Picture and Additions October 6, 2012  
  1.  A Lady's Revenge by Tracey Devlyn
  2.  The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen
  3.  The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine

Newly Added (Picture to be added) 1/30/13
4.  Lethal Rider (Lords of Deliverance) by Larissa Ione Print Book Hop Selection
5.  The Claimed (Sin Hunters) by Caridad Pineiro - personally autographed
6.  Relentless Pursuit by Sara Orwig
7.  Everybody's Suspect in Georgia by Cecil Murphey
8.  Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner
9.  Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy


Newly Added 3/25/13 (I'll picture these with the ones above soon.)
Review books:
10.  Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis
11.  The Book of Madness May SBB choice
12.  Lethal Rider
13.  Angels Landing
14.  Nipped in the Bud 

ARC books
15.  Embracing the Highlander
16. What in God's Name
17. Thief of Shadow

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails