It's Monday! What Are You Reading? October 22, 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.

This was a another good reading week with lots of "fun" reading. (Note five of the summaries below include "fun!")  I finished five books and posted five reviews trying to keep up.  I had an author interview with Giveaway, a special 'Chat' Giveaway, and a print ARC giveaway.  Plus, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I got to visit a little last Sunday night, some on Monday and then finished visiting Saturday.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 15, 2012.

• Monday Mailbox October 15, 2012.

• FLASH!! Special Chance to Attend Live Chat with Victoria Alexander!
  

• Second Chance: Live Chat Opportunity GIVEAWAY Plus Three Copies of What Happens At Christmas!! Ends 10/29.
  

• Book Review: Angels Landing by Rochelle Alers; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0. 

• Giveaway + Q&A Interview with Rochelle Alers, author of Angels Landing.  Ends 10/26.

• Book Review: The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith; Dystopia; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins; Contemporary Romance, Comedy, Sweet; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 19, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 10/25.

• Audio Book Review: Scarifyers: 08 The Thirteen Hallows; full cast, comedy; my rating 4.5.

• Saturday Snapshot - Our Alaskan Cruise Days 1-3.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Sultry with a Twist by Macy Beckett; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.  Ends 10/26.

• Sharing Beyond Books #71 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/26.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 21, 2012.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio

Scarifyers: o8 The Thirteen Hallows
Author: Simon Barnard, Paul Morris
Narrator: Gareth David-Lloyd, Full Cast
This was great fun. The review is linked above. 

2. Print
 

Sultry with a Twist (Sultry Springs) 
by Macy Beckett
A fun read! 
The Review and ARC Giveaway are linked above.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

The Mine (Northwest Passage)
by John Heldt
Cannon Colegrove (Illustrator)
This is old fashioned and warm enjoyment.
I will be posting a review this week.
Reviewing for the Author.

4. eBook/Kindle
 

The Reluctant Bachelorette
by Rachel Anderson
This is another fun, wonderful read.
Review to post 10/23 for BookBlast Tour
Book Description
Publication Date: September 5, 2012
Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go. Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

5. eBook/Kindle
 

The Jupiter Chronicles: The Secret of the Great Red Spot
by Leonardo Ramierz
This is a fun middle grade story.
Reviewing for the Author.

Line Edits: I am working on two print formats this week.

Currently reading:

1. Print
 

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes
And Another really fun read!
I am 2/3rds complete.
I will post a review and ARC Giveaway soon.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description;
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Praise for RITA-nominated Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish: "An extraordinary, precious, unforgettable holiday story."—RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, Top Pick of the Month, Best Historical Romance, RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers' Choice Awards 'Tis the Season for Scandal... Years ago Lady Louisa Windham acted rashly on a dare from her brother, and that indiscretion is about to come to light. She knows her reputation will never survive exposure. Just as she's nearly overwhelmed by her dilemma, Sir Joseph Carrington offers himself to her as a solution... But Sir Joseph has secrets as well, and as he and Louisa become entangled with each other, their deceptions begin to close in on them both...

2. Audio
 

The Magician's Apprentice
Author: Kate Banks; Narrator: Charlie Thurston
I am enjoying this adventure.
Reviewing for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.

Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012 | Age Level: 10 and up
Baz has always dreamed about leaving his dusty little town, so when a stranger comes to his family's home and asks him to be a weaver's apprentice, Baz is eager to start his journey. He and the stranger travel for several sunrises and sunsets until they reach the land of Kallah, where Baz starts his apprenticeship—and soon learns that his master is very cruel. Baz is disheartened, and when the master trades Baz for a sword to a magician, Baz expects no better from his new owner. But as Baz travels further into the depths of the desert with this kind-hearted and wise magician, he learns to re-examine his beliefs about people, the world, and himself, discovering that everything is connected in a continuous journey toward destiny and that no person or thing can ever really be owned.

3. eBook/Kindle
 

Loving Luke
by Suzanne Barrett
I will start this for a Review 
and Giveaway Post this week.
Reviewing for the Author.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2012
Jo McGuigan’s job is on the line. She needs a photographer to teach her rehab class, but the only one available is an angry recluse who wants nothing to do with the hospital or its outreach program.
Luke Falconer’s photo career ends in a fiery auto crash that leaves him badly burned and crippled. Hating the world, he retreats to his cabin. But when an encounter with the intriguing social worker ends in a night of passion, their lives are changed forever. Jo is a spark to Luke’s flame, and where there’s smoke, there is often a raging inferno.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Trouble with Cowboys
by Denise Hunter
I am looking forward to this one too.
I will be doing a Review and hosting a Giveaway for Thomas Nelson.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

“. . . a story filled with romantic tension . . . Hunter’s well-developed characters and plot twists make for a delightful and inspirational journey.” —Publishers Weekly

I will probably start the Halloween title and another audio before the week is out. :-)

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 the reading is 1 Timothy.

Line Edits: I am working on more formatting this week.

Hmmm- I have 22 books listed for October so they may not all make it, even at five a week.  I finished another five this week and there are only 8 to go. :-)

Scheduled for October
10/23 The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachel Anderson, Review for BookBlast Tour

UnScheduled for October:
Sourcebooks
Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes

Harlequin
A Tangled Affair by Fiona Brand

Thomas Nelson
The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter (Review with Giveaway)

NetGalley
Uninvited by Heather Graham
Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles by Jim Melvin

Audiobook Jukebox
Added: The Magician's Apprentice

Authors:
Loving Luke by Suzanne Barrett
Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series) by Karen Weisner

From the TBR shelves
A Halloween Title - TBD
I'd like to read at least one "Won"/TBR books and one free Kindle book.:-)
1 Free Kindle -TBD;
Won TBR: The Shifters of 2040, a Shifter Dystopia by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder

[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 October 21, 2012

We had a sweet service this morning. Pastor is continuing his series on the Holy Spirit and this morning's message was entitled "Power for Living."
(Reminder - I add my own expansion and interpretation to our Pastor's messages.)

We can be infilled with the Spirit so that we can have power beyond our own abilities; power to do God's Will and be His witnesses to others. The key is that we must be willing to yield to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Think about it, when we are asked to pray, do we yawn? When we are asked to give, do we say "later"? When we are asked to get up, do we roll over and go back to sleep? These are all areas where the Spirit speaks to us and we must decide if we will yield and be obedient. (Throughout the Bible God is really looking for obedience, not sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22.)

The Holy Spirit will give gifts to each. Some might ask which gift is best? The answer is: the one that is needed. The next question is will we be open, yielded and obedient?

Listen to these nice words as you watch this gorgeous video.

A Verse for Today:
Luke 11:13 (NIV)
13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

My Prayer: Lord, Spirit, help me to be yielding; help me to use Your gifts wisely and allow me to be a witness for you.

Sharing Beyond Books #71 Comment Giveaway October 20, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Hello again on Saturday Night. It's mid-October already! The year keeps flying by. How is everyone doing?

Thank you to all who shared last week.

It looks likes we get a wide variety of recommendations although several of you mentioned recommendations of paranormal authors. Mentioned more than once were: Nalini Singh, JR Ward, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It appears that several of us get recommendations from Goodreads but many get recommendations from bloggers! Isn't that nice that we share with each other. :-)

Looks like people use different media for different purposes: games, contests, family and friends, etc.. I think I have to agree that FaceBook is good for staying in touch or, like me, at least getting news about family and friends. Twitter may have more purpose to follow specific discussions -- nrlymrtl mentioned a movie group at http://booksnobbery.wordpress.com/ and Michelle mentioned TuesBook Talk. Many seem to use Goodreads for book media.  I learned two new places:  Elizabeth mentioned Foursquare and Texas Book Lover mentioned fictfact. I am with Anubha that I try to check my email each day for blogger posts too. 

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #70 comments is: #12 Michelle There are still 5 'love' books to pick from and 1 Christmas choice (see my note above about adding more titles to that list soon). Michelle please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining five Love Books List for Giveaway, the new Christmas Giveaway Book list, 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 #71 Questions

Q1. mamabunny13 asks: If you were going to a halloween party what would you go as?? Ok - I think we have asked similar Qs at this time a year but it is sort of fun so I'm going to expand this. I know some of your countries don't celebrate halloween at all, so (A) please tell us if you don't celebrate, why (ie. country doesn't or personal choice) and (B) please play imagine and answer mamabunny13's Q even if it is hypothetical OR share a favorite costume you have seen. :-)

1(A): I don't really celebrate halloween because the churches I have been with don't celebrate this. We do however try to have a Fall Festival or Hallelujah party so the kids have an alternative place to go and still get candy.

1(B)I can't really (or maybe don't want to) imagine dressing up anymore. But one of my favorite costumes my mother made my sister and me (we are 16 months apart)as kids was as a pair of dice. Actually a fairly easy costume. My mom also made one brother an upside down man one year.

I found these images at Coolest Homemade Costumes

Q2. Here is a book question -- How do you handle your TBR shelves/piles??

A: My simple answer is: Not well! I have gone through the boxes of "won" books and put ten or so in one box but I have only gotten through two of the print books this year. The only way I have gotten to read some of my Kindle Library is to pick titles that work for the Just For Fun reading and I pick ones that I have had for more than a year so that I am pulling from the older TBR. (Sometimes I run giveaways to let commenters help me pick a title. I love to do that.) Other than that I really haven't gotten to much of my TBR and my favorite author collections have been left to gather dust. *sigh* I have managed to read at least one TBR book per month this year but I want to do better. I have a plan to implement for 2013. So we will see if that helps!

Oh just imagine! I found this image at The Book Garden Spot - Thank you Birgit!

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. mamabunny13 asks: If you were going to a halloween party what would you go as?? I expanded to (A) please tell us if you don't celebrate, why (ie. country doesn't or personal choice) and (B) please play imagine and answer mamabunny13's Q even if it is hypothetical OR share a favorite costume you have seen. :-)

2. Here is a book question -- How do you handle your TBR shelves/piles??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books (5 left) or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. 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, October 26, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners HEA Hop, Tears Water the Seeds and Everybody Loved Roger Harden

Congratulations to Winners
From Giveaways ending this week:

Happily Ever After Giveaway Hop
Ended 10/14/12
Each Winner gets Fairy Tale or Happily Ever After Book selections with total value $15.00
Pick books from The Book Depository
Winners are:

Entry #20 Linda K.

Entry #678 LisaC

Entry #62 miki

(There ended up being three instead of two winners)

Giveaways ended 10/19/12

Tears Water the Seeds of Hope

Holly L

 Everybody Loved Roger Harden 

Kiki

All Winners: Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will notify the publisher/author and or send the books.  Please reply within 72 hours!

Thank you to all who entered these giveaways.

Book Review with ARC Giveaway: Sultry with a Twist

"Ho-o-ly...sugar!" as June would say. This was a fun read!
Sultry with a Twist (Sultry Springs)
by Macy Beckett

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270364
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270369

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: October 2, 2012 | Series: Sultry Springs
When Mae-June July Augustine hightailed it out of Sultry Springs, Texas, with her heart in pieces, she swore she'd never return. But nine years later, one thing stands between June and her dream of opening an upscale martini bar: a month of community service under the supervision of the devilishly sexy Luke Gallagher, her first love and ex-best friend. As lust turns to love, June must decide where she belongs: in the glorious anonymity of Austin or back in Sultry Springs with the man who intoxicates her like no other.

Review:
June has worked nine years and scrimped and saved to fulfill her dream. Now she has sold her condominium and has six weeks to finalize touches for the opening her own upscale bar in downtown Austin, Texas. But before they will issue the liquor license there is the minor problem of a warrant back in her home town of Sultry Springs, Texas.

Mae-June, as she is known at home, has to answer for a youthful indiscretion. The Judge, an old family friend, sentences her to a month of community service and county ‘arrest’ living with her Grandmother with whom she hasn’t spoken in nine years. Grammy Pru was a strict disciplinarian. Having lost her daughter who was known as a town drunk, Grammy was intent on controlling June. June was intent on escaping through college studies to become a psychologist. But June discovered, while working for her school expenses, that she loved bartending and creating new drinks.  Grammy was appalled and issued an ultimatum at which point June cut ties.

Now June not only has to face her Grammy but she has to cope with her first love, Luke Gallagher, her partner in the youthful indiscretion. June had always loved Luke but he had headed out to the army as soon as he was able. The next she heard was he married a woman while in Germany. Now June, who has never fully overcome her heartbreak, has to work with Luke. 

Luke has his own difficulties and issues, having been abandoned by his mother as a young boy and struggled as an angry teen whom Grammy had to try to manage. Luke ran into problems while in the service and lost the career he longed for. He is now a successful contractor with a nonprofit company because he was given a second chance. Yet he doesn’t believe in love and apparently doesn’t think he is worthy to be loved.

Now June has to risk her own heart and see if she can convince Luke that he is a good guy worthy of love. Can she stick it out in the face of his pushing her away?

These characters are really likeable. June is so determined,  brave and full of love. Luke is so vulnerable. I was rooting for them all through the bumpy relationship. The romance is sweet and sexy. The writing is smooth, descriptive and sultry - very nice, easy reading.

My final thoughts: this is a story full of fun with lots of heat and tension. There is some language on the edge. It is a good book for romance lovers.

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Early description I liked:

A breeze stirred, and a familiar high, metallic tinkle of wind chimes sang out from above. Page 17.

Luke and June’s early view of Grammy:

Luke had once said, “Before Freddy Krueger goes to sleep at night, he checks his closet for your grandma.” Page 18.

June recognizes the risks of loving Luke:

But with Luke, she’d be risking more than just money.  Cash lost could always be earned again, but the pain of heartbreak lingered for years. Page 147.

I received this title for review from Sourcebooks.

This is set in Texas for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author Challenge List.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit  the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 26, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 27, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.