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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Mailbox Monday November 12, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR NOVEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is (updated) BermudaOnion's Weblog!

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. 


I added more to my book 'forest' this week.
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles
I received five review titles:




Five Days of Fear
by David Kovach (print)
for 11/27 Review & Giveaway











Audio DVD from Spoken Word, Inc. (through Audibook Jukebox)
Karma's Law
by Kristi Lamb


From Sourcebooks
by Jeanette Murray
for January Review





by Victoria Roberts
for February Review




Wins


Won at CMASH Reads

Phoenix
by A.J. Scudiere
Print Book + red ball cap!

Thank you CMASH and A.J.





Purchased
None


Free
Picked up 9 titles through Novel Seniors Partay
Featured Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Featured Historical Romance
Featured Paranormal Romance
Featured YA/Lighthearted/Non-Fiction

and another 11 titles another day.
Featured Romance/Contemporary Romance
More Featured Romance
Featured Thriller/Sci-Fi
Featured Lighthearted

I picked up more free titles on Kindle.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? November 12, 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.

The reading this week was good with four books completed. Plus I am more than midway on three titles for the coming week.  I posted five reviews, three with related giveaways.  I also posted an author voting feature and a BookBlast with Giveaway.  Plus, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I got to visit blog sites at the beginning of the week and some Saturday Snapshots on Saturday.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review and Print Giveaway: The Trouble With Cowboys by Denise Hunter; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0. Open US. Ends 11/16.
  • Book Review: Holiday Affair by Annie Seaton; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.
  • Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Enslaved by Elisabeth Naughton; Paranormal Romance; my rating 3.755. Ends 11/23.
Finished Reading:
1. Print



Enslaved (Eternal Guardians)
by Elisabeth Naughton

Solid paranormal romance for those who like this genre.
Review and ARC Giveaway linked above.





2. eBook/Kindle



Extraordinary Rendition
by Paul Batista
This legal thriller is alarming and engaging; the review is linked above.




3. Audio/MP3
 

Emily Goes to Exeter: The Traveling Matchmaker, Book One 
Author: Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton)
Narrator: Helen Lisanti
Sweet fun Regency with romance and a bit of intrigue.  Review is linked above.




4. eBook/Kindle



A Lady By Any Other Name
by Jennifer Kitchens
Charming! Great little story. I'll be posting a review this week.  Reviewing for the author.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 2, 2012
A Woman in Hiding
Nicole Farrington's life had never been easy, but it had always been bearable. At least it had been until now. Faced with a horrible marriage her step-brother has contracted for her, she will do anything to get away. She’ll run…run to anyone who might be able to help her. But running blindly down an unknown path may take her to an unexpected destination.
A Man Seeking Answers
Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, wants nothing more than to have his carefree life back. Now he is left with a title, a child, and a future that he never expected would be his. He refuses to believe his brother's death was an accident, no matter what people say. Someone killed him and Julian plans to find out who and why. Maybe then he can go on with his life…his brother’s life. But will the answers he seeks be enough, or will he find love to be a worthier goal?



Line Edits: I am working on some formats to finish this week.



Currently reading:
1. Print
 

Missing
by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
This is an engaging mystery with young adult characters.
I won this over a year or so ago so it is my TBR 
and Just For Fun read this month.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 5, 2009
A BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia turns out to be anything but ordinary when soloist Stacie Cox spots a kidnapped child from Rexburg during a performance. Before Stacie can alert the authorities, the little girl disappears. Stacie vows to find and rescue her, a choice that forces her to deal with her guilt-ridden past and another little girl that haunts her dreams. When the handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in the search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him. Yet as he gains her friendship and trust, her resolve to never fall in love begins to crumble. And after a series of harrowing events, Stacie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her life - and a possible future with Matt - to save a stranger.



2. eBook/Kindle



Secrets of the Red Box
by Vickie Hall
There are secrets and tension in this story. 
I'm interested to see where it goes.
Reviewing for BookBlast tours.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 15, 2012
Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!



3. Audio CD/MP3
 

A Brew to a Kill: A Coffeehouse Mystery
Cleo Coyle (Author), Rebecca Gibel (Narrator)
I'm two thirds done in this.
It is  interesting and fun!
Reviewing for AudioGo
through AudioBook Jukebox.

Book Description
Publication Date: August 2012 | Series: A Coffeehouse Mystery
"Coyle's Coffeehouse books are superb" (Library Journal), and now the national bestselling author of MURDER BY MOCHA serves up a hot new Coffeehouse Mystery with A BREW TO A KILL.

Coffee. It can get a girl killed.
A shocking hit-and-run in front of her Village Blend coffeehouse spurs Clare Cosi into action. A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare is also a dedicated sleuth, and she's determined to track down this ruthless driver who ran down an innocent friend and customer. In the meantime, her ex-husband Matt, the shop's globetrotting coffee buyer, sources some amazing new beans from Brazil. But he soon discovers that he's importing more than coffee, and Clare may have been the real target of that deadly driver. Can ex-husband and wife work together to solve this mystery--or will their newest brew lead to murder? Includes recipes.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


4. Print



Untamed (The Amoveo Legend)
by Sara Humphreys
I'm looking forward to reading this as I have enjoyed the prior books in the series.
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Release Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: The Amoveo Legend
An ancient race of shapeshifters has lived secretly among humans for thousands of years...they are...the Amoveo

HER WORST NIGHTMARE IS COMING TRUE...
Layla Nickelsen has spent years hiding from her Amoveo mate and guarding a devastating secret. But Layla's worst fear is realized when the man who haunts her dreams shows up in person ...

HE HAS FINALLY FOUND HER...
William Fleury is as stoic as they come, until he finds Layla and his feelings overwhelm him. She won't let him get close, but then an unknown enemy erupts in violence and threatens everything Layla holds dear...


5. eBook/Kindle



Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers)
by Anita Clenney
I expect to start this for next week.
Review, Author Interview and Giveaway
set for November 20.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
Kendall Morgan is a human bloodhound. Spending her childhood hunting relics with her ambitious archeologist father, she knew the two of them shared a sixth sense for the history and location of objects—sometimes even people. What she didn’t know was that their paranormal gift could ultimately be their undoing.

After the tragic plane crash that killed her father as well as her childhood best friend, Kendall dedicated her life to finding and protecting relics. When mysterious, sexy billionaire Nathan Larraby hires her for his latest expedition—the search for four powerful relics—she’s thrown into a world of high-octane danger. He sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back, but he may have created danger of a different kind.

As the team chases down clues, a man called the Reaper makes a play for the artifacts and will stop at nothing to put them to his own sinister use. What’s worse is that Nathan hasn’t told the whole story, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could cost them the mission…and their lives.


I will probably be starting another audio this week too.

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. The reading this week is Hebrews.

Line Edits: Waiting on some illustrations and completing formats this week.


I started with 20 or so titles planned for November. Seven have been read (six posted). That leaves me working on 13 to post during the month. I really do intend to get smaller lists going into December!

Review to post:
Review with Giveaway: Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter

Scheduled for November
11/12 Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop
11/15 Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall Review and (BookBlast) Giveaway Links
11/15 Gratitude Giveaway Hop
11/20 Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers) by Anita Clenney - Review and Interview
11/27 Five Days of Fear by David Kovach - Review (TLC Tour)
11/28 BookBlast - First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White

Unscheduled for November
Sourcebooks
Untamed (The Amoveo Legend) by Sara Humphreys

Hachette
Where Angels Rest by Kate Brady

Thomas Nelson
His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel) by Beth Wiseman

AudioBook Jukebox
A Brew to a Kill: A Coffeehouse Mystery by Cleo Coyle
The Crooked Wreath by Christina Brandt

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

Authors
Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series) by Karen Weisner

I'd like to read at least one "Won"/TBR book and one free Kindle book.:-)
Older Won Book:  Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Kindle Read - TBD

Others in line up if time permits
Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel) by Dee Davis (Nov/early Dec)
The Blessed and the Damned (Righteous Series #4) by Michael Wallace
Won TBR: The Shifters of 2040, a Shifter Dystopia by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder - carry forward

[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 November 11, 2012

First, I want to stop and take time today to honor our Veterans. All those who have served, in office or front lines, have given so much, as have your families. Thank you.

I share thoughts today from our teacher and, like him, my words are intended as a spiritual observation, not a political one. They may start sorrowfully but there is strength in the end.

I feel sorrow for the direction my nation has taken. The two party system that helped us through history has become a dividing force. I pray our leaders, at all levels, will unite beyond those dividing lines to promote what is best for all our people.

Psalm 33:12 says: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Although that originally speaks of Israel I believe that America fell under that blessing too. What other nation has been "one nation, under God"? I do not know if that is the status of America today or in the future years. Our demographics and ideologies are changing.

When the people of Israel choose a King instead of the spiritual leaders, God pointed out to Samuel: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king." 1 Samuel 8:7. 

I read all of Psalm 33 and am comforted that God is the one in control. His intentions cannot be thwarted; He places on the throne who He wants. He has a plan that we may not see or know but we can trust in Him. 
The Lord watches over those who trust in Him. Psalm 33:18.
This video shares the words of Psalm 33 with a haunting melody.


Verses for Today:
Psalm 33: 21-22
21 In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,

Thank you Lord for being a shield for your people. Thank you for the faith you have blessed me with - it gives me peace of heart at all times.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #74 Comment Giveaway November 10, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Happy Saturday Night. I hope everyone is doing well. My stupid cold is back so it looks like I will be making a doctor appointment this coming week.
Have you been thinking about something(s) you are thankful for??

Thank you to all who shared last week.

The responses for female characters to swap with were great characters! Included were Eve, Cat, Lindsey Boxer, Nancy Drew, Hermoine, Sookie and more! I am a little surprised no one mentioned Claire from the Outlander series. There were a couple mentioned that I will be looking up like: Vin and Pia.

There were fun responses regarding cleaning too! Several agree that swifter products are favorites. But Birgit had to look up the word and Mary P stated that cleaning and favorite shouldn't be in the same sentence!! Oxymoron right? :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #73 comments is: #3 scottsgal 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). scotsgal 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 #74 Questions

Q1. Winnie asks: What do you think about anthologies - love them or not a fan??
I do love anthologies! Although I don't think I have read too many this year - I can only think of a couple. But I have some good ones on my shelves and maybe I'll linethem up for next year. :-)
Image found at Gothic.Net
Image found at Pentrust.org

Q2. Okay - time now... What are your top TWO choices for "I am Thankful for:"?? (Just two this week, save more for next week.)
A: Fairly easy for me as my #1 and #2 Thanks are for my faith and my husband and family!


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. Winnie asks: What do you think about anthologies - love them or not a fan??

2. What are your top TWO choices for "I am Thankful for:"?? (Just two this week, save more for next week.)


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, November 23, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winner of Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight

CONGRATULATIONS to Winner
Melissa

Melissa 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 and or send the books.  Please reply within 72 hours!
Thank you to all who entered these giveaways.

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