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.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway: Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This is a clean, YA romantic suspense.
Missing
by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Paperback: 265 pages
Publisher: Brigham Distributing (October 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935217305
ISBN-13: 978-1935217305
Genre: Romantic Suspense, LDS
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


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.


Reviews:
Stacie is a young college student with a lot of determination. As a young teen she was present at the tragic death of a child. Although it was not her responsibility, the mother, Grace Smythe, blamed her and Stacie has had to deal with the trauma of that event. Stacie has also had to live with the knowledge that a genetic decease may cause her to die young, as her mother did. She vows that she will never marry or have children so they won’t have to go through that traumatic loss.

Stacie is with her friends in the BYU-Idaho choir program on tour in British Columbia. Her usual accompanist is sick so she begins to practice with Matt.  While preforming her special solo, Stacie sees a woman and a young girl in the back of the room.  Stacie sees a birthmark when the girl’s scarf shifts and Stacie is convinced that the child is a little girl missing from Idaho.

The rest of the trip Stacie is intent on running down clues to find the missing girl. Her efforts are disrupted by her choir schedule and by scepticism from the police.  Grace Smythe has befriended the missing girl’s mother and claims that any information provided by Stacie is lies.

While Stacie is pursuing the search, her long time friend Zach is trying to find a way to get her to accept his courtship and see him as more than a friend.  Matt, who has a girlfriend back home, begins to be drawn to Stacie’s beauty, strength, caring nature and unwavering loyalty. She appreciates his help but wants to resist her attraction to him.

In between Stacie’s searching the author shows glimpses of the kidnapper, Adrienne, and the child. It is clear that Adrienne is psychotic although the reasons are not revealed until later in the book.

I enjoyed the moral characters of Stacie, Matt and their friends but for some reason I did not become invested in the lives of the characters. The suspense and mystery are well done with the views from the kidnapper helping to build the tension. The story reads easily and the romance is sweet. If you enjoy sweet, YA and suspense you might try this story.

I won this over a year or so ago so it is my TBR and Just For Fun read this month.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for autographed trade Paperback Copy:


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 November 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Q&A with Anita Clenney and Giveaway of Guardians of Stone!

 Please help me welcome Anita Clenney, Author of Guardians of Stone

Q1. When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?
AC: I have a general idea where the series is going, but things always change. I’m notorious for last minute changes. I suspect I drive my agent and editor crazy. And hubby.

Q2.  Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?
AC:  I’m not one of those writers whose characters tell her what to do, but they’re always there in the back of my mind. Plotting is my favorite part of writing, so it’s great to just call the characters up and plot as I’m driving or at the movies. And while I don’t dream about the stories after the fact—the warrior series started with a dream—I have really interesting dreams about related things. For instance, this week I’ve been dreaming about vampires. They’re really intense scenes. I have used some in stories. 

Recent release - Order: 
Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Q3.  What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
AC:  Just write the damned book. Seriously, if you’re a procrastinator like me, you’ll find all kinds of excuses to write later. Later is sometimes too late.

Q4.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?
AC:  No, but I’m always a little strange.

Q5.  What is the single most important thing you've learned about managing your career?
AC:  I have a serious need for better priorities. It’s hard for me because I’m spontaneous. I want to do what I want when I want, but I’m trying to change that so that I do what needs to be done before it needs to be done.

Q6.  What is the craziest thing you've done to research a story idea?
AC:  I do most of my research online, so it’s interesting, but not much crazy action.

Q7.  What is your writing space like?
AC:  I have two spaces. My PC is, of all places, in my laundry room. Not very inspiring, but it’s quiet, and I can easily throw in a load of laundry as I write. I  have another desk in my dining/living room where I can be with the family and still write while they’re watching TV. This space has all my favorite things nearby (not laundry). I have a massive amount of candles in gorgeous candle holders, and my mirrors and topiary and moss balls, all the things that I’m obsessed with.  Did I mention that I’m obsessed with lots of things?

Q8.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
AC: Adventure, hope, and a fun ride.

Guardians of Stone is definitely a fun rideThank you Anita for sharing your writing and sharing about yourself today!

 About Anita Clenney

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense novels, including the bestselling Connor Clan series. Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. It was only after several successful but wildly different careers — including work as an executive assistant, a real estate agent, a teacher’s assistant, and a brief stint in a pickle factory — that she discovered her untapped passion for writing. Clenney’s first novel, Awaken the Highland Warrior, won the Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Trade Paperback Copy:


For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
For 2 Extra bonus entries comment on this Interview or my Review (See previous post)
* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers) by Anita Clenney

If you like action as in Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, I think you will like this relic seeking action adventure!
Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers)
by Anita Clenney

  • Paperback: 290 pages
  • Publisher: Montlake Romance (December 4, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1612186548
  • ISBN-13: 978-1612186542
Genre: Action, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


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.


Review:
Kendall learned to hunt ancient treasures with her archaeologist father. She has inherited a special, “sixth” sense that allows her a telepathic connection to objects, recognizing their history and often clues about their ownership. While Kendall was just a young girl their adventures lead to the death of her father and her childhood best friend, Adam, who haunts her relationships.

Kendall, with her unique skill, doesn’t have much chance of normal work or normal romance. She has recently been hired by the mysterious, sexy, billionaire Nathan, who is a collector of relics and a recluse. Nathan has also engaged the services of dark, brooding Jake to serve as a body guard for Kendall. Jake and Kendall would both rather work alone. Jake especially doesn’t like Kendall complicating matters, and aggravating him, as she keeps slipping off on her own to investigate leads.

In spite of physical attraction, Kendall and Jake are at odds as they proceed to follow the clues to the ancient castle where the box is believed to be hidden.  They have to safely negotiate booby traps as well as facing mysterious monks guarding the treasure. Not to mention they are dodging other murderous treasure seekers, like a very nasty collector known as The Reaper.

This story eases into the search but once at the castle the action is on and the movement non-stop. Kendall gets help from a ghostly apparition and later a sweet, ancient monk. It becomes clear that Nathan didn’t tell the full story about the box and there are other relics that need to be gathered and protected too. There are additional conflicts in the jealousy of Nathan and Jake and Nathan has other secrets that are hinted at but not yet revealed.

I liked the tough characters, the mysteries and the action.  There is plenty of tension and build up but always an interruption to physical intimacy. There are elements that reminded me of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft which was fun. My attention was fully engaged and the reading was fast paced. There were a few blips and items unresolved in this book but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. There is a surprise hook at the ending that has me waiting for the next book in the series.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even far into the book Jake and Kendall are still at odds:
“You’re the most stubborn, irritating woman I’ve ever met.”
“You’re a jerk.”  Location 2438.
Thank you to Ms. Clenney and Montlake Romance for providing this book for review and Giveaway (see interview post). Also thank you for sharing in interview.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Mailbox Monday November 19, 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 four review titles - all eBooks:

Dead Running and Dying To Run by Cami Checketts; for January 19 Review on Bookblast Blog Tour.



Perfection Unleashed: A Double Helix Novel (Volume 1) by Jade Kerrion; for December 29 Review on Bewitching Blog Tour. 
 






The Publicist
by Christina George
for upcoming Review









Wins




Murder in Plain Sight 
by Marta Perry
                                 Won at Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt 
 Thank you Marta!








Purchased
I purchased Two titles from my Audible monthly subscription.

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
by Richard Paul Evans

by Emily Carmichael
 









Free
More titles through Novel Seniors Partay
Featured Mystery/Thriller

Featured Romantic Suspense

Featured Contemporary Romance

Featured YA/Fantasy/Children's


I picked up more free titles on Kindle.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? November 19, 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 very good - five books completed with two almost complete. I posted four reviews, one with ARC giveaway. I also posted two Giveaway Hops. 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 but none later and none on Saturday as I returned from flying to South Florida and then slept and cleaned a little.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Untamed by Sara Humphreys; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. Ends 11/30.
Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle



Secrets of the Red Box
by Vickie Hall
A different suspense story. Review is linked above.





2. Audio CD/MP3
 

A Brew to a Kill: A Coffeehouse Mystery
Cleo Coyle (Author), Rebecca Gibel (Narrator)
Fun audio.
Review is linked above.



3. Print



Untamed (The Amoveo Legend)
by Sara Humphreys
I enjoy this series! 
Review and ARC giveaway linked above.  




4. Print
 

Missing
by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
This is an engaging mystery with young adult characters.
I will post my review and giveaway this week.



5. eBook/Kindle



Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers)
by Anita Clenney
I really liked this action/adventure!
Review, Author Interview and Giveaway will post on November 20.





Line Edits: I'll be uploading another children's title this week.


Currently reading:
1. Print


Where Angels Rest
by Kate Brady
Whew -lots of good suspense!
I will post the review and ARC Giveaway this week.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 20, 2012
A RACE FOR SALVATION
For the past decade, psychologist Erin Sims has been helping victims of violent crimes move on with life . . . but the one person she can't save is the one who matters most. In only seven days, her brother will be executed for a murder he didn't commit. Convinced she knows the identity of the real killer, Erin is determined to find the man and bring him to justice.

A COUNTDOWN TO DESTRUCTION
Sheriff Nick Mann moved to rural Ohio hoping to forget the tragedies of his past. When Erin shows up in town, bringing scandal and unwanted media attention with her, Nick knows she's trouble. No one believes sleepy Hopewell could harbor a serial killer . . . until residents begin to disappear. Now as Nick untangles the dark secrets plaguing his town, he can't help falling for the beautiful woman with the warm heart and iron will. And, as the days tick by, the truth becomes clear: Erin is hunting a vicious murderer-one whose only escape is to silence her forever.



2. eBook/Kindle
 

Forged In Death, Book 1 of The Death Wizard Chronicles
by Jim Melvin
Lots of story telling!
I'll be posting a review this week.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 20, 2012
Enter the realm . . .
Book One, The Death Wizard Chronicles.
Only a Death-Knower can die. And live again.
Only a Death-Knower can return from death. And remember.
Only a Death-Knower can tell the world what he's seen. Not all care to listen.
For a thousand years, none have rivaled the power of Torg, the Death-Knower wizard, as he ruled his people and kept peace on Triken.
Now a new threat has suddenly arisen. The evil sorcerer Invictus is greater even than Torg, and his greed and ambition threaten to engulf the land in eternal darkness. When Invictus imprisons Torg in a horrifying pit bored into the solid rock of a frozen mountain, the fate of Triken hangs in the balance.
Torg becomes freedom's final hope, but first he must die to earn the victory.



3. Audio/MP3



The Crooked Wreath
by Christina Brandt
This one is taking more concentration 
than I expected!
I'm reviewing for Highbridge Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
A family patriarch is murdered on the eve of signing a new will
Sir Richard’s family has spent years waiting for him to die, but despite his weak heart, the old man simply refuses to cooperate. In the meantime, he makes their lives miserable by changing his will every few months, depending on which of his strange brood he favors that moment. Now he calls them together to announce his most diabolical revision yet: complete disinheritance of all the wastrels who bear his name. But he never gets a chance to sign the papers—by morning, he’s dead.
Scotland Yard sends Inspector Cockrill, the only detective clever enough to unravel the family’s tangle of jealousy and deceit. Each member had reason to kill Sir Richard, but which one plunged the syringe of poison into his heart? With a family this mad, nothing is as complicated as the truth.



4. Print



Five Days of Fear
by David Kovach
I will be starting this book in a day or two. Review and Giveaway to post November 27 through TLC Book Tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 9, 2012
During a family picnic, Jessica Britton’s well-ordered world is slammed against a brutal reality and her faith is tested when her mom is kidnapped, her dad is shot, and authorities can find no clues to begin their investigation. Jessica’s own anxiety and fear for her mother’s life compels her to help FBI Agent Dan Hamilton look for motives and clues that would lead to rescuing her mom. By chance, clues begin to emerge, and the once floundering investigation speeds to a hectic race against time and criminal minds in a desperate attempt to save Jessica’s mom and the lives of many in San Francisco’s business district.



5. eBook/Kindle



Shards of Ashley (Book 5 of Family Heirloom Series)
by Karen Weisner
I have enjoyed this series and
look forward to reading this
for review for the author.
Book Five Family Heirloom: Learning trust
In order to reconcile her past, she must face the terrible truth she buried long ago...and, in doing so, she gambles with her heart and the salvation of her own soul.

Ashley Savage grew up in a troubled home with a competitive, pampered sister and an abusive, ridiculing mother who played at being a Christian when she needed to...and led Ashley to more addictions than one child could handle. As an adult, Ashley tells herself she's put the extreme fears of the past behind her, but she spends most of her time repairing the crumbling wall holding back the horrors she's not willing to face ever again. She's become a woman against the world.

The one man who has the annoying habit of getting through her defenses is Jay Samuels, a military chaplain and soon-to-be pastor. Much as Ashley wants to leave him behind like she believes she has the rest of her past, Jay is ambitious to a fault where she's concerned. He hears only what he wants to hear?and he doesn't want to hear that she doesn't love him as much as he loves her.

But even Jay doesn't realize the extent of all she's buried deep inside her own subconscious...and what keeps her from giving herself willingly to the God she knows is drawing her inexorably to Himself, to the one place she can't run, where she can no longer hide...



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 James.

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


I started with 20 or so titles planned for November. Twelve have been read (ten posted). That leaves me working on 10 to post during the month. I really do intend to get a smaller list going into December!

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

Scheduled for November
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 - done

Hachette
Where Angels Rest by Kate Brady

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

AudioBook Jukebox
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:  DONE
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.]

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails