It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 24, 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.

We are having a wonderful, relaxing visit in Hawaii with our son, d-i-l and new baby, Victoria! 
I only finished three books because one I'm reading is really long so I am not quite done. I posted four reviews, one with giveaway and one with giveaway link. I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I finally got to do some visiting this week which is fun - it is great to take time to see what others are doing.
Thanks again to all the nice people who visit me too. I do enjoy your commenting.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? December 17, 2012.

• Book Review and PDF Giveaway: Christmas Magic Anthology by Linda Carroll-Bradd, Terri Rochenski, Lindsay McFerrin; Contemporary, Holiday Romance; my rating 4.5. Ends 1/4/13.

• Audio Book Review: Colony Scott Reeves; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane; Contemporary, Holiday Romance; my rating 4.5. Ends 12/28

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 21, 2012. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/27.

• Special Pricing Announcements for Astor and Blue and Sourcebooks.

• Saturday Snapshot 12/22/12 - Maui Surfing Goat Dairy

• Audio Book Review: Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck; Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #79 Comment Giveaway 12/22/12. Ends 12/27.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 23, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle
 

Christmas Magic  

by Linda Carroll-Bradd, Terri Rochenski, Lindsay McFerrin  

Very delightful reading.

Review with Giveaway link is linked above.

2. Audio CD

 

Agenda 21 
by Glenn Beck (Author),  January LaVoy (Reader)  
A bit of surprise - thought provoking!
The review post is linked above. 

3. eBook/Kindle
 

Christmas Night, A Holiday Novella
by Niina C at For The Love of Reading
Pages: 15 pages
Publisher: Free Read / Self-Published
Published: December 19th, 2011
Form: E-book
Series: Night #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Aiden De Drago has spent the past fifteen hundred years being trained to be the king of the Drago Clan and then claiming his crown after his father passed away. A man proud of his control is about to lose it all when on Christmas Eve he catches the scent of his mate.

Laura Saari came to Budapest to escape spending her first Christmas without her family, when a man offers to escort her back to her hotel, sure of herself and a little smitten with the dark and handsome man, she agrees. When the evening ends with her fingerprints on a murder weapon and her dark and handsome man sporting talons, she begins to question wanting a different Christmas.

I enjoyed this very quick, sweet romance. I like the Dragon shifter, although he never fully shifted in this story.  The story introduces the couple and there is some action when they are attacked while he is walking her home. The characters are likeable and their meeting and romance is sweet moving to sensual. I like the writing voice although there were several run on sentences, a few repeated words and it needed punctuation and editing polish.  I guessed that it might have been written by a young author who was not a native to English and that is correct. 
Still it was a nice read. I read this as my Just For Fun Read this month.

Line Edits: I sent out two galleys for final review and am still working on a couple more formats.

Currently reading:

 1. eBook/Kindle
 

Godspeed: a love story  
by Dan Chabot
I am enjoying this unusual story although it is a bit long so I am not quite finished (74%). I do expect to complete it and post the review by the end of the week. Reading for the Author to post in December.  

 2. eBook/Kindle

 Perfection Unleashed (Book 1 of the Double Helix series)
Jade Kerrion
I will be starting this for Review and
Bewitching Blog Tour Blitz to post 12/29.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 23, 2012
What would you do if you came face-to-face with perfection, and it looked just like you?

Two men, one face. One man seeks to embrace destiny, the other to escape it.

Danyael Sabre spent sixteen years clawing out of the ruins of his childhood and finally has everything he wanted--a career, a home, and a trusted friend. To hold on to them, he keeps his head down and plays by the rules. An alpha empath, he is powerful in a world transformed by the Genetic Revolution, yet his experience has taught him to avoid attention.

When the perfect human being, Galahad, escapes from Pioneer Laboratories, the illusory peace between humans and their derivatives--the in vitros, clones, and mutants--collapses into social upheaval. The abominations, deformed and distorted mirrors of humanity, created unintentionally in Pioneer Lab's search for perfection, descend upon Washington D.C. The first era of the Genetic Revolution was peaceful. The second is headed for open war.

Although the genetic future of the human race pivots on Galahad, Danyael does not feel compelled to get involved and risk his cover of anonymity, until he finds out that the perfect human being looks just like him.

3. Print

Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel)
by Dee Davis
I am mid way in this title by an author I like.
Reviewing for Forever, Grand Central Station, Hachette.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
Ignoring his instincts once cost Simon a vital op-and the life of his best friend, Ryan. Now as escalating, violent attacks hit A-Tac, another person he loves is in danger. Homeland Security agent Jillian Montgomery's investigation has suddenly brought her back into Simon's life, and unless they can learn to trust each other, their dangerous mission will fail.

After her husband Ryan's death, Jillian dedicates herself to saving others. She can't afford to be tempted by Simon, even though his every touch reignites the desire they once shared. But in the last desperate minutes before disaster strikes, their second chance at love might be the most lethal trap of all . . .

4. Audio
 

The Broken Token
by Chris Nickson (Author), Steven Pacey (Narrator)
I have just started this and 
I like the narrator and story so far.
Reviewing for Creative Content 
through AudioBook Jukebox.

Publication Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher's Summary
Pickpockets, pimps, and prostitutes: All in a day’s work for the city constable – until work moves too close to home…. When Richard Nottingham, Constable of Leeds, discovers his former housemaid murdered in a particularly sickening manner, his professional and personal lives move perilously close. Circumstances seem to conspire against him, and more murders follow. Soon the city fathers cast doubt on his capability, and he is forced to seek help from an unsavoury source. Not only does the murder investigation keep running into brick walls, and family problems offer an unwelcome distraction; he can’t even track down a thief who has been a thorn in his side for months. When answers start to emerge, Nottingham gets more than he bargains for….

5. eBook/Kindle
 

Christmas Promises: The Christmas Eve Bride\A Marriage Proposal for Christmas\A Bride for Christmas
by Lynne Graham, Carole Mortimer, Marion Lennox
I hope to start this and get it done by the end of 2012!
Received through Netgalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
The Christmas Eve Bride by Lynne Graham
Rocco thought he was done with Amber after her betrayal two years earlier. But when he unexpectedly runs into her, the attraction is still strong—so he asks her to become his mistress! Amber only accepts so her baby boy can have a better Christmas. But Rocco's plan for revenge changes as he begins picturing a future with Amber…and their son.

A Marriage Proposal for Christmas by Carole Mortimer
Cally Turner thinks Noel Carlton is an egotistical playboy! The only reason she's agreed to work for him is so she can give her daughter a Christmas to remember. But as she spends more time with Noel, she begins to wonder what's more irritating—his infuriating arrogance or unexpected tenderness?

A Bride for Christmas by Marion Lennox
Wealthy businessman—and contented bachelor—Guy Carver is in Australia to take ownership of Jenny Westmere's wedding salon. It's strictly business. So no one is more surprised than Guy himself when he realizes that the deal he really wants to ink is making Jenny and her little boy his family by Christmas!

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 Revelation.

 Line Edits: I have three books that I am completing formats on this week.

I started with 15 books set for December and have completed ten with four or five to finish this week. Still, it looks like I'll have a couple of carry overs.

Scheduled for December
12/29 Blitz and Review: Perfection Unleashed (Bewitching Blog Tours)  

Sourcebooks: Hachette
Double Danger (An A-Tac Novel) by Dee Davis
Last Chance Christmas by Hope Ramsay

Audiobook Jukebox
Broken Token

NetGalley
Uninvited by Heather Graham - I started it but need to try again.
Christmas Promises Anthology  

Authors
The Blessed and the Damned (Righteous Series #4) by Michael Wallace

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 23, 2012

On the Fourth week of Advent we light again the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy. Then we add the candle of LOVE.  We seek God's forgiveness, His mercy and grace...and through His Love, He gives us a child who will be our Sacrifice and Redeem us from our sin.

Image found at Creative Communications

A Verse for Today - After searching through some Christmas and Love verses I realized that the best "love" verse has to be:
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

An Advent Prayer:
Father, you show the world the splendor of your glory in the coming of Christ, born of the Virgin. Give to us true faith and love to celebrate the mystery of god made man.

Sharing Beyond Books #79 Comment Giveaway 12/22/12

Hello and Welcome to another SBB!

Well - it is close enough now to wish everyone a very
  and Blessed holiday week!

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Actually about half of commenters do not get up early to read... mostly because many of you stay up really late to read! LOL  And I do appreciate the need to watch the clock in the morning, like Di, so you don't get the kids up late, like Jolene.

Most of us do give donations year around. I like nrlymrtl's idea of getting local crafts as gifts.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #78 comments is: #9 Jolene. There are still 5 'love' books to pick from and new Christmas choices. Jolene 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 #79 Questions

Q1. Marjorie asks a book question: I bought a kindle and I enjoy it, however, I would rather have a good old book in my hand anytime. How do you feel about using an ebook.??

I think we have touched on this discussion before and it is timely since some of you may be planning/hoping on getting  an ereader as a gift.*grin*

I have now had my Kindle (the old 2nd generation) since 2009. As much as I still like 'real' paperback books, I think I am doing a greater portion of reading on the Kindle (or listening with my MP3). Even the print books I receive I often end up purchasing on Amazon as I can read the books faster, with the Kindle reading to me while I do those menial, but necessary tasks, like putting on make-up, folding laundry etc. :-) I also have my tablet but haven't started reading on that yet.

Image found at To Be Read.

Q2. My holiday related question this week: Do you have a gift you HOPE to get or a special gift that you are giving this year??

A: I'm not anticipating anything special... our cruise and Hawaii visit are our Christmas present to ourselves. We left a check and gifts back home and have a check for our son and d-i-l. We did buy a special surprise gift for them on the cruise but I can't say what it is in case my son should look at the blog.:-) .

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We can always use fresh questions.

Your turn to share:

1. Marjorie says/asks: I bought a kindle and I enjoy it, however, I would rather have a good old book in my hand anytime. How do you feel about using an ebook??

2. My Question: Do you have a gift you HOPE to get or a special gift that you are giving this year??

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, December 28, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winner of eBook In Bed with the Opposition

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER OF

Giveaway Ended 12/21/12

eBook Giveaway: In Bed with the Opposition.

Lily B please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll notify the Publisher.  Please reply within 72 hours!  

Audio Book Review: Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck

This is an eye opening and thought provoking story with a timely message.
Agenda 21 
by Glenn Beck (Author), (with Harriet Parke)
January LaVoy (Reader)

 Amazon Link

• Audio CD (7 discs)
• Listening Length: 8 hours and 35 minutes
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (November 20, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442360925
• ISBN-13: 978-1442360921

Genre: Thriller, Political Fiction, Sci Fi?
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Release Date: November 20, 2012
“I was just a baby when we were relocated and I don’t remember much. Everybody has that black hole at the beginning of their life. That time you can’t remember. Your first step. Your first taste of table food. My real memories begin in our assigned living area in Compound 14.”

Just a generation ago this place was called America. Now, after the worldwide implementation of UN-lead program called Agenda 21, it’s simply known as the “Republic.” There is no president. No congress. No Supreme Court. No freedom.

There are only the Authorities.

Citizens have two primary goals in the new Republic: to create clean energy and to create new human life.

Those who cannot do either are of no use to society.

This bleak and barren existence is all that eighteen-year-old Emmeline has ever known. She dutifully walks her energy board daily and accepts all male pairings assigned to her by the Authorities. Like most citizens, she keeps her head down and her eyes closed.

Until the day they came for her mother.

“You save what you think you’re going to lose.”

Woken up to the harsh reality of her life and her family’s future inside the Republic, Emmeline begins to search for the truth. Why are all citizens confined to ubiquitous concrete living spaces? Why are Compounds guarded by Gatekeepers who track all movements? Why are food, water and energy rationed so strictly? And, most important, why are babies taken from their mothers at birth?

As Emmeline begins to understand the true objectives of Agenda 21 she realizes that she is up against far more than she ever thought. With the Authorities closing in, and nowhere to run, Emmeline embarks on an audacious plan to save her family and expose the Republic—but is she already too late?

Review:
Emmeline lives with her mother in a small dwelling where they spend their days walking the energy making treadmills. They must meet their quota or they will be removed. There is no interaction with neighbors, no recreation, no real community. Even family is limited and Emmeline is one of the last “home-raised” children as now children are raised by the Authorities.

Emmeline’s parents share remembrances of ‘before’ when they had freedom, lived on a farm and raised crops and animals. Now plants and animals and the environment are protected.

When economic failure occurred in America a new government promised housing, food and equal treatment for everyone. The people were moved, voluntarily or by force, into compounds where they were assigned jobs, provided humble housing with rationed food cubes and where pairing mates were directed by the Republic. All possessions were given up although Emmeline finds a horde of small things her mother hid.

Emmeline is first paired with an older man. George is kind and they got along all right. Their successful mating produced a child who is kept by the nursery while Emmeline is sent home. An accident kills George and her father and Emmeline’s mother curls up in despair.

A replacement mate is a frail young man, really still a boy, who resents the home raised Emmeline. Emmeline’s mother is taken away and the boy runs off. As the Authorities seek another replacement mate, Emmeline is befriended by a transporter, who helped calm her when she had to leave her baby behind, and his son, David, a night Gatekeeper.

Emmeline is intent on getting to be with her baby girl, Elsa, but the rules won’t allow it. With the help of her new friends she gets a position in the nursery where she can see her baby. She finds the other workers hostile as they have been raised by impersonal care of the Republic with a mind set only to duty.

The Authorities are concerned because the birth rate is down and babies in the nursery have not been thriving. Although the nursery manager, David’s mother, thinks the children need nurturing, the workers want to continue their impersonal treatment of the infants and toddlers. There is the strong possibility that the nursery will be closed and all children moved to another community compound.

What options exist for Emmeline? How far will she go and what will she risk to be with and protect her child?

This starts a little slowly, which actually fits the monotony of the controlled lives. Then I became wrapped into Emmeline’s sad, controlled and limited world. My spirit wanted to break free with hers. The writing could have been more polished and there are gaps in the society development and lots of questions left open. But the point is made. This is a scary scenario with a timely message about the dangers of relinquishing personal freedoms to government control.

Audio Notes: I was not particularly impressed with the narration, which I first thought was rather bland. There is emotion expressed, especially when Emmeline is removed from her baby but I didn’t like the whinny cries. I think it was more that I didn’t care for the narrator’s voice and I didn’t feel there was much effort to distinguish between the characters.

I was surprised and impressed by the Afterword but since there is a request not to reveal the contents I will honor that request. I encourage any reader who is concerned about the struggles of balancing personal freedoms with environmental protections, or interested in possible future society solutions, to read this book.

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

Emmeline realizes that they will take her baby and these sentiments echo indifference shown in history past:

I should have known they would take my baby. Maybe I thought it wouldn’t happen to me. Never again would I think that way. Anything could happen to me. Disc 2 Track 4.

I received this from Simon and Schuster through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.