Merry Christmas - Welcome Baby Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all!

I hope you have welcomed the child of Christmas today!

Mailbox Monday December 24, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR DECEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Suko's Notebook!

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 didn't get to post while on the cruise and I was too late for last week. So this covers several weeks during which I added more review books as well as holiday gifts from authors and publishers AND I even purchased a number of eBooks (too much free time on the computer during vacation!) 
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

This week I received three review books:
Audio from Creative Content through Audiobook Jukebox.
 

The Broken Token 
by Chris Nickson

From Random House through NetGalley:

For January Review:

The Escape Diaries 

by Juliet Rosetti (Author)

and

For February Review:
A Most Scandalous Proposal

by Ashlyn Macnamara

Holiday Gifts 
Through Newsletters/Subscription

From Author:  The Grey Tier (Essence # 1) by Michele Scott

From Thomas Nelson, Publisher - the gifted title has four books, including a new title from Kelly Long,  but this one online is an older version with only three titles included:
An Amish Christmas: December in Lancaster County  Barbara Cameron (Author), Beth Wiseman (Author), Kathleen Fuller (Author) (12/4)

Three Apocalyptic tales from Publisher Night Shade Books
Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse by John Joseph Adams (Author, Editor)
Osiris: Book One of the Osiris Project by E.J. Swift
Seed by Rob Ziegler

From Author: The Snitch Who Stole Christmas 2012 by Jon F. Merz

Audio Books from DownPour:
The Soul of the Ships by Brian Freeman
Romance by Chuck Palahniuk

Gift from Audible.com
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Arthur Conan Doyle 

Generous gift From Author Karen Cioffi:
Fiction Writing for Children
Book Marketing 101
Article Marketing - Increase Your Website Traffic with Properly Formatted and Optimized Content
Write That ebook and Design Your Own Cover in 10 Easy Steps Using Microsoft Office 2010

Wins

None

Purchased

Purchased with $10.00 gift credit and on sale at Audible (I haven't used my December 2 credits yet):
The Innocents Abroad: Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress by Mark Twain (for my DH)
Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond by Kim Harrison

I purchased about twenty .99 cent Kindle titles that caught my fancy. :-)

Free

From Free Book Partay 12/13:
Featured Contemporary Romance
Here Comes the Bride by Rita Herron
Light the Hidden Things by Don McQuinn
Smooth Irish by Jennifer Saints
Featured Romantic Suspense
Must Love Santa by Nina Bruhns
Pushed to the Limit by Patricia Rosemoor
Three Days in Seattle by Debra Burroughs
Courage Dares by Nancy Radke
Lost and Found by Lorhainne Eckhart
The Huntress by Dorothy McFalls
Dark Moon by Rebecca York
Featured Mystery/Horror
Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles
Preta's Realm by J. Thorn
The Spia Family Presses On by Mary Leo
Featured Historical Romance
If Love Dares Enough by Anna Markland
Much Ado About Madams by Jacquie Rogers
The Last Honest Seamstress by Gina Robinson
Featured Paranormal Romance
Fated by Carolyn McCray
His Devious Angel by Mimi Barbour


I downloaded about 120 free Kindle Titles. Yikes!

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.