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Sunday, March 3, 2013

Mailbox Monday March 4, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For MARCH: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Caitlin @ chaotic compendiums!
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 fun books this week. :-)
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

I received a print from Grand Central - Hachette
releasing in March


Last Chance Book Club
by Hope Ramsay


Another Last Chance title and a book club - how perfect!







 I received a new audio for review through Audiobook Jukebox:


Did You Miss Me?
by Karen Rose

I like Ms. Rose's suspense style.





I received another title from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley:

by Ruth Reid


I also selected and received two other titles from NetGalley that look like fun:


The Sword in the Stars (Book1) in The Dark Sea Annals Series
by Wayne Thomas Batson






AND


The Wolf of Tebron
By C. S. Lakin





Wins

I have another win not yet received. :-)



Purchased
None this week.


Free
I received more books from Free Partay and
I did download more free Kindle Titles linked through Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 4, 2013

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.

I had a pretty good week with lots of driving to other counties to cover hearings. That let me listen to my Kindle. :-).

Reading was good: completed four books and posted three reviews. There were two reviews with giveaways plus two other giveaways posted. I also posted the usual Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I didn't get to visit this week hardly at all. :-(
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me too.

These were last week's posts:
  • Book Review: Fatal February by Barbara Levenson; Cozy Mystery, Legal Procedures; my rating 4.25. 
  • Book Review and ARC Giveaway: X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0. Open US Only. Ends 3/8/13.
  • Book Review and eBook Giveaway: A Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard; Historical Fiction, American Revolution; my rating 5.0. Open Worldwide. Ends 3/15/13.
Finished Reading:
1. Print



X Marks the Scot
by Victoria Roberts
Good Highlander story.
Review and Arc Giveaway linked above.



2. eBook/Kindle



The Midwife’s Revolt
by Jodi Daynard
I loved this story!
Review and eBook Giveaway linked above.
 



3. Print


Lady Eve's Indiscretion
by Grace Burrowes
I really enjoyed this! 
I will post the review and ARC giveaway this week.




4. eBook/Kindle



Cursed
Lynn Ricci
This was an interesting read. 
I will post a review 3/5 as part of Bewitching Blog Tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
When Sarah Carter moves to Boston to escape her past she realizes there's more than meets the eye with the landlord and her mysterious new best friend. What happened to the owner of this brownstone and what secrets lie within its walls and continue to torment? Witchcraft, curses and timeless love are not what Sarah expected to find, but as she learns more, she wonders is she actually running back to her past instead of from it?



Line Edits/Releases:
We hope to upload two new children titles on Monday: Arny Armadillo's Pillow by Lynne Anne Bendoly; her second release. This fully illustrated charmer is for younger children ages 3-7. Also we are releasing Flick Flick and Dreamer by Margaret Karmazin. This is her second release too. The story, with lovely illustrations, is about a sweet hummingbird and her snail friend. This is suitable for ages 5 to 10.

Currently reading:
1. Print


The Return of Cassandra Todd
Darrel Nelson
I am enjoying the suspense and drama in this.
I will post a review 3/7 as part of Glass Road PR tour.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
When the popular girl whose friends bullied him in high school suddenly reenters his life, little son in tow, Turner Caldwell must put the past behind him if they are to survive.

Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school—she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends’ mean-spirited pranks.

When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive.



2. Print and Audible


White Picket Fences 
    UNABRIDGED
    by Susan Meissner
    Narrated by Bernadette Dunne
We are reading this for Ladies Book Club. 
I downloaded it on Audible to speed my "reading" time.
It is moving along quickly. 
Publisher's Summary
When her black sheep brother disappears, Amanda Janvier eagerly takes in her 16-year-old niece, Tally. The girl is practically an orphan: motherless, and living with a father who raises Tally wherever he lands - in a Buick, a pizza joint, a horse farm - and regularly takes off on wild schemes. Amanda envisions that she, her husband Neil, and their two teenagers can offer the girl stability and a shot at a "normal" life, even though their own storybook lives are about to crumble.

Seventeen-year-old Chase Janvier hasn't seen his cousin in years, and other than a vague curiosity about her strange life, he doesn't expect her arrival will affect him much - or interfere with his growing, disturbing interest in a long-ago house fire that plagues his dreams unbeknownst to anyone else.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won't make them go away.

Will Tally's presence blow apart their carefully-constructed world, knocking down the illusion of the white picket fence and reveal a hidden past that could destroy them all - or can she help them find the truth without losing each other?
©2009 Susan Meissner; (P)2009 Random House



3. Print



Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt
I am doing a giveaway on Book 5 
so GC-Hachette was nice enough to send the print of 
Book 4 so I didn't miss in the series. :-)
Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.



4. eBook/Kindle



Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt

I am looking forward to reading both books.

I will be posting this review and a Giveaway 3/12 thanks to Hachette.
Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2013
"Elizabeth Hoyt has outdone herself." --Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head-and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS . . .
Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles-the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be-and so much more . . .

DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER
When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth-that the Ghost is her husband-the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.



5. Audio
 

Silver (An OgmiosTeam Adventure)
by Steven Savile
I had to put this on hold for scheduled titles.
I expect to pick it up again by the end of the week.
I am reviewing this for 
Crossroad Press through Audiobook Jukebox.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Sometimes the truth is anything but honest.

Sometimes the stories everyone knows by heart are lies.

Sometimes lies are all we have left.
CLICK ON TITLE FOR FULL DESCRIPTION


I continue to listen to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.]  I am studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year, hoping to read daily along with my DH.

Line Edits: I have completed two more formats for galleys out to authors and I will be doing more Smashword conversions this week.


I started February with 17 titles + TBRs on my list. I read 18, reviewed 15, summarized two and have one to be reviewed this week. So I did pretty well for the month.
Now for March I have 16 on the list + 2 TBRs still to be determined so it should go nicely at about four a week.

MARCH Scheduled: 
3/5-11 No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop
3/5 Review: Cursed by Lynn Ricci (Bewitching Book Tour)
3/7 Review: The Return of Cassandra Todd (Glass Road PR )
3/9 Review: White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (Ladies Book Club)
3/11 Review: Thief of Shadows (Book 4 The Maiden Lane Series) by Elizabeth Hoyt (Hachette)
3/12 Review: Review and Giveaway: The Lord of Darkness (Book 5 The Maiden Lane Series) by Elizabeth Hoyt (Hachette)
3/13 or 14: Giveaway: The movie-tie-in edition of ADMISSION (Hachette)
3/20-25 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop
3/21+/- Review: Miranda's Mount by Phillipa Ashley
3/23 Review: The Persnickety Princess by Falcon Storm (Novel Publicity)
3/27 Review, Interview + Cross the Line by Jack Patterson (Partners In Crime)

Unscheduled 

Sourceboooks
     Free Fall (Elite Force) by Catherine Mann
     A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett

Hachette
   
Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt
    Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt
    Jake by R.C. Ryan

Thomas Nelson (through NetGalley invitation)

     An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

Audios:
    White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (Ladies Book Club)
For Audiobook Jukebox
    Silver by Steven Savile
    Did You Miss Me by Karen Rose

NetGalley:
    Scent of Magic (The Healers) by Maria V. Snyder
(Maybe if I can fit it in) Hammer of Angels: A Novel of Shadowstorm by G. T. Almasi
Authors:
     Sportsman’s Bet by Judy Nichols
     Miranda's Mount by Phillipa Ashley

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book -
Lady of Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 3, 2013

We were glad to welcome our pastor back today. He spoke today on Change -- how do we handle it?

There will always be change, from fashion to jobs, finances-- all our circumstances. We have no right to be judgmental against others. Romans 14:1, 10-13. We are not always right. We will each give account to God for our actions. We need to be careful  to never put stumbling blocks before a brother. Are we humble with our gifts and gracious with our mouths? Our mouths reveal our true motives.  Are we bitter against others with envy?  Do we boast of our own wisdom or allow God's wisdom to help us to be peace-loving, courteous, and compassionate towards others?  James 3:17.

We will face change but the important thing is that God is still here to see us through whatever change may come. How will you react?

I am so glad that God is Forever the same.

Verses for Today:
Romans 14:10-11
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
This morning I prayed for God to touch several friends to heal from surgery. I am thankful that I can trust God to guide me through whatever changes may come.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Sharing Beyond Books #89 Comment Giveaway March 2, 2013

Hello, Welcome to SBB.
As we start into March is everyone ready for a new season soon? Spring for many of us and fall for you folks far on the other side -- you do get four seasons don't you? :-)
Thank you to all who shared last week.

Many of you like bookish merchandise but few of you buy it. Some enter giveaways, and some receive gifts. Cindi does buy some for her children; Natasha buys jewelry items and Emily occasionally buys some items. Nrlymrtl noted that she does get bookish board games. Yes- that sounds like fun.

There are quite a goodly number of collections - in addition to books. Many collect bookmarks and keychains while several collect types of bears, candles, stamps and coins and other fairly normal items. Then there are those unique items like Jolene's roosters, Carol's antique compacts, and Liss' special toys from Kinder Sorpresa chocolate. Cindi mentioned matreshika dolls and I confirmed my guess that those are the Russian nesting dolls. Then too several people who noted lack of space and clearing clutter as reasons not to have collections. I fit in that group. :-)
~~~~

The Winner from SBB #88 comments is: #17 Liss, who will get a GC choice. Please let me know your choice if ready by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #89 Questions

Q1. Mary P asks: What is your favourite kind of birthday cake??
A: Actually, I used to prefer pie, but now I like cake too.  I love a really moist carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I also love sugar icing on any cake.  My DH gives me his icing - he is so sweet to me. :-)
Image found at The Nibble.


Q2. My bookish Question this week: a) Do you have a title languishing though you watched for it's release or eagerly purchased it but haven't read it?? b) Would you be interested in joining me for a challenge maybe in April to read that book?
A: I have several -- well maybe many-- books that are languishing. One in particular that I purchased when I learned of it last summer but haven't read yet is The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future ! I am hoping to get my ladies book club to read this for April. But even if we don't I would like to set up a challenge to read "a languishing title" in April. Let me know if any of you are interested. :-)
Thank goodness I have a husband that cooks!
Image found at In So Many Words.

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. Mary P asks: What is your favourite kind of birthday cake??

2. My bookish Question this week: a)Do you have a title languishing tho watched for release?? b) Would you be interested in joining me for a challenge maybe in April to read that book?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the new Valentine and "Love" books  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, March 8, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Waiting for Morning, Wait Until Dark, PLUS Others,

CONGRATULATIONS
TO WINNERS!

Giveaways Ended March 1, 2013.


Rebekah

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


Emily W.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended February 22, 2013.


Victoria Z

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

Replacement Winner

Vicki W

Rebekah, Emily, Victoria and Vicki  Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing, and/or advise the publisher.  Please reply within 72 hours!

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