MBS - 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop 3/20 to 3/25

It is Spring and time for Spring Cleaning! This is a great way to clear out some books!
Thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting!
*Canadian and International Information is below the Spring Flower and Butterfly Divider*

US ENTRIES - Winner gets pick of package #1 - #5:
I forgot to get up-to-date photos so I will add them later in the day. All books are gently used, ARCs or review copies.
Here are the choices (choice to be made after winner announced):

Package #1:

Historical Romance - gently used copies
by Amanda Scott
Abducted Heiress (Secret Clan)

Highland Bride (Secret Clan)

  

Package #2:

Contemporary Romance - gently used copies
by Susan Wiggs

Snowfall at Willow Lake (The Lakeshore Chronicles #4)
Fireside (The Lakeshore Chronicles #5)

Package #3:

(I'll add a picture later Wednesday)

Mysteries - Used Copies - PICK 3 of the 6 titles
A Murderous Yarn (Needlecraft Mystery) by Monica Ferris
 Miss Aggie's Gone Missing (The Misadventures of Miss Aggie) by Frances Devine
Deadly Advice (An Advice Column Mystery) by Roberta Isleib
Dial Emmy For Murder: A Soap Opera Mystery by Eileen Davidson
Female Intelligence by Jane Heller
On Deadly Ground (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lauren Nichols

Package #4:

Christian Fiction - New (extra) Books
(These are extras from my Book Club)

Everybody's Suspect in Georgia by Cecil Murphey

Calico Canyon - Lassoed In Texas by Mary Connealy 

Romance Rides the Range by Colleen L. Reece

Package #5

Surprise Three Books :-)
Winner can choose genre:  Historical Romance one author, Historical Romance mixed authors, James Patterson (YAs, Cross or other), Romantic Suspense or mixed titles.

US ONLY ENTER THIS RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERNATIONAL AND CANADIAN ENTRIES:

I wish I could do more but we all know how expensive postage is for international shipping.

Winner will get to Pick ONE of these SEVEN choices:

1. Historical Romance: The Saxon (The Viking Series, Book 2) (Harlequin Historical #268) by Margaret Mallory (gently used)

2. Contemporary Romance:  Maverick (Silhouette Desire) by Joan Hohl (gently used copy)

3. Paranormal: Burning Alive: The Sentinel Wars by Shannon K. Butcher (gently used copy)

4. Romantic Suspense: Caitlin's Guardian Angel (Dangerous to Love USA / Safe Haven / Silhouette Intimate, No. 661) by Marie Ferrarella (free book - as new)

5. Fiction: Saint Nick by Fred Tribuzzo (review copy)

6. Audio: Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Micahel Ledwidge (Audio CDs- used)

7. Southern Charm:  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle

by Olivia deBelle Byrd (review copy)

CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL ONLY ENTER THIS RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are lots of awesome giveaways to check out:

Book Review: Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

This story moves along quickly but I enjoyed the author's Study series much more.

Scent of Magic (The Healers)
by Maria V. Snyder

• File Size: 603 KB
• Print Length: 419 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0778314189
• Publisher: Harlequin MIRA; Original edition (December 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B009NEIAZG

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet: an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.

Review:
Avry is the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms. Because she is greatly sought after by enemies and friends she is allowing her revival from presumed death to remain a secret. Only her beau, Kerrick, knows she is alive and heading into dangerous territory to seek out her sister and do reconnaissance as he travels to rendezvous with other allies.

The realms are under attack by a brutal life magician, Tohon, who wishes to conquer the lands and be recognized as king of all. The people have suffered from a great plague and now Tohon is striking with armies of dead soldiers he has managed to animate. Different leaders, Estrid, Jael and Prince Ryne, are supposedly allies to fight Tohon, but no one is to be trusted. Avry manages to get accepted as a soldier and appointed to Estrid’s army where she has offered to train the soldiers in silent maneuvers.

I enjoy the fantasy worlds created by Ms. Snyder. In this series Avry is a healer and Kerrick is a forest mage. There are nine other magical powers which may be in use and controlled by the dastardly Tohon who is obsessed with Avry.  I especially like the magical features of the Peace and Death Lilies who have an interesting relationship with Avry. Avry eventually runs into several old friends and there is humor and warmth in that interaction. Meanwhile there is a very engaging thread of danger and change when Kerrick and a young unrealized healer, Danny, are captured by a violent tribe which doesn’t normally take any prisoners.

There are a lot of character connections and betrayals that make the story a bit confusing. I didn’t feel that a clear backstory was provided so this probably would be more enjoyable if the reader has read the first book. The story is told in first person by Avry and third person for Kerrick’s scenes. I would not have found this difficult except that the formatting in the version I read had no breaks between those scenes which caused disruption in the flow. Hopefully the final released eBook has proper formatting.

This story seems to be written on an lower reading level, perhaps for young adults, and it reads very quickly. I did not find this tale as enthralling as the Study series however Ms. Snyder has a wonderful imagination and the story is full of intrigue, betrayals, quick humor, action and adventure.This ends with a cliffhanger that makes you either want the next story or harrumph in frustration. :-)

I received this galley to review for Harlequin MIRA through NetGalley.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 18, 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 know it is rather surprising I missed my Sunday post yesterday and am very late with this one today. I was en route home from 11:15am Pacific to 11:15pm Central yesterday. From Wednesday to Sunday morning I was in Vancouver having a wonderful visit with other publishers, editors and authors at EPICon 2013. We were in workshops or meetings (or eating) from 7am to 6pm each day. Then I did some more meetings (I am Treasurer of the group) and socializing in the eves. So I had very limited reading and blogging time. 

I only got to read on the plane trips so I only finished ONE book but am close to complete on the Audio and midway on another. I posted three reviews, on with Giveaway. There are also two special giveaways from Hachette.  I posted the Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway but not Sunday Words.

I had hoped to use airport time to visit but that didn't happen either. My layovers were about an hour so I had to rush from one to the other.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? March 11, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday March 11 2013.

• Book Review: Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
  

• Book Review: Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Giveaway Five Print books - Full set Maiden Lane Series. Open US Only Ends 3/22.
  

• Audible Book Review and Print Giveaway: White Picket Fences by Susan Miessner; Christian Fiction rating 4.25.  US Only. Ends 3/22.
  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 15, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 3/21/13.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (3/16/13) Flying Things from Hawaii.
  

• Print Giveaway: Admission by Jane Hanff Korelitz; Open US Only. Ends 3/26/13.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #91 Comment Giveaway 3/16/13. Ends 3/22/13.

Finished Reading:

 eBook/Kindle

Scent of Magic (The Healers)
by Maria V. Snyder
This was engaging fantasy.
I'll post a review tomorrow I hope.
Reviewed through NetGalley.

Line Edits/Releases:

We did get out the two wonderful releases last week and have one out for final proofs this week.

Currently reading:

1. Audio

Silver (An OgmiosTeam Adventure)
by Steven Savile
I am on the last few hours of this as the danger and climax builds.

I am reviewing this for
Crossroad Press through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on title for Book Description

2. Print and eBook/Kindle

Free Fall (Elite Force)
by Catherine Mann
I love how this series jumps into action. I am about 20% into this. 
Reading this from Sourcebooks;
I will be posting a review and ARC Giveaway.

Release date: March 5, 2013 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live
Click on title for Book Description

3. Print
 

Last Chance Book Club
by Hope Ramsay
I grabbed this print out of order to read on the plane. I am midway and enjoying the conflict. Reading for Hachette.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 26, 2013
After a painful divorce, Savannah White wants nothing more than to find her happy place. So when she gets the chance to pack up her life -and her son - and move to the idyllic town where she spent childhood summers, she jumps at the opportunity. Last Chance is just as charming as she remembered. She's even invited to join the local book club, where talk soon turns to Savannah's plan to bring the ramshackle downtown movie theater back to life. A new challenge is just what Savannah needs to move forward.. . .
Dash Randall wants to put his fortune to good use, but he remembers Savannah as the bratty "princess" who descended upon him each June, causing no end of trouble. But the teenager he remembered has grown into a gorgeous and generous woman, and it isn't long before Dash finds himself wanting to make brand new memories with Savannah. But first, Dash and Savannah will need to make peace with their pasts to find a new chance for love.

4. ebook/Kindle
 

The Persnickety Princess
by Falcon Storm
I am reading this for review on 3/23 as
part of Novel Publicity Book Tour.
High up in the tallest tower of the purplest castle in the Kingdom by the Sea, Princess
Lavender awaits rescue. Desperate as she may be, only the most dashing, well-dressed, properly mannered prince will do. Oh, and he must stand exactly four and three-quarters inches taller than her. A princess has got to have standards, after all.
When, finally, one such prince comes to her castle–not to rescue her, but her younger sister–Lavender refuses to be ignored. Instead of waiting for the next suitor to come along, she devises a plan to put herself in danger, thus forcing the upstart prince to forget her sister and rescue her instead.
Well accustomed to getting her way, there is only one thing, unfortunately, that this princess can’t control–her luck. When her plans go awry, putting her in very real danger, will she allow the prince to rescue her as he sees fit? Will he even want to try?
And will anyone be able to find a way to rescue Lavender from her persnickety ways once and for all? Find out in this comedic tale of princes, dragons, and dreams that just may come true.

5. eBook/Kindle

Sportsman’s Bet
by Judy Nichols
This looks like a good cozy mystery.
I am reading and reviewing at request of the Author.
Click on title for Book 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: We are doing well with several more releases being prepared. I an also doing more Smashword conversions.

Now for March I have 17 on the list + 2 TBRs still to be determined so it should go nicely at about four a week. Hmm- I may fall behind if I don't speed up this week. I still need to up the number of reviews each week to four.

MARCH Scheduled: 
3/20-25 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop
3/23 Review: The Persnickety Princess by Falcon Storm (Novel Publicity)
3/27 Review, Interview + Cross the Line by Jack Patterson (Partners In Crime)
3/28+/- Review: Girl v Earl by Phillipa Ashley

Unscheduled 

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

Hachette 
    Jake by R.C. Ryan

Thomas Nelson (through NetGalley invitation)
     An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

Audios:
  For Audiobook Jukebox
    Silver by Steven Savile
    Did You Miss Me by Karen Rose

NetGalley:
(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
     Girl v. Earl 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

Sharing Beyond Books #91 Comment #Giveaway March 16, 2013

Hello, Welcome to SBB.
I hope everyone has had a lovely week. I have had a great visit in Vancouver, WA at EPICon 2013.  I have learned good info for my publishing company and picked up a new supply of bookmarks to share as well as a few new books to review and share!
Thank you to all who shared last week.

We had some really nice ideas for libraries. The three biggest criteria were lots of shelves, comfy seating and good lighting. Several liked staircases or rolling stairs and a few liked fireplaces. Texas Book Lover would want accessible and rotating (forward and back) shelves which sounds good. I love nrlymrtl's suggestion of a revolving book door always bringing in new books to replace old! Congrat's to Carol NW who has a library room - maybe you could share pictures. :-)

Some of you named favorite pet birds and others outside birds. Cardinals, cockatiels and hummingbirds got three votes each; owls and seagulls got two each. Then there were a variety of wonderful choices. I figured at least a few of you might have birds as pets. We used to have many zebra and society finches as well as a couple of lovebirds. One of our son's favorite was a talking green parrot.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #90 comments is: #16 Natasha, who can make a book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. OR- if international, choice GC. Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #91 Questions

Q1. Carol L says: I love Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series. I realize these books start with a young Jamie and up to middle aged so far so I'd ask with him being in his 30's & early 40's. Who would you choose to play the role of Jamie Fraser in a movie??

A:  I have to admit that I have put off using this question as I can't answer it because I don't pay much attention to actors. I'll be interested in everyone else's answer as I don't have a clue! ... although - maybe the guy who plays Castle - Nathan Fillion?

Image found at IMBd.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is your favorite flower??

A: Well, who doesn't love a beautiful rose? But that is not my favorite. Of outdoor flowers I pick Daffodils BUT for most favorite and an indoor choice I go with African Violets. 

I might have pictures of my own violets in bloom but since it is too late and I am too tired to pull out my back up drive to try to find them. 

Besides- this is a great shot with variety.
Image found at Parkseed.

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. Carol L asks: Who would you choose to play the role of Jamie Fraser in a movie??

2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is your favorite flower??

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 22, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Giveaway: Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Hachette is pleased to announce that the movie adaption of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s ADMISSION hits theaters March 22! Directed by Oscar-nominated Paul Weitz, the film is based on Korelitz’s 2009 novel about 38-year-old Portia Nathan, an Admissions Officer at Princeton University with a settled domestic life and a rewarding, if sometimes punishing, career. The cast includes Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Wallace Shawn, and Lily Tomlin.

Hachette has generously allowed me to Host a Giveaway for ONE COPY of the movie-tie-in edition of ADMISSION (one winner, US only).

For years, 38-year-old Portia Nathan has avoided the past, hiding behind her busy (and sometimes punishing) career as a Princeton University admissions officer and her dependable domestic life. Her reluctance to confront the truth is suddenly overwhelmed by the resurfacing of a life-altering decision, and Portia is faced with an extraordinary test. Just as thousands of the nation's brightest students await her decision regarding their academic admission, so too must Portia decide whether to make her own ultimate admission.
Admission is at once a fascinating look at the complex college admissions process and an emotional examination of what happens when the secrets of the past return and shake a woman's life to its core.

GIVEAWAY ONE COPY to one lucky US winner!! 

ENTER HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US Only.
* No P.O Boxes. 
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 26, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 27, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.