It's Monday What are You Reading? May 6, 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 enjoyed all of my reading this week so I have several 4.5 reviews I'll be posting. :-) I finished five books. I posted four reviews, one with ARC Giveaway.  I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I visited a handful of Monday posts early in the week and today and I visited Saturday Snapshot posts at the end of the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? April 29, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday April 29, 2013.

• Book Review: The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Audible Book Review: Frost Burned, Mercy Thompson Book 7 by Patricia Briggs, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Ten Reasons to Stay by Sabrina Jeffries, Historical Romance Novella; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 3, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/9.
  

• Guest Post by C.C. Humphreys - Creating a Story From a Piece of History.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Jack Absolute by C.C. Humphreys, Historical Fiction; my rating 4.5. Ends 5/17.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (5/4/13) Wild Creatures
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #98 Comment Giveaway 5/4/13. Ends 5/10.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 5, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Lady of Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina
This series is wonderful.
Click on title for full Book Description.

2. Print

Jack Absolute
by C.C. Humphreys
I really enjoyed this.
An author Guest Post, Review and 
ARC Giveaway are linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Her Own Devices: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
Shelley Adina
I am so glad I won books 1-3.
I couldn't wait to read more and have purchased the fourth one to read this week!
Book Description
Publication Date: December 22, 2011
Book 2 of the Magnificent Devices series!

Escaped lunatics, lost children, vengeful lords, and love. Really, the situation is becoming quite impossible.

Seventeen-year-old Lady Claire Trevelyan, left alone after the Arabian Bubble financial disaster claims home and family, now leads the cleverest gang in the London underworld. Between outwitting a rival gang, inventing a device that will net her and her scientist employer worldwide fame, and keeping her mother from marrying her off, she can almost forget that a powerful lord wants to get closer ... and if he succeeds, can destroy it all with a single word ...

4. Print

Cowboy Take Me Away
by Jane Graves
This is a warm romance.
I will post review with ARC Giveaway.
Click on title for full Book Description

5. Audible

Loyalty in Death: In Death, Book 9
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 9
I like the Eve Dallas series.
Had some issues with this one.
I'll post a review this week.
Click on title for full Book Description

Line Edits/Releases:

Last week we released a Children's - Middle Grade, Fantasy:

Seven Shades of Luminosity by Beth BowlandWhen 13-year-old Ralph and his two friends enter a magical world called Norwaeja, they find themselves on an unexpected quest for seven keys, each of which leads them closer to a dark and dangerous kingdom.

Ralph thought he was an ordinary kid, just trying to become the junior fencing champion in his state. Shortly after being chased into Norwaeja he learns of the prophecy declaring him the warrior that will lead the Great Army into battle against Apep, the evil one.

Epic battles against Trolls, dangerous treks through kingdoms, and one pesky, egotistical meerkat will pit friend against friend while Ralph discovers just who he really is and what he is capable of achieving in a world that he is not a part of. Or is he?

Currently reading:
1. Print

Undone (The Amoveo Legend)
by Sara Humphrey 
I have enjoyed this series and look forward to this installment
Reviewing for Sourcebooks.
Book Description
Release date: May 7, 2013 | Series: The Amoveo Legend
The Amoveo are shapeshifting animal clans who live secretly among humans and must find their pre-destined soul mates while avoiding the enemy that seeks to destroy them all.
Party girl Marianna Coltari is an unmated pureblood Amoveo who wants nothing to do with the ongoing war that took her father's life and continues to consume her brother Dante's. But when she is targeted by one of the clans, she has little choice but to run and hide in a cabin with Pete Castro, a retired cop from her brother's security firm. There, Pete and Marianna explore an intensifying attraction between them until danger is at the door and there's no escape.

eBook/Kindle

Brilliant Devices: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
Shelley Adina
I am excited to read the last book in the series.
When I post the reviews I will post a Giveaway for a set of the books.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 25, 2013
Book 4 of the Magnificent Devices series!
A lady of resources has the power to change the world—if she can stay alive long enough to do it.
Lady Claire Trevelyan had been looking forward to glittering balls, congenial society, and relief from pursuit during her stay with Lord and Lady Dunsmuir in the Canadas. Well, perhaps not entirely. Being pursued by a handsome airship captain is rather diverting, especially when it appears her erstwhile employer, Andrew Malvern, is becoming much too distracted by a certain blond mechanic.

But a shot fired in the night puts an end to such diversions, and instead plunges her and her orphaned band of children into a fight for their very survival. Between secret conversations at the highest levels of society and skullduggery in the diamond mines, Claire must discover who is behind a series of alarming attempts on her friends’ lives—before her mother is compelled to make funeral arrangements yet again.
“Great fun, extremely feel-good reads that make you share all of the protagonists’ journeys and victories … an excellent steampunk series.” —Fangs for the Fantasy: The latest in urban fantasy from a social justice perspective.

3. eBook/Kindle

Secretly Smitten Anthology
Colleen Coble (Author, Contributor), Kristin Billerbeck (Contributor), Denise Hunter (Contributor), Diann Hunt (Contributor)
I have enjoyed these authors in a previous anthology.
Reviewing for Thomas Nelson.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 8, 2013

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

I am sure I will start an Audio - I just haven't decided what yet.

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: Several more releases being prepared for the next few weeks. I am still doing more Smashword conversions in between print formatting.

I have fewer books lined up for May, so I can pick some more that I want. Eight Nine of these are print which means two print books a week that may be harder... I will probably get one or two of them on Kindle for quicker reading (listening). The print books are looming but I'm digging in.

May Scheduled:
May 7: Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop
Early May: Kindle Fire Giveaway

May 22:  Review + Giveaway: New Wings by Donna Stanley (Glass Road PR)
Other Giveaway Hop to be added

Sourcebooks: (Both release 5/7)
     Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster
     Undone (The Amoveo Legend) by Sara Humphrey

Hachette - Forever
     Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire (April 30)
     The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson (May 14)
(All 5/28)
     Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers
     The Sweet Spot (Sweet on a Cowboy) by Laura Drake
     It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis 

NetGalley
     Secretly Smitten Anthology (Thomas Nelson; with print Giveaway)

Harlequin
     Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls) by Sheila Roberts
 
Audios
     To be Selected
Author Titles
     TBD 

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Lady of Devices.
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 5, 2013

Our Pastor’s Sermon this morning caught attention: Leaving the Zombie Zone!
Zombies are known as the reanimated dead. They have no soul; they have no walk--only a shuffle; they have no life, no interest other than seeking the next bite (i.e. earthly pleasure). See the comparison with people? And even with Christian pew sitters? (See the verses for today below.) We do nothing but shuffle through life, seeking earthly pleasures, if we are not obedient to God’s call and living abundantly through His gifts. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves other than to accept the Gift of Grace that was freely given through Christ’s sacrifice. Ephesians 2:5.  The fullness of our lives in Christ propels us to share the Gospel of Grace through loving others.

Today was Missions Sunday and Pastor noted that Jesus himself directed man with what we call The Great Commission. Mark 16:15. “Go” – take action, don’t just sit in your seat. “[Y]e” that means “you”, each of us. “...[I]nto ALL the world...” - start in you backyard but reach out to the ends of the earth.  If you cannot go yourself, then share support to send others to share the Gospel of Grace across the world.
***As a note to this – we continue to study End Times in our Sunday School and our teacher mentioned that around the world today persecution brings death to one Christian every 3 and a half minutes!***

This seemed like an appropriate song:
The Mission

Verses for Today
Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

I give thanks again, Lord, for your grace and your blessings. I pray that you give strength and protection to your missionaries and servants as they take your word to the ends of the earth.

Winners: Shower of Books Hop and Rest In Peace

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS:
Shower of Books Hop and Rest In Peace

Giveaways Ending May 3, 2013



Giveaway: Rest in Peace by Frances Devine

US - 2 titles to BOOKLADY

I realized I had another copy so I picked THREE winners
US or Canada - 2 winners
Three Winners:
Joana
Rita and
Lacey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Giveaway Ending April 30, 2013

Showers of Books Giveaway Hop

Winners:

Entry #250  Kiki W. - emailed

Entry #394  Leanne G. - emailed

Booklady, Joana, Rita and Lacey please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll get the books mailed.  Please reply within 72 hours!  

Sharing Beyond Books #98 Comment Giveaway May 4, 2013

Hello; Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

Hi Friends. Happy Saturday night again! Yes it is Spring but a wet week for many. And Snow in the midwest! Yikes!
This was another strange work week with staff shortage. Aargh!
Thank you to all who shared last week.

We have a wide variety of favorite reading genres among us although the strongest groups mentioned were fantasy and romances. I am glad Holly explained that Shoujo is "a type of manga or graphic novel aimed at young women." I would have had to look that one up. There were several authors mentioned I don't know and soon I am going to do a giveaway post for you guys to pick a new author for me to read the next month. :-)

Good for the majority of you who have your email in boxes under control. Lacey may have a smaller number but even that is out of control when you aren't used to it. I wish my was even "tidal" as nrlymrtl said but I can imagine the 14K with mariska cause that is where mine is too! :-( [Oh - and thank you to several of you for your encouragement on my blog-- so sweet for you to say so.]

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #97 comments is: #5 Holly who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #98 Questions

Q1. Gwen asks:  What is your favorite genre of music??

A: I thought this might have been asked but it is not in my spreadsheet so it's fair game. I rarely listen to music since I almost always have a book going (print, Kindle reading outloud or MP3 Audiobook). If I were to put on music or sing to myself it would be praise and worship. If others are playing music I prefer 'easy listening' - maybe cause its my generation? 

Image found at Music Genre.

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Can you think of a "Famous" or well known Author you have never read??

A: There are many for me but two jump to mind. Stephanie Meyer since I have not read the Twilight books and really don't plan to.  And although I started one book by the very prolific author, Danielle Steel, I never finished and have not read any other of her novels

Image found at PolariMagazine.

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. I do have a group of questions from the same submitters so if you have a question don't be afraid to ask!

Your turn to share:

Q1. Gwen asks: What is your favorite genre of music??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Can you think of a "Famous" or well known Author you have never read??

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, May 10, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Saturday Snapshot (May 4, 2013) Wild Creatures

These are two wild creatures that I have stumbled upon.

This rattler was stretched across our driveway one morning when I went to my car.

I called my DH so he could take care of it. I guess I could have run it over but - ugh!

The rifle lets you see the length, It was over five feet long.

Here are his rattles.

Last fall I had a surprise one morning when I went to work.
Note that little black spot on the wall behind my office door.

Here are some zoomed in shots.

Little bat hanging up side down on the wall!

And in had a friend or mate in the brick near the door.

I was excited and they were sort of cute but creepy too.

I didn't want to get too close and disturb them. 

They were only around two days before finding a better home somewhere else.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.