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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Audible Book #Review and Cassette Giveaway: Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb

This is another exciting mystery for Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
Loyalty in Death: In Death, Book 9
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 9


LENGTH  12 hrs and 15 mins
RELEASE DATE  05-20-08
PUBLISHER  Brilliance Audio
Amazon Link

Genre: Crime Thriller, Futuristic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
Eve Dallas returns to face her most ingenious foe - a "secret admirer" who taunts her with letters...and kills without mercy.
An unknown bomber is stalking New York City. He is sending Eve Dallas taunting letters promising to wreak mass terror and destruction among the "corrupt masses". And when his cruel web of deceit and destruction threatens those she cares for most, Eve fights back. It's her city...it's her job...and it's hitting too close to home. Now, in a race against a ticking clock, Eve must make the pieces fit - before the city falls.
Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio


Review:
Once again Eve is faced with new murders and threats to solve. Eve is investigating a bizarre killing by a jealous lover. Although the murderer acknowledges the rage of passion, not all the facts add up. However that case is soon overshadowed when Eve begins to receive taunting messages from a bomber group threatening to take down famous spots in New York, if not all of New York. The group calls themselves “Cassandra” and they want to eliminate the corrupt government. They claim “We are loyal...” but they are not loyal to the innocent lives they ruthlessly kill.

Roarke owns many of the famous locations in New York and he gets a threat too as part of the “capitalist corruption” that must be eliminated. The first building targeted is a vacant warehouse where Eve escapes with only minor injuries. Roarke isn’t going to stand by and let Eve face these threats alone. Not only because the properties being threatened may belong to him but, more importantly, because he is scared for Eve’s safety. Eve does her usual bold dashing into the fray with Roarke right behind her.

Eve’s assistant, Peabody, gets side tracked when her younger brother, Zeke, comes to town. Zeke is attracted to an older woman he met in Arizona even though he knows he should stay away from her. She engaged him to do work in New York and, coincidentally–or perhaps not–the woman’s husband is the brother of the bizarre murder victim. Ultimately Zeke’s involvement and another death give Eve a new direction for the bomber investigation.

Peabody is training nicely until she becomes distracted by a sudden, sizzling attraction between her and McNab, the nerdy tech expert on Eve’s team. Peabody is a strong, humorous character and adds more interest to these stories.

As always, I enjoyed the mystery and the interaction between the characters. The sexual tension between Eve and Roarke is romantic and steamy. There is some discord that fits with their strong personalities. Eve is still trying to understand how she ended up married to this gorgeous, wealthy man with the high tech toys that reach to places where normal law enforcement channels may not go. There was a bit of head hopping where all of a sudden the thoughts/POV would be Peabody’s or McNab’s instead of Eve’s. This was a little distracting in the audio version.

Audio Notes: The narrator, Susan Ericksen, does an amazing job on the character voices–even the computer and the creepy messages! She delivers each voice with an appropriate accent and personality features.  This adds to my enjoyment of the series.

I was disappointed by the use of the “F” word more liberally than I liked. This seemed more noticeable in the first half of the book. Still, the overall story package is engaging and good reading entertainment.

I grabbed this from my Audible Library.

I still need to update my button to make this a "Challenge" but no year - however long it takes since the series is over 36 books now. :-) And it looks like I jumped Conspiracy in Death, Book 8. I don't see it in my read lists so I'll have to go back a book.
I thought I had  print copy but I found I have an Audio Cassette Copy of the book
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a used Tape Cassette AudioBook Copy:


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

* This contest is open US or Canada entries.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Cowboy Take Me Away by Jane Graves

This is a warm, lovely romance.
Cowboy Take Me Away
by Jane Graves
  • Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (April 30, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1455515191
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455515196
Genre: Contemporary
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: April 30, 2013 | Series: Rainbow Valley

FIRST LOVE BURNS HOTTER

Rainbow Valley, Texas, has always been a refuge for animals, and Shannon North, director of the local shelter, intends to keep it that way. But with donations drying up and more pets in need of a loving home than ever before, Shannon's beginning to fear she's not the savior the shelter needs. When a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy from her past comes to the rescue, she knows that accepting his help may come with a high price: her heart.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Bad boy Luke Dawson shook the dust from this little town off his boots years ago. He walked away from everything . . . except the memory of the one night of passion he shared with Shannon. Now, a few wins away from becoming the world bull-riding champion, Luke's headed for fame and fortune. But then a crisis calls him back to Rainbow Valley, and Luke is reunited with the good girl who stole-and broke-his heart. As their rekindled relationship deepens into desire, old secrets resurface, and Luke must choose between the future he's always dreamed of and the only woman he's ever loved.


Review:
Shannon was raised with ‘expectations’ to do all the right things, get the good grades and ultimately marry into society and win her mother’s approval. As a teen she’d been attracted to the bad boy in town, Luke. They grew close as co-workers, then friends and finally shared a night of passion. But the magic was shattered when Shannon’s mother showed up to pull her home. Shannon’s heart was shattered when Luke disappeared from town the next day.

Luke was the son of the town drunk and ended up living up to the trouble people expected from him. He never received help or encouragement from anyone except his boss at the shelter and Shannon as they became friends. He and Shannon shared a passionate encounter but Shannon appeared to turn her back on him. That was the night he turned his back and left town for good.

Luke has taken a lot of bumps and hits as a rodeo bull rider. Finally the work and pain has paid off as he is in the lead to win the National Championship. In between events he makes a stop back to Rainbow Valley where he tries to face his past to finally put it behind him. As he is frozen at the door of his dilapidated home he falls through the porch and injures his knee. Now he is stuck in Rainbow Valley to recuperate. To make ends meet he takes on the caretaker job at Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter.

Luke still has a rough reputation in town and many, including Shannon’s mother, still see him as trouble. Shannon’s mother is all in favor of another suitor, the proper, society raised town dentist. There are good reasons for Shannon and  Luke to stay apart - the pain of their past and the fact that Luke will be leaving town in a few months. Yet it is really difficult for them to work together and to resist the electrical pull that still flares between them.  

This was a very easy, smooth read from beginning to end. I was quickly pulled into caring for the characters even, or maybe especially, with their flaws and vulnerabilities. The dialogue is very natural and the storyline sweetly believable.  The secondary characters, including a few quirky animals, are a fun element. Luke’s rapport with them and children is heart warming. The romance sizzles in a nice sexy way. Ms. Graves delivered a happy ending with a wonderfully engaging path to get there. The author's website reflects her creativity and strong imagination. This is the first time I have read Ms. Graves and I would be glad to read more of her writing.
Luke’s world changes:
Growing up, Luke had always felt the irony of living a black and white existence in a place where rainbows happened more often than just about any other place in the country.  But as he looked at this rainbow now, it was as if that black and white existence had faded away and his life had exploded in Technicolor splendor. P426
I received this book from Forever, Hachette for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review Copy:

 ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
EXTRA 2 Entry BONUS IF YOU visit one of the businesses in Rainbow Valley and tell me which one!

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 17, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 18, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

Monday, May 6, 2013

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop May 7th - 13th

"Clear Your Shelf" Giveaway Hop!
May 7th to 13th
Time to clear some more books off my shelves -- so take a look and see if there is something you might like if you win!
Thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting!

Once again I am clearing out boxes by giving away FOUR sets of multiple books. There are seven sets to choose from! Most are used copies except for the Beverly Lewis pair.
ALL PACKAGES #1 through #7 are Open Worldwide (US, Canada or Internationally) with the ONLY RESTRICTION being that the mailing cost is not to exceed $15.00. Therefore a winner may be limited to only one book depending on the shipping costs. (Sorry for this but these do add up - Thanks for understanding.) 

FOUR WINNERS: First winner - 1st choice of package; Second winner - 2nd choice; Third winner - 3rd choice; and Fourth winner - 4th choice of package.. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PACKAGE #6 which can be chosen once by US winner if desired and once by an International winner if desired.


Package #1 Two Books
Contemporary or Historical Romance
Winner can pick Two books from this box or the books spread out below
(NOTE: Subject to pick of two books by a previous winner who is finalizing her selection
from books that include these titles.)



Package #2 Romantic Suspense
Two titles by Mariah Stewart


Package #3 - Trigiani
Books 1 and 3 from the Big Stone Gap Series


Package #4 Paranormal Romance
Three titles by Rebecca York


Package #5 Christian
Two Christian titles  - Brand new
by Beverly Lewis
Or - two other Christian titles to be picked from 
available books - picture or titles to be provided

Package #6
Two Books From the Bookshelves!
I will send the winner pictures of at least 4 of my book shelves 
and 4 boxes of books to pick from.


Package #7
Two Audios - Winner may choose 
from Audio Books for Giveaways
(There will be at least twenty titles to choose from but I have to update the list as one or two on there may be gone and I may add a new MP3 CD. See link but don't spend time picking now.)


Enter through Rafflecopter - 
then hop on to more giveaways at the participating blogs in the links below. 
ENDS 5/13/13
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAPPY HOPPING!


Kindle Fire Giveaway May 2013

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!
Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

May Kindle Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors
  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
  2. Feed Your Reader
  3. Girls with Books
  4. Just Bookin' Around
  5. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
  6. Books, Beauty and Bodacious Deals
  7. Author Emma Michaels
  8. Page Flipperz YA
  9. Lori's Reading Corner
  10. Oh, Chrys!
  11. Author Josh Baker
  12. Author Roxanne Crouse
  13. Eve's Fan Garden
  14. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
  15. Chapter Break
  16. Buku-Buku Didi
  17. Molly & Mel's Obsessions Book Blog
  18. Author Jennifer Laurens
  19. Author MK McClintock
  20. Bookhounds
  21. Step Into Fiction
  22. Author Lena Sledge
  23. Author Taylor Dean
  24. Leisure Reads
  25. Libby's Library
  26. A Bookish Escape
  27. Ramblings of a Diva Book Nerd
  28. Suspense Author Kim Cresswell
  29. Suzy Turner, YA Author
  30. Books Unhinged by StacyHgg
  31. Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
  32. Fae Books
  33. Word to Dreams
  34. Kid Lit Frenzy
  35. Author Tressa Messenger
  36. Auggie Talk
  37. Phantasmic Reads
  38. Kerry Taylor
  39. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
  40. Marissa's Space
Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends 5/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Mailbox Monday May 6, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For MAY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Abi at 4 the Love of Books
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 received four review titles and purchased(!) a book this past week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

REVIEW
I received two print review books and two through NetGalley.  

Print - Tour review through Glass Road PR - for May 22:

Hardback copy received from Grand Central/Hachette:
I may not get this into reading until June.
by Kimberly Lawson Roby

Ebooks received from NetGalley:
From Forever Romance/Hachette
Releases in May and I will try to slide it in later May or early June -
by Abigail Sharpe

BookBlast Tour Review for July -
Blood and Bone
by Don Hoesel


Still Lots of requests I still need to reply to.



Won

None this week.


Purchased

I actually purchased an eBook this week. I have really enjoyed the first three books in the Magnificent Devices series that I had to get the fourth.



Free

I downloaded only a handful of free Kindle Titles linked through Free Par-tayInspired Reads, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Review.

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