It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 20, 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 my reading though it wasn't fast. I had a trial this week so that took some focusing.  I finished three books and posted three  reviews, one with Giveaways. 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 Saturday Snapshot posts and Monday posts early in the week but never got back for more.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? May 13, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday May 13, 2013.

• Book Review: Her Own Devices by Shelley Adina, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Magnificent Devices by Shelley Adina, Steampunk; my rating 4.75. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 17, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/23.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (5/18/13) Wood, Fruit and Hummer
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #100 Comment Giveaway 5/18/13. Ends 5/24.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 19, 2013.
  

• Book Review and 4 Set Giveaway: Brilliant Devices by Shelley Adina, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible

Inherit the Stars, The Giants Series, book 1
by James P. Hogan
This has a puzzle to be solved which was interesting. I'll post the review this week.
Reviewing for Blackstone Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

2. Print

Barefoot in the Sun
by Roxanne St. Claire
Solid romance with a bit of suspense.
I will post the review and ARC giveaway this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. Print

Heart of Iron London Steampunk Book 2
by Bec McMaster
I enjoyed Will and Lena's intrigue.
I will post the review and ARC giveaway this week.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases: 
No new releases this week but we are working on two Children's print releases for this week and two new ebooks for next week.

Currently reading:

1. Print

New Wings 
by Donna Stanley
I really like how this is beginning.
Review with Copy Giveaway to post on 5/22
as part tour through Glass Road PR.

Book Description
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Why is it that when we pray for the supernatural, we are surprised when it shows up?

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Stanton knows the Bible says guardian angels exist, but assumes they only show up when people are dying or need to be saved from some kind of sudden disaster…until her own guardian angel appears to her in the form of a handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed guy her own age. As Olivia gets to know Mike, she begins to see angels—both good and evil—on a regular basis, and quickly learns how many misconceptions she had about the spiritual realm.
Will Mike be able to prepare Olivia for the daunting spiritual battle about to overtake her small town before it destroys her and everyone she cares about?

2. Audio

The Empty Mirror
by James Lincoln Collier
I have started this and it is different.
Reviewing for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.
Book Summary:
Nick Hodges had always been a troublesome boy. Growing up an orphan in his Uncle Jack's care in a small New England town wasn't easy. Everyone was a little wary, a little watchful--a little too watchful. One day, while Nick is walking in the woods, a neighbor thinks she sees him miles from where he actually is. Soon a series of events reinforcing Nick's hotheaded reputation unfold. The incidents become increasingly serious until, finally, Nick is the scapegoat for a much more sinister crime, one that he wouldn't even think of committing. As he uncovers history of the town's influenza epidemic, and as he observes a strange occurrence in the graveyard, Nick begins to suspect something out of the ordinary is happening. And when he sees a figure running in the woods wearing the mirror image of his own shirt, Nick starts to piece together some of the answers--answers no one could have imagined. James Lincoln Collier has written a haunting story of a boy and his reflection--and what happens when two souls want to inhabit the same living body.

3. Print

Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls) 
by Sheila Roberts
This looks like a fun read.
My thoughts on this are due by 5/30.
From Harlequin.
Book Description
Release date: September 25, 2012 | Series: Life in Icicle Falls
Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?
After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly….
Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate.

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 and they are taking a bit longer than I hoped even with reading a couple on Kindle. The print books are looming but I'm digging in.

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

Sourcebooks: read - to be reviewed.
     
Hachette - Forever
     Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire
     The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson 
     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
    Complete for this month

Harlequin
     Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls) by Sheila Roberts
 
Audios
     Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan
     The Empty Mirror by James Lincoln Collier
     Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 by Kevin Hearne (My own library)

Author Titles
     TBD 

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Done.
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Book Review and Giveaway: Brilliant Devices: A steampunk adventure novel by Shelley Adina

A satisfying conclusion –for now– to a fun series.

Brilliant Devices: A steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
Shelley Adina

• File Size: 462 KB
• Print Length: 254 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 193908704X
• Publisher: Moonshell Books (February 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Lady Claire and her orphan crew and friends, Lady and Lord Dunsmuir, have finally made it to Canada. Alice has come along with her airship as she hopes to track down her father in the diamond mines.  Everyone is excited to meet the famous Count Von  Zeppelin. The action is full with labor unrest, assassination attempts, kidnapping, conspiracy, intrigue and betrayal. Claire, Alice and Tigg visit a native tribe in the wilderness and face a caribou rampage.

The romance for Claire is full of confusion and conflict as the handsome, nobleman, Captain Holly, shows her interest. Meanwhile Alice is still crushing on Andrew who is impressed by Alice’s automatons and other inventions. Claire is still intent on studying engineering and receives a surprising offer at the conclusion.

This is book four of the series that I read in a matter of two weeks. This one has lots of action and less of the children but I found it a satisfactory conclusion. I completely enjoyed the steampunk elements, the intrigue and adventure, the fun added by the orphans (and Rosie the  chicken), and the gentle, light romance through the four series.  My only disappointment is that the series is over so I have to find more books like these to enjoy.

I purchased the fourth book to complete the series and I am pleased to sponsor a giveaway of the set.

For those who aren't US you can purchase the first book, Lady of Devices, on Kindle for $.99 

US entrants ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the four book set:

 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 comment on one of the other reviews for this series.

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 24, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 25, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 19, 2013

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is a day 50 days after Easter, 10 days after the ascension of Jesus, which celebrates the Holy Spirit falling on the Apostles and believers. Acts 2:1-13. It marks the beginning of the Christian church. Pentecost fulfills Jesus' promise to send the "Advocate", "Helper", "Counselor", "Spirit of Truth" that was given in John 16-5-15. Pentecost launches the large-scale spreading of the Gospel, the message of salvation.

Just as the mighty rushing wind and flames of fire came upon the Apostles, we need a fresh fire each day to remind us of the importance of the Holy Spirit alive in us and working to spread the message of salvation and to help others through us.

This is a song I found that is fitting for today.

Send the Fire!

Verses for Today
John 16:7-11 (New American Standard Bible) {Jesus speaking to the Apostles:}
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. Lord help me to be more mindful and to yield to your Spirit --your Will, instead of my own-- on a daily basis.

Sharing Beyond Books #100 Comment Giveaway May 18, 2013

Hi Friends. Happy Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

 I've  had another busy week but good. Hope things are well with each of you.
(I apologize if some of you missed last week's link as I forgot to link it until late in the week.You can get there from the tab on the right side bar if I ever forget to link again.)
Thank you to all who shared last week.

We have a wide interest in vacation spots and some even like staycations (Linda and miki). Some named specific destinations like New Orleans (calicolady) and Las Vegas (LindaK). Others named countries or areas like beach or mountains.

It looks like I made some of you go hunting for author in your birth year/decade. :-) There certainly are some good books for us to read!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #99 comments is: #7 Ricki 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 #100 Questions

Q1. Margaret asks:  Are you a closet romance reader or are not afraid to bare those brazen covers out in public??

A: Funny, good question. The nice thing about an eReader is no one sees those brazen covers! I will say I am a closet romance reader. If I am going to be in public reading then I take my Kindle instead of the paperback. :-) 

I thought this was funny from my search for an appropriate image.
Image found at Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy (GLOC).

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Do you play computer games? Maybe you are a closet game player?? 

A: I just recently started to play some games and boy can you get sucked in on time! I really like Hidden Memory: Rooms of Memory and I will play a bit of Candy Crush and a few others although most of the others have lost their appeal.

Image found at Dr. Shock.

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.  Margaret asks: Are you a closet romance reader or are not afraid to bare those brazen covers out in public??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Do you play computer games? Maybe you are a closet game player?

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 24, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Saturday Snapshot (May 18, 2013) Wood, Fruits and Hummer

Here are a few 'new' items around our house.

Remember the wood that was being cut a few weeks back? Here is the final wood pile.

We have several small (but valiant) blueberry bushes.

You can see a small cluster of greenish berries there from two weeks ago.

DH says I should check them tomorrow morning. :-)

This is our first strawberry that my DH gave me to enjoy this morning.

And here is the first shot of a hummingbird this season.

We put the feeder up the beginning of the week and had to refill it this morning.

They aren't used to us yet this year so I was lucky to get this one to fly in for a sip while I was sitting, not so patiently, with my camera.

Thanks to all who stop by and visit. I hope to get by Saturday morning to return the visits.

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.