Mailbox Monday May 27, 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. 

[Oops - Failed to update the opening sentences.] 
I received three review titles this past week and picked up three at NetGalley.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

REVIEW

What a Wicked Earl Wants
by Vicky Dreiling

and

The Duchess Hunt
by Jennifer Haymore

Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy 
by Jeff Gunhus
For July Book Blast Tour







These three were Net Galley Pickups:

Anonymous Sources
By Mary Louise Kelly
A thriller pitting a driven reporter against spies in Washington, D.C.

The Bane (The Eden Trilogy) (Volume 1)
by Keary Taylor
Dubbed: "The Terminator meets the Walking Dead"

 

Silent Warrior

by Lindsey Piper
Criminal warriors pair up
in this "edgy" short prequel
to a new series.

Won

None this week.

Purchased

None this week.

 

Free

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

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 27, 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 tense work week but reading was okay. I finished four books and posted four  reviews, three 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 Saturday Snapshot posts late in the week. This week I have to try to visit Monday meme posts.
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 20, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday May 20, 2013.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Undone by Sara Humphreys, Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: New Wings by Donna Stanley, Inspirational Fiction; my rating 5.0. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 24, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/30.
  

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire, Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (5/25/13) More Wildlife in the Backyard
  

• Audio Book Review: Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan, Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #101 Comment Giveaway 5/25/13. Ends 5/31.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 26, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. Print

New Wings 
by Donna Stanley
I really enjoyed this inspirational fiction about angels.
The review with Giveaway are linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

2. Audio

The Empty Mirror
by James Lincoln Collier
This is a different tale. I will post a review this coming week.  Reviewing for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Celtic Tales, Told to the Children
by Louey Chisholm

• File Size: 114 KB; Print Length: 120 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: B005G8RSLU

This is a collection of three old fashion, Celtic-based, fairy tales:
The Star-Eyed Deirdre, The Four Swans and Dermat and Grania. I listened to this during my drive this week. The tales are fun and magical but maybe not quite right for children. They include a child whose beauty brings unrest and civil war; a wicked stepmother who separates children and father with much sadness; and a disobedient, stubborn and scheming daughter who runs off with a superhero whose sons are set for revenge of their father's murder by his long time, jealous enemy.
I found it fun as a very quick listen.
I picked this as my Just For Fun, from the Kindle shelf read for May.

4. Print

Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls) 
by Sheila Roberts
Reading this IS better than chocolate (especially when dieting!).
I will post a review with Giveaway this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases: 
We have several new eBooks and prints ready to go soon.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (also Print)

What a Wicked Earl Wants (Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling
 I received this during the week for an upcoming tour spot.
I am really enjoying it!
Reviewing with Author feature on June 1 for Forever/Hachette.
Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Sinful Scoundrels
WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS
Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...
LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?
It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...

2. Audible

Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 [Unabridged]
by Kevin Hearne (Author), Luke Daniels (Narrator)
This is a fun series with enjoyable narrating.
This is from my own Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary
Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.
With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.
Listen to more Iron Druid Chronicles.
©2011 Kevin Hearne (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

3. Print 

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent)
by Jennifer Haymore
This is the second book for my June 1 spotlight event.
Book Description
Release date: June 25, 2013 | Series: House of Trent (Book 1)
THE DUKE'S DESIRE
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved-and the last woman he should desire . . .

Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids-or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

4. Print

The Sweet Spot (Sweet on a Cowboy)
by Laura Drake
This looks like an interesting story with pain and reunion.
Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Sweet on a Cowboy (Book 1)
A Love as Big as Texas . . .Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together.

James "JB" Denny doesn't stay where he isn't welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can't work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance?

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 I still have several print books so three will push into June. 

May Scheduled:

Sourcebooks: read - to be reviewed.

Hachette - Forever
      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
    
Audios
     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: Done

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 26, 2013

We had a lovely baptism service this morning with two adults, one teen and four younger children proclaiming their acceptance of Jesus.

Interestingly (because not planned by the men but no doubt led by God), both the Sunday School lesson and the Pastor’s Sermon focused on a similar message. The SS lesson was titled “When Your Life Turns on a Dime” and the Sermon was titled “Stones of Remembrance.”  Memorial Day was noted since we will be celebrating that tomorrow and remembering those who died in service in the Armed Forces. Such deaths bring sorrow and tragic change to the lives of those they leave behind. Also, forces of nature, such as the Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, brings sorrow and tragic change.

Disaster and tragedy will strike in our lives. God does not always deliver us from battle (Israelites against the Philistines in 1 Samuel Chapters 4 through 7) and He doesn’t always spare us from trouble (the stories of Joseph and Job). But God is ALWAYS there for us. The question is how do we react when the battle or storms surround us? God is not always interested in our comfort but He is interested in our Character.  People of faith trust God, they give thanks for lives spared, they reach out to help others. They know that the sovereign God has a plan we do not see but He is faithful and somehow He will work things out. He will always see them through.

There are several wonderful songs that speak to God seeing us through the storms:

It is Well, Praise Him in the Storm, The Anchor Holds and

Sometimes He Calms the Storm

Verses for Today:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I am praying for all of the people who have lost loved ones in service and for those who have suffered through tornadoes and other tragedies.

Sharing Beyond Books #101 Comment Giveaway May 25, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books. I see several new people commented last week so a particular Welcome to you!

I really relaxed today after a tense week preparing for closings and a trial. The week ended well and I am looking forward to a less busy week next week.  I hope all is well with each of you.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

The "closet" romance readers edge out the non-closets with 13 admitting to hiding covers and 10 not. There were also a handful of "not romance readers" and those who only read inspirational romance (Bookishqueen) or buy the tasteful covers (Nikki).

As to playing computer games there were 20 of us who acknowledged playing some games online, downloaded, on iPod or on different gaming systems (xbox, Wii etc.).  Mahjong was mentioned several times and Rose got my interest mentioning Nancy Drew games.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #100 comments is: #8 Becky 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 #101 Questions

Q1. I thought this was a good follow-up to the Cover question last week.
Mary P asks:  Do you prefer models on the covers or abstract graphics?
- Do you want to see the models faces or not??

A: It depends on the story as I like a cover to show me something of the story or something to catch my interest more than male and female. Romance covers can be somewhat boring being the same old, same old. I would certainly rather see a model's face than other exposed body parts! Ha! I don't mind the sexy chests of men but I do like more than that. For example, Sara Humphreys covers feature a hunky guy and a shifter animal which is consistent with the story. :-) 

 I thought the image below was interesting.

Image found at 50 Watts Freaky Fauna.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Do you prefer shower or bath? 

A: I don't think I have ever been a bathtub fan even when it is a nice jacuzzi tub in a hotel. My daily routine is our small shower when I am not washing my hair and our bigger shower when I am washing my hair.

Now that shower/tub looks sort of fun - 
except it is outside so I wonder if I would be brave enough to not wear a bathing suit!
Image found at ZeldaduP Hubpages.

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!
This is the last week for Qs in May so the contributors for May Qs were: Gwen, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary P. Random.org picked #4 MARY P.

Your turn to share:

Q1.  Mary P asks: Do you prefer models on the covers or abstract graphics? - Do you want to see the models faces or not?

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Do you prefer shower or bath??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the Updated ARC/Review List .

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 31, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan

This is a SCIENCE fiction story that mystery lovers could like.

Inherit the Stars, The Giants Series, book 1

by James P. Hogan

Read by John Pruden

Length 8.0 hrs • UNABRIDGE

℗ 2013 by Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genre: Science Fiction

My Rating: 4.0 of 4.0

Summary

The man on the moon was dead. They called him Charlie. He had big eyes, abundant body hair, and fairly long nostrils. His skeletal body was found clad in a bright red spacesuit, hidden in a rocky grave. They didn’t know who he was, how he got there, or what had killed him. All they knew was that his corpse was fifty thousand years old—and that meant this man had somehow lived long before he ever could have existed.

© 1977 by James Patrick Hogan

Review:
This story is set in the not so distant future where space exploration is common place. Victor Hunt, a respected scientist and head of a Theoretical Studies program, is brought in to work on a new project. A ‘man’ has been found on the moon--where no man should be--indicating prior moon exploration by a human-like race. “Charlie” presents a puzzle for the scientists as they try to determine who he is, where he came from and how he came to die on the moon.

The prologue is quite interesting, opening the story from Charlie’s perspective before his death. We don’t know who he is but it pulls the reader’s interest into the puzzle of the story. The story then moves a bit slowly and with some confusion in the audio as I tried to identify the characters and where the story was heading.

Different departments--language, metallurgy, environment, evolution and more--are set up to examine the discoveries of the body, the instruments, materials and journals.  The scientists argue theories with one scientist being completely intractable on his evolution based position/conclusion. Everyone else’s arguments are ‘unproven’ theories therefore not possible. The “Pure Earthist” arguments insist that, due to matching DNA factors, Charlie must somehow be from Earth. Hunt is more open minded to speculation beyond demonstrative proof and is able to encourage the different departments to work together until more pieces fall into place.

The clues eventually reveal an interesting “dystopian” world that was losing ground to ice caps. The planet was apparently split into two societies who would not work together. The lives of the people were completely controlled with government authority assigning the jobs between space exploration or war. Even with these findings, it is still difficult to reconcile Charlie’s origins to fit the evolutionary models that are being insisted on.

Another discovery reveals a “Noah’s Ark” type ship buried on Jupiter with a ship full of Earth-like botany and animals. The proprietor of the ship appears to be a giant. Speculation and further investigation ultimately tie this discovery to “Charlie.”

The story reads/listens much like a documentary with the emphasis on Science theory and  “established” evolutionary insistence.  Although it is overall a bit dry, I enjoyed the data and persistent steps followed to resolve the puzzle. I wasn’t thrilled with the insistence on evolution with spontaneous mutations as, to me, that is all theory too. I liked that Hunt was willing to theorize and think outside the box.

I would be interested in reading more about Charlie’s giant companion. I think this story would be enjoyed by those who like the process of puzzling out a mystery as well as those who like ‘Science’ fiction.

Audio Notes: Unfortunately I found the narration to be stilted and dry. Considering the documentary leaning of the story I think a more enthusiastic reading might have helped to liven up the book. The accents could have been stressed more to enhance the reading. I did grow accustomed to the narration but I wasn’t overly impressed.

I received this title from Blackstone Audio through AudioBook Jukebox for an honest review.