It's Monday What are You Reading? June 3, 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 more relaxing work week although I am doing some traing that takes time. Reading has been good.  I finished four books and posted four reviews, one with ARC Giveaways and a joint Giveaway for two. I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I didn't get to visit much at all last week. This week I hope to visit on Monday.
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 27, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday May 27, 2013.

• Attention Audio Fans, YA, Classic Readers: Check Out SYNC - #syncya!

• Book Review: Secretly Smitten Anthology, Christian Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster, Seampunk, Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 31, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 6/7.

• Saturday Snapshot (6/1/13) Growing Garden
  

• Author Feature and Book Review: What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
  

• Author Feature and Book Review: The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore, Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.
  

• Forever Romance 8 Days of Desire Two Book Giveaway.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #102 Comment Giveaway 6/1/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 6/7..

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 2, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (also Print)

What a Wicked Earl Wants (Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling
I really liked this. Reviewing with Author feature and a giveaway are linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

2. Audible

Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 [Unabridged]
by Kevin Hearne (Author), Luke Daniels (Narrator)
I enjoy this on Audible. I'll post a review this week.
This is from my own Audible Library.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. Print

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent)
by Jennifer Haymore
I enjoyed this one too. Author Feature, Review and a Giveaway are linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

4. Print

The Sweet Spot (Sweet on a Cowboy)
by Laura Drake
This is a nice story.
I'll post a review and ARC Giveaway this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases: 
Last week we released a Middle Grade story:

THE SACRIFICE
by Cher Green
Angelina must travel to the castle to protect her sister, who is marrying the king of the land. But who will protect Angelina on her journey when she encounters a troll and other unexpected obstacles? Luckily, she carries her precious and powerful medallion. She will need it, for even after she reaches the castle, all is not as it seems.

The Sacrifice is a fairytale-like story of a young woman's journey to save her sister.

Genre(s): Middle Grade - Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 24 with illustrations

We have several print releases ready to go live this week.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy 
by Abigail Sharpe
This is starting very fun!
Reviewing for Forever Yours/Hachette.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 7, 2013"Charming and witty. Abigail Sharpe will delight you."-- New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig"A rich and rustic tale of family, friendship, and love guaranteed to lasso your heart." -- Jessica Lemmon, author of TEMPTING THE BILLIONAIRE
In the bestselling tradition of Lori Wilde...
SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMEONE NEW . . .
There's nothing florist Ainsley Fairfax won't do to help her sister get the love of her life-even if it means taking her place on a bachelorette weekend at a Wyoming ranch so Cecelia can sail off with the man of her dreams. Ainsley is determined to spend the time keeping her head down and her heart safely tucked away-until an encounter with the ranch's hunky owner gets her heart-and steamy desires-to bloom . . .
Riley Pommer doesn't want to be lassoed into any relationship. But with the family ranch in dire straits, Riley knows his sisters' crazy plan to turn the ranch into the setting for a dating competition-and using Riley as the bait-is the only thing standing between them and foreclosure. But the rules of the game change the instant Riley lays eyes on the spirited Ainsley. Now, as others try to stampede over their love, can Riley prove to Ainsley that true love is a prize worth fighting for?

2. Audible

 

A Royal Pain: A Royal Spyness Mystery 
Author: Rhys Bowen
I am midway through this 2nd book
in a fun Historical Mystery series.
This is a selection from my Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary

The Queen of England has concocted a plan in which penniless aristocrat Lady Georgie is to entertain a Bavarian princess and conveniently place her in the playboy prince's path, in the hopes that he might finally marry.

But queens never take money into account. Georgie has very little, which is why she moonlights as a maid-in-disguise. She must draw up plans: clean house to make it look like a palace; have Granddad and her neighbor pretend to be the domestic staff; un-teach Princess Hanni the English she's culled from American gangster movies; cure said princess of her embarrassing shoplifting habit; and keep an eye on her at parties.

Then there's the worrying matter of the body in the bookshop and Hannis' unwitting involvement with the Communist Party. It's enough to drive a girl crazy.

Listen to more Royal Spyness mysteries.
©2008 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

3. Print

It Had to Be You
by Jill Shalvis
I enjoy this author and plan to read this one next.
Reviewing for Grand Central/Hachette.
Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Lucky Harbor
Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern....

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

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 had three print books move from May to June. Plus I have five additional print books, two tour books and three NetGalley titles. Plus Audios. I'm not sure what happened to my relaxing plan for June. Guess that goes into July. Sigh.

June Scheduled:
6/11 Review with Interview and GW: Somewhere in Time (The Crosse Harbor Time Travel Trilogy) by Barbara Bretton
?date between 6/19 to 6/28 Review Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy by Jeff Gunhus – Book Blast Tour

SOURCEBOOKS
     One Day on Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand
    The Magic of I Do by Tammy Falkner

Hachette - Forever
     Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy by Abigail Sharpe
     Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers
     It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis 
    Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Molly Cannon
    The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson 
     A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby

NetGalley:
     Anonymous Sources, by Mary Louise Kelly
     The Bane (The Eden Trilogy) (Volume 1) by Keary Taylor
     Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper

AudioBook Jukebox
     Awaiting receipt of requested titles.

Author Books received at March EPICon
     Convict Dad by P. Ryan Hembree

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

Sunday Words of Encoragement June 2, 2013

This morning we had a lovely service with the move of the Spirit in prayer and word. Our Pastor shared a message on The New Covenant (Deal or No Deal?) before we shared in communion.

But today I am sharing from our Sunday School lesson. What I share may not seem so encouraging except there is peace and promise for those of us who believe that God is in control.

We have been studying Revelation and what the world community may look like as we grow nearer and nearer to the end days. Our teacher reminded us how important it is to "raise up a child in the way he should go..." Proverbs 22:6.  It is no guarantee that the child will serve God when grown but the child has a better chance for that than those not raised with Biblical foundations.

Revelation prophesies foretell a "one world order"government. Christians, in America especially where we have been surrounded by freedom and blessings, are watching as our society begins to change. In the 1960s Bibles and Prayer were removed from public school. We became aware of liberal agendas in colleges that would capture our youth at a vulnerable time in their development as individuals. Author Frank Peretti looked at this influence in This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness.  Slowly, but surely, government has been intruding into our lives so that our children can be taught what 'they' want them to learn.. More and more public preschools are promoted to take the children out of the home and begin their societal training. This past year or so an educational curriculum known as "Common Core" has been accepted by about 44 states. This program has an agenda and the educators will be evaluated on how well the children respond and learn the "core values." The whole program minimizes free thinking and directs society doctrines/indoctrination.

Even more, now we are allowing Islamic teachings as accepted curriculum in our middle schools. Al Queda and other Saudi Arabia organizations are funding teaching in America. If you are interested you can watch this video:

I found this interesting quote in a 2003 article on Education by Linda Schrock Taylor [source link: http://www.lewrockwell.com/taylor/taylor13.html]

"When an opponent declares, 'I will not come over to your side.' I calmly say, 'Your child belongs to us already… What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.'"

                                                    ~ Adolf Hitler

America as we have known it is changing rapidly with educational agendas to teach our children liberal views and even Islamic teachings, and Agenda 21 to control (if not take over) our land. The fox is in the hen house and the enemy marches against our children and our Christian foundations. Be aware, be prepared; prepare your children.

.I was looking for a video for the song "The Battle is not yours, God said it's Mine."

I did not find that but I found this instead:

Arms That Hold the Universe.

Verses for Today:
Isaiah 46:9-10  (NIV)
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.’

Thank you Lord for giving me faith and assurance in an all-sovereign God.

Sharing Beyond Books #102 Comment Giveaway June 1, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

My work week was a bit quieter and I had another relaxing day today in between doing some book work. Is everyone ready for summer?

Thank you to all who shared last week.

There were about 10 commentors who like models and of those four like faces and six do not.want faces because they want to imagine the character. Many commented that the important thing is that the covers be consistent with the genre and the characters. That is a peeve of mine too and I have one this week that didn't fit. Terri pointed out too that the cover format should be consitent within a series.

It seems the majority of us are shower people, some for speed and simplicity, even to get to the bed to read sooner! :-) 18 prefer showers, 8 baths and several like both. A couple of people commented that they prefer the bath for relaxing.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #101 comments is: #24 cheryl c 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 #102 Questions

Q1. Birgit asks:  Did a pet ever eat, ahem, destroy one of your books??

A: Yes, I have had dogs chew on my books. Usually they only get the covers but one of them did gnaw off a chunk of a corner before I realized he had a book.  

 Catch the title on this book. :-)

Image found at Natural Dog Blog.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is the worst damage a pet has ever caused??

A: Hopefully we don't have any dog bites although that is possible. We had a billy goat who gouged my hubby's thigh one time. He was trying to play but it was scary.

Image found at Slice of America Films.

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.  Birgit asks: Did a pet ever eat, ahem, destroy one of your books??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is the worst damage a pet has ever caused??

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, June 7, 2013 at 10 PM central.

8 Days of Desire Blog Tour with Vicky Dreiling and Jennifer Haymore -- #Giveaway

8 DAYS OF DESIRE with JENNIFER HAYMORE & VICKY DREILING

@JenniferHaymore
@VickyDreiling
@ForeverRomance

TWO WINNERS CAN WIN A SET OF BOTH BOOKS! Sponsored by Forever Romance.
MUST HAVE US ADDRESS to win.

 ENTRY THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER FORM

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Extra Entries:

• 2 Extra Bonus PER AUTHOR - if you comment on the Author's 5 Top picks and name your top pick actress and/or actor. Please leave comment on the review posts.
•  For 2 Extra Bonus entries Visit Vicky Dreiling website and tell me something you find of interest.
•  For 2 Extra Bonus entries Visit Jennifer Haymore website and tell me something you find of interest.

* Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old
* US mailing address (no PO Boxes).
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 14, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 15, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

#Author Feature and Book #Review: The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore

This is a fun read -- bit of a Cinderella story with some mystery.
The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent)
by Jennifer Haymore

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (June 25, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455523399
• ISBN-13: 978-1455523399

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Sarah is the gardener’s daughter. As a precocious youngster she was rescued from an attacking blackberry bush by the ‘lord of the manor’, a young Simon. He took her into the house for medical care and his eccentric mother welcomed her to the family clan for schooling and play time. She grew up with the five boys and little baby Esme as playmates even though she ultimately became a housemaid dreaming impossible dreams about loving Simon.

Simon is serious and dedicated to restoring the family reputation after the scandals his promiscuous parents made of their lives. Nearing 30 he realizes that it is time for him to seek a proper wife. Problem is he has difficulty being attracted by any woman but Sarah even when he is in London and she is home on the family estate.

Simon is called home and gathers all of his siblings because their mother, with her man and maidservant, has disappeared. There is no sign of struggle and it is possible that she took off for an unannounced visit but it is unlikely that she would worry the family with no word at all. Simon begins a different ‘Duchess Hunt.’ He decides to investigate in London and takes along Esme with Sarah now elevated to the position of Lady Companion.

Sarah is strong and calm and helps to steady Esme who is uncomfortable in society settings. But residing in the same house presents a strong temptation for Simon and Sarah. At first Simon is reluctant to ‘dally’ with a servant even though he doesn’t think of her as such. But Sarah has weighed the costs and accepted that she wants a season with Simon before he moves on to marry someone else.

A local peer coerces Simon into a marriage proposal for his suitable young daughter. Simon feels  nothing.for the girl who has clearly been groomed to marry nobility.  Simon is too honorable to continue the liaison with Sarah and Sarah learns that having an affair without losing one’s heart is easier said than done.

I liked the underlying touch of mystery with the mother’s disappearance and the facts used to blackmail Simon. I particularly liked how Ms. Haymore found a way to face the blackmail and how the family pulls together. The Duchess is not yet found by the end of the story but there are solid leads to follow.

Simon and Sarah make a warm pair. The sexual interaction is pretty steamy although done with a premise of love and discovery. I enjoyed not only the primary characters in this story but also the secondary characters. I especially like the eldest, illegitimate brother, Sam, the out of control angry, second son, Luke, and the resilient, if timid, Esme. The other two brothers, Mark and Theo, have warm personalities too. I look forward to more stories to continue with the other siblings. I recommend this story to historical romance fans who especially like a touch of Cinderella happiness.

This is the second book for June 1 spotlight event. I received this book from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.
I am happy to be participating in a Blog tour for this title and What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling.

Jennifer shares her TOP 5 Favorite Period Actors with us:
·                  #5 Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables
·                  #4 Paul Bettany (Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale and Dr. Stephen Maturin in Master & Commander)
·                  #3 Liam Neeson as Rob Roy
·                  #2 Clark Gable as Rhett Butler
·                  #1-Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy

Learn more about Jennifer at: 
JenniferHaymore.com
Twitter @jenniferhaymore 
Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore-author

Click HERE FOR A CHANCE to WIN both books!