Mailbox Monday July 15, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For JULY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Tasha @ Book Obsessed.
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 some print and audio review books, purchased some audios and picked up the free audio titles from SYNC YA. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two print titles: 
Sourcebooks (Christmas in July) For October Review

 
Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait 
by Grace Burrowes
   

AND

    The Christmas he Loved Her
by Juliana Stone

I chose there titles from Audiobook Jukebox:

   

The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel
by Gregory S. Slomba, 
Narrated by Jimm Singer
 

The Maiden Flight of the Rio Grande 
by Michael Coorlim, 
Narrated by Wayne Farrell

The Eye of Moloch
    by Glenn Beck
    Narrated by Jeremy Lowell

Won

I've haven't been entering any contests that I recall. :-)

Purchased

I picked these up with my June Subscription:

  Joshua
    by John S. Wilson
    Narrated by Jonathan Yen
This sounds similar to The Road.
Man helps orphan boy in post-collapse America,

First Grave on the Right: Charley Davidson, Book 1
   by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 1
Part PI and part Grim Reaper.

The Overton Window
    by Glenn Beck
    Narrated by James Daniels
Since I will be reviewing book two (The Eye of Moloch) I decided to get the first book to read.

Free

Audios:

I downloaded this past week's free pair from SYNC YA July 11 – July 17, 2013:

 
The Peculiar
By Stefan Bachmann
Read by Peter Altschuler
Published by HarperAudio
Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

and

Oliver Twist
By Charles Dickens
Read by Simon Vance
Published by Tantor Media
Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

I didn't have time to download any free Kindle Titles this week; 
linked through Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle Review.

It's Monday What are You Reading? July 15, 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.

This was a good reading week even though a busy work week.  I finished four books and am a various stages into four for this week.  I posted three reviews, one with Giveaway. I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I am disappointed with myself - I didn't get to visit at all last week.  I hope to do better this 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? July 8, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday July 8, 2013.

• Audible Book Review: Maelstrom:Destroyermen, Book 3 by Taylor Anderson, Science Fiction, Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers, Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0. Ends July 19.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 12, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 7/18.

• Book Review: Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25. 

• Saturday Snapshot July 13, 2013 Campground, Freeport FL
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #108 Comment Giveaway 7/13/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 7/19.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 14, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Silent Warrior
by Lindsey Piper
An exciting read - review is linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

2. Audible

The 5th Wave
    by Rick Yancey
    Narrated by Brandon Espinoza, Phoebe Stro
Engaging post apocalyptic story/YA.
I'll post a review this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Quest for the Scorpion's Jewel

Amarias Adventures: Book 1 by Amy Green

A fun adventure read; good for younger folks

(and the young at heart).

I'll be posting a review this week.

Click on title for full Book Description.

4. eBook/Kindle
 

West Palm I: The Undertaker's Apprentice
by Joss Cordero
Different, murder mystery, or piece of one.
I'll post a review this week.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 3, 2013
The first in a four-part, fast-paced serialized psychological thriller, from a talented author who captures quirky South Florida in the bestselling tradition of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen.

Zach often hears his great aunt Emmy’s hauntingly sweet voice singing in his head. His calling has been to make the dead look beautiful. As a security guard at a West Palm funeral parlor, he strolls alone among the corpses, artfully decorating them…Zack knows the spirits of the dead need his help as they transition to the netherworld. But when his bizarre rituals are discovered, he flees. Not deterred, he comes upon a tall, beautiful woman alone on a yacht and knows she needs the kind of help only he can provide...

With its taut pacing and sly humor, Cordero’s West Palm serialization is relentlessly addictive, peopled with a South Florida psychopath, a burnt out police detective turned P.I., and one gorgeous but tough woman, in a city where trash mingles with class.

Line Edits/Releases:
I finally worked out the last details for a couple of releases this week.

Currently reading:
1. Audible

The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel
    by Gregory S. Slomba
    Narrated by Jimm Singer
This is a fun adventure. 
I am reviewing this for the author through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Twelve-year-old Eric Scott is called by Stig, a talking owl, to journey to another world to save a fishing village from a band of bloodthirsty pirates. Once there, Eric discovers that delivering the town is but one of the problems he'll have to solve.

Can a 12-year-old boy, a talking owl, a headstrong girl and an outcast dwarf save a village, much less an entire world? Find out as they set out on the journey of a lifetime to defeat an immortal pirate, face their fears, and fulfill an ancient prophecy.

2. eBook/Kindle

Blood and Bone
by Don Hoesel
This reminds me a little of an Indiana Jones adventure.
I will be posting a Giveaway 7/15 
and the review on 7/19 as part of BookBlast.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2013
More Archaeological Adventures from Popular Suspense Writer Don Hoesel

A decade after Serpent of Moses, Jack is married to Espy and back teaching at Evanston University. They have two sons, one of whom has cystic fibrosis. Despite this challenge, life is comfortable. But that all changes when the CIA, while combing through the papers of the late Gordon Reese, uncovers the secret of Elisha's bones. Jack's world is then turned upside down by an urgent call from his old friend Duckey, who's been alerted to the CIA's probing by one of his former contacts. Jack and his family escape from their home just ahead of the CIA, and he decides to do what he should have done long ago: recover the bones and destroy them. Except the bones aren't where he left them.

So now Jack is in a race, for the last time, to find the bones. And he's not the only one. Pitted against both the CIA and an organization that will kill to protect their secrets, Jack and Espy follow hard-to-decipher clues across the globe before arriving in the catacombs of Paris for a final showdown that will either save their family--or tear apart everything they hold dear forever.

3. Print

Flight of the Raven (Mysteries of Sparrow Island Series #2)
by Ellen Harris
I am reading this for Ladies' Book Club meeting July 20.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 15, 2007
A small plane disappears from the sky above Sparrow Iland, and Abby knows she must do something to help. Together, she and Sergeant Henry Cobb, set off to hunt for survivors. They find the plane but not the passengers - who it seems don't want to be found. Abby's wilderness skills are put to the test as she and Henry go on a chase to try to uncover the secrets of the passengers' hidden pasts. An exciting, suspense-filled story, "Flight of the Raven" is a riveting tale of determination, ingenuity and courage.

4. Print

Crazy Little Thing Called Love
by Molly Cannon
I had started this and then remembered book club.
So far it seems fun.
Book Description
Release date: June 25, 2013
 Here comes trouble...
Etta Green kissed Everson, Texas, goodbye years ago. A big city chef, she intends to return only long enough to settle her beloved grandmother's estate and then hightail it back to Chicago. But Grammy Hazel had other plans. In her will, she left Etta part-ownership of a B&B that's about to go bankrupt before it even opens. And what's worse--Etta's partner is Donny Joe Ledbetter, a handsome devil with some serious bad boy charm. Growing up, Donny Joe didn't give Etta a second glance. Now, she's got his whole attention.

A far cry from the shy bookworm he once knew, sexy, spirited Etta Green is nothing but trouble. Yet Donny Joe decides to play nice. After all, the quicker they open the B&B, the faster this exasperating--and irresistible--woman will be on her way. Donny Joe has never been a one-woman kind of man. But one crazy little moment of unforgettable desire may change his mind--if he can convince Etta to stay for good...

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

I have several print books carrying over from June to July and new ones added. The new additions push the total beyond what I wanted so we'll see how things go week to week.

July Scheduled:

7/15 Book Blast Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel
7/19 Review Blood and Bone for Book Blast
7/22 Book Blast The Hero’s Lot by Patrick W. Carr
7/26 Review The Hero’s Lot for Book Blast

Sourcebooks
    (none scheduled unless I pick up at NetGalley)
Hachette - Forever
    Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Molly Cannon
    A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby
    Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane
    Guilty as Sin by Jami Alden
    Revenge by Debra Webb

NetGalley: (July and early August)
      The Companions, The Sundering, Book I by R. A. Salvatore
      The Godborn, The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp
      Windshift by Joyce Faulkner

AudioBook Jukebox (July and early August)
    The Delivers and Starkey by Gregory S. Slomba, Narrated by Jimm Singer
    The Maiden Flight of the Rio Grande by Michael Coorlim, Narrated by Wayne Farrell
    The Eye of Molech by Glen Beck, Narrated by Jeremy Lowell

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

Author Review titles:
     Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker 
     Double Click by Lisa Becker

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 14, 2013

We had a nice communion service this morning and some of the young girls shared their fun experience at church camp a week or so ago. It’s always wonderful to see the joy of the Lord radiate from the kids.

Pastor’s sermon was entitled: “Battle for the Mind”. The primary passage was Philippians 4:8 which encourages us to 'think on good things'. Much of our society focuses on negative-- in the news and unfairness of circumstances-- instead of looking for all the good, joy and blessings we have. Pastor explained that he was feeling a bit unsettled and then, as he was resting his hip, he came upon the Hallmark channel. Hallmark has been sharing sweet stories of “Christmas in July.” Pastor realized that his attitude brightened just by thinking of the wonderful family sharing times we experience during the Christmas season.

Pastor pointed out that this cheerful viewing is in contrast to other less than positive offerings on TV - some of which he termed “crummy.” He said there is a new program about a child, (title withheld), where the audience is encouraged to buy 'sniff and scratch' cards so they can share in malodorous odors! Ugh. He also questioned a commercial for some zesty salad dressing that was touted by a man with no shirt. “What does a shirtless man have to do with salad dressing?” he asked. It is a clear attempt to lure people with the lusts of the flesh. (I am so glad we don’t watch much TV and we use the program that allows us to skip over commercials.)

As mentioned a few weeks ago, we are righteous through Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and we are inheritors, therefore royalty.  So the question is: How do you choose to live? As royalty focusing on good things, joy and blessings? Or as paupers in the slums, gloomy and sad, and grumbling about life's difficulties?

I have had internet (or computer) problems today

and was unable to play the videos choices without locking up. 

This song finally played so my DH said it must be the one to use.

I was looking for a joyful song so Joy in the Holy Ghost works. :-)

A verse for today:
Philippians 4:8  (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I pray that the Lord will always help me to live like royalty and to look for the good and positive each day!

Winner of Paper Roses

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER:

Giveaway Ended July 12 2013

Giveaway: Paper Roses (Texas Dreams Book #1)

by Amanda Cabot

US Only. 

WINNER: Booklady

Sharing Beyond Books #108 Comment Giveaway July 13, 2013

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

This was a busy week for me with some work stress as a result of several closings getting shifted at the last minute. Last night we were away to Santa Rosa, FL so we could attend our Grandson's baseball game today. The game was delayed by rain so we only saw part of it. But they won and move on to the next match tomorrow. Yeah!

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Most of us do not take any special books on vacation and several people said they don't have time to read on vacation. How shocking! Several of us do like our readers as it makes it easier to travel with more reading material. :-)
 
Most all of us do plan vacations although four of us also do some spur of the moment vacations.
Really, I suppose even spur of the moment trips require some planning to pack. I for one wouldn't want to forget my electronics (computer, Kindle and mp3) and their cords!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #107 comments is: #16 Anubha 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 (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #108 Questions

Q1. Margaret asks: Cowboy or Highlander??

A: Ok - I am assuming the question means which would you prefer to read. Although it could be asking which you might like to date! I like both for reading--sometimes I feel like a good Highlander tale and other times I want to read about a warm cowboy.  [Since I'm married 27+ years I don't think about dating either type. :-)] 

I couldn't resist when I saw this image!
Image found at Wikipedia.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Have you ever gone geocaching??

A: I didn't even know what geocaching was ("a free outdoor treasure hunt") until our California trip in November 2010. Our son and my stepson introduced us to the fun event and we raced around Monterey looking for caches! It was a fun part of that vacation. I am sharing several pictures: three of us looking, the very small container and how it was camouflaged! [I have linked the primary site to the word geocaching in case anyone wants to learn more about it.]

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: Cowboy or Highlander??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Have you ever gone geocaching??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly 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, July 19, 2013 at 10 PM central.