Mailbox Monday August 19, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For AUGUST: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Bermudaonion (thanks Kathy).
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 two print books for review, two print for survey and I picked up the final free audio titles from SYNC YA. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these two print books from Sourcebooks for November reviews:

Don't Want to Miss a Thing

by Jill Mansell

and

To Have and to Hold
by Leigh Greewood

Received from Harlequin Tell
for survey/review
Not sure when I will fit these in but they look like quick reads.

Heir to A Dark Inheritance

by Maisey Yates

and

 

A Legacy of Secrets

by Carol Marinelli

Won

None.

Purchased

None

Free

Audios:

I downloaded the last of the summer free pair from SYNC YA August 15 – August 21, 2013:
Both of these sound interesting!

Sold
By Patricia McCormick
Read by Justine Eyre
Published by Tantor Media
Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

“Eyre delivers a stellar performance that embodies the main character’s quest in the utmost detail.” –AudioFile Magazine

Lakshmi, raised in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal, journeys to India to take a job to support her family.  There she is tricked into prostitution and must risk everything to reclaim her life.

and

Let Me Stand Alone:The Journals of Rachel Corrie
By Rachel Corrie
Read by Tavia Gilbert
Published by Talkbox / Blackstone Audiobooks
“Rachel gives us herself through her words;
Tavia Gilbert gives us her voice.” –AudioFile Magazine

Rachel Corrie, a young women with a striking gift for poetry, writing, and drawing, was determined to make a better, more peaceful world.  The twenty-three-year-old American activist died protecting a Palestinian family’s home.

I downloaded a couple of free Kindle Titles this week
linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading August 19, 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 strange, busy week requiring early morning risings. I pushed to finish one of the books Sunday although the other two are at 75%. I posted three reviews, one with ARC Giveaway. I  posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I still had limited visiting last week. I hope to visit more this week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts (plus winner post):

• It's Monday What are You Reading? August 12, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday August 12, 2013.

• Audible Book Review: The Eye of Moloch by Glenn Beck, Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 16, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/22.

• Saturday Snapshot August 17, 2013 - Blurry Bucks
  

• Book Review: Windshift by Joyce Faulkner , Historical Fiction; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Revenge by Debra Webb, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5. Ends 8/23.

• Sharing Beyond Books #113 Comment Giveaway 8/17/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/23.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 18, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

   The Companions, The Sundering, Book I
by R. A. Salvatore
This is definitely epic fantasy!

I'll post the review this week.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases:
This week's new eBook release: 

The Appointed Collection, The Initiates by Kamil Ali
     Set in 19th century Russian-occupied Latvia, a brilliant lawyer, Karlis Stucka, meets Satan's First Dark Angel in a decrepit hotel in Riga.
     The Dark Angel takes Karlis on a supernatural odyssey spanning time and places beyond the imagination.
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller
Pages:  390, Novel




Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  Seven Shades of Luminosity by Beth Bowland
Genre(s): Children's - Middle Grade, Fantasy; Print Pages: 228

Currently reading:
1. Print

Guilty as Sin
by Jami Alden
I am 75% completed and have been enjoying this.  I plan to post the review with ARC giveaway at the end of the week.
Click on Title for full Book Description.

2. Audio

Death of a Dyer

by Eleanor Kuhns

Reader: Richard Waterhouse

I am 75% in this and 
have not figured out the murderer yet. 

Reviewing for AudioGo through Audiobook Jukebox.

Click on Title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

A Most Devilish Rogue
by Ashlyn Macnamara
I will be starting this on Monday for Thursday review and feature.
Reviewing for Random House and author.
Book Description
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Fans who adore Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will savor Ashlyn Macnamara’s sensual new novel, which proves that two hearts are better than one.
Years ago, when Isabelle Mears was still a young miss too infatuated to know better, she surrendered her innocence to a dishonorable man. Though ruined and cast out from society, she has worked hard to shelter her illegitimate son, Jack. Having sworn off men in her quiet but dignified life, Isabelle is unprepared for the deep longing that rips through her when a handsome stranger rescues her rambunctious six-year-old from the pounding ocean surf.
George Upperton is a man in trouble with debts, women, and a meddling family. He is, by all accounts, the last gentleman on earth Isabelle should be drawn to. But loneliness is a hard mistress, and caution gives way to desire . . . even though Isabelle is convinced that happiness can’t be found in the arms of such a devilish rogue. Only when Jack is kidnapped does Isabelle discover the true depth of George’s devotion—and how far a good man will go to fight for the woman whose love is all that matters.

4. Audible

Paradox Resolution
Author: K.A. Bedford
Narrator: Cameron McDonald
I expect to start this midweek.
Reviewing for Post Hypnotic Press 
through Audiobook Jukebox.
Audio Book Description:
Aloysius “Spider” Webb fixes time machines for a living. He hates his job; he hates his life, and hates time travel even more. He simply wants to get on with his life. He’s a hard working -Australian bloke — a good man in a bad -situation who is willing to do almost anything to regain his self-respect and the affection of his nearly -ex-wife, Molly; a mad sculptress on her way to international fame and fortune.

Spider’s life and his world are changing. -After quitting the Western Australian Police Service, Spider studied to become a time -machine repair -mechanic, eking out a sparse -living fixing broken down machines. But the -repair business isn’t what it used to be. Once, time machines were as big as cars; but now they’re smaller and compact, portable, and cost too much to get fixed so it’s easier for people to simply buy a new one. Times are tough and there is no end in sight.

Meanwhile, Spider’s new boss at the Time -Machines Repaired While-U-Wait franchise needs help: his -secretly built, totally -illegal, -radically overclocked, hotrod time -machine has been stolen, and Spider is the right man to get it back before it falls into the wrong hands, or worse inadvertently destroys the entire universe.

Spider’s journey begins with a simple favor to help his almost ex-wife, Molly, and moves to the icy wastes of the far, far future.

Surprise and shock are the only -constants in -Spider’s life; why should this job be any -different?

I am really lagging but still listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.] I have been remiss and not keeping up with daily reading 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 still have several print books carrying over from June now into August. I don't have quite so many new choices so I think I can wrap these carry overs up this month.

August
Scheduled:
8/22 Review: A Most Devilish Rogue by Ashlyn Macnamara; Review and Author Guest Blog through Random House 

Sourcebooks
    (none scheduled unless I pick up at NetGalley)

Hachette - Forever
    A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby
    Guilty as Sin by Jami Alden (finishing)
    Ruthless by Debra Webb

NetGalley:
      The Godborn, The Sundering, Book II by Paul S. Kemp
 
AudioBook Jukebox
Death of a Dyer by Eleanor Kuhns (finishing)
Paradox Resolution by K.A. Bedford (to start)

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

Author Review titles:
     Double Click by Lisa Becker

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 18, 2013

This morning was another special worship and communion service. Before we sang our choir special one of our leaders told a story I had never heard. It is so precious that I decided to share that for today.
[There are several versions of this found through a quick internet search. I liked this one.]

The Boy and his Little Boat
A young boy one day decided to build a sail boat, so he gathered all the necessary materials and slowly and lovingly crafted the object of his dreams. You see, he had always wanted something to invest himself in, something to love. As he carved and sanded his little boat, and painted it carefully, a love for his creation developed in his heart. Each line and each curve was an expression of his heart's desire for what he wanted his little boat to become.

Finally the day came for him to test his little sail boat on the lake near his home. He admired it's beautiful lines, and the billowy sail waving over the sleek bow. As he placed the little boat in the water he grasped the line tied to the front and launched it gently downwind. The boat sailed smoothly off so the boy gave the sailboat more line, and it sailed farther. He was having such a wonderful time.

Suddenly, a gust of wind came up from the lake and blew the line from the boy's grasp. The wind picked up speed and so did the little boat. The boy ran along the shore crying out to the little boat to come back to the shore. But, alas, the boat was not capable of responding to the boy's pleas, and it soon blew out of sight.

How sad the little boy was that he had lost his boat, and he searched many days along the shore of the lake, hoping to recover the sailboat he had lovingly crafted with his own hands. He loved the little boat, and missed it so much, but finally he gave up looking, and settled in his mind that he had lost his hearts dream.

One day, many months later, the boy was walking in the village near his home, and he came upon a toyshop. Many different toys were displayed in the window of the shop. As he drew closer to the window, something caught his eye, and the closer he came, the quicker his heart began to beat. Could it be? Yes! It was! His little boat was displayed prominently in the center of the window. He knew it was his, how could he ever forget those many hours of loving labor over each little detail of his precious sailboat?

He entered the shop and carefully picked up the object of his affection, lovingly caressing the hull. He noticed the price tag and he cautiously approached the shopkeeper. "Excuse me sir, this is my sailboat. I made it myself. I lost it and now I want it back. May I have my little boat back?" No matter how much the boy pleaded with the man, the argument remained the same. The boat had been brought to him one day by a fisherman, and he had paid good money for it. Anyone could pay the asking price, since this sailboat was "For Sale" not "For Free."

Weeping quietly outside the toyshop, the boy spoke to his little boat through the window. "You're mine, because I made you. I love you and I will give all I have to get you back." He looked at the price tag and knew the truth. It would cost him everything he had. It would take all of the coins he had saved for several years of summer jobs to redeem his treasured creation. But no cost was too great, since he loved the little sailboat so much.

The next morning, as soon as the shopkeeper opened for business the boy was there with his hands full of coins and his eyes full of tears. Quietly he counted out the coins into the shopkeeper's hand. He knew this was not fair. The boat had always been his, since he had made it. But, he was willing nonetheless: he had to have the boat back.

Once the exchange was made, the boy quickly ran from the shop to place of privacy in the park nearby, clutching the boat to his heart. "You're mine, little sailboat," he said.  "You're twice mine: once because I made you, and once because I bought you. I'll never let you go now, little boat. You'll always be mine."

Clearly we are like the boat to God -- he created us with care and love and  viewed us as special and precious. Then we became lost through the sin of our lives. But God gave His all - His only son - to buy us back from sin. We are twice His!

This story fit perfectly with our Choir special today, entitled I Am Yours.
Unfortunately I couldn't find that online.
So I found this one instead: Your Beloved.

 

Verses for Today:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I am grateful day that I belong to GOD  -- by creation and purchase!

Sharing Beyond Books #113 Comment Giveaway August 17, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.  I apologize as I realized I didn't update the giveaway link last week... I thought I had but apparently not.

I had a strange busy week with several mornings in court requiring preparation. My reading is a little behind. I hope everyone else has had a good week.

A few of you are planning trips to the beach or a last summer outing over Labor Day week. Some are already preparing kids to return to school or preparing to go back as a teacher. nrlymrtl has end of summer chores to wrap up and Natasha is looking forward to autumn. I think I am too although we are getting a last minute summer end cruise the end of August!

A few of us admitted to pen names we liked or might use. Some indicated they had thought of one but are keeping it secret. :-) And half of you choose not to think up a pen name; no need. I smiled at Brooke's choice of her names backward.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #112 comments is: #4 miki 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 #113

Q1. Becky asks: What is your favorite part of a book??

A: I thought on this a bit. I like getting started in a book and I enjoy the middle where things are developing well. But I guess my favorite part would be the ending.  I like to find out what happens... even though sometimes I'm sorry to say goodbye to the characters.

Image found at My Quotes Garden.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this time was inspired by Carol L's 'last hoorah' answer: Do you have street fairs or festivals near where you live and do you visit them?? (Think smaller events - well some cities have bigger street fairs I guess. But I plan to ask about bigger County Fair type events another week!)

A: We have several smaller events in our town. We have Summer in the Park evening concerts which don't have many vendors. We do have an Art Festival every year in the spring. And there is even a very small Civil War re-enactment. However I have not attended most of these. I did attend a couple of Run for Life events and St. Patrick Day events complete with bed races. These I usually participate in as part of our area Board of Realtors team of which I am an affiliate.

Now this looks like a crowded street festival!

Image found at Ocean Beach San Diego Street Fair.

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 are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Becky asks: What is your favorite part of a book??

Q2. My nonbookish Question this time (inspired by Carol L's last hoorah answer): Do you have street fairs or festivals near where you live and do you visit them?? (Think smaller events - well some cities have bigger street fairs I guess. But I plan to ask about bigger County Fair type events another week!)

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 either of the two 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, August 23, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Revenge: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5 by Debra Webb

This is fast paced, solid suspense with the romance as an ongoing, developing element.
Revenge: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5
by Debra Webb

• Series: Faces of Evil
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 30, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455527580
• ISBN-13: 978-1455527588

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5
The desire for revenge can never be sated . . .

When her beloved high school teacher appears on her doorstep, Deputy Chief Jess Harris is flooded with fond memories-until the woman says she's about to be charged with murder. Called to the scene of the crime, Jess learns the victim of the bizarre and brutal slaying was a member of Birmingham's famed "Five."

Twelve years ago, the Five were rich, popular high school seniors who threw one wild last party. Two social outcasts were invited to play in the "loser games." The next morning, one player killed himself. Now Jess fears that an invitation to an upcoming class reunion may have forced the Five to play a new deadly game. As Jess fights to keep her former teacher from suspicion-and her relationship with Chief Dan Burnett separate from her work life-she knows she is caught in a vicious cycle of vengeance. And the killer is far from finished . . .

Review:
This is book five of a continuing series that follows tough cop Jess Harris, Deputy Chief of Birmingham, Alabama, and her boss, Dan Burnett. Dan was Jess’ high school sweet heart and the pull and passion is still strong between them. But Jess has spent 20 years caring for herself and she is insistent that she be treated equally as the other Deputy Chiefs. Making love with the Chief and having him hover around trying to protect her doesn’t help her independent stand.  Jess and Dan walk a fine line trying to figure out how they can balance their professional lives with their personal desires.

As Jess and Dan dance around their issues murders pull them into work mode. One of Jess’ former teacher, Frances, is a prime suspect for the murder of Scott Baker, her retirement home manager. The widows group has been battling management as the developer prepares to build a new high rise that will completely block the view of the existing residents. It’s Jess’ job to find the real killer but she has a personal interest in protecting her beloved friend.

Jess gets some information from another old class mate, Buddy Corlew, who is a private investigator hired by Frances to dig up dirt on the deceased.  Buddy and Dan have been at odds since high school when Buddy made a pass for Jess because he was jealous of Dan always besting him. Buddy reminds Jess that twelve years ago Scott was one of five hot shot high school bullies who had been suspected in the death of another student, Lenny. Dan had been the head of the investigation that got closed for lack of evidence and pressure from the mayor’s office.

Now it seems that Lenny’s best friend is back in town and the surviving four, three men and a woman, are holding tight to their secrets. Then another of the five dies and the three survivors begin to panic. Jess is busy trying to locate the new suspect and get the truth from the other three but she has distractions. Her new apartment has been broken into and there is an unresolved issue with another police deputy who has disappeared.  Beyond all of this activity Jess is getting taunting emails and phone messages from a past monster. Spears is a serial killer who kidnapped and tortured Jess. He was caught and imprisoned and believed to have left the country but now they have discovered that he may have doubled back. Jess is baiting him but is she ready for the show down? I’ll have to get to the next book to find out!

The mystery of the “five” plays out well with some good twists. I enjoyed the investigative process as well as the emotional struggles that Jess and Dan are juggling in their romance. Jess is going to have to deal with her independence issues at some point. There are some other unresolved items, like the secretive landlord and the missing officer, that will carry the suspense into the next book. The reading is quick with the fast paced action. There was no noticeable offensive language which pleased me. This is fine entertainment and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received this ARC from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

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

* This contest is open to those with US or Canadian address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 23, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on August 24, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.