It's Monday What are You Reading? October 21, 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.

It seemed like a strange week but I accomplished different tasks each day.  Reading is still good. :-)  I finished three books and posted five reviews again.   I posted one book Giveaway and two Tour Feature Giveaways.
I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I did some visiting last week which I enjoyed.  None this weekend because we are watching grand kids. I'll have to try visiting through the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts plus win post:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? October 14, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 10/14/13.

• Book Review, Feature and Giveaway Link: Lord Trowbridge's Angel by G.G. Vandagriff, Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 10/24.

• Book Review: When Night Falls by Margaret Daley, Mystery; my rating 4.25. 

• Audible Book Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick, Middle Grade, Fantasy; my rating 4.25. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 18, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/25.

• Book Review and Giveaway Link: Just Ella  by Annette K. Larsen, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5. Ends 11/5.

• Saturday Snapshot October 19, 2013 Grandkids Visit.

• Book Review with Giveaway: The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone, Contemporary Romance, my rating 4.0. Open US and Canada; Ends 10/25/13.

• Sharing Beyond Books #122 Comment Giveaway 10/19/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 20, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Bargained-For Bride
by Marcia Lynn McClure
This is a cute, sweet romance.
Review as part of BookBlast Tour to post 10/24.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

The Christmas He Loved Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake)
by Juliana Stone
This is an emotional romance;
I posted the review with ARC giveaway - linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible

A Reason to Live: A Marty Singer Mystery, Book 1
    UNABRIDGED
    by Matthew Iden
    Narrated by Lloyd Sherr
I really enjoyed this mystery which has good action and twists.
This week I'll be posting a review; 
received from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

Line Edits/Releases:
We had two print books released this past week at Amazon - The Late Great Benjamin Bale and There's a Monster in Mommy's Tummy.  They will be linked up at eTreasures (where the net payout is better without the Amazon fees) as soon as I have my copies in hand to make the final overlook. :-)
We also have an ebook that may be finalized for release this week.

Back to working on formatting some new releases.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link: Coming Home by Joy Brooks; part of Anthology set: Spring Historicals - Sweethearts in Bloom.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

No Escape (Texas Rangers)
Mary Burton
This is very suspenseful with good romance conflict!
Review, author Interview and Giveaway to post 10/29.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print

Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait 
by Grace Burrows
This is starting out to be usual Burrows' charming.
I am reviewing for Sourcebooks to post with ARC Giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
A freshly wrapped Regency Christmas romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes.

What Lady Jenny wants for Christmas...
For Christmas, soft-spoken Lady Jenny Windham craves the freedom to pursue her artistic ambitions, though it will mean scandalizing her ducal parents and abandoning all hope of a family of her own. She confides her plans to successful artist Elijah Harrison when he's commissioned to paint a portrait of her small nephews, because assisting Elijah will bring Jenny that much closer to her heart's desire--won't it?

...Will break both their hearts
Elijah Harrison finds in his unlikely assistant not only an inspiring muse and unappreciated talent, but also a lovely and passionate woman. If Elijah supports Jenny's career, his own professional interests will suffer, but more significantly, he will lose Jenny forever. Both Jenny and Elijah must choose between true love and a lifelong dream.

3. Audible/MP3
 

Third Grave Dead Ahead
by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 3
I'm not enjoying the beginning
of this quite as much as the first two.
Maybe it will get better. This is from my own Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary

Third in the award-winning paranormal series that’s “hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising.” (J.R. Ward)

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back in Darynda Jones' Third Grave Dead Ahead! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?

4. Audio/MP3

Battle for LA
Author: CJ Henderson, Mark Sparacio
Narrator: Full Cast
Publisher: AudioComics
This is a comic audio that I received from the Publisher through AudioBook Jukebox.

In the early morning hours of February 25, 1945, US anti-aircraft shore artillery opened fire on an unidentified object in the skies above Los Angeles, California. Over the course of the next three hours, “swarms of planes” were reported as roaming the skies above the city of angels, though in the end the only actual damage was the result of traffic accidents, friendly fire from the attack, and in some cases, heart attacks caused by stress.

The public was later told that there the attack was a false alarm. Moonstone Books, however, has unearthed the government documents that show the real truth…and how some of the greatest heroes in pulp history fought back against the “event”…
Battle for LA is AudioComics’ second collaboration with Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., adapted from the illustrated novella by CJ Henderson and Mark Sparacio, and starring pulp heroes The Black Bat, Domino Lady, Secret Agent X, and The Phantom Detective, and classic comic character Airboy. America’s pulp and comic avengers pit their wits (and guns) against a menace from another world in a story actually inspired by true events!

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: I am working on poetry formatting this week.

I am enjoying adding stories from my own TBR. :-)
I now have seven titles ready for reviews so I hope to continue with at least five a week which I have tentatively calendared for each day.

October Scheduled
10/24  BookBlast Tour Review: Bargained-For Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure
10/29  Review with Author Interview and Giveaway: No Escape by Mary Burton (Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting) (reading)
10/31 Review with Giveaway: I Accidentally Married a God

Sourcebooks
     Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait by Grace Burrows (reading)

NetGalley:
   I may browse for new choices.

AudioBook Jukebox 
   More to come

Authors - I have several requests to consider.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: When Night Falls - read. 

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 20, 2013

We are still  busy with grandkids.  We all enjoyed church this morning. I'll be saving the sermon notes for another day. Instead I want to share a quick message that was shared by our events announcer today.

He noted that if you light a match or candle or flashlight at lunch time it barely shows. But as twilight comes on the light is more noticeable. Then when it is really dark the little bit of light may be considered radical.  As society around us becomes darker -- in the sense of personal morals, Biblical commitment and doing what is right in God's eyes instead of our own eyes -- may we prove to be radical lights in a darkening world.

I've chosen this song to fit this message:

We Shine!

Verses for today:
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Lord, I pray that I may be considered radical in my service and sharing for You!

Sharing Beyond Books #122 October 19, 2013 Comment Giveaway

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

Hey everyone!  I am pulling this together while watching movies with the Grand kids. :-) Almost cookie time!

Six - seven of us picked Thanksgiving as our favorite part of autumn. Three people like the leaves, and a couple like decorating and Halloween too. Some like fall festivals and pumpkins and scottsgal likes the fall football! 

Most of use acknowledge that we are multi-taskers but two are single taskers.  fredamans and CarolL noted that as moms we almost have to be multitaskers! And Liss and a couple others mentioned they are single minded when reading!

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #121 comments is: #10 fredamans (I think you've had a winning week!) 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 #122

Q1. Marjorie asks: How do you feel about talking and texting on cell phones while at table at a wedding??

A: I have to agree that such behavior would be rude. I see people texting during dinners out and I think that is rude too. And then there are those who think it's okay to text during movies - it suits me if they are banned from the theater. :-)

Image found at OnTheJob.

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Do you read the back material such as Author's Bio, Reading Guide, preview, excerpt or first chapter for next book??

A: Most of the time I do read the end portions. Lately I have found some interesting material. I don't always read previews or excerpts, first chapters of the next or prior book though.

Image found at Fine Books & Collections.

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. Marjorie asks: How do you feel about talking and texting on cell phones while at table at a wedding??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Do you read the back material such as Author's Bio, Reading Guide, preview, excerpt or first chapter for next book??

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, October 25, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

This is an emotionally charged read where the characters have to overcome pain and guilt to find romance.

The Christmas He Loved Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake)
by Juliana Stone

• Series: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 24, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1402274831
• ISBN-13: 978-1402274831

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
"Will appeal to readers of Cathie Linz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips."—Booklist
All he wants this Christmas is her...

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire with those you love. For Jake Edwards, it's also time to come home and face the music. He thought there would never be anything harder than losing his brother. Turns out there is: falling in love with his brother's widow, Raine.

Ever since they were little, Jesse was the Edwards brother who was always there for her, and Jake was the one who knew just how to push her buttons. Raine can't imagine a life without them, which is why it was doubly decimating when Jake left town after his brother's sudden death. Now he's back and she doesn't know whether to be mad or thrilled. Maybe both. Or maybe it will be the perfect chance for both of them to finally find happiness again.

Review:
Raine is a young woman who has curled into grief after the death of her husband, Jesse. But there is more pain that she is carrying that isn’t revealed fully until late in the book. Raine grew up as a tag- along following neighbor twins, Jesse and Jake Edwards. Jesse was the serious twin although he also was a risk taker and mischievous. Jake has always been the more vibrant twin but he and Raine seemed to be combative, always going head to head in argument and discussions.

Jake came back alive from the middle east combat and is shrugging with his own guilt. He wasn’t able to save his brother who seemed to have thrust himself into danger. When Jake returned he realized that he still, as always, wanted what he couldn’t have – his brother’s woman, Raine. Jake panicked a year before when he took off after being with Raine briefly.

It is clear that Raine and Jake have deep feelings for each other. It is also apparent that they need to work through a lot of pain, grief, misunderstandings and even secrets before they might have a chance to come together for a future. 

There are additional supporting characters that add to the emotional trauma. Jake’s parents are also coping with the grief and loss and on top of that his father has been ill for the past year. Raine’s mother, who spent most of Raine's youth ministering to starving children overseas, is back and asking for a chance to be a mother. Jake has come home with a friend, Lily, who is fashion-model beautiful but also emotionally damaged. These people add different conflicts and stresses to Raine and Jake’s already strained relationship.

Although I was leery of the emotions as I started the book, I did become engaged and enjoyed the story. I wanted Jake and Raine to move along quicker to a point where they could accept their love and help heal each other. Of course, a big part of the story is their struggle to get to that point. There were a couple of gaps that bothered me, some more minor than others. Lily’s trauma was never explained although I suspect that is for another book. But the big gap was with Jesse’s mind set. There were hints that things weren’t right between him and Raine and there was a disclosure that he might have had a death wish but the reason was never discussed or revealed.

The romance is strong when they come together and there are a couple of intense scenes. These were nicely handled so they were not offensive and could be skimmed if the reader chooses. I felt that there could have been more depth in the characters. It was as if I was exposed to the top surface of pain and confusion and that dominated throughout. Still, the writing was strong and the momentum helped me ultimately enjoyed the book.

I received this book from Sourcebooks 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 US or Canadian addresses.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 25, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after October 25, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Saturday Snapshot October 19, 2013 - Grandkids Visit

My DH and I are watching two of our grandchildren this weekend. I went to bed early and have been up with the kids this morning.  I was going to skip posting this morning but decided I would show you what we were up to.

Yesterday I walked around the garden to find some items to harvest.

This morning my granddaughter helped me gather 

before it rained harder.

There are decorative gourds, some sweet potatoes,
one watermelon and two green peppers.

Our grandson was watching National Geographic while we picked out goodies.

Then P-Pop made pancakes!

I had a great time visiting last week and hope to get to today -- in between watching the kiddos.

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.


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 being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. 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.