It's Monday What are You Reading? October 28, 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's been another strange week but not stressful. We got cold weather at the end of the week and had our first fire yesterday. Reading was fine; I finished three books and posted four reviews.  I posted one Tour Feature Giveaway.
I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I only did a little visiting last week and want to do more.
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 21, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 10/21/13.

• Audible Book Review: The Chronology Protection Case by Paul Levinson, Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Bargained for Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure, Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 11/12.
  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 25, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 10/31.

• Audible Book Review: Firestorm: Destroyermen Book 6 by Taylor Anderson, Alternate History, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25. 

• Saturday Snapshot October 26, 2013 Sweet Rose.

• Audio Book Review: A Reason to Live, A Marty Singer Mystery, Book 1, by Matthew Iden, Mystery; my rating 4.5. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #123 Comment Giveaway 10/26/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/1.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 27, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

No Escape (Texas Rangers)
Mary Burton
Really good Romantic Suspense.
Review, author Interview and Giveaway to post 10/29.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Third Grave Dead Ahead
by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 3
The second half did get better. :-) I'll post a review later this week. This is from my own Audible Library.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3

Battle for LA
Author: CJ Henderson, Mark Sparacio
Narrator: Full Cast
Publisher: AudioComics
This is audio comic - interesting.
I will post a review this week;
received from the Publisher 
through AudioBook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Print

Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait 
by Grace Burrows
This is a colorful, lush story.
I am reviewing for Sourcebooks to post with ARC Giveaway the end of this week.
Click on book title for full description.

Line Edits/Releases:
Links to our two print books released this past week:
The Late Great Benjamin Bale and There's a Monster in Mommy's Tummy.
New poetry collection being released in ebook: Shades of Darkness and Light.

Working on formatting two more poetry collections.

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

Accidentally In Love With...A God? 
(Accidentally Yours)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 
I am about 60% through this fast paced romance.
Review, Blitz and Giveaway to post on October 31.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Trapped for decades, a powerful god seeks freedom . . . and revenge. But the only thing that can save him is the passion of a woman's touch . . . 

Emma Keane is your average city girl trying to get a date. There's just one thing holding her back: the disembodied male voice speaking to her through her mind. Sound kind of crazy? Maybe. But crazy turns downright deadly when the voice persuades her to travel to the wilds of the Mayan jungle. There she will free his body-his incredibly hot, muscled, naked body.

Humans are so frail, so undisciplined, so susceptible to love. And when this ancient being connects with Emma, the feelings she sparks drive him utterly mad. Protective, keep-her-close, never-let-her-go kind of mad. Which might not be such a bad thing because from the moment the beautiful, passionate Emma unshackles his body, they are hunted at every turn. Now he'll have to do everything in his power to keep her safe. But will it be enough?

2. Audio/MP3

Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
by Jim Bernheimer
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
This is an really interesting futuristic detective story.
Publisher's Summary
Homicide Detective David Bagini awakens in a strange world only to discover that he is, in fact, the 42nd clone of the Bagini line. With no memories of why his Prime entered into a clone contract, he wants answers. The first problem is his Prime is dead and Bagini 42 is in charge of the investigation. The second problem is all the clues point at a clone from his line and they already know all his tricks. How can he solve his own murder when every suspect has his name and face?
©2012 Jim Bernheimer (P)2012 Jim Bernheimer

3. Print

The Last Christian: A Novel
by David Gregory
I will start this tonight or tomorrow morning.
This is our Ladies' Book Club selection for November 9.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 26, 2010
In the future, it’s possible to live forever—but at what cost?

A.D. 2088.
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

In this fast-paced thriller, startling near-future science collides with thought-provoking religious themes to create a spell-binding "what-if?" novel.

4. eBook/Kindle

Lace & Lead, a novella
by M.A. Grant
I will be reading this one from NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2013
Breathtaking action, startling originality and polished story-telling combine in this futuristic Sci-Fi novella about a rough mercenary, a pampered daughter, and the lies they both believe.

Blue-blood Emmaline Gregson survived one of the most brutal mining accidents ever recorded in the Republic, but she's never been in a firefight. So when unknown assailants circle the family estate, the only man she can rely on is Peirce Taggart. A former Lawman turned mercenary, Peirce has a simple job: protect Emmaline until her father can collect her and sell her to sex trafficker Richard Stone to pay off his debts. But when Arthur Gregson tries to cheat his way out of the contract, Emmaline seizes the opportunity to hire Peirce for herself, regardless of how crude, dangerous, or appealing he may be. Given the chance for redemption, he promises to help her escape both her father and Stone. But Peirce soon realises that hiding her in his apartment until the storm has passed may be more dangerous than looking down the barrel of a gun...

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'm caught up to four titles due for reviews plus what I read this week. 
Looks like I'm reading for reviews to post the following week. 

October Scheduled
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

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 27, 2013

We had a beautiful worship service with a strong message. It is always a wonderful confirmation when our Sunday School lesson fits hand in hand with the Pastor’s sermon – all unplanned by man but no doubt guided by a the higher power. 

Our Sunday School teacher is continuing the lessons on end times in Revelation and other scriptures. Today he called his lesson “Conditions Are Ripe”.  He referred us to 2 Thessalonians 2 where Paul reminds the Christians of the community that the Day of the Lord will not come until there is rebellion (a turning from God) and the man of lawlessness (the antichrist) appears. He then directed us to 2 Timothy 3 where Paul describes the nature of people in the terrible times of the last days. ‘Men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,...disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ... without self control, ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power.’ (Verses 1-5.)

The end times will include: economic collapse – failing and weak churches – loss of morals – loss of peace – and chaos. Then the man of lawlessness will appear to offer false hope, false solutions and false religion to people who have lost their way. We are living in a time of self-absorbed people are we not? Even the churches seek to tickle the ears to gain numbers and make the congregant feel good rather than seeking commitment to discipleship.

Our Pastor then followed with a Sermon on Revelation 5:1-14, proclaiming the glory that is the believer’s hope to anticipate in spite of the doom of the world condition.  The intricacies of glory are beyond what we know or can even imagine but heaven, and creation, will sing a New Song (Revelation 5:9)!  And we can have that assurance in a time of great distress.

There were several wonderful songs I considered.

I chose this to emphasize the new song  and Glory of His Holiness.

Verses for Today:
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 (NIV)
14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

As always - I give thanks and praise that I have a Hope and can face difficult times with assurance that my God is always in control.

Sharing Beyond Books #123 Comment Giveaway 10/26/13

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

Hey everyone!  Today was a relaxing sort of Saturday even though I did work in office this afternoon. I slept late, woke up and read a bit. My kind of morning!

We all agreed that talking on the cell phone at dinner or special events is rude. Emergencies are excepted but even then it is polite to get up and leave the table for just a quick call. Most of us also agreed texting at such times is also rude but Ricki and Nikki noted some exceptions there: sending out a quick phone image of the event/table and when the Bride and Groom specifically request instantgrams!

Six commenters always read all the back material and eleven of us read parts of the back material, sometimes but not all, always. :-)

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #122 comments is: #1 Becky (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 #123

Q1. Miki asks: What was the best book contest you have ever won??

A: That would be back in December 2008/January 2009 when I won my first Kindle from Author Island Christmas Scavenger Hunt! When I received it in Spring 2009 is when I really started doing book reviews. :-)

(That is an old contest so don't waste time checking it out.
Image found at Support Perkins. )

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: Ok - last year we shared our favorite part of Halloween season. Many of us said the candy. I couldn't let this Halloween pass without asking something so the Q is: What is the one (or if you must two) most favorite candy(ies) to get at Halloween??

A: There can be different candies at different times of year so this IS intended for Halloween. Although I do like the little packages of Smarties I will pick chocolate - and my favorite Halloween Chocolate would be Reese's Peanut Butter cups. Yum. (Then again, I wouldn't turn down the pictured bowl of goodies!)

Image found at MintLife Blog.

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.
Oh - Just realized this is the last week for October! So October Comments were submitted by: Becky, Elizabeth L, Marjorie and Miki. The Random pick winner for book/credit is: #3Marjorie!

Your turn to share:

Q1. Miki asks: What was the best book contest you have ever won??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is the one (or if you must two) most favorite candy(ies) to get at Halloween??

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, November 1, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Audio Book Review: A Reason to Live: A Marty Singer Mystery, Book 1

This is an engaging mystery and a good audio listen.

A Reason to Live: A Marty Singer Mystery, Book 1

    UNABRIDGED

    by Matthew Iden

    Narrated by Lloyd Sherr

    LENGTH    8 hrs and 10 mins
    RELEASE DATE    08-14-13
    PUBLISHER    Matthew Iden
Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the late 90s, a bad cop killed a good woman and DC Homicide Detective Marty Singer got to watch as the murderer walked out of the courtroom a free man. Twelve years later, the victim's daughter comes to Marty begging for help: the killer is stalking her now. There's just one problem: Marty's retired...and he's retired because he's battling cancer. But with a second shot at the killer - and a first chance at redemption - Marty's just found…a reason to live.

©2012 Matthew Iden (P)2013 Matthew Iden

Review:
Marty Singer recently retired as a DC Homicide cop when he learned that he has cancer. Shortly before he is to begin his chemo treatments an unexpected visitor knocks on his door. Amanda is now a graduate student who remembers Marty as the lead Detective in the case against Michael Wheeler, her mother’s murderer from twelve years before. Although Wheeler walked free due to trial errors and lost evidence, Amanda is sure that Marty can help her. She needs protection because the killer is back, leaving white carnations at her door.

Marty vows to protect Amanda and sets off to try to locate Wheeler, a cop who was stalking Amanda's mother before the murder.  Wheeler apparently disappeared shortly after the trial and there is little trace to follow.  Marty seeks help from his old partner who is still angry about the botched trial but agrees to help.  Trying every lead he can, Marty practically accosts Julie, the defense attorney who represented Wheeler. The trial win should have jump-started her career but, because it was clear that the prosecution mishandled the case, she didn’t get the positive response she hoped for. She is pretty bitter about the whole matter and doesn’t really want to talk about it or Wheeler.

Amanda goes into hiding with Marty as she is still being followed.  Soon Marty discovers intruders in his home but he can’t figure out who these goons are who are ransacking his house for his files. Threats and circumstances change Julie’s mind so that now she returns to Marty and now all three are hiding from an unknown threat as well as the killer.  Marty continues to investigate even as his usual strength and reactions fail him due to weakening from the chemo treatments.

There is good suspense, action and twists in this mystery thriller. It is very sharp and realistic with ‘real-to-live’, characters complete with physical (age and illness), mental (madness and weakness) and moral (greed, pride and more) flaws. Some of the investigation paths lead to dead ends which adds to the realism.  Also, the primary hero being older and coping with cancer issues makes him an interesting character with more depth than some young, hot shot detective.

Mr. Iden does a good job of weaving in unexpected twists, a little bit of romance and a bit more of moral dilemmas that have the reader/listener pondering levels of madness, ethics, loyalty and honesty.  How far do professionals go to protect themselves, their families and their clients? I like Marty as a character and love the crisp suspense. I recommend this to mystery readers and would enjoy more suspense stories featuring Marty's tenacious pursuit.

Audio Notes: I was impressed with the narration by Lloyd Sherr. He was able to capture the emotional stresses of the characters and maintain the movement and suspense of the story. I was engaged for the full story and my assessment of the presentation is “well done.”

I received this audiobook for review from the author.

Saturday Snapshot October 26, 2013 Sweet Rose

Today's images are simple but with meaning. :-)

A week or so ago my DH brought a rose to me as I woke up.

Here is the bush:

Here is the rose in the vase.

And of the dozen of so pictures I took

I finally captured the dew droplets on the petals!

I had a great time visiting last weeks snapshots last night and I look forwarding to checking out your photo sharings this week.

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.