It's Monday What are You Reading? December 23, 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.

Once more the work week was busy as we try to finish matters before the end of the year.

I finished four books again but I only posted three reviews and a Blitz Giveaway. 
I also posted the regular weekly memes and posts (except the Saturday Snapshot): Mailbox Monday, Friday Pick Giveaway,  Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

Another frustrating week of little visiting. I am determined to make a change in this for the new year.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? December 16, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday 12/16/13.

• Book Blitz Feature and GC Giveaway - The Double Life of Incorporate Things by Leanna Renee Hieber
  $50.00 Amazon Gift Card  Ends 1/5/13

• Book Review: Traitor's Knife (Five Gems) by E. Kaiser, YA Fantasy, Adventure; my rating 4.25. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 20, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/26/13.

• Book Review: Lady In Disguise (The Langley Sisters) by Wendy Vella, Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Christmas Wishes by Wendy Vella, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #131 Comment Giveaway 12/21/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/27.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 22, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle
 

The Innkeeper of Bethlehem–The Story of Santa Claus 
by Scott Roloff
I am a third into this and so far it is an interesting fictionalized rendition of the birth and childhood of Jesus.
Reviewing for the author.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 28, 2013
A Christmas book for children, families, and anyone who has ever wondered how Santa Claus came to be. This book will permit you and your family to enjoy Santa Claus and the other secular customs of Christmas within the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth. For little children, Santa Claus becomes a real person delivering presents to them from Jesus. Each Christmas season, reading a chapter a night will become a holiday tradition for the entire family.
[Description continues at link.]

2. eBook/Kindle

Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1)
by Shawn Underhill
This is very engaging but with a cliff hanger ending! 
I featured this in BookBlast and will post a review soon.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print

Carving Angels
by Diane Stringam Tolley
This is a true delight!
I received this as a win last year and 
I will post a review with a giveaway this week.
Papa Adam, the North Pole's oldest elf and Santa's former chief carver, has given up. Blind, frail, and useless, he counts the minutes in every day as he waits to die. But a challenge to carve, given by his youngest granddaughter, reawakens Papa Adam. Together they prove that the most paralyzing thing you can do is underestimate or undervalue anyone, especially yourself. With the right love and encouragement, anything is possible.

4. Audible/MP4

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Charley Davidson, Book 4
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
I enjoyed Charley's investigation in this installment.
I picked this up from my own Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary
The fourth in this fun and sexy New York Times best-selling paranormal series.

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.
©2012 Darynda Jones (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Line Edits/Releases:
We released a new eBook for children:

Shelly Goes to Washington, D.C. 

by Stacey Leigh Malloy, Illustrated by Katie Cassidy
When Shelly, a Cape Cod hermit crab, gets caught in a riptide, she lands along the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Shelly enjoys taking in the sights, but she hopes to somehow, someway get back to her home and family.

This is the second book in the "Shelly the Hermit Crab" series. Each book is a beautifully illustrated story of Shelly's amazing adventures with real life lessons, facts, and a happliy-ever-after ending.

Genre: Children's - Ages 2-9
Pages: 36 pages, fully illustrated

As soon as I have the print proof we will link up a new print release for two other titles.

Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link: Gift Cards for the Holidays!

Currently reading:
1. Audible/MP4

Ten Things I Love About You
    by Julia Quinn
    Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
I am enjoying this charming Historical Romance from my Audible library.
Publisher's Summary
Ten things you should know about this book....
1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.
3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.
5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.
6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
Number 7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to:
10. Happily. Ever. After.
©2010 Julie Cotler Pottinger (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

2. eBook/Kindle
 

Let Me Get This Off My Chest:
A Breast Cancer Survivor Over-Shares
by Margaret Lesh
I am reading this as I prepare for more decisions coming up.
I am enjoying the humorous approach to this serious issue.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2013
Tamoxifen hot flashes, mastectomy, reconstruction, breast cancer etiquette, Frankenboobs, bras with special attachments—Margaret Lesh shares all in her funny, heartfelt collection of essays, anecdotes, and life lessons from the perspective of a two-time breast cancer survivor. She’ll tell you when it’s okay to play the cancer card, what you should take to the hospital, and gives suggestions on how to cope in those dark moments of the soul. With practical tips sprinkled throughout, LET ME GET THIS OFF MY CHEST explores how breast cancer changed her outlook on life, offering honest insights, humor, and sensitivity as she looks for the silver lining in a not-so-great situation.

Whether you are a woman diagnosed with breast cancer or whether you know someone with breast cancer, this book was written for you.

3. Print

Angel Christmas Anthology
by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more
I have enjoyed the first two of these five stories.
I pulled this from my Christmas TBR box to read and share.
Publisher: Topaz (November 1, 1995)
CATCH A FALLING ANGEL by Carole Nelson Douglas
To prove he's bad enough for hell, a devilish rogue becomes a rock star out to ruin an innocent young girl--unless he gets foiled by some Yuletide magic.

BRUSH OF ANGEL WINGS by Emma Merritt
A little girl prays to her special angel for a daddy, and a Texas Ranger returns to his hometown for the holidays in hopes of rekindling the passion he once shared with her mother--his first love.

THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELINA by Marilyn Campbell
It takes a little angel mischief to unite a handsome young major and a fiery widow by Christmas.

TIN ANGEL by Patricia Rice
A goodhearted, though skeptical, hero learns the joy of Christmas when he falls in love with an angel sent to make him believe in miracles.

GUARDED BY ANGELS by Mary Balogh
When a mysterious old lady and her young grandson offer their cottage to an estranged couple who got lost during a blizzard, it's a gift that will last a lifetime.

4. eBook/Kindle

The Wanderers
by Cheryl Mahoney
I didn't get to start this last week 
so hopefully will get to it this week.
It is written by a blog friend author.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 13, 2013
Click on book title for full description.

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: We are finalizing several print releases/waiting for more cover flats; and two new eBooks.

I am still enjoying adding books from my own TBR. :-).
Again, I didn't get caught up last week but my backlog for review is now four books and I hope to post four or five this week and then I'll be up to date again.

December Scheduled- done

NetGalley:
  couple requests pending

Authors
   The Wanderers by Cheryl Mahoney - blog friend author (reading)
   Christmas on Main Street Anthology  - picked up at Kindle

AudioBook Jukebox 
    more being requested

From TBR Collection - Angel Christmas Anthology
Won Book - Carving Angels by Diane Stringam Tolley (read to be reviewed this week)
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 22, 2013

[As noted - I am sharing e a bit of advent messages during this beautiful season along with songs from our choir program.]

ADVENT WEEK FOUR celebrates The Nativity... a choice is made, a gift given and God becomes Emmanuel -- God with us, God made man to show us His presence and provide the final bridge from the darkness to the light.

The four weeks of the Discerning Advent program with podcasts are shared and available online and through email at God in All Things.

Week Four :: The Nativity
The God-made-flesh became all things to all people. And his incarnation means our very choices are made sacred. Discernment is a process of incarnation, a letting God in. The nativity reminded us that God has already been here, been involved intimately in our lives—and it wasn’t going to stop.
....

We had a lovely Christmas service this morning.

This is a medley from our choir Christmas program.
I could not find the song I had in mind but this is a good choice too.

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 9:6
    For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Well - other than early gifts (mailed late) and some stocking gifts (now purchased) I am abandoning all pretense at preparation for the commercial part of Christmas. And I think that is just as well. My DH and I are focusing on family time, perhaps a Christmas Eve service, and recognizing the true reason to celebrate - Christ came to live with us and die for us. Thank you to our triune God!

Sharing Beyond Books #131 Comment + Special Giveaway 12/21/13

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Happy Winter Solstice! Here I sit tonight - no fire needed as it is warm again. Hope it gets a little cooler again for Christmas.

The number one hard thing or late thing for commenters this year is sending cards with six people mentioning that. Three mentioned everything is difficult this season; two said trees and a few other items like mailing gifts (we were late too) and planning Christmas dinner. Only two people feel fully prepared - lucky folks. :-)

Thirteen people will be giving books for gifts to family members from moms to great nephews. Two said "maybe" they will give books and two said no.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #130 comments is: #4 Sue 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 #131

Q1. Margaret asks: If you drink tea, which herbal tea is your favorite??

A: I enjoy various teas - different flavors for different moods. I most prefer Earl Grey and Breakfast Blend - usually decaf. I think my favorite herbal tea is Mandarin Orange although I do enjoy getting a variety pack to try other flavors.

Image found at itsallisonbtch.

Q2. ElizabethL poses a book question: What book are you looking forward to for the new year??

A: I had a third book in a trilogy I was looking forward to until I saw the less than favorable reviews. Now I am totally undecided what book to make my first read in 2014.  I am pretty sure it is going to be The Harbinger which I have been looking forward to for some time. I am also looking forward to reading the Four Blood Moons early in 2014. Other than those - I always look forward to many books! :-)  BTW - please see special Giveaway below regarding this!!

Image found at Pages of Forbidden Love.

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. Margaret asks: If you drink tea which herbal tea is your favorite??

Q2. ElizabethL poses a book question: What book are you looking forward to for the new year??

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, December 27, 2013 at 10 PM central.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!
In addition to the usual giveaway I have a special Giveaway to add: I plan to pick a winner from all those who share a title that they are looking forward to reading in 2014. If the winner has not yet purchased the book I will purchase it for them as a gift. If they already have the book then I will send a GC for the price of the book (up to a reasonable amount - up to $20.00). So let me hear what books you want!!
Winner to be selected 12/27/13 at 10PM central.

Book Review: Christmas Wishes by Wendy Vella

This is another delightful historical gem - perfect for quick Christmas reading joy.
Christmas Wishes
by Wendy Vella

• File Size: 2698 KB
• Print Length: 95 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Wendy Vella (December 8, 2013)
• ASIN: B00H707SG0

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 8, 2013
Miss Hero Appleby distrusts noblemen, especially self-indulgent rakes like Lord Caruthers, however she was desperate for money to support the orphans in her care this Christmas, so it is to him she must go. Perhaps it had been wrong of her to point out his many faults so boldly, but the man drove her to distraction and all thoughts of lady-like behaviour disappeared in his infuriating presence.

Max didn't remember much of his first meeting with the annoying Miss Appleby, thanks to the after effects of one good drink too many. But he vaguely recalled he'd promised her something, just to get her out of his house so he could suffer in peace. Unfortunately peaceful was the last word to describe her as he found out the next day. She was unlike any woman he knew - opinionated and rude certainly, but she worked selflessly to provide for children that were not even of her blood. Max had believed himself incapable of emotion yet Hero was making him feel things that he had believed were long dead. Could his long forgotten Christmas wish really come true?

Review:
Hero is from a society family but her father was a wastrel and she is now alone and reliant on a family relative for support. She is content to live at a ramshackle estate she inherited but she needs more to care for the six orphaned children she has taken in. They really need financial patronage to make repairs and have a bit of Christmas joy. She has written to the local “Lord” but he hasn’t even had the decency to reply.

Shortly before Christmas Hero learns that Lord Caruthers, Max, has returned from town so she ‘storms the castle’ to seek his help. It isn’t very encouraging when she discovers him with bloodshot eyes and clearly suffering from a night of excess. Hero doesn’t have much faith or sympathy for the obviously indulgent Lord and he initially views her as a prissy termagant.

Max surprises Hero when he keeps his promise to visit her the next day but she is still distrustful and rude. Max realizes how outspoken Hero can be but he also sees how lovely and caring she really is. Max has known little of love through his life and is surprised to watch this young woman who is willing to give so freely to children who aren’t even her own. One little boy has clearly suffered abuse but he attaches himself to Max and is sure that he will protect them.

Max manages to surprise Hero again, first with repairs and gifts and then with personal attention. She is attracted to him although she knows that she isn’t likely to attract such a rake. When danger threatens the children and then Hero, Max is quick to come to the rescue and to decide that there is something special about Hero that brings to mind Christmas wishes. 

Although this is a rather common plotline for a historical novel--the poor innocent miss and the rich rake--Ms. Vella makes it a fun read with the addition of delightfully cute children, good chemical attraction, a little danger and sweet romance. It is a quick, easy read that was a delight. This is a wonderful novella to give a reader a taste of this author, or a treat for those readers who already enjoy her work.

Max recognizes that Hero is special:

“... She was everything he had never wanted in a wife. She would be demanding, argumentative and want to play a full role in his affairs....” Location 1408

I was glad to read this quick Christmas delight from the author.

Book Review: Lady In Disguise (The Langley Sisters) by Wendy Vella

This is a lovely historical with the tensions of society issues and a little bit of danger and mystery.

Lady In Disguise (The Langley Sisters)
by Wendy Vella

• File Size: 2673 KB
• Print Length: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wendy Vella; 3 edition (December 10, 2013)
• ASIN: B00G88MQQY

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 11, 2013
Desperate and penniless, Miss Olivia Langley is out of options. To ensure her family's survival she and her sister decide to take a drastic step - they don masks and take to the road as highwaymen. Disaster strikes when, inside the first carriage they rob, they find the one man Olivia had hoped never to see again. Five years ago Lord William Ryder had broken Livvy's heart. Now he has returned and she has a bad feeling that if anyone can succeed at unmasking her deepest secrets, it will be him.
Will knew his return would be greeted with both joy and resentment, but after five years of hard living he was ready to come home and take his place in society. He had never forgotten Olivia no matter how hard he'd tried, and whilst he hadn't imagined she would welcome him with open arms, the hostility and anger she displays are at odds with the woman he once knew. It is not long before he realizes she's living a dangerous lie, and now that he’s back, Will is determined to keep her safe and finally claim her for his own.

Review:
Olivia is a proper young lady but has the burden of trying to support her younger sisters and household after the untimely death of their father. Olivia is too proud to let the community see that their finances are in desperate shape. They have sold most of the pictures and things of value in their home and they need extra funds to get medical help for the youngest girl, Bella. Now Olivia and her middle sister, Phoebe, have become highway robbers to assure their next meals and to build up the funds to help Beth.

Will has just returned home from his travels and adventures abroad. Five years earlier Will had been dressed down as a wastrel by his elder brother. Will, being a young hothead, stomped off in the heat of anger taking his long time friend, Luke, as coachman and side kick. Now they are returning with a third partner and fortunes secured for each.

Will is thrilled to see his childhood best friend and almost sweetheart, Olivia. Granted he had left her behind with no word too, but they were young and he was a selfish young man enjoying his life of freedom with wicked friends in town. But Olivia had always been special to him and now, as a mature man of means, he is determined to pursue her and keep her safe.

Olivia doesn’t want to acknowledge that Will broke her young heart when he left without so much as a note. She had hoped she had gotten over her youthful infatuation but fears that is not the case when she inadvertently robs his coach on the night of his return. Now she struggles to give him a cold shoulder and to keep him from getting close enough to learn the secrets of her family circumstances. Then Olivia’s odious and lewd cousin determines that he will take advantage of the three young girls. Can Olivia execute an escape before getting caught or will she accept help before it is too late?

The plot may be somewhat old hat but Ms. Vella makes it work nicely with warm characters and good action. This is an easy, light read with strong emotions between the matured characters. I enjoyed the touch of danger that exists with the highway robberies and of course the added villainy of a lecher set to control the girls. Will and his two companions make good heros and add more sidelines of interest. The sexual encounters in this one are strong but not too steamy and play second place to a larger plot which is how I like it. I recommend this to readers who enjoy an engaging, warm historical romance and I look forward to more stories from Ms. Vella.

I received this ebook from the author for an honest review.